bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Randomized placebo‐controlled trial of mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in decompensated cirrhosis
Authors: Mohamadnejad Mehdi , Alimoghaddam Kamran , Bagheri Mohammad , Ashrafi Mandana , Abdollahzadeh Leila , Akhlaghpoor Shahram , Bashtar Maryam , Ghavamzadeh Ardeshir , Malekzadeh Reza 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackground & AimsThere has been great interest in recent years to take advantage of bone marrow stem cells to treat cirrhosis. Our uncontrolled trial showed promising results for bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation in cirrhosis. Therefore, we conducted a randomized, placebo‐controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of autologous MSC transplantation in cirrhosis.MethodsThe enrolled patients with decompensated cirrhosis were randomly assigned to receive MSC or placebo infusions. A median of 195 million (range: 120–295 million) cultured MSCs were infused through a peripheral vein. The primary outcome was absolute changes in MELD score. Secondary outcomes were absolute changes in Child score, liver function tests and liver volumes between the MSC and placebo group 12 months after infusion.ResultsA total of 27 patients were enrolled. Of these, 15 patients received MSC and 12 patients received placebo. One patient in the MSC group and one patient in the placebo group were lost to follow‐up.Three patients in the MSC group died of liver failure 3 months (one patient), or 5 months (two patients) after cellular infusion. The baseline MELD scores of the deceased patients were significantly higher than those who remained alive in either group (20.0 vs. 15.1; P = 0.02). The absolute changes in Child scores, MELD scores, serum albumin, INR, serum transaminases and liver volumes did not differ significantly between the MSC and placebo groups at 12 months of follow‐up.ConclusionBased on this randomized controlled trial, autologous bone marrow MSC transplantation through peripheral vein probably has no beneficial effect in cirrhotic patients. Further studies with higher number of patients are warranted to better clarify the impact of MSC infusion through peripheral vein or portal vein in cirrhosis.
The CD47‐binding peptide of thrombospondin‐1 induces defenestration of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells
Authors: Venkatraman Lakshmi , Tucker‐Kellogg Lisa 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackground & AimsA fenestrated phenotype is characteristic of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), but liver sinusoids become defenestrated during fibrosis and other liver diseases. Thrombospondin‐1 (TSP1) is a matrix glycoprotein with pro‐fibrotic effects, and the CD47‐binding fragment of TSP1 also has anti‐angiogenic effects in endothelial cells. We hypothesized that the CD47‐binding fragment of TSP1 could induce defenestration in LSECs through the Rho‐Rho kinase (ROCK)‐myosin pathway.MethodsFreshly isolated rat LSECs were treated with TSP1 or CD47‐binding peptides of TSP1. LSEC fenestration was assessed with scanning electron microscopy, and myosin phosphorylation was assessed with immuno‐fluorescence.ResultsTreating LSECs with TSP1 caused a dose‐dependent loss of fenestrae, and this effect could not be blocked by SB‐431542, the TGF‐β1 receptor inhibitor. A CD47‐binding fragment of TSP1, p4N1, was able to induce defenestration, and a CD47‐blocking antibody, B6H12, was able to suppress p4N1‐induced defenestration. The p4N1 fragment also caused contraction of fenestra size, correlated with an increase in myosin activation. Pretreatment with Y‐237642 (a ROCK inhibitor) prevented p4N1‐induced myosin activation and fenestrae decrease. Simvastatin has also been shown to antagonize Rho‐ROCK signalling, and we found that simvastatin pretreatment protected LSECs from p4N1‐induced myosin activation and defenestration.ConclusionsWe conclude that CD47 signals through the Rho‐ROCK‐myosin pathway to induce defenestration in LSECs. In addition, our results show that simvastatin and Y‐237642 have a beneficial impact on fenestration in vitro, providing an additional explanation for the efficacy of these compounds for regression of liver fibrosis.
Neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin in prediction of mortality in patients with hepatorenal syndrome: a prospective observational study
Authors: Gungor Gokhan , Ataseven Huseyin , Demir Ali , Solak Yalcin , Gaipov Abduzhappar , Biyik Murat , Ozturk Bahadir , Polat Ilker , Kiyici Aysel , Cakir Ozlem O. , Polat Hakki 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackground & AimsHepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a severe complication of cirrhosis which is characterized by renal dysfunction and associated with poor survival. Neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a troponin‐like biomarker for human acute kidney injury.We aimed to investigate levels of plasma and urine NGAL in HRS and predictive ability of these markers for all‐cause mortality, in HRS, stable cirrhosis and control subjects.MethodsA total of 64 patients with cirrhosis (8 patients with type 1 HRS, 22 with type 2 HRS, and 34 without HRS) and 23 control subjects were included in the study.Blood and urine samples were measured with Human NGAL sandwich ELISA. Patients were followed up prospectively.ResultsPatients with type 1 and type 2 HRS had significantly higher plasma and urine NGAL levels compared with stable cirrhosis and control subjects. Cox regression analysis showed that plasma NGAL and MELD‐Na scores were independent predictors of mortality. ROC‐curve analysis showed that the plot of the plasma NGAL, urine NGAL, MELD‐Na and Child‐Turcot‐Pugh score could predict all‐cause mortality in cirrhotic patients' area under the curve (AUC 0.819, 0.686, 0.807 and 0.795 respectively).ConclusionsNGAL could predict mortality in patients with HRS independent of other commonly used risk factors.
Using genetic variation to infer associations with climate in the common frog, Rana temporaria
Authors: Muir A. P. , Thomas R. , Biek R. , Mable B. K. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractRecent and historical species' associations with climate can be inferred using molecular markers. This knowledge of population and species‐level responses to climatic variables can then be used to predict the potential consequences of ongoing climate change. The aim of this study was to predict responses of Rana temporaria to environmental change in Scotland by inferring historical and contemporary patterns of gene flow in relation to current variation in local thermal conditions. We first inferred colonization patterns within Europe following the last glacial maximum by combining new and previously published mitochondrial DNA sequences. We found that sequences from our Scottish samples were identical to (92%), or clustered with, the common haplotype previously identified from Western Europe. This clade showed very low mitochondrial variation, which did not allow inference of historical colonization routes but did allow interpretation of patterns of current fine‐scale population structure without consideration of confounding historical variation. Second, we assessed fine‐scale microsatellite‐based patterns of genetic variation in relation to current altitudinal temperature gradients. No population structure was found within altitudinal gradients (average FST = 0.02), despite a mean annual temperature difference of 4.5 °C between low‐ and high‐altitude sites. Levels of genetic diversity were considerable and did not vary between sites. The panmictic population structure observed, even along temperature gradients, is a potentially positive sign for R. temporaria persistence in Scotland in the face of a changing climate. This study demonstrates that within taxonomic groups, thought to be at high risk from environmental change, levels of vulnerability can vary, even within species.
Degradation of the plant defence hormone salicylic acid by the biotrophic fungus Ustilago maydis
Authors: Rabe Franziska , Ajami‐Rashidi Ziba , Doehlemann Gunther , Kahmann Regine , Djamei Armin 
Published: May 2013

SummarySalicylic acid (SA) is a key plant defence hormone which plays an important role in local and systemic defence responses against biotrophic pathogens like the smut fungus Ustilago maydis. Here we identified Shy1, a cytoplasmic U. maydis salicylate hydroxylase which has orthologues in the closely related smuts Ustilago hordei and Sporisorium reilianum. shy1 is transcriptionally induced during the biotrophic stages of development but not required for virulence during seedling infection. Shy1 activity is needed for growth on plates with SA as a sole carbon source. The trigger for shy1 transcriptional induction is SA, suggesting the possibility of a SA sensing mechanism in this fungus.
Transcriptional activation of the CrcZ and CrcY regulatory RNAs by the CbrB response regulator in Pseudomonas putida
Authors: García‐Mauriño Sofía Muñoz , Pérez‐Martínez Isabel , Amador Cristina I. , Canosa Inés , Santero Eduardo 
Published: May 2013

SummaryThe CbrAB two‐component system has been described as a high‐ranked element in the regulatory hierarchy of Pseudomonas putida that controls a variety of metabolic and behavioural traits required for adaptation to changing environmental conditions. We show that the response regulatory protein CbrB, an activator of σN‐dependent promoters, directly controls the expression of the small RNAs CrcZ and CrcY in P. putida. These two RNAs sequester the protein Crc, which is a translational repressor of multiple pathways linked to carbon catabolite repression. We characterized the in vivo and in vitro activation by CbrB at both crcZ and crcY promoters, and identified new DNA sequences where the protein binds. IHF, a co‐activator at many σN‐dependent promoters, also binds to the promoter regions and contributes to the activation of the sRNAs. CbrB phosphorylation is necessary at physiological activation conditions, but a higher dose of the protein allows in vitro transcriptional activation in its non‐phosphorylated form. We also show there is some production of CrcY coming from an upstream promoter independent of CbrB. Thus, CbrAB constitute a global signal transduction pathway integrated in a higher regulatory network that also controls catabolite repression through the expression of the two regulatory RNAs CrcZ and CrcY.
Lipoprotein succession in Borrelia burgdorferi: similar but distinct roles for OspC and VlsE at different stages of mammalian infection
Authors: Tilly Kit , Bestor Aaron , Rosa Patricia A. 
Published: May 2013

SummaryBorrelia burgdorferi alternates between ticks and mammals, requiring variable gene expression and protein production to adapt to these diverse niches. These adaptations include shifting among the major outer surface lipoproteins OspA, OspC, and VlsE at different stages of the infectious cycle. We hypothesize that these proteins carry out a basic but essential function, and that OspC and VlsE fulfil this requirement during early and persistent stages of mammalian infection respectively. Previous work by other investigators suggested that several B. burgdorferi lipoproteins, including OspA and VlsE, could substitute for OspC at the initial stage of mouse infection, when OspC is transiently but absolutely required. In this study, we assessed whether vlsE and ospA could restore infectivity to an ospC mutant, and found that neither gene product effectively compensated for the absence of OspC during early infection. In contrast, we determined that OspC production was required by B. burgdorferi throughout SCID mouse infection if the vlsE gene were absent. Together, these results indicate that OspC can substitute for VlsE when antigenic variation is unnecessary, but that these two abundant lipoproteins are optimized for their related but specific roles during early and persistent mammalian infection by B. burgdorferi.
Bed bugs, their blood sources and life history parameters: a comparison of artificial and natural feeding
Authors: AAK A. , RUKKE B. A. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractA blood‐feeding system that utilizes a small amount of whole heparinized human blood in parafilm bags is described in detail, and similarities and differences between artificially fed and naturally rodent‐fed bed bugs (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) are discussed. Blood with high levels of heparin (10%) was unsuitable for artificial colony rearing, whereas bed bugs fed on 1% heparinized blood and those that naturally ingested rat blood completed their lifecycle with similar stage structures over time, with no significant differences in mortality. No differences in feeding efficiency or fertility were found in a direct comparison of bed bugs maintained under each of these two treatments, but analysis of the full lifecycle revealed that artificially fed bed bugs became significantly smaller and laid fewer eggs than rodent‐fed bed bugs. The level of membrane stretching regulated the number of bed bugs that fed. When the membrane was stretched to twice its length and width, 96% of bed bugs successfully fed through the parafilm. Whole heparinized blood that was stored at 6 °C for ≥ 14 days failed to retain its nutritional value and the amount of blood consumed and number of consecutive moults were significantly reduced.
Market civilisation meets economic nationalism: the discourse of nation in Russia's modernisation
Authors: Kangas Anni 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThis article examines how the discourse of nation functions as a mechanism furthering the expansion of a neoliberal market civilisation in Russia. It contributes to discussions that have challenged the assumed mutual exclusivity of economic nationalism and neoliberalism. The article develops its argument in the context of the idea of contemporary international society as a market civilisation characterised by an adaptation to and adoption of neoliberal standards by states. The ongoing modernisation project in Russia illustrates the workings of such standards, as exemplified by the project for an innovation city in Skolkovo, in the Moscow metropolitan area. Building on an analysis of the Skolkovo debate, the article agues that there is no inherent contradiction between economic nationalism and neoliberalism. Rather, the nation is an important symbolic system that produces a cultural susceptibility to, and a discursive field for, the introduction of neoliberal standards of market civilisation in Russia.
Domains of practice and Advanced Practice Nursing in Australia
Authors: Roche Michael , Duffield Christine , Wise Sarah , Baldwin Richard , Fry Margaret , Solman Annette 
Published: May 2013

AbstractA key component of workforce reform is the international growth in Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) roles. This study evaluated one APN role in Australia, the Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC). All 56 CNCs employed in a tertiary hospital in New South Wales took part in the study. Demographic and work activity data were collected by an online questionnaire. Face‐to‐face interviews included the administration of a 50‐point tool to score the level of practice of each CNC against five domains. The domains of practice did not appear to have played a central role in the design of these CNC roles despite being defined in the industrial legislation and linked to a pay structure. There was widespread variability in the level of practice both within and between the CNC grades as well as significant differences in job content. Few CNCs managed to achieve a moderate level of practice across all five domains. The findings suggest that the distinctive features of the CNC roles as articulated in the domains of practice are often not realized in practice.
Supporting adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus: A qualitative study
Authors: Rostami Shahnaz , Parsa–Yekta Zohreh , Najafi Ghezeljeh Tahereh , Vanaki Zohreh 
Published: May 2013

AbstractWithout sufficient support, type 1 diabetes mellitus often disturbs patients' normal lives. This study describes and explores the support that Iranian adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus experienced. Semistructured interviews were conducted with ten adolescents, seven family members, one dietitian, one nurse, and one school nurse. Participants were chosen using purposive sampling from two teaching hospitals and one high school in two urban areas of Iran. Using standard procedures for content analysis, three main themes were identified: maintaining a normal life; receiving tangible, informational, and emotional support from the family and society; and advancement of life toward normalization. The cornerstone of maintaining a normal life for adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus is to adopt an active role in taking care of themselves within their systems of support.
Masticatory muscle tendon‐aponeurosis hyperplasia exhibits heterotopic calcification in tendons
Authors: Sato T , Hori N , Nakamoto N , Akita M , Yoda T 
Published: May 2013

ObjectiveMasticatory muscle tendon‐aponeurosis hyperplasia is a new disease entity associated with limited mouth opening. In this study, we analyzed the microstructural characteristics of muscles and tendons in masticatory muscle tendon‐aponeurosis hyperplasia by electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis to determine the elemental composition.MethodsHistological analysis was performed to detect the calcification. Transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were conducted to clarify the microstructural characteristics of muscles and tendons. Energy‐dispersive X‐ray microanalysis was performed to identify the distribution of elements.ResultsMineralized nodules were observed in tendon tissues of masticatory muscle tendon‐aponeurosis hyperplasia as compared with facial deformity. Electron microscopy revealed that the muscle and tendon tissues in masticatory muscle tendon‐aponeurosis hyperplasia showed degenerative changes and distinctive histological findings as compared with tissues in facial deformity. We found that Ca, P, and Si were detected only in masticatory muscle tendon‐aponeurosis hyperplasia.ConclusionWe demonstrated that masticatory muscle tendon‐aponeurosis hyperplasia exhibits heterotopic calcification in tendon tissues.
Self‐Critical Perfectionism Predicts Outcome in Multidisciplinary Treatment for Chronic Pain
Authors: Kempke Stefan , Luyten Patrick , Van Wambeke Peter , Coppens Eline , Morlion Bart 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundSelf‐critical perfectionistic personality features have been shown to influence the onset and perpetuation of pain symptoms. However, no study to date has investigated whether these personality features are associated with treatment response in chronic pain.MethodsUsing a naturalistic pre–post design, the present study examined the effect of self‐critical perfectionism on treatment outcome in terms of self‐reported pain. The study was conducted in a sample of 53 chronic non‐cancer pain patients who followed Multidisciplinary Pain Education Program (MPEP), a brief, 2‐week cognitive‐behaviorally based psycho‐educational intervention for chronic pain that was recently found to be effective in reducing pain severity. Pre‐ and post‐treatment pain intensity levels were assessed with the visual analog scale of the McGill Pain Questionnaire—Short Form.ResultsPretreatment self‐critical perfectionism was significantly associated with negative treatment outcome, even after taking into account pretreatment levels of depression.ConclusionResults suggest that self‐critical perfectionistic personality features may negatively interfere with treatment response in patients with chronic pain. Thus, findings indicate that chronic pain patients with high levels of self‐critical perfectionism may benefit less from brief interventions such as MPEP, and therefore may need more intensive and tailored treatment.
Attributes Associated with Patient Perceived Outcome in an Academic Chronic Pain Clinic
Authors: Trentman Terrence L. , Chang Yu‐Hui H. , Chien James J. , Rosenfeld David M. , Gorlin Andrew W. , Seamans David P. , Freeman John A. , Wilshusen Laurie L. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractObjectivesPatient satisfaction is tied to outcome, but there is scant literature on the relationship of patient perceived outcome and attributes of the pain clinic visit, including the patient interaction with the pain management specialist. The primary purpose of this study is to identify attributes of the patient–provider interaction most strongly associated with patient perceived outcome of their clinic visit. The secondary aim is to correlate patient perceived outcome with patient self‐rated overall health.MethodsA patient satisfaction survey conducted via phone approximately 3 weeks after the patient's pain clinic visit.ResultsThe response rate was 60.2%; 987 patient surveys collected between 2006 and 2010 were used in the analysis. Four factors were significantly associated with the outcome: (1) Explanations by the physician of the patient's condition and treatment, (2) clear instructions regarding post‐appointment activities, (3) knowing the patient as a person, and (4) the patient's self‐rated health. In terms of the secondary objective, those who answered very good/excellent regarding their self‐rated health had an 87% increased odds of better (very good/excellent) outcome of their pain clinic visit (or 1.87 times the odds of better outcome) compared with those who answered poor/fair/good.ConclusionsOur results suggest that pain physicians may positively impact patient perceived outcomes of clinic visits by explaining the patient's condition and treatment, providing instructions, and taking the time to understand the patient and their values.
Efficacy and Safety of Carisbamate in Patients with Diabetic Neuropathy or Postherpetic Neuralgia: Results from 3 Randomized, Double‐Blind Placebo‐Controlled Trials
Authors: Smith Timothy , DiBernardo Allitia , Shi Yingqi , Todd Mike J. , Brashear H. Robert , Ford Lisa M. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThe results of 3 proof‐of‐concept studies to evaluate carisbamate's efficacy and safety in treating neuropathic pain are presented. In studies 1 (postherpetic neuralgia, n = 91) and 2 (diabetic neuropathy, n = 137), patients received carisbamate 400 mg/day or placebo for 4 weeks and then crossed over to the other treatment for 4 weeks. In study 3 (diabetic neuropathy, higher carisbamate doses), patients (n = 386) were randomized (1:1:1:1) to receive either carisbamate 800 mg/day, 1200 mg/day, pregabalin 300 mg/day or placebo for 15 weeks. Primary efficacy end point was the mean of the last 7 average daily pain scores obtained on days the study drug was taken, for all 3 studies. Least square mean (95% CI) differences between carisbamate and placebo groups on the primary end point were as follows: study 1: −0.512 (−1.32, 0.29) carisbamate 400 mg/day; study 2: −0.307 (−0.94, 0.33) carisbamate 400 mg/day; and study 3: −0.51 (−1.10, 0.08), carisbamate 800 mg/day; −0.55 (−1.13, 0.04), carisbamate 1200 mg/day; and −0.43 (−1.01, 0.15), pregabalin 300 mg/day. Neither carisbamate (all 3 studies) nor pregabalin (study 3) significantly differed from placebo, although multiple secondary end points showed significant improvement in efficacy with carisbamate in studies 1 and 2. Dizziness was the only treatment‐emergent adverse event occurring at ≥10% difference in carisbamate groups versus placebo (study 1: 12% vs. 1%; study 3: 14% vs. 4%; study 2: 1% vs. 2%). Carisbamate, although well tolerated, did not demonstrate efficacy in neuropathic pain across these studies, nor did the active comparator pregabalin (study 3).