bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Manometric correlations of anorectal dysfunction and biofeedback outcome in patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Munteis E. , Andreu M. , Martinez-Rodriguez JE , Ois A. , Bory F. , Roquer J. 
Published: October 2007

Objective To evaluate clinical and manometric characteristics of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with anorectal dysfunction (ARD) and their influence on biofeedback outcome. Patients and methods Patients were clinically and manometrically studied and compared with controls. Patients were subsequently offered to initiate biofeedback manoeuvres to improve ARD. Results Fifty-two patients with ARD, 39 women, mean age 44.96 ± 9.26 years, mean Expanded Disability Status Scale 4.13 ± 1.72, were evaluated. Thirty-one patients had relapsing-remitting (RR), 16 secondary progressive and five primary progressive MS. ARD complaints were constipation (67.3%), double ARD (23.1%) and isolated incontinence (9.6%). The manometric study showed significant differences in patients compared with controls in maximal contraction pressures (98.1 ± 44.2 mm Hg versus 152.05 ± 66.9 mm Hg, P < 0.001) and anal inhibitory reflex threshold (92.9 ± 63.4 mL versus 40.45 ± 11.3 mL, P < 0.001). Maximal pressure was lower in progressive forms compared with RR forms (83.1 ± 36.2 mm Hg versus 108.2 ± 46.7 mm Hg, P < 0.05) in relation to higher disability. Patients with paradoxical contraction (PC) (35 patients, 67.3%) showed more manometric disturbances. From a total of 18 patients performing biofeedback, those reporting some improvement (six complete, two partial) had milder manometric abnormalities. Conclusions The most frequent manometric abnormalities in our MS patients with ARD were alterations of maximal pressures, anal inhibitory reflex and PC. Biofeedback could be more useful in patients with lower disability and manometric alterations. Multiple Sclerosis 2008; 14: 237—242. http://msj.sagepub.com
Evaluation of the six-minute walk in multiple sclerosis subjects and healthy controls
Authors: Goldman Myla D , Marrie Ruth Ann , Cohen Jeffrey A 
Published: October 2007

Objective To assess the characteristics of the 6-min walk (6MW) in multiple sclerosis (MS) subjects of varied disability, and controls. To assess the correlation of 6MW to subjective measures of fatigue, health status and ambulation using the modified fatigue impact scale (MFIS), short form-36 Health Questionnaire physical component score and MS walking scale (MSWS).Methods Forty MS expanded disability status scale [(EDSS) 0—6.5] and 20 control subjects were recruited from a MS outpatient clinic. Subjects completed survey material and three 6MWs with 1-h interval rest in a single study visit.Results There was no practice effect or fatigability with repeat 6MW tests with a one-h rest period between test sessions. The 6MW had excellent intra-[intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.95] and inter-rater (ICC = 0.91) reliability. MS subjects demonstrated reduced 6MW distance and speed compared with controls ( P < 0.0001). Within the MS population 6MW distance was significantly reduced with increasing disability ( P = 0.05). Compared with the EDSS, the 6MW had a stronger correlation to subjective measures of ambulation and physical fatigue: MSWS ( r = -0.81 versus 0.69) and MFISphy (0.66 versus 0.63).Conclusions The 6MW is a feasible, reproducible, and reliable measure in MS. MS subjects demonstrate motor fatigue in both 6MW distance and speed compared with controls. In MS subjects there is an inverse relationship between motor fatigue and disability. 6MW has a strong correlation to subjective measures of ambulation and physical fatigue. Multiple Sclerosis 2008; 14: 383—390. http://msj.sagepub.com
On the defensive
Authors: Gadd David , Jefferson Tony 
Published: October 2007

The copyright for this article is assigned to David Gadd and Tony Jefferson. ©2007 D. Gadd and T. Jefferson. Who was `Stanley'? What can this single case contribute to criminological theory? These questions remain inadequately answered despite two books and numerous articles devoted to The Jack-Roller. This article shows that scholars have been too willing to accept Stanley's account as `told', over-eager to read him as a `social type' and too slow to interrogate critically the relationship between Stanley's psychological defensiveness and his socio-cultural background. Reconsidering Stanley's account of himself from a psychoanalytically informed psychosocial perspective, this article sheds new light on Stanley's family relationships, jack-rolling and somewhat precarious desistance from crime. The central argument of this article is that it is only through exploring what Stanley said through the prism of his unconscious defences against anxiety that both the particularities and typicality of his life can be properly grasped and the case's wider theoretical significance fully realized.
The changing face of meningococcal disease in Birmingham, 1999 to 2002
Authors: Robertson W. , Wood A. , May H. 
Published: October 2007

In the UK, a vaccination schedule against meningococcal group C infection (Men C) was introduced in Autumn 1999. Also, vaccination against groups A, C, W135 and Y (ACWY Vax) was recommended from February 2001 for pilgrims to Hajj or Umrah, it becoming a visa requirement from May 2001. To assess the impact of these vaccination schedules, the notification for meningococcal infection for Birmingham residents (1.1 million) from 1999 to 2002 was reviewed. Notifications received for meningococcal infection in Birmingham declined from 103 in 1999 to 58 in 2002. Additionally, the number of laboratory confirmed cases decreased from 52 in 1999 to 28 in 2002. Group C infection declined from 14 cases in 1999 to one case in 2002, attributed to the success of the `Meningitis C Vaccination' campaign. W135 infection showed a peak in Birmingham in 2000 and 2001, and a decline in 2002 once the ACWY became a visa requirement. The vaccination schedules have successfully reduced the incidence of meningococcal disease in Birmingham.
Delivering an infection control link nurse programme: implementation and evaluation of a flexible teaching approach
Authors: Cooper T. 
Published: October 2007

Infection control nurses work to ensure practice is evidence-based, thereby minimising infection risks. There is, however, a gap between theory and practice in infection control at clinical level. Link nurse groups have been used in an attempt to ensure practice is evidence-based. This article describes a research study that examined the efficacy of an infection control link nurse programme, which had an educational programme based upon adult learning theory, delivered using an action-research approach. Results of the study are described in subsequent articles.
Retinoic acid inhibits Th17 polarization and enhances FoxP3 expression through a Stat-3/Stat-5 independent signaling pathway
Authors: Elias Kevin M. , Laurence Arian , Davidson Todd S. , Stephens Geoffrey , Kanno Yuka , Shevach Ethan M. , O'Shea John J. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractCD4+ helper T (Th) cells play a crucial role in the delicate balance between host defense and autoimmune disease. Two important populations of helper T cells are the proinflammatory, interleukin-17 (IL-17)–producing (Th17) cells and the anti-inflammatory forkhead box P3–positive (FoxP3+) T regulatory (Treg) cells. Here we show that all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and other agonists of the retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARα) inhibit the formation of Th17 cells and promote FoxP3 expression. Conversely, inhibition of retinoic acid signaling constrains transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β1) induction of FoxP3. The effect of ATRA is mediated independently of IL-2, signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (Stat5) and Stat3, representing a novel mechanism for the induction of FoxP3 in CD4 T cells. As previous studies have shown that vitamin A derivatives are protective in animal models of autoimmune disease, the current data suggest a previously unrecognized role for RARα in the regulation of CD4+ T-cell differentiation and provide a mechanism for the anti-inflammatory effects of retinoic acid.
Clonal expansion of immunoglobulin M+CD27+ B cells in HCV-associated mixed cryoglobulinemia
Authors: Charles Edgar D. , Green Rashidah M. , Marukian Svetlana , Talal Andrew H. , Lake-Bakaar Gerond V. , Jacobson Ira M. , Rice Charles M. , Dustin Lynn B. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractHepatitis C virus (HCV) is associated with B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders such as mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) and B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL). The pathogenesis of these disorders remains unclear, and it has been proposed that HCV drives the pro-liferation of B cells. Here we demonstrate that certain HCV+MC+ subjects have clonal expansions of immunoglobulin M (IgM)+κ+IgDlow/−CD21lowCD27+ B cells. Using RT-PCR to amplify Ig from these singly sorted cells, we show that these predominantly rheumatoid factor-encoding VH1-69/JH4 and Vκ3-20 gene segment-restricted cells have low to moderate levels of somatic hypermutations. Ig sequence analysis suggests that antigen selection drives the generation of mutated clones. These findings lend further support to the notion that specific antigenic stimulation leads to B-cell proliferation in HCV MC and that chronic B-cell stimulation may set the stage for malignant transformation and the development of B-NHL. The finding that these hypermutated, marginal zone-like IgM+CD27+ B cells are clonally expanded in certain subjects with MC offers insight into mechanisms of HCV-associated MC and B-cell malignancy. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00219999.
fREDUCE: Detection of degenerate regulatory elements using correlation with expression
Authors: Wu Randy Z , Chaivorapol Christina , Zheng Jiashun , Li Hao , Liang Shoudan 
Published: October 2007

Abstract

Background
The precision of transcriptional regulation is made possible by the specificity of physical interactions between transcription factors and their cognate binding sites on DNA. A major challenge is to decipher transcription factor binding sites from sequence and functional genomic data using computational means. While current methods can detect strong binding sites, they are less sensitive to degenerate motifs.

Results
We present fREDUCE, a computational method specialized for the detection of weak or degenerate binding motifs from gene expression or ChIP-chip data. fREDUCE is built upon the widely applied program REDUCE, which elicits motifs by global statistical correlation of motif counts with expression data. fREDUCE introduces several algorithmic refinements that allow efficient exhaustive searches of oligonucleotides with a specified number of degenerate IUPAC symbols. On yeast ChIP-chip benchmarks, fREDUCE correctly identified motifs and their degeneracies with accuracies greater than its predecessor REDUCE as well as other known motif-finding programs. We have also used fREDUCE to make novel motif predictions for transcription factors with poorly characterized binding sites.

Conclusion
We demonstrate that fREDUCE is a valuable tool for the prediction of degenerate transcription factor binding sites, especially from array datasets with weak signals that may elude other motif detection methods.
Localized rbp4expression in the yolk syncytial layer plays a role in yolk cell extension and early liver development
Authors: Li Zhen , Korzh Vladimir , Gong Zhiyuan 
Published: October 2007

Abstract

Background
The number of genes characterized in liver development is steadily increasing, but the origin of liver precursor cells and the molecular control of liver formation remain poorly understood. Existing theories about formation of zebrafish visceral organs emphasize either their budding from the endodermal rod or formation of independent anlage followed by their later fusion, but none of these is completely satisfactory in explaining liver organogenesis in zebrafish.

Results
Expression of a gene encoding the retinol binding protein 4 (Rbp4) was analyzed in zebrafish. rbp4, which is expressed mainly in the liver in adults, was shown to be expressed in the yolk syncytial layer (YSL) during early embryogenesis. At 12–16 hpf rbp4 expression was restricted to the ventro-lateral YSL and later expanded to cover the posterior YSL. We demonstrated that rbp4 expression was negatively regulated by Nodal and Hedgehog (Hh) signalling and positively controlled by retinoic acid (RA). Knockdown of Rbp4 in the YSL resulted in shortened yolk extension as well as the formation of two liver buds, which could be due to impaired migration of liver progenitor cells. rbp4 appears also to regulate the extracellular matrix protein Fibronectin1 (Fn1) specifically in the ventro-lateral yolk, indicating a role of Fn1 in liver progenitor migration. Since exocrine pancreas, endocrine pancreas, intestine and heart developed normally in Rbp4 morphants, we suggest that rbp4 expression in the YSL is required only for liver development.

Conclusion
The characteristic expression pattern of rbp4 suggests that the YSL is patterned despite its syncytial nature. YSL-expressed Rbp4 plays a role in formation of both yolk extension and liver bud, the latter may also require migration of liver progenitor cells.
Characterization of Campylobacter phages including analysis of host range by selected Campylobacter Penner serotypes
Authors: Hansen Vinni Mona , Rosenquist Hanne , Baggesen Dorte Lau , Brown Stanley , Christensen Bjarke Bak 
Published: October 2007

Abstract

Background
The predominant food borne pathogen in the western world today is Campylobacter. Campylobacter specific bacteriophages (phages) have been proposed as an alternative agent for reducing the burden of Campylobacter in broilers. One concern in relation to phage biocontrol is the narrow host range often displayed by phages. To identify the potential of phages as a Campylobacter reducing agent we needed to determine their infectivity on a panel of isolates representing the Campylobacter strains found in broilers as well as humans.

Results
In this study, Campylobacter phages were isolated from the intestines of broilers and ducks and from abattoir sewage. Twelve phages were investigated to determine their ability to infect the Campylobacter Penner serotypes commonly present in Danish poultry and patients with campylobacteriosis. A total of 89% of the Campylobacter jejuni strains and 14% of the Campylobacter coli strains could be infected by at least one of the bacteriophages. The majority of the phages infected the most common serotypes in Danish broilers (O:1,44; O:2; O:4-complex), but showed limited ability to infect 21 of the less frequent Campylobacter serotypes. Pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and restriction endonuclease analysis (REA) were used to characterize the phage genomes. Three categories of bacteriophages were observed. I: a genome size of ~194 kb and refractory to digestion with HhaI; II: a genome size of ~140 kb and digestible by HhaI; and III: a genome size undeterminable in PFGE. The categorization of the phages correlated with the host range patterns displayed by the phages. Six phages were subjected to transmission electron microscopy (TEM). They all belonged to the family of Myoviridae.

Conclusion
We have characterized and identified the host range of 12 Danish Campylobacter phages. Due to their ability to infect the majority of the common serotypes in Denmark we suggest the phages can become an effective agent in the effort to reduce the incidence of campylobacteriosis in Denmark. This study provides the basis for future experiments in Campylobacter phages and knowledge for the selection of Campylobacter phages for biocontrol in broilers.
IS1111 insertion sequences of Coxiella burnetii: characterization and use for repetitive element PCR-based differentiation of Coxiella burnetii isolates
Authors: Denison Amy M , Thompson Herbert A , Massung Robert F 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBackgroundCoxiella burnetiicontains the IS1111transposase which is present 20 times in the Nine Mile phase I (9Mi/I) genome. A single PCR primer that binds to each IS element, and primers specific to a region ~500-bp upstream of each of the 20 IS1111elements were designed. The amplified products were characterized and used to develop a repetitive element PCR genotyping method.ResultsIsolates Nine Mile phase II, Nine Mile RSA 514, Nine Mile Baca, Scottish, Ohio, Australian QD, Henzerling phase I, Henzerling phase II, M44, KAV, PAV, Q238, Q195 and WAV were tested by PCR and compared to 9Mi/I. Sequencing was used to determine the exact differences in isolates which lacked specific IS elements or produced PCR products of differing size. From this data, an algorithm was created utilizing four primer pairs that allows for differentiation of unknown isolates into five genomic groups. Additional isolates (Priscilla Q177, Idaho Q, Qiyi, Poker Cat, Q229 and Q172) and nine veterinary samples were characterized using the algorithm which resulted in their placement into three distinct genomic groups.ConclusionThrough this study significant differences, including missing elements and sequence alterations within and near IS element coding regions, were found between the isolates tested. Further, a method for differentiation ofC. burnetiiisolates into one of five genomic groups was created. This algorithm may ultimately help to determine the relatedness between known and unknown isolates ofC. burnetii.
A non-circadian role for clock-genes in sleep homeostasis:a strain comparison
Authors: Franken Paul , Thomason Ryan , Heller H Craig , O'Hara Bruce F 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBackgroundWe have previously reported that the expression of circadian clock-genes increases in the cerebral cortex after sleep deprivation (SD) and that the sleep rebound following SD is attenuated in mice deficient for one or more clock-genes. We hypothesized that besides generating circadian rhythms, clock-genes also play a role in the homeostatic regulation of sleep. Here we follow the time course of the forebrain changes in the expression of the clock-genesperiod(per)-1, per2, and of the clock-controlled genealbumin D-binding protein(dbp) during a 6 h SD and subsequent recovery sleep in three inbred strains of mice for which the homeostatic sleep rebound following SD differs. We reasoned that if clock genes are functionally implicated in sleep homeostasis then the SD-induced changes in gene expression should vary according to the genotypic differences in the sleep rebound.ResultsIn all three strainsperexpression was increased when animals were kept awake but the rate of increase during the SD as well as the relative increase inperafter 6 h SD were highest in the strain for which the sleep rebound was smallest; i.e., DBA/2J (D2). Moreover, whereas in the other two strainsper1andper2reverted to control levels with recovery sleep,per2expression specifically, remained elevated in D2 mice.dbpexpression increased during the light period both during baseline and during SD although levels were reduced during the latter condition compared to baseline. In contrast toper2,dbpexpression reverted to control levels with recovery sleep in D2 only, whereas in the two other strains expression remained decreased.ConclusionThese findings support and extend our previous findings that clock genes in the forebrain are implicated in the homeostatic regulation of sleep and suggest that sustained, high levels ofper2expression may negatively impact recovery sleep.
Changes in the distribution pattern of Claudin tight junction proteins during the progression of mouse skin tumorigenesis
Authors: Arabzadeh Azadeh , Troy Tammy-Claire , Turksen Kursad 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBackgroundDespite the fact that morphological and physiological observations suggest that the tight junction (TJ)-based permeability barrier is modified/disrupted in tumorigenesis, the role of members of the Claudin (Cldn) family of TJ proteins is not well-understood. Using a well-established two-stage chemical carcinogenesis model, we investigated the temporal and spatial changes in expression of those Cldns that we have previously demonstrated to be important in epidermal differentiation and the formation of the epidermal permeability barrier, i.e., Cldn1, Cldn6, Cldn11, Cldn12 and Cldn18.MethodsThe lower dorsal backskin of mice was treated topically with 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA; 0.25 mg/ml in acetone) and following a 10-day incubation period, 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA; 25 μg/ml in acetone) was applied three times a week to the same area. Backskin samples were dissected 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks after the initiation of the experimental protocol and immunohistochemistry was performed on sections using antibodies against the following: Cldn1, Cldn6, Cldn11, Cldn12, Cldn18, Ki67 and CD3.ResultsOur data indicate that along with the changes in epidermal cell morphology and differentiation that occur during tumor formation, there is a dramatic change in Cldn distribution consistent with cell polarity and barrier selectivity changes. Specifically, in the early stages of DMBA/TPA treatment, the suprabasal-specific Cldns occupy an expanded zone of expression corresponding to an increased number of suprabasal epidermal cell layers. As tumorigenesis progressed, the number of suprabasal epidermal layers positive for Cldn6, Cldn11, Cldn12 and Cldn18 was reduced, especially in the lower strata of the expanded suprabasal zone. In addition, a variably reduced cell membrane association of those differentiation-specific Cldns was observed, especially within the infiltrating epidermal structures. In contrast, Cldn1 (which is normally expressed in all the living layers of the epidermis) remained restricted to the cell membrane throughout the tumorigenesis protocol. However commencing 2 weeks after treatment there was a marked decrease in the number of Cldn1-positive basal cells, and the zone of Cldn1-null epidermal cells was expanded up into the lower stratified epidermis throughout the progression of DMBA/TPA treatment. In addition, there was no Cldn1 localization in the infiltrating epidermal structures of the tumorigenic epidermis.ConclusionThis is the first demonstration of the changes in Cldn expression in the progression of DMBA/TPA-induced skin tumors; however further investigation into the molecular mechanisms regulating the observed changes in barrier selectivity during tumorigenesis is required.
In situdetection of non-polyadenylated RNA molecules using Turtle Probes and target primed rolling circle PRINS
Authors: Stougaard Magnus , Lohmann Jakob S , Zajac Magdalena , Hamilton-Dutoit Stephen , Koch Jørn 
Published: October 2007

Abstract

Background
In situ detection is traditionally performed with long labeled probes often followed by a signal amplification step to enhance the labeling. Whilst short probes have several advantages over long probes (e.g. higher resolution and specificity) they carry fewer labels per molecule and therefore require higher amplification for detection. Furthermore, short probes relying only on hybridization for specificity can result in non-specific signals appearing anywhere the probe attaches to the target specimen. One way to obtain high amplification whilst minimizing the risk of false positivity is to use small circular probes (e.g. Padlock Probes) in combination with target primed rolling circle DNA synthesis. This has previously been used for DNA detection in situ, but not until now for RNA targets.

Results
We present here a proof of principle investigation of a novel rolling circle technology for the detection of non-polyadenylated RNA molecules in situ, including a new probe format (the Turtle Probe) and optimized procedures for its use on formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue sections and in solid support format applications.

Conclusion
The method presented combines the high discriminatory power of short oligonucleotide probes with the impressive amplification power and selectivity of the rolling circle reaction, providing excellent signal to noise ratios in combination with exact target localization due to the target primed reaction. Furthermore, the procedure is easily multiplexed, allowing visualization of several different RNAs.