bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Highly sensitive magnetite nano clusters for MR cell imaging
Authors: Li Mingli , Gu Hongchen , Zhang Chunfu 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
High sensitivity and suitable sizes are essential for magnetic iron oxide contrast agents for cell imaging. In this study, we have fabricated highly MR sensitive magnetite nanoclusters (MNCs) with tunable sizes. These clusters demonstrate high MR sensitivity. Especially, water suspensions of the MNCs with average size of 63 nm have transverse relaxivity as high as 630 s-1mM-1, which is among the most sensitive iron oxide contrast agents ever reported. Importantly, such MNCs have no adverse effects on cells (RAW 264.7). When used for cell imaging, they demonstrate much higher efficiency and sensitivity than those of SHU555A (Resovist), a commercially available contrast agent, both in vitro and in vivo, with detection limits of 3,000 and 10,000 labeled cells, respectively. The studied MNCs are sensitive for cell imaging and promising for MR cell tracking in clinics.
The 'Harmonizing Optimal Strategy for Treatment of coronary artery stenosis - sAfety & effectiveneSS of drug-elUting stents & antiplatelet REgimen' (HOST-ASSURE) trial: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Park Kyung Woo , Park Byoung-Eun , Kang Si-Hyuck , Park Jin-Joo , Lee Seung-Pyo , Cha Kwang Soo , Rhew Jay Young , Jeon Hui-Kyoung , Shin Eun Seok , Oh Ju Hyeon , Jeong Myung-Ho , Kim Sanghyun , Hwang Kyung-Kuk , Yoon Jung-Han , Lee Sung Yun , Park Tae-Ho , Moon Keon Woong , Kwon Hyuck-Moon , Chae In-Ho , Kim Hyo-Soo 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Background
Second-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) have raised the bar of clinical performance. These stents are mostly made from cobalt chromium alloy. A newer generation DES has been developed from platinum chromium alloy, but clinical data regarding the efficacy and safety of the platinum chromium-based everolimus-eluting stent (PtCr-EES) is limited, with no comparison data against the cobalt chromium-based zotarolimus-eluting stent (CoCr-ZES). In addition, an antiplatelet regimen is an integral component of medical therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A 1-week duration of doubling the dose of clopidogrel (double-dose antiplatelet therapy (DDAT)) was shown to improve outcome at 1 month compared with conventional dose in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients undergoing PCI. However in Asia, including Korea, the addition of cilostazol (triplet antiplatelet therapy (TAT)) is used more commonly than doubling the dose of clopidogrel in high-risk patients.

Methods
In the 'Harmonizing Optimal Strategy for Treatment of coronary artery stenosis - sAfety & effectiveneSS of drug-elUting stents & antiplatelet REgimen' (HOST-ASSURE) trial, approximately 3,750 patients are being prospectively and randomly assigned in a 2 × 2 factorial design according to the type of stent (PtCr-EES vs CoCr-ZES) and antiplatelet regimen (TAT vs DDAT). The first primary endpoint is target lesion failure at 1 year for the stent comparison, and the second primary endpoint is net clinical outcome at 1 month for comparison of antiplatelet therapy regimen.

Discussion
The HOST-ASSURE trial is the largest study yet performed to directly compare the efficacy and safety of the PtCr-EES versus CoCr-ZES in an 'all-comers' population. In addition, this study will also compare the clinical outcome of TAT versus DDAT for 1-month post PCI.

Trial registration
ClincalTrials.gov number NCT01267734.
Intra-dance variation among waggle runs and the design of efficient protocols for honey bee dance decoding
Authors: Couvillon Margaret J. , Riddell Pearce Fiona C. , Harris-Jones Elisabeth L. , Kuepfer Amanda M. , Mackenzie-Smith Samantha J. , Rozario Laura A. , Schürch Roger , Ratnieks Francis L. W. 
Published: March 2012

SummaryNoise is universal in information transfer. In animal communication, this presents a challenge not only for intended signal receivers, but also to biologists studying the system. In honey bees, a forager communicates to nestmates the location of an important resource via the waggle dance. This vibrational signal is composed of repeating units (waggle runs) that are then averaged by nestmates to derive a single vector. Manual dance decoding is a powerful tool for studying bee foraging ecology, although the process is time-consuming: a forager may repeat the waggle run 1- &gt;100 times within a dance. It is impractical to decode all of these to obtain the vector; however, intra-dance waggle runs vary, so it is important to decode enough to obtain a good average. Here we examine the variation among waggle runs made by foraging bees to devise a method of dance decoding. The first and last waggle runs within a dance are significantly more variable than the middle run. There was no trend in variation for the middle waggle runs. We recommend that any four consecutive waggle runs, not including the first and last runs, may be decoded, and we show that this methodology is suitable by demonstrating the goodness-of-fit between the decoded vectors from our subsamples with the vectors from the entire dances.
Rac1 acts in conjunction with Nedd4 and Dishevelled-1 to promote maturation of cell-cell contacts
Authors: Nethe Micha , de Kreuk Bart-Jan , Tauriello Daniele V. F. , Anthony Eloise C. , Snoek Barbara , Stumpel Thomas , Salinas Patricia C. , Maurice Madelon M. , Geerts Dirk , Deelder André M. , Hensbergen Paul J. , Hordijk Peter L. 
Published: March 2012

The Rho-GTPase Rac1 promotes actin polymerization and membrane protrusion that mediate initial contact and subsequent maturation of cell-cell junctions. Here we report that Rac1 associates to the ubiquitin-protein ligase neural precursor cell expressed developmentally down-regulated 4 (Nedd4). This interaction requires the hypervariable C-terminal domain of Rac1 and the WW domains of Nedd4. Activated Rac1 co-localizes with endogenous Nedd4 at epithelial cell-cell contacts. Reduction of Nedd4 expression by shRNA results in reduced transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and concomitant changes in the distribution of adherens and tight junction markers. Conversely, expression of Nedd4 promotes TER, suggesting that Nedd4 cooperates with Rac1 in the induction of junctional maturation.
We found that Nedd4, but not Nedd4-2, mediates the ubiquitylation and degradation of the adapter protein dishevelled-1 (Dvl1), the expression of which negatively regulates cell-cell contact. Nedd4-mediated ubiquitylation requires its binding to the C-terminal domain of Dvl1, comprising the DEP domain, and targets a N-terminal lysine-rich region upstream of the Dvl1 DIX domain. We found that endogenous Rac1 co-localizes with endogenous Dvl1 in intracellular puncta as well as on cell-cell junctions. Finally, activated Rac1 was found to stimulate Nedd4 activity, resulting in increased ubiquitylation of Dvl1. Together, these data reveal a novel Rac1-dependent signalling pathway which, through Nedd4-mediated ubiquitylation of Dvl1, stimulates the maturation of epithelial cell-cell contacts.
Abp1 utilizes the Arp2/3 complex activator Scar/WAVE in bristle development
Authors: Koch Nicole , Dharmalingam Elavarasi , Westermann Martin , Qualmann Britta , Thomas Ulrich , Kessels Michael M. 
Published: March 2012

Summary
Many developmental processes rely on cortical actin dynamics; however, the mechanisms of its fine control at the cell cortex are still largely unknown. Our analyses demonstrate that the lipid- and F-actin-binding protein Abp1 is crucial for actin-driven bristle development in Drosophila melanogaster. Combined genetic, cell biological and biochemical analyses reveal that Abp1 triggers cortical Arp2/3-mediated actin nucleation by complex formation with Scar in bristle development. The role of the plasma-membrane-associated Abp1 subpool was highlighted by constitutively membrane-anchored Abp1. Such gain-of-function experiments led to a severe split-bristle phenotype, which was negatively correlated with bristle length. This phenotype was dependent on Scar but not on WASP and required the Scar-interacting SH3 domain of Abp1. Strikingly, knockout of abp1 led to defects in both microchaete and macrochaete bristle integrity. Importantly, Arp2- and Scar-deficient flies displayed similar bristle phenotypes. Microchaetes of flies deficient for Abp1, Arp2 and Scar functions had kinks, whereas those of wasp heterozygous flies did not. Electron microscopy analyses revealed that abp1 knockout, Arp2 RNAi and Scar RNAi all led to distorted macrochaetes with an excessive number of ridges. Interestingly, despite the physical association of Abp1 with Scar and its ability to use the Arp2/3 complex activator as an effector, abp1 knockout did not affect Scar stability. This is in contrast to classical Scar complex components, such as Kette or Sra-1. Our work reveals that Abp1 is an important, Scar-interacting factor controlling cortical Arp2/3-mediated actin nucleation and unravels a novel layer of complexity in the scrupulous control of cortical actin nucleation during sensory organ formation.
Analysis ofCryptococcus neoformansSexual Development Reveals Rewiring of the Pheromone-Response Network by a Change in Transcription Factor Identity
Authors: Kruzel Emilia K , Giles Steven S , Hull Christina M 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe fundamental mechanisms that control eukaryotic development include extensive regulation at the level of transcription. Gene regulatory networks, composed of transcription factors, their binding sites in DNA, and their target genes, are responsible for executing transcriptional programs. While divergence of these control networks drives species-specific gene expression that contributes to biological diversity, little is known about the mechanisms by which these networks evolve. To investigate how network evolution has occurred in fungi, we used a combination of microarray expression profiling, cis-element identification, and transcription-factor characterization during sexual development of the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. We first defined the major gene expression changes that occur over time throughout sexual development. Through subsequent bioinformatic and molecular genetic analyses, we identified and functionally characterized the C. neoformans pheromone-response element (PRE). We then discovered that transcriptional activation via the PRE requires direct binding of the high-mobility transcription factor Mat2, which we conclude functions as the elusive C. neoformans pheromone-response factor. This function of Mat2 distinguishes the mechanism of regulation through the PRE of C. neoformans from all other fungal systems studied to date and reveals species-specific adaptations of a fungal transcription factor that defies predictions on the basis of sequence alone. Overall, our findings reveal that pheromone-response network rewiring has occurred at the level of transcription factor identity, despite the strong conservation of upstream and downstream components, and serve as a model for how selection pressures act differently on signaling vs. gene regulatory components during eukaryotic evolution.
The Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on Prognosis of Early Breast Cancer in Asia
Authors: Chen Wei-Wu , Shao Yu-Yun , Shau Wen-Yi , Lin Zhong-Zhe , Lu Yen-Shen , Chen Ho-Min , Kuo Raymond N.C. , Cheng Ann-Lii , Lai Mei-Shu 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Background.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been implicated in influencing the survival duration of patients with breast cancer. However, less is known about the impact of DM and other comorbidities on the breast cancer–specific survival (BCS) and overall survival (OS) outcomes of Asian patients with early-stage breast cancer.

Patients and Methods.
The characteristics of female patients with newly diagnosed, early-stage breast cancer were collected from the Taiwan Cancer Registry database for 2003–2004. DM status and other comorbidities were retrieved from Taiwan's National Health Insurance database. The BCS and OS times of patients according to DM status were estimated via the Kaplan–Meier method. Cox's proportional hazard model was used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for the effects of DM, comorbidities, and other risk factors on mortality.

Results.
In total, 4,390 patients were identified and 341 (7.7%) presented with DM. The 5-year BCS and OS rates were significantly greater in DM patients than in non-DM patients (BCS, 85% versus 91%; OS, 79% versus 90%). Furthermore, after adjusting for clinicopathologic variables and comorbidities, DM remained an independent predictor of shorter BCS (adjusted HR, 1.53) and OS (adjusted HR, 1.71) times. Subgroup analyses also demonstrated a consistent prognostic influence of DM across different groups.

Conclusion.
In Asian patients with early-stage breast cancer, DM is an independent predictor of lower BCS and OS rates, even after adjusting for other comorbidities. The integration of DM care as part of the continuum of care for early-stage breast cancer should be emphasized.
Early Intensive Postural and Movement Training Advances Head Control in Very Young Infants
Authors: Lee Hui-Min , Galloway James Cole 
Published: March 2012

BackgroundDaily experiences are thought to play an important role in motor development during infancy. There are limited studies on the effect of postural and movement experiences on head control.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to quantify the effects of postural and movement experiences on head control through a comprehensive set of measurements beginning when infants were 1 month old.DesignThis was a prospective, longitudinal, 2-cohort study.MethodsTwenty-two full-term infants who were healthy were randomly assigned to either a training group or a control group. Infants were observed every other week from 1 to 4 months of age. Head control was assessed using a standardized developmental assessment tool, the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP), as well as behavioral coding and kinematics of infants' head postures and movements in a supported sitting position. Caregivers performed at least 20 minutes of daily postural and movement activities (training group), or social interaction (control group) for 4 weeks.ResultsThe training group had higher TIMP scores on head control–related items during the training period and after training stopped compared with the control group. Starting from the during training phase, the training group infants had their heads in a vertical and midline position longer compared with the control group infants. After training stopped, the training group infants actively moved their heads forward more often and for larger distances.LimitationsThe experiences outside daily training were not monitored, and the results may be specific to the experimental setup for infants with typical development.ConclusionsYoung infants are able to take advantage of postural and movement experiences to rapidly advance their head control as early as 4 to 6 weeks of postnatal life. Infant positioning, caregiver handling, and caregiver-infant interactions were likely contributing factors. This database of comprehensive measures may be useful in future trials focused on head control in infants with special needs.
Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training in Infants With Congenital Heart Disease and Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation: A Case Report
Authors: Smith Barbara K. , Bleiweis Mark S. , Neel Cimaron R. , Martin A. Daniel 
Published: March 2012

Background and PurposeInspiratory muscle strength training (IMST) has been shown to improve maximal pressures and facilitate ventilator weaning in adults with prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV). The purposes of this case report are: (1) to describe the rationale for IMST in infants with MV dependence and (2) to summarize the device modifications used to administer training.Case DescriptionTwo infants with congenital heart disease underwent corrective surgery and were referred for inspiratory muscle strength evaluation after repeated weaning failures. It was determined that IMST was indicated due to inspiratory muscle weakness and a rapid, shallow breathing pattern. In order to accommodate small tidal volumes of infants, 2 alternative training modes were devised. For infant 1, IMST consisted of 15-second inspiratory occlusions. Infant 2 received 10-breath sets of IMST through a modified positive end-expiratory pressure valve. Four daily IMST sets separated by 3 to 5 minutes of rest were administered 5 to 6 days per week. The infants' IMST tolerance was evaluated by vital signs and daily clinical reviews.OutcomesMaximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and rate of pressure development (dP/dt) were the primary outcome measures. Secondary outcome measures included the resting breathing pattern and MV weaning. There were no adverse events associated with IMST. Infants generated training pressures through the adapted devices, with improved MIP, dP/dt, and breathing pattern. Both infants weaned from MV to a high-flow nasal cannula, and neither required subsequent reintubation during their hospitalization.DiscussionThis case report describes pediatric adaptations of an IMST technique used to improve muscle performance and facilitate weaning in adults. Training was well tolerated in 2 infants with postoperative weaning difficulty and inspiratory muscle dysfunction. Further systematic examination will be needed to determine whether IMST provides a significant performance or weaning benefit.
Instituting Parent Education Practices in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: An Administrative Case Report of Practice Evaluation and Statewide Action
Authors: Dusing Stacey C. , Van Drew Catherine M. , Brown Shaaron E. 
Published: March 2012

Background and PurposeInfants born preterm are at high risk of developmental disabilities and benefit from early developmental intervention programs. Physical therapists with neonatal expertise are ideally suited to educate parents about ways to support their infant's development in the first months of life. However, administrative policies are needed to support the therapist in providing adequate parent education in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This administrative case report describes the process used by a team of neonatal therapists to evaluate clinical practice, determine the need for change, and develop and implement a new parent education program in the NICU.Case DescriptionPhysical therapy parent education practices were evaluated in an academic medical center with a 36-bed, level-3 NICU. Physical therapists with neonatal expertise covered multiple units within the hospital each day. A series of focus groups, a small descriptive study, and staff discussion were used to evaluate parent education practices in this academic medical center. A new parent education program was developed based on data collected and literature to improve clinical care.OutcomesThe new parent education model was implemented over the course of several months using overlapping initiatives. Administrative support for the change was developed through collaboration, open communication, and presentation of clinical data. In addition, this hospital-based program contributed to the development of a statewide initiative to educate parents of preterm infants about the importance of supporting development in the first months of life.DiscussionA collaborative and data-driven approach to evaluating parent education practices supported the development of a new parent education practice while acknowledging the need to meet staff productivity standards and provide excellent care throughout the hospital.
Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor-Mediated Induction of EBV Reactivation as a Risk Factor for Sjögren’s Syndrome
Authors: Inoue Hiroko , Mishima Kenji , Yamamoto-Yoshida Sachi , Ushikoshi-Nakayama Ryoko , Nakagawa Yoichi , Yamamoto Ken , Ryo Kofuchi , Ide Fumio , Saito Ichiro 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that mediates a variety of biological effects by binding to environmental pollutants, including 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD or dioxin). Although numerous animal studies have demonstrated the harmful effects of dioxins, it remains controversial whether dioxins pose a risk to human health. Enhanced lytic replication of EBV is a risk factor for the development of autoimmune diseases and cancers. This study evaluated the possibility that ligand-activated AhR reactivates EBV. EBV reactivation and AhR transactivation were evaluated with luciferase assays. Saliva samples were collected from 19 patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (SS). Control saliva samples were obtained from 10 healthy individuals and nine patients with severe dry mouth. TCDD enhanced BZLF1 transcription, which mediates the switch from the latent to the lytic form of EBV infection in EBV-positive B cell lines and in a salivary gland epithelial cell line. Moreover, TCDD-induced increases in BZLF1 mRNA and EBV genomic DNA levels were confirmed in the B cell lines. Saliva from SS patients activated the transcription of both CYP1A1 and BZLF1. Additionally, there was a positive correlation between CYP1A1 and BZLF1 promoter activities. AhR ligands elicited the reactivation of EBV in activated B cells and salivary epithelial cells, and these ligands are involved in SS. Our findings reveal novel aspects of the biological effects of dioxin and the AhR-dependent pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.
Aberrant Macrophages Mediate Defective Kidney Repair That Triggers Nephritis in Lupus-Susceptible Mice
Authors: Iwata Yasunori , Boström Elisabeth A. , Menke Julia , Rabacal Whitney A. , Morel Laurence , Wada Takashi , Kelley Vicki R. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
CSF-1, required for macrophage (Mø) survival, proliferation, and activation, is upregulated in the tubular epithelial cells (TECs) during kidney inflammation. CSF-1 mediates Mø-dependent destruction in lupus-susceptible mice with nephritis and, paradoxically, Mø-dependent renal repair in lupus-resistant mice after transient ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/R). We now report that I/R leads to defective renal repair, nonresolving inflammation, and, in turn, early-onset lupus nephritis in preclinical MRL/MpJ-Faslpr/Faslpr mice (MRL-Faslpr mice). Moreover, defective renal repair is not unique to MRL-Faslpr mice, as flawed healing is a feature of other lupus-susceptible mice (Sle 123) and MRL mice without the Faslpr mutation. Increasing CSF-1 hastens renal healing after I/R in lupus-resistant mice but hinders healing, exacerbates nonresolving inflammation, and triggers more severe early-onset lupus nephritis in MRL-Faslpr mice. Probing further, the time-related balance of M1 “destroyer” Mø shifts toward the M2 “healer” phenotype in lupus-resistant mice after I/R, but M1 Mø continue to dominate in MRL-Faslpr mice. Moreover, hypoxic TECs release mediators, including CSF-1, that are responsible for stimulating the expansion of M1 Mø inherently poised to destroy the kidney in MRL-Faslpr mice. In conclusion, I/R induces CSF-1 in injured TECs that expands aberrant Mø (M1 phenotype), mediating defective renal repair and nonresolving inflammation, and thereby hastens the onset of lupus nephritis.