bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dentipain, a Streptococcus pyogenes IdeS protease homolog, is a novel virulence factor of Treponema denticola
Authors: Ishihara Kazuyuki , Wawrzonek Katarzyna , Shaw Lindesey N. , Inagaki Satoru , Miyamoto Meguru , Potempa Jan 
Published: July 2010

AbstractTreponema denticolais a major pathogen of chronic periodontitis. Analysis of theT. denticolagenome revealed a gene orthologous with a cysteine protease-encoding gene fromStreptococcus pyogenes(IdeS). IdeS interferes with IgG-dependent opsonophagocytosis by specific cleavage of IgG molecules. Analysis of this gene (termedideT) revealed it to encode a two-domain protein whose N-terminus is composed of tandem immunoglobulin-like domains followed by a C-terminal IdeS-like protease domain. In this study we show that during secretion the IdeT protein is processed into an N-terminal fragment which remains associated with the cell, and a C-terminal part released into the medium. Although the secreted domain of IdeT, termed dentipain, shows only 25% identity to the IdeS protease, the putative catalytic cysteine and histidine residues are strongly conserved. Recombinant dentipain cleaves the insulin β-chain, an activity which is inhibited by E-64, a diagnostic inhibitor of cysteine proteases. Apart from insulin no cleavage of other protein substrates was detected, suggesting that dentipain has oligopeptidase activity. A mutant strain was constructed expressing a modified IdeT variant, the dentipain domain of which was deleted. This strain was found to be significantly reduced in its abscess-forming activity compared with the parental strain in a murine abscess model, suggesting that dentipain contributes to the virulence ofT. denticola.
Effects of magnesium ions on recombinant human furin: selective activation of hydrolytic activity upon substrates derived from virus envelope glycoprotein
Authors: Izidoro Mario A. , Assis Diego M. , Oliveira Vitor , Santos Jorge A.N. , Juliano Maria A. , Lindberg Iris , Juliano Luiz 
Published: July 2010

AbstractHere we report a detailed analysis of magnesium (Mg2+) ion effects on furin hydrolysis of fluorescent resonance energy transfer decapeptide substrates derived from canonical R-X-K/R-R furin cleavage motifs within certain viral envelope glycoproteins and eukaryotic proproteins. Using virus-derived sequences a selective activation of furin by Mg2+ions was observed as a result of cooperativity between furin subsites. Furin hydrolysis of the peptides Abz-SRRHKR↓FAGV-Q-EDDnp (from measles virus fusion protein Fo) and Abz-RERRRKKR↓GLFG-Q-EDDnp (from Asian avian influenza A, H5N1) was activated between 60- and 80-fold by MgCl2. It appears that virus envelope glycoprotein mutations have been selected to increase their susceptibility to furin within cells, a location where Mg2+is present in adequate concentrations for activation. Both the pH profile of furin and its intrinsic fluorescence were modified by Mg2+ions, which bind to furin with aKdvalue of 1.1 mm.
The Linking Lives Health Education Program: A Randomized Clinical Trial of a Parent-Based Tobacco Use Prevention Program for African American and Latino Youths
Authors: Guilamo-Ramos Vincent , Jaccard James , Dittus Patricia , Gonzalez Bernardo , Bouris Alida , Banspach Stephen 
Published: July 2010

Objectives. We evaluated the effectiveness of a parent-based add-on component to a school-based intervention to prevent cigarette smoking among African American and Latino middle school youths. Methods. Mother–adolescent dyads (n = 1386) were randomly assigned to 2 groups: (1) a school-based smoking-prevention intervention or (2) the same intervention with a parent-based add-on component called Raising Smoke-Free Kids. Mothers in the experimental condition received the parent add-on component. Mothers in the control condition received information on selecting a high school. All adolescents received a version of Project Towards No Tobacco Use (TNT). The primary outcome was a reduction in adolescent cigarette smoking. Follow-up data were obtained from 1096 mother–adolescent dyads at 15 months postintervention. Results. At follow-up, the odds of smoking cigarettes were reduced by 42% for adolescents in the parent add-on condition versus the TNT-only condition. Mothers in the parent add-on condition were more likely than were mothers in the TNT-only condition to set rules about risk-sensitive social activities and to be perceived as trustworthy by their child. Group differences also were found in the frequency and quality of mother–adolescent communication. Conclusions. Including parent add-on components in school-based smoking prevention programs can reduce smoking behavior on the part of inner-city middle school youths.
Persistent Psychopathology in the Wake of Civil War: Long-Term Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Nimba County, Liberia
Authors: Galea Sandro , Rockers Peter C. , Saydee Geetor , Macauley Rose , Varpilah S. Tornorlah , Kruk Margaret E. 
Published: July 2010

Objectives. We assessed the geographical distribution of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in postconflict Nimba County, Liberia, nearly 2 decades after the end of primary conflict in the area, and we related this pattern to the history of conflict. Methods. We administered individual surveys to a population-based sample of 1376 adults aged 19 years or older. In addition, we conducted a historical analysis of conflict in Nimba County, Liberia, where the civil war started in 1989. Results. The prevalence of PTSD in Nimba County was high at 48.3% (95% confidence interval = 45.7, 50.9; n = 664). The geographical patterns of traumatic event experiences and of PTSD were consistent with the best available information about the path of the intranational conflict that Nimba County experienced in 1989–1990. Conclusions. The demonstration of a “path of PTSD” coincident with the decades-old path of violence dramatically underscores the direct link between population burden of psychopathology and the experience of violent conflict. Persistent postconflict disruptions of social and physical context may explain some of the observed patterns.
Family Poverty Over the Early Life Course and Recurrent Adolescent and Young Adult Anxiety and Depression: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Najman Jake M. , Hayatbakhsh Mohammad R. , Clavarino Alexandra , Bor William , O'Callaghan Michael J. , Williams Gail M. 
Published: July 2010

Objectives. We determined whether exposure to family poverty over a child's early life course predicts adolescent and young adult anxiety and depression. Methods. We used a birth cohort study of a sample of women in Brisbane, Australia, who were recruited in early pregnancy and whose children were followed up on at ages 14 and 21 years. Some 2609 mothers and adolescents provided usable data at the 14- and 21-year follow-ups. Results. After adjustment for poverty at other phases, poverty at the 14-year follow-up was the strongest predictor of adolescent and young adult anxiety and depression. The more frequently the child was exposed to poverty, the greater was the risk of that individual being anxious and depressed at both the 14- and 21-year follow-ups. Conclusions. Family poverty predicts higher rates of adolescent and young adult anxiety and depression. Increased frequency of child exposure to poverty is a consistent predictor of adolescent and young adult anxiety and depression. Repeated experiences of poverty over a child's early life course are associated with increased levels of poor mental health.
Public Health Surveillance for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: Comparison of Methods for Classifying Health Care– and Community-Associated Infections
Authors: Sievert Dawn M. , Wilson Mark L. , Wilkins Melinda J. , Gillespie Brenda W. , Boulton Matthew L. 
Published: July 2010

Objectives. We compared 3 methods for classifying methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections as health care associated or community associated for use in public health surveillance. Methods. We analyzed data on MRSA infections reported to the Michigan Department of Community Health from October 1, 2004, to December 31, 2005. Patient demographics, risk factors, infection information, and susceptibility were collected for 2151 cases. We classified each case by the health care risk factor, infection-type, and susceptibility pattern methods and compared the results of the 3 methods. Results. Demographic, clinical, and microbiological variables yielded similar health care–associated and community-associated distributions when classified by risk factor and infection type. When 2 methods yielded the same classifications, the overall distribution was similar to classification by 3 methods. No specific combination of 2 methods was superior. Conclusions. MRSA categorization by 2 methods is more accurate than it is by a single method. The health care risk factor and infection-type methods yield comparable classification results. Accuracy is increased by using more variables; however, further research is needed to identify the optimal combination.
Associations Between Recreational Walking and Attractiveness, Size, and Proximity of Neighborhood Open Spaces
Authors: Sugiyama Takemi , Francis Jacinta , Middleton Nicholas J. , Owen Neville , Giles-Corti Billie 
Published: July 2010

Objectives. We examined associations of attractiveness, size, and proximity of multiple neighborhood open spaces (NOSs) with recreational walking. Methods. Adults participating in the Residential Environments (RESIDE) study (n = 1366) in Perth, Australia, reported time spent engaging in recreational walking within their neighborhoods. Park audit data and geographic information systems were used to identify the most attractive, largest, and nearest NOS within a 1.6-km radius from each participant's residential location. Regression analysis was used to examine attributes (attractiveness, size, and proximity) of these open spaces and their associations with participants’ recreational walking. Results. Shorter distance to attractive open spaces was associated with doing any recreational walking, but adults with larger attractive open spaces within 1.6 km of their home were more likely to walk 150 minutes or more in a week. Conclusions. For adults, the presence of a large, high-quality park within walking distance of one's home may be more important in promoting sufficient amounts of walking for health benefits than is the presence of an open space within a shorter distance.
The Impact of School-Based Health Centers on the Health Outcomes of Middle School and High School Students
Authors: McNall Miles A. , Lichty Lauren F. , Mavis Brian 
Published: July 2010

Objectives. We studied the direct and indirect effects of school-based health centers (SBHCs) on the health and health behaviors of middle and high school students. Methods. We used a prospective cohort design to measure health outcomes annually over 2 consecutive years by student self-report. Cohorts of middle school and high school students were recruited from matched schools with and without SBHCs. Data were obtained from 744 students in both year 1 and year 2 of the study. We used 2-level hierarchical linear models to estimate the effects of the presence of SBHCs at the school level and of SBHC use at the student level. Results. At year 2, users of SBHCs experienced greater satisfaction with their health, more physical activity, and greater consumption of healthy food than did nonusers of SBHCs. Conclusions. Students who used SBHCs were more satisfied with their health and engaged in a greater number of health-promoting behaviors than did students who did not use SBHCs. These findings indicate that SBHCs are achieving their goal of promoting children's health.
Toward a Healthy High Schools Movement: Strategies for Mobilizing Public Health for Educational Reform
Authors: Ruglis Jessica , Freudenberg Nicholas 
Published: July 2010

Although research shows that education and health are closely intertwined, health professionals have difficulty using this evidence to improve health and educational outcomes and reduce inequities. We call for a social movement for healthy high schools in the United States that would improve school achievement and graduation rates; create school environments that promote lifelong individual, family, and community health and prevent chronic illness, violence, and problems of sexual health; and engage youths in creating health-promoting environments. Achieving these goals will require strengthening and better linking often uncoordinated efforts to improve child health and education. Only a broad social movement has the power and vision to mobilize the forces that can transform educational and health systems to better achieve health and educational equity.
Comparison of Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) and NT-proBNP in Screening for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: CAVAGNA LORENZO , CAPORALI ROBERTO , KLERSY CATHERINE , GHIO STEFANO , ALBERTINI RICCARDO , SCELSI LAURA , MORATTI REMIGIO , BONINO CLAUDIA , MONTECUCCO CARLOMAURIZIO 
Published: July 2010

Objective.To compare the performance of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in screening for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in systemic sclerosis (SSc).Methods.Between January 2008 and March 2009, outpatients referred to our unit and satisfying LeRoy criteria for SSc were assessed for PAH. Doppler echocardiography, BNP measurement, and NT-proBNP measurement were done concomitantly for a complete clinical, instrumental, and biochemical evaluation. Right-heart catheterization was carried out in cases of suspected PAH [estimated pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) ≥ 36 mm Hg; diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) ≤ 50% of predicted value; 1-year DLCO decline ≥ 20% in absence of pulmonary fibrosis; unexplained dyspnea].Results.One hundred thirty-five patients were enrolled (124 women, 11 men; 96 limited SSc, 39 diffuse SSc); precapillary PAH was found in 20 patients (15 limited SSc, 5 diffuse SSc). The estimated PAP correlated with both BNP (R = 0.3; 95% CI 0.14–0.44) and NT-proBNP (R = 0.3, 95% CI 0.14–0.45). BNP [area under the curve (AUC) 0.74, 95% CI 0.59–0.89] was slightly superior to NT-proBNP (AUC 0.63, 95% CI 0.46–0.80) in identification of PAH, with diagnosis cutoff values of 64 pg/ml (sensitivity 60%, specificity 87%) and 239.4 pg/ml (sensitivity 45%, specificity 90%), respectively. BNP (log-transformed, p = 0.032) and creatinine (p = 0.049) were independent predictors of PAH, while NT-proBNP was not (p = 0.50).Conclusion.In our single-center study, the performance of BNP was slightly superior to that of NT-proBNP in PAH screening of patients with SSc, although normal levels of these markers do not exclude diagnosis. We observed that impaired renal function is associated with an increased risk of PAH in SSc. Further multicenter studies are needed to confirm our results (ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT00617487).
Autoimmune Disease Incidence Among Women Prenatally Exposed to Diethylstilbestrol
Authors: STROHSNITTER WILLIAM C. , NOLLER KENNETH L. , TROISI REBECCA , ROBBOY STANLEY J. , HATCH ELIZABETH E. , TITUS-ERNSTOFF LINDA , KAUFMAN RAYMOND H. , PALMER JULIE R. , ANDERSON DIANE , HOOVER ROBERT N. 
Published: July 2010

Objective.Animal studies have suggested that prenatal diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure may alter immune system development and function including antigen self-recognition. A cohort study was conducted to investigate whether prenatal DES exposure might influence the incidence of at least some specific autoimmune diseases in women.Methods.A group of women who were and were not prenatally exposed to DES have been followed for more than 25 years for numerous health outcomes including autoimmune disease. To verify diagnoses, medical records or physician abstracts were requested for all women who reported a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), optic neuritis (ON), and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Incidence rates of these autoimmune diseases were compared between women who were and who were not prenatally DES-exposed.Results.Overall, there was no increase in verified autoimmune disease among DES-exposed women relative to those who were not exposed (RR 1.2; 95% CI 0.7, 2.1). There was, however, a positive association between prenatal DES exposure and RA among women younger than 45 years (RR 4.9; 95% CI 1.1, 21.6) and an inverse association among women who were 45 years and older (RR 0.1; 95% CI 0.01, 0.7).Conclusion.Overall, these data provide little support for an association between prenatal DES exposure and development of autoimmune disease. The implication that such exposure may be related to RA in an unusual age-related manner is based on small numbers of cases and warrants further study.
Nasal Endoscopic Visualization and Management of the Leading Causes of Probing Failure
Authors: Hakim Ossama M. , Mandour Walid , Elbaz Essam 
Published: July 2010

Background:
Conventional probing is a blind procedure with a variable success rate. This article evaluates the role of nasal endoscopy during probing to expose, explain, and manage the possible causes for probing failure.

Methods:
In a prospective study, 169 eyes of 130 children (4 to 48 months old, median age = 1 to 6.2 months) with primary congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) underwent probing under direct nasal endoscopic visualization. NLDO was diagnosed according to the patient’s history, clinical examination, and dye disappearance test. No patient had previously undergone lacrimal surgery. The main outcome measures were absence of tearing and discharge and negative dye disappearance test in the affected eye. Patients were observed at 1 week, 1 month, and 4 months postoperatively.

Results:
Of the 169 obstructed ducts, 164 became patent after the first probing and 5 became patent after the second probing, with a total success rate of 100%. During probing, suspected causes for failure included thick membranous obstruction with false passage laterally, redundant membranous obstruction with trapdoor re-closure, stretchable membranous obstruction with elastic valve re-closure, and narrow terminal end of the duct with false passage medially. Such causes were predicted and managed intraoperatively.

Conclusion:
Using nasal endoscopy during probing enables the surgeon to avoid the most likely causes for probing failure. Such intervention could increase the success rate of probing compared to probing without endoscopy.
The BH3-Mimetic ABT-737 Induces Mast Cell Apoptosis In Vitro and In Vivo: Potential for Therapeutics
Authors: Karlberg Mats , Ekoff Maria , Huang David C. S. , Mustonen Paula , Harvima Ilkka T. , Nilsson Gunnar 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
Mast cells and their mediators are implicated in the pathogenesis of many different diseases. One possible therapeutic intervention in mast cell-associated diseases can be to reduce the number of tissue mast cells by inducing mast cell apoptosis. In this study, we demonstrate that mast cells exhibit a high sensitivity to ABT-737, a BH3-only mimetic molecule that induces apoptosis through high-affinity binding to the prosurvival proteins, Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, and Bcl-w. Primary mast cells as well as mast cell lines tested succumbed to apoptosis in response to the inhibitor at varying but seemingly low concentrations compared with other leukocytes investigated. I.p. injections of ABT-737 in mice resulted in a total abolishment of mast cells in the peritoneum. Confocal microscopy analysis of peritoneal cells revealed apoptotic bodies of mast cells being phagocytosed by macrophages. In addition, ex vivo treatment of human skin biopsies with ABT-737 demonstrated increased mast cell apoptosis. The data we present in this article show exceptional mast cell sensitivity to ABT-737, a selective inhibitor of antiapoptotic proteins, rendering a possible application for BH3-only mimetic compounds like ABT-737 in mast cell-associated diseases, such as mastocytosis, allergy, asthma, and other chronic inflammations.
Foxp3+ CD4 Regulatory T Cells Limit Pulmonary Immunopathology by Modulating the CD8 T Cell Response during Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
Authors: Fulton Ross B. , Meyerholz David K. , Varga Steven M. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
Regulatory Foxp3+ CD4 T cells (Tregs) prevent spontaneous inflammation in the lungs, inhibit allergic and asthmatic responses, and contribute to tolerance to inhaled allergens. Additionally, Tregs have previously been shown to suppress the CD8 T cell response during persistent virus infections. However, little is known concerning the role that Tregs play in modulating the adaptive immune response during acute respiratory virus infections. We show following acute respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection that Foxp3+ CD4 Tregs rapidly accumulate in the lung-draining mediastinal lymph nodes and lungs. BrdU incorporation studies indicate that Tregs undergo proliferation that contributes to their accumulation in the lymph nodes and lungs. Following an acute RSV infection, pulmonary Tregs modulate CD25 expression and acquire an activated phenotype characterized as CD11ahigh, CD44high, CD43glyco+, ICOS+, and CTLA-4+. Surprisingly, in vivo depletion of Tregs prior to RSV infection results in delayed virus clearance concomitant with an early lag in the recruitment of RSV-specific CD8 T cells into the lungs. Additionally, Treg depletion results in exacerbated disease severity, including increased weight loss, morbidity, and enhanced airway restriction. In Treg-depleted mice there is an increase in the frequency of RSV-specific CD8 T cells that coproduce IFN-γ and TNF-α, which may contribute to enhanced disease severity. These results indicate that pulmonary Tregs play a critical role in limiting immunopathology during an acute pulmonary virus infection by influencing the trafficking and effector function of virus-specific CD8 T cells in the lungs and draining lymph nodes.
Heegner Points over Towers of Kummer Extensions
Authors: Darmon Henri , Tian Ye 
Published: July 2010

AbstractLet E be an elliptic curve, and let Ln be the Kummer extension generated by a primitive pnth root of unity and a pn-th root of a for a fixed a ∈ ℚ× − ﹛±﹜1﹜. A detailed case study by Coates, Fukaya, Kato and Sujatha and V. Dokchitser has led these authors to predict unbounded and strikingly regular growth for the rank of E over Ln in certain cases. The aim of this note is to explain how some of these predictions might be accounted for by Heegner points arising from a varying collection of Shimura curve parametrisations.
Enhancing Fracture Toughness of Magnesium Alloy by Formation of Low‐Angle Grain Boundary Structure
Authors: Somekawa Hidetoshi , Singh Alok , Inoue Tadanobu , Mukai Toshiji 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe effect of the low angle grain boundary structure on the mechanical properties and deformation behavior was investigated using Mg‐Al‐Zn alloys, which were produced by caliber rolling. The {10–12} deformation twins were formed at the head of the crack‐tip during fracture toughness even in the fine‐grained structures; however, the present caliber rolled alloys showed high strength and fracture toughness balance that resulted from the high fraction of low‐angle grain boundaries, which did not become the origin of the micro‐void formation.