bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of Quantitative Environmental Surveillance in Poliovirus Eradication Strategies
Authors: Lodder W. J. , Buisman A. M. , Rutjes S. A. , Heijne J. C. , Teunis P. F. , de Roda Husman A. M. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT

The progress of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative is monitored by acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance supplemented with environmental surveillance in selected areas. To assess the sensitivity of environmental surveillance, stools from (re)vaccinated elderly persons with a low seroprevalence and from wastewater were concurrently collected and analyzed in the Netherlands over a prolonged period of time. A total number of 228 healthy individuals with different levels of immunity were challenged with monovalent oral polio vaccine serotype 1 or 3. Poliovirus concentrations were determined by the titration of fecal suspensions on poliovirus-sensitive L20B cells and of sewage concentrates by L20B monolayer plaque assay. Almost half of the individuals (45%) shed poliovirus on day 3 after challenge, which peaked (57%) on day 8 with an average poliovirus excretion of 1.3 × 10
5
TCID
50
per g of feces and gradually decreased to less than 5% on day 42. The virus concentrations in sewage peaked on days 6 to 8 at approximately 100 PFU per liter, remained high until day 14, and subsequently decreased to less than 10 PFU per liter on day 29. The estimated poliovirus concentration in sewage approximated the measured initial virus excretion in feces, within 1 log
10
variation, resulting in a sensitivity of detection of 100 infected but mostly asymptomatic individuals in tens of thousands of individuals. An additional second peak observed in sewage may indicate secondary transmission missed by enterovirus or AFP surveillance in patients. This enables the detection of circulating poliovirus by environmental surveillance, supporting its feasibility as an early warning system.
Community Structure Analysis of Methanogens Associated with Rumen Protozoa Reveals Bias in Universal Archaeal Primers
Authors: Tymensen Lisa D. , McAllister Tim A. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT

The diversity of protozoan-associated methanogens in cattle was investigated using five universal archaeal small-subunit (SSU) rRNA gene primer sets.
Methanobrevibacter
spp. and rumen cluster C (distantly related to
Thermoplasma
spp.) were predominant. Significant differences in species composition among libraries indicate that some primers used previously to characterize rumen methanogens exhibit biased amplification.
The Chitin Connection
Authors: Goldman David L. , Vicencio Alfin G. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTChitin, a polymer ofN-acetylglucosamine, is an essential component of the fungal cell wall. Chitosan, a deacetylated form of chitin, is also important in maintaining cell wall integrity and is essential forCryptococcus neoformansvirulence. In their article, Gilbert et al. [N. M. Gilbert, L. G. Baker, C. A. Specht, and J. K. Lodge, mBio 3(1):e00007-12, 2012] demonstrate that the enzyme responsible for chitosan synthesis, chitin deacetylase (CDA), is differentially attached to the cell membrane and wall. Bioactivity is localized to the cell membrane, where it is covalently linked via a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. Findings from this study significantly enhance our understanding of cryptococcal cell wall biology. Besides the role of chitin in supporting structural stability, chitin and host enzymes with chitinase activity have an important role in host defense and modifying the inflammatory response. Thus, chitin appears to provide a link between the fungus and host that involves both innate and adaptive immune responses. Recently, there has been increased attention to the role of chitinases in the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation, especially asthma. We review these findings and explore the possible connection between fungal infections, the induction of chitinases, and asthma.
Human homologue forCaenorhabditis elegansCUL-4 protein overexpression is associated with malignant potential of epithelial ovarian tumours and poor outcome in carcinoma
Authors: Birner Peter , Schoppmann Alexandra , Schindl Monika , Dinhof Carina , Jesch Bettina , Berghoff Anna Sophie , Schoppmann Sebastian F 
Published: March 2012

BackgroundCUL-4 plays a critical role in DNA replication inCaenorhabditis elegans, and interacts with p53 and p21 proteins in cell cycle regulation and response to genomic instability. However, the role of CUL-4 in human carcinomas is widely unknown.AimsTo investigate the expression of CUL-4 protein and its association with p53 and p21, and to determine its prognostic relevance in invasive ovarian carcinoma.MethodsCUL-4, p53 and p21 protein expression was determined retrospectively by immunohistochemistry in 140 specimens of human epithelial ovarian tumours (98 invasive carcinomas and 42 tumours of low malignant potential; LMP).ResultsOverexpression of CUL-4 was observed in 41 (41.8%) of carcinoma samples and in 10 (23.8%) LMP tumours. CUL-4 was significantly more often overexpressed in invasive carcinomas compared with LMP tumours (p=0.042, χ2test, OR 2.302, 95% CI 1.018 to 5.203). In invasive carcinoma, CUL-4 overexpression was found to be a prognostic factor for overall (p=0.017, Cox regression, HR 2.387, 95% CI 1.17 to 4.869) and disease-free survival (p=0.005, Cox regression, HR 3.5, 95% CI 1.465 to 8.365), respectively. In subgroup analysis, CUL-4 was only of prognostic relevance in carcinomas without p53 expression.ConclusionThese data indicate for the first time that CUL-4 might play a relevant role in the development and progression of ovarian carcinoma, warranting further investigations. Degradation of wild-type p53 might be a key mechanism to explain why CUL-4 leads to more aggressive clinical behaviour. Not only CUL-4 itself, but also its associated proteins might represent targets for novel, selective therapeutic strategies.
Downregulation of Human Farnesoid X Receptor by miR-421 Promotes Proliferation and Migration of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Zhang Yan , Gong Wei , Dai Shuangshuang , Huang Gang , Shen Xiaodong , Gao Min , Xu Zhizhen , Zeng Yijun , He Fengtian 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily that is highly expressed in liver, kidney, adrenal gland, and intestine. It plays an important role in regulating the progression of several cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). So it is necessary to study the regulation of FXR. In this study, we found that the expression of miR-421 was inversely correlated with FXR protein level in HCC cell lines. Treatment with miR-421 mimic repressed FXR translation. The reporter assay revealed that miR-421 targeted 3′ untranslated region of human FXR mRNA. Furthermore, downregulation of FXR by miR-421 promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells. These results suggest that miR-421 may serve as a novel molecular target for manipulating FXR expression in hepatocyte and for the treatment of HCC. Mol Cancer Res; 10(4); 516–22. ©2012 AACR.
Maturation-related histone modifications in the PU.1 promoter regulate Th9-cell development
Authors: Ramming Andreas , Druzd David , Leipe Jan , Schulze-Koops Hendrik , Skapenko Alla 
Published: March 2012

AbstractEpigenetic histone modifications are thought to underlie the rapid memory immune response to recall antigen that develops after vaccination. However, histone-modification patterns in genes encoding transcription factors regulating cytokine production have not been investigated in either memory and naive T cells or as the immune system matures to understand the differences in cytokine response patterns. In the present study, we analyzed histone modifications in promoter regions of T-bet, GATA-3, PU.1, IRF4, and RORC in neonatal naive T cells and in adult naive and memory CD4 T cells, and found a unique and dynamic histone-modification pattern in the PU.1 promoter that was related to age and the naive/memory status of a T cell. Naive T cells required more intense stimulation to switch the chromatin pattern in the PU.1 promoter from a repressive to permissive state, and therefore to produce IL-9 than did memory T cells. Inhibition of repressive histone methylation by the specific inhibitor 3-deazaneplanocin induced Th9-specific PU.1 expression, even in conditions that would normally yield only Th0 cytokines. Conversely, prevention of histone acetylation by the histone acetyltransferase inhibitor curcumin diminished PU.1 expression after IL-9–inducing stimulation. Our findings identify age- and differentiation-status–related epigenetic modifications of PU.1 as a unique regulator of Th9 memory acquisition and Th9 immunity.
Cervical cancer screening by visual inspection in Côte d'Ivoire, operational and clinical aspects according to HIV status
Authors: Horo Apollinaire , Jaquet Antoine , Ekouevi Didier K , Toure Badian , Coffie Patrick A , Effi Benjamin , Messou Eugene , Minga Albert , Moh Raoul , Kone Mamourou , Dabis François , Sasco Annie J ,   The IeDEA West Africa collaboration
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Background
Cervical cancer screening is not yet standard of care of women attending HIV care clinics in Africa and presents operational challenges that need to be addressed.

Methods
A cervical cancer screening program based on visual inspection methods was conducted in clinics providing antiretroviral treatment (ART) in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. An itinerant team of midwives was in charge of proposing cervical cancer screening to all HIV-positive women enrolled in ART clinics as well as to HIV-negative women who were attending the Abidjan national blood donor clinic. Positively screened women were systematically referred to a colposcopic examination. A phone-based tracking procedure was implemented to reach positively screened women who did not attend the medical consultation. The association between HIV status and cervical cancer screening outcomes was estimated using a multivariate logistic model.

Results
The frequency of positive visual inspection was 9.0% (95% CI 8.0-10.0) in the 2,998 HIV-positive women and 3.9% (95% CI 2.7-5.1) in the 1,047 HIV-negative ones (p < 10-4). In multivariate analysis, HIV infection was associated with a higher risk of positive visual inspection [OR = 2.28 (95% CI 1.61-3.23)] as well as more extensive lesions involving the endocervical canal [OR = 2.42 (95% CI 1.15-5.08)]. The use of a phone-based tracking procedure enabled a significant reduction of women not attending medical consultation after initial positive screening from 36.5% to 19.8% (p < 10-4).

Conclusion
The higher frequency of positive visual inspection among HIV-positive women supports the need to extend cervical cancer screening program to all HIV clinics in West Africa. Women loss to follow-up after being positively screened is a major concern in cervical screening programs but yet, partly amenable to a phone tracking procedure.
Phosphorylated tau/amyloid beta 1-42 ratio in ventricular cerebrospinal fluid reflects outcome in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus
Authors: Patel Sunil , Lee Edward B , Xie Sharon X , Law Anica , Jackson Eric M , Arnold Steven E , Clark Christopher M , Shaw Leslie M , Grady M Sean , Trojanowski John Q , Hamilton Roy H 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBackgroundIdiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is a potentially reversible cause of dementia and gait disturbance that is typically treated by operative placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. The outcome from shunting is variable, and some evidence suggests that the presence of comorbid Alzheimer's disease (AD) may impact shunt outcome. Evidence also suggests that AD biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may predict the presence of AD. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the phosphorylated tau/amyloid beta 1-42 (ptau/Aβ1-42) ratio in ventricular CSF and shunt outcome in patients with iNPH.MethodsWe conducted a prospective trial with a cohort of 39 patients with suspected iNPH. Patients were clinically and psychometrically assessed prior to and approximately 4 months after ventriculoperitoneal shunting. Lumbar and ventricular CSF obtained intraoperatively, and tissue from intraoperative cortical biopsies were analyzed for AD biomarkers. Outcome measures included performance on clinical symptom scales, supplementary gait measures, and standard psychometric tests. We investigated relationships between the ptau/Aβ1-42 ratio in ventricular CSF and cortical AD pathology, initial clinical features, shunt outcome, and lumbar CSF ptau/Aβ1-42 ratios in the patients in our cohort.ResultsWe found that high ptau/Aβ1-42 ratios in ventricular CSF correlated with the presence of cortical AD pathology. At baseline, iNPH patients with ratio values most suggestive of AD presented with better gait performance but poorer cognitive performance. Patients with high ptau/Aβ1-42 ratios also showed a less robust response to shunting on both gait and cognitive measures. Finally, in a subset of 18 patients who also underwent lumbar puncture, ventricular CSF ratios were significantly correlated with lumbar CSF ratios.ConclusionsLevels of AD biomarkers in CSF correlate with the presence of cortical AD pathology and predict aspects of clinical presentation in iNPH. Moreover, preliminary evidence suggests that CSF biomarkers of AD may prove useful for stratifying shunt prognosis in patients being evaluated and treated for this condition.
Fluorescence anisotropy of diphenylhexatriene and its cationic Trimethylamino derivative in liquid dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine liposomes: opposing responses to isoflurane
Authors: Nelson Steven C , Neeley Steven K , Melonakos Eric D , Bell John D , Busath David D 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Background
The mechanism of action of volatile general anesthetics has not yet been resolved. In order to identify the effects of isoflurane on the membrane, we measured the steady-state anisotropy of two fluorescent probes that reside at different depths. Incorporation of anesthetic was confirmed by shifting of the main phase transition temperature.

Results
In liquid crystalline dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine liposomes, isoflurane (7-25 mM in the bath) increases trimethylammonium-diphenylhexatriene fluorescence anisotropy by ~0.02 units and decreases diphenylhexatriene anisotropy by the same amount.

Conclusions
The anisotropy data suggest that isoflurane decreases non-axial dye mobility in the headgroup region, while increasing it in the tail region. We propose that these results reflect changes in the lateral pressure profile of the membrane.
Molecular Simulation of Hydrogen Physisorption and Chemisorption in Nanoporous Carbon Structures
Authors: Kumar K. Vasanth , Salih Alaaeldin , Lu Linghong , Müller Erich A. , Rodríguez-Reinoso Francisco 
Published: March 2012

The effect of pore morphology on the hydrogen-storage capacity of carbon materials at room temperature (298 K) has been studied using Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) molecular simulation. Prototypical pore geometries such as slit pores and nanotubes were considered along with carbon foams and a random disordered carbon structure. Both physisorption and chemisorption models were considered in order to take into account the most favourable adsorption scenarios. Fluid–fluid and fluid–solid interactions were assumed to follow a Lennard-Jones-type potential. It was seen that physisorption alone cannot account for the adsorption of more than a few weight percentages, regardless of the pore morphology. Under physisorption conditions, the simulation results show that carbons with a slit-shaped pore geometry are more efficient than other geometries at storing hydrogen, particularly at pore distances which allow the formation of fluid layers commensurate with the pore geometry. Slit pores appear to store a maximum of 1.77 wt% hydrogen by physisorption as opposed to carbon foams (1.48 wt%), carbons with a random structure (1.04 wt%) and carbon nanotubes (0.31 wt%). Simulation with hypothetical chemisorption models where the solid–fluid interaction is artificially enhanced showed that the storage capacity is higher in pore geometries with a larger accessible volume. Strong chemisorption gave loadings of up to 17 g/ℓ (1.5 wt%), 91 g/ℓ (13.8 wt%), 57.33 g/ℓ (9.6 wt%) and 42.94 g/ℓ (8.29 wt%) in nanotubes, foams, random structures and slit pores, respectively. Desorption is a problem in this scenario, as only ca. 1–3 wt% hydrogen can be delivered from these structures. Ultimately, the comparison of the different fluid–solid potentials revealed that if solid–fluid interactions could be enhanced beyond the classical dispersion, the more open structures could be ideal candidates for hydrogen-storage materials.
Ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation of benign thyroid nodules: experimental and clinical studies
Authors: Feng Bing , Liang Ping , Cheng Zhigang , Yu Xiaoling , Yu Jie , Han Zhiyu , Liu Fangyi 
Published: March 2012

PurposeTo obtain the treatment parameters of internally cooled microwave antenna and to evaluate the feasibility of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) for benign thyroid nodules.Materials and methodsMWAs were performed by microwave antenna (16G) in ex vivo porcine liver. The lesion diameters achieved in different groups (20, 25, and 30 W for 3, 5, 7, 10, and 12 min) were compared. The clinical study was approved by the ethics committee. Written informed consent was obtained from all patients. MWA was performed in 11 patients (male to female ratio=1:10; mean age, 50±7 years) with 11 benign thyroid nodules. Ultrasound scan, laboratory data, and clinical symptoms were evaluated before and 1 day and 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after the procedure.ResultsIn ex vivo study, the ablation lesion at 30 W 12 min tended to have appropriate scope and spherical shape. In clinical study, the follow-up periods ranged from 1 to 9 months. At the last follow-up, the largest diameter decreased from 2.9±1.0 (range, 1.6–4.1) to 1.9±0.7 (range, 0.4–3.0) cm (P<0.01), and the volume decreased from 5.30±4.88 (range, 0.89–14.81) to 2.40±2.06 (range, 0.02–6.35) ml (P<0.01). The volume reduction ratio was 45.99±29.90 (range, 10.56–98.15) %. The cosmetic grading score was reduced from 3.20±0.79 to 2.30±0.95 (P<0.05). One patient experienced temporary nerve palsy and was recovered within 2 months after treatment.ConclusionThe internally cooled microwave antenna can yield ideal ablation lesions, and ultrasound-guided percutaneous MWA is a feasible technique for benign thyroid nodules.
Telomere-Targeted Retrotransposons in the Rice Blast Fungus Magnaporthe oryzae: Agents of Telomere Instability
Authors: Starnes John H , Thornbury David W , Novikova Olga S , Rehmeyer Cathryn J , Farman Mark L 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
The fungus Magnaporthe oryzae is a serious pathogen of rice and other grasses. Telomeric restriction fragments in Magnaporthe isolates that infect perennial ryegrass (prg) are hotspots for genomic rearrangement and undergo frequent, spontaneous alterations during fungal culture. The telomeres of rice-infecting isolates are very stable by comparison. Sequencing of chromosome ends from a number of prg-infecting isolates revealed two related non-LTR retrotransposons (M. oryzae Telomeric Retrotransposons or MoTeRs) inserted in the telomere repeats. This contrasts with rice pathogen telomeres that are uninterrupted by other sequences. Genetic evidence indicates that the MoTeR elements are responsible for the observed instability. MoTeRs represent a new family of telomere-targeted transposons whose members are found exclusively in fungi.
Individual Composition of Human Leukocyte Antigens and Periodontopathogens in the Background of Periodontitis
Authors: Reichert Stefan , Altermann Wolfgang , Stein Jamal M. , Schaller Hans‐Günter , Machulla Helmut K.G. , Schulz Susanne 
Published: March 2012

Background: Human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) are a basic precondition to induce the immune response to pathogens. Therefore, this study evaluates associations among periodontitis, five key periodontopathic bacteria, and HLAs to test their impact together with additional risk factors in multivariate analyses.Methods: Eighty‐five patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP) and 71 patients with generalized chronic periodontitis (CP) were compared to 88 periodontitis‐free controls. HLA Class I and II typing was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with sequence‐specific primers. Subgingival plaque specimens were detected by PCR with sequence‐specific oligonucleotides. Risk‐factor analyses were performed with respect to the cofactors age, sex, smoking, and plaque level by logistic regression.Results: In the total patient group (GAgP + CP), the adjusted odds ratio (OR) of periodontitis was decreased in cases who were carriers of HLA‐B*57 (OR = 0.259, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.086 to 0.782), HLA‐DQB1*08 (OR = 0.404, 95% CI = 0.187 to 0.871), or the combination HLA‐DRB1*04;DRB4*;DQB1*0302 (OR = 0.407, 95% CI = 0.185 to 0.895). Moreover, individuals who expressed HLA‐DRB1*04 (OR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.148 to 0.886) or HLA‐DRB1*04;DRB4*;DQB1*0302 (OR = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.092 to 0.884) had a decreased colonization risk with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans.Conclusions: Certain HLA markers were negatively associated to the manifestation of a generalized periodontitis and/or the individual colonization of A. actinomycetemcomitans. The underlying mechanisms have to be investigated in future studies.
Effect of Diabetes on Severity and Hospital Mortality in Patients With Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Shen Hsiu-Nien , Lu Chin-Li , Li Chung-Yi 
Published: March 2012

OBJECTIVE
Diabetes may increase the risk of acute pancreatitis (AP). We aimed to further investigate whether diabetes may also adversely affect outcomes of patients with AP.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
In this retrospective cohort study, we compared 18,990 first-attack AP with diabetes to 37,980 matched control subjects from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database between 2000 and 2009. Primary outcomes were development of severe AP, defined by a modified Atlanta classification scheme, and hospital mortality. Analyses were performed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression model with generalized estimating equations accounting for hospital clustering effect.

RESULTS
After baseline characteristics were adjusted, AP patients with diabetes had a higher risk of a severe attack than their nondiabetic counterparts (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.21, 95% CI 1.16–1.26). When severity criteria were analyzed individually, diabetic AP patients had a 58% higher risk of intensive care unit admission and a 30% higher risk of local complications, but a 16% lower risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, than AP patients without diabetes. The risk of organ failure at least one system) was similar between the two groups. Conversely, AP patients with diabetes were associated with a lower risk of hospital mortality (adjusted OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.65–0.91).

CONCLUSIONS
Although diabetes may adversely affect the disease process of AP, it seems to protect patients from AP-related mortality.