bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A National Snapshot of Local School Wellness Policies
Authors: Moag‐Stahlberg Alicia , Howley Nora , Luscri Lorry
Published: September 2008

Background:  The federal mandate for local wellness policies (LWP) provides an unprecedented opportunity to improve schools’ practices that support student health, which, in turn, supports academic achievement. With a full agenda and budget challenges, districts need resources and support to turn policies into sustainable practices. The purpose of this study was to assess district policy goals and compare them to the federal mandate and benchmarks of best practices. It is hoped that this information will lead to development of specific assistance in the areas of policy implementation, evaluation, and revision.

Methods:  Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) collected a convenience sample of 256 approved LWP. The sample included districts with small, medium, and large student enrollment from every state (except Hawaii). Policies were compared to federal requirements and the AFHK Wellness Policy Fundamentals, a tool which documents best practices for nutrition and physical activity in schools.

Results:  Sixty‐eight percent of policies sampled were consistent with the mandates set forth in the law. Thirty‐two percent did not address 1 or more goal areas set by the federal mandate with 15% not addressing goals for evaluation and monitoring. None of the policies addressed all components of AFHK’s Fundamentals. Less than 1% addressed all 4 of the evaluation components. Teacher requirements and training for nutrition and physical education were addressed by 43% and 45% of policies, respectively.

Conclusions:  This study’s findings indicate schools will need assistance to meet each of the mandates provided by the federal mandate. Areas lacking attention in policies, yet essential for sustaining wellness practices, include assurances of qualified staff, opportunities for staff development, and implementation, evaluation, and revision of the policy.
An Inquiry into the Determinants of the Exports of China and India
Authors: Eckaus Richard S.
Published: September 2008

Regression analysis is used to tease out the relative significance of influences on the supply and demand for the exports of China and India. On the supply side, the value‐added tax in China has discouraged export supply. The elimination of the rebate on those taxes will discourage exports. Higher wages discourage exports, but the share of exports by foreign invested enterprise is a positive influence, as is a higher share of value added in output and greater experience in exporting. On the demand side, exports depend in part on aggregate income levels in importing countries. Relative wages have been more important than exchange rates in determining the demands for Chinese and Indian exports. This evidence does not support the pressures for a devaluation of the RMB. There is also evidence of the positive significance of the accustomization of purchasers to buying Chinese exports.
Rise of China and India in International Trade: From Textiles to New Technology
Authors: Lemoine Françoise , Ünal‐Kesenci Deniz
Published: September 2008

China and India are two demographic giants that have become big developing economic powers. They have maintained their specialization in textiles and developed outward‐oriented sectors linked to new technologies, taking advantage of offshoring and outsourcing. Their increasing contribution to international trade is changing the world supply and demand of manufactured goods, primary goods and services. They are new leaders in the international division of labor, but beyond technological catch‐up, their challenge is quality upgrading. Both countries are increasingly contributing to global economic growth, but they cannotyet trigger the growth of the rest of the world by themselves.
How China Could Contribute to a Benign Global Rebalancing?
Authors: Hong Pingfan , Vos Rob , Yao Keping
Published: September 2008

Our study shows that China could contribute to an orderly global rebalancing using a package of policies to stimulate its domestic consumption. These policies include a progressive appreciation of the RMB, fiscal stimulation by increasing expenditure on education, health care, social safety nets and poverty reduction, income policies to reduce inequality and to strengthen wage income, and reforms of the financial system to improve financial efficiency and to mitigate financial constraints. By implementing such policies, China's external surplus could be narrowed and its domestic imbalances improved. The excessively high savings rate could be lowered and the share of household consumption increased, even though GDP growth would moderate slightly.
China's Excessive Investment
Authors: Lai Pingyao
Published: September 2008

China's economy has witnessed serious excessive investment over the past 5 years, mainly in the infrastructure and real estate. Excessive investment has adverse impacts on both economic growth and macroeconomic stability. The main causes of this excessive investment are inappropriate growth strategies, low interest rates and weak constraints on government investment expenditure. To effectively control excessive investment, China needs to adjust its growth strategy, to speed up the process of interest rate marketization, and reform the existing public expenditure system.
People's Mobility andGuanxiNetworks: A Case Study
Authors: Hu Biliang
Published: September 2008

The increase in the movement of people from rural to urban areas since the mid‐1980s represents the largest labor migration ever experienced in China. Because migration is a process of selection, it is imperative that the major dynamics determining the selection are studied. What are the critical characteristics of migrants that help them to realize their mobility from rural areas to urban areas? While educational attainment, gender, age, marital status and personal skills are important variables in the selection process, the present paper examines how social networks (guanxiconnections) play a significant role in the process of migration selection in China. A case study from one of the northern villages in rural China is used to explore how social networks have shaped and given meaning to migration. The present paper elaborates on how people's social mobility has coincided with and been reinforced by people's physical mobility.
Provision of Residential Solid Waste Management Service in Rural China
Authors: Ye Chunhui , Qin Ping
Published: September 2008

Drawing on a dataset covering a large number of randomly sampled villages across China, the present paper examines the issue of residential solid waste management service provision in rural China. Using a logistic model we evaluate the impacts of different factors on service provision at the village level with regard to residential solid waste disposal. These factors include the environmental pressures caused by residential solid waste generation, the financial capacity of the Villagers' Committee, village elections and the individual characteristics of village heads. We find that living density, village per capita income, the ratio of irrigated land, and the per capita profit submitted by village enterprises to the Villagers' Committee all have positive impacts on service provision. Moreover, village heads who are popularly elected by villagers are more likely to provide services that satisfy voters' demands.
Social Movements and Ethnographic Methodologies: An Analysis Using Case Study Examples
Authors: Plows Alexandra
Published: September 2008

This paper defines and discusses the viability and applicability of specific ethnographic methods for the study and theorising of social movements and related social mobilisation. Ethnographic methods are shown to be one tool in a box of available methods, but are perhaps especially suited for the in‐depth study of social movements and social networks. Pros and cons of such methods are identified, using examples drawn from an ethnographic narrative comprising over a decade of research; ethnography of UK environmental direct activists, and more recent ethnography of UK publics engaging with human genetic technologies. Ethnography enables developments in latent social interactions to be identified in the field, providing data sources that inform social analysis and the development of theoretical stakes. This ethnographic narrative has contributed to the theorising of complexity in movement collective identity and complex social mobilisation patterns; namely the theorising of social movement. Findings can be disseminated to a range of stakeholders, including the research participants. Thus, ethnography can be both a method for studying social movements and a means of ‘upstream’ public engagement, understanding what is happening at the grassroots, with the aim of enabling capacity building between all actors in the research process. This methodological rationale is defined as ‘action research’.
Rheumatology 50 years ago: a short personal history
Authors: MUIRDEN Kenneth D.
Published: September 2008

This report reviews attitudes to the rheumatic diseases and treatment methods in use some 50 years ago. The focus is on Professor J. H. Kellgren's unit at the Manchester Royal Infirmary in the UK. For rheumatoid arthritis, aspirin, phenylbutazone, gold injections, antimalarials and prednisolone were all available and bed rest was probably overused. The Charnley hip replacement arthroplasty was being trialed but in 1960 had not been perfected. Kellgren and the two other great UK figures in rheumatology at the time, E. G. L. Bywaters and J. J. R. Duthie appeared to me to have only a limited interest in immunology, apart from the role of rheumatoid factor in rheumatoid arthritis and related conditions. Concentration remained to some extent on proteoglycans and collagen as befitting the 1950s concept of ‘collagen diseases’.
Efficacy of core decompression plus bone graft with minimal incision in 41 patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head
Authors: SHAHREZAEE Mostafa , NAVAB Issa , KESHTKARI Sara , KHATIBI Azadeh , MOTAGHI Arash , FARROKHI Aidin
Published: September 2008

Aim:  In this study, which is an experimental before‐after‐study, we evaluated the efficacy of core decompression in 56 hips of 41 patients with non‐traumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Method:  Fifteen (36%) patients were male and 26 (64%) were female. The mean age of patients was 30 years. Thirty‐six (88%) patients had long‐term histories of steroidal use. Thirty‐three (80%) patients had a history of underlying disease. The mean duration of follow‐up was 55 months (14–122 months).

Results:  According to Ficat classification, seven hips were in stage 1, 21 in stage 2A, 23 in stage 2B, and five in stage 3. Evaluation criteria according to Harris hip score (HHS), radiographic changes and total hip arthroplasty (THA) necessity were assessed in each stage. The result of core decompression and graft was remarkable compared with preoperation status. HHS increased from 82 to 91 in stage 1; 73 to 89 in stage 2A; 70 to 85 in stage 2B and 63 to 71 in stage 3 post‐operatively (P‐value < 0.05).

Discussion:  In the last follow‐up, which the was same for all 41 patients, there was no need for THA in all cases; but 5/56 hips (9%) exhibited radiographic progression of at least one Ficat stage. This method did not have any major complications, as only three cases had superficial wound infection.

Conclusion:  Good and safe clinical results of this method and the availability of this surgical treatment and also early return of patients to ordinary activities make us satisfied with applying this method.
High‐resolution ultrasonographic diagnosis of plantar fasciitis: a correlation of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: ABDEL‐WAHAB Nagui , FATHI Salwa , AL‐EMADI Samar , MAHDI Salah
Published: September 2008

Aim and Method:  In a prospective study of nine men and eight women with suspected unilateral or bilateral plantar fasciitis, 23 symptomatic heels were examined by both high‐resolution ultrasound and a preplanned limited sagittal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol to assess the different signs. Eleven healthy volunteers (22 heels) acted as controls.

Results:  The plantar fascia was thickened in symptomatic feet. The thickness of the plantar fascia in symptomatic feet was (3.0–7.0 mm; 4.9 ± 1.3) measured by ultrasound which was significantly thicker than in the control group (1.1–2.4 mm; 1.7 ± 0.06); P < 0.05. Other sonographic signs used for the diagnosis of plantar fasciitis in the study were compared to MRI findings. The diagnostic accuracy was 69.5% for abnormal focal echogenicity within the plantar fascia, 60.8% for edema around the plantar fascia, 78.2% for perifascial edema, 69.5% for rupture of the plantar fascia and the lowest diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound was in detection of associated calcaneal spur (56.5%). The findings were tabulated and discussed in relation to other literature.

Conclusion:  It was concluded that the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound is comparable to that of MRI in the diagnosis of plantar fasciitis and it could be the straightforward initial imaging modality to confirm clinically suspected plantar fasciitis. MRI may be reserved for cases where a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis does not satisfactorily explain the clinical presentation and when complex pathology is suspected.
Validity of the Developed Arabic Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire for use in standard clinical care of patients with rheumatic diseases
Authors: EL MIEDANY Yasser , EL GAAFARY Maha , YOUSSEF Sally S. , AHMED Ihab
Published: September 2008

Objective:  To assess the validity, reliability and comprehensibility of the Developed Arabic Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire (Arabic‐MDHAQ) for use in standard clinical care of patients with rheumatic diseases.

Methods:  The multidimensional questionnaire was developed on a one‐page sheet. One side includes 10 activities of daily living (Arabic HAQII), four items to assess psychological distress, duration of morning stiffness as well as visual analogue scales for pain, global status, and fatigue. The other side includes review of the systems, falls and cardiovascular risk assessment, the rheumatology attitudes index to assess the psychological construct of helplessness and self‐report of joint counts. The questionnaire was completed by consecutive patients with various rheumatic diseases including 85 with rheumatoid arthritis, 57 with fibromyalgia, 57 with osteoarthritis, 18 with psoriatic arthritis and 11 with ulcerative colitis.

Results:  The test was reliable as demonstrated by a high standardized alpha‐value and minimal changes recorded in the second from the first test. The Developed Arabic‐MDHAQ correlated significantly with clinical parameters of disease activity as well as inflammatory markers. Changes in both functional and psychological assessment scores showed variation with diseases. The Arabic health assessment questionnaire II (functional disability) was significantly correlated with the original Arabic‐HAQ. The psychological assessment items in the Arabic‐MDHAQ were significantly correlated with depression as well as anxiety scores as demonstrated by Hamilton scales for depression and anxiety (P < 0.001). The Arabic‐MDHAQ showed also a high degree of comprehensibility (92.9%).

Conclusion:  The Developed Arabic‐MDHAQ is a reliable and valid instrument for assessment of Arabic patients suffering from rheumatic diseases. Being short, rapid and comprehensive, this adds more to its applicability. The data support the value of completion of the simple 2‐page patient questionnaire, which provides a quantitative written documented record by the patient, at each visit to a rheumatologist.
A survey of the primary care management of osteoarthritis in Malaysia: a view from a rheumatologist's perspective
Authors: ARSHAD Anwar , RASHID Rozita , DAS GUPTA Esha
Published: September 2008

Objective:  Primary care management of knee osteoarthritis (OA) has received little attention in the scientific literature and the main reason for this survey is to study and explore the variations and patterns of primary care management and assess both conventional and complementary therapy usage in knee OA in the primary care setting.

Methods:  A cross‐sectional survey of 200 randomly selected general practitioners (GPs) in the peninsular states of Malaysia was undertaken using a questionnaire. The GPs involved were asked about basic knowledge of OA in terms of diagnosis, investigation, and treatment. They were also asked about their usage of conventional and complementary medication.

Results:  One hundred and eighty (90%) GPs responded to the questionnaires sent: 77% were in solo practice and 33% in group practice. Most of the GPs surveyed (60%) had been in practice for more than 10 years, 30% for 5–10 years and 10% were in practice for less than 5 years. Of GPs surveyed, 55% saw an average of more than 20 patients per week, 35% about 10–20 patients and 10% less than 10 patients per week. Of GPs surveyed, 65% would arrange an X‐ray, 55% would arrange a blood test, mostly serum uric acid, rheumatoid factor and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Pharmacological management consists of first‐line treatment with non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (61%), analgesics (35%) or a combination of the two (4%). Non‐pharmacological management consisted of advice on exercise (27%), weight reduction (33%) and referral to physiotherapy (10%). Of GPs surveyed, 85% prescribed some form of complementary medications, 60% prescribed glucosamine sulphate, 21% chondroitin sulphate, 11% cod liver oil and 9% evening primrose oil. Only 10% of GPs surveyed perform intra‐articular injections.

Conclusion:  The data suggest that in the primary care setting, the majority of GPs over‐investigate the diagnosis of OA. Pharmacological interventions largely concentrate on analgesics and NSAIDs. The use of physiotheraphy and non‐drug approaches were significantly under‐utilized. There is a need to further educate GPs in the management of OA.
Predictors of disability among Filipinos with knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Penserga Ester G. , Tanque Andre Angelo G.
Published: September 2008

Aims:  This study aims to describe the level of disability of Filipino patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) in relation to common risk factors.

Methodology:  This is a cross‐sectional analytic study. Patients with knee osteoarthritis diagnosed using the American College of Rheumatology criteria for the classification of knee OA, seen at East Avenue Medical Center, using the Quezon City, Philippines, were entered by convenient sampling. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC (va) 3.1 Tagalog Version) osteoarthritis index was used. Self‐reported disability was measured by the function subscale of the WOMAC OA index and used as the dependent variable. Independent variables assessed as possible risk factors affecting disability were age, sex, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), education (in years), number of comorbidities present, smoking status (pack years), duration of knee OA, pain and stiffness. Categories of disability were identified as high, moderate and low. Analyses of the data were performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 13.

Results:  Eighty‐five subjects were included in the study. The mean disability score was 674.1 ± 318.81 (moderate disability). Chi‐square tests showed that the categories or levels of disability are not significantly dependent on the categorical variables. Significant direct correlations were seen between mean disability and weight (r = 0.260, P = 0.016), pain (r = 0.574, P = 0.000), and stiffness (r = 0.616, P = 0.000).

Conclusion:  This is the first study analysing the relationship between disability and specific risk factors among Filipino patients with knee OA. Self‐reported disability of knee OA in the population studied was strongly related to pain scores, weight and joint stiffness scores.
Asymmetric polyarthritis as an initial presentation of Rosai‐Dorfman disease
Authors: SHALABY Medhat A. F. , AL HUMAYED Suliman M. , DEWEDAR Ahmed M. , EL‐SAEED Tunis A.
Published: September 2008

Rosai‐Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare benign reactive lymphoproliferative disorder characterised by a histopathological pattern with sinus histiocytosis and hemophagocytosis. It usually presents with fever, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, cervical lymphadenopathy, other lymph node and extra‐nodal site involvement. We present the case of a 25‐year‐old female patient with polyarthritis mimicking rheumatoid arthritis (RA). When the para‐aortic lymph node was biopsied, it showed extensive histiocytic proliferation; some clusters of plasma cells, lymphocytes and rare multinucleated cells were seen, suggesting a diagnosis of RDD. There is nothing in the literature regarding the polyarthritic presentation of the disease. To the best of our knowledge, our patient is the first case of RDD presenting with a clinical picture mimicking atypical seronegative RA.
Primary CNS angiitis presenting as short‐term memory loss: a case report and literature review
Authors: DUHON Bradley , RENNER David , JENSEN Randy
Published: September 2008

Primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS) is an idiopathic vasculitis of the small to medium vessels that often eludes diagnosis because of its variable signs and symptoms. A 36‐year‐old woman presented with a 4‐week history of progressive memory loss. Neurological examination revealed only severe cognitive deficits including anterograde amnesia. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated multiple ring‐enhancing lesions involving the left frontal lobe and uncus and bilateral thalami. Stereotactic biopsy showed findings consistent with CNS angiitis. Further workup revealed no evidence of systemic disease. We report the first case of biopsy‐proven PACNS presenting as profound isolated anterograde amnesia.
Performance of the preliminary definition of improvement in juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients treated with methotrexate: experience from Bangladesh
Authors: ISLAM Mohammad Imnul , HOSSAIN Mahmuda , RAHMAN Shahana A
Published: September 2008

Objective:  To evaluate the performance of Preliminary Definition of Improvement (PDI) in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients treated with methotrexate (MTX).

Methods:  This was a prospective observational study done in the paediatric department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) during April 2005–August 2006. All the patients fulfilling the International League of Associations for Rheumatology classification criteria had the American College of Rheumatology core set of variables assessed at baseline and follow‐up at the 4th, 12th and 24th week of treatment. Variables in the core set are: (1) physician's global assessment of disease activity; (2) parents’ or patients’ global assessment of disease activity; (3) functional ability; (4) number of joints with active arthritis; (5) number of joints with limited range of motion; and (6) erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Patients were classified as improved or not improved according to PDI. The following definition of improvement was selected: 30% improvement from baseline in three of any six variables in the core set with no more than one of the remaining variables worsening by > 30%.

Results:  A total of 40 children with JIA, completed 6 months treatment. At the end of 6 months, most of the patients (92.5%) had been declared as improved according to PDI. Among the core set variables, active arthritis, physicians’ and patients’ global assessment of disease activity, detected the highest percentage of patients improved (92.5%) and functional assessment detected the lowest (37%).

Conclusion:  The PDI identified that a maximum number of JIA patients treated with MTX had improved.
Managing comorbidity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: LU Vicky , LU Christine
Published: September 2008

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that decreases physical function and imposes substantial medical costs. Comorbid conditions are common in patients with RA and they adversely affect quality of life and RA‐related outcomes such as work disability and mortality. Rheumatologists have the important responsibility to consider comorbidities and their risks when treating patients and to adapt therapies to the specific situation of individual patients. This paper discusses the common comorbidities in patients with RA and management approaches.
Failure of rasburicase therapy in recurrent acute gout with tophi
Authors: HILL Catherine L. , LU Tim Y. , CERVELLI Matthew , MATHEW Timothy
Published: September 2008

Rasburicase, a recombinant urate oxidase enzyme, has been used successfully in several cases of chronic tophaceous gout. We report the case of an elderly woman with chronic tophaceous gout who failed rasburicase therapy due to recurrent acute episodes of gout following each rasburicase infusion, despite prophylactic therapy.
Undiagnosed acrodermatitis continua leading to amputations of the distal phalanxes
Authors: MIRFEIZI Zahra , HASHEMZADEH Sarah , HASHEMZADEH Kamila
Published: September 2008

Acrodermatitis continua is a localized pustular psoriasis which usually affects the extremities. We report the case of a 79‐year‐old patient presenting with osteolysis of the distal phalanxes of the hands. Some pustules were noted on the finger pulps. A skin biopsy led to the diagnosis of acrodermatitis continua.
Agony of a retired pediatrician
Authors: LI‐YU Julie T.
Published: September 2008

Understanding the etiopathogenesis of both osteonecrosis and osteoporosis can remarkably minimize associated morbidity and mortality. An astute clinician should carefully assess the complexity of specific problems in formulating a working diagnosis of chronic back and hip pain in an elderly patient. Although degenerative conditions are more common, malignancy should not be missed. Careful evaluation of various manifestations complemented with appropriate ancillary procedures in these two conditions are integral in clinical management decisions. Evidence‐based therapeutic modalities with foremost consideration to safety, efficacy and cost, are the mainstays in managing osteonecrosis and osteoporosis.
Potential involvement of cellular ageing in the pathogenesis of arthritis
Authors: YUDOH Kazuo , KARASAWA Rie
Published: September 2008

Recently, attention has been drawn to the involvement of cellular ageing in the pathogenesis of bone and joint diseases. We reviewed the mechanism underlying degeneration of bone and cartilage tissues, from a viewpoint of the senescence of cells composing the joints. We demonstrated not only the mechanism controlling ageing but also the development of new methods of treatment and prophylactic measures for diseases affecting bone and joint tissues in the future.
Cross‐cultural adaptation and validation of the Malay health assessment questionnaire for use in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: HUSSEIN Heselynn , MUSTAFA Rais , QUEK Kia Fat , HASSANUDIN Nurul Suhaizah , SHAHID Shahdan
Published: September 2008

Objective:  To validate the Malay version of the Health Assessment Questionnaire (Malay‐HAQ) for use in Malay‐speaking rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in the Malaysian setting. The HAQ – Disability Index has been validated in several languages, but not in Malay.

Methods:  The original HAQ was modified and translated into Malay by two translators, one of whom was aware of the objectives of the Questionnaire and the other as a lay translator. Two sets of Malay‐HAQ were distributed to RA patients during their routine follow‐up visits; one set to be completed immediately and another set to be completed 2 weeks later. A total of 61 patients completed the two sets of Malay‐HAQ. The data collected was analysed using SPSS V. 11.0. Reliability of the data was evaluated using the test‐retest method and internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach's alpha.

Result:  The study showed that the Malay‐HAQ is feasible and reliable. The Spearman's correlation coefficient ranged from 0.65 to 0.82, while the internal consistency was 0.88–0.92.

Conclusion:  The Malay‐HAQ is a sensitive, reliable and valid instrument for the measurement of functional status in RA patients in a Malay setting.
Vitamin D and rheumatoid arthritis: is there a link?
Authors: KIRAN Gopinath , DEBASHISH Danda
Published: September 2008

Rheumatoid arthritis predisposes to osteoporosis and most physicians supplement calcium and 1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D3 along with the standard treatment with disease modifying drugs. Advances in the understanding of physiological actions of 1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D3 suggest that this molecule plays an important role in modulating the immune response of the body. Vitamin D receptor has been found in many cells of the immune system including promyelocytes, myelocytes and macrophages. Experiments in animal models of rheumatoid arthritis have shown amelioration of the disease after administration of 1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D3. This article reviews the available data regarding the role of 1,25 dihydoxy vitamin D3 in rheumatoid arthritis.
The presence of citrulline in salivary glands is evidence that nitric oxide is mediator of inflammation in Sjögren acinar epithelia
Authors: BOLLAIN‐Y‐GOYTIA Juan José , MENDOZA‐SALAZAR Lucero , ROMO‐FLORES María de Lourdes , VILLANUEVA‐GUZMÁN Margarita , LÓPEZ‐ROBLES Eréndira , RAMÍREZ‐SANDOVAL Roxana , LÓPEZ‐SAUCEDO Adrián , AVALOS‐DÍAZ Esperanza , HERRERA‐ESPARZA Rafael
Published: September 2008

Aim:  The present study addresses the question whether nitric oxide (NO) plays a role in inflammation of salivary glands in Sjögren's syndrome.

Methods:  The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the presence of citrulline, as a monitor of NO activity were studied by immunohistochemistry, in minor salivary glands from 24 patients with primary Sjögren syndrome. An equal number of control tissues were included. The presence of mRNA of eNOS (endothelial NOS) and iNOS in tissues was studied by fluorescent in situ hybridization.

Results:  All salivary glands displayed eNOS along the ductal epithelia, blood vessels and acini. In Sjögren disease iNOS enzyme was widely expressed along ductal epithelia, acini and in foci of lymphocyte infiltration; therefore by the extensive citrulline presence and iNOS, we infer that NO is related to inflammation. Control biopsies were negative for iNOS and citrulline.

Conclusion:  The present data suggest that local production of NO should contribute to salivary gland inflammation in Sjögren disease.
The ageing endothelium, cardiovascular risk and disease in man
Authors: Versari Daniele , Daghini Elena , Virdis Agostino , Ghiadoni Lorenzo , Taddei Stefano
Published: September 2008

Ageing is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, not only because there is a process of vascular ageing per se but also because ageing increases the time of exposure to other cardiovascular risk factors. Endothelial dysfunction is now considered an early and important mechanism that predisposes to atherothrombotic damage and thus contributes to the occurrence of cardiovascular events. The normal endothelium exerts a major vascular‐protecting role by secreting substances, the most important of which is nitric oxide (NO). In disease conditions (such as the presence of cardiovascular risk factors), activation of endothelial cells can lead to the production and release of contracting factors, which counteract the beneficial effects of NO, and reactive oxygen species (ROS), which cause NO breakdown. Besides the opposite effects on vascular tone, NO and endothelium‐derived contracting factors also respectively inhibit and activate several other mechanisms that are involved in the pathogenesis of atherothrombosis. Moreover, endothelial dysfunction is associated with vascular subclinical damage and, importantly, an increasing body of evidence strongly suggests that it might be an independent predictor for the risk of future cardiovascular events. Like the other traditional risk factors, ageing has been demonstrated to be associated with progressive impairment of endothelial function, in both conduit arteries and resistance vessels, mainly because of an increased production of ROS. Therefore, it is conceivable that endothelial dysfunction plays a major role in predisposing to age‐related increased cardiovascular risk in the elderly.
Neuroeffector Ca2+transients for the direct measurement of purine release and indirect measurement of cotransmitters in rodents
Authors: Brain K. L.
Published: September 2008

Determining whether ATP and noradrenaline are released from the same vesicle at mature autonomic neuroeffector junctions is challenging because of the difficulty of simultaneously detecting the packeted release of these neurotransmitters. Contraction, overflow and electrophysiology experiments all show that both ATP and noradrenaline are released following field stimulation (although the ratio might vary) from autonomic nerves in tissues including the vas deferens, rat tail artery and mesenteric artery. The occurrence of purinergic neuroeffector Ca2+transients (NCTs) has been used to detect the packeted release of the neurotransmitter ATP acting on postjunctional P2X receptors to cause Ca2+influx. Neuroeffector Ca2+transients can also be used to detect the local effects of noradrenaline through its α2‐adrenoceptor‐mediated prejunctional autoinhibitory effects on nerve terminal Ca2+concentration and the probability of exocytosis (measured by counting NCTs). Evidence is presented that exocytosis from sympathetic varicosities does not occur in a manner independent of the history of that varicosity, but rather that the release of a packet of ATP transiently suppresses (or predicts the transient suppression of) subsequent release. This could arise by autoinhibition (by the prejunctional action of noradrenaline or purines) or due to a transient shortage of vesicles readily available for release. In summary, two high‐resolution approaches are proposed to measure the intermittent release of packets of neurotransmitter: (1) local transient suppression of nerve terminal Ca2+transients; and (2) the local and transient inhibition of NCTs to infer local autoinhibition, hence transmitter release. Such approaches may allow the packeted corelease of ATP and noradrenaline to be investigated without the need to measure both neurotransmitters directly.
Effects of hypoxic and hyperoxic incubation on the reactivity of the chicken embryo (Gallus gallus) ductus arteriosi in response to catecholamines and oxygen
Authors: Copeland Jennifer , Dzialowski Edward M.
Published: September 2008

Development in chronic hypoxia has been shown to have a significant negative impact on the developing cardiovascular system. The developing chicken embryo has two ductus arteriosi (DA) that shunt blood away from the lungs to the systemic circuit and constrict during hatching in response to an increase in arterial partial pressure of O2. The goal of this study was to determine the influence of O2levels during incubation on the vascular reactivity of the O2‐sensitive DA using the chicken as a novel model system. In addition, we measured blood gas and air cell O2during these developmental stages. Chicken embryos were incubated in hypoxia (15% O2), normoxia (21% O2) or hyperoxia (30% O2) and examined on incubation days 16 and 18 and as internally pipped and externally pipped embryos. The vasoreactivity of the DA was measured in response to an increase in O2and during stepwise increases in noradrenaline (NA) and phenylephrine (PE). The DA from embryos incubated in hypoxic conditions contracted in response to O2at a later hatching stage than the DA from embryos incubated in normoxic or hyperoxic conditions. The DA from day 18 embryos incubated in hypoxic conditions had a significantly weaker contractile response to NA and PE when compared with the DA from embryos incubated in normoxic or hyperoxic conditions. Blood gas and air cell O2were lowest for embryos incubated in hypoxic conditions and highest for embryos incubated in hyperoxic conditions. Incubation in hypoxia significantly delays the maturation of DA, while incubation in hyperoxia accelerates development.
Gene Expression Profiling of
Listeria monocytogenes
Strain F2365 during Growth in Ultrahigh-Temperature-Processed Skim Milk
Authors: Liu Yanhong , Ream Amy
Published: September 2008

To study how
Listeria monocytogenes
survives and grows in ultrahigh-temperature-processed (UHT) skim milk, microarray technology was used to monitor the gene expression profiles of strain F2365 in UHT skim milk. Total RNA was isolated from strain F2365 in UHT skim milk after 24 h of growth at 4°C, labeled with fluorescent dyes, and hybridized to “custom-made” commercial oligonucleotide (35-mers) microarray chips containing the whole genome of
L. monocytogenes
strain F2365. Compared to
L. monocytogenes
grown in brain heart infusion (BHI) broth for 24 h at 4°C, 26 genes were upregulated (more-than-twofold increase) in UHT skim milk, whereas 14 genes were downregulated (less-than-twofold decrease). The upregulated genes included genes encoding transport and binding proteins, transcriptional regulators, proteins in amino acid biosynthesis and energy metabolism, protein synthesis, cell division, and hypothetical proteins. The downregulated genes included genes that encode transport and binding proteins, protein synthesis, cellular processes, cell envelope, energy metabolism, a transcriptional regulator, and an unknown protein. The gene expression changes determined by microarray assays were confirmed by real-time reverse transcriptase PCR analyses. Furthermore, cells grown in UHT skim milk displayed the same sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide as cells grown in BHI, demonstrating that the elevated levels of expression of genes encoding manganese transporter complexes in UHT skim milk did not result in changes in the oxidative stress sensitivity. To our knowledge, this report represents a novel study of global transcriptional gene expression profiling of
L. monocytogenes
in a liquid food.
Heterotrophic and Autotrophic Microbial Populations in Cold Perennial Springs of the High Arctic
Authors: Perreault Nancy N. , Greer Charles W. , Andersen Dale T. , Tille Stefanie , Lacrampe-Couloume Georges , Lollar Barbara Sherwood , Whyte Lyle G.
Published: September 2008

The saline springs of Gypsum Hill in the Canadian high Arctic are a rare example of cold springs originating from deep groundwater and rising to the surface through thick permafrost. The heterotrophic bacteria and autotrophic sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (up to 40% of the total microbial community) isolated from the spring waters and sediments were classified into four phyla (
Actinobacteria
,
Bacteroidetes
,
Firmicutes
, and
Proteobacteria
) based on 16S rRNA gene analysis; heterotrophic isolates were primarily psychrotolerant, salt-tolerant, facultative anaerobes. Some of the isolates contained genes for thiosulfate oxidation (
soxB
) and anoxygenic photosynthesis (
pufM
), possibly enabling the strains to better compete in these sulfur-rich environments subject to long periods of illumination in the Arctic summer. Although leucine uptake by the spring water microbial community was low, CO
2
uptake was relatively high under dark incubation, reinforcing the idea that primary production by chemoautotrophs is an important process in the springs. The small amounts of hydrocarbons in gases exsolving from the springs (0.38 to 0.51% CH
4
) were compositionally and isotopically consistent with microbial methanogenesis and possible methanotrophy. Anaerobic heterotrophic sulfur oxidation and aerobic autotrophic sulfur oxidation activities were demonstrated in sediment slurries. Overall, our results describe an active microbial community capable of sustainability in an extreme environment that experiences prolonged periods of continuous light or darkness, low temperatures, and moderate salinity, where life seems to rely on chemolithoautotrophy.
Identification of Components of the Sigma B Regulon in
Listeria monocytogenes
That Contribute to Acid and Salt Tolerance
Authors: Abram F. , Starr E. , Karatzas K. A. G. , Matlawska-Wasowska K. , Boyd A. , Wiedmann M. , Boor K. J. , Connally D. , O'Byrne C. P.
Published: September 2008

Sigma B (σ
B
) is an alternative sigma factor that controls the transcriptional response to stress in
Listeria monocytogenes
and is also known to play a role in the virulence of this human pathogen. In the present study we investigated the impact of a
sigB
deletion on the proteome of
L. monocytogenes
grown in a chemically defined medium both in the presence and in the absence of osmotic stress (0.5 M NaCl). Two new phenotypes associated with the
sigB
deletion were identified using this medium. (i) Unexpectedly, the strain with the Δ
sigB
deletion was found to grow faster than the parent strain in the growth medium, but only when 0.5 M NaCl was present. This phenomenon was independent of the carbon source provided in the medium. (ii) The Δ
sigB
mutant was found to have unusual Gram staining properties compared to the parent, suggesting that σ
B
contributes to the maintenance of an intact cell wall. A proteomic analysis was performed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, using cells growing in the exponential and stationary phases. Overall, 11 proteins were found to be differentially expressed in the wild type and the Δ
sigB
mutant; 10 of these proteins were expressed at lower levels in the mutant, and 1 was overexpressed in the mutant. All 11 proteins were identified by tandem mass spectrometry, and putative functions were assigned based on homology to proteins from other bacteria. Five proteins had putative functions related to carbon utilization (Lmo0539, Lmo0783, Lmo0913, Lmo1830, and Lmo2696), while three proteins were similar to proteins whose functions are unknown but that are known to be stress inducible (Lmo0796, Lmo2391, and Lmo2748). To gain further insight into the role of σ
B
in
L. monocytogenes
, we deleted the genes encoding four of the proteins, lmo0796, lmo0913, lmo2391, and lmo2748. Phenotypic characterization of the mutants revealed that Lmo2748 plays a role in osmotolerance, while Lmo0796, Lmo0913, and Lmo2391 were all implicated in acid stress tolerance to various degrees. Invasion assays performed with Caco-2 cells indicated that none of the four genes was required for mammalian cell invasion. Microscopic analysis suggested that loss of Lmo2748 might contribute to the cell wall defect observed in the Δ
sigB
mutant. Overall, this study highlighted two new phenotypes associated with the loss of σ
B
. It also demonstrated clear roles for σ
B
in both osmotic and low-pH stress tolerance and identified specific components of the σ
B
regulon that contribute to the responses observed.
Temporal Assessment of the Impact of Exposure to Cow Feces in Two Watersheds by Multiple Host-Specific PCR Assays
Authors: Lee Yong-Jin , Molina Marirosa , Santo Domingo Jorge W. , Willis Jonathan D. , Cyterski Michael , Endale Dinku M. , Shanks Orin C.
Published: September 2008

Exposure to feces in two watersheds with different management histories was assessed by tracking cattle feces bacterial populations using multiple host-specific PCR assays. In addition, environmental factors affecting the occurrence of these markers were identified. Each assay was performed using DNA extracts from water and sediment samples collected from a watershed directly impacted by cattle fecal pollution (WS1) and from a watershed impacted only through runoff (WS2). In WS1, the ruminant-specific
Bacteroidales
16S rRNA gene marker CF128F was detected in 65% of the water samples, while the non-16S rRNA gene markers Bac1, Bac2, and Bac5 were found in 32 to 37% of the water samples. In contrast, all source-specific markers were detected in less than 6% of the water samples from WS2. Binary logistic regressions (BLRs) revealed that the occurrence of Bac32F and CF128F was significantly correlated with season as a temporal factor and watershed as a site factor. BLRs also indicated that the dynamics of fecal-source-tracking markers correlated with the density of a traditional fecal indicator (
P
< 0.001). Overall, our results suggest that a combination of 16S rRNA gene and non-16S rRNA gene markers provides a higher level of confidence for tracking unknown sources of fecal pollution in environmental samples. This study also provided practical insights for implementation of microbial source-tracking practices to determine sources of fecal pollution and the influence of environmental variables on the occurrence of source-specific markers.
Flavobacterium
sp. Strain 4221 and
Pedobacter
sp. Strain 4236 β-1,3-Glucanases That Are Active at Low Temperatures
Authors: Rasmussen Mikkel A. , Madsen Søren M. , Stougaard Peter , Johnsen Mads G.
Published: September 2008

Secretion of β-1,3-glucanases by the arctic bacterial isolates 4221 and 4236, related to the genera
Flavobacterium
and
Pedobacter
, was discovered.
Escherichia coli
and
Lactococcus lactis
expression of β-1,3-glucanases Glc4221-1 and Glc4236-1 from the respective isolates was achieved. The enzymes hydrolyzed fungal cell walls and retained activity at low temperatures.
Emergence of Novel
Streptococcus iniae
Exopolysaccharide-Producing Strains following Vaccination with Nonproducing Strains
Authors: Eyngor Marina , Tekoah Yoram , Shapira Roni , Hurvitz Avshalom , Zlotkin Amir , Lublin Avishay , Eldar Avi
Published: September 2008

Streptococcus iniae
is a major pathogen of fish, producing fatal disease among fish species living in very diverse environments. Recently, reoccurrences of disease outbreaks were recorded in rainbow trout (
Oncorhynchus mykiss
, Walbaum) farms where the entire fish population was routinely vaccinated. New strains are distinguished from previous strains by their ability to produce large amounts of extracellular polysaccharide that is released into the medium. Present findings indicate that the extracellular polysaccharide is a major antigenic factor, suggesting an evolutionary selection of strains capable of extracellular polysaccharide production.
Exogenous or
l
-Rhamnose-Derived 1,2-Propanediol Is Metabolized via a
pduD
-Dependent Pathway in
Listeria innocua
Authors: Xue Junfeng , Murrieta Charles M. , Rule Daniel C. , Miller Kurt W.
Published: September 2008

1,2-Propanediol (1,2-PD) added exogenously to cultures or produced endogenously from
l
-rhamnose is metabolized to
n
-propanol and propionate in
Listeria innocua
Lin11. The
pduD
gene, which encodes a diol dehydratase ß subunit homolog, is required for 1,2-PD catabolism.
pduD
and 16 other genes within the
pduA
-to-
pduF
region of a large gene cluster are induced in medium containing 1,2-PD.