bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pathogen Recognition in the Human Female Reproductive Tract: Expression of Intracellular Cytosolic Sensors NOD1, NOD2, RIG‐1, and MDA5 and response to HIV‐1 and Neisseria gonorrhea
Authors: Ghosh Mimi , Shen Zheng , Fahey John V. , Crist Sarah G. , Patel Mickey , Smith Jennifer M. , Wira Charles R. 
Published: September 2012

ProblemExpression patterns and regulation of cytosolic pattern recognition receptors (PRR) NOD‐1, NOD‐2, RIG‐1, and MDA5 have not been elucidated in the human female reproductive tract (FRT).Method of studyPrimary epithelial cells (EC) isolated from Fallopian tube (FT), endometrium (EM), cervix (Cx), and ectocervix (Ecx) were treated with estradiol, poly(I:C), Neisseria gonorrhea (GC), and HIV‐1. PRR mRNA expressions were analyzed by Real‐time RT‐PCR. Conditioned media were analyzed for IL‐8 by ELISA.ResultsEC from all FRT compartments constitutively expressed NOD1, NOD2, RIG‐1, and MDA5 with highest levels expressed by FT. Stimulation with poly(I:C) resulted in upregulation of NOD2, RIG‐1, and MDA5 in all FRT compartments and correlated with increased secretion of IL‐8, whereas estradiol treatment had no effects. Exposure to GC and HIV‐1 IIIB but not BaL resulted in selective upregulation of NOD2 and MDA5.ConclusionPRR are expressed throughout the FRT and differentially regulated by poly(I:C), GC and HIV‐1.
Validation of the modified allergic rhinitis and its impact on asthma (ARIA) severity classification in allergic rhinitis children: the PEDRIAL study
Authors: Montoro J. , Del Cuvillo A. , Mullol J. , Molina X. , Bartra J. , Dávila I. , Ferrer M. , Jáuregui I. , Sastre J. , Valero A. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundA modified allergic rhinitis and its impact on asthma (ARIA) (m‐ARIA) criterion to classify the severity of allergic rhinitis (AR) has recently been validated in both treated and untreated adult patients; however, such information in children is lacking. The aim of this study was to validate this m‐ARIA severity criterion, which allows for discrimination between moderate and severe AR, in a large pediatric patient sample population.MethodsThe m‐ARIA classification categorizes AR severity into mild (no affected items), moderate (1–3 affected items), and severe (all four affected items). We applied this modified criterion to untreated AR pediatric patients aged 6–12 years, through an observational, cross‐sectional, and multicenter study. AR symptoms were assessed using the Total Four Symptom Score (T4SS), and the severity was evaluated by both ARIA severity items and visual analogue scale (VAS).ResultsAllergic rhinitis pediatric patients (N = 1269) from 271 centers were included. Among them, 59.5% had intermittent and 40.5% persistent disease; 89.9% had moderate/severe AR using the original ARIA (o‐ARIA) classification and 59.5% had moderate, while 30.5% had severe AR using the m‐ARIA criterion. Using the m‐ARIA, significantly higher T4SS and VAS scores were obtained when comparing severe with moderate AR.ConclusionsThe m‐ARIA severity classification is a useful clinical tool to discriminate moderate from severe AR among untreated pediatric patients.
Retesting for latent tuberculosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease treated with TNF‐α inhibitors
Authors: Papay P. , Primas C. , Eser A. , Novacek G. , Winkler S. , Frantal S. , Angelberger S. , Mikulits A. , Dejaco C. , Kazemi‐Shirazi L. , Vogelsang H. , Reinisch W. 
Published: September 2012

SummaryBackgroundPatients treated with TNF‐α inhibitors (TNFi) are at high risk of reactivation of latent tuberculosis (LTB). Prospective studies on monitoring of TB reactivation and/or infection in this risk group are lacking.AimTo test the conversion and reversion rate of screening tests for latent TB serial tuberculin skin test (TST) and interferon‐γ release assay (IGRA) under ongoing TNFi therapy.MethodsWe retested consecutive patients with IBD receiving TNFi therapy for a minimum of 5 months for LTB using IGRA and TST. A detailed patient history and concomitant therapy were recorded for each subject.ResultsAfter a median of 34.9 weeks (20.7–177.7), IGRA was retested in 184/227 patients (81.1%; Crohn's disease n = 139, ulcerative colitis n = 45) still under index TNFi. TST was available in 144/184 subjects (78.2%). The majority of patients were TNFi naïve (147/184, 79.9%). In a subgroup of patients who received isoniazid due to diagnosis of latent TB at baseline (n = 32), 6/13 patients (46.2%) with baseline positive IGRA and 3/22 patients (13.6%) with baseline positive TST reverted to negative at retesting. In patients without diagnosis of LTB at baseline no permanent IGRA conversion was observed, but there were 6/144 (4.2%) TST conversions from negative to positive. No single case of TB reactivation or infection was recorded during the observation period.ConclusionsDuring treatment TNF‐α inhibitors conversion was observed for tuberculin skin test, but not interferon‐γ release assay. As compared with tuberculin skin test, interferon‐γ release assay reverted in nearly half of isoniazid‐treated patients for latent tuberculosis. However, the fact that patients in whom the interferon‐γ release assay test result remained positive did not develop active tuberculosis during follow‐up questions the utility of interferon‐γ release assay as a monitoring tool during chemoprevention.
Family history of alcohol dependence and antidepressant response to an N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate antagonist in bipolar depression
Authors: Luckenbaugh David A , Ibrahim Lobna , Brutsche Nancy , Franco‐Chaves Jose , Mathews Daniel , Marquardt Craig A , Cassarly Christy , Zarate Carlos A 
Published: September 2012

Luckenbaugh DA, Ibrahim L, Brutsche N, Franco‐Chaves J, Mathews D, Marquardt CA, Cassarly C, Zarate CA Jr. Family history of alcohol dependence and antidepressant response to an N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate antagonist in bipolar depression. Bipolar Disord 2012: 14: 880–887. Published 2012. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.Objectives:  Both ketamine and ethanol are N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists. Ketamine has rapid antidepressant properties in major depressive disorder (MDD) as well as bipolar depression. In individuals with MDD, a positive family history of alcohol dependence (FHP) was associated with greater improvement in depressive symptoms after ketamine administration compared to individuals whose family history of alcohol dependence was negative (FHN). This study investigated whether FHP influences ketamine’s antidepressant and perceptual effects in individuals with bipolar depression.Methods:  A post hoc analysis was conducted on 33 subjects with DSM–IV bipolar disorder (BD) type I or II depression pooled from two previously published studies. All subjects had undergone a double‐blind, randomized, crossover trial of a single intravenous infusion of ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) combined with lithium or valproate therapy. Subjects were rated at baseline; at 40, 80, 120, and 230 min; and at days 1, 2, 3, 7, 10, and 14 post‐infusion. The primary outcome measure was Montgomery‐Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores. Patients were categorized as FHP when they reported at least one first‐degree relative with alcohol dependence. Measures of psychosis, dissociation, and dysphoria were also collected.Results:  After ketamine infusion, subjects with FHP showed significantly greater improvement on MADRS scores than FHN subjects. In addition, patients with FHP had attenuated psychotomimetic and dissociative scores compared to FHN patients.Conclusions:  FHP appears to predict a more sustained antidepressant response to ketamine in individuals with BD. Family history of alcoholism may be an important consideration in the development of glutamatergic‐based therapies for depression.
Micronucleus scoring in liver fine needle aspiration cytology
Authors: Wen C.‐H. , Lin C.‐H. , Tsao S.‐C. , Su Y.‐C. , Tsai M.‐H. , Chai C.‐Y. 
Published: September 2012

C.‐H. Wen, C.‐H. Lin, S.‐C. Tsao, Y.‐C. Su, M.‐H. Tsai and C.‐Y. Chai  Micronucleus scoring in liver fine needle aspiration cytologyObjective:  This study evaluated the role of the micronucleus (MN) in liver fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology.Methods:  Histological features of 75 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), of which 25 were well differentiated, 37 moderately differentiated and 13 poorly differentiated, and 58 benign hepatic lesions (total, 133 cases) were correlated with MN expression observed in FNA smears reported as benign (n = 40), atypical (n = 14), suspicious (n = 30) and malignant (n = 49).Results:  Stepwise increases in the MN score (0.4 ± 0.6, 1.2 ± 1.3, 6.3 ± 4.2 and 14.3 ± 8.8) correlated with the degree of cytological abnormality: benign, atypia, suspicious and malignant, respectively. The mean MN scores for well‐, moderately and poorly differentiated HCC were 5.4 ± 2.2, 11.5 ± 4.5 and 24.9 ± 9.1, respectively, which was significantly different between malignant and suspicious (P < 0.0001), between suspicious and atypical (P = 0.008) but not between atypical and benign. The MN scores differed significantly between all degrees of differentiation of HCC and between the HCC and benign hepatic lesions (P < 0.0001). High sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of liver FNA for diagnosing HCC (96%, 98%, and 96%, respectively) were obtained at a cutoff of three for the MN score.Conclusions:  The MN score is an effective HCC biomarker and has a good potential use as an ancillary tool for diagnosing HCC using FNA cytology.
What issues matter most to people with multiple myeloma and how well are we measuring them? A systematic review of quality of life tools
Authors: Osborne Thomas R. , Ramsenthaler Christina , Siegert Richard J. , Edmonds Polly M. , Schey Stephen  A. , Higginson Irene J. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractIntroductionTreatment advances in multiple myeloma have increased expected survival from months to years for some patients. Alongside improved survival emerges a need to better understand and measure health‐related quality of life (HRQOL), both in research and clinical settings.Objectives(i) Identify HRQOL tools validated for use in myeloma; (ii) identify issues important to HRQOL from the point of view of patients with myeloma; (iii) describe the measurement properties of each HRQOL tool; (iv) evaluate the content validity of HRQOL tools in terms of their ability to capture all issues important to patients and (v) explore the suitability of each HRQOL tool for use in different settings.MethodSystematic literature review of six databases with no limits by date or language.ResultsThirty‐nine studies reported validation of 13 HRQOL instruments. Seven studies identified issues important to HRQOL from the patients' perspective. No instrument was comprehensive to all issues important to patients. The EORTC‐QLQ‐C30 and MY24 have undergone the most comprehensive psychometric validation. Most validation occurred in trial patients and not clinically representative groups. No studies evaluated clinical utility of tools alongside routine practice.ConclusionThe best existing HRQOL tools are designed predominantly for use in research. Reliable, valid and responsive tools exist for this purpose, but may miss issues important to patients. The design of HRQOL measures should be guided by intended utility, whether for research or clinical practice, and further validation of HRQOL tools in clinically representative groups is needed. Development and validation of HRQOL tools for clinical use may be of value.
Impacts of a half century of sea‐level rise and development on an endangered mammal
Authors: Schmidt Jason A. , McCleery Robert , Seavey Jennifer R. , Cameron Devitt Susan E. , Schmidt Paige M. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe extraordinary growth of human populations and development in coastal areas over the last half century has eliminated and degraded coastal habitats and threatened the persistence of associated wildlife. Moreover, human‐induced sea‐level rise (SLR) is projected to further eliminate and alter the same coastal ecosystems, especially low‐lying regions. Whereas habitat loss and wildlife population declines from development are well documented, contemporary SLR has not yet been implicated in declines of coastal faunal populations. In addition, the projection of severe synergistic impacts from the combination of development and SLR is well described, yet the scientific literature offers little empirical evidence of the influence of these forces on coastal wildlife. Analysis of aerial photographs from 1959 to 2006 provided evidence of a 64% net loss of the endangered Lower Keys marsh rabbit's (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri; LKMR) habitat, the majority due to SLR (>48%). Furthermore, there was a strong negative relationship between the proportion of development per island and the amount of new habitat formed. Islands with modest development (less than 8% of land area) saw formation of new areas of marsh vegetation suitable for rabbits, whereas islands with 8% or more of their lands developed between 1959 and 2006 saw little to no addition of LKMR habitat. Only 8% of habitat loss was directly due to conversion to impervious surfaces, indicating that the greatest threats from development were indirect, including blocking of the inland migration of habitat triggered by SLR. Our results were consistent with an ongoing squeeze of coastal ecosystems between rising seas and development as a threat to LKMR habitat, which raises concern for a wide variety of coastal species. Our results provide evidence that SLR has become a contemporary conservation concern, one that is exacerbated by development, and expected to increase in magnitude as ocean waters continue to rise.
Can a thermally tolerant symbiont improve the future of Caribbean coral reefs?
Authors: Ortiz Juan Carlos , González‐Rivero Manuel , Mumby Peter J. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe detrimental effect of climate change induced bleaching on Caribbean coral reefs has been widely documented in recent decades. Several studies have suggested that increases in the abundance of thermally tolerant endosymbionts may ameliorate the effect of climate change on reefs. Symbionts that confer tolerance to temperature also reduce the growth rate of their coral host. Here, we show, using a spatial ecosystem model, that an increment in the abundance of a thermally tolerant endosymbiont (D1a) is unlikely to ensure the persistence of Caribbean reefs, or to reduce their rate of decline, due to the concomitant reduction in growth rate under current thermal stress predictive scenarios. Furthermore, our results suggest that given the documented vital rates of D1a‐dominated corals, increasing dominance of D1a in coral hosts may have a detrimental effect by reducing the resilience of Caribbean reefs, and preventing their long‐term recovery. This is because Caribbean ecosystems appear to be highly sensitive to changes in the somatic growth rate of corals. Alternative outcomes might be expected in systems with different community‐level dynamics such as reefs in the Indo‐Pacific, where the ecological costs of reduced growth rate might be far smaller.
2‐Hydroxyethyl methacrylate inflammatory effects in human gingival fibroblasts
Authors: Di Nisio C. , Zara S. , Cataldi A. , di Giacomo V. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractAimTo investigate the inflammatory response in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) treated with a relatively low 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) concentration by studying reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) and tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) gene expression, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release.MethodologyCultured HGFs were exposed to 3 mmol L−1 HEMA for 0, 24 or 96 h. ROS production was investigated by flow cytometry; TNF‐α and COX‐2 gene expression was determined by RT‐PCR, and prostaglandin E2 production was detected by an enzyme immunoassay.ResultsAfter 24‐ or 96‐h HEMA incubation, ROS levels were approximately eightfold and elevenfold higher than controls, whilst COX‐2 gene expression was approximately twofold or fourfold higher than controls, respectively. Twenty‐four‐hour exposure enhanced TNF‐α mRNA levels by approximately 66%, whilst after 96‐h incubation, TNF‐α gene expression was fivefold higher than controls. Ninety‐six‐hour HEMA treatment increased PGE2 concentration in the culture medium by around 17% compared with controls.Conclusions2‐Hydroxyethyl methacrylate treatment (3 mmol L−1) induced an inflammatory response in HGFs modulated by ROS production, as well as by the increase in TNF‐α and COX‐2 gene expression and by PGE2 release.
Oral exposure to methylmercury modifies the prostatic microenvironment in adult rats
Authors: da Silva Daniela A. Fossato , Barbosa Fernando , Scarano Wellerson R. 
Published: September 2012

SummaryMethylmercury (MeHg) is an environmental pollutant that is highly toxic to the central nervous system. As its effects on male reproductive system are poorly understood, this study was carried out to analyse the effects of MeHg on the rat prostate. To evaluate the MeHg toxicity on ventral prostate, three groups of adult male Wistar rats received oral doses of 0.5, 1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg MeHg, respectively, on a daily basis for 14 days. A fourth group was used as a control. The prostate weight was decreased in rats treated orally with 0.5 mg/kg MeHg compared to controls. Also, Hg concentration increased significantly in the prostate after treatments. There were reductions in serum testosterone levels and androgen receptor immunoreactivity in animals receiving 3.0 mg MeHg/kg. The stereological data showed changes in the prostatic epithelial, stromal and luminal compartments which varied according to the different doses. Histopathological alterations, such as chronic inflammation, stratified epithelial hyperplasia and epithelial inflammatory reactive atypia, were observed in the 0.5 mg/kg MeHg‐treated group. Epithelial atrophy was observed in the 3.0 mg/kg MeHg‐treated group. In conclusion, the MeHg affects prostatic homoeostasis resulting in histopathological changes that may be relevant in the pathogenesis of prostatic disease.
Heterotopic mineralization (ossification or calcification) in tendinopathy or following surgical tendon trauma
Authors: O'Brien Etienne J. O. , Frank Cyril B. , Shrive Nigel G. , Hallgrímsson Benedikt , Hart David A. 
Published: September 2012

SummaryHeterotopic tendon mineralization (ossification or calcification), which may be a feature of tendinopathy or which may develop following surgical trauma (repair or graft harvest), has not received much attention. The purpose of this article is to review the prevalence, mechanisms and consequences of heterotopic tendon mineralization and to identify the gaps in our current understanding. We focus on endochondral heterotopic ossification and draw on knowledge of the mechanisms of this process in other tissues and conditions. Finally, we introduce a novel murineAchilles tendon needle injury model, which will enable us to further study the mechanisms and biomechanical consequences of tendon mineralization.
A physiological analogy of the niche for projecting the potential distribution of plants
Authors: Higgins Steven I. , O’Hara Robert B. , Bykova Olga , Cramer Michael D. , Chuine Isabelle , Gerstner Eva‐Maria , Hickler Thomas , Morin Xavier , Kearney Michael R. , Midgley Guy F. , Scheiter Simon 
Published: September 2012

AbstractAim To develop a physiologically based model of the plant niche for use in species distribution modelling.Location Europe.Methods We link the Thornley transport resistance (TTR) model with functions which describe how the TTR’s model parameters are influenced by abiotic environmental factors. The TTR model considers how carbon and nutrient uptake, and the allocation of these assimilates, influence growth. We use indirect statistical methods to estimate the model parameters from a high resolution data set on tree distribution for 22 European tree species.Results We infer, from distribution data and abiotic forcing data, the physiological niche dimensions of 22 European tree species. We found that the model fits were reasonable (AUC: 0.79–0.964). The projected distributions were characterized by a false positive rate of 0.19 and a false negative rate 0.12. The fitted models are used to generate projections of the environmental factors that limit the range boundaries of the study species.Main conclusions We show that physiological models can be used to derive physiological niche dimensions from species distribution data. Future work should focus on including prior information on physiological rates into the parameter estimation process. Application of the TTR model to species distribution modelling suggests new avenues for establishing explicit links between distribution and physiology, and for generating hypotheses about how ecophysiological processes influence the distribution of plants.
Nutrition education and counselling practices in mother and child health clinics: study amongst nurses
Authors: Ilmonen Johanna , Isolauri Erika , Laitinen Kirsi 
Published: September 2012

Aims and objectives.  To investigate current nutrition counselling practices, knowledge of nutrition and the need for nutrition education by nurses in mother and child health clinics.Background.  Nutrition counselling of young families offers a tangible means to implement preventive measures for lifestyle‐related chronic diseases. Nurses in health clinics are at prime position to execute this preventive work, which demands knowledge of current nutrition research as well as skill in counselling. Knowledge is limited regarding the current nutrition counselling practices of nurses and their needs in improving counselling.Design.  Descriptive questionnaire survey.Methods.  A questionnaire was formulated and sent to nurses in mother and child health clinics (n = 650) nationwide via e‐mail links using a computerised program. Non‐respondents were re‐contacted twice, the final response rate being 50% (n = 327).Results.  Nurses considered nutrition counselling an important but challenging task in the clinics. In addition to promotion of health, they had counselled clients in the management of various disorders ranging from constipation to coeliac disease. Variability was noted in the extent to which nurses had adopted nutrition guidelines. As means to improve counselling, better collaboration with both families and healthcare professionals and an increase in resources, including time available for counselling, up‐to‐date educational material and clinical guidelines, as well as increased education in nutrition were suggested.Conclusions.  The results demonstrated a need and a readiness amongst nurses to develop nutrition counselling in health clinics. Given the health benefits presumably deriving from nutrition counselling, investments in operational counselling, comprising advancement of both knowledge and skills in the health clinics, are clearly warranted.Relevance to clinical practices.  The findings provide important insights into the current clinical practice in health clinics and can be exploited in designing nutrition counselling and in‐service training.