bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human Innate Immunity to Toxoplasma gondii Is Mediated by Host Caspase-1 and ASC and Parasite GRA15
Authors: Gov Lanny , Karimzadeh Alborz , Ueno Norikiyo , Lodoen Melissa B. 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACT Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) functions as a key regulator of inflammation and innate immunity. The protozoan parasiteToxoplasma gondiiactively infects human blood monocytes and induces the production of IL-1β; however, the host and parasite factors that mediate IL-1β production duringT. gondiiinfection are poorly understood. We report thatT. gondiiinduces IL-1β transcript, processing/cleavage, and release from infected primary human monocytes and THP-1 cells. Treating monocytes with the caspase-1 inhibitor Ac-YVAD-CMK reduced IL-1β release, suggesting a role for the inflammasome inT. gondii-induced IL-1β production. This was confirmed by performing short hairpin RNA (shRNA) knockdown of caspase-1 and of the inflammasome adaptor protein ASC. IL-1β induction required active parasite invasion of monocytes, since heat-killed or mycalolide B-treated parasites did not induce IL-1β. Among the type I, II, and III strains ofT. gondii, the type II strain induced substantially more IL-1β mRNA and protein release than did the type I and III strains. Since IL-1β transcript is known to be induced downstream of NF-κB signaling, we investigated a role for the GRA15 protein, which induces sustained NF-κB signaling in a parasite strain-specific manner. By infecting human monocytes with aGRA15-knockout type II strain and a type I strain stably expressing type IIGRA15, we determined thatGRA15is responsible for IL-1β induction duringT. gondiiinfection of human monocytes. This research defines a pathway driving human innate immunity by describing a role for the classical inflammasome components caspase-1 and ASC and the parasite GRA15 protein inT. gondii-induced IL-1β production.IMPORTANCEMonocytes are immune cells that protect against infection by increasing inflammation and antimicrobial activities in the body. Upon infection with the parasitic pathogenToxoplasma gondii, human monocytes release interleukin-1β (IL-1β), a “master regulator” of inflammation, which amplifies immune responses. Although inflammatory responses are critical for host defense against infection, excessive inflammation can result in tissue damage and pathology. This delicate balance underscores the importance of understanding the mechanisms that regulate IL-1β during infection. We have investigated the molecular pathway by whichT. gondiiinduces the synthesis and release of IL-1β in human monocytes. We found that specific proteins in the parasite and the host cell coordinate to induce IL-1β production. This research is significant because it contributes to a greater understanding of human innate immunity to infection and IL-1β regulation, thereby enhancing our potential to modulate inflammation in the body.
Mechanical properties of the patellar tendon in elite volleyball players with and without patellar tendinopathy
Authors: Helland Christian , Bojsen-Møller Jens , Raastad Truls , Seynnes Olivier R , Moltubakk Marie M , Jakobsen Vidar , Visnes Håvard , Bahr Roald 
Published: July 2013

BackgroundAlthough differences in mechanical properties between symptomatic and healthy tendons have been observed for the Achilles tendon, the impact of tendinopathy on patellar tendon mechanics is not fully documented. The aim of the present case–control study was to assess the mechanical properties of the tendon and jump performance in elite athletes with and without patellar tendinopathy.MethodsWe identified 17 male volleyball players with patellar tendinopathy and 18 healthy matched controls from a 5-year prospective cohort study on junior elite volleyball players. Outcome variables included three measures of maximal vertical jump performance and ultrasound-based assessments of patellar tendon cross-sectional area, stiffness and Young's modulus.ResultsThe proximal cross-sectional area of the patellar tendon was significantly larger in the tendinopathic group (133±11 vs 112±9 mm2, respectively; p<0.001). Pathological tendons presented lower stiffness (2254±280 vs 2826±603 N/mm, respectively; p=0.006) and Young's modulus (0.99±0.16 vs 1.17±0.25 GPa, respectively; p=0.04) than healthy tendons. However, the difference between the countermovement jump height and the squat jump height (3.4±2.2 vs 1.2±1.5 cm, p=0.005) was significantly higher in the tendinopathic group compared with the control group.ConclusionsPatellar tendinopathy is associated with a decrease in the mechanical and material properties of the tendon in elite athletes subjected to a high volume of jumping activity. However, compared with their healthy counterparts, tendinopathic volleyball players have a better ability to utilise the stretch-shortening cycle when jumping.
ACTIVEDEP: a randomised, controlled trial of a home-based exercise intervention to alleviate depression in middle-aged and older adults
Authors: Pfaff Jon J , Alfonso Helman , Newton Robert U , Sim Moira , Flicker Leon , Almeida Osvaldo P 
Published: July 2013

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of a home-based exercise programme added to usual medical care for the treatment of depression.DesignProspective, two group parallel, randomised controlled study.SettingCommunity-based.Patients200 adults aged 50 years or older deemed to be currently suffering from a clinical depressive illness and under the care of a general practitioner.InterventionsParticipants were randomly allocated to either usual medical care alone (control) or usual medical care plus physical activity (intervention). The intervention consisted of a 12-week home-based programme to promote physical activity at a level that meets recently published guidelines for exercise in people aged 65 years or over.Main outcome measurementsSeverity of depression was measured with the structured interview guide for the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (SIGMA), and depression status was assessed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I).ResultsRemission of depressive illness was similar in both the usual care (59%) and exercise groups (63%; OR = 1.18, 95% CI 0.61 to 2.30) at the end of the 12-week intervention, and again at the 52-week follow-up (67% vs 68%) (OR=1.07, 95% CI 0.56 to 2.02). There was no change in objective measures of fitness over the 12-week intervention among the exercise group.ConclusionsThis home-based physical activity intervention failed to enhance fitness and did not ameliorate depressive symptoms in older adults, possibly due to a lack of ongoing supervision to ensure compliance and optimal engagement.
A retrospective analysis of long-term outcomes following a single episode of transscleral cyclodiode laser treatment in patients with glaucoma
Authors: Zhekov Ivailo , Janjua Razia , Shahid Humma , Sarkies Nicholas , Martin Keith R , White Andrew J R 
Published: July 2013

ObjectivesTo investigate the efficacy of a single cyclodiode laser photocoagulation treatment for refractory glaucoma and its effect on visual outcome in patients with good visual potential as well as to evaluate possible predictive factors in establishing optimal treatment parameters.DesignRetrospective observational study.SettingTertiary referral centre.ParticipantsThe notes of 87 patients with refractory glaucoma who underwent cyclodiode photocoagulation as a first surgical intervention over a 7-year period.Main outcome measuresMaintenance of intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction, number of medications and visual acuity outcomes post-treatment.ResultsThe mean IOP after a single treatment decreased from 39.5±1.3 to 17.8±1.5 mm Hg after a 6-week follow-up period (p<0.0001). This reduction in IOP was maintained over a 3-year period. Here, 61.5% of patients were able to reduce the number of medications used, with mean reduction from 2.6 to 1.5 medications (p<0.05). The mean initial visual field loss prior to treatment was 8.74 dB and at 6 months post-treatment was measured at 9.06 dB (p>0.05), suggesting no significant overall change. Visual acuity remained unchanged or improved for 83.6% of patients (p>0.05) with relatively good visual potential (average vision preoperatively was 0.57 logMAR). Hypotony occurred in 5.3% of patients. No patients required enucleation or evisceration.ConclusionsA single session of cyclodiode laser therapy was associated with significant IOP reduction in a majority of patients with refractory glaucoma. The majority were able to maintain the IOP reduction over a 3-year period without the need for a further surgical intervention. Additionally, over 80% of the patients in our study were able to maintain their baseline visual acuity. These results support the view that a single cyclodiode treatment can be sufficient in achieving long-term IOP control and may be considered in eyes with relatively good visual potential.
Improving life expectancy: how many years behind has the USA fallen? A cross-national comparison among high-income countries from 1958 to 2007
Authors: Verguet Stéphane , Jamison Dean T 
Published: July 2013

ObjectiveMany studies have documented higher mortality levels in the USA compared to other high-income nations. We add to this discussion by quantifying how many years behind comparison countries the USA has fallen and by identifying when US mortality rates began to diverge.DesignWe use full life tables, for men and women, for 17 high-income countries including the USA. We extract the life expectancy at birth and compute the mortality rates for each 5-year age group from birth up to age 80. Using the metric of how many ‘years behind’ a country has fallen, we compare US mortality levels with those in other high-income countries (‘comparators’).ResultsWe report life expectancy for 17 high-income countries, for the period 1958–2007. Up to the late 1970s, US men and especially women closely tracked comparators in life expectancy. In the late 1970s in the USA, most strikingly women began to diverge from comparators so that the US female life expectancy in 2007 corresponded to that of the comparators’ average 10 years earlier. Mortality rates also began to diverge from the late 1970s, and the largest mortality gap was in the 15–49 age group, for both men and women, where the USA had fallen about 40 years behind the comparators by 2007.ConclusionsSome causes proposed for the relatively high US mortality today—racial differences, lack of universal health insurance, US exceptionalism—changed little while the mortality gap emerged and grew. This suggests that explanations for the growing gap lie elsewhere. Quantification of how many years behind the USA has fallen can help provide clues about where to look for potential causes and remedies.
Thirty years of HIV in Israel: current epidemiology and future challenges
Authors: Mor Zohar , Weinstein Ruth , Grotto Itamar , Levin Yana , Chemtob Daniel 
Published: July 2013

ObjectiveThe HIV/AIDS burden in Israel is increasing. This study aims to describe the nationwide-HIV epidemiology in the last 30 years and highlight areas of concern in HIV/AIDS control.DesignDescriptive study.SettingThe National HIV/AIDS Registry in Israel.ParticipantsAll individuals who were reported with HIV/AIDS in Israel.Primary outcome measuresClassification of HIV/AIDS cases by risk groups, calculation of annual trend analysis and estimation of HIV transmission rates by dividing the annual HIV/AIDS-incidence by the prevalence, while the number of newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS cases reported was a proxy of the incidence.ResultsFrom 1981 to 2010, 6579 HIV/AIDS cases were reported in an upward trend from 3.6 new HIV diagnoses/100 000 population in 1986 to 5.6 in 2010. Immigrants from countries of generalised epidemic (ICGE) comprised 2717 (41.3%) of all cases: 2089 (76.9%) were Israeli citizens and 628 (23%) were non-Israeli citizens, mostly migrant workers. The majority (N=2040) of ICGE Israeli citizens were born in Ethiopia. Only 796 (12.1%) of all HIV/AIDS cases were heterosexuals who were non-ICGE and not injecting drug users (IDUs). IDU comprised 13.4% (N=882) of all cases. Men who have sex with men (MSM) accounted for 33.2% (N=1403) of all men reported, while the annual number of MSM reported with HIV/AIDS has quadrupled between 2000 and 2010. It is estimated that the HIV point prevalences in 2010 for Ethiopian-born Israeli citizens, IDU and MSM aged 16–45 were 1805, 1492 and 3150, respectively. The crude estimated transmission rates among Israeli citizens, excluding the Ethiopian-born, was 10.5, while among Ethiopian-born Israeli citizens, IDU and MSM the rates were 3.6, 6.3 and 13.2, respectively.ConclusionsThe HIV/AIDS burden in Israel is low among heterosexuals and higher in risk-groups. Among these risk groups, the highest HIV transmission rate was in MSM, followed by IDU and ICGE. Culturally sensitive and focused prevention interventions should be tailored exclusively for each of the vulnerable risk groups.
Children, smoking households and exposure to second-hand smoke in the home in rural Australia: analysis of a national cross-sectional survey
Authors: Longman Jo M , Passey Megan E 
Published: July 2013

ObjectivesThis paper aimed to explore the association between rurality and (1) household smoking status and (2) home second-hand smoke exposure, in households with children aged 0–14 years.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingHouseholds across Australia.ParticipantsHouseholds across the country were randomly selected to provide a nationally representative sample. Respondents were persons aged 12 years or older in each household who were next going to celebrate their birthday.Primary outcome measuresHousehold smoking status and smoking inside the home.MethodologyThe 2010 Australian National Drug Strategy Household survey data were analysed to explore the prevalence of household smoking and home second-hand smoke exposure in rural and urban households with children. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore the association of rurality with household smoking and with home second-hand smoke exposure, controlling for potential confounders.ResultsHouseholds with children were more likely to be smoking households (35.4%, 95% CI 34.2% to 36.5%) than households without children (32.1%, 95% CI 31.3% to 32.8%). Both household smoking (43.6% (95% CI 41.5% to 45.7%) vs 31.4% (95% CI 30.0% to 32.8%)) and home second-hand smoke exposure (8.0% (95% CI 6.8% to 9.1%) vs 5.2% (95% CI 4.5% to 5.8%)) were significantly more common for rural children. In multivariate analyses controlling for confounding factors, rurality remained associated with smoking households (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.37), whereas it did not remain associated with children's home second-hand smoke exposure (OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.35). Larger household size, low socioeconomic status and being a single-parent household were the main drivers of home second-hand smoke exposure.ConclusionsThe proportion of smoking households with children, and the number of children regularly exposed to second-hand smoke in their homes remain important public health concerns. Smoking cessation support and tobacco control policies might benefit from targeting larger and/or socioeconomically disadvantaged households including single-parent households.
Evidence for non-communicable diseases: analysis of Cochrane reviews and randomised trials by World Bank classification
Authors: Heneghan C , Blacklock C , Perera R , Davis R , Banerjee A , Gill P , Liew S , Chamas L , Hernandez J , Mahtani K , Hayward G , Harrison S , Lasserson D , Mickan S , Sellers C , Carnes D , Homer K , Steed L , Ross J , Denny N , Goyder C , Thompson M , Ward A 
Published: July 2013

IntroductionPrevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is increasing globally, with the greatest projected increases in low-income and middle-income countries. We sought to quantify the proportion of Cochrane evidence relating to NCDs derived from such countries.MethodsWe searched the Cochrane database of systematic reviews for reviews relating to NCDs highlighted in the WHO NCD action plan (cardiovascular, cancers, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases). We excluded reviews at the protocol stage and those that were repeated or had been withdrawn. For each review, two independent researchers extracted data relating to the country of the corresponding author and the number of trials and participants from countries, using the World Bank classification of gross national income per capita.Results797 reviews were analysed, with a reported total number of 12 340 trials and 10 937 306 participants. Of the corresponding authors 90% were from high-income countries (41% from the UK). Of the 746 reviews in which at least one trial had met the inclusion criteria, only 55% provided a summary of the country of included trials. Analysis of the 633 reviews in which country of trials could be established revealed that almost 90% of trials and over 80% of participants were from high-income countries. 438 (5%) trials including 1 145 013 (11.7%) participants were undertaken in low-middle income countries. We found that only 13 (0.15%) trials with 982 (0.01%) participants were undertaken in low-income countries. Other than the five Cochrane NCD corresponding authors from South Africa, only one other corresponding author was from Africa (Gambia).DiscussionThe overwhelming body of evidence for NCDs pertains to high-income countries, with only a small number of review authors based in low-income settings. As a consequence, there is an urgent need for research infrastructure and funding for the undertaking of high-quality trials in this area.
Variations in surgical management from a national bowel cancer screening programme
Authors: Codd R J , Thomas R , Heard H , Radcliffe A G , Williams G L , Evans M D 
Published: July 2013

ObjectivePopulation screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) was introduced to Wales in October 2008. The aim of this study was to evaluate the early impact of screening on CRC services.DesignProspectively collected data from the Bowel Screening Wales (BSW) programme and the Welsh Bowel Cancer Audit (WBCA) were used to identify all screen-detected (SD) CRC diagnoses in Wales between April 2009 and March 2011. Data from the WBCA were used to calculate surgical outcomes.Results444 SD cancers were registered during the study period representing 11% of all CRC diagnoses. There was a 9.9% increase in CRC incidence following the introduction of the BSW. SD patients presented with earlier stage disease; SD Dukes’ A 35.1% vs 13.9% symptomatic patients (p<0.001) and SD Dukes’ D 7.4% vs 21.8% symptomatic, (p<0.001). There were more colonic cancers among the SD population (p<0.001). The resection rate for SD cancers was 89%, significantly higher than symptomatic cancers (67.7%; p<0.0001). There was variability in the use of polypectomy as a definitive procedure to treat CRC between units. Overall laparoscopic resection was used in 52% of cases but with considerable interunit variability (0–92%).ConclusionsThe introduction of screening has increased the workload of the colorectal multidisciplinary teams in Wales. This has occurred through both an increase in case volume and the identification of more patients with early stage disease. There is considerable interunit variability in the use of techniques of local excision and rates of laparoscopic resection that need to be addressed.
Maintaining clinical governance when giving telephone advice
Authors: Alazawi William , Agarwal Kosh , Suddle Abid , Aluvihare Varuna , Heneghan Michael A 
Published: July 2013

ObjectiveDelivering excellent healthcare depends on accurate communication between professionals who may be in different locations. Frequently, the first point of contact with the liver unit at King's College Hospital (KCH) is through a telephone call to a specialist registrar or liver fellow, for whom no case notes are available in which to record information. The aim of this study was to improve the clinical governance of telephone referrals and to generate contemporaneous records that could be easily retrieved and audited.DesignAn electronic database for telephone referrals and advice was designed and made securely available to registrars in our unit.SettingService development in a tertiary liver centre that receives referrals from across the UK and Europe.Main outcome measuresDemographic and clinical data were recorded prospectively and analysed retrospectively.ResultsData from 350 calls were entered during 5 months. The information included the nature and origin of the call (200 from 75 different institutions), disease burden and severity of disease among the patients discussed with KCH, and outcome of the call. The majority of cases were discussed with consultants or arrangements were made for formal review at KCH.ConclusionsA telephone referrals and advice database provides clinical governance, serves as a quality indicator and forms a contemporaneous record at the referral centre. Activity data and knowledge of disease burden help to tailor services to the needs of referrers and commissioners. We recommend implementation of similar models in other centres that give extramural verbal advice.
Circulating cell-free DNA in serum as a biomarker of colorectal cancer
Authors: da Silva Filho Benisio Ferreira , Gurgel Ana Pavla Almeida Diniz , Neto Manoel Álvaro de Freitas Lins , de Azevedo Dalmo Almeida , de Freitas Antonio Carlos , Silva Neto Jacinto da Costa , Silva Luiz Antonio Ferreira 
Published: July 2013

AimsThe aim of this study was to report circulating cell-free DNA using ALU247 and ALU247/ALU115 biomarkers in serum of operated and non-operated patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).MethodsTo undertake this, 90 blood samples were collected, including 30 samples from healthy volunteers; 27 samples from CRC non-operated patients and 33 samples from CRC-operated patients. Circulating cell-free DNA was verified through quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) using ALU115 and ALU247 primers.ResultsWith regard to the ALU115-qPCR biomarker, the increased levels of circulating cell-free DNA in serum of non-operated patients were significant when compared with control (p<0.05). Moreover, levels of ALU247-qPCR biomarker were statistically significant between non-operated versus operated and non-operated versus control groups (p=0.000). With regard to the ALU247/115-qPCR biomarker, significant differences were observed between control versus non-operated patients (p=0.019), operated versus non-operated patients (p=0.005) and control versus operated patients (p=0.043).ConclusionsThus, the ALU247 and ALU247/ALU115-qPCR biomarkers may be important in detecting and monitoring CRC patients in both early and late stages.