bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Rosuvastatin With or Without Ezetimibe on Clinical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Elective Vascular Surgery
Authors: Kouvelos George N. , Arnaoutoglou Eleni M. , Matsagkas Miltiadis I. , Kostara Christina , Gartzonika Constantina , Bairaktari Eleni T. , Milionis Haralampos J. 
Published: May 2012

Objective: Cardiovascular complications represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing vascular surgery. This was a prospective randomized, open-label study to investigate the effect of lipid-lowering treatment by statin monotherapy or intensified by combining statin with ezetimibe on a 12-month prognosis after vascular surgery. Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to receive rosuvastatin (RSV) 10 mg/d or rosuvastatin 10 mg/d plus ezetemibe (RSV/EZT) 10 mg/d, starting prior to scheduled surgical procedure. The primary end point was the first major cardiovascular event, including death from cardiac causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and unstable angina. Results: A total of 136 patients assigned to RSV and 126 to RSV/EZT completed the study protocol. As many as 6.6% of patients in the RSV group experience a major cardiovascular event within 30 days after surgery versus 5.6% in the RSV/EZT group ( P = .72). From month 1 to 12 of the follow-up period, primary end point was observed (9 taking RSV vs 2 in the RSV/EZT group [ P = .04]). Intensified lipid-lowering therapy with RSV/EZT was associated with a greater decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels compared with RSV (75.87 ± 31.64 vs 87.19 ± 31.7, P = .004), while no differential effect on triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol or high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels was noted between groups. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that statin therapy intensified by ezetimibe may reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events within the first 12 months after vascular surgery. Nonetheless, whether the use of ezetimibe as an add-on therapy to reduce cardiovascular risk in these patients needs to be tested in larger future studies.
Deterministic global optimization algorithm based on outer approximation for the parameter estimation of nonlinear dynamic biological systems
Authors: Miró Anton , Pozo Carlos , Guillén-Gosálbez Gonzalo , Egea Jose A , Jiménez Laureano 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background
The estimation of parameter values for mathematical models of biological systems is an optimization problem that is particularly challenging due to the nonlinearities involved. One major difficulty is the existence of multiple minima in which standard optimization methods may fall during the search. Deterministic global optimization methods overcome this limitation, ensuring convergence to the global optimum within a desired tolerance. Global optimization techniques are usually classified into stochastic and deterministic. The former typically lead to lower CPU times but offer no guarantee of convergence to the global minimum in a finite number of iterations. In contrast, deterministic methods provide solutions of a given quality (i.e., optimality gap), but tend to lead to large computational burdens.

Results
This work presents a deterministic outer approximation-based algorithm for the global optimization of dynamic problems arising in the parameter estimation of models of biological systems. Our approach, which offers a theoretical guarantee of convergence to global minimum, is based on reformulating the set of ordinary differential equations into an equivalent set of algebraic equations through the use of orthogonal collocation methods, giving rise to a nonconvex nonlinear programming (NLP) problem. This nonconvex NLP is decomposed into two hierarchical levels: a master mixed-integer linear programming problem (MILP) that provides a rigorous lower bound on the optimal solution, and a reduced-space slave NLP that yields an upper bound. The algorithm iterates between these two levels until a termination criterion is satisfied.

Conclusion
The capabilities of our approach were tested in two benchmark problems, in which the performance of our algorithm was compared with that of the commercial global optimization package BARON. The proposed strategy produced near optimal solutions (i.e., within a desired tolerance) in a fraction of the CPU time required by BARON.
An in silico platform for the design of heterologous pathways in nonnative metabolite production
Authors: Chatsurachai Sunisa , Furusawa Chikara , Shimizu Hiroshi 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBackgroundMicroorganisms are used as cell factories to produce valuable compounds in pharmaceuticals, biofuels, and other industrial processes. Incorporating heterologous metabolic pathways into well-characterized hosts is a major strategy for obtaining these target metabolites and improving productivity. However, selecting appropriate heterologous metabolic pathways for a host microorganism remains difficult owing to the complexity of metabolic networks. Hence, metabolic network design could benefit greatly from the availability of anin silicoplatform for heterologous pathway searching.ResultsWe developed an algorithm for finding feasible heterologous pathways by which nonnative target metabolites are produced by host microorganisms, usingEscherichia coli,Corynebacterium glutamicum, andSaccharomyces cerevisiaeas templates. Using this algorithm, we screened heterologous pathways for the production of all possible nonnative target metabolites contained within databases. We then assessed the feasibility of the target productions using flux balance analysis, by which we could identify target metabolites associated with maximum cellular growth rate.ConclusionsThisin silicoplatform, designed for targeted searching of heterologous metabolic reactions, provides essential information for cell factory improvement.
A genome-wide study of recombination rate variation in Bartonella henselae
Authors: Guy Lionel , Nystedt Björn , Sun Yu , Näslund Kristina , Berglund Eva C , Andersson Siv GE 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background
Rates of recombination vary by three orders of magnitude in bacteria but the reasons for this variation is unclear. We performed a genome-wide study of recombination rate variation among genes in the intracellular bacterium Bartonella henselae, which has among the lowest estimated ratio of recombination relative to mutation in prokaryotes.

Results
The 1.9 Mb genomes of B. henselae strains IC11, UGA10 and Houston-1 genomes showed only minor gene content variation. Nucleotide sequence divergence levels were less than 1% and the relative rate of recombination to mutation was estimated to 1.1 for the genome overall. Four to eight segments per genome presented significantly enhanced divergences, the most pronounced of which were the virB and trw gene clusters for type IV secretion systems that play essential roles in the infection process. Consistently, multiple recombination events were identified inside these gene clusters. High recombination frequencies were also observed for a gene putatively involved in iron metabolism. A phylogenetic study of this gene in 80 strains of Bartonella quintana, B. henselae and B. grahamii indicated different population structures for each species and revealed horizontal gene transfers across Bartonella species with different host preferences.

Conclusions
Our analysis has shown little novel gene acquisition in B. henselae, indicative of a closed pan-genome, but higher recombination frequencies within the population than previously estimated. We propose that the dramatically increased fixation rate for recombination events at gene clusters for type IV secretion systems is driven by selection for sequence variability.
On the stability of set-valued functional equations with the fixed point alternative
Authors: Kenary Hassan Azadi , Rezaei Hamid , Gheisari Yousof , Park Choonkil 
Published: May 2012

AbstractUsing the fixed point method, we prove the Hyers-Ulam stability of a Cauchy-Jensen type additive set-valued functional equation, a Jensen type additive-quadratic set-valued functional equation, a generalized quadratic set-valued functional equation and a Jensen type cubic set-valued functional equation.Mathematics Subject Classification 2010:47H10; 54C60; 39B52; 47H04; 91B44.
LTP induction within a narrow critical period of immature stages enhances the survival of newly generated neurons in the adult rat dentate gyrus
Authors: Kitamura Takashi , Saitoh Yoshito , Murayama Akiko , Sugiyama Hiroyuki , Inokuchi Kaoru 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Neurogenesis occurs in the adult hippocampus of various animal species. A substantial fraction of newly generated neurons die before they mature, and the survival rate of new neurons are regulated in an experience-dependent manner. Previous study showed that high-frequency stimulation (HFS) of perforant path fibers to the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) induces the long-term potentiation (LTP) in the DG, and enhances the survival of newly generated neurons in the DG. In this study, we addressed whether a time period exists during which the survival of new neurons is maximally sensitive to the HFS. We found that the enhancement of cell survival by HFS was exclusively restricted to the specific narrow period during immature stages of new neurons (7-10 days after birth). Furthermore, the pharmacological blockade of LTP induction suppressed the enhancement of cell survival by the HFS. These results suggest that the LTP induction within a narrow critical period of immature stages enhances the survival of newly generated neurons in rat DG.
A quantitative proteomic analysis of long-term memory
Authors: Rosenegger David , Wright Cynthia , Lukowiak Ken 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background
Memory is the ability to store, retain, and later retrieve learned information. Long-term memory (LTM) formation requires: DNA transcription, RNA translation, and the trafficking of newly synthesized proteins. Several components of these processes have already been identified. However, due to the complexity of the memory formation process, there likely remain many yet to be identified proteins involved in memory formation and persistence.

Results
Here we use a quantitative proteomic method to identify novel memory-associated proteins in neural tissue taken from animals that were trained in vivo to form a long-term memory. We identified 8 proteins that were significantly up-regulated, and 13 that were significantly down-regulated in the LTM trained animals as compared to two different control groups. In addition we found 19 proteins unique to the trained animals, and 12 unique proteins found only in the control animals.

Conclusions
These results both confirm the involvement of previously identified memory proteins such as: protein kinase C (PKC), adenylate cyclase (AC), and proteins in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. In addition these results provide novel protein candidates (e.g. UHRF1 binding protein) on which to base future studies.
Suppression of lung cancer in murine model: treated by combination of recombinant human endostsatin adenovirus with low-dose cisplatin
Authors: Bai Rui Z , Wu Yang , Liu Quan , Xie Ke , Wei Yu Q , Wang Yong S , Liu Kang , Luo Yan , Su Jing M , Hu Bing , Liu Ji Y , Li Qiu , Niu Ting , Zhao Zhi W , Yang Li 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background
The sustained growth of tumors necessitates neovascularization. As one of the potent endogenous vascular inhibitors, endostatin has been widely used in antiangiogenesis therapy for tumor. Cisplatin is normally administered in chemotherapy for lung cancer but accompanied with serious side effects. In the current study, we investigated a novel chemo-antiangiogenesis therapeutic strategy to both improve toxic effects on lung cancer cells and reduce damages to normal cells in the anti-tumor therapy.

Methods
In vitro, we transduced LLC cells with Ad-hEndo and collected supernatants. Western blotting analysis of the supernatants revealed expression of endostatin. In vivo, to fully investigate the suppression effect on murine lung cancer of the combination therapy, we injected recombinant human endostatin adenovirus intratumorally plus a low dose of cisplatin intraperitoneally routinely. The tumor volume and survival time were observed. Angiogenesis was apparently inhibited within the tumor tissues and on the alginate beads. Assessment of apoptotic cells by the TUNEL assay was conducted in the tumor tissues.

Results
The combination treatment significantly suppressed the tumor growth and prolonged survival time of the murine LLC tumor model. This anti-tumor activity was associated with decreased microvessel density and increased apoptotic index of tumor cells.

Conclusion
According to the results in this study, recombinant human endostatin adenovirus in combination with a low dose of cisplatin demonstrated apparent synergistic anti-tumor activity without marked toxicity. Thus, these observations may provide a rational alternative for lung cancer treatment.
Reduced expression of Toll-like receptor 4 inhibits human breast cancer cells proliferation and inflammatory cytokines secretion
Authors: Yang Huan , Zhou Huiqin , Feng Ping , Zhou Xiaoni , Wen Huiyan , Xie Xiaofang , Shen Haiying , Zhu Xueming 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background
Tumor cell expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) can promote inflammation and cell survival in the tumor microenvironment. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling in tumor cells can mediate tumor cell immune escape and tumor progression, and it is regarded as one of the mechanisms for chronic inflammation in tumorigenesis and progression. The expression of TLR4 in human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 and its biological function in the development and progression of breast cancer have not been investigated. We sought to characterize the expression of TLR1-TLR10 in the established human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231, and to investigate the biological roles of TLR4 in breast cancer cells growth, survival, and its potential as a target for breast cancer therapy.

Methods
TLRs mRNA and protein expressions were detected in human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 by RT-PCR, real-time PCR and flow cytometry (FCM). RNA interference was used to knockdown the expression of TLR4 in MDA-MB-231. MDA-MB-231 transfected with the vector pGenesil-1 and the vector containing a scrambled siRNA were as controls. Recombinant plasmids named TLR4AsiRNA, TLR4BsiRNA and TLR4CsiRNA specific to TLR4 were transfected into human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 with Lipfectamine™2000 reagent. TLR4 mRNA and protein expressions were investigated by RT-PCR, real-time PCR, FCM and immunofluorescence after silence. MTT analysis was performed to detect cell proliferation and FCM was used to detect the secretion of inflammatory cytokines in supernatant of transfected cells.

Results
The human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 was found to express TLR1-TLR10 at both the mRNA and protein levels. TLR4 was found to be the highest expressed TLR in MDA-MB-231. TLR4AsiRNA, TLR4BsiRNA and TLR4CsiRNA were found to significantly inhibit TLR4 expression in MDA-MB-231 at both mRNA and protein levels as compared to vector control(vector transfected cells). TLR4AsiRNA mediated the strongest effect. Knockdown of TLR4 gene in MDA-MB-231 resulted in a dramatic reduction of breast cancer cell viability. The cytokines which were secreted by the TLR4 silenced cells, such as IL-6 and IL-8, also decreased significantly as compared with vector control. No significant difference was observed in siRNA control (Recombinant plasmid named ScrambledsiRNA transfected cells) compared to vector control.

Conclusions
These studies identified the expression levels of multiple TLRs in human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 and demonstrated that knockdown of TLR4 could actively inhibit proliferation and survival of breast cancer cells. Taken together, our results suggest RNAi-directed targeting of TLR4 may be a beneficial strategy for breast cancer therapy.
Lifetime Risk Factors Associated with Level of Housing Among Australian Poor
Authors: Braver Taryn , Jenvey Vickii B. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractWe investigated a group of Australians, who lived in extreme poverty, by identifying early life and contemporary disadvantages associated with marginal housing or homelessness. Forty nine marginally housed and 51 homeless participants, who sought emergency relief from Melbourne charities, completed a 25 item questionnaire and a follow‐up interview about their personal, social and material circumstances. Different combinations of early life and contemporary disadvantages predicted either marginal housing or homelessness. Receipt of disability benefits, vocational qualifications and post secondary education were uniquely and inversely associated with homelessness (positively associated with marginal housing). Being older, single and male were uniquely associated with homelessness. Level of housing insecurity among the poor was characterised by accumulation of early life and contemporary disadvantages, differentially predisposing individuals to marginal housing or homelessness.
Age-specific thyroid hormone and thyrotropin reference intervals for a pediatric and adolescent population
Authors: Chaler Eduardo A. , Fiorenzano Romina , Chilelli Carla , Llinares Vanessa , Areny Giselle , Herzovich Viviana , Maceiras Mercedes , Lazzati Juan M. , Mendioroz Mariano , Rivarola Marco A. , Belgorosky Alicia 
Published: May 2012

AbstractEstablishment of reliable reference intervals remains valuable for confirming validity and advancing standardization across methods and populations. Moreover, knowledge of the measurement uncertainty (U) and of the reference change value (RCV) has important applications in clinical chemistry.Starting from the information available in the laboratory data base (29,901 subjects) an initial selection was carried out by eliminating all subjects with a clinical or laboratory pathological report; data from 7581 0- to 20-year-old subjects (53.87% girls) remained in the study. These subjects, divided into nine age groups, were used to define reference distribution percentiles (2.5th, 50th and 97.5th) of serum thyrotropin (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and free T4 (fT4), as well as U and RCV of these assays.In early infancy, T4 and fT4 values were higher than in the older age groups. Serum T4 95th percentile reference value, useful for the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism, was 142.9 in 20-year-old boys and 230.4 nmol/L in early infants and serum T3 95th percentile was 2.6 and 3.5 nmol/L, respectively, while fT4 2.5th percentile reference value, useful for the diagnosis of hypothyroidism, was 9.6 and 13.0 pmol/L, respectively. Serum TSH 97.5th percentile showed less age variation, 4.38–4.88 mIU/L. Performance of the four assays resulted in approximately 20% Us, reflecting simple and complex imprecision, trueness, analytical and functional sensitivity. RCV of serum TSH (58.6%) was larger than for thyroid hormones (28.3%–34.7%), probably due to the high biological variation of this hormone.We have established reference interval for TSH and thyroid hormones, as well as Us for assessing reliability of measurements, and RCVs to alert users on the presence of clinical significant changes.
Age dependence of within-subject biological variation of nine common clinical chemistry analytes
Authors: Carobene Anna , Graziani Maria Stella , Cascio Claudia Lo , Tretti Livia , Cremonese Eveline , Yabarek Teowoldemedhn , Gambaro Giovanni , Ceriotti Ferruccio 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThe knowledge of biological variation (BV) data is important for clinical decisions and as a basis for defining analytical quality specifications. However, in gene\xadrating reliable data of biological variation there are still some unsolved problems, such as age dependence. The aim of our work is to verify this aspect.Twenty-six subjects divided into three groups by age were studied. Blood samples were collected in lithium heparin tubes for four weeks at one week intervals, on the same day of the week (Tuesday) and at the same time of day (8–9 a.m.) by the same phlebotomist. They were analysed in duplicate for creatinine, urate, calcium, albumin, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, triglycerides and iron. After outlier exclusion by Cochran\u2019s test, components of biological variation were calculated by ANOVA. The significance of the differences between results of the classes was also calculated with the Student\u2019s test (t-test) and the Fisher\u2019s test (F-test).Excluding albumin, the group 3 results (age range from 78 to 98 years) showed significantly lower CV within subjects (CVOur data seem to highlight the relevance of the age when choosing the reference subjects for biological variation studies. The level of within-subject biological variation of the elderly group may have been further reduced by the homogeneity of the group constituted by individuals living together in the same nursing home.
Experimental design and inverse problems in plant biological modeling
Authors: Avery Matt , Banks H. T. , Basu Kanadpriya , Cheng Yansong , Eager Eric , Khasawinah Sarah , Potter Laura , Rehm Keri L. 
Published: May 2012

Abstract.
We develop a mathematical and statistical framework to model the actions of underlying metabolites for carbon dioxide assimilation in photosynthesis. To illustrate ideas, we use use a dynamical system model proposed by Zhu, de Sturler and Long (2007) which describes the Calvin Cycle in spinach plants through changes in the concentrations of 38 metabolites (state variables) using non-linear enzyme kinetic ordinary differential equations and mass-balance laws that contain a total of 165 parameters. We address the research question “Once a subset of parameters is fixed and the times at which data is collected are determined, can we identify which metabolites we should measure in order to optimize the confidence in our parameter estimates?” Here, we propose two methods: the ad hoc Simple Linear Regression (SLR) method, and the Optimal Design Criterion method. Both methods suggest promise in determining appropriate sets of metabolites to observe for successful implementation of inverse problems.
Laser surgical treatment options for diseases of the upper respiratory tract in horses – An overview
Authors: Ohnesorge Bernhard , Rötting Anna 
Published: May 2012

AbstractDiseases of the upper respiratory tract in horses can be life-threatening, or more frequently, limit the ability of the equine athlete to perform. Traditional surgical approaches are often invasive and are limited due to anatomic considerations. This article summarizes minimal invasive surgical techniques and in particular, laser surgical techniques useful for treatment of common diseases of the upper respiratory tract in horses.
Use of the holmium yttrium aluminum garnet laser for percutaneous ablation of thoracolumbar discs in dogs: A historical summary
Authors: Bartels Kenneth E. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractPercutaneous holmium yttrium aluminum garnet (Ho:YAG) laser ablation of the nucleus pulposus of thoracolumbar discs in dogs as a prophylactic procedure for prevention of catastrophic intervertebral disc protrusion/extrusion has been utilized at Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences (CVHS) since 1992. Over 400 animals have been treated using percutaneous laser disc ablation (PLDA) with minimal post-treatment complications and a decreased rate of neurologic recurrence. The purpose of this summary is to provide a brief historical background of this minimally invasive procedure as well as its current status in clinical practice in the USA.