bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Joint malaria surveys lead towards improved cross-border cooperation between Savannakhet province, Laos and Quang Tri province, Vietnam
Authors: Pongvongsa Tiengkham , Ha Hoang , Thanh Le , Marchand Ron P , Nonaka Daisuke , Tojo Bumpei , Phongmany Panom , Moji Kazuhiko , Kobayashi Jun 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
In Savannakhet province, Laos and Quang Tri province, Vietnam, malaria is still an important health problem and most cases are found in the mountainous, forested border areas where ethnic minority groups live. The objectives of this study were to obtain a better joint understanding of the malaria situation along the border and, on the basis of that, improve malaria control methods through better cooperation between the two countries.

Methods
Fourteen villages in Savannakhet and 22 villages in Quang Tri were randomly selected within 5 km from the border where a blood survey for microscopic diagnosis (n = 1256 and n = 1803, respectively), household interviews (n = 400, both sides) and vector surveys were conducted between August and October 2010. Satellite images were used to examine the forest density around the study villages.

Results
Malaria prevalence was significantly higher in Laos (5.2%) than in Vietnam (1.8%) and many other differences were found over the short distance across the border. Bed net coverage was high (> 90%) in both Laos and Vietnam but, while in Laos more than 60% of the nets were long-lasting insecticide-treated, Vietnam used indoor residual spraying in this area and the nets were untreated. Anopheles mosquitoes were more abundant in Laos than in Vietnam, especially many Anopheles dirus were captured in indoor light traps while none were collected in Vietnam. The forest cover was higher around the Lao than the Vietnamese villages. After this study routine exchange of malaria surveillance data was institutionalized and for the first time indoor residual spraying was applied in some Lao villages.

Conclusions
The abundance of indoor-collected An. dirus on the Laos side raises doubts about the effectiveness of a sole reliance on long-lasting insecticide-treated nets in this area. Next to strengthening the early detection, correct diagnosis and prompt, adequate treatment of malaria infections, it is recommended to test focal indoor residual spraying and the promotion of insect repellent use in the early evening as additional vector interventions. Conducting joint malaria surveys by staff of two countries proved to be effective in stimulating better collaboration and improve cross-border malaria control.
Coupled fixed-point theorems for contraction mapping induced by cone ball-metric in partially ordered spaces
Authors: Sintunavarat Wutiphol , Cho Yeol Je , Kumam Poom 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Recently, Chen et al. (Appl. Math. Lett. 25:692-697, 2012) introduced the concept of the cone ball-metric and studied the common fixed-point theorems for the stronger Meir-Keeler cone-type function in cone ball-metric spaces. The purpose of this paper is to establish the coupled fixed-point theorems for nonlinear contraction mappings, which have a mixed monotone property by using the cone ball-metric. Also, we give some examples to validate our main results. At the end of this paper, we give an open problem for further investigation.

MSC:47H10, 54H25.
Free fatty acids induce ER stress and block antiviral activity of interferon alpha against hepatitis C virus in cell culture
Authors: Gunduz Feyza , Aboulnasr Fatma M , Chandra Partha K , Hazari Sidhartha , Poat Bret , Baker Darren P , Balart Luis A , Dash Srikanta 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
Hepatic steatosis is recognized as a major risk factor for liver disease progression and impaired response to interferon based therapy in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. The mechanism of response to interferon-alpha (IFN-α) therapy under the condition of hepatic steatosis is unexplored. We investigated the effect of hepatocellular steatosis on hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication and IFN-α antiviral response in a cell culture model.

Methods
Sub-genomic replicon (S3-GFP) and HCV infected Huh-7.5 cells were cultured with a mixture of saturated (palmitate) and unsaturated (oleate) long-chain free fatty acids (FFA). Intracytoplasmic fat accumulation in these cells was visualized by Nile red staining and electron microscopy then quantified by microfluorometry. The effect of FFA treatment on HCV replication and IFN-α antiviral response was measured by flow cytometric analysis, Renilla luciferase activity, and real-time RT-PCR.

Results
FFA treatment induced dose dependent hepatocellular steatosis and lipid droplet accumulation in the HCV replicon cells was confirmed by Nile red staining, microfluorometry, and by electron microscopy. Intracellular fat accumulation supports replication more in the persistently HCV infected culture than in the sub-genomic replicon (S3-GFP) cell line. FFA treatment also partially blocked IFN-α response and viral clearance by reducing the phosphorylation of Stat1 and Stat2 dependent IFN-β promoter activation. We show that FFA treatment induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response and down regulates the IFNAR1 chain of the type I IFN receptor leading to defective Jak-Stat signaling and impaired antiviral response.

Conclusion
These results suggest that intracellular fat accumulation in HCV cell culture induces ER stress, defective Jak-Stat signaling, and attenuates the antiviral response, thus providing an explanation to the clinical observation regarding how hepatocellular steatosis influences IFN-α response in CHC.
AlzPathway: a comprehensive map of signaling pathways of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Mizuno Satoshi , Iijima Risa , Ogishima Soichi , Kikuchi Masataka , Matsuoka Yukiko , Ghosh Samik , Miyamoto Tadashi , Miyashita Akinori , Kuwano Ryozo , Tanaka Hiroshi 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackgroundAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia among the elderly. To clarify pathogenesis of AD, thousands of reports have been accumulating. However, knowledge of signaling pathways in the field of AD has not been compiled as a database before.DescriptionHere, we have constructed a publicly available pathway map called “AlzPathway” that comprehensively catalogs signaling pathways in the field of AD. We have collected and manually curated over 100 review articles related to AD, and have built an AD pathway map using CellDesigner. AlzPathway is currently composed of 1347 molecules and 1070 reactions in neuron, brain blood barrier, presynaptic, postsynaptic, astrocyte, and microglial cells and their cellular localizations. AlzPathway is available as both the SBML (Systems Biology Markup Language) map for CellDesigner and the high resolution image map. AlzPathway is also available as a web service (online map) based on Payao system, a community-based, collaborative web service platform for pathway model curation, enabling continuous updates by AD researchers.ConclusionsAlzPathway is the first comprehensive map of intra, inter and extra cellular AD signaling pathways which can enable mechanistic deciphering of AD pathogenesis. The AlzPathway map is accessible athttp://alzpathway.org/.
Localized gastric amyloidosis differentiated histologically from scirrhous gastric cancer using endoscopic mucosal resection: a case report
Authors: Kamata Tsugumasa , Suzuki Haruhisa , Yoshinaga Shigetaka , Nonaka Satoru , Fukagawa Takeo , Katai Hitoshi , Taniguchi Hirokazu , Kushima Ryoji , Oda Ichiro 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Introduction
Amyloidosis most often manifests as a systemic involvement of multiple tissues and organs, and an amyloidal deposit confined to the stomach is extremely rare. It is sometimes difficult to provide a definitive diagnosis of localized gastric amyloidosis by biopsy specimen and diagnosis of amyloidosis in some cases has been finalized only after surgical resection of the stomach.

Case presentation
A 76-year-old Japanese woman with epigastric discomfort underwent an esophagogastroduodenoscopy procedure. The esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed gastric wall thickening, suggesting scirrhous gastric carcinoma, at the greater curvature from the upper to the lower part of the gastric corpus. A biopsy specimen revealed amyloid deposits in the submucosal layer with no malignant findings. We resected a representative portion of the lesion by endoscopic mucosal resection using the strip biopsy method to obtain sufficient tissue specimens, and then conducted a detailed histological evaluation of the samples. The resected specimens revealed deposition of amyloidal materials in the gastric mucosa and submucosa without any malignant findings. Congo red staining results were positive for amyloidal protein and exhibited green birefringence under polarized light. Congo red staining with prior potassium permanganate incubation confirmed the light chain (AL) amyloid protein type. Based on these results, gastric malignancy, systemic amyloidosis and amyloid deposits induced by inflammatory disease were excluded and this lesion was consequently diagnosed as localized gastric amyloidosis. Our patient was an older woman and there were no findings relative to an increase in gastrointestinal symptoms or anemia, so no further treatment was performed. She continued to be in good condition without any finding of disease progression six years after verification of our diagnosis.

Conclusions
We report an unusual case of primary amyloidosis of the stomach resembling scirrhous gastric carcinoma. This case of localized gastric amyloidosis was differentiated from scirrhous gastric cancer after performing endoscopic mucosal resection without an invasive surgical resection, as endoscopic mucosal resection provided sufficient tissue specimens from the lesion to make an accurate histological evaluation.
Benefits and risks of manual hyperinflation in intubated and mechanically ventilated intensive care unit patients: a systematic review
Authors: Paulus Frederique , Binnekade Jan M , Vroom Margreeth B , Schultz Marcus J 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Introduction
Manual hyperinflation (MH), a frequently applied maneuver in critically ill intubated and mechanically ventilated patients, is suggested to mimic a cough so that airway secretions are mobilized toward the larger airways, where they can easily be removed. As such, MH could prevent plugging of the airways.

Methods
We performed a search in the databases of Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from January 1990 to April 2012. We systematically reviewed the literature on evidence for postulated benefits and risks of MH in critically ill intubated and mechanically ventilated patients.

Results
The search identified 50 articles, of which 19 were considered relevant. We included 13 interventional studies and six observational studies. The number of studies evaluating physiological effects of MH is limited. Trials differed too much to permit meta-analysis. It is uncertain whether MH was applied similarly in the retrieved studies. Finally, most studies are underpowered to show clinical benefit of MH. Use of MH is associated with short-term improvements in lung compliance, oxygenation, and secretion clearance, without changes in outcomes. MH has been reported to be associated with short-term and probably clinically insignificant side effects, including decreases in cardiac output, alterations of heart rates, and increased central venous pressures.

Conclusions
Studies have failed to show that MH benefits critically ill intubated and mechanically ventilated patients. MH is infrequently associated with short-term side effects.
Molecular mechanisms of spontaneous and directed mast cell motility
Authors: Lee Jinmin , Veatch Sarah L , Baird Barbara , Holowka David 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Store operated Ca2+ entry through the channel protein Orai1 contributes to mast cell spontaneous motility and antigen-mediated chemotaxis.
Migration is a fundamental function of immune cells, and a role for Ca2+ in immune cell migration has been an interest of scientific investigations for many decades. Mast cells are the major effector cells in IgE-mediated immune responses, and cross-linking of IgE-FcɛRI complexes at the mast cell surface by antigen activates a signaling cascade that causes mast cell activation, resulting in Ca2+ mobilization and granule exocytosis. These cells are known to accumulate at sites of inflammation in response to parasite and bacterial infections. Using real-time imaging, we monitored chemotactic migration of RBL and rat BMMCs in response to a gradient of soluble multivalent antigen. Here, we show that Ca2+ influx via Orai1 plays an important role in regulating spontaneous motility and directional migration of mast cells toward antigen via IgER complexes. Inhibition of Ca2+ influx or knockdown of the Ca2+ entry channel protein Orai1 by shRNA causes inhibition of both of these processes. In addition, a mutant Syk− shows impaired spontaneous motility and chemotaxis toward antigen that is rescued by expression of Syk. Our findings identify a novel Ca2+ influx-mediated, Orai1-dependent mechanism for mast cell migration.
E-prostanoid 2 receptors dampen mast cell degranulation via cAMP/PKA-mediated suppression of IgE-dependent signaling
Authors: Serra-Pages Mariona , Olivera Ana , Torres Rosa , Picado César , de Mora Fernando , Rivera Juan 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Engagement of EP2 receptors dampens mast cell IgE-dependent signaling causing suppression of FcɛRI-mediated allergic responses; thus agonism of EP2 may be beneficial in allergic diseases.
The experimental administration of PGE2 for the treatment of asthma dampens clinical symptoms, and similar efficacy has been found in dust mite-induced hypersensitivity reactions in animal models. Here, we investigate the mechanism by which PGE2 mediates suppression of MC degranulation. We find that the effect of PGE2 on FcɛRI-dependent MC degranulation varies from activating to suppressing, depending on the relative ratio of EP2 to EP3 expression on these cells with suppression evident only in cells having increased EP2 to EP3 expression. Consistent with a role for EP2 in suppressing MC responses in vitro, we found that a selective EP2 agonist, Butaprost, inhibited MC-mediated FcɛRI-induced immediate hypersensitivity in a model of PCA. EP2 engagement on MCs increased cAMP production and inhibited FcɛRI-mediated calcium influx. In addition, it also decreased the extent of FcɛRI-induced Fyn kinase activity, leading to decreased phosphorylation of key signaling molecules such as Gab2 and Akt. Treatment with an antagonist of cAMP or shRNA down-regulation of PKA (the principal intracellular target of cAMP) reversed the EP2-mediated inhibitory effect on MC degranulation and restored calcium influx and phosphorylation of Akt. Collectively, the findings demonstrate that EP2 suppresses the Fyn-mediated signals that are central to FcɛRI-dependent MC degranulation, suggesting that engagement of the EP2 on MCs may be beneficial in dampening allergic responses.
Absence of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (Cftr) from myeloid-derived cells slows resolution of inflammation and infection
Authors: Bonfield T L , Hodges C A , Cotton C U , Drumm M L 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Cftr is directly involved in myeloid cell function, contributing to the pathophysiological phenotype of the CF lung.
The absence or reduction of CFTR function causes CF and results in a pulmonary milieu characterized by bacterial colonization and unresolved inflammation. The ineffectiveness at controlling infection by species such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa suggests defects in innate immunity. Macrophages, neutrophils, and DCs have all been shown to express CFTR mRNA but at low levels, raising the question of whether CFTR has a functional role in these cells. Bone marrow transplants between CF and non-CF mice suggest that these cells are inherently different; we confirm this observation using conditional inactivation of Cftr in myeloid-derived cells. Mice lacking Cftr in myeloid cells overtly appear indistinguishable from non-CF mice until challenged with bacteria instilled into the lungs and airways, at which point, they display survival and inflammatory profiles intermediate in severity as compared with CF mice. These studies demonstrate that Cftr is involved directly in myeloid cell function and imply that these cells contribute to the pathophysiological phenotype of the CF lung.
Redox control of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in health and disease
Authors: Rubartelli Anna 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Review of how redox signaling is implicated in inflammasome activation, with emphasis on the cell redox balance and its oscillations as major players in this process.
Shifts in the redox balance between ROS and antioxidants regulate innate immunity at various levels. Changes in the redox microenvironment modulate the activation potential of the NLRP3 inflammasome, a signaling platform that activates caspase-1, allowing the maturation of IL-1β. However, a clear definition of the underlying mechanism is missing. In this essay, I review the most-credited theories on inflammasome activation. In particular, I will focus on the redox-mediated mechanisms that regulate the assembly of NLRP3 inflammasome and discuss how aberrations in them are implicated in the pathogenesis of autoinflammatory diseases.
New insights from serranid fishes on the role of trade-offs in suction feeding diversification
Authors: Oufiero Christopher E. , Holzman Roi A. , Young Forrest A. , Wainwright Peter C. 
Published: August 2012

SummarySuction feeding is central to prey capture in the vast majority of ray-finned fishes and has been well-studied from a detailed, mechanistic perspective. Several major trade-offs are thought to have shaped the diversification of suction feeding morphology and behavior, and have become well established in the literature. We revisited several of these expectations in a study of prey capture morphology and kinematics in 30 species of serranid fishes, a large ecologically variable group that exhibits diverse combinations of suction and forward locomotion. We find: 1) diversity among species in the morphological potential to generate suction changes drastically across the range of attack speeds that species use, with all species that use high-speed attacks having low capacity to generate suction, while slow-speed attackers exhibit the full range of suction abilities. This pattern indicates a more complex 'ram-suction continuum' than previously recognized; 2) there is no trade-off between mechanical advantage of the lower jaw opening lever and the speed of jaw depression, revealing that this simple interpretation of lever mechanics fails to predict kinematic diversity; 3) high-speed attackers show increased cranial excursions, potentially to compensate for a decrease in accuracy; 4) the amount of jaw protrusion is positively related to attack speed, but not suction capacity; and 5) a principal components analysis revealed three significant multivariate axes of kinematic variation among species. Two of the three axes were correlated with the morphological potential to generate suction, indicating important but complex relationships between kinematics and suction potential. These results are consistent with other recent studies that show that trade-offs derived from simple biomechanical models may be less of a constraint on the evolutionary diversification of fish feeding systems than previously thought.
The analytic impact of a reduced centrifugation step on chemistry and immunochemistry assays: an evaluation of the Modular Pre-Analytics
Authors: Koenders Mieke M J F , van Hurne Marco E J F , Glasmacher-Van Zijl Monique , van der Linde Geesje , Westerhuis Bert W J J M 
Published: August 2012

Background The COBAS 6000 system can be completed by a Modular Pre-Analytics (MPA), an integrated laboratory automation system that streamlines preanalysis. For an optimal throughput, the MPA centrifuges blood collection tubes for 5 min at 1885 × g – a centrifugation time that is not in concordance with the World Health Organization guidelines which suggest centrifugation for 10/15 min at 2000–3000 × g. Methods In this study, the analytical outcome of 50 serum and 50 plasma samples centrifuged for 5 or 10 min at 1885 × g was investigated. The study included routine chemistry and immunochemistry assays on the COBAS 6000 and the Minicap capillary electrophoresis. Results Deming-fit and Bland–Altman plots of the 5-min and 10-min centrifugation steps indicated a significant correlation in serum samples. The lipaemia index in plasma samples centrifuged for 5 min displayed a statistically significant variation when compared with the 10-min centrifugation. Conclusions Preanalytical centrifugation can be successfully down-scaled to a duration of 5 min for most routine chemistry and immunochemistry assays in serum and plasma samples. To prevent inaccurate results in plasma samples with an increased lipaemia index from being reported, the laboratory information system was programmed to withhold results above certain lipaemia indices. The presented data support the use of a 5-min centrifugation step to improve turnaround times, thereby meeting one of the desires of the requesting clinicians.
Clinical Utility of Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 for Cardiovascular Disease Prediction in a Multiethnic Cohort of Women
Authors: Cook Nancy R , Paynter Nina P , Manson JoAnn E , Martin Lisa W , Robinson Jennifer G , Wassertheil-Smoller Sylvia , Ridker Paul M 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Findings regarding the association of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) activity and mass with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) have been inconsistent, and their role in risk prediction is uncertain.

METHODS
A case–cohort sample from the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study (WHI-OS) comprised 1821 CVD cases and a reference subcohort of 1992 women. We used Cox regression models with inverse sampling weights to assess the association of Lp-PLA2 mass and activity with CVD (myocardial infarction, stroke, and CVD mortality).

RESULTS
Subcohort means were 184.3 mmol/min/mL for Lp-PLA2 activity and 499.2 μg/L for Lp-PLA2 mass, with 99% having mass above 200 μg/L, the clinically recommended cut point. Both activity and mass were positively associated with incident CVD in age- and race/ethnicity-adjusted analyses. Following adjustment according to CVD risk factors, the association with activity became null (hazard ratio = 1.02 for top vs bottom quartile, 95% CI = 0.79–1.33, P for trend = 0.65), but the association with mass remained (hazard ratio = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.45–2.34, P for trend &lt; 0.0001). In contrast to blood pressure, HDL, and hsCRP, reclassification statistics for Lp-PLA2 mass did not suggest improvement for overall CVD after full adjustment.

CONCLUSIONS
In the WHI-OS Lp-PLA2 mass, but not activity, was independently associated with CVD. However, model fit did not significantly improve with Lp-PLA2 mass, and assay calibration remains a clinical concern.
Lagrange-Multiplikatoren (LM) der Ausgleichungsrechnung als Indikator für Strukturschäden
Authors: Brandes Klaus , Neitzel Frank , Weisbrich Sven , Daum Werner 
Published: August 2012

Zusammenfassung
Die ständige Überwachung von Bauwerken gewinnt zunehmend an Bedeutung. Mit Blick auf die Nachhaltigkeit ist die Verlängerung der Nutzungsdauer bestehender baulicher Konstruktionen von unschätzbarem Wert, sowohl aus finanziellen Gründen als auch unter Denkmalaspekten. Eine neue Methode zur Detektion von Strukturschädigungen basiert auf einer integrierten Auswertung von Messwerten verschiedener Sensoren nach der Methode der kleinsten Quadrate sowie der Interpretation der dabei auftretenden Langrange-Multiplikatoren. Diese Methode der Schädigungsanalyse wird anhand eines numerischen Beispiels aus einem Vier-Punkt-Biegeversuch mit einem Verbundträger näher erläutert.