bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Infant Feeding Attitudes of Women in the United Kingdom during Pregnancy and after Birth
Authors: Wilkins Carol , Ryan Kath , Green Josephine , Thomas Peter 
Published: September 2012

Background: To address the recognized low rates of breastfeeding in the United Kingdom (UK), a change in fundamental attitudes toward infant feeding might be required. This paper reports an exploration of women’s attitudes toward breastfeeding at different time points in the perinatal period, undertaken as part of a larger breastfeeding evaluation study. Objectives: To measure women’s infant feeding attitudes at 3 stages during the perinatal period to see whether, on average, they differed over time. Methods: Using the 17-item Iowa Infant Feeding Attitudes Scale (IIFAS), this cross-sectional study measured the infant feeding attitudes of 866 UK women at 3 perinatal stages (20 and 35 weeks antenatally and 6 weeks postpartum). Results: Mean IIFAS scores were very similar, which shows that discrete groups of women at different time points in pregnancy and postpartum appear to have the same attitudes toward infant feeding. The predominance of scores lay in the mid-range at each of the time points, which may indicate women’s indecision or ambivalent feelings about infant feeding during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Conclusions: Action must be undertaken to target the majority of women with mid-range scores whose ambivalence may respond positively to intervention programs. The challenge is to understand what would be appropriate and acceptable to this vulnerable group of women.
Greater Acceptance of Routine HIV Testing (Opt-Out) by Patients Attending an Infectious Disease Unit in Spain
Authors: Jover-Diaz Francisco , Cuadrado Jose-Maria , Matarranz Mariano , Calabuig Elena 
Published: September 2012

Objective: Our objective was to determine attitudes and opinions of patients seen in our ID Unit on conducting HIV testing universally. Methods: The survey was conducted in patients between 18 and 65 years without known HIV infection. Requested information about the test was previous embodiment, reasons for rejection, opinion on the universal realization, benefits and/or drawbacks, possible test performance, and availability of results “test negative stigma.” Results: We surveyed 91 patients (54.9% males). Surprisingly, up to 18.7% of patients mistakenly believed that HIV testing is routinely performed without consent. A great majority (98.9%) felt that universal performance on the test would benefit mainly in early diagnosing and/or preventing transmission. Patients younger than 42 years were significantly more prone to doing the test as a routine procedure. Only 4 (4.4%) patients did not participate because they believed they were “not infected.” A vast majority (80.5%) of respondents would prefer to have results within the first 24 hours. In addition, 20.7% would have a problem with confidentiality if HIV serology testing was done. Conclusions: In summary, the vast majority (95.6%) of the surveyed patients had a fair opinion about universal HIV testing. Only 4 patients (4.4%) would not consent to HIV testing (because of low-risk perception). Availability of rapid HIV tests can facilitate fast result delivery, facilitating linkage to care. Considering favorable patients' opinion, recent opt-out screening recommendations, highest HIV prevalence in admitted patients, and cost-effectiveness, studies favor universal HIV testing.
Interobeserver and Intraobserver Reproducibility of Hallux Valgus Angular Measurements and the Study of a Linear Measurement
Authors: Sanhudo Jose Veiga , Gomes Joao Ellera , Rabello Marcelo Costa , Delucca Giuseppe 
Published: September 2012

Background. The intermetatarsal angle (IMA), the hallux valgus angle (HVA), and the lateral sesamoid malalignment in relation to the first metatarsal are among the most commonly employed parameters to estimate the severity of the deformity. The aim of this study was to compare HV angular measurements and a linear measurement among 4 observers to determine its intraobserver and interobserver reliability, to find out whether this linear measurement technique is more reproducible than those already-described angular measurements. Methods. The IMA, the HVA, and the distance between the lateral cortex of the first metatarsal and the lateral cortex of the lateral sesamoid bone were measured from 50 standing, nonoperated hallux valgus feet. Radiographs were shuffled and reforwarded to the observers at a minimum interval of 30 days for a new measurement. Results. When considering 2° of difference as significant, IMA and HVA measurements were not precise, showing low reproducibility for both intraobserver and interobserver assessment. Regarding the distance between the first metatarsal lateral cortex and the lateral sesamoid lateral cortex, when considering differences greater than 2 mm as significant, we observed higher precision and higher reproducibility. Conclusions. Angular measurements of hallux valgus deformity in anteroposterior standing radiographs that are manually performed with a goniometer are not precise and have low reproducibility. The linear measurement of the distance between the lateral cortices of the first metatarsal head and the lateral sesamoid demonstrated higher precision and higher reproducibility, and may be a cheap form to assess the correct indication of a distal osteotomy. Levels of Evidence: Diagnostic, Level II
t(X;14)(p11;q32) in MALT lymphoma involving GPR34 reveals a role for GPR34 in tumor cell growth
Authors: Ansell Stephen M. , Akasaka Takashi , McPhail Ellen , Manske Michelle , Braggio Esteban , Price-Troska Tammy , Ziesmer Steven , Secreto Frank , Fonseca Rafael , Gupta Mamta , Law Mark , Witzig Thomas E. , Dyer Martin J. S. , Dogan Ahmet , Cerhan James R. , Novak Anne J. 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Genetic aberrations, including trisomies 3 and 18, and well-defined IGH translocations, have been described in marginal zone lymphomas (MZLs); however, these known genetic events are present in only a subset of cases. Here, we report the cloning of an IGH translocation partner on chromosome X, t(X;14)(p11.4;q32) that deregulates expression of an poorly characterized orphan G-protein–coupled receptor, GPR34. Elevated GPR34 gene expression was detected independent of the translocation in multiple subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and distinguished a unique molecular subtype of MZL. Increased expression of GPR34 was also detected in tissue from brain tumors and surface expression of GPR34 was detected on human MZL tumor cells and normal immune cells. Overexpression of GPR34 in lymphoma and HeLa cells resulted in phosphorylation of ERK, PKC, and CREB; induced CRE, AP1, and NF-κB–mediated gene transcription; and increased cell proliferation. In summary, these results are the first to identify a role for a GPR34 in lymphoma cell growth, provide insight into GPR34-mediated signaling, identify a genetically unique subset of MZLs that express high levels of GPR34, and suggest that MEK inhibitors may be useful for treatment of GPR34-expressing tumors.
Mesenchymal stem cells are injured by complement after their contact with serum
Authors: Li Yan , Lin Feng 
Published: September 2012

AbstractDespite the potent immunosuppressive activity that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) display in vitro, recent clinical trial results are disappointing, suggesting that MSC viability and/or function are greatly reduced after infusion. In this report, we demonstrated that human MSCs activated complement of the innate immunity after their contact with serum. Although all 3 known intrinsic cell-surface complement regulators were present on MSCs, activated complement overwhelmed the protection of these regulators and resulted in MSCs cytotoxicity and dysfunction. In addition, autologous MSCs suffered less cellular injury than allogeneic MSCs after contacting serum. All 3 complement activation pathways were involved in generating the membrane attack complex to directly injure MSCs. Supplementing an exogenous complement inhibitor, or up-regulating MSC expression levels of CD55, one of the cell-surface complement regulators, helped to reduce the serum-induced MSC cytotoxicity. Finally, adoptively transferred MSCs in complement deficient mice or complement-depleted mice showed reduced cellular injury in vivo compared with those in wild type mice. These results indicate that complement is integrally involved in recognizing and injuring MSCs after their infusion, suggesting that autologous MSCs may have ad-vantages over allogeneic MSCs, and that inhibiting complement activation could be a novel strategy to improve existing MSC-based therapies.
VEGF-A recruits a proangiogenic MMP-9–delivering neutrophil subset that induces angiogenesis in transplanted hypoxic tissue
Authors: Christoffersson Gustaf , Vågesjö Evelina , Vandooren Jennifer , Lidén Majken , Massena Sara , Reinert Rachel B. , Brissova Marcela , Powers Alvin C. , Opdenakker Ghislain , Phillipson Mia 
Published: September 2012

AbstractRecruitment and retention of leukocytes at a site of blood vessel growth are crucial for proper angiogenesis and subsequent tissue perfusion. Although critical for many aspects of regenerative medicine, the mechanisms of leukocyte recruitment to and actions at sites of angiogenesis are not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the signals attracting leukocytes to avascular transplanted pancreatic islets and leukocyte actions at the engraftment site. Expression of the angiogenic stimulus VEGF-A by mouse pancreatic islets was elevated shortly after syngeneic transplantation to muscle. High levels of leukocytes, predominantly CD11b+/Gr-1+/CXCR4hi neutrophils, were observed at the site of engraftment, whereas VEGF-A–deficient islets recruited only half of the amount of leukocytes when transplanted. Acute VEGF-A exposure of muscle increased leukocyte extravasation but not the levels of SDF-1α. VEGF-A–recruited neutrophils expressed 10 times higher amounts of MMP-9 than neutrophils recruited to an inflammatory stimulus. Revascularization of islets transplanted to MMP-9–deficient mice was impaired because blood vessels initially failed to penetrate grafts, and after 2 weeks vascularity was still disturbed. This study demonstrates that VEGF-A recruits a proangiogenic circulating subset of CD11b+/Gr-1+ neutrophils that are CXCR4hi and deliver large amounts of the effector protein MMP-9, required for islet revascularization and functional integration after transplantation.
Antigen and substrate withdrawal in the management of autoimmune thrombotic disorders
Authors: Cines Douglas B. , McCrae Keith R. , Zheng X. Long , Sachais Bruce S. , Luning Prak Eline T. , Siegel Don L. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractPrevailing approaches to manage autoimmune thrombotic disorders, such as heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, antiphospholipid syndrome and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, include immunosuppression and systemic anticoagulation, though neither provides optimal outcome for many patients. A different approach is suggested by the concurrence of autoantibodies and their antigenic targets in the absence of clinical disease, such as platelet factor 4 in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and β2-glycoprotein-I (β2GPI) in antiphospholipid syndrome. The presence of autoantibodies in the absence of disease suggests that conformational changes or other alterations in endogenous protein autoantigens are required for recognition by pathogenic autoantibodies. In thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, the clinical impact of ADAMTS13 deficiency caused by autoantibodies likely depends on the balance between residual antigen, that is, enzyme activity, and demand imposed by local genesis of ultralarge multimers of von Willebrand factor. A corollary of these concepts is that disrupting platelet factor 4 and β2GPI conformation (or ultralarge multimer of von Willebrand factor oligomerization or function) might provide a disease-targeted approach to prevent thrombosis without systemic anticoagulation or immunosuppression. Validation of this approach requires a deeper understanding of how seemingly normal host proteins become antigenic or undergo changes that increase antibody avidity, and how they can be altered to retain adaptive functions while shedding epitopes prone to elicit harmful autoimmunity.
Platelets increase the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells
Authors: Cho Min Soon , Bottsford-Miller Justin , Vasquez Hernan G. , Stone Rebecca , Zand Behrouz , Kroll Michael H. , Sood Anil K. , Afshar-Kharghan Vahid 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Platelets promote metastasis and angiogenesis, but their effect on tumor cell growth is uncertain. Here we report a direct proliferative effect of platelets on cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. Incubation of platelets with ovarian cancer cells from murine (ID8 and 2C6) or human (SKOV3 and OVCAR5) origin increased cell proliferation. The proliferative effect of platelets was not dependent on direct contact with cancer cells, and preincubation of platelets with blocking antibodies against platelet adhesion molecules did not alter their effect on cancer cells. The proliferative effect of platelets was reduced by fixing platelets with paraformaldehyde, preincubating platelets with a TGF-β1–blocking antibody, or reducing expression of TGF-βR1 receptor on cancer cells with siRNA. Infusing platelets into mice with orthotopic ovarian tumors significantly increased the proliferation indices in these tumors. Ovarian cancer patients with thrombocytosis had higher tumor proliferation indices compared with patients with normal platelet counts.
Network enrichment analysis: extension of gene-set enrichment analysis to gene networks
Authors: Alexeyenko Andrey , Lee Woojoo , Pernemalm Maria , Guegan Justin , Dessen Philippe , Lazar Vladimir , Lehtiö Janne , Pawitan Yudi 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
Gene-set enrichment analyses (GEA or GSEA) are commonly used for biological characterization of an experimental gene-set. This is done by finding known functional categories, such as pathways or Gene Ontology terms, that are over-represented in the experimental set; the assessment is based on an overlap statistic. Rich biological information in terms of gene interaction network is now widely available, but this topological information is not used by GEA, so there is a need for methods that exploit this type of information in high-throughput data analysis.

Results
We developed a method of network enrichment analysis (NEA) that extends the overlap statistic in GEA to network links between genes in the experimental set and those in the functional categories. For the crucial step in statistical inference, we developed a fast network randomization algorithm in order to obtain the distribution of any network statistic under the null hypothesis of no association between an experimental gene-set and a functional category. We illustrate the NEA method using gene and protein expression data from a lung cancer study.

Conclusions
The results indicate that the NEA method is more powerful than the traditional GEA, primarily because the relationships between gene sets were more strongly captured by network connectivity rather than by simple overlaps.
A high-density genetic map of Arachis duranensis, a diploid ancestor of cultivated peanut
Authors: Nagy Ervin D , Guo Yufang , Tang Shunxue , Bowers John E , Okashah Rebecca A , Taylor Christopher A , Zhang Dong , Khanal Sameer , Heesacker Adam F , Khalilian Nelly , Farmer Andrew D , Carrasquilla-Garcia Noelia , Penmetsa R Varma , Cook Douglas , Stalker H Thomas , Nielsen Niels , Ozias-Akins Peggy , Knapp Steven J 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
Cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea) is an allotetraploid species whose ancestral genomes are most likely derived from the A-genome species, A. duranensis, and the B-genome species, A. ipaensis. The very recent (several millennia) evolutionary origin of A. hypogaea has imposed a bottleneck for allelic and phenotypic diversity within the cultigen. However, wild diploid relatives are a rich source of alleles that could be used for crop improvement and their simpler genomes can be more easily analyzed while providing insight into the structure of the allotetraploid peanut genome. The objective of this research was to establish a high-density genetic map of the diploid species A. duranensis based on de novo generated EST databases. Arachis duranensis was chosen for mapping because it is the A-genome progenitor of cultivated peanut and also in order to circumvent the confounding effects of gene duplication associated with allopolyploidy in A. hypogaea.

Results
More than one million expressed sequence tag (EST) sequences generated from normalized cDNA libraries of A. duranensis were assembled into 81,116 unique transcripts. Mining this dataset, 1236 EST-SNP markers were developed between two A. duranensis accessions, PI 475887 and Grif 15036. An additional 300 SNP markers also were developed from genomic sequences representing conserved legume orthologs. Of the 1536 SNP markers, 1054 were placed on a genetic map. In addition, 598 EST-SSR markers identified in A. hypogaea assemblies were included in the map along with 37 disease resistance gene candidate (RGC) and 35 other previously published markers. In total, 1724 markers spanning 1081.3 cM over 10 linkage groups were mapped. Gene sequences that provided mapped markers were annotated using similarity searches in three different databases, and gene ontology descriptions were determined using the Medicago Gene Atlas and TAIR databases. Synteny analysis between A. duranensis, Medicago and Glycine revealed significant stretches of conserved gene clusters spread across the peanut genome. A higher level of colinearity was detected between A. duranensis and Glycine than with Medicago.

Conclusions
The first high-density, gene-based linkage map for A. duranensis was generated that can serve as a reference map for both wild and cultivated Arachis species. The markers developed here are valuable resources for the peanut, and more broadly, to the legume research community. The A-genome map will have utility for fine mapping in other peanut species and has already had application for mapping a nematode resistance gene that was introgressed into A. hypogaea from A. cardenasii.
Residue analysis of a CTL epitope of SARS-CoV spike protein by IFN-gamma production and bioinformatics prediction
Authors: Huang Jun , Cao Yingnan , Bu Xianzhang , Wu Changyou 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundSevere acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is an emerging infectious disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV. The T cell epitopes of the SARS CoV spike protein are well known, but no systematic evaluation of the functional and structural roles of each residue has been reported for these antigenic epitopes. Analysis of the functional importance of side-chains by mutational study may exaggerate the effect by imposing a structural disturbance or an unusual steric, electrostatic or hydrophobic interaction.ResultsWe demonstrated that N50 could induce significant IFN-gamma response from SARS-CoV S DNA immunized mice splenocytes by the means of ELISA, ELISPOT and FACS. Moreover, S366-374 was predicted to be an optimal epitope by bioinformatics tools: ANN, SMM, ARB and BIMAS, and confirmed by IFN-gamma response induced by a series of S358-374-derived peptides. Furthermore, each of S366-374 was replaced by alanine (A), lysine (K) or aspartic acid (D), respectively. ANN was used to estimate the binding affinity of single S366-374 mutants to H-2 Kd. Y367 and L374 were predicated to possess the most important role in peptide binding. Additionally, these one residue mutated peptides were synthesized, and IFN-gamma production induced by G368, V369, A371, T372 and K373 mutated S366-374 were decreased obviously.ConclusionsWe demonstrated that S366-374 is an optimal H-2 Kd CTL epitope in the SARS CoV S protein. Moreover, Y367, S370, and L374 are anchors in the epitope, while C366, G368, V369, A371, T372, and K373 may directly interact with TCR on the surface of CD8-T cells.
Regulation of neuraminidase expression in Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Gualdi Luciana , Hayre Jasvinder Kaur , Gerlini Alice , Bidossi Alessandro , Colomba Leonarda , Trappetti Claudia , Pozzi Gianni , Docquier Jean-Denis , Andrew Peter , Ricci Susanna , Oggioni Marco R 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
Sialic acid (N-acetylneuraminic acid; NeuNAc) is one of the most important carbohydrates for Streptococcus pneumoniae due of its role as a carbon and energy source, receptor for adhesion and invasion and molecular signal for promotion of biofilm formation, nasopharyngeal carriage and invasion of the lung.

Results
In this work, NeuNAc and its metabolic derivative N-acetyl mannosamine (ManNAc) were used to analyze regulatory mechanisms of the neuraminidase locus expression. Genomic and metabolic comparison to Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus gordonii and Streptococcus sanguinis elucidates the metabolic association of the two amino sugars to different parts of the locus coding for the two main pneumococcal neuraminidases and confirms the substrate specificity of the respective ABC transporters. Quantitative gene expression analysis shows repression of the locus by glucose and induction of all predicted transcriptional units by ManNAc and NeuNAc, each inducing with higher efficiency the operon encoding for the transporter with higher specificity for the respective amino sugar. Cytofluorimetric analysis demonstrated enhanced surface exposure of NanA on pneumococci grown in NeuNAc and ManNAc and an activity assay allowed to quantify approximately twelve times as much neuraminidase activity on induced cells as opposed to glucose grown cells.

Conclusions
The present data increase the understanding of metabolic regulation of the nanAB locus and indicate that experiments aimed at the elucidation of the relevance of neuraminidases in pneumococcal virulence should possibly not be carried out on bacteria grown in glucose containing media.
Novel screening assay for in vivo selection of Klebsiella pneumoniae genes promoting gastrointestinal colonisation
Authors: Boll Erik J , Nielsen Lene N , Krogfelt Karen A , Struve Carsten 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background

Klebsiella pneumoniae is an important opportunistic pathogen causing pneumonia, sepsis and urinary tract infections. Colonisation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a key step in the development of infections; yet the specific factors important for K. pneumoniae to colonize and reside in the GI tract of the host are largely unknown. To identify K. pneumoniae genes promoting GI colonisation, a novel genomic-library-based approach was employed.

Results
Screening of a K. pneumoniae C3091 genomic library, expressed in E. coli strain EPI100, in a mouse model of GI colonisation led to the positive selection of five clones containing genes promoting persistent colonisation of the mouse GI tract. These included genes encoding the global response regulator ArcA; GalET of the galactose operon; and a cluster of two putative membrane-associated proteins of unknown function. Both ArcA and GalET are known to be involved in metabolic pathways in Klebsiella but may have additional biological actions beneficial to the pathogen. In support of this, GalET was found to confer decreased bile salt sensitivity to EPI100.

Conclusions
The present work establishes the use of genomic-library-based in vivo screening assays as a valuable tool for identification and characterization of virulence factors in K. pneumoniae and other bacterial pathogens.