bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Decrease of Asymmetric Dimethyl Arginine After Anti‐TNF Therapy in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Spinelli Francesca Romana , Di Franco Manuela , Metere Alessio , Conti Fabrizio , Iannuccelli Cristina , Agati Luciano , Valesini Guido 
Published: November 2014

Abstract

Postmarketing Phase IV

Chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and increased morbidity and mortality for cardiovascular events. Asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, contributes to the impairment of endothelial function, the earlier and reversible stage of atherosclerotic plaque formation. Since tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibits enzymatic degradation of ADMA, anti‐TNF agents could restore its physiological level. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of TNF inhibitors on ADMA serum levels in patients with RA. Our results suggest a possible effect of anti‐TNF drugs on ADMA serum levels; longer studies would be necessary to confirm the role ADMA in assessing cardiovascular risk in RA.
Hyperuricemia in Patients with Chronic Plaque Psoriasis
Authors: Gisondi Paolo 
Published: November 2014

Abstract

Postmarketing Phase IV

Psoriasis is frequently associated with obesity, which may favor the development of hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia predisposes patients to gout arthritis and is an emerging cardiovascular risk factor. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of hyperuricemia and serum uric acid (SUA) levels in psoriatic patients. SUA was measured in consecutive psoriatic patients (n = 338) and prevalence of hyperuricemia was estimated. Hyperuricemia was defined as SUA ≥7 mg/dL in men and ≥6 mg/dL in women. Hyperuricemia affected 20% (67 out 338) of patients with psoriasis. SUA levels were 5.8 ± 1.6 (mean ± SD) in patients with psoriasis. Levels of SUA were significantly higher in obese patients compared to non‐obese patients (6.1 ± 1.5 vs 5.2 ± 1.4, P < 0.05). Levels of SUA showed a significant, positive correlation with body mass index (r = 0.30; P < 0.01) and serum triglycerides (r = 0.31; P < 0.01) but they were not significantly associated with age, sex, psoriasis duration or Psoriasis Area Severity Index score. Hyperuricemia is a common finding in psoriatic patients. Dosing levels of SUA could be appropriate in the global management of patients with psoriasis, particularly in those who are obese and with serum triglycerides upper the normal range.
Lipid Profile of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Treated with Anti‐Tumor Necrosis Factor‐Alpha Drugs Changes According to Disease Activity and Predicts Clinical Response
Authors: Cacciapaglia Fabio , Anelli Maria Grazia , Rinaldi Angela , Serafino Lucia , Covelli Michele , Scioscia Crescenzio , Iannone Florenzo , Lapadula Giovanni 
Published: November 2014

Abstract

Postmarketing Phase IV

Patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) frequently show an atherogenic lipid profile, which has been linked with the inflammatory reaction. Inflammatory cytokines, and particularly tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), are implicated in the pathogenesis of both atherosclerosis and RA, and also involved in the development of the impaired lipid profile detected in active RA. Although anti‐TNF‐α agents have been proven effective in controlling joint damage and systemic inflammation, controversy remains about the effect of these drugs on the lipid profile; therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the effect of anti‐TNF‐α treatment, in combination with disease‐modifying anti‐rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and corticosteroid therapy, on the lipid profile of patients with active RA. Our data suggest that the combination anti‐TNF‐α/DMARDs/steroids do not significantly interfere with the lipid profile of RA patients. However, analysis of clinical response data showed that patients achieving low disease activity or remission seem to have a protective lipid profile, suggesting that better control of inflammation and disease activity can affect lipid metabolism. The available evidence indicates that high inflammation interferes with lipid metabolism, whereas good control of the chronic inflammatory state may positively influence the lipid profile and cardiovascular risk. Low cholesterol levels at baseline could predict a favorable outcome with anti‐TNF‐α treatment, but these data need to be confirmed by large prospective studies with long‐term follow‐up.
Cardiovascular Risk in Psoriatic Patients Detected by Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Analysis
Authors: Proietti Ilaria , Raimondi Gianfranco , Skroza Nevena , Pampena Riccardo , Bernardini Nicoletta , La Viola Giorgio , Nicolucci Francesca , Tolino Ersilia , Zuber Sara , Scordamaglia Beatrice , Balduzzi Veronica , Soccodato Valentina , Potenza Concetta 
Published: November 2014

Abstract

Postmarketing Phase IV

Patients affected by severe psoriasis have an increased prevalence of cardiovascular () diseases as documented by several studies. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a noninvasive method to evaluate the autonomic control of the sinus node. In this study, HRV analysis has been used to evaluate whether young patients with moderate cutaneous psoriasis have increased cardiovascular (CV) risk, in absence of CV comorbidities. Our data indicate an imbalance toward the sympathetic arm of the autonomic cardiac modulation. As the increase in sympathetic activity may be associated with a higher CV risk, moderate psoriasis could be considered to be an independent CV risk factor.
The EPIPSOFIRE project: A Preliminary Report
Authors: De Marco Gabriele , Cattaneo Angelo , Carrera Carlo G. , Gibertini Patrizia , Battafarano Norma , Marchesoni Antonio 
Published: November 2014

Abstract

Postmarketing Phase IV

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a musculoskeletal condition complicating psoriasis that can lead to joint deformity and disability; however, psoriatic patients may suffer from other kind of arthropathies that could be confused with PsA by nonrheumatologists. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of PsA and to determine the prevalence of other musculoskeletal conditions in a cohort of psoriatic patients. In this cohort, musculoskeletal discomfort was frequently reported, while inflammatory disorders were detected in <4% of subjects. The cohort lacked subjects with very long‐standing psoriasis duration (>20 years) or severe cutaneous disease. Because musculoskeletal discomfort symptoms affected about 62% of patients, other disorders, particularly morphologic conditions, need careful evaluation in psoriasis subjects.
Clinical Markers Predictive of Primary Inefficacy: A “Real Life” Retrospective Study in Psoriatic Patients Treated with Etanercept
Authors: Giunta Alessandro , Babino Graziella , Manetta Sara , Mazzotta Annamaria , Chimenti Sergio , Esposito Maria 
Published: November 2014

Abstract

Postmarketing Phase IV

Overexpression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) has been demonstrated to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of both plaque‐type psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. TNF‐α blockers, including etanercept, a human protein that acts as a TNF‐α soluble receptor, are effective in the treatment of psoriasis. This retrospective study investigated the impact of psoriasis patients’ demographic and clinical characteristics on primary inefficacy to etanercept. Our findings suggest that the presence of psoriatic arthritis is a risk factor for primary inefficacy to etanercept in the treatment of psoriasis. However, etanercept efficacy appears to be independent of patient age, gender, or previous biologic treatments.
Effect of diabetes on scintigraphic infarct size in STEMI patients undergoing primary angioplasty
Authors: De Luca Giuseppe , Parodi Guido , Sciagrà Roberto , Bellandi Benedetta , Vergara Ruben , Migliorini Angela , Valenti Renato , Antoniucci David 
Published: November 2014

AbstractBackgroundIt has been shown that among patients with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), diabetes is associated with a significantly higher mortality, mainly because of impaired reperfusion. However, few data have been reported so far on infarct size as evaluated by well‐refined techniques, such as nuclear imaging techniques. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of diabetes in infarct size as evaluated by myocardial scintigraphy in a large cohort of STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI.MethodsWe included 830 STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI. Infarct size was evaluated at 30 days by technetium‐99 m‐sestamibi. A logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the relation between diabetes and infarct size (as above the median) after correction for baseline confounding factors.ResultsA total of 115 (13.8%) out of 830 patients suffered from diabetes. Diabetic patients were older (p < 0.001), with larger prevalence of female gender (p = 0.006) and hypertension (p = 0.001) but were less often smokers (p = 0.003). Diabetic patients had more often preprocedural thrombolysis in myocardial infarction grade 3 flow (p = 0.034) and less complete ST‐segment resolution (p = 0.009). No difference was observed in scintigraphic infarct size between diabetes and control patients (p = 0.6)), which was confirmed at multivariate analysis after correction for baseline confounding factors (Adjusted OR [95% CI] = 0.87 [0.57–1.31, p = 0.51).ConclusionOur study showed that among STEMI patients undergoing primary angioplasty, diabetes did not affect infarct size as compared with non‐diabetic patients. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The ascidian pigmented sensory organs: structures and developmental programs
Authors: Esposito R. , Racioppi C. , Pezzotti M.R. , Branno M. , Locascio A. , Ristoratore F. , Spagnuolo A. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryThe recent advances on ascidian pigment sensory organ development and function represent a fascinating platform to get insight on the basic programs of chordate eye formation. This review aims to summarize current knowledge, at the structural and molecular levels, on the two main building blocks of ascidian light sensory organ, i.e. pigment cells and photoreceptor cells. The unique features of these structures (e.g., simplicity and well characterized cell lineage) are indeed making it possible to dissect the developmental programs at single cell resolution and will soon provide a panel of molecular tools to be exploited for a deep developmental and comparative‐evolutionary analysis. genesis 53:15–33, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fruit and vegetable intake and rate of heart failure: a population‐based prospective cohort of women
Authors: Rautiainen Susanne , Levitan Emily B. , Mittleman Murray A. , Wolk Alicja 
Published: November 2014

AimsAlthough numerous studies have investigated fruit and vegetable consumption in association with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) such as coronary heart disease and stroke, a limited number of studies have investigated the association with heart failure. The aim of this study was to assess the association between fruit and vegetable intake and the incidence of heart failure among women.Methods and resultsIn September 1997, a total of 34 319 women (aged 49–83 years) from the Swedish Mammography Cohort, free of cancer andCVDat baseline, completed a food‐frequency questionnaire. Women were followed for incident heart failure (diagnosis as primary or secondary cause) through December 2011 using administrative health registries. Over 12.9 years of follow‐up (442 348 person‐years), we identified 3051 incident cases of heart failure. Total fruit and vegetable consumption was inversely associated with the rate of heart failure {the multivariable‐adjusted rate ratio (RR) in the highest quintile compared with the lowest was 0.80 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.70–0.90]}. Fruit (mutually adjusted for vegetables) were not significantly associated with rate of heart failure (RR0.94; 95%CI0.83–1.07), whereas vegetables showed an inverse association (RR0.83; 95%CI0.73–0.95). When investigating the shape of association, we found evidence of a non‐linear association (P= 0.01), and the lowest rates of heart failure were observed among women consuming ≥5 servings/day of fruit and vegetables, without further decrease with increasing intake.ConclusionsIn this population‐based prospective cohort study of women, higher total consumption of fruit and vegetables was inversely associated with the incidence of heart failure.
Functional characterization of a conserved pair of NKR‐P1 receptors expressed by NK cells and T lymphocytes in liver and gut
Authors: Kveberg Lise , Sudworth Amanda , Todros‐Dawda Izabela , Inngjerdingen Marit , Vaage John T. 
Published: November 2014

Natural killer cell receptor protein 1 (NKR‐P1) molecules are C‐type lectin‐like receptors modulating cellular responses toward target cells expressing C‐type lectin‐like related (Clr) molecules. Although the function of the prototypic rat NKR‐P1A receptor and its inhibitory counterpart NKR‐P1B are known, little is known about NKR‐P1F and NKR‐P1G apart from their promiscuity for Clr ligands. Here we generated mAbs against both receptors for phenotypic and functional analyses in rat tissues. NKR‐P1F induced redirected lysis and robust Ca2+ signaling in NK cells, which were prevented by simultaneous engagement of NKR‐P1G. NKR‐P1G also inhibited NK‐cell lysis of Clr transfectants. NKR‐P1F was expressed by most NK cells and NKR‐P1A+ T cells in all tissues analyzed, and by many NKR‐P1A− intestinal T cells, while NKR‐P1G was expressed by subsets of these cells with highest prevalence in gut and liver. In the intraepithelial compartment, the proportion of NKR‐P1A+ and NKR‐P1F+ cells was high at birth and thereafter declined, while NKR‐P1B+ and NKR‐P1G+ cells increased with age. Expression levels were also modulated by cytokines, with an increase of NKR‐P1B and NKR‐P1G induced by inflammatory cytokines, and a reduction of NKR‐P1A by TGF‐β. The physiological impact of NKR‐P1 receptors might thus be dependent on age, tissue, and inflammatory status.
A bootstrap calculation of confidence regions for proportions of sediment contributed by different source areas in a ‘fingerprinting’ model
Authors: Clarke Robin T. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractWhen ‘fingerprinting’ is used to identify what proportions Ps (s = 1, …, g) of suspended sediment come from g different source areas, measures of the uncertainties in estimates of the Ps are also required. These uncertainties are influenced by two kinds of correlation whose effects are rarely recognized in the literature. These are (i) correlation between the estimated Ps because they must add to 1 and (ii) correlation between the geochemical tracers measured in sediment samples. This paper uses bootstrap procedures to identify joint confidence regions for the estimated proportions [responding to correlation of type (i)] and to explore alternatives to the ‘standard’ least‐squares criterion used to estimate the proportions when tracer measurements are correlated [correlation of type (ii)].Using a limited dataset with three sediment source areas for illustration (g = 3), results were obtained from 5000 bootstrap samples, using two criteria (standard and generalized least squares, GLS) with two inequality constraints: (a) 0 ≤ Ps ≤ 1, where Ps is the fraction of suspended sediment contributed by the s‐th source area (s = 1, 2, 3) and (b) 0 < Ps < 1, which, the paper argues, better represents reality. Approximate 95% confidence regions for the Ps, given by the two criteria and two inequality constraints, were compared. Using inequality constraint (a), the confidence region given by the GLS criterion was slightly smaller than that given by the standard; using constraint (b), the two confidence regions' boundaries were almost identical, suggesting that the effects of correlations between tracers were not large for the dataset used. For both criteria, the scatter amongst estimated proportions Ps obtained by bootstrapping was large, raising issues concerning the efficiency of sampling and the allocation of sampling effort, both in source areas and in transported suspended sediment. The results suggest that apparently small differences in the constraints applied to the proportions Ps can give quite different numerical results. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A hydrologic routing model suitable for climate‐scale simulations of arctic rivers: application to the Mackenzie River Basin
Authors: Beighley R.E. , Eggert K. , Wilson C.J. , Rowland J.C. , Lee H. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractIn this study, the Hillslope River Routing (HRR) model was modified for arctic river basin applications and used to route surface and subsurface run‐off from the Community Land Model (CLM) in the Mackenzie River Basin (MRB) for the period 2000–2004. The HRR modelling framework performs lateral surface and subsurface run‐off routing from hillslopes and channel/floodplain routing. The HRR model was modified here to include a variable subsurface active layer thickness (ALT; permafrost) to enable subsurface water to resurface, a distributed surface storage component to store and attenuate the rapid generation of snowmelt water, compound hillslopes to account for the low relief near rivers and floodplains, and reservoir routing to complete the total surface and subsurface water storage accounting. To illustrate the new HRR model components, a case study is presented for the MRB. The basin is discretized into 5077 sub‐basins based on a drainage network derived from the global digital elevation model (DEM) developed from the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) sensor on board NASA's Terra satellite and river widths extracted from LandSat images. The median hillslope land area is 68.5 km2 with a flow length of 2.8 km. Gridded CLM surface and subsurface run‐offs are remapped to the HRR model's irregular sub‐basins. The role of each new model component is quantified in terms of peak annual streamflow (magnitude and timing) at select locations and basin‐wide total water storage anomalies. The role of distributed surface storage is shown to attenuate the relatively rapid generation of snowmelt water, impact the annual peak hydrograph (reduced peaks by >30% and detailed peak by >20 days), and account for 20% of the monthly total water storage anomalies averaged over the year and ranging from 14 to 25% (−10 to 30 mm) throughout the year. Although additional research is needed to dynamically link spatially distributed ALT to HRR, the role of ALT is shown to be important. A basin‐wide, uniform 1 m ALT impacts the annual peak hydrograph (reduced peaks by 9% and detailed peak by 8 days) and trends in total water storage anomalies. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
2,3,5,4′‐tetrahydroxystilbene‐2‐O‐β‐d‐glucoside protects human umbilical vein endothelial cells against lysophosphatidylcholine‐induced apoptosis by upregulating superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase
Authors: Zhao Jing , Xu Shouzhu , Song Fan , Nian Lun , Zhou Xuanxuan , Wang Siwang 
Published: November 2014

Abstract2,3,5,4′‐Tetrahydroxystilbene‐2‐O‐β‐d‐glucoside (TSG) has been shown to protect human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) from lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC)‐induced injury; however, the underlying molecular mechanism remains to be determined. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective mechanism of TSG against LPC‐induced injury in HUVECs. We established a stable LPC‐induced cell model by treating HUVECs with various concentrations of LPC and found 10.0 µg/mL of LPC to be optimal for inducing HUVECs injury. The effects of TSG on LPC‐induced cell injury were assessed by cell counting kit‐8, apoptosis assay, transmission electron microscope, and measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA), the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione peroxidase, and mitochondrial membrane potential. The mRNA and protein levels of caspase‐3, Bax, Bcl‐2, PARP‐1, and cytochrome C were assayed by real‐time reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting, respectively. TSG pretreatment was able to prevent LPC‐induced HUVECs injury and restore cell viability in a concentration‐dependent manner. LPC treated cells showed typical apoptotic morphological changes including cytoplasmic vacuolation, swollen mitochondria, and characteristic biochemical hallmarks of apoptosis including loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of caspase‐3, decrease of Bcl‐2, increase of PARP‐1, upregulation of Bax, and release of cytochrome C, all of which were apparently inhibited by TSG pretreatment. Treatment of HUVECs with LPC led to decrease of SOD and glutathione peroxidase in addition to rapid increase of MDA and ROS levels. Pretreatment with TSG restored SOD and glutathione peroxidase levels to that of normal levels, and significantly decreased ROS and MDA levels. Our data indicate that TSG inhibits apoptosis of HUVECs mediated by LPC through blocking the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and suggest that the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of TSG are related to the activation of SOD and glutathione peroxidase, the clearance of intracellular ROS, and reduction of lipid peroxidation. © 2014 IUBMB Life, 66(10):711–722, 2014
Acute toxicity of 50 metals to Daphnia magna
Authors: Okamoto Akira , Yamamuro Masumi , Tatarazako Norihisa 
Published: November 2014

AbstractMetals are essential for human life and physiological functions but may sometimes cause disorders. Therefore, we conducted acute toxicity testing of 50 metals in Daphnia magna: EC50s of seven elements (Be, Cu, Ag, Cd, Os, Au and Hg) were < 100 µg l−1; EC50s of 13 elements (Al, Sc, Cr, Co, Ni, Zn, Se, Rb, Y, Rh, Pt, Tl and Pb) were between 100 and 1000 µg l−1; EC50s of 14 elements (Li, V, Mn, Fe, Ge, As, In, Sn, Sb, Te, Cs, Ba, W and Ir) were between 1,001 and 100,000 µg l−1; EC50s of six elements (Na, Mg, K, Ca, Sr and Mo) were > 100,000 µg l−1; and. 7 elements (Ti, Zr, Bi, Nb, Hf, Re and Ta) did not show EC50 at the upper limit of respective aqueous solubility, and EC50s were not obtained. Ga, Ru and Pd adhered to the body of D. magna and physically retarded the movement of D. magna. These metals formed hydroxides after adjusting the pH. Therefore, here, we distinguished this physical effect from the physiological toxic effect. The acute toxicity results of 40 elements obtained in this study were not correlated with electronegativity. Similarly, the acute toxicity results of metals including the rare metals were also not correlated with first ionization energy, atomic weight, atomic number, covalent radius, atomic radius or ionic radius. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.