bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
IFN‐γ production in response to Tax 161–233, and frequency of CD4+ Foxp3+ and Lin− HLA‐DRhigh CD123+ cells, discriminate HAM/TSP patients from asymptomatic HTLV‐1‐carriers in a Peruvian population
Authors: Best Ivan , López Giovanni , Verdonck Kristien , González Elsa , Tipismana Martín , Gotuzzo Eduardo , Vanham Guido , Clark Daniel 
Published: February 2009

SummaryHuman T‐lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV‐1) can cause HTLV‐1‐associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). The objective of this study was to gain insight into the pathogenesis of HAM/TSP by focusing on the CD8+ T‐cell response. Twenty‐three HTLV‐1‐seronegative controls (SC), 29 asymptomatic HTLV‐1 carriers (AC) and 48 patients with HAM/TSP were enrolled in the study. We evaluated the production of interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with Tax overlapping peptides, the expression of genes related to the CD8+ cytotoxic T‐cell response, the frequency of CD4+ Foxp3+ cells and of dendritic cells, and the HTLV‐1 provirus load (PVL). The frequency of cells producing IFN‐γ in response to Tax 161–233, but not to Tax 11–19, discriminated patients with HAM/TSP from AC. The increased pro‐inflammatory response observed in patients with HAM/TSP was shared by AC with a high PVL, who also exhibited lower levels of granzyme H mRNA in unstimulated CD8+ T cells than AC with a low PVL. Patients with HAM/TSP showed higher frequencies of CD4+ Foxp3+ cells and lower frequencies of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) than AC. Our findings are consistent with a model in which HTLV‐1, along with the host genetic background, drives quantitative and qualitative changes in pDC and CD4+ Foxp3+ cells that lead to a predominance of inflammatory responses over lytic responses in the CD8+ T‐cell response of individuals predisposed to develop HAM/TSP.
The CTLA‐4 gene polymorphisms are associated with CTLA‐4 protein expression levels in multiple sclerosis patients and with susceptibility to disease
Authors: Karabon Lidia , Kosmaczewska Agata , Bilinska Malgorzata , Pawlak Edyta , Ciszak Lidia , Jedynak Anna , Jonkisz Anna , Noga Leszek , Pokryszko‐Dragan Anna , Koszewicz Magdalena , Frydecka Irena 
Published: February 2009

SummaryCytotoxic T‐lymphocyte antigen‐4 (CTLA‐4) is an important molecule in the down‐regulation of T‐cell activation. A study was undertaken to evaluate the association of the CTLA‐4 gene polymorphisms −319C/T, +49A/G, (AT)n, CT60A/G and Jo31G/T with the levels of membrane CTLA‐4 (mCTLA‐4) and cytoplasmic CTLA‐4 (cCTLA‐4) in CD4+ T lymphocytes from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and with susceptibility to MS, and the course of the disease. It was found that the Jo31GG and CT60GG genotypes were associated with decreased mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of total CTLA‐4 (mCTLA‐4 + cCTLA‐4) molecules in CD4+ T cells from both relapsing‐remitting (RR) and secondary progressive (SP) MS patients compared with others. Consequently, possessing the Jo31G allele and/or the CT60G allele were associated with susceptibility to MS. The percentages of cells expressing mCTLA‐4 and cCTLA‐4 in RR patients were higher in carriers of the alleles non‐predisposing to MS (namely CT60A and Jo31T), but the percentages of corresponding cells were unexpectedly significantly lower in SP patients than in RR patients. Increased risk of paresthesia and pyramidal signs as a first manifestation of disease, and earlier transition to the SP form in those patients, was also noted. It is hypothesized that the decreasing frequencies of cells expressing immunosuppressive mCTLA‐4 and cCTLA‐4 in carriers of alleles non‐predisposing to MS (i.e. CT60A and Jo31T) may lead to inadequate down‐regulation of ongoing T‐cell responses in these patients and, as a consequence, earlier progression of disease from the RR form to the SP form.
Dental anxiety among survivors of childhood cancer: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: WOGELIUS PIA , ROSTHØJ STEEN , DAHLLÖF GÖRAN , POULSEN SVEN 
Published: February 2009

Background.   Childhood cancer survivors may have experienced a high number of invasive medical and dental procedures which are known to be risk factors for dental anxiety.Aim.  The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of dental anxiety among children who have survived cancer.Design.  In a cross‐sectional study, we examined 51 6‐ to 14‐year‐old children who had been treated for cancer at Aalborg Hospital, and 192 children without cancer. All children answered the Dental Subscale of the Children's Fear Survey Schedule. Dental anxiety was defined as a dental anxiety score exceeding the mean dental anxiety score + 1 standard deviation for the children without cancer.Results.  Children with cancer did not have an increased prevalence of dental anxiety compared with children without cancer: the prevalence ratio was 0.41 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.10–1.24]. The mean dental anxiety score was 23.1 (95% CI: 21.2–25.0) among children who had been treated for cancer, and 24.7 (95% CI: 23.4–26.0) among children without cancer (mean difference: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.1–4.3).Conclusion.  Cancer and cancer treatment during childhood were not associated with an increased risk of dental anxiety in this population.
Erosive tooth wear among children in the United States: relationship to race/ethnicity and obesity
Authors: MCGUIRE JESSE , SZABO ANIKO , JACKSON SCOTT , BRADLEY T. GERARD , OKUNSERI CHRISTOPHER 
Published: February 2009

Objective.  The study aims were to estimate the prevalence of erosive tooth wear (ETW) in children and to specifically examine its association with race/ethnicity and obesity in the United States.Design.  We analysed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2003–2004. ETW was measured using the modified Smith and Knight Tooth Wear Index derived from the 1998 United Kingdom Adult Health Survey.Results.  This study shows that 45.9% of children aged 13–19 years had evidence of ETW in at least one tooth. The prevalence of ETW was bilaterally symmetrical in all teeth examined and was most prevalent in maxillary teeth. Females had significantly lower rates of ETW of any tooth compared to males. African Americans had significantly lower rates of ETW (except in the canines), and Hispanics had similar rates compared to whites. Compared to ‘healthy weight’ children, those ‘at risk for overweight’ had lower rates of ETW and the ‘overweight’ groups had higher rates, but results were not significant.Conclusions.  Substantial proportions of children in the US are affected by ETW. Compared to whites, African American children had significantly lower rates of ETW. Although not significant, ‘overweight’ (obese) children had increased odds of having ETW and those at ‘risk for overweight’ had lower odds compared to ‘healthy weight’ children.
Effects of early breastfeeding on neonatal glucose levels of term infants born to women with gestational diabetes
Authors: Chertok I. R. A. , Raz I. , Shoham I. , Haddad H. , Wiznitzer A. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground:  Infants born to diabetic women are at higher risk for hypoglycaemia related to hyperinsulinism in response to maternal hyperglycaemia during pregnancy. As such, recommendations to prevent neonatal hypoglycaemia include infant feeding in the early postpartum period. The present study aimed to examine the effect of early breastfeeding and type of nutrition used for the first feed (human milk or formula) on glucose levels in infants born to women with gestational diabetes.Methods:  The prospective pilot study of 84 infants born to gestational diabetic women examined the glycaemic levels of infants who were breastfed in the delivery room compared to glycaemic levels of those who were not. The study also compared the glycaemic levels of infants who breastfed with those who received formula for their first feed.Results:  Infants who were breastfed in the delivery room had a significantly lower rate of borderline hypoglycaemia than those who were not breastfed in the early postpartum period (10% versus 28%; Fisher’s exact test., P = 0.05,). Likewise, infants breastfed in the delivery room had significantly higher mean blood glucose level compared to infants who were not breastfed in the delivery room (3.17 versus 2.86 mmol L−1, P = 0.03). Additionally, breastfed infants had a significantly higher mean blood glucose level compared to those who were formula fed for their first feed (3.20 versus 2.68 mmol L−1, P = 0.002).Conclusions:  Early breastfeeding may facilitate glycaemic stability in infants born to women with gestational diabetes.
Nutrient density and variation in nutrient intake with changing energy intake in multimorbid nursing home residents
Authors: Lammes E. , Törner A. , Akner G. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground:  The low energy intake seen in some institutionalised elderly has led to a focus on energy dense diets. The present study aimed to investigate nutrient density in the diet of nursing home residents, and calculate how changes in energy intake affect nutrient intake.Methods:  The investigation comprised a longitudinal observational study analysing the relation between energy and nutrient intake in a general nursing home in Sweden. Food intake was weighed for 5 days every sixth month over 1.5 years and nutrient density was calculated. The 52 multimorbid residents [mean (range) age 84 (67–102) years] with three complete 5‐day weighed food records were included in the study. A mixed linear model was used to calculate changes in nutrient intake with changing energy intake.Results:  Nutrient density was adequate for vitamins A, B12, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin, and low for vitamins D and E, folate, potassium, magnesium and iron. The mixed linear model showed that the fat‐soluble vitamins, as well as folate and vitamin B12, increased the most with increasing energy intake, whereas sodium, potassium, thiamine and selenium had the smallest increase.Conclusions:  Nutritional density of the food should be considered when planning diets for elderly patients with poor appetite.
Social and ethnic differences in folic acid use preconception and during early pregnancy in the UK: effect on maternal folate status
Authors: Brough L. , Rees G. A. , Crawford M. A. , Dorman E. K. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground:  The role of folate supplementation in preventing neural tube defects is well known; however, preconception supplement use continues to be low, especially amongst the socially disadvantaged. The present study explored periconception folic acid supplement use in a socially deprived, ethnically diverse population.Methods:  Pregnant women (n = 402) in the first trimester of pregnancy were recruited in East London. Using a researcher led questionnaire, details were obtained regarding social class, ethnicity and folic acid use. Red cell folate levels were determined for 367 participants during the first trimester.Results:  Although 76% of participants reported using folic acid supplements during the first trimester, only 12% started preconception and a further 17% started before neural tube closure. Mothers from higher social groups or with higher levels of education were more likely to use folic acid and started taking it earlier. Ethnic differences were also seen in preconception usage (Africans, 5%; West Indians, 8%; Asians, 12%; Caucasians, 19%; P = 0.038). Participants who took folic acid supplements had significantly higher mean (SD) red cell folate concentrations than those who took none [936 (*\1.6) and 579 (*\1.6) nmol L−1, respectively; P < 0.001].Conclusions:  Folic acid supplement use preconception and prior to neural tube closure continues to be low, exhibiting both social and ethnic disparities.
First DNA sequences from Asian cave bear fossils reveal deep divergences and complex phylogeographic patterns
Authors: KNAPP MICHAEL , ROHLAND NADIN , WEINSTOCK JACOBO , BARYSHNIKOV GENNADY , SHER ANDREI , NAGEL DORIS , RABEDER GERNOT , PINHASI RON , SCHMIDT HEIKO A. , HOFREITER MICHAEL 
Published: February 2009

AbstractUntil recently, cave bears were believed to have only inhabited Europe. However, recent morphological evidence suggests that cave bears’ geographic range extended as far east as Transbaikalia, Eastern Siberia. These Asian cave bears were morphologically distinct from European cave bears. However, how they related to European lineages remains unclear, stressing the need to assess the phylogenetic and phylogeographic relationship between Asian cave bears and their European relatives. In this work, we address this issue using a 227 base‐pair fragment of the mitochondrial control region obtained from nine fossil bone samples from eight sites from the Urals, Caucasus, Altai Mountains, Ukraine and Yana River region in Eastern Siberia. Results of the phylogenetic analyses indicate that (i) the cave bear from the Yana River is most closely related to cave bears from the Caucasus region; (ii) the Caucasus/Yana group of bears is genetically very distinct from both European cave bears and brown bears, suggesting that these bears could represent an independent species; and (iii) the Western European cave bear lineage reached at least temporarily to the Altai Mountains, 7000 km east of their known centre of distribution. These results suggest that the diversity of cave bears was greater than previously believed, and that they could survive in a much wider range of ecological conditions than previously assumed. They also agree with recent studies on other extinct and extant species, such as wolves, hyenas and steppe bison, which have also revealed higher genetic and ecological diversity in Pleistocene populations than previously known.
Parallel changes in genetic diversity and species diversity following a natural disturbance
Authors: EVANNO GUILLAUME , CASTELLA EMMANUEL , ANTOINE CÉLINE , PAILLAT GABRIELLE , GOUDET JÉRÔME 
Published: February 2009

AbstractWe examined the spatial and temporal variation of species diversity and genetic diversity in a metacommunity comprising 16 species of freshwater gastropods. We monitored species abundance at five localities of the Ain river floodplain in southeastern France, over a period of four years. Using 190 AFLP loci, we monitored the genetic diversity of Radix balthica, one of the most abundant gastropod species of the metacommunity, twice during that period. An exceptionally intense drought occurred during the last two years and differentially affected the study sites. This allowed us to test the effect of natural disturbances on changes in both genetic and species diversity. Overall, local (alpha) diversity declined as reflected by lower values of gene diversity HS and evenness. In parallel, the among‐sites (beta) diversity increased at both the genetic (FST) and species (FSTC) levels. These results suggest that disturbances can lead to similar changes in genetic and community structure through the combined effects of selective and neutral processes.
McsA and B mediate the delocalization of competence proteins from the cell poles of Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Hahn Jeanette , Kramer Naomi , Briley Kenneth , Dubnau David 
Published: February 2009

SummaryDuring the development of transformability (competence), Bacillus subtilis synthesizes a set of proteins that mediate both the uptake of DNA at the cell poles and the recombination of this DNA with the resident chromosome. Most, if not all, of these Com proteins localize to the poles of the cell, where they associate with one another, and are then seen to delocalize as transformability declines. In this study, we use fluorescence microscopy to analyse the localization and delocalization processes. We show that localization most likely occurs by a diffusion‐capture mechanism, not requiring metabolic energy, whereas delocalization is prevented in the presence of sodium azide. The kinetics of localization suggest that this process requires the synthesis of a critical protein or set of proteins, which are needed to anchor the Com protein complex to the poles. We further show that the protein kinase proteins McsA and McsB are needed for delocalization, as are ClpP and either of the AAA+ (ATPases associated with a variety of cellular activities) proteins ClpC or ClpE. Of these proteins, at least McsB, ClpC and ClpP localize to the cell poles of competent cells. Our evidence strongly suggests that delocalization depends on the degradation of the postulated anchor protein(s) by the McsA‐McsB‐(ClpC or ClpE)‐ClpP protease in an ATP‐dependent process that involves the autophosphorylation of McsB. The extent of cell–pole association at any given time reflects the relative rates of localization and delocalization. The kinetics of this dynamic process differs for individual Com proteins, with the DNA‐binding proteins SsbB and DprA exhibiting less net localization.
Genetics and visceral leishmaniasis: of mice and man
Authors: BLACKWELL J. M. , FAKIOLA M. , IBRAHIM M. E. , JAMIESON S. E. , JERONIMO S. B. , MILLER E. N. , MISHRA A. , MOHAMED H. S. , PEACOCK C. S. , RAJU M. , SUNDAR S. , WILSON M. E. 
Published: February 2009

SUMMARY Ninety per cent of the 500 000 annual new cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) occur in India/Bangladesh/Nepal, Sudan and Brazil. Importantly, 80–90% of human infections are sub‐clinical or asymptomatic, usually associated with strong cell‐mediated immunity. Understanding the environmental and genetic risk factors that determine why two people with the same exposure to infection differ in susceptibility could provide important leads for improved therapies. Recent research using candidate gene association analysis and genome‐wide linkage studies (GWLS) in collections of families from Sudan, Brazil and India have identified a number of genes/regions related both to environmental risk factors (e.g. iron), as well as genes that determine type 1 vs. type 2 cellular immune responses. However, until now all of the allelic association studies carried out have been underpowered to find genes of small effect sizes (odds ratios or OR < 2), and GWLS using multicase pedigrees have only been powered to find single major genes, or at best oligogenic control. The accumulation of large DNA banks from India and Brazil now makes it possible to undertake genome‐wide association studies (GWAS), which are ongoing as part of phase 2 of the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium. Data from this analysis should seed research into novel genes and mechanisms that influence susceptibility to VL.
Gene expression profiling of ovine keratinocytes stimulated withPsoroptes ovismite antigen – a preliminary study
Authors: WATKINS C. A. , MACKELLAR A. , FREW D. , MACKIE C. , GEORGE A. , HOPKINS J. , BURGESS S. T. G. , MCNEILLY T. N. , HUNTLEY J. F. 
Published: February 2009

SUMMARYSheep scab is caused by the noninvasive mite,Psoroptes ovis, which initiates a profound pro‐inflammatory skin response leading to lesion development. To investigate these early events between the skin and the parasite, primary ovine epidermal keratinocyte cultures were generated and challenged with mite derived antigens. The kinetics of the mRNA response of these cells were monitored by microarray. The results indicated that the cells responded within 1 h of challenge, with a significant increase in the pro‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐8. This result was confirmed by real‐time RT‐PCR, and showed that IL‐8 up‐regulation was maximal at 1 h but declined to pre‐stimulation levels at 24 and 48 h. The IL‐8 mRNA response to mite wash antigens containing secretory and/or excretory proteins was also investigated and compared to the response to whole mite antigen. These studies revealed that the mite wash antigen, at a challenge dose of 10 µg/mL, was markedly more potent and induced significantly higher levels of IL‐8 mRNA than the same concentration of whole mite antigen. These results are discussed in relation to mite establishment and survival on the ovine host.
Genetics of susceptibility to Plasmodium falciparum: from classical malaria resistance genes towards genome‐wide association studies
Authors: VERRA F. , MANGANO V.D. , MODIANO D. 
Published: February 2009

SUMMARYPlasmodium falciparum represents one of the strongest selective forces on the human genome. This stable and perennial pressure has contributed to the progressive accumulation in the exposed populations of genetic adaptations to malaria. Descriptive genetic epidemiology provides the initial step of a logical procedure of consequential phases spanning from the identification of genes involved in the resistance/susceptibility to diseases, to the determination of the underlying mechanisms and finally to the possible translation of the acquired knowledge in new control tools. In malaria, the rational development of this strategy is traditionally based on complementary interactions of heterogeneous disciplines going from epidemiology to vaccinology passing through genetics, pathogenesis and immunology. New tools including expression profile analysis and genome‐wide association studies are recently available to explore the complex interactions of host–parasite co‐evolution. Particularly, the combination of genome‐wide association studies with large multi‐centre initiatives can overcome the limits of previous results due to local population dynamics. Thus, we anticipate substantial advances in the interpretation and validation of the effects of genetic variation on malaria susceptibility, and thereby on molecular mechanisms of protective immune responses and pathogenesis.
Combined effect of IL‐10 and TGF‐β1 promoter polymorphisms as a risk factor for aspirin‐intolerant asthma and rhinosinusitis
Authors: Kim S.‐H. , Yang E.‐M. , Lee H.‐N. , Cho B.‐Y. , Ye Y.‐M. , Park H.‐S. 
Published: February 2009

Background:  It has been known that interleukin (IL)‐10 promoter polymorphisms at −1082A/G, −819T/C and −592A/C, may influence IL‐10 expression and associate with asthma. Interleukin‐10 facilitates the regulatory function of transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β. The goal of this study was to investigate a gene–gene interaction between IL‐10 and TGF‐β1 polymorphisms in Korean asthmatics with aspirin hypersensitivity.Methods:  Single‐nucleotide polymorphism genotyping of IL‐10 and TGF‐β1 genes was performed and the functional effect of the IL‐10 polymorphisms was analysed applying a luciferase reporter assay and an electrophoretic mobility shift assay.Results:  Among the patients with asthma, polymorphism at −1082A/G was significantly associated with the phenotype of aspirin‐intolerant asthma, AIA (P = 0.007, Pc = 0.021). Moreover, a synergistic effect between the TGF‐β1−509C/T and IL‐10−1082A/G polymorphisms on the phenotype of AIA was noted; when stratified by the presence of rhinosinusitis, the frequency of rare alleles (the CT or TT genotype of TGF‐β1−509C/T and AG or GG genotype of IL‐10−1082A/G) was significantly higher in the patients with AIA (15.2%) when compared with those with ATA (6.3%, P = 0.031; odds ratio 4.111; 95% confidence interval 1.504–11.235). In an in vitro functional assay, the −1082G reporter plasmid exhibited significantly greater promoter activity when compared with the −1082A construct in Jurkat T cells (P = 0.011). Moreover, we found that the transcription factor Myc‐associated zinc‐finger protein preferentially bound the −1082G allele.Conclusion:  Our results suggest that IL‐10 promoter polymorphisms contribute to the development of AIA and that rhinosinusitis may interact genetically with TGF‐β1.