bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical profile of Filipino patients with osteoarthritis seen at two arthritis clinics
Authors: Racaza Geraldine Zamora , Salido Evelyn Osio , Penserga Ester Gonzales 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAimTo describe a cohort of Filipinos with primary osteoarthritis (OA).MethodCharts with diagnosis of OA from two arthritis clinics (Philippine General Hospital and a private clinic) from January 2008 to May 2011, were reviewed for demographics, clinical presentation, risk factors and management. Descriptive statistics were applied.ResultsEight hundred and fifty‐nine (859) patients had primary OA. Female‐to‐male ratio was 3 : 1. Mean age at diagnosis was 63 years, onset at 59 years. Men consulted 10 months later. Mean body mass index was 27.1 kg/m2. Women were overweight, men, obese. Co‐morbid conditions included hypertension (53%), dyslipidemia (16%) and diabetes (13%). Women (94.7%) developed symptoms 12 years after menopause. One‐third of patients were of low socioeconomic status. Chief complaint was pain in 92.8%. Joint findings included crepitus (70.8%) and Heberden's nodes (13.0%) for knees and hands, respectively. Commonly involved joints were knees (62.5%), knees and hands (14.3%), and generalized joint involvement (13.5%). The hip was involved in 2.9% of cases. Radiographs showed Kellgren–Lawrence score of 2 in 56.6%. Less than 25% received physical therapy. Most prescribed drugs were glucosamine sulfate (45.5%), paracetamol (42.8%) and coxibs (40.6%). Less than 8% received intra‐articular treatment, or were referred for surgery.ConclusionWe described a large cohort of Filipino OA patients. Clinical characteristics show more women than men, with knees as the most common and hips as the least involved joints. Medical management was based on a local practice guideline. Compared to the literature, this cohort had more overweight than obese subjects and low surgical referral. A coordinated registry with orthopedics and physiatry departments is currently underway.
Phylogenetic beta diversity in tropical forests: Implications for the roles of geographical and environmental distance
Authors: ZHANG Jin‐Long , SWENSON Nathan G. , CHEN Sheng‐Bin , LIU Xiao‐Juan , LI Zong‐Shan , HUANG Ji‐Hong , MI Xiang‐Cheng , MA Ke‐Ping 
Published: July 2012

AbstractVarious mechanistic theories of community assembly have been proposed ranging from niche‐based theory to neutral theory. Analyses of beta diversity in a phylogenetic context could provide an excellent opportunity for testing many of these hypotheses. We analyzed the patterns of phylogenetic beta diversity in tropical tree communities in Panama to test several community assembly hypotheses. In particular, the degree to which the phylogenetic dissimilarity between communities can be explained by geographical or environmental distance can yield support for stochastic or deterministic assembly processes, respectively. Therefore, we examined: (i) the existence of distance decay of phylogenetic similarity among communities and its degree of departure from that expected under a null model; and (ii) the relative importance of geographical versus environmental distance in predicting the phylogenetic dissimilarity of communities. We found evidence that the similarity in the phylogenetic composition of communities decayed with geographical distance and environmental gradients. Null model evidence showed that beta diversity in the study system was phylogenetically non‐random. Our results highlighted not only the role of local ecological mechanisms, including environmental filtering and competitive exclusion, but also biogeographical processes such as speciation, dispersal limitation, and niche evolution in structuring phylogenetic turnover. These results also highlight the importance of niche conservatism in structuring species diversity patterns.
Elution of antimicrobials from a cross‐linked dextran gel:In vivoQuantification
Authors: HART S. K. , BARRETT J. G. , BROWN J. A. , PAPICH M. G. , POWERS B. E. , SULLINS K. E. 
Published: July 2012

SummaryReasons for performing study:Use of a novel, biodegradable, antimicrobial‐impregnated gel provides an alternative method of local treatment of infections in horses.Objectives:To determinein vivoelution of antimicrobial medications from antimicrobial‐impregnated cross‐linked dextran gel and to evaluate the effect on wound healing when implanted subcutaneously in horses.Methods:Amikacin‐, vancomycin‐ or amikacin/clindamycin‐impregnated gel was placed subcutaneously in 11 horses' necks, using 6 replicates with a 3 month washout between experiments. Capillary ultrafiltration probes for collection of interstitial fluid were placed 0 cm and 1.5 cm from the gel‐filled incisions. Samples were collected at 0, 4, 8 and 12 h, and on Days 1–10. Blood was collected on Days 0, 1 and 7. Amikacin and vancomycin samples were analysed via fluorescence polarisation immunoassay, and clindamycin samples via high‐performance liquid chromatography. Histology of biopsy samples was performed at the completion of the study. Differences in mean histomorphological scores between groups were assessed using Wilcoxon's signed ranks test.Results:Maximum antimicrobial concentrations were detected at 4 h (amikacin), and 8 h (vancomycin, and amikacin and clindamycin from the combination gel). Mean ± s.d. peak concentrations for amikacin, vancomycin, amikacin (amikacin/clindamycin) and clindamycin were 6133 ± 1461, 7286 ± 2769, 3948 ± 317 and 985 ± 960, respectively. Median number of days for which antimicrobial concentration remained above minimum inhibitory concentration for target microorganisms at implantation was ≥10 days for vancomycin, 9 days (± 1) for amikacin and 8 days (± 1) for clindamycin. Mean plasma amikacin and vancomycin concentrations were lower than detectable limits; mean serum clindamycin concentrations were 0.52 µg/ml and 0.63 µg/ml at 24 h and 7 days, respectively. There were no significant differences in histomorphological scores between treatment and control incisions (P≥0.22).Conclusions and potential relevance:Cross‐linked dextran gel is a safe, effective alternative local antimicrobial delivery method.
Evidence for stress‐dependent mechanoreceptors linking intestinal biomechanics and sensory signal transduction
Authors: Gregersen Hans , Jiang Wen , Liao Donghua , Grundy David 
Published: July 2012

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?Do intestinal mechanoreceptors respond primarily to stress (defined as force per unit cross sectional area) or strain (non‐dimensional measure of deformation)?
What is the main finding and its importance?By using more physiological rates of filling (distension) combined with calcium channel blockade to limit active muscle tension, the adaptive properties of individual low and high threshold mechanosensitive afferents, have been examined.The slope of the stress‐response relationship was not significantly different for the different populations of afferents nor for different rates of distension. These data therefore suggest that afferent activity is more closely related to stress rather than to strain.
Sensory nerve endings are widely distributed throughout the body. Neither the nature of the mechanosensitive channels nor the principal mechanical stimulus for these receptors is known. Afferents supplying the gastrointestinal tract responding to distension and contraction are responsible for co‐ordinated reflex control, feeding behaviour and sensations, including pain. Different populations of intestinal afferent fibres follow different pathways to the CNS, have different terminal fields and possess different thresholds for activation that may reflect the extent to which mechanical forces are distributed and dissipated by non‐neural structures in the bowel wall. In this study, we have characterized the stimulus–response function of afferent fibres innervating the rat jejunum, correlating luminal distensions in the bowel wall with the firing frequency of mesenteric afferent nerve bundles. Combining video imaging with intraluminal pressure recordings and utilizing a strain softening protocol, we have determined whether mechanoreceptors respond primarily to stress or strain. Multiunit afferent recordings were separated using spike discrimination software into low‐threshold (LT) and high‐threshold (HT) single units. For multifibre afferent recordings and both LT and HT single units, we observed a linear relationship between circumferential stress and mesenteric afferent discharge that was independent of distension‐induced tissue softening, with correlation coefficients >0.9. A fivefold change in the rate of applied distension did not significantly alter the magnitude of the afferent response and the linearity of the stress‐dependent mechanotransduction in both multifibre preparations and the LT and HT afferent fibres (P > 0.2). Thus, the firing characteristics of intestinal mechanoreceptors are linearly associated with the input in terms of mechanical stress.
Hepatitis viruses infection and risk of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: evidence from a meta-analysis
Authors: Zhou Yanming , Zhao Yanfang , Li Bin , Huang Jiyi , Wu Lupeng , Xu Donghui , Yang Jiamei , He Jia 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
Studies investigating the association between Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) have reported inconsistent findings. We conducted a meta-analysis of epidemiological studies to explore this relationship.

Methods
A comprehensive search was conducted to identify the eligible studies of hepatitis infections and ICC risk up to September 2011. Summary odds ratios (OR) with their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated with random-effects models using Review Manager version 5.0.

Results
Thirteen case–control studies and 3 cohort studies were included in the final analysis. The combined risk estimate of all studies showed statistically significant increased risk of ICC incidence with HBV and HCV infection (OR = 3.17, 95% CI, 1.88-5.34, and OR = 3.42, 95% CI, 1.96-5.99, respectively). For case–control studies alone, the combined OR of infection with HBV and HCV were 2.86 (95% CI, 1.60-5.11) and 3.63 (95% CI, 1.86-7.05), respectively, and for cohort studies alone, the OR of HBV and HCV infection were 5.39 (95% CI, 2.34-12.44) and 2.60 (95% CI, 1.36-4.97), respectively.

Conclusions
This study suggests that both HBV and HCV infection are associated with an increased risk of ICC.
Control of growth and inflammatory response of macrophages and foam cells with nanotopography
Authors: Mohiuddin Mohammed , Pan Hsu-An , Hung Yao-Ching , Huang Guewha Steven 
Published: July 2012

AbstractMacrophages play an important role in modulating the immune function of the human body, while foam cells differentiated from macrophages with subsequent fatty streak formation play a key role in atherosclerosis. We hypothesized that nanotopography modulates the behavior and function of macrophages and foam cells without bioactive agent. In the present study, nanodot arrays ranging from 10‐ to 200‐nm were used to evaluate the growth and function of macrophages and foam cells. In the quantitative analysis, the cell adhesion area in macrophages increased with 10- to 50-nm nanodot arrays compared to the flat surface, while it decreased with 100- and 200-nm nanodot arrays. A similar trend of adhesion was observed in foam cells. Immunostaining, specific to vinculin and actin filaments, indicated that a 50-nm surface promoted cell adhesion and cytoskeleton organization. On the contrary, 200-nm surfaces hindered cell adhesion and cytoskeleton organization. Further, based on quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction data, expression of inflammatory genes was upregulated for the 100- and 200-nm surfaces in macrophages and foam cells. This suggests that nanodots of 100‐ and 200‐nm triggered immune inflammatory stress response. In summary, nanotopography controls cell morphology, adhesions, and proliferation. By adjusting the nanodot diameter, we could modulate the growth and expression of function-related genes in the macrophages and foam cell system. The nanotopography-mediated control of cell growth and morphology provides potential insight for designing cardiovascular implants.
Induction of antigen-specific immune responses in mice by recombinant baculovirus expressing premembrane and envelope proteins of West Nile virus
Authors: Zhu Bibo , Ye Jing , Lu Ping , Jiang Rong , Yang Xiaohong , Fu Zhen F , Chen Huanchun , Cao Shengbo 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
West Nile Virus (WNV) is an emerging arthropod-born flavivirus with increasing distribution worldwide that is responsible for a large proportion of viral encephalitis in humans and horses. Given that there are no effective antiviral drugs available for treatment of the disease, efforts have been directed to develop vaccines to prevent WNV infection. Recently baculovirus has emerged as a novel and attractive gene delivery vehicle for mammalian cells.

Results
In the present study, recombinant baculoviruses expressing WNV premembrane (prM) and envelope (E) proteins under the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter with or without vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSV/G) were constructed. The recombinant baculoviruses designated Bac-G-prM/E and Bac-prM/E, efficiently express E protein in mammalian cells. Intramuscular injection of the two recombinant baculoviruses (at doses of 108 or 109 PFU/mouse) induced the production of WNV-specific antibodies, neutralizing antibodies as well as gamma interferon (IFN-γ) in a dose-dependent pattern. Interestingly, the recombinant baculovirus Bac-G-prM/E was found to be a more efficient immunogen than Bac-prM/E to elicit a robust immune response upon intramuscular injection. In addition, inoculation of baculovirus resulted in the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-2 and IL-6.

Conclusions
These recombinant baculoviruses are capable of eliciting robust humoral and cellular immune responses in mice, and may be considered as novel vaccine candidates for West Nile Virus.
Orf virus interferes with MHC class I surface expression by targeting vesicular transport and Golgi
Authors: Rohde Jörg , Emschermann Frederic , Knittler Michael R , Rziha Hanns-Joachim 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
The Orf virus (ORFV), a zoonotic Parapoxvirus, causes pustular skin lesions in small ruminants (goat and sheep). Intriguingly, ORFV can repeatedly infect its host, despite the induction of a specific immunity. These immune modulating and immune evading properties are still unexplained.

Results
Here, we describe that ORFV infection of permissive cells impairs the intracellular transport of MHC class I molecules (MHC I) as a result of structural disruption and fragmentation of the Golgi apparatus. Depending on the duration of infection, we observed a pronounced co-localization of MHC I and COP-I vesicular structures as well as a reduction of MHC I surface expression of up to 50%. These subversion processes are associated with early ORFV gene expression and are accompanied by disturbed carbohydrate trimming of post-ER MHC I. The MHC I population remaining on the cell surface shows an extended half-life, an effect that might be partially controlled also by late ORFV genes.

Conclusions
The presented data demonstrate that ORFV down-regulates MHC I surface expression in infected cells by targeting the late vesicular export machinery and the structure and function of the Golgi apparatus, which might aid to escape cellular immune recognition.
Systematic variations associated with renal disease uncovered by parallel metabolomics of urine and serum
Authors: Gao Xianfu , Chen Wanjia , Li Rongxia , Wang Minfeng , Chen Chunlei , Zeng Rong , Deng Yueyi 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
Membranous nephropathy is an important glomerular disease characterized by podocyte injury and proteinuria, but no metabolomics research was reported as yet. Here, we performed a parallel metabolomics study, based on human urine and serum, to comprehensively profile systematic metabolic variations, identify differential metabolites, and understand the pathogenic mechanism of membranous nephropathy.

Results
There were obvious metabolic distinctions between the membranous nephropathy patients with urine protein lower than 3.5 g/24 h (LUPM) and those higher than 3.5 g/24 h (HUPM) by Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) model analysis. In total, 26 urine metabolites and 9 serum metabolites were identified to account for such differences, and the majority of metabolites were significantly increased in HUPM patients for both urines and serums. Combining the results of urine with serum, all differential metabolites were classified to 5 classes. This classification helps globally probe the systematic metabolic alterations before and after blood flowing through kidney. Citric acid and 4 amino acids were markedly increased only in the serum samples of HUPM patients, implying more impaired filtration function of kidneys of HUPM patients than LUPM patients. The dicarboxylic acids, phenolic acids, and cholesterol were significantly elevated only in urines of HUPM patients, suggesting more severe oxidative attacks than LUPM patients.

Conclusions
Parallel metabolomics of urine and serum revealed the systematic metabolic variations associated with LUPM and HUPM patients, where HUPM patients suffered more severe injury of kidney function and oxidative stresses than LUPM patients. This research exhibited a promising application of parallel metabolomics in renal diseases.
Cytomolecular characterization of de novo formed rye B chromosome variants
Authors: Marques André , Klemme Sonja , Guerra Marcelo , Houben Andreas 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
B chromosomes (Bs) are dispensable elements which occur in many species including rye (Secale cereale). We determined the organization of B variants to obtain insights into the origin of B polymorphisms in rye.

Results
The observed B variants were classified according to their morphology and in situ hybridization patterns with the B-specific repeats D1100 and CL11 into (I) long arm iso B, (II) D1100-deficient B and (III) small metacentric B variants. Long arm iso Bs are likely products of a meiotic centromere misdivision and subsequent duplication of the long arm, whereas small B variants are probably generated by chromosome breakage. Some deficient Bs experienced extensive amplification of CL11 repeats.

Conclusions
Both the pericentromere and the nondisjunction control region seem to be involved in the generation of rye B chromosome variants. However, due to the loss of the B-specific nondisjuction control region most of the variants generated are not capable to accumulate in a population.
‘MicroRNA Targets’, a new AthaMap web-tool for genome-wide identification of miRNA targets in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Bülow Lorenz , Bolívar Julio C , Ruhe Jonas , Brill Yuri , Hehl Reinhard 
Published: July 2012

Background
The AthaMap database generates a genome-wide map for putative transcription factor binding sites for A. thaliana. When analyzing transcriptional regulation using AthaMap it may be important to learn which genes are also post-transcriptionally regulated by inhibitory RNAs. Therefore, a unified database for transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation will be highly useful for the analysis of gene expression regulation.

Methods

To identify putative microRNA target sites in the genome of A. thaliana, processed mature miRNAs from 243 annotated miRNA genes were used for screening with the psRNATarget web server. Positional information, target genes and the psRNATarget score for each target site were annotated to the AthaMap database. Furthermore, putative target sites for small RNAs from seven small RNA transcriptome datasets were used to determine small RNA target sites within the A. thaliana genome.

Results

Putative 41,965 genome wide miRNA target sites and 10,442 miRNA target genes were identified in the A. thaliana genome. Taken together with genes targeted by small RNAs from small RNA transcriptome datasets, a total of 16,600 A. thaliana genes are putatively regulated by inhibitory RNAs. A novel web-tool, ‘MicroRNA Targets’, was integrated into AthaMap which permits the identification of genes predicted to be regulated by selected miRNAs. The predicted target genes are displayed with positional information and the psRNATarget score of the target site. Furthermore, putative target sites of small RNAs from selected tissue datasets can be identified with the new ‘Small RNA Targets’ web-tool.

Conclusions

The integration of predicted miRNA and small RNA target sites with transcription factor binding sites will be useful for AthaMap-assisted gene expression analysis. URL: http://www.athamap.de/
Comparison of memory impairments among two groups of patients with diabetes with different disease durations
Authors: Heidari Gorji Mohamad Ali , Ghahremanlu Heshmatollah , Haghshenas Mohsen , Sadeghi Mohammad Reza , Heidari Gorji Ali Morad 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
Modest cognitive impairment has been reported in adults with diabetes. Therefore, we aimed to compare memory impairments among two groups of patients with diabetes with different disease durations.
This study included 120 patients treated at the diabetes clinic at Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ardebil, Iran, over 14 months (2009–2010). The patients were divided into two groups according to their disease duration as >5 years or <1 year (recently diagnosed). The two groups were approximately matched in terms of age and education. Memory impairments were examined using the Wechsler Memory Scale. Data are presented descriptively, and were compared between groups using multivariate analysis of variance.

Finding
Overall, there were no significant differences in total scores or individual subscales between the two groups. However, 59% of all patients had below-average scores on the Wechsler memory questionnaire.

Conclusion
Both groups reported below-average scores on the Wechsler Memory Scale that were independent of disease duration. The present study agreed with the results of other studies showing impaired memory among patients with diabetes. The current findings require further investigation in longitudinal studies.
Generation and characterization of a highly effective protein substrate for analysis of FLT3 activity
Authors: Chen Yun , Guo Yao , Han Jiayu , Ho Wanting Tina , Li Shibo , Fu Xueqi , Zhao Zhizhuang Joe 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
Gain-of-function mutations of tyrosine kinase FLT3 are frequently found in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This has made FLT3 an important marker for disease diagnosis and a highly attractive target for therapeutic drug development. This study is intended to generate a sensitive substrate for assays of the FLT3 enzymatic activity.

Methods
We expressed in Escherichia coli cells a glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion protein designated GST-FLT3S, which contains a peptide sequence derived from an autophosphorylation site of FLT3. The protein was used to analyze tyrosine kinase activity of baculovirus-expressed FLT3 and crude cell extracts of bone marrow cells from AML patients. It was also employed to perform FLT3 kinase assays for FLT3 inhibitor screening.

Results
GST-FLT3S in solution or on beads was strongly phosphorylated by recombinant proteins carrying the catalytic domain of wild type FLT3 and FLT3D835 mutants, with the latter exhibiting much higher activity and efficiency. GST-FLT3S was also able to detect elevated tyrosine kinase activity in bone marrow cell extracts from AML patients. A small-scale inhibitor screening led to identification of several potent inhibitors of wild type and mutant forms of FLT3.

Conclusions
GST-FLT3S is a sensitive protein substrate for FLT3 assays. It may find applications in diagnosis of diseases related to abnormal FLT3 activity and in inhibitor screening for drug development.