bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Common foot examination features of 247 Iranian patients with diabetes
Authors: Alavi A , Sanjari M , Haghdoost A , Sibbald RG 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACTBackground: Iran is a Middle Eastern country with a 70 million population. There are 3 million Iranians with diabetes mellitus (DM) and there is a high incidence of non traumatic amputation in this population. Amputation is often preceded by foot deformity or ulceration. We evaluated the routine foot examination of persons with diabetes (PWD) attending an outpatient Diabetic Clinic to identify the clinical characteristics that might be early warning signs of individuals at a high risk of developing a foot ulcer or having a subsequent non traumatic amputation.Methods: A prospective, descriptive, clinic‐based study was conducted on 247 patients with diabetes mellitus in 2005. The objectives of the study were to define the abnormal features of the foot examination in PWD which could be risk factors for ulceration or amputation.Results: The mean age of patients with diabetes was 52 ± 12. The prevalence of callus in the enrolled patients was 12% and heel fissures were noted in 50%. There was a significant relationship between callus formation and the absence of tibialis posterior pulse (odds ratio 5), the presence of the hammer toe deformity (odds ratio 4), and foot ulceration (odds ratio 3). The prevalence of foot ulcers in PWD was 4%.Conclusion: A diabetic screening program identifying callus formation, absent pulses, and hammer toe are important early signs of individuals at an increased risk for foot ulcers. This program will facilitate early treatment to decrease the loss of limbs.
Dilemmas in measuring and using pressure ulcer prevalence and incidence: an international consensus
Authors: Baharestani Mona M , Black Joyce M , Carville Keryln , Clark Michael , Cuddigan Janet E , Dealey Carol , Defloor Tom , Harding Keith G , Lahmann Nils A , Lubbers Maarten J , Lyder Courtney H , Ohura Takehiko , Orsted Heather L , Reger Steve I , Romanelli Marco , Sanada Hiromi 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACTPressure ulcer prevalence and incidence data are increasingly being used as indicators of quality of care and the efficacy of pressure ulcer prevention protocols. In some health care systems, the occurrence of pressure ulcers is also being linked to reimbursement. The wider use of these epidemiological analyses necessitates that all those involved in pressure ulcer care and prevention have a clear understanding of the definitions and implications of prevalence and incidence rates. In addition, an appreciation of the potential difficulties in conducting prevalence and incidence studies and the possible explanations for differences between studies are important. An international group of experts has worked to produce a consensus document that aims to delineate and discuss the important issues involved, and to provide guidance on approaches to conducting and interpreting pressure ulcer prevalence and incidence studies. The group's main findings are summarised in this paper.
Trauma reception and resuscitation in Sri Lanka: The Health for the South Capacity‐Building project
Authors: O'Reilly Gerard , Fitzgerald Mark , Ariyananda Pilane L , Jayasekera Krishantha , Williams Sue , Charlton Sally , Young Simon , Santeloudi Nicholas , Wilson Kylie , Stevens Jeremy 
Published: April 2009

AbstractIn response to the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004, the Health for the South project, Capacity‐Building programme was implemented in Galle, Sri Lanka. The objectives of the Capacity‐Building programme were to develop the emergency and trauma service capability at Teaching Hospital Karapitiya in Galle. Over 15 months, ED clinicians, from the Alfred Hospital and Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, provided training in the Emergency Treatment Unit of the main referral hospital for the south of Sri Lanka. This programme, completed in June 2008, significantly improved the hospital's ability to conduct trauma resuscitation, and to attain an increased level of disaster preparedness. In addition, valuable lessons were noted that will guide future initiatives in trauma care training in similar contexts.
Changes in the Penile Arteries of the Rat After Fractionated Irradiation of the Prostate: A Pilot Study
Authors: Van Der Wielen Gerard J. , Vermeij Marcel , De Jong Bas W.D. , Schuit Maarten , Marijnissen Johannes , Kok Dik J. , Van Weerden Wytske M. , Incrocci Luca 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
External beam radiotherapy for prostate cancer leads to erectile dysfunction in 36%–43% of patients. The underlying mechanism is largely unknown, although some clinical studies suggest that the arterial supply to the corpora cavernosa is responsible. Two animal experimental studies reported on the effects of a single fraction of prostate irradiation on the penile structures. However, irradiation in multiple fractions is more representative of the actual clinical treatment.

Aim
The present prospective, controlled study was initiated to investigate the effect of fractionated prostate irradiation on the arteries of the corpora cavernosa.

Main Outcome Measures
Histological evaluation of the penile tissue in comparison with control rats at 2, 4, and 9 weeks after irradiation.

Methods
The prostate of twelve rats was treated with external beam radiation in 5 daily fractions of 7.4 gray. Three control rats were treated with sham irradiation. Prostatic and penile tissue was evaluated for general histology (hematoxylin–eosin). The penile tissue was further evaluated after combined staining for collagen (resorcin fuchsin) and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) (Biogenex).

Results
The prostate showed adequate irradiation with fibrosis occurring at 9 weeks after irradiation. The corpora cavernosa showed arteries that had developed loss of smooth muscle cells expressing SMA, thickening of the intima, and occlusions. All the control rats maintained normal anatomy.

Conclusion
This is the first animal experimental study that demonstrates changes in the arteries of the corpora cavernosa after fractionated irradiation to the prostatic area. The preliminary data suggests that erectile dysfunction after radiotherapy might be caused by radiation damage to the arterial supply of the corpora cavernosa.
Genetic variation of chloroplast DNA in Zingiberaceae taxa from Myanmar assessed by PCR–restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis
Authors: Ahmad D. , Kikuchi A. , Jatoi S.A. , Mimura M. , Watanabe K.N. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractWe examined genetic variation in 22 accessions belonging to 11 species in four genera of the Zingiberaceae, mainly from Myanmar, by PCR–restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis to investigate their relationships within this family. Two of 10 chloroplast gene regions (trnS‐trnfM and trnK2–trnQr) showed differential PCR amplification across the taxa. Restriction enzyme digestion of the PCR products revealed interspecific variability. The restriction patterns were used to classify the regions as either highly conserved or variable across the taxa. None of the regions was highly conserved across the four genera, and the level of conservation varied. The gene region trnS‐trnfM appeared to display interspecific variability among most of the species. However, the relative efficiency of different restriction enzymes depended on the gene regions and genera investigated. Cluster analysis revealed interspecific discrimination among the taxa. The two Curcuma species (Curcuma zedoaria and Curcuma xanthorrhiza) appeared to be identical, thus supporting their recent classification as synonyms. The results provide the basis for selecting specific combinations of restriction enzymes and gene regions of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) to identify interspecific variation in the Zingiberaceae and to identify both highly conserved and variable regions. Overall, cpDNA depicted comparatively diverse genetic profile of the studied germplasm. The genetic information revealed here can be applied to the conservation and future breeding of Zingiber and Curcuma species.
Responses of genotypes from species of Trifolium, Ornithopus, Biserrula and Hedysarum to a highly virulent race of Phytophthora clandestina and new sources of resistance
Authors: Li H. , Han S. , Nichols P.G.H. , Revell C.K. , Sivasithamparam K. , Barbetti M.J. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThirty‐six genotypes, including 15 cultivars and 10 breeding lines of Trifolium subterraneum, a single genotype of each of seven other species of Trifolium (viz. Trifolium dasyurum, Trifolium glanduliferum, Trifolium incarnatum, Trifolium michelanium, Trifolium purpureum, Trifolium spumosum and Trifolium vesiculosum), Biserrula pelecinus, Hedysarum coronarium, Ornithopus compressus and Ornithopus sativus were screened under controlled environmental conditions for resistance to root disease caused by the most pathogenic race of Phytophthora clandestina occurring in Australia, namely race 177. This is the first time any of these genera/species other than T.subterraneum has ever been screened for its response to P. clandestina. The root disease caused by P.clandestina is the first report of susceptibility to this pathogen for the seven other species of Trifolium and also for B.pelecinus, H.coronarium and O.sativus. Within T.subterraneum, a very high level of resistance was identified in cvs Denmark, Junee and Meteora [scores ≤1.5 (0–5 scale where 0 = no disease) across two separate screening tests] and in the breeding lines SL027 and SM023 (scores ≤1.3 across two separate screening tests). Six of the seven other species of Trifolium (viz. T.dasyurum, T.glanduliferum, T.incarnatum, T.michelanium, T.purpureum and T.spumosum) showed a high level of resistance (scores ≤0.8 across two separate screening tests), while T.vesiculosum showed a disease score of ≤1.2 across both screening tests. O.compressus showed no disease in either test, and O.sativus showed a disease score of ≤0.7 across both screening tests. H.coronarium was susceptible with a disease score of ≤2.8 across two separate screening tests, while B.pelecinus was highly susceptible with disease scores of 3.5 and 4.6 in these tests. The high levels of resistance identified against P.clandestina are useful sources of resistance that can be exploited commercially, either directly to minimise damage from this disease or as parents in breeding programs to develop cultivars within the genera/species tested with improved resistance to this highly pathogenic race of P.clandestina.
The evolution of the mass—metallicity relation in SDSS galaxies uncovered by astropaleontology
Authors: Vale Asari N. , Stasińska G. , Cid Fernandes R. , Gomes J. M. , Schlickmann M. , Mateus A. , Schoenell W. ,   (the SEAGal collaboration)
Published: April 2009

Abstract
We have obtained the mass–metallicity (M–Z) relation at different lookback times for the same set of galaxies from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, using the stellar metallicities estimated with our spectral synthesis code starlight. We have found that this relation steepens and spans a wider range in both mass and metallicity at higher redshifts. We have modelled the time evolution of stellar metallicity with a closed-box chemical evolution model, for galaxies of different types and masses. Our results suggest that the M–Z relation for galaxies with present-day stellar masses down to 1010M⊙ is mainly driven by the history of star formation and not by inflows or outflows.
Seizures during medetomindine sedation and local anaesthesia in two dogs undergoing skin biopsy
Authors: Rainger JE , Baxter CG , Vogelnest LJ , Dart CM 
Published: April 2009

Each of two dogs presented for multiple skin biopsies were sedated with intravenous medetomidine and lignocaine was injected subcutaneously to provide local anaesthesia for skin biopsy. One dog had a seizure during skin biopsy and again immediately following reversal of medetomidine with atipamezole. The other dog developed seizures 2 h following skin biopsy at which time the medetomidine was reversed with atipamezole. Both dogs were neurologically normal with no history of seizures prior to the procedure and remained neurologically normal for 14 weeks and 9 months, respectively, following the procedure. A drug interaction between the α2‐adrenergic agonist medetomidine and lignocaine is suspected and highlights the potential for seizures following the subcutaneous administration of relatively large doses of lignocaine under medetomidine sedation.
Effects of Sodium Butyrate on Cell Death Induced by Photodynamic Therapy in U373‐MG and D54‐MG Astrocytoma Cell Lines
Authors: Flores‐Ancona Roxana Magaly , García‐Gómez Fanny Yocelin , Jiménez‐Betanzos Ana María , Solis‐Paredes Mario , Castro‐Leyva Violeta , Cruz‐Orea Alfredo , Arenas‐Huertero Francisco , Ramón‐Gallegos Eva 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe damage induced by end products of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in astrocytoma tumors leads to cytotoxicity and cell death. Chromatin modifiers such as sodium butyrate (NaB) induce several genes involved in apoptosis, among others. The PDT improvement was evaluated by the measurement of its effectiveness in the treatment of U373‐MG and D54‐MG astrocytoma cell lines exposed to NaB. Cells exposed to 80 μg mL−1 of δ‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA) as precursor of endogenous photosensitizer (PS), protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), induced 16.67% and 28.9% of mortality in U373‐MG and D54‐MG, respectively. The mortality increased to 70.62% and 96.7%, respectively, when U373‐MG and D54‐MG cells were exposed for 24 h to 8 mm NaB prior to ALA‐induction. In this condition, re‐expression of some genes related to apoptosis in U373‐MG, and differentiation in D54‐MG were induced. PpIX accumulation was higher than ALA‐induction and the acetylation of histone H4 induced by NaB was verified by immunocytochemistry in both cells. It can be concluded that modified chromatin and genes induced by NaB increment the cellular death induced by PDT in astrocytoma cells using PpIX as endogenous PS.
Blue Light‐induced Chloroplast Avoidance and Phototropic Responses Exhibit Distinct Dose Dependency of PHOTOTROPIN2 in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Kimura Mitsuhiro , Kagawa Takatoshi 
Published: April 2009

AbstractPHOTOTROPIN2 (PHOT2) is a unique photoreceptor involved in chloroplast avoidance movement and also regulates blue light (BL) responses, such as phototropism and leaf flattening, together with PHOTOTROPIN1 (PHOT1) in Arabidopsis thaliana. Previous work showed that the defect of the phot2‐1 mutant in chloroplast avoidance movement was a semidominant trait. In the present study, we examined PHOT2 dose dependency of BL responses using the phot1‐5 phot2‐1 double mutant expressing an AtPHOT2‐GFP (P2G) fusion protein. Chloroplast avoidance and phototropic responses of P2G transgenic lines were enhanced in a manner dependent on the P2G levels, whereas the leaf flattening phenotype was simply complemented by P2G equivalent to the wild type (WT) PHOT2 level. The chloroplast avoidance velocity of P2G transgenic lines exhibited enhanced sensitivity to BL in comparison with WT. In contrast, the defect of the phototropic response was rescued by P2G expression equivalent only to the response of the phot1 mutant. These results collectively indicate that each BL response has distinct threshold levels of PHOT2 requirement.
Effects of non‐cytotoxic drugs on the growth of multidrug‐resistance human gastric carcinoma cell line
Authors: WANG Chun Hui , ZHENG Wen Bin , QIANG Ou , TANG Cheng Wei 
Published: April 2009

OBJECTIVE:   To investigate the effects of the non‐cytotoxic drug (cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibitor and octreotide) on growth of the multidrug‐resistant human gastric carcinoma cell line SGC‐7901/ADR.METHODS:   The effects of non‐cytotoxic drug on the growth of SGC‐7901 and SGC‐7901/ADR cells were evaluated by 3H‐thymidine incorporation assay. The apoptosis of cells was measured by the TdT‐mediated dUTP nick end‐labeling assay (TUNEL) and flow cytometric assay. Western blotting was used to analysis the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX‐2) protein in SGC‐7901 cells and SGC‐7901/ADR cells and P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) from SGC‐7901/ADR cells with variable treatments. Activator protein‐1 binding activity was examined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay.RESULTS:   3H‐thymidine incorporation into SGC‐7901/ADR cells treated with celecoxib was significantly lower than that of control group (471.3 ± 79.7 cpm vs 917.5 ± 130.8 cpm, P < 0.05). When combined with octreotide, celecoxib presented lower 3H‐thymidine incorporations than its used alone and decreased to 53.3% of that amount original. Either celecoxib or the combination group markedly induced apoptosis in SGC‐7901/ADR cells. COX‐2 protein in the SGC‐7901/ADR cells was higher than in that of the SGC‐7901 cells (1.543 ± 0.052 vs 0.564 ± 0.021, P < 0.05). The inhibition of P‐gp could be achieved with celecoxib alone and combination with octreotide (0.486 ± 0.012, 0.252 ± 0.014 vs 0.941 ± 0.033, P < 0.05). Moreover, AP‐1 binding activity could be suppressed by non‐cytotoxic drug and showed a synergistic effect.CONCLUSION:   The combination of non‐cytotoxic drug significantly improved the inhibitive effects on the growth of multidrug‐resistant human gastric cancer cells.
Association of the CagA status of Helicobacter pylori and serum levels of interleukin (IL)‐17 and IL‐23 in duodenal ulcer patients
Authors: JAFARZADEH Abdollah , MIRZAEE Vahid , AHMAD‐BEYGI Hossain , NEMATI Maryam , REZAYATI Mohammad Taghi 
Published: April 2009

OBJECTIVE:   It has been reported that the cytotoxin‐associated gene A (cagA+) H. pylori strains induce severe gastric mucosal inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of the virulence factor CagA with IL‐17 and IL‐23 serum levels in duodenal ulcer (DU) patients and H. pylori‐infected asymptomatic (AS) carriers.METHODS:   In total, 45 H. pylori‐infected DU patients were enrolled to study: 23 tested positive for the anti‐CagA antibody (anti‐CagA+) and 22 tested negative for the anti‐CagA antibody (anti‐CagA‐), 30 were AS carriers (15 were anti‐CagA+ and 15 were anti‐CagA‐) and 15 were healthy uninfected participants (as a control group). The IL‐17 and IL‐23 serum levels of participants were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay method.RESULTS:   The mean IL‐17 levels in DU patients were significantly higher than those in AS and control groups (P < 0.001 and P < 0.0001 respectively). In the DU group, the mean IL‐17 levels in participants testing positive for anti‐CagA (10.84 ± 5.79 pg/mL) were significantly higher than those observed in participants testing negative for anti‐CagA (7.65 ± 4.74 pg/mL; P < 0.05). The mean IL‐23 levels in the DU and AS groups were significantly higher than in the control group (P < 0.02 and P < 0.03 respectively) but were not significantly different in participants testing positive and negative for anti‐CagA.CONCLUSION:   These results showed higher IL‐17 and IL‐23 serum levels in H. pylori‐infected participants than in the control group. In the DU group the expression of IL‐17 was influenced by the CagA factor.
Validity of FibroScan values for predicting hepatic fibrosis stage in patients with chronic HCV infection
Authors: TAKEMOTO Ryosuke , NAKAMUTA Makoto , AOYAGI Yoko , FUJINO Tatsuya , YASUTAKE Kenichiro , KOGA Kotaro , YOSHIMOTO Tsuyoshi , MIYAHARA Toshihiko , FUKUIZUMI Kunitaka , WADA Yoshiyuki , TAKAMI Yuko , SAITSU Hideki , HARADA Naohiko , NAKASHIMA Manabu , ENJOJI Munechika 
Published: April 2009

OBJECTIVE:  The aim of this study was to validate the FibroScan system compared with liver histology and serum markers for the diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis. We also tried to determine the cut‐off levels and assess the feasibility of using FibroScan values to predict the fibrosis stage.METHODS:  In 44 patients with HCV infection, liver stiffness was evaluated by FibroScan, serum fibrosis markers and a liver biopsy. Associations between these indices were also analyzed.RESULTS:  FibroScan values showed a good correlation with serum levels of type IV collagen, hyaluronic acid and procollagen‐III‐peptide, and with the platelet count. Compared with liver histology, the FibroScan values increased proportionally with the progression of the histological fibrosis stage. Advanced fibrosis (F3 or F4) could be efficiently predicted by a FibroScan cut‐off value of 15 kPa. The FibroScan sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were 100%, 73.9%, 77.8%, 100%, and 86.4%, respectively.CONCLUSION:  FibroScan values gave a good correlation with various markers of fibrosis and increased proportionally with the progression of the hepatic fibrosis stage. A FibroScan value of 15 kPa was found to be a significant separation limit for differentiating advanced fibrosis stages (F3 and F4) from the milder stages (F0–F2). FibroScan values are clinically useful for predicting the fibrosis stages and helpful in managing interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
A set of 16 consensus primer pairs amplifying the complete mitochondrial genomes of orange‐spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) and Hong Kong grouper (Epinephelus akaara)
Authors: ZHUANG XUAN , DING SHAOXIONG , WANG JUN , WANG YING , SU YONGQUAN 
Published: April 2009

AbstractGroupers are of considerable economic value; however, their classification and evolutionary relationships have long been hindered by the overwhelming number of species and lack of morphological specializations. Mitochondrial genome is a source of original markers that are potentially useful in the study of phylogeny and population genetics of groupers. We describe a set of 16 new primer pairs that allow PCR amplification of the entire mitochondrial genomes of orange‐spotted grouper and Hong Kong grouper. This primer set has been defined for consensus over eight other grouper species, facilitating further studies on the molecular evolution and population genetics of groupers.
Effects of estrogen and androgen deprivation on the progression of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in male Sprague–Dawley rats
Authors: Mu Yanjun , She Ruiping , Zhang Hua , Dong Bing , Huang Chengfei , Lin Wei , Li Defa , Li Xiangdong 
Published: April 2009

Aim:  We studied the mechanisms of estrogen/androgen involvement in the induction of NASH by treating Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats fed with a normal or high fat (HF) diet by depriving them of endogenous estrogens/androgens.Methods:  Male adult SD rats (n = 10/group) on normal or HF diets were treated for 75 days either with tamoxifen (Tam) or flutamide (Flu) or Tam + Flu in order to induce NASH. We analyzed histopathologically the liver samples from the treated groups for NASH, checked the serum biochemical and lipid profile markers and finally analyzed the signal pathways underlying the molecular mechanisms for the induction process of NASH.Results:  Deprivation of endogenous estrogens and/or androgens (Tam or Flu or Tam + Flu) without the HF diet did not induce NASH. Tam or Tam + Flu induced NASH, compared to milder lesions without fibrosis in HF diet and Flu‐treated liver. Serum alanine aminotransferase or lipid profile markers further proved the Tam, Flu or Tam + Flu effects on the induction of NASH in conjunction with a HF diet. Tam treatment predominantly downregulated the ERα and FAS and upregulated UCP2 and TNF‐α.Conclusions:  Deprivation of endogenous estrogen/androgens in conjunction with a HF diet may induce NASH where the downregulated ERα and FAS, and upregulated UCP2 and TNF‐α could be involved in their molecular pathomechanism pathways. These results could suggest the potential negative roles of estrogenic/androgenic depriving compounds in the induction of NASH, along with obesity.