bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contact sensitization pattern in 172 atopic subjects
Authors: Landeck Lilla , Schalock Peter , Baden Lynn , González Ernesto 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBackground  Some authors have claimed a decreased cell‐mediated immunity among atopic individuals, which would lead to observations of decreased rates of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD).Objectives  The purpose of our study was to investigate contact sensitization patterns in atopic subjects compared with non‐atopic subjects.Methods  Patch test data for 1247 patients undergoing patch testing at Massachusetts General Hospital between 1990 and 2006 were reviewed. Using accepted criteria, 172 subjects were classified as atopic individuals (AIs), and 1075 were classified as non‐atopic individuals (NAIs). Sensitization rates were compared between these two groups.Results  Sensitization rates (65.0% and 57.4% in the AI and NAI groups, respectively) and average numbers of positive responses (1.5 and 1.2 in the AI and NAI groups, respectively) were higher in AIs. Leading allergens observed were similar for both groups. Sensitization to potassium dichromate and phenylmercuric acetate was significantly greater in the AI group. The most frequent diagnosis in both groups was ACD (41.9% and 45.5% in the AI and NAI groups, respectively). In addition, more NAIs who were employed in occupations with exposure to wet and/or irritant conditions had hand eczema (P < 0.005).Conclusions  Atopic individuals were shown to be at least as likely to have ACD as NAIs. The most common sensitizers were similar in both groups, suggesting common sources of sensitization.
Egg allergy in patients over 14 years old suffering from atopic eczema
Authors: Čelakovská Jarmila , Ettlerová Květuše , Ettler Karel , Vaněčková Jaroslava 
Published: June 2011

AbstractObjective  The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of egg allergy in patients over 14 years old suffering from atopic eczema and especially to evaluate if egg allergy can deteriorate the course of atopic eczema in this group of patients.Materials and methods  Altogether 179 patients suffering from atopic eczema were included in the study: 51 men and 128 women, with an average age of 26.2 years (SD 9.5 years), with median SCORAD 31.6 (SD 13.3) points. A complete allergological and dermatological examination was performed on all patients, including diagnostic work‐up of food allergy to egg [skin prick tests, atopy patch tests (APTs), measurement of specific IgE level to egg yolks or whites]. Open exposure test (OET) with egg was performed in patients with positive results in some of these diagnostic methods. Food allergy to egg was determined according to positive results in the OET or according to sufficient anamnestical data about the severe allergic reaction after the ingestion of an egg.Results  An allergy to egg was confirmed in 11 patients out of 179 (6%). Of these patients, only six (3.3%) had a clear improvement in the SCORAD after the elimination of egg. Other triggering factors may cause exacerbation of the atopic eczema in the patients enrolled in the study. Twenty‐eight percent of patients were only sensitized to egg without clinical symptoms. ATPs were a useful tool in the diagnosis of food allergy to egg in patients without IgE reactivity.Conclusion  Egg allergy may play an important role in the worsening of atopic eczema acting as a triggering–exacerbating factor in a minority of patients. The diagnostic work‐up may comprise the challenge tests to confirm the food allergy to egg.
Barrier function of intact and impaired skin: percutaneous penetration of caffeine and salicylic acid
Authors: Rubio Laia , Alonso Cristina , López Olga , Rodríguez Gelen , Coderch Luisa , Notario Jaime , de la Maza Alfonso , Parra José L. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBackground  Normally, percutaneous absorption tests are carried out using skin biopsies for an apparent and acceptable physiological condition. However, under different pathological conditions, the stratum corneum (SC) barrier function is impaired.Methods  The barrier function of the SC was assessed by correlation between the number of repeated applications of tape strips on the skin and its transepidermal water loss (TEWL), as well as by in vitro percutaneous absorption studies of different compounds, using Franz diffusion cells and porcine skin previously stripped.Results  A progressive diminution of the skin barrier function has been detected by TEWL both in vitro and in vivo as the number of skin tape strips increases. On the other hand, the percutaneous absorption of the compounds tested increases in a different way as the number of strips increases. Salicylic acid increases linearly depending on the barrier disturbance. However, percutaneous absorption of caffeine exponentially increased with barrier disturbance. Our results indicate that the barrier impairment of skin always increases the penetration behavior of a given compound; however, the hydrophilic–lipophilic balance of the compounds or formulations used could greatly modify its penetration profile, especially when a modified skin is used.Conclusions  This in vitro protocol may be useful to simulate the percutaneous absorption profile of some drugs applied onto skin with an impaired SC barrier function and could be used to avoid, to some extent, the use of in vivo experimental animal models in the dermopharmaceutical field.
Correlation Analysis of Quantitative Diffusion Parameters in Ipsilateral Cerebral Peduncle during Wallerian Degeneration with Motor Function Outcome after Cerebral Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Liu Xiang , Tian Wei , Qiu Xing , Li Juntao , Thomson Scott , Li Lilin , Wang Henry Z. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND AND PURPOSETo evaluate the time periods of Wallerian degeneration (WD) in which the diffusion parameters of ipsilateral corticalspinal tract (CST) can be used to predict the motor function outcome after brain infarction.METHODSThis retrospective study classified 48 diffusion tensor imaging patients with WD along CST into four groups based on the following time points after stroke onset, Group 1: within the first 2 weeks; Group 2: from 3 to 4 weeks; Group 3: from 5 to 14 weeks; Group 4: after 14 weeks. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), fractional anisotropy (FA), and their ratios (=ipsilateral diffusion value/contralateral value) of cerebral peduncle were evaluated. The correlation between imaging parameters in each group and the motor function scores appraised at 8 months after stroke onset were assessed.RESULTSThere was no evident correlation of FA ratio (rFA) in Group 1 with motor function score (P= .05). The rFA and FA correlated with motor function score in other groups (P < .001 in each group). The ADC ratio and ipsilateral ADC value only showed significant correlation of with motor function score in Group 4 (P= .016 and .029, respectively).CONCLUSIONSThe rFA and ipsilateral FA values after 2 weeks of stroke onset correlate with the motor function outcome.
Lithium: Still a Major Option in the Management of Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Licht Rasmus W. 
Published: June 2011

SUMMARYStill after more than 50 years, lithium is a major treatment of bipolar disorder, even though it has not been promoted by the pharmaceutical industry over the last decades. In recent years the evidence base on lithium for bipolar disorder has substantially increased due to results from a number of trials. Therefore, a review of this evidence is timely. The efficacy of lithium as an acute treatment and as a maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder was evaluated through a review of the evidence, focusing on modern, randomized, parallel‐group designed trials. Additionally, the evidence was sought translated into the proper use of lithium in clinical practice. Lithium's antimanic efficacy has been convincingly demonstrated. However, as blood monitoring due to the risk of toxicity is required and due to an insufficient response in highly agitated patients, lithium monotherapy has a limited place in the acute treatment of severe manic states. For acute bipolar depression, results are conflicting. Recent maintenance trials have added substantially to the documentation of lithium's long‐term stabilizing properties in bipolar disorder, and these properties have been demonstrated independently of any acute response to lithium. Finally, it is now beyond doubt that not only does lithium prevent mania, but also depression in bipolar disorder. Lithium is still to be considered a major if not the most important mood‐ stabilizer, at least for maintaining long‐term stability in patients with bipolar disorder. The potential risks of lithium should be weighed up against its benefits and the fact that serious adverse effects are usually avoidable.
Short- and Long-Term Adaptation to Ethanol Stress and Its Cross-Protective Consequences in Lactobacillus plantarum
Authors: van Bokhorst-van de Veen Hermien , Abee Tjakko , Tempelaars Marcel , Bron Peter A. , Kleerebezem Michiel , Marco Maria L. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

This paper describes the molecular responses of
Lactobacillus plantarum
WCFS1 toward ethanol exposure. Global transcriptome profiling using DNA microarrays demonstrated adaptation of the microorganism to the presence of 8% ethanol over short (10-min and 30-min) and long (24-h) time intervals. A total of 57 genes were differentially expressed at all time points. Expression levels of an additional 859 and 873 genes were modulated after 30 min and 24 h of exposure to the solvent, respectively. Ethanol exposure led to induced expression of genes involved in citrate metabolism and cell envelope architecture, as well as canonical stress response pathways controlled by the central stress regulators HrcA and CtsR. Correspondingly, cells grown for 24 h in medium containing 8% ethanol exhibited higher levels of citrate consumption and modified cell membrane fatty acid composition and showed invaginating septa compared with cells grown in liquid medium without ethanol. In addition, these physiological changes resulted in cross-protection against high temperatures but not against several other stresses tested. To evaluate the role of HrcA and CtsR in ethanol tolerance,
ctsR
and
hrcA
gene deletion mutants were constructed. The growth rate of the
L. plantarum
Δ
ctsR
::
cat
strain was impaired in de Man-Rogosa-Sharpe (MRS) medium containing 8% ethanol, whereas growth of the
L. plantarum
Δ
hrcA
::
cat
and Δ
ctsR
Δ
hrcA
::
cat
mutants was indistinguishable from that of wild-type cells. Overall, these results suggest that the induction of CtsR class III stress responses provides cross-protection against heat stress.
Concentration and Diversity of Noroviruses Detected in Luxembourg Wastewaters in 2008-2009
Authors: Skraber Sylvain , Langlet Jérémie , Kremer Jacques R. , Mossong Joël , De Landtsheer Sébastien , Even Jos , Muller Claude P. , Hoffmann Lucien , Cauchie Henry-Michel 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT
Noroviruses (NoV) in 78 wastewater samples from Luxembourg were quantified, cloned, and sequenced in 2008-2009. The concentrations of NoV genogroup II and the relative occurrences of certain genotypes changed significantly during the winter season. NoV genogroup I was frequently detected by real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), albeit at 30-fold lower concentrations than for genogroup II, hampering attempts to assess overall genetic diversity by the cloning/sequencing approach.
Differences in the Rumen Methanogen Populations of Lactating Jersey and Holstein Dairy Cows under the Same Diet Regimen
Authors: King Erin E. , Smith Rachel P. , St-Pierre Benoit , Wright André-Denis G. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

In the dairy cattle industry, Holstein and Jersey are the breeds most commonly used for production. They differ in performance by various traits, such as body size, milk production, and milk composition. With increased concerns about the impact of agriculture on climate change, potential differences in other traits, such as methane emission, also need to be characterized further. Since methane is produced in the rumen by methanogenic archaea, we investigated whether the population structure of methanogen communities would differ between Holsteins and Jerseys. Breed-specific rumen methanogen 16S rRNA gene clone libraries were constructed from pooled PCR products obtained from lactating Holstein and Jersey cows, generating 180 and 185 clones, respectively. The combined 365 sequences were assigned to 55 species-level operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Twenty OTUs, representing 85% of the combined library sequences, were common to both breeds, while 23 OTUs (36 sequences) were found only in the Holstein library and 12 OTUs (18 sequences) were found only in the Jersey library, highlighting increased diversity in the Holstein library. Other differences included the observation that sequences with species-like sequence identity to
Methanobrevibacter millerae
were represented more highly in the Jersey breed, while
Methanosphaera
-related sequences and novel uncultured methanogen clones were more frequent in the Holstein library. In contrast, OTU sequences with species-level sequence identity to
Methanobrevibacter ruminantium
were represented similarly in both libraries. Since the sampled animals were from a single herd consisting of two breeds which were fed the same diet and maintained under the same environmental conditions, the differences we observed may be due to differences in host breed genetics.
Endosomal Localization of the Serum Resistance-Associated Protein in African Trypanosomes Confers Human Infectivity
Authors: Stephens Natalie A. , Hajduk Stephen L. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense
is the causative agent of human African sleeping sickness. While the closely related subspecies
T. brucei brucei
is highly susceptible to lysis by a subclass of human high-density lipoproteins (HDL) called trypanosome lytic factor (TLF),
T. brucei rhodesiense
is resistant and therefore able to establish acute and fatal infections in humans. This resistance is due to expression of the serum resistance-associated (SRA) gene, a member of the variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) gene family. Although much has been done to establish the role of SRA in human serum resistance, the specific molecular mechanism of SRA-mediated resistance remains a mystery. Thus, we report the trafficking and steady-state localization of SRA in order to provide more insight into the mechanism of SRA-mediated resistance. We show that SRA traffics to the flagellar pocket of bloodstream-form
T. brucei
organisms, where it localizes transiently before being endocytosed to its steady-state localization in endosomes, and we demonstrate that the critical point of colocalization between SRA and TLF occurs intracellularly.
Quorum Sensing and Silencing in Vibrio parahaemolyticus
Authors: Gode-Potratz Cindy J. , McCarter Linda L. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

The quorum regulatory cascade is poorly characterized in
Vibrio parahaemolyticus
, in part because swarming and virulence factors—the hallmarks of the organism—are repressed by this scheme of gene control, and quorum sensing seems to be silenced in many isolates. In these studies, we examine a swarming-proficient, virulent strain and identify an altered-function allele of the quorum regulator
luxO
that is demonstrated to produce a constitutively active mimic of LuxO∼P. We find that LuxO* affects the expression of three small regulatory RNAs (Qrrs) and the activity of a translational fusion in
opaR
, the output regulator. Tests for epistasis showed that
luxO
* is dominant over
luxO
and that
opaR
is dominant over
luxO
. Thus, information flow through the central elements of the
V. parahaemolyticus
quorum pathway is proven for the first time. Quorum-sensing output was explored using microarray profiling: the OpaR regulon encompasses ∼5.2% of the genome. OpaR represses the surface-sensing and type III secretion system 1 (T3SS1) regulons. One novel discovery is that OpaR strongly and oppositely regulates two type VI secretion systems (T6SS). New functional consequences of OpaR control were demonstrated: OpaR increases the cellular cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) level, positively controls chitin-induced DNA competency, and profoundly blocks cytotoxicity toward host cells. In expanding the previously known quorum effects beyond the induction of the capsule and the repression of swarming to elucidate the global scope of genes in the OpaR regulon, this study yields many clues to distinguishing traits of this
Vibrio
species; it underscores the profoundly divergent survival strategies of the quorum On/Off phase variants.
Genome of the Cyanobacterium Microcoleus vaginatusFGP-2, a Photosynthetic Ecosystem Engineer of Arid Land Soil Biocrusts Worldwide
Authors: Starkenburg Shawn R. , Reitenga Krista G. , Freitas Tracey , Johnson Shannon , Chain Patrick S. G. , Garcia-Pichel Ferran , Kuske Cheryl R. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

The filamentous cyanobacterium
Microcoleus vaginatus
is found in arid land soils worldwide. The genome of
M. vaginatus
strain FGP-2 allows exploration of genes involved in photosynthesis, desiccation tolerance, alkane production, and other features contributing to this organism's ability to function as a major component of biological soil crusts in arid lands.
Genome Sequence of Helicobacter bizzozeroniiStrain CIII-1, an Isolate from Human Gastric Mucosa
Authors: Schott Thomas , Rossi Mirko , Hänninen Marja-Liisa 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTThe canine-adaptedHelicobacter bizzozeroniiis the only nonpyloriHelicobacterspecies isolated from human gastric biopsy tissue. Here we present the genome sequence of strain CIII-1, isolated from a 45-year-old female patient with severe gastric symptoms. This is the first genome sequence of nonpylori gastricHelicobacterisolated from human gastritis.
Genome Sequences of Eight Morphologically Diverse Alphaproteobacteria
Authors: Brown Pamela J. B. , Kysela David T. , Buechlein Aaron , Hemmerich Chris , Brun Yves V. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

The
Alphaproteobacteria
comprise morphologically diverse bacteria, including many species of stalked bacteria. Here we announce the genome sequences of eight alphaproteobacteria, including the first genome sequences of species belonging to the genera
Asticcacaulis
,
Hirschia
,
Hyphomicrobium
, and
Rhodomicrobium
.
Genome Sequence of Salinisphaera shabanensis, a Gammaproteobacterium from the Harsh, Variable Environment of the Brine-Seawater Interface of the Shaban Deep in the Red Sea
Authors: Antunes André , Alam Intikhab , Bajic Vladimir B. , Stingl Ulrich 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

We present the genome of
Salinisphaera shabanensis
, isolated from a brine-seawater interface and representing a new order within the
Gammaproteobacteria
. Its adaptations to physicochemical and nutrient availability fluctuations include six genes encoding heavy metal-translocating P-type ATPases and multiple genes involved in iron uptake, siderophore production, and poly-β-hydroxybutyrate synthesis.
Genome Sequence of Halorhabdus tiamatea, the First Archaeon Isolated from a Deep-Sea Anoxic Brine Lake
Authors: Antunes André , Alam Intikhab , Bajic Vladimir B. , Stingl Ulrich 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

We present the draft genome of
Halorhabdus tiamatea
, the first member of the
Archaea
ever isolated from a deep-sea anoxic brine. Genome comparison with
Halorhabdus utahensis
revealed some striking differences, including a marked increase in genes associated with transmembrane transport and putative genes for a trehalose synthase and a lactate dehydrogenase.
Acupuncture and the Relaxation Response for Treating Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Hiv Patients on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Chang Bei-Hung , Sommers Elizabeth 
Published: June 2011

Objectives To examine the effect of acupuncture and the relaxation response (RR) for treating gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in HIV patients who are using highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Methods The authors conducted a 4-arm 2×2 double-blind randomised controlled trial in an acupuncture clinic in the USA. Sham acupuncture and health education were used as the control conditions of real acupuncture and RR elicitation, respectively. Enrolled patients were randomised to real acupuncture+RR (AR), sham acupuncture+RR (SR), real acupuncture+health education (AE) or sham acupuncture+health education (SE) study arm. Participants listened to CDs with RR-eliciting instructions or health education while receiving acupuncture intervention. Interventions were provided twice weekly for 4 weeks and once weekly for another 4 weeks. Participants used daily diaries to record GI symptom severity ratings (0–10). The authors estimated the intervention effect as the changes in symptom rating per intervention session increase using a mixed-effects regression model. Results A total of 130 people with HIV/AIDS who were on HAART and had persistent GI symptoms were enrolled and 115 started the study intervention. The AR group had greater intervention effects for loose stools symptoms than the other three groups (β=−0.149, −0.151 and −0.144, p value=0.013, 0.013 and 0.018 comparing AR to AE, SR and SE, respectively). The AR group also had significant intervention effects on reducing nausea symptoms when the intervention was given twice per week (β=−0.218, p=0.001). Conclusions Our trial provided preliminary data demonstrating the potential synergistic effects of acupuncture and RR for treating GI symptoms in HIV patients on HAART.
Induction of HLA-DP4–Restricted Anti-Survivin Th1 and Th2 Responses Using an Artificial Antigen-Presenting Cell
Authors: Tanaka Makito , Butler Marcus O. , Ansén Sascha , Imataki Osamu , Berezovskaya Alla , Nadler Lee M. , Hirano Naoto 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
Purpose: In previous cancer vaccine clinical trials targeting survivin, induction of specific CD8+ T-cell responses did not consistently lead to clinical responses. Considering the critical role of CD4+ T-cell help in generating antitumor immunity, integration of anti-survivin CD4+ T-cell responses may enhance the efficacy of anti-survivin cancer immunotherapy. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DP4 is emerging as an attractive MHC target allele of CD4+ T cell-mediated immunotherapy, because it is one of the most frequent HLA alleles in many ethnic groups. In this article, we aimed to elucidate DP4-restricted CD4+ T-cell responses against survivin in cancer patients.
Experimental Design: We generated a human cell-based artificial antigen-presenting cell (aAPC) expressing HLA-DP4, CD80, and CD83 and induced DP4-restricted antigen-specific CD4+ T cells. The number, phenotype, effector function, and in vitro longevity of generated CD4+ T cells were determined.
Results: We first determined previously unknown DP4-restricted CD4+ T-cell epitopes derived from cytomegalovirus pp65, to which sustained Th1-biased recall responses were induced in vitro by using DP4-aAPC. In contrast, DP4-aAPC induced in vitro both Th1 and Th2 long-lived anti-survivin CD4+ T cells from cancer patients. Both survivin-specific Th1 and Th2 cells were able to recognize survivin-expressing tumors in a DP4-restricted manner. Neither survivin-specific interleukin 10 secreting Tr1 cells nor Th17 cells were induced by DP4-aAPC.
Conclusions: DP4-restricted anti-survivin Th1 and Th2 immunity with sufficient functional avidity can be induced from cancer patients. The development of strategies to concurrently induce both CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses against survivin is warranted for optimal anti-survivin cancer immunotherapy. Clin Cancer Res; 17(16); 5392–401. ©2011 AACR.