bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neutralizing antibodies inhibit HIV-1 transfer from primary dendritic cells to autologous CD4 T lymphocytes
Authors: Su Bin , Xu Ke , Lederle Alexandre , Peressin Maryse , Biedma Marina Elizabeth , Laumond Géraldine , Schmidt Sylvie , Decoville Thomas , Proust Alizé , Lambotin Mélanie , Holl Vincent , Moog Christiane 
Published: September 2012

AbstractDendritic cells (DCs) support only low levels of HIV-1 replication, but have been shown to transfer infectious viral particles highly efficiently to neighboring permissive CD4 T lymphocytes. This mode of cell-to-cell HIV-1 spread may be a predominant mode of infection and dissemination. In the present study, we analyzed the kinetics of fusion, replication, and the ability of HIV-1–specific Abs to inhibit HIV-1 transfer from immature DCs to autologous CD4 T lymphocytes. We found that neutralizing mAbs prevented HIV-1 transfer to CD4 T lymphocytes in trans and in cis, whereas nonneutralizing Abs did not. Neutralizing Abs also significantly decreased HIV-1 replication in DCs, even when added 2 hours after HIV-1 infection. Interestingly, a similar inhibition of HIV-1 replication in DCs was detected with some nonneutralizing Abs and was correlated with DC maturation. We suggest that the binding of HIV-1-specific Abs to FcγRs leads to HIV-1 inhibition in DCs by triggering DC maturation. This efficient inhibition of HIV-1 transfer by Abs highlights the importance of inducing HIV-specific Abs by vaccination directly at the mucosal portal of HIV-1 entry to prevent early dissemination after sexual transmission.
The existence and stability for weakly Ky Fan’s points of set-valued mappings
Authors: Jia Wensheng , Xiang Shuwen , He Jihao , Yang Yanlong 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
In this paper, the notion of weakly Ky Fan’s points of set-valued mappings is established, and we prove some existence theorems of weakly Ky Fan’s points for functions with no continuity or space with no compactness. Then, from the viewpoint of the essential stability, we prove that most of problems in weakly Ky Fan’s points (in the sense of Baire category) are essential.

MSC:26D20, 26E25.
High-Throughput parallel blind Virtual Screening using BINDSURF
Authors: Sánchez-Linares Irene , Pérez-Sánchez Horacio , Cecilia José M , García José M 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
Virtual Screening (VS) methods can considerably aid clinical research, predicting how ligands interact with drug targets. Most VS methods suppose a unique binding site for the target, usually derived from the interpretation of the protein crystal structure. However, it has been demonstrated that in many cases, diverse ligands interact with unrelated parts of the target and many VS methods do not take into account this relevant fact.

Results
We present BINDSURF, a novel VS methodology that scans the whole protein surface in order to find new hotspots, where ligands might potentially interact with, and which is implemented in last generation massively parallel GPU hardware, allowing fast processing of large ligand databases.

Conclusions

BINDSURF is an efficient and fast blind methodology for the determination of protein binding sites depending on the ligand, that uses the massively parallel architecture of GPUs for fast pre-screening of large ligand databases. Its results can also guide posterior application of more detailed VS methods in concrete binding sites of proteins, and its utilization can aid in drug discovery, design, repurposing and therefore help considerably in clinical research.
Characterization and ligand identification of a membrane progesterone receptor in fungi: existence of a novel PAQR in Sporothrix schenckii
Authors: Gonzalez-Velazquez Waleska , Gonzalez-Mendez Ricardo , Rodriguez-del Valle Nuri 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
Adaptive responses in fungi result from the interaction of membrane receptors and extracellular ligands. Many different classes of receptors have been described in eukaryotic cells. Recently a new family of receptors classified as belonging to the progesterone-adiponectin receptor (PAQR) family has been identified. These receptors have the seven transmembrane domains characteristic of G-protein coupled receptors, but their activity has not been associated directly to G proteins. They share sequence similarity to the eubacterial hemolysin III proteins.

Results
A new receptor, SsPAQR1 (
S

porothrix

s

chenckii
p rogesterone-a diponectinQ r eceptor1), was identified as interacting with Sporothrix schenckii G protein alpha subunit SSG-2 in a yeast two-hybrid assay. The receptor was identified as a member of the PAQR family. The cDNA sequence revealed a predicted ORF of 1542 bp encoding a 514 amino acids protein with a calculated molecular weight of 57.8 kDa. Protein domain analysis of SsPAQR1 showed the 7 transmembrane domains (TM) characteristic of G protein coupled receptors and the presence of the distinctive motifs that characterize PAQRs. A yeast-based assay specific for PAQRs identified progesterone as the agonist. S. schenckii yeast cells exposed to progesterone (0.50 mM) showed an increase in intracellular levels of 3′, 5′ cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) within the first min of incubation with the hormone. Different progesterone concentrations were tested for their effect on the growth of the fungus. Cultures incubated at 35°C did not grow at concentrations of progesterone of 0.05 mM or higher. Cultures incubated at 25°C grew at all concentrations tested (0.01 mM-0.50 mM) with growth decreasing gradually with the increase in progesterone concentration.

Conclusion
This work describes a receptor associated with a G protein alpha subunit in S. schenckii belonging to the PAQR family. Progesterone was identified as the ligand. Exposure to progesterone increased the levels of cAMP in fungal yeast cells within the first min of incubation suggesting the connection of this receptor to the cAMP signalling pathway. Progesterone inhibited the growth of both the yeast and mycelium forms of the fungus, with the yeast form being the most affected by the hormone.
Decision making around living and deceased donor kidney transplantation: a qualitative study exploring the importance of expected relationship changes
Authors: de Groot Ingrid B , Schipper Karen , van Dijk Sandra , van der Boog Paul J M , Stiggelbout Anne M , Baranski Andrzej G , Marang-van de Mheen Perla J ,   the PARTNER-study group
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
Limited data exist on the impact of living kidney donation on the donor-recipient relationship. Purpose of this study was to explore motivations to donate or accept a (living donor) kidney, whether expected relationship changes influence decision making and whether relationship changes are actually experienced.

Methods
We conducted 6 focus groups in 47 of 114 invited individuals (41%), asking retrospectively about motivations and decision making around transplantation. We used qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze the focus group transcripts.

Results
Most deceased donor kidney recipients had a potential living donor available which they refused or did not want. They mostly waited for a deceased donor because of concern for the donor’s health (75%). They more often expected negative relationship changes than living donor kidney recipients (75% vs. 27%, p = 0.01) who also expected positive changes. Living donor kidney recipients mostly accepted the kidney to improve their own quality of life (47%). Donors mostly donated a kidney because transplantation would make the recipient less dependent (25%). After transplantation both positive and negative relationship changes are experienced.

Conclusion
Expected relationship changes and concerns about the donor’s health lead some kidney patients to wait for a deceased donor, despite having a potential living donor available. Further research is needed to assess whether this concerns a selected group.
Additional diagnostic value of tumor markers in cytological fluid for diagnosis of non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Hur Jin , Lee Hye-Jeong , Nam Ji Eun , Kim Young Jin , Hong Yoo Jin , Kim Hee Yeong , Kim Se Kyu , Chang Joon , Kim Joo-Hang , Chung Kyung Young , Lee Hye Sun , Choi Byoung Wook 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
Cytological fluid from a needle aspiration biopsy (NAB) is obtained directly from tumor tissue, therefore many biomarker candidates will be present in high concentrations. The aim of this study was to prospectively assess and validate the tumor markers CYFRA 21–1, CEA, and SCC in cytological fluid obtained from NAB samples to determine if they improved the performance of NAB for diagnosing non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods
A total of 194 patients (M:F = 128:66, mean age 63.7 years) with suspected malignant pulmonary lesions were prospectively enrolled and underwent percutaneous NAB. Levels of CYFRA 21–1, CEA, and SCC were measured by immunoassay in serum and cytological fluid obtained during aspiration biopsy. Cut-off values to determined malignancy were 3.3 ng/mL in serum and 15.7 ng/mL in cytological fluid for CYFRA 21–1, 5 ng/mL and 0.6 ng/mL for CEA, and 2 ng/mL and 0.86 ng/mL for SCC.

Results
Of 194 patients, 139 patients (71.6%) had NSCLC and 55 (28.4%) had benign lesions. Sensitivity increased significantly for NAB combined with cytological tumor markers compared with NAB alone (CYFRA 21–1: 95% versus 83.5%, p < 0.001, CEA: 92.1% versus 83.5%, p = 0.002, SCC: 91.4% versus 83.5%, p = 0.003). Accuracy improved significantly for NAB combined with cytological CYFRA 21–1 compared with NAB alone (95.9% versus 88.1%, p < 0.001). The area under curve (AUC) of NAB with cytological CYFRA 21–1 was significantly larger than for NAB alone (0.966 versus 0.917, p = 0.009).

Conclusion
Of the tested tumor markers, cytological fluid measurements of CYFRA 21–1 improved the diagnostic performance of NAB for NSCLC.
RON is not a prognostic marker for resectable pancreatic cancer
Authors: Tactacan Carole M , Chang David K , Cowley Mark J , Humphrey Emily S , Wu Jianmin , Gill Anthony J , Chou Angela , Nones Katia , Grimmond Sean M , Sutherland Robert L , Biankin Andrew V , Daly Roger J ,   and Australian Pancreratic Genome Initiative
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
The receptor tyrosine kinase RON exhibits increased expression during pancreatic cancer progression and promotes migration, invasion and gemcitabine resistance of pancreatic cancer cells in experimental models. However, the prognostic significance of RON expression in pancreatic cancer is unknown.

Methods
RON expression was characterized in several large cohorts, including a prospective study, totaling 492 pancreatic cancer patients and relationships with patient outcome and clinico-pathologic variables were assessed.

Results
RON expression was associated with outcome in a training set, but this was not recapitulated in the validation set, nor was there any association with therapeutic responsiveness in the validation set or the prospective study.

Conclusions
Although RON is implicated in pancreatic cancer progression in experimental models, and may constitute a therapeutic target, RON expression is not associated with prognosis or therapeutic responsiveness in resected pancreatic cancer.
The effectiveness of knowledge translation strategies used in public health: a systematic review
Authors: LaRocca Rebecca , Yost Jennifer , Dobbins Maureen , Ciliska Donna , Butt Michelle 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
Literature related to the effectiveness of knowledge translation (KT) strategies used in public health is lacking. The capacity to seek, analyze, and synthesize evidence-based information in public health is linked to greater success in making policy choices that have the best potential to yield positive outcomes for populations. The purpose of this systematic review is to identify the effectiveness of KT strategies used to promote evidence-informed decision making (EIDM) among public health decision makers.

Methods
A search strategy was developed to identify primary studies published between 2000–2010. Studies were obtained from multiple electronic databases (CINAHL, Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews). Searches were supplemented by hand searching and checking the reference lists of included articles. Two independent review authors screened studies for relevance, assessed methodological quality of relevant studies, and extracted data from studies using standardized tools.

Results
After removal of duplicates, the search identified 64, 391 titles related to KT strategies. Following title and abstract review, 346 publications were deemed potentially relevant, of which 5 met all relevance criteria on full text screen. The included publications were of moderate quality and consisted of five primary studies (four randomized controlled trials and one interrupted time series analysis). Results were synthesized narratively. Simple or single KT strategies were shown in some circumstances to be as effective as complex, multifaceted ones when changing practice including tailored and targeted messaging. Multifaceted KT strategies led to changes in knowledge but not practice. Knowledge translation strategies shown to be less effective were passive and included access to registries of pre-processed research evidence or print materials. While knowledge brokering did not have a significant effect generally, results suggested that it did have a positive effect on those organizations that at baseline perceived their organization to place little value on evidence-informed decision making.

Conclusions
No singular KT strategy was shown to be effective in all contexts. Conclusions about interventions cannot be taken on their own without considering the characteristics of the knowledge that was being transferred, providers, participants and organizations.
Adjusting team involvement: a grounded theory study of challenges in utilizing a surgical safety checklist as experienced by nurses in the operating room
Authors: Wæhle Hilde Valen , Haugen Arvid Steinar , Søfteland Eirik , Hjälmhult Esther 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
Even though the use of perioperative checklists have resulted in significant reduction in postoperative mortality and morbidity, as well as improvements of important information communication, the utilization of checklists seems to vary, and perceived barriers are likely to influence compliance. In this grounded theory study we aimed to explore the challenges and strategies of performing the WHO’s Safe Surgical Checklist as experienced by the nurses appointed as checklist coordinators.

Methods
Grounded theory was used in gathering and analyzing data from observations of the checklist used in the operating room, in conjunction with single and focus group interviews. A purposeful sample of 14 nurse-anesthetists and operating room nurses as surgical team members in a tertiary teaching hospital participated in the study.

Results
The nurses’ main concern regarding checklist utilization was identified as “how to obtain professional and social acceptance within the team”. The emergent grounded theory of “adjusting team involvement” consisted of three strategies; distancing, moderating and engaging team involvement. The use of these strategies explains how they resolved their challenges. Each strategy had corresponding conditions and consequences, determining checklist compliance, and how the checklist was used.

Conclusion
Even though nurses seem to have a loyal attitude towards the WHO’s checklist regarding their task work, they adjusted their surgical team involvement according to practical, social and professional conditions in their work environment. This might have resulted in the incomplete use of the checklist and therefore a low compliance rate. Findings also emphasized the importance of: a) management support when implementing WHO’s Safe Surgical Checklist, and b) interprofessional education approach to local adaptation of the checklists use.
Endometrial stromal beta-catenin is required for steroid-dependent mesenchymal-epithelial cross talk and decidualization
Authors: Zhang Ling , Patterson Amanda L , Zhang Lihua , Teixeira Jose M , Pru James K 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
Beta-catenin is part of a protein complex associated with adherens junctions. When allowed to accumulate to sufficient levels in its dephosphorylated form, beta-catenin serves as a transcriptional co-activator associated with a number of signaling pathways, including steroid hormone signaling pathways.

Methods
To investigate the role of beta-catenin in progesterone (P4) signaling and female reproductive physiology, conditional ablation of Ctnnb1 from the endometrial mesenchymal (i.e. stromal and myometrial), but not epithelial, compartment was accomplished using the Amhr2-Cre mice. Experiments were conducted to assess the ability of mutant female mice to undergo pregnancy and pseudopregnancy by or through oil-induced decidualization. The ability of uteri from mutant female mice to respond to estrogen (E2) and P4 was also determined.

Results
Conditional deletion of Ctnnb1 from the mesenchymal compartment of the uterus resulted in infertility stemming, in part, from complete failure of the uterus to decidualize. E2-stimulated epithelial cell mitosis and edematization were not altered in mutant uteri indicating that the mesenchyme is capable of responding to E2. However, exposure of ovariectomized mutant female mice to a combined E2 and P4 hormone regimen consistent with early pregnancy revealed that mesenchymal beta-catenin is essential for indirectly opposing E2-induced epithelial proliferation by P4 and in some mice resulted in development of endometrial metaplasia. Lastly, beta-catenin is also required for the induced expression of genes that are known to play a fundamental role in decidualization such as Ihh, Ptch1, Gli1 and Muc1

Conclusions
Three salient points derive from these studies. First, the findings demonstrate a mechanistic linkage between the P4 and beta-catenin signaling pathways. Second, they highlight an under appreciated role for the mesenchymal compartment in indirectly mediating P4 signaling to the epithelium, a process that intimately involves mesenchymal beta-catenin. Third, the technical feasibility of deleting genes in the mesenchymal compartment of the uterus in an effort to understand decidualization and post-natal interactions with the overlying epithelium has been demonstrated. It is concluded that beta-catenin plays an integral role in selective P4-directed epithelial-mesenchymal communication in both the estrous cycling and gravid uterus.
Unique and differential protein signatures within the mononuclear cells of HIV-1 and HCV mono-infected and co-infected patients
Authors: Boukli Nawal M , Shetty Vivekananda , Cubano Luis , Ricaurte Martha , Coelho-dos-Reis Jordana , Nickens Zacharie , Shah Punit , Talal Andrew H , Philip Ramila , Jain Pooja 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
Pathogenesis of liver damage in patients with HIV and HCV co-infection is complex and multifactorial. Although global awareness regarding HIV-1/HCV co-infection is increasing little is known about the pathophysiology that mediates the rapid progression to hepatic disease in the co-infected individuals.

Results
In this study, we investigated the proteome profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HIV-1 mono-, HCV mono-, and HIV-1/HCV co-infected patients. The results of high-resolution 2D gel electrophoresis and PD quest software quantitative analysis revealed that several proteins were differentially expressed in HIV-1, HCV, and HIV-1/HCV co-infection. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and Mascot database matching (LC-MS/MS analysis) successfully identified 29 unique and differentially expressed proteins. These included cytoskeletal proteins (tropomyosin, gelsolin, DYPLSL3, DYPLSL4 and profilin-1), chaperones and co-chaperones (HSP90-beta and stress-induced phosphoprotein), metabolic and pre-apoptotic proteins (guanosine triphosphate [GTP]-binding nuclear protein Ran, the detoxifying enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST) and Rho GDP-dissociation inhibitor (Rho-GDI), proteins involved in cell prosurvival mechanism, and those involved in matrix synthesis (collagen binding protein 2 [CBP2]). The six most significant and relevant proteins were further validated in a group of mono- and co-infected patients (n = 20) at the transcriptional levels.

Conclusions
The specific pro- and anti- apoptotic protein signatures revealed in this study could facilitate the understanding of apoptotic and protective immune-mediated mechanisms underlying HIV-1 and HCV co-infection and their implications on liver disease progression in co-infected patients.
Biomimetic multi-resolution analysis for robust speaker recognition
Authors: Nemala Sridhar Krishna , Zotkin Dmitry N , Duraiswami Ramani , Elhilali Mounya 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Humans exhibit a remarkable ability to reliably classify sound sources in the environment even in presence of high levels of noise. In contrast, most engineering systems suffer a drastic drop in performance when speech signals are corrupted with channel or background distortions. Our brains are equipped with elaborate machinery for speech analysis and feature extraction, which hold great lessons for improving the performance of automatic speech processing systems under adverse conditions. The work presented here explores a biologically-motivated multi-resolution speaker information representation obtained by performing an intricate yet computationally-efficient analysis of the information-rich spectro-temporal attributes of the speech signal. We evaluate the proposed features in a speaker verification task performed on NIST SRE 2010 data. The biomimetic approach yields significant robustness in presence of non-stationary noise and reverberation, offering a new framework for deriving reliable features for speaker recognition and speech processing.
Prognostic value of pretreatment and recovery duration of cranial nerve palsy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Mo Hao-Yuan , Sun Rui , Sun Jian , Zhang Qing , Huang Wen-Jin , Li Yan-Xian , Yang Jing , Mai Hai-Qiang 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of cranial nerve (CN) palsy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients.

Methods
A retrospective analysis was performed on CN involvement using medical records of 178 consecutive patients with histologically diagnosed, non-disseminated NPC.

Results
In 178 NPC patients with CN palsy, the 5-year survival rates were as follows: overall survival (OS), 61.0%; disease-specific survival (DSS), 69.6%; local relapse-free survival (LRFS), 75.2%; distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), 73.4%; and disease-free survival (DFS), 55.3%. Significant differences were observed in the 5-year OS rates between patients with single and multiple CN palsy (69.8% vs. 54.3%; P = 0.033) and the OS rates between patients with different pretreatment durations (68.7% vs. 43.3%, P = 0.007). However, no significant differences were observed in OS, DSS, LRFS and DFS rates between patients with upper and lower CN palsy (P = 0.581, P = 0.792, P = 0.729 and P = 0.212, respectively). The results showed that recovery duration was an independent prognostic factor for OS (HR = 2.485; P < 0.001), DSS (HR = 2.065; P = 0.016), LRFS (HR = 3.051; P = 0.001) and DFS (HR = 2.440; P < 0.001).

Conclusions
Recovery duration is an independent prognostic factor for NPC patients with CN palsy and is related to recurrence, which leads to poor survival. Recovery duration requires close surveillance and different treatment regimens.