bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fructooligosaccharide consumption improves the decreased dentin formation and mandibular defects following gastrectomy in rats
Authors: Morohashi T , Sano T , Sakai N , Yamada S
Published: November 2005

Objective:  We examined the effects of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) consumption on gastrectomy‐evoked osteopenia and disorders of dentin formation in rats.

Materials and methods:  Male Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 28, 35‐day old) were equally divided into two groups; sham‐operated and gastrectomized, and sham‐operation or total gastrectomy was performed. Four weeks after each surgery, the rats were divided into two sub‐groups (n = 7 each); with or without 7.5% FOS‐feeding for 6 weeks. Backscattered electron images of the mandibular sections were taken to calculate trabecular bone area, cortical bone area and total scan area. Thereafter, the dentin formation rate in maxilla were calculated using a fluorescent microscope.

Results:  Trabecular bone area and cortical bone area in GX rats were markedly decreased. FOS‐feeding significantly counteracted this reduction, but not to the level seen in sham‐operated rats. Total scan area in gastrectomized groups was significantly decreased. The dentin formation rate was not statistically different among the groups, except the gastrectomized group.

Conclusion:  These results suggest that FOS consumption partially restored osteopenia and almost completely restored the reduction in dentin formation following gastrectomy in rats.
Intra‐oral carcinomas in Maiduguri, north‐eastern Nigeria
Authors: Otoh EC , Johnson NW , Olasoji HO , Danfillo IS , Adeleke OA
Published: November 2005

Objective:  To document the pattern of intra‐oral carcinomas diagnosed in north‐eastern Nigeria.

Design and setting:  A retrospective clinical and histopathological review seen in a tertiary care hospital (January 1987–December 2002).

Materials and methods:  Information on socio‐demographic characteristics of patients and details of cancer management were retrieved from the files and histopathology records of cases diagnosed at the hospital.

Results:  A total of 378 biopsies, 317 primary cancers including 279 carcinomas of the head and neck were diagnosed during the study period. Intra‐oral carcinomas constitute 43 (15.4%) of all head and neck carcinomas reported, with no occurrence in children. The overall mean age of occurrence was 51.2 ± 15.6 years (male = 56.2 ± 13.7 years; females = 47.5 ± 16.2 years) and an overall male–female ratio of 3:4.

Carcinomas were commonly reported in the palate 19 (44.2%) and lip six (13.9%) and floor of mouth four (9.3%). Squamous cell carcinoma 28 (65.1%), adenoidcystic carcinoma seven (16.3%) and mucoepidermoid carcinoma five (11.6%) were the commonly reported carcinomas.

Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common carcinoma in all sites, in the sixth decade of life, of equal gender distribution and commonly reported in users of kola nuts and tobacco.

The occupation of patients diagnosed with oral carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma was farming (50%, 61.5%). All the staged cancers patients (n = 7) reported in the late stages (III/IV) of the disease.

The mean interval between symptoms and presentation for the different carcinomas ranged between 9 and 25 months, with the least interval reported for mucoepidermoid carcinoma.

Conclusions:  Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common oral carcinoma, commonly reported in the palate, among farmers and in the sixth decade of life. Its occurrence in under 40 year olds is three to six times greater than reported for the USA and Europe and may be associated with poor diet and the habitual use of kola nuts and tobacco.

The survival rates of patients diagnosed with intra‐oral carcinomas, although not available, would be expectedly low in view of the prognostic indicators recorded in this series. The routine oral cancer screening of each patient, and counselling of patients with high‐risk habits, by dentists is recommended to improve the prognosis of the disease.
Salivary gland neoplasms in Maiduguri, north‐eastern Nigeria
Authors: Otoh EC , Johnson NW , Olasoji H , Danfillo IS , Adeleke OA
Published: November 2005

Objective:  To document the pattern of salivary gland neoplasia in Maiduguri, Nigeria.

Design and setting:  A retrospective clinical and histopathological review (January 1987–December 2002) of cases diagnosed at a tertiary care hospital.

Materials and methods:  Information on demographics, diagnosis and cancer management in the hospital were retrieved from biopsy reports and case notes of patients.

Results:  The palatal (71.9%) and parotid (78.3%) glands were the most common minor and major salivary glands involved, with a benign–malignant ratio of 1:1 and 1.4:1, respectively. Pleomorphic adenoma (44.3%) was the most common salivary gland neoplasm recorded. It was commonly reported in the third decade (mean 30.4 years) and among males (M:F, 1.4:1). Ectopic lesions (17.1%) were reported in the neck, nose and cervical nodes. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (10.1%) was the most common salivary gland malignancy, occurring in the second and sixth decades; of equal gender distribution and predominantly in the palate (50%). The squamous cell carcinoma (10.9%) and adenoidcystic carcinoma (21.9%) were the most common malignancies in the major and minor glands respectively. There was a higher prevalence of malignancies of the parotid than previously reported for northern Nigeria (P = 0.036).

Conclusion:  Pleomorphic adenoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma were the most commonly reported benign and malignant neoplasia in this series. The prevalence of mucoepidermoid carcinoma contrasts with reported findings in other African studies.
Number V Oral lichen planus: clinical features and management
Authors: Eisen D , Carrozzo M , Bagan Sebastian J‐V , Thongprasom K
Published: November 2005

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a relatively common chronic inflammatory disorder affecting stratified squamous epithelia. Whereas in the majority of instances, cutaneous lesions of lichen planus (LP) are self‐limiting and cause itching, oral lesions in OLP are chronic, rarely undergo spontaneous remission, are potentially premalignant and are often a source of morbidity. Current data suggest that OLP is a T cell‐mediated autoimmune disease in which auto‐cytotoxic CD8+ T cells trigger apoptosis of oral epithelial cells.

The characteristic clinical aspects of OLP may be sufficient to make a correct diagnosis if there are classic skin lesions present. An oral biopsy with histopathologic study is recommended to confirm the clinical diagnosis and mainly to exclude dysplasia and malignancy.

The most commonly employed and useful agents for the treatment of lichen planus (LP) are topical corticosteroids but other newer agents are available.
Impact on patients triage distribution utilizing the Australasian Triage Scale compared with its predecessor the National Triage Scale
Authors: Yousif Khalid , Bebbington Jane , Foley Bernard
Published: November 2005

Objective  To assess the impact of the change from the National Triage Scale (NTS) to the Australasian Triage Scale (ATS) within a hospital ED.

Methods  A retrospective audit of consecutive adult patients attending the ED of Auckland Hospital from July to September 2001, during which patients were triaged according to the NTS, were compared with patients triaged according to the ATS during July to September 2002.

Results  In total, 8715 patients attended the department during July to September 2001 compared with 9047 patients during July to September 2002. There was a significant shift in the triage ratios with patient number increases of 28 and 24% in triage categories two and three, respectively, and decreases of 15 and 67% in categories four and five, respectively.

Conclusions  The revision of the ATS has had a significant impact on the triage distribution of patients who present to ED. The change of distribution might have implications for meeting performance criteria and assessing casemix.
Prehospital intubation and chest decompression is associated with unexpected survival in major thoracic blunt trauma
Authors: Bushby Nathan , Fitzgerald Mark , Cameron Peter , Marasco Silvana , Bystrzycki Adam , Rosenfeld Jeffrey V , Bailey Michael
Published: November 2005

Objective:  Application of the Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) to a trauma population identifies patients with ‘unexpected survival’. This study used TRISS analysis to identify ‘unexpected survivors’ suffering major thoracic trauma, who survived to hospital discharge. Further analysis determined prehospital interventions that appeared to contribute to ‘unexpected survival’.

Methods:  The present study was a single‐centre, retrospective case review with comparative statistical analysis. Patients were identified from the Alfred Trauma Registry between 1 July 2002 and 30 June 2003.

Results:  There were 336 adult trauma patients treated at The Alfred Trauma Centre with an Injury Severity Score >15 (major trauma) and at least one thoracic Anatomical Injury Score of 3 (severe) or greater. Of the eligible patients, 322/336 (95.8%, 95%[confidence interval] CI 95.1–96.5%) had complete data available for analysis. The study population mortality was 42/322 (13.0%, 95% CI 12.3–13.7%). There were 20 ‘unexpected survivors’ (5.9%) and 5 (1.5%) ‘unexpected deaths’ on TRISS analysis. Chest decompression and/or endotracheal intubation prehospital was performed on 16/20 ‘unexpected survivors’. GCS for ‘unexpected survivors’ and ‘expected deaths’ (3.8 vs 3.5, P = 0.27) was not a predictor of survival. Respiratory rate per minute (16.2 vs 8.8, P = 0.01) and systolic blood pressure – mmHg (98 vs 80, P = 0.03) were significantly greater in the ‘unexpected survivors’ group compared with the ‘expected death’ group.

Conclusion:  For patients sustaining severe thoracic blunt trauma, prehospital intubation and chest decompression appear to be associated with unexpected survival. A low GCS at scene is not predictive of ‘unexpected survival’ or ‘expected death’.
Self‐reported antibiotic compliance: Emergency department to general practitioner follow up
Authors: Dinh Michael M , Chu Matthew , Zhang Kai
Published: November 2005

Background:  General practitioner (GP) follow up is important in the management of patients who are discharged from an ED.

Objectives:  To determine the antibiotic compliance and GP follow‐up compliance rates in a population of patients seen and discharged from the ED with an antibiotic prescription. To test the hypothesis that the ability to nominate a GP is associated with improved antibiotic and GP follow‐up compliance.

Design:  A prospective cohort study enrolling consecutive adults who were discharged from the ED with antibiotic prescriptions over a 3 month period. Patients were divided into those who nominated a GP at the time of ED presentation and those who did not. Two weeks after enrolment, patients were contacted and asked standardized questions regarding compliance.

Results:  In total, 123 patients were enrolled into the study. Of patients 76% were able to nominate a GP upon ED presentation. Analysis revealed that those patients who were able to nominate a GP had better compliance to follow up instructions (85 vs 44%, P < 0.01) and improved antibiotic compliance (99 vs 88%, P = 0.01).

Conclusion:  The majority of patients who were seen and discharged from the ED with an antibiotic prescription were able to nominate a GP and this was associated with improved follow‐up compliance and antibiotic compliance. Improving follow‐up compliance and thus the quality of patient care would involve identifying those patients who present to the ED who are unable to nominate a GP.
Difference in trauma team activation criteria between hospitals within the same region
Authors: Smith Jason , Caldwell Erica , Sugrue Michael
Published: November 2005

Objectives:  The present study was conducted to establish the current criteria for trauma team activation (TTA) in hospitals in the Metropolitan Sydney area, and examine the rationale behind their use.

Methods:  A cross‐sectional survey was undertaken of the seven hospitals in the Metropolitan Sydney area designated to receive adult major trauma in March 2004. Trauma coordinators in each hospital provided the criteria used for adult TTA within their hospital.

Results:  All seven hospitals replied with their TTA criteria and completed the survey. The results show a wide variation in those criteria used by hospitals to activate their trauma team. Universally used criteria included penetrating injury to the head, neck or torso, limb amputation, spinal cord injury and systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg. Physiological limits for TTA varied between hospitals, with different limits for pulse rate and GCS used in different hospitals. All hospitals used mechanism of injury criteria alone as an activation prompt.

Conclusions:  The criteria for TTA differ between hospitals within the same region. The criteria currently used will result in over‐triage of trauma patients, but this might be of benefit in training the trauma team in centres that do not see a large volume of trauma patients. There are several advantages in standardization of criteria including optimization of patient care, training, research and audit. Further work is needed to validate existing criteria for use throughout the region.
Use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors in unstable angina and non‐ST‐elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Crosbie Deanne J
Published: November 2005

Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Western society. The commonest underlying pathology is the coronary atherosclerotic plaque complicated by thrombosis. Platelets play a central role. As the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor is involved in the final step of platelet thrombus formation development and investigation of its blockage in ACS is at the fore. Initial hospital management of ACS occur in the ED setting. The present article outlines the above topics and clarifies the place of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibition in ED.
Use of Rapid Genomic Deletion Typing To Monitor a Tuberculosis Outbreak within an Urban Homeless Population
Authors: Freeman Robert , Kato-Maeda Midori , Hauge Kirsten A. , Horan Kathleen L. , Oren Eyal , Narita Masahiro , Wallis Carolyn K. , Cave Don , Nolan Charles M. , Small Peter M. , Cangelosi Gerard A.
Published: November 2005

Beginning in mid-2002, a large tuberculosis outbreak occurred among homeless persons in King County, Washington. In order to further monitor the outbreak following its peak in 2003,
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
isolates from all new King County tuberculosis (TB) patients in 2004 and the first half of 2005 (
n
= 220) were genotyped by using a rapid comparative genomics-based (genomic deletion-typing) approach, with confirmation by mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units and repetitive-sequence-based PCR (rep-PCR). Results were compared to retrospective genotypic data from 1995 to 2003. The outbreak strain SBRI9, which was not seen among King County homeless persons prior to 2002, accounted for 16 out of 30 TB cases (53%) within this population in 2002. This trend continued with 27 out of 35 cases (77%) caused by the outbreak strain in 2003, 11 out of 13 cases (85%) caused by the outbreak strain in 2004, and 4 out of 10 cases (40%) caused by the outbreak strain in the first 5 months of 2005. Thus, the outbreak strain remained well established within this homeless population throughout the study period. At least four SBRI9 cases were in people who had previously been infected by other strains. The novel PCR-based strain-typing approach used in this investigation proved to be cost-effective and very rapid. In most cases, it was possible to analyze DNA extracted directly from primary isolation (
Mycobacterium
growth indicator tube) cultures submitted by clinical laboratories, a feature that markedly reduced the delay between diagnosis and strain typing results. This rapid turnaround facilitated public health efforts to prevent new outbreaks involving this strain.
Analytical Verification of a PCR Assay for Identification of
Bordetella avium
Authors: Register Karen B. , Yersin Andrew G.
Published: November 2005

Bordetella avium
is the etiologic agent of turkey coryza or bordetellosis, a respiratory disease responsible for substantial economic losses to the turkey industry. At present, identification of this bacterium relies on isolation and biochemical testing. Although a PCR for the detection of
B. avium
was proposed a number of years ago (P. H. Savelkoul, L. E. de Groot, C. Boersma, I. Livey, C. J. Duggleby, B. A. van der Zeijst, and W. Gaastra, Microb. Pathog. 15:207-215, 1993), lack of analytical verification precludes its use as a diagnostic tool. Furthermore, a number of details pertaining to the reaction conditions used are missing or unclear. In the present study we have identified an optimal set of PCR conditions for use with the previously described primer pair and determined the limit of detection under these conditions to be approximately 20 pg. Assay sensitivity is 100%, based on an analysis of 72
B. avium
isolates from diverse geographic locations and covering a time span of at least 25 years. Evaluation of a separate group of 87 bacterial isolates from poultry, comprising both gram-positive and gram-negative commensals and pathogens representing 11 genera, demonstrated an assay specificity of 98.8%. Reproducibility is 100% using either purified genomic DNA or boiled cell lysates less than 3 days old. Sequence analysis of the
B. avium
PCR amplicons identified only three occasional sequence polymorphisms. These data indicate the
B. avium
PCR assay can provide clinically significant results.
Direct Detection and Identification ofMycobacterium tuberculosisandMycobacterium bovisin Bovine Samples by a Novel Nested PCR Assay: Correlation with Conventional Techniques
Authors: Mishra A. , Singhal A. , Chauhan D. S. , Katoch V. M. , Srivastava K. , Thakral S. S. , Bharadwaj S. S. , Sreenivas V. , Prasad H. K.
Published: November 2005

Mycobacterium tuberculosisandM. bovisinfect animals and humans. Their epidemiologies in developed and developing countries differ, owing to differences in the implementation of preventive measures (World Health Organization, 1999). Identification and differentiation of these closely related mycobacterial species would help to determine the source, reservoirs of infection, and disease burden due to diverse mycobacterial pathogens. The utility of thehupBgene (Rv2986c inM. tuberculosis, orMb3010cinM. bovis) to differentiateM. tuberculosisandM. boviswas evaluated by a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assay with 56 characterized bovine isolates (S. Prabhakar et al., J. Clin. Microbiol.42:2724-2732, 2004). The degree of concordance between the PCR-RFLP assay and the microbiological characterization was 99.0% (P< 0.001). A nested PCR (N-PCR) assay was developed, replacing the PCR-RFLP assay for direct detection ofM. tuberculosisandM. bovisin bovine samples. The N-PCR products ofM. tuberculosisandM. boviscorresponded to 116 and 89 bp, respectively. The detection limit of mycobacterial DNA by N-PCR was 50 fg, equivalent to five tubercle bacilli.M. tuberculosisand/orM. boviswas detected in 55.5% (105/189) of the samples by N-PCR, compared to 9.4% (18/189) by culture. The sensitivities of N-PCR and culture were 97.3 and 29.7, respectively, and their specificities were 22.2 and 77.7%, respectively. The percentages of animals or samples identified as infected withM. tuberculosisorM. bovisby N-PCR and culture reflected the clinical categorizations of the cattle (Pof <0.05 to <0.01). Mixed infection by N-PCR was detected in 22 animals, whereas by culture mixed infection was detected in 1 animal.
Sensitive Phenotypic Detection of Minor Drug-Resistant Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Reverse Transcriptase Variants
Authors: Nissley Dwight V. , Halvas Elias K. , Hoppman Nicole L. , Garfinkel David J. , Mellors John W. , Strathern Jeffrey N.
Published: November 2005

Detection of drug-resistant variants is important for the clinical management of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection and for studies on the evolution of drug resistance. Here we show that hybrid elements composed of the
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
retrotransposon Ty1 and the reverse transcriptase (RT) of HIV-1 are useful tools for detecting, monitoring, and isolating drug-resistant reverse transcriptases. This sensitive phenotypic assay is able to detect nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-resistant RT domains derived from mixtures of infectious molecular clones of HIV-1 in plasma and from clinical samples when the variants comprise as little as 0.3 to 1% of the virus population. Our assay can characterize the activities and drug susceptibilities of both known and novel reverse transcriptase variants and should prove useful in studies of the evolution and clinical significance of minor drug-resistant viral variants.
Campylobacter coliin Swine Production: Antimicrobial Resistance Mechanisms and Molecular Epidemiology
Authors: Thakur Siddhartha , Gebreyes Wondwossen A.
Published: November 2005

The aim of this study was to determine antimicrobial resistance, to evaluate and compare the use of two genotyping methods for molecular epidemiology purposes, and to determine the genotypic diversity ofCampylobacter coliof porcine origin. A total of 100C. coliisolates from swine were tested for susceptibility to six antimicrobials using the agar dilution method and genotyped using two high-resolution fingerprinting approaches: multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Evaluation of the methods was based on their resistance patterns, discriminatory indexes (DI), high test throughputs, costs, and turnaround times. Resistance to erythromycin and tetracycline was the most common. Both genotypic methods were found to have high discriminatory power, although MLST had a higher DI (0.936) than PFGE (DI = 0.889). It also had a higher throughput than PFGE. Isolates were clustered into 27 groups by MLST compared to 11 by PFGE. MLST was able to further discriminate the isolates grouped under the same cluster by PFGE. Out of the 65 MLST sequence types (STs) identified among the total isolates, 50 were reported for the first time. Most STs were found to be specific to the farm (n= 38) and to slaughter (n= 22). Resistance against tetracycline and erythromycin was encoded by thetet(O) gene and a A2075G point mutation in the 23S rRNA gene, respectively. A high ciprofloxacin MIC (>64 μg/liter) was conferred by a point mutation in thegyrAgene. The weak clonal structure of theC. colipopulation among swine was further highlighted by the index of association value of 0.293. The findings of this study indicate that multidrug-resistant diverseC. colistrains exhibiting resistance to ciprofloxacin and erythromycin are concerning, since these are the drugs of choice for treating invasive campylobacteriosis cases in humans.
Defining the Normal Bacterial Flora of the Oral Cavity
Authors: Aas Jørn A. , Paster Bruce J. , Stokes Lauren N. , Olsen Ingar , Dewhirst Floyd E.
Published: November 2005

More than 700 bacterial species or phylotypes, of which over 50% have not been cultivated, have been detected in the oral cavity. Our purposes were (i) to utilize culture-independent molecular techniques to extend our knowledge on the breadth of bacterial diversity in the healthy human oral cavity, including not-yet-cultivated bacteria species, and (ii) to determine the site and subject specificity of bacterial colonization. Nine sites from five clinically healthy subjects were analyzed. Sites included tongue dorsum, lateral sides of tongue, buccal epithelium, hard palate, soft palate, supragingival plaque of tooth surfaces, subgingival plaque, maxillary anterior vestibule, and tonsils. 16S rRNA genes from sample DNA were amplified, cloned, and transformed into
Escherichia coli
. Sequences of 16S rRNA genes were used to determine species identity or closest relatives. In 2,589 clones, 141 predominant species were detected, of which over 60% have not been cultivated. Thirteen new phylotypes were identified. Species common to all sites belonged to the genera
Gemella
,
Granulicatella
,
Streptococcus
, and
Veillonella
. While some species were subject specific and detected in most sites, other species were site specific. Most sites possessed 20 to 30 different predominant species, and the number of predominant species from all nine sites per individual ranged from 34 to 72. Species typically associated with periodontitis and caries were not detected. There is a distinctive predominant bacterial flora of the healthy oral cavity that is highly diverse and site and subject specific. It is important to fully define the human microflora of the healthy oral cavity before we can understand the role of bacteria in oral disease.
New Quinolone Resistance Phenomenon in
Salmonella enterica
: Nalidixic Acid-Susceptible Isolates with Reduced Fluoroquinolone Susceptibility
Authors: Hakanen Antti J. , Lindgren Marianne , Huovinen Pentti , Jalava Jari , Siitonen Anja , Kotilainen Pirkko
Published: November 2005

We describe the emergence of a new quinolone resistance pattern in
Salmonella enterica
isolates from Southeast Asia. These isolates are susceptible to nalidixic acid but exhibit reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin. The increase of such strains may threaten the value of the nalidixic acid disk test to screen for reduced fluoroquinolone susceptibility in salmonellas.
Detection of a
bla
SHV
Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase in
Salmonella enterica
Serovar Newport MDR-AmpC
Authors: Rankin Shelley C. , Whichard Jean M. , Joyce Kevin , Stephens Lynn , O'Shea Kathleen , Aceto Helen , Munro Donald S. , Benson Charles E.
Published: November 2005

Salmonella enterica
serovar Newport MDR-AmpC expressing TEM-1b and extended-spectrum β-lactamase SHV-12 was isolated from affected animals during an outbreak of salmonellosis that led to a 3-month closure of one of the largest equine hospitals in the United States.
Increased Rate of DNA Recovery from United Kingdom Epidemic
Clostridium difficile
PCR Ribotype 1 Strains Stored Cryogenically
Authors: Asha N. J. , Fawley W. N. , Freeman J. , Wilcox M. H.
Published: November 2005

We noted that some
Clostridium difficile
isolates are nonrecoverable after frozen storage and so used molecular typing analysis to characterize DNA from these strains. The recovery rate of
C. difficile
PCR ribotype 1 was statistically significantly greater than that of other strains. This observation has implications for
C. difficile
epidemiological studies.
Evaluation of a Fully Automated System (RAISUS) for Rapid Identification and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing of Staphylococci
Authors: Kanemitsu K. , Kunishima H. , Hatta M. , Inden K. , Saga T. , Ouchi H. , Ishizawa K. , Harigae H. , Takemura H. , Kaku M.
Published: November 2005

RAISUS is a system for rapid bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. RAISUS and VITEK showed 97.8% and 75.9% agreement in identification of 45
Staphylococcus aureus
strains and 58 coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), respectively, and RAISUS and CLSI (formerly NCCLS) methods showed 87.2% and 87.9% agreement in the MICs for
S. aureus
and CoNS, respectively. RAISUS provided these data within 3.75 h, suggesting its utility for clinical bacteriological laboratories.
REFLECTIONS ON THE CONCEPTION, BIRTH, AND CHILDHOOD OF NUMERICAL WEATHER PREDICTION
Authors: Lorenz Edward N.
Published: November 2005

In recognition of the contributions of Norman Phillips and Joseph Smagorinsky to the field of numerical weather prediction (NWP), a symposium was held in 2003; this account is an amplification of a talk presented there. Ideas anticipating the advent of NWP, the first technically successful numerical weather forcast, and the subsequent progression of NWP to a mature discipline are described, with special emphasis on the work of Phillips and Smagorinsky and their mentor Jule Charney.
STRESS TRANSMISSION IN THE LUNG: Pathways from Organ to Molecule
Authors: Fredberg Jeffrey J. , Kamm Roger D.
Published: November 2005

▪ Abstract  Gas exchange, the primary function of the lung, can come about only with the application of physical forces on the macroscale and their transmission to the scale of small airway, small blood vessel, and alveolus, where they serve to distend and stabilize structures that would otherwise collapse. The pathway for force transmission then continues down to the level of cell, nucleus, and molecule; moreover, to lesser or greater degrees most cell types that are resident in the lung have the ability to generate contractile forces. At these smallest scales, physical forces serve to distend the cytoskeleton, drive cytoskeletal remodeling, expose cryptic binding domains, and ultimately modulate reaction rates and gene expression. Importantly, evidence has now accumulated suggesting that multiscale phenomena span these scales and govern integrative lung behavior.
Combination of Enoxaparin and Fibroblast Growth Factor-1 Increases Myocardial Blood Flow and Capillary Density after Myocardial Infarction in Rabbits
Authors: Geist Andrea , Marx Jana , Müller Silke , Uzan A. , von Specht B.-U. , Haberstroh J.
Published: November 2005

Objective: The effect of enoxaparin and fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) on post-infarction capillary density and regional myocardial blood flow (RMBF) was examined. Methods: New Zealand White rabbits received an intramyocardial injection of either physiological saline, FGF-1 + enoxaparin, FGF-1 or enoxaparin directly after ligation of the left anterior descending artery. RMBF and capillary density were investigated using fluorescent microspheres and histological examination. Results: One week after infarction a significant difference in the number of capillaries could be demonstrated within the FGF-1 + enoxaparin group (p < 0.001 versus the control group), the FGF-1 group (p < 0.01) and the enoxaparin group (p < 0.05). Treatment with FGF-1 + enoxaparin resulted in a significantly increased number of capillaries compared to treatment with FGF-1 (p < 0.05) and enoxaparin (p < 0.05) alone. Additionally, all groups treated with FGF-1 and/or enoxaparin showed a significant increase of microvessel density in the treated ischemic border zone compared to the non-treated ischemic border zone (p < 0.001 for FGF-1 + enoxaparin, p < 0.01 for FGF-1, p < 0.05 for enoxaparin). RMBF was significantly increased within the FGF-1 + enoxaparin group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Moreover, perfusion rates within the FGF-1 + enoxaparin-treated area did not significantly differ from the pre-infarction values. Conclusion: Treatment with either enoxaparin or FGF-1 or FGF-1 + enoxaparin resulted in increased microvessel growth. However, only the combination of enoxaparin with FGF-1 promotes capillary growth and RMBF. Thus, we conclude that enoxaparin enhances the angiogenic potential of intramyocardially injected FGF-1 in the acutely infarcted rabbit heart.
Coincidence of Connective Tissue Growth Factor Expression with Fibrosis and Angiogenesis in Postoperative Peritoneal Adhesion Formation
Authors: Thaler K. , Mack Judith A. , Berho Mariana , Grotendorst G. , Wexner S.D. , Abramson Susan R.
Published: November 2005

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and fibrosis and angiogenesis in postoperative peritoneal adhesion formation. Methods: Adhesions were performed in 35 rats by creation of a peritoneal patch. Animals were sacrificed at 7 different time-points over 3 weeks. Adhesions and uninjured peritoneum from all animals were assessed by Northern blotting for CTGF and collagen-I mRNA and by immunohistochemistry for CTGF localization, degree of fibrosis and angiogenesis. Results: Persistent adhesions formed in all animals. CTGF and collagen-I mRNA were increased in adhesions compared to uninjured peritoneum (p < 0.05 for both). The temporal expression pattern depicted delayed peak levels of collagen-I mRNA with increasing tendency for both transcripts at the end of the observation period. Fibrosis within adhesions correlated positively with time after surgery (r = 0.85; p < 0.001) and showed typical signs of chronic tissue fibrosis at later time points. Angiogenesis was detected in adhesions but not in uninjured peritoneum (p = 0.001) and coincided with the spatial and temporal expression of CTGF protein in fibroblasts and vascular endothelial cells. Conclusions: The co-expression of CTGF with increasing fibrosis and angiogenesis in postoperative peritoneal adhesions suggests a role for CTGF as critical molecule in fibrous adhesive disease and target for future adhesion prevention.
Testicular-Epididymal Hemodynamics and Inguinal Hernia
Authors: Muñoz Sánchez M.J. , Muñoz Fernández Laura , Prados Olleta N. , Vara Thorbeck R.
Published: November 2005

Testicular-epididymal hemodynamics is studied by ultrasonographic color velocity imaging (CVI) in patients with primary, uncomplicated inguinal hernias. This procedure allows more precision than any other known Doppler system in measuring hemodynamic parameters such as peak systolic and diastolic velocity, resistance index and pulsatility index. The results of the exploration of 480 arteries of various testicular vascular territories are compared with those obtained by other authors in young healthy individuals using color Doppler. This procedure shows that the hernia does not cause significant alterations in the arterial circulation of the testicle and epididymis.
Isolation of Bacteriophages from Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii and the Characterization of Pap31 Gene Sequences from Bacterial and Phage DNA
Authors: Maggi Ricardo G. , Breitschwerdt Edward B.
Published: November 2005

Bacteriophages enhance bacterial survival, facilitate bacterial adaptation to new environmental conditions, assist in the adaptation to a new host species, and enhance bacterial evasion or inactivation of host defense mechanisms. We describe the detection and purification of a novel tailed bacteriophage from Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii, which was previously described as a bacteriophage-negative species. We also compare B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffi Pap31 bacteriophage gene sequences to B. henselae (Houston I), and B. quintana (Fuller) bacteriophage Pap31 sequences. Negative staining electron microscopy of log phase culturesof B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii identifiedbacteriophages, possessing a 50-nm icosahedric head diameter and a 60- to 80-nm contractile tail. Sequence analysis of the bacteriophage Pap31 gene from B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii showed three consensus sequences and a 12-bp insertion when compared with Pap31 gene sequences from B. henselae (Houston I) and B. quintana (Fuller) bacteriophages. Isolation of B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii bacteriophages containing a Pap31 gene suggests that this heme-binding protein gene might play an important role in bacterial virulence through the genetic exchange of DNA within this subspecies. Defining phage-associated genes may also contribute to the enhanced understanding of the evolutionary relationships among members of the genus Bartonella.
Low Oxygen Tension Enhances Chondroinduction by Demineralized Bone Matrix in Human Dermal Fibroblasts in vitro
Authors: Mizuno Shuichi , Glowacki Julie
Published: November 2005

Endochondral bone formation is induced by demineralized bone powder (DBP) when DBP is implanted subcutaneously in rodents. Previously, we developed an in vitro model of this process, wherein human dermal fibroblasts (hDFs) differentiate to chondrocytes when cultured in a three-dimensional porous collagen sponge containing DBP. In other studies, medium perfusion was beneficial in maintaining phenotype and viability of many cell types in plain porous collagen sponges, including fibroblasts, bone marrow stromal cells, osteoblasts, and epidermal cells. In contrast, medium perfusion inhibited chondrogenesis by articular chondrocytes; reduction of oxygen tension to 5%, however, restored chondrogenesis. These observations are consistent with the fact that in vivo cartilage is avascular and relatively hypoxic compared with other vascularized tissues. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that low oxygen tension (hypoxia, 5% oxygen) would enhance induced chondrogenesis in hDFs cultured with DBP. As expected, hypoxia upregulated hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in hDFs in all conditions (i.e. ± perfusion, ± DBP). Hypoxia increased accumulation of cartilage-specific matrix chondroitin 4-sulfate in hDFs, but only in the presence of DBP (165%, compared to normoxia, p < 0.05). Hypoxia did not appear to have detrimental effects on cell viability and proliferation. In sum, hypoxia enhanced cartilage matrix accumulation by hDFs cultured with DBP. These defined conditions can optimize the use of dermal fibroblasts for cartilage tissue engineering.
Vectorial Secretion of Perivitelline Membrane Glycoprotein ZPC of Japanese Quail  (Coturnix japonica) in Polarized Madin-Darby Canine Kidney Cells
Authors: Sasanami Tomohiro , Matsushima Kayoko , Ohtsuki Mamoru , Kansaku Norio , Hiyama Gen , Mori Makoto
Published: November 2005

The avian perivitelline membrane (PL), which is an investment homologous to the mammalian zona pellucida, is found between the surface of the oocyte and the apical surface of ovarian granulosa cells. Our previous study demonstrated that ZPC, one of the components of PL, is synthesized in ovarian granulosa cells. However, how the secretion of ZPC is regulated in the cells has been insufficiently investigated. We studied the secretion of quail ZPC expressed in polarized Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells in a dual-chamber apparatus. Western blot analyses of the conditioned medium demonstrated that the majority of the secreted ZPC were distributed in the apical compartment. When ZPC lacking N-linked oligosaccharides was transfected into the cells, the 31-kDa immunoreactive band was detected in both the apical and the basolateral medium. Interestingly, immunohistochemical observations of the follicular wall demonstrated that the predominant intracellular form of ZPC in the cells localized in the apical side of the perinuclear region apposed to the PL, but not the basolateral side, indicating the possibility that ZPC could be selectively transported toward the apical surface in vivo. Taken together, these results indicated that ZPC expressed in MDCK cells are selectively released to the apical compartment, and that the N-linked carbohydrates might possess information that causes the efficient transport of ZPC to the apical surface of the cells.
Constitutive Coexpression of Nitric Oxide Synthase-1 and Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase in Myoepithelial Cells of Mammary Glands in Mice
Authors: Wöckel Achim , Baum Oliver , Planitzer Gerit , Rothen-Rutishauser Barbara , Gossrau Reinhart , Abou-Dakn Michael
Published: November 2005

An impact of nitric oxide (NO) on lactation and milk secretion in mammary glands has previously been documented, but the underlying molecular mechanisms for this modulatory effect remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated the expression patterns of NO synthase (NOS)-1, NOS-3 and the NO receptor soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) in mammary glands of lactating and non-lactating female C57/Bl6 mice. RT-PCR demonstrated the existence of NOS-1-mRNA and NOS-3-mRNA in both lactating and resting mammary tissue. Immunoblots loaded with equal amounts of homogenate proteins from lactating and resting mammary tissues revealed comparable intensities of NOS-1 and sGC bands. Performing catalytic NADPH diaphorase histochemistry and immunohistochemistry, NOS-1 was only detected in myoepithelial cells (MEC), while sGC was localized in alveolar epithelial cells (lactocytes) and MEC in both lactating and non-lactating mammary glands. The non-modulated co-expression of both enzymes suggests that NOS-1 and sGC contribute to the constitutive regulation of tone in MEC.
The Significance of Minimal Residual Disease in Stem Cell Grafts and the Role of Purging: Is It Better to Purge in vivo or in vitro?
Authors: Melillo Lorella , Cascavilla Nicola , Lerma Enrica , Corsetti Maria Teresa , Carella Angelo Michele
Published: November 2005

Contamination of autologous graft by tumor, in addition to incomplete tumor eradication, can partly explain why relapse remains the commonest cause of treatment failure after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in patients with malignant hematologic disorders. Monitoring of minimal residual disease (MRD) is now recognized as an important diagnostic tool for assessment either of the response to treatments aimed at maximal cytoreduction and the individual risk of relapse. In order to improve cure rates, many strategies to achieve in vivo or in vitro reduction, if not eradication, of residual disease have been proposed. We discuss the significance of MRD and the role of purging in the ASCT setting, focusing on acute myeloid leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, multiple myeloma and follicular lymphoma.
Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Autoimmune Diseases
Authors: Tyndall Alan , Daikeler Thomas
Published: November 2005

Ten years have passed since the first published consensus statement on the use of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in the treatment of severe autoimmune disease (AD) appeared. During that time, around 700 patients suffering from severe AD have undergone HSCT in the frame of phase I/II clinical trials from over 20 countries including the US. The majority have received an autologous HSCT using one of a limited number of regimens, consistent with the original consensus statement. Long-term drug-free remissions, remission then relapse, no response and treatment-related mortality (TRM) were seen in all the subgroups of AD. An overall TRM of 7% was observed, with marked variation between ADs, i.e. 11% in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and only 1 patient in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Phase III prospective, comparative randomized trials are running or being planned in multiple sclerosis (MS), systemic sclerosis (SSc), SLE and RA. Basic science programs are also being undertaken to study the immunological mechanisms underlying the clinical events observed.
High-Dose Therapy for Breast Cancer – A Case of Suspended Animation
Authors: Zander Axel R. , Kröger Nicolaus
Published: November 2005

The role of high-dose chemotherapy in breast cancer is still controversial despite 20 years of clinical studies. Several nonrandomized studies had demonstrated improvement for patients with primary breast cancer. This led to the premature acceptance of high-dose therapy as a new standard of care for patients with high-risk breast cancer. There followed a phase of disillusionment after some of the randomized studies did not show any significant benefit and after a case of scientific misconduct. High-dose chemotherapy studies in breast cancer have been unpopular for the last 5 years. There is new evidence that warrants a new critical look. Fourteen randomized studies with a total of 5,592 patients have been carried out in patients with high-risk breast cancer on adjuvant therapy. Some of them showed significant improvement; others are coming to maturation now. In all randomized studies high-dose therapy in metastatic breast cancer leads to an equivalent or better disease-free survival, but because of their low power, none of these studies achieved an improvement in overall survival. It is thus necessary to perform a meta-analysis of all these studies to acquire insight into the choice of high-dose regimens. It is further necessary to look at the biology of breast cancer in the context of high-dose chemotherapy studies.
Clinical Features of Chronic Pancreatitis in Korea: A Multicenter Nationwide Study
Authors: Ryu Ji Kon , Lee Jun Kyu , Kim Yong-Tae , Lee Dong Ki , Seo Dong Wan , Lee Kyu Taek , Kim Ho Gak , Kim Jae Seon , Lee Hong Sik , Kim Tae Nyeun , Rho Myung Hwan , Moon Jong Ho , Lee Jin , Choi Ho-Soon , Lee Woo Jin , Yoo Byung Moo , Yoon Yong Bum
Published: November 2005

Background/Aims: No reliable nationwide clinical data about chronic pancreatitis (CP) was available in Korea. The etiology and clinical features of CP were investigated using a multicenter nationwide study. Methods: 814 cases of CP were enrolled retrospectively over the past 4 years at 13 hospitals. The following data were obtained from all patients: etiology, symptoms, complications, and surgery. Result: Alcohol (64.3%) was the major cause of CP and idiopathic CP (20.8%) was the second most common form. Mean patient age was 50.6 years and the male:female ratio was 6:1 (24:1 for alcoholic CP vs. 2:1 in idiopathic CP, p < 0.001). Diabetes (31.6%), pseudocysts (28.4%), biliary stricture (13.9%), and pancreatic ascites (6.6%) were the main complications. Of these, diabetes (35 vs. 26%) and pseudocyst (33.7 vs. 21.9%) were more frequent in alcoholic than in idiopathic CP. Pancreatic cancer developed in 25 patients (3.1%) during follow-up and their mean age was 59.1 years. Conclusions: In Korea, alcohol is the most common etiology of CP. Moreover, diabetes and pseudocysts are frequent complications, especially in alcoholic CP, and pancreatic cancer development is not infrequent.
Temporally Controlled Onset of Dilated Cardiomyopathy Through Disruption of the
SRF
Gene in Adult Heart
Authors: Parlakian Ara , Charvet Claude , Escoubet Brigitte , Mericskay Mathias , Molkentin Jeffery D. , Gary-Bobo Guillaume , De Windt Leon J. , Ludosky Marie-Aline , Paulin Denise , Daegelen Dominique , Tuil David , Li Zhenlin
Published: November 2005

Background—

Serum response factor (SRF) is a cardiac transcription factor involved in cell growth and differentiation. We have shown, using the Cre/loxP system, that cardiac-specific disruption of SRF gene in the embryonic heart results in lethal cardiac defects. The role of SRF in adult heart is unknown.

Methods and Results—

We disrupted SRF in the adult heart using a heart-specific tamoxifen-inducible Cre recombinase. This disruption led to impaired left ventricular function with reduced contractility, subsequently progressing to dilated cardiomyopathy, as demonstrated by serial echocardiography, including tissue Doppler imaging. The cytoarchitecture of cardiomyocytes was altered in the intercalated disks. All mutant mice died from heart failure 10 weeks after treatment. These functional and structural defects were preceded by early alterations in the cardiac gene expression program: major decreases in mRNA levels for cardiac α-actin, muscle creatine kinase, and calcium-handling genes.

Conclusions—

SRF is crucial for adult cardiac function and integrity. We suggest that the rapid progression to heart failure in SRF mutant mice results primarily from decreased expression of proteins involved in force generation and transmission, low levels of polymerized actin, and changes in cytoarchitecture, without hypertrophic compensation. These cardiac-specific SRF-deficient mice have the morphological and clinical features of acquired dilated cardiomyopathy in humans and may therefore be used as an inducible model of this disorder.