bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Recurrent Acute Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Bhattacharyya Neil , Grebner Jeff , Martinson Noel G. 
Published: October 2011

ObjectivesTo determine the epidemiology of recurrent acute rhinosinusitis (RARS) and to understand direct health care costs attributable to RARS as a potentially underdiagnosed form of chronic rhinosinusitis.Study DesignRetrospective longitudinal analysis of a medical claims database.SettingAcademic medical center.MethodsMedical claims data (2003–2008) from a large payer database were analyzed. Adult patients with RARS (defined as at least 4 acute rhinosinusitis claims each with a filled oral antibiotic prescription in a 12‐month period) were extracted. Sinonasal diagnostic procedures, provider visits, and medical costs were determined.ResultsA total of 4588 patients were identified (mean age, 43.5 years; 72.1% female) among 13.1 million patients, for a point prevalence of 0.035%, which remained consistent across years. After 1, 2, and 4 years, 2.4%, 5.4%, and 9.2% of patients subsequently received nasal endoscopy and 11.4%, 23.5%, and 39.9% received paranasal sinus computed tomography, respectively. RARS patients averaged 3.8 antibiotic prescriptions, 5.6 other sinus‐related prescriptions, and 5.6 provider visits per year. Total direct health care costs related to RARS averaged $1091/patient‐year, with oral antibiotic and nasal prescription costs averaging $210 and $452 per year, respectively.ConclusionsRARS may affect approximately 1 in 3000 adults per year. Despite significant direct health care costs of more than $1000/year per individual patient with RARS, nasal endoscopy and computed tomography are not commonly obtained early after potential diagnosis. RARS is likely an underdiagnosed condition warranting further study.
Pediatric Laryngeal Diadochokinetic Rates
Authors: Maturo Steve , Hill Courtney , Bunting Glenn , Ballif Cathy , Maurer Rie , Hartnick Christopher 
Published: October 2011

ObjectiveLaryngeal diadochokinetic (L‐DDK) rate is a measure of laryngeal neural integrity. The objectives for this study included the following: (1) establish the first comprehensive pediatric normative database for L‐DDK rates (DDK) using the Voice Evaluation Suite, a computerized voice analysis program; and (2) analyze normal L‐DDK rates for age and gender differences.Study DesignCross‐sectional study with planned data collection.SettingOutpatient pediatric otolaryngology clinic.Subjects and MethodsThree hundred seven children aged 4 to 18 with normal voices. L‐DDK rates were collected during a 6‐month period. Main outcome measures included age, gender, and L‐DDK rates.ResultsThree hundred seven children (151 girls and 156 boys) were evaluated. There was no statistically significant difference between the overall mean L‐DDK rate of boys (2.69 syllables/s) compared to girls (2.55 syllables/s; P >. 05). Further analysis of all individual age groups did not reveal any statistical significance between boys and girls. There was a statistically significant difference among children aged 4 to 11 compared to those 12 to 18 years old. Among boys aged 4 to 11, the mean rate was 2.49 syllables per second, whereas among 12‐ to 18‐year‐olds, the rate was 2.95 syllables per second (P <. 01). The mean rate was 2.40 syllables per second among girls aged 4 to 11 and 2.74 syllables per second for those aged 12 to 18 (P <. 01).ConclusionThis is the largest normative pediatric L‐DDK analysis in the English literature. The findings suggest that neurolaryngeal development approaches adult maturation at the beginning of the teenage years. These data have the potential application for objective measurement of neurolaryngeal coordination in children with neurologic impairment and also in children who have undergone nerve reinnervation procedures.
Caffeic acid and quercetin protect erythrocytes against the oxidative stress and the genotoxic effects of lambda-cyhalothrin in vitro
Authors: Abdallah F Ben , Fetoui H , Fakhfakh F , Keskes L 
Published: October 2011

Lambda-cyhalothrin (LTC) is a synthetic pyrethroid with a broad spectrum of insecticidal and acaricidal activities used to control wide range of insect pests in a variety of applications. The aim of this study was to examine (i) the potency of LTC to induce oxidative stress response in rat erythrocytes in vitro and (ii) the role of caffeic acid (20 μM) and/or quercetin (10 μM) in preventing the cytotoxic effects. Erythrocytes were divided into four portions. The erythrocytes of the first portion were incubated for 4 h at 37°C with different concentrations (0, 50 and 100 μM) of LTC. The others portions were pretreated with caffeic acid and/or quercetin for 30 min prior to LTC incubation. Lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, antioxidant enzyme activities and DNA damage were examined. LTC at different concentrations causes increased levels of lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, DNA damage and decreased antioxidant enzyme activities. Combined caffeic acid and quercetin pretreatments significantly reduced the levels of lipid peroxidation markers, that is thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), protein carbonyls (PCO) and decreased DNA damage in LTC portion. Further, combined caffeic acid and quercetin pretreatment maintain antioxidant enzyme activities and glutathione content near to normal values. These results suggest that LTC exerts its toxic effect by increasing lipid peroxidation, altering the antioxidant enzyme activities and DNA damage. Caffeic acid and quercetin pretreatments prevent the toxic effects of LTC, suggesting their role as a potential antioxidant.
Exploratory analysis of genomic segmentations with Segtools
Authors: Buske Orion J , Hoffman Michael M , Ponts Nadia , Le Roch Karine G , Noble William Stafford 
Published: October 2011

Abstract

Background
As genome-wide experiments and annotations become more prevalent, researchers increasingly require tools to help interpret data at this scale. Many functional genomics experiments involve partitioning the genome into labeled segments, such that segments sharing the same label exhibit one or more biochemical or functional traits. For example, a collection of ChlP-seq experiments yields a compendium of peaks, each labeled with one or more associated DNA-binding proteins. Similarly, manually or automatically generated annotations of functional genomic elements, including cis-regulatory modules and protein-coding or RNA genes, can also be summarized as genomic segmentations.

Results
We present a software toolkit called Segtools that simplifies and automates the exploration of genomic segmentations. The software operates as a series of interacting tools, each of which provides one mode of summarization. These various tools can be pipelined and summarized in a single HTML page. We describe the Segtools toolkit and demonstrate its use in interpreting a collection of human histone modification data sets and Plasmodium falciparum local chromatin structure data sets.

Conclusions
Segtools provides a convenient, powerful means of interpreting a genomic segmentation.
Musashi1 expression cells derived from mouse embryonic stem cells can be enriched in side population isolated by fluorescence activated cell sorter
Authors: Yu Tao , Zhao Li-Na , Lan Shao-Yang , Fan Miao-Jing , Gong Yu , Shi Liu , Yuan Yu-Hong , Huang Kai-Hong , Chen Qi-Kui 
Published: October 2011

Abstract

Background
Purifying stem cells is an inevitable process for further investigation and cell-therapy. Sorting side population (SP) cells is generally regarded as an effective method to enrich for progenitor cells. This study was to explore whether sorting SP could enrich for the Musashi1 (Msi1) positive cells from Msi1 high expression cells (Msi1high cells) derived from mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) in vitro.

Results
In this study, Msi1high cell population derived from ESCs were stained by Hoechst 33342, and then the SP and non-SP (NSP) fractions were analyzed and sorted by fluorescence activated cell sorter. Subsequently, the expressions of Msi1 and other markers for neural and intestinal stem cells in SP and NSP were respectively detected. SP and NSP cells were hypodermically engrafted into the backs of NOD/SCID mice to form grafts. The developments of neural and intestinal epithelial cells in these grafts were investigated. SP fraction was identified and isolated from Msi1high cell population. The expression of Msi1 in SP fraction was significantly higher than that in NSP fraction and unsorted Msi1high cells (P< 0.05). Furthermore, the markers for neural cells and intestinal epithelial cells were more highly expressed in the grafts from SP fraction than those from NSP fraction (P< 0.05).

Conclusions
SP fraction, isolated from Msi1high cells, contains almost all the Msi1-positive cells and has the potential to differentiate into neural and intestinal epithelial cells in vivo. Sorting SP fraction could be a convenient and practical method to enrich for Msi1-positive cells from the differentiated cell population derived from ESCs.
Identification of genes associated with nitrogen-use efficiency by genome-wide transcriptional analysis of two soybean genotypes
Authors: Hao Qing N , Zhou Xin A , Sha Ai H , Wang Cheng , Zhou Rong , Chen Shui L 
Published: October 2011

Abstract

Background
Soybean is a valuable crop that provides protein and oil. Soybean requires a large amount of nitrogen (N) to accumulate high levels of N in the seed. The yield and protein content of soybean seeds are directly affected by the N-use efficiency (NUE) of the plant, and improvements in NUE will improve yields and quality of soybean products. Genetic engineering is one of the approaches to improve NUE, but at present, it is hampered by the lack of information on genes associated with NUE. Solexa sequencing is a new method for estimating gene expression in the transcription level. Here, the expression profiles were analyzed between two soybean varieties in N-limited conditions to identify genes related to NUE.

Results
Two soybean genotypes were grown under N-limited conditions; a low-N-tolerant variety (No.116) and a low-N-sensitive variety (No.84-70). The shoots and roots of soybeans were used for sequencing. Eight libraries were generated for analysis: 2 genotypes × 2 tissues (roots and shoots) × 2 time periods [short-term (0.5 to 12 h) and long-term (3 to 12 d) responses] and compared the transcriptomes by high-throughput tag-sequencing analysis. 5,739,999, 5,846,807, 5,731,901, 5,970,775, 5,476,878, 5,900,343, 5,930,716, and 5,862,642 clean tags were obtained for the eight libraries: L1, 116-shoot short-term; L2 84-70-shoot short-term; L3 116-shoot long-term; L4 84-70-shoot long-term; L5 116-root short-term; L6 84-70-root short-term; L7 116-root long-term;L8 84-70-root long-term; these corresponded to 224,154, 162,415, 191,994, 181,792, 204,639, 206,998, 233,839 and 257,077 distinct tags, respectively. The clean tags were mapped to the reference sequences for annotation of expressed genes. Many genes showed substantial differences in expression among the libraries. In total, 3,231genes involved in twenty-two metabolic and signal transduction pathways were up- or down-regulated. Twenty-four genes were randomly selected and confirmed their expression patterns by quantitative RT-PCR; Twenty-one of the twenty-four genes showed expression patterns consistent with the Digital Gene Expression (DGE) data.

Conclusions
A number of soybean genes were differentially expressed between the low-N-tolerant and low-N-sensitive varieties under N-limited conditions. Some of these genes may be candidates for improving NUE. These findings will help to provide a detailed understanding of NUE mechanisms, and also provide a basis for breeding soybean varieties that are tolerant to low-N conditions.
The relationships between exogenous and endogenous antioxidants with the lipid profile and oxidative damage in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Roehrs Miguel , Valentini Juliana , Paniz Clóvis , Moro Angela , Charão Mariele , Bulcão Rachel , Freitas Fernando , Brucker Natália , Duarte Marta , Leal Mirna , Burg Geni , Grune Tilman , Garcia Solange Cristina 
Published: October 2011

Abstract

Background
We sought to investigate the relationships among the plasma levels of carotenoids, tocopherols, endogenous antioxidants, oxidative damage and lipid profiles and their possible effects on the cardiovascular risk associated with hemodialysis (HD) patients.

Methods
The study groups were divided into HD and healthy subjects. Plasma carotenoid, tocopherol and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, as well as erythrocyte reduced glutathione (GSH), were measured by HPLC. Blood antioxidant enzymes, kidney function biomarkers and the lipid profiles were analyzed by spectrophotometric methods.

Results
Plasma lycopene levels and blood glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity were significantly decreased in HD patients compared with healthy subjects. Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), creatinine, urea, MDA, GSH, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were significantly increased in HD (p < 0.05). Lycopene levels were correlated with MDA (r = -0.50; p < 0.01), LDL-c (r = -0.38; p = 0.01) levels, the LDL-c/HDL-c index (r = -0.33; p = 0.03) and GPx activity (r = 0.30; p = 0.03). Regression models showed that lycopene levels were correlated with LDL-c (β estimated = -31.59; p = 0.04), while gender was correlated with the TC/HDL-c index and triglycerides. Age did not present a correlation with the parameters evaluated. GPx activity was negatively correlated with MDA levels and with the LDL-c/HDL-c and CT/HDL-c indexes.

Conclusions
Lycopene may represent an additional factor that contributes to reduced lipid peroxidation and atherogenesis in hemodialysis patients.
Anti-inflammatory effects of fermented and non-fermented Sophora flavescens: a comparative study
Authors: Han Chun-chao , Wei Hong , Guo Jianyou 
Published: October 2011

Abstract

Background
The roots of Sophora flavescens (Leguminosae) have been used in East Asian countries as an herbal medicine and a food ingredient for thousands of years. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of S. flavescens fermentation on endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) in rats.

Methods
EIU was induced in rats via a footpad injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Immediately after the LPS inoculation, fermented and non-fermented extracts of S. flavescens (FSE and NFSE, respectively) were administered orally, and the aqueous humor was collected from both eyes 24 hours later. The anti-inflammatory effects of FSE and NFSE were examined in terms of regulation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation and the expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), intercellular cell adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The regulation of maleic dialdehyde (MDA) levels and polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) infiltration by FSE and NFSE were also examined.

Results
Treatment with FSE significantly inhibited LPS-induced increases in IL-1β and TNF-α production and the expression of iNOS, ICAM-1 and COX-2. Moreover, FSE suppressed LPS-induced NF-κB activation, and reduced both MDA levels and infiltration by PMN.

Conclusion
These results indicate that solid state fermentation may enhance the anti-inflammatory effects of S. flavescens.
Developments on drug discovery and on new therapeutics: highly diluted tinctures act as biological response modifiers
Authors: de Oliveira Carolina C , Abud Ana Paula R , de Oliveira Simone M , de SF Guimarães Fernando , de Andrade Lucas F , Di Bernardi Raffaello P , de O Coletto Ediely L , Kuczera Diogo , Da Lozzo Eneida J , Gonçalves Jenifer P , da S Trindade Edvaldo , de F Buchi Dorly 
Published: October 2011

Abstract

Background
In the search for new therapies novel drugs and medications are being discovered, developed and tested in laboratories. Highly diluted substances are intended to enhance immune system responses resulting in reduced frequency of various diseases, and often present no risk of serious side-effects due to its low toxicity. Over the past years our research group has been investigating the action of highly diluted substances and tinctures on cells from the immune system.

Methods
We have developed and tested several highly diluted tinctures and here we describe the biological activity of M1, M2, and M8 both in vitro in immune cells from mice and human, and in vivo in mice. Cytotoxicity, cytokines released and NF-κB activation were determined after in vitro treatment. Cell viability, oxidative response, lipid peroxidation, bone marrow and lymph node cells immunophenotyping were accessed after mice in vivo treatment.

Results
None of the highly diluted tinctures tested were cytotoxic to macrophages or K562. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages treated with all highly diluted tinctures decreased tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) release and M1, and M8 decreased IFN-γ production. M1 has decreased NF-κB activity on TNF-α stimulated reporter cell line. In vivo treatment lead to a decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO) production was increased by M1, and M8, and lipid peroxidation was induced by M1, and M2. All compounds enhanced the innate immunity, but M1 also augmented acquired immunity and M2 diminished B lymphocytes, responsible to acquired immunity.

Conclusions
Based on the results presented here, these highly diluted tinctures were shown to modulate immune responses. Even though further investigation is needed there is an indication that these highly diluted tinctures could be used as therapeutic interventions in disorders where the immune system is compromised.
Mitochondrial NAD+-dependent malic enzyme from Anopheles stephensi: a possible novel target for malaria mosquito control
Authors: Pon Jennifer , Napoli Eleonora , Luckhart Shirley , Giulivi Cecilia 
Published: October 2011

AbstractBackgroundAnopheles stephensimitochondrial malic enzyme (ME) emerged as having a relevant role in the provision of pyruvate for the Krebs' cycle because inhibition of this enzyme results in the complete abrogation of oxygen uptake by mitochondria. Therefore, the identification of ME in mitochondria from immortalizedA. stephensi(ASE) cells and the investigation of the stereoselectivity of malate analogues are relevant in understanding the physiological role of ME in cells of this important malaria parasite vector and its potential as a possible novel target for insecticide development.MethodsTo characterize the mitochondrial ME from immortalized ASE cells (Mos. 43; ASE), mass spectrometry analyses of trypsin fragments of ME, genomic sequence analysis and biochemical assays were performed to identify the enzyme and evaluate its activity in terms of cofactor dependency and inhibitor preference.ResultsThe encoding gene sequence and primary sequences of several peptides from mitochondrial ME were found to be highly homologous to the mitochondrial ME fromAnopheles gambiae(98%) and 59% homologous to the mitochondrial NADP+-dependent ME isoform fromHomo sapiens. Measurements of ME activity in mosquito mitochondria isolated from ASE cells showed that (i)Vmaxwith NAD+was 3-fold higher than that with NADP+, (ii) addition of Mg2+or Mn2+increased theVmaxby 9- to 21-fold, with Mn2+2.3-fold more effective than Mg2+, (iii) succinate and fumarate increased the activity by 2- and 5-fold, respectively, at sub-saturating concentrations of malate, (iv) among the analogs of L-malate tested as inhibitors of the NAD+-dependent ME catalyzed reaction, small (2- to 3-carbons) organic diacids carrying a 2-hydroxyl/keto group behaved as the most potent inhibitors of ME activity (e.g., oxaloacetate, tartronic acid and oxalate).ConclusionsThe biochemical characterization ofAnopheles stephensiME is of critical relevance given its important role in bioenergetics, suggesting that it is a suitable target for insecticide development.
Anti-CD20 B-cell depletion enhances monocyte reactivity in neuroimmunological disorders
Authors: Lehmann-Horn Klaus , Schleich Eva , Hertzenberg Deetje , Hapfelmeier Alexander , Kümpfel Tania , von Bubnoff Nikolas , Hohlfeld Reinhard , Berthele Achim , Hemmer Bernhard , Weber Martin S 
Published: October 2011

AbstractBackgroundClinical trials evaluating anti-CD20-mediated B-cell depletion in multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO) generated encouraging results. Our recent studies in the MS model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) attributed clinical benefit to extinction of activated B-cells, but cautioned that depletion of naïve B-cells may be undesirable. We elucidated the regulatory role of un-activated B-cells in EAE and investigated whether anti-CD20 may collaterally diminish regulatory B-cell properties in treatment of neuroimmunological disorders.MethodsMyelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) peptide-immunized C57Bl/6 mice were depleted of B-cells. Functional consequences for regulatory T-cells (Treg) and cytokine production of CD11b+antigen presenting cells (APC) were assessed. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 22 patients receiving anti-CD20 and 23 untreated neuroimmunological patients were evaluated for frequencies of B-cells, T-cells and monocytes; monocytic reactivity was determined by TNF-production and expression ofsignalling lymphocytic activation molecule(SLAM).ResultsWe observed that EAE-exacerbation upon depletion of un-activated B-cells closely correlated with an enhanced production of pro-inflammatory TNF by CD11b+APC. Paralleling this pre-clinical finding, anti-CD20 treatment of human neuroimmunological disorders increased the relative frequency of monocytes and accentuated pro-inflammatory monocyte function; when reactivated ex vivo, a higher frequency of monocytes from B-cell depleted patients produced TNF and expressed the activation marker SLAM.ConclusionsThese data suggest that in neuroimmunological disorders, pro-inflammatory APC activity is controlled by a subset of B-cells which is eliminated concomitantly upon anti-CD20 treatment. While this observation does not conflict with the general concept of B-cell depletion in human autoimmunity, it implies that its safety and effectiveness may further advance by selectively targeting pathogenic B-cell function.