bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aloe vera in the treatment for oral submucous fibrosis – a preliminary study
Authors: Sudarshan Ramachandran , Annigeri Rajeshwari G. , Sree Vijayabala G. 
Published: May 2012

J Oral Pathol Med (2012) 41: 755–761Background and objectives:  Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a potentially malignant disorder of the oral mucosa, mainly associated with the practice of chewing gutka and betel quid. The pathogenesis is obscure, and till date, no definitive therapy is available for the management of OSMF. Hence, this preliminary study was carried out to compare the efficacy of Aloe vera with antioxidants in the treatment for OSMF.Methods:  Twenty study subjects with OSMF were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups. There were 10 patients in each group; group A subjects received 5 mg of aloe vera gel to be applied topically three times daily for 3 months and group B subjects received antioxidant capsules twice daily for 3 months. The results were analyzed with paired ‘t’ test and unpaired ‘t’ test.Results:  Aloe vera responded better in all the parameters assessed and responded in all the clinicohistopathological stages particularly in those with mild‐stage clinically and early‐stage histopathologically. Aloe vera showed a statistically significant reduction in burning sensation (P = 0.008), improvement in mouth opening (P = 0.02), and cheek flexibility (P = 0.01) on comparing with the antioxidant group.Interpretation and conclusion:  Overall assessment of the parameters depicted that Aloe vera group showed a better treatment response compared to the antioxidants group. It reduces the burning sensation and improves mouth opening thereby enhanced the patients’ compliance. It proves to be a relatively safe, can be applied topically, easily available, economical, noninvasive, and efficacious in the treatment for OSMF.
Analysis of the expression of heat‐shock protein 27 in patients with oral lichen planus
Authors: García‐García V , Bascones‐Martínez A , García‐Kass AI , Martinelli‐Kläy CP , Küffer R , Álvarez‐Fernández E , Lombardi T 
Published: May 2012

Oral Diseases (2012) 19, 65–72Objective:  Heat‐shock protein 27 (hsp27) has been implicated in several biological events. In this experimental study, we aimed at analysing, for the first time, the expression of hsp27 in the diverse stages of oral lichen planus (OLP) lesions.Materials and methods:  Thirty‐six biopsy specimens of patients with OLP and 10 of healthy patients were selected. OLP specimens were divided into three groups: G1 – moderate or mildly active OLP; G2 – active or moderately active atrophic OLP; G3 – mild or inactive atrophic OLP. Hsp27 expression was analysed by immunohistochemistry (staining intensity and percentage of stained cells), and results of staining were compared between the different groups. Gender, age and anatomical location were also studied.Results:  In the basal layer, an increase of hsp27 expression in both G2 and G3 was observed when compared to G1 and control group. In contrast, a decrease of hsp27 expression in the superficial layer was observed in all groups when compared to control group.Conclusion:  The increased expression of Hsp27 in the basal layer observed during the OLP evolution and the less staining in the superficial layers in all cases of OLP suggest that hsp27 may have a role in the OLP pathogenesis.
A discussion on the assumption of ambipolar diffusion of meteor trails in the Earth's upper atmosphere
Authors: Kumar Karanam Kishore , Subrahmanyam Kandula Venkata 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
For the first time, height profiles of meteor trail decay time due to the ambipolar diffusion process are estimated using temperature and pressure measurements by the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) instrument on-board Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED) satellite. The comparison of the meteor trail decay time measured by a meteor radar over Thumba (8°.5 N, 77°E) and SABER offered very valuable insights into the meteor trail decay processes and also provided much needed validation for assumption of ambipolar diffusion of meteor trails. It is observed that the assumption of ambipolar diffusion is valid in the height region of 90–96 km only where both SABER and radar measurements show excellent agreement in meteor trail decay time. The present analysis also shows that there are other processes which govern the meteor trail decay in the 80–90 km region, where large deviations are found between radar and SABER measurements. The differences between the SABER- and radar-observed decay times are quantified, and the processes responsible for the observed differences are also discussed extensively in the light of present understanding. The important outcome of the present study is the validation of assumption on ambipolar diffusivity of the meteor trails, which has significant implications in estimating the temperature using meteor trail decay time.
The Relationship Between Rural Status, Individual Characteristics, and Self‐Rated Health in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Authors: Bethea Traci N. , Lopez Russell P. , Cozier Yvette C. , White Laura F. , McClean Michael D. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractPurpose: To examine rural status and social factors as predictors of self‐rated health in community‐dwelling adults in the United States.Methods: This study uses multinomial logistic and cumulative logistic models to evaluate the associations of interest in the 2006 US Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a cross‐sectional survey of 347,709 noninstitutionalized adults.Findings: Self‐rated health was poorer among rural residents, compared to urban residents (OR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.54, 1.90). However, underlying risk factors such as obesity, low income, and low educational attainment were found to vary by rural status and account for the observed increased risk (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.94, 1.12). There was little evidence of effect modification by rural status, though the association between obesity and self‐rated health was stronger among urban residents (OR = 2.50, 95% CI: 2.38, 2.64) than among rural residents (OR = 2.18, 95% CI: 2.03, 2.34).Conclusions: Our findings suggest that differences in self‐rated health by rural status were attributable to differential distributions of participant characteristics and not due to differential effects of those characteristics.
Ongoing Self‐Engagement in Quit Attempts and Cessation Outcomes Among Rural Smokers Who Were Unable to Quit After 2 Years of Repeated Interventions
Authors: Azor Hui Siu‐kuen , Nazir Niaman , Faseru Babalola , Ellerbeck Edward F. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractPurpose: As many smokers experience repeated failures with cessation attempts, it has been postulated that we may create a cadre of highly resistant smokers who are unlikely to engage in treatment or succeed in quitting. Our purpose was to follow a group of recalcitrant rural smokers and examine their ongoing engagement in smoking cessation activities.Methods: At the end of a 24‐month disease management program for rural smokers, we identified participants who reported ongoing daily smoking despite exposure to 4 previous cycles of smoking cessation interventions. At month 36 (1 year after conclusion of the study), we contacted these participants and assessed changes in smoking status and ongoing engagement in cessation activities over the preceding 6 months. We assessed quit attempts and use of pharmacotherapy during the prior 6 months, as well as smoking abstinence at 36 months.Findings: Among 333 recalcitrant smokers, 49% reported at least one 24‐hour quit attempt during the preceding 6 months, 29% tried smoking cessation pharmacotherapy, and 5% quit smoking. Significant predictors of having at least one 24‐hour quit attempt were lower numbers of cigarettes smoked per day, being in preparation stage of change, and more pharmacotherapy‐assisted quit attempts during the original 24‐month trial. Higher motivation to quit and more previous pharmacotherapy‐assisted quit attempts significantly predicted cessation medication use. Use of varenicline was strongly associated with cessation.Conclusions: Many recalcitrant rural smokers continue to engage in treatment and make quit attempts even in the absence of active interventions.
The proliferative effects of ghrelin on human gastric cancer AGS cells
Authors: TIAN Pei Ying , FAN Xiao Ming 
Published: May 2012

OBJECTIVE:  To investigate the role of ghrelin in the gastric cancer cell line AGS and its probable mechanism.METHODS:  Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay after treated with ghrelin or des‐acyl ghrelin. The expression of growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a (GHS‐R1a) and 1b (GHS‐R1b) mRNA was detected using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). The activity of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and Akt was measured by Western blot in cells either treated with ghrelin or inhibitors for ERK1/2 and phosphoinositide‐3 kinase (PI3K). The distribution of cell cycle phases was determined by flow cytometry analysis of DNA content.RESULTS:  GHS‐R1a and GHS‐R1b mRNA were expressed in the AGS cells. Ghrelin and des‐acyl ghrelin induced AGS cell proliferation at concentrations of 1 nmol/L and 10 nmol/L but had no proliferative effect at a concentration of 100 nmol/L. The treatment of AGS cells with 10 nmol/L of ghrelin and des‐acyl ghrelin resulted in the progression of the increased cells in the S phase. ERK1/2 and Akt were activated by ghrelin and des‐acyl ghrelin. Specific ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 and PI3K inhibitor wortmannin reduced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt, respectively and blocked ghrelin‐ and des‐acyl ghrelin‐induced AGS cell proliferation.CONCLUSION:  Ghrelin and des‐acyl ghrelin stimulate the proliferation of gastric cancer cells via the activation of the ERK1/2 and PI3K/Akt pathway.
A Regional‐Scale Habitat Suitability Model to Assess the Effects of Flow Reduction on Fish Assemblages in Michigan Streams1
Authors: Zorn Troy G. , Seelbach Paul W. , Rutherford Edward S. 
Published: May 2012

Zorn, Troy G., Paul W. Seelbach, and Edward S. Rutherford, 2012. A Regional‐Scale Habitat Suitability Model to Assess the Effects of Flow Reduction on Fish Assemblages in Michigan Streams. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 48(5): 871‐895. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2012.00656.xAbstract:  In response to concerns over increased use and potential diversion of Michigan’s freshwater resources, and the resulting state legislative mandate, an advisory council created an integrated assessment model to determine the potential for water withdrawals to cause an adverse resource impact to fish assemblages in Michigan’s streams. As part of this effort, we developed a model to predict how fish assemblages characteristic of different stream types would change in response to decreased stream base flows. We describe model development and use in this case study. The model uses habitat suitability information (i.e., catchment size, base‐flow yield, and July mean water temperature) for over 40 fish species to predict assemblage structure in an individual river segment under a range of base‐flow reductions. By synthesizing model runs for individual fish species at representative segments for each of Michigan’s 11 ecological stream types, we developed curves describing how typical fish assemblages in each type respond to flow reduction. Each stream type‐specific, fish response curve was used to identify streamflow reduction levels resulting in adverse resource impacts to characteristic fish populations, the regulatory standard. Used together with a statewide map of stream types, our model provided a spatially comprehensive framework for evaluating impacts of flow withdrawals on biotic communities across a diverse regional landscape.
Impacts of Dams on Flow Regimes in Three Headwater Subbasins of the Columbia River Basin, United States1
Authors: Moore Johnnie N. , Arrigoni Alicia S. , Wilcox Andrew C. 
Published: May 2012

Moore, Johnnie N., Alicia S. Arrigoni, and Andrew C. Wilcox, 2012. Impacts of Dams on Flow Regimes in Three Headwater Subbasins of the Columbia River Basin, United States. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 48(5): 925‐938. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2012.00660.xAbstract:  We compared long‐term changes in flow regimes resulting from climate change with those resulting from dams in three matched pairs of natural and modified headwater subbasins of the Columbia River. Based on the analysis of 12 flow‐regime metrics, we found that damming had minimal effect on most quantity of flow metrics, but major effect on timing of flow metrics, especially those representing “spring runoff.” In all modified subbasins, “spring runoff” metrics occurred much earlier than natural flow (up to ∼44 days earlier for April‐July flows). Storage capacity modulated the magnitude of timing of flow‐metric changes, with the largest storage capacity leading to the most change. However, even in subbasins with low storage capacity, we found significant change in most timing of flow metrics. We also found that damming, especially in subbasins with higher storage capacity, overwhelmed climate variability in all basins for most flow metrics. This shows that reservoir operations need to be modified to more closely match the natural timing of flow regimes to promote positive ecologic response in modified rivers, even in basins where quantity of flow metrics have not changed substantially as a result of damming.
Blood pressure variables and prevalent electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy in sub‐Saharan African individuals with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Dzudie Anastase , Choukem Simeon P. , Dehayem Mesmin Y. , Kengne Andre P. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBackground:  The aim of the present study was to investigate whether brachial blood pressure (BP) variables (systolic BP [SBP], diastolic BP [DBP], pulse [PP] and mean arterial pressure [MAP]) are similar determinants of prevalent electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in sub‐Saharan Africans with type 2 diabetes (T2D).Methods:  The study included 420 individuals (49% men) with T2D who were receiving chronic care in two main referral centers in the two major cities (Douala and Yaounde) of Cameroon. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for a standard deviation (SD) higher level of SBP (25 mmHg), DBP (13), PP (18) and MAP (20) with the risk of LVH. Discrimination was assessed and compared with c‐statistics and relative integrated discrimination improvement (RIDI; %).Results:  The multivariable adjusted OR (95% CI) for prevalent LVH with each SD higher pressure variable was 1.61 (1.22–2.11) for SBP, 1.27 (0.99–1.63) for DBP, 1.62 (1.23–2.15) for PP and 1.44 (1.11–1.87) for MAP. Comparison of c‐statistics revealed no difference in the discrimination power of models with each of the BP variables (P > 0.09). However, RIDI showed enhanced discrimination in the models when other BP variables were replaced with PP. However, this enhancement was marginal for SBP. Using BP combinations modestly improved discrimination.Conclusions:  The best predictors of prevalent LVH in the present study population were PP and SBP, whereas DBP was the least effective predictor. These findings have implications for cardiovascular risk stratification and monitoring of risk‐reducing therapies.
Imported Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemase-Producing K. pneumoniae Clones in a Greek Hospital: Impact of Infection Control Measures for Restraining Their Dissemination
Authors: Poulou Aggeliki , Voulgari Evangelia , Vrioni Georgia , Xidopoulos Grigorios , Pliagkos Aris , Chatzipantazi Vassiliki , Markou Fani , Tsakris Athanassios 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACT

The recent emergence of carbapenemase-producing
Enterobacteriaceae
strains represents a major threat for hospitalized patients. We document the dissemination and control of carbapenemase-producing
Klebsiella pneumoniae
clones in a Greek hospital. During a 3-year study period (January 2009 to December 2011), carbapenemase-producing
K. pneumoniae
strains were isolated from clinical samples from 73 individual patients. Phenotyping and molecular testing confirmed that 52 patients were infected with
K. pneumoniae
carbapenemase 2 (KPC-2) producers, 12 were infected with VIM-1 producers, and the remaining 9 were infected with isolates producing both KPC-2 and VIM-1 enzymes. Twenty-eight of these clinical cases were characterized as imported health care associated, and 23 of these were attributed to KPC producers and 5 were attributed to KPC and VIM producers. The remaining 45 cases were deemed hospital acquired. In the second year of the study, intensified infection control intervention was implemented, followed by active surveillance and carrier isolation in the third year. The incidence of carbapenemase-producing
K. pneumoniae
patient cases decreased from 0.52/1,000 patient days in 2009 to 0.32/1,000 patient days in 2010 (
P
= 0.075). Following these additional infection control measures, the incidence fell to 0.21/1,000 patient days in 2011 and differed significantly from that in 2009 (
P
= 0.0028). Despite the fact that the imported cases of carbapenemase-producing
K. pneumoniae
were equally distributed over this 3-year period, the incidence of hospital-acquired cases decreased from 0.36/1,000 patient days in 2009 to 0.19/1,000 patient days in 2010 (
P
= 0.058) and to 0.1/1,000 patient days in 2011 (
P
= 0.0012). Our findings suggest that rigorous infection control measures and active surveillance can effectively reduce the incidence of secondary transmission due to KPC-producing pathogens.
Detection of Wolbachia DNA in Blood for Diagnosing Filaria-Associated Syndromes in Cats
Authors: Turba Maria Elena , Zambon Elisa , Zannoni Augusta , Russo Samanta , Gentilini Fabio 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACT

A fundamental role for the endosymbiotic bacteria
Wolbachia pipientis
in the pathogenesis of
Dirofilaria immitis
infections has emerged in recent years. Diagnostic opportunities arising from this breakthrough have not yet been fully exploited. This study was aimed at developing conventional and real-time PCR assays to carry out a molecular survey in a convenience sample of cats living in an area where
D. immitis
is endemic and to evaluate the detection of bacterial DNA in blood as a surrogate assay for diagnosing filaria-associated syndromes in cats. COI and FtsZ loci were used as targets for
D. immitis
and
Wolbachia
PCR assays, respectively, and real-time TaqMan PCR assays were used only for
Wolbachia
. A convenience sample of 307 disease-affected or healthy cats examined at a University facility were PCR tested, and their medical records were investigated. Conventional nested PCR for
Wolbachia
amplified the endosymbionts of both
D. immitis
and
D. repens
, while real-time PCR was highly specific only for the former. Observed prevalences of 0.3 and 10.4% were found using conventional nested PCR assays for
D. immitis
and real-time PCR for
Wolbachia
, respectively. Similar prevalences were established using the Wolbachia nested PCR (98% concordance with real-time PCR). The group of
Wolbachia
-positive samples had a significantly higher proportion of subjects with respiratory signs (29.0% versus 9.7%;
P
= 0.002). The findings of this study indicate that a highly sensitive PCR assay can be used to detect the
Wolbachia
organism in the peripheral blood of cats with respiratory signs.
Diagnostic Value of Conjunctival Swab Sampling Associated with Nested PCR for Different Categories of Dogs Naturally Exposed to Leishmania infantum Infection
Authors: Di Muccio Trentina , Veronesi Fabrizia , Antognoni Maria Teresa , Onofri Andrea , Piergili Fioretti Daniela , Gramiccia Marina 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACT

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of a noninvasive assay, conjunctival swab (CS) nested-PCR (n-PCR), for diagnosing canine leishmaniasis (CanL) in different stages of infection in comparison to the performance of the indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT), lymph node microscopy, and buffy coat n-PCR. To this end, we performed a cross-sectional survey among 253 nonselected dogs in areas of endemicity in central Italy. We also performed a longitudinal study of CS n-PCR among 20 sick dogs undergoing antileishmanial treatment. In the first study, among the 72 animals that were positive by at least one test (28.45%), CS n-PCR showed the best relative performance (76.38%), with a high concordance in comparison to standard IFAT serology (κ = 0.75). The highest positivity rates using CS n-PCR were found in asymptomatic infected dogs (84.2%) and sick dogs (77.8%); however, the sensitivity of the assay was not associated with the presence of clinical signs. In the follow-up study on treated sick dogs, CS n-PCR was the most sensitive assay, with promising prognostic value for relapses. The univariate analysis of risk factors for CanL based on CS n-PCR findings showed a significant correlation with age (
P
= 0.012), breed size (
P
= 0.026), habitat (
P
= 4.9 × 10
−4
), and previous therapy (
P
= 0.014). Overall, the results indicated that CS n-PCR was the most sensitive assay of the less invasive diagnostic methods and could represent a good option for the early and simple diagnosis of CanL infection in asymptomatic animals and for monitoring relapses in drug-treated dogs.
Suppression of Transcription Factor Early Growth Response 1 Reduces Herpes Simplex Virus 1-Induced Corneal Disease in Mice
Authors: Yao Hui-Wen , Chen Shih-Heng , Li Ching , Tung Yuk-Ying , Chen Shun-Hua 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTHerpes simplex virus 1 replication initiates angiogenesis and inflammation in the cornea. This can result in herpetic stromal keratitis (HSK), which is a leading cause of infection-induced corneal blindness. Host cellular factors mediate the progression of HSK, but little is known about these cellular factors and their mechanisms of action. We show here that the expression of the cellular transcription factor early growth response 1 (Egr-1) in HSV-1-infected mouse corneas was enhanced. Enhanced Egr-1 expression aggravated HSK by increasing viral replication and subsequent neovascularization with high levels of potent angiogenic factors, fibroblast growth factor 2, and vascular endothelial growth factor. Furthermore, Egr-1 deficiency due to a targeted disruption of the gene or knockdown of Egr-1 expression topically using a DNA-based enzyme significantly reduced HSK by decreasing both viral replication and the angiogenic response. The present study provides the first evidence that endogenous Egr-1 aggravates HSK and that blocking Egr-1 reduces corneal damage.