bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The influence of interfering septa on the incidence of Schneiderian membrane perforations during maxillary sinus elevation surgery: a retrospective study of 52 consecutive lateral window procedures
Authors: Malkinson S. , Irinakis T. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractAim:  Sinus lifts are a predictable method of augmenting the height of bone in maxillary posterior sextants. These procedures can be complicated by anatomical factors, such as the presence of interfering bony septa in the sinus. The objectives of this study were to investigate the incidence of interfering septa in patients undergoing sinus lifts and to see if the presence of interfering septa increased the chance of intra‐operative membrane perforation.Materials and methods:  This retrospective cohort study assessed presence of interfering antral septa and their effect on Schneiderian membrane elevation in 45 patients with pneumatised sinuses undergoing sinus lifts. Chart audits and radiographic assessments were performed for 52 surgeries. The sinus lift procedure followed established guidelines. Presence of septa and occurrence of perforations were noted, and when perforations occurred, they were repaired with resorbable membranes.Results:  Septa were present in 40% of cases, and were found to be ‘interfering’ septa in 28.8% of cases. Membrane perforation occurred in 11.5% of cases. There was no statistically significant association between the presence of interfering septa and membrane perforation.Conclusion:  With enough experience and appropriate armamentarium and technique, an operator can overcome the presence of an interfering antral septum during a sinus lift procedure such that it does not increase the chance of perforating the Schneiderian membrane during elevation.
Antecedent caloric intake and glucose excursion following a subsequent meal in Type 1 diabetes
Authors: MEHRA Rinku , RAMAN Ramesh , BAYLESS Margaret L. , SIVITZ William I. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractBackground:  In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that calories consumed at a prior meal (lunch) may impair glycemic control after a subsequent meal (supper) even if the pre‐supper glucose did not differ regardless of the size of the lunch meal.Methods:  Nine subjects with Type 1 diabetes using continuous subcutaneous (s.c.) insulin infusion (CSII) therapy were studied on two separate days. Lunch (1200 h) was randomly assigned as 25% or 50% of the usual daily intake on alternate study days. The CSII was stopped at 1000 h on the day of the study and glucose was controlled until supper by adjusting the rate of intravenous (i.v.) insulin based on glucose measurements every 15 min. The CSII was restarted 1 h before supper and i.v. insulin discontinued 15 min before the first bite of supper. An identical supper meal and pre‐supper s.c. bolus of short‐acting insulin were administered on both visits.Results:  Pre‐supper glycemia was nearly identical on each of the two study days. However, the post‐supper glucose area under the curve was 27.5% greater on the day of the antecedent large lunch compared with the small lunch (P = 0.0039).Conclusions:  For optimal postprandial glucose control, people with Type 1 diabetes may need to consider not only anticipated meal calories, but also prior food intake, a practice not commonly recommended based on currently used insulin dosing algorithms.
Escherichia coli
O157:H7 Strains That Persist in Feedlot Cattle Are Genetically Related and Demonstrate an Enhanced Ability To Adhere to Intestinal Epithelial Cells
Authors: Carlson Brandon A. , Nightingale Kendra K. , Mason Gary L. , Ruby John R. , Choat W. Travis , Loneragan Guy H. , Smith Gary C. , Sofos John N. , Belk Keith E. 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACT

A longitudinal study was conducted to investigate the nature of
Escherichia coli
O157:H7 colonization of feedlot cattle over the final 100 to 110 days of finishing. Rectal fecal grab samples were collected from an initial sample population of 788 steers every 20 to 22 days and microbiologically analyzed to detect
E. coli
O157:H7. The identities of presumptive colonies were confirmed using a multiplex PCR assay that screened for gene fragments unique to
E. coli
O157:H7 (
rfbE
and
fliC
h7
) and other key virulence genes (
eae
,
stx
1
, and
stx
2
). Animals were classified as having persistent shedding (PS), transient shedding (TS), or nonshedding (NS) status if they consecutively shed the same
E. coli
O157:H7 genotype (based on the multiplex PCR profile), exhibited variable
E. coli
O157 shedding, or never shed morphologically typical
E. coli
O157, respectively. Overall, 1.0% and 1.4% of steers were classified as PS and NS animals, respectively. Characterization of 132
E. coli
O157:H7 isolates from PS and TS animals by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) typing yielded 32 unique PFGE types. One predominant PFGE type accounted for 53% of all isolates characterized and persisted in cattle throughout the study. Isolates belonging to this predominant and persistent PFGE type demonstrated an enhanced (
P
< 0.0001) ability to adhere to Caco-2 human intestinal epithelial cells compared to isolates belonging to less common PFGE types but exhibited equal virulence expression. Interestingly, the attachment efficacy decreased as the genetic divergence from the predominant and persistent subtype increased. Our data support the hypothesis that certain
E. coli
O157:H7 strains persist in feedlot cattle, which may be partially explained by an enhanced ability to colonize the intestinal epithelium.
Genetic Engineering of
Enterobacter asburiae
Strain JDR-1 for Efficient Production of Ethanol from Hemicellulose Hydrolysates
Authors: Bi Changhao , Zhang Xueli , Ingram Lonnie O. , Preston James F. 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACT

Dilute acid pretreatment is an established method for hydrolyzing the methylglucuronoxylans of hemicellulose to release fermentable xylose. In addition to xylose, this process releases the aldouronate methylglucuronoxylose, which cannot be metabolized by current ethanologenic biocatalysts.
Enterobacter asburiae
JDR-1, isolated from colonized wood, was found to efficiently ferment both methylglucuronoxylose and xylose in acid hydrolysates of sweet gum xylan, producing predominantly ethanol and acetate. Transformation of
E. asburiae
JDR-1 with pLOI555 or pLOI297, each containing the PET operon containing pyruvate decarboxylase (
pdc
) and alcohol dehydrogenase B (
adhB
) genes derived from
Zymomonas mobilis
, replaced mixed-acid fermentation with homoethanol fermentation. Deletion of the pyruvate formate lyase (
pflB
) gene further increased the ethanol yield, resulting in a stable
E. asburiae
E1(pLOI555) strain that efficiently utilized both xylose and methylglucuronoxylose in dilute acid hydrolysates of sweet gum xylan. Ethanol was produced from xylan hydrolysate by
E. asburiae
E1(pLOI555) with a yield that was 99% of the theoretical maximum yield and at a rate of 0.11 g ethanol/g (dry weight) cells/h, which was 1.57 times the yield and 1.48 times the rate obtained with the ethanologenic strain
Escherichia coli
KO11. This engineered derivative of
E. asburiae
JDR-1 that is able to ferment the predominant hexoses and pentoses derived from both hemicellulose and cellulose fractions is a promising subject for development as an ethanologenic biocatalyst for production of fuels and chemicals from agricultural residues and energy crops.
The Longin Domain Regulates the Steady-State Dynamics of Sec22 inPlasmodium falciparum
Authors: Ayong Lawrence , Raghavan Avanthi , Schneider Timothy G. , Taraschi Theodore F. , Fidock David A. , Chakrabarti Debopam 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTThe specificity of vesicle-mediated transport is largely regulated by the membrane-specific distribution of SNARE (solubleN-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor) proteins. However, the signals and machineries involved in SNARE protein targeting to the respective intracellular locations are not fully understood. We have identified a Sec22 ortholog inPlasmodium falciparum(PfSec22) that contains an atypical insertion of thePlasmodiumexport element within the N-terminal longin domain. This Sec22 protein partially associates with membrane structures in the parasitized erythrocytes when expressed under the control of the endogenous promoter element. Our studies indicate that the atypical longin domain contains signals that are required for both endoplasmic reticulum (ER)/Golgi apparatus recycling of PfSec22 and partial export beyond the ER/Golgi apparatus interface. ER exit of PfSec22 is regulated by motifs within the α3 segment of the longin domain, whereas the recycling and export signals require residues within the N-terminal hydrophobic segment. Our data suggest that the longin domain of PfSec22 exhibits major differences from the yeast and mammalian orthologs, perhaps indicative of a novel mechanism for Sec22 trafficking in malaria parasites.
The Laminin-Binding Protein Lbp from
Streptococcus pyogenes
Is a Zinc Receptor
Authors: Linke Christian , Caradoc-Davies Tom T. , Young Paul G. , Proft Thomas , Baker Edward N. 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACT

The common pathogen
Streptococcus pyogenes
colonizes the human skin and tonsils and can invade underlying tissues. This requires the adhesion of
S. pyogenes
to host surface receptors mediated through adhesins. The laminin-binding protein Lbp has been suggested as an adhesin, specific for the human extracellular matrix protein laminin. Sequence alignments, however, indicate a relationship between Lbp and a family of bacterial metal-binding receptors. To further analyze the role of Lbp in
S. pyogenes
and its potential role in pathogenicity, Lbp has been crystallized, and its structure has been solved at a resolution of 2.45 Å (
R
= 0.186;
R
free
= 0.251). Lbp has the typical metal-binding receptor fold, comprising two globular (β/α)
4
domains connected by a helical backbone. The two domains enclose the metal-binding site, which contains a zinc ion. The interaction of Lbp with laminin was further investigated and shown to be specific in vitro. Localization studies with antibodies specific for Lbp show that the protein is attached to the membrane. The data suggest that Lbp is primarily a zinc-binding protein, and we suggest that its interaction with laminin in vivo may be mediated via zinc bound to laminin.
Isoprenoids Are Essential for Fruiting Body Formation in
Myxococcus xanthus
Authors: Lorenzen Wolfram , Ring Michael W. , Schwär Gertrud , Bode Helge B. 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACT

It was recently shown that
Myxococcus xanthus
harbors an alternative and reversible biosynthetic pathway to isovaleryl coenzyme A (CoA) branching from 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA. Analyses of various mutants in these pathways for fatty acid profiles and fruiting body formation revealed for the first time the importance of isoprenoids for myxobacterial development.
Escherichia coli
DksA Binds to Free RNA Polymerase with Higher Affinity than to RNA Polymerase in an Open Complex
Authors: Lennon Christopher W. , Gaal Tamas , Ross Wilma , Gourse Richard L. 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACT
The transcription factor DksA binds in the secondary channel of RNA polymerase (RNAP) and alters transcriptional output without interacting with DNA. Here we present a quantitative assay for measuring DksA binding affinity and illustrate its utility by determining the relative affinities of DksA for three different forms of RNAP. Whereas the apparent affinities of DksA for RNAP core and holoenzyme are the same, the apparent affinity of DksA for RNAP decreases almost 10-fold in an open complex. These results suggest that the conformation of RNAP present in an open complex is not optimal for DksA binding and that DNA directly or indirectly alters the interface between the two proteins.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Extremely Acidophilic BacteriumAcidithiobacillus caldusATCC 51756 Reveals Metabolic Versatility in the GenusAcidithiobacillus
Authors: Valdes Jorge , Quatrini Raquel , Hallberg Kevin , Dopson Mark , Valenzuela Pablo D. T. , Holmes David S. 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTAcidithiobacillus caldusis an extremely acidophilic, moderately thermophilic, chemolithoautotrophic gammaproteobacterium that derives energy from the oxidation of sulfur and reduced inorganic sulfur compounds. Here we present the draft genome sequence ofAcidithiobacillus caldusATCC 51756 (the type strain of the species), which has permitted the prediction of genes for survival in extremely acidic environments, including genes for sulfur oxidation and nutrient assimilation.
Educational inequalities in smoking cessation trends in Italy, 1982–2002
Authors: Federico B , Costa G , Ricciardi W , Kunst A E 
Published: July 2009

Background/aim:Smoking prevalence rates are declining in most industrialised countries, partly because of growing cessation rates. However, little is known on recent time-trends in smoking cessation by socioeconomic position. This study aims to estimate educational inequalities in smoking cessation trends in Italy between 1982 and 2002.Methods:Data were derived from two national health interview surveys carried out in Italy in 1999–2000 (n = 34 789) and in 2004–2005 (n = 33 135). On the basis of respondents’ age at starting and age at quitting smoking, we computed age-standardised smoking cessation rates at ages 20–44 years for subjects who were current smokers between 1982 and 2002.Results:Smoking quit rates were approximately constant at a figure of about 2 per 100 person-years until the period 2000–2002, when they rapidly increased up to 3–4 per 100 person-years. Higher educated smokers constantly showed higher cessation rates than lower educated subjects (rate ratio 1.33; 95% CI 1.25 to 1.41 for men and 1.41; 95% CI 1.30 to 1.53 for women). The relative size of educational difference in smoking cessation did not significantly vary by period. However, in absolute terms, the increase in cessation rates in 2000–2002 was larger among higher educated smokers.Conclusion:Educational inequalities in smoking cessation persisted in both relative and absolute terms. The increase in smoking cessation rates in 2000–2002 suggests that tobacco control policies may have reached more disadvantaged smokers, although smokers of higher socioeconomic groups seem to have benefited the most.
Does ‘No Pesticide’ Reduce Suicides?
Authors: Vijayakumar Lakshmi , Satheesh-Babu R. 
Published: July 2009

Introduction: Ingestion of pesticides is the most common method of suicide, particularly in China, Sri Lanka and India. Reported pesticide suicides in India numbered 22,000 in the year 2006.z Method: Four villages in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India that had stopped using chemical pesticides in favour of non-pesticide management (NPM) were visited to assess any change in suicide incidence before and after discontinuation of chemical pesticides. Four similar villages in the same region that continued to use chemical pesticides were used as controls for comparison. Results: In the pesticide-free villages there were 14 suicides before introduction of NPM and only three suicides thereafter. The percentage of suicides not reported to authorities was 47%. Conclusion: Restriction of pesticide availability and accessibility by NPM has the potential to reduce pesticide suicides, in addition to psychosocial and health interventions.
Belonging and Doing: Important Factors for Satisfaction With Sexual Relations as Perceived By People With Persistent Mental Illness
Authors: Eklund Mona , Östman Margareta 
Published: July 2009

Background: It is increasingly acknowledged that satisfaction with sexual relations forms an important aspect of people’s lives, but little is known of factors associated with this phenomenon among people with mental illness. Aim: This study aimed to investigate how demographic, social, clinical, and health-related factors were related to satisfaction with sexual relations. Methods: Patients with persistent mental illness (N = 103), recruited from an outpatient unit, were assessed regarding the target variables. Results: No clinical variable, and only one demographic factor, namely being a cohabitant, was found to be important to satisfaction with sexual relations. Several social factors, pertaining to how everyday occupations were valued and how the social network was perceived, were shown to be of importance. General quality of life, but not self-rated health or interviewer-assessed psychopathology, was also important for satisfaction with sexual relations. A multivariate analysis showed that the most signifi cant factor for satisfaction with sexual relations was how everyday activities were valued, and being a cohabitant explained some additional variation. Conclusion: Previous research indicates that the mental health care services largely neglect sexual problems among people with mental illness, and the fi ndings may provide additional knowledge that may be used in the support of this target group.
Angiotensin II does not influence expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2 + ATPase in atrial myocytes
Authors: Wu Cho-Kai , Tseng Chuen-Den , Huang Yin-Tsen , Hsieh Chia-Shan , Tsai Wei-Shan , Lin Jiunn-Lee , Chiang Fu-Tien , Tsai Chia-Ti 
Published: July 2009

Introduction. The sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA) is essential for the regulation of the intracellular calcium level in cardiomyocytes. Previous studies have found that angiotensin II (Ang II) decreased SERCA2 gene expression in ventricular myocytes. Alteration of SERCA activity is important in the mechanism of atrial fibrillation. The present study was undertaken to examine Ang II effects on atrial myocytes. Materials and methods. An ~1.75-kb promoter region of SERCA2 gene was cloned with the pGL3 luciferase vector. The direct effects of Ang II on SERCA2 gene expression in HL-1 atrial myocytes were examined by promoter activity assay, followed by Western blot analysis for protein levels and quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for mRNA amounts. Results. Ang II did not increase the promoter activity of the 1,754-bp promoter-receptor construct of the SERCA2 gene. The levels of SERCA2 protein and mRNA were also unchanged at different time points after Ang II treatment. Conclusions. Although Ang II had prominent effects on SERCA2 in ventricular myocytes, it did not alter SERCA2 gene expression and protein levels in atrial myocytes. We provide a model for further investigation of the regulation of SERCA2 gene expression in atrial myocytes.
Atrial fibrillation in primary aldosteronism
Authors: Watson Timothy , Karthikeyan Vellore J , Lip Gregory YH , Beevers D. Gareth 
Published: July 2009

Introduction. Primary aldosteronism (PA) is caused by autonomous hypersecretion of aldosterone from the adrenal cortex, classically from an adenoma, resulting in sodium and water retention, hypokalaemia and raised blood pressure. The sodium and water retention causes suppression of renin release. The possible cardiac sequelae of aldosterone excess are encountered primarily in patients with secondary hyperaldosteronism due to heart failure, where plasma renin, angiotensin and aldosterone levels are all raised. However, there is also evidence that primary aldosterone excess, in the presence of low renin levels, may also be cardiotoxic. Patients. In this report, we describe five patients with PA, who developed atrial fibrillation (AF) in the absence of structural cardiac lesions and in one case despite good control of blood pressure and electrolytes. Conclusion. In patients with hypertension and AF, who have no evidence of coronary disease or any other underlying cause of AF with preserved systolic function, a diagnosis of PA should be considered.
How I treat Waldenström macroglobulinemia
Authors: Treon Steven P. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractWaldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a distinct B-cell disorder resulting from the accumulation, predominantly in the bone marrow, of clonally related IgM-secreting lymphoplasmacytic cells. Genetic factors play an important role, with 20% of patients demonstrating a familial predisposition. Asymptomatic patients should be observed. Patients with a disease-related hemoglobin level less than 10 g/L, platelet count less than 100 × 109/L, bulky adenopathy or organomegaly, symptomatic hyperviscosity, peripheral neuropathy, amyloidosis, cryoglobulinemia, cold-agglutinin disease, or evidence of disease transformation should be considered for therapy. Plasmapheresis should be considered for symptomatic hyperviscosity and for prophylaxis in patients in whom rituximab therapy is contemplated. The use of rituximab as monotherapy or in combination with cyclophosphamide, nucleoside analog, bortezomib, or thalidomide-based regimens can be considered for the first-line therapy of WM and should take into account specific treatment goals, future autologous stem cell transplantation eligibility, and long-term risks of secondary malignancies. In the salvage setting, the reuse or use of an alternative frontline regimen can be considered as well as bortezomib, alemtuzumab, and stem cell transplantation. Newer agents, such as bendamustine and everolimus, can also be considered in the treatment of WM.
The CD8+ memory T-cell state of readiness is actively maintained and reversible
Authors: Allam Atef , Conze Dietrich B. , Giardino Torchia Maria Letizia , Munitic Ivana , Yagita Hideo , Sowell Ryan T. , Marzo Amanda L. , Ashwell Jonathan D. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe ability of the adaptive immune system to respond rapidly and robustly upon repeated antigen exposure is known as immunologic memory, and it is thought that acquisition of memory T-cell function is an irreversible differentiation event. In this study, we report that many phenotypic and functional characteristics of antigen-specific CD8 memory T cells are lost when they are deprived of contact with dendritic cells. Under these circumstances, memory T cells reverted from G1 to the G0 cell-cycle state and responded to stimulation like naive T cells, as assessed by proliferation, dependence upon costimulation, and interferon-γ production, without losing cell surface markers associated with memory. The memory state was maintained by signaling via members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, CD27 and 4-1BB. Foxo1, a transcription factor involved in T-cell quiescence, was reduced in memory cells, and stimulation of naive CD8 cells via CD27 caused Foxo1 to be phosphorylated and emigrate from the nucleus in a phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase–dependent manner. Consistent with these results, maintenance of G1 in vivo was compromised in antigen-specific memory T cells in vesicular stomatitis virus-infected CD27-deficient mice. Therefore, sustaining the functional phenotype of T memory cells requires active signaling and maintenance.