bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stimulation of bone formation in the expanding premaxillary suture with a GSK‐3β inhibitor
Authors: Jiang Y , Liu HX , Guo JJ , Tang GH , Qian YF 
Published: June 2012

Oral Diseases (2012) 19, 73–79Objectives:  Glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (GSK‐3β)/β‐catenin signaling mediates osteogenesis in response to mechanical loading. We tested the hypothesis that local administration of a GSK‐3β inhibitor could stimulate new bone formation in the expanding premaxillary suture.Materials and methods:  Thirty‐five Sprague–Dawley rats were subjected to premaxillary suture expansion using a helix spring. The experimental rats were given one or two local injections of SB‐415286, a small‐molecule GSK‐3β inhibitor. Animals were administered calcein and sacrificed on day 7 to quantify new bone formation. To evaluate the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts, rats were labeled with bromodeoxyuridine on day 1 and sacrificed on day 2 or 4. β‐catenin expression was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining.Results:  Two injections of SB‐415286 led to an elevation of β‐catenin expression and an increase in the number of proliferating osteoblasts in expanding sutures on day 2 and day 4. Consequently, new bone formation in the suture increased significantly on day 7.Conclusions:  These results suggest that local delivery of a GSK‐3β inhibitor could stimulate bone formation in the expanding premaxillary suture by eliciting β‐catenin signaling. GSK‐3β could be a pharmaceutical target for improving the effect of orthodontic treatments such as rapid palatal expansion.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Peptide Inhibitors Complexed With Trypanosoma cruzi Trypanothione Reductase
Authors: Da Rocha Pita Samuel Silva , Batista Paulo Ricardo , Albuquerque Magaly Girão , Pascutti Pedro Geraldo 
Published: June 2012

The drugs against tropical neglected diseases, especially Chagas’ Disease, were launched more than 30 years ago, and the development of resistance requires the discovery of new and more effective chemotherapeutic agents. Trypanosoma cruzi has a redox enzyme called trypanothione reductase which was successfully inhibited for peptide derivatives (McKie et al., Amino Acids, 2001, 20: 145). This work aims at studying the mechanism of inhibition of this enzyme through molecular dynamics simulations and evaluating the behavior of some derivatives when inhibiting this protein. We should affirm that any particular molecular dynamics analysis tools (Hbond pattern, 3‐D root‐mean‐square deviation, solvent accessible surface area, etc.) cannot be used apart from the others to justify completely these peptides inhibitory patterns. Based on our results, we reproduced the experimental data and, moreover, we discriminated against a new site in enzyme aperture, which can assist the development of powerful inhibitors against trypanothione reductase enzyme.
DNA Methylation Inhibitors, 5‐azacytidine and Zebularine Potentiate the Transdifferentiation of Rat Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Naeem Nadia , Haneef Kanwal , Kabir Nurul , Iqbal Hana'a , Jamall Siddiqua , Salim Asmat 
Published: June 2012

SummaryBackgroundMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have immense self‐renewal capability. They can be differentiated into many cell types and therefore hold great potential in the field of regenerative medicine. MSCs can be converted into beating cardiomyocytes by treating them with DNA‐demethylating agents. Some of these compounds are nucleoside analogs that are widely used for studying the role of DNA methylation in biological processes as well as for the clinical treatment of leukemia and other carcinomas.AimsTo achieve a better therapeutic option for cardiovascular regeneration, this study was carried out using MSCs treated with two synthetic compounds, zebularine and 5‐azacytidine. It can be expected that treated MSCs prior to transplantation may increase the likelihood of successful regeneration of damaged myocardium.MethodsThe optimized concentrations of these compounds were added separately into the culture medium and the treated cells were analyzed for the expression of cardiac‐specific genes by RT‐PCR and cardiac‐specific proteins by immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry. Treated MSCs were cocultured with cardiomyocytes to see the fusion capability of these cells.ResultsmRNA and protein expressions of GATA4, Nkx2.5, and cardiac troponin T were observed in the treated MSCs. Coculture studies of MSCs and cardiomyocytes have shown improved fusion with zebularine‐treated MSCs as compared to untreated and 5‐azacytidine‐treated MSCs.ConclusionThe study is expected to put forth another valuable aspect of certain compounds, that is, induction of transdifferentiation of MSCs into cardiomyocytes. This would serve as a tool for modified cellular therapy and may increase the probability of better myocardial regeneration.
Expression of the Laccase Gene from a White Rot Fungus in Pichia pastoris Can Enhance the Resistance of This Yeast to H
2
O
2
-Mediated Oxidative Stress by Stimulating the Glutathione-Based Antioxidative System
Authors: Yang Yang , Fan Fangfang , Zhuo Rui , Ma Fuying , Gong Yangmin , Wan Xia , Jiang Mulan , Zhang Xiaoyu 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT

Laccase is a copper-containing polyphenol oxidase that has great potential in industrial and biotechnological applications. Previous research has suggested that fungal laccase may be involved in the defense against oxidative stress, but there is little direct evidence supporting this hypothesis, and the mechanism by which laccase protects cells from oxidative stress also remains unclear. Here, we report that the expression of the laccase gene from white rot fungus in
Pichia pastoris
can significantly enhance the resistance of yeast to H
2
O
2
-mediated oxidative stress. The expression of laccase in yeast was found to confer a strong ability to scavenge intracellular H
2
O
2
and to protect cells from lipid oxidative damage. The mechanism by which laccase gene expression increases resistance to oxidative stress was then investigated further. We found that laccase gene expression in
Pichia pastoris
could increase the level of glutathione-based antioxidative activity, including the intracellular glutathione levels and the enzymatic activity of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase. The transcription of the laccase gene in
Pichia pastoris
was found to be enhanced by the oxidative stress caused by exogenous H
2
O
2
. The stimulation of laccase gene expression in response to exogenous H
2
O
2
stress further contributed to the transcriptional induction of the genes involved in the glutathione-dependent antioxidative system, including
PpYAP1
,
PpGPX1
,
PpPMP20
,
PpGLR1
, and
PpGSH1
. Taken together, these results suggest that the expression of the laccase gene in
Pichia pastoris
can enhance the resistance of yeast to H
2
O
2
-mediated oxidative stress by stimulating the glutathione-based antioxidative system to protect the cell from oxidative damage.
Fluid Flow Induces Biofilm Formation in Staphylococcus epidermidis Polysaccharide Intracellular Adhesin-Positive Clinical Isolates
Authors: Weaver Westbrook M. , Milisavljevic Vladana , Miller Jeff F. , Di Carlo Dino 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT

Staphylococcus epidermidis
is a common cause of catheter-related bloodstream infections, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality and increased hospital costs. The ability to form biofilms plays a crucial role in pathogenesis; however, not all clinical isolates form biofilms under normal
in vitro
conditions. Strains containing the
ica
operon can display significant phenotypic variation with respect to polysaccharide intracellular adhesin (PIA)-based biofilm formation, including the induction of biofilms upon environmental stress. Using a parallel microfluidic approach to investigate flow as an environmental signal for
S. epidermidis
biofilm formation, we demonstrate that fluid shear alone induces PIA-positive biofilms of certain clinical isolates and influences biofilm structure. These findings suggest an important role of the catheter microenvironment, particularly fluid flow, in the establishment of
S. epidermidis
infections by PIA-dependent biofilm formation.
Electrical Conductivity in a Mixed-Species Biofilm
Authors: Malvankar Nikhil S. , Lau Joanne , Nevin Kelly P. , Franks Ashley E. , Tuominen Mark T. , Lovley Derek R. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT

Geobacter sulfurreducens
can form electrically conductive biofilms, but the potential for conductivity through mixed-species biofilms has not been examined. A current-producing biofilm grown from a wastewater sludge inoculum was highly conductive with low charge transfer resistance even though microorganisms other than
Geobacteraceae
accounted for nearly half the microbial community.
The Australian Primary Care Collaboratives Program: improving diabetes care
Authors: Knight Andrew W , Ford Dale , Audehm Ralph , Colagiuri Stephen , Best James 
Published: June 2012

ProblemDiabetes is a major, growing health problem often managed in primary care but with suboptimal control of risk factors.DesignA large-scale quality improvement collaborative implemented in seven waves.SettingGeneral practices and Aboriginal medical services across Australia.Key measures for improvementPercentage of patients in each health service with haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), total cholesterol and blood pressure at target.Strategy for changeHealth services attended three 2-day workshops, separated by 3-month activity periods and followed by 12 months of further improvement work. Local collaborative program managers supported teams to report measures and plan/do/study/act (PDSA) cycles monthly. Health services received feedback about changes in their measures in comparison with their wave.Effects of change743 health services participated in seven waves between 2004 and 2009 serving approximately 150 000 people with diabetes. Mean numbers of patients at target HbA1c levels improved by 50% from 25% at baseline to 38% at month 18. Lipid and blood pressure measures showed similar improvement.Lessons learntEngagement in the Program and results demonstrated that the collaborative methodology is transferable to Australian primary care. The results may reflect improved data recording and disease coding, and changes in clinical care. Internal evaluation should be built into improvement projects from the start to facilitate improvements and reporting. Enthusing, training and resourcing practice teams appeared to be the key to rapid change. Local support of practice teams was instrumental in improvement. Early investment to facilitate automatic measure collection ensured good data reporting.
Costs of injury in New Zealand: Accident Compensation Corporation spending, personal spending and quality-adjusted life years lost
Authors: Wilson Ross , Derrett Sarah , Hansen Paul , Langley John Desmond 
Published: June 2012

BackgroundNew Zealand offers a unique opportunity for cost-of-injury research due to its comprehensive, no-fault injury compensation insurance scheme, which is managed by the government-controlled Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC).ObjectivesTo estimate the costs of injury in New Zealand with respect to ACC's spending for entitlement claimants (ie, people with injuries requiring more than ‘treatment only’), as well as injured individuals' out-of-pocket personal spending and non-pecuniary costs in terms of effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL).MethodsA prospective cohort study of people injured between June 2007 and May 2009 was followed for 12 months after injury. ACC's spending for each participant (n=2215) was estimated from ACC data. Out-of-pocket personal spending and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) lost were estimated based on interviews conducted at 3, 5 and 12 months post injury.ResultsFor the cohort studied, most of the reported financial costs of injury were met by ACC. ACC spending was higher for individuals with more severe injuries and ones admitted to hospital. There was no difference in mean personal spending between people who were hospitalised or not, or between those with minor or moderate injuries, although individuals with more severe injuries reported higher personal spending.ConclusionsOverall, the ACC appears to be performing well supporting injured people financially. Nonetheless, people with more severe injuries incur substantial out-of-pocket expenses. Costs are higher for hospitalised and more severe injuries, but non-hospitalised and less severe cases can still incur substantial costs. The HRQoL effects of injury—naturally, borne by injured individuals themselves—are relatively large on average.
The changing relationship between income and mortality in Finland, 1988–2007
Authors: Tarkiainen Lasse , Martikainen Pekka , Laaksonen Mikko 
Published: June 2012

BackgroundSocioeconomic mortality differences have increased in many high-income countries in recent decades mainly because of slower mortality decline among the lower social groups. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the changing socio-demographic composition explains the increasing disparity in mortality by income and the stagnation of mortality in the lowest income group.MethodsThe register data comprised a nationally representative 11% sample of individuals aged 35–64 years residing in Finland in 1988–2007, linked with mortality records. Household taxable income was used as the income measure. Poisson regression models were used to assess the changes in mortality disparity among the income quintiles between periods 1988–1991, 1996–1999 and 2004–2007. The measures of socio-demographic composition included educational level, social class, employment status and living alone.ResultsThe mortality rate ratio (with the highest quintile as the reference category) of the lowest quintile increased from 2.80 to 5.16 among the men and from 2.17 to 4.23 among the women between 1988–1991 and 2004–2007. Controlling for other socio-demographic variables strongly attenuated the differences, but the rate ratio of the lowest quintile still increased from 1.32 to 1.73 among the men and from 1.13 to 1.66 among the women. There was no decline in the fully adjusted mortality of the lowest quintiles between second and third study periods.ConclusionsSocio-demographic characteristics explained much of the mortality disparity between income quintiles within each study period. However, these characteristics do not explain the increasing disparity between the periods and stagnating mortality in the lowest quintile.
Presupernova Evolution of Massive Single and Binary Stars
Authors: Langer N. 
Published: June 2012

Understanding massive stars is essential for a variety of branches of astronomy including galaxy and star cluster evolution, nucleosynthesis and supernovae, pulsars, and black holes. It has become evident that massive star evolution is very diverse, being sensitive to metallicity, binarity, rotation, and possibly magnetic fields. Although the problem to obtain a good statistical observational database is alleviated by current large spectroscopic surveys, it remains a challenge to model these diverse paths of massive stars toward their violent end stage. I show that the main sequence stage offers the best opportunity to gauge the relevance of the various possible evolutionary scenarios. This also allows sketching the post-main-sequence evolution of massive stars, for which observations of Wolf-Rayet stars give essential clues. Recent supernova discoveries owing to the current boost in transient searches allow tentative mappings of progenitor models with supernova types, including pair-instability supernovae and gamma-ray bursts.
Abstract A17: Prostate cancer screening of African American men aged 40–75 in Jefferson County, Arkansas
Authors: Rice Sederick , Taylor Felicia , William Torrence , Mosley Letha J. , Smith Michelle R. , Baldwin Helen 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
Prostate Cancer Screening of Men in Jefferson County, Arkansas applicably named Men Aware of Cancer (MAC) is an interdisciplinary pilot study that aims to utilize a Community Popular Opinion Leaders model (CPOL) by recruiting ten community leaders, who will recruit one-hundred (100) men of Black/African American) descent, aged 40–75, in Jefferson County, Arkansas, for a prostate cancer prevention awareness and action program. The MAC pilot program seeks to educate the community about co-morbidities and other health related issues such as obesity, dietary intake, and physical inactivity behaviors that play a role in the onset and development of prostate cancers. Ten CPOLs will be recruited through local churches, barbershops, civic organizations, and physician's offices, and trained to assist in reaching and mentoring the target population in Jefferson County, Arkansas. CPOLs will assist in the discussion and dissemination of literature, identification of patient barriers to active individual prevention and screening, and recruit participants for the educational components of the program that will be provided throughout the year. The MAC pilot program will also provide community based, accessible, and culturally relevant programming, that will bridge the gap between community members and health care. The overall goal is to affect the disproportionate cancer health disparities experienced in Black/African American communities in Jefferson County and throughout Arkansas.
Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011;20(10 Suppl):A17.
Abstract A66: βarrestin2 contributes to aggressive tumor growth in African American prostate cancer cells
Authors: Thomas Ariel J. , Akins-Rivers Elizabeth J. 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of death in African American males (AA). Studies have found the incidence of PCa to be 60% higher in AA men than their Caucasian American counterparts (CA). Poorer prognosis in AA men is exacerbated by lack of adequate access to healthcare and non financial factors such as distrust of the healthcare system. However, these social and socioeconomic factors fail to fully account for this disparity. AA men are diagnosed at younger ages and often present with more advanced tumor stages and higher Gleason scores. Thus, elucidating possible biological causes of prostate cancer disparity is of utmost importance.
βarrestin2 (βarr2) is a scaffold protein that associates with G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and leads to the desensitization and internalization of these receptors. In addition, more recent studies have implicated βarr2 in a variety of cellular processes including androgen metabolism. We have shown increased βarrestin2 expression in prostate cell lines from AA men (MDA PCa 2B) when compared to those from CA men (LNCap). Furthermore, overexpression of βarr2 in LNCap cells or knockdown of βarr2 in MDA PCa 2B cells was sufficient to alter the growth properties of these cells. These results were seen both in vitro and in vivo. Thus preliminary data indicates that βarr2 may contribute to differences between tumor growth in our model system. Further studies are needed to ascertain the cause and mechanism of βarr2 overexpression in AA men, as well as the clinical significance of these findings.
Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011;20(10 Suppl):A66.
Abstract A79: Socioeconomic status, health care density, and risk of prostate cancer among African-American men in a large prospective study
Authors: Major Jacqueline M. , Oliver M. Norman , Doubeni Chyke A. , Graubard Barry I. , Sinha Rashmi 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
Background: Given the large racial differences in prostate cancer risk, further investigation of socioeconomic (SES) indicators at the individual and community level is warranted among high-risk groups. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between neighborhood deprivation, healthcare facilities, and prostate cancer risk among African-American men.
Methods: In the large, prospective NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study, we analyzed baseline (1995–1996) data from African-American participants, ages 50–71 years. Incident prostate cancer cases (n=1,089) were identified through December 2006. Life-style and health risk information was ascertained by questionnaires administered at baseline. Area-level socioeconomic indicators were ascertained by linkage to the US Census and the Area Resource File. Multilevel survival models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Results: Among African-American men, no associations were observed between area-level factors and development of nonadvanced prostate cancer. Compared to African-American men living in counties with the highest density of radiologists, those in the middle tertile had the highest risks of advanced prostate cancer (HR=2.88, 95% CI=1.61-5.18), however, no significant trend was found (Ptrend=0.08).
Certain socioeconomic (SES) indicators were positively associated with prostate cancer risk among African-American men. Further studies are needed to replicate these findings.
Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011;20(10 Suppl):A79.
Abstract A82: Understanding disparities in acute leukemia: A national study
Authors: Patel Manali I. , Ma Yifei , Mitchell Beverly , Rhoads Kim 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
Background: Disparities in solid tumors have been well studied. However disparities in hematologic malignancies in adults remain relatively unexplored. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between race/ethnicity and mortality from acute leukemia among adults.
Methods: All patients with acute leukemia (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)) were identified in the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database, 1998–2008. Kaplan Meier curves were generated to reflect mortality by race/ethnicity. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models estimated hazard of mortality by race with adjustment for individual covariates (age, gender) and specific chromosomal translocations (11q23 and 15;17q24;q21).
Results: A total of 40,951 patients with acute leukemia were included in the study. Overall, there was a disparity in mortality in acute leukemia for Blacks (HR 1.17, p&lt;0.0001) and Hispanics (HR 1.12, p&lt;0.0001) compared with Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW). In stratified analysis, disparities in ALL were greater than AML; Blacks (HR[ALL]1.45 p&lt;.0001; HR[AML]1.12 p&lt;0.0001); Hispanics (HR[ALL]1.46 p&lt;0.0001; HR[AML]1.06 p&lt;0.01). Adjustment for individual patient factors and chromosomal translocations do not explain the disparities in ALL or AML. There was no disparity among Asian/Pacific Islander populations compared with NHW.
Conclusions: Overall, disparities in acute leukemia mortality exist for Blacks and Hispanics compared with NHWs. While incidence and mortality are consistently increased among Hispanics with acute leukemia, Blacks suffer from a low incidence but higher mortality paradox as is seen in other solid tumors such as breast cancer. Further investigation is needed to understand the drivers of poor outcomes in these populations.
Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011;20(10 Suppl):A82.