bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Angioimmunoblastic T‐cell lymphoma: histological progression associates with EBV and HHV6B viral load
Authors: Zhou Yuanping , Attygalle Ayoma D. , Chuang Shih‐Sung , Diss Tim , Ye Hongtao , Liu Hongxiang , Hamoudi Rifat A. , Munson Philippa , Bacon Chris M. , Dogan Ahmet , Du Ming‐Qing 
Published: June 2007

SummaryThe clinical and histological presentations of angioimmunoblastic T‐cell lymphoma (AITL) often mimic an infectious process. Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and human herpes virus (HHV6) are known to be associated with AITL, but whether these viral infections play a role in its pathogenesis is unclear. It also remains to be investigated whether there might be other viruses associated with AITL. We first screened 26 well‐characterised cases of AITL for herpesvirus by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with universal primers and found evidence of only EBV and HHV6B infection. Subsequent PCR using virus‐specific primers demonstrated EBV and HHV6B infection in 40/49 biopsies (36/42 cases) and 21/49 biopsies (19/42 cases) of AITL respectively with both viral infections found in 17/49 specimens (15/42 cases). Importantly, simultaneous infection with both viruses was found only in specimens showing histological pattern II (n = 2) or III (n = 15). Interestingly, among specimens containing both viruses, there was a tendency towards an inverse correlation between the EBV and HHV6B viral load as shown by quantitative PCR. In specimens positive only for EBV, the viral load was significantly higher in specimens with histological pattern III than those with pattern II. High EBV load was also significantly associated with B‐cell monoclonality. Double EBV encoded small RNA (EBER) in situ hybridisation and immunohistochemistry indicated that EBV‐infected B cells had a late postgerminal centre immunophenotype. Our results demonstrate an association between EBV and HHV6B infection and the histological progression of AITL, suggesting that these viruses may play a role in the pathogenesis of this lymphoma.
Association of bone marrow natural killer cell dose with neutrophil recovery and chronic graft‐versus‐host disease after HLA identical sibling bone marrow transplants
Authors: Larghero Jerome , Rocha Vanderson , Porcher Raphael , Filion Alain , Ternaux Brigitte , Lacassagne Marie‐Noelle , Robin Marie , Peffault de Latour Regis , Devergie Agnes , Biscay Nicole , Ribaud Patricia , Benbunan Marc , Gluckman Eliane , Marolleau Jean Pierre , Socié Gerard 
Published: June 2007

SummaryAllogeneic bone marrow (BM) transplant (BMT) outcomes have been correlated with the infused nucleated, CD34+, and T‐ cell dose. The potential impact of natural killer (NK) BM infused cell dose has however not been established. We analysed the outcomes of 78 patients receiving an HLA identical BMT. A higher NK cell dose was associated with the speed of neutrophil (P = 0·05) and platelet recovery (P = 0·04). Higher nucleated cells, CD34+, CD3+, CD3+/4+, CD3+/8+ and NK cell dose were associated with a lower incidence of chronic GvHD (cGvHD) in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, the risk of cGvHD was increased by a lower NK cell dose [hazard ratio (HR) = 2·3 (1·2–4·4) for cell dose <0·9 × 106/kg; P = 0·01] and an older age [HR = 1·4 /10 years (1·1–1·8); P = 0·002]. In addition, a higher CD3+/4+ and NK cell dose were associated with a decreased incidence of viral infections (P = 0·03 and P = 0·06 respectively). No specific cell subpopulation infused dose was associated with survival. In conclusion, a higher BM NK cell dose is associated with an increased speed of neutrophil recovery and a decreased incidence of cGvHD.
TLX1/HOX11 transcription factor inhibits differentiation and promotes a non‐haemopoietic phenotype in murine bone marrow cells
Authors: Dixon Darcelle N. , Izon David J. , Dagger Samantha , Callow Matthew J. , Taplin Ross H. , Kees Ursula R. , Greene Wayne K. 
Published: June 2007

SummaryThe TLX/HOX11 subfamily of divergent homeobox genes are involved in various aspects of embryogenesis and, in the case of TLX1/HOX11 and TLX3/HOX11L2, feature prominently as oncogenes in human T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. TLX1 possesses immortalising activity in a wide variety of blood cell lineages, however, the effect of this oncogene on haemopoietic cell differentiation has not been fully investigated. We therefore constitutively expressed TLX1 in murine bone marrow or fetal liver cells using retroviral transfer followed by transplantation and/or in vitro culture. TLX1 was found to dramatically alter haemopoiesis, promoting the emergence of a non‐haemopoietic CD45− CD31+ cell population while markedly inhibiting erythroid and granulocytic cell differentiation. To identify genetic programs perturbed by TLX1, a comparison of transcript profiles from J2E erythroid cells with and without enforced TLX1 expression was undertaken. This revealed a pattern of gene expression indicative of enhanced proliferation coupled to differentiation arrest. Of the genes identified, two, KIT and VEGFC, were found to be potential TLX1 targets based on transcriptional assays. These results demonstrate that TLX1 can act broadly to impair haemopoiesis and divert differentiation to an alternative fate. This may account for its ability to promote the pre‐leukaemic state via perturbation of specific gene expression programs.
Invaders or endemics? Molecular phylogenetics, biogeography and systematics of Dreissena in the Balkans
Authors: ALBRECHT CHRISTIAN , SCHULTHEIß ROLAND , KEVREKIDIS THEODOROS , STREIT BRUNO , WILKE THOMAS 
Published: June 2007

Summary1. Zebra mussels and their relatives (Dreissena spp.) have been well studied in eastern, central and western Europe as well as in North America, because of their invasiveness and economic importance. Much less is known about the biology and biogeography of indigenous (endemic) taxa of Dreissena, in the Balkans. A better knowledge of these taxa could help us (i) understand the factors triggering invasiveness in some taxa and (ii) identify other potentially invasive species.2. Using a phylogenetic approach (2108 base pairs from three gene fragments), Dreissena spp. from natural lakes in the Balkans were studied to test whether invasive Dreissena populations occur in such lakes on the Balkan Peninsula, whether Dreissena stankovici really is endemic to the ancient Lakes Ohrid and Prespa, and to infer the phylogenetic and biogeographical relationships of Balkan dreissenids.3. No invasive species of Dreissena, such as Dreissena polymorpha, were recorded. The supposedly ‘endemic’D. stankovici is not restricted to the ancient Lakes Ohrid and Prespa, but is the most widespread and dominant species in the west‐central Balkans. Its southern sister taxon, Dreissena blanci, occurs sympatrically with D. stankovici in Lakes Prespa, Mikri Prespa and Pamvotis. Both species are classified into the subgenus Dreissena (Carinodreissena) of which the subgenus Dreissena (Dreissena) (which includes the invasive D. polymorpha) is the sister taxon. Dreissena blanci and D. stankovici are considered to represent distinct species.4. On a global scale, the two Balkan species have small ranges. An early Pliocene time frame for the divergence of the subgenera Carinodreissena and Dreissena is discussed, as well as potential colonization routes of the most recent common ancestor of Carinodreissena spp.5. The ambiguous taxonomy of dreissenids in the Balkans is addressed. As nominal D. blanci presbensis from Lake Prespa has nomenclatural priority over D. stankovici, the correct name for the latter taxon should be Dreissena presbensis.
Morphological clines in dendritic landscapes
Authors: CHAPUT‐BARDY A. , PAYS O. , LODÉ T. , SECONDI J. 
Published: June 2007

Summary1. In complex landscapes such as river networks, organisms usually face spatio‐temporal heterogeneity and gradients in geomorphological, water, ecological or landscape characteristics are often observed at the catchment scale. These environmental variables determine developmental conditions for larval stages of freshwater insects and influence adult phenotypic characteristics. Environmental clines are therefore expected to generate morphological clines. Such a process has the potential to drive gradual geographical change in morphology‐dependent life history traits, such as dispersal.2. We studied the influence of aquatic and terrestrial environmental factors on morphological variations in Calopteryx splendens across the Loire drainage. To investigate these effects we took explicitly into account the hierarchical structure of the river network.3. We analysed eight morphological traits. Results showed significant body size variation between tributaries and the presence of a morphological cline at the drainage scale. We observed an effect of pH and water temperature on body size. Individuals in downstream sites were larger than individuals in upstream sites, and adults whose larval stages were exposed to alkaline pH and high temperatures during summer were larger.4. Body size affects flight abilities in insects. Thus, our results suggest that morphological clines may generate an asymmetric dispersal pattern along the downstream–upstream axis, downstream populations dispersing farther than upstream ones. Such a process is expected to influence population genetic structure at the drainage scale if larval drift and floods do not balance an asymmetrical dispersal pattern of adults along the downstream–upstream gradient. To assess the influence of environmental gradients on the variation of life history traits it is important to understand the population biology of freshwater insects, and more generally of riverine organisms. It is also essential to integrate such data in conservation or restoration programmes.
Bayesian inference of the Cole–Cole parameters from time‐ and frequency‐domain induced polarization
Authors: Ghorbani A. , Camerlynck C. , Florsch N. , Cosenza P. , Revil A. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTThe inversion of induced‐polarization parameters is important in the characterization of the frequency electrical response of porous rocks. A Bayesian approach is developed to invert these parameters assuming the electrical response is described by a Cole–Cole model in the time or frequency domain. We show that the Bayesian approach provides a better analysis of the uncertainty associated with the parameters of the Cole–Cole model compared with more conventional methods based on the minimization of a cost function using the least‐squares criterion. This is due to the strong non‐linearity of the inverse problem and non‐uniqueness of the solution in the time domain. The Bayesian approach consists of propagating the information provided by the measurements through the model and combining this information with a priori knowledge of the data. Our analysis demonstrates that the uncertainty in estimating the Cole–Cole model parameters from induced‐polarization data is much higher for measurements performed in the time domain than in the frequency domain. Our conclusion is that it is very difficult, if not impossible, to retrieve the correct value of the Cole–Cole parameters from time‐domain induced‐polarization data using standard least‐squares methods. In contrast, the Cole–Cole parameters can be more correctly inverted in the frequency domain. These results are also valid for other models describing the induced‐polarization spectral response, such as the Cole–Davidson or power law models.
How did common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) spread in Québec? A historical analysis using herbarium records
Authors: Lavoie Claude , Jodoin Yvon , De Merlis Albane Goursaud 
Published: June 2007

AbstractAim  To reconstruct the spread of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.; Asteraceae) using herbarium specimens to document whether the habitat preferences of this plant have shifted through time.Location  Southern Québec.Methods  Herbarium specimens stored in the main herbaria of southern Québec were used to reconstruct the spread of common ragweed. All data (sampling location, year of sampling, habitat characteristics, etc.) were incorporated into a geographical information system. Maps indicating the spatial distribution of common ragweed were produced for four time periods. The cumulative number of locations was plotted against time to construct invasion curves. The sequence of habitats where herbarium specimens were collected was also reconstructed.Results  A data base incorporating 707 common ragweed herbarium specimens was constructed for this study. The spread of common ragweed in most regions of southern Québec was initiated at the beginning of the 20th century. Herbarium specimens suggest that common ragweed first spread along river corridors. Specimens of common ragweed were not collected in agricultural fields before the mid‐1920s, nor along roads and railways before the mid‐1930s. The colonization of a large number of agricultural fields by common ragweed probably began with seed‐contaminated crops, but was certainly accelerated by the dispersal of seeds from populations growing along nearby roads.Main conclusions  Herbarium specimens suggest that common ragweed has been present in southern Québec for at least 200 years, but the species was probably restricted to the Montréal area during the 19th century. It is likely that the development of the road network in Québec since the mid‐1930s significantly contributed to the spread of common ragweed. Controlling common ragweed solely in agricultural fields would not prevent the re‐infestation of crops, because roadsides would act as refuges for the weed.
Mucosal immune responses in the genital tract of HIV‐1‐exposed uninfected women
Authors: Hirbod T. , Broliden K. 
Published: June 2007

Abstract.The development of HIV‐1 vaccines and microbicides remains hindered by our limited understanding of correlates of immune protection to infection. Evidence indicating that resistance to HIV‐1 infection is indeed possible comes from HIV‐1‐exposed yet uninfected individuals, including cohorts of commercial sex workers and discordant couples. Despite their uninfected status some of these individuals have mucosal and systemic HIV‐1‐specific humoral and cellular immune responses in addition to their innate immune response. The combined contribution of innate and adaptive immunity as well as genetic factors is most likely of great importance for this protection against infection. Here we review data on the antibody responses and secreted immune molecules of the innate immune system in the female genital tract with emphasis on individuals who seem to resist HIV‐1‐infection despite repeated exposure to the virus.
Identification of a transcriptional regulator that controls intracellular gene expression in Salmonella Typhi
Authors: Haghjoo Erik , Galán Jorge E. 
Published: June 2007

SummarySalmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi), the aetiological agent of typhoid fever, is an exclusively human pathogen. Little is known about specific factors that may confer to this bacterium its unique pathogenic features. One of these determinants is CdtB, a homologue of the active subunit of the cytolethal distending toxin, which causes DNA damage leading to cell cycle arrest and distension of intoxicated cells. A unique property of S. Typhi CdtB is that it is only synthesized when this bacterium is within an intracellular compartment. Through a genetic screen, we have identified a transcriptional regulatory protein that controls the intracellular expression of cdtB. This regulator, which we have named IgeR, is a member of the DeoR family of transcriptional regulatory proteins and is highly conserved in all S. enterica serovars. IgeR directly binds the cdtB promoter and represses its expression in the extracellular environment. Microarray analysis identified additional IgeR‐regulated genes that are involved in virulence. Constitutive expression of igeR resulted in the reduction of intracellular expression of cdtB by S. Typhi and in significant impairment of the virulence of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) in mice. We propose that IgeR may co‐ordinate gene expression during Salmonella's transition from an extracellular to an intracellular environment.
Unexpected effect of a Bacteroides conjugative transposon, CTnDOT, on chromosomal gene expression in its bacterial host
Authors: Moon Kyung , Sonnenburg Justin , Salyers Abigail A. 
Published: June 2007

SummaryForeign DNA elements such as plasmids and conjugative transposons are constantly entering new bacterial hosts. A possible outcome of such events that has not been considered previously is that regulatory genes carried on some of them might affect the expression of chromosomal genes of the new host. To assess this possibility, we investigated the effect of the Bacteroides conjugative transposon CTnDOT on expression of chromosomal genes in Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron 5482 (BT4001). Most of the upregulated genes were genes of unknown function, but a number of them were associated with a region of the chromosome that contained a putative conjugative transposon, which had been tentatively designated as CTn4‐bt. Upregulation of CTn4‐bt genes and other chromosomal genes affected by CTnDOT was controlled by two regulatory genes on CTnDOT, rteA and rteB, which encode a two‐component regulatory system. Transfer of CTn4‐bt was also mediated by rteA and rteB. Three other putative CTns, CTn1‐bt, CTn2‐bt and CTn3‐bt, were mobilized by CTnERL, a CTn closely related to CTnDOT, but genes from CTnERL other than rteA and rteB were also required. Unexpectedly, homologous recombination was required for CTn1‐bt, CTn2‐bt, CTn3‐bt and CTn4‐bt to integrate in the recipient. Our results show that regulatory genes on an incoming mobile element can have multiple effects on its new host, including the activation of previously non‐transmissible elements.
Clinical patterns of sexually transmitted diseases, associated sociodemographic characteristics, and sexual practices in the Farwaniya region of Kuwait
Authors: Al‐Mutairi Nawaf , Joshi Arun , Nour‐Eldin Osama , Sharma Ashok K. , El‐Adawy Ibtesam , Rijhwani Manish 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground  Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are common worldwide, but there are few studies available on STDs from the Gulf countries, including Kuwait. Our goal was to determine the clinical patterns, sociodemographic factors, and sexual practices of patients with STDs who attended a government hospital in the Farwaniya region of Kuwait.Methods  All patients seen over a 1‐year period (July 2003 to June 2004), who presented with signs and symptoms suggestive of STDs, were included. Sociodemographic details and clinical findings were recorded. The diagnosis of each STD was based mainly on standard World Health Organization (WHO) criteria and available data. Serologic tests for syphilis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were offered to all patients.Results  One thousand and ninety‐six patients (1068 male, 28 female) with STDs constituted 2.84% of all new dermatology patients seen; most (866) were in the 21–40‐year age group. The STDs were acquired from commercial sex workers in 844 patients (77%). Heterosexual encounter (99.3%) was the most common mode of acquiring STDs. Urethral discharge was noted in 54.1% of patients, followed by genital ulcers (17.8%), papules/growths (16.4%), and urethral/pubic pain without associated discharge/ulcers (5.9%); these were the four most common presenting complaints. Evaluation revealed gonorrhea in 31.5% of patients, nongonococcal urethritis in 23.6%, chlamydia in 4.1%, nonspecific urethritis in 19.5%, concomitant gonorrhea and chlamydia urethritis in 2.7%, genital warts in 13.7%, chancroid in 13.0%, genital herpes in 4.8%, molluscum contagiosum in 2.7%, and lymphogranuloma venereum in 1.4%.Conclusions  Urethral discharge, gonorrhea, and nonspecific urethritis (presenting with urethral discharge), followed by genital warts, chancroid, and genital herpes (ulcers), were the most common STDs among male patients in the Farwaniya region of Kuwait. Although no case of HIV or syphilis was detected, health authorities and physicians need to remain vigilant.
Chagas’ disease reactivation with skin symptoms in a patient with kidney transplant
Authors: Gallerano Verónica , Consigli Javier , Pereyra Susana , Gómez Zanni Susana , Danielo Cristian , Gallerano Rafael H. , Guidi Andrés 
Published: June 2007

AbstractImmunodepressed patients in the intermediate phase of Chagas’ disease may undergo reactivation of the disease together with atypical symptoms. The case of an immunodepressed kidney transplant patient with reactivation of Chagas’ disease with skin symptoms is reported.A 65‐year‐old man presented with infiltrated erythematous lesions on the anterior aspect of the right thigh of 2 weeks’ duration. The lesions later extended to the abdomen, thorax, and lower limbs. In the histologic skin examination, amastigotes and Trypanosoma cruzi trypoamastigotes were observed. A fresh smear showed positive parasitemia. Using the Strout hemoconcentration method, multiple Trypanosoma cruzi trypoamastigotes with motility could be seen. Polymerase chain reaction was positive for Trypanosoma cruzi. An immunofluorescence test was positive (1 : 64) and there was hemoagglutination (1 : 32).Treatment was started with benznidazole, 7 mg/kg/day. The patient did not evolve favorably and died 20 days after hospitalization.Skin lesions may be a manifestation of the reactivation of Chagas’ disease in immunosuppressed patients. All patients with positive Chagas’ serology who require immunosuppressant drugs should receive specific treatment for Chagas’ disease.
Diagnostic value of Vβ2‐positive T‐cell expansion in toxic shock syndrome
Authors: Wenisch Christoph , Strunk D. , Krause R. , Smolle K. H. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground  diagnostic dilemma in toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is that the results of microbiologic investigations are often not available immediately because of the need for incubation, or no obvious entry point can be found.Methods  We describe three patients with a clinical diagnosis of TSS in whom microbiologic tests were negative.Results  All patients had complicated courses with vasopressor‐dependent shock, renal and respiratory failure, and disseminated intravascular coagulation for at least 1 week. In all three patients, diagnosis was considerably faster with the assessment of the expansion of T‐cell‐receptor Vβ2‐positive T cells (> 15%) than by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) diagnosis, because of the complicated clinical picture or the delay caused by waiting for the results of microbiologic investigations.Conclusions  Our results indicate that diagnostic procedures incorporating Vβ2‐positive T cells could be a useful tool for the diagnosis of TSS.