bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low-level laser therapy regulates microglial function through Src-mediated signaling pathways: implications for neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Song Sheng , Zhou Feifan , Chen Wei R 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundActivated microglial cells are an important pathological component in brains of patients with neurodegenerative diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of He-Ne (632.8 nm, 64.6 mW/cm2) low-level laser therapy (LLLT), a non-damaging physical therapy, on activated microglia, and the subsequent signaling events of LLLT-induced neuroprotective effects and phagocytic responses.MethodsTo model microglial activation, we treated the microglial BV2 cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). For the LLLT-induced neuroprotective study, neuronal cells with activated microglial cells in a Transwell™ cell-culture system were used. For the phagocytosis study, fluorescence-labeled microspheres were added into the treated microglial cells to confirm the role of LLLT.ResultsOur results showed that LLLT (20 J/cm2) could attenuate toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated proinflammatory responses in microglia, characterized by down-regulation of proinflammatory cytokine expression and nitric oxide (NO) production. LLLT-triggered TLR signaling inhibition was achieved by activating tyrosine kinases Src and Syk, which led to MyD88 tyrosine phosphorylation, thus impairing MyD88-dependent proinflammatory signaling cascade. In addition, we found that Src activation could enhance Rac1 activity and F-actin accumulation that typify microglial phagocytic activity. We also found that Src/PI3K/Akt inhibitors prevented LLLT-stimulated Akt (Ser473 and Thr308) phosphorylation and blocked Rac1 activity and actin-based microglial phagocytosis, indicating the activation of Src/PI3K/Akt/Rac1 signaling pathway.ConclusionsThe present study underlines the importance of Src in suppressing inflammation and enhancing microglial phagocytic function in activated microglia during LLLT stimulation. We have identified a new and important neuroprotective signaling pathway that consists of regulation of microglial phagocytosis and inflammation under LLLT treatment. Our research may provide a feasible therapeutic approach to control the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.
A simple approach to the two-dimensional guillotine cutting stock problem
Authors: Aryanezhad Mir-Bahador , Fakhim Hashemi Nima , Makui Ahmad , Javanshir Hasan 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Cutting stock problems are within knapsack optimization problems and are considered as a non-deterministic polynomial-time (NP)-hard problem. In this paper, two-dimensional cutting stock problems were presented in which items and stocks were rectangular and cuttings were guillotine. First, a new, practical, rapid, and heuristic method was proposed for such problems. Then, the software implementation and architecture specifications were explained in order to solve guillotine cutting stock problems. This software was implemented by C++ language in a way that, while running the program, the operation report of all the functions was recorded and, at the end, the user had access to all the information related to cutting which included order, dimension and number of cutting pieces, dimension and number of waste pieces, and waste percentage. Finally, the proposed method was evaluated using examples and methods available in the literature. The results showed that the calculation speed of the proposed method was better than that of the other methods and, in some cases, it was much faster. Moreover, it was observed that increasing the size of problems did not cause a considerable increase in calculation time.
In another section of the paper, the matter of selecting the appropriate size of sheets was investigated; this subject has been less considered by far. In the solved example, it was observed that incorrect selection from among the available options increased the amount of waste by more than four times. Therefore, it can be concluded that correct selection of stocks for a set of received orders plays a significant role in reducing waste.
Shop for quality or quantity? Volumes and costs in clinical laboratories
Authors: Barletta Giovanni , Zaninotto Martina , Faggian Diego , Plebani Mario 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background: The increasing need to reduce the costs of providing diagnostic laboratory services has prompted initiatives based on the centralization and consolidation of laboratory facilities. However, the majority of papers and experiences reported in literature focus on “cost per test” thus overlooking the real value of a laboratory service, which requires more complex economic evaluations, such as cost-benefit, cost-effectiveness, and cost-utility analysis. It is important to perform cost analysis, which is no mean feat, by taking into consideration all variables affecting the final and true cost per test.

Methods: The present study was conducted in order to evaluate the costs of delivering laboratory services in 20 Italian clinical laboratories using a widely accepted methodology, the so-called “activity-based costing analysis”.

Results: The finding of a trend towards a decrease in total costs – due to an increase in test volumes – attained statistical significance only for quantities of up to about 1,100,00 tests per year. For 1,800,00 tests and more, the cost per test appeared to range from 1.5 to 2.0 € irrespective of the different volumes. Regarding the relationship between volumes and number of staff, there is an evident linear relationship between the number of senior staff and volumes, whereas this trend is not observed in the case of medical technologists, the degree and type of automation strongly affecting this variable.

Conclusions: The findings made in the present study confirm that the relationship between volumes and costs is not linear; since it is complex, numerous variables should be taken into account.
Victimization and PTSD in A Rural Kenyan Youth Sample
Authors: Karsberg Sidsel H , Elklit Ask 
Published: September 2012

Within the last ten years, there has been a growing number of epidemiological studies, examining the effect of trauma exposure in children and adolescents. Although studies concerning Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) have been conducted in a wide array of different cultural contexts [1], the knowledge on traumatization and development of PTSD is still limited [2]. Most studies conducted are clinical studies, which deal with subjects that have already been traumatized or affected by specific single events such as war [3], natural disasters [1], serious accidents [4] or physical/sexual abuse [5-7]. Though research indicates that adolescents are very vulnerable to the exposure of Potentially Traumatic Events (PTEs) [8], studies targeting non-clinical youth populations and the impact of their life experiences are very few. With the increasing ethnic diversity of populations worldwide, it is of particular interest to compare the prevalence of exposure and PTSD in children and adolescents of different ethnic backgrounds. When designing preventive interventions and treatment programs for youth suffering from PTSD it is crucial to understand the complex interaction of variables behind the disorder. Differences in prevalence of exposure, PTSD and demographic variables between ethnicities may reveal some important clues to the etiology of the disease.
The present study replicated six previous non-clinical studies which were designed to provide epidemiological information about exposure to PTEs, and the prevalence of PTSD among adolescents (see Table 1). The six studies were conducted in different countries and were very similar in their research methods and samples. The studies have been conducted in four European countries: Denmark [9], Iceland, [10], Lithuania [11], and the Faroe Islands [2], as well as in two Asian countries: Israel [12], and India [13] of which the four first samples were nationally representative.
Use of and Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy in a Large U.S. Sample of HIV-infected Adults in Care, 2007-2008
Authors: Beer Linda , Heffelfinger James , Frazier Emma , Mattson Christine , Roter Brad , Barash Elizabeth , Buskin Susan , Rime Todd , Valverde Eduardo 
Published: September 2012

Background:Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the cornerstone of HIV clinical care and is increasingly recognized as a key component of HIV prevention. However, the benefits of ART can be realized only if HIV-infected persons maintain high levels of adherence.Methods:We present interview data (collected from June 2007 through September 2008) from a national HIV surveillance system in the United States—the Medical Monitoring Project (MMP)—to describe persons taking ART. We used multivariate logistic regression to assess behavioral, sociodemographic, and medication regimen factors associated with three measures that capture different dimensions of nonadherence to ART: dose, schedule, and instruction.Results:The use of ART among HIV-infected adults in care was high (85%), but adherence to ART was suboptimal and varied across the three measures of nonadherence. Of MMP participants currently taking ART, the following reported nonadherence during the past 48 hours: 13% to dose, 27% to schedule, and 30% to instruction. The determinants of the three measures also varied, although younger age and binge drinking were associated with all aspects of nonadherence.Conclusion:Our results support the measurement of multiple dimensions of medication-taking behavior in order to avoid overestimating adherence to ART.
Viability Study of the Use of Cast Iron Open Cell Foam as Microbial Fuel Cell Electrodes
Authors: Mapelli Carlo , Mapelli Valeria , Olsson Lisbeth , Mombelli Davide , Gruttadauria Andrea , Barella Silvia 
Published: September 2012

AbstractNowadays, the development of new green technologies has been promoted worldwide both by public and private institutions. In this context the research on microbial fuel cells (MFC) represents a promising alternative to carbon based energy sources. Unfortunately, this technology has been always affected by too low current density output for allowing an intensive application in the industrial and civil field. The study deals with this limitation and focuses on the implementation of metallic sponges, specifically cast iron based, as electrodes, aiming at increasing the exposed surface and thus the current density at the MFC anode. Cast iron was selected because of its low toxicity for the microorganisms, however its high melting point carries several problems for the manufacture process. Parallel to this, the realization of electrodes using foamed metals implies further issues related to the generation of correct pore size distribution and adequate bacterial activity. For instance, the metal foams are expected to be open‐cell type, so that there can be an efficient mass transport also to the inner regions of the electrode. In order to control these parameters the metal sponges are produced by infiltration of cast iron on ceramic beds. Combining previous data with the measurements of power generation efficiency the authors conclude the study attempting to design MFCs with metal foamed electrodes.
Opposing phenotypes in mice with Smith–Magenis deletion and Potocki–Lupski duplication syndromes suggest gene dosage effects on fluid consumption behavior
Authors: Heck Detlef H. , Gu Wenli , Cao Ying , Qi Shuhua , Lacaria Melanie , Lupski James R. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractA quantitative long‐term fluid consumption and fluid‐licking assay was performed in two mouse models with either an ∼2 Mb genomic deletion, Df(11)17, or the reciprocal duplication copy number variation (CNV), Dp(11)17, analogous to the human genomic rearrangements causing either Smith–Magenis syndrome [SMS; OMIM #182290] or Potocki–Lupski syndrome [PTLS; OMIM #610883], respectively. Both mouse strains display distinct quantitative alterations in fluid consumption compared to their wild‐type littermates; several of these changes are diametrically opposing between the two chromosome engineered mouse models. Mice with duplication versus deletion showed longer versus shorter intervals between visits to the waterspout, generated more versus less licks per visit and had higher versus lower variability in the number of licks per lick‐burst as compared to their respective wild‐type littermates. These findings suggest that copy number variation can affect long‐term fluid consumption behavior in mice. Other behavioral differences were unique for either the duplication or deletion mutants; the deletion CNV resulted in increased variability of the licking rhythm, and the duplication CNV resulted in a significant slowing of the licking rhythm. Our findings document a readily quantitated complex behavioral response that can be directly and reciprocally influenced by a gene dosage effect. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A new report of Cornelia de Lange syndrome associated with split hand and feet
Authors: Barboni Chiara , Cereda Anna , Mariani Milena , Gervasini Cristina , Ajmone Paola , Biondi Andrea , Selicorni Angelo 
Published: September 2012

AbstractWe report on a boy with clinical and molecular diagnosis of Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS). Besides the CdLS typical features, he shows split hand and split feet. To the best of our knowledge, only one other patient with similar finding has been reported in CdLS patients. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Functional 3‐D cardiac co‐culture model using bioactive chitosan nanofiber scaffolds
Authors: Hussain Ali , Collins George , Yip Derek , Cho Cheul H. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe in vitro generation of a three‐dimensional (3‐D) myocardial tissue‐like construct employing cells, biomaterials, and biomolecules is a promising strategy in cardiac tissue regeneration, drug testing, and tissue engineering applications. Despite significant progress in this field, current cardiac tissue models are not yet able to stably maintain functional characteristics of cardiomyocytes for long‐term culture and therapeutic purposes. The objective of this study was to fabricate bioactive 3‐D chitosan nanofiber scaffolds using an electrospinning technique and exploring its potential for long‐term cardiac function in the 3‐D co‐culture model. Chitosan is a natural polysaccharide biomaterial that is biocompatible, biodegradable, non‐toxic, and cost effective. Electrospun chitosan was utilized to provide structural scaffolding characterized by scale and architectural resemblance to the extracellular matrix (ECM) in vivo. The chitosan fibers were coated with fibronectin via adsorption in order to enhance cellular adhesion to the fibers and migration into the interfibrous milieu. Ventricular cardiomyocytes were harvested from neonatal rats and studied in various culture conditions (i.e., mono‐ and co‐cultures) for their viability and function. Cellular morphology and functionality were examined using immunofluorescent staining for alpha‐sarcomeric actin (SM‐actin) and gap junction protein, Connexin‐43 (Cx43). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy were used to investigate cellular morphology, spatial organization, and contractions. Calcium indicator was used to monitor calcium ion flux of beating cardiomyocytes. The results demonstrate that the chitosan nanofibers retained their cylindrical morphology in long‐term cell cultures and exhibited good cellular attachment and spreading in the presence of adhesion molecule, fibronectin. Cardiomyocyte mono‐cultures resulted in loss of cardiomyocyte polarity and islands of non‐coherent contractions. However, the cardiomyocyte‐fibroblast co‐cultures resulted in polarized cardiomyocyte morphology and retained their morphology and function for long‐term culture. The Cx43 expression in the fibroblast co‐culture was higher than the cardiomyocytes mono‐culture and endothelial cells co‐culture. In addition, fibroblast co‐cultures demonstrated synchronized contractions involving large tissue‐like cellular networks. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to test chitosan nanofiber scaffolds as a 3‐D cardiac co‐culture model. Our results demonstrate that chitosan nanofibers can serve as a potential scaffold that can retain cardiac structure and function. These studies will provide useful information to develop a strategy that allows us to generate engineered 3‐D cardiac tissue constructs using biocompatible and biodegradable chitosan nanofiber scaffolds for many tissue engineering applications. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 637–647. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Submission of scientifically sound and ethical manuscripts to peer‐reviewed journals – a reviewer's personal perspective on bioanalytical publications
Authors: Weng Naidong 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACTIn the pharmaceutical industry, bioanalysis is very dynamic and is probably one of the few fields of research covering the entire drug discovery, development and post‐marketing process. Important decisions on drug safety can partially rely on bioanalytical data, which therefore can be subject to regulatory scrutiny. Bioanalytical scientists have historically contributed significant numbers of scientific manuscripts in many peer‐reviewed analytical journals. All of these journals provide some high‐level instructions, but they also leave sufficient flexibility for reviewers to perform independent critique and offer recommendations for each submitted manuscript. Reviewers play a pivotal role in the process of bioanalytical publication to ensure the publication of high‐quality manuscripts in a timely fashion. Their efforts usually lead to improved manuscripts. However, it has to be a joint effort among authors, reviewers and editors to promote scientifically sound and ethically fair bioanalytical publications. Most of the submitted manuscripts were well written with only minor or moderate revisions required for further improvement. Nevertheless, there were small numbers of submitted manuscripts that did not meet the requirements for publications because of scientific or ethical deficiencies, which are discussed in this Letter to the Editor. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
MicroRNA‐142 is mutated in about 20% of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Kwanhian Wiyada , Lenze Dido , Alles Julia , Motsch Natalie , Barth Stephanie , Döll Celina , Imig Jochen , Hummel Michael , Tinguely Marianne , Trivedi Pankaj , Lulitanond Viraphong , Meister Gunter , Renner Christoph , Grässer Friedrich A. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short 18–23 nucleotide long noncoding RNAs that posttranscriptionally regulate gene expression by binding to mRNA. Our previous miRNA profiling of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) revealed a mutation in the seed sequence of miR‐142‐3p. Further analysis now showed that miR‐142 was mutated in 11 (19.64%) of the 56 DLBCL cases. Of these, one case had a mutation in both alleles, with the remainder being heterozygous. Four mutations were found in the mature miR‐142‐5p, four in the mature miR‐142‐3p, and three mutations affected the miR‐142 precursor. Two mutations in the seed sequence redirected miR‐142‐3p to the mRNA of the transcriptional repressor ZEB2 and one of them also targeted the ZEB1 mRNA. However, the other mutations in the mature miR‐142‐3p did not influence either the ZEB1 or ZEB2 3′ untranslated region (3′ UTR). On the other hand, the mutations affecting the seed sequence of miR‐142‐3p resulted in a loss of responsiveness in the 3′ UTR of the known miR‐142‐3p targets RAC1 and ADCY9. In contrast to the mouse p300 gene, the human p300 gene was not found to be a target for miR‐142‐5p. In one case with a mutation of the precursor, we observed aberrant processing of the miR‐142‐5p. Our data suggest that the mutations in miR‐142 probably lead to a loss rather than a gain of function. This is the first report describing mutations of a miRNA gene in a large percentage of a distinct lymphoma subtype.
18‐FDG PET/CT assessment of basal cell carcinoma with vismodegib
Authors: Thacker Curtis A. , Weiss Glen J. , Tibes Raoul , Blaydorn Lisa , Downhour Molly , White Erica , Baldwin Jason , Von Hoff Daniel D. , Korn Ronald L. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe use of 18‐fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography with computed tomography (PET/CT) in subjects with advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC) has not been fully explored due to the rarity of disease presentation. This study evaluated PET/CTs from subjects with advanced BCC participating in a phase I dose‐escalation clinical trial of vismodegib. Fourteen subjects with BCC were imaged with 18‐FDG PET/CT for lesion identification and response categorizing (European Organisation for Research and Treatment for Cancer [EORTC] and PET response criteria in solid tumors [PERCIST] 1.0). Several parameters including metabolic activity of target lesions, site of disease presentation and spread, treatment response, and prognostic significance of metabolic activity following therapy were evaluated. All subjects exhibited at least one hypermetabolic lesion. Most subjects had only four organ systems involved at study enrollment: skin–muscle (93%), lung (57%), lymph nodes (29%), and bone (21%). SUVmax measured across all lesions decreased (median 33%, SD ± 45%) following therapy with metabolic activity normalizing or disappearing in 42% of lesions. No significant difference was observed between EORTC and PERCIST 1.0. Subjects that demonstrated at least a 33% reduction in SUVmax from baseline had a significantly longer progression‐free survival (PFS) (median 17 months, 95% confidence interval [CI] ±4 months vs. 9 months, 95% CI ±5 months, P = 0.038) and overall survival (OS) (median 24 months, 95% CI ±4 months vs. 17 months, 95% CI ±13 months, P = 0.019). BCC lesions are hypermetabolic on 18‐FDG PET/CT. A decrease in SUVmax was associated with improved PFS and OS. These results further support the incorporation of 18‐FDG PET/CT scans in advanced BCC management.
Metal Amidoboranes: Superior Double‐Hydrogen‐Transfer Agents in the Reduction of Ketones and Imines
Authors: Xu Weiliang , Wu Guotao , Yao Wei , Fan Hongjun , Wu Jishan , Chen Ping 
Published: September 2012

AbstractMetal amidoboranes (MABs), such as lithium amidoborane (LiAB), show superior ability in reducing ketones and imines directly into their corresponding secondary alcohols and amines, respectively, at room temperature with high conversion and yields. A mechanistic study indicates that the reduction proceeds through a double‐hydrogen‐transfer process. Both protic H(N) and hydridic H(B) protons in the amidoborane participate in the reaction. Theoretical investigations show that the first (and rate‐determining) step of the reduction reaction is the elimination of LiH from LiAB, followed by the transfer of H(Li) to the C site of the unsaturated bond.