bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Confocal endomicroscopy for phenotypic diagnosis of gastric cancer
Authors: Banno Kakunori , Niwa Yasumasa , Miyahara Ryoji , Nakamura Masanao , Nagaya Toshihiko , Nagasaka Tetsuro , Watanabe Osamu , Ando Takafumi , Kawashima Hiroki , Ohmiya Naoki , Itoh Akihiro , Hirooka Yoshiki , Goto Hidemi 
Published: November 2009

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Relationships between mucin phenotype and malignant potential in gastric cancers have attracted attention. We attempted to assess the possibility of obtaining phenotypic diagnoses by confocal endomicroscopy.Methods:  Confocal images of target lesions were obtained in 29 of 40 patients with gastric cancer. Appearances of the brush border, goblet cells, and gastric foveolar epithelium were investigated with immunohistochemical staining using CD10, MUC2, and human gastric mucin to evaluate phenotypic expression in gastric carcinomas. Confocal images were compared with immunohistochemical findings for goblet cells and brush borders.Results:  Both the endoscopists and the pathologist obtained high accuracy rates for differential diagnosis. Sensitivity and specificity for goblet cells were 85.7% and 92.3% (Endoscopist A), and 85.7% and 88.5% (Endoscopist B). The κ‐value for correspondence between two endoscopists for the diagnosis of goblet cells in confocal images was 0.73. Sensitivity and specificity for the brush border were 93.8% and 91.7% (Endoscopist A), and 81.3% and 91.7% (Endoscopist B). The κ‐value for correspondence between two endoscopists for diagnosis of the brush border in confocal images was 0.79. Intestinal phenotypic gastric cancers show a brush border, goblet cells, or both. Sensitivity and specificity for the intestinal phenotype in confocal endomicroscopy were 90.9% and 77.8% (Endoscopist A), and 86.4% and 83.3% (Endoscopist B).Conclusion:  The confocal endomicroscopic diagnosis of the mucin phenotype in gastric cancers was limited to intestinal and mixed phenotypes, but may be useful for the diagnosis of mucin phenotype and differential diagnosis.
Optimal sedation for gastrointestinal endoscopy: Review and recommendations
Authors: Thomson Andrew , Andrew Gabrielle , Jones D Brian 
Published: November 2009

AbstractSedation practices for endoscopy vary widely. The present review focuses on the commonly used regimens in endoscopic sedation and the associated risks and benefits together with the appropriate safety measures and monitoring practices. In addition, alternatives and additions to intravenous sedation are discussed. Personnel requirements for endoscopic sedation are reviewed; there is evidence presented to indicate that non‐anesthetists can administer sedative drugs, including propofol, safely and efficaciously in selected cases. The development of endoscopic sedation as a multi‐disciplinary field is highlighted with the formation of the Australian Tripartite Endoscopy Sedation Committee. This comprises representatives of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, the Gastroenterological Society of Australia and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. Possible future directions in this area are also briefly summarized.
Parathyroid hormone 2 receptor is a functional marker of nociceptive myelinated fibers responsible for neuropathic pain
Authors: Matsumoto Misaki , Kondo Saori , Usdin Ted B. , Ueda Hiroshi 
Published: November 2009

AbstractWe have previously demonstrated that parathyroid hormone 2 (PTH2) receptors are expressed in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and that its endogenous agonist tuberoinfundibular peptide of 39 residues (TIP39) causes nociceptive paw flexor responses after intraplantar administration. Here we found that the PTH2 receptor is selectively localized on myelinated A‐, but not unmyelinated C‐fibers using immunohistochemical labeling, based on PTH2 receptor expression on antibody N52‐positive medium/large‐sized DRG neurons, but not on TRPV1, substance P, P2X3receptor or isolectin B4‐binding protein‐positive small‐sized DRG neurons. Pharmacological studies showed that TIP39‐induced nociceptive responses were mediated by activation of Gsand cAMP‐dependent protein kinase. We also found that nociceptive responses induced by TIP39‐ or the cAMP analog 8‐bromo‐cAMP were significantly greater following partial sciatic nerve injury induced neuropathic pain, without changes in PTH2 receptor expression. Together these data suggest that activation of PTH2 receptors stimulates nociceptive A‐fiber through Gs‐cAMP‐dependent protein kinase signaling, and this pathway has elevated sensitization following nerve injury.
Multi‐targeted neuroprotection by the HSV‐2 gene ICP10PK includes robust bystander activity through PI3‐K/Akt and/or MEK/ERK‐dependent neuronal release of vascular endothelial growth factor and fractalkine
Authors: Laing Jennifer M. , Smith Cynthia C. , Aurelian Laure 
Published: November 2009

J. Neurochem. (2010) 112, 662–676.AbstractHippocampal cultures infected with the ΔRR vector for the HSV‐2 anti‐apoptotic gene ICP10PK survive cell death triggered by a wide variety of insults. Survival includes robust protection of uninfected neurons, but the mechanism of this bystander activity is still unclear. Here we report that ICP10PK+ neurons release soluble factors that protect uninfected neurons from NMDA and MPP+‐induced apoptosis. Release depends on ICP10PK‐mediated activation of the Ras signaling pathways MEK/ERK and PI3‐K/Akt, and it was not seen for cultures infected with the ICP10PK negative vector ΔPK. The released neuroprotective factors include vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fractalkine, the levels of which were significantly higher in conditioned media from hippocampal cultures infected with ΔRR (NCMΔRR) than ΔPK or phosphate‐buffered saline (mock infection). VEGF neutralization inhibited the neuroprotective activity of NCMΔRR, indicating that the VEGF protective function is through neuron‐neuron cross‐talk. NCMΔRR also stimulated microglia to release increased levels of IL‐10 and decreased levels of TNF‐α that were protective for uninfected neurons. These release patterns were not seen for microglia given NCMΔRR in which fractalkine was neutralized, indicating that the fractalkine protective function is through bidirectional neuron‐microglia communication. Collectively, the data indicate that ΔRR is a multiple target strategy to rescue neurons from excitotoxic injury.
Indolent CD8‐positive lymphoid proliferation on the face: part of the spectrum of primary cutaneous small‐/medium‐sized pleomorphic T‐cell lymphoma or a distinct entity?
Authors: Suchak Ravi , O'Connor Simon , McNamara Christopher , Robson Alistair 
Published: November 2009

We report two cases of a CD8‐positive lymphoid proliferation presenting as solitary lesions on the ear and nose, respectively. Histopathologically, both cases were characterized by a diffuse non‐epidermotropic dermal proliferation of clonal medium‐sized CD8‐positive T‐lymphocytes with a lymphoblast‐like appearance, having cells with large folded nuclei, prominent nucleoli and ample amphophilic or pale eosinophilic cytoplasm. Staging procedures excluded systemic involvement, and both lesions were successfully treated with localised radiotherapy without evidence of recurrence after 12 and 24 months' follow up, respectively. Previously reported cases on the ear had similar clinicopathological and immunophenotypical features, and together raise the possibility of a distinct entity, an indolent CD8‐positive lymphoid proliferation.Suchak R, O'ConnorS, McNamara C, Robson A. Indolent CD8‐positive lymphoid proliferation on the face: part of the spectrum of primary cutaneous small‐/medium‐sized pleomorphic T‐cell lymphoma or a distinct entity?
Persistent altered fusion transcript splicing identifies RUNX1‐RUNX1T1+ AML patients likely to relapse
Authors: Ommen Hans B. , Østergaard Mette , Yan Ming , Brændstrup Karin , Zhang Dong‐Er , Hokland Peter 
Published: November 2009

AbstractIn acute myeloid leukemia (AML) mouse models, the RUNX1‐RUNX1T1 fusion protein has failed to produce leukemia by itself, but alternative splicing of exon 9a of the RUNX1‐RUNX1T1 fusion transcript (FT) has recently been shown to enhance the leukemogenic potential. We have analyzed 138 diagnosis and follow‐up samples from 13 RUNX1‐RUNX1T1+ patients as well as diagnosis samples from 13 RUNX1‐RUNX1T1− AML patients and 26 healthy donors. Levels of native RUNX1T1 mRNA were low in both healthy and RUNX1‐RUNX1T1‐negative AML samples. Likewise, the ratio between RUNX1T1 mRNA harboring exon 9a and lacking exon 9a was low and tightly regulated (0.017–0.11). In contrast, 11/13 RUNX1‐RUNX1T1‐positive AML patients displayed high and variable ratios of FT ranging from 0.05 to 0.46 (P < 0.001, Wilcoxon rank‐sum test), indicating altered exon 9a splicing in these patients. Importantly, patients who remained in continuous complete remission displayed a faster disappearance of the RUNX1‐RUNX1T1 exon 9a splice variant compared to patients bound to relapse (P = 0.02). In conclusion, alternative splicing seems to be part of the leukemogenic process in the majority of RUNX1‐RUNX1T1‐positive AML patients, and splice variant kinetics under cytoreduction may be a predictor for patients prone to relapse.
Online activities of urban Malaysian adolescents: report of a pilot study
Authors: Tan Kok Eng , Yen Abdullah Melissa Ng Lee , Guan Saw Kim 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThe literacy practices of many communities today show new ways of meaning making in the contemporary, technological and digital culture. A number of Malaysian adolescents belong to this culture. This pilot study reports the preliminary findings of a larger study aimed at describing the online activities of Malaysian adolescents. Fifty‐four participants from an urban secondary school in Penang took part in this study. One finding showed that the percentages of language use on the Internet were: 80.6 per cent in English, 10.6 per cent in Bahasa Malaysia and 8.8 per cent in Chinese. In addition, the study also revealed some common websites that these adolescents frequented. The findings point to the need to investigate the extent of these online literacy practices beyond school among the adolescent population in Malaysia and to look into the implications for ESL education.
Depression Among a Sample of First‐Time Adolescent and Adult Mothers
Authors: Lanzi Robin Gaines , Bert Shannon Carothers , Jacobs Bette Keltner ,   the Centers for the Prevention of Child Neglect
Published: November 2009

PROBLEM:  Little is known about the rates, correlates, and consequences of depression among a sample of first‐time mothers.METHODS:  Four‐site prospective study of the first 3 years of life among first children born to first‐time mothers, including adolescent (N= 396), lower‐ (N= 169), and higher‐resource adult (N= 117). Mothers were administered the Beck Depression Inventory prenatally and 6 months postpartum. Measures of maternal and infant behaviors were taken at 8 months.FINDINGS:  Adolescent mothers displayed higher prenatal and 6‐month rates of depression than lower‐ and higher‐resource adult mothers, with significantly more adolescent mothers “consistently” depressed at the two time points than lower‐ and higher‐resource adult mothers. Further, adolescent mothers were significantly more likely to become depressed after their babies were born than lower‐ or higher‐resource adult mothers. Depression was negatively related to parenting practices and babies' behavior. As depression increased, mothers scored less favorably in maternal warmth and sensitivity, contingent responsiveness, and general verbalness; children scored less favorably in warmth seeking toward their mothers.CONCLUSION:  Findings signify the need for counseling and nurse‐based intervention and prevention services geared at preparing pregnant adolescents for motherhood.
Corneal hysteresis measured with the Ocular Response Analyzer® in normal and glaucomatous eyes
Authors: Abitbol Olivia , Bouden Jihène , Doan Serge , Hoang‐Xuan Thanh , Gatinel Damien 
Published: November 2009

Abstract.Purpose:  To identify differences in corneal hysteresis (CH) and central corneal thickness (CCT) between healthy and glaucomatous patients.Methods:  Retrospective observational study. One hundred and thirty‐three eyes of 75 healthy and 58 glaucomatous patients were included. CH was measured in each patient using Ocular Response Analyzer. CCT was determined by ultrasonic pachymetry. For each patient, one eye was randomly selected. We used a Student t‐test to search for significant differences between the different groups (p<0.05).Results:  In healthy and glaucomatous eyes, mean CH values were 10.46 ± 1.6 and 8.77 ± 1.4 mm Hg, respectively. Mean CCT values were 560.2 ± 36.3 and 535.3 ± 42.7 μm, respectively. CH and CCT were significantly lower in glaucomatous eyes than in normal eyes, (p<0.05).Discussion:  In our series, CH was lower in glaucomatous than in normal eyes. The relationship between glaucoma, IOP, and ocular structures may not be confined to the consideration of CCT. A low CH value could be responsible for under‐estimation of IOP. CH could also be a risk factor for glaucoma, independent of IOP. Further studies are needed to support these hypotheses.Conclusion:  In our investigation, CCT and CH were significantly lower in glaucomatous eyes than in healthy eyes.
Physical and Chemical Characterization and Immunologic Properties ofSalmonella entericaSerovar Typhi Capsular Polysaccharide-Diphtheria Toxoid Conjugates
Authors: Cui Changfa , Carbis Rodney , An So Jung , Jang Hyun , Czerkinsky Cecil , Szu Shousun C. , Clemens John D. 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTTyphoid fever remains a serious public health problem in developing countries, especially among young children. Recent studies showed more than 50% of typhoid cases are in children under 5 years old. Licensed vaccines, such asSalmonella entericaserovar Typhi capsular Vi, did not confer protection against typhoid fever for this age group. Vi conjugate, prepared by binding Vi toPseudomonas aeruginosarecombinant exoprotein A (rEPA), induces protective levels of antibody at as young as 2 years old. Because of the lack of regulatory precedent for rEPA in licensing vaccines, we employed diphtheria toxoid (DT) as the carrier protein to accommodate accessibility in developing countries. Five lots of Vi-DT conjugates were prepared using adipic acid dihydrazide (ADH) as the linker. All 5 lots showed consistency in their physical and chemical characteristics and final yields. These Vi-DT conjugates elicited levels of IgG anti-Vi in young mice significantly higher than those in mice injected with Vi alone and induced a booster response upon reinjection. This booster effect was absent if the Vi replaced one of the two conjugate injections. Vi-DT was stable under repeated freeze-thaw (20 cycles). We plan to perform clinical evaluation of the safety and immunogenicity of Vi-DT when added to the infant combination vaccines.
Diversity of
Staphylococcus
Species Strains Based on Partial
kat
(Catalase) Gene Sequences and Design of a PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Assay for Identification and Differentiation of Coagulase-Positive Species (
S. aureus
,
S. delphini
,
S. hyicus
,
S. intermedius
,
S. pseudintermedius
, and
S. schleiferi
subsp.
coagulans
)
Authors: Blaiotta Giuseppe , Fusco Vincenzina , Ercolini Danilo , Pepe Olimpia , Coppola Salvatore 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACT

A set of degenerate PCR primers was designed and used to amplify and sequence about 75% of the catalase (
kat
) gene from each of 49 staphylococcal strains. In some strains of
Staphylococcus xylosus
,
S. saprophyticus
, and
S. equorum
, two catalase genes,
kat
A
and
kat
B
, were found. A phylogenetic tree was generated and showed diversities among 66 partial (about 900-bp) staphylococcal
kat
nucleotide sequences (including 17 sequences found in GenBank) representing 26 different species. The topology of this tree showed a distribution of staphylococcal species similar, but not identical, to those reported previously based on 16S rRNA,
hsp
60
,
sod
A
,
rpo
B
,
tuf
, and
gap
genes. The
kat
gene sequences were less conserved than those of 16S rRNA,
rpo
B
,
hsp
60
, and
tuf
genes and slightly more conserved than those of the
gap
gene. Therefore,
kat
gene sequence analysis may provide an additional marker for inferring phylogenetic relationships of staphylococci. Moreover, the discrete nucleotide polymorphism revealed in this gene could be exploited for rapid, low-cost identification of staphylococcal species through PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. In this study, a PCR-RFLP assay performed by using only the TaqI restriction enzyme was successfully developed for rapid unequivocal identification/differentiation, at species and subspecies levels, of coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS). The assay was validated by testing the DNA from 100 staphylococcal strains, including reference and wild CPS strains isolated from different environments. This reliable, rapid, and low-cost approach (requiring about 6 h from DNA isolation to the achievement of results and <5 Euros for each strain tested) allowed unambiguous identification of all the strains assayed, including the newly described
S. delphini
and
S. pseudintermedius
CPS species.
An Unusual Pneumococcal Sequence Type Is the Predominant Cause of Serotype 3 Invasive Disease in South Africa
Authors: Mothibeli Kedibone M. , du Plessis Mignon , von Gottberg Anne , de Gouveia Linda , Adrian Peter , Madhi Shabir A. , Klugman Keith P. 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACT

We reviewed pneumococcal serotype 3 cases reported from 2000 through 2005 to a laboratory-based surveillance system for invasive pneumococcal disease in South Africa. The prevalence of serotype 3 invasive isolates was compared to their prevalence in carriage isolates to determine the odds of invasiveness due to serotype 3 among South African children. Three groups of serotype 3 strains were characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) or Box element PCR (BOX-PCR), randomly selected invasive isolates from one province, isolates from a carriage study involving children in the same province, and antimicrobial-resistant invasive isolates collected nationally. Examples of the PFGE types identified were further characterized by multilocus sequence typing. In total, 15,980 viable isolates causing invasive disease were submitted, of which 661 (4%) were serotype 3, mostly from adults (85% [489/575]). Fewer serotype 3 isolates were nonsusceptible to antimicrobial agents tested (40/661 [6%]) than non-serotype 3 isolates (8,480/15,319 [55%]) (
P
< 0.001). Compared to non-serotype 3 cases, there was no association with HIV coinfection (2,212/2,569 [86%] versus 72/78 [92%];
P
= 0.1) or increased case fatality ratio (1,190/4,211 [28%] versus 54/154 [35%];
P
= 0.7). Serotype 3 in children had a low but statistically insignificant invasive disease potential (odds ratio [OR] of 0.15; 95% confidence interval [CI] of 0.01 to 1.06). Strains were grouped into 3 PFGE clusters, with the largest, cluster A, representing 54% (84/155), including 14 isolates confirmed as sequence type 458 (ST458). It was confirmed that 3 isolates from cluster B, which represented only 12% (18/155) of the isolates, were the serotype 3 global strain, ST180. We have therefore identified ST458 as predominating in South Africa, but with an invasive potential similar to that of the predominant global clone ST180.
Campylobacter fetus
Peritonitis and Bacteremia in a Patient Undergoing Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Romero Gómez M. P. , García-Perea A. , Ruiz Carrascoso G. , Bajo M. A. , Mingorance J. 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACT

We report a case of
Campylobacter fetus
peritonitis and bacteremia in a patient undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.
Nonstructural NSs Protein of Rift Valley Fever Virus Interacts with Pericentromeric DNA Sequences of the Host Cell, Inducing Chromosome Cohesion and Segregation Defects
Authors: Mansuroglu Z. , Josse T. , Gilleron J. , Billecocq A. , Leger P. , Bouloy M. , Bonnefoy E. 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACT
Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is an emerging, highly pathogenic virus; RVFV infection can lead to encephalitis, retinitis, or fatal hepatitis associated with hemorrhagic fever in humans, as well as death, abortions, and fetal deformities in animals. RVFV nonstructural NSs protein, a major factor of the virulence, forms filamentous structures in the nuclei of infected cells. In order to further understand RVFV pathology, we investigated, by chromatin immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and confocal microscopy, the capacity of NSs to interact with the host genome. Our results demonstrate that even though cellular DNA is predominantly excluded from NSs filaments, NSs interacts with some specific DNA regions of the host genome such as clusters of pericentromeric γ-satellite sequence. Targeting of these sequences by NSs was correlated with the induction of chromosome cohesion and segregation defects in RVFV-infected murine, as well as sheep cells. Using recombinant nonpathogenic virus rZHΔNSs210-230, expressing a NSs protein deleted of its region of interaction with cellular factor SAP30, we showed that the NSs-SAP30 interaction was essential for NSs to target pericentromeric sequences, as well as for induction of chromosome segregation defects. The effect of RVFV upon the inheritance of genetic information is discussed with respect to the pathology associated with fetal deformities and abortions, highlighting the main role played by cellular cofactor SAP30 on the establishment of NSs interactions with host DNA sequences and RVFV pathogenesis.
A Global Analysis of Evolutionary Conservation among Known and Predicted Gammaherpesvirus MicroRNAs
Authors: Walz Nicole , Christalla Thomas , Tessmer Uwe , Grundhoff Adam 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACT
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNAs which posttranscriptionally regulate gene expression. The current release of the miRNA registry lists 16 viruses which encode a total of 146 miRNA hairpins. Strikingly, 139 of these are encoded by members of the herpesvirus family, suggesting an important role for miRNAs in the herpesvirus life cycle. However, with the exception of 7 miRNA hairpins known to be shared by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and the closely related rhesus lymphocryptovirus (rLCV), the known herpesvirus miRNAs show little evidence of evolutionary conservation. We have performed a global analysis of miRNA conservation among gammaherpesviruses which is not limited to family members known to encode miRNAs but includes also those which have not been previously analyzed. For this purpose, we have performed a computational prediction of miRNA candidates of all fully sequenced gammaherpesvirus genomes, followed by sequence/structure alignments. Our results indicate that gammaherpesvirus miRNA conservation is limited to two pairs of viral genomes. One is the already-known case of EBV and rLCV. These viruses, however, share significantly more miRNAs than previously thought, as we identified and experimentally verified 10 novel conserved as well as 7 novel nonconserved rLCV pre-miRNA hairpins. The second case consists of rhesus rhadinovirus (RRV), which is predicted to share at least 9 pre-miRNAs with the closely related Japanese macaque herpesvirus (JMHV). Although several other gammaherpesviruses are predicted to encode large numbers of clustered miRNAs at conserved genomic loci, no further examples of evolutionarily conserved miRNA sequences were found.