bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mammalian oocytes are targets for prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) action
Authors: Duffy Diane M , McGinnis Lynda K , VandeVoort Catherine A , Christenson Lane K 
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Background
The ovulatory gonadotropin surge increases synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by the periovulatory follicle. PGE2 actions on granulosa cells are essential for successful ovulation. The aim of the present study is to determine if PGE2 also acts directly at the oocyte to regulate periovulatory events.

Methods
Oocytes were obtained from monkeys and mice after ovarian follicular stimulation and assessed for PGE2 receptor mRNA and proteins. Oocytes were cultured with vehicle or PGE2 and assessed for cAMP generation, resumption of meiosis, and in vitro fertilization.

Results
Germinal vesicle intact (GV) oocytes from both monkeys and mice expressed mRNA for the PGE2 receptors EP2, EP3, and EP4. EP2 and EP4 proteins were detected by confocal microscopy in oocytes of both species. Monkey and mouse oocytes responded to PGE2 as well as agonists selective for EP2 and EP4 receptors with elevated cAMP, consistent with previous identification of EP2 and EP4 as Gαs/adenylyl cyclase coupled receptors. Incubation of mouse GV stage oocytes with PGE2 delayed oocyte nuclear maturation in vitro, but PGE2 treatment did not alter the percentage of mouse oocytes that fertilized successfully. PGE2 treatment also decreased the percentage of monkey oocytes that resumed meiosis in vitro. In contrast with mouse oocytes, the percentage of monkey oocytes which fertilized in vitro was lower after treatment with PGE2. Monkey oocytes with intact cumulus showed delayed nuclear maturation, but fertilization rate was not affected by PGE2 treatment.

Conclusions
Monkey and mouse oocytes express functional PGE2 receptors. PGE2 acts directly at mammalian oocytes to delay nuclear maturation. Surrounding cumulus cells modulate the effect of PGE2 to alter subsequent fertilization.
The dual role of the neuroinflammatory response after ischemic stroke: modulatory effects of hypothermia
Authors: Ceulemans An-Gaëlle , Zgavc Tine , Kooijman Ron , Hachimi-Idrissi Said , Sarre Sophie , Michotte Yvette 
Published: November 2010

AbstractNeuroinflammation is a key element in the ischemic cascade after cerebral ischemia that results in cell damage and death in the subacute phase. However, anti-inflammatory drugs do not improve outcome in clinical settings suggesting that the neuroinflammatory response after an ischemic stroke is not entirely detrimental. This review describes the different key players in neuroinflammation and their possible detrimental and protective effects in stroke. Because of its inhibitory influence on several pathways of the ischemic cascade, hypothermia has been introduced as a promising neuroprotective strategy. This review also discusses the influence of hypothermia on the neuroinflammatory response. We conclude that hypothermia exerts both stimulating and inhibiting effects on different aspects of neuroinflammation and hypothesize that these effects are key to neuroprotection.
"pp65 antigenemia and real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based-study to determine the prevalence of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in kidney donors and recipients with follow-up studies."
Authors: Madhavan Hajib N , Samson Moses Y , Ishwarya Murali , Vijayakumar Ramanathan , Jambulingam Malathi 
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Background
The present study was undertaken to determine the rate of occurrence of Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) among kidney transplant recipients and donors by application of direct detection methods and to understand HCMV infection/disease development among transplanted patients as a prospective study.

Results
Peripheral blood samples collected from 76 kidney donors and 76 recipients from September 2007 to August 2009 were subjected to pp65 antigenemia and Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) assays. Data were analyzed under Group A, B and C. Group A was further divided into sub-groups I, II, III, IV, and V for better understanding. Three, one and two donors in sub-group I, III, IV of Group A tested positive for real time PCR respectively. One recipient from group III tested positive for HCMV by qRT- PCR prior transplantation and remained positive one month post-transplantation. Three other recipients, tested negative prior to transplantation became positive a month after transplantation. Group B consisted of 18 donor-recipient pairs and one of the donor tested positive for HCMV by qRT-PCR. Eight recipients tested positive for HCMV one month after transplantation. The pp65 positivity and HCMV DNA load was high among group C recipients who mostly had symptoms of active disease. Significantly high values of pp65 antigenemia were observed among recipients of sub-group II (non-parametric chi-square test p = 0.007). Positive correlation between pp65 antigenemia and qRT-PCR value was observed. Thirty three of the recipients with disease treated with Valgancyclovir showed improved clinical outcome.

Conclusion
Our study showed that a significant proportion of kidney recipients develop HCMV infection following renal transplantation in spite of the absence of HCMV among donors. pp65 antigenemia assay and qRT- PCR methods can be applied to detect HCMV among kidney donors and recipients to monitor development of disease and these assays were predicative of HCMV infection among them. Clinical resistant to valganciclovir was not observed.
Further developments towards a genome-scale metabolic model of yeast
Authors: Dobson Paul D , Smallbone Kieran , Jameson Daniel , Simeonidis Evangelos , Lanthaler Karin , Pir Pınar , Lu Chuan , Swainston Neil , Dunn Warwick B , Fisher Paul , Hull Duncan , Brown Marie , Oshota Olusegun , Stanford Natalie J , Kell Douglas B , King Ross D , Oliver Stephen G , Stevens Robert D , Mendes Pedro 
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Background
To date, several genome-scale network reconstructions have been used to describe the metabolism of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, each differing in scope and content. The recent community-driven reconstruction, while rigorously evidenced and well annotated, under-represented metabolite transport, lipid metabolism and other pathways, and was not amenable to constraint-based analyses because of lack of pathway connectivity.

Results
We have expanded the yeast network reconstruction to incorporate many new reactions from the literature and represented these in a well-annotated and standards-compliant manner. The new reconstruction comprises 1102 unique metabolic reactions involving 924 unique metabolites - significantly larger in scope than any previous reconstruction. The representation of lipid metabolism in particular has improved, with 234 out of 268 enzymes linked to lipid metabolism now present in at least one reaction. Connectivity is emphatically improved, with more than 90% of metabolites now reachable from the growth medium constituents. The present updates allow constraint-based analyses to be performed; viability predictions of single knockouts are comparable to results from in vivo experiments and to those of previous reconstructions.

Conclusions
We report the development of the most complete reconstruction of yeast metabolism to date that is based upon reliable literature evidence and richly annotated according to MIRIAM standards. The reconstruction is available in the Systems Biology Markup Language (SBML) and via a publicly accessible database http://www.comp-sys-bio.org/yeastnet/.
The nature and combination of subunits used in epitope-based Schistosoma japonicum vaccine formulations affect their efficacy
Authors: Wang Xuefeng , Zhang Lei , Chi Ying , Hoellwarth Jason , Zhou Sha , Wen Xiaoyun , He Lei , Liu Feng , Wu Calvin , Su Chuan 
Published: November 2010

AbstractBackgroundSchistosomiasis remains a major public health problem in endemic countries and is caused by infections with any one of three primary schistosome species. Although there are no vaccines available to date, this strategy appears feasible since natural immunity develops in individuals suffering from repeated infection during a lifetime. Since vaccinations resulting in both Th1- and Th2-type responses have been shown to contribute to protective immunity, a vaccine formulation with the capacity for stimulating multiple arms of the immune response will likely be the most effective. Previously we developed partially protective, single Th- and B cell-epitope-based peptide-DNA dual vaccines (PDDV) (T3-PDDV and B3-PDDV, respectively) capable of eliciting immune responses against theSchistosoma japonicum22.6 kDa tegument antigen (Sj22.6) and a 62 kDa fragment of myosin (Sj62), respectively.ResultsIn this study, we developed PDDV cocktails containing multiple epitopes ofS. japonicumfrom Sj22.6, Sj62 and Sj97 antigens by predicting cytotoxic, helper, and B-cell epitopes, and evaluated vaccine potentialin vivo. Results showed that mice immunized with a single-epitope PDDV elicited either Tc, Th, or B cell responses, respectively, and mice immunized with either the T3- or B3- single-epitope PDDV formulation were partially protected against infection. However, mice immunized with a multicomponent (3 PDDV components) formulation elicited variable immune responses that were less immunoprotective than single-epitope PDDV formulations.ConclusionsOur data show that combining these different antigens did not result in a more effective vaccine formulation when compared to each component administered individually, and further suggest that immune interference resulting from immunizations with antigenically distinct vaccine targets may be an important consideration in the development of multicomponent vaccine preparations.
Systematic review and meta-analysis: the relationship between the Helicobacter pylori dupA gene and clinical outcomes
Authors: Shiota Seiji , Matsunari Osamu , Watada Masahide , Hanada Katsuhiro , Yamaoka Yoshio 
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Background
In 2005, the first disease-specific Helicobacter pylori virulence factor that induced duodenal ulcer and had a suppressive action on gastric cancer has been identified, and was named duodenal ulcer promoting gene (dupA). However, the importance of the dupA gene on clinical outcomes is conflicting in subsequent studies. The aim of this study was to estimate the magnitude of the risk for clinical outcomes associated with dupA gene.

Methods
A meta-analysis of case-control studies which provided raw data on the infection rates with the dupA-positive H. pylori detected by polymerase chain reaction was performed.

Results
Seventeen studies with a total of 2,466 patients were identified in the search. Infection with the dupA-positive H. pylori increased the risk for duodenal ulcer by 1.41-fold (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-1.76) overall. Subgroup analysis showed that the summary odds ratio (OR) was 1.57 (95% CI, 1.19-2.06) in Asian countries and 1.09 (95% CI, 0.73-1.62) in Western countries. There was no association between the presence of the dupA gene and gastric cancer and gastric ulcer. Publication bias did not exist.

Conclusion
Our meta-analysis confirmed the importance of the presence of the dupA gene for duodenal ulcer, especially in Asian countries.
Prognostic Significance of Expression of a Single MicroRNA, miR-181a, in Cytogenetically Normal Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Cancer and Leukemia Group B Study
Authors: Schwind Sebastian , Maharry Kati , Radmacher Michael D. , Mrózek Krzysztof , Holland Kelsi B. , Margeson Dean , Whitman Susan P. , Hickey Christopher , Becker Heiko , Metzeler Klaus H. , Paschka Peter , Baldus Claudia D. , Liu Shujun , Garzon Ramiro , Powell Bayard L. , Kolitz Jonathan E. , Carroll Andrew J. , Caligiuri Michael A. , Larson Richard A. , Marcucci Guido , Bloomfield Clara D. 
Published: November 2010

Purpose To evaluate the prognostic significance of expression levels of a single microRNA, miR-181a, in the context of established molecular markers in cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia (CN-AML), and to gain insight into the leukemogenic role of miR-181a. Patients and Methods miR-181a expression was measured in pretreatment marrow using Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center version 3.0 arrays in 187 younger (< 60 years) adults with CN-AML. Presence of other molecular prognosticators was assessed centrally. A gene-expression profile associated with miR-181a expression was derived using microarrays and evaluated by Gene-Ontology analysis. Results Higher miR-181a expression associated with a higher complete remission (CR) rate (P = .04), longer overall survival (OS; P = .01) and a trend for longer disease-free survival (DFS; P = .09). The impact of miR-181a was most striking in poor molecular risk patients with FLT3-internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) and/or NPM1 wild-type, where higher miR-181a expression associated with a higher CR rate (P = .009), and longer DFS (P < .001) and OS (P < .001). In multivariable analyses, higher miR-181a expression was significantly associated with better outcome, both in the whole patient cohort and in patients with FLT3-ITD and/or NPM1 wild-type. These results were also validated in an independent set of older (≥ 60 years) patients with CN-AML. A miR-181a-associated gene-expression profile was characterized by enrichment of genes usually involved in innate immunity. Conclusion To our knowledge, we provide the first evidence that the expression of a single microRNA, miR-181a, is associated with clinical outcome of patients with CN-AML and may refine their molecular risk classification. Targeted treatments that increase endogenous levels of miR-181a might represent novel therapeutic strategies.
Induction Docetaxel, Cisplatin, and Cetuximab Followed by Concurrent Radiotherapy, Cisplatin, and Cetuximab and Maintenance Cetuximab in Patients With Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Argiris Athanassios , Heron Dwight E. , Smith Ryan P. , Kim Seungwon , Gibson Michael K. , Lai Stephen Y. , Branstetter Barton F. , Posluszny Donna M. , Wang Lin , Seethala Raja R. , Dacic Sanja , Gooding William , Grandis Jennifer R. , Johnson Jonas T. , Ferris Robert L. 
Published: November 2010

PurposeWe incorporated cetuximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), into the induction therapy and subsequent chemoradiotherapy of head and neck cancer (HNC).Patients and MethodsPatients with locally advanced HNC, including squamous and undifferentiated histologies, were treated with docetaxel 75 mg/m2day 1, cisplatin 75 mg/m2day 1, and cetuximab 250 mg/m2days 1, 8, and 15 (after an initial loading dose of 400 mg/m2), termed TPE, repeated every 21 days for three cycles, followed by radiotherapy with concurrent cisplatin 30 mg/m2and cetuximab weekly (XPE), and maintenance cetuximab for 6 months. Quality of life (QOL) was assessed using Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Head and Neck. In situ hybridization (ISH) for human papillomavirus (HPV), immunohistochemistry for p16, and fluorescence ISH for EGFR gene copy number were performed on tissue microarrays.ResultsOf 39 enrolled patients, 36 had stage IV disease and 23 an oropharyngeal primary. Acute toxicities during TPE included neutropenic fever (10%) and during XPE, grade 3 or 4 oral mucositis (54%) and hypomagnesemia (39%). With a median follow-up of 36 months, 3-year progression-free survival and overall survival were 70% and 74%, respectively. Eight patients progressed in locoregional sites, three in distant, and one in both. HPV positivity was not associated with treatment efficacy. No progression-free patient remained G-tube dependent. The H&N subscale QOL scores showed a significant decrement at 3 months after XPE, which normalized at 1 year.ConclusionThis cetuximab-containing regimen resulted in excellent long-term survival and safety, and warrants further evaluation in both HPV-positive and -negative HNC.
Determinants of circulating asymmetric and symmetric dimethylarginines in patients evaluated for acute dyspnea
Authors: Codognotto Marta , Piccoli Antonio , Rubini Camilla , Cianci Vito , Vettore Gianna , Mion Monica M. , Artusi Carlo , Plebani Mario 
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Background: The relationship between asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) plasma concentrations and acute heart failure is unknown. We evaluated ADMA and SDMA in patients with acute dyspnea.

Methods: We studied 57 dyspneic subjects (50–95 years), with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥30 mL/min/1.73 m2, presenting to the emergency department. Troponin I, N terminal-proBNP (NT-proBNP), ADMA, and SDMA were measured. Electrocardiogram, chest X-ray and lung ultrasound were performed. Patients were classified into cardiogenic dyspnea and non-cardiogenic dyspnea, and were also classified on the basis of renal function according to their eGFR.

Results: Two-way analysis of variance demonstrated that ADMA and SDMA did not differ for type of dyspnea, but increased in renal dysfunction. NT-proBNP significantly increased both in cardiogenic dyspnea and renal dysfunction. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that after adjustment for troponin and dyspnea, the only variables which significantly correlated with SDMA plasma concentrations were renal function (β=–0.47, p<0.001) and NT-proBNP (β=0.28, p=0.02).

Conclusions: Neither type of dimethylarginine showed cardiogenic dyspnea to be a determinant for plasma concentrations. Renal dysfunction was a confounder for both ADMA and SDMA.
Übereinstimmung und Neugier als Voraussetzung der Entwicklung: Bewegungsorganisation von Neugeborenen in Autonomie und Verbindung
Authors: Aßmann Birthe 
Published: November 2010

Zusammenfassung
Wachstumsbewegungen des Embryos sind gekennzeichnet von Phasen, in denen sich der Mensch ,zusammenzieht und solchen in denen er sich ,ausdehnt. Diese Bewegungsformen können mit dem Bedürfnis nach Autonomisierung bzw. Kontakt und Verbindung assoziiert werden, die auf psychologischer Ebene bis ins Erwachsenenalter reichen. Die Dynamik dieser Grundbewegungsimpulse kann in spontanmotorischen Bewegungen von Neugeborenen als Selbstorganisationsprozesse wieder erkannt werden, wenn Kinder in Resonanz mit ihnen sind. Während Resonanz zwischen innerer und äußerer Dynamik zu positiven Übereinstimmungserfahrungen und einer gesunden Dynamik von Neugier und Integration sowie eines positiven Selbst und Sozialbewußtseins führt, ruft Dissonanz eine gestörte sensomotorische Entwicklung und darauf aufbauenden affektiv-kognitiven Schemata hervor.
Kung Fu: Mehr als nur dynamische Bewegungen
Authors: Gerstner Ansgar 
Published: November 2010

Zusammenfassung
Dieser Aufsatz stellt Grundgedanken der chinesischen Philosophie vor, die in den chinesischen Kampfkünsten von Bedeutung sind. Er erläutert wie diese die Herangehensweise an das Kämpfen prägen.
Q192R polymorphism of the paraoxonase-1 gene as a risk factor for obesity in Portuguese women
Authors: Veiga Luísa , Silva-Nunes José , Melão Alice , Oliveira Ana , Duarte Leone , Brito Miguel 
Published: November 2010

IntroductionObesity became a major public health problem as a result of its increasing prevalence worldwide. Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is an esterase able to protect membranes and lipoproteins from oxidative modifications. At the PON1 gene, several polymorphisms in the promoter and coding regions have been identified. The aims of this study were i) to assess PON1 L55M and Q192R polymorphisms as a risk factor for obesity in women; ii) to compare PON1 activity according to the expression of each allele in L55M and Q192R polymorphisms; iii) to compare PON1 activity between obese and normal-weight women.Materials and methodsWe studied 75 healthy (35.9±8.2 years) and 81 obese women (34.3±8.2 years). Inclusion criteria for obese subjects were body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 and absence of inflammatory/neoplasic conditions or kidney/hepatic dysfunction. The two PON1 polymorphisms were assessed by real-time PCR with TaqMan probes. PON1 enzymatic activity was assessed by spectrophotometric methods, using paraoxon as a substrate.ResultsNo significant differences were found for PON1 activity between normal and obese women. Nevertheless, PON1 activity was greater (P<0.01) for the RR genotype (in Q192R polymorphism) and for the LL genotype (in L55M polymorphism). The frequency of allele R of Q192R polymorphism was significantly higher in obese women (P<0.05) and was associated with an increased risk of obesity (odds ratio=2.0 – 95% confidence interval (1.04; 3.87)).ConclusionL55M and Q192R polymorphisms influence PON1 activity. The allele R of the Q192R polymorphism is associated with an increased risk for development of obesity among Portuguese Caucasian premenopausal women.
Aerosol Inhalation From Spacers and Valved Holding Chambers Requires Few Tidal Breaths for Children
Authors: Schultz André , Le Souëf Timothy J. , Venter André , Zhang Guicheng , Devadason Sunalene G. , Le Souëf Peter N. 
Published: November 2010

OBJECTIVE:The goal was to determine the number of breaths required to inhale salbutamol from different spacers/valved holding chambers (VHCs).METHODS:Breathing patterns were recorded for 2- to 7-year-old children inhaling placebo from 4 different spacers/VHCs and were simulated by a flow generator. Drug delivery with different numbers of tidal breaths and with a single maximal breath was compared.RESULTS:With tidal breathing, mean inhalation volumes were large, ranging from 384 mL to 445 mL. Mean values for drug delivery with an Aerochamber Plus (Trudell, London, Canada) were 40% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 34%–46%) and 41% (95% CI: 36%–47%) of the total dose with 2 and 9 tidal breaths, respectively. Mean drug delivery values with these breath numbers with a Funhaler (Visiomed, Perth, Australia) were 39% (95% CI: 34%–43%) and 38% (95% CI: 35%–42%), respectively. With a Volumatic (GlaxoSmithKline, Melbourne, Australia), mean drug delivery values with 2 and 9 tidal breaths were 37% (95% CI: 33%–41%) and 43% (95% CI: 40%–46%), respectively (P = .02); there was no significant difference in drug delivery with 3 versus 9 tidal breaths. With the modified soft drink bottle, drug delivery. Drug delivery was not improved with a single maximal breath with any device.CONCLUSION:For young children, tidal breaths through a spacer/VHC were much larger than expected. Two tidal breaths were adequate for small-volume VHCs and a 500-mL modified soft drink bottle, and 3 tidal breaths were adequate for the larger Volumatic VHC.
Potential National and State Medical Care Savings From Primary Disease Prevention
Authors: Ormond Barbara A. , Spillman Brenda C. , Waidmann Timothy A. , Caswell Kyle J. , Tereshchenko Bogdan 
Published: November 2010

Objectives. We estimated national and state-level potential medical care cost savings achievable through modest reductions in the prevalence of several diseases associated with the same lifestyle-related risk factors. Methods. Using Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component data (2003–2005), we estimated the effects on medical spending over time of reductions in the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, and related conditions amenable to primary prevention by comparing simulated counterfactual morbidity and medical care expenditures to actual disease and expenditure patterns. We produced state-level estimates of spending by using multivariate reweighting techniques. Results. Nationally, we estimated that reducing diabetes and hypertension prevalence by 5% would save approximately $9 billion annually in the near term. With resulting reductions in comorbidities and selected related conditions, savings could rise to approximately $24.7 billion annually in the medium term. Returns were greatest in absolute terms for private payers, but greatest in percentage terms for public payers. State savings varied with demographic makeup and prevailing morbidity. Conclusions. Well-designed interventions that achieve improvements in lifestyle-related risk factors could result in sufficient savings in the short and medium term to substantially offset intervention costs.