bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Restoration of Microvascular Function in the Infarct-Related Artery by Intracoronary Transplantation of Bone Marrow Progenitor Cells in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Erbs Sandra , Linke Axel , Schächinger Volker , Assmus Birgit , Thiele Holger , Diederich Klaus-Werner , Hoffmann Christina , Dimmeler Stefanie , Tonn Torsten , Hambrecht Rainer , Zeiher Andreas M. , Schuler Gerhard
Published: July 2007

Background—

The Doppler Substudy of the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Reinfusion of Enriched Progenitor Cells and Infarct Remodeling in Acute Myocardial Infarction (REPAIR-AMI) trial aimed to investigate the effects of intracoronary infusion of bone marrow–derived progenitor cells (BMCs) on coronary blood flow regulation in patients with reperfused acute myocardial infarction.

Methods and Results—

In a total of 58 patients (BMC group, n=30; placebo group, n=28), coronary flow reserve (CFR) in the infarct artery and a reference vessel was assessed by intracoronary Doppler at the time of study therapy (4.2±0.1 days after acute myocardial infarction) and at the 4-month follow-up. Initial CFR was reduced in the infarct artery compared with the reference vessel in both groups (BMC: 2.0±0.1 versus 2.9±0.2,
P
<0.05; placebo: 1.9±0.1 versus 2.8±0.2;
P
<0.05). At the 4-month follow-up, CFR in the infarct artery had slightly improved in the placebo group (+0.88±0.18;
P
<0.001 versus initial) but was markedly increased by 90% (+1.80±0.25;
P
=0.005 versus placebo) in BMC-treated patients, resulting in a normalization of CFR (3.8±0.2;
P
<0.001 versus initial and placebo at 4 months). In the infarct vessel, adenosine-induced minimal vascular resistance index declined slightly in the placebo group (from 1.77±0.12 to 1.52±0.15 mm Hg · s/cm;
P
<0.05) but considerably decreased by −29±6% in the BMC group (from 1.86±0.19 to 1.20±0.12 mm Hg · s/cm;
P
<0.05 versus initial and placebo at 4 months).

Conclusions—

Intracoronary BMC therapy after acute myocardial infarction restores microvascular function of the infarct-related artery, which is associated with a significant improvement in maximal vascular conductance capacity. These data provide clinical proof of concept that progenitor cell transplantation promotes vascular repair.
Acute and Chronic Ventricular-Arterial Coupling in Systole and Diastole
Authors: Shapiro Brian P. , Lam Carolyn S.P. , Patel Jeetendra B. , Mohammed Selma F. , Kruger Martina , Meyer Donna M. , Linke Wolfgang A. , Redfield Margaret M.
Published: July 2007

Aging and hypertension lead to arterial remodeling and tandem increases in arterial (Ea) and ventricular (LV) systolic stiffness (ventricular-arterial [VA] coupling). Age and hypertension also predispose to heart failure with normal ejection fraction (HFnlEF), where symptoms during hypertensive urgencies or exercise are common. We hypothesized that: (1) chronic VA coupling also occurs in diastole, (2) acute changes in Ea are coupled with shifts in the diastolic and systolic pressure-volume relationships (PVR), and (3) diastolic VA coupling reflects changes in LV diastolic stiffness rather than external forces or relaxation. Old chronically hypertensive (OHT, n=8) and young normal (YNL, n=7) dogs underwent assessment of PVR (caval occlusion) and of aortic pressure, dimension, and flow, at baseline and during changes in afterload and preload. Concomitant changes in the slope/position of PVR were accounted for by calculating systolic (ESV
200
) and diastolic (EDV
20
) volumes at common pressures (capacitance). OHT displayed marked vascular remodeling. Indices reflecting the pulsatile component of Ea (aortic stiffness and systemic arterial compliance) were more impaired in OHT at any distending pressure. In both groups, acute increases in Ea were associated with decreases in ESV
200
and EDV
20
. However, at any load, OHT had lower ESV
200
and EDV
20
, associated with LV remodeling and myocardial endothelin activation. Acute changes in EDV
20
were not mediated by changes in relaxation or external forces. These observations provide insight into the mechanisms whereby arterial remodeling and acute and chronic VA coupling in both systole and diastole may predispose to and interact with increases in load to cause HFnlEF.
Hired professional to hired gun: An identity theory approach to understanding the ethical behaviour of professionals in non-professional organizations
Authors: Gunz Hugh , Gunz Sally
Published: July 2007

Most recent major financial scandals have come about with the assistance, tacit or active, of highly trained professionals whose ethical responsibilities were thereby violated. This article addresses the question of why this might happen. It argues that the problem may lie in the adoption of a common prescription, namely that to be effective, in-house lawyers need to be part of the corporation's strategic decision-making process. But, paradoxically, in so doing, the lawyers' identities might become modified such that the approach they take to handling ethical dilemmas becomes more like that of their non-lawyer colleagues, thus losing some of the benefits of their professionalism. The results of a postal survey of Canadian corporate counsel provide supporting evidence for this conclusion.
An Evaluation of Retail Outlets as Part of a Community Prevention Trial to Reduce Sales of Harmful Legal Products to Youth
Authors: Courser Matthew W. , Holder Harold D. , Collins David , Johnson Knowlton , Ogilvie Kristen
Published: July 2007

Communities across the nation have become increasingly concerned about inhalant use and use of harmful legal products among youth because of increasing prevalence rates and deleterious health consequences from abusing these products. The increasing concern of communities about inhaling and ingesting legal products has been coupled with increasing awareness and concern about ability of youth to access and abuse a variety of other legal retail products. There are few examples of scientifically designed community prevention projects that seek to reduce youth abuse of such legal products. This article describes a community prevention trial that is designed to reduce sales of inhalants and other harmful legal products to youth and demonstrates how the retailer component of the trial can be rigorously evaluated. It also shows how data from youth purchase attempts can complement survey data from retailers.
A Numerical Study of Firebrands Scattering in Urban Fire Based on CFD and Firebrands Aerodynamics Measurements
Authors: Huang Hong , Ooka Ryozo , Kato Shinsuke , Hayashi Yoshihiko
Published: July 2007

Firebrands are found to be an important factor in the spread of large urban fire. In this study, in order to predict the scattering of firebrands in an urban fire, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD), turbulent combustion model, radiation model, and firebrand scattering model are coupled and it is validated by a fire wind tunnel experiment. The density, terminal velocity, and Stokes diameters of firebrands which are necessary for the firebrand scattering model are measured. The ratio of Stokes diameter to equivalent diameter is focused on 0.2—0.7. An urban fire simulation in a modeled urban area has been conducted using the coupled model and the firebrand experimental data. It is found that when the inflow wind velocity is comparatively slow, the size of the thermal plume becomes significant, and when the inflow wind velocity is high, the thermal plume is suppressed and greatly inclines to the leeward side, which increases the risk of the fire spreading to neighboring buildings. Firebrands can be scattered over 400 m. Firebrands are blown up by the thermal plume and the scattering distances are influenced by the background flow field, the magnitude of thermal plume, and the Stokes diameters of firebrands.
Vitamin C attenuates cisplatin-induced alterations in renal brush border membrane enzymes and phosphate transport
Authors: Fatima Sabiha , Arivarasu NA , Mahmood Riaz
Published: July 2007

Cisplatin is a widely used antineoplastic agent that exhibits dose limiting nephrotoxicity. We have previously shown that the administration of cisplatin results in decrease in the activities of renal brush border membrane (BBM) enzymes and transport of inorganic phosphate (Pi) across BBM vesicles. In the present study we have investigated the effect of pre-treatment with vitamin C (ascorbic acid) on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and changes in BBM enzymes and Pi transport. Administration of a single dose of cisplatin (6 mg/kg body weight) caused nephrotoxicity in rats that manifested biochemically as an elevation of serum urea nitrogen and creatinine levels. Treatment of rats with a single dose of vitamin C, six hours prior to administration of cisplatin, protected the kidney from the damaging effect of cisplatin. Vitamin C pre-treatment significantly decreased the urea nitrogen and creatinine levels. It attenuated the cisplatin-induced reduction in the activities of BBM and anti-oxidant enzymes and also Pi transport. These results suggest that vitamin C is an effective chemoprotectant against cisplatin-induced acute renal failure and dysfunction of the renal BBM in rats. Human & Experimental Toxicology ( 2007) 26, 419—426
Down regulation of aortic nitric oxide and antioxidant systems in chronic alcohol-induced hypertension in rats
Authors: Husain Kazim , Vazquez-Ortiz Manuel , Lalla Jainarine
Published: July 2007

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between chronic ethanol-induced increase in blood pressure (BP) and alterations in the aortic nitric oxide (NO) and the antioxidant systems in rats. Male Fisher rats (200—250 g) were divided into two groups of six animals each and treated as follows: 1) control (5% sucrose, orally) daily for 12 weeks and 2) 20% ethanol (4 g/kg, orally) daily for 12 weeks. The BP (systolic, diastolic and mean) was recorded every week through tail-cuff method. The animals were sacrificed 12 weeks after treatments and thoracic aorta was collected and analysed. The results show that systolic, diastolic and mean BP was significantly elevated 12 weeks after ethanol ingestion in rats compared to control. The endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expressions were down-regulated (50—55% of control) leading to depletion of aortic NO levels (69% of control) in ethanol treated rats compared to control. The ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) was significantly depleted (58% of control) in the aorta of ethanol-treated rats compared to control. The decrease in aortic GSH/GSSG ratio was good correlated with increase in BP ( r = 0.69). The antioxidant enzymes: copper/zinc-superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD) and manganese (Mn)-SOD, catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were significantly depressed (36—53% of control) in the aorta of ethanol-treated rats compared to control. The study concluded that chronic ethanol ingestion induces hypertension which relates to the vascular endothelial dysfunction on account of the down-regulation of aortic endothelial antioxidants and NO generating system in rats. Human & Experimental Toxicology (2007) 26, 427—434
Subendocardial infarction in a young survivor of aluminium phosphide poisoning
Authors: Kaushik Rajeev M , Kaushik Reshma , Mahajan Sukhdev K
Published: July 2007

Aluminium phosphide is a solid fumigant pesticide and has systemic toxicity due to liberation of phosphine gas. We report a case of aluminium phosphide poisoning with systemic toxicity in a 16-year-old patient who developed previously undocumented complication of subendocardial infarction, with characteristic electrocardiographic changes reverting back to normal after a period of 10 weeks, even though the patient had clinical recovery much earlier. Human & Experimental Toxicology ( 2007) 26, 457—460
Fatal valproate overdose in a newborn baby
Authors: Unal Ekrem , Kaya Ulkuhan , Aydin Kursad
Published: July 2007

Valproate is a widely used drug in the treatment of epilepsy in children and adults. However, it is not safe for patients under two years of age, especially during the newborn period. This study presents a case of fatal valproate overdose in a 26-day-old female newborn, who is the youngest patient in the literature. Human & Experimental Toxicology, ( 2007) 26, 453—456
A study on immunotoxicological effects of subacute amitraz exposure in rats
Authors: Institoris L. , Banfi H. , Lengyel Zs. , Papp A. , Nagymajtenyi L.
Published: July 2007

The effects of amitraz, a formamidine pesticide, were investigated in four-week old outbred male Wistar rats on certain classic toxicological and haematological parameters as well as on specific immune functions. The animals were treated, per os by gavage for 28 days, in a five-day treatment two days break system, with 26.5, 21.1, 10.6 and 5.29 mg/kg/day amitraz. On the 29th day, organ weights of the thymus, heart, lung, spleen, liver, kidneys, adrenals, testicles and popliteal lymph node; WBC and RBC counts, Ht, MCV, haemoglobin; and cell content of the femoral bone marrow were determined. In two separate groups, the effects of amitraz on the PFC content of the spleen, and on the maximum level and time course of DTH reaction, were investigated.

Amitraz in 26.5 mg/kg dose increased relative adrenal weight, and decreased relative liver weight, MCV value, PFC content of the spleen, and the maximum level of DTH reaction. The 21.1 mg/kg dose decreased only MCV value, while 10.6 mg/kg elevated the liver-to-brain weight ratio. Based of these findings, a NOEL dose of 5.29 mg/kg was determined for amitraz in this experimental system; while the LOEL doses were 10.6 mg/kg for the general toxicological, 21.1 mg/kg for the haematological and 26.5 mg/kg for the immune function parameters. The results show that the exposure sensitivity of these immune functions to amitraz is lower than that of some other toxicological and haematological parameters. Human & Experimental Toxicology ( 2007) 26 , 441—445
Suggestions to Improve Social Work Journal Editorial and Peer-Review Processes: The San Antonio Response to the Miami Statement
Authors: Holden Gary , Thyer Bruce A. , Baer Judith , Delva Jorge , Dulmus Catherine N. , Shanks Trina Williams
Published: July 2007

Interest in and concern about scholarly communications through social work journals seem to have increased recently. One indicator of this concern was the publication of the Miami statement. A Society for Social Work and Research Presidential Task Force was created to continue work on these issues. This article discusses the work of one subcommittee of that task force. This subcommittee developed a set of suggestions pertaining to the processes of submitting social work manuscripts to journals and to the system of editorial review and processing. The authors view these suggestions as expanding on the Miami statement.
Witnessing Violence Across the Life Course, Depressive Symptoms, and Alcohol Use Among Older Persons
Authors: Sha Juan Colbert  , Krause Neal
Published: July 2007

The purpose of this study is to see whether witnessing a very violent act at any point in the life course is associated with depressive symptoms and alcohol use in late life. The data come from a nationwide probability sample of older adults ( N = 1,498). The findings reveal that witnessing violence is associated with more symptoms of depression for older women but not older men. In contrast, seeing a violent act is associated with greater alcohol consumption for older men but not older women. The results further indicate that age at first exposure to a violent act is not consistently associated with current depression or alcohol intake, suggesting that people who see something violent happen at any time in life may be at risk. The implications of these findings for designing interventions to help those who witness violent acts are discussed.
The class structure of rural-to-urban migration The case of Norway
Authors: RYE JOHAN FREDRIK , BLEKESAUNE ARILD
Published: July 2007

This article discusses the rural-to-urban migration of young people in Norway from a class perspective: To what extent do youth in different social classes have distinct migration patterns? Based on data from the decennial Norwegian Censuses (1960–90) and the Norwegian Migration Register (the Generation Database), the analysis traces the migration pattern of all Norwegians born in 1965 who grew up in a rural part of the country. The theoretical point of departure is a hypothesis that young people from better-off rural families are the most likely to leave the countryside in favour of a more urban life, particularly to take-up educational opportunities. This proposition is substantiated by the empirical analysis in the article, and is explained by the tendency of inter-generational reproduction of social class status and lifestyles, which encourages members of rural upper classes to migrate to urban areas, to a greater extent than among young people in the lower social classes.
With the ballot and the brick
Authors: Booysen Susan
Published: July 2007

South Africa's March 2006 local government elections in many ways assumed the character of a de facto referendum on service delivery. Leading into this election were two years of grass-roots protests against both the quality of service delivery and public representation of the grass-roots' service delivery needs. Contrary to public expectations that the protests were signals of a systematic revolt against the ruling African National Congress (ANC), surveys in the run-up to the election indicated that protest and voting were rated equally as mechanisms to attain improved levels of service delivery. The analysis explores these survey findings and the local government election results. The election results confirmed the initial survey indications, showing that turnout was maintained and support for the ANC increased. The grass roots were involved in a multifaceted series of direct engagements with their party to simultaneously keep it in power but also pressure it for advances in service delivery.
Public-sector transformation in South Africa
Authors: Wenzel Philip
Published: July 2007

This paper uses post-apartheid development and structural adjustment policies as macro-case studies for investigating the politics of service delivery during the first decade of democracy in South Africa. It provides a sobering outlook on South Africa's development and democratisation potential by analysing emerging modes of governance, specifically looking at (the failure of ) nation building, the autocratic leadership style of the new politico-administrative elite, and the overall ineffectiveness of managerialist public sector reforms. The criticism is directed towards cognitive biases in the political culture, and the danger of overall development failure, resulting from ineffectual management and regulatory politics.
A paired comparison approach for the analysis of sets of Likert-scale responses
Authors: Dittrich Regina , Francis Brian , Hatzinger Reinhold , Katzenbeisser Walter
Published: July 2007

This paper provides an alternative methodology for the analysis of a set of Likert responses measured on a common attitudinal scale when the primary focus of interest is on the relative importance of items in the set. The method makes fewer assumptions about the distribution of the responses than the more usual approaches such as comparisons of means, MANOVA or ordinal data methods. The approach transforms the Likert responses into paired comparison responses between the items. The complete multivariate pattern of responses thus produced can be analyzed by an appropriately reformulated paired comparison model. The dependency structure between item responses can also be modelled flexibly. The advantage of this approach is that sets of Likert responses can be analyzed simultaneously within the Generalized Linear Model framework, providing standard likelihood-based inference for model selection. This method is applied to a recent international survey on the importance of environmental problems.
Smoothing the Lee–Carter and Poisson log-bilinear models for mortality forecasting
Authors: Delwarde Antoine , Denuit Michel , Eilers Paul
Published: July 2007

Mortality improvements pose a challenge for the planning of public retirement systems as well as for the private life annuities business. For public policy, as well as for the management of financial institutions, it is important to forecast future mortality rates. Standard models for mortality forecasting assume that the force of mortality at age x in calendar year t is of the form exp(αx + βxκt ). The log of the time series of age-specific death rates is thus expressed as the sum of an age-specific component αx that is independent of time and another component that is the product of time-varying parameter κt reflecting the general level of mortality, and an age-specific component βx that represents how rapidly or slowly mortality at each age varies when the general level of mortality changes. This model is fitted to historical data. The resulting estimated κt 's are then modeled and projected as stochastic time series using standard Box–Jenkins methods. However, the estimated βx's exhibit an irregular pattern in most cases, and this produces irregular projected life tables. This article demonstrates that it is possible to smooth the estimated βx's in the Lee–Carter and Poisson log-bilinear models for mortality projection. To this end, penalized least-squares/maximum likelihood analysis is performed. The optimal value of the smoothing parameter is selected with the help of cross validation.
Television as Lover, Part II: Doing Auto[Erotic]Ethnography
Authors: Ott Brian L.
Published: July 2007

This article seeks to demonstrate how to engage with television in an ecstatic mode. Toward that end, it undertakes an auto[erotic]ethnography of the author's television viewing practices. The conclusion reflects on the implications of viewing in this mode for the practice of criticism.
A Western Consumer in Korea: Autoethnographical Fiction of Western Performance
Authors: Kien Grant
Published: July 2007

Shopping is a profoundly important survival skill. It also communicates power, status, class, and many other ritualistic aspects of culture that imbue the performance of shopping with meaning beyond the fulfillment of material needs. Shopping is at once political and pleasurable, if not at times frustrating. These autoethnographic vignettes show the effects of a foreign male body navigating and blundering through consumer culture in South Korea. Beginning with the seemingly simple task of ordering coffee at a coffee shop, what follows investigates nuances of performing Western consumerism out of the Western context, moving on to bigger ticket and even household items in more chaotic and, sometimes, predictably docile sites. Informed by the works of Alexander (2003), Denzin (2003), Ellis and Bochner (2000), and Ulmer (1989), these vignettes illustrate the moments of epiphany in which the often paradoxical and contradictory motivations and effects of everyday performances of culture are revealed and understood.
Molecular cloning and analysis of zebrafish voltage-gated sodium channel beta subunit genes: implications for the evolution of electrical signaling in vertebrates
Authors: Chopra Sameer S , Watanabe Hiroshi , Zhong Tao P , Roden Dan M
Published: July 2007

Background

Action potential generation in excitable cells such as myocytes and neurons critically depends on voltage-gated sodium channels. In mammals, sodium channels exist as macromolecular complexes that include a pore-forming alpha subunit and 1 or more modulatory beta subunits. Although alpha subunit genes have been cloned from diverse metazoans including flies, jellyfish, and humans, beta subunits have not previously been identified in any non-mammalian species. To gain further insight into the evolution of electrical signaling in vertebrates, we investigated beta subunit genes in the teleost Danio rerio (zebrafish).

Results

We identified and cloned single zebrafish gene homologs for beta1-beta3 (zbeta1-zbeta3) and duplicate genes for beta4 (zbeta4.1, zbeta4.2). Sodium channel beta subunit loci are similarly organized in fish and mammalian genomes. Unlike their mammalian counterparts, zbeta1 and zbeta2 subunit genes display extensive alternative splicing. Zebrafish beta subunit genes and their splice variants are differentially-expressed in excitable tissues, indicating tissue-specific regulation of zbeta1-4 expression and splicing. Co-expression of the genes encoding zbeta1 and the zebrafish sodium channel alpha subunit Nav1.5 in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells increased sodium current and altered channel gating, demonstrating functional interactions between zebrafish alpha and beta subunits. Analysis of the synteny and phylogeny of mammalian, teleost, amphibian, and avian beta subunit and related genes indicated that all extant vertebrate beta subunits are orthologous, that beta2/beta4 and beta1/beta3 share common ancestry, and that beta subunits are closely related to other proteins sharing the V-type immunoglobulin domain structure. Vertebrate sodium channel beta subunit genes were not identified in the genomes of invertebrate chordates and are unrelated to known subunits of the para sodium channel in Drosophila.

Conclusion

The identification of conserved orthologs to all 4 voltage-gated sodium channel beta subunit genes in zebrafish and the lack of evidence for beta subunit genes in invertebrate chordates together indicate that this gene family emerged early in vertebrate evolution, prior to the divergence of teleosts and tetrapods. The evolutionary history of sodium channel beta subunits suggests that these genes may have played a key role in the diversification and specialization of electrical signaling in early vertebrates.
Comparative genomic hybridizations reveal absence of large Streptomyces coelicolor genomic islands in Streptomyces lividans
Authors: Jayapal Karthik P , Lian Wei , Glod Frank , Sherman David H , Hu Wei-Shou
Published: July 2007

Background

The genomes of Streptomyces coelicolor and Streptomyces lividans bear a considerable degree of synteny. While S. coelicolor is the model streptomycete for studying antibiotic synthesis and differentiation, S. lividans is almost exclusively considered as the preferred host, among actinomycetes, for cloning and expression of exogenous DNA. We used whole genome microarrays as a comparative genomics tool for identifying the subtle differences between these two chromosomes.

Results

We identified five large S. coelicolor genomic islands (larger than 25 kb) and 18 smaller islets absent in S. lividans chromosome. Many of these regions show anomalous GC bias and codon usage patterns. Six of them are in close vicinity of tRNA genes while nine are flanked with near perfect repeat sequences indicating that these are probable recent evolutionary acquisitions into S. coelicolor. Embedded within these segments are at least four DNA methylases and two probable methyl-sensing restriction endonucleases. Comparison with S. coelicolor transcriptome and proteome data revealed that some of the missing genes are active during the course of growth and differentiation in S. coelicolor. In particular, a pair of methylmalonyl CoA mutase (mcm) genes involved in polyketide precursor biosynthesis, an acyl-CoA dehydrogenase implicated in timing of actinorhodin synthesis and bldB, a developmentally significant regulator whose mutation causes complete abrogation of antibiotic synthesis belong to this category.

Conclusion

Our findings provide tangible hints for elucidating the genetic basis of important phenotypic differences between these two streptomycetes. Importantly, absence of certain genes in S. lividans identified here could potentially explain the relative ease of DNA transformations and the conditional lack of actinorhodin synthesis in S. lividans.
Diagnosis of tuberculosis in an Indian population by an indirect ELISA protocol based on detection of Antigen 85 complex: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Kashyap Rajpal S , Rajan Anju N , Ramteke Sonali S , Agrawal Vijay S , Kelkar Sanjivani S , Purohit Hemant J , Taori Girdhar M , Daginawala Hatim F
Published: July 2007

Background

Diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) remains problematic despite many new advanced diagnostic methods. A reliable and rapid diagnostic test, which could be performed in any standard pathology laboratory, would help to obtain definitive early diagnoses of TB. In the present study we describe a prospective evaluation for demonstrating Antigen (Ag) 85 complex in the sera from TB patients.

Methods

Indirect ELISA, employing monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against the purified Ag 85 complex, was used to demonstrate Ag 85 complex in sera from TB patients. Serum samples were obtained from 197 different groups of patients: confirmed TB {n = 24}, clinically diagnosed TB {n = 104}, disease controls {n = 49} and healthy controls {n = 20}. Receiver operating curve (ROC) was used to calculate the cut off value and comparison between TB and non-TB groups were done by the chi-square test.

Results

The indirect ELISA method, using an mAb against Ag 85 complex, yielded 82% sensitivity (95% confidence interval [CI] 67 to 93%) and 86% specificity (95% CI, 57 to 98%) for the diagnosis of TB. The serum positivities for Ag 85 complex in cases of confirmed and clinically diagnosed TB patients were 96% (23/24) and 79% (82/104) respectively, while the positivity for patients in the non-tuberculosis group was 14% (10/69).

Conclusion

The detection of Ag 85 complex in sera from TB patients by indirect ELISA using mAb against purified Ag 85 complex gives a reliable diagnosis and can be used to develop an immunodiagnostic assay with increased sensitivity and specificity.
The synergistic inhibitory effect of somatostatin-doxorubicin co-treatment on gallbladder carcinoma
Authors: Li Ji-Yu , Quan Zhi-Wei , Zhang Qiang , Liu Jian-Wen
Published: July 2007

Background

Gallbladder cancer is the most common billiary tract malignancy and carries a very poor prognosis. Somatostatin was recently shown to play an important role in the development of various tumors. In the current study, we evaluated the effect of doxorubicin on the chemosensitivity of gallbladder cancer cells and xenograft growth after treatment with somatostatin.

Methods

Twenty-four hours after somatostatin treatment, doxorubicin was gradually added and the growth curve of gallbladder cancer cells was determined. Exponential-phase gallbladder cancer cells were treated with doxorubicine or co-treated with doxorubicine and somastatine and the respective IC50 values were determined. In addition, the inhibitory effect on the growth of gallbladder cancer xenograft on nude mice was evaluated using the same treatments as those described above.

Results

Treatment of gallbladder cancer cells with somatostatin led to a block in the cell cycle at the S phase. Growth inhibition of gallbladder cancer cells by doxorubicin was concentration-dependent (P < 0.05). However, upon co-treatment with doxorubicin and somatostatin, the IC50 value significantly decreased as compared to that of cells treated with doxorubicine alone (P < 0.05). Interestingly, treatment with either doxorubicin or somatostatin did not significantly inhibit xenograft growth on nude mice, in contrast to a co-treatment with both drugs (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Somatostatin most likely sensitizes the chemotherapeutic effect and diminishes the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin in a gallbladder cancer cell line and in mouse gallbladder cancer xenografts.
The use of a silicone-coated acrylic vaginal stent in McIndoe vaginoplasty and review of the literature concerning silicone-based vaginal stents: a case report
Authors: Coskun Ayhan , Coban Yusuf Kenan , Vardar Mehmet Ali , Dalay Ahmet Cemil
Published: July 2007

Background

Mc Indoe vaginoplasty is one of the mostly performed surgical interventions in Mullerian agenesis.

Case presentations

We present our experience on the use of a new designed vaginal stent that was coated with silicone in two mullerian agenesis cases who had Mc Indoe vaginoplasty. Both full thickness and splitt thickness skin graft were used with the stent. No graft loss or hyperthrophic scarring which may be seen at the apex of neovagina after Mc Indoe vaginoplasty was observed during the follow-up period and adequate neovaginal depth were obtained in both of the patients.

Conclusion

We think that the incorporation of silicone to a vaginal stent for postoperative wound care improves skin graft take and decreases a possible constriction band formation in neovagina.
Approach to endoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy (EERPE): the impact of previous laparoscopic experience on the learning curve
Authors: Blana Andreas , Straub Markus , Wild Peter J , Lunz Jens C , Bach Thorsten , Wieland Wolf F , Ganzer Roman
Published: July 2007

Background

We report our approach regarding the technique of endoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy (EERPE) and analyze the learning curve of two surgeons after thorough technical training under expert monitoring. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of expert monitoring on the surgical outcome and whether previous laparoscopic experience influences the surgeon's learning curve.

Methods

EERPE was performed on 120 consecutive patients by two surgeons with different experience in laparoscopy. An analysis and comparison of their learning curve was made.

Results

Median operation time: 200 (110 – 415) minutes. Complications: no conversion, blood transfusion (1.7%), rectal injury (3.3%). Median catheterisation time: 6 (5 – 45) days. Histopathological data: 55% pT2, 45% pT3 with a positive surgical margin rate of 6.1% and 46%, respectively. After 12 months, 78% of the patients were continent, 22% used 1 or more pad. Potency rate with or without PDE-5-inhibitors was 66% with bilateral and 31% with unilateral nerve-sparing, respectively. Operation time was the only parameter to differ significantly between the two surgeons.

Conclusion

EERPE can be learned within a short teaching phase. Previous laparoscopic experience is reflected by shorter operation times, not by lower complication rates or superior early oncological data.
Co-infection with Trypanosoma cruzi protects mice against early death by neurological or pulmonary disorders induced by Plasmodium berghei ANKA
Authors: Egima Claudia M , Macedo Silene F , Sasso Gisela RS , Covarrubias Charles , Cortez Mauro , Maeda Fernando Y , Costa Fabio T , Yoshida Nobuko
Published: July 2007

Objective

The objective of this study was to investigate whether the infection of C57BL/6 mice by P. berghei ANKA, which causes severe malaria, was modulated by co-infection with Trypanosoma cruzi.

Methods

Groups of C57BL/6 mice were infected either with P. berghei ANKA, T. cruzi strain G, or with both parasites. The presence of parasites was checked by microscopic examination of blood samples. Symptoms of neurological or respiratory disorders, as well as mortality, were registered. Breakdown of the blood brain barrier was determined by injecting the dye Evans blue. Histological sections of the lung were prepared and stained with hematoxilin-eosin.

Results

All mice infected only with P. berghei ANKA died within 7–11 days post-infection, either with symptoms of cerebral malaria or with respiratory abnormalities. The animals co-infected with T. cruzi strain G survived longer, without any of the referred to symptoms. Protection against the early death by severe malaria was effective when mice were given T. cruzi 15 days before P. berghei inoculation. Breakdown of the blood brain barrier and extensive pulmonary oedema, caused by malaria parasites, were much less pronounced in co-infected mice. The degree of protection to severe malaria and early death, conferred by co-infection with T. cruzi, was comparable to that conferred by treatment with anti-CD8 antibodies.

Conclusion

Co-infection with T. cruzi protects C57BL/6 against the early death by malaria infection, by partially preventing either the breakdown of the blood brain, and cerebral malaria as a consequence, or the pulmonary oedema.
Multidisciplinary and participatory workshops with stakeholders in a community of extreme poverty in the Peruvian Amazon: Development of priority concerns and potential health, nutrition and education interventions
Authors: Casapia Martin , Joseph Serene A , Gyorkos Theresa W
Published: July 2007

Background

Communities of extreme poverty suffer disproportionately from a wide range of adverse outcomes, but are often neglected or underserved by organized services and research attention. In order to target the first Millennium Development Goal of eradicating extreme poverty, thereby reducing health inequalities, participatory research in these communities is needed. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the priority problems and respective potential cost-effective interventions in Belen, a community of extreme poverty in the Peruvian Amazon, using a multidisciplinary and participatory focus.

Methods

Two multidisciplinary and participatory workshops were conducted with important stakeholders from government, non-government and community organizations, national institutes and academic institutions. In Workshop 1, participants prioritized the main health and health-related problems in the community of Belen. Problem trees were developed to show perceived causes and effects for the top six problems. In Workshop 2, following presentations describing data from recently completed field research in school and household populations of Belen, participants listed potential interventions for the priority problems, including associated barriers, enabling factors, costs and benefits.

Results

The top ten priority problems in Belen were identified as: 1) infant malnutrition; 2) adolescent pregnancy; 3) diarrhoea; 4) anaemia; 5) parasites; 6) lack of basic sanitation; 7) low level of education; 8) sexually transmitted diseases; 9) domestic violence; and 10) delayed school entry. Causes and effects for the top six problems, proposed interventions, and factors relating to the implementation of interventions were multidisciplinary in nature and included health, nutrition, education, social and environmental issues.

Conclusion

The two workshops provided valuable insight into the main health and health-related problems facing the community of Belen. The participatory focus of the workshops ensured the active involvement of important stakeholders from Belen. Based on the results of the workshops, effective and essential interventions are now being planned which will contribute to reducing health inequalities in the community.
Cytotoxic effect of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-4-ribofuranoside (AICAR) on childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells: implication for targeted therapy
Authors: Sengupta Tapas K , Leclerc Gilles M , Hsieh-Kinser Ting Ting , Leclerc Guy J , Singh Inderjit , Barredo Julio C
Published: July 2007

Background

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common hematological malignancy affecting children. Despite significant progress and success in the treatment of ALL, a significant number of children continue to relapse and for them, outcome remains poor. Therefore, the search for novel therapeutic approaches is warranted. The aim of this study was to investigate the AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK) as a potential target in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) subtypes characterized by non-random translocation signature profiles. We evaluated the effects of the AMPK activator AICAR on cell growth, cell cycle regulators and apoptosis of various childhood ALL cells.

Results

We found that treatment with AICAR inhibited cell proliferation, induced cell cycle arrest in G1-phase, and apoptosis in CCRF-CEM (T-ALL), NALM6 (Bp-ALL), REH (Bp-ALL, TEL/AML1) and SupB15 (Bp-ALL, BCR/ABL) cells. These effects were abolished by treatment with the adenosine kinase inhibitor 5'-iodotubericidin prior to addition of AICAR indicating that AICAR's cytotoxicity is mediated through AMPK activation. Moreover, we determined that growth inhibition exerted by AICAR was associated with activation of p38-MAPK and increased expression of the cell cycle regulators p27 and p53. We also demonstrated that AICAR mediated apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway as revealed by the release of cytochrome C and cleavage of caspase 9. Additionally, AICAR treatment resulted in phosphorylation of Akt suggesting that activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway may represent a compensatory survival mechanism in response to apoptosis and/or cell cycle arrest. Combined treatment with AICAR and the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin resulted in additive anti-proliferative activity ALL cells.

Conclusion

AICAR-mediated AMPK activation was found to be a proficient cytotoxic agent in ALL cells and the mechanism of its anti-proliferative and apoptotic effect appear to be mediated via activation of p38-MAPK pathway, increased expression of cell cycle inhibitory proteins p27 and p53, and downstream effects on the mTOR pathway, hence exhibiting therapeutic potential as a molecular target for the treatment of childhood ALL. Therefore, activation of AMPK by AICAR represents a novel approach to targeted therapy, and suggests a role for AICAR in combination therapy with inhibitors of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways for the treatment of childhood in ALL.
Breast cancer metastasis to the stomach may mimic primary gastric cancer: report of two cases and review of literature
Authors: Jones Gregory E , Strauss Dirk C , Forshaw Matthew J , Deere Harriet , Mahedeva Ula , Mason Robert C
Published: July 2007

Background

The stomach is an infrequent site of breast cancer metastasis. It may prove very difficult to distinguish a breast cancer metastasis to the stomach from a primary gastric cancer on the basis of clinical, endoscopic, radiological and histopathological features. It is important to make this distinction as the basis of treatment for breast cancer metastasis to the stomach is usually with systemic therapies rather than surgery.

Case presentations

The first patient, a 51 year old woman, developed an apparently localised signet-ring gastric adenocarcinoma 3 years after treatment for lobular breast cancer with no clinical evidence of recurrence. Initial gastric biopsies were negative for both oestrogen and progesterone receptors. Histopathology after a D2 total gastrectomy was reported as T4 N3 Mx. Immunohistochemistry for Gross Cystic Disease Fluid Protein was positive, suggesting metastatic breast cancer. The second patient, a 61 year old woman, developed a proximal gastric signet-ring adenocarcinoma 14 years after initial treatment for breast cancer which had subsequently recurred with bony and pleural metastases. In this case, initial gastric biopsies were positive for both oestrogen and progesterone receptors; subsequent investigations revealed widespread metastases and surgery was avoided.

Conclusion

In patients with a history of breast cancer, a high index of suspicion for potential breast cancer metastasis to the stomach should be maintained when new gastrointestinal symptoms develop or an apparent primary gastric cancer is diagnosed. Complete histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of the gastric biopsies and comparison with the original breast cancer pathology is important.
Changes in population characteristics and their implication on public health research
Authors: Du Ping , Coles F Bruce , O'Campo Patricia , McNutt Louise-Anne
Published: July 2007

Population estimates are generally drawn from one point in time to study disease trends over time; changes in population characteristics over time are usually not assessed and included in the study design. We evaluated whether population characteristics remained static and assessed the degree of population shifts over time. The analysis was based on the New York State 1990 and 2000 census data with adjustments for changes in geographic boundaries. Differences in census tract information were quantified by calculating the mean, median, standard deviation, and the percent of change for each population characteristic. Between 1990 and 2000, positive and negative fluctuations in population size created a U-shaped bimodal pattern of population change which increased the disparities in demographics and socioeconomic status for many census tracts. While 268 (10%) census tracts contracted by 10%, twice as many census tracts (21%, N = 557) grew at least 10%. Notably, the non-Hispanic African-American population grew 10% or more in 152 tracts. Although there were overall reductions in working class and undereducated populations and gains in incomes, most census tracts experienced growing income inequalities and an increased poverty rate. These changes were most pronounced in urban census tracts. Differences in population characteristics in a decade showed growing disparities in demographics and socioeconomic status. This study elucidates that important population shifts should be taken into account when conducting longitudinal research.
Relationship between the loss of neutralizing antibody binding and fusion activity of the F protein of human respiratory syncytial virus
Authors: Liu Changbao , Day Nicole D , Branigan Patrick J , Gutshall Lester L , Sarisky Robert T , Del Vecchio Alfred M
Published: July 2007

To elucidate the relationship between resistance to HRSV neutralizing antibodies directed against the F protein and the fusion activity of the F protein, a recombinant approach was used to generate a panel of mutations in the major antigenic sites of the F protein. These mutant proteins were assayed for neutralizing mAb binding (ch101F, palivizumab, and MAb19), level of expression, post-translational processing, cell surface expression, and fusion activity. Functional analysis of the fusion activity of the panel of mutations revealed that the fusion activity of the F protein is tolerant to multiple changes in the site II and IV/V/VI region in contrast with the somewhat limited spectrum of changes in the F protein identified from the isolation of HRSV neutralizing antibody virus escape mutants. This finding suggests that aspects other than fusion activity may limit the spectrum of changes tolerated within the F protein that are selected for by neutralizing antibodies.