bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with paradoxical immune response to antiretroviral therapy in HIV infected patients: a case control study
Authors: Casotti Janaina AS , Passos Luciana N , Oliveira Fabiano JP , Cerutti Crispim 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBackgroundA paradoxical immunologic response (PIR) to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART), defined as viral suppression without CD4 cell-count improvement, has been reported in the literature as 8 to 42%, around 15% in most instances. The present study aims to determine, in a cohort of HIV infected patients in Brazil, what factors were independently associated with such a discordant response to HAART.MethodsA case-control study (1:4) matched by gender was conducted among 934 HIV infected patients on HAART in Brazil. Cases: patients with PIR, defined as CD4 < 350 cells/mm3(hazard ratio for AIDS or death of at least 8.5) and undetectable HIV viral load on HAART for at least one year. Controls: similar to cases, but with CD4 counts ≥ 350 cells/mm3. Eligibility criteria were applied. Data were collected from medical records using a standardized form. Variables were introduced in a hierarchical logistic regression model if a p-value < 0.1 was determined in a bivariate analysis.ResultsAmong 934 patients, 39 cases and 160 controls were consecutively selected. Factors associated with PIR in the logistic regression model were: total time in use of HAART (OR 0.981; CI 95%: 0.96-0.99), nadir CD4-count (OR 0.985; CI 95%: 0.97-0.99), and time of undetectable HIV viral load (OR 0.969; CI 95%: 0.94-0.99).ConclusionsPIR seems to be related to a delay in the management of immunodeficient patients, as shown by its negative association with nadir CD4-count. Strategies should be implemented to avoid such a delay and improve the adherence to HAART as a way to implement concordant responses.
High Resolution Melt analysis for mutation screening in PKD1 and PKD2
Authors: Bataille Stanislas , Berland Yvon , Fontes Michel , Burtey Stéphane 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common hereditary kidney disorder. It is characterized by focal development and progressive enlargement of renal cysts leading to end-stage renal disease. PKD1 and PKD2 have been implicated in ADPKD pathogenesis but genetic features and the size of PKD1 make genetic diagnosis tedious.

Methods
We aim to prove that high resolution melt analysis (HRM), a recent technique in molecular biology, can facilitate molecular diagnosis of ADPKD. We screened for mutations in PKD1 and PKD2 with HRM in 37 unrelated patients with ADPKD.

Results
We identified 440 sequence variants in the 37 patients. One hundred and thirty eight were different. We found 28 pathogenic mutations (25 in PKD1 and 3 in PKD2 ) within 28 different patients, which is a diagnosis rate of 75% consistent with literature mean direct sequencing diagnosis rate. We describe 52 new sequence variants in PKD1 and two in PKD2.

Conclusion
HRM analysis is a sensitive and specific method for molecular diagnosis of ADPKD. HRM analysis is also costless and time sparing. Thus, this method is efficient and might be used for mutation pre-screening in ADPKD genes.
Does quality of care for hypertension in primary care vary with postcode area deprivation? An observational study
Authors: Hammouche Salah , Holland Richard , Steel Nicholas 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background
Hypertension is a common major risk factor for stroke and coronary heart disease. Little is known about how achievement of financially incentivised and non-incentivised indicators of quality of care varies with deprivation, or about the effect of financial incentives on health inequalities in hypertension. General practices in the UK have received financial incentives for high quality care since 2004. This study set out to assess the variations in achievement of incentivised and non-incentivised quality indicators for hypertension by patient area deprivation, before and after the introduction of financial incentives.

Methods
Achievement of 14 quality indicators for hypertension in 304 patient participants in 18 general practices in Norfolk, England was assessed one year before (2003) and one year after (2005) the introduction of financial incentives. Four indicators were incentivised and 10 were non-incentivised. Each participant's postcode was linked to an index of multiple deprivation score.

Results
The range of achievement of incentivised quality indicators was 65-94% in the least deprived third of participants, and 77-94% in the most deprived third in 2003 and 2005 combined. For non-incentivised indicators, the range was 7-85% in the least deprived and 24-93% in the most deprived third.
Achievement of incentivised quality indicators in 2003 and 2005 combined did not vary significantly by area deprivation. Achievement of three of 10 non-incentivised indicators was higher in participants from more deprived postcode areas: providing lifestyle advice (odds ratio 1.34, 95% confidence interval 1.00-1.79), assessment of peripheral vascular disease (1.54, 1.02-2.35) and electrocardiography (1.38, 1.04-1.82).

Conclusions
Participants from more deprived areas received at least the same, and sometimes better, quality of care than those from less deprived areas. Quality of care for hypertension in general practice may not follow the inequitable distribution seen with some other conditions.
Loop-mediated isothermal amplification for detection of porcine circovirus type 2
Authors: Zhou Shun , Han Si , Shi Jianli , Wu Jiaqiang , Yuan Xiaoyuan , Cong Xiaoyan , Xu Shaojian , Wu Xiaoyan , Li Jun , Wang Jinbao 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background
Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the primary causative agent of the emerging swine disease known as postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). Nowadays, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is still the most widespread technique in pathogen detection. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), a novel nucleic acid amplification method developed in 2000, will possibly replace PCR in the field of detection. To establish a LAMP method for rapid detection of PCV2, two pairs of primers were designed specially from the open reading frame 2 (ORF2) sequences of PCV2. A LAMP method for rapid detection of PCV2 was established. To compare with PCR, sensitivity and specificity of LAMP were evaluated using the optimized reaction system. The LAMP products could be determined by agarose gel electrophoresis or adding SYBR Green I dye.

Results
The amplification of LAMP could be obtained at 63°C for 60 min. The detection limit was nearly 1 copy of DNA plasmid, more sensitive than PCR. There was no cross-reaction with porcine circovirus type 1 (PCV1), porcine pseudorabies virus (PRV) and porcine parvovirus (PPV) under the same conditions.

Conclusions
LAMP is an useful rapid detection method with high sensitivity and specificity for PCV2.
Aberrant DNA methylation of cancer-related genes in giant breast fibroadenoma: a case report
Authors: Marzese Diego M , Gago Francisco E , Orozco Javier I , Tello Olga M , Roqué María , Vargas-Roig Laura M 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Introduction
Giant fibroadenoma is an uncommon variant of benign breast lesions. Aberrant methylation of CpG islands in promoter regions is known to be involved in the silencing of genes (for example, tumor-suppressor genes) and appears to be an early event in the etiology of breast carcinogenesis. Only hypermethylation of p16INK4a has been reported in non-giant breast fibroadenoma. In this particular case, there are no previously published data on epigenetic alterations in giant fibroadenomas. Our previous results, based on the analysis of 49 cancer-related CpG islands have confirmed that the aberrant methylation is specific to malignant breast tumors and that it is completely absent in normal breast tissue and breast fibroadenomas.

Case presentation
A 13-year-old Hispanic girl was referred after she had noted a progressive development of a mass in her left breast. On physical examination, a 10 × 10 cm lump was detected and axillary lymph nodes were not enlarged. After surgical removal the lump was diagnosed as a giant fibroadenoma. Because of the high growth rate of this benign tumor, we decided to analyze the methylation status of 49 CpG islands related to cell growth control. We have identified the methylation of five cancer-related CpG islands in the giant fibroadenoma tissue: ESR1, MGMT, WT-1, BRCA2 and CD44.

Conclusion
In this case report we show for the first time the methylation analysis of a giant fibroadenoma. The detection of methylation of these five cancer-related regions indicates substantial epigenomic differences with non-giant fibroadenomas. Epigenetic alterations could explain the higher growth rate of this tumor. Our data contribute to the growing knowledge of aberrant methylation in breast diseases. In this particular case, there exist no previous data regarding the role of methylation in giant fibroadenomas, considered by definition as a benign breast lesion.
A patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and atypical clinical and electrodiagnostic features: a case report
Authors: Venizelos Alexander , Park Youngsook , Fisher Morris A 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Introduction
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a rapidly progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disorder for which there is no effective treatment. The diagnosis is dependent on the clinical presentation and consistent electrodiagnostic studies. Typically, there is a combination of upper and lower motor neuron signs as well as electrodiagnostic studies indicative of diffuse motor axonal injury. The presentation of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, however, may be variable. At the same time, the diagnosis is essential for patient prognosis and management. It is therefore important to appreciate the range of possible presentations of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Case presentation
We present the case of a 57-year-old Caucasian man with pathological findings on postmortem examination consistent with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis but atypical clinical and electrodiagnostic features. He died after a rapid course of progressive weakness. The patient did not respond to immunosuppressive therapy.

Conclusion
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis should be considered in patients with a rapidly progressive, unexplained neuropathic process. This should be true even if there are atypical clinical and electrodiagnostic findings. Absence of response to therapy and the development of upper motor neuron signs should reinforce the possibility that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis may be present. Since amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a fatal illness, however, the possibility of this disease in patients with atypical clinical features should not diminish the need for a thorough diagnostic evaluation and treatment trials.
The protective effects of plasma gelsolin on stroke outcome in rats
Authors: Le Huong T , Hirko Aaron C , Thinschmidt Jeffrey S , Grant Maria , Li Zhimin , Peris Joanna , King Michael A , Hughes Jeffrey A , Song Sihong 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background
To date, recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) is the only approved drug for ischemic stroke. It is intravenously administered functioning as a thrombolytic agent and is used to obtain reperfusion of the affected area of the brain. Excitotoxicity, inflammation and apoptosis are all involved in delayed neuronal death following stroke and offer multiple opportunities to intervene with neuroprotective agents. Gelsolin (GSN) is an actin- and calcium-binding protein mediating the disassembly of actin filaments and activity of calcium channels. It also functions as a regulator of apoptosis and inflammatory responses. This study tests the hypothesis that increasing the concentration of the form of GSN known as plasma GSN (pGSN) near an infarct will provide neuroprotection following ischemic stroke.

Methods
We induced middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in male rats via intracranial injection of endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoconstrictor, and then treated with local delivery of pGSN. Whole brain laser Doppler perfusion imaging was performed through the skull to assess MCAO effectiveness. Cylinder and vibrissae tests evaluated sensorimotor function before and 72 h after MCAO. Infarct volumes were examined 72 h after MCAO via 2, 3, 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) assay.

Results
Estimates of relative cerebral perfusion were significantly decreased in all groups receiving MCAO with no differences detected between treatments. Despite equivalent initial strokes, the infarct volume of the pGSN treatment group was significantly reduced compared with the untreated MCAO rats at 72 h. ET-1 induced significant deficits in both cylinder and vibrissae tests while pGSN significantly limited these deficits.

Conclusion
Gelsolin could be a promising drug for protection against neurodegeneration following ischemic stroke.
Transcriptional activation of theIL31gene by NFAT and STAT6
Authors: Park Keunhee , Park Joo-Hong , Yang Wook-Jin , Lee Jong-Joo , Song Min-Ji , Kim Hyoung-Pyo 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTIL-31, a newly identified member of the IL-6 cytokine family, is involved in many pathological conditions, including atopic dermatitis and pruritis. In this study, we investigated how expression of IL-31 is regulated in T cells and mast cells. We observed that expression of IL-31 required a calcium signal and was dependent on the calcineurin-NFAT signaling pathway. Moreover, we found that IL-31 promoter contains a positive regulatory region that mediates calcium- and IL-4-dependent induction of the IL-31 gene and demonstrated that a change into an open chromatin conformation occurs in this region after stimulation with calcium and IL-4. Whereas IL-4 responsiveness required STAT6 binding sites, calcium responsiveness of IL-31 promoter required NFAT binding sites that bind NFATc1 and NFATc2 in vitro and in vivo. The induction of IL-31 promoter activity was impaired when these sites were mutated but was enhanced by CA-NFATc1 or STAT6 proteins and further increased synergistically by combinations of both proteins. Furthermore, the importance of STAT6 proteins was indicated by impaired, IL-4-mediated induction of IL-31 in STAT6-diminished Jurkat cells. Thus, our data demonstrate that calcium and IL-4 signals are required to mediate induction of IL-31 in Th2 cells and mast cells and that this induction appears to result from specific binding of NFAT and STAT6 proteins.
Natural killer cell-produced IFN-γ and TNF-α induce target cell cytolysis through up-regulation of ICAM-1
Authors: Wang Ruipeng , Jaw Jessica J , Stutzman Nicole C , Zou Zhongcheng , Sun Peter D 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTNK cells control tumor and virus-infected cells through releasing cytotoxic granules and proinflammatory cytokines. IFN-γ and TNF-α secretions and cytotoxicity are regarded as two distinct functions of NK cells with little synergy in between as results of early association of the two functions with distinct subsets of NK populations and of the studies showing target cells developing NK resistance upon IFN-γ treatment. Here, we show that IFN-γ and TNF-α synergistically enhance NK cell cytotoxicity through NF-κB-dependent up-regulation of ICAM-1 expression in target cells, thereby promoting their conjugate formation with NK cells. Neutralizing IFN-γ and TNF-α during cytolysis significantly impaired NK cell lysis of the target cells. Further, tumor cells exhibiting IFN-γ-inducible lysis are generally less-sensitive NK target cells but express inducible levels of ICAM-1. In contrast, sensitive NK targets tend to express higher but less-inducible ICAM-1. Their preferential induction in the lysis of insensitive NK target cells suggests that IFN-γ and TNF-α are functionally linked to and should be regarded as an integral part of NK cytolytic function.
Decontamination of radioruthenium from TRUEX Solvent
Authors: Kumaresan R. , Nayak Prasant Kumar , Venkatesan K. A. , Antony M. P. , Vasudeva Rao P. R. 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
A procedure has been developed for the decontamination of radioruthenium from the lean organic phase composed of a solution 0.2 M n-octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethylyphosphineoxide (CMPO) and 1.2 M tri-n-butylphosphate (TBP) in n-dodecane (n-DD), which was used for the partitioning of minor actinides from actual high active waste solution (155 GWd/Te). For this purpose, the stripping behavior of radioruthenium from 0.2 M CMPO–1.2 M TBP in n-DD was studied at 298 K by using various aqueous reagents and adsorbents. Among the different reagents investigated, the aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate and adsorbents such as neutral alumina and anion exchange resin (OH- form) were identified as the promising candidates. Nearly 90–95% of radioruthenium was removed from the lean organic phase in seven contacts using sodium carbonate or sodium hydroxide solution. The residual radioactivity in the organic phase was removed by treatment with neutral alumina or anion exchange resin. The quality of the organic phase was ascertained by 241Am(III) retention test.
Non-Nationalists and Other Nationalists
Authors: Taruskin Richard 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
We have discussed Russian music in terms of its Russianness long enough. A short history and analysis of that discourse, its double standards and its contradictions, is given, focusing on the seminal writings of Vladimir Stasov, and an account of its migration westward, at first through the writings of Rosa Newmarch. The article ends with a call for de-exoticizing Russian music in the discourse of musicology.
High Anxiety: New Venues, New Audiences, and the Fear of the Popular in Late Imperial Russian Musical Life
Authors: Sargeant Lynn M. 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
Russia's social and economic transformation at the beginning of the twentieth century was accompanied by profound cultural and artistic transformation. In particular, Russian cultural elites struggled to control and contain what they saw as threats to Russia's national culture. At the same time, however, they sought ways to bring the working classes into a closer cultural accord with educated society. Although these efforts continued a long process of intelligentsia efforts to shape Russian society by controlling the development of “the people,” industrialization and urbanization had already begun to fundamentally restructure the relationship between the educated and popular classes.
In musical life, the intelligentsia struggled with two somewhat contradictory impulses: first, to simultaneously protect musical and song traditions from the threat of contamination by new urban genres; and second, to develop “rational recreations” that would appeal to the peasantry and the urban working classes. To those ends, they created, among other activities, accessible (obshchedostupnyi) concerts, temperance choirs, and singing classes in a wide variety of locations across the Russian Empire. These musical projects were part of a much larger, somewhat utopian effort by educated society to create an ideal Russia by eliminating its supposed social, cultural, economic, and political backwardness relative to Western Europe. Nevertheless, the consequences for Russian musical life proved significant. Not only did these efforts lay the moral and intellectual foundation for Soviet-era interventionist and utopian cultural policies, but they also in the short term significantly diversified and democratized musical life in the last decades of tsarist rule.
Generalizations of the Finite Element Method
Authors: Schweitzer Marc 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
This paper is concerned with the generalization of the finite element method via the use of non-polynomial enrichment functions. Several methods employ this general approach, e.g. the extended finite element method and the generalized finite element method. We review these approaches and interpret them in the more general framework of the partition of unity method. Here we focus on fundamental construction principles, approximation properties and stability of the respective numerical method. To this end, we consider meshbased and meshfree generalizations of the finite element method and the use of smooth, discontinuous, singular and numerical enrichment functions.
A novel reagent for spectroscopic determination of Mo(VI)
Authors: Taşcıoğlu Sülin , Kakı Esra , Taşcıoğlu Senay 
Published: November 2011

AbstractA new reagent for spectrophotometric determination of Mo(VI) was developed utilizing micellar effects. For this purpose, differences in the ultraviolet and visible spectral properties of Mo(VI), gallic acid, L-serine, and their binary and ternary solutions were studied in the presence and absence of cationic, anionic, and non-ionic surface active agents. L-serine was observed to form binary complexes and a ternary complex with Mo(VI) and gallic acid below its isoelectric point. The maximum Mo(VI) sensitivity was exerted by the Mo(VI) + gallic acid + L-serine + hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide system at pH of 4.5. This system was proposed for use in the spectrophotometric determination of Mo(VI) as a superior alternative to the Mo(VI) + gallic acid + hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide system and to most of the instrumental analysis methods referred to in the literature. The mechanism of micellar effects was discussed on the basis of the spectral data obtained above and below the isoelectric point of L-serine and explained in terms of the molecular charge of the substrates and the surfactants.
Design, synthesis, preliminary pharmacological evaluation, and docking studies of pyrazoline derivatives
Authors: Das Nirupam , Dash Biswajit , Dhanawat Meenakshi , Shrivastava Sushant 
Published: November 2011

AbstractTen derivatives of N1 substituted/unsubstituted 5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(2-thienyl) pyrazoline were synthesised from chalcone-like intermediate and substituted phenyl hydrazines, hydrazine hydrate, and semi/thiosemicarbazide. The chemical structure of compounds was confirmed by means of IR, 1H NMR, mass spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The antidepressant and anticonvulsant activities were investigated by Porsolt’s behavioural despair test (forced swimming) and maximum electroshock seizure test, respectively. Rota-Rod test was performed to assess any probable changes in motor coordination induced by the test compounds. Four compounds (IId, IIg, IIi, and IIj) exhibited good activity profile against depression and docking studies confirmed their consensual interaction with monoamine oxidase A. In addition, compounds IIc and IIe showed protection against MES-induced seizures.
Some new closures on orders
Authors: Czédli Gábor 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
For each of the relations “less than or equal to”, “less than”, “covered by”, and “covered by or equal to”, we characterize finite orders (also called posets) with the property that the pair of Galois closure operators induced by the relation in question coincides with the pair of closure operators introduced and applied in our previous paper in 2007. We also consider the “less than or equal to” relation between the set of join-irreducible elements and the set of meet-irreducible elements, and we show that the above-mentioned pairs of closure operators coincide for finite modular lattices.
On regular duo po-Γ-semigroups
Authors: Kehayopulu Niovi 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
There are two definitions of Γ-semigroups and investigations for both of them in the bibliography. The definition given by Sen in 1981, and the definition given by Sen and Saha in 1986. In this paper we show the way we pass from ordered semigroups to ordered Γ-semigroups no matter which one of the two definitions we use. Moreover we show that, exactly as in ordered semigroups, in many results of ordered Γ-semigroups points do not play any essential role, but the sets, which shows their pointless character. Under the methodology using in this paper, all the results of ordered semigroups can be transferred into ordered Γ-semigroups.