bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Umbilical cord blood-derived CD11c+ dendritic cells could serve as an alternative allogeneic source of dendritic cells for cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Kumar Jeetendra , Kale Vaijayanti , Limaye Lalita 
Published: September 2015

AbstractIntroductionAllogenic dendritic cells (DCs) generated from healthy donors, who are complete or partially HLA-matched, have been used for clinical trials. One of the sources for allogenic DCs is umbilical cord blood (UCB) cells. However, as far as cord blood cells are concerned, looking at their naïve nature, there is a concern as to whether the DCs generated from them will have enough potential to elicit a proper T cell response. For this, we compared CD11c+UCB-DCs/ Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) with the conventional source, i.e. peripheral blood (PBL) monocyte DCs/CTLs, using various parameters.MethodsCD11c+DCs generated from the two sources were compared morphologically, phenotypically and functionally. Functional assays included antigen uptake, chemotactic migration and MLR (mixed lymphocyte reaction). The CTLs generated were examined for the activation markers, granzyme A & granzyme B, and IFN-γ secretion. MUC1 (STAPPVHNV) peptide-specific CTLs were quantified by Streptamer staining.In vitroCTL activity was assessed by their efficiency in killing MCF-7 cells. Forin vivoCTL assay, a xenograft of MCF-7-luc-F5 cells in female NOD/SCID mice was employed. Regression of tumors in mice was monitored using an in vivo imaging system before and after ten days of CTL infusion. Statistical analysis of all the experiments between the two groups was evaluated by one-way ANOVA.ResultsThe CD11c+DCs from the two sources were morphologically and phenotypically similar. Their capacity to uptake antigen, migration towards CCL-19 and MLR activity were equivalent. UCB-CTLs had significantly higher levels of activation markers, number of MUC1 specific CTLs, IFN-γ secretion and IL-12p70/IL-10 ratio than that of PBL-CTLs. Hematoxylin and Eosin-stained tumor sections showed T cell infiltration, which was further confirmed by immunofluorescence staining.In vivoCTL activity was found to be similar with the two sources.ConclusionsOur data demonstrate that CD11c+UCB-DCs/CTLs are as potent as standard CD11c+PBL-DC/CTLs and could therefore be used as an allogenic source for therapeutic purposes. The findings of this study could help in taking us one step closer towards the personalized therapy using DC based cancer vaccines.
Is Anti-Müllerian Hormone Associated With Fecundability? Findings From the EAGeR Trial
Authors: Zarek Shvetha M. , Mitchell Emily M. , Sjaarda Lindsey A. , Mumford Sunni L. , Silver Robert M. , Stanford Joseph B. , Galai Noya , White Mark V. , Schliep Karen C. , DeCherney Alan H. , Schisterman Enrique F. 
Published: September 2015

Objective:The objective of the study was to evaluate whether anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is associated with fecundability among women with proven fecundity and a history of pregnancy loss.Design:This was a prospective cohort study within a multicenter, block-randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (clinicaltrials.gov, number NCT00467363).Setting:The study was conducted at four US medical centers (2006–2012).Participants:Participating women were aged 18–40 years, with a history of one to two pregnancy losses who were actively attempting pregnancy.Main Outcome Measures:Time to human chorionic gonadotropin detected and clinical pregnancy were assessed using Cox proportional hazard regression models to estimate fecundability odds ratios (fecundability odds ratios with 95% confidence interval [CI]) adjusted for age, race, body mass index, income, low-dose aspirin treatment, parity, number of previous losses, and time since most recent loss. Analyses examined by preconception AMH levels: low (&lt;1.00 ng/mL, n = 124); normal (referent 1.00–3.5 ng/mL, n = 595); and high (&gt;3.5 ng/mL, n = 483).Results:Of the 1202 women with baseline AMH levels, 82 women with low AMH (66.1%) achieved an human chorionic gonadotropin detected pregnancy, compared with 383 with normal AMH (65.2%) and 315 with high AMH level (65.2%). Low or high AMH levels relative to normal AMH (referent) were not associated with fecundability (low AMH: fecundability odds ratios 1.13, 95% CI 0.85–1.49; high AMH: FOR 1.04, 95% CI 0.87–1.24).Conclusions:Lower and higher AMH values were not associated with fecundability in unassisted conceptions in a cohort of fecund women with a history of one or two prior losses. Our data do not support routine AMH testing for preconception counseling in young, fecund women.
CAR Suppresses Hepatic Gluconeogenesis by Facilitating the Ubiquitination and Degradation of PGC1α
Authors: Gao Jie , Yan Jiong , Xu Meishu , Ren Songrong , Xie Wen 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
The constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α (PGC1α) are master regulators of drug metabolism and gluconeogenesis, respectively. In supporting the cross talk between drug metabolism and energy metabolism, activation of CAR has been shown to suppress hepatic gluconeogenesis and ameliorate hyperglycemia in vivo, but the underlying molecular mechanism remains elusive. In this study, we demonstrated that CAR suppressed hepatic gluconeogenic gene expression through posttranslational regulation of the subcellular localization and degradation of PGC1α. Activated CAR translocated into the nucleus and served as an adaptor protein to recruit PGC1α to the Cullin1 E3 ligase complex for ubiquitination. The interaction between CAR and PGC1α also led to their sequestration within the promyelocytic leukemia protein-nuclear bodies, where PGC1α and CAR subsequently underwent proteasomal degradation. Taken together, our findings revealed an unexpected function of CAR in recruiting an E3 ligase and targeting the gluconeogenic activity of PGC1α. Both drug metabolism and gluconeogenesis are energy-demanding processes. The negative regulation of PGC1α by CAR may represent a cellular adaptive mechanism to accommodate energy-restricted conditions.
Sonic hedgehog functions upstream ofdisrupted-in-schizophrenia 1(disc1): implications for mental illness
Authors: Boyd Penelope J. , Cunliffe Vincent T. , Roy Sudipto , Wood Jonathan D. 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACTDISRUPTED-IN-SCHIZOPHRENIA (DISC1) has been one of the most intensively studied genetic risk factors for mental illness since it was discovered through positional mapping of a translocation breakpoint in a large Scottish family where a balanced chromosomal translocation was found to segregate with schizophrenia and affective disorders. While the evidence for it being central to disease pathogenesis in the original Scottish family is compelling, recent genome-wide association studies have not found evidence for common variants at the DISC1 locus being associated with schizophrenia in the wider population. It may therefore be the case that DISC1 provides an indication of biological pathways that are central to mental health issues and functional studies have shown that it functions in multiple signalling pathways. However, there is little information regarding factors that function upstream of DISC1 to regulate its expression and function. We herein demonstrate that Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signalling promotes expression of disc1 in the zebrafish brain. Expression of disc1 is lost in smoothened mutants that have a complete loss of Shh signal transduction, and elevated in patched mutants which have constitutive activation of Shh signalling. We previously demonstrated that disc1 knockdown has a dramatic effect on the specification of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPC) in the hindbrain and Shh signalling is known to be essential for the specification of these cells. We show that disc1 is prominently expressed in olig2-positive midline progenitor cells that are absent in smo mutants, while cyclopamine treatment blocks disc1 expression in these cells and mimics the effect of disc1 knock down on OPC specification. Various features of a number of psychiatric conditions could potentially arise through aberrant Hedgehog signalling. We therefore suggest that altered Shh signalling may be an important neurodevelopmental factor in the pathobiology of mental illness.
Tritrichomonas foetus infection in cat – first detection in Poland
Authors: Dąbrowska Joanna , Karamon Jacek , Kochanowski Maciej , Jędryczko Roman , Cencek Tomasz 
Published: September 2015

AbstractTritrichomonas foetus, a parasite of cattle reproductive system, has been recently discovered as a cause of disease in cats in many countries. T. foetus infects and colonizes cat’s ileum, caecum, colon and can lead to enteritis. This paper presents the first clinical case of cat intestinal trichomonosis caused by T. foetus in Poland. The material for this study was a smear collected from a 6-month-old male British Shorthair cat. The presence of parasitic protozoan was determined via microscopic examination and confirmed by amplification of T. foetus rDNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. In the first PCR reaction, a DNA of Trichomonadidae was identified and in the second PCR, T. foetus was detected. The T. foetus positive products from the second PCR reaction were sequenced. Interpretation of the sequencing results of obtained amplicons by comparing them with the GenBank database proved that the causative agent, in this case, was T. foetus.
Association between immunoreactivity to Anisakis spp. antigens and high-risk pregnancy
Authors: Figueiredo Israel , Vericimo Mauricio , Terra Luciana , Ferreira Taylane , São Clemente Sergio Carmona , Teixeira Gerlinde 
Published: September 2015

AbstractNumerous factors contribute to perinatal risk, many of which remain undefined. This study sought to determine the frequency of fish intake in postpartum women, and to establish a relationship between the rates of immunoreactivity for antigens from Anisakis spp. and high-risk pregnancy. In this prospective noninterventional study, a structured questionnaire was administered and serum was collected from postpartum women at two perinatal centers (a high-risk birth unit [HRBU] and a low-risk birth unit [LRBU]) in the Niteroi municipality of Brazil. Anisakis species-specific IgG and IgE were measured by ELISA. The chisquared test was performed, and odds ratios (ORs) with their 95% confidence intervals were estimated. The t-test or Mann-Whitney test was applied to continuous, normally distributed variables. In total, 309 women (170 from HRBU, 139 from LRBU) between 24.8 and 26.7 years old with a median of 6 to 8 prenatal visits were enrolled. Women in the two units exhibited differences in some variables, including prenatal care (p = 0.01), maternal and fetal risk (p = 0.00; OR = 6.17), and gestational age (p = 0.00), but no differences in fish consumption (p = 0.29), frequency of fish intake (p = 0.40), allergic symptoms (p = 0.51), or frequency of anti-Anisakis reactivity (p = 0.22). Logistic regression analysis revealed that only age was independently associated with postpartum anti-Anisakis reactivity. This study confirmed a low prevalence of fish intake and suggested that Anisakis spp. had no impact on high-risk pregnancies among this postpartum study population.
New species of Cosmocercoides (Nematoda; Cosmocercidae) and other helminths in Gonocephalus liogaster (Squamata; Agamidae) from Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Bursey Charles R. , Goldberg Stephen R. , Grismer Lee L. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractCosmocercoides malayensis sp. nov. (Nematoda, Cosmocercidae) from the large intestine of Gonocephalus liogaster (Squamata, Agamidae) from Peninsular Malaysia is described and illustrated. Cosmocercoides malayensis sp. nov. represents the 23
The infection of reintroduced ruminants – Bison bonasus and Alces alces – with Anaplasma phagocytophilum in northern Poland
Authors: Karbowiak Grzegorz , Víchová Bronislava , Werszko Joanna , Demiaszkiewicz Aleksander W. , Pyziel Anna M. , Sytykiewicz Hubert , Szewczyk Tomasz , Peťko Branislav 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe north-eastern part of Poland is considered an area of high risk for infection with tick-borne diseases, including with human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) agents. The etiological agent of HGE is Anaplasma phagocytophilum. As the animal reservoir for A. phagocytophilum in the environment serve the species from Cervidae and Bovidae families. European bison (Bison bonasus) and elk (Alces alces) are the big ruminant species, reintroduced to the forests of Middle Europe after many decades of absence. In the foci of zoonotic diseases they are able to play a role as natural reservoir to pathogens, however, their status as protected animals means their study has been rare and fragmentary. The studies of B. bonasus were conducted in Białowieża Primeval Forest and A. alces in Biebrza National Park. PCR amplifications were performed using primers amplifing the end of the groES gene, the intergenic spacer and approximately two-thirds of the groEL gene in the first round, and primers that span a 395-bp region of the groEL gene were used in the second round. The positive results were obtained in B. bonasus and A. alces, the prevalence of infection was 66.7 and 20.0%, respectively. Randomly selected samples were sequenced, sequences were compared with GenBank entries using Blast N2.2.13 and determined as A. phagocytophilum. The results presented herein are the first record of the presence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in A. alces, and at the same time confirm the previous observations regarding the infection of B. bonasus with A. phagocytophilum.
Molecular studies on larvae of Pseudoterranova parasite of Trichiurus lepturus Linnaeus, 1758 and Pomatomus saltatrix (Linnaeus, 1766) off Brazilian waters
Authors: Borges Juliana N. , Cunha Luiz F. G. , Miranda Daniele F. , Monteiro-Neto Cassiano , Santos Cláudia P. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractPseudoterranova larvae parasitizing cutlassfish Trichiurus lepturus and bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix from Southwest Atlantic coast of Brazil were studied in this work by morphological, ultrastructural and molecular approaches. The genetic analysis were performed for the ITS2 intergenic region specific for Pseudoterranova decipiens, the partial 28S (LSU) of ribosomal DNA and the mtDNA cox-1 region. We obtained results for the 28S region and mtDNA cox-1 that was amplified using the polymerase chain reaction and sequenced to evaluate the phylogenetic relationships between sequences of this study and sequences from the GenBank. The morphological profile indicated that all the nine specimens collected from both fish were L3 larvae of Pseudoterranova sp. The genetic profile confirmed the generic level but due to the absence of similar sequences for adult parasites on GenBank for the regions amplifyied, it was not possible to identify them to the species level. The sequences obtained presented 89% of similarity with Pseudoterranova decipiens (28S sequences) and Contracaecum osculatum B (mtDNA cox-1). The low similarity allied to the fact that the amplification with the specific primer for P. decipiens didn´t occur, lead us to conclude that our sequences don’t belong to P. decipiens complex.
Prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Ixodes ricinus ticks collected from southern Poland
Authors: Strzelczyk Joanna K. , Gaździcka Jadwiga , Cuber Piotr , Asman Marek , Trapp Gizela , Gołąbek Karolina , Zalewska-Ziob Marzena , Nowak-Chmura Magdalena , Siuda Krzysztof , Wiczkowski Andrzej , Solarz Krzysztof 
Published: September 2015

AbstractIn 2008-2011 ticks were collected from southern Poland. Out of 6336 individuals collected and identified as Ixodes ricinus, 768 (2 larvae, 84 nymphs, 417 females, 265 males) were included in molecular study. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and types of genospecies of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in ticks. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was applied to detect the presence of pathogens in ticks. Subsequently the amplified DNA was digested with TasI enzyme. The infection rate was 15% (116) of examined ticks. PCR-RFLP analysis allowed distinguishing three genospecies of B. burgdorferi s.l.: B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. afzelii, and B. garinii. RFLP analyses of 116 positive samples revealed 96 (83%) monoinfections and 13 (11%) coinfections, whereas unidentified genospecies were present in 7 (6%) of positive samples. In the case of monoinfections, B. burgdorferi s.s. was the predominant species of pathogen in infected ticks - 61.4%. Other genospecies: B. garinii and B. afzelii were detected in 22.9% and 15.6% of the samples, respectively. To sum up, 15 % of ticks were infected by B. burgdorferi s.l which increases the risk of human infections in the recreational areas of southern Poland. Furthermore, there is a need to increase public awareness and implement more preventive measures concerning Lyme disease.
Morphologic and molecular characteristics of Sarcocystis atraii n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae) infecting the common coot (Fulica atra) from Egypt
Authors: El-Morsey Ahmed , El-Seify Mahmoud , Desouky Abdel-Razik Y. , Abdel-Aziz Mohamed M. , El-Dakhly Khaled Mohamed , Kasem Samy , Abdo Walied , Haridy Mohie , Sakai Hiroki , Yanai Tokuma 
Published: September 2015

AbstractA single morphologic type of Sarcocystis cysts found in two out of 43 examined common coots, Fulica atra, is considered to represent a new species for which the name Sarcocystis atraii n. sp. is proposed and its description is provided. Coots were hunted from the vicinity of Brolos Lake located at KafrElsheikh province, Egypt. The structural morphology of the revealed sarcocysts was described using light and transmission electron microscopy. Sarcocysts were found in the leg and thigh muscles. The cysts were microscopic and measured 165−850 μm in length × 50−85 μm in width. Histologically; the sarcocyst wall was wavy and had minute undulations. Ultrastructurally, it measured 1−3 μm in thickness and possessed many mushroom-like villar protrusions sometimes originating from other mushroom-like villar protrusions that measured approximately 0.5−2 μm in length and up to 2 μm in width, with the presence of electron dense ground substance of 300 nm to 1 μm thick. The bradyzoites were elongated, banana-shaped and measured 7.5−14 × 1.5−2.5 μm, with centrally or terminally located nuclei. The ultrastructural features of the cyst wall belonged to type 24. On the basis of sequencing and phylogenic analyses for 18S rRNA , 28S rRNA genes and ITS-1 region; S. atraii n. sp. is considered a genetically distinct species, being most closely related to avian Sarcocystis spp. whose definitive hosts are predatory mammals.
Evaluating the Babesia bovis infection of cattle in China with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
Authors: Yang Congshan , Liu Junlong , Li Anyan , Li Youquan , Liu Aihong , Xie Junren , Liu Guangyuan , Yin Hong , Guan Guiquan , Luo Jianxun 
Published: September 2015

AbstractBabesia bovis is an important pathogen of bovine babesiosis and causes serious constraints on the health and productivity of domestic cattle in the tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Aiming to clarify the prevalence of B. bovis in China, a total of 2,364 cattle serum samples were randomly collected from 45 different areas of 17 provinces in China. Antibodies against B. bovis were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a recombinant C-terminal antigen of B. bovis rhoptry-associated protein-1 (RAP-1) to evaluate the prevalence of B. bovis. The results showed that the parasite was present in all of the investigated 17 provinces. The positive rate was from 6.40 to 47.27%, and the mean rate was 24.92%. These survey data will provide important information for designing control strategies for bovine babesiosis in China.
Redescription of Paraleptus chiloscyllii Yin et Zhang, 1983 (Nematoda: Physalopteridae) from the Arabian carpetshark Chiloscyllium arabicum (Chondrichthyes: Hemiscylliidae) off Iraq
Authors: González-Solís David , Ali Atheer H. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe nematode Paraleptus chiloscyllii Yin et Zhang, 1983 (Physalopteridae) is redescribed on the basis of new material collected from the stomach of the Arabian carpetshark Chiloscyllium arabicum Gubanov (Hemiscylliidae) from marine waters off Iraq. Originally, P. chiloscyllii was found in C. plagiosum (Anonymous [Bennett]) from Fujian, China, but its description was rather poor and some important morphological features, such as deirids, shape and number of structures surrounding mouth, ventral unpaired papilla on the anterior cloacal lip, among others, were overlooked. It differs from its congeners in the shape of spicules and body length, although is very similar to the type species, P. scyllii Wu, 1927, only differing in the inequality of spicules. The generic diagnosis of Paraleptus was amended. Paraleptus minnanensis (Damin et Heqing, 2001) is considered a junior synonym of P. chiloscyllii and some morphological details of the posterior end of a male of P. australis Johnston et Mawson, 1943 are provided. The present finding of P. chiloscyllii in C. arabicum from off Iraq represents new host and geographical records.
Demodex mites as potential etiological factor in chalazion – a study in Poland
Authors: Tarkowski Witold , Owczyńska Marta , Błaszczyk-Tyszka Anna , Młocicki Daniel 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe aim of the study was to investigate the presence of Demodex in the hair follicles of eyelashes and their potential participation in the aetiology of chalazion in patients in Poland. The study of the correlation between the presence of Demodex spp. and chalazion has never been performed in patients in Europe. There is, therefore, a justified necessity to check whether Demodex mites can be a potential risk factor in the development of chalazion in the European population. The samples were examined by light microscope, using standard parasitological methods. A positive result was assumed in the presence of Demodex spp. Demodex was detected in 91.67% of patients with a chalazion. The presence of Demodex was found in subjects from all examined age groups. The results of statistical analysis unambiguously determined the existence of an interrelationship between the presence of Demodex and chalazion. Our results clearly indicate the existence of a correlation between the occurrence of Demodex spp. and chalazion. Confirmation of the positive correlation between Demodex and chalazion in a European population provides further evidence for the pathogenic role of Demodex in the development of eye diseases.