bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An assay to quantify species-specific anti-JC virus antibody levels in MS patients
Authors: Warnke Clemens , Pawlita Michael , Dehmel Thomas , Posevitz-Fejfar Anita , Hartung Hans-Peter , Wiendl Heinz , Kieseier Bernd C , Adams Ortwin 
Published: February 2013

Background: The StratifyJCV® test is a qualitative assay to classify MS patients as anti-JC virus (JCV) antibody positive or negative. Quantification of anti-JCV antibody levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients might add to the progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) risk assessment. Objective: The objective of this study is to test sera of patients in a quantitative anti-JCV antibody assay, and to compare the results with preexisting data from the StratifyJCV® test. Methods: Sera of a total of 175 MS patients and matched non-MS-controls were tested for anti-JCV antibodies using glutathione S-transferase-tagged-VP1 as antigen. Antibody reactivity was quantified in arbitrary units using human immunoglobulin as standard. Results: The comparison of our assay with StratifyJCV® showed good inter-assay agreement (kappa 0.6), and strong correlation for antibody reactivity ( r2 = 0.94). Discordant samples had low-reactive positivity, and a higher proportion (13% vs. 4%) tested positive in the StratifyJCV® test only. Conclusions: The method presented is a tool for the reliable quantification of anti-JCV antibodies, which demonstrates good agreement with results from StratifyJCV®. In contrast to StratifyJCV®, we pre-adsorbed all of the sera with BK virus (BKV) VP1 protein to reduce cross-reactivity. This step may account for a higher species-specificity of our assay. As such, our assay might be a promising additional tool for PML risk assessment.
Application of the McDonald 2010 criteria for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in an Argentinean cohort of patients with clinically isolated syndromes
Authors: Patrucco L , Rojas JI , Miguez JS , Cristiano E 
Published: February 2013

Background: The International Panel on Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis has proposed new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) criteria for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). We aimed to evaluate these new criteria in a cohort of patients from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Methods: Patients with CIS, in whom MRI was performed within three months of onset of symptoms, were included between January 2005–June 2010. Poser or McDonald 2005 criteria were used as gold standard diagnostic criteria for MS. MRI was assessed by a blind evaluator identifying recently diagnostic MS criteria. New criteria sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy were determined. Results: Altogether 101 patients were included. Of these, 86 patients converted to MS (McDonald 2005/Poser) during the follow-up. The mean follow-up time was 7.3±3.2 years (range 1.8–11 years). Sensitivity was 84%, specificity 80%, PPV 96%, NPV 46% and accuracy 82%. The sub-analysis applied only to non-European descendants (mestizos, natives and zambos) showed a high level of accuracy for these new diagnostic criteria in this local ethnic/genetic population (sensitivity 77%, specificity 72%, PPV 94%, NPV 38%). Conclusions: This study assessing McDonald 2010 criteria in a Latin-American population may contribute to its international validation.
Angiotensin modulates human mammary epithelial cell motility
Authors: Piastowska-Ciesielska Agnieszka Wanda , Domińska Kamila , Nowakowska Magdalena , Gajewska Małgorzata , Gajos-Michniewicz Anna , Ochędalski Tomasz 
Published: February 2013

Introduction: Angiotensin II is an effector peptide showing multiple physiological effects, such as regulation of vascular tone, tissue growth and remodelling. Postlactational involution of mammary gland involves changes such as high matrix metalloproteinase activity and release of bioactive fragments of fibronectin and laminin, which may be directly regulated by angiotensin II. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of angiotensin II on proliferation, viability and motility of normal human mammary epithelial cells (184A1 cell line) and to determine the role of angiotensin II receptors in these processes. Materials and methods: Real-time reverse transcription-PCR, western blot and gelatin zymography were used to study the effect of angiotensin II on the expression of angiotensin receptors and matrix metalloproteinases in 184A1 cells. WST-1, AlamarBlue and BrdU assays were used as indicators of cell viability and proliferation after angiotensin II stimulation. Boyden chamber assays and monolayer wound migration assay were used to evaluate in vitro the changes in cell adhesion, migration and invasion. Results: Angiotensin II increased motility of the 184A1 cells and the ability of wound closure. Modifications in cell–substrate adhesion systems and increased secretion and activity of matrix metalloproteinases were also observed. The effect of angiotensin II was abolished by blocking angiotensin type 1 receptor with specific inhibitors candesartan and losartan. Conclusions: The results indicate that angiotensin II modulates cell behaviour via AT1-R and stimulates secretion of MMP-2 by human mammary epithelial cells.
Gender difference of serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity in DD genotype of ACE insertion/deletion polymorphism in elderly Chinese
Authors: Zhang Ya-Feng , Cheng Qiong , Tang Nelson LS , Chu Tanya TW , Tomlinson Brian , Liu Fan , Kwok Timothy CY 
Published: February 2013

Introduction: In this study we investigated the gender difference of serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity in a population of Hong Kong-dwelling elderly Chinese. Materials and methods: A total of 1767 (843 male, 924 female) Hong Kong-dwelling elderly Chinese were recruited. ACE I/D genotypes were identified by polymerase chain reaction amplification and serum ACE activity was determined using a commercially available kinetic kit. ACE I/D genotype distribution was compared by chi-square test, the correlation between ACE I/D polymorphism and serum ACE activity was analysed by ANOVA test and gender difference of serum ACE activity of different genotypes was compared by independent sample t-test. Results: No statistically significant difference of genotype distribution between male and female subjects was found. Serum ACE activity was significantly correlated with ACE genotype. Overall, there was no gender difference of serum ACE activity; however, when sub-grouping the subjects by ACE I/D genotype, male subjects with DD genotype had higher serum ACE activity than female subjects with DD genotype. Conclusions: No significant gender difference of genotype distribution was found in elderly Chinese. Serum ACE activity was significantly correlated with ACE I/D polymorphism in elderly Chinese. Male subjects with DD genotype had higher serum ACE activity than female subjects with DD genotype.
Influence of atorvastatin on angiotensin I metabolism in resting and TNF-α -activated rat vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Suski Maciej , Gębska Anna , Olszanecki Rafal , Stachowicz Aneta , Uracz Danuta , Madej Jozef , Korbut Ryszard 
Published: February 2013

Introduction: Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are essential for maintaining vasculature homeostasis and function. By influence on its growth and activation both proinflammatory cytokines and peptides of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) are potent regulators of VSMCs. Interestingly, angiotensin (Ang) II and Ang-(1–7) elicit opposite effects on VSMC activation, differentiation and proliferation. It has been suggested that statins, besides anti-inflammatory effects, may also modulate VSMC activation by their influence on the RAS. Methods: The effect of atorvastatin on Ang I metabolism in a culture of explanted rat VSMCs was examined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS); expression of mRNA of the main RAS enzymes in VSMC was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: In VSMC culture Ang-(1–7) was identified as a major product of Ang I metabolism. In this setting, TNF-α (1 ng/ml) caused a decrease in the conversion of Ang I to Ang-(1–7). This effect was accompanied by a decrease of mRNA expression of neutral endopeptidase (NEP) and angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and increase of mRNA of ACE. Interestingly, atorvastatin (3 μM) attenuated the effects of TNF-α on Ang-(1–7) production as well as reversed the influence of TNF-α on ACE and ACE2 expression. Conclusions: Enhancement by atorvastatin of the ACE2/Ang-(1–7) axis in VSMCs could represent a new and beneficial mechanism on cardiovascular action of this widely used drug.
Eating Epilepsy is Associated With Initial Precipitating Events and Therapy Resistance
Authors: Kokes Ulgen , Baykan Betul , Bebek Nerses , Gurses Candan , Gokyigit Aysen 
Published: February 2013

We present the characteristics of eating epilepsy (EE), which is an underrecognized and complex form of reflex epilepsy. The files of 8996 patients with epilepsy were investigated retrospectively and only 6 cases (0.067%) were found. Four males and 2 females, aged 20 to 63 years, had focal seizures, mostly with dyscognitive and experiential aura triggered by eating, as well as spontaneous seizures. All had an initial precipitating event for seizures (such as head/birth trauma or encephalitis). In 4 patients, the seizures were induced in the middle of the meal or even closely after the end. In the remaining 2 cases the seizures were at the beginning of the meal, suggesting 2 different mechanisms. Two patients had normal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), whereas the others had heterogeneous findings. The interictal electroencephalographs (EEGs) showed frequent spikes over a large area on the left temporal region in 5 and over the right temporal area in 1 case. We recorded eating-related seizures originating from the left temporal region in 3 cases. Positron-emission tomography (PET) investigations were concordant with the EEG foci in 2 patients. All but 1 had a therapy-resistant course. Our study suggested that EE is extremely rare and occurred many years after an initial precipitating event for seizures. These focal seizures, starting mostly with experiential/dyscognitive aura, usually originated from the left temporal region, had mostly a therapy-resistant course, and were triggered by different mechanisms during eating with a long latency in most of the cases.
Effect of acute exercise on cardiovascular hemodynamic and red blood cell concentrations of purine nucleotides in hypertensive compared with normotensives rats
Authors: Yeung Pollen K.F. , Dauphinee Julie , Marcoux Tanya 
Published: February 2013

Objective: The mechanisms of exercise-induced health benefits are complex and not fully understood. This study investigated the effects of exercise and hypertension on cardiovascular hemodynamic responses and red blood cell (RBC) concentrations of purine nucleotides using normotensive and hypertensive rat models in vivo. Methods: Sprague Dawley rats (SDRs) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were exercised on a treadmill for 15 min at a speed of 10 m/min and 5% grade. Blood samples were obtained from each rat before, during, and after exercise for measurement of adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) and guanosine 5′-triphosphate (GTP) concentrations in RBCs by a validated high-performance liquid chromatography assay. They were returned to a restrainer after exercise, and hemodynamic recording collected continuously up to 6 h. Two separate groups (SDRs and SHRs) without exercise were used as controls. Biomarker data were compared between SDRs and SHRs using analysis of variance and t test and difference considered significant at p < 0.05. Results: The study has demonstrated for the first time a difference in the postexercise effect between SDRs and SHRs. The 15 min of exercise significantly increased systolic blood pressure (SBP) (129 ± 16 to 162 ± 26 mmHg) and heart rate (HR) (416 ± 29 to 491 ± 26 bpm) in SDRs ( p < 0.05), but not in SHRs. The postexercise hemodynamic effects were more profound in SHRs. SBP and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) also fell significantly in the control group of SHRs (SBP 184 ± 14 to 152 ± 29 mmHg and DBP 149 ± 9 to 120 ± 14 mmHg, p < 0.05 for both) towards the end of the experiment but not in the SDR group. The RBC concentrations of ATP and GTP increased after exercise in both SDRs and SHRs which were significantly correlated with the postexercise hemodynamic effect ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: SHRs were more tolerant to increases in HR and SBP induced by exercise, and have more profound postexercise hemodynamic effects than SDRs. The hemodynamic effects were linked closely with RBC concentrations of ATP and GTP in both SDRs and SHRs.
Sports Hernia Treatment
Authors: Economopoulos Kostas J. , Milewski Matthew D. , Hanks John B. , Hart Joseph M. , Diduch David R. 
Published: February 2013

Background: The minimal repair technique for sports hernias repairs only the weak area of the posterior abdominal wall along with decompressing the genitofemoral nerve. This technique has been shown to return athletes to competition rapidly. This study compares the clinical outcomes of the minimal repair technique with the traditional modified Bassini repair. Hypothesis: Athletes undergoing the minimal repair technique for a sports hernia would return to play more rapidly compared with athletes undergoing the traditional modified Bassini repair. Methods: A retrospective study of 28 patients who underwent sports hernia repair at the authors’ institution was performed. Fourteen patients underwent the modified Bassini repair, and a second group of 14 patients underwent the minimal repair technique. The 2 groups were compared with respect to time to return to sport, return to original level of competition, and clinical outcomes. Results: Patients in the minimal repair group returned to sports at a median of 5.6 weeks (range, 4-8 weeks), which was significantly faster compared with the modified Bassini repair group, with a median return of 25.8 weeks (range, 4-112 weeks; P = 0.002). Thirteen of 14 patients in the minimal repair group returned to sports at their previous level, while 9 of 14 patients in the Bassini group were able to return to their previous level of sport ( P = 0.01). Two patients in each group had recurrent groin pain. One patient in the minimal repair group underwent revision hernia surgery for recurrent pain, while 1 patient in the Bassini group underwent hip arthroscopy for symptomatic hip pain. Conclusion: The minimal repair technique allows athletes with sports hernias to return to play faster than patients treated with the modified Bassini.
Health-Care Reform and the Catholic Medical Professional Impacting Religious Liberty in America
Authors: Hilliard Marie T. 
Published: February 2013

There has been a steady and escalating attack on the religious liberty of health-care providers; currently, as we focus on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the more recent rescinding by President Barack Obama of major parts of President George W. Bush's Conscience Rule, this attack is never so evident. The culture of secular relativism increasingly is becoming hostile toward conscience rights and religion, especially the Roman Catholic Church, which is the largest nongovernmental provider of health care in this country. Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, in his recent visit to Westminster Hall of the United Kingdom addressed the “proper place of religious belief in the political process.” He stated, “These are worrying signs of a failure to appreciate not only the rights of believers to freedom of conscience and freedom of religion, but also the legitimate role of religion in the public square.” 1 This presentation provides an overview of the threats to conscience faced by health-care professionals, particularly with a focus on the myriad of attacks at the state level, as they are potentiated by both the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the revised Conscience Rule. Health-care professionals increasingly find that, when attempting to exercise their First Amendment rights to the free exercise of religion in health care, they are accused of violating the principle of the separation of church and state. Tragically, the very government, born out of a need to secure liberty, including religious freedom, is imposing policies that impact, the rights of not only the most vulnerable, but also those dedicated to caring for them.
Academic Library Reform and the Ideal of the Librarian in England, France, and Germany in the Long Nineteenth Century
Authors: Minter Catherine 
Published: February 2013

In Western Europe in the late eighteenth century, complaints were rife about the disorganization of libraries and the character of their librarians. Not only from the perspective of library users, but also from within librarians’ own ranks, the sentiment became more widespread that librarians should strive to be more industrious and effective, and that libraries should aim to be better organized in order to promote use and access. The strong ‘public service’ orientation to nineteenth-century European library theory lay at the heart of the major practical or ‘technical’ innovations — notably in the fields of classification and cataloguing — which transformed librarianship into a profession towards the end of the century. This article aims to explore the impact of these innovations on the role and image of the librarian in the nineteenth century, with particular reference to academic libraries and librarians in England, France, and Germany. It is suggested that as a characteristic set of ‘librarianly’ virtues — prime among these being love of order, conscientiousness, selflessness, and the willingness to serve — rose to pre-eminence against the background of technical innovations in the field (and also, incidentally, as a reaction against the ‘scholar librarians’ of an earlier era), the seeds were sown of a crisis in the librarian’s professional image and self-image with implications which may even reach into the present.
miR-21 mediates hematopoietic suppression in MDS by activating TGF-β signaling
Authors: Bhagat Tushar D. , Zhou Li , Sokol Lubomir , Kessel Rachel , Caceres Gisela , Gundabolu Krishna , Tamari Roni , Gordon Shanisha , Mantzaris Ioannis , Jodlowski Tomasz , Yu Yiting , Jing Xiaohong , Polineni Rahul , Bhatia Kavi , Pellagatti Andrea , Boultwood Jacqueline , Kambhampati Suman , Steidl Ulrich , Stein Cy , Ju Wenjun , Liu Gang , Kenny Paraic , List Alan , Bitzer Markus , Verma Amit 
Published: February 2013

Key PointsWe observed that SMAD7, a negative regulator of TGF-β receptor-I kinase, is markedly reduced in MDS, and leads to ineffective hematopoiesis. Increased levels of microRNA-21 are seen in MDS and reduce SMAD7 levels, thus overactivating TGF-β signaling.
Targeting dendritic cells—why bother?
Authors: Kreutz Martin , Tacken Paul J. , Figdor Carl G. 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
Vaccination is among the most efficient forms of immunotherapy. Although sometimes inducing lifelong protective B-cell responses, T-cell–mediated immunity remains challenging. Targeting antigen to dendritic cells (DCs) is an extensively explored concept aimed at improving cellular immunity. The identification of various DC subsets with distinct functional characteristics now allows for the fine-tuning of targeting strategies. Although some of these DC subsets are regarded as superior for (cross-) priming of naive T cells, controversies still remain about which subset represents the best target for immunotherapy. Because targeting the antigen alone may not be sufficient to obtain effective T-cell responses, delivery systems have been developed to target multiple vaccine components to DCs. In this Perspective, we discuss the pros and cons of targeting DCs: if targeting is beneficial at all and which vaccine vehicles and immunization routes represent promising strategies to reach and activate DCs.
Carfilzomib
Authors: Kortuem K. Martin , Stewart A. Keith 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
This spotlight review focuses on the second-generation proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib, which was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma patients who have received at least 2 prior therapies, including bortezomib and an immunomodulatory agent, and have demonstrated disease progression on or within 60 days of the completion of the last therapy. This review focuses on clinical trial data leading to drug approval and provides advice for treating physicians who are now accessing this drug for patients.
MYBBP1A suppresses breast cancer tumorigenesis by enhancing the p53 dependent anoikis
Authors: Akaogi Kensuke , Ono Wakana , Hayashi Yuki , Kishimoto Hiroyuki , Yanagisawa Junn 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Background
Tumor suppressor p53 is mutated in a wide variety of human cancers and plays a critical role in anoikis, which is essential for preventing tumorigenesis. Recently, we found that a nucleolar protein, Myb-binding protein 1a (MYBBP1A), was involved in p53 activation. However, the function of MYBBP1A in cancer prevention has not been elucidated.

Methods
Relationships between MYBBP1A expression levels and breast cancer progression were examined using patient microarray databases and tissue microarrays. Colony formation, xenograft, and anoikis assays were conducted using cells in which MYBBP1A was either knocked down or overexpressed. p53 activation and interactions between p53 and MYBBP1A were assessed by immunoprecipitation and western blot.

Results

MYBBP1A expression was negatively correlated with breast cancer tumorigenesis. In vivo and in vitro experiments using the breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and ZR-75-1, which expresses wild type p53, showed that tumorigenesis, colony formation, and anoikis resistance were significantly enhanced by MYBBP1A knockdown. We also found that MYBBP1A binds to p53 and enhances p53 target gene transcription under anoikis conditions.

Conclusions
These results suggest that MYBBP1A is required for p53 activation during anoikis; therefore, it is involved in suppressing colony formation and the tumorigenesis of breast cancer cells. Collectively, our results suggest that MYBBP1A plays a role in tumor prevention in the context of p53 activation.