bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Urban Surges
Authors: Valenzuela Aguilera Alfonso 
Published: November 2012

Delinquency and organized crime have a direct impact on territory. Nonetheless, the dominant form of analysis in urban Latin America has focused on their social, economic, and institutional dimensions. The limited success of regional government responses over the past decade that have privileged occupations, surveillance, panoptics, coercion, territorial control, and urban fortification leads to consideration of alternative strategies focused on social development, the strengthening of institutions, and the improvement of living conditions. Recent Latin American initiatives to address organized crime and drug trafficking with force have weakened state institutions while simultaneously increasing violence. La delincuencia y el crimen organizado tienen un impacto directo en el territorio. Sin embargo, en las ciudades de América Latina el análisis predominante se ha centrado en las dimensiones sociales, económicas e institucionales como claves de lectura. A partir de los magros resultados obtenidos en la última década de los gobiernos de la región, los cuales han privilegiado las ocupaciones, la vigilancia, panóptica, la coerción, el control territorial y la fortificación de las ciudades, se contemplan estrategias alternas centradas en el desarrollo social, el fortalecimiento institucional y el mejoramiento de las condiciones de vida de los ciudadanos. Las recientes iniciativas por solucionar las cuestiones del crimen organizado y el narcotráfico mediante la fuerza por parte de los estados latinoamericanos han tenido como resultado tanto el debilitamiento de las instituciones estatales como el escalamiento de la violencia.
Dysphagia Characteristics in Zenker’s Diverticulum
Authors: Bergeron Jennifer L. , Long Jennifer L. , Chhetri Dinesh K. 
Published: November 2012

ObjectivesTo evaluate dysphagia characteristics in patients with Zenker’s diverticulum (ZD).Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingOutpatient tertiary care dysphagia clinic.Subjects and MethodsAll ZD cases surgically treated over a 6‐year period were identified and reviewed for dysphagia history and dysphagia characteristics on initial presentation using fiber‐optic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES). Dysphagia symptoms and swallowing abnormalities were compared across groups based on diverticulum size (small <1 cm, medium 1‐3 cm, and large >3 cm).ResultsForty‐six patients underwent a total of 52 procedures during the study period. ZD size was available in 49 cases (6 small, 26 medium, 17 large). Regurgitation symptoms were less frequent in patients with small (17%) compared with medium (68%) or large diverticula (76%;P=. 03). Postswallow hypopharyngeal reflux (PSHR) was less frequent in patients with small (17%) compared with medium (91%) and large diverticula (87%;P<. 01). PSHR was present on all FEES available for patients who presented with a recurrent or residual ZD (n = 7). In all cases, PSHR resolved after successful treatment of ZD. Pharyngeal residue indicating possible weakness was present in 24% of all patients at initial presentation.ConclusionsPreoperative assessment of dysphagia characteristics in ZD patients reveals that PSHR is predictive of a ZD larger than 1 cm and may be useful in surgical planning. PSHR is also helpful in identifying patients with recurrent or residual symptomatic ZD following surgical treatment. Pharyngeal weakness is present in a subset of ZD patients.
Nanoblends of novel polyesters with polyaniline: Conductivity and heat-stability studies
Authors: Kausar Ayesha , Hussain Syed Tajammul 
Published: November 2012

The present work initially deals with the fabrication of a new generation of polyesters (bearing thiophene, azomethine, thiourea and ether moieties) and subsequent blending with polyaniline (PAN) exhibiting extremely valuable nanoblend characteristics. Few poly(azomethine-thiourea-ester)s (PATEs), by the polycondensation of a new diol 4,4′-oxydiphenyl bis(( E)-1-(4-hydroxobenzylidene)thiourea) with thiophene-2,5-dicarbonyl/terephtaloyl chloride, were synthesized. The polymers obtained were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared, proton-nuclear magnetic resonance, solubility, solution viscosity, gel permeation chromatography, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and wide-angle x-ray diffraction. The polymers exhibited high molar mass (77–89 × 103) and thermal stability ( T10 528–531°C, glass transition temperature ( Tg) 265–268°C). Then the electrically conducting blends, of PAN dispersed in the PATEs matrix, were prepared by mash-blending and melt-blending techniques. Materials obtained by conventional melt-blending approach generated an efficient conductive network compared with those produced by mash blending. Field emission scanning electron microscopy images displayed nanoblend morphology of the melt-blended system, owing to increased physical interactions (hydrogen bonding and π–π stacking) between the two polymers. Moreover, miscible blends of thiophene-based PATE/PAN led to superior conductivity (1.5–2.1 S/cm) and heat stability ( T10 503°C) even at low PAN concentration relative to previous thiophene, azomethine or PAN-based structures.
Chemotherapy and radiation regimens to breast cancer treatment induce changes in mRNA levels of renin–angiotensin system related genes in cardiac tissue
Authors: Salata Camila , Ferreira-Machado Samara Cristina , Mencalha André Luiz , de Andrade Cherley Borba Vieira , de Campos Vera Maria Araújo , Mandarim-de-Lacerda Carlos Alberto , deAlmeida Carlos Eduardo 
Published: November 2012

Background and aim: Cardiovascular complications are one limitation of breast cancer treatment. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether the renin–angiotensin related genes could be altered by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, using a rat model. Methods: Female rats were divided into three groups: control, chemotherapy + irradiation (TC+IR) and irradiation (IR). Molecular analyses of the left ventricle were performed five months after the end of treatment. The analyses evaluated the changes in mRNA levels of some renin–angiotensin system (RAS) related genes: angiotensinogen, renin, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which can be related to ACE production, by RT-PCR. Results: Renin was only observed in treated groups, TC+IR and IR, compared with the control group. ACE and VEGF levels were decreased in TC+IR ( p<0.001) and in IR ( p<0.001), and AT1 mRNA was higher in groups TC+IR ( p<0.01) and IR ( p<0.05) compared with the control group. Conclusion: Chemotherapy and irradiation can induce significant changes in some RAS related genes. These alterations are important to understand the pathways and consequences beyond cardiotoxicity induced by breast cancer treatments.
Efficacy of aliskiren and valsartan in hypertensive patients with albuminuria: a randomized parallel-group study
Authors: Spanos Georgios , Kalaitzidis Rigas , Karasavvidou Despina , Pappas Kosmas , Siamopoulos Kostas C 
Published: November 2012

Introduction: Blockade of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is a critical approach to the management of hypertension, especially in proteinuric patients. It is well proven that the direct renin inhibitor aliskiren shows comparable clinical efficacy to the angiotensin II receptor blocker valsartan on blood pressure control and albuminuria. However, there is only limited data on the hand-to-hand effectiveness of these two RAS blockers in improving arterial stiffness. We tested whether aliskiren or valsartan would improve arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients with albuminuria who are already on antihypertensive therapy. Material and methods: Thirty-four patients with hypertension and albuminuria < 1 g, after a wash-out period of three weeks, were randomized to aliskiren or valsartan in a 24-week randomized parallel-group study. Results: A nonsignificant difference in blood pressure was seen between the two treatment groups. Albuminuria was significantly reduced in both groups (56% for the aliskiren group, p < 0.05, and 38% for the valsartan group, p < 0.05). Only valsartan but not aliskiren significantly reduced carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (–1.1 ± 0.8 m/s ( p = 0.02) for valsartan and +0.1 ± 0.7 m/s (ns) for aliskiren). Conclusion: The results of our study showed that valsartan improves arterial stiffness to a significantly greater extent than aliskiren, despite a similar antihypertensive and antiproteinuric effect.
A diploid wheat TILLING resource for wheat functional genomics
Authors: Rawat Nidhi , Sehgal Sunish K , Joshi Anupama , Rothe Nolan , Wilson Duane L , McGraw Nathan , Vadlani Praveen V , Li Wanlong , Gill Bikram S 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background

Triticum monococcum L., an A genome diploid einkorn wheat, was the first domesticated crop. As a diploid, it is attractive genetic model for the study of gene structure and function of wheat-specific traits. Diploid wheat is currently not amenable to reverse genetics approaches such as insertion mutagenesis and post-transcriptional gene silencing strategies. However, TILLING offers a powerful functional genetics approach for wheat gene analysis.

Results
We developed a TILLING population of 1,532 M2 families using EMS as a mutagen. A total of 67 mutants were obtained for the four genes studied. Waxy gene mutation frequencies are known to be 1/17.6 - 34.4 kb DNA in polyploid wheat TILLING populations. The T. monococcum diploid wheat TILLING population had a mutation frequency of 1/90 kb for the same gene. Lignin biosynthesis pathway genes- COMT1, HCT2, and 4CL1 had mutation frequencies of 1/86 kb, 1/92 kb and 1/100 kb, respectively. The overall mutation frequency of the diploid wheat TILLING population was 1/92 kb.

Conclusion
The mutation frequency of a diploid wheat TILLING population was found to be higher than that reported for other diploid grasses. The rate, however, is lower than tetraploid and hexaploid wheat TILLING populations because of the higher tolerance of polyploids to mutations. Unlike polyploid wheat, most mutants in diploid wheat have a phenotype amenable to forward and reverse genetic analysis and establish diploid wheat as an attractive model to study gene function in wheat. We estimate that a TILLING population of 5, 520 will be needed to get a non-sense mutation for every wheat gene of interest with 95% probability.
A comparative study of 22-channel water-perfusion system and solid-state system with 36-sensors in esophageal manometery
Authors: Wang Kun , Duan Li-ping , Ge Ying , Xia Zhi-wei , Xu Zhi-jie 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
To compare the characteristics between 22-channel water-perfusion manometry (WPM) and solid-state manometry (SSM) with 36 sensors of the pressure measurements, as well as patients’ discomfort indices in nose and pharynx, the preparation and operation time of the manometry.

Methods
12 volunteers were included in the study. Each of the volunteers underwent esophageal manometry by both 22-channel water-perfusion catheter (WPC) and solid-state catheter (SSC) with 36 sensors in random order, and separated by 30 min. The subjects gave a VAS score soon after each test. Non-parametric tests were used to analyze the differences and Bland-Altman plots were used to assess the consistency of the two systems.

Results
During the wet swallows, there were significant differences between the two systems in three measurements of location of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) upper margin (Z = -2.11, P = 0.035), LES relax ratio (Z = -2.20, P = 0.028) and IRP4s (Z = -2.05, P = 0.041). During the jelly pocket swallows, LES relax ratio measurements of the two systems showed significant differences (Z = -2.805, P = 0.005). Further Bland–Altman plots analysis presented good agreement between the two systems measurements of location of LES upper margin, LES relax ratio and IRP4s. The discomfort indices of subjects’ nasal sensation were higher when inserting the solid-state catheter [5(3.75-5)] than water-perfusion one (2.5(2-4)) (Z = -2.471, P = 0.013), as well as the discomfort indices of pharyngeal sensation (7.5(4.75-9) vs. 4.5(3.75-6.5)), (Z = -2.354, P = 0.019). The preparation time for WPC was 40(39-41) minutes, which was much longer than that for SSC 32.5(31.75-33) minutes, (Z = -3.087, P = 0.002). And the nurses reported it’s much easier to insert WPC (Z = -3.126, P = 0.002).

Conclusions
In conclusion, most pressure measurements were consistent between WPM and SSM. Patients tolerated better with WPC, while for operators, the SSC presented more convenient.
Ethnicity and elevated liver transaminases among newly diagnosed children with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Hudson Omar D , Nunez Martha , Shaibi Gabriel Q 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
To examine the influence of ethnicity on liver transaminases among adolescents with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods
A retrospective medical chart review of 57 (30 males and 27 females) newly diagnosed patients with T2DM. Ethnicity was determined by self-report and height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were obtained using standard clinical procedures. Fasting levels of alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were collected prior to the initiation of any therapy.

Results
Age, gender, height, weight, BMI, and HbA1c did not differ between ethnic groups. Compared to African-Americans, Hispanics had significantly higher ALT (23.9 ± 3.4 vs. 107.8 ± 20.3, p=0.002) and AST (17.7 ± 2.5 vs. 71.1 ± 15.7, p<0.001) and were significantly more likely to have ALT values above the upper limit of normal (20% vs. 71%, p=0.005) and twice the upper limit of normal (0% vs. 39%, p=0.05) as well as AST values above the upper limit of normal (0% vs. 53%, p=0.002). No differences in ALT or AST were found between Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites or between African-Americans and non-Hispanic whites.

Conclusions
These preliminary findings suggest that Hispanic children with T2DM may be at higher risk for developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and indicate that a comprehensive hepatic evaluation is warranted in this population. Future studies that incorporate more precise and proximal measures of liver health are warranted in this population.
Contextual determinants of health behaviours in an aboriginal community in Canada: pilot project
Authors: Joseph Pamela , Davis A Darlene , Miller Ruby , Hill Karen , McCarthy Honey , Banerjee Ananya , Chow Clara , Mente Andrew , Anand Sonia S 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
Rapid change in food intake, physical activity, and tobacco use in recent decades have contributed to the soaring rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Aboriginal populations living in Canada. The nature and influence of contextual factors on Aboriginal health behaviours are not well characterized.

Methods
To describe the contextual determinants of health behaviours associated with cardiovascular risk factors on the Six Nations reserve, including the built environment, access and affordability of healthy foods, and the use of tobacco.
In this cross-sectional study, 63 adults from the Six Nations Reserve completed the modified Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS), questionnaire assessing food access and availability, tobacco pricing and availability, and the Environmental Profile of Community Health (EPOCH) tool.

Results
The structured environment of Six Nations Reserve scored low for walkability, street connectivity, aesthetics, safety, and access to walking and cycling facilities. All participants purchased groceries off-reserve, although fresh fruits and vegetables were reported to be available and affordable both on and off-reserve. On average $151/week is spent on groceries per family. Ninety percent of individuals report tobacco use is a problem in the community. Tobacco is easily accessible for children and youth, and only three percent of community members would accept increased tobacco taxation as a strategy to reduce tobacco access.

Conclusions
The built environment, access and affordability of healthy food and tobacco on the Six Nations Reserve are not perceived favourably. Modification of these contextual factors described here may reduce adverse health behaviours in the community.
Some southern African plant species used to treat helminth infections in ethnoveterinary medicine have excellent antifungal activities
Authors: Adamu Mathew , Naidoo Vinasan , Eloff Jacobus N 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
Diseases caused by microorganisms and parasites remain a major challenge globally and particularly in sub-Saharan Africa to man and livestock. Resistance to available antimicrobials and the high cost or unavailability of antimicrobials complicates matters. Many rural people use plants to treat these infections. Because some anthelmintics e.g. benzimidazoles also have good antifungal activity we examined the antifungal activity of extracts of 13 plant species used in southern Africa to treat gastrointestinal helminth infections in livestock and in man.

Methods
Antifungal activity of acetone leaf extracts was determined by serial microdilution with tetrazolium violet as growth indicator against Aspergillus fumigatus, Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans. These pathogens play an important role in opportunistic infections of immune compromised patients. Cytotoxicity was determined by MTT cellular assay. Therapeutic indices were calculated and selectivity for different pathogens determined. We proposed a method to calculate the relation between microbicidal and microbistatic activities. Total activities for different plant species were calculated.

Results
On the whole, all 13 extracts had good antifungal activities with MIC values as low as 0.02 mg/mL for extracts of Clausena anisata against Aspergillus fumigatus a nd 0.04 mg/mL for extracts of Zanthoxylum capense, Clerodendrum glabrum, and Milletia grandis, against A. fumigatus. Clausena anisata extracts had the lowest cytotoxicity (LC50) of 0.17 mg/mL, a reasonable therapeutic index (2.65) against A. fumigatus. It also had selective activity against A. fumigatus, an overall fungicidal activity of 98% and a total activity of 3395 mL/g against A. fumigatus. This means that 1 g of acetone leaf extract can be diluted to 3.4 litres and it would still inhibit the growth. Clerodendrum glabrum, Zanthoxylum capense and Milletia grandis extracts also yielded promising results.

Conclusions
Some plant extracts used for treatment of parasitic infections also have good antifungal activity. Because it is much easier to isolate antifungal compounds by bioassay guided fractionation, this approach may facilitate the isolation of anthelmintic compounds from active plant extracts. The viability of this approach can be tested by isolating the antifungal compounds and then determining its anthelmintic activity. Some of these plant extracts may also be useful in combating fungal infections.
The role of A20 in the pathogenesis of lymphocytic malignancy
Authors: Zhang Fan , Yang Lijiang , Li Yangqiu 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAutoimmune phenomena were identified in many different cases of hematological diseases and solid tumors, which may be due to alterations in the expression and function of the NF-κB signaling pathway. Recently, a number of studies have shown that the deletion or mutation of A20, a negative regulator of NF-κB, is frequently found in lymphomas, suggesting that it may be a linker between the altered immune response and leukemogenesis. The aim of this review is to summarize current findings of the A20 biological functions and its molecular mechanism as a tumor suppressor and immune regulator. The identification of A20 mutations and deletions in lymphocytic malignancy and the predictive significance of these aberrations are also reviewed.
A comparison of E15.5 fetus and newborn rat serum proteomes
Authors: Wei Lilong , Jia Lulu , Zhu Lisi , Ma Sucan , Zhang Dan , Shao Chen , Sun Wei , Gao Youhe 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundSerum proteins carry out several functions in the circulation, including transfer, immunological functions, messenger functions, coagulation, and regulation of homeostasis. To investigate changes in serum proteins that occur during development, the serum proteomes of embryonic 15.5 (E15.5) fetuses and newborn rats were compared using LC-MS/MS.ResultsA total of 958 proteins were identified in the serum of rats at both developmental stages. The serum proteome pattern of newborn rats was compared to E15.5 fetuses by relative quantitation. The expression patterns of hemoglobin subunits were different at the two stages, with most of the subunits having decreased expression in newborn rats compared to E15.5 fetuses. In addition, 8 of 12 apolipoproteins were significantly decreased and 10 of 11 identified complement molecules were increased, with 4 exhibiting a significant increase. Moreover, 11 of 14 of the significantly increased enzyme regulators were inhibitors. The serum proteome patterns of different littermates from both developmental stages were also compared. We found that the levels of many highly abundant serum proteins varied between littermates, and the variations were larger than the variations of the technical control.ConclusionsThe serum proteomes of newborn rats and E15.5 fetuses were compared. The expression patterns of hemoglobin subunits were different at the two developmental stages, with most of the subunits having decreased expression. The majority of apolipoproteins had significantly decreased expression, while almost all identified complement proteins had increased expression. The levels of several highly abundant serum proteins also varied among littermates at these two developmental stages. This is the first study using LC-MS/MS to investigate serum proteome development.
Activity of pemetrexed and high-dose gefitinib in an EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma with brain and leptomeningeal metastasis after response to gefitinib
Authors: Yuan Ying , Tan Chunwen , Li Modan , Shen Hong , Fang Xuefeng , Hu Yinghong , Ma Shenglin 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
About 20% to 40% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) will develop brain metastases during the natural course of their disease. The prognosis for such patients is very poor with limited survival. In addition to the standard whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT), some studies have shown that chemotherapy drugs and/or epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI) can improve the outcome of these patients. Here, we report a stage IIIA patient who developed multiple brain metastases one year after operation. Oral gefitinib with concurrent WBRT were given as first-line therapy. Complete response and a 50-month progression-free survival (PFS) were obtained. Double dosage of gefitinib (500 mg per day) together with pemetrexed were given as the second-line therapy after the patient developed new brain lesions and leptomeningeal metastasis during the maintenance therapy of gefitinib. The PFS for the second-line therapy was six months. In total, the patient obtained an overall survival of 59 months since the first diagnosis of brain metastases. Mutational analysis showed a 15-nucleotide deletion and a missense mutation in exon 19 of the EGFR gene, and a missense mutation at codon 12 of the K-ras gene. These underlying genetic changes might partially explain the long-term survival of this patient after brain metastases when treated with concurrent or sequential therapies of EGFR-TKI, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.