bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Computing with Nilpotent Orbits in Simple Lie Algebras of Exceptional Type
Authors: de Graaf Willem A. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractLet G be a simple algebraic group over an algebraically closed field with Lie algebra g. Then the orbits of nilpotent elements of g under the adjoint action of G have been classified. We describe a simple algorithm for finding a representative of a nilpotent orbit. We use this to compute lists of representatives of these orbits for the Lie algebras of exceptional type. Then we give two applications. The first one concerns settling a conjecture by Elashvili on the index of centralizers of nilpotent orbits, for the case where the Lie algebra is of exceptional type. The second deals with minimal dimensions of centralizers in centralizers.
Evaluation of a Diagnostic Algorithm for Acute Q Fever in an Outbreak Setting
Authors: Jager Mischa M. , Weers-Pothoff Gezina , Hermans Mirjam H. A. , Meekelenkamp Jamie C. E. , Schellekens Jeroen J. A. , Renders Nicole H. M. , Leenders Alexander C. A. P. , Schneeberger Peter M. , Wever Peter C. 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTIn the peak of the 2009 Q fever outbreak in the Netherlands, we introduced a diagnostic algorithm for acute Q fever with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for immunoglobulin M antibodies toCoxiella burnetiiphase II antigens (MII screen) as an initial step. Subsequently, an immunofluorescence assay or PCR was performed depending on the MII screen outcome, date of onset of disease, and inpatient or outpatient setting. The impact of MII screen on the number of immunofluorescence assays performed and the contribution of PCR to diagnosis were retrospectively evaluated in 825 patients referred in a 17-day period. Acute Q fever was diagnosed in 256 patients. The introduction of MII screen reduced the number of immunofluorescence assays performed by more than 80%. In 103 patients, PCR analysis contributed to the diagnosis of acute Q fever. Q fever diagnostics were hampered by the fact that for a high number of patients the date of onset of disease was not provided and the requested follow-up serum samples were not received.
Comparative Study of Immune Status to Infectious Agents in Elderly Patients with Multiple Myeloma, Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia, and Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance
Authors: Karlsson Johanna , Andréasson Björn , Kondori Nahid , Erman Evelina , Riesbeck Kristian , Hogevik Harriet , Wennerås Christine 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTWhereas patients with multiple myeloma (MM) have a well-documented susceptibility to infections, this has been less studied in other B-cell disorders, such as Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM) and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). We investigated the humoral immunity to 24 different pathogens in elderly patients with MM (n= 25), WM (n= 16), and MGUS (n= 18) and in age-matched controls (n= 20). Antibody titers against pneumococci, staphylococcal alpha-toxin, tetanus and diphtheria toxoids, and varicella, mumps, and rubella viruses were most depressed in MM patients, next to lowest in WM and MGUS patients, and highest in the controls. In contrast, levels of antibodies specific for staphylococcal teichoic acid,Moraxella catarrhalis, candida, aspergillus, and measles virus were similarly decreased in MM and MGUS patients. Comparable titers in all study groups were seen againstHaemophilus influenzaetype b (Hib), borrelia, toxoplasma, and members of the herpesvirus family. Finally, a uniform lack of antibodies was noted againstStreptococcus pyogenes, salmonella, yersinia, brucella, francisella, and herpes simplex virus type 2. To conclude, although MM patients displayed the most depressed humoral immunity, significantly decreased antibody levels were also evident in patients with WM and MGUS, particularly againstStaphylococcus aureus, pneumococci, and varicella. Conversely, immunity was retained for Hib and certain herpesviruses in all study groups.
Rapid Decline of OspC Borreliacidal Antibodies following Treatment of Patients with Early Lyme Disease
Authors: Jobe Dean A. , Kowalski Todd J. , Bloemke Marissa , Lovrich S. D. , Callister Steven M. 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTWe determined whether the levels of OspC borreliacidal antibodies declined following treatment of early Lyme disease and whether the OspC7 peptide enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) could be used as an alternative test for detecting the response. Serum samples were collected from 37 subjects at the onset of illness and 2 and 6 months after treatment with doxycycline. The ELISA detected IgM and IgG OspC7 antibodies within 2 months in 18 (49%) and 5 (14%) sera, respectively. Moreover, the sera from 12 subjects who tested positive by the ELISA also showed borreliacidal activity which was completely abrogated when the antibodies to OspC7 were removed. The borreliacidal activity decreased greater than 4-fold in each seropositive patient within 6 months after treatment, and the findings were accurately predicted by the IgM ELISA. The results confirmed that the ELISA was an effective alternative for detection of OspC borreliacidal antibodies produced during early Lyme disease in humans and also provided strong evidence that a significant decline in the response coincides with successful treatment of the illness.
Identification of False-Positive Syphilis Antibody Results Using a Semiquantitative Algorithm
Authors: Yen-Lieberman Belinda , Daniel Juliet , Means Cathy , Waletzky Joan , Daly Thomas M. 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTScreening patients for syphilis serology using a “treponemal assay-first” approach presents unique challenges, particularly when applied to low-prevalence populations. The use of a screening algorithm that incorporates semiquantitative values from treponemal antibody test results can help to identify potential false-positive results while requiring a minimum of repeat testing.
False-Positive Plasmodium falciparum Histidine-Rich Protein 2 Immunocapture Assay Results for Acute Schistosomiasis Caused by Schistosoma mekongi
Authors: Leshem Eyal , Keller Nathan , Guthman Daphna , Grossman Tamar , Solomon Michal , Marva Esther , Schwartz Eli 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT

We report seven cases of false-positive
Plasmodium falciparum
histidine-rich protein 2 (PfHRP2) malaria assay results in patients with acute schistosomiasis caused by
Schistosoma mekongi
. PfHRP2 assays were negative in travelers infected with
Schistosoma mansoni
or
Schistosoma haematobium
(
n
= 13). Malaria was ruled out and rheumatoid factor was negative in all patients.
Performance of the BD GeneOhm MRSA Achromopeptidase Assay for Real-Time PCR Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Nasal Specimens
Authors: Patel Parul A. , Ledeboer Nathan A. , Ginocchio Christine C. , Condon Susan , Bouchard Stephanie , Qin Peibing , Karchmer Tobi , Peterson Lance R. 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTWe evaluated the BD GeneOhm MRSA achromopeptidase (ACP) assay, which incorporates a new specimen preparation approach. A total of 1,216 leftover nasal samples were tested; using culture as the gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity were 92% and 94.6%, respectively. The new lysis method provides good sensitivity and simplifies specimen preparation.
Comparison of Two Multiplex Methods for Detection of Respiratory Viruses: FilmArray RP and xTAG RVP
Authors: Rand Kenneth H. , Rampersaud Howard , Houck Herbert J. 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT
We compared the FilmArray RP (Idaho Technology, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT) and the xTAG RVP (Luminex Corporation, Toronto, Canada) multiplex respiratory virus PCR methods for the detection of respiratory viruses in a set of 200 patient specimens frozen at −70°C after standard viral culture and antigen detection methods were done. Both systems detected between 40 to 50% more viruses than traditional methods, primarily rhinoviruses and human metapneumovirus. The FilmArray RP detected significantly more total viruses either alone or as part of mixed infections than the xTAG RVP, as well as an additional 21.6% more respiratory syncytial viruses. The xTAG RVP requires 5 to 6 h with 2.5 to 3 h of hands-on time, while the FilmArray RP takes about an hour with 3 to 5 min of hands-on time, making it much easier to perform.
HOXC9 Links Cell-Cycle Exit and Neuronal Differentiation and Is a Prognostic Marker in Neuroblastoma
Authors: Mao Ling , Ding Jane , Zha Yunhong , Yang Liqun , McCarthy Brian A. , King William , Cui Hongjuan , Ding Han-Fei 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Differentiation status in neuroblastoma strongly affects clinical outcomes and inducing differentiation is a treatment strategy in this disease. However, the molecular mechanisms that control neuroblastoma differentiation are not well understood. Here, we show that high-level HOXC9 expression is associated with neuroblastoma differentiation and is prognostic for better survival in neuroblastoma patients. HOXC9 induces growth arrest and neuronal differentiation in neuroblastoma cells by directly targeting both cell-cycle–promoting and neuronal differentiation genes. HOXC9 expression is upregulated by retinoic acid (RA), and knockdown of HOXC9 expression confers resistance to RA-induced growth arrest and differentiation. Moreover, HOXC9 expression is epigenetically silenced in RA-resistant neuroblastoma cells, and forced HOXC9 expression is sufficient to inhibit their proliferation and tumorigenecity. These findings identified HOXC9 as a key regulator of neuroblastoma differentiation and suggested a therapeutic strategy for RA-resistant neuroblastomas through epigenetic activation of HOXC9 expression. Cancer Res; 71(12); 4314–24. ©2011 AACR.
Global Hypomethylation Identifies Loci Targeted for Hypermethylation in Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Poage Graham M. , Houseman E. Andres , Christensen Brock C. , Butler Rondi A. , Avissar-Whiting Michele , McClean Michael D. , Waterboer Tim , Pawlita Michael , Marsit Carmen J. , Kelsey Karl T. 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Purpose: The human epigenome is profoundly altered in cancers, with a characteristic loss of methylation in repetitive regions and concomitant accumulation of gene promoter methylation. The degree to which these processes are coordinated is unclear so we investigated both in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.
Experimental Design: Global methylation was measured using the luminometric methylation assay (LUMA) and pyrosequencing of LINE-1Hs and AluYb8 repetitive elements in a series of 138 tumors. We also measured methylation of more than 27,000 CpG loci with the Illumina HumanMethylation27 Microarray (n = 91).
Results: LINE-1 methylation was significantly associated with LUMA and Infinium loci methylation (Spearman's ρ = 0.52/ρ = 0.56, both P &lt; 0.001) but not that of AluYb8. Methylation of LINE-1, AluYb8, and Infinium loci differed by tumor site (each Kruskal–Wallis, P &lt; 0.05). Also, LINE-1 and LUMA methylation were associated with HPV16 E6 serology (each Mann–Whitney, P &lt; 0.05). Comparing LINE-1 methylation to gene-associated methylation, we identified a distinct subset of CpG loci with significant hypermethylation associated with LINE-1 hypomethylation. An investigation of sequence features for these CpG loci revealed that they were significantly less likely to reside in repetitive elements (Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, P &lt; 0.02), enriched in CpG islands (P &lt; 0.001) and were proximal to transcription factor–binding sites (P &lt; 0.05). We validated the top CpG loci that had significant hypermethylation associated with LINE-1 hypomethylation (at EVI2A, IFRD1, KLHL6, and PTPRCAP) by pyrosequencing independent tumors.
Conclusions: These data indicate that global hypomethylation and gene-specific methylation processes are associated in a sequence-dependent manner, and that clinical characteristics and exposures leading to HNSCC may be influencing these processes. Clin Cancer Res; 17(11); 3579–89. ©2011 AACR.
Language Specificity in Speech Perception: Perception of Mandarin Tones by Native and Nonnative Listeners
Authors: Huang Tsan , Johnson Keith 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
The results reported in this paper indicate that native speakers of Mandarin Chinese rate the perceptual similarities among the lexical tones of Mandarin differently than do native speakers of American English. Mandarin listeners were sensitive to tone contour while English listeners attended to pitch levels. Chinese listeners also rated tones that are neutralized by phonological tone sandhi rules in Mandarin as more similar to each other than did English speakers – indicating a role of phonology in determining perceptual salience. In two further experiments, we found that some of these differences were eliminated when the listening task focused listeners’ attention on the auditory properties of the stimuli, but, interestingly, a degree of language specificity remained even in the most purely psychophysical listening tasks with speech stimuli.
Do We Observe Aerosol Impacts on DSDs in Strongly Forced Tropical Thunderstorms?
Authors: May P. T. , Bringi V. N. , Thurai M. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractRain drop size distributions retrieved from polarimetric radar measurements over regularly occurring thunderstorms over the islands north of Darwin, Australia, are used to test if aerosol contributions to the probability distributions of the drop size distribution parameters (median volume diameter and normalized intercept parameter) are detectable. The observations reported herein are such that differences in cloud properties arising from thermodynamic differences are minimized but even so may be a factor. However, there is a clear signature that high aerosol concentrations are correlated with smaller number concentrations and larger drops. This may be associated with enhanced ice multiplication processes for low aerosol concentration storms or other processes such as invigoration of the updrafts.
The Diurnal Behavior of Evaporative Fraction in the Soil–Vegetation–Atmospheric Boundary Layer Continuum
Authors: Gentine Pierre , Entekhabi Dara , Polcher Jan 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe components of the land surface energy balance respond to periodic incoming radiation forcing with different amplitude and phase characteristics. Evaporative fraction (EF), the ratio of latent heat to available energy at the land surface, supposedly isolates surface control (soil moisture and vegetation) from radiation and turbulent factors. EF is thus supposed to be a diagnostic of the surface energy balance that is constant or self-preserved during daytime. If this holds, EF can be an effective way to estimate surface characteristics from temperature and energy flux measurements. Evidence for EF diurnal self-preservation is based on limited-duration field measurements. The daytime EF self-preservation using both long-term measurements and a model of the soil–vegetation–atmosphere continuum is reexamined here. It is demonstrated that EF is rarely constant and that its temporal power spectrum is wide; thus emphasizing the role of all diurnal frequencies associated with reduced predictability in its daylight response. Oppositely, surface turbulent heat fluxes are characterized by a strong response to the principal daily frequencies (daily and semi-daily) of the solar radiative forcing. It is shown that the phase lag and bias between the turbulent flux components of the surface energy balance are key to the shape of the daytime EF. Therefore, an understanding of the physical factors that affect the phase lag and bias in the response of the components of the surface energy balance to periodic radiative forcing is needed. A linearized model of the soil–vegetation–atmosphere continuum is used that can be solved in terms of harmonics to explore the physical factors that determine the phase characteristics. The dependency of these phase and offsets on environmental parameters—friction velocity, water availability, solar radiation intensity, relative humidity, and boundary layer entrainment—is then analyzed using the model that solves the dynamics of subsurface and atmospheric boundary layer temperatures and heat fluxes in a continuum. Additionally, the asymptotical diurnal lower limit of EF is derived as a function of these surface parameters and shown to be an important indicator of the self-preservation value when the conditions (also identified) for such behavior are present.
Granulocyte-CSF induced inflammation-associated cardiac thrombosis in iron loading mouse heart and can be attenuated by statin therapy
Authors: Lian Wei S , Lin Heng , Cheng Winston TK , Kikuchi Tateki , Cheng Ching F 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), a hematopoietic cytokine, was recently used to treat patients of acute myocardial infarction with beneficial effect. However, controversy exists as some patients developed re-stenosis and worsened condition post G-CSF delivery. This study presents a new disease model to study G-CSF induced cardiac thrombosis and delineate its possible mechanism. We used iron loading to mimic condition of chronic cardiac dysfunction and apply G-CSF to mice to test our hypothesis.

Methods and Results
Eleven out of fifteen iron and G-CSF treated mice (I+G) showed thrombi formation in the left ventricular chamber with impaired cardiac function. Histological analysis revealed endothelial fibrosis, increased macrophage infiltration and tissue factor expression in the I+G mice hearts. Simvastatin treatment to I+G mice attenuated their cardiac apoptosis, iron deposition, and abrogated thrombus formation by attenuating systemic inflammation and leukocytosis, which was likely due to the activation of pAKT activation. However, thrombosis in I+G mice could not be suppressed by platelet receptor inhibitor, tirofiban.

Conclusions
Our disease model demonstrated that G-CSF induces cardiac thrombosis through an inflammation-thrombosis interaction and this can be attenuated via statin therapy. Present study provides a mechanism and potential therapy for G-CSF induced cardiac thrombosis.
Primary extrahepatic alveolar echinococcosis of the lumbar spine and the psoas muscle
Authors: Nell Manuel , Burgkart Rainer H , Gradl Guntmar , von Eisenhart-Rothe Rüdiger , Schaeffeler Christoph , Trappe Dennis , da Costa Clarissa Prazeres , Gradinger Reiner , Kirchhoff Chlodwig 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) of human being caused by Echinococcus multilocularis is a rare but important zoonosis especially in tempered zones of middle Europe and Northern America with endemic character in many countries. Due to the long incubation period, various clinical manifestations, critical prognosis, and outcome AE presents a serious and severe disease. The primary focus of infection is usually the liver. Although secondary affection of visceral organs is possible extrahepatic AE is highly uncommon. Moreover, the involvement of bone and muscle presents with an even lower incidence. In the literature numerous cases on hepatic AE have been reported. However, extrahepatic AE involving bones and/or muscles was described very rarely. We report a case of an 80-year-old man with primary extrahepatic alveolar Echinococcosis of the lumbar spine and the psoas muscle. The etiology, diagnosis, differential diagnoses, treatment options and outcome of this rare disease are discussed in context with the current literature.
Regulation of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A2 (PAPPA2) in a human placental trophoblast cell line (BeWo)
Authors: Wagner Pamela K , Otomo Aki , Christians Julian K 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A2 (PAPPA2) is an insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IGFBP) protease expressed at high levels in the placenta and upregulated in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia and HELLP (Hemolytic anemia, Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelet count) syndrome. However, it is unclear whether elevated PAPPA2 expression causes abnormal placental development, or whether upregulation compensates for placental pathology. In the present study, we investigate whether PAPPA2 expression is affected by hypoxia, oxidative stress, syncytialization factors or substances known to affect the expression of PAPPA2's paralogue, PAPPA.

Methods
BeWo cells, a model of placental trophoblasts, were treated with one of the following: hypoxia (2% O2), oxidative stress (20 microM hydrogen peroxide), forskolin (10 microM and 100 microM), TGF-beta (10 and 50 ng/mL), TNF-alpha (100 ng/mL), IL-1beta (100 ng/mL) or PGE2 (1 microM). We used quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) to quantify the mRNA levels of PAPPA2, as well as those of PAPPA and ADAM12 since these proteases have similar substrates and are also highly expressed in the placenta. Where we observed significant effects on PAPPA2 mRNA levels, we tested for effects at the protein level using an in-cell Western assay.

Results
Hypoxia, but not oxidative stress, caused a 47-fold increase in PAPPA2 mRNA expression, while TNF-alpha resulted in a 6-fold increase, and both of these effects were confirmed at the protein level. PGE2 resulted in a 14-fold upregulation of PAPPA2 mRNA but this was not reflected at the protein level. Forskolin, TGF-beta and IL-1beta had no significant effect on PAPPA2 mRNA expression. We observed no effects of any treatment on PAPPA or ADAM12 expression.

Conclusion
Our study demonstrates that factors previously known to be highly expressed in preeclamptic placentae (PGE2 and TNF-alpha), contribute to the upregulation of PAPPA2. Hypoxia, known to occur in preeclamptic placentae, also increased PAPPA2 expression. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that PAPPA2 is upregulated as a consequence of placental pathology, rather than elevated PAPPA2 levels being a cause of preeclampsia.
The alkylphospholipid, perifosine, radiosensitizes prostate cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Gao Yuanhong , Ishiyama Hiromichi , Sun Mianen , Brinkman Kathryn L , Wang Xiaozhen , Zhu Julie , Mai Weiyuan , Huang Ying , Floryk Daniel , Ittmann Michael , Thompson Timothy C , Butler E Brian , Xu Bo , Teh Bin S 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
Perifosine is a membrane-targeted alkylphospholipid developed to inhibit the PI3K/Akt pathway and has been suggested as a favorable candidate for combined use with radiotherapy. In this study, we investigated the effect of the combined treatment of perifosine and radiation (CTPR) on prostate cancer cells in vitro and on prostate cancer xenografts in vivo.

Methods
Human prostate cancer cell line, CWR22RV1, was treated with perifosine, radiation, or CTPR. Clonogenic survival assays, sulforhodamine B cytotoxity assays and cell density assays were used to assess the effectiveness of each therapy in vitro. Measurements of apoptosis, cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry and Western blots were used to evaluate mechanisms of action in vitro. Tumor growth delay assays were used to evaluate radiation induced tumor responses in vivo.

Results

In vitro, CTPR had greater inhibitory effects on prostate cancer cell viability and clonogenic survival than either perifosine or radiation treatment alone. A marked increase in prostate cancer cell apoptosis was noted in CTPR. Phosphorylation of AKT-T308 AKT and S473 were decreased when using perifosine treatment or CTPR. Cleaved caspase 3 was significantly increased in the CTPR group. In vivo, CTPR had greater inhibitory effects on the growth of xenografts when compared with perifosine or radiation treatment alone groups.

Conclusions
Perifosine enhances prostate cancer radiosensitivity in vitro and in vivo. These data provide strong support for further development of this combination therapy in clinical studies.