bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the symbol digit modalities test (SDMT) and MS neuropsychological screening questionnaire (MSNQ) in natalizumab-treated MS patients over 48 weeks
Authors: Morrow SA , O'Connor PW , Polman CH , Goodman AD , Kappos L , Lublin FD , Rudick RA , Jurgensen S , Paes D , Forrestal F , Benedict RHB 
Published: August 2010

Background and Objectives: Brief cognitive tests to monitor cognitive impairment in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are needed. Methods: Performance on monthly administrations of the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) and the MS Neuropsychological Questionnaire (MSNQ) was assessed in 660 patients with MS in 21 countries (109 sites) for 48 weeks in an open-label, safety-extension study of natalizumab. Results: At baseline, the cohort’s mean age was 40.1 years, 67.6% were female and the median Expanded Disability Status Scale score was 2.5. Test—retest correlations were high for both SDMT (range 0.89 for weeks 0—4 to 0.96 for weeks 44—48) and MSNQ (0.82 for weeks 0—4 to 0.93 for weeks 44—48). There were no statistically significant effects of geographic region. While SDMT scores improved by 15 points over 48 weeks ( p < 0.0001), incremental monthly changes were small (effect size d < 0.3). Similar results were obtained on the MSNQ except that scores moved downward, suggesting fewer cognitive complaints over 48 weeks ( p < 0.0001), but again the incremental monthly changes were small ( d <-0.2). Conclusions: These results replicate earlier work in a smaller cohort treated with conventional disease-modifying therapy, and support the reliability of the SDMT and MSNQ as potential screening for monitoring tools for cognition over time.
Survivin gene silencing sensitizes prostate cancer cells to selenium growth inhibition
Authors: Liu Xichun , Gao Ruijuan , Dong Yan , Gao Lifang , Zhao Yanying , Zhao Lijuan , Zhao Xuejian , Zhang Haitao 
Published: August 2010

Abstract

Background
Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death in men worldwide. Survivin is a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) protein family that is expressed in the majority of human tumors including prostate cancer, but is barely detectable in terminally differentiated normal cells. Downregulation of survivin could sensitize prostate cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents in vitro and in vivo. Selenium is an essential trace element. Several studies have shown that selenium compounds inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells. The objective of this study is to investigate whether survivin gene silencing in conjunction with selenium treatment could enhance the therapeutic efficacy for prostate cancer and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Methods
Expression of survivin was analyzed in a collection of normal and malignant prostatic tissues by immunohistochemical staining. In vitro studies were conducted in PC-3M, C4-2B, and 22Rv1 prostate cancer cells. The effect of selenium on survivin expression was analyzed by Western blotting and semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Survivin gene knockdown was carried out by transfecting cells with a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) designed against survivin. Cell proliferation was quantitated by the 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)- 2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) assay and apoptosis by propidium iodide staining followed by flow cytometry analysis. Finally, in vivo tumor growth assay was performed by establishing PC-3M xenograft in nude mice and monitoring tumor growth following transfection and treatment.

Results
We found that survivin was undetectable in normal prostatic tissues but was highly expressed in prostate cancers. Survivin knockdown or selenium treatment inhibited the growth of prostate cancer cells, but the selenium effect was modest. In contrast to what have been observed in other cell lines, selenium treatment had little or no effect on survivin expression in several androgen-independent prostate cancer cell lines. Survivin knockdown sensitized these cells to selenium growth inhibition and apoptosis induction. In nude mice bearing PC-3M xenografts, survivin knockdown synergizes with selenium in inhibiting tumor growth.

Conclusions
Selenium could inhibit the growth of hormone-refractory prostate cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo, but the effects were modest. The growth inhibition was not mediated by downregulating survivin expression. Survivin silencing greatly enhanced the growth inhibitory effects of selenium.
Surface EMG pattern recognition for real-time control of a wrist exoskeleton
Authors: Khokhar Zeeshan O , Xiao Zhen G , Menon Carlo 
Published: August 2010

Abstract

Background
Surface electromyography (sEMG) signals have been used in numerous studies for the classification of hand gestures and movements and successfully implemented in the position control of different prosthetic hands for amputees. sEMG could also potentially be used for controlling wearable devices which could assist persons with reduced muscle mass, such as those suffering from sarcopenia. While using sEMG for position control, estimation of the intended torque of the user could also provide sufficient information for an effective force control of the hand prosthesis or assistive device. This paper presents the use of pattern recognition to estimate the torque applied by a human wrist and its real-time implementation to control a novel two degree of freedom wrist exoskeleton prototype (WEP), which was specifically developed for this work.

Methods
Both sEMG data from four muscles of the forearm and wrist torque were collected from eight volunteers by using a custom-made testing rig. The features that were extracted from the sEMG signals included root mean square (rms) EMG amplitude, autoregressive (AR) model coefficients and waveform length. Support Vector Machines (SVM) was employed to extract classes of different force intensity from the sEMG signals. After assessing the off-line performance of the used classification technique, the WEP was used to validate in real-time the proposed classification scheme.

Results
The data gathered from the volunteers were divided into two sets, one with nineteen classes and the second with thirteen classes. Each set of data was further divided into training and testing data. It was observed that the average testing accuracy in the case of nineteen classes was about 88% whereas the average accuracy in the case of thirteen classes reached about 96%. Classification and control algorithm implemented in the WEP was executed in less than 125 ms.

Conclusions
The results of this study showed that classification of EMG signals by separating different levels of torque is possible for wrist motion and the use of only four EMG channels is suitable. The study also showed that SVM classification technique is suitable for real-time classification of sEMG signals and can be effectively implemented for controlling an exoskeleton device for assisting the wrist.
A mixed community of actinomycetes produce multiple antibiotics for the fungus farming ant Acromyrmex octospinosus
Authors: Barke Jörg , Seipke Ryan F , Grüschow Sabine , Heavens Darren , Drou Nizar , Bibb Mervyn J , Goss Rebecca JM , Yu Douglas W , Hutchings Matthew I 
Published: August 2010

Abstract

Background
Attine ants live in an intensely studied tripartite mutualism with the fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus, which provides food to the ants, and with antibiotic-producing actinomycete bacteria. One hypothesis suggests that bacteria from the genus Pseudonocardia are the sole, co-evolved mutualists of attine ants and are transmitted vertically by the queens. A recent study identified a Pseudonocardia-produced antifungal, named dentigerumycin, associated with the lower attine Apterostigma dentigerum consistent with the idea that co-evolved Pseudonocardia make novel antibiotics. An alternative possibility is that attine ants sample actinomycete bacteria from the soil, selecting and maintaining those species that make useful antibiotics. Consistent with this idea, a Streptomyces species associated with the higher attine Acromyrmex octospinosus was recently shown to produce the well-known antifungal candicidin. Candicidin production is widespread in environmental isolates of Streptomyces, so this could either be an environmental contaminant or evidence of recruitment of useful actinomycetes from the environment. It should be noted that the two possibilities for actinomycete acquisition are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

Results
In order to test these possibilities we isolated bacteria from a geographically distinct population of A. octospinosus and identified a candicidin-producing Streptomyces species, which suggests that they are common mutualists of attine ants, most probably recruited from the environment. We also identified a Pseudonocardia species in the same ant colony that produces an unusual polyene antifungal, providing evidence for co-evolution of Pseudonocardia with A. octospinosus.

Conclusions
Our results show that a combination of co-evolution and environmental sampling results in the diversity of actinomycete symbionts and antibiotics associated with attine ants.
Germ cell specification and ovary structure in the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis
Authors: Smith James M , Cridge Andrew G , Dearden Peter K 
Published: August 2010

AbstractBackgroundThe segregation of the germline from somatic tissues is an essential process in the development of all animals. Specification of the primordial germ cells (PGCs) takes place via different strategies across animal phyla; either specified early in embryogenesis by the inheritance of maternal determinants in the cytoplasm of the oocyte ('preformation') or selected later in embryonic development from undifferentiated precursors by a localized inductive signal ('epigenesis'). Here we investigate the specification and development of the germ cells in the rotiferBrachionus plicatilis, a member of the poorly-characterized superphyla Lophotrochozoa, by isolating theBrachionushomologues of the conserved germ cell markersvasaandnanos, and examining their expression usingin situhybridization.ResultsBpvasaandBpnosRNA expression have very similar distributions in theBrachionusovary, showing ubiquitous expression in the vitellarium, with higher levels in the putative germ cell cluster.BpvasRNA expression is present in freshly laid eggs, remaining ubiquitous in embryos until at least the 96 cell stage after which expression narrows to a small cluster of cells at the putative posterior of the embryo, consistent with the developing ovary.BpnosRNA expression is also present in just-laid eggs but expression is much reduced by the four-cell stage and absent by the 16-cell stage. Shortly before hatching of the juvenile rotifer from the egg,BpnosRNA expression is re-activated, located in a subset of posterior cells similar to those expressingBpvasat the same stage.ConclusionsThe observed expression ofvasaandnanosin the developingB. plicatilisembryo implies an epigenetic origin of primordial germ cells in Rotifer.
Targeting β-Cell Function Early in the Course of Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Leahy Jack L. , Hirsch Irl B. , Peterson Kevin A. , Schneider Doron 
Published: August 2010

Objective: This report examines current perspectives regarding likely mechanisms of β-cell failure in type 2 diabetes and their clinical implications for protecting or sparing β-cells early in the disease progression. In addition, it considers translation strategies to incorporate relevant scientific findings into educational initiatives targeting clinical practice behavior.
Participants: On January 10, 2009, a working group of basic researchers, clinical endocrinologists, and primary care physicians met to consider whether current knowledge regarding pancreatic β-cell defects justifies retargeting and retiming treatment for clinical practice. Based on this meeting, a writing group comprised of four meeting participants subsequently prepared this consensus statement. The conference was convened by The Endocrine Society and funded by an unrestricted educational grant from Novo Nordisk.
Evidence: Participants reviewed and discussed published literature, plus their own unpublished data.
Consensus Process: The summary and recommendations were supported unanimously by the writing group as representing the consensus opinions of the working group.
Conclusions: Workshop participants strongly advocated developing new systems to address common barriers to glycemic control and recommended several initial steps toward this goal. These recommendations included further studies to establish the clinical value of pharmacological therapies, continuing basic research to elucidate the nature and mechanisms of β-cell failure in type 2 diabetes mellitus, and exploring new educational approaches to promote pathophysiology-based clinical practices. The Endocrine Society has launched a new website to continue the discussion between endocrinologists and primary care physicians on β-cell pathophysiology in type 2 diabetes and its clinical implications. Join the conversation at http://www.betacellsindiabetes.org
DHT Selectively Reverses Smad3-Mediated/TGF-β-Induced Responses through Transcriptional Down-Regulation of Smad3 in Prostate Epithelial Cells
Authors: Song Kyung , Wang Hui , Krebs Tracy L. , Wang Bingcheng , Kelley Thomas J. , Danielpour David 
Published: August 2010

AbstractAndrogens suppress TGF-β responses in the prostate through mechanisms that are not fully explored. We have recently reported that 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) suppresses the ability of TGF-β to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of prostatic epithelial cells and provided evidence that such suppression was fueled by transcriptional down-regulation of TGF-β receptor II (ΤβRII). We now show that androgen receptor (AR) activated by DHT suppresses the TGF-β-induced phosphorylation of Sma- and Mad-related protein (Smad)3 in LNCaP cells overexpressing TβRII under the control of a cytomegalovirus promoter, which is not regulated by DHT, suggesting that transcriptional repression of TβRII alone does not fully account for the impact of DHT on TGF-β responses. Instead, we demonstrate that such suppression occurs through loss of total Smad3, resulting from transcriptional suppression of Smad3. We provide evidence that DHT down-regulates the promoter activity of Smad3 in various prostate cancer cell lines, including NRP-154+AR, DU145+AR, LNCaP, and VCaP, at least partly through androgen-dependent inactivation of Sp1. Moreover, we show that overexpression of Smad3 reverses the ability of DHT to protect against TGF-β-induced apoptosis in NRP-154+AR, supporting our model that loss of Smad3 by DHT is involved in the protection against TGF-β-induced apoptosis. Together, these findings suggest that deregulated/enhanced expression and activation of AR in prostate carcinomas may intercept the tumor suppressor function of TGF-β through transcriptional suppression of Smad3, thereby providing new mechanistic insight into the development of castration-resistant prostate cancer.
New Briarane-Related Diterpenoids from the Sea Whip Gorgonian Coral Junceella fragilis (Ellisellidae)
Authors: Sung Ping-Jyun , Wang Su-Hui , Chang Yu-Chia , Chen Yung-Husan , Lin Mei-Ru , Huang I-Chu , Chen Jih-Jung , Li Jan-Jung , Kung Ting-Hsuan , Fang Lee-Shing , Wang Wei-Hsien , Weng Ching-Feng 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Two new briarane-type diterpenoids, fragilides H (1) and I (2), along with a known metabolite, (+)-11β,20β-epoxyjunceellolide D (3), were isolated from the sea whip gorgonian coral Junceella fragilis. The structures of briaranes 1–3 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and by comparison with the spectral data from other known metabolites featuring a briarane carbon skeleton.
The complications of high tibial osteotomy
Authors: Song E. K. , Seon J. K. , Park S. J. , Jeong M. S. 
Published: August 2010

We compared the incidence and severity of complications during and after closing- and opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy used for the treatment of varus arthritis of the knee, and identified the risk factors associated with the development of complications. In total, 104 patients underwent laterally based closing-wedge and 90 medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy between January 1993 and December 2006. The characteristics of each group were similar. All the patients were followed up for more than 12 months. We assessed the outcome using the Hospital for Special Surgery knee score, and recorded the complications. Age, gender, obesity (body mass index > 27.5 kg/m2), the type of osteotomy (closing versus opening) and the pre-operative mechanical axis were subjected to risk-factor analysis. The mean Hospital for Special Surgery score in the closing and opening groups improved from 73.4 (54 to 86) to 91.8 (81 to 100) and from 73.8 (56 to 88) to 93 (84 to 100), respectively. The incidence of complications overall and of major complications in both groups was not significantly different (p = 0.20 overall complication, p = 0.29 major complication). Logistic regression analysis adjusting for obesity and the pre-operative mechanical axis showed that obesity remained a significant independent risk factor (odds ratio = 3.23) of a major complication after high tibial osteotomy. Our results suggest that the opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy can be an alternative treatment option for young patients with medial compartment osteoarthritis and varus deformity.
Delamination of a highly cross-linked polyethylene liner associated with titanium deposits on the cobalt-chromium modular femoral head following dislocation
Authors: Patten E. W. , Atwood S. A. , Van Citters D. W. , Jewett B. A. , Pruitt L. A. , Ries M. D. 
Published: August 2010

Retrieval studies of total hip replacements with highly cross-linked ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene liners have shown much less surface damage than with conventional ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene liners. A recent revision hip replacement for recurrent dislocation undertaken after only five months revealed a highly cross-linked polyethylene liner with a large area of visible delamination. In order to determine the cause of this unusual surface damage, we analysed the bearing surfaces of the cobalt-chromium femoral head and the acetabular liner with scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and optical profilometry. We concluded that the cobalt-chromium modular femoral head had scraped against the titanium acetabular shell during the course of the dislocations and had not only roughened the surface of the femoral head but also transferred deposits of titanium onto it. The largest deposits were 1.6 μm to 4.3 μm proud of the surrounding surface and could lead to increased stresses in the acetabular liner and therefore cause accelerated wear and damage. This case illustrates that dislocations can leave titanium deposits on cobalt-chromium femoral heads and that highly cross-linked ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene remains susceptible to surface damage.
Five-year survival of nonagenerian patients undergoing total hip replacement in the United Kingdom
Authors: Gregory J. J. , Starks I. , Aulakh T. , Phillips S. J. 
Published: August 2010

Between January 2000 and December 2007, 31 patients 90 years of age or older underwent total hip replacement at our hospital. Their data were collected prospectively. The rate of major medical complications was 9%. The surgical re-operation rate was 3%. The requirement for blood transfusion was 71% which was much higher than for younger patients. The 30-day, one-year and current mortality figures were 6.4% (2 of 31), 9.6% (3 of 31) and 55% (17 of 31), respectively, with a mean follow-up for the 14 surviving patients of six years. Cox’s regression analysis revealed no significant independent predictors of mortality. Only 52% of patients returned immediately to their normal abode, with 45% requiring a prolonged period of rehabilitation. This is the first series to assess survival five years after total hip replacement for patients in their 90th year and beyond. Hip replacement in the extreme elderly should not be discounted on the grounds of age alone, although the complication rate exceeds that for younger patients. It can be anticipated that almost half of the patients will survive five years after surgery.
Grafting with hydroxyapatite granules for defects of acetabular bone at revision total hip replacement
Authors: Sakai T. , Ohzono K. , Nishii T. , Miki H. , Takao M. , Sugano N. 
Published: August 2010

The long-term results of grafting with hydroxyapatite granules for acetabular deficiency in revision total hip replacement are not well known. We have evaluated the results of revision using a modular cup with hydroxyapatite grafting for Paprosky type 2 and 3 acetabular defects at a minimum of ten years’ follow-up. We retrospectively reviewed 49 acetabular revisions at a mean of 135 months (120 to 178). There was one type 2B, ten 2C, 28 3A and ten 3B hips. With loosening as the endpoint, the survival rate was 74.2% (95% confidence interval 58.3 to 90.1). Radiologically, four of the type 3A hips (14%) and six of the type 3B hips (60%) showed aseptic loosening with collapse of the hydroxyapatite layer, whereas no loosening occurred in type 2 hips. There was consolidation of the hydroxyapatite layer in 33 hips (66%). Loosening was detected in nine of 29 hips (31%) without cement and in one of 20 hips (5%) with cement (p = 0.03, Fisher’s exact probability test). The linear wear and annual wear rate did not correlate with loosening. These results suggest that the long-term results of hydroxyapatite grafting with cement for type 2 and 3A hips are encouraging.
Are patients referred for NHS-funded dental implant treatment being selected in accordance with national guidelines and subsequently funded by their primary care trust?
Authors: Andrews Karen V , Penny Jonathan R , King Paul A 
Published: August 2010

INTRODUCTION The Faculty of Dental Surgery, The Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCSE), published a national guideline document in 1997 detailing specific selection criteria for National Health Service (NHS) funded dental implant treatment. The aim of this audit was to assess whether patients selected for NHS-funded dental implants at Bristol Dental Hospital (BDH) met the RCSE national criteria for treatment and received funding from their primary care trust (PCT). PATIENTS AND METHODS A retrospective audit over a period of 2 years was undertaken using medical records and an existing Microsoft Excel database. All patients who had an application submitted to their local PCT for NHS-funded dental implants by BDH were included in this audit. RESULTS A total of 82 applications for dental implant funding were made by BDH and 100% met the RCSE criteria. Fifty-one patients (62.2%) in total had their application for funding approved. Thirty-one patients (37.8%) that met the RCSE guidelines for NHS-funded dental implant treatment had their applications refused. Twenty-five (49%) out of 51 cases in the partially dentate category and six (27.3%) cases in the edentulous group were unsuccessful in their application for NHS-funded dental implants. However, all applications for patients with acquired maxillofacial defects were successful. CONCLUSIONS Patient selection by the BDH for NHS-funded implants complied with the RCSE guidelines. However, there was significant variation in funding between PCTs for those patients who apparently fulfilled the RCSE guidelines. NHS resources are not being allocated equitably for dental implant ‘high-priority’ patients and it would appear that a so-called ‘postcode lottery’ exists between PCTs.