bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The SdiA-Regulated Gene
srgE
Encodes a Type III Secreted Effector
Authors: Habyarimana Fabien , Sabag-Daigle Anice , Ahmer Brian M. M. 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACT

Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium is a food-borne pathogen that causes severe gastroenteritis. The ability of
Salmonella
to cause disease depends on two type III secretion systems (T3SSs) encoded in two distinct
Salmonella
pathogenicity islands, 1 and 2 (SPI1 and SPI2, respectively).
S
. Typhimurium encodes a solo LuxR homolog, SdiA, which can detect the acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) produced by other bacteria and upregulate the
rck
operon and the
srgE
gene. SrgE is predicted to encode a protein of 488 residues with a coiled-coil domain between residues 345 and 382.
In silico
studies have provided conflicting predictions as to whether SrgE is a T3SS substrate. Therefore, in this work, we tested the hypothesis that SrgE is a T3SS effector by two methods, a β-lactamase activity assay and a split green fluorescent protein (GFP) complementation assay. SrgE with β-lactamase fused to residue 40, 100, 150, or 300 was indeed expressed and translocated into host cells, but SrgE with β-lactamase fused to residue 400 or 488 was not expressed, suggesting interference by the coiled-coil domain. Similarly, SrgE with GFP S11 fused to residue 300, but not to residue 488, was expressed and translocated into host cells. With both systems, translocation into host cells was dependent upon SPI2. A phylogenetic analysis indicated that
srgE
is found only within
Salmonella enterica
subspecies. It is found sporadically within both typhoidal and nontyphoidal serovars, although the SrgE protein sequences found within typhoidal serovars tend to cluster separately from those found in nontyphoidal serovars, suggesting functional diversification.
A Phase I Trial of LY2510924, a CXCR4 Peptide Antagonist, in Patients with Advanced Cancer
Authors: Galsky Matthew D. , Vogelzang Nicholas J. , Conkling Paul , Raddad Eyas , Polzer John , Roberson Stephanie , Stille John R. , Saleh Mansoor , Thornton Donald 
Published: April 2014

AbstractPurpose: Overexpression of C-X-C motif receptor 4 (CXCR4) is implicated in tumor progression. LY2510924 is a peptide antagonist, which blocks stromal cell–derived factor-1 (SDF1) from CXCR4 binding.Experimental Design: This phase I study included two parts: a 3+3 dose escalation (part A) and dose confirmation (part B). LY2510924 was administered as a daily subcutaneous injection on a 28-day cycle. The primary objective was to determine the recommended phase II dose. Secondary objectives included safety, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and pharmacodynamic response, including mobilization of CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells into the peripheral blood.Results: Forty-five patients were enrolled, 25 in part A and 20 in part B. Patients were administered increasing doses of LY2510924: 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10, 20, and 30 mg/day for part A and 2.5 or 20 mg/day for part B. Two patients (30-mg/day cohort) experienced dose-limiting toxicities of grade 3 increased neutrophil count. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was 20 mg/day. The most common drug-related treatment-emergent adverse events were fatigue (9%), injection-site reaction (9%), injection site pruritus (7%), and nausea (7%). The best response was stable disease for nine patients (20%). At the end of cycle 1, mean peak LY2510924 plasma concentration and the 24-hour area under the plasma concentration versus time curve increased slightly more than dose proportionally. LY2510924 dose dependently increased CD34+ cell counts in peripheral blood up to 18-fold.Conclusions: LY2510924 demonstrated CD34+ cell mobilization at doses ≥2.5 mg/day with a tolerable safety profile up to an MTD of 20 mg/day. Clin Cancer Res; 20(13); 3581–8. ©2014 AACR.
Erlotinib, Erlotinib–Sulindac versus Placebo: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Window Trial in Operable Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Gross Neil D. , Bauman Julie E. , Gooding William E. , Denq William , Thomas Sufi M. , Wang Lin , Chiosea Simion , Hood Brian L. , Flint Melanie S. , Sun Mai , Conrads Thomas P. , Ferris Robert L. , Johnson Jonas T. , Kim Seungwon , Argiris Athanassios , Wirth Lori , Nikiforova Marina N. , Siegfried Jill M. , Grandis Jennifer R. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractPurpose: The EGF receptor (EGFR) and COX2 pathways are upregulated in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Preclinical models indicate synergistic antitumor activity from dual blockade. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled window trial of erlotinib, an EGFR inhibitor; erlotinib plus sulindac, a nonselective COX inhibitor; versus placebo.Experimental Design: Patients with untreated, operable stage II-IVb HNSCC were randomized 5:5:3 to erlotinib, erlotinib–sulindac, or placebo. Tumor specimens were collected before and after seven to 14 days of treatment. The primary endpoint was change in Ki67 proliferation index. We hypothesized an ordering effect in Ki67 reduction: erlotinib–sulindac &gt; erlotinib &gt; placebo. We evaluated tissue microarrays by immunohistochemistry for pharmacodynamic modulation of EGFR and COX2 signaling intermediates.Results: From 2005–2009, 47 patients were randomized for the target 39 evaluable patients. Thirty-four tumor pairs were of sufficient quality to assess biomarker modulation. Ki67 was significantly decreased by erlotinib or erlotinib–sulindac (omnibus comparison, two-sided Kruskal–Wallis, P = 0.04). Wilcoxon pairwise contrasts confirmed greater Ki67 effect in both erlotinib groups (erlotinib–sulindac vs. placebo, P = 0.043; erlotinib vs. placebo, P = 0.027). There was a significant trend in ordering of Ki67 reduction: erlotinib–sulindac &gt; erlotinib &gt; placebo (two-sided exact Jonckheere–Terpstra, P = 0.0185). Low baseline pSrc correlated with greater Ki67 reduction (R2 = 0.312, P = 0.024).Conclusions: Brief treatment with erlotinib significantly decreased proliferation in HNSCC, with additive effect from sulindac. Efficacy studies of dual EGFR–COX inhibition are justified. pSrc is a potential resistance biomarker for anti-EGFR therapy, and warrants investigation as a molecular target. Clin Cancer Res; 20(12); 3289–98. ©2014 AACR.
Higher prevalence of migraine in essential tremor: A case–control study
Authors: Hu Yueqing , Tang Wenjing , Liu Ruozhuo , Dong Zhao , Chen Xiaoyan , Pan Meiyan , Yu Shengyuan 
Published: April 2014

Background The existence of an association between migraine and essential tremor has long been controversial. The prevalence of migraine in essential tremor patients was surveyed to explore the association between the two diseases. Methods A case–control clinical study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of migraine in 150 consecutive essential tremor patients and in 150 matched controls without tremor. Detailed information about essential tremor and migraine was obtained using a structured questionnaire at a face-to-face interview. Moreover, a functional variant of the dopamine receptor D3 gene (Ser9Gly, rs6280) was studied in 46 essential tremor patients with and without migraine using direct sequencing analysis. Results The prevalence of lifetime migraine in essential tremor patients was significantly higher than that in controls (22.0% vs. 12.7%; p = 0.035; odds ratio = 1.95; 95% confidence interval = 1.05–3.60). No significant difference was found in the migraine features between the essential tremor and control groups and most tremor characteristics were no different in essential tremor patients with and without migraine. A higher male prevalence of essential tremor patients without migraine was observed. Moreover, 44 of 46 (95.7%) essential tremor patients had the dopamine receptor D3 Ser9Gly variant, but no significant difference was found in the frequencies of the variant between essential tremor patients with and without migraine (87.5% vs. 100.0%; p = 0.22). Conclusion Our data suggest that essential tremor patients have a higher risk of lifetime migraine than do controls and the dopamine receptor D3 Ser9Gly variant may be lower in essential tremor with migraine than the general essential tremor patients.
Major and Minor League Baseball Hamstring Injuries
Authors: Ahmad Christopher S. , Dick Randall W. , Snell Edward , Kenney Nick D. , Curriero Frank C. , Pollack Keshia , Albright John P. , Mandelbaum Bert R. 
Published: April 2014

Background: Hamstring strains are a recognized cause of disability for athletes in many sports, but no study exists that reports the incidence and circumstances surrounding these injuries in professional baseball. Hypothesis: Professional baseball players have a high incidence of hamstring strains, and these injuries are influenced by multiple factors including history of hamstring injury, time period within the season, and activity of base running. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiologic study. Methods: For the 2011 season, injury data were prospectively collected for every Major League Baseball (MLB) major and minor league team and recorded in the MLB’s Injury Surveillance System. Data collected for this study included date of injury, activity in which the player was engaged at the time of injury, and time loss. Injury rates were reported in injuries per athlete-exposure (A-E). Athlete-exposures were defined as the average number of players on a team who were participating in a game multiplied by the number of games. Results: In the major leagues, 50 hamstring strains were reported for an injury rate (IR) of 0.7 per 1000 A-Es and averaged 24 days missed. In the minor leagues, 218 hamstring strains were reported for an IR of 0.7 per 1000 A-Es and averaged 27 days missed. Base running, specifically running to first base, was the top activity for sustaining a hamstring strain in both major and minor leagues, associated with almost two-thirds of hamstring strains. Approximately two-thirds of these injuries in both the major and minor leagues resulted in more than 7 days of time loss. Approximately 25% of these injuries kept the player out for 1 month or longer. History of a previous hamstring strain in the prior year, 2010, was found in 20% of the major league players and 8% of the minor league players. In the major leagues, the month of May had a statistically significant higher frequency of hamstring injuries than any other month in the season ( P = .0153). Conclusion: Hamstring strains are a considerable cause of disability in professional baseball and are affected by history of hamstring strain, seasonal timing, and running to first base.
Initiation of Breastfeeding and Factors Associated with Prelacteal Feeds in Central Nepal
Authors: Karkee Rajendra , Lee Andy H. , Khanal Vishnu , Binns Colin W. 
Published: April 2014

Background: Prelacteal feeds and delayed initiation of breastfeeding may lead to undernutrition of the infant but are still prevalent in many countries. Objective: A prospective cohort community-based study was conducted in central Nepal to ascertain the rate of early breastfeeding initiation and factors associated with the introduction of prelacteal feeds. Methods: Breastfeeding information was collected from 639 women who recently gave birth in the Kaski district of central Nepal. Backward stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors associated with the use of prelacteal feeds. Results: The incidence of prelacteal feeds was 9.1%, with infant formula being the most common prelacteal food. Approximately 67% and 90% of mothers breastfed within 1 hour and 4 hours of delivery, respectively. Women who reside in urban areas (odds ratio [OR] = 2.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.35-5.39), first-time mothers (OR = 2.15; 95% CI, 1.15-4.02), and those who underwent cesarean section (OR = 10.10; 95% CI, 5.47-18.67) were more likely to give prelacteal feeds to their infants. Conclusion: The early initiation of breastfeeding with colostrum as the first feed was common in the study area. The introduction of prelacteal feeds was associated with urban residency, first-time motherhood, and cesarean delivery.
Pain Management for Persons Living With HIV Disease
Authors: Alexander Carla S. , Pappas Gregory , Henley Yvonne , Kangalawe Angela Kaiza , Oyebola Folaju Olusegun , Obiefune Michael , Nwene Ejike , Stanis-Ezeobi Winifred , Enejoh Victor , Nwizu Chidi , Nwandu Anthea Nwandu , Memiah Peter , Etienne-Mesubi Martine , Oni Babatunji , Amoroso Anthony , Redfield Robert R. 
Published: April 2014

Context: Pain management (PM) has not been routinely incorporated into HIV/AIDS care and treatment in resource-constrained settings. Objectives: We describe training for multidisciplinary teams tasked with integrating care management into HIV clinics to address pain for persons living with HIV in Nigeria. Methods: Education on PM was provided to mixed-disciplinary teams including didactic and iterative sessions following home and hospital visits. Participants identified challenges and performed group problem solving. Results: HIV trainers identified barriers to introducing PM reflecting views of the patient, providers, culture, and the health environment. Implementation strategies included (1) building upon existing relationships; (2) preliminary advocacy; (3) attention to staff needs; and (4) structured data review. Conclusion: Implementing PM in Nigerian HIV clinics requires recognition of cultural beliefs.
End-of-Life Issues in UK Medical Schools
Authors: Dickinson George E. , Paul Elizabeth S. 
Published: April 2014

Objective: A descriptive study to determine the current status of end-of-life (EOL) issues in UK medical schools. Methods: A brief questionnaire was mailed to the 31 medical schools in the United Kingdom in the spring of 2013. Data analysis consisted of frequency distributions. Results: All schools offered some exposure to the topic of dying, death and bereavement, and palliative care, although the orientation had increased somewhat from an earlier study in 2000. The palliative medicine specialist and the nurse specialist in palliative care are the most consistent members of the team. Most schools have hospice participation, with time spent with a hospice patient increasing over the period. Discussion: Data suggest that UK medical schools have addressed EOL issues. These findings should have significance for medical schools considering changes in their EOL offerings.
Testing the degradation effects of three reagents on various antineoplastic compounds
Authors: Gohma Hiroshi , Inoue Yoshio , Asano Mika , Sugiura Shin-Ichi 
Published: April 2014

Objective Studies for decontamination of antineoplastic compounds have been conducted for decades. Nevertheless, recent studies indicate the contamination of work place in hospitals, and the exposure of workers. In this study, to develop an effective cleaning method for contaminated environments, the degradation efficacies of antineoplastic compounds by reagents were evaluated. Methods The degradation efficacies of various combinations of three reagents (sodium hypochlorite, sodium thiosulfate, and sodium hydroxide) were evaluated with four antineoplastic compounds (cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, cisplatin, and carboplatin). The residues of antineoplastic compounds were measured with high-performance liquid chromatography. Results Of the three reagents, sodium hypochlorite was the most effective to all antineoplastic compounds used in this study. Although sodium hypochlorite degraded 86.6% of cyclophosphamide, it degraded other three antineoplastic compounds completely. The combination with sodium hypochlorite and sodium thiosulfate degraded only 3.3% of cyclophosphamide, since sodium thiosulfate inhibited the degradation ability of sodium hypochlorite. Similarly, the combinations used in all three reagents failed to degrade cyclophosphamide. Conclusion Although three of four antineoplastic compounds were degraded successfully, any combinations of three reagents could not degrade cyclophosphamide completely. However, the addition of sodium thiosulfate which inhibits the corrosion of metal by sodium hypochlorite is essential for daily cleaning. Therefore, the evaluation of reaction time before the addition of sodium thiosulfate may be required. We will continue to investigate the reagents for degradation.
Targeted mutagenesis using CRISPR/Cas system in medaka
Authors: Ansai Satoshi , Kinoshita Masato 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACT
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas) system-based RNA-guided endonuclease (RGEN) has recently emerged as a simple and efficient tool for targeted genome editing. In this study, we showed successful targeted mutagenesis using RGENs in medaka, Oryzias latipes. Somatic and heritable mutations were induced with high efficiency at the targeted genomic sequence on the DJ-1 gene in embryos that had been injected with the single guide RNA (sgRNA) transcribed by a T7 promoter and capped RNA encoding a Cas9 nuclease. The sgRNAs that were designed for the target genomic sequences without the 5′ end of GG required by the T7 promoter induced the targeted mutations. This suggests that the RGEN can target any sequence adjacent to an NGG protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) sequence, which occurs once every 8 bp. The off-target alterations at 2 genomic loci harboring double mismatches in the 18-bp targeting sequences were induced in the RGEN-injected embryos. However, we also found that the off-target effects could be reduced by lower dosages of sgRNA. Taken together, our results suggest that CRISPR/Cas-mediated RGENs may be an efficient and flexible tool for genome editing in medaka.
Vancomycin iontophoresis of allograft bone
Authors: Edmondson M. C. , Day R. , Wood D. 
Published: April 2014

Objectives The most concerning infection of allografts and operative procedures is methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and no current iontophoresed antibiotics effectively combat this microbe. It was initially hypothesised that iontophoresis of vancomycin through bone would not be effective due to its large molecular size and lack of charge. The aim of this study was to determine whether this was a viable procedure and to find the optimum conditions for its use. Methods An iontophoresis cell was set up with varying concentrations of Vancomycin within the medulla of a section of sheep tibia, sealed from an external saline solution. The cell was run for varying times, Vancomycin concentrations and voltages, to gain information on optimisation of conditions for impregnating the graft. Each graft was then sectioned and dust ground from the exposed surface. The dust was serially washed to extract the Vancomycin and concentrations measured and plotted for all variables tested. Results Vancomycin was successfully delivered and impregnated to the graft using the iontophoresis technique. The first order fit to the whole data set gave a significant result (p = 0.0233), with a significant concentration (p = 0.02774) component. The time component was the next most significant (p = 0.0597), but did not exceed the 95% confidence level. Conclusions Iontophoresis is an effective method for delivering Vancomycin to allograft bone. The concentrations of the vancomycin solution affected the bone concentration, but results were highly variable. Further study should be done on the effectiveness of delivering different antibiotics using this method. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2014;3:101–7.
RP-HPLC-UV-ESI-MS phytochemical analysis of fruits of Conocarpus erectus L.
Authors: Abdel-Hameed El-Sayed , Bazaid Salih , Shohayeb Mohamed 
Published: April 2014

AbstractPrevious work revealed that the defatted methanol (MeOH) extract of fruits of Conocarpus erectus L. (Combretaceae family) exhibited antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-cancer activities. In further studies of this valuable plant, the defatted MeOH extract of C. erectus fruits was subjected to chromatographic fractionation in a silica gel glass column followed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet-electrospray ionisation spectrometry analysis (RP-HPLC-UV-ESI-MS). The major and sharp peaks in each sample were identified or tentatively identified based on matching with some standard compounds and a review of the literature. Ellagic acid, vescalagin/castalagin isomer and di-(hexahydroxy diphenoyl) galloyl hexose isomer were tentatively identified as major components with many hydrolysable types of tannins on the basis of a comparison of its mass patterns with relevant items in the literature. Gallic acid, kaempferol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside and quercetin 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside were identified on the basis of matching retention time (t R) and mass spectra with the standards. Polymethoxylated flavonoid isomers were also tentatively identified. The antioxidant properties of all samples were found to be associated with the total content of phenolic compounds. This may be considered as the first detailed phytochemical report in identifying the phytochemicals in C. erectus fruits. Due to the high antioxidant activity exhibited by both the crude MeOH extract and its fractions, it could be used as an effective natural antioxidant after further in vitro and in vivo studies.
Antioxidant and binding properties of methanol extracts from indigo plant leaves
Authors: Park Yun-Jum , Shin Chang-Sik , Kim Bo-Eun , Cheon Gil-Yong , Bae Jong-Hyang , Ku Yang-Gyu , Park Su-Min , Heo Buk-Gu , Kim Dae-Guk , Cho Ja-Yong , Gorinstein Shela 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThis study was conducted to clarify the effect of ultra-pressure treatment on the extraction of bioactive compounds from indigo plant leaves (Polygonum tinctorium Lour.) and on their properties. Leaves were harvested the in mid-August, 2013, from Naju City (Korea), and treated using two methods: ultra-pressure (550 MPa, 3 min) and hot-air (70°C, 24 h). Then, the leaves were ultrasonically extracted with methanol. The content of indirubin in leaves treated with ultra pressure and hot air was (535.55 ± 26.14) mg kg−1 and (52.63 ± 6.45) mg kg−1, respectively, and that of tryptanthrin was (165.55 ± 8.74) mg kg−1 and (153.00 ± 7.62) mg kg−1, respectively. Polyphenolic content in the leaves extract was (127.24 ± 13.67) mg kg−1 after the ultrapressure and (88.22 ± 5.33) mg kg−1 after the hot-air treatment. The content of flavonoids was (2298.67 ± 83.27) mg kg−1 after the ultra-pressure and (3224.00 ± 21.45) mg kg−1 after the hotair treatment. Di(phenyl)-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)iminoazanium (DPPH) radical scavenging activities of the indigo extract obtained by ultra-pressure and hot-air treatment methods at the concentration of 1 mg mL−1 were (80.25 ± 0.73) % and (66.54 ± 2.35) %, respectively, and 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activities were estimated as (90.14 ± 0.79) % and (64.45 ± 8.97) %, respectively. The methanol leaf extract after ultra-pressure treatment exhibited higher binding properties to human serum albumin in comparison with catechin and conventional treatments. Consequently, it was assumed that the ultra-pressure treatment is an effective method for the extraction of bioactive compounds from indigo leaves.
Nitrobenzene degradation by micro-sized iron and electron efficiency evaluation
Authors: Wu Cheng-Qiang , Fu Dan-Ting , Chen Xiao 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe effect of pH, temperature, zero-valent iron (ZVI) dosage and reaction duration on nitrobenzene (NB) degradation by micro-sized ZVI was investigated in batch experiments and the electron efficiency (EE) was evaluated at constant pH. The experimental results showed that the reaction rate constant attained 0.616 min−1, which was far higher than reported in previous studies. The decrease in pH and increase in temperature of the reaction bath promoted the reaction kinetics. ZVI dosage and reaction duration were two key factors affecting NB reduction and EE. A lower ZVI dosage and a slightly longer reaction duration could afford an optimised EE and optimum NB removal. A prolonged reaction or too high a ZVI dosage resulted in increased ZVI waste.