bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in biochemical indices of bone metabolism in post‐menopausal women following a dietary intervention with fortified dairy products
Authors: Manios Y. , Moschonis G. , Panagiotakos D. B. , Farajian P. , Trovas G. , Lyritis G. P. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground:  In southern Europe, calcium supplementation alone is a common practice for osteoporosis prevention. The present study aimed to examine whether calcium supplementation alone could be as effective in achieving favourable changes on bone metabolism indices of Greek post‐menopausal women as a holistic dietary approach combining consumption of dairy products fortified with calcium and vitamin D3 and nutrition counselling sessions for five winter months.Methods:  A sample of 101 post‐menopausal women was randomised to a dairy intervention group (IG: n = 39), receiving approximately 1200 mg of calcium and 7.5 μg of vitamin D3 per day via fortified dairy products and attending biweekly nutrition counselling sessions; a calcium‐supplemented group (SG: n = 26) receiving a total of 1200 mg calcium per day; and a control group (CG: n = 36).Results:  Regarding insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐I, a higher increase was observed for the IG compared to the changes in the CG and the SG (P = 0.049). Regarding serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, the increase observed in the CG was higher than the changes observed in the other two groups but the differences were of marginal significance (P = 0.055). No significant differences were observed among groups regarding the changes in serum osteocalcin and type I collagen cross‐linked C‐telopeptide levels.Conclusions:  The application of a holistic intervention approach combining nutrition counselling and consumption of fortified dairy products for five winter months induced some more favourable changes in IGF‐I and PTH levels compared to calcium supplementation alone. Intervention periods longer than 5 months might be required to achieve significant differences among groups for bone remodelling biomarkers as well.
Adults with intellectual disabilities: prevalence, incidence and remission of aggressive behaviour and related factors
Authors: Cooper S.‐A. , Smiley E. , Jackson A. , Finlayson J. , Allan L. , Mantry D. , Morrison J. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractIntroduction  Aggressive behaviours can be disabling for adults with intellectual disabilities (ID), with negative consequences for the adult, their family and paid carers. It is surprising how little research has been conducted into the epidemiology of these needs, given the impact they can have. This study investigates point prevalence, 2‐year incidence and 2‐year remission rates for aggressive behaviour (physically aggressive, destructive and verbally aggressive), and it investigates which factors are independently associated with aggressive behaviour.Methods  All adults with ID – within a geographically defined area of Scotland, UK – were recruited to a longitudinal cohort. At baseline, assessments were undertaken of demography, lifestyle, supports, development, problem behaviours, disabilities and physical and mental health. These were repeated for a 2‐year period.Results  At baseline, the participation rate was 1023 (65.5%). After 2 years, the cohort retention was 651 adults. The point prevalence of Diagnostic Criteria for Psychiatric Disorders for Use with Adults with Learning Disabilities/Mental Retardation (DC‐LD) aggressive behaviour was 9.8% (95% confidence interval = 8.0–11.8%), 2‐year incidence was 1.8%, and 2‐year remission rate from all types of aggressive behaviour meeting DC‐LD criteria was 27.7%. The factors independently associated with aggressive behaviours were lower ability, female gender, not living with a family carer, not having Down syndrome, having attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder and having urinary incontinence. Incidence of aggressive behaviour meeting DC‐LD criteria in adult life is similar to that for each of psychotic, anxiety and organic disorders.Conclusions  Aggressive behaviour is common among adults with ID, but contrary to previous suggestions, more than a quarter remit within the short to medium term. This is important knowledge for professionals as well as the person and her/his family and paid carers. There is much yet to learn about the mechanisms underpinning aetiology and maintenance of aggressive behaviour in this population, and exploratory epidemiological investigations such as this have a role to play in progressing research towards further hypothesis testing and trials to influence clinical practice, service development and policy.
Fecundity selection predicts Bergmann's rule in syngnathid fishes
Authors: WILSON ANTHONY B. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe study of latitudinal increases in organismal body size (Bergmann's rule) predates even Darwin's evolutionary theory. While research has long concentrated on identifying general evolutionary explanations for this phenomenon, recent work suggests that different factors operating on local evolutionary timescales may be the cause of this widespread trend. Bergmann's rule explains body size variation in a diversity of warm‐blooded organisms and there is increasing evidence that Bergmann's rule is also widespread in ectotherms. Bergmann's rule acts differentially in species of the Syngnathidae, a family of teleost fishes noted for extreme adaptations for male parental care. While variation in body size of polygamous Syngnathus pipefish is consistent with Bergmann's rule, body size is uncorrelated with latitude in monogamous Hippocampus seahorses. A study of populations of Syngnathus leptorhynchus along a natural latitudinal and thermal gradient indicates that increases in body size with latitude maintain the potential reproductive rate of males despite significant decreases in ambient temperatures. Polygyny is necessary in order to maximize male reproductive success in S. leptorhynchus, suggesting a possible a link between fecundity selection and Bergmann's rule in this species.
Multiple introductions of the Spiroplasma bacterial endosymbiont into Drosophila
Authors: HASELKORN TAMARA S. , MARKOW THERESE A. , MORAN NANCY A. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBacterial endosymbionts are common in insects and can have dramatic effects on their host's evolution. So far, the only heritable symbionts found in Drosophila have been Wolbachia and Spiroplasma. While the incidence and effects of Wolbachia have been studied extensively, the prevalence and significance of Spiroplasma infections in Drosophila are less clear. These small, gram‐positive, helical bacteria infect a diverse array of plant and arthropod hosts, conferring a variety of fitness effects. Male‐killing Spiroplasma are known from certain Drosophila species; however, in others, Spiroplasma appear not to affect sex ratio. Previous studies have identified different Spiroplasma haplotypes in Drosophila populations, although no extensive surveys have yet been reported. We used a multilocus sequence analysis to reconstruct a robust Spiroplasma endosymbiont phylogeny, assess genetic diversity, and look for evidence of recombination. Six loci were sequenced from over 65 Spiroplasma‐infected individuals from nine different Drosophila species. Analysis of these sequences reveals at least five separate introductions of four phylogenetically distinct Spiroplasma haplotypes, indicating that more extensive sampling will likely reveal an even greater Spiroplasma endosymbiont diversity. Patterns of variation in Drosophila mitochondrial haplotypes in Spiroplasma‐infected and uninfected flies imply imperfect vertical transmission in host populations and possible horizontal transmission.
Community composition, host range and genetic structure of the fungal entomopathogen Beauveria in adjoining agricultural and seminatural habitats
Authors: MEYLING NICOLAI V. , LÜBECK METTE , BUCKLEY ELLEN P. , EILENBERG JØRGEN , REHNER STEPHEN A. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractAlthough intensively investigated for biological control of insect pests, little is known about the ecology of the fungal entomopathogenic genus Beauveria in natural or agricultural habitats. In this study, we used molecular phylogenetic and genotypic information to infer species diversity, reproductive potential and genetic structure of Beauveria occurring within a single arable field and bordering hedgerow in Denmark. Isolates were sampled from cultivated field and hedgerow soils, from insects harbouring latent fungal infections, and from the phylloplanes of three plant species common in the hedgerow flora. A nuclear phylogeny of this local Beauveria assemblage resolved seven phylogenetic species, including (i) five phylogenetic species within Beauveria bassiana sensu stricto; (ii) Clade C, a taxonomically uncharacterized species that is morphologically indistinguishable but phylogenetically distant from B. bassiana s.s.; and (iii) Beauveria brongniartii. All seven species were present throughout the hedgerow habitat, including as infections in insects. Significantly, only B. bassiana s.s. phylogenetic species Eu_1 was isolated from tilled soils. Mating type polymerase chain reaction assays demonstrated that all five B. bassiana s.s. phylogenetic species possess bipolar outcrossing mating systems. Of these, only the Eu_1 population contained two mating types; however, a 31:2 skew in MAT1:MAT2 mating types suggests a low frequency of sexual reproduction in this population. The four remaining B. bassiana s.s. phylogenetic species were fixed for single mating types and these populations are evidently clonal. Multilocus microsatellite genotyping revealed polymorphism in all five phylogenetic species of B. bassiana s.s.; however, all show evidence of clonal genetic structure.
Major histocompatibility complex variability in the clonal Amazon molly, Poecilia formosa: is copy number less important than genotype?
Authors: LAMPERT K. P. , FISCHER P. , SCHARTL M. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe evolution of sex is still a major unsolved puzzle in biology. One of the most promising theoretical models to answer this question is the Red Queen hypothesis. The Red Queen hypothesis proposes a fast adaptation of pathogens to common genotypes and therefore a negative frequency‐dependent selection against common genotypes. Clonal organisms should be especially endangered when co‐occurring with closely related sexual species. In this context, major histocompatibility (MHC) genes have been discussed to be auspicious candidates that could provide the genetic basis on which selection for immune competence could act. In this study, we investigated MHC variability in a clonal teleost fish: the Amazon molly, Poecilia formosa. The Amazon molly is an ideal candidate to test the Red Queen hypothesis as it is a clonal species but co‐occurs with a closely related sexual species and should therefore be especially susceptible to pathogen infection. We found that allele numbers did in general not differ between sexual and clonal ‘species’ but that genotypic variability is reduced in the clonally reproducing fish, especially in the polyploids. We conclude that in clonal organisms, genotype frequency might be more important for immune competence than MHC allele number. Amazon mollies and their co‐occurring parental species clearly fulfil a prerequisite of the Red Queen hypothesis and should therefore provide an ideal system to experimentally test this basic principle probably underlying the evolution of sex.
Glycogen contributes to the environmental persistence and transmission of Vibrio cholerae
Authors: Bourassa Lori , Camilli Andrew 
Published: February 2009

SummaryPathogenic Vibrio cholerae cycle between the nutrient‐rich human intestinal tract and nutrient‐poor aquatic environments and currently few bacterial factors are known that aid in the transition between these disparate environments. We hypothesized that the ability to store carbon as glycogen would facilitate both bacterial fitness in the aquatic environment and transmission of V. cholerae to new hosts. To investigate the role of glycogen in V. cholerae transmission, we constructed mutants that cannot store or degrade glycogen. Here, we provide the first report of glycogen metabolism in V. cholerae and demonstrate that glycogen prolongs survival in nutrient‐poor environments that are known ecological niches of V. cholerae, including pond water and rice‐water stool. Additionally, glycogen contributes to the pathogenesis of V. cholerae in a transmission model of cholera. A role for glycogen in the transmission of V. cholerae is further supported by the presence of glycogen granules in rice‐water stool vibrios from cholera patients, indicating that glycogen is stored during human infection. Collectively, our findings indicate that glycogen metabolism is critical for V. cholerae to transition between host and aquatic environments.
A new direction for manganese homeostasis in bacteria: identification of a novel efflux system in Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Jakubovics Nicholas S. , Valentine Ruth A. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryThe ability to control intracellular levels of transition metals such as Mn2+, Fe2+ and Zn2+ is critical for the virulence of many pathogenic bacteria. In this issue of Molecular Microbiology, Rosch et al. describe the first identification of a Mn2+ efflux system in bacteria, MntE of Streptococcus pneumoniae, and demonstrate that it is required for virulence in an animal model. Disruption of the mntE gene leads to widespread transcriptional changes that are distinct from responses to extracellular Mn2+. These findings reveal, for the first time, that a bacterial trace metal efflux system plays a role in disease. Thus, MntE represents a new lead for the development of antimicrobials specifically aimed at disrupting microbial metal ion homeostasis.
Role of the manganese efflux system mntE for signalling and pathogenesis in Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Rosch Jason W. , Gao Geli , Ridout Granger , Wang Yong‐Dong , Tuomanen Elaine I. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryThe ability of bacteria to sense and respond to both environmental and intracellular metal concentrations plays an important role in pathogenesis. The acquisition of manganese is vital for the virulence of several bacterial species. Although manganese uptake systems have been well studied in bacteria, no manganese efflux system has yet been identified. In this study we have identified a cation diffusion facilitator (CDF) protein (Sp1552) of unknown substrate specificity that functions as a manganese export system in Streptococcus pneumoniae. We designated the gene for this manganese efflux system mntE and found that the mutant strain was highly sensitive to manganese stress. Although the mutant was more resistant to oxidative stress and produced more H2O2 and pili, it had reduced virulence in a murine model of infection, indicating that manganese export plays a role in host pathogenesis. There was a distinct differential transcriptional response to extracellular and intracellular manganese accumulation. Our study indicates that manganese efflux is required for invasive disease and may provide a useful antimicrobial target to devise future therapeutics.
A haplotype in the inducible T‐cell tyrosine kinase is a risk factor for seasonal allergic rhinitis
Authors: Benson M. , Mobini R. , Barrenäs F. , Halldén C. , Naluai Å. T. , Säll T. , Cardell L. O. 
Published: February 2009

Background:  Identification of disease‐associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) may be facilitated by focusing on genes in a disease‐associated pathway.Objective:  To search for SNPs in genes that belong to the T‐cell receptor (TCR) pathway and that change in expression in allergen‐challenged CD4+ cells from patients with SAR.Methods:  CD4+ cells from patients with SAR were analysed with gene expression microarrays. Allele, genotype and haplotype frequencies were compared in 251 patients and 386 healthy controls.Results:  Gene expression microarray analysis of allergen‐challenged CD4+ cells from patients with SAR showed that 25 of 38 TCR pathway genes were differentially expressed. A total of 62 SNPs were analysed in eight of the 25 genes; ICOS, IL4, IL5, IL13, CSF2, CTLA4, the inducible T‐cell tyrosine kinase (ITK) and CD3D. Significant chi‐squared values were identified for several markers in the ITK kinase gene region. A total of five SNPs were nominally significant at the 5% level. Haplotype analysis of the five significant SNPs showed increased frequency of a haplotype that covered most of the coding part of ITK. The functional relevance of ITK was supported by analysis of an independent material, which showed increased expression of ITK in allergen‐challenged CD4+ cells from patients, but not from controls.Conclusion:  Analysis of SNPs in TCR pathway genes revealed that a haplotype that covers a major part of the coding sequence of ITK is a risk factor for SAR.
Opposite gene by environment interactions in Karelia for CD14 and CC16 single nucleotide polymorphisms and allergy
Authors: Zhang G. , Khoo S.‐K. , Laatikainen T. , Pekkarinen P. , Vartiainen E. , Von Hertzen L. , Hayden C. M. , Goldblatt J. , Mäkelä M. , Haahtela T. , Le Souëf P. N. 
Published: February 2009

Background:  Finnish Karelians have a higher prevalence of allergic disease than Russian Karelians. As both populations are generally from the same ethnic group, the Karelian population offers a unique opportunity to analyse genetic and allergic disease interactions between ‘Western’ and ‘Eastern’ environments.Objectives:  We investigated associations between allergic diseases and CD14 and CC16 polymorphisms in Finnish vs Russian Karelian women.Methods:  Adult female Karelians (330 Finnish and 274 Russian) were recruited, examined for a range of symptoms and conditions including rhinitis, itchy rash, asthma and atopy and genotyped for CD14 C‐159T and CC16 A38G.Results:  For both CD14 C‐159T and CC16 A38G, the risk allele for atopic phenotypes in Finnish Karelia was the protective allele in Russian Karelia. For CD14 C‐159T, an interactive effect on ever itchy rash (Pinteraction = 0.004), itchy rash <12 mo (Pinteraction = 0.001) and dry cough at night in the past 12 months (<12 months) (Pinteraction = 0.011) was found; the risk allele was C in Russians and T in Finns. For CC16 A38G, an interaction was significant for ever rhinitis (Pinteraction = 0.006), rhinitis <12 mo (Pinteraction = 0.004), and marginally significant for ever hayfever (Pinteraction = 0.07), allergic eye symptoms <12 mo (Pinteraction = 0.09); their risk allele was G in Russians and A in Finns.Conclusion:  An Eastern vs Western environment appears to exert an effect via opposite alleles on risk of allergic diseases in adult women.
Immunosuppression without calcineurin inhibition: optimization of renal function in expanded criteria donor renal transplantation
Authors: Luke Patrick P.W. , Nguan Christopher Y. , Horovitz David , Gregor Laura , Warren Jeff , House Andrew A. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract:  Introduction:  To assess the efficacy of calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)‐free immunosuppression vs. calcineurin‐based immunosuppression in patients receiving expanded criteria donor (ECD) kidneys.Patient and methods:  Thirteen recipients of ECD kidneys were enrolled in this pilot study and treated with induction therapy and maintained on sirolimus, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and prednisone. A contemporaneous control group was randomly selected comprised of 13 recipients of ECD kidneys who had been maintained on CNI plus MMF and prednisone.Results:  For the study group vs. the control group, two‐yr graft survival was 92.3% vs. 84.6% (p = NS), two‐yr patient survival was 100% vs. 92.3% (p = NS) and the acute rejection rates were 23% vs. 31% (p = NS), respectively. Renal function was significantly better in the study group compared with control up to the six‐month mark, after which, it remained numerically but not statistically significant. Complications were more common in the study group, but serious adverse events requiring discontinuation were rare.Conclusion:  This pilot study demonstrates that CNI‐free regimens can be safely implemented in patients receiving ECD kidneys with excellent two‐yr patient and graft survival and good renal allograft function. Longer follow‐up in larger randomized controlled trials are necessary to establish these findings.
Impact of rituximab therapy for treatment of acute humoral rejection
Authors: Kaposztas Z. , Podder H. , Mauiyyedi S. , Illoh O. , Kerman R. , Reyes M. , Pollard V. , Kahan B.D. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract:  Introduction:  Antibody mediated rejection (AMR) is associated with a greater incidence of allograft loss because traditional approaches ‐ pulse steroid or anti‐lymphocyte antibodies are usually ineffective. This retrospective analysis documented the benefit of rituximab administration in addition to plasmapheresis (PP).Methods:  We retrospectively reviewed the data from 54 kidney transplant patients treated for AMR between 2001 and 2006, including 26 patients who received PP plus rituximab (Group A), versus 28 subjects who underwent PP without rituximab (Group B). Only patients whose serum IgG levels were below normal values received intravenous gamma globulin (IVIG). In addition to clinical and demographic variables we evaluated graft/patient survivals at two years post‐diagnosis, Banff classification of rejections, serum creatinine and calculated GFR values at baseline, rejection, resolution as well as three, six, 12 and 24 months thereafter.Results:  The demographic features of the cohorts showed no significant differences. The two‐year graft survival for patients treated with rituximab plus PP was 90%, significantly better than 60% in the PP cohort (p = 0.005). Upon multivariate analysis administration of rituximab was the most significant factor (≥ 0.009); whereas, IVIG also produced a useful effect (p = 0.05). Neither the mean (≥ 0.42) nor the slope (p = 0.25) of GFR values showed a significant difference among salvaged kidneys over 24 months after completion of AMR treatment. The rates and types of infectious complications at three and six months did not show significant differences or impact on graft survival.Conclusion:  Addition of rituximab improved the outcomes of PP treatment of antibody mediated rejection episodes.
Associations of serum EBV DNA and gammopathy with post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease
Authors: Rosselet Anne , Vu Dinh‐Hao , Meylan Pascal , Baur Chaubert Audrey S. , Schapira Marc , Pascual Manuel , Aubert Vincent , Tissot Jean‐Daniel , Duchosal Michel A. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract:  Background:  Post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is a life‐threatening complication of immunosuppression following transplantation. Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and gammopathy in serum are associated with PTLD, but these two parameters have not been evaluated in parallel for their association with PTLD.Methods:  We evaluated the incidence of EBV load positivity, gammopathy, and protein expression in sera from all PTLD patients diagnosed at our hospital during the past seven yr. Results were compared with those of a control group including matched transplanted patients who did not develop PTLD.Results:  Seven of 10 PTLD patients presented EBV+ PTLD, for which five patients had detectable serum EBV DNA levels compared with none of 38 controls (RR between two groups =121, p < 0.0001). Five out of 10 patients had gammopathy at PTLD diagnosis compared with 5/38 controls (RR between two groups = 6.6, p = 0.022). Additionally, protein serum analysis by high‐resolution two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis and image examination failed to evidence specific abnormality in patients with PTLD compared with controls.Conclusions:  Our results confirm an association between EBV in sera and gammopathy with PTLD, and highlight the high specificity of the former analysis. Whether a combination of both analyses will improve the clinical detection of PTLD remains to be evaluated in a larger prospective cohort study.