bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
HMGB1 blockade attenuates experimental autoimmune myocarditis and suppresses Th17‐cell expansion
Authors: Su Zhaoliang , Sun Caixia , Zhou Chenglin , Liu Yanfang , Zhu Haitao , Sandoghchian Siamak , Zheng Dong , Peng Tianqing , Zhang Yu , Jiao Zhijun , Wang Shengjun , Xu Huaxi 
Published: September 2011

AbstractHigh‐mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a non‐histone nuclear protein, has been implicated in cardiovascular diseases. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), one of the leading causes of heart failure, is often caused by coxsackievirus B3‐triggered myocarditis and promoted by the post‐infectious autoimmune process. Th17 cells, a novel CD4+ T subset, may be important in the pathogenesis of autoimmune myocarditis. In the present study, we attempted to block HMGB1 function with a monoclonal antibody specific for HMGB1 B box and investigated the effects of the blockade on Th17 cells and experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM). After induction of EAM, HMGB1 protein levels were significantly elevated both in the heart and blood. Administration of an anti‐HMGB1 B box mAb attenuated cardiac pathological changes and reduced the number of infiltrating inflammatory cells in the heart during EAM. These protective effects of HMGB1 blockade correlated with a reduced number of Th17 cells in local tissues and lower levels of IL‐17 in the serum. Furthermore, in vitro, studies demonstrated that HMGB1 promoted Th17‐cell expansion. Therefore, we speculate that HMGB1 blockade ameliorates cardiac pathological changes in EAM by suppressing Th17 cells.
Regioselective Deprotection of Peracetylated Disaccharides at the Primary Position Catalyzed by Immobilized Acetyl Xylan Esterase from Bacillus pumilus
Authors: Bavaro Teodora , Filice Marco , Bonomi Paolo , Abu alassal Qais , Speranza Giovanna , Guisan Jose M. , Terreni Marco 
Published: September 2011

AbstractIn this work peracetylated lactose and related compounds have been tested as advanced intermediate substrates in enzymatic deprotections catalyzed by acetyl xylan esterase (AXE) from Bacillus pumilus. In particular, we present a simple and efficient enzymatic procedure to obtain products bearing only one free primary hydroxy group in the C6′ position of the galactoside moiety of “lacto” carbohydrates. In particular, good yields (60–70 %) have been achieved in the hydrolysis of 1‐O‐methyl lactosamine and hexaacetyl lactal. The products obtained are of great interest as advanced building blocks for the synthesis of very important oligosaccharides of biological relevance.
Hepatitis E
Authors: Aggarwal Rakesh , Jameel Shahid 
Published: September 2011

Abstract

Hepatitis E refers to liver disease caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV), a small, nonenveloped virus with a single-stranded RNA genome. The virus has four genotypes, but only one serotype. Genotypes 1 and 2 exclusively infect humans, whereas genotypes 3 and 4 also infect pigs and several other mammalian species. Though HEV does not grow well in cell culture, several aspects of its biology and pathogenesis have been worked out using animal models and cell transfection studies, and by analogy with other related viruses. HEV itself appears noncytopathic, and the liver injury during hepatitis E may be mediated by the host immune response. In areas with poor sanitation, HEV infection is common and presents as outbreaks and also as sporadic cases with acute self-limited hepatitis. The transmission is feco-oral, usually through contaminated drinking water. The disease often affects young adults and is particularly severe among pregnant women and persons with preexisting liver cirrhosis. In the developed world, the disease is being increasingly recognized. It occurs as occasional sporadic cases, most often among elderly men with coexisting illnesses. These appear to be related to zoonotic transmission. Chronic infection is known among immunosuppressed persons in these regions and may progress to liver cirrhosis. Serological tests for diagnosis of HEV exposure and recent infection, namely immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgM anti-HEV, respectively, need further improvement in sensitivity and specificity, particularly when used in developed countries. Two recombinant protein vaccines have undergone successful human trials, but are not yet commercially available. Recent development of cell-culture methods for HEV should allow a better understanding of this enigmatic agent. (Hepatology 2011)
Magnetic resonance imaging of focal liver lesions: Approach to imaging diagnosis
Authors: Fowler Kathryn J. , Brown Jeffrey J. , Narra Vamsi R. 
Published: September 2011

Abstract

This article is a review of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of incidental focal liver lesions. This review provides an overview of liver MRI protocol, diffusion-weighted imaging, and contrast agents. Additionally, the most commonly encountered benign and malignant lesions are discussed with emphasis on imaging appearance and the diagnostic performance of MRI based on a review of the literature. (Hepatology 2011)
Interleukin 28B Polymorphism Predicts Pegylated Interferon Plus Ribavirin Treatment Outcome in Chronic Hepatitis C Genotype 4
Authors: De Nicola Stella , Aghemo Alessio , Grazia Rumi Maria , Galmozzi Enrico , Valenti Luca , Soffredini Roberta , De Francesco Raffaele , Prati Gian Maria , D'Ambrosio Roberta , Cheroni Cristina , Donato Maria Francesca , Colombo Massimo 
Published: September 2011

Abstract

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near the interleukin 28B (IL28B) region are the strongest baseline predictors of a sustained virologic response (SVR) to peg-interferon (PegIFN) and ribavirin (Rbv) in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 infection. Whether this holds true for HCV-4 patients too is unknown. The aim was to investigate the predictive power of the rs12979860 IL28B SNP for a response to Peg-IFN and Rbv in HCV-4 patients. All HCV-4 patients consecutively treated between September 2004 and June 2010 with PegIFN and Rbv at two liver centers at the Maggiore Hospital Milan (Italy) underwent TaqMan SNP Genotyping assays for testing rs12979860 genotype. Of 112 treated patients (98 males, 75 of Egyptian descent, 26 with cirrhosis) 103 were included in the final analysis; five discontinued treatment for nonvirologic reasons and four did not consent to genetic testing. Twenty-four (23%) were genotype CC, 65 (63%) CT, and 14 (14%) TT. Overall, 50 (49%) achieved an SVR: 21 (88%) CC patients versus 29 (37%) CT/TT (

P

< 0.0001). CC patients more often had a rapid virologic response (RVR) than CT/TT patients (12, 50% versus 23, 29%;

P

= 0.08), while also showing lower relapse rates (0% [0/21] versus 36% [16/45]

P

= 0.0013). In non-RVR patients, SVR rates were higher in CC than CT/TT patients (9 [75%] versus 13 [23%]

P

= 0.001). By logistic regression, the IL28B rs12979860 CC genotype was an independent predictor of SVR with an odds ratio of 8.0 (95% confidence interval 2.00-32.01;

P

= 0.003).

Conclusion :

The IL28B rs12979860 SNP may have an added value in the treatment algorithm of HCV-4 patients because it is the strongest predictor of an SVR to PegIFN/Rbv therapy. (Hepatology 2012)
“Relaaax, I remember the recession in the early 1980s …”: Organizational storytelling as a crisis management tool
Authors: Kopp David M. , Nikolovska Irena , Desiderio Katie P. , Guterman Jeffrey T. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractIn this conceptual paper, we consider organizational storytelling as a communications tool in which stories are used to reduce the stress and anxiety of organizational members during a crisis. While there is much consensus among organizational scholars detailing storytelling's active role in such processes as organizational learning and performance (Boje, 1991; Czarniawska, 1998), knowledge sharing and knowledge management (Denning, 2000), management development (Morgan & Dennehy, 1997), and normative organizational behavior (Poulton, 2005), the literature is still evolving on how the act of storytelling could facilitate not only how organizational members make sense of a crisis, but also how they adapt to the inevitable organizational changes following a crisis. In particular, storytelling—with its narrative process—can be utilized to manage how the organizational members react to the crisis by absorbing what Patriotta (2003) called “the discordance by constructing a plot around a disruptive occurrence” (p. 163). Indeed, making sense of a crisis follows Weick's (1995) disruption‐transformation‐solution framework. We argue that storytelling should be part of an organization's crisis‐management program, per se. As human resource development and organizational crisis‐management disciplines share great commonality and concerns in areas dealing with organizational behavior during crises, we propose that storytelling can be used as HRD's toolkit in leveraging human capital pre‐, during, and post‐crises.
Influences of formal learning, personal learning orientation, and supportive learning environment on informal learning
Authors: Choi Woojae , Jacobs Ronald L. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractWhile workplace learning includes formal and informal learning, the relationship between the two has been overlooked, because they have been viewed as separate entities. This study investigated the effects of formal learning, personal learning orientation, and supportive learning environment on informal learning among 203 middle managers in Korean commercial banks. To control the common method biases, the predictor and criterion variables were measured at different points in time with two separate sets of questionnaires. The results from using structural equation modeling showed that the proposed model indicated a better fit to the data than alternative models. It was found that formal learning and personal learning orientation have significant and positive impacts on informal learning. Although a supportive learning environment did not have a direct effect on informal learning, it had a modest but significant indirect effect on informal learning through formal learning. Implications for future research and practices are also discussed.
Proposed methods for potential evapotranspiration calculation of the Red River basin (North Vietnam)
Authors: Le Thi Phuong Quynh , Seidler Christina , Kändler Matthias , Tran Thi Bich Nga 
Published: September 2011

AbstractPotential evapotranspiration (ETP) is an important part of a climatic water balance and a crucial variable in many kinds of models in computing actual evapotranspiration. The objective of this study was to find a reasonable approach of ETP calculation for a height‐differentiated landscape in subtropical climate. From the pool of diverse approaches, six common methods [Hamon, Priestley–Taylor, Thornthwaite, Blaney–Criddle, Turc and Food and Agricultural Organization Irrigation and Drainage Paper No. 56 (FAO‐56)] were selected. With the meteorological data for long‐term period (1964–2008), the calculation of ETP values was performed for 12 different meteorological stations in the Red River basin. Among the applied ETP calculation methods, the Turc and the FAO‐56 methods agreed well at most stations and represent best the expectations for the ETP values of the Thao and Da subbasins. The findings of our investigations indicate that in highly structured (land use and elevation) regions, not all methods provide satisfying results. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Serum IGF1, IGF2 and IGFBP3 and risk of advanced colorectal adenoma
Authors: Gao Ying , Katki Hormuzd , Graubard Barry , Pollak Michael , Martin Michael , Tao Yuzhen , Schoen Robert E. , Church Timothy , Hayes Richard B. , Greene Mark H. , Berndt Sonja I. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe insulin‐like growth factor (IGF) signaling pathway is involved in cell proliferation and differentiation. Elevated serum IGF1 levels have been associated with increased colorectal cancer risk; however, studies of this association with colorectal adenoma are inconclusive. We examined serum IGF1, IGF2 and IGFBP3 levels in relation to risk of advanced colorectal adenoma in a case‐control study within the prostate, lung, colorectal and ovarian cancer screening trial. A total of 764 advanced, left‐sided colorectal adenoma cases and 775 controls frequency‐matched on gender and ethnicity, without evidence of a left‐sided polyp on sigmoidoscopy were included in the current study. Serum levels of IGF1, IGF2 and IGFBP3 were measured using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in serum samples collected at baseline. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the associations adjusting for age, race, sex, year of blood draw, body mass index, smoking and education. Higher IGF1 levels were associated with increased adenoma risk: ORs = 1.58 (95% CI = 1.16–2.16), 1.42 (95% CI = 1.04–1.93), and 1.80 (95% CI = 1.30–2.47) for the second, third and fourth quartiles, respectively (ptrend = 0.002). Elevated IGF2 levels were also associated with increased adenoma risk (OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.05–1.96 for the fourth vs. first quartile, ptrend = 0.02), but the association was no longer significant after adjustment for IGF1 (ptrend = 0.28). IGFBP3 levels were not associated with adenoma risk. Our analysis showed a significant positive association between circulating IGF1 levels and risk of advanced colorectal adenoma, suggesting that IGF1 is associated with the pivotal precursor to colorectal cancer.
ASSESSING IRRIGATION PERFORMANCE FROM THE FARMERS' PERSPECTIVE: A QUALITATIVE STUDY
Authors: Yakubov Murat 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTIrrigation performance assessments are important tools that irrigation service providers at various levels of the water management hierarchy can use for monitoring, benchmarking and self‐improvement. Despite the recognition that irrigation performance can and should be assessed from a variety of perspectives, the perspectives of the users, farmers, have received surprising little attention. This is even more apparent given the widespread context of irrigation management transfer reforms throughout the world aiming at effective user empowerment through farmer‐owned and driven water users associations. This paper attempts to partially fill this gap by exploring and sensitizing farmers' views about irrigation service and related performance dimensions using qualitative research methods. Based on focus group discussions with a purposive sample of farmers from a range of water users' associations in Central Asia and a grounded theory approach the study lays a conceptual foundation for future practical applications. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Height loss starting in middle age predicts increased mortality in the elderly
Authors: Masunari Naomi , Fujiwara Saeko , Kasagi Fumiyoshi , Takahashi Ikuno , Yamada Michiko , Nakamura Toshitaka 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the mortality risk among Japanese men and women with height loss starting in middle age, taking into account lifestyle and physical factors.
A total of 2498 subjects (755 men and 1743 women) aged 47 to 91 years old underwent physical examinations during the period 1994 to 1995. Those individuals were followed for mortality status through 2003. Mortality risk was estimated using an age-stratified Cox proportional hazards model. In addition to sex, adjustment factors such as radiation dose, lifestyle, and physical factors measured at the baseline—including smoking status, alcohol intake, total cholesterol, blood pressure, and diagnosed diseases—were used for analysis of total mortality and mortality from each cause of death.
There were a total of 302 all-cause deaths, 46 coronary heart disease and stroke deaths, 58 respiratory deaths including 45 pneumonia deaths, and 132 cancer deaths during the follow-up period. Participants were followed for 20,787 person-years after baseline. Prior history of vertebral deformity and hip fracture were not associated with mortality risk. However, more than 2 cm of height loss starting in middle age showed a significant association with all-cause mortality among the study participants (HR = 1.76, 95% CI 1.31 to 2.38, p = 0.0002), after adjustment was made for sex, attained age, atomic-bomb radiation exposure, and lifestyle and physical factors. Such height loss also was significantly associated with death due to coronary heart disease or stroke (HR = 3.35, 95% CI 1.63 to 6.86, p = 0.0010), as well as respiratory-disease death (HR = 2.52, 95% CI 1.25 to 5.22, p = 0.0130), but not cancer death. Continuous HL also was associated with all-cause mortality and CHD- or stroke-caused mortality. Association between height loss and mortality was still significant, even after excluding persons with vertebral deformity.
Height loss of more than 2 cm starting in middle age was an independent risk factor for cardiovascular and respiratory-disease mortality among the elderly, even after adjusting for potential risk factors. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Differential gene expression in motor and sensory Schwann cells in the rat femoral nerve
Authors: Jesuraj Nithya J. , Nguyen Peter K. , Wood Matthew D. , Moore Amy M. , Borschel Gregory H. , Mackinnon Susan E. , Sakiyama‐Elbert Shelly E. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractPhenotypic differences in Schwann cells (SCs) may help to guide axonal regeneration down motor or sensory specific pathways following peripheral nerve injury. The goal of this study was to identify phenotypic markers for SCs harvested from the cutaneous (sensory) and quadriceps (motor) branches of the rat femoral nerve and to study the effects of expansion culture on the expression patterns of these motor or sensory phenotypic markers. RNA was extracted from SCs harvested from the motor and sensory branches of the rat femoral nerve and analyzed using Affymetrix Gene Chips (Rat Genome 230 v2.0 Array A). Genes that were upregulated in motor SCs compared with the sensory SCs or vice versa were identified, and the results were verified for a subset of genes using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). The expression levels of the “phenotype‐specific” genes were then evaluated in SC expansion cultures at various time points over 30 days by qRT‐PCR to determine the effect of expansion on SC phenotype. Expression levels of the phenotype‐specific genes were significantly altered after expansion culture for both the motor and the sensory markers compared with fresh nerve tissue. These results indicate that both motor and sensory SC gene expression patterns are disrupted during expansion in vitro and may affect the ability of SCs to express phenotype‐specific genes after transplantation. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
High phosphorylated 4E‐binding protein 1 expression after chemoradiotherapy is a predictor for locoregional recurrence and worse survival in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients
Authors: Chao Yin‐Kai , Chuang Wen‐Yu , Yeh Chi‐Ju , Chang Yu‐Sun , Wu Yi‐Cheng , Kuo Shao‐Yun , Hsieh Ming‐Ju , Hsueh Chuen 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBackgroundAs a well‐known pivotal factor of 4E‐binding protein 1 (4E‐BP1) in controlling cancer proliferation, high expression of its phosphorylated form (p‐4E‐BP1) has been reported to be associated with poor outcome in various human cancers without pretreated with chemoradiotherapy (CRT). However, no data is available regarding the implication of p‐4E‐BP1 expression after CRT. Therefore, we conducted this study.MethodsThe expression of p‐4E‐BP1 was semiquantitatively examined with immunohistochemical staining in 60 ypT1T2 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients and verified by western blot analysis in representative cases. The impact of p‐4E‐BP1 expression intensity on cancer recurrence and survival was assessed in combination with clinical and pathological descriptors.ResultThe 5‐year disease specific survival (DSS) rate of patients with high p‐4E‐BP1 expression was significantly lower than that of patients with lower p‐4E‐BP1 expression (5 year DSS: 58% vs. 8.6%, P = 0.00064). Furthermore, in a multivariate analysis by Cox regression model, high p‐4E‐BP1 expression was confirmed to be an independent prognostic factor (HR: 2.269; unfavorable, P = 0.024) for DSS, while lymph node (HR: 3.016; unfavorable, P = 0.005) was also significant prognostic factor. High p‐4E‐BP1 expression was specifically associated with locoregional recurrence (LR; P < 0.05). The locoregional control rate reached 97.1% in low p‐4E‐BP1 tumors.ConclusionHigh p‐4E‐BP1 expression after CRT is a predictor for LR and worse survival in esophageal SCC patients. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 105:288–292. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quality makes the difference
Authors: Reinl Steffen , Horn Wolfgang 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe beam quality‐range that used to be reserved for lamp‐pumped solid‐state lasers is now covered by fiber‐coupled diode lasers. Accordingly, the diode laser is more and more displacing the lamppumped solid‐state lasers in different application fields, among these being laserbased plastics welding. End‐users have gained confidence in this process, thus, product acceptance, particularly in the automotive and automotive suppliers industry is at a high level. Also within medical device manufacturing, this method continuously takes over different applications. Especially in this field, laser plastics welding is advantageous since high weld qualities are required.
The role of process gases in laser welding
Authors: Herrmann Johann 
Published: September 2011

AbstractUsing process gases can be rather difficult for some laser welding applications and give the user or the plant engineer some headaches. The currently very popular remote welding with lasers of high beam quality is such an application. Here, the laser beam is directed using scanner mirrors and can be positioned and moved nearly without inertia. Since these fast movements cannot be followed with process gas nozzles, the temptation is large to simply do away with the process gas. In this article, it is shown why process gases are necessary for welding metals and which risks are incurred, when one omits them.
Patient Decision Making About Organ Quality in Liver Transplantation†
Authors: Volk Michael L. , Tocco Rachel S. , Pelletier Shawn J. , Zikmund-Fisher Brian J. , Lok Anna S. F. 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
It is challenging to discuss the use of high-risk organs with patients, in part because of the lack of information about how patients view this topic. This study was designed to determine how patients think about organ quality and to test formats for risk communication. Semistructured interviews of 10 patients on the waiting list revealed limited understanding about the spectrum of organ quality and a reluctance to consider anything but the best organs. A computerized quantitative survey was then conducted with an interactive graph to elicit the risk of graft failure that patients would accept. Fifty-eight percent of the 95 wait-listed patients who completed the survey would accept only organs with a risk of graft failure of 25% or less at 3 years, whereas 18% would accept only organs with the lowest risk possible (19% at 3 years). Risk tolerance was increased when the organ quality was presented relative to average organs rather than the best organs and when feedback was provided about the implications for organ availability. More than three-quarters of the patients reported that they wanted an equal or dominant role in organ acceptance decisions. Men tended to prefer lower risk organs (mean acceptable risk = 29%) in comparison with women (mean acceptable risk = 35%, P = 0.04), but risk tolerance was not associated with other demographic or clinical characteristics (eg, the severity of liver disease). In summary, patients want to be involved in decisions about organ quality. Patients' risk tolerance varies widely, and their acceptance of high-risk organs can be facilitated if we present the risks of graft failure with respect to average organs and provide feedback about the implications for organ availability. Liver Transpl, 2011. © 2011 AASLD.