bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Use of the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire for Monitoring Health Status in Patients With Aortic Stenosis
Authors: Arnold Suzanne V. , Spertus John A. , Lei Yang , Allen Keith B. , Chhatriwalla Adnan K. , Leon Martin B. , Smith Craig R. , Reynolds Matthew R. , Webb John G. , Svensson Lars G. , Cohen David J. 
Published: December 2012

Background—
Improving functional status and quality of life are important goals of treatment for patients with severe aortic stenosis. The Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) is a heart failure health status measure and has been used in studies of patients with aortic stenosis. However, its psychometric properties have not yet been evaluated in these patients.

Methods and Results—
We analyzed data from 955 patients, enrolled in the PARTNER trial of transcatheter aortic valve replacement, to evaluate the reliability, responsiveness, validity, and prognostic importance of the KCCQ in patients with severe aortic stenosis. The KCCQ was administered at baseline and at 1, 6, and 12 months after randomization to medical therapy, transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or surgical valve replacement. Among clinically stable patients, there were only small changes in the KCCQ domain scores over time (mean differences 0.1–4.2 points), and the intraclass correlation coefficients showed good agreement between paired assessments (0.65–0.76). However, the domain scores of patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement showed large changes after treatment (mean differences 13–30 points). Construct validity was demonstrated by comparing each domain against a relevant reference measure (Spearman correlations 0.46–0.69). Finally, among 157 patients randomized to medical management, lower KCCQ overall summary scores at baseline were strongly associated with an increased risk of mortality during the following 12 months.

Conclusions—
The KCCQ is a highly reliable, responsive, and valid measure of symptoms, functional status, and quality of life in patients with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis.
Chronic migraine and chronic daily headache in the Asia-Pacific region: A systematic review
Authors: Stark Richard J , Ravishankar K , Siow Hua Chiang , Lee Kwang Soo , Pepperle Rachael , Wang Shuu-Jiun 
Published: December 2012

Background: Data on the prevalence and characteristics of chronic migraine (CM) and chronic daily headache (CDH) in the Asia-Pacific region are limited. Methods: We performed a systematic review on this topic, searching for studies published from 1996 to 2012 that reported the prevalence (population-based studies) or frequency (clinic studies) of CM or CDH. We calculated 95% confidence intervals for the prevalence in population studies. Results were qualitatively described. Results: Seven population studies and 19 hospital clinic studies from Asia were included. The CDH prevalence in population studies was 1.0–3.9% (median 2.9%). Only two studies from Taiwan reported the population prevalence of CM (1.0% and 1.7%). In addition, we derived a prevalence of 0.6% from a Malaysian study. Eleven clinic studies reported a CM frequency of 4.7–82% (median 52%) as a subset of CDH; classification of medication overuse varied. CM was associated with substantial disability. Conclusions: The prevalence of CM and CDH in Asia appears lower than the global average, but applying the above prevalence estimates to the Asia-Pacific population would suggest that CM alone affects between 23 and 65 million individuals in the region.
Neuronal correlates of impaired habituation in response to repeated trigemino-nociceptive but not to olfactory input in migraineurs: An fMRI study
Authors: Stankewitz A , Schulz E , May A 
Published: December 2012

Introduction: Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we aimed to explore the habituation behaviour to trigemino-nociceptive as well as olfactory stimuli in migraine patients. We exclusively focussed on intrasessional behavioural rating patterns and the related blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal changes. Findings: We observed that groups significantly differ in the time course of pain intensity ratings during the stimulation session: whereas interictal migraineurs sensitized (increasing pain ratings), control subjects habituated (decreasing pain ratings). Pain ratings of ictal patients remained unchanged. This behaviour is accompanied by a similar time course of neuronal activity in the bilateral anterior insula, in the middle cingulate cortex and in the thalamus. In these areas, the brain activity increased in migraineurs but decreased in the control group during the session. In contrast to these findings, the rating patterns for the olfactory stimuli (rose odour) did not differ between patients and controls and a gradual decrease of perceived stimulus intensity was found in all three groups. This stimulus specific response may occur because the olfactory system is the only sensory system not passing the thalamus. Conclusion: Our data suggest that impaired habituation in functional brain systems in migraine is fundamental only to specific modalities including the trigemino-nociceptive, but, at least, excluding the olfactory system. Our findings further suggest that there is no single neuronal modulator responsible for the altered rating pattern in migraineurs.
Implementing an Inpatient Social Early Warning System for Child Maltreatment
Authors: Atabaki Armita , Heddaeus Daniela , Metzner Franka , Schulz Holger , Siefert Sönke , Pawils Silke 
Published: December 2012

Objectives: The current article describes the process evaluation of a social early warning system (SEWS) for the prevention of child maltreatment in the federal state of Hamburg. This prevention initiative targets expectant mothers and their partners including an initial screening of risk factors for child maltreatment, a subsequent structured clearing interview further exploring risks and identifying protective factors and an optional referral to the regional health and social care system. Method: The process evaluation was conducted by examining the flow of participants through the different stages of the SEWS as well as asking social education workers, parents, and regional institutions about their satisfaction with the process of the SEWS. Results: The participation rate throughout the SEWS as well as the satisfaction rates were high. Conclusions: The SEWS is a secondary prevention initiative with a substantial difference to other early prevention initiatives, as it aims to facilitate intervention rather than providing it.
Leadership Matters
Authors: Jarvis Carol , Gulati Anita , McCririck Virginia , Simpson Peter 
Published: December 2012

The Problem This article explores some of the tensions that required careful management in the design and delivery of a leadership development program. This discussion draws particularly upon a formal evaluation of two cohorts, each comprising approximately 20 senior managers working in adult social care. Complexity theory, notably Complex Responsive Processes of Relating, is used to make visible, explore and articulate the need to hold in tension apparently contradictory forces and requirements. The program was established at a critical time in the U.K. government’s public services reform agenda, which was unfolding during a period of increasing resource constraint. This included a requirement upon commissioners to demonstrate impact and return on investment (ROI) in development programs. However, complexity theory explains why a direct causal relationship between inputs and outcomes is not amenable to demonstration by evaluation. The Solution Consequently, the approach to demonstrating ROI explored the microprocesses underpinning the development of the participants’ thinking and practice through formative real time and post hoc evaluation. This comprised a range of qualitative techniques: extended observations provided an “ethnographic” overview of the program; participant and stakeholder interviews gave insight into critical incidents and key learning points; and guided conversations placed greater emphasis on the everyday experience of participants in applying their learning. It is argued that such an approach to evaluation is both a research intervention and a contribution to the development process. The Stakeholders Our article will be of particular relevance to human resource professionals, leadership development practitioners, commissioners, business schools and evaluators facing the challenge of finding meaningful measures of “ROI” for individual and organizational development.
Schmallenberg virus challenge models in cattle: infectious serum or culture-grown virus?
Authors: Wernike Kerstin , Eschbaumer Michael , Breithaupt Angele , Hoffmann Bernd , Beer Martin 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Schmallenberg virus (SBV), discovered in Europe in 2011, causes mild transient disease in adult ruminants, but fetal infection can lead to severe malformation in cattle, sheep and goats.
To elucidate the pathogenesis of this novel orthobunyavirus, considerable efforts are required. A reliable and standardized infection model is essential for in vivo studies. In the present study, two groups of four cattle were inoculated with either serum passaged in cattle only or cell culture-grown virus. The replication of culture-grown SBV in cattle was reduced compared to virus inoculated via infectious serum. In a second experiment, the infectious serum was titrated in calves; the tested batch contained 102.83 infectious doses per mL. Hence, serum-borne virus that was only passaged in the natural host is a suitable option for a standardized SBV infection model.
Structure and evolution of barley powdery mildew effector candidates
Authors: Pedersen Carsten , van Themaat Emiel Ver Loren , McGuffin Liam J , Abbott James C , Burgis Timothy A , Barton Geraint , Bindschedler Laurence V , Lu Xunli , Maekawa Takaki , Weßling Ralf , Cramer Rainer , Thordal-Christensen Hans , Panstruga Ralph , Spanu Pietro D 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background
Protein effectors of pathogenicity are instrumental in modulating host immunity and disease resistance. The powdery mildew pathogen of grasses Blumeria graminis causes one of the most important diseases of cereal crops. B. graminis is an obligate biotrophic pathogen and as such has an absolute requirement to suppress or avoid host immunity if it is to survive and cause disease.

Results
Here we characterise a superfamily predicted to be the full complement of Candidates for Secreted Effector Proteins (CSEPs) in the fungal barley powdery mildew parasite B. graminis f.sp. hordei. The 491 genes encoding these proteins constitute over 7% of this pathogen’s annotated genes and most were grouped into 72 families of up to 59 members. They were predominantly expressed in the intracellular feeding structures called haustoria, and proteins specifically associated with the haustoria were identified by large-scale mass spectrometry-based proteomics. There are two major types of effector families: one comprises shorter proteins (100–150 amino acids), with a high relative expression level in the haustoria and evidence of extensive diversifying selection between paralogs; the second type consists of longer proteins (300–400 amino acids), with lower levels of differential expression and evidence of purifying selection between paralogs. An analysis of the predicted protein structures underscores their overall similarity to known fungal effectors, but also highlights unexpected structural affinities to ribonucleases throughout the entire effector super-family. Candidate effector genes belonging to the same family are loosely clustered in the genome and are associated with repetitive DNA derived from retro-transposons.

Conclusions
We employed the full complement of genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic analyses as well as structural prediction methods to identify and characterize the members of the CSEPs superfamily in B. graminis f.sp. hordei. Based on relative intron position and the distribution of CSEPs with a ribonuclease-like domain in the phylogenetic tree we hypothesize that the associated genes originated from an ancestral gene, encoding a secreted ribonuclease, duplicated successively by repetitive DNA-driven processes and diversified during the evolution of the grass and cereal powdery mildew lineage.
Transcriptome response analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana to leafminer (Liriomyza huidobrensis)
Authors: Zhang Sufang , Zhang Zhen , Kang Le 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background
Plants have evolved a complicated resistance system and exhibit a variety of defense patterns in response to different attackers. Previous studies have shown that responses of plants to chewing insects and phloem-feeding insects are significantly different. Less is known, however, regarding molecular responses to leafminer insects. To investigate plant transcriptome response to leafminers, we selected the leafminer Liriomyza huidobrensis, which has a special feeding pattern more similar to pathogen damage than that of chewing insects, as a model insect, and Arabidopsis thaliana as a response plant.

Results
We first investigated local and systemic responses of A. thaliana to leafminer feeding using an Affymetrix ATH1 genome array. Genes related to metabolic processes and stimulus responses were highly regulated. Most systemically-induced genes formed a subset of the local response genes. We then downloaded gene expression data from online databases and used hierarchical clustering to explore relationships among gene expression patterns in A. thaliana damaged by different attackers.

Conclusions
Our results demonstrate that plant response patterns are strongly coupled to damage patterns of attackers.
Endo-(1,4)-β-Glucanase gene families in the grasses: temporal and spatial Co-transcription of orthologous genes1
Authors: Buchanan Margaret , Burton Rachel A , Dhugga Kanwarpal S , Rafalski Antoni J , Tingey Scott V , Shirley Neil J , Fincher Geoffrey B 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background
Endo-(1,4)-β-glucanase (cellulase) glycosyl hydrolase GH9 enzymes have been implicated in several aspects of cell wall metabolism in higher plants, including cellulose biosynthesis and degradation, modification of other wall polysaccharides that contain contiguous (1,4)-β-glucosyl residues, and wall loosening during cell elongation.

Results
The endo-(1,4)-β-glucanase gene families from barley (Hordeum vulgare), maize (Zea mays), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), rice (Oryza sativa) and Brachypodium (Brachypodium distachyon) range in size from 23 to 29 members. Phylogenetic analyses show variations in clade structure between the grasses and Arabidopsis, and indicate differential gene loss and gain during evolution. Map positions and comparative studies of gene structures allow orthologous genes in the five species to be identified and synteny between the grasses is found to be high. It is also possible to differentiate between homoeologues resulting from ancient polyploidizations of the maize genome. Transcript analyses using microarray, massively parallel signature sequencing and quantitative PCR data for barley, rice and maize indicate that certain members of the endo-(1,4)-β-glucanase gene family are transcribed across a wide range of tissues, while others are specifically transcribed in particular tissues. There are strong correlations between transcript levels of several members of the endo-(1,4)-β-glucanase family and the data suggest that evolutionary conservation of transcription exists between orthologues across the grass family. There are also strong correlations between certain members of the endo-(1,4)-β-glucanase family and other genes known to be involved in cell wall loosening and cell expansion, such as expansins and xyloglucan endotransglycosylases.

Conclusions
The identification of these groups of genes will now allow us to test hypotheses regarding their functions and joint participation in wall synthesis, re-modelling and degradation, together with their potential role in lignocellulose conversion during biofuel production from grasses and cereal crop residues.
Fatal case of sorafenib-associated idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity in the adjuvant treatment of a patient with renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Fairfax BP , Pratap S , Roberts ISD , Collier J , Kaplan R , Meade AM , Ritchie AW , Eisen T , Macaulay VM , Protheroe A 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background
Sorafenib is an orally available kinase inhibitor with activity at Raf, PDGFβ and VEGF receptors that is licensed for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Current evidence-based post-nephrectomy management of individuals with localized RCC consists of surveillance-based follow up. The SORCE trial is designed to investigate whether treatment with adjuvant sorafenib can reduce recurrence rates in this cohort.

Case presentation
Here we report an idiosyncratic reaction to sorafenib resulting in fatal hepatotoxicity and associated renal failure in a 62 year-old man treated with sorafenib within the SORCE trial.

Conclusion
This is the first reported case of sorafenib exposure associated fatal toxicity in the adjuvant setting and highlights the unpredictable adverse effects of novel adjuvant therapies.
Neural protein gamma-synuclein interacting with androgen receptor promotes human prostate cancer progression
Authors: Chen Junyi , Jiao Li , Xu Chuanliang , Yu Yongwei , Zhang Zhensheng , Chang Zheng , Deng Zhen , Sun Yinghao 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background
Gamma-synuclein (SNCG) has previously been demonstrated to be significantly correlated with metastatic malignancies; however, in-depth investigation of SNCG in prostate cancer is still lacking. In the present study, we evaluated the role of SNCG in prostate cancer progression and explored the underlying mechanisms.

Methods
First, alteration of SNCG expression in LNCaP cell line to test the ability of SNCG on cellular properties in vitro and vivo whenever exposing with androgen or not. Subsequently, the Dual-luciferase reporter assays were performed to evaluate whether the role of SNCG in LNCaP is through AR signaling. Last, the association between SNCG and prostate cancer progression was assessed immunohistochemically using a series of human prostate tissues.

Results
Silencing SNCG by siRNA in LNCaP cells contributes to the inhibition of cellular proliferation, the induction of cell-cycle arrest at the G1 phase, the suppression of cellular migration and invasion in vitro, as well as the decrease of tumor growth in vivo with the notable exception of castrated mice. Subsequently, mechanistic studies indicated that SNCG is a novel androgen receptor (AR) coactivator. It interacts with AR and promotes prostate cancer cellular growth and proliferation by activating AR transcription in an androgen-dependent manner. Finally, immunohistochemical analysis revealed that SNCG was almost undetectable in benign or androgen-independent tissues prostate lesions. The high expression of SNCG is correlated with peripheral and lymph node invasion.

Conclusions
Our data suggest that SNCG may serve as a biomarker for predicting human prostate cancer progression and metastasis. It also may become as a novel target for biomedical therapy in advanced prostate cancer.
Nimotuzumab promotes radiosensitivity of EGFR-overexpression esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells by upregulating IGFBP-3
Authors: Zhao Lei , He Li-Ru , Xi Mian , Cai Mu-Yan , Shen Jing-Xian , Li Qiao-Qiao , Liao Yi-Ji , Qian Dong , Feng Zi-Zhen , Zeng Yi-Xin , Xie Dan , Liu Meng-Zhong 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is suggested to predict the radiosensitivity and/or prognosis of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of Nimotuzumab (an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody) on ESCC radiotherapy (RT) and underlying mechanisms.

Methods
Nimotuzumab was administrated to 2 ESCC cell lines KYSE30 and TE-1 treated with RT. Cell growth, colony formation and apoptosis were used to measure anti-proliferation effects. The method of RNA interference was used to investigate the role of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in ESCC cells radiosensitivity treated with Nimotuzumab. In vivo effect of Nimotuzumab on ESCC radiotherapy was done using a mouse xenograft model.

Results
Nimotuzumab enhanced radiation response of KYSE30 cells (with high EGFR expression) in vitro, as evidenced by increased radiation-inhibited cell growth and colony formation and radiation-mediated apoptosis. Mechanism study revealed that Nimotuzumab inhibited phosphorylated EGFR (p-EGFR) induced by EGF in KYSE30 cells. In addition, knockdown of IGFBP-3 by short hairpin RNA significantly reduced KYSE30 cells radiosensitivity (P<0.05), and even after the administration of Nimotuzumab, the RT response of IGFBP-3 silenced KYSE30 cells was not enhanced (P>0.05). In KYSE30 cell xenografts, Nimotuzumab combined with radiation led to significant tumor growth delay, compared with that of radiation alone (P=0.029), and also with IGFBP-3 up-regulation in tumor tissue.

Conclusions
Nimotuzumab could enhance the RT effect of ESCC cells with a functional active EGFR pathway. In particular, the increased ESCC radiosensitivity by Nimotuzumab might be dependent on the up-regulation of IGFBP-3 through EGFR-dependent pathway.
A fixed point theorem for cyclic generalized contractions in metric spaces
Authors: Alghamdi Maryam A , Petruşel Adrian , Shahzad Naseer 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
In this paper, we extend a recent result of V. Pata (J. Fixed Point Theory Appl. 10:299-305, 2011) in the frame of a cyclic representation of a complete metric space.
Existence results for nonlocal boundary value problems of nonlinear fractional q-difference equations
Authors: Ahmad Bashir , Ntouyas Sotiris K , Purnaras Ioannis K 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
In this paper, we study a nonlinear fractional q-difference equation with nonlocal boundary conditions. The existence of solutions for the problem is shown by applying some well-known tools of fixed-point theory such as Banach’s contraction principle, Krasnoselskii’s fixed-point theorem, and the Leray-Schauder nonlinear alternative. Some illustrating examples are also discussed.

MSC:34A08, 39A05, 39A12, 39A13.