bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thromboembolic Risk Evaluation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Using a Modified CHADS2 Scoring System
Authors: CHA MYUNG‐JIN , OH GYU‐CHUL , HAHN SEOKYUNG , CHOI EUE‐KEUN , OH SEIL 
Published: September 2011

Thromboembolic Risk Stratification in AF. Background: Antithrombotic recommendations for relatively low risk patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are not well established. Some patients with CHADS2 score = 0 have a CHA2DS2–VASc score of 2, which indicated warfarin therapy in the latter system. We evaluated the thromboembolic risk in AF patients with a CHADS2 score of 0 or 1.Methods: A total of 695 patients with AF that were followed for ≥ 12 months (median 65.6 months, range 12–138 months), were analyzed retrospectively. The modified CHADS2 score (MCS) was applied as follows. Each CHADS2 score group was divided into 2 groups, A and B (i.e., MCS 0A vs 0B, and MCS 1A vs 1B) according to the number of nonmajor risk factors (female gender, chronic kidney disease, coronary artery disease, age 65–74 years). Group A had 0 or 1, and group B had 2 or more nonmajor risk factors.Results: In patients with CHADS2 score = 1, there were 13 thromboembolic events (0.65%/year) in 343 MCS 1A patients, and 12 thromboembolic events (1.90%/year) in 108 MCS 1B patients. Thromboembolic risk was significantly higher in the MCS 1B compared to the MCS 1A patients (P = 0.006). In 244 patients with CHADS2 score = 0, the thromboembolic risk of MCS 0B was similar to that of MCS 0A (P = 0.095), and 26 patients had a CHA2DS2–VASc score of 2.Conclusion: Patients with MCS 1B had a higher thromboembolic risk than patients with MCS 1A. Antithrombotic strategies for patients with a CHA2DS2–VASc score of 2 but a CHADS2 score of 0 need further investigation. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23, pp. 155‐162, February 2012)
Exogenous Thrombin Delivery Promotes Collateral Capillary Arterialization and Tissue Reperfusion in the Murine Spinotrapezius Muscle Ischemia Model
Authors: BRUCE ANTHONY C. , PEIRCE SHAYN M. 
Published: September 2011

Please cite this paper as: Bruce AC and Peirce SM. Exogenous Thrombin Delivery Promotes Collateral Capillary Arterialization and Tissue Reperfusion in the Murine Spinotrapezius Muscle Ischemia Model. Microcirculation 19: 143–154, 2012.AbstractObjective:  We examined the effects of exogenously delivered thrombin on cell recruitment in skeletal muscle and the formation of new collateral arterioles in the microvasculature in response to ligation‐induced ischemia.Methods:  Thrombin or vehicle was locally applied to both ligated and nonoperated Balb/c spinotrapezius muscles, which were harvested after three or seven days, imaged using confocal microscopy, and analyzed.Results:  Thrombin treatment resulted in accelerated arterialization of collateral capillaries and accelerated tissue reperfusion in ischemic muscles. Uninjured muscle treated with thrombin displayed increased vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 expression on arteriole and venule endothelium, increased expression of smooth muscle α‐actin on capillary‐sized vessels, increased infiltration by CD11b+ leukocytes, and mast cell infiltration and degranulation.Conclusions:  Exogenous delivery of thrombin enhances microvascular collateral development in response to ischemic insult, and accelerates tissue reperfusion. Elicited responses from multiple cell types probably contribute to these effects.
Characterization of recombinant Streptococcus mitis‐derived human platelet aggregation factor
Authors: OHKUNI HISASHI , NAGAMUNE HIDEAKI , OZAKI NANA , TABATA ATSUSHI , TODOME YUKO , WATANABE YUKINO , TAKAHASHI HIDEMI , OHKURA KAZUTO , KOURAI HIROKI , OHTSUKA HIROKI , FISCHETTI VINCENT A. , ZABRISKIE JOHN B. 
Published: September 2011

Ohkuni H, Nagamune H, Ozaki N, Tabata A, Todome Y, Watanabe Y, Takahashi H, Ohkura K, Kourai H, Ohtsuka H, Fischetti VA, Zabriskie JB. Characterization of recombinant Streptococcus mitis‐derived human platelet aggregation factor. APMIS 2012; 120: 56–71.We previously purified Streptococcus mitis‐derived human platelet aggregation factor (Sm‐hPAF) from the culture supernatant of S. mitis strain Nm‐65, isolated from the tooth surface of a patient with Kawasaki disease. Here we produced recombinant Sm‐hPAF protein (rSm‐hPAF) in Escherichia coli, to determine whether rSm‐hPAF conserves its platelet aggregation activity. rSm‐hPAF precursor (665 amino acids) shows up to 36–56% identity with the family of cholesterol‐dependent cytolysins (CDCs), and rSm‐hPAF displayed potent hemolytic activity toward mammalian erythrocytes, including human erythrocytes with platelet aggregation activity. The 162‐amino acid amino‐terminal domain of rSm‐hPAF was found in no other CDCs except lectinolysin; this domain is homologous to a portion of pneumococcal fucolectin‐related protein. Interestingly, suilysin (SLY) and pneumolysin (PLY) of CDCs also exhibit substantial human platelet aggregation activity, similar to rSm‐hPAF, and the platelet aggregation by rSm‐hPAF, SLY, and PLY was morphologically confirmed using light and electron microscopy.
Bacteremia in feverish children presenting to the emergency department: a retrospective study and literature review
Authors: Bressan Silvia , Berlese Paola , Mion Teresa , Masiero Susanna , Cavallaro Antonietta , Da Dalt Liviana 
Published: September 2011

AbstractAim:  To evaluate the incidence of bacteremia, and the isolated pathogens, in well‐appearing children with fever without source (FWS) presenting to the pediatric emergency department (PED), after pneumococcal conjucate vaccine ‐ 7 valent (PCV‐7) widespread introduction in the Veneto region of north‐eastern Italy, and to review the main literature contributions on the subject.Methods:  Blood cultures performed at the PED of Padova from 1 June 2006 to 31 January 2009 in febrile children aged 1–36 months were retrospectively retrieved. Medical records of previously healthy well‐appearing children with FWS were identified and reviewed.Results:  The study finally included 392 patients. Bacteremia rate was 0.34% (95% CI 0–1) in the age group 3–36 months and 2% (95% CI 0–4.7) in infants 1–3 months. No Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated. The literature review identified 10 relevant studies carried out in the USA and Spain showing an overall bacteremia rate <1% for feverish children aged 3–36 months, with values <0.5% in settings with high PCV‐7 coverage.Conclusion:  Overall bacteremia rate is currently <0.5% in well‐appearing children aged 3–36 months with FWS attending the PED in areas with PCV‐7 widespread vaccination and is sufficiently low to preclude laboratory testing in favour of close follow‐up. Further research is needed to evaluate a more conservative approach in infants 2–3 months of age.
Privatizing Waterworks: Learning from the French Experience*
Authors: Hanke Steve H. , Walters Stephen J.K. 
Published: September 2011

In this pair of articles, the first of which was published almost 25 years ago, two distinguished economists make and then revisit the case for privatizing the water supply. While agreeing with the general assessment that waterworks are “natural monopolies,” the authors show that privatization of such enterprises need not lead to the standard monopoly outcomes of above‐competitive prices, reduced output, or inferior service.As evidence, the authors cite the French experiment with water privatization that began in 1782 with the Perrier brothers' 15‐year contract to provide water for Parisians. Today, an estimated 80% of the French water supply is managed by private firms. And, as the French experience demonstrates, the benefits of large‐scale, single‐firm operations can be obtained at competitive prices by means of a system of franchise bidding in which ownership and/or management rights are awarded to the firm that offers the public the best terms—along with a credible commitment to make good on them.
The Role of Finance and Private Investment in Developing Sustainable Cities
Authors: Macomber John 
Published: September 2011

Three trends will drive urban investment, development, and entrepreneurship in the next two decades. The first is urbanization; over the next twenty years, the number of people living in cities will double. Second, shared resources like clean water, clean air, energy, and places to put solid waste are already scarce, and urbanization will only exacerbate shortages. Third, almost no local or national government can mobilize both the capital and the political consensus to make investments in the infrastructure that will lead to more effective use of these resources.This article argues that there is a largely unrecognized opportunity for the private sector to engage in selective investments that can help cities limit the effects of these trends. Investors and entrepreneurs can make money in ways that achieve more productive use of these scarce “public goods;” and by so doing, they can make cities more economically competitive as well as more livable. In making his argument, the author provides a tour of three “new” Asian cities, two of which are held up as models for future development.
Optimal Photosensitizers for Photodynamic Therapy of Infections Should Kill Bacteria but Spare Neutrophils
Authors: Tanaka Masamitsu , Kinoshita Manabu , Yoshihara Yasuo , Shinomiya Nariyoshi , Seki Shuhji , Nemoto Koichi , Hirayama Takahiro , Dai Tianhong , Huang Liyi , Hamblin Michael R. , Morimoto Yuji 
Published: September 2011

AbstractPhotodynamic therapy (PDT) for localized microbial infections exerts its therapeutic effect both by direct bacterial killing and also by the bactericidal effects of host neutrophils stimulated by PDT. Therefore, PDT‐induced damage to neutrophils must be minimized, while direct photoinactivation of bacteria is maintained to maximize the therapeutic efficacy of antimicrobial PDT in vivo. However, there has been no study in which the cytocidal effect of PDT on neutrophils was investigated. In this study, the cytocidal effects of PDT on neutrophils were evaluated using different antimicrobial photosensitizers to find suitable candidate photosensitizers for antimicrobial PDT. PDT on murine peripheral‐blood neutrophils was performed in vitro using each photosensitizer at a concentration that exerted a maximum bactericidal effect on methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and morphological alteration and viability of neutrophils were studied. Most neutrophils were viable (>80%) after PDT using toluidine blue‐O (TB) or methylene blue (MB), while neutrophils showed morphological change and their viabilities were decreased (<70%) after PDT using other photosensitizers (erythrosine B, rose bengal, crystal violet, Photofrin, new methylene blue and Laserphyrin). These results suggest that PDT using TB or MB can preserve host neutrophils while exerting a significant therapeutic effect on in vivo localized microbial infection.
Iniquity, Terror and Survival: Welsh Gothic, 1789‐18041
Authors: EDWARDS ELIZABETH 
Published: September 2011

AbstractLiterary critics have recently begun to draw attention to ‘national Gothic’, outlining the importance of themes of conflict and defeated and victorious histories in this form of the Gothic. The contested and unsettled history of Wales provides the perfect conditions for a national Gothic, yet little work has yet been done towards the notion of a specifically Welsh Gothic in the period following the French revolution. This article explores four variations on the theme of writing Gothic in revolution‐era Wales: a tourist Gothic, a Jacobin Gothic, a loyalist Gothic and a post‐colonial Gothic. It shows how writers of this period used the conflicts and iniquities of the Welsh past equally to illustrate Wales's incorporation within a larger united Britain and to figure its otherness, its familiar difference, relative to its historical enemy – England.
Therapeutic effects of ezetimibe for non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis in fatty liver shionogi‐ob/ob mice
Authors: Matono Tomomitsu , Koda Masahiko , Tokunaga Shiho , Kato Jun , Sugihara Takaaki , Ueki Masaru , Murawaki Yoshikazu 
Published: September 2011

Aim:  An effective therapy for non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis has yet to be defined. This study examined the therapeutic effects of ezetimibe, a lipid‐lowering medication, on steatosis and hepatic fibrosis in fatty liver Shionogi ob/ob (FLS‐ob) mice.Methods:  Low‐dose (0.2 mg/kg body weight) and high‐dose (1.0 mg/kg body weight) of ezetimibe were administered to FLS‐ob mice orally for 12 weeks.Results:  Administration of ezetimibe significantly and dose‐dependently decreased liver cholesterol content. The area of hepatic fibrosis and hepatic hydroxyproline content in the low‐ and high‐dose groups were significantly decreased compared with controls. Areas of α‐smooth muscle actin positivity and F4/80 positivity were significantly decreased in a dose‐dependent manner. Percentages of 8‐hydroxy‐2‐deoxyguanosine‐positive cells in low‐ and high‐dose groups were significantly decreased compared with those in controls, and 8‐hydroxy‐2‐deoxyguanosine DNA content and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in the high‐dose group was also significantly decreased compared to controls. Gene expression levels of procollagen I and transforming growth factor β1 mRNA levels were lower in the low‐ and high‐dose groups than in controls. Tumor necrosis factor‐α and sterol regulatory element‐binding protein 1c mRNA levels were also lower in the low‐ and high‐dose groups than in controls.Conclusions:  Ezetimibe attenuated steatosis and liver fibrosis by reducing oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation and suppressing activated hepatic stellate cells and Kupffer cells.
A collagenase gel/physical defect model for controlled induction of superficial digital flexor tendonitis
Authors: WATTS A. E. , NIXON A. J. , YEAGER A. E. , MOHAMMED H. O. 
Published: September 2011

SummaryReasons for performing study: A consistent and clinically relevant model for the induction of core lesions confined to the mid‐metacarpal superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) has not been previously reported. Injection of bacterial collagenase is commonly used but often results in large, irregular and inconsistent lesions that disrupt the superficial tendon layers and epitenon.Objective: To develop and evaluate a new injection technique for collagenase induction of SDFT injury.Methods: Collagenase gel was injected into a physical columnar defect created by longitudinally placing a curved 16 gauge 8.89 cm needle in the mid‐metacarpal SDFT in a randomly selected forelimb of 10 horses. A placebo treatment injection was performed 1 week later. Serial ultrasound examinations were performed. Horses were subjected to euthanasia at 2 (n = 2), 4 (n = 2), 8 (n = 4) and 16 (n = 2) weeks post treatment injection. Post mortem magnetic resonance imaging and histological analysis were performed. Gene expression (18S, SCX, TNC, TNMD, COL1A1, COL3A1, COMP, DCN, MMP1, MMP3 and MMP13), total DNA, glycosaminoglycan and collagen content were determined for experimental tendons (n = 10) and unaffected tendons (n = 9).Results: Mid‐metacarpal SDFT core lesion induction was successful in all tendons with consistent lesion cross‐sectional area and minimal epitenon disruption. Histology confirmed loss of normal tendon architecture after tendonitis induction and subsequent healing of the tendon core lesion. Compared with gene expression in unaffected tendons, several tested genes were significantly upregulated (COL1A1, COL3A1, TNMD, SCX, TNC, MMP13), while others showed significant downregulation (COMP, DCN, and MMP3).Conclusion: Compared with the previously used direct injection of collagenase, this injection technique was easily performed and induced more consistent lesions that were mid‐metacarpal and did not disrupt the epitenon.Potential relevance: This model will allow for objective assessment of therapies for tendon regeneration in the mid‐metacarpal SDFT prior to clinical trials and routine clinical application.
Silver nanotubes — Biopolymer-assisted hydrothermal synthesis
Authors: Yang Jianmao , Gao Shuyan , Jia Xiaoxia , Chen Yanli , Chen Zhigang , Hu Junqing 
Published: September 2011

In this paper, we further the biopolymer-assisted hydrothermal approach to synthesize silver nanotubes with an outer diameter of 200–300 nm, a tube wall around 50 nm, and a length of several micrometers. Here, the biopolymer is a hyaluronic acid potassium salt (HAPS). This result further verified the validity of this green biopolymer-assisted hydrothermal route for the fabrication of nanomaterials. It also gives some proof that HAPS can provide an anisotropic growth environment, which favors the formation of silver nanotubes with a nonlayered structure. The formation mechanism has been tentatively explained based on Ostwald ripening and the capping action of HAPS. In the long run, the obtained silver nanotubes can be used as a chemical template to fabricate alloyed nanotubes through the galvanic replacement reaction.
Beyond VEGF: Inhibition of the Fibroblast Growth Factor Pathway and Antiangiogenesis
Authors: Lieu Christopher , Heymach John , Overman Michael , Tran Hai , Kopetz Scott 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling regulates cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, angiogenesis, and wound healing. Compelling evidence for deregulated FGF signaling in tumorigenesis continues to emerge, and a growing body of research suggests that FGF may also play an integral role in the resistance to anti-VEGF therapy. Although agents targeting FGF signaling are early in development, the potential to target both the VEGF and FGF pathways may translate into improvements in the clinical care of cancer patients. Clin Cancer Res; 17(19); 6130–9. ©2011 AACR.
Constitutive Aberrant Endogenous Interleukin-1 Facilitates Inflammation and Growth in Human Melanoma
Authors: Qin Yong , Ekmekcioglu Suhendan , Liu Ping , Duncan Lyn M. , Lizée Gregory , Poindexter Nancy , Grimm Elizabeth A. 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-1–mediated inflammation is proposed to contribute to the development and progression of some cancers. IL-1 family member proteins are known to be expressed constitutively in many melanoma tumor cells, and we hypothesize that these support molecular pathways of inflammation and facilitate tumor growth. To investigate the expression of IL-1α and IL-1β in melanoma patients, and their association with disease progression, immunohistochemical staining was carried out on tissues from 170 patients including benign nevi, primary melanomas, and metastatic melanomas. IL-1β levels were low (or zero) in benign nevi and higher in primary and metastatic melanomas (P &lt; 0.0001). IL-1α was expressed in about 73% of nevi and 55% of metastatic melanomas, with levels significantly higher in primary tumors (P &lt; 0.0001); most (98%) primary melanoma samples were positive for IL-1α. In vitro studies with seven human melanoma cell lines showed that five cell lines expressed IL-1α and IL-1β proteins and mRNA. We identified for the first time several important downstream signaling pathways affected by endogenous IL-1, including reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, COX-2, and phosphorylated NF-κB inhibitor (IκB) and stress-activated protein kinase/c-jun-NH2-kinase; all of which were decreased by siRNA to IL-1s. Downregulation of IL-1α, IL-1β, or MyD88 substantially increased p21 and p53 levels. Treatment with IL-1 receptor type I neutralizing antibody or IL-1 pathway–specific siRNAs led to growth arrest in IL-1–positive melanoma cells. Furthermore, blocking the IL-1 pathway increased autophagy in IL-1–positive melanoma cells. These results indicate that the endogenous IL-1 system is functional in most human melanoma and interrupting its signaling inhibits the growth of IL-1–positive melanoma cells. Mol Cancer Res; 9(11); 1537–50. ©2011 AACR.
The involvement of immune semaphorins and neuropilin-1 in lupus nephritis
Authors: Vadasz Z , Ben-Izhak O , Bejar J , Sabo E , Kessel A , Storch S , Toubi E 
Published: September 2011

Background and objectives: Neuropilin-1 (NP-1), a functional vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor, is important in the priming of resting T cells and contributes to the development of peripheral tolerance. Semaphorins, a family of axon guidance molecules, has been found to be involved in regulating the immune system. The aim of this study was to explore the involvement of NP-1 and semaphorins in lupus glomerulonephritis (LGN). Methods: Twelve kidney biopsies from LGN patients and five normal biopsies were examined in this study. In addition, eight biopsies from patients with primary nephropathy and proteinuria were included serving as a disease control group. Biopsies were stained with anti-VEGF, NP-1, and semaphorins. The Image Pro-Plus software was used to measure the intensity and extent of staining. The correlation with clinico-pathological parameters was evaluated. Results: VEGF expression was slightly higher in LGN. NP-1 and semaphorins were stained with significantly higher intensity in LGN when compared with both the normal and the disease control groups. NP-1 deposits were found only in damaged glomerulus areas and positively correlated with clinico-pathological parameters of renal disease (a statistical trend). However, the semaphorins were found in inverse correlations. Discussion: Being present in normal and slightly increased in diseased glomeruli, VEGF is considered protective during inflammation. Increased NP-1 expression in LGN may intensify the possible protective effect of VEGF, thereby preventing endothelial damage. However, one should consider the possibility that increased NP-1 expression is harmful and could play a role in the damage of LGN. NP-1 is suggested to be a reliable marker differentiating focal versus diffuse LGN. Semaphorin 3A can serve as a histological marker for tubular damage. The altered ability of kidneys to secrete semaphorins during advanced renal damage may in part explain its inverse correlation with renal function. Further work is needed in order to better understand the role of NP-1 and semaphorins in LGN.