bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cervical hybrid arthroplasty with 2 unique fusion techniques
Authors: Cardoso Mario J. , Mendelsohn Audra , Rosner Michael K. 
Published: April 2011

Object
Multilevel cervical arthroplasty achieved using the Prestige ST disc can be challenging and often unworkable. An alternative to this system is a hybrid technique composed of alternating total disc replacements (TDRs) and fusions. In the present study, the authors review the safety and radiological outcomes of cervical hybrid arthroplasty in which the Prestige ST disc is used in conjunction with 2 unique fusion techniques.

Methods
After obtaining institutional review board approval, the authors completed a retrospective review of all hybrid cervical constructs in which the Prestige ST disc was used between August 2007 and November 2009 at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. A Prestige ST total disc replacement was performed in 119 patients. Thirty-one patients received a hybrid construct defined as a TDR and fusion (TDR–anterior cervical decompression and fusion [ACDF]) or as 2 TDRs separated by a fusion (TDR-ACDF-TDR). A resorbable plate and graft system (Mystique) or stand-alone interbody spacer (Prevail) was implanted at the fusion levels. Plain radiographs were compared and evaluated for cervical lordosis, range of motion, implant complications, development of adjacent-level disease, and pseudarthrosis. In addition, charts were reviewed for clinical complications related to the index surgery.

Results
Thirty-one patients (18 men and 13 women; mean age 50 years, range 32–74 years) received a hybrid construct. All patients were diagnosed with radiculopathy and/or myelopathy. Twenty-four patients received a 2-level and 7 a 3-level hybrid construct. In 2 patients in whom a 2-level hybrid construct was implanted, a noncontiguous TDR was also performed. The mean clinical and radiological follow-up duration was 18 months. There was no significant difference in preoperative (19.3° ± 13.3°) and postoperative (19.7° ± 10.5°) cervical lordosis (p = 0.48), but there was a significant decrease in range in motion (from 50.0° ± 11.8° to 38.9° ± 12.7°) (p = 0.003). There were no instances of screw backout, implant dislodgement, progressive kyphosis, formation of heterotopic bone, pseudarthrosis, or symptomatic adjacent-level disease. Seven patients had dysphasia and 1 patient had vocal cord paralysis at 6 weeks. By 3 months, both the dysphasia and the vocal cord paralysis were resolved in all patients.

Conclusions
Hybrid cervical arthroplasty involving the placement of a Prestige ST disc and either the Mystique resorbable plate or Prevail stand-alone interbody device is a safe and effective alternative to multilevel fusion for the management of cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy.
Identification of Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci Isolated from Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Fluid using 16s Ribosomal RNA, tuf, and SodA Gene Sequencing
Authors: Shin Jeong Hwan , Kim Si Hyun , Jeong Haeng Soon , Oh Seung Hwan , Kim Hye Ran , Lee Jeong Nyeo , Yoon Young Chul , Kim Yang Wook , Kim Yeong Hoon 
Published: April 2011

Introduction Coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CoNS) is the most common pathogen in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)–associated peritonitis. There is no well-organized, standardized database for CoNS, and few studies have used gene sequencing in reporting species distribution in CAPD peritonitis. In the present study, we used 3 housekeeping genes to evaluate the prevalence of CoNS isolated from CAPD peritonitis episodes and to estimate the accuracy of, and the characteristic differences between, these genes for species identification. Methods All 51 non-duplicated CoNS isolates obtained from CAPD peritonitis between April 2006 and May 2008 were used. The strains were identified by polymerase chain reaction and by direct sequencing using the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA), tuf, and sodA genes. We determined species distribution, and using selected databases, we analyzed the characteristics and diagnostic utility of the individual genes for species identification. Results In GenBank (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA), we found 49 type or reference strains for CoNS 16S rRNA, 17 for tuf, and 46 for sodA, and we used those data for sequence-similarity comparisons with CAPD isolates. Among our 51 strains, S. epidermidis (66.7%) was the most common, followed by S. haemolyticus (11.8%), S. warneri (7.8%), S. caprae (5.9%), S. capitis (3.9%), and S. pasteuri (2.0%). For 1 strain, different species results were obtained with each gene. The identification rates with 16S rRNA, sodA, and tuf gene sequencing were 84.0%, 96.0%, and 92.2% respectively. The discrimination capability of 16S rRNA gene was lower in a few individual species, and for the sodA gene, the percentage similarity to sequences from reference strains was also lower. The tuf gene had excellent identification capacity, but relatively few type strains are available in public databases. The 16S rRNA gene did not discriminate between S. caprae and S. capitis. The sodA gene showed a similarity rate that was lower than that for sequences of the 16S rRNA gene. The tuf type strain sequences for S. caprae and S. pasteuri are not available in public databases. Conclusions The sodA, tuf, and 16S rRNA genes were very useful for CoNS identification. Each has its own characteristics of similarity, discriminative power, and inclusion in databases.
Risk Factors Associated with Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis in Dutch Eps Study
Authors: Korte Mario R. , Sampimon Denise E. , Lingsma Hester F. , Fieren Marien W. , Looman Caspar W.N. , Zietse Robert , Weimar Willem , Betjes Michiel G.H. , Boer W.H. , van den Dorpel M.A. , van Ittersum Rotterdam; F.J. , Konings C.J. , Krediet R.T. , de Sevaux R.G.L. , Zanen A.L. 
Published: April 2011

Objective Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a serious complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD) with a multifactorial pathophysiology and possible increasing incidence. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the independent associations of PD duration, age, dialysis fluids, and kidney transplantation with EPS. Methods A multicenter case–control study was performed in the Netherlands from 1 January 1996 until 1 July 2007. The population comprised 63 patients with EPS and 126 control patients. Control patients were selected from the national registry and were matched for date of PD start. Associations were analyzed using a log linear regression model. Primary outcome was appearance of EPS. Results Compared with control patients, patients with EPS were younger at the start of PD (34.7 ± 15.4 years vs. 51.5 ± 14.7 years, p < 0.0001). The cumulative period on PD was longer in EPS patients than in control patients (78.7 ± 37.8 months vs. 32.8 ± 24 months, p < 0.0001), and the cumulative period on icodextrin was also longer in EPS patients (32.7 ± 23.3 months vs. 18.1 ± 15.7 months, p = 0.006). Compared with control patients, more EPS patients underwent kidney transplantation (47 vs. 59, p < 0.0001). With regard to the period after transplantation, the yearly probability of EPS increased in the year after transplantation to 7.5% from 1.75%. In multivariate regression analysis, cumulative PD duration, age at PD start, transplantation, time from last transplantation to EPS, calendar time, time on icodextrin, and ultrafiltration failure were independently associated with EPS. Transfer from PD to hemodialysis for reasons other than suspected EPS could not be identified as a risk factor for EPS. Conclusions Duration of PD, age at PD start, kidney transplantation, time since last transplantation, ultrafiltration failure, and time on icodextrin were associated with a higher risk of EPS.
Impact of Arterial Stiffness on Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes and Mortality in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients
Authors: Sipahioglu Murat H. , Kucuk Hamit , Unal Aydin , Kaya Mehmet G. , Oguz Fatih , Tokgoz Bulent , Oymak Oktay , Utas Cengiz 
Published: April 2011

Background Cardiovascular (CV) disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease. In recent years, arterial stiffness has taken on great importance in the pathophysiology of CV diseases. The independent predictive value of arterial stiffness for CV events and for all-cause and CV mortality has been demonstrated in the general population and in hemodialysis patients. Our aim in this study was to determine the relationship of arterial stiffness with mortality and fatal and nonfatal CV events in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Methods In this prospective observational cohort study with 2 years of follow-up, we studied a cohort of 156 PD patients with a mean follow-up of 19.2 ± 6.4 months. At baseline, echocardiography and standard clinical and biochemical analyses were performed in all patients and in 28 healthy subjects. Aortic stiffness index beta (ASIβ, a surrogate marker of arterial stiffness) was calculated as follows: ASIβ = ln (systolic blood pressure / diastolic blood pressure) / [(systolic diameter – diastolic diameter) / diastolic diameter]. Results During the follow-up period, 25 of the patients (16.0%) died, and 10 of those deaths had CV causes. Nonfatal CV events occurred in 15 patients. The median ASIβ was greater in PD patients than in control subjects (4.2 vs. 3.5; interquartile range: 3.2 – 5.5 vs. 2.5 – 4.8; p = 0.028]. In the fully adjusted multivariate Cox regression analysis (covariates: age, sex, albumin, hemoglobin, diabetes mellitus, comorbid CV disease, left ventricular mass index, residual glomerular filtration rate, dialysate-to-plasma ratio of creatinine, Kt/V urea, left ventricular ejection fraction, duration of dialysis, smoking), ASIβ independently predicted fatal and nonfatal CV events (hazard ratio: 1.239; 95% confidence interval: 1.103 to 1.392), but not all-cause mortality. Conclusions Our results provide the first direct evidence that arterial stiffness is an independent risk predictor of adverse CV outcome in PD patients.
Mutations in Gp41 are Correlated with Coreceptor Tropism but Do Not Improve Prediction Methods Substantially
Authors: Thielen Alexander , Lengauer Thomas , Swenson Luke C , Dong Winnie WY , McGovern Rachel A , Lewis Marilyn , James Ian , Heera Jayvant , Valdez Hernan , Harrigan P Richard 
Published: April 2011

Background The main determinants of HIV-1 coreceptor usage are located in the V3-loop of gp120, although mutations in V2 and gp41 are also known. Incorporation of V2 is known to improve prediction algorithms; however, this has not been confirmed for gp41 mutations. Methods Samples with V3 and gp41 genotypes and Trofile assay (Monogram Biosciences, South San Francisco, CA, USA) results were taken from the HOMER cohort ( n=444) and from patients screened for the MOTIVATE studies ( n=1,916; 859 with maraviroc outcome data). Correlations of mutations with tropism were assessed using Fisher's exact test and prediction models trained using support vector machines. Models were validated by cross-validation, by testing models from one dataset on the other, and by analysing virological outcome. Results Several mutations within gp41 were highly significant for CXCR4 usage; most strikingly an insertion occurring in 7.7% of HOMER-R5 and 46.3% of HOM-ER-X4 samples (MOTIVATE 5.7% and 25.2%, respectively). Models trained on gp41 sequence alone achieved relatively high areas under the receiver- operating characteristic curve (AUCs; HOMER 0.713 and MOTIVATE 0.736) that were almost as good as V3 models (0.773 and 0.884, respectively). However, combining the two regions improved predictions only marginally (0.813 and 0.902, respectively). Similar results were found when models were trained on HOMER and validated on MOTIVATE or vice versa. The difference in median log viral load decrease at week 24 between patients with R5 and X4 virus was 1.65 (HOMER 2.45 and MOTIVATE 0.79) for V3 models, 1.59 for gp41-models (2.42 and 0.83, respectively) and 1.58 for the combined predictor (2.44 and 0.86, respectively). Conclusions Several mutations within gp41 showed strong correlation with tropism in two independent datasets. However, incorporating gp41 mutations into prediction models is not mandatory because they do not improve substantially on models trained on V3 sequences alone.
Staling of bakery products
Authors: Magala Michal , Kohajdová Zlatica , Karovičová Jolana 
Published: April 2011

The aim of this work was to write down a review article about various aspects connected with staling of bakery products. Shelf life is directly associated with the staling process, which depends on the composition of bakery products and important are storage conditions as well. In the article are described particular components (starch, nonstarch polysacharides, water ) and how they affect the staling process. Generally during staling of bakery products occur processes related with starch retrogradation, moisture redistribution from the crumb to the crust and other interactions between components. Staling process could be delayed by using various bakery improvers like enzymes, hydrocolloids, emulgators and other compounds. Also useful is the application of suitable packaging techniques.
Nutrigenomics analyze of expression of extracellular leptin receptor by the following essential oil monitoring at the avian models
Authors: Mrázová Ľubica , Židek Radoslav , Angelovičová Mária , Tkáčová Jana , Kliment Martin , Kráľ Martin , Bajzí­k Pavol 
Published: April 2011

Leptin gene was identified in 1994 by positional cloning. His mutation is considered extreme obesity surface phenotype and infertility in ob/ob mice. Most of the research, which followed the discovery of this hormone, focused on the role of leptin in regulating body weight, in order to clarify the pathophysiology of obesity. Many research results show that leptin is not only important in regulating food intake and energy balance, but also performs functions such as metabolic and neuroendocrine hormone. Using herbs and essential oils depends on their antimicrobial activity. Most plants have favorable multifunctional properties, which are the specific content of bioactive components. Some authors characterize fytogénne substance such as natural substancese plant origin, which leave no residues in animal products and is not necessary to keep the trade period before slaughter animals. Analyses suggest that the structural function of the receptor exists as a dimer constructively in the plasma membrane. Each receptor dimer pair is reversibly bound to one molecule of leptin. When bound, signaling pathways are responsible for beginning the activation receptor associated Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and tyrosine phosphorylation of two key residues in the intracellular part of receptor.
Microbial biofilms produced by pseudomonas fluorescens on solid surfaces
Authors: Čapla Jozef , Zajác Peter , Golian Jozef , Bajzí­k Pavol , Zeleňáková Lucia , Vietoris Vladimí­r , Kozelová Dagmar 
Published: April 2011

A biofilm is a complex aggregation of microorganisms growing on a solid substrate. Biofilms are characterized by structural heterogeneity, genetic diversity, complex community interactions, and an extracellular matrix of polymeric substances. The experimental part was focused on the adhesion of bacterial cells under static conditions and testing the effectiveness of disinfectants on created biofilm. In laboratory conditions we prepared and formed the bacterial biofilms Pseudomonas fluorescens in the four test surfaces of stainless steel, glass and plastic materials - PE (polyethylene) and EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer). Over the next 72 hours and 72 hours were observed numbers of adhesion bacterial cells of P. fluorescens on solid surfaces of tested materials. The highest values adhesion cells reached P. fluorescens cells after 72 hours of cultivation on plastic surfaces, where was increased in adhesion bacterial cells for EPDM in the values of 105 CFU/cm2 and for PE up to 106 CFU/cm2. The subsequent repeated 72-hour cultivation P. fluorescens was an increase (growth) in the number of adhesion bacterial cells to all tested surfaces.
Rodent Models of Depression: Forced Swim and Tail Suspension Behavioral Despair Tests in Rats and Mice
Authors: Castagné Vincent , Moser Paul , Roux Sylvain , Porsolt Roger D. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe development of antidepressants requires simple rodent behavioral tests for initial screening before undertaking more complex preclinical tests and clinical evaluation. Presented in the unit are two widely used screening tests used for antidepressants, the forced swim (also termed behavioral despair) test in the rat and mouse, and the tail suspension test in the mouse. These tests have good predictive validity and allow rapid and economical detection of substances with potential antidepressant‐like activity. The behavioral despair and the tail suspension tests are based on the same principle: measurement of the duration of immobility when rodents are exposed to an inescapable situation. The majority of clinically used antidepressants decrease the duration of immobility. Antidepressants also increase the latency to immobility, and this additional measure can increase the sensitivity of the behavioral despair test in the mouse for certain classes of antidepressant. Testing of new substances in the behavioral despair and tail suspension tests allows a simple assessment of their potential antidepressant activity by the measurement of their effect on immobility. Curr. Protoc. Neurosci. 55:8.10A.1‐8.10A.14. © 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Quantitative Assessment of Macrophage Functions in Repair and Fibrosis
Authors: Wynn Thomas A. , Barron Luke , Thompson Robert W. , Madala Satish K. , Wilson Mark S. , Cheever Allen W. , Ramalingam Thirumalai 
Published: April 2011

AbstractMacrophages play key roles in wound repair and fibrosis by regulating extracellular matrix turnover. Macrophages can process matrix components themselves, but also recruit and alter the functions of other cell types that directly build or degrade extracellular matrix. Classically activated macrophages (CAM, also called M1) tend to promote tissue injury while alternatively activated macrophages (AAM, also called M2) are often linked with the mechanisms of wound repair and fibrosis. However, rather than promoting collagen deposition, recent studies suggest that arginase‐1‐expressing AAM suppress chronic inflammation and fibrosis by inhibiting antigen‐specific T cell responses. This unit describes methods to measure arginase activity in macrophages and whole tissues as well as assays to quantify the T cell suppressive activity of AAMs. Modified hydroxyproline and soluble collagen assays that can be used to quantify collagen levels in tissues and brochoalveolar lavage fluid are also described. The protocols in this unit should provide the investigator with all the necessary information required to measure arginase activity and to correlate the observed activity with the progression and resolution of fibrosis. Curr. Protoc. Immunol. 93:14.22.1‐14.22.12. © 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Measurement of Macrophage‐Mediated Killing of Intracellular Bacteria, Including Francisella and Mycobacteria
Authors: Elkins Karen L. , Cowley Siobhán C. , Conlan J. Wayne 
Published: April 2011

AbstractMacrophages activated by T cell cytokines are a critical defense mechanism against intracellular bacterial pathogens. This unit presents two general methods for assessing the capacity of mouse macrophages, activated with either soluble cytokines or whole immune T lymphocytes, to control or reduce numbers of intracellular bacteria residing within them. “Measurement of killing” is inferred from a reduction in the number of colony‐forming units (cfu) of bacteria at the end of a culture period, compared to the input numbers of cfu at initiation of culture, to the peak numbers of cfu measured during culture, or to a control group in which killing is expected to be poor. Curr. Protoc. Immunol. 93:14.25.1‐14.25.13. © 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Infection of Mice with Francisella as an Immunological Model
Authors: Conlan J. Wayne , Chen Wangxue , Bosio Catharine M. , Cowley Siobhán C. , Elkins Karen L. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThis unit describes the utility of various mouse models of infection for studying pathogenesis and adaptive immune responses to the facultative intracellular bacteria pathogen Francisella tularensis. By judicious use of different combinations of mouse and bacterial strains, as well as different routes of infection, murine tularemia models may be used to explore a complete picture of F. tularensis infection and immunity. Moreover, studies using Francisella, particularly the Live Vaccine Strain (LVS), serve as a convenient and tractable model system that appears to be representative of mammalian host responses to intracellular pathogens in general. Curr. Protoc. Immunol. 93:19.14.1‐19.14.16. © 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Critical Aspects in Analysis of Cellular DNA Content
Authors: Darzynkiewicz Zbigniew 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThis unit covers general aspects of DNA content analysis and provides introductory or complementary information to the specific protocols of DNA content assessment in this chapter. It describes principles of DNA content analysis and outlines difficulties and pitfalls common to these methods. It also reviews methods of DNA staining in live, permeabilized, and fixed cells, and in cell nuclei isolated from paraffin‐embedded tissues, as well as the approaches to stain DNA concurrently with cell immunophenotype. This unit addresses factors affecting accuracy of DNA measurement, such as chromatin features restricting accessibility of fluorochromes to DNA, stoichiometry of interaction with DNA, and “mass action law” characterizing binding to DNA in relation to unbound fluorochrome concentration. It also describes controls to ensure accuracy and quality control of DNA content determination and principles of DNA ploidy assessment. Because many aspects of DNA content analysis are common to protocols in UNITS 7.3, 7.6, 7.16, 7.20, 7.23, & 7.25, certain parts of this unit provide information redundant with commentaries in these units. Curr. Protoc. Cytom. 56:7.2.1‐7.2.8. © 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
High‐Resolution Cell Cycle and DNA Ploidy Analysis in Tissue Samples
Authors: Heinlein Christina , Speidel Daniel 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThis unit describes an easy, rapid, and universal procedure to process fresh and nitrogen‐frozen tissue specimens for high‐resolution cell cycle and DNA ploidy analysis. Unlike other protocols, this procedure does not require treating tissues with enzymes, detergents, or other plasma membrane–lysing chemicals, but it achieves tissue dispersion by a simple two‐step mechanical process that can be performed in ∼5 min. Resulting single‐cell suspensions are fixed with ethanol, stained with propidium iodide, and subjected to flow cytometric DNA content analysis. The method can be applied without any alterations to all tissue types (except bones) derived from several species and results in highly reproducible cell cycle profiles of excellent resolution. The described protocol can be used to reliably and accurately detect subtle cell cycle and ploidy alterations in tissue specimens, including cell cycle arrest, aneuploidy, and apoptosis/necrosis‐associated DNA fragmentation. Curr. Protoc. Cytom. 56:7.39.1‐7.39.11. © 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.