bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inducing salt tolerance in mung bean through coinoculation with rhizobia and plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria containing 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase
Authors: Ahmad Maqshoof , Zahir Zahir A. , Asghar H. Naeem , Asghar M. 
Published: July 2011

Twenty-five strains of plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) containing 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase and 10 strains of rhizobia were isolated from rhizosphere soil samples and nodules of mung bean. They were screened in separate trials under salt-stressed axenic conditions. The three most effective strains of PGPR (Mk1, Pseudomonas syringae ; Mk20, Pseudomonas fluorescens ; and Mk25, Pseudomonas fluorescens biotype G) and Rhizobium phaseoli strains M1, M6, and M9 were evaluated in coinoculation for their growth-promoting activity at three salinity levels (original, 4 dS·m–1, and 6 dS·m–1) under axenic conditions. The results showed that salinity stress significantly reduced plant growth but inoculation with PGPR containing ACC deaminase and rhizobia enhanced plant growth, thus reducing the inhibitory effect of salinity. However, their combined application was more effective under saline conditions, and the combination Mk20 × M6 was the most efficient for improving seedling growth and nodulation. The effect of high ethylene concentrations on plant growth and the performance of these strains for reducing the negative impact of saline stress was also evaluated by conducting a classical triple-response bioassay. The intensity of the classical triple response decreased owing to inoculation with these strains, with the root and shoot lengths of inoculated mung bean seedlings increasing and stem diameter decreasing, which is a typical response to the dilution in a classical triple response bioassay. Thus, coinoculation with PGPR containing ACC deaminase and Rhizobium spp. could be a useful approach for inducing salt tolerance and thus improving growth and nodulation in mung bean under salt-affected conditions.
Isolation of estrogen-degrading bacteria from an activated sludge bioreactor treating swine waste, including a strain that converts estrone to β-estradiol
Authors: Isabelle Martine , Villemur Richard , Juteau Pierre , Lépine François 
Published: July 2011

An estrogen-degrading bacterial consortium from a swine wastewater biotreatment was enriched in the presence of low concentrations (1 mg/L) of estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (βE2), and equol (EQO) as sole carbon sources. The consortium removed 99% ± 1% of these three estrogens in 48 h. Estrogen removal occurred even in the presence of an ammonia monooxygenase inhibitor, suggesting that nitrifiers are not involved. Five strains showing estrogen-metabolizing activity were isolated from the consortium on mineral agar medium with estrogens as sole carbon source. They are related to four genera ( Methylobacterium (strain MI6.1R), Ochrobactrum (strains MI6.1B and MI9.3), Pseudomonas (strain MI14.1), and Mycobacterium (strain MI21.2)) distributed among three classes (Alphaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, and Actinobacteria). Depending on the culture medium, strains MI6.1B, MI9.3, MI14.1, and MI21.2 partially transform βE2 into E1, whereas Methylobacterium sp. strain MI6.1R reduces E1 into βE2 under aerobic conditions, in contrast with the usually observed conversion of βE2 into E1. Since βE2 is a more potent endocrine disruptor than E1, it means that the presence of Methylobacterium sp. strain MI6.1R (or other bacteria with the same E1-reducing activity) in a treatment could transiently increase the estrogenicity of the effluent. MI6.1R can also reduce the ketone group of 16-ketoestradiol, a hydroxylated analog of E1. All βE2 and E1 transformation activities were constitutive, and many of them are favoured in a rich medium than a medium containing no other carbon source. None of the isolated strains could degrade EQO.
Targeted Therapeutic Remodeling of the Tumor Microenvironment Improves an HER-2 DNA Vaccine and Prevents Recurrence in a Murine Breast Cancer Model
Authors: Liao Debbie , Liu Ze , Wrasidlo Wolfgang J. , Luo Yunping , Nguyen Giang , Chen Tingmei , Xiang Rong , Reisfeld Ralph A. 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) mediates immunosuppression resulting in tumor cell escape from immune surveillance and cancer vaccine failure. Immunosuppression is mediated by the STAT-3 transcription factor, which potentiates signaling in tumor and immune cells. Because immunosuppression continues to be a major inhibitor of cancer vaccine efficacy, we examined in this study whether therapeutically targeted delivery of a synthetic STAT-3 inhibitor to the TME, combined with an HER-2 DNA vaccine can improve immune surveillance against HER-2+ breast cancer and prevent its recurrence. To this end, we developed a novel ligand-targeted nanoparticle (NP) encapsulating a CDDO-Im payload capable of specific delivery to the TME, which showed an effective therapeutic inhibition of STAT-3 activation in primary tumors. Furthermore, we showed that treatment with these NPs resulted in priming of the immune TME, characterized by increased IFN-γ, p-STAT-1, GM-CSF, IL-2, IL-15, and IL-12b and reduced TGF-β, IL-6, and IL-10 protein expression. In addition, we found significantly increased tumor infiltration by activated CD8+ T cells, M1 macrophages, and dendritic cells. These changes correlated with delayed growth of orthotopic 4TO7 breast tumors and, when combined with an HER-2 DNA vaccine, prevented HER-2+ primary tumor recurrence in immunocompetent mice. Furthermore, antitumor T-cell responses were enhanced in splenocytes isolated from mice treated with this combination therapy. Together, these data show effective protection from cancer recurrence through improved immune surveillance against a tumor-specific antigen. Cancer Res; 71(17); 5688–96. ©2011 AACR.
Tamoxifen DownregulatesEtsOncogene Family MembersETV4andETV5in Benign Breast Tissue: Implications for Durable Risk Reduction
Authors: Euhus David , Bu Dawei , Xie Xian-Jin , Sarode Venetia , Ashfaq Raheela , Hunt Kelly , Xia Weiya , O'Shaughnessy Joyce , Grant Michael , Arun Banu , Dooley William , Miller Alexander , Flockhart David , Lewis Cheryl 
Published: July 2011

AbstractFive years of tamoxifen reduces breast cancer risk by nearly 50% but is associated with significant side effects and toxicities. A better understanding of the direct and indirect effects of tamoxifen in benign breast tissue could elucidate new mechanisms of breast carcinogenesis, suggest novel chemoprevention targets, and provide relevant early response biomarkers for phase II prevention trials. Seventy-three women at increased risk for breast cancer were randomized to tamoxifen (20 mg daily) or placebo for 3 months. Blood and breast tissue samples were collected at baseline and posttreatment. Sixty-nine women completed all study activities (37 tamoxifen and 32 placebo). The selected biomarkers focused on estradiol and IGFs in the blood; DNA methylation and cytology in random periareolar fine-needle aspirates; and tissue morphometry, proliferation, apoptosis, and gene expression (microarray and reverse transcriptase PCR) in the tissue core samples. Tamoxifen downregulated Ets oncogene transcription factor family members ETV4 and ETV5 and reduced breast epithelial cell proliferation independent of CYP2D6 genotypes or effects on estradiol, ESR1, or IGFs. Reduction in proliferation was correlated with downregulation of ETV4 and DNAJC12. Tamoxifen reduced the expression of ETV4- and ETV5-regulated genes implicated in epithelial-stromal interaction and tissue remodeling. Three months of tamoxifen did not affect breast tissue composition, cytologic atypia, preneoplasia, or apoptosis. A plausible mechanism for the chemopreventive effects of tamoxifen is restriction of lobular expansion into stroma through downregulation of ETV4 and ETV5. The human equivalent of murine multipotential progenitor cap cells of terminal end buds may be the primary target. Cancer Prev Res; 4(11); 1852–62. ©2011 AACR.
On the Role of Articulatory Prosodies in German Message Decoding
Authors: Kohler Klaus J. , Niebuhr Oliver 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
A theoretical framework for speech reduction is outlined in which ‘coarticulation’ and ‘articulatory control’ operate on sequences of ‘opening-closing gestures’ in linguistic and communicative settings, leading to suprasegmental properties – ‘articulatory prosodies’ – in the acoustic output. In linking this gestalt perspective in speech production to the role of phonetic detail in speech understanding, this paper reports on perception experiments that test listeners’ reactions to varying extension of an ‘articulatory prosody of palatality’ in message identification. The point of departure for the experimental design was the German utterance ich kann Ihnen das ja mal sagen ‘I can mention this to you’ from the Kiel Corpus of Spontaneous Speech, which contains the palatalized stretch [k̟<sup>h</sup>ε̈n<sup>j</sup>n<sup>j</sup>əs] for the sequence of function words /kan i.n(ə)n das/ kann Ihnen das. The utterance also makes sense without the personal pronoun Ihnen. Systematic experimental variation has shown that the extent of palatality has a highly significant influence on the decoding of Ihnen and that the effect of nasal consonant duration depends on the extension of palatality. These results are discussed in a plea to base future speech perception research on a paradigm that makes the traditional segment–prosody divide more permeable, and moves away from the generally practised phoneme orientation.
Dispositional Optimism Protects Older Adults From Stroke
Authors: Kim Eric S. , Park Nansook , Peterson Christopher 
Published: July 2011

Background and Purpose—
Although higher optimism has been linked to an array of positive health outcomes, the association between optimism and incidence of stroke remains unclear, especially among older adults. We examined whether higher optimism was associated with a lower incidence of stroke.

Method—
Prospective data from the Health and Retirement Study—a nationally representative panel study of American adults aged >50 years—were used. Analyses were conducted for a 2-year follow-up on the subset of 6044 adults (2542 men, 3502 women) who were stroke-free at baseline. Analyses adjusted for chronic illnesses, self-rated health, and relevant sociodemographic, behavioral, biological, and psychological factors.

Results—

Higher optimism was associated with a lower risk of stroke. On an optimism measure ranging from 3 to 18, each unit increase in optimism was associated with an age-adjusted OR of 0.90 for stroke (95% CI, 0.84 to 0.97;
P
<0.01). The effect of optimism remained significant even after fully adjusting for a comprehensive set of sociodemographic, behavioral, biological, and psychological stroke risk factors.

Conclusions—
Optimism may play an important role in protecting against stroke among older adults.
Trigger factors for familial hemiplegic migraine
Authors: Hansen Jakob Møller , Hauge Anne Werner , Ashina Messoud , Olesen Jes 
Published: July 2011

Objective: The aim was to identify and describe migraine trigger factors in patients with familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM) from a population-based sample. Methods: 127 FHM patients were sent a questionnaire listing 16 trigger factors. Distinction was made between attacks of hemiplegic migraine (HM) and migraine with aura (MA) or without aura (MO) within each patient. Results: The response rate was 59% (75/127) of whom 57 (76%) had current HM attacks. Sixty-three per cent (47/75) reported at least one factor triggering HM, and 36% (27/75) reported at least one factor that often or always caused HM. Twenty per cent (15/75) reported only HM, whereas FHM in combinations with MA and MO were reported by 80% (60/75). Stress (with attacks either following or during the stress), bright light, intense emotional influences and sleeping too much or too little were the trigger factors mentioned by most. Conclusion: Many FHM patients report trigger factors and one-third reported at least one trigger factor often or always triggering FHM. The typical triggers are the same as for MA. Patients should be educated to avoid these factors. The role of trigger factors in the onset of new or first attacks of FHM remains unknown.
Errorless and errorful learning modulated by transcranial direct current stimulation
Authors: Hammer Anke , Mohammadi Bahram , Schmicker Marlen , Saliger Sina , Münte Thomas F 
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Background
Errorless learning is advantageous over trial and error learning (errorful learning) as errors are avoided during learning resulting in increased memory performance. Errorful learning challenges the executive control system of memory processes as the erroneous items compete with the correct items during retrieval. The left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is a core region involved in this executive control system. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can modify the excitability of underlying brain functioning.

Results
In a single blinded tDCS study one group of young healthy participants received anodal and another group cathodal tDCS of the left DLPFC each compared to sham stimulation. Participants had to learn words in an errorless and an errorful manner using a word stem completion paradigm. The results showed that errorless compared to errorful learning had a profound effect on the memory performance in terms of quality. Anodal stimulation of the left DLPFC did not modulate the memory performance following errorless or errorful learning. By contrast, cathodal stimulation hampered memory performance after errorful learning compared to sham, whereas there was no modulation after errorless learning.

Conclusions
Concluding, the study further supports the advantages of errorless learning over errorful learning. Moreover, cathodal stimulation of the left DLPFC hampered memory performance following the conflict-inducing errorful learning as compared to no modulation after errorless learning emphasizing the importance of the left DLPFC in executive control of memory.
Management of pain induced by exercise and mobilization during physical therapy programs: views of patients and care providers
Authors: Alami Sophie , Desjeux Dominique , Lefèvre-Colau Marie Martine , Boisgard Anne Sophie , Boccard Eric , Rannou François , Poiraudeau Serge 
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Background
The expectations of patients for managing pain induced by exercise and mobilization (PIEM) have seldom been investigated. We identified the views of patients and care providers regarding pain management induced by exercise and mobilization during physical therapy programs.

Methods
We performed a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with a stratified sample of 12 patients (7 women) and 14 care providers (6 women): 4 general practitioners [GPs], 1 rheumatologist, 1 physical medicine physician, 1 geriatrician, 2 orthopedic surgeons, and 5 physical therapists.

Results
Patients and care providers have differing views on PIEM in the overall management of the state of disease. Patients' descriptions of PIEM were polymorphic, and they experienced it as decreased health-related quality of life. The impact of PIEM was complex, and patient views were sometimes ambivalent, ranging from denial of symptoms to discontinuation of therapy. Care providers agreed that PIEM is generally not integrated in management strategies. Care providers more often emphasized the positive and less often the negative dimensions of PIEM than did patients. However, the consequences of PIEM cited included worsened patient clinical condition, fears about physical therapy, rejection of the physical therapist and refusal of care. PIEM follow-up is not optimal and is characterized by poor transmission of information. Patients expected education on how better to prevent stress and anxiety generated by pain, education on mobilization, and adaptations of physical therapy programs according to pain intensity.

Conclusion
PIEM management could be optimized by alerting care providers to the situation, improving communication among care providers, and providing education to patients and care providers.
Site-specific modification of ED-B-targeting antibody using intein-fusion technology
Authors: Möhlmann Sina , Bringmann Peter , Greven Simone , Harrenga Axel 
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Background
A promising new approach in cancer therapy is the use of tumor specific antibodies coupled to cytotoxic agents. Currently these immunoconjugates are prepared by rather unspecific coupling chemistries, resulting in heterogeneous products. As the drug load is a key parameter for the antitumor activity, site-specific strategies are desired. Expressed protein ligation (EPL) and protein trans-splicing (PTS) are methods for the specific C-terminal modification of a target protein. Both include the expression as an intein fusion protein, followed by the exchange of the intein for a functionalized moiety.

Results
A full-length IgG specific for fibronectin ED-B was expressed as fusion protein with an intein (Mxe GyrA or Npu DnaE) attached to each heavy chain. In vitro protocols were established to site-specifically modify the antibodies in high yields by EPL or PTS, respectively. Although reducing conditions had to be employed during the process, the integrity or affinity of the antibody was not affected. The protocols were used to prepare immunoconjugates containing two biotin molecules per antibody, attached to the C-termini of the heavy chains.

Conclusion
Full-length antibodies can be efficiently and site-specifically modified at the C-termini of their heavy chains by intein-fusion technologies. The described protocols can be used to prepare immunoconjugates of high homogeneity and with a defined drug load of two. The attachment to the C-termini is expected to retain the affinity and effector functions of the antibodies.
Association of laboratory parameters with viral factors in patients with hepatitis C
Authors: Ijaz Bushra , Ahmad Waqar , Javed Fouzia T , Gull Sana , Sarwar Muhammad T , Kausar Humera , Asad Sultan , Jahan Shah , Khaliq Saba , Shahid Imran , Sumrin Aleena , Hassan Sajida 
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Background and Aims
HCV infection may lead to hepatic fibrosis. In this study, we tried to determine whether there is any correlation of HCV genotypes and viral load to the clinical parameters such as ALT, AST, ALP, bilirubin, Hb level, patient's age and gender; and then correlated this association with disease progression in liver biopsy samples.

Methods
In cross-sectional and observational study, 6048 serum HCV RNA positive patients were chosen. The study consists of 53 months from March 2006 to September 2010. Patients were divided into three cohorts to validate our data. Statistical analysis and correlation of lab parameters with viral factors was determined by using SPSS version 16.

Results
The most prevalent genotype was 3 (70.9%) followed by 1 (13.3%) and 4 (7.4%), collectively. During Univariate analysis, in all cohorts; serum bilirubin, ALP, ALT and AAR showed significant correlation with genotypes, however multivariate analysis showed that all genotypes except 4a have no association with host biochemical markers. Disease progression was also independent of all genotypes. Serum ALP, ALT, bilirubin and viremea levels were significantly elevated in patients with genotype 4a. Viral load showed negative association with serum bilirubin (r = -0.112, P = 0.000) and ALP levels (r = -0.098, P = 0.000). We observed positive correlation of ALP and bilirubin levels, while negative associations of viral load with HCV liver disease progression.

Conclusion
Disease progression seems independent of the genotypes. Relationship between ALP and bilirubin with viral load may be an attractive marker to guess disease progression in patients with hepatitis C.
Single-step autoantibody profiling in antiphospholipid syndrome using a multi-line dot assay
Authors: Egerer Karl , Roggenbuck Dirk , Büttner Thomas , Lehmann Barbara , Kohn Annushka , von Landenberg Philipp , Hiemann Rico , Feist Eugen , Burmester Gerd-Rüdiger , Dörner Thomas 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
Introduction
Diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) still remains a laboratory challenge due to the great diversity of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) and their significance regarding APS-diagnostic criteria.

Methods
A multi-line dot assay (MLDA) employing phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylinositol (PI), cardiolipin (CL), and beta2-glycoprotein I (β2 GPI) was used to detect aPL, immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) in 85 APS patients, 65 disease controls, and 79 blood donors. For comparison, anti-CL and anti-β2 GPI IgG and IgM were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results
The level of agreement of both methods was good for anti-CL IgG, moderate for anti-CL IgM, very good for anti-β2 GPI IgG, and moderate for anti-β2 GPI IgM (kappa = 0.641, 0.507, 0.803 and 0.506, respectively). The frequency of observed discrepancies for anti-CL IgG (1.75%), anti-CL IgM (3.93%), anti-β2 GPI IgG (1.75%), and anti-β2 GPI IgM (0.87%) was low (McNemar test, P < 0.05, not-significant, respectively). Sensitivity, specificity, positive (+LR) and negative (-LR) likelihood ratios for at least one positive aPL antibody assessed by ELISA were 58.8%, 95.8%, 14.1, and 0.4, respectively, and for at least three positive aPl IgM and/or one positive aPL IgG by MLDA were 67.1%, 96.5%, 19.3, and 0.3, respectively. The frequency of IgM to PI, PS and CL, and combination of three or more aPL IgM detected by MLDA was significantly higher in APS patients with cerebral transient ischemia (P < 0.05, respectively).

Conclusions
The novel MLDA is a readily available, single-step, sensitive diagnostic tool for the multiplex detection of aPL antibodies in APS and a potential alternative for single aPL antibody testing by ELISA.