bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Proliferation signal inhibitors in the treatment of lupus nephritis: Preliminary experience
Authors: YAP DESMOND YH , MA MAGGIE KM , TANG COLIN SO , CHAN TAK MAO 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACT:Aim:  Proliferation signal inhibitors (PSI) have demonstrated efficacy in prevention and treatment in an animal model of lupus nephritis (LN) but there are no data regarding the use of PSI in human LN. We report here our experience of using PSI treatment in seven patients with severe proliferative lupus nephritis.Methods:  This is a retrospective study on patients with proliferative lupus nephritis who had received PSI treatment.Results:  Seven patients were included. Two patients had concomitant membranous lupus nephropathy. The indications for PSI included mycophenolate mofetil intolerance (n = 4), history of malignancy (n = 2) and leucopoenia (n = 1). Five patients were given PSI when disease was active. Two had treatment discontinued because of acute cholecystitis and leucopoenia, respectively. In the other three patients combined steroid and PSI treatment as induction therapy led to improvements in serology, renal function and proteinuria. In two patients treated with PSI and low‐dose steroid as maintenance immunosuppression, both maintained stable lupus serology, renal function and proteinuria over 18 months. Side‐effects included dyslipidemia and oral ulcers.Conclusion:  Proliferation signal inhibitors warrants further investigation as an alternative immunosuppressive treatment in lupus nephritis.
Genomic determinants of sporulation in Bacilli and Clostridia: towards the minimal set of sporulation‐specific genes
Authors: Galperin Michael Y. , Mekhedov Sergei L. , Puigbo Pere , Smirnov Sergey , Wolf Yuri I. , Rigden Daniel J. 
Published: July 2012

SummaryThree classes of low‐G+C Gram‐positive bacteria (Firmicutes), Bacilli, Clostridia and Negativicutes, include numerous members that are capable of producing heat‐resistant endospores. Spore‐forming firmicutes include many environmentally important organisms, such as insect pathogens and cellulose‐degrading industrial strains, as well as human pathogens responsible for such diseases as anthrax, botulism, gas gangrene and tetanus. In the best‐studied model organism Bacillus subtilis, sporulation involves over 500 genes, many of which are conserved among other bacilli and clostridia. This work aimed to define the genomic requirements for sporulation through an analysis of the presence of sporulation genes in various firmicutes, including those with smaller genomes than B. subtilis. Cultivable spore‐formers were found to have genomes larger than 2300 kb and encompass over 2150 protein‐coding genes of which 60 are orthologues of genes that are apparently essential for sporulation in B. subtilis. Clostridial spore‐formers lack, among others, spoIIB, sda, spoVID and safA genes and have non‐orthologous displacements of spoIIQ and spoIVFA, suggesting substantial differences between bacilli and clostridia in the engulfment and spore coat formation steps. Many B. subtilis sporulation genes, particularly those encoding small acid‐soluble spore proteins and spore coat proteins, were found only in the family Bacillaceae, or even in a subset of Bacillus spp. Phylogenetic profiles of sporulation genes, compiled in this work, confirm the presence of a common sporulation gene core, but also illuminate the diversity of the sporulation processes within various lineages. These profiles should help further experimental studies of uncharacterized widespread sporulation genes, which would ultimately allow delineation of the minimal set(s) of sporulation‐specific genes in Bacilli and Clostridia.
Epidemiology of diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy in Africa: a systematic review
Authors: Burgess P. I. , MacCormick I. J. C. , Harding S. P. , Bastawrous A. , Beare N. A. V. , Garner P. 
Published: July 2012

Diabet. Med. 30, 399–412 (2013)AbstractAim  To summarize findings from studies reporting the prevalence and incidence of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic maculopathy in African countries in light of the rising prevalence of diabetes mellitus.Methods  Using a predefined search strategy, we systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation index and Conference Proceedings Citation index, African Index Medicus and the grey literature database ‘OpenSIGLE’ for studies published between January 1990 and February 2011. Included studies reported prevalence or incidence of diabetic retinopathy or diabetic maculopathy of subjects with diabetes resident in African countries.Results  Sixty‐two studies from 21 countries were included: three population‐based surveys; two cohort studies; five case–control studies; 32 diabetes clinic‐based, nine eye clinic‐based and 11 other hospital‐based surveys. Included studies varied considerably in terms of patient selection, method of assessing the eye and retinopathy classification. In population‐based studies, the reported prevalence range in patients with diabetes for diabetic retinopathy was 30.2 to 31.6%, proliferative diabetic retinopathy 0.9 to 1.3%, and any maculopathy 1.2 to 4.5%. In diabetes clinic‐based surveys, the reported prevalence range for diabetic retinopathy was 7.0 to 62.4%, proliferative diabetic retinopathy 0 to 6.9%, and any maculopathy 1.2 to 31.1%. No obvious association between prevalence and income level of the country was detected.Conclusions  Large, community‐based cross‐sectional and cohort studies are needed to investigate rates and determinants of prevalence of diabetic retinopathy, incidence and progression in Africa. Consensus is needed on the most appropriate methods of identification and classification of retinopathy for research and clinical practice. Estimates of prevalence of diabetic retinopathy, proliferative diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy are comparable with recent European and American studies.
Physical activity level and body composition among adults with Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Brazeau A. S. , Leroux C. , Mircescu H. , Rabasa‐Lhoret R. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAims  Physical activity is part of a healthy lifestyle and contributes to prevent weight gain and cardiometabolic disorders. Adults with Type 1 diabetes are at risk of weight gain attributable to various factors, including a high prevalence of sedentary lifestyle related to fear of exercise‐induced hypoglycaemia. This project aims to observe the association between physical activity level and body composition in adults with Type 1 diabetes.Methods  Cross‐sectional study; 75 adults with and 75 adults without diabetes (52% men; 41.8 ± 11.8 years old) wore a motion sensor for 1 week and performed a cardiorespiratory fitness test on an ergocycle (VO2 peak). Body composition was assessed by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry and circumferences measures.Results  Mean body composition was not different between the two groups. VO2 peak was lower among the group with diabetes than the control subjects (29.3 ± 9.2 vs. 33.5 ± 9.0 ml kg−1 min−1; P = 0.005), but their physical activity level (ratio total/resting energy expenditure) was similar (1.68 ± 0.37 vs. 1.65 ± 0.26; P = 0.572). In both groups, having an active lifestyle (physical activity level ≥ 1.7) compared with a more sedentary lifestyle (physical activity level < 1.7) was associated with lower BMI and percentage of total and truncal fat mass (P ≤ 0.030 to P ≤ 0.001). Among adults with diabetes, physical activity level was not associated with diabetes treatment (insulin doses) and control (HbA1c and hypoglycaemia) or cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure and lipid profile).Conclusion  As in the population without diabetes, an active lifestyle is associated with a better body composition profile in adults with Type 1 diabetes.
What controls tropical forest architecture? Testing environmental, structural and floristic drivers
Authors: Banin L. , Feldpausch T. R. , Phillips O. L. , Baker T. R. , Lloyd J. , Affum‐Baffoe K. , Arets E. J. M. M. , Berry N. J. , Bradford M. , Brienen R. J. W. , Davies S. , Drescher M. , Higuchi N. , Hilbert D. W. , Hladik A. , Iida Y. , Salim K. Abu , Kassim A. R. , King D. A. , Lopez‐Gonzalez G. , Metcalfe D. , Nilus R. , Peh K. S.‐H. , Reitsma J. M. , Sonké B. , Taedoumg H. , Tan S. , White L. , Wöll H. , Lewis S. L. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAimTo test the extent to which the vertical structure of tropical forests is determined by environment, forest structure or biogeographical history.LocationPan‐tropical.MethodsUsing height and diameter data from 20,497 trees in 112 non‐contiguous plots, asymptotic maximum height (H
AM) and height–diameter relationships were computed with nonlinear mixed effects (NLME) models to: (1) test for environmental and structural causes of differences among plots, and (2) test if there were continental differences once environment and structure were accounted for; persistence of differences may imply the importance of biogeography for vertical forest structure. NLME analyses for floristic subsets of data (only/excluding Fabaceae and only/excluding Dipterocarpaceae individuals) were used to examine whether family‐level patterns revealed biogeographical explanations of cross‐continental differences.ResultsH
AM and allometry were significantly different amongst continents. H
AM was greatest in Asian forests (58.3 ± 7.5 m, 95% CI), followed by forests in Africa (45.1 ± 2.6 m), America (35.8 ± 6.0 m) and Australia (35.0 ± 7.4 m), and height–diameter relationships varied similarly; for a given diameter, stems were tallest in Asia, followed by Africa, America and Australia. Precipitation seasonality, basal area, stem density, solar radiation and wood density each explained some variation in allometry and H
AM yet continental differences persisted even after these were accounted for. Analyses using floristic subsets showed that significant continental differences in H
AM and allometry persisted in all cases.Main conclusionsTree allometry and maximum height are altered by environmental conditions, forest structure and wood density. Yet, even after accounting for these, tropical forest architecture varies significantly from continent to continent. The greater stature of tropical forests in Asia is not directly determined by the dominance of the family Dipterocarpaceae, as on average non‐dipterocarps are equally tall. We hypothesise that dominant large‐statured families create conditions in which only tall species can compete, thus perpetuating a forest dominated by tall individuals from diverse families.
Parent‐child relationships of boys in different offending trajectories: a developmental perspective
Authors: Keijsers Loes , Loeber Rolf , Branje Susan , Meeus Wim 
Published: July 2012

Background:  This study tested the theoretical assumption that transformations of parent‐child relationships in late childhood and adolescence would differ for boys following different offending trajectories.Methods:  Using longitudinal multiinformant data of 503 boys (ages 7–19), we conducted Growth Mixture Modeling to extract offending trajectories. Developmental changes in child reports of parent‐child joint activities and relationship quality were examined using Latent Growth Curves.Results:  Five offending trajectories were found: non‐offenders, moderate childhood offenders, adolescent‐limited offenders, serious childhood offenders, and serious persistent offenders. Non‐offenders reported high and stable levels of relationship quality between age 10 and 16. Adolescent‐limited offenders reported a similarly high relationship quality as non‐offenders at ages 7 and 10, but a lower and decreasing relationship quality in adolescence. Compared with non‐offenders, serious persistent offenders reported poorer parent‐child relationship quality at all ages, and a decreasing relationship quality in adolescence. Serious persistent offenders and adolescent‐limited offenders reported similar levels and changes in parent‐child relationship quality in adolescence. Although serious persistent offenders reported fewer joint activities at age 10 and 13 than non‐offenders, a similar linear decrease in joint activities in early to middle adolescence was found for boys in each trajectory.Conclusion:  Developmental changes in parent‐child relationship quality differ for different types of offenders. This finding has scientific and practical implications.
Comparative protein interactomics of neuroglobin and myoglobin
Authors: Haines Bryan A. , Davis Darcy A. , Zykovich Artem , Peng Botao , Rao Rammohan , Mooney Sean D. , Jin Kunlin , Greenberg David A. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractNeuroglobin is a hypoxia‐inducible O2‐binding protein with neuroprotective effects in cell and animal models of stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. The mechanism underlying neuroglobin’s cytoprotective action is unknown, although several possibilities have been proposed, including anti‐oxidative and anti‐apoptotic effects. We used affinity purification–mass spectrometry methods to identify neuroglobin‐interacting proteins in normoxic and hypoxic murine neuronal (HN33) cell lysates, and to compare these interactions with those of a structurally and functionally related protein, myoglobin. We report that the protein interactomes of neuroglobin and myoglobin overlap substantially and are modified by hypoxia. In addition, neuroglobin‐interacting proteins include partners consistent with both anti‐oxidative and anti‐apoptotic functions, as well as with a relationship to several neurodegenerative diseases.
Quetiapine prevents oligodendrocyte and myelin loss and promotes maturation of oligodendrocyte progenitors in the hippocampus of global cerebral ischemia mice
Authors: Bi Xiaoying , Zhang Yanbo , Yan Bin , Fang Shaokuan , He Jue , Zhang Dai , Zhang Zhijun , Kong Jiming , Tan Qingrong , Li Xin‐Min 
Published: July 2012

AbstractWhite matter impairment is a feature of vascular depression. The anti‐psychotic quetiapine has been shown to enhance the therapeutic effects of anti‐depressants on vascular depression, but the mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we found that 2 weeks of treatment with quetiapine prior to bilateral carotid artery occlusion and reperfusion, in an animal model of vascular depression, resulted in reduced myelin breakdown and oligodendrocyte loss compared to placebo‐treated mice on post‐operative day (POD) 7. For late stage of recovery (POD40), quetiapine treatment resulted in enhanced oligodendrocyte maturation relative to placebo. The results suggest that quetiapine is a potential intervention for oligodendrocyte damage and this may contribute to its anti‐depressant effects through white matter protection in vascular depression.
Age‐related modulation of γ‐secretase activity in non‐human primate brains
Authors: Nishimura Masaki , Nakamura Shin‐ichiro , Kimura Nobuyuki , Liu Lei , Suzuki Toshiharu , Tooyama Ikuo 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAge‐dependent accumulation of the amyloid‐β peptide (Aβ) in the brain is a pre‐condition for development of Alzheimer’s disease. A relative increase in the generation of longer Aβ species such as Aβ42 and Aβ43 is critical for Aβ deposition, but the underlying mechanism remains unresolved. Here, we performed a cell‐free assay using microsome fractions of temporal cortex tissues from 42 cynomolgus monkeys and found that Aβ40‐generating γ‐secretase activity (γ40) decreased with age, whereas Aβ42‐generating γ‐secretase activity (γ42) was unaltered. In ELISAs, more than 80% of monkeys over 20‐years old showed evidence of Aβ accumulation in the temporal cortex. The ratio of γ42 to γ40 increased with age and correlated with the level of accumulated Aβ. These results suggest that γ‐secretase activity undergoes age‐related, non‐genetic modulation and that this modulation may cause Aβ accumulation in aging brains. Similar modulation may predispose aged human brains to Alzheimer’s disease.
Community Residential Segregation and the Local Supply of Federally Qualified Health Centers
Authors: Ko Michelle , Ponce Ninez A. 
Published: July 2012

ObjectiveTo examine associations between community residential segregation by income and race/ethnicity, and the supply of federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in urban areas.Data Sources and Study SettingArea Resource File (2000–2007) linked with 2000 U.S. Census on U.S. metropolitan counties (N = 1,786).Study DesignWe used logistic and negative binomial regression models with state‐level fixed effects to examine how county‐level characteristics in 2000 are associated with the presence of FQHCs in 2000, and with the increase in FQHCs from 2000 to 2007. Income and racial/ethnic residential segregation were measured by poverty and the non‐white dissimilarity indices, respectively. Covariates included measures of federal criteria for medically underserved areas/populations.Principal FindingsCounties with a high non‐white dissimilarity index and a high percentage of minorities were more likely to have an FQHC in 2000. When we examined the addition of new FQHCs from 2000 to 2007, the effects of both poverty and non‐white dissimilarity indices were positive and significant.ConclusionsResidential segregation likely produces geographic segregation of health services, such that provider maldistribution may explain the association between residential segregation and FQHC supply. Metropolitan areas that fail to achieve greater integration of poor and minority communities may require FQHCs to compensate for provider shortages.
Comparing Errors in Medicaid Reporting across Surveys: Evidence to Date
Authors: Call Kathleen T. , Davern Michael E. , Klerman Jacob A. , Lynch Victoria 
Published: July 2012

ObjectiveTo synthesize evidence on the accuracy of Medicaid reporting across state and federal surveys.Data SourcesAll available validation studies.Study DesignCompare results from existing research to understand variation in reporting across surveys.Data Collection MethodsSynthesize all available studies validating survey reports of Medicaid coverage.Principal FindingsAcross all surveys, reporting some type of insurance coverage is better than reporting Medicaid specifically. Therefore, estimates of uninsurance are less biased than estimates of specific sources of coverage. The CPS stands out as being particularly inaccurate.ConclusionsMeasuring health insurance coverage is prone to some level of error, yet survey overstatements of uninsurance are modest in most surveys. Accounting for all forms of bias is complex. Researchers should consider adjusting estimates of Medicaid and uninsurance in surveys prone to high levels of misreporting.
Measures of Social Deprivation That Predict Health Care Access and Need within a Rational Area of Primary Care Service Delivery
Authors: Butler Danielle C. , Petterson Stephen , Phillips Robert L. , Bazemore Andrew W. 
Published: July 2012

ObjectiveTo develop a measure of social deprivation that is associated with health care access and health outcomes at a novel geographic level, primary care service area.Data Sources/Study SettingSecondary analysis of data from the Dartmouth Atlas, AMA Masterfile, National Provider Identifier data, Small Area Health Insurance Estimates, American Community Survey, Area Resource File, and Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System. Data were aggregated to primary care service areas (PCSAs).Study DesignSocial deprivation variables were selected from literature review and international examples. Factor analysis was used. Correlation and multivariate analyses were conducted between index, health outcomes, and measures of health care access. The derived index was compared with poverty as a predictor of health outcomes.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsVariables not available at the PCSA level were estimated at block level, then aggregated to PCSA level.Principal FindingsOur social deprivation index is positively associated with poor access and poor health outcomes. This pattern holds in multivariate analyses controlling for other measures of access. A multidimensional measure of deprivation is more strongly associated with health outcomes than a measure of poverty alone.ConclusionsThis geographic index has utility for identifying areas in need of assistance and is timely for revision of 35‐year‐old provider shortage and geographic underservice designation criteria used to allocate federal resources.
A sensitive and specific assay for vasopressin in the circulating blood
Authors: GILMORE N. J. , VANE J. R. 
Published: July 2012

Summary
A search was made for an assay tissue with selective sensitivity to vasopressin. Of those smooth muscle preparations tested, the longitudinal muscle of the isolated rectum of the rabbit was the most satisfactory.
The rabbit isolated rectum, bathed in Krebs solution, was contracted by acetylcholine, angiotensin II amide, bradykinin and 5‐hydroxytryptamine. It was relaxed by vasopressin, oxytocin and the catecholamines.
Vasopressin was active in concentrations of 4–100 μu./ml (0·01–0·25 ng/ml) and was 20–30 times more active than oxytocin. Bretylium had no effect on the relaxant action of vasopressin; nor did concentrations of α‐ and β‐adrenoceptor blocking agents sufficient to abolish the actions of catecholamines. Lignocaine reduced the sensitivity of the rabbit rectum to both vasopressin and oxytocin without altering the actions of adrenaline. High concentrations of either vasopressin or oxytocin desensitized the rabbit rectum to the actions of both hormones, without affecting the actions of adrenaline. It was concluded that vasopressin and oxytocin act on a common population of receptors different from those for catecholamines.
Phentolamine, unlike other α‐adrenoceptor antagonists, reduced the relaxant action of vasopressin on the rectum.
When superfused with blood from an anaesthetized dog, the rabbit rectum maintained a higher tone than in Krebs solution; it retained its sensitivity to vasopressin. Pronethalol, administered intraluminally, reduced spontaneous movement and abolished the actions of low concentrations of catecholamines, thereby increasing the specificity of the assay. No other substance tested relaxed the rectum in concentrations likely to be found in blood.
Vasopressin was stable in dog's blood; it survived passage through the pulmonary vascular bed; it had a half‐life in the circulation of about 1 min.
The half‐life of vasopressin in the circulation may depend upon the duration of the infusion.
Amino‐acid induced depression of cortical neurones
Authors: JOHNSON E. S. , ROBERTS M. H. T. , STRAUGHAN D. W. 
Published: July 2012

Summary
The effects of strychnine on the degree of depression of neuronal firing induced by glycine, γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) have been examined quantitatively. All drugs were applied by iontophoresis to spontaneously active cerebral cortical neurones in the anaesthetized cat. The application of these drugs was continued until a plateau or equilibrium depression was reached. The time taken to reach this steady state was noted. Dose‐response curves were then constructed for those currents giving less than complete depression.
Glycine was less potent than GABA and about 7‐fold larger currents were needed to achieve comparable depression. 5‐HT was also a weak depressant compared with GABA and had 0·6 the potency of glycine on a current basis.
Strychnine in currents up to 25 nA shifted the dose‐response curve of glycine to the right at a time when equilibrium depression in the same cells induced by the control agonists GABA or 5‐HT was unaffected. These currents of strychnine did, however, prolong the time‐course of onset of GABA and 5‐HT depression.
In larger currents strychnine reduced GABA equilibrium depression, but the dose‐response curve was not shifted in a parallel fashion.
It is concluded that strychnine can specifically and competitively antagonize the effect of glycine on cortical neurones.