bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physiological and morphological responses of invasiveAmbrosia artemisiifolia(common ragweed) to different irradiances
Authors: Qin Zhong , Mao Dan Juan , Quan Guo Ming , Zhang Jia-en , Xie Jun Fang , DiTommaso Antonio 
Published: December 2012

Invasion by the exotic herb Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. has become a serious agricultural and environmental problem and of increasing research interest as the species continues its southward spread into subtropical regions of China. To better understand the possible physiological and morphological adaptations of A. artemisiifolia in this region, we conducted a greenhouse experiment using seedlings of A. artemisiifolia and a comparative native species, Urena lobata L. (Caesar’s weed), which is an erect annual shrub in the Malvaceae that commonly co-occurs with A. artemisiifolia in open, disturbed habitats in southern China. Seedlings of both plants were grown under four irradiance regimes (10%, 30%, 55%, and 100% irradiance) from 14 May to 13 July 2010. Ambrosia artemisiifolia showed significantly higher total biomass, total leaf area, specific leaf area, relative growth rate, and net assimilation rate but lower leaf mass fraction than U. lobata at the 30%–100% irradiance levels. With decreasing irradiance, A. artemisiifolia significantly increased biomass allocation to stems and decreased allocation to roots. Meanwhile, A. artemisiifolia exhibited higher light-saturated photosynthetic rates and light saturation points with wide variances except at the 10% irradiance treatment. These findings suggest that A. artemisiifolia has generally higher irradiance plasticity for traits pertaining to biomass partitioning, growth, and plant structure than U. lobata. The ability of A. artemisiifolia to tolerate high shade conditions while maintaining high growth rates at elevated irradiance levels may afford it a competitive advantage and may help explain its recent colonization and spread in southern China.
Effect of Cardiac Stem Cells on Left-Ventricular Remodeling in a Canine Model of Chronic Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Welt Frederick G.P. , Gallegos Robert , Connell John , Kajstura Jan , D’Amario Domenico , Kwong Raymond Y. , Coelho-Filho Otavio , Shah Ravi , Mitchell Richard , Leri Annarosa , Foley Lori , Anversa Piero , Pfeffer Marc A. 
Published: December 2012

Background—
Regenerative medicine, including cell therapy, is a promising strategy for recovery of the damaged myocardium. C-kit–positive cardiac stem cells (CSCs) have been shown to improve myocardial function after ischemic injury in animal models and in early clinical experience. We used a chronic large animal model of myocardial infarction with substantial reductions in left-ventricular (LV) ejection fraction and adverse remodeling to examine the effect of late autologous CSC intramyocardial injection on long-term cardiac structure and function.

Methods and Results—

Thoracotomy and ligation of the proximal left anterior descending artery, additional diagonal branches, and atrial biopsy for CSC culture were performed in canines. Baseline cardiac MRI was performed at 6 weeks postinfarct followed by repeat thoracotomy for randomization to intramyocardial injection of CSCs (n=13) or vehicle alone (n=6). At 30 weeks postmyocardial infarction, repeat MRI was performed. Data were analyzed using nonparametric tests (Wilcoxon signed-rank and rank-sum tests). In control animals, LV end-systolic volume and end-diastolic volume increased from 6 to 30 weeks (median and interquartile range, 51.3 mL [43.3–57.4] to 76.1 mL [72.0–82.4];
P
=0.03 and 78.5 mL [69.7–86.1] to 99.2 mL [97.1–100.4];
P
=0.03). Left-ventricular ejection fraction declined further (35.2% [27.9–38.7] to 26.4% [22.0–31.0];
P
=0.12). In the cell-treated animals, this late adverse LV remodeling was attenuated (LV end-systolic volume, 42.6 mL [38.5–50.5] to 56.1 mL [50.3–63.0];
P
=0.01 versus control). There was a nonsignificant attenuation in the increase in LV end-diastolic volume (64.8 mL [60.7–71.3] to 83.5 mL [74.7–90.8];
P
=0.14 versus control) and LV ejection fraction change over time differed (30.5% [28.4–33.4] to 32.9% [28.6–36.9];
P
=0.04 versus control).

Conclusions—
Intramyocardial injection of autologous CSCs in a late phase model of chronic infarction resulted in less increase in LV end-systolic volume and preservation of LV ejection fraction.
Raynaud’s Phenomenon of the Nipple Associated with Labetalol Use
Authors: McGuinness Naomi , Cording Vicky 
Published: December 2012

Raynaud’s phenomenon of the nipple is an unusual cause of severe nipple pain. Precipitants for Raynaud’s phenomenon of the nipple are known to be cold temperatures, caffeine, and emotional stress. Nipple pain is quoted as the most common cause of cessation of breastfeeding. It is important that lactation consultants and other health care professionals are aware of Raynaud’s phenomenon of the nipple and the treatment options available. This is a case of a 37-year-old woman, Gravida 2, Para 1, who was first seen in the antenatal clinic at 34 weeks gestation. A diagnosis of Raynaud’s phenomenon of the nipple was made after she began taking labetalol for pregnancy-induced hypertension. The phenomenon had occurred in both of her previous pregnancies on commencing labetalol and resolved postnatally on cessation of the drug. We aim to raise awareness of both the condition itself and the potential role of labetalol in the development of Raynaud’s phenomenon of the nipple.
Tyrosine kinome sequencing of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a report from the Children's Oncology Group TARGET Project
Authors: Loh Mignon L. , Zhang Jinghui , Harvey Richard C. , Roberts Kathryn , Payne-Turner Debbie , Kang Huining , Wu Gang , Chen Xiang , Becksfort Jared , Edmonson Michael , Buetow Kenneth H. , Carroll William L. , Chen I-Ming , Wood Brent , Borowitz Michael J. , Devidas Meenakshi , Gerhard Daniela S. , Bowman Paul , Larsen Eric , Winick Naomi , Raetz Elizabeth , Smith Malcolm , Downing James R. , Willman Cheryl L. , Mullighan Charles G. , Hunger Stephen P. 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
One recently identified subtype of pediatric B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has been termed BCR-ABL1–like or Ph-like because of similarity of the gene expression profile to BCR-ABL1 positive ALL suggesting the presence of lesions activating tyrosine kinases, frequent alteration of IKZF1, and poor outcome. Prior studies demonstrated that approximately half of these patients had genomic lesions leading to CRLF2 overexpression, with half of such cases harboring somatic mutations in the Janus kinases JAK1 and JAK2. To determine whether mutations in other tyrosine kinases might also occur in ALL, we sequenced the tyrosine kinome and downstream signaling genes in 45 high-risk pediatric ALL cases with either a Ph-like gene expression profile or other alterations suggestive of activated kinase signaling. Aside from JAK mutations and 1 FLT3 mutation, no somatic mutations were found in any other tyrosine kinases, suggesting that alternative mechanisms are responsible for activated kinase signaling in high-risk ALL.
Human plasmacytoid dendritic cells efficiently cross-present exogenous Ags to CD8+ T cells despite lower Ag uptake than myeloid dendritic cell subsets
Authors: Tel Jurjen , Schreibelt Gerty , Sittig Simone P. , Mathan Till S. M. , Buschow Sonja I. , Cruz Luis J. , Lambeck Annechien J. A. , Figdor Carl G. , de Vries I. Jolanda M. 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
In human peripheral blood, 4 populations of dendritic cells (DCs) can be distinguished, plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and CD16+, CD1c+, and BDCA-3+ myeloid DCs (mDCs), each with distinct functional characteristics. DCs have the unique capacity to cross-present exogenously encountered antigens (Ags) to CD8+ T cells. Here we studied the ability of all 4 blood DC subsets to take up, process, and present tumor Ags to T cells. Although pDCs take up less Ags than CD1c+ and BDCA3+ mDCs, pDCs induce potent Ag-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses. We show that pDCs can preserve Ags for prolonged periods of time and on stimulation show strong induction of both MHC class I and II, which explains their efficient activation of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, pDCs cross-present soluble and cell-associated tumor Ags to cytotoxic T lymphocytes equally well as BDCA3+ mDCs. These findings, and the fact that pDCs outnumber BDCA3+ mDCs, both in peripheral blood and lymph nodes, together with their potent IFN-I production, known to activate both components of the innate and adaptive immune system, put human pDCs forward as potent activators of CD8+ T cells in antitumor responses. Our findings may therefore have important consequences for the development of antitumor immunotherapy.
Mononuclear phagocyte miRNome analysis identifies miR-142 as critical regulator of murine dendritic cell homeostasis
Authors: Mildner Alexander , Chapnik Elik , Manor Ohad , Yona Simon , Kim Ki-Wook , Aychek Tegest , Varol Diana , Beck Gilad , Itzhaki Zohar Barnett , Feldmesser Ester , Amit Ido , Hornstein Eran , Jung Steffen 
Published: December 2012

Key PointsEx vivo isolated myeloid populations of the mononuclear phagocyte network display specific microRNA expression signatures. miR-142–deficient mice display a reduction of splenic CD4+ dendritic cells resulting in impaired priming of CD4 T-cell responses.
Flexible and efficient genome tiling design with penalized uniqueness score
Authors: Du Yang , Murani Eduard , Ponsuksili Siriluck , Wimmers Klaus 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background
As a powerful tool in whole genome analysis, tiling array has been widely used in the answering of many genomic questions. Now it could also serve as a capture device for the library preparation in the popular high throughput sequencing experiments. Thus, a flexible and efficient tiling array design approach is still needed and could assist in various types and scales of transcriptomic experiment.

Results
In this paper, we address issues and challenges in designing probes suitable for tiling array applications and targeted sequencing. In particular, we define the penalized uniqueness score, which serves as a controlling criterion to eliminate potential cross-hybridization, and a flexible tiling array design pipeline. Unlike BLAST or simple suffix array based methods, computing and using our uniqueness measurement can be more efficient for large scale design and require less memory. The parameters provided could assist in various types of genomic tiling task. In addition, using both commercial array data and experiment data we show, unlike previously claimed, that palindromic sequence exhibiting relatively lower uniqueness.

Conclusions
Our proposed penalized uniqueness score could serve as a better indicator for cross hybridization with higher sensitivity and specificity, giving more control of expected array quality. The flexible tiling design algorithm incorporating the penalized uniqueness score was shown to give higher coverage and resolution. The package to calculate the penalized uniqueness score and the described probe selection algorithm are implemented as a Perl program, which is freely available at http://www1.fbn-dummerstorf.de/en/forschung/fbs/fb3/paper/2012-yang-1/OTAD.v1.1.tar.gz.
DTome: a web-based tool for drug-target interactome construction
Authors: Sun Jingchun , Wu Yonghui , Xu Hua , Zhao Zhongming 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundUnderstanding drug bioactivities is crucial for early-stage drug discovery, toxicology studies and clinical trials. Network pharmacology is a promising approach to better understand the molecular mechanisms of drug bioactivities. With a dramatic increase of rich data sources that document drugs' structural, chemical, and biological activities, it is necessary to develop an automated tool to construct a drug-target network for candidate drugs, thus facilitating the drug discovery process.ResultsWe designed a computational workflow to construct drug-target networks from different knowledge bases including DrugBank, PharmGKB, and the PINA database. To automatically implement the workflow, we created a web-based tool called DTome (Drug-Target interactome tool), which is comprised of a database schema and a user-friendly web interface. The DTome tool utilizes web-based queries to search candidate drugs and then construct a DTome network by extracting and integrating four types of interactions. The four types are adverse drug interactions, drug-target interactions, drug-gene associations, and target-/gene-protein interactions. Additionally, we provided a detailed network analysis and visualization process to illustrate how to analyze and interpret the DTome network. The DTome tool is publicly available athttp://bioinfo.mc.vanderbilt.edu/DTome.ConclusionsAs demonstrated with the antipsychotic drug clozapine, the DTome tool was effective and promising for the investigation of relationships among drugs, adverse interaction drugs, drug primary targets, drug-associated genes, and proteins directly interacting with targets or genes. The resultant DTome network provides researchers with direct insights into their interest drug(s), such as the molecular mechanisms of drug actions. We believe such a tool can facilitate identification of drug targets and drug adverse interactions.
Directional selection on cold tolerance does not constrain plastic capacity in a butterfly
Authors: Franke Kristin , Dierks Anneke , Fischer Klaus 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundOrganisms may respond to environmental change by means of genetic adaptation, phenotypic plasticity or both, which may result in genotype-environment interactions (G x E) if genotypes differ in their phenotypic response. We here specifically target the latter source of variation (i.e. G x E) by comparing plastic responses among lines of the tropical butterflyBicyclus anynanathat had been selected for increased cold tolerance and according controls. Our main aim here was to test the hypothesis that directional selection on cold tolerance will interfere with plastic capacities.ResultsPlastic responses to temperature and feeding treatments were strong, with e.g. higher compared to lower temperatures reducing cold tolerance, longevity, pupal mass, and development time. We report a number of statistically significant genotype-environment interactions (i.e. interactions between selection regime and environmental variables), but most of these were not consistent across treatment groups. We found some evidence though for larger plastic responses to different rearing temperatures in the selection compared to the control lines, while plastic responses to different adult temperatures and feeding treatments were overall very similar across selection regimes.ConclusionOur results indicate that plastic capacities are not always constrained by directional selection (on cold tolerance) and therefore genetic changes in trait means, but may operate independently.
Development of coronary artery stenosis in a patient with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with sorafenib
Authors: Pantaleo Maria Abbondanza , Mandrioli Anna , Saponara Maristella , Nannini Margherita , Erente Giovanna , Lolli Cristian , Biasco Guido 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are currently approved for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). The cardiotoxic effects of sorafenib and sunitinib may cause hypertension, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) dysfunction and/or congestive heart failure (CHF), and arterial thrombo-embolic events (ATE). Only three cases of coronary artery disease related to sorafenib therapy have been described in the literature, and all were due to arterial vasospasm without evidence of coronary artery stenosis on angiography. Cardiotoxicity is commonly associated with the presence of cardiovascular risk factors, such as a history of hypertension or coronary artery disease.

Case presentation
We describe a patient who experienced an unusual cardiac event after 2 years of sorafenib treatment. A 58-year-old man with mRCC developed acute coronary syndrome (ischemia/infarction) associated with critical sub-occlusion of the common trunk of the left coronary artery and some of its branches, which was documented on coronary angiography. The patient underwent triple coronary artery bypass surgery, and sorafenib treatment was discontinued. He did not have any cardiovascular risk factors, and his cardiac function and morphology were normal prior to sorafenib treatment.

Conclusions
Further investigation of a larger patient population is needed to better understand cardiac damage due to TKI treatment. Understanding the usefulness of careful cardiovascular monitoring might be important for the prevention of fatal cardiovascular events, and to avoid discontinuation of therapy for the underlying cancer.
The impact of physical activity on fatigue and quality of life in lung cancer patients: a randomised controlled trial protocol
Authors: Dhillon Haryana M , van der Ploeg Hidde P , Bell Melanie L , Boyer Michael , Clarke Stephen , Vardy Janette 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background
People with lung cancer have substantial symptom burden and more unmet needs than the general cancer population. Physical activity (PA) has been shown to positively influence quality of life (QOL), fatigue and daily functioning in the curative treatment of people with breast and colorectal cancers and lung diseases, as well as in palliative settings. A randomised controlled trial (RCT) is needed to determine if lung cancer patients benefit from structured PA intervention. The Physical Activity in Lung Cancer (PAL) trial is designed to evaluate the impact of a 2-month PA intervention on fatigue and QOL in patients with non-resectable lung cancer. Biological mechanisms will also be studied.

Methods/design
A multi-centre RCT with patients randomised to usual care or a 2-month PA programme, involving supervised PA sessions including a behavioural change component and home-based PA. QOL questionnaires, disease and functional status and body composition will be assessed at baseline, 2, 4 and 6 months follow-up. The primary endpoint is comparative levels of fatigue between the 2 arms. Secondary endpoints include: QOL, functional abilities and physical function. Exploratory endpoints include: anxiety, depression, distress, dyspnoea, PA behaviour, fitness, hospitalisations, survival, cytokines and insulin-like growth factor levels.

Discussion
This study will provide high-level evidence of the effect of PA programmes on cancer-related fatigue and QOL in patients with advanced lung cancer. If positive, the study has the potential to change care for people with cancer using a simple, inexpensive intervention to improve their QOL and help them maintain independent function for as long as possible.

Trial registration
Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry No. ACTRN12609000971235
Individual development of preschool children-prevalences and determinants of delays in Germany: a cross-sectional study in Southern Bavaria
Authors: Stich Heribert L , Baune Bernhard Th , Caniato Riccardo N , Mikolajczyk Rafael T , Krämer Alexander 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background
Even minor abnormalities of early child development may have dramatic long term consequences. Accurate prevalence rates for a range of developmental impairments have been difficult to establish. Since related studies have used different methodological approaches, direct comparisons of the prevalence of developmental delays are difficult. The understanding of the key factors affecting child development, especially in preschool aged children remains limited. We used data from school entry examinations in Bavaria to measure the prevalence of developmental impairments in pre-school children beginning primary school in 1997–2009.

Methods
The developmental impairments of all school beginners in the district of Dingolfing- Landau, Bavaria were assessed using modified “Bavarian School Entry Model” examination from 1997 to 2009 (N=13,182). The children were assessed for motor, cognitive, language and psychosocial impairments using a standardised medical protocol. Prevalence rates of impairments in twelve domains of development were estimated. Using uni- and multivariable logistic regression models, association between selected factors and development delays were assessed.

Results
The highest prevalence existed for impairments of pronunciation (13.8%) followed by fine motor impairments (12.2%), and impairments of memory and concentration (11.3%) and the lowest for impairments of rhythm of speech (3.1%). Younger children displayed more developmental delays. Male gender was strongly associated with all developmental impairments (highest risk for fine motor impairments = OR 3.22, 95% confidence interval 2.86-3.63). Preschool children with siblings (vs. children without any siblings) were at higher risk of having impairments in pronunciation (OR 1.31, 1.14-1.50). The influence of the non-German nationality was strong, with a maximum risk increase for the subareas of grammar and psychosocial development. Although children with non-German nationality had a reduced risk of disorders for the rhythm of speech and pronunciation, in all other 10 subareas their risk was increased.

Conclusions
In preschool children, most common were delays of pronunciation, memory and concentration. Age effects suggest that delays can spontaneously resolve, but providing support at school entry might be helpful. Boys and migrant children appear at high risk of developmental problems, which may warrant tailored intervention strategies.