bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interleukin‐6 as a Predictor of Subclinical Chorioamnionitis in Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes
Authors: Gulati Shilpa , Bhatnagar Sonu , Raghunandan Chitra , Bhattacharjee Jayashree 
Published: October 2011

Citation Gulati S, Bhatnagar S, Raghunandan C, Bhattacharjee J. Interleukin‐6 as a predictor of subclinical chorioamnionitis in preterm premature rupture of membranes. Am J Reprod Immunol 2012; 67: 235–240Problem  One of the major challenges faced by the clinicians in preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) is to correctly identify when a significant chorioamnionitis is evolving and decide timely delivery of the fetus. Measuring interleukin‐6 levels in maternal serum can be useful for the identification of asymptomatic intrauterine infections in subjects with PPROM.Method of study  A total of 75 pregnant women, of which 45 pregnant women presenting with PPROM between 24 and 34 weeks gestation and 30 healthy pregnant women without PPROM, were included in the study. Serum IL‐6 levels were determined by solid‐phase sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (Diaclone Research, Besancon, France).Results  The mean serum IL‐6 value at admission in the control group was 2.48 ± 2.7 pg/mL and in the study group was 11.86 ± 14.5 pg/mL (P = 0.001). Mean serum IL‐6 concentrations at admission in subjects without histological chorioamnionitis were 3.98 ± 3.9 pg/mL and in those who had histological chorioamnionitis were 20.09 ± 16.8 pg/ml (P < 0.001).Conclusion  Maternal serum IL‐6 levels were significantly elevated in subjects with PPROM with infectious morbidity as compared to those without infectious morbidity in the present study. There was a significant rise in maternal serum IL‐6 levels with increased duration of rupture of membranes and with evidence of histological chorioamnionitis and funisitis in the placenta.
Effects of fluorides on apoptosis and activation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells
Authors: Szczepański M , Kamianowska M , Kamianowski G 
Published: October 2011

Oral Diseases (2012) 18, 280–284Objective:  To determine the effects of fluorides on endothelial functioning.Materials and methods:  We analyzed expressions of adhesion molecules, ICAM‐1 and ICAM‐3, and annexin V, on the surface of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) exposed to various concentrations of NaF and SnF2. We compared the effects of fluoride‐induced changes with those obtained when stimulating HUVECs with TNF‐α and verified whether N‐acetyl cysteine (NAC), well‐known antioxidant, can prevent both fluoride‐ and TNF‐α‐induced alterations.Results:  The expressions of annexin V and ICAM‐1 increased significantly after adding NaF (5.0 or 7.5 mM) or Sn2F (0.5 or 0.75 mM) to the culture medium. Pre‐incubating HUVECs with NAC prevented the effects induced by 5.0 mM of NaF and 0.5 mM of Sn2F. Only the highest concentration of NaF (7.5 mM) triggered the expression of ICAM‐3. The expressions of all three molecules increased significantly upon stimulating the cultures with TNF‐α (20 ng ml−1); these changes were not reversed by pre‐incubation with NAC.Conclusions:  Fluorides induce oxidative stress, resulting in apoptosis and activation of HUVECs, manifested by an elevated expression of ICAM‐1. The oxidative stress resulting from a stimulation by the highest NaF concentration triggers ICAM‐3 expression on the HUVECs’ surface.
A novel SGCE gene mutation causing myoclonus dystonia in a family with an unusual phenotype
Authors: Tedroff Kristina , Rolfs Arndt , Norling Andreas 
Published: October 2011

AbstractBackground:  Myoclonus dystonia is an autosomal dominant dystonia‐plus syndrome, characterized by symptom variability within families. Most often is the myoclonus the most debilitating symptom, and many patients report myoclonus reduction after alcohol intake. In several families, mutations in the SGCE gene have been identified.Method:  We report of a three‐generation family with myoclonus dystonia displaying a varied phenotype and maternal imprinting. Additionally, this family displays some unusual clinical presentations including alcohol‐induced dystonia in an adult man, which will be discussed.Results:  A novel mutation c.386T>C [p.I129T] was found within exon 3 of the SGCE gene in all three affected family members. In addition, two additional mutations [c.305G>A and IVS3+15G>A], judged to be polymorphisms in the SGCE gene, were found in two affected and one healthy family member.Conclusions:  This report presents a novel mutation in the SGCE gene causing myoclonus dystonia and extends the phenotype of myoclonus dystonia to also include alcohol‐induced dystonia.
Impact of overweight and obesity in carotid intima‐media thickness of portuguese adolescents
Authors: Leite A , Santos A , Monteiro M , Gomes L , Veloso M , Costa M 
Published: October 2011

AbstractAim:  To measure carotid intima‐media thickness (cIMT) in obese, overweight and normal‐weight Portuguese adolescents, to evaluate the association between body weight early signs of atherosclerosis.Methods:  Cross‐sectional study, enrolling 150 adolescents (50 normal weight, 50 overweight and 50 obese) with mean age of 12.9 years. All underwent clinical, analytical and carotid common artery ultrasonographic evaluation.Results:  After adjusting for systolic blood pressure and plasma High‐density lipoprotein, Low‐density lipoprotein and Triglycerides levels, higher mean cIMT values were observed in both overweight and obese patients, when compared to normal‐weight group. Moreover, adolescents with metabolic syndrome (MS) had greater cIMT [normal‐weight: cIMT mean 0.418 mm (95% confidence intervals (95% CI) 0.399–0.437); overweight: 0.461 mm (95% CI: 0.444–0.477); obese: 0.472 mm (95% CI: 0.455–0.488); MS: 0.482 mm (95% CI: 0.444–0.520) p = 0.001]. When normal‐weight and overweight adolescents were exclusively compared, differences in cIMT remained significant (p < 0.001). cIMT was positively correlated with body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.439, p < 0.001), waist circumference (r = 0.301, p = 0.018) and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.266, p = 0.001).Conclusions:  We have shown that cIMT is positively associated with BMI increase in adolescents, even in moderate overweight ranges, independent of age, gender, systolic blood pressure and plasma lipid concentrations.
Prediction of outcome at 5 years from assessments at 2 years among extremely preterm children: A Norwegian national cohort study
Authors: Leversen Katrine Tyborg , Sommerfelt Kristian , Elgen Irene Bircow , Eide Geir Egil , Irgens Lorentz M , Júlíusson Pétur B , Markestad Trond 
Published: October 2011

AbstractAim:  To examine the predictive value of early assessments on developmental outcome at 5 years in children born extremely preterm.Methods:  This is a prospective observational study of all infants born in Norway in 1999–2000 with gestational age (GA) <28 weeks or birth weight (BW) <1000 g. At 2 years of age, paediatricians assessed mental and motor development from milestones. At 5 years, parents completed questionnaires on development and professional support before cognitive function was assessed with Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence‐Revised (WPPSI‐R) and motor function with the Movement Assessment Battery for children (ABC test).Results:  Twenty‐six of 373 (7%) children had cerebral palsy at 2 and 29 of 306 (9%) children at 5 years. Of children without major impairments, 51% (95% CI 35–67) of those with and 22% (95% CI 16–28) without mental delay at 2 years had IQ <85 at 5 years, and 36% (95% CI 20–53 with and 16% (95% CI 11–21) without motor delay at 2 years had an ABC score >95th percentile (poor function). Approximately half of those without major impairments but IQ <85 or ABC score >95th percentile had received support or follow‐up beyond routine primary care.Conclusion:  Previous assessments had limited value in predicting cognitive and motor function at 5 years in these extremely preterm children without major impairments.
Folate, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6 and homocysteine: impact on pregnancy outcome
Authors: Furness Denise , Fenech Michael , Dekker Gustaaf , Khong T Yee , Roberts Claire , Hague William 
Published: October 2011

AbstractGood clinical practice recommends folic acid supplementation 1 month prior to pregnancy and during the first trimester to prevent congenital malformations. However, high rates of fetal growth and development in later pregnancy may increase the demand for folate. Folate and vitamins B12 and B6 are required for DNA synthesis and cell growth, and are involved in homocysteine metabolism. The primary aim of this study was to determine if maternal folate, vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and homocysteine concentrations at 18–20 weeks gestation are associated with subsequent adverse pregnancy outcomes, including pre‐eclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). The secondary aim was to investigate maternal B vitamin concentrations with DNA damage markers in maternal lymphocytes. A prospective observational study was conducted at the Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia. One hundred and thirty‐seven subjects were identified prior to 20 weeks gestation as at high or low risk for subsequent adverse pregnancy outcome by senior obstetricians. Clinical status, dietary information, circulating micronutrients and genome damage biomarkers were assessed at 18–20 weeks gestation. Women who developed IUGR had reduced red blood cell (RBC) folate (P < 0.001) and increased plasma homocysteine concentrations (P < 0.001) compared with controls. Maternal DNA damage, represented by micronucleus frequency and nucleoplasmic bridges in lymphocytes, was positively correlated with homocysteine (r = 0.179, P = 0.038 and r = 0.171, P = 0.047, respectively). Multivariate regression analysis revealed RBC folate was a strong predictor of IUGR (P = 0.006). This study suggests that low maternal RBC folate and high homocysteine values in mid pregnancy are associated with subsequent reduced fetal growth.
pH dependence of listeriolysin O aggregation and pore‐forming ability
Authors: Bavdek Andrej , Kostanjšek Rok , Antonini Valeria , Lakey Jeremy H. , Dalla Serra Mauro , Gilbert Robert J. C. , Anderluh Gregor 
Published: October 2011

Listeriolysin O (LLO) is the major factor implicated in the escape of Listeria monocytogenes from the phagolysosome. It is the only representative of cholesterol‐dependent cytolysins that exhibits pH‐dependent activity. Despite intense studies of LLO pH‐dependence, this feature of the toxin still remains incompletely explained. Here we used fluorescence and CD spectroscopy to show that the structure of LLO is not detectably affected by pH at room temperature. We observed slightly altered haemolytic and permeabilizing activities at different pH values, which we relate to reduced binding of LLO to the lipid membranes. However, alkaline pH and elevated temperatures caused rapid denaturation of LLO. Aggregates of the toxin were able to bind Congo red and Thioflavin T dyes and were visible under transmission electron microscopy as large, amorphous, micrometer‐sized assemblies. The aggregates had the biophysical properties of amyloid. Analytical ultracentrifugation indicated dimerization of the protein in acidic conditions, which protects the protein against premature denaturation in the phagolysosome, where toxin activity takes place. We therefore suggest that LLO spontaneously aggregates at the neutral pH found in the host cell cytosol and that this is a major mechanism of LLO inactivation.Structured digital abstract
LLO and LLO bind by electronmicroscopy (Viewinteraction)
LLO and LLO bind by cosedimentationinsolution (Viewinteraction)
LLO and LLO bind by fluorescencetechnology (Viewinteraction)
LLO and LLO bind by lightscattering (Viewinteraction)
Environmental Impact, Export Intensity, and Productivity Interactions: An Empirical Index Analysis of the Agri‐Food Industry in Spain
Authors: Rodríguez‐Rodríguez Manuel , Galdeano‐Gómez Emilio , Carmona‐Moreno Eva , Godoy‐Durán Ángeles 
Published: October 2011

Recent studies have focused on how exports affect environmental performance or vice versa, while others have concentrated on the productivity of export‐oriented firms. The objective of the present paper is to provide a simultaneous analysis on the aforementioned relationships. The approach followed is a composite equation model in which export performance and productivity components, including an environmental indicator, are endogenously determined, taking as reference exporting firms of the food industry in Southeast Spain, for the period 1994–2006. The results show positive interactions among export intensity, firm efficiency, and environmental productivity, also suggesting that the consideration of endogeneity may enhance the findings of analyses on these issues.Des études récentes se sont concentrées sur les effets des exportations sur la performance environnementale ou vice‐versa, tandis que d’autres se sont concentrées sur la productivité des entreprises à vocation exportatrice. Le présent article vise à fournir une analyse simultanée des liens précités. Nous avons utilisé un modèle àéquations multiples dans lequel les éléments liés à la performance des exportations et à la productivité, y compris un indicateur environnemental, sont déterminés de façon endogène, en prenant comme référence des entreprises agroalimentaires à vocation exportatrice situées dans le sud‐est de l’Espagne, durant la période de 1994 à 2006. Les résultats montrent des interactions positives entre l’intensité des exportations, l’efficacité des entreprises et la productivité environnementale, ce qui autorise à penser que l’endogénéité pourrait améliorer les résultats des analyses sur ces points.
The Conservatism Principle and the Asymmetric Timeliness of Earnings: An Event‐Based Approach*
Authors: Shroff Pervin K. , Venkataraman Ramgopal , Zhang Suning 
Published: October 2011

AbstractWe test the asymmetric timeliness hypothesis by using information in extreme events as a measure of good/bad news. Our focus on extreme events is motivated by two arguments. First, the accounting concept of materiality in conjunction with litigation risk influences managers and auditors to make more conservative choices with respect to material events. Second, focusing on extreme shocks minimizes the probability that accounting slack may obscure the effect of asymmetric timeliness (Beaver and Ryan 2005). We identify individual events using short‐window extreme returns, since long‐window returns would aggregate the effect of multiple events and thus limit our ability to detect the asymmetry. Taken together, these features of our research design provide a more powerful test of asymmetric timeliness. Consistent with prior studies, we document that the correlation between bad news and concurrent earnings is significantly higher than that between good news and concurrent earnings. Our analysis of extreme events also enables us to document higher correlation of good news with earnings two or more quarters ahead. This is in contrast to prior studies that were unable to document asymmetry in the relation between returns and subsequent earnings in the opposite direction to that between returns and concurrent earnings. Our paper contributes to the growing literature on conservatism by modifying the Basu methodology to enhance the power of the test of asymmetric timeliness.
Genetic Environment and Stability of
cfr
in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus CM05
Authors: Locke Jeffrey B. , Rahawi Shahad , LaMarre Jacqueline , Mankin Alexander S. , Shaw Karen Joy 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACT

The Cfr methyltransferase confers resistance to many 50S ribosomal subunit-targeted antibiotics, including linezolid (LZD), via methylation of the 23S rRNA base A2503 in the peptidyl transferase center. Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
strain CM05 is the first clinical isolate documented to carry
cfr
. While
cfr
is typically plasmid borne, in CM05 it is located on the chromosome and is coexpressed with
ermB
as part of the
mlr
operon. Here we evaluated the chromosomal locus, association with mobile genetic elements, and stability of the
cfr
insertion region in CM05. The
cfr
-containing
mlr
operon is located within a 15.5-kb plasmid-like insertion into 23S rRNA allele 4. The region surrounding the
cfr
gene has a high degree of sequence similarity to the broad-host-range toxin/antitoxin multidrug resistance plasmid pSM19035, including a second
ermB
gene downstream of the
mlr
locus and
istAS-istBS
. Analysis of several individual CM05 colonies revealed two distinct populations for which LZD MICs were either 8 or 2 μg/ml. In the LZD
s
colonies (designated CM05Δ), a recombination event involving the two
ermB
genes had occurred, resulting in the deletion of
cfr
and the 3′ flanking region (
cfr-istAS-istBS-ermB
). The fitness advantage of CM05Δ over CM05 (though not likely due to the
cfr
deletion itself) results in the predominance of CM05Δ in the absence of selective pressure. Minicircles resulting from the
ermB
recombination event and the novel association of
cfr
with the pSM19035 plasmid system support the potential for the continued dissemination of
cfr
.
Pharmacokinetics of Doxycycline in Adults with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Beringer Paul M. , Owens Heather , Nguyen Albert , Benitez Debbie , Rao Adupa , D'Argenio David Z. 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACT

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by a chronic neutrophilic inflammatory response resulting in airway remodeling and progressive loss of lung function. Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic that inhibits matrix metalloproteinase 9, a protease known to be associated with the severity of lung disease in CF. The pharmacokinetics of doxycycline was investigated during the course of a clinical trial to evaluate the short-term efficacy and safety in adults with CF. Plasma samples were obtained from 14 patients following a single intravenous dose and after 2 and 4 weeks of oral administration of doses ranging from 40 to 200 mg daily. The data were analyzed using noncompartmental and compartmental pharmacokinetics. The maximum concentration of drug in serum (
C
max
) and area under the concentration-time curve from 0 h to infinity (AUC
0-∞
) values ranged from 1.0 to 3.16 mg/liter and 15.2 to 47.8 mg/liter × h, respectively, following single intravenous doses of 40 to 200 mg.
C
max
and time to maximum concentration of drug in serum (
T
max
) values following multiple-dose oral administration ranged from 1.15 to 3.04 mg/liter and 1.50 to 2.33 h, respectively, on day 14 and 1.48 to 3.57 mg/liter and 1.00 to 2.17 on day 28. Predose sputum/plasma concentration ratios on days 14 and 28 ranged from 0.33 to 1.1 (mean, 0.71 ± 0.33), indicating moderate pulmonary penetration. A 2-compartment model best described the combined intravenous and oral data. Absorption was slow and delayed (absorption rate constant [

K
a

], 0.414 h
−1
; lag time, 0.484 h) but complete (bioavailability [
F
], 1.16). The distribution and elimination half-lives were 0.557 and 18.1 h, respectively. Based on these data, the plasma concentrations at the highest dose, 200 mg/day, are in the range reported to produce anti-inflammatory effects
in vivo
and should be evaluated in clinical trials.
Differential Virulence of Clinical and Bovine-Biased Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 Genotypes in Piglet and Dutch Belted Rabbit Models
Authors: Shringi Smriti , García Alexis , Lahmers Kevin K. , Potter Kathleen A. , Muthupalani Sureshkumar , Swennes Alton G. , Hovde Carolyn J. , Call Douglas R. , Fox James G. , Besser Thomas E. 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACT

Enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
O157:H7 (EHEC O157) is an important cause of food and waterborne illness in the developed countries. Cattle are a reservoir host of EHEC O157 and a major source of human exposure through contaminated meat products. Shiga toxins (Stxs) are an important pathogenicity trait of EHEC O157. The insertion sites of the Stx-encoding bacteriophages differentiate EHEC O157 isolates into genogroups commonly isolated from cattle but rarely from sick humans (bovine-biased genotypes [BBG]) and those commonly isolated from both cattle and human patients (clinical genotypes [CG]). Since BBG and CG share the cardinal virulence factors of EHEC O157 and are carried by cattle at similar prevalences, the infrequent occurrence of BBG among human disease isolates suggests that they may be less virulent than CG. We compared the virulence potentials of human and bovine isolates of CG and BBG in newborn conventional pig and weaned Dutch Belted rabbit models. CG-challenged piglets experienced severe disease accompanied by early and high mortality compared to BBG-challenged piglets. Similarly, CG-challenged rabbits were likely to develop lesions in kidney and intestine compared with the BBG-challenged rabbits. The CG strains used in this study carried
stx
2
and produced significantly higher amounts of Stx, whereas the BBG strains carried the
stx
2c
gene variant only. These results suggest that BBG are less virulent than CG and that this difference in virulence potential is associated with the Stx2 subtype(s) carried and/or the amount of Stx produced.
Persistent Chlamydia trachomatis Infection of HeLa Cells Mediates Apoptosis Resistance through a Chlamydia Protease-Like Activity Factor-Independent Mechanism and Induces High Mobility Group Box 1 Release
Authors: Rödel Jürgen , Große Christina , Yu Hangxing , Wolf Katharina , Otto Gordon P. , Liebler-Tenorio Elisabeth , Forsbach-Birk Vera , Straube Eberhard 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACT

Intracellular persistence of
Chlamydia trachomatis
has been implicated in the development of chronic infection that can result in pelvic inflammatory disease and tubal sterility. By inhibition of host cell apoptosis, chlamydiae have evolved a strategy to maintain the intracellular environment for replication and persistence. Both antiapoptotic host cell-derived factors and the chlamydial protease-like activity factor (CPAF) are involved in
Chlamydia
-mediated apoptosis resistance. Here, we show that in HeLa cells infected with gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-induced persistent
C. trachomatis
serovar D, the expression of CPAF is downregulated, and proapoptotic protease substrates are not cleaved. Persistent infection protected HeLa cells from apoptosis when they were exposed to staurosporine. Small-interfering RNA-mediated inhibition of myeloid cell leukemia 1 (Mcl-1) protein upregulation sensitized persistently infected cells for apoptosis. The inhibitor of apoptosis protein 2 (IAP-2) seems not to be relevant in this context because IAP-2 protein was not induced in response to IFN-γ treatment. Although apoptosis was inhibited, persistent infection caused cell membrane disintegration, as measured by the increased release of cytokeratin 18 from HeLa cells. Moreover, persistently infected cells released significantly increased amounts of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein which represents a proinflammatory damage-associated pattern molecule. The data of this study suggest that cells infected with persistent
C. trachomatis
are protected from apoptosis independently of CPAF but may promote chronic inflammation through HMGB1 release.