bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Researches on the intestinal Protozoa of monkeys and man
Authors: Dobell Clifford , Neal R. A. , Hoare Cecil A. 
Published: June 2009

1. It has previously been shown [by Dobell] that, in cultures of strain K 28c, Entamoeba histolytica could be maintained indefinitely and made to pass through all the stages of its life history.2. It was also demonstrated that all non-encysting strains of E. histolytica could be induced to encyst in vitro by substituting their concomitant bacterial flora by that of strain K 28c.3. In order to ascertain what part each constituent of the bacterial flora of K 28c played in the life of E. histolytica, a detailed analysis of this flora was carried out. It was found to comprise eight aerobic organisms (mostly of the B. coli group) and six anaerobes.4. The properties of individual species and varieties of bacteria were studied by adding them to cultures of the amoebae or by hatching the cysts of E. histolytica in media previously seeded with the bacteria to be tested.5. With the same end in view two methods were devised for producing simplified strains of E. histolytica associated with from one to four species of bacteria only. By treating the cysts with acriflavine, the mixed flora could be freed of the aerobic organisms, leaving only the spores of the anaerobes. The spore-bearing anaerobes, in their turn, could be eliminated by treatment of the mixture with gentian violet. By using these methods it was possible to produce cultures of ‘synthetic’ strains of E. histolytica accompanied by any desired combination of bacteria, whose properties it was desired to investigate.6. The results of the earlier experiments suggested that the essential constituent of the flora of K 28c was B. coli, all varieties of which appeared to promote growth, induce encystation and excystation, and generally favoured the completion of the life-cycle of the amoebae in vitro, whereas the anaerobic bacteria present in the strain appeared to be inactive as regards encystation.7. However, later experiments have demonstrated conclusively that, although the aerobic bacteria individually induced the cysts of E. histolytica to hatch and supported the growth of the amoebae indefinitely, only one species—the anaerobe N5—was capable of promoting encystation. As regards the aerobic bacteria, their chief role is to provide the anaerobic conditions necessary for the growth of the amoebae with N5 in culture.
Hypothiocyanous acid reactivity with low-molecular-mass and protein thiols: absolute rate constants and assessment of biological relevance
Authors: Skaff Ojia , Pattison David I. , Davies Michael J. 
Published: June 2009

MPO (myeloperoxidase) catalyses the oxidation of chloride, bromide and thiocyanate by H2O2 to HOCl (hypochlorous acid), HOBr (hypobromous acid) and HOSCN (hypothiocyanous acid, also know as cyanosulfenic acid) respectively. Specificity constants indicate that thiocyanate, SCN−, is a major substrate for MPO. HOSCN is also a major oxidant generated by other peroxidases including salivary, gastric and eosinophil peroxidases. Whereas HOCl and HOBr are powerful oxidizing agents, HOSCN appears to be a less reactive, but more thiol-specific oxidant. Although it is established that HOSCN selectively targets thiols, absolute kinetic data for the reactions of thiols with HOSCN are absent from the literature. This study shows for the first time that the reactions of HOSCN with low-molecular-mass thiol residues occur with rate constants in the range from 7.3×103 M−1·s−1 (for N-acetyl-cysteine at pH 7.4) to 7.7×106 M−1·s−1 (for 5-thio-2-nitrobenzoic acid at pH 6.0). An inverse relationship between the rate of reaction and the pKa of the thiol group was observed. The rates of reaction of HOSCN with thiol-containing proteins were also investigated for four proteins (creatine kinase, BSA, β-lactoglobulin and β-L-crystallins). The values obtained for cysteine residues on these proteins are in the range 1×104– 7×104 M−1·s−1. These second-order rate constants indicate that HOSCN is a major mediator of thiol oxidation in biological systems exposed to peroxidase/H2O2 systems at (patho)physiological concentrations of halide and SCN− ions, and that HOSCN may play an important role in inflammation-induced oxidative damage.
Induction of germination in Myxococcus xanthus fruiting body spores
Authors: Elías Montserrat , Murillo Francisco J. 
Published: June 2009

Summary

Myxococcus xanthus, when starved on a solid surface, undergoes a multicellular cycle of development that consists of fruiting and sporulation. Myxospore germination has been followed in CTT, a complex medium composed mainly of peptides, by monitoring the sequential disappearance of some characteristic spore properties. Loss of heat resistance, shortly after incubation was initiated, was followed by loss of resistance to SDS and finally, refractility and ovoid shape. Germination of a population of myxospores did not occur synchronously. However, in the presence of calcium, germination was activated, being more rapid and synchronous. Other spore activation treatments tested did not have the same stimulatory effect. We searched for specific nutrients or chemicals capable of inducing germination. Amino acids, unlike other potential carbon and energy sources for M. xanthus, or several sugars tested, were most effective in triggering germination. Continuous incubation in CTT and Casamino acids germinant solutions was not required for induction and completion of germination of a large proportion of spores in a population.
Ammonia-dependent synthesis and metabolic channelling of carbamoyl phosphate in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus
Authors: Legrain Christianne , Demarez Marc , Glansdorff Nicolas , Piérard André 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARY
The biosynthesis of carbamoyl phosphate (CP), a metabolic precursor of arginine and the pyrimidines was investigated in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus. The half-life of CP was found to be less than 2 s in the optimum temperature range of this organism (100-102 °C). The carbamoyl-phosphate synthase (CPSase) of P. furiosus uses ammonia as the nitrogen donor, and not glutamine like all micro-organisms investigated so far. The Mr of the enzyme, which is devoid of regulatory properties, is 70000, at variance with that of known CPSases. The possible significance of these findings with regard to hyperthermophilic nitrogen metabolism is discussed. Competition experiments with P. furiosus crude extracts indicated a marked preference of ornithine carbamoyltransferase (OTCase) for CP synthesized by CPSase rather than for CP added to the reaction mixture. In addition, the bisubstrate analogue -N-phosphonoacetyl-L-ornithine inhibits the formation of citrulline from bicarbonate, ammonia, ATP and ornithine much less than its synthesis from ornithine and CP in the presence of free OTCase. Such results suggest that, in vivo, CPSase and OTCase associate in a complex able to channel CP. Such a channelling may confer protection to CP, thus avoiding the accumulation of toxic amounts of cyanate arising from its decomposition as well as the waste of the two molecules of ATP required for its synthesis.
Speed of onset of ‘corner pocket supraclavicular’ and infraclavicular ultrasound guided brachial plexus block: a randomised observer‐blinded comparison
Authors: Fredrickson M. J. , Patel A. , Young S. , Chinchanwala S. 
Published: June 2009

SummaryThis prospective, randomised, observer blinded study compared the onset time of brachial plexus block using 2% lidocaine 25–30 ml with adrenaline 5 μg.ml−1 into the ‘corner pocket’ inferolateral/lateral to the subclavian artery (supraclavicular, n = 30) or to a triple point injection around the axillary artery (infraclavicular, n = 30). Mean (SD) onset time for complete pinprick sensory blockade assessed by a blinded observer in all four distal nerves was similar in both groups: supraclavicular = 22 (9.4) min, infraclavicular = 21 (7.1) min, p = 0.59. Complete sensory blockade in all four nerve territories at 30 min was achieved in 57% in group supraclavicular and 70% in group infraclavicular (p = 0.28). Painless surgery without the requirement for block supplementation was higher in group infraclavicular (28/30, 93%) compared with group supraclavicular (19/30, 67%; p = 0.01). Of the 11 failures in group supraclavicular, nine were due to incomplete ulnar nerve territory anaesthesia. These results do not support the concept of rapid onset successful supraclavicular block via a simple ultrasound‐guided local anaesthetic injection inferolateral to the subclavian artery.
Women’s experiences of recovery from childbirth: Focus on pelvis problems that extend beyond the puerperium
Authors: O’Reilly Rebecca , Peters Kath , Beale Barbara , Jackson Debra 
Published: June 2009

Aims.  This study aimed to build understandings of women’s recovery experiences in the presence of continued pelvic problems extending beyond the puerperium to provide nurses and other health care professionals with information to enhance current practice.Background.  Trauma to the pelvic floor during childbirth is a relatively common occurrence and can include damage to structures and nerves. A significant number of women will experience ongoing physical pelvic problems resulting from childbirth that extend past the puerperium; however, little is known about the experiential aspects of recovery for these women.Design.  A qualitative, phenomenological study.Method.  Narrative data were collected during conversational interviews with 10 mothers who had sustained pelvic injury during the birth process that persisted past the puerperium. Recruitment was via media releases and brochures distributed through childcare facilities. The data was analysed using Van Manen’s thematic analysis.Results.  The themes that arose from the analysis were: ‘fearing intimacy’, ‘managing an unpredictable body’, ‘being resigned’ and ‘feeling devalued and dismissed’.Conclusions.  Pelvic injuries that extend beyond the postpartum period are distressing for women. They negatively affect women’s views of themselves and have an impact on various aspects of life including intimate relationships and social activities.Relevance to clinical practice.  Currently, postpartum care may have a focus on baby rather than mother and this focus may impede women making full disclosures of ongoing health needs arising from their delivery. Findings of this study suggest that women may have specific needs that extend beyond the puerperium, indicating a need for continued holistic assessments and extending practice to identify and support women experiencing persistent pelvic postpartum complications.
A systematic review of counselling for HIV testing of pregnant women
Authors: Minnie Karin S , Van Der Walt SJ Christa , Klopper Hester C 
Published: June 2009

Background.  Evidence‐based strategies have made it possible to limit mother‐to‐child transmission of the HI‐virus to a large extent and enable HIV‐positive women to stay healthy for longer, provided their HIV status is known. Although voluntary counselling and testing for HIV is part of routine antenatal care in South Africa, the uptake of testing varies and a large number of pregnant women’s HIV status is not known at the time of birth.Aim.  The aim of the study was to establish research evidence regarding factors influencing counselling for HIV testing during pregnancy by means of systematic review, forming part of a larger study using a variety of evidence to develop best practice guidelines.Design.  Systematic review.Methods.  The question steering the review was: ‘What factors influence counselling for HIV testing during pregnancy?’. A multi‐stage search of relevant research studies was undertaken using a variety of sources. A total of 33 studies were retrieved and critically appraised. Data were extracted from the studies and assessed according to its applicability in the South African context.Results.  The results are presented according to the following themes: effects of counselling, quality of counselling, group vs. individual counselling, ways of offering HIV testing, rapid testing, counselling and testing during labour, couple counselling and testing, counsellor and organisational factors.Conclusions.  According to research evidence, factors such as whether counselling is presented in a group or individually, different ways to present HIV testing as well as counsellor and organisational factors can influence counselling for HIV testing during pregnancy. When developing best practice guidelines for settings very dissimilar from where the research was done, research evidence must be contextualised.Relevance to clinical practice.  Implementation of the best practice guidelines may lead to the increased uptake of HIV testing in pregnancy in developing countries like South Africa and thus to an increase in the number of women whose status is known when their babies are born.
Learning spaces, learning environments and the dis‘placement’ of learning
Authors: Thomas Herbert 
Published: June 2009

AbstractTraditionally, at least according to popular wisdom, learning took place in venues that were custom‐designed for the purpose. The purpose, given the evidence of the artefacts with which we are confronted, seems to have been the educational equivalent of the production line that so succinctly characterised the industrialisation of society. One consequence of this design logic, however, is that learning is defined as something that is married to a ‘place’. This paper will argue that the conceptual ‘slippage’ that characterises the disappearing differences between ‘learning spaces’ and ‘learning environments’, coupled with the further ‘displacement’ of the learner (turned avatar) in virtual spaces such as Facebook and Second Life, serves to ‘displace’ learning itself. The paper argues further that we have failed to recognise the primacy of ‘physical situatedness’ to our conceptions of learning itself. In short, our difficulty in understanding and articulating the nature of learning is partly brought about by our inability to articulate where learning takes place—in a world characterised by virtual space and electronic selves. If we are to articulate the nature of learning in our age, then we need to articulate the nature of the real and virtual spaces and bodies that we inhabit.
Use of paleontological and molecular data in supertrees for comparative studies: the example of lissamphibian femoral microanatomy
Authors: Laurin Michel , Canoville Aurore , Quilhac Alexandra 
Published: June 2009

AbstractA new method to assemble time‐calibrated supertrees is able to incorporate paleontological and molecular dates. This method, along with new branch length transformations, is implemented in the Stratigraphic Tools for Mesquite. It was used here to analyse a dataset on bone microanatomy, body size and habitat of 46 species of lissamphibians through a variety of methods (Felsenstein independent contrasts, variance partition with phylogenetic eigenvector regression, discriminant analyses and simple regressions). Our analyses showed that the new methods can produce adequate standardization for several characters on a tree whose branch lengths can represent evolutionary time. The analyses confirmed previous conclusions about the presence of an ecological signal in bone microanatomical data.
Interpersonal communication apprehension, topic avoidance, and the experience of irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: BEVAN JENNIFER L. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThrough the lens of the theory of inhibition and confrontation (Pennebaker, 1989), this study explored the relationships that interpersonal communication apprehension and topic avoidance in one's closest relationship share with the experience of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Specifically, an online survey that studied U.S. IBS‐diagnosed and non‐IBS subsamples examined person–partner communication apprehension, amount of overall topic avoidance, and reasons for topic avoidance in relation to four IBS experience variables. Communication apprehension displayed a particularly strong relationship with multiple aspects of the IBS experience, and a number of the communication avoidance variables varied according to IBS diagnosis. Implications for the theoretical understanding of interpersonal communication processes in the specific context of IBS and general chronic health conditions are discussed.
Features and consequences of untreated type 1 autoimmune hepatitis
Authors: Czaja Albert J. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBackground/Aim: The existence of a mild form of autoimmune hepatitis that does not require treatment remains controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the existence, characteristics and outcome of this form.Methods: Untreated patients with type 1 autoimmune hepatitis who did not satisfy pre‐established criteria for severe disease were identified retrospectively and compared with treated patients.Results: Twenty‐one of 282 patients (7%) who were evaluated during a 32‐year period did not receive corticosteroid treatment. These asymptomatic patients constituted 15% of 137 patients who satisfied similar criteria for mild disease. Untreated patients with mild disease were indistinguishable from 116 treated patients with mild disease, and they differed from 145 treated patients with severe disease only by the pre‐established features that defined disease severity. The eight untreated patients with follow‐up assessments satisfied remission criteria less commonly than treated patients with mild or severe disease during 77±31 months of observation (12 vs 63%, P=0.006), and they had a lower 10‐year survival (67 vs 98%, P=0.01). Four patients did improve spontaneously albeit short of remission criteria and remained well for 28±15 months (range, 5–73 months). Four patients worsened during 125±51 months of observation (range, 32–239 months), including two of three patients with cirrhosis who died of liver failure.Conclusions: Mild type 1 autoimmune hepatitis does exist, and it may be as frequent as severe disease. Untreated patients with mild disease can improve spontaneously, but there are no confident indices by which to identify this subgroup and justify withholding treatment.
Genetic variants in immunoregulatory genes and risk for childhood lymphomas
Authors: Andrie Elisabeth , Michos Athanasios , Kalampoki Vassiliki , Pourtsidis Apostolos , Moschovi Maria , Polychronopoulou Sophia , Athanasiadou‐Piperopoulou Fani , Kalmanti Maria , Hatzakis Angelos , Paraskevis Dimitrios , Nieters Alexandra , Petridou Eleni Th 
Published: June 2009

AbstractTo investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in key cytokine and innate immunity genes influence risk for childhood lymphomas, we genotyped 37 children with Hodgkin’s (HL) and 48 with non‐Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), aged (1 month–14 yr), along with their 85 age‐ and gender‐matched controls suffering from mild medical conditions. Genotypic analysis was performed for 10 SNPs from nine genes with important role in immunoregulatory pathways (IL4, IL4R, IL6, IL10, IL12, IL18, TNFα, IFNγ, CD14). Analysis of SNPs genotypes revealed that the CD14 −159 C>T polymorphism was associated with significantly increased risk for HL regarding both the CC and CT genotypes (ORCC: 5.36; 95% CI, 1.30–22.14; P = 0.02, ORCT: 3.76; 95% CI, 1.00–14.16; P = 0.05). An indicative association between IL18−137 G>C polymorphism with the CC genotype and NHL did not reach, however, statistical significance (ORCC, 3.78; 95% CI, 0.87–16.38; P = 0.08). In conclusion, our findings suggest that genetic variation in the CD14–159 loci may be associated with childhood HL risk; these preliminary findings need to be further confirmed in sizeable multi‐centre studies along with determination of cytokines, which could provide an insight on the biologic basis underlying these findings.
Fluoride Ingestion Is Related to Fluid Consumption Patterns
Authors: Sohn Woosung , Noh Hiejin , Burt Brian A. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Objectives: There have been few reports regarding variations of fluoride intake by fluid consumption patterns. The purpose of this study was to estimate fluoride intake among children in the United States based on their fluid consumption patterns. Methods: Fluid intakes of children aged 1‐10 years from plain water, beverages, and water from foods were assessed in a 24‐hour recall diet survey as a part of the third National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES III, 1988‐1994). The amount of fluoride ingested from fluids in NHANES III was estimated from several assumptions about the concentration of fluoride in drinking water and beverages. Logistic regression analysis was conducted using SAS
®
and SUDAAN
®
. Results: Children at the 75th percentile or higher of F intake from fluids (not including water used in cooking) ingested 0.05 mg F/kg/day or more, and children at the 90th percentile or higher ingested 0.07 mg F/kg/day or more. This finding held across all age groups. There was substantial variation in the estimated amount of fluoride ingestion depending on the children's fluid consumption patterns as well as age, gender, and race/ethnicity. African‐American children ingested significantly more fluoride than White children in bivariate analysis. This association remained significant after accounting for fluid consumption pattern and other confounding factors in the model. Conclusion: Our results raise concerns that some children are ingesting significantly more fluoride than others depending on sociodemographic factors and fluid consumption patterns. Additional research is warranted to investigate the variation in the amounts of fluoride ingestion by these factors and its impact on fluorosis prevalence in different population groups.
Alterations of intraretinal layers in acute central serous chorioretinopathy
Authors: Ahlers Christian , Geitzenauer Wolfgang , Stock Geraldine , Golbaz Isabelle , Schmidt‐Erfurth Ursula , Prünte Christian 
Published: June 2009

Abstract.Purpose:  Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is restricted by its low scanning speed and limited resolution. High‐definition raster‐scanning OCT (HD‐OCT) was used to evaluate changes in retinal microstructure in patients with acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) and to find new morphological features.Methods:  Eighteen patients with subretinal fluid accumulation caused by acute CSCR were imaged in a cross‐sectional study design. High‐speed frequency‐domain HD‐OCT was used to image an area of 6 × 6 mm in the macular retina. Three‐dimensional analyses were performed using en‐face imaging and section analysis of single HD‐OCT scans.Results:  Detailed information about fluid accumulation can be obtained in all compartments. Discrete changes in reflectivity are visualized within the outer nuclear or plexiform layers in > 90% of patients. Subretinal fluid appears as a dome‐shaped pool of fluid and is not associated with a loss of photoreceptor layer integrity. Deposits are demarcated beneath the outer cone segments. Multiple small pigment epithelial detachments are present in > 60% of patients.Conclusions:  High‐definition OCT provides extensive information regarding precise topographic and layer‐specific localization of discrete morphological changes. Along with well‐known changes in the retinal microstructure, hyper‐reflectivity can be imaged in the outer nuclear or plexiform layers and may represent intraretinal changes indicating the presence of subretinal pathologies or retinal maladjustment caused by the underlying pathology.