bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Severe liver steatosis correlates with nitrosative and oxidative stress in rats
Authors: Grattagliano I. , Caraceni P. , Calamita G. , Ferri D. , Gargano I. , Palasciano G. , Portincasa P.
Published: June 2008

Background  Little is known about nitric oxide (NO) metabolism and redox changes with hepatocyte adipocytic transformation. The aims of this study were to investigate the changes occurring in plasma and hepatic NO metabolites and redox balance in a rat experimental model of simple fatty liver, and to relate plasma with hepatic and mitochondrial changes at different degrees of steatosis.

Materials and methods  Circulating and hepatic redox active and nitrogen regulating molecules thioredoxin, glutathione, protein thiols (PSH), mixed disulfides (PSSG), NO metabolites nitrosothiols, nitrite plus nitrate (NOx), and lipid peroxides (TBARs) were measured in rats fed a choline deprived (CD) diet for 30 days.

Results  At histology, the CD diet resulted in hepatocellular steatosis (75% of liver weight at day 30) with no signs of necro‐inflammation. In plasma, thioredoxin, nitrosothiols and NOx were unchanged, while TBARs levels increased significantly and were positively related with hepatic TBARs (r = 0·87,P < 0·001) and lipid content (r = 0·90,P < 0·001). In the liver, glutathione initially increased (day 3) and then decreased. From day 14, PSH decreased and NO derivatives increased. Thioredoxin 1 had initially increased (days 7–14) and then decreased. In the mitochondria, on day 14, nitrosothiols were inversely related to thioredoxin 2 (r = 0·988,P < 0·05); on day 30, PSH were decreased by 70%, PSSG were doubled and related with nitrosothiols levels (r = 0·925,P < 0·001).

Conclusion  Adipocytic transformation of hepatocytes is accompanied by major interrelated modifications of redox parameters and NO metabolism especially at mitochondrial level, suggesting an early adaptive protective response but also an increased predisposition towards pro‐oxidant insults.
Visfatin expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue of pre‐menopausal women: relation to hormones and weight reduction
Authors: Kovacikova M. , Vitkova M. , Klimcakova E. , Polak J. , Hejnova J. , Bajzova M. , Kovacova Z. , Viguerie N. , Langin D. , Stich V.
Published: June 2008

Background   A novel adipokine, visfatin, was found to be related to adiposity in humans and regulated by a number of hormonal signals. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships of visfatin expression in adipose tissue with potential regulatory factors such as insulin, testosterone and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and to elucidate the effect of a diet induced weight reduction on adipose tissue mRNA expression and plasma levels of visfatin.

Materials and methods   Biopsies of subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (SCAAT) and plasma samples were obtained at the beginning of the study from 47 pre‐menopausal women (age 38·7 ± 1·7 years, body mass index (BMI) 27·9 ± 1·4 kg m−2), consisting of 15 lean, 16 overweight and 16 obese subjects. The subgroup of 32 overweight/obese women (age 42·1 ± 1·9 years, BMI 31·2 ± 0·9 kg m−2) underwent a 12 week hypocaloric weight reducing diet and samples were obtained at the end of the diet. Biopsy samples were analysed for visfatin and TNF‐α mRNA levels and plasma was analysed for relevant metabolites and hormones.

Results   In the group of 47 subjects visfatin mRNA expression in SCAAT was negatively correlated with plasma free testosterone (r = –0. 363, P < 0·05) and BMI (r = –0·558, P < 0·01) and positively associated with adipose tissue TNF‐α mRNA expression (r = 0·688, P < 0·01). The diet resulted in the reduction of body weight and in the decrease of plasma insulin, free testosterone and TNF‐α levels. In the group of overweight/obese subjects visfatin mRNA in SCAAT increased after the diet and the diet induced increase was positively correlated with the magnitude of body weight loss.

Conclusion   Visfatin mRNA expression in SCAAT is associated with TNF‐α expression, plasma free testosterone and BMI in pre‐menopausal women. A weight reducing hypocaloric diet results in the increase of visfatin mRNA in SCAAT.
Muscle myostatin signalling is enhanced in experimental cancer cachexia
Authors: Costelli P. , Muscaritoli M. , Bonetto A. , Penna F. , Reffo P. , Bossola M. , Bonelli G. , Doglietto G. B. , Baccino F. M. , Fanelli F. Rossi
Published: June 2008

Background/Aims   Myostatin belongs to the transforming growth factor‐β superfamily and negatively regulates skeletal muscle mass. Its deletion induces muscle overgrowth, while, on the contrary, its overexpression or systemic administration cause muscle atrophy. The present study was aimed at investigating whether muscle depletion as occurring in an experimental model of cancer cachexia, the rat bearing the Yoshida AH‐130 hepatoma, is associated with modulations of myostatin signalling and whether the cytokine tumour necrosis factor‐α may be relevant in this regard.

Materials and methods   Protein levels of myostatin, follistatin (myostatin endogenous inhibitor) and the activin receptor type IIB have been evaluated in the gastrocnemius of tumour‐bearing rats by Western blotting. Circulating myostatin and follistatin in tumour hosts were evaluated by immunoprecipitation, while the DNA‐binding activity of the SMAD transcription factors was determined by electrophoretic‐mobility shift assay.

Results   In day 4 tumour hosts muscle myostatin levels were comparable to controls, yet follistatin was reduced, and SMAD DNA‐binding activity was enhanced. At day 7, both myostatin and follistatin increased in tumour bearers, while SMAD DNA‐binding activity was unchanged. To investigate whether tumour necrosis factor‐α contributed to induce such changes, rats were administered pentoxifylline, an inhibitor of tumour necrosis factor‐α synthesis that partially corrects muscle depletion in tumour‐bearing rats. The drug reduced both myostatin expression and SMAD DNA‐binding activity in day 4 tumour hosts and up‐regulated follistatin at day 7.

Conclusions   These observations suggest that myostatin pathway should be regarded as a potential therapeutic target in cancer cachexia.
Finite‐frequency tomography in a crustal environment: Application to the western part of the Gulf of Corinth
Authors: Gautier S. , Nolet G. , Virieux J.
Published: June 2008

In this paper we investigate finite‐frequency effects in crustal tomography. We developed an inversion procedure based on an exact numerical computation of the sensitivity kernels. In this approach we compute the 3D travel‐time sensitivity kernels by using (1) graph theory and an additional bending to estimate accurately both rays and travel‐times between source/receiver and diffraction points and (2) paraxial ray theory to estimate the amplitude along theses rays. We invert both the velocity and the hypocentre parameters, using these so‐called banana‐doughnut kernels and the LSQR iterative solver. We compare the ray‐theoretical and the finite‐frequency tomography to image the intermediate structures beneath the Gulf of Corinth (Greece), which has long been recognized as the most active continental rifting zone in the Mediterranean region. Our dataset consists of 451 local events with 9233 P‐ first‐arrival times recorded in the western part of the Gulf (Aigion area) in the framework of the 3F‐Corinth European project. Previous tomographic images showed a complex velocity crustal model and a low‐dip surface that may accommodate the deformation. Accurate velocity models will help to better constrain the rifting process, which is still a subject of debate. The main results of this study show that finite‐frequency tomography improves crustal tomographic images by providing better resolved images of the 3D complicated velocity structure. Because the kernels spread the information over a volume, finite‐frequency tomography results in a sharpening of layer boundaries as we observed for the shallower part of the crust (down to 5 km depth) beneath the Gulf of Corinth.
Yardsticks for industrial tomography
Authors: Vesnaver A.
Published: June 2008

Seismic tomography has been developed and applied for decades in seismological applications and for basic research purposes. During the last decade, large‐scale applications in the oil and gas industry became standard as tomostatics and velocity modelling for pre‐stack depth migration. In this paper, I take a snapshot of some current industrial applications, quantifying practical aspects by yardsticks such as data and model size and I try to draw a road map for the current decade.
Depth and morphology of reflectors from the non‐linear inversion of arrival times and waveform semblance data. Part II: modelling and interpretation of real data acquired in Southern Apennines, Italy
Authors: Corciulo M. , Zollo A. , Vassallo M. , Dell'Aversana P. , Morandi S.
Published: June 2008

In order to retrieve a 2D background velocity model and to retrieve the geometry and depth of shallow crustal reflectors in the Southern Apennines thrust belt a separate inversion of first arrival traveltimes and reflected waveforms was performed. Data were collected during an active seismic experiment in 1999 by Enterprise Oil Italiana and Eni‐Agip using a global offset acquisition geometry. A total of 284 on‐land shots were recorded by 201 receivers deployed on an 18 km line oriented SW–NE in the Val D'Agri region (Southern Apennines, Italy).

The two‐step procedure allows for the retrieval of a reliable velocity model by using a non‐linear tomographic inversion and reflected waveform semblance data inversion. The tomographic model shows that the P wave velocity field varies vertically from approximately 3 km/s to 6 km/s within 4 km from the Earth's surface. Moreover, at a distance of approximately 11 km along the profile, there is an abrupt increase in the velocity field. In this zone indeed, an ascent from 2 km depth to 0 km above sea level of the 5.2 km/s iso‐velocity contour can be noted. The retrieved velocity can be associated with Plio‐Pleistocene clastic deposits outcropping in the basin zone and with Mesozoic limestone deposits. The inversion of waveform semblance data shows that a P‐to‐P reflector is retrieved at a depth of approximately 2 km. This interface is deeper in the north‐eastern part of the profile, where it reaches 3 km depth and can be associated with a limestone horizon.
Iterative tomographic analysis based on automatic refined picking
Authors: Satriano Claudio , Zollo Aldo , Rowe Charlotte
Published: June 2008

The ever‐growing size of data sets for active and passive seismic imaging makes the availability of automatic procedures for rapid analysis more and more valuable. Such procedures are especially important for time‐critical applications like emergency decisions or re‐orienting of ongoing seismic surveys. In this paper a new, iterative scheme for 3D traveltime tomography is presented. The technique, based on a tool originally developed for earthquake data, uses cross‐correlation to examine waveform similarity and to adjust arrival times on seismic sections. A preliminary set of reference arrival times is first corrected by the cross‐correlation lag and then used to build an initial 3D tomographic velocity model through a standard inversion code; traveltimes calculated from this model are then taken as new reference arrivals and the process of pick adjustment is repeated. The result is a tomographic image, upgraded and refined at each iteration of the procedure. The test performed on the waveform data set recorded during the 2001 SERAPIS active seismic survey in the gulfs of Naples and Pozzuoli (Southern Italy) shows that the 3D iterative tomography scheme produces a velocity image of the structure of the Campi Flegrei caldera which is consistent with the results from previous studies, employing just a fraction of the time needed by a human analyst to identify first breaks. We believe that this technique can be effectively employed for rapid analysis of large data‐sets within time‐critical or time‐dependent tasks and for automatic 4D tomographic investigations.
Calcium hydroxide induced apexification with apical root development: a clinical case report
Authors: Soares J. , Santos S. , César C. , Silva P. , Sá M. , Silveira F. , Nunes E.
Published: June 2008

Aim  To report the induction of apical root development by calcium hydroxide in teeth with pulp necrosis and periapical radiolucency.

Summary  A 10‐year‐old male patient was admitted to the clinic complaining of an intense pain and oedema on the anterior facial region, compatible with an acute dentoalveolar abscess. There was a previous history of dental trauma; only tooth 11 was negative to pulp sensitivity tests. Radiographically, tooth 11 exhibited incomplete root formation, characterized by a wide root canal, thin and fragile dentinal walls, and an extensive, divergent foraminal opening associated with an apical radiolucency. The first appointment focused on urgent local and systemic treatment. Apexification treatment commenced at the second session after 7 days, by means of chemo‐mechanical debridement throughout the entire root canal, using K‐files and irrigation with a 2.5% sodium hypochlorite solution. Subsequently, a calcium hydroxide paste was applied and changed four times over 8 months, when radiographic examination revealed complete closure of the foraminal opening, resulting in resolution of the periapical radiolucency and associated with 5 mm of additional root development. The root canal was filled by thermomechanical compaction of gutta‐percha and sealer. A 3‐year follow‐up revealed normal periapical tissues and the absence of symptoms.

Key learning points • In young patients, dental trauma may cause pulp necrosis and arrest of root formation.

• Under certain circumstances, chemo‐mechanical debridement, including the use of a calcium hydroxide paste, is a valid alternative to mineral trioxide aggregate and or surgery for root‐end closure.

• In teeth with incompletely formed roots associated with periapical lesions, calcium hydroxide can induce periapical repair through the closure of the foramen and apical root development.
Fracture resistance of structurally compromised root filled bovine teeth restored with accessory glass fibre posts
Authors: Martelli Jr H. , Pellizzer E. P. , Rosa B. T. , Lopes M. B. , Gonini Jr A.
Published: June 2008

Aim  To evaluate the mechanical behaviour of structurally compromised root filled bovine roots after restoration with accessory glass fibre posts.

Methodology  Fifty roots of bovine teeth received conventional post preparations with a cervical diameter of 3.5 mm. The roots were assigned to five groups (n = 10): group MP – cast metal post, group GP – glass fibre post and group AGP – glass fibre post plus accessory glass fibre posts. In groups GP‐R and AGP‐R (similar to groups GP and AGP), 2 mm of coronal tooth structure were left intact. All groups were subjected to an elastic limit assay and tested in an universal machine for fracture resistance. Repeated measures anova were performed to examine differences in fracture resistance; fracture modes were analysed by Fischer’s exact test.

Results  The mean fracture resistance values (kgf) were 61.8 (MP), 63.1 (GP), 55.5 (AGP), 56 (GP‐R) and (53.1) AGP‐R. No statistically significant difference was found between groups. The Fisher’s exact test indicated significant differences (P < 0.05) in the fracture mode amongst groups MP, GP and AGP, indicating 100%, 50% and 10% of catastrophic fractures, respectivelly.

Conclusions  The use of accessory glass fibre posts affected the fracture mode favorably: 90% of fractures in group AGP were in the coronal third.
To tell or not to tell: attitudes of Chinese oncology nurses towards truth telling of cancer diagnosis
Authors: Li Jun‐Ying , Liu Chang , Zou Li‐Qun , Huang Mei‐Juan , Yu Chun‐Hua , You Gui‐Ying , Jiang Yong‐Dong , Li Hong , Jiang Yu
Published: June 2008

Aims and objectives.  To investigate the attitude of oncology nurses towards whether and how to disclose diagnoses to patients with early‐stage cancer or terminal illness.

Background.  The attitudes of patients and doctors towards the disclosure of cancer diagnosis differed from culture to culture. However, little research has focused on the attitudes of Chinese oncology nurses.

Design.  Survey.

Methods.  A questionnaire investigating nurses’ attitudes towards truth telling was delivered to 243 Chinese oncology nurses.

Results.  One hundred and ninety‐nine (81⋅9%) nurses completed the questionnaire. 81⋅4% of the nurses reported that patients with early‐stage cancer should be informed of the diagnosis, while only 44⋅2% believed that patients with terminal illnesses should know the truth (p < 0⋅001). Nurses who preferred truth telling reported that patients with early or terminal stages of cancer should be informed by the doctor in charge (76⋅5% vs. 73⋅9%, respectively; p > 0⋅05), immediately after the diagnosis (75⋅9% vs. 79⋅5%, respectively) and in a quiet and undisturbed room (80⋅9% vs. 70⋅5%, respectively; p > 0⋅05). Nurses’ attitudes towards truth telling of terminal cancer were influenced by their educational level and work experience.

Conclusion.  Oncology nurses differed in their attitudes towards truth telling of different stages of cancer. Nurses who preferred disclosure reported that cancer patients should be informed by the doctor in charge immediately after the diagnosis and in a quiet and undisturbed room.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Many Chinese doctors, patients and their relatives believed that patients with terminal illness should not know their diagnosis. Thus, oncology nurses need additional training to deal with these situations.
Comparative experimental infection of the copepod Paracartia grani with Marteilia refringens and Marteilia maurini
Authors: Carrasco N , Arzul I , Chollet B , Robert M , Joly J P , Furones M D , Berthe F C J
Published: June 2008

Paracartia grani (Copepoda) has been identified as a potential intermediate host in the life cycle of Marteilia refringens, a paramyxean parasite infecting flat oysters. However, no intermediate host has yet been identified for Marteilia maurini that infects mussels. A better understanding of the life cycle of these two Marteilia types would clarify their taxonomic relationship and hypothesized co‐specificity. For this purpose, experimental infections of copepods, P. grani, were performed using naturally infected flat oysters and mussels. Infection patterns were different depending whether copepods were infected from oysters or mussels. M. maurini did not proliferate in copepods while M. refringens rapidly proliferated in infected copepods. Previously unrecognized developmental stages of M. refringens were found during this study.
Identification of immune‐related genes from kidney and spleen of turbot, Psetta maxima (L.), by suppression subtractive hybridization following challenge with Vibrio harveyi
Authors: Wang C , Zhang X‐H , Jia A , Chen J , Austin B
Published: June 2008

Suppression subtractive hybridization was used to investigate the response of turbot, Psetta maxima (L.), to Vibrio harveyi, by using a cDNA library constructed from artificially infected turbot kidney and spleen mRNA. Forty‐nine expressed sequence tags were obtained. Several immune system genes were identified, including a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class Ia gene and a heat shock protein 70 gene. Some signalling molecules were also present in the cDNA libraries, including src‐family tyrosine kinase SCK, sgk‐1 serine‐threonine protein kinase and amyloid precursor‐like protein 2. The full length of MHC class Ia cDNA was cloned from turbot cDNA by rapid amplification of cDNA ends polymerase chain reaction. The nucleotide sequence of turbot MHC class Ia has been submitted to GenBank with accession number EF032639. The turbot MHC class Ia cDNA has an open reading frame encoding 354 amino acids, and the deduced amino acid sequence of turbot MHC class Ia has 68%, 54%, 51%, 52%, 57%, 33%, 29% and 29% identities to those of olive flounder, medaka, rainbow trout, Atlantic cod, tiger puffer, chicken, mouse and human, respectively. Quantitative reverse transcriptase‐PCR was performed for the MHC class Ia gene, and it was revealed that the expression level of the MHC class Ia gene in V. harveyi‐challenged turbot increased to fourfold that of the controls.
Association of cardiac autonomic function measures with severity of sleep‐disordered breathing in a community‐based sample
Authors: WANG WENLI , TRETRILUXANA SURADEJ , REDLINE SUSAN , SUROVEC SUSAN , GOTTLIEB DANIEL J. , KHOO MICHAEL C. K.
Published: June 2008

The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that spectral indices of heart rate variability, such as high‐frequency power (HFP), low‐to‐high frequency power (LHR), and their respiration‐adjusted counterparts (HFPra, LHRra) are correlated with severity of sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB), as quantified by the respiratory disturbance index (RDI). A total of 436 subjects, non‐smoking, normotensive, and free of cardiovascular disease and diabetes were selected from the Sleep Heart Health Study (SHHS). Of these, 288 records with sufficiently high quality electrocardiogram signals were selected for further analysis [males/females: 221/67; age: 46.1 to 74.9 years; body mass index (BMI): 21.5 to 46.4 kg m−2; 0.3 < RDI < 85.0−1]. From each polysomnogram, the respiration channels (thoracic and abdominal) and R‐R interval (RRI) derived from the electrocardiogram were subjected to spectral analysis and autoregressive moving average modeling in consecutive 5‐min segments. After adjusting for age and BMI, mean RRI was found to be negatively correlated with RDI in men in all sleep‐wake states (all P < 0.001). HFP and HFPra were negatively correlated with RDI in men only during wakefulness (all P < 0.01). In women, LHR and LHRra were not correlated with RDI during wakefulness, but were positively correlated during non‐rapid eye movement Stage 1 and 2 sleep (all P < 0.01). These findings suggest that the indices of cardiac autonomic control are correlated with SDB severity, but gender and state affect the nature of these correlations. In both genders, however, vagal modulation of heart rate increases while sympathetic modulation decreases from wakefulness to sleep.
Independence and interdependence of Dif and Frz chemosensory pathways in Myxococcus xanthus chemotaxis
Authors: Xu Qian , Black Wesley P. , Cadieux C. Linn , Yang Zhaomin
Published: June 2008

Dif and Frz, two Myxococcus xanthus chemosensory pathways, are required in phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) chemotaxis for excitation and adaptation respectively. DifA and FrzCD, the homologues of methyl‐accepting chemoreceptors in the two pathways, were examined for methylation in the context of chemotaxis and inter‐pathway interactions. Evidence indicates that DifA may not undergo methylation, but signals transmitting through DifA do modulate FrzCD methylation. Results also revealed that M. xanthus possesses Dif‐dependent and Dif‐independent PE‐sensing mechanisms. Previous studies showed that FrzCD methylation is decreased by negative chemostimuli but increased by attractants such as PE. Results here demonstrate that the Dif‐dependent sensory mechanism suppresses the increase in FrzCD methylation in attractant response and elevates FrzCD methylation upon negative stimulation. In other words, FrzCD methylation is governed by opposing forces from Dif‐dependent and Dif‐independent sensing mechanisms. We propose that the Dif‐independent but Frz‐dependent PE sensing leads to increases in FrzCD methylation and subsequent adaptation, while the Dif‐dependent PE signalling suppresses or diminishes the increase in FrzCD methylation to decelerate or delay adaptation. We contend that these antagonistic interactions are crucial for effective chemotaxis in this gliding bacterium to ensure that adaptation does not occur too quickly relative to the slow speed of M. xanthus movement.
Regulation of SRF/CArG‐dependent gene transcription during chronic partial obstruction of murine small intestine
Authors: Chen J. , Chen H. , Sanders K. M. , Perrino B. A.
Published: June 2008

Abstract  Intestinal obstructions lead to a variety of motility disorders. Small intestine smooth muscles undergo dramatic phenotypic changes in response to obstruction, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are unknown. Using RT‐PCR, ChIP, Re‐ChIP, and Western blots, we examined the effect of small bowel mechanical obstruction on smooth muscle gene expression. Obstruction caused a transient hyperplasia, followed by a prolonged hypertrophic response of small intestine smooth muscle cells. Smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (MHC), α‐actin, and γ‐actin expression decreased initially, and then increased as hypertrophy developed. Myocardin expression decreased initially and then increased, while kruppel‐like factors (KLF)4 and KLF5 expression increased initially, and then decreased. Serum response factor (SRF) expression decreased initially, and then recovered to sham‐operated levels as hypertrophy developed. SRF binding to smooth muscle MHC and α‐actin promoters decreased initially, but then increased above sham‐operated levels as hypertrophy developed. Elk‐1 binding to smooth muscle myosin heavy chain and α‐actin promoters increased initially, and then decreased to sham‐operated levels as hypertrophy developed. c‐fos expression increased initially, which was associated with increased SRF/Elk‐1 binding to the c‐fos promoter. The Elk‐1 phosphorylation inhibitor U‐0126 inhibited the increase in c‐fos expression. These findings indicate a dynamic response of small intestine smooth muscles to bowel obstruction involving switching between differentiated, proliferative, and hypertrophic phenotypes. These results suggest that changes in the expression and interactions between SRF, myocardin, Elk‐1, and c‐fos play key roles in the phenotypic switching of small intestine smooth muscles in response to mechanical obstruction.
Blood stage malaria antigens induce different activation‐induced cell death programs in splenic CD4+ T cells
Authors: MUKHERJEE P. , DEVI Y. S. , CHAUHAN V. S.
Published: June 2008

CD4+ T cells respond to antigen immunization through a process of activation, clonal expansion to generate activated effector T cells followed by activation‐induced clonal deletion of the responding T cells. While loss of responding T cells in post‐activation death by apoptosis is a major factor regulating immune homeostasis, the precise pathways involved in downsizing of Plasmodium falciparum antigen‐induced T cell expansions are not well characterized. We report in this study that splenic CD4+ T cells from mice immunized with nonreplicating immunogens like OVA or recombinant blood stage P. falciparum antigens, PfMSP‐3 and PfMSP‐119 or crude parasite antigen (PfAg) undergo sequential T cell activation, proliferation followed by activation‐induced cell death (AICD) in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner after Ag restimulation. While PfMSP‐3 and OVA‐induced AICD was mediated through a death receptor‐dependent apoptotic program, PfMSP‐119 and PfAg‐induced AICD was via a mechanism dependent on the activation of mitochondria apoptosis signalling pathway through Bax activation. These results provide insights into the mechanism through which two blood stage merozoite antigens trigger different apoptotic programs of AICD in splenic CD4+ T cells.
Adverse effects of ketoconazole in dogs – a retrospective study
Authors: Mayer Ursula K. , Glos Katharina , Schmid Matthias , Power Helen T. , Bettenay Sonya V. , Mueller Ralf S.
Published: June 2008

Although ketoconazole has been used extensively in dogs for the treatment of various fungal infections, information about adverse effects is mainly anecdotal. Common adverse effects in humans include dose‐dependant anorexia, nausea and vomiting, allergic rashes and pruritus. Drug‐induced hepatitis is very rare, but potentially fatal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the type and frequency of adverse effects associated with ketoconazole therapy in dogs treated for skin diseases and any possible influence of dosage, duration of therapy, signalment or concurrent medication. The medical records of 632 dogs treated with ketoconazole (2.6–33.4 mg/kg) were reviewed. Adverse effects occurred in 14.6% (92 dogs) and included vomiting (7.1%), anorexia (4.9%), lethargy (1.9%), diarrhea (1.1%), pruritus (0.6%), erythema (0.3%) and other adverse effects (2.5%). Of the dogs with other adverse effects, four of 16 (25%) were ataxic and three of these received concurrent ivermectin. Adverse effects were significantly more often recorded in dogs concurrently treated with ciclosporin (P = 0.034) or ivermectin (P = 0.007). Increased liver enzyme levels were reported rarely, and icterus was not seen in any of the dogs. However, monitoring liver enzymes during therapy is recommended, although this might not necessarily prevent severe idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity.
The predominant cultivable Veillonella spp. of the tongue of healthy adults identified using rpoB sequencing
Authors: Beighton D. , Clark D. , Hanakuka B. , Gilbert S. , Do T.
Published: June 2008

The predominant Veillonella spp. were isolated from the dorsum surface of the tongues of 11 healthy adults and identified to species level using rpoB sequencing because 16S ribosomal RNA sequence analysis does not reliably differentiate between all members of this genus. In all, 253 isolates were identified and the mean proportion (± SE) of Veillonella spp. per sample was 16.2 (± 3.6) with a range of 3.0% to 36.3% of the total anaerobic colony count. The predominant species were Veillonella atypica (10/11), Veillonella dispar (9/11) and Veillonella rogosae (8/11) because they were isolated from the majority of subjects. Veillonella parvula was isolated from only one subject while Veillonella dentocariosi and Veillonella montpelleriensis were not isolated from any subject.
Comparative analysis of endodontic pathogens using checkerboard hybridization in relation to culture
Authors: Vianna M. E. , Horz H.‐P. , Conrads G. , Feres M. , Gomes B. P. F. A.
Published: June 2008

Background/Aim:  The purpose of this study was to detect bacterial species and to quantify the total number of bacteria from samples of infected root canals before (S1) and after chemo‐mechanical preparation using 2% chlorhexidine (CHX) gel as auxiliary chemical substance (S2) and after 7 days of intracanal dressing (S3) to compare microbial changes.

Method:  Twenty‐four teeth were selected for this study. Chemo‐mechanical preparation was performed using 2% CHX gel, then three different intracanal medicaments [M1: Ca(OH)2 paste; M2: 2% CHX gel; and M3: Ca(OH)2 paste plus 2% CHX gel] were used for 7 days. Checkerboard DNA–DNA hybridization was performed to detect 40 bacterial species. Aerobic and anaerobic culture techniques were used to determine the bacterial community by counting the colony‐forming units (CFU).

Results:  The species most frequently identified by checkerboard in S1 were: Fusobacterium nucleatum ssp. polymorphum, Treponema socranskii ssp. socranskii, Parvimonas micra and Enterococcus faecalis. In S2 and S3 a total of eight different species were identified; and only one of them was gram‐positive (E. faecalis). Microorganisms were not identified after use of M2 for 7 days. The quantification obtained on agar plates ranged from 4 × 105 to 2.6 × 106 CFU/ml in S1, mean CFU was reduced by 99.96% in S2, and there was no statistical difference between the CFU in S2 and S3.

Conclusion:  The antibacterial effect of the mechanical preparation supplemented by the use of an antibacterial auxiliary substance greatly reduced the microorganisms in the main root canal.
Relationship of Porphyromonas gingivalis with glycemic level in patients with type 2 diabetes following periodontal treatment
Authors: Makiura N. , Ojima M. , Kou Y. , Furuta N. , Okahashi N. , Shizukuishi S. , Amano A.
Published: June 2008

Introduction:  The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between serum glycemic levels and subgingival microbial profile alteration following periodontal treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods:  We studied 30 periodontitis patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who received full‐mouth subgingival debridement by analyzing their subgingival microbial profiles using a polymerase chain reaction method at baseline and various time‐points for 12 months following treatment. Concurrently, probing pocket depth, bleeding on probing, and metabolic parameters, including glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), blood sugar level, C‐reactive proteins, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and high‐density and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, were recorded.

Results:  Periodontal conditions were significantly improved after treatment, and the occurrence rates of periodontal bacterial species, including Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythensis, Treponema denticola, and Prevotella intermedia, were also reduced. Interestingly, P. gingivalis was detected more frequently in subjects with increased HbA1c values after periodontal treatment than in those patients with decreased HbA1c values. Furthermore, P. gingivalis with type II fimbriae was detected only in HbA1c‐increased subjects, while improvements in HbA1c values were observed only in subjects without type II clones.

Conclusions:  These results suggest that glycemic level in diabetes is affected by the persistence of P. gingivalis, especially clones with type II fimbriae, in periodontal pockets.
Regulation of urease expression of Actinomyces naeslundii in biofilms in response to pH and carbohydrate
Authors: Yaling L. , Dan J. , Tao H. , Xuedong Z.
Published: June 2008

Introduction:  The hydrolysis of urea by the urease enzymes of oral bacteria is believed to have a major impact on oral microbial ecology and to be intimately involved in oral health and diseases. Actinomyces naeslundii is a ureolytic bacterium that is adapted to tolerate the rapid and dramatic fluctuations in nutrient availability, carbohydrate source, and pH in dental biofilms. Our research objectives were to better understand the regulation of the expression of urease under environmental conditions that closely mimic those in dental biofilms.

Methods:  A. naeslundii ATCC12104 were grown in a chemostat biofilm reactor with carbohydrate‐limited medium for 3 days followed by a carbohydrate pulse, at pH 7.0 and at pH 5.5. Urease activities and ureC gene messenger RNA levels of cells in the biofilm were measured before and after the carbohydrate pulse.

Results:  We found that the neutral pH environments and excess carbohydrate availability could both result in enhancement of urease activity in biofilm cells. The ureC messenger RNA level of A. naeslundii biofilm cells cultivated at pH 7.0 was approximately 10‐fold higher than that of cells grown at pH 5.5, but no changes in ureC gene expression were detected after the carbohydrate pulse.

Conclusions:  Neutral pH environments and excess carbohydrate availability could promote urease expression of A. naeslundii in biofilms, but only neutral pH environments could up‐regulate the ureC gene expression and the pH regulates ureC gene expression at a transcriptional level.
Probiotic bacteria affect the composition of salivary pellicle and streptococcal adhesion in vitro
Authors: Haukioja A. , Loimaranta V. , Tenovuo J.
Published: June 2008

Introduction:  The use of probiotic bacteria is increasing worldwide and at least some of them can transiently colonize the oral cavity. Several studies have shown that probiotic bacteria, which are often thought of in relation only to intestinal health, can also affect the oral ecology, but the mechanisms for this are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro if the probiotic bacteria used in commercial products affect the protein composition of the salivary pellicle and the adherence of other oral bacteria.

Methods:  Salivary pellicle on hydroxyapatite and the adhesion of two oral streptococci, Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus gordonii, were used as a model.

Results:  Probiotic bacteria that bound to saliva‐coated hydroxyapatite reduced the adhesion of S. mutans but the inhibitory effect on the adherence of S. gordonii was weaker. Salivary pellicle protein composition was modified by all the strains tested. The modifications in the pellicle affected the adherence of S. mutans but not of S. gordonii. Two of the proteins missing from the pellicles made of saliva‐treated with the probiotic bacteria were identified as salivary agglutinin gp340 and salivary peroxidase. All bacterial strains bound salivary agglutinin gp340. The ability of the probiotic bacteria to degrade peroxidase was demonstrated with purified bovine lactoperoxidase and two of the probiotic strains.

Conclusion:  This in vitro study showed that probiotic strains used in commercial products may affect the oral ecology by specifically preventing the adherence of other bacteria and by modifying the protein composition of the salivary pellicle.
Diversity of essential oil glands of clary sage (Salvia sclarea L., Lamiaceae)
Authors: Schmiderer C. , Grassi P. , Novak J. , Weber M. , Franz C.
Published: June 2008

The Lamiaceae is rich in aromatic plant species. Most of these species produce and store essential oils in specialised epidermal oil glands, which are responsible for their specific flavour. Two types of glands producing essential oil and possessing different morphological structure can be found in Salvia sclarea: peltate and capitate glands. The content of single oil glands from different positions on the plant (corolla, calyx and leaf) were sampled using an SPME fibre and analysed by gas chromatography in order to study variability of the essential oil composition. It was found that the composition of terpenoids is quite variable within an individual plant. Capitate oil glands mainly produce three essential oil compounds: the monoterpenes linalool and linalyl acetate, and the diterpene sclareol. Peltate oil glands, however, accumulate noticeable concentrations of sesquiterpenes and an unknown compound (m/z = 354). Furthermore, the oil composition varies within each gland type according to the plant organ. Linalool and linalyl acetate are characteristic substances of flowers, whereas the sesquiterpenes occur in higher proportions in leaves. Even within one gland type on a single leaf, the chemical variability is exceedingly high.
Precipitation and temperature as factors in Gremmeniella abietina epidemics
Authors: Thomsen I. M.
Published: June 2008

The combination of temperature and precipitation during the growth season could be correlated with the occurrence of Gremmeniella abietina epidemics in Denmark. The Gremmeniella index value (GIV) is the result of the monthly rain in mm divided by average monthly temperature in centigrade (mm/°C) and it was created to facilitate easy prediction of epidemics in Denmark. The two most severe outbreaks of G. abietina in pine and other conifers in Denmark took place in 1963–64 and 1984–85, following years where low average temperatures and high precipitation in May combined with the same weather patterns in either August or September. These meteorological conditions were not fulfilled from 1874 to 1900, in which period Pinus nigra was pronounced unsuitable for Danish forestry because of recurring problems with fungal disease. However, the earlier epidemics seemed to coincide with cold and rainy weather (high GIV) in August. In addition, severity of epidemics may also depend on the presence of dense stands between 30 and 40 years of age, as high GIV in August has occurred without disease outbreak in periods with low frequency of susceptible stands. Gremmeniella abietina attacks in Denmark are initiated by the climatic conditions expressed by the Gremmeniella index value, although it does not explain the biological process behind this phenomenon. Nevertheless, the method could be useful for other regions, where epidemics of G. abietina may be related to weather.
Novel recombinant congenic mouse strain developing arthritis with enthesopathy
Authors: Mori Shiro , Tanda Naoko , Ito Mitsuko R. , Oishi Hisashi , Tsubaki Takahito , Komori Hiroaki , Zhang Ming‐Cai , Ono Masao , Nishimura Masahiko , Nose Masato
Published: June 2008

Based on the hypothesis that the complex pathological and immunological manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the related diseases are under the control of multiple gene loci with allelic polymorphism, a recombinant congenic mouse strain was prepared between an MRL/Mp‐lpr/lpr (MRL/lpr) strain, which develops arthritis resembling RA, and a non‐arthritic strain C3H/HeJ‐lpr/lpr (C3H/lpr). In MRL/lpr × (MRL/lpr × C3H/lpr) F1 mice, the mice developing severe arthritis were selected based on joint swelling to further continue intercrosses, and then an McH‐lpr/lpr‐RA1 (McH/lpr‐RA1) strain was established and its histopathological phenotypes of joints and autoimmune traits were analyzed. Arthritis in McH/lpr‐RA1 mice developed at a higher incidence by 20 weeks of age, compared with that in the MRL/lpr mice, who had severe synovitis (ankle, 60.3%; knee, 65.1%), and also fibrous and fibrocartilaginous lesions of articular ligamenta resembling enthesopathy (ankle, 79.4%; knee, 38.1%), resulting in ankylosis. The lymphoproliferative disorder was less, and serum levels of IgG and IgG autoantibodies including anti‐dsDNA and rheumatoid factor were lower than those of both MRL/lpr and C3H/lpr strains. McH/lpr‐RA1 mice may provide a new insight into the study of RA regarding the common genomic spectrum of seronegative RA and enthesopathy.
Prediction of clinically insignificant prostate cancer by detection of allelic imbalance at 6q, 8p and 13q
Authors: Nakano Masataka , Takahashi Hiroyuki , Shiraishi Taizo , Lu Tomoe , Furusato Masakuni , Wakui Shin , Hano Hiroshi
Published: June 2008

The criterion tumor volume (TV) for clinically insignificant prostate cancer has been reported, but it differs from study to study: some have reported TV < 200 mm3; others, < 500 mm3. The aim of the present study was to distinguish clinically insignificant cancers from significant ones using molecular biological methods. A total of 184 microscopic cancers (MC) defined as limited within a 3 mm circle and 82 main tumor (MT) nodules were selected. Thirteen microsatellite loci at 6q22, 8p23.2–23, 13q14 and 13q33 were evaluated for loss of heterozygosity (LOH). MT were subgrouped as TV ≥ 500 mm3 or <500 mm3; TV ≥ 200 mm3 or < 200 mm3; and TV < 200 mm3, 200 mm3 ≤ TV < 500 mm3 or TV ≥ 500 mm3; and frequencies of LOH were compared between these three groups. Frequencies of LOH at 6q16–21, 6q22, 8p23.1, 8p23.2, 13q14 were significantly lower in MC (1.0%, 2.7%, 1.9%, 1.1% and 5.4%) than in MT (30.9%, 40.4%, 12%, 8.7% and 20.6%), but no significant differences in LOH frequency were found within each of the three TV groups, between each cut‐off. When insignificant tumor is defined as TV < 200 mm3 or < 500 mm3, it should include tumors with malignant potential equivalent to larger tumors. It is suggested that in order to identify insignificant tumor within a strict safety range, TV should be set lower.
Two cases of early‐stage esophageal malignant melanoma with long‐term survival
Authors: Suzuki Haruhisa , Nakanishi Yukihiro , Taniguchi Hirokazu , Shimoda Tadakazu , Yamaguchi Hajime , Igaki Hiroyasu , Tachimori Yuji , Kato Hoichi
Published: June 2008

Herein is described two patients with early‐stage primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus with long‐term survival who were treated with esophagectomy. Both tumors had similar pathological findings, and were mainly at the stage of radial growth phase. Widespread melanoses were present in the mucosa surrounding the tumors in both cases. The two patients recovered uneventfully after surgery and were in remission at follow up of 33 months and 53 months.
ADVANCING AN ADVANCE DIRECTIVE DEBATE
Authors: BUFORD CHRISTOPHER
Published: June 2008

A challenge has recently been levelled against the legal and/or moral legitimacy of some advance directives. It has been argued that in certain cases an advance directive carries no weight in a decision on whether to withhold treatment, since the individual in the debilitating state is not the same person as the person who created the advance directive. In the first section of this paper, I examine two formulations of the argument against the moral legitimacy of the advance directives under review. The second section reviews, and criticizes, an objection to such arguments. In the penultimate section, possible models supporting the viability of the advance directives are considered. The final section makes good on an obligation incurred by the title of the paper.
Maintaining Popular Support for the Chinese Communist Party: The Influence of Education and the State-Controlled Media
Authors: Kennedy John James
Published: June 2008

Literature on public opinion in China suggests that public support for the Chinese Communist party (CCP) is quite high. No matter how survey questions regarding regime support are phrased, the results are the same. The obvious question arises: how does an authoritarian regime, such as the PRC, garner the support of the vast majority of its citizens? I argue that the exposure-acceptance model best explains the high level of public support in China. This model suggests that educated citizens, who are politically aware, display high levels of political support within an authoritarian regime, but citizens at the highest levels of education are more resistant to political messages and tend to have lower levels of support. However, in a developing country such as China there are unequal educational opportunities for rural and urban citizens. This has a significant influence on how education affects regime support. Despite lower levels of support among the most educated citizens, the CCP still manages to maintain a high level of popular support through strict control over the media and education system.
Inside the Cartel Party: Party Organisation in Government and Opposition
Authors: Bolleyer Nicole
Published: June 2008

This article assesses the internal dynamics of the cartel party model. It argues that a party's endeavour to increase its societal reach by opening membership boundaries while keeping candidate selection local (two tendencies ascribed to this model), and the general need to maintain party unity, are difficult to reconcile. Therefore a fully fledged cartel party is organisationally vulnerable, which reinforces its resort to selective benefits (i.e. political appointments, patronage) whenever in government to satisfy organisational demands, a trigger intensifying party–state relations which is usually overlooked. Further, the dominant view of the ascendancy of parties' ‘public face’ needs to be qualified: the Irish Fianna Fáil, with its permeable boundaries and local candidate selection, reflects the cartel party model without a cartel at the party system level. Majoritarian dynamics have forced Fianna Fáil repeatedly into opposition which reveals the following: Fianna Fáil as a cartel party can afford to neglect its infrastructure on the ground as long as it is controlling government resources. In opposition its leadership initiates reforms to reinvigorate the party's infrastructure since it is pressed to generate organisational support through other means than distributing benefits.