bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Cross-Sectional Study of Associations Between Nonsynonymous Mutations of the BARD1 Gene and Breast Cancer in Han Chinese Women
Authors: Liu Hui , Zhang Hengwei , Sun Xianfu , He Yaning , Li Juntao , Guo Xuhui
Published: August 2013

The PCR-PIRA and PCR-RFLP techniques were used for BARD1 genotyping. Correlations between gene polymorphisms and the susceptibility to breast cancer were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. Results showed that compared with the wild type of 378 Arg/Arg of BRAD1, the homozygotic type of 378 Ser/Ser with Arg378Ser site mutation had a protective effect (adjusted odds ratio: 0.628, 95% confidence interval: 0.306-1.145). Compared with individuals carrying the wild type of 24Pro/Pro, the disease risk of individuals with the heterozygous type of 24 Pro/Ser decreased by 30.6% and that with the mutational homozygotic type of 24 Ser/Ser decreased by 43.8%. SNP sites rs2229571 and rs1048108 of BARD1 are associated with a lower risk of breast cancer but not rs2070094.
Pica in pregnant women with diabetes: Does it really exist?
Authors: Okunoye Gbemisola O , Head Catherine , Issa Basil G
Published: August 2013

Pica, the deliberate ingestion of non-food substances, has been described in different antenatal populations in some parts of the world. Although the aetiology remains unclear, pica has been associated with complications such as anaemia in pregnancy. Little is known regarding the existence of this phenomenon in a high-risk antenatal population such as women with diabetes in pregnancy.

In this service review survey of 56 consecutive pregnant women attending our joint antenatal diabetes clinic, the practice of pica was found in 23% of the women. The commonest variant of pica in this group was pagophagy (ice) followed by amylophagy (uncooked starch). Other ingested items in this group were sand, paper, gloss paint and sponge.

There is a need for increased awareness amongst antenatal health professionals regarding the existence of the phenomenon of pica. This would allow appropriate nutritional advice to be offered. Further work is required to determine the impact of the different variants of pica on glycaemic control and other important pregnancy outcomes in diabetic patients.
Invasive Staphylococcus aureus infections in diabetes mellitus
Authors: Hakeem Lukman , Laing Robert BS , Tonna Ivan , Douglas John G , Mackenzie Alexander R
Published: August 2013

Staphylococcus aureus, the most virulent of the many staphylococcal species, has remained a major cause of morbidity and mortality despite the availability of numerous effective anti-staphylococcal antibiotics. S. aureus causes disease through both toxin-mediated and non-toxin-mediated mechanisms. This organism is responsible for both healthcare associated and community-based infections ranging from relatively minor skin and soft tissue infections to severe life threatening systemic infections. Patients with diabetes mellitus are at increased risk of invasive S. aureus infections. This article focuses on the spectrum of invasive S. aureus infections and discusses the clinical features, investigations and management of these infections in patients with diabetes mellitus.
The development of a therapy-led closed hand trauma clinic
Authors: Peck Fiona H , Turner Sarah
Published: August 2013

Therapists in the United Kingdom and worldwide have for many years ventured into extended scope roles taking on increasing degrees of responsibility for the development and continuation of new clinical services. With a solid background of training and education in anatomy, diagnosis and assessment, therapists are well placed to effectively perform such roles. This paper looks at the development of a new therapy-led clinic at an acute hospital trust in Manchester, UK, which successfully achieved its aim of establishing an improved pathway for closed hand trauma patient care.
Bone marrow transplantation for thalassemia from alternative related donors: improved outcomes with a new approach
Authors: Gaziev Javid , Marziali Marco , Isgrò Antonella , Sodani Pietro , Paciaroni Katia , Gallucci Cristiano , Andreani Marco , Testi Manuela , De Angelis Gioia , Alfieri Cecilia , Cardarelli Luisa , Ribersani Michela , Armiento Daniele , Lucarelli Guido
Published: August 2013

Key Points

A novel approach to BMT for thalassemia using related phenotypically matched or 1-antigen–mismatched donors improved transplant outcomes. BMT from phenotypically matched or 1-antigen–mismatched donors is associated with a high thalassemia-free survival rate (94%).
Establishment of feline intestinal epithelial cell cultures for the propagation and study of feline enteric coronaviruses
Authors: Desmarets Lowiese MB , Theuns Sebastiaan , Olyslaegers Dominique AJ , Dedeurwaerder Annelike , Vermeulen Ben L , Roukaerts Inge DM , Nauwynck Hans J
Published: August 2013

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is the most feared infectious cause of death in cats, induced by feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV). This coronavirus is a virulent mutant of the harmless, ubiquitous feline enteric coronavirus (FECV). To date, feline coronavirus (FCoV) research has been hampered by the lack of susceptible cell lines for the propagation of serotype I FCoVs. In this study, long-term feline intestinal epithelial cell cultures were established from primary ileocytes and colonocytes by simian virus 40 (SV40) T-antigen- and human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (hTERT)-induced immortalization. Subsequently, these cultures were evaluated for their usability in FCoV research. Firstly, the replication capacity of the serotype II strains WSU 79–1683 and WSU 79–1146 was studied in the continuous cultures as was done for the primary cultures. In accordance with the results obtained in primary cultures, FCoV WSU 79–1683 still replicated significantly more efficient compared to FCoV WSU 79–1146 in both continuous cultures. In addition, the cultures were inoculated with faecal suspensions from healthy cats and with faecal or tissue suspensions from FIP cats. The cultures were susceptible to infection with different serotype I enteric strains and two of these strains were further propagated. No infection was seen in cultures inoculated with FIPV tissue homogenates. In conclusion, a new reliable model for FCoV investigation and growth of enteric field strains was established. In contrast to FIPV strains, FECVs showed a clear tropism for intestinal epithelial cells, giving an explanation for the observation that FECV is the main pathotype circulating among cats.
Application of permanents of square matrices for DNA identification in multiple-fatality cases
Authors: Narahara Maiko , Tamaki Keiji , Yamada Ryo
Published: August 2013

Background

DNA profiling is essential for individual identification. In forensic medicine, the likelihood ratio (LR) is commonly used to identify individuals. The LR is calculated by comparing two hypotheses for the sample DNA: that the sample DNA is identical or related to a reference DNA, and that it is randomly sampled from a population. For multiple-fatality cases, however, identification should be considered as an assignment problem, and a particular sample and reference pair should therefore be compared with other possibilities conditional on the entire dataset.

Results

We developed a new method to compute the probability via permanents of square matrices of nonnegative entries. As the exact permanent is known as a #P-complete problem, we applied the Huber–Law algorithm to approximate the permanents. We performed a computer simulation to evaluate the performance of our method via receiver operating characteristic curve analysis compared with LR under the assumption of a closed incident. Differences between the two methods were well demonstrated when references provided neither obligate alleles nor impossible alleles. The new method exhibited higher sensitivity (0.188 vs. 0.055) at a threshold value of 0.999, at which specificity was 1, and it exhibited higher area under a receiver operating characteristic curve (0.990 vs. 0.959, P = 9.6E-15).

Conclusions

Our method therefore offers a solution for a computationally intensive assignment problem and may be a viable alternative to LR-based identification for closed-incident multiple-fatality cases.
Proteomic analysis of extremely severe hand, foot and mouth disease infected by enterovirus 71
Authors: Deng Li , Jia Hong-Ling , Liu Chao-Wu , Xu Yu-Fen , Mao Li-Jia , He Chun-Hui , Yin Gen-Quan , Lin Jun-Hong , Tao Jian-Ping , Zhu Li
Published: August 2013

Background

To clarify the molecular mechanisms that participate in the severe hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) infected by Enterovirus 71 and to detect any related protein biomarkers, we performed proteomic analysis of protein extracts from 5 extremely severe HFMD children and 5 healthy children.

Methods

The protein profiles of them were compared using two-dimensional electrophoresis. Differentially expressed proteins were identified using mass spectrometry. Functional classifications of these proteins were based on the PANTHER. The interaction network of the differentially expressed protein was generated with Pathway Studio.

Results

A total of 38 differentially expressed proteins were identified. Functional classifications of these proteins indicated a series of altered cellular processes as a consequence of the severe HFMD. These results provided not only new insights into the pathogenesis of severe HFMD, but also implications of potential therapeutic designs.

Conclusions

Our results suggested the possible pathways that could be the potential targets for novel therapy: viral protection, complement system and peroxide elimination.
Detection of dengue viruses using reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification
Authors: Teoh Boon-Teong , Sam Sing-Sin , Tan Kim-Kee , Johari Jefree , Danlami Mohammed Bashar , Hooi Poh-Sim , Md-Esa Rafi , AbuBakar Sazaly
Published: August 2013

Background

Early and rapid detection of dengue virus (DENV) infection during the febrile period is crucial for proper patient management and prevention of disease spread. An easy to perform and highly sensitive method is needed for routine implementation especially in the resource-limited rural healthcare settings where dengue is endemic.

Methods

A single-tube reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay with a set of nine primers was developed for the detection of all four DENV serotypes and their different genotypes. The sensitivity and specificity of the RT-LAMP were evaluated. The clinical applicability of RT-LAMP assay for detection of DENV RNA was assessed in a total of 305 sera of clinically-suspected dengue patients. The test results of RT-LAMP were statistically compared to those of quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), IgM- and IgG-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).

Results

Acute DENV infection was confirmed in 171 samples (n = 305); 43.3% (74/171) and 46.8% (80/171) of the samples were positive for DENV using RT-LAMP and qRT-PCR, respectively. The combination of RT-LAMP with the dengue IgM and IgG ELISA increased detection of acute DENV infection to 97.7% (167/171), in comparison to only 70.8% (121/171) when dengue IgM and IgG ELISA alone were used. The RT-LAMP assays showed high concordance (κ = 0.939) with the qRT-PCR. The RT-LAMP assay detected up to 10 copies of virus RNA within an hour but 100% reproducibility (12/12) was achieved with 100 copies. There was no cross reactivity of RT-LAMP with other closely related arboviruses.

Conclusion

The RT-LAMP assay developed in this study is sensitive, specific and simple to perform. The assay improved the detection of dengue when used in combination with serological methods.
Cord blood neutrophils display a galectin-3 responsive phenotype accentuated by vaginal delivery
Authors: Sundqvist Martina , Osla Veronica , Jacobsson Bo , Rudin Anna , Sävman Karin , Karlsson Anna
Published: August 2013

Background

Term neonates are at increased risk of infections due to undeveloped immune mechanisms, and proper neutrophil function is important for perinatal immune defence. Galectin-3, an endogenous β-galactoside-binding lectin, is emerging as an inflammatory mediator and we have previously shown that primed/activated, but not resting, adult neutrophils respond to this lectin by production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We investigated if galectin-3 is of importance in perinatal immune defence, focusing on plasma levels and neutrophil responsiveness.

Methods

Neutrophils were isolated from peripheral blood of healthy adults and cord blood (CB) after elective Caesarean section (CSCB) and vaginal delivery (VDCB). ROS production was measured by chemiluminescence, L-selectin expression by flow cytometry, and interleukin-8 (IL-8) and galectin-3 concentrations by ELISA. Statistical evaluations were performed using the Mann–Whitney test.

Results

In response to galectin-3, CSCB neutrophils showed a small but clear ROS production not evident in adult cells, signifying that neonatal neutrophils exist in a primed state. IL-8 production was elevated in CSCB cells while L-selectin exposure was equal to adult cells. Comparing CSCB to VDCB neutrophils, the latter showed an extensive galectin-3 responsiveness, indicating that the degree of priming is dependent on mode of delivery. VDCB neutrophils were increasingly prone to shed L-selectin, while the amount of IL-8 was similar to CSCB cells. The endogenous galectin-3 levels were higher in neonatal as compared to adult plasma, unaffected by mode of delivery.

Conclusions

Neutrophils enter a pre-primed state already in the fetus. Upon exposure to the inflammatory stimuli that are associated with labor, the neutrophils develop a reactive phenotype with extensive priming features.
Etiology and outcomes of acute kidney injury in Chinese children: a prospective multicentre investigation
Authors: Cao Yan , Yi Zhu-Wen , Zhang Hui , Dang Xi-Qiang , Wu Xiao-Chuan , Huang Ai-Wen
Published: August 2013

Background

The incidence of AKI appears to have increasing trend. Up to now, prospective, multi-center, large-sample epidemiological study done on pediatric AKI on aspects of epidemiological characteristics, causes and outcomes have not reported. It is necessary to develop prospective, multi-center, large-sample epidemiological study in our country on pediatric AKI. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical features, etiology, and outcomes of acute kidney injury (AKI) in Chinese children.

Method

Paediatric patients (≤18 years old) admitted to 27 hospitals (14 children’s hospitals and 13 general hospitals) affiliated with the Medical University were investigated. AKI was defined using the 2005 Acute Kidney Injury Network criteria.

Results

During the study period, 388,736 paediatric patients were admitted. From this total, AKI was diagnosed in 1,257 patients, 43 of whom died. The incidence and mortality of AKI was 0.32% and 3.4% respectively. The mean (± SD) age of patients was 48.4 ± 50.4 months. Among the 1,257 AKI paediatric patients, 632 were less than one year old. Among the AKI paediatric patients, 615 (48.9%) were in stage 1, 277 (22.0%) in stage 2, and 365 (29.0%) in stage 3. The most common causes of AKI were renal causes (57.52%), whereas postrenal (25.69%) and prerenal (14.96%) causes were the least common. The three most common causes of AKI according to individual etiological disease were urolithiasis (22.35%), of which exposure to melamine-contaminated milk accounted for the highest incidence (63.7%); acute glomerulonephritis (10.10%); and severe dehydration (7.48%). A total of 43 AKI patients (3.4%) died during their hospital stay; 15 (34.9%) of the 43 died as a result of sepsis.

Conclusion

Primary renal diseases are a major risk factor for paediatric AKI in China. In terms of specific etiological disease, urolithiasis (postrenal disease) was the leading cause of paediatric AKI in 2008, when the disease was linked to exposure to melamine-contaminated milk. Sepsis is the leading cause of death in Chinese paediatric AKI patients. Future studies should focus on effective ways of controlling renal disorders and sepsis to improve the clinical management of paediatric AKI in China.
Merozoite surface protein-3 alpha as a genetic marker for epidemiologic studies in Plasmodium vivax: a cautionary note
Authors: Rice Benjamin L , Acosta Mónica M , Pacheco Maria Andreína , Escalante Ananias A
Published: August 2013

Background

Plasmodium vivaxis the most widespread of the human malaria parasites in terms of geography, and is thought to present unique challenges to local efforts aimed at control and elimination. Parasite molecular markers can provide much needed data onP. vivaxpopulations, but few such markers have been critically evaluated. One marker that has seen extensive use is the gene encoding merozoite surface protein 3-alpha (MSP-3α), a blood-stage antigen known to be highly variable amongP. vivaxisolates. Here, a sample of completemsp-3αgene sequences is analysed in order to assess its utility as a molecular marker for epidemiologic investigations.

Methods

Amplification, cloning and sequencing of additionalP. vivaxisolates from different geographic locations, including a set of Venezuelan field isolates (n = 10), yielded a sample of 48 completemsp-3αcoding sequences. Characterization of standard population genetic measures of diversity, phylogenetic analysis, and tests for recombination were performed. This allowed comparisons to patterns inferred from thein silicosimulation of a polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) protocol used widely.

Results

The larger sample of MSP-3α diversity revealed incongruence between the observed levels of nucleotide polymorphism, which were high in all populations, and the pattern of PCR-RFLP haplotype diversity. Indeed, PCR-RFLP haplotypes were not informative of a population’s genetic diversity and identical haplotypes could be produced from analogous bands in the commonly used protocol. Evidence of frequent and variable insertion-deletion mutations and recurrent recombination between MSP-3α haplotypes complicated the inference of genetic diversity patterns and reduced the phylogenetic signal.

Conclusions

The genetic diversity ofP. vivax msp-3αinvolves intragenic recombination events. Whereas the high genetic diversity ofmsp-3αmakes it a promising marker for some epidemiological applications, the ability ofmsp-3αPCR-RFLP analysis to accurately track parasites is limited. Local studies of the circulating alleles are needed before implementing PCR-RFLP approaches. Furthermore, evidence from the global sample analysed here suggests suchmsp-3αPCR-RFLP methods are not suitable for broad geographic studies or tracking parasite populations for an extended period of time.
Antibacterial activity of Aquilaria crassna leaf extract against Staphylococcus epidermidis by disruption of cell wall
Authors: Kamonwannasit Sirilak , Nantapong Nawarat , Kumkrai Pakarang , Luecha Prathan , Kupittayanant Sajeera , Chudapongse Nuannoi
Published: August 2013

Background

Aquilaria crassna Pierre ex Lecomte has been traditionally used in Thailand for treatment of infectious diseases such as diarrhoea and skin diseases for a long time. The main objectives of this study were to examine antibacterial activity of the Aquilaria crassna leaf extract against Staphylococcus epidermidis and its underlying mechanism. The antioxidant activity and acute toxicity were studied as well.

Methods

Antioxidant activities were examined by FRAP, ABTS and DPPH scavenging methods. Antibacterial activity was conducted using disc diffusion assay and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by dilution method. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was reported as the lowest concentration producing no growth of microbes in the subcultures. Morphological changes of the microbe were observed by scanning electron microscopy, while an inhibitory effect on biofilm formation was evaluated by phase contrast microscopic analysis. Bacterial cell wall integrity was assessed by transmission electron microscopy. Acute toxicity was conducted in accordance with the OECD for Testing of Chemicals (2001) guidelines.

Results

The extract exhibited considerable antioxidant activity. Staphylococcus epidermidis was susceptible to the extract with the MIC and MBC of 6 and 12 mg/ml, respectively. The extract caused swelling and distortion of bacterial cells and inhibited bacterial biofilm formation. Rupture of bacterial cell wall occurred after treated with the extract for 24 h. Acute toxicity test in mice showed no sign of toxicity or death at the doses of 2,000 and 15,000 mg/kg body weight.

Conclusion

The aqueous extract of Aquilaria crassna leaves possesses an in vitro antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis, with no sign of acute oral toxicity in mice, probably by interfering with bacterial cell wall synthesis and inhibiting biofilm formation.
TLR-3 receptor activation protects the very immature brain from ischemic injury
Authors: Shi Hui , Gabarin Nadia , Hickey Edward , Askalan Rand
Published: August 2013

Background

We have shown that preconditioning by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) will result in 90% reduction in ischemic brain damage in P7 rats. This robust LPS neuroprotection was not observed in P3 or P5 pups (corresponding to human premature infant). LPS is a known Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) ligand. We hypothesized that TLRs other than TLR-4 may mediate preconditioning against cerebral ischemic injury in the developing brain.

Methods

TLR-2, TLR-3, TLR-4, and TLR-9 expression was detected in brain sections from P3, P5, and P7 rats by immuno-staining. In subsequent experiments, P5 rats were randomly assigned to TLR-3 specific agonist, poly I:C, or saline treated group. At 48 h after the injections, hypoxic-ischemic (HI) injury was induced by unilateral carotid artery ligation followed by hypoxia for 65 min. Brains were removed 1 week after HI injury and infarct volumes were compared in H&E stained sections between the two groups.

Results

TLR-2 and TLR-3 were highly expressed in brains of P3 and P5 but not in P7 rats. The number of TLR-4 positive cells was lower in P3 and P5 compared to P7 brains (P <0.05). TLR-3 was predominately expressed in P5 pups (P <0.05). There was no significant difference in TLR-9 expression in the three age groups. There was a significant reduction in infarct volume (P = 0.01) in poly I:C compared to saline pre-treated P5 pups. Pre-treatment with poly I:C downregulated NF-κB and upregulated IRF3 expression in P5 rat ischemic brains. Pre-treatment with poly I:C did not offer neuroprotection in P7 rat brains.

Conclusion

TLRs expression and function is developmentally determined. Poly I:C-induced preconditioning against ischemic injury may be mediated by modulation of TLR-3 signaling pathways. This is the first study to show that TLR-3 is expressed in the immature brain and mediates preconditioning against ischemic injury.
Lessons learned from the conduct of a multisite cluster randomized practical trial of decision aids in rural and suburban primary care practices
Authors: Ruud Kari L , LeBlanc Annie , Mullan Rebecca J , Pencille Laurie J , Tiedje Kristina , Branda Megan E , Van Houten Holly K , Heim Sara R , Kurland Margary , Shah Nilay D , Yawn Barbara P , Montori Victor M
Published: August 2013

Background

The decision aids for diabetes (DAD) trial explored the feasibility of testing the effectiveness of decision aids (DAs) about coronary prevention and diabetes medications in community-based primary care practices, including rural clinics that care for patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

As originally designed, we invited clinicians in eight practices to participate in the trial, reviewed the patient panel of clinicians who accepted our invitation for potentially eligible patients, and contacted these patients by phone, enrolling those who accepted our invitation. As enrollment failed to meet targets, we recruited four new practices. After discussing the study with the clinicians and receiving their support, we reviewed all clinic panels for potentially eligible patients. Clinicians were approached to confirm participation and patient eligibility, and patients were approached before their visit to provide written informed consent. This in-clinic approach required study coordinators to travel and stay longer at the clinics as well as to screen more patient records for eligibility. The in-clinic approach was associated with better recruitment rates, lower patient retention and outcome completion rates, and a better intervention effect.

Results

We drew four lessons: 1) difficulties identifying potentially eligible patients threaten the viability of practical trials of DAs; 2) to improve the recruitment yield, recruit clinicians and patients for the study at the clinic, just before their visit; 3) approaches that improve recruitment may be associated with reduced retention and survey response; and 4) procedures that involve working closely with the practice may improve recruitment and may also affect the quality of the implementation of the interventions.

Conclusion

Success in practice-based trials in usual primary care including rural clinics may require the smallest possible research footprint on the practice while implementing a streamlined protocol favoring in-clinic, in-person interactions with clinicians and patients.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01029288
Dual effects of single-walled carbon nanotubes coupled with near-infrared radiation on Bacillus anthracis spores: inactivates spores and stimulates the germination of surviving spores
Authors: Dong Xiuli , Tang Yongan , Wu Marvin , Vlahovic Branislav , Yang Liju
Published: August 2013

Background

Bacillus anthracis is a pathogen that causes life-threatening disease--anthrax. B. anthracis spores are highly resistant to extreme temperatures and harsh chemicals. Inactivation of B. anthracis spores is important to ensure the environmental safety and public health. The 2001 bioterrorism attack involving anthrax spores has brought acute public attention and triggered extensive research on inactivation of B. anthracis spores. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) as a class of emerging nanomaterial have been reported as a strong antimicrobial agent. In addition, continuous near infrared (NIR) radiation on SWCNTs induces excessive local heating which can enhance SWCNTs’ antimicrobial effect. In this study, we investigated the effects of SWCNTs coupled with NIR treatment on Bacillus anthracis spores.

Results and discussion

The results showed that the treatment of 10 μg/mL SWCNTs coupled with 20 min NIR significantly improved the antimicrobial effect by doubling the percentage of viable spore number reduction compared with SWCNTs alone treatment (88% vs. 42%). At the same time, SWCNTs-NIR treatment activated the germination of surviving spores and their dipicolinic acid (DPA) release during germination. The results suggested the dual effect of SWCNTs-NIR treatment on B. anthracis spores: enhanced the sporicidal effect and stimulated the germination of surviving spores. Molecular level examination showed that SWCNTs-NIR increased the expression levels (>2-fold) in 3 out of 6 germination related genes tested in this study, which was correlated to the activated germination and DPA release. SWCNTs-NIR treatment either induced or inhibited the expression of 3 regulatory genes detected in this study. When the NIR treatment time was 5 or 25 min, there were 3 out of 7 virulence related genes that showed significant decrease on expression levels (>2 fold decrease).

Conclusions

The results of this study demonstrated the dual effect of SWCNTs-NIR treatment on B. anthracis spores, which enhanced the sporicidal effect and stimulated the germination of surviving spores. SWCNTs-NIR treatment also altered the expression of germination, regulatory, and virulence-related genes in B. anthracis.
Licensing the future: report on BioMed Central’s public consultation on open data in peer-reviewed journals
Authors: Hrynaszkiewicz Iain , Busch Stefan , Cockerill Matthew J
Published: August 2013

We report the outcomes of BioMed Central’s public consultation on implementing open data-compliant licensing in peer-reviewed open access journals. Respondents (42) to the 2012 consultation were six to one in favor (29 in support; 5 against; 8 abstentions) of changing our authors’ default open access copyright license agreement, to introduce the Creative Commons CC0 public domain waiver for data published in BioMed Central’s journals. We summarize the different questions we received in response to the consultation and our responses to them – matters such as citation, plagiarism, patient privacy, and commercial use were raised. In light of the support for open data in our journals we outline our plans to implement, in September 2013, a combined Creative Commons Attribution license for published articles (papers) and Creative Commons CC0 waiver for published data.
Dehydroascorbate reductase and monodehydroascorbate reductase activities of two metallothionein-like proteins from sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam. ‘Tainong 57’) storage roots
Authors: Huang Guan-Jhong , Deng Jeng-Shyan , Chen Hsien-Jung , Huang Shyh-Shyun , Shih Chun-Ching , Lin Yaw-Huei
Published: August 2013

Background

Metallothionein (MT) is a group of proteins with low molecular masses and high cysteine contents, and it is classified into different types, which generally contains two domains with typical amino acid sequences.

Results

In this report, two full-length cDNAs (MT-1 and MT-II) encoding MT-like proteins were isolated from the roots of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam. ‘Tainong 57’). Their open reading frames contained 642 and 519 nucleotides (66 and 81 amino acids) for MT-1 and MT-II, respectively, and exhibited a relatively low amino acid sequence similarity. On the basis of the amino acid sequence similarity and conserved residues, it is suggested that MT-I is a member of the plant MT Type-I family, and MT-II is a member of the plant MT Type-II family. The corresponding mRNA levels of MT-1 and MT-II were the highest found in the storage roots. Recombinant MT-1 and MT-II protein overproduced in E. coli (M15) was purified by Ni2+-chelated affinity chromatography. MT-1 and MT-II reduced dehydroascorbate (DHA) in the presence of glutathione (GSH) to regenerate L-ascorbic acid (AsA). However, without GSH, MT-1 and MT-II has very low DHA reductase activity. And AsA was oxidized by AsA oxidase to generate monodehydroascorbate (MDA) free radical. MDA was also reduced by MT-1 and MT-II to AsA in the presence of NADH mimicking the MDA reductase catalyzed reaction.

Conclusions

These data suggest that MT-1 and MT-II have both DHA reductase and MDA reductase activities. MT-1 and MT-II are apparently the first reported plant MTs exhibiting both DHA and MDA activities in vitro.
Lipoteichoic acid ofEnterococcus faecalisinduces the expression of chemokines via TLR2 and PAFR signaling pathways
Authors: Park Ok-Jin , Han Ji Young , Baik Jung Eun , Jeon Jun Ho , Kang Seok-Seong , Yun Cheol-Heui , Oh Jong-Won , Seo Ho Seong , Han Seung Hyun
Published: August 2013

Enterococcus faecalis is one of the most common opportunistic pathogens responsible for nosocomial infections, and its LTA is known as an important virulence factor causing inflammatory responses. As chemokines play a key role in inflammatory diseases by triggering leukocyte infiltration into the infection site, we purified EfLTA and investigated its effect on the expression of chemokines, IP-10, MIP-1α, and MCP-1, in murine macrophages. EfLTA induced the expression of these chemokines at the mRNA and protein levels. TLR2, CD14, and MyD88 were involved in the EfLTA-induced chemokine expression, as the expression was reduced remarkably in macrophages derived from TLR2-, CD14-, or MyD88-deficient mice. EfLTA induced phosphorylation of MAPKs and enhanced the DNA-binding activity of NF-κB, AP-1, and NF-IL6 transcription factors. The induction of IP-10 required ERK, JNK, p38 MAPK, PKC, PTK, PI3K, and ROS. We noticed that all of these signaling molecules, except p38 MAPK and ROS, were indispensable for the induction of MCP-1 and MIP-1α. Interestingly, the EfLTA-induced chemokine expression was mediated through PAFR/JAK/STAT1 signaling pathways without IFN-β involvement, which is different from LPS-induced chemokine expression requiring IFN-β/JAK/STAT1 signaling pathways. Furthermore, the culture supernatant of EfLTA-treated RAW 264.7 cells promoted the platelet aggregation, and exogenous PAF induced the chemokine expression in macrophages derived from WT and TLR2-deficient mice. These results suggest that EfLTA induces the expression of chemokines via signaling pathways requiring TLR2 and PAFR, which is distinct from that of LPS-induced chemokine expression.
MMP28 promotes macrophage polarization toward M2 cells and augments pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Gharib Sina A , Johnston Laura K , Huizar Isham , Birkland Timothy P , Hanson Josiah , Wang Ying , Parks William C , Manicone Anne M
Published: August 2013

Members of the MMP family function in various processes of innate immunity, particularly in controlling important steps in leukocyte trafficking and activation. MMP28 (epilysin) is a member of this family of proteinases, and we have found that MMP28 is expressed by macrophages and regulates their recruitment to the lung. We hypothesized that MMP28 regulates other key macrophage responses, such as macrophage polarization. Furthermore, we hypothesized that these MMP28-dependent changes in macrophage polarization would alter fibrotic responses in the lung. We examined the gene expression changes in WT and Mmp28−/− BMDMs, stimulated with LPS or IL-4/IL-13 to promote M1 and M2 cells, respectively. We also collected macrophages from the lungs of Pseudomonas aeruginosa-exposed WT and Mmp28−/− mice to evaluate changes in macrophage polarization. Lastly, we evaluated the macrophage polarization phenotypes during bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in WT and Mmp28−/− mice and assessed mice for differences in weight loss and total collagen levels. We found that MMP28 dampens proinflammatory macrophage function and promots M2 programming. In both in vivo models, we found deficits in M2 polarization in Mmp28−/− mice. In bleomycin-induced lung injury, these changes were associated with reduced fibrosis. MMP28 is an important regulator of macrophage polarization, promoting M2 function. Loss of MMP28 results in reduced M2 polarization and protection from bleomycin-induced fibrosis. These findings highlight a novel role for MMP28 in macrophage biology and pulmonary disease.
Thyroid hormone regulates muscle function during cold acclimation in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Little Alexander G. , Seebacher Frank
Published: August 2013

Thyroid hormone (TH) is a universal regulator of growth, development and metabolism during cold exposure in mammals. In zebrafish (Danio rerio), TH regulates locomotor performance and metabolism during cold acclimation. The influence of TH on locomotor performance may be via its effect on metabolism or, as has been shown in mammals, by modulating muscle phenotypes. Our aim was to determine whether TH influences muscle phenotypes in zebrafish, and whether this could explain changes in swimming capacity in response to thermal acclimation. We used propylthiouracil and iopanoic acid to induce hypothyroidism in zebrafish over a 3-week acclimation period to either 18 or 28°C. To verify that physiological changes following hypothyroid treatment were in fact due to the action of TH, we supplemented hypothyroid fish with 3,5-diiodothryronine (T2) or 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine (T3). Cold-acclimated fish had significantly greater sustained swimming performance (Ucrit) but not burst speed. Greater Ucrit was accompanied by increased tail beat frequency, but there was no change in tail beat amplitude. Hypothyroidism significantly decreased Ucrit and burst performance, as well as tail beat frequency and SERCA activity in cold-acclimated fish. However, myofibrillar ATPase activity increased in cold-acclimated hypothyroid fish. Hypothyroid treatment also decreased mRNA concentrations of myosin heavy chain fast isoforms and SERCA 1 isoform in cold-acclimated fish. SERCA 1 mRNA increased in warm-acclimated hypothyroid fish, and SERCA 3 mRNA decreased in both cold- and warm-acclimated hypothyroid fish. Supplementation with either T2 or T3 restored Ucrit, burst speed, tail beat frequency, SERCA activity and myosin heavy chain and SERCA 1 and 3 mRNA levels of hypothyroid fish back to control levels. We show that in addition to regulating development and metabolism in vertebrates, TH also regulates muscle physiology in ways that affect locomotor performance in fish. We suggest that the role of TH in modulating SERCA1 expression during cold exposure may have predisposed it to regulate endothermic thermogenesis.
Silver(I) Oxide-promoted Chemoselective Cross-coupling Reaction of (Diborylmethyl)trimethylsilane
Authors: Endo Kohei , Kurosawa Fumiya , Ukaji Yutaka
Published: August 2013

The present paper describes a synergistic effect in the Pd-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction. The chemoselective cross-coupling reaction of (diborylmethyl)trimethylsilane and aryl halides proceeded at room temperature when a silver salt and KOH were added. The reaction gave benzylboronate derivatives bearing a trimethylsilyl group at the benzylic position.
Porphyrin Preparation in Acidic Ionic Liquids
Authors: Kitaoka Satoshi , Nobuoka Kaoru , Hirakawa Ryoki , Ihara Keita , Ishikawa Yuichi
Published: August 2013

We report the preparation of tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) in acidic ionic liquids. In [HC4im][CF3CO2] and [HC4im][BF4], TPP could be obtained in 15% and 9% yields, respectively. The yield in [HC4im][CF3CO2] was the same as that for the reaction in propionic acid (15%). In addition, [HC4im][CF3CO2] could be reused at least 3 times without any loss of its catalytic activity. Use of acidic ionic liquids for porphyrin synthesis can afford the porphyrins without producing any acid waste.
Use of morphological differences for the identification of two picarel species Spicara flexuosa and Spicara maena (Pisces: Centracanthidae)
Authors: MINOS G. , IMSIRIDOU A. , KATSELIS G.
Published: August 2013

The recognition and identification of the two species of Spicara genus (Spicara flexuosa, picarel and Spicara maena, blotched picarel) is difficult, due to a systematic confusion until now. In the present work a number of external morphometric features (ten body ratios) are evaluated for their diagnostic possibilities. According to Principal Component Analysis results, the body ratios head length to standard length, head height to head length and the ratios of two body heights, indicated that these characters were not related to the maturity stage of the species. The discriminant analysis based on the above body ratios, indicated rather high level of discrimination (83.2%) of the examined samples in two species. The results are discussed, and possibilities of improvement in the identification methodology for the two species are proposed.
Length-weight relationships of marine species caught by five gears from the Black Sea
Authors: KASAPOGLU N. , DUZGUNES E.
Published: August 2013

Length-weight (L-W) relationships were presented from 10475 individuals for 19 fish, 4 mollusks, 2 crustacean species during January 2009-November 2011. The mean value of ‘parameter b’ was estimated 2.881±0.399 ranged from 1.758 to 3.616 were isometric (i.e. Scorpeana porcus, Pomatous saltatrix and Neogobius melanostomus). L-W relationships for all studied species were significantly linear (0.819<R2<0.987).
First report of a swordfish (Xiphias gladius Linnaeus, 1758) beneath open-sea farming cages in the Western Mediterranean Sea.
Authors: ARECHAVALA-LOPEZ P. , IZQUIERDO-GOMEZ D. , SANCHEZ-JEREZ P.
Published: August 2013

An adult individual of swordfish (Xiphias gladius L.) was reported for the first time aggregated at coastal Mediterranean fish-farm facilities. This record highlights the necessity to assess the potential ecological changes on wild fish assemblages by coastal farming activity, especially on this type of endangered large migratory fish predators, which might be taken into account for further management strategies.
Classification of sediments by means of Self-Organizing Maps and sediment quality guidelines in sites of the southern Spanish coastline
Authors: VESES O. , MOSTEO R. , ORMAD M.P. , OVELLEIRO J.L.
Published: August 2013

This study was carried out to classify 112 marine and estuarine sites of the southern Spanish coastline (about 918 km long) according to similar sediment characteristics by means of artificial neural networks (ANNs) such as Self-Organizing Maps (SOM) and sediment quality guidelines from a dataset consisted of 16 physical and chemical parameters including sediment granulometry, trace and major elements, total N and P and organic carbon content. The use of ANNs such as SOM made possible the classification of the sampling sites according to their similar chemical characteristics. Visual correlations between geochemical parameters were extracted due to the powerful visual characteristics (component planes) of the SOM revealing that ANNs are an excellent tool to be incorporated in sediment quality assessments. Besides, almost 20% of the sites were classified as medium-high or high priority sites in order to take future remediation actions due to their high mean Effects Range-Median Quotient (m-ERMQ) value. Priority sites included the estuaries of the major rivers (Tinto, Odiel, Palmones, etc.) and several locations along the eastern coastline.
Teoría y actualidad de los errores por interferencia desde un punto de vista pedagógico
Authors: Fernández Jódar Raúl
Published: August 2013

THEORY AND PRESENT OF THE INTERFERENCE ERRORS FORM A PEDAGOGICAL POINT OF VIEW

The present paper is a proposal of classification of transfer errors from a pedagogical point of view. It is also a proposal to work with transfer errors, since, thanks to the use of the monitor model, you can activate the autocorrection so that these errors can be easily avoided.
organización de los sistemas temporales del español y del polaco: análisis contrastivo de los tiempos verbales
Authors: Nowikow Wiaczesław
Published: August 2013

THE TEMPORAL ORGANIZATION OF THE SPANISH AND POLISH LANGUAGE SYSTEMS: CONTRASTIVE ANALYSIS OF TENSES The paper discusses differences between Polish and Spanish tense systems. It takes into account parameters such as the quantity and the systemic organization of time (temporary relationship and reference), the existence of the compound tenses subsystem, temporal mono- and biaxiality; dislocation (displacement) of tenses. The comparison is performed by considering the typological differences between Spanish and Polish languages.
uso de la coma en las estructuras explicativas y especificativas: un estudio contrastivo español-polaco
Authors: Pawlak Aneta
Published: August 2013

THE USE OF THE COMMA WITH THE INCIDENTAL CLAUSES: A CONTRASTIVE STUDY SPANISH-POLISH

The objective of the article is to present the use of the comma with the incidental clauses which in Spanish are distinguished by their function in explicativas and especificativas. Considering syntactic constructions such as nominal appositions or adjectival subordinate clauses, the basic rules of punctuation established for these structures in both languages have been set out. Besides of the analogues uses ofthe comma, the oppositeor different uses of the comma have been also distinguished and they can be a source of incorrect spelling, due to the negative interference by the Polish language.
traducción intercultural de lenguajes especializados: el caso del lenguaje enológico
Authors: Bárcena Madera Elena , Wisłocka Breit Bożena
Published: August 2013

THE INTERCULTURAL TRANSLATION OF SPECIALIZED LANGUAGES: THE CASE OF THE ENOLOGICAL DOMAIN

This paper focuses on the analysis of the specialized wine tasting language which is currently emerging in Polish in a process that incorporates translations of wine tasting notes from other languages, including Iberian Spanish. The generally unconstrained linguistic attitude of Polish wine critics leads to an easy adoption in their texts of neologisms and foreign syntactic and semantic borrowings. Seemingly untranslatable cultural constructs in the source text are identified as culturemes and need to be applied specific translational techniques to be suitably captured for the target text.
A Multistage Variational Iteration Method for Solution of Delay Differential Equations
Authors: Gökdoğan Ahmet , Merdan Mehmet , Ertürk Vedat Suat
Published: August 2013

In this paper, the approximate solution of delay differential equations is obtained by a reliable algorithm based on an adaptation of the classical variational iteration method (VIM), which is called the multi-stage variational iteration method (MSVIM). Examples are carried out and numerical results with comparison to exact solutions, VIM and MATLAB dde23 solver are given. The comparison reveals that the MSVIM is a promising tool to solve delay differential equations.
The Ventral Striato-Pallidal Pathway Mediates the Effect of Predictive Learning on Choice between Goal-Directed Actions
Authors: Leung Beatrice K. , Balleine Bernard W.
Published: August 2013

The nucleus accumbens shell (NAc-S) plays an important role in the way stimuli that predict reward affect the performance of, and choice between, goal-directed actions in tests of outcome-specific Pavlovian-instrumental transfer (PIT). The neural processes involved in PIT downstream of the ventral striatum are, however, unknown. The NAc-S projects prominently to the ventral pallidum (VP), and in the current experiments, we assessed the involvement of the NAc-S to VP projection in specific PIT in rats. We first compared expression of the immediate-early gene c-Fos in the medial (VP-m) and lateral (VP-l) regions of the VP and in addition, used the retrograde tracer Fluoro-gold combined with c-Fos to assess the involvement of these pathways during PIT. Although there was no evidence of differential activation in neurons in the VP-l, the VP-m showed a selective increase in activity in rats tested for PIT compared with appropriate controls, as did NAc-S neurons projecting to the VP-m. To confirm that VP-m activity is important for PIT, we inactivated this region before test and found this inactivation blocked the influence of predictive learning on choice. Finally, to confirm the functional importance of the NAc-S to VP-m pathway we used a disconnection procedure, using asymmetrical inactivation of the NAc-S and either the ipsilateral or contralateral VP-m. Specific PIT was blocked but only by inactivation of the NAc-S and VP-m in contralateral hemispheres. These results suggest that the NAc-S and VP-m form part of a circuit mediating the effects of predictive learning on choice.
Systemic Delivery of MeCP2 Rescues Behavioral and Cellular Deficits in Female Mouse Models of Rett Syndrome
Authors: Garg Saurabh K. , Lioy Daniel T. , Cheval Hélène , McGann James C. , Bissonnette John M. , Murtha Matthew J. , Foust Kevin D. , Kaspar Brian K. , Bird Adrian , Mandel Gail
Published: August 2013

De novomutations in the X-linked gene encoding the transcription factor methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2) are the most frequent cause of the neurological disorder Rett syndrome (RTT). Hemizygous males usually die of neonatal encephalopathy. Heterozygous females survive into adulthood but exhibit severe symptoms including microcephaly, loss of purposeful hand motions and speech, and motor abnormalities, which appear after a period of apparently normal development. Most studies have focused on male mouse models because of the shorter latency to and severity in symptoms, yet how well these mice mimic the disease in affected females is not clear. Very few therapeutic treatments have been proposed for females, the more gender-appropriate model. Here, we show that self-complementary AAV9, bearing MeCP2 cDNA under control of a fragment of its own promoter (scAAV9/MeCP2), is capable of significantly stabilizing or reversing symptoms when administered systemically into female RTT mice. To our knowledge, this is the first potential gene therapy for females afflicted with RTT.