bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Draft Genome of Planococcus donghaensis MPA1U2 Reveals Nonsporulation Pathways Controlled by a Conserved Spo0A Regulon
Authors: Pearson Michael D. , Noller Harry F. 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACT

The
Planococcaceae
are extreme survivors, having been cultured from environments such as deep sea sediments, marine solar salterns, glaciers, permafrost, Antarctic deserts, and sea ice brine. The family contains both sporulating and nonsporulating genera. Here we present the unclosed, draft genome sequence of
Planococcus donghaensis
strain MPA1U2, a nonsporulating psychrotrophic bacterium isolated from surface coastal water of the Pacific Ocean.
High-temperature brine in chalcopyrite-rich quartz vein 40 km southwest of Sudbury, Ontario
Authors: Schandl Eva S. , Gorton Michael P. , Bray Colin J. 
Published: October 2011

The Lac Panache (Nipissing) gabbro intrudes Huronian metasediments ca. 40 km southwest of the Sudbury Igneous Complex. The gabbro contains disseminated sulfides and is in contact with a chalcopyrite-rich quartz vein that crystallized from highly saline fluids (46.8 ± 3 equivalent wt.% NaCl) at a minimum temperature of 420 ± 27 °C. Chloride and carbonate inclusions in opened fluid inclusion cavities in the vein suggest that the brine contained dissolved metals (in addition to NaCl), such as Fe, Cu, Mn, and Co. The weakly altered quartz vein postdated regional metamorphism and was probably contemporaneous with the 1.7 Ga felsic magmatism and attendant albite alteration in the area. Cl-rich scapolite in the gabbro and highly saline fluid inclusions in the quartz vein suggest the existence of circulating hot brine throughout the tectonic evolution of the region. The 2.2 Ga old gabbro contains an abundance of Cl-rich scapolite intergrown with pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite that formed during the early hydrothermal (deuteric) alteration of the gabbro.
Phase I Safety and Pharmacokinetic Study of Bavituximab, a Chimeric Phosphatidylserine-Targeting Monoclonal Antibody, in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors
Authors: Gerber David E. , Stopeck Alison T. , Wong Lucas , Rosen Lee S. , Thorpe Philip E. , Shan Joseph S. , Ibrahim Nuhad K. 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
Purpose: Bavituximab is a chimeric immunoglobulin G1 phosphatidylserine-targeting monoclonal antibody that triggers vascular disruption and enhances antitumor immune response. This phase I study assessed the safety and pharmacokinetics of bavituximab in patients with advanced solid tumors.
Experimental Design: Patients with refractory advanced solid tumors were enrolled into four sequential dose-escalation cohorts (0.1, 0.3, 1, or 3 mg/kg bavituximab weekly) with two dosing schedules. Patients in the 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg cohorts received bavituximab on days 0, 28, 35, and 42. Patients in the 1 and 3 mg/kg cohorts were administered bavituximab on days 0, 7, 14, and 21. Safety, pharmacokinetics, and tumor response were assessed.
Results: Twenty-six patients were accrued. No maximum tolerated dose was reached. Six serious adverse events occurred in five patients, including one pulmonary embolism at 3 mg/kg, which was the only dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) in the study. Bavituximab half-life ranged from 37 to 47 hours, with no accumulation seen following administration of multiple doses. Activated partial thromboplastin time was modestly prolonged in vitro at the highest dose tested. As assessed on day 56, a total of 18 patients were evaluable for efficacy, of whom 10 had disease progression and none had an objective response.
Conclusions: Bavituximab was well tolerated at doses ranging up to 3 mg/kg weekly. Pharmacokinetic studies support a weekly dosing regimen. Additional phase I and II clinical trials are in progress to investigate bavituximab in combination with chemotherapy and other molecularly targeted agents. Clin Cancer Res; 17(21); 6888–96. ©2011 AACR.
Phase II Study of the Effects of Ginger Root Extract on Eicosanoids in Colon Mucosa in People at Normal Risk for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Zick Suzanna M. , Turgeon D. Kim , Vareed Shaiju K. , Ruffin Mack T. , Litzinger Amie J. , Wright Benjamin D. , Alrawi Sara , Normolle Daniel P. , Djuric Zora , Brenner Dean E. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractInhibitors of COX indicate that upregulation of inflammatory eicosanoids produced by COX, and in particular prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), are early events in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). Ginger has shown downregulation of COX in vitro and decreased incidence/multiplicity of adenomas in rats. This study was conducted to determine if 2.0 g/d of ginger could decrease the levels of PGE2, 13-hydroxy-octadecadienoic acids, and 5-, 12-, and 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-, 12-, and 15-HETE), in the colon mucosa of healthy volunteers. To investigate this aim, we randomized 30 subjects to 2.0 g/d ginger or placebo for 28 days. Flexible sigmoidoscopy at baseline and day 28 was used to obtain colon biopsies. A liquid chromatography mass spectrometry method was used to determine eicosanoid levels in the biopsies, and levels were expressed per protein or per free arachidonic acid. There were no significant differences in mean percent change between baseline and day 28 for any of the eicosanoids, when normalized to protein. There was a significant decrease in mean percent change in PGE2 (P = 0.05) and 5-HETE (P = 0.04), and a trend toward significant decreases in 12-HETE (P = 0.09) and 15-HETE (P = 0.06) normalized to free arachidonic acid. There was no difference between the groups in terms of total adverse events P = 0.55). On the basis of these results, it seems that ginger has the potential to decrease eicosanoid levels, perhaps by inhibiting their synthesis from arachidonic acid. Ginger also seemed to be tolerable and safe. Further investigation in people at high risk for CRC seems warranted. Cancer Prev Res; 4(11); 1929–37. ©2011 AACR.
Risk Factors for Supraglottoplasty Failure
Authors: Day Kristine E. , Discolo Christopher M. , Meier Jeremy D. , Wolf Bethany J. , Halstead Lucinda A. , White David R. 
Published: October 2011

ObjectiveTo review outcomes after supraglottoplasty for laryngomalacia and identify risk factors for supraglottoplasty failure.Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingTertiary care children’s hospital.Subjects and MethodsRetrospective case series evaluating patient outcomes after supraglottoplasty at an academic medical center between 2004 and 2010. Surgical failure was defined as need for revision surgery, tracheostomy tube placement, or gastrostomy tube insertion. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors for failure.ResultsThe authors identified 95 children who underwent supraglottoplasty. After excluding patients with inadequate follow‐up data, 74 patients were included. On the basis of chart review, 12 (16%) of those patients were defined as failures according to the criteria above. Age, history of prematurity (<34 weeks’ gestational age), weight, growth curve percentile, neurologic/developmental problems, genetic syndrome, cardiac abnormality, synchronous airway lesions, and surgical technique were considered in risk factor analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was performed, revealing history of prematurity to be the only independent risk factor for failure (odds ratio = 4.85; 95% confidence interval, 1.07‐22.1; P =. 041).ConclusionsOutcomes after supraglottoplasty were comparable to previous reports in the literature. History of prematurity should be considered a risk factor for surgical failure.
Soluble HLA-G dampens CD94/NKG2A expression and function and differentially modulates chemotaxis and cytokine and chemokine secretion in CD56bright and CD56dim NK cells
Authors: Morandi Fabio , Ferretti Elisa , Castriconi Roberta , Dondero Alessandra , Petretto Andrea , Bottino Cristina , Pistoia Vito 
Published: October 2011

AbstractSoluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) inhibits natural killer (NK) cell functions. Here, we investigated sHLA-G–mediated modulation of (1) chemokine receptor and NK receptor expression and function and (2) cytokine and chemokine secretion in CD56bright and CD56dim NK cells. sHLA-G-treated or untreated peripheral blood (PB) and tonsil NK cells were analyzed for chemokine receptor and NK receptor expression by flow cytometry. sHLA-G down-modulated (1) CXCR3 on PB and tonsil CD56bright and CD56dim, (2) CCR2 on PB and tonsil CD56bright, (3) CX3CR1 on PB CD56dim, (4) CXCR5 on tonsil CD56dim, and (5) CD94/NKG2A on PB and tonsil CD56bright and CD56dim NK cells. Such sHLA-G–mediated down-modulations were reverted by adding anti–HLA-G or anti–ILT2 mAbs. sHLA-G inhibited chemotaxis of (1) PB NK cells toward CXCL10, CXCL11, and CX3CL1 and (2) PB CD56bright NK cells toward CCL2 and CXCL10. IFN-γ secretion induced by NKp46 engagement was inhibited by NKG2A engagement in untreated but not in sHLA-G–treated NK cells. sHLA-G up-regulated secretion of (1) CCL22 in CD56bright and CD56dim and (2) CCL2, CCL8, and CXCL2-CXCL3 in CD56dim PB NK cells. Signal transduction experiments showed sHLA-G–mediated down-modulation of Stat5 phosphorylation in PB NK cells. In conclusion, our data delineated novel mechanisms of sHLA-G–mediated inhibition of NK-cell functions.
Three genes expressing Kunitz domains in the epididymis are related to genes of WFDC-type protease inhibitors and semen coagulum proteins in spite of lacking similarity between their protein products
Authors: Clauss Adam , Persson Margareta , Lilja Hans , Lundwall Åke 
Published: October 2011

Abstract

Background
We have previously identified a locus on human chromosome 20q13.1, encompassing related genes of postulated WFDC-type protease inhibitors and semen coagulum proteins. Three of the genes with WFDC motif also coded for the Kunitz-type protease inhibitor motif. In this report, we have reinvestigated the locus for homologous genes encoding Kunitz motif only. The identified genes have been analyzed with respect to structure, expression and function.

Results
We identified three novel genes; SPINT3, SPINT4 and SPINT5, and the structure of their transcripts were determined by sequencing of DNA generated by rapid amplification of cDNA ends. Each gene encodes a Kunitz domain preceded by a typical signal peptide sequence, which indicates that the proteins of 7.6, 8.7, and 9.7 kDa are secreted. Analysis of transcripts in 26 tissues showed that the genes predominantly are expressed in the epididymis. The recombinantly produced proteins could not inhibit the amidolytic activity of trypsin, chymotrypsin, plasmin, thrombin, coagulation factor Xa, elastase, urokinase and prostate specific antigen, whereas similarly made bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI) had the same bioactivity as the protein isolated from bovine pancreas.

Conclusions
The similar organization, chromosomal location and site of expression, suggests that the novel genes are homologous with the genes of WFDC-type protease inhibitors and semen coagulum proteins, despite the lack of similarity in primary structure of their protein products. Their restricted expression to the epididymis suggests that they could be important for male reproduction. The recombinantly produced proteins are presumably bioactive, as demonstrated with similarly made BPTI, but may have a narrower spectrum of inhibition, as indicated by the lacking activity against eight proteases with differing specificity. Another possibility is that they have lost the protease inhibiting properties, which is typical of Kunitz domains, in favor of hitherto unknown functions.
Estimation of current cumulative incidence of leukaemia-free patients and current leukaemia-free survival in chronic myeloid leukaemia in the era of modern pharmacotherapy
Authors: Pavlík Tomáš , Janoušová Eva , Pospíšil Zdeněk , Mužík Jan , Žáčková Daniela , Ráčil Zdeněk , Klamová Hana , Cetkovský Petr , Trněný Marek , Mayer Jiří , Dušek Ladislav 
Published: October 2011

Abstract

Background
The current situation in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) presents a new challenge for attempts to measure the therapeutic results, as the CML patients can experience multiple leukaemia-free periods during the course of their treatment. Traditional measures of treatment efficacy such as leukaemia-free survival and cumulative incidence are unable to cope with multiple events in time, e.g. disease remissions or progressions, and as such are inappropriate for the efficacy assessment of the recent CML treatment.

Methods
Standard nonparametric statistical methods are used for estimating two principal characteristics of the current CML treatment: the probability of being alive and leukaemia-free in time after CML therapy initiation, denoted as the current cumulative incidence of leukaemia-free patients; and the probability that a patient is alive and in any leukaemia-free period in time after achieving the first leukaemia-free period on the CML treatment, denoted as the current leukaemia-free survival. The validity of the proposed methods is further documented in the data of the Czech CML patients consecutively recorded between July 2003 and July 2009 as well as in simulated data.

Results
The results have shown a difference between the estimates of the current cumulative incidence function and the common cumulative incidence of leukaemia-free patients, as well as between the estimates of the current leukaemia-free survival and the common leukaemia-free survival. Regarding the currently available follow-up period, both differences have reached the maximum (12.8% and 20.8%, respectively) at 3 years after the start of follow-up, i.e. after the CML therapy initiation in the former case and after the first achievement of the disease remission in the latter.

Conclusions
Two quantities for the evaluation of the efficacy of current CML therapy that may be estimated with standard nonparametric methods have been proposed in this paper. Both quantities reliably illustrate a patient's disease status in time because they account for the proportion of patients in the second and subsequent disease remissions. Moreover, the model is also applicable in the future, regardless of what the progress in the CML treatment will be and how many treatment options will be available, respectively.
Applying the Stages of Change model to Type 2 diabetes care in Trinidad: A randomised trial
Authors: Partapsingh VA , Maharaj RG , Rawlins JM 
Published: October 2011

Abstract

Objective
To improve glycaemic control among Type 2 diabetics using patient-physician consultations guided by the Stages of Change (SOC) model.

Design and Methods
A randomised trial was conducted. After ensuring concealment of allocation, Type 2 diabetics were randomly assigned to receive the intervention or the control. The intervention consisted of identifying each patient's Stage of Change for managing their diabetes by diet, exercise and medications, and applying personalised, stage-specific care during the patient-physician consultations based on the SOC model. Patients in the control group received routine care. The variables of interest were effect on glycaemic control (measured by the difference in HbA1c levels) and patients' readiness to change (measured by identifying patients' SOC for managing their diabetes by diet, exercise and medications).

Results
Participants were primarily over age 50, male and Indo-Trinidadian. Most had received only a primary school education and over 65% had a monthly income of $320 USD/month or less. Sixty-one Type 2 diabetics participated in each arm. Three patients were lost to follow-up in the intervention arm. After 48 weeks, there was an overall increase in HbA1c of 0.52% (SE 0.17) and 1.09% (SE 0.18) for both the intervention and control groups respectively. There was a relative reduction in HbA1c of 0.57% (95% CI 0.07, 1.07) with the intervention group compared to the control (p = 0.025). For exercise and diet there was an overall tendency for participants in the intervention arm to move to a more favourable SOC, but little change was noted with regards medication use.

Conclusions
The result suggests a tendency to a worsening of glycaemic control in this population despite adopting more favourable SOC for diet and exercise. We hypothesized that harsh social conditions prevailing at the time of the study overrode the clinical intervention.
Bacterial glucuronidase as general marker for oncolytic virotherapy or other biological therapies
Authors: Hess Michael , Stritzker Jochen , Härtl Barbara , Sturm Julia B , Gentschev Ivaylo , Szalay Aladar A 
Published: October 2011

Abstract

Background
Oncolytic viral tumor therapy is an emerging field in the fight against cancer with rising numbers of clinical trials and the first clinically approved product (Adenovirus for the treatment of Head and Neck Cancer in China) in this field. Yet, until recently no general (bio)marker or reporter gene was described that could be used to evaluate successful tumor colonization and/or transgene expression in other biological therapies.

Methods
Here, a bacterial glucuronidase (GusA) encoded by biological therapeutics (e.g. oncolytic viruses) was used as reporter system.

Results
Using fluorogenic probes that were specifically activated by glucuronidase we could show 1) preferential activation in tumors, 2) renal excretion of the activated fluorescent compounds and 3) reproducible detection of GusA in the serum of oncolytic vaccinia virus treated, tumor bearing mice in several tumor models. Time course studies revealed that reliable differentiation between tumor bearing and healthy mice can be done as early as 9 days post injection of the virus. Regarding the sensitivity of the newly developed assay system, we could show that a single infected tumor cell could be reliably detected in this assay.

Conclusion
GusA therefore has the potential to be used as a general marker in the preclinical and clinical evaluation of (novel) biological therapies as well as being useful for the detection of rare cells such as circulating tumor cells.
Toll-like receptor 2 -196 to -174 del polymorphism influences the susceptibility of Han Chinese people to Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Yu Jin-Tai , Mou Shan-Mao , Wang Li-Zhu , Mao Cai-Xia , Tan Lan 
Published: October 2011

Abstract

Background
Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) represents a reasonable functional and positional candidate gene for Alzheimer's disease (AD) as it is located under the linkage region of AD on chromosome 4q, and functionally is involved in the microglia-mediated inflammatory response and amyloid-β clearance. The -196 to -174 del polymorphism affects the TLR2 gene and alters its promoter activity.

Methods
We recruited 800 unrelated Northern Han Chinese individuals comprising 400 late-onset AD (LOAD) patients and 400 healthy controls matched for gender and age. The -196 to -174 del polymorphism in the TLR2 gene was genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method.

Results
There were significant differences in genotype (P = 0.026) and allele (P = 0.009) frequencies of the -196 to -174 del polymorphism between LOAD patients and controls. The del allele was associated with an increased risk of LOAD (OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.07-1.60, Power = 84.9%). When these data were stratified by apolipoprotein E (ApoE) ε4 status, the observed association was confined to ApoE ε4 non-carriers. Logistic regression analysis suggested an association of LOAD with the polymorphism in a recessive model (OR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.13-2.39, Bonferroni corrected P = 0.03).

Conclusions
Our data suggest that the -196 to -174 del/del genotype of TLR2 may increase risk of LOAD in a Northern Han Chinese population.
Regeneration of Centella asiatica plants from non-embryogenic cell lines and evaluation of antibacterial and antifungal properties of regenerated calli and plants
Authors: Bibi Yamin , Zia Muhammad , Nisa Sobia , Habib Darima , Waheed Abdul , Chaudhary Fayyaz M 
Published: October 2011

Abstract

Background
The threatened plant Centella asiatica L. is traditionallyused for a number of remedies. In vitro plant propagation and enhanced metabolite production of active metabolites through biotechnological approaches has gained attention in recent years.

Results
Present study reveals that 6-benzyladenine (BA) either alone or in combination with 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) supplemented in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium at different concentrations produced good quality callus from leaf explants of C. asiatica. The calli produced on different plant growth regulators at different concentrations were mostly embryogenic and green. Highest shoot regeneration efficiency; 10 shoots per callus explant, from non-embryogenic callus was observed on 4.42 μM BA with 5.37 μM NAA. Best rooting response was observed at 5.37 and 10.74 μM NAA with 20 average number of roots per explant. Calli and regenerated plants extracts inhibited bacterial growth with mean zone of inhibition 9-13 mm diameter when tested against six bacterial strains using agar well diffusion method. Agar tube dilution method for antifungal assay showed 3.2-76% growth inhibition of Mucor species, Aspergillus fumigatus and Fusarium moliniformes.

Conclusions
The present investigation reveals that non-embryogenic callus can be turned into embryos and plantlets if cultured on appropriate medium. Furthermore, callus from leaf explant of C. asiatica can be a good source for production of antimicrobial compounds through bioreactor.
Giardia duodenalis assemblages and Entamoeba species infecting non-human primates in an Italian zoological garden: zoonotic potential and management traits
Authors: Berrilli Federica , Prisco Cristina , Friedrich Klaus G , Di Cerbo Pilar , Di Cave David , De Liberato Claudio 
Published: October 2011

Abstract

Background

Giardia duodenalis and Entamoeba spp. are among the most common intestinal human protozoan parasites worldwide and they are frequently reported in captive non-human primates (NHP). From a public health point of view, infected animals in zoos constitute a risk for animal caretakers and visitors. In this study we carried out the molecular identification of G. duodenalis and Entamoeba spp. from nine species of primates housed in the zoological garden of Rome, to better ascertain their occurrence and zoonotic potential.

Results

G. duodenalis was found only in Lemur catta (47.0%). Entamoeba spp. were detected in all species studied, with the exception of Eulemur macaco and Varecia rubra. The number of positive pools ranged from 5.9% in L. catta to 81.2% in Mandrillus sphinx; in Pan troglodytes the observed prevalence was 53.6%. A mixed Entamoeba-Giardia infection was recorded only in one sample of L. catta. All G. duodenalis isolates belonged to the zoonotic assemblage B, sub assemblage BIV. Three Entamoeba species were identified: E. hartmanni, E. coli and E. dispar.

Conclusions
Our results highlight the importance of regularly testing animals kept in zoos for the diagnosis of zoonotic parasites, in order to evaluate their pathogenic role in the housed animals and the zoonotic risk linked to their presence. A quick detection of the arrival of pathogens into the enclosures could also be a prerequisite to limit their spread into the structure via the introduction of specific control strategies. The need for molecular identification of some parasite species/genotype in order to better define the zoonotic risk is also highlighted.