bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rubella seroprevalence among pregnant women in Burkina Faso
Authors: Tahita Marc C , Hübschen Judith M , Tarnagda Zekiba , Ernest Da , Charpentier Emilie , Kremer Jacques R , Muller Claude P , Ouedraogo Jean B 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackgroundDespite the serious consequences of rubella infection during early pregnancy, very little is known about the rubella seroprevalence in a number of African countries including Burkina Faso.MethodsBetween December 2007 and March 2008 serum samples were collected from 341 pregnant women in Bobo (n = 132, urban area) and Houndé (n = 209, rural area) and were tested for rubella-specific IgG antibodies with a commercial ELISA kit.ResultsAn overall seropositivity rate of 95.0% (324/341) was found, with a higher percentage in the urban population and in the oldest age group. Considering an antibody titer of at least 10 International Units per ml as protective, the overall immunity rate in the cohort of pregnant women was 93.3% (318/341).ConclusionsThe high overall seropositivity rate in the absence of routine immunization suggests a continuous transmission of endemic rubella virus in Burkina Faso, posing a threat to non-immune pregnant women.
Disruption of AP3B1by a chromosome 5 inversion: a new disease mechanism in Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome type 2
Authors: Jones Matthew L , Murden Sherina L , Brooks Claire , Maloney Viv , Manning Richard A , Gilmour Kimberly C , Bharadwaj Vandana , de la Fuente Josu , Chakravorty Subarna , Mumford Andrew D 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome 2 (HPS2; OMIM #608233) is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder caused by loss-of-function genetic variations affecting AP3B1, which encodes the β3A subunit of the adaptor-related protein complex 3 (AP3). Phenotypic characteristics include reduced pigmentation, absent platelet dense granule secretion, neutropenia and reduced cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cell function. To date HPS2 has been associated with non-synonymous, stop-gain or deletion-insertion nucleotide variations within the coding region of AP3B1.

Case presentation
We describe a consanguineous female infant with reduced pigmentation, neutropenia and recurrent infections. Platelets displayed reduced aggregation and absent ATP secretion in response to collagen and ADP, indicating a platelet dense granule defect. There was increased basal surface expression of CD107a (lysosome-associated membrane protein 1(LAMP-1)) on NK cells and CTLs from the study subject and a smaller increase in the percentage of CD107a positive cells after stimulation compared to most healthy controls. Immunoblotting of protein extracts from EBV-transformed lymphoblasts from the index case showed absent expression of full-length AP-3 β3A subunit protein, confirming a phenotypic diagnosis of HPS2.
The index case displayed a homozygous pericentric inv(5)(p15.1q14.1), which was also detected as a heterozygous defect in both parents of the index case. No loss of genetic material was demonstrated by microarray comparative genome hybridisation at 60kb resolution. Fluorescence in-situ hybridisation using the 189.6kb probe RP11-422I12, which maps to 5q14.1, demonstrated dual hybridisation to both 5q14.1 and 5p15.1 regions of the inverted Chr5. The RP11-422I12 probe maps from intron 1 to intron 16 of AP3B1, thus localising the 5q inversion breakpoint to within AP3B1. The probe RP11-211K15, which corresponds to an intergenic region on 5p also showed dual hybridisation, enabling localisation of the 5p inversion breakpoint.

Conclusion
This case report extends the phenotypic description of the very rare disorder HPS2. Our demonstration of a homozygous Chr5 inversion predicted to disrupt AP3B1 gene provides a novel pathogenic mechanism for this disorder.
JNK signaling maintains the mesenchymal properties of multi-drug resistant human epidermoid carcinoma KB cells through snail and twist1
Authors: Zhan Xia , Feng Xiaobing , Kong Ying , Chen Yi , Tan Wenfu 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background and methods
In addition to possess cross drug resistance characteristic, emerging evidences have shown that multiple-drug resistance (MDR) cancer cells exhibit aberrant metastatic capacity when compared to parental cells. In this study, we explored the contribution of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) signaling to the mesenchymal phenotypes and the aberrant motile capacity of MDR cells utilizing a well characterized MDR cell line KB/VCR, which is established from KB human epidermoid carcinoma cells by vincristine (VCR), and its parental cell line KB.

Results
Taking advantage of experimental strategies including pharmacological tool and gene knockdown, we showed here that interference with JNK signaling pathway by targeting JNK1/2 or c-Jun reversed the mesenchymal properties of KB/VCR cells to epithelial phenotypes and suppressed the motile capacity of KB/VCR cells, such as migration and invasion. These observations support a critical role of JNK signaling in maintaining the mesenchymal properties of KB/VCR cells. Furthermore, we observed that JNK signaling may control the expression of both snail and twist1 in KB/VCR cells, indicating that both snail and twist1 are involved in controlling the mesenchymal characteristics of KB/VCR cells by JNK signaling.

Conclusion
JNK signaling is required for maintaining the mesenchymal phenotype of KB/VCR cells; and JNK signaling may maintain the mesenchymal characteristics of KB/VCR cells potentially through snail and twist1.
Effectiveness of intravitreal ranibizumab in exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD): comparison between typical neovascular AMD and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy over a 1 year follow-up
Authors: Matsumiya Wataru , Honda Shigeru , Kusuhara Sentaro , Tsukahara Yasutomo , Negi Akira 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
The effects of intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) against exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) may be different associated with the lesion phenotype. This study was conducted to compare the outcomes of IVR between two different phenotypes of exudative AMD: typical neovascular AMD (tAMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).

Methods
This is a retrospective cohort study of 54 eyes from 54 subfoveal exudative AMD patients (tAMD 24, PCV 30 eyes). Three consecutive IVR treatments (0.5 mg) were performed every month, followed by re-injections as needed. Change in the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) were then compared between the tAMD and PCV groups over 12 months of follow-up.

Results
The mean BCVA was significantly improved (-0.11 logMAR units) at month 3 after the initial IVR (p <0 .001, Wilcoxon signed-rank test), and was sustained up to 12 months in all AMD patients (p =0.02). In the subgroup analysis, the tAMD group showed a significant improvement in their mean BCVA (-0.06, -0.17, -0.15 and -0.16 logMAR units at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively), but there was only a slight but non-significant improvement in the PCV group. The improvement in the BCVA was significantly greater in the tAMD group than in the PCV group (p = 0.043, repeated measures ANOVA) over 12 months. Both phenotypes showed significant improvements in the CRT during 12 months after the initial IVR.

Conclusions
IVR is an effective therapy for tAMD and PCV in the BCVA improvement in Japanese patients over 12 months of follow-up. The phenotype of tAMD showed a significantly better outcome with IVR than PCV in terms of BCVA improvement.
Reconstruction of the biosynthetic pathway for the core fungal polyketide scaffold rubrofusarin in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Rugbjerg Peter , Naesby Michael , Mortensen Uffe H , Frandsen Rasmus JN 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
Fungal polyketides include commercially important pharmaceuticals and food additives, e.g. the cholesterol-lowering statins and the red and orange monascus pigments. Presently, production relies on isolation of the compounds from the natural producers, and systems for heterologous production in easily fermentable and genetically engineerable organisms, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli are desirable. Rubrofusarin is an orange polyketide pigment that is a common intermediate in many different fungal biosynthetic pathways.

Results
In this study, we established a biosynthetic pathway for rubrofusarin in S. cerevisiae. First, the Fusarium graminearum gene encoding polyketide synthase 12 (PKS12) was heterologously co-expressed with the Aspergillus fumigatus gene encoding phosphopantetheinyl transferase (npgA) resulting in production of YWA1. This aromatic heptaketide intermediate was converted into nor-rubrofusarin upon expression of the dehydratase gene aurZ from the aurofusarin gene cluster of F. graminearum. Final conversion into rubrofusarin was achieved by expression of the O-methyltransferase encoding gene aurJ, also obtained from the aurofusarin gene cluster, resulting in a titer of 1.1 mg/L. Reduced levels of rubrofusarin were detected when expressing PKS12, npgA, and aurJ alone, presumably due to spontaneous conversion of YWA1 to nor-rubrofusarin. However, the co-expression of aurZ resulted in an approx. six-fold increase in rubrofusarin production.

Conclusions
The reconstructed pathway for rubrofusarin in S. cerevisiae allows the production of a core scaffold molecule with a branch-point role in several fungal polyketide pathways, thus paving the way for production of further natural pigments and bioactive molecules. Furthermore, the reconstruction verifies the suggested pathway, and as such, it is the first example of utilizing a synthetic biological “bottom up” approach for the validation of a complex fungal polyketide pathway.
Grip and load force coordination in cyclical isometric manipulation task is not affected by the feedback type
Authors: Pedão Sabrina Tiago , Barela José Angelo , Lima Kauê Carvalho de Almeida , de Freitas Paulo Barbosa 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
The relationship between normal and tangential force components (grip force – GF and load force – LF, respectively) acting on the digits-object interface during object manipulation reveals neural mechanisms involved in movement control. Here, we examined whether the feedback type provided to the participants during exertion of LF would influence GF-LF coordination and task performance.

Methods
Sixteen young (24.7 ±3.8 years-old) volunteers isometrically exerted continuously sinusoidal FZ (vertical component of LF) by pulling a fixed instrumented handle up and relaxing under two feedback conditions: targeting and tracking. In targeting condition, FZ exertion range was determined by horizontal lines representing the upper (10 N) and lower (1 N) targets, with frequency (0.77 or 1.53 Hz) dictated by a metronome. In tracking condition, a sinusoidal template set at similar frequencies and range was presented and should be superposed by the participants’ exerted FZ. Task performance was assessed by absolute errors at peaks (AEPeak) and valleys (AEValley) and GF-LF coordination by GF-LF ratios, maximum cross-correlation coefficients (rmax), and time lags.

Results
The results revealed no effect of feedback and no feedback by frequency interaction on any variable. AEPeak and GF-LF ratio were higher and rmax lower at 1.53 Hz than at 0.77 Hz.

Conclusion
These findings indicate that the type of feedback does not influence task performance and GF-LF coordination. Therefore, we recommend the use of tracking tasks when assessing GF-LF coordination during isometric LF exertion in externally fixed instrumented handles because they are easier to understand and provide additional indices (e.g., RMSE) of voluntary force control.
Is human cytomegalovirus associated with breast cancer progression?
Authors: Utrera-Barillas Dolores , Valdez-Salazar Hilda-Alicia , Gómez-Rangel David , Alvarado-Cabrero Isabel , Aguilera Penélope , Gómez-Delgado Alejandro , Ruiz-Tachiquin Martha-Eugenia 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
It has been hypothesized that human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) may be associated with breast cancer progression. However, the role of HCMV infection in breast cancer remains controversial. We aimed to assess whether HCMV genes (UL122 and UL83) could be detected in breast carcinomas and reinvestigated their possible association with breast cancer progression. DNA from paraffin-embedded tissues was analyzed by real-time PCR. We investigated 20 fibroadenomas and 27 primary breast carcinomas (stages II, III, and IV).

Findings
Two carcinomas were positive for HCMV, one was positive for two TaqMan viral detection probes, and one was positive for a sole TaqMan viral detection probe (UL83), whereas the remainder of the samples was negative.

Conclusions
Samples studied showed no association between HCMV infection and breast cancer progression.
Draft genome of Ochrobactrum intermedium strain M86 isolated from non-ulcer dyspeptic individual from India
Authors: Kulkarni Girish , Dhotre Dhiraj , Dharne Mahesh , Shetty Sudarshan , Chowdhury Somak , Misra Vatsala , Misra Sriprakash , Patole Milind , Shouche Yogesh 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background

Ochrobactrum intermedium is an emerging opportunistic pathogen of humans that is closely related to members of the genus Brucella. Earlier, we reported the case of an Indian subject with non-ulcer dyspeptic symptoms whose urease positive gastric biopsy revealed the presence of Helicobacter pylori along with non-Helicobacter like bacteria, eventually cultured and identified as O. intermedium strain M86.

Results
Here, we describe the unclosed draft genome of the strain M86 with a length of 5,188,688 bp and mean G+C content of 57.9%. We have also identified many putative gene clusters that might be responsible for its persistence in the gastric mucosa.Comparative analysis of genomic features of Ochrobactrum intermedium strain M86 and Ochrobactrum intermedium LMG 3301T was also done.

Conclusions
This paper attempts to gain whole-genome based insights into the putative gene determinants of O. intermedium for survival in the highly acidic stomach lumen environment .Identification of genes putatively involved in the various metabolic pathways may lead to a better understanding of the survival of O. intermdedium in acidic condition.
Nonlinear seismic vulnerability evaluation of irregular steel buildings with cumulative damage indices
Authors: Gerami Mohsen , Sharbati Yahya , Sivandi-Pour Abbas 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Measuring structural damage during earthquakes has always been a challenging problem for earthquake engineers. Various damage indices are proposed with the objective of quantifying the structural damage in prototype and model structures subjected to seismic excitation. In this study, seismic vulnerability of irregular steel buildings is assessed in three dimensions considering effects of the panel zone, which has not been considered in recent studies of the field of seismic vulnerability. The buildings are modeled with different storeys and irregular plans. Seismic performance of buildings was assessed in life-safety and collapse-prevention levels. Cumulative functions of damage indices are applied in the nonlinear dynamic analysis of buildings in the near-field ground motions. It is concluded that participation rates of deformation and energy in the damage of irregular buildings are 74.5% and 25.5%, respectively. Severe damage and collapse due to seismic dissipated energy occurred in the initial storeys of low-rise buildings and in the middle storeys of high-rise buildings.
Difficult-to-detect carbapenem-resistant IMP13-producing P. aeruginosa: experience feedback concerning a cluster of urinary tract infections at a surgical clinic in France
Authors: Milan Odile , Debroize Laurent , Bertrand Xavier , Plesiat Patrick , Valentin Anne-Sophie , Quentin Roland , Van der Mee-Marquet Nathalie 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
We report a carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa clone responsible for a cluster of urinary tract infections in elderly surgery patients, diagnosed during a three-month period in a 59-bed surgical clinic.

Findings
The clonal nature of the cluster was established by molecular study of the P. aeruginosa isolates (PFGE and MLST). Despite an MIC of imipenem in the susceptibility range for two isolates, all were metallo-β-lactamase-producers (IMP13-type, clone ST621). We conducted a review of the medical and surgical procedures. We tested water delivered into the clinic and urological devices for the presence of the epidemic strain. The hygiene nurse observed hygiene practices. A week after the implementation of barrier precautions around the fourth infected patient, we studied the extent to which the patients hospitalised were colonised to assess whether the spread of the epidemic strain had been controlled.

Conclusions
1/ Our findings indicate the difficulties in the detection of the metallo-β-lactamase in this clone, that resulted in the alert being delayed. 2/ Unlike most investigations of UTI outbreaks described in urology wards, we did not detect any contaminated urological devices or water colonisation. 3/ Consistent with outbreaks involving the IMP-13 clone in critical care units, the observation of inadequate application of standard precautions argued for patient-to-patient transmission during urinary management of the urology patients. 4/ The implementation of barrier precautions around infected patients resulted in control of the spread of the epidemic clone. This report serves as an alert concerning a difficult-to-detect multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa clone in elderly urology patients.
Microwave-assisted Synthesis of NaA Zeolite Membrane with High Separating Performance by Seeding Using VPT Method
Authors: Cheng Zhilin , Sun Wei , Han Shuai , Qin Xixi 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
A novel synthesis process was developed for synthesis of NaA zeolite membrane with high quality. The method involved two steps, i.e., the seeding with crystal size of ca. 60 nm formed by vapor-phase transformation and the secondary growth by using microwave heating.
Nitrogen-doped Carbon Nanofibers as Highly Active Metal-free Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reactions in Acidic Media
Authors: Yin Jing , Qiu Yejun , Yu Jie 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based nitrogen-doped carbon nanofibers (NCNFs) were fabricated by electrospinning. Their electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs) in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution was greatly enhanced by surface modification by oxidation in a concentrated H2SO4/HNO3 mixture and then NH3 etching at high temperature. The modification treatment resulted in a unique porous structure, fiber diameter reduction, more exposed edge planes, a higher proportion of pyridinic-N, and thus enhancement of ORR activity. The modified NCNF electrocatalysts are highly promising for ORRs in acidic electrolytes.
An Increase in Energy Conversion Efficiency by Decreasing Cobalt Redox Electrolyte Diffusion Resistance in Dye-sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Uchiyama Takayuki , Murakami Takurou N , Yoshii Nobuhiro , Uemura Yu , Koumura Nagatoshi , Masaki Naruhiko , Kimura Mutsumi , Mori Shogo 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Cobalt complex redox electrolytes are known to possess high electrolyte diffusion resistances in dye-sensitized solar cells. High resistance was observed not only in the TiO2 pores but also in the bulk of the electrolyte. Therefore, the distance between a dyed TiO2 electrode and a Pt counter electrode was decreased, resulting in increases in the fill factor and short-circuit current. With a carbazole dye, MK-34, an efficiency of 9.3% was obtained under one-sun conditions.
Substituent Effects for Perylenedicarboxylic Anhydrides on the Performance of Dye-sensitized Solar Cells: The Simpler, the Better
Authors: Otsuki Joe , Takaguchi Yusho , Takahashi Daichi , Sugawa Kosuke , Kalimuthu Palanisamy , Islam Ashraful , Han Liyuan 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
The effects of substituents at the bay positions for push–pull-type perylenedicarboxylic anhydride dyes on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells were investigated. The substituents fine-tune the optical and redox properties of the dyes. It turned out that the simplest dye without any substituent results in highest-efficiency cells because of its broadened IPCE spectrum due to intermolecular interactions, which implies that aggregation may not always be detrimental to the performance of the solar cell.
Impact of a Pharmacist-Driven Protocol to Improve Drug Allergy Documentation at a University Hospital
Authors: Burrell Christopher , Tsourounis Candy , Quan David , Jue Vicki , Tam Eunice , Guglielmo B. Joseph 
Published: April 2013

Background An internal evaluation of the inpatient pharmacy order entry database ( WORx) at a university hospital revealed that the nature of the reaction was documented for only 47% of patients with reported drug allergies/intolerance. Insufficient documentation of drug allergy/intolerance may result in administration of drugs that should not be prescribed. Similarly, valuable agents that should be used may not be prescribed due to an unnecessary fear of adverse drug reaction. More complete description of drug allergy/intolerance may result in more correct prescribing of medications. Objective Evaluate the impact of a pharmacist-driven protocol on the quality of drug allergy/intolerance documentation. Methods Four pre-intervention evaluations were conducted every 2 weeks documenting the completeness of drug allergy/intolerance information in the pharmacy order entry database. One week following the implementation of a pharmacist-driven protocol intended to improve the completeness of drug allergy/intolerance information, a series of 4 postintervention evaluations was repeated. Proportional analysis of pre- and postinterventional data was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. Results A total of 1,686 allergies from 2,174 patients were reviewed pre and post intervention. The frequency of complete drug allergy/intolerance documentation pre intervention was 52% to 62%. Following implementation of the hospitalwide, pharmacist-driven protocol, this rate increased to 60% to 76%. Pediatric services demonstrated the most substantial improvement, increasing from 53% to 79% to 67% to 93%. Blank reaction fields decreased by 10% in both age groups. Conclusion A pharmacy-driven initiative intended to improve the completeness of drug allergy/intolerance documentation was associated with modest success. Other mechanisms, including electronic health record systems with computerized physician order entry and decision support, are needed to improve the completeness of drug allergy/intolerance information.