bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effectiveness of Thrombolysis with Intravenous Alteplase for Acute Ischemic Stroke in Daily Practice
Authors: Dirks Maaike , Niessen Louis W. , van Wijngaarden Jeroen , Koudstaal Peter J. , Franke Cees L. , van Oostenbrugge Robert J. , Dippel Diederik W. J. ,   on behalf of the PRACTISE investigators
Published: December 2011

Background Thrombolysis with intravenous alteplase has been proven an effective treatment for patients with acute ischemic stroke in randomized clinical trials. In daily practice, the effect of thrombolysis may be less, and complications may occur more often. Aims The aim of this study was to assess effectiveness and safety of thrombolysis in an unselected observational cohort of patients. Methods During a two-year period, all patients over 18 years with acute stroke who were admitted within four-hours from onset of symptoms in 12 centers were registered. We compared outcomes in patients who were treated with alteplase with patients who were not treated with alteplase. The primary outcome was good functional outcome at three-months measured with the modified Rankin Scale ≤2). The safety end point was symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and mortality. We used a multivariable logistic regression model to adjust for baseline imbalances and multilevel analysis to take into account within center correlations. Results Overall, 1657 patients with ischemic stroke were admitted within four-hours from onset of symptoms and 696 (42%) were treated with alteplase. Treatment with alteplase was associated with a favorable outcome (adjusted odds ratio 1·3; 95% confidence interval 1·0 to 1·7). After further adjustment for potential clustering effects, the adjusted odds ratio for good outcome was 1·4 (95% confidence interval 1·0 to 1·8). Thirty-six (5%) of the 696 patients treated with alteplase had a symptomatic intracranial bleeding complication. Conclusions Thrombolysis for ischemic stroke with intravenous alteplase is an effective treatment also in an unselected observational cohort of patients.
DPP‐4 inhibition and islet function
Authors: Ahrén Bo 
Published: December 2011

AbstractDuring recent years, dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibition has been included in the clinical management of type 2 diabetes, both as monotherapy and as add‐on to several other therapies. DPP‐4 inhibition prevents the inactivation of the incretin hormones, glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1). This results in stimulation of insulin secretion and inhibition of glucagon secretion, and there is also a potential β‐cell preservation effect, as judged from rodent studies; that is, it might target the key islet dysfunction in the disease. In type 2 diabetes. This reduces 24‐h glucose levels and reduces HbA1c by ≈ 0.8–1.1% from baseline levels of 7.7–8.5%. DPP‐4 inhibition is safe, with a very low risk for adverse events including hypoglycemia, and it prevents weight gain. The present review summarizes the studies on the influence of DPP‐4 inhibition on islet function. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040‐1124.2011.00184.x, 2012)
Epsilon-Toxin Production by Clostridium perfringens Type D Strain CN3718 Is Dependent upon theagrOperon but Not the VirS/VirR Two-Component Regulatory System
Authors: Chen Jianming , Rood Julian I. , McClane Bruce A. 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTClostridium perfringenstype B and D strains cause enterotoxemias and enteritis in livestock after proliferating in the intestines and producing epsilon-toxin (ETX), alpha-toxin (CPA), and, usually, perfringolysin O (PFO). Although ETX is one of the most potent bacterial toxins, the regulation of ETX production by type B or D strains remains poorly understood. The present work determined that the type D strain CN3718 upregulates production of ETX upon close contact with enterocyte-like Caco-2 cells. This host cell-induced upregulation of ETX expression was mediated at the transcriptional level. Using an isogenicagrBnull mutant and complemented strain, theagroperon was shown to be required when CN3718 produces ETX in broth culture or, via a secreted signal consistent with a quorum-sensing (QS) effect, upregulates ETX production upon contact with host cells. These findings provide the first insights into the regulation of ETX production, as well as additional evidence that the Agr-like QS system functions as a global regulator ofC. perfringenstoxin production. Since it was proposed previously that the Agr-like QS system regulatesC. perfringensgene expression via the VirS/VirR two-component regulatory system, an isogenicvirRnull mutant of CN3718 was constructed to evaluate the importance of VirS/VirR for CN3718 toxin production. This mutation affected production of CPA and PFO, but not ETX, by CN3718. These results provide the first indication thatC. perfringenstoxin expression regulation by the Agr-like quorum-sensing system may not always act via the VirS/VirR two-component system.IMPORTANCEMechanisms by whichClostridium perfringenstype B and D strains regulate production of epsilon-toxin (ETX), a CDC class B select toxin, are poorly understood. Production of several other toxins expressed byC. perfringensis wholly or partially regulated by both the Agr-like quorum-sensing (QS) system and the VirS/VirR two-component regulatory system, so the present study tested whether ETX expression by type D strain CN3718 also requires these regulatory systems. Theagroperon was shown to be essential for signaling CN3718 to produce ETX in broth culture or to upregulate ETX production upon close contact with enterocyte-like Caco-2 cells, which may have pathogenic relevance since ETX is produced intestinally. However, ETX production remained at wild-type levels after inactivation of the VirS/VirR system in CN3718. These findings provide the first information regarding regulation of ETX production and suggest Agr-like QS toxin production regulation inC. perfringensdoes not always require the VirS/VirR system.
Surface etching of silicone elastomers by depolymerization
Authors: Brook Michael A. , Zhao Shigui , Liu Lihua , Chen Yang 
Published: December 2011

Silicone elastomer surfaces that are rough at the nanometer to micron scales could be useful for biomaterials, but there are few efficient routes for their preparation. Silicones undergo depolymerization under equilibrating conditions. We demonstrate that surface roughness can be induced by depolymerizing silicone elastomers using triflic acid, tetrabutylammonium fluoride or KOH as catalysts. The efficiency of depolymerization, however, is decoupled from the roughness that develops. When the catalysts are dissolved in solvents that do not effectively swell silicones, the etching reaction can be mostly directed to the elastomer surface. Acid catalysis leads to slow, nearly homogenous surface erosion with surface roughnesses only increasing from 15 to about 125 nm root mean squared roughness. By contrast, once KOH partitions into the elastomer, the rate of erosion is more efficient than return of the catalyst to the solvent, leading to deep channels and roughnesses of up to ∼850 nm. The use of fluoride requires good solvents for silicone, and leads to surfaces of intermediate roughness. Thus, judicious choice of catalyst and solvent permits independent control over depolymerization and the induction of surface roughness.
Is Ignorance Bliss? Assessing Singaporean Media Literacy Awareness in the Era of Globalization
Authors: Phang Anna , Schaefer David J. 
Published: December 2011

Singaporean college students (N = 262) were surveyed about their awareness of visual media literacy. One hypothesis and two research questions are posed comparing awareness of media literacy components for two educational conditions—students enrolled in mass media production programs vs. those enrolled in other programs. Potential effects of cultivation and censorship on media literacy awareness also are explored. Findings include that media education corresponds to an increased awareness of media literacy; the effect was more pronounced for production-oriented rather than consumption-oriented components. Media students reported lower awareness of the ability to distinguish fact from fiction than non-media students, suggesting a cultivation effect. Conclusions address media literacy theory.
Study Pinpoints Major Variances among Accredited J-Sequences
Authors: Trayes Edward J. 
Published: December 2011

“A program of education for journalism should be based on a wide and varied background of competent instruction in the liberal arts and sciences.” “ACEJ (American Council on Education for Journalism) suggests about one-fourth/three-fourths as an equitable ratio between courses in journalism and courses in the arts and sciences.” “The required professional courses for a program in journalism should vary with the objective of the program or sequence, but all students should be instructed in the basic elements of reporting and editing and the theory, history, and responsibility of mass communication.”
Deciding to use the law in social work practice
Authors: Braye Suzy , Preston-Shoot Michael , Wigley Veronica 
Published: December 2011

• Summary: This article reviews evidence on how social workers incorporate legal rules in their decision-making. It draws on a small empirical study in which practitioners shared with each other, in peer interviews, examples of their own casework, followed by individual interviews with a researcher. Taken together, the conversations cast light on the extent to which legal knowledge is foregrounded in practitioners’ accounts of their work. • Findings: The findings show that references to law are more likely to be implicit than explicit, particularly in adult social care, and that absence of legal references is a striking feature of the social workers’ narratives. The article draws on related literature to interrogate the potential reasons for the relatively low profile of ‘law talk’ and identifies four factors – lack of legal knowledge and confidence, reliance on organizational and procedural approaches, assumptions about the role of law in different service contexts, and individual orientations to practice – as significant factors in determining whether and how legal rules are relied upon. Thus it presents a more nuanced analysis of the relationship between law and practice than has hitherto been available. • Applications: The findings are significant in casting light on the complex range of factors that present barriers to the robust and consistent implementation of legal rules in social work. They have implications – in particular for the role of organizational management in the audit, development and supervision of practice – that are particularly topical in the context of the work in England of the Social Work Reform Board.
Treatment, risk factors, and outcome of adults with relapsed AML after reduced intensity conditioning for allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Schmid Christoph , Labopin Myriam , Nagler Arnon , Niederwieser Dietger , Castagna Luca , Tabrizi Reza , Stadler Michael , Kuball Jürgen , Cornelissen Jan , Vorlicek Jiri , Socié Gerard , Falda Michele , Vindeløv Lars , Ljungman Per , Jackson Graham , Kröger Nicolaus , Rank Andreas , Polge Emmanuelle , Rocha Vanderson , Mohty Mohamad ,   on behalf of the Acute Leukaemia Working Party of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT)
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Because information on management and outcome of AML relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) is scarce, a retrospective registry study was performed by the Acute Leukemia Working Party of EBMT. Among 2815 RIC transplants performed for AML in complete remission (CR) between 1999 and 2008, cumulative incidence of relapse was 32% ± 1%. Relapsed patients (263) were included into a detailed analysis of risk factors for overall survival (OS) and building of a prognostic score. CR was reinduced in 32%; remission duration after transplantation was the only prognostic factor for response (P = .003). Estimated 2-year OS from relapse was 14%, thereby resembling results of AML relapse after standard conditioning. Among variables available at the time of relapse, remission after HSCT > 5 months (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.50, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.37-0.67, P < .001), bone marrow blasts less than 27% (HR = 0.53, 95% CI, 0.40-0.72, P < .001), and absence of acute GVHD after HSCT (HR = 0.67, 95% CI, 0.49-0.93, P = .017) were associated with better OS. Based on these factors, 3 prognostic groups could be discriminated, showing OS of 32% ± 7%, 19% ± 4%, and 4% ± 2% at 2 years (P < .0001). Long-term survival was achieved almost exclusively after successful induction of CR by cytoreductive therapy, followed either by donor lymphocyte infusion or second HSCT for consolidation.
Estimation of bacterial diversity using next generation sequencing of 16S rDNA: a comparison of different workflows
Authors: Barriuso Jorge , Valverde Jose R , Mellado Rafael P 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
Next generation sequencing (NGS) enables a more comprehensive analysis of bacterial diversity from complex environmental samples. NGS data can be analysed using a variety of workflows. We test several simple and complex workflows, including frequently used as well as recently published tools, and report on their respective accuracy and efficiency under various conditions covering different sequence lengths, number of sequences and real world experimental data from rhizobacterial populations of glyphosate-tolerant maize treated or untreated with two different herbicides representative of differential diversity studies.

Results
Alignment and distance calculations affect OTU estimations, and multiple sequence alignment exerts a major impact on the computational time needed. Generally speaking, most of the analyses produced consistent results that may be used to assess differential diversity changes, however, dataset characteristics dictate which workflow should be preferred in each case.

Conclusions
When estimating bacterial diversity, ESPRIT as well as the web-based workflow, RDP pyrosequencing pipeline, produced good results in all circumstances, however, its computational requirements can make method-combination workflows more attractive, depending on sequence variability, number and length.
Optimizing de novo transcriptome assembly from short-read RNA-Seq data: a comparative study
Authors: Zhao Qiong-Yi , Wang Yi , Kong Yi-Meng , Luo Da , Li Xuan , Hao Pei 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
With the fast advances in nextgen sequencing technology, high-throughput RNA sequencing has emerged as a powerful and cost-effective way for transcriptome study. De novo assembly of transcripts provides an important solution to transcriptome analysis for organisms with no reference genome. However, there lacked understanding on how the different variables affected assembly outcomes, and there was no consensus on how to approach an optimal solution by selecting software tool and suitable strategy based on the properties of RNA-Seq data.

Results
To reveal the performance of different programs for transcriptome assembly, this work analyzed some important factors, including k-mer values, genome complexity, coverage depth, directional reads, etc. Seven program conditions, four single k-mer assemblers (SK: SOAPdenovo, ABySS, Oases and Trinity) and three multiple k-mer methods (MK: SOAPdenovo-MK, trans-ABySS and Oases-MK) were tested. While small and large k-mer values performed better for reconstructing lowly and highly expressed transcripts, respectively, MK strategy worked well for almost all ranges of expression quintiles. Among SK tools, Trinity performed well across various conditions but took the longest running time. Oases consumed the most memory whereas SOAPdenovo required the shortest runtime but worked poorly to reconstruct full-length CDS. ABySS showed some good balance between resource usage and quality of assemblies.

Conclusions
Our work compared the performance of publicly available transcriptome assemblers, and analyzed important factors affecting de novo assembly. Some practical guidelines for transcript reconstruction from short-read RNA-Seq data were proposed. De novo assembly of C. sinensis transcriptome was greatly improved using some optimized methods.
Enumerating tree-like chemical graphs with given upper and lower bounds on path frequencies
Authors: Shimizu Masaaki , Nagamochi Hiroshi , Akutsu Tatsuya 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
Enumeration of chemical graphs satisfying given constraints is one of the fundamental problems in chemoinformatics and bioinformatics since it leads to a variety of useful applications including structure determination of novel chemical compounds and drug design.

Results
In this paper, we consider the problem of enumerating all tree-like chemical graphs from a given set of feature vectors, which is specified by a pair of upper and lower feature vectors, where a feature vector represents the frequency of prescribed paths in a chemical compound to be constructed. This problem can be solved by applying the algorithm proposed by Ishida et al. to each single feature vector in the given set, but this method may take much computation time because in general there are many feature vectors in a given set. We propose a new exact branch-and-bound algorithm for the problem so that all the feature vectors in a given set are handled directly. Since we cannot use the bounding operation proposed by Ishida et al. due to upper and lower constraints, we introduce new bounding operations based on upper and lower feature vectors, a bond constraint, and a detachment condition.

Conclusions
Our proposed algorithm is useful for enumerating tree-like chemical graphs with given upper and lower bounds on path frequencies.
Application of magnifying narrow-band imaging endoscopy for diagnosis of early gastric cancer and precancerous lesion
Authors: Zhang Jing , Guo Shi-Bin , Duan Zhi-Jun 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackgroundGastric carcinoma is the second commonest cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Early detection and diagnosis of gastric cancer in the stomach is important for improving the prognosis of gastric cancer. This retrospective study was designed to investigate the value of magnifying narrow-band imaging (NBI) in the diagnosis of precancerous lesions and early gastric cancer.MethodsThis study included 122 patients who were diagnosed with early gastric cancer or precancerous gastric lesions by endoscopy. The patients underwent an examination with conventional endoscopy, magnifying NBI, and magnifying chromoendoscopy. Images resolution was evaluated, and the morphology, pit patterns and blood capillary forms of lesions were analyzed. The presence of gastric carcinoma and high grade intraepithelial neoplasia in the biopsy samples was considered as a positive pathological result, which is used to assess accuracy of endoscopic diagnosis.ResultsFor image resolution, magnifying NBI and magnifying chromoendoscopy were significantly superior to magnifying conventional endoscopy in morphology, pit pattern and blood capillary form (P < 0.01), and magnifying NBI was significantly superior to magnifying chromoendoscopy in blood capillary form (P < 0.01). IV, V1, and VI type of gastric pit pattern were detected in 14 cases, 43 cases, and 17 cases in patients with high grade intraepithelial neoplasia, respectively. V1and VI type of gastric pit pattern were detected in 9 cases and 39 cases in patients with early gastric cancer, respectively. The presence of irregular minute vessels and variation in the caliber of vessels was found in 109 cases. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, false positive rate and false negative rate for diagnosis of early gastric cancer and precancerous gastric lesions were 68.9%, 95.1%, 63.1%, 24.5%, and 32.4% for conventional endoscopy, 93.6%, 92.7%, 94.5%, 5.7%, and 6.9% for magnifying NBI, and 91.3%, 88.6%, 93.2%, 13.2%, and 21.48% for magnifying chromoendoscopy, respectively.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that magnifying NBI is superior to conventional endoscopy in the diagnosis of early gastric cancer and precancerous gastric lesions, and can be used for screening early malignancies of the stomach.
Successful management of cryptococcosis of the bilateral adrenal glands and liver by unilateral adrenalectomy with antifungal agents: a case report
Authors: Matsuda Yayoi , Kawate Hisaya , Okishige Yuka , Abe Ichiro , Adachi Masahiro , Ohnaka Keizo , Satoh Naoichi , Inokuchi Junichi , Tatsugami Katsunori , Naito Seiji , Nomura Masatoshi , Takayanagi Ryoichi 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackgroundCryptococcusspecies usually affect the central nervous system and lungs in immunocompromised hosts. Although the adrenal glands can be involved in disseminated cryptococcosis, primary adrenal insufficiency caused by the fungal infection is uncommon.Case presentationWe present a case of primary adrenal insufficiency with bilateral adrenal masses and liver invasion in a 43-year-old man with mild type 2 diabetes mellitus. Cryptococcosis was diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the liver mass. The serum cryptococcal antigen titer was elevated to 1:256. After 6 months of antifungal therapy with fluconazole and amphotericin B, the size of the liver mass was decreased, but no significant changes were observed in the bilateral adrenal masses and the serum cryptococcal antigen titer remained elevated at 1:128. To control the cryptococcosis, a laparoscopic left adrenalectomy was performed, followed by antifungal therapy. After the unilateral adrenalectomy, the size of the remaining right adrenal mass was reduced and the serum cryptococcal antigen titer declined to 1:4.ConclusionsThis is the first report describing adrenal cryptococcosis with adrenal insufficiency and liver invasion without central nervous system involvement. Adrenal cryptococcosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis for patients with bilateral adrenal masses with primary adrenal deficiency. Unilateral adrenalectomy was quite effective in controlling the cryptococcosis in this case. Even in patients with bilateral adrenal cryptococcosis, unilateral adrenalectomy should be an option for treatment of disseminated cryptococcosis.