bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DX5+NKT cells display phenotypical and functional differences between spleen and liver as well as NK1.1-Balb/c and NK1.1+ C57Bl/6 mice
Authors: Werner Jens M , Busl Elisabeth , Farkas Stefan A , Schlitt Hans J , Geissler Edward K , Hornung Matthias 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackgroundNatural killer T cells represent a linkage between innate and adaptive immunity. They are a heterogeneous population of specialized T lymphocytes composed of different subsets. DX5+NKT cells are characterized by expression of the NK cell marker DX5 in the context of CD3. However, little is known about the phenotype and functional capacity of this unique cell population. Therefore, we investigated the expression of several T cell and NK cell markers, as well as functional parameters in spleen and liver subsets of DX5+NKT cells in NK1.1-Balb/c mice and compared our findings to NK1.1+C57Bl/6 mice.ResultsIn the spleen 34% of DX5+NKT cells expressed CD62L and they up-regulated the functional receptors CD154 as well as CD178 upon activation. In contrast, only a few liver DX5+NKT cells expressed CD62L, and they did not up-regulate CD154 upon activation. A further difference between spleen and liver subsets was observed in cytokine production. Spleen DX5+NKT cells produced more Th1 cytokines including IL-2, IFN-γ and TNF-α, while liver DX5+NKT cells secreted more Th2 cytokines (e.g. IL-4) and even the Th17 cytokine, IL-17a. Furthermore, we found inter-strain differences. In NK1.1+C57Bl/6 mice DX5+NKT cells represented a distinct T cell population expressing less CD4 and more CD8. Accordingly, these cells showed a CD178 and Th2-type functional capacity upon activation.ConclusionThese results show that DX5+NKT cells are a heterogeneous population, depending on the dedicated organ and mouse strain, that has diverse functional capacity.
Gene expression analysis of flax seed development
Authors: Venglat Prakash , Xiang Daoquan , Qiu Shuqing , Stone Sandra L , Tibiche Chabane , Cram Dustin , Alting-Mees Michelle , Nowak Jacek , Cloutier Sylvie , Deyholos Michael , Bekkaoui Faouzi , Sharpe Andrew , Wang Edwin , Rowland Gordon , Selvaraj Gopalan , Datla Raju 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
Flax, Linum usitatissimum L., is an important crop whose seed oil and stem fiber have multiple industrial applications. Flax seeds are also well-known for their nutritional attributes, viz., omega-3 fatty acids in the oil and lignans and mucilage from the seed coat. In spite of the importance of this crop, there are few molecular resources that can be utilized toward improving seed traits. Here, we describe flax embryo and seed development and generation of comprehensive genomic resources for the flax seed.

Results
We describe a large-scale generation and analysis of expressed sequences in various tissues. Collectively, the 13 libraries we have used provide a broad representation of genes active in developing embryos (globular, heart, torpedo, cotyledon and mature stages) seed coats (globular and torpedo stages) and endosperm (pooled globular to torpedo stages) and genes expressed in flowers, etiolated seedlings, leaves, and stem tissue. A total of 261,272 expressed sequence tags (EST) (GenBank accessions LIBEST_026995 to LIBEST_027011) were generated. These EST libraries included transcription factor genes that are typically expressed at low levels, indicating that the depth is adequate for in silico expression analysis. Assembly of the ESTs resulted in 30,640 unigenes and 82% of these could be identified on the basis of homology to known and hypothetical genes from other plants. When compared with fully sequenced plant genomes, the flax unigenes resembled poplar and castor bean more than grape, sorghum, rice or Arabidopsis. Nearly one-fifth of these (5,152) had no homologs in sequences reported for any organism, suggesting that this category represents genes that are likely unique to flax. Digital analyses revealed gene expression dynamics for the biosynthesis of a number of important seed constituents during seed development.

Conclusions
We have developed a foundational database of expressed sequences and collection of plasmid clones that comprise even low-expressed genes such as those encoding transcription factors. This has allowed us to delineate the spatio-temporal aspects of gene expression underlying the biosynthesis of a number of important seed constituents in flax. Flax belongs to a taxonomic group of diverse plants and the large sequence database will allow for evolutionary studies as well.
Evaluating the health and economic impact of osteoarthritis pain in the workforce: results from the National Health and Wellness Survey
Authors: DiBonaventura Marco daCosta , Gupta Shaloo , McDonald Margaret , Sadosky Alesia 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
There has been increasing recognition that osteoarthritis (OA) affects younger individuals who are still participants in the workforce, but there are only limited data on the contribution of OA pain to work productivity and other outcomes in an employed population. This study evaluated the impact of OA pain on healthcare resource utilization, productivity and costs in employed individuals.

Methods
Data were derived from the 2009 National Health and Wellness Survey. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to characterize employed individuals (full-time, part-time, or self-employed) ≥20 years of age who were diagnosed with OA and had arthritis pain in the past month relative to employed individuals not diagnosed with OA or not experiencing arthritis pain in the past month. Work productivity was assessed using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) questionnaire; health status was assessed using the physical (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores from the SF-12v2 Health Survey and SF-6D health utilities; and healthcare utilization was evaluated by type and number of resources within the past 6 months. Direct and indirect costs were estimated and compared between the two cohorts.

Results
Individuals with OA pain were less likely to be employed. Relative to workers without OA pain (n = 37,599), the OA pain cohort (n = 2,173) was significantly older (mean age 52.1 ± 11.5 years vs 41.4 ± 13.2 years; P < 0.0001) and with a greater proportion of females (58.2% vs 45.9%; P < 0.0001). OA pain resulted in greater work impairment than among workers without OA pain (34.4% versus 17.8%; P < 0.0001), and was primarily due to presenteeism (impaired activity while at work). Health status, assessed both by the SF-12v2 and the SF-6D was significantly poorer among workers with OA pain (P < 0.0001), and healthcare resource utilization was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) than workers without OA pain. Total costs were higher in the OA pain cohort ($15,047 versus $8,175; P < 0.0001), driven by indirect costs that accounted for approximately 75% of total costs.

Conclusions
A substantial proportion of workers suffer from OA pain. After controlling for confounders, the impact of OA pain was significant, resulting in lower productivity and higher costs.
Human saliva as a source of anti-malarial antibodies to examine population exposure to Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Estévez Patricia Tabernero , Satoguina Judith , Nwakanma Davis C , West Sheila , Conway David J , Drakeley Chris J 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
Antibody responses to malaria antigens reflect exposure to parasites, and seroprevalence correlates with malaria transmission intensity. Antibodies are routinely measured in sera or on dried blood spots but a non-invasive method would provide extra utility in sampling general populations. Saliva is already in use in the detection of plasma-derived IgM and IgG to viral infections. In this study, antibodies to Plasmodium falciparum merozoite antigens were compared between blood and saliva samples from the same individuals in unlinked surveys conducted in Tanzania and The Gambia.

Methods
In Tanzania, 53 individuals provided paired fingerprick blood and saliva sample using two commercially available sampling devices. In the Gambia, archived plasma and saliva samples collected from 200 children in the Farafenni area in a cross-sectional survey were analyzed.
IgG antibodies against P. falciparum antigens, Merozoite Surface Protein-1 (MSP-119) and Apical membrane Antigen (AMA-1) were measured by ELISA in paired saliva and blood samples from both sites. Antibody levels were compared as continuous optical density (OD) values and by sero-positivity.

Results
Significant correlations between saliva and plasma antibody levels were seen in Tanzania for both antigens, AMA-1(r2 range 0.93 to 0.89, p < 0.001) and MSP-119 (r2 range 0.93 to 0.75, p < 0.001), with a weaker correlation for results from The Gambia (r2range 0.64 to 0.63, p < 0.01). When assessed as seropositivity and compared with plasma, sensitivity and specificity were good with saliva antibody levels to both AMA-1 and MSP-119 (sensitivity range 64-77% and specificity range 91-100% & 47-67% and 90-97% respectively) over the different sample sets.

Conclusions
These data demonstrate anti-malarial antibodies can be detected in saliva and correlate strongly with levels in plasma. This non-invasive relatively simple collection method will be potentially useful for general population surveys, and particularly in migratory populations or those with infrequent contact with health services or opposed to blood withdrawal. Further studies will be needed to optimize collection methods, standardize volumes and content and develop controls.
Coverage of intermittent prevention treatment with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine among pregnant women and congenital malaria in Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: Vanga-Bosson Henriette A , Coffie Patrick A , Kanhon Serge , Sloan Caroline , Kouakou Firmin , Eholie Serge P , Kone Moussa , Dabis François , Menan Hervé , Ekouevi Didier K 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends using insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) and intermittent preventive treatment with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPT-SP) to prevent malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. Data on IPT-SP coverage and factors associated with placental malaria parasitaemia and low birth weight (LBW) are scarce in Côte d'Ivoire.

Methods
A multicentre, cross-sectional survey was conducted in Côte d'Ivoire from March to September 2008 at six urban and semi-urban antenatal clinics. Standardized forms were used to collect the demographic information and medical histories of women and their offspring. IPT-SP coverage (≥2 doses) as well as placental and congenital malaria prevalence parasitaemia were estimated. Regression logistics were used to study factors associated with placental malaria and LBW (birth weight of alive babies < 2,500 grams).

Results
Overall, 2,044 women with a median age of 24 years were included in this study. Among them 1017 (49.8%) received ≥2 doses of IPT-SP and 694 (34.0%) received one dose. A total of 99 mothers (4.8%) had placental malaria, and of them, four cases of congenital malaria were diagnosed. Factors that protected from maternal placental malaria parasitaemia were the use of one dose (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 0.32; 95%CI: 0.19-0.55) or ≥2 doses IPT-SP (aOR: 0.18; 95%CI: 0.10-0.32); the use of ITNs (aOR: 0.47; 95%CI: 0.27-0.82). LBW was associated with primigravidity and placental malaria parasitaemia.

Conclusion
IPT-SP decreases the rate of placental malaria parasitaemia and has a strong dose effect. Despite relatively successful IPT-SP coverage in Côte d'Ivoire, substantial commitments from national authorities are urgently required for such public health campaigns. Strategies, such as providing IPT-SP free of charge and directly observing treatment, should be implemented to increase the use of IPT-SP as well as other prophylactic methods.
Trust and the regulation of pharmaceuticals: South Asia in a globalised world
Authors: Brhlikova Petra , Harper Ian , Jeffery Roger , Rawal Nabin , Subedi Madhusudhan , Santhosh MR 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
Building appropriate levels of trust in pharmaceuticals is a painstaking and challenging task, involving participants from different spheres of life, including producers, distributors, retailers, prescribers, patients and the mass media. Increasingly, however, trust is not just a national matter, but involves cross-border flows of knowledge, threats and promises.

Methods
Data for this paper comes from the project 'Tracing Pharmaceuticals in South Asia', which used ethnographic fieldwork and qualitative interviews to compared the trajectories of three pharmaceuticals (Rifampicin, Oxytocin and Fluoxetine) from producer to patient in three sites (north India, West Bengal and Nepal) between 2005-08.

Results
We argue that issues of trust are crucial in reducing the likelihood of appropriate use of medicines. Unlike earlier discussions of trust, we suggest that trust contexts beyond the patient-practitioner relationship are important. We illustrate these arguments through three case studies: (i) a conflict over ethics in Nepal, involving a suggested revised ethical code for retailers, medical representatives, producers and prescribers; (ii) disputes over counterfeit, fake, substandard and spurious medicines, and quality standards in Indian generic companies, looking particularly at the role played by the US FDA; and (iii) the implications of lack of trust in the DOTS programmes in India and Nepal for the relationships among patients, government and the private sector.

Conclusions
We conclude that the building of trust is a necessary but always vulnerable and contingent process. While it might be desirable to outline steps that can be taken to build trust, the range of conflicting interests in the pharmaceutical field make feasible solutions hard to implement.
Detection and differentiation of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in ticks collected from sheep and cattle in China
Authors: Niu Qingli , Guan Guiquan , Yang Jifei , Fu Yuguang , Xu Zongke , Li Youquan , Ma Miling , Liu Zhijie , Liu Junlong , Liu Aihong , Ren Qiaoyun , Jorgensen Wayne , Luo Jianxun , Yin Hong 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
Lyme disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex is an important endemic zoonosis whose distribution is closely related to the main ixodid tick vectors. In China, isolated cases of Lyme disease infection of humans have been reported in 29 provinces. Ticks, especially ixodid ticks are abundant and a wide arrange of Borrelia natural reservoirs are present. In this study, we developed a reverse line blot (RLB) to identify Borrelia spp. in ticks collected from sheep and cattle in 7 Provinces covering the main extensive livestock regions in China.

Results
Four species-specific RLB oligonucleotide probes were deduced from the spacer region between the 5S-23S rRNA gene, along with an oligonucleotide probe which was common to all. The species specific probes were shown to discriminate between four genomic groups of B. burgdorferi sensu lato i.e. B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. garinii, B. afzelii, and B. valaisiana, and to bind only to their respective target sequences, with no cross reaction to non target DNA. Furthermore, the RLB could detect between 0.1 pg and 1 pg of Borrelia DNA.
A total of 723 tick samples (Haemaphysalis, Boophilus, Rhipicephalus and Dermacentor) from sheep and cattle were examined with RLB, and a subset of 667 corresponding samples were examined with PCR as a comparison. The overall infection rate detected with RLB was higher than that of the PCR test.
The infection rate of B. burgdoreri sensu stricto was 40% in south areas; while the B. garinii infection rate was 40% in north areas. The highest detection rates of B. afzelii and B. valaisiana were 28% and 22%, respectively. Mixed infections were also found in 7% of the ticks analyzed, mainly in the North. The proportion of B. garinii genotype in ticks was overall highest at 34% in the whole investigation area.

Conclusion
In this study, the RLB assay was used to detect B. burgdorferi sensu lato in ticks collected from sheep and cattle in China. The results showed that B. burdorferi senso stricto and B. afzelii were mainly distributed in the South; while B. garinii and B. valaisiana were dominant in the North. Borrelia spirochaetes were detected in Rhipicephalus spp for the first time. It is suggested that the Rhipicephalus spps might play a role in transmitting Borrelia spirochaetes.
KBWS: an EMBOSS associated package for accessing bioinformatics web services
Authors: Oshita Kazuki , Arakawa Kazuharu , Tomita Masaru 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
The availability of bioinformatics web-based services is rapidly proliferating, for their interoperability and ease of use. The next challenge is in the integration of these services in the form of workflows, and several projects are already underway, standardizing the syntax, semantics, and user interfaces. In order to deploy the advantages of web services with locally installed tools, here we describe a collection of proxy client tools for 42 major bioinformatics web services in the form of European Molecular Biology Open Software Suite (EMBOSS) UNIX command-line tools. EMBOSS provides sophisticated means for discoverability and interoperability for hundreds of tools, and our package, named the Keio Bioinformatics Web Service (KBWS), adds functionalities of local and multiple alignment of sequences, phylogenetic analyses, and prediction of cellular localization of proteins and RNA secondary structures. This software implemented in C is available under GPL from http://www.g-language.org/kbws/ and GitHub repository http://github.com/cory-ko/KBWS. Users can utilize the SOAP services implemented in Perl directly via WSDL file at http://soap.g-language.org/kbws.wsdl (RPC Encoded) and http://soap.g-language.org/kbws_dl.wsdl (Document/literal).
LEF1 Identifies Androgen-Independent Epithelium in the Developing Prostate
Authors: Wu Xinyu , Daniels Garrett , Shapiro Ellen , Xu Kun , Huang Hongying , Li Yirong , Logan Susan , Greco M. Alba , Peng Yi , Monaco Marie E. , Melamed Jonathan , Lepor Herbert , Grishina Irina , Lee Peng 
Published: April 2011

AbstractLymphoid enhancer-binding factor (LEF)1 is a major mediator and a target in canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Interactions between the androgen receptor (AR) and canonical Wnt pathways have been implicated in the development of the genitourinary organs. Here, we investigated the localization and role of LEF1-positive cells during development of the prostate gland in human and in the murine model. We show that during human prostate development, LEF1 is restricted to the basal epithelial layer of the urogenital sinus. During mouse development, Lef1 is also present in the urogenital mesenchyme in addition to the basal epithelial layer of the urogenital sinus. In the course of elongation and branching of the prostatic ducts, Lef1 is localized to the proliferating epithelium at the distal tips of the buds. Notably, during branching morphogenesis, domains of Lef1 and AR are mutually exclusive. We further employed the TOPGAL reporter strain to examine the dynamics of Wnt signaling in the context of prostate regression upon a 7-d treatment with a competitive AR inhibitor, bicalutamide. We found that Wnt/Lef1-positive basal cells are not dependent upon androgen for survival. Furthermore, upon bicalutamide treatment, Wnt/Lef1-positive basal progenitors repopulated the luminal compartment. We conclude that Wnt/Lef1 activity identifies an androgen-independent population of prostate progenitors, which is important for embryonic development and organ maintenance and regeneration in the adult.
Progesterone Receptor Directly Inhibits β-Casein Gene Transcription in Mammary Epithelial Cells Through Promoting Promoter and Enhancer Repressive Chromatin Modifications
Authors: Buser Adam C. , Obr Alison E. , Kabotyanski Elena B. , Grimm Sandra L. , Rosen Jeffrey M. , Edwards Dean P. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractDifferentiated HC-11 cells ectopically expressing progesterone receptor (PR) were used to explore the molecular mechanisms by which progesterone suppresses β-casein gene transcription induced by prolactin (PRL) and glucocorticoids in the mammary gland. As detected by chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, treatment of cells with the progestin agonist R5020 induced a rapid recruitment (5 min) of PR to the proximal promoter (−235 bp) and distal enhancer (−6 kb upstream of transcription start site) of β-casein. PR remained bound for 4 h and was dissociated by 24 h after treatment. Despite efficient binding, the hormone agonist-occupied PR did not stimulate transcription of the β-casein gene. Recruitment of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5a, glucocorticoid receptor, and the CCAAT enhancer binding protein β to the enhancer and proximal promoter of β-casein induced by PRL and glucocorticoids was blocked by progestin cotreatment, whereas PR binding was induced under these conditions. PRL/glucocorticoid-induced histone acetylation and the recruitment of the coactivator p300 and RNA polymerase II required for gene activation were also inhibited by progestin. In addition, progestin prevented dissociation of the corepressors Yin and Yang 1 and histone deacetylase 3 from the promoter, and demethylation of lysine 9 of histone 3 induced by PRL and glucocorticoids. These studies are consistent with the conclusion that progesterone interferes with PRL/glucocorticoid induction of β-casein transcription by a physical interaction of PR with the promoter and enhancer that blocks assembly of a transcriptional activation complex and dissociation of corepressors and promotes repressive chromatin modifications. These studies define a novel mechanism of steroid receptor-mediated transcriptional repression of a physiologically important gene in mammary gland development and differentiation.
Notes on Heinrich Isaac's Virgo prudentissima
Authors: Planchart Alejandro Enrique 
Published: April 2011

Isaac's Virgo prudentissima, composed in 1507 for the Reichstag in Constance that confirmed Maximilian I as Holy Roman Emperor, is one of the composer's most complex and extended works. It is also a self-consciously constructivist piece that looks back to the repertoire of tenor motets pioneered by Guillaume Du Fay, Jehan de Ockeghem, and most prominently by Iohannes Regis. Yet its construction is markedly different from similar motets by his contemporary Josquin Des Prez, who used a nearly schematic construction in Miserere mei Deus, and ostinato techniques in Illibata Dei genitrix. This article takes a close look at Virgo prudentissima in order to show how Isaac achieves both a great deal of variety in textures and sonorities and a remarkable degree of motivic and thematic unity in the piece. The unity in Isaac's motet is largely due to an interplay of two basic textures and two kinds of motivic construction that are exposed in the first few sections of each pars and then fused in the concluding section, and to a judicious choice of which phrases of the cantus firmus—an antiphon for Vespers of the Assumption—he chooses to paraphrase in the free voices.
The motet's mensural structure—one section with all voices in ◯, and one with the tenor continuing in ◯ but the other five voices switching to ◯2, with semibreve-minim equivalence with the tenor—has been ignored entirely in all modern performances of the work that have been recorded in the last thirty years, usually with disastrous consequences for the performance of the secunda pars of the work. Isaac's notation is implausible until one realizes that he is using it for symbolic purposes and at the same time pointing to a correct tempo relationship between the partes by his organization of the phrase structure and the imitation at the beginning of the secunda pars. Isaac thus places this motet in what can be called a mensural tradition, which has its beginnings in the motets of Du Fay in the 1430s and in the wholesale adoption of the “English” relationship between triple and duple meters in the second half of the fifteenth century.