bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Initial clinical experience with the ADAPT technique: A direct aspiration first pass technique for stroke thrombectomy
Authors: Turk Aquilla S , Spiotta Alex , Frei Don , Mocco J , Baxter Blaise , Fiorella David , Siddiqui Adnan , Mokin Maxim , Dewan Michael , Woo Henry , Turner Raymond , Hawk Harris , Miranpuri Amrendra , Chaudry Imran 
Published: April 2013

BackgroundThe development of new revascularization devices has improved recanalization rates and time but not clinical outcomes. We report our initial results with a new technique utilizing a direct aspiration first pass technique with a large bore aspiration catheter as the primary method for vessel recanalization.MethodsA retrospective evaluation of a prospectively captured database of 37 patients at six institutions was performed on patients where the ADAPT technique was utilized. The data represent the initial experience with this technique.ResultsThe ADAPT technique alone was successful in 28 of 37 (75%) cases although six cases had large downstream emboli that required additional aspiration. Nine cases required the additional use of a stent retriever and one case required the addition of a Penumbra aspiration separator to achieve recanalization. The average time from groin puncture to at least Thrombolysis in Cerebral Ischemia (TICI) 2b recanalization was 28.1 min, and all cases were successfully revascularized. TICI 3 recanalization was achieved 65% of the time. On average, patients presented with an admitting National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 16.3 and improved to an NIHSS score of 4.2 by the time of hospital discharge. There was one procedural complication.DiscussionThis initial experience highlights the fact that the importance of the technique with which new stroke thrombectomy devices are used may be as crucial as the device itself. The ADAPT technique is a simple and effective approach to acute ischemic stroke thrombectomy. Utilizing the latest generation of large bore aspiration catheters in this fashion has allowed us to achieve excellent clinical and angiographic outcomes.
Interactions Between Vascular Wall and Perivascular Adipose Tissue Reveal Novel Roles for Adiponectin in the Regulation of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Function in Human Vessels
Authors: Margaritis Marios , Antonopoulos Alexios S. , Digby Janet , Lee Regent , Reilly Svetlana , Coutinho Patricia , Shirodaria Cheerag , Sayeed Rana , Petrou Mario , De Silva Ravi , Jalilzadeh Shapour , Demosthenous Michael , Bakogiannis Constantinos , Tousoulis Dimitris , Stefanadis Christodoulos , Choudhury Robin P. , Casadei Barbara , Channon Keith M. , Antoniades Charalambos 
Published: April 2013

Background—
Adiponectin is an adipokine with potentially important roles in human cardiovascular disease states. We studied the role of adiponectin in the cross-talk between adipose tissue and vascular redox state in patients with atherosclerosis.

Methods and Results—

The study included 677 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Endothelial function was evaluated by flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery in vivo and by vasomotor studies in saphenous vein segments ex vivo. Vascular superoxide (O
2
−
) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) uncoupling were quantified in saphenous vein and internal mammary artery segments. Local adiponectin gene expression and ex vivo release were quantified in perivascular (saphenous vein and internal mammary artery) subcutaneous and mesothoracic adipose tissue from 248 patients. Circulating adiponectin was independently associated with nitric oxide bioavailability and O
2
−
production/eNOS uncoupling in both arteries and veins. These findings were supported by a similar association between functional polymorphisms in the adiponectin gene and vascular redox state. In contrast, local adiponectin gene expression/release in perivascular adipose tissue was positively correlated with O
2
−
and eNOS uncoupling in the underlying vessels. In ex vivo experiments with human saphenous veins and internal mammary arteries, adiponectin induced Akt-mediated eNOS phosphorylation and increased tetrahydrobiopterin bioavailability, improving eNOS coupling. In ex vivo experiments with human saphenous veins/internal mammary arteries and adipose tissue, we demonstrated that peroxidation products produced in the vascular wall (ie, 4-hydroxynonenal) upregulate adiponectin gene expression in perivascular adipose tissue via a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ–dependent mechanism.

Conclusions—
We demonstrate for the first time that adiponectin improves the redox state in human vessels by restoring eNOS coupling, and we identify a novel role of vascular oxidative stress in the regulation of adiponectin expression in human perivascular adipose tissue.
The Last Almohads: Universal Sovereignty between North Africa and the Crown of Aragon
Authors: Fancy Hussein 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Grounded in Romance, Latin, and Arabic archival sources, this article traces the journey of the last Almohad princes, the sons of the caliph Abū Dabbūs, from North Africa into the realms of the Crown of Aragon and back to North Africa again. It aims not only to repair two halves of a curious and little known history but also argues that the disciplinary boundaries that have divided the study of Iberia and North Africa have had enduring consequences on the interpretation of the relationship between these regions. From the Crown of Aragon’s alliance with Abū Zayd, the last Almohad governor of Valencia, to its attempt to restore the sons of Abū Dabbūs to the throne in North Africa, this essay argues that the Aragonese kings asserted their aspirations to imperial authority not against but rather over and through the legacy of Almohads. An appendix includes a new edition of an extraordinary bilingual charter from the Archives of the Crown of Aragon (ACA) in Barcelona.
“The Types of Wisdom Are Two in Number”: Judah ibn Tibbon’s Quotation from the Iḥyā’ ‘ulūm al-Dīn
Authors: Pearce S.J. 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
The present study bears out an early twentieth-century suggestion that the twelfth-century Andalusi physician, translator, merchant and lexicographer Judah ibn Tibbon quoted directly from the Iḥyā’ ‘ulūm al-dīn, the theological magnum opus of Abū Ḥāmid al-Ghazālī, in the ethical will he wrote to his son Samuel. In addition to demonstrating, through a consideration of lexicographical evidence, that a sentence from that summa was indeed quoted, in Hebrew translation, in the text of the ethical will, the present article will set that quotation into its context as a part of the Tibbonid drive toward literal, word-for-word translation from Arabic into Hebrew. It will further consider the significance of the authorial decision by Judah ibn Tibbon, who fled Granada for Provence following the advent of Almohad rule in Iberia to include, alongside Andalusi sources, direct quotation from al-Ghazālī, a text that formed part of the intellectual underpinning of the Almohad movement.
Experimental and computer simulation validation of ultrasound phase interference created by lateral inhomogeneity of transit time in replica bone: marrow composite models
Authors: Langton Christian M , Wille Marie-Luise 
Published: April 2013

The measurement of broadband ultrasound attenuation in cancellous bone for the assessment of osteoporosis follows a parabolic-type dependence with bone volume fraction, having minima values corresponding to both entire bone and entire marrow. Langton has recently proposed that the primary attenuation mechanism is phase interference due to variations in propagation transit time through the test sample as detected over the phase-sensitive surface of the receive ultrasound transducer. This fundamentally simple concept assumes that the propagation may be considered as an array of parallel ‘sonic rays’. The transit time of each ray is defined by the proportion of bone and marrow propagated, being a minimum (tmin) solely through bone and a maximum (tmax) solely through marrow, from which a transit time spectrum, may be defined describing the proportion of sonic rays having a particular transit time. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that there is a dependence of phase interference upon the lateral inhomogeneity of transit time by comparing experimental measurements and computer simulation predictions of ultrasound propagation through a range of relatively simplistic solid:liquid models. From qualitative and quantitative comparison of the experimental and computer simulation results, there is an extremely high degree of agreement of 94.2%–99.0% between the two approaches. This combined experimental and computer simulation study has successfully demonstrated that lateral inhomogeneity of transit time has significant potential for phase interference to occur if a phase-sensitive receive ultrasound transducer is implemented as in most commercial ultrasound bone analysis devices.
Operative Treatment of Chronic Irreparable Achilles Tendon Ruptures With Large Flexor Hallucis Longus Tendon Transfers
Authors: Rahm Stefan , Spross Christian , Gerber Fabienne , Farshad Mazda , Buck Florian M. , Espinosa Norman 
Published: April 2013

Background: Transfer of the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon aims to restore function and relieve pain in chronic Achilles tendon (AT) disease. The goal of the present study was to investigate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of FHL transfer to the AT and to compare the transtendinous technique to the transosseous technique. We hypothesized that the type of technique would have a notable impact on outcome. Methods: Forty patients (42 ankles) were retrospectively reviewed and divided into group 1 (transtendinous technique, 22 patients/24 ankles) and group 2 (transosseous technique, 18 patients/18 ankles). Outcome parameters included the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot score, Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) score, Foot Function Index (FFI), and Short Form-36 (SF-36) scores. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lower leg was performed preoperatively to assess muscle quality and fatty infiltration. Postoperatively, isokinetic plantar flexion strength was assessed using a Con-Trex dynamometer. Results: In group 1 (follow-up, 73 months; age, 52 years), the AOFAS score improved from 66 points to 89 points ( P < .001) with average values for the VISA-A of 76 points, FFI-D pain 15%, and FFI-D function 22%. In group 2 (follow-up, 35 months; age, 56 years), the AOFAS score increased from 59 points to 85 points ( P < .001) with mean values for the VISA-A 76 points, FFI-D pain 25%, and FFI-D function 24%. At follow-up, the average SF-36 score in group 1 was 66% and in group 2 was 77%. Isokinetic testing at 30 deg/s in group 1 revealed notable weakness in the operated ankle averaging 54.7 N·m (75% of normal), and in group 2 the average was 58.2 N·m (77% of normal). No statistically significant differences were found between the groups. Conclusion: The hypothesis was disproved. Both techniques for FHL transfer to AT, intratendinous and transosseous, provided good to excellent clinical and functional outcome in the treatment of irreparable AT disease. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative series.
Mana Taonga and the public sphere: A dialogue between Indigenous practice and Western theory
Authors: Schorch Philipp , Hakiwai Arapata 
Published: April 2013

Recent re-conceptualizations of the ‘public sphere’ facilitated a much needed shift in thinking about identity politics ‘from a substance … to a movement’ (Weibel and Latour, 2007). This laid the foundation for dissolving the ‘emanatist vision’ (Bourdieu, 1990) of self-explanatory and perpetual systems and structures towards the interrogation of actions and performances that simultaneously constitute and are affected by such wider socio-political realities. Most academic contributions, however, remain on a normative or theoretical level without offering empirical insights. This article introduces Mana Taonga as an Indigenous Māori concept of cultural politics embedded in current museum practice at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (Te Papa). It creates a dialogue between Indigenous Māori practice and Western theory leading to a refined understanding of performative democracy within a museum as forum, or public sphere. The authors argue that a specific museum offers a particular place, space and empirical reality to interrogate seemingly universal concepts such as ‘culture’ and ‘politics’ by blending theoretical notions with an awareness of institutional contexts and practices.
CoDP: predicting the impact of unclassified genetic variants in MSH6 by the combination of different properties of the protein
Authors: Terui Hiroko , Akagi Kiwamu , Kawame Hiroshi , Yura Kei 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
Lynch syndrome is a hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome caused by a mutation in one of the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes. About 24% of the mutations identified in Lynch syndrome are missense substitutions and the frequency of missense variants in MSH6 is the highest amongst these MMR genes. Because of this high frequency, the genetic testing was not effectively used in MSH6 so far. We, therefore, developed CoDP (Combination of the Different Properties), a bioinformatics tool to predict the impact of missense variants in MSH6.

Methods
We integrated the prediction results of three methods, namely MAPP, PolyPhen-2 and SIFT. Two other structural properties, namely solvent accessibility and the change in the number of heavy atoms of amino acids in the MSH6 protein, were further combined explicitly. MSH6 germline missense variants classified by their associated clinical and molecular data were used to fit the parameters for the logistic regression model and to assess the prediction. The performance of CoDP was compared with those of other conventional tools, namely MAPP, SIFT, PolyPhen-2 and PON-MMR.

Results
A total of 294 germline missense variants were collected from the variant databases and literature. Of them, 34 variants were available for the parameter training and the prediction performance test. We integrated the prediction results of MAPP, PolyPhen-2 and SIFT, and two other structural properties, namely solvent accessibility and the change in the number of heavy atoms of amino acids in the MSH6 protein, were further combined explicitly. Variants data classified by their associated clinical and molecular data were used to fit the parameters for the logistic regression model and to assess the prediction. The values of the positive predictive value (PPV), the negative predictive value (NPV), sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the tools were compared on the whole data set. PPV of CoDP was 93.3% (14/15), NPV was 94.7% (18/19), specificity was 94.7% (18/19), sensitivity was 93.3% (14/15) and accuracy was 94.1% (32/34). Area under the curve of CoDP was 0.954, that of MAPP for MSH6 was 0.919, of SIFT was 0.864 and of PolyPhen-2 HumVar was 0.819. The power to distinguish between pathogenic and non-pathogenic variants of these methods was tested by Wilcoxon rank sum test (p < 8.9 × 10-6 for CoDP, p < 3.3 × 10-5 for MAPP, p < 3.1 × 10-4 for SIFT and p < 1.2 × 10-3 for PolyPhen-2 HumVar), and CoDP was shown to outperform other conventional methods.

Conclusion
In this paper, we provide a human curated data set for MSH6 missense variants, and CoDP, the prediction tool, which achieved better accuracy for predicting the impact of missense variants in MSH6 than any other known tools. CoDP is available at http://cib.cf.ocha.ac.jp/CoDP/.
Mapping of pigmentation QTL on an anchored genome assembly of the cichlid fish, Metriaclima zebra
Authors: O’Quin Claire T , Drilea Alexi C , Conte Matthew A , Kocher Thomas D 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
Pigmentation patterns are one of the most recognizable phenotypes across the animal kingdom. They play an important role in camouflage, communication, mate recognition and mate choice. Most progress on understanding the genetics of pigmentation has been achieved via mutational analysis, with relatively little work done to understand variation in natural populations. Pigment patterns vary dramatically among species of cichlid fish from Lake Malawi, and are thought to be important in speciation. In this study, we crossed two species, Metriaclima zebra and M. mbenjii, that differ in several aspects of their body and fin color. We genotyped 798 SNPs in 160 F2 male individuals to construct a linkage map that was used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with the pigmentation traits of interest. We also used the linkage map to anchor portions of the M. zebra genome assembly.

Results
We constructed a linkage map consisting of 834 markers in 22 linkage groups that spanned over 1,933 cM. QTL analysis detected one QTL each for dorsal fin xanthophores, caudal fin xanthophores, and pelvic fin melanophores. Dorsal fin and caudal fin xanthophores share a QTL on LG12, while pelvic fin melanophores have a QTL on LG11. We used the mapped markers to anchor 66.5% of the M. zebra genome assembly. Within each QTL interval we identified several candidate genes that might play a role in pigment cell development.

Conclusion
This is one of a few studies to identify QTL for natural variation in fish pigmentation. The QTL intervals we identified did not contain any pigmentation genes previously identified by mutagenesis studies in other species. We expect that further work on these intervals will identify new genes involved in pigment cell development in natural populations.
Genome-wide promoter methylation profile of human testis and epididymis: identified from cell-free seminal DNA
Authors: Wu Chunlin , Ding Xiaofang , Li Honggang , Zhu Changhong , Xiong Chengliang 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackgroundDNA methylation analysis is useful for investigation of male fertility in mammals, whereas the reliance on tissues limits the research on human. We have previously found the presence of high concentration of cell-free seminal DNA (cfsDNA) in human semen. We proposed that some testis and epididymis-specific methylated promoters could be detected in human cfsDNA, and thus hold promise as noninvasive epigenetic biomarkers for male infertility, of which most cases are caused by defects in testicular sperm production or epididymal sperm maturation.ResultsThe ejaculate of successfully vasectomized men does not contain any secretion from testis and epididymis. Here we compared genome-wide promoter methylation profiles in cfsDNA between health donors and post-vasectomy men. Promoters of 367 testis and epididymis-specific hypomethylated genes and 134 hypermethylated genes were identified. Subsequent validation by Methyl-DNA immunoprecipitation and MethyLight analysis confirmed the result of promoter microarray. Gene Ontology analysis revealed many genes involved in male reproduction.ConclusionWe detected the testis and epididymis-specific methylated promoters in human cfsDNA, which may be used for noninvasive epigenetic biomarkers for the study and diagnosis of male infertility.
Evidence for tankyrases as antineoplastic targets in lung cancer
Authors: Busch Alexander M , Johnson Kevin C , Stan Radu V , Sanglikar Aarti , Ahmed Yashi , Dmitrovsky Ethan , Freemantle Sarah J 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
New pharmacologic targets are urgently needed to treat or prevent lung cancer, the most common cause of cancer death for men and women. This study identified one such target. This is the canonical Wnt signaling pathway, which is deregulated in cancers, including those lacking adenomatous polyposis coli or β-catenin mutations. Two poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) enzymes regulate canonical Wnt activity: tankyrase (TNKS) 1 and TNKS2. These enzymes poly-ADP-ribosylate (PARsylate) and destabilize axin, a key component of the β-catenin phosphorylation complex.

Methods
This study used comprehensive gene profiles to uncover deregulation of the Wnt pathway in murine transgenic and human lung cancers, relative to normal lung. Antineoplastic consequences of genetic and pharmacologic targeting of TNKS in murine and human lung cancer cell lines were explored, and validated in vivo in mice by implantation of murine transgenic lung cancer cells engineered with reduced TNKS expression relative to controls.

Results
Microarray analyses comparing Wnt pathway members in malignant versus normal tissues of a murine transgenic cyclin E lung cancer model revealed deregulation of Wnt pathway components, including TNKS1 and TNKS2. Real-time PCR assays independently confirmed these results in paired normal-malignant murine and human lung tissues. Individual treatments of a panel of human and murine lung cancer cell lines with the TNKS inhibitors XAV939 and IWR-1 dose-dependently repressed cell growth and increased cellular axin 1 and tankyrase levels. These inhibitors also repressed expression of a Wnt-responsive luciferase construct, implicating the Wnt pathway in conferring these antineoplastic effects. Individual or combined knockdown of TNKS1 and TNKS2 with siRNAs or shRNAs reduced lung cancer cell growth, stabilized axin, and repressed tumor formation in murine xenograft and syngeneic lung cancer models.

Conclusions
Findings reported here uncovered deregulation of specific components of the Wnt pathway in both human and murine lung cancer models. Repressing TNKS activity through either genetic or pharmacological approaches antagonized canonical Wnt signaling, reduced murine and human lung cancer cell line growth, and decreased tumor formation in mouse models. Taken together, these findings implicate the use of TNKS inhibitors to target the Wnt pathway to combat lung cancer.
Forecast analysis of the incidence of tuberculosis in the province of Quebec
Authors: Klotz Alexander , Harouna Abdoulaye , Smith Andrew F 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
While the overall population prevalence of tuberculosis in Quebec has been declining for many years, tuberculosis is still disproportionately more prevalent among the immigrant and Inuit communities. As such, the aim of this study was to forecast the incidence of tuberculosis in the Province of Quebec over time in order to examine the possible impact of future preventative and treatment programs geared to reducing such disparities.

Methods
A compartmental differential equation based on a Susceptible Exposed Latent Infectious Recovered (SELIR) model was simulated using the Euler method using Visual Basic for Applications in Excel. Demographic parameters were obtained from census data for the Province of Quebec and the model was fitted to past epidemiological data to extrapolate future values over the period 2015 to 2030.

Results
The trend of declining tuberculosis rates will continue in the general population, falling by 42% by 2030. The incidence among immigrants will decrease but never vanish, and may increase in the future. Among the Inuit, the incidence is expected to increase, reaching a maximum and then stabilizing, although if re-infection is taken into account it may continue to increase. Tuberculosis among non-indigenous Canadian born persons will continue to decline, with the disease almost eradicated in that group in the mid 21st century.

Conclusions
While the incidence of tuberculosis in the Province of Quebec is expected to decrease overall, certain populations will remain at risk.