bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Roles of fibroblasts from the interface zone in invasion, migration, proliferation and apoptosis of gastric adenocarcinoma
Authors: Shan Li-Hui , Sun Wen-Guang , Han Wei , Qi Lei , Yang Chun , Chai Cui-Cui , Yao Ke , Zhou Qiu-Feng , Wu Hong-Mei , Wang Li-Feng , Liu Jia-Ren 
Published: July 2012

AimsInterface zone fibroblasts (INFs) are very important in the progression and metastasis of tumours but their effect on the invasion and migration of gastric cancer cells is still unclear.MethodsPrimary fibroblasts were isolated from the distal normal zone (normal zone fibroblasts, NFs), interface zone (INFs) and tumour zone (cancer-associated fibroblasts, CAFs) of 60 human gastric carcinoma tissue samples. The crosstalk between these fibroblasts and human gastric cancer MGC-803 cells was evaluated using an indirect co-culture model in vitro.ResultsA high level of fibroblast activation protein (FAP) in the invasion front of gastric cancer was found in the gastric cancer tissue samples and no FAP expression was found in 20 normal gastric tissue samples by immunohistochemistry. High FAP expression was associated with Lauren classification, degree of differentiation, tumour node metastasis stage and depth of tumour invasion (p<0.05 or p<0.01). INFs promoted invasion and migration of MGC-803 cells. The number of invasions in INFs, CAFs and NFs were 120.10±27.53 (95% CI 102.12 to 138.10), 63.00±14.80 (95% CI 53.33 to 72.67) and 14.22±6.20 (95% CI 10.17 to 18.27), respectively; the number of invasions in INFs were 8.45-fold and 1.89-fold higher than those in NFs and CAFs, respectively (p<0.05). The number of migrations in INFs, CAFs and NFs were 118.00±16.83 (95% CI 107.00 to 129.00), 61.00±16.36 (95% CI 50.31 to 71.69) and 24.00±11.52 (95% CI 16.47 to 31.53), respectively; the number of migration in INFs were 4.91-fold and 1.92-fold higher than those in NFs and CAFs, respectively (p<0.05). INFs also significantly promoted cell proliferation and inhibited apoptosis in MGC-803 cells compared with NFs and CAFs (p<0.05).ConclusionsThese findings indicate that INFs exhibit a more robust biological modulatory activity than CAFs and NFs. INFs may be a key factor leading to tumour progression and metastasis and may be of use as a tool for post-treatment surveillance.
Serotype distribution of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae in Canada during the introduction of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, 2010
Authors: Demczuk Walter H.B. , Martin Irene , Griffith Averil , Lefebvre Brigitte , McGeer Allison , Shane Amanda , Zhanel George G. , Tyrrell Gregory J. , Gilmour Matthew W. , Toronto Invasive Bacterial Diseases  , Canadian Public Health Laboratory N  
Published: July 2012

A baseline serotype distribution was established by age and region for 2058 invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates collected during the implementation period of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) program in many parts of Canada in 2010. Serotypes 19A, 7F, and 3 were the most prevalent in all age groups, accounting for 57% in <2 year olds, 62% in 2–4 year olds, 45% in 5–14 year olds, 44% in 15–49 year olds, 41% in 50–64 year olds, and 36% in ≥65 year olds. Serotype 19A was most predominant in Western and Central Canada representing 15% and 22%, respectively, of the isolates from those regions, whereas 7F was most common in Eastern Canada with 20% of the isolates. Other prevalent serotypes include 15A, 23B, 12F, 22F, and 6C. PCV13 serotypes represented 65% of the pneumococci isolated from <2 year olds, 71% of 2–4 year olds, 61% of 5–14 year olds, 60% of 15–49 year olds, 53% of 50–64 year olds, and 49% of the ≥65 year olds. Continued monitoring of invasive pneumococcal serotypes in Canada is important to identify epidemiological trends and assess the impact of the newly introduced PCV13 vaccine on public health.
Kinetics of medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoate production by a novel isolate of Pseudomonas putida LS46
Authors: Sharma Parveen K. , Fu Jilagamazhi , Cicek Nazim , Sparling Richard , Levin David B. 
Published: July 2012

Six bacteria that synthesize medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoates (mcl-PHAs) were isolated from sewage sludge and hog barn wash and identified as strains of Pseudomonas and Comamonas by 16S rDNA gene sequencing. One isolate, Pseudomonas putida LS46, showed good PHA production (22% of cell dry mass) in glucose medium, and it was selected for further studies. While it is closely related to other P. putida strains (F1, KT2440, BIRD-1, GB-1, S16, and W619), P. putida LS46 was genetically distinct from these other strains on the basis of nucleotide sequence analysis of the cpn60 gene hypervariable region. PHA production was detected as early as 12 h in both nitrogen-limited and nitrogen-excess conditions. The increase in PHA production after 48 h was higher in nitrogen-limited cultures than in nitrogen-excess cultures. Pseudomonas putida LS46 produced mcl-PHAs when cultured with glucose, glycerol, or C6–C14 saturated fatty acids as carbon sources, and mcl-PHAs accounted for 56% of the cell dry mass when cells were batch cultured in medium containing 20 mmol/L octanoate. Although 3-hydroxydecanoate was the major mcl-PHA monomer (58.1–68.8 mol%) in P. putida LS46 cultured in glucose medium, 3-hydroxyoctanoate was the major monomer produced in octanoate medium (88 mol%).
Abundance and community composition of ammonia-oxidizing archaea and bacteria in two different zones of Lake Taihu
Authors: Zeng Jin , Zhao Da-Yong , Huang Rui , Wu Qinglong L. 
Published: July 2012

The abundance and community composition of ammonia-oxidizing archaea and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in the surface sediments of 2 different zones (Meiliang Bay and Eastern Lake Taihu) of Lake Taihu were investigated using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and clone libraries. The amoA gene copy numbers in the surface sediment of Meiliang Bay ranged from 4.91 × 105 to 8.65 × 106 copies/g dry sediment for the archaeal amoA gene and from 3.74 × 104 to 3.86 × 105 copies/g dry sediment for the bacterial amoA gene, which were significantly higher than those of Eastern Lake Taihu (P < 0.05). Concentrations of ammonia (NH4+), total nitrogen, organic matter, and pH of the sediments exhibited significantly negative correlations with the abundance of ammonia-oxidizing archaea or ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01, respectively). The potential nitrification rates show remarkable correlations with the copy numbers of the archaeal amoA gene. Diversity of the archaeal amoA gene in Eastern Lake Taihu was significantly higher than that of Meiliang Bay, whereas the bacterial amoA gene diversity was comparable for the 2 lake zones. The data obtained in this study would be useful to elucidate the role of ammonia-oxidizing archaea and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in the nitrogen cycle of freshwater ecosystems.
Computational modeling of the bHLH domain of the transcription factor TWIST1 and R118C, S144R and K145E mutants
Authors: Maia Amanda M , da Silva João HM , Mencalha André L , Caffarena Ernesto R , Abdelhay Eliana 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
Human TWIST1 is a highly conserved member of the regulatory basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors. TWIST1 forms homo- or heterodimers with E-box proteins, such as E2A (isoforms E12 and E47), MYOD and HAND2. Haploinsufficiency germ-line mutations of the twist1 gene in humans are the main cause of Saethre-Chotzen syndrome (SCS), which is characterized by limb abnormalities and premature fusion of cranial sutures. Because of the importance of TWIST1 in the regulation of embryonic development and its relationship with SCS, along with the lack of an experimentally solved 3D structure, we performed comparative modeling for the TWIST1 bHLH region arranged into wild-type homodimers and heterodimers with E47. In addition, three mutations that promote DNA binding failure (R118C, S144R and K145E) were studied on the TWIST1 monomer. We also explored the behavior of the mutant forms in aqueous solution using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, focusing on the structural changes of the wild-type versus mutant dimers.

Results
The solvent-accessible surface area of the homodimers was smaller on wild-type dimers, which indicates that the cleft between the monomers remained more open on the mutant homodimers. RMSD and RMSF analyses indicated that mutated dimers presented values that were higher than those for the wild-type dimers. For a more careful investigation, the monomer was subdivided into four regions: basic, helix I, loop and helix II. The basic domain presented a higher flexibility in all of the parameters that were analyzed, and the mutant dimer basic domains presented values that were higher than the wild-type dimers. The essential dynamic analysis also indicated a higher collective motion for the basic domain.

Conclusions
Our results suggest the mutations studied turned the dimers into more unstable structures with a wider cleft, which may be a reason for the loss of DNA binding capacity observed for in vitro circumstances.
De novo sequencing and analysis of root transcriptome using 454 pyrosequencing to discover putative genes associated with drought tolerance in Ammopiptanthus mongolicus
Authors: Zhou Yijun , Gao Fei , Liu Ran , Feng Jinchao , Li Hongjie 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background

De novo assembly of transcript sequences produced by next-generation sequencing technologies offers a rapid approach to obtain expressed gene sequences for non-model organisms. Ammopiptanthus mongolicus, a super-xerophytic broadleaf evergreen wood, is an ecologically important foundation species in desert ecosystems and exhibits substantial drought tolerance in Mid-Asia desert. Root plays an important role in water absorption of plant. There are insufficient transcriptomic and genomic data in public databases for understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying the drought tolerance of A. mongolicus. Thus, high throughput transcriptome sequencing from A. mongolicus root is helpful to generate a large amount of transcript sequences for gene discovery and molecular marker development.

Results
A total of 672,002 sequencing reads were obtained from a 454 GS XLR70 Titanium pyrosequencer with a mean length of 279 bp. These reads were assembled into 29,056 unique sequences including 15,173 contigs and 13,883 singlets. In our assembled sequences, 1,827 potential simple sequence repeats (SSR) molecular markers were discovered. Based on sequence similarity with known plant proteins, the assembled sequences represent approximately 9,771 proteins in PlantGDB. Based on the Gene ontology (GO) analysis, hundreds of drought stress-related genes were found. We further analyzed the gene expression profiles of 27 putative genes involved in drought tolerance using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) assay.

Conclusions
Our sequence collection represents a major transcriptomic resource for A. mongolicus, and the large number of genetic markers predicted should contribute to future research in Ammopiptanthus genus. The potential drought stress related transcripts identified in this study provide a good start for further investigation into the drought adaptation in Ammopiptanthus.
Laparoscopic versus open catheter placement in peritoneal dialysis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Xie Haiying , Zhang Wei , Cheng Jun , He Qiang 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
Peritoneal dialysis has been proven to be a safe and effective mode of renal replacement therapy for patients with end-stage renal disease. The usage of laparoscopic catheter placement technique was increased in recent years. But the advantages and disadvantages between the laparoscopic catheter placement technique and open laparotomy technique were still http://in controversy. The objective of this study is to access the operation-related data and complications of catheter placement for peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, Then to determine the better method for catheter insertion.

Methods
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on published studies identified by the databases PubMed, EMBASE, Highwire, and the Cochrane Library. Analysis was performed using the statistical software Review Manager Version 5.0.

Results
We assessed the operation-related data and complications of four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and ten observational studies. The available data showed that laparoscope prolonged the time for catheter insertion in PD patients, however, the two groups did not significantly differ in hospital stays, early and late complications, including infection, dialysate leaks, catheter migration, pericannular bleeding, blockage and hernia.

Conclusions
The data showed that Laparoscopic catheter placement had no superiority to open surgery. However, this treatment still needs to be confirmed in a large, multi-center, well-designed RCT.
The association between online gaming, social phobia, and depression: an internet survey
Authors: Wei Han-Ting , Chen Mu-Hong , Huang Po-Cheng , Bai Ya-Mei 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
Online gaming technology has developed rapidly within the past decade, and its related problems have received increasing attention. However, there are few studies on the psychiatric symptoms associated with excessive use of online games. The aim of this study is to investigate the characteristics of online gamers, and the association between online gaming hours, social phobia, and depression using an internet survey.

Methods
An online questionnaire was designed and posted on a popular online game websites, inviting the online gamers to participate the survey. The content of the questionnaire included demographic data, profiles of internet usage and online gaming, and self-rating scales of Depression and Somatic Symptoms Scale (DSSS), Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN), and Chen Internet Addiction Scale (CIAS).

Results
A total of 722 online gamers with a mean age of 21.8 ± 4.9 years completed the online survey within one month. 601 (83.2%) participants were male, and 121 (16.8%) were female. The mean weekly online gaming time was 28.2 ± 19.7 hours, which positively associated with history of online gaming (r = 0.245, p < 0.001), total DSSS (r = 0.210, p < 0.001), SPIN (r = 0.150, p < 0.001), and CIAS (r = 0.290, p < 0.001) scores. The female players had a shorter history of online gaming (6.0 ± 3.1 vs. 7.2 ± 3.6 years, p = 0.001) and shorter weekly online gaming hours (23.2 ± 17.0 vs. 29.2 ± 20.2 hours, p = 0.002), but had higher DSSS (13.0 ± 9.3 vs. 10.9 ± 9.7, p = 0.032) and SPIN (22.8 ± 14.3 vs. 19.6 ± 13.5, p = 0.019) scores than the male players. The linear regression model showed that higher DSSS scores were associated with female gender, higher SPIN scores, higher CIAS scores, and longer weekly online gaming hours, with controlling for age and years of education.

Conclusion
The online gamers with longer weekly gaming hours tended to have a longer history of online gaming, and more severe depressive, social phobic, and internet addiction symptoms. Female online gamers had fewer weekly online gaming hours and a shorter previous online gaming history, but tended to have more severe somatic, pain, and social phobic symptoms. The predictors for depression were higher social phobic symptom, higher internet addiction symptoms, longer online gaming hours, and female gender.
The Rift Valley Fever virus protein NSm and putative cellular protein interactions
Authors: Engdahl Cecilia , Näslund Jonas , Lindgren Lena , Ahlm Clas , Bucht Göran 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Rift Valley Fever is an infectious viral disease and an emerging problem in many countries of Africa and on the Arabian Peninsula. The causative virus is predominantly transmitted by mosquitoes and high mortality and abortion rates characterize outbreaks in animals while symptoms ranging from mild to life-threatening encephalitis and hemorrhagic fever are noticed among infected humans. For a better prevention and treatment of the infection, an increased knowledge of the infectious process of the virus is required.
The focus of this work was to identify protein-protein interactions between the non-structural protein (NSm), encoded by the M-segment of the virus, and host cell proteins. This study was initiated by screening approximately 26 million cDNA clones of a mouse embryonic cDNA library for interactions with the NSm protein using a yeast two-hybrid system.
We have identified nine murine proteins that interact with NSm protein of Rift Valley Fever virus, and the putative protein-protein interactions were confirmed by growth selection procedures and β-gal activity measurements. Our results suggest that the cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor subunit 2 (Cpsf2), the peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (cyclophilin)-like 2 protein (Ppil2), and the synaptosome-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25) are the most promising targets for the NSm protein of the virus during an infection.
A pilot randomised controlled trial of negative pressure wound therapy to treat grade III/IV pressure ulcers [ISRCTN69032034]
Authors: Ashby Rebecca L , Dumville Jo C , Soares Marta O , McGinnis Elizabeth , Stubbs Nikki , Torgerson David J , Cullum Nicky 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is widely promoted as a treatment for full thickness wounds; however, there is a lack of high-quality research evidence regarding its clinical and cost effectiveness. A trial of NPWT for the treatment of grade III/IV pressure ulcers would be worthwhile but premature without assessing whether such a trial is feasible. The aim of this pilot randomised controlled trial was to assess the feasibility of conducting a future full trial of NPWT for the treatment of grade III and IV pressure ulcers and to pilot all aspects of the trial.

Methods
This was a two-centre (acute and community), pilot randomised controlled trial. Eligible participants were randomised to receive either NPWT or standard care (SC) (spun hydrocolloid, alginate or foam dressings). Outcome measures were time to healing of the reference pressure ulcer, recruitment rates, frequency of treatment visits, resources used and duration of follow-up.

Results
Three hundred and twelve patients were screened for eligibility into this trial over a 12-month recruitment period and 12/312 participants (3.8%) were randomised: 6 to NPWT and 6 to SC. Only one reference pressure ulcer healed (NPWT group) during follow-up (time to healing 79 days). The mean number of treatment visits per week was 3.1 (NPWT) and 5.7 (SC); 6/6 NPWT and 1/6 SC participants withdrew from their allocated trial treatment. The mean duration of follow-up was 3.8 (NPWT) and 5.0 (SC) months.

Conclusions
This pilot trial yielded vital information for the planning of a future full study including projected recruitment rate, required duration of follow-up and extent of research nurse support required. Data were also used to inform the cost-effectiveness and value of information analyses, which were conducted alongside the pilot trial.

Trial registration
Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN69032034.
Diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough in China: an insight into the status quo
Authors: Lai Kefang , Luo Wei , Zeng Guangqiao , Zhong Nanshan 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Chronic cough is a very common complaint in clinics throughout China. Clinical and basic science research on chronic cough started late, but in recent years the effort has yielded promising findings regarding the etiological diagnosis, treatment and pathogenesis. We found that inflammation in nonasthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis has some similarities to cough variant asthma but also a number of distinct differences. Recent evidence has also suggested a mechanistic link between airway neurogenic inflammation and and gastroesophageal reflux cough (GERC). Cough-related animal models have been developed, including models for esophageal reflux, nonasthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis and allergic rhinitis. Normal reference values for differential cell counts in induced sputum, cough sensitivity and esophageal 24-h pH monitoring in Chinese healthy subjects have been established. By using a modified algorithm for the etiological diagnosis of chronic cough, the causes of chronic cough have been investigated across a number of cities in China. The most common causes of chronic cough are cough variant asthma, eosinophilic bronchitis, upper airway cough symptoms, atopic cough and GERC, however, there are some regional variations. The Chinese National Guidelines on Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Cough were drafted in 2005, updated in 2009, and have been widely publicized and disseminated through many channels since their publication.
Birth defects in Iraq and the plausibility of environmental exposure: A review
Authors: Al-Hadithi Tariq S , Al-Diwan Jawad K , Saleh Abubakir M , Shabila Nazar P 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAn increased prevalence of birth defects was allegedly reported in Iraq in the post 1991 Gulf War period, which was largely attributed to exposure to depleted uranium used in the war. This has encouraged further research on this particular topic. This paper reviews the published literature and provided evidence concerning birth defects in Iraq to elucidate possible environmental exposure. In addition to published research, this review used some direct observation of birth defects data from Al-Ramadi Maternity and Paediatric Hospital in Al-Anbar Governorate in Iraq from1stJuly 2000 through 30thJune 2002. In addition to depleted uranium other war-related environmental factors have been studied and linked directly or indirectly with the increasing prevalence of birth defects. However, the reviewed studies and the available research evidence do not provide a clear increase in birth defects and a clear indication of a possible environmental exposure including depleted uranium although the country has been facing several environmental challenges since 1980.