bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunology and Homeopathy. 4. Clinical Studies—Part 1
Authors: Bellavite Paolo , Ortolani Riccardo , Pontarollo Francesco , Piasere Valeria , Benato Giovanni , Conforti Anita
Published: July 2006

The evidence‐based research of the effectiveness of homeopathic medicines in common immunologic disorders is reviewed. In part 1, we introduce methodological issues of clinical research in homeopathy, and criteria utilized to evaluate the literature. Then 24 studies (12 randomized and 12 non‐randomized) on common upper respiratory tract infections and otorhinolaryngologic complaints are described. In part 2, the focus will be on allergic diseases and the effectiveness of homeopathy will be globally evaluated and discussed using the criteria of evidence‐based medicine.

Corrigendum to
“Immunology and Homeopathy. 4. Clinical Studies—Part 1”dx.doi.org/10.1093/ecam/nel063
Laser Scanning Microscopy of the Human Larynx Mucosa: A Preliminary, Ex Vivo Study
Authors: Just Tino , Stave Joachim , Boltze Carsten , Wree Andreas , Kramp Burkhard , Guthoff Rudolf F. , Pau Hans Wilhelm
Published: July 2006

Objective: Laser scanning microscopy (LSM) supplies in vivo information from epithelia up to depths between 0.1 to 0.5 mm. The aim of this ex vivo prospective pilot study was to investigate the potential use of LSM for the diagnosis of laryngeal cancer and its precursors.

Methods: Forty‐three larynx specimens of 26 patients (age 35–61 years, mean age 51.9 ± 9.5 years; 7 women and 19 men) with laryngeal lesions were investigated with LSM. The LSM findings were compared with histopathologic sections. The following criteria were used for characterization of cancerous lesions: enlarged nuclei, enlarged cells with variable shapes, cluster of cells, increased nucleus/cytoplasm ratio, irregular cell architecture, and loss of cellular junctions characterized by lack of visualization of the cell membrane.

Results: LSM enables the visualization of epithelium up to the basement membrane, Reincke space, the subepithelial vessels, and the fibers of the subepithelial space. In contrast to the squamous epithelium, the respiratory epithelium bears kinocilia. The beat of the cilia and the directed mucous transport can be observed ex vivo. With the use of the presented malignancy criteria, a sensitivity of 72.7% and a specificity of 82.9% for differentiation of dysplasia and benign laryngeal lesions from cancer were reached.

Conclusions: LSM in an ex vivo manner supplies microscopic images up to the subepithelial space. LSM could represent a new technology in laryngology to visualize larynx epithelia. In the next step, in vivo LSM will be applied to evaluate laryngeal lesion in vivo.
Optical Coherence Tomography of Laryngeal Cancer
Authors: Armstrong William B. , Ridgway James M. , Vokes David E. , Guo Shuguang , Perez Jorge , Jackson Ryan P. , Gu Mai , Su Jianping , Crumley Roger L. , Shibuya Terry Y. , Mahmood Usama , Chen Zhongping , Wong Brian J. F.
Published: July 2006

Objectives: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a high‐resolution optical imaging technique that produces cross‐sectional images of living tissues using light in a manner similar to ultrasound. This prospective study evaluated the ability of OCT to identify the characteristics of laryngeal cancer and measure changes in the basement membrane, tissue microstructure, and the transition zone at the edge of tumors.

Materials and Methods: One hundred thirty‐three patients underwent OCT examination during surgical endoscopy of the head and neck. Twenty‐two patients with laryngeal cancer or a history of laryngeal cancer were imaged with a fiberoptic OCT system. Tumor and adjacent transition zones were imaged along with uninvolved subsites. OCT images were correlated with histopathology.

Results: Twenty‐six OCT examinations were performed in 22 patients. Basement membrane disruption was seen in 18 subjects, all of whom had histology showing classic features of cancer. A transition zone to uninvolved epithelium at the tumor periphery was also often observed. In six studies, benign or premalignant processes were histologically confirmed. In three thin, superficial lesions, an intact basement membrane was observed. The basement membrane could not be identified in three other bulky exophytic, premalignant lesions, primarily because of increased superficial signal backscattering observed in pathologic tissues.

Conclusions: OCT clearly identifies basement membrane violation from laryngeal cancer and can identify transition zones at the cancer margin. In bulky exophytic lesions, OCT signal may not penetrate deeply enough to show the basement membrane, but for many suspicious lesions that require exclusion of cancer, OCT shows potential for assisting in diagnostic assessment.
Impact of Adenotonsillectomy on Behavior in Children With Sleep‐Disordered Breathing
Authors: Li Hsueh‐Yu , Huang Yu‐Shu , Chen Ning‐Hung , Fang Tuan‐Jen , Lee Li‐Ang
Published: July 2006

Objectives/Hypothesis: Children with sleep‐disordered breathing may experience behavioral and learning problems such as inattentiveness and hyperactivity. The aim of this study was to measure the impact of adenotonsillectomy on sleep‐related adverse events and behavioral problems in children with sleep‐disordered breathing.

Method: This prospective and interventional study enrolled 40 sleep‐disordered breathing children (mean age, 8.4 ± 1.6 years) with hypertrophic tonsils and adenoids. All patients completed two polysomnographies, tests of variables of attention (TOVAs), and Child Behavior Checklists, one at baseline and the other 6 months after adenotonsillectomy.

Results: The apnea–hypopnea index (P < .001), TOVA scores (P < .001), and 8 of 9 individual domains of the Child Behavior Checklist scores (P < .05) significantly improved after surgery. However, the change in the apnea–hypopnea index was not negatively correlated with TOVA score (r = −0.17, P = .38).

Conclusion: Adenotonsillectomy could significantly improve behavior (TOVA) scores, but the improvement may not simply be attributable to changes in sleep apnea events.
Distributions of Cervical Lymph Node Metastases in Oropharyngeal Carcinoma: Therapeutic Implications for the N0 Neck
Authors: Lim Young Chang , Koo Bon Seok , Lee Jin Seok , Lim Jae‐Yol , Choi Eun Chang
Published: July 2006

Objectives: This study sought to investigate the patterns and distributions of lymph node metastases in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and improve the rationale for elective treatment of N0 neck.

Materials and Methods: One hundred four patients with oropharyngeal SCC who underwent neck dissection between 1992 and 2003 were analyzed retrospectively. All patients had curative surgery as their initial treatment for the primary tumor and neck. A total of 161 neck dissections on both sides of the neck were performed. Therapeutic dissections were done in 71 and 5 necks and elective neck dissection was done on 33 and 52 necks on the ipsilateral and contralateral sides, respectively. Surgical treatment was followed by postoperative radiotherapy for 78 patients. The follow‐up period ranged from 1 to 96 months (mean, 30 months).

Results: Of the 161 neck dissection specimens evaluated, 90 (56%) necks were found to have lymph node metastases found by pathologic examination. These consisted of 76 (73% of 104 necks) of the ipsilateral side and 14 (25% of 57 necks) of the contralateral side dissections. The occult metastatic rate was 24% (8 of 33) of ipsilateral neck samples and 21% (11 of 52) of contralateral neck samples. Of the 68 patients who had a therapeutic dissection on the ipsilateral side and had lymphatic metastasis, the incidence rate of level IV and level I metastasis was 37% (25 of 68) and 10% (7 of 68), respectively. Isolated metastasis to level IV occurred on the ipsilateral side in three patients. There were no cases of isolated ipsilateral level I pathologic involvement in an N‐positive neck or occult metastasis to this group. The incidence rate of level IV metastasis in patients with ipsilateral nodal metastasis was significantly higher in base of tongue cancer (86% [6 of 7]) compared with tonsillar cancer (34% [20 of 59]) (P = .013). Patients with level IV metastasis had significantly worse 5‐year disease‐free survival rates than patients with metastasis to other neck levels (54% versus 71%; P = .04).

Conclusion: These results suggest that elective N0 neck treatment in patients with oropharyngeal SCC, especially base of tongue cancer, should include neck levels II, III, and IV instead of levels I, II, and III.
Pediatric Laryngotracheal Obstruction: Current Perspectives on Stridor
Authors: Bent John
Published: July 2006

Objectives/Hypothesis:To assess how medical advances have impacted the diagnosis, management, and outcomes of pediatric laryngotracheal obstruction, and to describe the advantages of audio‐video documentation of stridorous children.

Study Design and Methods:Retrospective.

Methods and Materials:268 patients were referred for suspected laryngotracheal obstruction during the 30 months between September 1, 1995 and March 1, 1998: 173 had 206 flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopies, and 160 had 273 direct laryngoscopies. One hundred and forty‐one children were identified with laryngotracheal obstruction, yielding 40 different diagnoses that could be classified into 9 major categories. Thirty‐six children (25.5%) had multiple sites of upper airway obstruction.

Results:138 children had follow‐up >1 month. Twelve children died (8.7%), leaving 126 survivors (mean follow‐up = 21.1 months). Outcomes were classified as resolved (44.2%), improved (37.0%), stable (9.4%), failed (0.7%), or death (8.7%). Better outcomes were seen in more readily treated diagnostic categories, such as tracheobronchial foreign body, chronic laryngitis, and suprastomal granulation tissue; laryngeal stenosis, tracheomalacia, and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, had less favorable outcomes (P<.001). The former group also showed superior outcome compared to laryngomalacia (P<.001) and vocal cord mobility disorders (P= .004). Ninety‐four patients (68.1%) had comorbidities complicating their management. Comorbid conditions were universal among deceased patients and least common in the resolved outcomes category (56.7%), supporting the premise that patients with poor outcomes are more likely to have comorbidities than patients with resolution of laryngotracheal symptoms (P= .034).

Conclusions:Audio‐video recording of pediatric laryngotracheal obstruction offers numerous advantages. Children classified into an array of diagnostic categories usually have favorable outcomes, but opportunities for continued advances exist, particularly regarding management of comorbidity and chronic obstruction.
Base of Tongue Schwannoma: A Case Report
Authors: Ying Yu‐Lan Mary , Zimmer Lee A. , Myers Eugene N.
Published: July 2006

Both malignant and benign lesions may be found on the base of the tongue, including metastasis from other sites. Various surgical approaches to the base of tongue have been described. Here, we report a case of a 26‐year‐old woman with a schwannoma in the base of tongue removed through a suprahyoid pharyngotomy approach. The biology and pathology of schwannoma in the oral cavity are discussed. The advantage of the suprahyoid pharyngotomy approach for complete excision of a mass in the base of tongue is demonstrated.
Level V Lymph Node Dissection in Oral and Oropharyngeal Carcinoma Patients with Clinically Node‐Positive Neck: Is it Absolutely Necessary?
Authors: Lim Young Chang , Koo Bon Seok , Lee Jin Seok , Choi Eun Chang
Published: July 2006

Objectives: Postoperative shoulder dysfunction has been significantly associated with any dissection of level V secondary to traction or with ischemic injury to the spinal accessory nerve. The aim of this study was to determine whether the dissection of level V lymph node pads is absolutely necessary in therapeutic neck dissection as a treatment for oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OOSCC) patients with clinically N+ neck.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 93 OOSCC patients who underwent surgical treatment of the primary lesion along with a simultaneous comprehensive neck dissection from January 1992 to December 2003. Of these, only one patient had a clinically positive neck node at level V. During the neck dissection, the contents of the level V lymph nodes were dissected, labeled, and processed separately from the remainder of the major neck dissection specimen. We studied the incidence of pathologic metastasis to level V lymph nodes. In addition, we also evaluated several potential risk factors for metastatic disease in the level V lymph nodes such as sex, age, T stage, N stage, histologic grade, and presence of other positive lymph nodes.

Results: A total of 96 comprehensive neck dissections were performed in this series. The prevalence of metastases in the level V lymph nodes was 5% (5 of 93) in ipsilateral and 0% (0 of 3) in contralateral necks. One case with clinically positive node at level V had a pathologic positive node in level II, III, IV, and V. Occult metastasis rate of ipsilateral level V was 4% (4 of 92). There was a statistically significant association between level V metastases and a positive N stage above N2b (P = .01). The presence of metastasis in other multiple neck levels, particularly the combined neck levels II, III, and IV, also have a statistically significant association with level V metastasis (P = .023).

Conclusion: Level V lymph node pads may be preserved in modified neck dissections on OOSCC patients with clinically N+ neck below the nodal stage N2a.
Otolaryngologists' Responses to Errors and Adverse Events
Authors: Lander Lina I. , Connor Jean Anne , Shah Rahul K. , Kentala Erna , Healy Gerald B. , Roberson David W.
Published: July 2006

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to describe otolaryngologists' emotional reactions to errors and adverse events, their efforts to take responsibility, and their attempts to implement improvements.

Study Design and Methods: A retrospective, anonymous survey of 2,500 U.S. otolaryngologists who were members of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery about errors in their practice was conducted. Respondents were asked whether an error had occurred in their practice in the past 6 months and, if so, to describe the error, its consequences, and any corrective actions taken. Two aspects of these reports stood out, which were beyond the scope of the original study: the respondents' emotional responses and their corrective actions.

Results: The response rate was 18.6%. Two hundred ten (45%) respondents reported a total of 212 analyzable error reports and 230 corrective actions. Corrective actions included disclosure to the patient (20 [9%]), ameliorating the consequences of the event to the patient (107 [50%]), personal practice changes (14 [7%]), improvements in the respondent's practice or department (60 [28%]), and hospitalwide or broader corrective actions (19 [9%]). Emotional reactions to errors and adverse events were reported by 22 (10%) otolaryngologists, including regret, embarrassment, guilt, anxiety, loss of temper, and irritation. Legal action was mentioned by five physicians (2%).

Conclusions: Otolaryngologists took actions not only to treat their patients, but also to improve patient care in their practice, department, hospital, or community. Emotional reactions to errors and adverse events are common and need to be addressed in medical training and practice.
Tongue‐Base Suspension in Conjunction with Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty for Treatment of Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Long‐Term Follow‐Up Results
Authors: Vicente Eugenio , Marín José M. , Carrizo Santiago , Naya M J.
Published: July 2006

Objectives/Hypothesis: To evaluate the usefulness of tongue‐base suspension (TBS) in addition to uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

Study Design: Long‐term prospective case series.

Setting: University tertiary care medical center.

Methods: Fifty‐five consecutive patients with severe OSAS (apnea‐hypopnea index [AHI] 52.8 ± 14.9 events/hr) with multilevel upper airway obstruction who refused treatment with continuous positive airway pressure underwent UPPP plus TBS with the Repose system. All patients were evaluated before surgery by clinical history, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), fiberoptic nasopharyngoscopy with Müller maneuver, and nocturnal polysomnography (PSG). After 3 years of surgery, all patients were re‐evaluated at the clinic and had ESS test and full PSG. Surgical success was defined when the ESS dropped bellow 11, and the AHI decreased below the threshold of 20 events per hour of sleep and at least 50% from the preoperative value

Results: There were 42 (78%) patients in which the AHI score decreased more than 50%, the AHI was lower than 20 events/hr in the PSG, and the ESS was lower than 11 after 3‐years of follow‐up (surgical success index). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that body mass index at baseline was the only variable with significant statistical power to predict surgical success (odds ratio 0.85; 0.73–0.95, 95% confidence interval, P < .01)

Conclusion: When associated with UPPP, the TBS technique performed with the Repose system demonstrates a surgical success of up to 78% for patients with severe OSA who refused nasal continuous positive airway pressure.
Eosinophilic Mucus Chronic Rhinosinusitis: Clinical Subgroups or a Homogeneous Pathogenic Entity?
Authors: Pant Harshita , Kette Frank E. , Smith William B. , Macardle Peter J. , Wormald Peter J.
Published: July 2006

Background: Eosinophilic mucus chronic rhinosinusitis (EMCRS) can be subclassified using the criteria of detection of fungi in eosinophilic mucus and systemic fungal allergy. Allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS), a subgroup of EMCRS characterized by the presence of fungal allergy, is proposed to be an immunoglobulin (Ig)E‐driven disease, distinct from other EMCRS subgroups. However, our recent studies cast doubt on the central pathogenic role of allergy in AFS. The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical features of EMCRS patients from the different subcategories to determine the relevance of this classification system.

Method: The demographic, clinical, and immunologic characteristics of the EMCRS subgroups were examined prospectively and compared with three control groups: healthy volunteers, allergic rhinitis with fungal allergy, and chronic rhinosinusitis without eosinophilic mucus.

Results: EMCRS patients with allergy were younger than those without. There was no significant difference in clinicopathologic parameters between EMCRS subgroups. As a single group, EMCRS had a more severe sinus disease compared with chronic rhinosinusitis patients.

Conclusions: AFS was not clinically distinct from other subgroups of EMCRS. However, eosinophilic mucus may mark a more severe and distinct form of sinus disease.
Influence of Previous Radiotherapy on Free Tissue Transfer in the Head and Neck Region: Evaluation of 455 Cases
Authors: Klug Clemens , Berzaczy Dominik , Reinbacher Heidrun , Voracek Martin , Rath Thomas , Millesi Werner , Ewers Rolf
Published: July 2006

Objective/Hypothesis: The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to investigate the effect of prior radiotherapy (XRT) on the outcome of microvascular free tissue transfer in the head and neck region.

Methods: Four hundred fifty‐five patients, subdivided into three groups, were analyzed. Groups I (no previous XRT, n = 110), II (previous radiochemotherapy with 50 Gy focus dosage in the primary treatment regime for oral cancer, n = 322), and III (secondary reconstruction after XRT‐induced complications, n = 23) were compared regarding flap success rate, postoperative complications, postoperative mortality, duration of intensive care (DOIC), and hospitalization (DOH).

Results: Flap success did not differ significantly across groups (I: 95.5%, II: 93.2%, III: 91.3%. Risk of postoperative complications was significantly lower for group I (12.7%) compared with groups II (23.9%) and III (39.1%). DOIC and DOH were significantly shorter for patients in group I than for those in groups II and III.

Conclusions: XRT before free tissue transfer does not significantly increase flap loss or postoperative mortality but does increase postoperative complications and length of hospitalization.
Helicobacter cynogastricus sp. nov., isolated from the canine gastric mucosa
Authors: Van den Bulck K. , Decostere A. , Baele M. , Vandamme P. , Mast J. , Ducatelle R. , Haesebrouck F.
Published: July 2006

A Gram-negative, microaerophilic helical rod, isolated from the gastric mucosa of a dog and designated strain JKM4T, was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The tightly coiled organism, measuring 10–18 μm long and up to 1 μm wide, was motile by means of multiple sheathed flagella located at both ends of the cell and by a periplasmic fibril running along the external side of the helix. Strain JKM4Tgrew preferably on biphasic culture plates or on very moist agar. Coccoid forms predominated in cultures older than 4 days as well as in growth obtained on dry agar plates. The strain grew at 30 and 37 °C, but not at 25 or 42 °C and exhibited urease, oxidase and catalase activities. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the novel isolate was identified as a member of the genusHelicobacterand showed > 97 % similarity toHelicobacter felis,Helicobacter bizzozeroniiandHelicobacter salomonis, three species previously isolated from the canine gastric mucosa. Protein profiling of strain JKM4Tusing SDS-PAGE revealed a pattern different from those of otherHelicobacterspecies of mammalian gastric origin and fromHelicobacter canis. Additionally, the urease gene sequence of strain JKM4Twas different from those of urease genes ofH. felis,H. bizzozeronii,H. salomonisand ‘CandidatusHelicobacter heilmannii’. It is thus proposed that strain JKM4T(=LMG 23188T) represents a novel species within this genus,Helicobacter cynogastricussp. nov.
Reclassification of the sulfate- and nitrate-reducing bacterium Desulfovibrio vulgaris subsp. oxamicus as Desulfovibrio oxamicus sp. nov., comb. nov.
Authors: López-Cortés Alejandro , Fardeau Marie-Laure , Fauque Guy , Joulian Catherine , Ollivier Bernard
Published: July 2006

Desulfovibrio vulgarissubsp.oxamicus(type strain, DSM 1925T) was found to use nitrate as a terminal electron acceptor, the latter being reduced to ammonium. Phylogenetic studies indicated that strain DSM 1925Twas distantly related to the type strain ofDesulfovibrio vulgaris(95.4 % similarity of the small-subunit rRNA gene) and had as its closest phylogenetic relatives two other nitrate- and sulfate-reducing bacteria, namelyDesulfovibrio termitidis(99.4 % similarity) andDesulfovibrio longreachensis(98.4 % similarity). Additional experiments were conducted to characterize better strain DSM 1925T. This strain incompletely oxidized lactate and ethanol to acetate. It also oxidized butanol, pyruvate and citrate, but not glucose, fructose, acetate, propionate, butyrate, methanol, glycerol or peptone. The optimum temperature for growth was 37 °C (range 16–50 °C) and the optimum NaCl concentration for growth was 0.1 % (range 0–5 %). Because of significant genotypic and phenotypic differences fromDesulfovibrio termitidisandDesulfovibrio longreachensis, reclassification ofDesulfovibrio vulgarissubsp.oxamicusasDesulfovibrio oxamicussp. nov., comb. nov., is proposed. The type strain is strain Monticello 2T(=DSM 1925T=NCIMB 9442T=ATCC 33405T).
Reclassification of Bacteroides distasonis, Bacteroides goldsteinii and Bacteroides merdae as Parabacteroides distasonis gen. nov., comb. nov., Parabacteroides goldsteinii comb. nov. and Parabacteroides merdae comb. nov.
Authors: Sakamoto Mitsuo , Benno Yoshimi
Published: July 2006

The characteristics of threeBacteroidesspecies,Bacteroides distasonis,Bacteroides goldsteiniiandBacteroides merdae, were examined. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed thatB. distasonis,B. goldsteiniiandB. merdaeshould not be classified as species within the genusBacteroides. AlthoughB. distasonis,B. goldsteiniiandB. merdaewere phylogenetically related toTannerella forsythensis, the ratios of anteiso-C15 : 0to iso-C15 : 0in whole-cell methanolysates of the three species were different from that ofT. forsythensis. In addition, whereas the major menaquinones ofT. forsythensiswere MK-10 and MK-11, the major menaquinones ofB. distasonis,B. goldsteiniiandB. merdaewere MK-9 and MK-10. The three species were phenotypically similar toBacteroides sensu stricto, but phylogenetically distinct. Furthermore,B. distasonis,B. goldsteiniiandB. merdaecould be differentiated fromBacteroides sensu stricto(predominant menaquinones: MK-10 and MK-11) by the menaquinone composition. This is an important chemotaxonomic characteristic of the three species. On the basis of these data, a novel genus,Parabacteroidesgen. nov., is proposed forB. distasonis,B. goldsteiniiandB. merdae, with three species,Parabacteroides distasonisgen. nov., comb. nov. (the type species),Parabacteroides goldsteiniicomb. nov. andParabacteroides merdaecomb. nov. The type strains ofP. distasonis,P. goldsteiniiandP. merdaeare JCM 5825T(=CCUG 4941T=DSM 20701T=ATCC 8503T), JCM 13446T(=CCUG 48944T) and JCM 9497T(=CCUG 38734T=ATCC 43184T), respectively.
Bacteroides dorei sp. nov., isolated from human faeces
Authors: Bakir Mohammad Abdul , Sakamoto Mitsuo , Kitahara Maki , Matsumoto Mitsuharu , Benno Yoshimi
Published: July 2006

Two Gram-negative, anaerobic, non-spore-forming rod-shaped organisms were isolated from human faeces. These isolates were tentatively identified asBacteroidesbased on morphological and biochemical criteria and appeared closely related toBacteroides vulgatusATCC 8482T. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the isolates were highly related to each other (99.5 %) and confirmed their placement in the genusBacteroides. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values with close phylogenetic neighboursBacteroides vulgatusATCC 8482T(96 %) andBacteroides massiliensisCCUG 48901T(93 %) preliminarily demonstrated that the organisms represented a novel species. The results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses, and DNA–DNA homology values provided evidence that these two unknown isolates represent a single species and should be assigned to a novel species of the genusBacteroides, asBacteroides doreisp. nov. The type strain is JCM 13471T(=DSM 17855T).
Mariniflexile gromovii gen. nov., sp. nov., a gliding bacterium isolated from the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius
Authors: Nedashkovskaya Olga I. , Kim Seung Bum , Kwak Jangryul , Mikhailov Valery V. , Bae Kyung Sook
Published: July 2006

A marine bacterium, designated strain KMM 6038T, was subjected to taxonomic analysis via a polyphasic approach. Cells of the strain were heterotrophic, orange-pigmented, Gram-negative and motile by means of gliding. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain KMM 6038Twas closely related to the type species of the generaAlgibacterandYeosuana, members of the familyFlavobacteriaceae, with sequence similarities of 93.8 and 93.6 % to the respective type strains. However, several chemotaxonomic and phenotypic characteristics, such as the cellular fatty acid profile (iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1, C15 : 0, C15 : 1ω6c, iso-C15 : 03-OH and iso-C17 : 03-OH) and the low G+C content of the DNA (35.7 mol%), indicated that the strain should be separated from these two genera. From the results of phenotypic, genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analyses, the bacterium should be classified as representing a novel genus and species, for which the nameMariniflexile gromoviigen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain ofMariniflexile gromoviiis KMM 6038T(=KCTC 12570T=LMG 22578T).
Formation of the Arabidopsis Pentatricopeptide Repeat Family
Authors: Rivals Eric , Bruyère Clémence , Toffano-Nioche Claire , Lecharny Alain
Published: July 2006

In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) the 466 pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins are putative RNA-binding proteins with essential roles in organelles. Roughly half of the PPR proteins form the plant combinatorial and modular protein (PCMP) subfamily, which is land-plant specific. PCMPs exhibit a large and variable tandem repeat of a standard pattern of three PPR variant motifs. The association or not of this repeat with three non-PPR motifs at their C terminus defines four distinct classes of PCMPs. The highly structured arrangement of these motifs and the similar repartition of these arrangements in the four classes suggest precise relationships between motif organization and substrate specificity. This study is an attempt to reconstruct an evolutionary scenario of the PCMP family. We developed an innovative approach based on comparisons of the proteins at two levels: namely the succession of motifs along the protein and the amino acid sequence of the motifs. It enabled us to infer evolutionary relationships between proteins as well as between the inter- and intraprotein repeats. First, we observed a polarized elongation of the repeat from the C terminus toward the N-terminal region, suggesting local recombinations of motifs. Second, the most N-terminal PPR triple motif proved to evolve under different constraints than the remaining repeat. Altogether, the evidence indicates different evolution for the PPR region and the C-terminal one in PCMPs, which points to distinct functions for these regions. Moreover, local sequence homogeneity observed across PCMP classes may be due to interclass shuffling of motifs, or to deletions/insertions of non-PPR motifs at the C terminus.
Hydrogen/deuterium‐exchange (H/D‐Ex) of PPARγ LBD in the presence of various modulators
Authors: Hamuro Yoshitomo , Coales Stephen J. , Morrow Jeffrey A. , Molnar Kathleen S. , Tuske Steven J. , Southern Mark R. , Griffin Patrick R.
Published: July 2006

A nuclear receptor, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ), is a ligand‐dependent transcription factor involved in glucose homeostasis and adipocyte differentiation. PPARγ is the molecular target of various natural and synthetic molecules, including anti‐diabetic agents such as rosiglitazone. Amide hydrogen/deuterium‐exchange (H/D‐Ex), coupled with proteolysis and mass spectrometry, was applied to study the dynamics of the PPARγ ligand binding domain (LBD) with or without molecules that modulate PPARγ activity. The H/D‐Ex patterns of ligand‐free PPARγ LBD show that the ligand binding pocket of LBD is significantly more dynamic than the rest of the LBD. Presumably, the binding pocket is intrinsically disordered in order to accommodate different ligands. The presence of two full agonists (rosiglitazone and GW1929), a partial agonist (nTZDpa), and a covalent antagonist (GW9662), changed the dynamics/conformation of PPARγ LBD and slowed the H/D exchange rate in various regions of the protein. The full agonists slowed the H/D exchange more globally and to a greater extent than the partial agonist or the antagonist, indicating that the full agonist stabilizes the PPARγ LBD more than the partial agonist or the antagonist. One interesting observation is that the two full agonists significantly stabilized helix 12 while the partial agonist and the antagonist did not perturb the H/D exchange of this region. The results showed that the change in protein dynamics induced by ligand binding may be an important factor for the activation of genes and that H/D‐Ex is a useful method for analyzing the biological activity of drug leads.
Atomic‐resolution crystal structure of Borrelia burgdorferi outer surface protein A via surface engineering
Authors: Makabe Koki , Tereshko Valentina , Gawlak Grzegorz , Yan Shude , Koide Shohei
Published: July 2006

Outer surface protein A (OspA) from Borrelia burgdorferi has an unusual dumbbell‐shaped structure in which two globular domains are connected with a “single‐layer” β‐sheet (SLB). The protein is highly soluble, and it has been recalcitrant to crystallization. Only OspA complexes with Fab fragments have been successfully crystallized. OspA contains a large number of Lys and Glu residues, and these “high entropy” residues may disfavor crystal packing because some of them would need to be immobilized in forming a crystal lattice. We rationally designed a total of 13 surface mutations in which Lys and Glu residues were replaced with Ala or Ser. We successfully crystallized the mutant OspA without a bound Fab fragment and extended structure analysis to a 1.15 Å resolution. The new high‐resolution structure revealed a unique backbone hydration pattern of the SLB segment in which water molecules fill the “weak spots” on both faces of the antiparallel β‐sheet. These well‐defined water molecules provide additional structural links between adjacent β‐strands, and thus they may be important for maintaining the rigidity of the SLB that inherently lacks tight packing afforded by a hydrophobic core. The structure also revealed new information on the side‐chain dynamics and on a solvent‐accessible cavity in the core of the C‐terminal globular domain. This work demonstrates the utility of extensive surface mutation in crystallizing recalcitrant proteins and dramatically improving the resolution of crystal structures, and provides new insights into the stabilization mechanism of OspA.
The use of near‐infrared spectroscopy in skin care applications
Authors: Kilpatrick‐Liverman LaTonya , Kazmi Perveen , Wolff Elizabeth , Polefka Thomas G.
Published: July 2006

Background: Near‐infrared (NIR) spectroscopy was used to document the skin water content as a function of product usage and changes in the % relative humidity (%RH) in vitro and in vivo. The objective of the investigation was to determine if the NIR could provide comparable skin water content information as that obtained using gravimetric, conductivity, or visual assessment methods without having to invoke complex chemometric calculations.

Methods: NIR data were obtained using an NIR5000 spectrophotometer with a fiber optic probe (Smartprobe™) attachment to complete the clinical studies and a Direct Contact™ Analyzer module to carry out the in vitro experiments. Conductivity measurements were completed using the Skicon® 200, which measures conductance at a fixed frequency of 3.5 MHz. Three moisturization‐based clinical studies were carried out assessing the NIR's ability to detect skin hydration changes. In Clinical Study A, NIR and Skicon data were collected for panelists who had only washed their outer calf with water over a 4‐week period. During this time, the daily average %RH was recorded. In Clinical Study B, 10% solutions of glycerin, choline chloride, and the sodium salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid were applied to the panelist's outer calf and biophysical measurements were completed to assess the hydration and desorption properties of these humectants. In Clinical Study C, a 10% solution of choline chloride was applied to panelist's outer calf and the cumulative effect of using this product was evaluated over a 3‐week period. For all in vitro studies, porcine skin was used as the substrate.

Results: Comparable NIR, Skicon, and visual dryness results were obtained for most of the product usage‐based clinical experiments completed. However, the NIR was particularly more effective at detecting skin water content differences as a function of %RH changes. In the absence of abrupt (>50%) relative humidity variations, there was a direct correlation between the NIR readings and the %RH (R2=0.83) unlike what was observed for the Skicon measurements (R2=0.22).

Conclusions: NIR spectroscopy demonstrated the changes in the skin water content as a function of product usage; the results were consistent with those obtained using the Skicon conductivity meter and visual dryness assessment scores. More importantly, the differences detected were obtained without having to use chemometric manipulations in the data analysis as is the common practice. Of all the methods used, the NIR gave the best linear regression for %RH‐induced skin water content changes.
Skin color of Koreans: statistical evaluation of affecting factors
Authors: Han Kihwan , Choi Taehyun , Son Daegu
Published: July 2006

Background: The L*a*b* three‐dimensional coordinate system is the most popular system used to measure skin color. The purpose of this study was to collect standard quantified data on Korean skin color using a chromameter CR‐300, and to investigate the relationships among skin color and the general and individual factors that affect it.

Methods: The 600 subjects used in this study were selected using a three‐stage proportionate stratified and quota sampling method. We examined the color of 12 body parts of each subject and calculated the E* value (total color difference between two objects). This study also analyzed factors that may affect skin color.

Results: The average L*a*b* values for the 12 body parts were 61.7462, 9.5618 and 17.0778, respectively. The site of lightest skin was the medial arm (L=63.9249), whereas the darkest was on the forehead (L=58.0044). Redness was highest on the cheek (a=11.8694) and lowest on the medial arm (a=8.1844). Skin color was lighter and more yellow in females than in males, whereas redness was higher in males. In the case of total color difference between two specific sites, the medial upper arm and forearm were the most similar (E=3.23), and the forehead and medial upper arm were the most different in color (E=7.99).

Conclusion: The factors that significantly (P<0.01) influenced L*L* were sex, work place and sunbathing, factors that influenced a* were sex, work place and smoking; and the factors that influenced b* were sunbathing and age.
Viscoelastic properties of acid‐ and alkaline‐treated human dermis: a correlation between total surface charge and elastic modulus
Authors: Seehra Gurinder P. , Silver Frederick H.
Published: July 2006

Background: One of the major mechanical functions of collagenous tissues is the storage, transmission and dissipation of elastic energy during mechanical deformation. In skin, mechanical energy is stored during loading and then is transmitted and dissipated, which protects skin from mechanical failure. Thus energy storage (elastic properties) and dissipation (viscous properties) are important characteristics of extracellular matrices.

Methods: A uniaxial incremental stress relaxation test method has been used to characterize the time‐dependent (viscous) and time‐independent (elastic) properties of human dermis. Viscoelasticity was investigated in processed human dermis that was equilibrated at pHs of 3.0, 7.4 and 11.0 in an effort to study the link between electrostatic interactions within the collagen matrix and macroscopic tissue properties.

Results: Our results show that the solution pH and the charge on collagen significantly affected the high‐strain elastic behavior of dermis; the elastic behavior of skin has previously been shown to be directly correlated with axial stretching of the collagen triple helix in crosslinked collagen fibrils. A positive linear correlation existed between the high‐strain elastic modulus and both pH (R2=0.96) and the total number of charged residues on collagen (R2=0.93). These results provide in vitro/ex vivo evidence that charged groups on the surface of collagen molecules in processed human skin influence the high‐strain elastic properties of dermis and are likely to be involved in elastic energy storage.

Conclusion: It is proposed that the pH and charged residue dependency of the elastic modulus suggests that charged pair interactions and repulsions within and between collagen molecules are involved in elastic energy storage during stretching at high strains. It is hypothesized that elastic energy storage is associated with the stretching of pairs of charged amino acid residues that are found primarily in the flexible regions of collagen molecules.
Butterfly species richness and abundance in the Katavi ecosystem of western Tanzania
Authors: Fitzherbert Emily , Gardner Toby , Davenport Tim R. B. , Caro Tim
Published: July 2006

We sampled butterflies in six different habitat types in and around Katavi National Park, a remote reserve consisting primarily of miombo woodland and seasonal lakes in western Tanzania. Blendon traps set for 531 trap days and 143 h of butterfly netting at 35 sites yielded 186 species from five families over a 4‐month period during the wet season. Eight of these species constituted possible range extensions. Butterfly abundance and species richness were low in cultivated habitats but high in open riverine habitats; many butterfly species were found only in seasonally flooded grassland. This study constitutes the first butterfly species inventory from this poorly‐known national park, shows that protection of dry season water sources provides an important conservation service for invertebrates as well as large mammals, and that increased cultivation outside miombo parks can reduce local butterfly diversity.
Assessing the educational achievements of adults who were formerly placed in family foster care
Authors: Pecora Peter J. , Williams Jason , Kessler Ronald C. , Hiripi Eva , O’Brien Kirk , Emerson John , Herrick Mary A. , Torres Dan
Published: July 2006

Case records and interviews concerning educational achievements of 1087 foster care alumni are presented. Youth were served by a voluntary agency in 23 communities across the USA between 1966 and 1998. Because the alumni were older than most foster care follow‐up studies, a more extensive picture of educational achievement was possible. High school graduation and college enrolment rates were comparable to or even greater than those of the general population, but the number of alumni completing high school with a Graduate Equivalency Diploma and the college dropout rates were a concern. Predictors of high school completion while in foster care, such as fewer placement changes, extracurricular activities and independent living training, are presented, along with recommendations for improving educational and vocational preparation.
Early outcomes for young adults transitioning from out‐of‐home care in the USA
Authors: Courtney Mark E. , Dworsky Amy
Published: July 2006

This paper describes the well‐being of participants in the Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth (n = 603), a study of youth leaving out‐of‐home care in the USA, at the point where they have been ‘young adults’ for about 1 year. Although some of these young adults are in stable situations and either moving forward with their education or employed in promising jobs, more of them are having significant difficulties during the early stages of the transition to adulthood. Too many are neither employed nor in school, have children that they are not able to parent, suffer from persistent mental illness or substance use disorders, find themselves without basic necessities, become homeless, or end up involved with the criminal justice system. They are doing worse than other young adults across a number of important dimensions. Most of these young adults continue to maintain relations with members of their family of origin, with many finding themselves living with family at age 19. Importantly, those young people who chose to remain under the care and supervision of the child welfare system experienced better outcomes than those who either chose to or were forced to leave care.
Total soil C and N sequestration in a grassland following 10 years of free air CO2 enrichment
Authors: VAN KESSEL CHRIS , BOOTS BAS , DE GRAAFF MARIE‐ANNE , HARRIS DAVID , BLUM HERBERT , SIX JOHAN
Published: July 2006

Soil C sequestration may mitigate rising levels of atmospheric CO2. However, it has yet to be determined whether net soil C sequestration occurs in N‐rich grasslands exposed to long‐term elevated CO2. This study examined whether N‐fertilized grasslands exposed to elevated CO2 sequestered additional C. For 10 years, Lolium perenne, Trifolium repens, and the mixture of L. perenne/T. repens grasslands were exposed to ambient and elevated CO2 concentrations (35 and 60 Pa pCO2). The applied CO2 was depleted in δ13C and the grasslands received low (140 kg ha−1) and high (560 kg ha−1) rates of 15N‐labeled fertilizer. Annually collected soil samples from the top 10 cm of the grassland soils allowed us to follow the sequestration of new C in the surface soil layer. For the first time, we were able to collect dual‐labeled soil samples to a depth of 75 cm after 10 years of elevated CO2 and determine the total amount of new soil C and N sequestered in the whole soil profile. Elevated CO2, N‐fertilization rate, and species had no significant effect on total soil C. On average 9.4 Mg new C ha−1 was sequestered, which corresponds to 26.5% of the total C. The mean residence time of the C present in the 0–10 cm soil depth was calculated at 4.6±1.5 and 3.1±1.1 years for L. perenne and T. repens soil, respectively. After 10 years, total soil N and C in the 0–75 cm soil depth was unaffected by CO2 concentration, N‐fertilization rate and plant species. The total amount of 15N‐fertilizer sequestered in the 0–75 cm soil depth was also unaffected by CO2 concentration, but significantly more 15N was sequestered in the L. perenne compared with the T. repens swards: 620 vs. 452 kg ha−1 at the high rate and 234 vs. 133 kg ha−1 at the low rate of N fertilization. Intermediate values of 15N recovery were found in the mixture. The fertilizer derived N amounted to 2.8% of total N for the low rate and increased to 8.6% for the high rate of N application. On average, 13.9% of the applied 15N‐fertilizer was recovered in the 0–75 cm soil depth in soil organic matter in the L. perenne sward, whereas 8.8% was recovered under the T. repens swards, indicating that the N2‐fixing T. repens system was less effective in sequestering applied N than the non‐N2‐fixing L. perenne system. Prolonged elevated CO2 did not lead to an increase in whole soil profile C and N in these fertilized pastures. The potential use of fertilized and regular cut pastures as a net soil C sink under long‐term elevated CO2 appears to be limited and will likely not significantly contribute to the mitigation of anthropogenic C emissions.