bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Babesiosis due to the canine Babesia microti-like small piroplasm in dogs - first report from Portugal and possible vertical transmission
Authors: Simões Paula Brilhante , Cardoso Luís , Araújo Manuela , Yisaschar-Mekuzas Yael , Baneth Gad 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
Canine babesiosis (or piroplasmosis) is endemic in northern Portugal, but molecularly confirmed cases of infection with small piroplasms have not been reported in the country. Three German shepherd dogs - a bitch and its 2-month old pup and an unrelated male - clinically suspected of piroplasmosis were assessed for babesial infection.

Results
Parasitemia with small piroplasms was detected by microscopy in two dogs. All three dogs were positive by PCR and the Babesia microti-like small piroplasm (syn. Theileria annae) was identified by DNA sequencing. These are the first confirmed cases of babesiosis caused by the B. microti-like piroplasm both in dogs from Portugal and in dogs suspected of clinical piroplasmosis outside of Spain.

Conclusions
Although the bitch and the male had visited neighboring Galicia (northwestern Spain), where the disease is endemic, incursion of this piroplasm into northern Portugal is evident and infection of the non-traveled pup was due to either vertical transmission or autochthonous tick infection.
Canine leishmaniosis and its relationship to human visceral leishmaniasis in Eastern Uzbekistan
Authors: Kovalenko Dmitriy A , Razakov Shavkat A , Ponirovsky Evgeny N , Warburg Alon , Nasyrova Rokhat M , Ponomareva Valentina I , Fatullaeva Aziza A , Nasereddin Abdelmajeed , Klement Eyal , Alam Mohammad Z , Schnur Lionel F , Jaffe Charles L , Schönian Gabriele , Baneth Gad 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
The Namangan Region in the Pap District, located in Eastern Uzbekistan is the main focus of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Uzbekistan. In total, 28 cases of human VL were registered during 2006-2008 in this region. A study on the epidemiology of VL in this area was carried out in 2007-2008 in the villages of Chodak, Oltinkan, Gulistan and Chorkesar located at elevations of 900-1200 above sea level.

Results
A total of 162 dogs were tested for Leishmania infection. Blood was drawn for serology and PCR. When clinical signs of the disease were present, aspirates from lymph nodes and the spleen were taken. Forty-two dogs (25.9%) had clinical signs suggestive of VL and 51 (31.5%) were sero-positive. ITS-1 PCR was performed for 135 dogs using blood and tissue samples and 40 (29.6%) of them were PCR-positive. Leishmanial parasites were cultured from lymph node or spleen aspirates from 10 dogs.
Eight Leishmania strains isolated from dogs were typed by multi-locus microsatellite typing (MLMT) and by multilocus enzyme electrophoretic analysis (MLEE), using a 15 enzyme system. These analyses revealed that the strains belong to the most common zymodeme of L. infantum, i.e., MON-1, and form a unique group when compared to MON-1 strains from other geographical regions.

Conclusions
The data obtained through this study confirm the existence of an active focus of VL in the Namangan region of Uzbekistan. The fact that L. infantum was the causative agent of canine infection with typical clinical signs, and also of human infection affecting only infants, suggests that a zoonotic form of VL similar in epidemiology to Mediterranean VL is present in Uzbekistan.
Altered protein expression in serum from endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma patients
Authors: Wang Yi-sheng , Cao Rui , Jin Hong , Huang Yi-ping , Zhang Xiao-yan , Cong Qing , He Yi-feng , Xu Cong-jian 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
Endometrial carcinoma is one of the most common gynecological malignancies in women. The diagnosis of the disease at early or premalignant stages is crucial for the patient's prognosis. To date, diagnosis and follow-up of endometrial carcinoma and hyperplasia require invasive procedures. Therefore, there is considerable demand for the identification of biomarkers to allow non-invasive detection of these conditions.

Methods
In this study, we performed a quantitative proteomics analysis on serum samples from simple endometrial hyperplasia, complex endometrial hyperplasia, atypical endometrial hyperplasia, and endometrial carcinoma patients, as well as healthy women. Serum samples were first depleted of high-abundance proteins, labeled with isobaric tags (iTRAQ™), and then analyzed via two-dimensional liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Protein identification and quantitation information were acquired by comparing the mass spectrometry data against the International Protein Index Database using ProteinPilot software. Bioinformatics annotation of identified proteins was performed by searching against the PANTHER database.

Results
In total, 74 proteins were identified and quantified in serum samples from endometrial lesion patients and healthy women. Using a 1.6-fold change as the benchmark, 12 proteins showed significantly altered expression levels in at least one disease group compared with healthy women. Among them, 7 proteins were found, for the first time, to be differentially expressed in atypical endometrial hyperplasia. These proteins are orosomucoid 1, haptoglobin, SERPINC 1, alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, apolipoprotein A-IV, inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4, and histidine-rich glycoprotein.

Conclusions
The differentially expressed proteins we discovered in this study may serve as biomarkers in the diagnosis and follow-up of endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial carcinoma.
Gene expression changes with differentiation of cord blood stem cells to respiratory epithelial cells: a preliminary observation
Authors: Berger Michael J , Minnerath Sharon R , Adams Sheryl D , Tigges Barbara M , Sprague Stacey L , McKenna Jr David H 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Introduction
Owing to wide availability, low cost and avoidance of ethical concerns, umbilical cord blood (UCB) provides an attractive source of stem cells for investigational and therapeutic uses. In this study, we sought to characterize the gene expression changes as stem cells from UCB differentiate toward alveolar type II pneumocytes (ATII).

Methods
Control and experimental cells were cultured in maintenance medium (mesenchymal stem cell growth medium) or differentiation medium (small airway growth medium (SAGM)), respectively, for 8 days. Total RNA was isolated from control and experimental groups for gene expression profiling and real-time polymerase chain reaction assay.

Results
Analysis of only mixed cell lines (n = 2) with parameters including a P value of 0.01 and an intergroup gap of 2.0 yielded a set of 373 differentially expressed genes. Prominently upregulated genes included several genes associated with ATII cells and also lung cancers: ALDH3A1, VDR and CHKA. Several upregulated genes have been shown to be integral or related to ATII functioning: SGK1, HSD17B11 and LEPR. Finally, several upregulated genes appear to play a role in lung cancers, including FDXR and GP96. Downregulated genes appear to be associated with bone, muscle and central nervous system tissues as well as other widespread tissues.

Conclusions
To the best of our knowledge, this accounting of the gene expression changes associated with the differentiation of a human UCB-derived stem cell toward an ATII cell represents the first such effort. Dissecting which components of SAGM affect specific gene regulation events is warranted.
The Coexistence of a Novel Inactivating Mutant Thyrotropin Receptor Allele with Two Thyroid Peroxidase Mutations: A Genotype-Phenotype Correlation
Authors: Sriphrapradang Chutintorn , Tenenbaum-Rakover Yardena , Weiss Mia , Barkoff Marla S. , Admoni Osnat , Kawthar Dallasheh , Caltabiano Gianluigi , Pardo Leonardo , Dumitrescu Alexandra M. , Refetoff Samuel 
Published: April 2011

Context:
TSH receptor (TSHR) and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) gene mutations occur independently. This is the first report of their coexistence in the same individuals.

Objectives:
The objective of the study was to evaluate the genotype-phenotype correlations when mutations in both genes are present alone or together in the same individual.

Patients and Methods:
Thirty subjects from an extended Arab kindred underwent clinical investigation and molecular studies of the mutant TSHRs.

Results:
A novel mutant TSHR was identified, involving four nucleotides at three sites on the same allele, c.267G&gt;T (L89L), c.269/270AG&gt;CT (Q90P), and c.790C&gt;T (P264S). In addition, two known TPO gene mutations, G493S and R540X, were identified. Thirteen heterozygotes for the mutant TSHR allele had mild hyperthyrotropinemia. In nine of theses, the coexistence of a TPO mutation in one allele did not magnify the hyperthyrotropinemia. Homozygotes for the mutant TSHR and a compound heterozygote for the TPO mutations presented frank hypothyroidism. In vitro studies showed increasing loss of function for Q90P less than P264S less than Q90P/P264S TSHR mutants, the latter being that expressed in the subjects under investigation. The two interchangeably used WT TSHR vectors, L87 and V87, although functionally identical, differed in structure and function in the presence of the Q90P mutation.

Conclusions:
TSHR and TPO gene mutations were identified alone and together in individuals of a consanguineous kindred. Homozygotes for the TSHR and a compound heterozygote for the TPO mutations were hypothyroid. The mild hyperthyrotropinemia of heterozygotes for the mutant TSHR allele was not aggravated by the coexistence of a TPO defect in one allele.
The Mena Nuclear Renaissance
Authors: Grimmitt Melanie 
Published: April 2011

The paper reviews the declared nuclear ambitions of Middle East and North African (MENA) countries, shows the importance of a coordinated legal framework, and reviews the current position. The MENA region is famous for its fossil fuels, yet many countries in the region have declared an intention to use (or at least consider using) nuclear power for much of their future energy needs. The sense of such a policy is clear: as with many other parts of the world, a number of countries in the region face an energy shortfall, and nuclear power is seen as providing a relatively clean and cheap energy source as well as enabling the continued export of fossil fuels to other parts of the world. First off the blocks was the UAE, with a contract award to the South Koreans at the end of 2009, site selection announced in April 2010 and licence applications submitted. Power to the grid is scheduled is for 2017. Progressing with their plans are Jordan and Egypt, and countries with a stated intention to consider nuclear include the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. While technical feasibility is obviously critical, this paper considers the progress of the legal and regulatory frameworks within the region – the legal building blocks to nuclear new build. Again the UAE is leading the way, with the creation of a distinct and independent regulatory authority, but what are the proposals and progress in the other MENA countries? Have any of them evinced an intention to adopt the international conventions on liability for third party nuclear damage, and if not, can the international investment community, the supply chain and especially the public, be convinced that their interests are adequately protected?
Impact of subclinical hypothyroidism on the coronary artery disease in apparently healthy subjects
Authors: Park Young Joo , Lee You Jin , Choi Sang-Il , Chun Eun-Ju , Jang Hak Chul , Chang Hyuk-Jae 
Published: April 2011

ObjectiveCardiovascular disease (CVD) occurs frequently and may progress more rapidly in overt hypothyroidism (OVH). However, the role of mild thyroid failure as a risk factor for CVD is not clear. This study is aimed at exploring the association between subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and coronary artery disease (CAD), as detected by cardiac computed tomography (CT), in apparently healthy subjects.Subjects and methodsWe retrospectively enrolled 2404 asymptomatic subjects who underwent cardiac CT with an intermediate to high risk (Framingham 10-year risk ≥10%) of developing CAD but with no known CAD or thyroid disease. Coronary artery calcium score (CACS) was assessed by calcium scan, and the presence of the plaques (CAD), with ≥50% stenosis being indicative of obstructive CAD, was assessed by coronary CT angiography.ResultsOf the 2404 subjects, 2355 subjects were euthyroid (Eu; 53±9 years, 83 females) and 49 had SCH (58±12 years, seven females). CAD and CACS >100 were more prevalent in SCH subjects than in Eu subjects (Eu vs SCH: CAD, 948 (40.6%) vs 31 (63.3%), P=0.002; CACS >100, 239 (10.3%) vs 10 (20.4%), P=0.031). SCH was also an independent risk factor for CAD after a multivariate analysis (odds ratio: 2.125, 95% confidence interval: 1.049–4.307, P=0.036).ConclusionsSCH subjects who were at an intermediate-to-high risk of developing CAD were significantly more likely to exhibit occult CAD than Eu subjects, especially in men with SCH. These findings suggest that mild thyroid failure also independently contributes to the development of CAD.
Subtyping of primary aldosteronism by adrenal vein sampling: effect of acute D2 receptor dopaminergic blockade on adrenal vein cortisol and chromogranin A levels
Authors: Seccia Teresa M , Miotto Diego , De Toni Renzo , Gallina Valentina , Vincenzi Matteo , Pessina Achille C , Rossi Gian Paolo 
Published: April 2011

BackgroundAdrenal vein sampling (AVS) is the gold standard for identifying the surgically curable forms of primary aldosteronism. Dopamine modulates adrenocortical steroidogenesis and tonically inhibits aldosterone secretion via D2 receptor. However, whether it could also affect the release of cortisol and chromogranin A (ChA), which can be used to assess the selectivity of AVS, is unknown.ObjectiveTo investigate whether metoclopramide increased the release of cortisol and ChA and could thereby improve assessment of the selectivity at AVS.Design and methodsWe investigated the effect of acute D2 antagonism with metoclopramide on cortisol and ChA release from the adrenal gland by comparing the adrenal vein and infrarenal inferior vena cava (IVC) hormone levels at baseline and after metoclopramide administration in 34 consecutive patients undergoing AVS.ResultsMetoclopramide increased plasma aldosterone in the IVC (P<0.00001) and in the adrenal vein blood (P<0.002) but failed to increase plasma cortisol concentration or ChA levels. Therefore, it did not increase the selectivity index based on the measurement of either hormone.ConclusionsThis study shows that the release of cortisol and ChA is not subjected to tonic D2 dopaminergic inhibition. Therefore, these findings lend no evidence for the usefulness of acute metoclopramide administration for enhancing the assessment of the selectivity of blood sampling during AVS with the use of either cortisol or ChA assay.
The Microstructure and Electromigration Performance of Damascene-Fabricated Aluminum Interconnects
Authors: Besser Paul R. , Sanchez John E. , Fields David P. , Pramanick Shekhar , Sahota Kashmir 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTNovel metal deposition stack and damascene processing methods have been used to fabricate electrically isolated parallel arrays of 1.0 μm deep aluminum-alloy interconnect trenches varying in width from 0.5 μm to 16 μm. The grain size and crystallographic texture of the Al in these trenches has been characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and local electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD), respectively. Narrow lines (0.5 and 1.0 μm wide) have a bamboo microstructure, intermediate widths (2.0 μm wide) are nearly bamboo, and wide lines (4.0 μ and wider) are polycrystalline. The <111> texture of the lines degrades with decreasing linewidth. A secondary <100> component is demonstrated and its origin proposed. The electromigration reliability of the narrow damascene Al lines was measured, and the observed enhancement of damascene Al interconnects compared to conventionally-fabricated Al interconnects is correlated with the microstructure.
Unemployment and Goverment's Subsidizing
Authors: Dimovski Vlado , Marič Miha , Žnidaršič Jasmina , Ferjan Marko , Uhan Miha 
Published: April 2011

Unemployment and Goverment's Subsidizing
Unemployment has become more and more pressing matter nowadays. Governments all across the world are implementing policies to increase the employment rates back to the levels before the economic downturn. One of the most important policies implemented by countries governments were employment subsidies, which means that companies got government funding when employing and also that private citizens had the possibility for entrepreneurship stimulus packages. The scope of our study was to determine how the gross domestic product and the government's subsidizing on a country's level affect the number of unemployed on a country level. We have conducted the empirical part of our study on the case of Slovenia and found out that gross domestic product has a bigger effect on the number of unemployed than government's subsidies.
Auditory Brain Stem Responses Evoked by Different Chirps Based on Different Delay Models
Authors: Cebulla Mario , Elberling Claus 
Published: April 2011

Background:A cochlear delay model has previously been proposed for the construction of a chirp stimulus in order to compensate for the temporal dispersion in the auditory periphery. The large intersubject variability in the model data suggests that a chirp constructed from the
average model data will not be able to compensate equally well for the temporal dispersion in all normal-hearing subjects. For the recording of the auditory brain stem response (ABR), it has been suggested that the most efficient chirp for generating the largest response amplitude changes
in duration with level, indicating that the delay model exhibits a latency change with frequency, which becomes larger at lower levels.Purpose:To investigate in normal-hearing subjects how the ABR varies in response to five different chirps and to study how the efficiency of each chirp
changes with stimulus level.Research Design:A click and five chirps of different durations and constructed from the proposed delay model were designed with identical amplitude spectra. The six stimuli were used to record the ABR from 50 normal-hearing test subjects using a quasi-simultaneous
stimulation technique at 50 and 30 dB nHL. The ABR recordings were evaluated by the peak-to-trough amplitude and the peak latency.Results:For the test group the following level effect was demonstrated: at 50 dB nHL the largest response amplitude was provided by a shorter chirp,
whereas at 30 dB nHL the largest response amplitude was provided by a longer chirp. There is, however, large variability as to which of the five chirps generated the largest response in each individual subject, but at the two levels of stimulation, the best chirps were significantly correlated
across the test group. All five chirps generated significantly larger ABRs than the click, but at 30 dB nHL the gain in response amplitude by using the chirps instead of the click was larger than at 50 dB nHL.Conclusions:A chirp that evokes the largest broadband ABRs in normal-hearing
subjects changes in duration with level—that is, being relatively short at higher levels (50 dB nHL) and relatively long at lower levels and near the threshold. However, the changes in amplitude in response to chirps of different durations are not very large, and it is therefore
uncertain whether the outcome from using such chirps actually would outweigh the instrumental complexity of implementation. It appears that the largest advantage of using the chirp over the click is found at the lower levels of stimulation.
Multiple-ASSR Thresholds in Infants and Young Children with Hearing Loss
Authors: Van Maanen Anna , Stapells David R. 
Published: April 2011

Background:The multiple auditory steady-state response (multiple ASSR) is a promising technique for determining thresholds for infants and children. However, there are few data for infants and young children with hearing loss where multiple-ASSR thresholds have been compared
to frequency-specific gold standard (i.e., behavioral or tone-evoked auditory brainstem response [tone ABR]) measures.Purpose:The study compared multiple-ASSR and tone-ABR thresholds and assessed how well “normal” ASSR levels differentiate normal from elevated thresholds.Research
Design:Multiple-ASSR and tone-ABR results (to air-conduction stimuli) were obtained in infants and young children with hearing loss or normal hearing.Study Sample:98 infants with hearing loss (53 infants provided thresholds) and 34 infants with normal hearing.Data Collection
and Analysis:Multiple-ASSR and tone-ABR results were typically completed on the same day. Correlations between ASSR and ABR thresholds, linear regressions, and ASSR-minus-ABR threshold difference scores were calculated for each group (normal or hearing loss), and for both groups combined.Results:Multiple-ASSR
thresholds (dB HL) were strongly correlated (r = .97) with tone-ABR thresholds (dB nHL) for 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz. Mean (±1 SD) difference scores (ASSR-minus-ABR) were 10.7 ± 9.0, 9.5 ± 9.4, 9.2 ± 9.0, and 6.3 ± 9.5 dB for 500,
1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz, respectively. The previously published “normal” ASSR levels accurately differentiated normal from elevated thresholds. Out of 523 tests with elevated tone-ABR thresholds, the multiple ASSR was “normal” in only 22 tests. In these 13 infants,
other ASSR frequencies were elevated, and thus the infants would not have “passed” the ASSR.Conclusions:There are few studies of infants and young children comparing ASSR thresholds to frequency-specific gold standard measures, especially using the multiple-ASSR technique.
The present study, comparing multiple-ASSR to tone-ABR thresholds, nearly doubles the multiple-ASSR sample size in the literature. The results indicate that the multiple-ASSR and tone-ABR thresholds are strongly correlated, and the “normal” multiple-ASSR levels of 50, 45, 40, and
40 dB HL correctly classified children as having “normal” or “elevated” thresholds. However, due to the lack of air- and bone-conduction data in infants with different types and degrees of hearing loss, further ASSR research is needed.