bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rare autoantibodies to cellular antigens in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Fredi M , Cavazzana I , Quinzanini M , Taraborelli M , Cartella S , Tincani A , Franceschini F 
Published: February 2014

Objective A high number of antinuclear antibody specificities can be detected in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Some of them are related to a distinct clinical subset of disease, independently of their frequency. The aim of our study was to investigate, in a cohort of SLE patients, the prevalence and the clinical relevance of autoantibodies to cellular antigens less frequently found in SLE. Methods Antinuclear antibodies were detected by indirect immunofluorescence on HEp-2 cells while counterimmunoelectrophoresis was used to detect anti-ENA antibodies in 540 patients with SLE, classified according to ACR and SLICC criteria. Clinical and serological features were collected from clinical charts. Results A total of 319 (58.9%) out of 540 sera were positive for anti-ENA antibodies. Anti-Ro/SSA was found in 235 sera, 50 of which also contained anti-La/SSB. Anti-U1RNP were detected in 67, anti-Sm in 46 and anti-ribosomal P protein in 13 sera. In a multivariate analysis anti-Sm was associated with discoid lupus ( p = 0.045) and photosensitivity ( p = 0.037), anti-U1RNP with malar rash and Raynaud’s phenomenon ( p = 0.01 and p = 0.0004, respectively) and anti-Ro/SSA with malar rash, oral ulcers, xerostomia, xerophthalmia and rheumatoid factor ( p = 0.029, p = 0.01, p = 0.031, p = 0.002 and p = 0.028, respectively). Other anti-ENA antibodies were found in 50 positive sera (15.6%). Anti-Ki antibodies were detected in 31, anti-Ku in 8, anti-centromere in 5, isolated anti-La/SSB, anti-PCNA and anti-Topo I in 3 each and anti-Jo-1 in 2 sera. About half of these antibodies (27 out of 50) were detected as the single anti-ENA specificity in serum. At multivariate analysis anti-Ki was significantly associated with male gender while anti-Ku with African ethnicity ( p = 0.017 and p < 0.0001, respectively). No sign of muscular or pulmonary involvement was found in anti-Jo-1-positive patients whilst features of systemic sclerosis were detectable in two out of three anti-Topo I. Conclusions Our study shows that antibodies to cellular antigens more rarely found in SLE are detectable in more than 15% of patients with anti-ENA antibodies. Most of them are found as single anti-ENA specificity. Anti-Ki and anti-Ku are found in a subset of disease, characterized by male gender and African origin, respectively. Clinical features of scleroderma were found only in patients with anti-Topo I.
Investigation of Parenchymal Abdominal Organ Disease in Cats
Authors: Murgia Daniela 
Published: February 2014

Practical relevance: Definitive diagnosis of disease involving the parenchymal abdominal viscera often requires a representative specimen of affected tissue. Methods used to obtain tissue samples range from those that are minimally invasive, such as fine-needle aspiration (FNA), to more invasive techniques such as surgical biopsy. Clinical challenges: FNA and cytological examination can be a useful diagnostic tool and is commonly used for hepatic, splenic and lymph node specimens. FNA is an easy and cheap procedure that is best suited to diffuse disease and can be performed at low risk to the patient. However, its accuracy and agreement with the histopathological findings vary depending on the underlying disease and it often fails to provide information on parenchymal architecture. Importantly, FNA for cytological examination of the liver has serious limitations when used to identify the primary disease process due to the small sample size obtained. Audience: This review is aimed at clinicians undertaking more detailed and specialist investigation of diseases of feline parenchymal abdominal organs and provides practical guidance on the different methods used to obtain hepatic, renal, pancreatic and splenic specimens in cats. Evidence base: The information presented is based on peer-reviewed publications and the clinical experience of the author.
Predictive factors for the outcome of allogeneic transplantation in patients with MDS stratified according to the revised IPSS-R
Authors: Della Porta Matteo G. , Alessandrino Emilio Paolo , Bacigalupo Andrea , van Lint Maria Teresa , Malcovati Luca , Pascutto Cristiana , Falda Michele , Bernardi Massimo , Onida Francesco , Guidi Stefano , Iori Anna Paola , Cerretti Raffaella , Marenco Paola , Pioltelli Pietro , Angelucci Emanuele , Oneto Rosi , Ripamonti Francesco , Bernasconi Paolo , Bosi Alberto , Cazzola Mario , Rambaldi Alessandro 
Published: February 2014

Key Points
Disease relapse is a common cause of failure of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with advanced MDS. High IPSS-R prognostic risk category and monosomal karyotype are independent predictors of relapse after allogeneic transplantation in MDS.
Worsened arterial stiffness in high-risk cardiovascular patients with high habitual carbohydrate intake: a cross-sectional vascular function study
Authors: Chan Hiu-Ting , Chan Yap-Hang , Yiu Kai Hang , Li Sheung-Wai , Tam Sidney , Lau Chu-Pak , Tse Hung-Fat 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
Previous studies suggested that high dietary carbohydrate intake is associated with increased cardiovascular risk through raised triglyceride and decreased high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels. However, the relation between carbohydrate intake and arterial stiffness has not been established. The purpose of this study was to examine this relation among high-risk cardiovascular patients.

Methods
We studied the relation between dietary macronutrient intake and arterial stiffness in 364 patients with documented cardiovascular diseases or risk equivalent (coronary artery diseases 62%, ischemic stroke 13%, diabetes mellitus 55%) and in 93 age-and-sex matched control subjects. Dietary macronutrient intake was assessed using a validated food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for Chinese. Heart-ankle pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured non-invasively with a Vascular Profiling System (VP2000, Colin Corp. USA). A dietary pattern with ≥60% total energy intake derived from carbohydrates was defined as a high-carbohydrate diet according to the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) for Chinese.

Results
Subjects who consumed a high-carbohydrate diet had significantly higher mean PWV than those who did not consume a high-carbohydrate diet (P = 0.039). After adjustment for potential confounders, high-carbohydrate diet was associated with significantly increased PWV [B = 73.50 (10.81 to 136.19), P = 0.022]. However, there was no significant association between high-carbohydrate diet and PWV in controls (P = 0.634).

Conclusions
High-carbohydrate diet is associated with increased arterial stiffness in patients with established cardiovascular disease or risk equivalent.
Activation of Peripheral KCNQ Channels Attenuates Inflammatory Pain
Authors: Hayashi Hiroki , Iwata Masashi , Tsuchimori Noboru , Matsumoto Tatsumi 
Published: February 2014

Background: Refractory chronic pain dramatically reduces the quality of life of patients. Existing drugs cannot fully achieve effective chronic pain control because of their lower efficacy and/or accompanying side effects. Voltage-gated potassium channels (KCNQ) openers have demonstrated their analgesic effect in preclinical and clinical studies, and are thus considered to be a potential therapeutic target as analgesics. However, these drugs exhibit a narrow therapeutic window due to their imposed central nerve system (CNS) side effects. To clarify the analgesic effect by peripheral KCNQ channel activation, we investigated whether the analgesic effect of the KCNQ channel opener, retigabine, is inhibited by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of the KCNQ channel blocker, 10, 10-bis (4-Pyridinylmethyl)-9 (10H) -anthracenone dihydrochloride (XE-991) in rats. Results: Oral administration (p.o.) of retigabine showed an anticonvulsant effect on maximal electronic seizures and an analgesic effect on complete Freund's adjuvant-induced thermal hyperalgesia. However, impaired motor coordination and reduced exploratory behavior were also observed at the analgesic doses of retigabine. Administration (i.c.v.) of XE-991 reversed the retigabine-induced anticonvulsant effect, impaired motor coordination and reduced exploratory behavior but not the analgesic effect. Moreover, intraplantar administration of retigabine or an additional KCNQ channel opener, N-(6-Chloro-pyridin-3-yl)-3,4-difluoro-benzamide (ICA-27243), inhibited formalin-induced nociceptive behavior. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the peripheral sensory neuron is the main target for KCNQ channel openers to induce analgesia. Therefore, peripheral KCNQ channel openers that do not penetrate the CNS may be suitable analgesic drugs as they would prevent CNS side effects.
Clinical observation of submandibular gland transfer for the prevention of xerostomia after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a prospective randomized controlled study of 32 cases
Authors: Zhang Xiangmin , Liu Folin , Lan Xiaolin , Yu Lijiang , Wu Wei , Wu Xiuhong , Xiao Fufu , Li Shaojin 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of submandibular gland transfer for the prevention of xerostomia after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Methods
Using the randomized controlled clinical research method, 65 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were randomly divided into an experimental group consisting of 32 patients and a control group consisting of 33 patients. The submandibular glands were averted to the submental region in 32 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma before they received conventional radiotherapy; a lead block was used to shield the submental region during therapy. Prior to radiotherapy, the function of the submandibular glands was assessed using imaging. Submandibular gland function was measured using 99mTc radionuclide scanning at 60 months after radiotherapy. The data in the questionnaire regarding the degree of xerostomia were investigated and saliva secretion was measured at 3, 6, 12, and 60 months after radiotherapy. In addition, the 5-year survival rate was calculated.

Results
After follow-up for 3, 6, and 12 months, the incidence of moderate to severe xerostomia was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group. The average amount of saliva produced by the experimental and control groups was 1.60 g and 0.68 g, respectively (P < 0.001). After follow-up for 60 months, the uptake and secretion functions of the submandibular glands in the experimental group were found to be significantly higher than in the control group (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). The incidence of moderate or severe xerostomia was significantly lower than in the control group (15.4% and 76.9%, respectively; P < 0.001). The 5-year survival rates of the experimental group and the control group were 81.3% and 78.8%, respectively, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.806).

Conclusions
After a 5 year follow-up period involving 32 patients who had their submandibular glands transferred for the prevention of xerostomia after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, we found that clinical efficacy was good. This approach could improve the quality of life of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients after radiotherapy and would not affect long-term treatment efficacy.
Five years of hospital based surveillance of influenza-like illness and influenza in a short-stay geriatric unit
Authors: Régis Corinne , Voirin Nicolas , Escuret Vanessa , Kim Byeul-A , Robert Olivier , Lina Bruno , Comte Brigitte , Vanhems Philippe 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
Data on influenza in the healthcare setting are often based on retrospective investigations of outbreaks and a few studies described influenza during several consecutive seasons.
The aim of the present work is to report data on influenza like illness (ILI) and influenza from 5-year prospective surveillance in a short-stay geriatrics unit.

Findings
A short stay geriatrics unit underwent 5 years of ILI surveillance from November 2004 to March 2009, with the aim of describing ILI in a non-outbreak context. The study was proposed to patients who presented ILI, defined as fever >37.8°C or cough or sore throat. Among 1,353 admitted patients, 115 presented an ILI, and 34 had hospital-acquired ILI (HA-ILI). Influenza was confirmed in 23 patients, 13 of whom had been vaccinated. Overall attack rates were 2.78% and 0.02% for HA-ILI and HA-confirmed influenza respectively, during the 5 seasons.

Conclusions
This 5-year surveillance study supports the notion that influenza infections are common in hospitals, mostly impacting the elderly hospitalized in short-stay units. It highlights the need for appropriate control measures to prevent HA-ILI in geriatric units and protect elderly patients.
Plasma homocysteine levels and genetic polymorphisms in folate metablism are associated with breast cancer risk in chinese women
Authors: Wu Xiayu , Zou Tianning , Cao Neng , Ni Juan , Xu Weijiang , Zhou Tao , Wang Xu 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackgroundFolate plays a pivotal role in DNA synthesis, repair, methylation and homocysteine (Hcy) metabolism. Therefore, alterations in the folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism may lead to abnormal methylation proliferation, increases of tumor/neoplasia and vein thrombosis/cardiovascular risk. The serine hydroxymethyhransferase (SHMT), methionine synthase (MS), methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) and cystathionine beta synthase (CBS) regulate key reactions in the folate and Hcy metabolism. Therefore, we investigated whether the genetic variants of theSHMT, MS, MTRRandCBS gene can affect plasma Hcy levels and are associated with breast cancer risk.MethodsGenotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP method. Plasma Hcy levels were measured by the fluorescence polarization immunoassay on samples of 96 cases and 85 controls.Results(a) TheSHMT 1420 T, MS 2756G, MTRR 66Gallele frequency distribution showed significant difference between case and controls (p < 0.01 ~ 0.05). (b) The concentration of plasma Hcy levels ofSHMT 1420TTwas significantly lower than that of the wild type, while the plasma Hcy levels ofMS 2756GG,CBS 699TT/1080TTsignificantly higher than that of the wild type both in case and controls. The plasma Hcy levels ofMTRR 66GGwas significantly higher than that of wild type in cases. The plasma Hcy levels of the same genotype in cases were significantly higher than those of controls exceptSHMT 1420CC, MS 2756AA, MTRR 66GG; (c) Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed thatSHMT C1420T(OR = 0.527, 95% CI = 0.55 ~ 1.24),MS A2756G(OR = 2.32, 95% CI = 0.29 ~ 0.82),MTRR A66G(OR = 1.84, 95% CI = 0.25 ~ 1.66) polymorphism is significantly associated with breast cancer risk. And elevated plasma Hcy levels were significantly linked to increased risk of breast cancer (adjusted OR = 4.45, 95% CI = 1.89-6.24 for the highest tertile as compared with the lowest tertile).ConclusionsThe current study results seem to suggest a possibility that SHMT C1420Tmutation may be negatively correlated with breast cancer susceptibility; whileMS A2756GandMTRR A66Gmutation may be positively associated with breast cancer risk.SHMT C1420T, MS A2756G, MTRR A66G, CBS C1080T, CBS C699Tlocus mutation may be factors affecting plasma levels of Hcy. The plasma Hcy levels could be metabolic risk factor for breast cancer risk to a certain extent.
Exact traveling wave solutions of modified KdV–Zakharov–Kuznetsov equation and viscous Burgers equation
Authors: Islam Md Hamidul , Khan Kamruzzaman , Akbar M Ali , Salam Md Abdus 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
Mathematical modeling of many physical systems leads to nonlinear evolution equations because most physical systems are inherently nonlinear in nature. The investigation of traveling wave solutions of nonlinear partial differential equations (NPDEs) plays a significant role in the study of nonlinear physical phenomena. In this article, we construct the traveling wave solutions of modified KDV-ZK equation and viscous Burgers equation by using an enhanced (G '/G) -expansion method. A number of traveling wave solutions in terms of unknown parameters are obtained. Derived traveling wave solutions exhibit solitary waves when special values are given to its unknown parameters.

Mathematics subject classification

35C07; 35C08; 35P99
Chondroitin sulfate activates B cells in vitro, expands CD138+ cells in vivo, and interferes with established humoral immune responses
Authors: Brühl Hilke , Cihak Josef , Goebel Nicole , Talke Yvonne , Renner Kerstin , Hermann Fabian , Rodriguez-Gomez Manuel , Reich Barbara , Plachý Jîŕi , Stangassinger Manfred , Mack Matthias 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTGlycosaminoglycans have anti-inflammatory properties and interact with a variety of soluble and membrane-bound molecules. Little is known about their effects on B cells and humoral immune responses. We show that CS but not dextran or other glycosaminoglycans induces a pronounced proliferation of B cells in vitro compared with TLR4 or TLR9 ligands. With the use of inhibitors and KO mice, we demonstrate that this proliferation is mediated by the tyrosine kinases BTK and Syk but independent of CD44. Antibodies against Ig-α or Ig-β completely block CS-induced B cell proliferation. Injection of CS in mice for 4–5 days expands B cells in the spleen and results in a marked increase of CD138+ cells in the spleen that is dependent on BTK but independent of CD4+ T cells. Long-term treatment with CS for 14 days also increases CD138+ cells in the bone marrow. When mice were immunized with APC or collagen and treated with CS for up to 14 days during primary or after secondary immune responses, antigen-specific humoral immune responses and antigen-specific CD138+ plasma cells in the bone marrow were reduced significantly. These data show that CD138+ cells, induced by treatment with CS, migrate into the bone marrow and may displace other antigen-specific plasma cells. Overall, CS is able to interfere markedly with primary and fully established humoral immune responses in mice.
MethylExtract: High-Quality methylation maps and SNV calling from whole genome bisulfite sequencing data
Authors: Barturen Guillermo , Rueda Antonio , Oliver José L. , Hackenberg Michael 
Published: February 2014

Whole genome methylation profiling at a single cytosine resolution is now feasible due to the advent of high-throughput sequencing techniques together with bisulfite treatment of the DNA. To obtain the methylation value of each individual cytosine, the bisulfite-treated sequence reads are first aligned to a reference genome, and then the profiling of the methylation levels is done from the alignments. A huge effort has been made to quickly and correctly align the reads and many different algorithms and programs to do this have been created. However, the second step is just as crucial and non-trivial, but much less attention has been paid to the final inference of the methylation states. Important error sources do exist, such as sequencing errors, bisulfite failure, clonal reads, and single nucleotide variants.We developed MethylExtract, a user friendly tool to: i) generate high quality, whole genome methylation maps and ii) detect sequence variation within the same sample preparation. The program is implemented into a single script and takes into account all major error sources. MethylExtract detects variation (SNVs – Single Nucleotide Variants) in a similar way to VarScan, a very sensitive method extensively used in SNV and genotype calling based on non-bisulfite-treated reads. The usefulness of MethylExtract is shown by means of extensive benchmarking based on artificial bisulfite-treated reads and a comparison to a recently published method, called Bis-SNP.MethylExtract is able to detect SNVs within High-Throughput Sequencing experiments of bisulfite treated DNA at the same time as it generates high quality methylation maps. This simultaneous detection of DNA methylation and sequence variation is crucial for many downstream analyses, for example when deciphering the impact of SNVs on differential methylation. An exclusive feature of MethylExtract, in comparison with existing software, is the possibility to assess the bisulfite failure in a statistical way. The source code, tutorial and artificial bisulfite datasets are available at http://bioinfo2.ugr.es/MethylExtract/ and http://sourceforge.net/projects/methylextract/, and also permanently accessible from 10.5281/zenodo.7144.
Typification of Linnaean names in Malvaceae for the Italian flora
Authors: Iamonico Duilio , Peruzzi Lorenzo 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe typification of the six Linnaean names Gossypium hirsutum, Hibiscus pentacarpos, H. trionum, Lavatera lusitanica, L. micans and Malva crispa var. verticillata is discussed. The names are lectotypified using specimens from Clifford, Linnaeus and Van Royen Herbaria and illustrations from Zannichelli and Morison.
Phylogeny and taxonomy of Syngonanthus and Comanthera (Eriocaulaceae): Evidence from expanded sampling
Authors: Echternacht Livia , Sano Paulo Takeo , Bonillo Céline , Cruaud Corinne , Couloux Arnaud , Dubuisson Jean-Yves 
Published: February 2014

AbstractComanthera and Syngonanthus (Eriocaulaceae) are monocotyledonous herbs that occur mainly in neotropical savannas in the Guiana Shield and in southeastern Brazil, with a few species in Africa. Phylogenetic relationships in Syngonanthus and Comanthera are still unresolved and have not yet been assessed using a broad and comprehensive sampling. The present study aimed to test the monophyly of both genera and their putative infrageneric taxa and to evaluate their taxonomy and supporting synapomorphies in the light of a resolved phylogeny. The resulting phylogenetic hypotheses were then used to infer the biogeographical histories of the taxa, especially in Brazil. Molecular analyses based on plastid (trnL‐F, psbA‐trnH) and nuclear (ITS) markers using parsimony and Bayesian inference were conducted on 62 species belonging to the ingroup. Syngonanthus s.l. (composed of Syngonanthus, Philodice and Comanthera), Syngonanthus s.str. (including Philodice), Comanthera and both of its subgenera were retrieved as monophyletic, strongly supported by molecular and morphological apomorphies. However Syngonanthus sect. Carphocephalus appeared polyphyletic, and its species were embedded within a paraphyletic S. sect. Syngonanthus. Within Comanthera, clades restricted to equatorial savannas appeared to be sisters to clades restricted to southeastern Brazil, especially in the Espinhaço Range, with a disjunct pattern between Bahia and Minas Gerais states. Within Syngonanthus s.str., Andean and African species appeared embedded in Brazilian clades, but resolution and support within the genus must be improved in future research.
Dates of publication of the “Journal de Botanique/ Ботаническiй журналъ (St.-Petersburg)” (1906–1909)
Authors: Doweld Alexander B. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractPrecise dates of publication for issues of the Journal de Botanique Ботаническiй журналъ (St. Petersburg), published in 1906–1909 by the former Imperial St.‐Petersburg Society of Naturalists are provided as a supplement to precise publication date records of Taxonomic literature ed. 2.