bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Regional Cerebral Blood Flow Changes during Long‐Term Donepezil Therapy in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease Using 3DSRT
Authors: Kimura Noriyuki , Kumamoto Toshihide , Masuda Teruaki , Hanaoka Takuya , Okazaki Toshio , Arakawa Ryuki 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDWe attempt to evaluate objectively the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) changes during long‐term donepezil therapy and the relationship between the clinical response and rCBF change in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).PATIENTS AND METHODSThirty‐one patients with mild‐to‐moderate AD (11 men, 20 female; mean age, 76.2 ± 6.7 years) were treated with donepezil and underwent brain perfusion single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) twice with an interval of 24.5 ± 4.2 months. The rCBF was calculated using 3‐dimensional stereotaxic region of interest template, a fully automated each region of interest technique. We compared the differences in rCBF between baseline and follow‐up SPECT studies. Moreover, all patients were divided into stabilized (n= 14) and nonstabilized subgroups (n= 17) based on Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) score changes and the changes in rCBF were compared between two subgroups.RESULTSThe mean MMSE score significantly decreased from 20.7 ± 4.6 at baseline to 16.5 ± 6.5 after 2 years. The mean rCBF significantly decreased in the widespread brain regions between the baseline and follow‐up SPECT studies. The nonstabilized subgroup showed a significant decrease in rCBF of the parietal and temporal segments compared to the stabilized subgroup.CONCLUSIONThe progression of cognitive deterioration may be related to rCBF affected by the neuropathologic changes of AD.
Neocortical Atrophy in Machado‐Joseph Disease: A Longitudinal Neuroimaging Study
Authors: D’Abreu Anelyssa , França Jr. Marcondes C. , Yasuda Clarissa L. , Campos Bruno A. G. , Lopes‐Cendes Iscia , Cendes Fernando 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND/PURPOSEPrevious imaging studies in the Machado‐Joseph disease (MJD/SCA3) have mostly concentrated on the cerebellum and brainstem. Our goal was to perform a whole brain longitudinal evaluation.METHODSWe included 45 patients and 51 controls, who underwent two brain magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (mean interval of 12.5 ± 1.5 months). We used voxel‐based morphometry (VBM) and the MarsBar analysis toolbox to extract grey matter density (GMD) values from regions of interest. We used a linear regression model and a general linear model to correlate GMD with clinical markers, and paired t‐test for the longitudinal evaluation.RESULTSWe observed decreased GMD (P < .01) at frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital lobes, subcortical grey matter, cerebellum, and brainstem. White matter atrophy was restricted to the cerebellum. Age, CAG, and disease duration predicted GMD in different areas, but age and CAG were the most important predictors. The longitudinal analysis failed to demonstrate changes. Changes in regions other than the cerebellum appeared to contribute significantly to the final International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale score.CONCLUSIONWe confirmed cortical involvement in MJD/SCA3. The most important factors in predicting GMD were age and CAG. The lack of progression of atrophy may indicate floor effect and/or short duration of follow‐up.
Racial Differences in Sexuality Profiles Among American, Japanese, and Japanese American Men with Localized Prostate Cancer
Authors: Namiki Shunichi , Carlile Robert G. , Namiki Thomas S. , Fukagai Takashi , Takegami Misa , Litwin Mark S. , Arai Yoichi 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Although there were marked racial differences in the clinical outcomes among Japanese men (JP), Caucasian men (CA), and Japanese American (JA) men with localized prostate cancer, the effect of race/ethnicity on sexual profiles remains unclear.

Aim
To determine differences of sexual profiles in JP, CA, and JA with localized prostate cancer.

Methods
A total of 412 JP, 352 CA, and 54 JA with clinically localized prostate cancer were enrolled in separate studies of health-related quality of life outcomes. We developed a collaborative study in each database.

Main Outcome Measure
Sexual function and bother were estimated before treatment with validated English and Japanese versions of the University of California in Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Index (UCLA PCI).

Results
The CA reported the highest sexual function score of all. Even after controlling for age, prostate specific antigen, clinical T stage, Gleason score and comorbidity, the JP were more likely than the CA to report poor sexual desire, poor erection ability, poor overall ability to function sexually, and poor ability to attain orgasm. With regard to sexual bother, however, no differences were reported between CA and JP. The JA reported sexual function closely approximate that of the JP, and they were less likely than the CA to report erection ability and intercourse. The JA were more likely to feel distress from their sexual function than the CA. When the JA were divided into two groups according to the ethnicity of their partners, UCLA PCI sexual function scores were equivalent between JA-partnered men and men partnered with other races. On the other hand, JA-partnered men were significantly less likely to report sexual bother scores than men partnered with other races.

Conclusion
We found significant interethnic variations among CA, JP, and JA with prostate cancer in terms of their sexual profiles. Ethnicity and/or country appear to modify some of these variables.
Liver regeneration is promoted by increasing serotonin content in rat liver with secondary biliary cirrhosis
Authors: Nagao Yoshihiro , Akahoshi Tomohiko , Kamori Masahiro , Uehara Hideo , Hashimoto Naotaka , Kinjo Nao , Shirabe Ken , Taketomi Akinobu , Tomikawa Morimasa , Hashizume Makoto , Maehara Yoshihiko 
Published: June 2011

Aim:  Liver cirrhosis clinically shows thrombocytopenia and hypersplenism. Although splenectomy is performed to achieve higher platelet count and better hemostasis, the effect of splenectomy for liver cirrhosis remains unclear. The aim of the present study that was focused on serotonin was to investigate the relationship between splenectomy and liver regeneration in rats with secondary biliary cirrhosis.Methods:  Liver cirrhosis was induced in Sprague–Dawley rats by bile duct ligation (BDL). In addition, splenectomy and administration of ketanserin, which selectively antagonizes 5‐HT2A and 2B serotonin receptors, were performed. Three weeks after the interventions, whole blood, plasma, serum, and liver specimens were obtained for the following studies: peripheral platelet counts, hemodynamics of serotonin, histopathological examination, immunostaining, and quantification of mRNA expression.Results:  Splenectomy induced thrombocytosis, and increased serotonin content in cirrhotic liver. Stimulation of liver regeneration was indicated by the following parameters: hepatocyte ratio to the entire liver area, Ki67‐positive hepatocyte count, and expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal‐regulated kinases. This enhancement of liver regeneration was negated by ketanserin.Conclusion:  Our results showed that splenectomy promoted liver regeneration by increasing serotonin content in liver even under cirrhotic conditions.
Clarification of interspousal hepatitis C virus infection in acute hepatitis C patients by molecular evolutionary analyses: Consideration on sexual and non‐sexual transmission between spouses
Authors: Nakamura Ikuo , Tanaka Yasuhito , Ochiai Kaori , Moriyasu Fuminori , Mizokami Masashi , Imawari Michio 
Published: June 2011

Aim:  Previous studies evaluating the possibilities of interspousal sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) have yielded many conflicting results. The aim of this study was to clarify the source of HCV infection in acute hepatitis C patients using phylogenetic analyses of nucleotide sequences of HCV E1 region.Methods:  Four acute hepatitis C patients were hospitalized in 2002–2007. The diagnosis was based on medical records, laboratory tests including HCV markers, and ultrasonographic examination of the liver. In each spouse of four patients, serum HCV antibody was assayed. In the subjects whose serum HCV antibody was positive, additional tests on HCV viral load and genotype were carried out. Then phylogenetic analyses of nucleotide sequences of partial HCV E1 region (440 nucleotides) of the patients and their spouses were performed.Results:  Hepatitis C virus antibody changed from negative to positive in the course of hospitalization and HCV RNA could be detected in every patient. Therefore they were diagnosed as acute hepatitis caused by HCV infection. In every spouse of four patients, HCV antibody and HCV RNA were positive. Three of four couples had the identical genotype and homogeneity of nucleotide sequences of HCV E1 region in three couples ranged from 97.9% to 100%. The results of phylogenic analyses suggested that interspousal HCV infection occurred in the three couples.Conclusion:  In conclusion, interspousal infection might be one of the important sources of acute HCV infection in Japan. The usefulness of phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide sequences of HCV E1 region for clarifying interspousal HCV infection was validated.
Counteractive Balancing of Transcriptome Expression Involving CodY and CovRS in Streptococcus pyogenes
Authors: Kreth Jens , Chen Zhiyun , Ferretti Joseph , Malke Horst 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

Streptococcus pyogenes
(group A streptococcus [GAS]) responds to environmental changes in a manner that results in an adaptive regulation of the transcriptome. The objective of the present study was to understand how two global transcriptional regulators, CodY and CovRS, coordinate the transcriptional network in
S. pyogenes
. Results from expression microarray data and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) showed that the global regulator CodY controls the expression of about 250 genes, or about 17% of the genome of strain NZ131. Additionally, the
codY
gene was shown to be negatively autoregulated, with its protein binding directly to the promoter region with a CodY binding site. In further studies, the influence of
codY
,
covRS
, and
codY-covRS
mutations on gene expression was analyzed in growth phase-dependent conditions using C medium, reported to mimic nutritional abundance and famine conditions similar to those found during host GAS infection. Additional biological experiments of several virulence phenotypes, including pilin production, biofilm formation, and NAD glycohydrolase activity, demonstrated the role that both CodY and CovRS play in their regulation. Correlation analysis of the overall data revealed that, in exponentially growing cells, CodY and CovRS act in opposite directions, with CodY stimulating and CovRS repressing a substantial fraction of the core genome, including many virulence factors. This is the first report of counteractive balancing of transcriptome expression by global transcription regulators and provides important insight into how GAS modulates gene expression by integrating important extracellular and intracellular information.
The Bradyrhizobium japonicum frcB Gene Encodes a Diheme Ferric Reductase
Authors: Small Sandra K. , O'Brian Mark R. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

Iron utilization by bacteria in aerobic environments involves uptake as a ferric chelate from the environment, followed by reduction to the ferrous form. Ferric iron reduction is poorly understood in most bacterial species. Here, we identified
Bradyrhizobium japonicum frcB
(bll3557) as a gene adjacent to, and coregulated with, the
pyoR
gene (blr3555) encoding the outer membrane receptor for transport of a ferric pyoverdine. FrcB is a membrane-bound, diheme protein, characteristic of eukaryotic ferric reductases. Heme was essential for FrcB stability, as were conserved histidine residues in the protein that likely coordinate the heme moieties. Expression of the
frcB
gene in
Escherichia coli
conferred ferric reductase activity on those cells. Furthermore, reduced heme in purified FrcB was oxidized by ferric iron
in vitro
.
B. japonicum
cells showed inducible ferric reductase activity in iron-limited cells that was diminished in an
frcB
mutant. Steady-state levels of
frcB
mRNA were strongly induced under iron-limiting conditions, but transcript levels were low and unresponsive to iron in an
irr
mutant lacking the global iron response transcriptional regulator Irr. Thus, Irr positively controls the
frcB
gene. FrcB belongs to a family of previously uncharacterized proteins found in many proteobacteria and some cyanobacteria. This suggests that membrane-bound, heme-containing ferric reductase proteins are not confined to eukaryotes but may be common in bacteria.
CsrA and TnaB Coregulate Tryptophanase Activity To Promote Exotoxin-Induced Killing of Caenorhabditis elegansby Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Bhatt Shantanu , Anyanful Akwasi , Kalman Daniel 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTEnteropathogenicEscherichia coli(EPEC) requires thetnaA-encoded enzyme tryptophanase and its substrate tryptophan to synthesize diffusible exotoxins that kill the nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans. Here, we demonstrate that the RNA-binding protein CsrA and the tryptophan permease TnaB coregulate tryptophanase activity, through mutually exclusive pathways, to stimulate toxin-mediated paralysis and killing ofC. elegans.
Treatment of ruptured and unruptured cerebral aneurysms in the USA: a paradigm shift
Authors: Lin Ning , Cahill Kevin S , Frerichs Kai U , Friedlander Robert M , Claus Elizabeth B 
Published: June 2011

BackgroundIntegration of data from clinical trials and advancements in technology predict a change in selection for treatment of patients with cerebral aneurysm.ObjectiveTo describe patterns of use and in-hospital mortality associated with surgical and endovascular treatments of cerebral aneurysms over the past decade.Materials and methodsThe data are 34 899 hospital discharges with a diagnosis of ruptured or unruptured cerebral aneurysm from 1998 to 2007 identified from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS). The rates of endovascular coiling and surgical clipping and in-hospital mortality among patients with an aneurysm are examined over a decade by hospital and patient demographic characteristics.ResultsFrom 1998 to 2007, 20 134 discharges with a ruptured aneurysm and 14 765 discharges with an unruptured aneurysm were identified. Over this decade, the number of patients discharged with a ruptured aneurysm was stable while the number discharged with an unruptured aneurysm increased significantly. The use of endovascular coiling increased at least twofold for both groups of patient (p<0.001) with the majority of unruptured aneurysms treated with coiling by 2007. Although whites were more likely than non-whites to undergo coiling versus clipping for a ruptured aneurysm (OR=1.30; 95% CI 1.13 to 1.48) and men with unruptured aneurysms were more likely than women to undergo coiling (OR=1.26; 95% CI 1.13 to 1.40), by 2007 differences in treatment selection by gender and racial subgroups were decreased or statistically non-significant. Over time the use of coiling spread from primarily large, teaching hospitals to smaller, non-teaching hospitals.ConclusionsThe majority of unruptured aneurysms in the USA are now treated with endovascular coiling. Although surgical clipping is used for treatment of most ruptured aneurysms, its use is decreasing over time. Dissemination of endovascular procedures appears widespread across patient and hospital subgroups.
The design of the STenting in Aneurysm Treatments (STAT) trial
Authors: Darsaut Tim E , Raymond Jean ,   for the STAT Collaborative Group
Published: June 2011

Unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIA) are increasingly treated with endovascular treatment although this method continues to be associated with aneurysm recurrences in up to 30–40%, especially for large aneurysms or those with wide (>4 mm) necks. Although the significance of a recurrence remains unknown, they not only require angiographic follow-up but discovery sometimes leads to retreatment, with associated risks. Several strategies have been developed to decrease recurrence rates, including the addition of an endovascular stent to standard coiling. Stents may permit more complete coil occlusion, form a neointimal scaffold at the aneurysm neck and normalize blood flows. A randomized study of endovascular treatment of UIAs for aneurysms treated with or without stenting has not been performed. The design of the STenting in Aneurysm Treatments (STAT) trial is reported, which compares angiographic and clinical outcomes following endovascular treatment of UIAs with or without stents. The first phase of this pragmatic management trial will examine angiographic outcomes, in order to determine whether the addition of a stent to standard coiling can decrease recurrence rates, while the second phase of the study will determine if stenting is associated with increased patient morbidity and mortality. The STAT trial collaborators intend to enroll 600 patients, a size sufficient (at 80% power and 0.05 significance) to detect a decrease in recurrences from 33% to 20% by 1 year, and to verify that stenting does not result in an increase in the proportion of patients experiencing neurological disability (modified Rankin Scale score >2), from 6% to 12%.Trial Registration No:ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:NCT01340612.
BRCA1 Loss Induces GADD153-Mediated Doxorubicin Resistance in Prostate Cancer
Authors: De Luca Paola , Vazquez Elba S. , Moiola Cristian P. , Zalazar Florencia , Cotignola Javier , Gueron Geraldine , Gardner Kevin , De Siervi Adriana 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
BRCA1 plays numerous roles in the regulation of genome integrity and chemoresistance. Although BRCA1 interaction with key proteins involved in DNA repair is well known, its role as a coregulator in the transcriptional response to DNA damage remains poorly understood. In this study, we show that BRCA1 plays a central role in the transcriptional response to genotoxic stress in prostate cancer. BRCA1 expression mediates apoptosis, cell-cycle arrest, and decreased viability in response to doxorubicin treatment. Xenograft studies using human prostate carcinoma PC3 cells show that BRCA1 depletion results in increased tumor growth. A focused survey of BRCA1-regulated genes in prostate carcinoma reveals that multiple regulators of genome stability and cell-cycle control, including BLM, FEN1, DDB2, H3F3B, BRCA2, CCNB2, MAD2L1, and GADD153, are direct transcriptional targets of BRCA1. Furthermore, we show that BRCA1 targets GADD153 promoter to increase its transcription in response to DNA damage. Finally, GADD153 depletion significantly abrogates BRCA1 influence on cell-cycle progression and cell death in response to doxorubicin treatment. These findings define a novel transcriptional pathway through which BRCA1 orchestrates cell fate decisions in response to genotoxic insults, and suggest that BRCA1 status should be considered for new chemotherapeutic treatment strategies in prostate cancer. Mol Cancer Res; 9(8); 1078–90. ©2011 AACR.
Adults With Late Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease Are at High Risk for Prevalent Silent Brain Infarction
Authors: Chou Chia-Chi , Lien Li-Ming , Chen Wei-Hung , Wu Mai-Szu , Lin Shiue-Ming , Chiu Hou-Chang , Chiou Hung-Yi , Bai Chyi-Huey 
Published: June 2011

Background and Purpose—
The close relationship between stroke and chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been well-documented. However, few studies have focused on silent brain infarction (SBI) in CKD. We investigated the prevalence of SBI in different stages of CKD.

Methods—

We included 1312 participants aged 30 to 93 years who came from either a random sample of residents or from a group of physically examined subjects in the same community. Basic information, clinical evaluations, laboratory tests, and MRI images were assessed. Subjects were divided into groups 1, 2, 3a, and 3b, corresponding to the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) levels of ≥90.0, 60.0 to 89.9, 45.0 to 59.9, and 30.0 to 44.9 mL/min/1.73 m
2
.

Results—

The crude prevalence was 4.7%: 2.6% (20 of 759 subjects) in group 1; 6.3% (32 of 506) in group 2; 12.9% (4 of 31) in group 3a; and 37.5% (6 of 16) in group 3b (
P
<0.001). Additionally, SBI also correlated with age, male sex, hypertension, diabetes, moderate carotid plaque, higher blood pressures, obesity, and levels of triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and uric acid (all
P
<0.05). The effects for SBI risk in each eGFR group versus group 1 did not increase except for group 3b (OR, 9.34;
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—

A close association exists between SBI and eGFR. We have found a significant increase in prevalence of SBI when eGFR is between 30.0 and 44.9 mL/min/1.73 m
2
. Adults with late stage 3 CKD are at high risk for prevalent SBI.
Impact of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) on Arctic Surface Air Temperature and Sea Ice Variability
Authors: Mahajan Salil , Zhang Rong , Delworth Thomas L. 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
The simulated impact of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) on the low-frequency variability of the Arctic surface air temperature (SAT) and sea ice extent is studied with a 1000-year-long segment of a control simulation of the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory Climate Model version 2.1. The simulated AMOC variations in the control simulation are found to be significantly anticorrelated with the Arctic sea ice extent anomalies and significantly correlated with the Arctic SAT anomalies on decadal time scales in the Atlantic sector of the Arctic. The maximum anticorrelation with the Arctic sea ice extent and the maximum correlation with the Arctic SAT occur when the AMOC index leads by one year. An intensification of the AMOC is associated with a sea ice decline in the Labrador, Greenland, and Barents Seas in the control simulation, with the largest change occurring in winter. The recent declining trend in the satellite-observed sea ice extent also shows a similar pattern in the Atlantic sector of the Arctic in the winter, suggesting the possibility of a role of the AMOC in the recent Arctic sea ice decline in addition to anthropogenic greenhouse-gas-induced warming. However, in the summer, the simulated sea ice response to the AMOC in the Pacific sector of the Arctic is much weaker than the observed declining trend, indicating a stronger role for other climate forcings or variability in the recently observed summer sea ice decline in the Chukchi, Beaufort, East Siberian, and Laptev Seas.