bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MnSOD
tg
Mice Control Myocardial Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress and Remodeling Responses Elicited in Chronic Chagas Disease
Authors: Dhiman Monisha , Wan Xianxiu , Popov Vsevolod L. , Vargas Gracie , Garg Nisha Jain 
Published: October 2013

Background

We utilized genetically modified mice equipped with a variable capacity to scavenge mitochondrial and cellular reactive oxygen species to investigate the pathological significance of oxidative stress in
C
hagas disease.

Methods and Results

C57
BL
/6 mice (wild type, Mn
SOD
tg
, Mn
SOD
+/−
,
GP
x1
−/−
) were infected with
Trypanosoma cruzi
and harvested during the chronic disease phase. Chronically infected mice exhibited a substantial increase in plasma levels of inflammatory markers (nitric oxide, myeloperoxidase), lactate dehydrogenase, and myocardial levels of inflammatory infiltrate and oxidative adducts (malondialdehyde, carbonyls, 3‐nitrotyrosine) in the order of wild type=Mn
SOD
+/−
>
GP
x1
−/−
>Mn
SOD
tg
. Myocardial mitochondrial damage was pronounced and associated with a >50% decline in mitochondrial
DNA
content in chronically infected wild‐type and
GP
x1
−/−
mice. Imaging of intact heart for cardiomyocytes and collagen by the nonlinear optical microscopy techniques of multiphoton fluorescence/second harmonic generation showed a significant increase in collagen (>10‐fold) in chronically infected wild‐type mice, whereas
GP
x1
−/−
mice exhibited a basal increase in collagen that did not change during the chronic phase. Chronically infected Mn
SOD
tg
mice exhibited a marginal decline in mitochondrial
DNA
content and no changes in collagen signal in the myocardium. P47
phox−/−
mice lacking phagocyte‐generated reactive oxygen species sustained a low level of myocardial oxidative stress and mitochondrial
DNA
damage in response to
Trypanosoma cruzi
infection. Yet chronically infected p47
phox−/−
mice exhibited increase in myocardial inflammatory and remodeling responses, similar to that noted in chronically infected wild‐type mice.

Conclusions
Inhibition of oxidative burst of phagocytes was not sufficient to prevent pathological cardiac remodeling in Chagas disease. Instead, enhancing the mitochondrial reactive oxygen species scavenging capacity was beneficial in controlling the inflammatory and oxidative pathology and the cardiac remodeling responses that are hallmarks of chronic Chagas disease.
A Clinical Rule (Sex, Contralateral Occlusion, Age, and Restenosis) to Select Patients for Stenting Versus Carotid Endarterectomy
Authors: Touzé Emmanuel , Trinquart Ludovic , Felgueiras Rui , Rerkasem Kittipan , Bonati Leo H. , Meliksetyan Gayané , Ringleb Peter A. , Mas Jean-Louis , Brown Martin M. , Rothwell Peter M. 
Published: October 2013

Background and Purpose—
Compared with carotid endarterectomy (CEA), carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) is associated with a higher risk of procedural stroke or death especially in patients with symptomatic stenosis. However, after the perioperative period, risk is similar with both treatments, suggesting that CAS could be an acceptable option in selected patients.

Methods—
We performed systematic reviews of observational studies of procedural risks of CEA or CAS and extracted data on 9 predefined risk factors (age, contralateral carotid occlusion, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, sex, hypertension, peripheral artery disease, and type and side of stenosis). We calculated pooled relative risks of procedural stroke or death. Factors with differential effects on risk of CAS versus CEA were identified by interaction tests and used to derive a rule. The rule was tested using individual patient data from randomized trials of CAS versus CEA from the Carotid Stenting Trialists’ Collaboration (CSTC).

Results—

We identified 170 studies. The effects of sex, contralateral occlusion, age, and restenosis (SCAR) on the procedural risk of stroke or death differed. Patients with contralateral occlusion or restenosis and women <75 years were at relatively low risk for CAS (SCAR negative), with all others being high risk (SCAR positive). Among the 3049 patients in the CSTC validation, 694 (23%) patients were SCAR negative. The pooled RR of procedural stroke and death with CAS versus CEA was 0.93 (0.49–1.77;
P
=0.83) in SCAR-negative and 2.41 (1.68–3.45;
P
<0.0001) in SCAR-positive patients (
P
[interaction]=0.05).

Conclusions—
The SCAR rule is potentially useful to identify patients in whom CAS has a similar risk of perioperative stroke or death to CEA.
Stroke Awareness Among Inpatient Nursing Staff at an Academic Medical Center
Authors: Adelman Eric E. , Meurer William J. , Nance Dorinda K. , Kocan Mary Jo , Maddox Kate E. , Morgenstern Lewis B. , Skolarus Lesli E. 
Published: October 2013

Background and Purpose—
Because 10% of strokes occur in hospitalized patients, we sought to evaluate stroke knowledge and predictors of stroke knowledge among inpatient and emergency department nursing staff.

Methods—
Nursing staff completed an online stroke survey. The survey queried outcome expectations (the importance of rapid stroke identification), self-efficacy in recognizing stroke, and stroke knowledge (to name 3 stroke warning signs or symptoms). Adequate stroke knowledge was defined as the ability to name ≥2 stroke warning signs. Logistic regression was used to identify the association between stroke symptom knowledge and staff characteristics (education, clinical experience, and nursing unit), stroke self-efficacy, and outcome expectations.

Results—
A total of 875 respondents (84% response rate) completed the survey and most of the respondents were nurses. More than 85% of respondents correctly reported ≥2 stroke warning signs or symptoms. Greater self-efficacy in identifying stroke symptoms (odds ratio, 1.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.01–1.27) and higher ratings for the importance of rapid identification of stroke symptoms (odds ratio, 1.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.002–1.51) were associated with stroke knowledge. Clinical experience, educational experience, nursing unit, and personal knowledge of a stroke patient were not associated with stroke knowledge.

Conclusions—
Stroke outcome expectations and self-efficacy are associated with stroke knowledge and should be included in nursing education about stroke.
Cost of Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Canada During 1 Decade
Authors: Specogna Adrian V. , Patten Scott B. , Turin Tanvir C. , Hill Michael D. 
Published: October 2013

Background and Purpose—
Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is widely considered to be the most devastating form of stroke in North America. Currently there is no clear understanding of the cost of treatment in Canada and thus no way of understanding how to manage ICH spending in this country.

Methods—
We used a cohort study design to report and to examine the cost of ICH hospital care in a Canadian health center during 1 decade. Economic, treatment, and patients data were obtained from clinical and administrative sources.

Results—
Analyses were performed using 987 consecutive patients with ICH from 1999 to 2008. The total inflation-adjusted cost of care was highly variable (median cost per discharge, $10 544.45 and $363.54 [min] to $265 470.43 [max] United States Dollars). Total cost did not change significantly during the decade. Patients age (cost change per year older, −$114.06 and −$189.01 to −$38.78) and in-hospital mortality (cost change for death, −$5092.84 and −$6270.65 to −$3697.09) were significantly associated with lower cost, whereas Charlson Comorbidity Index (cost change for ≥1, $5726.27 and $3965.36 to $7755.45), having surgery (cost change for surgery, $25 499.78 and $20 813.95 to $30 933.06), and admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (cost change for ≥15 points, $7800.20 and $1637.78 to $17 026.38) were significantly associated with higher cost.

Conclusions—
To our knowledge, this is the most thorough published study to date to report and to examine predictors of ICH treatment costs in Canada. This study provides evidence that it may be reasonable to consider patients age, probability of death, level of comorbidity, need for surgery, and baseline ICH severity when forecasting health spending.
A Forty-Year Search for a Single-Negotiating Text: Rio+20 as a Post-Agreement Negotiation
Authors: Wagner Lynn M. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThis article elaborates on the place of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, also known as Rio+20) in a forty-year trajectory of international sustainable development negotiations, particularly through the processes placed in motion during the 1992 Rio Earth Summit event. The negotiation of the final UNCSD document also can be evaluated in its own right, and the article examines this process in the second section, keeping in mind the negotiating system in which the talks took place. The final section focuses on the process as a post-agreement negotiation and considers the role of the twenty-year milestone negotiations in shaping the sustainable development regime. The article explores in particular the role that consensus negotiated agreements have played as the regime’s decision-making procedure, and how this procedure has faltered as the complexity – including the number of issues, actors and obligations incorporated into the regime – has increased. Two elements from the Rio+20 outcome – a “take-it-or-change-it” facilitation approach of the Brazilian hosts and the adoption of a process to create “sustainable development goals” as a different means to focus international expectations – are presented as new directions for decision making in the regime’s next rounds of regime governance and regime adjustment negotiations.
Nuclear Politics of Denial: South Africa and the Additional Protocol
Authors: Pretorius Joelien 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
South Africa was one of the first states to conclude an Additional Protocol with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 2002, allowing the IAEA greater right of access to safeguard nuclear activities and material. In light of this, some observers in the arms control community find it odd that South Africa’s representatives at the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) would be the main objectors to making the conclusion of an Additional Protocol a precondition for states wishing to import uranium enrichment and reprocessing technology (classified as sensitive nuclear technology and material). The South African objection should be viewed as only the most recent in a series of objections to measures that may seem obviously in line with nuclear non-proliferation. This emerging pattern in South Africa’s nuclear diplomacy and, more specifically, the objection to the Additional Protocol condition are related to its membership in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and can be investigated through the lens of a politics of denial. Denial is the act of saying “no”, but it is also in psychological parlance the unconscious thought process manifesting a refusal to acknowledge the existence of certain unpleasant aspects of external reality. It will be argued that South Africa’s opposition to the Additional Protocol condition can be explained in the context of two instances of denial: (i) a perceived denial by the nuclear haves of what the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty codifies as an inalienable right to peaceful nuclear technology – something that South Africa is cautious to be complicit in; and (ii) the nuclear weapon states’ denial (the psychological meaning) of the unpleasant reality of a hypocritical nuclear order – something that South Africa wants to expose or at least something with which to engage to limit the effects for itself and other NAM members. The politics of denial does not yield to a pragmatist/utopian dichotomy in the nuclear realm, but instead reveals the dialectic nature of realism and idealism in nuclear politics, especially as reflected in South Africa’s nuclear diplomacy.
Observed Atmospheric Response to Cold Season Sea Ice Variability in the Arctic
Authors: Frankignoul Claude , Sennéchael Nathalie , Cauchy Pierre 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
The relation between weekly Arctic sea ice concentrations (SICs) from December to April and sea level pressure (SLP) during 1979–2007 is investigated using maximum covariance analysis (MCA). In the North Atlantic sector, the interaction between the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and a SIC seesaw between the Labrador Sea and the Greenland–Barents Sea dominates. The NAO drives the seesaw and in return the seesaw precedes a midwinter/spring NAO-like signal of the opposite polarity but with a strengthened northern lobe, thus acting as a negative feedback, with maximum squared covariance at a lag of 6 weeks. Statistical significance decreases when SLP is considered in the whole Northern Hemisphere but it increases when North Pacific SIC is included in the analysis. The maximum squared covariance then occurs after 8 weeks, resembling a combination of the NAO response to the Atlantic SIC seesaw and the Aleutian–Icelandic low seesaw-like response to in-phase SIC changes in the Bering and Okhotsk Seas, which is found to lag the North Pacific SIC. Adding SST anomalies to the SIC anomalies in the MCA leads to a loss of significance when the MCA is limited to the North Atlantic sector and a slight degradation in the Pacific and hemispheric cases, suggesting that SIC is the driver of the midwinter/spring atmospheric signal. However, North Pacific cold season SST anomalies also precede a NAO/Arctic Oscillation (AO)-like SLP signal after a shorter delay of 3–4 weeks.
Dynamical Effects of Aerosol Perturbations on Simulated Idealized Squall Lines
Authors: Lebo Zachary J. , Morrison Hugh 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
The dynamical effects of increased aerosol loading on the strength and structure of numerically simulated squall lines are explored. Results are explained in the context of Rotunno–Klemp–Weisman (RKW) theory. Changes in aerosol loading lead to changes in raindrop size and number that ultimately affect the strength of the cold pool via changes in evaporation. Thus, the balance between cold pool and low-level wind shear–induced vorticities can be changed by an aerosol perturbation. Simulations covering a wide range of low-level wind shears are performed to study the sensitivity to aerosols in different environments and provide more general conclusions. Simulations with relatively weak low-level environmental wind shear (0.0024 s−1) have a relatively strong cold pool circulation compared to the environmental shear. An increase in aerosol loading leads to a weakening of the cold pool and, hence, a more optimal balance between the cold pool– and environmental shear–induced circulations according to RKW theory. Consequently, there is an increase in the convective mass flux of nearly 20% in polluted conditions relative to pristine. This strengthening coincides with more upright convective updrafts and a significant increase (nearly 20%) in cumulative precipitation. An increase in aerosol loading in a strong wind shear environment (0.0064 s−1) leads to less optimal storms and a suppression of the convective mass flux and precipitation. This occurs because the cold pool circulation is weak relative to the environmental shear when the shear is strong, and further weakening of the cold pool with high aerosol loading leads to an even less optimal storm structure (i.e., convective updrafts begin to tilt downshear).
Virologic and Immunologic Effectiveness at 48 Weeks of Darunavir–Ritonavir-Based Regimens in Treatment-Experienced Persons Living with HIV-1 Infection in Clinical Practice
Authors: Biscione Fernando Martín , Westin Mateus Rodrigues , Ribeiro Karina Mota , Estevam Denize Lotufo , Cardoso Sandra Wagner , Tenore Simone Barros , Neto Lauro Ferreira da Silva Pinto , Alencastro Paulo Ricardo , Suffert Theodoro Armando , de Moraes Mônica Jacques , Barbosa Alexandre Naime , Morejón Karen Mirna Loro , de Arruda Érico Antônio Gomes , Silveira Jussara María , Neto José Luiz Andrade , Greco Dirceu Bartolomeu , Tupinambás Unaí 
Published: October 2013

Introduction: Published data addressing the effectiveness of darunavir–ritonavir (DRV/r)-based therapy for multiexperienced patients in developing countries are scarce. This study evaluated the 48-week virologic and immunologic effectiveness of salvage therapy based on DRV/r for the treatment of multidrug-experienced HIV-1-infected adults in Brazil. Materials and Methods: A multicenter retrospective cohort study was carried out with multidrug-experienced adults who were on a failing antiretroviral therapy and started a DRV/r-based salvage therapy between 2008 and 2010. The primary effectiveness end point was the proportion of patients with virologic success (plasma HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL at week 48). Results: At 48 weeks, 73% of the patients had HIV-RNA <50 copies/mL and a mean increase of 108 CD4 cells/mm3. Higher baseline viral load, lower baseline CD4 count, younger age, and 3 or more DRV/r-associated resistance mutations were significantly predictive of virologic failure. Concomitant use of raltegravir was strongly associated with virologic success. Conclusion: The use of DRV/r-based regimens for salvage therapy is an effective strategy in the clinical care setting of a developing country.
Fungal genomes mining to discover novel sterol esterases and lipases as catalysts
Authors: Barriuso Jorge , Prieto Alicia , Martínez Maria Jesus 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
Sterol esterases and lipases are enzymes able to efficiently catalyze synthesis and hydrolysis reactions of both sterol esters and triglycerides and due to their versatility could be widely used in different industrial applications. Lipases with this ability have been reported in the yeast Candida rugosa that secretes several extracellular enzymes with a high level of sequence identity, although different substrate specificity. This versatility has also been found in the sterol esterases from the ascomycetes Ophiostoma piceae and Melanocarpus albomyces.

Results
In this work we present an in silico search of new sterol esterase and lipase sequences from the genomes of environmental fungi. The strategy followed included identification and search of conserved domains from these versatile enzymes, phylogenetic studies, sequence analysis and 3D modeling of the selected candidates.

Conclusions
Six potential putative enzymes were selected and their kinetic properties and substrate selectivity are discussed on the basis of their similarity with previously characterized sterol esterases/lipases with known structures.
A novel type of N-acetylglutamate synthase is involved in the first step of arginine biosynthesis in Corynebacterium glutamicum
Authors: Petri Kathrin , Walter Frederik , Persicke Marcus , Rückert Christian , Kalinowski Jörn 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
Arginine biosynthesis in Corynebacterium glutamicum consists of eight enzymatic steps, starting with acetylation of glutamate, catalysed by N-acetylglutamate synthase (NAGS). There are different kinds of known NAGSs, for example, “classical” ArgA, bifunctional ArgJ, ArgO, and S-NAGS. However, since C. glutamicum possesses a monofunctional ArgJ, which catalyses only the fifth step of the arginine biosynthesis pathway, glutamate must be acetylated by an as of yet unknown NAGS gene.

Results
Arginine biosynthesis was investigated by metabolome profiling using defined gene deletion mutants that were expected to accumulate corresponding intracellular metabolites. HPLC-ESI-qTOF analyses gave detailed insights into arginine metabolism by detecting six out of seven intermediates of arginine biosynthesis. Accumulation of N-acetylglutamate in all mutants was a further confirmation of the unknown NAGS activity. To elucidate the identity of this gene, a genomic library of C. glutamicum was created and used to complement an Escherichia coli ΔargA mutant. The plasmid identified, which allowed functional complementation, contained part of gene cg3035, which contains an acetyltransferase domain in its amino acid sequence. Deletion of cg3035 in the C. glutamicum genome led to a partial auxotrophy for arginine. Heterologous overexpression of the entire cg3035 gene verified its ability to complement the E. coli ΔargA mutant in vivo and homologous overexpression led to a significantly higher intracellular N-acetylglutamate pool. Enzyme assays confirmed the N-acetylglutamate synthase activity of Cg3035 in vitro. However, the amino acid sequence of Cg3035 revealed no similarities to members of known NAGS gene families.

Conclusions
The N-acetylglutamate synthase Cg3035 is able to catalyse the first step of arginine biosynthesis in C. glutamicum. It represents a novel class of NAGS genes apparently present only in bacteria of the suborder Corynebacterineae, comprising amongst others the genera Corynebacterium, Mycobacterium, and Nocardia. Therefore, the name C-NAGS (Corynebacterineae-type NAGS) is proposed for this new family.
Asymptomatic subjects with diabetes have a comparable risk of coronary artery disease to Non-diabetic subjects presenting chest pain: a 4-year community-based prospective study
Authors: Koo Bo Kyung , Kim Yun Gi , Park Kyong Soo , Moon Min Kyong 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
Although diabetes mellitus is an important risk factor of coronary artery disease (CAD), routine screening for CAD is not recommended for asymptomatic diabetic patients. We assessed the impact of chest pain on CAD risk according to the presence or absence of diabetes mellitus.

Methods
We investigated the future CAD event rate in subjects with and without chest pain according to the presence or absence of diabetes in a prospective large-scale community-based study in Korea.

Results
Among 8,574 subjects (4,032 men and 4,542 women) without a history of CAD, 0.8% and 2.2% of non-diabetic and diabetic subjects, respectively, reported newly developed CAD events during 4 years of follow-up. Although the presence of chest pain at baseline was also significantly associated with an increased risk of CAD of more than 2-fold in both non-diabetic and diabetic subjects (P < 0.01), the risk of future CVD event in asymptomatic diabetic patients was not significantly different from that in non-diabetic subjects with chest pain (hazard ratio, 0.907; 95% confidence interval, 0.412 – 1.998).

Conclusions
The CAD event rate of asymptomatic subjects with diabetes was comparable to that of non-diabetic subjects reporting chest pain. Considering the high risk of CAD in asymptomatic diabetic patients, more clinical trials aimed at formulating strategies to screen asymptomatic diabetic subjects should be carried out.