bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The development of Leishmania turanica in sand flies and competition with L. major
Authors: Chajbullinova Alsu , Votypka Jan , Sadlova Jovana , Kvapilova Katerina , Seblova Veronika , Kreisinger Jakub , Jirku Milan , Sanjoba Chizu , Gantuya Sambuu , Matsumoto Yoshitsugu , Volf Petr 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
In Central Asian foci of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniases, mixed infections of Leishmania turanica and L. major have been found in a reservoir host (the great gerbil, Rhombomys opimus) as well as in the sand fly vector Phlebotomus papatasi, but hybrids between these two Leishmania species have never been reported. In addition, the role of sand fly species other than P. papatasi in L. turanica circulation is not clear.

Methods
In this work we compared the development of L. turanica in three sand fly species belonging to different subgenera. In addition, we studied experimental co-infections of sand flies by both Leishmania species using GFP transfected L. turanica (MRHO/MN/08/BZ18(GFP+)) and RFP transfected L. major (WHOM/IR/-/173-DsRED(RFP+)). The possibility of Leishmania genetic exchange during the vectorial part of the life cycle was studied using flow cytometry combined with immunofluorescent microscopy.

Results
Late-stage infections of L. turanica with frequent colonization of the stomodeal valve were observed in the specific vector P. (Phlebotomus) papatasi and in the permissive vector P. (Adlerius) arabicus. On the other hand, in P. sergenti (the specific vector of L. tropica), L. turanica promatigotes were present only until the defecation of bloodmeal remnants. In their natural vector P. papatasi, L. turanica and L. major developed similarly, and the spatiotemporal dynamics of localization in the sand fly gut was the same for both leishmania species. Fluorescence microscopy in combination with FACS analyses did not detect any L. major / L. turanica hybrids in the experimental co-infection of P. papatasi and P. duboscqi.

Conclusion
Our data provide new insight into the development of different leishmania parasite species during a mixed infection in the sand fly gut. Despite the fact that both Leishmania species developed well in P. papatasi and P. duboscqi and did not outcompete each other, no genetic exchange was found. However, the ability of L. turanica to establish late-stage infections in these specific vectors of L. major suggests that the lipophosphoglycan of this species must be identical or similar to that of L. major.
Secretome analysis of chondroitin sulfate-treated chondrocytes reveals anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-catabolic properties
Authors: Calamia Valentina , Lourido Lucía , Fernández-Puente Patricia , Mateos Jesús , Rocha Beatriz , Montell Eulalia , Vergés Josep , Ruiz-Romero Cristina , Blanco Francisco J 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Introduction
Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is a symptomatic slow-acting drug for osteoarthritis (OA) widely used in the clinic. The aim of this work is to find proteins whose secretion from cartilage cells under proinflammatory stimuli (IL-1β) is regulated by CS, employing a novel quantitative proteomic approach.

Methods
Human articular chondrocytes released from three normal cartilages were grown in SILAC medium. When complete incorporation of the heavy isotope was achieved, chondrocytes were stimulated with IL-1β 5 ng/ml with or without CS pretreatment (200 µg/ml). Forty-eight hours later, chondrocyte secretomes were analyzed by nano-scale liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Real-time PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry analyses were employed to confirm some of the results.

Results
We could identify 75 different proteins in the secretome of human articular chondrocytes. Eighteen of these were modulated by CS with statistical significance (six increased and 12 decreased). In normal chondrocytes stimulated with IL-1β, CS reduces inflammation directly by decreasing the presence of several complement components (CFAB, C1S, CO3, and C1R) and also indirectly by increasing proteins such as TNFα-induced protein (TSG6). TSG6 overexpression correlates with a decrease in pro-matrix metalloproteinase activation (observed in MMP1 and MMP3 levels). Finally, we observed a strong CS-dependent increase of an angiogenesis inhibitor, thrombospondin-1.

Conclusion
We have generated a quantitative profile of chondrocyte extracellular protein changes driven by CS in the presence of IL-1β. We have also provided novel evidences of its anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-catabolic properties. Demonstration of the anti-angiogenic action of CS might provide a novel therapeutic approach for OA targeting.
Association of circulating levels of MMP-8 with mortality from respiratory disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Mattey Derek L , Nixon Nicola B , Dawes Peter T 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Introduction
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are implicated in the destruction of the joint and have been shown to be strongly associated with inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Circulating MMPs have also been associated with cardiovascular disease in the general population, and are predictive of cardiovascular mortality. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether circulating levels of MMPs are predictive of mortality in RA.

Methods
A multiplex suspension array system (Luminex®) was used to measure levels of MMPs (1, 2, 3, 8 and 9) in sera taken at recruitment of RA patients (n = 487) in a study of factors associated with mortality in RA. Patients were tracked on the National Health Service Central Register for notification of death, and the relationship between baseline MMP levels and mortality was analysed using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.

Results
At the time of follow-up, 204/486 patients had died, of which 94 (46.1%) had died of circulatory diseases, 49 of malignancy (24.0%), and 42 (20.6%) of respiratory diseases. In a stepwise analysis which included all MMPs, only MMP-8 was significantly associated with all cause mortality (P = 0.0007, 0.6% hazard ratio increase per ng/ml). No association was found between MMP levels and mortality due to circulatory disease or malignancy. However MMP-8 levels were strongly associated with mortality due to respiratory disease (P < 0.0001, 1.3% hazard ratio increase per ng/ml). The association with respiratory disease related mortality remained highly significant in multivariate models which included smoking as well as markers of severity and disease activity such as rheumatoid factor, nodular disease, and C-reactive protein (CRP).

Conclusions
The serum level of MMP-8 is a strong predictor of mortality in RA, especially that due to respiratory disease. This finding is consistent with increased activation of neutrophils in RA and identifies serum MMP-8 as a useful marker for increased risk of premature death.
Status of the Pediatric Clinical Trials Enterprise: An Analysis of the US ClinicalTrials.gov Registry
Authors: Pasquali Sara K. , Lam Wendy K. , Chiswell Karen , Kemper Alex R. , Li Jennifer S. 
Published: October 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Clinical trials are the gold standard for generating evidence-based knowledge in medicine. Recent legislation requiring trials to be registered at ClinicalTrials.gov has enabled evaluation of the clinical trial enterprise as a whole, which was previously not possible. The purpose of this study was to create a snapshot of the pediatric clinical trial portfolio.

METHODS:
All interventional trials registered at ClinicalTrials.gov from July 2005 to September 2010 were included. Pediatric (ie, enrolling patients aged 0–18 years) trial characteristics, therapeutic area, location, and funding were described. Secondary objectives included describing pediatric trials over time and comparison with nonpediatric trials.

RESULTS:
During this time, 5035 pediatric trials were registered compared with &gt;10 times as many nonpediatric trials. Neonates/infants were eligible for enrollment in 46.6% of trials versus children (77.9%) and adolescents (45.2%). Nearly one-half of pediatric trials enrolled &lt;100 subjects, and more pediatric trials versus nonpediatric trials evaluated preventive therapies. The proportion of pediatric trials evaluating a drug intervention declined over time, and there were fewer Phase 0 to II versus Phase III to IV trials. Infectious disease/vaccine studies (23%) were the most common, followed by psychiatric/mental health (13%) studies. Many trials enrolled patients outside the United States, and &lt;15% of trials were sponsored by the National Institutes of Health or other US federal agencies.

CONCLUSIONS:
Analysis of the ClinicalTrials.gov data set allows description of the current scope of pediatric trials. These data may be useful to stakeholders in informing decisions regarding the conduct of trials in children and provide insight into mechanisms to advance pediatric trial infrastructure and methodology toward improving child health.
Evaluation of an Auditory Assessment Protocol for Chinese Infants with Nonsyndromic Cleft Lip and/or Palate
Authors: Yang Frank F. , McPherson Bradley , Shu Huang 
Published: October 2012

Objective To objectively investigate the auditory status of mainland Chinese infants with nonsyndromic cleft lip and/or palate and to evaluate an auditory assessment protocol for this group. Design Prospective cohort case review. Patients or other Participants A total of 42 Chinese infants with nonsyndromic cleft lip and/or palate aged 6 to 24 months. Intervention The hearing profiles of participants were acquired using otoscopy, tympanometry, transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions, and auditory brainstem response estimated hearing threshold. The efficiency of the current audiological test battery was analyzed also. Results Sixty-four (64.2) percent of infants with nonsyndromic cleft lip and/or palate (55.9% of ears) were suspected to have middle ear disorder, and 85.7% of all subjects (83.3% of ears) were found to have hearing loss. Of those with confirmed loss, the overall mean auditory brainstem response estimated air-conduction hearing threshold was 53.5 ± 13.6 decibel normal hearing level [db nHL]. Using auditory brainstem response thresholds as a reference standard, the diagnostic agreement with the other assessment tools for normal/abnormal results was otoscopy, 69% (κ = .57); tympanometry, 66.7% (κ = .53); and transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions, 80% (κ = .64). Conclusion The high prevalence of middle ear disease and hearing loss in mainland Chinese infants with nonsyndromic cleft lip and/or palate in this study was in contrast to previous studies of older age groups of Chinese children conducted in Hong Kong and Singapore. The audiological assessment protocol used in our study could provide useful information; although, modifications may be necessary to ensure a complete diagnostic overview for children with craniofacial clefts.
Scoring Systems of Cleft-Related Facial Deformities: A Review of Literature
Authors: Mosmuller D.G.M. , Griot J.P.W. Don , Bijnen C.L. , Niessen F.B. 
Published: October 2012

Objective There is a need for an internationally agreed objective method of assessing cleft-related deformities in order to compare the results of individual surgeons and different surgical techniques or to determine the optimal timing for primary lip closure. To assess the current methods, an overview of the recent developments in postoperative scoring systems of cleft-related deformities was made. Methods A Medline search from June 2003 through July 2011 was conducted, and references in the selected articles were checked. This search yielded 428 articles, and after application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 40 articles were included in this review. Results Twenty-five studies used two-dimensional (2D) photographs for the assessment of cleft-related deformities. Fourteen of these studies used a subjective method for the assessment and 11 performed anthropometric measurements. Good reliability has been found for subjective assessments and measurements from 2D photographs. Fifteen studies assessed three-dimensional (3D) imaging. Conclusions Although there is a wide variety in study design, 3D imaging seems most reliable in assessing cleft-related facial deformities. However, scoring on 2D photographs is easier to perform and more applicable in daily practice because all cleft patients are photographed through the course of their treatment.
Predicting the Glycemic Response to Gastric Bypass Surgery in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Dixon John B. , Chuang Lee-Ming , Chong Keong , Chen Shu-Chun , Lambert Gavin W. , Straznicky Nora E. , Lambert Elisabeth A. , Lee Wei-Jei 
Published: October 2012

OBJECTIVE
To find clinically meaningful preoperative predictors of diabetes remission and conversely inadequate glycemic control after gastric bypass surgery. Predicting the improvement in glycemic control in those with type 2 diabetes after bariatric surgery may help in patient selection.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Preoperative details of 154 ethnic Chinese subjects with type 2 diabetes were examined for their influence on glycemic outcomes at 1 year after gastric bypass. Remission was defined as HbA1c ≤6%. Analysis involved binary logistic regression to identify predictors and provide regression equations and receiver operating characteristic curves to determine clinically useful cutoff values.

RESULTS
Remission was achieved in 107 subjects (69.5%) at 12 months. Diabetes duration &lt;4 years, body mass &gt;35 kg/m2, and fasting C-peptide concentration &gt;2.9 ng/mL provided three independent preoperative predictors and three clinically useful cutoffs. The regression equation classification plot derived from continuous data correctly assigned 84% of participants. A combination of two or three of these predictors allows a sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 87% for remission. Duration of diabetes (with different cutoff points) and C-peptide also predicted those cases in which HbA1c ≤7% was not attained. Percentage weight loss after surgery was also predictive of remission and of less satisfactory outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS
The glycemic response to gastric bypass is related to BMI, duration of diabetes, fasting C-peptide (influenced by insulin resistance and residual β-cell function), and weight loss. These data support and refine previous findings in non-Asian populations. Specific ethnic and procedural regression equations and cutoff points may vary.
Structural, elastic, thermodynamic and lattice dynamic properties of PrX (X = Sb, Bi)
Authors: Kocak Belgin , Ciftci Yasemin O. , Colakoglu Kemal , Deligoz Engin 
Published: October 2012

AbstractFirst principles calculations for rare earth compounds PrSb and PrBi in NaCl(B1), CsCl(B2), ZB(B3), WC(Bh) and CuAu(L1o) structures have been performed using density functional theory within the generalized gradient approximation. For the total-energy calculation, the projected augmented plane-wave implementation of the Vienna ab-initio simulation package has been used. Our structural results are consistent with the available experimental and other theoretical data. The phonon dispersion curves and corresponding one-phonon density of states (DOS) for both compounds are also computed in NaCl(B1) structure which is energetically more stable than the other structures. In addition to these properties, the temperature/pressure variation of the volume, thermal expansion coefficient, heat capacity are calculated in over wide pressure and temperature ranges.
Investigating the machinability of austempered ductile irons with dual matrix structures
Authors: Ovalıa İsmail , Mavib Ahmet 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
In this study, the machinability of austempered ductile iron with dual phase structure was investigated. Specimens were intercritically austenitized (partially austenitized) in the two phase region (α + γ) at various temperatures (810, 820 and 830 °C) for 90 min, then quenched in a salt bath held at austempering temperatures of 315 °C or 375 °C for 120 min and then air cooled to room temperature to obtain various ausferrite volume fractions and morphologies. Machinability tests were carried out at various cutting speeds (150, 180 and 210 m min−1), at a constant feed rate (0.30 mm rev−1) and depth of cut at 2 mm after austempering heat treatment. The experimental results showed that austempered specimens from the (α + γ) temperature range exhibited better machinability than as-cast samples. On the other hand, the cutting force was decreased with increasing proeutectoid ferrite fractions. The results also showed that continuity of ausferritic structure along intercellular boundaries plays an important role in determining machinability of austempered ductile iron with different ausferrite volume fractions. Another important result is that higher proeutectoid volume fraction has negative effects on surface roughness.
Structural and relaxor characteristics of Ca0.18Sr0.226Ba0.594Nb2O6
Authors: Meher K. R. S. Preethi , Vaish Rahul , Hou J. , Krsmanovic Dalibor , Kumar R. V. , Varma K. B. R. 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Polycrystalline Ca0.18Sr0.226Ba0.594Nb2O6 (CSBN18) was synthesized via the solid-state reaction route. X-ray structural studies confirmed it belonged to the tetragonal tungsten bronze family. Rietveld refinement of the X-ray data has been carried out for CSBN18 where the atomic positions and site occupancy factors for A-sites have been determined. The dielectric properties of CSBN18 ceramic were studied as a function of temperature in the 100 Hz–1 MHz frequency range. The dielectric relaxation followed the Vogel–Fulcher relation wherein E
a = 37.4 meV; T
f = 131.5 °C and ω
0 = 4.31 × 109 rad s−1. A high pyroelectric coefficient of ∼ 250 μC m−2.K was obtained around the transition temperature (∼150 °C). This is significantly higher than that reported for polycrystalline Sr
x
Ba1-xNb2O6 (SBN). However, the piezoelectric coefficient (d
33) of the title composition was as low as 6 pC N−1.
Mechanical properties and corrosion behaviour of freestanding, precipitate-free magnesium WE43 thin films
Authors: Schlüter Kristina , Zamponi Christiane , Hapke Julia , Hort Norbert , Kainer Karl Ulrich , Quandt Eckhard 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Magnetron sputtered freestanding thin films of two modified WE43 alloys (Mg4Y3Nd and Mg4Y3Gd) consist of a supersaturated single phase microstructure with a strong texture in [0001] direction for a wide range of deposition conditions. While the deposition conditions have no significant influence on the corrosion behaviour of these samples, they strongly influence the mechanical properties, which can be tuned between extremely brittle behaviour for high sputtering pressures (2.0 × 10−2 mbar) and ductile behaviour with a maximum strain of about 18 % at room temperature for low sputtering pressures (8.0 × 10−4 mbar) for both investigated alloys.
Microsatellite markers for Amborella (Amborellaceae), a monotypic genus endemic to New Caledonia
Authors: Poncet Valérie , Couderc Marie , Tranchant‐Dubreuil Christine , Gomez Céline , Hamon Perla , Hamon Serge , Pillon Yohan , Munzinger Jérôme , de Kochko Alexandre 
Published: October 2012

• Premise of the study: Informative markers are required for assessing the diversity of Amborella trichopoda, the only species of its order, endemic to New Caledonia and considered to be the sister species to all flowering plants. Therefore, expressed sequence tag (EST)–based microsatellite markers were developed.• Methods and Results: Fifty‐five microsatellite loci were characterized in 14896 putative unigenes, which were generated by assembling A. trichopoda ESTs from the public sequence database. Seventeen markers revealed polymorphism in 80 adult shrubs from three populations. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 12, with a total of 132 alleles scored. The mean expected heterozygosity per population ranged from 0.336 to 0.567.• Conclusions: These markers offer an appropriate amount of variation to investigate genetic diversity structure, gene flow, and other conservation issues.
Familial Mediterranean Fever in Siblings
Authors: ÖZÇAKAR Z. BIRSIN , ERDOGAN BEYZA DOGANAY , ELHAN ATILLA H. , YALÇINKAYA FATOŞ 
Published: October 2012

Objective.Genetic and environmental factors have been implicated in disease severity and development of amyloidosis in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). We investigated similarities in clinical characteristics, disease severity, and treatment response within siblings with FMF.Methods.The study group consisted of 2 or more siblings who were followed in our center with the diagnosis of FMF. Siblings were evaluated for demographic data, clinical and laboratory disease features, genetic analysis of MEFV mutations, and disease severity score. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), which can be interpreted as the expected correlation between 2 siblings, was used to reflect within-family similarity.Results.The study included 67 pediatric patients from 31 different families. When we investigated the similarity of siblings after adjusting for genetic effects, we found very low ICC with p > 0.05 in the majority of clinical features, disease severity, and colchicine dosages. However, age at disease onset, age at onset of therapy, attack-free acute-phase reactant levels, and presence of amyloidosis were found to be similar within siblings (relatively high ICC with p < 0.05).Conclusion.Siblings with FMF had different clinical findings and disease severity. They had similar amyloidogenic potential, proven by both similar presence of amyloid and increased levels of acute-phase reactants between attacks. Our findings strongly support that genetic factors may be more dominant in the development of amyloidosis.
IL-1 Family Members IL-18 and IL-33 Upregulate the Inflammatory Potential of Differentiated Human Th1 and Th2 Cultures
Authors: Blom Lars , Poulsen Lars K. 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
The IL-1 family members IL-1β, IL-18, and IL-33 are potent cytokines in relationship to amplifying the CD4+ T cell cytokine production. To evaluate their impact on in vitro-differentiated human Th1 and Th2 cultures, such cultures were established from naive T cells, purified from healthy blood donors, and reactivated in the presence of IL-1β, IL-18, or IL-33. Interestingly, we observe modifying responses in Th1 and Th2 cultures induced by IL-18 or IL-33 but not by IL-1β, both contributing to amplify production of IL-5, IL-13, and IFN-γ. IL-18 or IL-33 stimulation of Th1 cultures resulted in increased IFN-γ and IL-13 production concurrent with reduced IL-10 gene transcription and secretion even though Th1 cultures, in contrast to IL-18Rα, had low ST2L expression. Furthermore, adding IL-18 to Th1 cultures promoted Tbet mRNA expression and production. Th2 cultures stimulated with IL-18 or IL-33 had an increased IL-5 secretion. Interestingly, E4BP4 gene expression and the percentage of E4BP4+ cells of the recently shown IL-10 transcriptional regulator E4BP4 correlated with IL-10 gene expression and protein secretion in Th1 cultures. Taken together, we report that the IL-1 family “alarmins” IL-18 and IL-33 in addition to amplifying both Th1- and Th2-associated cytokines block production of the regulatory cytokine IL-10 in Th1 cultures.