bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The frequency of sicca symptoms and Sjögren's syndrome in patients with systemic sclerosis
Authors: Kobak Senol , Oksel Fahrettin , Aksu Kenan , Kabasakal Yasemin 
Published: August 2012

AbstractObjectiveThe objectives are to detect the frequency of sicca symptoms and Sjögren's syndrome (SS) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) based on the diagnostic criteria of the American–European Consensus Group (AECG) and to evaluate demographic, clinical and serologic characteristics.Patients and methodOne hundred and eighteen SSc patients referred to our hospital were included in this study. All SSc patients were questioned with respect to sicca symptoms. Levels of rheumatoid factor (RF), anti‐nuclear antibodies (ANA), anti‐Ro and anti‐La antibodies were measured; non‐stimulated saliva amounts were recorded and Schirmer test and break‐up time were applied to all patients. Minor salivary gland biopsy samples were obtained from those patients giving ≥ 3 positive answers to sicca symptom questions, patients with positive xerostomia/xerophthalmia test results, and patients with at least one antibody being positive. Patients presenting with grade 3 and/or grade 4 sialoadenitis based on Chisholm criteria were considered pathological.ResultsSicca symptoms were present in 84 of 118 patients with SSc (71.2%). Minor salivary gland biopsy samples were obtained from 74 patients. Grade 3 and/or grade 4 sialoadenitis was detected in 40 (33.9%) patients and they were diagnosed with SS. Compared to patients diagnosed with SSc alone, systemic sclerosis patients diagnosed with SS had lower pulmonary hypertension and less diffuse lung involvement. Statistically significant difference was detected in terms of sclerodactylia and telangiectasia between SSc–SS and SSc patient groups (P = 0.045 and P = 0.011, respectively). Serological assessments revealed that in the SSc–SS group, 13 patients were anti‐Ro antibody positive, six were anti‐La antibody positive and 37 were anti‐topoisomerase 1 antibody positive. RF, ANA and anti‐centromere antibody levels were higher in the SSc–SS group.ConclusionIn the present study, highly frequent sicca symptoms and Sjögren's syndrome based on AECG criteria were noted in patients with systemic sclerosis. The SSc–SS patient group had less severe clinical course and lung involvement.
Value of pharmacy services to the healthcare system: an interdisciplinary assessment
Authors: Cruthirds Danielle L , Hughes Peter J , Weaver Sara 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Objectives
The purpose of this project was to determine how pharmacists and physicians view the extending role of the hospital pharmacist in Tennessee, USA.

Methods
An 18-question survey was sent via e-mail to five selected hospitals in Tennessee. The survey was comprised of questions related to the interaction of the pharmacist with other healthcare professionals and their role in the healthcare team.

Key findings
This survey achieved a 40.1% response rate. Ninety-one per cent of physicians and pharmacists in the sample are receptive to an extended role of the pharmacist and agree that pharmacists provide a benefit to patients and to the healthcare system. A minority of respondents, including pharmacists, do not consider the pharmacist a member of the healthcare team and suggest that barriers in the transition away from the traditional pharmacy role are time, staffing and reimbursement/funding.

Conclusions
Results from this survey reveal that the majority of physicians and pharmacists in non-academic settings embrace an extended role of the pharmacist as part of the healthcare team and have an overall good perception of contemporary pharmacy practice. Clinical pharmacies are in place worldwide, making this topic applicable in many settings.
Vitamin D and melanoma incidence and mortality
Authors: Berwick Marianne , Erdei Eszter O. 
Published: September 2012

SummaryThe role of vitamin D (25‐OH‐D, or 25‐hydroxyvitamin D) and its potential confounders in relationship to melanoma risk and mortality is discussed. The paradox that ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure is the major environmental risk factor for melanoma etiology as well as a major source of vitamin D might be explained by viewing vitamin D levels as the result of a healthy lifestyle rather than a cause of health.
No Recurrence of Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia after Solid Organ Transplantation Regardless of Secondary Prophylaxis
Authors: Kim Tark , Sung Heungsup , Lee Yu-Mi , Hong Hyo-Lim , Kim Sung-Han , Choi Sang-Ho , Woo Jun Hee , Kim Yang Soo , Lee Sang-Oh 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACT

There are no data on the efficacy of secondary prophylaxis against
Pneumocystis
pneumonia after solid organ transplantation. Therefore, we investigated the rate of recurrence of
Pneumocystis
pneumonia after solid organ transplantation in a retrospective cohort study. Between 2005 and 2011, a total of 41 recipients recovered from
Pneumocystis
pneumonia. Of these, 22 (53.7%) received secondary prophylaxis. None of the 41 recipients experienced recurrence of
Pneumocystis
pneumonia during the follow-up, regardless of secondary prophylaxis.
Cryptococcus neoformans-Cryptococcus gattii Species Complex: an International Study of Wild-Type Susceptibility Endpoint Distributions and Epidemiological Cutoff Values for Fluconazole, Itraconazole, Posaconazole, and Voriconazole
Authors: Espinel-Ingroff A. , Aller A. I. , Canton E. , Castañón-Olivares L. R. , Chowdhary A. , Cordoba S. , Cuenca-Estrella M. , Fothergill A. , Fuller J. , Govender N. , Hagen F. , Illnait-Zaragozi M. T. , Johnson E. , Kidd S. , Lass-Flörl C. , Lockhart S. R. , Martins M. A. , Meis J. F. , Melhem M. S. C. , Ostrosky-Zeichner L. , Pelaez T. , Pfaller M. A. , Schell W. A. , St-Germain G. , Trilles L. , Turnidge J. 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACT

Epidemiological cutoff values (ECVs) for the
Cryptococcus neoformans-Cryptococcus gattii
species complex versus fluconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole are not available. We established ECVs for these species and agents based on wild-type (WT) MIC distributions. A total of 2,985 to 5,733 CLSI MICs for
C. neoformans
(including isolates of molecular type VNI [MICs for 759 to 1,137 isolates] and VNII, VNIII, and VNIV [MICs for 24 to 57 isolates]) and 705 to 975 MICs for
C. gattii
(including 42 to 260 for VGI, VGII, VGIII, and VGIV isolates) were gathered in 15 to 24 laboratories (Europe, United States, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, India, Mexico, and South Africa) and were aggregated for analysis. Additionally, 220 to 359 MICs measured using CLSI yeast nitrogen base (YNB) medium instead of CLSI RPMI medium for
C. neoformans
were evaluated. CLSI RPMI medium ECVs for distributions originating from at least three laboratories, which included ≥95% of the modeled WT population, were as follows: fluconazole, 8 μg/ml (VNI,
C. gattii
nontyped, VGI, VGIIa, and VGIII), 16 μg/ml (
C. neoformans
nontyped, VNIII, and VGIV), and 32 μg/ml (VGII); itraconazole, 0.25 μg/ml (VNI), 0.5 μg/ml (
C. neoformans
and
C. gattii
nontyped and VGI to VGIII), and 1 μg/ml (VGIV); posaconazole, 0.25 μg/ml (
C. neoformans
nontyped and VNI) and 0.5 μg/ml (
C. gattii
nontyped and VGI); and voriconazole, 0.12 μg/ml (VNIV), 0.25 μg/ml (
C. neoformans
and
C. gattii
nontyped, VNI, VNIII, VGII, and VGIIa,), and 0.5 μg/ml (VGI). The number of laboratories contributing data for other molecular types was too low to ascertain that the differences were due to factors other than assay variation. In the absence of clinical breakpoints, our ECVs may aid in the detection of isolates with acquired resistance mechanisms and should be listed in the revised CLSI M27-A3 and CLSI M27-S3 documents.
Identification of Hepatitis C Virus Inhibitors Targeting Different Aspects of Infection Using a Cell-Based Assay
Authors: Yu Xuemei , Sainz Bruno , Petukhov Pavel A. , Uprichard Susan L. 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACT

With 2 to 3% of the worldwide population chronically infected, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection continues to be a major health care burden. Unfortunately, current interferon-based treatment options are not effective in all patients and are associated with significant side effects. Consequently, there is an ongoing need to identify and develop new anti-HCV therapies. Toward this goal, we previously developed a cell-based HCV infection assay for antiviral compound screening based on a low-multiplicity-of-infection approach that uniquely allows for the identification of antiviral compounds that target cell culture-derived HCV (HCVcc) at any step of the viral infection cycle. Using this assay, here we report the screening of the NCI Diversity Set II library, containing 1,974 synthesized chemical compounds, and the identification of compounds with specific anti-HCV activity. In combination with toxicity counterscreening, we identified 30 hits from the compound library, 13 of which showed reproducible and dose-dependent inhibition of HCV with mean therapeutic indices (50% cytotoxic concentration [CC
50
]/50% effective concentration [EC
50
]) of greater than 6. Using HCV pseudotype and replicon systems of multiple HCV genotypes, as well as infectious HCVcc-based assembly and secretion analysis, we determined that different compounds within this group of candidate inhibitors target different steps of viral infection. The compounds identified not only will serve as biological probes to study and further dissect the biology of viral infection but also should facilitate the development of new anti-HCV therapeutic treatments.
The Meningococcal Adhesin NhhA Provokes Proinflammatory Responses in Macrophages via Toll-Like Receptor 4-Dependent and -Independent Pathways
Authors: Sjölinder Mikael , Altenbacher Georg , Wang Xiao , Gao Yumin , Hansson Charlotta , Sjölinder Hong 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACT
Activation of macrophages by Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and functionally related proteins is essential for host defense and innate immunity. TLRs recognize a wide variety of pathogen-associated molecules. Here, we demonstrate that the meningococcal outer membrane protein NhhA has immunostimulatory functions and triggers release of proinflammatory cytokines from macrophages. NhhA-induced cytokine release was found to proceed via two distinct pathways in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion was dependent on activation of TLR4 and required the TLR signaling adaptor protein MyD88. In contrast, release of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) was TLR4 and MyD88 independent. Both pathways involved NF-κB-dependent gene regulation. Using a PCR-based screen, we could identify additional targets of NhhA-dependent gene activation such as the cytokines and growth factors IL-1α, IL-1β, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). In human monocyte-derived macrophages, G-CSF, GM-CSF, and IL-6 were found to be major targets of NhhA-dependent gene regulation. NhhA induced transcription of IL-6 and G-CSF mRNA via TLR4-dependent pathways, whereas GM-CSF transcription was induced via TLR4-independent pathways. These data provide new insights into the role of NhhA in host-pathogen interaction.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Alkyl Quinolones Repress Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 (HIF-1) Signaling through HIF-1α Degradation
Authors: Legendre Claire , Reen F. Jerry , Mooij Marlies J. , McGlacken Gerard P. , Adams Claire , O'Gara Fergal 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACT

The transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) has recently emerged to be a crucial regulator of the immune response following pathogen perception, including the response to the important human pathogen
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. However, as mechanisms involved in HIF-1 activation by bacterial pathogens are not fully characterized, understanding how bacteria and bacterial compounds impact on HIF-1α stabilization remains a major challenge. In this context, we have focused on the effect of secreted factors of
P. aeruginosa
on HIF-1 regulation. Surprisingly, we found that
P. aeruginosa
cell-free supernatant significantly repressed HIF-1α protein levels. Further characterization revealed that HIF-1α downregulation was dependent on a subset of key secreted factors involved in
P. aeruginosa
pathogenesis, the 2-alkyl-4-quinolone (AQ) quorum sensing (QS) signaling molecules, and in particular the pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS). Under hypoxic conditions, the AQ-dependent downregulation of HIF-1α was linked to the suppressed induction of the important HIF-1 target gene hexokinase II. Furthermore, we demonstrated that AQ molecules directly target HIF-1α protein degradation through the 26S-proteasome proteolytic pathway but independently of the prolyl hydroxylase domain (PHD). In conclusion, this is the first report showing that bacterial molecules can repress HIF-1α protein levels. Manipulation of HIF-1 signaling by
P. aeruginosa
AQs could have major consequences for the host response to infection and may facilitate the infective properties of this pathogen.
The paternal role in pre-eclampsia and giving birth to a small for gestational age infant; a population-based cohort study
Authors: Wikström Anna-Karin , Gunnarsdóttir Jóhanna , Cnattingius Sven 
Published: August 2012

ObjectiveTo estimate the effect of partner change on risks of pre-eclampsia and giving birth to a small for gestational age infant.DesignProspective population study.SettingSweden.ParticipantsWomen with their first and second successive singleton births in Sweden between 1990 and 2006 without pregestational diabetes and/or hypertension (n=446 459).Outcome measuresPreterm (<37 weeks) and term (≥37 weeks) pre-eclampsia, and giving birth to a small for gestational age (SGA) infant. Risks were adjusted for interpregnancy interval, maternal age, body mass index, height and smoking habits in second pregnancy, years of involuntary childlessness before second pregnancy, mother's country of birth, years of formal education and year of birth. Further, when we calculated risks of SGA we restricted the study population to women with non-pre-eclamptic pregnancies.ResultsIn women who had a preterm pre-eclampsia in first pregnancy, partner change was associated with a strong protective effect for preterm pre-eclampsia recurrence (OR 0.24; 95% CI 0.07 to 0.88). Similarly, partner change was also associated with a protective effect of recurrence of SGA birth (OR 0.75; 95% CI 0.67 to 0.84). In contrast, among women without SGA in first birth, partner change was associated with an increased risk of SGA in second pregnancy. Risks of term pre-eclampsia were not affected by partner change.ConclusionsThere is a paternal effect on risks of preterm pre-eclampsia and giving birth to an SGA infant.
How often do US-based human subjects research studies register on time, and how often do they post their results? A statistical analysis of the Clinicaltrials.gov database
Authors: Gill Christopher J 
Published: August 2012

ContextThe Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997 (FDAMA) and the FDA Amendment Act of 2007 (FDAAA), respectively, established mandates for registration of interventional human research studies on the website clinicaltrials.gov (CTG) and for posting of results of completed studies.ObjectiveTo characterise, contrast and explain rates of compliance with ontime registration of new studies and posting of results for completed studies on CTG.DesignStatistical analysis of publically available data downloaded from the CTG website.ParticipantsUS studies registered on CTG since 1 November 1999, the date when the CTG website became operational, through 24 June 2011, the date the data set was downloaded for analysis.Main outcome measuresOntime registration (within 21 days of study start); average delay from study start to registration; proportion of studies posting their results from within the group of studies listed as completed on CTG.ResultsAs of 24 June 2011, CTG contained 54 890 studies registered in the USA. Prior to 2005, an estimated 80% of US studies were not being registered. Among registered studies, only 55.7% registered within the 21-day reporting window. The average delay on CTG was 322 days. Between 28 September 2007 and June 23 2010, 28% of intervention studies at Phase II or beyond posted their study results on CTG, compared with 8.4% for studies without industry funding (RR 4.2, 95% CI 3.7 to 4.8). Factors associated with posting of results included exclusively paediatric studies (adjusted OR (AOR) 2.9, 95% CI 2.1 to 4.0), and later phase clinical trials (relative to Phase II studies, AOR for Phase III was 3.4, 95% CI 2.8 to 4.1; AOR for Phase IV was 6.0, 95% CI 4.8 to 7.6).ConclusionsNon-compliance with FDAMA and FDAAA appears to be very common, although compliance is higher for studies sponsored by industry. Further oversight may be required to improve compliance.
Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound for Screening Cerebral Small Vessel Disease
Authors: Mok Vincent , Ding Ding , Fu Jianhui , Xiong Yunyun , Chu Winnie W.C. , Wang Defeng , Abrigo Jill M. , Yang Jie , Wong Adrian , Zhao Qianhua , Guo Qihao , Hong Zhen , Wong Ka Sing 
Published: September 2012

Background and Purpose—
We explored the association between pulsatility index (PI) as derived from transcranial Doppler ultrasound with various measures of small vessel disease in the community.

Methods—
We performed transcranial Doppler and magnetic resonance imaging in 205 consecutive community-dwelling elderly subjects who were participants of the Shanghai Aging Study. We investigated the association between middle cerebral artery (MCA) PI with measures of white matter lesions (WML), lacunes, and microbleeds.

Results—

Multiple logistic regression found that MCA PI was associated with severe WML (odds ratio, 1.33 per 0.1 increase in PI; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–1.70;
P
=0.02). At optimal MCA PI cut-off, the area under curve, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 0.70 (95% confidence interval, 0.60–0.80), 34.9%, and 85.6%, respectively, for detection of severe WML. No association was found between MCA PI and measures of lacunes or microbleeds.

Conclusions—
PI correlates with WML severity. With a high negative predictive value, the chance of having severe WML with a normal PI is low. Transcranial Doppler may guide selective magnetic resonance imaging scanning for the detection of WML in the community.
A Fully Conserved Minimal Adjustment Scheme with (T, S) Coherency for Stabilization of Hydrographic Profiles
Authors: Wang Xidong , Chu Peter C. , Han Guijun , Li Wei , Zhang Xuefeng , Li Dong 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
A new, fully conserved minimal adjustment scheme with temperature and salinity (T, S) coherency is presented for eliminating false static instability generated from analyzing and assimilating stable ocean (T, S) profiles data, that is, from generalized averaging over purely observed data (data analysis) or over modeled/observed data (data assimilation). This approach consists of a variational method with (a) fully (heat, salt, and potential energy) conserved conditions, (b) minimal adjustment, and (c) (T, S) coherency. Comparison with three existing schemes (minimal adjustment, conserved minimal adjustment, and convective adjustment) using observational profiles and a simple one-dimensional ocean mixed layer model shows the superiority of this new scheme.
Synthesis and properties of novel copolymers of poly(ether ketone ketone) and poly(ether ether ketone ketone) containing amide and sulfone linkages
Authors: Ding Nengwen , Zhou Minghong , Cai Mingzhong 
Published: September 2012

N, N′-Bis(4-phenoxybenzoyl)-4,4′-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (BPBDAS) was prepared by the condensation of 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl sulfone with 4-phenoxybenzoyl chloride in N, N-dimethylacetamide. Novel copolymers of poly(ether ketone ketone) (PEKK) and poly(ether ether ketone ketone) containing amide and sulfone linkages (PEASAEKK) were synthesized by electrophilic Friedel–Crafts copolycondensation of terephthaloyl chloride with a mixture of diphenyl ether (DPE) and BPBDAS over a wide range of DPE/BPBDAS molar ratios, in the presence of anhydrous AlCl3 and N-methylpyrrolidone in 1,2-dichloroethane. The influences of the reaction conditions on the preparation of copolymers were examined. The copolymers obtained were characterized by different physicochemical techniques. The copolymers containing 10–25 mol% BPBDAS are semicrystalline and had remarkably increased Tgs compared to the commercially available poly(ether ether ketone) and PEKK due to the incorporation of amide and sulfone linkages in the main chains. The copolymer V with 25 mol% BPBDAS had not only high Tg of 187°C but also moderate Tm of 343°C, with good potential for melt processing. The copolymer V had a tensile strength of 102.7 MPa, Young’s modulus of 2.19 GPa, and elongation at break of 14.1%, and it also exhibited high thermal stability and good resistance to organic solvents.
Iptakalim Ameliorates Monocrotaline-Induced Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Rats
Authors: Li JunShan , Long ChaoLiang , Cui WenYu , Wang Hai 
Published: September 2012

Objectives: We sought to investigate the experimental therapeutic effects and mechanisms of iptakalim, a new adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium channel (KATP) opener, on monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and right heart ventricle remodeling in rats. Methods: Rats were injected with a single dose (50 mg/kg, ip) of MCT and given iptakalim (1, 3, and 9 mg/kg·per d, orally [po]) or saline for 28 days. The hemodynamic and morphometric parameters were assessed. Tissue and plasma samples were collected for histological and molecular analysis. Results: Treatment with iptakalim at daily oral doses of 1, 3, and 9 mg/kg from the day of MCT injection attenuated the high right ventricle systolic pressure (RVSP) and the increased weight ratio of right ventricle (RV) to left ventricle (LV) plus septum (S) (RV/(LV+S)), decreased heart rate (HR) and decreased mean arterial pressure (MAP), inhibited the RV myocardial tissue cell apoptosis, and the RV myocardial cell B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) protein expression. Iptakalim also decreased the serum levels of nitric oxide (NO), endothelin 1 (ET-1), BNP, and the levels of NO, ET-1, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the lung tissue. Conclusion: These results indicate that iptakalim prevents MCT-induced PAH and RV remodeling and its mechanisms are related to inhibiting the pathological increases in NO, ET-1, BNP, and TNF-α, and Iptakalim may be a promising candidate for the treatment of PAH.
Influence of host rocks on composition of colloid particles in groundwater at the Karachai Lake site
Authors: Malkovsky V. I. , Dikov YU. P. , Asadulin EN. E. , Krupskaya V. V. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe radioactive contaminant plume in groundwater at the Karachai Lake site has been examined further. The source of pollution is the Karachai Lake which was used as a reservoir for liquid radioactive waste (LRW) from the Radiochemical Production Association “Mayak” (South Urals, Russia). Taking into account that colloid-facilitated transport of radionuclides can substantially increase the contaminant migration velocity, the composition and structure of colloid particles from the groundwater within the contaminant plume were studied. Sampling of groundwater was carried out in the observation well within the contaminant plume. Different fractions of colloid particles were extracted from the groundwater samples by sequential filtration through membranes with decreasing pore size. Chemical and mineralogical compositions of the colloid particles were determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy in combination with ion etching of the particle surfaces. The host rocks were studied using characteristic samples from the surface outcrop nearest to the observation well. The analysis showed that the colloid particles consisted of an inorganic core with a discontinuous organic cover. The inorganic core was close in composition to the host rocks along the flow path with a predominance of layered hydrosilicates.