bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differences of left ventricular systolic deformation in hypertensive patients with and without apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Kao Yu-Cheng , Lee Ming-Feng , Mao Chun-Tai , Chen Wei-Siang , Yang Ning-I , Cherng Wen-Jin , Hung Ming-Jui 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
We tested the hypothesis that the apical myocardial mechanics differ from those of other ventricular segments in hypertensive patients with and without apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (ApHCM).

Methods
We retrospectively studied hypertensive patients with and without ApHCM. Left ventricular longitudinal, circumferential, and radial strains were examined by two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography at the basal, middle, and apical walls of the parasternal short-axis and apical 2-, 3- and 4-chamber views.

Results
Fourteen consecutive patients with hypertension and ApHCM and 14 patients with hypertension without ApHCM were studied. Lower mitral annular peak systolic velocity and greater diastolic dysfunction were present in hypertensive patients with ApHCM than in hypertensive patients without ApHCM. Compared with hypertensive patients without ApHCM, hypertensive patients with ApHCM had significantly lower apical longitudinal (−13.9% vs −21.9%, p = 0.010) and radial strains (4.4% vs 11.5%, p = 0.017) without the base-to-apex gradient. The global longitudinal (−15.6% vs −18.8%, p = 0.027) and circumferential strains (−16.1% vs −19.2%, p = 0.019) were significantly lower in hypertensive patients with ApHCM than in hypertensive patients without ApHCM. Among systolic parameters, the global longitudinal strain was independently associated with hypertension with ApHCM (odds ratio, 1.457; 95% confidence interval, 1.002–2.119; p = 0.049).

Conclusions
Reduced apical longitudinal and radial strains without a base-to-apex gradient were present in hypertensive patients with ApHCM. The global longitudinal strain was independently associated with ApHCM in hypertensive patients.
Phenotypic differentiation between wild and domesticated varieties of Crescentia cujeteL. and culturally relevant uses of their fruits as bowls in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
Authors: Aguirre-Dugua Xitlali , Pérez-Negrón Edgar , Casas Alejandro 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
Selection criteria are important for analyzing domestication of perennial plant species, which experience a selection pressure throughout several human generations. We analyze the preferred morphological characteristics of Crescentia cujete fruits, which are used as bowls by the Maya of Yucatan, according to the uses they are given and the phenotypic consequences of artificial selection between one wild and three domesticated varieties.

Methods
We performed 40 semi-structured interviews in seven communities. We calculated Sutrop’s salience index (S) of five classes of ceremonial and daily life uses, and of each item from the two most salient classes. We sampled 238 bowls at homes of people interviewed and compared their shape, volume and thickness with 139 fruits collected in homegardens and 179 from the wild. Morphology of varieties was assessed in fruit (n = 114 trees) and vegetative characters (n = 136 trees). Differences between varieties were evaluated through linear discriminant analysis (LDA).

Results
Use of bowls as containers for the Day of the Dead offerings was the most salient class (S = 0.489) with chocolate as its most salient beverage (S = 0.491), followed by consumption of daily beverages (S = 0.423), especially maize-based pozol (S = 0.412). The sacred saka’ and balche' are offered in different sized bowls during agricultural and domestic rituals. Roundness was the most relevant character for these uses, as bowls from households showed a strong selection towards round shapes compared with wild and homegarden fruits. Larger fruits from domesticated varieties were also preferred over small wild fruits, although in the household different sizes of the domesticated varieties are useful. LDA separated wild from domesticated trees (p < 0.001) according to both fruit and vegetative variables, but domesticated varieties were not different among themselves.

Conclusions
The association between C. cujete bowls and traditional beverages in ritual and daily life situations has driven for centuries the selection of preferred fruit morphology in this tree. Selection of fruit roundness and volume has allowed for the differentiation between the wild variety and the three domesticated ones, counteracting gene flow among them. By choosing the best fruits from domesticated varieties propagated in homegardens, the Maya people model the domestication process of this important tree in their culture.
Comparative efficacy of glimepiride and metformin in monotherapy of type 2 diabetes mellitus: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Zhu Hongmei , Zhu Shuang , Zhang Xiuqian , Guo Yang , Shi Yunzhen , Chen Zhimin , Leung Siu-wai 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
Metformin treatment has been the most recommended monotherapy of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) for decades but is challenged by new antidiabetic drugs. This study conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing the efficacy of metformin and glimepiride in monotherapy of T2DM.

Methods
A literature search for RCTs on glimepiride and metformin was conducted on the bibliographic databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library and ScienceDirect, from their inceptions to 25 Mar 2013. All RCTs were selected according to pre-specified eligibility criteria. The quality of articles was assessed with the Cochrane’s risk of bias tool. Statistical meta-analysis evaluated the overall effects and biochemical indices of T2DM. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses evaluated the robustness and explained the heterogeneity of the results. Begg and Egger’s tests quantified possible publication biases. Results were represented as "standard mean difference or odds ratio [95% confidence internals] P value".

Results
Fifteen RCTs with 1681 adult T2DM patients were included for meta-analysis. Metformin was not better than glimepiride in overall efficacy in controlling the levels of HbA1c, postprandial blood sugar (PPBS), fasting plasma insulin (FINS), systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DBP), and high density lipoprotein (HDL). Metformin was only more effective than glimepiride in controlling the levels of total cholesterol (TC, 0.33 [0.03, 0.63], P = 0.03), low-density lipoprotein (LDL, 0.35 [0.16, 0.53], P = 0.0002) and triglycerides (TG, 0.26 [0.05, 0.46], P = 0.01). Odds ratios of adverse events showed that glimepiride was more likely to induce hypoglycemia episodes and metformin was with a higher risk of gastrointestinal upset.

Conclusion
Metformin was not significantly better than glimepiride in glycemic control of T2DM, suggesting that glimepiride would be a good choice second to metformin in the monotherapy of T2DM.
High prevalence of human cytomegalovirus in carotid atherosclerotic plaques obtained from Russian patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy
Authors: Yaiw Koon-Chu , Ovchinnikova Olga , Taher Chato , Mohammad Abdul-Aleem , Davoudi Belghis , Shlyakhto Eugene , Rotar Oxana , Konradi Alexandra , Wilhelmi Vanessa , Rahbar Afsar , Butler Lynn , Assinger Alice , Söderberg-Nauclér Cecilia 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) but the role of this virus in CVD progression remains unclear. We aimed to examine the HCMV serostatus in Russian patients (n = 90) who had undergone carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and controls (n = 82) as well as to determine the prevalence of HCMV immediate early (IE) and late (LA) antigens in carotid atherosclerotic plaques obtained from 89 patients. In addition, we sought to determine whether HCMV infection was associated with inflammatory activity in the plaque by quantifying infiltrating CD3 and CD68 positive cells and 5-LO immunoreactivity.

Methods
HCMV serology was assessed with ELISA and immunohistochemistry staining was performed to detect HCMV antigens, CD3, CD68 and 5-LO reactivity. The Fisher’s exact test was used to compare i) seroprevalence of HCMV IgG between patients and controls and ii) HCMV-positive or –negative to that of CD3, CD68 and 5-LO immunoreactive cells in plaque samples. The student-t test was performed to connote the significance level of mean optical density between patients and controls.

Results
The seroprevalence for HCMV IgG was high in both patients and controls (99% and 98%, respectively). Controls had significantly higher IgG titers for HCMV compared with patients (p = 0.0148). Strikingly, we found a high prevalence of HCMV antigens in atherosclerotic plaques; 57/89 (64%) and 47/87 (54%) were HCMV IE and LA positive, respectively. Most plaques had rather low HCMV reactivity with distinct areas of HCMV-positive cells mainly detected in shoulder regions of the plaques, but also in the area adjacent to the necrotic core and fibrous cap. In plaques, the cellular targets for HCMV infection appeared to be mainly macrophages/foam cells and smooth muscle cells. HCMV-positive plaques trended to be associated with increased numbers of CD68 positive macrophages and CD3 positive T cells, while 5-LO reactivity was high in both HCMV-positive and HCMV-negative plaques.

Conclusions
In Russian patients undergoing CEA, HCMV proteins are abundantly expressed in carotid plaques and may contribute to the inflammatory response in plaques via enhanced infiltration of CD68 and CD3 cells.
The efficacy of dapagliflozin combined with hypoglycemic drugs in treating type 2 diabetes: protocol for meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Sun Yu-nan , Zhou Yi , Chen Xi , Che Wen-si , Leung Siu-wai 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
Dapagliflozin is a first-in-class oral sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor. It is often used in combination with conventional anti-diabetic drugs such as metformin, glimepiride, and insulin in treating type 2 diabetes (T2D). It not only reduces glucose reabsorption in the kidney but also increases renal glucose excretion. Some studies found the actions of dapagliflozin independent of insulin and free from risk of weight gain. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate whether dapagliflozin is synergistic with other anti-diabetic drugs without risk of weight gain.

Methods/Design
This meta-analysis will include the randomized controlled trials (RCT) evaluating the efficacy of dapagliflozin as an add-on drug in treating T2D for >8 weeks with the outcome measures glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and body weight. Information of relevant RCTs will be retrieved from major databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google Scholar according to a pre-specified search strategy. Google and manual search will find other unpublished reports and supplementary data. Eligible RCTs will be selected according to pre-specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data will be extracted and input into a pre-formatted spreadsheet. The Cochrane risk of bias tool will be used to assess the quality of the eligible RCTs. Meta-analysis based on the random-effects model will be conducted to compare the changes of HbA1c (%), FPG (mmol/L), and body weight (kg) between dapagliflozin arm and placebo arm. Publication bias will be evaluated with a funnel plot and the Egger’s test. Heterogeneity will be assessed with the I2 statistics. Sensitivity analysis will be conducted on follow-up periods. The evidential quality of the findings will be assessed with the GRADE profiler.

Discussion
The findings of this meta-analysis will be important to clinicians, patients, and health policy-makers regarding the use of dapagliflozin in T2D treatment.

Study registration
PROSPERO registration number: CRD42013005034
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Gene expression profiling analysis of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Kong Deyong , Chen Heming , Chen Weiqun , Liu Shuiyi , Wang Hui , Wu Tangwei , Lu Hongda , Kong Qingzhi , Huang Xiaodong , Lu Zhongxin 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies in the world. However, the molecular pathogenesis of HCC is not well-understood, and the prognosis for patients with HCC remains very poor.

Methods
To disclose detailed genetic mechanisms in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with a view toward development of novel therapeutic targets, we analyzed expression profiles HCCs and their corresponding noncancerous tissues by using bioinformatics method.

Results
In this paper, we report the identification of genes whose expression has been altered and the changed bio-pathways during hepatocarcinogenesis. Hepatoma cells infect intracellular and intercellular signal transduction through Focal adhesion and cause abnormal expression of important intracellular signaling pathway. In addition, it is worth mentioning that some small molecules still restored to the state similar to normal cells, such as bambuterol and lovastatin. This member gene set would serve as a pool of lead gene targets for the identification and development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers to greatly improve the clinical management of HCC patients with different risks of recurrence after curative partial hepatectomy.

Conclusions
The study has great significance for gene therapy and pharmacotherapy and provides a new treatment entry point and a potential new clinical drug for HCC patients.
Comparative studies on osteogenic potential of micro- and nanofibre scaffolds prepared by electrospinning of poly(ε-caprolactone)
Authors: Li Ting-Ting , Ebert Katrin , Vogel Jürgen , Groth Thomas 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe biocompatibility and osteogenic potential of four fibrous scaffolds prepared by electrospinning of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) was studied with MG-63 osteoblast cells. Two different kinds of scaffolds were obtained by adjustment of spinning conditions, which were characterized as nano- or microfibrous. In addition of one nanofibrous, scaffold was made more hydrophilic by blending PCL with Pluronics F 68. Scaffolds were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and water contact angle measurements. Morphology and growth of MG63 cells seeded on the different scaffolds were investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy after vital staining with fluorescein diacetate and by colorimetric assays. It was found that scaffolds composed of microfibres stipulated better growth conditions for osteoblasts probably by providing a real three-dimensional culture substratum, while nanofibre scaffolds restricted cell growth predominantly to surface regions. Osteogenic activity of cells was determined by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and o-cresolphthalein complexone assay. It was observed that osteogenic activity of cells cultured in microfibre scaffolds was significantly higher than in nanofibre scaffolds regarding ALP activity. Overall, one can conclude that nanofibre scaffold provides better conditions for initial attachment of cells but does not provide advantages in terms of scaffold colonization and support of osteogenic activity compared to scaffolds prepared from microfibres.
Role of WWOX and NF-κB in lung cancer progression
Authors: Chen Szu-Jung , Huang Shenq-Shyang , Chang Nan-Shan 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
It is generally agreed that the pro-inflammatory, pro-survival transcription factor NF-κB is a tumor promoter. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α or TNF) mediates NF-κB activation. Tumor suppressor WWOX (FOR or WOX1) is a downstream effector of the TNF signaling. Thus, activation of both WWOX (FOR or WOX1) and NF-κB may occur during TNF signaling and/or under stress conditions. Indeed, the first WW domain of WWOX induces the activation of NF-κB-responsive promoter without TNF participation. It appears that WWOX counteracts with NF-κB in regulating cell survival and death. For example, WWOX becomes activated with Tyr33 phosphorylation and relocates together with NF-κB and many transcription factors to the nucleus to cause neuronal death in sciatic nerve-transected rats. While WWOX is frequently lost in lung cancer and many other cancers, NF-κB activation-induced cancer promotion probably requires WWOX-independent signaling networks to induce expression of pro-survival factors. The antagonistic role of WWOX and NF-κB in the regulation of lung cancer progression is discussed.
Association between haptoglobin, hemopexin and mortality in adults with sepsis
Authors: Janz David R , Bastarache Julie A , Sills Gillian , Wickersham Nancy , May Addison K , Bernard Gordon R , Ware Lorraine B 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Introduction
Plasma levels of cell-free hemoglobin are associated with mortality in patients with sepsis; however descriptions of independent associations with free hemoglobin and free heme scavengers, haptoglobin and hemopexin, are lacking beyond their description as acute phase reactants. We sought to determine the association of plasma levels of endogenous free hemoglobin and haptoglobin and hemopexin with in-hospital mortality in adults with sepsis.

Methods
We conducted a retrospective observational study of a total of 387 critically ill patients with sepsis in multiple intensive care units in an academic tertiary care hospital. Measurements of plasma haptoglobin and hemopexin were made on blood drawn within 24 hours of intensive care unit admission. The primary outcome was the association between plasma haptoglobin and hemopexin with in-hospital mortality.

Results
Survivors had significantly higher plasma haptoglobin concentrations (median 1234 μg/ml, interquartile range (IQR) 569 to 3037) and hemopexin concentrations (616 μg/ml, IQR 397 to 934) measured on enrollment compared to non-survivors (haptoglobin 750 μg/ml, IQR 404 to 2421, P = 0.008; hemopexin 470 μg/ml, IQR 303 to 891, P = 0.012). After controlling for potential confounders including cell-free hemoglobin concentration, patients with higher haptoglobin concentrations were significantly less likely to die in the hospital (odds ratio (OR) 0.653, 95% CI 0.433 to 0.984, P = 0.042), while the same association was not seen with hemopexin (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.199 to 1.416, P = 0.206). In a subgroup analysis, the association between increased haptoglobin and hemopexin and decreased risk of mortality was no longer significant when analyzing patients with no detectable cell-free hemoglobin (P = 0.737 and P = 0.584, respectively).

Conclusion
In critically ill patients with sepsis, elevated plasma levels of haptoglobin were associated with a decreased risk of in-hospital mortality and this association was independent of confounders. Increased haptoglobin may play a protective role in sepsis patients who have elevated levels of circulating cell-free hemoglobin beyond its previous description as an acute phase reactant.
Whole Genome Sequencing as a Diagnostic Test: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Chrystoja Caitlin C , Diamandis Eleftherios P 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Extraordinary technological advances and decreases in the cost of DNA sequencing have made the possibility of whole genome sequencing (WGS) as a highly accessible clinical test for numerous indications feasible. There have been many recent, successful applications of WGS in establishing the etiology of complex diseases and guiding therapeutic decision-making in neoplastic and nonneoplastic diseases and in various aspects of reproductive health. However, there are major, but not insurmountable, obstacles to the increased clinical implementation of WGS, such as hidden costs, issues surrounding sequencing and analysis, quality assurance and standardization protocols, ethical dilemmas, and difficulties with interpretation of the results.

CONTENT
The widespread use of WGS in routine clinical practice remains a distant proposition. Prospective trials will be needed to establish if, and for whom, the benefits of WGS will outweigh the likely substantial costs associated with follow-up tests, the risks of overdiagnosis and overtreatment, and the associated emotional distress.

SUMMARY
WGS should be carefully implemented in the clinic to allow the realization of its potential to improve patient health in specific indications. To minimize harm the use of WGS for all other reasons must be carefully evaluated before clinical implementation.
Gendering the genre: Three Australian women writers and their debut crime fiction novels
Authors: Franks Rachel 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
The creators and consumers of crime fiction have changed dramatically since the genre, established in ancient times to define legal and moral codes and indicate the consequences for breaking those codes, first started to gain widespread popularity as a form of entertainment in the eighteenth century. One of the most significant of these changes can be seen in the slow but steady rise of the female as consumer, creator and character. There are many ways to explore some of the gendered changes within the crime fiction genre, one of which is to examine novels written by women who have chosen female protagonists to tell their stories. Ostensibly quite different texts, Miles Franklin’s Bring the Monkey (1933), June Wright’s Murder in the Telephone Exchange (1948) and Elizabeth Antill’s Death on the Barrier Reef (1952) are three debut crime novels that share some striking similarities. In addition to all three novels featuring female first-person narrators, these stories also tell tales of very violent crimes and contribute to documenting some of the shifts in views on gender, female friendship, marriage and class within what has become the world’s most popular genre.
Decreased prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia and stabilisation of obesity trends in 5-year-old children: possible effects of changed public health policies
Authors: Sedej Katarina , Kotnik Primož , Avbelj Stefanija Magdalena , Grošelj Urh , Širca Čampa Andreja , Lusa Lara , Battelino Tadej , Bratina Nataša 
Published: November 2013

BackgroundOverweight/obesity in children is a worldwide public health problem. Together with hypercholesterolaemia they are associated with early atherosclerotic complications.ObjectivesIn this study, we aimed to investigate the anthropometric characteristics and total cholesterol (TC) levels in a population of 5-year-old children, to determine trends in the prevalence of overweight/obesity and hypercholesterolaemia in 5-year-old children over a period of 8 years (2001–2009) and to assess the impact of modified national nutritional guidelines for kindergartens implemented in 2005.DesignCross-sectional studies of overweight/obesity prevalence in the years 2001, 2003–2005 and 2009, and hypercholesterolaemia in years 2001 and 2009, in 5-year-old children.SubjectsAltogether, 12 832 (6308 girls/6524 boys) children were included.MethodsOverweight/obesity was defined by IOTF criteria. Hypercholesterolaemia was defined by TC level >5 mmol/l. Multivariable logistic regression models were used.ResultsNo correlation between BMI values and TC levels was found. Overweight and obesity prevalence were stabilised from 2001 to 2009 (odds ratio (OR) (95% CI): 1.13 (0.99–1.3) and 1.13 (0.89–1.42) respectively). Girls were more frequently overweight/obese than boys (OR (95% CI): 0.71 (0.65–0.79) and 0.75 (0.64–0.89) respectively). Prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia significantly decreased from 2001 to 2009 (OR (95% CI): 0.47 (0.41–0.55)). It was less frequent in boys than in girls (OR (95% CI): O.7 (0.61–0.8)).ConclusionsThis is the first study to describe a negative trend in the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia in pre-pubertal children. In addition, the prevalence of overweight/obesity in these children has been stabilised. Nationwide changes in public health policies could have influenced these observations.