bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multidisciplinary efforts toward sustained road safety benefits: Integrating place-based and people-based safety analyses
Authors: Loo Becky P Y , Chow C B , Leung M , Kwong T H J , Lai S F A , Chau Y H 
Published: October 2012

Relevant local injury epidemiologyIn Hong Kong, there were, on average, about 19 596 traffic crashes involving 157 deaths and 21 106 injured persons each year between 2006 and 2011. Scientific analyses were conducted by geographers and engineers primarily using the police crash database. Medical professionals have been analysing road traffic injury data from hospital discharge summaries. Moreover, community leaders have been trying to promote local safe communities.Best practicesThis paper describes the effort of a multidisciplinary team to address road safety problems and to sustain road safety benefits through a public health approach. The multidisciplinary team comprised a geographer, an engineer, medical professionals and community leaders. The project covered four tasks, namely data integration, identification of hazardous road locations, crash analysis and engineering study, and knowledge exchange through various activities involving a WHO-designated local safe community.ImplementationThe crash and hospital databases for a district in Hong Kong with 500 000 population were integrated. Based on the integrated database, the public health and people-based approach was adopted to identify hazardous road locations—hot zones—using geographical information systems. Specific hot zones having strong patterns of common factors were considered as treatable locations with a combination of low-cost remedial measures. The benefits of the project are sustained through various activities engaging the general public and major stakeholders.Research agendaMore research should be conducted on how institutional support, scientific research and community involvement can be fruitfully combined to achieve the ultimate goal of sustained road safety benefits for people at the community level.
Stent-Based Thrombectomy Versus Intravenous Tissue Plasminogen Activator in Patients With Acute Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion
Authors: Leker Ronen R. , Eichel Roni , Gomori John M. , de Noriega Fernando Ramirez , Ben-Hur Tamir , Cohen Jose E. 
Published: October 2012

Background and Purpose—
Our goal was to compare outcomes of patients with proximal middle cerebral artery occlusions treated with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) with those of patients treated with stent-based thrombectomy (SBT).

Methods—
Patients with proximal middle cerebral artery occlusions included in our prospective stroke registry were identified. Patients presenting with moderate to severe stroke defined as National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≥10 were included. Patients treated with tPA were compared with those treated with SBT. Disability was measured with the modified Rankin Scale and shifts toward favorable outcomes (modified Rankin Scale ≤2) were analyzed. Logistic regression was used to determine outcome modifiers.

Results—

We included 22 patients treated with SBT and 66 treated with tPA. Patients treated with SBT had higher admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores (median 21 vs 14.5;
P
<0.001) and prolonged symptom onset-to-treatment times (median 240 vs 95 minutes;
P
<0.001). At discharge, the magnitude of change in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was larger in the thrombectomy group (median 12 vs 6 points;
P
<0.001). At 90 days poststroke there was a shift toward favorable outcome in the thrombectomy group (60% vs 37.5%;
P
=0.001). Treatment allocation did not impact outcome in the regression analysis.

Conclusions—
Treatment of patients with proximal middle cerebral artery occlusions with SBT resulted in a shift toward more favorable outcomes compared with tPA. Randomized controlled studies are needed to explore whether treatment with SBT should be used in patients presenting within the first hours after stroke.
Mesoscale Variations of the Atmospheric Snow Line over the Northern Sierra Nevada: Multiyear Statistics, Case Study, and Mechanisms
Authors: Minder Justin R. , Kingsmill David E. 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Observations from several mountain ranges reveal that the height of the transition from snowfall to rainfall, the snow line, can intersect the terrain at an elevation hundreds of meters below its elevation in the free air upwind. This mesoscale lowering of the snow line affects both the accumulation of mountain snowpack and the generation of storm runoff. A unique multiyear view of this behavior based on data from profiling radars in the northern Sierra Nevada deployed as part of NOAA’s Hydrometeorology Testbed is presented. Data from 3 yr of storms show that the mesoscale lowering of the snow line is a feature common to nearly all major storms, with an average snow line drop of 170 m.
The mesoscale behavior of the snow line is investigated in detail for a major storm over the northern Sierra Nevada. Comparisons of observations from sondes and profiling radars with high-resolution simulations using the Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF) show that WRF is capable of reproducing the observed lowering of the snow line in a realistic manner. Modeling results suggest that radar profiler networks may substantially underestimate the lowering by failing to resolve horizontal snow line variations in close proximity to the mountainside. Diagnosis of model output indicates that pseudoadiabatic processes related to orographic blocking, localized cooling due to melting of orographically enhanced snowfall, and spatial variations in hydrometeor melting distance all play important roles. Simulations are surprisingly insensitive to model horizontal resolution but have important sensitivities to microphysical parameterization.
Changes in the Metastability of the Midlatitude Southern Hemisphere Circulation and the Utility of Nonstationary Cluster Analysis and Split-Flow Blocking Indices as Diagnostic Tools
Authors: O’Kane Terence J. , Risbey James S. , Franzke Christian , Horenko Illia , Monselesan Didier P. 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Changes in the metastability of the Southern Hemisphere 500-hPa circulation are examined using both cluster analysis techniques and split-flow blocking indices. The cluster methodology is a purely data-driven approach for parameterization whereby a multiscale approximation to nonstationary dynamical processes is achieved through optimal sequences of locally stationary fast vector autoregressive factor (VARX) processes and some slow (or persistent) hidden process switching between them. Comparison is made with blocking indices commonly used in weather forecasting and climate analysis to identify dynamically relevant metastable regimes in the 500-hPa circulation in both reanalysis and Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project (AMIP) datasets. The analysis characterizes the metastable regime in both reanalysis and model datasets prior to 1978 as positive and negative phases of a hemispheric midlatitude blocking state with the southern annular mode (SAM) associated with a transition state. Post-1978, the SAM emerges as a true metastable state replacing the negative phase of the hemispheric blocking pattern. The hidden state frequency of occurrences exhibits strong trends. The blocking pattern dominates in the early 1980s, and then gradually decreases. There is a corresponding increase in the SAM frequency of occurrence. This trend is largely evident in the reanalysis summer and spring but was not evident in the AMIP dataset. Further comparison with the split-flow blocking indices reveals a superficial correspondence between the cluster hidden state frequency of occurrences and split-flow indices. Examination of composite states shows that the blocking indices capture splitting of the zonal flow whereas the cluster composites reflect coherent block formation. Differences in blocking climatologies from the respective methods are discussed.
Role of NOD1‐Mediated Signals in a Mouse Model of Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Shin Ji‐Hyeon , Kim Soo Whan , Park Yong‐Soo 
Published: October 2012

ObjectivesThe purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of nucleotide‐binding oligomerization domain 1 (NOD1), an innate immune sensor, on allergic inflammation and induction of regulatory T cells in a mouse model of allergic rhinitis. We also aimed to explore whether there were differences in the effect of NOD1 ligand according to the timing of administration.Study DesignAn in vivo study using an animal model.SettingCatholic Research Institutes of Medical Science.Subjects and MethodsForty BALB/c mice were divided into 4 groups: control, OVA, pre‐NOD1, and post‐NOD1. Ovalbumin (OVA) was used for sensitization and challenge. The pre‐NOD1 group received NOD1 ligand intranasally before sensitization, whereas the post‐NOD1 group received it after sensitization. The effects of allergic inflammation and regulatory T cells were compared among the groups.ResultsIn the post‐NOD1 group, serum OVA‐specific IgE, eosinophil counts, interleukin (IL)–13 levels, and GATA‐3 mRNA expression were significantly increased and Foxp3+ mRNA expression and CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells were decreased compared with the OVA group. In the pre‐NOD1 group, Foxp3 mRNA expression and CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells were significantly decreased compared with the OVA group. Although not significant, the pre‐NOD1 group showed increases in serum OVA‐specific IgE, eosinophil counts, IL‐13 levels, and GATA‐3 mRNA expression compared with the OVA group.ConclusionThe innate immune response through NOD1 enhances allergen‐specific Th2 response and suppresses induction of regulatory T cells in a mouse model of allergic rhinitis, and the effects are different depending on the timing of exposure to NOD1 ligand.
Massive expansion of the calpain gene family in unicellular eukaryotes
Authors: Zhao Sen , Liang Zhe , Demko Viktor , Wilson Robert , Johansen Wenche , Olsen Odd-Arne , Shalchian-Tabrizi Kamran 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
Calpains are Ca2+-dependent cysteine proteases that participate in a range of crucial cellular processes. Dysfunction of these enzymes may cause, for instance, life-threatening diseases in humans, the loss of sex determination in nematodes and embryo lethality in plants. Although the calpain family is well characterized in animal and plant model organisms, there is a great lack of knowledge about these genes in unicellular eukaryote species (i.e. protists). Here, we study the distribution and evolution of calpain genes in a wide range of eukaryote genomes from major branches in the tree of life.

Results
Our investigations reveal 24 types of protein domains that are combined with the calpain-specific catalytic domain CysPc. In total we identify 41 different calpain domain architectures, 28 of these domain combinations have not been previously described. Based on our phylogenetic inferences, we propose that at least four calpain variants were established in the early evolution of eukaryotes, most likely before the radiation of all the major supergroups of eukaryotes. Many domains associated with eukaryotic calpain genes can be found among eubacteria or archaebacteria but never in combination with the CysPc domain.

Conclusions
The analyses presented here show that ancient modules present in prokaryotes, and a few de novo eukaryote domains, have been assembled into many novel domain combinations along the evolutionary history of eukaryotes. Some of the new calpain genes show a narrow distribution in a few branches in the tree of life, likely representing lineage-specific innovations. Hence, the functionally important classical calpain genes found among humans and vertebrates make up only a tiny fraction of the calpain family. In fact, a massive expansion of the calpain family occurred by domain shuffling among unicellular eukaryotes and contributed to a wealth of functionally different genes.
Up-regulation of platelet-derived growth factor-A is responsible for the failure of re-initiated interferon alpha treatment in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Ju-Bo , Sun Hui-Chuan , Jia Wei-Dong , Zhuang Peng-Yuan , Qian Yong-Bing , Zhu Xiao-Dong , Kong Ling-Qun , Wang Lu , Wu Wei-Zhong , Tang Zhao-You 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
Postoperative interferon-α(IFN-α) treatment delays hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) recurrence and prolongs patient survival, and may thus be an effective form of adjuvant therapy. However, clinical observations found that HCC recurs in some patients within 8 months of IFN-α treatment being discontinued. We investigated whether HCC regrowth appears after IFN-α is discontinued, whether re-initiated IFN-α is effective, and the underlying mechanisms of IFN-α treatment.

Methods
The human HCC nude mouse model LCI-D20 was used to study the effects of IFN-α treatment, discontinued IFN-α treatment, and re-initiated IFN-α treatment on tumor growth. Tumor weight, microvessel density(MVD), serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and tumor cell apoptosis were analyzed. Angiogenesis-related factors were studied using cDNA microarray in different tumor samples and confirmed using reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and Western blotting assays. Finally, imatinib was added with re-initiated IFN-α treatment to improve efficacy.

Results
IFN-α (1.5×107 U/kg/day for 20 days) suppressed HCC growth by 60.3% and decreased MVD by 52.2% compared with the control. However, tumor regrowth occurred after IFN-α was discontinued, and re-initiated IFN-α treatment was not effective for inhibiting tumor growth or reducing MVD compared with a saline-treated group. cDNA microarray showed VEGF was down-regulated while platelet-derived growth factor-A (PDGF-A) was up-regulated when IFN-α treatment was re-initiated. These findings were further confirmed with RT-PCR and Western blotting assay. The combination of imatinib with re-initiated IFN-α reduced HCC weight by 30.7% and decreased MVD by 31.1% compared with IFN-α treatment only (P=0.003 and 0.015, respectively).

Conclusion
Tumor regrowth occurred after IFN-α treatment was discontinued. Re-initiated IFN-α treatment was not effective and was associated with up-regulation of PDGF-A, while the VEGF remained suppressed. The combination of a PDGF-receptor inhibitor with IFN-α improved the effect of the re-initiated treatment.
Analyses of body composition charts among younger and older Chinese children and adolescents aged 5 to 18 years
Authors: Xiong Kai-Yu , He Hui , Zhang Yi-Ming , Ni Guo-Xin 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackgroundChildhood obesity has become a major public health problem in China. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of age and sex on the relationship between fat-free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM), fat-free mass index (FFMI) and fat mass index (FMI) in Chinese children using body composition chart analysis, and to compare the changing pattern with Caucasian and Japanese counterparts.MethodsA total of 1458 children (790 boys and 668 girls) between 5 and 18 years of age were studied to determine a body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis. The relationship of FFM and FM, FFMI and FMI were delineated by body composition charts.ResultsDifferent changing patterns in body composition were observed during 5-11y (younger age group), and 12-18y (older age group), with non-significant sex difference with FM and FMI for the younger age group and significant sex and age differences for the older age group. For the younger age group, simultaneous increase of FFM and FM was found in both genders. However, for the older age group, the increase in weight and BMI with age is largely due to the increment of FFM and FFMI in boys, and of FM and FMI in girls. In addition, different changing patterns in body composition exist between Chinese children and their Caucasian and Japanese counterparts, largely due to the higher fat mass component in Chinese subjects.ConclusionsOur results indicate that age- and gender-related changing patterns of body composition in Chinese children may differ at different growth stage, and differ with those in Caucasian and Japanese children at the same age period. Such changing patterns should be considered when designing the intervention proposal for childhood obesity in China.
Changes in the expression of aromatase, estrogen receptor α and β in mandibular condylar cartilage of rats induced by disordered occlusion
Authors: Yu Shibin , Xing Xianghui , Jiao Kai , Sun Lei , Liu Lei , Wang Meiqing 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
Estrogens play an important role in modulating the morphology and function of temporomandibular joints (TMJs), which is suggested to act via estrogen receptors (ERs). The present study was to investigate the expression of aggrecan, collagen type II (Col II), Col X, aromatase, ERα and ERβ in degenerative changes of mandibular condylar cartilage.

Methods
Forty male and 40 female 8-week-old rats were enrolled in this study. In experimental groups, the disordered occlusion was created by moving the first molars mesially and the third ones distally. Immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR were performed at the end of the second or fourth week.

Results
Degenerative changes, characterized by interrupted continuity of hypertrophic layer, pyknotic and eosinophilic lesion with few nuclei, areas filled with eosinophilic nuclei, were observed in more joints from female experimental groups than male ones. However, thickening changes in hypertrophic layer were only found in male experimental groups. The gene expression of Col II, Col X and aggrecan increased in 4-wk male experimental subgroup (both P < 0.01), but decreased in 2-wk and 4-wk female subgroups (P < 0.05). The gene expression of ERα decreased in 2-wk male and female experimental subgroups (both P < 0.01), however, that of ERβ increased except the 2-wk female experimental subgroup (all P < 0.01). The expression of aromatase decreased in both male and female experimental subgroups (all P<0.01).

Conclusions
Mandibular condylar cartilage responses differently to the disordered occlusion in male and female rats. The levels of locally synthesized estrogen, ERα and ERβ may have limited attribution, if any, to the sex-specific cartilage response.
Anti-cancer activity of novel dibenzo[b,f]azepine tethered isoxazoline derivatives
Authors: Sadashiva Maralinganadoddi Panchegowda , Basappa  , NanjundaSwamy Shivananju , Li Feng , Manu Kanjoormana Aryan , Sengottuvelan Murugan , Prasanna Doddakunche Shivaramu , Anilkumar Nirvanappa Chikkagundagal , Sethi Gautam , Sugahara Kazuyuki , Rangappa Kanchugarakoppal Subbegowda 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
Dibenzoazepine (DB) derivatives are important and valuable compounds in medicinal chemistry. The synthesis and chemotherapeutic properties of naturally occurring DBs and different heterocyclic moiety tethered DBs are reported. Herein, we report the DB-fused hybrid structure that containing isoxazolines (DBIs) and their anti-cancer activity, which could throw light on the structural and functional features of new molecules.

Results and Conclusion
The synthesis and characterization of novel ring DB tethered isoxazoline derivatives (DBIs) were carried out. After the detailed structural characterization using 2D-NMR experiments, the compounds were identified as 5-substituted isoxazolines. The effect of newly synthesized DBIs against the invasion of murine osteosarcoma (LM8G7) cells was studied. Among the tested molecules, compound 4g (5-[−3-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,5-dihydroisoxazol-5-yl-methyl]-5 H- dibenzo[b,f]azepine), was found to inhibit the invasion of LM8G7 cells strongly, when compared to other structurally related compounds. Cumulatively, the compound 4g inhibited the invasion MDA-MB-231 cells completely at 10 μM. In addition to anti-invasion property the compound 4g also inhibited the migration of LM8G7 and human ovarian cancer cells (OVSAHO) dose-dependently. Compound 4g inhibited the proliferation of LM8G7, OVSAHO, human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and human melphalan-resistant multiple myeloma (RPMI8226-LR5) cells that are comparable to cisplatin and suramin.
Evaluation of gut modulatory and bronchodilator activities of Amaranthus spinosus Linn.
Authors: Chaudhary Mueen Ahmad , Imran Imran , Bashir Samra , Mehmood Malik Hassan , Rehman Najeeb-ur , Gilani Anwarul-Hassan 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
The aqueous-methanolic extract of Amaranthus spinosus (A. spinosus Linn.,) whole plant, was studied for its laxative, spasmolytic and bronchodilator activities to validate some of its medicinal uses.

Methods
The crude extract of A. spinosus was studied in-vivo for bronchodilator and laxative activities and in-vitro using isolated tissue preparations which were mounted in tissue baths assembly containing physiological salt solutions, maintained at 37°C and aerated with carbogen, to assess the spasmolytic effect and to find out the possible underlying mechanisms.

Results
In the in-vivo experiments in mice, the administration of A. spinosus increased fecal output at doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg showing laxative activity. It also inhibited carbachol-induced bronchospasm in anesthetized rats at 1, 3, 10 and 30 mg/kg indicative of bronchodilator activity. When tested on isolated gut preparations, the plant extract showed a concentration-dependent (0.01-10.0 mg/ml) spasmogenic effect in spontaneously contracting rabbit jejunum and guinea-pig ileum. The spasmogenic effect was partially blocked in tissues pretreated with atropine (0.1 μM). When tested on K+ (80 mM)-induced sustained contractions in isolated rabbit jejunum, the plant extract caused complete relaxation and also produced a shift in the Ca++ concentration-response curves (CRCs) towards right, similar to diltiazem. In rabbit trachea, the plant extract completely inhibited K+ (80 mM) and carbachol (CCh, 1 μM)-induced contractions at 1 mg/ml but pretreatment of tissue with propranolol (1 μM), caused around 10 fold shift in the inhibitory CRCs of the plant extract constructed against CCh-induced contraction. The plant extract (up to 0.3 mg/ml) also increased both force and rate of spontaneous contractions of isolated guinea-pig atria, followed by relaxation at higher concentration (1.0-5.0 mg/ml). The cardio-stimulant effect was abolished in the presence of propranolol, similar to that of isoprenaline. Activity-directed fractionation revealed that the spasmolytic component(s) was separated in the organic fraction, whereas the spasmogenic component was concentrated in the aqueous fraction.

Conclusion
These results indicate that A. spinosus possesses laxative activity partially mediated through cholinergic action. The spasmolytic effect was mediated through calcium channel blocking (CCB), while bronchodilator activity through a combination of β-adrenergic and CCB pathways, which may explain the traditional uses of A. spinosus in gut and airways disorders.