bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic variants associated with fasting glucose and insulin concentrations in an ethnically diverse population: results from the Population Architecture using Genomics and Epidemiology (PAGE) study
Authors: Fesinmeyer Megan D , Meigs James B , North Kari E , Schumacher Fredrick R , Bůžková Petra , Franceschini Nora , Haessler Jeffrey , Goodloe Robert , Spencer Kylee L , Voruganti Venkata Saroja , Howard Barbara V , Jackson Rebecca , Kolonel Laurence N , Liu Simin , Manson JoAnn E , Monroe Kristine R , Mukamal Kenneth , Dilks Holli H , Pendergrass Sarah A , Nato Andrew , Wan Peggy , Wilkens Lynne R , Marchand Loic Le , Ambite José Luis , Buyske Steven , Florez Jose C , Crawford Dana C , Hindorff Lucia A , Haiman Christopher A , Peters Ulrike , Pankow James S 
Published: September 2013

Abstract

Background
Multiple genome-wide association studies (GWAS) within European populations have implicated common genetic variants associated with insulin and glucose concentrations. In contrast, few studies have been conducted within minority groups, which carry the highest burden of impaired glucose homeostasis and type 2 diabetes in the U.S.

Methods
As part of the 'Population Architecture using Genomics and Epidemiology (PAGE) Consortium, we investigated the association of up to 10 GWAS-identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 8 genetic regions with glucose or insulin concentrations in up to 36,579 non-diabetic subjects including 23,323 European Americans (EA) and 7,526 African Americans (AA), 3,140 Hispanics, 1,779 American Indians (AI), and 811 Asians. We estimated the association between each SNP and fasting glucose or log-transformed fasting insulin, followed by meta-analysis to combine results across PAGE sites.

Results
Overall, our results show that 9/9 GWAS SNPs are associated with glucose in EA (p = 0.04 to 9 × 10-15), versus 3/9 in AA (p= 0.03 to 6 × 10-5), 3/4 SNPs in Hispanics, 2/4 SNPs in AI, and 1/2 SNPs in Asians. For insulin we observed a significant association with rs780094/GCKR in EA, Hispanics and AI only.

Conclusions
Generalization of results across multiple racial/ethnic groups helps confirm the relevance of some of these loci for glucose and insulin metabolism. Lack of association in non-EA groups may be due to insufficient power, or to unique patterns of linkage disequilibrium.
The presence of tumour-associated lymphocytes confers a good prognosis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: an immunohistochemical study of tissue microarrays
Authors: Tewari Nilanjana , Zaitoun Abed M , Arora Arvind , Madhusudan Srinivasan , Ilyas Mohammad , Lobo Dileep N 
Published: September 2013

AbstractBackgroundTumour-associated lymphocytes (TALs) have been linked with good prognosis in several solid tumours. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of CD3, CD8 and CD20 positive lymphocytes in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.MethodsAfter histological re-evaluation of the tumours of 81 patients who underwent surgical resection for exclusively pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, tissue micro-arrays (TMA) were constructed and immunohistochemistry was performed for CD3, CD8 and CD20. The number of lymphocytes within specific tumour compartments (i.e. stromal and intratumoural) was quantified. X-tile software (Yale School of Medicine, CT, USA) was used to stratify patients into 'high’ and 'low’ for each of the lymphocytes stained and their association with survival. Receiver operating curves (ROC) were constructed to evaluate the association between the TALs, alone and in combination, with clinicopathological features.ResultsCD3 and CD8 positive lymphocytes were associated with grade of tumour differentiation. The presence of intratumoural CD3 positive cells was associated with improved survival (p = 0.028), and intratumoural and stromal CD3 in combination also correlated with improved survival (p = 0.043). When CD20 positive lymphocyte levels were high, survival improved (p = 0.029) and similar results were seen for CD20 in combination with intratumoural CD3 (p = 0.001) and stromal CD8 (p = 0.013).ConclusionsThis study has shown a correlation between the presence of TALs and survival in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Tumor necrosis factor-α attenuates starvation-induced apoptosis through upregulation of ferritin heavy chain in hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Kou Xingrui , Jing Yingying , Deng Weijie , Sun Kai , Han Zhipeng , Ye Fei , Yu Guofeng , Fan Qingmin , Gao Lu , Zhao Qiudong , Zhao Xue , Li Rong , Wei Lixin , Wu Mengchao 
Published: September 2013

Abstract

Background
Tumor microenviroment is characteristic of inflammation, ischemia and starvation of nutrient. TNF-α, which is an extraordinarily pleiotropic cytokine, could be an endogenous tumor promoter in some tumor types. The basic objective of this study was to investigate the effects of TNF-α on the cell viability and apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells under serum starvation, and to identify the molecular mechanisms involved.

Methods
For this purpose, five different concentrations of TNF-α and two different serum settings (serum-cultured and serum-deprived) were used to investigate the effects of TNF-α on the cell viability and apoptosis of Hep3B and SMMC-7721 cells.

Results
TNF-α (10 ng/ml) attenuated serum starvation-induced apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells, and autophagy conferred this process. BAY11-7082, a specific inhibitor of NF-κB, reversed the suppression of serum starvation-induced apoptosis by TNF-α. Moreover, TNF-α-induced NF-κB transactivation was suppressed by autophagy inhibitor 3-MA. In addition, TNF-α up-regulated Ferritin heavy chain (FHC) transiently by NF-κB activation and FHC levels were correlated with the TNF-α-induced protection against serum starvation-mediated apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Furthermore, FHC-mediated inhibition of apoptosis depended on suppressing ROS accumulation.

Conclusions
Our findings suggested that autophagy conferred the TNF-α protection against serum starvation-mediated apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells, the mechanism involved with the activation of the TNF-α/ NF-κB /FHC signaling pathway.
Beta-asarone, a major component of Acorus tatarinowii Schott, attenuates focal cerebral ischemia induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats
Authors: Yang Yuan-Xiao , Chen Yi-Tao , Zhou Xiao-Jie , Hong Chun-Lan , Li Chang-Yu , Guo Jian-You 
Published: September 2013

Abstract

Background
Ischemic hypoxic brain injury often causes irreversible brain damage. The lack of effective and widely applicable pharmacological treatments for ischemic stroke patients may explain a growing interest in traditional medicines. β-Asarone, which has significant pharmacological effects on the central nervous system (CNS), was used in the prevention of cerebral ischemia in this paper.

Methods
The right middle cerebral artery occlusion model was used in the study. The effects of β-Asarone on mortality rate, neurobehavior, grip strength, lactate dehydrogenase, glutathione content, Lipid peroxidation, glutathione peroxidase activity, glutathione reductase activity, catalase activity, Na+-K+-ATPase activity and glutathione S transferase activity in a rat model were studied respectively.

Results
β-Asarone significantly improved the neurological outcome after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion in terms of neurobehavioral function in rats. Meanwhile, supplementation of β-Asarone significantly boosted the defense mechanism against cerebral ischemia via increasing antioxidants activity related to lesion pathogenesis. Restoration of the antioxidant homeostasis in the brain after reperfusion may help the brain recover from ischemic injury.

Conclusions
These experimental results suggest that complement β-Asarone is protective against cerebral ischemia in specific way. The administration of β-Asarone could reduce focal cerebral ischemic/reperfusion injury. The Mechanism of β-Asarone in protection of cerebral ischemia was via increasing antioxidants activity related to lesion pathogenesis.
Strategies for recruiting injection drug users for HIV prevention services in Delhi, India
Authors: Tun Waimar , Sebastian Mary Philip , Sharma Vartika , Madan Ira , Souidi Samir , Lewis Dean , Thior Ibou , Sarna Avina 
Published: September 2013

Abstract

Background
We utilized multiple recruitment approaches to recruit IDUs in a longitudinal cohort study to examine HIV incidence and behavior change pre- and post-introduction of comprehensive HIV prevention services.

Methods
IDUs were recruited through peer referral, targeted outreach by outreach workers (ORWs) and as walk-in clients at drop-in centers. Participants received monetary compensation for participation (USD 0.80). Participants were given recruitment coupons to recruit peers (regardless of recruitment method). For peer referral, participants received a food coupon, as secondary compensation, for each peer he/she successfully recruited. We report the profile of IDUs by recruitment method, based on the baseline behavioral survey and HIV test results. Cost per IDU recruited by recruitment method was also calculated.

Results
A total of 3,818 IDUs were recruited between May 2011 and October 2011. More than half of the study participants were recruited through targeted outreach (ORW: 53.6%; peer-referral: 26.3%; walk-ins: 20.1%). Of the participants who were given recruitment coupons, 92.7% recruited no peers. Those who successfully recruited at least one peer were significantly more likely to be in a stable living accommodation compared to those who did not recruit any peers (51.1% versus 42.7%; p < 0.05). Only 45.9% of the food coupons were claimed for successful recruitment of peers. Peer-referred IDUs were more likely to be living with family or relatives (50.7% versus ORW: 40.1% and walk-in: 39.8%; p < 0.001) rather than on the street or shared housings compared to the other two recruitment modes. Walk-ins were more likely than peer-referred and ORW-referred IDUs to be HIV-positive (walk-ins: 26.1%; peer-referred: 19.1%; ORW: 19.9%; p < 0.01) and have risky injection practices (walk-ins: 62.2%; ORW: 57.0%; peer-referred: 58.6%; p < 0.05). The cost per IDU recruited through ORW referral method was the most costly at USD 16.30, followed by peer-referral at USD 8.40 and walk-in at USD 7.50.

Conclusion
When recruiting a large number of IDUs, using multiple recruitment modes is ideal with regard to diversification of IDU characteristics and risk profile. Although it was the most costly, ORW recruitment was more effective than the other two methods. Lack of monetary compensation for successful recruitment of peers may have hampered peer-referral.
Long non-coding RNA expression profile in human gastric cancer and its clinical significances
Authors: Song Haojun , Sun Weiliang , Ye Guoliang , Ding Xiaoyun , Liu Zhong , Zhang Sijie , Xia Tian , Xiao Bingxiu , Xi Yang , Guo Junming 
Published: September 2013

Abstract

Background
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are prevalently transcribed in the genome yet their potential roles in human cancers are not well understood. The aim of the present study was to determine the lncRNA expression profile in gastric cancer and its potential clinical value.

Methods
The global lncRNA expression profile in gastric cancer was measured by lncRNA microarray. Levels of two representative lncRNAs, H19 and uc001lsz, were confirmed by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The relationship between their levels and clinicopathological factors of patients with gastric cancer was explored. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed for differentiating gastric cancer from benign gastric diseases.

Results
Total of 135 lncRNAs, which differential expression levels between tumor and non-tumorous tissues were more than twofold, were found (GEO No. GSE47850). The most down-regulated lncRNAs in gastric cancer tissues were FER1L4, uc001lsz, BG491697, AF131784, uc009ycs, BG981369, AF147447, HMlincRNA1600, and AK054588; while the most up-regulated ones were H19, HMlincRNA717, BM709340, BQ213083, AK054978, and DB077273. H19 was found highly expressed in stomach and liver cancer cell lines, while lowly expressed in lung cancer and prostate cancer cell lines. Uc001lsz was lowly expressed in gastric, lung and liver cancer cell lines, while highly expressed in prostate cancer. The areas under ROC curves were up to 0.613, 0.751, and 0.761 for H19, uc001lsz, and the combination, respectively.

Conclusions
The lncRNA expression profile in gastric cancer suggests the potential roles of lncRNAs in gastric cancer occurrence and development. The overexpression of H19 in gastric cancer suggests that H19 may be participated in gastric cancer. The reduced expression of uc001lsz in gastric cancer cell lines and tissues, its associations with TNM stage, and its dysregulation in early cancer and precancerous lesions suggest that uc001lsz may be a potential marker for the diagnosis of early gastric cancer.
Lymphocytic infiltration in the cutaneous lymphoma microenvironment after injection of TG1042
Authors: Accart Nathalie , Urosevic-Maiwald Mirjana , Dummer Reinhard , Bataille Vincent , Kehrer Nadine , Niculescu Cristina , Limacher Jean-Marc , Chenard Marie-Pierre , Bonnefoy Jean-Yves , Rooke Ronald 
Published: September 2013

Abstract

Background
Primary cutaneous lymphomas (CLs), characterized by an accumulation of clonal T or B lymphocytes preferentially localized in the skin, have been successfully treated with interferons (IFNs) which counterbalance the Th2-immunosuppressive state associated with this pathology. In a phase I/II clinical trial, we correlated the local immune infiltrate and the anti-tumor effects of repeated intralesional administrations of an adenovirus vector expressing human interferon-gamma (IFN-g) termed TG1042, in patients with advanced primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) or multilesional cutaneous B-cell lymphomas (CBCL).

Methods
For each patient, variation in time of specific lymphocyte populations, defined by immunohistochemical stainings, was assessed in biopsies of injected lesions. For each patient, the change in local immune response was associated with the patient’s objective response at the end of the study.

Results
Immunohistochemical analyses of biopsies indicate that infiltration of CD8+ T lymphocytes and of TIA-1+ cytotoxic T-cells in lesions injected with TG1042 correlates with clinical benefit.

Conclusions
These data suggest for the first time that a CD8+ cytotoxic infiltrate, induced by local expression of IFN-g correlates with a clinical response.

Trial registration
The phase I step (TG1042.01) does not have a registration number. The phase II step (TG1042.06) registration number was NCT00394693.
Short-range spin-phonon coupling in in-plane CuO nanowires: a low-temperature Raman investigation
Authors: Shih Po-Hsun , Cheng Chia-Liang , Wu Sheng Yun 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
We report an application of low-temperature Raman scattering on in-plane CuO nanowires, in which an overview of the characteristic parameter of spin-phonon coefficient, the interaction of incident light with the spin degrees of freedom, and size effects will be given. The appearance of spin-phonon coefficient decrease reflects the existence of finite size effect.
Progression of coronary artery atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis: comparison with participants from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Chung Cecilia P , Giles Jon T , Kronmal Richard A , Post Wendy S , Gelber Allan C , Petri Michelle , Szklo Moyses , Detrano Robert , Budoff Matthew J , Blumenthal Roger S , Ouyang Pamela , Bush David , Bathon Joan M 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
Introduction
In cross-sectional studies, patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have higher coronary artery calcium (CAC) than controls. However, their rate of progression of CAC and the predictors of CAC progression have heretofore remained unknown.

Methods
Incidence and progression of CAC were compared in 155 patients with RA and 835 control participants. The association of demographic characteristics, traditional cardiovascular risk factors, RA disease characteristics and selected inflammatory markers with incidence and progression of CAC were evaluated.

Results
The incidence rate of newly detected CAC was 8.2/100 person-years in RA and 7.3/100 person-years in non-RA control subjects [IRR 1.1 (0.7-1.8)]. RA patients who developed newly detectable CAC were older (59±7 vs. 55±6 years old, p=0.03), had higher triglyceride levels (137±86 vs. 97±60 mg/dL, p=0.03), and higher systolic blood pressure (129±17 vs. 117±15 mm Hg, p=0.01) compared to those who did not develop incident CAC. Differences in blood pressure and triglyceride levels remained significant after adjustment for age (p<=0.05). RA patients with any CAC at baseline had a median rate of yearly progression of 21 (7–62) compared to 21 (5–70) Agatston units in controls. No statistical differences between RA progressors and RA non-progressors were observed for inflammatory markers or for RA disease characteristics.

Conclusions
The incidence and progression of CAC did not differ between RA and non-RA participants. In patients with RA, incident CAC was associated with older age, higher triglyceride levels, and higher blood pressure, but not with inflammatory markers or RA disease characteristics.
Discontinuation of adalimumab after attaining disease activity score 28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate remission in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (HONOR study): an observational study
Authors: Hirata Shintaro , Saito Kazuyoshi , Kubo Satoshi , Fukuyo Shunsuke , Mizuno Yasushi , Iwata Shigeru , Nawata Masao , Sawamukai Norifumi , Nakano Kazuhisa , Yamaoka Kunihiro , Tanaka Yoshiya 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
Introduction
Evidences of biologics-free disease control after discontinuing adalimumab (ADA) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in clinical practice have not been sufficiently investigated. Purpose of this study is to investigate whether disease activity score 28 (DAS28)- erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) remission was preserved after discontinuation of ADA in patients with RA.

Methods
This is an observational but not a randomized controlled study. Among 197 RA patients who initiated with combination of ADA with concomitant MTX, 69 (35%) acquired DAS28 (ESR) < 2.6 for at least 24 weeks. Of those 69 patients, 51 went on ADA discontinuation with their consent, and finally 50 of those with follow-up of > 24 weeks were evaluated. The effect of discontinuing ADA on clinical disease activity, functional disability and radiographic progression were evaluated by DAS28 (ESR), the clinical disease activity index (CDAI) and the simplified disease activity index (SDAI), by a health assessment questionnaire-disability index (HAQ-DI) and by the modified total Sharp score (mTSS), respectively.

Results
The mean age of the participants was 59.5 years with the mean disease duration of 7.1 years. Out of the 50 patients, 29 (58%) were maintained in DAS28 (ESR) < 2.6 at 24 weeks after discontinuing ADA. A logistic regression analysis showed that DAS28 (ESR) at baseline significantly predicted a DAS28 (ESR) < 2.6 maintained after discontinuation of ADA, and a receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that the cut-off value of DAS28 (ESR) at discontinuation was 2.16. The mean HAQ-DI at six months after discontinuing ADA was 0.1 in patients who kept in DAS28 (ESR) < 2.6, and 94.9% (37/39) showed no evidence of radiographic progression (> 0.5 per year of a change in mTSS) at 1 year.

Conclusions
It was possible to maintain DAS28 (ESR) < 2.6 after discontinuation of ADA without functional and radiographic progression and very low DAS28 (ESR) at the discontinuation was associated with successful ADA-free DAS28 (ESR) < 2.6 in patients with RA.

Trial registration
University Hospital Medical Information Network Identifier: UMIN000006669.
Contract without numbers and without adjectives. Beyond the consumer and the weak enterprise
Authors: Vettori Giuseppe 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
The essay examines the law of contract under the current system of Italian and European sources. Traditional categories based on the qualities of contractors (consumers, customers, weak companies) have difficulty in sorting out the new phenomena; rather, we need a new method to regulate contracts, governed by a set of sources from which to draw elements of compliance with the rule and new forms of protection, through an activity of deconstruction and innovation that Italian Courts have already begun, using some instruments in particular. They have used the legal concepts of ‘concrete cause’ and a conflict with mandatory rules, as instruments for the control of legality and validity. They have used constitutionally guaranteed rights and duties, as limits to contractual freedom. Finally, they have used good faith as a criterion of liability in the assessment of behaviour both pre- and post-contract signature, with an autonomous function with respect to the assessment of contract validity.
Variation of mechanical properties of single bamboo fibers (Dendrocalamus latiflorus Munro) with respect to age and location in culms
Authors: Wang Hankun , An Xiaojing , Li Wanju , Wang Hao , Yu Yan 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
There is a growing need to characterize the mechanical properties of single bamboo fibers with their high potential in commercial applications. In this paper, an improved microtensile technique has been applied to measure the tensile strength of fibers isolated from Ma bamboo (Dendrocalamus latiflorus Munro) as an important commercial bamboo species in China. The property variation with respect to the age and locations within a culm was in focus. Ma bamboo fibers had superior stiffness and strength data compared with those of softwood fibers. Four-year-old Ma bamboo fibers are stiffer and stronger than 1-year-old fibers. Their in-trunk variation is rather small both in radial and longitudinal directions. This is due to the relatively constant microfibrillar angle in bamboo culms. Accordingly, the large variations in the bulk mechanical properties of bamboo are mainly attributable to fiber distribution density in the culm rather than the fiber itself.
A Numerical Study on the Oil-water Separation Process
Authors: Yamaguchi Alan Junji 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
Oil production from the wells results in a mixture of various phases including water, oil, gas, solids like sand and other contaminants such as nitrogen and carbon dioxide. In this way, the primary separation of the crude oil that comes from the reservoir is a very important process in the oil production. For this purpose two main equipments can be employed: gravity separators and hydrocyclones. Despite the simplicity of the mechanism of gravity separator, it is still the best solution when considering the fluctuations of the flow rate and the complexity of the multiphase flow with solid contents. Within this context, the objective of the present work is to perform a numerical analysis of the gravity separator in order to study the primary factors that affect the efficiency of the equipment and to investigate means to improve its productivity. To met the challenging task of modeling multiphase flow inside the equipments with complex geometry, a numerical approach denominated Moving Particle Semi-Implicit (MPS) method is adopted in the present work. MPS is a particle-based Lagrangian method that solves the governing equations of the continuum. It is originally developed to model incompressible free surface flows. For the modeling of the surface tension in the free surface and in the water-oil interface, a inter-particle potential force model is used. For sack of simplicity, two dimensional models of water-oil separation are considered. At first, a simple validation of the numerical approach is carried out. After that, a simplified gravity separator is modeled and the numerical simulations are carried out to investigate the influence of the geometrical configuration on the effectiveness of the separation process.