bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sputum PGP is reduced by azithromycin treatment in patients with COPD and correlates with exacerbations
Authors: O'Reilly Philip J , Jackson Patricia L , Wells J Michael , Dransfield Mark T , Scanlon Paul D , Blalock J Edwin 
Published: December 2013

RationaleProline–glycine–proline (PGP), a neutrophil chemoattractant derived from the enzymatic breakdown of collagen, is elevated in sputum of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and may contribute to disease progression. Whether sputum levels of PGP respond to therapy for COPD or predict outcomes is unknown.ObjectivesWe conducted a study ancillary to a multicenter trial of the efficacy of azithromycin treatment for 1 year in preventing COPD exacerbations to test whether sputum levels of PGP were altered by treatment or associated with exacerbation frequency.MethodsWe collected remnant sputa from trial participants and assayed them in a blinded fashion for PGP, myeloperoxidase and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and for the ability to generate PGP from collagenex vivo. Once the parent trial was unblinded, the results were correlated with use of azithromycin or placebo and exacerbations in participants.ResultsAzithromycin treatment significantly reduced sputum levels of PGP and myeloperoxidase in patients with COPD, particularly with increased duration of therapy. We found no difference in sputum MMP-9 or PGP generation between participants taking azithromycin or placebo. Sputum PGP levels were highest around the time of an exacerbation and declined with successful treatment.ConclusionsThese data support a role for PGP in the airway and parenchymal neutrophilic inflammation that drives COPD progression and exacerbations, and provide new information on the anti-inflammatory properties of macrolides. PGP may have potential as a target for novel anti-inflammatory therapies in COPD and as a biomarker for clinical trials.
Risk of Coronary Artery Injury With Radiofrequency Ablation and Cryoablation of Epicardial Posteroseptal Accessory Pathways Within the Coronary Venous System
Authors: Stavrakis Stavros , Jackman Warren M. , Nakagawa Hiroshi , Sun Yingxian , Xu Qingke , Beckman Karen J. , Lockwood Deborah , Scherlag Benjamin J. , Lazzara Ralph , Po Sunny S. 
Published: December 2013

Background—
Ablation of epicardial posteroseptal accessory pathways requires ablation within the coronary venous system. We assessed the risk of coronary artery (CA) injury with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) within the coronary venous system as a function of the distance between the CA and ablation site. We also examined the efficacy and safety of cryoablation close to a CA.

Methods and Results—
Two-hundred forty patients underwent ablation for epicardial posteroseptal accessory pathways. Coronary angiography was performed before ablation in the last 169 patients and was repeated after ablation if performed in the coronary venous system within 5 mm of a significant CA. The distance between the ideal ablation site and closest CA was <2 mm in 100 (59%), 3 to 5 mm in 28 (16%), and >5 mm in 41 of 169 (25%) patients. CA injury was observed in 11 of 22 (50%) and 1 of 15 (7%) patients when RFA was performed within 2 and 3 to 5 mm of a CA, respectively. Cryoablation was performed in 26 patients with a significant CA located within 5 mm. Cryoablation alone eliminated epicardial posteroseptal accessory pathway conduction in 17 of 26 (65%) patients and in 8 patients with additional RFA without CA narrowing in any patient. During a follow-up period of 3 to 6 months, single procedure success rates were 90% and 77% for RFA and cryoablation at the ideal site, respectively.

Conclusions—
The risk of CA injury with RFA is correlated inversely with the distance from the ablation site. Cryoablation is a safe and reasonably effective alternative when a significant CA is located close to the ideal ablation site.
Notes on shark and ray types at the South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute (SCSFRI) in Guangzhou, China
Authors: WHITE WILLIAM T. , LAST PETER R. 
Published: December 2013

Most of the shark and ray type material at the South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute (SCSFRI) in Guangzhou, China was examined during a museum visit by the senior author in 2009. The status of the shark and ray species described from the South China Sea in the 1980s and deposited in this collection is discussed. Squalus acutirostris is considered a junior synonym of Squalus mitsukurii from the western North Pacific. Centrophorus ferrugineus is considered a junior synonym of Centrophorus squamosus. Centroscymnus macrops is confirmed as a junior synonym of Centroscymnus coelolepis. Scymnodon niger is confirmed as a junior synonym of Zameus squamulosus. Isistius labialis is considered a synonym of Isistius brasiliensis. Halaelurus immaculatus is confirmed as a valid species of the genus Bythaelurus. Urolophus marmoratus is considered a junior synonym of the widespread Plesiobatis daviesi. Springeria nanhaiensis is a questionable synonym of Sinobatis borneensis, following previous researchers. Springeria stenosoma is considered as questionably valid but with further investigation into generic placement required. The validity of species with SCSFRI type specimens not examined in this study are also briefly discussed.
Revision of the genus Centrophorus (Squaliformes: Centrophoridae): Part 1—Redescription of Centrophorus granulosus (Bloch &amp; Schneider), a senior synonym of C. acus Garman and C. niaukang Teng
Authors: WHITE WILLIAM T. , EBERT DAVID A. , NAYLOR GAVIN J.P. , HO HSUAN-CHING , CLERKIN PAUL , VERÍSSIMO ANA , COTTON CHARLES F. 
Published: December 2013

The genus Centrophorus is one of the most taxonomically complex and confusing elasmobranch groups. A revision of this group is currently underway and this first paper sets an important foundation in this process by redescribing the type species of the genus—Centrophorus granulosus. This taxon name has been previously applied to two different morphotypes: a large species >1.5 m TL and a smaller species ~1 m TL. Centrophorus acus and C. niaukang are the most commonly used names applied to the larger morphotype. The original description of C. granulosus was based on a large specimen of ~1.5 m TL, but subsequent redescriptions were based on either of the large or small morphotypes. Centrophorus granulosus is herein redescribed as a large species and a neotype is designated. Centrophorus acus and C. niaukang are found to be junior synonyms of C. granulosus. Centrophorus granulosus is distinguishable from its congeners by its large size, dermal denticle shape, colouration and a number of morphological and biological characteristics. Ontogenetic changes in morphology, dentition and denticle shape for this species are described in detail.
Krüppel-like factor 6 in the progression and prognosis of malignant melanoma
Authors: Cai Daxing , Zhao Jing , Sun Qing 
Published: December 2013

Objectives: The aims of this study were to investigate the incidence of Krüppel-like factor 6 (KLF6) protein staining in patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma and examine its potential relevance to clinicopathological characteristics and tumour cell proliferation. Methods: Clinicopathological data from patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma were analysed retrospectively. Presence of KLF6 and the antigen Ki-67 in malignant melanoma and healthy tissue samples from each patient was detected by immunohistochemistry. The proliferation index was calculated on the basis of Ki-67 expression. The relationship between KLF6 and clinicopathological characteristics was also analysed. Results: KLF6 was detected more frequently in normal healthy skin tissue compared with cutaneous malignant melanoma lesions ( n = 40). There was a negative correlation between the presence of KLF6 and the proliferation index. The presence of KLF6 was also significantly correlated with tumour diameter, lymph node metastasis, tumour–node–metastasis stage and 3-year survival rate. Conclusions: KLF6 protein is downregulated in human cutaneous malignant melanoma lesions compared with healthy skin tissue. KLF6 may be involved in tumour progression and may be a tumour suppressor and prognostic marker for cutaneous malignant melanoma.
Polymorphisms of the toll-like receptor 2 and 4 genes are associated with faster progression and a more severe course of sepsis in critically ill patients
Authors: Nachtigall Irit , Tamarkin Andrey , Tafelski Sascha , Weimann Andreas , Rothbart Andreas , Heim Susanne , Wernecke Klaus D , Spies Claudia 
Published: December 2013

Objective To determine whether the Arg753Gln polymorphism of the toll-like receptor 2 ( TLR2) gene and the Asp299Gly polymorphism of the TLR4 gene in critically ill patients affect their clinical outcomes. Methods Medical and surgical patients in three intensive care units (ICU) were enrolled in this prospective study. TLR2 and TLR4 gene polymorphisms were determined using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Results A total of 145 patients were included in this study: 28 patients carried heterozygous mutations (10 in the TLR2 gene, 19 in the TLR4 gene, and one combined) and 117 patients were wild type. Severe sepsis was observed in 33% of wild types ( n = 38), 60% of the TLR2 group ( n = 6), and 63% of the TLR4 group ( n = 12); the difference was significant between the TLR4 and wild type groups. Both TLR groups demonstrated a shorter time-to-onset of severe sepsis or septic shock. Only the TLR4 group demonstrated significant progression towards septic shock compared with the wild type group. Length of ICU stay was significantly prolonged in the TLR4 group compared with the wild type group, but not in the TLR2 group. Conclusions Two common SNPs of the TLR2 and TLR4 genes – Arg753Gln and Asp299Gly – were associated with a shorter time-to-onset of severe sepsis or septic shock in patients admitted to the ICU.
Safety and tolerability of LBR-101, a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the binding of CGRP to its receptor: Results of the Phase 1 program
Authors: Bigal Marcelo E , Escandon Rafael , Bronson Michele , Walter Sarah , Sudworth Maria , Huggins John P , Garzone Pamela 
Published: December 2013

Background LBR-101 is a fully humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to calcitonin gene-related peptide. Objective The objective of this article is to characterize the safety and tolerability of LBR-101 when administered intravenously to healthy volunteers, by presenting the pooled results of the Phase 1 program. Methods LBR-101 was administered to 94 subjects, while 45 received placebo. Doses ranged from 0.2 mg to 2000 mg given once (Day 1), as a single IV infusion, or up to 300 mg given twice (Day 1 and Day 14). Results Subjects receiving placebo reported an average of 1.3 treatment-emerging adverse events vs 1.4 per subject among those receiving any dose of LBR-101, and 1.6 in those receiving 1000 mg or higher. Treatment-related adverse events occurred in 21.2% of subjects receiving LBR-101, compared to 17.7% in those receiving placebo. LBR-101 was not associated with any clinically relevant patterns of change in vital signs, ECG parameters, or laboratory findings. The only serious adverse event consisted of “thoracic aortic aneurysm” in a participant later found to have an unreported history of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Conclusion Single IV doses of LBR-101 ranging from 0.2 mg up to 2000 mg and multiple IV doses up to 300 mg were well tolerated. Overt safety concerns have not emerged. A maximally tolerated dose has not been identified.
Living donor kidney transplantation: preferences and concerns amongst patients waiting for transplantation in New Zealand
Authors: Martin Paula 
Published: December 2013

Objectives There are multiple barriers to kidney transplantation from a living donor for patients. A critical factor is their own approach to pursuing opportunities for transplantation, including their preferences for living or deceased donation and their concerns about living donation. As part of a wider study into barriers to living donor transplantation in New Zealand, our aim was to examine the preferences and concerns of New Zealand patients who are waiting for kidney transplantation. Methods Mixed methods were used, incorporating a mailed survey of patients on the waiting list for a deceased donor transplant, followed by in-depth semi-structured interviews. The survey included questions about preferences for living or deceased donation, willingness to accept a kidney from a potential donor if offered and concerns about aspects of living donation. Responses were received from 193 (38.2%) patients. These issues were explored in more depth in follow-up interviews with 17 patients. Results The majority of patients were positive about living donor transplantation with only a few actively preferring a deceased donor. The vast majority would accept an offer from a potential donor. Donors being financially out-of-pocket and being upset if the transplant failed were the highest ranked concerns. Impacts on donor health were also a significant concern for patients. Positive views about living donor transplantation and stated willingness to accept offers could be undermined by deep, unresolved concerns and could result in patients declining offers from potential donors. Being well-informed about the risks to donors and having confidence in the donor evaluation process were important for reducing patients’ concerns. Conclusions The preferences and concerns of patients in New Zealand are similar to those reported elsewhere. Education needs to address the concerns of patients and ensure they have accurate knowledge about living donation. Concerns about financial impacts on donors, however, arise from New Zealand’s policy of not fully reimbursing living donors for lost income and cannot be addressed through improved education.
Dietary sodium restriction below 2 g per day predicted shorter event-free survival in patients with mild heart failure
Authors: Song Eun Kyeung , Moser Debra K , Dunbar Sandra B , Pressler Susan J , Lennie Terry A 
Published: December 2013

Background: Despite a growing recognition that a strict low sodium diet may not be warranted in compensated heart failure (HF) patients, the link between sodium restriction below 2 g/day and health outcomes is unknown in patients at different levels of HF severity. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare differences in event-free survival among patients with <2 g/day, 2–3 g/day, or >3 g/day sodium intake stratified by New York Heart Association (NYHA) class. Method: A total of 244 patients with HF completed a four-day food diary to measure daily sodium intake. All-cause hospitalization or death for a median of 365 follow-up days and covariates on age, gender, etiology, body mass index, NYHA class, ejection fraction, total comorbidity score, the presence of ankle edema, and prescribed medications were determined by patient interview and medical record review. Hierarchical Cox hazard regression was used to address the purpose. Results: In NYHA class I/II ( n=134), patients with <2 g/day sodium intake had a 3.7-times higher risk ( p=0.025), while patients with >3 g/day sodium intake had a 0.4-times lower risk ( p=0.047) for hospitalization or death than those with 2–3 g/day sodium intake after controlling for covariates. In NYHA class III/IV ( n=110), >3 g/day sodium intake predicted shorter event-free survival ( p=0.044), whereas there was no difference in survival curves between patients with <2 g/day and those with 2–3 g/day sodium intake. Conclusion: Sodium restriction below 2 g/day is not warranted in mild HF patients, whereas excessive sodium intake above 3 g/day may be harmful in moderate to severe HF patients.
The Yekaterinburg headache initiative: an interventional project, within the Global Campaign against Headache, to reduce the burden of headache in Russia
Authors: Lebedeva Elena R , Olesen Jes , Osipova Vera V , Volkova Larisa I , Tabeeva Guzyal R , Steiner Timothy J 
Published: December 2013

Abstract

Background
As major causes of global public ill-health and disability, headache disorders are paradoxically ignored in health policy and in planning, resourcing and implementing health services. This is true worldwide. Russia, where the prevalence of headache disorders and levels of attributed disability are well in excess of the global and European averages, is no exception, while arcane diagnoses and treatment preferences are an aggravating factor. Urgent remedial action, with political support, is called for.

Methods
Yekaterinburg, in Sverdlovsk Oblast, is the chosen centre for a demonstrational interventional project in Russia, undertaken within the Global Campaign against Headache. The initiative proposes three actions: 1) raise awareness of need for improvement; 2) design and implement a three-tier model (from primary care to a single highly specialized centre with academic affiliation) for efficient and equitable delivery of headache-related health care; 3) develop a range of educational initiatives aimed at primary-care physicians, non-specialist neurologists, pharmacists and the general public to support the second action.

Results and conclusion
We set these proposals in a context of a health-care needs assessment, and as a model for all Russia. We present and discuss early progress of the initiative, justify the investment of resources required for implementation and call for the political support that full implementation requires. The more that the Yekaterinburg headache initiative can achieve, the more likely it is that this support will be forthcoming.
Endoplasmic reticulum stress mediates house dust mite-induced airway epithelial apoptosis and fibrosis
Authors: Hoffman Sidra M , Tully Jane E , Nolin James D , Lahue Karolyn G , Goldman Dylan H , Daphtary Nirav , Aliyeva Minara , Irvin Charles G , Dixon Anne E , Poynter Matthew E , Anathy Vikas 
Published: December 2013

Abstract

Background
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response participates in many chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. In the current study, we sought to examine the contribution of ER stress transducers in the pathogenesis of three principal facets of allergic asthma: inflammation, airway fibrosis, and airways hyperresponsiveness.

Methods
House Dust Mite (HDM) was used as an allergen for in vitro and in vivo challenge of primary human and murine airway epithelial cells. ER stress transducers were modulated using specific small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) in vivo. Inflammation, airway remodeling, and hyperresponsiveness were measured by total bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cell counts, determination of collagen, and methacholine responsiveness in mice, respectively.

Results
Challenge of human bronchiolar and nasal epithelial cells with HDM extract induced the ER stress transducer, activating transcription factor 6 α (ATF6α) as well as protein disulfide isomerase, ERp57, in association with activation of caspase-3. SiRNA-mediated knockdown of ATF6α and ERp57 during HDM administration in mice resulted in a decrease in components of HDM-induced ER stress, disulfide mediated oligomerization of Bak, and activation of caspase-3. Furthermore, siRNA-mediated knockdown of ATF6α and ERp57 led to decreased inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness and airway fibrosis.

Conclusion
Collectively, our work indicates that HDM induces ER stress in airway epithelial cells and that ATF6α and ERp57 play a significant role in the development of cardinal features of allergic airways disease. Inhibition of ER stress responses may provide a potential therapeutic avenue in chronic asthma and sub-epithelial fibrosis associated with loss of lung function.
Reproductive mode and fine-scale population genetic structure of grape phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae) in a viticultural area in California
Authors: Islam Md Sajedul , Roush Tamara L , Walker Michael Andrew , Granett Jeffrey , Lin Hong 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundGrape phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae) is one of the world’s most important viticultural pests. However, the reproductive mode, genetic structure and host adaptation of phylloxera in various viticultural environments remains unclear. We examined reproductive mode and genetic structure of phylloxera by analyzing microsatellite makers across the samples from four vineyard-sites in California.ResultThe phylloxera populations in California are believed to have predominantly parthenogenetic reproduction. Therefore, genetic diversity of phylloxera is expected to be limited. However, this study showed relatively high levels of diversity in Napa and Yolo county populations with a large number of unique genotypes, average number of alleles (2.1 to 2.9) and observed heterozygosities (0.330 to 0.388) per vineyard-sites. Reproduction diversity index (G: N—unique genotypes versus number of samples) ranged from 0.500 to 0.656 among vineyard-sites. Both significant and non-significantPsex(probability of sexual reproduction) were observed among different repeated genotypes within each vineyard. Moreover, high variation ofFISwas observed among different loci in each vineyard-site. Genetic structure analysis (UPGMA) and various measures of population differentiations (FST, PCA, and gene flow estimates) consistently separated AXR#1 (Vitis viniferaxV. rupestris—widely planted in California during the 1960s and 1970s) associated populations from the populations associated with other different rootstocks.ConclusionGenetic diversity, G: N ratio,PsexandFISconsistently suggested the occurrence of both parthenogenetic and sexual reproduction in California populations. This study clearly identified two major groups of phylloxera obtained from various rootstocks, with one group exclusively associated with only AXR#1 rootstock, defined as “biotype B”, and another group associated with vinifera-based rootstocks, known as “biotype A”.
Release of extracellular ATP by bacteria during growth
Authors: Mempin Roberto , Tran Helen , Chen Connie , Gong Hao , Kim Ho Katharina , Lu Sangwei 
Published: December 2013

Abstract

Background
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is used as an intracellular energy source by all living organisms. It plays a central role in the respiration and metabolism, and is the most important energy supplier in many enzymatic reactions. Its critical role as the energy storage molecule makes it extremely valuable to all cells.

Results
We report here the detection of extracellular ATP in the cultures of a variety of bacterial species. The levels of the extracellular ATP in bacterial cultures peaked around the end of the log phase and decreased in the stationary phase of growth. Extracellular ATP levels were dependent on the cellular respiration as bacterial mutants lacking cytochrome bo oxidase displayed lower extracellular ATP levels. We have also shown that Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Salmonella actively depleted extracellular ATP and an ATP supplement in culture media enhanced the stationary survival of E. coli and Salmonella. In addition to E. coli and Salmonella the presence of the extracellular ATP was observed in a variety of bacterial species that contain human pathogens such as Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella and Staphylococcus.

Conclusion
Our results indicate that extracellular ATP is produced by many bacterial species during growth and extracellular ATP may serve a role in the bacterial physiology.