bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early elevated serum gamma glutamyl transpeptidase after liver transplantation is associated with better survival
Authors: Alkozai Edris M , Lisman Ton , Porte Robert J , Nijsten Maarten W 
Published: June 2014

Background: Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) is a membrane bound enzyme that plays a key role in the synthesis of the antioxidant glutathione. Epidemiological studies have linked high GGT with an increased risk of morbidity and cardiovascular mortality. In contrast, GGT is usually elevated in liver transplant recipients that experience good outcomes.Aims: To study if and how GGT is correlated with mortality following liver transplantation.Methods: We analyzed the prognostic relevance of serum GGT levels during the early and late postoperative period after liver transplantation in 522 consecutive adults. We also studied alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and total bilirubin levels.Results: Early after transplantation, the peak median (interquartile range) GGT levels were significantly higher in patients who survived more than 90 days compared to non-survivors: 293 (178-464) vs. 172 (84-239) U/l, p<0.0001. In contrast, late after transplantation, GGT levels were significantly lower in patients who survived more than 5 years than those who did not (p<0.01). The pattern of GGT levels also differed from those of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and total bilirubin early after transplantation, while these patterns were congruent late after transplantation. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that early after transplantation the higher the GGT levels, the better the 90-day survival (p<0.001). In contrast, late after transplantation, higher GGT levels were associated with a lower 5-year survival (p<0.001).Conclusions: These paradoxical findings may be explained by the time-dependent role of GGT in glutathione metabolism. Immediate postoperative elevation of GGT may indicate a physiological systemic response while chronic elevation reflects a pathological response.
Role of bacteriophages in STEC infections: new implications for the design of prophylactic and treatment approaches
Authors: Amorim Jaime H. , Jesus Monica R. , Luiz Wilson B. , Porchia Bruna F.M.M. , Ferreira Rita C.C. , Servat Esteban G. , Ghiringhelli Pablo D. , Ferreira Luis C.S , Bentancor Leticia V. 
Published: June 2014

Shiga toxin (Stx) is considered the main virulence factor in Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections. Previously we reported the expression of biologically active Stx by eukaryotic cells in vitro and in vivo following transfection with plasmids encoding Stx under control of the native bacterial promoter. Since stx genes are present in the genome of lysogenic bacteriophages, here we evaluated the relevance of bacteriophages during STEC infection. We used the non-pathogenic E. coli K12 strain carrying a lysogenic 933W mutant bacteriophage in which the stx operon was replaced by a gene encoding the green fluorescent protein (GFP). Tracking GFP expression using an In Vivo Imaging System (IVIS), we detected fluorescence in liver, kidney, and intestine of mice infected with the recombinant E. coli strain after treatment with ciprofloxacin, which induces the lytic replication and release of bacteriophages. In addition, we showed that chitosan, a linear polysaccharide composed of D-glucosamine residues and with a number of commercial and biomedical uses, had strong anti-bacteriophage effects, as demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. These findings bring promising perspectives for the prevention and treatment of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) cases.
Dynamin1 concentration in the prefrontal cortex is associated with cognitive impairment in Lewy body dementia
Authors: Vallortigara Julie , Rangarajan Sindhoo , Whitfield David , Alghamdi Amani , Howlett David , Hortobágyi Tibor , Johnson Mary , Attems Johannes , Ballard Clive , Thomas Alan , O’Brien John , Aarsland Dag , Francis Paul 
Published: June 2014

Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) and Parkinson’s Disease Dementia (PDD) together, represent the second most common cause of dementia, after Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The synaptic dysfunctions underlying the cognitive decline and psychiatric symptoms observed throughout the development of PDD and DLB are still under investigation. In this study we examined the expression level of Dynamin1 and phospho-CaMKII, key proteins of endocytosis and synaptic plasticity respectively, as potential markers of molecular processes specifically deregulated with DLB and/or PDD. In order to measure the levels of these proteins, we isolated grey matter from post-mortem prefrontal cortex area (BA9), anterior cingulated gyrus (BA24) and parietal cortex (BA40) from DLB and PDD patients in comparison to age-matched controls and a group of AD cases. Clinical and pathological data available included the MMSE score, neuropsychiatric history, and semi-quantitative scores for AD pathology (plaques - tangles) and for α-synuclein (Lewy bodies).Changes in the expression of the synaptic markers, and correlates with neuropathological features and cognitive decline were predominantly found in the prefrontal cortex. On one hand, levels of Dynamin1 were significantly reduced, and correlated with a higher rate of cognitive decline observed in cases from three dementia groups. On the other hand, the fraction of phospho-CaMKII was decreased, and correlated with a high score of plaques and tangles in BA9. Interestingly, the correlation between the rate of cognitive decline and the level of Dynamin1 remained when the analysis was restricted to the PDD and DLB cases, highlighting an association of Dynamin1 with cognitive decline in people with Lewy Body dementia.
On genomics, kin, and privacy
Authors: Telenti Amalio , Ayday Erman , Hubaux Jean Pierre 
Published: June 2014

The storage of greater numbers of exomes or genomes raises the question of loss of privacy for the individual and for families if genomic data are not properly protected. Access to genome data may result from a personal decision to disclose, or from gaps in protection. In either case, revealing genome data has consequences beyond the individual, as it compromises the privacy of family members. Increasing availability of genome data linked or linkable to metadata through online social networks and services adds one additional layer of complexity to the protection of genome privacy. The field of computer science and information technology offers solutions to secure genomic data so that individuals, medical personnel or researchers can access only the subset of genomic information required for healthcare or dedicated studies.
Trace amines inhibit insect odorant receptor function through antagonism of the co-receptor subunit
Authors: Chen Sisi , Luetje Charles W. 
Published: June 2014

Many insect behaviors are driven by olfaction, making insect olfactory receptors (ORs) appealing targets for insect control. Insect ORs are odorant-gated ion channels, with each receptor thought to be composed of a representative from a large, variable family of odorant binding subunits and a highly conserved co-receptor subunit (Orco), assembled in an unknown stoichiometry. Synthetic Orco directed agonists and antagonists have recently been identified. Several Orco antagonists have been shown to act via an allosteric mechanism to inhibit OR activation by odorants. The high degree of conservation of Orco across insect species results in Orco antagonists having broad activity at ORs from a variety of insect species and suggests that the binding site for Orco ligands may serve as a modulatory site for compounds endogenous to insects or may be a target of exogenous compounds, such as those produced by plants. To test this idea, we screened a series of biogenic and trace amines, identifying several as Orco antagonists. Of particular interest were tryptamine, a plant-produced amine, and tyramine, an amine endogenous to the insect nervous system. Tryptamine was found to be a potent antagonist of Orco, able to block Orco activation by an Orco agonist and to allosterically inhibit activation of ORs by odorants. Tyramine had effects similar to those of tryptamine, but was less potent. Importantly, both tryptamine and tyramine displayed broad activity, inhibiting odorant activation of ORs of species from three different insect orders (Diptera, Lepidoptera and Coleoptera), as well as odorant activation of six diverse ORs from a single species (the human malaria vector mosquito, Anopheles gambiae). Our results suggest that endogenous and exogenous natural compounds serve as Orco ligands modulating insect olfaction and that Orco can be an important target for the development of novel insect repellants.
Colonoscopic polyp detection rate is stable throughout the workday including evening colonoscopy sessions
Authors: Thurtle David , Pullinger Michael , Tsigarides Jordan , McIntosh Iris , Steytler Carla , Beales Ian 
Published: June 2014

Objective: Polyp detection rate (PDR) is an accepted measure of colonoscopy quality. Several factors may influence PDR including time of procedure and order of colonoscopy within a session. Our unit provides evening colonoscopy lists (6-9 pm). We examined whether colonoscopy performance declines in the evening. Design: Data for all National Health Service (NHS) outpatient colonoscopies performed at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in 2011 were examined. Timing, demographics, indication and colonoscopy findings were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using multivariate regression. Results: Data from 2576 colonoscopies were included: 1163 (45.1%) in the morning, 1123 (43.6%) in the afternoon and 290 (11.3%) in the evening. Overall PDR was 40.80%. Males, increasing age and successful caecal intubation were all significantly associated with higher polyp detection. The indications ‘faecal occult blood screening’ (p<0.001) and ‘polyp surveillance’ (p<0.001) were strongly positively associated and ‘anaemia’ (p=0.01) was negatively associated with PDR. Following adjustment for covariates, there was no significant difference in PDR between sessions. With the morning as the reference value, the odds ratio for polyp detection in the afternoon and evening were 0.93 (95% CI = 0.72-1.18) and 1.15 (95%CI = 0.82-1.61) respectively. PDR was not affected by rank of colonoscopy within a list, sedation dose or trainee-involvement. Conclusions: Time of day did not affect polyp detection rate in clinical practice. Evening colonoscopy had equivalent efficacy and is an effective tool in meeting increasing demands for endoscopy. Standardisation was shown to have a considerable effect as demographics, indication and endoscopist varied substantially between sessions. Evening sessions were popular with a younger population
U.S. Emergency Department Admissions for Nontraumatic Dental Conditions for Individuals With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Chi Donald L. , Masterson Erin E. , Wong Jacqueline J. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The authors hypothesized that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) are more likely to have an emergency department (ED) admission for nontraumatic dental conditions (NTDCs). The authors analyzed 2009 U.S. National Emergency Department Sample data and ran logistic regression models for children ages 3–17 years and adults age 18 years or older. The prevalence of NTDC-related ED admissions was 0.8% for children and 2.0% for adults. Children with IDDs were at increased odds of NTDC-related ED admission, but this difference was not statistically significant (odds ratio [OR]  =  1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI]  =  0.91, 1.23). Adults with IDDs had significantly lower odds of an ED admission for NTDCs (OR  =  0.49; 95% CI  =  0.44, 0.54). Children with IDDs are not at increased odds of NTDC-related ED admissions, whereas adults with IDDs are at significantly reduced odds.
Monitoring blood volume fraction and oxygen saturation in port-wine stains during vascular targeted photodynamic therapy with diffuse reflectance spectroscopy: Results of a preliminary case study
Authors: Qiu Zhihai , Chen Defu , Wang Ying , Yao Guangping , Gu Ying , Li Buhong 
Published: June 2014

AbstractObjective:Monitoring dynamic changes during vascular targeted photodynamic therapy (V-PDT) for port-wine stains (PWS) is crucial for achieving an optimal therapeutic outcome. The present investigation is a preliminary research study designed to quantify and monitor the vascular parameters, e.g., blood volume fraction (Material and methods:A portable DRS detection system was developed with an appropriate source-detector distance of 520 μm for fiber-optic probe. The diffuse reflectance spectra from 450 to 800 nm in specific regions of interest (ROIs) within a PWS lesion were recorded before and 3, 5, 10, 15, and 20 min during V-PDT. In order to extract the optical properties and vascular parameters of the PWS lesion, a modified well-known diffusion theory model with a correction factor for the vessel package effect was employed to analyze the steady state-diffuse reflectance spectra.Results:The corrected reflectance spectra of the PWS lesion can be fitted very well with the modified diffusion theory model. Differences in pretreatment values ofConclusion:The ability of using DRS for quantifying and monitoring the
Imitating the Egyptian Hieroglyphic Script in the Roman Era
Authors: Deac Dan-Augustin 
Published: June 2014

Summary:
The present paper studies a unique monument discovered in 1979 by the Romanian researcher Nicolae Vlassa. Unfortunately due to his sudden pass-away, the stela/obelisk remained hidden from the scientific community until now. Although it is a stray discovery and not from an archaeological context, the author, with the help of geo-petrographical analysis, tries to “remove the dust” of this monument, putting it in the proper place, namely in the corpus of the aegyptiaca finds coming from the Roman province of Dacia Porolissensis.
The Yeast Deletion Collection: A Decade of Functional Genomics
Authors: Giaever Guri , Nislow Corey 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe yeast deletion collections comprise &gt;21,000 mutant strains that carry precise start-to-stop deletions of ∼6000 open reading frames. This collection includes heterozygous and homozygous diploids, and haploids of both MATa and MATα mating types. The yeast deletion collection, or yeast knockout (YKO) set, represents the first and only complete, systematically constructed deletion collection available for any organism. Conceived during the Saccharomyces cerevisiae sequencing project, work on the project began in 1998 and was completed in 2002. The YKO strains have been used in numerous laboratories in &gt;1000 genome-wide screens. This landmark genome project has inspired development of numerous genome-wide technologies in organisms from yeast to man. Notable spinoff technologies include synthetic genetic array and HIPHOP chemogenomics. In this retrospective, we briefly describe the yeast deletion project and some of its most noteworthy biological contributions and the impact that these collections have had on the yeast research community and on genomics in general.
Adrenocortical Scavenger Receptor Class B Type I Deficiency Exacerbates Endotoxic Shock and Precipitates Sepsis-Induced Mortality in Mice
Authors: Gilibert Sophie , Galle-Treger Lauriane , Moreau Martine , Saint-Charles Flora , Costa Sara , Ballaire Raphaëlle , Couvert Philippe , Carrié Alain , Lesnik Philippe , Huby Thierry 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI)–deficient mice display reduced survival to endotoxic shock and sepsis. The understanding of the mechanisms underlying SR-BI protection has been hampered by the large spectrum of SR-BI functions and ligands. It notably plays an important role in the liver in high-density lipoprotein metabolism, but it is also thought to participate in innate immunity as a pattern recognition receptor for bacterial endotoxins, such as LPS. In this study, we sought to determine the tissue-specific contribution of SR-BI in the hyperinflammatory response and high mortality rates observed in SR-BI−/− mice in endotoxicosis or sepsis. Restoring plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein, which are critical lipoproteins for LPS neutralization, did not improve acute outcomes of LPS injection in SR-BI−/− mice. Mice deficient for SR-BI in hepatocytes, endothelial cells, or myeloid cells were not more susceptible to LPS-induced death. However, if SR-BI ablation in hepatocytes led to a moderate increase in systemic inflammatory markers, SR-BI deficiency in myeloid cells was associated with an anti-inflammatory effect. Finally, mice deficient for SR-BI in the adrenal cortex, where the receptor provides lipoprotein-derived cholesterol, had impaired secretion of glucocorticoids in response to stress. When exposed to an endotoxin challenge, these mice exhibited an exacerbated systemic and local inflammatory response, reduced activation of atrophy genes in muscle, and high lethality rate. Furthermore, polymicrobial sepsis induced by cecal ligature and puncture resulted in early death of these animals. Our study clearly demonstrates that corticoadrenal SR-BI is a critical element of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to provide effective glucocorticoid-dependent host defense after an endotoxic shock or bacterial infection.
Hydrodynamic parameters of a sandy soil determined by ground‐penetrating radar inside a single ring infiltrometer
Authors: Léger Emmanuel , Saintenoy Albane , Coquet Yves 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThis study shows how Mualem‐van Genuchten (M‐vG) parameters can be obtained from GPR data acquired during water infiltration from a single ring infiltrometer in the case of a sandy soil. Water content profiles were generated at various time steps using HYDRUS‐1D, based on particular values of the M‐vG parameters and were converted to dielectric permittivity profiles using the Complex Refractive Index Method. The GprMax suite of programs was used to generate radargrams and to follow the wetting front progression in depth using the arrival time of the electromagnetic waves recorded by a ground‐penetrating radar (GPR). Theoretically, the 1‐D time convolution between reflectivity and GPR signal at any infiltration time step is related to the peak of the reflected signal recorded in the corresponding trace in the radargram. We used this relationship to invert the M‐vG parameters for constant and falling head infiltrations using the Shuffled Complex Evolution (SCE‐UA) algorithm. The method is presented on synthetic examples and on experiments carried out for a sandy soil. The parameters inverted are compared with values obtained in laboratory on soil samples and with disk infiltrometer measurements.
Effects of prolonged southward interplanetary magnetic field on low‐latitude ionospheric electron density
Authors: Bagiya Mala S. , Hazarika Rumajyoti , Laskar Fazlul I. , Sunda Surendra , Gurubaran S. , Chakrabarty D. , Bhuyan P. K. , Sridharan R. , Veenadhari B. , Pallamraju D. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe present work describes the low‐latitude ionospheric variability during an unusually prolonged (~33 h) geomagnetically disturbed condition that prevailed during 15–16 July 2012. The low‐latitude electron density in summer hemisphere, investigated using ground‐ and satellite‐based observations, responded to this by generating strong negative ionospheric storm on 16 July. The maximum electron density on 16 July over Indian low latitudes was reduced by more than 50% compared to that on a geomagnetically quiet day (14 July 2012). In contrast to the extreme reduction in total electron content (TEC) in the Northern Hemisphere, TEC from a winter hemispheric station revealed substantial (~23 total electron content unit, 1 TECU = 1016 el m−2) enhancements on the same day. This contrasting hemispherical response in TEC is suggested to be due to the combined effects of strong interhemispheric and solar‐driven day‐night winds. Further, very weak equatorial electrojet (EEJ) strength on 16 July indicated that the westward electric field perturbations in the low‐latitude ionosphere were possibly due to the disturbance dynamo effect associated with meridional circulation from polar to equatorial latitudes. Interestingly, despite reduction in the integrated EEJ strength on 15 July, the low‐latitude electron density showed substantial enhancement, highlighting the significant effect of the positive ionospheric storm on the low‐latitude ionosphere. The roles of electrodynamical/neutral‐dynamical and compositional disturbances are discussed in view of these observations to understand low‐latitude ionospheric response when geomagnetic disturbance persists for longer duration.
Mechanisms of the disappearance of sea surface temperature fronts in the subtropical North Pacific Ocean
Authors: Qiu Chunhua , Kawamura Hiroshi , Mao Huabin , Wu Jiaxue 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe disappearance mechanisms of subtropical sea surface temperature (SST) fronts occurring from May to August were examined quantitatively using a simple mixed‐layer model. Weekly 2.5° data sets were matched up between satellite and in situ observations, including cloud‐free SST from Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer‐Earth Observing System (AMSR‐E) and Global Temperature and Salinity Profile Program (GTSPP) data. A 1.5 mixed‐layer model used in this study assumed that the temporal variation of the SST gradient was controlled by the resultant effect among the net heat flux, temperature advection (including Ekman and geostrophic), and the temperature entrainment at the bottom of the mixed layer. The net heat flux was found to provide a dominant contribution to the weakening of the SST front (decreasing SST gradient), while the temperature advection and the bottom entrainment were relatively weak. Decomposition of the net heat flux revealed that the meridional gradient of the latent heat flux is a direct factor in the weakening of the SST front, while the shortwave radiation could have indirect effects. The meridional gradient of the latent heat flux is induced by southerly winds, which in turn causes the weakening and disappearance of the SST front. Comparison of weekly and monthly averaged SST gradient modeling results with in situ observations demonstrated that the weekly SST gradient in the model agrees closely with AMSR‐E observations, but there was a large difference between the monthly SST gradient in the model and in the observations.