bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does chronic kidney disease improve the predictive value of the CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc stroke stratification risk scores for atrial fibrillation?
Authors: Roldán Vanessa , Marín Francisco , Manzano-Fernández Sergio , Fernández Hermógenes , Gallego Pilar , Valdés Mariano , Vicente Vicente , Lip Gregory Y. H. 
Published: May 2013

SummaryChronic Kidney Disease (CKD) constitutes an adverse risk factor in chronic anticoagulated atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, being related to adverse cardiovascular events, mortality and major bleeds. It is unclear if CKD adds independent prognostic information to stroke risk stratification schemes, as the risk factor components of the CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores are themselves related to renal dysfunction. The aim of our study was to determine if CKD independently improves the predictive value of the CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc stroke stratification scores in AF. We recruited consecutive patients (n=978) patients (49% male; median age 76) with permanent or paroxysmal AF on oral anticoagulants with acenocoumarol, from our out-patient anticoagulation clinic. After a median follow-up of 875 (IQR 706–1059) days, we recorded stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA), peripheral embolism, vascular events (acute coronary syndrome, acute heart failure and cardiac death) and all-cause mortality. During follow-up, 113 patients (4.82%/year) experienced an adverse cardiovascular event, of which 39 (1.66%/year) were strokes, 43 (1.83%/year) had an acute coronary syndrome and 32 (1.37%/year) had acute heart failure. Also, 102 patients (4.35%/year) died during the following up, 31 of them (1.32%/year) as a result of a thrombotic event. Based on c-statistics and the integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), CKD did not improve the prediction for stroke/systemic embolism, thrombotic events and all-cause mortality using the CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores. In conclusion, evaluating renal function in AF patients is important as CKD would confer a poor overall prognosis in terms of thromboembolic events and all-cause mortality. Adding CKD to the CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc stroke risk scores did not independently add predictive information.Note: The review process for this manuscript was fully handled by Christian Weber, Editor in Chief.
Efficacy of the CCR5 Antagonist Maraviroc in Reducing Early, Ritonavir-Induced Atherogenesis and Advanced Plaque Progression in Mice
Authors: Cipriani Sabrina , Francisci Daniela , Mencarelli Andrea , Renga Barbara , Schiaroli Elisabetta , D’Amore Claudio , Baldelli Franco , Fiorucci Stefano 
Published: May 2013

Background—
CCR5 plays an important role in atherosclerosis and ischemic cardiovascular diseases, as well as in HIV replication and diffusion. HIV infection is characterized by a high burden of cardiovascular diseases, particularly in subjects exposed to ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitors. Maraviroc, a CCR5 antagonist antiretroviral drug, might provide benefit for patients with M-tropic HIV infections at high risk for cardiovascular diseases.

Methods and Results—

Exposure to maraviroc limits the evolution and associated systemic inflammation of ritonavir-induced atherosclerotic in ApoE
−/−
mice and inhibits plaques development in a late model of atherosclerosis in which dyslipidemia plays the main pathogenic role. In ritonavir-treated mice, maraviroc reduced plaque areas and macrophage infiltration; downregulated the local expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and interleukin-17A; and reduced tumor necrosis factor-α and RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed, and secreted). Moreover, maraviroc counterregulated ritonavir-induced lipoatrophy and interlelukin-6 gene expression in epididymal fat, along with the splenic proinflammatory profile and expression of CD36 on blood monocytes. In the late model, maraviroc inhibited atherosclerotic progression by reducing macrophage infiltration and lowering the expression of adhesion molecules and RANTES inside the plaques. However, limited systemic inflammation was observed.

Conclusions—
In a mouse model of genetic dyslipidemia, maraviroc reduced the atherosclerotic progression by interfering with inflammatory cell recruitment into plaques. Moreover, in mice characterized by a general ritonavir-induced inflammation, maraviroc reversed the proinflammatory profile. Therefore, maraviroc could benefit HIV-positive patients with residual chronic inflammation who are at a high risk of acute coronary disease despite a suppressive antiretroviral therapy. To determine these benefits, large clinical studies are needed.
Splenectomy and the incidence of venous thromboembolism and sepsis in patients with immune thrombocytopenia
Authors: Boyle Soames , White Richard H. , Brunson Ann , Wun Ted 
Published: May 2013

Key PointsAfter splenectomy, patients with ITP have a higher risk of venous thrombosis and sepsis than patients with ITP who do not undergo splenectomy.
Association between molecular lesions and specific B-cell receptor subsets in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Rossi Davide , Spina Valeria , Bomben Riccardo , Rasi Silvia , Dal-Bo Michele , Bruscaggin Alessio , Rossi Francesca Maria , Monti Sara , Degan Massimo , Ciardullo Carmela , Serra Roberto , Zucchetto Antonella , Nomdedeu Josep , Bulian Pietro , Grossi Alberto , Zaja Francesco , Pozzato Gabriele , Laurenti Luca , Efremov Dimitar G. , Di-Raimondo Francesco , Marasca Roberto , Forconi Francesco , Del Poeta Giovanni , Gaidano Gianluca , Gattei Valter 
Published: May 2013

Key Points
BCR subsets 2 and 8 show specific genetic profiles influencing CLL course.
Sex-biased gene expression in the brown alga Fucus vesiculosus
Authors: Martins Maria João F , Mota Catarina F , Pearson Gareth A 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe fucoid brown algae (Heterokontophyta, Phaeophyceae) are increasingly the focus of ecological genetics, biodiversity, biogeography and speciation research. The molecular genetics underlying mating system variation, where repeated dioecious – hermaphrodite switches during evolution are recognized, and the molecular evolution of sex-related genes are key questions currently hampered by a lack of genomic information. We therefore undertook a comparative analysis of male and female reproductive tissue transcriptomes against a vegetative background during natural reproductive cycles inFucus vesiculosus.ResultsOver 300 k reads were assembled and annotated against public protein databases including a brown alga. Compared with the vegetative tissue, photosynthetic and carbohydrate metabolism pathways were under-expressed, particularly in male tissue, while several pathways involved in genetic information processing and replication were over-expressed. Estimates of sex-biased gene (SBG) expression were higher for male (14% of annotated orthologues) than female tissue (9%) relative to the vegetative background. Mean expression levels and variance were also greater in male- than female-biased genes. Major female-biased genes were carbohydrate-modifying enzymes with likely roles in zygote cell wall biogenesis and/or modification. Male-biased genes reflected distinct sperm development and function, and orthologues for signal perception (a phototropin), transduction (several kinases), and putatively flagella-localized proteins (including candidate gamete-recognition proteins) were uniquely expressed in males. Overall, the results suggest constraint on female-biased genes (possible pleiotropy), and less constrained male-biased genes, mostly associated with sperm-specific functions.ConclusionsOur results support the growing contention that males possess a large array of genes regulating male fitness, broadly supporting findings in evolutionarily distant heterogametic animal models. This work identifies an annotated set ofF. vesiculosusgene products that potentially regulate sexual reproduction and may contribute to prezygotic isolation, one essential step towards developing tools for a functional understanding of species isolation and differentiation.
Phylogeny and a structural model of plant MHX transporters
Authors: Gaash Rachel , Elazar Meirav , Mizrahi Keren , Avramov-Mor Meital , Berezin Irina , Shaul Orit 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
The Arabidopsis thaliana MHX gene (AtMHX) encodes a Mg2+/H+ exchanger. Among non-plant proteins, AtMHX showed the highest similarity to mammalian Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) transporters, which are part of the Ca2+/cation (CaCA) exchanger superfamily.

Results
Sequences showing similarity to AtMHX were searched in the databases or sequenced from cDNA clones. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the MHX family is limited to plants, and constitutes a sixth family within the CaCA superfamily. Some plants include, besides a full MHX gene, partial MHX-related sequences. More than one full MHX gene was currently identified only in Oryza sativa and Mimulus guttatus, but an EST for more than one MHX was identified only in M. guttatus. MHX genes are not present in the currently available chlorophyte genomes. The prevalence of upstream ORFs in MHX genes is much higher than in most plant genes, and can limit their expression. A structural model of the MHXs, based on the resolved structure of NCX1, implies that the MHXs include nine transmembrane segments. The MHXs and NCXs share 32 conserved residues, including a GXG motif implicated in the formation of a tight-turn in a reentrant-loop. Three residues differ between all MHX and NCX proteins. Altered mobility under reducing and non-reducing conditions suggests the presence of an intramolecular disulfide-bond in AtMHX.

Conclusions
The absence of MHX genes in non-plant genomes and in the currently available chlorophyte genomes, and the presence of an NCX in Chlamydomonas, are consistent with the suggestion that the MHXs evolved from the NCXs after the split of the chlorophyte and streptophyte lineages of the plant kingdom. The MHXs underwent functional diploidization in most plant species. De novo duplication of MHX occurred in O. sativa before the split between the Indica and Japonica subspecies, and was apparently followed by translocation of one MHX paralog from chromosome 2 to chromosome 11 in Japonica. The structural analysis presented and the identification of elements that differ between the MHXs and the NCXs, or between the MHXs of specific plant groups, can contribute to clarification of the structural basis of the function and ion selectivity of MHX transporters.
Risk factors and outcomes associated with acute kidney injury following ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
Authors: Kopolovic Ilana , Simmonds Kim , Duggan Shelley , Ewanchuk Mark , Stollery Daniel E , Bagshaw Sean M 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
Current data describing the epidemiology of acute kidney injury (AKI) following repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) are limited and long-term outcomes are largely unknown. Our objectives were to describe the incidence rate, risk factors, clinical course and long-term outcomes of AKI following rAAA repair.

Methods
Retrospective population-based cohort study of all referrals undergoing emergency repair of rAAA in Northern Alberta from January 1, 2002 to December 31 2009. Demographic, clinical, physiologic and laboratory data were extracted. AKI was defined and classified according to the AKIN criteria.

Results
In total, 140 patients survived to receive emergent rAAA repair. Post-operative AKI occurred in 75.7% of patients (n = 106), 78.3% (n = 83) of which occurred during the initial 24 hours of ICU admission. AKIN stage 1, 2, and 3 occurred in 47 (33.6%), 36 (25.7%) and 23 (16.4%), respectively, with 19 patients receiving renal replacement therapy (RRT). Several clinical and biochemical patient factors were associated with incident AKI, including baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (odds ratio [OR] 2.94; 95% CI, 1.15-7.51, p = 0.03), need for mechanical ventilation (OR 22.7; 95% CI, 7.0-72.1, p < 0.0001) and vasoactive therapy (OR 9.9; 95% CI, 3.0-32.2, p < 0.0001) and higher mean APACHE II scores (25.7 [8.2] vs. 16.3 [4.9], p < 0.0001). AKI was associated with a higher ICU (28.3% vs. 0%; p = 0.0008) and in-hospital case-fatality rate (35.9% vs. 0%, p = 0.0001). Of 102 survivors to discharge, 65.7% (n = 67) recovered to baseline kidney function. In multivariable analysis, greater severity of AKI (OR 5.01; 95% CI, 2.34-10.7, p < 0.001) and lower baseline eGFR (OR 0.96; 95% CI, 0.93-0.99, p = 0.03) were associated with non-recovery. AKI remained independently associated with 1-year mortality after adjusting for age, sex, comorbidity, and illness severity (OR 5.21; 95% CI, 1.04-26.2, p = 0.045; AUC 0.83; H-L GoF, p = 0.26). Among survivors at 1-year, only 63.4% (n = 55) had complete kidney recovery.

Conclusions
Following rAAA repair, AKI is a common complication independently associated with long-term post-operative mortality. A significant proportion of AKI sufferers in this setting fail to recover to baseline kidney function.
Human Papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal cancer: an observational study of diagnosis, prevalence and prognosis in a UK population
Authors: Evans Mererid , Newcombe Robert , Fiander Alison , Powell James , Rolles Martin , Thavaraj Selvam , Robinson Max , Powell Ned 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
The incidence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) associated oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) is increasing. HPV-associated OPC appear to have better prognosis than HPV-negative OPC. The aim of this study was to robustly determine the prevalence of HPV-positive OPC in an unselected UK population and correlate HPV positivity with clinical outcome.

Methods
HPV testing by GP5+/6+ PCR, In Situ Hybridisation (ISH) and p16 immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed on 138 OPCs diagnosed in South Wales (UK) between 2001–06. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to correlate HPV status with clinical outcome.

Results
Using a composite definition of HPV positivity (HPV DNA and p16 overexpression), HPV was detected in 46/83 (55%) samples where DNA quality was assured. Five year overall survival was 75.4% (95% CI: 65.2 to 85.5) in HPV-positives vs 25.3% (95% CI: 14.2 to 36.4) in HPV negatives, corresponding to a 78% reduction in death rate (HR 0.22, p < 0.001). HPV-positives had less locoregional recurrence but second HPV-positive Head and Neck primaries occurred. Poor quality DNA in fixed pathological specimens reduced both HPV prevalence estimates and the prognostic utility of DNA-based HPV testing methods. As a single marker, p16 was least affected by sample quality and correlated well with prognosis, although was not sufficient on its own for accurate HPV prevalence reporting.

Conclusions
This study highlights the significant burden of OPC associated with HPV infection. HPV positive cases are clinically distinct from other OPC, and are associated with significantly better clinical outcomes. A composite definition of HPV positivity should be used for accurate prevalence reporting and up-front DNA quality assessment is recommended for any DNA-based HPV detection strategy.
Central nervous system tumors: a single center pathology review of 34,140 cases over 60 years
Authors: Chen Liang , Zou Xiang , Wang Yin , Mao Ying , Zhou Liangfu 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
Tumor epidemiology is a significant part of CNS (central nervous system) tumor studies. Reassessment of original sections can update our knowledge of tumor spectrum. Here, we discuss the features of CNS tumor pathology in a single center.

Methods
A total of 34140 cases from 1950 to 2009 were collected; sections from 1990 to 2009 were reassessed according to WHO 2007 classification, and cases from 1950 to 1989 were classified according to the previous pathological diagnosis.

Results
Seven CNS tumor categories during 1990 to 2009 were as follow: neuroepithelial tissue (38.0%), tumors of the meninges (36.5%), tumors of the sellar region (4.1%), germ cell tumors (1.3%), tumors of cranial and paraspinal nerves (13.3%), lymphomas and hematopoietic neoplasm (1.7%), metastatic tumors (5.1%), where histological types by age and sex were diverse. Overall, males exceeded females in distributions of most CNS tumor subtypes, while tumors of the meninges occurred more frequently in females. The case number of lymphomas and hematopoietic neoplasms grew the fastest during the past five years, and the distribution of neuroepithelial tumors remained stable over the past twenty years.

Conclusions
Despite the possibilities of cross sample biases, the data in this series could suggest a similar CNS tumor spectrum as might occur in other developing countries.
Treatment of malignant effusion by oncolytic virotherapy in an experimental subcutaneous xenograft model of lung cancer
Authors: Weibel Stephanie , Hofmann Elisabeth , Basse-Luesebrink Thomas Christian , Donat Ulrike , Seubert Carolin , Adelfinger Marion , Gnamlin Prisca , Kober Christina , Frentzen Alexa , Gentschev Ivaylo , Jakob Peter Michael , Szalay Aladar A 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundMalignant pleural effusion (MPE) is associated with advanced stages of lung cancer and is mainly dependent on invasion of the pleura and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by cancer cells. As MPE indicates an incurable disease with limited palliative treatment options and poor outcome, there is an urgent need for new and efficient treatment options.MethodsIn this study, we used subcutaneously generated PC14PE6 lung adenocarcinoma xenografts in athymic mice that developed subcutaneous malignant effusions (ME) which mimic pleural effusions of the orthotopic model. Using this approach monitoring of therapeutic intervention was facilitated by direct observation of subcutaneous ME formation without the need of sacrificing mice or special imaging equipment as in case of MPE. Further, we tested oncolytic virotherapy using Vaccinia virus as a novel treatment modality against ME in this subcutaneous PC14PE6 xenograft model of advanced lung adenocarcinoma.ResultsWe demonstrated significant therapeutic efficacy of Vaccinia virus treatment of both advanced lung adenocarcinoma and tumor-associated ME. We attribute the efficacy to the virus-mediated reduction of tumor cell-derived VEGF levels in tumors, decreased invasion of tumor cells into the peritumoral tissue, and to viral infection of the blood vessel-invading tumor cells. Moreover, we showed that the use of oncolytic Vaccinia virus encoding for a single-chain antibody (scAb) against VEGF (GLAF-1) significantly enhanced mono-therapy of oncolytic treatment.ConclusionsHere, we demonstrate for the first time that oncolytic virotherapy using tumor-specific Vaccinia virus represents a novel and promising treatment modality for therapy of ME associated with advanced lung cancer.
Nutrition in calcium nephrolithiasis
Authors: Dogliotti Elena , Vezzoli Giuseppe , Nouvenne Antonio , Meschi Tiziana , Terranegra Annalisa , Mingione Alessandra , Brasacchio Caterina , Raspini Benedetta , Cusi Daniele , Soldati Laura 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
Idiopathic calcium nephrolithiasis is a multifactorial disease with a complex pathogenesis due to genetic and environmental factors. The importance of social and health effects of nephrolithiasis is further highlighted by the strong tendency to relapse of the disease. Long-term prospective studies show a peak of disease recurrence within 2–3 years since onset, 40-50% of patients have a recurrence after 5 years and more than 50-60% after 10 years. International nutritional studies demonstrated that nutritional habits are relevant in therapy and prevention approaches of nephrolithiasis. Water, right intake of calcium, low intake of sodium, high levels of urinary citrate are certainly important for the primary and secondary prevention of nephrolithiasis.
In this review is discussed how the correction of nutritional mistakes can reduce the incidence of recurrent nephrolithiasis.
Vibration-assisted upconversion of molecular luminescence induced by scanning tunneling microscopy
Authors: Miwa Kuniyuki , Sakaue Mamoru , Kasai Hideaki 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
We investigate the effects of coupling between a molecular exciton, which consists of an electron and a hole in a molecule, and a surface plasmon (exciton-plasmon coupling) on the electron transitions of the molecule using nonequilibrium Green’s function method. Due to the exciton-plasmon coupling, excitation channels of the molecule arise in the energy range lower than the electronic excitation energy of the molecule. It is found that the electron transitions via these excitation channels give rise to the molecular luminescence and the vibrational excitations at the bias voltage lower than the electronic excitation energy of the molecule. Our results also indicate that the vibrational excitations assist the emission of photons, whose energy exceeds the product of the elementary charge and the bias voltage, (upconverted luminescence).
Numerical solution of linear integral equations system using the Bernstein collocation method
Authors: Jafarian Ahmad , Measoomy Nia Safa A , Golmankhaneh Alireza K , Baleanu Dumitru 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
Since in some application mathematical problems finding the analytical solution is too complicated, in recent years a lot of attention has been devoted by researchers to find the numerical solution of this equations. In this paper, an application of the Bernstein polynomials expansion method is applied to solve linear second kind Fredholm and Volterra integral equations systems. This work reduces the integral equations system to a linear system in generalized case such that the solution of the resulting system yields the unknown Bernstein coefficients of the solutions. Illustrative examples are provided to demonstrate the preciseness and effectiveness of the proposed technique. The results are compared with the exact solution by using computer simulations.
Interleukin-1 beta converting enzyme is necessary for development of depression-like behavior following intracerebroventricular administration of lipopolysaccharide to mice
Authors: Lawson Marcus A , McCusker Robert H , Kelley Keith W 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
Interleukin-1 beta converting enzyme (ICE, caspase 1) is a cysteine protease that processes immature pro-IL-1β into active mature IL-1β. IL-1β is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that mediates many of the physiological and behavioral responses to inflammation. Genetic deletion of ICE has previously been shown to prevent some negative physiologic responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation.

Methods
Here we used a preclinical murine model to test the hypothesis that ICE is necessary for development of depression-like behaviors following intracerebroventricular (ICV) treatment with LPS. Adult male ICE knockout (ICE KO) and congenic wild-type C57BL/6 J (WT) mice were administered LPS either ICV at 100 ng/mouse or intraperitoneally (IP) at 830 μg/kg body weight or an equal volume of saline as controls. Mice were monitored up to 48 h after treatment for both sickness and depression-like behaviors.

Results
LPS given ICV induced a loss of body weight in both WT and ICE KO mice. This sickness response was similar between WT and ICE KO mice. As expected, LPS administered ICV increased immobility in the forced swim test (FST) and decreased sucrose preference in WT mice but no change in either of these two depression-like behaviors was observed in ICE KO mice. Expression of TNF-α and CD11b in brain was lower in ICE-KO mice at 24 h following ICV administration of LPS compared to WT mice. In contrast, when LPS was given systemically, sickness response, depression-like behaviors, and expression of these genes were similar between the two strains of mice.

Conclusions
These findings indicate that ICE plays a specific role in depression-like behavior induced by a central inflammatory stimuli even though it is not required when LPS is administered systemically.