bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Balloon-Occluded Transvenous Obliteration of Gastric Varices and Gastrorenal Shunts on the Hepatic Synthetic Function
Authors: Saad Wael E.A. , Wagner Cynthia (Cindy) , Al-Osaimi Abdulla , Bliebel Wissam , Lippert Allison , Davies Mark G. , Sabri Saher S. , Turba Ulku C. , Matsumoto Alan H. , Angle John (Fritz) , Caldwell Stephen 
Published: May 2013

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of balloon-occluded transvenous obliteration (BRTO) on the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) and the Child-Pugh (C-P) score and their individual components. Methods: A retrospective review of patients undergoing only BRTO without transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt was performed (08, 2007 to 06, 2010). Pre- and post-BRTO MELD and C-P scores were calculated. The post-BRTO MELD and C-P score samplings were categorized as (1) immediate (within 14 days), (2) early (14-90 days), and (3) delayed (90-180 days) post-BRTO. The C-P and MELD scores and their individual components before and after (various sample intervals) were compared. Results: A total of 29 consecutive successful BRTO procedures were found and assessed. In all, 26 had immediate post-BRTO sampling (average 1.8 days after BRTO), 13 (57%) had an early post-BRTO sampling (average 47 days from BRTO), and 10 (38%) had a delayed post-BRTO sampling (average 121 days from BRTO). The bilirubin rises significantly ( P = .007) within days after BRTO, but synthetic function improves significantly between 1.5 and 4.0 months post-BRTO (international normalized ration: P = .02, bilirubin: P = .027, and albumin: P = .012). However, 31% (N = 8/ 26) of the patients had worsening ascites with or without hydrothorax. The MELD score significantly improved circa 4 months post-BRTO (from 14.1 to 10.7, P = .0008). However, the C-P score did not change significantly (from 7.6 to 6.7, P = .063). Conclusion: The BRTO has a positive effect on the hepatic synthetic function. However, there is a high incidence of post-BRTO ascites (31% of the patients). As a result, the MELD score appears to be a more sensitive gauge for hepatic synthetic function compared to the C-P score for patients undergoing BRTO.
Is cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia effective in treating insomnia and pain in individuals with chronic non-malignant pain?
Authors: Bohra Miqdad H , Espie Colin A 
Published: May 2013

Aim: This paper systematically reviews clinical trials investigating the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia and pain in patients with chronic non-malignant pain. Method: A systematic search of MEDLINE, PSYCINFO, EMBASE, CINHAL and Cochrane library and register of trials was conducted. Results: Essential components of cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia were included in all studies except for the cognitive restructuring component, which was not considered an intervention in one study. Interventions were provided by adequately trained clinicians. Significant within-group effect sizes (> 1) were observed in the intervention groups as compared with the control groups. Improvements were noted in sleep latency, sleep efficiency and wake after sleep onset times. Although improvements were noted in pain experienced by the participants, this was not a significant finding. Conclusions: These clinical trials demonstrate that cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia is effective as an intervention for insomnia in individuals suffering from chronic non-malignant pain. Although pain and disturbed sleep are linked, cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia alone may not be an effective solution for addressing chronic non-malignant pain. Trials of cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia on a variety of chronic pain patients with disturbed sleep and with long-term follow-up are required to ascertain whether cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia is an effective intervention to reduce pain and to add to increasing evidence that it is an effective intervention for insomnia in the chronic pain population.
Integrative genomic analysis of CREB defines a critical role for transcription factor networks in mediating the fed/fasted switch in liver
Authors: Everett Logan J , Lay John Le , Lukovac Sabina , Bernstein Diana , Steger David J , Lazar Mitchell A , Kaestner Klaus H 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
Metabolic homeostasis in mammals critically depends on the regulation of fasting-induced genes by CREB in the liver. Previous genome-wide analysis has shown that only a small percentage of CREB target genes are induced in response to fasting-associated signaling pathways. The precise molecular mechanisms by which CREB specifically targets these genes in response to alternating hormonal cues remain to be elucidated.

Results
We performed chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled to high-throughput sequencing of CREB in livers from both fasted and re-fed mice. In order to quantitatively compare the extent of CREB-DNA interactions genome-wide between these two physiological conditions we developed a novel, robust analysis method, termed the ‘single sample independence’ (SSI) test that greatly reduced the number of false-positive peaks. We found that CREB remains constitutively bound to its target genes in the liver regardless of the metabolic state. Integration of the CREB cistrome with expression microarrays of fasted and re-fed mouse livers and ChIP-seq data for additional transcription factors revealed that the gene expression switches between the two metabolic states are associated with co-localization of additional transcription factors at CREB sites.

Conclusions
Our results support a model in which CREB is constitutively bound to thousands of target genes, and combinatorial interactions between DNA-binding factors are necessary to achieve the specific transcriptional response of the liver to fasting. Furthermore, our genome-wide analysis identifies thousands of novel CREB target genes in liver, and suggests a previously unknown role for CREB in regulating ER stress genes in response to nutrient influx.
Enzymatic and molecular characterisation of leucine aminopeptidase of Burkholderia pseudomallei
Authors: Liew Siew Mun , Tay Sun Tee , Puthucheary Savithiri D 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundLeucine aminopeptidase (LAP) has been known to be a housekeeping protease, DNA-binding protein and repressor or activator in the operon regulation of virulence-associated genes in several bacterial species. LAP activity was consistently detected in overnight cultures ofBurkholderia pseudomallei,the causative agent of melioidosis and this enzyme was partially purified and characterised in this study. The intra- and inter-species nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence variation of LAP encoding gene (pepA) was determined. ApepA/PCR-RFLP assay was designed to facilitate the identification of major LAP sequence types amongst clinical and environmental isolates ofB. pseudomallei.ResultsLAP activity was detected inB. pseudomalleiculture supernantants by zymographic analysis. Optimum activity was at pH 9 and stable at 50°C. Enhanced enzymatic activity was observed in the presence of metallic ions Mg2+, Ca2+, Na+and K+. LAP activity was inhibited by EDTA, 1,10-phenanthroline, amastatin, Mn2+and Zn2+. Sequence analysis of the complete nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of LAP-encoding (pepA) gene showed close genetic relatedness toB. mallei(similarity 99.7%/99.6%), but not withB. thailandensis(96.4%/96.4%). EightpepA sequence types were identified by comparison with a 596 bp DNA fragment encompassing central regions of thepepA gene. ApepA/PCR-RFLP was designed to differentiatepepA sequence types. Based on restriction analysis withStuI andHincII enzymes of the amplifiedpepA gene, clinical and environmental isolates showed different predominant RFLP types. Type I was the most predominant type amongst 73.6% (67/91) of the clinical isolates, while Type II was predominant in 55.6% (5/9) of the environmental isolates.ConclusionsThis study showed that LAP is a secretory product ofB. pseudomalleiwith features similar to LAP of other organisms. Identification of major LAP sequence types ofB. pseudomalleiwas made possible based on RFLP analysis of thepepA gene. The high LAP activity detected in bothB. pseudomalleiandB. thailandensis, suggests that LAP is probably a housekeeping enzyme rather than a virulence determinant.
Oxidized eicosapentaenoic acids more potently reduce LXRα-induced cellular triacylglycerol via suppression of SREBP-1c, PGC-1β and GPA than its intact form
Authors: Nanthirudjanar Tharnath , Furumoto Hidehiro , Hirata Takashi , Sugawara Tatsuya 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), improve lipid metabolism and contribute to the prevention of vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. However, EPA in the diet is easily oxidized at room temperature and several types of oxidized EPA (OEPA) derivatives are generated. To compare the efficiencies of OEPAs on lipid metabolism with EPA, human hepatocellular liver carcinoma cell line (HepG2) was treated with EPA or OEPAs and their effects on lipid metabolism related genes were studied. OEPAs more potently suppressed the expression of sterol-responsive element-binding protein (SREBP)-1c, a major transcription factor that activates the expression of lipogenic genes, and its downstream target genes than did EPA under conditions of lipid synthesis enhanced by T0901317, a synthetic liver X receptor (LXR) agonist. Furthermore, PGC-1β, a coactivator of both LXRα and SREBP-1, was markedly down-regulated by OEPAs compared with EPA. The treatment of OEPAs also significantly down-regulated the expression of glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPA), the initiating enzyme in triacylglycerol (TG) synthesis, more than EPA. Therefore, the advantageous effects of OEPAs on cardiovascular diseases might be due to their SREBP-1c, PGC-1β and GPA mediated ameliorating effects.
Low expression of LOC285194 is associated with poor prognosis in colorectal cancer
Authors: Qi Peng , Xu Mi-die , Ni Shu-juan , Huang Dan , Wei Ping , Tan Cong , Zhou Xiao-yan , Du Xiang 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
The long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) study has gradually become one of the hot topics in the field of RNA biology. One lncRNA which has attracted attention is LOC285194, a lncRNA demonstrated the potential tumor-suppressor role in osteosarcoma. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of LOC285194 in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and to investigate the relationship between this lncRNA levels and existing clinicopathologic parameters and patient survival.

Methods
The expression of LOC285194 was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in pairs of tumorous and adjacent normal tissues of 81 colorectal cancer patients with a follow-up of 5 years, as well as in three colorectal cancer cell lines and normal intestinal mucous cell line. Then, we analyzed the potential relationship between this lncRNA levels in tumor tissues and existing clinicopathological features of CRC, and clinical outcome.

Results
The relative expression levels of LOC285194 was significantly lower in tumor tissues (p < 0.001) and colorectal cancer cell lines compared with adjacent normal tissues and normal intestinal mucous cell line. In addition, low expression of LOC285194 was correlated with larger tumor size (p = 0.015), higher tumor stage (p = 0.034), and more distant metastasis (p = 0.046). Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that patients with low LOC285194 expression had a poor disease free survival (p = 0.010). Moreover, multivariate analysis showed that decreased expression of LOC285194 was an independent predictor of disease-specific survival.

Conclusion
Our data indicate that LOC285194 might be a novel prognostic indicator in colorectal cancer and may be a potential target for diagnosis and gene therapy.
‘Laser chemistry’ synthesis, physicochemical properties, and chemical processing of nanostructured carbon foams
Authors: Seral-Ascaso Andrés , Garriga Rosa , Sanjuán María Luisa , Razal Joselito M , Lahoz Ruth , Laguna Mariano , de la Fuente Germán F , Muñoz Edgar 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
Laser ablation of selected coordination complexes can lead to the production of metal-carbon hybrid materials, whose composition and structure can be tailored by suitably choosing the chemical composition of the irradiated targets. This ‘laser chemistry’ approach, initially applied by our group to the synthesis of P-containing nanostructured carbon foams (NCFs) from triphenylphosphine-based Au and Cu compounds, is broadened in this study to the production of other metal-NCFs and P-free NCFs. Thus, our results show that P-free coordination compounds and commercial organic precursors can act as efficient carbon source for the growth of NCFs. Physicochemical characterization reveals that NCFs are low-density mesoporous materials with relatively low specific surface areas and thermally stable in air up to around 600°C. Moreover, NCFs disperse well in a variety of solvents and can be successfully chemically processed to enable their handling and provide NCF-containing biocomposite fibers by a wet-chemical spinning process. These promising results may open new and interesting avenues toward the use of NCFs for technological applications.
Fabrication of nanostructured ZnO film as a hole-conducting layer of organic photovoltaic cell
Authors: Kim Hyomin , Kwon Yiseul , Choe Youngson 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
We have investigated the effect of fibrous nanostructured ZnO film as a hole-conducting layer on the performance of polymer photovoltaic cells. By increasing the concentration of zinc acetate dihydrate, the changes of performance characteristics were evaluated. Fibrous nanostructured ZnO film was prepared by sol-gel process and annealed on a hot plate. As the concentration of zinc acetate dihydrate increased, ZnO fibrous nanostructure grew from 300 to 600 nm. The obtained ZnO nanostructured fibrous films have taken the shape of a maze-like structure and were characterized by UV-visible absorption, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction techniques. The intensity of absorption bands in the ultraviolet region was increased with increasing precursor concentration. The X-ray diffraction studies show that the ZnO fibrous nanostructures became strongly (002)-oriented with increasing concentration of precursor. The bulk heterojunction photovoltaic cells were fabricated using poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) and indene-C60 bisadduct as active layer, and their electrical properties were investigated. The external quantum efficiency of the fabricated device increased with increasing precursor concentration.
Facile approach to prepare multi-walled carbon nanotubes/graphene nanoplatelets hybrid materials
Authors: Jia Yuchen , Yu Kejing , Qian Kun 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
A facile approach was developed to prepare multi-walled carbon nanotubes/graphene nanoplatelets hybrid materials through covalent bond formation. First, poly(acryloyl chloride) was grafted onto oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes through the reaction between the acyl chloride groups of poly and the hydroxyl groups of oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Second, the remaining acyl chloride groups of poly were allowed to react with the hydroxyl groups of hydroxylated graphene nanoplatelets. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy data showed that the multi-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene nanoplatelets were effectively connected with each other. And Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy data indicated the formation of covalent bonds between carbon nanotubes and graphene nanoplatelets. Conformational changes were monitored by Raman spectroscopy. This novel kind of carbon hybrid materials may have the potential application in a wide field, especially in increasing the toughness and strength of the matrix resin.
Effect of chiropractic and lumbar exercise program on lumbar muscle strength and Cobb's angle in patients with scoliosis for u-Healthcare
Authors: Cheon Minwoo , Park Jaeyong , Lee Yangsun , Lee Jungchul 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
This study aimed to find the effects of 12-week chiropractic and lumbar exercise program on the lumbar muscle strength and Cobb's angle in 16 adolescent students with scoliosis. The patients with scoliosis did not have neurological symptoms and surgery experience. Each group of eight subjects received chiropractic and lumbar exercises three times a week. Subjects' lumbar muscle strength measurement showed a statistically significant temporal difference in the chiropractic group (CG) and chiropractic with exercise group (EG) and had interaction effects. However, no significant difference was found between the two groups. Changes in the Cobb's angle in each group had a significant difference both temporally and between group in both CG and EG, and interaction effects were also significant. As suggested in this study, mutual application of exercise therapy program and chiropractic treatments was found to have a positive effect on lumbar muscle strength and Cobb's angle in patients with scoliosis.
Co-treatment with arsenic trioxide and ganciclovir reduces tumor volume in a murine xenograft model of nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Sides Mark D , Sosulski Meredith L , Luo Fayong , Lin Zhen , Flemington Erik K , Lasky Joseph A 
Published: May 2013

AbstractWe have previously shown that disruption of promyelocytic leukemia nuclear bodies (PML NBs) is sufficient to activate the EBV lytic cycle thus making infected cells susceptible to ganciclovir (GCV) mediated killingin vitro. Here we show that co-administration of GCV and arsenic trioxide (ATO), a PML NB disruptor, reduces tumor volume in a xenograft model of nasopharyngeal carcinoma utilizing CNE1 cells. When administered at pharmacologic levels, both GCV and ATO reduced tumor growth while co-treatment with GCV + ATO resulted in a diminution of tumor volume. Treatment with GCV or ATO individually resulted in an increased number of apoptotic cells while co-treatment with GCV + ATO synergistically induced apoptosis. Treatment with ATO or co-treatment with GCV + ATO resulted in expression of EBV lytic proteins. These data suggest that co-treatment with GCV + ATO may provide an effective treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.
Initiation of human astrovirus type 1 infection was blocked by inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinase
Authors: Tange Shoichiro , Zhou Yan , Nagakui-Noguchi Yuko , Imai Takeshi , Nakanishi Akira 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundUpon initial contact with a virus, host cells activate a series of cellular signaling cascades that facilitate viral entry and viral propagation within the cell. Little is known about how the human astrovirus (HAstV) exploits signaling cascades to establish an infection in host cells. Recent studies showed that activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) is important for HAstV infection, though the involvement of other signaling cascades remains unclear.MethodsA panel of kinase blockers was used to search for cellular signaling pathways important for HAstV1 infection. To determine their impact on the infectious process, we examined viral gene expression, RNA replication, and viral RNA and capsid protein release from host cells.ResultsInhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activation interfered with the infection, independent of their effect on ERK 1/2 activation. Activation of the PI3K signaling cascade occurred at an early phase of the infection, judging from the timeframe of Akt phosphorylation. PI3K inhibition at early times, but not at later times, blocked viral gene expression. However, inhibiting the downstream targets of PI3K activation, Akt and Rac1, did not block infection. Inhibition of protein kinase A (PKA) activation was found to block a later phase of HAstV1 production.ConclusionsOur results reveal a previously unknown, essential role of PI3K in the life cycle of HAstV1. PI3K participates in the early stage of infection, possibly during the viral entry process. Our results also reveal the role of PKA in viral production.
Development of a checklist to assess the quality of reporting of knowledge translation interventions using the Workgroup for Intervention Development and Evaluation Research (WIDER) recommendations
Authors: Albrecht Lauren , Archibald Mandy , Arseneau Danielle , Scott Shannon D 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
Influenced by an important paper by Michie et al., outlining the rationale and requirements for detailed reporting of behavior change interventions now required by Implementation Science, we created and refined a checklist to operationalize the Workgroup for Intervention Development and Evaluation Research (WIDER) recommendations in systematic reviews. The WIDER recommendations provide a framework to identify and provide detailed reporting of the essential components of behavior change interventions in order to facilitate replication, further development, and scale-up of the interventions.

Findings
The checklist was developed, applied, and improved over the course of four systematic reviews of knowledge translation (KT) strategies in a variety of healthcare settings conducted by Scott and associates. The checklist was created as one method of operationalizing the work of the WIDER in order to facilitate comparison across heterogeneous studies included in these systematic reviews. Numerous challenges were encountered in the process of creating and applying the checklist across four stages of development. The resulting improvements have produced a ‘user-friendly’ and replicable checklist to assess the quality of reporting of KT interventions in systematic reviews using the WIDER recommendations.

Conclusions
With journals, such as Implementation Science, using the WIDER recommendations as publication requirements for evaluation reports of behavior change intervention studies, it is crucial to find methods of examining, measuring, and reporting the quality of reporting. This checklist is one approach to operationalize the WIDER recommendations in systematic review methodology.
Enantioselective hydrolyzation and photolyzation of dufulin in water
Authors: Zhang Kankan , Hu Deyu , Zhu Huijun , Yang Jinchuan , Wu Jian , He Ming , Jin Linhong , Yang Song , Song Baoan 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
Dufulin is a novel, highly effective antiviral agent that activatives systemic acquired resistance of plants. This compound is widely used in China to prevent and control viral diseases in tobacco, vegetable and rice. Dufulin can treat plants infected by the tobacco mosaic virus and the cucumber mosaic virus. However, the achiral analysis and residue determination of dufulin remain underdeveloped because of its high enantioselectivity rates and high control costs. The enantioselectivity of an antiviral compound is an important factor that should be considered when studying the effect of chiral pesticides on the environment. The enantioselective degradation of dufulin in water remains an important objective in pesticide science.

Results
The configuration of dufulin enantiomers was determined in this study based on its circular dichroism spectra. The S-(+)-dufulin and R-(−)-dufulin enantiomers were separated and identified using an amylose tris-(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) chiral column by normal phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The degradation of the rac-dufulin racemate and its separate enantiomers complied with first-order reaction kinetics and demonstrated acceptable linearity. The enantioselective photolysis of rac-dufulin allowed for the faster degradation of R-(−)-dufulin, as compared with S-(+)-dufulin. However, S-(+)-dufulin was hydrolyzed faster than its antipode.

Conclusion
The photolysation and hydrolyzation of dufulin in water samples normally complied with the first-order kinetics and demonstrated acceptable linearity (R
2>0.66). A preferential photolysation of the R-(−)-enantiomer was observed in water samples. Moreover, the S-(+)-enantiomer was hydrolyzed faster than its antipode.