bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sinonasal Evaluation Preceding Hematopoietic Transplantation
Authors: Moeller Carl W. , Martin James , Welch Kevin C. 
Published: January 2011

ObjectiveTo determine the efficacy of sinonasal evaluation preceding hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) and to correlate pretransplant findings with subsequent risk of post‐HCT complications based on radiographic, endoscopic, and microbiologic findings.Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingAcademic tertiary care center.Subjects and MethodsSeventy‐one patients underwent pre‐HCT sinonasal evaluation. Pre‐HCT imaging and endoscopic exams were evaluated via standardized scales. Middle meatus culture results were also recorded. Pre‐HCT intervention was noted, as was any post‐HCT evaluation and intervention.ResultsSeventy‐one patients underwent pre‐HCT evaluation. Sixty‐five percent of patients were asymptomatic at the time of evaluation. On computed tomography (CT) imaging, the average Lund‐Mackay score was 2.2 ± 3.7. Mean endoscopic grading score was 0.6 ± 1.6. The majority of cultures grew commensal organisms only. Four of 71 patients (6%) had evidence of chronic rhinosinusitis pre‐HCT; 3 patients underwent endoscopic sinus surgery, and 1 patient was treated medically. None developed rhinosinusitis following HCT. Four different patients were evaluated for sinonasal symptoms post‐HCT. Two were diagnosed with acute rhinosinusitis: 1 was treated medically, and 1 was treated surgically. No patient developed invasive fungal sinusitis.ConclusionsAll patients who required pre‐HCT medical or surgical intervention had symptoms of rhinosinusitis and positive endoscopy and/or CT imaging. Two patients who developed acute rhinosinusitis post‐HCT had no evidence of rhinosinusitis during pre‐HCT evaluation. Evaluation and studies are costly, time‐consuming, and not found to be predictive in this study.
Minocycline Attenuates Ototoxicity and Enhances Antitumor Activity of Cisplatin Treatment In Vitro
Authors: Du Bo , Zhang Yan , Tang Yong , Wang Ping 
Published: January 2011

ObjectiveSome agents have been shown to prevent cisplatin‐induced ototoxicity. The objective is to show that the agent minocycline protects the cochlea against cisplatin damage and enhances the cytotoxicity of anticancer therapies.Study DesignIn vitro chemotherapeutic assessments of minocycline.SettingResearch laboratory.Subjects and MethodsHep‐2 cells were cultured with and without 100 µM cisplatin, and cell growth inhibition was assessed. Autophagy in the samples was visually evaluated by electron microscopy and by beclin‐1 expression using Western blotting. In another experiment, cochlear basilar membranes of 3‐day‐old rats were isolated and cultured. The cultures were treated with the same concentration of cisplatin or cisplatin combined with minocycline. Immunofluorescence staining was used to identify changes in spiral ganglions.ResultsCell growth was inhibited in a dose‐dependent manner following minocycline treatment. Furthermore, the combination of cisplatin and minocycline effectively increased tumor cell death (P <. 01). Autophagosomes were also evident in cells treated with minocycline. Beclin‐l protein expression was increased after minocycline treatment in Hep‐2 cells. In an experiment evaluating cochlear spiral ganglion neuron survival, it was found that the number of surviving cochlear neurons significantly increased in the minocycline pretreatment group compared with the group treated with cisplatin alone (P <. 01).ConclusionThis study shows that minocycline alone, or in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs, inhibits the growth of tumor cells and attenuates ototoxicity. It is also shown that minocycline activates cell autophagy via the beclin‐1 signaling pathway, which may be an additional underlying cause of Hep‐2 cell death.
Clinical profile of cluster headaches in Japan: Low prevalence of chronic cluster headache, and uncoupling of sense and behaviour of restlessness
Authors: Imai Noboru , Yagi Nobuyasu , Kuroda Ryou , Konishi Takashi , Serizawa Masahiro , Kobari Masahiro 
Published: January 2011

Introduction: This study examined the clinical profile of cluster headaches in Japan and the potential presence of features peculiar to Japan. Most previous studies of cluster headaches have focused on Caucasian populations. Methods: Subjects comprised 86 consecutive new cluster headache patients (68 males, 18 females; mean age, 38.4 ± 12.2 years; range, 17–73 years). Mean age at onset was 31.0 years and the ratio of males to females was 3.8:1. Results: Chronic cluster headache was observed in 3.5% of patients. More than half of patients (68.9%) reported feelings of restlessness during headache episodes and 42.9% reported restless behaviour. Patients with uncoupling of feelings of restlessness and restless behaviour forced themselves to keep still. Similar findings were reported in a Taiwanese study. Conclusion: Japanese patients in this study showed a relatively low prevalence of chronic cluster headaches, and uncoupling of a sense of restlessness and restless behaviour. These features of cluster headache may be more common in Japanese and Taiwanese patients than in Caucasian patients.
Lack of correlation between vasodilatation and pharmacologically induced immediate headache in healthy subjects
Authors: Ashina Messoud , Tfelt-Hansen Peer , Dalgaard Peter , Olesen Jes 
Published: January 2011

Background: The causal relationship between experimental headache and vasodilatation has not been fully clarified. In the present study, we combined headache and vascular data from eight experimental studies and conducted detailed statistical analyses. Given that substances used in all these experiments were vasodilators we examined a possible correlation between headache scores and increases in arterial diameter. Methods: We identified nine studies and retrieved raw data in 89 healthy subjects (46 females, 43 males), mean age 27 years (range 18–59 years). The following variables were collected: maximal median headache intensity scores on a verbal rating scale (VRS) during immediate headache (0–120 minutes); the mean velocity of blood flow in the middle cerebral artery (VmeanMCA); and the diameter of the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery (STA) during the maximal median headache intensity. Results: The scatter plots show no relationship between maximal headache score and the relative changes in VmeanMCA and diameter of the STA. The main analyses of covariance showed a significant effect only of heart rate on headache ( p = .014). The interaction tests were insignificant for all variables. Conclusions: The major outcome is a finding of no linear relationship between experimental immediate headache and dilatation of the MCA or STA.
Fatigue in multiple sclerosis is closely related to sleep disorders: a polysomnographic cross-sectional study
Authors: Veauthier C , Radbruch H , Gaede G , Pfueller CF , Dörr J , Bellmann-Strobl J , Wernecke K-D , Zipp F , Paul F , Sieb JP 
Published: January 2011

Background: Sleep disorders can cause tiredness. The relationship between sleep disorders and fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) has not yet been investigated systematically. Objective: To investigate the relationship between fatigue and sleep disorders in patients with MS. Methods: Some 66 MS patients 20 to 66 years old were studied by overnight polysomnography. Using a cut-off point of 45 in the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), the entire cohort was stratified into a fatigued MS subgroup ( n = 26) and a non-fatigued MS subgroup ( n = 40). Results: Of the fatigued MS patients, 96% ( n = 25) were suffering from a relevant sleep disorder, along with 60% of the non-fatigued MS patients ( n = 24) ( p = 0.001). Sleep-related breathing disorders were more frequent in the fatigued MS patients (27%) than in the non-fatigued MS patients (2.5%). Significantly higher MFIS values were detected in all (fatigued and non-fatigued) patients with relevant sleep disorders (mean MFIS 42.8; SD 18.3) than in patients without relevant sleep disorders (mean MFIS 20.5; SD 17.0) ( p < 0.001). Suffering from a sleep disorder was associated with an increased risk of fatigue in MS (odds ratio: 18.5; 95% CI 1.6–208; p = 0.018). Conclusion: Our results demonstrate a clear and significant relationship between fatigue and sleep disorders.
Hoxb4-YFP reporter mouse model: a novel tool for tracking HSC development and studying the role of Hoxb4 in hematopoiesis
Authors: Hills David , Gribi Ruby , Ure Jan , Buza-Vidas Natalija , Luc Sidinh , Jacobsen Sten Eirik W. , Medvinsky Alexander 
Published: January 2011

AbstractHoxb4 overexpression promotes dramatic expansion of bone marrow (BM) hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) without leukemic transformation and induces development of definitive HSCs from early embryonic yolk sac and differentiating embryonic stem cells. Knockout studies of Hoxb4 showed little effect on hematopoiesis, but interpretation of these results is obscured by the lack of direct evidence that Hoxb4 is expressed in HSCs and possible compensatory effects of other (Hox) genes. To evaluate accurately the pattern of Hoxb4 expression and to gain a better understanding of the physiologic role of Hoxb4 in the hemato-poietic system, we generated a knock-in Hoxb4–yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) reporter mouse model. We show that BM Lin−Sca1+c-Kit+ cells express Hoxb4-YFP and demonstrate functionally in the long-term repopulation assay that definitive HSCs express Hoxb4. Similarly, aorta-gonad-mesonephrous–derived CD45+CD144+ cells, enriched for HSCs, express Hoxb4. Furthermore, yolk sac and placental HSC populations express Hoxb4. Unexpectedly, Hoxb4 expression in the fetal liver HSCs is lower than in the BM, reaching negligible levels in some HSCs, suggesting an insignificant role of Hoxb4 in expansion of fetal liver HSCs. Hoxb4 expression therefore would not appear to correlate with the cycling status of fetal liver HSCs, although highly proliferative HSCs from young BM show strong Hoxb4 expression.
Functional architecture of Weibel-Palade bodies
Authors: Valentijn Karine M. , Sadler J. Evan , Valentijn Jack A. , Voorberg Jan , Eikenboom Jeroen 
Published: January 2011

AbstractWeibel-Palade bodies (WPBs) are elongated secretory organelles specific to endothelial cells that contain von Willebrand factor (VWF) and a variety of other proteins that contribute to inflammation, angiogenesis, and tissue repair. The remarkable architecture of WPBs is because of the unique properties of their major constituent VWF. VWF is stored inside WPBs as tubules, but on its release, forms strikingly long strings that arrest bleeding by recruiting blood platelets to sites of vascular injury. In recent years considerable progress has been made regarding the molecular events that underlie the packaging of VWF multimers into tubules and the processes leading to the formation of elongated WPBs. Mechanisms directing the conversion of tightly packaged VWF tubules into VWF strings on the surface of endothelial cells are starting to be unraveled. Several modes of exocytosis have now been described for WPBs, emphasizing the plasticity of these organelles. WPB exocytosis plays a role in the pathophysiology and treatment of von Willebrand disease and may have impact on common hematologic and cardiovascular disorders. This review summarizes the major advances made on the biogenesis and exocytosis of WPBs and places these recent discoveries in the context of von Willebrand disease.
Volumetry: an alternative to assess therapy response for malignant pleural mesothelioma?
Authors: Frauenfelder T. , Tutic M. , Weder W. , Götti R.P. , Stahel R.A. , Seifert B. , Opitz I. 
Published: January 2011

The purpose of our study was to assess robustness of volumetric measurement of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) before and after chemotherapy to modified RECIST (response evaluation criteria in solid tumours) criteria.30 patients with digitally available chest computed tomography (CT) scans before and after three cycles of chemotherapy were included. Three readers independently assessed tumour response using two different methods: 1) the modified RECIST criteria; and 2) the tumour volumetric approach using dedicated software (Myrian®; Intrasense, Paris, France). Inter-rater reliability of unidimensional and volumetric measurements was assessed using intraclass correlation. Tumour response classification for modified RECIST was compared to the volumetric approach applying unidimensional RECIST volumetric equivalent criteria.The determination of unidimensional tumour measurement (RECIST) revealed a low inter-rater reliability (0.55) and a low interobserver agreement for tumour response classification (general κ 0.33). Only 14 patients were classified equally. A high inter-rater reliability (0.99) and interobserver agreement (general κ 0.9) were found for absolute tumour volumes (volumetric measurements). 27 cases were classified equally. The number of cases classified as “stable disease” was higher for the volumetric approach using tumour-equivalent criteria compared to modified RECIST.Volumetric measurement of MPM on CT using Myrian® software is a reliable, reproducible and sensitive method to measure tumour volume and, thus, therapy response after induction chemotherapy.
Variation in hydrogen cyanide production between different strains ofPseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Gilchrist F.J. , Alcock A. , Belcher J. , Brady M. , Jones A. , Smith D. , Španĕl P. , Webb K. , Lenney W. 
Published: January 2011

There is increasing interest in using the cyanogenic properties ofPseudomonas aeruginosato develop a nonmicrobiological method for its detection. Prior to this, the variation in cyanide production between differentP. aeruginosastrains needs to be investigated.Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) released into the gas phase by 96 genotypedP. aeruginosasamples was measured using selected ion flow tube-mass spectrometry after 24, 48, 72 and 96 h of incubation. The HCN produced by a range of non-P. aeruginosacultures and incubated blank plates was also measured.AllP. aeruginosastrains produced more HCN than the control samples, which generated extremely low levels. Analysis across all time-points demonstrated that nonmucoid samples produced more HCN than the mucoid samples (p=0.003), but this relationship varied according to strain. There were clear differences in the headspace HCN concentration for different strains. Multivariate analysis of headspace HCN for the commonest strains (Liverpool, Midlands_1 and Stoke-on-Trent, UK) revealed a significant effect of strain (p<0.001) and a borderline interaction of strain and phenotype (p=0.051).This evidence confirms that allP. aeruginosastrains produce HCN but to varying degrees and generates interest in the possible future clinical applications of the cyanogenic properties ofP. aeruginosa.
Bisphenol A induces otolith malformations during vertebrate embryogenesis
Authors: Gibert Yann , Sassi-Messai Sana , Fini Jean-Baptiste , Bernard Laure , Zalko Daniel , Cravedi Jean-Pierre , Balaguer Patrick , Andersson-Lendahl Monika , Demeneix Barbara , Laudet Vincent 
Published: January 2011

Abstract

Background
The plastic monomer and plasticizer bisphenol A (BPA), used for manufacturing polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins, is produced at over 2.5 million metric tons per year. Concerns have been raised that BPA acts as an endocrine disruptor on both developmental and reproductive processes and a large body of evidence suggests that BPA interferes with estrogen and thyroid hormone signaling. Here, we investigated BPA effects during embryonic development using the zebrafish and Xenopus models.

Results
We report that BPA exposure leads to severe malformations of the otic vesicle. In zebrafish and in Xenopus embryos, exposure to BPA during the first developmental day resulted in dose-dependent defects in otolith formation. Defects included aggregation, multiplication and occasionally failure to form otoliths. As no effects on otolith development were seen with exposure to micromolar concentrations of thyroid hormone, 17-ß-estradiol or of the estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182,780 we conclude that the effects of BPA are independent of estrogen receptors or thyroid-hormone receptors. Na+/K+ ATPases are crucial for otolith formation in zebrafish. Pharmacological inhibition of the major Na+/K+ ATPase with ouabain can rescue the BPA-induced otolith phenotype.

Conclusions
The data suggest that the spectrum of BPA action is wider than previously expected and argue for a systematic survey of the developmental effects of this endocrine disruptor.
A general scenario of Hoxgene inventory variation among major sarcopterygian lineages
Authors: Liang Dan , Wu Riga , Geng Jie , Wang Chaolin , Zhang Peng 
Published: January 2011

AbstractBackgroundHox genes are known to play a key role in shaping the body plan of metazoans. Evolutionary dynamics of these genes is therefore essential in explaining patterns of evolutionary diversity. Among extant sarcopterygians comprising both lobe-finned fishes and tetrapods, our knowledge of theHoxgenes and clusters has largely been restricted in several model organisms such as frogs, birds and mammals. Some evolutionary gaps still exist, especially for those groups with derived body morphology or occupying key positions on the tree of life, hindering our understanding of howHoxgene inventory varied along the sarcopterygian lineage.ResultsWe determined theHoxgene inventory for six sarcopterygian groups: lungfishes, caecilians, salamanders, snakes, turtles and crocodiles by comprehensive PCR survey and genome walking. VariableHoxgenes in each of the six sarcopterygian group representatives, compared to the humanHoxgene inventory, were further validated for their presence/absence by PCR survey in a number of related species representing a broad evolutionary coverage of the group. Turtles, crocodiles, birds and placental mammals possess the same 39Hoxgenes.HoxD12is absent in snakes, amphibians and probably lungfishes.HoxB13is lost in frogs and caecilians. Lobe-finned fishes, amphibians and squamate reptiles possessHoxC3.HoxC1is only present in caecilians and lobe-finned fishes. Similar to coelacanths, lungfishes also possessHoxA14, which is only found in lobe-finned fishes to date. OurHoxgene variation data favor the lungfish-tetrapod, turtle-archosaur and frog-salamander relationships and imply that the loss ofHoxD12is not directly related to digit reduction.ConclusionsOur newly determinedHoxinventory data provide a more complete scenario for evolutionary dynamics ofHoxgenes along the sarcopterygian lineage. Limbless, worm-like caecilians and snakes possess similarHoxgene inventories to animals with less derived body morphology, suggesting changes to their body morphology are likely due to other modifications rather than changes toHoxgene numbers. Furthermore, our results provide basis for future sequencing of the entireHoxclusters of these animals.
Proteome sequence features carry signatures of the environmental niche of prokaryotes
Authors: Smole Zlatko , Nikolic Nela , Supek Fran , Šmuc Tomislav , Sbalzarini Ivo F , Krisko Anita 
Published: January 2011

Abstract

Background
Prokaryotic environmental adaptations occur at different levels within cells to ensure the preservation of genome integrity, proper protein folding and function as well as membrane fluidity. Although specific composition and structure of cellular components suitable for the variety of extreme conditions has already been postulated, a systematic study describing such adaptations has not yet been performed. We therefore explored whether the environmental niche of a prokaryote could be deduced from the sequence of its proteome. Finally, we aimed at finding the precise differences between proteome sequences of prokaryotes from different environments.

Results
We analyzed the proteomes of 192 prokaryotes from different habitats. We collected detailed information about the optimal growth conditions of each microorganism. Furthermore, we selected 42 physico-chemical properties of amino acids and computed their values for each proteome. Further, on the same set of features we applied two fundamentally different machine learning methods, Support Vector Machines and Random Forests, to successfully classify between bacteria and archaea, halophiles and non-halophiles, as well as mesophiles, thermophiles and mesothermophiles. Finally, we performed feature selection by using Random Forests.

Conclusions
To our knowledge, this is the first time that three different classification cases (domain of life, halophilicity and thermophilicity) of proteome adaptation are successfully performed with the same set of 42 features. The characteristic features of a specific adaptation constitute a signature that may help understanding the mechanisms of adaptation to extreme environments.
Complete genome sequencing and analysis of a Lancefield group G Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis strain causing streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS)
Authors: Shimomura Yumi , Okumura Kayo , Murayama Somay Yamagata , Yagi Junji , Ubukata Kimiko , Kirikae Teruo , Miyoshi-Akiyama Tohru 
Published: January 2011

AbstractBackgroundStreptococcus dysgalactiaesubsp.equisimilis(SDSE) causes invasive streptococcal infections, including streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), as does Lancefield group AStreptococcus pyogenes(GAS). We sequenced the entire genome of SDSE strain GGS_124 isolated from a patient with STSS.ResultsWe found that GGS_124 consisted of a circular genome of 2,106,340 bp. Comparative analyses among bacterial genomes indicated that GGS_124 was most closely related to GAS. GGS_124 and GAS, but not other streptococci, shared a number of virulence factor genes, including genes encoding streptolysin O, NADase, and streptokinase A, distantly related to SIC (DRS), suggesting the importance of these factors in the development of invasive disease. GGS_124 contained 3 prophages, with one containing a virulence factor gene for streptodornase. All 3 prophages were significantly similar to GAS prophages that carry virulence factor genes, indicating that these prophages had transferred these genes between pathogens. SDSE was found to contain a gene encoding a superantigen, streptococcal exotoxin type G, but lacked several genes present in GAS that encode virulence factors, such as other superantigens, cysteine proteasespeB, and hyaluronan synthase operonhasABC. Similar to GGS_124, the SDSE strains contained larger numbers of clustered, regularly interspaced, short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) spacers than did GAS, suggesting that horizontal gene transfer via streptococcal phages between SDSE and GAS is somewhat restricted, although they share phage species.ConclusionGenome wide comparisons of SDSE with GAS indicate that SDSE is closely and quantitatively related to GAS. SDSE, however, lacks several virulence factors of GAS, including superantigens, SPE-B and thehasABCoperon. CRISPR spacers may limit the horizontal transfer of phage encoded GAS virulence genes into SDSE. These findings may provide clues for dissecting the pathological roles of the virulence factors in SDSE and GAS that cause STSS.