bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis versus exogenous lipoid pneumonia showing crazy-paving pattern: Comparison of their clinical features and high-resolution CT findings
Authors: Choi Hei Kyung , Park Chang Min , Goo Jin Mo , Lee Hyun Ju 
Published: March 2010

Background: Although pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) and exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP) require different treatment strategies, both manifest as a crazy-paving pattern on CT and often have similar clinical manifestations and radiologic features. Purpose: To investigate the clinical features and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings of PAP and ELP showing the crazy-paving pattern. Material and Methods: The clinical features and HRCT findings of eight patients with pathologically proven PAP and six patients with pathologically proven ELP showing the crazy-paving pattern were retrospectively evaluated. Two radiologists analyzed the HRCT findings of PAP and ELP in consensus in terms of the presence, severity, and extent of illdefined centrilobular nodules, consolidations, ground-glass opacities (GGOs), reticulations, and the crazy-paving pattern. Results: With respect to the clinical features of these two diseases, all patients with ELP were retrospectively found to have a history of oil ingestion. In terms of the HRCT findings, ill-defined centrilobular nodules were seen in five of six patients (83%) with ELP, whereas they were not present in any patient with PAP ( P=0.003). Consolidation was also more frequently present in patients with ELP (83%) than in those with PAP (11%), which was statistically different ( P=0.0265). In terms of the severity and extent, the crazy-paving pattern and reticulations on HRCT were significantly more extensive and severe in patients with PAP than in those with ELP. Conclusion: PAP and ELP with the crazy-paving pattern have several distinctive characteristics with respect to their HRCT findings as well as history of oil ingestion, and can therefore be distinguished from one another.
Vancomycin resistance in <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> may occur faster than expected
Authors: Tiwari Kiran Babu 
Published: March 2010

Staphylococcus aureus, one notable example of nosocomial infections, has the characteristic ability to acquire antimicrobial resistance. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus have already become endemic worldwide, and vancomycin is the terminal antibiotic of choice for treatment of infections by these strains. Because of selection of vancomycin as the treatment option, n ow, the emergence of vancomycin resistance in S. aureus has been increasing elsewhere. Further, there is no consensus definition of minimum inhibitory concentration to determine the levels of vancomycin resistance in these strains making it difficult in interpretation and management of the resistant strains. As an intervention against cell wall physiology of the bacteria, vancomycin binds with terminal dipeptide of the peptidoglycan monomer. However, vancomycin-resistant strains possess a thickened cell wall with many free monomers capable of binding with the drug. The thickened cell wall not only traps more vancomycin molecules on the immediate cell surface, but also significantly impedes action of the drug towards inner layers of the peptidoglycan network on bacteria. Thus, the normal inner layers of peptidoglycan ensure the structural integrity of cell as a whole. Compounding with the stress selection of vancomycin-resistance in S. aureus, the novel mechanism allows the bacteria to reduce susceptibility to the drug easily; hence, emergence of vancomycin resistant strains in the hospital environment may occur faster than expected. DOI: 10.3126/ijls.v3i0.2302
Sodium azide induced mutation of Actinomycetes I
Authors: Khatri Mamata , Rajbhandari Yurika , Regmi Shruti , Hamal Junu , Shrestha Upendra Thapa , Tiwari Kiran Babu 
Published: March 2010

Sodium azide was employed to generate mutants of actinomycetes from Mount Everest region, viz. Sagarmatha National Park, Jorsale, Kalapatthar and Namche. Individual isolates of actinomycetes were inoculated on Starch Casein Agar plates containing 10, 50 and 100 ppm of sodium azide. Depending on complete inhibition of their growth , actinomycete isolates were categorized as highly sensitive , moderately sensitive and tolerant, respectively. Out of a total of 38 actinomycetes isolates, two (5.3%) were highly sensitive, 23 (60.5%) moderately sensitive and 13 (34.2%) tolerant. A total of 21 mutants were generated by treating 8 of the 23 moderately sensitive actinomycetes with 20, 30 and 40 ppm (sublethal concentrations ) of sodium azide and analyzed morphologically and biochemically. All mutants like wild strains were able to hydrolyse starch, Tween 20 and casein and utilize fructose and lactose. All were urease and catalase positive , but were different from wild strains in colony color or texture or both. Altogether nine (43 % ) mutants having negative mutation in loci of utilization of galactose or mannose (loss-of-function LOF, single mutants ) , two LOF double mutants in utilization of both galactose and arabinose , one gain-of-function (GOF) single mutant having positive mutation in the loci of utilization of galactose, one GOF double mutant in utilization of mannose and galactose and five double mutants (25%) having GOF ( arabinose or sucrose ) as well as LOF (mannose or galactose or arabinose) were obtained. Key words : Mt. Everest, Sagarmatha, actinomycetes, sodium azide, mutation, LOF, GOF DOI: 10.3126/ijls.v3i0.2385
Present Status of Activities of Quality Assurance Scheme (QAS) in Medical and Dental Colleges of Bangladesh
Authors: Talukder MHK , Nargis T , Hossain MZ , Nazneen R 
Published: March 2010

This cross-sectional study was conducted with the objective to assess the present status of activities related to quality assurance scheme (QAS) in medical and dental colleges of Bangladesh. The Principal or Vice principal or Academic coordinator was respondent and any one of them from each medical or dental college filled up a questionnaire. The study was conducted in 2008. Regarding the on going activities related to quality assurance scheme in their colleges, majority of the respondents mentioned that there are formal phase committees and course committee to run the quality assurance scheme, functioning faculty development and review scheme, continuing professional development activities like seminar etc., and mechanism to collect students' feedback through structured questionnaire. Majority of them also mentioned that phase committees & course committee meetings held regularly, academic coordinator regularly met with the phase coordinators, student outcome analyzed, annual sports and cultural functions held regularly and recently they have submitted a report on the status of QA scheme to the Director Medical Education and Health Manpower Development (ME & HMPD). On the other hand most of them mentioned that the teachers of their respective medical colleges did not have adequate training on QAS, did not have adequate resources, designated staff for running QAS and functioning medical skill centre in the colleges and did not collect external examiners' report. Most of the respondents recommended that teachers should be adequately trained on QAS, staff should be designated to run QAS and adequate resources should be allocated to run QAS and activities should be monitored and evaluated regularly. Key words: Quality assurance, medical education. DOI: 10.3329/jafmc.v5i2.4574 JAFMC Bangladesh Vol.5(2) (December) 2009, pp.5-7
Cyclosporine & Mycophenolate Mofetil in the Treatment of Cyclophosphamide Refractory Class-IV Lupus Nephritis
Authors: Mostafi M , Rabbani MG , Hossain MR , Siddiqui AR , Rabbani SB 
Published: March 2010

Class IV Lupus Nephritis is a difficult medical situation requiring aggressive management. Many patients do not respond to conventional cyclophosphamide (CPM) therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cyclosporine (CsA) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in the treatment of CPM refractory class IV Lupus nephritis. The study was conducted at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) and Cantonment General Hospital (CGH) of Dhaka over a period of 8 years (from January 2000 till December 2008). CPM refractory Class IV Lupus nephritis patients were randomly assigned into 2 groups cyclosporine (4mg/kg/day) and mycophenolate mofetil (1000-2000mg/day). Thirty one patients completed at least one year follow up and were included in the study. Sixteen patients were included in cyclosporine group and 15 patients in mycophenolate mofetil group. CsA treated patients had a remission rate of 87.5% which was 80% in MMF group. The average remission time was 16.21 weeks in CsA and 20.91 weeks in MMF group. The urinary total protein(UTP) and creatinine clearance (CCr) values were similar in both groups, 0.54 gm vs 0.66 gm & 81 vs 86 ml/min. The systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) was 9.56 and 9.2 in CsA and MMF group which came down to 1.92 and 1.83 in the same groups after remission. In this study It was found that both cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil were very effective in the treatment of CPM refractory class IV Lupus nephritis with slight better response with cyclosporine. Key words: Lupus Nephritis, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporine. DOI: 10.3329/jafmc.v5i2.4575 JAFMC Bangladesh Vol.5(2) (December) 2009, pp.8-13
Electrophysiological Changes of Motor Nerves in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Sultana S , Begum N , Ali L , Hossain MM , Bhowmik NB , Parveen Z 
Published: March 2010

Peripheral neuropathy is a common disabling complication in patients with diabetes and this complication is related to the duration of the disease process. Nerve conduction study is widely used for the assessment of diabetic polyneuropathy not only to evaluate the degree of abnormality but also to document serial changes in the clinical course of the disease. This study was designed to characterize motor nerve conduction abnormalities in subjects having relatively shorter and longer duration of type 2 diabetes mellitus and also to assess whether time related variable like duration of diabetes has any influence on motor nerve function of the subjects. Forty-four type 2 diabetic subjects were included in two groups:- Group B consisted of 23 diabetic subjects having duration of diabetes for 5-10 years (shorter duration) and Group C consisted of 21 diabetic subjects having duration of diabetes for 10-15 years (longer duration). Twenty-five age and BMI matched healthy subjects without family history of diabetes were included as Group A (non-diabetic) subjects. Motor nerve conduction velocities, action potential amplitudes and latencies of ulnar and peroneal nerves were measured by standard Nerve Conduction Velocity- Electromyography (NCV-EMG) equipment. Motor conduction parameters like ulnar compound muscle action potential (U CMAP), peroneal compound muscle action potential (P CMAP) and peroneal nerve conduction velocity (P NCV) were found to be significantly reduced (p<0.001, <0.01, <0.01 respectively) in diabetic group with shorter duration of diabetes(Group B) in comparison to non-diabetic control group (Group A). In the diabetic group with relatively longer duration of diabetes (Group C) motor nerve conduction parameters like U CMAP and P NCV were significantly reduced (p<0.001, <0.01 respectively). The results showed that in the type 2 diabetic population, motor nerve conduction parameters were affected early and there was gradual deterioration of motor function as duration of diabetes increased. Though previous studies on diabetic neuropathy suggest that abnormalities of sensory nerve conduction are early features of diabetic nerve damage and sensory nerves are more susceptible to fall prey to metabolic assaults, the present study indicates that motor nerves are also involved and the neuropathic changes assessed by electro diagnostic methods in motor nerves may occur early in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. So, there may be some genetic and biochemical basis (other than hyperglycaemia) for early motor involvement in type 2 diabetic population of Bangladesh. Key words: Diabetic neuropathy, electrophysiology, nerve conduction, electromyography. DOI: 10.3329/jafmc.v5i2.4576 JAFMC Bangladesh Vol.5(2) (December) 2009, pp.14-17
Sea Sickness in Naval Personnel
Authors: Malek MA , Maruf AA , Hossain MM 
Published: March 2010

Seasickness can be a debilitating condition and can be dangerous if the naval personnel appointed in operational or key appointment in the ship during operation. The objective of this descriptive study was to report and evaluate the incidence, severity and effects of seasickness among naval personnel of Khulna Naval Base. The study was conducted over a period of 18 months. This study included 1293 healthy male sailors and aged ranges between 20 to 45 years. Data included sailor's demographics, duration at sea, types of symptoms, severity of seasickness, incidence of seasickness in relation to exposure, and sea condition. Total 785 (60.71%) sailors stayed less then 7 days, 311 (24.06%) from 7 to 14 days and 197 (15.23%) stayed more than 14 days. Total 523 (40.44%) sailors experienced seasickness; those were dizziness (18.32%), fatigue (17.09%), vertigo (11.36%), epigastric discomfort (9.74%), nausea (17.40%) and vomiting (6.57%). Majority were minor inconvenience, self limiting and did not require rest (78.78%).Excuse from duty for 24 hours was required in 101 (19.31%) cases and excused from duty for whole sea period in 10 (1.91%) cases. Incidence of seasickness observed in first exposure in 275 (52.59%) cases, after less than 10 exposure in 138 (26.39%) cases, after more than 10 exposure in 69 (13.18%) cases and always in 41 (7.84%) cases. Sailors had seasickness in calm sea (3.82%), in moderate sea (24.28%) and in rough sea (71.70%). No sailor required evacuation from sea to land for seasickness. Seasickness is troublesome for sailors, but majority of the symptoms were minor inconvenience and self-limiting without very few exceptions. For better confirmation and future prospect, study may be conducted in a larger aspect including both sexes. Key words: Seasickness, sailor, naval person.
T Cell Ig Domain and Mucin Domain 1 Engagement on Invariant NKT Cells in the Presence of TCR Stimulation Enhances IL-4 Production but Inhibits IFN-γ Production
Authors: Kim Hye Sung , Kim Hyun Soo , Lee Chang Woo , Chung Doo Hyun 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
The T cell Ig domain and mucin domain (TIM)1 protein expressed on the surface of Th2 cells regulates the immune response by modulating cytokine production. However, the functional roles of TIM1 have not been examined in NKT cells. Therefore, we investigated the immunologic effects of TIM1 on NKT cells. We found that mouse NK1.1+TCR-β+, α-galactosyl ceramide/CD1d dimer+ NKT, and NKT hybridoma (DN32.D3) cells constitutively express TIM1 and TIM4 on their surface. Engagement of TIM1 on NKT cells by any of several anti-TIM1 mAbs suppressed the production of IFN-γ in the presence of TCR stimulation in vitro and in vivo, whereas the effects of such engagement on Th2 cytokine production by the NKT cells varied with the particular anti-TIM1 Ab clone. Moreover, in DN32.D3 TIM4-knockdown NKT hybridoma cells, TIM1 engagement by rTIM1 or TIM4 enhanced IL-4 production while inhibiting IFN-γ production in the presence of α-galactosyl ceramide stimulation. TIM1 engagement increased GATA-3 expression but reduced T-bet expression in NKT cells in the presence of TCR engagement. The adoptive transfer of NKT cells preincubated with anti-TIM1 mAbs into Jα18−/− mice aggravated bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis by suppressing IFN-γ production. Taken together, these results suggest that TIM1 costimulation on NKT cells enhances the cellular production of IL-4 while inhibiting the production of IFN-γ. Thus, as a differential regulator of the immune response, TIM1 on NKT cells may be a useful therapeutic target for immune diseases.
Identification of the Cellular Sensor That Stimulates the Inflammatory Response to Sterile Cell Death
Authors: Kono Hajime , Karmarkar Dipti , Iwakura Yoichiro , Rock Kenneth L. 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
Cell death provokes a robust inflammatory response. We have previously shown that this response is dependent on IL-1α. In this study, we investigate the cellular mechanism used by a host to sense cell death, produce IL-1α and also the role of IL-1β in this response. In almost all cases examined, the IL-1 that stimulated the death-induced inflammatory response came from the host rather than the cell that was dying. In these situations, host bone marrow-derived cells were the key source of the IL-1α that was required for the inflammatory response. Conditional cellular depletion and reconstitution in CD11b promoter-driven diphtheria toxin receptor transgenic mice revealed that host macrophages played an essential role in the generation of the inflammatory response and were the source of the required IL-1α. In addition, we found a role for IL-1β in the death-induced inflammatory response and that this cytokine was generated by both bone marrow-derived and radioresistant host cells. The one exception to these findings was that when dendritic cells were injected into mice, they provided a portion of the IL-1 that stimulated inflammation, and this was observed whether the dendritic cells were live or necrotic. Together, these findings demonstrate that macrophages play a key role as the primary sentinels that are required to sense and report cell death in ways that initiate the inflammatory response. One key way they accomplish this important task is by producing IL-1α that is needed to initiate the inflammatory response.
Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Enhance Mortality during Lethal Influenza Infections by Eliminating Virus-Specific CD8 T Cells
Authors: Langlois Ryan A. , Legge Kevin L. 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
Previous studies have shown that the reduction in CD8 T cell immunity observed during high-dose influenza A virus (IAV) infection is mediated via lymph node (LN) dendritic cells (DCs) that express Fas ligand (FasL) and drive FasL-Fas (DC-T)–induced apoptosis. However, the specific DC subset(s) within the LN and the additional factors required for DC-mediated elimination of IAV-specific CD8 T cells remain unknown. In this paper, we demonstrate that plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), which downregulate FasL during sublethal, but not lethal, IAV infection, accumulate to greater numbers within the LNs of lethal dose-infected mice. Further our findings show that pDCs from lethal, but not sublethal, dose IAV infections drive elimination of Fas+ CD8 T cells and that this elimination occurs only in the absence of TCR recognition of IAV peptide-MHC class I complexes. Together, these results suggest that pDCs play a heretofore unknown deleterious role during lethal dose IAV infections by limiting the CD8 T cell response.
Redundant and Pathogenic Roles for IL-22 in Mycobacterial, Protozoan, and Helminth Infections
Authors: Wilson Mark S. , Feng Carl G. , Barber Daniel L. , Yarovinsky Felix , Cheever Allen W. , Sher Alan , Grigg Michael , Collins Mary , Fouser Lynette , Wynn Thomas A. 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
IL-22 is a member of the IL-10 cytokine family and signals through a heterodimeric receptor composed of the common IL-10R2 subunit and the IL-22R subunit. IL-10 and IL-22 both activate the STAT3 signaling pathway; however, in contrast to IL-10, relatively little is known about IL-22 in the host response to infection. In this study, using IL-22−/− mice, neutralizing Abs to IL-22, or both, we show that IL-22 is dispensable for the development of immunity to the opportunistic pathogens Toxoplasma gondii and Mycobacterium avium when administered via the i.p. or i.v. route, respectively. IL-22 also played little to no role in aerosol infections with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and in granuloma formation and hepatic fibrosis following chronic percutaneous infections with the helminth parasite Schistosoma mansoni. A marked pathogenic role for IL-22 was, however, identified in toxoplasmosis when infections were established by the natural oral route. Anti–IL-22 Ab-treated mice developed significantly less intestinal pathology than control Ab-treated mice even though both groups displayed similar parasite burdens. The decreased gut pathology was associated with reduced IL-17A, IL-17F, TNF-α, and IFN-γ expression. In contrast to the prior observations of IL-22 protective effects in the gut, these distinct findings with oral T. gondii infection demonstrate that IL-22 also has the potential to contribute to pathogenic inflammation in the intestine. The IL-22 pathway has emerged as a possible target for control of inflammation in certain autoimmune diseases. Our findings suggest that few if any infectious complications would be expected with the suppression of IL-22 signaling.
Introduction: Drug Discovery in the 21

st

Century
Authors: Gad Shayne Cox 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
The discovery, development, and registration of a pharmaceutical is an immensely expensive operation and represents a unique challenge of high attrition rate of drugs. Early identification of poor or noncompetitive candidates is thus extremely important, forming the basis for screening processes in pharmaceutical discovery and development. This article focuses on a wide variety of approaches to the discovery and identification of potential new drugs.
Cancer Cell Proteomics using Molecular Aptamers
Authors: Tan Weihong , Cao Zehui , Shangguan Dihua , Li Ying , Tang Zhiwen , Mallikratchy Prabodhika , Chen Hui 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
In recent decades, tremendous progress has been made in understanding origination and development of human cancers. Despite our increasing understanding of cancers, finding a cure for cancers remains a great challenge. This article focuses on the use of aptamer probes for molecular diagnosis of cancer.
Strategies and Methods in Monitoring and Targeting Protein–Protein Interactions
Authors: Loregian Arianna , Palù Giorgio 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
Since protein–protein interactions play a role in nearly all events that take place in a cell, information on the function of an unknown protein can be obtained by investigating its interaction with other proteins whose functions are already known. The manipulation of protein–protein interactions that contribute to disease is a potential therapeutic strategy. This article focuses on protein–protein interactions and screening strategies to characterize new inhibitory molecules that act by disrupting biologically relevant protein–protein interactions.
Metal‐Enhanced Fluorescence: Application to High‐Throughput Screening and Drug Discovery
Authors: Aslan Kadir , Gryczynski Ignacy , Malicka Joanna , Lakowicz Joseph R. , Geddes Chris D. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractMetal‐enhanced fluorescence (MEF) appears to be most suitable to the fluorescence assays used in drug discovery and DNA analysis. The metal–fluorophore effects offer unique perspectives in fluorescence sensing, providing for improved background suppression, increased detection limits, and localized excitation near to silver nanostructures. This article describes the effects of different silver nanostructures on the emission intensity and photostability of fluorophores and the use of MEF in high‐throughput screening and drug discovery.