bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reduced rhinovirus-specific antibodies are associated with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease requiring hospitalisation
Authors: Yerkovich Stephanie T , Hales Belinda J , Carroll Melanie L , Burel Julie G , Towers Michelle A , Smith Daniel J , Thomas Wayne R , Upham John W 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) are often linked to respiratory infections. However, it is unknown if COPD patients who experience frequent exacerbations have impaired humoral immunity. The aim of this study was to determine if antibodies specific for common respiratory pathogens are associated with AECOPD.

Methods
Plasma was obtained from COPD patients when clinically stable. AECOPD requiring hospitalisation were recorded. IgG1 antibodies to H. Influenzae outer membrane protein 6 (P6), pneumococcal surface protein C (PspC) and the VP1 viral capsid protein of rhinovirus were measured.

Results
COPD patients who had an AECOPD (n = 32) had significantly lower anti-VP1 IgG1 antibody levels when stable compared to COPD patients who did not have an AECOPD (n = 28, p = 0.024). Furthermore, the number of hospitalisations was inversely proportional to anti-VP1 antibody levels (r = −0.331, p = 0.011). In contrast, antibodies specific for P6 and PspC were present at similar concentrations between groups. Plasma IL-21, a cytokine important for B-cell development and antibody synthesis, was also lower in COPD patients who had an AECOPD, than in stable COPD patients (p = 0.046).

Conclusion
Deficient humoral immunity specific for rhinoviruses is associated with AECOPD requiring hospitalisation, and may partly explain why some COPD patients have an increased exacerbation risk following respiratory viral infections.
Mononuclear cell therapy reverts cuff-induced thrombosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice
Authors: Lima Leandro C F , Porto Marcella L , Campagnaro Bianca P , Tonini Clarissa L , Nogueira Breno V , Pereira Thiago MC , Vasquez Elisardo C , Meyrelles Silvana S 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
Stem/progenitor cell-based therapy has successfully been used as a novel therapeutic strategy for vascular diseases triggered by endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mononuclear cell (MNC) therapy in situ on carotid cuff-induced occlusive thrombus in the apolipoprotein E knockout (apoE-/-) mouse.

Methods
Spleen-derived MNCs were isolated from green fluorescent protein (GFP)-transgenic mice for cell treatment. A cuff-induced thrombus model was produced by placing a nonconstrictive silastic collar around the left common carotid artery in 20-week-old female apoE-/- mice. After 10 days, the cuff was removed, and the animals received in situ MNCs (Cuff-MNC) or vehicle (Cuff-Vehicle) and were compared with sham-operated animals (Sham).

Results
The histological analysis showed that the MNC treatment reverted occlusive thrombus formation compared to the vehicle and the vessel lumen area to that observed in the Sham group (MNC, 50 ± 4; Vehicle, 20 ± 4; Sham, 55 ± 2 x103 μm2; p < 0.01). The animals that underwent the carotid cuff placement developed compensatory vessel enlargement, which was reduced by the MNC therapy. In addition, the treatment was able to reduce superoxide anion production, which likely contributed to the reduced apoptosis that was observed. Lastly, the immunofluorescence analysis revealed the presence of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in the carotid endothelia of the apoE-/- mice.

Conclusion

In situ short-term MNC therapy was able to revert cuff-induced occlusive thrombi in the carotid arteries of apoE-/- mice, possibly through the homing of EPCs, reduction of oxidative stress and decreased apoptosis.
Dietary total antioxidant capacity and the occurrence of metabolic syndrome and its components after a 3-year follow-up in adults: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study
Authors: Bahadoran Zahra , Golzarand Mahdieh , Mirmiran Parvin , Shiva Niloofar , Azizi Fereidoun 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
There is growing evidence that dietary antioxidants could have favorable effects on the attenuation and prevention of metabolic disorders. In the current study we investigated the association of dietary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) components and the occurrence of the MetS during a 3-year follow-up.

Methods
This longitudinal study was conducted in the framework of Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study, between 2006–2008 and 2009–2011, on 1983 adults, aged 19–70 y. The usual intakes of participant were measured using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and dietary TAC was estimated at baseline. The MetS components were assessed at baseline and 3 years later. Multiple logistic regression models were used to estimate the occurrence of the MetS and its components according to dietary TAC quartile categories.

Results
The mean age of participants was 40.4 ± 13.0 y, and mean BMI was 27.03 ± 4.9 kg/m2 at baseline. After adjustment for potential confounding variables, TAC was associated with MetS components at baseline. Participant with highest TAC score had lower weight and abdominal fat gain during the 3 year follow-up. The chance of having the MetS, abdominal obesity and hypertension after 3 years decreased across the increasing dietary TAC quartile (P for trend < 0.01). Dietary TAC more than 1080 μmolTE/100 g of food, resulted in a 38% decrease in the risk of central obesity (OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.38-0.99).

Conclusion
We demonstrated that higher dietary antioxidant intakes have favorable effects on metabolic disorders and, more interestingly, prevent subsequent weight and abdominal fat gain during a 3-year follow-up.
A reaction–diffusion mechanism influences cell lineage progression as a basis for formation, regeneration, and stability of intestinal crypts
Authors: Zhang Lei , Lander Arthur D , Nie Qing 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
Colon crypts, a single sheet of epithelia cells, consist of a periodic pattern of stem cells, transit-amplifying cells, and terminally differentiated cells that constantly renew and turnover. Experimental evidence suggests that Wnt signaling promotes and regulates stem cell division, differentiation, and possible cell migrations while intestinal BMP signaling inhibits stem cell self-renewal and repression in crypt formation. As more molecular details on Wnt and BMP in crypts are being discovered, little is still known about how complex interactions among Wnt, BMP, and different types of cells, and surrounding environments may lead to de novo formation of multiple crypts or how such interactions affect regeneration and stability of crypts.

Results
We present a mathematical model that contains Wnt and BMP, a cell lineage, and their feedback regulations to study formation, regeneration, and stability of multiple crypts. The computational explorations and linear stability analysis of the model suggest a reaction–diffusion mechanism, which exhibits a short-range activation of Wnt plus a long-range inhibition with modulation of BMP signals in a growing tissue of cell lineage, can account for spontaneous formation of multiple crypts with the spatial and temporal pattern observed in experiments. Through this mechanism, the model can recapitulate some distinctive and important experimental findings such as crypt regeneration and crypt multiplication. BMP is important in maintaining stability of crypts and loss of BMP usually leads to crypt multiplication with a fingering pattern.

Conclusions
The study provides a mechanism for de novo formation of multiple intestinal crypts and demonstrates a synergetic role of Wnt and BMP in regeneration and stability of intestinal crypts. The proposed model presents a robust framework for studying spatial and temporal dynamics of cell lineages in growing tissues driven by multiple signaling molecules.
Human foreskin fibroblast produces interleukin-6 to support derivation and self-renewal of mouse embryonic stem cells
Authors: Ma Yu , Gu Junjie , Li Chunliang , Wei Xiaoyuan , Tang Fan , Shi Guilai , Jiang Jing , Kuang Ying , Li Jinsong , Wang Zhugang , Xie Xin , Jin Ying 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Introduction
Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) provide an attractive cell source for basic research and disease treatment. Currently, the common culture system for mouse ESC requires mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) as a feeder layer supplemented with leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). The drawbacks associated with MEF and the cost of LIF have motivated exploration of new feeder cell types to maintain self-renewal of mouse ESCs without the need of exogenous LIF. However, why these feeder cells could maintain ESCs at the undifferentiated state independent of exogenous LIF is unclear.

Methods
We derived mouse ESC lines using human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) in the absence of exogenous LIF. We also examined the dependence of HFF on the JAK-Stat3 pathway to maintain ESC identities and explored the potential molecular basis for HFF to support self-renewal of ESCs.

Results
HFF supported mouse ESC self-renewal superiorly to MEFs. Using the HFF system, multiple lines of mouse ESCs were successfully derived without addition of exogenous LIF and any small molecular inhibitors. These ESCs had capacities to self-renew for a long period of time and to differentiate into various cell types of the three germ layers both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the ESCs participated in embryonic development and contributed to germ cell lineages in the chimeric mouse. At a molecular level, HFF was dependent on the JAK-Stat3 pathway to maintain ESC self-renewal. The high level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) produced by HFF might be responsible for the exogenous LIF-independent effect.

Conclusion
This study describes an efficient, convenient and economic system to establish and maintain mouse ESC lines, and provides insights into the functional difference in the support of ESC culture between MEF and HFF.
Randomized Trial of Radiation Therapy Plus Procarbazine, Lomustine, and Vincristine Chemotherapy for Supratentorial Adult Low-Grade Glioma: Initial Results of RTOG 9802
Authors: Shaw Edward G. , Wang Meihua , Coons Stephen W. , Brachman David G. , Buckner Jan C. , Stelzer Keith J. , Barger Geoffrey R. , Brown Paul D. , Gilbert Mark R. , Mehta Minesh P. 
Published: July 2012

PurposeA prior Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) clinical trial in anaplastic oligodendroglioma suggested a progression-free survival benefit for procarbazine, lomustine, and vincristine (PCV) chemotherapy in addition to radiation therapy (RT), as have smaller trials in low-grade glioma (LGG).Patients and MethodsEligibility criteria included supratentorial WHO grade 2 LGG, age 18 to 39 years with subtotal resection/biopsy, or age ≥ 40 years with any extent resection. Patients were randomly assigned to RT alone or RT followed by six cycles of PCV. Survival was compared by using the modified Wilcoxon and log-rank tests.ResultsIn all, 251 patients were accrued from 1998 to 2002. Median overall survival (OS) time and 5-year OS rates for RT versus RT + PCV were 7.5 years versus not reached and 63% versus 72%, respectively (hazard ratio [HR]; 0.72; 95% CI, 0.47 to 1.10; P = .33; log-rank P = .13). Median progression-free survival (PFS) time and 5-year PFS rates for RT versus RT + PCV were 4.4 years versus not reached and 46% versus 63%, respectively (HR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.86; P = .06; log-rank P = .005). OS and PFS were similar for all patients between years 0 and 2. After 2 years, OS and PFS curves separated significantly, favoring RT + PCV. For 2-year survivors (n = 211), the probability of OS for an additional 5 years was 74% with RT + PCV versus 59% with RT alone (HR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.30 to 0.90; log-rank P = .02).ConclusionPFS but not OS was improved for adult patients with LGG receiving RT + PCV versus RT alone. On post hoc analysis, for 2-year survivors, the addition of PCV to RT conferred a survival advantage, suggesting a delayed benefit for chemotherapy.
The Audacity to Strong-Arm the Generals: Paulo Maluf and the 1978 São Paulo Gubernatorial Contest
Authors: Pitts Bryan 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
In 1978, as striking metalworkers, students, and a revitalized political opposition challenged the Brazilian military regime from without, a stunning rebellion by the regime’s civilian allies in São Paulo undermined it from within. Dealing the regime a shocking political defeat, the delegates to the regime-allied political party’s state convention rejected the generals’ anointed gubernatorial candidate and narrowly nominated the rebel Paulo Maluf, who would go on to be confirmed by a manipulated electoral college. Although Maluf and the delegates did not challenge the regime on ideological grounds, the mix of resentment, regionalism, and personal rivalries that drove their insurrection and the generals’ reluctant tolerance of it highlight the fragility of the regime’s support among those who were thought to be its most stalwart allies. Moreover, Maluf’s selection demonstrates key differences between the Brazilian military regime and its Southern Cone counterparts and expands our understanding of how authoritarian regimes placed constraints upon and were in turn constrained by civilian political elites.
HE4 in gynecological cancers: report of a European investigators and experts meeting
Authors: Plebani Mario ,   on behalf of the HE4 Study Group
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe HE4 protein, which belongs to the “four disulfide” acid protein group, has emerged as one of the most promising biomarkers in gynecologic oncology. An expert meeting on the analytical and clinical performance of the quantitative determination of HE4 was held in November 2011, involving 25 clinical and laboratory specialists from 16 European countries. The aim of the meeting was to present and discuss the results of recent studies on the use of HE4 and on the Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm (ROMA), which combines the results of HE4 and CA 125. The meeting was structured in separate sessions focusing on ovarian cancer risk stratification, differential diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring and with diagnosis and monitoring of endometrial cancer. We present here a summary of the data and evidence, presented, together with consensus statements on the different topics, where available, and suggestions for further studies and evaluations required to establish optimal use of HE4, either alone or in combination with other markers, for diagnostic and prognostic purposes in gynecological malignancies. Available evidences support the utility of this new cancer biomarker for risk stratification, prognosis and monitoring of epithelial ovarian cancer and of endometrial cancer.
Efficiency and tolerance of mitotane in Cushing's disease in 76 patients from a single center
Authors: Baudry Camille , Coste Joël , Bou Khalil Roula , Silvera Stéphane , Guignat Laurence , Guibourdenche Jean , Abbas Halim , Legmann Paul , Bertagna Xavier , Bertherat Jérôme 
Published: July 2012

ContextAlternatives to transsphenoidal pituitary surgery may be required in Cushing's disease (CD) as a first- or second-line treatment. Mitotane is a potent anti-cortisolic drug but has been rarely investigated in the treatment of CD.ObjectiveEvaluation of the efficacy and tolerance of mitotane in CD patients.Design and settingRetrospective analysis of 76 patients treated with mitotane from 219 patients diagnosed with CD between 1993 and 2009 in a single center.Main outcome measureRemission was defined as normalization of 24-h urinary free cortisol (24-h-UFC).ResultsRemission was achieved in 48 (72%) of the 67 long-term treated patients, after a median time of 6.7 (5.2–8.2) months. Mean plasma mitotane concentration at the time of remission was 10.5±8.9 mg/l, with a mean daily dose of 2.6±1.1 g. A negative linear relationship was observed between plasma mitotane concentration and 24-h-UFC (P<0.0001). Seventeen of 24 (71%) patients with durable remission subsequently experienced recurrence, after a median time of 13.2 (5.0–67.9) months. At the time of treatment discontinuation, ACTH concentration was statistically associated with a lower recurrence probability (hazard ratios 0.57 (0.32–1.00), P=0.05). Intolerance leading to treatment discontinuation occurred in 19 patients (29%). A pituitary adenoma became identifiable during mitotane treatment in 12 (25%) of the 48 patients with initial negative pituitary imaging allowing subsequent transsphenoidal surgery.ConclusionMitotane is useful at different stages of CD. Mitotane dose adjustment based on plasma concentration monitoring and side effects could control hypercortisolism in the majority of CD patients.
Body compositional and cardiometabolic effects of testosterone therapy in obese men with severe obstructive sleep apnoea: a randomised placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Hoyos Camilla M , Yee Brendon J , Phillips Craig L , Machan Elizabeth A , Grunstein Ronald R , Liu Peter Y 
Published: July 2012

BackgroundThe combination of male gender, obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and obesity magnifies cardiometabolic risk. There has been no systematic study evaluating whether testosterone therapy can improve cardiometabolic health in obese men with OSA by improving body composition, visceral abdominal fat and insulin sensitivity.ObjectiveTo assess body compositional and cardiometabolic effects of testosterone treatment in obese men with severe OSA.DesignAn 18-week randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled and parallel group trial in 67 men.MethodsParticipants (age=49±12 years, apnoea hypopnoea index=39.9±17.7 events/h, BMI=31.3±5.2 kg/m2) were placed on a hypocaloric diet and received i.m. injections of either 1000 mg testosterone undecanoate (n=33) or placebo (n=34) for 18 weeks. Outcomes were the changes in body composition (total muscle mass, total and abdominal fat, total body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and computerised tomography (CT)), weight, insulin sensitivity (homeostasis model assessment), abdominal liver fat (CT), arterial stiffness (pulse wave analysis), resting metabolic rate and respiratory quotient (indirect calorimetry) and blood lipids and metabolic syndrome from baseline to week 18.ResultsAfter 18 weeks, testosterone treatment increased insulin sensitivity (−1.14 units, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) −2.27 to −0.01,P<0.05), reduced liver fat (0.09 Hounsfield attenuation ratio, 95% CI 0.009 to 0.17,P=0.03) and increased muscle mass (1.6 kg, 95% CI 0.69 to 2.5,P=0.0009) to a greater extent than placebo. Other measures of body composition and regional adiposity as well as the number of participants with metabolic syndrome did not change. Testosterone also decreased arterial stiffness (augmentation index) by 3.2% (95% CI −6.01 to −0.46%,P=0.02) and decreased the respiratory quotient (95% CI −0.04, −0.08 to −0.001,P=0.04) after 18 weeks compared with placebo.ConclusionEighteen weeks of testosterone therapy in obese men with OSA improved several important cardiometabolic parameters but did not differentially reduce overall weight or the metabolic syndrome. Longer term studies are required.
A Cytoplasmic Suppressor of a Nuclear Mutation Affecting Mitochondrial Functions inDrosophila
Authors: Chen Shanjun , Oliveira Marcos T , Sanz Alberto , Kemppainen Esko , Fukuoh Atsushi , Schlicht Barbara , Kaguni Laurie S , Jacobs Howard T 
Published: July 2012

AbstractPhenotypes relevant to oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in eukaryotes are jointly determined by nuclear and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Thus, in humans, the variable clinical presentations of mitochondrial disease patients bearing the same primary mutation, whether in nuclear or mitochondrial DNA, have been attributed to putative genetic determinants carried in the “other” genome, though their identity and the molecular mechanism(s) by which they might act remain elusive. Here we demonstrate cytoplasmic suppression of the mitochondrial disease-like phenotype of the Drosophila melanogaster nuclear mutant tko25t, which includes developmental delay, seizure sensitivity, and defective male courtship. The tko25t strain carries a mutation in a mitoribosomal protein gene, causing OXPHOS deficiency due to defective intramitochondrial protein synthesis. Phenotypic suppression was associated with increased mtDNA copy number and increased mitochondrial biogenesis, as measured by the expression levels of porin voltage dependent anion channel and Spargel (PGC1α). Ubiquitous overexpression of Spargel in tko25t flies phenocopied the suppressor, identifying it as a key mechanistic target thereof. Suppressor-strain mtDNAs differed from related nonsuppressor strain mtDNAs by several coding-region polymorphisms and by length and sequence variation in the noncoding region (NCR), in which the origin of mtDNA replication is located. Cytoplasm from four of five originally Wolbachia-infected strains showed the same suppressor effect, whereas that from neither of two uninfected strains did so, suggesting that the stress of chronic Wolbachia infection may provide evolutionary selection for improved mitochondrial fitness under metabolic stress. Our findings provide a paradigm for understanding the role of mtDNA genotype in human disease.
A Redundant Function for the N-Terminal Tail of Ndc80 in Kinetochore–Microtubule Interaction in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Demirel Pinar B , Keyes Brice E , Chatterjee Mandovi , Remington Courtney E , Burke Daniel J 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
The N-terminal tail of Ndc80 is essential for kinetochore–microtubule binding in human cells but is not required for viability in yeast. We show that the yeast Ndc80 tail is required for timely mitotic progression and accurate chromosome segregation. The tail is essential when cells are limited for Dam1, demonstrating a redundant function for the Ndc80 and Dam1 complexes in vivo.
Functionalization of carbon nanotubes with arenedyazonium salts in urea
Authors: Kharissova Oxana V. , Leija H. , de Casas-Ortiz E.G. 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACTThe functionalization of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) with arenediazonium salts, formed in situ from anilines as dimethyl-5-aminoisophthalate, sulfanilamide and p-anisidine, using the environmentally solvent urea. The functionalized SWNTs were then characterized using spectroscopic and microscopic methods along with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). According to enhance solubility in solvents after that introduce them into the industrial processes. The molecules added appear on the nanotubes like chemical anchors.
Low Temperature Growth of CaTiO3: Pr Phosphor Thin Film on Flexible Substrate by Photo- induced Chemical Solution Process
Authors: Tsuchiya Tetsuo , Nakajima Tomohiko , Shinoda Kentaro 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACTPreparation of the CaTiO3:Pr (CTO:Pr) phosphor thin film on PET substrate was investigated by using the excimer laser-assisted metal organic decomposition(ELAMOD) and photo reaction of nano-particles (PRNP) process. The effects of the substrate material, starting materials, and UV sources on photoluminescence (PL) were investigated. By using the BaTiO3(BTO) nano-particles buffer layer and the CTO: Pr nano-particles as a starting material, CTO: Pr thin film on the PET substrate was successfully obtained by using the KrF laser and excimer lamp irradiation at 25°C. It was found that excimer lamp irradiation is effective for improving the PL of the films.
Application of the Helium Ion Microscope as a Sculpting Tool for Nanosamples
Authors: Rudneva Maria , van Veldhoven Emile , Malladi Sairam , Maas Diederik , Zandbergen Henny W. 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACTIn this paper we propose a few helium ion microscope (HIM)-based methods for sample preparation and modification. In particular we report the use of the HIM to make thin wedge SrTiO3 samples without significant artifacts, the possibility to reshape thin metal lines on an electron transparent membrane and the new method of HIM sample preparation by in situ heating of the samples during He-beam illumination.