bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
HIGH INCIDENCE OF HAMATE HOOK FRACTURES IN UNDERWATER RUGBY PLAYERS: DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC IMPLICATIONS
Authors: Scheufler Oliver , Kamusella Peter , Tadda Lukas , Radmer Sebastian , Russo Sebastian G. , Andresen Reimer 
Published: October 2013

Hamate hook fractures are rare injuries but appear to occur frequently in underwater rugby, the reason for which was investigated in this study.High-level underwater rugby players with hook fractures diagnosed during a five-year interval (2005–2010) were studied retrospectively. Medical data on these patients were reviewed for information on the mechanism of injury, type of fracture, radiological imaging, treatment, and outcome.In ten patients, hook fractures of the leading hand were confirmed by computed tomography, all of which were associated with specific injuries during underwater rugby games. Conservative treatment resulted in delayed healing or non-union, wherefore fragment excision and open reduction and internal fixation was performed in ten and five patients, respectively, while two patients declined surgery. After surgery, all patients were able to play underwater rugby again.In underwater rugby, hook fractures occur frequently due to high and repeated forces applied to the leading hand during games.
The ‘Anthropocene’ as a ratified unit in the ICS International Chronostratigraphic Chart: fundamental issues that must be addressed by the Task Group
Authors: Finney S. C. 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
The proposal that the ‘Anthropocene’ should be ratified as a unit of the International Chronostratigraphic Chart/Geological Time Scale deserves serious consideration by the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS). The ‘Anthropocene’ task group within the ICS Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy is responsible for producing a recommendation to be evaluated and considered for approval at high levels in the ICS organization. It must consider the rank and extent of the unit as well as a GSSP or GSSA that defines its lower boundary or beginning. Furthermore, the task group must address several questions related to the proposed unit and the nature of the ICS chart/timescale that are unique to it. Is the ‘Anthropocene’ a concept in search of a distinct stratigraphic record? Should it be defined on a stratigraphic signal or on a date in human history? Is the ‘Anthropocene’ a unit of Earth history or human history or primarily a future projection? Is the ‘Anthropocene’ useful as a chronostratigraphic unit on geological maps? Has the perceived change to a human-dominated Earth system overwhelmed the natural Earth system? What is the conceptual basis of the International Chronostratigraphic Chart/Geologic Time Scale? Will the term ‘Anthropocene’ have value even if not ratified as a formal unit?
Molecular Pathways: Sterols and Receptor Signaling in Cancer
Authors: Gabitova Linara , Gorin Andrey , Astsaturov Igor 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Accelerated cholesterol and lipid metabolism are the hallmarks of cancer and contribute to malignant transformation due to the obligatory requirement for cholesterol for the function of eukaryotic membranes. To build new membranes and maintain active signaling, cancer cells depend on high intensity of endogenous cholesterol biosynthesis and uptake of lipid particles. This metabolic dependency of cancer cells on cholesterol and other lipids is tightly regulated by the cholesterol homeostasis network, including (i) sterol response element–binding proteins (SREBP), master transcriptional regulators of cholesterol and fatty acid pathway genes; (ii) nuclear sterol receptors (liver X receptors, LXR), which coordinate growth with the availability of cholesterol; and (iii) lipid particle receptors, such as low-density lipid particle (LDL) receptor, providing exogenous sterol and lipids to cancer cells. In addition, activity of oncogenic receptors, such as MUC1 or EGFR, accelerates sterol uptake and biosynthesis. Therefore, a general strategy of reducing the cholesterol pool in cancer cells is challenged by the highly efficient feedback loops compensating for a blockade at a single point in the cholesterol homeostatic network. Besides the well-established structural role of cholesterol in membranes, recent studies have uncovered potent biologic activities of certain cholesterol metabolic precursors and its oxidized derivatives, oxysterols. The former, meiosis-activating sterols, exert effects on trafficking and signaling of oncogenic EGF receptor (EGFR). Cholesterol epoxides, the highly active products of cholesterol oxidation, are being neutralized by the distal sterol pathway enzymes, emopamyl-binding protein (EBP) and dehydrocholesterol-7 reductase (DHCR7). These recently discovered “moonlighting” activities of the cholesterol pathway genes and metabolites expand our understanding of the uniquely conserved roles these sterol molecules play in the regulation of cellular proliferation and in cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 20(1); 28–34. ©2013 AACR.
Functionality of Endothelial Cells and Pericytes From Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Demonstrated in Cultured Vascular Plexus and Zebrafish Xenografts
Authors: Orlova Valeria V. , Drabsch Yvette , Freund Christian , Petrus-Reurer Sandra , van den Hil Francijna E. , Muenthaisong Suchitra , Dijke Peter ten , Mummery Christine L. 
Published: October 2013

Objective—
Endothelial cells (ECs), pericytes, and vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) are essential for vascular development, and their dysfunction causes multiple cardiovascular diseases. Primary vascular cells for research are, however, difficult to obtain. Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) derived from somatic tissue are a renewable source of ECs and vSMCs; however, their use as disease models has been limited by low and inconsistent efficiencies of differentiation and the lack of phenotypic bioassays.

Approach and Results—
Here, we developed defined conditions for simultaneous derivation of ECs and pericytes with high efficiency from hiPSCs of different tissue origin. The protocol was equally efficient for all lines and human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). The ECs could undergo sequential passage and were phenotypically indistinguishable, exhibiting features of arterial-like embryonic ECs. Moreover, hiPSC-derived ECs formed an authentic vascular plexus when cocultured with hiPSC-derived pericytes. The coculture system recapitulated (1) major steps of vascular development including EC proliferation and primary plexus remodeling, and (2) EC-mediated maturation and acquisition of contractile vSMC phenotype by pericytes. In addition, hiPSC-derived ECs integrated into developing vasculature as xenografts in zebrafish. This contrasts with more widely used ECs from human umbilical vein, which form only unstable vasculature and were completely unable to integrate into zebrafish blood vessels.

Conclusions—
We demonstrate that vascular derivatives of hiPSC, such as ECs and pericytes, are fully functional and can be used to study defective endothelia–pericyte interactions in vitro for disease modeling and studies on tumor angiogenesis.
Snow Studies. Part III: Theoretical Derivations for the Ensemble Retrieval of Snow Microphysics from Dual-Wavelength Vertically Pointing Radars
Authors: Szyrmer Wanda , Zawadzki Isztar 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
As a first step toward retrieval of snow microphysics from two vertically pointing radars operating at X band and W band, a theoretical model of snow microphysics is formulated in which the number of unknown parameters is reduced to snow particle density and to two bulk quantities controlling the particle size distribution. This reduction of parameters is achieved by normalizing not only the size distribution but also the snow particle mass in the mass–size relationship as well as by using a relationship between snow density and snow terminal fall velocity. However, no single snow microphysical model could describe the observed variability in the radar measurements. The uncertainty in the developed deterministic relations that map the microphysical parameters to the observables is shown to be mainly associated with the assumed dependence of particle velocity on its mass and on the particle size distribution (PSD) representation. Hence, various mass–velocity relationships together with different generic functional forms of the PSD reported in literature are described in this paper and then used in the retrieval. The derived relations provide a reasonable range of uncertainty associated with the microphysics when used for the actual retrieval of snow properties from observations in Part IV. The uncertainty in the backscattering computations of an individual particle, performed using Mie theory assuming spherical form with nonuniform density, is not taken into account in this study.
Characteristic Features of Warm-Type Rain Producing Heavy Rainfall over the Korean Peninsula Inferred from TRMM Measurements
Authors: Sohn B. J. , Ryu Geun-Hyeok , Song Hwan-Jin , Ou Mi-Lim 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
In contrast to the view that deep convection causes heavy rainfall, Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) measurements demonstrate that heavy rainfall (ranging from moderate to extreme rain rate) over the Korean peninsula is associated more with low-level clouds (referred to as warm-type clouds in this study) than with conventional deep convective clouds (cold-type clouds). Moreover, it is noted that the low-level warm-type clouds producing heavy rainfall over Korea appear to be closely linked to the atmospheric river, which can form a channel that transports water vapor across the Korean peninsula along the northwestern periphery of the North Pacific high. Much water vapor is transported through the channel and converges on the Korean peninsula when warm-type heavy rain occurs there. It may be possible to produce abundant liquid water owing to the excess of water vapor; this could increase the rate and extent of raindrop growth, primarily below the melting layer, causing heavy rain when these drops fall to the surface. The occurrence of heavy rainfall (also exhibited as medium-depth convection in radar observations over Okinawa, Japan) due to such liquid-water-rich lower warm clouds should induce difficulties in retrieving rainfall from space owing to the lack of scattering-inducing ice crystals over land and the warmer cloud tops. An understanding of the microphysical processes involved in the production of warm-type rain appears to be a prerequisite for better rain retrieval from space and rain forecasting in this wet region.
Genome-wide methylation analyses of primary human leukocyte subsets identifies functionally important cell-type–specific hypomethylated regions
Authors: Zilbauer Matthias , Rayner Tim F. , Clark Christine , Coffey Alison J. , Joyce Chris J. , Palta Priit , Palotie Aarno , Lyons Paul A. , Smith Kenneth G. C. 
Published: October 2013

Key Points
We provide a functional DNA methylation map of human leukocyte subsets and identify cell-type–specific regulatory HMRs. We illustrate use of this data by demonstrating a potential link between gene polymorphisms, DNA methylation, and immune-mediated disease.
A therapeutic barium enema is a practical option to control bleeding from the appendix
Authors: Konno Youkou , Fujiya Mikihiro , Tanaka Kazuyuki , Sakatani Aki , Shimoda Mizue , Hayashi Akihiro , Muto Momotaro , Inoue Mitutaka , Sakamoto Jun , Oikawa Kensuke , Ueno Nobuhiro , Inaba Yuhei , Moriichi Kentaro , Kohgo Yutaka 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
Acute lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage originating from the appendix is rare and often intractable, because it is almost impossible to approach the bleeding point by endoscopy. We herein describe the first case of bleeding from the appendix, which was successively controlled by a therapeutic barium enema administered into the appendix.

Case presentation
A 71-year-old male visited our hospital because of melena. He has been receiving an anti-coagulation drug, ticlopidine hydrochloride, for 10 years. By an emergency colonoscopy, a hemorrhage was detected in the appendix, and the lesion responsible for the bleeding was regarded to exist in the appendix. Two hundred milliliters of 50 W/V% barium was sprayed into the orifice of the appendix using a spraying tube. The bleeding could thus be immediately stopped, and a radiological examination revealed the accumulation of barium at the cecum and the orifice of the appendix. The barium accumulation disappeared by the next day, and no obvious anal bleeding was observed. Two weeks after stopping the bleeding from the appendix, an appendectomy was performed to prevent any further refractory hemorrhaging. The patient has had no complaints of any abdominal symptoms or anal bleeding for 10 months.

Conclusions
A therapeutic barium enema is a useful procedure to control bleeding from the appendix and to avoid emergency surgery, such as partial cecectomy and hemicolectomy.
Annular pancreas concurrent with pancreaticobiliary maljunction presented with symptoms until adult age: case report with comparative data on pediatric cases
Authors: Cheng Long , Tian Fuzhou , Zhao Tiejun , Pang Yong , Luo Zhulin , Ren Jiandong 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundAnnular pancreas (AP) concurrent with pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBMJ), an unusual coexisted congenital anomaly, often presented symptoms and subjected surgical treatment at the early age of life. We reported the first adult case of concurrent AP with PBMJ presented with symptoms until his twenties, and performed a literature review to analyze the clinicopathological features of such cases comparing with its pediatric counterpart.Case presentationThe main clinical features of this case were abdominal pain and increased levels of plasma amylase as well as liver function test. A complete type of annular pancreas with duodenal stenosis was found, and dilated common bile duct with high confluence of pancreaticobiliary ducts was also observed. Meanwhile, extremely high levels of bile amylase were detected both in common bile duct and gallbladder. The patient received duodenojejunostomy (side-to-side anastomosis) as well as choledochojejunostomy (Roux-en-Y anastomosis), adnd was discharged in a good condition.ConclusionAP concurrent with PBMJ usually presents as duodenal obstruction in infancy, while manifests as pancreatitis in adulthood. Careful long-term follow-up is required for children with AP considering its association with PBMJ which would induce various intractable pathologic conditions in the biliary tract and pancreas.
A novel carboxyl-terminal protease derived from Paenibacillus lautusCHN26 exhibiting high activities at multiple sites of substrates
Authors: Li Yunxia , Pan Yingjie , She Qunxin , Chen Lanming 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
Carboxyl-terminal protease (CtpA) plays essential functions in posttranslational protein processing in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. To date, only a few bacterial ctpA genes have been characterized. Here we cloned and characterized a novel CtpA. The encoding gene, ctpAp (ctpA of Paenibacillus lautus), was derived from P. lautus CHN26, a Gram-positive bacterium isolated by functional screening. Recombinant protein was obtained from protein over-expression in Escherichia coli and the biochemical properties of the enzyme were investigated.

Results
Screening of environmental sediment samples with a skim milk-containing medium led to the isolation of a P. lautus CHN26 strain that exhibited a high proteolytic activity. A gene encoding a carboxyl-terminal protease (ctpAp) was cloned from the isolate and characterized. The deduced mature protein contains 466 aa with a calculated molecular mass of 51.94 kDa, displaying 29-38% amino acid sequence identity to characterized bacterial CtpA enzymes. CtpAp contains an unusual catalytic dyad (Ser309-Lys334) and a PDZ substrate-binding motif, characteristic for carboxyl-terminal proteases. CtpAp was expressed as a recombinant protein and characterized. The purified enzyme showed an endopeptidase activity, which effectively cleaved α S1- and β- casein substrates at carboxyl-terminus as well as at multiple internal sites. Furthermore, CtpAp exhibited a high activity at room temperature and strong tolerance to conventional protease inhibitors, demonstrating that CtpAp is a novel endopeptidase.

Conclusions
Our work on CtpA represents the first investigation of a member of Family II CtpA enzymes. The gene was derived from a newly isolated P. lautus CHN26 strain exhibiting a high protease activity in the skim milk assay. We have demonstrated that CtpAp is a novel endopeptidase with distinct cleavage specificities, showing a strong potential in biotechnology and industry applications.
Survey of causative agents for acute respiratory infections among patients in Khartoum- State, Sudan, 2010–2011
Authors: Enan Khalid A , Nabeshima Takeshi , Kubo Toru , Buerano Corazon C , El Hussein Abdel Rahim M , Elkhidir Isam M , Khalil Eltahir AG , Morita Kouichi 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
This study was carried out to determine causative agents of acute respiratory illness of patients in Khartoum State, Sudan.

Methods
Four hundred patients experiencing respiratory infections within January-March 2010 and January-March 2011 were admitted at Khartoum Hospital and had their throat swab samples subjected to multiplex real-time RT-PCR to detect influenza viruses (including subtypes) and other viral agents. Isolation, nucleotide sequence and phylogenetic analysis on some influenza viruses based on the HA gene were done.

Results
Out of 400 patients, 66 were found to have influenza viruses (35, 27, 2, and 2 with types A, B, C, and A and B co-infections, respectively). Influenza viruses were detected in 28, 33 and 5 patients in the age groups <1, 1–10, and 11–30 years old, respectively but none in the 31–50 years old group. Out of 334 patients negative for influenza viruses, 27, 14, and 2 were positive for human respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus and adenovirus, respectively. Phylogenetic tree on influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 subtype shows that Sudan strains belong to the same clade and are related to those strains from several countries such as USA, Japan, Italy, United Kingdom, Germany, Russia, Greece, Denmark, Taiwan, Turkey and Kenya. Seasonal A H3 subtypes have close similarity to strains from Singapore, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, USA and Nicaragua. For influenza B, Sudan strains belong to two different clades, and just like influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 and A H3 subtypes, seem to be part of worldwide endemic population (Kenya, USA, Brazil, Russia, Taiwan and Singapore).

Conclusions
In Sudan, the existence of respiratory viruses in patients with acute respiratory infection was confirmed and characterized for the first time by using molecular techniques.
The eNOS 894G/T gene polymorphism and its influence on early and long-term mortality after on-pump cardiac surgery
Authors: Hinz José , Schöndorf Daniel , Bireta Christian , Lipke Christina , Moerer Onnen , Bergmann Ingo , Wiese Christoph Herman , Mansur Ashham , Schotola Hanna , Sabashnikov Anton , Quintel Michael , Schoendube Friedrich Albert , Popov Aron Frederik 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
The eNOS 894G/T polymorphism (GG, GT, and TT) is associated with cardiovascular mortality and may influence cardiovascular diseases as a genetic risk factor. Moreover, this polymorphism has an impact on intraoperative hemodynamics during cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). In this study, we analyzed the influence of this gene polymorphism on early clinical outcome in patients who underwent cardiac surgery with CPB. Also, we performed a 5-year follow-up, assessing the impact of this polymorphism on long-term mortality.

Method
500 patients who underwent cardiac surgery with CPB between 2006 and 2007 were included in this prospective single centre study. Genotyping for the eNOS gene polymorphism was performed by polymerase chain reaction amplification.

Results
Genotype distribution of 894G/T was: GG 50.2%; GT 42.2%; TT 7.8%. Cardiovascular risk factors were equally distributed between the different genotypes of the eNOS 894G/T polymorphism. No significant difference among the groups was shown regarding Euroscore, SAPS II and APACHE II. Perioperative characteristics were also not affected by the genotypes, except for the consumption of norepinephrine (p = 0.03) and amiodarone (p = 0.01) which was higher in the GT allele carrier. The early postoperative course was quite uniform across the genotypes, except for mean intensive care unit length of stay which was significantly prolonged in GT carriers (p = 0.001). The five-year follow-up was 100% complete and showed no significant differences regarding mortality between the groups.

Conclusion
Our results show that the eNOS 894G /T polymorphism is not associated with early and late clinical outcome after cardiac surgery. Thus, this polymorphism can actually not help to identify high risk groups in the heterogeneous population of individuals who undergo cardiac surgery with CPB.
A phase Ib multiple ascending dose study evaluating safety, pharmacokinetics, and early clinical response of brodalumab, a human anti-IL-17R antibody, in methotrexate-resistant rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Martin David A , Churchill Melvin , Flores-Suarez Luis Felipe , Cardiel Mario H , Wallace Daniel , Martin Richard , Phillips Kristine , Kaine Jeffrey L , Dong Hua , Salinger David , Stevens Erin , Russell Chris B , Chung James B 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Introduction
The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and clinical response of brodalumab (AMG 827), a human, anti-IL-17 receptor A (IL-17RA) monoclonal antibody in subjects with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods
This phase Ib, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind multiple ascending dose study enrolled subjects with moderate to severe RA (≥6/66 swollen and ≥8/68 tender joints). Subjects were randomized 3:1 to receive brodalumab (50 mg, 140 mg, or 210 mg subcutaneously every two weeks for 6 doses per group; or 420 mg or 700 mg intravenously every 4 weeks for two doses per group) or placebo. Endpoints included incidence of adverse events (AEs) and pharmacokinetics. Exploratory endpoints included pharmacodynamics, and improvements in RA clinical metrics.

Results
Forty subjects were randomized to investigational product; one subject discontinued due to worsening of RA (placebo). The study was not designed to assess efficacy. AEs were reported by 70% (7/10) of placebo subjects and 77% (22/30) of brodalumab subjects. Three serious AEs were reported in two subjects; there were no opportunistic infections. Brodalumab treatment resulted in inhibition of IL-17 receptor signaling and receptor occupancy on circulating leukocytes. No treatment effects were observed with individual measures of RA disease activity. On day 85 (week 13) 37% (11/30) of brodalumab subjects and 22% (2/9) of placebo subjects achieved ACR20; 7% (2/30) brodalumab subjects and 11% (1/9) of placebo subjects achieved ACR50; and 0% (0/30) brodalumab subjects and 0% (0/9) of placebo subjects achieved ACR70.

Conclusions
Multiple dose administration of brodalumab was tolerated in subjects with active RA. There was no evidence of a clinical response to brodalumab in subjects with RA.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00771030