bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum adiponectin levels inversely correlate with the activity of progressive skin sclerosis in patients with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis
Authors: Masui Y. , Asano Y. , Shibata S. , Noda S. , Aozasa N. , Akamata K. , Yamada D. , Tamaki Z. , Tada Y. , Sugaya M. , Sato S. , Kadono T. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackgrounds  Adiponectin has been demonstrated to be one of anti‐inflammatory and anti‐fibrotic factors, suggesting the potential of this cytokine to be involved in the developmental process of systemic sclerosis (SSc).Objective  The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of serum adiponectin levels in patients with SSc.Methods  Serum adiponectin levels were determined using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 32 patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc), 28 with limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc) and 27 healthy controls. No significant difference between these groups existed in terms of gender, age and body mass index.Results  Serum adiponectin levels in dcSSc patients (4.93 ± 6.48 μg/mL) were significantly lower than those in lcSSc patients (9.69 ± 7.61 μg/mL, P < 0.01) and healthy controls (9.36 ± 5.57 μg/mL, P < 0.01). dcSSc patients with disease duration of ≤5 years had significantly decreased serum adiponectin levels (2.15 ± 1.69 μg/mL) than those with disease duration of >5 years (13.29 ± 8.36 μg/mL, P < 0.01), lcSSc patients with disease duration of ≤5 years (8.07 ± 7.98μg/mL, P < 0.05), lcSSc patients with disease duration of >5 years (10.9 ± 7.34 μg/mL, P < 0.01) and healthy controls (9.36 ± 5.57 μg/mL, P < 0.01). Longitudinal studies in five patients with early dcSSc treated with oral prednisone demonstrated that serum adiponectin levels inversely correlate with the activity of progressive skin sclerosis in dcSSc patients.Conclusion  Serum levels of adiponectin may serve as a useful marker to evaluate the activity of progressive skin sclerosis in dcSSc.
Patient acceptance and diagnostic utility of automated digital image analysis of pigmented skin lesions
Authors: Frühauf J. , Leinweber B. , Fink‐Puches R. , Ahlgrimm‐Siess V. , Richtig E. , Wolf I.H. , Niederkorn A. , Quehenberger F. , Hofmann‐Wellenhof R. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackground  Computerized analysis of pigmented skin lesions may help to increase diagnostic accuracy for melanoma, help to avoid unnecessary procedures and reduce health care costs.Objectives  We evaluated both the patient acceptance and diagnostic utility of such an analysis tool in a real clinical setting.Methods  Two hundred nine consecutive patients (median age: 34 years, range: 2–73 years), who were concerned about a pigmented skin lesion, answered a questionnaire about their attitude towards computerized analysis and their confidence in the resulting findings. Using a dermoscopy analyser, their skin lesions (n = 219) were then grouped into the categories, benign, suspicious and malignant, and results were compared with those obtained by in‐person examination of dermato‐oncologic experts.Results  More than half of the patients (n = 114) would accept the use of computer analysis for melanoma screening; although 16 (14.0%) patients would accept this method solely, 98 (86.0%) patients would prefer an additional in‐person examination by a dermatologist. Of the 219 pigmented skin lesions, the dermoscopic experts rated 171 (78.1%) as benign, 36 (16.4%) as suspicious and 12 (5.5%) as malignant, whereas computer analysis revealed 102 (46.6%) benign, 78 (35.6%) suspicious and 39 (17.8%) malignant lesions. At the expense of specificity (48.8%), the sensitivity of computerized analysis was excellent (100%) and equal to that of in‐person examination.Conclusions  Most patients would accept computer analysis for melanoma screening, some of them even without reservations. However, due to a high rate of false positive computer assessments, it cannot be recommended as a screening tool at this time.
Reciprocal modulation of anti‐IgE induced histamine release from human mast cells by A1 and A2B adenosine receptors
Authors: Yip KH , Lau HYA , Wise H 
Published: April 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Adenosine is believed to participate in the pathological development of asthma through a mast cell‐dependent mechanism. Our study aimed to pharmacologically characterize the functions of adenosine receptor (AR) subtypes (A1, A2A, A2B and A3) in primary human cultured mast cells (HCMC).EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH HCMC were derived from progenitor stem cells in buffy coat and the effects of adenosine receptor ligands on basal and IgE‐dependent histamine release were evaluated.KEY RESULTS Adenosine and analogues alone did not induce HCMC degranulation. When HCMC were activated by anti‐IgE after 10 min pre‐incubation with adenosine, a biphasic effect on histamine release was observed with enhancement of HCMC activation at low concentrations of adenosine (10−9–10−7 mol·L−1) and inhibition at higher concentrations (10−6–10−4 mol·L−1). The potentiating action was mimicked by A1 AR agonists CCPA and 2'MeCCPA, and inhibited by the A1 AR antagonist PSB36. In contrast, the inhibitory action of adenosine was mimicked by the non‐specific A2 AR agonist CV1808 and attenuated by A2B AR antagonists PSB1115 and MRS1760. The non‐selective AR antagonist CGS15943 attenuated both the potentiating and inhibitory actions.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS We have defined for the first time the contribution of A1 and A2B ARs, respectively, to the potentiating and inhibitory action of adenosine on human mast cell activation. With reference to the current trend of developing novel anti‐asthmatic agents from AR ligands, our results suggest that inhibition of human mast cell activation would be a mechanism for A1 AR antagonists, but not A2B AR antagonists.
Preclinical pharmacokinetic and toxicology assessment of red blood cells prepared with S‐303 pathogen inactivation treatment
Authors: North Anne , Ciaravino Vic , Mufti Nina , Corash Laurence 
Published: April 2011

BACKGROUND: A system has been developed to inactivate a wide spectrum of blood‐borne pathogens in red blood cells (RBCs) before transfusion. The system utilizes S‐303 to target nucleic acids of pathogens and white blood cells. The safety of pathogen inactivated RBC was assessed using S‐303–treated RBCs (S‐303 RBCs) and S‐300, the primary degradation product of S‐303.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: As part of a preclinical safety evaluation program, intravenous toxicity, safety pharmacology, toxicokinetic, and pharmacokinetic studies were conducted in rats and dogs with S‐303 RBCs and S‐300.RESULTS: Single and repeated transfusions of S‐303 RBCs were well tolerated in rats and dogs at S‐303 concentrations up to five times higher than that used to prepare RBCs for clinical use. For S‐300, the doses ranged from the lowest level representative of a clinical exposure from transfusion of 1 unit (0.052 mg/kg/day) to up to the amount of S‐300 that would result from exposure to more than 1900 units of RBCs (100 mg/kg/day). There were no related effects of S‐303 RBCs or S‐300 on mortality, clinical status, body weight, or clinical laboratory assessments and no evidence of organ toxicity. S‐300 did not accumulate in the plasma of rats and dogs after repeated transfusions. For all the studies, plasma S‐303 was consistently below the limit of quantitation.CONCLUSION: The level of residual S‐303 and S‐300 in the treated blood component is well below that at which no adverse effects were observed. These results support further clinical development of S‐303 RBCs for prevention of transfusion‐transmitted infections.
Association of admission hematocrit with 6‐month and 1‐year mortality in intensive care unit patients
Authors: Mudumbai Seshadri C. , Cronkite Ruth , Hu Kirsten U. , Wagner Todd , Hayashi Ko , Ozanne Gerard M. , Davies M. Frances , Heidenreich Paul , Bertaccini Edward 
Published: April 2011

BACKGROUND: This study examined the association of hematocrit (Hct) levels measured upon intensive care unit (ICU) admission and red blood cell transfusions to long‐term (1‐year or 180‐day) mortality for both surgical and medical patients.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Administrative and laboratory data were collected retrospectively on 2393 consecutive medical and surgical male patients admitted to the ICU between 2003 and 2009. We stratified patients based on their median Hct level during the first 24 hours of their ICU stay (Hct < 25.0%, 25% ≤ Hct < 30%, 30% ≤ Hct < 39%, and 39.0% and higher). An extended Cox regression analysis was conducted to identify the time period after ICU admission (0 to <180, 180 to 365 days) when low Hct (<25.0) was most strongly associated with mortality. The unadjusted and adjusted relationship between admission Hct level, receipt of a transfusion, and 180‐day mortality was assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression modeling.RESULTS: Patients with an Hct level of less than 25% who were not transfused had the worst mortality risk overall (hazard ratio [HR], 6.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.05‐12.85; p < 0.001) during the 6 months after ICU admission than patients with a Hct level of 39.0% or more who were not transfused. Within the subgroup of patients with a Hct level of less than 25% only, receipt of a transfusion was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of mortality (HR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.19‐0.85; p = 0.017).CONCLUSION: Anemia of a Hct level of less than 25% upon admission to the ICU, in the absence of a transfusion, is associated with long‐term mortality. Our study suggests that there may be Hct levels below which the transfusion risk‐to‐benefit imbalance reverses.
Prognostic capacity of automated quantification of suppression time in the EEG of post‐asphyctic full‐term neonates
Authors: Flisberg A , Kjellmer I , Löfhede J , Lindecrantz K , Thordstein M 
Published: April 2011

AbstractAim:  To evaluate the prognostic capacity of a new method for automatic quantification of the length of suppression time in the electroencephalogram (EEG) of a group of asphyxiated newborn infants.Methods:  Twenty‐one full‐term newborn infants who had been resuscitated for severe birth asphyxia were studied. Eight channel continuous EEG was recorded for prolonged time periods during the first days of life. Artefact detection or rejection was not applied to the signals. The signals were fed through a pretrained classifier and then segmented into burst and suppression periods. Total suppression length per hour was calculated. All surviving patients were followed with structured neurodevelopmental assessments to at least 18 months of age.Results:  The patients who developed neurodevelopmental disability or died had significant suppression periods in their EEG during the first days of life while the patients who had a normal follow‐up had no or negligible amount of suppression.Conclusions:  This new method for automatic quantification of suppression periods in the raw, neonatal EEG discriminates infants with good from those with poor outcome.
Displacement of Dental Implants in Trabecular Bone under a Static Lateral Load in Fresh Bovine Bone
Authors: Engelke Wilfried , Müller Alois , Decco Oscar A. , Rau María J. , Cura Andrea C. , Ruscio Mara L. , Knösel Michael 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTAim: The study aims to provide objective data for the displacement of titanium screw implants in trabecular bone specimens.One hundred Semados implants (Bego, Bremen, Germany) were inserted in bovine type IV bone specimens. All implants had a diameter of 3.75 mm; 50 implants had a length of 8.5 mm and 50 implants had a length of 15 mm. Insertion torque was determined at intervals of 10, 20, and 30 Ncm. Implants were loaded horizontally with 10, 20, and 30 N for 2 seconds. An indicator strip was attached to the implant abutment to allow direct observation of implant movement relative to the bone surface. Horizontal displacement was assessed with an accuracy of measurement of 10 µm.Seven implants got lost by visible loosening. Degree of displacement was subject to evaluation with all others. Those implants showed a mean displacement of 59 µm for 10 N (n = 100), 173 µm for 20 N (n = 99), and 211 µm for 30 N (n = 93).The mean displacement of 15‐mm implants (16, 37, 51 µm) was significantly lower compared with 8.5‐mm implants (103, 311, 396 µm) corresponding to 10, 20, and 30 N as lateral loads.Conclusions: Displacement of screw implants in trabecular bone can be detected and visualized using commercially available endoscopes with a high magnification. A lateral load of 20 N indicates a mean displacement of over 100 µm and therefore results in a critical displacement.
Submicron Scale‐Structured Hydrophilic Titanium Surfaces Promote Early Osteogenic Gene Response for Cell Adhesion and Cell Differentiation
Authors: Klein Marcus Oliver , Bijelic Ana , Ziebart Thomas , Koch Felix , Kämmerer Peer W. , Wieland Marco , Konerding Moritz A. , Al‐Nawas Bilal 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTBackground and Purpose: Titanium (Ti) surface roughness and surface hydrophilicity are key factors to regulate osteogenic cell responses during dental implant healing. In detail, specific integrin‐mediated interactions with the extracellular environment trigger relevant osteogenic cell responses like differentiation and matrix synthesis via transcriptions factors. Aim of this study was to monitor surface‐dependent osteogenic cell adhesion dynamics, proliferation, and specific osteogenic cell differentiation over a period of 7 days.Materials and Methods: Ti disks were manufactured to present smooth pretreatment (PT) surfaces and rough sandblasted/acid‐etched (SLA) surfaces. Further processing to isolate the uncontaminated TiO2 surface from contact with atmosphere provided a highly hydrophilic surface without alteration of the surface topography (modSLA). Tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) served as control. Human osteogenic cells were cultivated on the respective substrates. After 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, and 7 days, cell morphology on the Ti substrates was visualized by scanning transmission electron microscopy. As a marker of cellular proliferation, cell count was assessed. For the analysis of cell adhesion and differentiation, specific gene expression levels of the integrin subunits β1 and αv, runx‐2, collagen type Iα (COL), alkaline phosphatase (AP), and osteocalcin (OC) were obtained by real‐time RT‐PCR for the respective time points. Data were normalized to internal controls.Results: TCPS and PT surfaces preserved a rather immature, dividing osteogenic phenotype (high proliferation rates, low integrin levels, and low specific osteogenic cell differentiation). SLA and especially modSLA surfaces promoted both cell adhesion as well as the maturation of osteogenic precursors into post‐mitotic osteoblasts. In detail, during the first 48 hours, modSLA resulted in lowest cell proliferation rates but exhibited highest levels of the investigated integrins, runx‐2, COL, AP, and OC.Conclusion: Our results revealed a strong synergistic effect between submicron‐scale roughness and surface hydrophilicity on early osteogenic cell adhesion and maturation.
Changes in Implant Stability Using Different Site Preparation Techniques: Twist Drills versus Piezosurgery. A Single‐Blinded, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Stacchi Claudio , Vercellotti Tomaso , Torelli Lucio , Furlan Fabio , Di Lenarda Roberto 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTPurpose: The objective of the present investigation was to longitudinally monitor stability changes of implants inserted using traditional rotary instruments or piezoelectric inserts, and to follow their variations during the first 90 days of healing.Materials and Methods: A randomized, controlled trial was conducted on 20 patients. Each patient received two identical, adjacent implants in the upper premolar area: the test site was prepared with piezosurgery, and the control site was prepared using twist drills. Resonance frequency analysis measurements were taken by a blinded operator on the day of surgery and after 7, 14, 21, 28, 42, 56, and 90 days.Results: At 90 days, 39 out of 40 implants were osseointegrated (one failure in the control group). Both groups showed an initial decrease in mean implant stability quotient (ISQ) values: a shift in implant stability to increasing ISQ values occurred after 14 days in the test group and after 21 days in the control group. The lowest mean ISQ value was recorded at 14 days for test implants (97.3% of the primary stability) and at 21 days for the control implants (90.8% of the primary stability). ISQ variations with respect to primary stability differed significantly between the two groups during the entire period of observation: from day 14 to day 42, in particular, the differences were extremely significant (p < .0001). All 39 implants were in function successfully at the visit scheduled 1 year after insertion.Conclusions: The findings from this study suggest that ultrasonic implant site preparation results in a limited decrease of ISQ values and in an earlier shifting from a decreasing to an increasing stability pattern, when compared with the traditional drilling technique. From a clinical point of view, implants inserted with the piezoelectric technique demonstrated a short‐term clinical success similar to those inserted using twist drills.
Homozygosity of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the 3′ region of the canine estrogen receptor 1 gene is greater in Toy Poodles than in Miniature Dachshunds and Chihuahuas
Authors: PATHIRANA Indunil N. , TANAKA Kakeru , KAWATE Noritoshi , TSUJI Makoto , HATOYA Shingo , INABA Toshio , TAMADA Hiromichi 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTDifferences in the distribution of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotypes in the estrogen receptor α gene (ESR1) were examined in Miniature Dachshunds (n = 48), Chihuahuas (n = 20) and Toy Poodles (n = 18). Five DNA fragments located in the 40‐kb region at the 3′ end of ESR1 were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and were directly sequenced. We compared allele, genotype and estimated haplotype frequencies at each SNP in the 3′ end of ESR1 for these three breeds of small dog. The frequency of the major allele and the genotype frequency of the major allele homozygotes, were significantly higher in Toy Poodles for five SNPs (SNP #5, #14–17) than in Miniature Dachshunds, and significantly higher in Toy Poodles than Chihuahuas for three SNPs (SNP #15–17). A common haplotype block was identified in an approximately 20‐kb region encompassing four SNPs (SNPs # 14–17). The frequencies of the most abundant estimated haplotype (GTTG) and GTTG homozygotes were significantly higher in Toy Poodles than in the other two breeds. These results imply that homozygosity for the allele, genotype and haplotype distribution within the block at the 3′ end of ESR1 is greater in Toy Poodles than in Miniature Dachshunds and Chihuahuas.
Effect of ensiled hop (Humulus lupulus L.) residues on plasma acetate turnover rate in sheep
Authors: AL‐MAMUN Mohammad , SAITO Aya , SANO Hiroaki 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTAn isotope dilution method using [1‐13C]sodium acetate was applied to determine the effect of feeding ensiled hop (Humulus lupulus L.) residues on plasma acetate turnover rate in six adult crossbred sheep. The sheep were fed 63 g/kg body weight (BW)0.75/day of either mixed hay of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) and reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) and round bale silage at 3:1 ratio (Hay‐diet), or another where round bale silage was replaced by ensiled hop residues (Hop‐diet) with a crossover design each of a 3‐week period. The isotope dilution method was performed on day 21 of each dietary treatment. Dry matter digestibility was similar between diets, and nitrogen (N) digestibility was lower (P = 0.001) for Hop‐diet than Hay‐diet. However, N retention did not differ between diets. Plasma acetate concentration was lower (P = 0.04) for Hop‐diet than Hay‐diet, and the turnover rate of plasma acetate did not differ between diets. Plasma concentration of lactate and non‐esterified fatty acids were similar between diets. Hop‐diet was found almost comparable to Hay‐diet on plasma acetate turnover rate in the present experimental conditions. Therefore, it could be concluded that hop residues partially could be used as an alternative to traditionally used round bale silage for rearing sheep.
The investigation of probiotic potential of lactic acid bacteria isolated from traditional Mongolian dairy products
Authors: TAKEDA Shiro , YAMASAKI Keiko , TAKESHITA Masahiko , KIKUCHI Yukiharu , TSEND‐AYUSH Chuluunbat , DASHNYAM Bumbein , AHHMED Abdulatef M. , KAWAHARA Satoshi , MUGURUMA Michio 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTThe aims of this study were to investigate the diversity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from traditional Mongolian dairy products, and to estimate the probiotic potential of the isolated strains. We collected 66 samples of the traditional Mongolian dairy products tarag (n = 45), airag (n = 7), aaruul (n = 8), byasulag (n = 1) and eezgii (n = 5), from which 543 LAB strains were isolated and identified based on 16S ribosomal DNA sequence. The predominant species of those products were Lactobacillus (L.) delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus, L. helveticus, L. fermentum, L. delbrueckii ssp. lactis and Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis. However, we could not detect any LAB strains from eezgii. All LAB isolates were screened for tolerance to low pH and to bile acid, gas production from glucose, and adherence to Caco‐2 cells. In vitro, we found 10 strains possess probiotic properties, and almost identified them as L. plantarum or L. paracasei subspecies, based on 16S ribosomal DNA and carbohydrate fermentation pattern. These strains were differentiated from each other individually by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA analysis. Additionally, it was notable that 6/10 strains were isolated from camel milk tarag from the Dornogovi province.
Effect of liquid whey feeding on fecal microbiota of mature and growing pigs
Authors: KOBAYASHI Yasuo , ITOH Aya , MIYAWAKI Kanae , KOIKE Satoshi , IWABUCHI Osamu , IIMURA Yuji , KOBASHI Yuri , KAWASHIMA Tomoyuki , WAKAMATSU Junichi , HATTORI Akihito , MURAKAMI Hiroshi , MORIMATSU Fumiki , NAKAEBISU Takashi , HISHINUMA Takeshi 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTThe effect of liquid whey feeding on fecal bacteria and their metabolites was assessed in five pregnant sows and 66 growing pigs. Sows were fed a control diet for 4 weeks (control period) followed by the same diet but with whey feeding (5 L/day/pig) for 4 weeks (whey period). One group of growing pigs was given 267 L of whey per pig (whey group), while the other group was not (control group). In both cases, liquid whey was given separately from control diet. Sows in the whey period had feces showing lower pH, lower ammonia concentration, and larger population sizes of total bacteria, lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. The bacterial gene library analysis indicated that Mitsuokella and Megasphaera were more frequently detected, while Clostridium disporicum were detected less frequently in the whey period. Feces from whey‐fed growing pigs showed lower pH than that from control pigs in the early stage of growing. Also, larger populations of total bacteria, lactobacilli and bifidobacteria were recorded in the whey group. From the bacterial gene library analysis, the detection frequency of Lactobacillus reuteri tended to be higher in the whey group. These results indicate that whey feeding influences the hindgut microbiota of pigs, possibly leading to a fermentation shift that is favorable for animal health.