bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Complement Activation and Formation of the Membrane Attack Complex on Serogroup BNeisseria meningitidisin the Presence or Absence of Serum Bactericidal Activity
Authors: Drogari-Apiranthitou M. , Kuijper E. J. , Dekker N. , Dankert J. 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACTEncapsulated meningococci are complement sensitive only in the presence of bactericidal antibodies by yet-unexplored mechanisms. The objective of this study was to investigate the involvement of major bacterial surface constituents on complement activation and membrane attack complex (MAC) formation on serogroup B meningococci in the presence or absence of antibody-dependent serum bactericidal activity (SBA). The strains used were the encapsulated H44/76, five of its variants differing in capsulation and expression of the class 1 porin (PorA), and its lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-deficient isogenic mutant (LPS−) pLAK33. Two normal sera, one with high SBA (SBA+) and one with no bactericidal activity (SBA−) against H44/76 as well as an a-γ-globulinemic serum were used for sensibilization of the bacteria. C3b and iC3b deposition on H44/76, its unencapsulated variant v24, and pLAK33 was similar in SBA+and SBA−serum, and no difference was present between the strains. MAC deposition on H44/76 was higher in SBA+serum than in SBA−serum and the a-γ-globulinemic serum. The amounts of C3b on H44/76, v24, and pLAK33 in the a-γ-globulinemic serum were also not different, indicating immunoglobulin G (IgG)- and LPS-independent complement activation. H44/76 PorA(+) and its PorA(−) variant and the v24 PorA(+) and its PorA(−) variant incubated in SBA−serum induced comparable amounts of MAC, despite their different serum sensitivities. Complement formation on the surface of the bacteria occurred almost exclusively via the classical pathway, but the considerable amounts of Bb measured in the serum indicated alternative pathway activation in the fluid phase. We conclude that complement deposition on meningococci is, for the most part, independent of classical pathway IgG and is not influenced by the presence of PorA or LPS on the meningococcal surface. Addition of an anti-PorA chimeric antibody to the nonbactericidal normal serum, while promoting a dose-related bacterial lysis, did not influence the amounts of C3b, iC3b, and MAC formed on the bacterial surface. These findings support the hypothesis that proper MAC insertion rather than the quantity of MAC formed on the bacterial surface is of importance for efficient lysis of meningococci.
The ArcB Sensor Kinase of
Escherichia coli
: Genetic Exploration of the Transmembrane Region
Authors: Kwon Ohsuk , Georgellis Dimitris , Lynch A. Simon , Boyd Dana , Lin E. C. C. 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACT

The Arc two-component signal transduction system of
Escherichia coli
regulates the expression of numerous operons in response to respiratory growth conditions. Cellular redox state or proton motive force (Δμ̄

H
+

) has been proposed to be the signal for the membrane-associated ArcB sensor kinase. This study provided evidence for a short ArcB periplasmic bridge that contains a His47. The dispensability of this amino acid, the only amino acid with a pK in the physiological range, renders the Δμ̄

H
+

model unlikely. Furthermore, results from substituting membrane segments of ArcB with counterparts of MalF indicate that the region does not play a stereospecific role in signal reception.
A Positive
cis
-Acting DNA Element Is Required for High-Level Transcription in
Chlamydia
Authors: Schaumburg Chris S. , Tan Ming 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACT

The spacer A/T region is a positive
cis
-acting DNA element that was identified in the
Chlamydia trachomatis
rRNA promoter region. We have now demonstrated that similar sequences in other chlamydial promoters are important for transcription. Substitution of candidate spacer A/T regions in four chlamydial promoters decreased transcription by partially purified
C. trachomatis
RNA polymerase in an in vitro transcription assay. Addition of a spacer A/T region to the
dnaK
promoter, which does not contain an identifiable spacer A/T region, increased transcription 16-fold. Transcription of
Escherichia coli
promoters by
C. trachomatis
RNA polymerase also appeared to be dependent on the spacer A/T region. However, the effect of the spacer A/T region on transcription by
E. coli
RNA polymerase was small. In summary, the spacer A/T region is a novel DNA element that is required for high-level transcription of many promoters by chlamydial RNA polymerase.
Rapid Discrimination among Dermatophytes,
Scytalidium
spp., and Other Fungi with a PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Ribotyping Method
Authors: Machouart-Dubach Marie , Lacroix Claire , de Chauvin Martine Feuilhade , Le Gall Isabelle , Giudicelli Catherine , Lorenzo Frédéric , Derouin Francis 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACT

Dermatomycoses are very common infections caused mainly by dermatophytes. Scytalidiosis is a differential mycological diagnosis, especially in tropical and subtropical areas. Since a culture-based diagnosis takes 2 to 3 weeks, we set up a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method for rapid discrimination of these fungi in clinical samples. The hypervariable V4 domain of the small ribosomal subunit 18S gene was chosen as the target for PCR. The corresponding sequences from 19 fungal species (9 dermatophytes, 2
Scytalidium
species, 6 other filamentous fungi, and 2 yeasts) were obtained from databases or were determined in the laboratory. Sequences were aligned to design primers for dermatophyte-specific PCR and to identify digestion sites for RFLP analysis. The reliability of PCR-RFLP for the diagnosis of dermatomycosis was assessed on fungal cultures and on specimens from patients with suspected dermatomycosis. Two sets of primers preferentially amplified fungal DNA from dermatophytes (DH1L and DH1R) or from
Scytalidium
spp. (DH2L and DH1R) relative to DNA from bacteria, yeasts, some other filamentous fungi, and humans. Digestion of PCR products with
Eae
I or
Bam
HI discriminated between dermatophytes and
Scytalidium
species, as shown with cultures of 31 different fungal species. When clinical samples were tested by PCR-RFLP, blindly to mycological findings, the results of the two methods agreed for 74 of 75 samples. Dermatophytes and
Scytalidium
spp. can thus be readily discriminated by PCR-RFLP within 24 h. This method can be applied to clinical samples and is suited to rapid etiologic diagnosis and treatment selection for patients with dermatomycosis.
Detachment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 from Germinal Centers by Blocking Complement Receptor Type 2
Authors: Kacani Laco , Prodinger Wolfgang M. , Sprinzl Georg M. , Schwendinger Michael G. , Spruth Martin , Stoiber Heribert , Döpper Susanne , Steinhuber Sabine , Steindl Franz , Dierich Manfred P. 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACTAfter the transition from the acute to the chronic phase of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, complement mediates long-term storage of virions in germinal centers (GC) of lymphoid tissue. The contribution of particular complement receptors (CRs) to virus trapping in GC was studied on tonsillar specimens from HIV-infected individuals. CR2 (CD21) was identified as the main binding site for HIV in GC. Monoclonal antibodies (MAb) blocking the CR2-C3d interaction were shown to detach 62 to 77% of HIV type 1 from tonsillar cells of an individual in the presymptomatic stage. Although they did so at a lower efficiency, these antibodies were able to remove HIV from tonsillar cells of patients under highly active antiretroviral therapy, suggesting that the C3d-CR2 interaction remains a primary entrapment mechanism in treated patients as well. In contrast, removal of HIV was not observed with MAb blocking CR1 or CR3. Thus, targeting CR2 may facilitate new approaches toward a reduction of residual virus in GC.
Biochemical and Genetic Studies of the Initiation of Human Rhinovirus 2 RNA Replication: Purification and Enzymatic Analysis of the RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase 3D
pol
Authors: Gerber Kinga , Wimmer Eckard , Paul Aniko V. 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACT

The replication of human rhinovirus 2 (HRV2), a positive-stranded RNA virus belonging to the
Picornaviridae
, requires a virus-encoded RNA polymerase. We have expressed in
Escherichia coli
and purified both a glutathione
S
-transferase fusion polypeptide and an untagged form of the HRV2 RNA polymerase 3D
pol
. Using in vitro assay systems previously described for poliovirus RNA polymerase 3D
pol
(J. B. Flanegan and D. Baltimore, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 74:3677–3680, 1977; A. V. Paul, J. H. van Boom, D. Filippov, and E. Wimmer, Nature 393:280–284, 1998), we have analyzed the biochemical properties of the two different enzyme preparations. HRV2 3D
pol
is both template and primer dependent, and it catalyzes two types of synthetic reactions in the presence of UTP, Mn
2+
, and a poly(A) template. The first consists of an elongation reaction of an oligo(dT)
15
primer into poly(U). The second is a protein-priming reaction in which the enzyme covalently links UMP to the hydroxyl group of tyrosine in the terminal protein VPg, yielding VPgpU. This precursor is elongated first into VPgpUpU and then into VPg-linked poly(U), which is identical to the 5′ end of picornavirus minus strands. The two forms of the enzyme are about equally active both in the oligonucleotide elongation and in the VPg-primed reaction. Various synthetic mutant VPgs were tested as substrates in the VPg uridylylation reaction.
The Molecular and Crystal Structure of Buprenorphine Hydrochloride, a Morphine Analogue
Authors: Kratochvíl Bohumil , Hušák Michal , Bulej Petr , Jegorov Alexandr 
Published: July 2002

The structure of buprenorphine hydrochloride {(6R,7R,14S)-17-cyclopropylmethyl-7,8-dihydro- 7-[(1S)-1-hydroxy-1,2,2-trimethylpropyl]- 6-O-methyl-6,14-ethano-17-normorphine hydrochloride} was solved by direct methods and refined anisotropically to the R value of 0.062 for 3 049 observed reflections. The substance crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P43212, a = b = 11.513(2) Å, c = 42.054(8) Å, V = 5 574(2) Å3, Z = 8, Dcalc = 1.201 g cm-3, μ(MoKα) = 0.17 mm-1. The compound is the first morphine derivative with a 6,14-ethano bridge whose molecular structure has been solved.
Advances in gastroenterology and hepatology
Authors: Bateson M C 
Published: July 2002

Abstract
This is a review of some of the most important growing points in the specialties of gastroenterology and hepatology. It does not aim to be completely comprehensive but to pick out major areas of importance to examination candidates and doctors without special experience in the field.
Topics covered include: upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage; Barrett's oesophagus; carcinoma of the oesophagus; achalasia;Helicobacter pylori; duodenal ulcer prevention; coeliac disease; dermatitis herpetiformis; Crohn's disease; small bowel overgrowth; ulcerative colitis; carcinoma of the large bowel; obesity; endoscope sterilisation; gall stones; liver transplantation; autoimmune liver disease; viral hepatitis; metabolic liver diseases; and pancreatic insufficiency.
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia. An illustrated review highlighting developments in the diagnosis and management of this potentially fatal condition
Authors: Fisher N G , Gilbert T J 
Published: July 2002

Abstract
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia is an inherited, progressive condition. Characterised by fatty infiltration of the right ventricle, it frequently results in life threatening cardiac arrhythmias, and is one of the important causes of sudden cardiac death in the young. There are characteristic electrocardiographic and echocardiographic features that all physicians need to be aware of if we are to reduce these occurrences of premature death. Diagnosis with magnetic resonance imaging is discussed along with current treatment options.
Neuralgic amyotrophy as a presenting feature of infective endocarditis
Authors: English P , Maciver D 
Published: July 2002

Abstract
A 35 year old man presented to his general practitioner with severe right shoulder pain and subsequent weakness and wasting of the muscles in the affected shoulder girdle three weeks after a dental filling. His symptoms persisted despite standard treatment. He developed malaise, night sweats, weight loss, a petechial rash and a microcytic anaemia. On admission to hospital three months after the start of his symptoms he had also developed splenomegaly and the murmur of aortic regurgitation. Investigations confirmed the diagnoses of infective endocarditis and neuralgic amyotrophy. In this case neuralgic amyotrophy appears to have been the presenting feature of infective endocarditis. This association has not previously been described.
Ethical, professional, and legal obligations in clinical practice: a series of discussion topics for postgraduate medical education
Authors: Gore D M 
Published: July 2002

Abstract
This is the second discussion topic in a series of five dealing with ethical, professional, and legal obligations of clinical practice. Junior doctors tend to lack confidence in these subjects, and thus I organised a series of informal discussions in our surgical unit on which these articles are based. The sessions were prepared with reference to non-academic literature readily available from the General Medical Council (GMC) and the medical defence organisations. While our unit dealt with these issues from a surgical perspective, the obligations of clinical practice apply to all practitioners and the series could be easily modified for other clinical specialties.
A 25 year old woman presenting with bleeding disorder and nystagmus
Authors: Saif M W , Hamilton J M 
Published: July 2002

Abstract
A 25 year old white woman presented with a history of severe bleeding after tooth extraction for a wisdom tooth. She admitted to a long history of nose bleeds; these had occurred about once every three weeks for many years and had required blood transfusion twice. She had an appendicectomy done at the age of 11 complicated by severe bleeding that required blood transfusion. The patient said that since childhood she had easily bruised and had severe bleeding after minor cuts. She started her menarche at the age of 14 and since then had menorrhagia. She denied experiencing haematemesis, haematochezia, joint pains, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, or any other systemic complaints.
Adenocarcinoma of the lung in Chinese patients: a revisit and some perspectives from the literature
Authors: Lam B , Lam W K , Lam C L , Ooi G C , Ho J C M , Wong M P , Tsang K W 
Published: July 2002

Abstract

Aim
To establish an updated clinical profile of adenocarcinoma of the lung.

Design
Retrospective review of clinical charts, chest radiography, and computed tomography of consecutive patients who attended Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong between June 1995 and December 1997.

Results
In the 115 patients studied, 13% were &lt;40 years of age (33.3% ever smokers). Haemoptysis is more common among patients with early disease, while finger clubbing was detected more commonly among smokers and ex-smokers. Most (98.3%) patients had abnormal chest radiology including presence of mass lesion, pleural effusion, collapse/consolidation, and effusion. Patients with adenocarcinoma were significantly more likely to be younger, female, in advanced disease (stage IIIB and IV), non-smoker, and symptomatic on presentation (p&lt;0.05) than those with squamous cell lung cancer (n=128).

Conclusion
The clinical profile of Chinese adenocarcinoma patients should help clinicians in the diagnosis and management of these patients.
Liver transplantation for chronic liver disease: advances and controversies in an era of organ shortages
Authors: Prince M I , Hudson M 
Published: July 2002

Abstract
Since liver transplantation was first performed in 1968 by Starzl et al, advances in case selection, liver surgery, anaesthetics, and immunotherapy have significantly increased the indications for and success of this operation. Liver transplantation is now a standard therapy for many end stage liver disorders as well as acute liver failure. However, while demand for cadaveric organ grafts has increased, in recent years the supply of organs has fallen. This review addresses current controversies resulting from this mismatch. In particular, methods for increasing graft availability and difficulties arising from transplantation in the context of alcohol related cirrhosis, primary liver tumours, and hepatitis C are reviewed. Together these three indications accounted for 42% of liver transplants performed for chronic liver disease in the UK in 2000. Ethical frameworks for making decisions on patients’ suitability for liver transplantation have been developed in both the USA and the UK and these are also reviewed.
GENERAL RELATIVISTIC RELATION BETWEEN DENSITY CONTRAST AND PECULIAR VELOCITY
Authors: MANSOURI REZA , RAHVAR SOHRAB 
Published: July 2002

Concepts like peculiar velocity, gravitational force, and power spectrum and their interrelationships are of utmost importance in the theories of structure formation. The observational implementation of these concepts is usually based on the Newtonian hydrodynamic equations, but used up to scales where general relativistic effects come in. Using a perturbation of FRW metric in harmonic gauge, we show that the relativistic effects reduce to light cone effects including the expansion of the universe. Within the Newtonian gravitation, the linear perturbation theory of large scale structure formation predicts the peculiar velocity field to be directly proportional to gravitational force due to the matter distribution. The corresponding relation between peculiar velocity field and density contrast has been given by Peebles. Using the general relativistic perturbation we have developed, this familiar relation is modified by doing the calculation on the light cone in contrast to the usual procedure of taking a spacelike slice defined at a definite time. The velocity and density-spectrum are compared to the familiar Newtonian expressions. In particular, the relativistic β-value obtained is reduced and leads to an increased bias factor or a decreased expected amount of the dark matter in a cluster.
Double Crush Syndrome Related to the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Authors: Nishida Jun , Ichinohe Katsuaki , Shimamura Tadashi , Abe Masataka 
Published: July 2002

Cases diagnosed as having thoracic outlet syndrome were examined by neurological examination, including provocation tests, electromyography and radiological examinations, to detect other sites of entrapment neuropathy of the upper extremity. During the last four years, 555 upper extremities of 494 patients were diagnosed as having thoracic outlet syndrome. Forty-five patients (9.3%) were diagnosed as having other entrapment neuropathy in one extremity. Ten cases were complicated by cervical radiculopathy, 15 by carpal tunnel syndrome, 11 by cubital tunnel syndrome, five by radial tunnel syndrome, two by ulnar tunnel syndrome, two by both carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel syndrome, and one by both cubital and ulnar tunnel syndrome. Surgery was performed for 15 limbs, and the distal lesion was operated on the first in two-thirds of these patients. The relationship between thoracic outlet syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome or carpal tunnel syndrome has been reported by several authors, but the rates of incidence vary among reports. The rate of incidence seems to depend upon the diagnostic technique. After adoption of the appropriate provocation tests, patients with thoracic outlet syndrome complicated by other entrapment neuropathies were detected at a relatively high rate of incidence. Provocation tests seem to be an essential measure for the diagnosis of double crush syndromes.
BONE LESIONS OF THE HAND AND WRIST IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING HEMODIALYSIS FOR TEN YEARS
Authors: Ueno Eiji , Beppu Moroe , Shimizu Hiroyuki , Komurai Miki 
Published: July 2002

We investigated the chronological changes in the plain radiographs of the hands and wrists of 32 patients who underwent hemodialysis for ten years. Digital image processing (DIP)9and quantitative computed tomography (QCT) were conducted to examine bone density.Fourteen patients underwent Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the wrists, and the relationships between MRI findings and plain radiographic findings and association of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) were investigated. Twenty-one patients with bone lesions revealed by plain radiography were classified into four groups — cystic lesion, bone resorption, mixed, and no-lesion groups.Subperiosteal bone resorption was seen in 17 patients at ten years, of whom one showed a marked improvement of bone lesion observed at five years. Twelve patients had cystic lesions at ten years, most often observed in the middle phalanx and lunate. Seven of those 12 patients suffered from CTS, in contrast to only one case with CTS in each of the bone resorption and no-lesion groups. DIP and QCT revealed the most severe bone atrophy in the cystic lesion group. In six patients, MRI revealed bone lesions not detected by plain radiographs.
THE ROLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL RISK MANAGEMENT AND REPORTING: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS
Authors: HOOD JOHN , NICHOLL SCOTT 
Published: July 2002

In recent years, there have been significant developments in the field of environmental risk assessment and management. Its role in the corporate setting has been strengthened by claims that financial results and corporate reputation can be significantly improved through environmental management. Risk assessment and management provides one of the most comprehensive and cost-effective mechanisms for managing environmental issues and has subsequently led to the adoption of risk-based environmental management. This research examines the current discussion in the field of environmental risk management and undertakes a survey of 112 UK companies to ascertain how environmental risk assessment is perceived and what role it has in environmental management, including environmental reporting and accounting. The paper concludes that whilst there have been some positive developments in the area, companies, governments and regulators still have work to do in ensuring the adoption of best practice.
Efficient call graph analysis
Authors: Hall Mary W. , Kennedy Ken 
Published: July 2002

We present an efficient algorithm for computing the procedure call graph, the program representation underlying most interprocedural optimization techniques. The algorithm computes the possible bindings of procedure variables in languages where such variables only receive their values through parameter passing, such as Fortran. We extend the algorithm to accommodate a limited form of assignments to procedure variables. The resulting algorithm can also be used in analysis of functional programs that have been converted to Continuation-Passing-Style.
We discuss the algorithm in relationship to other call graph analysis approaches. Many less efficient techniques produce essentially the same call graph. A few algorithms are more precise, but they may be prohibitively expensive depending on language features.