cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5121799.v1
title: Supplementary Material for: Genomewide Linkage Scan for Diabetic Renal Failure and Albuminuria: The FIND Study

description: <i>Background:</i> Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The multicenter FIND consortium aims to identify genes for DN and its associated quantitative traits, e.g. the urine albumin:creatinine ratio (ACR). Herein, the results of whole-genome linkage analysis and a sparse association scan for ACR and a dichotomous DN phenotype are reported in diabetic individuals. <i>Methods:</i> A genomewide scan comprising more than 5,500 autosomal single nucleotide polymorphism markers (average spacing of 0.6 cM) was performed on 1,235 nuclear and extended pedigrees (3,972 diabetic participants) ascertained for DN from African-American (AA), American-Indian (AI), European-American (EA) and Mexican-American (MA) populations. <i>Results:</i> Strong evidence for linkage to DN was detected on chromosome 6p (p = 8.0 × 10<sup>–5</sup>, LOD = 3.09) in EA families as well as suggestive evidence for linkage to chromosome 7p in AI families. Regions on chromosomes 3p in AA, 7q in EA, 16q in AA and 22q in MA displayed suggestive evidence of linkage for urine ACR. The linkage peak on chromosome 22q overlaps the <i>MYH9/APOL1</i> gene region, previously implicated in AA diabetic and nondiabetic nephropathies. <i>Conclusion:</i> These results strengthen the evidence for previously identified genomic regions and implicate several novel loci potentially involved in the pathogenesis of DN.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5121790.v1
title: Supplementary Material for: Reducing Inter-Rater Variability in the Assessment of Nuchal Translucency Image Quality

description: <i>Introduction:</i> Standardization of first-trimester nuchal translucency (NT) image acquisition is crucial to the success of screening for Down syndrome. Rigorous audit of operator performance and constructive feedback from assessors maintain standards. This process relies on good inter-rater agreement on image assessment. We describe the Australian approach to NT image assessment and evaluate the impact of a targeted intervention on inter-rater agreement. <i>Methods:</i> Between 2002 and 2008 a group of experienced practitioners met nine times to compare their assessment of a series of NT images. Each assessor had previously scored the images according to a system described in 2002. Inter-rater agreement was evaluated before and after an intervention where the assessors were required to refer to a detailed resource manual designed to reduce the subjectivity inherent in image assessment. <i>Results:</i> There was a statistical improvement in inter-rater agreement for all elements of image assessment (original scores and individual component scores) after the intervention, apart from horizontal fetal position. However, even after the intervention, inter-rater agreement levels generally remained moderate (kappa range: 0.14–0.58). <i>Conclusions:</i> This study has shown that provision of detailed resource documentation to experienced assessors can significantly improve inter-rater agreement in all facets of NT image assessment. It also highlights areas of image assessment that require critical review. It is recommended that all audit bodies regularly review their inter-rater agreement to ensure consistent feedback to operators who submit images for expert peer review.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5121778
title: Supplementary Material for: Screening and Prediction of Erosive Potential

description: The literature on the erosive potential of drinks and other products is summarised, and aspects of the conduct of screening tests as well as possible correlations of the erosive potential with various solution parameters are discussed. The solution parameters that have been suggested as important include pH, acid concentration (with respect to buffer capacity and concentration of undissociated acid), degree of saturation, calcium and phosphate concentrations, and inhibitors of erosion. Based on the available data, it is concluded that the dominant factor in erosion is pH. The effect of buffer capacity seems to be pH dependent. The degree of saturation probably has a non-linear relationship with erosion. While calcium at elevated concentrations is known to reduce erosion effectively, it is not known whether it is important at naturally occurring concentrations. Fluoride at naturally occurring concentrations is inversely correlated with erosive potential, but phosphate is probably not. Natural plant gums, notably pectin, do not inhibit erosion, so they are unlikely to interfere with the prediction of erosive potential. The non-linearity of some solution factors and interactions with pH need to be taken into account when developing multivariate models for predicting the erosive potential of different solutions. Finally, the erosive potential of solutions towards enamel and dentine might differ.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5121781
title: Supplementary Material for: Initial Erosion Models

description: Initial dental erosion – the very first tooth surface changes caused by short-term acidic exposures before any tissue loss is observed – has been studied using in vitro and in situ/in vivo protocols. This paper describes the events that should be considered when modelling initial erosion, the available protocols and their strengths and limitations. In vitro initial erosion models can provide relevant information about the erosive outcome. However, the published studies vary considerably regarding the erosive parameters used, and few of these studies have been validated. On the other hand, relevant in situ/in vivo studies are available that have studied the effect of salivary pellicle and preventive treatments on initial erosion, as well as the changes in salivary pH following exposure to acid solutions. Guidelines for good methodology in modelling initial erosion are proposed.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5121784
title: Supplementary Material for: Design of Erosion/Abrasion Studies – Insights and Rational Concepts

description: In vitro and in situ studies modelling the wear of dental hard tissues due to erosion and abrasion are characterised by a high variation in study designs and experimental parameters. Based on a summary of the existing protocols, the present review aimed to describe and discuss the parameters which must be carefully considered in erosion-abrasion research, especially when it is intended to simulate clinical conditions. Experimental characteristics and parameters were retrieved from a total of 42 in vitro and 20 in situ studies. The key experimental characteristics included parameters of erosion (duration and pH) and abrasion (duration, kinds of toothbrush and toothpaste, brushing force, and time point) as well as co-factors (e.g. dental hard tissue). The majority of studies used models with alternating erosion/abrasion treatments intended to simulate clinical conditions, while other studies exaggerated clinical conditions intentionally, often using only a single erosion/abrasion treatment. Both in vitro and in situ models shared a high level of standardisation, but several studies showed a trend to severe erosion (e.g. &gt;5 min/cycle) or extensive brushing (e.g. &gt;100 brushing strokes/cycle) at a high frequency and repetition rate. Thus, studies often tend to produce a higher amount of wear than in the clinical situation, especially as modifying biological factors (e.g. the dilution of the erosive solution by saliva and the protective effect of the pellicle) cannot be simulated adequately. With respect to the existing models, it seems advisable to diminish duration and frequency of erosion and abrasion to more realistic clinical conditions when the everyday situation is to be simulated. Experimental parameters must be chosen with care to ensure that the problem is investigated in an appropriate mode at standardised conditions and with adequate measuring systems to allow prediction of clinical outcomes.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5121787
title: Supplementary Material for: Validation of the French Version of the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST)

description: <i>Background:</i> The Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) was developed to detect substance use disorders. <i>Aims:</i> The objective of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the French version of ASSIST in various clinical groups with different levels of substance use. <i>Methods:</i> 150 subjects were recruited from clients attending primary health care, psychiatric and addiction treatment facilities. Measures included ASSIST, Addiction Severity Index (ASI), Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI-Plus), Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and Revised Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire-Smoking (RTQ). <i>Results and Conclusion:</i> Concurrent validity was demonstrated by significant correlations between ASSIST scores and scores from ASI, AUDIT and RTQ, as well as significantly greater ASSIST scores for patients with a MINI-Plus diagnosis of abuse or dependence. The ASSIST questionnaire was found to have high internal consistency for the total substance involvement as well as for specific substance involvement as assessed with Cronbach’s α, ranging from 0.74 to 0.93. When possibly computed, ASSIST cutoff scores have interesting sensitivity and specificity for discrimination between use and abuse and between abuse and dependence. The findings demonstrated that the French version of ASSIST is a valid screening test for identifying substance use disorders in various health care settings, including psychiatric settings.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5121775
title: Supplementary Material for: Hypoxia Induces Tumor Aggressiveness and the Expansion of CD133-Positive Cells in a Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α-Dependent Manner in Pancreatic Cancer Cells

description: <i>Background:</i> Intratumoral hypoxia is known to lead to increased aggressiveness and distant metastasis. However, the interplay underlying these actions is still unknown. <i>Objective:</i> We explored whether cancer cells might acquire a stem-like phenotype under hypoxia, consequently leading to an aggressive phenotype, including invasiveness and metastasis. <i>Methods:</i> Under normoxia (20% O<sub>2</sub>) or hypoxia (1% O<sub>2</sub>), the expression of CD133 (cancer stem cell marker), CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) was examined by RT-PCR and immunostaining using human pancreatic cancer cell lines. We also examined if hypoxia facilitates the invasiveness of CD133+ cancer cells. Furthermore, we transfected dominant active HIF-1α (HIF-1αΔODD) by the retroviral gene transfer and examined the effects both in vitro and in vivo. <i>Results:</i> Compared with normoxia, hypoxia elevated the expression of CD133, CXCR4 and HIF-1α. Moreover, hypoxia facilitated the invasiveness of CD133+ pancreatic cancer cells. The behavior of HIF-1αΔODD-transfected cells under normoxia was compatible with that of the parent cells under hypoxia. Furthermore, a xenograft model of HIF-1αΔODD cells showed aggressiveness, including metastasis and highly tumorigenic ability. <i>Conclusion:</i> Hypoxia induces tumor aggressiveness associated with the expansion of CD133+ pancreatic cancer cells in a predominantly HIF-1α-dependent manner.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5121778.v1
title: Supplementary Material for: Screening and Prediction of Erosive Potential

description: The literature on the erosive potential of drinks and other products is summarised, and aspects of the conduct of screening tests as well as possible correlations of the erosive potential with various solution parameters are discussed. The solution parameters that have been suggested as important include pH, acid concentration (with respect to buffer capacity and concentration of undissociated acid), degree of saturation, calcium and phosphate concentrations, and inhibitors of erosion. Based on the available data, it is concluded that the dominant factor in erosion is pH. The effect of buffer capacity seems to be pH dependent. The degree of saturation probably has a non-linear relationship with erosion. While calcium at elevated concentrations is known to reduce erosion effectively, it is not known whether it is important at naturally occurring concentrations. Fluoride at naturally occurring concentrations is inversely correlated with erosive potential, but phosphate is probably not. Natural plant gums, notably pectin, do not inhibit erosion, so they are unlikely to interfere with the prediction of erosive potential. The non-linearity of some solution factors and interactions with pH need to be taken into account when developing multivariate models for predicting the erosive potential of different solutions. Finally, the erosive potential of solutions towards enamel and dentine might differ.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5121781.v1
title: Supplementary Material for: Initial Erosion Models

description: Initial dental erosion – the very first tooth surface changes caused by short-term acidic exposures before any tissue loss is observed – has been studied using in vitro and in situ/in vivo protocols. This paper describes the events that should be considered when modelling initial erosion, the available protocols and their strengths and limitations. In vitro initial erosion models can provide relevant information about the erosive outcome. However, the published studies vary considerably regarding the erosive parameters used, and few of these studies have been validated. On the other hand, relevant in situ/in vivo studies are available that have studied the effect of salivary pellicle and preventive treatments on initial erosion, as well as the changes in salivary pH following exposure to acid solutions. Guidelines for good methodology in modelling initial erosion are proposed.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5121784.v1
title: Supplementary Material for: Design of Erosion/Abrasion Studies – Insights and Rational Concepts

description: In vitro and in situ studies modelling the wear of dental hard tissues due to erosion and abrasion are characterised by a high variation in study designs and experimental parameters. Based on a summary of the existing protocols, the present review aimed to describe and discuss the parameters which must be carefully considered in erosion-abrasion research, especially when it is intended to simulate clinical conditions. Experimental characteristics and parameters were retrieved from a total of 42 in vitro and 20 in situ studies. The key experimental characteristics included parameters of erosion (duration and pH) and abrasion (duration, kinds of toothbrush and toothpaste, brushing force, and time point) as well as co-factors (e.g. dental hard tissue). The majority of studies used models with alternating erosion/abrasion treatments intended to simulate clinical conditions, while other studies exaggerated clinical conditions intentionally, often using only a single erosion/abrasion treatment. Both in vitro and in situ models shared a high level of standardisation, but several studies showed a trend to severe erosion (e.g. &gt;5 min/cycle) or extensive brushing (e.g. &gt;100 brushing strokes/cycle) at a high frequency and repetition rate. Thus, studies often tend to produce a higher amount of wear than in the clinical situation, especially as modifying biological factors (e.g. the dilution of the erosive solution by saliva and the protective effect of the pellicle) cannot be simulated adequately. With respect to the existing models, it seems advisable to diminish duration and frequency of erosion and abrasion to more realistic clinical conditions when the everyday situation is to be simulated. Experimental parameters must be chosen with care to ensure that the problem is investigated in an appropriate mode at standardised conditions and with adequate measuring systems to allow prediction of clinical outcomes.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5121787.v1
title: Supplementary Material for: Validation of the French Version of the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST)

description: <i>Background:</i> The Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) was developed to detect substance use disorders. <i>Aims:</i> The objective of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the French version of ASSIST in various clinical groups with different levels of substance use. <i>Methods:</i> 150 subjects were recruited from clients attending primary health care, psychiatric and addiction treatment facilities. Measures included ASSIST, Addiction Severity Index (ASI), Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI-Plus), Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and Revised Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire-Smoking (RTQ). <i>Results and Conclusion:</i> Concurrent validity was demonstrated by significant correlations between ASSIST scores and scores from ASI, AUDIT and RTQ, as well as significantly greater ASSIST scores for patients with a MINI-Plus diagnosis of abuse or dependence. The ASSIST questionnaire was found to have high internal consistency for the total substance involvement as well as for specific substance involvement as assessed with Cronbach’s α, ranging from 0.74 to 0.93. When possibly computed, ASSIST cutoff scores have interesting sensitivity and specificity for discrimination between use and abuse and between abuse and dependence. The findings demonstrated that the French version of ASSIST is a valid screening test for identifying substance use disorders in various health care settings, including psychiatric settings.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5121769
title: Supplementary Material for: The Role of the Right Hemisphere for Processing of Social Interactions in Normal Adults Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

description: <i>Objective:</i> The main purpose of this study was to evaluate whole-brain and hemispheric activation in normal adult volunteers to videos depicting positive and negative social encounters. There are few studies that have utilized dynamic social stimuli to evaluate brain activation. <i>Method:</i> Twenty young adults viewed videotaped vignettes during an functional magnetic resonance imaging procedure. The vignettes included positive and negative interaction scenes of social encounters. <i>Results:</i> Significant right greater than left activation for positive and negative conditions was found for the social interaction videos in the amygdaloid complex, the inferior frontal gyrus, the fusiform gyrus, and the temporal gyri (p &lt; 0.0001). <i>Conclusion:</i> These findings support the hypothesis that the regions of the right hemisphere are more active in the interpretation of social information processing than those regions in the left hemisphere. This study is a first step in understanding processing of dynamic stimuli using ecologically appropriate stimuli that approximate the real-time social processing that is appropriate for use with populations who experience significant social problems.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5121772
title: Supplementary Material for: Risk of Impending Preterm Delivery Associated with the Presence of Amniotic Fluid Sludge in Women in Preterm Labor with Intact Membranes

description: <i>Objective:</i> To determine the association of amniotic fluid sludge with impending preterm delivery in women in preterm labor with intact membranes. <i>Methods:</i> This was a retrospective cohort study in women at 22–34 weeks’ gestation in preterm labor with intact fetal membranes between February 2008 and May 2009. 16 women with amniotic sludge were identified. Each case of amniotic sludge was matched with 3 randomly selected controls. The primary outcome was delivery within 48 h of examination. <i>Results:</i> Mean cervical length was shorter in women with sludge than women without sludge (20.5 ± 9.0 vs. 27.9 ± 6.9 mm, p = 0.0016). There was a significant difference in the mean ultrasound-to-delivery interval in women with and without sludge (21.7 vs. 49.4 days, p = 0.006). Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that amniotic fluid sludge is a strong independent predictor of impending preterm delivery within 48 h (OR 11.2, 95% CI 1.2–125.9), 7 days (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.2–17.3) and 14 days (OR 7.5, 95% CI 1.8–30.4). <i>Conclusions:</i> Amniotic fluid sludge on ultrasound scan is associated with impending preterm delivery in women in preterm labor with intact membranes.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5121766
title: Supplementary Material for: Direct Interaction of α-Synuclein and AKT Regulates IGF-1 Signaling: Implication of Parkinson Disease

description: Genetic mutation of α-synuclein (α-SYN) is clearly verified as the causal factor of human and mouse Parkinson’s disease. However, biological function of α-SYN has not been clearly demonstrated until now. In this investigation, we reveal that α-SYN is a co-regulator of growth factor-induced AKT activation. Elimination of SYN reduces the IGF-1-mediated AKT activation. Similarly, mutant SYN suppresses the IGF-1-induced AKT activation. Wild-type SYN can interact with AKT and enhance the solubility and plasma localization of AKT in response to IGF-1, whereas mutant α-SYNs do not interact with AKT. In addition, elevated expression of SYN blocks the AKT activation. We also find that si-RNA against α-SYN abolished the protective effect of IGF-1 against DNA damage-induced apoptosis. Our result strongly indicates that Parkinson’s disease, induced by α-SYN mutation, is evoked by deregulation of the AKT-signaling cascade.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5121760
title: Supplementary Material for: ‘Grand Theft Artery’: Hemodynamics in Innominate Artery Stenosis

description: Medicine
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5121763
title: Supplementary Material for: Dimebon Does Not Ameliorate Pathological Changes Caused by Expression of Truncated (1–120) Human Alpha-Synuclein in Dopaminergic Neurons of Transgenic Mice

description: <i>Background:</i> Recent clinical studies have demonstrated that dimebon, a drug originally designed and used as a non-selective antihistamine, ameliorates symptoms and delays progress of mild to moderate forms of Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s diseases. Although the mechanism of dimebon action on pathological processes in degenerating brain is elusive, results of studies carried out in cell cultures and animal models suggested that this drug might affect the process of pathological accumulation and aggregation of various proteins involved in the pathogenesis of proteinopathies. However, the effect of this drug on the pathology caused by overexpression and aggregation of alpha-synuclein, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), has not been assessed. <i>Objective:</i>To test if dimebon affected alpha-synuclein-induced pathology using a transgenic animal model. <i>Methods:</i> We studied the effects of chronic dimebon treatment on transgenic mice expressing the C-terminally truncated (1–120) form of human alpha-synuclein in dopaminergic neurons, a mouse model that recapitulates several biochemical, histopathological and behavioral characteristics of the early stage of PD. <i>Results:</i> Dimebon did not improve balance and coordination of aging transgenic animals or increase the level of striatal dopamine, nor did it prevent accumulation of alpha-synuclein in cell bodies of dopaminergic neurons. <i>Conclusion:</i> Our observations suggest that in the studied model of alpha-synucleinopathy dimebon has very limited effect on certain pathological alterations typical of PD and related diseases.