bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum 27E10 antigen: a new potential marker for staging HIV disease
Authors: LÜGERING N , STOLL R , KUCHARZIK T , BURMEISTER G , SORG C , DOMSCHKE W 
Published: November 2013

SUMMARY
MRP8 and MRP14 are myeloic related proteins expressed by most circulating and emigrated neutrophils and monocytes. Their composite molecule MRP8/14 (27E10 antigen) was shown to exhibit striking antimicrobial properties. The aim of the present study was to assess the value of MRPs as markers for detection of the different stages of HIV infection (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, 1993). By employing the ELISA technique we measured serum concentrations of these proteins in samples from 122 HIV patients at the various stages of disease, and the results were compared with those for healthy controls. Serum levels of the heterodimeric molecule 27E10 were significantly increased (P &lt; 0·001) in patients with CDC stages II and III, with the highest levels being in patients with stage III and acute ongoing opportunistic infections. For the single component MRP14, significantly raised levels (P &lt; 0·05) were only found in HIV stage III individuals with acute clinical events. Similar associations were not found for MRP8 alone. Increase was not related to CD4+ cell count. There was a significant correlation between 27E10 antigen serum concentrations and levels of neopterin in patients with HIV stages II and III without acute concurrent illness. Patients being treated with Zidovudine showed no statistically significant variation in levels of 27E10 and its single components MRP8 and MRP14 compared with untreated patients. These findings suggest that elevation of MRP14 levels occurs in HIV+ individuals at later stages post-HIV infection, after the onset of opportunistic infections. 27E10 antigen is concluded to be a potential marker for the different stages of HIV disease.
Prominent proliferative response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to a recombinant non-structural (NS3) protein of hepatitis C virus in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: YANG P-M , HWANG L-H , LAI M-Y , HUANG W-L , CHU Y-D , CHI W-K , CHIANG B-L , KAO J-H , CHEN P-J , CHEN D-S 
Published: November 2013

SUMMARY
The proliferative response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to a recombinant non-structural (NS3) protein of hepatitis C virus (HCV) was studied in 41 patients with chronic hepatitis C. Of them, 28 had chronic persistent hepatitis (CPH) and 13 chronic active hepatitis (CAH). The positive proliferation rate of PBMC to the recombinant NS3 protein, T9Ag, was 66% in the 41 patients (77% in CAH versus 61 % in CPH; P &gt; 0·05) when stimulation index (SI) = 4 was set as the cut-off value. However, mean SI of CAH patients was significantly higher than that of CPH patients (8·3 ± 5·2 versus 5·1 ± 3·6; P &lt; 0·05). Six other chronic hepatitis patients who were repeatedly negative for anti-HCV antibody but positive for serum HCV RNA also had an SI of ≥ 4·0. The frequency of cellular immune response to the T9Ag is among the highest results obtained by using HCV antigens tested so far. Our studies thus indicate that NS3 is an immunologically important region of HCV for T cells. Moreover, the proliferative response to T9Ag may help to establish hepatitis C etiology in chronic hepatitis patients who are seronegative with currently available anti-HCV assays.
Human monoclonal antibodies for the immunological characterization of a highly conserved protein domain of the hepatitis C virus glycoprotein E1
Authors: SIEMONEIT K , CARDOSO M DA SILVA , KOERNER K , WÖLPL A , KUBANEK B 
Published: November 2013

SUMMARYAlthough both envelope glycoproteins of the hepatitis C virus, E1 and E2/NS1, show a high degree of sequence variation, the E1 protein includes a well conserved domain, which may be functionally important. We have analysed the human B cell response to a peptide fragment from amino acid residues 314–330 (EP3) covering the central conserved sequence of this domain. Anti-hepatitis C virus-positive blood donors were screened for anti-EP3 antibodies with an ELISA based on immobilized peptide. Thirty out of 92 (32%) RIBA-confirmed donors displayed a significant antibody response to EP3. From three of these blood donors we established four anti-EP3-producing heterohybridoma cell lines: U1/F30 and U1/F31 produced IgM-κ, whereas U1/F32 and U1/F33 secreted the isotypes IgG1-λ and IgG1-κ, respectively. Epitope analysis with overlapping nonapeptides suggests the existence of different antigenic determinants within the EP3 fragment. Although both IgG antibodies U1/F32 and U1/F33 have dissociation constants to the peptide of ∼ 10−9 M, binding to recombinant E1 protein expressed in COS-7 cells was different. Only U1/F33 detected envelope protein of ∼ 24–35 kD in Western blot. This human MoAb will be useful for further investigations on the hepatitis C virus glycoprotein E1.
CD5 expression on B cells may be an activation marker for secretion of anti-myelin antibodies in patients with polyneuropathy associated with monoclonal gammopathy
Authors: EKERFELT C , ERNERUDH J , SOLDERS G , VRETHEM M 
Published: November 2013

SUMMARYB cells expressing the CD5 marker belong to a subpopulation with potential autoreactive properties. Increased proportions of CD5+ B cells have been reported in autoimmune diseases. In patients with monoclonal gammopathy and demyelinating polyneuropathy, the M-component often consists of autoantibodies reacting with myelin components. We therefore investigated if CD5+ B cells were involved in the production of anti-myelin antibodies. There was no difference of mean value of CD5+ B cells between patients and controls. However, the proportion of CD5+ B cells was significantly correlated with the amount of anti-myelin antibodies. In seven patients, CD5+ B cells were enriched using an immunomagnetic technique. The number of CD5+ and CD5− B cells secreting anti-myelin antibodies was determined by ELISPOT. In two patients with high levels of antibodies, antibody-secreting cells were mainly, but not exclusively, CD5+ B cells. In five patients with low levels of antibodies, most cells secreting anti-myelin antibodies were CD5−. We conclude that CD5 expressed on B cells may be an activation marker, reflecting B cells producing high amounts of anti-myelin antibodies in patients with polyneuropathy associated with monoclonal gammopathy.
Hemipelvectomy: Outcome in 84 dogs and 16 cats. A veterinary society of surgical oncology retrospective study
Authors: Bray Jonathan P. , Worley Deanna R. , Henderson Ralph A. , Boston Sarah E. , Mathews Kyle G. , Romanelli Giorgio , Bacon Nicholas J. , Liptak Julius M. , Scase Tim J. 
Published: November 2013

ObjectiveTo report clinical findings, perioperative complications and long‐term outcome in dogs and cats that had hemipelvectomy surgery for treatment of neoplasia.Study DesignMulti‐institutional retrospective case series.AnimalsDogs (n = 84) and cats (16).MethodsMedical records (January 2000 to December 2009) of dogs and cats that had hemipelvectomy at participating institutions were reviewed. Postoperative progress and current status of the patient at the time of the study was determined by either medical record review, or via telephone contact with the referring veterinarian or owner.ResultsComplications were infrequent and usually minor. Hemorrhage was the main intraoperative complication; 2 dogs required blood transfusion. One dog developed an incisional hernia. In dogs, hemangiosarcoma had the worst prognosis with a median survival time (MST) of 179 days. MST for chondrosarcoma (1232 days), osteosarcoma (533 days), and soft tissue sarcoma (373 days) were not statistically different. Median disease‐free interval (DFI) for local recurrence of all tumor types was 257 days. Cats had 75% survival at 1 year, which was significantly longer than dogs.ConclusionsSurvival times for most tumor types can be good, but surgical margins should be carefully evaluated to ensure complete tumor removal. Adjuvant therapies may be advisable particularly for dogs to reduce rates of local recurrence or distant metastasis.
Human semen cryopreservation: a sperm DNA fragmentation study with alkaline and neutral Comet assay
Authors: Ribas‐Maynou J. , Fernández‐Encinas A. , García‐Peiró A. , Prada E. , Abad C. , Amengual M. J. , Navarro J. , Benet J. 
Published: November 2013

SummarySperm cryopreservation is widely used for both research and reproduction purposes, but its effect on sperm DNA damage remains controversial. Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) has become an important biomarker to assess male infertility. In particular, the differentiation between single‐ and double‐stranded DNA fragmentation (ssSDF and dsSDF) has clinical implications for male infertility where ssSDF is associated with reduced fertility, whereas dsSDF is associated with increased risk of miscarriage. In this study, semen samples from 30 human males have been analysed in both fresh and cryopreserved using the alkaline and neutral Comet assays. Results show an increase of about 10% of ssSDF, assessed by the alkaline Comet assay, regardless of the male fertility status. Neutral Comet analysis of dsSDF does not show any statistical increase when comparing fresh and cryopreserved samples in any of the patient groups. Results support previous reports that oxidative stress is the major effector in DNA damage during sample cryopreservation, as, on one hand, ssSDF has previously been related to oxidative damage and, on the other hand, we have not found any effect on dsSDF. Therefore, there might be a slight risk of decreased fertility after using a freezed sample, but no evidence for increased miscarriage risk from cryopreserved spermatozoa should be expected.
Building an Inclusive Research Team: The Importance of Team Building and Skills Training
Authors: Strnadová Iva , Cumming Therese M. , Knox Marie , Parmenter Trevor 
Published: November 2013

BackgroundInclusive research teams typically describe their experiences and analyse the type of involvement of researchers with disability, but the process of building research teams and the need for research training still remain underexplored in the literature.Materials and MethodFour researchers with intellectual disabilities and four academic researchers developed an inclusive research team. The team conducted 15 research training sessions, focused on investigating the well‐being of older women with intellectual disabilities. They used mobile technology to support research skills acquisition.ResultsFindings included the experiences of all team members regarding the team building during training.ConclusionsTo become an effective inclusive research team, all team members, regardless of ability, need to bring their own experiences and also learn necessary research skills. This paper highlights the need for team building, joint research training among all members of the research team and strategies supporting the peer‐mentoring within the team.Accessible AbstractWe are a team of four researchers with intellectual disabilities and four academic researchers without an intellectual disability.Our aim has been to learn about research together. We want to do this so that we can carry out a research project together about how older women with intellectual disabilities live. We have decided to call our team ‘Welcome to our Class’.We have been working together for 9 months. In this time we have had 15 research training meetings.We have learned

What research is

How to work out a research question, that is what we want to find out about

How to get information on what we want to find out. Here we thought of interview questions we could ask older women with intellectual disabilities.

We are now meeting once a month, and have just begun our research on finding out how older women with intellectual disabilities live. We are now starting to use what we have learned.
The effects of sleep extension and sleep hygiene advice on sleep and depressive symptoms in adolescents: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Dewald‐Kaufmann J.F. , Oort F.J. , Meijer A.M. 
Published: November 2013

ObjectiveSleep problems are common and persistent during adolescence and can have negative effects on adolescents' mood. To date, studies that investigate the effects of sleep extension on adolescents' sleep and depressive symptoms are still lacking. This study aims to investigate the effects of gradual sleep extension combined with sleep hygiene advice in adolescents with chronic sleep reduction on objectively measured sleep, self‐reported sleep problems and depressive symptoms.MethodsFifty‐five adolescents with chronic sleep reduction (mean age: 15.44 years; 85.5% females) were included in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to either a sleep extension group (gradual sleep extension by advancing bedtimes in the evening and receiving sleep hygiene advice) or to a control group (no instruction). Sleep was measured with actigraphy during three weeks, the first week was the baseline week, and the last two weeks were the experimental weeks during which sleep was extended. Other outcome variables were self‐reported sleep problems (daytime sleepiness, symptoms of insomnia and circadian rhythm sleep disorder) and depressive symptoms, which were assessed before and after the experimental manipulation.ResultsDuring the third week of the experiment, adolescents in the sleep extension group had earlier bedtimes, earlier sleep onsets, spent more time in bed and slept longer than adolescents in the control group. Their chronic sleep reduction, insomnia symptoms and depressive symptoms diminished significantly. In addition, there was a trend of improved circadian rhythm sleep disorder symptoms and sleep quality.ConclusionGradual sleep extension combined with sleep hygiene advice seems to have beneficial effects on sleep, self‐reported sleep problems and depressive symptoms of adolescents with chronic sleep reduction. Although we cannot distinguish between the effects of sleep extension and sleep hygiene advice, the results suggest that advancing bedtimes can extend sleep and improve depressive symptoms.
Effects of metabolic rate and sperm competition on the fatty‐acid composition of mammalian sperm
Authors: delBarco‐Trillo J. , Roldan E. R. S. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe sperm membrane is a key structure affecting sperm function and thus reproductive success. Spermatozoa are highly specialized and differentiated cells that undergo a long series of processes in the male and female reproductive tracts until they reach the site of fertilization. During this transit, the sperm membrane is prone to damage such as lipid peroxidation. The characteristics and performance of the sperm membrane are strongly determined by the fatty‐acid composition of membrane phospholipids. Polyunsaturated fatty‐acids (PUFAs) are the most prone to lipid peroxidation. Lipid peroxidation and other types of oxidative damage increase with higher metabolism and with higher levels of sperm competition due to the increasedATPproduction to fuel higher sperm velocities. Consequently, we hypothesized that, in order to avoid oxidative damage, and the ensuing impairment of sperm function, sperm cells exhibit a negative relationship betweenPUFAcontent and mass‐specific metabolic rate (MSMR). We also hypothesized that higher sperm competition leads to a reduction in the proportion of spermPUFAs. We performed a comparative study in mammals and found that highMSMRand high levels of sperm competition both promote a decrease in the proportion ofPUFAs that are more prone to lipid peroxidation. The negative relationship betweenMSMRand thesePUFAs in sperm cells is surprising, because a positive relationship is found in all other cell types so far investigated. Our results support the idea that the effects ofMSMRand sperm competition on sperm function can operate at very different levels.
Hygroscopic Properties of Orange Pulp and Peel
Authors: Casciatori Fernanda Perpétua , Laurentino Carmem Lúcia , da Costa Karen Kristhine Leal , Casciatori Priscila Aparecida , Thoméo João Cláudio 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThis contribution addresses the hygroscopic properties of orange pulp and peel (OPP), an agro‐industrial by‐product used for pectinase and phytase production by solid‐state fermentation (SSF). Experiments were carried out using the static gravimetric method and the modifiedHalsey model best fitted to the experimental data.Bates andWatts curvature measurements,Box parameter bias estimation and residual analysis were performed in order to validate the model and the estimated parameters. Desorption experiments were also carried out and the results showed that drying took place even at high air relative humidity. The results presented are fundamental for water transfer modeling inSSFin fixed bed bioreactors.Practical ApplicationsThe current work addresses the hygroscopic properties ofOPP, a solid waste rich in pectin, which can be used as substrate inSSFfor the synthesis of pectinases and phytases. Thermal sorption isotherms (TSI) and water desorption kinetics (WDK) were investigated, both of the key information required for the fermentation process, either on simulation or in the laboratory. Usually, the moisture content of the solid phase inSSFis far above its moisture equilibrium content, and since the microbial metabolism is strongly affected by the moisture content, knowledge ofTSIandWDKare mandatory. Experimental information was gathered andTSInonlinear models were applied and special care was taken for the parameter estimation, applying specific tools to assess nonlinearity problems. The work therefore possesses significant new information, particularly interesting for engineers dealing with design and scaling‐up ofSSFbioreactors and with nonlinear regression estimation.
New developments in diagnosis and non‐surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis
Authors: Inui Kazuo , Yoshino Junji , Miyoshi Hironao , Yamamoto Satoshi , Kobayashi Takashi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractChronic pancreatitis is progressive and irreversible, leading to digestive and absorptive disorders by destruction of the exocrine pancreas and to diabetes mellitus by destruction of the endocrine pancreas. When complications such as pancreatolithiasis and pseudocyst occur, elevated pancreatic ductal pressure exacerbates pain and induces other complications, worsening the patient's general condition. Combined treatment with extracorporeal shock‐wave lithotripsy and endoscopic lithotripsy is a useful, minimally invasive, first‐line treatment approach that can preserve pancreatic exocrine function. Pancreatic duct stenosis elevates intraductal pressure and favor both pancreatolithiasis and pseudocyst formation, making effective treatment vitally important. Endoscopic treatment of benign pancreatic duct stenosis stenting frequently decreases pain in chronic pancreatitis. Importantly, stenosis of the main pancreatic duct increases risk of stone recurrence after treatment of pancreatolithiasis. Recently, good results were reported in treating pancreatic duct stricture with a fully covered self‐expandable metallic stent, which shows promise for preventing stone recurrence after lithotripsy in patients with pancreatic stricture. Chronic pancreatitis has many complications including pancreatic carcinoma, pancreatic atrophy, and loss of exocrine and endocrine function, as well as frequent recurrence of stones after treatment of pancreatolithiasis. As early treatment of chronic pancreatitis is essential, the new concept of early chronic pancreatitis, including characteristics findings in endoscopic ultrasonograms, is presented.
Trans fatty acids in diets act as a precipitating factor for gut inflammation?
Authors: Okada Yoshikiyo , Tsuzuki Yoshikazu , Ueda Toshihide , Hozumi Hideaki , Sato Shingo , Hokari Ryota , Kurihara Chie , Watanabe Chikako , Tomita Kengo , Komoto Shunsuke , Kawaguchi Atsushi , Nagao Shigeaki , Miura Soichiro 
Published: November 2013

AbstractFatty acids in our daily diet are broadly classified into cis and trans fatty acids (TFAs). TFAs are formed during the manufacturing process of hydrogenated vegetable oils such as margarine. Modern diets such as deep‐fried products, frozen foods, and packaged snacks commonly include large quantities of margarine containing TFAs. Although an increased report in the effects of the diet containing TFAs on a risk factor of metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and coronary heart disease has been observed in the recent years, influence on intestinal inflammation remains unknown. This review describes pro‐inflammatory effects of TFAs in our diary diet on various systemic disorders and also discusses a possible role of TFAs on gut inflammation.
Association among ageing‐related stereotypic beliefs, self‐efficacy and health‐promoting behaviors in elderly Korean adults
Authors: Yeom Hyun‐E 
Published: November 2013

Aims and objectivesTo examine the impact of ageing‐related stereotypic beliefs on self‐efficacy and health‐promoting behaviours and to test the mediating effect of self‐efficacy on the relationship between ageing‐related stereotypic beliefs and health‐promoting behaviours in older Korean people.BackgroundDespite the growing attention given to ageing‐related beliefs that can lead to better health outcomes in old age, little is known about the associations between ageing‐related stereotypic beliefs, self‐efficacy and health‐promoting behaviours.DesignA cross‐sectional, descriptive study.MethodsA total of 123 community‐dwelling older women were recruited from three cities in south‐east Korea. Direct and indirect effects of ageing‐related stereotypic beliefs on self‐efficacy and health‐promoting behaviours were examined using path analyses.ResultsAgeing‐related stereotypic beliefs significantly predicted self‐efficacy and health‐promoting behaviours. A significant indirect effect of ageing‐related stereotypic beliefs on health‐promoting behaviours through self‐efficacy was detected, indicating that self‐efficacy mediated the detrimental impact of ageing‐related stereotypic beliefs on health‐promoting behaviours.ConclusionsAgeing‐related stereotypic beliefs function as a factor lowering self‐efficacy as well as decreasing health‐promoting behaviours. Self‐efficacy mediates the influence of ageing‐related stereotypic beliefs on health‐promoting behaviours, indicating that ageing‐related stereotypic beliefs decrease self‐efficacy which, in turn, could lead to fewer health‐promoting behaviours. The findings demonstrate the significance of ageing‐related stereotypic beliefs and self‐efficacy in guiding the health‐promoting behaviours of older people.Relevance to clinical practiceHealthcare providers should play an active role in understanding ageing‐related stereotypic beliefs and decreasing the perceptual barriers to health‐promoting behaviours of older people. The development of nursing interventions to improve positive attitudes towards old age and self‐efficacy is essential for enhancing health‐promoting behaviours.