bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Total cholesterol and lipoprotein composition are associated with dry eye disease in Korean women
Authors: Chun Yoon Hong , Kim Hye Rang , Han Kyungdo , Park Yong-Gyu , Song Ho Jin , Na Kyung-Sun 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
This study aimed to determine the relationship between dyslipidemia and dry eye disease (DED) in a Korean population.

Methods
This population-based study enrolled 5,627 adults (aged >19 years) who were participating in the first year of the fifth annual Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2010 to 2011. Clinically diagnosed DED and its symptoms were surveyed, and biochemical blood analysis data were collected. Dyslipidemia was defined as any of the following: hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol > 200 mg/dL), hypertriglyceridemia (triglyceride > 150 mg/dL), low levels of high-density lipoprotein (<40 mg/dL), or high levels of low-density lipoprotein (>100 mg/dL).

Results
After adjusting for demographics (age and body mass index), lifestyle (smoking, drinking, exercise, and residential district), and medical factors (diabetes, hypertension, previous ophthalmic surgery, menopause, and rheumatologic disease), elevated serum cholesterol level was found to be associated with increased likelihood of DED (odds ratio, 1.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.127–2.78) in women.

Conclusions
DED in a Korean population was found to be associated with high serum cholesterol levelsThe results of this study highlight the significance of eye examinations and independent lipid profile monitoring in patients with dyslipidemia because of its possible correlation with DED progression.
New susceptibility locus for obesity and dyslipidaemia on chromosome 3q22.3
Authors: Alshahid Maie , Wakil Salma M , Al-Najai Mohammed , Muiya Nzioka P , Elhawari Samar , Gueco Daisy , Andres Editha , Hagos Samia , Mazhar Nejat , Meyer Brian F , Dzimiri Nduna 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe muscle Ras (MRAS) gene resides on chromosome 3q22.3 and encodes a member of the membrane-associated Ras small GTPase proteins, which function as signal transducers in multiple processes including cell growth and differentiation. Its role in cardiovascular disease is not fully understood yet. In a preliminary study in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia, we identified a locus linking the early onset of coronary artery disease (CAD) to chromosome 3q.22 and elected to sequence theMRASgene using the MegaBACE DNA analysis system. In the present study, we investigated the association of seven single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at this locus with CAD and its dyslipidaemia-related risk traits in 4,650 Saudi angiographed individuals using TaqMan assays by the Applied Biosystems real-time Prism 7900HT Sequence Detection System.ResultsAmong the studied SNPs, rs6782181 (p= 0.017) and rs9818870T (p= 0.009) were associated with CAD following adjustment for sex, age and other confounding risk factors. The rs6782181_GG also conferred risk for obesity (1,764 cases vs. 2,586 controls) [1.16(1.03–1.30);p= 0.017], hypercholesterolaemia (1,686 vs. 2,744) [1.23(1.02–1.47);p= 0.019], hypertriglyceridaemia (1,155 vs. 3,496) [1.29(1.01–1.45);p= 0.043] and low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (lHDL-chol) levels (1,935 vs. 2,401) [1.15(1.02–1.30);p= 0.023] after adjustment. Additionally, rs253662_(CT+TT) [1.16(1.01–1.32);p= 0.030] was associated with lHDL-chol levels. Interestingly, rs253662 (p= 0.014) and rs6782181 (p= 0.019) were protective against acquiring high low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (hLDL-chol) levels (p= 0.014), while rs1720819 showed similar effects against CAD (p< 0.0001). More importantly, a 7-mer haplotype, ACCTGAC (χ2= 7.66;p= 0.0056), constructed from the studied SNPs, its 6-mer derivative CCTGAC (χ2= 6.90;p= 0.0086) and several other shorter derivatives conferred risk for obesity. hLDL-chol was weakly linked to CTAA (χ2= 3.79;p= 0.052) and CCT (χ2= 4.32;p= 0.038), while several other haplotypes were protective against both obesity and hLDL-chol level.ConclusionOur results demonstrate that the genomic locus for theMRASgene confers risk for CAD, obesity and dyslipidaemia and point to the possible involvement of other genes or regulatory elements at this locus, rather than changes in the M-Ras protein function, in these events.
Retinal vasculitis in two pediatric patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report
Authors: Donnithorne Katherine J , Read Russell W , Lowe Robert , Weiser Peter , Cron Randy Q , Beukelman Timothy 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
We report two pediatric female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who presented with decreased vision. Both patients were found to have retinal vasculitis and occlusive disease. The first patient also presented with vitreous hemorrhage and later non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy. She was treated with panretinal photocoagulation and steroid therapy and later in her disease course was treated with rituximab and cyclophosphamide. Her vision remained decreased. The second patient was treated with rituximab and monthly cyclophosphamide infusions early in her disease course, and her vision improved dramatically. The difference in the presentations and outcomes of these two pediatric patients with SLE highlights the spectrum of severity of SLE retinopathy. We suggest that early recognition of disease and early intervention with B-cell depletion therapy in addition to a traditional cytotoxic agent should be considered in pediatric patients with SLE and occlusive retinopathy.
The key role of Shenyan Kangfu tablets, a Chinese patent medicine for diabetic nephropathy: study protocol for a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial
Authors: Wang Hui , Mu Wei , Zhai Jingbo , Xing Dongmei , Miao Shujie , Wang Jia , Deng Yueyi , Wang Niansong , Chen Hongyu , Yang Hongtao , He Xuehong , Shang Hongcai 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major microvascular complication with diabetes. In China, an estimated 34.7 percent of people diagnosed with diabetes have renal complications and a further 50 percent die of renal failure. Hence, identification of alternative treatments for these patients should be given priority. The Shenyan Kangfu tablet (SYKFT) is a new formulation of an existing and widely acclaimed Chinese herbal tea for treating qi-yin deficiency syndrome. Because a considerable portion of DN patients presenting with symptoms of swelling, fatigue and weak limbs would be diagnosed with qi-yin deficiency syndrome according to the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnostic criteria, we hypothesize that SYKFT may represent a complementary drug for DN patients with the corresponding syndrome. In view of this, we have designed a trial to assess the efficacy and safety of SYKFT for patients with diabetic nephropathy exhibiting signs of qi and yin deficiency.

Methods
This is a multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT). The total target sample size is planned at 80 participants, with a balanced (1:1) treatment allocation. The experimental intervention will be SYKFY plus irbesartan (SI regimen) and the control intervention will be a placebo plus irbesartan (PI regimen). Participants will receive two courses of medication treatment each lasting 8 weeks. The primary outcome will be the composite of the quantitative 24-hour urinary protein level and urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER). Changes in urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) and DN staging, and TCM symptom improvement will be the secondary outcome measures. Adverse events (AEs) will be monitored throughout the trial.

Discussion
This study will be the first placebo-controlled RCT to assess whether SYKFT plus irbesartan will have beneficial effects on enhancing overall response rate (ORR), changing DN staging, improving clinical symptoms, and reducing the frequency of AEs for DN patients with qi-yin deficiency syndrome. The results of this trial will help to provide evidence-based recommendations for clinicians.

Trial registration
Chinese Clinical Trials Register, Identifier: ChiCTR-TRC-12002182
SAG2A protein from Toxoplasma gondii interacts with both innate and adaptive immune compartments of infected hosts
Authors: Macêdo Arlindo G , Cunha Jair P , Cardoso Thyago HS , Silva Murilo V , Santiago Fernanda M , Silva João S , Pirovani Carlos P , Silva Deise AO , Mineo José R , Mineo Tiago WP 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackgroundToxoplasma gondiiis an intracellular parasite that causes relevant clinical disease in humans and animals.Several studies have been performed in order to understand the interactions between proteins of the parasite and host cells. SAG2A is a 22 kDa protein that is mainly found in the surface of tachyzoites. In the present work, our aim was to correlate the predicted three-dimensional structure of this protein with the immune system of infected hosts.MethodsTo accomplish our goals, we performed in silico analysis of the amino acid sequence of SAG2A, correlating the predictions with in vitro stimulation of antigen presenting cells and serological assays.ResultsStructure modeling predicts that SAG2A protein possesses an unfolded C-terminal end, which varies its conformation within distinct strain types ofT. gondii. This structure within the protein shelters a known B-cell immunodominant epitope, which presents low identity with its closest phyllogenetically related protein, an orthologue predicted inNeospora caninum. In agreement with thein silicoobservations, sera of knownT. gondiiinfected mice and goats recognized recombinant SAG2A, whereas no serological cross-reactivity was observed with samples fromN. caninumanimals. Additionally, the C-terminal end of the protein was able to down-modulate pro-inflammatory responses of activated macrophages and dendritic cells.ConclusionsAltogether, we demonstrate herein that recombinant SAG2A protein fromT. gondiiis immunologically relevant in the host-parasite interface and may be targeted in therapeutic and diagnostic procedures designed against the infection.
Sensitization of ovarian carcinoma cells to Bcl-xL-targeting strategies through indirect modulation of Mcl-1 activity by MR22388, a molecule of the tripentone family
Authors: Tomasina Julie , Malzert-Freon Aurélie , Giffard Florence , Brotin Emilie , Louis Marie-Hélène , Abeilard Edwige , Rault Sylvain , Gauduchon Pascal , Poulain Laurent 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackgroundOur work has been carried out in the context of the therapeutic failure in ovarian carcinoma, which remains the leading cause of death by gynecologic malignancy. In these tumours, recurrence and subsequent acquired chemoresistance constitute major hurdles to successful therapy. Here we studied the interest of a member of the tripentone chemical family, MR22388, for the treatment of chemoresistant ovarian cancer cells.FindingsMR22388 activity has been assessedin vitroon cisplatin-resistant (SKOV3 and IGROV1-R10) ovarian cancer cell lines by conventional analysis, alone or combined to a BH3-mimetic molecule, ABT-737. MR22388 exerts its activity on cisplatin resistant cells, and we showed that it induces a decrease of the Mcl-1 anti-apoptotic protein expression. Considering our previous work demonstrating that the efficiency of Bcl-xLtargeting strategies is conditioned to the concomitant inhibition of Mcl-1 we studied the interest of the association of this MR22388 with ABT-737, and showed that this combination was highly cytotoxic in chemoresistant cells.ConclusionsThis work thus opens new perspectives for the use of this promising molecule for the treatment of highly chemoresistant ovarian cancer cells and for sensitization of emerging Bcl-xLtargeting strategies such as the use of BH3-mimetic molecules.
Bacterial endophthalmitis caused by an intraocular cilium in a patient under treatment with infliximab
Authors: Jin Xue-hai , Namba Kenichi , Saito Wataru , Iwata Daiju , Ishida Susumu 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
We report a case of bacterial endophthalmitis caused by an intraocular cilium in a patient without any history of trauma or ocular surgery.

Findings
A 32-year-old Caucasian male showed symptoms of orbital myositis and scleritis, with no intraocular inflammation in the right eye. The patient had been treated with infliximab for Crohn’s disease. Three weeks after initiation of oral prednisolone therapy, he developed bacterial endophthalmitis. During pars plana vitrectomy, a cilium in the massive vitreous opacity was found. A focal scleral necrosis was detected just outside where the cilium was intraoperatively observed. Vitreous culture showed the presence of Staphylococcus aureus.

Conclusions
The intraocular cilium seemed to be the aetiology of the endophthalmitis in this case, which suggests that anti-tumour necrosis factor-α therapy may play a role in the migration of cilia into the globe and the occurrence of endophthalmitis.
The effects and mechanism of ginsenoside Rg1 on myocardial remodeling in an animal model of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Li Chang-yi , Deng Wang , Liao Xiu-qing , Deng Jia , Zhang Yu-kun , Wang Dao-xin 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
Recent studies haveshown that ginsenoside Rg1, extracted from the dry roots of Panax notoginseng as a traditional Asian medicine, plays an anti-fibrosis role in myocardial remodeling. However, the mechanism still remains unclear. In the present study, we investigate the effect of ginsenoside Rg1on the collagenic remodeling of myocardium in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), and its potential mechanism.

Methods
A rat model of CTEPH was established by injecting thrombi through the jugular vein wice in2 weeks. Four weeks later, four groups (Group A: normal rats + normal saline; Group B: normal rats + Rg1; Group C: CTEPH model + normal saline; Group D: CTEPH model + Rg1) were established. Normal saline and Rg1 were administrated by intraperitoneal injection. Ineach group, we measured the hemodynamic parameters, as well as the right ventricle to left ventricle (RV/LV) thickness ratio. Myocardial tissue sections of the RV were stained by hematoxylin-eosin +gentian violet and the morphological characteristics were observed by light microscopy. The matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) -2 and −9 were detected by the western blot.

Results
Compared with Group A and Group B, the right ventricular systolic pressure was significantly increased in Group C and significantly decreased in Group D. Compared with Group A and Group B, the RV/LV thickness ratio of the rats was significantly higher in Group C and Group D. There was significant fibrosis with collagen in Group C compared with Group A and Group B, and less significant changes in Group D were observed compared with those in Group C. The expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 exhibited a significant decrease in Group C and was also significantly decreased in Group D compared withGroup A and Group B. Also, a negative linear relationship was shown between collagen-I and the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9.

Conclusions
Our animal study showed that ginsenoside Rg1 positively affects myocardial remodeling and pulmonary hemodynamics in CTEPH. Upregulation of the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 could explain the beneficial effects of ginsenoside Rg1 in CTEPH.
Integrative analysis of the microbiome and metabolome of the human intestinal mucosal surface reveals exquisite inter-relationships
Authors: McHardy Ian H , Goudarzi Maryam , Tong Maomeng , Ruegger Paul M , Schwager Emma , Weger John R , Graeber Thomas G , Sonnenburg Justin L , Horvath Steve , Huttenhower Curtis , McGovern Dermot PB , Fornace Albert J , Borneman James , Braun Jonathan 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
Consistent compositional shifts in the gut microbiota are observed in IBD and other chronic intestinal disorders and may contribute to pathogenesis. The identities of microbial biomolecular mechanisms and metabolic products responsible for disease phenotypes remain to be determined, as do the means by which such microbial functions may be therapeutically modified.

Results
The composition of the microbiota and metabolites in gut microbiome samples in 47 subjects were determined. Samples were obtained by endoscopic mucosal lavage from the cecum and sigmoid colon regions, and each sample was sequenced using the 16S rRNA gene V4 region (Illumina-HiSeq 2000 platform) and assessed by UPLC mass spectroscopy. Spearman correlations were used to identify widespread, statistically significant microbial-metabolite relationships. Metagenomes for identified microbial OTUs were imputed using PICRUSt, and KEGG metabolic pathway modules for imputed genes were assigned using HUMAnN. The resulting metabolic pathway abundances were mostly concordant with metabolite data. Analysis of the metabolome-driven distribution of OTU phylogeny and function revealed clusters of clades that were both metabolically and metagenomically similar.

Conclusions
The results suggest that microbes are syntropic with mucosal metabolome composition and therefore may be the source of and/or dependent upon gut epithelial metabolites. The consistent relationship between inferred metagenomic function and assayed metabolites suggests that metagenomic composition is predictive to a reasonable degree of microbial community metabolite pools. The finding that certain metabolites strongly correlate with microbial community structure raises the possibility of targeting metabolites for monitoring and/or therapeutically manipulating microbial community function in IBD and other chronic diseases.
Global But Not Gonadotrope-Specific Disruption of Bmal1 Abolishes the Luteinizing Hormone Surge Without Affecting Ovulation
Authors: Chu Adrienne , Zhu Lei , Blum Ian D. , Mai Oliver , Leliavski Alexei , Fahrenkrug Jan , Oster Henrik , Boehm Ulrich , Storch Kai-Florian 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Although there is evidence for a circadian regulation of the preovulatory LH surge, the contributions of individual tissue clocks to this process remain unclear. We studied female mice deficient in the Bmal1 gene (Bmal1−/−), which is essential for circadian clock function, and found that they lack the proestrous LH surge. However, spontaneous ovulation on the day of estrus was unaffected in these animals. Bmal1−/− females were also deficient in the proestrous FSH surge, which, like the LH surge, is GnRH-dependent. In the absence of circadian or external timing cues, Bmal1−/− females continued to cycle in constant darkness albeit with increased cycle length and time spent in estrus. Because pituitary gonadotropes are the source of circulating LH and FSH, we assessed hypophyseal circadian clock function and found that female pituitaries rhythmically express clock components throughout all cycle stages. To determine the role of the gonadotrope clock in the preovulatory LH and FSH surge process, we generated mice that specifically lack BMAL1 in gonadotropes (GBmal1KO). GBmal1KO females exhibited a modest elevation in both proestrous and baseline LH levels across all estrous stages. BMAL1 elimination from gonadotropes also led to increased variability in estrous cycle length, yet GBmal1KO animals were otherwise reproductively normal. Together our data suggest that the intrinsic clock in gonadotropes is dispensable for LH surge regulation but contributes to estrous cycle robustness. Thus, clocks in the suprachiasmatic nucleus or elsewhere must be involved in the generation of the LH surge, which, surprisingly, is not required for spontaneous ovulation.
Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Indices for Metabolic Syndrome in Japanese Women: One-Year Follow-Up Study
Authors: Nakajima Yasuyo , Yamada Masanobu , Akuzawa Masako , Ishii Sumiyasu , Masamura Yasuhiro , Satoh Tetsurou , Hashimoto Koshi , Negishi Mayumi , Shimomura Yohnosuke , Kobayashi Isao , Andou Yoshitaka , Mori Masatomo 
Published: June 2013

Context:
Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) increase with age; however, their relationship remains unclear.

Objective:
Our objective was to investigate the relationship between SCH and indices of metabolic syndrome and follow up subjects for 1 year.

Design:
Cross-sectional and longitudinal follow-up studies of cases were collected from Takasaki Hidaka Hospital between 2003 and 2007.

Participants:
Overall, 11 498 participants of health checkups were analyzed. The mean age was 48 ± 9 years.

Main Outcome Measures:
The relationship between SCH and indices of MetS were examined.

Results:
Serum free T4 levels were lower in women than men in most of the age groups, and the prevalence of SCH, 6.3% in women vs 3.4% in men, increased with age, reaching 14.6% in 70-year-old women. Multivariate logistic-regression analyses revealed that waist circumference and the serum triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels were significantly higher in subjects with SCH than without among women. Reflecting these findings, the adjusted odds ratio of MetS in patients with SCH was higher than in the euthyroid subjects in women with an odds ratio of 2.7 (95% confidence interval 1.1–5.6; P = .017) but not in men. Furthermore, progression from euthyroid into SCH resulted in a significant increase in the serum triglyceride levels but not low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in women.

Conclusion:
Japanese women exhibited a high prevalence of SCH associated with low free T4 levels. There was a strong association between SCH and several indices of metabolic syndrome in women. SCH may affect serum triglyceride levels and be a risk factor for metabolic syndrome.
Specific response to herbivore-inducedde novosynthesized plant volatiles provide reliable information for host plant selection in a moth
Authors: Zakir Ali , Bengtsson Marie , Sadek Medhat M. , Hansson Bill S. , Witzgall Peter , Anderson Peter 
Published: June 2013

SummaryFor accurate behavioural decisions animals depend on reliable sensory information. For herbivorous insects it is crucial to find host plants for feeding and reproduction and they must be able to differentiate suitable from unsuitable plants. Volatiles are important cues for insect herbivores to assess host plant quality. It has previously been shown that female moths of the Egyptian cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) avoid oviposition on damaged cotton Gossypium hirsutum which may mediated by herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs). Among the HIPVs some volatiles are released following any type of damage while others are synthesized de novo and released by the plants only in response to herbivore damage. In behavioural experiments we here show that oviposition by S. littoralis on undamaged cotton plants was reduced by adding volatiles collected from plants with ongoing herbivory. Gas chromatography-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) recordings revealed that antennae of mated S. littoralis females responded to eighteen compounds from a headspace volatile collection of damaged cotton plants. Among these compounds, a blend of the seven de novo synthesized volatile compounds was found to reduce oviposition in S. littoralis on undamaged plants under both laboratory and field conditions. Volatile compounds, which are not produced de novo by the plants, did not affect the oviposition. Our results show that ovipositing females respond specifically to the de novo synthesized volatiles released from plants under herbivore attack. We suggest that these volatiles provide reliable cues for ovipositing females to detect plants of low nutritional quality, and an increased the risk for competition and predation.