bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A preliminary investigation on the efficacy of N-acetyl cysteine for mania or hypomania
Authors: Vieira da Silva Magalhães Pedro , Dean Olivia M , Bush Ashley I , Copolov David L , Malhi Gin S , Kohlmann Kristy , Jeavons Susan , Schapkaitz Ian , Anderson-Hunt Murray , Berk Michael 
Published: March 2013

Objective: Oxidative imbalance has emerged as a treatment target in bipolar disorder. As very limited data are available on the clinical use of antioxidants for mania, we report here results from a post hoc and exploratory subgroup analysis of a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). Methods: This was a placebo-controlled, randomized, clinical trial assessing the effect of NAC over 24 weeks in mania or hypomania. Symptomatic and functional outcomes were collected over the study period. Results: Fifteen participants were available for this report; two participants in each group failed to complete all assessments. Within-group analyses pointed to an improvement in the NAC group on manic symptoms and worsening in the placebo group on depressive symptoms at endpoint. Conclusions: Although the sample size was small, these results indicated within-group efficacy for this glutathione precursor as compared to placebo. Future trials specifically designed to demonstrate the efficacy of NAC in mania are needed.
Plaque characteristics and serum pregnancy-associated plasma protein A levels predict the no-reflow phenomenon after percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Zhao Xiao-Yan , Wang Xiao-Fang , Li Ling , Zhang Jin-Ying , Du You-You , Yao Hai-Mu 
Published: March 2013

Objectives To investigate the relationship between serum plasma pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and coronary plaque characteristics, and their prognostic value for coronary no-reflow after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods Patients with unstable angina undergoing PCI were divided into a normal reflow group and a no-reflow group after stent deployment. Coronary blood flow was measured angiographically; plaque components were detected by virtual histology intravascular ultrasound. Serum PAPP-A and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured before PCI. Cardiac troponin T (cTnT) was measured before and 24 h after PCI. Results A total of 166 patients with unstable angina undergoing PCI were included: normal reflow group ( n = 145) and no-reflow group ( n = 21), after stent deployment. Baseline coronary blood flow was similar in the two groups. The no-reflow group had plaques with less-fibrotic tissue and a larger necrotic core, more thin-cap fibroatheromas and plaque ruptures, and higher serum PAPP-A, hsCRP and post-PCI cTnT levels than the normal reflow group. Serum PAPP-A was correlated negatively with plaque fibrotic area and positively with necrotic core area. Conclusion High serum PAPP-A and plaque lesions with a large necrotic core are associated with the no-reflow phenomenon after PCI, in patients with unstable angina.
Circulating endothelial progenitor cells in gynaecological cancer
Authors: Kim Yoon Byoung , Chung Ye Won , Bae Hyo Sook , Lee Jae Kwan , Lee Nak Woo , Lee Kyu Wan , Song Jae Yun 
Published: March 2013

Objectives To compare the frequency and absolute numbers of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in healthy control subjects and patients with gynaecological cancer, and to test the hypothesis that cancer treatment lowers EPC numbers. Methods Patients with cervical or ovarian cancer and healthy control subjects provided peripheral blood samples for the isolation of mononuclear cells. EPCs were identified by quadruple immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry as CD45–/CD34+/CD133+/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2)+ cells. Results In total, 28 participants were enrolled. Circulating EPCs were present at higher frequencies (and in greater absolute numbers) in patients with cervical or ovarian cancer ( n = 14) than in controls ( n = 14). Concurrent chemoradiation therapy or surgery significantly reduced the frequency and number of EPCs in patients with gynaecological cancer, compared with pretreatment levels. Conclusions EPC levels decline throughout cancer treatment; their measurement may therefore be a useful surrogate marker to monitor treatment response.
The role of tyrosine metabolism in the pathogenesis of chronic migraine
Authors: D’Andrea Giovanni , D’Amico Domenico , Bussone Gennaro , Bolner Andrea , Aguggia Marco , Saracco Maria G , Galloni Elisabetta , De Riva Valentina , Colavito Davide , Leon Alberta , Rosteghin Valeria , Perini Francesco 
Published: March 2013

Objective: The pathogenesis of chronic migraine (CM) remains largely unknown. We hypothesized that anomalies of tyrosine metabolism, found in migraine without aura (MwwA) patients, play an important role in the transformation of MwwA into CM, since the increase in the number of MwwA attacks is the most predisposing factor for the occurrence of CM. Methods: To test our hypothesis we measured the plasma levels of dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NE) and trace amines, including tyramine (TYR) and octopamine (OCT), in a group of 73 patients with CM, 13 patients with chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) and 37 controls followed in the Headache Centers of the Neurology Departments of Asti, Milan and Vicenza hospitals in Italy. Results: The plasma levels of DA and NE were several-fold higher in CM patients compared with control subjects ( p > 0.001). The plasma levels of TYR were also extremely elevated ( p > 0.001); furthermore, these levels progressively increased with the duration of the CM. Conclusions: Our data support the hypothesis that altered tyrosine metabolism plays an important role in the pathogenesis of CM. The high plasma levels of TYR, a potent agonist of the trace amine associated receptors type 1 (TAAR1), may ultimately down-regulate this receptor because of loss of inhibitory presynaptic regulation, therein resulting in uncontrolled neurotransmitter release. This may produce functional metabolic consequences in the synaptic clefts of the pain matrix implicated in CM.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament–Deficient Patients With Passive Knee Joint Laxity Have a Decreased Range of Anterior-Posterior Motion During Active Movements
Authors: Boeth Heide , Duda Georg N. , Heller Markus O. , Ehrig Rainald M. , Doyscher Ralf , Jung Tobias , Moewis Philippe , Scheffler Sven , Taylor William R. 
Published: March 2013

Background: Although instability of the knee joint is known to modify gait patterns, the amount that patients compensate for joint laxity during active movements remains unknown. Purpose: By developing a novel technique to allow the assessment of tibiofemoral kinematics, this study aimed to elucidate the role of passive joint laxity on active tibiofemoral kinematics during walking. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Using motion capture, together with combinations of advanced techniques for assessing skeletal kinematics (including the symmetrical axis of rotation approach [SARA], symmetrical center of rotation estimation [SCoRE], and optimal common shape technique [OCST]), a novel noninvasive approach to evaluate dynamic tibiofemoral motion was demonstrated as both reproducible and repeatable. Passive and active anterior-posterior translations of the tibiofemoral joint were then examined in 13 patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures that were confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging and compared with those in their healthy contralateral limbs. Results: Passive tibial anterior translation was significantly greater in the ACL-ruptured knees than in the contralateral healthy controls. However, the femora of the ACL-ruptured knees generally remained more posterior (~3 mm) relative to the tibia within a gait cycle of walking compared with the healthy limbs. Surprisingly, the mean range of tibiofemoral anterior-posterior translation over an entire gait cycle was significantly lower in ACL-ruptured knees than in the healthy joints ( P = .026). A positive correlation was detected between passive laxity and active joint mobility, but with a consistent reduction in the range of tibiofemoral anterior-posterior translation of approximately 3 mm in the ACL-deficient knees. Conclusion: It seems that either active stabilization of tibiofemoral kinematics or anterior subluxation of the tibia reduces joint translation in lax knees. This implies that either a muscular overcompensation mechanism or a physical limitation due to secondary passive stabilizers occurs within the joint and thus produces a situation that has a reduced range of active motion compared with knees with physiological stability. Clinical Relevance: The reduced range of active tibiofemoral translation suggests overloading of the passive structures in passively lax knees, either through excessive muscular action or joint subluxation, and could provide a plausible mechanism for explaining posttraumatic degeneration of cartilage in the joint.
Levels of TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand (TRAIL) Show a Long-term Stability in the Breast Milk of Mothers of Preterm Infants
Authors: Zauli Giorgio , Monasta Lorenzo , Rimondi Erika , Vecchi Brumatti Liza , Davanzo Riccardo , Demarini Sergio , Secchiero Paola 
Published: March 2013

Background: The immune modulator TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has been found at extremely high levels in human milk of women with normal gestation at day 5 after delivery. Objective: To investigate the presence and the levels of soluble TRAIL in human milk of women with preterm delivery at different time points post-partum (32, 34, and 36 weeks from conception). Methods: The levels of soluble TRAIL were analyzed by ELISA in the breast milk of a group of 25 women with preterm delivery at different gestational ages. Results: Soluble TRAIL was present at high levels in human milk since early post-conceptional ages (32 weeks). No significant differences in TRAIL levels were noticed with respect to different gestational ages, or with respect to time of collection when comparing, in a selected group of patients, samples obtained between 15 and 26 days with those obtained 27 and 40 days after birth. Conclusion: Due to the key immunoregulatory role of human soluble TRAIL, the presence of high levels of TRAIL in the milk of women with preterm delivery and its maintenance at high levels up to 72 days after birth support the importance of breastfeeding the preterm newborn.
Hypertension as a Risk Factor for Aspirin and Clopidogrel Resistance in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Akturk Ibrahim Faruk , Caglar Fatma Nihan , Erturk Mehmet , Tuncer Nilgun , Yalcın Ahmet Arif , Surgit Ozgur , Uzun Fatih , Caglar Ilker Murat 
Published: March 2013

Background: Platelets play an important role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). The importance of dual antiplatelet therapy to prevent recurrent ischemic events in patients who have acute coronary syndrome and who will undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is well known and widely accepted as a gold standard. However, despite this apparently effective therapy, incidence of adverse ischemic events could not be decreased enough. Resistance to aspirin/clopidogrel is an important risk factor for adverse ischemic clinical events. Up-to-date studies revealed many risk factors for antiplatelet resistance, one of which is hypertension (HT). Currently, there is no sufficient number of studies evaluating the association between HT and antiplatelet resistance, which is the aim of this study. Methods: We enrolled 145 consecutive patients (19 female [13.1%], 126 male [86.9%], mean age 55 ± 10) with stable CAD receiving regular antiplatelet therapy composed of 100 mg/d aspirin and 75 mg/d clopidogrel. All patients had been implanted nondrug-eluting coronary stent and/or stents at least 1 month ago. The HT was diagnosed by 24-hour blood pressure (BP) monitoring. Clopidogrel and aspirin resistance was measured by impedance aggregometry method. Results: We included 49 patients with HT and 96 nonhypertensive patients with stable CAD. Aspirin resistance was detected in 22 (16.4%) of 134 patients who received aspirin. Clopidogrel resistance was detected in 55 (37.9%) of 145 patients who received clopidogrel. Prevalance of aspirin and clopidogrel resistance was significantly higher in the hypertensive group than in the nonhypertensive group ( P = .030 and P = .007, respectively). Correlation analysis revealed weak but significantly positive correlation between clopidogrel resistance and serum uric acid levels, mean platelet volume, platelet count, and 24-hour mean systolic BP ( r = −.180, P = .030; r = .189, P = .016; r = .226, P = .006; and r = .200, P = .016, respectively). Conclusion: We demonstrated higher incidence of antiplatelet resistance in patients with HT. Upon this finding, which is emerged from an actual group of patients with HT, cardioprotective effect of antiplatelet therapy in patients with HT should be argued.
Cognitive Insight in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Degirmenci Eylem , Degirmenci Taner , Dügüncü Yadigar , Yılmaz Gamze 
Published: March 2013

Background/rationale: We investigated the cognitive insight profile of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) using the Beck Cognitive Insight Scale (BCIS). Methods: This study involved 30 patients with probable AD and 15 healthy participants (ie, the controls). All individuals completed the BCIS, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results: Mean scores of the HADS-depression subscale, HAMD, BCIS-self-reflectiveness (BCIS-R), and BCIS-self-certainty (BCIS-C) subscales were significantly different between the patients and the controls. However, there was no significant difference in BCIS reflectiveness–certainty index scores between the patients and the control groups. Regression analyses showed a moderately positive correlation between hallucinations and BCIS-C scores. Conclusion: This study is the first to investigate cognitive insight in patients with probable AD. The BCIS-R and BCIS-C scores were significantly lower in patients than in control group.
Utility of the AD8 as a Self-Rating Tool for Cognitive Impairment in an Asian Population
Authors: Chin Rowena , Ng Amanda , Narasimhalu Kaavya , Kandiah Nagaendran 
Published: March 2013

Background: AD8 is a brief informant interview used to detect early cognitive change. This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of the participant-rated AD8 (p-AD8) in a predominantly Chinese population. Methods: Data on demographics, clinical, and cognitive features were collected from 73 participants with no cognitive impairment (NCI), 27 participants with mild cognitive impairments, and 78 participants with Alzheimer’s disease–informant dyads. Agreement and discriminative properties of p-AD8 were assessed. Results: AD8 scores were associated with dementia severity. Participant and informant AD8 scores were moderately correlated within dementia dyads. The p-AD8 showed good diagnostic performance in differentiating between participants with NCI and participants with cognitive impairment (sensitivity = 85.0%, specificity = 74.0%, and area under the curve = 0.80), with a cutoff score of ≥1. Combination of impairment in Mini-Mental State Examination and p-AD8 is more useful in detecting cognitive impairment than using the AD8 alone. Conclusion: Within a transcultural setting, the p-AD8 demonstrated good discriminative validity and can be used to gain a preliminary understanding of an individual’s cognitive status.
Outcomes of transplantation using various hematopoietic cell sources in children with Hurler syndrome after myeloablative conditioning
Authors: Boelens Jaap Jan , Aldenhoven Mieke , Purtill Duncan , Ruggeri Annalisa , DeFor Todd , Wynn Robert , Wraith Ed , Cavazzana-Calvo Marina , Rovelli Attilio , Fischer Alain , Tolar Jakub , Prasad Vinod K. , Escolar Maria , Gluckman Eliane , O’Meara Anne , Orchard Paul J. , Veys Paul , Eapen Mary , Kurtzberg Joanne , Rocha Vanderson , Driscoll Timothy A. , Kurtzberg Joanne , Landi Daniel B. , Martin Paul L. , Page Kristin M. , Parikh Suhag H , Prasad Vinod K. 
Published: March 2013

Key Points
In HS, patients’ early referral for HCT, with the best available HLA-matched donor offers the best event-free survival. In HS, patients’ HCT with a well-matched unrelated cord blood unit is particularly attractive because the unit is readily available.
Mining for class-specific motifs in protein sequence classification
Authors: Srinivasan Satish M , Vural Suleyman , King Brian R , Guda Chittibabu 
Published: March 2013

Abstract

Background
In protein sequence classification, identification of the sequence motifs or n-grams that can precisely discriminate between classes is a more interesting scientific question than the classification itself. A number of classification methods aim at accurate classification but fail to explain which sequence features indeed contribute to the accuracy. We hypothesize that sequences in lower denominations (n-grams) can be used to explore the sequence landscape and to identify class-specific motifs that discriminate between classes during classification. Discriminative n-grams are short peptide sequences that are highly frequent in one class but are either minimally present or absent in other classes. In this study, we present a new substitution-based scoring function for identifying discriminative n-grams that are highly specific to a class.

Results
We present a scoring function based on discriminative n-grams that can effectively discriminate between classes. The scoring function, initially, harvests the entire set of 4- to 8-grams from the protein sequences of different classes in the dataset. Similar n-grams of the same size are combined to form new n- grams, where the similarity is defined by positive amino acid substitution scores in the BLOSUM62 matrix. Substitution has resulted in a large increase in the number of discriminatory n-grams harvested. Due to the unbalanced nature of the dataset, the frequencies of the n-grams are normalized using a dampening factor, which gives more weightage to the n-grams that appear in fewer classes and vice-versa. After the n-grams are normalized, the scoring function identifies discriminative 4- to 8-grams for each class that are frequent enough to be above a selection threshold. By mapping these discriminative n-grams back to the protein sequences, we obtained contiguous n-grams that represent short class-specific motifs in protein sequences. Our method fared well compared to an existing motif finding method known as Wordspy. We have validated our enriched set of class-specific motifs against the functionally important motifs obtained from the NLSdb, Prosite and ELM databases. We demonstrate that this method is very generic; thus can be widely applied to detect class-specific motifs in many protein sequence classification tasks.

Conclusion
The proposed scoring function and methodology is able to identify class-specific motifs using discriminative n-grams derived from the protein sequences. The implementation of amino acid substitution scores for similarity detection, and the dampening factor to normalize the unbalanced datasets have significant effect on the performance of the scoring function. Our multipronged validation tests demonstrate that this method can detect class-specific motifs from a wide variety of protein sequence classes with a potential application to detecting proteome-specific motifs of different organisms.
Efficient recovery of proteins from multiple source samples after trizol® or trizol®LS RNA extraction and long-term storage
Authors: Simões André ES , Pereira Diane M , Amaral Joana D , Nunes Ana F , Gomes Sofia E , Rodrigues Pedro M , Lo Adrian C , D'Hooge Rudi , Steer Clifford J , Thibodeau Stephen N , Borralho Pedro M , Rodrigues Cecília MP 
Published: March 2013

Abstract

Background
Simultaneous isolation of nucleic acids and proteins from a single biological sample facilitates meaningful data interpretation and reduces time, cost and sampling errors. This is particularly relevant for rare human and animal specimens, often scarce, and/or irreplaceable. TRIzol® and TRIzol®LS are suitable for simultaneous isolation of RNA, DNA and proteins from the same biological sample. These reagents are widely used for RNA and/or DNA isolation, while reports on their use for protein extraction are limited, attributable to technical difficulties in protein solubilisation.

Results
TRIzol®LS was used for RNA isolation from 284 human colon cancer samples, including normal colon mucosa, tubulovillous adenomas, and colon carcinomas with proficient and deficient mismatch repair system. TRIzol® was used for RNA isolation from human colon cancer cells, from brains of transgenic Alzheimer’s disease mice model, and from cultured mouse cortical neurons. Following RNA extraction, the TRIzol®-chloroform fractions from human colon cancer samples and from mouse hippocampus and frontal cortex were stored for 2 years and 3 months, respectively, at −80°C until used for protein isolation.
Simple modifications to the TRIzol® manufacturer’s protocol, including Urea:SDS solubilization and sonication, allowed improved protein recovery yield compared to the TRIzol® manufacturer’s protocol. Following SDS-PAGE and Ponceau and Coomassie staining, recovered proteins displayed wide molecular weight range and staining pattern comparable to those obtainable with commonly used protein extraction protocols. We also show that nuclear and cytosolic proteins can be easily extracted and detected by immunoblotting, and that posttranslational modifications, such as protein phosphorylation, are detectable in proteins recovered from TRIzol®-chloroform fractions stored for up to 2 years at −80°C.

Conclusions
We provide a novel approach to improve protein recovery from samples processed for nucleic acid extraction with TRIzol® and TRIzol®LS compared to the manufacturer`s protocol, allowing downstream immunoblotting and evaluation of steady-state relative protein expression levels. The method was validated in large sets of samples from multiple sources, including human colon cancer and brains of transgenic Alzheimer’s disease mice model, stored in TRIzol®-chloroform for up to two years. Collectively, we provide a faster and cheaper alternative to the TRIzol® manufacturer`s protein extraction protocol, illustrating the high relevance, and wide applicability, of the present protein isolation method for the immunoblot evaluation of steady-state relative protein expression levels in samples from multiple sources, and following prolonged storage.