bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional characterization of the matrix metalloproteinase-1 cigarette smoke-responsive region and association with the lung health study
Authors: Wallace Alison M , Mercer Becky A , He Jianqing , Foronjy Robert F , Accili Domenico , Sandford Andrew J , Paré Peter D , D’Armiento Jeanine M 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
Prior studies have demonstrated that the distal 1.5 kb of the MMP-1 promoter is fundamental in directing the induction of the MMP-1 gene by cigarette smoke.

Methods
To characterize the genetic variants in the MMP-1 cigarette smoke-responsive element, deep re-sequencing of this element was performed on DNA samples from participants in the Lung Health Study. Furthermore, evidence of Sp1 binding to the MMP-1 promoter was assessed using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays and the influence of cigarette smoke exposure on this interaction was evaluated in cultured human small airway epithelial cells.

Results
Ten polymorphisms (four novel) were detected in the cigarette smoke-responsive element. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays to assess the protein-DNA interactions at Sp1 sites in the MMP-1 promoter showed increased binding to the Sp1 sites in the cigarette smoke-responsive element in small airway epithelial cells treated with cigarette smoke extract. In contrast, a Sp1 site outside of the element exhibited the opposite effect. None of the polymorphisms were more prevalent in the fast decliners versus the slow decliners (fast decliners = mean −4.14% decline in FEV1% predicted per year vs. decline in FEV1% predicted per year).

Conclusions
Sequencing analyses identified four novel polymorphisms within the cigarette smoke-responsive element of the MMP-1 promoter. This study identifies functional activity within the cigarette smoke-responsive element that is influenced by cigarette smoke and examines this region of the promoter within a small patient population.
Tools to kill: Genome of one of the most destructive plant pathogenic fungi Macrophomina phaseolina
Authors: Islam Md Shahidul , Haque Md Samiul , Islam Mohammad Moinul , Emdad Emdadul Mannan , Halim Abdul , Hossen Quazi Md Mosaddeque , Hossain Md Zakir , Ahmed Borhan , Rahim Sifatur , Rahman Md Sharifur , Alam Md Monjurul , Hou Shaobin , Wan Xuehua , Saito Jennifer A , Alam Maqsudul 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background

Macrophomina phaseolina is one of the most destructive necrotrophic fungal pathogens that infect more than 500 plant species throughout the world. It can grow rapidly in infected plants and subsequently produces a large amount of sclerotia that plugs the vessels, resulting in wilting of the plant.

Results
We sequenced and assembled ~49 Mb into 15 super-scaffolds covering 92.83% of the M. phaseolina genome. We predict 14,249 open reading frames (ORFs) of which 9,934 are validated by the transcriptome. This phytopathogen has an abundance of secreted oxidases, peroxidases, and hydrolytic enzymes for degrading cell wall polysaccharides and lignocelluloses to penetrate into the host tissue. To overcome the host plant defense response, M. phaseolina encodes a significant number of P450s, MFS type membrane transporters, glycosidases, transposases, and secondary metabolites in comparison to all sequenced ascomycete species. A strikingly distinct set of carbohydrate esterases (CE) are present in M. phaseolina, with the CE9 and CE10 families remarkably higher than any other fungi. The phenotypic microarray data indicates that M. phaseolina can adapt to a wide range of osmotic and pH environments. As a broad host range pathogen, M. phaseolina possesses a large number of pathogen-host interaction genes including those for adhesion, signal transduction, cell wall breakdown, purine biosynthesis, and potent mycotoxin patulin.

Conclusions
The M. phaseolina genome provides a framework of the infection process at the cytological and molecular level which uses a diverse arsenal of enzymatic and toxin tools to destroy the host plants. Further understanding of the M. phaseolina genome-based plant-pathogen interactions will be instrumental in designing rational strategies for disease control, essential to ensuring global agricultural crop production and security.
Electroacupuncture pretreatment induces tolerance against focal cerebral ischemia through activation of canonical Notch pathway
Authors: Zhao Yu , Chen Xiyao , Ma Lei , Zuo Zhiyi , Zhu Zhenghua , Zhu Xiaoling , Wang Qiang , He Ertao , Xiong Lize , Pei Jianming , Xu Lixian , Hou Lihong , Chen Shaoyang 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
Electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment can induce the tolerance against focal cerebral ischemia. However, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully understood. Emerging evidences suggest that canonical Notch signaling may be involved in ischemic brain injury. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that EA pretreatment-induced tolerance against focal cerebral ischemia is mediated by Notch signaling.

Results
EA pretreatment significantly enhanced Notch1, Notch4 and Jag1 gene transcriptions in the striatum, except Notch1 intracellular domain level, which could be increased evidently by ischemia. After ischemia and reperfusion, Hes1 mRNA and Notch1 intracellular domain level in ischemic striatum in EA pretreatment group were increased and reached the peak at 2 h and 24 h, respectively, which were both earlier than the peak achieved in control group. Intraventricular injection with the γ-secretase inhibitor MW167 attenuated the neuroprotective effect of EA pretreatment.

Conclusions
EA pretreatment induces the tolerance against focal cerebral ischemia through activation of canonical Notch pathway.
Inhibition by curcumin of multiple sites of the transforming growth factor-beta1 signalling pathway ameliorates the progression of liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats
Authors: Yao Qun-yan , Xu Bei-li , Wang Ji-yao , Liu Hong-chun , Zhang Shun-cai , Tu Chuan-tao 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
At present there is no effective and accepted therapy for hepatic fibrosis. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 signaling pathway contributes greatly to hepatic fibrosis. Reducing TGF-β synthesis or inhibiting components of its complex signaling pathway represent important therapeutic targets. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of curcumin on liver fibrosis and whether curcumin attenuates the TGF-β1 signaling pathway.

Methods
Sprague–Dawley rat was induced liver fibrosis by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) for six weeks together with or without curcumin, and hepatic histopathology and collagen content were employed to quantify liver necro-inflammation and fibrosis. Moreover, the mRNA and protein expression levels of TGF-β1, Smad2, phosphorylated Smad2, Smad3, Smad7 and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) were determined by quantitative real time-PCR, Western blot, or immunohistochemistry.

Results
Rats treated with curcumin improved liver necro-inflammation, and reduced liver fibrosis in association with decreased α-smooth muscle actin expression, and decreased collagen deposition. Furthermore, curcumin significantly attenuated expressions of TGFβ1, Smad2, phosphorylated Smad2, Smad3, and CTGF and induced expression of the Smad7.

Conclusions
Curcumin significantly attenuated the severity of CCl4-induced liver inflammation and fibrosis through inhibition of TGF-β1/Smad signalling pathway and CTGF expression. These data suggest that curcumin might be an effective antifibrotic drug in the prevention of liver disease progression.
In vitro evaluation of anti-pathogenic surface coating nanofluid, obtained by combining Fe3O4/C12 nanostructures and 2-((4-ethylphenoxy)methyl)-N-(substituted-phenylcarbamothioyl)-benzamides
Authors: Anghel Ion , Limban Carmen , Grumezescu Alexandru Mihai , Anghel Alina Georgiana , Bleotu Coralia , Chifiriuc Mariana Carmen 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
In this paper, we report the design of a new nanofluid for anti-pathogenic surface coating. For this purpose, new 2-((4-ethylphenoxy)methyl)-N-(substituted-phenylcarbamothioyl)-benzamides were synthesized and used as an adsorption shell for Fe3O4/C12 core/shell nanosized material. The functionalized specimens were tested by in vitro assays for their anti-biofilm properties and biocompatibility. The optimized catheter sections showed an improved resistance to Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 in vitro biofilm development, as demonstrated by the viable cell counts of biofilm-embedded bacterial cells and by scanning electron microscopy examination of the colonized surfaces. The nanofluid proved to be not cytotoxic and did not influence the eukaryotic cell cycle. These results could be of a great interest for the biomedical field, opening new directions for the design of film-coated surfaces with improved anti-biofilm properties.
A detecting and identifying method for two stationary human targets using single-channel ultra-wideband radar
Authors: Zhang Yang , Jiao Teng , Jing Xijing , Li Zhao , Li Sheng , Yu Xiao , Lv Hao , Zhang Zhu , Wang Jianqi 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
A novel technique for single-channel ultra-wideband (UWB) radar to detect and identify two stationary human subjects in different positions is proposed in this article. To detect two stationary human targets accurately and get their life parameters precisely, space–frequency analysis is performed upon the preprocessed data in horizontal dimension and then a non-linear threshold is calculated for automatic identification. Experiments are conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed technique. In 61 data sets with two stationary human subjects, the accuracy of identification reaches 72%. The experimental results demonstrate the validity of our approach to detect and identify two stationary human subjects using single-channel UWB radar system. This technique may serve as a basis for further studies on a two-dimensional locator for multi-stationary human subjects via multi-channel UWB radar.
Antenatal corticosteroids trial in preterm births to increase neonatal survival in developing countries: study protocol
Authors: Althabe Fernando , Belizán José M , Mazzoni Agustina , Berrueta Mabel , Hemingway-Foday Jay , Koso-Thomas Marion , McClure Elizabeth , Chomba Elwyn , Garces Ana , Goudar Shivaprasad , Kodkany Bhalchandra , Saleem Sarah , Pasha Omrana , Patel Archana , Esamai Fabian , Carlo Waldemar A , Krebs Nancy F , Derman Richard J , Goldenberg Robert L , Hibberd Patricia , Liechty Edward A , Wright Linda L , Bergel Eduardo F , Jobe Alan H , Buekens Pierre 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
Preterm birth is a major cause of neonatal mortality, responsible for 28% of neonatal deaths overall. The administration of antenatal corticosteroids to women at high risk of preterm birth is a powerful perinatal intervention to reduce neonatal mortality in resource rich environments. The effect of antenatal steroids to reduce mortality and morbidity among preterm infants in hospital settings in developed countries with high utilization is well established, yet they are not routinely used in developing countries. The impact of increasing antenatal steroid use in hospital or community settings with low utilization rates and high infant mortality among premature infants due to lack of specialized services has not been well researched. There is currently no clear evidence about the safety of antenatal corticosteroid use for community-level births.

Methods
We hypothesize that a multi country, two-arm, parallel cluster randomized controlled trial to evaluate whether a multifaceted intervention to increase the use of antenatal corticosteroids, including components to improve the identification of pregnancies at high risk of preterm birth and providing and facilitating the appropriate use of steroids, will reduce neonatal mortality at 28 days of life in preterm newborns, compared with the standard delivery of care in selected populations of six countries. 102 clusters in Argentina, Guatemala, Kenya, India, Pakistan, and Zambia will be randomized, and around 60,000 women and newborns will be enrolled. Kits containing vials of dexamethasone, syringes, gloves, and instructions for administration will be distributed. Improving the identification of women at high risk of preterm birth will be done by (1) diffusing recommendations for antenatal corticosteroids use to health providers, (2) training health providers on identification of women at high risk of preterm birth, (3) providing reminders to health providers on the use of the kits, and (4) using a color-coded tape to measure uterine height to estimate gestational age in women with unknown gestational age. In both intervention and control clusters, health providers will be trained in essential newborn care for low birth weight babies. The primary outcome is neonatal mortality at 28 days of life in preterm infants.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier: NCT01084096
Assisted reproductive techniques and the risk of anorectal malformations: a German case-control study
Authors: Zwink Nadine , Jenetzky Ekkehart , Schmiedeke Eberhard , Schmidt Dominik , Märzheuser Stefanie , Grasshoff-Derr Sabine , Holland-Cunz Stefan , Weih Sandra , Hosie Stuart , Reifferscheid Peter , Ameis Helen , Kujath Christina , Rißmann Anke , Obermayr Florian , Schwarzer Nicole , Bartels Enrika , Reutter Heiko , Brenner Hermann ,   CURE-Net Consortium
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe use of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) for treatment of infertility is increasing rapidly worldwide. However, various health effects have been reported including a higher risk of congenital malformations. Therefore, we assessed the risk of anorectal malformations (ARM) after in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).MethodsData of the German Network for Congenital Uro-REctal malformations (CURE-Net) were compared to nationwide data of the German IVF register and the Federal Statistical Office (DESTATIS). Odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) were determined to quantify associations using multivariable logistic regression accounting for potential confounding or interaction by plurality of births.ResultsIn total, 295 ARM patients born between 1997 and 2011 in Germany, who were recruited through participating pediatric surgeries from all over Germany and the German self-help organisation SoMA, were included. Controls were all German live-births (n = 10,069,986) born between 1997 and 2010. Overall, 30 cases (10%) and 129,982 controls (1%) were born after IVF or ICSI, which translates to an odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 8.7 (5.9–12.6) between ART and ARM in bivariate analyses. Separate analyses showed a significantly increased risk for ARM after IVF (OR, 10.9; 95% CI, 6.2–19.0; P < 0.0001) as well as after ICSI (OR, 7.5; 95% CI, 4.6–12.2; P < 0.0001). Furthermore, separate analyses of patients with isolated ARM, ARM with associated anomalies and those with a VATER/VACTERL association showed strong associations with ART (ORs 4.9, 11.9 and 7.9, respectively). After stratification for plurality of birth, the corresponding odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 7.7 (4.6–12.7) for singletons and 4.9 (2.4–10.1) for multiple births.ConclusionsThere is a strongly increased risk for ARM among children born after ART. Elevations of risk were seen after both IVF and ICSI. Further, separate analyses of patients with isolated ARM, ARM with associated anomalies and those with a VATER/VACTERL association showed increased risks in each group. An increased risk of ARM was also seen among both singletons and multiple births.
First report of Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in peafowls in Yunnan Province, Southwestern China
Authors: Tian Yi-Ming , Dai Fei-Yan , Huang Si-Yang , Deng Zu-Hong , Duan Gang , Zhou Dong-Hui , Yang Jian-Fa , Weng Ya-Biao , Zhu Xing-Quan , Zou Feng-Cai 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite infecting almost all warm-blooded animals, including birds, with a worldwide distribution. Surveys of T. gondii infection in wild birds have been reported extensively in the world, but little is known of T. gondii infection in peafowls worldwide. This study was performed to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in peafowls in Yunnan Province, southwestern China.

Methods
Sera from 277 peafowls, including 272 blue peafowls (Pavo cristatus) and 5 green peafowls (Pavo muticus) originated from two geographic areas in Yunnan Province were assayed for T. gondii antibodies using the modified agglutination test (MAT).

Results
Specific T. gondii antibodies were detected in 35 of 277 (12.64%) peafowls (MAT titer ≥ 1:5). Seropositive birds were found in both species, 33 in 272 blue peafowls and 2 in 5 green peafowls. There was no significant difference in T. gondii seroprevalence between the adolescent birds (6.74%) and the adult birds (6.67%) (P > 0.05). The geographical origins of peafowls was found to be highly associated with T. gondii infection in the present study, a statistically significant difference in T. gondii seropositivity was observed between peafowls from Kunming (31.08%) and those from Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (5.91%) (OR = 10.956, 95% CI = 1.632-73.545, P = 0.014). Statistical analyses showed that there were no significant interactions between ages and geographical origins of peafowls (P > 0.05).

Conclusions
The results of the present survey indicated that infection of peafowls with T. gondii is widespread in Yunnan Province, which has significant public health concerns and implications for prevention and control of toxoplamosis in this province. To our knowledge, this is the first seroprevalence report of T. gondii infection in China’s southwestern Yunnan Province.
Modeling of shear-wall dominant symmetrical flat-plate reinforced concrete buildings
Authors: Abdo Mohamed Abdel-Basset 
Published: September 2012

AbstractFlat-slab building structures exhibit significant higher flexibility compared with traditional frame structures, and shear walls (SWs) are vital to limit deformation demands under earthquake excitations. The objective of this study is to identify an appropriate finite element (FE) model of SW dominant flat-plate reinforced concrete (R/C) buildings, which can be used to study its dynamic behavior. Three-dimensional models are generated and analyzed to check the adequacy of different empirical formulas to estimate structural period of vibration via analyzing the dynamic response of low- and medium-height R/C buildings with different cross-sectional plans and different SW positions and thicknesses. The numerical results clarify that modeling of R/C buildings using block (solid) elements for columns, SWs, and slab provides the most appropriate representation of R/C buildings since it gives accurate results of fundamental periods and consequently reliable seismic forces. Also, modeling of R/C buildings by FE programs using shell elements for both columns and SWs provides acceptable results of fundamental periods (the error does not exceed 10%). However, modeling of R/C buildings using frame elements for columns and/or SWs overestimates the fundamental periods of R/C buildings. Empirical formulas often overestimate or underestimate fundamental periods of R/C buildings. Some equations provide misleading values of fundamental period for both intact and cracked R/C buildings. However, others can be used to estimate approximately the fundamental periods of flat-plate R/C buildings. The effect of different SW positions is also discussed.
Hydrothermal synthesis, characterization, and investigation of optical properties of Sb3+-doped lithium silicates nanoparticles
Authors: Alemi Abdolali , Khademinia Shahin , Dolatyari Mahboubeh , Bakhtiari Akbar 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
The hydrothermal synthesis and optical properties of undoped and Sb3+-doped lithium metasilicate and lithium disilicate nanomaterials were investigated. The microstructures and morphologies of the synthesized Li2−2x
Sb2x
SiO3 and Li2−2x
Sb2x
Si2O5 nanoparticles were studied with powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques, respectively. The synthesized undoped and doped lithium metasilicate and lithium disilicate nanomaterials, respectively, are isostructural with the standard bulk Li2SiO3 (space group Cmc21) and Li2Si2O5 (space group Ccc2) materials. The electronic absorption and photoluminescence spectra of the synthesized materials are studied. The measured optical properties show dependence on the dopant amounts in the structure.
NOTCH1 inhibition in vivo results in mammary tumor regression and reduced mammary tumorsphere-forming activity in vitro
Authors: Simmons Matthew J , Serra Ryan , Hermance Nicole , Kelliher Michelle A 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Introduction
NOTCH activation has been recently implicated in human breast cancers, associated with a poor prognosis, and tumor-initiating cells are hypothesized to mediate resistance to treatment and disease relapse. To address the role of NOTCH1 in mammary gland development, transformation, and mammary tumor-initiating cell activity, we developed a doxycycline-regulated mouse model of NOTCH1-mediated mammary transformation.

Methods
Mammary gland development was analyzed by using whole-mount analysis and by flow cytometry in nulliparous transgenic mice maintained in the presence/absence of doxycycline (or intracellular NOTCH1). Mammary tumors were examined histologically and immunophenotyped by staining with antibodies followed by flow cytometry. Tumors were transplanted into mammary fat pads under limiting dilution conditions, and tumor-initiating cell frequency was calculated. Mammary tumor cells were also plated in vitro in a tumorsphere assay in the presence/absence of doxycycline. RNA was isolated from mammary tumor cell lines cultured in the presence/absence of doxycycline and used for gene-expression profiling with Affymetrix mouse arrays. NOTCH1-regulated genes were identified and validated by using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Mammary tumor-bearing mice were treated with doxycycline to suppress NOTCH1 expression, and disease recurrence was monitored.

Results
Similar to published studies, we show that constitutive expression of human intracellular NOTCH1 in the developing mouse mammary gland inhibits side branching and promotes luminal cell fate. These mice develop mammary adenocarcinomas that express cytokeratin (CK) 8/18. In vivo limiting-dilution analyses revealed that these mammary tumors exhibit functional heterogeneity and harbor a rare (1/2,978) mammary tumor-initiating cell population. With this dox-regulated NOTCH1 mammary tumor model, we demonstrate that NOTCH1 inhibition results in mammary tumor regression in vivo and prevents disease recurrence in four of six tumors tested. Consistent with the in vivo data, NOTCH1 inhibition reduces mammary tumorsphere activity in vitro. We also identify the embryonic stem cell transcription factor Nanog as a novel NOTCH1-regulated gene in tumorspheres and in mouse and human breast cancer cell lines.

Conclusions
These data indicate that NOTCH1 inhibition results in mammary tumor regression in vivo and interferes with disease recurrence. We demonstrate that NOTCH1-transformed mouse mammary tumors harbor a rare mammary tumor-initiating population and that NOTCH1 contributes to mammary tumor-initiating activity. This work raises the possibility that NOTCH therapeutics may target mammary tumor-initiating cells in certain human breast cancer subtypes.
REVIEWS
Authors: Brioni Simone , Romero Eugenia R. 
Published: September 2012

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WRITING GALICIA INTO THE WORLD: NEW CARTOGRAPHIES NEW POETICS,
KIRSTY HOOPER (2011) Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, 186 pp. ISBN: 9781846316678, h/bk, £ 65.00