bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genomic analysis of bacteriophage ε34 of Salmonella entericaserovar Anatum (15+)
Authors: Villafane Robert , Zayas Milka , Gilcrease Eddie B , Kropinski Andrew M , Casjens Sherwood R 
Published: December 2008

Abstract

Background
The presence of prophages has been an important variable in genetic exchange and divergence in most bacteria. This study reports the determination of the genomic sequence of Salmonella phage ε34, a temperate bacteriophage that was important in the early study of prophages that modify their hosts' cell surface and is of a type (P22-like) that is common in Salmonella genomes.

Results
The sequence shows that ε34 is a mosaically related member of the P22 branch of the lambdoid phages. Its sequence is compared with the known P22-like phages and several related but previously unanalyzed prophage sequences in reported bacterial genome sequences.

Conclusion
These comparisons indicate that there has been little if any genetic exchange within the procapsid assembly gene cluster with P22-like E. coli/Shigella phages that are have orthologous but divergent genes in this region. Presumably this observation reflects the fact that virion assembly proteins interact intimately and divergent proteins can no longer interact. On the other hand, non-assembly genes in the "ant moron" appear to be in a state of rapid flux, and regulatory genes outside the assembly gene cluster have clearly enjoyed numerous and recent horizontal exchanges with phages outside the P22-like group. The present analysis also shows that ε34 harbors a gtrABC gene cluster which should encode the enzymatic machinery to chemically modify the host O antigen polysaccharide, thus explaining its ability to alter its host's serotype. A comprehensive comparative analysis of the known phage gtrABC gene clusters shows that they are highly mobile, having been exchanged even between phage types, and that most "bacterial" gtrABC genes lie in prophages that vary from being largely intact to highly degraded. Clearly, temperate phages are very major contributors to the O-antigen serotype of their Salmonella hosts.
Role of MAPT mutations and haplotype in frontotemporal lobar degeneration in Northern Finland
Authors: Kaivorinne Anna-Lotta , Krüger Johanna , Kuivaniemi Katja , Tuominen Hannu , Moilanen Virpi , Majamaa Kari , Remes Anne M 
Published: December 2008

Abstract

Background
Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) consists of a clinically and neuropathologically heterogeneous group of syndromes affecting the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. Mutations in microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT), progranulin (PGRN) and charged multi-vesicular body protein 2B (CHMP2B) are associated with familial forms of the disease. The prevalence of these mutations varies between populations. The H1 haplotype of MAPT has been found to be closely associated with tauopathies and with sporadic FTLD. Our aim was to investigate MAPT mutations and haplotype frequencies in a clinical series of patients with FTLD in Northern Finland.

Methods

MAPT exons 1, 2 and 9–13 were sequenced in 59 patients with FTLD, and MAPT haplotypes were analysed in these patients, 122 patients with early onset Alzheimer's disease (eoAD) and 198 healthy controls.

Results
No pathogenic mutations were found. The H2 allele frequency was 11.0% (P = 0.028) in the FTLD patients, 9.8% (P = 0.029) in the eoAD patients and 5.3% in the controls. The H2 allele was especially clustered in patients with a positive family history (P = 0.011) but did not lower the age at onset of the disease. The ApoE4 allele frequency was significantly increased in the patients with eoAD and in those with FTLD.

Conclusion
We conclude that although pathogenic MAPT mutations are rare in Northern Finland, the MAPT H2 allele may be associated with increased risks of FTLD and eoAD in the Finnish population.
Anaplastic carcinoma of the pancreas producing granulocyte-colony stimulating factor: a case report
Authors: Nakajima Atsushi , Takahashi Hirokazu , Inamori Masahiko , Abe Yasunobu , Kobayashi Noritoshi , Kubota Kensuke , Yamanaka Shoji 
Published: December 2008

Abstract

Introduction
The granulocyte-colony stimulating factor-producing tumor was first reported in 1977, however, anaplastic pleomorphic type carcinoma of the pancreas producing granulocyte-colony stimulating factor is still rare.

Case presentation
A 63-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with body weight loss (-10 kg during months) and upper abdominal pain from 3 weeks. Abdominal computed tomography demonstrated a pancreatic tumor 10 cm in size and multiple low-density areas in the liver. On admission, the peripheral leukocyte count was elevated to 91,500/mm3 and the serum concentration of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor was 134 pg/mL (normal, < 18.1 pg/mL). Based on liver biopsy findings, the tumor was classified as an anaplastic pleomorphic-type carcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining showed that pancreatic carcinoma cells were positive for granulocyte-colony stimulating factor. The patient developed interstitial pneumonia, probably caused by granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, and died 11 days after admission.

Conclusion
This is a rare case report of anaplastic pleomorphic-type carcinoma of the pancreas producing granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and confirmed by immunohistochemistry.
Quantitative protein expression profiling reveals extensive post-transcriptional regulation and post-translational modifications in schizont-stage malaria parasites
Authors: Foth Bernardo J , Zhang Neng , Mok Sachel , Preiser Peter R , Bozdech Zbynek 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Background
Malaria is a one of the most important infectious diseases and is caused by parasitic protozoa of the genus Plasmodium. Previously, quantitative characterization of the P. falciparum transcriptome demonstrated that the strictly controlled progression of these parasites through their intra-erythrocytic developmental cycle is accompanied by a continuous cascade of gene expression. Although such analyses have proven immensely useful, the correlations between abundance of transcripts and their cognate proteins remain poorly characterized.

Results
Here, we present a quantitative time-course analysis of relative protein abundance for schizont-stage parasites (34 to 46 hours after invasion) based on two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis of protein samples labeled with fluorescent dyes. For this purpose we analyzed parasite samples taken at 4-hour intervals from a tightly synchronized culture and established more than 500 individual protein abundance profiles with high temporal resolution and quantitative reproducibility. Approximately half of all profiles exhibit a significant change in abundance and 12% display an expression peak during the observed 12-hour time interval. Intriguingly, identification of 54 protein spots by mass spectrometry revealed that 58% of the corresponding proteins - including actin-I, enolase, eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF)4A, eIF5A, and several heat shock proteins - are represented by more than one isoform, presumably caused by post-translational modifications, with the various isoforms of a given protein frequently showing different expression patterns. Furthermore, comparisons with transcriptome data generated from the same parasite samples reveal evidence of significant post-transcriptional gene expression regulation.

Conclusions
Together, our data indicate that both post-transcriptional and post-translational events are widespread and of presumably great biological significance during the intra-erythrocytic development of P. falciparum.
Differential lymphopenia-induced homeostatic proliferation for CD4+ and CD8+ T cells following septic injury
Authors: Unsinger Jacqueline , Kazama Hirotaka , McDonough Jacquelyn S , Hotchkiss Richard S , Ferguson Thomas A 
Published: December 2008

AbstractSepsis is a severe, life-threatening infection and a leading cause of death in hospitals. A hallmark of sepsis is the profound apoptosis-induced depletion of lymphocytes generating a lymphopenic environment. As lymphopenia can induce nonantigen-driven homeostatic proliferation (HP), we examined this process during sepsis. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, which were depleted within 24 h of sepsis induction, remained at significantly reduced levels until Day 21 when normal numbers were detected. When HP was examined, naïve CD8+ T cells proliferated between Day 7 and Day 21 post-cecal ligation and puncture, developing into memory cells with relatively few cells expressing an activation phenotype. Conversely, naïve CD4+ T cells did not undergo HP, but proportionally higher numbers expressed activation markers. Adoptive transfer studies revealed that T cells from mice that had recovered from sepsis were not protective when transferred to naïve mice undergoing sepsis. In addition, the TCR repertoire was not skewed toward any specific Vβ type but resembled the repertoire found in normal mice, suggesting that T cells were not primed to antigens resulting from the infection. Interestingly, depletion of endogenous CD8+ but not CD4+ T cells restored the ability of naive CD4+ T cells to undergo HP, increasing the number of CD4+ T cells with memory but not activation markers. We conclude that homeostatic control in the postseptic environment permits recovery of the T cell repertoire to normal levels without generating antigen-specific memory or aberrant T cell specificities. Restoration of homeostatic control mechanisms might be a rational therapy for this disorder.
Age-related enlargement of lymphoid tissue and altered leukocyte composition in serglycin-deficient mice
Authors: Wernersson Sara , Braga Tiago , Sawesi Osama , Waern Ida , Nilsson Kajsa E , Pejler Gunnar , Åbrink Magnus 
Published: December 2008

AbstractSerglycin (SG) is a proteoglycan that is located predominantly in the secretory granules of hematopoietic cells. Previous studies have established a crucial role for SG in promoting the storage of various secretory granule compounds that are of importance in the immune defense system. Here, we show that mice lacking SG spontaneously develop enlargement of multiple lymphoid organs, including the spleen, Peyer’s patches (PP), and bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue. In the spleen, the lack of SG resulted in a significant decrease in the proportion of CD4+ cells as well as an increase of the CD45RC+ leukocyte population, indicating an expansion of naïve lymphocytes. In the PP, the lack of SG resulted in a general increase in cellularity, without significant alterations in the proportion of individual leukocyte populations. The enlargement of lymphoid tissues was not accompanied by increased serum levels of inflammatory cytokines. The number of mast cells in the peritoneum was not affected by the lack of SG, as judged by surface staining for CD117 (c-kit). However, the intensity of c-kit staining was reduced significantly in SG null animals. Moreover, the number of peritoneal macrophages, defined by morphological criteria and by CD11b staining, was decreased markedly in older, SG-deficient animals. Finally, experiments in which airway inflammation was induced by bacterial LPS revealed a more pronounced inflammatory response in old, SG-deficient as compared with wild-type mice. Taken together, our data show that SG deficiency causes multiple, age-related effects on the lymphoid system.
Outcome, following significant delays in initial surgery, of ballistic femoral fractures managed without internal or external fixation
Authors: Clasper J. C. , Rowley D. I. 
Published: December 2008

We reviewed the clinical details and radiographs of 52 patients with ballistic fractures of the femur admitted to the International Committee of the Red Cross Hospital in Kenya (Lopiding), who had sustained injuries in neighbouring Sudan. In all cases there had been a significant delay in the initial surgery (> 24 hours), and all patients were managed without stabilisation of the fracture by internal or external fixation. Of the 52 patients, three required an amputation for persisting infection of the fracture site despite multiple debridements. A further patient was treated by an excision arthroplasty of the hip, but this was carried out at the initial operation as a part of the required debridement. All of the remaining 48 fractures healed. Four patients needed permanent shoe adaptation because of limb shortening of functional significance. Although we do not advocate delaying treatment or using traction instead of internal or external fixation, we have demonstrated that open femoral fractures can heal despite limited resources.
Outcomes following hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement with associated chondrolabral dysfunction
Authors: Philippon M. J. , Briggs K. K. , Yen Y.-M. , Kuppersmith D. A. 
Published: December 2008

Over an eight-month period we prospectively enrolled 122 patients who underwent arthroscopic surgery of the hip for femoroacetabular impingement and met the inclusion criteria for this study. Patients with bilateral hip arthroscopy, avascular necrosis and previous hip surgery were excluded. Ten patients refused to participate leaving 112 in the study. There were 62 women and 50 men. The mean age of the patients was 40.6 yrs (95% confidence interval (CI) 37.7 to 43.5). At arthroscopy, 23 patients underwent osteoplasty only for cam impingement, three underwent rim trimming only for pincer impingement, and 86 underwent both procedures for mixed-type impingement. The mean follow-up was 2.3 years (2.0 to 2.9). The mean modified Harris hip score (HHS) improved from 58 to 84 (mean difference = 24 (95% CI 19 to 28)) and the median patient satisfaction was 9 (1 to 10). Ten patients underwent total hip replacement at a mean of 16 months (8 to 26) after arthroscopy. The predictors of a better outcome were the pre-operative modified HHS (p = 0.018), joint space narrowing ≥ 2 mm (p = 0.005), and repair of labral pathology instead of debridement (p = 0.032). Hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement, accompanied by suitable rehabilitation, gives a good short-term outcome and high patient satisfaction.
A randomised, controlled trial of two mobile-bearing total ankle replacements
Authors: Wood P. L. R. , Sutton C. , Mishra V. , Suneja R. 
Published: December 2008

We describe the results of a randomised, prospective study of 200 ankle replacements carried out between March 2000 and July 2003 at a single centre to compare the Buechel-Pappas (BP) and the Scandinavian Total Ankle Replacement (STAR) implant with a minimum follow-up of 36 months. The two prostheses were similar in design consisting of three components with a meniscal polyethylene bearing which was highly congruent on its planar tibial surface and on its curved talar surface. However, the designs were markedly different with respect to the geometry of the articular surface of the talus and its overall shape. A total of 16 ankles (18%) was revised, of which 12 were from the BP group and four of the STAR group. The six-year survivorship of the BP design was 79% (95% confidence interval (CI) 63.4 to 88.5 and of the STAR 95% (95% CI 87.2 to 98.1). The difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.09). However, varus or valgus deformity before surgery did have a significant effect) (p = 0.02) on survivorship in both groups, with the likelihood of revision being directly proportional to the size of the angular deformity. Our findings support previous studies which suggested that total ankle replacement should be undertaken with extreme caution in the presence of marked varus or valgus deformity.
One-stage bilateral open reduction through a medial approach in developmental dysplasia of the hip
Authors: Zamzam M. M. , Khosshal K. I. , Abak A. A. , Bakarman K. A. , AlSiddiky A. M. M. , AlZain K. O. , Kremli M. K. 
Published: December 2008

The outcome of one-stage bilateral open reduction through a medial approach for the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip in children under 18 months was studied in 23 children, 18 girls and five boys. Their mean age at operation was 10.1 months (6 to 17) and the mean follow-up was 5.4 years (3 to 8). Acceptable clinical and radiological results were achieved in 44 (95.7%) and 43 (93.5%) of 46 hips, respectively. Excellent results were significantly evident in patients younger than 12 months, those who did not require acetabuloplasty, those whose ossific nucleus had appeared, and in those who did not develop avascular necrosis. One-stage bilateral medial open reduction avoids the need for separate procedures on the hips and has the advantages of accelerated management and shorter immobilisation and rehabilitation than staged operations.
Developing a Traumatic Brain Injury Index for Social and Vocational Communication Outcomes (SAVCO)
Authors: Larkins Brigette , Worrall Linda , Hickson Louise 
Published: December 2008

AbstractObjective: To describe the development of a functional communication assessment. A secondary aim is to illustrate a process for identifying functional communication outcomes in clients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The TBI Index for Social and Vocational Communication Outcomes (SAVCO) is designed to identify limitations to everyday communication activities that may present following TBI. It was constructed by anchoring communication activities derived from studies within New Zealand into an internationally recognised theoretical construct, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Four key principles: authenticity of the items, attention to context, collaboration and transparency, underpin the assessment. Main outcomes: The article describes the process of developing a TBI measure that is authentic to an intended population. It provides a preliminary description of the SAVCO, its different constructs and the rationale for their inclusion. The SAVCO is an assessment that highlights everyday activities that are relevant targets for intervention for the individual. The client's performance on the identified activities is explored according to the efficiency and manner of executing the activity. The scope and level of the activity are also determined. Conclusions: The development of the SAVCO illustrates a process for identifying relevant and important functional communication activity items and promotes the use of the ICF framework and rating scales. The preliminary findings suggest that the SAVCO has clinical relevance providing speech–language therapists with a functional communication assessment that leads to the identification and measurement of client-centred therapy outcomes.
Behavioural and Psychosocial Outcome Following Vegetative and Minimally Conscious States: Long-Term Follow-Up
Authors: Dewar Bonnie-Kate , Pickard John D. , Wilson Barbara A. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe long-term outcome of persons with impaired consciousness after brain injury remains relatively unclear. The first 12 months post ictus are widely reported as the period of greatest change, with an estimated 20% of persons with traumatic brain injury recovering consciousness. However, beyond 12 months post traumatic and 6 months post-nontraumatic injury the chances of further recovery are thought to diminish significantly. The aim of this study was to investigate the behavioural and psychosocial outcome of 12 patients with impaired consciousness 2 years post ictus. At the time of recruitment five of these patients met the diagnostic criteria defining the vegetative state and seven of these patients met the diagnostic criteria defining the minimally conscious state. Patients were assessed using the Wessex Head Injury Matrix at recruitment and again at least 2 years after initial contact. Functional and psychosocial outcome were also explored. Most patients showed some improvements to their behavioural portfolio, but all were still very dependent physically and all required a high level of support in their activities of daily living. None of the patients had emerged from their original condition, despite exhibiting larger behavioural portfolios. The implications of these findings for the management of patients in low awareness states are discussed.
Assessing Social Skills in People With Very Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Validity of the Social Performance Survey Schedule (SPSS)
Authors: Long Esther , McDonald Skye , Tate Robyn , Togher Leanne , Bornhofen Cristina 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe current study was designed to determine whether the Social Performance Survey Schedule (SPSS; Lowe & Cautela, 1978) is a useful measure of social skills in people with traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Forty-nine adults with TBI were compared on the SPSS to 190 adults without injuries. The validity of the SPSS was also investigated in relation to another measure of social performance, the first scale of the Katz Adjustment Scale (KAS-R1; Katz & Lyerly, 1963) and a broad measure of social function (the SPRS; Tate, Hodgkinson, Veerabangsa, & Maggiotto, 1999). Individuals with TBI had significantly lower scores on the positive scale of the SPSS than nonbrain-injured individuals. They did not have lower scores on the SPSS negative scale relative to the normative sample. Significant correlations with the KAS-R1 and SPRS provided evidence for the construct and criterion validity of SPSS within this population. In conclusion, this study suggests that where an appropriate normative sample is used, the positive subscale of the SPSS is a sound measure for detecting the extent and nature of deficits in prosocial behaviour seen in TBI, but raises the question as to how we define negative behaviours in the 21st century on scales such as the SPSS.
The influence of linoleic and linolenic acid on the activity and intracellular localisation of phospholipase D in COS-1 cells
Authors: Gemeinhardt Anja , Alfalah Marwan , Gück Thomas , Naim Hassan Y. , Fuhrmann Herbert 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Phospholipase D (PLD) is a receptor-regulated signalling enzyme involved in biological functions, such as exocytosis, phagocytosis, actin dynamics, membrane trafficking, and is considered to be essential for stimulated degranulation of cells. The purpose of our investigation was to examine how the fatty acid pattern of cellular membranes influences the activities and cellular distribution of the PLD1 and PLD2 isoforms. Expression of GFP-tagged PLD1 and PLD2 in COS-1 cells that were stimulated with mastoparan after cultivation in 20 μmol linoleic (C18:2n6) or linolenic (C18:3n3) acid for 4 d demonstrated that PLD1 dramatically alters its cellular distribution and is redistributed from intracellular vesicles to the cell surface. PLD2, on the other hand, maintains its localisation at the plasma membrane. The activity of PLD, which corresponds to PLD1 and PLD2, significantly increased two- to three-fold in the presence of the fatty acids. We conclude that linoleic acid and linolenic acid supplementation affect the intracellular trafficking of the PLD1 isoform and the activity of PLD most likely due to alterations in the membrane lipid environment conferred by the fatty acids.