bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antagonist-mediated down-regulation of toll-like receptors increases the prevalence of human papillomavirus infection in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Yu Shui-Lian , Chan Paul KS , Wong Chun-Kwok , Szeto Cheuk-Chun , Ho Suzanne C , So Karine , Yu May MY , Yim So-Fan , Cheung Tak-Hong , Wong Martin CS , Cheung Jo LK , Yeung Apple CM , Li Edmund K , Tam Lai-Shan 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Introduction
Prevalence of an abnormal Papanicolaou smear was significantly increased in lupus patients in cross-sectional studies, associated with a higher prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The nucleic acid-specific Toll-like receptors (TLRs) locate at the endolysosomal compartments and trigger the induction of cytokines for the innate immune response. This study evaluated whether abnormal host innate immune response in lupus patients may enhance HPV persistence.

Methods
Protein levels of TLRs 3, 7, 8 and 9 in cervical epithelial cells of lupus patients and controls with or without HPV infection were assessed using flow cytometry. Characteristics associated with the differential expression of TLRs in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were elucidated. The effect and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) (ISG15 and Mx-1) gene expressions were then measured in oncogenic HeLa (HPV18), CaSki (HPV) and C33A (HPV negative) cell lines using flow cytometry and quantitative real-time PCR. Ex vivo productions of cytokines and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) upon TLR ligands stimulations were subsequently measured using cytometric bead array and ELISA.

Results
For subjects with HPV infection, levels of TLR3 and TLR7 were significantly lower in lupus patients compared with controls. Significantly decreased TLRs 7, 8 and 9 levels were observed in HPV-negative SLE compared to healthy controls. For SLE with and without HPV infection, TLR7 and 9 levels were significantly lower in infected SLE than those in HPV-negative patients. Independent explanatory variables associated with down-regulation of TLR7 level included HPV infection and a higher cumulative dose of prednisolone; while a higher cumulative dose of hydroxychloroquine and HPV infection were associated with down-regulation of TLR9 level. In cervical cell lines, TLRs 3, 7, 8, 9 protein levels and antiviral ISG15 and Mx-1 gene expressions were inhibited in two oncogenic HPV types. Functional data showed that the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines by TLR ligands (R837, ssRNA and ODN2395) was greatly impaired in CaSki and HeLa than C33A cells.

Conclusions
In conclusion, prednisolone and TLR antagonist (hydroxychloroquine) may down-regulate protein levels of TLR7 and TLR9 in lupus patients, thereby decreasing the innate immune response against HPV infection. Upon infection, HPV further down-regulate TLR7 and 9 levels for viral persistence. Furthermore, reduction of nucleic acid-sensing TLRs 7, 8 and 9 in carcinogenic HPVs ensures that the expression of inducible pro-inflammatory cytokines is minimized to prevent the expression of antiviral ISGs (ISG15 and Mx-1) on a biologically relevant antiviral response.
Interaction between smoking and functional polymorphism in the TGFB1 gene is associated with ischaemic heart disease and myocardial infarction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Chen Ying , Dawes Peter T , Packham Jon C , Mattey Derek L 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Introduction
Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) is a pleiotropic cytokine that plays important roles in immunity and inflammation. Some studies have suggested that polymorphism in the TGFB1 gene is associated with heart disease in the general population. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the TGFB1 gene are associated with ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and/or myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to investigate the influence of smoking on any association.

Methods
PCR-based assays were used to determine the genotypes of TGFB1 SNPs including TGFB1-509 C/T (rs1800469, in the promoter region), +868 T/C (rs1800470, in exon 1) and +913 G/C (rs1800471, in exon 1) in 414 subjects with established RA. Genotyping for the +868 SNP was also carried out on a second study population of RA patients (n = 259) with early disease. Serum levels of TGF-beta1 were measured using a commercial ELISA kit. Smoking history and IHD/MI status were obtained on each patient. Associations with IHD/MI were assessed using contingency tables and logistic regression analyses.

Results
The heterozygous genotype of TGFB+868 was associated with an increased risk of IHD (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.30 - 3.55) and MI (OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.30-4.50), compared to the homozygous genotypes combined. Smoking was an independent risk for IHD and MI, and evidence of interaction between smoking and TGFB+868 was found. Multivariate analyses indicated that the strongest associations with IHD and MI were due to the combined effect of the TGFB1+868 TC genotype and smoking (OR 2.75, 95% CI 1.59-4.75; and OR 2.58 95% CI 1.33-4.99, respectively), independent of other cardiovascular risk factors. The association of the +868 TC genotype and evidence of +868 TC-smoking interaction with IHD were replicated in a second population of RA patients with early disease. Serum TGF-beta1 levels were not associated with TGFB1 genetic variations, smoking or IHD/MI status.

Conclusions
Interaction between smoking and polymorphism in the TGFB1 gene may influence the risk of IHD and MI in patients with RA.
Risk of end-stage renal disease associated with gout: a nationwide population study
Authors: Yu Kuang-Hui , Kuo Chang-Fu , Luo Shue-Fen , See Lai-Chu , Chou I-Jun , Chang Hsiao-Chun , Chiou Meng-Jiun 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Introduction
We explored the risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) among gout patients in a representative cohort in Taiwan.

Methods
The primary database used was the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Subjects older than 20 years without ESRD, coronary heart disease, or stroke were included in the study. The case definition of gout in the present study was gout diagnosis and medical treatment for gout. An ESRD case was defined by the presence of chronic renal failure necessitating long-term renal replacement therapy. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the risk of ESRD among gout patients.

Results
The analysis included data of 656,108 patients who were followed up for a mean of 8.0 years. Among them, 19,963 (3.0%) patients had gout. At the end of 2008, 2,377 individuals (gout, n = 276; non-gout, n = 2,101) had ESRD, and 861 individuals (gout, n = 77, 27.9%; non-gout, n = 521, 24.8%) died due to ESRD. The rates of incidence of ESRD were 1.73 and 0.41 cases per 1,000 patient-years in the gout and non-gout groups. After adjustment for age, sex, and history of diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension, gout was associated with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.57 for ESRD (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.38-1.79; P < 0.001). In patients with ESRD, the adjusted HR for death in patients with gout was 0.95 (0.74-1.23, P = 0.71), which was similar to the HR obtained in patients without gout.

Conclusions
Gout is associated with an increased hazard for development of ESRD.
Identification of low-frequency TRAF3IP2 coding variants in psoriatic arthritis patients and functional characterization
Authors: Böhm Beate , Burkhardt Harald , Uebe Steffen , Apel Maria , Behrens Frank , Reis André , Hüffmeier Ulrike 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Introduction
In recent genome-wide association studies for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and psoriasis vulgaris, common coding variants in the TRAF3IP2 gene were identified to contribute to susceptibility to both disease entities. The risk allele of p.Asp10Asn (rs33980500) proved to be most significantly associated and to encode a mutant protein with an almost completely disrupted binding property to TRAF6, supporting its impact as a main disease-causing variant and modulator of IL-17 signaling.

Methods
To identify further variants, exons 2-4 encoding both known TNF-receptor-associated factor (TRAF) binding domains were sequenced in 871 PsA patients. Seven missense variants and one three-base-pair insertion were identified in 0.06% to 1.02% of alleles. Five of these variants were also present in 931 control individuals at comparable frequency. Constructs containing full-length wild-type or mutant TRAF3IP2 were generated and used to analyze functionally all variants for TRAF6-binding in a mammalian two-hybrid assay.

Results
None of the newly found alleles, though, encoded proteins with different binding properties to TRAF6, or to the cytoplasmic tail of the IL-17-receptor α-chain, suggesting that they do not contribute to susceptibility.

Conclusions
Thus, the TRAF3IP2-variant p.Asp10Asn is the only susceptibility allele with functional impact on TRAF6 binding, at least in the German population.
Drug-Drug Interactions with Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists
Authors: Hurren Kathryn M , Pinelli Nicole R 
Published: April 2012

Objective: To review drug interaction studies of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and concurrent oral medications. Data Sources: PubMed was searched (to December 5, 2011) using the terms exenatide, liraglutide, albiglutide, and lixisenatide. The search was limited to studies published in English and conducted in adults. Abstracts from the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions from 2004 through 2011 were also searched. Study Selection and Data Extraction: All abstracts were screened for eligibility, which consisted of studies reporting the effects of GLP-1 RA administration on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of concurrent oral medications. Data extracted from eligible trials included study and population characteristics; pharmacokinetic parameters including maximum concentration (Cmax,), time to maximum concentration (tmax), and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC); and pharmacodynamic properties. Data Synthesis: Our search identified 254 potentially relevant articles; of those, 11 articles evaluating 15 drug interactions were reviewed. Only 1 study was conducted in patients with type 2 diabetes. Equivalence in AUC was demonstrated in the majority of drug interactions studied (11 of 15). The AUCs of acetaminophen and lovastatin were decreased after exenatide administration and those of lisinopril and digoxin were decreased after liraglutide administration. In 10 studies, GLP-1 RAs decreased the Cmax and, in 14 studies, prolonged the tmax of study drug. Pharmacokinetic properties of drugs and differences in study design can explain differences in interaction potential. Conclusions: GLP-IRAs may produce clinically significant interactions with drugs that require achievement of target peak concentrations or a rapid onset of action. Studies in patients with type 2 diabetes are needed to further assess and allow comparison of several GLP-1 RA agents’ impact on steady-state pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of concomitant oral medications.
Physicochemical Study of Bile Salt-Polymer Micellar Aggregates
Authors: Dey Tania , Das Akhil R. 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
The micellar behavior of Sodium Deoxycholate (NaDC), a bile salt in presence of a neutral water soluble polymer Poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) has been investigated at four different temperatures (10–40 ºC) using conductometric, tensiometric, viscometric and fluorometric methods. NaDC is found to associate co-operatively with the polymer beyond a critical concentration, saturate the polymer completely and then undergo micellization at a higher concentration. The counter-ion binding capacity to the micelles is considerably reduced in presence of PVP. The thermodynamic properties of micellization and interfacial adsorption depend on the polymer concentration and the entropic contributions are observed to control the complexation process. The NaDC-PVP aggregate exhibits polyelectrolytic behavior. The aggregation number (N) and polarity index (I1/I3) of the NaDC-PVP mixed entities have been explored by pyrene fluorescence probing technique. The values of N and I1/I3 are found to be affected by [PVP] and temperature: the N values decrease with temperature while those of I1/I3 show increasing trend. The dependence of N and I1/I3 values on [PVP] and temperature reveal interesting insights into the NaDC-PVP complexation phenomenon.
Investigating GaSb(001) Dry Etching by ICP-RIE on a non-Silicon Containing Sample Holder with no Organic Gases
Authors: Albrithen Hamad A. , Petrich Gale S. , Kolodziejski Leslie A. , Salhi Abdelmajid , Almuhanna Abdulrahman A. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTWe report the dry etch of GaSb(001) by inductively coupled plasma reactive ion etcher. Silicon Oxide, deposited by PECVD, was used as a mask. The oxide layer proved to be almost unaffected compared to the GaSb, when using chlorine compound gases as etchants (Cl2, BCl3, and SiCl4) as well as argon. This provides high selectivity for GaSb to the mask layer. The sample holder has no silicon that may contribute to the etching process. Etching using Cl2 + Ar showed increase in the etching rate as the chlorine ratio increases; however, the process led to grassy surface and chemical like reaction. The use of SiCl4+Cl2+Ar mixture with low chlorine ratio resulted in anisotropic etch with smooth sides. It has been found for this case that the increase of the chlorine ratio led to an increased etching rate as well. The repeat of previously reported result by Swaminathan et al. [Thin Solid Films 516 (2008) 8712.] yet with a sample holder not having silicon, proved the effect of Si-contribution in producing vertical profile etch with smooth surfaces.
Navigated Cementless Total Knee Arthroplasty - Medium-Term Clinical and Radiological Results§
Authors: Schüttrumpf Jan P , Balcarek Peter , Sehmisch Stephan , Frosch Stephan , Wachowski Martin M , Stürmer Klaus M , Walde Hans-Joachim , Walde Tim A 
Published: April 2012

Purpose:The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the medium-term clinical and radiological results after navigated cementless implantation, without patella resurfacing, of a total knee endoprosthesis with tibial and femoral press-fit components, with a focus on survival rate and clinical outcome. The innovation is the non-cemented fixation together with the use of a navigation system.Scope and Methods:Sixty patients with gonarthrosis were included consecutively in this study. In all cases, the cementless Columbus total knee endoprosthesis with a coating out of pure titanium was implanted, using a navigation system. The Knee Society Score showed a statistically significant increase from 75 (± 21.26) before surgery to 180 (± 16.15) after a mean follow-up of 5.6 (± 0.25) years. The last radiological examination revealed no osteolysis. No radiolucent lines were seen at any time in the area of the femoral prosthetic components. In the tibial area, radiolucent lines were seen in 24.4 % of the cases, mostly in the distal uncoated part of the stem. During follow-up, no prosthesis had to be replaced because of aseptic loosening while in 2 cases revision surgery was necessary due to septic loosening and in 1 case due to unexplainable pain.Results and Conclusions:Navigated cementless implantation of the Columbus total knee endoprosthesis yielded good clinical and radiological results in the medium term. The excellent radiological osteointegration of the prosthetic components, coated with a microporous pure titanium layer and implanted with a press-fit technique, should be emphasized.
Carotenoid and fatty acid profiles of bilberries and cultivated blueberries from Romania
Authors: Bunea Andrea , Rugină Dumitriţa , Pintea Adela , Andrei Sanda , Bunea Claudiu , Pop Raluca , Bele Constantin 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe worldwide consumption of blueberries has increased due to their potential health effects. They contain micronutrients, various phytochemicals and anti-oxidant pigments, represented especially by anthocyanins. In addition to these, carotenoids and fatty acids are also present. The aim of this study was the identification and quantification of carotenoids (by HPLC) and fatty acids (by GC with flame ionisation detection) in two bilberry genotypes (Wild 1 and 2) and three cultivars (BlueCrop, Elliot, and Duke). The main carotenoids identified were lutein, β-cryptoxanthin, and β-carotene, with the average total carotenoid content of 266 μg per 100 g of fruit. The ratio of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) to polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) was 0.098 for Wild 1 and 0.11 for Wild 2 genotypes and ranged from 0.14 to 0.28 for cultivars. The main fatty acids identified were linoleic (18:2) and linolenic (18:3) acids in all the samples analysed. In Vaccinium myrtillus the amount of carotenoids and fatty acids was higher than in Vaccinium corymbosum species.
Analysis and improvement of stability of pepsin-solubilized collagen from skin of carp (Cyprinus carpio)
Authors: Duan Rui , Zhang Jun-Jie , Konno Kunihiko , Wu Mei-Hua , Li Jing , Chen Ye 
Published: April 2012

AbstractPepsin is widely used for the extraction of pepsin-solubilized collagens (PSC) from many resources. PSC-A and PSC-P were prepared from carp skin using 0.1 mol L−1 acetic acid and 0.02 mol L−1 Na2HPO4 (pH 7.2) as the dialysis solution, respectively. SDS-PAGE patterns showed PSC-A and PSC-P as type I collagens, as well as acid soluble collagen (ASC). When incubated at 40°C, no degradation was observed for ASC, but PSC-A and PSC-P were degraded into short peptides, showing lower stability than ASC. The results indicate that pepsin remaining in the PSCs resulted in their degradation, which was confirmed by the inhibition using pepstatin. This research revealed the behavior of the remaining pepsin in pepsin-solubilized collagens and an approach to the PSC stability improvement was proposed. Chromatography profiles showed that new PSC prepared by the improved method had almost the same stability as ASC.
Response of cyanobacteria and algae community from small water bodies to physicochemical parameters
Authors: Richter Dorota , Matuła Jan 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
The article presents the research into the taxonomic diversity of cyanobacteria and algae, as well as the relationships between these organisms and the habitat conditions of certain water ecosystems varying in origin and location (both rural and urban reservoirs in the Lower Silesia region — Poland). Another issue addressed in the paper is the influence of ecological conditions and the origins of the reservoirs on the structure of phytoplankton. The RDA enabled to identify the most important biological parameters (the biodiversity of cyanobacteria and algae described using the Shannon-Weaver Index) and the physicochemical properties of the studied basins. The results distinguished four groups of basins (I — artificial basins within urban areas; II — old river-beds within urban areas; III — ponds in rural areas; IV — an old river-bed in forest areas). This distinction shows major relevance of the reservoirs’ origins and their presence in the landscape. Additional PCA and RDA analyses of the studied basins have shown that the biological parameters are more efficient in diversifying the basins in respect of their origins than the physicochemical parameters.
Phytoplankton of the Irkutsk Reservoir as an indicator of water quality
Authors: Popovskaya Galina , Firsova Alena , Bessudova Anna , Sakirko Maria , Suturin Alexander , Likhoshway Yelena 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
The species composition of phytoplankton and quantitative parameters of its abundance are indicators of ecological conditions in a water body. This paper deals with the analysis of phytoplankton in the Irkutsk Reservoir, which was formed more than 50 years ago on the Angara River flowing out of Lake Baikal. The level of phytoplankton development in the reservoir is directly dependent on the abundance of diatoms in Lake Baikal. The dominant assemblage of algal species is stable and consists mainly of diatoms, chlorophytes, and chrysophytes. Cyanobacteria are represented by a small number of species with low abundance. According to the composition of indicator species, the water in the lower reaches of the Irkutsk Reservoir can be classified as clean. The saprobity index in the open-water period is 1.2, increasing to between 1.3 and 1.5 in small bays. The values of phytoplankton biomass and chemical parameters of water recorded in 2008 indicate that the Irkutsk Reservoir is an oligotrophic water body. Its trophic status has not changed significantly since the time of impoundment (1956–1958).
Composition of fatty acids and sterols composition in brown shrimp Crangon crangon and herring Clupea harengus membras from the Baltic Sea
Authors: Mika Adriana , Gołębiowski Marek , Skorkowski Edward , Stepnowski Piotr 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
The composition and the content of lipids, fatty acids and sterols during spawning (spring) in different tissues of herring Clupea harengus membras were compared with quantities of lipid compounds in abdomen muscle of brown shrimp Crangon crangon. The largest quantity of fatty acids in lipids (93.7%), was observed in fish muscle. The liver was characterized by a higher content and variety of sterols (about 4.6 times more than in fish muscle), and in fish sperm, additional fatty acids were identified and the highest amount of EPA and DHA (22% and 34% of fatty acids, respectively) was recorded. The brown shrimp, despite its small size, contained significantly more lipids than the Baltic herring per g of tissues. Fatty acids were at the same level (83% of the total lipids in shrimp muscle and 93.7% in fish muscle), but the amount of sterols was significantly higher in the muscle of shrimp (5.50 ±0.31 mg g−1, 17% of total sterols, n=10) than in fish muscle (1.33 ±0.04 mg g−1, 6.3% of total lipids, n=6). And thus, shrimp is a good source of food for higher trophic levels, and in consequence — a good source of PUFAs for humans. With these results we prove that shrimp and herring play an important role in the supply of EFAs, which has great pharmaceutical and medical benefits.
Le test de la double lune en thérapie familiale
Authors: Greco Ondina 
Published: April 2012

Résumé Grâce à la présentation d’un cas clinique, ce travail vise à souligner la possibilité d’utiliser, pendant le processus de thérapie familiale, un test graphique projectif, qui permet aux membres de la famille d’affronter leurs sentiments et leurs peurs les plus profonds en recourant au niveau symbolique. Le test de « la double lune », dont l’application est décrite dans le cas clinique, a été conçu spécifiquement pour les situations familiales complexes, marquées de diverses manières par les thèmes de la perte, de l’ éloignement et de l’absence, soit à cause d’un événement critique, soit à cause des transitions cruciales de la vie, dans lesquelles les membres de la famille ont à redéfinir les frontières familiales.
Les hallucinations, expression d'un impensé familial
Authors: Gimenez Guy 
Published: April 2012

Résumé Les hallucinations apparaissent dans certaines familles comme l’expression d’un impensé individuel et/ou familial-générationnel, renvoyant à une ou plusieurs expériences traumatiques. Le travail clinique avec la famille du sujet halluciné peut permettre de relancer ce qui, de la chaîne associative de chacun, a été « gelé » et enkysté dans l’hallucinatoire. À partir du cas clinique d’une patiente adolescente hallucinée de 14 ans, l’auteur montre comment ce qui ne pouvait être symbolisé est figuré de manière hallucinatoire par un membre de la famille, pour lui-même et pour les autres membres. La mise en commun des chaînes associatives individuelles permet alors que s’articulent groupalement (familialement) ce qui avait été délié (maintenu activement séparé) dans un mouvement de morcellement actif.