bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Leptospira spp. strain identification by MALDI TOF MS is an equivalent tool to 16S rRNA gene sequencing and multi locus sequence typing (MLST)
Authors: Rettinger Anna , Krupka Inke , Grünwald Karola , Dyachenko Viktor , Fingerle Volker , Konrad Regina , Raschel Heribert , Busch Ulrich , Sing Andreas , Straubinger Reinhard K , Huber Ingrid 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
In this study mass spectrometry was used for evaluating extracted leptospiral protein samples and results were compared with molecular typing methods. For this, an extraction protocol for Leptospira spp. was independently established in two separate laboratories. Reference spectra were created with 28 leptospiral strains, including pathogenic, non-pathogenic and intermediate strains. This set of spectra was then evaluated on the basis of measurements with well-defined, cultured leptospiral strains and with 16 field isolates of veterinary or human origin. To verify discriminating peaks for the applied pathogenic strains, statistical analysis of the protein spectra was performed using the software tool ClinProTools. In addition, a dendrogram of the reference spectra was compared with phylogenetic trees of the 16S rRNA gene sequences and multi locus sequence typing (MLST) analysis.

Results
Defined and reproducible protein spectra using MALDI-TOF MS were obtained for all leptospiral strains. Evaluation of the newly-built reference spectra database allowed reproducible identification at the species level for the defined leptospiral strains and the field isolates. Statistical analysis of three pathogenic genomospecies revealed peak differences at the species level and for certain serovars analyzed in this study. Specific peak patterns were reproducibly detected for the serovars Tarassovi, Saxkoebing, Pomona, Copenhageni, Australis, Icterohaemorrhagiae and Grippotyphosa. Analysis of the dendrograms of the MLST data, the 16S rRNA sequencing, and the MALDI-TOF MS reference spectra showed comparable clustering.

Conclusions
MALDI-TOF MS analysis is a fast and reliable method for species identification, although Leptospira organisms need to be produced in a time-consuming culture process. All leptospiral strains were identified, at least at the species level, using our described extraction protocol. Statistical analysis of the three genomospecies L. borgpetersenii, L. interrogans and L. kirschneri revealed distinctive, reproducible differentiating peaks for seven leptospiral strains which represent seven serovars. Results obtained by MALDI-TOF MS were confirmed by MLST and 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of a Bengali version of the modified fibromyalgia impact questionnaire
Authors: Muquith Mohammed A , Islam Md Nazrul , Haq Syed A , ten Klooster Peter M , Rasker Johannes J , Yunus Muhammad B 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
Currently, no validated instruments are available to measure the health status of Bangladeshi patients with fibromyalgia (FM). The aims of this study were to cross-culturally adapt the modified Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) into Bengali (B-FIQ) and to test its validity and reliability in Bangladeshi patients with FM.

Methods
The FIQ was translated following cross-cultural adaptation guidelines and pretested in 30 female patients with FM. Next, the adapted B-FIQ was physician-administered to 102 consecutive female FM patients together with the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), selected subscales of the SF-36, and visual analog scales for current clinical symptoms. A tender point count (TPC) was performed by an experienced rheumatologist. Forty randomly selected patients completed the B-FIQ again after 7 days. Two control groups of 50 healthy people and 50 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients also completed the B-FIQ.

Results
For the final B-FIQ, five physical function sub-items were replaced with culturally appropriate equivalents. Internal consistency was adequate for both the 11-item physical function subscale (α = 0.73) and the total scale (α = 0.83). With exception of the physical function subscale, expected correlations were generally observed between the B-FIQ items and selected subscales of the SF-36, HAQ, clinical symptoms, and TPC. The B-FIQ was able to discriminate between FM patients and healthy controls and between FM patients and RA patients. Test-retest reliability was adequate for the physical function subscale (r = 0.86) and individual items (r = 0.73-0.86), except anxiety (r = 0.27) and morning tiredness (r = 0.64).

Conclusion
This study supports the reliability and validity of the B-FIQ as a measure of functional disability and health status in Bangladeshi women with FM.
Rheumatoid arthritis and the incidence of influenza and influenza-related complications: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Blumentals William A , Arreglado Anna , Napalkov Pavel , Toovey Stephen 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are known to be at increased risk of infection, particularly if they are taking drugs with immunomodulatory effects. There is a need for more information on the risk of influenza in patients with RA.

Methods
A retrospective cohort study was carried out using data gathered from a large US commercial health insurance database (Thomson Reuters Medstat MarketScan) from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2007. Patients were ≥18 years of age, with at least two RA claims diagnoses. The database was scanned for incidence of seasonal influenza and its complications on or up to 30 days after an influenza diagnosis in RA patients and matched controls. Other factors accounted for included medical conditions, use of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), use of biological agents, influenza vaccination and high- or low-dose corticosteroids. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were calculated for influenza and its complications in patients with RA.

Results
46,030 patients with RA and a matching number of controls had a median age of 57 years. The incidence of influenza was higher in RA patients than in controls (409.33 vs 306.12 cases per 100,000 patient-years), and there was a 2.75-fold increase in incidence of complications in RA. Presence or absence of DMARDs or biologics had no significant effect. The adjusted IRR of influenza was statistically significant in patients aged 60–69 years, and especially among men. A significantly increased rate of influenza complications was observed in women and in both genders combined (but not in men only) when all age groups were combined. In general, the risk of influenza complications was similar in RA patients not receiving DMARDs or biologics to that in all RA patients. Pneumonia rates were significantly higher in women with RA. Rates of stroke/myocardial infarction (MI) were higher in men, although statistical significance was borderline.

Conclusions
RA is associated with increased incidence of seasonal influenza and its complications. Gender- and age-specific subgroup data indicate that women generally have a greater rate of complications than men, but that men primarily have an increased rate of stroke and MI complications. Concomitant DMARD or biological use appears not to significantly affect the rate of influenza or its complications.
Harpalycin 2 inhibits the enzymatic and platelet aggregation activities of PrTX-III, a D49 phospholipase A2 from Bothrops pirajai venom
Authors: Ximenes Rafael M , Alves Renata S , Pereira Ticiana P , Araújo Renata M , Silveira Edilberto R , Rabello Marcelo M , Hernandes Marcelo Z , Soares Veronica C G , Bristot Daniel , Pires Camila L , Toyama Daniela O , Gaeta Henrique H , Monteiro Helena S A , Toyama Marcos H 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
Harpalycin 2 (HP-2) is an isoflavone isolated from the leaves of Harpalyce brasiliana Benth., a snakeroot found in northeast region of Brazil and used in folk medicine to treat snakebite. Its leaves are said to be anti-inflammatory. Secretory phospholipases A2 are important toxins found in snake venom and are structurally related to those found in inflammatory conditions in mammals, as in arthritis and atherosclerosis, and for this reason can be valuable tools for searching new anti-phospholipase A2 drugs.

Methods
HP-2 and piratoxin-III (PrTX-III) were purified through chromatographic techniques. The effect of HP-2 in the enzymatic activity of PrTX-III was carried out using 4-nitro-3-octanoyloxy-benzoic acid as the substrate. PrTX-III induced platelet aggregation was inhibited by HP-2 when compared to aristolochic acid and p-bromophenacyl bromide (p-BPB). In an attempt to elucidate how HP-2 interacts with PrTX-III, mass spectrometry, circular dichroism and intrinsic fluorescence analysis were performed. Docking scores of the ligands (HP-2, aristolochic acid and p-BPB) using PrTX-III as target were also calculated.

Results
HP-2 inhibited the enzymatic activity of PrTX-III (IC50 11.34 ± 0.28 μg/mL) although it did not form a stable chemical complex in the active site, since mass spectrometry measurements showed no difference between native (13,837.34 Da) and HP-2 treated PrTX-III (13,856.12 Da). A structural analysis of PrTX-III after treatment with HP-2 showed a decrease in dimerization and a slight protein unfolding. In the platelet aggregation assay, HP-2 previously incubated with PrTX-III inhibited the aggregation when compared with untreated protein. PrTX-III chemical treated with aristolochic acid and p-BPB, two standard PLA2 inhibitors, showed low inhibitory effects when compared with the HP-2 treatment. Docking scores corroborated these results, showing higher affinity of HP-2 for the PrTX-III target (PDB code: 1GMZ) than aristolochic acid and p-BPB. HP-2 previous incubated with the platelets inhibits the aggregation induced by untreated PrTX-III as well as arachidonic acid.

Conclusion
HP-2 changes the structure of PrTX-III, inhibiting the enzymatic activity of this enzyme. In addition, PrTX-III platelet aggregant activity was inhibited by treatment with HP-2, p-BPB and aristolochic acid, and these results were corroborated by docking scores.
Characterization of CDKN2A(p16) methylation and impact in colorectal cancer: systematic analysis using pyrosequencing
Authors: Bihl Michel P , Foerster Anja , Lugli Alessandro , Zlobec Inti 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
The aim of this study is to analyse CDKN2A methylation using pyrosequencing on a large cohort of colorectal cancers and corresponding non-neoplastic tissues. In a second step, the effect of methylation on clinical outcome is addressed.

Methods
Primary colorectal cancers and matched non-neoplastic tissues from 432 patients underwent CDKN2A methylation analysis by pyrosequencing (PyroMarkQ96). Methylation was then related to clinical outcome, microsatellite instability (MSI), and BRAF and KRAS mutation. Different amplification conditions (35 to 50 PCR cycles) using a range of 0-100% methylated DNA were tested.

Results
Background methylation was at most 10% with ≥35 PCR cycles. Correlation of observed and expected values was high, even at low methylation levels (0.02%, 0.6%, 2%). Accuracy of detection was optimal with 45 PCR cycles. Methylation in normal mucosa ranged from 0 to >90% in some cases. Based on the maximum value of 10% background, positivity was defined as a ≥20% difference in methylation between tumor and normal tissue, which occurred in 87 cases. CDKN2A methylation positivity was associated with MSI (p = 0.025), BRAF mutation (p < 0.0001), higher tumor grade (p < 0.0001), mucinous histology (p = 0.0209) but not with KRAS mutation. CDKN2A methylation had an independent adverse effect (p = 0.0058) on prognosis.

Conclusion
The non-negligible CDKN2A methylation of normal colorectal mucosa may confound the assessment of tumor-specific hypermethylation, suggesting that corresponding non-neoplastic tissue should be used as a control. CDKN2A methylation is robustly detected by pyrosequencing, even at low levels, suggesting that this unfavorable prognostic biomarker warrants investigation in prospective studies.
Aerobic capacity and disease activity in children, adolescents and young adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)
Authors: van Pelt Philomien A , Takken Tim , van Brussel Marco , de Witte Inge , Kruize Aike A , Wulffraat Nico M 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
As patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) progress into adulthood, long-term outcome is determined by disease activity, physical and psychosocial development. Decreased aerobic capacity may play a critical role in health-related outcomes in JIA, since it has been linked with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in late adulthood. The objectives of the current study are to examine the aerobic capacity and its relation to parameters of disease activity in children, adolescents and young adults with JIA.

Methods
Sixty-three patients with JIA (aged 10–27 years) were cross sectional studied regarding their aerobic capacity and correlations were made to demographic, disease-related variables, and medication utilization. in a cross-sectional study group of 63 patients of all subtypes. Patients were divided in three age groups, 10–13 years; 14–17 years and 18–27 years.

Results
Reduced aerobic capacity is found in clinical remission as well as active disease in all subtypes and all age groups. Aerobic capacity is more impaired in active disease shown by DAS 28, JADAS 27, ESR and serum thrombocyte counts. Lower haemoglobin has a negative impact. Long-term used medication including methotrexate and corticosteroids didn’t influence outcome. There is no association with current sports participation.

Conclusion
Reduced aerobic capacity is present in children and adolescents with JIA, both in active disease and in patients with remission. Measures of aerobic capacity may serve as important outcome measure in JIA.
Surgical challenge: endoscopic repair of cerebrospinal fluid leak
Authors: Martín-Martín Carlos , Martínez-Capoccioni Gabriel , Serramito-García Ramón , Espinosa-Restrepo Federico 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
Cerebrospinal fluid leaks (CSF) result from an abnormal communication between the subarachnoid space and the extracranial space. Approximately 90% of CSF leak at the anterior skull base manifests as rhinorrhea and can become life-threatening condition. Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) has become a common otolaryngologist procedure. The aim of this article is to consider our experience and to evaluate the outcomes in patients who underwent a purely endoscopic repair of CSF leaks of the anterior skull base.

Findings
Retrospective chart review was performed of all patients surgically treated for CSF leaks presenting to the Section of Nasal and Sinus Disorders at the Service of ENT–Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Complex of Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), between 2004 and 2010. A total of 30 patients who underwent repair CSF leak by ESS. The success rate was 93.4% at the first attempt; only two patients (6.6%) required a second surgical procedure, and none of it was necessary to use a craniotomy for closure. Follow-up periods ranged from 4 months to 6 years.

Conclusion
Identifying the size, site, and etiology of the CSF leak remains the most important factor in the surgical success. It is generally accepted that the ESS have made procedures minimally invasive, and CSF leak is now one of its well-established indications with low morbidity and high success rate, with one restriction for fistulas of the posterior wall of the frontal sinus should be repaired in conjunction with open techniques.
Stable expression of promyelocytic leukaemia (PML) protein in telomerase positive MCF7 cells results in alternative lengthening of telomeres phenotype
Authors: Yong Jacklyn W Y , Yeo Xiujun , Khan Md Matiullah , Lee Martin B , Prakash Hande M 
Published: August 2012

Background
Cancer cells can employ telomerase or the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway for telomere maintenance. Cancer cells that use the ALT pathway exhibit distinct phenotypes such as heterogeneous telomeres and specialised Promyelocytic leukaemia (PML) nuclear foci called APBs. In our study, we used wild-type PML and a PML mutant, in which the coiled-coil domain is deleted (PML C/C-), to investigate how these proteins can affect telomere maintenance pathways in cancer cells that use either the telomerase or ALT pathway.

Results
Stable over-expression of both types of PML does not affect the telomere maintenance in the ALT cells. We report novel observations in PML over-expressed telomerase-positive MCF7 cells: 1) APBs are detected in telomerase-positive MCF7 cells following over-expression of wild-type PML and 2) rapid telomere elongation is observed in MCF7 cells that stably express either wild-type PML or PML C/C-. We also show that the telomerase activity in MCF7 cells can be affected depending on the type of PML protein over-expressed.

Conclusion
Our data suggests that APBs might not be essential for the ALT pathway as MCF7 cells that do not contain APBs exhibit long telomeres. We propose that wild-type PML can either definitively dominate over telomerase or enhance the activity of telomerase, and PML C/C- can allow for the co-existence of both telomerase and ALT pathways. Our findings add another dimension in the study of telomere maintenance as the expression of PML alone (wild-type or otherwise) is able to change the dynamics of the telomerase pathway.
Book Reviews
Authors: Chandna Mohit , Crowley Patrick , Hardwick Louise , Kosniowski Jenny , Miller Bart , Oktapoda Efstratia , Oktapoda Efstratia , Parris David L. , Past Mariana , Past Mariana , Thomas Bonnie , Toman Cheryl , Wittrock Mary Cobb 
Published: August 2012

The Colonial Heritage of French Comics, Mark McKinney, (2011) Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, 270 pp., ISBN 978-1-84631-642-5, Hardback, £65
Problématiques identitaires et discours de l’exil dans les littératures francophones, Anissa Talahite-Moodley
(ed.), (2007) Ottawa: Les Presses de l’Université d’Ottawa, 365 pp., ISBN 978-2-7603-0664-6, Paperback
Frankétienne and Rewriting: A Work in Progress, Rachel Douglas, (2009) Lanham: Lexington Books, 195 pp., ISBN 978-0-7391-2565-6, Hardback, $65/£39.95/€44.95
The
Reparative in Narratives: Works of Mourning in Progress, Mireille Rosello, (2010) Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, 246 pp., ISBN 978184631221-2, Paperback
Tactical Silence in the Novels of Malika Mokeddem, Jane E. Evans, (2010) Amsterdam: Rodopi, 230 pp., ISBN 978-90-420-3176-0, Paperback
Poststructuralism
and Postcoloniality: The Anxiety of Theory, Jane Hiddleston, (2010) Liverpool: Liverpool University press, 207 pp., ISBN 978-1846-31230-4, Hardback, £65.00
Francographies. Identité et altérité dans les espaces francophones européens, Susan Bainbridge, Joy
Charnley and Caroline Verdier (eds), (2010) New York: Peter Lang, 418 pp., ISBN 978-1-4331-0348-3, Hardback
Le passeur de mots et autres nouvelles, Charbel Tayah, (2009) Beyrouth: éditions Dergham, 163 pp., ISBN 978-9953-401-41-6, $15
Mémoire des noms de lieux d’origine
et d’influence françaises en Saskatchewan: Répertoire toponymique, Carol Léonard, (2010) Quebec City: ÉDITIONS GID, 630 pp., ISBN 978-2-89634-022-4, Cdn $59.95
Haiti Rising: Haitian History, Culture and the Earthquake of 2010, Martin Munro (ed.),
(2010) Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, 200 pp., ISBN 978-1-84631-498-8, Paperback, £16.95
Haiti Unbound: A Spiralist Challenge to the Postcolonial Canon, K.L. Glover, (2010) Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, 262 pp., ISBN 978-1-84631-499-5, Hardback, L65
Edwidge Danticat:
A Reader’s Guide, Martin Munro (ed.), (2010) Charlottesville & London: University of Virginia Press, 222 pp.,ISBN 978-0-8139-3022-0, Paperback, $22.50
Above All, Don’t Look Back, Maïssa Bey, (2009) Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 188 pp., ISBN
978-0-8139-2844-9, Paperback, $22.50
France’s Lost Empires: Fragmentation, Nostalgia and la fracture coloniale, Kate Marsh and Nicola Frith (eds), (2011) Plymouth, United Kingdom: Lexington Books, 175 pp., ISBN 978-0-7391-4883-9, Hardback, £37.95
Reviving Kabul: Notes on the Restoration and Adaptation of the Great Serai
Authors: Woodbridge Sam 
Published: August 2012

The Great Serai is a historic property located in Murad Khane in the old town of Afghanistan's capital, Kabul. Dating back to the 1880s, the building was constructed using locally available materials and techniques. As one of the largest surviving properties of its kind in Kabul, the
Great Serai is acknowledged as an important example of traditional vernacular Afghan architecture. From March 2007 to October 2010 Turquoise Mountain, a not-for-profit organization with a remit to preserve and protect Afghanistan's cultural heritage, restored and adapted the Great Serai for
use as a calligraphy school and administration centre by the Institute of Afghan Arts and Architecture. From January 2009 to September 2010, I was employed to manage this work.
Focusing on the practicalities of construction in post-conflict Afghanistan, these notes begin by outlining the
historical, contractual and regulatory context within which the project was carried out. This article explores the trials entailed in working in an unsettled zone without an established legal framework, proper records or planning regulations and building codes. A description of the process
and philosophy that guided the design and construction work then follows, exploring the intent to preserve the authentic character of the building while updating it for contemporary usage. The final section offers a critical overview of lessons learned before concluding with a personal reflection
on the 'value' of the building, both as a heritage asset and looking forward, a place of study, learning and creativity.
Why pause?: The fine line between reading and contemplation
Authors: Atkinson Paul 
Published: August 2012

There has long been an interest in the formal properties of comic books and bandes dessinées, in particular, how the structure of the page as a succession of panels constitutes a form of reading, hence the use of expressions such as 'sequential narrative' to describe the medium.
There is no question that this aspect of the comic book is important and that many of the medium's conventions have developed to facilitate the telling of a story, however, this article focuses on the visual rhythms that inform the reading movement but are not reducible to narrative events.
Of particular interest are the surface properties of line and colour that exceed any representational function and have the capacity to speed up, or indeed, slow down the reading process.
To address this issue, the article will investigate the relationship between comic books and painting
and the difference in how the viewer 'stands before' the image. Painting is often assumed to arrest the movement of the eye, to hold the attention of the viewer, whereas comic books are said to guide the viewer from one image to the next. This leads to the implication that painting invokes
aesthetic contemplation and comic books do not.
The article will address these issues through a reworking of the aesthetic theories of Jean-François Lyotard, Norman Bryson and James Elkins, in particular their speculations on the time involved in viewing a painting. Examples will
be drawn from Kathryn and Stuart Immonen's Moving Pictures and Bernar Yslaire and Jean-Claude Carrière’s The Sky over the Louvre; two graphic novels that investigate aesthetic contemplation and incorporate famous artworks into the narrative.