bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Proton pump inhibitor use significantly increases the risk of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in 1965 patients with cirrhosis and ascites: a propensity score matched cohort study
Authors: Min Y. W. , Lim K. S. , Min B.‐H. , Gwak G.‐Y. , Paik Y. H. , Choi M. S. , Lee J. H. , Kim J. J. , Koh K. C. , Paik S. W. , Yoo B. C. , Rhee P.‐L. 
Published: July 2014

SummaryBackgroundThe risk of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) associated with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use has been raised in cirrhotic patients with ascites. However, this is based on case–control studies, often with a small series.AimTo determine whether PPI use increases the risk of SBP using a large cohort.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included 1965 cirrhotic patients with ascites diagnosed between January 2005 and December 2009. The SBP incidence rate was compared between the PPI and non‐PPI groups before and after propensity score matching to reduce the effect of selection bias and potential confounders. Multivariate analysis was conducted to confirm the association of PPI use with SBP.ResultsAfter excluding 411 patients, 1554 were analysed. Among them, 512 patients (32.9%) were included in the PPI group. The annual SBP incidence rate was higher in the PPI group than in the non‐PPI group (10.6% and 5.8%, P = 0.002) before matching. Indications for PPI use and dose of PPI were similar between patients with and without SBP. In the propensity score matched cohort (402 pairs), the SBP incidence rate was also higher in the PPI group than in the non‐PPI group (10.8% vs. 6.0%, P = 0.038). Multivariate analysis revealed that PPI use (Hazard ratio 1.396; 95% confidence interval, 1.057–1.843; P = 0.019) was the independent risk factor for SBP.ConclusionsProton pump inhibitor use significantly increases the risk of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients with ascites. Proton pump inhibitor use should be undertaken with greater caution and appropriately in patients with cirrhosis.
Apoptosis repressor with caspase recruitment domain modulates second mitochondrial‐derived activator of caspases mimetic‐induced cell death through BIRC2/MAP3K14 signalling in acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Mak Po Y. , Mak Duncan H. , Ruvolo Vivian , Jacamo Rodrigo , Kornblau Steven M. , Kantarjian Hagop , Andreeff Michael , Carter Bing Z. 
Published: July 2014

SummaryOverexpression of the apoptosis repressor with caspase recruitment domain (ARC, also termed NOL3) protein predicts adverse outcome in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and confers drug resistance to AML cells. The second mitochondrial‐derived activator of caspases (SMAC, also termed DIABLO) mimetic, birinapant, promotes extrinsic apoptosis in AML cells. SMAC mimetics induce cleavage of cellular inhibitor of apoptosis (cIAP) proteins, leading to stabilization of the nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB)‐inducing kinase (MAP3K14, also termed NIK) and activation of non‐canonical NF‐κB signalling. To enhance the therapeutic potential of SMAC mimetics in AML, we investigated the regulation and role of ARC in birinapant‐induced apoptosis. We showed that birinapant increases ARC in AML and bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). Downregulation of MAP3K14 by siRNA decreased ARC levels and suppressed birinapant‐induced ARC increase. Reverse‐phase protein array analysis of 511 samples from newly diagnosed AML patients showed that BIRC2 (also termed cIAP1) and ARC were inversely correlated. Knockdown of ARC sensitized, while overexpression attenuated, birinapant‐induced apoptosis. Furthermore, ARC knockdown in MSCs sensitized co‐cultured AML cells to birinapant‐induced apoptosis. Our data demonstrate that ARC is regulated via BIRC2/MAP3K14 signalling and its overexpression in AML or MSCs can function as a resistant factor to birinapant‐induced leukaemia cell death, suggesting that strategies to inhibit ARC will improve the therapeutic potential of SMAC mimetics.
The health perspectives of Australian adolescents from same‐sex parent families: a mixed methods study
Authors: Crouch S. R. , Waters E. , McNair R. , Power J. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractBackgroundResearch involving adolescents from same‐sex parent families provides an important contribution to the evidence base on their health, well‐being and the impact of stigma. To date reports on the perspectives of adolescents with same‐sex attracted parents have been limited. This study aimed to describe the multidimensional experiences of physical, mental and social well‐being of adolescents living in this context.MethodsA mixed methods study of adolescents with same‐sex attracted parents comprising of an adolescent‐report survey of 10‐ to 17‐year‐olds and family interviews with adolescents and their parents. Data were collected in 2012 and 2013 as part of the Australian Study of Child Health in Same‐Sex Families.ResultsThe findings from qualitative interviews with seven adolescents and responses to an open‐ended survey question (n = 16) suggest four themes: perceptions of normality, positive concepts of health, spheres of life (including family, friends and community) and avoiding negativity. The quantitative sample of adolescents with same‐sex attracted parents (n = 35) reported higher scores than population normative data on the dimensions general health and family activities within the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) as well as higher on the peer problems scale on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Perceived stigma correlates with lower health and well‐being overall.ConclusionsPositive health outcomes are informed by the ways adolescents conceptualize health and how they construct their spheres of life. Peer relationships, and community perspectives of same‐sex families, inform perceived stigma and its correlation with poorer health and well‐being. Although adolescents see their families as essentially normal they are negatively affected by external societal stigma.
Reduced beta‐cell reserve and pancreatic volume in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia treated with bone marrow transplantation and total body irradiation
Authors: Wei Christina , Thyagiarajan Manigandan , Hunt Linda , Cox Rachel , Bradley Karin , Elson Ruth , Hamilton‐Shield Julian , Stevens Michael , Crowne Elizabeth 
Published: July 2014

SummaryBackgroundImpaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and diabetes mellitus (DM) occur more frequently after bone marrow transplantation and total body irradiation (BMT/TBI), but the mechanism is unclear. This study investigates insulin sensitivity, β‐cell reserve and pancreatic volume in adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).MethodSurvivors (aged 16–26 years) of ALL treated with BMT/TBI (10–14·4 Gy) Group 1 (n = 20, 10 m) were compared with a chemotherapy‐only Group 2 (n = 28, 11 m). Participants underwent assessments of insulin sensitivity by whole body composite‐insulin‐sensitivity‐index (ISIcomp) from oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs); first (AIRarg, AIRg, AUCin10) and second (AUC in second phase) phase insulin responses from arginine‐intravenous glucose tolerance tests; and pancreatic volume by abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Data were analysed by odds ratio, Chi‐square or Fisher's exact tests, Student's t‐tests, analysis of covariance (ancova) and Pearson's or partial correlations (5% significance).ResultsAbnormal OGTTs were documented in Group 1 (DM = 2, IGT = 7). Insulin secretion adjusted for insulin sensitivity was lower in Group 1 than Group 2 as a whole [LogAIRarg (P = 0·008), logAIRg (P = 0·013) and logAUCin10 (P = 0·014)] and after exclusion of those with abnormal glucose tolerance [logAIRarg (P = 0·011), logAIRg (P = 0·007) and logAUCin10 (P = 0·006)]. Group 1 had lower pancreatic volume than Group 2 [52·0 (14·2) vs 72·8 (23·5), P = 0·001] cm3, and results were consistent after adjustment for size by body surface area (P = 0·019). Pancreatic volume correlated with logAIRarg adjusted log ISIcomp (partial correlation = 0·34, P = 0·025).ConclusionsAdult survivors of childhood BMT/TBI for ALL demonstrated reduced β‐cell reserve and smaller pancreatic volume, both likely additional aetiological factors, with reduced insulin sensitivity, in their increased risk of diabetes.
Expression of pro‐apoptotic Bax and anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 proteins in human retinoblastoma
Authors: Singh Lata , Pushker Neelam , Saini Neeru , Sen Seema , Sharma Anjana , Bakhshi Sameer , Chawla Bhavna , Kashyap Seema 
Published: July 2014

AbstractBackgroundRegulation of apoptosis is a complex process that involves a number of genes, including Bcl‐2, Bcl‐x, Bax and other Bcl‐2 family members. The aim of the present study is to assess the expression of Bcl‐ 2 and Bax in retinoblastoma, and correlate them with clinical and histopathological parameters.MethodsThe expression of Bcl‐2 and Bax proteins were examined using immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction in a series of 60 prospective cases of primary retinoblastoma tissues.ResultsImmunohistochemistry showed expression of Bcl‐2 in 40/60 (66.6%), whereas Bax expression was found only in 18/60 (30%) cases, and these correlated with mRNA expression. The Western blotting results also correlated well with the immunohistochemical expression of Bcl‐2 (25 kDa) and Bax (21 kDa) proteins. Bcl‐2 was expressed in 96% (24/25) of invasive tumours and in 45.7% (16/35) of non‐invasive tumours. Expression of Bcl‐2 significantly correlated with tumour invasiveness (P = 0.0274) and poor differentiation (P = 0.0163), whereas loss of Bax correlated with massive choroidal invasion and Pathological Tumor‐Node‐Metastasis (pTNM) (P = 0.0341). However, no correlation was found between Bax and Bcl‐2 expression.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that these apoptotic regulatory proteins may serve as poor prognostic markers and can be used as a therapeutic target for the treatment of invasive retinoblastoma. Further functional studies are required to explore the role of Bax and Bcl‐2 in retinoblastoma.
Ophthalmological consequences of cyanotic congenital heart disease: vascular parameters and nerve fibre layer
Authors: Cordina Rachael , Leaney John , Golzan Mojtaba , Grieve Stuart , Celermajer David S , Graham Stuart L 
Published: July 2014

AbstractBackgroundThis study investigated the long‐term ophthalmological consequences of cyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD).DesignCross‐sectional study, tertiary referral setting.ParticipantsThirteen adults with cyanotic CHD (40 ± 4 years). Age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls underwent aspects of the protocol.MethodsCyanosed subjects had a full ophthalmic examination, visual fields, scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and optical coherence tomography to assess retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL), retinal photography and cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Main Outcome MeasuresRNFL thickness and quantitative analysis of retinal vessels with fractal dimension, branching and central retinal arterial equivalent (CRAE) and central retinal venous equivalent (CRVE).ResultsNo abnormalities of anatomy, motility, intraocular pressure or anterior segments were detected apart from one subject who had bilateral cataracts. Corrected visual acuity was normal in all but one cyanosed subject. Clinical examination revealed dilated retinal vasculature in 12/13 cyanosed subjects and increased tortuosity in 8/13. In the setting of cyanosis, skeletonized retinal arterial and venous beds had higher fractal dimension and increased branching (P ≤ 0.01, n = 11 for all); retinal vessels were dilated (CRAE: 227 vs. 183, n = 11, P < 0.0001; CRVE: 254 vs. 221, n = 11, P = 0.01). Visual fields showed scotomas in two subjects associated with RNFL thinning. No disc oedema was detected. 6/13 subjects’ RNFL thickness fell below the normal 95% confidence interval in at least one sector without explanatory cerebral pathology (P < 0.0001, n = 13). Mean RNFL thickness correlated with MRI cerebral white matter volume (R = 0.67, P = 0.035).ConclusionsCyanosed subjects had vessel dilatation, increased branching and tortuosity. RNFL and visual field thresholds were reduced suggesting impaired neuro‐ophthalmological functioning.
An Indecent Proposal: The Dual Functions of Indirect Speech
Authors: Chakroff Aleksandr , Thomas Kyle A. , Haque Omar S. , Young Liane 
Published: July 2014

AbstractPeople often use indirect speech, for example, when trying to bribe a police officer by asking whether there might be “a way to take care of things without all the paperwork.” Recent game theoretic accounts suggest that a speaker uses indirect speech to reduce public accountability for socially risky behaviors. The present studies examine a secondary function of indirect speech use: increasing the perceived moral permissibility of an action. Participants report that indirect speech is associated with reduced accountability for unethical behavior, as well as increased moral permissibility and increased likelihood of unethical behavior. Importantly, moral permissibility was a stronger mediator of the effect of indirect speech on likelihood of action, for judgments of one's own versus others' unethical action. In sum, the motorist who bribes the police officer with winks and nudges may not only avoid public punishment but also maintain the sense that his actions are morally permissible.
Overwintering dormancy behaviour of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) in a large lake
Authors: Westerberg Håkan , Sjöberg Niklas 
Published: July 2014

AbstractOverwintering dormancy behaviour was studied in female silver eels in Lake Mälaren in Sweden between 2008 and 2010. Depth choices and movements in relation to temperature were analysed from pressure and temperature records for 13 eels with implanted data storage tags, covering 17 overwintering periods and three intervening summer periods. Dormancy commenced in October–November as temperatures fell below 4–12 °C. Eels tended to remain motionless throughout the winter, with some short periods of activity signalled by small changes in depth distributions. During dormancy, the eel shows a clear avoidance of shallow areas <5 m in favour of the 10–25‐m‐depth interval. Activity tended to resume 4–6 months later in April–May as temperatures rose above 3–7 °C and ice cover broke, and eels spent more time at shallower depths of <5–10 m. The majority of the eels were assessed as being in the silver eel stage at the time of tagging. During the autumn months, the diving behaviour, with frequent and large vertical excursions and periods at the surface, was similar to that seen in migrating eels in the Baltic and Atlantic Ocean. In spring and summer, the behaviour differed, being dominated by more gradual depth variations, implying that the eels reverted from silver eel migration behaviour to yellow eel foraging behaviour. Body weight declined during dormancy, but other studies of starvation over comparable time periods showed significantly higher average specific weight losses, implying that the Mälaren silver eels must have fed between the end of dormancy and recapture.
Molecular evolution of the bacterial pseudouridine‐5′‐phosphate glycosidase protein family
Authors: Thapa Keshav , Oja Terhi , Metsä‐Ketelä Mikko 
Published: July 2014

Pseudouridine is a noncanonical C–nucleoside commonly present in RNA, which is not metabolized in mammals, but can be recycled by the unique enzyme family of bacterial pseudouridine glycosidases such as YeiN from Escherichia coli. Here, we present rigorous bioinformatic and biochemical analyses of the protein family in order to find sequences that might code for nonpseudouridine glycosidase activities. To date, the only other function reported for the enzyme family occurs during the biosynthesis of the antibiotic alnumycin A in Streptomyces species, where AlnA functions as an unusual C–glycosynthase. Bioinformatics analysis of 755 protein sequences identified one group of sequences that were unlikely to harbour pseudouridine glycosidase activities. This observation was confirmed in vitro with one representative protein, IdgA from Streptomyces albus, which was unable to synthesize pseudouridine monophosphate, but was able to attach d–ribose‐5‐phosphate to juglone. Furthermore, our analyses provide evidence for horizontal gene transfer of pseudouridine glycosidases that may have occurred in Streptomyces and Doria species. Inspection of the genomic loci in the vicinity of pseudouridine glycosidases revealed that in 77% of the strains a kinase gene putatively involved in the phosphorylation of pseudouridine was found nearby, whereas the sequences encoding nonpseudouridine glycosidases coexisted with a phosphatase of the haloacid dehalogenase enzyme family. The investigation suggested that these unknown sequences might be involved in the biosynthesis of soluble blue pigments because of the presence of genes homologous to nonribosomal peptide synthetases.
Expression and immunohistochemical localization of leptin receptor in human periapical granuloma
Authors: Martín‐González J. , Carmona‐Fernández A. , Pérez‐Pérez A. , Sánchez‐Jiménez F. , Sánchez‐Margalet V. , Segura‐Egea J. J. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractAimTo investigate the expression and immunohistochemical localization of leptin receptor (LEPR) in human periapical granulomas.MethodologyPeriapical inflammatory lesions were obtained from extracted human teeth and teeth which underwent periapical surgery. After their histopathological categorization as periapical granulomas (n = 20), they were examined by immunohistochemistry using human LEPR monoclonal antibodies. LEPR mRNA expression was also determined by quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR), and the amount of LEPR protein was analysed by immunoblot.ResultsAll granuloma samples expressed LEPR. Amongst inflammatory cells, only macrophages showed expression of LEPR. Western blot analysis revealed the presence in the samples of a protein with apparent molecular weight of ~120 kDa, corresponding to the estimated molecular weight of LEPR. The qRT‐PCR analysis demonstrated the expression of LEPR mRNA, corresponding the size of the amplified fragment (338 bp), assessed by agarose gel electrophoresis, to that of LEPR mRNA.ConclusionsHuman periapical granulomas express LEPR. In periapical granulomas, only macrophages showed expression of LEPR. This finding suggests that leptin can play a role in inflammatory and immune periapical responses.
Characterisation of composite edible films based on wheat starch and whey‐protein isolate
Authors: Basiak Ewelina , Galus Sabina , Lenart Andrzej 
Published: July 2014

SummaryComposite films prepared by casting wheat starch and whey‐protein isolate at proportions of 100–0%, 75–25%, 50–50%, 25–75% and 0–100% were characterised. Combination of both substances gave continuous and homogeneous films. The more the starch is in a film, the more dull is the appearance. The highest water adsorption was observed for pure whey‐protein films and the lowest for pure wheat starch films with the final water content of 0.264 and 0.324 g water g d.m.−1, respectively. An exponential equation well fitted the experimental data of water vapour kinetics (R2 ≥ 0.99). The highest values of thickness and elongation at break were observed for films obtained by blending of wheat starch and whey protein. With the increasing content of whey‐protein isolate, the values of the swelling index and tensile strength increased from 34.31% to 71.01% and from 2.29 to 8.90 MPa, respectively. The values of water vapour permeability depended on humidity conditions and decreased slightly with the increasing content of whey‐protein isolate.
Evaluation of the Effects of Topical Zinc Gluconate in Wound Healing
Authors: Kaufman Kathryn L. , Mann F. A. , Kim Dae Young , Lee Suhwon , Yoon Hun‐Young 
Published: July 2014

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of topical zinc gluconate on healing, analgesia, and bacterial growth of full‐thickness rat skin wounds.Study DesignExperimental study.AnimalsMale Wistar rats (n = 98)MethodsOne full‐thickness round 2 cm × 2 cm surgically created wound on the dorsum of each rat received 1 of the following randomized treatments: zinc gluconate in carrier solution, carrier solution, saline (0.9% NaCl) solution, chlorhexidine, chlorhexidine + zinc gluconate, corticosteroid, and no treatment. At 4 and 21 days, biopsy samples were taken for histopathology. Bacterial cultures were performed on day 4. Subjective pain scores and weight were recorded daily.ResultsNo significant differences were noted among the groups except the corticosteroid group, in which delayed healing was noted at 4 and 21 days. Bacterial isolates were similar and no differences in pain scores or weight gain were noted among groups. The wounds treated with corticosteroid at day 4 had decreased inflammatory cells and serocellular crust formation, and minimal neovascularization and granulation tissue formation. At day 21, that group had prolonged neutrophilic inflammatory cells, immature fibrosis, less re‐epithelialization, and more prominent serocellular crust.ConclusionWounds treated with zinc gluconate healed similarly and contained similar bacterial load as wounds with other topical treatments except for corticosteroids. No treatment demonstrated the negative effects seen with topical corticosteroid nor did any demonstrate analgesic advantage.
Medium and Long Term Evaluation of Sliding Humeral Osteotomy in Dogs
Authors: Wendelburg Kristin M. , Beale Brian S. 
Published: July 2014

ObjectiveTo evaluate medium and long term effects of sliding humeral osteotomy (SHO) in dogs.Study DesignProspective study.AnimalsDogs (n = 32).MethodsData (2008–2010) collected from medical records included force plate data, radiographs, and a 15 question owner survey of dog soundness before SHO and at final evaluation.ResultsAll dogs except 2 exceeded their preoperative ground reaction forces in the operated limb and there was a statistically significant upward trend in ground reaction forces compared with the contralateral limb. Radiographic osteophytosis using the IEWG protocol had not progressed on the operated limb except in 1 dog. Most (90%) owners felt that lameness had diminished at the final evaluation compared with preoperative lameness. Ten dogs had postoperative complications; 6 were considered major, requiring further surgery.ConclusionsSHO can be performed successfully in dogs to limit the radiographic progression of osteophytosis and increase use of the affected limb; however, the complication rate is high and further implant or technique modifications are needed to improve results.