bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
mtDNA haplogroup J Modulates telomere length and Nitric Oxide production
Authors: Fernández-Moreno Mercedes , Tamayo María , Soto-Hermida Angel , Mosquera Alejandro , Oreiro Natividad , Fernández-López Carlos , Fernández José Luis , Rego-Pérez Ignacio , Blanco Francisco J 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
Oxidative stress due to the overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) and other oxygen reactive species (ROS), play a main role in the initiation and progression of the OA disease and leads to the degeneration of mitochondria. Therefore, the goal of this work is to describe the difference in telomere length of peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) and Nitric Oxide (NO) production between mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroup J and non-J carriers, as indirect approaches of oxidative stress.

Methods
The telomere length of PBL was analyzed in DNA samples from 166 healthy controls (114 J and 52 non-J) and 79 OA patients (41 J and 38 non-J) by means of a validated qPCR method. The NO production was assessed in 7 carriers of the haplogroup J and 27 non-J carriers, by means of the colorimetric reaction of the Griess reagent in supernatants of cultured chondrocytes. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA from these samples was analyzed by qPCR. Appropiated statistical analyses were performed

Results
Carriers of the haplogroup J showed a significantly longer telomere length of PBLs than non-J carriers, regardless of age, gender and diagnosis (p = 0.025). Cultured chondrocytes carrying the mtDNA haplogroup J also showed a lower NO production than non-J carriers (p = 0.043). No significant correlations between age and telomore length of PBLs were detected neither for carriers of the haplogroup J nor for non-J carriers. A strong positive correlation between NO production and iNOS expression was also observed (correlation coefficient = 0.791, p < 0.001).

Conclusion
The protective effect of the mtDNA haplogroup J in the OA disease arise from a lower oxidative stress in carriers of this haplogroup, since this haplogroup is related to lower NO production and hence longer telomere length of PBLs too.
Prevalence and distribution of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) variants in Thai and Burmese populations in malaria endemic areas of Thailand
Authors: Phompradit Papichaya , Kuesap Jiraporn , Chaijaroenkul Wanna , Rueangweerayut Ronnatrai , Hongkaew Yaowaluck , Yamnuan Rujira , Na-Bangchang Kesara 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackgroundG6PD deficiency is common in malaria endemic regions and is estimated to affect more than 400 million people worldwide. Treatment of malaria patients with the anti-malarial drug primaquine or other 8-aminoquinolines may be associated with potential haemolytic anaemia. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of G6PD variants in Thai population who resided in malaria endemic areas (western, northern, north-eastern, southern, eastern and central regions) of Thailand, as well as the Burmese population who resided in areas along the Thai-Myanmar border.MethodsThe ten common G6PD variants were investigated in dried blood spot samples collected from 317 Thai (84 males, 233 females) and 183 Burmese (11 males, 172 females) populations residing in malaria endemic areas of Thailand using PCR-RFLP method.ResultsFour and seven G6PD variants were observed in samples collected from Burmese and Thai population, with prevalence of 6.6% (21/317) and 14.2% (26/183), respectively. Almost all (96.2%) of G6PD mutation samples collected from Burmese population carried G6PD Mahidol variant; only one sample (3.8%) carried G6PD Kaiping variant. For the Thai population, G6PD Mahidol (8/21: 38.1%) was the most common variant detected, followed by G6PD Viangchan (4/21: 19.0%), G6PD Chinese 4 (3/21: 14.3%), G6PD Canton (2/21: 9.5%), G6PD Union (2/21: 9.5%), G6PD Kaiping (1/21: 4.8%), and G6PD Gaohe (1/21: 4.8%). No G6PD Chinese 3, Chinese 5 and Coimbra variants were found. With this limited sample size, there appeared to be variation in G6PD mutation variants in samples obtained from Thai population in different regions particularly in the western region.ConclusionsResults indicate difference in the prevalence and distribution of G6PD gene variants among the Thai and Burmese populations in different malaria endemic areas. Dosage regimen of primaquine for treatment of bothPlasmodium falciparumandPlasmodium vivaxmalaria may need to be optimized, based on endemic areas with supporting data on G6PD variants. Larger sample size from different malaria endemic is required to obtain accurate genetic mapping of G6PD variants in Burmese and Thai population residing in malaria endemic areas of Thailand.
IL-17 induces AKT-dependent IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 activation and tumor progression in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Gu Fang-Ming , Li Quan-Lin , Gao Qiang , Jiang Jia-Hao , Zhu Kai , Huang Xiao-Yong , Pan Jin-Feng , Yan Jun , Hu Jin-Hui , Wang Zheng , Dai Zhi , Fan Jia , Zhou Jian 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
The Th17 subset and IL-17 have been found in increased frequencies within certain tumors. However, their relevance in cancer biology remains controversial. This study aimed to clarify the biological action of IL-17 on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods
Effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of IL-17 on human HCC were explored in vitro using exogenous IL-17 stimulation and in nude mice by implanting IL-17 overexpressed HCC cells. The clinical significance of IL-17 was investigated in tissue microarrays containing HCC tissues from 323 patients following hepatectomy using immunohistochemistry.

Results
Although exogenous IL-17 showed no direct effect on the growth rate of HCC cells in vitro, PCR and ELISA showed that IL-17 selectively augmented the secretion of diverse proinvasive factors and transwell showed a direct promotion of invasion of HCC cells by IL-17. Furthermore, transfection of IL-17 into HCC cells significantly promoted neoangiogenesis, neutrophil recruitment and tumor growth in vivo. Using siRNA mediated knockdown of AKT and STAT3, we suggested that the effects of IL-17 were operated through activation of the AKT signaling in HCC, which resulted in IL-6 production. Then, IL-6 in turn activated JAK2/STAT3 signaling and subsequently up-regulated its downstream targets IL-8, MMP2, and VEGF. Supporting these findings, in human HCC tissues, immunostaining indicated that IL-17 expression was significantly and positively associated with STAT3 phosphorylation, neutrophil infiltration and increased tumor vascularity. The clinical significance of IL-17 was authenticated by revealing that the combination of intratumoral IL-17+ cells and phospho-STAT3 served as a better prognosticator for postoperative tumor recurrence than either marker alone.

Conclusions
IL-17 mediated tumor-promoting role involves a direct effect on HCC cells through IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 induction by activating the AKT pathway.
Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis E virus infections in Shanghai, China
Authors: Zhu Yumin , Si Fusheng , Cao Dianjun , Yu Xiaoming , Yu Ruisong , Dong Shijuan , Huang Fenfen , Zhang Yuanshu , Li Zhen 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes acute or fulminant hepatitis in humans and is an important public health concern in many developing countries. China has a high incidence of HEV epidemics, with at least three genotypes (1, 3 and 4) and nine subtypes (1b, 1c, 3b, 4a, 4b, 4d, 4g, 4h and 4i) so far identified. Since genotype 3 and the newly identified subtype 4i have been exclusively limited geographically to Shanghai and its neighboring provinces, the epidemiology of HEV infections within the municipality, a major industrial and commercial center, deserves closer attention.

Findings
A total of 65 sequences, 60 located within the HEV SH-SW-zs1 genome [GenBank:EF570133], together with five full-length swine and human HEV genomic sequences, all emanating from Shanghai, were retrieved from GenBank. Consistent with the primary role of genotype 4 in China overall, analysis of the sequences revealed this to have been the dominant genotype (58/65) in Shanghai. Six HEV subtypes (3b, 4a, 4b, 4d, 4h and 4i) were also represented. However, although subtype 4a is the dominant subtype throughout China, subtype 4i (29/65) was the most prevalent subtype among the Shanghai sequences, followed by subtypes 4d (10/65) and 4h (9/65). Subtypes 4h, 4i and 4d were found in both swine and humans, whereas 4b was found only in swine and subtype 4a only in humans.

Conclusions
Six different swine and human HEV subtypes have so far been documented in Shanghai. More molecular epidemiological investigations of HEV in swine, and particularly among the human population, should be undertaken.
Mutations in genes encoding complement inhibitors CD46 and CFHaffect the age at nephritis onset in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Jönsen Andreas , Nilsson Sara C , Ahlqvist Emma , Svenungsson Elisabet , Gunnarsson Iva , Eriksson Karin G , Bengtsson Anders , Zickert Agneta , Eloranta Maija-Leena , Truedsson Lennart , Rönnblom Lars , Nordmark Gunnel , Sturfelt Gunnar , Blom Anna M 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Introduction

Inherited deficiencies of several complement components strongly predispose to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) while deficiencies of complement inhibitors are found in kidney diseases such as atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS).

Methods

The exons of complement inhibitor genes CD46 and CFH (factor H) were fully sequenced using the Sanger method in SLE patients with nephritis originating from two cohorts from southern and mid Sweden (n = 196). All identified mutations and polymorphisms were then analyzed in SLE patients without nephritis (n = 326) and in healthy controls (n = 523).

Results

We found nonsynonymous, heterozygous mutations in CFH in 6.1% patients with nephritis, in comparison with 4.0% and 5.4% in patients without nephritis and controls, respectively. No associations of SLE or nephritis with common variants in CFH (V62I/Y402H/E936D) were found. Furthermore, we found two nonsynonymous heterozygous mutations in CD46 in SLE patients but not in controls. The A353V polymorphism, known to affect function of CD46, was found in 6.6% of nephritis patients versus 4.9% and 6.1% of the non-nephritis SLE patients and controls. The presence of mutations in CD46 and CFH did not predispose to SLE or nephritis but was associated with earlier onset of nephritis. Furthermore, we found weak indications that there is one protective and one risk haplotype predisposing to nephritis composed of several polymorphisms in noncoding regions of CD46, which were previously implicated in aHUS.

Conclusions

SLE nephritis is not associated with frequent mutations in CFH and CD46 as found in aHUS but these may be modifying factors causing earlier onset of nephritis.
Integrating diverse genomic data using gene sets
Authors: Tyekucheva Svitlana , Marchionni Luigi , Karchin Rachel , Parmigiani Giovanni 
Published: December 2011

AbstractWe introduce and evaluate data analysis methods to interpret simultaneous measurement of multiple genomic features made on the same biological samples. Our tools use gene sets to provide an interpretable common scale for diverse genomic information. We show we can detect genetic effects, although they may act through different mechanisms in different samples, and show we can discover and validate important disease-related gene sets that would not be discovered by analyzing each data type individually.
Cyclization Reaction of Diarylethene through the Triplet Excited State
Authors: Murata Ryutaro , Yago Tomoaki , Wakasa Masanobu 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Photocyclization reaction of 1,2-bis(2-methyl-3-benzothienyl)perfluorocyclopentene (BT) in methanol was studied by using nanosecond laser flash photolysis at 296 K. When xanthone was used as a triplet sensitizer, the triplet energy transfer occurred efficiently and the closed-ring product of BT was observed.
Short-term interventions on wards fail to reduce preanalytical errors: results of two prospective controlled trials
Authors: Kemp Georgina M , Bird Clare E , Barth Julian H 
Published: December 2011

Background Preventing laboratory errors promotes patient safety and reduces the cost of unnecessary processing. The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of two short-term interventions at reducing errors in the preanalytical stage of laboratory testing. Methods Error data were reviewed from inpatient wards at Bradford Royal Infirmary (BRI), Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) and St James’ University Hospital (SJUH) for 22 weeks. Two separate interventions lasted for two weeks. The outcome measures were inadequate tube and form labelling, incorrect tube selection and insufficient sample volume. Posters targeting these errors were created and displayed on inpatient wards in SJUH ( n = 48). BRI and LGI were control hospitals. Qualitative interviews were held with clinical staff to raise awareness of common errors, give advice and discuss error reduction ( n = 37). Ten weeks later, screensavers warning against labelling errors were displayed (LGI and SJUH). Quantitative error data, routinely collected by the laboratory, were used for analysis. Results There was no change in error rate or type at the intervention site(s) compared with the control(s). There were 7058 reported errors across three sites, of which 6623 were errors targeted by the interventions. The overall error rate remained stable on all three sites (analysis of variance, P = 1.0). When interviewing clinical staff, 29% thought that equipment was the main contributing factor to errors while 23% struggled with tube selection. Conclusions Despite enthusiasm on the part of the ward-based staff, both short-term interventions had no significant impact on preanalytical error rates. Most errors are due to human factors. These may be reduced with the introduction of an electronic ordering system.
On the Chemical Kinetics of Ethanol Oxidation: Shock Tube, Rapid Compression Machine and Detailed Modeling Study
Authors: Lee Changyoul , Vranckx Stijn , Heufer Karl A. , Khomik Sergey V. , Uygun Yasar , Olivier Herbert , Fernandez Ravi X. 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Auto-ignition characteristics of ethanol were experimentally investigated using two Shock Tube (ST) facilities and a Rapid Compression Machine (RCM). Ignition delay times for stoichiometric ethanol-air mixtures were measured for temperatures between 775–1300 K in a High Pressure Shock Tube (HPST) at pressures close to 80 bar by probing pressure time histories and CH* emission. In some experiments the HPST was additionally employed for schlieren imaging to visualize ignition behavior by probing density gradients during ignition for ethanol-air mixtures. The ignition delay experiments in HPST were complemented by RCM measurements for extending the temperature regime to the Low Temperature Combustion (LTC) regime, down to 705 K, providing kinetic model validation data over a very wide temperature and pressure range. The current results also extend the earlier shock tube measurements performed in the same laboratory for pressures around 40 bar for temperatures down to 800 K [Heufer et al., Shock Waves 20 (2010) 307]. Furthermore, a Rectangular Shock Tube (RST) was solely used for additional schlieren imaging experiments to acquire information on ignition modes in stoichiometric ethanol-air mixtures around 10 bar. An improved chemical kinetic model was developed based on the Li et al. mechanism [Li et al., “Ethanol Model v1.0”, Princeton University, 2009] which was updated with evaluated rate parameters from the literature and validated through results obtained from the aforementioned facilities. The model predictions were compared to previously published low-pressure, premixed flat flame molecular beam mass spectrometry speciation data [Kasper et al., Combust. Flame 150 (2007) 220; Wang et al., J. Phys. Chem. A 112 (2008) 9255] where reasonable agreement is obtained considering the uncertainties in experiments and model. However, the model provides excellent agreement for the auto-ignition results obtained in the RCM and the high temperature shock induced ignition delays. Significant disparities with the model predictions are obtained for the shock tube results at temperatures below 1000 K as it transitions from the intermediate to the low temperature regime. The reasons for these deviations are assigned to strong fuel specific “pre-ignition” effects observed in ethanol auto-ignition, in contrast to other investigated fuels, which was satisfactorily explained through schlieren experimental results. To our knowledge this work is first of its kind that combines results from complementary experimental methods from three different facilities providing a holistic description on the auto-ignition behavior of ethanol. Furthermore, this paper reports ignition delay measurements for ethanol in air, at the highest pressures applicable to practical combustors.
The impact of medication on vitamin D status in older individuals
Authors: Sohl E , van Schoor N M , de Jongh R T , de Vries O J , Lips P 
Published: December 2011

ObjectiveVitamin D deficiency and polypharmacy are common in the elderly. However, knowledge on the associations between the use of specific medicines and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) is limited. The aim of this study was to (better) define the associations between the use of specific medicines and serum 25(OH)D.MethodsTwo different cohorts (1995/1996 and 2002/2003) from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) were used for cross-sectional analyses. LASA is based on an age and sex-stratified random sample of the Dutch older population. Study participants were aged 65–88 years in the first cohort (n=1301) and 55–65 years in the second cohort (n=736). Serum 25(OH)D of users of several groups of medicines were compared with levels of non-users using multiple linear regression analysis.ResultsOf all participants, 75.4% (first cohort) and 61.1% (second cohort) were using at least one medicine. In both cohorts, the number of medicines was associated with lower serum 25(OH)D. In the first cohort, after adjustment for confounding, users of any kind of medicine, loop diuretics and inhaled corticosteroids (only men) had respectively 4.4 nmol/l (P<0.01), 4.7 nmol/l (P=0.04) and 7.3 nmol/l (P=0.02) lower serum 25(OH)D than non-users. In the second cohort, the use of oral antidiabetics, calcium-channel blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors was associated with respectively 7.4 nmol/l (P=0.04), 7.7 nmol/l (P=0.01) and 7.6 nmol/l (P<0.01) lower serum 25(OH)D.ConclusionsThese data show that users of several medicines have lower serum 25(OH)D than non-users. Vitamin D supplementation may be considered in patients with chronic use of medicines.
Regulation of Cell Wall Biogenesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: The Cell Wall Integrity Signaling Pathway
Authors: Levin David E 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
The yeast cell wall is a strong, but elastic, structure that is essential not only for the maintenance of cell shape and integrity, but also for progression through the cell cycle. During growth and morphogenesis, and in response to environmental challenges, the cell wall is remodeled in a highly regulated and polarized manner, a process that is principally under the control of the cell wall integrity (CWI) signaling pathway. This pathway transmits wall stress signals from the cell surface to the Rho1 GTPase, which mobilizes a physiologic response through a variety of effectors. Activation of CWI signaling regulates the production of various carbohydrate polymers of the cell wall, as well as their polarized delivery to the site of cell wall remodeling. This review article centers on CWI signaling in Saccharomyces cerevisiae through the cell cycle and in response to cell wall stress. The interface of this signaling pathway with other pathways that contribute to the maintenance of cell wall integrity is also discussed.
Asymptomatic free-floating thrombus of the internal carotid artery
Authors: Csobay-Novák Csaba , Járányi Zsuzsanna , Dósa Edit , Hüttl Kálmán 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Free-floating thrombus (FFT) of the internal carotid artery, which is almost always symptomatic and is usually discovered by ultrasound or angiography performed after a transient cerebrovascular event, is a highly uncommon diagnosis. Here, we report a case of an asymptomatic freefloating internal carotid artery thrombus most probably caused by an atherosclerotic plaque rupture. It was detected by carotid ultrasound and was treated with eversion endarterectomy without any neurologic complications. Six weeks after surgery, the patient is doing well.
Extraperitoneal laparoscopic removal of magnetic foreign bodies from urinary bladder: An option for endoscopic retrieval failure
Authors: Gurpriya Kaur , Sarfraz Ahmad , Nabi Ghulam 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
A rare case of metallic magnetic foreign bodies (51 magnetic haematite gemstone roundel beads) in the urinary bladder removed using extraperitoneal endoscopic technique is presented. Whilst magnetic nature posed difficulties in endoscopic retrieval, an alternate successful technique of extraperitoneal endoscopic approach in an emergency setting was adopted instead with good outcomes.
Malignus eredetű nyelőcsőszűkületek palliatív kezelése endoprotézis beültetésével – 25 év tapasztalata
Authors: Balázs Ákos , Kokas Péter , Lukovich Péter , Kupcsulik Péter 
Published: December 2011

Absztrakt
A szerzők 1984 és 2009 között 2952 malignus nyelőcsőszűkületet kezeltek. Célkitűzés: A tanulmány célja a nyelőcsőendoprotézis-beültetés módszerének vizsgálata a használhatóság szempontjából. Módszerek: A protézis beültetése 42 esetben műtéti úton, 1143 esetben endoscopos módszerrel történt. A protézisbeültetésre alkalmatlannak bizonyult betegeknél 125 esetben gastrostomia; 19 esetben percutan endoscopos gastrostomia; 9 esetben katéter-jejunostomia történt, míg 965 beteg csak supportiv kezelésben részesült. Eredmények: Az indikált esetek 61,2%-ában történt sikeres protézisbeültetés. A protézis a nyelési panaszt 6,2%-ban időlegesen, 93,5%-ban végérvényesen megoldotta. Szövődményeket 23,7%-ban észleltek, ezek migratio, perforatio, vérzés, légúti obstructio, korai váratlan halálozás, aspiráció, a protézis eldugulása, tumoros felülnövekedés, fistulaképződés, újdonképződés, reflux voltak. A szövődmények 69,2%-a endoscopos reintervencióval megoldható volt. 27 szövődmény (2,1%) volt letális kimenetelű. A műtéti úton protetizált betegek műtéttel kapcsolatos szövődményeinek aránya 21,9% volt. A protézissel kezelt betegek túlélése átlag 5,4 hónap, a gastrostomiával, percutan endoscopos gastrostomiával, jejunostomiával kezelt betegek túlélése átlag 3,6 hónap, a kizárólag supportiv kezelésben részesült betegek túlélése átlag 3,2 hónap volt. Következtetések: A malignus eredetű nyelőcsőszűkületek palliatív kezelésében az endoprotézis beültetése jól használható módszer, szignifikánsan javítja a betegek túlélési és életminőségi mutatóit. A supportiv táplálási lehetőségként alkalmazott módszerek a betegek szubjektív éhségérzetét csökkentik, de a túlélést nem befolyásolják.
Protecting Young People From Junk Food Advertising: Implications of Psychological Research for First Amendment Law
Authors: Harris Jennifer L. , Graff Samantha K. 
Published: December 2011

In the United States, one third of children and adolescents are overweight or obese, yet food and beverage companies continue to target them with advertising for products that contribute to this obesity crisis. When government restrictions on such advertising are proposed, the constitutional commercial speech doctrine is often invoked as a barrier to action. We explore incongruities between the legal justifications for the commercial speech doctrine and the psychological research on how food advertising affects young people. A proper interpretation of the First Amendment should leave room for regulations to protect young people from advertising featuring calorie-dense, nutrient-poor foods and beverages.