bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genome Sequence of Pantoea sp. Strain Sc 1, an Opportunistic Cotton Pathogen
Authors: Medrano Enrique G. , Bell Alois A. 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACT

Pantoea
is comprised of a broad spectrum of species, including plant pathogens. Here, we provide an annotated genome sequence of
Pantoea
sp. strain Sc 1, which was isolated from a diseased cotton boll. This research provides the first genome sequence of a bona fide
Pantoea
sp. insect-vectored cotton pathogen.
Inpatient care for children with diabetes: are standards being met?: Table 1
Authors: Edge Julie , Ackland Frances M , Payne Susan , McAuley Antoinette , Hind Edward , Burren Christine , Burditt Jan , Sims Debbie 
Published: May 2012

BackgroundHospital inpatient care is frequently mentioned by parents as unsatisfactory for children with diabetes. Ward staff are now less familiar with diabetes, as admissions are less common and diabetes management is more intensive.ObjectiveTo compare current practice with Department of Health Children's Diabetes Working Group care standards.MethodsThis audit surveyed the organisation of inpatient care for children with diabetes in three regional networks in southern England, and was funded by the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership.ResultsAll 27 services completed the questionnaire. Protocols for diabetic ketoacidosis, surgery, new diagnosis and hypoglycaemia were generally available on wards (70% had all four protocols) but less available in emergency departments (EDs) (52%). Trained children's nurses worked on every shift in children's wards (100%) but not necessarily in EDs (33%). Diabetes link nurses were identified on 74% of wards and 61% of high-dependency units (HDUs), and diabetes specialist nurses have inpatient liaison in their job description (89%) and working role (93%). Standards achieved less often were access to dietetic advice on wards (37%), education sessions for ED and ward staff, and informing diabetes team (only 26% within 2 h of admission during the day, and only 11% would contact the diabetes consultant overnight for a child admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit/HDU). Half of centres reported insulin errors.ConclusionsThis first audit of children's diabetes inpatient care organisation demonstrates that some standards can be achieved, but others, such as having children's nurses on every shift in EDs, lack of dietetic advice to ward staff, and liaison with the diabetes team quickly out of hours, are more challenging. Further planned audit outcomes are to produce patient and parent literature for children admitted to hospital and to refine the standards further.
Medical results of preparticipation examination in adolescent athletes
Authors: Mayer Frank , Bonaventura Klaus , Cassel Michael , Mueller Steffen , Weber Josefine , Scharhag-Rosenberger Friederike , Carlsohn Anja , Baur Heiner , Scharhag Juergen 
Published: May 2012

BackgroundPreparticipation examinations (PPE) are frequently used to evaluate eligibility for competitive sports in adolescent athletes. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of these examinations is under debate since costs are high and its validity is discussed controversial.PurposeTo analyse medical findings and consequences in adolescent athletes prior to admission to a sports school.MethodsIn 733 adolescent athletes (318 girls, 415 boys, age 12.3±0.4, 16 sports disciplines), history and clinical examination (musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, general medicine) was performed to evaluate eligibility. PPE was completed by determination of blood parameters, ECG at rest and during ergometry, echocardiography and x-rays and ultrasonography if indicated. Eligibility was either approved or rated with restriction. Recommendations for therapy and/or prevention were given to the athletes and their parents.ResultsHistorical (h) and clinical (c) findings (eg, pain, verified pathologies) were more frequent regarding the musculoskeletal system (h:120, 16.4%; c:247, 33.7%) compared to cardiovascular (h:9, 1.2%; c:23, 3.1%) or general medicine findings (h:116, 15.8%; c:71, 9.7%). ECG at rest was moderately abnormal in 46 (6.3%) and severely abnormal in 25 athletes (3.4%). Exercise ECG was suspicious in 25 athletes (3.4%). Relevant echocardiographic abnormalities were found in 17 athletes (2.3%). In 52 of 358 cases (14.5%), x-rays led to diagnosis (eg, Spondylolisthesis). Eligibility was temporarily restricted in 41 athletes (5.6%). Three athletes (0.4%) had to be excluded from competitive sports. Therapy (eg, physiotherapy, medication) and/or prevention (sensorimotor training, vaccination) recommendations were deduced due to musculoskeletal (t:n=76,10.3%;p: n=71,9.8%) and general medicine findings (t:n=80, 10.9%; p:n=104, 14.1%).ConclusionEligibility for competitive sports is restricted in only 5.5% of adolescent athletes at age 12. Eligibility refusals are rare. However, recommendations for therapy and prevention are frequent, mainly regarding the musculoskeletal system. In spite of time and cost consumption, adolescent preparticipation before entering a career in high-performance sports is supported.
DISCOUNTING AND AVERAGING IN GAMES ACROSS TIME SCALES
Authors: CHATTERJEE KRISHNENDU , MAJUMDAR RUPAK 
Published: May 2012

We introduce two-level discounted and mean-payoff games played by two players on a perfect-information stochastic game graph. The upper level game is a discounted or mean-payoff game and the lower level game is a (undiscounted) reachability game. Two-level games model hierarchical and sequential decision making under uncertainty across different time scales. For both discounted and mean-payoff two-level games, we show the existence of pure memoryless optimal strategies for both players and an ordered field property. We show that if there is only one player (Markov decision processes), then the values can be computed in polynomial time. It follows that whether the value of a player is equal to a given rational constant in two-level discounted or mean-payoff games can be decided in NP ∩ coNP . We also give an alternate strategy improvement algorithm to compute the value.
The Transcription Factor ZNF217 Is a Prognostic Biomarker and Therapeutic Target during Breast Cancer Progression
Authors: Littlepage Laurie E. , Adler Adam S. , Kouros-Mehr Hosein , Huang Guiqing , Chou Jonathan , Krig Sheryl R. , Griffith Obi L. , Korkola James E. , Qu Kun , Lawson Devon A. , Xue Qing , Sternlicht Mark D. , Dijkgraaf Gerrit J.P. , Yaswen Paul , Rugo Hope S. , Sweeney Colleen A. , Collins Colin C. , Gray Joe W. , Chang Howard Y. , Werb Zena 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
The transcription factor ZNF217 is a candidate oncogene in the amplicon on chromosome 20q13 that occurs in 20% to 30% of primary human breast cancers and that correlates with poor prognosis. We show that Znf217 overexpression drives aberrant differentiation and signaling events, promotes increased self-renewal capacity, mesenchymal marker expression, motility, and metastasis, and represses an adult tissue stem cell gene signature downregulated in cancers. By in silico screening, we identified candidate therapeutics that at low concentrations inhibit growth of cancer cells expressing high ZNF217. We show that the nucleoside analogue triciribine inhibits ZNF217-induced tumor growth and chemotherapy resistance and inhibits signaling events [e.g., phospho-AKT, phospho-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)] in vivo. Our data suggest that ZNF217 is a biomarker of poor prognosis and a therapeutic target in patients with breast cancer and that triciribine may be part of a personalized treatment strategy in patients overexpressing ZNF217. Because ZNF217 is amplified in numerous cancers, these results have implications for other cancers.
Significance: This study finds that ZNF217 is a poor prognostic indicator and therapeutic target in patients with breast cancer and may be a strong biomarker of triciribine treatment efficacy in patients. Because previous clinical trials for triciribine did not include biomarkers of treatment efficacy, this study provides a rationale for revisiting triciribine in the clinical setting as a therapy for patients with breast cancer who overexpress ZNF217. Cancer Discov; 2(7); 638–51. ©2012 AACR.
This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 569.
Ginseng Reverses Established Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy and Postmyocardial Infarction-Induced Hypertrophy and Heart Failure
Authors: Moey Melissa , Gan Xiaohong T. , Huang Cathy Xiaoling , Rajapurohitam Venkatesh , Martínez-Abundis Eduardo , Lui Edmund M.K. , Karmazyn Morris 
Published: May 2012

Background—

A major challenge in the treatment of heart failure is the ability to reverse already-established myocardial remodeling and ventricular dysfunction, with few available pharmacological agents prescribed for the management of heart failure having demonstrated successful reversal of the remodeling and hypertrophic processes. North American ginseng (
Panax quinquefolius
) has previously been shown to effectively prevent cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and heart failure. Here, we determined whether North American ginseng can reverse established cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in cultured myocytes as well as hypertrophy and left ventricular dysfunction in experimental heart failure secondary to coronary artery occlusion.

Methods and Results—
Ginseng was administered in drinking water (0.9 g/L) ad libitum to rats after 4 weeks of sustained coronary artery ligation when heart failure was established or to angiotensin II- (100 nmol/L), endothelin-1- (10 nmol/L), or phenylephrine- (10 µmol/L) induced hypertrophic cultured neonatal ventricular cardiomyocytes. Echocardiographic and catheter-based measurements of hemodynamic parameters 4 weeks after starting ginseng treatment (8 weeks postinfarction) revealed nearly complete reversibility of systolic and diastolic abnormalities. Similarly, ginseng administration to hypertrophic cardiomyocytes resulted in a complete reversal to a normal phenotype after 24 hours as determined by cell surface area and expression of molecular markers. The effects of ginseng both in vivo and in cultured cardiomyocytes were associated with reversal of calcineurin activation and reduced nuclear translocation of the transcription factor NFAT3 (nuclear factor of activated T cells 3) in cultured myocytes. Moreover, the beneficial effect of ginseng was associated with normalization in the gene expression of profibrotic markers, including collagen (I and III) and fibronectin.

Conclusions—
This study demonstrates a marked ability of ginseng to reverse cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial remodeling, and heart failure, which was associated with and likely mediated by reversal of calcineurin activation. Ginseng may offer a potentially effective approach to reverse the myocardial remodeling and heart failure processes, particularly in combination with other treatment modalities.
Dynamic antibody-binding properties in the pathogenesis of HIT
Authors: Sachais Bruce S. , Litvinov Rustem I. , Yarovoi Serge V. , Rauova Lubica , Hinds Jillian L. , Rux Ann H. , Arepally Gowthami M. , Poncz Mortimer , Cuker Adam , Weisel John W. , Cines Douglas B. 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Rapid laboratory assessment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is important for disease recognition and management. The utility of contemporary immunoassays to detect antiplatelet factor 4 (PF4)/heparin antibodies is hindered by detection of antibodies unassociated with disease. To begin to distinguish properties of pathogenic anti-PF4/heparin antibodies, we compared isotype-matched monoclonal antibodies that bind to different epitopes: KKO causes thrombocytopenia in an in vivo model of HIT, whereas RTO does not. KKO binding to PF4 and heparin is specifically inhibited by human HIT antibodies that activate platelets, whereas inhibition of RTO binding is not differentially affected. Heparin increased the avidity of KKO binding to PF4 without affecting RTO, but it did not increase total binding or binding to nontetrameric PF4K50E. Single-molecule forced unbinding demonstrated KKO was 8-fold more reactive toward PF4 tetramers and formed stronger complexes than RTO, but not to PF4K50E dimers. KKO, but not RTO, promoted oligomerization of PF4 but not PF4K50E. This study reveals differences in the properties of anti-PF4 antibodies that cause thrombocytopenia not revealed by ELISA that correlate with oligomerization of PF4 and sustained high-avidity interactions that may simulate transient antibody-antigen interactions in vivo. These differences suggest the potential importance of epitope specificity in the pathogenesis of HIT.
Bridging knowledge translation gap in health in developing countries: visibility, impact and publishing standards in journals from the Eastern Mediterranean
Authors: Utrobičić Ana , Chaudhry Nauman , Ghaffar Abdul , Marušić Ana 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBackgroundLocal and regional scientific journals are important factors in bridging gaps in health knowledge translation in low-and middle-income countries. We assessed indexing, citations and publishing standards of journals from the Eastern Mediterranean region.MethodsFor journals from 22 countries in the collection of the Index Medicus for the Eastern Mediterranean Region (IMEMR), we analyzed indexing in bibliographical databases and citations during 2006–2009 to published items in 2006 in Web of Science (WoS) and SCOPUS. Adherence to editorial and publishing standards was assessed using a special checklist.ResultsOut of 419 journals in IMEMR, 19 were indexed in MEDLINE, 23 in WoS and 46 in SCOPUS. Their impact factors ranged from 0.016 to 1.417. For a subset of 175 journals with available tables of contents from 2006, articles published in 2006 from 93 journals received 2068 citations in SCOPUS (23.5% self-citations) and articles in 86 journals received 1579 citations in WoS (24.3% self-citations) during 2006–2009. Citations to articles came mostly from outside of the Eastern Mediterranean region (76.8% in WoS and 75.4% in SCOPUS). Articles receiving highest number of citations presented topics specific for the region. Many journals did not follow editorial and publishing standards, such addressing requirements about the patient’s privacy rights (68.0% out of 244 analyzed), policy on managing conflicts of interest (66.4%), and ethical conduct in clinical and animal research (66.4%).ConclusionJournals from the Eastern Mediterranean are visible in and have impact on global scientific community. Coordinated effort of all stakeholders in journal publishing, including researchers, journal editors and owners, policy makers and citation databases, is needed to further promote local journals as windows to the research in the developing world and the doors for valuable regional research to the global scientific community.
Decreased survival among lung cancer patients with co-morbid tuberculosis and diabetes
Authors: Shieh Shwn-Huey , Probst Janice C , Sung Fung-Chang , Tsai Wen-Chen , Li Ya-Shin , Chen Chih-Yi 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background
Comorbid conditions influence the survival of cancer patients. This study evaluated the influence of comorbidity on survival among lung cancer patients.

Methods
The authors evaluated the medical records of 1111 lung cancer patients of a medical center in Taiwan. Days of survival were calculated for each patient and mortality hazard ratios were estimated for associations with demographic status, comorbidity and cancer stage at diagnosis.

Results
On average, the survival time was slightly longer among women than among men (838 ± 689 vs. 749 ± 654 days, p = 0.050). Survival days increased with age (from 580 ± 526 [≤ 50 years] to 803 ± 693 [≥ 71 years] days, p = 0.020) and decreased with stage (from 1224 ± 656 [stage I] to 489 ± 536 [stage IV] days, p < 0.001). Younger patients were more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer at a late stage. Compared with lung cancer patients without tuberculosis, those with tuberculosis had a significantly shorter average survival duration (584 vs. 791 days, p = 0.002) and a higher mortality hazard ratio (1.30, 95% CI: 1.03 - 1.65). A similar trend was observed in lung cancer patients with diabetes.

Conclusions
Lung cancer patients with comorbid tuberculosis or diabetes are at an elevated risk of mortality. These patients deserve greater attention while undergoing cancer treatment.
Adherence to a Mediterranean diet in Morocco and its correlates: cross-sectional analysis of a sample of the adult Moroccan population
Authors: El Rhazi Karima , Nejjari Chakib , Romaguera Dora , Feart Catherine , Obtel Majdouline , Zidouh Ahmed , Bekkali Rachid , Gateau Pascale Barberger 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background
Dietary habits in Morocco are changing and the causes are not well understood. This study aimed to analyse socio-demographic factors associated with adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MeDi) in a national random sample of the adult Moroccan population.

Methods
The data collected in this cross-sectional survey included socio-demographic factors and a food frequency questionnaire. MeDi adherence was assessed in 2214 individuals with complete dietary data. MeDi adherence was measured according to a simplified MeDi score based on the weekly frequency of intake of eight food groups (vegetables, legumes, fruits, cereal or potatoes, fish, red meat, dairy products and olive oil) with the use of the sex specific medians of the sample as cut-offs. A value of 0 or 1 was assigned to consumption of each component according to its presumed detrimental or beneficial effect on health. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between MeDi adherence (low score 1-4 vs. high 5-8) and other factors.

Results
Mean age of the sample was 41.4 (standard deviation 15.3) years, 45.4% were men and 29.9% had a low MeDi adherence. Married subjects (adjusted odds ratio ORa=0.68, 95% CI 0.55-0.84) were less likely to have a low MeDi adherence compared to single, divorced or widowed persons. Persons from rural areas (ORa=1.46, 95% CI: 1.02-2.08), were more often low MeDi adherents compared to those from urban areas. Obese persons (ORa=1.56, 95% CI: 1.16-2.11) were more prone to low MeDi adherence than normal weight individuals.

Conclusion
MeDi is far from being a universal pattern in the Moroccan population. Intervention strategies should be implemented in target groups to maintain the traditional MeDi pattern considered as the original diet in Morocco.
Socioeconomic inequalities in mortality from conditions amenable to medical interventions: do they reflect inequalities in access or quality of health care?
Authors: Plug Iris , Hoffmann Rasmus , Artnik Barbara , Bopp Matthias , Borrell Carme , Costa Giuseppe , Deboosere Patrick , Esnaola Santi , Kalediene Ramune , Leinsalu Mall , Lundberg Olle , Martikainen Pekka , Regidor Enrique , Rychtarikova Jitka , Strand Björn Heine , Wojtyniak Bogdan , Mackenbach Johan P 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background
Previous studies have reported large socioeconomic inequalities in mortality from conditions amenable to medical intervention, but it is unclear whether these can be attributed to inequalities in access or quality of health care, or to confounding influences such as inequalities in background risk of diseases. We therefore studied whether inequalities in mortality from conditions amenable to medical intervention vary between countries in patterns which differ from those observed for other (non-amenable) causes of death. More specifically, we hypothesized that, as compared to non-amenable causes, inequalities in mortality from amenable causes are more strongly associated with inequalities in health care use and less strongly with inequalities in common risk factors for disease such as smoking.

Methods
Cause-specific mortality data for people aged 30–74 years were obtained for 14 countries, and were analysed by calculating age-standardized mortality rates and relative risks comparing a lower with a higher educational group. Survey data on health care use and behavioural risk factors for people aged 30–74 years were obtained for 12 countries, and were analysed by calculating age-and sex-adjusted odds ratios comparing a low with a higher educational group. Patterns of association were explored by calculating correlation coefficients.

Results
In most countries and for most amenable causes of death substantial inequalities in mortality were observed, but inequalities in mortality from amenable causes did not vary between countries in patterns that are different from those seen for inequalities in non-amenable mortality. As compared to non-amenable causes, inequalities in mortality from amenable causes are not more strongly associated with inequalities in health care use. Inequalities in mortality from amenable causes are also not less strongly associated with common risk factors such as smoking.

Conclusions
We did not find evidence that inequalities in mortality from amenable conditions are related to inequalities in access or quality of health care. Further research is needed to find the causes of socio-economic inequalities in mortality from amenable conditions, and caution should be exercised in interpreting these inequalities as indicating health care deficiencies.
B cell analysis of ethnic groups in Mali with differential susceptibility to malaria
Authors: Portugal Silvia , Doumtabe Didier , Traore Boubacar , Miller Louis H , Troye-Blomberg Marita , Doumbo Ogobara K , Dolo Amagana , Pierce Susan K , Crompton Peter D 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background
Several studies indicate that people of the Fulani ethnic group are less susceptible to malaria compared to those of other ethnic groups living sympatrically in Africa, including the Dogon ethnic group. Although the mechanisms of this protection remain unclear, the Fulani are known to have higher levels of Plasmodium falciparum-specific antibodies of all Ig classes as compared to the Dogon. However, the proportions of B cell subsets in the Fulani and Dogon that may account for differences in the levels of Ig have not been characterized.

Methods
In this cross-sectional study, venous blood was collected from asymptomatic Fulani (n = 25) and Dogon (n = 25) adults in Mali during the malaria season, and from P. falciparum-naïve adults in the U.S. (n = 8). At the time of the blood collection, P. falciparum infection was detected by blood-smear in 16% of the Fulani and 36% of the Dogon volunteers. Thawed lymphocytes were analysed by flow cytometry to quantify B cell subsets, including immature and naïve B cells; plasma cells; and classical, activated, and atypical memory B cells (MBCs).

Results
The overall distribution of B cell subsets was similar between Fulani and Dogon adults, although the percentage of activated MBCs was higher in the Fulani group (Fulani: 11.07% [95% CI: 9.317 – 12.82]; Dogon: 8.31% [95% CI: 6.378 – 10.23]; P = 0.016). The percentage of atypical MBCs was similar between Fulani and Dogon adults (Fulani: 28.3% [95% CI: 22.73 – 34.88]; Dogon: 29.3% [95% CI: 25.06 – 33.55], but higher than U.S. adults (U.S.: 3.0% [95% CI: -0.21 - 6.164]; P < 0.001). Plasmodium falciparum infection was associated with a higher percentage of plasma cells among Fulani (Fulani infected: 3.3% [95% CI: 1.788 – 4.744]; Fulani uninfected: 1.71% [95% CI: 1.33 – 2.08]; P = 0.011), but not Dogon adults.

Conclusion
These data show that the malaria-resistant Fulani have a higher percentage of activated MBCs compared to the Dogon, and that P. falciparum infection is associated with a higher percentage of plasma cells in the Fulani compared to the Dogon, findings that may account for the higher levels of P. falciparum antibodies in the Fulani.