bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
p27kip1 Upregulated by hnRNPC1/2 Antagonizes CagA (a Virulence Factor of Helicobacter pylori)‐Mediated Pathogenesis
Authors: Jin Shenghang , Wu Minjin , Cao Hanqin , Ying Sunke , Hua Jiping , Chen Yu 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Infection by Helicobacter pylori is one of the major contributing factors of chronic active gastritis and peptic ulcer and is closely associated with the occurrence and progression of gastric cancer. CagA protein is a major virulence factor of H. pylori that interacts with SHP‐2, a true oncogene, to interfere with cellular signaling pathways; CagA also plays a crucial role in promoting the carcinogenesis of gastric epithelial cells. However, currently, the molecular mechanisms of gastric epithelial cells that antagonize CagA pathogenesis remain inconclusive.Methods:  We showed that AGS gastric cancer cells transfected with CagA exhibited the inhibition of proliferation and increased activity of caspase 3/7 using two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis and secondary mass spectrometry (MS/MS).Results:  It was found that the AGS gastric cancer cells stably expressing CagA displayed significantly increased the expression of 16 proteins, including hnRNPC1/2. Further analysis revealed that hnRNPC1/2 significantly boosted the expression of the p27kip1 protein.Conclusion: Our data suggested that hnRNPC1/2 upregulates p27kip1 expression and the subsequent suppression of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis, thereby providing an important mechanism whereby gastric epithelial cells antagonize CagA‐mediated pathogenesis.
Chronic Daily Headache in U.S. Soldiers After Concussion
Authors: Theeler Brett J. , Flynn Frederick G. , Erickson Jay C. 
Published: March 2012

(Headache 2012;52:732‐738)Objective.— To determine the prevalence and characteristics of, and factors associated with, chronic daily headache (CDH) in U.S. soldiers after a deployment‐related concussion.Methods.— A cross‐sectional, questionnaire‐based study was conducted with a cohort of 978 U.S. soldiers who screened positive for a deployment‐related concussion upon returning from Iraq or Afghanistan. All soldiers underwent a clinical evaluation at the Madigan Traumatic Brain Injury Program that included a history, physical examination, 13‐item self‐administered headache questionnaire, and a battery of cognitive and psychological assessments. Soldiers with CDH, defined as headaches occurring on 15 or more days per month for the previous 3 months, were compared to soldiers with episodic headaches occurring less than 15 days per month.Results.— One hundred ninety‐six of 978 soldiers (20%) with a history of deployment‐related concussion met criteria for CDH and 761 (78%) had episodic headache. Soldiers with CDH had a median of 27 headache days per month, and 46/196 (23%) reported headaches occurring every day. One hundred seven out of 196 (55%) soldiers with CDH had onset of headaches within 1 week of head trauma and thereby met the time criterion for posttraumatic headache (PTHA) compared to 253/761 (33%) soldiers with episodic headache. Ninety‐seven out of 196 (49%) soldiers with CDH used abortive medications to treat headache on 15 or more days per month for the previous 3 months. One hundred thirty out of 196 (66%) soldiers with CDH had headaches meeting criteria for migraine compared to 49% of soldiers with episodic headache. The number of concussions, blast exposures, and concussions with loss of consciousness was not significantly different between soldiers with and without CDH. Cognitive performance was also similar for soldiers with and without CDH. Soldiers with CDH had significantly higher average scores on the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) checklist compared to soldiers with episodic headaches. Forty‐one percent of soldiers with CDH screened positive for PTSD compared to only 18% of soldiers with episodic headache.Conclusions.— The prevalence of CDH in returning U.S. soldiers after a deployment‐related concussion is 20%, or 4‐ to 5‐fold higher than that seen in the general U.S. population. CDH following a concussion usually resembles chronic migraine and is associated with onset of headaches within the first week after concussion. The mechanism and number of concussions are not specifically associated with CDH as compared to episodic headache. In contrast, PTSD symptoms are strongly associated with CDH, suggesting that traumatic stress may be an important mediator of headache chronification. These findings justify future studies examining strategies to prevent and treat CDH in military service members following a concussive injury.
Rapid Decline of Liver Stiffness Following Alcohol Withdrawal in Heavy Drinkers
Authors: Trabut Jean‐Baptiste , Thépot Véronique , Nalpas Bertrand , Lavielle Béatrice , Cosconea Simona , Corouge Marion , Vallet‐Pichard Anaïs , Fontaine Hélène , Mallet Vincent , Sogni Philippe , Pol Stanislas 
Published: March 2012

Background:Measurement of liver stiffness (LS) using real‐time elastography appears as a promising tool to evaluate the severity of chronic liver diseases. Previous studies in patients with alcoholic liver disease have suggested that fibrosis was the only histological parameter to influence LS. To challenge this hypothesis, we have prospectively tested the short‐term impact of alcohol withdrawal on LS value.Methods:Patients hospitalized for alcohol withdrawal in our Liver and Addiction Unit between 2007 and 2010 had an LS determination at entry (D0) and 7 days after alcohol withdrawal (D7). LS value was given as the median of 10 measurements performed with a FibroScan® device. For a given patient, variation of LS was considered as significant when the comparison of the 10 measurements at D0 and at D7 yielded a p‐value under 0.05 (Wilcoxon test).Results:One hundred and thirty‐seven patients were included in the study (median alcohol consumption: 150 g/d; hepatitis C: n = 21 [15.6%]). Considering all patients, median LS value decreased from 7.2 to 6.1 kPa between D0 and D7 (p = 0.00001, paired Wilcoxon test). LS decreased significantly in 62 patients (45.3%), and there was a reduction in the estimated stage of fibrosis in 32 (23.3%). LS increased significantly in 16 patients (11.7%). Subgroup analyses revealed that the decrease in LS was still significant in patients with or without hepatitis C infection, and aspartate transaminase level below or above 100 UI/l.Conclusions:LS decreases significantly in nearly half of heavy drinkers after only 7 days of abstinence. This result strongly suggests that nonfibrotic lesions (such as the presence of alcoholic hepatitis) may influence LS. From a practical point of view, it also shows that variation of alcohol consumption must be taken into account for the interpretation of LS value.
Evaluation of the tolerability and immunogenicity of ultraviolet C‐irradiated autologous platelets in a dog model
Authors: Pohler Petra , Lehmann Jörg , Veneruso Verena , Tomm Janina , von Bergen Martin , Lambrecht Bernd , Kohn Barbara , Weingart Christiane , Müller Thomas H. , Seltsam Axel 
Published: March 2012

BACKGROUND: The THERAFLEX ultraviolet (UV) platelets (PLTs) pathogen reduction system for PLT concentrates (PCs) operates using ultraviolet C (UVC) light at a wavelength of 254 nm. UVC treatment can potentially alter proteins, which may affect drug tolerance in humans and influence the immunogenicity of blood products. This preclinical study in beagle dogs was designed to evaluate the safety pharmacology of UVC‐irradiated PCs after intravenous administration and to determine whether they are capable of eliciting humoral responses to PLTs and plasma proteins.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Six beagle dogs each were transfused once every other week for 10 weeks with UVC‐irradiated or nonirradiated PCs. All PCs were autologous canine single‐donor products prepared from whole blood. Safety pharmacology variables were regularly assessed. The impact of UVC irradiation on PLT and plasma proteomes was analyzed by one‐ and two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis. Serum samples were tested for UVC‐induced antibodies by Western blot and flow cytometry.RESULTS: Dogs transfused with UVC‐irradiated PCs showed no signs of local or systemic intolerance. Few but significant changes in PLT protein integrity were observed after UVC irradiation. Even after repeated administration of UVC‐irradiated PCs, no antibodies against UVC‐exposed plasma or PLT proteins were detected.CONCLUSIONS: Repeated transfusions of autologous UVC‐treated PCs were well tolerated in all dogs studied. UVC irradiation did not cause significant plasma or PLT protein modifications capable of inducing specific antibody responses in the dogs. High‐resolution proteomics combined with antibody analysis introduces a comprehensive and sensitive method for screening of protein modifications and antibodies specific for pathogen reduction treatment.
Switching iron‐deficient whole blood donors to plateletpheresis
Authors: O'Meara Alix , Infanti Laura , Sigle Jörg , Stern Martin , Buser Andreas 
Published: March 2012

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency is a frequent side effect of whole blood (WB) donation. In contrast, less red blood cell loss and therefore less iron loss results from plateletpheresis.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: WB donors presenting a decrease in either hemoglobin (Hb) or ferritin levels were offered to switch to plateletpheresis with or without iron supplementation. We analyzed the effect of this intervention on deferral rates for an insufficient Hb level in 168 donors. Further, we assessed how this intervention affected Hb and ferritin levels, anemia occurrence, and platelet (PLT) concentrate yields in the donors who presented at least four successive times for thrombapheresis.RESULTS: Switching WB donors to repetitive plateletpheresis procedures resulted in an increase of median Hb (+12 g/L, p < 0.001) and ferritin (+15.5 ng/mL, p = 0.002) values. Anemia and deferral rates were reduced by 23% (p = 0.004) and 13% (p < 0.001). Between high‐ and low‐frequency apheresis donors, no significant differences in Hb and ferritin levels were found. Similarly, discrepancies in Hb and ferritin values between donors that adopted iron supplementation and those who did not were insignificant. The median PLT concentrate yield was 5.43 × 1011 PLTs.CONCLUSION: Switching iron‐deficient WB donors to plateletpheresis was an effective intervention that permitted us to correct low Hb and ferritin levels while retaining donors in our pool.
A Reversal of Political Fortune: The Transitional Dynamics of Conservative Rule in the Brazilian Northeast
Authors: Montero Alfred P. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThis study explains the erosion of conservative rule and the rise of leftist opposition at the subnational level in the Northeast of Brazil in recent electoral cycles. Compared with explanations based on economic modernization, social spending, and fiscal reform, the data best support the hypothesis that the organizational and spatial dimensions of leftist mobilization in these states have shifted to the detriment of conservative machines. Specifically, urban mobilization of leftist supporters has determined the electoral success of these oppositions. The study also explains where conservatives maintain a floor of support based on the continuation of clientele networks.
The Ecuadorian Army: Neglecting a Porous Border While Policing the Interior
Authors: Jaskoski Maiah 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThis article challenges two prominent explanations for military behavior: militaries, like other bureaucracies, will seek to maximize their budgets; and in the interest of maintaining professionalism, militaries will perform sovereignty missions—external defense and counterinsurgency—more intensively than policing functions. Running counter to these expectations, since 2000, Ecuador’s army has neglected its professional, lucrative mission of northern border defense, instead focusing on police work. The analysis applies organization theory to argue that the army’s minimal border defense efforts have been a way to maintain predictability for patrols on the ground, the part of the army that most directly performs the army’s core function of security. Specifically, the article traces how a contradiction has emerged in the army’s border mission. The contradiction has meant anything but predictability for the work of troops patrolling the border, compromising the mission.
The combination of bortezomib and dexamethasone is an efficient therapy for relapsed/refractory scleromyxedema: a rare disease with new clinical insights
Authors: Cañueto Javier , Labrador Jorge , Román Concepción , Santos‐Briz Ángel , Contreras Teresa , Gutiérrez Norma Carmen , García‐Sanz Ramón 
Published: March 2012

AbstractScleromyxedema (SM) is a rare primary cutaneous inflammatory mucinosis characterised by papular mucinosis, monoclonal gammopathy and extracutaneous involvement. Most therapeutic options have failed in SM but high‐dose therapy followed by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT) appears to be highly effective, although SM normally relapses. We report the case of a 29‐yr‐old patient with severe SM who achieved stringent complete response with Bortezomib plus Dexamethasone after an early relapse subsequent to a high‐dose melphalan regimen followed APBSCT. It is of particular note that dermatological lesions responded to both therapies before M‐component modifications, suggesting that SM is independent of M‐component characteristics. However, treatment should be directed towards the underlying plasma cell malignancy with typical anti‐myeloma agents.
Identification of feeding risk factors for impaired nutrition status in paediatric patients with cerebral palsy
Authors: Karagiozoglou‐Lampoudi Thomais , Daskalou Efstratia , Vargiami Euthymia , Zafeiriou Dimitrios 
Published: March 2012

AbstractAim:  To assess the nutrition status of children with CP, applying WHO growth standards, to indentify feeding risk factors and to evaluate their impact on the growth of children with CP.Methods:  In 42 paediatric patients (mean age 8.00 ± 4.00 years), anthropometry and food intake records were assessed. z‐scores were calculated using WHO Anthro software. Intake to requirements ratio (I/R) was calculated, and patients were classified according to their feeding ability (PFA). Overall diet quality was assessed using the Diet Quality Index International (DQI‐I).Results:  Based on WAz, 15 patients (38.1%) were undernourished. No association was found between I/R ratio and BMI z‐score, while PFA and DQI‐I displayed a significant correlation to both (p < 0.05). Diet Quality Index International was also correlated with macronutrient distribution (p < 0.05). Patients with CP were undernourished in a considerable proportion. Malnutrition in patients with CP is not associated with the intake of estimated energy requirements. Among the other feeding risk factors studied, PFA and DQI‐I represented important parameters associated with malnutrition.Conclusion:  WHO z‐scores represent accurate parameters for the assessment of malnutrition in patients with CP. Together with anthropometry and PFA evaluation, the use of the DQI‐I would add prognostic value to both the initial growth assessment and the patients’ growth monitoring.
Paediatric drug use with focus on off‐label prescriptions at Swedish hospitals – a nationwide study
Authors: Kimland E , Nydert P , Odlind V , Böttiger Y , Lindemalm S 
Published: March 2012

AbstractAim:  To perform a nationwide investigation of paediatric drug use at Swedish hospitals, including an analysis of off‐label drug use.Methods:  All paediatric hospitals in Sweden were invited to register all prescriptions to children, aged between 0 and 18, during two separate 2‐day‐periods in 2008. Data were reported and analysed with respect to licence status and proportion of and reasons for off‐label drug use.Results:  Data on 11 294 prescriptions to 2947 paediatric patients were received. Drugs associated with pain relief, infection, prematurity, nutrition and surgery or anaesthesia were most commonly used. Paracetamol was the most frequently used drug on‐label and also among the most commonly used off‐label drugs. Nearly half (49%) of all administered prescriptions concerned unlicensed drugs, off‐label drugs or extemporaneously prepared drugs. The corresponding rate among neonates was 69%. Lack of paediatric information in the Summary of Product Characteristics was the main reason for off‐label classification.Conclusions:  Paediatric off‐label drug use is common at Swedish hospitals, and nearly half of all prescriptions were not documented for use in children. The findings emphasize a need for paediatric clinical studies as well as compilation of existing clinical experience and scattered evidence, particularly for drug treatment in infants and neonates.
Prepubertal follow‐up after hypospadias repair with autologous in vitro cultured urothelial cells
Authors: Fossum Magdalena , Skikuniene Jurate , Orrego Abiel , Nordenskjöld Agneta 
Published: March 2012

AbstractAim:  To evaluate the long‐term effects on hypospadias repair with cultured autologous urothelial cells.Methods:  From 2000 to 2002, six patients with scrotal or perineal hypospadias and pronounced chordee were treated surgically with cultured autologous urothelial cell transplants. All patients were evaluated at 6–8 years postoperatively, that is, in the prepubertal period. The outcome was assessed with respect to cosmetic appearance, voiding function, urinary flow, artificial erection, urethroscopy and biopsies.Results:  Median follow‐up time was 7.25 years. Up to date, all patients present with a good cosmetic appearance. One of the boys prefers a sitting voiding position. Urinary flow curves are bell‐shaped in all but one. All have straight erections, urethroscopy reveals an even, non‐hair‐bearing surface on the transplanted side and 2/6 present with urothelial cells in biopsies. Limitations of this follow‐up study include a small group of patients and lack of controls. However, patients with severe hypospadias have high complication rates, and our results are equal or better than expected for the phenotype.Conclusion:  Tissue engineering for severe hypospadias repair can be performed in a safe manner. The method is feasible for treatment of a selected group of hypospadias, where pronounced chordee and shortage of preputial and penile skin complicates the creation of a neourethra.
Genetic basis of apnoea of prematurity and caffeine treatment response: role of adenosine receptor polymorphisms
Authors: Kumral Abdullah , Tuzun Funda , Yesilirmak Didem Cemile , Duman Nuray , Ozkan Hasan 
Published: March 2012

AbstractAim:  Caffeine treatment reduces the frequency of apnoea of prematurity (AOP) and eliminates the need for mechanical ventilation by acting as a nonspecific inhibitor of adenosine A1 and adenosine 2A receptors. Patients with AOP have demonstrated variant responses to caffeine therapy. We proposed to investigate the role of A1 and 2A polymorphisms in the development of AOP and individual differences in caffeine response. Secondly, we aimed to determine whether these polymorphisms have any effect on bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) development.Methods:  Cord blood samples were collected from infants born with gestational ages between 24 and 34 weeks. Two groups were defined: patients without apnoea (n = 60) and patients with apnoea (n = 55). Patients with apnoea were divided into two subgroups: a caffeine‐responsive group (n = 30) and an unresponsive group (n = 25). Six single‐nucleotide polymorphisms were chosen for genotyping.Results:  Patients with apnoea over 28 weeks of gestational age who responded to the caffeine treatment were found to carry the rs16851030 C/C genotype rather than the C/T or T/T genotype. Logistic regression analysis showed a significant correlation between rs35320474‐C/T and T/T genotypes and apnoea and BPD development.Conclusion:  Our results indicate a role for adenosine receptor gene polymorphisms in susceptibility to AOP and BPD and in interindividual variability to caffeine response.
Dielectric and Mechanical Properties of Hot‐Pressed Sintered Csf/Al2O3 Ceramic Composites
Authors: Huang Zhibin , Zhou Wancheng , Ma Rufei , Tang Xiufeng , Luo Fa , Zhu Jiankun 
Published: March 2012

High densified Csf/Al2O3 ceramic composites were prepared by hot‐pressed sintering using α‐Al2O3 powders and short carbon fibers as starting materials. Dielectric and mechanical properties of these composites were evaluated. The results show that the addition of short carbon fiber (Csf) conducting fillers renders the composites radar absorbing ability, while the hardness around 90 HRF and strength around 300 MPa are also obtained in these composites. Both the fiber content and the length can be used to optimize the dielectric property at the frequency range 8.2–12.4 GHz. The results indicate that Csf/Al2O3 composite is a promising radar absorbing material with load‐bearing ability.
SiC Ceramic‐Bonded Carbon Fabricated With Si3N4 and Carbon Powders
Authors: Chen Weiwu , Tojo Tetsuro , Miyamoto Yoshinari 
Published: March 2012

New composites called ceramic‐bonded carbon (CBCs), consisting of a three‐dimensional structure of carbon particles bonded with thin ceramic boundaries, were developed. To fabricate light and tough CBCs and to understand their reinforcing mechanism, Si3N4 and carbon powders (25:75 in volume ratio) were gelcasted and then sintered by spark plasma sintering at temperatures of 1700–1900°C. The ceramic boundary of SiC was formed in situ at above 1700°C by the reaction of Si3N4 and C. The sintered CBCs showed a unique microstructure consisting of carbon particles and ceramic boundaries of 15 μm in size and 0.5–3 μm in thickness, respectively. With an increase in sintering temperature, physical bonding of ceramic grains to the carbon particles was enhanced as the grain growth of SiC increased. The SiC/CBCs sintered at 1900°C were highly dense (97% theoretical density), lightweight (2.36 mg/m3), and had both relatively high bending strength and thermal conductivity (135 MPa and 140 W/mK, respectively).
Understanding the Relationship Between Photolysis Efficiency and Metal Binding Using ArgenCast Photocages
Authors: Mbatia Hannah W. , Kennedy Daniel P. , Burdette Shawn C. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractArgenCast‐1 (1), a photocage for silver utilizing acyclic polythioether 3,6,12,15‐tetrathia‐9‐azaheptadecane receptor and 4,5‐dimethoxy‐2‐nitrobenzyl (DMNB) chromophore has been prepared using trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate‐assisted electrophilic aromatic substitution. Metal binding studies with ArgenCast‐1 reveal interactions with Ag+, Hg2+ and Cu+, but only Ag+ coordinates in both aqueous and organic solvents. The uncaging mechanism of ArgenCast‐1 metal complex involves a photoreaction that converts the nitrobenzydrol into the electron withdrawing nitrosobenzophenone that participates in a resonance interaction with a metal‐bound aniline nitrogen atom. The structural change following photolysis decreases availability of the nitrogen lone pair for Ag+ coordination, but strong interactions between Ag+ and the thioether ligands mitigates metal ion release. A resonance interaction with a key aci‐nitro intermediate reduces the photolysis quantum yield of ArgenCast‐1, so several naphthyl‐based nitrobenzyl groups were screened as alternatives to DMNB. The naphthyl Ag+ photocages, ArgenCast‐2 and ‐3, exhibit nearly identical quantum yield to ArgenCast‐1 owing to the dominance of resonance between aci‐nitro intermediate and the aniline nitrogen atom.