bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Some trichinelloid nematodes from marine fishes off New Caledonia, including description of Pseudocapillaria novaecaledoniensis sp. nov. (Capillariidae)
Authors: Moravec František , Justine Jean-Lou 
Published: February 2010

AbstractExaminations of materials of trichinelloid nematodes recently collected from the digestive tract of marine fishes off New Caledonia, South Pacific, revealed the presence of several species of the families Capillariidae and Trichosomoididae, including capillariids Pseudocapillaria novaecaledoniensis sp. nov. from the deep-sea Pristipomoides argyrogrammicus (Valenciennes) (Lutjanidae) and Pseudocapillaria echenei (Parukhin, 1967) from Echeneis naucrates Linnaeus (Echeneidae), and the trichosomoidid Huffmanela sp. (female) from Bodianus perditio (Quoy et Gaimard) (Labridae). P. novaecaledoniensis is characterized mainly by the structure and length (318–321 µm) of spicule and the presence of a dorsal cuticular membrane interconnecting both ventrolateral caudal lobes in the male (subgenus Ichthyocapillaria Moravec, 1982). The previously poorly known P. echenei is redescribed and recorded for the first time from the South Pacific Ocean. In addition, five morphologically different types of capillariid females without generic identification, designated as Capillariidae gen. spp. 1–5, each of them probably representing a new species, were recorded from Fistularia commersonii Rüppell (Fistulariidae), Synodus dermatogenys Fowler (Synodontidae), Carangoides oblongus (Cuvier) (Carangidae), Diagramma pictum (Thunberg) (Haemulidae) and Stegostoma fasciatum (Hermann) (Stegostomidae), respectively. Capillaria decapteri is transferred to Pseudocapillaria Mendonça, 1963 as P. decapteri (Luo, 2001) comb. nov.
Helminth parasites (Cestoidea, Nematoda, Pentastomida) of selected herpetofauna from Cameroon, West Africa
Authors: McAllister Chris , Bursey Charles , Freed Paul 
Published: February 2010

AbstractTwenty-nine individual amphibians (2 families, 3 species) and 12 individual reptiles (2 families, 2 species) from Douala, Cameroon (West Africa) were examined for helminths. Seventeen (59%) of the amphibians and 11 (92%) of the reptiles were found to harbor at least 1 species of helminth; 10 (34%) of the amphibians and 4 (33%) of the infected reptiles harbored multiple infections. A cestode, 6 species of nematodes, and a pentastomid were found in the herpetofauna surveyed. Nine new host and six new geographic distribution records are reported.
Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in cats in maiduguri, northeastern nigeria
Authors: Kamani Joshua , Mani Aliyu , Kumshe Hussaini , Yidawi James , Egwu Godwin 
Published: February 2010

AbstractCats play an important role in the spread of Toxoplasma gondii because they are the only animals that excrete resistant oocysts into the environment. Prevalence of T. gondii antibodies in cats in Maiduguri, Northeastern Nigeria was determined using the latex agglutination test (LAT). Thirty eight cats (36.2%) were seropositive using a cut off point of 1:64 with antibody titer ranging from 1:64 to 1:1024. Seroprevalence was higher in older animals and stray cats. Age and ownership status of cats were identified as risk factors but not gender or area of capture.
Time-Dependent Reasons for Peritoneal Dialysis Technique Failure and Mortality
Authors: Kolesnyk Inna , Dekker Friedo W. , Boeschoten Elisabeth W. , Krediet Raymond T. 
Published: February 2010

Background Peritoneal dialysis (PD) technique failure is high compared to hemodialysis (HD). There is a lack of data on the impact of duration of PD treatment on technique survival and on whether there is a difference in risk factors with respect to early and late failure. The aim of this study was to clarify these issues by performing a time-dependent analysis of PD technique and patient survival in a large cohort of incident PD patients. Methods We analyzed 709 incident PD patients participating in the Netherlands Cooperative Study on the Adequacy of Dialysis (NECOSAD), who started their treatment between 1997 and 2007. We compared technique and patient survival on PD in 4 periods of follow-up: within the first 3 months, and after 3 – 12 months, 12 – 24 months, and 24 – 36 months of treatment. Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze survival on PD and technique failure. Risk factors were also identified by comparing patients that were transferred to HD with those that remained on PD. Incidence rates for every cause of dropout for each period of follow-up were calculated to establish their trends with respect to PD treatment duration. Results There was a significant increase in transplantation rate after the first year of treatment. The rate of switching to HD was highest during the first 3 months and decreased afterward. One-, 2- and 3-year technique survival was 87%, 76%, and 66%, respectively. Age, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease appeared to be risk factors for death on PD or switch to HD: a 1-year increase in age was associated with a relative risk (RR) of PD failure of 1.04 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.003 – 1.06]; for diabetes, RR of stopping PD after 3 months of treatment increased from 1.8 (95% CI 1.1 – 3) during the first year to 2.2 (95% CI 1.3 – 4) after the second year; cardiovascular disease had a major impact in the earliest period (RR 2.5, 95% CI 1.2 – 5) and had a stable influence further on (RR 2, 95% CI 1.1 – 3.5). Loss of 1 mL/minute residual glomerular filtration rate (rGFR) appeared to be a significant predictor of PD failure after 3 months of treatment, but within the first 2 years, RR was 1.1 (95% CI 1.04 – 1.25). Conclusions In The Netherlands, transplantation is a main reason to stop PD treatment. The incidence of PD technique failure is at its highest during the earliest months after treatment initiation and decreases later due to fewer catheter and abdominal complications as well as less influence of psychosocial factors. Risk factors for PD discontinuation are those responsible for patient survival: age, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and rGFR.
Early Diagnostic Markers for Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Sampimon Denise E. , Korte Mario R. , Barreto Deirisa Lopes , Vlijm Anniek , de Waart Rudy , Struijk Dirk G. , Krediet Raymond T. 
Published: February 2010

Objective Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a severe complication of long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD). The aim of this study was to investigate whether dialysate levels of cancer antigen-125 (CA125), K+, interleukin (IL)-6, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are early diagnostic markers of EPS. Therefore, we analyzed the time courses of the above described dialysate markers in EPS patients and controls. Methods Dialysate and serum samples of 11 EPS patients and 31 control patients, all treated with PD for at least 57 months, were longitudinally collected during standard peritoneal permeability analyses. CA125 and IL-6 were measured in dialysate only, K+ and VEGF were measured in both dialysate and serum. CA125 and IL-6 are expressed as appearance rates (AR). The linear mixed model was used to analyze the time courses. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated based on the results of the last 2 time points. Results No differences in the time courses of the different markers were present between the groups. For K+ and VEGF attributed to local production, no differences between the groups were found. However, AR-CA125 was lower during the last 3 years prior to EPS ( p < 0.05) and AR-IL-6 tended to be higher 2 years prior to EPS ( p = 0.09). The combination of AR-CA125 < 33 U/min and AR-IL-6 > 350 pg/min had a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 89% for the development of EPS. Conclusions Compared to controls, AR-CA125 showed lower values and AR-IL-6 tended to be higher during the last years prior to the diagnosis of EPS. The sensitivity and specificity of the combination of CA125 and IL-6 indicate their potential use for an early diagnosis of EPS.
Performance over Time on Adults with Simultaneous Bilateral Cochlear Implants
Authors: Chang Son-A , Tyler Richard S. , Dunn Camille C. , Ji Haihong , Witt Shelley A. , Gantz Bruce , Hansen Marlan 
Published: February 2010

Background:Maximum performance and long-term stability of bilateral cochlear implants has become an important topic because there has been increasing numbers of recipients of bilateral cochlear implants.Purpose:To determine the performance over time (up to 6 yr)
of subjects with simultaneous bilateral cochlear implants (CI+CI) on word recognition and localization.Research Design:Over-time investigation of word recognition in quiet (CNC) and sound localization in quiet (Everyday Sounds Localization Test).Study Sample:The subjects
were 48 adults who simultaneously received their cochlear implants at the University of Iowa.Results:For word recognition, percent correct scores continuously improved up to 1 yr postimplantation with the most benefit occurring within the first month of implantation. In observing
up to 72 mo, the averaged scores reached to the plateau of about 63% correct in CNC after 2 yr (N = 31). But, when we followed 17 subjects who have complete data set between 12 mo and 48+ months, word recognition scores were significantly different
from 12 mo to 48+ months, which implies binaural advantages need more time to be developed. Localization test results suggested that the root mean square (RMS) error scores continuously improved up to 1 yr postimplantation with most benefits occurring within the first
3 mo. After 2 yr, the averaged scores reached to the plateau of about 20° RMS error (N = 27). When we followed 10 subjects who have complete data set between 12 mo and 48+ months, localization scores were not improved from 12 mo to 48+ months.
There were large individual differences in performance over time.Conclusions:In general, substantial benefits in both word recognition and localization were found over the first 1‐12 mo postimplantation for subjects who received simultaneous bilateral cochlear implants.
These benefits were maintained over time up to 6 yr postimplantation.
Structural and antigenic variance between novel influenza A/H1N1/2009 and influenza A/H1N1/2008 viruses
Authors: Saxena Shailendra K , Mishra Niraj , Saxena Rakhi , Swamy ML Arvinda , Sahgal Pranshu , Saxena Shailja , Tiwari Shrish , Mathur Asha , Nair Madhavan P 
Published: February 2010

Background: The emergence of influenza A/H1N1/2009 is alarming. The severity of previous epidemics suggests that the susceptibility of the human population to H1N1 is directly proportional to the degree of changes in hemagglutinin/HA and neuraminidase/NA; therefore, H1N1/2009 and H1N1/2008 were analyzed for their sequence as well as structural divergence. Methodology: The structural and sequence divergence of H1N1/2009 and H1N1/2008 strains were analyzed by aligning HA and NA amino acid sequences by using ClustalW and ESyPred3D software. To determine the variations in sites of viral attachment to host cells, a comparison between amino acid sequences of HA and NA glycosylation sites was performed with NetNGlyc software. The antigenic divergence was executed by CTL epitope prediction method. Results: The amino acid homology levels of H1N1/2009 were 20.32% and 18.73% compared to H1N1/2008 for HA and NA genes, respectively. In spite of the high variation in HA and NA amino acid composition, there was no significant difference in their structures. Antigenic analysis proposes that great antigenic differences exist between both the viral strains, but no addition of a new site of glycosylation was observed. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first report suggesting that the circulating novel influenza virus A/H1N1/2009 attaches to the same glycosylation receptor sites as its predecessor influenza A/H1N1/2008 virus, but is antigenically different and may have the potential for initiating a significant pandemic. Our study may facilitate the development of better therapeutics and preventive strategies, as well as impart clues for novel H1N1 diagnostic and vaccine development.
Neonatal septicemia isolates and resistance patterns in a tertiary care hospital of North India
Authors: Kaistha Neelam , Mehta Manjula , Singla Nidhi , Garg Ritu , Chander Jagdish 
Published: February 2010

Background: Septicemia continues to be a major cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity worldwide. Methodology: To know the rate of neonatal septicemia in our tertiary care centre, a retrospective analysis of 2,247 blood samples was done over a period of four years and three months (July 2003 to October 2007). Results: During that period, a total of 296 (13.17%) blood samples were found to be positive for bacterial isolates. Gram-negative septicemia (80.40%) was identified in more cases than Gram-positive septicemia (20.60%) with Klebsiella species 84 (28.3%) being the most common isolate. Maximum resistance among Gram-negative organisms was seen in amoxycillin/ampicillin and third-generation cephalosporins. Amikacin, cefoperazone/sulbactam and imipenem were found to be good alternative drugs. Among Gram-positive organisms, all strains were sensitive to Vancomycin. Conclusion: Continued surveillance for various pathogens and their susceptibility profile should be done to effectively and timely treat the patients of neonatal septicaemia.
A Novel HLA (HLA-A*0201) Transgenic Rabbit Model for Preclinical Evaluation of Human CD8+ T Cell Epitope-Based Vaccines against Ocular Herpes
Authors: Chentoufi Aziz A. , Dasgupta Gargi , Christensen Neil D. , Hu Jiafen , Choudhury Zareen S. , Azeem Arfan , Jester James V. , Nesburn Anthony B. , Wechsler Steven L. , BenMohamed Lbachir 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
We introduced a novel humanized HLA-A*0201 transgenic (HLA Tg) rabbit model to assess the protective efficacy of a human CD8+ T cell epitope-based vaccine against primary ocular herpes infection and disease. Each of the three immunodominant human CD8+ T cell peptide epitopes from HSV-1 glycoprotein D (gD53–61, gD70–78, and gD278–286) were joined with a promiscuous human CD4+ T cell peptide epitope (gD49–82) to construct three separate pairs of CD4–CD8 peptides. Each CD4–CD8 peptide pair was then covalently linked to an Nε-palmitoyl–lysine residue via a functional base lysine amino group to construct CD4–CD8 lipopeptides. HLA Tg rabbits were immunized s.c. with a mixture of the three CD4–CD8 HSV-1 gD lipopeptides. The HSV-gD–specific T cell responses induced by the mixture of CD4–CD8 lipopeptide vaccine and the protective efficacy against acute virus replication and ocular disease were determined. Immunization induced HSV-gD49–82–specific CD4+ T cells in draining lymph node (DLN); induced HLA-restricted HSV-gD53–61, gD70–78, and gD278–286–specific CD8+ T cells in DLN, conjunctiva, and trigeminal ganglia and reduced HSV-1 replication in tears and corneal eye disease after ocular HSV-1 challenge. In addition, the HSV-1 epitope-specific CD8+ T cells induced in DLNs, conjunctiva, and the trigeminal ganglia were inversely proportional with corneal disease. The humanized HLA Tg rabbits appeared to be a useful preclinical animal model for investigating the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of human CD8+ T cell epitope-based prophylactic vaccines against ocular herpes. The relevance of HLA Tg rabbits for future investigation of human CD4–CD8 epitope-based therapeutic vaccines against recurrent HSV-1 is discussed.
TLR Activation Pathways in HIV-1–Exposed Seronegative Individuals
Authors: Biasin Mara , Piacentini Luca , Lo Caputo Sergio , Naddeo Valentina , Pierotti Piera , Borelli Manuela , Trabattoni Daria , Mazzotta Francesco , Shearer Gene M. , Clerici Mario 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
TLRs trigger innate immunity that recognizes conserved motifs of invading pathogens, resulting in cellular activation and release of inflammatory factors. The influence of TLR activation on resistance to HIV-1 infection has not been investigated in HIV-1 exposed seronegative (ESN) individuals. PBMCs isolated from heterosexually ESN individuals were stimulated with agonists specific for TLR3 (poly I:C), TLR4 (LPS), TLR7 (imiquimod), and TLR7/8 (ssRNA40). We evaluated expression of factors involved in TLR signaling cascades, production of downstream effector immune mediators, and TLR-expression in CD4+ and CD14+ cells. Results were compared with those obtained in healthy controls (HCs). ESN individuals showed: 1) comparable percentages of CD14+/TLR4+ and CD4+/TLR8+ CD14+/TLR8+ cells; 2) higher responsiveness to poly I:C, LPS, imiquimod, and ssRNA40 stimulation, associated with significantly increased production of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and CCL3; 3) augmented expression of mRNA specific for other targets (CCL2, CSF3, CSF2, IL-1α, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, cyclooxygenase 2) demonstrated by broader TLRs pathway expression analyses; and 4) increased MyD88/MyD88s(short) ratio, mainly following TLR7/8 stimulation. We also compared TLR–agonist-stimulated cytokine/chemokine production in CD14+ PBMCs and observed decreased IFN-β production in ESN individuals compared with HCs upon TLR7/8-agonist stimulation. These data suggest that TLR stimulation in ESN individuals results in a more robust release of immunologic factors that can influence the induction of stronger adaptive antiviral immune responses and might represent a virus-exposure–induced innate immune protective phenotype against HIV-1.
Dendritic Cell (DC)-Specific Targeting Reveals Stat3 as a Negative Regulator of DC Function
Authors: Melillo Jessica A. , Song Li , Bhagat Govind , Blazquez Ana Belen , Plumlee Courtney R. , Lee Carolyn , Berin Cecilia , Reizis Boris , Schindler Christian 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) must achieve a critical balance between activation and tolerance, a process influenced by cytokines and growth factors. IL-10, which transduces signals through Stat3, has emerged as one important negative regulator of DC activation. To directly examine the role Stat3 plays in regulating DC activity, the Stat3 gene was targeted for deletion with a CD11c-cre transgene. Stat3 CKO mice developed cervical lymphadenopathy as well as a mild ileocolitis that persisted throughout life and was associated with impaired weight gain. Consistent with this, Stat3-deficient DCs demonstrated enhanced immune activity, including increased cytokine production, Ag-dependent T-cell activation and resistance to IL-10–mediated suppression. These results reveal a cell-intrinsic negative regulatory role of Stat3 in DCs and link increased DC activation with perturbed immune homeostasis and chronic mucosal inflammation.
Nod1 and Nod2 Are Expressed in Human and Murine Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells and Participate in Renal Ischemia Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Shigeoka Alana A. , Kambo Amanpreet , Mathison John C. , King Andrew J. , Hall Wesley F. , da Silva Correia Jean , Ulevitch Richard J. , McKay Dianne B. 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (Nod) 1 and Nod2 are members of a family of intracellular innate sensors that participate in innate immune responses to pathogens and molecules released during the course of tissue injury, including injury induced by ischemia. Ischemic injury to the kidney is characterized by renal tubular epithelial apoptosis and inflammation. Among the best studied intracellular innate immune receptors known to contribute to apoptosis and inflammation are Nod1 and Nod2. Our study compared and contrasted the effects of renal ischemia in wild-type mice and mice deficient in Nod1, Nod2, Nod(1 × 2), and in their downstream signaling molecule receptor-interacting protein 2. We found that Nod1 and Nod2 were present in renal tubular epithelial cells in both mouse and human kidneys and that the absence of these receptors in mice resulted in protection from kidney ischemia reperfusion injury. Significant protection from kidney injury was seen with a deficiency of Nod2 and receptor-interacting protein 2, and the simultaneous deficiency of Nod1 and Nod2 provided even greater protection. We conclude that the intracellular sensors Nod1 and Nod2 play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute ischemic injury of the kidney, although possibly through different mechanisms.
Sexually dimorphic interaction between the DRD1 and COMT genes in schizophrenia
Authors: Hoenicka Janet , Garrido Elena , Ponce Guillermo , Rodríguez‐Jiménez Roberto , Martínez Isabel , Rubio Gabriel , Jiménez‐Arriero Miguel Ángel , Palomo Tomás 
Published: February 2010

AbstractDopaminergic dysfunction in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. In the PFC, dopamine signalling largely depends on the D1 receptors, which are coded by the DRD1 gene, and on the regulation of dopamine levels by the enzyme catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT). Here, we investigate the role of DRD1 and its interaction with the COMT gene in schizophrenic patients. In two gender‐limited independent patient and control samples, we genotype five Tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (tagSNPs) of DRD1. The DRD1 SNP and haplotype associations, as well as interaction effects with the Val158Met COMT SNP were analyzed. In the male sample, we found the rs11746641 and rs11749676 DRD1 SNPs were associated with schizophrenia. Haplotype analyses identified the T‐A‐T‐C‐T variant related to a protective effect (P = 0.008) and the G‐G‐T‐C‐C variant that showed a tendency to be a risk factor for the disorder (P = 0.012). A logistic regression analysis revealed a significant pattern of interaction between DRD1 and COMT for both the rs11746641 (P = 0.002) and rs11749676 (P = 4.5 × 10−5) SNPs. DRD1‐associated haplotypes were exclusively related to schizophrenia in the Val homozygous subgroup of patients (T‐A‐T‐C‐T: P = 0.003; G‐G‐T‐C‐C: P = 0.006). In females, none of the DRD1 SNPs were linked to the disorder. Our genetic data suggest that DRD1 and COMT are epistatically associated with protection against and the risk of developing schizophrenia in a gender‐dependent fashion, and support the role of dopamine dysfunction at the PFC in the pathophysiology of this disorder. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Numerical Simulation of Particle Segregation in Bubbling Gas‐Fluidized Beds
Authors: Azizi S. , Hossein Hosseini S. , Ahmadi G. , Moraveji M. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractA multi‐fluid Eulerian model incorporating the kinetic theory of granular flow is used for the simulation of bubbling fluidized beds containing a binary mixture of Geldart B particles at low gas velocities. The cases of density, size and combined density/size segregation are investigated using computational fluid dynamic simulations. Various expressions for the drag force are evaluated for predicting different segregations. The simulation results show that summation of the particle‐particle drag force, i.e., the “hindrance effect” term, and the Stokes drag of particles, which is modified based on the Wen‐Yu drag model can be used for accurate simulation of a binary mixture of particles differing in size, density, or both. Bed expansion and dimensionless axial segregation profiles of CFD results are compared with the experimental data and good agreement is found.