bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Proliferative Glomerulonephritis Secondary to Dysfunction of the Alternative Pathway of Complement
Authors: Sethi Sanjeev , Fervenza Fernando C. , Zhang Yuzhou , Nasr Samih H. , Leung Nelson , Vrana Julie , Cramer Carl , Nester Carla M. , Smith Richard J. H. 
Published: March 2011

Summary

Background and objectives
dense deposit disease (DDD) is the prototypical membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN), in which fluid-phase dysregulation of the alternative pathway (AP) of complement results in the accumulation of complement debris in the glomeruli, often producing an MPGN pattern of injury in the absence of immune complexes. A recently described entity referred to as GN with C3 deposition (GN-C3) bears many similarities to DDD. The purpose of this study was to evaluate AP function in cases of GN-C3.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements
Five recent cases of MPGN with extensive C3 deposition were studied. Renal biopsy in one case exhibited the classic findings of DDD. Three cases showed GN-C3 in the absence of significant Ig deposition; however, the classic hallmark of DDD—dense deposits along the glomerular basement membranes and mesangium—was absent. The remaining case exhibited features of both DDD and GN-C3.

Results
Evidence of AP activation was demonstrable in all cases and included increased levels of soluble membrane attack complex (all cases), positive AP functional assays (four cases), and a positive hemolytic assay (one case). Autoantibodies were found to C3 convertase (two cases) and to factor H (one case). Factor H mutation screening identified the H402 allele (all cases) and a c.C2867T p.T956M missence mutation (one case). Laser microdissection and mass spectrometry of glomeruli of GN-C3 (two cases) showed a proteomic profile very similar to DDD.

Conclusions
These studies implicate AP dysregulation in a spectrum of rare renal diseases that includes GN-C3 and DDD.
Effects of Rosiglitazone, Glyburide, and Metformin on β-Cell Function and Insulin Sensitivity in ADOPT
Authors: Kahn Steven E. , Lachin John M. , Zinman Bernard , Haffner Steven M. , Aftring R. Paul , Paul Gitanjali , Kravitz Barbara G. , Herman William H. , Viberti Giancarlo , Holman Rury R. ,   and the ADOPT Study Group
Published: March 2011

OBJECTIVE
ADOPT (A Diabetes Outcome Progression Trial) demonstrated that initial monotherapy with rosiglitazone provided superior durability of glycemic control compared with metformin and glyburide in patients with recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes. Herein, we examine measures of β-cell function and insulin sensitivity from an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) over a 4-year period among the three treatments.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Recently diagnosed, drug-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes (4,360 total) were treated for a median of 4.0 years with rosiglitazone, metformin, or glyburide and were examined with periodic metabolic testing using an OGTT.

RESULTS
Measures of β-cell function and insulin sensitivity from an OGTT showed more favorable changes over time with rosiglitazone versus metformin or glyburide. Persistent improvements were seen in those who completed 4 years of monotherapy and marked deterioration of β-cell function in those who failed to maintain adequate glucose control with initial monotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS
The favorable combined changes in β-cell function and insulin sensitivity over time with rosiglitazone appear to be responsible for its superior glycemic durability over metformin and glyburide as initial monotherapy in type 2 diabetes.
Gain-of-function polymorphisms of cystathionine β-synthase and delayed cerebral ischemia following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Grobelny Bartosz T. , Ducruet Andrew F. , DeRosa Peter A. , Kotchetkov Ivan S. , Zacharia Brad E. , Hickman Zachary L. , Fernandez Luis , Narula Reshma , Claassen Jan , Lee Kiwon , Badjatia Neeraj , Mayer Stephan A. , Connolly E. Sander 
Published: March 2011

Object
Cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) is an enzyme that metabolizes homocysteine to form H2S in the brain. Hydrogen sulfide functions as a vasodilator as well as a regulator of neuronal ion channels and multiple intracellular signaling pathways. Given the myriad effects of H2S, the authors hypothesized that patients possessing gain-of-function polymorphisms of the CBS gene will experience a decreased incidence of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH).

Methods
Patients were enrolled in a prospective observational database of aSAH outcomes. DNA was extracted from buccal swabs and sequenced for 3 functional polymorphisms of the CBS gene (699C→T, 844ins68, and 1080C→T) by polymerase chain reaction. Serum homocysteine levels (μmol/L) were assayed. Multivariate analysis was used to determine the relationship between CBS genotype and occurrence of both angiographic vasospasm and DCI.

Results
There were 87 patients included in the study. None of the polymorphisms investigated were significantly associated with the incidence of angiographic vasospasm. However, after controlling for admission hypertension, patients with the gain-of-function 844 WT/ins genotypes were less likely to experience DCI relative to those with the 844 WT/WT genotype (86 patients, p = 0.050), while the decrease-in-function genotype 1080 TT was more likely to experience DCI relative to those with 1080 CC and CT genotypes (84 patients, p = 0.042). Serum homocysteine levels did not correlate with the extent of either angiographic vasospasm or DCI in this analysis.

Conclusions
Polymorphisms of the CBS gene that impart gain-of-function may be associated with a reduced risk of DCI after aSAH, independent of serum homocysteine. Signaling through H2S may mediate protection from DCI following aSAH through a mechanism that does not involve macrovascular vasodilation.
Comparison of clinical characteristics and MR angiography appearance in patients with spontaneous intradural vertebral artery dissection with or without subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Matsukawa Hidetoshi , Fujii Motoharu , Shinoda Masaki , Takahashi Osamu , Yamamoto Daisuke , Murakata Atsushi , Ishikawa Ryoichi 
Published: March 2011

Object
It is well known that spontaneous intradural vertebral artery dissection (siVAD) is an important cause of nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The factors that influence whether SAH develops, however, remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate whether clinical characteristics and imaging findings are different in patients with siVAD with SAH compared to those with siVAD without SAH.

Methods
The authors conducted a retrospective, single-institution study involving patients in whom siVAD developed with or without SAH, between July 2003 and November 2010. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate clinical characteristics and MR angiography findings. The vertebral-union-basilar angle (VUBA) was defined as the most acute angle between line of the basilar artery trunk and line of the vertebral angle (VA) at the vertebral union on 3D MR angiograms.

Results
Among 58 patients with siVAD, 21 developed SAH. The presence of siVAD and SAH was significantly associated with higher rates of current smoking (OR 13; 95% CI 3.6–38; p < 0.0001), dissection of the dominant VA (OR 9.2; 95% CI 2.5–19; p = 0.0004), and unruptured supratentorial nondissecting saccular aneurysms (OR 11; 95% CI 2.1–19; p = 0.0025), and the VUBA of the dominant VA was significantly larger (p < 0.0001, univariate analysis). Multivariate analysis showed that these differences were still significant (p < 0.05).

Conclusions
A larger VUBA of the dominant VA, the presence of unruptured supratentorial nondissecting saccular aneurysms, and current smoking may be factors that predict which patients with siVAD will develop SAH by dominant VAD.
Le bus méthadone de l'Association Gaïa de Paris
Authors: Dehée Anne-Lise 
Published: March 2011

Résumé Propos recueillis auprès d’Anne-Lise Dehée, conductrice et accueillante sur le bus méthadone, par Anne Querrien. Une maraude dans le bus méthadone de l’association Gaïa qui accueille et accompagne les usagers dans leur réinsertion sociale. Une constante derrière tous ces témoignages et ces analyses : remettre l’usager, la personne, au centre du débat.
Quand l'obsession de la « guerre à la drogue » entraîne des catastrophes sanitaires
Authors: Simon Arnaud 
Published: March 2011

Résumé Malgré une croissance effrénée de l’épidémie de SIDA en Russie, l’accès aux traitements y est aujourd’hui moins bon que dans les pays d’Afrique subsaharienne et le gouvernement russe s’oppose toujours formellement à la Réduction des risques. La prescription des traitements de substitution est toujours formellement interdite. Les pressions policières sur les usagers de drogues s’expriment de multiples façons : elles contribuent à accroître leur marginalisation et à nuire à leur santé. La « lutte contre la drogue » contribue à créer un contexte favorable à l’oppression systématique des personnes qui consomment les produits incriminés.
Je l'avoue…
Authors: Cesoni Daniela 
Published: March 2011

Résumé Daniela Cesoni, psychologue italienne, retrace son parcours franco-italien en « rhizome » des années 70 à nos jours, ses expériences en termes de suivi et de prévention des addictions aux drogues : de son travail sur la dés-institutionnalisation en Italie, à sa pratique de la méthode de la Recherche-Action-Participative, en France à partir des années 80, dans le cadre de l’association qu’elle crée : Drogues et Société . Méthode qui consiste à adapter les interventions et les services aux demandes et aux besoins des usagers.
Changer de lunettes pour lire le cas afghan
Authors: Maguet Olivier 
Published: March 2011

Résumé Responsable de la mission Réduction des risques de MDM à Kaboul il décrypte le cas afghan fournissant une analyse forte, une clé de compréhension et des pistes de réflexion. Dans un État afghan délégitimé, gangrené, au plus haut niveau, par le trafic de drogues, une économie légale ne reposant que sur l’aide internationale et une économie illégale mais bien réelle, celle de la drogue, obèrent toute possibilité de reconstruction, de paix et de développement. Pour lui et son équipe à Kaboul la Réduction des risques ne se résume pas uniquement à une approche médicale, psychologique et sociale, soucieuse du respect des droits de l’homme, mais constitue plus largement une sorte de cheval de Troie permettant de bousculer les catégories du débat sur les enjeux de la lutte anti-drogue et de « la Réduction des Risques mondiale ».
Le dispositif global de l'image
Authors: Szaniecki Barbara 
Published: March 2011

Résumé Cet article propose une analyse du dispositif global de l’image qui peut constituer à la fois une totalité prédatrice et un espace ouvert à la puissance d’invention. Bien au-delà des théories formalistes du modernisme qui revendiquaient une autonomie de l’art, il est possible aujourd’hui de penser les hybridations arts&médias comme un terrain possible de luttes pour transformer les ambiguïtés du dispositif en potentialités émancipatrices avec une plus grande collaboration dans la création d’images – ou wik’images.
Synergisitic effect of chitinases andBacillus thuringiensis israelensisspore-toxin complex againstAedes aegyptilarvae
Authors: Ramírez-Suero Montserrat , Valerio-Alfaro Gerardo , Bernal Julio S. , Ramírez-Lepe Mario 
Published: March 2011

AbstractSix subspecies ofBacillus thuringiensisBerliner (Bt) were grown in minimal medium with chitin as the sole carbon source for 6 days to obtainBtcell-free fermented broths, which were then evaluated for chitinolytic activity and tested against third-instarAedes aegypti(L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae.Bt pakistanishowed the highest chitinolytic activity (approximately >2700 mU/mL),Bt kurstakishowed the lowest activity (approximately <2000 mU/mL), andBt thompsoni,Bt aizawai,Bt israelensis, andBt alestishowed intermediate activities (approximately 2100–2400 mU/mL).Bt aizawaiandBt thompsonibroths showed the highest toxicity (LC50) against third-instarA. aegyptilarvae (approximately <290 mU/mL).Bt kurstakibroth showed the lowest toxicity (approximately 420 mU/mL), whileBt pakistani,Bt israelensis, andBt alestibroths showed intermediate toxicities (approximately 360–460 mU/mL). A purified and biochemically characterizedBt aizawaichitinase and commercial chitinases (fromSerratia marcescensBizio andStreptomyces griseusWaksman and Henrici) were evaluated and compared for synergistic effects onBt israelensisspore-toxin complex against third-instarA. aegyptilarvae. The synergism factor value ofStreptomyces griseusandBt aizawaichitinases were >2 and approximately 1.4; synergism was not evident for theSerratia marcescenschitinase (synergism factor value approximately 0.9).
Effects of sublethal doses of chlorfluazuron on the biochemical constituents of eggs ofSpodoptera litura(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Perveen F. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe effects of sublethal doses (LD10: 1.00 ng/larva; LD30: 3.75 ng/larva) of chlorfluazuron on the biochemical constituents of eggs of the tobacco cutworm,Spodoptera litura(F.), are described. Chlorfluazuron was applied topically to fifth-instar larvae and the subsequent adults were allowed to mate according to larval treatment (LD10-treated female × LD10-treated male and LD30-treated female × LD30-treated male). Biochemical constituents of eggs resulting from these pairings were analyzed at various stages of embryonic development. Compared with controls, LD10or LD30reduced egg constituents as follows: protein (min.–max.) by 32.8%–34.5% or 62.0%–67.3%, lipid by 33%–34% or 62%–67%, carbohydrates by 30%–39% or 60%–67%, DNA by 33%–40% or 60%–69%, RNA by 31%–34% or 59%–67%, and ecdysteroid by 22%–83% or 28%–92%, respectively. The relative proportions of constituents in control eggs were as follows: protein > lipid > carbohydrate, and RNA > DNA. Three low and three high peaks in ecdysteroid titres were observed. Compared with controls, all peaks were reduced in LD10or LD30eggs as follows: low peaks: 1st (at 8 h): 32% or 66%; 2nd (at 16 h): 33% or 67%; 3rd (at 52 h): 35% or 65%; high peaks: 1st (at 32 h): 83% or 92%; 2nd (at 64 h): 65% or 82%; 3rd (at 84 h): 84 h, 36% or 63%, respectively. In addition, the first two high peaks were delayed by 4 h in LD10eggs and by 8 h in LD30eggs compared with controls. Sublethal doses of chlorfluazuron reduced the amounts of biochemical constituents of eggs during embryogenesis inS. litura.
Protein kinase Cδ and c‐Abl kinase are required for transforming growth factor β induction of endothelial–mesenchymal transition in vitro
Authors: Li Zhaodong , Jimenez Sergio A. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractObjectiveThe origin of the mesenchymal cells responsible for the intimal fibrosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc) has not been fully identified. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether subendothelial mesenchymal cells may emerge through transdifferentiation of endothelial cells (ECs) into myofibroblasts via endothelial–mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) in vitro and to explore the signaling pathways involved in this process.MethodsPrimary mouse pulmonary ECs isolated by immunomagnetic methods with sequential anti‐CD34 and anti‐CD102 antibody selection were cultured in monolayers. Cell morphology and diacetylated low‐density lipoprotein uptake assays confirmed their EC characteristics. The induction of EndoMT was assessed by determination of α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), type I collagen, and VE‐cadherin expression, and the expression of the transcriptional repressor Snail‐1 was analyzed. The signaling pathways involved were examined using small‐molecule kinase inhibitors and RNA interference.ResultsTransforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) induced α‐SMA and type I collagen expression and inhibited VE‐cadherin. These effects were mediated by a marked increase in Snail‐1 expression and were abolished by treatment with either the c‐Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib mesylate or the protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ) inhibitor rottlerin. The inhibitory effects of imatinib mesylate and rottlerin were mediated by inhibition of phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β at residue Ser9. These observations were confirmed in experiments using small interfering RNA specific for c‐Abl and PKCδ.ConclusionThese results indicate that c‐Abl and PKCδ are crucial for TGFβ‐induced EndoMT and that imatinib mesylate and rottlerin or similar kinase inhibitor molecules may be effective therapeutic agents for SSc and other fibroproliferative vasculopathies in which EndoMT plays a pathogenetic role.
Rest‐frame UV to optical X‐shooter spectrum of the gravitationally lensed galaxy “the 8 o'clock arc”: Dissection of its physical properties
Authors: Dessauges‐Zavadsky M. , D'Odorico S. , Christensen L. , Schaerer D. , Richard J. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractWe present the rest‐frame UV to optical spectrum of the gravitationally lensed galaxy, the “8 o'clock arc” at z = 2.735, obtained with the X‐shooter spectrograph. This is one of the rare comprehensive study of a high‐redshift star‐forming galaxy, usually not feasible due to the faintness of these objects. The spectrum of the 8 o'clock arc is rich in stellar and interstellar absorption features and in nebular emission features. Their analysis allowed us to derive most of the physical properties characterizing the galaxy. From HST images, we reconstruct the morphology of the arc in the source plane and confirm that we resolve a clump in rotation around the main core of galaxy in our X‐shooter spectrum (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Systematic conformational investigations of peptoids and peptoid–peptide chimeras
Authors: Brandt Wolfgang , Herberg Thomas , Wessjohann Ludger 
Published: March 2011

AbstractPeptoids are originally defined as N‐substituted oligoglycine derivatives, and in a broader definition as N‐substituted peptides (peptoid–peptide chimeras). Both types were systematically investigated by force field calculations. The Merck MMFF and YASARA2 force fields were shown to be, among others, the most suitable ones for conformational investigations of peptoids with no missing parameterizations, in contrast to AMBER or CHARMM. Ramachandran‐like plots were calculated for dipeptoids and chimeras using energy calculations and grid searches by varying the dihedral angels Φ and Ψ in steps of 10° for s‐cis‐ and s‐trans amide bonds. Barriers as well as low energy conformations are compared to peptide Ramachandran plots, showing that peptoids have both, more barriers due to additional steric interactions as well as access to minimum conformations not accessible by peptides. Low energy conformations of dimers were used as starting conformations of higher oligomers of the peptoids for extensive molecular dynamics simulations over 10 or 20 ns with the YASARA2 force field and an explicit water solvent box to evaluate their potential to form secondary structural elements. Especially peptoids with aminoisobutyric acid‐like monomer units were found to form left‐handed or polyproline‐like helices also known from less common natural peptides. Furthermore, new secondary structures appear feasible based on stable conformations outside the allowed areas of the Ramachandran plot for peptides, but allowed for peptoids. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 96: 651–668, 2011.
Dietary vitamin C and E modulates oxidative stress induced‐kidney and lens injury in diabetic aged male rats through modulating glucose homeostasis and antioxidant systems
Authors: Özkaya Dilek , Nazıroğlu Mustafa , Armağan Abdullah , Demirel Alpay , Köroglu Banu Kale , Çolakoğlu Neriman , Kükner Aysel , Sönmez Tolga Taha 
Published: March 2011

AbstractDiabetes induces oxidative stress in aged human and rat, although daily supplementation of vitamins C and E (VCE) can be beneficial to aged diabetic rats by reducing free radical production. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether dietary VCE supplementation relieves oxidative stress in streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic in aged rats. Thirty aged rats were randomly divided into three groups. The first group was used as a control. The second group was made diabetic using a single dose of intraperitoneal STZ. VCE‐supplemented feed was given to aged diabetic rats constituting the third group. On the 21st day of the experiment, blood, lens and kidney samples were taken from all animals. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activity in lens and kidney, reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamin E and β‐carotene concentrations in kidney were lower in the diabetic group than in the control whereas plasma glucose, urea and creatinine, and kidney and lens peroxidation (LP) levels were higher in the diabetic group than in the control. However, kidney and lens LP levels, and plasma glucose, urea and creatinine values were decreased by VCE supplementation. Lens and kidney GSH‐Px activity, kidney GSH, vitamin E and β‐carotene concentrations and erythrocyte counts were increased by VCE treatment. Kidney weights, vitamin A, haemoglobin, hematocrit, leukocyte and platelets values were not changed by diabetes and/or VCE supplementation. VCE ameliorated also diabetes‐induced histopathological changes in kidney. In conclusion, we observed that VCE supplementation is beneficial towards kidney and lens of aged diabetic rats by modulating oxidative and antioxidant systems. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kohonen classification applying ‘missing variables’ criterion to evaluate the p‐boronophenylalanine human‐body‐concentration decreasing profile of boron neutron capture therapy patients
Authors: Magallanes Jorge , García‐Reiriz Alejandro , Líberman Sara , Zupan Jure 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe irradiation dose in tumor and healthy tissue of a boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) patient depends on the boron concentration in blood. In most treatments, this concentration is experimentally determined before and after irradiation but not while irradiation is being carried out because it is troublesome to take the blood samples when the patient remains isolated in the irradiation room. A few models are used to predict the boron profile during that period, which until now involves a biexponential decay. For the prediction of decay concentration profiles of the p‐boronophenylalanine (BPA) in the human body during BNCT treatment, a Kohonen‐based neural network method is suggested. The results of various (20 × 20 × 40 Kohonen network) models based on different trainings on the data set of 67 concentration sets (profiles) are described and discussed. The prediction ability and robustness of the modeling method were tested by the leave‐one‐out procedure. The results show that the method is very robust and mostly independent of small variations. It can yield predictions, root mean squared prediction error (RMSPE), with a maximum of 3.30 µg g−1 for the present cases. In order to show the abilities and limitations of the method, the best and the few worst results are discussed in detail. It should be emphasized that one of the main advantages of this method is the automatic improvement in the prediction ability and robustness of the model by feeding it with an increasing number of data. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and characterization of colloidal gallium selenide nanowires
Authors: Balitskii O. A. , Borowiak‐Palen E. , Konicki W. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractWe report first to date ‘green’ metalorganic‐free synthesis of colloidal GaSe nanocrystals. Structure and optical properties of gallium selenide nanocrystals dispersed in oleylamine are discusses in respect to that conventionally prepared in alkylphosphonic solutions. We explore the organization of the particles into nanowires and propose appropriate growth mechanism. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)