bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rho-kinase: regulation, (dys)function, and inhibition
Authors: Amin Ehsan , Dubey Badri Nath , Zhang Si-Cai , Gremer Lothar , Dvorsky Radovan , Moll Jens M. , Taha Mohamed S. , Nagel-Steger Luitgard , Piekorz Roland P. , Somlyo Avril V. , Ahmadian Mohammad R. 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
In a variety of normal and pathological cell types, Rho-kinases I and II (ROCKI/II) play a pivotal role in the organization of the nonmuscle and smooth muscle cytoskeleton and adhesion plaques as well as in the regulation of transcription factors. Thus, ROCKI/II activity regulates cellular contraction, motility, morphology, polarity, cell division, and gene expression. Emerging evidence suggests that dysregulation of the Rho-ROCK pathways at different stages is linked to cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurodegenerative diseases as well as cancer. This review focuses on the current status of understanding the multiple functions of Rho-ROCK signaling pathways and various modes of regulation of Rho-ROCK activity, thereby orchestrating a concerted functional response.
Experimental Investigation on the Translational and Rotational Motion of Biomass Particle in a Spout-Fluid Bed
Authors: Zhang Yong , Zhong Wenqi , Jin Baosheng 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
The translational and rotational motions of biomass particle in a spout-fluid bed have been investigated. Two kinds of cylindrical biomass particles with different densities were used as bed solids, which were obtained from the jujube tree. To describe the translational and rotational characteristics, virtual particle concentration and rotation angle were introduced. The former obtained by microwave heating-infrared thermal imaging technique was compared with the actual particle concentration determined by box-counting method. Based on the temperature distribution, the translational position and rotation angle of multiple tracers were distinguished. The results show that the heating characteristic of tracer depends on the tracer material. Compared to the spherical particles, non-spherical biomass particle is more likely to cause dead zone in the bed. In the flow regime of fluidizing, the flow characteristic of biomass particle relies on the jet gas velocity. The high resistance resulting from the interparticle cohesion forces hinders the rise of bubbles and weakens the radial dispersion of particle. In the fountain, homogeneous biomass particle rotates uniformly, while non-homogeneous biomass particle exhibits non-uniform rotation. In the annulus, the rotation characteristic of biomass particle depends on the structure of fountain and particle trajectory in the annulus.
Aging and speech perception: beyond hearing threshold and cognitive ability
Authors: Fostick Leah , Ben-Artzi Elisheva , Babkoff Harvey 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background: Older adults manifest difficulties in speech perception, especially when speech is accompanied by noise or when speech is rapid. Several explanations have been suggested to account for age-related changes in speech perception, such as changes in hearing sensitivity or a more general decline in cognitive functioning. The purpose of the present study was to directly examine the relative contribution of hearing sensitivity and perceptual and cognitive factors in the understanding of age-related differences in speech perception under difficult conditions.

Methods: Eighty-nine healthy participants with normal hearing thresholds, age 21–82 years, were tested for speech perception under four conditions: quiet, speech noise, white noise, and time-compressed speech at 60% compression rate. As all participants had age-normal hearing, absolute thresholds were tested for click trains, 1 kHz 15-ms duration pure tone, 1 kHz 50-ms duration pure tone, and 1.8 kHz 15-ms duration pure tone, which are relatively short and discriminative for hearing ability. Cognitive ability was examined using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (Third Edition) matrices and digit span.

Results: When words were presented against a quiet background or against white noise, speech perception was not significantly affected by aging, although in the latter case, increased thresholds predicted poorer speech perception. However, when words were presented against a background of speech noise or when speech was time-compressed at a 60% rate, age significantly predicted a decline in speech perception, even after controlling for hearing thresholds and cognitive functioning.

Conclusions: Hearing threshold for short sounds is the major factor for predicting speech perception in background noise, across age, due to changes in hearing sensitivity or in temporal resolution. For the adult and aging population with preserved cognitive ability, cognitive functioning does not predict decline in speech perception.
Growth of very low birth weight infants after increased amino acid and protein administration
Authors: Loui Andrea , Bührer Christoph 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Aim: To assess the impact of a high enteral protein nutrition strategy in human milk-fed very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (<1500 g) on growth during the first 5 weeks of life.

Design: Weight, length and head circumference of VLBW infants were recorded after introduction of a high protein strategy.

Results: Forty-three infants (median/interquartile range) of gestational age 27+6 weeks (26+0/29+6), birth weight 984 g (675/1130) were included. Parenteral nutrition was administered for 16 (14/18) days and the nutritional intakes achieved target values 4.3 g/kg/day protein (4.0/4.4); 128 kcal/kg/day energy (119/131). Human milk was fortified with 0.5–2.3 g/kg/day protein powder in addition to a fortifier. Near-intrauterine growth was observed: Weight gain from days 8–35: 17.6 g/kg/day (14.9/20.5); head growth from day 1–35: 0.70 cm/week (0.50/0.80); length growth from day 1–35: 1.0 cm/week (0.8/1.2). The total protein intake was shown to have a significant impact on infant’s weight gain up to the 35th day of life.

Conclusion: High protein nutrition enables similar to fetal growth weight gain and head growth of VLBW infants during the first 5 weeks of life. These data support recently published ESPGHAN recommendations.
A note on the biasedness and unbiasedness of two-sample Kolmogorov–Smirnov test
Authors: Bubeliny Peter 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
This paper deals with the two-sample Kolmogorov–Smirnov test and its biasedness. This test is not unbiased in general in case of unequal sample sizes. We identify most biased distributions for some values of significance level α. Moreover, we discovered that there exists numbers of observations and significance levels α such that this test is unbiased at level α.
A harmonic function approach to Nash-equilibria of Kifer-type stopping games
Authors: Lerche Hans Rudolf , Stich Dominik 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
In this paper we give sufficient conditions for solving two-person zero sum stopping games. These are games where the strategy set of the two players are stopping times of a diffusion X. Our method is based on the study of harmonic functions for the diffusion and it is similar to the approach of solving optimal stopping problems developed in [2]–[4], and [12].
Comments on the review of Statistical Inference
Authors: Aitkin Murray 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
It is a rare event in the statisticalworld for a book reviewto take 15 pages (plus references). The three reviewers are all eminent in the profession, and have tried to be scrupulously careful in their reviewof a bookwhosemain principle they firmly dispute as non-Bayesian, and which they find not to be useful in their work. The length of the review demonstrates the seriousnesswith which they regard the book′s approach, and the importance to them of denying its relevance to either Bayesian analysis or practical data analysis with complex data.
In responding to the authors′ review, I found it helpful to place our different views in the framework of Thomas Kuhn′s (1962) discussion of paradigm changes in science.
Clinical phenotypes of Chinese primary hyperparathyroidism patients are associated with the calcium-sensing receptor gene R990G polymorphism
Authors: Han Guiyan , Wang Ou , Nie Min , Zhu Yan , Meng Xunwu , Hu Yingying , Liu Huaicheng , Xing Xiaoping 
Published: August 2013

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution of the A986S and R990G polymorphisms of the calcium-sensing receptor (CASR) gene in the Chinese population and whether there is an association between genetic variants and the risk of developing primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and its associated clinical phenotypes.MethodsA total of 164 Chinese Han PHPT patients (M/F: 51/113) and 230 healthy controls (M/F: 50/180) were enrolled. The common clinical parameters of PHPT patients including biochemical markers, bone mineral density (BMD), kidney stone occurrence, and pathology results were analyzed. Genotyping was conducted for both the patients and controls, and it was carried out using standard procedures.ResultsThe R990G variant was more frequently present than the A986S variant in this group of Chinese PHPT patients. The R allele increased the risk of PHPT (odds ratio=1.134, 95% CI: 1.008, 1.277, andP=0.036). Patients with either the RR or RG genotype had lower blood calcium levels and higher alkaline phosphate levels than patients with the GG genotype. The lumbar BMDT-score was −2.20 (−2.63, −0.32) in patients with the GG genotype, and it was significantly lower in patients with the RR+RG genotype (−2.53 (−3.70, −1.72)P=0.036). Patients with the R allele had a significantly higher incidence of hyperplasia (25.0%) and carcinomas (7.1%) than those with the GG genotype (5.3 and 0% respectively;P=0.025). The prevalence of osteoporosis and parathyroid carcinomas was higher in Chinese PHPT patients with the R allele.ConclusionThe R990G polymorphism is most frequently present in the Chinese population and among patients with PHPT. Additional studies in the Chinese population are needed to elaborate the relationship between genetics and PHPT.
MFG-E8 and HMGB1 Are Involved in the Mechanism Underlying Alcohol-Induced Impairment of Macrophage Efferocytosis
Authors: Wang Xiao , Bu Heng-Fu , Zhong Wei , Asai Akihiro , Zhou Zhanxiang , Tan Xiao-Di 
Published: August 2013

AbstractEfferocytosis is a unique phagocytic process for macrophages to remove apoptotic cells in inflammatory loci. This event is maintained by milk fat globule-EGF factor 8 (MFG-E8), but attenuated by high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1). Alcohol abuse causes injury and inflammation in multiple tissues. It alters efferocytosis, but precise molecular mechanisms for this effect remain largely unknown. Here, we showed that acute exposure of macrophages to alcohol (25 mmol/L) inhibited MFG-E8 gene expression and impaired efferocytosis. The effect was mimicked by hydrogen peroxide. Moreover, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a potent antioxidant, blocked acute alcohol effect on inhibition of macrophage MFG-E8 gene expression and efferocytosis. In addition, recombinant MFG-E8 rescued the activity of alcohol-treated macrophages in efferocytosis. Together, the data suggest that acute alcohol exposure impairs macrophage efferocytosis via inhibition of MFG-E8 gene expression through a reactive oxygen species dependent mechanism. Alcohol has been found to suppress or exacerbate immune cell activities depending on the length of alcohol exposure. Thus, we further examined the role of chronic alcohol exposure on macrophage efferocytosis. Interestingly, treatment of macrophages with alcohol for seven days in vitro enhanced MFG-E8 gene expression and efferocytosis. However, chronic feeding of mice with alcohol caused increase in HMGB1 levels in serum. Furthermore, HMGB1 diminished efferocytosis by macrophages that were treated chronically with alcohol, suggesting that HMGB1 might attenuate the direct effect of chronic alcohol on macrophage efferocytosis in vivo. Therefore, we speculated that the balance between MFG-E8 and HMGB1 levels determines pathophysiological effects of chronic alcohol exposure on macrophage efferocytosis in vivo.
Erythropoietin (EPO) Increases Myelin Gene Expression in CG4 Oligodendrocyte Cells through the Classical EPO Receptor
Authors: Cervellini Ilaria , Annenkov Alexander , Brenton Thomas , Chernajovsky Yuti , Ghezzi Pietro , Mengozzi Manuela 
Published: August 2013

AbstractErythropoietin (EPO) has protective effects in neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases, including in animal models of multiple sclerosis, where EPO decreases disease severity. EPO also promotes neurogenesis and is protective in models of toxic demyelination. In this study, we asked whether EPO could promote neurorepair by also inducing remyelination. In addition, we investigated whether the effect of EPO could be mediated by the classical erythropoietic EPO receptor (EPOR), since it is still questioned if EPOR is functional in nonhematopoietic cells. Using CG4 cells, a line of rat oligodendrocyte precursor cells, we found that EPO increases the expression of myelin genes (myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) and myelin basic protein (MBP)). EPO had no effect in wild-type CG4 cells, which do not express EPOR, whereas it increased MOG and MBP expression in cells engineered to overexpress EPOR (CG4-EPOR). This was reflected in a marked increase in MOG protein levels, as detected by Western blot. In these cells, EPO induced by 10-fold the early growth response gene 2 (Egr2), which is required for peripheral myelination. However, Egr2 silencing with a siRNA did not reverse the effect of EPO, indicating that EPO acts through other pathways. In conclusion, EPO induces the expression of myelin genes in oligodendrocytes and this effect requires the presence of EPOR. This study demonstrates that EPOR can mediate neuroreparative effects.
Temporal Dynamics of Clonal Evolution in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia with Stereotyped IGHV4-34/IGKV2-30 Antigen Receptors: Longitudinal Immunogenetic Evidence
Authors: Sutton Lesley-Ann , Kostareli Efterpi , Stalika Evangelia , Tsaftaris Athanasios , Anagnostopoulos Achilles , Darzentas Nikos , Rosenquist Richard , Stamatopoulos Kostas 
Published: August 2013

AbstractChronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients assigned to stereotyped subset 4 possess distinctive patterns of intraclonal diversification (ID) within their immunoglobulin (IG) genes. Although highly indicative of an ongoing response to antigen(s), the critical question concerning the precise timing of antigen involvement is unresolved. Hence, we conducted a large-scale longitudinal study of eight subset 4 cases totaling 511 and 398 subcloned IG heavy and kappa sequences. Importantly, we could establish a hierarchical pattern of subclonal evolution, thus revealing which somatic hypermutations were negatively or positively selected. In addition, distinct clusters of subcloned sequences with cluster-specific mutational profiles were observed initially; however, at later time points, the minor cluster had often disappeared and hence not been selected. Despite the high intensity of ID, it was remarkable that certain residues remained essentially unaltered. These novel findings strongly support a role for persistent antigen stimulation in the clonal evolution of CLL subset 4.
Carbenoxolone Blocks Endotoxin-Induced Protein Kinase R (PKR) Activation and High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) Release
Authors: Li Wei , Li Jianhua , Sama Andrew E. , Wang Haichao 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe pathogen- and damage-associated molecular patterns (for example, bacterial endotoxin and adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP)) activate the double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase R (PKR) to trigger the inflammasome-dependent high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) release. Extracellular ATP contributes to the inflammasome activation through binding to the plasma membrane purinergic P2X7 receptor (P2X7R), triggering the opening of P2X7R channels and the pannexin-1 (panx-1) hemichannels permeable for larger molecules up to 900 daltons. It was previously unknown whether panx-1 channel blockers can abrogate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced PKR activation and HMGB1 release in innate immune cells. Here we demonstrated that a major gancao (licorice) component (glycyrrhizin, or glycyrrhizic acid) derivative, carbenoxolone (CBX), dose dependently abrogated LPS-induced HMGB1 release in macrophage cultures with an estimated IC50 ≈ 5 µmol/L. In an animal model of polymicrobial sepsis (induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)), repetitive CBX administration beginning 24 h after CLP led to a significant reduction of circulating and peritoneal HMGB1 levels, and promoted a significant increase in animal survival rates. As did P2X7R antagonists (for example, oxidized ATP, oATP), CBX also effectively attenuated LPS-induced P2X7R/panx-1 channel activation (as judged by Lucifer Yellow dye uptake) and PKR phosphorylation in primary peritoneal macrophages. Collectively, these results suggested that CBX blocks LPS-induced HMGB1 release possibly through impairing PKR activation, supporting the involvement of PKR in the regulation of HMGB1 release.
The Obesity Paradox and Diabetes
Authors: Franz Marion J. 
Published: August 2013

In Brief
The obesity paradox (survival advantage in overweight/obese patients with type 2 diabetes) has called into question the importance of weight loss in overweight people with diabetes. A systematic review of weight loss studies with a minimum of 1-year outcomes in people with diabetes reported inconsistent beneficial effects of weight loss on A1C, lipids, and blood pressure. To lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, a better nutrition therapy intervention may be reducing energy intake, which may or may not lead to weight loss, and selecting cardioprotective foods in appropriate portion sizes. However, any nutrition therapy intervention must be based on lifestyle changes the person with diabetes is willing and able to make.
Aspirin Therapy in Patients With Diabetes: An Update on Current Recommendations
Authors: Neumiller Joshua J. , White John R. 
Published: August 2013

In Brief
Although aspirin has been empirically used to prevent cardiovascular disease since the 1940s, there remains disagreement regarding the specific use of aspirin in people with diabetes. Despite this disagreement, several organizations have provided guidelines and recommendations concerning patient selection when considering aspirin use for this purpose. This review provides a brief overview of currently available recommendations related to aspirin use in the prevention of cardiovascular events in people with and without diabetes.
The Role of Statins in Diabetes Treatment
Authors: Subedi Bishnu H. , Tota-Maharaj Rajesh , Silverman Michael G. , Minder C. Michael , Martin Seth S. , Ashen M. Dominique , Blumenthal Roger S. , Blaha Michael J. 
Published: August 2013

In Brief
Diabetes is considered a risk equivalent for coronary heart disease (CHD). The use of statins for primary and secondary prevention in patients with diabetes is well established and supported by robust data from randomized, controlled trials and national guidelines. The American Diabetes Association recommends that individuals with diabetes and a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD), as well as those &gt; 40 years of age without CVD but with CVD risk factors, should be treated with a statin regardless of their baseline LDL cholesterol concentration. This review explains the rationale behind considering diabetes a CHD risk equivalent and summarizes the data for statin use in adults with diabetes without (primary prevention) and with (secondary prevention) established CVD. Although individuals with diabetes are at an increased risk for CVD and benefit from statin therapy, the risk of CVD in people with diabetes is heterogeneous. It therefore may be reasonable to match the intensity of statin therapy with patients' baseline CVD risk.
Association of Self-Efficacy and Self-Care With Glycemic Control in Diabetes
Authors: Beckerle Carla Moore , Lavin Mary Ann 
Published: August 2013

Successful daily self-management of diabetes is essential to the achievement of positive health outcomes. Basic to successful self-management of any disease is a sense of self-efficacy, or the feeling of confidence in one's self-management abilities. This study examined the association of these variables on the achievement of glycemic control, specifically A1C levels.
This study used a retrospective cohort design to evaluate the predictive relationship of self-efficacy and self-care behaviors on A1C level. After Institutional Review Board approval was obtained, 60 medical records were accessed of people ≥ 18 years of age with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who were seen consecutively in a primary care practice located in an urban setting.
Data analysis revealed no statistically significant relationships between global measures of self-efficacy and self-care and A1C levels. However, there were two questions from the Stanford Diabetes Self-Efficacy for Diabetes Scale found to be significantly related to A1C (P &lt; 0.009). Those whose diabetes was well controlled were confident in selecting appropriate foods when hungry and in their ability to exercise for 15–30 minutes, four to five times per week. These findings, if replicated in future studies, may provide clinicians an opportunity to develop and test targeted self-management interventions yielding the highest probability of improved glycemic control.
Investigations on physical and textural properties of Arctic first-year sea ice in the Amundsen Gulf, Canada, November 2007–June 2008 (IPY-CFL system study)
Authors: Carnat Gauthier , Papakyriakou Timothy , Geilfus N.X. , Brabant Frédéric , Delille B. , Vancoppenolle Martin , Gilson Gaelle , Zhou Jiayun , Tison Jean-Louis 
Published: August 2013

AbstractWe report sea-ice temperature and bulk salinity measurements as well as textural analysis from 33 first-year drift- and fast-ice stations sampled between November 2007 and June 2008 in the southern Beaufort Sea–Amundsen Gulf, Canadian Arctic, during the International Polar Year Circumpolar Flaw Lead (IPY-CFL) system study. We use this significant dataset to investigate the halo-thermodynamic evolution of sea ice from growth to melt. A strong desalination phase is observed over a small time window in the spring. Using calculated proxies of sea-ice permeability (brine volume fraction) and of the intensity of brine convection (Rayleigh number) we demonstrate that this phase corresponds to full-depth gravity drainage initiated by a restored connectivity of the brine network with warming in the spring. Most stations had a textural sequence typical of Arctic first-year ice, with granular ice overlying columnar ice. Unusual textural features were observed sporadically: sandwiched granular ice, platelet ice and draped platelet ice. We suggest that turbulence in leads and double diffusion in strong brine plumes following the refreeze of cracks are plausible mechanisms for the formation of these textures.