bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cardioprotective effect of remote ischemic postconditioning on children undergoing cardiac surgery: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zhong Haixing , Gao Zijun , Chen Min , Zhao Jing , Wang Feng , Li Liya , Dong Hailong , Liu Lixin , Wang Qiang , Xiong Lize 
Published: May 2013

SummaryBackgroundRemote ischemic postconditioning (RPostC) is a noninvasive intervention that has demonstrated cardioprotection and neuroprotection in animal studies.ObjectiveOur goal was to investigate the cardio‐cerebral protective effects of RPostC on children undergoing open‐heart surgery for repair of congenital heart defects (CHD).MethodsChildren undergoing open‐heart repair of CHD were randomly assigned to a RPostC or control group. RPostC was induced by three 5‐min cycles of lower limb ischemia and reperfusion using a blood pressure cuff (200 mmHg) at the onset of aortic unclamping. Serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI), creatine kinase‐MB (CK‐MB), neuron‐specific enolase (NSE), S100β, cytokines, and clinical outcomes were assessed.ResultsThere were 35 children in the control group and 34 in the RPostC group. The mean age (3.64 ± 1.95 years vs. 3.45 ± 3.02 years, P = 0.80), weight (15.11 ± 6.91 kg vs. 13.40 ± 6.33 kg, P = 0.37), surgical time (144.82 ± 38.51 min vs. 129.92 ± 30.76 min, P = 0.15), and bypass time (78.01 ± 27.22 min vs. 72.52 ± 26.05 min, P = 0.49) were not different. Compared with the control group, the postoperative levels of cTnI (P = 0.037) and CK‐MB (P = 0.046) were significantly reduced in the RPostC group. Furthermore, the MAP was higher (P = 0.008), and ICU stay (36.87 ± 3.30 h vs. 60.57 ± 7.35 h, P = 0.006) and postoperative hospital stay (8.56 ± 1.50 days vs. 10.06 ± 2.41 days, P = 0.048) were shorter in the RPostC group than in the control group. However, the postoperative CVP and the concentrations of NSE, S100β, CRP, TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐10 were not significantly different.ConclusionRPostC significantly alleviates cardiac injury in children undergoing open‐heart repair of CHD and may also reduce cerebral injury.
Experimental evidence for diel δ15N‐patterns in different tissues, xylem and phloem saps of castor bean (Ricinus communis L.)
Authors: PEUKE A. D. , GESSLER A. , TCHERKEZ G. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractNitrogen isotope signatures in plants might give insights in the metabolism and allocation of nitrogen. To obtain a deeper understanding of the modifications of the nitrogen isotope signatures, we determined δ15N in transport saps and in different fractions of leaves, axes and roots during a diel course along the plant axis. The most significant diel variations were observed in xylem and phloem saps where δ15N was significantly higher during the day compared with during the night. However in xylem saps, this was observed only in the canopy, but not at the hypocotyl positions. In the canopy, δ15N was correlated fairly well between phloem and xylem saps. These variations in δ15N in transport saps can be attributed to nitrate reduction in leaves during the photoperiod as well as to 15N‐enriched glutamine acting as transport form of N. δ15N of the water soluble fraction of roots and leaves partially affected δ15N of phloem and xylems saps. δ15N patterns are likely the result of a complex set of interactions and N‐fluxes between plant organs. Furthermore, the natural nitrogen isotope abundance in plant tissue is not constant during the diel course – a fact that needs to be taken into account when sampling for isotopic studies.
Proliferating cell nuclear antigen and Vasa protein expression during gonadal development and sexual differentiation in cultured Siberian (Acipenser baerii Brandt, 1869) and Russian (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii Brandt & Ratzeburg, 1833) sturgeon
Authors: Rzepkowska Malgorzata , Ostaszewska Teresa 
Published: May 2013

AbstractEarly gonadal development in Russian (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii Brandt, 1869) and Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii Brandt & Ratzeburg, 1833) reared in controlled conditions from dph 1–439 (days post hatching) was studied using histological methods. Migrating primordial germ cells (PGCs) were observed in both species on dph 1. On dph 25 in both species gonad primordia developed in gonadal ridges. In dph 115 juveniles two types of gonad were distinguished, putative ovary and putative testicle. Meiotic activity was observed in ovaries on dph 197, while in testicles the first meiotic divisions were observed much later, on dph 439 and only in several Siberian specimens. The presence of Vasa protein was confirmed exclusively in germ cells during gonadogenesis, indicating that Vasa is a good marker of germinal cells also in Acipenseridae. Vasa protein displayed a nuage association or nuage‐like localization. Some differences in the level of Vasa protein expression during male and female gonad development were also observed. In the gonads of both investigated sturgeon species the PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen)‐positive reaction was observed first in oogonia, while in spermatogonia at approximately 115 dph which was correlated with active mitotic divisions of germ cells. Surprisingly, meiotic oocytes arrested in diplotene also demonstrated strong PCNA‐positive germinal vesicle.
Influence of Toll‐Like Receptor Gene Polymorphisms to Tuberculosis Susceptibility in Humans
Authors: Thada S. , Valluri V. L. , Gaddam S. L. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractTuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb), and it remains one of the major bacterial infections worldwide. Innate immunity is an important arm of antimycobacterial host defence mechanism that senses various pathogen‐associated molecular patterns (PAMP) of microbes by a variety of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). As per the recent discovery, Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) play a crucial role in the recognition of M. tb, this immune activation occurs only in the presence of functional TLRs. Variants of TLRs may influence their expression, function and alters the recognition or signalling mechanism, which leads to the disease susceptibility. Hence, the identification of mutations in these receptors could be used as a marker to screen the individuals who are at risk. In this review, we discuss TLR SNPs and their signalling mechanism to understand the susceptibility to TB for better therapeutic approaches.
Social problem‐solving, perceived stress, depression and life‐satisfaction in patients suffering from tension type and migraine headaches
Authors: Eskin Mehmet , Akyol Ali , Çelik Emine Yilmaz , Gültekin Bülent Kadri 
Published: May 2013

This study aimed at investigating social problem solving, perceived stress, depression, and life‐satisfaction in patients with tension type and migraine headaches. Forty‐nine migraine and 42 tension type headache patients (n = 91) consenting to participate were compared to a total of 49 matched healthy control group. Participants filled in a questionnaire consisting self‐report measures of problem solving, perceived stress, depression and life satisfaction. They were also asked about headache duration, frequency, pain severity, psychiatric treatment and sense of control in one's life. T‐tests, chi‐square, analysis of variance, logistic regression analysis and Pearson product moment correlation coefficient procedures were used to analyze the data. Tension type headache patients reported having had more frequent headaches than the migraine patients but migraine patients reported having had more intense pain than the tension type headache patients. Instances of psychiatric treatment were more common among tension type headache patients than the migraine and the control group. Compared to the healthy controls, headache patients displayed a deficiency in problem solving, higher levels of perceived stress and depression. Levels of problem solving skills in headache patients were related inversely to depression, perceived stress and the number of negative life events but problem solving skills of headache patients was related positively to life‐satisfaction. The findings from this study suggested that cognitive behavioral problem solving therapy or training might be a viable option for reducing levels of stress and depression, and to increase life‐satisfaction in patients suffering from primary headache.
Digital Imaging Methodology for Measuring Early Shrinkage Cracking in Concrete
Authors: Ruiz‐Ripoll L. , Barragán B. E. , Moro S. , Turmo J. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTThe measurement of early shrinkage cracking in concrete is important to prevent aesthetic issues and avoid surface cracking that could lead to reinforcement corrosion and reduce the durability, long‐term service life and integrity of a structure. Moreover, the lack of standards and subjectivity of the very few methodologies proposed so far complicate its estimation.This research presents a new imaging methodology for evaluating and quantifying early shrinkage cracking patterns. The methodology was developed testing highly restrained square concrete slabs subjected to severe conditions of restraint and moisture loss. Its quantification consisted of photographing, processing the pictures and highlighting the cracks. For the first time, early shrinkage cracking in concrete can be measured through an experimental technique and quantified by means of geometric figures. In this way, more precise and automatic results are achieved, as flat figures adapt to the shape of cracks and store their properties. Therefore, parameters such as the total cracked area, total crack length, maximum crack width or average crack width were easily calculated.The results demonstrated the suitability of the wind tunnel test to produce significant cracking patterns, as well as the great capacity of the imaging methodology to identify and characterize the cracking pattern.
Improving sachet water quality – does Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points apply?
Authors: Opatunji Olufemi , Odhiambo Francis 
Published: May 2013

AbstractSachet water is growing in importance as a source of drinking water for many people in Nigeria. In recent years, doubts over the quality of sachet water have grown. Commentators often cite poor distribution and storage practice for contamination of sachets. However, the integrity of the production process has been shown to be a weakness but has not received attention from the regulator or producers because of a lack of proper regulation of the industry. This study implemented the hazards analysis and critical control points (HACCP) framework in eight sachet water factories in Ibadan, Nigeria. The objective was to test HACCP's viability as a proactive management tool for improving sachet water quality. The findings show that HACCP can be adopted within the sachet water industry. However, the implementation of HACCP requires both technical and behavioural changes within the production process.
Nitric oxide‐dependent long‐term depression but not endocannabinoid‐mediated long‐term potentiation is crucial for visual recognition memory
Authors: Tamagnini Francesco , Barker Gareth , Warburton E. Clea , Burattini Costanza , Aicardi Giorgio , Bashir Zafar I. 
Published: May 2013

Key points
Perirhinal cortex (Prh) is critically involved in visual recognition memory and synaptic plasticity.
Nitric oxide and endocannabinoids (eCBs) have been shown to act as retrograde messengers in synaptic plasticity in several brain areas, but no study has yet investigated their role in synaptic plasticity in Prh.
Evidence is still lacking of a retrograde messenger involved in synaptic plasticity in Prh.
In this study, we show that NO is involved in long‐term depression (LTD) but not in long‐term potentiation (LTP). Conversely, eCBs are involved in LTP but not in LTD. Crucially, inhibiition of NO signalling prevents visual recognition memory acquisition, whilst inhibition of eCB signalling does not affect recognition memory.
These results suggest that LTD but not LTP is a neuronal correlate of visual recognition memory.
Abstract  Synaptic plasticity in perirhinal cortex is essential for recognition memory. Nitric oxide and endocannabinoids (eCBs), which are produced in the postsynaptic cell and act on the presynaptic terminal, are implicated in mechanisms of long‐term potentiation (LTP) and long‐term depression (LTD) in other brain regions. In this study, we examine these two retrograde signalling cascades in perirhinal cortex synaptic plasticity and in visual recognition memory in the rat. We show that inhibition of NO‐dependent signalling prevented both carbachol‐ and activity (5 Hz)‐dependent LTD but not activity (100 Hz theta burst)‐dependent LTP in the rat perirhinal cortex in vitro. In contrast, inhibition of the eCB‐dependent signalling prevented LTP but not the two forms of LTD in vitro. Local administration into perirhinal cortex of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NPA (2 μm) disrupted acquisition of long‐term visual recognition memory. In contrast, AM251 (10 μm), a cannabinoid receptor 1 antagonist, did not impair visual recognition memory. The results of this study demonstrate dissociation between putative retrograde signalling mechanisms in LTD and LTP in perirhinal cortex. Thus, LTP relies on cannabinoid but not NO signalling, whilst LTD relies on NO‐ but not eCB‐dependent signalling. Critically, these results also establish, for the first time, that NO‐ but not eCB‐dependent signalling is important in perirhinal cortex‐dependent visual recognition memory.
Raman spectra exploring breast tissues: Comparison of principal component analysis and support vector machine‐recursive feature elimination
Authors: Hu Chengxu , Wang Juexin , Zheng Chao , Xu Shuping , Zhang Haipeng , Liang Yanchun , Bi Lirong , Fan Zhimin , Han Bing , Xu Weiqing 
Published: May 2013

Purpose:Raman spectroscopy was explored to diagnose normal, benign, and malignant human breast tissues based on principal component analysis (PCA) and support vector machine‐recursive feature elimination (SVM‐RFE), and SVM‐RFE results were compared with PCA.Methods:1800 Raman spectra were acquired from fresh samples of human breast tissues (normal, fibroadenoma, adenosis, galactoma, and invasive ductal carcinoma) from 168 patients. After set up the SVM‐RFE and PCA models, Mahalanobis distance, spectral residuals, sensitivity, specificity, and Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC) were used as the discriminating criteria for evaluating these two methods.Results:The comparison shows that SVM‐RFE based on the selection of characteristic peaks better reflects the nature of biopsy and it produces better discrimination, sensitivity, specificity, and MCC for normal (1, 1, 1), malignant (0.93, 0.97, 0.91), and benign (0.95, 0.97, 0.91) breast tissues.Conclusions:The Raman spectroscopy combined with SVM‐RFE opens great future in the clinical applications of mammary disease diagnosis.
Characterization of Antiviral Activity of Benzamide Derivative AH0109 against HIV-1 Infection
Authors: Chen Liyu , Ao Zhujun , Jayappa Kallesh Danappa , Kobinger Gary , Liu ShuiPing , Wu Guojun , Wainberg Mark A. , Yao Xiaojian 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT

In the absence of an effective vaccine against HIV-1 infection, anti-HIV-1 strategies play a major role in disease control. However, the rapid emergence of drug resistance against all currently used anti-HIV-1 molecules necessitates the development of new antiviral molecules and/or strategies against HIV-1 infection. In this study, we have identified a benzamide derivative named AH0109 that exhibits potent anti-HIV-1 activity at an 50% effective concentration of 0.7 μM in HIV-1-susceptible CD4
+
C8166 T cells. Mechanistic analysis revealed that AH0109 significantly inhibits both HIV-1 reverse transcription and viral cDNA nuclear import. Furthermore, our infection experiments indicated that AH0109 is capable of disrupting the replication of HIV-1 strains that are resistant to the routinely used anti-HIV-1 drugs zidovudine, lamivudine, nevirapine, and raltegravir. Together, these findings provide evidence for a newly identified antiviral molecule that can potentially be developed as an anti-HIV-1 agent.
TOWARDS MORE EFFICIENT INFECTION AND FIRE FIGHTING
Authors: FLODERUS PETER , LINGAS ANDRZEJ , PERSSON MIA 
Published: May 2013

The firefighter problem models the situation where an infection, a computer virus, an idea or fire etc. is spreading through a network and the goal is to save as many as possible nodes of the network through targeted vaccinations. The number of nodes that can be vaccinated at a single time-step is typically one, or more generally O(1). In a non-standard model, the so called spreading model, the vaccinations also spread in contrast to the standard model. Our main results are concerned with general graphs in the spreading model. We provide a very simple exact [Formula: see text]-time algorithm. In the special case of trees, where the standard and spreading model are equivalent, our algorithm is substantially simpler than that exact subexponential algorithm for trees presented in Ref. 2. On the other hand, we show that the firefighter problem on weighted directed graphs in the spreading model cannot be approximated within a constant factor better than 1 − 1/e unless NP ⊆ DTIME (nO( log log n)). We also present several results in the standard model. We provide approximation algorithms for planar graphs in case when at least two vaccinations can be performed at a time-step. We also derive trade-offs between approximation factors for polynomial-time solutions and the time complexity of exact or nearly exact solutions for instances of the firefighter problem for the so called directed layered graphs.
Overview: Progression-Free Survival as an Endpoint in Clinical Trials with Solid Tumors
Authors: Korn Ronald L. , Crowley John J. 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
Progression-free survival (PFS) is increasingly used as an important and even a primary endpoint in randomized cancer clinical trials in the evaluation of patients with solid tumors for both practical and clinical considerations. Although in its simplest form, PFS is the time from randomization to a predefined endpoint, there are many factors that can influence the exact moment of when disease progression is recorded. In this overview, we review the circumstances that can devalue the use of PFS as a primary endpoint and attempt to provide a pathway for a future desired state when PFS will become not just a secondary alternative to overall survival but rather an endpoint of choice. Clin Cancer Res; 19(10); 2607–12. ©2013 AACR.
Missing Data and Measurement Variability in Assessing Progression-Free Survival Endpoint in Randomized Clinical Trials
Authors: Sridhara Rajeshwari , Mandrekar Sumithra J. , Dodd Lori E. 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
Progression-free survival (PFS) is frequently used as the primary efficacy endpoint in the evaluation of cancer treatment that is considered for marketing approval. Missing or incomplete data problems become more acute with a PFS endpoint (compared with overall survival). In a given clinical trial, it is common to observe incomplete data due to premature treatment discontinuation, missed or flawed assessments, change of treatment, lack of follow-up, and unevaluable data. When incomplete data issues are substantial, interpretation of the data becomes tenuous. Plans to prevent, minimize, or properly analyze incomplete data are critical for generalizability of results from the clinical trial. Variability in progressive disease measurement between radiologists further contributes to data problems with a PFS endpoint. The repercussions of this on phase III clinical trials are complex and depend on several factors, including the magnitude of the variability and whether there is a systematic reader evaluation bias favoring one treatment arm particularly in open-label trials. Clin Cancer Res; 19(10); 2613–20. ©2013 AACR.
Modeling the Relationship between Progression-Free Survival and Overall Survival: The Phase II/III Trial
Authors: Redman Mary W. , Goldman Bryan H. , LeBlanc Michael , Schott Anne , Baker Laurence H. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThe standard phase II trial design has changed dramatically over the past decade. Randomized phase II studies have essentially become the standard phase II design in oncology for a variety of reasons. The use of these designs is motivated by concerns about the use of historical data to determine if a new agent or regimen shows promise of activity. However, randomized phase II designs come with the cost of increased study duration and patient resources. Progression-free survival (PFS) is an important endpoint used in many phase II designs. In many clinical settings, changes in PFS with the introduction of a new treatment may represent true benefit in terms of the gold standard outcome, overall survival (OS). The phase II/III design has been proposed as an approach to shorten the time of discovery of an active regimen. In this article, design considerations for a phase II/III trial are discussed and presented in terms of a model defining the relationship between OS and PFS. The design is also evaluated using 15 phase III trials completed in the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) between 1990 and 2005. The model provides a framework to evaluate the validity and properties of using a phase II/III design. In the evaluation of SWOG trials, three of four positive studies would have also proceeded to the final analysis and 10 of 11 negative studies would have stopped at the phase II analysis if a phase II/III design had been used. Through careful consideration and thorough evaluation of design properties, substantial gains could occur using this approach. Clin Cancer Res; 19(10); 2646–56. ©2013 AACR.
Risk Stratification in Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia/Cardiomyopathy–Associated Desmosomal Mutation Carriers
Authors: Bhonsale Aditya , James Cynthia A. , Tichnell Crystal , Murray Brittney , Madhavan Srinivasa , Philips Binu , Russell Stuart D. , Abraham Theodore , Tandri Harikrishna , Judge Daniel P. , Calkins Hugh 
Published: May 2013

Background—
We investigated the role of phenotypic characteristics in stratifying the risk of sustained ventricular arrhythmias in patients harboring arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy–associated mutations.

Methods and Results—

Clinical, electrocardiographic, and arrhythmic outcome (composite measure of first occurrence of sustained ventricular tachycardia/resuscitated sudden cardiac death/sudden cardiac death/appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy) data were obtained for 215 patients (104 families; 85% PKP-2). During a mean follow-up of 7 years, 86 (40%) patients experienced the arrhythmic outcome. Event-free survival was significantly lower among probands (
P
<0.001) and symptomatic (
P
<0.001) patients. Integration of ECG repolarization and depolarization abnormalities allowed for differential risk categorization. Event-free survival at 5 years for the low-risk ECG group (0–1 T inversions or minor depolarization changes) was 97% versus 81% for the intermediate-risk ECG group (2 T inversions+minor depolarization changes) versus 33% for the high-risk ECG group (≥3 T inversions±major or minor depolarization changes;
P
<0.001). Incremental arrhythmic risk was seen in patients with increasing premature ventricular complex count on a Holter (
P
<0.001). Proband status (hazard ratio, 7.7; 95% confidence interval, 2.8–22.5;
P
<0.001), ≥3 T-wave inversions (hazard ratio, 4.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.2–14.5;
P
=0.035), and male sex (hazard ratio, 1.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.2–2.8;
P
=0.004) were independent predictors of the first arrhythmic event on multivariable analysis.

Conclusions—
Pedigree evaluation, an ECG, and a Holter examination provide for comprehensive arrhythmic risk stratification in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy–associated mutations. We propose an approach to risk stratification based on these variables.