bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Integumentary “rosette‐like structures” in Microcoryphia and Zygentoma (Insecta): SEM morphological and topographic surveys
Authors: MATUSHKINA Natalia A. 
Published: October 2010

Abstract“Rosette‐like structures” (RS) were found previously on integument of different body regions of Microcoryphia and Zygentoma. Their putative functions, either as sensilla or as openings of epidermal glands, are still not clear. This study was carried out as the initial descriptive stage of a special investigation of RS. For the first time, the morphology and topography of RS in nine species of wingless insects, including enigmatic silverfish Tricholepidion gertschi, were examined specially by means of scanning electron microscopy. Rosette‐like structures were found in all studied species except for an atelurid Nipponatelura shirozui. They were numerous, mainly on the unscaled body appendages. Solitary RS were distributed randomly on most surfaces of the insect body, except for the antennal flagellum of all studied representatives and the caudalia of zygentomans where RS were arranged among rows of bristles and sensillae. Some of clustered RS were closely positioned to joints or articular membranes. The female genital appendages exhibited quite a peculiar pattern of RS distribution. The RS were tentatively categorized into five basic morphological types. There is considerable variation in morphology of RS among members of the Microcoryphia, which probably reflects functional heterogeneity of RS. On the contrary, RS of zygentomans mainly belong to one morphological type, whereas another one of RS‐types was found in T. gertschi only. The homologization between highly variable RS in Microcoryphia and morphologically uniform those in Zygentoma currently seems to be unfeasible.
Fragmented QRS Complex Has Poor Sensitivity in Detecting Myocardial Scar
Authors: Wang Dee Dee , Buerkel Daniel M. , Corbett James R. , Gurm Hitinder S. 
Published: October 2010

Objective: To study the association of the fragmented QRS complex versus the Q wave with myocardial scar and viability. Background: A prior study has suggested that the fragmented QRS complex on an electrocardiogram (ECG) is a highly sensitive and specific marker of myocardial scar as detected by regional perfusion abnormalities on a nuclear stress test. There is no external validation of this data. Methods: We correlated the ECG and nuclear perfusion images of 460 consecutive patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease. The presence of fragmented QRS or Q waves in two contiguous ECG leads was correlated with major coronary artery distributions on nuclear perfusion imaging. Results: For the 1842 evaluated territories, the fragmented QRS complex was not superior to the Q wave in detecting fixed or mixed myocardial defects. The fragmented QRS complex was associated with worse sensitivity (1.7%) in comparison to the Q wave (31.7%) for identifying myocardial scar. The fragmented QRS complex carried a higher false positive rate in patients with normal perfusion scans (15.8%, 221 segments), in comparison to Q waves (1.4%, 17 segments). Conclusion: In our study population, both the fragmented QRS and Q wave had poor sensitivity and specificity in detecting fixed or mixed myocardial scar. Larger studies are needed to evaluate fragmented QRS as a surrogate of myocardial scar before it can be incorporated into clinical practice. Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol 2010;15(4):308‐314
Identification of Gender‐Related Normality Regions for T‐Wave Alternans
Authors: Burattini Laura , Zareba Wojciech , Burattini Roberto 
Published: October 2010

Background:T‐wave alternans (TWA), a harbinger of sudden cardiac death, associates to a broad variety of pathologies. In a previous study, we observed the presence of unstable and low‐amplitude TWA also in healthy subjects, and considered it as “physiological TWA.” The possible existence of different TWA characteristics between males and female is investigated in the present work.Methods:Resting ECG recordings from 142 control healthy subjects, 77 males and 65 females, were submitted to our adaptive match filter (AMF) based method for TWA detection and characterization in terms of duration, amplitude, and their product. The 99.5th percentile of these parameters distributions over the entire control population and over the male and female subgroups, were used to define thresholds which delimit a gender‐independent and male‐ and female‐related TWA normality regions, respectively, out of which abnormal TWA cases (TWA+) are expected to fall. Clinical usefulness of these regions was tested using a population of 151 coronary artery disease (CAD) patients, divided into 128 males and 23 females.Results:In our control‐female population, TWA duration was significantly longer than in control‐male population (65 ± 13 beat vs 52 ± 14 beat; P < 10−6). Our gender‐related normality regions allowed identification of 36 (23.8%) TWA+ cases among the CAD patients, 17 more than those obtained from a gender‐independent region. All these 17 patients were CAD males with over‐threshold TWA duration.Conclusions:TWA is a gender‐related phenomenon. Definition of gender‐related TWA normality regions improves identification of patients at increased TWA stability (i.e., prolonged TWA duration) and, thus, at increased risk of arrhythmic events.Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol 2010;15(4):328‐336
Comparison of the Acute Hemodynamic Effect of Right Ventricular Apex, Outflow Tract, and Dual‐Site Right Ventricular Pacing
Authors: Rubaj Andrzej , Rucinski Piotr , Sodolski Tomasz , Bilan Andrzej , Gulaj Marcin , Dabrowska‐Kugacka Alicja , Kutarski Andrzej 
Published: October 2010

Background: We studied the acute effect of pacing at the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), right ventricular apex (RVA) and simultaneous RVA and RVOT—dual‐site right ventricular pacing (DuRV) in random order on systolic function using impedance cardiography. Methods: Seventy‐three patients (46 males), aged 52–89 years (mean 71.4 years) subjected to routine dual chamber pacemaker implantation with symptomatic chronic II or atrioventricular block, were included to the study. Results: DuRV pacing resulted in significantly higher cardiac index (CI) in comparison to RVOT and RVA and CI at RVOT was higher than at RVA pacing (2.46 vs 2.35 vs 2.28; P < 0.001). In patients with ejection fraction >50% significantly higher CI was observed during DuRV pacing when compared to RVOT and RVA pacing and there was no difference of CI between RVOT and RVA pacing (2.53 vs 2.41 vs 2.37; P < 0.001). In patients with ejection fraction <50%, DuRV and RVOT pacing resulted in significantly higher CI in comparison to RVA pacing while no difference in CI was observed between RVOT and DuRV pacing (2.28 vs 2.21 vs 2.09; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Dual‐site right ventricular pacing in comparison to RVA pacing improved cardiac systolic function. RVOT appeared to be more advantageous than RVA pacing in patients with impaired, but not in those with preserved left ventricular function. No clear hemodynamic benefit of DuRV in comparison to RVOT pacing in patients with impaired systolic function was observed. Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol 2010;15(4):353‐359
Electrocardiographic Clues to Identify Nonresponders to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Authors: El Sabbagh Firas H. , Guzon Osler Jay J. , Alpert Martin A. , Flaker Greg C. 
Published: October 2010

Background: The aim of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is to restore myocardial electromechanical synchrony. Achieving this in patients with chronic severe heart failure due to poor left ventricular (LV) systolic function and cardiac dyssynchrony on optimal medical therapy, is associated with improved clinical performance and outcomes. Up to one‐third of patients undergoing CRT do not benefit from implantation. Ensuring LV capture is essential and can be at times difficult to confirm. Methods: Described herein, are six patients who underwent biventricular pacemaker implantation but failed to experience an improvement in LV systolic function or functional capacity. Results: In each case, the 12‐lead electrocardiogram (ECG) was helpful in unmasking loss of LV capture in patients who were presumed to have biventricular pacing. Conclusions: Despite the technical wizardry behind CRT and patient system analyzers, the surface ECG should continue to be an invaluable tool for evaluating patients who have undergone CRT. Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol 2010;15(4):369‐377
Contact allergy to essential oils: current patch test results (2000–2008) from the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK)*
Authors: Uter Wolfgang , Schmidt Erich , Geier Johannes , Lessmann Holger , Schnuch Axel , Frosch Peter 
Published: October 2010

Background: Essential oils are used in perfumery and in products for aromatherapy or balneotherapy. Previous studies have shown some to be important contact sensitizers. A practical diagnostic approach, based on the results of a large, central European network and other evidence, is needed. Methods: Data of the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK; www.ivdk.org) on all patients patch tested between January 2000 and December 2008 with essential oils were retrospectively analysed. Results: 15 682 patients of 84 716 consulting in the period had been tested with at least one essential oil, and 637 reacted positively to at least one of the essential oils, most commonly to ylang‐ylang oil (I and II) (3.1% as weighted mean of positive tests in special series and consecutive testing), lemongrass oil (1.8%), jasmine absolute (1.6%), sandalwood oil and clove oil (1.5% each). Cross‐reactivity between distillate and main allergen, if available, was marked. Conclusions: Patch testing the important essential oils should be considered in patients with a suggestive history. Additionally, culprit products brought in by the patient should be tested, closing a diagnostic gap by (i) including those other essential oils not included in the commercial test series and (ii) providing a means of testing with the oxidized substances to which the patient had actually been exposed.
FH8 – a small EF‐hand protein from Fasciola hepatica
Authors: Fraga Hugo , Faria Tiago Q. , Pinto Filipe , Almeida Agostinho , Brito Rui M. M. , Damas Ana M. 
Published: October 2010

Vaccine and drug development for fasciolasis rely on a thorough understanding of the mechanisms involved in parasite–host interactions. FH8 is an 8 kDa protein secreted by the parasite Fasciola hepatica in the early stages of infection. Sequence analysis revealed that FH8 has two EF‐hand Ca2+‐binding motifs, and our experimental data show that the protein binds Ca2+ and that this induces conformational alterations, thus causing it to behave like a sensor protein. Moreover, FH8 displays low affinity for Ca2+ (Kobs = 104 m−1) and is highly stable in its apo and Ca2+‐loaded states. Homology models were built for FH8 in both states. It has only one globular domain, with two binding sites and appropriate groups in the positions for coordination of the metal ions. However, an unusually high content of positively charged amino acids in one of the binding sites, when compared with the prototypical sensor proteins, potentially affects the protein’s affinity for Ca2+. The only Cys present in FH8, conserved in the homologous proteins of other helminth parasites, is located on the surface, allowing the formation of dimers, detected on SDS gels. These findings reflect specificities of FH8, which are most probably related to its roles both in the parasite and in the host.Structured digital abstract
MINT‐8041757: F8 (uniprotkb:Q9NIG5) and F8 (uniprotkb:Q9NIG5) bind (MI:0407) by affinity chromatography technology (MI:0004)
MINT‐8041770: FH8 (uniprotkb:Q9NIG5) and FH8 (uniprotkb:Q9NIG5) bind (MI:0408) by cross‐linking study (MI:0030)
Crystal structure of UDP‐galactose 4‐epimerase‐like l‐threonine dehydrogenase belonging to the intermediate short‐chain dehydrogenase‐reductase superfamily
Authors: Yoneda Kazunari , Sakuraba Haruhiko , Muraoka Ikuo , Oikawa Tadao , Ohshima Toshihisa 
Published: October 2010

The crystal structure of a l‐threonine dehydrogenase (l‐ThrDH; EC 1.1.1.103) from the psychrophilic bacterium Flavobacterium frigidimaris KUC‐1, which shows no sequence similarity to conventional l‐ThrDHs, was determined in the presence of NAD and a substrate analog, glycerol. The asymmetric unit consisted of two subunits related by a two‐fold rotation axis. Each monomer consisted of a Rossmann‐fold domain and a carboxyl‐terminal catalytic domain. The overall fold of F. frigidimarisl‐ThrDH showed significant similarity to that of UDP‐galactose 4‐epimerase (GalE); however, structural comparison of the enzyme with E. coli and human GalEs showed clear topological differences in three loops (loop 1, loop 2 and the NAD‐binding loop) around the substrate and NAD binding sites. In F. frigidimarisl‐ThrDH, loops 1 and 2 insert toward the active site cavity, creating a barrier preventing the binding of UDP‐glucose. Alternatively, loop 1 contributes to a unique substrate binding pocket in the F. frigidimaris enzyme. The NAD binding loop, which tightly holds the adenine ribose moiety of NAD in the Escherichia coli and human GalEs, is absent in F. frigidimarisl‐ThrDH. Consequently, the cofactor binds to F. frigidimarisl‐ThrDH in a reversible manner, unlike its binding to GalE. The substrate binding model suggests that the reaction proceeds through abstraction of the β‐hydroxyl hydrogen of l‐threonine via either a proton shuttle mechanism driven by Tyr143 and facilitated by Ser118 or direct proton transfer driven by Tyr143. The present structure provides a clear bench mark for distinguishing GalE‐like l‐ThrDHs from GalEs.Structured digital abstract
MINT‐8043828: l‐ThrDH (uniprotkb:Q8KZM4) and l‐ThrDH (uniprotkb:Q8KZM4) bind (MI:0407) by x‐ray crystallography (MI:0114)
Relationships between body mass index and short‐circuit current in human duodenal and colonic mucosal biopsies
Authors: Osbak P. S. , Bindslev N. , Hansen M. B. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractAim:  Retrospectively, to investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and basal electrogenic transport as measured by short‐circuit current (SCC) in human duodenal and colonic mucosal biopsies.Methods:  The study included biopsies from mucosa of normal appearance in the sigmoid colon and/or distal duodenum. Patients were referred for routine endoscopy (predominantly for monosymptomatic abdominal pain) and had normal endoscopic findings. Biopsies were mounted in miniaturized Ussing chambers and basal SCC was recorded. Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of BMI (≤25 and >25 kg m−2). Statistical significance was assessed by the unpaired t‐test or Wilcoxon rank‐sum test. Correlation coefficients were calculated by Pearson product moment correlation.Results:  In colonic biopsies, basal SCC (mean ± standard deviation) was significantly higher in 59 biopsies from 30 patients with low BMI than in 32 biopsies from 23 patients with high BMI (45 ± 29 μA cm−2 vs. 27 ± 21 μA cm−2, P = 0.016). In duodenal biopsies, mean basal SCC was numerically lower in 38 biopsies from 15 patients with low BMI than in 46 biopsies from 19 patients with high BMI (54 ± 26 μA cm−2 vs. 74 ± 39 μA cm−2, P = 0.069). The correlation coefficient between BMI and SCC was −0.26 (P = 0.06) in colonic biopsies and +0.44 (P = 0.001) in duodenal biopsies.Conclusion:  Basal intestinal active electrogenic transport is related to BMI and this relationship may differ in different segments of the intestinal tract.
Assessment of the Photoprotection Properties of Sunscreens by Chromatographic Measurement of DNA Damage in Skin Explants
Authors: Mouret Stéphane , Bogdanowicz Patrick , Haure Marie‐José , Castex‐Rizzi Nathalie , Cadet Jean , Favier Alain , Douki Thierry 
Published: October 2010

AbstractEvaluation of the photoprotection provided by sunscreens is performed either through the induction of erythema and expressed as the sun protection factor (SPF), or by the UVA‐mediated persistent pigment darkening (PPD). None of these two endpoints has a link with skin cancer, the most deleterious consequence of excess exposure to solar UV radiation. We thus set up a complementary approach to evaluate the protection provided by sunscreens to the genome of human skin. This is based on the quantification of the thymine cyclobutane dimer (TT‐CPD), the main DNA lesion induced by both UVB and UVA radiations. Irradiations were performed ex vivo on human skin explants and the level of TT‐CPD in DNA was determined by HPLC associated with tandem mass spectrometry. The technique was first optimized and validated with three standard sunscreens. The study was then extended to the evaluation of a commercial high SPF sunscreen exhibiting efficient UVA photoprotection. The DNA protecting factor was found to reflect the ratio between UVB and UVA photoprotection, although the absolute values of the genomic protection were, as a general trend, lower than either SPF or PPD. These data show the usefulness of the proposed approach for the evaluation of the genoprotection afforded by sunscreens.
Comparison of the mesophilic cellulosome‐producing Clostridium cellulovorans genome with other cellulosome‐related clostridial genomes
Authors: Tamaru Yutaka , Miyake Hideo , Kuroda Kouichi , Nakanishi Akihito , Matsushima Chiyuki , Doi Roy H. , Ueda Mitsuyoshi 
Published: October 2010

Summary Clostridium cellulovorans, an anaerobic and mesophilic bacterium, degrades native substrates in soft biomass such as corn fibre and rice straw efficiently by producing an extracellular enzyme complex called the cellulosome. Recently, we have reported the whole‐genome sequence of C. cellulovorans comprising 4220 predicted genes in 5.10 Mbp [Y. Tamaru et al., (2010) J. Bacteriol., 192: 901–902]. As a result, the genome size of C. cellulovorans was about 1 Mbp larger than that of other cellulosome‐producing clostridia, mesophilic C. cellulolyticum and thermophilic C. thermocellum. A total of 57 cellulosomal genes were found in the C. cellulovorans genome, and they coded for not only carbohydrate‐degrading enzymes but also a lipase, peptidases and proteinase inhibitors. Interestingly, two novel genes encoding scaffolding proteins were found in the genome. According to KEGG metabolic pathways and their comparison with 11 Clostridial genomes, gene expansion in the C. cellulovorans genome indicated mainly non‐cellulosomal genes encoding hemicellulases and pectin‐degrading enzymes. Thus, by examining genome sequences from multiple Clostridium species, comparative genomics offers new insight into genome evolution and the way natural selection moulds functional DNA sequence evolution. Our analysis, coupled with the genome sequence data, provides a roadmap for constructing enhanced cellulosome‐producing Clostridium strains for industrial applications such as biofuel production.
Ribonucleases and bacterial virulence
Authors: Lawal Abidat , Jejelowo Olufisayo , Chopra Ashok K. , Rosenzweig Jason A. 
Published: October 2010

SummaryBacterial stress responses provide them the opportunity to survive hostile environments, proliferate and potentially cause diseases in humans and animals. The way in which pathogenic bacteria interact with host immune cells triggers a complicated series of events that include rapid genetic re‐programming in response to the various host conditions encountered. Viewed in this light, the bacterial host‐cell induced stress response (HCISR) is similar to any other well‐characterized environmental stress to which bacteria must respond by upregulating a group of specific stress‐responsive genes. Post stress, bacteria must resume their pre‐stress genetic program, and, as a consequence, must degrade unnecessary stress responsive transcripts through RNA decay mechanisms. Further, there is a well‐established role for several ribonucleases in the cold shock response whereby they modulate the changing transcript landscape in response to the stress, and during acclimation and subsequent genetic re‐programming post stress. Recently, ribonucleases have been implicated as virulence‐associated factors in several notable Gram‐negative pathogens including, the yersiniae, the salmonellae, Helicobacter pylori, Shigella flexneri and Aeromonas hydrophila. This review will focus on the roles played by ribonucleases in bacterial virulence, other bacterial stress responses, and on their novel therapeutic applications.
Efficacy of Rivastigmine on Executive Function in Patients with Parkinson's Disease Dementia
Authors: Schmitt Frederick A. , Farlow Martin R. , Meng Xiangyi , Tekin Sibel , Olin Jason T. 
Published: October 2010

SUMMARY Background and objective: Rivastigmine is approved in the USA for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD). Executive function (EF) deficits are a core symptom of PDD. The current objective was to investigate the effects of rivastigmine capsules versus placebo on EF in PDD, focusing on secondary outcome measures from a large, international, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, 24‐week trial (EXPRESS, CENA713B2311). Methods: Secondary outcomes included Delis–Kaplan Executive Function System (D‐KEFS) measures of EF. Data from three D‐KEFS subtests (Card Sorting, Letter Fluency, Color–Word Interference), plus the Symbol Digit Modalities Test were analyzed in the observed case (OC) population. Changes from baseline in the rivastigmine versus placebo groups were evaluated using the van Elteren test blocking for country. Results: Of 541 patients in the EXPRESS study, 402, 71, 97, and 65 patients provided data for Letter Fluency, Card Sorting and Color‐Word Interference subtests, and the Symbol Digit Modalities Test, respectively. On Letter Fluency, rivastigmine was associated with improvements in correct responses, set loss errors, and responses made (all P < 0.05), but not repetition errors. Higher Card Sorting recognition description score (P= 0.03), and more correct substitutions on the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (P= 0.02) were also recorded. Conclusion: Rivastigmine was associated with significant improvements over placebo on EF tests evaluating flexibility of thinking, problem solving and planning in patients with PDD. These findings support the hypothesis that rivastigmine may affect frontal subcortical circuits, which potentially contributes to observed clinical improvement associated with EF.
Nanoparticulate Systems for Drug Delivery and Targeting to the Central Nervous System
Authors: Craparo Emanuela Fabiola , Bondì Maria Luisa , Pitarresi Giovanna , Cavallaro Gennara 
Published: October 2010

SUMMARYBrain delivery is one of the major challenges for the neuropharmaceutical industry since an alarming increase in brain disease incidence is going on. Despite major advances in neuroscience, many potential therapeutic agents are denied access to the central nervous system (CNS) because of the existence of a physiological low permeable barrier, the blood–brain barrier (BBB). To obtain an improvement of drug CNS performance, sophisticated approaches such as nanoparticulate systems are rapidly developing. Many recent data demonstrate that drugs could be transported successfully into the brain using colloidal systems after i.v. injection by several mechanisms such as endocytosis or P‐glycoprotein inhibition. This review summarizes the main brain targeted nanoparticulate carriers such as liposomes, lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, and micelles with great potential in drug delivery into the CNS.