bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Marginal discrepancies of Ni/Cr crowns for a soft tissue‐level, trans‐mucosal implant system
Authors: Eliopoulos Dimitris , Torsello Ferruccio , Cordaro Luca 
Published: November 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the marginal fit of frameworks for implant‐supported single crowns built with or without the use of prefabricated plastic copings.MethodsSixty premolar sized metal crown frameworks for cemented implant restorations were prepared by two separate dental laboratories. Twenty were prepared with the use of original plastic copings for burn‐out (OPC), twenty without any prefabricated plastic coping (WPC), and finally twenty with modified plastic copings (MPC). Specimens were inspected at 100× magnification. Marginal discrepancies can emerge at the vertical level as marginal gaps (MG) or horizontal differences in the circumferential precision of the restorations (HEX). HEX and MG were recorded at 10 different points in each metal crown. The ANOVA test was performed to estimate if there were statistically significant differences between the two dental laboratories. ANOVA Test was also used between Groups OPC, WPC, and MPC to evaluate differences in the mean MG and HEX values. The Tukey's post hoc test was also performed to determine whether couples of data sets were different or not.ResultsNo statistically significant differences regarding HEX and MG were found among the two dental laboratories. Significant differences were found among OPC, WPC, and MPC groups both for MG and HEX (P < 0.05). Tukey post hoc tests revealed that there were statistically significant differences (P‐value < 0.05) in all pairs of groups and for both dimensions measured. The OPC group showed horizontal and vertical over‐extension. The WPC group margins appeared vertically under‐extended but horizontally over‐extended. The WPC groups showed unpredictability of results in the vertical dimension. The MPC group margins demonstrated horizontal over‐extension and appeared vertically slightly under‐extended. The frameworks belonging to this group appeared the most precise in the vertical dimension.ConclusionsCasting Ni/Cr alloys without the use of prefabricated plastic components leads to unpredictable precision in the vertical marginal discrepancies. The use of plastic copings results in more predictable but horizontally and vertical over‐extended margins when the snap‐on mechanism is not removed properly after the casting due to the hardness of the Ni/Cr alloys. The removal of the snap‐on mechanism after the wax‐up and before casting (MPC group) results in more uniform and smaller vertical marginal discrepancies.
Patterns of plant community assembly in invaded and non‐invaded communities along a natural environmental gradient
Authors: Santoro Riccardo , Jucker Tommaso , Carboni Marta , Acosta Alicia T.R. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractQuestionsIs the stress gradient hypothesis (SGH) effective in predicting patterns of community assembly in coastal dune plant communities along the sea–inland environmental gradient? Does the introduction of invasive plant species disrupt these patterns, leading to a collapse in community structure?LocationSandy coastal dunes of the Lazio region (Central Italy).MethodsWe randomly sampled coastal dune plant species in 2 m × 2 m plots (4 m2). Multivariate techniques were used to classify these plots and allowed identification of four plant communities along the sea–inland environmental gradient, three of which were invaded by Carpobrotus aff. acinaciformis (iceplant). For each community, we computed two different indices of co‐occurrence that take into account species abundance, and then used Monte Carlo permutations alongside appropriate null models to determine whether overlap in the use of space was greater (aggregated community structure) or smaller (segregated community structure) than what would be expected by chance alone.ResultsFor the four non‐invaded communities, the analysis highlighted how community assemblage patterns were strongly tied to the sea–inland environmental gradient. In the two foredune communities, overlap in the use of space was greater than expected by chance, indicating an aggregated assemblage. In contrast, progressing along the zonation, assemblage patterns first shifted to random in the transition dune community and then became segregated in the fixed‐dune community. As for the three communities that were also found in an invaded state, the presence of iceplant was associated with a random structure in community assemblage.ConclusionsTaken together, our results are consistent with the SGH, which predicts that along an environmental gradient, facilitation drives the assembly of plant communities where conditions are harsh, whereas competition is predominant where conditions are less severe. The comparison of the three invaded communities with their non‐invaded counterparts revealed how iceplant invasion has led to a shift to randomness in community structure, as has been documented for wildfires and other disturbances.
Absence of Cerebral Microbleeds Predicts Reversion of Vascular ‘Cognitive Impairment No Dementia’ in Stroke
Authors: Tang Wai Kwong , Chen Yang-Kun , Lu Jin-Yan , Wong Adrian , Mok Vincent , Chu Winnie C. W. , Ungvari Gabor S. , Wong Ka Sing 
Published: November 2011

Background Cerebral microbleeds may contribute to cognitive deficits in stroke. Cognitive impairment that does not meet the criteria for dementia (cognitive impairment no dementia) is common in stroke, and patients with such impairment can revert to normal cognition. Aims and hypothesis This study examined the association between cerebral microbleeds and the reversion of cognitive impairment no dementia. Method A total of 328 Chinese patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to the acute stroke unit of a university-affiliated regional hospital in Hong Kong participated in the study. All subjects were assessed for cognitive impairment no dementia with a neuropsychological test battery at three- and 15 months following the index stroke. Of the 180 patients with cognitive impairment no dementia at three-months poststroke, 143 (79·4%) attended the 15-month follow-up. Twenty-nine subjects had reverted from cognitive impairment no dementia to normal cognitive status (reverters), 98 were nonreverters and 16 had progressed to dementia. Results In univariate analysis, the reverters were found to be younger, less likely to have hypertension and cerebral microbleeds, and to have smaller white matter hyperintensity volumes. In multivariate analysis, the absence of cerebral microbleeds remained an independent predictor of reversion with an odds ratio of 4·3. Absence of deep cerebral microbleeds predicted the reversion of the language domain, whereas the absence of lobar cerebral microbleeds predicted the reversion of the visuomotor speed domain. Conclusions The results suggest that the absence of cerebral microbleeds may be associated with a higher likelihood of a reversible cognitive impairment in stroke patients. The mechanism of how this occurs is not well understood.
A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial of a Structured Training Programme for Caregivers of Inpatients after Stroke (TRACS)
Authors: Forster Anne , Young John , Nixon Jane , Kalra Lalit , Smithard David , Patel Anita , Knapp Martin , Monaghan Josie , Breen Rachel , Anwar Shamaila , Farrin Amanda 
Published: November 2011

Rationale The majority of stroke patients are discharged home dependent on informal caregivers, usually family members, to provide assistance with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, and toileting. Many caregivers feel unprepared for this role, and this may have a detrimental effect on both the patient and caregiver. Aims To evaluate whether a structured, competency-based training programme for caregivers improves physical and psychological outcomes for patients and their caregivers after disabling stroke, and to determine if such a training programme is cost-effective. Design A cluster randomized controlled trial. The trial aims to recruit 25 patient and caregiver dyads from each of the 36 participating stroke rehabilitation units. Stroke units have been randomized to either the intervention or control group with randomization stratified by geographical region and quality of care. The intervention is the London Stroke Carer Training Course developed and evaluated in a previous single-centre study. The London Stroke Carer Training Course comprises a number of caregiver training sessions and competency assessment delivered while the patient is in the hospital and one follow-up session after discharge. The multidisciplinary teams in the units randomized to the intervention group have been trained to incorporate delivery of the London Stroke Carer Training Course into ward practice, while those randomized to the control group have continued to provide usual care according to national guidelines. Study outcomes The primary outcomes are extended activities of daily living for the patient and caregiver burden measured at six-months after recruitment. Secondary outcomes include mood and cost-effectiveness, with final follow-up at 12 months.
A Systematic Observational Study of a Juvenile Drug Court Judge
Authors: Salvatore Christopher , Hiller Matthew L. , Samuelson Benta , Henderson Jaime S. , White Elise 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTThe shift of the juvenile justice system from its initial rehabilitative ideal toward a more punitive orientation highlights the need to systematically document key elements of the juvenile drug court model. In particular, it is important to clearly document the role of the juvenile court judge because he or she is considered vital to this program model. The current study used participant observation as well as confidential questionnaires on which youth shared their perceptions of the judge. Findings show the judge‐participant interactions typically were brief, varied by the participants' level of compliance with the program, and that sanctions were given twice as often as rewards. Youth perceived the judge to be fair, respectful, and concerned about their lives. Discussion focuses on the significant opportunity that juvenile drug court judges have for positively influencing the lives of drug‐involved youth.
Proton therapy for non–small cell lung cancer: Current evidence and future directions
Authors: Shirvani Shervin M. , Chang Joe Y. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractNon–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer‐related death worldwide. Radiation dose escalation can improve survival in NSCLC patients but is often limited by adverse effects. One promising radiotherapy modality is proton radiotherapy, which, because of its physical characteristics, delivers minimal exit dose beyond the target volume and thus results in better sparing of normal tissues than does photon radiotherapy. Passive‐scattering proton therapy and intensity‐modulated proton therapy have shown promise in the treatment of early‐stage and locally advanced non–small cell lung cancer. However, more studies are needed to optimize proton therapy, particularly intensity‐modulated proton therapy, to address motion and density changes and to guide appropriate patient selection.
Essential Role of the NH2-Terminal Region of Cdc24 Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor in Its Initial Polarized Localization in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Fujimura-Kamada Konomi , Hirai Tomoe , Tanaka Kazuma 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTThe cortical recruitment and accumulation of the small GTPase Cdc42 are crucial steps in the establishment of polarity, but this process remains obscure. Cdc24 is an upstream regulator of budding yeast Cdc42 that accelerates the exchange of GDP for GTP in Cdc42 via its Dbl homology (DH) domain. Here, we isolated five novel temperature-sensitive (ts)cdc24mutants, the green fluorescent protein (GFP)-fused proteins of which lose their polarized localization at the nonpermissive temperature. All amino acid substitutions in the mutants were mapped to the NH2-terminal region of Cdc24, including the calponin homology (CH) domain. These Cdc24-ts mutant proteins did not interact with Bem1 at the COOH-terminal PB1 domain, suggesting a lack of exposure of the PB1 domain in the mutant proteins. Thecdc24-tsmutants were also defective in polarization in the absence of Bem1. It was previously reported that a fusion protein containing Cdc24 and the p21-activated kinase (PAK)-like kinase Cla4 could bypass the requirement for Bem1 in polarity cue-independent budding (i.e., symmetry breaking). Cdc24-ts–Cla4 fusion proteins also showed ts localization at the polarity site. We propose that the NH2-terminal region unmasks the DH and PB1 domains, leading to the activation of Cdc42 and interaction with Bem1, respectively, to initiate cell polarization.
Activation of the Ras/Raf/MEK Pathway Facilitates Hepatitis C Virus Replication via Attenuation of the Interferon-JAK-STAT Pathway
Authors: Zhang Qi , Gong Rui , Qu Jing , Zhou Yijing , Liu Weiyong , Chen Mingzhou , Liu Yingle , Zhu Ying , Wu Jianguo 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACT
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic liver diseases worldwide, often leading to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Constitutive activation of the Ras/Raf/MEK pathway is responsible for approximately 30% of cancers. Here we attempted to address the correlation between activation of this pathway and HCV replication. We showed that knockdown of Raf1 inhibits HCV replication, while activation of the Ras/Raf/MEK pathway by V12, a constitutively active form of Ras, stimulates HCV replication. We further demonstrated that this effect is regulated through attenuation of the interferon (IFN)-JAK-STAT pathway. Activation of the Ras/Raf/MEK pathway downregulates the expression of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs), attenuates the phosphorylation of STAT1/2, and inhibits the expression of interferon (alpha, beta, and omega) receptors 1 and 2 (IFNAR1/2). Furthermore, we observed that HCV infection activates the Ras/Raf/MEK pathway. Thus, we propose that during HCV infection, the Ras/Raf/MEK pathway is activated, which in turn attenuates the IFN-JAK-STAT pathway, resulting in stimulation of HCV replication.
Inoculation of Swine with Foot-and-Mouth Disease SAP-Mutant Virus Induces Early Protection against Disease
Authors: Díaz-San Segundo Fayna , Weiss Marcelo , Pérez-Martín Eva , Dias Camila C. , Grubman Marvin J. , de los Santos Teresa 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACT

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) leader proteinase (L
pro
) cleaves itself from the viral polyprotein and cleaves the translation initiation factor eIF4G. As a result, host cell translation is inhibited, affecting the host innate immune response. We have demonstrated that L
pro
is also associated with degradation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), a process that requires L
pro
nuclear localization. Additionally, we reported that disruption of a conserved protein domain within the L
pro
coding sequence, SAP mutation, prevented L
pro
nuclear retention and degradation of NF-κB, resulting in
in vitro
attenuation. Here we report that inoculation of swine with this SAP-mutant virus does not cause clinical signs of disease, viremia, or virus shedding even when inoculated at doses 100-fold higher than those required to cause disease with wild-type (WT) virus. Remarkably, SAP-mutant virus-inoculated animals developed a strong neutralizing antibody response and were completely protected against challenge with WT FMDV as early as 2 days postinoculation and for at least 21 days postinoculation. Early protection correlated with a distinct pattern in the serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines in comparison to the levels detected in animals inoculated with WT FMDV that developed disease. In addition, animals inoculated with the FMDV SAP mutant displayed a memory T cell response that resembled infection with WT virus. Our results suggest that L
pro
plays a pivotal role in modulating several pathways of the immune response. Furthermore, manipulation of the L
pro
coding region may serve as a viable strategy to derive live attenuated strains with potential for development as effective vaccines against foot-and-mouth disease.
Saffold Virus, a Novel Human Cardiovirus with Unknown Pathogenicity
Authors: Himeda Toshiki , Ohara Yoshiro 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTAlthough cardioviruses have been thought to mainly infect rodents, a novel human cardiovirus, designated Saffold virus (SAFV), was identified in 2007. SAFV is grouped with Theiler-like rat virus and Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) in the speciesTheilovirusof the genusCardiovirusof the familyPicornaviridae. Eight genotypes of SAFV have now been identified. SAFV has been isolated from nasal and stool specimens from infants presenting with respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms as well as from children with nonpolio acute flaccid paralysis; however, the relationship of SAFV to this symptomatology remains unclear. Of note, the virus has also been isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid specimens of patients with aseptic meningitis. This finding is of interest since TMEV is known to cause a multiple sclerosis-like syndrome in mice. The involvement of SAFV in various diseases (e.g., respiratory illness, gastrointestinal illness, neurological diseases, and type I diabetes) is presently under investigation. In order to clarify the pathogenicity of SAFV, additional epidemiological studies are required. Furthermore, identification of the SAFV cellular receptor will help establish an animal model for SAFV infection and help clarify the pathogenesis of SAFV-related diseases. In addition, investigation of the tissue-specific expression of the receptor may facilitate development of a novel picornavirus vector, which could be a useful tool in gene therapy for humans. The study of viral factors involved in viral pathogenicity using a reverse genetics technique will also be important.
MicroRNA Molecular Profiles Associated with Diagnosis, Clinicopathologic Criteria, and Overall Survival in Patients with Resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Jamieson Nigel B. , Morran Douglas C. , Morton Jennifer P. , Ali Asif , Dickson Euan J. , Carter C. Ross , Sansom Owen J. , Evans T.R. Jeffry , McKay Colin J. , Oien Karin A. 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
Purpose: MicroRNAs (miRNA) have potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and as therapeutic targets in cancer. We sought to establish the relationship between miRNA expression and clinicopathologic parameters, including prognosis, in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).
Experimental Design: Global miRNA microarray expression profiling of prospectively collected fresh-frozen PDAC tissue was done on an initial test cohort of 48 patients, who had undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy between 2003 and 2008 at a single institution. We evaluated association with tumor stage, lymph node status, and site of recurrence, in addition to overall survival, using Cox regression multivariate analysis. Validation of selected potentially prognostic miRNAs was done in a separate cohort of 24 patients.
Results: miRNA profiling identified expression signatures associated with PDAC, lymph node involvement, high tumor grade, and 20 miRNAs were associated with overall survival. In the initial cohort of 48 PDAC patients, high expression of miR-21 (HR = 3.22, 95% CI: 1.21–8.58) and reduced expression of miR-34a (HR = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.06–0.37) and miR-30d (HR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.12–0.79) were associated with poor overall survival following resection independent of clinical covariates. In a further validation set of 24 patients, miR-21 and miR-34a expression again significantly correlated with overall survival (P = 0.031 and P = 0.001).
Conclusion: Expression patterns of miRNAs are significantly altered in PDAC. Aberrant expression of a number of miRNAs was independently associated with reduced survival, including overexpression of miR-21 and underexpression of miR-34a.
Summary: miRNA expression profiles for resected PDAC were examined to identify potentially prognostic miRNAs. miRNA microarray analysis identified statistically unique profiles, which could discriminate PDAC from paired nonmalignant pancreatic tissues as well as molecular signatures that differ according to pathologic features. miRNA expression profiles correlated with overall survival of PDAC following resection, indicating that miRNAs provide prognostic utility. Clin Cancer Res; 18(2); 534–45. ©2011 AACR.
WEE1 Inhibition Sensitizes Basal Breast Cancer Cells to TRAIL-Induced Apoptosis
Authors: Garimella Sireesha V. , Rocca Andrea , Lipkowitz Stanley 
Published: November 2011

AbstractTRAIL is a member of the TNF super family and has been shown to induce apoptosis in many cancer cell lines but not in normal cells. Breast cancers can be divided into different subgroups on the basis of the expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors, HER-2 amplification, or the lack of these three markers (known as triple-negative or basal-type breast cancer). Our group and others have shown previously that triple-negative breast cancer cell lines are sensitive to TRAIL whereas others are relatively resistant. In an earlier study, we reported that inhibition of WEE1, a cell-cycle checkpoint regulator, causes increased cell death in breast cancer cell lines. In this study, we tested the effects of WEE1 inhibition on TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in breast cancer cell lines. Pretreatment with WEE1 inhibitor or knockdown of WEE1 increased the toxicity of TRAIL in the basal/triple-negative breast cancer cell lines compared with WEE1 inhibitor or TRAIL treatment alone. The enhanced cell death is attributed to increased surface expression of death receptors, increased caspase activation which could be blocked by the pan-caspase inhibitor, Z-VAD-FMK, thereby rescuing cells from caspase-mediated apoptosis. The cell death was initiated primarily by caspase-8 because knockdown of caspase-8 and not of any other initiator caspases (i.e., caspase-2, -9, or -10) rescued cells from WEE1 inhibitor–sensitized TRAIL-induced cell death. Taken together, the data suggest that the combination of WEE1 inhibitor and TRAIL could provide a novel combination for the treatment of basal/triple-negative breast cancer. Mol Cancer Res; 10(1); 75–85. ©2011 AACR.
The ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter ABCG2 Protects Against Pressure Overload–Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy and Heart Failure by Promoting Angiogenesis and Antioxidant Response
Authors: Higashikuni Yasutomi , Sainz Julie , Nakamura Kazuto , Takaoka Minoru , Enomoto Soichiro , Iwata Hiroshi , Tanaka Kimie , Sahara Makoto , Hirata Yasunobu , Nagai Ryozo , Sata Masataka 
Published: November 2011

Objective—
ATP-binding cassette transporter subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2), expressed in microvascular endothelial cells in the heart, has been suggested to regulate several tissue defense mechanisms. This study was performed to elucidate its role in pressure overload–induced cardiac hypertrophy.

Methods and Results—

Pressure overload was induced in 8- to 12-week-old wild-type and
Abcg2
−/−
mice by transverse aortic constriction (TAC).
Abcg2
−/−
mice showed exaggerated cardiac hypertrophy and ventricular remodeling after TAC compared with wild-type mice. In the early phase after TAC, functional impairment in angiogenesis and antioxidant response in myocardium was found in
Abcg2
−/−
mice. In vitro experiments demonstrated that ABCG2 regulates transport of glutathione, an important endogenous antioxidant, from microvascular endothelial cells. Besides, glutathione transported from microvascular endothelial cells in ABCG2-dependent manner ameliorated oxidative stress–induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. In vivo, glutathione levels in plasma and the heart were increased in wild-type mice but not in
Abcg2
−/−
mice after TAC. Treatment with the superoxide dismutase mimetic ameliorated cardiac hypertrophy in
Abcg2
−/−
mice after TAC to the same extent as that in wild-type mice, although cardiac dysfunction with impaired angiogenesis was observed in
Abcg2
−/−
mice.

Conclusion—
ABCG2 protects against pressure overload–induced cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure by promoting angiogenesis and antioxidant response.