bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antibodies against gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in patients with diabetes mellitus is associated with lower body weight and autonomic neuropathy
Authors: Berntorp Kerstin , Frid Anders , Alm Ragnar , Fredrikson Gunilla Nordin , Sjöberg Klas , Ohlsson Bodil 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background
Esophageal dysmotility and gastroparesis are common secondary complications in patients with diabetes mellitus. Patients with dysmotility express antibodies against gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in serum. The aim of the present study was to scrutinize patients with diabetes mellitus with regard to the presence of GnRH antibodies, and to examine associations between antibodies and clinical findings.

Results
Thirty-nine consecutive patients with diabetes mellitus were included in the study after clinical examination and examination by esophageal manometry and gastric emptying scintigraphy. Serum was analyzed for the presence of antibodies against GnRH using an ELISA, and values are expressed as relative units (RU). Two age- and gender-matched healthy subjects per each patient served as controls. The prevalence of IgM GnRH antibodies in patients was 33% compared to 14% in controls (p = 0.027), with a higher antibody titer; 1.2 (0.6-5.0) and 0.2 (0.1-0.3) RU, respectively (p = 0.000). The expression of IgG antibodies was 15% in patients and none in controls (p = 0.000). Lower body mass index was associated with the presence of IgM antibodies (OR = 0.835, 95% CI = 0.699–0.998), and autonomic neuropathy with the presence IgG antibodies (OR = 9.000, 95% CI = 1.327–61.025). Esophageal dysmotility (69%) or gastroparesis (18%) were not associated with the presence of IgM antibodies (OR = 0.589, 95% CI = 0.143–2.424 and OR = 3.407, 95% CI = 0.633–18.350, respectively). Neither was esophageal dysmotility associated with IgG antibodies (OR = 2.500, 95% CI = 0.259–24.096).

Conclusions
Antibodies against GnRH are more common in patients with diabetes mellitus compared with healthy controls. IgM antibodies are associated with lower body mass index and IgG antibodies are associated with autonomic neuropathy.
Ixodes ricinus abundance and its infection with the tick-borne pathogens in urban and suburban areas of Eastern Slovakia
Authors: Pangrácová Lucia , Derdáková Markéta , Pekárik Ladislav , Hviščová Ivana , Víchová Bronislava , Stanko Michal , Hlavatá Helena , Peťko Branislav 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background
Raising abundance of ticks and tick-borne diseases in Europe is the result of multiple factors including climate changes and human activities. Herein, we investigated the presence and seasonal activity of Ixodes ricinus ticks from 10 urban and suburban sites in two different geographical areas of southeastern and northeastern Slovakia during 2008–2010. Our aim was to study the abundance of ticks in correlation with the environmental factors and their infection with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Neoehrlichia mikurensis.

Methods
Questing I. ricinus ticks were collected from ten urban and suburban sites in Eastern Slovakia. A total of 670 ticks were further analysed for the presence of B. burgdorferi s.l., A. phagocytophilum and N. mikurensis by molecular methods. Tick site and environmental relations were analysed using General Linear Models (LM). The differences between the number of Lyme borreliosis cases between the Košice and Bardejov regions during a ten-year period were tested by Wilcoxon matched pairs test.

Results
In total, 2921 (1913 nymphs, 1008 adults) I. ricinus ticks were collected from 10 study sites during the main questing season. Tick activity and relative abundance differed between locations and months. Temperature and humidity were the main factors affecting the tick abundance and questing activity. Out of 670 examined ticks, 10.15% were infected with spirochetes from B. burgdorferi s.l. complex (represented by B. afzelii, B. garinii, B.valaisiana and B. burgdorferi s.s.), 2.69% with the A. phagocytophilum and 2.39% with N. mikurensis. The number of Lyme borreliosis cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the Bardejov region was significantly higher than in the Košice region.

Conclusions
Our data indicate that the risk of infection with tick-borne pathogens in Eastern Slovakia is common since 15.2% of ticks were infected at least with one of the tested microorganisms. Even though the abundance of ticks was affected by the microclimatic conditions and the prevalence of pathogens differed between the habitats, the infection risk for humans is also affected by human activities leading to an increased contact with infected ticks.
Fractalkine receptor is expressed in mature ovarian teratomas and required for epidermal lineage differentiation
Authors: Rooper Lisa , Gurler Hilal , Kajdacsy-Balla Andre A , Barbolina Maria V 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background
The goal of this study was to determine a predominant cell type expressing fractalkine receptor (CX3CR1) in mature ovarian teratomas and to establish functional significance of its expression in cell differentiation.

Methods
Specimens of ovarian teratoma and human fetal tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for CX3CR1expression. Ovarian teratocarcinoma cell line PA-1 was used as a model for cell differentiation.

Results
We found that the majority of the specimens contained CX3CR1-positive cells of epidermal lineage. Skin keratinocytes in fetal tissues were also CX3CR1- positive. PA-1 cells with downregulated CX3CR1 failed to express a skin keratinocyte marker cytokeratin 14 when cultured on Matrigel in the presence of a morphogen, bone morphogenic protein 4 (BMP-4), as compared to those expressing scrambled shRNA.

Conclusions
Here we demonstrate that CX3CR1 is expressed in both normally (fetal skin) and abnormally (ovarian teratoma) differentiated keratinocytes and is required for cell differentiation into epidermal lineage.
Changes and recovery of soil bacterial communities influenced by biological soil disinfestation as compared with chloropicrin-treatment
Authors: Mowlick Subrata , Inoue Takashi , Takehara Toshiaki , Kaku Nobuo , Ueki Katsuji , Ueki Atsuko 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
Soil bacterial composition, as influenced by biological soil disinfestation (BSD) associated with biomass incorporation was investigated to observe the effects of the treatment on the changes and recovery of the microbial community in a commercial greenhouse setting. Chloropicrin (CP) was also used for soil disinfestation to compare with the effects of BSD. The fusarium wilt disease incidence of spinach cultivated in the BSD- and CP-treated plots was reduced as compared with that in the untreated control plots, showing effectiveness of both methods to suppress the disease. The clone library analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that members of the Firmicutes became dominant in the soil bacterial community after the BSD-treatment. Clone groups related to the species in the class Clostridia, such as Clostridium saccharobutylicum, Clostridium tetanomorphum, Clostridium cylindrosporum, Oxobacter pfennigii, etc., as well as Bacillus niacini in the class Bacilli were recognized as the most dominant members in the community. For the CP-treated soil, clones affiliated with the Bacilli related to acid-tolerant or thermophilic bacteria such as Tuberibacillus calidus, Sporolactobacillus laevolacticus, Pullulanibacillus naganoensis, Alicyclobacillus pomorum, etc. were detected as the major groups. The clone library analysis for the soil samples collected after spinach cultivation revealed that most of bacterial groups present in the original soil belonging to the phyla Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Gemmatimonadetes, Planctomycetes, TM7, etc. were recovered in the BSD-treated soil. For the CP-treated soil, the recovery of the bacterial groups belonging to the above phyla was also noted, but some major clone groups recognized in the original soil did not recover fully.
Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trials and Accrual in the United States
Authors: Hoos William A. , James Porsha M. , Rahib Lola , Talley Anitra W. , Fleshman Julie M. , Matrisian Lynn M. 
Published: August 2013

Purpose Pancreatic cancer clinical trials open in the United States and their accrual were examined to identify opportunities to accelerate progress in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Methods Pancreatic cancer–specific clinical trials open in the United States in the years 2011 and 2012 were obtained from the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network database. Accrual information was obtained from trial sponsors. Results The portfolio of pancreatic cancer clinical trials identified by type (adenocarcinoma or neuroendocrine), phase, disease stage, and treatment approach is reported. More than half of trials for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma applied biologic insights to new therapeutic approaches, and 38% focused on optimization of radiation or chemotherapy delivery or regimens. In 2011, pancreatic cancer trials required total enrollment of 11,786 patients. Actual accrual to 93.2% of trials was 1,804 patients, an estimated 4.57% of the patients with pancreatic cancer alive in that year. The greatest need was for patients with resectable cancer. Trials open in 2011 enrolled an average of 15% of their total target accrual. Physician recommendations greatly influenced patients' decision to enroll or not enroll onto a clinical trial. Matching to a clinical trial within a 50-mile radius and identifying trials for recurrent/refractory disease were documented as challenges for patient accrual. Conclusion Overall trial enrollment indicates that pancreatic cancer trials open in 2011 would require 6.7 years on average to complete accrual. These results suggest that harmonizing patient supply and demand for clinical trials is required to accelerate progress toward improving survival in pancreatic cancer.
Elevated Fetal Adipsin/Acylation-Stimulating Protein (ASP) in Obese Pregnancy: Novel Placental Secretion via Hofbauer Cells
Authors: Sivakumar K. , Bari M. F. , Adaikalakoteswari A. , Guller S. , Weickert M. O. , Randeva H. S. , Grammatopoulos D. K. , Bastie C. C. , Vatish M. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractContext and Objective:Obesity in pregnancy is associated with increased risks of obesity in the offspring. We investigated the relationship between obesity in pregnancy and circulating maternal and fetal levels of adipose tissue-derived factors adipsin and acylation stimulating protein (ASP) in lean and obese mothers.Design:Paired peripheral and cord blood samples were taken. Paired fat and placenta tissue were taken for explant culture. Media were assayed for secreted adipsin and ASP. Clinical parameters assayed included fasting insulin, glucose, and adipsin.Setting:The study was conducted at a university hospital maternity unit.Patients:Patients included 35 lean [body mass index (BMI) 19–25 kg/m2, mean age 32 years and 39 obese (BMI) &gt; 30 kg/m2, mean age 32.49 years] pregnant Caucasian women, delivered by cesarean section at term.Main Outcome Measure:Identification of placental macrophages [Hofbauer cells (HBCs)], as a source of adipsin and ASP was determined.Results:HBCs secreted both adipsin and ASP. Cord levels of adipsin (1663.78 ± 52.76 pg/mL) and ASP (354.48 ± 17.17 ng/mL) were significantly elevated in the offspring of obese mothers compared with their lean controls [1354.66 ± 33.87 pg/mL and 302.63 ± 14.98 ng/mL, respectively (P &lt; .05 for both)]. Placentae from obese mothers released significantly more adipsin and ASP than placentae from lean mothers [546.0 ± 44 pg/mL · g vs 284.56 ± 43 pg/mL · g and 5485.75 ± 163.32 ng/mL · g vs 2399.16 ± 181.83 ng/mL · g, respectively (P &lt; .05 for both)]. Circulating fetal adipsin and ASP positively correlated with maternal BMI (r = 0.611, P &lt; .0001, and r = 0.391, P &lt; .05, respectively). Fetal adipsin correlated positively with maternal (r = 0.482, P &lt; .01) and fetal homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (r = 0.465, P &lt; .01).Conclusions:We demonstrate novel secretion of adipsin and ASP by placental HBCs.
First Birth Achieved After In Vitro Maturation of Oocytes From a Woman Endowed With Multiple Antral Follicles Unresponsive to Follicle-stimulating Hormone
Authors: Grynberg Michaël , Peltoketo Hellevi , Christin-Maître Sophie , Poulain Marine , Bouchard Philippe , Fanchin Renato 
Published: August 2013

Context:
The association of primary amenorrhea, gonadotropin levels at menopausal range, and normal antral follicle endowment is a rare clinical condition that suggests unresponsiveness of antral follicles to FSH. This affection is frequently misdiagnosed ovarian failure and patients are referred to egg donation to treat their infertility. Because these patients notably have an age-compatible number of antral follicles, we hypothesized that in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes might constitute a useful approach for treating their infertility.

Objective:
We report the first pregnancy and live birth obtained after IVM of oocytes in a 29-year-old patient suffering from ovarian resistance to FSH.

Design:
This is a case report.

Setting:
The work was conducted in a university hospital.

Patient:
Whereas serum FSH (40.3 and 38.4 mIU/mL) and LH (35.7 and 31.7 mIU/mL) levels were repeatedly around the menopausal range, serum anti-Müllerian hormone (4.50 and 4.36 ng/mL) levels and total counting of antral follicles (23 and 18 follicles) remained normal.

Intervention:
We aspirated antral-stage follicles and subsequently matured the oocytes in vitro.

Main Outcome Measure:
We assessed the competence of oocytes retrieved in a patient suffering from ovarian resistance to FSH.

Results:
Aspiration of antral-stage follicles allowed the retrieval of 15 immature oocytes. Following IVM, 12 of them reached metaphase II. Seven embryos were obtained and three of them were transferred into the uterus. This patient became pregnant and delivered a healthy baby at term.

Conclusions:
We report the first pregnancy and live birth achieved using IVM in a woman whose ovaries were resistant to FSH. This approach was based on the remarkable normalcy of AMH and antral follicle measurements in this patient. Therefore, IVM is a viable alternative to egg donation for women suffering from resistance to FSH. Importantly, this condition should be looked for as it may lurk undetected in women wrongly diagnosed with ovarian failure.
The nucleus of endothelial cell as a sensor of blood flow direction
Authors: Tkachenko Eugene , Gutierrez Edgar , Saikin Semion K. , Fogelstrand Per , Kim Chungho , Groisman Alex , Ginsberg Mark H. 
Published: August 2013

Summary
Hemodynamic shear stresses cause endothelial cells (ECs) to polarize in the plane of the flow. Paradoxically, under strong shear flows, ECs disassemble their primary cilia, common sensors of shear, and thus must use an alternative mechanism of sensing the strength and direction of flow. In our experiments in microfluidic perfusion chambers, confluent ECs developed planar cell polarity at a rate proportional to the shear stress. The location of Golgi apparatus and microtubule organizing center was biased to the upstream side of the nucleus, i.e. the ECs polarized against the flow. These in vitro results agreed with observations in murine blood vessels, where EC polarization against the flow was stronger in high flow arteries than in veins. Once established, flow-induced polarization persisted over long time intervals without external shear. Transient destabilization of acto-myosin cytoskeleton by inhibition of myosin II or depolymerization of actin promoted polarization of EC against the flow, indicating that an intact acto-myosin cytoskeleton resists flow-induced polarization. These results suggested that polarization was induced by mechanical displacement of EC nuclei downstream under the hydrodynamic drag. This hypothesis was confirmed by the observation that acute application of a large hydrodynamic force to ECs resulted in an immediate downstream displacement of nuclei and was sufficient to induce persistent polarization. Taken together, our data indicate that ECs can sense the direction and strength of blood flow through the hydrodynamic drag applied to their nuclei.
The role ofTal2andTal1in the differentiation of midbrain GABAergic neuron precursors
Authors: Achim Kaia , Peltopuro Paula , Lahti Laura , Tsai Hui-Hsin , Zachariah Alyssa , Åstrand Mia , Salminen Marjo , Rowitch David , Partanen Juha 
Published: August 2013

SummaryMidbrain- and hindbrain-derived GABAergic interneurons are critical for regulation of sleep, respiratory, sensory-motor and motivational processes, and they are implicated in human neurological disorders. However, the precise mechanisms that underlie generation of GABAergic neuron diversity in the midbrain–hindbrain region are poorly understood. Here, we show unique and overlapping requirements for the related bHLH proteins Tal1 and Tal2 in GABAergic neurogenesis in the midbrain. We show that Tal2 and Tal1 are specifically and sequentially activated during midbrain GABAergic neurogenesis. Similar to Gata2, a post-mitotic selector of the midbrain GABAergic neuron identity, Tal2 expression is activated very early during GABAergic neuron differentiation. Although the expression of Tal2 and Gata2 genes are independent of each other, Tal2 is important for normal midbrain GABAergic neurogenesis, possibly as a partner of Gata2. In the absence of Tal2, the majority of midbrain GABAergic neurons switch to a glutamatergic-like phenotype. In contrast, Tal1 expression is activated in a Gata2 and Tal2 dependent fashion in the more mature midbrain GABAergic neuron precursors, but Tal1 alone is not required for GABAergic neuron differentiation from the midbrain neuroepithelium. However, inactivation of both Tal2 and Tal1 in the developing midbrain suggests that the two factors co-operate to guide GABAergic neuron differentiation in a specific ventro-lateral midbrain domain. The observed similarities and differences between Tal1/Tal2 and Gata2 mutants suggest both co-operative and unique roles for these factors in determination of midbrain GABAergic neuron identities.
Dynamic relationship of the epithelium and mesenchyme during salivary gland initiation: the role of Fgf10
Authors: Wells Kirsty L. , Gaete Marcia , Matalova Eva , Deutsch Danny , Rice David , Tucker Abigail S. 
Published: August 2013

Summary
Salivary glands provide an excellent model for the study of epithelial–mesenchymal interactions. We have looked at the interactions involved in the early initiation and development of murine salivary glands using classic recombination experiments and knockout mice. We show that salivary gland epithelium, at thickening and initial bud stages, is able to direct salivary gland development in non-gland pharyngeal arch mesenchyme at early stages. The early salivary gland epithelium is therefore able to induce gland development in non-gland tissue. This ability later shifts to the mesenchyme, with non-gland epithelium, such as from the limb bud, able to form a branching gland when combined with pseudoglandular stage gland mesenchyme. This shift appears to involve Fgf signalling, with signals from the epithelium inducing Fgf10 in the mesenchyme. Fgf10 then signals back to the epithelium to direct gland down-growth and bud development. These experiments highlight the importance of epithelial–mesenchymal signalling in gland initiation, controlling where, when and how many salivary glands form.
Ethanol exposure disrupts extraembryonic microtubule cytoskeleton and embryonic blastomere cell adhesion, producing epiboly and gastrulation defects
Authors: Sarmah Swapnalee , Muralidharan Pooja , Curtis Courtney L. , McClintick Jeanette N. , Buente Bryce B. , Holdgrafer David J. , Ogbeifun Osato , Olorungbounmi Opeyemi C. , Patino Liliana , Lucas Ryan , Gilbert Sonya , Groninger Evan S. , Arciero Julia , Edenberg Howard J. , Marrs James A. 
Published: August 2013

Summary
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) occurs when pregnant mothers consume alcohol, causing embryonic ethanol exposure and characteristic birth defects that include craniofacial, neural and cardiac defects. Gastrulation is a particularly sensitive developmental stage for teratogen exposure, and zebrafish is an outstanding model to study gastrulation and FASD. Epiboly (spreading blastomere cells over the yolk cell), prechordal plate migration and convergence/extension cell movements are sensitive to early ethanol exposure. Here, experiments are presented that characterize mechanisms of ethanol toxicity on epiboly and gastrulation. Epiboly mechanisms include blastomere radial intercalation cell movements and yolk cell microtubule cytoskeleton pulling the embryo to the vegetal pole. Both of these processes were disrupted by ethanol exposure. Ethanol effects on cell migration also indicated that cell adhesion was affected, which was confirmed by cell aggregation assays. E-cadherin cell adhesion molecule expression was not affected by ethanol exposure, but E-cadherin distribution, which controls epiboly and gastrulation, was changed. E-cadherin was redistributed into cytoplasmic aggregates in blastomeres and dramatically redistributed in the extraembryonic yolk cell. Gene expression microarray analysis was used to identify potential causative factors for early development defects, and expression of the cell adhesion molecule protocadherin-18a (pcdh18a), which controls epiboly, was significantly reduced in ethanol exposed embryos. Injecting pcdh18a synthetic mRNA in ethanol treated embryos partially rescued epiboly cell movements, including enveloping layer cell shape changes. Together, data show that epiboly and gastrulation defects induced by ethanol are multifactorial, and include yolk cell (extraembryonic tissue) microtubule cytoskeleton disruption and blastomere adhesion defects, in part caused by reduced pcdh18a expression.
Structural Estimation of Callers' Delay Sensitivity in Call Centers
Authors: Akşin Zeynep , Ata Barış , Emadi Seyed Morteza , Su Che-Lin 
Published: August 2013

We model the decision-making process of callers in call centers as an optimal stopping problem. After each waiting period, a caller decides whether to abandon a call or continue to wait. The utility of a caller is modeled as a function of her waiting cost and reward for service. We use a random-coefficients model to capture the heterogeneity of the callers and estimate the cost and reward parameters of the callers using the data from individual calls made to an Israeli call center. We also conduct a series of counterfactual analyses that explore the effects of changes in service discipline on resulting waiting times and abandonment rates. Our analysis reveals that modeling endogenous caller behavior can be important when major changes (such as a change in service discipline) are implemented and that using a model with an exogenously specified abandonment distribution may be misleading. This paper was accepted by Assaf Zeevi, stochastic models and simulation.