bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationship Between Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio and Slow Coronary Flow
Authors: Doğan Mehmet , Akyel Ahmet , Çimen Tolga , Bilgin Murat , Sunman Hamza , Kasapkara Haci Ahmet , Arslantaş Uğur , Yayla Kadriye Gayretli , Açıkel Sadık , Yeter Ekrem 
Published: July 2013

Objectives: We evaluated the relationship between neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and slow coronary flow (SCF). Methods: A total of 180 participants were recruited to the present study. Of all the participants, 82 patients were with SCF and 98 participants were with normal coronary arteries. Basal characteristics were recorded. Coronary flow was quantified by thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count. Results: Basal characteristics were similar between the 2 groups. The NLR was significantly higher in the SCF group when compared to the control group (2.3 ± 0.8 and 1.5 ± 0.4 respectively, P < .001). In multiple logistic regression analysis, NLR remained as the independent predictor of SCF ( P < 0.001). Conclusions: Our findings showed that NLR was significantly higher in the SCF group when compared to the control group with normal coronary arteries. We also showed that NLR was related to the presence of SCF rather than the extent of SCF. Besides these findings, we also showed the NLR as an independent predictor of SCF.
The role of comorbidities in patients’ hypertension self-management
Authors: Fix Gemmae M , Cohn Ellen S , Solomon Jeffrey L , Cortés Dharma E , Mueller Nora , Kressin Nancy R , Borzecki Ann , Katz Lois A , Bokhour Barbara G 
Published: July 2013

Objective We sought to understand barriers to hypertension self-management in patients with hypertension and comorbidities. Methods We conducted semi-structured, qualitative interviews with 48 patients with uncontrolled hypertension and at least one comorbidity to learn about beliefs and behaviors that might affect hypertension self-management. Using a grounded theory strategy, we analyzed interview transcripts detailing patients’ hypertension self-management behaviors vis-à-vis a framework including Explanatory Models—a patient’s understanding of the pathophysiology, cause, course, treatment, and severity of an illness, such as hypertension. Results We identified four factors that interfered with hypertension self-management. (1) Interdependence: Participants saw hypertension as interconnected to their comorbidities and subsequently had difficulty separating information about their illnesses. (2) Low priority: Compared to other conditions, participants assigned hypertension a lower priority. (3) Conflicts: Participants struggled with conflicts between hypertension self-management practices and those for comorbidities. (4) Managing multiple medications: Polypharmacy led to patients’ confusion and concern about taking medications as prescribed. Discussion Participants did not experience hypertension as a discreet clinical condition; rather, they self-managed hypertension concurrently with other conditions, leading to a breakdown in hypertension self-management. We provide strategies to address each of the four barriers to better equip providers in addressing their clinically salient concerns.
Cognitive impairment and “invisible symptoms” are not associated with CCSVI in MS
Authors: Leone Carmela , D’Amico Emanuele , Cilia Sabina , Nicoletti Alessandra , Di Pino Luigi , Patti Francesco 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
We investigated the association between chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) and cognitive impairment (CI) in multiple sclerosis (MS). Moreover, we evaluated the association between CCSVI and other frequent self-reported MS symptoms.

Methods
We looked at the presence of CI in incident MS patients with CCVSI in a population-based cohort of Catania, Italy. All subjects were group-matched by age, sex, disease duration and EDSS score with MS patients without CCSVI, serving as controls. CI was assessed with the Brief Repeatable Battery (BRB) and the Stroop Test (ST) and it was defined by the presence of at least three impaired tests. Fatigue and depressive symptoms were assessed with Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and Hamilton Depressive Rating Scale (HDRS), respectively. Bladder and sexual symptoms were assessed with the respective items of the Italian version of Guy's Neurological Disability Scale (GNDS). Quality of life was evaluated with Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 Instrument (MSQOL-54).

Results
Out of 61 MS patients enrolled in the study, 27 were CCSVI positive and 34 were CCSVI negative. Of them, 43 were women (70.5%); the mean age was 43.9 ± 11.8 years; the mean disease duration was 159.7 ± 113.7 months; mean EDSS was 3.0 ± 2.6. Of them, 36 (59.0%) were classified relapsing-remitting (RR), 12 (19.7%) secondary progressive (SP), seven (11.5%) primary progressive (PP) and six (9.3%) Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS). Overall, CI was detected in 29/61 (47.5%) MS patients; particularly 13/27 (48.1%) in the CCSVI positive group and 16/34 (47.0%) in the CCSVI negative group. Presence of CCSVI was not significantly associated with the presence of CI (OR 1.04; 95% CI 0.37-2.87; p-value = 0.9). Not significant differences were found between the two groups regarding the other MS symptoms investigated.

Conclusions
Our findings suggest a lack of association between CCSVI and CI in MS patients. Fatigue, depressive, bladder/sexual symptoms and self-reported quality of life are not associated with CCSVI.
Immunomodulatory role of Emblica officinalis in arsenic induced oxidative damage and apoptosis in thymocytes of mice
Authors: Singh Manish K , Yadav Suraj S , Gupta Vineeta , Khattri Sanjay 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
Arsenic is widely distributed in the environment and has been found to be associated with the various health related problems including skin lesions, cancer, cardiovascular and immunological disorders. The fruit extract of Emblica officinalis (amla) has been shown to have anti-oxidative and immunomodulatory properties. In view of increasing health risk of arsenic, the present study has been carried out to investigate the protective effect of amla against arsenic induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in thymocytes of mice.

Methods
Mice were exposed to arsenic (sodium arsenite 3 mg/kg body weight p.o.) or amla (500 mg/kg body weight p.o.) or simultaneously with arsenic and amla for 28 days. The antioxidant enzyme assays were carried out using spectrophotometer and generation of ROS, apoptotic parameters, change in cell cycle were carried out using flow cytometer following the standard protocols.

Results
Arsenic exposure to mice caused a significant increase in the lipid peroxidation, ROS production and decreased cell viability, levels of reduced glutathione, the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, cytochrome c oxidase and mitochondrial membrane potential in the thymus as compared to controls. Increased activity of caspase-3 linked with apoptosis assessed by the cell cycle analysis and annexin V/PI binding was also observed in mice exposed to arsenic as compared to controls. Co-treatment with arsenic and amla decreased the levels of lipid peroxidation, ROS production, activity of caspase-3, apoptosis and increased cell viability, levels of antioxidant enzymes, cytochrome c oxidase and mitochondrial membrane potential as compared to mice treated with arsenic alone.

Conclusions
The results of the present study exhibits that arsenic induced oxidative stress and apoptosis significantly protected by co-treatment with amla that could be due to its strong antioxidant potential.
Activation of an early feedback survival loop involving phospho-ErbB3 is a general response of melanoma cells to RAF/MEK inhibition and is abrogated by anti-ErbB3 antibodies
Authors: Fattore Luigi , Marra Emanuele , Pisanu Maria Elena , Noto Alessia , de Vitis Claudia , Belleudi Francesca , Aurisicchio Luigi , Mancini Rita , Torrisi Maria Rosaria , Ascierto Paolo Antonio , Ciliberto Gennaro 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
Treatment of advanced melanoma has been improved with the advent of the BRAF inhibitors. However, a limitation to such treatment is the occurrence of resistance. Several mechanisms have been identified to be responsible for the development of resistance, either MEK-dependent or MEK-independent. In order to overcome resistance due to reactivation of MEK signaling, MEK inhibitors are being clinically developed with promising results. However, also in this case resistance inevitably occurs. It has been recently reported that ErbB3, a member of the EGFR receptor family, may be involved in the establishment of drug resistance.

Methods
Three melanoma cell lines were tested: LOX IMVI (BRAF V600E), MST-L (BRAF V600R) and WM266 (BRAF V600D). Phosphorylation of Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs) was assessed by an RTK array. Western blot analysis was performed on total protein extracts using anti-ErbB3, anti-AKT and anti-ERK 1/2 antibodies. The expression of neuregulin after vemurafenib treatment was assessed by Real Time PCR and Western blotting. The growth inhibitory effects of vemurafenib, GSK1120212b and/or anti-ErbB3 mAbs were evaluated by in vitro colony formation assays.

Results
In the present study we demonstrate that ErbB3 is the main RTK undergoing rapidly hyperphosphorylation upon either treatment with a BRAF inhibitor or with a MEK inhibitor in a panel of melanoma cell lines harboring a variety of V600BRAF mutations and that this results in a strong activation of phospho-AKT. Importantly, ErbB3 activation is fully abrogated by the simultaneous use of anti-ErbB3 monoclonal antibodies, which are also shown to potently synergize with BRAF inhibitors in the inactivation of both AKT and ERK pathways and in the inhibition of melanoma cell growth. We show that upregulation of phospho-ErbB3 is due to an autocrine loop involving increased transcription and production of neuregulin by melanoma cells.

Conclusions
On the basis of these results, we propose that initial co-treatment with BRAF and/or MEK inhibitors and anti-ErbB3 antibodies should be pursued as a strategy to reduce the ErbB3-dependent feedback survival mechanism and enhance duration of clinical response.
Growth Hormone Therapy and Respiratory Disorders: Long-Term Follow-up in PWS Children
Authors: Berini Jenny , Spica Russotto Valeria , Castelnuovo Paolo , Di Candia Stefania , Gargantini Luigi , Grugni Graziano , Iughetti Lorenzo , Nespoli Luigi , Nosetti Luana , Padoan Giovanni , Pilotta Alba , Trifirò Giuliana , Chiumello Giuseppe , Salvatoni Alessandro ,   on behalf of the Genetic Obesity Study Group of the Italian Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology (ISPED)
Published: July 2013

Context:Adenotonsillar tissue hypertrophy and obstructive sleep apnea have been reported during short-term GH treatment in children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS).Objective:We conducted an observational study to evaluate the effects of long-term GH therapy on sleep-disordered breathing and adenotonsillar hypertrophy in children with PWS.Design:This was a longitudinal observational study.Patients and Methods:We evaluated 75 children with genetically confirmed PWS, of whom 50 fulfilled the criteria and were admitted to our study. The patients were evaluated before treatment (t0), after 6 weeks (t1), after 6 months (t2), after 12 months (t3), and yearly (t4–t6) thereafter, for up to 4 years of GH therapy. The central apnea index, obstructive apnea hypopnea index (OAHI), respiratory disturbance index, and minimal blood oxygen saturation were evaluated overnight using polysomnography. We evaluated the adenotonsillar size using a flexible fiberoptic endoscope.Results:The percentage of patients with an OAHI of &gt;1 increased from 3 to 22, 36, and 38 at t1, t4, and t6, respectively (χ2 = 12.2; P &lt; .05). We observed a decrease in the respiratory disturbance index from 1.4 (t0) to 0.8 (t3) (P &lt; .05) and the central apnea index from 1.2 (t0) to 0.1 (t4) (P &lt; .0001). We had to temporarily suspend treatment for 3 patients at t1, t4, and t5 because of severe obstructive sleep apnea. The percentage of patients with severe adenotonsillar hypertrophy was significantly higher at t4 and t5 than at t0. The OAHI directly correlated with the adenoid size (adjusted for age) (P &lt; .01) but not with the tonsil size and IGF-1 levels.Conclusion:Long-term GH treatment in patients with PWS is safe; however, we recommend annual polysomnography and adenotonsillar evaluation.
MoO3/ZrO2 as a Stable, Reusable, and Highly Active Solid Acid Catalyst for Polyester Polyol Synthesis
Authors: Oki Hironobu , Morita Tsuyoshi , Nakajima Kiyotaka , Hara Michikazu 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
MoO3/ZrO2, a solid Brønsted acid, exhibited high catalytic performance for the polyesterification of adipic acid with 1,4-butanediol: the conversion of adipic acid exceeds 95% over 8 h. The amount of residual Mo species that induce the hydrolysis of ester bonds with atmospheric vapors was below 3 ppm in the resulting polymer. After reaction, the MoO3/ZrO2 catalyst was easily recovered by simple filtration and used repeatedly without significant loss of original activity for subsequent reactions.
Mineralogical and Chemical Properties and the Origin of Two Types of Analcime in SW Ankara, Turkey
Authors: Karakaya Necati , Karakaya Muazzez Çelik , Temel Abidin 
Published: July 2013

AbstractAuthigenic analcimes were observed in different amounts in Miocene units in central Anatolia, Turkey. Two types of analcime occurrences were defined: (1) as continuous but inhomogeneous concentrations varying from 3 to 75 wt.% in lacustrine sedimentary rocks; and (2) as low concentrations (between 3 and 20%) and discontinuous components in the tuffs and claystones intercalated with tuff. The type 2 analcimes have been investigated by many researchers while the origin and properties of the sedimentary analcimes, which are widespread in different parts of Turkey, have not been clarified. The present study focused on the genesis and the mineralogical and geochemical properties of both types of analcime. The analcimes were investigated using X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and chemical analytical methods. In the first type, other than volcaniclastic material, analcime is the only zeolite mineral. The first type of analcime was associated mainly with montmorillonite, dolomite, and feldspar and sometimes with calcite, and rarely with illite and kaolinite. The second type of analcime was found as an accessory mineral accompanied by montmorillonite, feldspar, and heulandite/clinoptilolite, and more rarely by erionite, kaolinite, and mica. The pyroclastic rocks are chemically classified into two subgroups, dacitic and andesitic rocks, with an intermediate to high silica content and a high percentage of alkali cations. Analcime in the pyroclastics intercalated with clay layers commonly replaced early-formed zeolites, such as clinoptilolite or volcanic materials. The first type of analcime was not formed from precursor zeolites and had a different origin than the second type. Type 1 analcime contains larger amounts of Si (34.19 to 34.68 Si per unit cell) and less Al and Na than in theoretical analcime. The theoretical structural formula of analcime is Na16(Al16Si32O96)H2O. The strongly decomposing feldspar and clay minerals (in particular montmorillonite and partially illite) of the older formations and the dissolution of halite and also soda minerals, e.g. thenardite and glauberite, allow the authigenic formation of type 1 analcime, dolomite, K-feldspar, and montmorillonite in a saline and highly alkaline environment such as the marginal part of Lake Tuzgölü. Type 2 analcime may have been precipitated directly from solution, pyroclastic material, or precursor zeolite minerals in saline and alkaline lake water.
Epigenetic drugs in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Cuadrado-Tejedor Mar , Oyarzabal Julen , Lucas María Pascual , Franco Rafael , García-Osta Ana 
Published: July 2013

AbstractEpigenetic processes, such as DNA methylation and histone acetylation, regulate the genome-environment interactions that may play important roles in a wide range of brain disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Indeed, the role of epigenetic machinery in learning and memory processes is well documented. In this review, we will focus on the most recent literature on tools that target epigenetic mechanisms, particularly on histone acetylation, and we will discuss the use of chemical probes to validate these targets in therapeutic strategies for AD.
Laser ablation-enhanced transdermal drug delivery
Authors: Li Yajuan , Guo Liangran , Lu Wei 
Published: July 2013

Abstract:Transdermal delivery offers an excellent route for drug and vaccine administration. Nonetheless, the lipid-rich outer stratum corneum layer of the skin presents a critical challenge to drug penetration. Laser ablation perforates epidermis through selective photothermolysis, making skin more permeable to hydrophilic and macromolecular drugs such as peptides, proteins, and genes. This review summarizes recent applications to laser ablation-enhanced transdermal delivery. Needle- and pain-free transcutaneous drug delivery via laser ablation provides an alternative approach to achieve local or systemic therapeutics.
Integration Profiling of Gene Function With Dense Maps of Transposon Integration
Authors: Guo Yabin , Park Jung Min , Cui Bowen , Humes Elizabeth , Gangadharan Sunil , Hung Stevephen , FitzGerald Peter C , Hoe Kwang-Lae , Grewal Shiv I S , Craig Nancy L , Levin Henry L 
Published: July 2013

AbstractUnderstanding how complex networks of genes integrate to produce dividing cells is an important goal that is limited by the difficulty in defining the function of individual genes. Current resources for the systematic identification of gene function such as siRNA libraries and collections of deletion strains are costly and organism specific. We describe here integration profiling, a novel approach to identify the function of eukaryotic genes based upon dense maps of transposon integration. As a proof of concept, we used the transposon Hermes to generate a library of 360,513 insertions in the genome of Schizosaccharomyces pombe. On average, we obtained one insertion for every 29 bp of the genome. Hermes integrated more often into nucleosome free sites and 33% of the insertions occurred in ORFs. We found that ORFs with low integration densities successfully identified the genes that are essential for cell division. Importantly, the nonessential ORFs with intermediate levels of insertion correlated with the nonessential genes that have functions required for colonies to reach full size. This finding indicates that integration profiles can measure the contribution of nonessential genes to cell division. While integration profiling succeeded in identifying genes necessary for propagation, it also has the potential to identify genes important for many other functions such as DNA repair, stress response, and meiosis.
Insight into the Family of Na+/Ca2+ Exchangers of Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Sharma Vishal , He Chao , Sacca-Schaeffer Julian , Brzozowski Eric , Martin-Herranz Daniel E , Mendelowitz Zelda , Fitzpatrick David A , O’Halloran Damien M 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
Here we provide the first genome-wide in vivo analysis of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger family in the model system Caenorhabditis elegans. We source all members of this family within the Caenorhabditis genus and reconstruct their phylogeny across humans and Drosophila melanogaster. Next, we provide a description of the expression pattern for each exchanger gene in C. elegans, revealing a wide expression in a number of tissues and cell types including sensory neurons, interneurons, motor neurons, muscle cells, and intestinal tissue. Finally, we conduct a series of behavioral and functional analyses through mutant characterization in C. elegans. From these data we demonstrate that, similar to mammalian systems, the expression of Na+/Ca2+ exchangers in C. elegans is skewed toward excitable cells, and we propose that C. elegans may be an ideal model system for the study of Na+/Ca2+ exchangers.
Adaptation of the Osmotolerant Yeast Zygosaccharomyces rouxii to an Osmotic Environment Through Copy Number Amplification of FLO11D
Authors: Watanabe Jun , Uehara Kenji , Mogi Yoshinobu 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
Copy number variations (CNVs) contribute to the adaptation process in two possible ways. First, they may have a direct role, in which a certain number of copies often provide a selective advantage. Second, CNVs can also indirectly contribute to adaptation because a higher copy number increases the so-called “mutational target size.” In this study, we show that the copy number amplification of FLO11D in the osmotolerant yeast Zygosaccharomyces rouxii promotes its further adaptation to a flor-formative environment, such as osmostress static culture conditions. We demonstrate that a gene, which was identified as FLO11D, is responsible for flor formation and that its expression is induced by osmostress under glucose-free conditions, which confer unique characteristics to Z. rouxii, such as osmostress-dependent flor formation. This organism possesses zero to three copies of FLO11D, and it appears likely that the FLO11D copy number increased in a branch of the Z. rouxii tree. The cellular hydrophobicity correlates with the FLO11D copy number, and the strain with a higher copy number of FLO11D exhibits a fitness advantage compared to a reference strain under osmostress static culture conditions. Our data indicate that the FLO gene-related system in Z. rouxii has evolved remarkably to adapt to osmostress environments.
Clustering and Protein Dynamics ofDrosophila melanogasterTelomeres
Authors: Wesolowska Natalia , Amariei Flavia L , Rong Yikang S 
Published: July 2013

AbstractTelomeres are obligatory chromosomal landmarks that demarcate the ends of linear chromosomes to distinguish them from broken ends and can also serve to organize the genome. In both budding and fission yeast, they cluster at the periphery of the nucleus, potentially to establish a compartment of silent chromatin. To gain insight into telomere organization in higher organisms, we investigated their distribution in interphase nuclei of Drosophila melanogaster. We focused on the syncytial blastoderm, an excellent developmental stage for live imaging due to the synchronous division of the nuclei at this time. We followed the EGFP-labeled telomeric protein HOAP in vivo and found that the 16 telomeres yield four to six foci per nucleus, indicative of clustering. Furthermore, we confirmed clustering in other somatic tissues. Importantly, we observed that HOAP signal intensity in the clusters increases in interphase, potentially due to loading of HOAP to newly replicated telomeres. To determine the rules governing clustering, we used in vivo imaging and fluorescence in situ hybridization to test several predictions. First, we inspected mutant embryos that develop as haploids and found that clustering is not mediated by associations between homologs. Second, we probed specifically for a telomere of novel sequence and found strong evidence against DNA sequence identity and homology as critical factors. Third, we ruled out predominance of intrachromosomal interactions by marking both ends of a chromosome. Based on these results, we propose that clustering is independent of sequence and is likely maintained by an as yet undetermined factor.