bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Internal validity of the revised HiMAT for people with neurological conditions
Authors: Williams Gavin , Hill Bridget , Pallant Julie F , Greenwood Ken 
Published: December 2011

Objective: The High-level Mobility Assessment Tool (HiMAT) was developed to measure high-level mobility limitations following traumatic brain injury. The aim of this study was to investigate if the revised HiMAT is valid for use with adults with neurological conditions other than traumatic brain injury. Design: Cross-sectional study. Subjects: Ninety-five participants with neurological conditions. Methods: HiMAT score sheets were retrieved from the central medical files of people who had attended a major rehabilitation facility for a neurological condition from January 2006 to October 2007. Additional HiMAT score sheets were submitted by therapists who participated in the HiMAT User’s Group. Rasch analysis (RUMM2030 software) was used to determine the overall fit of the model, individual item fit and differential item functioning. Results: Rasch analysis supported the internal validity of the revised eight-item HiMAT for individuals with neurological conditions. It showed good overall fit ( P = 0.74), no misfitting items and excellent internal consistency (Person Separation Index = 0.91). The HiMAT is unidimensional with no evidence of response dependency and no differential item functioning for age or sex. Conclusion: Further development of the revised HiMAT is required to investigate other aspects of validity, reliability and responsiveness in different neurological populations. However, the results support the internal validity of the revised HiMAT when used for people with neurological conditions who are able to walk without gait aids.
A naturalistic glyceryl trinitrate infusion migraine model in the rat
Authors: Ramachandran Roshni , Bhatt Deepak Kumar , Ploug Kenneth Beri , Olesen Jes , Jansen-Olesen Inger , Hay-Schmidt Anders , Gupta Saurabh 
Published: December 2011

Background: and aim Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) infusion is a reliable method to provoke migraine-like headaches in humans. Previous studies have simulated this human model in anaesthetized or in awake rodents using GTN doses 10,000 times higher than used in humans. The relevance of such toxicological doses to migraine is not certain. Anaesthesia and low blood pressure caused by high GTN doses both can affect the expression of nociceptive marker c-fos. Therefore, our aim was to simulate the human GTN migraine model in awake rats using a clinically relevant dose. Methods: Awake rats were infused with GTN (4 µg/kg/min, for 20 min, i.v.), a dose just 8 times higher than in humans. mRNA and protein expression for c-fos were analysed in the trigeminal vascular system at various time points using RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results: A significant upregulation of c-fos mRNA was observed in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis at 30 min and 2 h that was followed by an upregulation of Fos protein in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis at 2 h and 4 h after GTN infusion. Pre-treatment with sumatriptan attenuated the activation of Fos at 4 h, demonstrating the specificity of this model for migraine. Conclusion: We present a validated naturalistic rat model suitable for screening of acute anti-migraine drugs.
Sleep apnoea headache in the general population
Authors: Kristiansen Håvard Anton , Kværner Kari Jorunn , Akre Harriet , Øverland Britt , Sandvik Leiv , Russell Michael Bjørn 
Published: December 2011

Background: The objective was to investigate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of sleep apnoea headache. Methods: A postal questionnaire was received by 40,000 Norwegians from the general population. A total of 376 and 157 persons with high and low risk of sleep apnoea according to the Berlin Questionnaire had a polysomnography, and a clinical interview and examination by physicians. Results: Sleep apnoea headache was diagnosed in 11.8% of the participants with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), while morning headache with similar symptomatology was diagnosed in 4.6% of the participants without OSA ( p = 0.002). After adjusting for potential confounders the odds ratio for OSA remained significantly increased among participants with morning headache with an adjusted odds ratio of 2.92 (1.31–6.51). When using a cut-off of moderate (apnoea hypopnea index, AHI ≥ 15) and severe (AHI ≥ 30) OSA, the prevalence of sleep apnoea headache was 11.6% and 13.3%, respectively. Average oxygen desaturation and lowest oxygen saturation was not significantly different in participants with OSA with and without morning headache. Conclusion: Morning headaches were significantly more frequent among participants with OSA than those without OSA. Sleep apnoea headache is less common in the general population than has previously been reported in clinic populations. The relation of hypoxia and morning headache is questioned.
Calcified neurocysticercosis among patients with primary headache
Authors: Del Brutto Oscar H , Del Brutto Victor J 
Published: December 2011

Background: Anecdotal reports and a single case-control epidemiological survey have suggested an association between the helminthic disease neurocysticercosis and primary headache. The present study was undertaken to determine whether neurocysticercosis is more common among patients with primary headaches than in other neurological disorders. Methods: We determined the prevalence of neurocysticercosis in a cohort of patients with primary headache who were seen at our institution over a 20-year period. We used as controls all people from the same cohort with four major different categories of neurological disorders, including cerebrovascular disease, degenerative disorders of the CNS, head trauma, and primary brain tumors. We evaluated differences in the prevalence of neurocysticercosis between patients and controls. Results: Forty-eight of 1017 patients with primary headache and 31 of 1687 controls had neurocysticercosis (4.7% vs 1.8%, p < 0.0001). Calcified parenchymal brain cysticerci were more frequent among patients with primary headache than in those with cerebrovascular disease (4.7% vs 1%, p < 0.001), degenerative disorders of the CNS (4.7% vs 2.4%, p < 0.05), and head trauma (4.7% vs 2.3%, p < 0.05). There were no significant differences, however, for the subset of controls with primary brain tumors (4.7% vs 3.5%), a condition that has also been associated with neurocysticercosis. Conclusions: There is a relationship between calcified neurocysticercosis and primary headache disorders. It is possible that periodic remodeling of cysticercotic calcifications, with liberation of antigens to the brain parenchyma, contributes to the occurrence of headache in these patients.
The effectiveness of Echinacea extract or composite glucosamine, chondroitin and methyl sulfonyl methane supplements on acute and chronic rheumatoid arthritis rat model
Authors: Arafa Nadia MS , Hamuda Hayam M , Melek Samuel T , Darwish Sahar K 
Published: December 2011

The study aimed to investigate the effect of the oral administration for 15 days of either Echinacea (E) or genuphil (a composite of chondroitin sulphate, glucosamine and methyl sulfonyl methane [GCM]) nutraceutical supplements on female rat model of acute or chronic arthritis induced by bacterial outer membrane protein (OMP) from faecal flora of healthy and rheumatic humans. Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP2), C-reactive protein (CRP) and rheumatoid factor (RF) values increased ( p < 0.05) in both arthritic groups as compared to normal values. The rheumatic markers anti-CCP2, CRP and RF values decreased significantly in E- and GCM-treated groups compared to arthritic none-treated acute or chronic groups. The results of RF values of GCM-treated groups in acute and chronic models decreased exhibiting no statistical difference compared with the normal value. Histological examinations of the hind paw sections revealed moderate inflammation, oedema and mild proliferation of synovial cells in acute arthritic rats and more damage to cartilage and bone with severe inflammation in chronic ones. Echinacea acute treated group showed edema with proliferated synovial membrane and partial damage in cartilage and bone. While in the E -chronic treated group, rough edge with destructed cartilage and bone existed. However, the acute GCM group revealed mild cartilage damage. But the chronic GCM group showed mild synovial cells proliferation and revealed no inflammation with mild cartilage damage edge. Results demonstrated the OMP arthropathic property and through promising light on arthritis treatment using E- or GCM, with the advantage of GMC results over that of E -. The composite GCM is needed for further studies over the dose and duration to assess its preventive effects against the bacterial OMP arthrogenicity.
Statin-Induced Low Cholesterol is Not Associated With Poor Outcome in Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: Silva Sérgio , Lourenço Patrícia , Paulo Cristiana , Ferreira Ester , Lebreiro Ana , Sousa Alexandra , Mascaranhas Joana , Patacho Marta , Araujo Jose Paulo , Bettencourt Paulo 
Published: December 2011

Background: Low cholesterol levels are associated with a worse outcome in patients with heart failure (HF). Use of statins in HF remains controversial. We aimed to assess whether the prognosis of patients with intrinsically low cholesterol levels differed from that of those with pharmacologically induced low cholesterol. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study on 464 ambulatory patients attending a specialized HF clinic. Patients were cross-classified according to statin therapy and admission total cholesterol level (low cholesterol <150 mg/dL and cholesterol ≥150 mg/dL): (1) low total cholesterol level on statin therapy; (2) low total cholesterol level not taking statins; (3) cholesterol ≥150 mg/dL on statin therapy; and (4) cholesterol ≥150 mg/dL not on statin therapy. Patients were followed up to 5 years and the outcome was all-cause death. A Cox regression analysis was used in prognosis assessment. Results: Almost two thirds of the patients were men and the median population age was 69 years; 22.8% of the patients had preserved ejection fraction and 43.5% severe systolic dysfunction. The patients with an intrinsically low cholesterol had a hazard ratio of all-cause death up to 5 years of 2.38 (1.08-7.14) compared to those with low cholesterol induced by statin use. This association was independent of other variables associated with outcome. Conclusions: Patients with HF with instrisically low cholesterol levels have a double risk of death up to 5 years compared to patients with pharmacologically induced low cholesterol. Clinicians should not limit the use of statins by fear of lowering the cholesterol levels.
Psychoneuroimmunological Relationships in Women With Fibromyalgia
Authors: Menzies Victoria , Lyon Debra E. , Elswick R. K. , Montpetit Alison J. , McCain Nancy L. 
Published: December 2011

Introduction: The purpose of this pilot study was to characterize the relationships among perceived stress, pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, biomarkers, and functional status in women with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) using a psychoneuroimmunological (PNI) framework. Materials and Method: Using a cross-sectional, correlational design, the authors asked 50 women diagnosed with FMS to complete the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI), Center for Epidemiological Studies—Depression scale, State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Functional Impact Questionnaire. The authors analyzed plasma levels of 17 cytokines using a BioPlex® assay and levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) using a high-sensitivity enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Compared to published guidelines (>3 mg/L reflects high inflammation), CRP levels were elevated in participating women. Perceived stress demonstrated positive correlations with pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and functional status and negative correlations with monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1( r = −.30) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β; r = −.29). Pain severity correlated with macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1β ( r = .29), and pain interference negatively correlated with IL-1β ( r = −.30). Fatigue negatively correlated with IL-1β ( r = −.32), interleukin-10 (IL-10; r = −.31), and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF; r = −.31). Depressive symptoms correlated with CRP ( r = .31). Discussion: Relationships among perceived stress and symptoms supported the PNI framework. Study findings are similar to previous studies showing that cytokines in persons with FMS do not show a consistent pattern. The elevated CRP levels suggest higher levels of generalized inflammation in the sample and provide evidence for continued development of biobehavioral interventions to address both symptoms and their biological markers over time.
Interactions between NKT cells and Tregs are required for tolerance to combined bone marrow and organ transplants
Authors: Hongo David , Tang Xiaobin , Dutt Suparna , Nador Roland G. , Strober Samuel 
Published: December 2011

AbstractWe used a model of combined bone marrow and heart transplantation, in which tolerance and stable chimerism is induced after conditioning with fractionated irradiation of the lymphoid tissues and anti–T-cell antibodies. Graft acceptance and chimerism required host CD4+CD25+ Treg production of IL-10 that was in-turn enhanced by host invariant natural killer (NK) T-cell production of IL-4. Up-regulation of PD-1 on host Tregs, CD4+CD25− conventional T (Tcon) cells, and CD8+ T cells was also enhanced by NKT cell production of IL-4. Up-regulated PD-1 expression on Tregs was linked to IL-10 secretion, on CD8+ T cells was linked to Tim-3 expression, and on CD4+ Tcon cells was associated with reduced IFNγ secretion. Changes in the expression of PD-1 were induced by the conditioning regimen, and declined after bone marrow transplantation. In conclusion, NKT cells in this model promoted changes in expression of negative costimulatory receptors and anti-inflammatory cytokines by Tregs and other T-cell subsets in an IL-4–dependent manner that resulted in tolerance to the bone marrow and organ grafts.
Functional dissection of the chromosome 13q14 tumor-suppressor locus using transgenic mouse lines
Authors: Lia Marie , Carette Amanda , Tang Hongyan , Shen Qiong , Mo Tongwei , Bhagat Govind , Dalla-Favera Riccardo , Klein Ulf 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Deletion of chromosomal region 13q14 represents the most common genetic aberration in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). 13q14 deletions are commonly large and heterogeneous in size and affect multiple genes. We recently found that targeted deletion in mice of the 0.11 megabase (mb)–long minimal deleted region (MDR) encompassing the DLEU2/miR-15a/16-1 cluster recapitulates the spectrum of CLL-associated lymphoproliferations in humans, including CLL, CD5+ monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis, and CD5− non-Hodgkin lymphomas. In the present study, we demonstrate that additional deletion of the 0.69-mb large genomic region telomeric to the MDR called the common deleted region (CDR) changed the spectrum of lymphoproliferations developing in CDR- versus MDR-deleted mice in that the number of CLL among B-cell lymphoproliferations was significantly elevated in the former. In addition, CDR-deleted mice seemed to succumb to their disease faster than MDR-deleted mice. Comparing HCDR3 regions of CD5+ lymphoproliferations derived from this and published CLL mouse models, 44% (29 of 66) of junctions could be assigned to 8 sets of highly similar HCDR3 regions, demonstrating that CLL developing in mice frequently expresses almost identical, stereotypic Ag receptors. These results suggest that the size of 13q14 deletions influences the phenotype of the developing lymphoproliferations and potentially the severity of disease, suggesting a tumor-suppressor function for genetic elements in addition to DLEU2/miR-15a/16-1.
Rapid in vivo analysis of synthetic promoters for plant pathogen phytosensing
Authors: Liu Wusheng , Mazarei Mitra , Rudis Mary R , Fethe Michael H , Stewart C Neal 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
We aimed to engineer transgenic plants for the purpose of early detection of plant pathogen infection, which was accomplished by employing synthetic pathogen inducible promoters fused to reporter genes for altered phenotypes in response to the pathogen infection. Toward this end, a number of synthetic promoters consisting of inducible regulatory elements fused to a red fluorescent protein (RFP) reporter were constructed for use in phytosensing.

Results
For rapid analysis, an Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression assay was evaluated, then utilized to assess the inducibility of each synthetic promoter construct in vivo. Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi) leaves were infiltrated with Agrobacterium harboring the individual synthetic promoter-reporter constructs. The infiltrated tobacco leaves were re-infiltrated with biotic (bacterial pathogens) or abiotic (plant defense signal molecules salicylic acid, ethylene and methyl jasmonate) agents 24 and 48 hours after initial agroinfiltration, followed by RFP measurements at relevant time points after treatment. These analyses indicated that the synthetic promoter constructs were capable of conferring the inducibility of the RFP reporter in response to appropriate phytohormones and bacterial pathogens, accordingly.

Conclusions
These observations demonstrate that the Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression is an efficient method for in vivo assays of promoter constructs in less than one week. Our results provide the opportunity to gain further insights into the versatility of the expression system as a potential tool for high-throughput in planta expression screening prior to generating stably transgenic plants for pathogen phytosensing. This system could also be utilized for temporary phytosensing; e.g., not requiring stably transgenic plants.
Adsorption characteristics of an enteric virus-binding protein to norovirus, rotavirus and poliovirus
Authors: Imai Takahiro , Sano Daisuke , Miura Takayuki , Okabe Satoshi , Wada Keishi , Masago Yoshifumi , Omura Tatsuo 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
Water contamination with human enteric viruses has posed human health risks all over the world. Reasonable and facile methodologies for recovering and quantifying infectious enteric viruses in environmental samples are needed to address the issues of waterborne viral infectious diseases. In this study, a bacterial protein that has a binding capability with several enteric viruses is discovered, and its binding characteristics were investigated for utilizing it as a viral adsorbent in virus recovery and detection technologies.

Results
A gene of an enteric virus-binding protein (EVBP), derived from a monomer of a bacterial chaperon protein GroEL, was successfully acquired from a genomic DNA library of activated sludge microorganisms with nested PCR. Equilibrium dissociation constants between EVBP and norovirus-like particles (NoVLPs) of genotypes GI.7 and GII.4, estimated with quartz crystal microbalance method, were 240 and 210 nM, respectively. These values of equilibrium dissociation constant imply that the binding affinity between EVBP and NoVLPs is 1 to 3-log weaker than that in general antigen-antibody interactions, but about 2-log stronger than that in weak specific interactions of proteins with cations and organic polymers. The adsorptions of EVBP to norovirus, group A rotavirus and poliovirus type 1 were found to be significant in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Meanwhile, the binding of native GroEL tetradecamer to viral particles was weaker than that of EVBP, presumably because of a steric hindrance. The small molecule of EVBP could have an advantage in the access to the surface of viral particles with rugged structure.

Conclusions
EVBP that has a broad binding spectrum to enteric viruses was newly discovered. The broad binding characteristic of EVBP would allow us to utilize it as a novel adsorbent for detecting diverse enteric viruses in clinical and environmental samples.
Global transcriptome analysis of Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579 in response to silver nitrate stress
Authors: Ganesh Babu Malli Mohan , Sridhar Jayavel , Gunasekaran Paramasamy 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using Bacillus cereus strains. Earlier, we had synthesized monodispersive crystalline silver nanoparticles using B. cereus PGN1 and ATCC14579 strains. These strains have showed high level of resistance to silver nitrate (1 mM) but their global transcriptomic response has not been studied earlier. In this study, we investigated the cellular and metabolic response of B. cereus ATCC14579 treated with 1 mM silver nitrate for 30 & 60 min. Global expression profiling using genomic DNA microarray indicated that 10% (n = 524) of the total genes (n = 5234) represented on the microarray were up-regulated in the cells treated with silver nitrate. The majority of genes encoding for chaperones (GroEL), nutrient transporters, DNA replication, membrane proteins, etc. were up-regulated. A substantial number of the genes encoding chemotaxis and flagellar proteins were observed to be down-regulated. Motility assay of the silver nitrate treated cells revealed reduction in their chemotactic activity compared to the control cells. In addition, 14 distinct transcripts overexpressed from the 'empty' intergenic regions were also identified and proposed as stress-responsive non-coding small RNAs.
Decreased influenza-specific B cell responses in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor
Authors: Kobie James J , Zheng Bo , Bryk Peter , Barnes Michael , Ritchlin Christopher T , Tabechian Darren A , Anandarajah Allen P , Looney R John , Thiele Ralf G , Anolik Jennifer H , Coca Andreea , Wei Chungwen , Rosenberg Alexander F , Feng Changyong , Treanor John J , Lee F Eun-Hyung , Sanz Ignacio 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Introduction
As a group, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients exhibit increased risk of infection, and those treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy are at further risk. This increased susceptibility may result from a compromised humoral immune response. Therefore, we asked if short-term effector (d5-d10) and memory (1 month or later) B cell responses to antigen were compromised in RA patients treated with anti-TNF therapy.

Methods
Peripheral blood samples were obtained from RA patients, including a subset treated with anti-TNF, and from healthy controls to examine influenza-specific responses following seasonal influenza vaccination. Serum antibody was measured by hemagglutination inhibition assay. The frequency of influenza vaccine-specific antibody secreting cells and memory B cells was measured by EliSpot. Plasmablast (CD19+IgD-CD27hiCD38hi) induction was measured by flow cytometry.

Results
Compared with healthy controls, RA patients treated with anti-TNF exhibited significantly decreased influenza-specific serum antibody and memory B cell responses throughout multiple years of the study. The short-term influenza-specific effector B cell response was also significantly decreased in RA patients treated with anti-TNF as compared with healthy controls, and correlated with decreased influenza-specific memory B cells and serum antibody present at one month following vaccination.

Conclusions
RA patients treated with anti-TNF exhibit a compromised immune response to influenza vaccine, consisting of impaired effector and consequently memory B cell and antibody responses. The results suggest that the increased incidence and severity of infection observed in this patient population could be a consequence of diminished antigen-responsiveness. Therefore, this patient population would likely benefit from repeat vaccination and from vaccines with enhanced immunogenicity.