bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
JAG2 Induction in Hypoxic Tumor Cells Alters Notch Signaling and Enhances Endothelial Cell Tube Formation
Authors: Pietras Alexander , von Stedingk Kristoffer , Lindgren David , Påhlman Sven , Axelson Håkan 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
Several studies have revealed links between hypoxia and activation of Notch in solid tumors. While most reports have focused on intracellular domain of the Notch1 receptor (icN1) stabilization by direct interaction with HIF proteins, little attention has been given to Notch ligand regulation during hypoxia. Here we show that the Notch ligand JAG2 is transcriptionally activated by hypoxia in a HIF-1α dependent manner. Hypoxic JAG2 induction resulted in elevated Notch activity in tumor cells, as was measured by increased icN1 levels and induction of the Notch target gene HEY1. In primary tumor material, JAG2 expression correlated with vascular development and angiogenesis gene signatures. In line with this, coculture experiments of endothelial cells with hypoxic breast cancer cells displayed a reduction in number of capillary-like tubes formed upon JAG2 siRNA treatment of the breast cancer cells. Together these results suggest that a hypoxic induction of JAG2 in tumor cells mediates a hypoxia-regulated cross-talk between tumor and endothelial cells. Mol Cancer Res; 9(5); 626–36. ©2011 AACR.
Platelet Protease Nexin-1, a Serpin That Strongly Influences Fibrinolysis and Thrombolysis
Authors: Boulaftali Yacine , Ho-Tin-Noe Benoit , Pena Ana , Loyau Stéphane , Venisse Laurence , François Déborah , Richard Benjamin , Arocas Véronique , Collet Jean-Philippe , Jandrot-Perrus Martine , Bouton Marie-Christine 
Published: March 2011

Background—
Protease nexin-1 (PN-1) is a serpin that inhibits plasminogen activators, plasmin, and thrombin. PN-1 is barely detectable in plasma, but we have shown recently that PN-1 is present within the α-granules of platelets.

Methods and Results—
In this study, the role of platelet PN-1 in fibrinolysis was investigated with the use of human platelets incubated with a blocking antibody and platelets from PN-1–deficient mice. We showed by using fibrin-agar zymography and fibrin matrix that platelet PN-1 inhibited both the generation of plasmin by fibrin-bound tissue plasminogen activator and the activity of fibrin-bound plasmin itself. Rotational thromboelastometry and laser scanning confocal microscopy were used to demonstrate that PN-1 blockade or deficiency resulted in increased clot lysis and in an acceleration of the lysis front. Protease nexin-1 is thus a major determinant of the lysis resistance of platelet-rich clots. Moreover, in an original murine model in which thrombolysis induced by tissue plasminogen activator can be measured directly in situ, we observed that vascular recanalization was significantly increased in PN-1–deficient mice. Surprisingly, general physical health, after tissue plasminogen activator–induced thrombolysis, was much better in PN-1–deficient than in wild-type mice.

Conclusions—
Our results reveal that platelet PN-1 can be considered as a new important regulator of thrombolysis in vivo. Inhibition of PN-1 is thus predicted to promote endogenous and exogenous tissue plasminogen activator–mediated fibrinolysis and may enhance the therapeutic efficacy of thrombolytic agents.
Long-Term Cardiac pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Gene Delivery Prevents the Development of Hypertensive Heart Disease in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Cataliotti Alessandro , Tonne Jason M. , Bellavia Diego , Martin Fernando L. , Oehler Elise A. , Harders Gerald E. , Campbell Jarryd M. , Peng Kaw-Whye , Russell Stephen J. , Malatino Lorenzo S. , Burnett John C. , Ikeda Yasuhiro 
Published: March 2011

Background—
Diastolic dysfunction associated with high blood pressure (BP) leads to cardiac remodeling and fibrosis and progression to congestive heart failure. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) has BP-lowering, antifibrotic, and antihypertrophic properties, which makes BNP an attractive agent for attenuating the adverse cardiac remodeling associated with hypertension. In the current study, we tested the effects of sustained cardiac proBNP gene delivery on BP, cardiac function, and remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

Methods and Results—
We used the myocardium-tropic adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) vector to achieve continuously enhanced cardiac rat proBNP expression. In SHR, a single systemic administration of AAV9 vector allowed long-term cardiac BNP overexpression, resulting in reductions in systolic and diastolic BP for 9 months after injection. Left ventricular (LV) thickness, LV end-systolic dimensions, and LV mass were reduced, whereas ejection fraction was significantly increased, in BNP-treated compared with untreated SHR. Circumferential systolic strain and strain rate of the early phase of diastole were improved in BNP-treated compared with untreated SHR. Noncardiac overexpression of BNP via AAV2 vector was not associated with changes in BP and plasma BNP in SHR. Furthermore, normal Wistar rats injected with AAV9 proBNP vector showed significantly reduced heart weights 4 weeks after injection without BP reduction.

Conclusions—
AAV9 vector facilitates sustained cardiac proBNP overexpression and improves LV function in hypertensive heart disease. Long-term proBNP delivery improved both systolic and diastolic function. The effects on cardiac structure and function occurred independently of BP-lowering effects in normal Wistar rats.
Parents as educators of sex and relationship education
Authors: Turnbull Triece , van Wersch Anna , van Schaik Paul 
Published: March 2011

Objective: To identify how British families discuss sexual matters and to determine if the use of a multimedia computer program increases knowledge to promote communication about sexual topics. Design: A mixed-method approach in which families were interviewed within the family environment. Method: Twenty families from the north east of England were recruited through purposive sampling. The first element of the research involved semi-structured interviews to identify how sexual matters were discussed within families. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using the modified grounded theory approach of Strauss and Corbin. 1 The second part of the research involved families exploring a sex and relationship education resource to determine if knowledge and confidence in knowledge enhanced communication about sexual matters within families. Results: The majority of parents and their children were found to discuss sexual matters openly within families. The resource was found to affect communication of sexual topics and increased knowledge and confidence in knowledge of parents and their children. Conclusion: The results highlight the feasibility of using multimedia computer programs to educate and increase communication about sexual matters within families. Future research needs to focus on more diverse populations to assess the accuracy of this research and the possibility of developing parent programmes with the aim of educating parents so they can provide effective sex education to their children.
A pilot study on the effect of Basic Body Awareness Therapy in patients with eating disorders: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Catalan-Matamoros Daniel , Helvik-Skjaerven Liv , Labajos-Manzanares M Teresa , Martínez-de-Salazar-Arboleas Alma , Sánchez-Guerrero Eduardo 
Published: March 2011

Objective: To analyse the feasibility of Basic Body Awareness Therapy in people with eating disorders. Design: A randomized controlled trial; the assessors were not blinded to the group allocation. Setting: The eating disorders department within a hospital setting. Subjects: Twenty-eight outpatients with eating disorders for less than five years. Intervention: All patients received standard outpatient treatment. The intervention group (n = 14) also received Basic Body Awareness Therapy for seven weeks. Main measures: Eating Disorder Inventory, Eating Attitude Test, Body Attitude Test and Quality of Life Scale SF-36. Results: Analysing the differences between both groups, significant differences were found in Eating Disorder Inventory (mean difference: 26.3; P = 0.015) and in its subscales ‘drive to thinness’ (P = 0.003), ‘body dissatisfaction’ (P = 0.025) and ‘ineffectiveness’ (P = 0.014). Also in Body Attitude Test (mean difference: 33.0; P = 0.012), Eating Attitude Test-40 (mean difference: 17.7; P = 0.039) and SF-36 in the section ‘mental health’ (mean difference: 13.0; P = 0.002). Conclusions: This study has shown some effectiveness of Basic Body Awareness Therapy in improving some symptoms in outpatients with eating disorders. Further studies should include larger samples, double-blinded and placebo methodologies, and should focus on questions such as which eating disorder diagnoses benefit most from physical therapy.
Effects of progressive muscle relaxation on state anxiety and subjective well-being in people with schizophrenia: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Vancampfort Davy , De Hert Marc , Knapen Jan , Maurissen Katrien , Raepsaet Julie , Deckx Seppe , Remans Sander , Probst Michel 
Published: March 2011

Objective: To examine the efficacy of a single progressive muscle relaxation session compared with a control condition on state anxiety, psychological stress, fatigue and subjective well-being in patients with schizophrenia. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: An acute inpatient care unit of an University Psychiatric Centre. Subjects: Sixty-four out of 88 eligible patients with schizophrenia. Interventions: Patients were randomly assigned to either a single progressive muscle relaxation session during 25 minutes or a resting control condition with the opportunity to read for an equal amount of time. Main outcome measures: Before and after the single interventions the State anxiety inventory and the Subjective exercise experiences scale were completed. Effect sizes were calculated. Results: Only within progressive muscle relaxation, participants (n=27) showed decreased state anxiety, psychological stress and fatigue and increased subjective well-being. Between-group differences in post scores were found for state anxiety, subjective well-being and psychological stress, but not for fatigue. The effect size favouring progressive muscle relaxation was 1.26 for subjective well-being and −1.25 and −1.02 for respectively state anxiety and psychological stress. Conclusions: Progressive muscle relaxation is highly effective in reducing acute feelings of stress and anxiety in patients with schizophrenia. A reduction in stress and state anxiety is associated with an increase in subjective well-being.
Comparison of the responsiveness of the Care Dependency Scale for Rehabilitation and the Barthel Index
Authors: Eichhorn-Kissel Juliane , Dassen Theo , Lohrmann Christa 
Published: March 2011

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the responsiveness of the Care Dependency Scale for Rehabilitation (CDS-R) and the Barthel Index in rehabilitation. Design: A longitudinal study was performed over six months (2007–8) where patients were assessed using the scales after admission and before discharge. Setting and subjects: A convenience sample of 1,542 patients was recruited in an Austrian rehabilitation centre. Measures: The CDS-R and the Barthel Index. Data analysis: Responsiveness was determined by descriptive analysis, significance tests and calculation of effect sizes. Results: For the 1,542 patients, the calculation according to Kazis yielded values of 0.10 for both instruments. For the group of patients who showed clinically relevant changes, values of 0.50 were obtained for the CDS-R and 1.06 for the Barthel Index. For the group 1,542 patients, the calculation according to Liang yielded values of 0.42 for the CDS-R and 0.34 for the Barthel Index. For the group of patients who showed clinically relevant changes, values of 1.47 were obtained for the CDS-R and 1.92 for the Barthel Index. Conclusion: The Barthel Index seems to be slightly more responsive than the CDS-R, and both instruments seem to be appropriate for the assessment of patients’ changes over time. Nevertheless, the exact level of responsiveness could not be clearly identified for both instruments. To confirm the level of responsiveness, further research is recommended.
Comprehensive characterisation of pulmonary and serum surfactant protein D in COPD
Authors: Winkler Carla , Atochina-Vasserman Elena N , Holz Olaf , Beers Michael F , Erpenbeck Veit J , Krug Norbert , Roepcke Stefan , Lauer Gereon , Elmlinger Martin , Hohlfeld Jens M 
Published: March 2011

Abstract

Background
Pulmonary surfactant protein D (SP-D) is considered as a candidate biomarker for the functional integrity of the lung and for disease progression, which can be detected in serum. The origin of SP-D in serum and how serum concentrations are related to pulmonary concentrations under inflammatory conditions is still unclear.

Methods
In a cross-sectional study comprising non-smokers (n = 10), young - (n = 10), elderly smokers (n = 20), and smokers with COPD (n = 20) we simultaneously analysed pulmonary and serum SP-D levels with regard to pulmonary function, exercise, repeatability and its quaternary structure by native gel electrophoresis. Statistical comparisons were conducted by ANOVA and post-hoc testing for multiple comparisons; repeatability was assessed by Bland-Altman analysis.

Results
In COPD, median (IQR) pulmonary SP-D levels were lower (129(68) ng/ml) compared to smokers (young: 299(190), elderly: 296(158) ng/ml; p < 0.01) and non-smokers (967(708) ng/ml; p < 0.001). The opposite was observed in serum, with higher concentrations in COPD (140(89) ng/ml) as compared to non-smokers (76(47) ng/ml; p < 0.01). SP-D levels were reproducible and correlated with the degree of airway obstruction in all smokers. In addition, smoking lead to disruption of the quaternary structure.

Conclusions
Pulmonary and serum SP-D levels are stable markers influenced by smoking and related to airflow obstruction and disease state. Smaller subunits of pulmonary SP-D and the rapid increase of serum SP-D levels in COPD due to exercise support the translocation hypothesis and its use as a COPD biomarker.

Trial registration
no interventional trial
Moult cycle specific differential gene expression profiling of the crab Portunus pelagicus
Authors: Kuballa Anna V , Holton Timothy A , Paterson Brian , Elizur Abigail 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackgroundCrustacean moulting is a complex process involving many regulatory pathways. A holistic approach to examine differential gene expression profiles of transcripts relevant to the moulting process, across all moult cycle stages, was used in this study. Custom cDNA microarrays were constructed forPortunus pelagicus. The printed arrays contained 5000 transcripts derived from both the whole organism, and from individual organs such as the brain, eyestalk, mandibular organ and Y-organ from all moult cycle stages.ResultsA total of 556 clones were sequenced from the cDNA libraries used to construct the arrays. These cDNAs represented 175 singletons and 62 contigs, resulting in 237 unique putative genes. The gene sequences were classified into the following biological functions: cuticular proteins associated with arthropod exoskeletons, farnesoic acidO-methyltransferase (FaMeT), proteins belonging to the hemocyanin gene family, lectins, proteins relevant to lipid metabolism, mitochondrial proteins, muscle related proteins, phenoloxidase activators and ribosomal proteins. Moult cycle-related differential expression patterns were observed for many transcripts. Of particular interest were those relating to the formation and hardening of the exoskeleton, and genes associated with cell respiration and energy metabolism.ConclusionsThe expression data presented here provide a chronological depiction of the molecular events associated with the biological changes that occur during the crustacean moult cycle. Tracing the temporal expression patterns of a large variety of transcripts involved in the moult cycle ofP. pelagicuscan provide a greater understanding of gene function, interaction, and regulation of both known and new genes with respect to the moulting process.
Healthcare-associated pneumonia among hospitalized patients in a Korean tertiary hospital
Authors: Jung Ji Ye , Park Moo Suk , Kim Young Sam , Park Byung Hoon , Kim Se Kyu , Chang Joon , Kang Young Ae 
Published: March 2011

Abstract

Background
Healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP) has more similarities to nosocomial pneumonia than to community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). However, there have only been a few epidemiological studies of HCAP in South Korea. We aimed to determine the differences between HCAP and CAP in terms of clinical features, pathogens, and outcomes, and to clarify approaches for initial antibiotic management.

Methods
We conducted a retrospective, observational study of 527 patients with HCAP or CAP who were hospitalized at Severance Hospital in South Korea between January and December 2008.

Results
Of these patients, 231 (43.8%) had HCAP, and 296 (56.2%) had CAP. Potentially drug-resistant (PDR) bacteria were more frequently isolated in HCAP than CAP (12.6% vs. 4.7%; P = 0.001), especially in the low-risk group of the PSI classes (41.2% vs. 13.9%; P = 0.027). In-hospital mortality was higher for HCAP than CAP patients (28.1% vs. 10.8%, P < 0.001), especially in the low-risk group of PSI classes (16.4% vs. 3.1%; P = 0.001). Moreover, tube feeding and prior hospitalization with antibiotic treatment within 90 days of pneumonia onset were significant risk factors for PDR pathogens, with odds ratios of 14.94 (95% CI 4.62-48.31; P < 0.001) and 2.68 (95% CI 1.32-5.46; P = 0.007), respectively.

Conclusions
For HCAP patients with different backgrounds, various pathogens and antibiotic resistance of should be considered, and careful selection of patients requiring broad-spectrum antibiotics is important when physicians start initial antibiotic treatments.
Development of expression vectors based on pepino mosaic virus
Authors: Sempere Raquel N , Gómez Pedro , Truniger Verónica , Aranda Miguel A 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackgroundPlant viruses are useful expression vectors because they can mount systemic infections allowing large amounts of recombinant protein to be produced rapidly in differentiated plant tissues. Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) (genusPotexvirus, familyFlexiviridae), a widespread plant virus, is a promising candidate expression vector for plants because of its high level of accumulation in its hosts and the absence of severe infection symptoms. We report here the construction of a stable and efficient expression vector for plants based on PepMV.ResultsAgroinfectious clones were produced from two different PepMV genotypes (European and Chilean), and these were able to initiate typical PepMV infections. We explored several strategies for vector development including coat protein (CP) replacement, duplication of the CP subgenomic promoter (SGP) and the creation of a fusion protein using the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) 2A catalytic peptide. We found that CP replacement vectors were unable to move systemically and that vectors with duplicated SGPs (even heterologous SGPs) suffered from significant transgene instability. The fusion protein incorporating the FMDV 2A catalytic peptide gave by far the best results, maintaining stability through serial passages and allowing the accumulation of GFP to 0.2-0.4 g per kg of leaf tissue. The possible use of PepMV as a virus-induced gene silencing vector to study gene function was also demonstrated. Protocols for the use of this vector are described.ConclusionsA stable PepMV vector was generated by expressing the transgene as a CP fusion using the sequence encoding the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) 2A catalytic peptide to separate them. We have generated a novel tool for the expression of recombinant proteins in plants and for the functional analysis of virus and plant genes. Our experiments have also highlighted virus requirements for replication in single cells as well as intercellular and long-distance movement.
En bloc Extended Total Thymectomy and Extrapleural Pneumonectomy in Masaoka stage IVA Thymomas
Authors: Yang Hee Chul , Yoon Yoo Sang , Kim Hong Kwan , Choi Yong Soo , Kim Kwhanmien , Shim Young Mog , Han Jungho , Kim Jhingook 
Published: March 2011

Abstract

Background
Surgical excision is the primary treatment for a thymoma. However, for advanced thymoma that extends to within the thoracic cavity and for recurrent cases with pleural dissemination (Masaoka stage IVA), the appropriate treatment is controversial. We evaluated the safety of surgery and outcomes of seven patients that underwent an en bloc extended total thymectomy and extrapleural pneumonectomy for stage IVA thymomas.

Methods
From 1994 to 2009, five patients initially diagnosed with pleural dissemination and two patients with recurrent tumors in the pleura and lungs after a total thymectomy, were identified. Seven patients had an extrapleural pneumonectomy performed. For the first operation, five patients underwent additional en bloc extended total thymectomy.

Results
Two recurrent cases were identified 55.2 and 12.3 months after first operation. Two patients had WHO type B1-B2 tumors, two had B2, two had B2-B3, and one had a B3 tumor. The mean hospital stay was 15.3 days (range: 7-29). There was no operative mortality. Four patients had neoadjuvant chemotherapy and five were treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. The median survival was 30.6 months and the Kaplan-Meier 2-year survival was 100% (95% confidence interval: 24.6-36.6 months). One patient, who did not receive induction chemotherapy, had distant metastases after surgery.

Conclusions
En bloc extended total thymectomy and extrapleural pneumonectomy can be safely performed on selected patients with stage IVA thymomas and is expected to achieve complete local control. Although the treatment strategy has yet to be standardized, complete resection with appropriate systemic therapy may improve survival in otherwise fatal disease.