bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A prospective cohort study characterising the role of anogenital warts in HIV acquisition among men who have sex with men: a study protocol
Authors: Brown Brandon , Davtyan Mariam , Leon Segundo R , Sanchez Hugo , Calvo Gino , Klausner Jeffrey D , Galea Jerome 
Published: September 2014

IntroductionThe HIV epidemic in Latin America is concentrated among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) with transmission predominately occurring during unprotected anal intercourse. This mode of transmission is also responsible for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as herpes simplex, chlamydia and gonorrhoea, human papillomavirus (HPV)/genital warts and syphilis. Studies assessing the prevalence of HIV and HPV among MSM have not addressed the role of genital warts and HPV-related diseases in the acquisition of HIV infection. Community-based testing programmes are a potentially important way to remove barriers including stigma for individuals to learn about their STI status.Methods and analysisThe prospective cohort study will recruit 600 MSM/TGW at a community centre in Lima, Peru, named Epicentro. Half of the participants will have a history of or have current anogenital warts (AGW), and the other half will have no history of AGW. We will measure the prevalence and acquisition of STIs including syphilis, HPV, chlamydia and gonorrhoea and the HIV-incidence in the two groups. To the best of our knowledge, it will be the first study that specifically examines the impact of genital warts on incident HIV infection. This study will help to understand the relationship between AGW and HIV infection among MSM/TGW in Peru. Furthermore, it may facilitate the development of preventive intervention strategies to reduce the prevalence of AGW and prevent incident HIV infection. HPV-related manifestations may be a good proxy for HIV risk.Ethics and disseminationThis study was approved by institutional review boards at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in the USA and Impacta in Peru. Study findings will be shared with the Peruvian Ministry of Health as well as other international and national public health organisations. Study results will be translated into Spanish for participants.Trial registration numberThe Clinicaltrials.gov registration number isNCT01387412
Serial characterisation of monocyte and neutrophil function after lung resection
Authors: Jones Richard O , Brittan Mairi , Anderson Niall H , Conway Morris Andrew , Murchison John T , Walker William S , Simpson A John 
Published: September 2014

ObjectivesThe primary aim of this prospective study was to perform a comprehensive serial characterisation of monocyte and neutrophil function, circulating monocyte subsets, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid after lung resection. A secondary aim was to perform a pilot, hypothesis-generating evaluation of whether innate immune parameters were associated with postoperative pneumonia.MethodsForty patients undergoing lung resection were studied in detail. Blood monocytes and neutrophils were isolated preoperatively and at 6, 24 and 48 h postoperatively. BAL was performed preoperatively and immediately postoperatively. Monocyte subsets, monocyte responsiveness to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and neutrophil phagocytic capacity were quantified at all time points. Differential cell count, protein and cytokine concentrations were measured in BAL. Pneumonia evaluation at 72 h was assessed using predefined criteria.ResultsAfter surgery, circulating subsets of classical and intermediate monocytes increased significantly. LPS-induced release of proinflammatory cytokines from monocytes increased significantly and by 48 h a more proinflammatory profile was found. Neutrophil phagocytosis demonstrated a small but significant fall. Factors associated with postoperative pneumonia were: increased release of specific proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines from monocytes; preoperative neutrophilia; and preoperative BAL cell count.ConclusionsWe conclude that postoperative lung inflammation is associated with specific changes in the cellular innate immune response, a better understanding of which may improve patient selection and prediction of complications in the future.
Sarcoidosis: the links between epidemiology and aetiology
Authors: Dubrey Simon , Shah Shreena , Hardman Timothy , Sharma Rakesh 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
Sarcoidosis is a multisystem inflammatory disease, the aetiology of which has still to be resolved. The proposed mechanism is that a susceptible genotype is exposed to one or more potential antigens. A sustained inflammatory response follows, which ultimately results in pathognomonic granuloma formation. Various clinical phenotypes exist with specific genetic associations influencing disease susceptibility, protection, and clinical progression. Occupational and environmental factors, including microbial elements, may then effect the development of this disease. Sarcoidosis is a heterogeneous disease, showing geographic and racial variation in clinical presentation. It demonstrates a familial tendency and clear genotype associations. Additionally, it appears to cluster within closely associated populations (eg, work colleagues) and appears to be related to selected occupations and environmental exposures. Frequently occult, but occasionally fatal, this disease has a very variable prognosis. It is also unusual in having no specific biomarker. The epidemiology and multiple factors that appear to influence the aetiology of sarcoidosis illustrate why this disease state is frequently described as a clinical enigma.
Preparation of Cerium Orthophosphate Nanosphere by Coprecipitation Route and Its Structural, Thermal, Optical, and Electrical Characterization
Authors: Verma Seema , Bamzai K. K. 
Published: September 2014

Cerium orthophosphate (CePO4) nanoparticles were synthesized via wet chemical coprecipitation technique using cerium nitrate hexahydrate for Ce3+ ion and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate for PO43- ion source. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis suggests that the material belongs to monoclinic crystal system with crystallite size of 49.3 nm. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) reveal the surface morphology of the prepared nanoparticles as nanospheres having grain size in the range of 30–50 nm. The energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) gives elemental composition present in the grown nanomaterial. Thermogravimetric analysis suggests that the structural phase transition is above 800°C. The optical properties include UV-VIS-NIR absorption and the photoluminescence spectrum shows the absorption and emission peaks in the ultraviolet region. The dielectric constant (ε/ ) and ac conductivity properties were investigated with regard to change in temperature (40 to 500°C) and frequency (5 kHz to 1 MHz). The dielectric measurement indicates that the transition is diffused and the activation energy values decrease suggesting that the conduction mechanism is due to hopping of the charge carriers from one site to another.
High Serum Iron Is Associated with Increased Cancer Risk
Authors: Wen Chi Pang , Lee June Han , Tai Ya-Ping , Wen Christopher , Wu Shiuan Be , Tsai Min Kuang , Hsieh Dennis P.H. , Chiang Hung-Che , Hsiung Chao Agnes , Hsu Chung Y. , Wu Xifeng 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
Epidemiologic studies linking high serum iron with cancer risks are limited and inconclusive, despite evidence implicating body iron in human carcinogenesis. A cohort of 309,443 adults in Taiwan who had no history of cancer had serum iron levels tested at the time of recruitment (1997–2008). Initially measured iron levels were associated with subsequent cancer risk by linking individuals with the National Cancer Registry and National Death File. HRs were calculated by the Cox model. One third of males (35%) and one fifth of females (18%) had high serum iron (≥120 μg/dL), which was associated with a 25% increase in risk for incidence of all cancers [HR, 1.25; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.16–1.35] and with a 39% increase in risk for mortality from all cancers (HR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.23–1.57). The relationship between serum iron and cancer risk was a J-shaped one, with higher cancer risk at both ends, either at lower than 60 μg/dL or higher than 120 μg/dL. At the higher end, cancer risk increased by 4% for every 10 μg/dL increment above 80 μg/dL, showing a dose–response relationship, with 60 to 79 μg/dL as a reference level. In a sensitivity analysis, the increases in risk were still observed after the first 5 years of cancer cases were excluded. Liver cancer risk was increased in HBV (−) non-hepatitis B carrier (3-fold) and HBV (+) hepatitis B carrier (24-fold). Lifestyle risks such as smoking, drinking, or inactivity interacted synergistically with high serum iron and significantly increased the cancer risks. The liver (HR, 2.49; 95% CI, 1.97–3.16) and the breast (HR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.01–1.70) were the two major cancer sites where significant cancer risks were observed for serum iron either ≥120 μg/dL or ≥140 μg/dL, respectively. This study reveals that high serum iron is both a common disorder and a marker of increased risk for several cancers. Cancer Res; 74(22); 6589–97. ©2014 AACR.
Crosstalk between microRNA30a/b/c/d/e-5p and the Canonical Wnt Pathway: Implications for Multiple Myeloma therapy
Authors: Zhao Jian-Jun , Carrasco Ruben D. 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
Dysregulation of transcription via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway underlies the pathogenesis of a wide variety of frequent human cancers. These include epithelial carcinomas such as colorectal cancer and hematologic malignancies such as multiple myeloma. Thus, the Wnt/β-catenin pathway potentially offers an attractive target for cancer therapy. This approach, however, has thus far proved challenging because the pathway plays a number of critical roles in physiologic homeostasis and because drugs that broadly target the pathway have unacceptable side effects. miRNAs function as regulators of gene expression and have also been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma and other human cancers, offering the promise of novel therapeutic approaches if they can be applied effectively in vivo. Because BCL9 is a critical transcriptional coactivator of β-catenin that is aberrantly expressed in many human cancers but is of low abundance in normal tissues the Wnt/β-catenin/BCL9 complex has emerged as a promising and most likely relatively safe therapeutic target in cancers with dysregulated Wnt/β-catenin activity. This review discusses recent advances in the biology of Wnt inhibitors and the appealing possibility of a functional link between BCL9 and miRNA30a/b/c/d/e-5p that could be exploited for multiple myeloma therapy. Cancer Res; 74(19); 5351–8. ©2014 AACR.
Clinical Effectiveness of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Versus Medical Therapy Alone Among Patients With Heart Failure
Authors: Khazanie Prateeti , Hammill Bradley G. , Qualls Laura G. , Fonarow Gregg C. , Hammill Stephen C. , Heidenreich Paul A. , Al-Khatib Sana M. , Piccini Jonathan P. , Masoudi Frederick A. , Peterson Pamela N. , Curtis Jeptha P. , Hernandez Adrian F. , Curtis Lesley H. 
Published: September 2014

Background—
Cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator (CRT-D) reduces morbidity and mortality among selected patients with heart failure in clinical trials. The effectiveness of this therapy in clinical practice has not been well studied.

Methods and Results—

We compared a cohort of 4471 patients from the National Cardiovascular Data Registry’s Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) Registry hospitalized primarily for heart failure and who received CRT-D between April 1, 2006, and December 31, 2009, to a historical control cohort of 4888 patients with heart failure without CRT-D from the Acute Decompensated Heart Failure National Registry (ADHERE) hospitalized between January 1, 2002, and March 31, 2006. Both registries were linked with Medicare claims to evaluate longitudinal outcomes. We included patients from the ICD Registry with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35% and QRS duration ≥120 ms who were admitted for heart failure. We used Cox proportional hazards models to compare outcomes with and without CRT-D after adjustment for important covariates. After multivariable adjustment, CRT-D was associated with lower 3-year risks of death (hazard ratio, 0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.48–0.56;
P
<0.001), all-cause readmission (hazard ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.65–0.73;
P
<0.001), and cardiovascular readmission (hazard ratio, 0.60; 95% confidence interval, 0.56–0.64;
P
<0.001). The association of CRT-D with mortality did not vary significantly among subgroups defined by age, sex, race, QRS duration, and optimal medical therapy.

Conclusions—
CRT-D was associated with lower risks of mortality, all-cause readmission, and cardiovascular readmission than medical therapy alone among patients with heart failure in community practice.
Identifying Future Research Priorities Using Value of Information Analyses: Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Devices in Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Micieli Andrew , Bennell Maria C. , Pham Ba’ , Krahn Murray , Singh Sheldon M. , Wijeysundera Harindra C. 
Published: September 2014

Background
Left atrial appendage occlusion devices are cost effective for stroke prophylaxis in atrial fibrillation when compared with dabigatran or warfarin. We illustrate the use of value‐of‐information analyses to quantify the degree and consequences of decisional uncertainty and to identify future research priorities.

Methods and Results
A microsimulation decision‐analytic model compared left atrial appendage occlusion devices to dabigatran or warfarin in atrial fibrillation. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis quantified the degree of parameter uncertainty. Expected value of perfect information analyses showed the consequences of this uncertainty. Expected value of partial perfect information analyses were done on sets of input parameters (cost, utilities, and probabilities) to identify the source of the greatest uncertainty. One‐way sensitivity analyses identified individual parameters for expected value of partial perfect information analyses. Population expected value of perfect information and expected value of partial perfect information provided an upper bound on the cost of future research. Substantial uncertainty was identified, with left atrial appendage occlusion devices being preferred in only 47% of simulations. The expected value of perfect information was $8542 per patient and $227.3 million at a population level. The expected value of partial perfect information for the set of probability parameters represented the most important source of uncertainty, at $6875. Identified in 1‐way sensitivity analyses, the expected value of partial perfect information for the odds ratio for stroke with left atrial appendage occlusion compared with warfarin was calculated at $7312 per patient or $194.5 million at a population level.

Conclusion
The relative efficacy of stroke reduction with left atrial appendage occlusion devices in relation to warfarin is an important source of uncertainty. Improving estimates of this parameter should be the priority for future research in this area.
Systemic Inflammation Impairs Tissue Reperfusion Through Endothelin-Dependent Mechanisms in Cerebral Ischemia
Authors: Murray Katie N. , Girard Sylvie , Holmes William M. , Parkes Laura M. , Williams Stephen R. , Parry-Jones Adrian R. , Allan Stuart M. 
Published: September 2014

Background and Purpose—
Systemic inflammation contributes to diverse acute and chronic brain pathologies, and extensive evidence implicates inflammation in stroke susceptibility and poor outcome. Here we investigate whether systemic inflammation alters cerebral blood flow during reperfusion after experimental cerebral ischemia.

Methods—
Serial diffusion and perfusion-weighted MRI was performed after reperfusion in Wistar rats given systemic (intraperitoneal) interleukin-1β or vehicle before 60-minute transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. The expression and location of endothelin-1 was assessed by polymerase chain reaction, ELISA, and immunofluorescence.

Results—
Systemic interleukin-1 caused a severe reduction in cerebral blood flow and increase in infarct volume compared with vehicle. Restriction in cerebral blood flow was observed alongside activation of the cerebral vasculature and upregulation of the vasoconstricting peptide endothelin-1 in the ischemic penumbra. A microthrombotic profile was also observed in the vasculature of rats receiving interleukin-1. Blockade of endothelin-1 receptors reversed this hypoperfusion, reduced tissue damage, and improved functional outcome.

Conclusions—
These data suggest patients with a raised inflammatory profile may have persistent deficits in perfusion after reopening of an occluded vessel. Future therapeutic strategies to interrupt the mechanism identified could lead to enhanced recovery of penumbra in patients with a heightened inflammatory burden and a better outcome after stroke.
Effects of Extracranial Carotid Stenosis on Intracranial Blood Flow
Authors: Shakur Sophia F. , Hrbac Tomas , Alaraj Ali , Du Xinjian , Aletich Victor A. , Charbel Fady T. , Amin-Hanjani Sepideh 
Published: September 2014

Background and Purpose—
The hemodynamic effects of extracranial carotid stenosis on intracranial blood flow are not well characterized. We sought to determine the impact of degree of stenosis, stenosis length, and residual lumen on intracranial blood flow in patients with extracranial carotid stenosis.

Methods—
Carotid stenosis patients who had undergone both vessel flow rate measurements using quantitative magnetic resonance angiography and digital subtraction angiography were examined. The impact of the anatomic measurements of the stenosis relative to ipsilateral internal carotid artery (ICA) flow and ipsilateral-to-contralateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) flow ratio were assessed.

Results—

Forty-four patients (mean age, 67 years; 64% symptomatic) were included. Higher percentage stenosis and smaller residual lumen were associated with a significant decrease in ICA flow (
P
<0.01 and 0.04, respectively). On multivariate analysis, percentage stenosis remained as the primary predictor of ICA flow (
P
<0.001). MCA flow ratio was not significantly associated with percentage stenosis, stenosis length, or residual lumen. However, mean MCA flow ratio was significantly lower in symptomatic compared with asymptomatic patients (0.92 versus 1.22;
P
=0.001). In contrast, mean ICA flow ratio was similar among these 2 groups (0.55 versus 0.55;
P
=0.99).

Conclusions—
Percentage stenosis and residual lumen are significantly associated with ICA but not MCA flow, suggesting that local hemodynamic effects of carotid stenosis do not translate directly to distal vasculature, because intracranial flows can be maintained through collaterals. The lower MCA flow ratio in symptomatic patients highlights the potential importance of distal hemodynamics in symptomatic presentation.
Clinical Outcomes of Carotid Endarterectomy in Patients With Carotid Artery Tandem Lesions
Authors: Han Youngjin , Park Hojong , Kwon Sun U. , Kang Dong-Wha , Lee Deok Hee , Kwon Hyunwook , Kwon Tae-Won , Cho Yong-Pil , Kim Geun-Eun 
Published: September 2014

Background and Purpose—
When carotid artery tandem lesions are present, the benefits of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) to reduce recurrent stroke remain uncertain. The present retrospective cohort study aimed to determine the clinical outcomes of CEA for carotid artery tandem stenosis that was diagnosed by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography.

Methods—
Six hundred forty-seven consecutive patients underwent CEA between January 2001 and December 2010. Tandem stenosis, defined as a significant carotid bifurcation stenosis and identifiable stenosis of ≥50% of any downstream distal cerebral artery, was identified in 92 patients (14.2%) by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography. Patients with and without tandem stenosis were compared in terms of CEA outcomes. The primary end point was the composite of any stroke, myocardial infarction, or death during the periprocedural period or ipsilateral stroke within 4 years after CEA.

Results—

Tandem stenosis did not associate with ipsilateral stroke during postoperative follow-up. The 2 groups did not differ in terms of estimated 4-year primary end point rates (8.7% versus 3.8%;
P
=0.07) or ipsilateral stroke-free (
P
=0.56), any stroke-free (
P
=0.89), or overall survival (
P
=0.41) rates.

Conclusions—
After diagnosis by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography, patients with and without tandem stenosis had similar rates of stroke and death.
New insights on phylogeography and distribution of painted frogs (Discoglossus) in northern Africa and the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Vences Miguel , de Pous Philip , Nicolas Violaine , Díaz-Rodríguez Jesús , Donaire David , Hugemann Karen , Hauswaldt J. Susanne , Amat Felix , Barnestein Juan A.M. , Bogaerts Sergé , Bouazza Abdellah , Carranza Salvador , Galán Pedro , González de la Vega Juan Pablo , Joger Ulrich , Lansari Aziza , El Mouden El Hassan , Ohler Annemarie , Sanuy Delfi , Slimani Tahar , Tejedo Miguel 
Published: September 2014

Painted frogs (Discoglossus) contain five to six species of Western Palearctic anurans that are mainly distributed in allopatry. We here provide the first comprehensive assessment of the phylogeography of the Moroccan species D. scovazzi and geographically characterize its contact zone with D. pictus in Eastern Morocco. Discoglossus scovazzi shows, in general, a weak phylogeographic structure across Morocco on the basis of mitochondrial DNA sequences of the cytochrome b gene, with only populations centered in the Atlas Mountains characterized by the presence of slightly divergent haplotypes. In eastern Morocco, all populations east of the Moulouya River were clearly assignable to D. pictus. This species was also found along the Mediterranean coast west of the Moulouya, in the cities of Nador and Melilla, suggesting that not the river itself but the wide arid valley extending along much of the river (except close to the estuary) acts as a possible distributional barrier to these frogs. No sympatry of D. scovazzi with D. pictus was observed, and all specimens were concordantly assigned to either species by DNA sequences of cytochrome b and of the nuclear marker RAG1. Species distribution models of the two taxa show largely overlapping areas of suitable habitat, and the two species’ niches are significantly more similar than would be expected given the underlying environmental differences between the regions in which they occur. Comparative data are also presented from the southern Iberian contact zone of D. galganoi galganoi and D. g. jeanneae. These taxa showed less clear-cut distributional borders, extensively shared RAG1 haplotypes, and had instances of sympatric occurrence on the basis of cytochrome b haplotypes, in agreement with the hypothesis of a yet incomplete speciation. In this wide contact zone area we found mitochondrial sequences containing double peaks in electropherograms, suggesting nuclear pseudogenes or (less likely) heteroplasmy, possibly related to the ongoing admixture among the lineages.