bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morningness–eveningness questionnaire score correlates with glycated hemoglobin in middle‐aged male workers with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Iwasaki Masato , Hirose Takahisa , Mita Tomoya , Sato Fumihiko , Ito Chiharu , Yamamoto Risako , Someya Yuki , Yoshihara Tomoaki , Tamura Yoshifumi , Kanazawa Akio , Kawamori Ryuzo , Fujitani Yoshio , Watada Hirotaka 
Published: February 2013

AbstractAims/Introduction‘Morningness’ and ‘eveningness’ represent the sleep–wake patterns of the circadian rhythm might also affect glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the morningness–eveningness trait and metabolic parameters.Materials and MethodsThe study participants comprised 101 Japanese male workers with type 2 diabetes treated in an outpatient clinic. Blood samples were obtained, and a morningness–eveningness questionnaire (MEQ), where a high score represents morningness; and the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), where the higher the score the worse the sleep quality, were carried out.ResultsMEQ correlated positively with age, and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), and negatively with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and PSQI. Multivariate regression analysis showed that MEQ was significantly associated with HbA1c and HDL‐C. In addition, we classified the study patients into three groups: ‘morning type’, ‘neither type’ and ‘evening type’ according to the sum of the MEQ score, and analyzed the difference between morning type (n = 32) and evening type (n = 11). We found that HbA1c, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and PSQI of the morning type group were significantly lower than those of the evening type group.ConclusionsThe present study suggests that ‘eveningness’ type male Japanese workers with type 2 diabetes suffer inadequate glycemic control.
Loss of Bace2 in zebrafish affects melanocyte migration and is distinct from Bace1 knock out phenotypes
Authors: van Bebber Frauke , Hruscha Alexander , Willem Michael , Schmid Bettina , Haass Christian 
Published: February 2013

AbstractAlzheimer's disease is the most frequent dementia. Pathologically, Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the accumulation of senile plaques composed of amyloid β‐peptide (Aβ). Two proteases, β‐ and γ‐secretase proteolytically generate Aβ from its precursor, the ß‐amyloid precursor protein (APP). Inhibition of β‐secretase, also referred to as beta‐site APP cleaving enzyme (BACE1) or γ‐secretase is therefore of prime interest for the development of amyloid‐lowering drugs. To assess the in vivo function of zebrafish Bace1 (zBace1), we generated zBace1 knock out fish by zinc finger nuclease‐mediated genome editing. bace1 mutants (bace1−/−) are hypomyelinated in the PNS while the CNS is not affected. Moreover, the number of mechanosensory neuromasts is elevated in bace1−/−. Mutations in zebrafish Bace2 (zBace2) revealed a distinct melanocyte migration phenotype, which is not observed in bace1−/−. Double homozygous bace1−/−; bace2−/− fish do not enhance the single mutant phenotypes indicating non‐redundant distinct physiological functions. Single homozygous bace1 mutants as well as double homozygous bace1 and bace2 mutants are viable and fertile suggesting that Bace1 is a promising drug target without major side effects. The identification of a specific bace2 −/− associated phenotype further allows improving selective Bace1 inhibitors and to distinguish between Bace 1 and Bace 2 inhibition in vivo.
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Inhibition of BACE1 protease activity has therapeutic importance for Alzheimer's disease. Analysis of BACE1 and BACE2 knock‐out zebrafish revealed that they exhibit distinct phenotypes. bace1 mutants display hypomyelination in the PNS and supernumerary neuromasts while in bace2 mutants the shape and migration of melanocytes is affected. These phenotypes are not further enhanced in the viable double mutants. Our data suggest that blocking BACE1 activity is a safe therapeutic approach.
Inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase activity promotes migration of human‐induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived neural stem cells toward cancer cells
Authors: Chen Can , Wang Yi , Goh Sally S. L. , Yang Jing , Lam Dang Hoang , Choudhury Yukti , Tay Felix Chang , Du Shouhui , Tan Wee Kiat , Purwanti Yovita Ida , Fan Weimin , Wang Shu 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe breakthrough in derivation of human‐induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) provides an approach that may help overcome ethical and allergenic challenges posed in numerous medical applications involving human cells, including neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs). Considering the great potential of NSCs in targeted cancer gene therapy, we investigated in this study the tumor tropism of hiPSC‐derived NSCs and attempted to enhance the tropism by manipulation of biological activities of proteins that are involved in regulating the migration of NSCs toward cancer cells. We first demonstrated that hiPSC‐NSCs displayed tropism for both glioblastoma cells and breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. We then compared gene expression profiles between migratory and non‐migratory hiPSC‐NSCs toward these cancer cells and observed that the gene encoding neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) was down‐regulated in migratory hiPSC‐NSCs. Using nNOS inhibitors and nNOS siRNAs, we demonstrated that this protein is a relevant regulator in controlling migration of hiPSC‐NSCs toward cancer cells, and that inhibition of its activity or down‐regulation of its expression can sensitize poorly migratory NSCs and be used to improve their tumor tropism. These findings suggest a novel application of nNOS inhibitors in neural stem cell‐mediated cancer therapy.
Alzheimer's Aβ42 and Aβ40 peptides form interlaced amyloid fibrils
Authors: Gu Lei , Guo Zhefeng 
Published: February 2013

AbstractDeposition of amyloid β (Aβ) in the brain is a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. There are two major isoforms of Aβ: the 42‐residue Aβ42 and the 40‐residue Aβ40. The only difference between Aβ42 and Aβ40 is that Aβ42 has two extra residues at the C‐terminus. The amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's brains consist of mostly Aβ42 and some plaques contain only Aβ42, even though Aβ40 concentration is several‐fold more than Aβ42. Using electron paramagnetic resonance, we studied the formation of amyloid fibrils using a mixture of Aβ42 and Aβ40 in vitro. We show that Aβ42 and Aβ40 form mixed fibrils in an interlaced manner, although Aβ40 is not as efficient as Aβ42 in terms of being incorporated into Aβ42 fibrils. Our results suggest that both Aβ42 and Aβ40 would be present in amyloid plaques if in vivo aggregation of Aβ were similar to the in vitro process. Therefore, there must be some mechanisms that lead to the preferential deposition of Aβ42 at the extracellular space. Identifying such mechanisms may open new avenues for therapeutic interventions to treat Alzheimer's disease.
Inflammatory factors gene polymorphism in recurrent oral ulceration
Authors: Sun Mao , Fu Shan‐Min , Dong Guang‐Ying , Wu Dan , Wang Guo‐Xia , Wu Yuanming 
Published: February 2013

BackgroundSome inflammatory factors play an important role in recurrent oral ulceration (ROU). The genetics mechanism of expression level of inflammatory factors is not clear in ROU, but from genetics the expression level of inflammatory factors at least partly depend on the gene polymorphisms. Therfore, we decided to investigate inflammatory factors gene polymorphism and its association with the susceptibility of recurrent oral ulceration in Chinese.MethodsGenomic DNA was obtained from 42 subjects with recurrent oral ulceration, 86 subjects of healthy control individuals.Genotypes and alleles of 10 genes and 17 polymorphisms sites were analyzed by Mass‐ARRAY Analyzer method. Then, the differences in distribution of each genotype and allele were compared.ResultsThe statistical differences in distribution of TNF‐α (rs1800629 and rs1800630) genotype and allele were observed among the groups with recurrent oral ulceration and healthy control individuals (P < 0.01), while VEGFA (rs1570360, rs833061, and rs2010963), EGF (rs4444903), TNF (rs361525), IL10 (rs1800896, rs1800872), IL2 (rs2069762), IL4 (rs2243250), Fas (rs1800682, rs2234767), IL12A (rs2243115, rs568408), IL12B (rs3212227), and IFNG (rs2430561) showed no statistical differences of genotype and allele in controls as compared to those in patients.ConclusionsThis study suggests that the TNF‐α (rs1800629 and rs1800630) genotype is an indicator for the susceptibility of recurrent oral ulceration.
Decline in pulmonary function during chronic hepatitis C virus therapy with modified interferon alfa and ribavirin
Authors: Foster G. R. , Zeuzem S. , Pianko S. , Sarin S. K. , Piratvisuth T. , Shah S. , Andreone P. , Sood A. , Chuang W.‐L. , Lee C.‐M. , George J. , Gould M. , Flisiak R. , Jacobson I. M. , Komolmit P. , Thongsawat S. , Tanwandee T. , Rasenack J. , Sola R. , Messina I. , Yin Y. , Cammarata S. , Feutren G. , Brown K. K. 
Published: February 2013

SummaryRare interstitial lung disease cases have been reported with albinterferon alfa‐2b (albIFN) and pegylated interferon alfa‐2a (Peg‐IFNα‐2a) in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients. Systematic pulmonary function evaluation was conducted in a study of albIFN q4wk vs Peg‐IFNα‐2a qwk in patients with chronic HCV genotypes 2/3. Three hundred and ninety‐one patients were randomly assigned 4:4:4:3 to one of four, open‐label, 24‐week treatment groups including oral ribavirin 800 mg/d: albIFN 900/1200/1500 μg q4wk or Peg‐IFNα‐2a 180 μg qwk. Standardized spirometry and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) were recorded at baseline, weeks 12 and 24, and 6 months posttreatment, and chest X‐rays (CXRs) at baseline and week 24. Baseline spirometry and DLCO were abnormal in 35 (13%) and 98 (26%) patients, respectively. Baseline interstitial CXR findings were rare (4 [1%]). During the study, clinically relevant DLCO declines (≥15%) were observed in 173 patients (48%), and were more frequent with Peg‐IFNα‐2a and albIFN 1500 μg; 24 weeks posttreatment, 57 patients (18%) still had significantly decreased DLCO, with a pattern for greater rates with albIFN vs Peg‐IFNα‐2a. One patient developed new interstitial CXR abnormalities, but there were no clinically relevant interstitial lung disease cases. The risk of persistent posttreatment DLCO decrease was not related to smoking, alcohol, HCV genotype, sustained virologic response, or baseline viral load or spirometry. Clinically relevant DLCO declines occurred frequently in chronic HCV patients receiving IFNα/ribavirin therapy and commonly persisted for ≥6 months posttherapy. The underlying mechanism and clinical implications for long‐term pulmonary function impairment warrant further research.
Development of a nursing model for life adjustment in patients with lung cancer inJapan
Authors: Horii Naoko , Maekawa Atsuko 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe aim of this study was to obtain basic data about the support for life adjustment in lung cancer patients inJapan. We identified factors that affect life adjustment in people with lung cancer, developed a model for life adjustment support of lung cancer patients, and investigated its validity. A survey was conducted using self‐completed questionnaires, and responses were received by 203 individuals. Analysis of the responses revealed that life adjustment was regulated by six factors associated with positive self‐evaluation: stress dissipation, fighting spirit, helplessness/hopelessness, full discussion with doctor about treatment, clarity of thought, and support network size. A model search with covariance structure analysis was conducted. The resulting model was revealed to have a goodness‐of‐fit index of 0.963, an adjusted goodness‐of‐fit index of 0.930, a comparative fit index of 0.974, and a root mean square error of approximation of 0.040. The findings suggest that improvements in quality of life can be expected by combining a positive self‐evaluation in lung cancer patients and interventions to raise self‐adjustment ability with the use of this Model, although it requires further testing.
Taxes and Benefits: Two Options to Cheat on the State
Authors: Halla Martin , Schneider Friedrich G. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractIn this article we study the social norms to abstain from cheating on the state via benefit fraud and tax evasion. We interpret these norms (called benefit morale and tax morale) as moral goods, and derive testable hypotheses on whether their demand is determined by prices. Employing a large survey data set from OECD‐member countries we provide robust evidence that the demand responds to price proxy variables as predicted by theory. The main general conclusion of this article is that social norms (which are widely accepted as determinants of individual economic behaviour) are themselves influenced by economic factors.
Clinical evaluation of fitting toric soft contact lenses to current non‐users
Authors: Sulley Anna , Young Graeme , Lorenz Kathrine Osborn , Hunt Chris 
Published: February 2013

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate the ease with which astigmats from three groups of current non‐wearers of toric contact lenses can be fitted with current toric soft lenses, and to determine toric lens‐wearing success.MethodsThis was a 1‐month, randomized, bilateral, open‐label, daily wear study involving 200 subjects and 16 investigational sites in the UK. Three groups of astigmatic subjects aged from 16 to 60 and with a mean age of 36 years (67 spherical soft contact lens users, SW; 72 contact lens drop‐outs, DO; and 61 neophytes, Neo) were fitted with one of two toric soft lens types: a daily disposable toric soft lens (1 Day Acuvue Moist for Astigmatism, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care) or a 2‐weekly replacement, re‐usable toric soft lens (Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care). Subjects were evaluated after 1 month of wear and success rates calculated according to pre‐set criteria for acceptable fit, orientation stability, visual acuity, quality of vision, and overall comfort.ResultsEighty‐eight percent of lenses were fitted at the first attempt. Of 198 subjects dispensed with lenses, 182 (92%) completed the study. When analysed by subject group, the success rates according to the pre‐set criteria were 80% (53/66), 74% (52/70), and 70% (39/56) for the SW, DO and Neo groups respectively. Comfort was the most common reason for failure with all three groups; however, visual problems were more common in the DO and Neo groups (13% vs 6%). VA with the study lenses was significantly better in the SW group compared to their habitual lenses. For the DO and Neo groups combined (i.e. spectacle wearers), visual acuity was comparable to their habitual spectacles.ConclusionsA high proportion of astigmats who are not using toric soft contact lenses can be fitted with current lenses. Previous contact lens drop‐outs and neophyte wearers achieve visual acuity comparable to spectacles when fitted with toric soft lenses. Spherical contact lens wearing astigmats achieve superior visual acuity when refitted with toric soft lenses. These findings suggest that many astigmats who are not currently using toric soft contact lenses could do so successfully.
Genetic variation for secondary seed dormancy and seed longevity in a set of black‐seeded European winter oilseed rape cultivars
Authors: Schatzki Jörg , Allam Mai , Klöppel Coretta , Nagel Manuela , Börner Andreas , Möllers Christian 
Published: February 2013

AbstractSecondary seed dormancy in oilseed rape is a phenomenon that allows seeds to survive in the soil for many years without germination. Following soil cultivation, dormant seeds may germinate in subsequent years, and they are the main reason for the occurrence of volunteer oilseed rape plants in successive crops. Inheritance of secondary dormancy may be related to seed longevity (SL) in the soil. Genetic reduction in secondary dormancy and SL could provide a mean to reduce the frequency of volunteer plants and especially the dispersal of transgenic oilseed rape. The aim of the present study was to analyse secondary dormancy, germination rate and SL of 28 black‐seeded winter oilseed rape cultivars using in vitro laboratory tests. The material was tested in field experiments at six different locations in Germany in 2008/2009. Significant effects of the genotype and the location on all traits were found. Heritability was high for secondary dormancy (0.97) and moderate for germination rate (0.70) and SL (0.71). Results indicate that a selection for low secondary dormancy would be effective.
Is There a Role for the Detection of Autoantibodies in the Clinical Practice of Treating Infants with Bullous Pemphigoid? A Case Report
Authors: Brazzelli Valeria , Grasso Vincenzo , Bossi Grazia , Borroni Giovanni 
Published: February 2013

AbstractWe present a case of infantile bullous pemphigoid (BP) triggered by primary infection with varicella zoster virus and we analyze the correlation between autoantibody levels and disease activity. With this report we suggest that serum autoantibody titers may not necessarily mirror the clinical course of the disease or represent a helpful tool in guiding therapeutic decisions in infantile BP.
Congenital Circumscribed Acral Hypokeratosis
Authors: Santamarina‐Albertos Alba , Noguera‐Morel Lucero , Feito‐Rodríguez Marta , Beato‐Merino María‐José , de Lucas‐Laguna Raúl 
Published: February 2013

AbstractCircumscribed acral hypokeratosis (CAH) is a rare dermatosis that typically appears as well‐dermarcated erythema with a scaly border on the palms or soles of middle‐age patients. A pediatric case of CAH has been recently reported in a 10‐year‐old boy affecting the medial foot since birth. In this report we describe the second congenital case of CAH on the sole.
Propranolol and Infantile Hemangiomas Four Years Later: A Systematic Review
Authors: Marqueling Ann L. , Oza Vikash , Frieden Ilona J. , Puttgen Katherine B. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractTo systematically review the literature evaluating efficacy and adverse events of propranolol treatment for infantile hemangiomas, we searched the MEDLINE and Cochrane databases for all studies examining the response of infantile hemangiomas (IHs) to propranolol published between June 12, 2008, and June 15, 2012. Forty‐one studies with 1,264 patients were included; 74% of patients were female and approximately 30% had received other treatments before propranolol. Propranolol was initiated at a mean age of 6.6 months at a mean dose of 2.1 mg/kg/day and for a mean treatment duration of 6.4 months. The response rate for patients with IHs treated with propranolol was 98% (range 82%–100%), with response rate defined as any improvement with propranolol. Treatment response rates were comparable for studies evaluating IHs at specific sites, such as periorbital IHs. Studies that followed patients after treatment completion reported IH rebound growth in 17% of patients. There were 371 adverse events reported in 1,189 patients. The most common adverse events were changes in sleep (n = 136) and acrocyanosis (n = 61). Serious adverse events were rare, with reports of symptomatic hypotension in five patients, hypoglycemia in four, and symptomatic bradycardia in one. This systematic review of 1,264 patients treated with propranolol for IHs showed a high rate of efficacy and a low rate of serious adverse events.
Severe Encephalopathy Following Cerebral Arteriogram in a Patient with End‐Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Yan Jingyin , Ramanathan Venkat 
Published: February 2013

AbstractDisruption of blood brain barrier (BBB) with subsequent subarachnoid contrast extravasation and cerebral edema is a rare complication of intra‐arterial contrast administration. We report a patient with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) who developed such a complication. A 63‐year‐old man with a history of left orbital apex syndrome on hemodialysis (HD) was admitted with massive epistaxis. A pseudo‐aneurysm of the left internal carotid artery (ICA) required a cerebral arteriogram with coil embolization; a total of 910 ml of isosmolar intra‐arterial contrast was used. Shortly thereafter, the patient developed severe alteration in his mental status. A CT study without contrast of the head showed bilateral subarachnoid hyper‐attenuation with diffuse cerebral edema consistent with contrast‐induced encephalopathy syndrome. The patient was urgently and repetitively dialyzed to remove the contrast leading to a remarkable improvement in his mental status and resolution of both subarachnoid hyper‐attenuation and brain edema. The large volume of intra‐arterial contrast that may be required in neurologic interventional procedures is occasionally associated with breakdown of BBB leading to subarachnoid accumulation and cerebral edema resulting in a severe encephalopathy syndrome. Hemodialysis seems particularly well suited for the patient who has renal failure in whom this syndrome develops.
Auxin controls Arabidopsis anther dehiscence by regulating endothecium lignification and jasmonic acid biosynthesis
Authors: Cecchetti Valentina , Altamura Maria Maddalena , Brunetti Patrizia , Petrocelli Valentina , Falasca Giuseppina , Ljung Karin , Costantino Paolo , Cardarelli Maura 
Published: February 2013

SummaryIt has been suggested that, in Arabidopsis, auxin controls the timing of anther dehiscence, possibly by preventing premature endothecium lignification. We show here that auxin content in anthers peaks before the beginning of dehiscence and decreases when endothecium lignification occurs. We show that, in the auxin‐perception mutants afb1‐3 and tir1 afb2 afb3, endothecium lignification and anther dehiscence occur earlier than wild‐type, and the gene encoding the transcription factor MYB26, which is required for endothecium lignification, is over‐expressed specifically at early stages; in agreement, MYB26 expression is reduced in naphthalene acetic acid‐treated anthers, and afb1 myb26 double mutants show no endothecial lignification, suggesting that auxin acts through MYB26. As jasmonic acid (JA) controls anther dehiscence, we analysed how auxin and JA interact. In the JA‐defective opr3 mutant, indehiscent anthers show normal timing of endothecium lignification, suggesting that JA does not control this event. We show that expression of the OPR3 and DAD1 JA biosynthetic genes is enhanced in afb1‐3 and tir1 afb2 afb3 flower buds, but is reduced in naphthalene acetic acid‐treated flower buds, suggesting that auxin negatively regulates JA biosynthesis. The double mutant afb1 opr3 shows premature endothecium lignification, as in afb1‐3, and indehiscent anthers due to lack of JA, which is required for stomium opening. By treating afb1 opr3 and opr3 inflorescences with JA, we show that a high JA content and precocious endothecium lignification both contribute to induction of early anther dehiscence. We propose that auxin controls anther dehiscence timing by negatively regulating two key events: endothecium lignification via MYB26, and stomium opening via the control of JA biosynthesis.