bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictive value of early restoration of quality of life in Crohn's disease patients receiving antitumor necrosis factor agents
Authors: Herrera‐deGuise Claudia , Casellas Francesc , Robles Virginia , Navarro Ester , Borruel Natalia 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBackground and AimCrohn's disease (CD) impairs patients' health‐related quality of life (HRQoL), therefore a goal of treatment is to improve their health. Recently, a more ambitious therapeutic target has been proposed, to reestablish patients' HRQoL to normal standards. There is no information on long‐term prognostic value of restoring the health of patients with CD. Our aim was to determine if early restoration of HRQoL with antitumor necrosis factor (anti‐TNF) agents is associated with long‐term clinical remission.MethodsRetrospective longitudinal study in patients with active CD treated with anti‐TNF agents. Patients completed the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ)‐36 at baseline and weeks 2, 6, 14, 28, and 52. Early restoration of health was defined as an IBDQ‐36 score > 209 at week14, and long‐term clinical remission as a Cohn's disease activity index (CDAI) score < 150 maintained through week 52.ResultsNinety‐four patients were included. Sixty‐three patients maintained long‐term remission, with 47 (75%) of them achieving early restoration of HRQoL. Of the 31 patients who did not maintain long‐term remission, only 4 (13%) restored their HRQoL early (P < 0.01). There was a strong negative correlation between the IBDQ‐36 at week14 and CDAI values at week 52 (rs = − 0.64, P < 0.01). Ninety‐two percent of patients with early restoration of HRQoL maintained long‐term remission versus 37% who did not restore their HRQoL (P < 0.01). To predict long‐term remission, the cutoff point of 209 of the early IBDQ‐36 had an area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve of 0.87.ConclusionAchieving early restoration of HRQoL with anti‐TNF agents is associated with sustained long‐term remission. This could be a therapeutic goal of treatment in clinical trials and daily practice.
Association between promoter methylation and expression of thyroid hormone receptor beta (THRβ) gene in patients with gastric cancer in an Iranian population
Authors: Kordi Tamandani Dor Mohammad , Hemati Simin , Davani Shahrbbanou Karimi , Arbabi Farshid 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBackground and AimThere is evidence that gastric cancer patients suffer from thyroid disorders. However, the relationship between thyroid receptor (TR) expression and gastric cancer remains unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the status of promoter methylation and expression of the thyroid hormone receptor beta (THRβ) gene in gastric cancer patients in an Iranian population.MethodsAnalysis of THRβ promoter methylation was performed on 85 pairs of formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) tissue samples as cases and controls via methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR [MSP]). The samples were obtained from tumors and surrounding healthy tissues from resected gastric cancers. The expression assay was also performed with 25 FFPE tissue pairs (tumor and surrounding healthy tissues of the same individual) using real‐time PCR.ResultsThe results of the present study show that there is a statistically significant difference between tumor and adjacent normal tissues regarding promoter methylation status and THRβ expression (P = 0.04 and P = 0.036, respectively).ConclusionTherefore, promoter methylation of THRβ may be involved in the development of gastric cancer.
Juxtaposition of Barrovian and migmatite domains in the Chinese Altai: a result of crustal thickening followed by doming of partially molten lower crust
Authors: Jiang Y. D. , Štípská P. , Sun M. , Schulmann K. , Zhang J. , Wu Q. H. , Long X. P. , Yuan C. , Racek M. , Zhao G. C. , Xiao W. J. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractOrdovician metasedimentary rocks are the oldest and most extensive sedimentary sequence in the Chinese Altai. They experienced two major episodes of deformation (D1 and D2) resulting in the formation of juxtaposed Barrovian‐type and migmatite domains. D1 is characterized by a penetrative sub‐horizontal fabric (S1), and D2 is marked by upright folds (F2) withNW–SE‐trending axial planes in shallow crustal levels and by sub‐vertical transposition foliations (S2) in the high‐grade cores of large‐scale F2 antiforms. In the Barrovian‐type domain, successive growth of biotite, garnet and staurolite is observed in the S1 fabric. Kyanite included in garnet and plagioclase in the migmatite domain is interpreted to have formed also in S1. In the biotite and garnet zones, the spaced S2 cleavage is marked by biotite and muscovite, and in the staurolite and kyanite zones, the penetrative S2 fabric is characterized by sillimanite, locally with late cordierite. Phase equilibria modelling indicates that the S1 fabric was associated with an increase in pressure and temperature under Barrovian‐type conditions in both domains. The S2 fabric was related to decompression, in which rocks in the biotite and garnet zones well preserve the peak assemblage, and the higher grade rocks in the staurolite and kyanite zones re‐equilibrated to different degrees under high‐temperature/low‐pressure (HT/LP) conditions. The D1 metamorphic history is attributed to the progressive burial related to Early–Middle Palaeozoic crustal thickening and the metamorphism associated with D2 is interpreted to result from exhumation by vertical extrusion. The extrusion of hot rocks was contemporaneous with the formation of gneiss domes accompanied by the intrusion of juvenile magmas at middle crustal levels during the Middle Palaeozoic. Consequently, there is a genetic link between the Barrovian‐type and migmatite domains related to continuous transition of the Barrovian‐type fabric into theHT/LPone during development of domal structures in the southern Altai orogenic belt. This study has a broad impact on the understanding of the thermo‐mechanical behaviour of accretionary orogenic systems worldwide. The lower crustal flow and doming of hot crust, so far reported only in continental collisional settings, seems to be also an integral mechanism responsible for both horizontal and vertical redistribution of accreted material prior to continental collision.
Severity of post‐partum hemorrhage after vaginal delivery is not predictable from clinical variables available at the time post‐partum hemorrhage is diagnosed
Authors: Cortet Marion , Maucort‐Boulch Delphine , Deneux‐Tharaux Catherine , Dupont Corinne , Rudigoz René‐Charles , Roy Pascal , Huissoud Cyril 
Published: October 2014

AbstractAimIdentify women at risk of severe post‐partum hemorrhage (PPH) by building a prediction model based on clinical variables available at PPH diagnosis.MethodsWe analyzed data on a cohort of 7236 women with PPH after vaginal delivery from 106 maternity units. Severe PPH was defined as the loss of more than 2000 mL of blood, peripartum drop in hemoglobin of 4 g/dL or more, transfusion of at least four packed red blood cells, embolization, hemostasis surgery, transfer to an intensive care unit or death. The Akaike criterion helped selecting the covariates of a multivariate logistic regression model. The performance of the model was studied through building a receiver–operator curve (ROC). The relative utility of the final model was used to determine the importance of the model in decision‐making.ResultsAmong all PPH, the prevalence of severe cases was 18.5%. Several clinical variables were significantly associated with severe PPH (e.g. parity, multiple pregnancy, labor induction, instrumental delivery). The multivariate prediction model was built. The area under the ROC for prediction of severe cases was 0.63 (95% confidence interval, 0.62–0.65). Nevertheless, the sensitivity and specificity of the prediction model were 0.49 and 0.70, respectively, for a threshold at 0.20 (near prevalence). The relative utility was 0.19 for a threshold near prevalence (20%).ConclusionBecause of important misclassifications, even the best model we could build with the available clinical data cannot be reasonably recommended for routine use. Every patient with PPH should receive most optimal management. Other types of information, possibly laboratory data, are probably needed.
Regression of experimental endometriotic implants in a rat model with the angiotensin II receptor blocker losartan
Authors: Cakmak Bulent , Cavusoglu Turker , Ates Utku , Meral Ayfer , Nacar Mehmet Can , Erbaş Oytun 
Published: October 2014

AbstractAimEndometriosis is a common disease in women of reproductive age, and many different treatments have been developed, although none has provided a cure. In this study, the efficacy of losartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker and an antiangiogenic and anti‐inflammatory agent, on regression of experimental endometriotic implants in a rat model was investigated.MethodsPeritoneal endometriosis was surgically induced in 16 mature female Sprague–Dawley rats. The peritoneal endometriotic implant was confirmed after 28 days, and the animals were divided randomly into two groups. The control group (n = 8) was given 4 mL/day tap water by oral gavage, and the losartan group (n = 8) was given 20 mg/kg per day losartan p.o. We compared endometriotic implant size, extent and severity of adhesion, as well as plasma and peritoneal lavage fluid cytokine levels including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, plasma inflammatory factor pentraxin‐3 (PTX‐3) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) between the treatment groups.ResultsMean surface endometriotic area, histological score of implants, adhesion formation, plasma VEGF, TNF, PTX‐3 and CRP levels were significantly lower in the losartan group compared with control (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the peritoneal VEGF level was lower in the losartan group than in the control group (P < 0.001), but peritoneal TNF‐α was similar in both groups (P > 0.05).ConclusionLosartan suppressed the implant surface area of experimental endometriosis in rats and reduced the levels of plasma VEGF, TNF‐α, PTX‐3 and CRP.
Mucoadhesive polymers-based film as a carrier system for sublingual delivery of glutathione
Authors: Chen Guanyu , Bunt Craig , Wen Jingyuan 
Published: October 2014

Abstract

Objectives
The sublingual mucosa provides a promising route for the delivery of glutathione (GSH). However, challenges are encountered in developing sublingual mucoadhesive drug delivery formulations such as: prolonging drug retention, uniform drug content, desirable drug release profiles, adequate drug permeation and efficient delivery of GSH. The aim of this study was to develop a suitable mucoadhesive polymer-based sublingual film.

Methods
The mucoadhesive films were prepared by casting method. Several characterization studies including thickness, weight uniformity, surface pH, elongation, mucoadhesiveness, swelling and erosion were carried out on preliminary formulations to optimise formulations for in-vitro drug release and ex-vivo permeation studies.

Key findings
The optimal mucoadhesive polymer-based films showed acceptable physical properties and good mucoadhesion, and remained attached to excised porcine sublingual mucosa for sufficient time, providing a sustained delivery of GSH through the mucosal epithelial.

Conclusion
The optimal mucoadhesive films may provide a promising drug delivery platform to develop commercial sublingual products of GSH as well as a wide range of protein and peptide drugs.
Bicarbonate uptake via an anion exchange protein is the main mechanism of inorganic carbon acquisition by the giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae) under variable pH
Authors: Fernández Pamela A. , Hurd Catriona L. , Roleda Michael Y. 
Published: October 2014

Macrocystis pyrifera is a widely distributed, highly productive, seaweed. It is known to use bicarbonate (HCO3−) from seawater in photosynthesis and the main mechanism of utilization is attributed to the external catalyzed dehydration of HCO3− by the surface‐bound enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CAext). Here, we examined other putative HCO3− uptake mechanisms in M. pyrifera under pHT 9.00 (HCO3−: CO2 = 940:1) and pHT 7.65 (HCO3−: CO2 = 51:1). Rates of photosynthesis, and internal CA (CAint) and CAext activity were measured following the application of AZ which inhibits CAext, and DIDS which inhibits a different HCO3− uptake system, via an anion exchange (AE) protein. We found that the main mechanism of HCO3− uptake by M. pyrifera is via an AE protein, regardless of the HCO3−: CO2 ratio, with CAext making little contribution. Inhibiting the AE protein led to a 55%–65% decrease in photosynthetic rates. Inhibiting both the AE protein and CAext at pHT 9.00 led to 80%–100% inhibition of photosynthesis, whereas at pHT 7.65, passive CO2 diffusion supported 33% of photosynthesis. CAint was active at pHT 7.65 and 9.00, and activity was always higher than CAext, because of its role in dehydrating HCO3− to supply CO2 to RuBisCO. Interestingly, the main mechanism of HCO3− uptake in M. pyrifera was different than that in other Laminariales studied (CAext‐catalyzed reaction) and we suggest that species‐specific knowledge of carbon uptake mechanisms is required in order to elucidate how seaweeds might respond to future changes in HCO3−:CO2 due to ocean acidification.
Quality of Life Measurement in Prospective Studies of Cancer Treatments in Dogs and Cats
Authors: Giuffrida M.A. , Kerrigan S.M. 
Published: October 2014

BackgroundQuality of life (QOL) is an important consideration in healthcare decision‐making for pets with cancer. To determine the effect of disease and treatment on pet QOL, this important variable should be objectively measured as an outcome in veterinary cancer studies.ObjectivesTo determine the prevalence and methodology of QOL measurement in a sample of recently published reports of prospective studies evaluating cancer treatments in client‐owned dogs and cats; to characterize reporting of QOL outcomes and to identify article characteristics associated with QOL measurement.MethodsEnglish‐language reports of prospective studies of cancer treatments in dogs and cats published from 2008 to 2013 were identified using medical research databases combined with a hand‐searching strategy. Data pertaining to general article characteristics and QOL measurement were abstracted and summarized.ResultsReports of 144 eligible studies were identified. QOL was measured in 16 (11.1%) studies, with 8 (5.6%) reporting the results. All studies that measured QOL reported using unvalidated instruments, or did not report how QOL was assessed. Only 1 study provided sufficient information for QOL measurements to be replicated. Recently published articles (2011–2013) were significantly more likely to report measuring QOL, compared with earlier articles.ConclusionsQuality of life of pets undergoing cancer treatment is largely unreported and cannot be meaningfully compared across treatments or disease states using the existing literature. Reliable, validated instruments are needed to facilitate the measurement and comparison of pet QOL in veterinary cancer research. Consistent reporting practices could improve transparency and interpretation of QOL results.
Use of Multidetector Computed Tomography in the Assessment of Dogs with Pericardial Effusion
Authors: Scollan K.F. , Bottorff B. , Stieger‐Vanegas S. , Nemanic S. , Sisson D. 
Published: October 2014

BackgroundContrast‐enhanced multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) allows high spatial and temporal resolution imaging of cardiac, thoracic, and abdominal structures. Accurate determination of the cause of pericardial effusion (PE) is essential to providing appropriate treatment and prognosis. Echocardiography and pericardial fluid analysis may not differentiate between causes ofPEand cannot identify extracardiac metastasis.Hypothesis/ObjectivesDescribe the thoracic and abdominalMDCTfindings and evaluate the utility ofMDCTto differentiate between neoplastic and nonneoplastic causes ofPEin dogs.AnimalsEleven client‐owned dogs withPEdiagnosed by echocardiography.MethodsProspective observational study. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), 3‐view thoracic radiography, and contrast‐enhanced thoracic and abdominalMDCTimages were evaluated for the presence of cardiac masses, pulmonary metastases, and abdominal masses. Histopathology in 5 dogs and survival analysis in all dogs were evaluated.ResultsA neoplastic cause was identified in 6/11 dogs and a nonneoplastic cause was identified in 5/11. CardiacMDCTfindings were consistent withTTEfindings in all dogs with right atrial (5/5) and heart base masses (1/1). Pulmonary metastases were identified in 1/11 dogs by thoracic radiography and in 2/11 dogs byMDCT.MDCTidentified splenic or hepatic lesions consistent with neoplasia in 6/11 and 5/11 dogs, respectively. FocalMDCTpericardial changes at the pericardiocentesis site were noted in 3/11 dogs.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceMultidetector computed tomography did not improve the detection of cardiac masses in dogs withPEover echocardiography. The benefit ofMDCTwas primarily in the detection of pulmonary metastases and extracardiac lesions using a single imaging modality.
Does Investment Spur Growth Everywhere? Not Where Institutions Are Weak
Authors: Dort Thibaut , Méon Pierre‐Guillaume , Sekkat Khalid 
Published: October 2014

SummaryWe investigate the impact of investment on growth in a sample of 85 developed and developing countries over 1984–2009, conditioning the marginal effect of investment on institutional quality. The panel structure of our dataset allows controlling for unobserved heterogeneity and dealing with the risk of endogeneity bias. We find that investment increases growth more in countries with high institutional quality than in countries with defective institutions. The results are robust to estimating the model separately for developed and developing countries, for each continent, and over two sub‐periods. A jackknife experiment shows that they do not depend on any single country. The results are essentially driven by the quartiles of countries with the lowest and the highest institutional quality, and by the Government instability, Corruption, and Rule of law sub‐components of the ICRG index.
The Impact of Religion and the Degree of Religiosity on Work Ethic: A Multilevel Analysis
Authors: Feess Eberhard , Mueller Helge , Ruhnau Sabrina G. 
Published: October 2014

SummaryWith data from the last available wave of the World Values Survey, we analyze the impact of different religions and the degree of religiosity on the work ethic of respondents. Following the theoretical literature, we predict that religiosity has a positive effect on work ethic for all religions (Hypothesis 1), that there is no significant difference in the work ethic of individuals from different religions (Hypothesis 2), and that the impact of religiosity on work ethic is lower for Protestants than for Catholics (Hypothesis 3). Due to the data structure, we apply a Multilevel Random Coefficient Model to test our hypotheses. While our data strongly support the first and the third hypothesis, the second hypothesis is only partially confirmed as Muslims report higher work ethic than individuals with other religions. We provide additional insights for the latter finding by disaggregating the data set by continents and levels of GDP per capita.
Open For Business? Institutions, Business Environment and Economic Development
Authors: Gillanders Robert , Whelan Karl 
Published: October 2014

SummaryRecent years have seen a significant focus in the literature on growth and development on the idea that legal and political institutions are the key determinant of economic development. The main finding of this paper is that the focus on the primacy of legal and political institutions may be misplaced and that business‐friendly economic policies (proxied for here by the World Bank's Doing Business indicator) are the key determinant of the level of income per capita. We find that a country's Doing Business rank dominates a range of measures of legal and political institutional quality as an explanatory variable for income per capita. We also find the Doing Business rank to be a key explanatory variable for economic growth and that previous findings assigning a significant role to educational attainment are not robust to the inclusion of this new indicator in growth regressions.
TrhR, TrhY and HtdA, a novel regulatory circuit that modulates conjugation of the IncHI plasmids
Authors: Gibert M. , Juárez A. , Zechner E. L. , Madrid C. , Balsalobre C. 
Published: October 2014

SummaryBacterial conjugation promotes horizontal gene transfer and, consequently, the acquisition of new capabilities such as resistance to antimicrobial compounds and virulence related traits. Conjugative plasmids belonging to the incompatibility group HI are associated with multidrug resistance in Gram‐negative pathogens. IncHI plasmid conjugation is thermodependent and all transfer‐related genes are encoded in six operons (tra operons). Using R27, the prototype of IncHI1 plasmids, we reported that the plasmid‐encoded factor HtdA represses four of the six tra operons. Moreover, our results indicated that other R27 factors were required for appropriate expression of the tra genes. In this report, using R27 libraries and random mutagenesis assays, two genes – trhR and trhY – have been identified as essential for the transcriptional expression of four tra operons and, accordingly, for the R27 conjugation. TrhR and TrhY are required simultaneously and their stimulatory activity is counteracted by HtdA. Functional and physical interactions between TrhR, TrhY and HtdA suggest that they form a three‐element regulatory circuit that controls conjugation of IncHI plasmids. Expression studies suggest that H‐NS represses conjugation at high temperature by repressing trhR expression. Remarkably, we show that this regulatory circuit is highly conserved among the IncHI plasmids.
Long‐chain bases and their phosphorylated derivatives differentially regulate cryptogein‐induced production of reactive oxygen species in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) BY‐2 cells
Authors: Coursol Sylvie , Fromentin Jérôme , Noirot Elodie , Brière Christian , Robert Franck , Morel Johanne , Liang Yun‐Kuan , Lherminier Jeannine , Simon‐Plas Françoise 
Published: October 2014

Summary

The proteinaceous elicitor cryptogein triggers defence reactions in Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) through a signalling cascade, including the early production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the plasma membrane (PM)‐located tobacco respiratory burst oxidase homologue D (NtRbohD). Sphingolipid long‐chain bases (LCBs) are emerging as potent positive regulators of plant defence‐related mechanisms. This led us to question whether both LCBs and their phosphorylated derivatives (LCB‐Ps) are involved in the early signalling process triggered by cryptogein in tobacco BY‐2 cells.

Here, we showed that cryptogein‐induced ROS production was inhibited by LCB kinase (LCBK) inhibitors. Additionally, Arabidopsis thaliana sphingosine kinase 1 and exogenously supplied LCB‐Ps increased cryptogein‐induced ROS production, whereas exogenously supplied LCBs had a strong opposite effect, which was not driven by a reduction in cellular viability.

Immunogold‐electron microscopy assay also revealed that LCB‐Ps are present in the PM, which fits well with the presence of a high LCBK activity associated with this fraction.

Our data demonstrate that LCBs and LCB‐Ps differentially regulate cryptogein‐induced ROS production in tobacco BY‐2 cells, and support a model in which a cooperative synergism between LCBK/LCB‐Ps and NtRbohD/ROS in the cryptogein signalling pathway is likely at the PM in tobacco BY‐2 cells.