bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evidence that GTP-binding domain but not catalytic domain of transglutaminase 2 is essential for epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in mammary epithelial cells
Authors: Kumar Anupam , Xu Jia , Sung Bokyung , Kumar Santosh , Yu Dihua , Aggarwal Bharat B , Mehta Kapil 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Introduction
The expression of proinflammatory protein tissue transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is frequently upregulated in multiple cancer cell types. However, the exact role of TG2 in cancer cells is not well-understood. We recently initiated studies to determine the significance of TG2 in cancer cells and observed that sustained expression of TG2 resulted in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and promoted cancer stem cell (CSC) traits in mammary epithelial cells. These results suggested that TG2 could serve as a promising therapeutic target for overcoming chemoresistance and inhibiting metastatic spread of cancer cells.

Methods
Using various mutant constructs, we analyzed the activity of TG2 that is essential for promoting the EMT-CSC phenotype.

Results
Our results suggest that catalytically inactive TG2 (TG2-C277S) is as effective as wild-type TG2 (TG2-WT) in inducing the EMT-CSC in mammary epithelial cells. In contrast, overexpression of a GTP-binding-deficient mutant (TG2-R580A) was completely incompetent in this regard. Moreover, TG2-dependent activation of the proinflammatory transcription factor NF-κB is deemed essential for promoting the EMT-CSC phenotype in mammary epithelial cells.

Conclusions
Our results suggest that the transamidation activity of TG2 is not essential for promoting its oncogenic functions and provide a strong rationale for developing small-molecule inhibitors to block GTP-binding pockets of TG2. Such inhibitors may have great potential for inhibiting the TG2-regulated pathways, reversing drug resistance and inhibiting the metastasis of cancer cells.
Inositol administration reduces oxidative stress in erythrocytes of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Donà Gabriella , Sabbadin Chiara , Fiore Cristina , Bragadin Marcantonio , Giorgino Francesco L , Ragazzi Eugenio , Clari Giulio , Bordin Luciana , Armanini Decio 
Published: January 2012

ObjectivePossibly due to a deficiency of insulin mediators, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is often associated with insulin resistance (IR) and hyperinsulinemia, likely responsible for an elevated production of reactive oxygen species. We investigated oxidative-related alterations in erythrocytes and anti-inflammatory effects of inositol in women with PCOS before and after treatment with myo-inositol (MYO).MethodsTwenty-six normal-weight PCOS patients were investigated before and after MYO administration (1200 mg/day for 12 weeks;n=18) or placebo (n=8) by evaluating serum testosterone, serum androstenedione, fasting serum insulin, fasting serum glucose, insulin area under the curve (AUC), and glucose AUC after oral glucose tolerance test and homeostasis model of assessment–IR. In erythrocytes, band 3 tyrosine phosphorylation (Tyr-P) level, glutathione (GSH) content, and glutathionylated proteins (GSSP) were also assessed.ResultsData show that PCOS patients' erythrocytes underwent oxidative stress as indicated by band 3 Tyr-P values, reduced cytosolic GSH content, and increased membrane protein glutathionylation. MYO treatment significantly improved metabolic and biochemical parameters. Significant reductions were found in IR and serum values of androstenedione and testosterone. A significant association between band 3 Tyr-P levels and insulin AUC was found at baseline but disappeared after MYO treatment, while a correlation between band 3 Tyr-P and testosterone levels was detected both before and after MYO treatment.ConclusionsPCOS patients suffer from a systemic inflammatory status that induces erythrocyte membrane alterations. Treatment with MYO is effective in reducing hormonal, metabolic, and oxidative abnormalities in PCOS patients by improving IR.
Increased frequency of the DI genotype of the angiotensin-I converting enzyme and association of the II genotype with insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Koika Vasiliki , Georgopoulos Neoklis A , Piouka Athanasia , Roupas Nikolaos D , Karela Anastasia , Armeni Anastasia K , Katsantoni Eleni , Panidis Dimitrios 
Published: January 2012

ObjectiveThe polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common and complex disease with unclear pattern of inheritance, characterized by an androgen excess, while hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance (IR) are common features of the syndrome. The angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) insertion (I)/deletion (D) gene polymorphism was proved to be involved in many pathophysiological conditions, including hypertension and IR.DesignThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the involvement of the ACE gene polymorphism in the pathogenesis of PCOS.MethodsIn a case–control association study involving 801 PCOS women and 266 healthy controls, hormonal determinations and ACE polymorphism genotyping were performed. The PCOS women were classified into three groups: Group A presented biochemical hyperandrogenism, combined with anovulation and polycystic ovarian morphology; Group B, clinical hyperandrogenism combined with anovulation and polycystic ovarian morphology; and Group C, chronic anovulation and polycystic ovarian morphology.ResultsA significant increase in the frequency of the DI genotype of the ACE polymorphism was detected in PCOS women as a whole (P=0.035), in PCOS Group A (P=0.039) and Group B (P=0.010), while there was no difference in Group C (P=0.939). Significant difference was also observed in hyperandrogenic PCOS women as a whole (Group A+B) (P=0.017). The II genotype was positively correlated with HOMA-IR and QUICKI and with fasting insulin and glucose/insulin ratio in these groups.ConclusionsThe association study of the ACE I/D polymorphism in PCOS women demonstrates an increase in the DI genotype incidence and an association of the II genotype with IR.
Systemic Ornidazole as an Adjunct to Non‐Surgical Periodontal Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Periodontitis: A Randomized, Double‐Masked, Placebo‐Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Pradeep A.R. , Kalra Nitish , Priyanka N. , Khaneja Ella , Naik Savitha B. , Singh Sonender P. 
Published: January 2012

Background: The purpose of this clinical trial is to evaluate the adjunctive clinical effects of the systemic administration of ornidazole (ORN) in the full‐mouth scaling and root planing (SRP) of individuals with moderate‐to‐advanced chronic periodontitis.Methods: Fifty‐eight individuals presenting ≥12 teeth with probing depth (PD) ≥4 mm were selected. All participants were instructed on strict oral hygiene measures and were advised to use 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash for 1 week before being allocated to two groups. Thirty participants were randomly assigned to full‐mouth SRP + placebo (control group), and 28 participants were assigned to full‐mouth SRP + ORN (test group). The clinical outcomes evaluated were plaque index, gingival index, clinical attachment level (CAL), and PD.Results: Fifty participants could be evaluated by ≤6 months. At 6 months, the test group had greater mean reduction (2.84 mm) in PD compared to the control group (0.84 mm) (P <0.05), and there was also a greater mean CAL reduction (2.92 mm) in the test group compared to the control group (0.92 mm) (P <0.05).Conclusion: The systemic use of ORN, when used in conjunction with initial periodontal treatment consisting of SRP in adults with periodontitis, achieves significantly better clinical results than initial periodontal treatment alone.
Causes of Alternative Pathway Dysregulation in Dense Deposit Disease
Authors: Zhang Yuzhou , Meyer Nicole C. , Wang Kai , Nishimura Carla , Frees Kathy , Jones Michael , Katz Louis M. , Sethi Sanjeev , Smith Richard J.H. 
Published: January 2012

Summary

Background and objectives
This study was designed to investigate the causes of alternative pathway dysregulation in a cohort of patients with dense deposit disease (DDD).

Design, setting, participants, & measurements
Thirty-two patients with biopsy-proven DDD underwent screening for C3 nephritic factors (C3Nefs), factor H autoantibodies (FHAAs), factor B autoantibodies (FBAAs), and genetic variants in CFH. C3Nefs were detected by: ELISA, C3 convertase surface assay (C3CSA), C3CSA with properdin (C3CSAP), two-dimensional immunoelectrophoresis (2DIEP), and immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE). FHAAs and FBAAs were detected by ELISA, and CFH variants were identified by Sanger sequencing.

Results
Twenty-five patients (78%) were positive for C3Nefs. Three C3Nef-positive patients were also positive for FBAAs and one of these patients additionally carried two novel missense variants in CFH. Of the seven C3Nef-negative patients, one patient was positive for FHAAs and two patients carried CFH variants that may be causally related to their DDD phenotype. C3CASP was the most sensitive C3Nef-detection assay. C3CASP and IFE are complementary because C3CSAP measures the stabilizing properties of C3Nefs, whereas IFE measures their expected consequence—breakdown of C3b.

Conclusions
A test panel that includes C3CSAP, IFE, FHAAs, FBAAs, and genetic testing for CFH variants will identify a probable cause for alternative pathway dysregulation in approximately 90% of DDD patients. Dysregulation is most frequently due to C3Nefs, although some patients test positive for FHAAs, FBAAs, and CFH mutations. Defining the pathophysiology of DDD should facilitate the development of mechanism-directed therapies.
Improvement performance of secondary clarifiers by a computational fluid dynamics model
Authors: Ghawi Ali , Kriš J. 
Published: January 2012

Improvement performance of secondary clarifiers by a computational fluid dynamics model
Secondary clarifier is one of the most commonly used unit operations in wastewater treatment plants. It is customarily designed to achieve the separation of solids from biologically treated effluents through the clarification of biological solids and the thickening of sludge. As treatment plants receive increasingly high wastewater flows, conventional sedimentation tanks suffer from overloading problems, which result in poor performance. Modification of inlet baffles through the use of an energy dissipating inlet (EDI) was proposed to enhance the performance in the circular clarifiers at the Al-Dewanyia wastewater treatment plant. A 3-dimensional fully mass conservative clarifier model, based on modern computational fluid dynamics theory, was applied to evaluate the proposed tank modification and to estimate the maximum capacity of the existing and modified clarifiers. A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model was formulated to describe the tank is performance, and design parameters were obtained based on the experimental results. The study revealed that velocity and (suspended solids) SS is a better parameter than TS (total solids), (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) BOD, (Chemical Oxygen Demand) COD to evaluate the performance of sedimentation tanks and that the removal efficiencies of the suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand, and chemical oxygen demand were higher in the baffle.
Eutrophication parameters and Carlson-type trophic state indices in selected Pomeranian lakes
Authors: Jarosiewicz Anna , Ficek Dariusz , Zapadka Tomasz 
Published: January 2012

Eutrophication parameters and Carlson-type trophic state indices in selected Pomeranian lakesThe objective of the study (2007-09) was to determine the current trophic state of eight selected lakes - Rybiec, Niezabyszewskie, Czarne, Chotkowskie, Obłęże, Jasień Południowy, Jasień Północny, Jeleń - based on Carlson-type indices (TSIs) and, to examine the relationship between the four calculated trophic state indices: TSI(SD), TSI(Chl), TSI(TP) and TSI(TN). Based on these values, it can be claimed that the trophy level of the lakes are within the mesotrophic and eutrophic states. It was observed that the values of the TSI(TP) in the analysed lakes are higher than the values of the indices calculated on the basis of the other variables. Moreover, the differences between the indices for particular lakes, suggest that in none of the analysed lakes is phosphorus a factor which limits algal productivity.
Emigration rates and population turnover of teal Anas crecca in two major wetlands of western Europe
Authors: Caizergues Alain , Guillemain Matthieu , Arzel Céline , Devineau Olivier , Leray Gilles , Pilvin Daniel , Lepley Michel , Massez Grégoire , Schricke Vincent 
Published: January 2012

AbstractDuring the winter of 2003/04, we studied emigration rates of teal Anas crecca in two major wetlands: the Camargue (southern France) and the Loire estuary (western France). We derived local survival probabilities as a step in ultimately estimating emigration rates from individual mark‐resighting (visual recaptures) history of birds fitted with nasal saddles. In goodness‐of‐fit tests of time‐dependent models for local survival, we only detected the presence of transients among young females in the Loire estuary, which indicated that this category of individuals includes an ‘unstable compartment’ continuing its migratory journey further to the south. We observed low monthly local survival and high emigration rates (range: 0.01‐0.81) in both areas, which suggests high turnover rates. In the Loire estuary, temporal changes in emigration rates matched the post‐ and pre‐nuptial migration peaks (i.e. October‐November and February‐March). By combining local survival probabilities and count data, we derived an estimate of the ratio between the winter peak count of teals in our study areas and the minimum number of birds that actually frequented the areas over the entire wintering period (October‐March). In both cases, we estimated the number of teal visiting the two wintering sites be about twice as large as the maximum number of birds counted instantaneously.
Incidence and causes of perioperative mortality after primary surgery for intracranial tumors: a national, population-based study
Authors: Solheim Ole , Jakola Asgeir Store , Gulati Sasha , Johannesen Tom Børge 
Published: January 2012

Object
Surgical mortality is a frequent outcome measure in studies of volume-outcome relationships, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has endorsed surgical mortality after craniotomies as an Inpatient Quality Indicator. Still, the frequency and causes of 30-day mortality after neurosurgical procedures have not been much explored. The authors sought to study the frequency and possible causes of death following primary intracranial tumor operations. They also sought to explore a possible predictive value of perioperative mortality rates from neurosurgical centers in relation to long-term survival.

Methods
Using population-based data from the Norwegian cancer registry, the authors identified 15,918 primary operations for primary CNS tumors treated in Norway in the period from August 1955 through December 2008. Patients were followed up until death, emigration, or September 2009. Causes of mortality as indicated on death certificates were studied. Factors associated with an increased risk of perioperative death were identified.

Results
The overall risk of perioperative death after first-time surgery for primary intracranial tumors is currently 2.2% and has decreased over the last decades. An age ≥ 70 years and histopathological entities with poor long-term prognoses are risk factors. Overlapping lesions are also associated with excess risk, indicating that lesion size or multifocality may matter. The overall risk of perioperative death is also higher in biopsy cases than in resection cases. Perioperative mortality rates of the 4 Norwegian neurosurgical centers were not predictive of their respective long-term survival rates.

Conclusions
Although considered surgically related if they occur within the first 30 days of surgery, most early postoperative deaths can happen independent of the handiwork of the operating surgeon or anesthesiologist. Overall prognosis of the disease seems to be a strong predictor of perioperative death—perhaps not surprisingly since the 30-day mortality rate is merely the intonation of the Kaplan-Meier curve. Both referral and treatment policies at a neurosurgical center will therefore markedly affect such early outcomes, but early deaths may not necessarily reflect overall quality of care or long-term results. The low incidence of perioperative death in intracranial tumor surgery also greatly limits the statistical power in comparative analyses, such as between published patient series or between centers and certainly between surgeons. Therefore the authors question the value of perioperative mortality rates as a quality indicator in modern neurosurgery for tumors.
The anatomical relationship of the diaphragm to the thoracolumbar junction during the minimally invasive lateral extracoelomic (retropleural/retroperitoneal) approach
Authors: Dakwar Elias , Ahmadian Amir , Uribe Juan S. 
Published: January 2012

ObjectThe thoracolumbar junction (T11–L2) poses an anatomical dilemma, given the presence of the lower rib cage and the diaphragm when performing anterolateral approaches. To circumvent dealing with the diaphragm, a minimally invasive lateral extracoelomic approach has been used to approach the thoracolumbar junction by mobilizing the diaphragm anteriorly. No anatomical studies have described the attachments of the diaphragm and their surgical significance during the lateral approach to the thoracolumbar spine. The objective of this study is to describe the anatomical relationship of the diaphragm in reference to the minimally invasive lateral approach to the thoracolumbar spine and its surgical significance.MethodsNine adult fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens were dissected and studied (18 sides). All specimens were placed in the lateral decubitus position, similar to the surgical technique, for the dissections. The relationship between the retroperitoneum, retropleural space, diaphragm, and thoracolumbar spine was analyzed in reference to the minimally invasive lateral approach. Special attention was given to the attachments of the diaphragm and their relationship to the ribs during the early stages of the approach.ResultsAll 18 sides were successfully dissected, analyzed, and photographed. The diaphragm is a musculotendinous sheet extending between the thoracic and abdominal cavities. Its attachments can be divided into 3 main categories: 1) sternal or anterior, 2) costal or lateral, and 3) lumbar or posterior. These attachments are described in detail, with specific reference to the lateral approach. When performing the minimally invasive lateral extracoelomic approach to the thoracolumbar spine, the lateral and posterior attachments must be identified and dissected to successfully mobilize the diaphragm anteriorly.ConclusionsThe diaphragm has multiple attachments that can be categorized as anterior, lateral, and posterior. In reference to the minimally invasive lateral extracoelomic approach to the thoracolumbar junction, the surgically significant attachments are primarily to the 12th rib and transverse process of L-1.
Spinal arteriovenous malformation associated with spinal metameric syndrome: a treatable cause of long-term paraplegia?
Authors: Linfante Italo , Tari Capone Francesca , Dabus Guilherme , Gonzalez-Arias Sergio , Lau Patricio E. , Samaniego Edgar A. 
Published: January 2012

Cutaneomeningospinal angiomatosis, or Cobb syndrome, is a rare metameric developmental disorder presenting as an extradural-intradural vascular malformation that involves bone, muscle, skin, spinal cord, and nerve roots.A 14-year-old girl with a red nevus involving the T6–9 dermatomes on the left side of her back presented with a 5-year history of bowel and bladder incontinence, paraplegia, and lower-extremity sensory loss. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a hemangioma in the T-8 and T-9 vertebral bodies and a spinal cord AVM nidus extending from T-6 to T-9. The AVM was successfully embolized and the patient regained lower-extremity strength, ambulation, and normal sphincter functions after 5 years of having been wheelchair bound.The authors report the restoration of ambulation after endovascular embolization of a large spinal AVM in a patient with long-standing paraplegia due to Cobb syndrome.
Local autograft retrieval from a cervical vertebral body: biomechanical consequences
Authors: Pitzen Tobias , Tan Juay Seng , Dvorak Marcel F. , Fisher Charles , Oxland Thomas 
Published: January 2012

Object
To avoid the cost of bone graft substitutes and the morbidity of iliac crest bone graft retrieval, locally harvested vertebral body bone has been used to fill interbody cages. When marginal hypertrophic osteophytes are used, there is little impact on the adjacent vertebrae, but when cancellous bone is removed from the central part of the vertebral body, it is not clear how significantly this procedure weakens the vertebra. The objective of this study was to investigate the immediate mechanical response of the cervical spine after removing bone from the central vertebral body.

Methods
Fourteen cervical functional spinal units (FSUs) (mean age 73.3 years, range 63–90 years) were used. For each FSU, bone mineral density (BMD) was determined using lateral-view dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry studies. The FSUs were assigned to 1 of 2 groups (test group or control group) with an equal distribution of BMD. All specimens received a cage placed into the cleaned disc space. The specimens from the test group had a 5-mm-diameter bone plug removed from the vertebral bodies superior and inferior to the cage-fitted disc. The specimens were loaded in flexion-compression until failure via an eccentric compressive force at 0.25 mm/second.

Results
The yield compression strength was 1149 ± 523 N for the test group and 1647 ± 962 N for the control group (p = 0.25). The ultimate compression strength was 1699 ± 498 N for the test group and 2450 N ± 835 N for the control group (p = 0.06). Force at 4 mm displacement was 1064 N for the test group and 1574 N for the control group (p = 0.15). Displacement at yield compression strength was 4.4 mm for the test group and 4.2 mm for the control group (p = 0.78). There was no significant intergroup difference for any of the studied parameters.

Conclusions
There does not appear to be a significant early biomechanical weakening of adjacent vertebrae caused by aforementioned technique of local bone harvest.
Imbricated Geographies of Conservation and Consumption in the Stikine Plateau
Authors: Peyton Jonathan 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
This paper interrogates the role of animals and hunting, conservation and consumption in the making of the Stikine, a vast though nebulously defined plateau that covers much of the northwest corner of British Columbia. In 1905, Arthur Bryan Williams, the newly appointed Provincial Game Warden enacted a new regime of control over landscape, animals and ecology. New laws on closed seasons, kill limits, an enforcement network and a careful system of accounting re-scripted what animals meant in the province and fundamentally changed the interactions between people, nature and the state. I show how hunting, conservation and the changes to consumption worked to shift understandings of nature in the Stikine. The geographies of conservation and consumption, operating across multiple scales, were a fundamental component of place-making in the Stikine in the first decades of the twentieth century.