bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Brief Report: Increased expression of a short splice variant of CTLA‐4 exacerbates lupus in MRL/lpr mice
Authors: Ichinose Kunihiro , Zhang Zheng , Koga Tomohiro , Juang Yuang‐Taung , Kis‐Tóth Katalin , Sharpe Arlene H. , Kuchroo Vijay , Crispín José C. , Tsokos George C. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractObjectiveCTLA‐4 is a negative regulator of the immune response expressed by regulatory T (Treg) cells and activated T cells. Polymorphisms in the CTLA4 gene have been associated with autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus. Disease‐associated polymorphisms have been shown to affect the production of the different CTLA‐4 variants through an effect on alternative splicing. This study was undertaken to evaluate the role of the 1/4 CTLA‐4 isoform in lupus‐prone mice.MethodsWe generated an MRL/lpr mouse strain that transgenically overexpresses a short isoform of CTLA‐4 (1/4 CTLA‐4) by backcrossing C57BL/6.1/4CTLA‐4–transgenic mice to the MRL/lpr strain for 9 generations. A new antibody was generated to detect the expression of the 1/4 CTLA‐4 isoform. Routine methods were used to evaluate kidney damage, humoral immunity, and cellular immunity.ResultsExpression of the 1/4 CTLA‐4 isoform accelerated autoimmune disease. Transgenic mice died earlier, had more severe renal disease, and had higher titers of anti–double‐stranded DNA antibodies than wild‐type MRL/lpr mice. The acceleration of autoimmunity and disease pathology associated with the presence of the short (1/4) isoform of CTLA‐4 was linked to increased numbers of activated T cells and B cells and heightened interferon‐γ production, but not to altered expression of the full‐length CTLA‐4 molecule or Treg cell numbers.ConclusionOur results indicate that the presence of the alternatively spliced 1/4 CTLA‐4 isoform can further promote autoimmunity and autoimmune pathology in lupus‐prone mice and suggest that altered splicing of CTLA4 contributes to the expression of autoimmune disease.
Bone parameters across different types of hip osteoarthritis and their relationship to osteoporotic fracture risk
Authors: Castaño‐Betancourt Martha C. , Rivadeneira Fernando , Bierma‐Zeinstra Sita , Kerkhof Hanneke J. M. , Hofman Albert , Uitterlinden Andre G. , van Meurs Joyce B. J. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractObjectiveThe atrophic type of hip osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by cartilage degradation without the formation of osteophytes. Individuals with atrophic OA have been less well studied, and it is unknown whether this OA type differs from the osteophytic types with regard to bone tissue. The purpose of this study was to examine bone mineral density (BMD), hip structural properties, and fracture risk in individuals with the atrophic type of OA as compared to those with the osteophytic types (normotrophic/hypertrophic) as well as individuals without OA.MethodsThis study is part of the Rotterdam Study, a large prospective population‐based cohort study. We examined 5,006 participants who had been assessed for OA, BMD, and geometric measures at baseline and for incident nonvertebral osteoporotic fractures (mean followup 9.6 years). We estimated the differences in bone characteristics between the OA groups and the controls (no joint space narrowing or osteophytes). Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate osteoporotic fracture risk.ResultsParticipants with atrophic OA had systemically lower BMD as compared to those with normotrophic OA and as compared to the controls (6.5% and 9% for total body BMD; 4% and 5% for skull BMD, respectively). Participants with osteophytic OA had ∼4% and ∼5% higher total body and skull BMD, respectively, a wider femoral neck, and greater bone strength (12% and 5% higher section modulus, respectively) as compared to the controls or to those with atrophic OA. The risk of osteoporotic fractures was almost 50% higher in those with atrophic OA as compared to the controls (hazard risk 1.48, P = 0.008). This difference was not explained by differences in the BMD, number of falls, degree of disability, or use of corticosteroids.ConclusionIndividuals with atrophic hip OA have an increased risk of osteoporotic fractures that is not fully explained by systemically lower BMD as compared to controls.
Epidemiology and sociodemographics of systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis among US adults with Medicaid coverage, 2000–2004
Authors: Feldman Candace H. , Hiraki Linda T. , Liu Jun , Fischer Michael A. , Solomon Daniel H. , Alarcón Graciela S. , Winkelmayer Wolfgang C. , Costenbader Karen H. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractObjectiveSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis (LN) disproportionately affect individuals who are members of racial/ethnic minority groups and individuals of lower socioeconomic status (SES). This study was undertaken to investigate the epidemiology and sociodemographics of SLE and LN in the low‐income US Medicaid population.MethodsWe utilized Medicaid Analytic eXtract data, with billing claims from 47 states and Washington, DC, for 23.9 million individuals ages 18–65 years who were enrolled in Medicaid for >3 months in 2000–2004. Individuals with SLE (≥3 visits >30 days apart with an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision [ICD‐9] code of 710.0) and with LN (≥2 visits with an ICD‐9 code for glomerulonephritis, proteinuria, or renal failure) were identified. We calculated SLE and LN prevalence and incidence, stratified by sociodemographic category, and adjusted for number of American College of Rheumatology (ACR) member rheumatologists in the state and SES using a validated composite of US Census variables.ResultsWe identified 34,339 individuals with SLE (prevalence 143.7 per 100,000) and 7,388 (21.5%) with LN (prevalence 30.9 per 100,000). SLE prevalence was 6 times higher among women, nearly double in African American compared to white women, and highest in the US South. LN prevalence was higher among all racial/ethnic minority groups compared to whites. The areas with lowest SES had the highest prevalence; areas with the fewest ACR rheumatologists had the lowest prevalence. SLE incidence was 23.2 per 100,000 person‐years and LN incidence was 6.9 per 100,000 person‐years, with similar sociodemographic trends.ConclusionIn this nationwide Medicaid population, there was sociodemographic variation in SLE and LN prevalence and incidence. Understanding the increased burden of SLE and its complications in this low‐income population has implications for resource allocation and access to subspecialty care.
Wie die Zoologie das Füttern lernte. Die Ernährung von Tieren in der Zoologie im 19. Jahrhundert
Authors: Reiß Christian 
Published: November 2012

AbstractFeeding Zoology. How Animals were Fed in Nineteenth‐Century Zoology. Although feeding is an essential and existential part of animal breeding and keeping, it is an entirely neglected practice in the history of (experimental) zoology. Following the metabolic relations of colonial consumerism, acclimatization, and animal fancying, this paper reconstructs the divers origins of this practice and thus the origin of experimental zoology. As feeding in this context was and still is considered to be essentially non‐epistemic, it is argued that this approach allows to reconstruct the ontologies of the respective field, i.e., the emergence of artificial environments and of a contingent set of animals from a hybrid space between animal fancying and zoology.
Obesity and abdominal aortic aneurysm
Authors: Stackelberg O , Björck M , Sadr-Azodi O , Larsson S C , Orsini N , Wolk A 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
The relationship between obesity and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is unclear. An observational cohort study was undertaken to examine the associations between waist circumference as a measure of abdominal adiposity, and between body mass index (BMI) as a measure of total adiposity, and risk of AAA.

Methods
Data were used from the population-based Swedish Mammography Cohort and the Cohort of Swedish Men, involving 63 655 men and women, aged 46–84 years. Between 1998 and 2009, 597 patients with incident AAA defined by relevant clinical events were identified by linkage to the Swedish Inpatient Register and the Swedish Vascular Registry. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate relative risks (RRs) with 95 per cent confidence intervals.

Results
In multivariable analysis, individuals with an increased waist circumference had a 30 per cent higher risk of AAA (RR 1·30, 95 per cent confidence interval 1·05 to 1·60) compared with those with a normal waist circumference. The risk of AAA increased by 15 per cent (RR 1·15, 1·05 to 1·26) per 5-cm increment of waist circumference up to the level 100 cm for men and 88 cm for women. There was no association between BMI and risk of AAA.

Conclusion
Abdominal, but not total, adiposity was associated with an increased risk of incident AAA. A threshold was observed at a waist circumference of 100 cm for men and 88 cm for women.
Effect of thoracic epidural anaesthesia on splanchnic blood flow
Authors: Richards E R , Kabir S I , McNaught C-E , MacFie J 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
Thoracic epidural anaesthesia (TEA) is used widely in colorectal surgery. However, there is increasing concern that epidurals are associated with postoperative hypotension, mediating a potential reduction in splanchnic flow. The aim was to review the literature on the effects of TEA on splanchnic blood flow.

Methods
PubMed and Cochrane databases were searched. Search terms used were: English language, ‘thoracic epidural splanchnic flow’, ‘thoracic epidural gut blood flow’, ‘thoracic epidural intestinal blood flow’ and ‘thoracic epidural colonic blood flow’. Abstracts were reviewed by two independent researchers and irrelevant studies excluded. The full text of the remaining articles was then retrieved.

Results
Twenty-two abstracts were reviewed and three excluded. Nineteen papers were reviewed in full and seven irrelevant articles excluded. Five human studies investigated the effects of TEA on splanchnic flow. Two studies measured splanchnic flow directly and found an epidural-mediated fall in flow, unresponsive to intravenous fluids and requiring vasopressors or inotropes to restore baseline flow. The remaining three studies had inconsistent findings and haemodynamic stability was maintained. The seven animal studies identified were heterogeneous in both methodology and findings. Three suggested a protective role for thoracic epidurals in septic shock and pancreatitis.

Conclusion
These findings are inconsistent; however, the two studies that investigated the effects of vasoconstrictors on splanchnic blood flow directly both found a significant epidural-mediated reduction in splanchnic blood flow that was unresponsive to fluid therapy.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin, C-reactive protein and white blood cell count for suspected acute appendicitis
Authors: Yu C-W , Juan L-I , Wu M-H , Shen C-J , Wu J-Y , Lee C-C 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
The aim was to evaluate the diagnostic value of procalcitonin, C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell count (WBC) in uncomplicated or complicated appendicitis by means of a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods
The Embase, MEDLINE and Cochrane databases were searched, along with reference lists of relevant articles, without language restriction, to September 2012. Original studies were selected that reported the performance of procalcitonin alone or in combination with CRP or WBC in diagnosing appendicitis. Test performance characteristics were summarized using hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and bivariable random-effects models.

Results
Seven qualifying studies (1011 suspected cases, 636 confirmed) from seven countries were identified. Bivariable pooled sensitivity and specificity were 33 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 21 to 47) and 89 (78 to 95) per cent respectively for procalcitonin, 57 (39 to 73) and 87 (58 to 97) per cent for CRP, and 62 (47 to 74) and 75 (55 to 89) per cent for WBC. ROC curve analysis showed that CRP had the highest accuracy (area under ROC curve 0·75, 95 per cent c.i. 0·71 to 0·78), followed by WBC (0·72, 0·68 to 0·76) and procalcitonin (0·65, 0·61 to 0·69). Procalcitonin was found to be more accurate in diagnosing complicated appendicitis, with a pooled sensitivity of 62 (33 to 84) per cent and specificity of 94 (90 to 96) per cent.

Conclusion
Procalcitonin has little value in diagnosing acute appendicitis, with lower diagnostic accuracy than CRP and WBC. However, procalcitonin has greater diagnostic value in identifying complicated appendicitis. Given the imperfect accuracy of these three variables, new markers for improving medical decision-making in patients with suspected appendicitis are highly desirable.
Development of large engineered cartilage constructs from a small population of cells
Authors: Brenner Jillian M. , Kunz Manuela , Tse Man Yat , Winterborn Andrew , Bardana Davide D. , Pang Stephen C. , Waldman Stephen D. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractConfronted with articular cartilage's limited capacity for self‐repair, joint resurfacing techniques offer an attractive treatment for damaged or diseased tissue. Although tissue engineered cartilage constructs can be created, a substantial number of cells are required to generate sufficient quantities of tissue for the repair of large defects. As routine cell expansion methods tend to elicit negative effects on chondrocyte function, we have developed an approach to generate phenotypically stable, large‐sized engineered constructs (≥3 cm2) directly from a small amount of donor tissue or cells (as little as 20,000 cells to generate a 3 cm2 tissue construct). Using rabbit donor tissue, the bioreactor‐cultivated constructs were hyaline‐like in appearance and possessed a biochemical composition similar to native articular cartilage. Longer bioreactor cultivation times resulted in increased matrix deposition and improved mechanical properties determined over a 4 week period. Additionally, as the anatomy of the joint will need to be taken in account to effectively resurface large affected areas, we have also explored the possibility of generating constructs matched to the shape and surface geometry of a defect site through the use of rapid‐prototyped defect tissue culture molds. Similar hyaline‐like tissue constructs were developed that also possessed a high degree of shape correlation to the original defect mold. Future studies will be aimed at determining the effectiveness of this approach to the repair of cartilage defects in an animal model and the creation of large‐sized osteochondral constructs. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2013
Role of female pelvic anatomy in infertility
Authors: Harris‐Glocker Miranda , McLaren Janet F. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractInfertility is defined as a couple's failure to achieve pregnancy after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse. The etiology of infertility can be due to female factors, male factors, combined male and female factors, or have an unknown etiology. This review focuses on the role of female pelvic anatomy in infertility. Normal anatomy and the physiology of reproduction will be discussed, as well as the anatomic and pathophysiologic processes that cause infertility including ovulatory disorders, endometriosis, pelvic adhesions, tubal blockage, mullerian anomalies, and abnormalities affecting the uterine cavity such as leiomyomata and endometrial polyps. Clin. Anat. 26:89–96, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inter‐cultural adolescent ritual practice
Authors: Nuttall PETER , Tinson JULIE 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTScholars disagree as to whether or not a homogeneous global youth culture exists. This study explores the nuances and glocalisation of authentic adolescent ritual practice/s in Scotland and the USA. The high school prom is a ritual imported recently to the UK from the USA. This study reports on questionnaire responses and focus group data with adolescents in Scotland and US exchange students at UK universities. The study probes the assumptions and realities that constitute authentic appropriation of this event. Scottish adolescents' perceptions of US high school prom practice emphasises the presence of indexical cues whereas Scottish practice relies on the iconic. Indexical and iconic cues are interdependent for US respondents. Future research opportunities as well as marketing implications are provided. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mechanistic Studies on Chabazite‐Type Methanol‐to‐Olefin Catalysts: Insights from Time‐Resolved UV/Vis Microspectroscopy Combined with Theoretical Simulations
Authors: Van Speybroeck Veronique , Hemelsoet Karen , De Wispelaere Kristof , Qian Qingyun , Van der Mynsbrugge Jeroen , De Sterck Bart , Weckhuysen Bert M. , Waroquier Michel 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe formation and nature of active sites for methanol conversion over solid acid catalyst materials are studied by using a unique combined spectroscopic and theoretical approach. A working catalyst for the methanol‐to‐olefin conversion has a hybrid organic–inorganic nature in which a cocatalytic organic species is trapped in zeolite pores. As a case study, microporous materials with the chabazite topology, namely, H‐SAPO‐34 and H‐SSZ‐13, are considered with trapped (poly)aromatic species. First‐principle rate calculations on methylation reactions and in situ UV/Vis spectroscopy measurements are performed. The theoretical results show that the structure of the organic compound and zeolite composition determine the methylation rates: 1) the rate increases by 6 orders of magnitude if more methyl groups are added on benzenic species, 2) transition state selectivity occurs for organic species with more than one aromatic core and bearing more than three methyl groups, 3) methylation rates for H‐SSZ‐13 are approximately 3 orders of magnitude higher than on H‐SAPO‐34 owing to its higher acidity. The formation of (poly)aromatic cationic compounds can be followed by using in situ UV/Vis spectroscopy because these species yield characteristic absorption bands in the visible region of the spectrum. We have monitored the growth of characteristic peaks and derived activation energies of formation for various sets of (poly)aromatic compounds trapped in the zeolite host. The formation–activation barriers deduced by using UV/Vis microspectroscopy correlate well with the activation energies for the methylation of the benzenic species and the lower methylated naphthalenic species. This study shows that a fundamental insight at the molecular level can be obtained by using a combined in situ spectroscopic and theoretical approach for a complex catalyst of industrial relevance.
Immobilization of Styrene‐Substituted 1,3,4‐Oxadiazoles into Thermoreversible Luminescent Organogels and Their Unexpected Photocatalyzed Rearrangement
Authors: Dumur Frédéric , Contal Emmanuel , Wantz Guillaume , Phan Trang N. T. , Bertin Denis , Gigmes Didier 
Published: November 2012

AbstractA series of styrene‐substituted 1,3,4‐oxadiazoles has been designed and investigated as new low‐molecular‐weight organogelators. The photophysical properties of the resulting thermoreversible organogels have been characterized by UV/Vis absorption and luminescence spectroscopies. Surprisingly, the gelation ability of the oxadiazoles depended on the presence of the styrene moiety as gelation of the investigated oxadiazoles did not take place in its absence. Gel formation was accompanied by a modification of the fluorescence of the organogelators in the supramolecular state. UV irradiation of the gels caused a rearrangement of the immobilized 1,3,4‐oxadiazoles bearing a styrene moiety by a tandem [4+2] and [3+2] cascade reaction. Structure modification and color change of the gels were also evident upon irradiation.
A Click Approach to Polymetallic Chromium(0) and Tungsten(0) Fischer‐Carbene Complexes and Their Use in the Synthesis of Functionalized Polymetallic MetalCarbene Complexes
Authors: Baeza Beatriz , Casarrubios Luis , Sierra Miguel A. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAlkynylamino Cr0 and W0 Fischer carbenes undergo a CuAAC reaction with a diverse range of di‐, tri‐, and tetra‐azides to produce polymetallic chromium(0) and tungsten(0) (Fischer)‐carbene complexes in good‐to‐excellent yields. This method is simple, versatile, and is suitable for the preparation of a diverse range of structures with a high level of symmetry. Moreover, the resulting polymetallic carbene complexes are suitable partners for the peripheral functionalization of the metal nuclei, whilst retaining the metal fragment. This fact has been demonstrated in a simultaneous Pauson–Khand reaction, which, in some cases, allows for the generation of four bicyclic [5,5] rings on the periphery of a tetrametallic molecule in a process that involves the formation of 12 new CC bonds, with four simultaneous CO‐insertion processes. The electrochemistry of the polymetallic Fischer carbenes show completely independent behavior for each nucleus, as well as an anomalous observation of the reversible oxidation of the allyl substituents, which has not been reported before in this class of chemistry.
1‐(2′‐Anilinyl)prop‐2‐yn‐1‐ol Rearrangement for Oxindole Synthesis
Authors: Kothandaraman Prasath , Koh Bing Qin , Limpanuparb Taweetham , Hirao Hajime , Chan Philip Wai Hong 
Published: November 2012

AbstractA synthetic method that relies on NIS (N‐iodosuccinimide)‐mediated cycloisomerization reactions of 1‐(2′‐anilinyl)prop‐2‐yn‐1‐ols to gem‐3‐(diiodomethyl)indolin‐2‐ones and 2‐(iodomethylene)indolin‐3‐ones has been developed. The reactions were shown to be chemoselective, with secondary and tertiary alcoholic substrates exclusively giving the 3‐ and 2‐oxindole products, respectively. In the case of the latter, the transformation features an unprecedented double 1,2‐OH and 1,2‐alkyl migration relay. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations based on proposed iodoaminocyclization species provide insight into this unique divergence in product selectivity.
Exploring the Palladium and PlatinumBis(pyridine) Complex Motif by NMR Spectroscopy, X‐ray Crystallography, (Tandem) Mass Spectrometry, and Isothermal Titration Calorimetry: Do Substituent Effects Follow Chemical Intuition?
Authors: Weilandt Torsten , Löw Nora L. , Schnakenburg Gregor , Daniels Jörg , Nieger Martin , Schalley Christoph A. , Lützen Arne 
Published: November 2012

AbstractA series of ten palladiumbis(pyridine) complexes, as well as their corresponding platinum complexes, have been synthesized. The pyridine ligands in each series carried different σ‐donor and/or π‐acceptor/donor substituents at the para‐position of their pyridine rings. These complexes were analysed by NMR spectroscopy, X‐ray crystallography, (tandem) MS, and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) to validate whether these methods allowed us to obtain a concise and systematic picture of the relative and absolute thermodynamic stabilities of the complexes, as determined by the electronic effects of the substituents. Interestingly, the NMR spectroscopic data hardly correlated with the expected substituent effects but the heteronuclear platinumphosphorus coupling constants did. Crystallographic data were found to be blurred by packing effects. Instead, tandem MS and ITC data were in line with each other and followed the expected trends.