bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The non-pathogenic Escherichia coli strain W secretes SslE via the virulence-associated type II secretion system beta
Authors: DeCanio Mark S , Landick Robert , Haft Rembrandt J F 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
Many pathogenic E. coli strains secrete virulence factors using type II secretory systems, homologs of which are widespread in Gram-negative bacteria. Recently, the enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strain E2348/69 was shown to secrete and surface-anchor SslE, a biofilm-promoting virulence factor, via a type II secretion system. Genes encoding SslE and its associated secretion system are conserved in some non-pathogenic E. coli, including the commonly-used W (Waksman) strain.

Results
We report here that E. coli W uses its type II secretion system to export a cognate SslE protein. SslE secretion is temperature- and nutrient-dependent, being robust at 37°C in rich medium but strongly repressed by lower temperatures or nutrient limitation. Fusing either of two glycosyl hydrolases to the C-terminus of SslE prevented it from being secreted or surface-exposed. We screened mutations that inactivated the type II secretion system for stress-related phenotypes and found that inactivation of the secretion system conferred a modest increase in tolerance to high concentrations of urea. Additionally, we note that the genes encoding this secretion system are present at a hypervariable locus and have been independently lost or gained in different lineages of E. coli.

Conclusions
The non-pathogenic E. coli W strain shares the extracellular virulence factor SslE, and its associated secretory system, with pathogenic E. coli strains. The pattern of regulation of SslE secretion we observed suggests that SslE plays a role in colonization of mammalian hosts by non-pathogenic as well as pathogenic E. coli. Our work provides a non-pathogenic model system for the study of SslE secretion, and informs future research into the function of SslE during host colonization.
Pilicides inhibit the FGL chaperone/usher assisted biogenesis of the Dr fimbrial polyadhesin from uropathogenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Piatek Rafał , Zalewska-Piatek Beata , Dzierzbicka Krystyna , Makowiec Sławomir , Pilipczuk Justyna , Szemiako Kasjan , Cyranka-Czaja Anna , Wojciechowski Marek 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
The global spread of bacterial resistance has given rise to a growing interest in new anti-bacterial agents with a new strategy of action. Pilicides are derivatives of ring-fused 2-pyridones which block the formation of the pili/fimbriae crucial to bacterial pathogenesis. They impair by means of a chaperone-usher pathway conserved in the Gram-negative bacteria of adhesive structures biogenesis. Pili/fimbriae of this type belong to two subfamilies, FGS and FGL, which differ in the details of their assembly mechanism. The data published to date have shown that pilicides inhibit biogenesis of type 1 and P pili of the FGS type which are encoded by uropathogenic E. coli strains.

Results
We evaluated the anti-bacterial activity of literature pilicides as blockers of the assembly of a model example of FGL-type adhesive structures, – the Dr fimbriae encoded by a dra gene cluster of uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains. In comparison to the strain grown without pilicide, the Dr+ bacteria cultivated in the presence of the 3.5 mM concentration of pilicides resulted in a reduction of 75 to 87% in the adherence properties to CHO cells expressing Dr fimbrial DAF receptor protein. Using quantitative assays, we determined the amount of Dr fimbriae in the bacteria cultivated in the presence of 3.5 mM of pilicides to be reduced by 75 to 81%. The inhibition effect of pilicides is concentration dependent, which is a crucial property for their use as potential anti-bacterial agents. The data presented in this article indicate that pilicides in mM concentration effectively inhibit the adherence of Dr+ bacteria to the host cells, – the crucial, initial step in bacterial pathogenesis.

Conclusions
Structural analysis of the DraB chaperone clearly showed it to be a model of the FGL subfamily of chaperones. This permits us to conclude that analyzed pilicides in mM concentration are effective inhibitors of the assembly of adhesins belonging to the Dr family, and more speculatively, of other FGL-type adhesive organelles. The presented data and those published so far permit to speculate that based on the conservation of chaperone-usher pathway in Gram-negative bacteria , the pilicides are potential anti-bacterial agents with activity against numerous pathogens, the virulence of which is dependent on the adhesive structures of the chaperone-usher type.
Analysis of the WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX gene family in the conifer picea abiesreveals extensive conservation as well as dynamic patterns
Authors: Hedman Harald , Zhu Tianqing , von Arnold Sara , Sohlberg Joel J 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
Members of the WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX (WOX) gene family have important functions during all stages of plant development and have been implicated in the development of morphological novelties during evolution. Most studies have examined the function of these genes in angiosperms and very little is known from other plant species.

Results
In this study we examine the presence and expression of WOX genes in the conifer Picea abies. We have cloned 11 WOX genes from both mRNA and genomic DNA and examined their phylogenetic relationship to WOX genes from other species as well as their expression during somatic embryogenesis and in adult tissues.

Conclusions
Our study shows that all major radiations within the WOX gene family took place before the angiosperm-gymnosperm split and that there has been a recent expansion within the intermediate clade in the Pinaceae family. Furthermore, we show that the genes from the intermediate clade are preferentially expressed during embryo development in Picea abies. Our data also indicates that there are clear orthologs of both WUS and WOX5 present in the P. abies genome.
Association of back pain with hypovitaminosis D in postmenopausal women with low bone mass
Authors: e Silva Ariane Viana de Souza , Lacativa Paulo Gustavo Sampaio , Russo Luis Augusto Tavares , de Gregório Luiz Henrique , Pinheiro Renata Alexandra Calixto , Marinheiro Lizanka Paola Figueiredo 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
Back pain is a major public health problem due to its high frequency, to the resulting activity constraint, and the need for surgery in many cases. Back pain is more frequent in women than men, mainly in postmenopausal women. High prevalence of hypovitaminosis D has been detected in postmenopausal women, and it is associated with decreased bone mass, sarcopenia, vertebral fractures, and inflammation, which can be related to back pain.

Methods
The relation between back pain and hypovitaminosis D was evaluated in this study, as well the difference regarding the number of bedridden days, number of days away from work, and daily activities limitation between women with and without hypovitaminosis D. This study reviewed baseline data from an interventional phase III multicenter trial in low bone mass postmenopausal women. The study included demographic data, 25OHD determinations, Newitt/Cummings questionnaire on back pain, and vertebral fracture identified thought X-ray evaluation.

Results
The trial included 9354 participants, but only 9305 underwent all the evaluations. The age median was 67 (60 - 85 years old) and age at menopause was 49 (18 - 72 years). Hypovitaminosis D was found in 22.5% of the subjects, 15.3% of them had vertebral fractures, 67.5% with back pain, and 14.8% reduced their daily activities in the previous six months. Subjects with hypovitaminosis D, compared to those without hypovitaminosis D, reported more back pain (69.5 v 66.9%, p: 0.022), more cases of severe back pain (8.5% v 6.8%, p: 0,004), higher limitation in their daily activities (17.2 v 14.0%, p: 0.001), and more fractures (17.4 v 14.6%, p: 0,002); also, they had more trouble to perform daily activities addressed in the Newwit/Cummings questionnaire.

Conclusion
Hypovitaminosis D was related to back pain, to its severity, and to difficulty in perform daily activities.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrial.gov: NCT00088010
Will the untreated ulnar styloid fracture influence the outcome of unstable distal radial fracture treated with external fixation when the distal radioulnar joint is stable
Authors: Chen Yi-xin , Zheng Xin , Shi Hong-fei , Wangyang Yu-fan , Yuan Han , Xie Xiao-xiao , Li Dong-ya , Wang Chang-jun , Qiu Xu-sheng 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
The ulnar styloid is an important supportive structure for the triangular fibrocartilage complex. However, it remains inconclusive whether or not a fractured ulnar styloid should be fixed in an unstable distal radius fracture (DRF) with a stable distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of an untreated ulnar styloid fracture on the outcome of unstable DRF treated with transarticular external fixation when the DRUJ is stable.

Methods
106 patients with an unstable DRF and a stable DRUJ were included in this study following external fixation. The patients were divided into the non-fracture, the tip-fracture and the base-fracture groups according to the location of the ulnar styloid fracture at the time of injury. Postoperative evaluation included the range of wrist motion, the radiological index, the grip strength, the PRWE-HK scores, the wrist pain scores, and the instability of DRUJ at the external fixator removal time, three months postoperatively and the final follow-up visit.

Results
The patients were followed for 12 to 24 months (15 months in average). Sixty-two of 106 patients (58%) had ulnar styloid fracture and 16 patients (26%) showed radiographic evidence of union of ulnar styloid fractures at the final follow-up visit. No significant difference in the radiological findings, the range of wrist motion, the grip strength, the PRWE-HK scores, and the wrist pain scores among three patient groups was detected at the external fixator removal time, three months postoperatively, or the final follow-up visit. Six of the 106 patients (5.7%) complained of persistent ulnar-side wrist pain during daily activities. One patient (0.9%) showed a positive sign in a stress-test, three patients (2.8%) showed a positive sign in a provocative-test, and five patients (4.7%) showed a positive sign in a press-test. There was no significant difference in the percentages of patients who complained of persistent ulnar-side wrist pain or showed a positive sign in the physical examination of the distal radioulnar joint among the three groups at the final follow-up time points.

Conclusion
When the DRUJ is stable, an untreated ulnar styloid fracture does not affect the wrist outcome of the patient with an unstable DRF treated with external fixation.
Plasmodium vivax aldolase-specific monoclonal antibodies and its application in clinical diagnosis of malaria infections in China
Authors: Dzakah Emmanuel E , Kang Keren , Ni Chao , Wang Hong , Wu Peidian , Tang Shixing , Wang Jihua , Wang Jufang , Wang Xiaoning 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
Most rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) currently used for malaria diagnosis cannot distinguish the various Plasmodium infections. The development of a Plasmodium vivax specific RDTs with high sensitivity to sufficiently differentiate the two most common Plasmodium infections would be very crucial for disease treatment and control.

Method

Plasmodium vivax aldolase gene (PvALDO) was amplified from the extracted genomic DNA and constructed into pET30a vector. Plasmodium vivax aldolase protein was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli in soluble form and the overall purity was over 95% after one-step affinity chromatography purification. The purified products were used for the immunization of mice and rabbits. Rabbit polyclonal antibodies generated were deployed to develop a novel antibody-capture ELISA for hybridoma screening.

Results
Three PvALDO specific mAbs (14C7, 15F1 and 5H7) with high affinities were selected and used in immunochromatographic test strips. Clinical blood samples (n=190) collected from Yunnan (China) were used for evaluation and the RDT’s sensitivity for P. vivax was 98.33% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 91.03% to 99.72%) compared with microscopic examination. There was specificity of 99.23% (95% CI: 95.77% to 99.87%) for P. vivax. Only one Plasmodium falciparum sample was detected among the P. falciparum samples (n=20). All Plasmodium malariae samples (n=2) as well as healthy uninfected samples (n=108) were negative. Overall performance of this RDT was excellent with positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of 98.33% and 99.23%, respectively, at 95% CI and a very good correlation with microscopic observations (kappa value, K=0.9757). Test strips show high sensitivity even at 6.25 ng/ml of recombinant P. vivax aldolase (rPvALDO).

Conclusion
This study further elucidates the possibility of developing aldolase-specific RDTs which can differentiate the different Plasmodium infections and improve accurate diagnosis of malaria. This RDT could adequately differentiate between P. vivax and P. falciparum infections. The novel mAb screening method developed here could find application in the screening of highly specific antibodies against other antigens.
BCL11A overexpression predicts survival and relapse in non-small cell lung cancer and is modulated by microRNA-30a and gene amplification
Authors: Jiang Ben-yuan , Zhang Xu-chao , Su Jian , Meng Wei , Yang Xue-ning , Yang Jin-ji , Zhou Qing , Chen Zhi-yong , Chen Zhi-hong , Xie Zhi , Chen Shi-liang , Wu Yi-long 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
Aberrant activation of the proto-oncogene B-cell lymphoma/leukemia 11A (BCL11A) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of leukemia and lymphoma. However, the clinical significance of BCL11A in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unknown.

Results
We examined BCL11A expression at the protein and mRNA levels in a cohort (n = 114) of NSCLC patients and assessed the relationship between BCL11A expression and clinicopathological parameters. Data from array-based Comparative Genomic Hybridization (aCGH) and microRNA transfection experiments were integrated to explore the potential mechanisms of abnormal BCL11A activation in NSCLC. Compared to adjacent non-cancerous lung tissues, BCL11A expression levels were specifically upregulated in NSCLC tissues at both the mRNA (t = 9.81, P < 0.001) and protein levels. BCL11A protein levels were higher in patients with squamous histology (χ2 = 15.81, P = 0.001), smokers (χ2 = 8.92, P = 0.004), patients with no lymph node involvement (χ2 = 5.14, P = 0.029), and patients with early stage disease (χ2 = 3.91, P = 0.048). A multivariate analysis demonstrated that in early stage NSCLC (IA–IIB), BCL11A was not only an independent prognostic factor for disease-free survival (hazards ratio [HR] 0.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.12-0.50, P < 0.001), but also for overall survival (HR = 0.23, 95% CI 0.09-0.61, P = 0.003). The average BCL11A expression level was much higher in SCC samples with amplifications than in those without amplifications (t = 3.30, P = 0.023). Assessing functionality via an in vitro luciferase reporter system and western blotting, we found that the BCL11A protein was a target of miR-30a.

Conclusions
Our results demonstrated that proto-oncogene BCL11A activation induced by miR-30a and gene amplification may be a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for effective management of this disease.
Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma as a second malignancy in a pediatric osteosarcoma survivor: case report
Authors: Okui Masayuki , Goto Taichiro , Hayashi Yuichiro , Nakayama Robert , Kohno Mitsutomo 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
Primary lung cancer is extremely rare in children, while secondary malignancies reportedly develop in 2% to 3% of pediatric osteosarcoma survivors.

Case presentation
A 14-year-old girl was found to have two pulmonary lesions on computed tomography. These tumors had developed 1 year after osteosarcoma surgery. Segmentectomy of right segment 1 and wedge resection of right segment 9 were performed. Both lesions were completely resected and postoperative histopathological examination revealed metastasis of osteosarcoma and bronchioloalveolar carcinoma, respectively.

Conclusion
Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma may present as a solitary pulmonary lesion indistinguishable from a metastatic lesion and should be included in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary lesions in survivors of pediatric cancer. Thus, pulmonary lesions identified in these patients should be biopsied or resected to establish a histological diagnosis.
Effect of TiO2 nanoparticle-accumulated bilayer photoelectrode and condenser lens-assisted solar concentrator on light harvesting in dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Moon Kook Joo , Lee Sun Woo , Lee Yong Hun , Kim Ji Hoon , Ahn Ji Young , Lee Seung Jun , Lee Deug Woo , Kim Soo Hyung 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) with a size of 240 nm (T240), used as a light-scattering layer, were applied on 25-nm-sized TiO2 NPs (T25) that were used as a dye-absorbing layer in the photoelectrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In addition, the incident light was concentrated via a condenser lens, and the effect of light concentration on the capacity of the light-scattering layer was systematically investigated. At the optimized focal length of the condenser lens, T25/T240 double layer (DL)-based DSSCs with the photoactive area of 0.36 cm2 were found to have the short circuit current (I
sc) of 11.92 mA, the open circuit voltage (V
oc) of 0.74 V, and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of approximately 4.11%, which is significantly improved when they were compared to the T25 single layer (SL)-based DSSCs without using a solar concentrator (the corresponding values were the I
sc of 2.53 mA, the V
oc of 0.69, and the PCE of 3.57%). Thus, the use of the optimized light harvesting structure in the photoelectrodes of DSSCs in conjunction with light concentration was found to significantly enhance the power output of DSSCs.
Shape-anisotropic enhanced damping in CoZr periodic arrays of nanohill structure
Authors: Wang Fenglong , Wang Gaoxue , Jiang Changjun , Xue Desheng 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
The preparation of CoZr nanostructure films to replicate the order of anodized aluminum oxide template with barrier layer was described. Coercivity and in-plane magnetic anisotropy were increased with the increase of oblique sputtering angle. Resonance frequency and damping factor had the same tendency also. Note that larger damping factor in nanostructure films was observed compared with that of continuous films in Si substrate, which was induced by magnetic anisotropy distribution particularly with a significant out-of-plane contribution due to the competition of shape anisotropy.

PACS

75.75.-c, 75.70.-i, 07.57.Pt
Low-temperature synthesis of graphene on Cu using plasma-assisted thermal chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Chan Shih-Hao , Chen Sheng-Hui , Lin Wei-Ting , Li Meng-Chi , Lin Yung-Chang , Kuo Chien-Cheng 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Plasma-assisted thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) was carried out to synthesize high-quality graphene film at a low temperature of 600°C. Monolayer graphene films were thus synthesized on Cu foil using various ratios of hydrogen and methane in a gaseous mixture. The in situ plasma emission spectrum was measured to elucidate the mechanism of graphene growth in a plasma-assisted thermal CVD system. According to this process, a distance must be maintained between the plasma initial stage and the deposition stage to allow the plasma to diffuse to the substrate. Raman spectra revealed that a higher hydrogen concentration promoted the synthesis of a high-quality graphene film. The results demonstrate that plasma-assisted thermal CVD is a low-cost and effective way to synthesis high-quality graphene films at low temperature for graphene-based applications.
Clinical results of proton beam therapy for advanced neuroblastoma
Authors: Oshiro Yoshiko , Mizumoto Masashi , Okumura Toshiyuki , Sugahara Shinji , Fukushima Takashi , Ishikawa Hitoshi , Nakao Tomohei , Hashimoto Takayuki , Tsuboi Koji , Ohkawa Haruo , Kaneko Michio , Sakurai Hideyuki 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Purpose
To evaluate the efficacy of proton beam therapy (PBT) for pediatric patients with advanced neuroblastoma.

Methods
PBT was conducted at 21 sites in 14 patients with neuroblastoma from 1984 to 2010. Most patients were difficult to treat with photon radiotherapy. Two and 6 patients were classified into stages 3 and 4, respectively, and 6 patients had recurrent disease. Seven of the 8 patients who received PBT as the initial treatment were classified as the high risk group. Twelve patients had gross residual disease before PBT and 2 had undergone intraoperative radiotherapy before PBT. Five patients received PBT for multiple sites, including remote metastases. Photon radiotherapy was used in combination with PBT for 3 patients. The PBT doses ranged from 19.8 to 45.5 GyE (median: 30.6 GyE).

Results
Seven patients are alive with no evidence of disease, 1 is alive with disease progression, and 6 died due to the tumor. Recurrence in the treatment field was not observed and the 3-year locoregional control rate was 82%. Severe acute radiotoxicity was not observed, but 1 patient had narrowing of the aorta and asymptomatic vertebral compression fracture at 28 years after PBT, and hair loss was prolonged in one patient.

Conclusion
PBT may be a better alternative to photon radiotherapy for children with advanced neuroblastoma, and may be conducted safely for patients with neuroblastoma that is difficult to manage using photon beams.
Assessing clustering of metabolic syndrome components available at primary care for Bantu Africans using factor analysis in the general population
Authors: Nasila Sungwacha John , Tyler Joanne , Longo-Mbenza Benjamin , Lasi On'Kin Jean Bosco Kasiam , Gombet Thierry , Erasmus Rajiv T 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
To provide a step-by-step description of the application of factor analysis and interpretation of the results based on anthropometric parameters(body mass index or BMI and waist circumferenceor WC), blood pressure(BP), lipid-lipoprotein(triglycerides and HDL-C) and glucose among Bantu Africans with different numbers and cutoffs of components of metabolic syndrome(MS).

Methods
This study was a cross-sectional, comparative, and correlational survey conducted between January and April 2005, in Kinshasa Hinterland, DRC. The clustering of cardiovascular risk factors was defined in all, MS group according to IDF(WC, BP, triglycerides, HDL-C, glucose), absence and presence of cardiometabolic risk(CDM) group(BMI,WC, BP, fasting glucose, and post-load glucose).

Results
Out of 977 participants, 17.4%( n = 170), 11%( n = 107), and 7.7%(n = 75) had type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM), MS, and CDM, respectively. Gender did not influence on all variables. Except BMI, levels of the rest variables were significantly higher in presence of T2DM than non-diabetics. There was a negative correlation between glucose types and BP in absence of CDM. In factor analysis for all, BP(factor 1) and triglycerides-HDL(factor 2) explained 55.4% of the total variance. In factor analysis for MS group, triglycerides-HDL-C(factor 1), BP(factor 2), and abdominal obesity-dysglycemia(factor 3) explained 75.1% of the total variance. In absence of CDM, glucose (factor 1) and obesity(factor 2) explained 48.1% of the total variance. In presence of CDM, 3 factors (factor 1 = glucose, factor 2 = BP, and factor 3 = obesity) explained 73.4% of the total variance.

Conclusion
The MS pathogenesis may be more glucose-centered than abdominal obesity-centered in not considering lipid-lipoprotein , while BP and triglycerides-HDL-C could be the most strong predictors of MS in the general population. It should be specifically defined by ethnic cut-offs of waist circumference among Bantu Africans.