bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mycobacterial Trehalose Dimycolate Reprograms Macrophage Global Gene Expression and Activates Matrix Metalloproteinases
Authors: Sakamoto Kaori , Kim Mi Jeong , Rhoades Elizabeth R. , Allavena Rachel E. , Ehrt Sabine , Wainwright Helen C. , Russell David G. , Rohde Kyle H. 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTTrehalose 6,6′-dimycolate (TDM) is a cell wall glycolipid and an important virulence factor of mycobacteria. In order to study the role of TDM in the innate immune response toMycobacterium tuberculosis, microarray analysis was used to examine gene regulation in murine bone marrow-derived macrophages in response to 90-μm-diameter polystyrene microspheres coated with TDM. A large number of genes, particularly those involved in the immune response and macrophage function, were up- or downregulated in response to these TDM-coated beads compared to control beads. Genes involved in the immune response were specifically upregulated in a myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88)-dependent manner. The complexity of the transcriptional response also increased greatly between 2 and 24 h. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were significantly upregulated at both time points, and this was confirmed by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). Using anin vivoMatrigel granuloma model, the presence and activity of MMP-9 were examined by immunohistochemistry andin situzymography (ISZ), respectively. We found that TDM-coated beads induced MMP-9 expression and activity in Matrigel granulomas. Macrophages were primarily responsible for MMP-9 expression, as granulomas from neutrophil-depleted mice showed staining patterns similar to that for wild-type mice. The relevance of these observations to human disease is supported by the similar induction of MMP-9 in human caseous tuberculosis (TB) granulomas. Given that MMPs likely play an important role in both the construction and breakdown of tuberculous granulomas, our results suggest that TDM may drive MMP expression during TB pathogenesis.
Evaluating the impact and use of Transparent Reporting of Evaluations with Non-randomised Designs (TREND) reporting guidelines
Authors: Fuller Thomas , Pearson Mark , Peters Jaime L , Anderson Rob 
Published: December 2012

IntroductionAccurate and full reporting of evaluation of interventions in health research is needed for evidence synthesis and informed decision-making. Evidence suggests that biases and incomplete reporting affect the assessment of study validity and the ability to include this data in secondary research. The Transparent Reporting of Evaluations with Non-randomised Designs (TREND) reporting guideline was developed to improve the transparency and accuracy of the reporting of behavioural and public health evaluations with non-randomised designs. Evaluations of reporting guidelines have shown that they can be effective in improving reporting completeness. Although TREND occupies a niche within reporting guidelines, and despite it being 8 years since publication, no study yet has assessed its impact on reporting completeness or investigated what factors affect its use by authors and journal editors. This protocol describes two studies that aim to redress this.Methods and analysisStudy 1 will use an observational design to examine the uptake and use of TREND by authors, and by journals in their instructions to authors. A comparison of reporting completeness and study quality of papers that do and do not use TREND to inform reporting will be made. Study 2 will use a cross-sectional survey to investigate what factors inhibit or facilitate authors’ and journal editors’ use of TREND. Semistructured interviews will also be conducted with a subset of authors and editors to explore findings from study 1 and the surveys in greater depth.Ethics and disseminationThese studies will generate evidence of how implementation and dissemination of the TREND guideline has affected reporting completeness in studies with experimental, non-randomised designs within behavioural and public health research. The project has received ethics approval from the Research Ethics Committee of the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, Universities of Exeter and Plymouth.
Treating Anemia in Older Adults With Heart Failure With a Preserved Ejection Fraction With Epoetin Alfa
Authors: Maurer Mathew S. , Teruya Sergio , Chakraborty Bibhas , Helmke Stephen , Mancini Donna 
Published: December 2012

Background—
Anemia is a common comorbidity in older adults with heart failure and a preserved ejection fraction and is associated with worse outcomes. We hypothesized that treating anemia with subcutaneous epoetin alfa would be associated with reverse ventricular remodeling and improved exercise capacity and health status compared with placebo.

Methods and Results—

Prospective, randomized, single-blind, 24-week study with blinded end point assessment among anemic (average hemoglobin of 10.4±1 g/dL) older adult patients (n=56; 77±11 years; 68% women) with heart failure and a preserved ejection fraction (ejection fraction=63±15%; B-type natriuretic peptide=431±366 pg/mL) was conducted. Treatment with epoetin alfa resulted in significant increases in hemoglobin (
P
<0.0001). Changes in end-diastolic volume (−6±14 versus −4±16 mL;
P
=0.67) at 6 months did not differ between epoetin alfa and placebo, but declines in stroke volume (−5±8 versus 2±10 mL;
P
=0.09) without significant changes in left ventricular mass were observed. Changes in 6-minute walk distance (16±11 versus 5±12 m;
P
=0.52) did not differ. Although quality of life improved by the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire in both cohorts, there were no significant differences between groups.

Conclusions—
Administration of epoetin alfa to older adult patients with heart failure and a preserved ejection fraction compared with placebo did not change left ventricular end-diastolic volume and left ventricular mass nor did it improve submaximal exercise capacity or quality of life.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00286182.
Long-term Leisure-time Physical Activity and Serum Metabolome
Authors: Kujala Urho M. , Mäkinen Ville-Petteri , Heinonen Ilkka , Soininen Pasi , Kangas Antti J. , Leskinen Tuija H. , Rahkila Paavo , Würtz Peter , Kovanen Vuokko , Cheng Sulin , Sipilä Sarianna , Hirvensalo Mirja , Telama Risto , Tammelin Tuija , Savolainen Markku J. , Pouta Anneli , O’Reilly Paul F. , Mäntyselkä Pekka , Viikari Jorma , Kähönen Mika , Lehtimäki Terho , Elliott Paul , Vanhala Mauno J. , Raitakari Olli T. , Järvelin Marjo-Riitta , Kaprio Jaakko , Kainulainen Heikki , Ala-Korpela Mika 
Published: December 2012

Background—
Long-term physical inactivity seems to cause many health problems. We studied whether persistent physical activity compared with inactivity has a global effect on serum metabolome toward reduced cardiometabolic disease risk.

Methods and Results—

Sixteen same-sex twin pairs (mean age, 60 years) were selected from a cohort of twin pairs on the basis of their >30-year discordance for physical activity. Persistently (≥5 years) active and inactive groups in 3 population-based cohorts (mean ages, 31–52 years) were also studied (1037 age- and sex-matched pairs). Serum metabolome was quantified by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. We used permutation analysis to estimate the significance of the multivariate effect combined across all metabolic measures; univariate effects were estimated by paired testing in twins and in matched pairs in the cohorts, and by meta-analysis over all substudies. Persistent physical activity was associated with the multivariate metabolic profile in the twins (
P
=0.003), and a similar pattern was observed in all 3 population cohorts with differing mean ages. Isoleucine, α1-acid glycoprotein, and glucose were lower in the physically active than in the inactive individuals (
P
<0.001 in meta-analysis); serum fatty acid composition was shifted toward a less saturated profile; and lipoprotein subclasses were shifted toward lower very-low-density lipoprotein (
P
<0.001) and higher large and very large high-density lipoprotein (
P
<0.001) particle concentrations. The findings persisted after adjustment for body mass index.

Conclusions—
The numerous differences found between persistently physically active and inactive individuals in the circulating metabolome together indicate better metabolic health in the physically active than in inactive individuals.
Aristotle on the Impossibility of Anaximander’s apeiron: On Generation and Corruption, 332a20-25
Authors: Wedin Michael 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
In On Generation and Corruption, Aristotle rejects the very possibility of such a thing as Anaximander’s apeiron. Characterized as a kind of intermediate stuff, the apeiron turns out to consist of contraries and as such is impossible. Commentators have rightly noted this point and some have also indicated that Aristotle offers an argument of sorts for his negative estimate. However, the argument has received scant attention, and it is fair to say that it remains unclear exactly why Aristotle rejects Anaximander’s intermediate stuff. Indeed, it is unclear how Aristotle’s argument is supposed to run in the first place. This paper offers a reconstruction of Aristotle’s argument for the impossibility of the apeiron, and on this basis offers to explain Aristotle’s grounds for rejecting Anaximander’s intermediate stuff. This is especially called for in light of the fact that Aristotle himself thinks that there can be intermediate stuffs. Finally, some attention is given to the parallel between the apeiron and Aristotle’s prime matter.
Pythagorean Cosmogony and Vedic Cosmogony (RV 10.129). Analogies and Differences
Authors: Bernabé Alberto , Mendoza Julia 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Allusions to a cosmogony contained in a Vedic hymn (RV 10.129) present striking analogies to a cosmogony attributed to the Pythagoreans by Aristotle, Simplicius and Stobaeus. The aim of the paper is to evaluate the extent to which they are similar and to which their differences respond to different cultural premises.
Numerical Analysis on the Contribution of Urbanization to Wind Stilling: An Example over the Greater Beijing Metropolitan Area
Authors: Hou Aizhong , Ni Guangheng , Yang Hanbo , Lei Zhidong 
Published: December 2012

AbstractA decline of surface wind speed (wind stilling) has been observed in many regions of the world. The greater Beijing metropolitan area in China is taken as an example for analyzing the urbanization impact on wind stilling. This study set up five scenarios with different urbanization ratios and the same atmospheric forces and then simulated wind speed under each scenario using the next-generation Weather Research and Forecasting model. The results suggest that the correspondence between the regional average wind speed ratio of decrease Δu and the ratio of urbanized area δurban (%) fits the relation in summer and in winter. During the period 1961–2008, the ratio of urbanized area over the greater Beijing metropolitan area increased from 1.3% to 11.9%, which is speculated as the cause of a 0.4 m s−1 decline in regional average wind speed and the contributor to about 35% wind stilling.
Examination of Isentropic Circulation Response to a Doubling of Carbon Dioxide Using Statistical Transformed Eulerian Mean*
Authors: Wu Yutian , Pauluis Olivier 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Responses of the atmospheric circulation to a doubling of CO2 are examined in a global climate model, focusing on the circulation on both dry and moist isentropes. The isentropic circulations are reconstructed using the statistical transformed Eulerian mean (STEM), which approximates the isentropic flow from the Eulerian-mean and second-order moments. This approach also makes it possible to decompose the changes in the circulation into changes in zonal mean and eddy statistics.
It is found that, as a consequence of CO2 doubling, the dry isentropic circulation weakens across all latitudes. The weaker circulation in the tropics is a result of the reduction in mean meridional circulation while the reduction in eddy sensible heat flux largely contributes to the slowdown of the circulation in the midlatitudes. The heat transport on dry isentropes, however, increases in the tropics because of the increase in dry effective stratification whereas it decreases in the extratropics following the reduction in eddy sensible heat transport. Distinct features are found on moist isentropes. In the tropics, the circulation weakens, but without much change in heat transport. The extratropical circulation shifts poleward with an intensification (weakening) on the poleward (equatorward) flank, primarily because of the change in eddy latent heat transport. The total heat transport in the midlatitudes also shows a poleward shift but is of smaller magnitude. The differences between the dry and moist circulations reveal that in a warming world the increase in midlatitude eddy moisture transport is associated with an increase in warm moist air exported from the subtropics into the midlatitude storm tracks.
Attribution of Projected Future Changes in Tropical Cyclone Passage Frequency over the Western North Pacific
Authors: Yokoi Satoru , Takayabu Yukari N. , Murakami Hiroyuki 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
This paper performs an attribution analysis of future changes in the frequency of tropical cyclone (TC) passages over the western North Pacific basin projected by seven general circulation models. The models project increases in the passage frequency over the tropical central North Pacific and decreases in regions to the west and northwest, including East Asian countries. The attribution analysis reveals that while changes of the basinwide TC count would decrease the frequency of passages throughout the basin, the gross horizontal contrast in the passage frequency changes is caused by a projected eastward shift of main TC development regions, probably caused by El Niño–like sea surface temperature changes. The change in the frequency of passages is also caused by changes of TC translation vectors and preferable tracks. In particular, the translation vector would rotate clockwise to point in a more easterly direction over oceanic regions south of Japan, decreasing the passage frequency over the Korean peninsula and western Japan while increasing it over eastern Japan. This change in translation direction may be caused by the southward shift of the subtropical jet axis and resultant intensification of westerly steering flows. The El Niño–like change and westerly steering flow change are consistent not only among the seven models but also among a number of other climate models, which suggests the reliability of these results from the viewpoint of intermodel agreement.
Competing principles of agency organization – the reorganization of a reform
Authors: Christensen Tom , Lægreid Per 
Published: December 2012

This article analyses the changing principles of structural organization of the governmental agencies in the welfare administration in Norway. Through the use of instrumentally oriented organization theory and empirical data based in public documents and interviews, we analyse how welfare administration changes through the implementation process when organizational principles are rebalanced based on changing actor patterns, negotiations and path dependencies. The study illustrates that contradictions and complexities in organizational design are enduring features of public sector organizations. Points for practitioners Administrative reforms may change during the implementation process and are often multi-dimensional because interests and organizational principles are rebalanced when bureaucrats implement what politicians have decided. It seems to be difficult to find a stable balance between different principles of specialization, and specialization increases the need for coordination. Administrative reforms are not only about internal administration but are also a political process where political, administrative and professional logics clash and are balanced and rebalanced. Organizational structures are not only about efficiency but also tend to favour some processes, ideas, clients, users and actors over others.
HLA variants rs9271366 and rs9275328 are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus susceptibility in Malays and Chinese
Authors: Chai HC , Phipps ME , Othman I , Tan LP , Chua KH 
Published: December 2012

Background Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antigens and genes have long been reported associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) susceptibility in many populations. With the advance in technologies such as genome-wide association studies, many newly discovered SLE-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been reported in recent years. These include HLA-DRB1/HLA-DQA1 rs9271366 and HLA-DQB1/HLA-DQA2 rs9275328. Our aim was to investigate these SNPs in a Malaysian SLE cohort. Materials and methods SNPs rs9271366 and rs9275328 were screened across 790 Malaysian citizens from three ethnic groups (360 patients and 430 healthy volunteers) by Taqman SNP genotyping assays. Allele and genotyping frequencies, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, Fisher’s exact test and odds ratio were calculated for each SNP and ethnic group. Linkage disequilibrium and interaction between the two SNPs were also evaluated. Results The minor allele G and its homozygous genotype GG of HLA-DRB1/HLA-DQA1 rs9271366 significantly increased the SLE susceptibility in Malaysian patients, including those of Malay and Chinese ethnicity (odds ratio (OR) > 1, p < 0.05). As for HLA-DQB1/HLA-DQA2 rs9275328, the minor allele T and the heterozygous genotype CT conferred protective effect to SLE in Malaysians, as well as in Malays and Chinese, by having OR < 1 and p value <0.05. Both SNPs did not show associations to SLE in Indians. D’ and r2 values for the two SNPs in LD analysis were 0.941 and 0.065, respectively, with haplotype GC and AT being significantly associated with SLE ( p < 5.0 × 10−4) after 10,000 permutations were performed. The MDR test clustered the genotype combinations of GG and CC, and AG and CC of rs9271366 and rs9275328, accordingly, as high-risk group, and the two SNPs interacted redundantly by removing 1.96% of the entropy. Conclusions Our findings suggest that in addition to some classical HLA variants, rs9271366 and rs9275328 are additional polymorphisms worth considering in the Malaysian and possibly in a larger Asian SLE scenario.
Validation of the Portuguese Simple Measure of Impact of Lupus Erythematosus in Youngsters (SMILEY) in Brazil
Authors: Moorthy LN , Saad‐Magalhães C , Sato J Oliveira , Len CA , Vasco M Brandão , Appenzeller S , Marini R , Oliveira SK Feitosa de , Rodrigues M , Sztajnbok F , Almeida R Gasparello de , Jesus A Almeida de , Campos LM , Silva CA , Peterson MGE , Hassett AL , Weiss E , Verma S , Dahodwala MQ , Lehman TJA 
Published: December 2012

Background and Objective Simple Measure of the Impact of Lupus Erythematosus in Youngsters (SMILEY) is a health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) assessment tool for pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which has been translated into Portuguese for Brazil. We are reporting preliminary data on cross‐cultural validation and reliability of SMILEY in Portuguese (Brazil). Methods In this multi‐center cross‐sectional study, Brazilian children and adolescents 5–18 years of age with SLE and parents participated. Children and parents completed child and parent reports of Portuguese SMILEY and Portuguese Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™) Generic and Rheumatology modules. Parents also completed the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ). Physicians completed the SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI), Physician’s Global Assessment of disease activity (PGA) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus International Collaborating Clinics ACR Damage Index (SDI). Results 99 subjects (84 girls) were enrolled; 93 children and 97 parents filled out the SMILEY scale. Subjects found SMILEY relevant and easy to understand and completed SMILEY in 5–15 minutes. Brazilian SMILEY was found to have good psychometric properties (validity and reliability), and the child–parent agreement was moderate. Conclusion SMILEY may eventually be used routinely as a research/clinical tool in Brazil. It may be also adapted for other Portuguese-speaking nations offering critical information regarding the effect of SLE on HRQOL for children with SLE.
Differential effects of hydroxyurea and INC424 on mutant allele burden and myeloproliferative phenotype in a JAK2-V617F polycythemia vera mouse model
Authors: Kubovcakova Lucia , Lundberg Pontus , Grisouard Jean , Hao-Shen Hui , Romanet Vincent , Andraos Rita , Murakami Masato , Dirnhofer Stephan , Wagner Kay-Uwe , Radimerski Thomas , Skoda Radek C. 
Published: December 2012

Key Points
JAK2-V617F cells show a competitive advantage over wild-type cells in BM transplantation assays. A preclinical mouse model allows the examination of the effects of therapeutic agents on blood parameters and JAK2-V617F mutant allele burden.
Pathways associated with reduced quadriceps oxidative fibres and endurance in COPD
Authors: Natanek Samantha A. , Gosker Harry R. , Slot Ilse G.M. , Marsh Gemma S. , Hopkinson Nicholas S. , Moxham John , Kemp Paul R. , Schols Annemie M.W.J. , Polkey Michael I. 
Published: December 2012

Reduced quadriceps endurance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with a predominance of type II glycolytic fibres over type I oxidative fibres (fibre shift) and reduced muscle energy stores. The molecular mechanisms responsible for this remain unknown. We hypothesised that expression of known regulators of type I fibres and energy production in quadriceps muscle would differ in COPD patients with and without fibre shift.We measured lung function, physical activity, exercise performance, quadriceps strength and endurance (nonvolitionally) in 38 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease stage I–IV COPD patients and 23 healthy age-matched controls. Participants underwent a quadriceps biopsy: type I and II fibre proportions were determined using immunohistochemistry and fibre shift defined using published reference ranges. Calcineurin A, phosphorylated AMP kinase (phospho-AMPK)-α, protein kinase A-α catalytic subunits, modulators of calcineurin activity and calmodulin, 14-3-3 proteins were measured by Western blotting, and myocyte-enriched calcineurin-interacting protein-1 mRNA measured by quantitative PCR. Downstream, nuclear myocyte enhancer factor-2 capable of DNA binding was quantified by transcription factor ELISA.Unexpectedly, calcineurin expression was higher, while phospho-AMPK was lower, in COPD patients with fibre shift compared to COPD patients without fibre shift. Phospho-AMPK levels correlated with quadriceps endurance in patients.Reduced phospho-AMPK may contribute to reduced quadriceps oxidative capacity and endurance in COPD.