bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emergency Department Patient Flow: The Influence of Hospital Census Variables on Emergency Department Length of Stay
Authors: Lucas Ray , Farley Heather , Twanmoh Joseph , Urumov Andrej , Olsen Nils , Evans Bruce , Kabiri Hamed
Published: May 2009

Objectives:  The objective was to evaluate the association between hospital census variables and emergency department (ED) length of stay (LOS). This may give insights into future strategies to relieve ED crowding.

Methods:  This multicenter cohort study captured ED LOS and disposition for all ED patients in five hospitals during five 1‐week study periods. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to examine associations between ED LOS and various hospital census parameters.

Results:  Data were analyzed on 27,325 patients on 161 study days. A significant positive relationship was demonstrated between median ED LOS and intensive care unit (ICU) census, cardiac telemetry census, and the percentage of ED patients admitted each day. There was no relationship in this cohort between ED LOS and ED volume, total hospital occupancy rate, or the number of scheduled cardiac or surgical procedures.

Conclusions:  In multiple hospital settings, ED LOS is correlated with the number of admissions and census of the higher acuity nursing units, more so than the number of ED patients each day, particularly in larger hospitals with busier EDs. Streamlining ED admissions and improving availability of inpatient critical care beds may reduce ED LOS.
Paramedic and Emergency Medical Technicians Views on Opportunities and Challenges When Forgoing and Halting Resuscitation in the Field
Authors: Grudzen Corita R. , Timmermans Stefan , Koenig William J. , Torres Jacqueline M. , Hoffman Jerome R. , Lorenz Karl A. , Asch Steven M.
Published: May 2009

Objectives:  The objective was to assess paramedic and emergency medical technicians (EMT) perspectives and decision‐making after a policy change that allows forgoing or halting resuscitation in prehospital atraumatic cardiac arrest.

Methods:  Five semistructured focus groups were conducted with 34 paramedics and 2 EMTs from emergency medical services (EMS) agencies within Los Angeles County (LAC), 6 months after a policy change that allowed paramedics to forgo or halt resuscitation in the field under certain circumstances.

Results:  Participants had an overwhelmingly positive view of the policy; felt it empowered their decision‐making abilities; and thought the benefits to patients, family, EMS, and the public outweighed the risks. Except under certain circumstances, such as when the body was in public view or when family members did not appear emotionally prepared to have the body left on scene, they felt the policy improved care. Assuming that certain patient characteristics were present, decisions by paramedics about implementing the policy in the field involve many factors, including knowledge and comfort with the new policy, family characteristics (e.g., agreement), and logistics regarding the place of arrest (e.g., size of space). Paramedic and EMT experiences with and attitudes toward forgoing resuscitation, as well as group dynamics among EMS leadership, providers, police, and ED staff, also play a role.

Conclusions:  Participants view the ability to forgo or halt resuscitation in the field as empowering and do not believe it presents harm to patients or families under most circumstances. Factors other than patient clinical characteristics, such as knowledge and attitudes toward the policy, family emotional preparedness, and location of arrest, affect whether paramedics will implement it.
Hepatoma‐derived growth factor and its role in keloid pathogenesis
Authors: Ooi B.N.S. , Mukhopadhyay A. , Masilamani J. , Do D.V. , Lim C.P. , Cao X.M. , Lim I.J. , Mao L. , Ren H.N. , Nakamura H. , Phan T.T.
Published: May 2009

Hepatoma‐derived growth factor (HDGF) is a novel mitogenic growth factor that has been implicated in many different carcinomas. Its role in keloid biology has not yet been investigated. The present study is aimed at examining the role of HDGF in keloid pathogenesis. Immunohistochemical staining and Western blot analyses were used to examine in vivo localization and expression of HDGF in keloid and normal skin tissue. This was followed by the detection of HDGF expression in fibroblasts cultured in vitro and fibroblasts exposed to serum. To investigate the effect of epithelial–mesenchymal interactions, a two‐chamber system was employed in which keratinocytes on membrane inserts were co‐cultured with the fibroblasts. HDGF expression levels in all cell extracts and conditioned media were assayed through Western blot analysis. In another set of experiments, the effect of exogenous recombinant HDGF on keloid fibroblasts (KF) and normal fibroblasts (NF) was examined. Cell proliferation was assessed by the MTT (3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay and by quantifying proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression. Downstream targets of HDGF were identified by detecting their expression through Western blot analysis. Our results indicate that there was an increase in HDGF expression in the dermis of keloid compared with normal skin tissue. The application of serum and epithelial–mesenchymal interactions did not seem to have any effect on intracellular HDGF expression levels. However, co‐culturing keloid keratinocytes with KFs resulted in increased HDGF secretion when compared with monoculture or normal controls. Furthermore, treatment with exogenous recombinant HDGF was found to increase the proliferation of KFs, activate the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) pathway and up‐regulate the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
Targeting a unique EGFR epitope with monoclonal antibody 806 activates NF‐κB and initiates tumour vascular normalization
Authors: Gan Hui K. , Lappas Martha , Cao Diana X. , Cvrljevdic Anna , Scott Andrew M. , Johns Terrance G.
Published: May 2009

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is often pathogenetically overexpressed or mutated in epithelial malignancies and glioma, have been modestly successful, with some approved for human use. MAb 806 was raised against de2–7EGFR (or EGFRvIII), a constitutively active mutation expressed in gliomas, but also recognizes a subset (<10%) of wild‐type (wt) EGFR when it is activated by autocrine loop, overexpression or mutation. It does not bind inactive EGFR in normal tissues like liver. Glioma xenografts expressing the de2–7EGFR treated with mAb 806 show reduced receptor autophosphorylation, increased p27KIP1 and reduced cell proliferation. Xenografts expressing the wtEGFR activated by overexpression or autocrine ligand are also inhibited by mAb 806, but the mechanism of inhibition has been difficult to elucidate, especially because mAb 806 does not prevent wtEGFR phosphorylation or downstream signalling in vitro. Thus, we examined the effects of mAb 806 on A431 xenograft angiogenesis. MAb 806 increases vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin‐8 production by activating NF‐κB and normalizes tumour vasculature. Pharmacological inhibition of NF‐κB completely abrogated mAb 806 activity, demonstrating that NF‐κB activation is necessary for its anti‐tumour function in xenografts. Given the increase in VEGF, we combined mAb 806 with bevacizumab in vivo, resulting in additive activity.
CX3CL1/fractalkine shedding by human hepatic stellate cells: contribution to chronic inflammation in the liver
Authors: Bourd‐Boittin Katia , Basset Laetitia , Bonnier Dominique , L’Helgoualc’h Annie , Samson Michel , Théret Nathalie
Published: May 2009

Chemokines are the inflammatory mediators that modulate liver fibrosis, a common feature of chronic inflammatory liver diseases. CX3CL1/fractalkine is a membrane‐associated chemokine that requires step processing for chemotactic activity and has been recently implicated in liver disease. Here, we investigated the potential shedding activities involved in the release of the soluble chemotactic peptides from CX3CL1 in the injured liver. We showed an increased expression of the sheddases ADAM10 and ADAM17 in patients with chronic liver diseases that was associated with the severity of liver fibrosis. We demonstrated that hepatic stellate cells (HSC) were an important source of ADAM10 and ADAM17 and that treatment with the inflammatory cytokine inter‐feron‐γ induced the expression of CX3CL1 and release of soluble peptides. This release was inhibited by the metalloproteinase inhibitor batimastat; however, ADAM10/ADAM17 inhibitor GW280264X only partially affected shedding activity. By using selective tissue metalloprotease inhibitors and overexpression analyses, we showed that CX3CL1 was mainly processed by matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2, a metalloprotease highly expressed by HSC. We further demonstrated that the CX3CL1 soluble peptides released from stimulated HSC induced the activation of the CX3CR1‐dependent signalling pathway and promoted chemoattraction of monocytes in vitro. We conclude that ADAM10, ADAM17 and MMP‐2 synthesized by activated HSC mediate CX3CL1 shedding and release of chemotactic peptides, thereby facilitating recruitment of inflammatory cells and paracrine stimulation of HSC in chronic liver diseases.
Gingivitis as a risk factor in periodontal disease
Authors: Lang Niklaus P. , Schätzle Marc A. , Löe Harald
Published: May 2009

Background: Dental plaque has been proven to initiate and promote gingival inflammation. Histologically, various stages of gingivitis may be characterized prior to progression of a lesion to periodontitis. Clinically, gingivitis is well recognized.

Material & Methods: Longitudinal studies on a patient cohort of 565 middle class Norwegian males have been performed over a 26‐year period to reveal the natural history of initial periodontitis in dental‐minded subjects between 16 and 34 years of age at the beginning of the study.

Results: Sites with consistent bleeding (GI=2) had 70% more attachment loss than sites that were consistenly non‐inflamed (GI=0). Teeth with sites that were consistently non‐inflamed had a 50‐year survival rate of 99.5%, while teeth with consistently inflamed gingivae yielded a 50‐year survival rate of 63.4%.

Conclusion: Based on this longitudinal study on the natural history of periodontitis in a dentally well‐maintained male population it can be concluded that persistent gingivitis represents a risk factor for periodontal attachment loss and for tooth loss.
Complete high‐density lipoproteins in nanoparticle corona
Authors: Hellstrand Erik , Lynch Iseult , Andersson Astra , Drakenberg Torbjörn , Dahlbäck Björn , Dawson Kenneth A. , Linse Sara , Cedervall Tommy
Published: May 2009

In a biological environment, nanoparticles immediately become covered by an evolving corona of biomolecules, which gives a biological identity to the nanoparticle and determines its biological impact and fate. Previous efforts at describing the corona have concerned only its protein content. Here, for the first time, we show, using size exclusion chromatography, NMR, and pull‐down experiments, that copolymer nanoparticles bind cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids from human plasma, and that the binding reaches saturation. The lipid and protein binding patterns correspond closely with the composition of high‐density lipoprotein (HDL). By using fractionated lipoproteins, we show that HDL binds to copolymer nanoparticles with much higher specificity than other lipoproteins, probably mediated by apolipoprotein A‐I. Together with the previously identified protein binding patterns in the corona, our results imply that copolymer nanoparticles bind complete HDL complexes, and may be recognized by living systems as HDL complexes, opening up these transport pathways to nanoparticles. Apolipoproteins have been identified as binding to many other nanoparticles, suggesting that lipid and lipoprotein binding is a general feature of nanoparticles under physiological conditions.
CMAS‐Resistant Thermal Barrier Coatings (TBC)
Authors: Rai Amarendra K. , Bhattacharya Rabi S. , Wolfe Douglas E. , Eden Timothy J.
Published: May 2009

Electron beam‐physical vapor‐deposited thermal barrier coatings (TBC) are susceptible to damage due to environmental contaminants such as calcium–magnesium–aluminum–silicon oxide systems (CMAS). This paper discusses various approaches of modifying TBC for enhanced protection against CMAS attack. Methodologies were explored with various coating systems maintaining functionality as nonwetting, sacrificial, and impervious to CMAS attack. In the brief isothermal (1260°C/10 min) tests, a nearly crack‐free and reglazed Pd coating provided substantial protection from the CMAS attack. Approaches that provided some minor improvements need further optimization to better assess their viability.
Force–frequency and force–length properties in skeletal muscle following unilateral focal ischaemic insult in a rat model
Authors: Dormer G. N. , Teskey G. C. , MacIntosh B. R.
Published: May 2009

Aim:  Our purpose was to quantify skeletal muscle properties following unilateral focal ischaemic insult (stroke) in a rat model.

Methods:  Male rats were divided into two groups: stroke and 2 weeks recovery (n = 8) and control group (n = 7). Stroke was induced in the area of the motor neocortex containing hind limb corticospinal neurones. Contractile properties of the medial gastrocnemius muscle were measured in situ in both limbs. Force–length and force–frequency properties were measured before and 35 min after 5 min fatiguing stimulation.

Results:  Stroke resulted in bilateral tetanic fade during 200 Hz stimulation. When normalized to 100 Hz contractions, force at 200 Hz was 95.4 ± 0.9% for the paretic muscles, 96.7 ± 1.7% for non‐paretic muscles and 102.2 ± 1.0% for muscles of control rats (P = 0.006). Prior to fatiguing contractions, there was no difference in the length dependence of force. During repetitive contractions, active force fell significantly to 19 ± 4 and 25 ± 5% of initial force in paretic and non‐paretic muscles of animals with a stroke respectively. In control animals active force fell to 37 ± 5%. During repetitive contractions, fusion index increased in muscles of stroke animals to 1.0 ± 0 but in control animals it was 0.95 ± 0.02. There was selective force depression at short lengths for fatigued paretic muscle (significant difference at muscle lengths less than reference length −2 mm).

Conclusion:  The tetanic fade at high stimulation frequencies indicates that there may be activation failure following focal ischaemic insult. The greater magnitude of fatigue and selective depression at short lengths following repetitive contractions should be investigated further.
A Method for Intercultivar Comparison of Potato Tuber Nutrient Content Using Specific Tissue Weight Proportions
Authors: Ortiz‐Medina E. , Sosle V. , Raghavan V. , Donnelly D.J.
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT:  Potato tubers are a staple food item in the North American diet. Each potato cultivar has unique tuber appearance and nutritional composition. A method was developed to facilitate better cultivar selection for dietary purposes and obtain a better understanding of the nutrient distribution within specific tissues of potato tubers. This involved a procedure for estimating the percent weight contribution of the 3 major tissue components, including periderm or “skin,” cortex, and pith for 20 potato cultivars. Weight determination was based on the volume (calculated through an ellipsoid formula) and density of each component tissue. Calculated percent weight and dry matter data for each tuber tissue provided conversion factor values that were tabulated for all cultivars. An example is provided to illustrate the application of this procedure in facilitating identification of cultivars with significantly greater or lesser protein content.
Probiotic Cheddar Cheese: Influence of Ripening Temperatures on Proteolysis and Sensory Characteristics of Cheddar Cheeses
Authors: Ong L. , Shah N.P.
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT:  Bifidobacterium longum 1941, B. animalis subsp. lactis LAFTI® B94, Lactobacillus casei 279, Lb. casei LAFTI L26, Lb. acidophilus 4962, or Lb. acidophilus LAFTI L10 were used as an adjunct in the production of Cheddar cheeses, which were ripened at 4 and 8 °C for 24 wk. Effects of ripening temperatures and probiotic adjuncts on proteolysis and sensory evaluation of the cheeses were examined. Higher ripening temperature increased the level of proteolysis in the cheeses. Product of proteolysis and organic acids released during ripening were shown to be important for the flavor of Cheddar cheeses. There were positive and significant correlations between the levels of soluble nitrogen, lactic, acetic, and butyric acids, percentage hydrolysis of αs1‐CN and β‐CN to the scores of cheddary flavor (P < 0.05). Scores for sour‐acid and vinegary flavors were higher in cheeses with the addition of Bifidobacterium sp. or Lb. casei 279 ripened at 8 °C. The scores were positively and significantly correlated to the level of lactic, acetic, and free amino acids in the cheeses (P < 0.05). The results show that both 4 and 8 °C have potential for use in the ripening of probiotic Cheddar cheeses.
Children's Acceptance, Nutritional, and Instrumental Evaluations of Whole Grain and Soluble Fiber Enriched Foods
Authors: Toma A. , Omary M.B. , Marquart L.F. , Arndt E.A. , Rosentrater K.A. , Burns‐Whitmore B. , Kessler L. , Hwan K. , Sandoval A. , Sung A.
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT:  The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 report recommends 3 or more daily ounce‐equivalents of whole grains (WG), and the FDA suggests consumption of 25 g of total dietary fiber (TDF) and 6 g of soluble fiber (SF) for a 2000‐calorie diet. Efforts to increase the consumption of WG and SF among elementary school‐aged children are needed. The objectives of this study were to examine the consumption of WG‐ and SF‐enriched burritos and cookies among elementary school‐aged children and to perform a quality evaluation of all products. Children in grades K to 6 from a local elementary school consumed control (CTR) products made with refined flour along with the test products (TRT) over a 13‐wk period. TRT burritos and cookies contained 51% and 100% WG, respectively. CTR and TRT products were served on 3 and 4 different Fridays, respectively. Children's consumption was determined via plate waste. Quality parameters such as texture, color, water activity, weight, and product dimensions were also measured. No significant differences in consumption between CTR and TRT burritos and cookies were found (36% and 90%, respectively). Texture (area) was higher for CTR burritos compared with TRT burritos (1.31 and 0.66 kg‐s, respectively). CTR burritos were lighter than TRT burritos with L* values of 80.04 and 64.61, respectively. CTR cookies required a higher breaking force (3.14 compared with 0.58 kg), were lighter than TRT cookies (63.18 compared with 50.27), and had lower water activity (0.5 compared with 0.71).
Magnetic Resonance Temperature Mapping of Microwave‐Fried Chicken Fingers
Authors: Barutcu Isil , McCarthy Michael J. , Seo Young‐Seob , Sahin Serpil
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT:  The main objective of this study was to compare the heating patterns of chicken fingers deep‐fried conventionally and using a microwave. Two dimensional internal temperature maps of fried chicken fingers with rectangular geometry were measured post frying using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Frying was performed in a microwave oven at 365 W power level for 0.5 and 1.5 min after bringing the oil temperature to 180 ± 1 °C. Samples were also fried in a conventional fryer at 180 °C for 2 and 5 min for comparison. Variations in internal temperature distribution increased proportionally to frying time in both microwave and conventional frying. Internal thermal equilibrium is reached in all samples after 13 min of holding time. Internal structural changes, void formation, were also visualized in the images. Void formation did not significantly impact cooling rates.
Pituitary disease – perspectives of patients and partners
Authors: Dunning Trisha , Alford Frank
Published: May 2009

Aim.  To explore experiences of pituitary disease of people with pituitary disease (PD) and their partners (PT).

Background.  Pituitary disease encompasses a range of hormonal abnormalities that produce a variety of signs and symptoms depending on the underlying cause.

Design.  A triangulated exploratory study.

Methods.  The study was conducted in three phases: (a) non‐participant monitoring of an Internet pituitary chat room over four months; (b) in‐depth structured interviews with PD attending a pituitary outpatient clinic (n = 8) and PT (n = 6), (c) focus groups (n = 12). Data were collected in 2005.

Results.  Four themes emerged from the discussion in each phase: ‘need to be normal’, ‘emotional merry‐go‐round’, ‘damage to the self’, and ‘doctor ignorance’. Symptoms of pituitary disease were often mistaken for sinusitis, ‘getting old before my time’, hypochondria, stress, and ‘something sinister changing the way I look’. Time to diagnosis varied from four weeks to 15 years. PD felt included in decision‐making but partners relied on PD for information. Body image changes were significant making PD feel like a ‘freak show for medical students’ and the emotional distress persisted after treatment and ‘cure’. The word ‘tumour’ caused significant stress and anxiety and depression was common. PD and PT felt general practitioners (GP) lacked information about pituitary disease.

Conclusions.  Pituitary disease has a major impact on psychological well‐being. PD but not PT felt involved in decisions about their management. GPs may need more education about pituitary disease. The study adds important information about the emotional effects of pituitary disease and its treatment.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Pituitary disease is a generic term encompassing a range of underlying disease processes that often produce vague symptoms, often attributed to other causes, which delays diagnosis and treatment. Pituitary disease has a significant under recognised impact on people’s mental and physical wellbeing and self‐concept. Although the underlying hormonal imbalances associated with pituitary disease are largely reversible (cured), emotional distress persists. Regular monitoring of emotional wellbeing as well as medical and hormone status is warranted.
The prevalence and correlates of the use of restraint and force on hospitalised older people
Authors: Yan Elsie , Kwok Timothy , Lee Diana , Tang Catherine
Published: May 2009

Aims.  This study examined the prevalence and correlates of the use of restraint and force in care for older people in the hospital setting in Hong Kong.

Background.  The use of restraint and force is common in care for older people. Although some knowledge exists on the potential consequences and characteristics of patients where restraint is used, little is known about the profiles of the nursing staff administering restraint.

Design.  Descriptive cross‐sectional study.

Method.  Data were collected in 2006. A total of 187 nursing staff provided information on their demographic characteristics, coworker emotional support, burnout symptoms, attitudes toward patients with dementia, as well as their perceptions of the use of restraint and force in care for older people and their experiences with it.

Results.  More than two‐thirds (73·8%) of the participants reported using restraint or force in the past three months, with physical restraint endorsed by 69%, the use of force in examination or treatment endorsed by 48·1% and the use of force in activities of daily living endorsed by 46·5% of the participants. Pearson correlation analysis results show that use of physical restraint was negatively correlated with the age of participants (r = −0·44, p<0·01) and coworker emotional support (r = −0·20, p<0·05), but positively correlated with emotional exhaustion (r = 0·21, p<0·01). Use of force in examination or treatment and in relation to activities of daily living was negatively correlated with the age of participants (r = −0·32 & −0·18, p<0·01 & 0·05), but positively correlated with emotional exhaustion (r = 0·16 & 0·15, p<0·05) and lack of personal achievement (r = 0·18 & 0·19, p<0·05). Years of experience in dementia care, training in dementia care, attitudes toward people with dementia and perception of the use of restraint were not related to the use of physical restraint or force (p > 0·05).

Conclusion.  The use of restraint and force is common among nurses in hospital medical wards in Hong Kong. To reduce restraint use in patient care, steps need to be taken to mitigate feelings of burnout and to foster sense of social support among nurses.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The hospital administration can take a leading role in restraint reduction by setting standards of care and by formulating institutional policy regarding the use of restraint or force.
Psychosocial support as a counselling in improving health‐related quality of life in patients with recent multiple sclerosis in Finland
Authors: Heiskanen Satu , Pietilä Anna‐Maija
Published: May 2009

Aim.  The aim of the study was to describe and explain psychosocial support provided by nursing personnel as experienced by people with multiple sclerosis.

Background.  The goal of providing psychosocial support is to understand and improve patients’ health, self‐care, initiative, commitment to care, resources, deal with emotions, social interaction and circumstances.

Design and methods.  Informants were individuals (n = 204) diagnosed using multiple sclerosis between the years 2003–2005 in Finland. Data were collected in 2005 by a posted questionnaire. The data were analysed with cross‐tabulations, correlation coefficients, mean tests, a factor analysis and multiple regression analysis.

Results.  People with multiple sclerosis need psychosocial support from nursing personnel to promote health and self‐care, strengthen emotional and mental resources and maintain social relationships. The support was to include information on multiple sclerosis and related treatment options, as well as discussion, listening to the patient and supporting them in the new situation in life caused by the illness.

Conclusion.  The psychosocial support received by the patients was sufficient and corresponded to their needs. Nursing personnel have the skills to improve the health‐related quality of life of people with multiple sclerosis.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The results of this research may be applied in practical nursing, such as in planning of program of neuropsychosocial rehabilitation, in developing of home care and institutional care and in planning of content of nursing education.
Needs for social support among parents of adolescents with diabetes
Authors: Paterson Barbara , Brewer Joan
Published: May 2009

Aims and objectives.  The purpose of the research was to investigate the perspectives of parents of adolescents with type 1 diabetes about their needs for social support during their child’s adolescence related to diabetes management. The objective was to explore and describe these perspectives.

Background.  One of the most significant issues resulting in the need for social support among parents whose adolescent lives with type 1 diabetes is the parental stress inherent in supporting the adolescent’s increasing autonomy as a self‐manager of diabetes, while at the same time protecting the child’s well‐being.

Design.  The research approach was interpretive description.

Methods.  Data were collected in single in‐person interviews with nine parents of adolescents or young adults with type 1 diabetes. The interviews focused on the parents’ needs for social support related to diabetes management during their child’s adolescence.

Conclusions.  The findings were that the parents’ needs for social support revolved around letting go of their role as primary decision maker in their child’s diabetes management; mediating the conflict they experienced between themselves and the adolescent and/or their spouse; and the inadequate information they received about the adolescent’s diabetes management. Online forms of social support were their preference.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Health care practitioners should be aware that parents of adolescents with diabetes may have needs for social support that are often overlooked when the adolescent and his or her diabetes is the only focus of health care interactions.
Acute phase protein concentrations in retired racing Greyhounds
Authors: Couto C. Guillermo , Cerón José J. , Parra MD , Martínez‐Subiela Silvi , Lazbik M. Cristina
Published: May 2009

Background:Retired racing Greyhounds are popular as pets. Greyhounds have several differences in physiological values compared with other breeds, including lower serum α‐ and β‐globulin concentrations. We hypothesized that lower acute phase protein (APP) concentrations could contribute to lower α‐ and β‐globulin concentrations in this breed.

Objectives:The purpose of this study was to compare serum concentrations of several APPs in Greyhounds with those of other dog breeds.

Methods:We measured the serum concentrations of C‐reactive protein (CRP), haptoglobin (Hp), acid‐soluble glycoprotein (ASG), ceruloplasmin (CP), and serum amyloid A (SAA) in 15 clinically healthy retired racing Greyhounds and 11 age‐ and gender‐matched healthy nonGreyhound controls using previously validated methods. Results were compared by Student'st‐tests.

Results:The concentration of Hp by both colorimetric and immunoturbidimetric methods was significantly lower in Greyhounds than in nonGreyhound dogs (P=.0009 and .019, respectively). The concentration of ASG was also significantly (P=.007) lower in Greyhounds, but CRP and CP concentrations were not significantly different between groups. SAA concentration was below the detection limit of the method in all dogs.

Conclusions:The low serum concentrations of Hp and ASG should be taken into consideration when interpreting APP results in Greyhounds. Because both Hp and some ASG migrate in the α‐globulin fraction, these results may explain the low α‐globulin concentrations in Greyhounds.
Oral acetate supplementation after prolonged moderate intensity exercise enhances early muscle glycogen resynthesis in horses
Authors: Waller Amanda P. , Geor Raymond J. , Spriet Lawrence L. , Heigenhauser George J. F. , Lindinger Michael I.
Published: May 2009

Oral acetate supplementation enhances glycogen synthesis in some mammals. However, while acetate is a significant energy source for skeletal muscle at rest in horses, its effects on glycogen resynthesis are unknown. We hypothesized that administration of an oral sodium acetate–acetic acid solution with a typical grain and hay meal after glycogen‐depleting exercise would result in a rapid appearance of acetate in blood with rapid uptake by skeletal muscle. It was further hypothesized that acetate taken up by muscle would be converted to acetyl CoA (and acetylcarnitine), which would be metabolized to CO2and water via the tricarboxylic acid cycle, generating ATP within the mitochondria and thereby allowing glucose taken up by muscle to be preferentially incorporated into glycogen. Gluteus medius biopsies and jugular venous blood were sampled from nine exercise‐conditioned horses on two separate occasions, at rest and for 24 h following a competition exercise test (CET) designed to simulate the speed and endurance test of a 3 day event. After the CETs, horses were allowed waterad libitumand either 8 l of a hypertonic sodium acetate–acetic acid solution via nasogastric gavage followed by a typical hay–grain meal (acetate treatment) or a hay–grain meal alone (control treatment). The CET significantly decreased muscle glycogen concentration by 21 and 17% in the acetate and control treatments, respectively. Acetate supplementation resulted in a rapid and sustained increase in plasma [acetate]. Skeletal muscle [acetyl CoA] and [acetylcarnitine] were increased at 4 h of recovery in the acetate treatment, suggesting substantial tissue extraction of the supplemented acetate. Acetate supplementation also resulted in an enhanced rate of muscle glycogen resynthesis during the initial 4 h of the recovery period compared with the control treatment; however, by 24 h of recovery there was no difference in glycogen replenishent between trials. It is concluded that oral acetate could be an alternative energy source in the horse.
Effect of protease‐activated receptor 2 activation on single TRPV1 channel activities in rat vagal pulmonary sensory neurons
Authors: Gu Qihai , Lee Lu‐Yuan
Published: May 2009

Protease‐activated receptor 2 (PAR2) is involved in airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness; both are the prominent features of asthma. Transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor 1 (TRPV1) is expressed in pulmonary sensory nerves, functions as a thermal and chemical transducer and contributes to neurogenic inflammation. Using cell‐attached single‐channel recordings we investigated the effect of PAR2activation on single TRPV1 channel activities in isolated pulmonary sensory neurons. Our immunohistochemical study demonstrated the expression of PAR2in rat vagal pulmonary sensory neurons. Our patch‐clamp study further showed that intracellular application of capsaicin (0.75 μm) induced single‐channel current that exhibited outward rectification in these neurons. The probability of the channel being open (Po) was significantly increased after the cells were pretreated with PAR2‐activating peptide (100 μm, 2 min). Pretreatment with trypsin (0.1 μm, 2 min) also increased the single‐channelPo, and the effect was completely inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor (0.5 μm, 3 min). In addition, the effect of PAR2activation was abolished by either U73122 (1 μm, 4 min), a phospholipase C inhibitor, or chelerythrine (10 μm, 4 min), a protein kinase C inhibitor. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that activation of PAR2upregulated single‐channel activities of TRPV1 and that the effect was mediated through the protein kinase C‐dependent transduction pathway.
Candesartan pretreatment is cerebroprotective in a rat model of endothelin‐1‐induced middle cerebral artery occlusion
Authors: Mecca Adam P. , O'Connor Timothy E. , Katovich Michael J. , Sumners Colin
Published: May 2009

Endogenous levels of angiotensin II (Ang II) are increased in the cortex and hypothalamus following stroke, and Ang II type 1 receptor blockers (ARBs) have been shown to attenuate the deleterious effects in animal stroke models using middle cerebral artery (MCA) intraluminal occlusion procedures. However, the endothelin‐1 (ET‐1)‐induced middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of cerebral ischaemia is thought to more closely mimic the temporal events of an embolic stroke. This method provides rapid occlusion of the MCA and a gradual reperfusion that lasts for 16–22 h. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether systemic administration of an ARB prior to ET‐1‐induced MCAO would provide cerebroprotection during this model of ischaemic stroke. Injection of 3 μl of 80 μm ET‐1 adjacent to the MCA resulted in complete occlusion of the vessel that resolved over a period of 30–40 min. Following ET‐1‐induced MCAO, rats had significant neurological impairment, as well as an infarct that consisted of 30% of the ipsilateral grey matter. Systemic pretreatment with 0.2 mg kg−1 day−1 candesartan for 7 days attenuated both the infarct size and the neurological deficits caused by ET‐1‐induced MCAO without altering blood pressure. This study confirms the cerebroprotective properties of ARBs during ischaemic stroke and validates the ET‐1‐induced MCAO model for examination of the role of the brain renin–angiotensin system in ischaemic stroke.
Detection and Quantification of Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A by a Novel Rapid In Vitro Fluorimetric Assay
Authors: Poras Hervé , Ouimet Tanja , Orng Sou-Vinh , Fournié-Zaluski Marie-Claude , Popoff Michel R. , Roques Bernard P.
Published: May 2009

Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A), the most poisonous substance known to humans, is a potential bioterrorism agent. The light-chain protein induces a flaccid paralysis through cleavage of the 25-kDa synaptosome-associated protein (SNAP-25), involved in acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction. BoNT/A is widely used as a therapeutic agent and to reduce wrinkles. The toxin is used at very low doses, which have to be accurately quantified. With this aim, internally quenched fluorescent substrates containing the fluorophore/repressor pair pyrenylalanine (Pya)/4-nitrophenylalanine (Nop) were developed. Nop and Pya were, respectively, introduced at positions 197 and 200 of the cleavable fragment (amino acids 187 to 203) of SNAP-25 (with norleucine at position 202 [Nle202]), which is acetylated at its N terminus and amidated at its C terminus. Cleavage of this peptide occurred between positions 197 and 198, as in SNAP-25, and was easily quantified by the strong fluorescence emission of the metabolite. To increase the assay sensitivity, the peptide sequence of the previous substrate was lengthened to account for exosite binding to BoNT/A. We synthesized the peptide PL50 (SNAP-25-NH2acetylated at positions 156 to 203 [Nop197, Pya200, Nle202]) and its analogue PL51, in which all methionines were replaced by nonoxidizable Nle. Consistent with a large increase in affinity for BoNT/A, PL50 and PL51 exhibit catalytic efficiencies of 2.6 × 106M−1s−1and 8.85 × 106M−1s−1, respectively, and behave as the best fluorigenic substrates of BoNT/A reported to date. Under optimized assay conditions, they allow simple quantification of as little as 100 and 60 pg of BoNT/A, respectively, within 2 h with a classical fluorimeter. Calibration of the method against the mouse 50% lethal dose assay unequivocally validates the enzymatic assay.
“
Dehalococcoides
” sp. Strain CBDB1 Extensively Dechlorinates the Commercial Polychlorinated Biphenyl Mixture Aroclor 1260
Authors: Adrian Lorenz , Dudková Vlasta , Demnerová Katařina , Bedard Donna L.
Published: May 2009

“
Dehalococcoides
” sp. strain CBDB1 in pure culture dechlorinates a wide range of PCB congeners with three to eight chlorine substituents. Congener-specific high-resolution gas chromatography revealed that CBDB1 extensively dechlorinated both Aroclor 1248 and Aroclor 1260 after four months of incubation. For example, 16 congeners comprising 67.3% of the total PCBs in Aroclor 1260 were decreased by 64%. We confirmed the dechlorination of 43 different PCB congeners. The most prominent dechlorination products were 2,3′,5-chlorinated biphenyl (25-3-CB) and 24-3-CB from Aroclor 1248 and 235-25-CB, 25-25-CB, 24-25-CB, and 235-236-CB from Aroclor 1260. Strain CBDB1 removed flanked
para
chlorines from 3,4-, 2,4,5-, and 3,4,5-chlorophenyl rings, primarily
para
chlorines from 2,3,4,5-chlorophenyl rings, primarily
meta
chlorines from 2,3,4- and 2,3,4,6-chlorophenyl rings, and either
meta
or
para
chlorines from 2,3,4,5,6-chlorophenyl rings. The site of attack on the 2,3,4-chorophenyl ring was heavily influenced by the chlorine configuration on the opposite ring. This dechlorination pattern matches PCB Process H dechlorination, which was previously observed in situ both in the Acushnet Estuary (New Bedford, MA) and in parts of the Hudson River (New York). Accordingly, we propose that
Dehalococcoides
bacteria similar to CBDB1 are potential agents of Process H PCB dechlorination in the environment. This is the first time that a complex naturally occurring PCB dechlorination pattern has been reproduced in the laboratory using a single bacterial strain.
Zoosporic Tolerance to pH Stress and Its Implications for
Phytophthora
Species in Aquatic Ecosystems
Authors: Kong Ping , Moorman Gary W. , Lea-Cox John D. , Ross David S. , Richardson Patricia A. , Hong Chuanxue
Published: May 2009

Phytophthora
species, a group of destructive plant pathogens, are commonly referred to as water molds, but little is known about their aquatic ecology. Here we show the effect of pH on zoospore survival of seven
Phytophthora
species commonly isolated from irrigation reservoirs and natural waterways and dissect zoospore survival strategy. Zoospores were incubated in a basal salt liquid medium at pH 3 to 11 for up to 7 days and then plated on a selective medium to determine their survival. The optimal pHs differed among
Phytophthora
species, with the optimal pH for
P. citricola
at pH 9, the optimal pH for
P. tropicalis
at pH 5, and the optimal pH for the five other species,
P. citrophthora
,
P. insolita
,
P. irrigata
,
P. megasperma
, and
P. nicotianae
, at pH 7. The greatest number of colonies was recovered from zoospores of all species plated immediately after being exposed to different levels of pH. At pH 5 to 11, the recovery rate decreased sharply (
P
≤ 0.0472) after 1-day exposure for five of the seven species. In contrast, no change occurred (
P
≥ 0.1125) in the recovery of any species even after a 7-day exposure at pH 3. Overall,
P. megasperma
and
P. citricola
survived longer at higher rates in a wider range of pHs than other species did. These results are generally applicable to field conditions as indicated by additional examination of
P. citrophthora
and
P. megasperma
in irrigation water at different levels of pH. These results challenge the notion that all
Phytophthora
species inhabit aquatic environments as water molds and have significant implications in the management of plant diseases resulting from waterborne microbial contamination.
Quantification of the Influence of Extracellular Laccase and Intracellular Reactions on the Isomer-Specific Biotransformation of the Xenoestrogen Technical Nonylphenol by the Aquatic HyphomyceteClavariopsis aquatica
Authors: Martin Claudia , Corvini Philippe F. X. , Vinken Ralph , Junghanns Charles , Krauss Gudrun , Schlosser Dietmar
Published: May 2009

The aquatic hyphomyceteClavariopsis aquaticawas used to quantify the effects of extracellular laccase and intracellular reactions on the isomer-specific biotransformation of technical nonylphenol (t-NP). In laccase-producing cultures, maximal removal rates of t-NP and the isomer 4-(1-ethyl-1,4-dimethylpentyl)phenol (NP112) were about 1.6- and 2.4-fold higher, respectively, than in laccase-lacking cultures. The selective suppression of either laccase or intracellular reactions resulted in essentially comparable maximal removal rates for both compounds. Evidence for an unspecific oxidation of t-NP isomers was consistently obtained from laccase-expressing fungal cultures when intracellular biotransformation was suppressed and from reaction mixtures containing isolated laccase. This observation contrasts with the selective degradation of t-NP isomers by bacteria and should prevent the enrichment of highly estrogenic isomers in remaining t-NP. In contrast with laccase reactions, intracellular fungal biotransformation caused a significant shift in the isomeric composition of remaining t-NP. As a result, certain t-NP constituents related to more estrogenic isomers were less efficiently degraded than others. In contrast to bacterial degradation viaipso-hydroxylation, the substitution pattern of the quaternary α-carbon of t-NP isomers does not seem to be very important for intracellular transformation inC. aquatica. As-yet-unknown intracellular enzymes are obviously induced by nonylphenols. Mass spectral data of the metabolites resulting from the intracellular oxidation of t-NP, NP112, and 4-(1-ethyl-1,3-dimethylpentyl)phenol indicate nonyl chain hydroxylation, further oxidation into keto or aldehyde compounds, and the subsequent formation of carboxylic acid derivatives. Further metabolites suggest nonyl chain desaturation and methylation of carboxylic acids. The phenolic moieties of the nonylphenols remained unchanged.
Detection of Noroviruses in Ready-To-Eat Foods by Using Carbohydrate-Coated Magnetic Beads
Authors: Morton Vanessa , Jean Julie , Farber Jeffrey , Mattison Kirsten
Published: May 2009

This study used histo-blood group antigen-conjugated beads to detect norovirus (NoV) in contaminated strawberries, green onions, lettuce, and deli ham. In addition, multiple strains of NoV from genogroups I and II were recovered. This provides an effective protocol for food testing in the investigation of suspected NoV outbreaks.
PirAB Toxin from
Photorhabdus asymbiotica
as a Larvicide against Dengue Vectors
Authors: Ahantarig Arunee , Chantawat Nantarat , Waterfield Nicholas R. , ffrench-Constant Richard , Kittayapong Pattamaporn
Published: May 2009

We have evaluated
Photorhabdus
insect-related protein (Pir) from
Photorhabdus asymbiotica
against dengue vectors. PirAB shows larvicidal activity against both
Aedes aegypti
and
Aedes albopictus
larvae but did not affect the
Mesocyclops thermocyclopoides
predator. PirAB expressed the strongest toxicity compared to PirA, PirB, or the mixture of PirA plus PirB. Whether the presence of an enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequence in PirAB, but not in PirA, PirB, or the mixture of PirA plus PirB, has any impact on biological control efficacy needs further investigation.
Influence of Ca
2+
Ions on the Activity of Lantibiotics Containing a Mersacidin-Like Lipid II Binding Motif
Authors: Böttiger T. , Schneider T. , Martínez B. , Sahl H.-G. , Wiedemann I.
Published: May 2009

Mersacidin binds to lipid II and thus blocks the transglycosylation step of the cell wall biosynthesis. Binding of lipid II involves a special motif, the so-called mersacidin-lipid II binding motif, which is conserved in a major subgroup of lantibiotics. We analyzed the role of Ca
2+
ions in the mode of action of mersacidin and some related peptides containing a mersacidin-like lipid II binding motif. We found that the stimulating effect of Ca
2+
ions on the antimicrobial activity known for mersacidin also applies to plantaricin C and lacticin 3147. Ca
2+
ions appear to facilitate the interaction of the lantibiotics with the bacterial membrane and with lipid II rather than being an essential part of a peptide-lipid II complex. In the case of lacticin 481, both the interaction with lipid II and the antimicrobial activity were Ca
2+
independent.
Recombination between Homoeologous Chromosomes of Lager Yeasts Leads to Loss of Function of the Hybrid
GPH1
Gene
Authors: Usher Jane , Bond Ursula
Published: May 2009

Yeasts used in the production of lagers contain complex allopolyploid genomes, resulting from the fusion of two different yeast species closely related to
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
and
Saccharomyces bayanus
. Recombination between the homoeologous chromosomes has generated a number of hybrid chromosomes. These recombination events provide potential for adaptive evolution through the loss or gain of gene function. We have examined the genotypic and phenotypic effects of one of the conserved recombination events that occurred on chromosome XVI in the region of YPR159W and YPR160W. Our analysis shows that the recombination event occurred within the YPR160W gene, which encodes the enzyme glycogen phosphorylase and generates a hybrid gene that does not produce mature mRNA and is nonfunctional due to frameshifts in the coding region. The loss of function of the hybrid gene leads to glycogen levels similar to those found in haploid yeast strains. The implications for the control of glycogen levels in fermentative yeasts are discussed.
High-Level Biosynthesis of the Anteiso-C
17
Isoform of the Antibiotic Mycosubtilin in
Bacillus subtilis
and Characterization of Its Candidacidal Activity
Authors: Fickers Patrick , Guez Jean-Sébastien , Damblon Christian , Leclère Valérie , Béchet Max , Jacques Philippe , Joris Bernard
Published: May 2009

High-level production (880 mg liter
−1
) and isolation of the anteiso-C
17
isoform of the lipopeptide mycosubtilin produced by a genetically engineered
Bacillus subtilis
strain are reported. Antifungal activity of this isoform, as determined via culture and fluorometric and cell leakage assays, suggests its potential therapeutic use as an antifungal agent, in particular against
Candida
spp.