bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlates of Medication Nonadherence Among Latinos With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Parada Humberto , Horton Lucy A. , Cherrington Andrea , Ibarra Leticia , Ayala Guadalupe X. 
Published: May 2012

Purpose The purpose of this study is to assess factors related to diabetes medication nonadherence in a sample of predominantly Spanish-speaking Mexican-origin adults residing along the US-Mexico border. Methods As part of a randomized controlled trial, 302 patients randomly sampled from a clinic roster completed a baseline interview. Medication nonadherence was assessed with the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Consistent with the framework proposed by Venturini et al, four factors were examined: patient-related attributes, drug regimen characteristics and complexity, health status, and patient-provider interaction characteristics. Results Sixty percent of the patients were classified as nonadherent. Men, those who engaged in diabetes control behaviors less frequently, and individuals with depression were more likely to be classified as nonadherent. Among those who were Spanish-dominant, education and self-rated health also were significantly and negatively related to medication adherence; patients with a high school education or greater and those who more positively rated their health were more likely to be classified as nonadherent compared to those with less than a high school education and those who rated their health as poor. Conclusions Results reflect potentially higher medication nonadherence rates for Latinos with type 2 diabetes living in rural communities along the US-Mexico border. Additionally, this study supports the need to address strategies to support medication adherence, including addressing depression, for diabetes control. Strategies to promote adherence among Latino men are sorely needed, as are strategies to address forgetfulness and carelessness regarding diabetes medicine taking.
Role of Chronic Lymphocytic Thyroiditis in Central Node Metastasis of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Paulson Lorien M. , Shindo Maisie L. , Schuff Kathryn G. 
Published: May 2012

Objective(1) To investigate the role of chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT) in central node metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and (2) to evaluate the presence of chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis according to PTC‐specific molecular markers.Study Design. Historical cohort study.SettingAcademic medical center.Subjects and MethodsAll patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with central neck dissection for PTC at Oregon Health & Science University between 2005 and 2010 were screened for the presence of CLT and reviewed for clinical prognostic factors. Patients with inadequate central neck dissections were excluded. Molecular markers for PTC were analyzed on archived tumor samples.ResultsA total of 139 patients met selection criteria. The rate of CLT was 43.8%. The rate of central node positivity was 63%. Presence of CLT was associated with a significantly lower proportion of central node metastases (49% vs 74%, P =. 003) and angiolymphatic invasion (31% vs 15%, P =. 03). There was no significant difference in mean age, tumor size, and extracapsular extension. Molecular genotyping did not reveal a significant difference in the types of mutations found in both groups.ConclusionThe data indicate a lower incidence of central compartment lymph node metastasis in those with CLT in this patient population, suggesting a potential protective role in tumor spread. The equal distribution of tumor mutations between the carcinomas with and without evidence of CLT argues against a mutation‐specific antigen as the immunologic stimulus. Further research is needed to characterize the role of autoimmunity in thyroid cancer.
Endoscopic Endonasal Resection of Anterior Skull Base Meningiomas
Authors: Padhye Vikram , Naidoo Yuresh , Alexander Hamish , Floreani Stephen , Robinson Simon , Santoreneos Stephen , Wickremesekera Agadha , Brophy Brian , Harding Marguerite , Vrodos Nick , Wormald Peter‐John 
Published: May 2012

ObjectiveAnterior cranial fossa (ACF) meningiomas are difficult to surgically manage. Endoscopic transnasal approaches have increasingly been used as a minimally invasive route and thus offer significant advantages. However, a paucity of literature describing the intraoperative challenges and postoperative outcomes of this technique still exists.Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingThe Royal Adelaide Hospital, Flinders Medical Centre, Wellington Hospital.Subjects and MethodsFifteen consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic resection of ACF meningiomas between 2004 and 2010 by the South Australian and Wellington Skull Base Units. Demographic and clinical information was compiled by reviewing patient charts and operation notes. Safety and efficacy of the procedure, role of a team approach, and areas for further improvement were analyzed.ResultsOf the patients, 87% were women. Tumor locations: 8 olfactory groove, 2 tuberculum sellae, 1 clinoidal, 1 jugum sphenoidale, 1 planum sphenoidale, 1 subfrontal, and 1 midline ACF floor. Commonest presenting symptom was visual change. Mean volume of tumor was 25.69 cm3, with a size area of 7.28 cm2. Five were revision cases. None had previous endonasal surgery. Average operating times decreased over time. Gross total removal was achieved in 14, with no deaths. Four patients had postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. Rate of CSF leak decreased over time. Sixty percent of patients reported visual improvement. Two patients had radiological evidence of recurrence.ConclusionACF meningiomas can be safely removed endonasally, offering significant advantages over the traditional transcranial approach for suitable tumors. Early audit of this approach shows results achieved by this unit are comparable with the published literature.
Serum levels of copper, selenium and manganese in forestry workers testing IgG positive for Brucella, Borrelia, and Rickettsia
Authors: Abbate Simona , Giorgianni Concetto , D’Arrigo Graziella , Brecciaroli Renato , Catanoso Rosaria , Alibrando Carmela , Spatari Giovanna , Gangemi Silvia , Abbate Carmelo 
Published: May 2012

The aim of this study is to measure the alterations in the trace levels of serum copper (Cu), selenium (Se), and manganese (Mn) in forestry workers testing immunoglobulin G (IgG)-positive for Brucella, Borrelia, and Rickettsia. The study was conducted on a sample of 758 subjects (560 male and 198 female). All the subjects underwent medical examinations, which investigated particularly the presence of clinical signs compatible with zoonoses, and routine blood tests from venous blood sample, which tested previous immunisation versus cited microorganisms and serum concentration of Cu, Se, and Mn. The subjects were divided according to IgG positivity versus the cited microorganisms. The group of subjects with IgG positive versus Brucella showed statistically significant higher Cu levels than controls, while the Mn levels were not; the group of subjects with IgG positive versus Rickettsia showed higher levels of all three tested metals. The concentration of the examined metals did not show statistically significant difference between IgG-positive subjects versus subjects with Borrelia compared to controls. These data could confirm the role of both Cu and Se in the regulation of immune response.
The effect of CF and nano-SiO2 modification on the flexural and tribological properties of POM composites
Authors: Zhaohong Xu , Zhenhua Li , Jian Li , Fei Fu Yuan 
Published: May 2012

Carbon fiber (CF) and nano-silica (nano-SiO2) particles were employed simultaneously to modify polyoxymethylene (POM). Our goal was to control the distribution and dispersion of CF and nano-SiO2 particles in POM matrix using an appropriate processing method and adjusting the dispersion of nano-SiO2 particles toward CF and POM, so as to achieve a simultaneous enhancement of toughness and modulus of POM. The results of tribological tests showed that the POM with 3 vol% nano-SiO2 presented better tribological properties. When the content of nano-SiO2 was not more than 3 vol%, the CF/POM/nano-SiO2 samples presented lower friction coefficients and smaller wear volumes. However, higher contents of nano-SiO2 than 3 vol% were very disadvantageous to the tribological performances.
Considerations in the rationale, design and methods of the Strategic Timing of AntiRetroviral Treatment (START) study
Authors: Babiker Abdel G , Emery Sean , Fätkenheuer Gerd , Gordin Fred M , Grund Birgit , Lundgren Jens D , Neaton James D , Pett Sarah L , Phillips Andrew , Touloumi Giota , Vjechaj Michael J ,   for the INSIGHT START Study Group
Published: May 2012

Background Untreated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is characterized by progressive depletion of CD4+ T lymphocyte (CD4) count leading to the development of opportunistic diseases (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)), and more recent data suggest that HIV is also associated with an increased risk of serious non-AIDS (SNA) diseases including cardiovascular, renal, and liver diseases and non-AIDS-defining cancers. Although combination antiretroviral treatment (ART) has resulted in a substantial decrease in morbidity and mortality in persons with HIV infection, viral eradication is not feasible with currently available drugs. The optimal time to start ART for asymptomatic HIV infection is controversial and remains one of the key unanswered questions in the clinical management of HIV-infected individuals. Purpose In this article, we outline the rationale and methods of the Strategic Timing of AntiRetroviral Treatment (START) study, an ongoing multicenter international trial designed to assess the risks and benefits of initiating ART earlier than is currently practiced. We also describe some of the challenges encountered in the design and implementation of the study and how these challenges were addressed. Methods A total of 4000 study participants who are HIV type 1 (HIV-1) infected, ART naïve with CD4 count > 500 cells/µL are to be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to start ART immediately (early ART) or defer treatment until CD4 count is <350 cells/µL (deferred ART) and followed for a minimum of 3 years. The primary outcome is time to AIDS, SNA, or death. The study had a pilot phase to establish feasibility of accrual, which was set as the enrollment of at least 900 participants in the first year. Results Challenges encountered in the design and implementation of the study included the limited amount of data on the risk of a major component of the primary endpoint (SNA) in the study population, changes in treatment guidelines when the pilot phase was well underway, and the complexities of conducting the trial in a geographically wide population with diverse regulatory requirements. With the successful completion of the pilot phase, more than 1000 participants from 100 sites in 23 countries have been enrolled. The study will expand to include 237 sites in 36 countries to reach the target accrual of 4000 participants. Conclusions START is addressing one of the most important questions in the clinical management of ART. The randomization provided a platform for the conduct of several substudies aimed at increasing our understanding of HIV disease and the effects of antiretroviral therapy beyond the primary question of the trial. The lessons learned from its design and implementation will hopefully be of use to future publicly funded international trials.
The Therapeutic Potential of Exogenous Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) for Cartilage Tissue Engineering
Authors: Usprech Jenna , Chu Gavin , Giardini-Rosa Renata , Martin Kathleen , Waldman Stephen D. 
Published: May 2012

Objective: While mechanical stimuli can be used to enhance the properties of engineered cartilage, a promising alternative may be to directly harness the underlying mechanotransduction pathways responsible. Our initial studies on the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)–purinergic receptor pathway demonstrated that stimulation by exogenous ATP improved tissue growth and properties but elicited matrix turnover under high doses (250 µM) potentially due to the accumulation of extracellular inorganic pyrophosphate (ePPi). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the mechanism of ATP-mediated catabolism and determine a therapeutic dose to maximize the anabolic effect. Design: Isolated bovine articular chondrocytes were seeded in high-density, 3-dimensional culture supplemented with varying doses of ATP for 4 weeks. The effects on biosynthesis, matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13) protein activity, and PPi accumulation were determined. Separate monolayer experiments were conducted to determine the effect of ePPi on MMP-13 activity. Results: High doses of ATP resulted in an increase in ePPi accumulation (by 54%) and MMP-13 activity (by 39%). Monolayer experiments confirmed a link between increased ePPi accumulation and MMP-13 activity, which appeared to require calcium and was inhibited by the MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126. Cultures supplemented with 62.5 to 125 µM ATP favored an anabolic response, which represented the therapeutic dose range. Conclusions: A therapeutic dose range of exogenous ATP to improve the properties of engineered cartilage has been identified, and a possible catabolic mechanism involving excess PPi was determined. Future research into PPi signal transduction and pathological crystal formation is necessary to maximize the beneficial effect of exogenous ATP on chondrocyte cultures.
Expression of COX-2 on Reed-Sternberg cells is an independent unfavorable prognostic factor in Hodgkin lymphoma treated with ABVD
Authors: Mestre Francisco , Gutierrez Antonio , Ramos Rafael , Martinez-Serra Jordi , Sánchez Lydia , Matheu Gabriel , Ros Teresa , Garcia Juan Fernando , Rodriguez Jose 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) is an inflammatory enzyme involved in the pathogenesis and prognosis of several malignancies. In the present study, we investigated the prognostic value of COX-2 expression in a large (N = 242), uniformly treated Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) population from the Spanish Network of HL using tissue microarrays. Univariate and multivariate analysis was done, including comparing the most recognized clinical variables: the early- and advanced-stage subgroups. COX-2 was expressed on Reed-Sternberg cells in 37% of patients. There were no differences in the distribution of clinical variables according to COX-2 expression. With a median follow-up time of 58 months, PFS at 5 years was 60% and 79% for COX-2+ and COX-2− patients, respectively (P = .003). The overall survival was 73% and 91%, respectively (P < .001). The major impact on prognosis was observed in the early AA stage (I-II) group. In fact, in these low-risk groups the expression of COX-2 defined a group with significantly worse progression-free and overall survival. In conclusion, COX-2 was expressed on Reed-Sternberg cells in one-third of HL patients and was a major independent, unfavorable prognostic factor in early-stage HL. We conclude that COX-2 may be a major prognostic variable in HL and a potential therapeutic target.
Tissue-specific differentiation of a circulating CCR9− pDC-like common dendritic cell precursor
Authors: Schlitzer Andreas , Heiseke Alexander F. , Einwächter Henrik , Reindl Wolfgang , Schiemann Matthias , Manta Calin-Petru , See Peter , Niess Jan-Hendrik , Suter Tobias , Ginhoux Florent , Krug Anne B. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThe ontogenic relationship between the common dendritic cell (DC) progenitor (CDP), the committed conventional DC precursor (pre-cDC), and cDC subpopulations in lymphoid and nonlymphoid tissues has been largely unraveled. In contrast, the sequential steps of plasmacytoid DC (pDC) development are less defined, and it is unknown at which developmental stage and location final commitment to the pDC lineage occurs. Here we show that CCR9− pDCs from murine BM which enter the circulation and peripheral tissues have a common DC precursor function in vivo in the steady state, in contrast to CCR9+ pDCs which are terminally differentiated. On adoptive transfer, the fate of CCR9− pDC-like precursors is governed by the tissues they enter. In the BM and liver, most transferred CCR9− pDC-like precursors differentiate into CCR9+ pDCs, whereas in peripheral lymphoid organs, lung, and intestine, they additionally give rise to cDCs. CCR9− pDC-like precursors which are distinct from pre-cDCs can be generated from the CDP. Thus, CCR9− pDC-like cells are novel CDP-derived circulating DC precursors with pDC and cDC potential. Their final differentiation into functionally distinct pDCs and cDCs depends on tissue-specific factors allowing adaptation to local requirements under homeostatic conditions.
Using tree diversity to compare phylogenetic heuristics
Authors: Sul Seung-Jin , Matthews Suzanne , Williams Tiffani L 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background
Evolutionary trees are family trees that represent the relationships between a group of organisms. Phylogenetic heuristics are used to search stochastically for the best-scoring trees in tree space. Given that better tree scores are believed to be better approximations of the true phylogeny, traditional evaluation techniques have used tree scores to determine the heuristics that find the best scores in the fastest time. We develop new techniques to evaluate phylogenetic heuristics based on both tree scores and topologies to compare Pauprat and Rec-I-DCM3, two popular Maximum Parsimony search algorithms.

Results
Our results show that although Pauprat and Rec-I-DCM3 find the trees with the same best scores, topologically these trees are quite different. Furthermore, the Rec-I-DCM3 trees cluster distinctly from the Pauprat trees. In addition to our heatmap visualizations of using parsimony scores and the Robinson-Foulds distance to compare best-scoring trees found by the two heuristics, we also develop entropy-based methods to show the diversity of the trees found. Overall, Pauprat identifies more diverse trees than Rec-I-DCM3.

Conclusion
Overall, our work shows that there is value to comparing heuristics beyond the parsimony scores that they find. Pauprat is a slower heuristic than Rec-I-DCM3. However, our work shows that there is tremendous value in using Pauprat to reconstruct trees—especially since it finds identical scoring but topologically distinct trees. Hence, instead of discounting Pauprat, effort should go in improving its implementation. Ultimately, improved performance measures lead to better phylogenetic heuristics and will result in better approximations of the true evolutionary history of the organisms of interest.
Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF/CCN2) enhances lactogenic differentiation of mammary epithelial cells via integrin-mediated cell adhesion
Authors: Morrison Bethanie L , Jose Cynthia C , Cutler Mary Lou 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background
Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF/CCN2), a known matrix-associated protein, is required for the lactogenic differentiation of mouse mammary epithelial cells. An HC11 mammary epithelial cell line expressing CTGF/CCN2 was constructed to dissect the cellular responses to CTGF/CCN2 that contribute to this differentiation program.

Results
Tetracycline-regulated expression of CTGF/CCN2 in HC11 cells enhanced multiple markers of lactogenic differentiation including β-casein transcription and mammosphere formation. In a separate measure of mammary differentiation the addition of CTGF/CCN2 to cultures of MCF10A cells increased the development of acini in vitro. In HC11 cells the elevated levels of CTGF/CCN2 diminished the requirement for extracellular matrix proteins in the activation of β-casein transcription, indicating that CTGF/CCN2 contributed to lactogenic differentiation through the regulation of matrix dependent cell adhesion. CTGF/CCN2 expression in HC11 cells increased expression of extracellular matrix proteins and integrins, enhanced the formation of focal adhesion complexes, and increased survival signaling. In addition, HC11 cells adhered to immobilized CTGF/CCN2 and this was inhibited by function-blocking antibodies to the integrins α6 and β1, and to a lesser degree by antibody to β3 integrin.

Conclusions
CTGF/CCN2 expression in HC11 cells led to an increase in multiple markers of lactogenic differentiation. The mechanisms by which CTGF/CCN2 contributed to lactogenic differentiation include direct binding of CTGF/CCN2 to integrin complexes and CTGF/CCN2-induced matrix protein expression resulting in elevated integrin functionality.
Zebrafish teeth as a model for repetitive epithelial morphogenesis: dynamics of E-cadherin expression
Authors: Verstraeten Barbara , Sanders Ellen , van Hengel Jolanda , Huysseune Ann 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background
The development of teeth is the result of interactions between competent mesenchyme and epithelium, both of which undergo extensive morphogenesis. The importance of cell adhesion molecules in morphogenesis has long been acknowledged but remarkably few studies have focused on the distribution and function of these molecules in tooth development.

Results
We analyzed the expression pattern of an important epithelial cadherin, E-cadherin, during the formation of first-generation teeth as well as replacement teeth in the zebrafish, using in situ hybridization and whole mount immunostaining to reveal mRNA expression and protein distribution. E-cadherin was detected in every layer of the enamel organ during the different stages of tooth development, but there were slight differences between first-generation and replacement teeth in the strength and distribution of the signal. The dental papilla, which is derived from the mesenchyme, did not show any expression. Remarkably, the crypts surrounding the functional teeth showed an uneven distribution of E-cadherin throughout the pharyngeal region.

Conclusions
The slight differences between E-cadherin expression in zebrafish teeth and developing mouse and human teeth are discussed in the light of fundamental differences in structural and developmental features of the dentition between zebrafish and mammals. Importantly, the uninterrupted expression of E-cadherin indicates that down-regulation of E-cadherin is not required for formation of an epithelial tooth bud. Further research is needed to understand the role of other cell adhesion systems during the development of teeth and the formation of replacement teeth.