bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phylogenetic analysis of the haemagglutinin gene of canine distemper virus strains detected from giant panda and raccoon dogs in China
Authors: Guo Ling , Yang Shao-lin , Wang Cheng-dong , Hou Rong , Chen Shi-jie , Yang Xiao-nong , Liu Jie , Pan Hai-bo , Hao Zhong-xiang , Zhang Man-li , Cao San-jie , Yan Qi-gui 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
Canine distemper virus (CDV) infects a variety of carnivores, including wild and domestic Canidae. In this study, we sequenced and phylogenetic analyses of the hemagglutinin (H) genes from eight canine distemper virus (CDV) isolates obtained from seven raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) and a giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) in China.

Results
Phylogenetic analysis of the partial hemagglutinin gene sequences showed close clustering for geographic lineages, clearly distinct from vaccine strains and other wild-type foreign CDV strains, all the CDV strains were characterized as Asia-1 genotype and were highly similar to each other (91.5-99.8% nt and 94.4-99.8% aa). The giant panda and raccoon dogs all were 549Y on the HA protein in this study, irrespective of the host species.

Conclusions
These findings enhance our knowledge of the genetic characteristics of Chinese CDV isolates, and may facilitate the development of effective strategies for monitoring and controlling CDV for wild canids and non-cainds in China.
Chronic Pain after Lower Abdominal Surgery: Do Catechol-O-Methyl Transferase/Opioid Receptor μ−1 Polymorphisms Contribute?
Authors: Kolesnikov Yuri , Gabovits Boris , Levin Ariel , Veske Andres , Qin Li , Dai Feng , Belfer Inna 
Published: April 2013

Background Preoperative pain, type of operation and anesthesia, severity of acute postoperative pain, and psychosocial factors have been identified as risk factors for chronic postsurgical pain (CPP). Recently, it has been suggested that genetic factors also contribute to CPP. In this study, we aimed to determine whether the catechol-O-methyl transferase ( COMT) and opioid receptor μ−1 ( OPRM1) common functional polymorphisms rs4680 and rs1799971 were associated with the incidence, intensity, or duration of CPP in patients after lower abdominal surgery. Methods One hundred and two patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I/II underwent either abdominal radical prostatectomy (n=45) or hysterectomy (n = 57). The incidences of CPP in the pelvic and scar areas were evaluated in all patients three months after surgery. Results Thirty-five (34.3%) patients experienced CPP after lower abdominal surgery. Within this group, six (17.1%) patients demonstrated symptoms of neuropathic pain. For COMT rs4680, 22 (21.6%) patients had Met158Met, 55 (53.9%) patients had Val158Met, and 25 (24.5%) patients had Val158Val. No association was found between CPP phenotypes (incidence, intensity, and duration) and different rs4680 genotypes. For OPRM1 rs1799971, only CPP patients carrying at least one copy of the G allele had higher pain intensity than A118A carriers (p=0.02). No associations with other phenotypes were found. No combined effect of COMT/OPRM1 polymorphisms on CPP phenotypes was observed. Conclusions OPRM1 genotype influences CPP following lower abdominal surgery. COMT didn't affect CPP, suggesting its potential modality-specific effects on human pain.
c-Met inhibitors
Authors: Mughal Anum , Aslam Hafiz Muhammad , Sheikh Asfandyar , Khan Agha Muhammad Hammad , Saleem Shafaq 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
c-Met is a receptor tyrosine kinase that encodes protein such as hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR). Inappropriate activity of c-Met can cause wide variety of carcinomas. c-Met inhibitor are relatively new class of small molecules that inhibit the enzymatic activity of c-Met tyrosine kinase. Met inhibitors divided into two main classes: class I (SU-11274-like) and class II (AM7-like). The use of c-Met inhibitors with other therapeutic agents could be crucial for overcoming potential resistance as well as for improving overall clinical benefit. Met pathway inhibitors might be used in combination with other treatments, including chemo-, radio- or immunotherapy
Plasma RANTES, IL-10, and IL-8 levels in non–small-cell lung cancer patients treated with EGFR-TKIs
Authors: Umekawa Kanako , Kimura Tatsuo , Kudoh Shinzoh , Suzumura Tomohiro , Oka Takako , Nagata Misato , Mitsuoka Shigeki , Matsuura Kuniomi , Nakai Toshiyuki , Yoshimura Naruo , Kira Yukimi , Hirata Kazuto 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), routinely used to treat advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with activated EGFR mutations, are associated with excellent response and improved performance status. Recently, pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-8 have been proposed as mediators of cancer development. EGFR-TKIs have been found to affect this network of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Methods
EGFR-TKIs (erlotinib, 150 mg/day; and gefitinib, 250 mg/day) were administered once per day. Treatment was continued until disease progressed or the patient developed intolerable symptoms of toxicity, or withdrew his/her consent for study participation. The treatment was a part of standard care. We investigated the correlation between plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines (including plasma RANTES, IL-10, and IL-8) levels and clinical outcomes following EGFR-TKI treatment in lung cancer patients. Pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were evaluated at diagnosis and on treatment day 30 after the first administration of EGFR-TKIs.

Results
Overall, 33 patients were enrolled. Plasma pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were determined for all patients at diagnosis. Plasma samples from 26 patients were obtained on treatment day 30. High level of RANTES at diagnosis was associated with severe general fatigue (P = .026). Low level of RANTES at diagnosis was significantly associated with long-term survival (P = .0032). Percent decrease change of IL-10 was associated with severity of rash (P = .037). The plasma IL-8 level on treatment day 30 (median, 5.48 pg/mL; range, 0.49–26.13 pg/mL) was significantly lower than the level at diagnosis (median 10.45 pg/mL; 3.04–54.86 pg/mL; P = .021).

Conclusions
These results suggest that EGFR-TKIs may suppress systemic inflammation and promote tumor shrinkage. The network of pro-inflammatory cytokines was affected by EGFR-TKI treatment for NSCLC. In addition, the clinical outcomes of EGFR-TKI treatment were influenced by the status of the plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines at diagnosis.
Scanning electron microscopy observations of the hedgehog stomach worm, Physaloptera clausa (Spirurida: Physalopteridae)
Authors: Gorgani Tahmine , Naem Soraya , Farshid Amir Abbass , Otranto Domenico 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background

Physaloptera clausa (Spirurida: Physalopteridae) nematodes parasitize the stomach of the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) and cause weight loss, anorexia and gastric lesions. The present study provides the first morphological description of adult P. clausa from the stomachs of infected hedgehogs, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Methods
From June to October 2011, 10 P. clausa from European hedgehogs were fixed, dried, coated and subjected to SEM examination.

Results
Males and females (22–30 mm and 28–47 mm, respectively) were stout, with the cuticle reflecting over the lips to form a large cephalic collarette and showing fine transverse striations in both sexes. The mouth was characterized by two large, simple triangular lateral pseudolabia, each armed with external and internal teeth. Inside the buccal cavity, a circle of internal small teeth can be observed. Around the mouth, four sub-median cephalic papillae and two large amphids were also observed. The anterior end of both male and female bore an excretory pore on the ventral side and a pair of lateral ciliated cervical papillae. In the female worm, the vulva was located in the middle and the eggs were characterized by smooth surfaces. The posterior end of the female worm was stumpy with two large phasmids in proximity to its extremity. The posterior end of the male had large lateral alae, joined together anteriorly across the ventral surface, with subequal and dissimilar spicules, as well as four pairs of stalked pre-cloacal papillae, three pairs of post-cloacal papillae, and two phasmids. Three sessile papillae occured anteriorly and four posteriorly to the cloaca.

Conclusions
The present SEM study provides the first in-depth morphological characterization of adult P. clausa, and highlights similarities and differences with P. bispiculata P. herthameyerae, Heliconema longissimum and Turgida turgida.
Reliability and validity of the Microsoft Kinect for evaluating static foot posture
Authors: Mentiplay Benjamin F , Clark Ross A , Mullins Alexandra , Bryant Adam L , Bartold Simon , Paterson Kade 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe evaluation of foot posture in a clinical setting is useful to screen for potential injury, however disagreement remains as to which method has the greatest clinical utility. An inexpensive and widely available imaging system, the Microsoft Kinect™, may possess the characteristics to objectively evaluate static foot posture in a clinical setting with high accuracy. The aim of this study was to assess the intra‐rater reliability and validity of this system for assessing static foot posture.MethodsThree measures were used to assess static foot posture; traditional visual observation using the Foot Posture Index (FPI), a 3D motion analysis (3DMA) system and software designed to collect and analyse image and depth data from the Kinect. Spearman's rho was used to assess intra‐rater reliability and concurrent validity of the Kinect to evaluate foot posture, and a linear regression was used to examine the ability of the Kinect to predict total visual FPI score.ResultsThe Kinect demonstrated moderate to good intra‐rater reliability for four FPI items of foot posture (ρ = 0.62 to 0.78) and moderate to good correlations with the 3DMA system for four items of foot posture (ρ = 0.51 to 0.85). In contrast, intra‐rater reliability of visual FPI items was poor to moderate (ρ = 0.17 to 0.63), and correlations with the Kinect and 3DMA systems were poor (absolute ρ = 0.01 to 0.44). Kinect FPI items with moderate to good reliability predicted 61% of the variance in total visual FPI score.ConclusionsThe majority of the foot posture items derived using the Kinect were more reliable than the traditional visual assessment of FPI, and were valid when compared to a 3DMA system. Individual foot posture items recorded using the Kinect were also shown to predict a moderate degree of variance in the total visual FPI score. Combined, these results support the future potential of the Kinect to accurately evaluate static foot posture in a clinical setting.
Follicular stage-dependent regulation of apoptosis and steroidogenesis by prohibitin in rat granulosa cells
Authors: Wang Qi , Leader Arthur , Tsang Benjamin K 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
Follicular growth and atresia are tightly regulated processes, which involve the participation of endocrine, autocrine and paracrine factors at the cellular level. Prohibitin (PHB) is a multifunctional intracellular protein playing an important role in the regulation of proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation. Here we examined the expression of PHB and its regulation by FSH in vitro and studied the role of PHB in the regulation of apoptosis and steroidogenesis in response to the apoptosis inducer staurosporine (STS) and to FSH, respectively.

Methods
Undifferentiated and differentiated granulosa cells were collected from diethylstilbestrol (DES)- and equine chronic gonadotropin (eCG)-primed immature rats, respectively and then cultured with various treatments (FSH, adenovirus infection, STS) according to experimental design. The apoptosis rate, the production of estradiol and progesterone, and the expression of distinct proteins (PHB, caspase-3, phospho- and total Akt) were assessed.

Results
PHB is anti-apoptotic and its action is dependent on the differentiated state of the granulosa cells. Data from gain- and loss-of-function experiments demonstrate that PHB inhibited STS-induced caspase-3 cleavage and apoptosis in undifferentiated granulosa cells, but was ineffective in differentiated cells. In contrast, PHB suppresses FSH-induced steroidogenesis and this response is evident irrespective of the differentiated state of granulosa cells.

Conclusion
These findings suggest that PHB regulates granulosa cell apoptosis and steroidogenesis in a follicular stage-dependent manner and that the dysregulation of PHB expression and action may be relevant to ovarian dysfunction.
Transcranial ultrasound analysis of cerebral blood flow during induced hypertension in acute ischemic stroke - a case series
Authors: List Jonathan , Röhl Jens E , Doepp Florian , Valdueza José M , Schreiber Stephan J 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
Current recommendations of stroke treatment favour a moderately elevated blood pressure in the acute phase, based on the concept of an improved cerebral perfusion. Here, cerebral blood flow was assessed in a case series of patients with acute hemodynamic stroke by means of transcranial colour-coded sonography (TCCS) to study the effects of pharmacologically induced hypertension.

Findings
We investigated six patients with acute hemodynamic stroke and blood pressure-dependent clinical fluctuation of neurological symptoms. TCCS was performed during the initiation phase of catecholamine-induced controlled hypertension. A blood pressure-dependent increase of flow velocity in the ipsilesional middle and the posterior cerebral artery was found in all patients (mean increase 0.80% and 0.65% per mmHg, respectively).

Conclusions
Catecholamine-induced hypertension in severe hemodynamic stroke leads to an ultrasound-detectable rise of cerebral blood flow. This finding gives ‘proof-of-principle’ evidence, supporting active blood pressure management in this selected group of stroke patients. Outcome-related questions of target blood pressure, treatment duration or applicability to other forms of stroke, however, remain to be studied. In this, transcranial ultrasound may be a valuable tool for patient selection and subsequent bedside monitoring.
Comparison of endogenous and overexpressed MyoD shows enhanced binding of physiologically bound sites
Authors: Yao Zizhen , Fong Abraham P , Cao Yi , Ruzzo Walter L , Gentleman Robert C , Tapscott Stephen J 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
Transcription factor overexpression is common in biological experiments and transcription factor amplification is associated with many cancers, yet few studies have directly compared the DNA-binding profiles of endogenous versus overexpressed transcription factors.

Methods
We analyzed MyoD ChIP-seq data from C2C12 mouse myotubes, primary mouse myotubes, and mouse fibroblasts differentiated into muscle cells by overexpression of MyoD and compared the genome-wide binding profiles and binding site characteristics of endogenous and overexpressed MyoD.

Results
Overexpressed MyoD bound to the same sites occupied by endogenous MyoD and possessed the same E-box sequence preference and co-factor site enrichments, and did not bind to new sites with distinct characteristics.

Conclusions
Our data demonstrate a robust fidelity of transcription factor binding sites over a range of expression levels and that increased amounts of transcription factor increase the binding at physiologically bound sites.
Increased expression of miR-221 is associated with shorter overall survival in T-cell acute lymphoid leukemia
Authors: Gimenes-Teixeira Hamilton L , Lucena-Araujo Antonio R , dos Santos Guilherme A , Zanette Dalila L , Scheucher Priscila S , Oliveira Luciana C , Dalmazzo Leandro F , Silva-Júnior Wilson A , Falcão Roberto P , Rego Eduardo M 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
CD56 expression has been associated with a poor prognosis in lymphoid neoplasms, including T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in lymphoid differentiation, and aberrant miRNA expression has been associated with treatment outcome in lymphoid malignancies. Here, we evaluated miRNA expression profiles in normal thymocytes, mature T-cells, and T-ALL samples with and without CD56 expression and correlated microRNA expression with treatment outcome.

Methods
The gene expression profile of 164 miRNAs were compared for T-ALL/CD56+ (n=12) and T-ALL/CD56- (n=36) patients by Real-Time Quantitative PCR. Based on this analysis, we decided to evaluate miR-221 and miR-374 expression in individual leukemic and normal samples.

Results
miR-221 and miR-374 were expressed at significantly higher levels in T-ALL/CD56+ than in T-ALL/CD56- cells and in leukemic blasts compared with normal thymocytes and peripheral blood (PB) T-cells. Age at diagnosis (15 or less vs grater than 15 years; HR: 2.19, 95% CI: 0.98-4.85; P=0.05), miR-221 expression level (median value as cut off in leukemic samples; HR: 3.17, 95% CI: 1.45-6.92; P=0.004), and the expression of CD56 (CD56-
vs CD56+; HR: 2.99, 95% CI: 1.37-6.51; P=0.006) were predictive factors for shorter overall survival; whereas, only CD56 expression (HR: 2.73, 95% CI: 1.03-7.18; P=0.041) was associated with a shorter disease-free survival rate.

Conclusions
miR-221 is highly expressed in T-ALL and its expression level may be associated with a poorer prognosis.
The granulocyte colony stimulating factor pathway regulates autoantibody production in a murine induced model of systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Lantow Margareta , Sivakumar Ramya , Zeumer Leilani , Wasserfall Clive , Zheng Ying-Yi , Atkinson Mark A , Morel Laurence 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Introduction
An NZB-derived genetic locus (Sle2c2) that suppresses autoantibody production in a mouse model of induced systemic lupus erythematosus contains a polymorphism in the gene encoding the G-CSF receptor. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that the Sle2c2 suppression is associated with an impaired G-CSF receptor function that can be overcome by exogenous G-CSF.

Methods
Leukocytes from B6.Sle2c2 and B6 congenic mice, which carry a different allele of the G-CSF receptor, were compared for their responses to G-CSF. Autoantibody production was induced with the chronic graft-versus-host-disease (cGVHD) model by adoptive transfer of B6.bm12 splenocytes. Different treatment regimens varying the amount and frequency of G-CSF (Neulasta®) or carrier control were tested on cGVHD outcomes. Autoantibody production, immune cell activation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were compared between the two strains with the various treatments. In addition, the effect of G-CSF treatment was examined on the production autoantibodies in the B6.Sle1.Sle2.Sle3 (B6.TC) spontaneous model of lupus.

Results
B6.Sle2c2 and B6 leukocytes responded differently to G-CSF. G-CSF binding by B6.Sle2c2 leukocytes was reduced as compared to B6, which was associated with a reduced expansion in response to in vivo G-CSF treatment. G-CSF in vivo treatment also failed to mobilize bone-marrow B6.Sle2c2 neutrophils as it did for B6 neutrophils. In contrast, the expression of G-CSF responsive genes indicated a higher G-CSF receptor signaling in B6.Sle2c2 cells. G-CSF treatment restored the ability of B6.Sle2c2 mice to produce autoantibodies in a dose-dependent manner upon cGVHD induction, which correlated with restored CD4+ T cells activation, as well as dendritic cell and granulocyte expansion. Steady-state ROS production was higher in B6.Sle2c2 than in B6 mice. cGVHD induction resulted in a larger increase in ROS production in B6 than in B6.Sle2c2 mice, and this difference was eliminated with G-CSF treatment. Finally, a low dose G-CSF treatment accelerated the production of anti-dsDNA IgG in young B6.TC mice.

Conclusion
The different in vivo and in vitro responses of B6.Sle2c2 leukocytes are consistent with the mutation in the G-CSFR having functional consequences. The elimination of Sle2c2 suppression of autoantibody production by exogenous G-CSF indicates that Sle2c2 corresponds to a loss of function of G-CSF receptor. This result was corroborated by the increased anti-dsDNA IgG production in G-CSF-treated B6.TC mice, which also carry the Sle2c2 locus. Overall, these results suggest that the G-CSF pathway regulates the production of autoantibodies in murine models of lupus.
The use of wavelet transforms for improved interpretation of airborne transient electromagnetic data
Authors: Nenna Vanessa , Pidlisecky Adam 
Published: April 2013

The continuous wavelet transform (CWT) is used to create maps of dominant spatial scales in airborne transient electromagnetic (ATEM) data sets to identify cultural noise and topographic features. The introduced approach is applied directly to ATEM data, and does not require the measurements be inverted, though it can easily be applied to an inverted model. For this survey, we apply the CWT spatially to B-field and dB/dt ATEM data collected in the Edmonton-Calgary Corridor of southern Alberta. The average wavelet power is binned over four ranges of spatial scale and converted to 2D maps of normalized power within each bin. The analysis of approximately 2 million soundings that make up the survey can be run on the order of minutes on a 2.4 GHz Intel processor. We perform the same CWT analysis on maps of surface and bedrock topography and also compare ATEM results to maps of infrastructure in the region. We find that linear features identified on power maps that differ significantly between B-field and dB/dt data are well correlated with a high density of infrastructure. Features that are well correlated with topography tend to be consistent in power maps for both types of data. For this data set, use of the CWT reveals that topographic features and cultural noise from high-pressure oil and gas pipelines affect a significant portion of the survey region. The identification of cultural noise and surface features in the raw ATEM data through CWT analysis provides a means of focusing and speeding processing prior to inversion, though the magnitude of this affect on ATEM signals is not assessed.
Das gefühlte Faktum der Vernunft. Skizze einer Interpretation und Verteidigung
Authors: Schönecker Dieter 
Published: April 2013

AbstractKant is by no means the pure rationalist that Husserl and others represented him as being. To the contrary I claim that Kant is an ethical intuitionist when it comes to our recognition of the validity of the moral law. Interpreting Kant’s famous thesis about the “fact of reason”, I will first argue for three interpretative theses: 1. The factum theory explains our insight into the binding character of the moral law; it is a theory of justification. 2. In our consciousness of the categorical imperative, the moral law is immediately given in its unconditional and binding validity. 3. The unconditional validity of the CI is given in the feeling of respect. Drawing on basic thoughts of Reformed Epistemology, I will then sketch a way to defend Kant’s theory.
Philosophie aktuell – Organtransplantation II: Aufklärung und Vertrauen. Gibt es eine moralische Pflicht zur Organspende? – Organtransplantation und Aufklärung – Achtung der Autonomie gegenüber Organspendern? – Vertrauen ist gut? Mitnichten immer!
Authors: Esser Andrea , Kersting Daniel , Gutmann Thomas , Rehbock Theda , Dabrock Peter 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Dealing with the reform of the Transplantation Law, the first issue of the new rubric “Philosophie aktuell” met with strong and lively interest from our readers. Subsequent to this discussion a growing number of reports were published dealing with violations of mandatory rules of conduct in transplantation medicine. Therefore the topic is revisited here from the slightly different vantage point “organ transplantation II: elucidation and confidence”.