bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Systemic nitric oxide clamping in normal humans guided by total peripheral resistance
Authors: Simonsen J. A. , Rasmussen M. S. , Johansen J. B. , Høilund‐Carlsen P. F. , Bie P. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractAim:  We wanted to stabilize the availability of nitric oxide (NO) at levels compatible with normal systemic haemodynamics to provide a model for studies of complex regulations in the absence of changes in NO levels.Methods:  Normal volunteers (23–28 years) were infused i.v. with the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME) at 0.5 mg kg−1 h−1. One hour later, the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was co‐infused in doses eliminating the haemodynamic effects of l‐NAME. Haemodynamic measurements included blood pressure (MABP) and cardiac output (CO) by impedance cardiography.Results:  l‐NAME increased MABP and total peripheral resistance (TPR, 1.02 ± 0.05 to 1.36 ± 0.07 mmHg s mL−1, mean ± SEM, P < 0.001). With SNP, TPR fell to a stable value slightly below control (0.92 ± 0.05 mmHg s mL−1, P < 0.05). CO decreased with l‐NAME (5.8 ± 0.3 to 4.7 ± 0.3 L min−1, P < 0.01) and returned to control when SNP was added (6.0 ± 0.3 L min−1). A decrease in plasma noradrenaline (42%, P < 0.01) during l‐NAME administration was completely reversed by SNP. Plasma renin activity decreased during l‐NAME administration and returned towards normal after addition of SNP. In contrast, plasma aldosterone was increased by l‐NAME and remained elevated.Conclusions:  Concomitant NOS inhibition and NO donor administration can be adjusted to maintain TPR at control level for hours. This approach may be useful in protocols in which stabilization of the peripheral supply of NO is required. However, the dissociation between renin and aldosterone secretion needs further investigation.
Pregnancy and lactation have anti‐obesity and anti‐diabetic effects in Ay/a mice
Authors: Makarova E. N. , Yakovleva T. V. , Shevchenko A. Y. , Bazhan N. M. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractAim:  Dominant ‘yellow’ mutation at the mouse agouti locus (Ay) results in obesity. Pregnancy and lactation are characterized by large energy demand. The aim of this study was to investigate whether obesity would develop in pregnant and suckling Ay mice.Methods:  Body weight and food intake in pregnancy, lactation, and after weaning, plasma leptin, insulin, corticosterone and blood glucose concentrations on days 7, 13 and 18 of pregnancy, days 1, 10, 21 and 80 postpartum, glucose and insulin tolerance on pregnancy days 7 and 18 were measured in C57Bl/6J mice of a/a (normal metabolism) and Ay/a genotypes. The same parameters were also measured in age‐matched virgin females.Results:  Virgin Ay/a females exhibited hyperphagia, enhanced body weight, glucose intolerance and normal blood parameters at the mating age. With age, they developed obesity, hyperleptinaemia, hyperinsulinaemia and hyperglycaemia. Obesity did not develop in mated Ay/a mice; during suckling, they had equal food intake and body weight as a/a mice. During pregnancy, glucose tolerance was enhanced in Ay/a mice and became equal in both genotypes. In both genotypes, concentrations of hormones increased, and glucose decreased from pregnancy day 7 to day 18 and returned to normal values after parturition. Ay/a mice did not differ from a/a in corticosterone, insulin and glucose levels during pregnancy and lactation, in leptin levels during suckling; however, Ay/a mice had two times higher leptin levels than a/a during pregnancy. After weaning, Ay/a mice began to eat and weigh more than a/a exhibiting normal metabolic parameters for 50 days.Conclusion:  Pregnancy and lactation retard obesity and diabetes development in Ay mice.
Sunbeds as Vitamin D Sources
Authors: Moan Johan , Lagunova Zoya , Cicarma Emanuela , Aksnes Lage , Dahlback Arne , Grant William B. , Porojnicu Alina Carmen 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe objectives of this work were: (1) To determine whether repeated exposures to small doses from a commercial sun bed (Wolff Solarium Super Plus 100 W) over 5 weeks gave less vitamin D than repeated exposures to twice as large, but still nonerythemogenic, doses. (2) To investigate whether the contribution to the vitamin D status from such sessions of exposures was dependent on the baseline status before the start of the sessions. (3) To determine the decay rate of the induced increment of vitamin D. The sun bed sessions raised the 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels from typical winter values to typical summer values. The mean value after exposure being 80 nm (±14) and the increase being 15 nm on average. Persons with the lowest initial levels got the largest increase. The level in this group was back to the pre‐exposure level after 2–4 weeks. To maintain a summer level through the winter, when no vitamin D is produced by the sun in northern countries, one should consider increasing the recommended intake of vitamin D intake significantly, or encouraging the population to get moderate, nonerythemal sun bed exposures.
The Atrial Fibrillation Paradox of Heart Failure
Authors: Shelton Rhidian J. , Clark Andrew L. , Kaye Gerald C. , Cleland John G. F. 
Published: September 2009

Congest Heart Fail. 2010;16:3–9. ©2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with heart failure (HF) is high, but longitudinal studies suggest that the incidence of AF is relatively low. The authors investigated this paradox prospectively in an epidemiologically representative population of patients with HF and persistent AF. In all, 891 consecutive patients with HF [mean age, 70±10 years; 70% male; left ventricular ejection fraction, 32%±9%] were enrolled. The prevalence of persistent AF at baseline was 22%. The incidence of persistent AF at 1 year was 26 per 1000 person‐years, ranging from 15 in New York Heart Association class I/II to 44 in class III/IV. AF occurred either at the same time or prior to HF in 76% of patients and following HF in 24%. A risk score was developed to predict the occurrence of persistent AF. The annual risk of persistent AF developing was 0.5% (0%–1.3%) for those in the low‐risk group compared with 15% (3.4%–26.6%) in the high‐risk group. Despite a high prevalence of persistent AF in patients with HF, the incidence of persistent AF is relatively low. This is predominantly due to AF coinciding with or preceding the development of HF. The annual risk of persistent AF developing can be estimated from clinical variables.
Aspects juridiques du cas de l’obélisque d’Aksoum
Authors: Scovazzi Tullio 
Published: September 2009

RésuméEn 1937, l’obélisque d’Axoum, vieux de 1 700 ans, fut déplacé de la ville d’Axoum, en Éthiopie, à la suite de l’annexion du pays par l’Italie. L’obélisque, brisé en cinq fragments, fut transportéà Rome et réinstallé en face du ministère des Colonies, aujourd’hui siège de l’Organisation des Nations Unies pour l’alimentation et l’agriculture (FAO). Ce n’est qu’en avril 2005 que, malgré les engagements pris précédemment au titre de trois traités (1947, 1956 et 1997), l’Italie finit par se conformer à l’obligation qui lui incombait de rendre l’obélisque à Axoum. En 2008, celui‐ci fut réinstallé sur son site d’origine. L’histoire du retour de l’obélisque peut être considérée comme un précédent dans le processus actuel de formation de nouveaux principes du droit international dans le domaine du patrimoine culturel, à savoir le principe de non‐appauvrissement du patrimoine culturel des États d’origine, le principe de non‐exploitation de la faiblesse d’autres pays pour obtenir un gain culturel et le principe de préservation de l’intégrité des sites culturels.
De l’Italie à l’Éthiopie : démontage, transport et réérection de l’obélisque d’ Aksoum
Authors: Croci Giorgio 
Published: September 2009

RésuméEn 1937, l’obélisque d’Axoum fut transporté en Italie, divisé en quatre blocs. Son état fragmenté résultait d’un tremblement de terre survenu plusieurs siècles auparavant. L’obélisque fut ensuite remontéà Rome, les pièces étant assemblées au moyen de mortier et de boulons de bronze. Le projet de démontage et de remontage supposait la solution de problèmes délicats, afin d’éviter aux pierres tout nouveau dégât.
Empêcher le pillage par le retour des objets archéologiques pillés
Authors: Elia Ricardo J. 
Published: September 2009

RésuméCes dernières années, plusieurs pays sources ont négocié avec des musées étrangers pour effectuer le retour des objets archéologiques pillés détenus par ces musées. Ces affaires sont souvent considérées comme de simples controverses sur la propriété des œuvres d’art. Les négociateurs devraient avoir à l’esprit que, si quelques antiquités peuvent être récupérées avec succès dans ces affaires, l’information archéologique, historique et scientifique détruite par le pillage ne peut jamais être récupérée. Les efforts pour récupérer les objets culturels pillés devraient aussi se consacrer à faire pression sur les musées afin que ces derniers cessent d’acquérir des objets d’origine inconnue, pour décourager les pillages à venir.
Differential gene expression in bacterial symbionts from loliginid squids demonstrates variation between mutualistic and environmental niches
Authors: Guerrero‐Ferreira Ricardo C. , Nishiguchi Michele K. 
Published: September 2009

SummaryLuminescent bacteria (γ‐Proteobacteria: Vibrionaceae) are found in complex bilobed light organs of both sepiolid and loliginid squids (Mollusca: Cephalopoda). Despite the existence of multiple strain colonization between Vibrio bacteria and loliginid squids, specificity at the genus level still exists and may influence interactions between symbiotic and free‐living stages of the symbiont. The environmentally transmitted behaviour of Vibrio symbionts bestows a certain degree of recognition that exists prior and subsequent to the colonization process. Therefore, we identified bacterial genes required for successful colonization of loliginid light organs by examining transcripts solely expressed in either the light organ or free‐living stages. Selective capture of transcribed sequences (SCOTS) was used to differentiate genes expressed by the same bacterium when thriving in two different environments (i.e. loliginid light organs and seawater). Genes specific for squid light organs included vulnibactin synthetase, outer membrane protein W and dihydroxy dehydratase, which have been associated with the maintenance of bacterial host associations in other systems. In contrast, genes that were solely expressed in the free‐living condition consisted of transcripts recognized as important factors for bacterial survival in the environment. These transcripts included genes for methyl accepting chemotaxis proteins, arginine decarboxylase and chitinase. These results provide valuable information regarding mechanisms determining specificity, establishment, and maintenance of bacteria–squid associations.
Enrichment of denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidizing microorganisms
Authors: Hu Shihu , Zeng Raymond J. , Burow Luke C. , Lant Paul , Keller Jurg , Yuan Zhiguo 
Published: September 2009

SummaryThe microorganisms responsible for anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) coupled to denitrification have not been clearly elucidated. Three recent publications suggested it can be achieved by a denitrifying bacterium with or without the involvement of anaerobic methanotrophic archaea. A key factor limiting the progress in this research field is the shortage of enrichment cultures performing denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation (DAMO). In this study, DAMO cultures were enriched from mixed inoculum including sediment from a freshwater lake, anaerobic digester sludge and return activated sludge from a sewage treatment plant. Two reactors, operated at 35°C and at 22°C, respectively, showed simultaneous methane oxidation and nitrate reduction after several months of operation. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene clone libraries from the 35°C enrichment showed the presence of an archaeon closely related to other DAMO archaea and a dominated bacterium belonging to the yet uncultivated NC10 phylum. This culture preferred nitrite to nitrate as the electron acceptor. The present study suggests that the archaea are rather methanotrophs than methanogens. The highest denitrification rate achieved was 2.35 mmol NO3‐‐N gVSS−1 day−1. The culture enriched at 22°C contained the same NC10 bacterium observed in the culture enriched at 35°C but no archaea.
A Partnership for Health in China: Reflections on the Partnership Between the Government of China, the World Bank and DFID in the China Basic Health Services Project
Authors: Bloom Gerald , Liu Yunguo , Qiao Jianrong 
Published: September 2009

SummaryThis practice paper is one of a series, in which development practitioners reflect on their own experiences. Its aim is to contribute to efforts to understand China's successful management of very rapid change and development. It explores the relationship between central and local governments in the implementation of change and the role of partnerships between the Chinese government and international and bilateral organisations. It focuses on the health sector, which has experienced major challenges in adapting to the many changes associated with the transition to a market economy. By the mid‐1990s, policymakers had recognised the need to address these challenges, but they did not have a clear understanding of a practical way forward. One government strategy to build this understanding was to collaborate with the World Bank and the Department of International Development of the UK in the design and implementation of a project which encouraged a large number of poor rural counties to test strategies for strengthening their health service. The end‐of‐project evaluations documented the many changes they had put into place and the contribution this project made to national policy processes.The authors played different roles in the project. This enabled them to gain first‐hand knowledge of the relationship between levels of government and between officials of the government and the international agencies. When the project came to an end they decided to reflect on what they had learned. This practice paper presents the results of this reflection. It provides unique insights into the way China is managing health system change and into the working of partnerships between the Government of China, the World Bank and bilateral donor agencies.
Evaluation of the Anti-East Asian CagA-Specific Antibody for CagA Phenotyping
Authors: Nguyen Lam Tung , Uchida Tomohisa , Kuroda Akiko , Tsukamoto Yoshiyuki , Trinh Tuan Dung , Ta Long , Mai Hong Bang , Ho Dang Quy Dung , Hoang Hoa Hai , Vilaichone Ratha-Korn , Mahachai Varocha , Matsuhisa Takeshi , Kudo Yoko , Okimoto Tadayoshi , Kodama Masaaki , Murakami Kazunari , Fujioka Toshio , Yamaoka Yoshio , Moriyama Masatsugu 
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACT

The determination of the
cagA
genotype is generally based on sequencing the variable 3′ region of the
cagA
gene. In a previous study, we successfully generated an anti-East Asian CagA-specific antibody (anti-EAS Ab) immunoreactive only with the East Asian CagA and not with the Western CagA. In a small number of Japanese patients, anti-EAS Ab appeared to be a useful tool for phenotyping CagA immunohistochemically. The present study was conducted to validate the anti-EAS Ab immunohistochemistry method in a larger number of patients from Vietnam and Thailand. A total of 385 Vietnamese and Thais were recruited.
Helicobacter pylori
status was determined by a combination of three methods, including culture, histology, and immunohistochemistry with anti-
H. pylori
antibody. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the anti-EAS Ab immunohistochemistry method for the diagnosis of CagA phenotype were calculated based on the results of the
cagA
sequencing as the gold standard. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of our immunohistochemistry method were 96.7%, 97.9%, and 97.1%, respectively. Moreover, anti-EAS Ab was not cross-reactive with noninfected gastric mucosa. In conclusion, immunohistochemistry with anti-EAS Ab appears to be a good method for determination of CagA phenotype.
Maternal Antibodies to Pneumolysin but Not to Pneumococcal Surface Protein A Delay Early Pneumococcal Carriage in High-Risk Papua New Guinean Infants
Authors: Francis Jacinta P. , Richmond Peter C. , Pomat William S. , Michael Audrey , Keno Helen , Phuanukoonnon Suparat , Nelson Jan B. , Whinnen Melissa , Heinrich Tatjana , Smith Wendy-Anne , Prescott Susan L. , Holt Patrick G. , Siba Peter M. , Lehmann Deborah , van den Biggelaar Anita H. J. 
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACT

Immunization of pregnant women can be an efficient strategy to induce early protection in infants in developing countries. Pneumococcal protein-based vaccines may have the capacity to induce pneumococcal serotype-independent protection. To understand the potential of maternal pneumococcal protein-specific antibodies in infants in high-risk areas, we studied the placental transfer of naturally acquired antibodies to pneumolysin (Ply) and pneumococcal surface protein A family 1 and 2 (PspA1 and PspA2) in relation to onset of pneumococcal nasopharyngeal carriage in infants in Papua New Guinea (PNG). In this study, 76% of the infants carried
Streptococcus pneumoniae
in the upper respiratory tract within the first month of life, at a median age of 19 days. Maternal and cord blood antibody titers to Ply (ρ = 0.824,
P
< 0.001), PspA1 (ρ = 0.746,
P
< 0.001), and PspA2 (ρ = 0.631,
P
< 0.001) were strongly correlated. Maternal pneumococcal carriage (hazard ratio [HR], 2.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25 to 5.39) and younger maternal age (HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.54 to 1.00) were independent risk factors for early carriage, while higher cord Ply-specific antibody titers predicted a significantly delayed onset (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.52 to 1.00) and cord PspA1-specific antibodies a significantly younger onset of carriage in PNG infants (HR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.03 to 2.40). Maternal vaccination with a pneumococcal protein-based vaccine should be considered as a strategy to protect high-risk infants against pneumococcal disease by reducing carriage risks in both mothers and infants.
Expression Profiles of Genes in Toll-Like Receptor-Mediated Signaling of Broilers Infected with
Clostridium perfringens
Authors: Lu Yang , Sarson Aimie J. , Gong Joshua , Zhou Huaijun , Zhu Weiyun , Kang Zhumei , Yu Hai , Sharif Shayan , Han Yanming 
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACT

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) participate in detecting microbial pattern molecules for activation of the host immune response. We investigated possible roles of TLRs in the chicken response to
Clostridium perfringens
infection by examining the expression of TLR genes and other genes involved in TLR-mediated signaling within the spleens and ilea of
C. perfringens
-challenged broilers. Upregulation of a tumor necrosis factor alpha-inducing factor homolog in challenged chickens compared to naïve chickens was observed, regardless of the incidence of necrotic enteritis. In addition, the members of the TLR2 subfamily were found to be most strongly involved in the host response to
C. perfringens
challenge, although the expression of TLR4 and TLR7 was also upregulated in spleen tissues. While the combination of TLR1.2, TLR2.1, and TLR15 appeared to play a major role in the splenic response, the expression of TLR2.2 and TLR1.1 was positively correlated to the expression of adaptor molecules MyD88, TRAF6, TRIF, and receptor interacting protein 1 in the ileal tissues, demonstrating a dynamic spatial and temporal innate host response to
C. perfringens
.
Glycoprotein-Dependent Acidification of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Enhances Release of Matrix Protein
Authors: Mire Chad E. , Dube Derek , Delos Sue E. , White Judith M. , Whitt Michael A. 
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACT
To study vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) entry and uncoating, we generated a recombinant VSV encoding a matrix (M) protein containing a C-terminal tetracysteine Lumio tag (rVSV-ML) that could be fluorescently labeled using biarsenical compounds. Quantitative confocal microscopy showed that there is a transient loss of fluorescence at early times after the initiation of endocytosis of rVSV-ML-Green (rVSV-MLG) virions, which did not occur when cells were treated with bafilomycin A1. The reduction in fluorescence occurred 5 to 10 min postentry, followed by a steady increase in fluorescence intensity from 15 to 60 min postentry. A similar loss of fluorescence was observed in vitro when virions were exposed to acidic pH. The reduction in fluorescence required G protein since “bald” ΔG-MLG particles did not show a similar loss of fluorescence at low pH. Based on the pH-dependent fluorescence properties of Lumio Green, we hypothesize that the loss of fluorescence of rVSV-MLG virions during virus entry is due to a G ectodomain-dependent acidification of the virion interior. Biochemical analysis indicated that low pH also resulted in an enhancement of M protein dissociation from partially permeabilized, but otherwise intact, wild-type virions. From these data we propose that low-pH conformational changes in G protein promote acidification of the virus interior, which facilitates the release of M from ribonucleoprotein particles during uncoating.
Regulation of Proinflammatory Cytokine Expression in Primary Mouse Astrocytes by Coronavirus Infection
Authors: Yu Dongdong , Zhu Hongqing , Liu Yin , Cao Jianzhong , Zhang Xuming 
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACTPrevious studies have shown that proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), are differentially induced in primary mouse astrocytes by mouse hepatitis virus strain A59 (MHV-A59) and MHV-2. However, the signaling events that trigger TNF-α and IL-6 induction in these cells upon MHV infection remain unknown. In this study, we explored the potential signaling events. We found that induction of TNF-α and IL-6 occurred as early as 2 h postinfection and was completely dependent on viral replication. Using inhibitors specific for three mitogen-activated protein kinases, we showed that induction of TNF-α and IL-6 by MHV-A59 infection was mediated through activation of the Janus N-terminal kinase signaling pathway, but not through the extracellular signal-regulated kinase or p38 signaling pathway. This finding was further confirmed with knockdown experiments using small interfering RNAs specific for Janus N-terminal kinase. Interestingly, while nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), a key transcription factor required for the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in most cell types, was activated in astrocytes during MHV-A59 infection, disruption of the NF-κB pathway by peptide inhibitors did not significantly inhibit TNF-α and IL-6 expression. Furthermore, experiments using chimeric viruses demonstrated that the viral spike and nucleocapsid proteins, which play important roles in MHV pathogenicity in mice, are not responsible for the differential induction of the cytokines. These results illustrate the complexity of the regulatory mechanism by which MHV induces proinflammatory cytokines in primary astrocytes.