bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Omega-3E treatment regulates matrix metalloproteinases and prevents vascular reactivity alterations in diabetic rat aortaThis article is one of a selection of papers published in a special issue on Advances in Cardiovascular Research.
Authors: Zeydanli Esma N. , Turan Belma 
Published: December 2009

It is known that increased generation of oxidants and (or) reduced endogenous antioxidant defense mechanisms are associated with the etiology of diabetic vascular complications. Although a close correlation exists between increased oxidative stress and the activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), little is known about the effect of hyperglycemia on the regulation and contribution of MMPs in the vascular system. Therefore, we aimed to examine whether omega-3E (50 mg/kg per day for 4 weeks), a long-chain (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid enriched with vitamin E, has a beneficial effect on vascular dysfunction via affecting MMPs in streptozotocin-diabetic rat aorta. Omega-3E treatment improved the diabetes-induced impairment of phenylephrine-induced contraction and isoproterenol-induced relaxation responses of aorta. It also exhibited marked protection against diabetes-induced degenerative changes in smooth muscle cell morphology. Biochemical data showed that this treatment significantly prevented important changes, such as inhibition of MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity, loss of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-4 (TIMP-4) protein, increase in tissue levels of thiol oxidation, endothelin-1, protein kinase C (PKC), and cAMP production, and decrease in tissue level of nitrite. These results indicated that omega-3E significantly improved impaired vascular responses and regulated the activity of MMPs via preventing oxidative injury. Overall, the data suggest that omega-3E ameliorates or prevents vascular reactivity alterations in diabetes. Such an observation provides preliminary evidence for omega-3E’s potential as a therapeutic agent for the prevention of vascular disorders in diabetes.
Nitrite Potently Inhibits Hypoxic and Inflammatory Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and Smooth Muscle Proliferation via Xanthine Oxidoreductase–Dependent Nitric Oxide Generation
Authors: Zuckerbraun Brian S. , Shiva Sruti , Ifedigbo Emeka , Mathier Michael A. , Mollen Kevin P. , Rao Jayashree , Bauer Philip M. , Choi Justin J.W. , Curtis Erin , Choi Augustine M.K. , Gladwin Mark T. 
Published: December 2009

Background—Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a progressive proliferative vasculopathy of the small pulmonary arteries that is characterized by a primary failure of the endothelial nitric oxide and prostacyclin vasodilator pathways, coupled with dysregulated cellular proliferation. We have recently discovered that the endogenous anion salt nitrite is converted to nitric oxide in the setting of physiological and pathological hypoxia. Considering the fact that nitric oxide exhibits vasoprotective properties, we examined the effects of nitrite on experimental pulmonary arterial hypertension.Methods and Results—We exposed mice and rats with hypoxia or monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension to low doses of nebulized nitrite (1.5 mg/min) 1 or 3 times a week. This dose minimally increased plasma and lung nitrite levels yet completely prevented or reversed pulmonary arterial hypertension and pathological right ventricular hypertrophy and failure. In vitro and in vivo studies revealed that nitrite in the lung was metabolized directly to nitric oxide in a process significantly enhanced under hypoxia and found to be dependent on the enzymatic action of xanthine oxidoreductase. Additionally, physiological levels of nitrite inhibited hypoxia-induced proliferation of cultured pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells via the nitric oxide–dependent induction of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21Waf1/Cip1. The therapeutic effect of nitrite on hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension was significantly reduced in the p21-knockout mouse; however, nitrite still reduced pressures and right ventricular pathological remodeling, indicating the existence of p21-independent effects as well.Conclusion—These studies reveal a potent effect of inhaled nitrite that limits pathological pulmonary arterial hypertrophy and cellular proliferation in the setting of experimental pulmonary arterial hypertension.
The use of measurement tools in clinical practice: an observational study of neurorehabilitation
Authors: Tyson Sarah , Greenhalgh Joanne , Long Andrew F , Flynn Robert 
Published: December 2009

Objective: To explore the way in which standardized measurement tools are used in day-to-day clinical practice. Design: Non-participant observation and semi-structured interviews. Setting: Hospital-based adult neurorehabilition unit. Participants: The multidisciplinary team delivering rehabilitation in the unit. Results: The multidisciplinary team used the measurement tools internally to establish the presence and severity of patients’ impairments and activity limitations; predict recovery and discharge destination; inform treatment planning and monitor progress. They were used externally to demonstrate service effectiveness; communicate with patients, families and external agencies; enable other providers to plan continuing care and resource needs, and inform audit and service development. Conclusion: When used in everyday clinical practice by a multidisciplinary neurorehabilitation team, standardized measures were used to support and inform, rather than replace, clinical decision-making.
Meeting stroke survivors’ perceived needs: a qualitative study of a community-based exercise and education scheme
Authors: Reed Mary , Harrington Rachel , Duggan Áine , Wood Victorine A 
Published: December 2009

Objective: A qualitative study using a phenomenological approach, to explore stroke survivors’ needs and their perceptions of whether a community stroke scheme met these needs. Methods: Semi-structured in-depth interviews of 12 stroke survivors, purposively selected from participants attending a new community stroke scheme. Interpretative phenomenological analysis of interviews by two researchers independently. Results: Participants attending the community stroke scheme sought to reconstruct their lives in the aftermath of their stroke. To enable this they needed internal resources of confidence and sense of purpose to ‘create their social self’, and external resources of ‘responsive services’ and an ‘informal support network’, to provide direction and encouragement. Participants felt the community stroke scheme met some of these needs through exercise, goal setting and peer group interaction, which included social support and knowledge acquisition. Conclusion: Stroke survivors need a variety of internal and external resources so that they can rebuild their lives positively post stroke. A stroke-specific community scheme, based on exercise, life-centred goal setting, peer support and knowledge acquisition, is an external resource that can help with meeting some of the stroke survivor’s needs.
A community-based exercise and education scheme for stroke survivors: a randomized controlled trial and economic evaluation
Authors: Harrington Rachel , Taylor Gordon , Hollinghurst Sandra , Reed Mary , Kay Hazel , Wood Victorine A 
Published: December 2009

Objective: The evaluation of a community-based exercise and education scheme for stroke survivors. Design: A single blind parallel group randomized controlled trial. Setting: Leisure and community centres in the south-west of England. Subjects: Stroke survivors (median (IQR) time post stroke 10.3 (5.4—17.1) months). 243 participants were randomized to standard care (124) or the intervention (119). Intervention: Exercise and education schemes held twice weekly for eight weeks, facilitated by volunteers and qualified exercise instructors (supported by a physiotherapist), each with nine participants plus carers or family members. Method: Participants were assessed by a blinded independent assessor at two weeks before the start of the scheme, nine weeks and six months. One-year follow-up was by postal assessment. Main measures: Primary outcomes: Subjective Index of Physical and Social Outcome (SIPSO); Frenchay Activities Index; Rivermead Mobility Index. NHS, social care and personal costs. Secondary outcomes included WHOQoL-Bref. Analysis: Intention-to-treat basis, using non-parametric analysis to investigate change from baseline. Economic costs were compared in a cost-consequences analysis. Results: There were significant between-group changes in SIPSO physical at nine weeks (median (95% confidence interval (CI)), 1 (0, 2): P = 0.022) and at one year (0 (—1, 2): P = 0.024). (WHOQol-Bref psychological (6.2 (—0.1, 9.1): P = 0.011) at six months. Mean cost per patient was higher in the intervention group. The difference, excluding inpatient care, was £296 (95% CI: —£321 to £913). Conclusion: The community scheme for stroke survivors was a low-cost intervention successful in improving physical integration, maintained at one year, when compared with standard care.
Functional genomics of pH homeostasis in Corynebacterium glutamicum revealed novel links between pH response, oxidative stress, iron homeostasis and methionine synthesis
Authors: Follmann Martin , Ochrombel Ines , Krämer Reinhard , Trötschel Christian , Poetsch Ansgar , Rückert Christian , Hüser Andrea , Persicke Marcus , Seiferling Dominic , Kalinowski Jörn , Marin Kay 
Published: December 2009

Abstract

Background
The maintenance of internal pH in bacterial cells is challenged by natural stress conditions, during host infection or in biotechnological production processes. Comprehensive transcriptomic and proteomic analyses has been conducted in several bacterial model systems, yet questions remain as to the mechanisms of pH homeostasis.

Results
Here we present the comprehensive analysis of pH homeostasis in C. glutamicum, a bacterium of industrial importance. At pH values between 6 and 9 effective maintenance of the internal pH at 7.5 ± 0.5 pH units was found. By DNA microarray analyses differential mRNA patterns were identified. The expression profiles were validated and extended by 1D-LC-ESI-MS/MS based quantification of soluble and membrane proteins. Regulators involved were identified and thereby participation of numerous signaling modules in pH response was found. The functional analysis revealed for the first time the occurrence of oxidative stress in C. glutamicum cells at neutral and low pH conditions accompanied by activation of the iron starvation response. Intracellular metabolite pool analysis unraveled inhibition of the TCA and other pathways at low pH. Methionine and cysteine synthesis were found to be activated via the McbR regulator, cysteine accumulation was observed and addition of cysteine was shown to be toxic under acidic conditions.

Conclusions
Novel limitations for C. glutamicum at non-optimal pH values were identified by a comprehensive analysis on the level of the transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome indicating a functional link between pH acclimatization, oxidative stress, iron homeostasis, and metabolic alterations. The results offer new insights into bacterial stress physiology and new starting points for bacterial strain design or pathogen defense.
Epidemiological investigations of human rabies in China
Authors: Song Miao , Tang Qing , Wang Ding-Ming , Mo Zhao-Jun , Guo Shou-Heng , Li Hao , Tao Xiao-Yan , Rupprecht Charles E , Feng Zi-Jian , Liang Guo-Dong 
Published: December 2009

Abstract

Background
The epidemic of rabies showed a rising trend in China in recent years. To identify the potential factors involved in the emergence, we investigated and analyzed the status and characteristics of human rabies between 1996 and 2008. Moreover, the status of rabies infection and vaccination in dogs, and prophylaxis of humans after rabies exposure were analyzed.

Methods
Human rabies data in China between 1996 and 2008 collected from the annual reports of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) were analyzed. To investigate the status of dogs and postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) of humans, brain specimens of domestic dogs were collected and detected, and the demographic details, exposure status and PEP of rabies patients were obtained in 2005 and 2006 in Guangxi, Hunan and Guizhou provinces.

Results
The results showed 19,806 human rabies cases were reported in China from 1996 to 2008, with an average of 1,524 cases each year, and the incidence almost was rising rapidly, with the peak in 2007 (3,300 cases). It was notable that nearly 50% of the total rabies cases nationwide were reported in Guangxi, Hunan and Guizhou provinces. In these three provinces, the rabies infection rate in dogs was 2.3%, and 60% investigated cities had a dog vaccination rate of below 70%; among the 315 recorded human cases, 66.3% did not receive any PEP at all, 27.6% received inadequate PEP, and only 6.0% received a full regime of PEP.

Conclusions
In recent years, rabies is reemerging and becoming a major public-health problem in China. Our analysis showed that unsuccessful control of dog rabies and inadequate PEP of patients were the main factors leading to the high incidence of human rabies in China, then there are following suggestions: (1) Strict control of free-ranging dogs and mandatory rabies vaccination should be enforced. (2)Establishing national animal rabies surveillance network is imperative. (3) PEP should be decided to initiate or withhold according to postmortem diagnosis of the biting animal. (4) The cost of PEP should be decreased or free, especially in rural areas. (5)Education of the public and health care staff should be enhanced.
Smoldering (Asymptomatic) Multiple Myeloma: Current Diagnostic Criteria, New Predictors of Outcome, and Follow-Up Recommendations
Authors: Bladé Joan , Dimopoulos Meletios , Rosiñol Laura , Rajkumar S. Vincent , Kyle Robert A. 
Published: December 2009

Purpose To provide an overview on smoldering (asymptomatic) multiple myeloma (SMM) including current diagnostic criteria, predictors of progression, pattern of progression, and outcome. Design A comprehensive review of the literature on risk factors for progression, treatment attempts to delay progression and outcome in patients with SMM. Results The risk factors for progression of SMM include: plasma cell mass including M-protein size and percentage of bone marrow clonal plasma cells (BMPC), abnormal free light chain ratio, proportion of phenotypically abnormal BMPC, immunoparesis, evolution pattern (evolving v nonevolving), and pattern of magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities. Most patients with SMM progress with anemia and/or skeletal involvement. Immediate therapy with cytotoxic agents, such as melphalan/prednisone has not resulted in improved outcome. Patients should not be treated until progressive disease with end-organ damage occurs. Increasing anemia is the most reliable indicator of progression. Conclusion These recently recognized predictors of outcome may be helpful for better disease monitoring and for investigation of new treatment approaches. Thus, recommendations for follow-up every to 3 to 6 months depending on the risk of progression are suggested, and clinical trials with new noncytotoxic biologically derived agents to delay progression, particularly in high-risk patients, are ongoing.
Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients With Newly Diagnosed Follicular Lymphoma in the Prerituximab Era: Effect of Response Quality on Survival—A Study From the Groupe d'Etude des Lymphomes de l'Adulte
Authors: Bachy Emmanuel , Brice Pauline , Delarue Richard , Brousse Nicole , Haioun Corinne , Le Gouill Steven , Delmer Alain , Bordessoule Dominique , Tilly Hervé , Corront Bernadette , Allard Christian , Foussard Charles , Bosly André , Coiffier Bertrand , Gisselbrecht Christian , Solal-Celigny Philippe , Salles Gilles 
Published: December 2009

PurposeFirst-line treatment for patients with newly diagnosed follicular lymphoma (FL) still remains debated, even in the rituximab-based combination therapy era. Few studies have addressed the question whether complete remission (CR) translates into better survival. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term follow-up of prospectively treated patients with FL and the potential correlation between response quality to first-line treatment and overall survival (OS).Patients and MethodsData from 536 patients with FL with low (n = 193) or high (n = 343) tumor burden enrolled from October 1986 to May 1995 in the French and Belgian GELF86 studies were analyzed. Data from these trials have been previously reported for low–tumor burden and high–tumor burden patients.ResultsMedian follow-up was 14.9 years, and median OS was 9.8 years. Treated patients who achieved a complete response (CR; n = 194; 45%) had a significant longer OS than those only reaching a partial response (PR; n = 168; 39%) throughout treatment (hazard ratio [HR], 0.55; 95% CI, 0.42 to 0.72; P < .001) in an univariate time-dependent Cox model. Similar findings were found when response to treatment (CR v PR) was adjusted for potentially confounding factors in a multivariate model (HR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.38 to 0.73; P < .001).ConclusionThese data provide a long follow-up of these patients' cohorts and indicate that a better response to first-line treatment translates into an improved survival for patients with FL. Therefore, response-adapted therapy aiming to achieve a CR should be considered as first-line treatment.
CD117-positive Cells of the Heart: Progenitor Cells or Mast Cells?
Authors: Zhou Yan , Pan Peng , Yao Lu , Su Meng , He Ping , Niu Na , McNutt Michael A. , Gu Jiang 
Published: December 2009

Human cardiac stem/progenitor cells and their potential for repair of heart injury are a current hot topic of research. CD117 has been used frequently as a marker for identification of stem/progenitor cells in the heart. However, cardiac mast cells, which are also CD117+, have not been excluded by credible means when selecting putative cardiac progenitors by using CD117 as a marker. We evaluated the relationship between CD117+ cells and mast cells in the left ventricle of human hearts ( n = 5 patients, ages 1 week-75 years) with the well-established mast cell markers tryptase, toluidine blue, and thionine. A large number (85–100%) of CD117+ cells in the human heart were specifically identified as mast cells. In addition, mast cells showed weak or moderate CD45 immunostaining signals. These results indicate that the majority of CD117+ cells in the heart are mast cells and that these cells are distinctly positive for CD45, although staining was weak or moderate. These results strongly suggest that the newly reported CD117+/CD45dim/moderate putative cardiac progenitor cells are mast cells. The significance of this observation in stem cell research of the heart is discussed. immunohistochemistry
Neonatal Screening for Treatable and Untreatable Disorders: Prospective Parents’ Opinions
Authors: Plass Anne Marie Catharina , van El Carla Geertruida , Pieters Toine , Cornel Martina Cornelia 
Published: December 2009

OBJECTIVE: In the Netherlands, in 2007, the national newborn screening program was expanded from 3 to 17 disorders that met the World Health Organization's Wilson and Jungner screening criteria, especially regarding treatability. The decision of whether to add diseases to the program is generally based on experts' advice, whereas the opinion of those whom it concerns—prospective parents—remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the opinion of prospective parents concerning newborn screening for disorders that are incurable yet treatable to some extent or even untreatable.
METHODS: A structured questionnaire that consisted of 3 parts in which similar questions were posed about treatable, less treatable, and untreatable childhood-onset disorders was posted on the Web site of a national pregnancy fair.
RESULTS: A total of 1631 prospective parents filled out the questionnaire, 259 of whom were excluded. In contrast to current policy, respondents showed a positive attitude toward inclusion of less treatable (88%) or untreatable childhood-onset disorders (73%) within the national newborn screening program. Respondents who already had children at the time of completing the questionnaire were even more in favor of screening for especially untreatable disorders. The most important reason mentioned was to prevent a long diagnostic quest. Obtaining information to enable reproductive choices in future pregnancies was hardly mentioned.
CONCLUSIONS: Prospective parents in the Dutch population seem interested in newborn screening for untreatable childhood-onset disorders; therefore, we argue that additional debate of pros and cons is needed among policy makers, health care professionals, and consumers.
Effect of Striped Bass Larvae Transported from the Hudson River on Juvenile Abundance in Western Long Island Sound
Authors: Dunning Dennis J. , Ross Quentin E. , McKown Kim A. , Socrates Julia B. 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
Freshwater flow can have a profound influence on the transport of larvae within large tidal estuaries, and tidal flow can transport larvae away from those estuaries. Our objectives were to (1) confirm that a combination of freshwater and tidal flows transported post-yolk-sac larvae (PYSL) striped bass Morone saxatilis from the Hudson River, New York, to western Long Island Sound (WLIS), a nearby nursery area, and (2) assess the effect of PYSL transported from the river on the abundance of juvenile striped bass in WLIS. This approach included (1) calculating an index of juvenile striped bass abundance in WLIS (WLIS juvenile index) for July and regressing it on an index of striped bass PYSL abundance for the Battery region of the Hudson River (Battery region PYSL index), which represented annual changes in the abundance of striped bass PYSL that could be transported from the river to WLIS, and (2) regressing a WLIS juvenile index for August on the WLIS juvenile index for July. The regression of the WLIS juvenile index for July on the Battery region PYSL index was significant and positive. The regression of the WLIS juvenile index for August on that for July was not significant. We confirmed that striped bass PYSL were transported from the Hudson River to WLIS by a combination of freshwater and tidal flows. Furthermore, in years when striped bass PYSL abundance and freshwater flow in the Hudson River were unusually high, striped bass PYSL transported from the Hudson River substantially influenced abundance of juvenile striped bass in WLIS during July but not August. The difference in abundance between months was apparently due to high natural mortality early in the juvenile life stage.