bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of sirtuin 1 activation on nicotine and lipopolysaccharide‐induced cytotoxicity and inflammatory cytokine production in human gingival fibroblasts
Authors: Park G‐J. , Kim Y‐S. , Kang K‐l. , Bae S‐J. , Baek H‐S. , Auh Q‐S. , Chun Y‐H. , Park B‐H. , Kim E‐C. 
Published: November 2012

Background and ObjectiveAlthough sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) over‐expression and resveratrol exert anti‐inflammatory and proinflammatory effects, their effects and the mechanism of action on human gingival fibroblast (HGF)‐mediated inflammation are unknown. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effects of activating SIRT1 using resveratrol and recombinant adenovirus encoding SIRT1 (Ad‐SIRT1) on the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and to elucidate its mechanism of action of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and nicotine stimulated‐HGF.Material and MethodsCytotoxicity and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured using the 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazolyl‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The amount of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) released into the culture medium was measured by radioimmunoassay. mRNA and protein levels were analyzed using RT‐PCR and western blotting, respectively.ResultsNicotine and LPS up‐regulated the expression of SIRT1 mRNA and SIRT1 protein in a time‐ and concentration‐dependent manner. Resveratrol and Ad‐SIRT1 decreased LPS and nicotine‐induced cytotoxicity, ROS and PGE2 production, and expression of cyclooxygenase‐2 in HGFs. Resveratrol and Ad‐SIRT1 inhibited nicotine and LPS‐mediated protein kinase C (PKC), phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K), p38, ERK, JNK, MAPK and nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) activation.ConclusionThis study is the first to show that the anti‐inflammatory and cytoprotective effects of SIRT1 activation in HGFs occur through the PKC, PI3K, MAPK and NF‐κB pathways.
The WalRK (YycFG) and σI RsgI regulators cooperate to control CwlO and LytE expression in exponentially growing and stressed Bacillus subtilis cells
Authors: Salzberg Letal I. , Powell Leagh , Hokamp Karsten , Botella Eric , Noone David , Devine Kevin M. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryThe WalRK (YycFG) two‐component system co‐ordinates cell wall metabolism with growth by regulating expression of autolysins and proteins that modulate autolysin activity. Here we extend its role in cell wall metabolism by showing that WalR binds to 22 chromosomal loci in vivo. Among the newly identified genes of the WalRK bindome are those that encode the wall‐associated protein WapA, the penicillin binding proteins PbpH and Pbp5, the minor teichoic acid synthetic enzymes GgaAB and the regulators σI RsgI. The putative WalR binding sequence at many newly identified binding loci deviates from the previously defined consensus. Moreover, expression of many newly identified operons is controlled by multiple regulators. An unusual feature is that WalR binds to an extended DNA region spanning multiple open reading frames at some loci. WalRK directly activates expression of the sigIrsgI operon from a newly identified σA promoter and represses expression from the previously identified σI promoter. We propose that this regulatory link between WalRK and σI RsgI expression ensures that the endopeptidase requirement (CwlO or LytE) for cell viability is fulfilled during growth and under stress conditions. Thus the WalRK and σI RsgI regulatory systems cooperate to control cell wall metabolism in growing and stressed cells.
Increased prevalence of dhfr and dhps mutants at delivery in Malawian pregnant women receiving intermittent preventive treatment for malaria
Authors: Lin Jessica T. , Mbewe Bernard , Taylor Steve M. , Luntamo Mari , Meshnick Steven R. , Ashorn Per 
Published: November 2012

AbstractIn the context of an Intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp) trial for pregnant women in Malawi, Plasmodium falciparum samples from 85 women at enrolment and 35 women at delivery were genotyped for mutations associated with sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine resistance. The prevalence of the highly resistant haplotype with mutations at codons 51 and 108 of dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) and codons 437 and 540 of dihydropteroate synthase (dhps) increased from 81% at enrolment to 100% at delivery (P = 0.01). Pregnant women who were smear‐positive at enrolment were more likely to have P. falciparum parasitemia at delivery. These results lend support to concerns that IPTp use may lead to increased drug resistance in pregnant women during pregnancy and emphasise the importance of screening pregnant women for malaria parasites in areas with prevalent SP resistance even when they are already on IPTp.
Preliminary studies developing methods for the control of Chrysomya putoria, the African latrine fly, in pit latrines in The Gambia
Authors: Lindsay T. C. , Jawara M. , D'Alessandro U. , Pinder M. , Lindsay S. W. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo explore ways of controlling Chrysomya putoria, the African latrine fly, in pit latrines. As pit latrines are a major source of these flies, eliminating these important breeding sites is likely to reduce village fly populations, and may reduce the spread of diarrhoeal pathogens.MethodsWe treated 24 latrines in a Gambian village: six each with (i) pyriproxyfen, an insect juvenile hormone mimic formulated as Sumilarv® 0.5G, a 0.5% pyriproxyfen granule, (ii) expanded polystyrene beads (EPB), (iii) local soap or (iv) no treatment as controls. Flies were collected using exit traps placed over the drop holes, weekly for five weeks. In a separate study, we tested whether latrines also function as efficient flytraps using the faecal odours as attractants. We constructed six pit latrines each with a built‐in flytrap and tested their catching efficiency compared to six fish‐baited box traps positioned 10 m from the latrine. Focus group discussions conducted afterwards assessed the acceptability of the flytrap latrines.ResultsNumbers of emerging C. putoria were reduced by 96.0% (95% CIs: 94.5–97.2%) 4–5 weeks after treatment with pyriproxyfen; by 64.2% (95% CIs: 51.8–73.5%) after treatment with local soap; by 41.3% (95% CIs = 24.0–54.7%) after treatment with EPB 3–5 weeks after treatment. Flytraps placed on latrines collected C. putoria and were deemed acceptable to local communities.ConclusionsSumilarv 0.5G shows promise as a chemical control agent, whilst odour‐baited latrine traps may prove a useful method of non‐chemical fly control. Both methods warrant further development to reduce fly production from pit latrines. A combination of interventions may prove effective for the control of latrine flies and the diseases they transmit.
Verification of numerical study of scour around spur dikes using experimental data
Authors: Karami Hojat , Basser Hossein , Ardeshir Abdollah , Hosseini Seyyed Hadi 
Published: November 2012

AbstractScour phenomenon around a series of impermeable, nonsubmerged spur dikes has been investigated with both experimental and numerical methods. The experiments were conducted under different states of flow intensity (U/Ucr). The scour geometry was measured with a high‐resolution laser bed‐profiler (LBP). For the numerical simulation phase, a three‐dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model, namely SSIIM 2.0, was used to compute the sediment transport around the spur dikes. The numerical model was based on the finite‐volume method. Two turbulence models, namely k‐ε standard and k‐ε with re‐normalization group (RNG) extensions, were used to predict turbulence, and the k‐ε model with some RNG extensions was selected because of its best agreement with the measurements. Furthermore, a variety of grids and empirical sediment transport equations were used to find the best state for simulation of scour around a series of spur dikes. Finally, a comparison between experimental and numerical results was carried out to verify the CFD model.
Simple Parametric Model for Quick Assessment of IGCC
Performance
Authors: Gülen S. Can , Driscoll Ann V. 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
Even though almost all components of an integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plant are proven and mature technologies, the sheer number of them, the wide variety of competing technologies (e.g., gasifiers, gas clean-up systems, heat recovery options), and system integration options (e.g., cryogenic air separation unit and the gas turbine), including the recent addition of carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) with its own technology and integration options, render fundamental IGCC performance analysis a monumental task. Almost all published studies utilize highly complex chemical process and power plant heat balance software, including commercially available packages and in-house proprietary codes. This makes an objective assessment of comparable IGCC plant designs, performance (and cost), and other perceived advantage claims (IGCC versus other technologies, too) very difficult, if not impossible. This paper develops a coherent simplified parametric model based on fully physics-based grounds to be used for quick design performance assessment of a large variety of IGCC power plants with and without CCS. Technology parameters are established from complex model runs and supplemented by extensive literature search. The model is tested using published data to establish its confidence interval and is satisfactory to carry conceptual design analysis at a high level to identify promising alternatives and development areas and assess the realism in competing claims.
Pretreatment patient‐specific IMRT quality assurance: A correlation study between gamma index and patient clinical dose volume histogram
Authors: Stasi M. , Bresciani S. , Miranti A. , Maggio A. , Sapino V. , Gabriele P. 
Published: November 2012

Purpose:The aim of this work is to investigate the predictive power of a common conventional intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) quality assurance (QA) performance metric, the gamma passing rate (%GP), through the analysis of the sensitivity and of the correlation between %GP and different dose discrepancies between planned dose‐volume histogram (DVH) and perturbed DVH. The perturbed DVH is calculated by using a dedicated software, 3DVH (Sun Nuclear Corporation, Melbourne, FL), which is able to modify the dose distribution calculated by the treatment planning system (TPS) according to the dose discrepancies detected with planar measurements in order to predict the delivered 3D dose distribution in the patient.Methods:Twenty‐seven high‐risk prostate cancer (PP) patients and 15 head and neck (HN) cancer patients, treated with IMRT technique, were analyzed. Pretreatment verifications were performed for all patients’ plans by acquiring planar dose distributions of each treatment field with 2D‐diode array. Measured dose distributions were compared to the calculated ones using the gamma index (GI) method applying both global (Van Dyk) and local normalization, and %GP were generated for each pair of planar doses using the following acceptance criteria: 1%/1, 2%/2, and 3%/3 mm. Planar dose distributions acquired during pretreatment verifications, together with patientˈs DICOM RT plan, RT structure set, and RT dose files from TPS were loaded into the 3DVH software. Percentage dose differences (%DE) between DVHs, obtained by TPS and by 3DVH, were calculated; statistical correlation between %DE and %GP was studied by using Pearsonˈs correlation coefficient (r). This analysis was performed, for each patient, on planning target volumes and on some typical organs at risk of the prostatic and head and neck anatomical district. The sensitivity was calculated to correctly identify the pretreatment plans with high dose errors and to quantify the incidence of false negatives, on varying the gamma index method.Results:Analysis of %DE vs %GP showed that there were only weak correlations (Pearsonˈsr‐values < 0.8). The results also showed numerous instances of false negatives (cases where high IMRT QA passing rates did not imply good agreement in anatomy dose metrics) and the reverse, mainly for the 3%/3 mm global gamma passing rate.Conclusions:The lack of correlation between conventional IMRT QA performance metrics gamma passing rates and dose errors in DVHs values and the low sensitivity of 3%/3 mm global gamma method show that the most common published acceptance criteria have disputable predictive power for per‐patient IMRT QA.
Long-Term Immune Responses to Coxiella burnetii after Vaccination
Authors: Kersh Gilbert J. , Fitzpatrick Kelly A. , Self Joshua S. , Biggerstaff Brad J. , Massung Robert F. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACT

Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by infection with the bacterium
Coxiella burnetii
. Infection with
C. burnetii
results in humoral and cellular immune responses, both of which are thought to contribute to protection against subsequent infection. Whole-cell formalin-inactivated vaccines have also been shown to induce both humoral and cellular immunity and provide protection. Whether measurement of cellular or humoral immunity is a better indicator of immune protection is not known, and the duration of immunity induced by natural infection or vaccination is also poorly understood. To better understand the measurement and duration of
C. burnetii
immunity, 16 people vaccinated against Q fever (0.2 to 10.3 years before analysis) and 29 controls with a low risk of Q fever exposure were tested for immune responses to
C. burnetii
by an indirect fluorescent-antibody test (IFA) to measure circulating antibody and by a gamma interferon release assay (IGRA) to measure cellular immunity. Among vaccinated subjects, the IFA detected antibodies in 13/16, and the IGRA also detected positive responses in 13/16. All of the vaccinated subjects had a positive response in at least one of the assays, whereas 8/29 control subjects were positive in at least one assay. There was not a correlation between time since vaccination and responses in these assays. These results show that IFA and IGRA perform similarly in detection of
C. burnetii
immune responses and that Q fever vaccination establishes long-lived immune responses to
C. burnetii
.
Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Biliary Carriage of Bacteria Showing Worrisome and Unexpected Resistance Traits
Authors: Maseda E. , Maggi G. , Gomez-Gil R. , Ruiz G. , Madero R. , Garcia-Perea A. , Aguilar L. , Gilsanz F. , Rodriguez-Baño J. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACT

Data on biliary carriage of bacteria and, specifically, of bacteria with worrisome and unexpected resistance traits (URB) are lacking. A prospective study (April 2010 to December 2011) was performed that included all patients admitted for <48 h for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a Spanish hospital. Bile samples were cultured and epidemiological/clinical data recorded. Logistic regression models (stepwise) were performed using bactobilia or bactobilia by URB as dependent variables. Models (
P
< 0.001) showing the highest
R
2
values were considered. A total of 198 patients (40.4% males; age, 55.3 ± 17.3 years) were included. Bactobilia was found in 44 of them (22.2%). The presence of bactobilia was associated (
R
2
Cox, 0.30) with previous biliary endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) (odds ratio [OR], 8.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.96 to 27.06;
P
< 0.001), previous admission (OR, 2.82; 95% CI, 1.10 to 7.24;
P
= 0.031), and age (OR, 1.09 per year; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.12;
P
< 0.001). Ten out of the 44 (22.7%) patients with bactobilia carried URB: 1
Escherichia coli
isolate (CTX-M), 1
Klebsiella pneumoniae
isolate (OXA-48), 3 high-level gentamicin-resistant enterococci, 1 vancomycin-resistant
Enterococcus
isolate, 3
Enterobacter cloacae
strains, and 1 imipenem-resistant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
strain. Bactobilia by URB (versus those by non-URB) was only associated (
R
2
Cox, 0.19) with previous ERCP (OR, 11.11; 95% CI, 1.98 to 62.47;
P
= 0.006). For analyses of patients with bactobilia by URB versus the remaining patients, previous ERCP (OR, 35.284; 95% CI, 5.320 to 234.016;
P
< 0.001), previous intake of antibiotics (OR, 7.200; 95% CI, 0.962 to 53.906;
P
= 0.050), and age (OR, 1.113 per year of age; 95% CI, 1.028 to 1.206;
P
= 0.009) were associated with bactobilia by URB (
R
2
Cox, 0.19;
P
< 0.001). Previous antibiotic exposure (in addition to age and previous ERCP) was a risk driver for bactobilia by URB. This may have implications in prophylactic/therapeutic measures.
Phomopsis bougainvilleicola Prepatellar Bursitis in a Renal Transplant Recipient
Authors: Cariello Paloma F. , Wickes Brian L. , Sutton Deanna A. , Castlebury Lisa A. , Levitz Stuart M. , Finberg Robert W. , Thompson Elizabeth H. , Daly Jennifer S. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACT

Prepatellar bursitis is typically a monomicrobial bacterial infection. A fungal cause is rarely identified. We describe a 61-year-old man who had received a renal transplant 21 months prior to presentation whose synovial fluid and surgical specimens grew
Phomopsis bougainvilleicola
, a pycnidial coelomycete.
The GEF1 Proton-Chloride Exchanger Affects Tombusvirus Replication via Regulation of Copper Metabolism in Yeast
Authors: Sasvari Zsuzsanna , Kovalev Nikolay , Nagy Peter D. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACT

Replication of plus-strand RNA viruses [(+)RNA viruses] is performed by viral replicases, whose function is affected by many cellular factors in infected cells. In this paper, we demonstrate a surprising role for Gef1p proton-chloride exchanger in replication of
Tomato bushy stunt virus
(TBSV) model (+)RNA virus. A genetic approach revealed that Gef1p, which is the only proton-chloride exchanger in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
, is required for TBSV replication in the yeast model host. We also show that the
in vitro
activity of the purified tombusvirus replicase from
gef1
Δ yeast was low and that the
in vitro
assembly of the viral replicase in a cell extract was inhibited by the cytosolic fraction obtained from
gef1
Δ yeast. Altogether, our data reveal that Gef1p modulates TBSV replication via regulating Cu
2+
metabolism in the cell. This conclusion is supported by several lines of evidence, including the direct inhibitory effect of Cu
2+
ions on the
in vitro
assembly of the viral replicase, on the activity of the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and an inhibitory effect of deletion of
CCC2
copper pump on TBSV replication in yeast, while altered iron metabolism did not reduce TBSV replication. In addition, applying a chloride channel blocker impeded TBSV replication in
Nicotiana benthamiana
protoplasts or in whole plants. Overall, blocking Gef1p function seems to inhibit TBSV replication through altering Cu
2+
ion metabolism in the cytosol, which then inhibits the normal functions of the viral replicase.
Mouse Dendritic Cell (DC) Influenza Virus Infectivity Is Much Lower than That for Human DCs and Is Hemagglutinin Subtype Dependent
Authors: Hartmann Boris M. , Li Wenjing , Jia Jingjing , Patil Sonali , Marjanovic Nada , Martínez-Romero Carles , Albrecht Randy A. , Hayot Fernand , García-Sastre Adolfo , Wetmur James G. , Moran Thomas M. , Sealfon Stuart C. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACT

We show that influenza A H1N1 virus infection leads to very low infectivity in mouse dendritic cells (DCs)
in vitro
compared with that in human DCs. This holds when H3 or H5 replaces H1 in recombinant viruses. Viruslike particles confirm the difference between mouse and human, suggesting that reduced virus entry contributes to lower mouse DC infectivity. Low infectivity of mouse DCs should be considered when they are used to study responses of DCs that are actually infected.
Emergency endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in critically ill patients is a safe and effective procedure
Authors: Lekharaju Venkata Pawan Kumar , Iqbal Javaid , Noorullah Omar , Polavarapu Naveen , Menon Shyam , Hood Stephen , Stern Nick , Sturgess Richard 
Published: November 2012

Emergency ERCP may be required in patients with severe cholangitis who rapidly deteriorate with multi-organ dysfunction and who cannot wait until the next available elective list. A significant proportion of patients require ventilatory and inotropic support. We describe our experience on the outcome of emergency ERCP in this cohort of critically ill patients.Medical records of cases undergoing ERCP between November 2008 and November 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who were in intensive care unit or required general anaesthesia due to haemodynamic compromise at the time of ERCP were included.Total of 2237 ERCPs were performed during this period, of which 36 (2%) emergency ERCP's were performed in 33 patients. The median age was 79 years. All procedures were performed under general anaesthesia in emergency operating room. In 27/36 procedures (75%), the patients required inotropes. Indications included cholangitis (78%), pancreatitis (14%) and post-operative bile leak (8%). Biliary cannulation was achieved in 100% of cases. Endoscopic findings included CBD stones (64%), CBD stones and an additional pathology (8%), bile leak (8%), CBD stricture (5%), Mirizzi's (3%) and blocked plastic stent (3%). In 23/36 (64%) procedures a stent was inserted. In 11/36 (30%) procedures a balloon trawl was sufficient to clear the bile duct. Thirty-day mortality was 25%. Although the 30-day mortality remains high due to multi-organ failure, ERCP is successful and effective in the majority of patients and results in a good outcome for this cohort of critically ill patients, in whom the prognosis is inevitably poor without emergency biliary drainage.
High rates of reinfection and incidence of bacterial sexually transmitted infections in a cohort of female sex workers from two Indian cities: need for different STI control strategies?
Authors: Das Anjana , Pathni Anupam Khungar , Narayanan Prakash , George Bitra , Morineau Guy , Saidel Tobi , Prabhakar Parimi , Deshpande Gururaj Rao , Gangakhedkar Raman , Mehendale Sanjay , Risbud Arun 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundFemale sex workers (FSWs) in India are provided a standardised package of clinical interventions for management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). A study was conducted among FSWs at known high STI prevalence sites to determine the effectiveness of the service package.MethodsA cohort of FSW clinic attendees in two cities, Hyderabad and Mumbai, were enrolled and followed up from October 2008 to November 2009. At each visit, behavioural and clinical data were obtained and vaginal swabs collected for laboratory testing of cervical infections (gonorrhoea and chlamydia).Results417 participants were enrolled, of whom 360 attended at least a follow-up visit. Prevalence of cervical infections did not change between the baseline and final visits (27.7% and 21.3% respectively, p=0.08) in spite of presumptive treatment at baseline and syndromic management at all visits. The proportion of asymptomatic cervical infections increased from 36% at baseline to 77% at the final visit. Incidence rate of cervical infections was high (85.6/100 person years) and associated with a prevalent cervical infection at baseline (HR=2.7, p<0.001) and inconsistent condom use with non-commercial partners (HR=2.5, p=0.014).ConclusionsHigh rates of STIs persisted despite the interventions due to poor condom use, minimal partner treatment, and high prevalence and incidence of STIs with a large proportion of asymptomatic infections. High-prevalence FSW sites in India need to design more effective partner treatment strategies and consider increasing the frequency of presumptive treatment as a temporary measure for quickly reducing STI prevalence, with renewed emphasis on consistent condom use with all partners.