bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aldosterone-Induced Activation of Signaling Pathways Requires Activity of Angiotensin Type 1a Receptors
Authors: Lemarié Catherine A. , Simeone Stefania M.C. , Nikonova Anna , Ebrahimian Talin , Deschênes Marie-Eve , Coffman Thomas M. , Paradis Pierre , Schiffrin Ernesto L. 
Published: September 2009

Rationale:Aldosterone has been shown to induce vascular damage, endothelial dysfunction, and myocardial fibrosis, which depend in part on activation of angiotensin II (Ang II)–mediated pathways. However, mechanisms underlying crosstalk between Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) are mostly unknown.Objectives:We tested whether the lack of Ang II type 1a receptor (AT1aR) or Ang II type 1b receptor (AT1bR) would decrease cellular effects induced by aldosterone.Methods and Results:We examined the effect of Ang II or aldosterone after transfection of mesenteric vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from C57Bl/6 mice with small interference RNA for AT1aR, AT1bR, or MR for 48 hours. Ang II and aldosterone separately induced ERK1/2, c-Jun NH2-terminal protein kinase (JNK), and nuclear factor (NF)-κB phosphorylation after a 20-minute stimulation. Small interference RNA for AT1aR downregulated phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK, and NF-κB after aldosterone stimulation compared to controls. Downregulation of AT1bR or MR only abolished the activation of NF-κB. In VSMCs from C57Bl/6 mice, aldosterone and Ang II induced the activation of the c-fos promoter from 30 minutes to 1 hour. This effect was blocked when using VSMCs from AT1aR knockout mice.Conclusion:We show for the first time that nongenomic and genomic effects of aldosterone are differentially dependent on activity of both AT1aR and AT1bR. Our data suggest that aldosterone augments AT1R-dependent activation of ERK1/2, JNK, and NF-κB in VSMCs. We provide mechanistic understanding and experimental in vitro support for the benefit of combination therapy with dual blockade of AT1R and MR to treat hypertension and progression of heart failure as reported in clinical studies and animal models.
Prophylactic, Endovascularly Based, Long-Term Normothermia in ICU Patients With Severe Cerebrovascular Disease
Authors: Broessner Gregor , Beer Ronny , Lackner Peter , Helbok Raimund , Fischer Marlene , Pfausler Bettina , Rhorer Janelle , Küppers-Tiedt Lea , Schneider Dietmar , Schmutzhard Erich 
Published: September 2009

Background and Purpose—We sought to study the effectiveness and safety of endovascular cooling to maintain prophylactic normothermia in comparison with standardized, stepwise, escalating fever management to reduce fever burden in patients with severe cerebrovascular disease.Methods—This study was a prospective, randomized, controlled trial with a blinded neurologic outcome evaluation comparison between prophylactic, catheter-based normothermia (CoolGard; ie, body core temperature 36.5°C) and conventional, stepwise fever management with anti-inflammatory drugs and surface cooling. Patients admitted to 1 of the 2 neurointensive care units were eligible for study inclusion when they had a (1) spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage with Hunt & Hess grade between 3 and 5, (2) spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage with a Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤10, or (3) complicated cerebral infarction requiring intensive care unit treatment with a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≥15.Results—A total of 102 patients (56 female) were enrolled during a 3.5-year period. Fifty percent had a spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage, 40% had a spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage, and 10% had a complicated cerebral infarction. Overall median total fever burden during the course of treatment was 0.0°C hour and 4.3°C hours in the catheter and conventional groups, respectively (P<0.0001). Prophylactic normothermia did not lead to an increase in the number of patients who experienced a major adverse event. No significant difference was found in mortality and neurologic long-term follow-up.Conclusions—Long-term, catheter-based, prophylactic normothermia significantly reduces fever burden in neurointensive care unit patients with severe cerebrovascular disease and is not associated with increased major adverse events.
Assessment and Comparison of Culturally Based Explanations for Mental Disorder Among Singaporean Chinese Youth
Authors: Mathews Mathew 
Published: September 2009

Background: Culture is important to how populations understand the cause of mental disorder, a variable that has implications for treatment-seeking behaviour. Asian populations underutilize professional mental health treatment partly because of their endorsement of supernatural causation models to explain mental disorders, beliefs that stem from their religious backgrounds. Aims: This study sought to understand the dimensions of explanatory models used by three groups of Singaporean Chinese youth ( n = 842) — Christian, Chinese religionist, no religion — and examined their responses to an instrument that combined explanations from psychological and organic perspectives on mental disorder with approaches from Asian and Western religious traditions. Results: Factor analysis revealed five factors. Two were psychological corresponding to the humanistic and cognitive-behavioural perspectives respectively. Another two, which were supernatural in nature, dealt with karmaic beliefs popular among Asian religionists and more classical religious explanations common in monotheistic religions. The remaining factor was deemed a physiological model although it incorporated an item that made it consistent with an Asian organic model. Conclusion: While groups differed in their endorsement of supernatural explanations, psychological perspectives had the strongest endorsement among this population. Regression analysis showed that individuals who endorsed supernatural explanations more strongly tended to have no exposure to psychology courses and heightened religiosity.
Diverse marrow stromal cells protect CLL cells from spontaneous and drug-induced apoptosis: development of a reliable and reproducible system to assess stromal cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance
Authors: Kurtova Antonina V. , Balakrishnan Kumudha , Chen Rong , Ding Wei , Schnabl Susanne , Quiroga Maite P. , Sivina Mariela , Wierda William G. , Estrov Zeev , Keating Michael J. , Shehata Medhat , Jäger Ulrich , Gandhi Varsha , Kay Neil E. , Plunkett William , Burger Jan A. 
Published: September 2009

Abstract
Marrow stromal cells (MSCs) provide important survival and drug resistance signals to chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells, but current models to analyze CLL–MSC interactions are heterogeneous. Therefore, we tested different human and murine MSC lines and primary human MSCs for their ability to protect CLL cells from spontaneous and drug-induced apoptosis. Our results show that both human and murine MSCs are equally effective in protecting CLL cells from fludarabine-induced apoptosis. This protective effect was sustained over a wide range of CLL–MSC ratios (5:1 to 100:1), and the levels of protection were reproducible in 4 different laboratories. Human and murine MSCs also protected CLL cells from dexamethasone- and cyclophosphamide-induced apoptosis. This protection required cell–cell contact and was virtually absent when CLL cells were separated from the MSCs by micropore filters. Furthermore, MSCs maintained Mcl-1 and protected CLL cells from spontaneous and fludarabine-induced Mcl-1 and PARP cleavage. Collectively, these studies define common denominators for CLL cocultures with MSCs. They also provide a reliable, validated tool for future investigations into the mechanism of MSC–CLL cross talk and for drug testing in a more relevant fashion than the commonly used suspension cultures.
Incorporating multiple interventions in meta-analysis: an evaluation of the mixed treatment comparison with the adjusted indirect comparison
Authors: O'Regan Christopher , Ghement Isabella , Eyawo Oghenowede , Guyatt Gordon H , Mills Edward J 
Published: September 2009

Abstract

Background
Comparing the effectiveness of interventions is now a requirement for regulatory approval in several countries. It also aids in clinical and public health decision-making. However, in the absence of head-to-head randomized trials (RCTs), determining the relative effectiveness of interventions is challenging. Several methodological options are now available. We aimed to determine the comparative validity of the adjusted indirect comparisons of RCTs with the mixed treatment comparison approach.

Methods
Using systematic searching, we identified all meta-analyses evaluating more than 3 interventions for a similar disease state with binary outcomes. We abstracted data on each clinical trial including population n and outcomes. We conducted fixed effects meta-analysis of each intervention versus mutual comparator and then applied the adjusted indirect comparison. We conducted a mixed treatment meta-analysis on all trials and compared the point estimates and 95% confidence/credible intervals (CIs/CrIs) to determine important differences.

Results
We included data from 7 reviews that met our inclusion criteria, allowing a total of 51 comparisons. According to the a priori consistency rule, we found 2 examples where the analytic comparisons were statistically significant using the mixed treatment comparison over the adjusted indirect comparisons and 1 example where this was vice versa. We found 6 examples where the direction of effect differed according to the indirect comparison method chosen and we found 9 examples where the confidence intervals were importantly different between approaches.

Conclusion
In most analyses, the adjusted indirect comparison yields estimates of relative effectiveness equal to the mixed treatment comparison. In less complex indirect comparisons, where all studies share a mutual comparator, both approaches yield similar benefits. As comparisons become more complex, the mixed treatment comparison may be favoured.
IL-21 and IL-10 have redundant roles but differential capacities at different stages of plasma cell generation from human germinal center B cells
Authors: Yoon Sun-Ok , Zhang Xin , Berner Paul , Choi Yong Sung 
Published: September 2009

Abstract
In the germinal center of lymphoid follicles, IL-10 is more effective in generating terminally differentiated CD138+ PC at the later stage of differentiation than IL-21.
The GC is the anatomical site where antigen-activated B cells differentiate into PC, producing high-affinity antibodies in physiological and pathological states. PC differentiation is regulated by multiple factors within the GC microenvironment, including cytokines. IL-21, a recently identified type I cytokine produced by GC-Th cells, promotes differentiation of human B cells into ISC. In this study, we investigated in detail the functional role of IL-21 in the course of GC-B cell differentiation into terminally differentiated PC compared with that of IL-10, a well-known PC differentiation factor. IL-21 had a greater capacity to initiate PC differentiation from CD77+ centroblasts than IL-10 by strongly inducing PC transcription factors through activation of STAT3; however, IL-10 was more potent than IL-21 in generating CD138+ PC from CD20–CD38++ plasmablasts in the terminal stage of GC-B cell differentiation. This differential effect of IL-21 and IL-10 was reflected in receptor expression on B cell subsets emerging in the course of differentiation. Our studies have revealed that IL-21 is a critical decision-maker for driving initial PC differentiation at the stage of CD77+ centroblasts, yet IL-10 is more effective in producing IgG by generating terminally differentiated CD138+ PC at the later stage of PC differentiation in the GC.
DSM–IV personality disorders in the WHO World Mental Health
Surveys
Authors: Huang Yueqin , Kotov Roman , de Girolamo Giovanni , Preti Antonio , Angermeyer Matthias , Benjet Corina , Demyttenaere Koen , de Graaf Ron , Gureje Oye , Karam Aimée Nasser , Lee Sing , Lépine Jean Pierre , Matschinger Herbert , Posada-Villa José , Suliman Sharain , Vilagut Gemma , Kessler Ronald C. 
Published: September 2009

BackgroundLittle is known about the cross-national population prevalence or
correlates of personality disorders.AimsTo estimate prevalence and correlates of DSM–IV personality disorder
clusters in the World Health Organization World Mental Health (WMH)
Surveys.MethodInternational Personality Disorder Examination (IPDE) screening questions
in 13 countries (n = 21 162) were calibrated to masked
IPDE clinical diagnoses. Prevalence and correlates were estimated using
multiple imputation.ResultsPrevalence estimates are 6.1% (s.e. = 0.3) for any personality disorder
and 3.6% (s.e. = 0.3), 1.5% (s.e. = 0.1) and 2.7% (s.e. = 0.2) for
Clusters A, B and C respectively. Personality disorders are significantly
elevated among males, the previously married (Cluster C), unemployed
(Cluster C), the young (Clusters A and B) and the poorly educated.
Personality disorders are highly comorbid with Axis I disorders.
Impairments associated with personality disorders are only partially
explained by comorbidity.ConclusionsPersonality disorders are relatively common disorders that often co-occur
with Axis I disorders and are associated with significant role
impairments beyond those due to comorbidity.
Minireview: Nuclear Receptor-Controlled Steroid Hormone Synthesis and Metabolism
Authors: He Jinhan , Cheng Qiuqiong , Xie Wen 
Published: September 2009

AbstractSteroid hormones are essential in normal physiology whereas disruptions in hormonal homeostasis represent an important etiological factor for many human diseases. Steroid hormones exert most of their functions through the binding and activation of nuclear hormone receptors (NRs or NHRs), a superfamily of DNA-binding and often ligand-dependent transcription factors. In recent years, accumulating evidence has suggested that NRs can also regulate the biosynthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones. This review will focus on the recent progress in our understanding of the regulatory role of NRs in hormonal homeostasis and the implications of this regulation in physiology and diseases.
Treatment of incompetent perforating veins using the radiofrequency ablation stylet: a pilot study
Authors: van den Bos R R , Wentel T , Neumann M H A , Nijsten T 
Published: September 2009

Background Although the role of incompetent perforating veins (IPV) in chronic venous insufficiency remains controversial, they are often treated by surgical or by minimal invasive techniques. Objectives To describe the procedure of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of IPV and to evaluate its short-term effectiveness and safety. Methods In a clinical pilot study, 14 IPV in 12 patients were treated with a radiofrequency stylet. After three months, ultrasound (US) examination was used to assess anatomical success rate and exclude deep venous thrombosis. Also, self-reported side-effects were investigated. Results Of the 14 treated IPV, nine (64%) were obliterated on US examination and the others showed remaining reflux. Two patients reported localized paresthesia, but no deep venous thrombosis was recorded. Conclusion RFA of IPV may be a promising procedure, but patient and incompetent perforator vein selection is important and further standardization of the procedure is required. Comparative clinical trials between RFA and other therapies are warranted.
Arterio-venous malformation: how much do we know?
Authors: Lee B B , Lardeo J , Neville R 
Published: September 2009

Arterio-venous malformation (AVM) is a congenital vascular malformation that is neither a venous malformation nor a haemangioma. An AVM is a potentially life-threatening and limb-threatening lesion, especially the ‘fistulous’ truncular form due to its unique embryological and haemodynamic characteristics. AVM treatment requires an early aggressive approach, one that is careful and based on a thorough assessment of the risks and benefits associated with the treatment plan. A successful treatment strategy requires an accurate assessment of the AVM taking into account the extent, severity and progression of the lesion. This is critical in order to minimize the morbidity associated with the currently available therapies. A multidisiciplinary approach that integrates endovascular and surgical therapy can substantially improve the treatment results seen in patients with AVMs. Preliminary treatment of a fistulous AVM with coil embolization is essential in order to minimize associated morbidity and to alter the lesion haemodynamics from a high-flow lesion to a low-flow lesion that is more amenable to subsequent, definitive management with ethanol or NBCA glue embolo/sclerotherapy.
Elastic-Plastic Stress Analysis of Cold-Worked Pin-Loaded Holes
Authors: Ismonov S. , Daniewicz S. R. , Newman J. C. 
Published: September 2009

Abstract
A detailed two-dimensional, elastic-plastic finite element analysis of a pin-loaded hole was conducted. A thin rectangular aluminum alloy sheet (7075-T6) with a circular hole was considered under plane stress conditions. The hole was loaded purely by a rigid pin to different load magnitudes. Appropriate contact elements were used at the pin-hole interface to transfer the traction loads from one surface to another. Material nonlinearities for the sheet and friction were included in the analyses. Radial and hoop stress solutions along the pin-hole interface were compared in elastically and plastically loaded holes. The influence of friction on the stress results was studied. The locations and magnitudes of the peak hoop stresses were determined. Lastly, an initial residual field was introduced around the hole by a cold expansion simulation before a subsequent pin-loading analysis. Because the cold expansion process involves some reverse yielding, both isotropic and kinematic material hardening models were considered.
Keynote—Materials Selection for Oxidizer Service—Successes and Challenges
Authors: Slusser Joseph W. 
Published: September 2009

Abstract
Improper selection of materials of construction for oxygen and other strong oxidizer applications can result in sudden catastrophic failure. Many available materials are flammable and will burn in oxidizer systems if sufficient ignition energy is provided. Because these combustion events occur suddenly, they cannot be monitored by periodic inspection. Also, a definitive cause after such an event is often difficult to determine because much of the evidence is destroyed. Materials selection and system design must be correct from the beginning. The key is to ensure the ignition energies imposed on the materials during operation of the system do not challenge the materials. Or, to state it differently, a designer must ensure that the materials selected have adequate compatibility to withstand the operating conditions (including transient conditions such as startups) without igniting. This paper will provide an overview of the science of oxygen compatibility and how Committee G04 efforts have helped improve safety. It will also comment on the technical issues the Committee may address in the future and a concern, shared with many similar organizations, of declining industry participation.
Connected Kids at Head Start: Taking Office-Based Violence Prevention to the Community
Authors: Cowden John D. , Smith Shayna , Pyle Sarah , Dowd M. Denise 
Published: September 2009

OBJECTIVE: The goal was to assess the acceptability and appropriateness of using a violence prevention curriculum, Connected Kids: Safe, Strong, Secure, at Head Start centers.
METHODS: Eight 90-minute focus groups (4 parent groups and 4 family advocate groups) were conducted at 2 Head Start centers. Each discussion was audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed for major themes.
RESULTS: A total of 63 adults (38 family advocates [92% female] and 25 parents [100% female]) participated in the 8 groups. Family advocates and parents agreed that Head Start was an important source of parenting advice and of referrals to community resources. Connected Kids topics were well received, although potential parental resistance to gun safety and discipline materials was identified. The positive nature of the advice was important to both types of groups. Brochures were generally well liked, but all groups thought that they should be linked directly to community resource information and offered as part of tailored education. Various venues for curriculum use were suggested, and formats involving multiple media were requested. Although Head Start serves preschool-aged children, parents and family advocates valued access to the full range of Connected Kids materials (for ages 0–18 years). Family advocates emphasized that supplementary materials on background information and delivery methods would be essential for effective implementation of Connected Kids at Head Start.
CONCLUSIONS: Head Start family advocates and parents found the Connected Kids curriculum desirable. Although modifications might improve its usefulness, the curriculum seems acceptable and appropriate for the Head Start environment.
Chemical beam deposition of high-k gate dielectrics on III-V semiconductors: TiO2 on In0.53Ga0.47As
Authors: Engel-Herbert Roman , Hwang Yoontae , LeBeau James , Zheng Yan , Stemmer Susanne 
Published: September 2009

AbstractWe report on the growth of high-permittivity (k) TiO2 thin films on In0.53Ga0.47As channels by chemical beam deposition with titanium isopropoxide as the source. The films grew in a reaction-limited regime with smooth surfaces. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy showed an atomically abrupt interface with the In0.53Ga0.47As channel that indicated that this interface is thermally stable. Measurements of the leakage currents using metal-oxide-semiconductor capacitors with Pt top electrodes revealed asymmetric characteristics with respect to the bias polarity, suggesting an unfavorable band alignment for CMOS applications. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to determine the TiO2/In0.53Ga0.47As band offsets. A valence band offset of 2.5 ± 0.1 eV was measured.
Universal Intervention as a Protective Shield Against Exposure to Substance Use: Long-Term Outcomes and Public Health Significance
Authors: Spoth Richard , Guyll Max , Shin Chungyeol 
Published: September 2009

Objectives. We examined universal preventive intervention effects on adolescents' exposure to opportunities for substance use and on illicit substance use in the long term. Methods. Public schools (N = 22) were randomly assigned to the Iowa Strengthening Families Program (ISFP) or a control condition. We used odds ratio (OR) calculations and structural modeling to test the effects of the ISFP in the 6th grade on exposure to substance use across adolescence, as well as on 12th-grade illicit substance use occurring via reductions in exposure. Results. The ISFP was associated with reduced exposure to illicit substance use (1.25 ≤ OR ≤ 2.37) that was, in turn, associated with reduced 12th-grade substance use (2.87 ≤ OR ≤ 6.35). The ISFP also reduced the rate of increase in exposure across adolescence (B = −0.37; P < .001), which was associated with the likelihood of 12th-grade illicit substance use (B = 0.30; P = .021), with a significant indirect effect (B = −0.11; P = .048). Conclusions. The ISFP in the 6th grade reduced substance use through a “protective shield” of reduced exposure. The relative reduction rate was 49%, which suggests that universal prevention shields can contribute to significant reductions in illicit substance use among adolescents.