bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neurocognitive impairment in HIV-infected individuals with previous syphilis
Authors: Marra C M , Deutsch R , Collier A C , Morgello S , Letendre S , Clifford D , Gelman B , McArthur J , McCutchan J A , Simpson D M , Duarte N A , Heaton R K , Grant I 
Published: June 2013

Summary Cognitive impairment is common in HIV-infected individuals, as is syphilis. Treponema pallidum, the bacterium that causes syphilis, invades the central nervous system early in disease. We hypothesized that HIV-infected patients with a history of syphilis or neurosyphilis would have more cognitive impairment than HIV-infected individuals without these infections. Eighty-two of 1574 enrollees in CHARTER, a prospective, observational study, had reactive serum rapid plasma reagin (RPR) tests. They were matched to 84 controls with non-reactive RPR by age, gender, ethnicity and HIV risk factor. Participants underwent comprehensive neuropsychological (NP) evaluations. RPR results were confirmed and serum fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) test reactivity determined at a central laboratory. Sera from 101 of 166 participants were FTA-ABS reactive, indicating past or current syphilis. Among the 136 individuals without confounding conditions, compared with patients who had never had syphilis, those with prior syphilis had a greater number of impaired NP test domains (1.90 SD [1.77] versus 1.25 [1.52], P = 0.03), a higher global deficit score (0.47 [0.46] versus 0.31 [0.33], P = 0.03), and more were impaired in the NP learning domain (36 [42.9%] of 84 versus 13 [25.0%] of 52, P = 0.04). These effects of prior syphilis remained after controlling for education and premorbid intelligence.
A survey of HIV care in the UK: results of British HIV Association (BHIVA) National Audit 2010
Authors: Ellis S , Curtis H , Ong ELC 
Published: June 2013

Summary The aim of the 2010 BHIVA audit was to assess the impact of the 2008 UK HIV testing guidelines on clinical practice. Here, we report one aspect of the audit comprising a survey of local testing policy and practice at centres providing adult HIV services across the UK. Selected recommendations from the 2008 national HIV testing guidelines were assessed as target outcomes and the percentages of sites and subjects meeting these recommendations were calculated. One hundred and thirty-two sites responded to the survey and many are actively promoting HIV testing locally. Sites report HIV testing is routine in genitourinary (GU) medicine and antenatal services but offered selectively in other clinical areas. Encouragingly, 21 (16%) report some local general practitioner practices are offering testing routinely to new patients at registration. However, the time to receive non-urgent HIV test results exceeds 72 hours in 29% of sites. In conclusion, HIV testing needs to continue to expand across clinical settings to reduce the number of patients living with undiagnosed infection. Laboratory turnaround time needs to improve to ensure non-urgent HIV test results are available within 72 hours.
The JAK-inhibitor ruxolitinib impairs dendritic cell function in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Heine Annkristin , Held Stefanie Andrea Erika , Daecke Solveig Nora , Wallner Stephanie , Yajnanarayana Sowmya Parampalli , Kurts Christian , Wolf Dominik , Brossart Peter 
Published: June 2013

Key PointsThe JAK-inhibitor ruxolitinib affects dendritic cell differentiation, phenotype, and function leading to impaired T-cell activation.
The role of the RNA chaperone Hfq in Haemophilus influenzae pathogenesis
Authors: Hempel Randy J , Morton Daniel J , Seale Thomas W , Whitby Paul W , Stull Terrence L 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
The RNA binding protein Hfq of Haemophilus influenzae is highly homologous to Hfq from other bacterial species. In many of these other bacteria, Hfq affects the expression of a broad range of genes and enhances the ability to respond to stressful environments. However, the role of Hfq in H. influenzae is unknown.

Results
Deletion mutants of hfq were generated in the nontypeable H. influenzae strains R2866 and 86-028NP to assess the role of Hfq in these well characterized but genotypically and phenotypically divergent clinical isolates. A deletion mutation of hfq had no effect on growth of H. influenzae in nutrient rich media and had no effect on survival in several stressful conditions in vitro. However, the mutation resulted in a reduced ability to utilize heme from hemoglobin. The mutant and wild type strains were assessed for virulence and competitive fitness in models of invasive disease and otitis media. In the chinchilla model of otitis media, the hfq mutant of 86-028NP exhibited impaired competitive fitness when compared to its wild type progenitor but exhibited no apparent defect in virulence. In the infant rat model, deletion of hfq in R2866 resulted in reduced bacterial titers in blood and a shorter duration of infection when compared to the wild type strain in the competitive fitness study.

Conclusion
We conclude that Hfq is involved in the utilization of essential nutrients and facilitates infection by H. influenzae.
Prevalence of asthma and allergies in children from the Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot communities in Cyprus: a bi-communal cross-sectional study
Authors: Lamnisos Demetris , Moustaki Maria , Kolokotroni Ourania , Koksoy Huseyin , Faiz Muharrem , Arifoglu Kenan , Milton Donald K , Middleton Nicos , Yiallouros Panayiotis K 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
The Greek-Cypriot (G/C) and Turkish-Cypriot (T/C) communities have lived apart since 1974, with the former presumably adopting a more westernized way of life. We estimated the prevalence of asthma and allergies among children in the two communities and investigated differences in socio-demographic and lifestyle risk factors.

Methods
The ISAAC questionnaire was completed by 10156 children aged 7–8 and 13–14 years. Relative differences in asthma and allergic symptoms between the two communities were expressed as odds ratios (OR), estimated in multivariable logistic regression models before and after adjusting for participants’ risk characteristics.

Results
In contrast to our original speculation, consistently lower prevalence rates were observed for respiratory outcomes (but not eczema) among G/C compared to T/C children in both age-groups. For instance, the prevalence of current wheeze among 7–8 year-olds was 8.7% vs 11.4% (OR = 0.74, 95%, CI: 0.61, 0.90) and of current rhinoconjuctivitis 2.6% vs 4.9% (OR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.37, 0.71). Surprisingly, the proportion reporting family history of allergy was almost double in the G/C community. With the exception of early life nursery attendance, several protective factors were more prevalent amongst T/C, such as bedroom sharing, less urbanized environment and exposure to farm animals. In contrast, exposure to tobacco smoke was more frequent in the T/C community. Controlling for risk factors did not account for the observed lower prevalence of current wheeze (in the younger age-group) and rhinoconjuctivitis (in both age-groups) among G/C children while differences in the prevalence of eczema between the two communities were no longer statistically significant.

Conclusions
A mixed picture of potential risk factors was observed in the two communities of Cyprus, not consistently favoring one over the other community since, for example, bedroom sharing and rural living but also exposure to tobacco smoke were more common among T/C children. Investigated risk factors do not fully account for the lower prevalence of asthma and allergies among G/C children, especially against a background of higher family history of allergy in this community.
Towards a novel influenza vaccine: engineering of hemagglutinin on a platform of adenovirus dodecahedron
Authors: Naskalska Antonina , Szolajska Ewa , Andreev Igor , Podsiadla Malgorzata , Chroboczek Jadwiga 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
The production process for the current influenza vaccine takes about 6 months and its antigenic composition must be modified annually. In the attempt towards developing influenza vaccine production that would be faster, safer and cheaper we engineered an influenza vaccine in which multiple copies of hemagglutinin (HA) would be delivered by a vector, adenovirus dodecahedron (Ad Dd). Dd is a virus-like particle, formed by assembly of twelve copies of pentameric penton base (Pb) proteins responsible for virus penetration. In order to attach HA to the vector, an adaptor containing WW domains was used. The WW domain is a linear peptide fragment identified as a partner of proline-proline-x-tyrosine (PPxY) motif present at the N-terminal extremity of the Pb protein, which is a building block of Dd. That tandem of three WW domains in fusion with the protein of interest enables interaction with Dd and efficient translocation to the cytoplasm of cells in culture.

Results
Since HA is an oligomeric protein with complicated processing, we prepared six different constructs of HA (A/swan/Poland/467/2006(H5N1)) in fusion with the WW adaptor. Herein we report baculovirus expression and functional analysis of six HA-WW variants. The best behaving variant was successfully delivered into human cells in vitro.

Conclusions
Engineering of a soluble complex of HA with Dd, a virus-like particle that serves as a vector, an adjuvant and as a multivalent presentation platform, is an important step toward a novel influenza vaccine.
Fermented milk improves glucose metabolism in exercise-induced muscle damage in young healthy men
Authors: Iwasa Masayo , Aoi Wataru , Mune Keitaro , Yamauchi Haruka , Furuta Kaori , Sasaki Shota , Takeda Kazuya , Harada Kiyomi , Wada Sayori , Nakamura Yasushi , Sato Kenji , Higashi Akane 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
This study investigated the effect of fermented milk supplementation on glucose metabolism associated with muscle damage after acute exercise in humans.

Methods
Eighteen healthy young men participated in each of the three trials of the study: rest, exercise with placebo, and exercise with fermented milk. In the exercise trials, subjects carried out resistance exercise consisting of five sets of leg and bench presses at 70–100% 12 repetition maximum. Examination beverage (fermented milk or placebo) was taken before and after exercise in double-blind method. On the following day, we conducted an analysis of respiratory metabolic performance, blood collection, and evaluation of muscle soreness.

Results
Muscle soreness was significantly suppressed by the consumption of fermented milk compared with placebo (placebo, 14.2 ± 1.2 score vs. fermented milk, 12.6 ± 1.1 score, p < 0.05). Serum creatine phosphokinase was significantly increased by exercise, but this increase showed a tendency of suppression after the consumption of fermented milk. Exercise significantly decreased the respiratory quotient (rest, 0.88 ± 0.01 vs. placebo, 0.84 ± 0.02, p < 0.05), although this decrease was negated by the consumption of fermented milk (0.88 ± 0.01, p < 0.05). Furthermore, exercise significantly reduced the absorption capacity of serum oxygen radical (rest, 6.9 ± 0.4 μmol TE/g vs. placebo, 6.0 ± 0.3 μmol TE/g, p < 0.05), although this reduction was not observed with the consumption of fermented milk (6.2 ± 0.3 μmol TE/g).

Conclusion
These results suggest that fermented milk supplementation improves glucose metabolism and alleviates the effects of muscle soreness after high-intensity exercise, possibly associated with the regulation of antioxidant capacity.
Regulation of protumorigenic pathways by Insulin like growth factor binding protein2 and its association along with β-catenin in breast cancer lymph node metastasis
Authors: Sehgal Priyanka , Kumar Neeraj , Praveen Kumar Varuvar Rajesh , Patil Shilpa , Bhattacharya Animesh , Vijaya Kumar Manavalan , Mukherjee Geetashree , Kondaiah Paturu 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
Insulin like growth factor binding proteins modulate the mitogenic and pro survival effects of IGF. Elevated expression of IGFBP2 is associated with progression of tumors that include prostate, ovarian, glioma among others. Though implicated in the progression of breast cancer, the molecular mechanisms involved in IGFBP2 actions are not well defined. This study investigates the molecular targets and biological pathways targeted by IGFBP2 in breast cancer.

Methods
Transcriptome analysis of breast tumor cells (BT474) with stable knockdown of IGFBP2 and breast tumors having differential expression of IGFBP2 by immunohistochemistry was performed using microarray. Differential gene expression was established using R-Bioconductor package. For validation, gene expression was determined by qPCR. Inhibitors of IGF1R and integrin pathway were utilized to study the mechanism of regulation of β-catenin. Immunohistochemical and immunocytochemical staining was performed on breast tumors and experimental cells, respectively for β-catenin and IGFBP2 expression.

Results
Knockdown of IGFBP2 resulted in differential expression of 2067 up regulated and 2002 down regulated genes in breast cancer cells. Down regulated genes principally belong to cell cycle, DNA replication, repair, p53 signaling, oxidative phosphorylation, Wnt signaling. Whole genome expression analysis of breast tumors with or without IGFBP2 expression indicated changes in genes belonging to Focal adhesion, Map kinase and Wnt signaling pathways. Interestingly, IGFBP2 knockdown clones showed reduced expression of β- catenin compared to control cells which was restored upon IGFBP2 re-expression. The regulation of β-catenin by IGFBP2 was found to be IGF1R and integrin pathway dependent. Furthermore, IGFBP2 and β-catenin are co-ordinately overexpressed in breast tumors and correlate with lymph node metastasis.

Conclusion
This study highlights regulation of β-catenin by IGFBP2 in breast cancer cells and most importantly, combined expression of IGFBP2 and β-catenin is associated with lymph node metastasis of breast tumors.
High levels of anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving lipid mediators lipoxins and resolvins and declining docosahexaenoic acid levels in human milk during the first month of lactation
Authors: Weiss Gisela Adrienne , Troxler Heinz , Klinke Glynis , Rogler Daniela , Braegger Christian , Hersberger Martin 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe fatty acid mixture of human milk is ideal for the newborn but little is known about its composition in the first few weeks of lactation. Of special interest are the levels of long-chain PUFAs (LCPUFAs), since these are essential for the newborn’s development. Additionally, the LCPUFAs arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are precursors for lipid mediators which regulate inflammation.MethodsWe determined the composition of 94 human milk samples from 30 mothers over the first month of lactation for fatty acids using GC-MS and quantified lipid mediators using HPLC-MS/MS.ResultsOver the four weeks period, DHA levels decreased, while levels of γC18:3 and αC18:3 steadily increased. Intriguingly, we found high concentrations of lipid mediators and their hydroxy fatty acid precursors in human milk, including pro-inflammatory leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving lipoxin A4 (LXA4), resolvin D1 (RvD1) and resolvin E1 (RvE1). Lipid mediator levels were stable with the exception of two direct precursors.ConclusionsElevated levels of DHA right after birth might represent higher requirements of the newborn and the high content of anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving lipid mediators and their precursors may indicate their role in neonatal immunity and may be one of the reasons for the advantage of human milk over infant formula.
A neutralization assay for respiratory syncytial virus using a quantitative PCR-based endpoint assessment
Authors: Varada Jan C , Teferedegne Belete , Crim R Lynne , Mdluli Thembi , Audet Susette , Peden Keith , Beeler Judy , Murata Haruhiko 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
Few studies have used quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) as an approach to measure virus neutralization assay endpoints. Its lack of use may not be surprising considering that sample nucleic acid extraction and purification can be expensive, labor-intensive, and rate-limiting.

Methods
Virus/antibody mixtures were incubated for one hour at 37°C and then transferred to Vero cell monolayers in a 96-well plate format. At 24 (or 48) hours post-infection, we used a commercially available reagent to prepare cell lysates amenable to direct analysis by one-step SYBR Green quantitative reverse transcription PCR using primers specific for the RSV-N gene, thereby obviating the need for cumbersome RNA extraction and purification. The neutralization titer was defined as the reciprocal of the highest dilution needed to inhibit the PCR signal by 90% when compared with the mean value observed in virus control wells in the absence of neutralizing antibodies.

Results
We have developed a qPCR-based neutralization assay for human respiratory syncytial virus. Due to the sensitivity of qPCR in detecting virus replication, endpoints may be assessed as early as 24 hours post-infection. In addition, the dynamic range of qPCR provides a basis for the assay to be relatively robust to perturbations in input virus dose (i.e., the assay is in compliance with the Percentage Law).

Conclusions
This qPCR-based neutralization assay is suitable for automated high-throughput applications. In addition, our experimental approach may be generalizable for the rapid development of neutralization assays for other virus families.
Changes in male rat urinary protein profile during puberty: a pilot study
Authors: Vettorazzi Ariane , Wait Robin , Nagy Judit , Monreal Jose Ignacio , Mantle Peter 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
Androgen-dependent proteins (lipocalins) circulate in blood of male rats and mice and, being small (~ 18 kDa), pass freely into glomerular filtrate. Some are salvaged in proximal nephrons but some escape in urine. Several organic molecules can bind to these proteins causing, where salvage occurs, nephropathy including malignancy in renal cortex. In urine, both free lipocalins and ligands contribute to an increasingly-recognised vital biological role in social communication between adults, especially in the dark where reliance is on smell and taste. Crystal structure of the first-characterised lipocalin of male rats, α2u-globulin, has been determined and peptide sequences for others are available, but no study of occurrence during early puberty has been made. We have followed temporal occurrence in urine of juveniles (n = 3) for non-invasive pilot study by high resolution gradient mini-gel electrophoresis, tryptic digest of excised protein bands, and LC-MS/MS of digest to identify peptide fragments and assign to specific lipocalins. Study objective refers directly to external availability for social communication but also indirectly to indicate kinetics of circulating lipocalins to which some xenobiotics may bind and constitute determinants of renal disease.

Results
Mini-gels revealed greater lipocalin complexity than hitherto recognised, possibly reflecting post-translational modifications. Earliest patterns comprised rat urinary protein 1, already evident in Sprague-Dawley and Wistar strains at 36 and 52 days, respectively. By 44 and 57 days major rat protein (α2u-globulin) occurred as the progressively more dominant protein, though as two forms with different electrophoretic mobility, characterised by seven peptide sequences. No significant change in urinary testosterone had occurred in Wistars when major rat protein became evident, but testosterone surged by 107 days concomitant with the marked abundance of excreted lipocalins.

Conclusions
Qualitative temporal changes in the composition of excreted lipocalins early in puberty, and apparent increase in major urinary protein as two resolvable forms, should catalyse systematic non-invasive study of urinary lipocalin and testosterone dynamics from early age, to illuminate this aspect of laboratory rodent social physiology. It could also define the potential temporal onset of nephrotoxic ligand risk, applicable to young animals used as toxicological models.
Collective intelligence within web video
Authors: Chorianopoulos Konstantinos 
Published: June 2013

AbstractWe present a user-based approach for detecting interesting video segments through simple signal processing of users’ collective interactions with the video player (e.g., seek/scrub, play, pause). Previous research has focused on content-based systems that have the benefit of analyzing a video without user interactions, but they are monolithic, because the resulting key-frames are the same regardless of the user preferences. We developed the open-source SocialSkip system on a modular cloud-based architecture and analyzed hundreds of user interactions within difficult video genres (lecture, how-to, documentary) by modeling them as user interest time series. We found that the replaying activity is better than the skipping forward one in matching the semantics of a video, and that all interesting video segments can be found within a factor of two times the average user skipping step from the local maximums of the replay time series. The concept of simple signal processing of implicit user interactions within video could be applied to any type of Web video system (e.g., TV, desktop, tablet), in order to improve the user navigation experience with dynamic and personalized key-frames.
"Intelligent Environments: a manifesto"
Authors: Augusto Juan C , Callaghan Vic , Cook Diane , Kameas Achilles , Satoh Ichiro 
Published: June 2013

AbstractWe explain basic features of an emerging area called Intelligent Environments. We give a short overview on how it has developed, what is the current state of the art and what are the challenges laying ahead. The aim of the article is to make aware the Computer Science community of this new development, the differences with previous dominant paradigms and the opportunities that this area offers to the scientific community and society.