bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reactive Oxygen Species‐Caspase‐3 Relationship in Mediating Blood–Brain Barrier Endothelial Cell Hyperpermeability Following Oxygen–Glucose Deprivation and Reoxygenation
Authors: Alluri Himakarnika , Stagg Hayden W. , Wilson Rickesha L. , Clayton Robert P. , Sawant Devendra A. , Koneru Madhavi , Beeram Madhava R. , Davis Matthew L. , Tharakan Binu 
Published: December 2013

AbstractObjectiveMicrovascular hyperpermeability that occurs due to breakdown of the BBB is a major contributor of brain vasogenic edema, following IR injury. In microvascular endothelial cells, increased ROS formation leads to caspase‐3 activation following IR injury. The specific mechanisms, by which ROS mediates microvascular hyperpermeability following IR, are not clearly known. We utilized an OGD‐R in vitro model of IR injury to study this.MethodsRBMEC were subjected to OGD‐R in presence of a caspase‐3 inhibitor Z‐DEVD, caspase‐3 siRNA or an ROS inhibitor L‐AA. Cytochrome c levels were measured by ELISA and caspase‐3 activity was measured fluorometrically. TJ integrity and cytoskeletal assembly were studied using ZO‐1 immunofluorescence and rhodamine phalloidin staining for f‐actin, respectively.ResultsOGD‐R significantly increased monolayer permeability, ROS formation, cytochrome c levels, and caspase‐3 activity (p < 0.05) and induced TJ disruption and actin stress fiber formation. Z‐DEVD, L‐AA and caspase‐3 siRNA significantly attenuated OGD‐R‐induced hyperpermeability (p < 0.05) while only L‐AA decreased cytochrome c levels. Z‐DEVD and L‐AA protected TJ integrity and actin cytoskeletal assembly.ConclusionsThese results suggest that OGD‐R‐induced hyperpermeability is ROS and caspase‐3 dependent and can be regulated by their inhibitors.
Inter‐viral conflicts that exploit host CRISPR immune systems of Sulfolobus
Authors: Erdmann Susanne , Le Moine Bauer Sven , Garrett Roger A. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryInfection of Sulfolobus islandicus REY15A with mixtures of different Sulfolobus viruses, including STSV2, did not induce spacer acquisition by the host CRISPR immune system. However, coinfection with the tailed fusiform viruses SMV1 and STSV2 generated hyperactive spacer acquisition in both CRISPR loci, exclusively from STSV2, with the resultant loss of STSV2 but not SMV1. SMV1 was shown to activate adaptation while itself being resistant to CRISPR‐mediated adaptation and DNA interference. Exceptionally, a single clone S‐1 isolated from an SMV1 + STSV2‐infected culture, that carried STSV2‐specific spacers and had lost STSV2 but not SMV1, acquired spacers from SMV1. This effect was also reproducible on reinfecting wild‐type host cells with a variant SMV1 isolated from the S‐1 culture. The SMV1 variant lacked a virion protein ORF114 that was shown to bind DNA. This study also provided evidence for: (i) limits on the maximum sizes of CRISPR loci; (ii) spacer uptake strongly retarding growth of infected cultures; (iii) protospacer selection being essentially random and non‐directional, and (iv) the reversible uptake of spacers from STSV2 and SMV1. A hypothesis is presented to explain the interactive conflicts between SMV1 and the host CRISPR immune system.
Structural polymorphism in the promoter of pfmrp2 confers Plasmodium falciparum tolerance to quinoline drugs
Authors: Mok Sachel , Liong Kek‐Yee , Lim Eng‐How , Huang Ximei , Zhu Lei , Preiser Peter Rainer , Bozdech Zbynek 
Published: December 2013

SummaryDrug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum remains a challenge for the malaria eradication programmes around the world. With the emergence of artemisinin resistance, the efficacy of the partner drugs in the artemisinin combination therapies (ACT) that include quinoline‐based drugs is becoming critical. So far only few resistance markers have been identified from which only two transmembrane transporters namely PfMDR1 (an ATP‐binding cassette transporter) and PfCRT (a drug‐metabolite transporter) have been experimentally verified. Another P. falciparum transporter, the ATP‐binding cassette containing multidrug resistance‐associated protein (PfMRP2) represents an additional possible factor of drug resistance in P. falciparum. In this study, we identified a parasite clone that is derived from the 3D7 P. falciparum strain and shows increased resistance to chloroquine, mefloquine and quinine through the trophozoite and schizont stages. We demonstrate that the resistance phenotype is caused by a 4.1 kb deletion in the 5′ upstream region of the pfmrp2 gene that leads to an alteration in the pfmrp2 transcription and thus increased level of PfMRP2 protein. These results also suggest the importance of putative promoter elements in regulation of gene expression during the P. falciparum intra‐erythrocytic developmental cycle and the potential of genetic polymorphisms within these regions to underlie drug resistance.
Detection and isolation of the α‐proteobacterium Asaia in Culex mosquitoes
Authors: DE FREECE C. , DAMIANI C. , VALZANO M. , D'AMELIO S. , CAPPELLI A. , RICCI I. , FAVIA G. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractInvestigations of microbiota within mosquitoes continue to widen the spectrum of possible symbiont‐based applications against vector‐borne diseases. In this context, α‐proteobacteria of the genus Asaia (Rhodospirillales: Acetobacteraceae) are emerging as possible endosymbiotic candidates, particularly in paratransgenic approaches aimed at interrupting pathogen transmission. Previous studies have shown that Asaia spp. distribution among Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles stephensi (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes displayed positive rates of infection in isolated midguts, salivary glands and reproductive tissues. Similarly, Asaia has been detected in Aedes albopictus (Stegomyia albopicta) and Aedes aegypti (Stegomyia aegypti) (Diptera: Culicidae) populations. Within the Culex pipiens complex (Diptera: Culicidae), Asaia infection is still largely unexplored. Here, we summarize a preliminary survey of laboratory‐reared Cx. pipiens complex and field‐collected Culex quinquefasciatus for the presence of Asaia spp., and present the first identification of Asaia in some of the members of the Cx. pipiens complex and the first description in West African populations of Cx. quinquefasciatus.
Metoclopramide nasal spray is effective in symptoms of gastroparesis in diabetics compared to conventional oral tablet
Authors: Parkman H. P. , Carlson M. R. , Gonyer D. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundDelayed gastric emptying symptoms interfere with the absorption of oral medications. Intranasal metoclopramide is being developed as an alternative to oral metoclopramide for patients with diabetic gastroparesis.MethodsTo compare the efficacy and safety of metoclopramide nasal spray to oral tablets in diabetic patients with symptoms of gastroparesis, this randomized, open‐label, parallel design study randomized subjects to 10 or 20 mg nasal spray or 10 mg tablet four times a day for 6 weeks. Efficacy was evaluated using a total symptom score (TSS).Key ResultsEighty‐nine subjects were enrolled. For the intention to treat population, both nasal dose groups (10 and 20 mg) had lower TSS with treatment compared to the oral 10 mg group. The change from baseline in TSS for nasal 20 mg was greater than the oral 10 mg at Week 6 (p = 0.026). For the per‐protocol population, there was a significant difference in the TSS between baseline and Week 6 for both the nasal 10 mg (p = 0.026) and the nasal 20 mg (p = 0.008) cohorts compared to the oral 10 mg group. Based on the definition of a responder, 88.9% of subjects who received oral 10 mg, 91.2% who received nasal 10 mg, and 97.1% who received nasal 20 metoclopramide were classified as responders. The side‐effect profile of the metoclopramide nasal spray was favorable. More side effects, especially nausea, occurred with the oral tablets.Conclusions & InferencesMetoclopramide nasal spray offers better symptom control than metoclopramide oral tablet in diabetic patients with symptoms of gastroparesis.
Identification of vegetative heat‐tolerant upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) germplasm utilizing chlorophyll fluorescence measurement during heat stress
Authors: Wu Tingting , Weaver David B. , Locy Robert D. , McElroy Scott , van Santen Edzard 
Published: December 2013

AbstractHeat stress adversely affects upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production in the United States. Heat tolerance is difficult to determine, especially when yield and fibre quality are the parameters measured in photoperiodic, non‐adapted genotypes. Our objective was to evaluate wild (mostly photoperiodic, non‐adapted) genotypes for vegetative heat tolerance using chlorophyll fluorescence. Parameters were measured in three phases of heat stress assays to select candidate lines for introgression of increased heat tolerance into commercial cotton germplasm. Forty‐four wild accessions were selected from 1762 wild accessions in the USDA germplasm collection using a single‐leaf sample assay (phase I). In the growth chamber, 6‐week‐old cotton plants were subjected to heat stress at 45°C and 80% humidity for 24 h. After heat stress, the mean ΦPSII for the selected accessions was higher than that of a set of randomly chosen accessions and adapted cultivars (phase II). In the field under high temperatures (>35°C), the top nine accessions had higher average ΦPSII than adapted cultivars (phase III). Based on these results, the three‐phased stepwise approach was consistent in identifying putative genetic resources for increased vegetative heat tolerance. Accessions were identified that may have potential as genetic materials for development of adapted heat‐tolerant upland cotton germplasm.
Prevalence of depression symptoms and serum levels of interleukin‐6 in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Knuth Berenice , Radtke Vinícius , Rocha Pablo , da Silva Kátia Sulenir , Dalsóglio Fabiana , Gazal Marta , Jansen Karen , Souza Diogo Onofre , Portela Luis Valmor , Kaster Manuella , Oses Jean Pierre 
Published: December 2013

AimIn hemodialysis patients, depression appears as the most common psychopathological condition. States of advanced chronic kidney disease and dialysis are associated with a state of chronic inflammation. Depression has been linked to activation of the immune system characterized by high levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines. In this study, we investigated the possible correlations between depression, and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) in hemodialysis patients.MethodsSeventy‐five hemodialysis patients were enrolled in a cross‐sectional study from September to November 2011 in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul. Demographic data were obtained from a questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to determine the presence or absence of depression symptoms. Biochemical parameters, dialysisdosage delivery, and IL‐6 serum levels were measured.ResultsPrevalence of depression among hemodialysis patients was 48% (BDI ≥ 14). In biochemical assessments, depressed patients showed a decrease in urea (P = 0.01) and increase of IL‐6 (P = 0.04) levels. The correlation analysis between BDI scores and the biochemical variables showed that BDI was negatively correlated with urea (P = 0.03) and potassium (P = 0.04), but not with IL‐6 levels.ConclusionHemodialysis patients with depression showed higher levels of IL‐6 but the severity of depressive symptoms was not correlated with levels of this cytokine.
Sequence variation in the putative effector gene SIX8 facilitates molecular differentiation of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense
Authors: Fraser‐Smith S. , Czislowski E. , Meldrum R. A. , Zander M. , O'Neill W. , Balali G. R. , Aitken E. A. B. 
Published: December 2013

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), causal agent of fusarium wilt of banana, is among the most destructive pathogens of banana and plantain. The development of a molecular diagnostic capable of reliably distinguishing between the various races of the pathogen is of key importance to disease management. However, attempts to distinguish isolates using the standard molecular loci typically used for fungal phylogenetics have been complicated by a poor correlation between phylogeny and pathogenicity. Among the available alternative loci are several putative effector genes, known as SIX genes, which have been successfully used to differentiate the three races of F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici. In this study, an international collection of Foc isolates was screened for the presence of the putative effector SIX8. Using a PCR and sequencing approach, variation in Foc‐SIX8 was identified which allowed race 4 to be differentiated from race 1 and 2 isolates, and tropical and subtropical race 4 isolates to be distinguished from one another.
Predictors of mortality in rheumatoid arthritis‐related interstitial lung disease
Authors: Assayag Deborah , Lubin Molly , Lee Joyce S. , King Talmadge E. , Collard Harold R. , Ryerson Christopher J. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractRheumatoid arthritis‐associated interstitial lung disease (RA‐ILD) has a heterogeneous clinical presentation and disease course. Establishing prognosis for these patients is challenging. Identifying the factors that predict mortality in patients with RA‐ILD could help guide management. A detailed systematic review was conducted in order to identify individual variables that predict mortality in RA‐ILD. A literature review was performed using keywords and medical subject headings to identify all articles relating to the prognosis of RA‐ILD. Studies were included if they identified predictors of mortality in adults with RA‐ILD, were published in English, and included at least 10 patients with RA‐ILD. Two authors independently reviewed each citation and extracted data from all studies meeting inclusion criteria. Any differences were then resolved by consensus. A total of 10 studies met our inclusion criteria. All were observational cohort studies of variable quality. Mean age of reported patients ranged from 55 to 69 years, and 41.7% of all patients were male. Median survival ranged from 3.2 to 8.1 years. Significant predictors of mortality on multivariate analysis were older age, male gender, lower diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide, extent of fibrosis, and the presence of usual interstitial pneumonia pattern. Mortality in RA‐ILD is associated with several patient‐ and ILD‐specific variables; however, previous studies are of low quality.
Navigating the mtDNAroad map out of the morphological maze: interpreting morphological variation in the diverseMonomorium rothsteini(Forel) complex (Hymenoptera:Formicidae)
Authors: SPARKS KATHRYN S. , ANDERSEN ALAN N. , DONNELLAN STEPHEN C. , AUSTIN ANDREW D. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractMonomoriumis a large and diverse ant genus with speciose radiations in both theAfrotropical andAustralian regions. According to the most recent taxonomic revision, manyAustralian species are characterised by very broad distributions and variable morphology, which suggests that some species may be unrecognised species complexes. With a continent‐wide distribution and diverse yet overlapping morphology,M. rothsteini(Forel) is representative of the greater challenge that exists inAustralianMonomoriumsystematics. Here we investigate species boundaries inM. rothsteiniusing a molecular phylogenetic framework to interpret the complex overlap of nine morphological characters (with 31 states) and examine biogeographic relationships among the lineages. Bayesian inference resolved 38 mtDNAlineages that were morphologically separable, at least from their sister lineage. Although the morphological characters were intermixed across the phylogeny, instances of inseparable morphology among sister clades was rare. Seventeen lineages exhibited complete morphological overlap with one or more other lineages and could not be separated byPrincipalComponentAnalysis based on 12 morphometric variables. Two‐thirds of all lineages occurred sympatrically with one or more both genetically and morphologically divergent lineages. The two nuclear markersEF1αF2andwinglesswere used to generate haplotype networks which were characterised by a star‐like pattern indicative of a rapid and recent radiation. Several haplotypes for both nuclear gene regions were shared among individuals occurring in separate mtDNAclades which we were also unable to distinguish morphologically or that were occurring in sympatry, indicating possible introgression in both the mtDNAand nuclear genomes. Clear biogeographic affinities among samples within a lineage were detected but there was no overall pattern in the biogeographic relationships among the lineages. We conclude thatM. rothsteiniis a large species complex that has undergone a complex evolutionary history following aridification of theAustralian continent, and discuss the implications of this conclusion for the systematics ofAustralianMonomoriummore generally.
The effect of C1‐inhibitor in a murine model of transfusion‐related acute lung injury
Authors: Müller M. C. A. , Stroo I. , Wouters D. , Zeerleder S. S. , Roelofs J. J. T. H. , Boon L. , Vroom M. B. , Juffermans N. P. 
Published: December 2013

Background and objectiveTransfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI) is the leading cause of transfusion‐related morbidity and mortality. Specific therapy is lacking. We assessed whether C1‐inhibitor attenuates lung injury in a ‘two‐hit’ TRALI model.MethodsMice were primed with lipopolysaccharide, subsequently TRALI was induced by MHC‐I antibodies. In the intervention group, C1‐inhibitor was infused concomitantly. Mice were supported with mechanical ventilation. After 2 h, mice were killed, lungs were removed and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was obtained.ResultsInjection of MHC‐I antibodies induced TRALI, illustrated by an increase in wet‐to‐dry ratio of the lungs, in BALF protein levels and in lung injury scores. TRALI was further characterized by complement activation, demonstrated by increased BALF levels of C3a and C5a. Administration of C1‐inhibitor resulted in increased pulmonary C1‐inhibitor levels with high activity. C1‐inhibitor reduced pulmonary levels of complement C3a associated with improved lung injury scores. However, levels of pro‐inflammatory mediators were unaffected.ConclusionIn a murine model of TRALI, C1‐inhibitor attenuated pulmonary levels of C3a associated with improved lung injury scores, but with persistent high levels of inflammatory cytokines.
Genetic and Antigenic Typing of Seasonal Influenza Virus Breakthrough Cases from a 2008-2009 Vaccine Efficacy Trial
Authors: Durviaux Serge , Treanor John , Beran Jiri , Duval Xavier , Esen Meral , Feldman Gregory , Frey Sharon E. , Launay Odile , Leroux-Roels Geert , McElhaney Janet E. , Nowakowski Andrzej , Ruiz-Palacios Guillermo M. , van Essen Gerrit A. , Oostvogels Lidia , Devaster Jeanne-Marie , Walravens Karl 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACT
Estimations of the effectiveness of vaccines against seasonal influenza virus are guided by comparisons of the antigenicities between influenza virus isolates from clinical breakthrough cases with strains included in a vaccine. This study examined whether the prediction of antigenicity using a sequence analysis of the hemagglutinin (HA) gene-encoded HA1 domain is a simpler alternative to using the conventional hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay, which requires influenza virus culturing. Specimens were taken from breakthrough cases that occurred in a trivalent influenza virus vaccine efficacy trial involving >43,000 participants during the 2008-2009 season. A total of 498 influenza viruses were successfully subtyped as A(H3N2) (380 viruses), A(H1N1) (29 viruses), B(Yamagata) (23 viruses), and B(Victoria) (66 viruses) from 603 PCR- or culture-confirmed specimens. Unlike the B strains, most A(H3N2) (377 viruses) and all A(H1N1) viruses were classified as homologous to the respective vaccine strains based on their HA1 domain nucleic acid sequence. HI titers relative to the respective vaccine strains and PCR subtyping were determined for 48% (182/380) of A(H3N2) and 86% (25/29) of A(H1N1) viruses. Eighty-four percent of the A(H3N2) and A(H1N1) viruses classified as homologous by sequence were matched to the respective vaccine strains by HI testing. However, these homologous A(H3N2) and A(H1N1) viruses displayed a wide range of relative HI titers. Therefore, although PCR is a sensitive diagnostic method for confirming influenza virus cases, HA1 sequence analysis appeared to be of limited value in accurately predicting antigenicity; hence, it may be inappropriate to classify clinical specimens as homologous or heterologous to the vaccine strain for estimating vaccine efficacy in a prospective clinical trial.
Estimates of Mumps Seroprevalence May Be Influenced by Antibody Specificity and Serologic Method
Authors: Latner Donald R. , McGrew Marcia , Williams Nobia J. , Sowers Sun B. , Bellini William J. , Hickman Carole J. 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTNeutralizing antibodies are assumed to be essential for protection against mumps virus infection, but their measurement is labor- and time-intensive. For this reason, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are typically used to measure mumps-specific IgG levels. However, since there is poor correlation between mumps neutralization titers and ELISAs that measure the presence of mumps-specific IgG levels, ELISAs that better correlate with neutralization are needed. To address this issue, we measured mumps antibody levels by plaque reduction neutralization, by a commercial ELISA (whole-virus antigen), and by ELISAs specific for the mumps nucleoprotein and hemagglutinin. The results indicate that differences in the antibody response to the individual mumps proteins could partially explain the lack of correlation among various serologic tests. Furthermore, the data indicate that some seropositive individuals have low levels of neutralizing antibody. If neutralizing antibody is important for protection, this suggests that previous estimates of immunity based on whole-virus ELISAs may be overstated.
Genome Sequence of a Novel, Newly Identified Isolate of Guinea Pig Cytomegalovirus, the CIDMTR Strain
Authors: Schleiss Mark R. , Hernandez-Alvarado Nelmary , Ramaraj Thiruvarangan , Crow John A. 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACT
The sequence of a newly discovered isolate of guinea pig cytomegalovirus (GPCMV), the CIDMTR strain, was determined. The 232,778-nucleotide genome was generally well conserved with that of the 22122 reference strain, although some regions of substantial sequence divergence allowed annotation of strain-specific open reading frames encoding putative immune modulation gene products.
High-Quality Draft Genome Sequence of Vagococcus lutrae Strain LBD1, Isolated from the Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
Authors: Lebreton François , Valentino Michael D. , Duncan Lucile B. , Zeng Qiandong , Manson Mcguire Abigail , Earl Ashlee M. , Gilmore Michael S. 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACT

Vagococci are usually isolated from marine hosts and occasionally from endodontic infections. Using 16S rRNA gene comparison, the closest relatives are members of the genera
Enterococcus
and
Carnobacterium
. A draft sequence of
Vagococcus lutrae
was generated to clarify the relationship of
Vagococcus
to these and other related low-G+C Gram-positive bacteria.
Report of the 13th Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolate from the United States
Authors: Limbago Brandi M. , Kallen Alexander J. , Zhu Wenming , Eggers Paula , McDougal Linda K. , Albrecht Valerie S. 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACT

Vancomycin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(VRSA), an important multidrug-resistant organism of public health concern, has been infrequently identified in the United States since 2002. All previous VRSA isolates belonged to clonal complex 5, a lineage associated primarily with health care. This report describes the most recent (13th) U.S. VRSA isolate, the first to be community associated.