bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationship Between Neurologic Deficit Severity and Final Functional Outcome Shifts and Strengthens During First Hours After Onset
Authors: Saver Jeffrey L. , Altman Hernan 
Published: April 2012

Background and Purpose—
Early neurological deficit severity is the most important determinant of final functional outcome in acute ischemic stroke. However, deficit severity frequently changes during the first hours and days postonset.

Methods—
Analysis of control group patients enrolled in the 2 National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke tissue-type plasminogen activator trials. Neurological deficit severity was measured serially using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at 1 to 3 hours postonset, 3 to 5 hours, 24 hours, 7 to 10 days, and 90 days. Final global disability outcome was assessed at 90 days using the modified Rankin Scale.

Results—

Among the 312 patients, median neurological deficit severity on the NIHSS improved throughout the 90-day observation period, from 15 (interquartile range, 9.5–20) at 1 to 3 hours, to 12 (interquartile range, 6–19) at 24 hours, to 7 (interquartile range, 2–19) at 90 days. Between 1-to-3-hours to 24 hours, more patients spontaneously improved than worsened: 39.1% versus 17.6% (
P
<0.001). NIHSS scores associated with individual final modified Rankin Scale global disability ranks shifted to lower values over time; eg, patients with a final modified Rankin Scale of 2 had the following median NIHSS scores: 12 at 1 to 3 hours, 10 at 3 to 5 hours, 9 at 24 hours, and 3 at 90 days. Correlation coefficients between NIHSS and the final modified Rankin Scale increased over time, from 0.51 at 1 to 3 hours, to 0.72 at 24 hours, to 0.87 at 90 days.

Conclusions—
During the first 24 hours after onset, spontaneous improvement occurs in 2 of 5 acute ischemic stroke patients. The NIHSS scores associated with individual global disability ranks decrease over time. Neurological deficit severity increasingly predicts final disability outcome, accounting for one quarter of the variance at 1 to 3 hours, one half at 24 hours, and three quarters at 90 days.
Altered interictal saccadic reaction time in migraine: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Chandna Arjun , Chandrasekharan Deepak P , Ramesh Aravind V , Carpenter RHS 
Published: April 2012

Aims: The underlying mechanisms of migraine remain poorly understood, partly because we lack objective methods for quantitative analysis of neurological function. To address this issue, we measured interictal saccadic latency in migraineurs and controls. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, we compared interictal saccadic latency distributions of 12,800 saccades in 32 migraineurs with 32 age- and sex-matched controls. Results: The variability of migraineurs’ reaction time distributions was significantly smaller (σ = 1.01 vs. 1.13; p < 0.05) compared with controls. In addition, a smaller proportion of migraineurs generated ‘early’ saccades (31% vs. 56%: p < 0.05). Sensitivity/specificity analysis demonstrated the potential benefit of this technique to diagnostic discrimination. Conclusions: The migraineur’s brain behaves significantly differently from that of a control during the interictal period. By analysing whole distributions, rather than just means, data can be related directly to current neurophysiological models: specifically, the observed decrease in variability suggests a functional deficit in the noradrenergic systems influencing the cerebral cortex. From a clinical perspective, this novel method of characterising neurological function in migraine is more rapid, practicable, inexpensive, objective and quantitative than previous methods such as evoked potentials and transcranial magnetic stimulation, and has the potential both to improve current diagnostic discrimination and to help guide future research into the underlying neural mechanisms.
Synthetic Resorbable Scaffolds for the Treatment of Isolated Patellofemoral Cartilage Defects in Young Patients
Authors: Joshi Nayana , Reverte-Vinaixa Mercè , Díaz-Ferreiro Eugenio Wenceslao , Domínguez-Oronoz Rosa 
Published: April 2012

Background: Surgical management of patellar cartilage defects remains controversial. The ideal technique to regenerate hyaline cartilage is not yet defined. However, a synthetic resorbable osteochondral scaffold plug (TruFit CB) seems to offer a treatment option with good results at short-term follow-up, at least in the condylar setting. Hypothesis: A synthetic implant provides a simple and efficacious means of treating the cartilage defects of the patellofemoral joint in young patients. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A study was designed to evaluate prospectively short- and medium-term results in patients with osteochondral patellar defects treated with synthetic reabsorbable scaffolds. Patient outcome scores (Short Form 36 [SF-36] and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS]), demographics, prior surgeries, and data from a physical examination were collected at baseline (before implantation) and at 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. Defect characteristics were collected during implantation. Diagnosis and monitoring were performed by magnetic resonance imaging. Results: Ten patients with a mean age of 33.3 years (range, 16-49 years) were evaluated prospectively at 24 months’ follow-up. The number of plugs used for each patient ranged from 1 to 4. At 1-year follow-up, the results were satisfactory in 8 of 10 patients, and poor in 2, according to clinical assessment (KOOS, visual analog scale, and SF-36). At 18 months of follow-up, all patients except one complained of pain and knee swelling. Reoperation rate for implant failure at final follow-up was 70%. Magnetic resonance imaging at final follow-up showed a cylindrical cavity of fibrous tissue instead of subchondral bone restoration. Conclusion: A synthetic implant can improve symptoms and joint function, especially for small lesions, only for a short period of time. However, 2 years of monitoring has shown its failure in restoring the subchondral bone despite the formation of predominant hyaline cartilage from synthetic resorbable scaffolds. Under current conditions and according to our experience, we do not recommend TruFit synthetic implants for osteochondral patellar defects in active patients.
Hydroxyapatite nanorods: Soft-template synthesis, characterization and preliminary in vitro tests
Authors: Nguyen Nga Kim , Leoni Matteo , Maniglio Devid , Migliaresi Claudio 
Published: April 2012

Synthetic hydroxyapatite nanorods are excellent candidates for bone tissue engineering applications. In this study, hydroxyapatite nanorods resembling bone minerals were produced by using soft-template method with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide. Composite hydroxyapatite/poly(D, L)lactic acid films were prepared to evaluate the prepared hydroxyapatite nanorods in terms of cell affinity. Preliminary in vitro experiments showed that aspect ratio and film surface roughness play a vital role in controlling adhesion and proliferation of human osteoblast cell line MG 63. The hydroxyapatite nanorods with aspect ratios in the range of 5.94–7 were found to possess distinctive properties, with the corresponding hydroxyapatite/poly(D, L)lactic acid films promoting cellular confluence and a fast formation of collagen fibers as early as after 7 days of culture.
Identification, immunomodulatory activity, and immunogenicity of the major helper T-cell epitope on the K blood group antigen
Authors: Stephen Jillian , Cairns Lindsay S. , Pickford Wendy J. , Vickers Mark A. , Urbaniak Stanislaw J. , Barker Robert N. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe K blood group remains an important target in hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN), with no immune prophylaxis available. The aim was to characterize the Th response to K as a key step in designing specific immunotherapy and understanding the immunogenicity of the Ag. PBMCs from K-negative women who had anti-K Abs after incompatible pregnancy, and PBMCs from unimmunized controls, were screened for proliferative responses to peptide panels spanning the K or k single amino acid polymorphism. A dominant K peptide with the polymorphism at the C terminus elicited proliferation in 90% of alloimmunized women, and it was confirmed that responding cells expressed helper CD3+CD4+ and “memory” CD45RO+ phenotypes, and were MHC class II restricted. A relatively high prevalence of background peptide responses independent of alloimmunization may contribute to K immunogenicity. First, cross-reactive environmental Ag(s) pre-prime Kell-reactive Th cells, and, second, the K substitution disrupts an N-glycosylation motif, allowing the exposed amino acid chain to stimulate a Th repertoire that is unconstrained by self-tolerance in K-negative individuals. The dominant K peptide was effective in inducing linked suppression in HLA-transgenic mice and can now be taken forward for immunotherapy to prevent HDN because of anti-K responses.
Transcriptome-wide identification and characterization of miRNAs from Pinus densata
Authors: Wan Li-Chuan , Zhang Haiyan , Lu Shanfa , Zhang Liang , Qiu Zongbo , Zhao Yuanyuan , Zeng Qing-Yin , Lin Jinxing 
Published: April 2012

Abstract

Background
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play key roles in diverse developmental processes, nutrient homeostasis and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. The biogenesis and regulatory functions of miRNAs have been intensively studied in model angiosperms, such as Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa and Populus trichocarpa. However, global identification of Pinus densata miRNAs has not been reported in previous research.

Results
Here, we report the identification of 34 conserved miRNAs belonging to 25 miRNA families from a P. densata mRNA transcriptome database using local BLAST and MIREAP programs. The primary and/or precursor sequences of 29 miRNAs were further confirmed by RT-PCR amplification and subsequent sequencing. The average value of the minimal folding free energy indexes of the 34 miRNA precursors was 0.92. Nineteen (58%) mature miRNAs began with a 5' terminal uridine residue. Analysis of miRNA precursors showed that 19 mature miRNAs were novel members of 14 conserved miRNA families, of which 17 miRNAs were further validated by subcloning and sequencing. Using real-time quantitative RT-PCR, we found that the expression levels of 7 miRNAs were more than 2-fold higher in needles than in stems. In addition, 72 P. densata mRNAs were predicted to be targets of 25 miRNA families. Four target genes, including a nodal modulator 1-like protein gene, two GRAS family transcription factor protein genes and one histone deacetylase gene, were experimentally verified to be the targets of 3 P. densata miRNAs, pde-miR162a, pde-miR171a and pde-miR482a, respectively.

Conclusions
This study led to the discovery of 34 conserved miRNAs comprising 25 miRNA families from Pinus densata. These results lay a solid foundation for further studying the regulative roles of miRNAs in the development, growth and responses to environmental stresses in P. densata.
Significance of EpCAM and TROP2 expression in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Pak Min Gyoung , Shin Dong Hoon , Lee Chang Hun , Lee Min Ki 
Published: April 2012

Abstract

Background
The tumor-associated calcium signal transducer (TACSTD) genes, originally designated epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) and TROP2, represent true oncogenes. Little is known about EpCAM and TROP2 gene expression in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). This study evaluated EpCAM and TROP2 protein expression and clinicopathologic significance in cases of NSCLC.

Methods
Tissue microarray blocks acquired from 164 cases of NSCLC, including 100 cases of adenocarcinoma (AdC) and 64 of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), were examined by immunohistochemical staining for EpCAM, and TROP2. The results were correlated with clinicopathologic data.

Results
EpCAM and TROP2 were significantly overexpressed in SCC than in AdC (P < 0.01). In AdC, EpCAM overexpression was closely related to sex, histologic grade, pathologic T stage, pathologic N stage, and TNM stage, and TROP2 overexpression was only related to histologic grade (P < 0.05, respectively). In SCC, correlations were evident between EpCAM overexpression and TNM stage (P = 0.01), and between TROP2 overexpression and pathologic T stage (P = 0.02). EpCAM overexpression showed no significance with overall survival in AdC and SCC patients. However, TROP2 overexpression in AdC had a positive influence on overall survival (P = 0.02) and disease-free survival (P = 0.03). In particular, AdC patients with stage II or III showed better overall survival (P = 0.05) and disease-free survival (P = 0.04).

Conclusions
While EpCAM and TROP2 show weak and non-complete membranous staining in normal bronchial epithelium and pneumocyte, their complete membranous expression in carcinoma suggests their role in carcinogenesis. EpCAM and TROP2 were more frequently overexpressed in SCC. EpCAM overexpression had no prognostic value in this study, but TROP2 overexpression showed better survival in AdC patients and might be a better prognostic marker in advanced stage AdC.
Accumulation of starch in Zn-deficient rice
Authors: Suzuki Motofumi , Bashir Khurram , Inoue Haruhiko , Takahashi Michiko , Nakanishi Hiromi , Nishizawa Naoko K 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient for living organisms, and understanding the molecular mechanisms of Zn deficiency may help to develop strategies to mitigate this problem. Microarray analysis of Zn deficient rice revealed the up-regulation of several genes involved in Zn transport. Moreover many genes involved in starch synthesis/transport were up-regulated by Zn deficiency in rice roots and shoots. Furthermore, starch granules were detected mainly in the cortical cells of these tissues. The gene encoding inactive RNase was much more highly transcribed than those encoding active RNases. Although the level of RNA degradation in a crude extract of Zn-deficient shoots was higher than that of Zn-sufficient shoots, addition of Zn significantly reduced the level of degradation. These results indicate that RNA degradation could be regulated by the amount of Zn in the cell, and that the tolerance of rice plants to low levels of Zn is promoted by the accumulation of starch and inactive RNase.
Locally expressed IGF-1 propeptide improves function in induced dilated cardiomyopathy through blockade of myocardial fibrosis and SRF-dependent CTGF induction
Authors: Touvron Melissa , Escoubet Brigitte , Mericskay Mathias , Angelini Aude , Lamotte Luciane , Santini Maria Paola , Rosenthal Nadia , Daegelen Dominique , Tuil David , Decaux Jean-François 
Published: April 2012

SummaryCardiac fibrosis is critically involved in the adverse remodeling accompanying dilated cardiomyopathies (DCM), which leads to cardiac dysfunction and heart failure (HF). Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), a profibrotic cytokine, plays a key role in this deleterious process. Some beneficial effects of IGF-1 on cardiomyopathy have been described, but its potential role in improving DCM is less well characterized. We investigated the consequences of expressing a cardiac-specific transgene encoding locally acting IGF-1 propeptide (mIGF-1) on disease progression in a mouse model of DCM. This mouse model of cardiac-specific and inducible SRF gene disruption mimics some forms of human DCM. Cardiac-specific mIGF-1 expression substantially extended the lifespan of SRF mutant mice, markedly improved cardiac functions and delayed both DCM and HF. These protective effects were accompanied by an overall improvement in cardiomyocyte architecture and a massive reduction of myocardial fibrosis with a concomitant amelioration of inflammation. At least part of the beneficial effects of mIGF-1 transgene expression were due to counteracting the strong SRF-dependent increase in CTGF expression within cardiomyocytes, resulting in the blockade of fibroblast proliferation and related myocardial fibrosis. These findings demonstrate that SRF plays a key role in the modulation of cardiac fibrosis through repression of cardiomyocyte CTGF expression in a paracrine fashion. They also explain how impaired SRF function observed in human heart failure contributes to promote fibrosis and adverse cardiac remodeling. Locally acting mIGF-1 efficiently protects the myocardium from these adverse processes, and may thus represent a cardiac therapeutic avenue to counter DCM.
A high pressure liquid chromatography method for separation of prolactin forms
Authors: Bell Damon A , Hoad Kirsten , Leong Lillian , Bakar Juwaini Abu , Sheehan Paul , Vasikaran Samuel D 
Published: April 2012

Background Prolactin has multiple forms and macroprolactin, which is thought not to be bioavailable, can cause a raised serum prolactin concentration. Gel filtration chromatography (GFC) is currently the gold standard method for separating macroprolactin, but is labour-intensive. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation is suitable for routine use but may not always be accurate. We developed a high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay for macroprolactin measurement. Methods Chromatography was carried out using an Agilent Zorbax GF-250 (9.4 × 250 mm, 4 μm) size exclusion column and 50 mmol/L Tris buffer with 0.15 mmol/L NaCl at pH 7.2 as mobile phase, with a flow rate of 1 mL/min. Serum or plasma was diluted 1:1 with mobile phase and filtered and 100 μL injected. Fractions of 155 μL were collected for prolactin measurement and elution profile plotted. The area under the curve of each prolactin peak was calculated to quantify each prolactin form, and compared with GFC. Results Clear separation of monomeric-, big- and macroprolactin forms was achieved. Quantification was comparable to GFC and precision was acceptable. Total time from injection to collection of the final fraction was 16 min. Conclusions We have developed an HPLC method for quantification of macroprolactin, which is rapid and easy to perform and therefore can be used for routine measurement.
Development of an automatic laboratory computer flagging system to identify urine albumin samples potentially affected by antigen excess (‘hooking’)
Authors: Pullan N J , Hitch T 
Published: April 2012

Background Immunoassays for urinary albumin are often subject to the problem of antigen excess (the ‘hook’ effect) at high albumin concentrations. We developed an automated protocol to identify such samples based on urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (uACR) and urinary total protein (uTP) results. Methods An automated flagging system was designed and written into the laboratory computer system to alert technical staff to samples potentially affected by the ‘hook effect’. This flag was activated when there was a combination of an uTP of ≥2400 mg/L and an uACR of <30 mg/mmol. Results The potential rate of false-negative uACR results was approximately 0.17% in samples from primary care and diabetic clinic sources. Conclusions Samples with falsely low uACR results were identified, allowing the vast majority of results to be authorized without intervention. The protocol prevented the reporting of false-negative uACR results which might impact on the management of patients.
Statistical learning confirms the diagnostic significance of the anemia panel in breast cancer
Authors: Biljan Marta , Dmitrović Branko , Kristek Jozo , Šimundić Ana-Maria , Mandić Sanja , Šerić Vatroslav , Margaretić Damir , Debeljak Željko 
Published: April 2012

AbstractDiagnostic value of available tumor markers, such as cancer antigen CA 15-3 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in breast cancer is limited. There is an ongoing search for additional, potentially better diagnostic blood markers with improved clinical utility. The aim of this study is to evaluate performance of the approach based on routine blood tests accompanied by a statistical learning tool to the diagnosis of breast cancer.Blood was collected from total of 104 subjects which were divided into two groups: breast cancer patients and a control group that consisted of asymptomatic volunteers and patients who had benign breast lesions at the time of blood collection. Random forest statistical learning method and the external method validation have been applied to evaluate diagnostic performance of 31 routine blood tests.The applied statistical learning approach assigned the highest diagnostic importance to the anemia panel among all analyzed blood tests that also included CA 15-3. External validation has shown utility of selected statistical approach – we were able to select tests that provide a diagnostic accuracy comparable to some diagnostic tools described in literature and based on more demanding laboratory techniques, such as gene expression microarrays.Inclusion of tests for anemia significantly improves diagnostic accuracy for the breast cancer in comparison to the diagnostic accuracy of the CA 15-3 alone. Application of the random forests also enables the reduction of number of laboratory tests needed for the establishment of diagnosis. Differences in relevant test values between the cancer and control group are small but application of multiparametric statistical learning ensured diagnostic accuracy of 72.0% associated by a sensitivity of 64.7% and specificity of 84.9%.
Serum cystatin C is an early biomarker for assessment of renal function in burn patients
Authors: Cai Xiaoyan , Long Zhaolin , Lin Lianduo , Feng Yudong , Zhou Naxi , Mai Qifeng 
Published: April 2012

AbstractEarly detection of renal dysfunction is important in burn patients. This study evaluated whether serum cystatin C (CysC) is a potentially accurate and sensitive marker for identification of reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and the risk factors of impaired renal function in major burn patients.A total of 48 adult patients with major burn injury were enrolled. Renal function was assessed using serum creatinine (sCr), 24-h urinary creatinine clearance (24-hCrCl), sCr-based formulae and CysC-based formulae on the second day and seventh day post-burn.There was a high prevalence (27.1%) of acute impaired renal function in major burn patients in the first week post-burn. CysC-based formulae for estimated GFR (eGFR) are more accurate and sensitive for detection of impaired renal function than sCr-based formulae. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that age (OR, 2.08; 95% CI 1.26–4.77) and the percentage of burn area (OR, 3.41; 95% CI 1.64–6.95) were independent risk factors of impaired renal function.The results of this study suggest that CysC is a more accurate and sensitive marker for identification of acute impaired renal function in major burn patients than sCr. It is important to measure CysC and calculate eGFR to prevent acute renal failure and modify drug doses in burn patients, especially those of older age and with major burn areas.