bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Building resilience: A preliminary exploration of women's perceptions of the use of acupuncture as an adjunct to In Vitro Fertilisation
Authors: de Lacey Sheryl , Smith Caroline A , Paterson Charlotte 
Published: December 2009

Abstract

Background
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) is now an accepted and effective treatment for infertility, however IVF is acknowledged as contributing to, rather than lessening, the overall psychosocial effects of infertility. Psychological and counselling interventions have previously been widely recommended in parallel with infertility treatments but whilst in many jurisdictions counselling is recommended or mandatory, it may not be widely used. Acupuncture is increasingly used as an adjunct to IVF, in this preliminary study we sought to investigate the experience of infertile women who had used acupuncture to improve their fertility.

Methods
A sample of 20 women was drawn from a cohort of women who had attended for a minimum of four acupuncture sessions in the practices of two acupuncturists in South Australia. Eight women were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Six had sought acupuncture during IVF treatment and two had begun acupuncture to enhance their fertility and had later progressed to IVF. Descriptive content analysis was employed to analyse the data.

Results
Four major categories of perceptions about acupuncture in relation to reproductive health were identified: (a) Awareness of, and perceived benefits of acupuncture; (b) perceptions of the body and the impact of acupuncture upon it; (c) perceptions of stress and the impact of acupuncture on resilience; and (d) perceptions of the intersection of medical treatment and acupuncture.

Conclusion
This preliminary exploration, whilst confined to a small sample of women, confirms that acupuncture is indeed perceived by infertile women to have an impact to their health. All findings outlined here are reported cautiously because they are limited by the size of the sample. They suggest that further studies of acupuncture as an adjunct to IVF should systematically explore the issues of wellbeing, anxiety, personal and social resilience and women's identity in relation to sexuality and reproduction.
An analysis of farmers' perception of the new cooperative medical system in Liaoning Province, China
Authors: Pan Xilong , Zhang Ying , Xu Li , Huang Ju , Zhao Qianqian 
Published: December 2009

Abstract

Background
Since 2003, the number of pilot areas of the New Rural Cooperative Medical System (NRCMS) has increased in rural China. And the major efforts have been concentrated on the enrollment of prospective members. In this study, we examined the satisfaction of the rural residents with the NRCMS as well as factors affecting their attitudes towards the NRCMS.

Methods
The data for this study were collected from a survey involving twenty counties in Liaoning Province. Interviews and focus groups were conducted between 10th January and 20th August 2008. A total of 2,780 people aged 18-72 were randomly selected and interviewed. Data were evaluated by nonparametric tests and ordinal regression models.

Results
71.6% of the study subjects were satisfied with the NRCMS. Single factor analysis showed that attitudes towards the NRCMS were influenced by gender, age, marital status, and self-rated health status. In the ordinal regression analysis, gender, age, and self-rated health status affect satisfaction (P < 0.05).

Conclusions
We found that a considerable proportion of farmers were satisfied with the NRCMS. Gender, age, and self-rated health status had significant effects on farmers' attitudes towards the NRCMS. The Chinese Central Government attempted to adopt active measures in the future to continuously improve the NRCMS, including initiating educational programs, building new medical facilities and increasing financial investment.
Evaluation of the Palutop+4 malaria rapid diagnostic test in a non-endemic setting
Authors: van Dijk David PJ , Gillet Philippe , Vlieghe Erika , Cnops Lieselotte , van Esbroeck Marjan , Jacobs Jan 
Published: December 2009

Abstract

Background
Palutop+4 (All. Diag, Strasbourg, France), a four-band malaria rapid diagnostic test (malaria RDT) targeting the histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP-2), Plasmodium vivax- specific parasite lactate dehydrogenase (Pv-pLDH) and pan Plasmodium-specific pLDH (pan-pLDH) was evaluated in a non-endemic setting on stored whole blood samples from international travellers suspected of malaria.

Methods
Microscopy corrected by PCR was the reference method. Samples include those infected by Plasmodium falciparum (n = 323), Plasmodium vivax (n = 97), Plasmodium ovale (n = 73) and Plasmodium malariae (n = 25) and 95 malaria negative samples.

Results
The sensitivities for the diagnosis of P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae and P. ovale were 85.1%, 66.0%, 32.0% and 5.5%. Sensitivities increased at higher parasite densities and reached 90.0% for P. falciparum >100/μl and 83.8% for P. vivax > 500/μl. Fourteen P. falciparum samples reacted with the Pv-pLDH line, one P. vivax sample with the HRP-2 line, and respectively two and four P. ovale and P. malariae samples reacted with the HRP-2 line. Two negative samples gave a signal with the HRP-2 line. Faint and weak line intensities were observed for 129/289 (44.6%) HRP-2 lines in P. falciparum samples, for 50/64 (78.1%) Pv-pLDH lines in P. vivax samples and for 9/13 (69.2%) pan-pLDH lines in P. ovale and P. malariae samples combined. Inter-observer reliabilities for positive and negative readings were excellent for the HRP-2 and Pv-pLDH lines (overall agreement > 92.0% and kappa-values for each pair of readers ≥ 0.88), and good for the pan-pLDH line (85.5% overall agreement and kappa-values ≥ 0.74).

Conclusions
Palutop+4 performed moderately for the detection of P. falciparum and P. vivax, but sensitivities were lower than those of three-band malaria RDTs.
Imprint cytology of osteosarcoma of the jaw: a case report
Authors: Cabral Luiz Antonio Guimarães , Werkman Cristina , Brandão Adriana Aigotti Haberbeck , Almeida Janete Dias 
Published: December 2009

Abstract

Introduction
Osteosarcomas are highly malignant bone-forming neoplasms that account for about 20% of all sarcomas. In light of their aggressive behavior, early diagnosis is crucial for determining adequate treatment. Dental professionals may be the first to detect jaw osteosarcomas in their initial stages. The aim of this case report is to draw attention to the possibility of diagnosing this tumor based on clinical, radiographical and cytological characteristics before confirmation by histology.

Case presentation
A 24-year-old Afro-Brazilian man presented with swelling and pain on the left side of the mandible in the region of the third molar (tooth 38). Radiography showed a poorly delimited intraosseous lesion with radiolucent and radiopaque areas. The cytological aspects were consistent with the diagnosis of osteosarcoma, which was confirmed by biopsy.

Conclusion
Imprint cytology was found to be a reliable, rapid and easy complementary examination. An early diagnosis of osteosarcoma of the jaw is fundamental to the early determination of an adequate treatment.
Pamidronate therapy for hypercalcemia and congenital mesoblastic nephroma: a case report
Authors: Soheilipour Fahimeh , Ashrafi Amineh Mahmood , Hashemipour Mahin , Salahi Kojoor Ali Asghar , Davarpanah Jazi Amir Hosein 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
Hypercalcemia can causes life threatening complications. We report an infant with severe hypercalcemia due to congenital mesoblastic nephroma. Hypercalcemia was corrected before nephrectomy by pamidronate. According to our knowledge this is a rare case with severe neoplasm induced hypercalcemia among neonates who treated by bisphosphonates. The aim of this report is to define new approach to neoplasm induced neonatal hypercalcemia.
Induction of Thyroid Gene Expression and Radioiodine Uptake in Thyroid Cancer Cells by Targeting Major Signaling Pathways
Authors: Hou Peng , Bojdani Ermal , Xing Mingzhao 
Published: December 2009

AbstractContext: Radioiodine ablation is commonly used to treat thyroid cancer, but a major challenge is often the loss of radioiodine avidity of the cancer caused by aberrant silencing of iodide-handling genes.Objectives: This study was conducted to test the therapeutic potential of targeting the aberrantly activated MAPK and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways and histone deacetylase to restore radioiodine avidity in thyroid cancer cells.Experimental Design: We tested the effects of specific inhibitors targeting these pathways/molecules that had established clinical applicability, including the MAPK kinase inhibitor RDEA119, mTOR inhibitor temsirolimus, Akt inhibitor perifosine, and histone deacetylase inhibitor SAHA, individually or in combinations, on the expression of iodide-handling genes and radioiodide uptake in a large panel of thyroid cancer cell lines.Results: The expression of a large number of iodide-handling genes could be restored, particularly the sodium/iodide symporter, TSH receptor, and thyroperoxidase, by treating cells with these inhibitors. The effect was particularly robust and synergistic when combinations of inhibitors containing SAHA were used. Robust expression of sodium/iodide symporter in the cell membrane, which plays the most important role in iodide uptake in thyroid cells, was confirmed by immunofluorescent microscopy. Radioiodide uptake by cells was correspondingly induced under these conditions. Thyroid gene expression and radioiodide uptake could both be further enhanced by TSH.Conclusions: Targeting major signaling pathways could restore thyroid gene expression and radioiodide uptake in thyroid cancer cells. Further studies are warranted to test this therapeutic potential in restoring radioiodine avidity of thyroid cancer cells for effective ablation treatment.
Fat Mass Exerts a Greater Effect on Cortical Bone Mass in Girls than Boys
Authors: Sayers Adrian , Tobias Jonathan H. 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
Context: It is unclear whether fat mass (FM) and lean mass (LM) differ in the way they influence cortical bone development in boys and girls.
Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the contributions of total body FM and LM to parameters related to cortical bone mass and geometry.
Design/Setting: We conducted a longitudinal birth cohort study, the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children.
Participants: A total of 4005 boys and girls (mean age, 15.5 yr) participated in the study.
Outcome Measures: We measured cortical bone mass, cortical bone mineral content (BMCC), cortical bone mineral density, periosteal circumference (PC), and endosteal circumference by tibial peripheral quantitative computed tomography.
Results: LM had a similar positive association with BMCC in boys and girls [regression coefficients with 95% confidence interval (CI); P for gender interactions: boys/girls, 0.952 (0.908, 0.997); P = 0.85]. However, the mechanisms by which LM influenced bone mass differed according to gender because LM was positively associated with PC more strongly in girls [boys, 0.579 (0.522, 0.635); girls, 0.799 (0.722, 0.875); P &lt; 0.0001], but was only associated with cortical bone mineral density in boys [boys, 0.443 (0.382, 0.505); girls, 0.014 (−0.070, 0.097); P &lt; 0.0001]. There was a stronger positive association between FM and BMCC in girls [boys, 0.227 (0.185, 0.269); girls, 0.355 (0.319, 0.392); P &lt; 0.0001]. This reflected both a greater positive association of FM with PC in girls [boys, 0.213 (0.174, 0.253); girls, 0.312 (0.278, 0.347); P = 0.0002], and a stronger negative association with endosteal circumferencePC [boys, −0.059 (−0.096, 0.021); girls, −0.181 (−0.215, −0.146); P &lt; 0.0001].
Conclusions: Whereas LM stimulates the accrual of cortical bone mass to a similar extent in boys and girls, FM is a stronger stimulus for accrual of cortical bone mass in girls, reflecting a greater tendency in females for FM to stimulate periosteal growth and suppress endosteal expansion.
Adiponectin and cardiac geometry and function in elderly: results from two community-based cohort studies
Authors: Gustafsson Stefan , Lind Lars , Zethelius Björn , Venge Per , Flyvbjerg Allan , Söderberg Stefan , Ingelsson Erik 
Published: December 2009

ObjectiveSeveral smaller studies have indicated that adiponectin might be associated with left ventricular (LV) mass and function, but community-based studies with adequate sample size and adjustment for potential confounders are lacking. Our objective was to investigate such associations in two large community-based studies of elderly.DesignCross-sectional.MethodsWe evaluated cross-sectional relations between serum adiponectin and echocardiographic measures of cardiac geometry and function (LV mass index, LV relative wall thickness, LV end-diastolic diameter, left atrial diameter, ejection fraction, LV isovolumic relaxation time, and E/A ratio) in 954 70-year-old participants (50% women) of the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS), and in 427 71-year-old men from the Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men (ULSAM).ResultsIn models adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, antihypertensive treatment, antidiabetic treatment, lipid-lowering medication, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, creatinine, and smoking, adiponectin was inversely associated with ejection fraction in men (β, −1.62; 95% confidence interval (CI), −2.50, −0.75 in PIVUS; β, −1.35; 95% CI, −2.41, −0.29 in ULSAM), but not in women. After additional adjustment for N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), the association between adiponectin and ejection fraction was attenuated (β, −0.98; 95% CI, −1.86, −0.10 in PIVUS; β, −0.75; 95% CI, −1.84, 0.35 in ULSAM).ConclusionsSerum adiponectin concentrations were associated with ejection fraction in men, and these associations were partially attenuated by NT-proBNP. Our results imply that adiponectin may be associated with systolic function through pathways that involve natriuretic peptides.
Intraperitoneal VEGF Inhibition Using Bevacizumab: A Potential Approach for the Symptomatic Treatment of Malignant Ascites?
Authors: Kobold Sebastian , Hegewisch-Becker Susanna , Oechsle Karin , Jordan Karin , Bokemeyer Carsten , Atanackovic Djordje 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
Despite overall improvements in oncological care in the palliative setting, symptomatic malignant ascites remains a severe clinical problem. This form of effusion is known to be widely resistant to established modes of systemic therapy. Accordingly, frequent paracentesis often represents the only effective way for symptom relief in patients with advanced cancer. This invasive mode of therapy, however, is often very burdensome for the patient who is already severely distressed by the underlying malignancy. Recently, the trifunctional monoclonal antibody catumaxomab given i.p. has shown symptom relief in patients with ovarian cancer and malignant ascites. On another front, the release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by tumor cells has been identified as a main factor promoting the i.p. secretion of fluid. Accordingly, recent evidence suggests that targeting VEGF may have the potential to suspend the ascites production resulting from peritoneal metastasis. Here, we review preclinical and clinical data supporting this hypothesis. We show current evidence suggesting that the i.p. application of the anti-VEGF antibody bevacizumab, which is already in use as an i.v. therapeutic drug for a variety of tumors, might represent an effective way to prevent local fluid accumulation. Because such an effect would result in significant relief for patients, future clinical studies should stringently assess the effectiveness of this targeted therapy for the treatment of malignant i.p. effusions.
Effect-like algebras induced by means of basic algebras
Authors: Chajda Ivan 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
Having an MV-algebra, we can restrict its binary operation addition only to the pairs of orthogonal elements. The resulting structure is known as an effect algebra, precisely distributive lattice effect algebra. Basic algebras were introduced as a generalization of MV-algebras. Hence, there is a natural question what an effect-like algebra can be reached by the above mentioned construction if an MV-algebra is replaced by a basic algebra. This is answered in the paper and properties of these effect-like algebras are studied.
Cutting Edge: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-Mediated Signaling in Human CD45RO+ CD4+ T Cells Promotes Akt and ERK Activation and Costimulates IFN-γ Production
Authors: Basu Aninda , Hoerning Andre , Datta Dipak , Edelbauer Monika , Stack Maria P. , Calzadilla Katiana , Pal Soumitro , Briscoe David M. 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
In this study, we find that CD45RO+ memory populations of CD4+ T lymphocytes express the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors KDR and Flt-1 at both the mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, by Western blot analysis, we find that VEGF increases the phosphorylation and activation of ERK and Akt within CD4+CD45RO+ T cells. These VEGF-mediated signaling responses were inhibited by a KDR-specific small interfering RNA in a VEGF receptor-expressing Jurkat T cell line and by SU5416, a pharmacological KDR inhibitor, in CD4+CD45RO + T cells. We also find that VEGF augments mitogen-induced production of IFN-γ in a dose-dependent manner (p &lt; 0.001) and significantly (p &lt; 0.05) increases directed chemotaxis of this T cell subset. Collectively, our results for the first time define a novel function for VEGF and KDR in CD45RO+ memory T cell responses that are likely of great pathophysiological importance in immunity.
Nucleotide Oligomerization Binding Domain-Like Receptor Signaling Enhances Dendritic Cell-Mediated Cross-Priming In Vivo
Authors: Asano Jumpei , Tada Hiroyuki , Onai Nobuyuki , Sato Taku , Horie Yasuo , Fujimoto Yukari , Fukase Koichi , Suzuki Akira , Mak Tak W. , Ohteki Toshiaki 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
Nucleotide oligomerization binding domain (Nod)-like receptors are critical cytosolic sensors for the recognition of bacterial peptidoglycan. However, their role in the induction of dendritic cell (DC)-mediated cross-priming remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that injecting ligands for Nod1 and Nod2 along with Ag into wild-type mice significantly enhanced the cross-priming of Ag-specific CD8+ T cells by CD8α+ DCs, as assessed from the expansion of IFN-γ+ CD8+ T cells, CTL activity against Ag-pulsed targets, and the rejection of transplanted tumors expressing the cognate Ag. The enhancement of CD8α+ DC-mediated cross-priming was likely due to the upregulation of Ag cross-presentation and of costimulatory molecules. Our findings collectively indicate that Nod1/2 signaling is critical for the optimal induction of DC cross-priming in vivo, which may offer an alternative therapeutic pathway in cancer and hosts refractory to TLR signals or paralyzed by viral evasion strategy.
Factor H and Factor H-Related Protein 1 Bind to Human Neutrophils via Complement Receptor 3, Mediate Attachment to Candida albicans, and Enhance Neutrophil Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: Losse Josephine , Zipfel Peter F. , Józsi Mihály 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
The host complement system plays an important role in protection against infections. Several human-pathogenic microbes were shown to acquire host complement regulators, such as factor H (CFH), that downregulate complement activation at the microbial surface and protect the pathogens from the opsonic and lytic effects of complement. Because CFH can also bind to host cells, we addressed the role of CFH and CFH-related proteins as adhesion ligands in host-pathogen interactions. We show that the CFH family proteins CFH, CFH-like protein 1 (CFHL1), CFH-related protein (CFHR) 1, and CFHR4 long isoform bind to human neutrophil granulocytes and to the opportunistic human-pathogenic yeast Candida albicans. Two major binding sites, one within the N-terminus and one in the C-terminus of CFH, were found to mediate binding to neutrophils. Complement receptor 3 (CD11b/CD18; αMβ2 integrin) was identified as the major cellular receptor on neutrophils for CFH, CFHL1, and CFHR1, but not for CFHR4 long isoform. CFH and CFHR1 supported cell migration. Furthermore, CFH, CFHL1, and CFHR1 increased attachment of neutrophils to C. albicans. Adhesion of neutrophils to plasma-opsonized yeasts was reduced when CFH binding was inhibited by specific Abs or when using CFH-depleted plasma. Yeast-bound CFH and CFHR1 enhanced the generation of reactive oxygen species and the release of the antimicrobial protein lactoferrin by human neutrophils, and resulted in a more efficient killing of the pathogen. Thus, CFH and CFHR1, when bound on the surface of C. albicans, enhance antimicrobial activity of human neutrophils.
CD56highCD16−CD62L− NK Cells Accumulate in Allergic Contact Dermatitis and Contribute to the Expression of Allergic Responses
Authors: Carbone Teresa , Nasorri Francesca , Pennino Davide , Eyerich Kilian , Foerster Stefanie , Cifaldi Loredana , Traidl-Hoffman Claudia , Behrendt Heidrun , Cavani Andrea 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
Allergic contact dermatitis is a common disease caused by an exaggerated T cell-mediated immune response to skin-applied haptens. We show in this study that NK cells affect skin immune responses to haptens by releasing type 1 cytokines and inducing keratinocytes apoptosis. Immunohistochemical stainings demonstrated that NK lymphocytes constitute ∼10% of the inflammatory infiltrate mostly distributed in the superficial dermis and in the epidermis at the site of intense spongiotic changes. More than 90% of NK cells isolated from allergic contact dermatitis skin showed a CD3-CD56highCD16− phenotype by FACS analysis. In addition, they uniformly expressed NKG2A, intermediate to high levels of perforin, and the activating receptors, NKG2D, NKp44, and NKp46, but lacked NKp30 and killer Ig-related receptors. Skin NK lymphocytes displayed a CXCR3+CCR6+CCR5+ chemokine receptor asset for homing into inflamed skin, but not CD62L and CCR7 for lymph node homing. When NK cells from nickel-allergic donors were exposed in vitro to the metal, they failed to proliferate, to upregulate CD69, and to release IFN-γ, thus indicating that NK lymphocytes do not exhibit memory-like properties to haptens. However, IL-2 released by hapten-driven T lymphocytes rapidly induced the release of IFN-γ by NK cells and promoted the NK-mediated apoptosis of autologous keratinocytes in a hapten-independent manner. Our findings underline the importance of the interaction between innate and adaptive immune mechanisms for amplification of skin allergic responses to haptens and full expression of allergic contact dermatitis