bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is carpal tunnel decompression warranted for HNPP?
Authors: Earle Nicholas , Zochodne Douglas W. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe role of carpal tunnel decompression surgery for patients that have hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy (HNPP) is currently unknown. Since recovery from carpal tunnel compression is often associated with remyelination or nodal reconstruction rather than axonal regeneration, it is uncertain whether the PMP22 deletion associated with HNPP interrupts myelin or nodal reconstitution. We describe two patients with genetically confirmed HNPP and symptomatic carpal tunnel syndrome that had clinical and electrophysiological improvement after surgical decompression. The findings indicate a capacity for conduction repair in HNPP. They also suggest a need for further investigation and discussion around whether to offer carpal tunnel decompression to symptomatic HNPP patients.
Family meals and the well‐being of adolescents
Authors: Utter Jennifer , Denny Simon , Robinson Elizabeth , Fleming Theresa , Ameratunga Shanthi , Grant Sue 
Published: October 2013

AimThe current study describes the relationships between family meals and family connectedness, parental monitoring and parent–child communication and determines if frequent family meals are associated with better mental well‐being and fewer risktaking behaviours among adolescents.MethodsData were collected as part of Youth'07, a nationally representative survey of the health and well‐being of secondary school students in New Zealand (n = 9107).ResultsFrequent family meals were positively associated with better indicators of family relationships (P < 0.001). Likewise, frequent family meals were significantly associated with higher well‐being scores (P < 0.001), lower depression scores (P < 0.001) and fewer risk‐taking behaviours (P < 0.001), even after controlling for age, sex, ethnicity, deprivation, family connectedness, parental monitoring and parental communication.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that family meals may provide a unique opportunity for building stronger families and young people. Creating environments where frequent family meals are normative, valued and feasible for families may result in benefits for young people that extend beyond good nutrition.
DLJ14, a novel chemo-sensitization agent, enhances therapeutic effects of adriamycin against MCF-7/A cells both in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Zhang Peng , Zheng Bei-Bei , Wang Hong-Yuan , Chen Jin-Hua , Liu Xin-Yong , Guo Xiu-Li 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Objectives
We investigated the chemo-sensitization of a ligustrazine derivate, (E)-2-(2, 4-dimethoxystyryl)-3, 5, 6-trimethylpyrazine (DLJ14) on Adriamycin (Adr, Wanle, Shenzhen, China)-resistant human breast cancer (MCF-7/A) cells both in vivo and in vitro.

Methods
The antitumour effects of DLJ14 and Adr was observed in MCF-7/A cells by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay in vitro and was evaluated by MCF-7/A xenografts in nude mice. The intracellular Adr accumulation was assessed by mean fluorescence intensity of Adr. The messenger RNA level of glutathione (GSH) S-transferase (GST)π in MCF-7/A cells was determined by real-time reverse transcription PCR assay. The expression of GSTπ, c-jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and phosphor-JNK (p-JNK) was detected by Western blotting method.

Key findings
The MTT results showed that DLJ14 exhibited a weak inhibition on proliferation of both MCF-7 and MCF-7/A cells, in contrast with the strong inhibition of verapamil. When DLJ14 is combined with Adr, the inhibitory effect on MCF-7/A cells and MCF-7/A xenografts was enhanced significantly through increasing intracellular accumulation of Adr by inhibition of GSH level and the activity of GSH peroxidase and GST. Moreover, DLJ14 could downregulate the expression of GSTπ and increase the expression of JNK and p-JNK in MCF-7/A cells or in xenografts.

Conclusion
DLJ14 is a promising chemo-sensitization candidate for the reversal of multidrug resistance in cancers.
Effects of nutrient restriction and melatonin supplementation on maternal and foetal hepatic and small intestinal energy utilization
Authors: Prezotto L. D. , Lemley C. O. , Camacho L. E. , Doscher F. E. , Meyer A. M. , Caton J. S. , Awda B. J. , Vonnahme K. A. , Swanson K. C. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryTo determine how nutrient restriction and melatonin supplementation influence ewe and foetal hepatic and small intestinal energy use, 32 primiparous ewes on d 50 of gestation were fed 60% (RES) or 100% (ADQ) ofNRCrecommendations with 0 (CON) or 5 mg/d (MEL) of dietary melatonin. On d 130 of gestation, small intestine and liver were weighed and collected. Data were analysed as a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Liver weight (g/kgEBW) decreased (p = 0.02) inRESewes. Jejunum weight (g/kgBW) increased (interaction p = 0.04) inADQ‐MELewes compared with all other treatments. Totalin vitroO2consumption (mol/min/tissue) and total citrate synthase activity (mol/min/tissue and mol/min/kgEBW) in liver decreased (p ≤ 0.03) inRESewes. Oxygen consumption (mol/min/kgEBW) increased (interaction p = 0.02) in jejunum ofADQ‐CONversusRES‐MELandADQ‐CON. Citrate synthase activity (mol/min/kg ofEBW) increased (interaction p = 0.03) in jejunum ofADQ‐MELcompared withRES‐MELandADQ‐CON. Foetal liver weight (g/kgBW) decreased (p = 0.02) inRESversusADQ. Foetal small intestine weight (g/kgBW) decreased (interaction p = 0.05) inRES‐MELversusADQ‐MEL. Total O2consumption (mol/min/tissue) and total citrate synthase activity (mol/min/kg ofBW) in foetal liver decreased (p ≤ 0.05) inRESversusADQ. Foetal small intestinal O2consumption (mol/min/kg ofBW) was greater (interaction p = 0.03) inRES‐CONandADQ‐MELthanRES‐MELandADQ‐CON. Maternal nutrient restriction had a greater effect than melatonin supplementation on liver and jejunum mass and energy utilization in dams and foetuses. Because intestinal mass and energy utilization were more responsive to melatonin supplementation in ewes fed adequate nutrition compared with restricted ewes, melatonin may have limited use as a therapeutic supplement to help overcome potential negative effects of nutrient restriction.
Short- and Long-Term Clinical Skin Effects of Testosterone Treatment in Trans Men
Authors: Wierckx Katrien , Van de Peer Fleur , Verhaeghe Evelien , Dedecker David , Van Caenegem Eva , Toye Kaatje , Kaufman Jean Marc , T'Sjoen Guy 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Introduction
Our knowledge concerning the effects of testosterone (T) therapy on the skin of trans men (female-to-male transsexuals) is scarce.

Aim
The aim of this study was to evaluate the short- and long-term clinical effects of T treatment on the skin of trans men.

Methods
We conducted a prospective intervention study in 20 hormone naive trans men and a cross-sectional study in 50 trans men with an average of 10 years on T therapy.

Main Outcome Measures
Acne lesions were assessed using the Gradual Acne Grading Scale, hair patterns using the Ferriman and Gallwey classification (F&G), and androgenetic alopecia using the Norwood Hamilton Scale.

Results
T treatment increased facial and body hair growth. The F&G score increased progressively from a median value of 0.5 at baseline to a value of 12 after 12 months of T administration. After long-term T treatment, all but one trans man achieved an F&G score indicative of hirsutism in women, with a median value of 24. Only one trans man acquired mild frontotemporal hair loss during the first year of T treatment, whereas 32.7% of trans men had mild frontotemporal hair loss and 31% had moderate to severe androgenetic alopecia after long-term T therapy. The presence and severity of acne increased during the first year of T therapy, and peaked at 6 months. After long-term T treatment, most participants had no or mild acne lesions (93.9%). Dermatological outcome was not demonstrably related to individual serum T or dihydrotestosterone levels.

Conclusions
T treatment increased facial and body hair in a time-dependent manner. The prevalence and severity of acne in the majority of trans men peaked 6 months after beginning T therapy. Severe skin problems were absent after short- and long-term T treatment.
How to Construct a Minimal Theory of Mind
Authors: BUTTERFILL STEPHEN A. , APPERLY IAN A. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractWhat could someone represent that would enable her to track, at least within limits, others' perceptions, knowledge states and beliefs including false beliefs? An obvious possibility is that she might represent these very attitudes as such. It is sometimes tacitly or explicitly assumed that this is the only possible answer. However, we argue that several recent discoveries in developmental, cognitive, and comparative psychology indicate the need for other, less obvious possibilities. Our aim is to meet this need by describing the construction of a minimal theory of mind. Minimal theory of mind is rich enough to explain systematic success on tasks held to be acid tests for theory of mind cognition including many false belief tasks. Yet minimal theory of mind does not require representing propositional attitudes, or any other kind of representation, as such. Minimal theory of mind may be what enables those with limited cognitive resources or little conceptual sophistication, such as infants, chimpanzees, scrub‐jays and human adults under load, to track others' perceptions, knowledge states and beliefs.
Leflunomide in addition to steroids improves proteinuria and renal function in adult Henoch‐Schoenlein nephritis with nephrotic proteinuria
Authors: Zhang Yingjuan , Gao Yun , Zhang Zhengxiu , Liu Gaolun , He Hongbing , Liu Ling 
Published: October 2013

AbstractAimHenoch‐Schoenlein nephritis (HSPN) is a severe disease in adults and may cause renal insufficiency in a large portion of patients. But its rarity has led to lack of data. There are few controlled studies on therapy with immunosuppressants in HSPN adults. This study aims to evaluate the effect of leflunomide on HSPN adults with nephrotic proteinuria.MethodsWe retrospectively studied 65 adult patients who had biopsy‐proven HSPN with nephrotic proteinuria. Twenty‐seven patients (Group P) only received steroids, and 38 (Group P + L) were treated with leflunomide in addition to steroids. The clinical features, laboratory data and pathological findings of both groups were analyzed.ResultsThe two groups were well‐matched at baseline. After 24 months of treatment, urinary protein excretion of both groups decreased significantly from the baseline, and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was higher in Group P + L. Four patients in Group P and three in Group P + L developed to end‐stage renal disease at the most recent follow‐up. Group P + L showed better renal outcome than Group P. The treatment group and the degree of mesangial hypercellularity were significantly related to renal prognosis.ConclusionLeflunomide combined with steroids is effective for treating adult HSPN with nephrotic proteinuria.
Nursing care process for releasing psychiatric inpatients from long‐term seclusion in Japan: Modified grounded theory approach
Authors: Nagayama Yutaka , Hasegawa Masami 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBased on a modified grounded theory approach, in this study, we sought to elucidate the nursing care process used to guide psychiatric inpatients in long‐term seclusion towards release from seclusion. Participant observations and interviews were conducted with a total of 18 nurses from three long‐term psychiatric wards at two institutions from September 2011 to November 2012, to collect data on the nursing care they provided for psychiatric patients in long‐term seclusion. Consequently, four categories and 15 concepts were extracted. The nurses viewed “a mature therapeutic environment that utilizes flexible apportionment of care” as the foundation (i.e. the core category) in guiding psychiatric inpatients towards release from long‐term seclusion. The results revealed a care structure in which nurses in such a treatment environment provided care by flexible apportionment of three types of care: care aimed at avoiding mental and physical exhaustion, standardized care that does not confer a disadvantage to patients, and immediately responding to prevent problematic behaviors.
COX‐2 gene polymorphisms and risk of chronic periodontitis: a case–control study and meta‐analysis
Authors: Prakash G , Umar M , Ajay S , Bali D , Upadhyay R , Gupta KK , Dixit J , Mittal B 
Published: October 2013

ObjectiveCyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) enzyme is a major mediator of inflammation in periodontitis, leading to loss of gingival tissues and alveolar bone supporting the teeth. Previous studies have explored the role of COX‐2 polymorphisms with the risk of periodontitis in different ethnic groups; however, findings are inconsistent. So, we aimed to investigate the association of COX‐2 polymorphisms (rs20417, rs689466, and rs5275) in susceptibility to chronic periodontitis (CP) in northern Indian population. Meta‐analysis was also carried out to precisely estimate the effect of COX‐2 polymorphisms in CP.Materials and MethodsGenotyping of COX‐2 polymorphisms was carried out through PCR‐RFLP in 200 CP cases and 200 controls. For risk estimation, binary logistic regression was applied using SPSS, version 15.0, while meta‐analysis was carried using MIX 2.0 software.ResultsNone of the COX‐2 polymorphisms independently were associated with the risk of CP. Meta‐analysis suggested a significant reduced risk of CP with rs5275+8473 C allele and rs20417 in Chinese population.ConclusionsNo association was observed in any of the studied COX‐2 polymorphisms with CP in North India. But, the study should be replicated in larger sample size to arrive at a definitive conclusion. Meta‐analysis suggested a role of rs5275 COX‐2 polymorphisms in susceptibility to overall CP, and on ethnic basis, rs20417 showed reduced risk of CP in Chinese population.
Salivary proteomics in bisphosphonate‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw
Authors: Thumbigere‐Math V , Michalowicz BS , de Jong EP , Griffin TJ , Basi DL , Hughes PJ , Tsai ML , Swenson KK , Rockwell L , Gopalakrishnan R 
Published: October 2013

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to identify differentially expressed salivary proteins in bisphosphonate‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) patients that could serve as biomarkers for BRONJ diagnosis.Subjects and MethodsWhole saliva obtained from 20 BRONJ patients and 20 controls were pooled within groups. The samples were analyzed using iTRAQ‐labeled two‐dimensional liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry.ResultsOverall, 1340 proteins were identified. Of these, biomarker candidates were selected based on P‐value (<0.001), changes in protein expression (≥1.5‐fold increase or decrease), and unique peptides identified (≥2). Three comparisons made between BRONJ and control patients identified 200 proteins to be differentially expressed in BRONJ patients. A majority of these proteins were predicted to have a role in drug metabolism and immunological and dermatological diseases. Of all the differentially expressed proteins, we selected metalloproteinase‐9 and desmoplakin for further validation. Immunoassays confirmed increased expression of metalloproteinase‐9 in individual saliva (P = 0.048) and serum samples (P = 0.05) of BRONJ patients. Desmoplakin was undetectable in saliva. However, desmoplakin levels tended to be lower in BRONJ serum than controls (P = 0.157).ConclusionsMultiple pathological reactions are involved in BRONJ development. One or more proteins identified by this study may prove to be useful biomarkers for BRONJ diagnosis. The role of metalloproteinase‐9 and desmoplakin in BRONJ requires further investigation.
Social media use by patients with glaucoma: what can we learn?
Authors: McGregor Freia , Somner John E A , Bourne Rupert R , Munn‐Giddings Carol , Shah Peter , Cross Vinette 
Published: October 2013

AbstractPurposeMuch health‐related information is available on the internet but its quality is known to be variable. This research aimed to analyse the ophthalmic content of social media platforms which has yet to be formally assessed.MethodsFive online social media platforms were selected, the International Glaucoma Association (IGA) forum, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and PatientOpinion.org.uk. A total of 3785 items were scraped from the sites, collated and analysed using simple thematic analysis by two coders.ResultsFourteen themes were identified. The most commonly discussed topics included treatments, care experiences, promotions and support. Un‐moderated sites contain more misleading information. Complementary therapies and treatments with a poor evidence base are presented more positively than established, evidence‐based treatments.ConclusionOnline forums give patients a space to air questions, grievances, suggestions and to provide mutual support. The information they contain may be of use to physicians by flagging adverse drug reactions, areas for service improvement or topics about which patients require more information. There is a risk of exposure to misleading content which is heightened in un‐moderated sites. Social media platforms may be an adjunct to current care models by providing a supportive and educational online community if these risks are understood.
Aberrant functional connectivity for diagnosis of major depressive disorder: A discriminant analysis
Authors: Cao Longlong , Guo Shuixia , Xue Zhimin , Hu Yong , Liu Haihong , Mwansisya Tumbwene E. , Pu Weidan , Yang Bo , Liu Chang , Feng Jianfeng , Chen Eric Y. H. , Liu Zhening 
Published: October 2013

AimAberrant brain functional connectivity patterns have been reported in major depressive disorder (MDD). It is unknown whether they can be used in discriminant analysis for diagnosis of MDD. In the present study we examined the efficiency of discriminant analysis of MDD by individualized computer‐assisted diagnosis.MethodsBased on resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging data, a new approach was adopted to investigate functional connectivity changes in 39 MDD patients and 37 well‐matched healthy controls. By using the proposed feature selection method, we identified significant altered functional connections in patients. They were subsequently applied to our analysis as discriminant features using a support vector machine classification method. Furthermore, the relative contribution of functional connectivity was estimated.ResultsAfter subset selection of high‐dimension features, the support vector machine classifier reachedup to approximately 84% with leave‐one‐out training during the discrimination process. Through summarizing the classification contribution of functional connectivities, we obtained four obvious contribution modules: inferior orbitofrontal module, supramarginal gyrus module, inferior parietal lobule‐posterior cingulated gyrus module and middle temporal gyrus‐inferior temporal gyrus module.ConclusionThe experimental results demonstrated that the proposed method is effective in discriminating MDD patients from healthy controls. Functional connectivities might be useful as new biomarkers to assist clinicians in computer auxiliary diagnosis of MDD.
Semiparametric Inference for the Two‐way Layout Under Order Restrictions
Authors: Davidov OrI , Fokianos Konstantinos , Iliopoulos George 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTThere are many situations in which a researcher would like to analyse data from a two‐way layout. Often, the assumptions of linearity and normality may not hold. To address such situations, we introduce a semiparametric model. The model extends the well‐known density ratio model from the one‐way to the two‐way layout and provides a useful framework for semiparametric analysis of variance type problems under order restrictions. In particular, the likelihood ratio order is emphasized. The model enables highly efficient inference without resorting to fully parametric assumptions or the use of transformations. Estimation and testing procedures under order restrictions are developed and investigated in detail. It is shown that the model is robust to misspecification, and several simulations suggest that it performs well in practice. The methodology is illustrated using two data examples; in the first, the response variable is discrete, whereas in the second, it is continuous.
Sparse Markov Chains for Sequence Data
Authors: Jääskinen Väinö , Xiong Jie , Corander Jukka , Koski Timo 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTFinite memory sources and variable‐length Markov chains have recently gained popularity in data compression and mining, in particular, for applications in bioinformatics and language modelling. Here, we consider denser data compression and prediction with a family of sparse Bayesian predictive models for Markov chains in finite state spaces. Our approach lumps transition probabilities into classes composed of invariant probabilities, such that the resulting models need not have a hierarchical structure as in context tree‐based approaches. This can lead to a substantially higher rate of data compression, and such non‐hierarchical sparse models can be motivated for instance by data dependence structures existing in the bioinformatics context. We describe a Bayesian inference algorithm for learning sparse Markov models through clustering of transition probabilities. Experiments with DNA sequence and protein data show that our approach is competitive in both prediction and classification when compared with several alternative methods on the basis of variable memory length.
Hepatitis C Virus RNA Replication and Virus Particle Assembly Require Specific Dimerization of the NS4A Protein Transmembrane Domain
Authors: Kohlway Andrew , Pirakitikulr Nathan , Barrera Francisco N. , Potapova Olga , Engelman Donald M. , Pyle Anna M. , Lindenbach Brett D. 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTHepatitis C virus (HCV) NS4A is a single-pass transmembrane (TM) protein essential for viral replication and particle assembly. The sequence of the NS4A TM domain is highly conserved, suggesting that it may be important for protein-protein interactions. To test this hypothesis, we measured the potential dimerization of the NS4A TM domain in a well-characterized two-hybrid TM protein interaction system. The NS4A TM domain exhibited a strong homotypic interaction that was comparable in affinity to glycophorin A, a well-studied human blood group antigen that forms TM homodimers. Several mutations predicted to cluster on a common surface of the NS4A TM helix caused significant reductions in dimerization, suggesting that these residues form an interface for NS4A dimerization. Mutations in the NS4A TM domain were further examined in the JFH-1 genotype 2a replicon system; importantly, all mutations that destabilized NS4A dimers also caused defects in RNA replication and/or virus assembly. Computational modeling of NS4A TM interactions suggests a right-handed dimeric interaction of helices with an interface that is consistent with the mutational effects. Furthermore, defects in NS4A oligomerization and virus particle assembly of two mutants were rescued by NS4A A15S, a TM mutation recently identified through forward genetics as a cell culture-adaptive mutation. Together, these data provide the first example of a functionally important TM dimer interface within an HCV nonstructural protein and reveal a fundamental role of the NS4A TM domain in coordinating HCV RNA replication and virus particle assembly.