bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal Tear of the Medial Meniscus Posterior Horn in the Anterior Cruciate Ligament–Deficient Knee Significantly Influences Anterior Stability
Authors: Ahn Jin Hwan , Bae Tae Soo , Kang Ki-Ser , Kang Soo Yong , Lee Sang Hak 
Published: August 2011

Background: Longitudinal tears of the medial meniscus posterior horn (MMPH) are commonly associated with a chronic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency. Many studies have demonstrated the importance of the medial meniscus in terms of limiting the amount of anterior-posterior tibial translation in response to anterior tibial loads in ACL-deficient knees. Hypothesis: An MMPH tear in an ACL-deficient knee increases the anterior-posterior tibial translation and rotatory instability. In addition, MMPH repair will restore the tibial translation to the level before the tear. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Ten human cadaveric knees were tested sequentially using a custom testing system under 5 conditions: intact, ACL deficient, ACL deficient with an MMPH peripheral longitudinal tear, ACL deficient with an MMPH repair, and ACL deficient with a total medial meniscectomy. The knee kinematics were measured at 0°, 15°, 30°, 60°, and 90° of flexion in response to a 134-N anterior and 200-N axial compressive tibial load. The rotatory kinematics were also measured at 15° and 30° of flexion in a combined rotatory load of 5 N·m of internal tibial torque and 10 N·m of valgus torque. Results: Medial meniscus posterior horn longitudinal tears in ACL-deficient knees resulted in a significant increase in anterior-posterior tibial translation at all flexion angles except 90° ( P < .05). An MMPH repair in an ACL-deficient knee showed a significant decrease in anterior-posterior tibial translation at all flexion angles except 60° compared with the ACL-deficient/MMPH tear state ( P < .05). The total anterior-posterior translation of the ACL-deficient/MMPH repaired knee was not significantly increased compared with the ACL (only)–deficient knee but was increased compared with the ACL–intact knee ( P > .05). A total medial meniscectomy in an ACL-deficient knee did not increase the anterior-posterior tibial translation significantly compared with MMPH tears in ACL-deficient knees at all flexion angles ( P > .05). In a combined rotatory load, tibial rotation after MMPH tears or a total medial meniscectomy in an ACL-deficient knee were not affected significantly at all flexion angles. Conclusion: This study shows that an MMPH longitudinal tear in an ACL-deficient knee alters the knee kinematics, particularly the anterior-posterior tibial translation. MMPH repair significantly improved anterior-posterior tibial translation in ACL-deficient knees. Clinical Relevance: These findings may help improve the treatment of patients with ACL and MMPH longitudinal tear by suggesting that the medial meniscal repairs should be performed for greater longevity when combined with an ACL reconstruction.
Cell-intrinsic role for IFN-α–STAT1 signals in regulating murine Peyer patch plasmacytoid dendritic cells and conditioning an inflammatory response
Authors: Li Haiyan S. , Gelbard Alexander , Martinez Gustavo J. , Esashi Eiji , Zhang Huiyuan , Nguyen-Jackson Hoainam , Liu Yong-Jun , Overwijk Willem W. , Watowich Stephanie S. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractPlasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) reside in bone marrrow and lymphoid organs in homeostatic conditions and typically secrete abundant quantities of type I interferons (IFNs) on Toll-like receptor triggering. Recently, a pDC population was identified within Peyer patches (PPs) of the gut that is distinguished by its lack of IFN production; however, the relationship of PP pDCs to pDCs in other organs has been unclear. We report that PP pDCs are derived from common DC progenitors and accumulate in response to Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand, yet appear divergent in transcription factor profile and surface marker phenotype, including reduced E2-2 and CCR9 expression. Type I IFN signaling via STAT1 has a cell-autonomous role in accrual of PP pDCs in vivo. Moreover, IFN-α enhances pDC generation from DC progenitors by a STAT1-dependent mechanism. pDCs that have been developed in the presence of IFN-α resemble PP pDCs, produce inflammatory cytokines, stimulate Th17 cell generation, and fail to secrete IFN-α on Toll-like receptor engagement. These results indicate that IFN-α influences the development and function of pDCs by inducing emergence of an inflammatory (Th17-inducing) antigen-presenting subset, and simultaneously regulating accumulation of pDCs in the intestinal microenvironment.
Extended passaging increases the efficiency of neural differentiation from induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Koehler Karl R , Tropel Philippe , Theile Jonathan W , Kondo Takako , Cummins Theodore R , Viville Stéphane , Hashino Eri 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
The use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for the functional replacement of damaged neurons and in vitro disease modeling is of great clinical relevance. Unfortunately, the capacity of iPSC lines to differentiate into neurons is highly variable, prompting the need for a reliable means of assessing the differentiation capacity of newly derived iPSC cell lines. Extended passaging is emerging as a method of ensuring faithful reprogramming. We adapted an established and efficient embryonic stem cell (ESC) neural induction protocol to test whether iPSCs (1) have the competence to give rise to functional neurons with similar efficiency as ESCs and (2) whether the extent of neural differentiation could be altered or enhanced by increased passaging.

Results
Our gene expression and morphological analyses revealed that neural conversion was temporally delayed in iPSC lines and some iPSC lines did not properly form embryoid bodies during the first stage of differentiation. Notably, these deficits were corrected by continual passaging in an iPSC clone. iPSCs with greater than 20 passages (late-passage iPSCs) expressed higher expression levels of pluripotency markers and formed larger embryoid bodies than iPSCs with fewer than 10 passages (early-passage iPSCs). Moreover, late-passage iPSCs started to express neural marker genes sooner than early-passage iPSCs after the initiation of neural induction. Furthermore, late-passage iPSC-derived neurons exhibited notably greater excitability and larger voltage-gated currents than early-passage iPSC-derived neurons, although these cells were morphologically indistinguishable.

Conclusions
These findings strongly suggest that the efficiency neuronal conversion depends on the complete reprogramming of iPSCs via extensive passaging.
The CpG island methylator phenotype may confer a survival benefit in patients with stage II or III colorectal carcinomas receiving fluoropyrimidine-based adjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Min Byung-Hoon , Bae Jeong Mo , Lee Eui Jin , Yu Hong Suk , Kim Young-Ho , Chang Dong Kyung , Kim Hee Cheol , Park Cheol Keun , Lee Suk-Hee , Kim Kyoung-Mee , Kang Gyeong Hoon 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) with CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) is recognized as a distinct subgroup of CRC, and CIMP status affects prognosis and response to chemotherapy. Identification of CIMP status in CRC is important for proper patient management. In Eastern countries, however, the clinicopathologic and molecular characteristics and prognosis of CRCs with CIMP are still unclear.

Methods
A total of 245 patients who underwent their first surgical resection for sporadic CRC were enrolled and CIMP status of the CRCs was determined using the quantitative MethyLight assay. The clinicopathologic and molecular characteristics were reviewed and compared according to CIMP status. In addition, the three-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) of 124 patients with stage II or stage III CRC was analyzed in order to assess the effectiveness of fluoropyrimidine-based adjuvant chemotherapy with respect to CIMP status.

Results
CIMP-high CRCs were identified in 34 cases (13.9%), and were significantly associated with proximal tumor location, poorly differentiated carcinoma, mucinous histology, and high frequencies of BRAF mutation, MGMT methylation, and MSI-high compared to CIMP-low/negative carcinomas. For patients with stage II or III CIMP-low/negative CRCs, no significant difference was found in RFS between those undergoing surgery alone and those receiving surgery with fluoropyrimidine-based adjuvant chemotherapy. However, for patients with CIMP-high CRCs, patients undergoing surgery with fluoropyrimidine-based adjuvant chemotherapy (n = 17; three-year RFS: 100%) showed significantly better RFS than patients treated with surgery alone (n = 7; three-year RFS: 71.4%) (P = 0.022).

Conclusions
Our results suggest that selected patients with CIMP-high CRC may benefit from fluoropyrimidine-based adjuvant chemotherapy with longer RFS. Further large scale-studies are required to confirm our results.
Repression of human activation induced cytidine deaminase by miR-93 and miR-155
Authors: Borchert Glen M , Holton Nathaniel W , Larson Erik D 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
Activation Induced cytidine Deaminase (AID) targets the immunoglobulin genes of activated B cells, where it converts cytidine to uracil to induce mutagenesis and recombination. While essential for immunoglobulin gene diversification, AID misregulation can result in genomic instability and oncogenic transformation. This is classically illustrated in Burkitt's lymphoma, which is characterized by AID-induced mutation and reciprocal translocation of the c-MYC oncogene with the IgH loci. Originally thought to be B cell-specific, AID now appears to be misexpressed in several epithelial cancers, raising the specter that AID may also participate in non-B cell carcinogenesis.

Methods
The mutagenic potential of AID argues for the existence of cellular regulators capable of repressing inappropriate AID expression. MicroRNAs (miRs) have this capacity, and we have examined the publically available human AID EST dataset for miR complementarities to the human AID 3'UTR. In this work, we have evaluated the capacity of two candidate miRs to repress human AID expression in MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells.

Results
We have discovered moderate miR-155 and pronounced miR-93 complementary target sites encoded within the human AID mRNA. Luciferase reporter assays indicate that both miR-93 and miR-155 can interact with the 3'UTR of AID to block expression. In addition, over-expression of either miR in MCF-7 cells reduces endogenous AID protein, but not mRNA, levels. Similarly indicative of AID translational regulation, depletion of either miR in MCF-7 cells increases AID protein levels without concurrent increases in AID mRNA.

Conclusions
Together, our findings demonstrate that miR-93 and miR-155 constitutively suppress AID translation in MCF-7 cells, suggesting widespread roles for these miRs in preventing genome cytidine deaminations, mutagenesis, and oncogenic transformation. In addition, our characterization of an obscured miR-93 target site located within the AID 3'UTR supports the recent suggestion that many miR regulations have been overlooked due to the prevalence of truncated 3'UTR annotations.
Highly sensitive hydrogen sensor based on graphite-InP or graphite-GaN Schottky barrier with electrophoretically deposited Pd nanoparticles
Authors: Zdansky Karel 
Published: August 2011

AbstractDepositions on surfaces of semiconductor wafers of InP and GaN were performed from isooctane colloid solutions of palladium (Pd) nanoparticles (NPs) in AOT reverse micelles. Pd NPs in evaporated colloid and in layers deposited electrophoretically were monitored by SEM. Diodes were prepared by making Schottky contacts with colloidal graphite on semiconductor surfaces previously deposited with Pd NPs and ohmic contacts on blank surfaces. Forward and reverse current-voltage characteristics of the diodes showed high rectification ratio and high Schottky barrier heights, giving evidence of very small Fermi level pinning. A large increase of current was observed after exposing diodes to flow of gas blend hydrogen in nitrogen. Current change ratio about 700,000 with 0.1% hydrogen blend was achieved, which is more than two orders-of-magnitude improvement over the best result reported previously. Hydrogen detection limit of the diodes was estimated at 1 ppm H2/N2. The diodes, besides this extremely high sensitivity, have been temporally stable and of inexpensive production. Relatively more expensive GaN diodes have potential for functionality at high temperatures.
Acute retroviral syndrome and high baseline viral load are predictors of rapid HIV progression among untreated Argentinean seroconverters
Authors: Socías M Eugenia , Sued Omar , Laufer Natalia , Lázaro María E , Mingrone Horacio , Pryluka Daniel , Remondegui Carlos , Figueroa María I , Cesar Carina , Gun Ana , Turk Gabriela , Bouzas María B , Kavasery Ravi , Krolewiecki Alejandro , Pérez Héctor , Salomón Horacio , Cahn Pedro ,   Grupo Argentino de Seroconversión Study Group
Published: August 2011

BackgroundDiagnosis of primary HIV infection (PHI) has important clinical and public health implications. HAART initiation at this stage remains controversial.MethodsOur objective was to identify predictors of disease progression among Argentinean seroconverters during the first year of infection, within a multicentre registry of PHI‐patients diagnosed between 1997 and 2008. Cox regression was used to analyze predictors of progression (LT‐CD4 < 350 cells/mm3, B, C events or death) at 12 months among untreated patients.ResultsAmong 134 subjects, 74% presented with acute retroviral syndrome (ARS). Seven opportunistic infections (one death), nine B events, and 10 non‐AIDS defining serious events were observed. Among the 92 untreated patients, 24 (26%) progressed at 12 months versus three (7%) in the treated group (p = 0.01). The 12‐month progression rate among untreated patients with ARS was 34% (95% CI 22.5‐46.3) versus 13% (95% CI 1.1‐24.7) in asymptomatic patients (p = 0.04). In univariate analysis, ARS, baseline LT‐CD4 < 350 cells/mm3, and baseline and six‐month viral load (VL) > 100,000 copies/mL were associated with progression. In multivariate analysis, only ARS and baseline VL > 100,000 copies/mL remained independently associated; HR: 8.44 (95% CI 0.97‐73.42) and 9.44 (95% CI 1.38‐64.68), respectively.ConclusionsIn Argentina, PHI is associated with significant morbidity. HAART should be considered in PHI patients with ARS and high baseline VL to prevent disease progression.
Visual control of steering in the box jellyfishTripedalia cystophora
Authors: Petie Ronald , Garm Anders , Nilsson Dan-Eric 
Published: August 2011

SUMMARYBox jellyfish carry an elaborate visual system consisting of 24 eyes, which they use for driving a number of behaviours. However, it is not known how visual input controls the swimming behaviour. In this study we exposed the Caribbean box jellyfish Tripedalia cystophora to simple visual stimuli and recorded changes in their swimming behaviour. Animals were tethered in a small experimental chamber, where we could control lighting conditions. The behaviour of the animals was quantified by tracking the movements of the bell, using a high-speed camera. We found that the animals respond predictably to the darkening of one quadrant of the equatorial visual world by (1) increasing pulse frequency, (2) creating an asymmetry in the structure that constricts the outflow opening of the bell, the velarium, and (3) delaying contraction at one of the four sides of the bell. This causes the animals to orient their bell in such a way that, if not tethered, they would turn and swim away from the dark area. We conclude that the visual system of T. cystophora has a predictable effect on swimming behaviour.
Auditory selectivity for acoustic features that confer species recognition in the túngara frog
Authors: Mangiamele Lisa A. , Burmeister Sabrina S. 
Published: August 2011

SUMMARY
In anurans, recognition of species-specific acoustic signals is essential to finding a mate. In many species, behavioral tests have elucidated which acoustic features contribute to species recognition, but the mechanisms by which the brain encodes these species-specific signal components are less well understood. The túngara frog produces a `whine' mating call that is characterized by a descending frequency sweep. However, much of the signal is unnecessary for recognition, as recognition behavior can be triggered by a descending two-tone step that mimics the frequency change in a portion of the whine. To identify the brain regions that contribute to species recognition in the túngara frog, we exposed females to a full-spectrum whine, a descending two-tone step that elicits recognition, the reversed two-tone step that does not elicit recognition, or no sound, and we measured expression of the neural activity-dependent gene egr-1 in the auditory brainstem and thalamus. We found that the behavioral relevance of the stimuli was the best predictor of egr-1 expression in the laminar nucleus of the torus semicircularis but not elsewhere. That is, the laminar nucleus responded more to the whine and the two-tone step that elicits recognition than to the reversed two-tone step. In contrast, in other brainstem and thalamic nuclei, whines induced egr-1 expression but tones did not. These data demonstrate that neural responses in the laminar nucleus correspond to behavioral responses of females and they suggest that the laminar nucleus may act as a feature detector for the descending frequencies characteristic of conspecific calls.
Protein glycosylation in infectious disease pathobiology and treatment
Authors: Vigerust David 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
A host of bacteria and viruses are dependent on O-linked and N-linked glycosylation to perform vital biological functions. Pathogens often have integral proteins that participate in host-cell interactions such as receptor binding and fusion with host membrane. Fusion proteins from a broad range of disparate viruses, such as paramyxovirus, HIV, ebola, and the influenza viruses share a variety of common features that are augmented by glycosylation. Each of these viruses contain multiple glycosylation sites that must be processed and modified by the host post-translational machinery to be fusogenically active. In most viruses, glycosylation plays a role in biogenesis, stability, antigenicity and infectivity. In bacteria, glycosylation events play an important role in the formation of flagellin and pili and are vitally important to adherence, attachment, infectivity and immune evasion. With the importance of glycosylation to pathogen survival, it is clear that a better understanding of the processes is needed to understand the pathogen requirement for glycosylation and to capitalize on this requirement for the development of novel therapeutics.
Longitudinal Patterns of Social Functioning and Conversion to Psychosis in Subjects at Ultra-High Risk
Authors: Jang Joon Hwan , Shin Na Young , Shim Geumsook , Park Hye Yoon , Kim Euitae , Jang Go-Eun , Kwon Soo Jin , Hur Ji-Won , An Suk Kyoon , Kwon Jun Soo 
Published: August 2011

Objective: Impaired social functioning is one of the defining features of patients with schizophrenia and subjects at ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis. This prospective study aimed to investigate the course of social dysfunction in UHR subjects and to examine its relationship with later conversion to psychosis. The effect of pharmacotherapy on the course of social dysfunction was also examined. Method: A total of 57 UHR subjects and 58 healthy controls participated in this study. The Social Functioning Scale (SFS) was used to assess social functioning of UHR subjects at baseline and at the 1 year follow up. The changes in social functioning of UHR subjects have been examined to compare the social functioning of those who later converted to psychosis (‘converters’) with those who did not (‘non-converters’). The effect of pharmacotherapy on longitudinal change in social functioning was also evaluated. Results: Subjects at UHR for psychosis showed more impaired social functioning at baseline than did healthy controls. Moreover, the course of social dysfunction of the converter and non-converter groups differed during the 1 year follow up period. The converters showed decreases in SFS average (F (1,32) = 7.85, p = 0.009) and interpersonal behaviour (F (1,32) = 10.43, p = 0.003) scores over time, whereas the non-converters showed increased scores. Additionally, we found that pharmacological treatment was associated with increased prosocial activities score (F (1,32) = 4.66, p = 0.038). Conclusions: We found that the social functioning of converters was impaired before the onset of the psychosis and further declined during the at-risk phase. A series of social functioning indices in the longitudinal course may be helpful in predicting conversion to psychosis in subjects at UHR. Appropriate pharmacotherapy can offer clinical benefits by improving social functioning in UHR individuals.
Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography as a Screening Technique for Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine Retinal Toxicity
Authors: Kahn Jonathan B. , Haberman Ilyse D. , Reddy Shantan 
Published: August 2011

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:
To determine the effectiveness of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) as a screening tool for the evaluation of chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine retinal toxicity.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:
This is a prospective, case–control study. Subject eyes were divided into four groups (group I = eyes with bull’s eye maculopathy, group II = eyes with early changes of toxicity, group III = eyes with exposure but no signs of toxicity, and group IV = eyes of age-matched controls). Retinal thickness was measured via SD-OCT 0.5 and 1.0 mm from the foveal center.

RESULTS:
Mean retinal thickness 1.0 mm from the fovea in group I eyes was significantly thinner when compared to group IV. Eyes in group II also showed retinal thinning 1.0 mm from the foveal center when compared to both groups III and IV. Mean retinal thickness 0.5 mm from the foveal center did not differ significantly between any groups.

CONCLUSION:
Significant retinal thinning occurred 1.0 mm, but not 0.5 mm, from the foveal center in patients with early and late chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine toxicity. Measuring retinal thickness 1.0 mm from the foveal center in patients receiving these medications may help screen for early toxicity.
16-Gy Low-Voltage X-ray Irradiation Followed by As-Needed Ranibizumab Therapy for AMD: 6-Month Outcomes of a “Radiation-First” Strategy
Authors: Moshfeghi Andrew A. , Canton Virgilio Morales , Quiroz-Mercado Hugo , Velez-Montoya Raul , Lopez-Miranda Miriam J. , Shusterman Eugene M. , Kaiser Peter K. , Sanislo Steven R. , Gertner Michael , Moshfeghi Darius M. 
Published: August 2011

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:
To describe the effect of a “radiation-first” combination treatment strategy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with ranibizumab rescue therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Non-invasive, externally delivered low-voltage x-ray irradiation at a dose of 16 Gy was given in a single session through three locations in the inferior pars plana in a consecutive series of patients with neovascular AMD. Ranibizumab was administered according to prospectively determined criteria.

RESULTS:
Thirteen patients completed a 6-month follow-up. All patients lost 15 or fewer ETDRS letters, 7 gained 0 or more ETDRS letters, and 0 gained more than 15 ETDRS letters. Patients received a total of 15 ranibizumab injections following x-ray irradiation at baseline. Two patients received no ranibizumab injections, seven patients received 1 injection, and four patients received 2 injections.

CONCLUSION:
Low-voltage x-ray treatment followed by ranibizumab rescue demonstrates an independent visual acuity stabilizing effect for patients with wet AMD.