bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic properties of quercetin on monosodium urate crystal-induced inflammation in rat
Authors: Huang Jingqun , Zhu Miaozhang , Tao Ye , Wang Siwang , Chen Jianzong , Sun Wenjuan , Li Shuye 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Objectives
Gouty arthritis is characterized by intense, acute inflammatory reactions that occur in response to articular deposits of monosodium urate crystals. In this study we have assessed the effects of the flavonoid, quercetin, on monosodium urate crystal-induced inflammation in rats, an experimental model for gouty arthritis.

Methods
Gouty arthritis was induced by intra-articular injection of monosodium urate crystal suspension inside the ankle joint of the rat right hind limb. Circumference was assessed at 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h after monosodium urate crystal injection. Histopathological analysis of joint synovial tissue, inflammatory mediator levels, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant status in serum, liver and joint synovial tissue were determined in control and monosodium urate crystal-treated rats at the end of experiment.

Key findings
Quercetin treatment attenuated oedema in a dose-dependent manner and decreased histological signs of acute inflammation in the treated animals. In addition, quercetin treatment suppressed leucocyte recruitment, decreased chemokine levels, decreased levels of the lipid peroxidation end-product malondialdehyde, and increased antioxidant enzyme activity in treated rats.

Conclusions
These results indicated that quercetin exerted a strong anti-inflammatory effect that may be useful for the treatment of acute gouty arthritis.
Microbiological Challenges in the Diagnosis of Chronic Q Fever
Authors: Kampschreur Linda M. , Oosterheert Jan Jelrik , Koop Annemarie M. C. , Wegdam-Blans Marjolijn C. A. , Delsing Corine E. , Bleeker-Rovers Chantal P. , De Jager-Leclercq Monique G. L. , Groot Cornelis A. R. , Sprong Tom , Nabuurs-Franssen Marrigje H. , Renders Nicole H. M. , van Kasteren Marjo E. , Soethoudt Yvonne , Blank Sybrandus N. , Pronk Marjolijn J. H. , Groenwold Rolf H. H. , Hoepelman Andy I. M. , Wever Peter C. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTDiagnosis of chronic Q fever is difficult. PCR and culture lack sensitivity; hence, diagnosis relies mainly on serologic tests using an immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Optimal phase I IgG cutoff titers are debated but are estimated to be between 1:800 and 1:1,600. In patients with proven, probable, or possible chronic Q fever, we studied phase I IgG antibody titers at the time of positive blood PCR, at diagnosis, and at peak levels during chronic Q fever. We evaluated 200 patients, of whom 93 (46.5%) had proven, 51 (25.5%) had probable, and 56 (28.0%) had possible chronic Q fever. Sixty-five percent of proven cases had positiveCoxiella burnetiiPCR results for blood, which was associated with high phase I IgG. Median phase I IgG titers at diagnosis and peak titers in patients with proven chronic Q fever were significantly higher than those for patients with probable and possible chronic Q fever. The positive predictive values for proven chronic Q fever, compared to possible chronic Q fever, at titers 1:1,024, 1:2,048, 1:4,096, and ≥1:8,192 were 62.2%, 66.7%, 76.5%, and ≥86.2%, respectively. However, sensitivity dropped to <60% when cutoff titers of ≥1:8,192 were used. Although our study demonstrated a strong association between high phase I IgG titers and proven chronic Q fever, increasing the current diagnostic phase I IgG cutoff to >1:1,024 is not recommended due to increased false-negative findings (sensitivity < 60%) and the high morbidity and mortality of untreated chronic Q fever. Our study emphasizes that serologic results are not diagnostic on their own but should always be interpreted in combination with clinical parameters.
Two Adenovirus Serotype 3 Outbreaks Associated with Febrile Respiratory Disease and Pharyngoconjunctival Fever in Children under 15 Years of Age in Hangzhou, China, during 2011
Authors: Xie Li , Yu Xin-Fen , Sun Zhou , Yang Xu-Hui , Huang Ren-Jie , Wang Jing , Yu Apeng , Zheng Lin , Yu Man-Chu , Hu Xiao-Wei , Wang Ban-Ma , Chen Jin , Pan Jing-Cao , Liu She-Lan 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTAdenovirus serotype 3 and 7 outbreaks have occurred periodically in northern, eastern, and southern China since 1955, but there has been no report since the adenovirus serotype 7 outbreak first occurred in Hangzhou, China, in 1991. Here we explored the epidemiology and etiology of two adenovirus serotype 3 outbreaks in Hangzhou in 2011. One acute respiratory outbreak was found in Chun'an County, where a total of 371 cases were confirmed in 5 of 23 towns from 4 to 31 May 2011. The outbreak affected 18.57% (13/70) of schools and 14.49% (90/621) of classes. The incidence was 5.18% (371/7,163). The population was distributed among individuals ages 7 to 15 years. No parents or teachers were infected. Another pharyngoconjunctival fever outbreak was discovered in the Chenjinglun Swimming Center located in the Xihu District between 1 and 15 July 2011. A total of 134 cases were confirmed in 900 amateur swimmers, with an incidence of 14.89% (134/900). The ages ranged from 4 to 9 years. The two outbreaks had no severe complications or death. The viruses in 66.67% (10/15) of throat swabs from children with acute respiratory infections and 100% (10/10) of the swabs from children with pharyngoconjunctival fever were confirmed to be adenovirus serotype 3 with 100% homology by PCR. Of these samples, 60.0% (12/20) had a classical characteristic cytopathic effect, presented as grape-like clusters at 72 h after infection in HEp-2 cells. In conclusion, the acute respiratory infection and pharyngoconjunctival fever outbreak in Hangzhou were caused by the completely homologous type 3 adenovirus in subgenus B. Moreover, these outbreaks demonstrated rapid transmission rates, possibly due to close contact and droplet transmission.
Comparison of TaqMan PCR Assays for Detection of the Melioidosis Agent Burkholderia pseudomallei in Clinical Specimens
Authors: Kaestli Mirjam , Richardson Leisha J. , Colman Rebecca E. , Tuanyok Apichai , Price Erin P. , Bowers Jolene R. , Mayo Mark , Kelley Erin , Seymour Meagan L. , Sarovich Derek S. , Pearson Talima , Engelthaler David M. , Wagner David M. , Keim Paul S. , Schupp James M. , Currie Bart J. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT

Melioidosis is an emerging infectious disease caused by the soil bacterium
Burkholderia pseudomallei
. In diagnostic and forensic settings, molecular detection assays need not only high sensitivity with low limits of detection but also high specificity. In a direct comparison of published and newly developed TaqMan PCR assays, we found the TTS1-
orf2
assay to be superior in detecting
B. pseudomallei
directly from clinical specimens. The YLF/BTFC multiplex assay (targeting the
Yersinia
-like fimbrial/
Burkholderia thailandensis
-like flagellum and chemotaxis region) also showed high diagnostic sensitivity and provides additional information on possible geographic origin.
Accumulation of Autophagosomes in Semliki Forest Virus-Infected Cells Is Dependent on Expression of the Viral Glycoproteins
Authors: Eng Kai Er , Panas Marc D. , Murphy Deirdre , Karlsson Hedestam Gunilla B. , McInerney Gerald M. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT

Autophagy is a cellular process that sequesters cargo in double-membraned vesicles termed autophagosomes and delivers this cargo to lysosomes to be degraded. It is enhanced during nutrient starvation to increase the rate of amino acid turnover. Diverse roles for autophagy have been reported for viral infections, including the assembly of viral replication complexes on autophagic membranes and protection of host cells from cell death. Here, we show that autophagosomes accumulate in Semliki Forest virus (SFV)-infected cells. Despite this, disruption of autophagy had no effect on the viral replication rate or formation of viral replication complexes. Also, viral proteins rarely colocalized with autophagosome markers, suggesting that SFV did not utilize autophagic membranes for its replication. Further, we found that SFV infection, unlike nutrient starvation, did not inactivate the constitutive negative regulator of autophagosome formation, mammalian target of rapamycin, suggesting that SFV-dependent accumulation of autophagosomes was not a result of enhanced autophagosome formation. In starved cells, addition of NH
4
Cl, an inhibitor of lysosomal acidification, caused a dramatic accumulation of starvation-induced autophagosomes, while in SFV-infected cells, NH
4
Cl did not further increase levels of autophagosomes. These results suggest that accumulation of autophagosomes in SFV-infected cells is due to an inhibition of autophagosome degradation rather than enhanced rates of autophagosome formation. Finally, we show that the accumulation of autophagosomes in SFV-infected cells is dependent on the expression of the viral glycoprotein spike complex.
Geology and diamond provenance of the Proterozoic Banganapalle conglomerates, Kurnool Group, India
Authors: Joy Sojen , Jelsma H. A. , Preston R. F. , Kota S. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
The Banganapalle Quartzite Formation occurs in the Cuddapah Basin in India and is characterized by a basal diamond-bearing conglomerate horizon. The diamonds within this placer are generally thought to have been sourced from the erosion of kimberlites of the Wajrakurur cluster. De Beers' India's exploration efforts have resulted in the discovery of a number of dykes within the basin, with petrographical and geochemical similarities to lamproites. It is proposed that far-field stresses related to the Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt (EGMB) provided extensional sites during the time of lamproite emplacement. The dykes have not been dated. However, zircons recovered from heavy mineral stream samples in the area exhibit a number of age groupings, including one in the range of 1287–1370 Ma. This age is interpreted as the emplacement age of the dykes in this region. Kimberlitic indicator minerals (KIMs), recovered from conglomerate waste dumps, indicate the uniqueness of the garnet population relative to that of the known kimberlite clusters to the west of the basin. We propose that the emplacement of lamproites occurred as dyke–sill complexes at 1.4–1.3 Ga and that the lamproites represent the source of the diamonds in the Banganapalle conglomerates.

Supplementary material:

A list of the isotope ratios used in this paper is available at
www.geolsoc.org.uk/18508
Reactivation of basement: example from the Anasagar Granite Gneiss Complex, Rajasthan, western India
Authors: Chattopadhyay N. , Mukhopadhyay D. , Sengupta P. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Amidst the Meso- to Neoproterozoic South Delhi Fold Belt (SDFB) of Rajasthan, India, a sheet-like body of megacrystic Anasagar Granite Gneiss (AGG) embedded in a supracrustal unit consisting of metapelites, quartzite and calc gneiss is exposed. Detailed analyses of mesoscopic and microscopic structures identify four phases of deformation. Lithological relationships coupled with U–Pb dates of zircon indicate that the protolith of the AGG was emplaced within the supracrustal unit during
D
1
folding at approximately 1.85 Ga. This event is significantly older than the age of volcanism in the SDFB (0.99 Ga) but probably synchronous with Aravalli Orogeny. Thrusts associated with the easterly-vergent
D
2
folds have a ramp–flat geometry and are refolded by coaxial
D
3
folds. The petrology of the metapelites indicates that porphyroblasts of staurolite and/or garnet were formed as a function of bulk-rock composition between
D
1
and
D
3
folding, at the time of the culmination of metamorphism (5.7±1.5 kbar, 560±50 °C). Combining the petrological and structural attributes, it is proposed that the AGG and its enveloping supracrustals might represent the basement of the Delhi Supergroup, which was folded, thrusted and domed up during the South Delhi Orogeny. The cause of the thermal perturbation that triggered the growth of the porphyroblasts in the metapelites is explored.
Original nature and source of khondalites in the Eastern Ghats Province, India
Authors: Bhattacharya S. , Chaudhary A. K. , Basei M. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

The khondalites of the Eastern Ghats Province, India represent a sedimentary sequence of shale–greywacke, but the relatively more ferruginous composition can be attributed to some mafic rocks in the provenance. While a high La/Sc ratio and an insignificant Cr-enrichment over V in the majority of samples indicate dominantly granitic source rocks; a low La/Sc ratio and high Cr/V ratio in some samples indicate some mafic source rocks as well. High La/Sc ratio, LREE (light rare earth element)-enrichment, negative Eu anomaly and negative ε values, along with evidence of significant weathering and recycling in the provenance, indicate Old Upper Continental Crust-type provenance. Nd-model dates indicate Palaeoproterozoic provenance, which could be the Eastern Dharwar Craton and/or the Napier Complex of East Antarctica. (La/Yb)
N
ratios are variable and their co-variance with both (La/Sm)
N
and (Gd/Yb)
N
are noticeable, and could be attributed to the complexity of possible provenance composition.
Multiple Antigenic Peptides Based on H-2Kb–Restricted CTL Epitopes from Murine Heparanase Induce a Potent Antitumor Immune ResponseIn Vivo
Authors: Tang Xu-Dong , Wang Guo-Zhen , Guo Jun , Lü Mu-Han , Li Chuan , Li Ning , Chao Ya-Ling , Li Chang-Zhu , Wu Yu-Yun , Hu Chang-Jiang , Fang Dian-Chun , Yang Shi-Ming 
Published: March 2012

AbstractAccumulating research suggests that heparanase may be a universal tumor-associated antigen (TAA). Several heparanase T-cell epitopes from humans and mice have already been identified. However, because of low immunogenicity, polypeptide vaccines usually have difficulty inducing effective antitumor immune responses in vivo. In this study, to increase the immunogenicity of polypeptide vaccines, we designed and synthesized two four-branch multiple antigenic peptides (MAP) on the basis of mouse heparanase (mHpa) T-cell epitopes (mHpa398 and mHpa519). The dendritic cells (DC) from mice bone marrow loaded with above MAP vaccines from heparanase were used to evaluate immune response against various tumor cell lines, compared with immune response to their corresponding linear peptides, ex vivo and in vivo. We further assessed IFN-γ release both in CD4+ T-cell–depleted and nondepleted mice. The results showed that effectors generated from DCs, loaded with MAP-vaccinated mice splenocytes, induced a stronger immune response against target cells expressing both heparanase and H-2Kb than did effectors generated from mice vaccinated with their corresponding linear peptides. Heparanase-specific CD8+ T-cell responses induced by MAP and linear peptide vaccination required synergy of CD4+ T cells. In addition, heparanse-derived MAP vaccines significantly inhibited the growth of B16 murine melanoma in C57BL/6 mice, while also increasing the survival rate of tumor-bearing mice. Our data suggest that MAP vaccines based on T-cell epitopes from heparanase are efficient immunogens for tumor immunotherapy. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(5); 1183–92. ©2012 AACR.
Telomeric Allelic Imbalance Indicates Defective DNA Repair and Sensitivity to DNA-Damaging Agents
Authors: Birkbak Nicolai J. , Wang Zhigang C. , Kim Ji-Young , Eklund Aron C. , Li Qiyuan , Tian Ruiyang , Bowman-Colin Christian , Li Yang , Greene-Colozzi April , Iglehart J. Dirk , Tung Nadine , Ryan Paula D. , Garber Judy E. , Silver Daniel P. , Szallasi Zoltan , Richardson Andrea L. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
DNA repair competency is one determinant of sensitivity to certain chemotherapy drugs, such as cisplatin. Cancer cells with intact DNA repair can avoid the accumulation of genome damage during growth and also can repair platinum-induced DNA damage. We sought genomic signatures indicative of defective DNA repair in cell lines and tumors and correlated these signatures to platinum sensitivity. The number of subchromosomal regions with allelic imbalance extending to the telomere (NtAI) predicted cisplatin sensitivity in vitro and pathologic response to preoperative cisplatin treatment in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). In serous ovarian cancer treated with platinum-based chemotherapy, higher levels of NtAI forecast a better initial response. We found an inverse relationship between BRCA1 expression and NtAI in sporadic TNBC and serous ovarian cancers without BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. Thus, accumulation of telomeric allelic imbalance is a marker of platinum sensitivity and suggests impaired DNA repair.
Significance: Mutations in BRCA genes cause defects in DNA repair that predict sensitivity to DNA damaging agents, including platinum; however, some patients without BRCA mutations also benefit from these agents. NtAI, a genomic measure of unfaithfully repaired DNA, may identify cancer patients likely to benefit from treatments targeting defective DNA repair. Cancer Discov; 2(4); 366–75. ©2012 AACR.
This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 288
Role of new anticoagulants for the prevention of venous thromboembolism after major orthopaedic surgery and in hospitalised acutely ill medical patients
Authors: Ageno Walter , Spyropoulos Alex , Turpie Alexander 
Published: March 2012

SummaryAnticoagulation therapy for the prevention of venous thromboembolic events is indicated in patients after major orthopaedic surgery and in hospitalised acutely ill medical patients, who have a high or moderate risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), respectively. Clinical trials have clearly demonstrated that short-term anticoagulation reduces the risk of VTE in these patient groups and that longer-term anticoagulation is beneficial for some indications. Evidence-based guidelines for throm-boprophylaxis have been developed based on these studies. However, despite these guidelines, thromboprophylaxis is still underused, or used suboptimally, in many patients. This is, in part, because of the limitations of traditional anticoagulants such as unfractionated heparin, lowmolecular-weight heparin, synthetic pentasaccharides, and vitamin K antagonists. Newer oral anticoagulants, such as rivaroxaban, apixaban, and dabigatran etexilate, have certain advantages over traditional agents. They can be administered orally at a fixed dose without routine coagulation monitoring and have minimal food and drug interactions. These characteristics may result in better adherence to guidelines and improved patient outcomes. This review provides an overview of phase III clinical trial data for these newer anticoagulants in major orthopaedic surgery and in hospitalised acutely ill medical patients, and discusses their potential for extended use in the post-hospital discharge setting. All three newer oral anticoagulants are approved in many countries for the prevention of VTE after hip replacement or knee replacement surgery in adult patients, and it is likely that these drugs will contribute considerably towards reducing the substantial healthcare burden associated with VTE.
Comparative Outcomes for Patients Who Do and Do Not Undergo Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Stable Coronary Artery Disease in New York
Authors: Hannan Edward L. , Samadashvili Zaza , Cozzens Kimberly , Walford Gary , Jacobs Alice K. , Holmes David R. , Stamato Nicholas J. , Gold Jeffrey P. , Sharma Samin , Venditti Ferdinand J. , Powell Tia , King Spencer B. 
Published: March 2012

Background—
Little is known about what treatments patients receive after being diagnosed with stable coronary artery disease or what the comparative outcomes are for routine medical treatment (RMT) versus percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with RMT for patients in a setting apart from randomized controlled trials.

Methods and Results—

Patients with stable coronary artery disease undergoing cardiac catheterization in New York State between 2003 and 2008 were followed up to determine the treatment they received. Patients receiving RMT and patients receiving PCI with RMT were propensity matched through the use of 20 factors that could have a bearing on outcomes. The resulting cohort of 933 matched pairs was used to compare mortality/myocardial infarction (MI), mortality, MI, and subsequent revascularization rates. A total of 89% of all patients underwent PCI with RMT. PCI/RMT patients had significantly lower adverse outcome rates at 4 years for mortality/MI (16.5% versus 21.2%;
P
=0.003), mortality (10.2% versus 14.5%;
P
=0.02), MI (8.0% versus 11.3%;
P
=0.007), and subsequent revascularization (24.1% versus 29.1%;
P
=0.005). Adjusted RMT versus (PCI with RMT) hazard ratios were 1.49 (95% confidence interval, 1.16–1.93) for mortality/MI and 1.46 (95% confidence interval, 1.08–1.97) for mortality. There were no differences for patients ≤65 years of age or for patients with single-vessel disease.

Conclusions—
Most patients with stable coronary artery disease in New York undergoing catheterization between 2003 and 2008 received PCI. Patients who received PCI experienced lower mortality, mortality/MI, and revascularization rates. The reasons for this finding need to be better understood, including the possible role of low medication adherence rates that have been found in other studies.
Intratidal Dynamics of Fronts and Lateral Circulation at the Shoal–Channel Interface in a Partially Stratified Estuary
Authors: Collignon Audric G. , Stacey Mark T. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
In partially stratified shoal–channel estuaries, variations in bathymetry at the shoal–channel interface generate horizontal shears and density gradients, and foam lines characteristic of convergence fronts are frequently observed. This study is based on transect data collected every 30 min across the shoal–channel interface in south San Francisco Bay to analyze the dynamics of the transverse circulation and convergence fronts at this interface throughout a tidal cycle. During the ebb, a lateral density gradient develops as a result of the competition between differential advection of the longitudinal salinity gradient; lateral variations in vertical mixing; and nonlinear advection terms, which are strongest when convergence fronts develop early and late in the ebb. The lateral circulation over the slope is characterized by a large intratidal variability, reversing three times during the ebb. This variability is driven by a balance dominated by inertia and lateral baroclinic pressure gradient during the ebb but also involving Coriolis and advection terms at leading order. The convergence fronts developing at the edge of the shoal during the ebb are greatly affected by the direction of the lateral circulation on the slope and display similar intratidal variability as a result. Observations from moored instruments suggest that these processes are involved in all partially stratified spring ebbs in south San Francisco Bay and are more sensitive to variations in tidal amplitude than density stratification on the slope.
Velocity Structure of Internal Tide Beams Emanating from Kaena Ridge, Hawaii
Authors: Pickering Andy , Alford Matthew H. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
Observations are reported of the semidiurnal (M2) internal tide across Kaena Ridge, Hawaii. Horizontal velocity in the upper 1000–1500 m was measured during eleven ~240-km-long shipboard acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) transects across the ridge, made over the course of several months. The M2 motions are isolated by means of harmonic analysis and compared to numerical simulations using the Princeton Ocean Model (POM). The depth coverage of the measurements is about 3 times greater than similar past studies, offering a substantially richer view of the internal tide beams. Sloping features are seen extending upward north and south from the ridge and then downward from the surface reflection about ±40 km from the ridge crest, closely matching theoretical M2 ray paths and the model predictions.