bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
IFIH1/MDA5 in the innate immune response to coxsackievirus infection
Authors: Flodstrom‐Tullberg Malin 
Published: July 2011

AbstractGenome‐wide association studies identified recently a type 1 diabetes locus in the gene melanoma differentiation‐associated protein‐5 (mda5, also denoted ifih1), coding for the viral RNA sensor MDA5. Variants of mda5 modify the risk for disease development [Smyth et al., 2006; Nejentsev et al., 2009]. Enteroviruses, such as Coxsackie B viruses (CVB), have been implicated in the aetiology of type 1 diabetes. A recent study was undertaken to determine whether MDA5 is important in the host response to CVB infection [Hühn et al., 2010]. C57BL/6 and 129/SvJ mice lacking mda5 were infected with CVB serotype 3 (CVB3). Mice deficient in MDA5 showed a dramatically increased susceptibility to CVB3 infection. The loss of MDA5 allowed the virus to replicate more rapidly, resulting in increased damage of the pancreas and the liver. The pancreatic islet cells were spared from damage, and none of the infected animals developed diabetes or hyperglycemia. It was also found that MDA5 is not absolutely necessary for the induction of type 1 interferons (IFNs), but is required for the production of maximal levels of systemic IFN‐α early after infection. In conclusion, MDA5 plays an important role in the host immune response to CVB3. By restricting virus replication it protects the host from tissue damage and inflammation. These results encourage further studies on the possible role of mda5 in regulating susceptibility to virus‐induced diabetes. J. Med. Virol. 83:1674–1674, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
How viral infections enhance or prevent type 1 diabetes‐from mouse to man
Authors: von Herrath M. , Filippi C. , Coppieters K. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractMore recent evidence shows that viral infections can enhance as well as prevent type 1 diabetes in experimental animal models [Filippi and von Herrath, 2010]. Published findings clearly indicate that the replication levels of the virus [Tracy et al., 2010] as well as the timing of infection [Richer and Horwitz, 2009] in relation to the autoimmune process both play an instrumental role. For example, enteroviruses replicating to higher levels, accelerate type 1 diabetes, whereas lower replication rates result in the prevention of diabetes.In human pancreata, elevated levels of MHC class 1 were detected in many islets which could be an indicator of a persistent infection.When present, the increased MHC affected all islet cells. MHC upregulation was present in a lobular and patchy fashion, and in many but not all cases associated with CD8 infiltration. In vivo tetramer staining showed that many of these CD8s cells were specific for beta cell antigens. It is proposed that it is possible that a persistent viral infection could unmask human islets for recognition by autoreactive CD8 T cells [von Herrath, 2009]. Indeed in animal models upregulation of MHC class 1 on beta cells is a pre‐requisite for their destruction.On the other hand, prevention of diabetes in NOD mice by Coxsackie viruses was associated with “invigorated” Tregs that was present in higher numbers and produced more TGF‐beta [Filippi et al., 2009]. This phenomenon was TLR‐2 dependent and effects of TLR‐2 on TLR as well as on dendritic cells was a contributory factor. Therefore antiviral vaccines targeting for example enteroviruses might be able to influence the prevalence of human diabetes. J. Med. Virol. 83:1672–1672, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hepatitis B surface antigen confirmatory testing for diagnosis of hepatitis b virus infection in Taiwan
Authors: Chu Fang‐Yeh , Su Fu‐Hsiung , Cheng Shu‐Hsing , Lin Yu‐Shiang , Li Chung‐Yi , Chien Chih‐Ching , Lin Yu‐Cheng , Chiang Shuo‐Ya 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThis study aimed to examine the application of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) confirmatory testing when diagnosing hepatitis B infection among young persons in Taiwan with a low prevalence rate of hepatitis B infection. HBsAg status, the presence of antibodies against HBsAg (anti‐HBs), and the presence of antibodies against hepatitis B core antigen (anti‐HBc) were compared among 403 graduate students (mean age 22.8 ± 0.7 years) and 1,745 undergraduate students (18.6 ± 1.0 years) from one university, and 367 adult subjects (41.1 ± 15.8 years) in 2008. Any HBsAg‐positive subjects were tested with an HBsAg confirmatory test. Chi‐square tests for trend and predictive values of positivity (PVP) when using HBsAg‐positive only for determining confirmed cases of hepatitis B infection were compared across the three cohorts. The prevalence of HBsAg positivity among subjects decreased from 16.3% in the adults to 5.2% in the graduate students and then to 2.8% for the undergraduate students (P = 0.0007). The PVP of HBsAg testing when determining cases of hepatitis B decreased from 0.97 for the adults to 0.81 for the graduate students and then to 0.56 for the undergraduate students (P < 0.0001). Thus, a significant decrease in the true‐positive rate of HBsAg among the students born after the introduction of hepatitis B vaccination was observed only when HBsAg testing was applied. Additional neutralization tests may therefore become mandatory for persons with a positive HBsAg test result who were born after the commencement of the universal neonatal hepatitis B vaccination program in Taiwan. J. Med. Virol. 83:1514–1521, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular characterization of rotavirus strains from children with diarrhea in Italy, 2007–2009
Authors: Ruggeri Franco Maria , Delogu Roberto , Petouchoff Tatiana , Tcheremenskaia Olga , De Petris Simona , Fiore Lucia ,   the RotaNet‐Italy Study Group
Published: July 2011

AbstractThe surveillance network RotaNet‐Italia was established in 2007 in order to investigate the diversity of co‐circulating rotavirus strains in Italy, and to provide a baseline for future assessment of possible effects of vaccine implementation in selecting novel versus common rotavirus strains. A total of 2,645 rotavirus strains from pediatric patients with acute diarrhea were collected over three consecutive seasons from September 2006 through August 2009, and partially characterized by standardized multiplex RT‐PCR. Most of strains (89.1%) belonged to genotypes G1–G4, and G9, associated with either P[8] or P[4], commonly found in humans worldwide. However, in at least 2.0% of cases, viruses exhibited either a G or P type typical of animal viral strains, suggesting gene reassortment events between rotaviruses of different origin. Mixed infections with two or more rotavirus strains were observed frequently (7.6% of patients), and depended on the frequencies of co‐circulating rotaviruses of one particular genotype. The numbers and genotypes of likely natural reassortants of common genotype rotaviruses were found to be correlated with the observed numbers and genotypes of mixed infections. Large variation in the relative frequency of different rotavirus genotypes was observed between different seasons and/or areas of Italy, suggesting independent evolution or differential introduction of viral strains with respect to both time and space. J. Med. Virol. 83:1657–1668, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Using Crystallisation Fractionation to Monitor Thermo‐Oxidative Degradation of Impact Poly(propylene) Copolymers
Authors: de Goede Elana , Mallon Peter E. , Pasch Harald 
Published: July 2011

AbstractICPPs are complex materials that contain various ethylene/propylene copolymers in addition to the majority poly(propylene) phase. To understand their molecular structure, multiple fractionation and analysis techniques are used. In this study, TREF and CRYSTAF are used to study the difference in the thermo‐oxidative degradation of two grades of ICPPs with different ethylene contents. Direct correlations are drawn between the carbonyl index, molecular weight and crystallisability at various stages of degradation. The higher ethylene content sample shows increased thermal stability. This is due to the fact that the ethylene/propylene fraction is more stable due to the higher comonomer content and lower isotacticity as well as due to the higher amount of this fraction in the material.magnified image
Characterizations of anisotropic Besov spaces
Authors: Barrios B. , Betancor J. J. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractIn this paper we obtain new characterizations of the distributions in certain anisotropic Besov spaces associated with expansive matrices. Also, anisotropic Herz type spaces are considered and the Fourier transform is analyzed on anisotropic Besov and Herz spaces.
Potentially functional polymorphisms in DNA repair genes and non‐small‐cell lung cancer survival: A pathway‐based analysis
Authors: Dong Jing , Hu Zhibin , Shu Yongqian , Pan Shiyang , Chen Wenping , Wang Yi , Hu Lingmin , Jiang Yue , Dai Juncheng , Ma Hongxia , Jin Guangfu , Shen Hongbing 
Published: July 2011

AbstractTo assess systematically whether potentially functional polymorphisms in DNA repair genes influence the clinical behavior of non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we examined the impact of a comprehensive panel of 218 signal nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in 50 candidate DNA repair genes on overall survival of NSCLC in a case‐cohort of 568 lung cancer patients. SNPs associated with lung cancer prognosis primarily mapped to 14 genes in different repair pathways, and 6 SNPs were remained in the final model after multivariate stepwise Cox regression analysis: ATM rs189037; MRE11A rs11020802; ERCC2 rs1799793; MBD4 rs140693; XRCC1 rs25487, and PMS1 rs5742933. In the combined analysis of these 6 SNPs, an increasing number of unfavorable loci was associated with a poorer prognosis (P for trend: <0.0001) and patients having 2–4 unfavorable loci had a 1.99‐fold elevated risk of death 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.58–2.50, compared with those carrying 0–1 unfavorable loci, and this elevated risk was more evident among stages I–II patients (hazard ratio = 3.04, 95% CI = 1.86–4.98, P for heterogeneity: 0.07). Furthermore, a significant effect of SNPs in nucleotide excision repair pathway on lung cancer survival was observed among 185 stages III–IV patients treated with platinum‐based chemotherapy without surgical operation: XPC rs2228000 (Ala499Val; P = 0.002) and ERCC1 rs11615 (Asn118Asn; P = 0.012). Our data indicate that potentially functional polymorphisms in DNA repair genes may serve as candidate prognostic markers of clinical outcome of NSCLC. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The EP1 receptor for prostaglandin E2 promotes the development and progression of malignant murine skin tumors
Authors: Surh Inok , Rundhaug Joyce E. , Pavone Amy , Mikulec Carol , Abel Erika , Simper Melissa , Fischer Susan M. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractHigh levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis resulting from the up‐regulation of cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 has been shown to be critical for the development of non‐melanoma skin tumors. This effect of PGE2 is likely mediated by one or more of its 4 G‐protein coupled membrane receptors, EP1‐4. A previous study showed that BK5.EP1 transgenic mice produced more carcinomas than wild type (WT) mice using initiation/promotion protocols, although the tumor response was dependent on the type of tumor promoter used. In this study, a single topical application of either 7,12‐dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) or benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), alone, was found to elicit squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) in the BK5.EP1 transgenic mice, but not in WT mice. While the epidermis of both WT and transgenic mice was hyperplastic several days after DMBA, this effect regressed in the WT mice while proliferation continued in the transgenic mice. Several parameters associated with carcinogen initiation were measured and were found to be similar between genotypes, including CYP1B1 and aromatase expression, B[a]P adduct formation, Ras activity, and keratinocyte stem cell numbers. However, EP1 transgene expression elevated COX‐2 levels in the epidermis and SCC could be completely prevented in DMBA‐treated BK5.EP1 mice either by feeding the selective COX‐2 inhibitor celecoxib in their diet or by crossing them onto a COX‐2 null background. These data suggest that the tumor promoting/progressing effects of EP1 require the PGE2 synthesized by COX‐2. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Identification and characterization of Wfdc gene expression in the male reproductive tract of the rat
Authors: Rajesh Angireddy , Madhubabu Golla , Yenugu Suresh 
Published: July 2011

AbstractWFDC (Whey Acidic Protein Four Disulfide Core)‐containing proteins have been reported in many species, yet they remain uncharacterized in the rat. In this study, we report the identification and characterization of four rat Wfdc genes, Wfdc6a, Wfdc8, Wfdc11 and Wfdc16. Their expression profile in a variety of tissues including the male reproductive tract is analyzed. Wfdc8, Wfdc11 and Wfdc16 expression is confined to the epididymis, while Wfdc6a is expressed widely. Since gene expression in the male reproductive tract is largely androgen‐dependent, Wfdc expression was analyzed in the developing (20–60‐day‐old) and castrated rats. Their expression pattern in developing rats does not correlate with changes in testosterone. Wfdc genes are, however, down‐regulated in castrated adult rats, indicating that their dependence on androgens for expression is more pronounced in the adult than in the developing rat. To test the anti‐microbial potential of WFDC8, a recombinant WFDC8 C‐terminal protein was produced, which exhibited potent anti‐bacterial activity against Eschericia coli. Induction of anti‐microbial genes is one of the responses during infections in many organ systems. To determine if WFDCs form the components of male reproductive tract innate immunity, Wfdc8 expression pattern was observed in rats challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). For the first time we report the induction of Wfdc8 gene expression in LPS‐treated rats, indicating their contributions to the innate immune functions of the male reproductive tract. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 78:633–641, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The octapeptide repeat PrPC region and cobalamin‐deficient polyneuropathy of the rat
Authors: Scalabrino Giuseppe , Mutti Elena , Veber Daniela , Rodriguez Menendez Virginia , Novembrino Cristina , Calligaro Alberto , Tredici Giovanni 
Published: July 2011

AbstractIntroduction: Cobalamin (Cbl) deficiency affects the peripheral nervous system (PNS) morphologically and functionally. We investigated whether the octapeptide repeat (OR) region of prion protein (PrPC) (which is claimed to have myelinotrophic properties) is involved in the pathogenesis of rat Cbl‐deficient (Cbl‐D) polyneuropathy. Methods: We intracerebroventricularly administered antibodies (Abs) against the OR region (OR‐Abs) to Cbl‐D rats to prevent myelin damage and maximum nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) abnormalities, and PrPCs to normal rats to reproduce PNS Cbl‐D–like lesions. We measured nerve PrPC levels and MNCV. Results: The OR‐Abs normalized myelin ultrastructure, MNCV values, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α levels in the sciatic and tibial nerves of Cbl‐D rats. PrPC levels increased in Cbl‐D nerves. The nerves of the PrPC‐treated rats showed typical Cbl‐D lesions, significantly decreased MNCV values, and significantly increased TNF‐α levels. Conclusions: OR‐Abs prevent the myelin damage caused by increased OR regions, and excess TNF‐α is involved in the pathogenesis of Cbl‐D polyneuropathy. Muscle Nerve 2011
Roughness effect on flow and thermal boundaries in microchannel/nanochannel flow using molecular dynamics‐continuum hybrid simulation
Authors: Sun Jie , He Yaling , Tao Wenquan , Yin Xin , Wang Huasheng 
Published: July 2011

SUMMARYOur molecular dynamics‐continuum hybrid simulation method is further validated in terms of flexibility in domain decomposition. The roughness effects on the flow and thermal boundaries in liquid channel flow is studied. The results indicate that the molecules in the wall‐neighboring area can be firmly confined in the concaves due to geometric structure and strong liquid–solid interaction and cause locking boundary in the velocity profile and linear gradient in the temperature profile. The locking boundary can further lead to negative slip length, which varies in power law with channel height. The linear temperature gradient, as well as nearly constant temperature jump, can lead to obviously increasing Kapitza length versus channel height. Analysis on flow friction shows that the confinement on the molecules will equivalently narrow the channel, where larger pressure gradient is needed. Therefore, the roughness should be strictly restricted within a range shrinking correspondingly with channel height if the flow condition is supposed to be maintained unchanged. Finally, our hybrid simulation is compared with full molecular dynamics simulation in terms of computational efficiency. Great advantages of the hybrid simulation, such as exclusively flexibility and combination characteristics, demonstrate its potential values and promising applications in the field of microfluidics/nanofluidics. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of permanent hair loss in children with standard risk PNETS of the posterior fossa following radiotherapy alone or chemotherapy and radiotherapy after surgical resection
Authors: Rogers Susanne , Donachie Paul , Sugden Elaine , Sharpe Geoffrey , English Martin , Robinson Kath , Saran Frank 
Published: July 2011

AbstractHair loss was compared between surgery followed by craniospinal radiotherapy (CSRT) or chemotherapy then CSRT (C‐CSRT) for medulloblastoma. The proportion of patients exhibiting hair loss in the cranial field was 70.0% (C‐CSRT) versus 30.0% (CSRT) (95% CI: 14.7% to 58.9%; P = 0.002). The C‐CSRT group also experienced more virtual/complete hair loss over the posterior fossa boost. Age was a significant contributor to hair loss in the cranial field. Persistent significant hair loss is an under‐reported late effect of treatment that could influence quality of survival and should be considered in future trial design. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011; 57: 1074–1076. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Notch pathway activation induces neuroblastoma tumor cell growth arrest
Authors: Zage Peter E. , Nolo Riitta , Fang Wendy , Stewart John , Garcia‐Manero Guillermo , Zweidler‐McKay Patrick A. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractBackgroundNotch pathway signaling has critical roles in differentiation, proliferation, and survival, and has oncogenic or tumor suppressor effects in a variety of malignancies. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of Notch activation on human neuroblastoma cells.ProcedureQuantitative RT‐PCR, immunoblots, and immunohistochemistry were used to determine the expression of Notch receptors (Notch1‐4), cleaved Notch1 (ICN1), and downstream targets (HES1‐5) in human neuroblastoma cell lines and patient tumor samples. Notch pathway signaling was induced using intracellular Notch (ICN1‐3) and HES gene constructs or direct culture on Notch ligands. Quantitative methylation‐specific PCR was used to quantify methylation of the HES gene promoters, and the effects of treatment with decitabine were measured.ResultsNeuroblastoma cells express varying levels of Notch receptors and low levels of HES genes at baseline. However, no endogenous activation of the Notch pathway was detected in neuroblastoma cell lines or patient tumor samples. Expression of activated Notch intracellular domains and HES gene products led to growth arrest. The HES2 and HES5 gene promoters were found to be heavily methylated in most neuroblastoma lines, and HES gene expression could be induced through treatment with decitabine.ConclusionsWe report that neuroblastoma cell lines express multiple Notch receptors, which are inactive at baseline. Activation of the Notch pathway via ligand binding consistently resulted in growth arrest. HES gene expression appears to be regulated epigenetically and could be induced with decitabine. These findings support a tumor suppressor role for Notch signaling in neuroblastoma. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 58: 682–689. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Isolation of High Quality RNA from Cereal Seeds Containing High Levels of Starch
Authors: Wang Guifeng , Wang Gang , Zhang Xiaowei , Wang Fang , Song Rentao 
Published: July 2011

IntroductionCereals are an important source of food, feed and fuel with a rapidly increasing global demand. However, cereal seeds contain high levels of starch and polysaccharides, making the isolation of high quality RNA extremely difficult.ObjectiveTo develop a novel method for extracting high quality total RNA from various starch‐ and polysaccharides‐rich cereal seeds, such as maize, rice, sorghum and wheat.MethodologyWe developed a modified sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)/TRIzol method. The combined use of a Tris buffer (pH 9.0) and SDS before TRIzol extraction effectively resolved the problem of seed homogenate solidification in such a buffer. A high concentration of SDS was used separately, not only to promote cell lysis but also to effectively dissolve seed sample containing high levels of starch. Moreover, acid phenol saturated with 0.1  m citrate buffer (pH 4.3) was used to separate RNA from DNAs, proteins and high levels of starch. This rapid protocol was compared with other RNA isolation methods preferentially used for plants rich in polysaccharides and secondary metabolites.ResultsGel electrophoresis analysis indicated that the extracted total RNA had good integrity without apparent DNA contamination. Furthermore, an A260/280 ratio of approximately 2.0, an A260/230 ratio of more than 2.0 and RIN values of more than 8.6 indicated that the isolated RNA was of high purity. The isolated RNA was suitable for subsequent molecular manipulations, such as reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR), rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) and real‐time PCR.ConclusionThe study has described an easy, efficient and highly reproducible method for RNA isolation from various cereal seeds. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.