cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5121403
title: Supplementary Material for: Prevalence of Dementia in Elderly Living in Two Cities of Central Africa: The EDAC Survey

description: <i>Background:</i> Data on dementia from low- and middle-income countries are still necessary to quantify the burden of this condition. This multicenter cross-sectional study aimed at estimating the prevalence of dementia in 2 large cities of Central Africa. <i>Methods:</i> General population door-to-door surveys were conducted in the districts of Bangui (Republic of Central Africa) and Brazzaville (Congo) in elderly aged ≧65 years. The subjects were screened with the Community Screening Interview for Dementia and the Five-Words Test. Diagnosis of dementia was made according to the DSM-IV criteria and to the clinical criteria proposed by the NINCDS-ADRDA for Alzheimer’s disease. <i>Results:</i> We enrolled 496 subjects in Bangui and 520 in Brazzaville. The prevalence of dementia was estimated at 8.1% (95% CI = 5.8–10.8) in Bangui and 6.7% (95% CI = 4.7–9.2) in Brazzaville. <i>Conclusion:</i> The prevalence of dementia in urban areas of Central Africa is close to those observed in high-income countries.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5121406.v1
title: Supplementary Material for: Common Carotid Artery Intima-Media Thickness: The Cardiovascular Risk Factor Multiple Evaluation in Latin America (CARMELA) Study Results

description: <i>Background:</i> Measurement of far wall common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCAIMT) has emerged as a predictor of incident cardiovascular events. The Cardiovascular Risk Factor Multiple Evaluation in Latin America (CARMELA) study was the first large-scale population-based assessment of both CCAIMT and cardiovascular risk factor prevalence in 7 Latin American cities; the relationship between CCAIMT and cardiovascular risk markers was assessed in these urban Latin American centers. <i>Methods:</i> CARMELA was across-sectional, population-based, observational study using stratified, multistage sampling. The participants completed a questionnaire, were evaluated in a clinical visit and underwent carotid ultrasonography. Clinical measurements were obtained by health personnel trained, certified and supervised by CARMELA investigators. Mannheim intima-media thickness consensus guidelines were followed for measurement of CCAIMT. <i>Results:</i> In all cities and for both sexes, CCAIMT increased with higher age. CCAIMT was greater in the presence of cardiovascular risk factors than in their absence. In all cities, there was a statistically significant linear trend between increasing CCAIMT and a growing number of cardiovascular risk factors (p &lt; 0.001). After adjustment for age and sex, metabolic syndrome was strongly associated with increased CCAIMT (p &lt; 0.001 in all cities), as were hypercholesterolemia, obesity and diabetes (p &lt; 0.001 in most cities). By multivariate analysis, hypertension was independently associated with an increase in CCAIMT in all cities (p &lt; 0.01). <i>Conclusions:</i> CARMELA was the first large-scale population study to provide normal CCAIMT values according to age and sex in urban Latin American populations and to show CCAIMT increases in the presence of cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5121400.v1
title: Supplementary Material for: Cooperative Signaling between Oncostatin M, Hepatocyte Growth Factor and Transforming Growth Factor-β Enhances Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Lung and Pancreatic Tumor Models

description: Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a dual role in tumor progression. It enhances metastasis of tumor cells by increasing invasive capacity and promoting survival, and it decreases tumor cell sensitivity to epithelial cell-targeting agents such as epithelial growth factor receptor kinase inhibitors. In order to study EMT in tumor cells, we have characterized 3 new models of ligand-driven EMT: the CFPAC1 pancreatic tumor model and the H358 and H1650 lung tumor models. We identified a diverse set of ligands that drives EMT in these models. Hepatocyte growth factor and oncostatin M induced EMT in all models, while transforming growth factor-β induced EMT in both lung models. We observed morphologic, marker and phenotypic changes in response to chronic ligand treatment. Interestingly, stimulation with 2 ligands resulted in more pronounced EMT compared with single-ligand treatment, demonstrating a spectrum of EMT states induced by parallel signaling, such as the JAK and PI3K pathways. The EMT changes observed in response to the ligand were reversed upon ligand withdrawal, demonstrating the ‘metastable’ nature of these models. To study the impact of EMT on cell morphology and invasion in a 3D setting, we cultured cells in a semisolid basement membrane extract. Upon stimulation with EMT ligands, the colonies exhibited changes to EMT markers and showed phenotypes ranging from modest differences in colony architecture (CFPAC1) to complex branching structures (H358, H1650). Collectively, these 3 models offer robust cell systems with which to study the roles that EMT plays in cancer progression.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5121403.v1
title: Supplementary Material for: Prevalence of Dementia in Elderly Living in Two Cities of Central Africa: The EDAC Survey

description: <i>Background:</i> Data on dementia from low- and middle-income countries are still necessary to quantify the burden of this condition. This multicenter cross-sectional study aimed at estimating the prevalence of dementia in 2 large cities of Central Africa. <i>Methods:</i> General population door-to-door surveys were conducted in the districts of Bangui (Republic of Central Africa) and Brazzaville (Congo) in elderly aged ≧65 years. The subjects were screened with the Community Screening Interview for Dementia and the Five-Words Test. Diagnosis of dementia was made according to the DSM-IV criteria and to the clinical criteria proposed by the NINCDS-ADRDA for Alzheimer’s disease. <i>Results:</i> We enrolled 496 subjects in Bangui and 520 in Brazzaville. The prevalence of dementia was estimated at 8.1% (95% CI = 5.8–10.8) in Bangui and 6.7% (95% CI = 4.7–9.2) in Brazzaville. <i>Conclusion:</i> The prevalence of dementia in urban areas of Central Africa is close to those observed in high-income countries.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5121385
title: Supplementary Material for: Trans-10,cis-12-CLA-Caused Lipodystrophy Is Associated with Profound Changes of Fatty Acid Profiles of Liver, White Adipose Tissue and Erythrocytes in Mice: Possible Link to Tissue-Specific Alterations of Fatty Acid Desaturation

description: Dietary supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been shown to reduce body fat mass. To investigate the effects of individual CLA isomers on the fatty acid profiles of lipogenic (liver and white adipose) and lipid sensitive (erythrocyte) tissues, BALB/c mice were fed with 1 of 2 diets supplemented with either a <i>c</i>9,<i>t</i>11-CLA-enriched and <i>t</i>10,<i>c</i>12-CLA-free or a CLA-mixture containing both isomers in equal amounts (1% w/w of the diet) for 5 weeks. A control group was fed with a diet enriched in sunflower oil to energy balance the CLA. Compared to the <i>t</i>10,<i>c</i>12-CLA-free and the control diets, we observed a significant reduction of adipose tissue accompanied by fatty livers in the CLA-mix-fed group. These alterations in body fat distribution entailed a conspicuous shift of the fatty acid profiles of adipose tissue and livers. Liver enlargement was mainly caused by accumulation of C18 monoenes that accounted for 67 ± 1% of total fatty acid methyl esters. The significant reduction of the 18:0/18:1 desaturation index in the liver upon CLA-mix diet indicated high stearoyl-CoA desaturase activity. In contrast, reduction in white adipose tissue was largely driven by percental reduction of monounsaturated fatty acids (p ≤ 0.001). 16:0/ 16:1 and 18:0/18:1 desaturation indices for white adipose tissue significantly increased, suggesting an inhibition of stearoyl-CoA desaturase upon CLA-mix diet. The fatty acid profile of the erythrocytes widely reflected that of livers, depending on the supplemented diet. These profound changes in fatty acid composition of lipogenic organs due to <i>t</i>10,<i>c</i>12-CLA intake may be the consequence of function- al alterations of lipid metabolism.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5121391
title: Supplementary Material for: Nuclease Expression by Staphylococcus aureus Facilitates Escape from Neutrophil Extracellular Traps

description: Neutrophils are key effectors of the host innate immune response against bacterial infection. <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> is a preeminent human pathogen, with an ability to produce systemic infections even in previously healthy individuals, thereby reflecting a resistance to effective neutrophil clearance. The recent discovery of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) has opened a novel dimension in our understanding of how these specialized leukocytes kill pathogens. NETs consist of a nuclear DNA backbone associated with antimicrobial peptides, histones and proteases that provide a matrix to entrap and kill various microbes. Here, we used targeted mutagenesis to examine a potential role of <i>S. aureus</i> nuclease in NET degradation and virulence in a murine respiratory tract infection model. In vitro assays using fluorescence microscopy showed the isogenic nuclease-deficient (<i>nuc</i>-deficient) mutant to be significantly impaired in its ability to degrade NETs compared with the wild-type parent strain USA 300 LAC. Consequently, the <i>nuc</i>-deficient mutant strain was significantly more susceptible to extracellular killing by activated neutrophils. Moreover, <i>S. aureus</i> nuclease production was associated with delayed bacterial clearance in the lung and increased mortality after intranasal infection. In conclusion, this study shows that <i>S. aureus</i> nuclease promotes resistance against NET-mediated antimicrobial activity of neutrophils and contributes to disease pathogenesis in vivo.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5121385.v1
title: Supplementary Material for: Trans-10,cis-12-CLA-Caused Lipodystrophy Is Associated with Profound Changes of Fatty Acid Profiles of Liver, White Adipose Tissue and Erythrocytes in Mice: Possible Link to Tissue-Specific Alterations of Fatty Acid Desaturation

description: Dietary supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been shown to reduce body fat mass. To investigate the effects of individual CLA isomers on the fatty acid profiles of lipogenic (liver and white adipose) and lipid sensitive (erythrocyte) tissues, BALB/c mice were fed with 1 of 2 diets supplemented with either a <i>c</i>9,<i>t</i>11-CLA-enriched and <i>t</i>10,<i>c</i>12-CLA-free or a CLA-mixture containing both isomers in equal amounts (1% w/w of the diet) for 5 weeks. A control group was fed with a diet enriched in sunflower oil to energy balance the CLA. Compared to the <i>t</i>10,<i>c</i>12-CLA-free and the control diets, we observed a significant reduction of adipose tissue accompanied by fatty livers in the CLA-mix-fed group. These alterations in body fat distribution entailed a conspicuous shift of the fatty acid profiles of adipose tissue and livers. Liver enlargement was mainly caused by accumulation of C18 monoenes that accounted for 67 ± 1% of total fatty acid methyl esters. The significant reduction of the 18:0/18:1 desaturation index in the liver upon CLA-mix diet indicated high stearoyl-CoA desaturase activity. In contrast, reduction in white adipose tissue was largely driven by percental reduction of monounsaturated fatty acids (p ≤ 0.001). 16:0/ 16:1 and 18:0/18:1 desaturation indices for white adipose tissue significantly increased, suggesting an inhibition of stearoyl-CoA desaturase upon CLA-mix diet. The fatty acid profile of the erythrocytes widely reflected that of livers, depending on the supplemented diet. These profound changes in fatty acid composition of lipogenic organs due to <i>t</i>10,<i>c</i>12-CLA intake may be the consequence of function- al alterations of lipid metabolism.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5121388
title: Supplementary Material for: Morphological Classification of Mobile Plaques and Their Association with Early Recurrence of Stroke

description: <i>Background:</i> The present study investigated the frequency and morphological characteristics of carotid mobile plaques and examined the relationship between carotid mobile plaques and recurrent strokes. <i>Methods:</i> The study included 94 consecutive acute stroke patients with large-artery atherosclerosis associated with extracranial carotid stenosis. We investigated the presence of mobile plaques by carotid ultrasonography and classified patients into two groups (mobile group and non-mobile group). We compared backgrounds, MRI and ultrasonographic findings, neurological severity on admission and at discharge, and the rate of early recurrent stroke between both groups. <i>Results:</i> Mobile plaques were detected in 12 patients (12.8%). There were four types of mobile plaques: (1) the jellyfish-type plaque, in which the fibrous cap fluctuated like a jellyfish; (2) the streaming-band-type plaque, in which the string attached to the plaque was swaying; (3) the mobile-thrombus-type plaque, in which a mobile mass was attached to the plaque surface, and (4) the fluctuating-ulcer-type plaque, which contained a mobile substance in the plaque ulcer. Although National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores on admission were less severe in the mobile group than in the non-mobile group (median 1 vs. 4, respectively; p = 0.004), the rate of early recurrent stroke was significantly higher in the mobile group than in the non-mobile group (33.3 vs. 7.3%, respectively; p = 0.022). There were no significant differences in NIHSS scores at discharge between groups. <i>Conclusions:</i> Morphologically, several types of mobile plaques were detected in consecutive patients with acute stroke associated with carotid stenosis. Mobile plaques are strongly associated with an early recurrence of stroke.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5121391.v1
title: Supplementary Material for: Nuclease Expression by Staphylococcus aureus Facilitates Escape from Neutrophil Extracellular Traps

description: Neutrophils are key effectors of the host innate immune response against bacterial infection. <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> is a preeminent human pathogen, with an ability to produce systemic infections even in previously healthy individuals, thereby reflecting a resistance to effective neutrophil clearance. The recent discovery of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) has opened a novel dimension in our understanding of how these specialized leukocytes kill pathogens. NETs consist of a nuclear DNA backbone associated with antimicrobial peptides, histones and proteases that provide a matrix to entrap and kill various microbes. Here, we used targeted mutagenesis to examine a potential role of <i>S. aureus</i> nuclease in NET degradation and virulence in a murine respiratory tract infection model. In vitro assays using fluorescence microscopy showed the isogenic nuclease-deficient (<i>nuc</i>-deficient) mutant to be significantly impaired in its ability to degrade NETs compared with the wild-type parent strain USA 300 LAC. Consequently, the <i>nuc</i>-deficient mutant strain was significantly more susceptible to extracellular killing by activated neutrophils. Moreover, <i>S. aureus</i> nuclease production was associated with delayed bacterial clearance in the lung and increased mortality after intranasal infection. In conclusion, this study shows that <i>S. aureus</i> nuclease promotes resistance against NET-mediated antimicrobial activity of neutrophils and contributes to disease pathogenesis in vivo.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5121394.v1
title: Supplementary Material for: Mutations of the SRY-Responsive Enhancer of <i>SOX9</i> Are Uncommon in XY Gonadal Dysgenesis

description: During mouse sex determination, SRY upregulates the core testis-specific enhancer of <i>Sox9</i>, TESCO. Mutations in human <i>SRY</i> are found in one third of cases with XY pure gonadal dysgenesis (XY GD; Swyer syndrome), while two thirds remain unexplained. Heterozygous <i>SOX9</i> mutations can cause XY GD in association with the skeletal malformation syndrome campomelic dysplasia. We hypothesized that human TESCO mutations could cause isolated XY GD. Sixty-six XY GD cases with an intact <i>SRY</i> were analyzed for TESCO point mutations or deletions. No mutations were identified. We conclude that TESCO mutations are not a common cause of XY GD.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5121382
title: Supplementary Material for: Cellular Scaling Rules for the Brains of an Extended Number of Primate Species

description: What are the rules relating the size of the brain and its structures to the number of cells that compose them and their average sizes? We have shown previously that the cerebral cortex, cerebellum and the remaining brain structures increase in size as a linear function of their numbers of neurons and non-neuronal cells across 6 species of primates. Here we describe that the cellular composition of the same brain structures of 5 other primate species, as well as humans, conform to the scaling rules identified previously, and that the updated power functions for the extended sample are similar to those determined earlier. Accounting for phylogenetic relatedness in the combined dataset does not affect the scaling slopes that apply to the cerebral cortex and cerebellum, but alters the slope for the remaining brain structures to a value that is similar to that observed in rodents, which raises the possibility that the neuronal scaling rules for these structures are shared among rodents and primates. The conformity of the new set of primate species to the previous rules strongly suggests that the cellular scaling rules we have identified apply to primates in general, including humans, and not only to particular subgroups of primate species. In contrast, the allometric rules relating body and brain size are highly sensitive to the particular species sampled, suggesting that brain size is neither determined by body size nor together with it, but is rather only loosely correlated with body size.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5121388.v1
title: Supplementary Material for: Morphological Classification of Mobile Plaques and Their Association with Early Recurrence of Stroke

description: <i>Background:</i> The present study investigated the frequency and morphological characteristics of carotid mobile plaques and examined the relationship between carotid mobile plaques and recurrent strokes. <i>Methods:</i> The study included 94 consecutive acute stroke patients with large-artery atherosclerosis associated with extracranial carotid stenosis. We investigated the presence of mobile plaques by carotid ultrasonography and classified patients into two groups (mobile group and non-mobile group). We compared backgrounds, MRI and ultrasonographic findings, neurological severity on admission and at discharge, and the rate of early recurrent stroke between both groups. <i>Results:</i> Mobile plaques were detected in 12 patients (12.8%). There were four types of mobile plaques: (1) the jellyfish-type plaque, in which the fibrous cap fluctuated like a jellyfish; (2) the streaming-band-type plaque, in which the string attached to the plaque was swaying; (3) the mobile-thrombus-type plaque, in which a mobile mass was attached to the plaque surface, and (4) the fluctuating-ulcer-type plaque, which contained a mobile substance in the plaque ulcer. Although National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores on admission were less severe in the mobile group than in the non-mobile group (median 1 vs. 4, respectively; p = 0.004), the rate of early recurrent stroke was significantly higher in the mobile group than in the non-mobile group (33.3 vs. 7.3%, respectively; p = 0.022). There were no significant differences in NIHSS scores at discharge between groups. <i>Conclusions:</i> Morphologically, several types of mobile plaques were detected in consecutive patients with acute stroke associated with carotid stenosis. Mobile plaques are strongly associated with an early recurrence of stroke.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5121376
title: Supplementary Material for: Arginine Kinase from the Cellar Spider <i>(Holocnemus pluchei): </i>A New Asthma-Causing Allergen

description: <i>Background:</i> We report a 31-year-old farmer whose work consists in handling cereal and vegetables, who consulted our clinic because of asthma symptoms after inhalation of dust during manipulation of the deposited material, usually inside the warehouse. <i>Methods and Results:</i> Skin prick tests and specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) determinations were negative with common aeroallergens. The patient noted the presence of many spiders in the warehouse, which were identified as the cellar spider <i>Holocnemus pluchei </i>and the common house spider<i>, Tegenaria domestica. </i>Extracts of spider bodies brought in by the patient were obtained and used to perform in vivo and in vitro studies. Molecular characterization of IgE-binding bands was performed by mass spectrometry. We obtained positive prick tests to the extracts of the bodies of both spiders. Immunoblotting displayed different bands in both spider extracts, in a range of 20–70 kDa. All were hemocyanins, except for a 17-kDa protein of <i>Holocnemus</i> identified as an arginine kinase (AK). Bronchial challenge was positive with the extract of the cellar spider and with the AK, but was negative with the domestic house spider. <i>Conclusion:</i> We present the first case of respiratory allergy due to sensitization to AK from a common spider, confirmed by bronchial provocation tests.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5121379
title: Supplementary Material for: agr-Dependent Interactions of Staphylococcus aureus USA300 with Human Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils

description: The emergence of serious infections due to community-associated methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus </i>(CA-MRSA) has fueled interest in the contributions of specific staphylococcal virulence factors to clinical disease. To assess the contributions of <i>agr</i>-dependent factors to the fate of organisms in polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN), we examined the consequences for organism and host cells of feeding PMN with wild-type CA-MRSA (LAC) or CA-MRSA (LAC <i>agr </i>KO) at different multiplicities of infection (MOIs). Phagocytosed organisms rapidly increased the transcription of RNAIII in a time- and MOI-dependent fashion; extracellular USA300 (LAC) did not increase RNAIII expression despite having the capacity to respond to autoinducing peptide-enriched culture medium. HOCl-mediated damage and intracellular survival were the same in the wild-type and USA300 (LAC <i>agr </i>KO). PMN lysis by ingested USA300 (LAC) was time- and MOI-dependent and, at MOIs &gt;1, required α-hemolysin <i>(hla)</i> as USA300 (LAC <i>agr</i> KO) and USA300 (LAC <i>hla</i> KO) promoted PMN lysis only at high MOIs. Taken together, these data demonstrate activation of the <i>agr</i> operon in human PMN with the subsequent production of α-hemolysin and PMN lysis. The extent to which these events in the phagosomes of human PMN contribute to the increased morbidity and mortality of infections with USA300 (LAC) merits further study.