bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Monocytic microparticles activate endothelial cells in an IL-1β–dependent manner
Authors: Wang Jian-Guo , Williams Julie C. , Davis Beckley K. , Jacobson Ken , Doerschuk Claire M. , Ting Jenny P.-Y. , Mackman Nigel 
Published: June 2011

AbstractMicroparticles (MPs) are shed from activated and dying cells. They can transmit signals from cell to cell, locally or at a distance through the circulation. Monocytic MPs are elevated in different diseases, including bacterial infections. Here, we investigated how monocytic MPs activate endothelial cells. We found that MPs from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)–treated THP-1 monocytic cells bind to and are internalized by human endothelial cells. MPs from LPS-treated THP-1 cells, but not untreated cells, induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2, activation of the nuclear factor-κB pathway and expression of cell adhesion molecules intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and E-selectin. Similar results were observed using MPs from LPS-treated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We next investigated the mechanism by which monocytic MPs activated endothelial cells and found that they contain IL-1β and components of the inflammasome, including apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD, caspase-1, and NLRP3. Importantly, knockdown of NLRP3 in THP-1 cells reduced the activity of the MPs and blockade of the IL-1 receptor on endothelial cells decreased MP-dependent induction of cell adhesion molecules. Therefore, monocytic MPs contain IL-1β and may amplify inflammation by enhancing the activation of the endothelium.
A pilot study of subcutaneous decitabine in β-thalassemia intermedia
Authors: Olivieri Nancy F. , Saunthararajah Yogen , Thayalasuthan Vivek , Kwiatkowski Janet , Ware Russell E. , Kuypers Frans A. , Kim Hae-Young , Trachtenberg Felicia L. , Vichinsky Elliott P. ,   for the Thalassemia Clinical Research Network
Published: June 2011

Abstract
Ineffective erythropoiesis, the hallmark of β-thalassemia, is a result of α/non-α globin chain imbalance.1 One strategy to redress globin-chain imbalance is to induce γ-globin gene (HBG) expression. Repression of HBG in adult erythroid cells involves DNA methylation and other epigenetic changes. Therefore, the cytosine analog decitabine, which can deplete DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), can potentially activate HBG. In 5 patients with β-thalassemia intermedia, a dose and schedule of decitabine intended to deplete DNMT1 without causing significant cytotoxicity (0.2 mg/kg subcutaneous 2 times per week for 12 weeks) increased total hemoglobin from 7.88 ± 0.88 g/dL to 9.04 ± 0.77 g/dL (P = .004) and absolute fetal hemoglobin from 3.64 ± 1.13 g/dL to 4.29 ± 1.13 g/dL (P = .003). Significant favorable changes also occurred in indices of hemolysis and red blood cell densitometry. Consistent with a noncytotoxic, differentiation altering mechanism of action, the major side effect was an asymptomatic increase in platelet counts without erythrocyte micronucleus or VDJ recombination assay evidence of genotoxicity. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00661726.
Exhaled air molecular profiling in relation to inflammatory subtype and activity in COPD
Authors: Fens N. , de Nijs S.B. , Peters S. , Dekker T. , Knobel H.H. , Vink T.J. , Willard N.P. , Zwinderman A.H. , Krouwels F.H. , Janssen H-G. , Lutter R. , Sterk P.J. 
Published: June 2011

Eosinophilic inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is predictive for responses to inhaled steroids. We hypothesised that the inflammatory subtype in mild and moderate COPD can be assessed by exhaled breath metabolomics.Exhaled compounds were analysed using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and electronic nose (eNose) in 28 COPD patients (12/16 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage I/II, respectively). Differential cell counts, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were measured in induced sputum. Relationships between exhaled compounds, eNose breathprints and sputum inflammatory markers were analysed and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed.Exhaled compounds were highly associated with sputum cell counts (eight compounds with eosinophils, 17 with neutrophils; p<0.01). Only one compound (alkylated benzene) overlapped between eosinophilic and neutrophilic profiles. GC-MS and eNose breathprints were associated with markers of inflammatory activity in GOLD stage I (ECP: 19 compounds, p<0.01; eNose breathprint r=0.84, p=0.002) (MPO: four compounds, p<0.01; eNose r=0.72, p=0.008). ROC analysis for eNose showed high sensitivity and specificity for inflammatory activity in mild COPD (ECP: area under the curve (AUC) 1.00; MPO: AUC 0.96) but not for moderate COPD.Exhaled molecular profiles are closely associated with the type of inflammatory cell and their activation status in mild and moderate COPD. This suggests that breath analysis may be used for assessment and monitoring of airway inflammation in COPD.
Parent misperception of control in childhood/adolescent asthma: the Room to Breathe survey
Authors: Carroll W.D. , Wildhaber J. , Brand P.L.P. 
Published: June 2011

The aim of our study was to determine how often asthma control is achieved in children and adolescents, and how asthma affects parents' and children's daily lives.Interviews, including the childhood asthma control test (C-ACT), were conducted with 1,284 parents of asthmatic children (aged 4–15 yrs), as well as with the children themselves (aged 8–15 yrs; n=943), in Canada, Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands, South Africa and the UK.Parents reported mild asthma attacks at least weekly in 11% of children, and serious attacks (requiring oral corticosteroids or hospitalisation) at least annually in 35%. Although 73% of parents described their child's asthma as mild or intermittent, 40% of children/adolescents had C-ACT scores ≤19, indicating inadequate control, and only 14.7% achieved complete Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA)-defined control and just 9.2% achieved Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN)/British Thoracic Society (BTS)-defined control. Guideline-defined asthma control was significantly less common than well-controlled asthma using the C-ACT (p<0.001). Asthma restricted the child's activities in 39% of families and caused lifestyle changes in 70%.Complete asthma control is uncommon in children worldwide. Guideline-defined control measures appear to be more stringent than those defined by C-ACT or families. Overall, parents underestimate their child's asthma severity and overestimate asthma control. This is a major potential barrier to successful asthma treatment in children.
Analysis of the acute phase responses of Serum Amyloid A, Haptoglobin and Type 1 Interferon in cattle experimentally infected with foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype O
Authors: Stenfeldt Carolina , Heegaard Peter MH , Stockmarr Anders , Tjørnehøj Kirsten , Belsham Graham J 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
A series of challenge experiments were performed in order to investigate the acute phase responses to foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) infection in cattle and possible implications for the development of persistently infected "carriers". The host response to infection was investigated through measurements of the concentrations of the acute phase proteins (APPs) serum amyloid A (SAA) and haptoglobin (HP), as well as the bioactivity of type 1 interferon (IFN) in serum of infected animals. Results were based on measurements from a total of 36 infected animals of which 24 were kept for observational periods exceeding 28 days in order to determine the carrier-status of individual animals. The systemic host response to FMDV in infected animals was evaluated in comparison to similar measurements in sera from 6 mock-inoculated control animals.
There was a significant increase in serum concentrations of both APPs and type 1 IFN in infected animals coinciding with the onset of viremia and clinical disease. The measured parameters declined to baseline levels within 21 days after inoculation, indicating that there was no systemically measurable inflammatory reaction related to the carrier state of FMD. There was a statistically significant difference in the HP response between carriers and non-carriers with a lower response in the animals that subsequently developed into FMDV carriers. It was concluded that the induction of SAA, HP and type 1 IFN in serum can be used as markers of acute infection by FMDV in cattle.
Digging deeper into lymphatic vessel formation in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Detry Benoit , Bruyère Françoise , Erpicum Charlotte , Paupert Jenny , Lamaye Françoise , Maillard Catherine , Lenoir Bénédicte , Foidart Jean-Michel , Thiry Marc , Noël Agnès 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBackgroundAbnormal lymphatic vessel formation (lymphangiogenesis) is associated with different pathologies such as cancer, lymphedema, psoriasis and graft rejection. Lymphatic vasculature displays distinctive features than blood vasculature, and mechanisms underlying the formation of new lymphatic vessels during physiological and pathological processes are still poorly documented. Most studies on lymphatic vessel formation are focused on organism development rather than lymphangiogenic events occurring in adults. We have here studied lymphatic vessel formation in twoin vivomodels of pathological lymphangiogenesis (corneal assay and lymphangioma). These data have been confronted to those generated in the recently set upin vitromodel of lymphatic ring assay. Ultrastructural analyses through Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) were performed to investigate tube morphogenesis, an important differentiating process observed during endothelial cell organization into capillary structures.ResultsIn bothin vivomodels (lymphangiogenic corneal assay and lymphangioma), migrating lymphatic endothelial cells extended long processes exploring the neighboring environment and organized into cord-like structures. Signs of intense extracellular matrix remodeling were observed extracellularly and inside cytoplasmic vacuoles. The formation of intercellular spaces between endothelial cells led to tube formation. Proliferating lymphatic endothelial cells were detected both at the tips of sprouting capillaries and inside extending sprouts. The different steps of lymphangiogenesis observedin vivoare fully recapitulatedin vitro, in the lymphatic ring assay and include: (1) endothelial cell alignment in cord like structure, (2) intracellular vacuole formation and (3) matrix degradation.ConclusionsIn this study, we are providing evidence for lymphatic vessel formation through tunneling relying on extensive matrix remodeling, migration and alignment of sprouting endothelial cells into tubular structures. In addition, our data emphasize the suitability of the lymphatic ring assay to unravel mechanisms underlying lymphangiogenesis.
Role of the SaeRS two-component regulatory system in Staphylococcus epidermidisautolysis and biofilm formation
Authors: Lou Qiang , Zhu Tao , Hu Jian , Ben Haijing , Yang Jinsong , Yu Fangyou , Liu Jingran , Wu Yang , Fischer Adrien , Francois Patrice , Schrenzel Jacques , Qu Di 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBackgroundStaphylococcus epidermidis(SE) has emerged as one of the most important causes of nosocomial infections. The SaeRS two-component signal transduction system (TCS) influences virulence and biofilm formation inStaphylococcus aureus. The deletion ofsaeRinS. epidermidisresults in impaired anaerobic growth and decreased nitrate utilization. However, the regulatory function of SaeRS on biofilm formation and autolysis inS. epidermidisremains unclear.ResultsThesaeRSgenes of SE1457 were deleted by homologous recombination. ThesaeRSdeletion mutant, SE1457ΔsaeRS, exhibited increased biofilm formation that was disturbed more severely (a 4-fold reduction) by DNase I treatment compared to SE1457 and the complementation strain SE1457saec. Compared to SE1457 and SE1457saec, SE1457ΔsaeRSshowed increased Triton X-100-induced autolysis (approximately 3-fold) and decreased cell viability in planktonic/biofilm states; further, SE1457ΔsaeRSalso released more extracellular DNA (eDNA) in the biofilms. Correlated with the increased autolysis phenotype, the transcription of autolysis-related genes, such asatlEandaae, was increased in SE1457ΔsaeRS. Whereas the expression of accumulation-associated protein was up-regulated by 1.8-fold in 1457ΔsaeRS, the expression of an N-acetylglucosaminyl transferase enzyme (encoded byicaA) critical for polysaccharide intercellular adhesin (PIA) synthesis was not affected by the deletion ofsaeRS.ConclusionsDeletion ofsaeRSinS. epidermidisresulted in an increase in biofilm-forming ability, which was associated with increased eDNA release and up-regulated Aap expression. The increased eDNA release from SE1457ΔsaeRSwas associated with increased bacterial autolysis and decreased bacterial cell viability in the planktonic/biofilm states.
Comparative diffusion assay to assess efficacy of topical antimicrobial agents against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in burns care
Authors: Aujoulat Fabien , Lebreton Françoise , Romano Sara , Delage Milena , Marchandin Hélène , Brabet Monique , Bricard Françoise , Godreuil Sylvain , Parer Sylvie , Jumas-Bilak Estelle 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Background
Severely burned patients may develop life-threatening nosocomial infections due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can exhibit a high-level of resistance to antimicrobial drugs and has a propensity to cause nosocomial outbreaks. Antiseptic and topical antimicrobial compounds constitute major resources for burns care but in vitro testing of their activity is not performed in practice.

Results
In our burn unit, a P. aeruginosa clone multiresistant to antibiotics colonized or infected 26 patients over a 2-year period. This resident clone was characterized by PCR based on ERIC sequences. We investigated the susceptibility of the resident clone to silver sulphadiazine and to the main topical antimicrobial agents currently used in the burn unit. We proposed an optimized diffusion assay used for comparative analysis of P. aeruginosa strains. The resident clone displayed lower susceptibility to silver sulphadiazine and cerium silver sulphadiazine than strains unrelated to the resident clone in the unit or unrelated to the burn unit.

Conclusions
The diffusion assay developed herein detects differences in behaviour against antimicrobials between tested strains and a reference population. The method could be proposed for use in semi-routine practice of medical microbiology.
Stimulation of neoplastic mouse lung cell proliferation by alveolar macrophage-derived, insulin-like growth factor-1 can be blocked by inhibiting MEK and PI3K activation
Authors: Fritz Jason M , Dwyer-Nield Lori D , Malkinson Alvin M 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Background
Worldwide, lung cancer kills more people than breast, colon and prostate cancer combined. Alterations in macrophage number and function during lung tumorigenesis suggest that these immune effector cells stimulate lung cancer growth. Evidence from cancer models in other tissues suggests that cancer cells actively recruit growth factor-producing macrophages through a reciprocal signaling pathway. While the levels of lung macrophages increase during tumor progression in mouse models of lung cancer, and high pulmonary macrophage content correlates with a poor prognosis in human non-small cell lung cancer, the specific role of alveolar macrophages in lung tumorigenesis is not clear.

Methods
After culturing either an immortalized lung macrophage cell line or primary murine alveolar macrophages from naïve and lung-tumor bearing mice with primary tumor isolates and immortalized cell lines, the effects on epithelial proliferation and cellular kinase activation were determined. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) was quantified by ELISA, and macrophage conditioned media IGF-1 levels manipulated by IL-4 treatment, immuno-depletion and siRNA transfection.

Results
Primary macrophages from both naïve and lung-tumor bearing mice stimulated epithelial cell proliferation. The lungs of tumor-bearing mice contained 3.5-times more IGF-1 than naïve littermates, and media conditioned by freshly isolated tumor-educated macrophages contained more IGF-1 than media conditioned by naïve macrophages; IL-4 stimulated IGF-1 production by both macrophage subsets. The ability of macrophage conditioned media to stimulate neoplastic proliferation correlated with media IGF-1 levels, and recombinant IGF-1 alone was sufficient to induce epithelial proliferation in all cell lines evaluated. Macrophage-conditioned media and IGF-1 stimulated lung tumor cell growth in an additive manner, while EGF had no effect. Macrophage-derived factors increased p-Erk1/2, p-Akt and cyclin D1 levels in neoplastic cells, and the combined inhibition of both MEK and PI3K ablated macrophage-mediated increases in epithelial growth.

Conclusions
Macrophages produce IGF-1 which directly stimulates neoplastic proliferation through Erk and Akt activation. This observation suggests that combining macrophage ablation therapy with IGF-1R, MEK and/or PI3K inhibition could improve therapeutic response in human lung cancer. Exploring macrophage-based intervention could be a fruitful avenue for future research.
Rare human papillomavirus 16 E6 variants reveal significant oncogenic potential
Authors: Zehbe Ingeborg , Lichtig Hava , Westerback Ashley , Lambert Paul F , Tommasino Massimo , Sherman Levana 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine whether low prevalence human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 E6 variants differ from high prevalence types in their functional abilities. We evaluated functions relevant to carcinogenesis for the rarely-detected European variants R8Q, R10G and R48W as compared to the commonly detected L83V. Human immortalized keratinocytes (NIKS) stably transduced with the E6 variants were used in most functional assays. Low and high prevalence E6 variants displayed similar abilities in abrogation of growth arrest and inhibition of p53 elevation induced by actinomycin D. Differences were detected in the abilities to dysregulate stratification and differentiation of NIKS in organotypic raft cultures, modulate detachment induced apoptosis (anoikis) and hyperactivate Wnt signaling. No distinctive phenotype could be assigned to include all rare variants. Like L83V, raft cultures derived from variants R10G and R48W similarly induced hyperplasia and aberrantly expressed keratin 5 in the suprabasal compartment with significantly lower expression of keratin 10. Unlike L83V, both variants, and particularly R48W, induced increased levels of anoikis upon suspension in semisolid medium. R8Q induced a unique phenotype characterized by thin organotypic raft cultures, low expression of keratin 10, and high expression of keratins 5 and 14 throughout all raft layers. Interestingly, in a reporter based assay R8Q exhibited a higher ability to augment TCF/β-catenin transcription. The data suggests that differences in E6 variant prevalence in cervical carcinoma may not be related to the carcinogenic potential of the E6 protein.
In utero protein restriction causes growth delay and alters sperm parameters in adult male rats
Authors: Toledo Fabíola C , Perobelli Juliana E , Pedrosa Flávia PC , Anselmo-Franci Janete A , Kempinas Wilma DG 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Background
Recent studies have supported the concept of "fetal programming" which suggests that during the intrauterine development the fetus may be programmed to develop diseases in adulthood. The possible effects of in utero protein restriction on sexual development of rat male offspring were evaluated in the present study.

Methods

Pregnant Wistar rats were divided into two experimental groups: one group treated with standard chow (SC, n = 8, 17% protein) and the other group treated with hypoproteic chow (HC, n = 10, 6% protein) throughout gestation. After gestation the two experimental groups received standard chow. To evaluate the possible late reproductive effects of in utero protein restriction, the male offspring of both groups were assessed at different phases of sexual development: prepubertal (30 days old); peripubertal (60 days old); adult (90 days old). Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney test were utilized. Differences were considered significant when p < 0.05.

Results
We found that in utero protein restriction reduced the body weight of male pups on the first postnatal day and during the different sexual development phases (prepubertal, peripubertal and adult). During adulthood, Sertoli cell number, sperm motility and sperm counts in the testis and epididymal cauda were also reduced in HC. Furthermore, the numbers of sperm presenting morphological abnormalities and cytoplasmic drop retention were higher in HC.

Conclusions
In conclusion, in utero protein restriction, under these experimental conditions, causes growth delay and alters male reproductive-system programming in rats, suggesting impairment of sperm quality in adulthood.
Human resources for maternal, newborn and child health: from measurement and planning to performance for improved health outcomes
Authors: Gupta Neeru , Maliqi Blerta , França Adson , Nyonator Frank , Pate Muhammad A , Sanders David , Belhadj Hedia , Daelmans Bernadette 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Background
There is increasing attention, globally and in countries, to monitoring and addressing the health systems and human resources inputs, processes and outputs that impede or facilitate progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals for maternal and child health. We reviewed the situation of human resources for health (HRH) in 68 low- and middle-income countries that together account for over 95% of all maternal and child deaths.

Methods
We collected and analysed cross-nationally comparable data on HRH availability, distribution, roles and functions from new and existing sources, and information from country reviews of HRH interventions that are associated with positive impacts on health services delivery and population health outcomes.

Results
Findings from 68 countries demonstrate availability of doctors, nurses and midwives is positively correlated with coverage of skilled birth attendance. Most (78%) of the target countries face acute shortages of highly skilled health personnel, and large variations persist within and across countries in workforce distribution, skills mix and skills utilization. Too few countries appropriately plan for, authorize and support nurses, midwives and community health workers to deliver essential maternal, newborn and child health-care interventions that could save lives.

Conclusions
Despite certain limitations of the data and findings, we identify some key areas where governments, international partners and other stakeholders can target efforts to ensure a sufficient, equitably distributed and efficiently utilized health workforce to achieve MDGs 4 and 5.
Strong convergence theorems by hybrid projection methods for equilibrium problems and fixed point problems of the asymptotically quasi-ϕ-nonexpansive mappings
Authors: Kim Jong Kyu 
Published: June 2011

AbstractWe consider a hybrid projection method for finding a common element in the fixed point set of an asymptotically quasi-ϕ-nonexpansive mapping and in the solution set of an equilibrium problem. Strong convergence theorems of common elements are established in a uniformly smooth and strictly convex Banach space which has the Kadec-Klee property.2000 Mathematics subject classification: 47H05, 47H09, 47H10, 47J25