bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
G6PD deficiency in Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax malaria-infected Cambodian patients
Authors: Khim Nimol , Benedet Christophe , Kim Saorin , Kheng Sim , Siv Sovannaroth , Leang Rithea , Lek Soley , Muth Sinuon , Chea Nguon , Chuor Char Meng , Duong Socheat , Kerleguer Alexandra , Tor Pety , Chim Pheaktra , Canier Lydie , Witkowski Benoit , Taylor Walter RJ , Ménard Didier 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundGlucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PDd) rates are unknown in malaria-infected Cambodian patients. These data are key to a rational drug policy for malaria elimination ofPlasmodium falciparumandPlasmodium vivax.MethodsFrom September 2010–2012, a two-year survey of G6PDd and haemoglobinopathies assessed by quantitative enzyme activity assay and haemoglobin electrophoresis, respectively, was conducted in malaria-infected patients presenting to 19 health centres throughout Cambodia.ResultsA total of 2,408 confirmed malaria patients of mean age 26.7 (range 2–81) years were recruited from mostly western Cambodia (n = 1,732, 71.9%); males outnumbered females by 3.9:1.Plasmodium falciparumwas present in 1,443 (59.9%) andP. vivaxin 965 (40.1%) patients. Mean G6PD activity was 11.6 (CI 95%: 11.4-11.8) U/g Hb, G6PDd was present in 13.9% of all patients (335/2,408) and severe G6PDd (including WHO Class I and II variants) was more common in western (158/1,732, 9.1%)versuseastern (21/414, 5.1%) Cambodia (P = 0.01). Of 997/2,408 (41.4%) had a haemoglobinopathy. Mean haemoglobin concentrations were inversely related to age: 8.1 g/dL < five years, 8.7 g/dL five to 14 years, and 10.4 g/dL >15 years (P <0.001).ConclusionsG6PDd prevalence, anaemia and haemoglobinopathies were common in malaria-infected patients. The deployment of primaquine in Cambodia should be preceded by primaquine safety studies paralleled with evaluations of easy to use tests to detect G6PDd.
Dengue-specific subviral nanoparticles: design, creation and characterization
Authors: Khetarpal Niyati , Poddar Ankur , Nemani Satish K , Dhar Nisha , Patil Aravind , Negi Priyanka , Perween Ashiya , Viswanathan Ramaswamy , Lünsdorf Heinrich , Tyagi Poornima , Raut Rajendra , Arora Upasana , Jain Swatantra K , Rinas Ursula , Swaminathan Sathyamangalam , Khanna Navin 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
Dengue is today the most significant of arboviral diseases. Novel tools are necessary to effectively address the problem of dengue. Virus-like particles (VLP) offer a versatile nanoscale platform for developing tools with potential biomedical applications. From the perspective of a potentially useful dengue-specific tool, the dengue virus envelope protein domain III (EDIII), endowed with serotype-specificity, host receptor recognition and the capacity to elicit virus-neutralizing antibodies, is an attractive candidate.

Methods
We have developed a strategy to co-express and co-purify Hepatitis B virus surface (S) antigen in two forms: independently and as a fusion with EDIII. We characterized these physically and functionally.

Results
The two forms of the S antigen associate into VLPs. The ability of these to display EDIII in a functionally accessible manner is dependent upon the relative levels of the two forms of the S antigen. Mosaic VLPs containing the fused and un-fused components in 1:4 ratio displayed maximal functional competence.

Conclusions
VLPs armed with EDIII may be potentially useful in diagnostic, therapeutic and prophylactic applications.
Entecavir plus adefovir rescue therapy for chronic hepatitis B patients after multiple treatment failures in real-life practice
Authors: Xu Xian-Hua , Li Gai-Li , Qin Yang , Li Qiang , He Fa-Qun , Li Jin-Ye , Pan Quan-Rong , Deng Jie-Yin 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Aim
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Entecavir (ETV) plus adefovir (ADV) for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients after multiple nucleos(t)ide analogue (NAs) failure treatment.

Methods
Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients who had a suboptimal response or developed resistance to two or more previous NAs treatments were included, and all subjects were treated with ETV in combination with ADV for ≥ 24 months. Complete virologic response (CVR) was defined as an undetectability of serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA level during treatment. Safety assessment was based on the increasing of serum creatinine and creatine kinase levels.

Results
A total of 45 eligible patients were included. Twenty-five patients had been treated with lamivudine (LAM) or telbivudine (LdT) and developed genotypic resistance. Resistance to ADV was present in 18 patients and 4 patients had a suboptimal response to ETV. Two patients had a resistance to both LAM and ADV. The cumulative probabilities of CVR at 12 and 24 months of ETV + ADV treatment were 88.9% (40/45) and 97.8% (44/45), respectively. Although one patient failed to achieve CVR, its serum HBV DNA level decreased by 3.3 log copies/mL after 24 months of combination therapy. The cumulative probability of HBeAg seroconversion was 15.6% (7/45) and 26.7% (12/45) at 12 and 24 months of treatment, respectively. History of prior exposure to specific NAs did not make a difference to ETV + ADV treatment outcome. There were no significant adverse events related to ETV + ADV therapy observed in the study subjects.

Conclusion
ETV + ADV can be used as an effective and safe rescue therapy in patients after multiple NA therapy failures, especially in the areas where tenofovir is not yet available.
Conformational templating of α-synuclein aggregates in neuronal-glial cultures
Authors: Sacino Amanda N , Thomas Michael A , Ceballos-Diaz Carolina , Cruz Pedro E , Rosario Awilda M , Lewis Jada , Giasson Benoit I , Golde Todd E 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundGenetic studies have established a causative role for α-synuclein (αS) in Parkinson’s disease (PD), and the presence of αS aggregates in the form of Lewy body (LB) and Lewy neurite (LN) protein inclusions are defining pathological features of PD. Recent data has established that extracellular αS aggregates can induce intracellular αS pathologies supporting the hypothesis that αS pathology can spread via a “prion-like” self-templating mechanism.ResultsHere we investigated the potential for conformational templating of αS intracellular aggregates by seeding using recombinant wild-type and PD-linked mutant (A53T and E46K) αS in primary mixed neuronal-glial cultures. We find that wild-type and A53T αS fibrils predominantly seed flame-like inclusions in both neurons and astrocytes of mixed primary cultures; whereas the structurally distinct E46K fibrils seed punctate, rounded inclusions. Notably, these differences in seeded inclusion formation in these cultures reflect differences in inclusion pathology seen in transgenic mice expressing the A53T or E46K αS mutants. We further show that the inclusion morphology is dictated primarily by the seed applied rather than the form of αS expressed. We also provide initial evidence that αS inclusion pathology can be passaged in primary astrocyte cultures.ConclusionThese studies establish for the first time that αS aggregation in cultured cells can occur by a morphological self-templating mechanism.
Epidemiology and associations with climatic conditions of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydophila pneumoniae infections among Chinese children hospitalized with acute respiratory infections
Authors: Chen Zhengrong , Ji Wei , Wang Yuqing , Yan Yongdong , Zhu Hong , Shao Xuejun , Xu Jun 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
The incidence of severe acute respiratory tract infections in children caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae (syn. Schizoplasma pneumoniae) and Chlamydophila pneumoniae (formerly Chlamydia pneumoniae) varies greatly from year to year and place to place around the world. This study investigated the epidemiology of M. pneumoniae and C. pneumoniae infections among children hospitalized with acute respiratory infections in Suzhou, China in the year 2006, and associations between incidence rates and climatic conditions.

Methods
Nasopharyngeal aspirates obtained from 1598 patients (aged 26.4 ± 28.3 months; range, 1 month to 13 years) were analyzed with real-time PCR and ELISA. Meteorological data were obtained from the weather bureau.

Results
About 18.5% of patients were infected with M. pneumoniae and, C. pneumoniae, or both. Isolated M. pneumoniae infection was positively correlated with increasing age (χ2 = 34.76, P < 0.0001). Incidence of M. pneumoniae infection was seasonal with a peak in summer (P < 0.0001) and minimum in winter (P = 0.0001), whereas C. pneumoniae infection was low only in autumn (P = 0.02). Monthly mean temperature was strongly correlated with the incidence of M. pneumoniae infection (r = 0.825, P = 0.001).

Conclusions

M. pneumoniae and C. pneumoniae are important infectious agents in hospitalized children with acute respiratory tract infections. M. pneumoniae infection showed a strong direct correlation with environmental temperature.
Amphiregulin mediates progesterone-induced mammary ductal development during puberty
Authors: Aupperlee Mark D , Leipprandt Jeffrey R , Bennett Jessica M , Schwartz Richard C , Haslam Sandra Z 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
Introduction
Puberty is a period of increased susceptibility to factors that cause increased breast cancer risk in adulthood. Mammary end buds (EBs) that develop during puberty are believed to be the targets of breast cancer initiation. Whereas the role of estrogen (E) has been extensively studied in pubertal mammary gland development, the role of progesterone (P) during puberty is less defined.

Methods
Pubertal and prepubertal ovariectomized mice were treated with vehicle control (C), E, P, or E+P. Mammary glands from these mice were analyzed for changes in morphology, proliferation, and expression of the downstream targets amphiregulin (AREG) and receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL).

Results
P, acting specifically through the progesterone receptor, induced increases in mammary gland proliferation and EB formation that were associated with increased AREG expression in ducts and EBs. E, acting specifically through the estrogen receptor, produced similar responses also mediated by AREG. Blocking AREG action by treatment with an EGFR inhibitor completely abrogated the effect of P on EB formation and proliferation and significantly reduced proliferation within ducts. P also increased expression of RANKL, primarily in ducts. Treatment with RANK-Fc, an inhibitor of RANKL, reduced P-dependent proliferation in ducts and to a lesser extent in EB, but did not cause EB regression.

Conclusions
These results demonstrate a novel P-specific effect through AREG to cause EB formation and proliferation in the developing mammary gland both before and during puberty. Thus, hormones and/or factors in addition to E that upregulate AREG can promote mammary gland development and have the potential to affect breast cancer risk associated with pubertal mammary gland development.
An exploration of social and economic outcome and associated health-related quality of life after critical illness in general intensive care unit survivors: a 12-month follow-up study
Authors: Griffiths John , Hatch Robert A , Bishop Judith , Morgan Kayleigh , Jenkinson Crispin , Cuthbertson Brian H , Brett Stephen J 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
Introduction
The socio-economic impact of critical illnesses on patients and their families in Europe has yet to be determined. The aim of this exploratory study was to estimate changes in family circumstances, social and economic stability, care requirements and access to health services for patients during their first 12 months after ICU discharge.

Methods
Multi-center questionnaire-based study of survivors of critical illness at 6 and 12 months after ICU discharge.

Results
Data for 293 consenting patients who spent greater than 48 hours in one of 22 UK ICUs were obtained at 6 and 12 months post-ICU discharge. There was little evidence of a change in accommodation or relationship status between pre-admission and 12 months following discharge from an ICU. A negative impact on family income was reported by 33% of all patients at 6 months and 28% at 12 months. There was nearly a 50% reduction in the number of patients who reported employment as their sole source of income at 12 months (19% to 11%) compared with pre-admission. One quarter of patients reported themselves in need of care assistance at 6 months and 22% at 12 months. The majority of care was provided by family members (80% and 78%, respectively), for half of whom there was a negative impact on employment. Amongst all patients receiving care, 26% reported requiring greater than 50 hours a week. Following discharge, 79% of patients reported attending their primary care physician and 44% had seen a community nurse. Mobility problems nearly doubled between pre-admission and 6 months (32% to 64%). Furthermore, 73% reported moderate or severe pain at 12 months and 44% remained significantly anxious or depressed.

Conclusions
Survivors of critical illness in the UK face a negative impact on employment and commonly have a care requirement after discharge from hospital. This has a corresponding negative impact on family income. The majority of the care required is provided by family members. This effect was apparent by 6 months and had not materially improved by 12 months. This exploratory study has identified the potential for a significant socio-economic burden following critical illness.
Genes and pathways underlying regional and cell type changes in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Miller Jeremy A , Woltjer Randall L , Goodenbour Jeff M , Horvath Steve , Geschwind Daniel H 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
Background
Transcriptional studies suggest Alzheimer's disease (AD) involves dysfunction of many cellular pathways, including synaptic transmission, cytoskeletal dynamics, energetics, and apoptosis. Despite known progression of AD pathologies, it is unclear how such striking regional vulnerability occurs, or which genes play causative roles in disease progression.

Methods
To address these issues, we performed a large-scale transcriptional analysis in the CA1 and relatively less vulnerable CA3 brain regions of individuals with advanced AD and nondemented controls. In our study, we assessed differential gene expression across region and disease status, compared our results to previous studies of similar design, and performed an unbiased co-expression analysis using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Several disease genes were identified and validated using qRT-PCR.

Results
We find disease signatures consistent with several previous microarray studies, then extend these results to show a relationship between disease status and brain region. Specifically, genes showing decreased expression with AD progression tend to show enrichment in CA3 (and vice versa), suggesting transcription levels may reflect a region's vulnerability to disease. Additionally, we find several candidate vulnerability (ABCA1, MT1H, PDK4, RHOBTB3) and protection (FAM13A1, LINGO2, UNC13C) genes based on expression patterns. Finally, we use a systems-biology approach based on WGCNA to uncover disease-relevant expression patterns for major cell types, including pathways consistent with a key role for early microglial activation in AD.

Conclusions
These results paint a picture of AD as a multifaceted disease involving slight transcriptional changes in many genes between regions, coupled with a systemic immune response, gliosis, and neurodegeneration. Despite this complexity, we find that a consistent picture of gene expression in AD is emerging.
hsa-miR29b, a critical downstream target of non-canonical Wnt signaling, plays an anti-proliferative role in non-small cell lung cancer cells via targeting MDM2 expression
Authors: Avasarala Sreedevi , Van Scoyk Michelle , Wang Jianbin , Sechler Marybeth , Vandervest Katherine , Brzezinski Christine , Weekes Colin , Edwards Michael G. , Arcaroli John , Davis Richard E. , Bikkavilli Rama Kamesh , Winn Robert A. 
Published: May 2013

Summary
In non-small cell lung cancer cell lines, activation of β-catenin independent signaling, via Wnt7a/Frizzled9 signaling, leads to reversal of cellular transformation, reduced anchorage-independent growth and induction of epithelial differentiation. miRNA expression profiling on a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549) identified hsa-miR29b as an important downstream target of Wnt7a/Frizzled9 signaling. We show herein that hsa-miR29b expression is lost in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines and stimulation of β-catenin independent signaling, via Wnt7a expression, in NSCLC cell lines results in increased expression of hsa-miR29b. Surprisingly, we also identify specific regulation of hsa-miR29b by Wnt7a but not by Wnt3, a ligand for β-catenin-dependent signaling. Interestingly, knockdown of hsa-miR29b was enough to abrogate the tumor suppressive effects of Wnt7a/Frizzled9 signaling in NSCLC cells, suggesting that hsa-miR29b is an important mediator of β-catenin independent signaling. Finally, we show for the first time that hsa-miR29b plays an important role as a tumor suppressor in lung cancer by targeting murine double mutant 2 (MDM2), revealing novel nodes for Wnt7a/Frizzled9-mediated regulation of NSCLC cell proliferation.
Preparation and Valence Tautomeric Behavior of a Cobalt–Dioxolene Complex with a New TTF-functionalized Phenanthroline Ligand
Authors: Kanegawa Shinji , Kang Soonchul , Sato Osamu 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
In this study, a new tetrathiafulvalene-functionalized phenanthroline ligand (TTF-phen) and a mononuclear cobalt(II) complex with a redox active 3,6-di-tert-butylsemiquinonato (3,6-dtsq) ligand was synthesized. Magnetic measurements and IR spectroscopy suggested that the Co complex [Co(3,6-dtsq)2(TTF-phen)] exhibited thermally induced valence tautomerism in the temperature range 130–400 K. This complex is the first example of a valence tautomeric complex with a TTF-functionalized ligand.
Synthesis of Cu2(OH)PO4 Crystals with Various Morphologies and Their Catalytic Activity in Hydroxylation of Phenol
Authors: Fu Weiwei , Wang Runwei , Wu Lele , Wang Hongbin , Wang Xu , Wang Aijing , Zhang Zongtao , Qiu Shilun 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
Copper hydroxyphosphate (Cu2(OH)PO4) crystals with various morphologies have been successfully synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method, using different organic amines as the morphology-controlling agents. These Cu2(OH)PO4 crystals were used as catalysts for phenol hydroxylation by H2O2, and they showed distinct activities. The sheet morphology of Cu2(OH)PO4 crystals with a large percentage of reactive facets ({011} facets) exhibited enhanced catalytic activity in hydroxylation of phenol.
Site-selective Chemical Modification of Chymotrypsin Using a Peptidyl Diphenyl 1-Amino-2-phenylethylphosphonate Derivative
Authors: Ono Shin , Murai Junya , Nakai Takahiko , Kuroda Hirofumi , Horino Yoshikazu , Yoshimura Toshiaki , Oyama Hiroshi , Umezaki Masahito 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
For site-selective chemical modification in the vicinity of the active site of chymotrypsin (Csin), a peptide derivative 1 bearing a diphenyl 1-amino-2-phenylethylphosphonate moiety for targeting the active site and an active ester moiety for anchoring to lysine residues was designed and synthesized. Most of Csin was inactivated by 1 for 10 min and then reactivated by incubation with 2-pyridinaldoxime methiodide to give modified Csin. Mass spectrometric analysis of modified Csin showed that 1 was selectively anchored at Lys175.
Redox-active and Catalytic-efficient PAMAM Dendrimer Nanostructures for Sensing Low-abundance Protein with Signal Amplification
Authors: Pei Xiaomei , Xu Zonghui , Zhang Jiayu , Liu Zhe , Tian Jinnian 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
Functionalized poly(amido amine) (PAMAM) dendrimer nanostructures with redox activity and catalytic ability were for the first time utilized as detectable signal tags for highly efficiency electrochemical immunosensing of low-abundance protein (prostate-specific antigen, PSA, used as a model) on a disposable immunosensor, based on an in situ amplification strategy of bioelectrocatalytic reaction.
Verbal and novel multisensory associative learning in adults
Authors: Fifer Joanne M , Barutchu Ayla , Shivdasani Mohit N , Crewther Sheila G 
Published: May 2013

To date, few studies have focused on the behavioural differences between the learning of multisensory auditory-visual and intra-modal associations. More specifically, the relative benefits of novel auditory-visual and verbal-visual associations for learning have not been directly compared. In Experiment 1, 20 adult volunteers completed three paired associate learning tasks: non-verbal novel auditory-visual (novel-AV), verbal-visual (verbal-AV; using pseudowords), and visual-visual (shape-VV). Participants were directed to make a motor response to matching novel and arbitrarily related stimulus pairs. Feedback was provided to facilitate trial and error learning. The results of Signal Detection Theory analyses suggested a multisensory enhancement of learning, with significantly higher discriminability measures (d-prime) in both the novel-AV and verbal-AV tasks than the shape-VV task. Motor reaction times were also significantly faster during the verbal-AV task than during the non-verbal learning tasks. Experiment 2 (n = 12) used a forced-choice discrimination paradigm to assess whether a difference in unisensory stimulus discriminability could account for the learning trends in Experiment 1. Participants were significantly slower at discriminating unisensory pseudowords than the novel sounds and visual shapes, which was notable given that these stimuli produced superior learning. Together the findings suggest that verbal information has an added enhancing effect on multisensory associative learning in adults
Quantitative Insulin Analysis Using Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry in a High-Throughput Clinical Laboratory
Authors: Chen Zhaohui , Caulfield Michael P , McPhaul Michael J , Reitz Richard E , Taylor Steven W , Clarke Nigel J 
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND
Circulating insulin concentrations reflect the amount of endogenous insulin produced by the pancreas and can be monitored to check for insulin resistance. Insulin is commonly measured using immunochemiluminometric assays (ICMA). Unfortunately, differing crossreactivities of the various ICMA antibodies have led to variability in assay results. In contrast, liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based approaches can provide a highly specific alternative to immunoassays.

METHODS
Insulin was extracted from patient serum and reduced to liberate the insulin B chain. Subsequent resolution of the peptide was achieved by LC coupled to triple-quadrupole MS. Selected-reaction monitoring of B-chain transitions was used for quantification. Recombinant human insulin was used as a calibrator and was compared against the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) reference standard. Bovine insulin and a stable isotopic-labeled (13C/15N) human insulin B chain were used and compared as internal standards.

RESULTS
The LC-MS/MS assay described herein has been validated according to CLIA guidelines with a limit of detection of 1.8 μIU/mL (10.8 pmol/L) and a limit of quantitation of 3 μIU/mL (18.0 pmol/L). A correlation between the LC-MS/MS assay and a US Food and Drug Administration-approved ICMA was completed for patient samples and the resulting Deming regression revealed good agreement. A reference interval for the assay was established.

CONCLUSIONS
A simple, high-throughput, quantitative LC-MS/MS insulin assay traceable to the NIBSC standard has been successfully developed and validated.