bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Keyhole approach in anterior circulation aneurysm: Current indication, advantages, technical limitations, complications and their avoidance
Authors: Prajapati Hanuman , Ansari Ahmad , Jaiswal Manish
Published: March 2022

Keyhole surgery recently evolved as a minimal invasive surgical approach for treatment of anterior circulation aneurysm. This review was done to evaluate the keyhole approach for anterior circulation aneurysms, their indications, advantages, technical limitations, complications and their avoidance. The literature review was performed with the phrase “keyhole approach for anterior circulation aneurysm” as a search term in PubMed central, Medline, Google scholar and Embase data base to identify all the articles published till December 2020. Out of 113 articles searched, 22 were included in this review after screening for eligibility. On analyzing these articles, there was total 2058 aneurysm in 1871 patients. Out of 2058 aneurysm, 988 were ruptured and 547 unruptured. In 5 studies, which include 344 aneurysms in 344 cases, aneurysm ruptured or unruptured status was not specified. The most frequent aneurysm site was anterior communicating artery (n=573). The size of the aneurysm mentioned in most of the study was <15 mm. The rate of complete occlusion was ranged from 93.6-100%. The range of intra operative rupture (IOR) was 0-28.6%. The mean operative time was ranged from 70 min-5.34 hours as reported in 13 studies. Good outcome [Glasgow outcome scale (GOS): 4-5] were seen in 75-100% cases. The frontalis muscle weakness has been reported in 3 studies and ranged from 0-1.99%. Keyhole surgery can be a safe and effective treatment modality for treatment of a selected anterior circulation aneurysm. In the experienced hand it has certain advantages over standard pterional craniotomy.
Diffuse-type Gastric Cancer
Authors: Kim Jie-Hyun
Published: March 2022

Gastric cancer is the most prevalent malignant tumor in Korea. Histologically, it is often classified into intestinal-type and diffuse-type. Intestinal-type gastric cancer is known to occur mainly from chronic gastritis caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) through atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia, a precancerous change of the mucosa, whereas diffuse-type gastric cancer is caused by H. pylori infection, wherein active inflammation of the gastric mucosa occurs without precancerous changes in the mucosa. Compared with intestinal-type gastric cancer, it occurs at a young age, there is no difference in male to female ratio, or tends to occur more in women, and is more aggressive than intestinal-type gastric cancer. Intestinal-type gastric cancer is predominant in East Asian populations such as Koreans and Japanese, whereas diffuse-type gastric cancer has more uniform geographic distribution. In the present manuscript, I have reviewed diffuse-type gastric cancer, distinct from intestinal-type gastric cancer.
Joint user grouping and power control using whale optimization algorithm for NOMA uplink systems
Authors: Rehman Bilal ur , Babar Mohammad Inayatullah , Ahmad Arbab Waheed , Amir Muhammad , Shahjehan Waleed , Sadiq Ali Safaa , Mirjalili Seyedali , Dehkordi Amin Abdollahi
Published: March 2022

The non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) scheme has proven to be a potential candidate to enhance spectral potency and massive connectivity for 5G wireless networks. To achieve effective system performance, user grouping, power control, and decoding order are considered to be fundamental factors. In this regard, a joint combinatorial problem consisting of user grouping and power control is considered, to obtain high spectral-efficiency for NOMA uplink system with lower computational complexity. To solve the joint problem of power control and user grouping, for Uplink NOMA, we have used a newly developed meta-heuristicnature-inspired optimization algorithm i.e., whale optimization algorithm (WOA), for the first time. Furthermore, for comparison, a recently initiated grey wolf optimizer (GWO) and the well-known particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithms were applied for the same joint issue. To attain optimal and sub-optimal solutions, a NOMA-based model was used to evaluate the potential of the proposed algorithm. Numerical results validate that proposed WOA outperforms GWO, PSO and existing literature reported for NOMA uplink systems in-terms of spectral performance. In addition, WOA attains improved results in terms of joint user grouping and power control with lower system-complexity when compared to GWO and PSO algorithms. The proposed work is a novel enhancement for 5G uplink applications of NOMA systems.
Security awareness of single sign-on account in the academic community: the roles of demographics, privacy concerns, and Big-Five personality
Authors: Pratama Ahmad R. , Firmansyah Firman M. , Rahma Fayruz
Published: March 2022

Single sign-on (SSO) enables users to authenticate across multiple related but independent systems using a single username and password. While the number of higher education institutions adopting SSO continues to grow, little is known about the academic community’s security awareness regarding SSO. This paper aims to examine the security awareness of SSO across various demographic groups within a single higher education institution based on their age, gender, and academic roles. Additionally, we investigate some psychological factors (i.e., privacy concerns and personality traits) that may influence users’ level of SSO security awareness. Using survey data collected from 283 participants (faculty, staff, and students) and analyzed using a hierarchical linear regression model, we discovered a generational gap, but no gender gap, in security awareness of SSO. Additionally, our findings confirm that students have a significantly lower level of security awareness than faculty and staff. Finally, we discovered that privacy concerns have no effect on SSO security awareness on their own. Rather, they interact with the user’s personality traits, most notably agreeableness and conscientiousness. The findings of this study lay the groundwork for future research and interventions aimed at increasing cybersecurity awareness among users of various demographic groups as well as closing any existing gaps between them.
Antimicrobial resistance and virulence profiles of Enterobacterales isolated from two-finger and three-finger sloths (Choloepus hoffmanni and Bradypus variegatus) of Costa Rica
Authors: Fernandes Matilde , Nóbrega Carneiro Carla , Villada Rosales Ana Maria , Grilo Miguel , Ramiro Yolanda , Cunha Eva , Nunes Telmo , Tavares Luís , Sandi Janet , Oliveira Manuela
Published: March 2022

Background

Wildlife has been recently recognized as an environmental reservoir for antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, less information on this topic is available in animals released back into the wild after rehabilitation in wildlife facilities, compared with studies performed exclusively in captive or free-ranging wildlife. This study aimed to evaluate the potential influence of captivity and/or treatment while in captivity of wild sloths on the AMR and virulence profiles of sloths’ Enterobacterales.

Methods

Oral and rectal swab samples were collected from 39 two-finger (Choloepus hoffmanni) and three-finger sloths (Bradypus variegatus) of Costa Rica (n = 78) and analyzed using conventional bacteriological techniques. A generalized linear mixed model was applied to estimate the isolates’ multiple antimicrobial resistance and virulence indices as a function of animal status.

Results

A considerable level of resistance was detected, especially for Citrobacter youngae and Escherichia coli, with 17.5% of isolates classified as multidrug-resistant. Virulence indices of isolates from rehabilitated sloths were significantly higher than the ones from sloths being hand-reared for shorter periods.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first description of sloths’ antimicrobial resistant Enterobacterales, suggesting that sloths’ rehabilitation and consequent exposure to humans, may promote the selection of bacteria with higher virulence. Ultimately, these bacteria may represent a threat to human and animal health due to their zoonotic potential and AMR and virulence profiles.
Skills Development as an Integral Part of Lifelong Learning: A Kenyan Analytical Review
Authors: Susan Wanuri Ngure,
Published: March 2022

This paper discusses the integration of skills development to a continuous skill acquisition spectrum. Skills development and processes in Kenya are examined through policy development and delivery, and the need for continuous learning acknowledged and demonstrated. Lifelong education and training is well articulated and discoursed alongside the benefits that can be accrued from it. Three models anchor lifelong learning and training and are discussed herein and their contribution to the topic justified. These models are: Behaviourism, Cognitivism and Constructivism. Some of the accrued benefits include: Productivity, employment creation, sustainability, structural changes, domestic growth, social integration among others.
Estimating the Vitamin-D Levels in Patients with Retinal Vein Occlusions: A Case Control Study
Authors: Kandambeth Varsha , Sune Pradeep
Published: March 2022

Background: Retinal vein occlusion in diabetic retinopathy resulting in visual impairment and complete vision loss is well-known especially in older population. Ischemic occlusion of retinal vein can cause macular edema, macular ischemia and neovascularization which might end up in complete vision loss. Role of Vitamin D in maintaining vasculature and function of endothelium is evident from a number of studies. This study aims to estimate vitamin D levels in individuals with retinal vein occlusions.

Methodology: This will be a hospital based case control study conducted in Ophthalmology department of AVBRH, Wardha. About 70 consecutive patients will be enrolled and assigned to Case and Control groups of 35 each. Vitamin D levels will be estimated in all 70 patients. Including best corrected visual acuity (snellens chart), slit lamp inspection, intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement (Applanation tonometer) and fundoscopy (slit lamp biomicroscopy with 90 D) will be performed on all patients. Data will be collected, tabulated and compiled. Statistical analysis will be done by using unpaired student t test and Chi square test.

Expected results: Expected findings include deficient vitamin D levels in patients with retinal vein occlusion.

Conclusion: Retinal vein Occlusions are a leading reason for vision impairment which is preventable by timely treatment with Vitamin D.
Overview on Steps of Complete Dentures: A Review
Authors: Noorsaeed Ashwag Siddik , Aydh Abdulaziz Abdullah Mohammed , Alotaibi Rakan Faraj , Alradadi Saud Saad , Alboqami Abdulaziz Sayer , Hakami Ali Ahmed Hamad , Alkathery Naif Sulaiman N. , Alshoubaki Bashaer Sha’ban Hamadeh
Published: March 2022

Total edentulism is a serious public health issue, particularly among the aged people.  Edentulism has a detrimental impact on various elements of a patient's everyday life, including masticatory function, phonetics, and facial structure, with significant psychosocial implications. For those patients, complete dentures remain the first option. Despite the fact that age-specific rates of edentulism are expected to decline, demand for complete dentures will continue to rise in the next decades. Patients with new complete dentures who are edentulous are fairly pleased, however up to 30% of them have issues. They continue to struggle with issues such as unattractive appearance, ripping pain or discomfort owing to the failure of holding and stabilization, impaired articulation, food deposition under the denture, and trouble with chewing. These types of issues can lower one's quality of life and force him to seek additional help to resolve them. In some circumstances, a specific clinical technique known as rebasing is recommended as a solution to these issues.
Health Consequences of Obesity: A Review
Authors: Alsudairy Najlaa Mohammad , Alameer Wafa Hamad M. , Alattas Ohoud Ali A. , Altalhi Marwan Abdulmalik Modkel , Alghraibi Ahmad Mohammed A. , Kanoori Elaf Abdulkader , Alharbi Abdulrahman Khulaif , Yumen Lujain Mohamed , Altowairqi Rawan Mohammed M. , Alghamdi Saleh Ali , Alqahtani Osama Hassan , Omar Ayman Mohamed , Alzuwayed Anas Mohammad , Bajebair Abdullah Mohammed A.
Published: March 2022

Obesity is a global epidemic that threatens to deplete health-care resources by increasing the prevalence of diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and cancer. Obesity is the leading preventable cause of death worldwide, affecting both adults and children. Obesity has two effects: an increase in the bulk of adipose tissue and an increase in pathogenetic product release by larger fat cells. This view of obesity as a disease allows for a straightforward distinction between the negative effects of obesity caused by fat bulk and those caused by fat cell metabolic effects. Obesity stigma causes social difficulties, sleep apnea is caused in part by increased parapharyngeal fat deposits, and osteoarthritis is caused by the wear and tear on joints caused by carrying an enlarged quantity of fat fall under the first category. A wide range of policy issues could have an impact on food ecosystems. Fiscal food policies, obligatory nutrition panels on the formulation and reformulation of manufactured foods, food and nutrition labelling implementation, and limiting marketing and advertising prohibitions on unhealthy foods are among these topics. In this review, we overview current evidences on health consequences of obesity.
Prevalence and Pattern of Cancer in the Northern Border Region of Saudi Arabia-Arar
Authors: Aljameeli Ahmed M.
Published: March 2022

Introduction: There is a substantial rise in the incidence of cancer in Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study was conducted to determine the demographic, prevalence, and pattern of cancer in the Northern Border region of Saudi Arabia-Arar.

Methods: The record of 88 histologically confirmed cancer cases was retrieved and studied from files of the oncology department, Prince Abdul-Aziz Ibn Musaad hospital, Arar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

Results: The most common cancers in the whole population irrespective of sex were carcinoma of the leukemia, breast, lymphoma and leukemia combined and colorectal cancer. The most common cancers in females in Northern Border region were those of the breast, thyroid, and lymphomas and leukemia combined. Comparative findings for males were lymphomas and leukemias combined colorectal cancers.

Conclusion: The present study showed a high prevalence and pattern of cancer in Northern Border region, Saudi Arabia according to gender, age, frequency, and type of cancer.
Development of Critical Reading Teaching Materials by using Prezi Media in s-1 Students of Indonesian Language and Literature Education Study Program Faculty of Teaching and Educational Sciences University of Lampung
Authors: Caesaria Prima , Samhati Siti , Suyanto Edi
Published: March 2022

Aim: The aim of the research is to produce critical reading teaching materials using Prezi media, describe the feasibility of critical reading teaching materials using Prezi media, and determine the effectiveness of critical reading teaching materials using Prezi media.

Study Design: Research and Development

Place and Duration of Study: Graduate Program of Indonesian Bahasa and Literature Education University of Lampung, August 2018 until now

Methodology: The method used in this research is research and development (R&D). Data collection techniques adopted are tests, interviews, and questionnaires administered on the S-1 Study Program of Indonesian Language and Literature Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, University of Lampung in Lampung in the 2020/2021 academic session. Product design validation is carried out by relevant experts and practitioner assessments (critical reading lecturers), then tested on students.

Results: The results showed that the Critical Reading Teaching Material was successfully developed by Utilizing Prezi Media, the overall feasibility was declared "very feasible" by material experts, media experts, and practitioners with the percentages of 84.2%, 86.22%, and 90.22% respectively; critical reading teaching materials using Prezi media effectively improve critical reading skills with an N-gain value of (0.31), and (0.34) including the "medium"
Enzymic removal of two oligosaccharide chains from ricin B‐chain
Authors: Wawrzynczak Edward J. , Thorpe Philip E.
Published: July 2002

Peptide:N‐glycosidase F removed both the asparagine‐linked oligosaccharide chains of ricin B‐chain in the absence of lactose. In the presence of lactose, which binds specifically to the B‐chain, only one oligosaccharide chain was removed. Lactose also protected Ricinus communis agglutinin B‐chain against the removal of one of the two susceptible oligosaccharides present in each B‐chain subunit.
Interaction of murine monoclonal subunit‐specific antibodies with phosphofructokinase‐1 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Kopperschläger Gerhard , Kriegel Thomas , Birkenmeier Gerd
Published: July 2002

Murine monoclonal subunit‐specific antibodies against heterooctameric phosphofructokinase‐1 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae exhibiting no cross‐reactivity were purified and characterized regarding complex formation with the native enzyme, immunological reactivity to the SDS‐denatured subunits originating from native and proteolytically truncated phosphofructokinase, and protection against proteolytic degradation. Strong complex formation was found with one α‐specific antibody. Western blotting employing different enzyme forms allowed to localize epitope sites of the α‐polypeptide chain. Monoclonal antibodies protect phosphofructokinase‐1 against chymotryptic degradation.
Functional consequences of mutation Asn326→Leu in the 4th transmembrane segment of the a‐subunit of the rat kidney Na+,K+‐ATPase
Authors: Vilsen Bente
Published: July 2002

Site‐specific mutagenesis was used to replace Asn326 in transmembrane segment M4 of the ouabain‐insensitive α
1‐isoform of rat kidney Na+,K+‐ATPase. Mutant Asn326 → Leu was functional as demonstrated by the ability of COS cells expressing the mutant enzyme to grow in the presence of ouabain. In three independent assays encompassing Na+ titrations of Na+,K+‐ATPase activity, Na+‐ATPase activity, and phosphorylation from ATP, the Asn326 → Leu mutant displayed a reduced apparent affinity for Na+. By contrast, this mutant exhibited a slightly increased apparent affinity for K+ relative to the wild‐type enzyme. In the presence of Na+. without K+, the Asn326 → Len mutant hydrolyzed ATP at a high rate corresponding to 32% of the maximal Na+,K+‐ATPase activity, and the rate of dephosphorylation of the phosphoenzyme intermediate was enhanced in the mutant relative to that of the wild‐type enzyme. Oligomycin, known to stabilize the Na+‐occluded phosphoenzyme intermediate, reduced the dephosphorylation rate of the mutant and increased the steady‐state phosphoenzyme level formed by the mutant at least 3‐fold, whereas an increase in the steady‐state phosphoenzyme level of only 10–15% was determined for the wild‐type enzyme. The molecular turnover number for the Na+,K+‐ATPase reaction, calculated when the steady‐state phosphoenzyme level obtained in the presence of oligomycin was taken as a measure of the concentration of active sites, was slightly reduced relative to that of the wild‐type enzyme. The data are discussed in terms of a role for Asn326 in binding of cytoplasmic Na+ and in mediation of inhibition of dephosphorylation.
Expression of the human cGMP‐dependent protein kinase II gene is lost upon introduction of SV40 T antigen or immortalization in human cells
Authors: Fujii Michihiko , Ogata Toshihiko , Takahashi Eiichi , Yamada Kiyoshi , Nakabayashi Kazuhiko , Oishi Michio , Ayusawa Dai
Published: July 2002

We have cloned a human cGMP‐dependent protein kinase type II cDNA to examine its gene expression in terms of cellular senescence and/or immortalization. The genetic locus was mapped to band 4q21 by FISH. Northern blot analysis revealed that expression of the type II gene was markedly decreased or lost in mortal or immortal human fibroblasts producing SV40 T antigen. Also in various immortalized cell lines tested, the gene was not expressed. In normal diploid fibroblasts, the gene was constitutively expressed during cell‐cycle and population doubling levels (PDLs).
Extracellular domain of type I receptor for transforming growth factor‐β: molecular modelling using protectin (CD59) as a template
Authors: Jokiranta T.Sakari , Tissari Jorma , Teleman Olle , Meri Seppo
Published: July 2002

We have observed that the extracellular domain of TβRI and protectin (CD59), an inhibitor of the membrane attack complex of complement, share structural features, a distinct spacing of ten cysteines and a C‐terminal ‘Cys‐box’. Based on these common features and the recently determined NMR‐structure of protectin, a three‐dimensional model for the extracellular domain of TβRI was constructed. After energy minimization and molecular dynamics simulation, a structure with four extending fingers (pes quattvordigitorum) and two clusters of charged residues was obtained. This model provides a view to the understanding of interactions between TβRI, TβRII and TGFβ during ligand recognition and signal transduction.
Presence of a Na+/H+ exchanger in acidocalcisomes of Leishmania donovani and their alkalization by anti‐leishmanial drugs
Authors: Vercesi Anibal E. , Rodrigues Claudia O. , Catisti Rosana , Docampo Roberto
Published: July 2002

Acidocalcisomes are acidic vacuoles present in trypanosomatids that contain most of the cellular calcium. The data presented here demonstrate that Leishmania donovani acidocalcisomes possess a Na+/H+ exchanger. 3,5‐Dibutyl‐4‐hydroxytoluene, in the concentration range of 0–20 μM, inhibited the Na+/H+ exchanger, and strongly stimulated the activity of the vacuolar H+‐ATPase responsible for vacuolar acidification. As occurs with Na+, the cationic anti‐leishmanial drugs pentamidine, WR‐6026, and chloroquine promoted a fast and extensive alkalization of the L. donovani acidocalcisomes.
Nucleotide excision repair by extracts of human fetal hepatocytes
Authors: Capovilla Alexio , Arbuthnot Patrick
Published: July 2002

Human hepatocytes are particularly exposed to genotoxins, and nucleotide excision repair (NER) in these cells is essential for the maintenance of genome integrity. To characterize NER under conditions that closely resemble the pathway in vivo, we report the preparation and use of primary human fetal liver extracts to define the repair of a 1,3‐intrastrand d(GpTpG)‐cisplatin DNA lesion. Endonucleolytic cleavage at unique sites on either side of the adduct occurs at similar positions to the dominant NER incisions that have been reported for HeLa extracts. However, incisions effected by primary hepatocyte extracts are more precise as no secondary cleavage sites are detected 5′ and 3′ to the cisplatin lesion.
Novel Secretion System of Recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae Using an N‐terminus Residue of Human IL‐1β as Secretion Enhancer
Authors: Lee Jeewon , Choi Seong‐II , Jang Jun Sung , Jang Kiryong , Moon Jae Woong , Bae Cheon Soon , Yang Doo Suk , Seong Baik Lin
Published: July 2002

An N‐terminus sequence of human interleukin 1β (hIL‐1β) was used as a fusion expression partner for the production of two recombinant therapeutic proteins, human granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor (hG‐CSF) and human growth hormone (hGH), using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a host. The expression cassette comprised the leader sequence of killer toxin of Kluyveromyces lactis, the N‐terminus 24 amino acids (Ser5‐Ala28) of mature hIL‐1β, the KEX2 dibasic endopeptidase cleavage site, and the target protein (hG‐CSF or hGH). The gene expression was controlled by the inducible UASgal/MF‐α1 promoter. With the expression vector above, both recombinant proteins were well secreted into culture medium with high secretion efficiencies, and especially, the recombinant hGH was accumulated up to around 1.3 g/L in the culture broth. This is due presumably to the significant role of fused hIL‐1β as secretion enhancer in the yeast secretory pathway. In our recent report, various immunoblotting analyses have shown that the presence of a core N‐glycosylation resident in the hIL‐1β fragment is likely to be of crucial importance in the high‐level secretion of hG‐CSF from the recombinantS. cerevisiae. When the N‐glycosylation was completely blocked with the addition of tunicamycin to the culture, the secretion of hG‐CSF and hGH was decreased to a negligible level although the other host‐derived proteins were well secreted to the culture broth regardless of the presence of tunicamycin. The N‐terminal sequencing of the purified hG‐CSF verified that the hIL‐1β fusion peptide was correctly removed by in vivo KEX2 protease upon the exit of fusion protein from Golgi complex. From the results presented in this article, it is strongly suggested that the N‐terminus fusion of the hIL‐1β peptide could be utilized as a potent secretion enhancer in the expression systems designed for the secretory production of other heterologous proteins from S. cerevisiae.
Where are we in risk assessment of food allergens? The regulatory view
Authors: Madsen Charlotte
Published: July 2002

Assessing the risk of exposure to chemicals is done every day worldwide. This assessment includes hazard identification, dose (concentration)‐response (effect) assessment, exposure assessment and risk characterization. The present paper discusses the possibilities and limitations of using these procedures when assessing the risk of food allergens. It is concluded that hazard identification is not a problem. The medical literature is full of descriptions of cases of food allergy where the offending food or even allergen is identified. More knowledge on the relationship between dose and response of different allergens in different patient populations is needed. Exposure assessment is possible but may not be easy. Determining the distribution of contamination with an allergen may be crucial. To do risk characterization, and as a consequence to be able to manage risk, knowledge of a threshold for effect is needed and the possibility of using a safety factor. If we do not manage to establish thresholds for elicitation of allergic response in food allergy, risk assessment and management will be very difficult. It will be difficult to avoid labeling like “May contain peanuts” used with and without reason. In the long run, unjustified warnings will not help the allergic consumer but will create more confusion than guidance.
Nsc and Fmoc Nα‐amino protection for solid‐phase peptide synthesis: a parallel study
Authors: Carreño C. , Méndez M.E. , Andreu D. , Kim Y. ‐D. , Kim H. ‐J. , Kates S.A. , Albericio F.
Published: July 2002

Abstract The 2‐(4‐nitrophenylsulfonyl)ethoxycarbonyl (Nsc) group is an alternative to Fmoc for Nα‐protection in solid‐phase peptide synthesis. Nsc‐amino acids may be particularly suitable for automatic synthesizers, in which the amino acids are stored in solution, and the incorporation of residues prone to racemization such as Cys and His. Owing to the hydrophilicity of the Nsc group, these derivatives are useful for the preparation of protected peptides in convergent solid‐phase peptide synthesis strategies.
Fimbriae of Porphyromonas gingivalis induce opsonic antibodies that significantly enhance phagocytosis and killing by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes
Authors: Fan Q. , Sims T. , Sojar H. , Genco R. , Page R. C.
Published: July 2002

Porphyromonas gingivalis has been strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of human periodontitis. Fimbriae mediate adherence and colonization of the oral cavity by this organism and may, therefore, have potential for use as antigen in an anti–P. gingivalis vaccine. The purpose of our study was to determine whether P. gingivalis fimbriae have opsonic target sites and whether they are accessible on the cell surfaces and cross‐reactive among P. gingivalis fimbrial types and serotypes. Rabbits were immunized with a vaccine. The antiserum reacted with a 43‐kDa fimbrillin monomer and a 43‐kDa component in whole‐cell sonicates of P. gingivalis 33277, but it showed only very weak reactivity in the 43‐kDa region of Western blots of a whole‐cell sonicate of strain DPG3, a mutant that does not express functional fimbriae. The antibody enhanced chemiluminescence approximately six‐fold relative to preimmune serum values and significantly enhanced phagocytosis and killing of P. gingivalis 33277 by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Peak opsonic activity was observed at week 6 followed by a plateau that remained until week 16. The fimbria‐deficient mutant DPG3 did not bind antifimbrial antibody and was not opsonized, whereas strain 381, the parent of the mutant, was opsonized. The specific antibody bound to and opsonized P. gingivalis strains 33277 and 381 (fimbria type I) but not W50, A7A‐1‐28, 9‐14K‐1 or FAY‐19M‐1 (fimbrial types II–V). Specific antibody bound to strain 2561 (fimbrial type I) but, as assessed by chemiluminescence, did not opsonize it. While fimbriae have opsonic target sites that are accessible on P. gingivalis cell surfaces, the relevant opsonic target sites do not appear to be shared across serotypes or fimbrial types. Thus, a vaccine containing, as antigen, fimbrial protein from a single P. gingivalis strain would likely be ineffective against infections by P. gingivalis strains expressing other fimbrial types.
Evaluation of an undergraduate community‐based course in Family Dentistry
Authors: Blinkhorn Fiona Ann
Published: July 2002

This study aimed to determine dental students' expectations of attending a community clinic to provide family dental care and to assess how well the course met their expectations. Prior to the start of the course, 30 final year students were asked about the type and number of patients they expected to treat, the types of treatment they thought they would provide and additional skills, if any, they might gain and also about any worries they had about the course. The responses were used to compile a questionnaire, completed by the students after finishing the course. The students treated more patients a day than expected and underestimated the range of treatments carried out at the clinics, particularly trauma and advanced restorative work. Additional communication skills and increased confidence and quality of work were among the cited gains. Concerns expressed prior to the course had largely been eliminated, although some students still had reservations about National Health Service paperwork, treatment planning and running late. It was concluded that The Family Dentistry Course more than fulfilled students' expectations and it gave them enhanced skills in patient management and clinical competency.
Control analysis of lipid biosynthesis in tissue cultures from oil crops shows that flux control is shared between fatty acid synthesis and lipid assembly
Authors: RAMLI Umi S. , BAKER Darren S. , QUANT Patti A. , HARWOOD John L.
Published: July 2002

Top-Down (Metabolic) Control Analysis (TDCA) was used to examine, quantitatively, lipid biosynthesis in tissue cultures from two commercially important oil crops, olive (Olea europaea L.) and oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.). A conceptually simplified system was defined comprising two blocks of reactions: fatty acid synthesis (Block A) and lipid assembly (Block B), which produced and consumed, respectively, a common and unique system intermediate, cytosolic acyl-CoA. We manipulated the steady-state levels of the system intermediate by adding exogenous oleic acid and, using two independent assays, measured the effect of the addition on the system fluxes (JA and JB). These were the rate of incorporation of radioactivity: (i) through Block A from [1-14C]acetate into fatty acids and (ii) via Block B from [U-14C]glycerol into complex lipids respectively. The data showed that fatty acid formation (Block A) exerted higher control than lipid assembly (Block B) in both tissues with the following group flux control coefficients (C):(i) Oil palm: ∗CJTLBlkB = 0.64±0.05 and ∗CJTLBlkB = 0.36±0.05(ii) Olive: ∗CJTLBlkB =0.57±0.10 and ∗CJTLBlkB = 0.43±0.10where ∗C indicates the group flux control coefficient over the lipid biosynthesis flux (JTL) and the subscripts BlkA and BlkB refer to defined blocks of the system, Block A and Block B. Nevertheless, because both parts of the lipid biosynthetic pathway exert significant flux control, we suggest strongly that manipulation of single enzyme steps will not affect product yield appreciably. The present study represents the first use of TDCA to examine the overall lipid biosynthetic pathway in any tissue, and its findings are of immediate academic and economic relevance to the yield and nutritional quality of oil crops.
A proposed objective way to assess results of randomized prospective clinical trials with acute graft‐versus‐host disease as an outcome of interest
Authors: Al‐Ghamdi H. , Leisenring W. , Bensinger W. I. , Nash R. A. , Storb R. , Appelbaum F. R. , Martin P. J.
Published: July 2002

The assessment of graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) as an end‐point in clinical trials requires subjective judgement to distinguish morbidity caused by GVHD from morbidity caused by other complications. We developed a method based on ordinal regression for longitudinal assessment of morbidity involving the skin, liver and gut, regardless of cause as an objective end‐point in randomized prospective phase III treatment or prevention trials for which GVHD is an outcome of interest. This method was validated for treatment studies by showing that morbidity was more severe among patients with grade II–IV GVHD than among those who did not have GVHD. We found no differences in morbidity involving the skin, liver and gut after the diagnosis of GVHD in a group of 30 patients who received peripheral blood stem cells and a group of 37 who received marrow in a randomized phase III clinical trial. These preliminary results suggest that objective end‐points could be used in randomized clinical trials for treatment of GVHD. Further studies will be needed to determine if similar methods could be used in randomized clinical trials for prevention of GVHD.
Estimating past floristic diversity in montane regions from macrofossil assemblages
Authors: Allen Judy R. M. , Huntley Brian
Published: July 2002

The relationship between the diversity of higher plant macrofossils in surface sediments of lakes and the surrounding vegetation is examined in two mountain regions; Grødalen in central Norway and the south‐east Cairngorms in Scotland. Two lake sediment cores from each area were also analysed to examine vegetation history and to estimate changes in biodiversity through the Holocene.

The diversity of present day vegetation in each region was estimated using both quadrat data and classified satellite images of the study areas. The mean surface sample macrofossil representation of species recorded in quadrats collected within 250 m of the lakes was c. 17%. This figure drops to only c. 2% when the satellite imagery of the same area is used to provide a maximal species list.

The macrofossil data from the Norwegian cores show that deglaciation in this region occurred earlier on the mountain summit than in the valley and that the maximum tree line elevation was during the interval 9100–4400 14C yr BP. In the Cairngorms the maximum tree line elevation was prior to c. 4500 14C yr BP.

The changes in higher plant diversity recorded at these sites through the Holocene show that c. 4000 14C yr BP the reduction in the tree line resulted in decreased β‐diversity at higher altitudes but an increase at the lower altitude as the forest cover opened up. Under conditions of climatic warming it is likely areas that come to lie below the tree line will experience reduced diversity and that a permanent loss of biodiversity would result from a severe reduction in the area above the tree line.
Influence of lining design of three processed soft denture liners on cushioning effect
Authors: Kawano F. , Ohguri T. , Koran Iii A. , Matsumoto N. , Ichikawa T.
Published: July 2002

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of the lining design of a soft denture liner on its cushioning effect, using a free drop test and an accelerometer. The peak instantaneous acceleration value was computed. The materials tested were SuperSoft® (SS), Kurepeet‐Dough® (KD), and Molloplast‐B® (MB). Soft denture liners 2 mm in thickness were placed in test denture bases using three different configurations. Specimens were tested at 24 h and at 180 days after storage in distilled water at 37 °C. A three‐way anova was used to analyse the data (P=0·05) and Tukey intervals were computed. It was found that all three materials were effective in reducing the impact force. The lining design that had the soft denture liner extended to the periphery of the denture base demonstrated the greatest shock absorbability of all the tested designs. A silicone denture liner using lining design 1 was the most effective in reducing the shock transmitted to the denture bases.
The effects of high‐fat diet feeding over generations on body fat accumulation associated with lipoprotein lipase and leptin in rat adipose tissues
Authors: Qing Wu  , Yasuhiro Mizushima  , Masahiko Komiya  , Tatsuhiro Matsuo  , Masashige Suzuki
Published: July 2002

The effects of high‐fat diet feeding over generations on body fat accumulation were studied in rats. Male and female Sprague‐Dawley rats fed a high‐fat (HF) diet or a low‐fat (LF) diet were mated in the same diet group at age 13 weeks, and the male pups (1st generation) obtained were used in this experiment. The 1st generation rats were nurtured by their own mothers (Experiment 1) or F344 foster mother rats (chow‐fed) during pregnancy (Experiment 3) and the suckling period (Experiments 2 and 3). After weaning, rats with HF and LF dietary histories were fed a purified diet for 12–17 weeks. Body weights and abdominal adipose tissue weights were greater in rats with HF dietary histories than in those with LF dietary histories, even controlling for environmental backgrounds related to the mother rats during pregnancy and suckling periods. The levels of lipoprotein lipase and leptin mRNA in the perirenal adipose tissue were higher in rats with HF dietary histories. These results suggest that the effects on body fat accumulation of HF diet feeding over generations are not only associated with environmental factors but also with genetic factors. The obesogenous effects of HF diet feeding over generations may be associated with lipoprotein lipase and leptin gene expression on rat adipose tissues.
Effect of K‐ras antisense oligodeoxynucleotides on human pancreatic cancer cell line PaTu 8988s
Authors: Jianting Cai , Keda Qian , Junshen Lu
Published: July 2002

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of K‐ras antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ASODN) on human pancreatic cancer cell line PaTu 8988s at different times after treatment.

METHODS: Human pancreatic cancer cells (PaTu 8988s) in exponential growth stage were used at a cell concentration of 1 × 105/mL; 0.5 mL of the cell suspension was placed in each well of replicate 24‐well culture plates in the presence of different concentrations (50 and 100 μg/mL) of ASODN and sense oligodeoxynucleotides (SODN). Cell counts and 3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazolzyl]‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays were carried out 24, 48 and 72 h after treatment.

RESULTS: At 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after ASODN treatment, the following rates of inhibition were observed: for 50 μg/mL, 42.3, 66.6, 69.6 and 74.6%, respectively; for 100 μg/mL, 66.2, 91.4, 98.2 and 98.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSION: The inhibitory effect of ASODN began at 12 h post‐treatment and became more marked at 48–72 h. The higher the concentration of ASODN, the earlier the peak of inhibitory rate appears.
Serum S‐100β protein is a potential biochemical marker for cerebral oedema complicating severe diabetic ketoacidosis
Authors: McIntyre E. A. , Abraha H. D. , Perros P. , Sherwood R. A.
Published: July 2002

SUMMARY

Case report  A 39‐year‐old man with Type 1 diabetes mellitus was hospitalized with severe diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Sixteen hours after admission he suddenly deteriorated having a respiratory then cardiac arrest. A brain computed tomography scan performed 2 h after the respiratory arrest showed severe cerebral oedema. Serial serum samples were stored and analysed for S‐100β protein. The S‐100β protein concentration was initially normal (0.12 μg/l) then rose significantly before the onset of the respiratory arrest (8.5 h = 0.61 μg/l, 14.5 h = 0.9 μg/l, 18 h = 1.6 μg/l, 25.5 h = 3.1 μg/l, 34 h = 4.6 μg/l and 44 h = 19.5 μg/l).

Conclusions  In this case of DKA, serum S‐100β concentration rose coinciding with the onset of cerebral oedema, before it became clinically evident. Monitoring serum S‐100β may have a useful role in the management of DKA.

Keywords cerebral oedema, diabetic ketoacidosis, S‐100β protein
Role of mediators in late‐phase allergic symptoms including congestion
Authors: Adcock I.
Published: July 2002

Chronic nasal congestion is a common symptom of persistent allergic rhinitis and is less easy to resolve than the neurally mediated symptoms of nasal itch and sneeze. It is considered to be a result of inflammatory processes, in particular the persistent inflammatory response linked to the late phase after allergen exposure. Current understanding of the involvement of the various late‐phase mediators in the development of nasal congestion is derived from the measurement of inflammatory mediators in nasal lavage fluid of allergic rhinitis sufferers, nasal biopsy and nasal challenge studies. Studies of this type have highlighted the importance of the various late‐phase inflammatory mediators, including histamine. This review focuses on the complex late‐response inflammatory processes thought to underlie the pathogenesis of chronic nasal congestion, and discusses the recent evidence for the action of some antihistamines at various stages of the late‐phase allergic cascade.
The Blight‐Associated Epitope and DNA Fragment from Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris are not Required for Blight
Authors: Shigaki T. , Gabriel D. W. , Patil S. S. , Borthakur D. , Choi J. H. , Alvarez A. M.
Published: July 2002

Abstract: It has been reported that all tested naturally occurring strains of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris that are known to be capable of inducing blight symptoms in cabbage react with MAb A11 and hybridize with a 5.4‐kb DNA fragment (in plasmid pJC41), cloned from the Xanthomonas campestris species type strain, Xcc528T, whereas all tested naturally occurring strains that do not cause blight react with MAb X21 and do not hybridize to pJC41. The roles of the 5.4‐kb DNA in pJC41 and the epitope recognized by MAb A11 in the pathogenicity of X. c. campestris strains that cause blight were examined by mutational analyses. A 4.0‐kb deletion of the pJC41 region on the Xcc528T chromosome was created by marker exchange, but the derivatives were evidently not affected in their ability to elicit blight symptoms. Nitrosoguanidine was used to mutagenize two blight strains, Xcc528T and CAM19, and mutants were selected that were not reactive to MAb A11. The MAb A11‐negative mutant of Xcc528T was reactive to MAb X21, but was evidently not affected in the ability to elicit blight symptoms. MAb A11‐negative mutants of CAM19, however, were not reactive to MAb X21, and showed reduction or loss of virulence, which suggested the requirement for at least one of the two antigens (to MAbs A11 or X21) for pathogenicity. A genomic library of CAM19 was made and screened for genes responsible for the production of the A11 antigen. Cosmid clones were identified that restored MAb A11 reactivity to the mutants. None of these cosmids restored the virulence of the mutant strains that had lost virulence. Therefore, neither the blight‐associated 5.4‐kb DNA fragment nor the MAb A11 antibody marker were required for blight symptom elicitation or pathogenicity.
Conservation Genetics of an Endangered Herb, Hanabusaya asiatica (Campanulaceae)
Authors: Chung M. G. , Chung M. Y. , Epperson B. K.
Published: July 2002

Abstract: Hanabusaya asiatica (Nakai) Nakai (Campanulaceae), a bee‐ pollinated, perennial herb, is restricted to the mountainous regions of the eastern‐central Korean peninsula. Allozyme analyses for 348 individuals assessed the levels of genetic diversity for five populations. Spatial autocorrelation statistics were also used to examine the spatial distribution of allozyme polymorphisms. The species maintains high levels of allozyme diversity (HeS = 0.217) and it exhibits low allozyme differentiation among populations (GST = 0.132) compared with other endemics (mean He = 0.096, GST = 0.248). There is an apparent pattern of isolation by distance among populations. These results suggest that H. asiatica is at a genetic equilibrium. A considerable deficit in numbers of heterozygotes suggests mating among relatives in populations. At least three populations of H. asiatica should be sampled or conserved to capture or maintain > 99 % of the genetic diversity in the species as a whole. Within local populations, individuals are distributed in a structured, isolation by distance, manner. Approximate genetic patch width in the populations of H. asiatica examined is 5 ‐ 8 m. For conservation purposes, it is suggested that, in general, the sampling of H. asiatica should be conducted at intervals in order to efficiently sample the genetic diversity across an entire population.
Flower and Fruit Characteristics in Small and Isolated Populations of a Fleshy‐Fruited Shrub
Authors: Kollmann J. , Pflugshaupt K.
Published: July 2002

Abstract: During a warm period after the last glaciation the fleshy‐fruited shrub, Prunus mahaleb, extended its area of distribution from the Mediterranean basin towards central Europe. Under a subsequent cooler climate, and probably increased competition from trees, the species became restricted to steep, south‐facing cliffs and scree slopes with a particularly sunny and warm microclimate. Thus, the small relict populations in central Europe have been isolated for about 5000 ‐ 6000 years. To investigate whether or not reproductive traits of P. mahaleb are affected by isolation and population size, several flower and fruit characteristics were sampled in ten populations in Switzerland. A Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA) based on these reproductive characteristics differentiated the populations. The first CCA axis was determined by flower size, pollination frequency, pulp and seed mass. This ran parallel to increasing precipitation and decreasing altitude. The second axis correlated with the number of fruits per raceme and seed viability, and ran parallel to increasing sunshine. None of the six flower and fruit variables correlated with population size or with the degree of isolation. However, flower size, pollination frequency, pulp and seed mass showed a negative correlation with altitude. The results suggest that, in populations of P. mahaleb in central Europe, climatic conditions explain more of the observed variation in flower and fruit characteristics than population size or degree of isolation.
Suppression of D
X centers in GaAlAs-GaAs heterostructures
Authors: Bourgoin J. C. , Feng S. L. , Stiévenard D. , Letartre X. , Barbier E. , Hirtz J. P.
Published: July 2002

Using deep level transient spectroscopy we have studied the DX center in a series of periodic GaAs/GaAlAs uniformly Si doped structures. The presence of the DX center is only detected when the structures do not exhibit superlattice behavior. This is understood by the fact that either the DX associated level is resonant in the first conduction miniband (or above it) or that it does not exist because the original band structure of GaAlAs is destroyed by electron delocalization. Examination of the variation of the concentration of DX centers in periodic planar doped GaAlAs structures shows that this disappearance is due to a band structure effect, thus demonstrating that the DX center originates from a shallow-deep instability of the L-band effective mass state of the Si impurity due to intervalley mixing.