bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Potential Cross-Reactivity of Human Endogenous Matrix Metalloproteinases with Collagenase Clostridium histolyticum Antibodies in Human Sera Obtained from Patients with Dupuytren's Contracture
Authors: Edkins Thomas J. , Koller-Eichhorn Roland , Alhadeff Jack A. , Mayer Ulrich , Faust Heinrich , Del Tito Benjamin J. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT

Collagenase
Clostridium histolyticum
(CCH) contains a fixed ratio of class I (AUX-I) and class II (AUX-II) collagenases and is used as treatment for Dupuytren's contracture. These two Zn-dependent enzymes, produced by the Gram-positive bacterium
Clostridium histolyticum
, are related functionally to matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) which, among other functions, degrade the extracellular matrix. Since AUX-I and AUX-II exhibit sequence similarities to human MMPs, we assessed MMP-1 (interstitial collagenase), MMP-2 (gelatinase A), MMP-3 (stromelysin 1), MMP-8 (collagenase 2), and MMP-13 (collagenase 3) for cross-reactivity with anti-AUX-I and anti-AUX-II antibodies in patient serum. Serum samples from 71 subjects enrolled in a long-term clinical study (58 males and 13 females; 63 ± 10 years old [mean ± standard error]) were evaluated for cross-reactivity with the five MMPs using the two validated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Inhibition cutoff points for anti-AUX-I and anti-AUX-II antibodies were based on assay inhibition obtained with a nonspecific protein, bovine gamma globulin, which was tested for each clinical sample. No MMP cross-reactivity was found for any of the 71 clinical antibody-positive sera evaluated. Sequence identity assessments indicated minimal, nonmeaningful alignments of the MMPs and AUX-I/AUX-II. Furthermore, clinical adverse event assessments indicated no safety signals related to MMP inhibition. The bioanalytical results, sequence identity, and clinical assessments consistently did not demonstrate cross-reactivity between CCH antidrug antibodies and endogenous human matrix metalloproteinases. The results presented here suggest that treatment of Dupuytren's contracture patients with CCH does not lead to any clinical adverse events associated with MMP inhibition.
Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Mycobacterium ulcerans by Use of a Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Test
Authors: Njiru Zablon K. , Yeboah-Manu Dorothy , Stinear Timothy P. , Fyfe Janet A. M. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT

This work reports the design and evaluation of a rapid loop-mediated isothermal amplification test for detecting
Mycobacterium ulcerans
DNA based on the multicopy insertion sequence IS
2404
. The test is robust and specific with a detection limit equivalent to 20 copies of the target sequence (0.01 to 0.1 genome). The test has potential for the diagnosis of Buruli ulcer under field conditions.
Performance of Commercial Reverse Line Blot Assays for Human Papillomavirus Genotyping
Authors: Steinau Martin , Onyekwuluje Juanita M. , Scarbrough Mariela Z. , Unger Elizabeth R. , Dillner Joakim , Zhou Tiequn 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT

The performance of three line blot assays (LBAs), the Linear Array HPV genotyping assay (LA) (Roche Diagnostics), INNO-LiPA HPV Genotyping Extra (LiPA) (Innogenetics), and the reverse hybridization assay (RH) (Qiagen), was evaluated using quantitated whole genomic human papillomavirus (HPV) plasmids (types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, and 68b) as well as epidemiologic samples. In a plasmid titration series, LiPA and RH did not detect 50 international units (IU) of HPV type 18 (HPV18) in the presence of 5 × 10
4
IU or more of HPV16. HPV DNA (1 to 6 types) in the plasmid challenges at 50 IU or genome equivalents (GE) were identified with an accuracy of 99.9% by LA, 97.3% by LiPA, and 95.4% by RH, with positive reproducibility of 99.8% (kappa = 0.992), 88.2% (kappa = 0.928), and 88.1% (kappa = 0.926), respectively. Two instances of mistyping occurred with LiPA. Of the 120 epidemiologic samples, 76 were positive for high-risk types by LA, 90 by LiPA, and 69 by RH, with a positive reproducibility of 87.3% (kappa = 0.925), 83.9% (kappa = 0.899), and 90.2% (kappa = 0.942), respectively. Although the assays had good concordance in the clinical samples, the greater accuracy and specificity in the plasmid panel suggest that LA has an advantage for internationally comparable genotyping studies.
Sensitive and Rapid Detection of the New Delhi Metallo-Beta-Lactamase Gene by Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification
Authors: Liu Wei , Zou Dayang , Li Yan , Wang Xuesong , He Xiang , Wei Xiao , Shao Changlin , Li Xuelian , Shang Wei , Yu Kaitao , Liu Dawei , Li Yunmei , Guo Jing , Yin Zhitao , Yuan Jing 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT

New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase 1 (NDM-1), which is associated with resistance to carbapenem, was first reported in 2008. A sensitive and rapid molecular assay to detect the plasmid
bla
NDM-1
in clinical isolates is needed to control its spread. We describe a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the rapid detection of
bla
NDM-1
from pure culture and sputum, urine, and fecal samples. Eight sets of primers were designed to recognize six or eight distinct sequences on target
bla
NDM-1
, and one set was selected as the most appropriate set of primers for its rapid detection. The specificity and sensitivity of the primers in the LAMP reactions for
bla
NDM-1
detection were determined. The sensitivity of the LAMP assay for
bla
NDM-1
detection in sputum, urine, and fecal samples was also tested. Two methods, namely, monitoring of turbidity and addition of calcein to the reaction tube, were used to determine negative and positive results. The results showed that target DNA was amplified and visualized by the two detection methods within 70 min at an isothermal temperature of 65°C. The sensitivity of LAMP, with a detection limit of 10.70 pg/μl DNA, was 100-fold greater than that of PCR. Thirteen infection bacterial strains without
bla
NDM-1
were selected for testing of specificity, and the results of the amplification were negative, which showed that the primers had good levels of specificity. The LAMP method reported here is demonstrated to be a potentially valuable means for the detection of
bla
NDM-1
and rapid clinical diagnosis, being fast, simple, and low in cost.
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 VP22 Regulates Translocation of Multiple Viral and Cellular Proteins and Promotes Neurovirulence
Authors: Tanaka Michiko , Kato Akihisa , Satoh Yuko , Ide Takahiro , Sagou Ken , Kimura Kayo , Hasegawa Hideki , Kawaguchi Yasushi 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) protein VP22, encoded by the UL49 gene, is a major virion tegument protein. In the present study, we showed that VP22 was required for efficient redistribution of viral proteins VP16, VP26, ICP0, ICP4, and ICP27 and of cellular protein Hsc-70 to the cytoplasm of infected cells. We found that two dileucine motifs in VP22, at amino acids 235 and 236 and amino acids 251 and 252, were necessary for VP22 regulation of the proper cytoplasmic localization of these viral and cellular proteins. The dileucine motifs were also required for proper cytoplasmic localization of VP22 itself and for optimal expression of viral proteins VP16, VP22, ICP0, UL41, and glycoprotein B. Interestingly, a recombinant mutant virus with alanines substituted for the dileucines at amino acids 251 and 252 had a 50% lethal dose (LD
50
) for neurovirulence in mice following intracerebral inoculation about 10
3
-fold lower than the LD
50
of the repaired virus. Furthermore, the replication and spread of this mutant virus in the brains of mice following intracerebral inoculation were significantly impaired relative to those of the repaired virus. The ability of VP22 to regulate the localization and expression of various viral and cellular proteins, as shown in this study, was correlated with an increase in viral replication and neurovirulence in the experimental murine model. Thus, HSV-1 VP22 is a significant neurovirulence factor
in vivo
.
The Peru Urban versus Rural Asthma (PURA) Study: methods and baseline quality control data from a cross-sectional investigation into the prevalence, severity, genetics, immunology and environmental factors affecting asthma in adolescence in Peru
Authors: Robinson Colin L , Baumann Lauren M , Gilman Robert H , Romero Karina , Combe Juan Manuel , Cabrera Lilia , Hansel Nadia N , Barnes Kathleen , Gonzalvez Guillermo , Wise Robert A , Breysse Patrick N , Checkley William 
Published: February 2012

ObjectivesAccording to a large-scale international survey, Peru has one of the highest prevalences of asthma worldwide; however, data from this survey were limited to participants from urban Lima. The authors sought to characterise the epidemiology of asthma in Peru in two regions with disparate degrees of urbanisation. In this manuscript, the authors summarise the study design and implementation.DesignA cross-sectional study.ParticipantsUsing census data of 13–15-year-old adolescents from two communities in Peru, the authors invited a random sample of participants in Lima (n=725) and all adolescents in Tumbes (n=716) to participate in our study.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe authors asked participants to complete a questionnaire on asthma symptoms, environmental exposures and socio-demographics and to undergo spirometry before and after bronchodilator, skin allergy testing and exhaled nitric oxide testing. The authors obtained blood samples for haematocrit, total IgE levels, vitamin D levels and DNA in all participants and measured indoor particulate matter concentrations for 48 h in a random subset of 70–100 households at each site.ResultsOf 1851 eligible participants, 1441 (78%) were enrolled and 1159 (80% of enrolled) completed all physical tests. 1283 (89%) performed spirometry according to standard guidelines, of which 86% of prebronchodilator tests and 92% of postbronchodilator tests were acceptable and reproducible. 92% of allergy skin tests had an adequate negative control. The authors collected blood from 1146 participants (79%) and saliva samples from 148 participants (9%). Overall amounts of DNA obtained from blood or saliva were 25.8 μg, with a 260/280 ratio of 1.86.ConclusionsThis study will contribute to the characterisation of a variety of risk factors for asthma, including urbanisation, total IgE levels, vitamin D levels and candidate genes, in a resource-poor setting. The authors present data to support high quality of survey, allergic, spirometric and genetic data collected in our study.
Minocycline and aspirin in the treatment of bipolar depression: a protocol for a proof-of-concept, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2×2 clinical trial
Authors: Savitz Jonathan , Preskorn Sheldon , Teague T Kent , Drevets Douglas , Yates William , Drevets Wayne 
Published: February 2012

IntroductionNew medication classes are needed to improve treatment effectiveness in the depressed phase of bipolar disorder (BD). Extant evidence suggests that BD is characterised by neural changes such as dendritic remodelling and glial and neuronal cell loss. These changes have been hypothesised to result from chronic inflammation. The principal aims of the proposed research is to evaluate the antidepressant efficacy in bipolar depression of minocycline, a drug with neuroprotective and immune-modulating properties, and of aspirin, at doses expected to selectively inhibit cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1).Methods and analysis120 outpatients between 18 and 55 years of age, who meet DSM-IV-TR criteria for BD (type I or II) and for a current major depressive episode will be recruited to take part in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, proof-of-concept clinical trial following a 2×2 design. As adjuncts to existing treatment, subjects will be randomised to receive one of the four treatment combinations: placebo-minocycline plus placebo-aspirin, active-minocycline plus placebo-aspirin, placebo-minocycline plus active-aspirin or active-minocycline plus active-aspirin. The dose of minocycline and aspirin is 100 mg twice daily and 81 mg twice daily, respectively. Antidepressant response will be evaluated by assessing changes in the Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale scores between baseline and the end of the 6-week trial. As secondary outcome measures, the anti-inflammatory effects of minocycline and aspirin will be tested by measuring pre-treatment and post-treatment levels of C reactive protein and inflammatory cytokines.Ethics and disseminationMinocycline has been widely used as an antibiotic in doses up to 400 mg/day. Low-dose aspirin has been safely used on a worldwide scale for its role as an antithrombotic and thrombolytic. The study progress will be overseen by a Data, Safety and Monitoring Board, which will meet once every 6 months. Results of the study will be published in peer-reviewed publications.Trial registration numberClinical Trials.gov:NCT01429272.
Potential role of urinary angiotensinogen in predicting antiproteinuric effects of angiotensin receptor blocker in non-diabetic chronic kidney disease patients: a preliminary report
Authors: Jang Hye Ryoun , Lee Yu-Ji , Kim Sung Rok , Kim Sung Gyun , Jang Eun Hee , Lee Jung Eun , Huh Wooseong , Kim Yoon-Goo 
Published: February 2012

Abstract

Objectives
Many chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients have persistent overt proteinuria despite angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) treatment. This study investigated whether the initial difference in intrarenal renin–angiotensin system activity measured with urinary angiotensinogen would affect the antiproteinuric effects of ARB.

Methods
Between September 2005 and September 2008, in 50 non-diabetic proteinuric CKD patients not taking renin–angiotensin system inhibitors, the urinary protein/creatinine ratio (P/Cr), angiotensinogen/creatinine ratio (AGT/Cr), plasma renin and aldosterone were measured before starting valsartan, and were followed for 18 months.

Results
Patients were divided into three groups according to their initial urinary AGT/Cr. The urinary P/Cr was lower in the low angiotensinogen group, but similar in the high and extremely high angiotensinogen groups (1.3±0.38 vs 2.0±0.92 vs 2.2±0.78). In all groups, the urinary P/Cr was decreased most for the first 6 months. The urinary P/Cr reduction at 6 months was greatest in the high angiotensinogen group (−24.2% vs −46.2% vs −16.4%). The urinary AGT/Cr was decreased most in the high angiotensinogen group. Renal functional deterioration was attenuated in the high angiotensinogen group compared with the extremely high angiotensinogen group.

Conclusions
The antiproteinuric effects of ARB were different according to the initial urinary angiotensinogen levels. These results suggest the potential value of the initial urinary AGT/Cr for predicting the therapeutic effect of ARB in proteinuric non-diabetic CKD patients.
Provenance variations in northern Appalachian Avalonia based on detrital zircon age patterns in Ediacaran and Cambrian sedimentary rocks, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada
Authors: Barr S.M. , Hamilton M.A. , Samson S.D. , Satkoski A.M. , White C.E. 
Published: February 2012

Avalonia in the northern Appalachian orogen is generally assumed to have originated near the margin of Gondwana, although its position along that extensive margin and the timing of its separation remain disputed. U–Pb ages determined by laser ablation – inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry are reported here for detrital zircon from Avalonian clastic sedimentary units, three in southern New Brunswick, and one in southeastern Cape Breton Island, with depositional ages ranging from ca. 630 to ca. 505 Ma. Considered in combination with previously published detrital data sets from two other samples from southern New Brunswick deposited in a similar age range, the samples show a wide spectrum of ages from Ediacaran to Neoarchean (as old as 3.2 Ga). The dominant zircon populations in all six samples are Ediacaran–Cryogenian with ages between 770 and 540 Ma and can be matched with known magmatic events in Avalonia. Pre-Avalonian cycle detrital zircon dates in the samples are relatively sparse and do not reveal a consistent signature that might be used to place Avalonia in a unique paleogeographic position, although they are compatible with Amazonian provenance. An increase in ca. 2.2–1.9 Ga zircon dates in Early Cambrian through Early Ordovician samples suggests that sources for zircon of those ages became available in Avalonia by the end of the Ediacaran, possibly by motion of Avalonia to a different part of the Amazonian margin or to the West African craton.
Strategic Allocation of Attention Reduces Temporally Predictable Stimulus Conflict
Authors: Appelbaum L. Gregory , Boehler Carsten N. , Won Robert , Davis Lauren , Woldorff Marty G. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractHumans are able to continuously monitor environmental situations and adjust their behavioral strategies to optimize performance. Here we investigate the behavioral and brain adjustments that occur when conflicting stimulus elements are, or are not, temporally predictable. ERPs were collected while manual response variants of the Stroop task were performed in which the SOAs between the relevant color and irrelevant word stimulus components were either randomly intermixed or held constant within each experimental run. Results indicated that the size of both the neural and behavioral effects of stimulus incongruency varied with the temporal arrangement of the stimulus components, such that the random-SOA arrangements produced the greatest incongruency effects at the earliest irrelevant first SOA (−200 msec) and the constant-SOA arrangements produced the greatest effects with simultaneous presentation. These differences in conflict processing were accompanied by rapid (∼150 msec) modulations of the sensory ERPs to the irrelevant distractor components when they occurred consistently first. These effects suggest that individuals are able to strategically allocate attention in time to mitigate the influence of a temporally predictable distractor. As these adjustments are instantiated by the participants without instruction, they reveal a form of rapid strategic learning for dealing with temporally predictable stimulus incongruency.
Large-scale Cortical Network Properties Predict Future Sound-to-Word Learning Success
Authors: Sheppard John Patrick , Wang Ji-Ping , Wong Patrick C. M. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
The human brain possesses a remarkable capacity to interpret and recall novel sounds as spoken language. These linguistic abilities arise from complex processing spanning a widely distributed cortical network and are characterized by marked individual variation. Recently, graph theoretical analysis has facilitated the exploration of how such aspects of large-scale brain functional organization may underlie cognitive performance. Brain functional networks are known to possess small-world topologies characterized by efficient global and local information transfer, but whether these properties relate to language learning abilities remains unknown. Here we applied graph theory to construct large-scale cortical functional networks from cerebral hemodynamic (fMRI) responses acquired during an auditory pitch discrimination task and found that such network properties were associated with participants' future success in learning words of an artificial spoken language. Successful learners possessed networks with reduced local efficiency but increased global efficiency relative to less successful learners and had a more cost-efficient network organization. Regionally, successful and less successful learners exhibited differences in these network properties spanning bilateral prefrontal, parietal, and right temporal cortex, overlapping a core network of auditory language areas. These results suggest that efficient cortical network organization is associated with sound-to-word learning abilities among healthy, younger adults.
Voice and Emotion Processing in the Human Neonatal Brain
Authors: Cheng Yawei , Lee Shin-Yi , Chen Hsin-Yu , Wang Ping-Yao , Decety Jean 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Although the voice-sensitive neural system emerges very early in development, it has yet to be demonstrated whether the neonatal brain is sensitive to voice perception. We measured the EEG mismatch response (MMR) elicited by emotionally spoken syllables “dada” along with correspondingly synthesized nonvocal sounds, whose fundamental frequency contours were matched, in 98 full-term newborns aged 1–5 days. In Experiment 1, happy syllables relative to nonvocal sounds elicited an MMR lateralized to the right hemisphere. In Experiment 2, fearful syllables elicited stronger amplitudes than happy or neutral syllables, and this response had no sex differences. In Experiment 3, angry versus happy syllables elicited an MMR, although their corresponding nonvocal sounds did not. Here, we show that affective discrimination is selectively driven by voice processing per se rather than low-level acoustical features and that the cerebral specialization for human voice and emotion processing emerges over the right hemisphere during the first days of life.
Nasopharyngeal Biofilm‐Producing Otopathogens in Children with Nonsevere Recurrent Acute Otitis Media
Authors: Torretta Sara , Marchisio Paola , Drago Lorenzo , Baggi Elena , De Vecchi Elena , Garavello Werner , Nazzari Erica , Pignataro Lorenzo , Esposito Susanna 
Published: February 2012

ObjectiveBacterial biofilms have been detected in biopsies of the adenoid and middle ear mucosa of otitis‐prone children and children with chronic middle otitis media. However, the invasiveness of biopsy makes it unsuitable for routine clinical practice, especially in pediatrics. This study aimed to investigate nasopharyngeal biofilm‐producing otopathogens (BPOs) of nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) in children with a history of nonsevere recurrent acute otitis media (RAOM) and healthy controls.Study DesignA cross‐sectional study with planned data collection.SettingUniversity of Milan.Subjects and MethodsTransoral NPS were taken from infants and children aged 10 months to 11 years with nonsevere RAOM or healthy controls without adenoid hypertrophy. Nasopharyngeal colonization by otopathogens was assessed by means of microbiological cultures and standard bacterial identification, as well as nasopharyngeal BPOs by means of spectrophotometric analysis.ResultsThe study involved 113 children (56.6% males; median age 40 months; range, 10‐132 months): 58 with a history of nonsevere RAOM (51.3%) and 55 controls (48.7%). Otopathogens were significantly more frequently detected in the RAOM group (24/58, 41.4%) than in controls (8/55, 14.5%; P =. 003); the main pathogens were respectively Haemophilus influenzae (12/24, 50.0%) and Streptococcus pyogenes (3/8, 37.5%). Nasopharyngeal BPOs were more frequently isolated in the RAOM group (17/58, 29.3%) than in controls (6/55, 10.9%; P =. 02). H influenzae (12/17, 70.6%) was confirmed as the main pathogen in the RAOM group.ConclusionThe presence of nasopharyngeal BPOs is an important factor favoring RAOM; it is therefore useful investigating biofilms even in children with nonsevere recurrences of AOM without adenoid hypertrophy.