bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is tidal expiratory flow limitation predictive of sleep-related disorders in the elderly?
Authors: Guillot M. , Costes F. , Sforza E. , Maudoux D. , Bertoletti L. , Barthélémy J.C. , Roche F. 
Published: April 2010

Sleep-related disorders represent an important health burden and their prevalence increases with age. In patients with snoring or sleepiness, the presence of expiratory flow limitation (EFL), determinedviathe negative expiratory pressure (NEP) method, is related to the apnoea/hypopnoea index (AHI). In this study, we examined whether EFL can be used to predict obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) in healthy asymptomatic older subjects.A group of 72-yr-old subjects (n = 448, 44% males) with a mean body mass index of 25.5±3.8 kg·m−2were examined. All subjects underwent spirometry, NEP (-5 cmH2O, sitting position) and ventilatory polygraphy (VP).Spirometry was within normal values in 88% of the group and EFL was present in 143 (32%) subjects with a higher prevalence in females (89 out of 249versus54 out of 199 in females and males, respectively). VP showed an AHI<15 h−1in 238 subjects (53%) and OSAS with an AHI ≥15 h−1in 47%. EFL was found in 15% of subjects with OSAS. Consequently, EFL had low sensitivity and specificity in the prediction of OSAS (31.4% and 67.7%, respectively).We conclude that the prevalence of EFL is elevated in healthy older subjects and cannot be used to predict the presence of sleep-related disorders in an older population.
The HP0256 gene product is involved in motility and cell envelope architecture of Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Douillard François P , Ryan Kieran A , Lane Michael C , Caly Delphine L , Moore Stanley A , Penn Charles W , Hinds Jason , O'Toole Paul W 
Published: April 2010

Abstract

Background

Helicobacter pylori is the causative agent for gastritis, and peptic and duodenal ulcers. The bacterium displays 5-6 polar sheathed flagella that are essential for colonisation and persistence in the gastric mucosa. The biochemistry and genetics of flagellar biogenesis in H. pylori has not been fully elucidated. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that the gene HP0256, annotated as hypothetical, was a FliJ homologue. In Salmonella, FliJ is a chaperone escort protein for FlgN and FliT, two proteins that themselves display chaperone activity for components of the hook, the rod and the filament.

Results
Ablation of the HP0256 gene in H. pylori significantly reduced motility. However, flagellin and hook protein synthesis was not affected in the HP0256 mutant. Transmission electron transmission microscopy revealed that the HP0256 mutant cells displayed a normal flagellum configuration, suggesting that HP0256 was not essential for assembly and polar localisation of the flagella in the cell. Interestingly, whole genome microarrays of an HP0256 mutant revealed transcriptional changes in a number of genes associated with the flagellar regulon and the cell envelope, such as outer membrane proteins and adhesins. Consistent with the array data, lack of the HP0256 gene significantly reduced adhesion and the inflammatory response in host cells.

Conclusions
We conclude that HP0256 is not a functional counterpart of FliJ in H. pylori. However, it is required for full motility and it is involved, possibly indirectly, in expression of outer membrane proteins and adhesins involved in pathogenesis and adhesion.
A rich TILLING resource for studying gene function in Brassica rapa
Authors: Stephenson Pauline , Baker David , Girin Thomas , Perez Amandine , Amoah Stephen , King Graham J , Østergaard Lars 
Published: April 2010

Abstract

Background
The Brassicaceae family includes the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana as well as a number of agronomically important species such as oilseed crops (in particular Brassica napus, B. juncea and B. rapa) and vegetables (eg. B. rapa and B. oleracea).
Separated by only 10-20 million years, Brassica species and Arabidopsis thaliana are closely related, and it is expected that knowledge obtained relating to Arabidopsis growth and development can be translated into Brassicas for crop improvement. Moreover, certain aspects of plant development are sufficiently different between Brassica and Arabidopsis to warrant studies to be carried out directly in the crop species. However, mutating individual genes in the amphidiploid Brassicas such as B. napus and B. juncea may, on the other hand, not give rise to expected phenotypes as the genomes of these species can contain up to six orthologues per single-copy Arabidopsis gene. In order to elucidate and possibly exploit the function of redundant genes for oilseed rape crop improvement, it may therefore be more efficient to study the effects in one of the diploid Brassica species such as B. rapa. Moreover, the ongoing sequencing of the B. rapa genome makes this species a highly attractive model for Brassica research and genetic resource development.

Results
Seeds from the diploid Brassica A genome species, B. rapa were treated with ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) to produce a TILLING (Targeting Induced Local Lesions In Genomes) population for reverse genetics studies. We used the B. rapa genotype, R-o-18, which has a similar developmental ontogeny to an oilseed rape crop. Hence this resource is expected to be well suited for studying traits with relevance to yield and quality of oilseed rape. DNA was isolated from a total of 9,216 M2 plants and pooled to form the basis of the TILLING platform. Analysis of six genes revealed a high level of mutations with a density of about one per 60 kb. This analysis also demonstrated that screening a 1 kb amplicon in just one third of the population (3072 M2 plants) will provide an average of 68 mutations and a 97% probability of obtaining a stop-codon mutation resulting in a truncated protein. We furthermore calculated that each plant contains on average ~10,000 mutations and due to the large number of plants, it is predicted that mutations in approximately half of the GC base pairs in the genome exist within this population.

Conclusions
We have developed the first EMS TILLING resource in the diploid Brassica species, B. rapa. The mutation density in this population is ~1 per 60 kb, which makes it the most densely mutated diploid organism for which a TILLING population has been published. This resource is publicly available through the RevGenUK reverse genetics platform http://revgenuk.jic.ac.uk.
The obesity gene, TMEM18, is of ancient origin, found in majority of neuronal cells in all major brain regions and associated with obesity in severely obese children
Authors: Almén Markus Sällman , Jacobsson Josefin A , Shaik Jafar HA , Olszewski Pawel K , Cedernaes Jonathan , Alsiö Johan , Sreedharan Smitha , Levine Allen S , Fredriksson Robert , Marcus Claude , Schiöth Helgi B 
Published: April 2010

Abstract

Background
TMEM18 is a hypothalamic gene that has recently been linked to obesity and BMI in genome wide association studies. However, the functional properties of TMEM18 are obscure.

Methods
The evolutionary history of TMEM18 was inferred using phylogenetic and bioinformatic methods. The gene's expression profile was investigated with real-time PCR in a panel of rat and mouse tissues and with immunohistochemistry in the mouse brain. Also, gene expression changes were analyzed in three feeding-related mouse models: food deprivation, reward and diet-induced increase in body weight. Finally, we genotyped 502 severely obese and 527 healthy Swedish children for two SNPs near TMEM18 (rs6548238 and rs756131).

Results
TMEM18 was found to be remarkably conserved and present in species that diverged from the human lineage over 1500 million years ago. The TMEM18 gene was widely expressed and detected in the majority of cells in all major brain regions, but was more abundant in neurons than other cell types. We found no significant changes in the hypothalamic and brainstem expression in the feeding-related mouse models. There was a strong association for two SNPs (rs6548238 and rs756131) of the TMEM18 locus with an increased risk for obesity (p = 0.001 and p = 0.002).

Conclusion
We conclude that TMEM18 is involved in both adult and childhood obesity. It is one of the most conserved human obesity genes and it is found in the majority of all brain sites, including the hypothalamus and the brain stem, but it is not regulated in these regions in classical energy homeostatic models.
Same-visit HIV testing in Trinidad and Tobago
Authors: Duke Violet , Samiel Sheila , Musa David , Ali Cameile , Chang-Kit Catherine , Warner Cynthia 
Published: April 2010

Abstract

Background
The Ministry of Health (hereafter, Ministry) of Trinidad and Tobago is responsible for delivery of all health services in the country. The Ministry takes responsibility for direct delivery of care in the public sector and has initiated a process whereby those seeking HIV test results could obtain confidential reports during a single-visit to a testing location. The Ministry requested technical assistance with this process from the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC). The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) played an important role in this process through its partnership with CAREC.

Methods
Under the technical guidance of CAREC and CDC, the Ministry organized a technical working group which included representatives from key national HIV program services and technical assistance partners. This working group reviewed internationally-recognized best practices for HIV rapid testing and proposed a program that could be integrated into the national HIV programs of Trinidad and Tobago. The working group wrote a consensus protocol, defined certification criteria, prepared training materials and oversaw implementation of "same-visit" HIV testing at two pilot sites.

Results
A Ministry-of-Health-supported program of "same-visit" HIV testing has been established in Trinidad and Tobago. This program provides confidential testing that is independent of laboratory confirmation. The program allows clients who want to know their HIV status to obtain this information during a single-visit to a testing location. Testers who are certified to provide testing on behalf of the Ministry are also counselors. Non-laboratory personnel have been trained to provide HIV testing in non-laboratory locations. The program includes procedures to assure uniform quality of testing across multiple testing sites. Several procedural and training documents were developed during implementation of this program. This report contains links to those documents.

Conclusions
The Ministry of Health has implemented a program of "same-visit" HIV testing in Trinidad and Tobago. This program provides clients confidential HIV test reports during a single visit to a testing location. The program is staffed by non-laboratory personnel who are trained to provide both testing and counseling in decentralized (non-laboratory) settings. This approach may serve as a model for other small countries.
Molecular mechanisms of HIV-1 persistence in the monocyte-macrophage lineage
Authors: Le Douce Valentin , Herbein Georges , Rohr Olivier , Schwartz Christian 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThe introduction of the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has greatly improved survival. However, these treatments fail to definitively cure the patients and unveil the presence of quiescent HIV-1 reservoirs like cells from monocyte-macrophage lineage. A purge, or at least a significant reduction of these long lived HIV-1 reservoirs will be needed to raise the hope of the viral eradication. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms responsible for viral persistence in cells of the monocyte-macrophage lineage. Controversy on latency and/or cryptic chronic replication will be specifically evoked. In addition, since HIV-1 infected monocyte-macrophage cells appear to be more resistant to apoptosis, this obstacle to the viral eradication will be discussed. Understanding the intimate mechanisms of HIV-1 persistence is a prerequisite to devise new and original therapies aiming to achieve viral eradication.
Human herpesvirus-8 in northwestern China: epidemiology and characterization among blood donors
Authors: Wang Xing , He Bin , Zhang Zhaoxia , Liu Tao , Wang Hui , Li Xu , Zhang Qiong , Lan Ke , Lu Xiaomei , Wen Hao 
Published: April 2010

Abstract

Background
Human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8) is the etiologic agent associated with development of classical, AIDS-related, iatrogenic, and endemic Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). Several studies provide strong evidence that HHV-8 can be transmitted by blood transfusion. We evaluated the seroprevalence and potential risk factors of HHV-8 infection in blood donors in one region. We surveyed HHV-8 infection among 4461 blood donors in Xinjiang, China, a unique endemic area for HHV-8 and KS.

Results
The HHV-8 seroprevalence was higher in local minority groups which comprise most KS cases in China, than in Han people. HHV-8 prevalence was 18.6% in the Han ethnic group, 25.9% in Uygur subjects, 29.2% in Kazak subjects, 36.8% in Mongolian subjects, and 21.9% in other ethnic groups. In several subgroups, the time of donation of whole blood seemed to be a risk factor. In HHV-8-seropositive subjects, a larger fraction of local minorities (23.9%) had high HHV-8 titers than that of Han subjects (9.2%). HHV-8 infection was associated with ethnicity and residence.

Conclusion
HHV-8 seroprevalence was significantly high among blood donors in Xinjiang, where the prevalence of KS correlates with HHV-8 prevalence and titers in Uygur and Kazak ethnic groups. Blood exposure represented by the frequency of blood donation indicated a possible blood-borne transmission route of HHV-8 in Xinjiang. Detecting anti-HHV-8 antibodies before donation in this region is therefore important.
Mobile Air Quality Studies (MAQS)-an international project
Authors: Groneberg David A , Scutaru Cristian , Lauks Mathias , Takemura Masaya , Fischer Tanja C , Kölzow Silvana , van Mark Anke , Uibel Stefanie , Wagner Ulrich , Vitzthum Karin , Beck Fabian , Mache Stefanie , Kreiter Carolin , Kusma Bianca , Friedebold Annika , Zell Hanna , Gerber Alexander , Bock Johanna , Al-Mutawakl Khaled , Donat Johannes , Geier Maria Victoria , Pilzner Carolin , Welker Pia , Joachim Ricarda , Bias Harald , Götting Michael , Sakr Mohannad , Addicks Johann P , Börger Julia-Annik , Jensen Anna-Maria , Grajewski Sonja , Shami Awfa , Neye Niko , Kröger Stefan , Hoffmann Sarah , Kloss Lisa , Mayer Sebastian , Puk Clemens , Henkel Ulrich , Rospino Robert , Schilling Ute , Krieger Evelyn , Westphal Gesa , Meyer-Falcke Andreas , Hupperts Hagen , de Roux Andrés , Tropp Salome , Weiland Marco , Mühlbach Janette , Steinberg Johannes , Szerwinski Anne , Falahkohan Sepiede , Sudik Claudia , Bircks Anna , Noga Oliver , Dickgreber Nicolas , Dinh Q Thai , Golpon Heiko , Kloft Beatrix , Groneberg Rafael Neill B , Witt Christian , Wicker Sabine , Zhang Li , Springer Jochen , Kütting Birgitta , Mingomataj Ervin C , Fischer Axel , Schöffel Norman , Unger Volker , Quarcoo David 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
Due to an increasing awareness of the potential hazardousness of air pollutants, new laws, rules and guidelines have recently been implemented globally. In this respect, numerous studies have addressed traffic-related exposure to particulate matter using stationary technology so far. By contrast, only few studies used the advanced technology of mobile exposure analysis. The Mobile Air Quality Study (MAQS) addresses the issue of air pollutant exposure by combining advanced high-granularity spatial-temporal analysis with vehicle-mounted, person-mounted and roadside sensors. The MAQS-platform will be used by international collaborators in order 1) to assess air pollutant exposure in relation to road structure, 2) to assess air pollutant exposure in relation to traffic density, 3) to assess air pollutant exposure in relation to weather conditions, 4) to compare exposure within vehicles between front and back seat (children) positions, and 5) to evaluate "traffic zone"-exposure in relation to non-"traffic zone"-exposure.
Primarily, the MAQS-platform will focus on particulate matter. With the establishment of advanced mobile analysis tools, it is planed to extend the analysis to other pollutants including NO2, SO2, nanoparticles and ozone.
Does opening a milk bank in a neonatal unit change infant feeding practices? A before and after study
Authors: Utrera Torres María Isabel , Medina López Carmen , Vázquez Román Sara , Alonso Díaz Clara , Cruz-Rojo Jaime , Fernández Cooke Elisa , Pallás Alonso Carmen R 
Published: April 2010

Abstract

Background
Donor human milk banks are much more than simple centers for collection, storage, processing, and distribution of donor human milk, as they cover other aspects and represent a real opportunity to promote and support breastfeeding. The aim of our study is to assess the impact that opening a human milk bank has had on the proportion of infants receiving exclusive breast milk at discharge and other aspects related to feeding children with birth weight < or = 1500 g or < 32 weeks gestation admitted to the neonatal unit.

Methods
The study included babies of < or = 1500 g or < 32 weeks gestation. Fifty infants born from February to July in 2006, before the opening of the human milk bank, and 54 born from February to July in 2008, after its opening, met inclusive criteria. We collected data about days of hospital stay, hours of life when feeding was started, hours of life when full enteral feeding was attained, the type of milk received during admission, and the type of feeding on discharge.

Results
Children born in 2008 commenced feeding 16 hours earlier than those born in 2006 (p = 0.00). The proportion of infants receiving exclusive breast milk at discharge was 54% in 2006 and 56% in 2008 (p = 0.87). The number of days they received their mother's own milk during the first 28 days of life was 24.2 days in 2006, compared to 23.7 days in 2008 (p = 0.70). In 2006, 60% of infants received infant formula at least once in the first 28 days of life, compared to 37% in 2008 (p = 0.01).

Conclusions
The opening of a donor human milk bank in a neonatal unit did not reduce the proportion of infants exclusively fed with breast milk at discharge, but did reduce the proportion of infants that received infant formula during the first four weeks of life. Also, having donor human milk available enables commencement of enteral feeding earlier.
Protocol: fine-tuning of a Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) protocol in tomato
Authors: Ricardi Martiniano M , González Rodrigo M , Iusem Norberto D 
Published: April 2010

Abstract

Background
Searching thoroughly for plant cis-elements corresponding to transcription factors is worthwhile to reveal novel gene activation cascades. At the same time, a great deal of research is currently focused on epigenetic events in plants. A widely used method serving both purposes is chromatin immunoprecipitation, which was developed for Arabidopsis and other plants but is not yet operational for tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), a model plant species for a group of economically important crops.

Results
We developed a chromatin immunoprecipitation protocol suitable for tomato by adjusting the parameters to optimise in vivo crosslinking, purification of nuclei, chromatin extraction, DNA shearing and precipitate analysis using real-time PCR. Results were obtained with two different antibodies, five control loci and two normalisation criteria.

Conclusion
Here we provide a chromatin immunoprecipitation procedure for tomato leaves that could be combined with high-throughput sequencing to generate a detailed map of epigenetic modifications or genome-wide nucleosome positioning data.
Remnant of a non-patent ductus arteriosus mimicking traumatic thoracic aorta transection: a case report
Authors: Apostolakis Efstratios E , Baikoussis Nikolaos G , Kalogeropoulou Christina , Koletsis Efstratios , Koniari Ioanna , Karnabatidis Dimitrios , Karanikolas Menelaos 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
We present an interesting case of a 53-year-old man with a non-patent ductus arteriosus erroneously diagnosed as acute thoracic aorta transection after a car accident. The aortography revealed a "rupture" of the linear inner curve of the aorta in the isthmus area, as well as a protrusion of the aortic lumen in the corresponding area. During the followed thoracotomy an intact thoracic aorta and the remnant of a non-patent ligamentum arteriosum were found. It is the first reported case and we review all the possible entities which may give a false-positive image of traumatic aortic transection.
Evolution of T-cell clonality in a patient with Ph-negative acute lymphocytic leukemia occurring after interferon and imatinib therapy for Ph-positive chronic myeloid leukemia
Authors: Wang Liang , Zhu Kanger , Zha Xianfeng , Chen Shaohua , Yang Lijian , Chen Si , Li Yangqiu 
Published: April 2010

AbstractIntroductionThe development of Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) negative acute leukemia/myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) in patients with Ph-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is very rare. The features of restrictive usage and absence of partial T cell clones have been found in patients with CML. However, the T-cell clonal evolution of Ph-negative malignancies during treatment for CML is still unknown.ObjectiveTo investigate the dynamic change of clonal proliferation of T cell receptor (TCR) Vα and Vβ subfamilies in one CML patient who developed Ph-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) after interferon and imatinib therapy.MethodsThe peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) samples were collected at the 3 time points (diagnosis of Ph-positive chronic phase (CP) CML, developing Ph-negative ALL and post inductive chemotherapy (CT) for Ph-negative ALL, respectively). The CDR3 size of TCR Vα and Vβ repertoire were detected by RT-PCR. The PCR products were further analyzed by genescan to identify T cell clonality.ResultsThe CML patient who achieved complete cytogenetic remission (CCR) after 5 years of IFN-α therapy suddenly developed Ph-negative ALL 6 months following switch to imatinib therapy. The expression pattern and clonality of TCR Vα/Vβ T cells changed in different disease stages. The restrictive expression of Vα/Vβ subfamilies could be found in all three stages, and partial subfamily of T cells showed clonal proliferation. Additionally, there have been obvious differences in Vα/Vβ subfamily of T cells between the stages of Ph-positive CML-CP and Ph-negative ALL. The Vα10 and Vβ3 T cells evolved from oligoclonality to polyclonality, the Vβ13 T cells changed from bioclonality to polyclonality, when Ph-negative ALL developed.ConclusionsRestrictive usage and clonal proliferation of different Vα/Vβ subfamily T cells between the stages of Ph-positive CP and Ph-negative ALL were detected in one patient. These changes may play a role in Ph- negative leukemogenesis.