bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Symbolic Dimension of Mobility: Architecture and Social Status in Ecuadorian Informal Settlements
Authors: KLAUFUS CHRISTIEN 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThis article explores how the urban poor use global flows of people, goods and ideas as resources to counter the stigma of poverty, focusing on home improvement activities in Ecuadorian informal settlements. Whereas urban poverty is usually associated with deficient housing and slums, the article describes how residents of informal settlements use imported architectural designs and cosmopolitan facilities to improve their homes. It is argued that the mobility of cultural products offers the urban poor potential resources to achieve higher levels of social prestige and wellbeing, thereby analytically connecting the notion of symbolic mobility to current poverty debates.RésuméAfin d'examiner comment les habitants pauvres des villes exploitent les flux mondiaux de populations, de biens et d'idées pour échapper à la marque de la pauvreté, cet article s'intéresse aux améliorations réalisées dans les habitats informels en Équateur. On associe souvent la pauvreté urbaine à des taudis ou logements insalubres, mais les occupants des habitats informels utilisent des concepts architecturaux importés et des installations cosmopolites pour améliorer leur maison. L'analyse montre que la mobilité des produits culturels procure à la population urbaine pauvre des ressources qui lui permettent d'élever ses niveaux de prestige social et de bien‐être, établissant ainsi un lien entre la notion de mobilité symbolique et les débats actuels sur la pauvreté.
Jarisch‐Herxheimer reaction among syphilis patients in China
Authors: Li J. , Wang L.‐N. , Zheng H.‐Y. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBackground/aim  The Jarisch‐Herxheimer reaction (JHR) is an acute systemic event that can occur during the treatment of spirochetal infections, especially Treponema pallidum in patients with syphilis. JHR has clinical characteristics of an inflammatory reaction to antibiotic treatment and can occur with many medications as long as the antitreponemal concentrations are sufficiently high.Methods  The incidence of and risk factors for JHR were investigated retrospectively among 1125 patients with syphilis. A total of 357 patients (32%) had secondary syphilis, 129 (12%) primary, 178 (16%) early latent, 174 (15%) late latent and 285 (25%) latent unknown duration; two patients had tertiary syphilis.Results  Sixteen patients (1.4%) developed JHR. All JHRs occurred in patients with secondary and latent syphilis treated with penicillin.Conclusions  JHR occurred much less frequently than in previously reported studies. It is important that dermatologists recognize the clinical characteristics of JHR so that it is not misinterpreted as an allergic reaction to treatment.
A Unified Framework for Haplotype Inference in Nuclear Families
Authors: Iliadis Alexandros , Anastassiou Dimitris , Wang Xiaodong 
Published: May 2012

SummaryMany large genome‐wide association studies include nuclear families with more than one child (trio families), allowing for analysis of differences between siblings (sib pair analysis). Statistical power can be increased when haplotypes are used instead of genotypes. Currently, haplotype inference in families with more than one child can be performed either using the familial information or statistical information derived from the population samples but not both. Building on our recently proposed tree‐based deterministic framework (TDS) for trio families, we augment its applicability to general nuclear families. We impose a minimum recombinant approach locally and independently on each multiple children family, while resorting to the population‐derived information to solve the remaining ambiguities. Thus our framework incorporates all available information (familial and population) in a given study. We demonstrate that using all the constraints in our approach we can have gains in the accuracy as opposed to breaking the multiple children families to separate trios and resorting to a trio inference algorithm or phasing each family in isolation. We believe that our proposed framework could be the method of choice for haplotype inference in studies that include nuclear families with multiple children. Our software (tds2.0) is downloadable from www.ee.columbia.edu/∼anastas/tds.
Molecular and Population Analysis of Natural Selection on the Human Haptoglobin Duplication
Authors: Rodriguez Santiago , Williams Dylan M. , Guthrie Philip A.I. , McArdle Wendy L. , Smith George Davey , Evans David M. , Gaunt Tom R. , Day Ian N.M 
Published: May 2012

SUMMARYHaptoglobin binds free haemoglobin that prevents oxidative damage produced by haemolysis. There is a copy number variant (CNV) in the haptoglobin gene (HP) consisting of two alleles, Hp1 (no duplication), and Hp2 (1.7kb duplication involving two exons). The spread of the Hp2 allele is believed to have taken place under selective pressures conferred by malaria resistance. However, molecular evidence is lacking and Hp did not emerge in genomewide SNPs surveys for evidence of selection. In Europe, there is geographical constancy of Hp2 frequency, indicative of absence of clinal pressures and that modern day European alleles represent a “snapshot” of their out‐of‐Africa migrations. In this work we test for signatures of natural selection acting on the Hp CNV in a sample from the UK population (Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, ALSPAC). We present here heterozygosity decay, pairwise FST values observed between ALSPAC and 301 populations from all five populated continents, extended haplotype homozygosity analyses involving the CNV and 80 SNPs surrounding the CNV ∼500kb in each direction, and linkage disequilibrium and pairwise haplotypic analyses involving 160 SNPs on chromosome 16q22.1. Taken together, our results represent the first molecular analysis of natural selection in the Hp CNV genetic region.
Whole‐bone scaling of the avian pelvic limb
Authors: Doube Michael , Yen Stephanie C. W. , Kłosowski Michał M. , Farke Andrew A. , Hutchinson John R. , Shefelbine Sandra J. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBirds form the largest extant group of bipedal animals and occupy a broad range of body masses, from grams to hundreds of kilograms. Additionally, birds occupy distinct niches of locomotor behaviour, from totally flightless strong runners such as the ratites (moa, kiwi, ostrich) to birds that may walk, dabble on water or fly. We apply a whole‐bone approach to investigate allometric scaling trends in the pelvic limb bones (femur, tibiotarsus, tarsometatarsus) from extant and recently extinct birds of greatly different size, and compare scaling between birds in four locomotor groups; flightless, burst‐flying, dabbling and flying. We also compare scaling of birds’ femoral cross‐sectional properties to data previously collected from cats. Scaling exponents were not significantly different between the different locomotor style groups, but elevations of the scaling relationships revealed that dabblers (ducks, geese, swans) have particularly short and slender femora compared with other birds of similar body mass. In common with cats, but less pronounced in birds, the proximal and distal extrema of the bones scaled more strongly than the diaphysis, and in larger birds the diaphysis occupied a smaller proportion of bone length than in smaller birds. Cats and birds have similar femoral cross‐sectional area (CSA) for the same body mass, yet birds’ bone material is located further from the bone’s long axis, leading to higher second and polar moments of area and a greater inferred resistance to bending and twisting. The discrepancy in the relationship between outer diameter to CSA may underlie birds’ reputation for having ‘light’ bones.
Evidence for a systemic regulation of neurotrophin synthesis in response to peripheral nerve injury
Authors: Shakhbazau Antos , Martinez Jose A. , Xu Qing‐Gui , Kawasoe Jean , van Minnen Jan , Midha Rajiv 
Published: May 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 122, 501–511.AbstractUp‐regulation of neurotrophin synthesis is an important mechanism of peripheral nerve regeneration after injury. Neurotrophin expression is regulated by a complex series of events including cell interactions and multiple molecular stimuli. We have studied neurotrophin synthesis at 2 weeks time‐point in a transvertebral model of unilateral or bilateral transection of sciatic nerve in rats. We have found that unilateral sciatic nerve transection results in the elevation of nerve growth factor (NGF) and NT‐3, but not glial cell‐line derived neurotrophic factor or brain‐derived neural factor, in the uninjured nerve on the contralateral side, commonly considered as a control. Bilateral transection further increased NGF but not other neurotrophins in the nerve segment distal to the transection site, as compared to the unilateral injury. To further investigate the distinct role of NGF in regeneration and its potential for peripheral nerve repair, we transduced isogeneic Schwann cells with NGF‐encoding lentivirus and transplanted the over‐expressing cells into the distal segment of a transected nerve. Axonal regeneration was studied at 2 weeks time‐point using pan‐neuronal marker NF‐200 and found to directly correlate with NGF levels in the regenerating nerve.
Bone morphogenetic protein 2 inhibits neurite outgrowth of motor neuron‐like NSC‐34 cells and up‐regulates its type II receptor
Authors: Benavente Francisca , Pinto Cristina , Parada Margarita , Henríquez Juan Pablo , Osses Nelson 
Published: May 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 122, 594–604.AbstractBone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) regulate several aspects of neuronal behavior. For instance, BMP‐2 has the ability to modulate, either positively or negatively, the outgrowth of neuronal processes in diverse cell types. In Drosophila motor neurons, the BMP type II receptor (BMPRII) homolog wishful thinking plays crucial roles on neuromuscular synaptogenesis signaling through Smad‐dependent and Smad‐independent pathways. However, a role for BMP signaling at the vertebrate neuromuscular junction has not been addressed. Herein, we have analyzed the expression of BMPRII and the effect of BMP‐2 during the morphological differentiation of motor neuron‐like NSC‐34 cells. Our data indicate that BMPRII is up‐regulated and becomes accumulated in somas and growth cones upon motor neuronal differentiation. BMP‐2 inhibits the differentiation of NSC‐34 cells, an effect that correlates with activation of a Smad‐dependent pathway, induction of the inhibitory Id1 transcription factor, and down‐regulation of the neurogenic factor Mash1. BMP‐2 also activates effectors of Smad‐independent pathways. Remarkably, BMP‐2 treatment significantly increases the expression of BMPRII. Our findings provide the first evidence to suggest a role for BMP pathways on the differentiation of motor neurons leading to successful assembly and/or regeneration of the vertebrate neuromuscular synapse.
Subcellular localization and transcription regulatory potency of KCNIP/Calsenilin/DREAM/KChIP proteins in cultured primary cortical neurons do not provide support for their role in CRE‐dependent gene expression
Authors: Pruunsild Priit , Timmusk Tõnis 
Published: May 2012

AbstractKCNIP3/KChIP3 (voltage‐dependent K+ channel interacting protein 3), alias Calsenilin and downstream regulatory element antagonist modulator (DREAM), is a multifunctional protein that modulates A‐type potassium channels, affects processing of amyloid precursor protein and regulates transcription. KCNIP3 has been described to negatively influence the activity of CREB (cAMP/Ca2+‐response element binding protein), an essential factor in neuronal activity‐dependent gene expression regulation. However, reports on intracellular localization of KCNIP3 in neurons are diverse and necessitate additional analyses of distribution of KCNIPs in cells to clarify the potential of KCNIP3 to fulfill its functions in different cell compartments. Here, we examined localization of the entire family of highly similar KCNIP proteins in neuronal cells and show that over‐expressed isoforms of KCNIP1/KChIP1, KCNIP2/KChIP2, KCNIP3/KChIP3, and KCNIP4/KChIP4 had varied, yet partially overlapping subcellular localization. In addition, although some of the over‐expressed KCNIP isoforms localized to the nucleus, endogenous KCNIPs were not detected in nuclei of rat primary cortical neurons. Moreover, we analyzed the role of KCNIP proteins in cAMP/Ca2+‐response element (CRE)‐dependent transcription by luciferase reporter assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay and report that our results do not support the role for KCNIPs, including DREAM/Calsenilin/KChIP3, in modulation of CREB‐mediated transcription in neurons.
Retrospective evaluation of the effectiveness of epsilon aminocaproic acid for the prevention of postamputation bleeding in retired racingGreyhounds with appendicular bone tumors: 46 cases (2003–2008)
Authors: Marín Liliana M. , Iazbik M. Cristina , Zaldivar‐Lopez Sara , Lord Linda K. , Stingle Nicole , Vilar Paulo , Lara‐Garcia Ana , Alvarez Francisco , Hosoya Kenji , Nelson Laura , Pozzi Antonio , Cooper Edward , McLoughlin Mary A. , Ball Rebecca , Kisseberth William C. , London Cheryl A. , Dudley Robert , Dyce Jonathan , McMahon Melanie , Lerche Phillip , Bednarski Richard , Couto C. Guillermo 
Published: May 2012

AbstractObjectivesTo determine the frequency of delayed postoperative bleeding in retired racingGreyhounds with appendicular bone tumors undergoing limb amputations. To identify if administration of epsilon‐aminocaproic acid (EACA) was effective on the prevention of postoperative bleeding.DesignRetrospective study fromDecember 2003 toDecember 2008.SettingVeterinary university teaching hospital.AnimalsForty‐six retired racingGreyhounds (RRGs) diagnosed with primary appendicular bone tumors that underwent limb amputation were included in the study.InterventionsNone.Measurements and Main ResultsThirteen of 46RRGs (28%) included in the study had delayed postoperative bleeding starting 48–72 h after surgery. Bleeding episodes included cutaneous, subcutaneous, and external bleeding that extended from the area of the surgical site that became widespread within hours, and that required administration of blood components. A pairedt‐test suggests that there was a significant decrease inPCVpostoperatively for both dogs that bled and dogs that did not bleed (P< 0.0001). Forty of 46RRGs (86%) received either fresh frozen plasma (FFP) orEACAor both, for the prevention of postoperative bleeding. A logistic regression model determined that dogs that did not receiveEACAwere 5.7 times more likely to bleed than dogs that did receiveEACA, when controlling for whether or not they receivedFFP(95%CI: 1.02–32.15,P= 0.047).ConclusionThis retrospective study suggests that preemptive postoperative administration ofEACAappears to be efficacious in decreasing the frequency of bleeding inRRGs undergoing limb amputation; however, a prospective study is warranted to corroborate its effectiveness.
The association of physical examination abnormalities and carboxyhemoglobin concentrations in 21 dogs trapped in a kennel fire
Authors: Ashbaugh Elizabeth A. , Mazzaferro Elisa M. , McKiernan Brendan C. , Drobatz Kenneth J. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate physical examination findings and their association with carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) concentrations in 21 dogs that were exposed to smoke during a kennel fire.Series SummaryTwenty‐one dogs were exposed to a kennel fire. Physical exam findings, presenting, and posttherapyCOHb concentrations as well as therapeutic interventions were evaluated.COHb concentrations upon presentation were increased in all smoke inhalation exposed dogs. These dogs were compared to a small set of clinically normal staff‐owned dogs who were not exposed to fire. Physical parameters significantly associated with higherCOHb concentrations included lower body temperature, increased respiratory effort, abnormal respiratory auscultation, altered neurologic status, and length of hospital stay. Oxygen therapy resulted in a more rapid decline inCOHb concentrations although 5 dogs still had mildly increasedCOHb concentrations 24‐hour postadmission.Unique Information ProvidedThis study describes the relationship of admitting clinical findings of dogs exposed to a kennel fire with their initial bloodCOHb concentrations. It also describes the resolution of increasedCOHb concentrations with use of oxygen therapy and hospitalization. Additionally,COHb concentrations for a control group of dogs was evaluated and compared to the dogs exposed to smoke inhalation.
Expression of Concern: Toll‐like receptor 4 knockout protects against anthrax lethal toxin‐induced cardiac contractile dysfunction: role of autophagy
Authors: Kandadi Machender R , Frankel Arthur E , Ren Jun 
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Anthrax lethal toxin (LeTx) is known to induce circulatory shock and death, although the underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated. This study was designed to evaluate the role of toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) in anthrax lethal toxin‐induced cardiac contractile dysfunction.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Wild‐type (WT) and TLR4 knockout (TLR−/−) mice were challenged with lethal toxin (2 µg·g−1, i.p.), and cardiac function was assessed 18 h later using echocardiography and edge detection. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was employed to knockdown TLR4 receptor or class III PI3K in H9C2 myoblasts. GFP–LC3 puncta was used to assess autophagosome formation. Western blot analysis was performed to evaluate autophagy (LC3, Becline‐1, Agt5 and Agt7) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress (BiP, eIF2α and calreticulin).KEY RESULTS In WT mice, lethal toxin exposure induced cardiac contractile dysfunction, as evidenced by reduced fractional shortening, peak shortening, maximal velocity of shortening/re‐lengthening, prolonged re‐lengthening duration and intracellular Ca2+ derangement. These effects were significantly attenuated or absent in the TLR4 knockout mice. In addition, lethal toxin elicited autophagy in the absence of change in ER stress. Knockdown of TLR4 or class III PI3 kinase using siRNA but not the autophagy inhibitor 3‐methyladenine significantly attenuated or inhibited lethal toxin‐induced autophagy in H9C2 cells.CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Our results suggest that TLR4 may be pivotal in mediating the lethal cardiac toxicity induced by anthrax possibly through induction of autophagy. These findings suggest that compounds that negatively modulate TLR4 signalling and autophagy could be used to treat anthrax infection‐induced cardiovascular complications.
Clinical Utility of Natriuretic Peptides in Dialysis Patients
Authors: Wang Angela Yee‐Moon 
Published: May 2012

AbstractDialysis patients suffer a greatly heightened risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. These patients also experience an extremely high prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy, heart failure, and coronary artery disease. Thus, there is a clinical need to identify circulating biomarkers that have diagnostic value for cardiovascular disease and have prognostic importance so to facilitate earlier and more aggressive intervention. The natriuretic peptides, namely brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐pro‐BNP), belong to a family of vasopeptide hormones that are released from the heart and play a major role in blood pressure regulation and volume homeostasis through their direct effects on the kidney and systemic vasculature and represent a favorable aspect of neurohumoral activation. Testing for BNP or NT‐pro‐BNP has recently emerged as important diagnostic tool for heart failure and a useful biomarker for risk stratification in the general population. In dialysis patients, there has been interest in evaluating the potential of BNP and NT‐pro‐BNP as markers of volume status as they are frequently elevated in dialysis patients. However, the interpretation of their levels is confounded by impaired renal clearance and preexisting LV abnormalities which have limited their applicability as a surrogate marker of volume status. In this article, we discuss the pathophysiology accounting for the elevation of natriuretic peptides in dialysis patients and review current evidence that supports their clinical utility as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in this population.
Construction of Bilayered Tissue‐Engineered Skin With Human Amniotic Mesenchymal Cells and Human Amniotic Epithelial Cells
Authors: Li Haijian , Chu Yan , Zhang Zheng , Zhang Guangjing , Jiang Lan , Wu Huanjie , Liu Shiyu , Yu Chunyan , Jin Yan 
Published: May 2012

AbstractHuman amniotic mesenchymal cells (hAMCs) and human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) have attracted increasing attention in recent years as a possible reserve of stem cells that may be useful for clinical application in regenerative medicine. The object of this study was to establish a new model for reconstruction of bilayered tissue‐engineered (TE) skin with hAMCs and hAECs (amniotic cells TE skin, AC‐TE skin). We studied these two types of cells and confirmed that they possessed the properties of stem cells. Mesenchymal–epidermal interactions are responsible for organogenesis. On the basis of this mechanism, we modified the constructing methods of traditional TE skin (TE skin with human fibroblasts and keratinocytes) and then established a new bilayered TE skin—AC‐TE skin. Histological and immunochemical methods were carried out to assess AC‐TE skin. The results showed that AC‐TE skin was similar in morphology to human skin which had stratified epidermis and underlying dermis. AC‐TE skin expressed proliferative cells marker Ki67 and epithelial stem cells marker K19; moreover, the constructed AC‐TE skin could successfully repair full thickness skin defects on athymic mice. Our findings suggest that AC‐TE skin is a useful skin equivalent which has good application prospects in regenerative medicine.
Low Incidence of Bleeding‐Related Morbidity With Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation in the Current Era
Authors: Krishan Kewal , Nair Ajith , Pinney Sean , Adams David , Anyanwu Anelechi C. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractLeft ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is historically associated with high incidence of bleeding‐related complications, very high reexploration rates, and frequently massive blood transfusion. Bleeding predisposes to mortality, sepsis, allosensitization, and right ventricular failure. We present results of an integrated approach to reduce bleeding complications. Analysis of 51 implantable LVADs implanted in 50 patients (mean age 52 years; male, 45; Intragency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support [INTERMACS] 1 or 2, 25) in our center in 2008 and 2009, including 15 reoperations. Preoperative coagulopathy was evident in 10 patients. Our strategy included: early LVAD implantation, preoperative nutritional support and hemodynamic optimization, preferential use of continuous flow LVADs, meticulous surgical hemostasis, liberal application of tricuspid annuloplasty, and blood product utilization based on point‐of‐care testing. Two patients (4%) were reexplored for bleeding. Median transfusion rates intraoperatively were: blood: 2 units (interquartile range [IQR] 0–4); plasma: 0 units (0–2.75); platelets: 0 pools (0–1.75), while postoperative transfusion rates for first 48 h were blood: 1 unit (0–2); plasma: 0 units (0–0.75); and platelets: 0 pools (0,1). Right ventricular assist device was utilized in six patients (11%). Median chest tube drainage in first 24 h was 1230 mL (IQR 862–1687). Median time on ventilator was 2 days, intensive care unit was 6 days, and hospitalization was 18 days. Hospital mortality was 20%. Using an integrated approach, we have experienced bleeding and transfusion rates similar to that seen in non‐LVAD complex cardiac operations. The potential to reduce bleeding reduces invasiveness of LVAD surgery, reduces allosensitization, may improve outcomes, and may increase mainstream acceptability of LVADs as definitive therapy for heart failure.