bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oral mucosal status and salivaryIgAlevels ofHIV‐infected children
Authors: Subramaniam Priya , Kumar Krishna 
Published: March 2013

BackgroundPediatricHIVis a major world health problem, which is progressing at an alarming rate. Lesions in the mouth and in other tissues and organs (oral and systemic lesions) in pediatricHIVinfection are diverse and show differences in clinical presentation and severity from that of adults. Very little data exist for oral lesions in pediatric population in India. To assess oral mucosal status ofHIV‐infected children and to correlate it with their salivaryIgAlevels.MethodsThe study group consisted of 150HIV‐infected children aged 6–18 years. They were divided into two groups. Group 1: Children prior to anti‐retroviral therapy, Group 2: Children undergoing anti‐retroviral therapy (for not more than 3 years). Criteria given by Ramos‐Gomez for diagnosis of oral lesions commonly associated withHIVinfection in children were used to record the oral lesions. SalivaryIgAlevels were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis.ResultsThere was a significant difference in mean secretoryIgA(SIgA) levels between the groups (P ≤ 0.05). All the children had one or more oral mucosal lesions, with angular cheilitis being the most common lesion. There was a significant inverse relation betweenSIgAlevels and individual oral mucosal lesions (P ≤ 0.05). The number of oral lesions was inversely related to theSIgAlevels.ConclusionOral mucosal lesions were a significant feature ofHIV‐infected infection, particularly in children prior to the onset of anti‐retroviral therapy. All children showed lowSIgAlevels. Early recognition and management of oral conditions are important to improve the quality of life in these children.
Predictors of expressed emotion, burden and quality of life in relatives of Mexican patients with psychosis
Authors: Gómez‐de‐Regil L. , Kwapil T. R. , Barrantes‐Vidal N. 
Published: April 2013

Accessible summary
Families play an important role in the recovery of mental health patients providing daily informal care. Without support from and an alliance with clinical professionals, family members may feel overwhelmed by the challenge of having a relative with a mental disorder.
The study explores whether the relatives' own feelings of burden, expressed emotion and quality of life can be affected not only by the symptoms of their ill relative but also by how relatives themselves perceive the illness and how psychologically distressed they feel. From a public psychiatric hospital located in Mexico, 65 patients with psychosis were interviewed along with their closest caregiver.
Feeling psychologically distressed increases relatives' burden, expressed emotion and negatively affects their quality of life. Regardless of the patient's mental health status, perceiving the illness as chronic increases relatives' burden. Moreover, when relatives believe that they, rather than treatment or the patient, control or influence the illness, they feel more burden, and their quality of life is poorer. The quality of life of the relatives is also disrupted by their perception of illness as affecting their own lives as well as patients'.
Results underscore the relatives' need of support to overcome their own distress and concerns about the illness, for the psychological well‐being of both patients and relatives.
AbstractExpressed emotion, burden and quality of life of relatives received attention because of the increasing interest in predicting and preventing relapse in psychotic patients; but they have subsequently acquired interest of their own as important aspects of families' psychological well‐being. The study explores whether the psychological distress and illness perception of a sample of relatives of Mexican patients with psychosis can predict their levels of expressed emotion, burden and quality of life above patients' clinical and functional status. Sixty‐five patient–relative dyads were interviewed. Relatives self‐reported on expressed emotion, burden, quality of life, psychological distress and illness perception. Patients' clinical and functional status was rated by an interviewer. Pearson correlations and hierarchical multiple linear regressions were used for statistical analyses. Patients' functional status and relatives' psychological distress were significantly associated with expressed emotion, burden and quality of life. Patients' clinical status and relatives' illness perception were most strongly related to expressed emotion and burden. Relatives' psychological distress and illness perception dimensions predicted both burden and quality of life, over and above patients' clinical and functional status. Results underscore the relatives' need of support to overcome their own distress and concerns about the illness, for the psychological well‐being of both patients and relatives.
Impact of Urodynamic Learning on the Management of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Issue on Young and Senior Urologists and Reasons to Attend a Voiding Dysfunction Course
Authors: RODRIGUES Paulo , HERING Flávio , CAMPAGNARI João Carlos 
Published: April 2013

ObjectivesThe aims of this study were to compare the impact of urodynamic training on the young urologists after fellowship training as well as on senior urologists who attend regular courses on the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and their capacity to do and interpret urodynamic studies.MethodsSixty‐four consecutive young urologists admitted to fellowship program on voiding dysfunctions and 110 senior urologists attending to periodical meetings were interviewed before and after the 3‐day‐courses regarding their ability to set, interpret and do urodynamic studies. They were also questioned on the reasons that led them to attend the courses and how they use the new concepts to manage BPH. A rank of the used parameters to indicate transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in BPH patients were scored before and after the course.ResultsFellowship and senior urologists mainly attended the course because of lack of confidence and belief that this urological issue is too important to be disregarded. A significant portion of both groups do not trust third‐party examiners. More than 90% of the urologists acquired confidence in interpreting, setting and were able to do the exam after the course. The majority of both groups believed urodynamic study was essential to manage BPH, disregarding volume as the main reason to operate on patients. Many outdated parameters became less important on the decision to operate.ConclusionsDoctors exposed to intensive or long urodynamic training dramatically changed their perceptions on the utility of this tool and became more attentive it.
Predicting positive food challenges in children sensitised to peanuts/tree nuts
Authors: Ludman Sian , Ballabeni Pierluigi , Eigenmann Philippe A. , Wassenberg Jacqueline 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackgroundChildren with atopic diseases in early life are frequently found with positive IgE tests to peanuts/tree nuts without a history of previous ingestion. We aimed to identify risk factors for reactions to nuts at first introduction.MethodsA retrospective case‐note and database analysis was performed. Recruitment criteria were: patients aged 3–16 yr who had a standardized food challenge to peanut and/or tree nuts due to sensitisation to the peanut/tree nut (positive spIgE or SPT) without previous consumption. A detailed assessment was performed of factors relating to food challenge outcome with univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.ResultsThere were 98 food challenges (47 peanut, 51 tree nut) with 29 positive, 67 negative and 2 inconclusive outcomes. A positive maternal history of allergy and a specific IgE >5 kU/l were strongly associated with a significantly increased risk of a positive food challenge (OR 3.73; 95% CI 1.31–10.59; p = 0.013 and OR 3.35; 95% CI 1.23–9.11; p = 0.007, respectively). Adjusting for age, a three year‐old with these criteria has a 67% probability of a positive challenge. There was no significant association between types of peanut/tree nut, other food allergies, atopic conditions or severity of previous food reactions and positive challenges.ConclusionsWe have demonstrated an association between the presence of maternal atopic history and a specific IgE >5 kU/l, with a significant increase in the likelihood of a positive food challenge. Although requiring further prospective validation these easily identifiable components should be considered when deciding the need for a challenge.
New insights into Chlamydomonas reinhardtii hydrogen production processes by combined microarray/RNA‐seq transcriptomics
Authors: Toepel Jörg , Illmer‐Kephalides Maike , Jaenicke Sebastian , Straube Jasmin , May Patrick , Goesmann Alexander , Kruse Olaf 
Published: April 2013

SummaryHydrogen production with Chlamydomonas reinhardtii induced by sulphur starvation is a multiphase process while the cell internal metabolism is completely remodelled. The first cellular response is characterized by induction of genes with regulatory functions, followed by a total remodelling of the metabolism to provide reduction equivalents for cellular processes. We were able to characterize all major processes that provide energy and reduction equivalents during hydrogen production. Furthermore, C. reinhardtii showed a strong transcript increase for gene models responsible for stress response and detoxification of oxygen radicals. Finally, we were able to determine potential bottlenecks and target genes for manipulation to increase hydrogen production or to prolong the hydrogen production phase. The investigation of transcriptomic changes during the time course of hydrogen production in C. reinhardtii with microarrays and RNA‐seq revealed new insights into the regulation and remodelling of the cell internal metabolism. Both methods showed a good correlation. The microarray platform can be used as a reliable standard tool for routine gene expression analysis. RNA‐seq additionally allowed a detailed time‐dependent study of gene expression and determination of new genes involved in the hydrogen production process.
Antioxidant Status and Oxidative Stress in Patients with Chronic ITP
Authors: Jin C.‐Q. , Dong H.‐X. , Cheng P.‐P. , Zhou J.‐W. , Zheng B.‐Y. , Liu F. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe aim of this study was to establish the antioxidant status and oxidative stress in adult patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Eighty‐four patients diagnosed with chronic ITP were studied. Fifty‐eight age‐matched healthy subjects were selected as controls. Serum nitrogen monoxide ( NO), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), superoxide dismutase(SOD), hydrogen peroxide enzyme (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), glutathione (GSH) were evaluated by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). It was found that serum SOD, CAT, GSH‐Px, GSH, TAS levels were significantly lower in patients with chronic ITP than controls (all P < 0.05), while serum NO, GSSG, MDA, TOS values were significantly higher (P < 0.05). The number of platelet showed a negative correlation with NO, GSSG, MDA, TOS, respectively,while platelet number showed a positive correlation with SOD, CAT, GSH‐Px, GSH, TAS. These findings suggested that oxidants were increased and antioxidants were decreased in patients with chronic ITP, these may be prominent factors in destructing the platelet membrane. The scavenging of oxygen radical provides a theoretical basis for the treatment of ITP patients.
Sterols are required for cell‐fate commitment and maintenance of the stomatal lineage in Arabidopsis
Authors: Qian Pingping , Han Bing , Forestier Edith , Hu Zhihong , Gao Na , Lu Wenwen , Schaller Hubert , Li Jia , Hou Suiwen 
Published: March 2013

SummaryAsymmetric cell division is important for regulating cell proliferation and fate determination during stomatal development in plants. Although genes that control asymmetric division and cell differentiation in stomatal development have been reported, regulators controlling the process from asymmetric division to cell differentiation remain poorly understood. Here, we report a weak allele (fk–J3158) of the Arabidopsis sterol C–14 reductase gene FACKEL (FK) that shows clusters of small cells and stomata in leaf epidermis, a common phenomenon that is often seen in mutants defective in stomatal asymmetric division. Interestingly, the physical asymmetry of these divisions appeared to be intact in fk mutants, but the cell‐fate asymmetry was greatly disturbed, suggesting that the FK pathway links these two crucial events in the process of asymmetric division. Sterol profile analysis revealed that the fk–J3158 mutation blocked downstream sterol production. Further investigation indicated that cyclopropylsterol isomerase1 (cpi1), sterol 14α–demethylase (cyp51A2) and hydra1 (hyd1) mutants, corresponding to enzymes in the same branch of the sterol biosynthetic pathway, displayed defective stomatal development phenotypes, similar to those observed for fk. Fenpropimorph, an inhibitor of the FK sterol C–14 reductase in Arabidopsis, also caused these abnormal small‐cell and stomata phenotypes in wild‐type leaves. Genetic experiments demonstrated that sterol biosynthesis is required for correct stomatal patterning, probably through an additional signaling pathway that has yet to be defined. Detailed analyses of time‐lapse cell division patterns, stomatal precursor cell division markers and DNA ploidy suggest that sterols are required to properly restrict cell proliferation, asymmetric fate specification, cell‐fate commitment and maintenance in the stomatal lineage cells. These events occur after physical asymmetric division of stomatal precursor cells.
MALDI mass spectrometry‐assisted molecular imaging of metabolites during nitrogen fixation in the Medicago truncatula–Sinorhizobium meliloti symbiosis
Authors: Ye Hui , Gemperline Erin , Venkateshwaran Muthusubramanian , Chen Ruibing , Delaux Pierre‐Marc , Howes‐Podoll Maegen , Ané Jean‐Michel , Li Lingjun 
Published: March 2013

SummarySymbiotic associations between leguminous plants and nitrogen‐fixing rhizobia culminate in the formation of specialized organs called root nodules, in which the rhizobia fix atmospheric nitrogen and transfer it to the plant. Efficient biological nitrogen fixation depends on metabolites produced by and exchanged between both partners. The Medicago truncatula–Sinorhizobium meliloti association is an excellent model for dissecting this nitrogen‐fixing symbiosis because of the availability of genetic information for both symbiotic partners. Here, we employed a powerful imaging technique – matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)/mass spectrometric imaging (MSI) – to study metabolite distribution in roots and root nodules of M. truncatula during nitrogen fixation. The combination of an efficient, novel MALDI matrix [1,8–bis(dimethyl‐amino) naphthalene, DMAN] with a conventional matrix 2,5–dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB) allowed detection of a large array of organic acids, amino acids, sugars, lipids, flavonoids and their conjugates with improved coverage. Ion density maps of representative metabolites are presented and correlated with the nitrogen fixation process. We demonstrate differences in metabolite distribution between roots and nodules, and also between fixing and non‐fixing nodules produced by plant and bacterial mutants. Our study highlights the benefits of using MSI for detecting differences in metabolite distributions in plant biology.
High‐throughput simultaneous genotyping of human platelet antigen‐1 to ‐16 by using suspension array
Authors: An Qun‐Xing , Li Cui‐Ying , Xu Li‐Juan , Zhang Xian‐Qing , Bai Yan‐Jun , Shao Zhong‐Jun , Zhang Wei 
Published: April 2013

BackgroundComprehensive and accurate detection of human platelet antigens (HPAs) plays a significant role in diagnosis and prevention of the platelet (PLT) alloimmune syndromes and ensuring clinical safety of patients undergoing PLT transfusion. The majority of the available methods are incapable of performing high‐throughput simultaneous detection of HPA‐1 to ‐16, and the accuracy of many methods needs to be further enhanced.Study Design and MethodsWe have developed a new HPA‐genotyping method for simultaneous detection of HPA‐1 to ‐16 based on suspension array technology. A total of 216 samples from Chinese Han donors in Xi'an were genotyped using the developed method, and all the samples again were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequence‐based typing (PCR‐SBT), which is considered the gold standard.ResultsAll 216 samples were successfully genotyped for HPA‐1 to ‐16 using both our method and PCR‐SBT. Results showed that the genotype and allele frequencies obtained using our method were fully consistent with those obtained using PCR‐SBT.ConclusionOur method provides accurate, high‐throughput, and simultaneous genotyping of HPA‐1 to ‐16 and will serve as the foundation for large‐scale clinical genotyping of HPAs and for the establishment of an HPA‐typed PLT donor registry.
Interleukin 11 expression in the normal canine eye
Authors: Richards Tara R. , Mortlock Jessica H. H. , Pinard Chantale L. , Whelan Nick C. , Revay Tamas , LaMarre Jonathan 
Published: April 2013

AbstractObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to characterize the expression of interleukin‐11 (IL‐11), a cytokine with anti‐inflammatory, cytoprotective, and immune‐modulating characteristics, in the canine eye.ProceduresNormal canine eyes were collected from clinically healthy dogs that had been euthanized for reasons unrelated to this study. The distribution of IL‐11 expression in the different ocular layers was evaluated by immunofluorescence (eight eyes). Expression levels were quantified (based on fluorescence intensity) using pixel density analysis. Primary cell cultures were derived from all three corneal cell layers. IL‐11 mRNA expression was assessed in these cultures using quantitative RT‐PCR before and after treatment with TGF‐β1, a known inducer of IL‐11 expression. IL‐11 protein expression was also assessed in the media of these cells by Western blot analysis.ResultsIL‐11 protein was detected in the corneal epithelium, keratocytes, and the corneal endothelium of the normal canine eyes examined using immunofluorescence. Baseline IL‐11 mRNA expression was noted in the corneal epithelium, fibroblasts, and endothelium using quantitative RT‐PCR. Treatment of canine corneal cell lines with TGF‐β1 resulted in statistically significant increases in IL‐11 expression in the corneal epithelium, endothelial and fibroblast cell lines with strongest induction noted in the fibroblasts and endothelium.ConclusionThis is the first description of IL‐11 expression in the canine eye. The protein and mRNA appear to be constitutively present throughout all layers of the cornea and are increased by TGF‐β1, a cytokine important in ocular inflammation and disease.
From Waste to Plastic: Synthesis of Poly(3-Hydroxypropionate) in Shimwellia blattae
Authors: Heinrich Daniel , Andreessen Bjï¿½rn , Madkour Mohamed H. , Al-Ghamdi Mansour A. , Shabbaj Ibrahim I. , Steinbï¿½chel Alexander 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACT

In recent years, glycerol has become an attractive carbon source for microbial processes, as it accumulates massively as a by-product of biodiesel production, also resulting in a decline of its price. A potential use of glycerol in biotechnology is the synthesis of poly(3-hydroxypropionate) [poly(3HP)], a biopolymer with promising properties which is not synthesized by any known wild-type organism. In this study, the genes for 1,3-propanediol dehydrogenase (
dhaT
) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (
aldD
) of
Pseudomonas putida
KT2442, propionate-coenzyme A (propionate-CoA) transferase (
pct
) of
Clostridium propionicum
X2, and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthase (
phaC1
) of
Ralstonia eutropha
H16 were cloned and expressed in the 1,3-propanediol producer
Shimwellia blattae
. In a two-step cultivation process, recombinant
S. blattae
cells accumulated up to 9.8% ï¿½ 0.4% (wt/wt [cell dry weight]) poly(3HP) with glycerol as the sole carbon source. Furthermore, the engineered strain tolerated the application of crude glycerol derived from biodiesel production, yielding a cell density of 4.05 g cell dry weight/liter in a 2-liter fed-batch fermentation process.
Synthesis of Fucosyl-
N
-Acetylglucosamine Disaccharides by Transfucosylation Using α-l-Fucosidases from Lactobacillus casei
Authors: Rodrï¿½guez-Dï¿½az Jesï¿½s , Carbajo Rodrigo J. , Pineda-Lucena Antonio , Monedero Vicente , Yebra Marï¿½a J. 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACT

AlfB and AlfC α-l-fucosidases from
Lactobacillus casei
were used in transglycosylation reactions, and they showed high efficiency in synthesizing fucosyldisaccharides. AlfB and AlfC activities exclusively produced fucosyl-α-1,3-
N
-acetylglucosamine and fucosyl-α-1,6-
N
-acetylglucosamine, respectively. The reaction kinetics showed that AlfB can convert 23%
p
-nitrophenyl-α-
l
-fucopyranoside into fucosyl-α-1,3-
N
-acetylglucosamine and AlfC at up to 56% into fucosyl-α-1,6-
N
-acetylglucosamine.
Distinctive Microbial Community Structure in Highly Stratified Deep-Sea Brine Water Columns
Authors: Bougouffa S. , Yang J. K. , Lee O. O. , Wang Y. , Batang Z. , Al-Suwailem A. , Qian P. Y. 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACT

Atlantis II and Discovery are two hydrothermal and hypersaline deep-sea pools in the Red Sea rift that are characterized by strong thermohalo-stratification and temperatures steadily peaking near the bottom. We conducted comprehensive vertical profiling of the microbial populations in both pools and highlighted the influential environmental factors. Pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA genes revealed shifts in community structures vis-à-vis depth. High diversity and low abundance were features of the deepest convective layers despite the low cell density. Surprisingly, the brine interfaces had significantly higher cell counts than the overlying deep-sea water, yet they were lowest in diversity. Vertical stratification of the bacterial populations was apparent as we moved from the
Alphaproteobacteria
-dominated deep sea to the
Planctomycetaceae
- or
Deferribacteres
-dominated interfaces to the
Gammaproteobacteria-
dominated brine layers. Archaeal marine group I was dominant in the deep-sea water and interfaces, while several euryarchaeotic groups increased in the brine. Across sites, microbial phylotypes and abundances varied substantially in the brine interface of Discovery compared with Atlantis II, despite the near-identical populations in the overlying deep-sea waters. The lowest convective layers harbored interestingly similar microbial communities, even though temperature and heavy metal concentrations were very different. Multivariate analysis indicated that temperature and salinity were the major influences shaping the communities. The harsh conditions and the low-abundance phylotypes could explain the observed correlation in the brine pools.