bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Demonstration and Characterization of Manganese Superoxide Dismutase of Providencia alcalifaciens
Authors: Chen Xiuhao , Kodama Toshio , Iida Tetsuya , Honda Takeshi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractSuperoxide dismutases convert superoxide anions to molecular oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. These enzymes constitute one of the major defense mechanisms of cells against oxidative stress and play a role in the pathogenesis of certain invasive bacteria. In this study, we reported for the first time here that Providencia alcalifaciens, a member of the family Enterobacteriaceae, produces a superoxide dismutase (SOD) as a major protein in culture supernatants. This protein was purified by a series of column chromatographic separations. The N‐terminal amino acid sequence of the protein was determined to be highly homologous to manganese superoxide dismutase of Escherichia coli or Salmonella reported. The gene (sodA) encoding for SOD of P. alcalifaciens was cloned and sequenced. The sodA‐encoded protein has a molecular weight of about 23.5 kDa, and the DNA sequence of P. alcalifaciens sodA gene (627 bp) has about 83% identity to the E. coli SOD gene. We constructed a sodA deletion mutant and its complemented strain of P. alcalifaciens. In J774, a macrophage cell line, the sodA deletion mutant was more susceptible to killing by macrophages than the wildtype strain and its complemented strain. When we injected the mutant strain, its complemented strain and wildtype strain intraperitoneally into DDY strain mice, we found that the sodA deletion mutant proved significantly less virulent while the complemented strain recovered the virulence to the same level of wildtype strain of P. alcalifaciens. These results suggested that manganese superoxide dismutase plays an important role in intracellular survival of P. alcalifaciens.
Human Herpesvirus 6 Infection of CD4+ T‐Cell Subsets
Authors: Otani Naruhito , Okuno Toshiomi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe immune system includes CD4+ regulatory T (Treg) cells that play a role in self‐tolerance and demonstrate functional variations that govern immune responses. HHV‐6 is an important immunosuppressive virus that completely replicates in vivo and in vitro in only CD4+ T cells. However, there have been no reports of the specific T‐cell subpopulation that permits the replication of this virus. Here, we evaluated the infectivity of HHV‐6 to specific T‐cell populations such as CD4+CD25high, which includes the majority of Treg cells, and CD4+CD25–. These cells were isolated from peripheral blood and then expanded. The expanded cell fractions were then infected with the HHV‐6 variant B strain, and the spreads of infected cells were evaluated by immunofluorescence. Viral growth was also quantified by real‐time PCR. The effects of virus infection on cytokine production from these T‐cell subsets were examined using ELISA. Our results revealed that both these fractions permitted complete HHV‐6 replication. Virus infection enhanced the production of both Th1‐ and Th2‐type cytokines from CD4+CD25– T cells; however, only Th2‐type cytokine release was augmented from viral‐infected CD4+CD25high T cells. Further, while virus‐infected CD4+CD25high T cells shift their antiviral immunity toward Th2 dominance by producing IL‐10, the role of virus‐infected CD4+CD25– T cells remains obscure.
Small Red Bean (Azuki) Sheds Biologically Active Substances as a Prerequisite Step for Germination, One of Which Displays the Antiviral Activity against the Rabies Virus Infectivity and Infections in Culture
Authors: Kawai Akihiko , Fujita Kimie 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWhen small red beans (azuki bean; Vigna angularis Ohwi et Ohashi) were soaked and warmed in water or saline, the beans began to absorb water to swell and exuded kinds of substances probably as a prerequisite step for seed germination. Such exudate fluids displayed strong antiviral activity against the rabies virus infections in culture. On the other hand, little anti‐rabies activity was detected in the aqueous extracts from the red beans when tested soon after the extraction from powdered beans, while low titers of antiviral activity appeared gradually in the extracts during cold storage. In contrast, no antiviral activity was detected in the exudate fluids from non‐colored azuki beans (white azuki), implicating that a certain anthocyanin‐related substance is involved in the antiviral activity of red beans. Production of antiviral and cytotoxic activities were affected differently depending on the bean‐soaking conditions. In addition, the antiviral activity resisted to 10 min‐heating in boiling water, while the cytotoxicity was greatly weakened by the heating, suggesting that different substances are involved in the antiviral and cytotoxic activities. Further studies on the antiviral activity of the exudate fluids demonstrated that anti‐rabies activity of the bean exudates affected not only the very early phase of infection cycle, but the viral infectivity was also affected similarly, implicating a possible application of azuki bean exudate fluids to post‐exposure treatment of rabid dog‐bite injuries in combination with vaccination.
Orally Administrated Lactobacillus gasseri TMC0356 and Lactobacillus GG Alleviated Nasal Blockage of Guinea Pig with Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Kawase Manabu , He Fang , Kubota Akira , Harata Gaku , Hiramatsu Masaru 
Published: November 2013

AbstractLactobacillus GG (LGG) and L. gasseri TMC0356 (TMC0356) were investigated for their ability to alleviate nasal blockage associated with allergic rhinitis using a guinea pig model. The increases in sRaw at 10 min and 5 hr after the exposure of the nasal mucosa to OVA were significantly alleviated in the guinea pigs orally administrated with LGG and TMC0356 compared with those of the control (P<0.05 and P<0.01). The total numbers of leukocytes, particularly eosinophils and neutrophils from the nasal cavity lavage fluid, and the OVA‐specific IgE concentration in the serum were also decreased in the guinea pigs orally administrated with LGG and TMC0356, although the decreases were not statistically significant. These results suggest that LGG and TMC0356 can alleviate antigen‐induced nasal blockage in earlyphase and late‐phase inflammatory responses associated with allergic rhinitis.
Comparative Proteome Analysis of the Outer Membrane Proteins of in Vitro‐Induced Multi‐Drug Resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Authors: Yoo Jeong Sik , Seong Won Keun , Kim Tong Soo , Park Yong Keun , Oh Hee‐Bok , Yoo Cheon Kwon 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAntimicrobial‐resistant gonococcus has been a major problem in sexually transmitted disease control. Outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of Neisseria gonorrhoeae were suggested to have influence on its resistance to antibiotics. So, in this work, we provide a proteomic analysis tool for examining the OMPs of N. gonorrhoeae and also provide a comparative analysis of the OMPs between the susceptible parent strain (92WT) and the resistance‐induced isogenic mutant (92mu13) to determine the OMPs responsible for resistance. The 2‐D gel spots of 92mu13 differed from 92WT particularly in porin, pilus secretion protein (PilQ) and enzymes. PilQ expression in 92mu13 was considerably reduced by abrupt termination at nucleotide 2,112. This made it difficult to form a high molecular mass (HMM) pore at the outer membrane; it is suspected that reduction of PilQ serves a role in antibiotic resistance in N. gonorrhoeae. The amount of porin was not changed but its isoelectric point (pI) shifted to a basic region, which is caused by the alteration of an amino acid of porin and it is suggested to relate to the development of antimicrobial resistance. Differential regulation of the enzymes involved in metabolism was found in 92mu13, believed to represent an adaptation of N. gonorrhoeae to the antibiotic environment.
Effectiveness of a peer‐led self‐management programme for people with schizophrenia: protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Chan Sally Wai Chi , Li Ziqiang , Klainin‐Yobas Piyanee , Ting Steven , Chan Moon Fai , Eu Pui‐Wai 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAimTo determine the effectiveness of a peer‐led self‐management programme for people with schizophrenia in reducing psychotic symptom severity, hospital readmission and psychiatric consultation and in enhancing cognition, empowerment, functioning level, medication adherence, perceived recovery, quality of life and social support.BackgroundSeveral self‐management programmes have been developed to empower patients with severe mental illness in achieving recovery. Research suggests that peer‐led self‐management programmes have positive effects on patient recovery. However, the existing evidence is inconclusive, due to a lack of credible evidence and long‐term follow‐up evaluations.DesignA stratified randomized controlled trial will be conducted at six community mental health rehabilitation centresMethodsA sample of 242 adults with schizophrenia will be recruited. A peer‐led self‐management programme, comprising six 2‐hour sessions, will be implemented in the intervention group and a standard rehabilitation programme in the control group. Outcomes will be measured at baseline, postintervention and at the 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐ups. The measures will include cognition, empowerment, functioning level, medication adherence, perceived recovery, quality of life, social support, symptom severity, hospital readmission and psychiatric consultation. A mixed effects model will be used to analyse the results. Semi‐structured interviews will be conducted to explore the peer‐trainers’ and participants’ perspectives on the programme. Research Ethics Committee approval was obtained in December 2011 and funding was obtained in January 2012.ConclusionThis study will provide evidence on the effectiveness of a peer‐led self‐management programme for patient recovery. It will identify a clinically useful and potentially effective intervention that incorporates empowerment concept.
Acute Safety and Efficacy of a Novel Multipolar Irrigated Radiofrequency Ablation Catheter for Pulmonary Vein Isolation
Authors: DENEKE THOMAS , SCHADE ANJA , MÜLLER PATRICK , SCHMITT RAINER , CHRISTOPOULOS GEORGIOS , KRUG JOACHIM , SZÖLLÖSI GEZA , MÜGGE ANDREAS , KERBER SEBASTIAN , NENTWICH KARIN 
Published: November 2013

Introduction“Single shot” ablation devices to treat symptomatic atrial fibrillation have been engineered over the last years. Safety and efficacy also includes subclinical complications only detected with esophageal endoscopy or cerebral MRI in asymptomatic patients.We studied the acute efficacy and safety profile of a novel multipolar irrigated RF ablation catheter (nMARQ™).Methods and ResultsForty‐three patients underwent pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using the novel ablation device. Patient baseline and procedural characteristics were documented. Efficacy of PVI was identified using only the nMARQ™ catheter. All patients underwent postablation endoscopic evaluation of the esophagus to document thermal damage and cerebral MRI (diffusion weight imaging, attenuated diffusion coefficient‐map) to document incidence and number of silent cerebral lesions (SCL).Effective PVI was achieved in 98% of targeted PVs in a mean procedure time of 133 minutes. A mean of 4.8, 60‐second RF applications, per PV was needed for effective PVI. No clinical procedure‐associated complications were noted. Esophageal temperature increase >40.5 °C was noted in 22 (51%) patients and 14 of these had thermal esophageal lesions on endoscopic evaluation. A total of 26 SCLs were noted in 14 patients (33%; 1.9/patient; mean diameter of 2.3 mm, 88% of lesions were ≤3 mm).ConclusionsPVI using the novel irrigated RF multipolar ablation device (nMARQ™) appears to be acutely effective. No clinical complications were identified. A high incidence of SCL (33%) and thermal esophageal lesions (33%) bears caution and further studies on long‐term efficacy and safety are needed.
Epicardial/Endocardial Sinus Node Ablation After Failed Endocardial Ablation for the Treatment of Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia
Authors: JACOBSON JASON T. , KRAUS ALEXANDRIA , LEE RICHARD , GOLDBERGER JEFFREY J. 
Published: November 2013

IntroductionSuccess of endocardial sinus node (SN) ablation for refractory inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST) is limited by the epicardial location of the SN and potential damage to the phrenic nerve (PN). An epicardial approach may overcome these limitations.Methods and ResultsIST patients who failed endocardial ablation underwent an epicardial approach. Percutaneous pericardial access was obtained with a double wire technique for PN protection (i.e., with a balloon catheter), if needed. Earliest sinus activation was mapped and ablated with remapping for changes in P‐wave morphology or sinus rate. The endpoint was total SN ablation (patients with atrial pacing [AP]); otherwise the target was a >25% decrease in sinus rate and inversion of P‐wave axis. Five patients (all female, age 36 ± 4 years) underwent ablation. Two had prior AP, and 1 elected to have SN ablation and pacemaker during the same procedure. Three had prior endocardial ablation limited by PN proximity. Baseline sinus rate was 119 ± 20 bpm. After 35.2 ± 21.3 lesions (22.4 ± 21.7 epicardial, 12.8 ± 21.3 endocardial), 4 were in junctional rhythm, 1 in atrial rhythm at 90 bpm. This latter patient had symptom recurrence and underwent combined minimally invasive surgical/catheter SN cryoablation. Atrial tachycardia subsequently occurred and was successfully ablated. The only significant complication was pericarditis (3 patients). At last follow‐up (30.4 ± 18.4 months), all had symptom resolution. Two were AP >99%, 1 was AP 54%. Two remain in ectopic atrial rhythm with controlled rates.ConclusionsCombined epicardial/endocardial SN ablation is a viable approach for patients with severely symptomatic IST after a failed endocardial attempt.
Association of RNASEL and 8q24 variants with the presence and aggressiveness of hereditary and sporadic prostate cancer in a hispanic population
Authors: San Francisco Ignacio F. , Rojas Pablo A. , Torres‐Estay Verónica , Smalley Susan , Cerda‐Infante Javier , Montecinos Viviana P. , Hurtado Claudia , Godoy Alejandro S. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractTo study the association between the polymorphisms Arg462Gln and Asp541Glu from the RNASEL gene (1q25), and the polymorphisms rs620861, rs1447295, rs6983267, rs7837328 from the chromosome 8q24 with the risk of presenting prostate cancer (PCa) and its clinical characteristics in a Hispanic (Chilean) population. The study was performed on 21 control patients and 83 patients diagnosed with PCa. Polymorphisms were analysed from blood samples through real‐time PCR by using TaqMan probes, and the genetic analysis was performed with the SNPStats program. Also, a comparison was performed between clinical characteristics of PCa and the presence of the different polymorphism genotypes by using the Minitab software. There was a significant association between the genotype G/G from the polymorphism rs6983267 with an overall increased risk of PCa, in patients both with or without family history of PCa (OR = 4.47, 95% CI = 1.05–18.94, P = 0.034 and OR = 3.57, 95% CI = 0.96–13.35, P = 0.037, respectively). Regarding clinical parameters, patients carrying the genotype C/C from the polymorphism Asp541Glu had significantly higher prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) levels than patients carrying the other genotypes (P = 0.034). Moreover, patients with the genotype G/G of rs6983267 had higher PSA levels (P = 0.024). The polymorphism rs6983267 from region 3 of the chromosome 8q24 appears to be a prominent risk factor for PCa and a biomarker for cancer aggressiveness in the group of patients who presented higher levels of PSA at the time of diagnosis.
Doxorubicin‐eluting beads versus conventional transarterial chemoembolization for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Huang Kaijun , Zhou Qian , Wang Rong , Cheng Donghui , Ma Yi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBackground and AimDoxorubicin‐eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB‐TACE) is a novel locoregional treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, to date, the benefits of DEB‐TACE versus conventional transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) remain unclear. This meta‐analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the two treatments for patients with unresectable HCC.MethodsWe searched for relevant articles by means of computerized bibliographic search and complementary manual search. Objective tumor response, overall survival, and adverse events were then calculated and analyzed.ResultsA total of seven clinical studies with 700 participants were included in the current meta‐analysis. Significantly better objective tumor response was found for DEB‐TACE than for conventional TACE (OR = 1.92, 95% CI [1.34, 2.77]; P = 0.0004), with relative risk difference of 0.15 [0.07, 0.24] (P = 0.0003). One‐year and 2‐year survival rates were statistically significantly higher for DEB‐TACE compared with conventional TACE (Peto OR, 95% CI: 0.64 [0.46, 0.89], P = 0.007; 0.61 [0.47, 0.80], P = 0.0003, respectively). Peto ORs of 6‐month and 3‐year survival were 0.72 [0.46, 1.14] (P = 0.16) and 0.77 [0.55, 1.06] (P = 0.11), respectively, showing no difference statistically. However, we could still find a tendency favoring DEB‐TACE. Adverse side effects were similar in both groups, with postembolization syndrome occurring most commonly.ConclusionsThis meta‐analysis shows that DEB‐TACE provides significantly better tumor response compared with conventional TACE. One‐year and 2‐year survival are better with DEB‐TACE. In addition, DEB‐TACE is as safe as conventional TACE. Therefore, DEB‐TACE is a better choice for HCC patients for whom curative treatments like liver transplantation and liver resection are not suitable.
Comparison of long‐term effectiveness and complications of radiofrequency ablation with hepatectomy for small hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Fang Yong , Chen Wei , Liang Xiao , Li Da , Lou HaiZhou , Chen Renbiao , Wang Kaifeng , Pan HongMing 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBackground and AimTo determine and compare the adverse events and long‐term effectiveness for patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (≤ 3 cm) treated by percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or hepatectomy.MethodsSmall HCC from 120 patients were randomized into either percutaneous RFA therapy or hepatectomy group, and the effectiveness and complications of two treatment modalities were analyzed. The complications of post‐RFA or hepatectomy, the complete treatment rate, treatment‐related mortality, and disease‐free and overall survival rate were followed up and conducted.ResultsIn patients with small HCC, complete remission rates were achieved in 95% and 96.7% in the percutaneus RFA and hepatectomy groups, respectively (P > 0.05). Hepatic function at day‐7 status post‐treatment, including albumin and bilirubin levels, were significantly worse in the hepatectomy group (P < 0.01). Compared with the RFA group, the incidence of postoperative complications (27.5% vs 5.0%) and hospital stay (11.8 ± 3.1 vs 4.3 ± 1.5) were significantly higher in the hepatectomy group (P < 0.01). After a mean follow‐up of 40 months, 22 patients (36.6%) in the RFA group and 21 patients (35.0%) in the hepatectomy group developed a recurrence (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference of the disease‐free and overall survival rates at 1, 2, and 3 years between the RFA group and the surgical hepatectomy group (P = 0.443 and P = 0.207, respectively).ConclusionsIn patients with small HCC, percutaneous RFA showed similar local control and long‐term survival compared with hepatectomy. Importantly, percutaneous RFA are accompanied with a lower complication rate and shorter hospital stay day.
Polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor gene and risk of primary biliary cirrhosis: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Yuan‐jun , Tang Ya‐wei , Shi Yong‐quan , Han Shuang , Wang Jing‐bo , Zhou Xin‐min , Chen Yu , Wu Zhi‐dan , Han Zhe‐yi , Han Ying , Wu Kai‐chun , Fan Dai‐ming 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBackground and AimPrimary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic and progressive cholestatic autoimmune liver disease. Although many studies have evaluated the association between many functional polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene and PBC risk, debates still exist. Our aim is to evaluate the association between VDR gene polymorphisms, including TaqI (rs731236), BsmI (rs1544410), and ApaI (rs7975232), and the risk of PBC by a systematic review.MethodsWe searched literatures in PubMed, SCOPUS, and EMBASE until July 2013. We calculated pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a fixed effects model or a random effects model for the risk to PBC associated with different VDR gene polymorphisms. And the heterogeneity assumption decided the effect model.ResultsA total of six relevant studies, with 1322 PBC cases and 2264 controls, were included in this meta‐analysis. The results indicated that TaqI (rs731236) polymorphism was significantly associated with PBC risk (for T vs t OR = 0.75, 95% CI 0.63, 0.89, Pz = 0.001; TT + Tt vs tt OR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.44, 0.86, Pz = 0.005; OR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.58, 0.94, Pz = 0.016 for recessive model), while ApaI (rs7975232) or BsmI (rs1544410) polymorphism did not.ConclusionBased on current evidences from published studies, the cumulative effect of TaqI polymorphism in VDR was significantly associated with PBC. Larger studies with mixed ethnicity subjects and stratified by clinical and sub clinical characteristics are needed to validate our findings.
X‐ray repair cross‐complementing 1 polymorphism and prognosis of platinum‐based chemotherapy in gastric and colorectal cancer: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Wu Hongju , Xu Chongan , Chen Gang , Wang Jingru 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBackground and AimThe relationships between the X‐ray repair cross‐complementing 1 (XRCC1) Arg399Gln polymorphism (rs25487, G > A) and responses to platinum‐based chemotherapy of gastric and colorectal cancer patients are controversial. Therefore, we performed a meta‐analysis to assess the relationships.MethodsWe retrieved the relevant articles from MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. Fourteen studies with 1618 gastric and colorectal cancer patients were included. Primary outcomes included response rate (RR), progression‐free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Odds ratio (OR) or hazard ratio with 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated. All analyses were performed using the Stata software version 11.0 and Review Manager (v5.0).ResultsIn the dominant model, the A allele of XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism was associated with reduced RR to platinum‐based chemotherapy in all gastric and colorectal cancer patients (A/G + A/A vs G/G OR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.55–0.96) and in Asians (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44–0.89) but not in Caucasians (OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.60–1.42). In addition, stratified analysis for different types of cancers indicated a marginally significant decrease of RR in colorectal cancer patients (OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.46–1.00) but not in gastric cancer patients (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.53–1.15). However, we did not observe a significant association between XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism and hazard for PFS and OS for gastric and colorectal cancer patients in all tested models.ConclusionsXRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism may be a valuable genetic marker for platinum‐based chemotherapy of gastric and colorectal cancer patients, and more well‐designed studies with large samples are needed to confirm our findings.