bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of surveillance methods applied to a situation of low malaria prevalence at rural sites in The Gambia and Guinea Bissau
Authors: Satoguina Judith , Walther Brigitte , Drakeley Christopher , Nwakanma Davis , Oriero Eniyou C , Correa Simon , Corran Patrick , Conway David J , Walther Michael 
Published: December 2009

Abstract

Background
Health record-based observations from several parts of Africa indicate a major decline in malaria, but up-to-date information on parasite prevalence in West-Africa is sparse. This study aims to provide parasite prevalence data from three sites in the Gambia and Guinea Bissau, respectively, and compares the usefulness of PCR, rapid diagnostic tests (RDT), serology and slide-microscopy for surveillance.

Methods
Cross-sectional surveys in 12 villages at three rural sites were carried out in the Gambia and Guinea Bissau in January/February 2008, shortly following the annual transmission season.

Results
A surprisingly low microscopically detectable parasite prevalence was detected in the Gambia (Farafenni: 10.9%, CI95%: 8.7-13.1%; Basse: 9.0%, CI95%: 7.2-10.8%), and Guinea Bissau (Caio: 4%, CI95%: 2.6-5.4%), with low parasite densities (geometric mean: 104 parasites/μl, CI95%: 76-143/μl). In comparison, PCR detected a more than three times higher proportion of parasite carriers, indicating its usefulness to sensitively identify foci where malaria declines, whereas the RDT had very low sensitivity. Estimates of force of infection using age sero-conversion rates were equivalent to an EIR of approximately 1 infectious bite/person/year, significantly less than previous estimates. The sero-prevalence profiles suggest a gradual decline of malaria transmission, confirming their usefulness in providing information on longer term trends of transmission. A greater variability in parasite prevalence among villages within a site than between sites was observed with all methods. The fact that serology equally captured the inter-village variability, indicates that the observed heterogeneity represents a stable pattern.

Conclusion
PCR and serology may be used as complementary tools to survey malaria in areas of declining malaria prevalence such as the Gambia and Guinea Bissau.
A surveillance summary of smoking and review of tobacco control in Jordan
Authors: Belbeisi Adel , Al Nsour Mohannad , Batieha Anwar , Brown David W , Walke Henry T 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
The burden of smoking-related diseases in Jordan is increasingly evident. During 2006, chronic, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) accounted for more than 50% of all deaths in Jordan. With this evidence in hand, we highlight the prevalence of smoking in Jordan among youth and adults and briefly review legislation that governs tobacco control in Jordan. The prevalence of smoking in Jordan remains unacceptably high with smoking and use of tobacco prevalences ranging from 15% to 30% among students aged 13-15 years and a current smoking prevalence near 50% among men. Opportunities exist to further reduce smoking among both youth and adults; however, combating tobacco use in Jordan will require partnerships and long-term commitments between both private and public institutions as well as within local communities.
Gamma motor neurons express distinct genetic markers at birth and require muscle spindle-derived GDNF for postnatal survival
Authors: Shneider Neil A , Brown Meghan N , Smith Courtney A , Pickel James , Alvarez Francisco J 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
Background
Gamma motor neurons (γ-MNs) selectively innervate muscle spindle intrafusal fibers and regulate their sensitivity to stretch. They constitute a distinct subpopulation that differs in morphology, physiology and connectivity from α-MNs, which innervate extrafusal muscle fibers and exert force. The mechanisms that control the differentiation of functionally distinct fusimotor neurons are unknown. Progress on this question has been limited by the absence of molecular markers to specifically distinguish and manipulate γ-MNs. Recently, it was reported that early embryonic γ-MN precursors are dependent on GDNF. Using this knowledge we characterized genetic strategies to label developing γ-MNs based on GDNF receptor expression, showed their strict dependence for survival on muscle spindle-derived GDNF and generated an animal model in which γ-MNs are selectively lost.

Results
In mice heterozygous for both the Hb9::GFP transgene and a tau-lacZ-labeled (TLZ) allele of the GDNF receptor Gfrα1, we demonstrated that small motor neurons with high Gfrα1-TLZ expression and lacking Hb9::GFP display structural and synaptic features of γ-MNs and are selectively lost in mutants lacking target muscle spindles. Loss of muscle spindles also results in the downregulation of Gfrα1 expression in some large diameter MNs, suggesting that spindle-derived factors may also influence populations of α-MNs with β-skeletofusimotor collaterals. These molecular markers can be used to identify γ-MNs from birth to the adult and to distinguish γ- from β-motor axons in the periphery. We also found that postnatal γ-MNs are also distinguished by low expression of the neuronal nuclear protein (NeuN). With these markers of γ-MN identity, we show after conditional elimination of GDNF from muscle spindles that the survival of γ-MNs is selectively dependent on spindle-derived GDNF during the first 2 weeks of postnatal development.

Conclusion
Neonatal γ-MNs display a unique molecular profile characterized by the differential expression of a series of markers - Gfrα1, Hb9::GFP and NeuN - and the selective dependence on muscle spindle-derived GDNF. Deletion of GDNF expression from muscle spindles results in the selective elimination of γ-MNs with preservation of the spindle and its sensory innervation. This provides a mouse model with which to explore the specific role of γ-fusimotor activity in motor behaviors.
Correlations between atazanavir Ctrough and hyperbilirubinemia: a case report
Authors: Uglietti Alessia , Novati Stefano , Gulminetti Roberto , Maserati Renato 
Published: December 2009

Abstract

Introduction
Hyperbilirubinemia is a common side effect of the antiretroviral agent atazanavir but is generally reversible upon discontinuation of treatment. We used therapeutic drug monitoring to investigate the occurrence of hyperbilirubinemia in a 49-year-old Hispanic man infected with HIV, following an overdose of ritonavir in ritonavir-boosted atazanavir therapy.

Case presentation
A 49-year-old Hispanic man with HIV who had received several highly active antiretroviral therapy regimens over a number of years including atazanavir-containing regimens, was diagnosed with hyperbilirubinemia. An inappropriate doubling of ritonavir boosting resulted in a high atazanavir Ctrough and an initial rise in bilirubin plasma levels. Bilirubin levels later decreased, probably as a consequence of enzyme induction, while atazanavir plasma concentrations remained elevated.

Conclusion
This article describes an occurrence of hyperbilirubinemia in a man infected with HIV and supports the importance of therapeutic drug monitoring in investigations of hyperbilirubinemia among patients receiving antiretroviral agents. That the patient tolerated exceptionally high atazanavir levels further strengthens the tolerability profile of this drug.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Tuberous sclerosis with pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis and renal angiomyolipomas. Computed tomographic findings: a case report
Authors: Vianna Flávia G , Marchiori Edson , Zanetti Gláucia , Mano Claudia M , Sarcinelli-Luz Branca , Carvalho Juliana F , Assed Carla , Santos Isabella G , Santos Alair ASMD , Vianna Alberto D 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
The authors describe a case of a 31-year-old female with tuberous sclerosis, a genetic, rare, variably expressed disease. Clinical symptoms were chest pain, and progressive dyspnea. Computed tomography scan of the chest showed bilateral, diffuse, small thin-walled cysts scattered throughout the lungs characteristic for pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Computed tomography scan of the abdomen revealed enlarged, heterogeneous kidneys, with low density tumors corresponding to angiomyolipomas. Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis and bilateral renal angiomyolipomas are some presentations of tuberous sclerosis and the coexistence of both conditions may cause devastating morbidity and mortality.
High origin of dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve and variations in its branching pattern and distribution: a case report
Authors: Lama Polly , Potu Bhagath K , Bhat Kumar MR 
Published: December 2009

Abstract

Introduction
Ulnar nerve is a branch of the brachial plexus. In the front of the forearm, normally near the wrist joint, it gives a dorsal cutaneous branch which supplies the skin of the dorsum of the hand.

Case presentation
The present case reports a very rare finding, the dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve along with the main nerve trunk originated between the two heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle, after descending along the medial border of the forearm extensor surface, on the dorsal aspect of the wrist it is divided into three branches, one medial and two lateral. The medial most division received a communicating branch from the superficial ramus of the ulnar nerve and continued as the medial proper digital nerve of the little finger. The lateral two divisions became cutaneous on the medial half of the dorsum of the hand along the medial three digits i.e. radial and ulnar side of little, ring and middle finger.

Conclusion
The site, extent of injury, variations and the delay in the treatment, significantly influences the outcome of ulnar nerve repair. Thus, an adequate knowledge of all possible variations in the ulnar nerve may be important for clinicians and may help to explain uncommon symptoms.
Plant polycistronic precursors containing non-homologous microRNAs target transcripts encoding functionally related proteins
Authors: Merchan Francisco , Boualem Adnane , Crespi Martin , Frugier Florian 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
Background
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous single-stranded small RNAs that regulate the expression of specific mRNAs involved in diverse biological processes. In plants, miRNAs are generally encoded as a single species in independent transcriptional units, referred to as MIRNA genes, in contrast to animal miRNAs, which are frequently clustered.

Results
We performed a comparative genomic analysis in three model plants (rice, poplar and Arabidopsis) and characterized miRNA clusters containing two to eight miRNA species. These clusters usually encode miRNAs of the same family and certain share a common evolutionary origin across monocot and dicot lineages. In addition, we identified miRNA clusters harboring miRNAs with unrelated sequences that are usually not evolutionarily conserved. Strikingly, non-homologous miRNAs from the same cluster were predicted to target transcripts encoding related proteins. At least four Arabidopsis non-homologous clusters were expressed as single transcriptional units. Overexpression of one of these polycistronic precursors, producing Ath-miR859 and Ath-miR774, led to the DCL1-dependent accumulation of both miRNAs and down-regulation of their different mRNA targets encoding F-box proteins.

Conclusions
In addition to polycistronic precursors carrying related miRNAs, plants also contain precursors allowing coordinated expression of non-homologous miRNAs to co-regulate functionally related target transcripts. This mechanism paves the way for using polycistronic MIRNA precursors as a new molecular tool for plant biologists to simultaneously control the expression of different genes.
Tandem repeats modify the structure of human genes hosted in segmental duplications
Authors: De Grassi Anna , Ciccarelli Francesca D 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
Background
Recently duplicated genes are often subject to genomic rearrangements that can lead to the development of novel gene structures. Here we specifically investigated the effect of variations in internal tandem repeats (ITRs) on the gene structure of human paralogs located in segmental duplications.

Results
We found that around 7% of the primate-specific genes located within duplicated regions of the genome contain variable tandem repeats. These genes are members of large groups of recently duplicated paralogs that are often polymorphic in the human population. Half of the identified ITRs occur within coding exons and may be either kept or spliced out from the mature transcript. When ITRs reside within exons, they encode variable amino acid repeats. When located at exon-intron boundaries, ITRs can generate alternative splicing patterns through the formation of novel introns.

Conclusions
Our study shows that variation in the number of ITRs impacts on recently duplicated genes by modifying their coding sequence, splicing pattern, and tissue expression. The resulting effect is the production of a variety of primate-specific proteins, which mostly differ in number and sequence of amino acid repeats.
Lipid droplet formation in leprosy: Toll-like receptor-regulated organelles involved in eicosanoid formation and Mycobacterium leprae pathogenesis
Authors: Mattos Katherine A , D'Avila Heloisa , Rodrigues Luciana S , Oliveira Viviane G C , Sarno Euzenir N , Atella Georgia C , Pereira Geraldo M , Bozza Patricia T , Pessolani Maria Cristina V 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
Lipid droplets induced by Mycobacterium leprae in macrophages are Toll-like receptor-regulated organelles involved in eicosanoid formation and leprosy pathogenesis.
A hallmark of LL is the accumulation of Virchow's foamy macrophages. However, the origin and nature of these lipids, as well as their function and contribution to leprosy disease, remain unclear. We herein show that macrophages present in LL dermal lesions are highly positive for ADRP, suggesting that their foamy aspect is at least in part derived from LD (also known as lipid bodies) accumulation induced during ML infection. Indeed, the capacity of ML to induce LD formation was confirmed in vivo via an experimental model of mouse pleurisy and in in vitro studies with human peripheral monocytes and murine peritoneal macrophages. Furthermore, infected cells were shown to propagate LD induction to uninfected, neighboring cells by generating a paracrine signal, for which TLR2 and TLR6 were demonstrated to be essential. However, TLR2 and TLR6 deletions affected LD formation in bacterium-bearing cells only partially, suggesting the involvement of alternative receptors of the innate immune response besides TLR2/6 for ML recognition by macrophages. Finally, a direct correlation between LD formation and PGE2 production was observed, indicating that ML-induced LDs constitute intracellular sites for eicosanoid synthesis and that foamy cells may be critical regulators in subverting the immune response in leprosy.
Estrogen Receptor-α as a Drug Target Candidate for Preventing Lung Inflammation
Authors: Vegeto Elisabetta , Cuzzocrea Salvatore , Crisafulli Concetta , Mazzon Emanuela , Sala Angelo , Krust Andreè , Maggi Adriana 
Published: December 2009

AbstractAccumulating evidence shows that estrogens are protective factors in inflammatory lung diseases and are involved in the gender-related incidence of these pathologies. The aim of this study was to identify which estrogen receptor (ER), ER-α and/or ERβ, mediates hormone antiinflammatory effects in lung and how gender or aging modify this effect. Acute lung inflammation in wild type, ERα or ERβ knockout animals was induced by pleural injection of carrageenan; female mice were used and sham operated, ovariectomized, or ovariectomized and treated with 17β-estradiol (E2) before carrageenan. Our data show that ERα, and not ERβ, mediates E2-induced reduction of the inflammatory response. By real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry assays, we demonstrate ERα expression in the resident and infiltrated inflammatory cells of the lung, in which ERβ could not be detected. In these cells, E2-mediated reduction in the expression of inflammatory mediators was also due to ERα. In parallel, we observed that female mice were more prone to inflammation as compared with males, suggesting a gender-related difference in lung susceptibility to inflammatory stimuli, whereas the effect of E2 was similar in the two sexes. Interestingly, aging results in a strong increase in the inflammatory response in both sexes and in the disruption E2/ERα signaling pathway. In conclusion, our data reveal that E2 is able to regulate lung inflammation in a gender-unrelated, age-restricted manner. The specific involvement of ERα in hormone action opens new ways to identify drug targets that limit the inflammatory component of lung pathologies.
Long-Range Transcriptional Control of Progesterone Receptor Gene Expression
Authors: Bonéy-Montoya Jamie , Ziegler Yvonne S. , Curtis Carol D. , Montoya Jonathan A. , Nardulli Ann M. 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
Estrogen receptor α (ERα) binds to specific target DNA sequences, estrogen response elements (EREs), to regulate estrogen-responsive gene expression. The progesterone receptor (PR) gene has been used extensively as a marker of estrogen responsiveness. Although we previously identified cis elements within 1 kb of the PR-B transcription start site that are associated with ERα and help to confer estrogen responsiveness, the identification of ERα binding sites far removed from the transcription start site suggested that long-range regulation of this gene may occur. We now show that eight regions of the PR gene from 311 kb upstream to 4 kb downstream of the PR-B transcription start site interact with ERα and that coactivator proteins and acetylated histones are selectively associated with these gene regions. Specific PR gene regions confer estrogen responsiveness to a heterologous reporter plasmid, and mutation of EREs within these regions diminishes estrogen-induced transactivation. Importantly, chromosome conformation capture assays reveal ERα- and ligand-dependent interactions between proximal and distal PR gene regions. Taken together, our studies suggest that distal regions of the PR gene participate in the dynamic regulation of this gene and that the coordinated action of proximal and distal PR gene regions allows cells to respond to changes in hormone levels with extraordinary versatility and sensitivity.
Apolipoproteins in diabetes dyslipidaemia in South Asians with young adult-onset diabetes: distribution, associations and patterns
Authors: Katulanda Gaya W , Katulanda Prasad , Adler A I , Peiris S R , Draisey I , Wijeratne S , Sheriff R , Matthews D R , Shine Brian 
Published: December 2009

Background Apolipoproteins B (apoB) and AI (apoAI) are strong predictors of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We describe apolipoprotein distributions and their associations with lipids and diabetes subtype in diabetic young adult South Asians. Methods In 995 subjects with diabetes, we measured fasting total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), triglycerides (TG), apoB and apoAI, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GADA). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) and non-HDLC (NHDLC) were calculated. We compared values in subjects aged 15–50 y from the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Results Median age and duration of diabetes were 38 (range 14–45) and 4 (0–24) y. Men had significantly higher TC, TG, NHDLC, TC/HDLC, apoB/AI and NHDLC/apoB, and lower apoAI than women. Compared with the reference group, patients with type 1 diabetes had lower TG, apoB:apoAI and HDLC:apoAI, and higher HDLC and apoAI. Patients with type 2 diabetes had higher TG, TC, LDLC, NHDLC, TC:HDL, apoB, apoAI and apoB:apoAI, and lower HDLC, LDLC:apoB and HDLC:apoAI. Among patients with type 2 diabetes, 54% had high apoB (>1.2 g/L) and 33% also had high TG (>1.5 mmol/L). Measures of obesity (body mass index and waist circumference) were weakly correlated with lipid and apoprotein parameters, suggesting a modest contribution to dyslipidaemia. Conclusions A large proportion of young adult Sri Lankan patients with type 2 diabetes has a low LDLC:apoB and high apoB and/or TG, suggesting that these patients are at increased risk of CVD.
Complications and side-effects of foam sclerotherapy
Authors: Guex J-J 
Published: December 2009

Aims To describe and report incidence and frequency of side-effects and complications of sclerotherapy with foamed sclerosing agents. To explain, when possible, their pathophysiology and to indicate possible manoeuvres and techniques to limit them. Methods Review of current literature and personal research. Results Complications of foam sclerotherapy include complications of sclerotherapy in general and specific complications of foamed sclerosing agents. Side-effects related to the sclerosing compounds are also taken into account. Conclusion Complications and side-effects of careful foam sclerotherapy remain uncommon. However, more research is needed to understand them better and to further reduce their incidence. Their description to patients in the course of the informed consent is a prerequisite to any sclerosing treatment.
Circulating vaspin is unrelated to insulin sensitivity in a cohort of nondiabetic humans
Authors: Loeffelholz Christian von , Möhlig Matthias , Arafat Ayman M , Isken Frank , Spranger Joachim , Mai Knut , Randeva Harpal S , Pfeiffer Andreas F H , Weickert Martin O 
Published: December 2009

ObjectiveTo study the association of vaspin with glucose metabolism.DesignCross-sectional and intervention study.Subjects and methodsThe association of serum vaspin with metabolic and anthropometric characteristics was investigated in 108 volunteers. Euglycemic–hyperinsulinemic clamps (EHC) were performed in 83 of the participants. Changes of circulating vaspin levels were additionally studied in a crossover study using 300 min EHC with lipid versus saline infusion (n=10).ResultsNeither glucose tolerance status nor insulin sensitivity, both as measured using EHCs and using homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), was significantly associated with serum vaspin in the cross-sectional study. Furthermore, there was no effect of short-term lipid-induced insulin resistance due to a 300 min intravenous lipid challenge on circulating vaspin. However, circulating vaspin levels were significantly elevated in women using oral contraceptives (OC), both compared to women without OC intake (1.17±0.26 vs 0.52±0.09 ng/ml, P=0.02) and males (1.17±0.26 vs 0.29±0.04 ng/ml, P=0.01). After exclusion of OC using females and stratification according to body mass index (BMI), a significant sexual dimorphism in subjects with a BMI <25 kg/m2 was observed (males 0.21±0.04 ng/ml versus females 0.70±0.16 ng/ml, P=0.009).ConclusionOur results support the existence of a sexual dimorphism regarding circulating vaspin. The lack of an association of serum vaspin with HOMA-IR and M value indicates, however, no major role for vaspin concerning insulin sensitivity in nondiabetic humans.
Intraluminalis duodenum-diverticulum okozta acut pancreatitisr
Authors: Szabó Melinda , Horváth Örs Péter 
Published: December 2009

Absztrakt
Az intraluminalis duodenum-diverticulum egy meglehetősen ritka kongenitális rendellenesség, mely általában csak felnőttkorban kezd panaszokat okozni. Esetünkben egy 26 éves nőbetegnél visszatérő acut pancreatitisek miatti kivizsgálás során igazolódott a háttérben. A diagnózist hasi CT segítségével állították fel, majd endoscopos lokalizációt követően műtétet végeztünk. Az operáció során intraluminalis diverticulumot találtunk, melyet duodenotomiából resecáltunk, és az extrémen tágult epehólyagot eltávolítottuk. Mellékleletként pancreas anularét találtunk. Esetünkkel bemutathattunk egy olyan ritka kombinációt, ahol az intraluminalis duodenum-diverticulum egy másik fejlődési rendellenességgel társult, és acut pancreatitist okozott.