bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Race and Ethnicity on Outcomes With Drug-Eluting and Bare Metal Stents
Authors: Kumar Robert S. , Douglas Pamela S. , Peterson Eric D. , Anstrom Kevin J. , Dai David , Brennan J. Matthew , Hui Peter Y.M. , Booth Michael E. , Messenger John C. , Shaw Richard E. 
Published: April 2013

Background—
Black, Hispanic, and Asian patients have been underrepresented in percutaneous coronary intervention clinical trials; therefore, there are limited data available on outcomes for these race/ethnicity groups.

Methods and Results—
We examined outcomes in 423 965 patients in the National Cardiovascular Data Registry CathPCI Registry database linked to Medicare claims for follow-up. Within each race/ethnicity group, we examined trends in drug-eluting stent (DES) use, 30-month outcomes, and relative outcomes of DES versus bare metal stents. Overall, 390 351 white, 20 191 black, 9342 Hispanic, and 4171 Asian patients > 65 years of age underwent stent implantation from 2004 through 2008 at 940 National Cardiovascular Data Registry participating sites. Trends in adoption of DES were similar across all groups. Relative to whites, black and Hispanic patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention had higher long-term risks of death and myocardial infarction (blacks: hazard ratio, 1.28; 95% confidence interval, 1.24–1.32; Hispanics: hazard ratio, 1.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.10–1.21). Long-term outcomes were similar in Asians and whites (hazard ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.92–1.08). Use of DES was associated with better 30-month survival and lower myocardial infarction rates compared with the use of bare metal stents among all race/ethnicity groups except Hispanics, who had similar outcomes with DES or bare metal stents.

Conclusions—
Black and Hispanic patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention had worse long-term outcomes relative to white and Asian patients. Compared with bare metal stent use, DES use was generally associated with superior long-term outcomes in all racial and ethnic groups, although these differences were not statistically significant in Hispanic patients.
Status of Cardiovascular Health in US Adolescents
Authors: Shay Christina M. , Ning Hongyan , Daniels Stephen R. , Rooks Cherie R. , Gidding Samuel S. , Lloyd-Jones Donald M. 
Published: April 2013

Background—
The American Heart Association recently developed definitions and metrics for monitoring the spectrum of cardiovascular health in adolescents and children. Current nationally representative prevalence estimates according to sex and race/ethnicity are unavailable.

Methods and Results—
We examined the components of cardiovascular health in 4673 participants aged 12 to 19 years (representing ≈33.2 million US adolescents) from the 2005–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Population prevalence of individual cardiovascular health behaviors and factors was estimated according to American Heart Association criteria for poor, intermediate, and ideal levels. Ideal blood pressure was most prevalent (males, 78%; females, 90%), whereas a dramatically low prevalence of ideal Healthy Diet Score was observed (males, <1%; females, <1%). Females exhibited a lower prevalence of ideal total cholesterol (65% versus 72%, respectively) and ideal physical activity levels (44% versus 67%, respectively) yet a higher prevalence of ideal blood glucose (89% versus 74%, respectively) compared with males. Approximately two thirds of adolescents exhibited ideal body mass index (males, 66%; females, 67%) and ideal smoking status (males, 66%; females, 70%). Less than 50% of adolescents exhibited ≥5 ideal cardiovascular health components (45%, males; 50%, females). Prevalence estimates according to sex were consistent across race/ethnic groups.

Conclusions—
The low prevalence of ideal cardiovascular health behaviors in US adolescents, particularly physical activity and dietary intake, will likely contribute to a worsening prevalence of obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and dysglycemia as the current US adolescent population reaches adulthood. Population-wide emphasis on establishment of ideal cardiovascular health behaviors early in life is essential for maintenance of ideal cardiovascular health throughout the lifespan.
Evaluating the Land and Ocean Components of the Global Carbon Cycle in the CMIP5 Earth System Models
Authors: Anav A. , Friedlingstein P. , Kidston M. , Bopp L. , Ciais P. , Cox P. , Jones C. , Jung M. , Myneni R. , Zhu Z. 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
The authors assess the ability of 18 Earth system models to simulate the land and ocean carbon cycle for the present climate. These models will be used in the next Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) for climate projections, and such evaluation allows identification of the strengths and weaknesses of individual coupled carbon–climate models as well as identification of systematic biases of the models. Results show that models correctly reproduce the main climatic variables controlling the spatial and temporal characteristics of the carbon cycle. The seasonal evolution of the variables under examination is well captured. However, weaknesses appear when reproducing specific fields: in particular, considering the land carbon cycle, a general overestimation of photosynthesis and leaf area index is found for most of the models, while the ocean evaluation shows that quite a few models underestimate the primary production.The authors also propose climate and carbon cycle performance metrics in order to assess whether there is a set of consistently better models for reproducing the carbon cycle. Averaged seasonal cycles and probability density functions (PDFs) calculated from model simulations are compared with the corresponding seasonal cycles and PDFs from different observed datasets. Although the metrics used in this study allow identification of some models as better or worse than the average, the ranking of this study is partially subjective because of the choice of the variables under examination and also can be sensitive to the choice of reference data. In addition, it was found that the model performances show significant regional variations.
Apc regulates the function of hematopoietic stem cells largely through β-catenin–dependent mechanisms
Authors: Li Wenshu , Hou Yu , Ming Ming , Yu Long , Seba Amber , Qian Zhijian 
Published: April 2013

Key Points
Apc regulates the function of HSCs/HPCs largely through a β-catenin–mediated pathway. Multiple downstream targets of Apc may be involved in the regulation of HSC self-renewal.
Mealybugs nested endosymbiosis: going into the ‘matryoshka’ system in Planococcus citri in depth
Authors: López-Madrigal Sergio , Latorre Amparo , Porcar Manuel , Moya Andrés , Gil Rosario 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
In all branches of life there are plenty of symbiotic associations. Insects are particularly well suited to establishing intracellular symbiosis with bacteria, providing them with metabolic capabilities they lack. Essential primary endosymbionts can coexist with facultative secondary symbionts which can, eventually, establish metabolic complementation with the primary endosymbiont, becoming a co-primary. Usually, both endosymbionts maintain their cellular identity. An exception is the endosymbiosis found in mealybugs of the subfamily Pseudoccinae, such as Planococcus citri, with Moranella endobia located inside Tremblaya princeps.

Results
We report the genome sequencing of M. endobia str. PCVAL and the comparative genomic analyses of the genomes of strains PCVAL and PCIT of both consortium partners. A comprehensive analysis of their functional capabilities and interactions reveals their functional coupling, with many cases of metabolic and informational complementation. Using comparative genomics, we confirm that both genomes have undergone a reductive evolution, although with some unusual genomic features as a consequence of coevolving in an exceptional compartmentalized organization.

Conclusions

M. endobia seems to be responsible for the biosynthesis of most cellular components and energy provision, and controls most informational processes for the consortium, while T. princeps appears to be a mere factory for amino acid synthesis, and translating proteins, using the precursors provided by M. endobia. In this scenario, we propose that both entities should be considered part of a composite organism whose compartmentalized scheme (somehow) resembles a eukaryotic cell.
Human single-stranded DNA binding proteins are essential for maintaining genomic stability
Authors: Ashton Nicholas W , Bolderson Emma , Cubeddu Liza , O’Byrne Kenneth J , Richard Derek J 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
The double-stranded conformation of cellular DNA is a central aspect of DNA stabilisation and protection. The helix preserves the genetic code against chemical and enzymatic degradation, metabolic activation, and formation of secondary structures. However, there are various instances where single-stranded DNA is exposed, such as during replication or transcription, in the synthesis of chromosome ends, and following DNA damage. In these instances, single-stranded DNA binding proteins are essential for the sequestration and processing of single-stranded DNA. In order to bind single-stranded DNA, these proteins utilise a characteristic and evolutionary conserved single-stranded DNA-binding domain, the oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide-binding (OB)-fold. In the current review we discuss a subset of these proteins involved in the direct maintenance of genomic stability, an important cellular process in the conservation of cellular viability and prevention of malignant transformation. We discuss the central roles of single-stranded DNA binding proteins from the OB-fold domain family in DNA replication, the restart of stalled replication forks, DNA damage repair, cell cycle-checkpoint activation, and telomere maintenance.
High resolution melting analysis of KRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA in KRASexon 2 wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer
Authors: Guedes Joana G , Veiga Isabel , Rocha Patrícia , Pinto Pedro , Pinto Carla , Pinheiro Manuela , Peixoto Ana , Fragoso Maria , Raimundo Ana , Ferreira Paula , Machado Manuela , Sousa Nuno , Lopes Paula , Araújo António , Macedo Joana , Alves Fernando , Coutinho Camila , Henrique Rui , Santos Lúcio L , Teixeira Manuel R 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
KRAS is an EGFR effector in the RAS/RAF/ERK cascade that is mutated in about 40% of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Activating mutations in codons 12 and 13 of the KRAS gene are the only established negative predictors of response to anti-EGFR therapy and patients whose tumors harbor such mutations are not candidates for therapy. However, 40 to 60% of wild-type cases do not respond to anti-EGFR therapy, suggesting the involvement of other genes that act downstream of EGFR in the RAS-RAF-MAPK and PI3K-AKT pathways or activating KRAS mutations at other locations of the gene.

Methods
DNA was obtained from a consecutive series of 201 mCRC cases (FFPE tissue), wild-type for KRAS exon 2 (codons 12 and 13). Mutational analysis of KRAS (exons 3 and 4), BRAF (exons 11 and 15), and PIK3CA (exons 9 and 20) was performed by high resolution melting (HRM) and positive cases were then sequenced.

Results
One mutation was present in 23.4% (47/201) of the cases and 3.0% additional cases (6/201) had two concomitant mutations. A total of 53 cases showed 59 mutations, with the following distribution: 44.1% (26/59) in KRAS (13 in exon 3 and 13 in exon 4), 18.6% (11/59) in BRAF (two in exon 11 and nine in exon 15) and 37.3% (22/59) in PIK3CA (16 in exon 9 and six in exon 20). In total, 26.4% (53/201) of the cases had at least one mutation and the remaining 73.6% (148/201) were wild-type for all regions studied. Five of the mutations we report, four in KRAS and one in BRAF, have not previously been described in CRC. BRAF and PIK3CA mutations were more frequent in the colon than in the sigmoid or rectum: 20.8% vs. 1.6% vs. 0.0% (P=0.000) for BRAF and 23.4% vs. 12.1% vs. 5.4% (P=0.011) for PIK3CA mutations.

Conclusions
About one fourth of mCRC cases wild-type for KRAS codons 12 and 13 present other mutations either in KRAS, BRAF, or PIK3CA, many of which may explain the lack of response to anti-EGFR therapy observed in a significant proportion of these patients.
Serum pigment epithelium-derived factor levels are independently correlated with the presence of coronary artery disease
Authors: Wang Feifei , Ma Xiaojing , Zhou Mi , Pan Xiaoping , Ni Jie , Gao Meifang , Lu Zhigang , Hang Jingyu , Bao Yuqian , Jia Weiping 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackgroundPigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) has been proved to be closely correlated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components that are all risk factors of cardiovascular disease and may play a protective role against vascular injury and atherosclerosis. The present study was designed to investigate the relationship between serum PEDF and coronary artery disease (CAD).MethodsA total of 312 consecutive in-patients (including 228 with CAD and 197 with MetS) who underwent coronary angiography were enrolled. Serum PEDF was measured by sandwich enzyme immunoassay and used to carry out multivariate stepwise regression analysis to assess correlation with patient demographic and clinical parameters. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors independently correlated with CAD.ResultsPatients with MetS had significantly higher levels of serum PEDF than non-MetS subjects (11.1(8.2, 14.2) vs. 10.1(7.6, 12.4) μg/mL;P < 0.05). Patients with CAD also had significantly higher serum PEDF than non-CAD subjects (11.0(8.1, 14.2) vs. 10.3(8.1, 12.8) μg/mL;P < 0.05). Triglyceride (TG), C-reactive protein (CRP), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and hypoglycemic therapy were independently correlated with serum PEDF levels, and serum PEDF was independently positively correlated with CAD.ConclusionsSerum PEDF levels are independently positively associated with CAD in a Chinese population. Elevated PEDF may act as a protective response against vascular damage and subsequent CAD.
Follicle-stimulating hormone responsiveness in antral follicles from aryl hydrocarbon receptor knockout mice
Authors: Hernández-Ochoa Isabel , Gao Liying , Peretz Jackye , Basavarajappa Mallikarjuna S , Bunting Stacey L , Karman Bethany N , Paulose Tessie , Flaws Jodi A 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
Previous studies have demonstrated that pre-pubertal aryl hydrocarbon receptor knockout (AHRKO) mice have slow antral follicle growth and reduced capacity to produce estradiol compared to wild-type (WT) mice. Although previous studies have suggested that this is likely due to a reduced ability of the AHRKO follicles to respond to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), this possibility was not directly tested. Thus, the goal of these studies was to test the hypothesis that low FSH responsiveness is responsible for the slow growth and reduced estradiol production observed in pre-pubertal AHRKO versus WT antral follicles.

Methods
Antral follicles from WT and AHRKO mice were cultured with varying amounts of FSH (0–15 IU/mL) for up to 7 days, and subjected to measurements of growth, FSH receptor and steroidogenic regulator expression, sex steroid hormone levels, and inhibin beta-A expression. General linear models (GLM) for repeated measures were used to compare follicle diameters over time among treatments. If the global tests from GLM were significant, Tukey’s tests were used for pairwise comparisons. Remaining comparisons among groups were performed using one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey’s post hoc test.

Results
The results indicate that FSH stimulated growth in both WT and AHRKO follicles, but that high levels of FSH (10–15 IU/mL) were required for AHRKO follicles to reach maximal growth, whereas lower levels of FSH (5 IU/mL) were required for WT follicles to reach maximal growth. Further, FSH stimulated expression of FSH receptor, steroidogenic factors, and inhibin beta-A as well as production of steroid hormones in both WT and AHRKO follicles, but the degree of stimulation differed betw een WT and AHRKO follicles. Interestingly, FSH treatment increased expression of FSH receptor, some steroidogenic regulators, inhibin beta-A, and steroid hormone production more in AHRKO follicles compared to WT follicles.

Conclusions
Collectively, these data suggest that the slow growth, but not reduced steroidogenesis in AHRKO follicles, is due to their reduced ability to respond to FSH compared to WT follicles. These data also suggest that the AHR may contribute to the ability of FSH to stimulate proper follicle growth, but it may not contribute to FSH-induced steroidogenesis.
Biodegradation of 2,4-dinitrophenol with laccase immobilized on nano-porous silica beads
Authors: Dehghanifard Emad , Jonidi Jafari Ahmad , Rezaei Kalantary Roshanak , Mahvi Amir Hosein , Faramarzi Mohammad Ali , Esrafili Ali 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Many organic hazardous pollutants, including 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP), which are water soluble, toxic, and not easily biodegradable make concerns for environmental pollution worldwide. In the present study, degradation of nitrophenols-contained effluents by using laccase immobilized on the nano-porous silica beads was evaluated. 2,4-DNP was selected as the main constituent of industrial effluents containing nitrophenols. The performance of the system was characterized as a function of pH, contact time, temperature, pollutant, and mediator concentrations. The laccase-silica beads were employed in a mixed-batch reactor to determine the degradation efficiency after 12 h of enzyme treatment. The obtained data showed that the immobilized laccase degraded more than 90% of 2,4-DNP within 12 h treatment. The immobilization process improved the activity and sustainability of laccase for degradation of the pollutant. Temperatures more than 50°C reduced the enzyme activity to about 60%. However, pH and the mediator concentration could not affect the enzyme activity. The degradation kinetic was in accordance with a Michaelis–Menten equation with Vmax and Km obtained as 0.25–0.38 μmoles/min and 0.13–0.017 mM, respectively. The stability of the immobilized enzyme was maintained for more than 85% of its initial activity after 30 days. Based on the results, it can be concluded that high resistibility and reusability of immobilized laccase on CPC-silica beads make it considerable choice for wastewater treatment.
Genomic analysis of a newly isolated of Japanese encephalitis virus strain, CQ11-66, from a pediatric patient in China
Authors: Xu Li-Juan , Liu Ruixi , Ye Sheng , Ling Hua , Zhu Chao-Min 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is one of the major causative agents of viral encephalitis in East Asia, Southeast Asia and Australia. However, no clinical JEV strain has yet been isolated from JE patients in Chongqing, China. In this study, we report the genomic analysis of a new JEV strain, CQ11-66, isolated from a pediatric patient in Chongqing, China.

Findings
Virus isolation was carried out in BHK-21 cells. Nested PCR was used to detect and isolate the JEV strain, and computer analysis of phylogenetic relationships, nucleic acid homology studies and deduction of the amino acid sequence were conducted using ClustalX (1.8) and Mega5 software. The JEV strain CQ11-66 was isolated from patient cerebrospinal fluid. The sequenced genome of CQ11-66 was 10,863 nucleotides in length, whereas other strains, such as SX09S-01, contain 10,965 nucleotides. Sequence comparison of the CQ11-66 polyprotein open reading frame (ORF) with those of 21 other JEV strains revealed that the nucleotide sequence divergence ranged from 1.68% to 18.46%. Sequence analysis of the full-length CQ11-66 E gene sequence with those of 30 other JEV isolates also identified nucleotide divergence, ranging from 1.69% to 18.74%. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that the CQ11-66 strain belonged to genotype III.

Conclusions
JEV genotype III still circulates in Chongqing and it is therefore important for active surveillance of JEV genotype III to be conducted in the pediatric population.
Chondrocyte density, proteoglycan content and gene expressions from native cartilage are species specific and not dependent on cartilage thickness: a comparative analysis between rat, rabbit and goat
Authors: Kamisan Norazian , Naveen Sangeetha Vasudevaraj , Ahmad Raja Elina , Tunku Kamarul 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
In many pre-clinical studies of cartilage tissue, it has been generally assumed that the major difference of the tissue between the species is the tissue thickness, which is related to the size of the animal itself. At present, there appear to be lack of studies demonstrating the relationship between chondrocyte densities, protein content, gene expressions and cartilage thickness in the various animal models that are commonly used. The present study was conducted to determine whether or not chondrocyte density, proteoglycan/protein content and selective chondrocyte gene expression are merely related to the cartilage thickness (thus animal size), and not the intrinsic nature of the species being investigated. Mature animals (rabbit, rats and goats) were sacrificed for their hind knee cartilages. Image analyses were performed on five consecutive histological sections, sampled from three pre-defined locations at the lateral and medial femoral condyles. Cartilage thickness, chondrocyte density, Glycosaminoglycan (GAGs)/protein content and gene expression levels for collagen II and SOX-9 were compared across the groups. Correlation analysis was done between cartilage thickness and the other variables.

Results
The mean cartilage thickness of rats, rabbits and goats were 166.5 ± 10.9, 356.2 ± 25.0 907.5 ± 114.6 μm, respectively. The mean cartilage cell densities were 3.3 ± 0.4×10-3 for rats, 2.6 ± 0.3×10-3 for rabbits and 1.3 ± 0.2×10-3 cells/μm2 for goats. The mean μg GAG/mg protein content were 23.8 ± 8.6 in rats, 20.5 ± 5.3 in rabbits and 328.7 ± 64.5 in goats; collagen II gene expressions were increased by 0.5 ± 0.1 folds in rats; 0.6 ± 0.1 folds in rabbits, and 0.1 ± 0.1 folds in goats, whilst the fold increase of SOX-9 gene expression was 0.5 ± 0.1 in rats, 0.7 ± 0.1 in rabbits and 0.1 ± 0.0 in goats. Cartilage thickness correlated positively with animals’ weight (R2 =0.9856, p = 0.001) and GAG/protein content (R2 =0.6163, p = <0.001). Whereas, it correlates negatively with cell density (R2 = 0.7981, p < 0.001) and cartilage gene expression levels (R2 = 0.6395, p < 0.001).

Conclusion
There are differences in the composition of the articular cartilage in diverse species, which are not directly dependent on the cartilage thickness of these animals but rather the unique characteristics of that species. Therefore, the species-specific nature of the cartilage tissue should be considered during any data interpretation.