bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Argininosuccinate synthase conditions the response to acute and chronic ethanol-induced liver injury in mice
Authors: Leung Tung Ming , Lu Yongke , Yan Wei , Morón-Concepción José A. , Ward Stephen C. , Ge Xiaodong , de la Rosa Laura Conde , Nieto Natalia 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Argininosuccinate synthase (ASS) is the rate-limiting enzyme in both the urea and the l-citrulline/nitric oxide (NO·) cycles regulating protein catabolism, ammonia levels, and NO· generation. Because a proteomics analysis identified ASS and nitric oxide synthase-2 (NOS2) as coinduced in rat hepatocytes by chronic ethanol consumption, which also occurred in alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and in cirrhosis patients, we hypothesized that ASS could play a role in ethanol binge and chronic ethanol-induced liver damage. To investigate the contribution of ASS to the pathophysiology of ALD, wildtype (WT) and

Ass

+/− mice (

Ass

−/− are lethal due to hyperammonemia) were exposed to an ethanol binge or to chronic ethanol drinking. Compared with WT,

Ass

+/− mice given an ethanol binge exhibited decreased steatosis, lower NOS2 induction, and less 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) protein residues, indicating that reducing nitrosative stress by way of the l-citrulline/NO· pathway plays a significant role in preventing liver damage. However, chronic ethanol-treated

Ass

+/− mice displayed enhanced liver injury compared with WT mice. This was due to hyperammonemia, lower phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase alpha (pAMPKα) to total AMPKα ratio, decreased sirtuin-1 (

Sirt-1

) and peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor coactivator-1α (

Pgc1

α) messenger RNAs (mRNAs), lower fatty acid β-oxidation due to down-regulation of carnitine palmitoyl transferase-II (CPT-II), decreased antioxidant defense, and elevated lipid peroxidation end-products in spite of comparable nitrosative stress but likely reduced NOS3.

Conclusion:

Partial

Ass

ablation protects only in acute ethanol-induced liver injury by decreasing nitrosative stress but not in a more chronic scenario where oxidative stress and impaired fatty acid β-oxidation are key events. (Hepatology 2012)
Outcomes after liver transplantation for alcoholic hepatitis are similar to alcoholic cirrhosis: Exploratory analysis from the UNOS database
Authors: Singal Ashwani K. , Bashar Hmoud , Anand Bhupinderjit S. , Jampana Sarat C. , Singal Vineet , Kuo Yong-Fang 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Data on liver transplantation for patients with alcoholic hepatitis are limited. Using the United Network for Organ Sharing database (2004-2010), adults undergoing liver transplantation for a listing diagnosis of alcoholic hepatitis were matched for age, gender, ethnicity, and model for endstage disease (MELD) score, donor risk index, and year of transplantation with three patients transplanted for a listing diagnosis of alcoholic cirrhosis. Study outcomes of graft and patient survival on follow-up were also analyzed for cohorts based on the diagnosis of the explant (46 alcoholic hepatitis and 138 alcoholic cirrhosis) and diagnosis at both listing as well as of the explant (11 alcoholic hepatitis and 33 alcoholic cirrhosis). Five-year graft and patient survival of alcoholic hepatitis and alcoholic cirrhosis patients were 75% and 73% (

P

= 0.97) and 80% and 78% (

P

= 0.90), respectively. Five-year graft and patient survival rates were also similar for cohorts based on diagnosis of the explant and diagnosis at listing as well as explant. Cox proportional regression analysis adjusting for other variables showed no impact of the etiology of liver disease (alcoholic hepatitis versus alcoholic cirrhosis) on the graft and patient survival. The causes of graft loss and patient mortality were similar in the two groups, and were not alcohol-related in any patient.

Conclusion:

Compared with alcoholic cirrhosis, patients with alcoholic hepatitis have similar posttransplantation graft and patient survival. Based on these preliminary findings, liver transplantation may be considered in a select group of patients with alcoholic hepatitis who fail to improve with medical therapy. Prospective studies are needed to assess the long-term outcome after liver transplantation in patients with alcoholic hepatitis. (Hepatology 2012)
Phytosterol and cholesterol precursor levels indicate increased cholesterol excretion and biosynthesis in gallstone disease
Authors: Krawczyk Marcin , Lütjohann Dieter , Schirin-Sokhan Ramin , Villarroel Luis , Nervi Flavio , Pimentel Fernando , Lammert Frank , Miquel Juan Francisco 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

In hepatocytes and enterocytes sterol uptake and secretion is mediated by Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1) and ATP-binding cassette (ABC)G5/8 proteins, respectively. Whereas serum levels of phytosterols represent surrogate markers for intestinal cholesterol absorption, cholesterol precursors reflect cholesterol biosynthesis. Here we compare serum and biliary sterol levels in ethnically different populations of patients with gallstone disease (GSD) and stone-free controls to identify differences in cholesterol transport and synthesis between these groups. In this case-control study four cohorts were analyzed: 112 German patients with GSD and 152 controls; two distinct Chilean ethnic groups: Hispanics (100 GSD, 100 controls), and Amerindians (20 GSD, 20 controls); additionally an 8-year follow-up of 70 Hispanics was performed. Serum sterols were measured by gas chromatography / mass spectrometry. Gallbladder bile sterol levels were analyzed in cholesterol GSD and controls. Common

ABCG5/8

variants were genotyped. Comparison of serum sterols showed lower levels of phytosterols and higher levels of cholesterol precursors in GSD patients than in controls. The ratios of phytosterols to cholesterol precursors were lower in GSD patients, whereas biliary phytosterol and cholesterol concentrations were elevated as compared with controls. In the follow-up study, serum phytosterol levels were significantly lower even before GSD was detectable by ultrasound. An ethnic gradient in the ratios of phytosterols to cholesterol precursors was apparent (Germans > Hispanics > Amerindians).

ABCG5/8

variants did not fully explain the sterol metabolic trait of GSD in any of the cohorts.

Conclusion :

Individuals predisposed to GSD display increased biliary output of cholesterol in the setting of relatively low intestinal cholesterol absorption, indicating enhanced whole-body sterol clearance. This metabolic trait precedes gallstone formation and is a feature of ethnic groups at higher risk of cholesterol GSD. (Hepatology 2012)
Development of a risk index for the prediction of chronic post‐surgical pain
Authors: Althaus A. , Hinrichs‐Rocker A. , Chapman R. , Becker O. Arránz , Lefering R. , Simanski C. , Weber F. , Moser K.‐H. , Joppich R. , Trojan S. , Gutzeit N. , Neugebauer E. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe incidence of chronic post‐surgical pain (CPSP) after various common operations is 10% to 50%. Identification of patients at risk of developing chronic pain, and the management and prevention of CPSP remains inadequate. The aim of this study was to develop an easily applicable risk index for the detection of high‐risk patients that takes into account the multifactorial aetiology of CPSP. A comprehensive item pool was derived from a systematic literature search. Items that turned out significant in bivariate analyses were then analysed multivariately, using logistic regression analyses. The items that yielded significant predictors in the multivariate analyses were compiled into an index. The cut‐off score for a high risk of developing CPSP with an optimal trade‐off between sensitivity and specificity was identified. The data of 150 patients who underwent different types of surgery were included in the analyses. Six months after surgery, 43.3% of the patients reported CPSP. Five predictors multivariately contributed to the prediction of CPSP: capacity overload, preoperative pain in the operating field, other chronic preoperative pain, post‐surgical acute pain and co‐morbid stress symptoms. These results suggest that several easily assessable preoperative and perioperative patient characteristics can predict a patient's risk of developing CPSP. The risk index may help caregivers to tailor individual pain management and to assist high‐risk patients with pain coping.
Analgesic use in a national community sample of German children and adolescents
Authors: Du Y. , Ellert U. , Zhuang W. , Knopf H. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackgroundPrevious studies suggest that pain management by analgesic medications may be low among children. This study aims to investigate analgesic use and its correlates among children in Germany.MethodsAnalgesic use during a 1‐week period was investigated in a community sample of 14,836 children and adolescents aged between 3 and 17 years in Germany. SPSS complex sample method was used to estimate the prevalence and associated factors of analgesic use among the general child population and among those children with pain in the same child population.ResultsThe prevalence of analgesic use was 8.9% among the general child population and 17.5% among children with pain that occurred at least once a week. Paracetamol (acetaminophen), aspirin and ibuprofen were the most frequently used paediatric analgesics, accounting for two‐thirds of all analgesics. The vast majority of painkillers were self‐medicated (67%, bought over the counter or obtained from other sources), used for a short term within 1 week (92%) and taken for the treatment of pain (85%). Use of analgesics was closely associated with girls, older age groups, children with a poor overall health status and children with recurrent pain, irrespective of family immigrant background and socioeconomic status.ConclusionAnalgesic use appears to be low among children in Germany, reflecting largely the fact that pain perceived among children under ambulant care may be mild to moderate and does not need analgesic medications. As the majority of paediatric analgesics were self‐medicated, use of analgesics still should be closely monitored particularly among specific subpopulations such as adolescents to avoid potential abuse.
Nerve growth factor and associated nerve sprouting contribute to local mechanical hyperalgesia in a rat model of bone injury
Authors: Yasui M. , Shiraishi Y. , Ozaki N. , Hayashi K. , Hori K. , Ichiyanagi M. , Sugiura Y. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractTo clarify the mechanism of tenderness after bone injury, we investigated changes in the withdrawal threshold to mechanical stimuli, nerve distribution and nerve growth factor (NGF)‐expression in a rat model of bone injury without immobilization for bone injury healing. Rats were divided into three groups as follows: (1) rats incised in the skin and periosteum, followed by drilling a hole in the tibia [bone lesion group (BLG)]; (2) those incised in the skin and periosteum without bone drilling [periosteum lesion group (PLG)]; and (3) those incised in the skin [skin lesion group (SLG)]. Mechanical hyperalgesia continued for 28 days at a lesion in the BLG, 21 days in PLG and 5 days in SLG after treatments, respectively. Endochondral ossification was observed on days 5–28 in BLG and on days 5–21 in PLG. Nerve growth appeared in deep connective tissue (DCT) at day 28 in BLG. Nerve fibres increased in both cutaneous tissue and DCT at day 7 in PLG, but they were not found at day 28. Mechanical hyperalgesia accompanied with endochondral ossification and nerve fibres increasing at the lesion in both BLG and PLG. NGF was expressed in bone‐regenerating cells during the bone injury healing. Anti‐NGF and trk inhibitor K252a inhibited hyperalgesia in the different time course. This study shows that localized tenderness coincides with the bone healing and involves NGF expression and nerve sprouting after bone injury. The findings present underlying mechanisms and provide pathophysiological relevance of local tenderness to determination of bone fracture and its healing.
Pharmacological characterization of lysophosphatidic acid‐induced pain with clinically relevant neuropathic pain drugs
Authors: Ogawa K. , Takasu K. , Shinohara S. , Yoneda Y. , Kato A. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractLysophosphatidic acid (LPA), an initiator of neuropathic pain, causes allodynia. However, few studies have evaluated the pharmacological profile of LPA‐induced pain. In this study, a LPA‐induced pain model was developed and pharmacologically characterized with clinically relevant drugs used for neuropathic pain, including antiepileptics, non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory agents, analgesics, local anaesthetics/antiarrhythmics and antidepressants. Gabapentin (1–30 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly reversed LPA‐induced allodynia, but neither indomethacin (30 mg/kg, p.o.) nor morphine (0.3–3 mg/kg, s.c.) did, which indicates that LPA‐induced pain consists mostly of neuropathic rather than inflammatory pain. Both pregabalin (0.3–10 mg/kg, p.o.) and ω‐CgTX MVIIA (0.01–0.03 μg/mouse, i.t.) completely reversed LPA‐induced allodynia in a dose‐dependent manner. Lidocaine (1–30 mg/kg, s.c.), mexiletine (1–30 mg/kg, p.o.) and carbamazepine (10–100 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly ameliorated LPA‐induced allodynia dose dependently. Milnacipran (30 mg/kg, i.p.) produced no significant analgesic effect in LPA‐induced allodynia. In LPA‐injected mice, expression of the α2δ1 subunit of the voltage‐gated calcium channel (VGCC) was increased in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and spinal dorsal horn. Furthermore, the VGCC current was potentiated in both the DRG from LPA‐injected mice and LPA (1 μM)‐treated DRG from saline‐injected mice, and the potentiated VGCC current was amended by treatment with gabapentin (100 μM). The LPA‐induced pain model described here mimics aspects of the neuropathic pain state, including the sensitization of VGCC, and may be useful for the early assessment of drug candidates to treat neuropathic pain.
Pt‐Al2O3 interfacial bonding in implantable hermetic feedthroughs: Morphology and orientation
Authors: Lu Hong , Svehla Martin Joseph , Skalsky Mike , Kong Charlie , Sorrell Charles Christopher 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe present work examines the chemistry, microstructure, and crystallography of a Pt‐Al2O3 joint used in implantable hermetic feedthrough designs in neural prostheses. Pt was joined to Al2O3 by passing Pt pins through green Al2O3 disks and then sintering in air. This created a Pt‐Al2O3 joint that was prepared for the current investigation by gross sectioning and then polishing and sectioning into slices using focused ion beam milling. The slices were examined by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Two types of interfaces in the sintered material were identified: Vitreous‐bonded Pt‐glass‐Al2O3 and direct‐bonded Pt‐Al2O3. In the case of the former, glass formation owing to the presence of glass‐forming additives (to enhance densification and suppress grain growth) and consequent wetting of both the Pt and Al2O3 facilitated interfacial bonding. In the case of the latter, the interfacial planes were (002)Pt // (0
$\overline 2$2) [rhombohedral] or (002)Pt // (0
$\overline 2$2 2) [hexagonal]. The lattice mismatch was calculated to be 11% (based on the calculated d spacings) or 15% (based on the literature d spacings). Both of these suggest the establishment of semicoherent interfaces. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
Very efficient search for protein alignment—VESPA
Authors: Randić M. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractA novel approach to the problem of protein alignments is described, which in comparison with existing approaches is visibly more efficient. This approach is based on superposition of amino acid adjacency matrices of a pair of proteins, which have been modified to record the sequential order of amino acids. As a result, one obtains simultaneously all segments of the two proteins which are shifted relative to one another by one or more positions in either directions, without need of a prior exhaustive search for an alignment that included unproductive directions and unknown displacement steps. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2012
High‐grade osteosarcoma treated with hemicortical resection and biological reconstruction
Authors: Chen Wei‐Ming , Wu Po‐Kuei , Chen Cheng‐Fong , Chung Lien‐Hsiang , Liu Chien‐Lin , Chen Tain‐Hsiung 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesWide excision with a 2–3 cm safe margin is widely‐accepted in treating high‐grade osteosarcoma. However, a wider margin sacrifices more healthy bone and may jeopardize joint function. We hypothesize that our innovative hemicortical resection for such tumors leads to better joint function without higher recurrence rate.MethodsBetween August 2002 and April 2007, six patients of high‐grade osteosarcoma were treated with hemicortical resection and biological reconstruction.ResultsFive tumors were located around the knee and one was located in the distal tibia. The mean tumor size was 20.5 cm3. The bone defects were reconstructed using recycled autograft in four cases (one by extracorporeal irradiation; three by liquid nitrogen) and structural allograft in two. In an average follow‐up of 52 months (24–96), all patients survived without local recurrence or metastasis. All bone grafts incorporated well without mechanical failure or infection. The average Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score was 97.7%.ConclusionsHemicortical resection for high‐grade osteosarcomas located eccentrically in the long bones may be a reliable technique leading to good joint function by preserving surrounding healthy tissues. The functional outcome was encouraging, although long‐term follow‐up is mandatory to validate. With the advancement of chemotherapy and radiographic three‐dimensional imaging, the safe margin in wide excision of high‐grade osteosarcoma may be narrowed down in light of joint surface preservation. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 105:825–829. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparison of radioguided occult lesion localization (ROLL) and wire localization for non‐palpable breast cancers: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Sajid Muhammad S. , Parampalli Umesh , Haider Zishan , Bonomi Ricardo 
Published: December 2011

AbstractFour randomized trials encompassing 449 patients of non‐palpable breast cancer undergoing with radio‐guided occult lesion localization (ROLL) or wire guided localization (WGL). In the fixed effects model, accurate localization, peri‐procedural complications, and reoperation rate were comparable between two techniques. Risk of having positive resection margins following WGL was higher. Duration of localization and surgical excision was shorter for ROLL. Volume and weight of the excised occult breast lesion was similar in WGL and ROLL groups. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 105:852–858. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reirradiation to the pelvis for recurrent rectal cancer
Authors: Koom Woong Sub , Choi Yunseon , Shim Su Jung , Cha Jihye , Seong Jinsil , Kim Nam Kyu , Nam Ki Chang , Keum Ki Chang 
Published: December 2011

AbstractObjectivesThis study investigated late toxicity and infield progression‐free survival in patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC) who had previously received irradiation to the pelvis.MethodsTwenty‐two patients were treated by reirradiation to the pelvis between January 2000 and August 2007. All patients received curative surgery with preoperative or postoperative chemoradiotherapy as an initial treatment. Five patients (23%) underwent surgical resection after reirradiation. The median follow‐up duration was 20 months (range, 7–91 months).ResultsTwo patients (9%) had grade‐3 acute toxicity and eight patients (36%) had grade‐3 to ‐4 late toxicity. The incidence of grade‐3 to ‐4 late toxicity in the gastrointestinal and urinary system was 18% and 27%, respectively. Recurrent tumor location (axial or anterior) and surgical resection after reirradiation significantly influenced severe late toxicity (P = 0.024 and P = 0.039, respectively). In the 17 patients not undergoing surgery after reirradiation, median infield progression‐free survival was 16 months. Reirradiation doses exceeding 50 Gyαβ10 (equivalent dose in 2 Gy fractions) significantly increased the infield progression‐free survival (P = 0.005).ConclusionsTumor location (axial or anterior) and surgery after reirradiation may increase severe late toxicity. In addition, an EQD2 exceeding 50 Gyαβ10 may improve infield control. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 105:637–642. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Far infrared‐assisted extraction followed by MEKC for the simultaneous determination of flavones and phenolic acids in the leaves of Rhododendron mucronulatum Turcz
Authors: Fu Yuejiao , Zhang Luyan , Chen Gang 
Published: December 2011

AbstractA method based on micellar electrokinetic chromatography with amperometric detection and far infrared‐assisted extraction has been developed for the simultaneous determination of two flavones (rutin and farrerol) and three phenolic acids (syringic acid, vanillic acid, and 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid) in the dried leaves of Rhododendron mucronulatum Turcz., a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine. The effects of some important factors such as the voltage applied on the infrared generator, irradiation time, the concentration of borate and sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS), separation voltage, and detection potential were investigated to acquire the optimum conditions. The detection electrode was a 300‐μm diameter carbon disc electrode. The five analytes could be well separated within 8 min in a 40 cm‐long capillary at a separation voltage of 12 kV in a 50 mM borate buffer (pH 9.2) containing 50 mM SDS. The relationship between peak current and analyte concentration was linear over about three orders of magnitude with the detection limits (S/N=3) ranging from 0.20 to 0.46 μM. The results indicated that far infrared irradiations significantly enhanced the extraction efficiency. The extraction time was substantially reduced to 6 min compared with 3 h for conventional hot solvent extraction.