bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Warfarin Induces Cardiovascular Damage in Mice
Authors: Krüger Thilo , Oelenberg Stephan , Kaesler Nadine , Schurgers Leon J. , van de Sandt Annette M. , Boor Peter , Schlieper Georg , Brandenburg Vincent M. , Fekete Bertalan C. , Veulemans Verena , Ketteler Markus , Vermeer Cees , Jahnen-Dechent Willi , Floege Jürgen , Westenfeld Ralf 
Published: August 2013

Objective—
Vascular calcification is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Once thought to be a passive process, vascular calcification is now known to be actively prevented by proteins acting systemically (fetuin-A) or locally (matrix Gla protein). Warfarin is a vitamin K antagonist, widely prescribed to reduce coagulation by inhibiting vitamin K–dependent coagulation factors. Recently, it became clear that vitamin K antagonists also affect vascular calcification by inactivation of matrix Gla protein. Here, we investigated functional cardiovascular characteristics in a mouse model with warfarin-induced media calcification.

Approach and Results—
DBA/2 mice received diets with variable concentrations of warfarin (0.03, 0.3, and 3 mg/g) with vitamin K1 at variable time intervals (1, 4, and 7 weeks). Von Kossa staining revealed that warfarin treatment induced calcified areas in both medial layer of aorta and heart in a dose- and time-dependent fashion, which could be inhibited by simultaneous vitamin K2 treatment. With ongoing calcification, matrix Gla protein mRNA expression decreased, and inactive matrix Gla protein expression increased. TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling–positive apoptosis increased, and vascular smooth muscle cell number was concomitantly reduced by warfarin treatment. On a functional level, warfarin treatment augmented aortic peak velocity, aortic valve–peak gradient, and carotid pulse-wave velocity.

Conclusion—
Warfarin induced significant calcification with resulting functional cardiovascular damage in DBA/2 wild-type mice. The model would enable future researchers to decipher mechanisms of vascular calcification and may guide them in the development of new therapeutic strategies.
An inverted J-shaped association of serum uric acid with muscle strength among Japanese adult men: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Huang Cong , Niu Kaijun , Kobayashi Yoritoshi , Guan Lei , Momma Haruki , Cui Yufei , Chujo Masahiro , Otomo Atsushi , Guo Hui , Tadaura Hiroko , Nagatomi Ryoichi 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background
Uric acid (UA) may protect muscle function from oxidative damage due to reactive oxygen species through its powerful antioxidant capacity. However, several studies have demonstrated that hyperuricemia is closely related to systemic inflammation and has oxidant properties effects, both of which may increase the risk of muscle strength loss. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of serum UA concentration with grip strength and leg extension power in adult men.

Methods
This study is a cross-sectional survey in which 630 Japanese male employees aged 30 years and older participated. Five hundred and eighty-six subjects participated in the measurement of grip strength, and 355 subjects participated in the measurement of leg extension power. Blood samples were obtained for serum UA analysis.

Results
After adjustment for potential confounders, grip strength differed significantly between participants with and those without hyperuricemia (geometric mean and 95% confidence interval [CI]: 40.3 [39.2–41.3] kg vs. 41.9 [41.3–42.5] kg; P = 0.01). In addition, serum UA levels (quartiles) showed an inverted J-shaped curve with grip strength (mean and 95% CI: Q1, 41.6 [40.6–42.6] kg; Q2, 42.2 [41.2–43.2] kg; Q3, 41.8 [40.8–42.8] kg; Q4, 40.4 [39.3–41.4] kg; P for quadratic trend = 0.05). The results in the leg extension power group were similar to those observed in the grip strength group.

Conclusion
This population-based cross-sectional study shows for the first time that hyperuricemia is associated with poor muscle strength. Moreover, the results indicate an inverted J-shaped association between serum UA quartiles and muscle strength.
Accumulation of epicardial fat rather than visceral fat is an independent risk factor for left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Lin Heng-Hsu , Lee Jen-Kuang , Yang Chung-Yi , Lien Yu-Chung , Huang Jenq-Wen , Wu Cho-Kai 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background
Symptoms of heart failure with preserved left ventricular systolic function are common among patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). Epicardial fat (EpF) is an ectopic fat depot with possible paracrine or mechanical effects on myocardial function. The aim of our current study is to assess the association between EpF and Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in patients undergoing PD and to clarify the relationships among EpF, inflammation, and LVDD in this population.

Methods
This was a cross-sectional study of 149 patients with preserved left ventricular systolic function who were undergoing PD. LVDD was diagnosed (according to the European Society of Cardiology guidelines) and EpF thickness measured by echocardiography. The patients without LVDD were used as controls. The serum inflammatory biomarker high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) was measured. The location and amount of adipose tissue were assessed by computed tomography (CT) at the level of the fourth lumbar vertebra.

Results
Subjects with LVDD had higher levels of hsCRP, more visceral and peritoneal fat, and thicker EpF (all p < 0.001) than controls. Visceral adipose tissue, hsCRP, and EpF all correlated significantly (p < 0.05) with LVDD. Multivariate regression analysis rendered the relationship between visceral adipose tissue and LVDD insignificant, whereas EpF was the most powerful determinant of LVDD (odds ratio = 2.41, 95% confidence interval = 1.43–4.08, p < 0.01). EpF thickness also correlated significantly with the ratio of transmitral Doppler early filling velocity to tissue Doppler early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E/e’; r = 0.27, p < 0.01).

Conclusion
EpF thickness is significantly independently associated with LVDD in patients undergoing PD and may be involved in its pathogenesis.
A novel exploratory chemometric approach to environmental monitorring by combining block clustering with Partial Least Square (PLS) analysis
Authors: Nica Dragos V , Bordean Despina Maria , Pet Ioan , Pet Elena , Alda Simion , Gergen Iosif 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background
Given the serious threats posed to terrestrial ecosystems by industrial contamination, environmental monitoring is a standard procedure used for assessing the current status of an environment or trends in environmental parameters. Measurement of metal concentrations at different trophic levels followed by their statistical analysis using exploratory multivariate methods can provide meaningful information on the status of environmental quality. In this context, the present paper proposes a novel chemometric approach to standard statistical methods by combining the Block clustering with Partial least square (PLS) analysis to investigate the accumulation patterns of metals in anthropized terrestrial ecosystems. The present study focused on copper, zinc, manganese, iron, cobalt, cadmium, nickel, and lead transfer along a soil-plant-snai food chain, and the hepatopancreas of the Roman snail (Helix pomatia) was used as a biological end-point of metal accumulation.

Results
Block clustering deliniates between the areas exposed to industrial and vehicular contamination. The toxic metals have similar distributions in the nettle leaves and snail hepatopancreas. PLS analysis showed that (1) zinc and copper concentrations at the lower trophic levels are the most important latent factors that contribute to metal accumulation in land snails; (2) cadmium and lead are the main determinants of pollution pattern in areas exposed to industrial contamination; (3) at the sites located near roads lead is the most threatfull metal for terrestrial ecosystems.

Conclusion
There were three major benefits by applying block clustering with PLS for processing the obtained data: firstly, it helped in grouping sites depending on the type of contamination. Secondly, it was valuable for identifying the latent factors that contribute the most to metal accumulation in land snails. Finally, it optimized the number and type of data that are best for monitoring the status of metallic contamination in terrestrial ecosystems exposed to different kinds of anthropic polution.
Eleven secondary cancers after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using a total body irradiation-based regimen in 370 consecutive pediatric and adult patients
Authors: Omori Mami , Yamashita Hideomi , Shinohara Akihito , Kurokawa Mineo , Takita Jyunko , Hiwatari Mitsuteru , Nakagawa Keiichi 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
About the bone marrow transplantation that high dose chemotherapy and total-body irradiation (TBI) are used for as conditioning regimen, a late toxicity may become the problem in the long-term survival patient. One of the toxicities which has been implied to be associated with TBI is secondary cacinogenesis. Between June 1995 and December 2010, 370 patients who were undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using a TBI-based regimen at our department, were the subjects of this study. Eleven secondary cancers occurred in 10 patients. The median time from transplantation to diagnosis of a secondary cancer was 6.8 years. In this analysis, the cumulative incidence rate of secondary cancer at 5 and 10 years was 2.15% and 6.46%, respectively after TBI in our institution.
Making WTO Dispute Settlement Work for African Countries: An Evaluation of Current Proposals for Reforming the DSU
Authors: Bartels Lorand 
Published: August 2013

AbstractMost African countries are WTO Members, and yet to date none has been a complainant in dispute settlement proceedings. One possible reason is that the WTO enforcement regime is not well suited to smaller complainants whose imports from a larger defendant represent only a small share of that defendant’s total exports. Because retaliation rights must be “equivalent” to damage caused, retaliation may not be sufficient to induce the defendant to comply with its obligations. As a result, there may be a chilling effect on smaller countries commencing trade disputes. This article analyses current proposals within the context of the WTO DSU Review that address this problem. It also compares the WTO enforcement regime to general international law on the proportionality of countermeasures and suggests ways to soften the “equivalence” requirement.
Low Prepregnancy Adiponectin Concentrations Are Associated With a Marked Increase in Risk for Development of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Hedderson Monique M. , Darbinian Jeanne , Havel Peter J. , Quesenberry Charles P. , Sridhar Sneha , Ehrlich Samantha , Ferrara Assiamira 
Published: August 2013

OBJECTIVE
To examine whether circulating total and high–molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin concentrations, measured before pregnancy, are associated with subsequent risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
This was a nested case-control study among women who participated in the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Multiphasic Health Check-up exam (1984–1996) with a serum sample obtained and who had a subsequent pregnancy (1984–2009). Eligible women were free of recognized diabetes. Case subjects were the 256 women who developed GDM. Two control subjects were selected for each case and matched for year of blood draw, age at exam, age at pregnancy, and number of intervening pregnancies.

RESULTS
Compared with the highest quartile of adiponectin, the risk of GDM increased with decreasing quartile (odds ratio [OR] 1.5 [95% CI 0.7–2.9], 3.7 [1.9–7.2], and 5.2 [2.6–10.1]; Ptrend &lt;0.001) after adjustment for family history of diabetes, BMI, parity, race/ethnicity, cigarette smoking, and glucose and insulin concentrations. Similar estimates were observed for HMW (Ptrend &lt;0.001). The combined effects of having total adiponectin levels below the median (&lt;10.29 mg/mL) and being overweight or obese (BMI ≥25.0 kg/m2) were associated with a sevenfold increased risk of GDM compared with normal-weight women with adiponectin levels above the median (OR 6.7 [95% CI 3.6–12.5]).

CONCLUSIONS
Prepregnancy low adiponectin concentrations, a marker of decreased insulin sensitivity and altered adipocyte endocrine function, is associated with reduced glucose tolerance during pregnancy and may identify women at high risk for GDM to target for early intervention.
Toward Defining a Cutoff Score for Elevated Fear of Hypoglycemia on the Hypoglycemia Fear Survey Worry Subscale in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Hajós Tibor R.S. , Polonsky William H. , Pouwer Frans , Gonder-Frederick Linda , Snoek Frank J. 
Published: August 2013

OBJECTIVE
To determine a cutoff score for clinically meaningful fear of hypoglycemia (FoH) on the Hypoglycemia Fear Survey Worry subscale (HFS-W).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Data on the HFS-W, history of hypoglycemia, emotional well-being (World Health Organization-5 well-being index), and distress about diabetes symptoms (Diabetes Symptom Checklist–Revised) were available from Dutch patients with type 2 diabetes who were treated with oral medication or insulin (n = 1,530). Four criteria were applied to define a threshold for clinically meaningful FoH: 1) modal score distribution (MD criterion), 2) scores 2 SDs above the mean (SD criterion), 3) concurrent validity with severe hypoglycemia and suboptimal well-being (CV criterion), and 4) an elevated score (≥3) on more than one HFS-W item (elevated item endorsement [EI criterion]). Associations between the outcomes of these approaches and a history of severe hypoglycemia and suboptimal well-being were studied.

RESULTS
Of the 1,530 patients, 19% had a HFS-W score of 0 (MD criterion), and 5% reported elevated FoH (HFS-W ≥ mean + 2 SD; SD criterion). Patients with severe hypoglycemia reported higher HFS-W scores than those without (25 ± 20 vs. 15 ± 17; P &lt; 0.001). Patients with suboptimal well-being reported higher HFS-W scores than those with satisfactory well-being (20 ± 18 vs. 13 ± 15; P &lt; 0.001, CV criterion). Elevated FoH (defined by the EI criterion) was seen in 26% of patients. The SD and EI criteria were the strongest associated with history of severe hypoglycemia. The EI criterion was the strongest associated with suboptimal well-being.

CONCLUSIONS
Although no definite cutoff score has been determined, the EI criterion may be most indicative of clinically relevant FoH in this exploratory study. Further testing of the clinical relevance of this criterion is needed.
Effect of low temperatures on the infectivity of Toxocara cati larvae parasitized in mouse tissues
Authors: Taira K. , Šnábel V. , Okada N. , Saitoh Y. 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
The infectivity of Toxocara cati larvae in mouse tissues, following storage at 4 °C and −25 °C, was measured using a bioassay in mice. Tissues of donor mice infected with 30-day-old T. cati larvae were stored at 4 °C for 7 and 14 days, and at −25 °C for 24 hours, then tissue larvae were inoculated into recipient mice (n = 6/group). After 15 days, larval burden in recipient mice was assessed by digestion. In the control group, a mean of 42.0 % of the inoculated larvae were established in mice. Storage of tissues at 4 °C for 7 and 14 days did not affect larval infectivity; means of 43.5 % and 37.4 % of inoculated larvae, respectively, were established in mice. Larvae exposed to −25 °C for 24 hours did not establish in mice, except for one larva recovered from a single mouse. These results may support the potential of tissue larvae in livestock animals as a causative agent of human toxocarosis.
A polyphasic approach with molecular phylogeny for the characterization of Anisakis pegreffii (Anisakidae: Nematoda) in fishes from Adriatic Sea
Authors: Luca F. , Vovlas A. , Troccoli A. , Vovlas N. 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
In this study we investigated the morphometric and molecular characterization of a liver encapsulated third-stage larval population of Anisakis spp. infecting Merluccius merluccius and Lophius piscatorius caught in the Adriatic Sea waters (southern Italy). A polyphasic approach based on PCR-RFLP profiles of the ITS region, mitochondrial COI (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1), sequencing and molecular phylogeny of ITS and mitochondrial COI was used to identify Anisakis larvae collected from fish samples. PCR-RFLP analysis showed three banding pattern corresponding to the peculiar pattern of A. pegreffii. Sequence data from ribosomal ITS and mitochondrial COI were analysed by Neighbour Joining, Minimum Evolution and Maximum Parsimony methods to evaluate the phylogenetic relationships among A. simplex sensu lato. The phylogenetic trees obtained for both ITS and COI revealed the existence of three distinct clades for A. simplex sensu sricto, A. simplex C and A. pegreffii and the sequences obtained in this study clearly clustered together with A. pegreffii sequences present in the database.
Histopathological observations of anisakid nematode specimens detected on the liver surface of M. merluccius are illustrated. Encapsulated specimens of the L3 stage of the nematode were similar in size and morphometry to those found into the peritoneal cavity. Anisakis larvae encapsulated on the liver surface within dense and pearl coloured envelops caused host hepatic tissue necrosis, large cavities and oedematous liver spots to the host.
Increased focal hemosiderin deposition in pediatric medulloblastoma patients receiving radiotherapy at a later age
Authors: Yeom Kristen W. , Lober Robert M. , Partap Sonia , Telischak Nicholas , Tsolinas Rachel , Barnes Patrick D. , Edwards Michael S. B. 
Published: August 2013

Object
Focal hemosiderin deposition (FHD) is commonly observed on brain MRI scans of patients treated for childhood medulloblastoma (MB). The authors sought to determine the clinical significance of FHD and its relationship to patient age, radiation dose, and cognitive outcomes.

Methods
A single-institution retrospective study of 93 MB patients at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford from 1998 to 2011 identified 41 patients with a negative baseline MRI scan and at least 2 posttreatment MRI scans obtained with T2* gradient recalled echo (GRE). The number and cumulative rate of FHDs detectable by GRE were compared between patients aged 6 years and younger (early age) and aged 7–21 years (late age) at the time of radiotherapy (RT) and between low-dose (1800–2340 cGy) and high-dose (2920–3960 cGy) RT.

Results
The median age at MB diagnosis was 7.3 years (range 0.9–21.0 years), the median clinical follow-up period was 5.8 years (range 0.8–13.4 years), and the median 5-year overall survival was 81% ± 7%. Of 30 school-aged children with MB, 21 (70%) required special education, and the median IQ of 10 tested patients was 100 (range 50–118). Thirty-three patients (80%) had FHD after a median latency of 1.9 years (range 0.1–5.9 years). Ninety-four percent (436 of 466) of the lesions arose in the supratentorial region of the brain, whereas 29 (6%) resided in the brainstem or the cerebellum. No spinal lesions were observed on routine spine MRI scans using T2 fast spin echo imaging. The mean cumulative lesion rate per year was 2.23 ± 3.05, and this rate was higher in older children at the time of RT compared with younger children (3.23 vs 0.67 per year, p = 0.002) but did not differ among different RT doses (p = 0.395). A child's IQ or need for special education showed no significant correlation with the rate of lesion development or number of lesions. None of the lesions resulted in symptomatic hemorrhage that required surgical intervention.

Conclusions
More FHD was observed in children treated for MB at the older ages than in those treated at the younger ages. There was no significant association of the incidence of FHD with radiation dose or cognitive outcomes, and none of the lesions required surgical intervention.
Funding Anatomic Pathology Research: A Retrospective Analysis of an Intramural Funding Mechanism
Authors: McDaniel Andrew , Fullen Douglas R. , Cho Kathleen R. , Lucas David R , Giordano Thomas J. , Greenson Joel , Lieberman Andrew P. , Kunju Lakshmi P. , Myers Jeffrey L. , Roh Michael H. 
Published: August 2013

Context.—In 2006, the department of pathology at our institution established an intramural research funding mechanism to support anatomic pathology research projects for faculty and trainee development. A review committee consisting of faculty members with diverse academic interests evaluated applications; proposals were eligible for a maximum award amount of $30 000 per project with a maximum program cost of $150 000 annually.
Objective.—To report our experience based on a retrospective review of the research proposals submitted to the committee since the inception of the Anatomic Pathology Research Fund and evaluate the outcomes of the funded projects.
Design.—We retrospectively analyzed all project applications that were received by the committee. Outcome data were collected by reviewing progress reports, abstracts for national and international meetings, PubMed search results, and/or direct communication with investigators.
Results.—To date, a total of 59 individual projects have been awarded funding, for a total amount of $349 792, with an average award amount of $5381 per project. A total of 26 faculty members have secured funding for projects through this mechanism, and 27 resident and fellow trainees have been engaged in the funded projects. Spanning 11 subspecialty disciplines in anatomic pathology, 32 abstracts (54%) have been presented at national meetings and 26 (44%) have been published in the peer-reviewed literature to date. One project generated data used to secure an extramural (R01) grant.
Conclusions.—Our funding mechanism could serve as a model used by other academic departments to support research activities, thereby fostering faculty development through scholarly activities.
Integrated Chemical Processes in Liquid Multiphase Systems
Authors: Kraume Matthias 
Published: August 2013

AbstractGegenwärtig wird im Rahmen des SFB‐Transregios „InPROMPT”︁ an der Erforschung und technischen Nutzbarmachung von Mehrkomponenten‐Lösungsmittelsystemen mit steuerbaren Eigenschaften in mehrphasigen chemischen Produktionsprozessen zur Verwendung langkettiger Olefine und ungesättigter Oleoverbindungen gearbeitet. Hierfür werden neue Methoden zur Prozessentwicklung, Reaktionsführung und Stoffdatenbeschreibung ausgearbeitet sowie integrierte Reaktions‐ und Trennprozesse und hybride Trennverfahren untersucht. Mithilfe dieses Wissens lässt sich dann entscheiden, wie verfahrenstechnische Produktionsprozesse zur Umsetzung langkettiger, unpolarer und polarer Komponenten optimal zu gestalten sind. Als Modellreaktion wurde die Hydroformylierung von 1‐Dodecen zu Tridecanal gewählt. In diesem Artikel werden wesentliche Konzepte und exemplarische Ergebnisse dargestellt.