bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evidence of rebalanced coagulation in acute liver injury and acute liver failure as measured by thrombin generation
Authors: Habib Mohamed , Roberts Lara N. , Patel Raj K. , Wendon Julia , Bernal William , Arya Roopen 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackground & AimsPatients with liver disease often show profound abnormalities in their haemostatic system. Studies using thrombin generation demonstrate rebalanced coagulation in patients with chronic liver disease. Our aim was to evaluate the haemostatic profile in patients with acute liver injury/failure (ALI/ALF) compared with healthy controls.MethodsThrombin generation was measured in the presence and absence of thrombomodulin (TM) to activate protein C (PC) with endogenous thrombin potential (ETP; the area under the thrombin generation curve) a key parameter. Routine coagulation assays were also performed.ResultsThirty two patients with ALI/ALF and 40 controls were recruited. Patients had grossly abnormal coagulation profiles with decreased pro‐ and anticoagulant factors compared with controls (P < 0.001 for all comparisons), except for median Factor VIII which was increased 247 U/dl [interquartile range: 214–347] in patients compared with 120 U/dl [97–139; P < 0.001] in controls. Mean ETP was significantly lower in patients 886 nM.min (± 436) compared with controls 1596 nM.min (± 259; P < 0.001). However, when the assay was repeated with TM to activate PC, there was no significant difference in mean ETP + TM between patients and controls (632 ± 418 vs 709 ± 301 nM.min respectively; P = 0.666). Furthermore, the ETP ratio (ETP + TM/ETP) was significantly higher in patients 0.89 (0.60–0.97) compared with controls 0.48 (0.3–0.6; P = 0.002) and negatively correlated with PC (R = −0.487, P = 0.003) and Factor V (R = −0.431, P = 0.01).ConclusionALI/ALF patients have normal ETP in the presence of TM. This supports rebalanced coagulation mediated by acquired PC resistance because of the reduction in PC, Factor V and concomitant increase in Factor VIII.
Continued low uptake of treatment for hepatitis C virus infection in a large community‐based cohort of inner city residents
Authors: Alavi Maryam , Raffa Jesse D. , Deans Gregory D. , Lai Calvin , Krajden Mel , Dore Gregory J. , Tyndall Mark W. , Grebely Jason 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackground & AimsDespite advances in HCV treatment, recent data on treatment uptake is sparse. HCV treatment uptake and associated factors were evaluated in a community‐based cohort in Vancouver, Canada.MethodsThe CHASE study is a cohort of inner city residents recruited from January 2003–June 2004. HCV status and treatment were retrospectively and prospectively determined through data linkages with provincial virology and pharmacy databases. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with HCV treatment uptake.ResultsAmong 2913, HCV antibody testing was performed in 2405, 64% were HCV antibody‐positive (n = 1533). Individuals with spontaneous clearance (18%, n = 276) were excluded. Among the remaining 1257 HCV antibody‐positive participants (mean age 42, 71% male), 29% were Aboriginal. At enrolment, the majority reported recent injecting (60%) and non‐injecting drug use (87%). Between January 1998 and March 2010, 6% (77 of 1257) initiated HCV treatment. In adjusted analyses, Aboriginal ethnicity [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.23; 95% CI 0.10, 0.51] and crack cocaine use (AOR 0.61; 95% CI 0.37, 0.99) were associated with a decreased odds of receiving HCV treatment, while methamphetamine injecting (AOR 0.16; 95% CI 0.02, 1.18) trended towards a lower odds of receiving treatment. HCV treatment uptake ranged from 0.2 (95% CI 0.0, 0.7) per 100 person‐years (PYs) in 2003 to 1.6 (95% CI 0.9, 2.6) per 100 PYs in 2009.ConclusionHCV treatment uptake remains low in this large community‐based cohort of inner city residents with a high HCV prevalence and access to universal healthcare.
Biodiversity, ecological structure, and change in the sponge community of different geomorphological zones of the barrier fore reef at Carrie Bow Cay, Belize
Authors: Villamizar Estrella , Díaz María C. , Rützler Klaus , De Nóbrega Renato 
Published: October 2013

AbstractChanges in the relative abundance of benthic groups on the barrier fore reef at Carrie Bow Cay, Belize, point to a significant reduction of corals and an expansion of the sponge community in 1995–2009. Fifty‐one species are now present in the four geomorphological zones of this reef: the low‐relief spur‐and‐groove zone, the inner reef slope, the outer ridge, and the fore‐reef slope (to a depth of 30 m). Five species are new additions to the sponge fauna reported for Belize, and six species account for 42.6% of the total assemblage: Niphates erecta (9.60%), Aiolochroia crassa (8.8%), Niphates digitalis (6.9%), Callyspongia plicifera (6.63%), Aplysina archeri (5.37%) and Xestospongia muta (5.37%). Species richness, average density, diversity and evenness indexes are statistically similar in these four zones but some species appear to be more dominant in certain areas. In the same 30 years, coral cover has decreased by more than 90%, while the octocoral cover has greatly increased (by as much as 10‐fold in the low‐relief spur‐and‐groove zone). Thus the Carrie Bow fore reef appears to be undergoing a transition from coral dominance in the late 1970s to algae dominance today, with other benthic groups such as sponges and octocorals showing signs of gradual recovery.
TNFα contributes for attenuating both Y397FAK and Y416Src phosphorylations in osteoblasts
Authors: Cavagis ADM , Takamori ER , Granjeiro JM , Oliveira RC , Ferreira CV , Peppelenbosch MP , Zambuzzi WF 
Published: October 2013

ObjectiveOur poor understanding of how inflammatory mediators can affect osteoblast behavior led us to investigate the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α‐induced focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and Src phosphorylation.Material and MethodsMC3T3‐E1 pre‐osteoblast cells were harvested at specific time points after either TNFα treatment or RAW267 stimulated conditioned medium, and thereafter cell extracts were prepared for Immunoblotting assay. ELISA detected TNFα content at conditioned medium. Tumor necrosis factor‐α‐neutralizing antibodies also were used.ResultsIt was possible to show that TNFα provokes attenuation at Y‐phosphorylation of both FAK (at Y397) and Src (at Y416) proteins (P < 0.05), suggesting a decrease in their activities. The very similar profile was observed when osteoblasts were incubated with conditioned medium from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated macrophages, it being significantly different than control (FAK and Src, P < 0.05). Nevertheless, in order to validate these findings, we decided to pre‐incubate osteoblasts with anti‐TNFα neutralizing antibody (2 μg ml−1) prior exposing to conditioned medium. Importantly, our results revealed that there was a diminution on those conditioned medium effects when the same biological parameters were evaluated (P < 0.05). Moreover, we also showed that TNFα impairs osteoblast adhesion, suggesting an interesting role on osteoblast performance.ConclusionsAltogether, these results suggest that LPS‐stimulated macrophage mediators attenuate both FAK and Src activations in osteoblast, suggesting a novel role for TNFα on osteoblast performance.
Antimicrobial Photodynamic Efficiency of Novel Cationic Porphyrins towards Periodontal Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative Pathogenic Bacteria
Authors: Prasanth Chandra Sekhar , Karunakaran Suneesh C. , Paul Albish K. , Kussovski Vesselin , Mantareva Vanya , Ramaiah Danaboyina , Selvaraj Leslie , Angelov Ivan , Avramov Latchezar , Nandakumar Krishnankutty , Subhash Narayanan 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe Gram‐negative Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Fusobacterium nucleatum are major causative agents of aggressive periodontal disease. Due to increase in the number of antibiotic‐resistant bacteria, antimicrobial Photodynamic therapy (aPDT) seems to be a plausible alternative. In this work, photosensitization was performed on Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria in pure culture using new‐age cationic porphyrins, namely mesoimidazolium‐substituted porphyrin derivative (ImP) and pyridinium‐substituted porphyrin derivative (PyP). The photophysical properties of both the sensitizers including absorption, fluorescence emission, quantum yields of the triplet excited states and singlet oxygen generation efficiencies were evaluated in the context of aPDT application. The studied porphyrins exhibited high ability to accumulate into bacterial cells with complete penetration into early stage biofilms. As compared with ImP, PyP was found to be more effective for photoinactivation of bacterial strains associated with periodontitis, without any signs of dark toxicity, owing to its high photocytotoxicity.
Daytime sleepiness: a risk factor for poor social engagement among the elderly
Authors: Lee Yao‐Tung , Tsai Chia‐Fen , Ouyang Wen‐Chen , Yang Albert C. , Yang Cheng‐Hung , Hwang Jen‐Ping 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between social engagement and daytime sleepiness among aged residents of a veterans' housing facility in Taiwan.MethodsA total of 597 men were enrolled in this cross‐sectional study. Each subject was assessed with the Resident Assessment Instrument‐Minimum Data Set, Geriatric Depression Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Mini‐Mental State Examination. Social engagement was measured with the Index of Social Engagement (ISE), and daytime sleepiness was defined according to the relevant Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index subcomponent. Subjects were divided into two groups according to their ISE levels. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to examine the association between ISE and other variables.ResultsThe sample's mean age was 80.8 ± 5.0 years (range: 65–99 years). Mean ISE score was 1.5 ± 1.3 (range 0–5), with 52% of participants reporting poor social engagement (ISE = 0–1). Mean Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index global score was 5.6 ± 3.6 (range: 0–18), and 31% of participants reported daytime sleepiness. The analysis was adjusted for level of depression, cognitive impairment, dependence in activities of daily life, unsettled relationships, and illiteracy. After adjustment, daytime sleepiness was found to be independently associated with subjects' level of social engagement (odds ratio: 2.5; 95% confidence interval: 1.7–3.8; P < 0.001).ConclusionsDaytime sleepiness and poor social engagement are common among aged residents of a veterans' housing facility. Subjects experiencing daytime sleepiness but not poor general sleep quality were at increased risk of poor social engagement. The clinical care of older residents must focus on improving daytime sleepiness to enhance their social engagement.
Levodopa treatment and mood fluctuation in dementia with Lewy bodies: a case report
Authors: Fujishiro Hiroshige , Kasanuki Koji , Nakamura Shinichiro 
Published: October 2013

AbstractL‐3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (L‐dopa) has been the gold standard for pharmacotherapy for parkinsonism in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). While L‐dopa treatment is related to visual hallucinations, its relationship to mood fluctuation in DLB is poorly understood. Herein, we report the improvement of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia through the adjustment of L‐dopa treatment in a 78‐year‐old woman with probable DLB. Her marked mood swings were improved by changing L‐dopa administration from three to five times per day while maintaining the same total daily dosage. This observation suggests that there may be an association between plasmatic L‐dopa levels and mood fluctuation in patients with DLB. This pharmacological approach may be useful in the management of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia without the use of antipsychotic agents to avoid severe neuroleptic sensitivity, which is one of the suggestive clinical features in the Third Consortium on DLB clinical criteria.
Earthquake‐affected development of a travertine ridge
Authors: Gradziński Michał , Wróblewski Wojciech , Duliński Marek , Hercman Helena 
Published: October 2013

AbstractAlthough the relation between travertine and tectonics is commonly accepted, the influence of seismic activity on the internal structures and facies development of travertine has not been examined extensively. The aim of this paper was to unravel the impact of seismic shocks on the anatomy of a travertine mound. Dreveník travertine in the Central Western Carpathians of Slovakia was studied using detailed facies analysis, based on fieldwork coupled with microscope and stable isotope studies. The travertine formed a ridge fed by ascending water of deep circulation, charged with CO2 of geogenic origin. The location of the ridge over an impermeable Palaeogene flysch complex and the stable isotope composition of the travertine support the above interpretation. The ridge is composed of crystalline crust travertine, lithoclast travertine, fine‐grained lithoclast travertine, paper‐thin raft travertine and coated bubble travertine. The travertine underwent brittle deformations resulting in formation of fissures and intraclast breccia. Several lines of evidence prove that the deformations occurred during travertine deposition: (i) breccias are covered by undisturbed layers of travertine; (ii) ground fissures are filled with younger travertine; and (iii) calcite filling fissures and cementing breccia crystallized from water with the same isotopic composition as the travertine. The deformations resulted from seismic shocks which also triggered rockfall avalanches that led to the destruction of the upper part of the travertine slope and deposition of lithoclast travertine on its lower parts. Local hydrological conditions changed after the shocks, favouring ponding of water which, in turn, led to formation of paper‐thin raft travertine over lithoclast travertine. Thus, earthquakes exerted an important control on the development of the studied travertine mound. It is plausible that earthquakes have impacted other travertine mounds and influenced their facies development.
Transcription factor HAT1 is phosphorylated by BIN2 kinase and mediates brassinosteroid repressed gene expression in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhang Dawei , Ye Huaxun , Guo Hongqing , Johnson Abbagail , Zhang Meishan , Lin Honghui , Yin Yanhai 
Published: October 2013

SummaryPlant steroid hormones, brassinosteroids (BRs), play essential roles in modulating cell elongation, vascular differentiation, senescence and stress responses. BRs signal through plasma membrane‐localized receptor and other components to modulate the BES1/BZR1 (BRI1‐EMS SUPPRESSOR 1/BRASSINAZOLE RESISTANT 1) family of transcription factors that modulate thousands of target genes. Arabodopsis thaliana homeodomain‐leucine zipper protein 1 (HAT1), which encodes a homeodomain‐leucine zipper (HD‐Zip) class II transcription factor, was identified through chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) experiments as a direct target gene of BES1. Loss‐of‐function and gain‐of‐function mutants of HAT1 display altered BR responses. HAT1 and its close homolog HAT3 act redundantly, as the double mutant hat1 hat3 displayed a reduced BR response that is stronger than the single mutants alone. Moreover, hat1 hat3 enhanced the phenotype of a weak allele of the BR receptor mutant bri1 and suppressed the phenotype of constitutive BR response mutant bes1‐D. These results suggest that HAT1 and HAT3 function to activate BR‐mediated growth. Expression levels of several BR‐repressed genes are increased in hat1 hat3 and reduced in HAT1OX, suggesting that HAT1 functions to repress the expression of a subset of BR target genes. HAT1 and BES1 bind to a conserved homeodomain binding (HB) site and BR response element (BRRE) respectively, in the promoters of some BR‐repressed genes. BES1 and HAT1 interact with each other and cooperate to inhibit BR‐repressed gene expression. Furthermore, HAT1 can be phosphorylated and stabilized by GSK3 (GLYCOGEN SYNTHASE KINASE 3)‐like kinase BIN2 (BRASSINOSTEROID‐INSENSITIVE 2), a well established negative regulator of the BR pathway. Our results thus revealed a previously unknown mechanism by which BR signaling modulates BR‐repressed gene expression and coordinates plant growth.
The p.R168Q mutation is associated with the Bw phenotype and a predicted decrease in the stability of the resulting ABO glycosyltransferase
Authors: Lee Seung Yeob , Ihm Chunhwa , Shin Dong‐Jun , Lee Ho‐Jin , Yazer Mark Harris , Kim Seung Yeon , Shin Myung Geun , Shin Jong Hee , Suh Soon Pal , Ryang Dong Wook , Cho Duck 
Published: October 2013

BackgroundMutation of ABO glycosyltransferase (GT) can cause protein stability changes that can result in a weak ABO phenotype. To explain the Bw phenotype of a novel ABO*Bw allele, a protein stability of the mutant GT, which enhances the information of the three‐dimensional (3D) structural analysis, was calculated.Study Design and MethodsABO serology and genotyping were performed on a neonate and her five family members. A 3D structural analysis of the wild‐type GTB and enzymes with a variety of mutations at Residue 168, along with predicted protein stability changes (ΔΔG) and flow cytometric analysis of ABO antigen expression on HeLa cells transfected with plasmids containing R168Q, R168L, and R168P mutants was also performed.ResultsA novel ABO*Bw allele (c.503G>A, p.R168Q) was discovered. The structural analysis of 3D homology modeling predicted reduced protein stability of the mutant GTB, and the ΔΔG values, which inversely correlated with the mean relative fluorescence intensity of ABO antigen expression, quantitatively explained the reduced ABO antigen expression.ConclusionsThe predicted protein stability change of a mutant GT enzyme might be a useful and convenient approach to objectively and quantitatively explain the reduced ABO antigen expression.
Reduced use of allogeneic platelets through high‐yield perioperative autologous plateletpheresis and reinfusion
Authors: Alberts Melissa , Bandarenko Nicholas , Gaca Jeffrey , Lockhart Evelyn , Milano Carmelo , Alexander Stanlin , Linder Dean , Lombard Frederick W. , Welsby Ian J. 
Published: October 2013

BackgroundIntraoperative autologous platelet (PLT) collection as part of a multimodal blood conservation program carries a Class IIa recommendation from the Societies of Thoracic Surgeons and Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists, but achieving a suitable PLT yield limits its application. A novel, autologous, intraoperative, high‐yield plateletpheresis collection program was established and retrospectively analyzed to identify potential improvements over previously reported plateletpheresis protocols.Study Design and M‐ethodsTargeting complex cardiothoracic surgery patients without recent anti‐PLT agents, thrombocytopenia, or severe anemia, the program aimed to achieve a PLT yield of at least one standard apheresis unit (3.0 × 1011) within 60 to 90 minutes and using an automated plateletpheresis device (Trima, Terumo BCT). Anesthetized and invasively monitored patients underwent plateletpheresis via a large‐bore, indwelling central line placed for the surgery. Collection‐related data for quality control purposes and subsequent PLT transfusion requirements were analyzed and reported.ResultsForty‐two patients donated autologous PLTs between 2011 and 2012. PLT yield was 4.5 (3.9‐5.0) × 1011, which significantly exceeds previously reported yields, and procedure duration was 53.2 (48.4‐57.9) minutes. As anticipated, postcollection PLT count decreased from 268 (242‐293) × 109 to 182 (163‐201) × 109/L; hypocalcemia was minimized by infusion of 1 g of CaCl2. Autologous PLT yield was inversely correlated with allogeneic PLT use, and avoidance of allogeneic PLT transfusion was increased when the autologous yield was the equivalent of 2 or more apheresis units.ConclusionHigh‐yield, intraoperative autologous PLT collection is achievable using an automated plateletpheresis device. Initial experience shows a reduction in reliance on allogeneic PLTs for complex cardiothoracic surgery.
Wnt5a expression in canine osteosarcoma
Authors: Szigetvari N. , Imai D. M. , Piskun C. M. , Rodrigues L. C. S. , Chon E. , Stein T. J. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractOsteosarcoma is the most common primary malignancy of bone in dogs and is associated with poor long‐term outcomes due to its highly metastatic nature. A better understanding of the signalling pathways and proteins involved with osteosarcoma pathogenesis may aid in improved outcomes through the use of targeted therapies. The Wnt5a protein, a ligand for the non‐canonical Wnt signalling pathway, is implicated in mediating the aggressiveness of cancer cell lines, including those of human osteosarcoma origin. Given the close relationship between human and canine osteosarcoma, the primary goal of this study was to characterize Wnt5a expression in canine osteosarcoma. Second, if Wnt5a expression was present in canine osteosarcoma, the study aimed to determine any potential association with clinical outcome and clinical variables in similarly treated osteosarcoma‐bearing dogs. Wnt5a expression was present in 26 of the 48 (54%) cases of canine osteosarcoma. Wnt5a expression was not associated with progression‐free survival (P = 0.4) or overall survival (P = 0.1).
Structural Integrity Evaluation of Spent Fuel Storage Racks and Support Frame for a Research Reactor
Authors: Oh Jinho , Ryu Jeong-Soo , Kim Young-Ki 
Published: October 2013

The objective of this study is to design the spent fuel storage rack (SFSR) and their support frame as well as to evaluate the structural integrity of those during and after the seismic events. The main function of these racks is to store and protect the irradiated fuel assemblies generated during the operation of the research reactor. Their support frame is used for maintaining the structural stability of these racks. The SFSRs and their support frame are classified into safety class NNS and seismic category I according with ANSI 51.1 [1] and Regulatory Guide 1.29 [2]. The design of those has been performed according to the guideline of Regulatory Guide 1.13 [3] and IAEA safety standards DS 350 [4]. Specially, the pitch among storage cells should be decided from the criticality calculation with all postulated assumptions according to the NUREG 1537 [5] (Effective Neutron Multiplication Factor, keff < 0.9), conservatively.
These racks are installed in their support frame having free standing type boundary conditions in the pool. Since the dynamic behavior of structures can be significantly affected by the water, the hydrodynamic effect is considered by using added mass. All materials of submerged racks and their support frame are made of austenitic stainless steel to prevent the corrosion. To evaluate the structural integrity of these racks and their support frame, the response spectrum analysis (RSA) and response time history analysis have been performed under the seismic loads of OBE (Operating Basis Earthquake) and SSE (Safe Shutdown Earthquake) by using ANSYS software. In addition, the possibility of impact between the side wall of the pool and the support frame is investigated by using a nonlinear time history analysis considering the structural nonlinearity such as the contact and the friction problem.
The analysis results show that the maximum stress values of these racks and their support frame under the seismic loads are within the specified code limits. Since the sliding distance calculated from the nonlinear time history analysis is less than the gap, the impact does not occur. It is confirmed that those cannot be overturned but slide under an SSE event. Therefore, any damage on the structural integrity is not expected when those are installed and utilized in the pool.