bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel norovirus recombinants and GII.4 sub-lineages associated with outbreaks between 2006 and 2010 in Belgium
Authors: Mathijs Elisabeth , Denayer Sarah , Palmeira Leonor , Botteldoorn Nadine , Scipioni Alexandra , Vanderplasschen Alain , Thiry Etienne , Dierick Katelijne 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Background
Noroviruses (NoVs) are an important cause of acute gastroenteritis in humans worldwide. To gain insight into the epidemiologic patterns of NoV outbreaks and to determine the genetic variation of NoVs strains circulating in Belgium, stool samples originating from patients infected with NoVs in foodborne outbreak investigations were analysed between December 2006 and December 2010.

Results
NoVs were found responsible of 11.8% of all suspected foodborne outbreaks reported in the last 4 years and the number of NoV outbreaks reported increased along the years representing more than 30% of all foodborne outbreaks in 2010. Genogroup II outbreaks largely predominated and represented more than 90% of all outbreaks. Phylogenetic analyses were performed with 63 NoV-positive samples for the partial polymerase (N = 45) and/or capsid gene (N = 35) sequences. For 12 samples, sequences covering the ORF1-ORF2 junction were obtained. A variety of genotypes was found among genogroups I and II; GII.4 was predominant followed in order of importance by GII.2, GII.7, GII.13, GI.4 and GI.7. In the study period, GII.4 NoVs variants 2006a, 2006b, 2007, 2008 and 2010 were identified. Moreover, phylogenetic analyses identified different recombinant NoV strains that were further characterised as intergenotype (GII.e/GII.4 2007, GII.e/GII.3 and GII.g/GII.1) and intersub-genotype (GII.4 2006b/GII.4 2007 and GII.4 2010/GII.4 2010b) recombinants.

Conclusions
NoVs circulating in the last 4 years in Belgium showed remarkable genetic diversity either by small-scale mutations or genetic recombination. In this period, GII.4 2006b was successfully displaced by the GII.4 2010 subtype, and previously reported epidemic GII.b recombinants seemed to have been superseded by GII.e recombinants in 2009 and GII.g recombinants in 2010. This study showed that the emergence of novel GII.4 variants together with novel GII recombinants could lead to an explosion in NoV outbreaks, likewise to what was observed in 2008 and 2010. Among recombinants detected in this study, two hitherto unreported strains GII.e/GII.3 and GII.g/GII.1 were characterised. Surveillance will remain important to monitor contemporaneously circulating strains in order to adapt preventive and curative strategies.
Increased IL-10 mRNA expression in tumor-associated macrophage correlated with late stage of lung cancer
Authors: Wang Rui , Lu Meng , Chen Haiquan , Chen Sufeng , Luo Xiaoyang , Qin Ying , Zhang Jie 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Background
Monocyte recruited into the tumor and maturation to tumor-associated macrophage (TAM). Interleukin-10(IL-10) is a potent immunosuppressive cytokine, which can be secreted from both primary tumor and stromal cells. However, there are controversies regarding its role in the progression of cancer. So it is important to isolate TAM from tumor cells to study the role of IL-10 in the progress of cancer. The aim of our study was to determine whether IL-10 expressed by TAM correlated with clinicopathological factors in NSCLC.

Methods
TAM in NSCLC was isolated by short-term culture in serum free medium with the modification to literature reports. The mRNA expression levels of IL-10, cathepsin B, cathepsin S, which were closely related with TAM according to the literatures, were evaluated by Quantitative real-time RT-PCR in 63 NSCLC. The relationships between their expression levels and clinicopathological features were investigated.

Results
We successfully achieved up to 95% purity of TAM, derived from 63 primary lung cancer tissues. TAM expressed high levels of IL-10, cathepsin B in NSCLC. High levels of IL-10 in TAM significantly correlated with stage, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, lymphovascular invasion or histologic poor differentiation.

Conclusions
Our results revealed that TAM with high levels of IL-10 expression may play an important role in the progression of non-small cell lung cancer. The data also suggested that TAMs may involve in tumor immunosuppression through overexpressed IL-10. Additionally, the phenotype of isolated TAM can be potentially used to predict clinicopathological features as well.
Metagenome of the gut of a malnourished child
Authors: Gupta Sourav Sen , Mohammed Monzoorul Haque , Ghosh Tarini Shankar , Kanungo Suman , Nair Gopinath Balakrish , Mande Sharmila S 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Background
Malnutrition, a major health problem, affects a significant proportion of preschool children in developing countries. The devastating consequences of malnutrition include diarrhoea, malabsorption, increased intestinal permeability, suboptimal immune response, etc. Nutritional interventions and dietary solutions have not been effective for treatment of malnutrition till date. Metagenomic procedures allow one to access the complex cross-talk between the gut and its microbial flora and understand how a different community composition affects various states of human health. In this study, a metagenomic approach was employed for analysing the differences between gut microbial communities obtained from a malnourished and an apparently healthy child.

Results
Our results indicate that the malnourished child gut has an abundance of enteric pathogens which are known to cause intestinal inflammation resulting in malabsorption of nutrients. We also identified a few functional sub-systems from these pathogens, which probably impact the overall metabolic capabilities of the malnourished child gut.

Conclusion
The present study comprehensively characterizes the microbial community resident in the gut of a malnourished child. This study has attempted to extend the understanding of the basis of malnutrition beyond nutrition deprivation.
Lutzomyia longipalpissaliva drives apoptosis and enhances parasite burden in neutrophils
Authors: Prates Deboraci Brito , Araújo-Santos Théo , Luz Nívea Farias , Andrade Bruno B , França-Costa Jaqueline , Afonso Lilian , Clarêncio Jorge , Miranda José Carlos , Bozza Patrícia T , DosReis George A , Brodskyn Cláudia , Barral-Netto Manoel , de Matos Borges Valéria , Barral Aldina 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTNeutrophils are considered the host's first line of defense against infections and have been implicated in the immunopathogenesis of Leishmaniasis. Leishmania parasites are inoculated alongside vectors' saliva, which is a rich source of pharmacologically active substances that interfere with host immune response. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that salivary components from Lutzomyia longipalpis, an important vector of visceral Leishmaniasis, enhance neutrophil apoptosis. Murine inflammatory peritoneal neutrophils cultured in the presence of SGS presented increased surface expression of FasL and underwent caspase-dependent and FasL-mediated apoptosis. This proapoptosis effect of SGS on neutrophils was abrogated by pretreatment with protease as well as preincubation with antisaliva antibodies. Furthermore, in the presence of Leishmania chagasi, SGS also increased apoptosis on neutrophils and increased PGE2 release and decreased ROS production by neutrophils, while enhancing parasite viability inside these cells. The increased parasite burden was abrogated by treatment with z-VAD, a pan caspase inhibitor, and NS-398, a COX-2 inhibitor. In the presence of SGS, Leishmania-infected neutrophils produced higher levels of MCP-1 and attracted a high number of macrophages by chemotaxis in vitro assays. Both of these events were abrogated by pretreatment of neutrophils with bindarit, an inhibitor of CCL2/MCP-1 expression. Taken together, our data support the hypothesis that vector salivary proteins trigger caspase-dependent and FasL-mediated apoptosis, thereby favoring Leishmania survival inside neutrophils, which may represent an important mechanism for the establishment of Leishmania infection.
SHIP-deficient, alternatively activated macrophages protect mice during DSS-induced colitis
Authors: Weisser Shelley B , Brugger Hayley K , Voglmaier Nicole S , McLarren Keith W , van Rooijen Nico , Sly Laura M 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTmφ are heterogeneous in their functions, and although it is clear that inflammatory mφ contribute to inflammation in IBDs, multiple lines of evidence suggest that M2a mφ may offer protection during intestinal inflammation. In vivo SHIP-deficient mouse mφ are M2a so SHIP-deficient mice provide a unique genetic model of M2a mφ. Based on this, this study tested the hypothesis that SHIP-deficient, M2a mφ protect mice from intestinal inflammation. The objectives were to compare the susceptibility of SHIP+/+ and SHIP−/− littermates with DSS-induced intestinal inflammation and to determine whether protection was mφ-mediated and whether protection could be transferred to a susceptible host. We have found that SHIP−/− mice are protected during DSS-induced intestinal inflammation. SHIP−/− mice have delayed rectal bleeding and reduced weight loss, disruption of intestinal architecture, and immune cell infiltration during DSS-induced colitis relative to their WT littermates. Using liposome depletion of mφ, we found that SHIP−/− mouse protection was indeed mφ-mediated. Finally, we determined that SHIP−/− mφ-mediated protection could be conferred to susceptible WT mice by adoptive transfer of M2a mφ derived ex vivo. This study supports our hypothesis by demonstrating that SHIP-deficient, M2a mφ are protective in this murine model of acute intestinal inflammation. Adoptive transfer of M2a mφ to patients with IBDs offers a promising, new strategy for treatment that may be particularly useful in patients who are otherwise refractory to conventional therapies.
Toll-like receptor activation and hypoxia use distinct signaling pathways to stabilize hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1A) and result in differential HIF1A-dependent gene expression
Authors: Jantsch Jonathan , Wiese Melanie , Schödel Johannes , Castiglione Kirstin , Gläsner Joachim , Kolbe Sophie , Mole David , Schleicher Ulrike , Eckardt Kai-Uwe , Hensel Michael , Lang Roland , Bogdan Christian , Schnare Markus , Willam Carsten 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTHIF1A is a transcription factor that plays a central role for the adaptation to tissue hypoxia and for the inflammatory response of myeloid cells, including DCs. HIF1A is stabilized by hypoxia but also by TLR ligands under normoxic conditions. The underlying signaling events leading to the accumulation of HIF1A in the presence of oxygen are still poorly understood. Here, we show that in contrast to hypoxic stabilization of HIF1A, normoxic, TLR-mediated HIF1A accumulation in DCs follows a different pathway that predominantly requires MYD88-dependent NF-κB activity. The TLR-induced HIF1A controls a subset of proinflammatory genes that are insufficiently induced following hypoxia-mediated HIF1A induction. Thus, TLR activation and hypoxia stabilize HIF1A via distinct signaling pathways, resulting in differential HIF1A-dependent gene expression.
I am smart, therefore I can: examining the relationship between IQ and self-efficacy across cultures
Authors: Jurecska Diomaris E.S. , Lee Chloe E. , Chang Kelly B.T. , Sequeira Elizabeth 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
The purpose of this article is to examine the relationship between intelligence (IQ) and self-efficacy in children and adolescents living in the United States and Nicaragua. The sample consisted of 90 (46 male, 44 female) students (mean age=11.57 years, SD=3.0 years) referred by school administrators and faculty. United States (US) participants (n=27) resided in rural counties in the Northwest. The other group consisted of 63 students from Central America. A comparison between groups revealed that in the US, sample higher grades and IQ scores are typically associated with higher levels of self-efficacy. However in the Nicaraguan sample, both IQ scores and grades were not associated with self-efficacy, although age was correlated with self-efficacy. Results suggest that the construct of self-efficacy might change depending on whether one belongs to an individualistic or collectivistic society. Additionally, the effects of socioeconomic factors might influence perceived ability even more than intellectual abilities.
Systematic Surveillance Techniques for a Large Miscible WAG Flood
Authors: Panda Manmath , Nottingham Derek , Lenig David 
Published: June 2011

Summary
Miscible water-alternating-gas (WAG) flooding has proven to be an attractive enhanced-oil-recovery (EOR) method the world over. Successful WAG floods can yield significant additional oil recovery over waterflooding.
WAG floods are complex in nature since reduction of residual oil in the pore spaces depends on mass transfer. Optimizing miscibile contact between the injected gas and the reservoir oil over a large rock volume is challenging. This challenge is more manageable in a small-scale pilot flood or a coreflood than in a large field implementation. Numerical-simulation efforts can provide guidance to designing an optimal flood. However, the field application will often reveal challenges that are not discovered in the pilot stage or by the full-field simulation model because the geologic properties and heterogeneity of the reservoir rock are not accurately represented.
Integrated surveillance of a WAG flood is the only means to determine whether the flood is working efficiently and the planned additional recovery will be delivered. A well-implemented surveillance plan allows timely intervention to improve the efficiency of an underperforming WAG flood.
This paper presents a systematic approach for applying EOR surveillance tools and methods in large miscible WAG floods in the Ivishak reservoirs at the Prudhoe Bay and Eileen West End (EWE) of the North Slope, Alaska. Highlights of these surveillance methods are (1) designed and implemented by a multidisciplinary team, (2) based on proven theory and corroborated with field data, (3) requires easily obtainable and relatively inexpensive field data and analysis, and (4) applied from fault block down to zone levels. Implementation of these tools has helped to identify the efficiency of flood patterns and areas of poor performance, which then can be modified through infill drilling, well recompletion, or WAG-ratio modification to maximize EOR recovery.
Analysis of Uncertainty Introduced by Scaleup of Reservoir Attributes and Flow Response in Heterogeneous Reservoirs
Authors: Leung Juliana Y. , Srinivasan Sanjay 
Published: June 2011

SummaryReservoir heterogeneities occur over a wide range of length scales, and their interaction with various transport mechanisms controls the performance of subsurface flow and transport processes. Modeling these processes at large scales requires proper scaleup of petrophysical properties that are autocorrelated or heterogeneously distributed in space, and analyzing their interaction with underlying transport mechanisms.A method is proposed to investigate and quantify the uncertainty in reservoir models introduced by scaleup. It is demonstrated that when the volume support of the measurement is smaller than the representative elementary volume (REV) scale of the attribute to be modeled, there is uncertainty in the conditioning data because of scaleup and that uncertainty has to be propagated to spatial models for the attribute. This important consideration is demonstrated for mapping total porosity for a carbonate reservoir in the Gulf of Mexico. The results demonstrate that in most cases, the uncertainty distributions obtained by accounting for the scaleup procedure successfully characterize the variability in the actual core and log data observed along new wells. Conventional reservoir models considering the well data as "hard" conditioning data fail to predict the "true" values.Following this discussion on scaling of reservoir attributes, a conceptual understanding of the scaling characteristics of flow responses such as recovery factor (RF) is provided, in terms of the mean and variance of RF at different length scales. Finally, a new technique is presented to systematically quantify the scaling characteristics of transport processes by accounting for subscale heterogeneities and their interaction with various transport mechanisms based on the volume averaging approach. The objective is to provide a tool for understanding the scaling relationships for RF using detailed fine-scale compositional reservoir simulations over a subdomain of the reservoir.
Weight Gain and Metabolic Syndrome Among Young Patients on Antipsychotic Medication: What do we Know and Where do we go?
Authors: Eapen Valsamma , John George 
Published: June 2011

Objective: Childhood obesity and its sequelae, including metabolic syndrome, are reaching epidemic proportions worldwide. Young people treated with antipsychotic medication are particularly at risk as they experience significant weight gain as a side effect of second generation antipsychotics (SGAs) with consequent increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular morbidity and metabolic syndrome. However, surveillance for these side effects is not carried out nor intervention offered in routine clinical prctice. This paper examines the current state of evidence on this topic and suggests directions for future research and clinical practice. Conclusions: Systematic monitoring and preventative programs aimed at weight gain and metabolic side effects should form an integral part of the comprehensive management of adolescents on SGAs.
Something To Hang My Life On: The Health Benefits Of Writing Poetry For People With Serious Illnesses
Authors: Rickett Carolyn , Greive Cedric , Gordon Jill 
Published: June 2011

Objective: We aimed to explore the effect of a poetry writing program for people who had experienced a serious illness. Method: For this study we randomly assigned 28 volunteer participants with a history of serious illness, usually cancer, to one of two poetry writing workshops. Each group met weekly for 2 hours for 8 weeks. The second group was wait-listed to enable comparison between the two groups. We used the Kessler-10, a measure of wellbeing, before and after the workshops and also interviewed the participants at these times. Results: Participants responded enthusiastically and each group demonstrated an increase in wellbeing over the course of their workshop, moving them from medium to low risk on the K10. Participants enjoyed the challenge of writing and the companionship of other group members. Conclusions: Psychiatrists, especially those working in liaison psychiatry, are in a position to encourage patients who have experienced a serious illness to explore writing as a way of coming to terms with their experiences.
The Suicidal Desire of Tolstoy
Authors: Pridmore Saxby , Pridmore William 
Published: June 2011

Aim: To explore whether a healthy, successful individual may experience suicidal desires. Method: Examination of “A Confession” by Leo Tolstoy. Results: Confirmation that a physically and mentally healthy, well resourced individual may experience suicidal desires. Conclusion: To reduce suicide rates, a broader understanding of the factors which contribute to suicidal desires is required.
A new transvenous approach to the carotid-cavernous sinus via the inferior petrooccipital vein
Authors: Kurata Akira , Suzuki Sachio , Iwamoto Kazuhisa , Nakahara Kuniaki , Inukai Madoka , Niki June , Satou Kimitoshi , Yamada Masaru , Fujii Kiyotaka , Kan Shinichi , Katsuta Toshiro 
Published: June 2011

Object
The transvenous approach via the inferior petrosal sinus (IPS) is commonly used as the most appropriate for carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) or cavernous sinus sampling. However, sometimes the IPS is not accessible because of anatomical problems and/or complications, therefore an alternative route is needed. In this paper, the authors present and discuss the utility of a transvenous approach to the cavernous sinus via the inferior petrooccipital vein.

Methods
Four patients, 3 with dural CCFs and the other with Cushing disease, in whom endovascular surgical attempts failed using a conventional venous approach via the IPS, underwent a transvenous approach to the cavernous sinus via the inferior petrooccipital vein (IPOV). One dural CCF case had only cortical venous drainage, the second CCF also mainly drained into the cortical vein with slight inflow into the superior ophthalmic vein and inferior ophthalmic vein, and the third demonstrated drainage into the superior and inferior ophthalmic veins and IPOV.

Results
In all cases, the cavernous sinus could be accessed successfully via this route and without complications.

Conclusions
The transvenous approach to the cavernous sinus via the IPOV should be considered as an alternative in cases when use of the IPS is precluded by an anatomical problem and there are no other suitable venous approach routes.
Cruveilhier plexus: an anatomical study and a potential cause of failed treatments for occipital neuralgia and muscular and facet denervation procedures
Authors: Tubbs R. Shane , Mortazavi Martin M. , Loukas Marios , D'Antoni Anthony V. , Shoja Mohammadali M. , Cohen-Gadol Aaron A. 
Published: June 2011

Object
The nerves of the posterior neck are often encountered by the neurosurgeon and are sometimes the focus of denervation procedures for muscular, joint, or nervous pathologies. One collection of fibers in this region that has not been previously investigated is the Cruveilhier plexus, interneural connections between the dorsal rami of the upper cervical nerves.

Methods
Fifteen adult cadavers (30 sides) were subjected to dissection of the upper cervical and occipital regions with special attention given to identifying potential connections between adjacent extradural dorsal rami of the cervical nerves. When connections were identified, measurements were made and random samples were immunohistochemically stained.

Results
At least one communicating branch was identified on 86.7% of sides. Sampled nervous loops were composed primarily of sensory fibers, but occasional motor fibers were identified. For C-1, a communicating loop joined the medial branches of C-2 on 65.4% of sides. On 29.4% of sides, this loop pierced the obliquus capitis inferior muscle before joining C-2. On 54% of sides, a communicating loop joined the medial branches of the dorsal rami of C-2 and C-3; and on 15.4% of sides, a communicating loop joined the medial branches of the dorsal rami of C-3 and C-4. No specimen had communicating branches between the dorsal rami of cervical nerves C-5 to C-8. Articular branches arose from the deep surface of the interneural connections as they crossed the adjacent facet joint on 34.6% of sides. Loops giving rise to fibers that terminated into surrounding musculature were seen on 35% of sides.

Conclusions
Physical examinations that reveal unexpected results, such as altered sensory dermatome findings, may be attributed to the Cruveilhier plexus. Based on findings in the present study, surgical procedures, such as those aimed at completely denervating the upper posterior cervical musculature, facets, or nerves supplying the skin of the occiput, must also transect the Cruveilhier plexus.