bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rosiglitazone modulates the behaviors of diabetic host‐derived fibroblasts in a carboxymethyllysine‐modified collagen model
Authors: Liao Huijuan , Pastar Irena , Chen Weiliam 
Published: May 2012

AbstractUtilizing a three‐dimensional in vitro glycated collagen model, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of a peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ ligand, rosiglitazone, and its potential as a topical treatment of diabetic chronic wounds. Rosiglitazone induced fibroblast migration, α‐smooth muscle actin production, and transformation into myofibroblasts in the presence of advanced glycation end products. Both transforming growth factor β and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ expression were induced, while the receptor for advanced glycation end products was suppressed. Lastly, the reduced activities of matrix metalloproteinase‐2 and matrix metalloproteinases‐9 in the carboxymethyllysine‐modified collagen matrices by rosiglitazone increases extracellular matrix deposition. Our findings identify rosiglitazone as a candidate for localized topical treatment of diabetic chronic wounds.
Pulsed Radiofrequency of Suprascapular Nerve for Chronic Shoulder Pain: A Randomized Double‐Blind Active Placebo‐Controlled Study
Authors: Gofeld Michael , Restrepo‐Garces Carlos E. , Theodore Brian R. , Faclier Gil 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBackground:  The suprascapular nerve block is frequently implemented to treat chronic shoulder pain. Although effective the nerve blockade provides only a short‐term relief, and more compelling apaproaches have been investigated. Pulsed radiofrequency (pRF) has been anecdotally reported as safe and reliable method. However, formal efficacy study has not been published. Ostensibly evidence‐based validation of a new method is necessary for both scholastic and practical purposes.Methods:  This study was designed as a randomized active placebo‐control double‐blind trial. Because of encountered difficulties in recruitment and high rate of dropout, the study was redesigned as to allow a smaller sample size and statistical analyses were performed utilizing the last observation carry forward method. Lidocaine injections alone or with combination of the pRF were performed. Participants were followed up during 6 months, and multiple subjective and objective outcome variables were recorded.Results:  Thirteen of 22 participants completed 6 months follow‐up. Dropout rate was higher in the lidocaine group. A significant linear trend (P < 0.05) for improvement on the numeric rating scale, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index and Constant‐Murley score was observed in the pRF group, but not in the lidocaine group. Patients in the pRF group were on average more satisfied than the lidocaine group at 1 month (P = 0.041) and at 3 months (P = 0.035).Discussion:  Considering limitations of the study design and statistics, it seems plausible to attribute better results in the pRF group to unique properties of this physical modality.
A national mapping assessment of blood collection and transfusion service facilities in Afghanistan
Authors: Mansoor G. Farooq , Rahmani Ahmad Masoud , Kakar M. Aziz , Hashimy Pashtoon , Abrahimi Parwiz , Scott Paul T. , Peel Sheila A. , Rentas Francisco J. , Todd Catherine S. 
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess functionality and resources of facilities providing blood collection and transfusion services in Afghanistan.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This national cross‐sectional assessment included facilities collecting or transfusing blood identified through official data sources and private key informants. At each facility, study representatives completed a standardized instrument assessing presence of records logbook, electricity, refrigeration, and required transfusion‐transmitted infection (TTI; human immunodeficiency virus, syphilis, and hepatitis B and C) test kits. Descriptive statistics were generated, with differences analyzed using chi‐square or Fisher's exact tests.RESULTS: Between August and November 2010, a total of 243 facilities were surveyed with public (52.3%, n = 127) and private (43.2%, n = 105) sector comprising the majority. Most (63%) facilities were urban, with 23.5% located in Kabul province. Of 92,682 units collected nationally in the 12 months before evaluation, 7.5% (n = 6952) had no disposition record. Many (62%, n = 151) facilities had an established recordkeeping system; the remainder provided estimates. Half of surveyed facilities had regular power supply (57.8%), refrigerators for storing blood (52.3%), or all necessary TTI test kits (62.1%). Military (83.3%) and public (74.8%) facilities were more likely to have all TTI test kits present compared to private (46.7%, p < 0.01) but not nongovernmental organization (40.0%, p = 0.37) facilities.CONCLUSION: In Afghanistan, blood donation and transfusion occur with substantial differences in data recording and TTI test availability, with private facilities less likely to have these resources. Efforts are needed to improve available resources and ensure that facilities are in compliance with national standards for donor screening.
Individualized reduction in dialysate sodium in conventional in‐center hemodialysis
Authors: Arramreddy Rohini , Sun Sumi J. , Munoz Mendoza Jair , Chertow Glenn M. , Schiller Brigitte 
Published: May 2012

AbstractRecent studies have focused on the association between dialysate sodium (Na+) prescriptions and interdialytic weight gain (IDWG). We report on a case series of 13 patients undergoing conventional, thrice‐weekly in‐center hemodialysis with an individualized dialysate Na+ prescription. Individualized dialysate Na+ was achieved in all patients through a stepwise weekly reduction of the standard dialysate Na+ prescription (140 mEq/L) by 2–3 mEq/L until reaching a Na+ gradient of −2 mEq/L (dialysate Na+ minus average plasma Na+ over the preceding 3 months). Interdialytic weight gain, with and without indexing to dry weight (IDWG%), blood pressure, and the proportion of treatments with cramps, intradialytic hypotension (drop in systolic blood pressure >30 mmHg) and intradialytic hypotension requiring an intervention were reviewed. At the beginning of the observation period, the pre‐hemodialysis (HD) plasma Na+ concentration ranged from 130 to 141 mEq/L. When switched from the standard to the individualized dialysate Na+ concentration, IDWG% decreased from 3.4% ± 1.6% to 2.5% ± 1.0% (P = 0.003) with no change in pre‐ or post‐HD systolic or diastolic blood pressures (all P > 0.05). We found no significant change in the proportion of treatments with cramps (6% vs. 13%), intradialytic hypotension (62% vs. 65%), or intradialytic hypotension requiring an intervention (29% vs. 33%). Individualized reduction of dialysate Na+ reduces IDWG% without significantly increasing the frequency of cramps or hypotension.
Clinical features and prognostic model for extranasal NK/T‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Jo Jae‐Cheol , Yoon Dok Hyun , Kim Shin , Lee Bong‐Jae , Jang Yong Ju , Park Chan‐Sik , Huh Jooryung , Lee Sang‐Wook , Ryu Jin‐Sook , Suh Cheolwon 
Published: May 2012

AbstractObjectiveThe clinical features of extranodal natural killer (NK)/T‐cell lymphoma (ENKL) that originates in extranasal sites are less well defined than those of ENKL that originates in nasal sites. Therefore, we compared the clinical characteristics and prognoses of patients with nasal ENKL and patients with extranasal ENKL.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 117 consecutive patients with ENKL that included 89 (76.1%) with nasal and 28 (23.9%) with extranasal disease.ResultsExtranasal ENKL was associated with more adverse clinical features than nasal ENKL, which included the presence of B symptoms, stage III/IV disease, ≥2 extranodal sites, and involvement of regional lymph nodes and bone marrow. After a median follow‐up of 33.1 months (range, 0.7–152.2 months), the median overall survival (OS) of patients with extranasal and nasal NK/T‐cell lymphoma was 8.6 and 86.5 months, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that extranasal NK/T‐cell lymphoma was a significant factor that affects OS. When patients with extranasal ENKL were classified into low‐risk and high‐risk categories according to the Korean Prognostic Index (KPI) and International Prognostic Index (IPI), these indices categorized the two groups with significantly different survival outcomes (P = 0.025 and 0.035, respectively).ConclusionsPatients with extranasal ENKL have worse clinical outcomes than those with nasal ENKL. The KPI and IPI appear useful for the prognosis of patients with extranasal ENKL.
Mouse Samd9l is not a functional paralogue of the human SAMD9, the gene mutated in normophosphataemic familial tumoral calcinosis
Authors: Li Qiaoli , Guo Haitao , Matsui Hirotaka , Honda Hiroaki , Inaba Toshiya , Sundberg John P. , Sprecher Eli , Uitto Jouni 
Published: May 2012

AbstractNormophosphataemic familial tumoral calcinosis, charac‐terized by ectopic mineralization of skin, is caused by mutations in the SAMD9 gene located in human chromosome 7q21, next to a paralogous gene, SAMD9‐like (SAMD9L). The mouse does not have a SAMD9 orthologue, Samd9, because it has been deleted during evolution owing to genomic rearrangements. It has been suggested that the mouse Samd9l gene serves as a functional paralogue of human SAMD9. In this study, we examined Samd9l knockout mice with respect to ectopic mineralization. We also crossed these mice with Abcc6tm1JfK mice, a model system to study pseudoxanthoma elasticum, to see whether the absence of the Samd9l gene modifies the mineralization process. Necropsy analysis of Samd9ltm1Homy mice revealed no evidence of ectopic mineralization, and deletion of the Samd9l gene in mice failed to modify the mineralization process on the Abcc6tm1JfK background. Collectively, the results suggest that mouse Samd9l is not a functional paralogue of human SAMD9.
Cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibition and thromboxane A2 receptor antagonism attenuate hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in a porcine model
Authors: Kylhammar D. , Rådegran G. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractAimHypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) causes pulmonary hypertension that may lead to right heart failure. We hypothesized that the COX‐2 inhibitor nimesulide and the thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist daltroban would attenuate HPV.MethodsHaemodynamic measurements and blood sampling were performed in 18 anaesthetized, mechanically ventilated pigs, with mean ± SEM weights of 31.3 ± 0.6 kg, in normoxia (FiO2~0.21) and hypoxia (FiO2~0.10), before and 5, 15 and 45 min after initiation of right atrial infusion of nimesulide (n = 6) or daltroban (n = 6), respectively, and in six control pigs.ResultsCompared with normoxia, hypoxia (n = 18) increased mean pulmonary artery pressure by 15.8 ± 0.8 mmHg (P < 0.001), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) by 2.7 ± 0.3 WU (P < 0.05) and mean right atrial pressure by 2.3 ± 0.3 mmHg (P < 0.001). In the control pigs, mean pulmonary artery pressure, PVR and mean right atrial pressure remained stable (P = ns) throughout 45 min hypoxia, compared with hypoxia baseline. Nimesulide decreased mean pulmonary artery pressure by 3.7 ± 1.3 mmHg after 45 min (P < 0.013), as well as PVR by 0.8 ± 0.2 WU (P < 0.05), levelling off after 15 min. Daltroban transiently increased (P < 0.001) mean pulmonary artery pressure and mean right atrial pressure by 7.2 ± 1.2 and 2.7 ± 0.4 mmHg, respectively, but they returned to hypoxia baseline (P = ns) within 5 min. Daltroban then decreased mean pulmonary artery pressure to after 45 min be 4.2 ± 1.6 mmHg lower (P < 0.005) than at hypoxia baseline.ConclusionCOX‐2 inhibition and thromboxane A2 receptor antagonism attenuate HPV by decreasing mean pulmonary artery pressure by approximately 10–11%, as measured 45 min after initiation of nimesulide or daltroban infusion respectively.
Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: TUYAMA Ana C. , CHANG Charissa Y. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractNon‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in the Western world. It is closely associated with metabolic syndrome. The alarming epidemics of diabetes and obesity have fueled an increasing prevalence of NAFLD, particularly among these high‐risk groups. Histologically, NAFLD encompasses a disease spectrum ranging from simple steatosis to non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is characterized by hepatocyte injury, inflammation, and variable degrees of fibrosis on liver biopsy. Non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis can progress to cirrhosis in a fraction of patients. There is currently little understanding of risk factors for disease progression and the disease pathogenesis has not been fully defined. Liver biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosis. Weight loss, dietary modification, and the treatment of underlying metabolic syndrome remain the mainstays of therapy once the diagnosis is established. There are no well‐established pharmacological agents for treatment of NASH, although this is a subject of ongoing research.
Assessing the recommendations for the use of diagnostic imaging in clinical practice guidelines
Authors: Reed Martin H. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractAccuracy is the primary evidence assessed when diagnostic imaging is evaluated in clinical practice guidelines. However, recommendations to not use diagnostic imaging are usually based not on its accuracy but on its lack of utility, that is its low Level 4 efficacy. If there is good clinical evidence that diagnostic imaging will not be useful in a clinical situation, the recommendation not to use it should be strong even if the evidence for its accuracy is of poor quality.
Influence of a Mannan Binding Family 32 Carbohydrate Binding Module on the Activity of the Appended Mannanase
Authors: Mizutani Kimiya , Fernandes Vânia O. , Karita Shuichi , Luís Ana S. , Sakka Makiko , Kimura Tetsuya , Jackson Adam , Zhang Xiaoyang , Fontes Carlos M. G. A. , Gilbert Harry J. , Sakka Kazuo 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACT

In general, cellulases and hemicellulases are modular enzymes in which the catalytic domain is appended to one or more noncatalytic carbohydrate binding modules (CBMs). CBMs, by concentrating the parental enzyme at their target polysaccharide, increase the capacity of the catalytic module to bind the substrate, leading to a potentiation in catalysis.
Clostridium thermocellum
hypothetical protein Cthe_0821, defined here as
C. thermocellum
Man5A, is a modular protein comprising an N-terminal signal peptide, a family 5 glycoside hydrolase (GH5) catalytic module, a family 32 CBM (CBM32), and a C-terminal type I dockerin module. Recent proteomic studies revealed that Cthe_0821 is one of the major cellulosomal enzymes when
C. thermocellum
is cultured on cellulose. Here we show that the GH5 catalytic module of Cthe_0821 displays endomannanase activity.
C. thermocellum
Man5A hydrolyzes soluble konjac glucomannan, soluble carob galactomannan, and insoluble ivory nut mannan but does not attack the highly galactosylated mannan from guar gum, suggesting that the enzyme prefers unsubstituted β-1,4-mannoside linkages. The CBM32 of
C. thermocellum
Man5A displays a preference for the nonreducing ends of mannooligosaccharides, although the protein module exhibits measurable affinity for the termini of β-1,4-linked glucooligosaccharides such as cellobiose. CBM32 potentiates the activity of
C. thermocellum
Man5A against insoluble mannans but has no significant effect on the capacity of the enzyme to hydrolyze soluble galactomannans and glucomannans. The product profile of
C. thermocellum
Man5A is affected by the presence of CBM32.
Plasma Membrane Localization Is Required for RasA-Mediated Polarized Morphogenesis and Virulence of Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Fortwendel Jarrod R. , Juvvadi Praveen R. , Rogg Luise E. , Asfaw Yohannes G. , Burns Kimberlie A. , Randell Scott H. , Steinbach William J. 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTRas is a highly conserved GTPase protein that is essential for proper polarized morphogenesis of filamentous fungi. Localization of Ras proteins to the plasma membrane and endomembranes through posttranslational addition of farnesyl and palmitoyl residues is an important mechanism through which cells provide specificity to Ras signal output. Although theAspergillus fumigatusRasA protein is known to be a major regulator of growth and development, the membrane distribution of RasA during polarized morphogenesis and the role of properly localized Ras signaling in virulence of a pathogenic mold remain unknown. Here we demonstrate thatAspergillus fumigatusRasA localizes primarily to the plasma membrane of actively growing hyphae. We show that treatment with the palmitoylation inhibitor 2-bromopalmitate disrupts normal RasA plasma membrane association and decreases hyphal growth. Targeted mutations of the highly conserved RasA palmitoylation motif also mislocalized RasA from the plasma membrane and led to severe hyphal abnormalities, cell wall structural changes, and reduced virulence in murine invasive aspergillosis. Finally, we provide evidence that proper RasA localization is independent of the Ras palmitoyltransferase homolog, encoded byerfB, but requires the palmitoyltransferase complex subunit, encoded byerfD. Our results demonstrate that plasma membrane-associated RasA is critical for polarized morphogenesis, cell wall stability, and virulence inA. fumigatus.
Evaluating workforce developments to support children of mentally ill parents: implementing new interventions in the adult mental healthcare in Northern Norway
Authors: Reedtz Charlotte , Lauritzen Camilla , van Doesum Karin T M 
Published: May 2012

BackgroundAccording to new Norwegian laws, mental healthcare for adults are obligated to assess all patients who are parents and to act on their children's needs. This article describes the study protocol of implementing the interventions Family Assessment and Child Talks for children of patients in the adult psychiatry of the University Hospital of Northern Norway. The project is designed to evaluate the process of changes in clinical practice due to the implementation of two interventions. The interventions to be implemented are a standardisedFamily Assessment Formand the intervention calledChild Talks. The family assessment form is an intervention to identify children of mentally ill parents and their needs. The interventionChild Talksis a health-promoting and preventive intervention where the mental health workers talk with the family about the situation of the children and their needs.Methods/designThere are two groups of participants in this study: (1) mental health workers in the clinic (N=220) and (2) patients who are parents (N=200) receiving treatment in the clinic. (1) In the evaluation of clinical practice, the authors use a pre-test, post-test and 1-year follow-up design. At pre-test, the authors evaluate status quo among mental health workers in the clinic regarding knowledge, attitudes, collaborative routines and clinical practice related to families with parental mental illness. After the pre-test is finished, the project move on to implement the interventionsFamily Assessment FormandChild Talksin the clinic. At post-test and 1-year follow-up, the authors evaluate the impact of implementing theFamily Assessment Formin terms of how many children were identified and offered Child Talks in the clinic or referred to other services for additional support. (2) In the evaluation of parents/patients experience with the interventions, the authors use a pre-test post-test design. To identify children of mentally ill patients, the authors collect data on demographical variables for the patient and the child at pre-measures, as well as data on parental competence (PSOC) and parental concerns (PEDS) about their children. At post-measures, the authors evaluate the impact of the intervention in terms of user satisfaction, as well as changes between pre- and post-measures on parental competence (PSOC) and parental concerns (PEDS) about their children.DiscussionThe implication of implementing new interventions to safeguard children of mentally ill patients and the limitation of not measuring child development directly are discussed.
Templates for reporting pre-hospital major incident medical management: systematic literature review
Authors: Fattah Sabina , Rehn Marius , Reierth Eirik , Wisborg Torben 
Published: May 2012

IntroductionIn 2010, a total of 385 natural disasters killed more than 297 000 people worldwide and affected over 217 million others. More standardised reporting of major incident management have been advocated in the previous years. Prevention, mitigation, preparedness and major incident response may be improved through collection and analysis of high-quality standardised data on medical management of major incidents. Standardised data may elevate the level of scientific evidence within disaster medicine research.Methods and analysisA systematic literature review will be conducted to identify templates for reporting pre-hospital major incident medical management. The first set of entry terms aims to describe major incidents published during the last 20 years. The second set aims to focus the number of search results from the first set to those publications that describe templates based on data collections from these major incidents. Predefined free search phases will be combined with the first two sets.Ethics and disseminationThe results will be submitted for publication in an open access, peer-reviewed scientific journal. The PRISMA checklist will be applied. No ethics approval is considered indicated, as this is a literature review only.Registration detailsThis review is registered in PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42012002051).
Loss of SIRT1 histone deacetylase expression associates with tumour progression in colorectal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Jang Si-Hyong , Min Kyeung-Whan , Paik Seung Sam , Jang Ki-Seok 
Published: May 2012

BackgroundThe class III histone deacetylase SIRT1 is a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent deacetylase, and has been reported to serve diverse roles in various biological processes, such as caloric restriction, apoptosis, neuronal protection, cell growth, differentiation and tumourigenesis. With respect to tumourigenesis, there have been conflicting data supporting whether SIRT1 act as a tumour promoter or as a tumour suppressor.MethodsSIRT1 protein expression, determined by immunohistochemistry, was investigated in human normal colonic mucosa, adenoma, adenocarcinoma and metastatic tissue samples.ResultsAll normal colonic mucosa showed SIRT1 expression with no exception, and 42 (80.8%) of 52 adenomatous polyps were positive for SIRT1. However, only 208 (41.9%) of 497 colorectal adenocarcinomas were positive. Moreover, 45 (35.7%) of 126 metastatic tissues were positive. Collectively, the SIRT1 expression was gradually decreased during carcinogenesis and tumour progression. The associations between SIRT1 expression and clinicopathological parameters revealed that loss of SIRT1 expression was associated with proximal tumour location, mucinous histology and defective mismatch repair protein expression. This suggests that loss of SIRT1 expression is associated with the microsatellite instability phenotype of colorectal adenocarcinoma. In survival analyses, the loss of SIRT1 expression was significantly associated with overall survival (p=0.027, log-rank test) in univariable analysis, but multivariable analysis failed to achieve significance.ConclusionsSIRT1 expression was gradually decreased during the normal–adenoma–adenocarcinoma–metastasis sequence, suggesting a possible role of SIRT1 in tumour suppression in the colorectum, and a probable link to the microsatellite instability pathway.