bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Atypical clinical presentations of the A3243G mutation, usually associated with MELAS
Authors: Blum S. , Robertson T. , Klingberg S. , Henderson R. D. , McCombe P. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractMitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke‐like episodes (MELAS) is a clinical syndrome associated with mitochondrial abnormalities. In approximately 80% of patients, the syndrome is associated with the A3243G mutation. However, it has been realized that the A3243G mutation is not uncommon in the general population and is found in many patients with clinical presentations other than MELAS. We present four patients who presented with rhabdomyolysis, muscle fatigue, external ophthalmoplegia and myoclonic jerks respectively. These patients were all found to have the A3243G mutation on muscle biopsy. These patients illustrate the variety of presentations associated with A3243G mutation.
Antitopoisomerase antibody positivity predates nailfold capillaroscopy abnormalities in scleroderma. Postulated classification of ‘prescleroderma’
Authors: Englert H. , Champion D. , Wu J. C. , Giallussi J. , McGrath M. , Manolios N. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractIn a patient with early topoisomerase antibody‐positive scleroderma, antinuclear antibody positivity was fortuitously observed to predate nailfold capillaroscopy changes. Using this case as a template, the prediagnostic phase of the presumed multifactorial disease may be divided into 5 temporal phases – phase 1 representing conception and intrauterine environment, phase 2 representing the extrauterine environment predating environmental exposure; phase 3 representing the early post‐environmental exposure interval with no detectable perturbed body status; phase 4 representing the post‐environmental exposure interval characterized by autoantibody production and microvascular changes, and phase 5, the symptomatic clinical prediagnostic interval (Raynaud's, skin, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, cardiorespiratory) prompting scleroderma diagnosis. Temporal classification of prescleroderma aids in both the understanding and definition of scleroderma ‘onset’. If altered nailfold capillaries and autoantibodies develop at comparable rates, and if the findings from this case – that autoantibody changes precede microvascular changes – are truly representative of the preclinical disease phase, then these findings argue that the evolution of the disease is from within the vessel outwards, rather than vice versa.
Survey report of gamete donors' and recipients' preferences regarding disclosure of third party reproduction outcomes and genetic risk information
Authors: Lindheim Steven R. , Porat Natalie , Jaeger Ami S. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractAim:  Issues surrounding egg donation informed consent have recently been spotlighted due to advances in medical genetics. We sought information on attitudes and desires of donors and recipients to craft a program policy on counseling, disclosures, and re‐contacting participants.Methods:  Between April 2003 and September 2006 we conducted a questionnaire‐based evaluation in our oocyte donor program. Donors pre‐donation (n = 265) and those undergoing the process (n = 60), and recipients either ante‐ or postpartum (n = 57), were asked about their desire to know/disclose obstetric outcomes (Question 1); willingness for contact in the event of a medical emergency (Question 2); and wish to know/disclose a liveborn's medical condition (Question 3).Results:  Pre‐donation questioning among all donors generally revealed reticence to Question 1 (31% [n = 83]), but were overall amenable with Questions 2 and 3 (83% [n = 220] and 83% [n = 219]). Following the donation process, no differences in Questions 1 and 2 were noted, but fewer donors were amenable with Question 3 (pre‐donation 93% [n = 56] versus post‐donation 38% [n = 23]; P < 0.01). Overall, recipients were amenable to all three questions (88% [n = 50], 74% [n = 42] and 88% [n = 50]), with similar responses both ante‐ and postpartum.Conclusion:  All programs participating in gamete donation should establish a comprehensive disclosure policy, including consents that are built upon effective lines of communication between clinical staff and legal counsel assuring that parentage, relinquishment, and re‐contact information in donor‐recipient agreements are consistent with clinic consent documents and desires of both parties; All decisions must be adequately documented and honored and long‐term counseling needs should be addressed.
Efficacy of laparoscopic stripping for ovarian cysts: Histological and clinical findings
Authors: Retto Giovanni , Santoro Giuseppe , Sturlese Emanuele , De Dominici Rosanna , Villari Daniela , Retto Annalisa , Palmara Vittorio 
Published: February 2011

AbstractAim:  The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of the laparoscopic stripping technique on benign ovarian masses with respect to healthy ovarian tissue.Material and Methods:  Seventy‐six patients between 14 and 40 years of age were enrolled after receiving a diagnosis of mono‐lateral ovarian cyst and underwent laparoscopic surgery for cyst excision with the stripping technique. Histological observations of these specimens were then performed and graded on a semiquantitative scale.Results:  The 76 samples included 36 endometriotic cysts, 18 dermoid cysts, 12 serous cysts, and 10 mucinous cysts. Only 26 of the endometriomas showed histological evidence of healthy ovarian tissue that, however, differed morphologically from normal ovarian tissue.Conclusion:  The laparoscopic stripping technique used for the excision of different ovarian cysts is a practice that safeguards the organ.
Effect of cervical length on second trimester pregnancy termination
Authors: Dilek Talat Umut Kutlu , Doruk Arzu , Gozukara Ilay , Durukan Huseyin , Dilek Saffet 
Published: February 2011

AbstractAim:  To evaluate the value of sonographic measurement of cervical length as a predictor of abortion or delivery within 24 h by misoprostol in second trimester termination of pregnancy (TOP).Material and Methods:  One hundred and sixty‐three women underwent TOP between 14 and 26 weeks of pregnancy due to various indications. The primary outcome was abortion within 24 h. Cervical length was measured before transvaginal administration of misoprostol. The effects of cervical length, total misoprostol dose, parity, and gestational age at diagnosis on successful TOP were evaluated.Results:  One hundred and sixty‐three women were eligible who met the inclusion criteria. TOP occurred in 80.5% of patients within 24 h. Parous women had shorter prolonged induction to expulsion period over 24 h (14.1% vs 28.6%, P = 0.061). Total misoprostol dose and history of abortion were parameters that affected induction to delivery period (P = 0.002 and P = 0.041). Using an optimum cutoff of 36 mm, 58.2% sensitivity and 68.2% specificity were obtained. In addition, positive and negative predictive values were 85.36% and 33.3%, respectively. Pregnant women whose preinduction cervical length was shorter than 36 mm had a shorter induction time and needed a lower total misoprostol dose to achieve TOP than women with a cervical length longer than 36 mm (P = 0.027 and P = 0.011, respectively).Conclusion:  Transvaginal measurement of cervical length before administration of prostaglandin analogue was not correlated with successful TOP within 24 h. It cannot be used as a predictor in light of our findings.
Primary myoepithelial carcinoma of the vulva and review of the literature
Authors: Miyata Masako , Hasegawa Kiyoshi , Ishikawa Kunimi , Kato Rina , Udagawa Yasuhiro , Kuroda Makoto 
Published: February 2011

AbstractMyoepithelial carcinoma of the vulva is extremely rare, with only five cases reported. Here, we describe a case of vulvar myoepithelial carcinoma along with a review of the literature. The patient, a 49‐year‐old woman, was referred for a tumor on the right labium majora. She underwent a wide local excision and bilateral inguinal lymph node dissection. Pathological examination revealed an unencapsulated, infiltrative pattern, with solid, nested and trabecular components and areas with myxoid or hyalinized stroma. The tumor consisted of oval to round epithelioid cells with moderate nuclear pleomorphism. By immunohistochemistry, the tumor cells were diffusely positive for cellular adhesion molecule (CAM) 5.2, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), S‐100 protein, and vimentin and focally positive for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and p63, while negative for alpha‐ smooth muscle actin (SMA). The tumor was diagnosed as a myoepithelial carcinoma of the vulva, with metastases to the bilateral inguinal lymph nodes. Following completion of adjuvant radiotherapy, the patient remained alive without any evidence of recurrence at 56 months. A review of six cases of this tumor (including the present case), demonstrated variable morphology with some overlapping features. Therefore, immunohistochemistry using a panel of epithelial and myogenic markers is essential for definitive diagnosis. Two cases had inguinal lymph node metastases and received adjuvant radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy, which resulted in good local control. One case had lung metastasis and was successfully treated by chemotherapy. Given the rarity of this disease and its uncertain prognosis, no clinical trials have been conducted regarding the necessity of adjuvant therapy. Myoepithelial carcinomas of the vulva are extremely rare making case series the most viable means of optimizing diagnosis and therapy.
Atrial natriuretic peptide is an antiapoptotic factor for human granulosa luteinized cells with impact on the results of COH/IVF in women undergoing IVF program
Authors: Dineva Julieta , Vangelov Ivaylo , Nikolov Georgiou , Gulenova Diana , Ivanova Maria 
Published: February 2011

AbstractAim:  To investigate human granulosa luteinized cells as a local source of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and its relationship to cell viability, development of preovulatory follicles and fertilization rate of oocytes.Material and Methods:  Indirect immunofluorescent technique, proANP kit, 4′6‐Diamidino‐2‐phenylindole (DAPI)‐DNA staining and Caspase‐3 activity assay were used to examine localization patterns, concentrations in follicular fluids (FFl) and antiapoptotic role of ANP, respectively.Results:  ANP is expressed on granulosa cells with membrane, submembrane and specific granular cytoplasmic localization. Significant differences in the mean concentrations of ANP in FFl and in the mean levels of apoptotic human granulosa luteinized cells (GLC) were found between women with high and low immunoreactive ANP expression (P < 0.05). Concentrations of ANP correlated inversely and significantly with the percentage of apoptotic GLC isolated from the same women (r = −0.2645; P < 0.05). Enhanced in vitro production of ANP by granulosa cells (after sodium nitroproside and 2Bu‐cGMP treatment), as well as after treatment with human recombinant ANP was associated with significant suppression of Caspase‐3 activity compared to control cells (P < 0.05). Concentrations of ANP in FFl correlated positively and significantly with the number of punctured follicles and oocytes retrieved (r = 0.44716, r = 0.57854; P < 0.05) and with the fertilization rate of oocytes in vitro (r = 0.59773; P < 0.05).Conclusion:  Human granulosa luteinized cells are a local source of ANP in the preovulatory human follicle, which acts as a survival factor through cGMP signaling, and its levels in follicular fluids are positively associated with the number of punctured follicles, isolated oocytes and their fertilizability in vitro.
Uterine inversion with massive uterovaginal prolapse and multiple bladder stones
Authors: Naidu Aruku , Nusee Zalina , Tayib Shahila 
Published: February 2011

AbstractA non‐puerperal uterine inversion in advanced uterovaginal prolapse is a rare occurrence. Even more unusual is the presence of bladder calculi in these two conditions, which has not been documented before. We report a case of acute urinary retention secondary to severe uterovaginal prolapse associated with uterine inversion and multiple bladder calculi.
Transplantation of female genital organs
Authors: Brännström Mats , Díaz‐García César 
Published: February 2011

AbstractTransplantation of gynecological organs is a medical field where considerable advancements have been made in research during the last 25 years and with some procedures already introduced as clinical treatments. These types of transplantations aim at curing permanent infertility. Uterus transplantation has been proven to be a feasible procedure in different experimentation animal models with proof of concept concerning surgery, control of rejection and fertility. There has already been one human transplantation attempt, which, however, was unsuccessful. Based on the progress in this area, we predict that the first successful uterus transplantation attempt will come within 2–3 years. Orthotopic ovarian cortex transplantation has overcome the status of an experimental procedure since more than 20 pregnancies have been reported. Its main field of application is fertility preservation in oncologic patients undergoing high gonadotoxic risk therapies. The role of heterotopic ovarian cortex transplantation still remains at the research level, although co‐transplantation with an orthotopic cortex might facilitate a more accurate endocrine environment. The major drawback of ovarian cortex transplantation remains the long ischemic interval between re‐implantation and the establishment of neovascularization. Whole ovary cryopreservation followed by transplantation through vascular anastomosis may emerge as an important procedure in this field, because the warm ischemic time would be reduced from several days to less than 1 h, which will most likely improve follicle survival. In summary, transplantation surgery is also entering the field of gynecology and in the future several types of transplantations of organs/tissues of the female reproductive tract may become established clinical procedures.
Salmonella enterica strains belonging to O serogroup 1,3,19 induce chlorosis and wilting of Arabidopsis thaliana leaves
Authors: Berger Cedric N. , Brown Derek J. , Shaw Robert K. , Minuzzi Florencia , Feys Bart , Frankel Gad 
Published: February 2011

SummaryThe number of outbreaks and illness linked to the consumption of contaminated salad leaves have increased dramatically in the last decade. Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica are the most common food‐borne pathogens linked to consumption of fresh produce. Different serovars of S. enterica subspecies enterica have been shown to bind the surface of salad leaves, to exhibit tropism towards the stomata and to invade leaves and reach the underlying mesophyll. However the consequences of leaf invasion are not known. Here we show that following infiltration, serovars Typhimurium, Enteritidis, Heidelberg and Agona, as well as strains of S. enterica subspecies arizonae and diarizonae, survive in the mesophyll of Arabidopsis thaliana leaves but induce neither leaf chlorosis nor wilting. In contrast, S. Senftenberg induced strong leaf wilting 4 days post infiltration in A. thaliana accession Col‐0 but not in accession Ws‐0. Dead S. Senftenberg and bacterial lysates also induced leaf wilting. We found that mutations in the Arabidopsis pathogen associated molecular pattern (PAMP) recognition receptors (PRRs) FLS2, which recognizes flagellin, and EFR, which recognizes the bacterial elongation factor EF‐Tu, had no effect on the wilting response of A. thaliana to S. Senftenberg. Infiltration of A. thaliana leaves with serovars Cannstatt, Krefeld and Liverpool, which like Senftenberg belong to Salmonella serogroup E4 (O:1,3,19), also resulted in rapid leaf wilting, while all tested rough S. Senftenberg strains (lacking the O antigen) failed to elicit leaf wilting. These results suggest that the Salmonella O antigen 1,3,19 specifically triggers leaf chlorosis and wilting in A. thaliana.
Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli haemolysin is cleaved and inactivated by serine protease EspPα
Authors: Brockmeyer Jens , Aldick Thomas , Soltwisch Jens , Zhang Wenlan , Tarr Philip I. , Weiss André , Dreisewerd Klaus , Müthing Johannes , Bielaszewska Martina , Karch Helge 
Published: February 2011

SummaryThe haemolysin from enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC‐Hly) and the serine protease EspPα are putative virulence factors of EHEC. We investigated the interplay between these secreted factors and demonstrate that EspPα cleaves the 107 kDa large EHEC‐Hly. Degradation was observed when purified EspPα was added to a growing culture of an EHEC‐Hly‐expressing strain, with isolated proteins and with coexpressing strains, and was independent of the EHEC serotype. EHEC‐Hly breakdown occurred as a multistage process with the formation of characteristic fragments with relative molecular masses of ∼82 kDa and/or ∼84 kDa and ∼34 kDa. The initial cleavage occurred in the N‐terminal hydrophobic domain of EHEC‐Hly between Leu235 and Ser236 and abolished its haemolytic activity. In a cellular infection system, the cytolytic potential of EHEC‐Hly‐secreting recombinant strains was abolished when EspPα was coexpressed. EHEC in contact with human intestinal epithelial cells simultaneously upregulated their EHEC‐Hly and EspP indicating that both molecules might interact under physiological conditions. We propose the concept of bacterial effector molecule interference (BEMI), reflecting the concerted interplay of virulence factors. Interference between effector molecules might be an additional way to regulate virulence functions and increases the complexity of monomolecular phenotypes.
Primary and secondary oxidative stress in Bacillus
Authors: Mols Maarten , Abee Tjakko 
Published: February 2011

SummaryCoping with oxidative stress originating from oxidizing compounds or reactive oxygen species (ROS), associated with the exposure to agents that cause environmental stresses, is one of the prerequisites for an aerobic lifestyle of Bacillus spp. such as B. subtilis, B. cereus and B. anthracis. This minireview highlights novel insights in the primary oxidative stress response caused by oxidizing compounds including hydrogen peroxide and the secondary oxidative stress responses apparent upon exposure to a range of agents and conditions leading to environmental stresses such as antibiotics, heat and acid. Insights in the pathways and damaging radicals involved have been compiled based among others on transcriptome studies, network analyses and fluorescence techniques for detection of ROS at single cell level. Exploitation of the current knowledge for the control of spoilage and pathogenic bacteria is discussed.
Inference in morphological taxonomy using collinear data and small sample sizes: Monogenean sclerites (Platyhelminthes) as a case study
Authors: Vignon Matthias 
Published: February 2011

Vignon, M. (2011) Inference in morphological taxonomy using collinear data and small sample sizes: Monogenean sclerites (Platyhelminthes) as a case study. —Zoologica Scripta, 40, 306–316.Taxonomists and evolutionary biologists frequently use a combination of morphological measurements to distinguish between species and investigate local adaptation. However, the entire set of characters often displays various degrees of collinearity. This paper discusses the effect of using collinear data in morphological taxonomy and ways to handle multicollinearity in a classification context, with special consideration for small sample size. In addition, I propose a robust and easy‐to‐use combination of dimension reduction using partial least squares (PLS) with traditional discriminant methods for morphological data. To do this, I investigated morphological variation patterns among four monogenean populations from the Pacific Ocean using the correlated morphological features of the sclerotized attachment organ. The new approach yielded better prediction results (lower classification error rates) than the traditional dimension reduction method based on principle component analysis (PCA) and is also much more robust for small sample size. This emphasizes that PLS may be more efficient than PCA in dealing with correlated data and extracting the most relevant morphological differences among groups.
Molecular phylogeny of venus clams (Mollusca, Bivalvia, Veneridae) with emphasis on the systematic position of taxa along the coast of mainland China
Authors: Chen Jun , Li Qi , Kong Lingfeng , Zheng Xiaodong 
Published: February 2011

Chen, J., Li, Q., Kong, L. & Zheng, X. (2011). Molecular phylogeny of venus clams (Mollusca, Bivalvia, Veneridae) with emphasis on the systematic position of taxa along the coast of mainland China. —Zoologica Scripta, 40, 260–271.Veneridae is the most richly speciose family of heterodont bivalves with high ecological and economic value. Attention to the Veneridae systematics has been raised since traditional conchology‐based ideas on relationships among the venerids were challenged by recent studies using molecular makers and other new approaches and methods. Herein, DNA sequence information from fragments of two mitochondrial genes (COI and 16S) and one nuclear protein‐coding gene (H3) for 135 taxa (128 venerids, five nonvenerid veneroids and two other outgroups) are used to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships of venus clams under maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference approaches. According to our molecular results, the traditional Veneridae is not recovered as monophyletic and most of the nominal subfamilies and genera formed para‐polyphyletic clades. The findings indicate that the current venerid classification cannot validly reflect a natural subdivision. In the present study, the classification of taxa along the coast of mainland China within this family are also revised based on their phylogenetic position and morphological characters. The synonymization of chionine genus Placamen with Clausinella is rejected. Chionine subgenera Anomalodiscus and Cryptonema are given full generic rank again and incorporated into Venerinae and Tapetinae, respectively. Tapetine Marcia hiantina, M. japonica and M. marmorata were distantly related to Katelysia spp., so assigning those three species into the genus Katelysia by some malacologists is rejected herein. Our results also evidence that the synonymization of the genus Tigammona and Periglypta might be inappropriate.
Biotechnological application of functional genomics towards plant‐parasitic nematode control
Authors: Li Jiarui , Todd Timothy C. , Lee Junghoon , Trick Harold N. 
Published: February 2011

SummaryPlant‐parasitic nematodes are primary biotic factors limiting the crop production. Current nematode control strategies include nematicides, crop rotation and resistant cultivars, but each has serious limitations. RNA interference (RNAi) represents a major breakthrough in the application of functional genomics for plant‐parasitic nematode control. RNAi‐induced suppression of numerous genes essential for nematode development, reproduction or parasitism has been demonstrated, highlighting the considerable potential for using this strategy to control damaging pest populations. In an effort to find more suitable and effective gene targets for silencing, researchers are employing functional genomics methodologies, including genome sequencing and transcriptome profiling. Microarrays have been used for studying the interactions between nematodes and plant roots and to measure both plants and nematodes transcripts. Furthermore, laser capture microdissection has been applied for the precise dissection of nematode feeding sites (syncytia) to allow the study of gene expression specifically in syncytia. In the near future, small RNA sequencing techniques will provide more direct information for elucidating small RNA regulatory mechanisms in plants and specific gene silencing using artificial microRNAs should further improve the potential of targeted gene silencing as a strategy for nematode management.