bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognostic significance of neutrophil lymphocyte ratio and platelet lymphocyte ratio in advanced gastric cancer patients treated with FOLFOX chemotherapy
Authors: Lee Suee , Oh Sung Yong , Kim Sung Hyun , Lee Ji Hyun , Kim Min Chan , Kim Ki Han , Kim Hyo-Jin 
Published: July 2013

AbstractBackgroundSeveral inflammatory response materials could be used for prediction of prognosis of cancer patients. The neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and the platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR) have been introduced for prognostic scoring system in various cancers. The objective of this study was to determine whether the NLR or the PLR would predict the clinical outcomes in advanced gastric cancer patients treated with oxaliplatin/ 5-fluorouracil (FOLFOX).MethodsThe study population consisted of 174 advanced gastric cancer patients. Patients were treated with 85 mg/m2of oxaliplatin as a 2-h infusion at day 1 plus 20 mg/m2of leucovorin over 10 min, followed by 5-FU bolus 400 mg/m2and 22-h continuous infusion of 600 mg/m2at days 1-2. Treatment was repeated in 2-week intervals. The NLR and PLR were calculated from complete blood counts in laboratory test before and after first cycle of chemotherapy.ResultsNLR was a useful prognostic biomarker for predicting inferior overall survival (OS) (p= 0.005), but was not associated with progression free survival (PFS) (p= 0.461). The normalization of NLR after one cycle of chemotherapy was found to be in association with significant improvement in PFS (5.3 months vs. 2.4 months,p< 0.001), and OS (11.9 months vs. 4.6 months,p< 0.001). The normalization of PLR was also associated with longer PFS (5.6 months vs. 3.4 months,p= 0.006), and OS (16.9 months vs. 10.9 months,p= 0.002). In multivariate analysis, changes in NLR were associated with PFS (Hazard ratio (HR): 2.297, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.429-3.693,p= 0.001). The NLR, (HR: 0.245, 95% CI: 0.092-0.633,p= 0.004), PLR (HR: 0.347, 95% CI: 0.142-0.847,p= 0.020), changes in NLR (HR: 2.468, 95% CI: 1.567-3.886,p< 0.001), and changes in PLR (HR: 1.473, 95% CI: 1.038-2.090,p= 0.030) were independent prognostic markers for OS.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that NLR, PLR, and changes in NLR or PLR are independent prognostic factor for OS in patients with advanced gastric cancer treated with chemotherapy. These specific factors may also help in identifying the patients, who are more sensitive to FOLFOX regimen.
Effect of interleukin-1β treatment on co-cultures of human meniscus cells and bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells
Authors: Chowdhury Anika , Bezuidenhout Louis W , Mulet-Sierra Aillette , Jomha Nadr M , Adesida Adetola B 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is a major mediator of local inflammation present in injured joints. In this study, we aimed at comparing the effect of IL-1β on engineered tissues from MCs, BMSCs and co-cultured MCs and BMSCs.

Methods
We compared the effect of IL-1β in 3 groups: (1) MCs, (2) BMSCs and, (3) co-cultures of MCs and BMSCs. We selected 1 to 3 ratio of MCs to BMSCs for the co-cultures. Passage two (P2) human BMSCs were obtained from two donors. Human MCs were isolated from menisci of 4 donors. Mono-cultures of MCs and BMSCs, and co-cultures of MCs and BMSCs were cultured in chondrogenic medium with TGFβ3, as cell pellets for 14 days. Thereafter, pellets were cultured for 3 more days in same medium as before with or without IL-1β (500 pg/ml). Pellets were assessed histologically, biochemically and by RT-PCR for gene expression of aggrecan, sox9, MMP-1, collagens I and II. Statistics was performed using one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post-tests.

Results
Co-cultured pellets were the most intensely stained with safranin O and collagen II. Co-cultured pellets had the highest expression of sox9, collagen I and II. IL-1β treatment slightly reduced the GAG/DNA of co-cultured pellets but still exceeded the sum of the GAG/DNA from the proportion of MCs and BMSCs in the co-cultured pellets. After IL-1β treatment, the expression of sox9, collagen I and II in co-cultured pellets was higher compared to their expression in pure pellets. IL-1β induced MMP-1 expression in mono-cultures of MCs but not significantly in mono-cultures of BMSCs or in co-cultured pellets. IL-1β induced MMP-13 expression in mono-cultured pellets of BMSCs and in co-cultured pellets.

Conclusions
Co-cultures of MCs and BMSCs resulted in a synergistic production of cartilaginous matrix compared to mono-cultures of MCs and BMSCs. IL-1β did not abrogate the accumulated GAG matrix in co-cultures but mediated a decreased mRNA expression of aggrecan, collagen II and Sox9. These results strengthen the combinatorial use of primary MCs and BMSCs as a cell source for meniscus tissue engineering by demonstrating retention of fibrochondrogenic phenotype after exposure to IL-1β.
Effect of private insurance incentive policy reforms on trends in coronary revascularisation procedures in the private and public health sectors in Western Australia: a cohort study
Authors: Trafalski Shauna , Briffa Tom , Hung Joseph , Moorin Rachael E , Sanfilippo Frank , Preen David B , Einarsdóttir Kristjana 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
The Australian federal government introduced private health insurance incentive policy reforms in 2000 that increased the uptake of private health insurance in Australia. There is currently a lack of evidence on the effect of the policy reforms on access to cardiovascular interventions in public and private hospitals in Australia. The aim was to investigate whether the increased private health insurance uptake influenced trends in emergency and elective coronary artery revascularisation procedures (CARPs) for private and public patients.

Methods
We included 34,423 incident CARPs from Western Australia during 1995-2008 in this study. Rates of emergency and elective CARPs were stratified for publicly and privately funded patients. The average annual percent change (AAPC) in trend was calculated before and after 2000 using joinpoint regression.

Results
The rate of emergency CARPs, which were predominantly percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) with stenting, increased throughout the study period for both public and private patients (AAPC=12.9%, 95% CI=5.0,22.0 and 14.1%, 95% CI=9.8,18.6, respectively) with no significant difference in trends before and after policy implementation. The rate of elective PCIs with stenting from 2000 onwards remained relatively stable for public patients (AAPC=−6.0, 95% C= −16.9,6.4), but increased by 4.1% on average annually (95% CI=1.8,6.3) for private patients (pdifference=0.04 between groups). This rate increase for private patients was only seen in people aged over 65 years and people residing in high socioeconomic areas.

Conclusions
The private health insurance incentive policy reforms are a likely contributing factor in the shift in 2000 from public to privately-funded elective PCIs with stenting. These reforms as well as the increasing number of private hospitals may have been successful in increasing the availability of publicly-funded beds since 2000.
Factors affecting hospital length of stay and hospital charges associated with road traffic-related injuries in Iran
Authors: Haghparast-Bidgoli Hassan , Saadat Soheil , Bogg Lennart , Yarmohammadian Mohammad Hossein , Hasselberg Marie 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are a substantial cause of mortality and disability globally. There is little published information regarding healthcare resource utilization following RTIs, especially in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). The aim of this study was to assess total hospital charges and length of stay (LOS) associated with RTIs in Iran and to explore the association with patients’ socio-demographic characteristics, insurance status and injury-related factors (e.g. type of road users and safety equipment).

Method
The study was based on the Iranian National Trauma Registry Database (INTRD), which includes data from 14 general hospitals in eight major cities in Iran, for the years 2000 to 2004. 8,356 patients with RTI admitted to the hospitals were included in the current study. The variables extracted for the analysis included total hospital charges and length of stay, age, gender, socio-economic and insurance status, injury characteristics, medical outcome and use of safety equipment among the patients. Univariable analysis using non-parametric methods and multivariable regression analysis were performed to identify the factors associated with total hospital charges and LOS.

Results
The mean hospital charges for the patients were 1,115,819 IRR (SD=1,831,647 IRR, US$128 ± US$210). The mean LOS for the patients was 6.8 (SD =8 days). Older age, being a bicycle rider, higher injury severity and longer LOS were associated with higher hospital charges. Longer LOS was associated with being male, having lower education level, having a medical insurance, being pedestrian or motorcyclist, being a blue-collar worker and having more severe injuries. The reported use of safety equipment was very low and did not have significant effect on the hospital charges and LOS.

Conclusion
The study demonstrated that the hospital charges and LOS associated with RTI varied by age, gender, socio-economic status, insurance status, injury characteristics and health outcomes of the patients. The results of the study provide information that can be of importance in the planning and design of road traffic injury control strategies.
Local illness concepts and their relevance for the prevention and control of malaria during pregnancy in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi: findings from a comparative qualitative study
Authors: Menaca Arantza , Pell Christopher , Manda-Taylor Lucinda , Chatio Samuel , Afrah Nana A , Were Florence , Hodgson Abraham , Ouma Peter , Kalilani Linda , Tagbor Harry , Pool Robert 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
In sub-Saharan Africa, the burden of morbidity and mortality linked to malaria during pregnancy (MiP) is significant and compounded by its unclear symptoms and links with other health problems during pregnancy. Mindful of the biomedical and social complexity of MiP, this article explores and compares local understandings of MiP and their links with other pregnancy-related health problems.

Methods
A comparative qualitative study was undertaken at four sites in three countries: Ghana, Malawi and Kenya. Individual and group interviews were conducted with pregnant women, their relatives, opinion leaders, other community members and health providers. MiP-related behaviours were also observed at health facilities and in local communities.

Results
Across the four sites, local malaria concepts overlapped with biomedically defined malaria. In terms of symptoms, at-risk groups, outcomes and aetiology of malaria during pregnancy, this overlap was however both site-specific and partial. Moreover, the local malaria concepts were not monolithic and their descriptions varied amongst respondents. The symptoms of pregnancy and malaria also overlapped but, for respondents, symptom severity was the distinguishing factor. Malaria was generally, though not universally, perceived as serious for pregnant women. Miscarriage was the most widely known outcome, and links with anaemia, low birth weight and congenital malaria were mentioned. Nonetheless, amongst many potential causes of miscarriage, malaria was not recognized as the most important, but rather interacted with other pregnancy-related problems.

Conclusions
Given the overlap of common pregnancy problems with the symptoms of malaria, and the limited association of malaria with its main outcomes, a comprehensive antenatal care programme is the most appropriate strategy for the provision of health education, prevention and treatment for MiP. Variations in locally shared understandings of MiP must however be taken into account when designing and promoting MiP intervention strategies.
Intravenous administration of mesenchymal stem cells prevents angiotensin II-induced aortic aneurysm formation in apolipoprotein E-deficient mouse
Authors: Fu Xian-ming , Yamawaki-Ogata Aika , Oshima Hideki , Ueda Yuichi , Usui Akihiko , Narita Yuji 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known to be capable of suppressing inflammatory responses. We previously reported that intra-abdominal implantation of bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) sheet by laparotomy attenuated angiotensin II (AngII)-induced aortic aneurysm (AA) growth in apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE−/−) mice through anti-inflammation effects. However, cell delivery by laparotomy is invasive; we here demonstrated the effects of multiple intravenous administrations of BM-MSCs on AngII-induced AA formation.

Methods
BM-MSCs were isolated from femurs and tibiae of male apoE−/− mice. Experimental AA was induced by AngII infusion for 28 days in apoE−/− mice. Mice received weekly intravenous administration of BM-MSCs (n=12) or saline (n=10). After 4 weeks, AA formation incidence, aortic diameter, macrophage accumulation, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)’ activity, elastin content, and cytokines were evaluated.

Results
AngII induced AA formation in 100% of the mice in the saline group and 50% in the BM-MSCs treatment group (P < 0.05). A significant decrease of aortic diameter was observed in the BM-MSCs treatment group at ascending and infrarenal levels, which was associated with decreased macrophage infiltration and suppressed activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in aortic tissues, as well as a preservation of elastin content of aortic tissues. In addition, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 significantly decreased while insulin-like growth factor-1 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 increased in the aortic tissues of BM-MSCs treatment group.

Conclusions
Multiple intravenous administrations of BM-MSCs attenuated the development of AngII-induced AA in apoE−/− mice and may become a promising alternative therapeutic strategy for AA progression.
Fabrication, characterization and simulation of Ω-gate twin poly-Si FinFET nonvolatile memory
Authors: Yeh Mu-Shih , Wu Yung-Chun , Hung Min-Feng , Liu Kuan-Cheng , Jhan Yi-Ruei , Chen Lun-Chun , Chang Chun-Yen 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
This study proposed the twin poly-Si fin field-effect transistor (FinFET) nonvolatile memory with a structure that is composed of Ω-gate nanowires (NWs). Experimental results show that the NW device has superior memory characteristics because its Ω-gate structure provides a large memory window and high program/erase efficiency. With respect to endurance and retention, the memory window can be maintained at 3.5 V after 104 program and erase cycles, and after 10 years, the charge is 47.7% of its initial value. This investigation explores its feasibility in the future active matrix liquid crystal display system-on-panel and three-dimensional stacked flash memory applications.
Order-clustered fixed point theorems on chain-complete preordered sets and their applications to extended and generalized Nash equilibria
Authors: Xie Linsen , Li Jinlu , Yang Wenshan 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
In this paper, we introduce the concept of order-clustered fixed point of set-valued mappings on preordered sets and give several generalizations of the extension of the Abian-Brown fixed point theorem provided in (Mas-Colell et al. in Microeconomic Theory, 1995), which is from chain-complete posets to chain-complete preordered sets. By using these generalizations and by applying the order-increasing upward property of set-valued mappings, we prove several existence theorems of the extended and generalized Nash equilibria of nonmonetized noncooperative games on chain-complete preordered sets.

MSC:46B42, 47H10, 58J20, 91A06, 91A10.
Global existence of solutions for interval-valued integro-differential equations under generalized H-differentiability
Authors: Truong Vinh An , Ngo Van Hoa , Nguyen Dinh Phu 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
In this study, we consider the interval-valued integro-differential equations (IIDEs) under generalized H-differentiability

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The global existence of solutions for interval-valued integro-differential equations with initial conditions under generalized H-differentiability is studied. Theorems for global existence of solutions are given and proved on

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MSC:34K05, 34K30, 47G20.
West Nile virus methyltransferase domain interacts with protein kinase G
Authors: Keating Julie A , Bhattacharya Dipankar , Lim Pei-Yin , Falk Shaun , Weisblum Bernard , Bernard Kristen A , Sharma Mayuri , Kuhn Richard J , Striker Rob 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
The flaviviral nonstructural protein 5 (NS5) is a phosphoprotein, though the precise identities and roles of many specific phosphorylations remain unknown. Protein kinase G (PKG), a cGMP-dependent protein kinase, has previously been shown to phosphorylate dengue virus NS5.

Methods
We used mass spectrometry to specifically identify NS5 phosphosites. Co-immunoprecipitation assays were used to study protein-protein interactions. Effects on viral replication were measured via replicon system and plaque assay titering.

Results
We identified multiple sites in West Nile virus (WNV) NS5 that are phosphorylated during a WNV infection, and showed that the N-terminal methyltransferase domain of WNV NS5 can be specifically phosphorylated by PKG in vitro. Expressing PKG in cell culture led to an enhancement of WNV viral production. We hypothesized this effect on replication could be caused by factors beyond the specific phosphorylations of NS5. Here we show for the first time that PKG is also able to stably interact with a viral substrate, WNV NS5, in cell culture and in vitro. While the mosquito-borne WNV NS5 interacted with PKG, tick-borne Langat virus NS5 did not. The methyltransferase domain of NS5 is able to mediate the interaction between NS5 and PKG, and mutating positive residues in the αE region of the methyltransferase interrupts the interaction. These same mutations completely inhibited WNV replication.

Conclusions
PKG is not required for WNV replication, but does make a stable interaction with NS5. While the consequence of the NS5:PKG interaction when it occurs is unclear, mutational data demonstrates that this interaction occurs in a region of NS5 that is otherwise necessary for replication. Overall, the results identify an interaction between virus and a cellular kinase and suggest a role for a host kinase in enhancing flaviviral replication.
Evaluation of effect of low-level laser therapy on adolescents with temporomandibular disorder: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Leal de Godoy Camila Haddad , da Costa Silva Paula Fernanda , Sales de Araujo Deise , Motta Lara Jansiski , Biasotto-Gonzalez Daniela Aparecida , Politti Fabiano , Mesquita-Ferrari Raquel Agnelli , Fernandes Kristianne Porta Santos , Albertini Regiane , Bussadori Sandra Kalil 
Published: July 2013

AbstractBackgroundA number of problems involving the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and associated structures can lead to temporomandibular disorder (TMD). The aim of the proposed study is to assess the effect of low-level laser therapy on occlusal contacts, mandibular movements, electromyography activity in the muscles of mastication and pain in adolescents with TMD.Methods/DesignA randomized, controlled, double-blind, clinical trial will be carried out involving 85 male and female adolescents between 15 and 18 years of age. The research diagnostic criteria for TMD will be used to assess all individuals who agree to participate. All participants will be submitted to a clinical examination and electromyographic analysis of the masseter muscles and anterior bundle of the temporal muscles bilaterally, to determine TMD. Based on the clinical findings, the participants will be classified as having or not having TMD. Those with TMD will be divided into four groups, three of which will receive low-level laser therapy and one of which will receive a placebo treatment. The treatments will involve the TMJ region alone, the masseter and temporal muscles alone, or both these regions together. The data will be submitted to descriptive statistical analysis. The chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test will be used to determine associations among the categorical variables. The Student’sttest and analysis of variance will be used for the comparison of mean electromyographic signals. Pearson’s correlation coefficients will be calculated for the analysis of correlations among the continuous variables.Trial registrationThe protocol for this study has been submitted to Clinical Trials – registration number (NCT01846000).
Microevolution from shock to adaptation revealed strategies improving ethanol tolerance and production in Thermoanaerobacter
Authors: Lin Lu , Ji Yuetong , Tu Qichao , Huang Ranran , Teng Lin , Zeng Xiaowei , Song Houhui , Wang Kun , Zhou Qian , Li Yifei , Cui Qiu , He Zhili , Zhou Jizhong , Xu Jian 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Introduction
The molecular links between shock-response and adaptation remain poorly understood, particularly for extremophiles. This has hindered rational engineering of solvent tolerance and correlated traits (e.g., productivity) in extremophiles. To untangle such molecular links, here we established a model that tracked the microevolution from shock to adaptation in thermophilic bacteria.

Method
Temporal dynamics of genomes and transcriptomes was tracked for Thermoanaerobacter sp. X514 which under increasing exogenous ethanol evolved from ethanol-sensitive wild-type (Strain X) to tolerance of 2%- (XI) and eventually 6%-ethanol (XII). Based on the reconstructed transcriptional network underlying stress tolerance, genetic engineering was employed to improve ethanol tolerance and production in Thermoanaerobacter.

Results
The spontaneous genome mutation rate (μg) of Thermoanaerobacter sp. X514, calculated at 0.045, suggested a higher mutation rate in thermophile than previously thought. Transcriptomic comparison revealed that shock-response and adaptation were distinct in nature, whereas the transcriptomes of XII resembled those of the extendedly shocked X. To respond to ethanol shock, X employed fructose-specific phosphotransferase system (PTS), Arginine Deiminase (ADI) pathway, alcohol dehydrogenase (Adh) and a distinct mechanism of V-type ATPase. As an adaptation to exogenous ethanol, XI mobilized resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND) efflux system and Adh, whereas XII, which produced higher ethanol than XI, employed ECF-type ϭ24, an alcohol catabolism operon and phase-specific heat-shock proteins (Hsps), modulated hexose/pentose-transport operon structure and reinforced membrane rigidity. Exploiting these findings, we further showed that ethanol productivity and tolerance can be improved simultaneously by overexpressing adh or ϭ24 in X.

Conclusion
Our work revealed thermophilic-bacteria specific features of adaptive evolution and demonstrated a rational strategy to engineer co-evolving industrial traits. As improvements of shock-response, stress tolerance and productivity have been crucial aims in industrial applications employing thermophiles, our findings should be valuable not just to the production of ethanol but also to a wide variety of biofuels and biochemicals.