bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cutaneous mesenchymal stem cells: status of current knowledge, implications for dermatopathology
Authors: Sellheyer Klaus , Krahl Dieter 
Published: December 2009

Stem cell biology is currently making its impact on medicine, which will probably increase over the next decades. It not only influences our therapeutic thinking caused by the enormous plasticity of stem cells but also affects diagnostic and conceptual aspects of dermatopathology. Although our knowledge of the keratinocytic stem cells located within the follicular bulge has exploded exponentially since their discovery in 1990, the concept of cutaneous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is new. Described initially in 2001 in mice, MSCs later were also found in the human dermis. The connective tissue sheath and the papilla of the hair follicle probably represent the anatomical niche for cutaneous MSCs. In line with the cancer stem cell hypothesis, mutations of these cells may be the underlying basis of mesenchymal skin neoplasms, such as dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. Furthermore, research on cutaneous MSCs may impact our thinking on the interaction of the epithelial component of skin neoplasms with their surrounding stroma. We are only in the early stages to recognize the importance of the potential contributions of cutaneous MSC research to dermatopathology, but it is not inconceivable to assume that they could be tremendous, paralleling the early discovery of the follicular bulge as a stem cell niche.Sellheyer K, Krahl D. Cutaneous mesenchymal stem cells: status of current knowledge, implications for dermatopathology.
How family practice physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants incorporate spiritual care in practice
Authors: Tanyi Ruth A. , McKenzie Monica , Chapek Cynthia 
Published: December 2009

AbstractPurpose: To investigate how primary care family practice providers incorporate spirituality into their practices in spite of documented barriers.Data Sources: A phenomenological qualitative design was used. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with three physicians, five nurse practitioners, and two physician assistants.Conclusions: Five major theme clusters emerged: (1) discerning instances for overt spiritual assessment; (2) displaying a genuine and caring attitude; (3) encouraging the use of existing spiritual practices; (4) documenting spiritual care for continuity of care; (5) managing perceived barriers to spiritual care.Implications for Practice: Findings support that patients' spiritual needs can be addressed in spite of documented barriers. Techniques to assist providers in providing spiritual care are discussed and directions for future research are suggested.
Clinical evaluation tools for dual track adult and gerontology nurse practitioner students
Authors: Cotter Valerie T. , Bradway Christine K. , Cross Deborah , Melissa A. Taylor 
Published: December 2009

AbstractPurpose: To describe the development of a dual track offering for the Adult Health and Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) Programs at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing and share clinical evaluation tools used with nurse practitioner students in this curriculum.Data sources: Selected research and clinical articles.Conclusions: A variety of evaluation approaches are utilized in the AGNP student clinical performance evaluation. These incorporate the extended clinical practicum sequence for the dual track curriculum in addition to each individual program's objectives. Formative and summative evaluations include reflective logs, clinical documentation of patient encounters, preceptor evaluation, and faculty site visits. Self‐evaluative skills of the student and quality faculty feedback are two additional integral components that facilitate learning outcomes in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains.Implications for practice: The summary of evaluation tools presented here is an example of how the AGNP Programs at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing effectively measure student progress in a curriculum model for dual track enrollment.
Discussing a sensitive topic: Nurse practitioners' and physician assistants' communication strategies in managing patients with erectile dysfunction
Authors: Green Roger , Kodish Slavica 
Published: December 2009

AbstractPurpose: To examine strategies used by nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) when discussing the sensitive topic of erectile dysfunction (ED) with patients.Data sources: A total of 456 NPs and PAs combined responded to a 22‐item online survey posted on NP and PA association websites.Conclusions: Four derived categories reflect communication strategies that NPs and PAs applied when addressing ED: initiating the topic directly, initiating the topic with an introduction, initiating the topic when there is a high risk factor, and allowing the patient to bring up the topic. There was also interest in continuing education on the topic of ED and a perceived need for greater emphasis on developing communication strategies within the patient–provider relationship.Implications for practice: There is no one best way to address the topic and different situations may require an approach best suited to the specifics of the situation. Therefore, no single “best practice” of discussing sensitive topics can be identified. Critical thinking skills and the ability to comprehend the totality of the situation are likely to be of higher importance.
Focal epilepsy in the Belgian shepherd: evidence for simple Mendelian inheritance
Authors: Berendt M. , Gulløv C. H. , Fredholm M. 
Published: December 2009

Objectives: To establish the mode of inheritance and describe the clinical features of epilepsy in the Belgian shepherd, taking the outset in an extended Danish dog family (199 individuals) of Groenendael and Tervueren with accumulated epilepsy. Methods: Epilepsy positive individuals (living and deceased) were ascertained through a telephone interview using a standardised questionnaire regarding seizure history and phenomenology. Living dogs were invited to a detailed clinical evaluation. Litters more than five years of age, or where epilepsy was present in all offspring before the age of five, were included in the calculations of inheritance. Results: Out of 199 family members, 66 dogs suffered from epilepsy. The prevalence of epilepsy in the family was 33%. Fifty‐five dogs experienced focal seizures with or without secondary generalisation, while four dogs experienced primary generalised seizures. In seven dogs, seizures could not be classified. The mode of inheritance of epilepsy was simple Mendelian. Clinical Significance: This study identified that the Belgian shepherd suffers from genetically transmitted focal epilepsy. The seizure phenomenology expressed by family members have a strong resemblance to what has been reported for familial partial (focal) epilepsy in humans with variable foci with suggestion of linkage to chromosome 2 and chromosome 22q12.
Efalizumab in the Treatment of Scalp, Palmoplantar and Nail Psoriasis: Results of a 24‐Week Latin American Study
Authors: Takahashi María Denise , Chouela Edgardo Néstor , Dorantes Gladys Leon , Roselino Ana Maria , Santamaria Jesùs , Allevato Miguel Angel , Cestari Tania , De Aillaud Maria Eugenia Manzanera , Stengel Fernando Miguel , Licu Daiana 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACTIntroduction.  Plaque‐type psoriasis affecting the nails, scalp, hands or feet can often be difficult to treat; for example, topical treatments and phototherapy may not penetrate the nail plate or scalp. The objective of this large, international, multicentre study was to investigate the efficacy of efalizumab in a Latin American population of adult patients with moderate‐to‐severe chronic plaque psoriasis who were candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy.Methods.  Eligible patients were enrolled in a 24‐week, open‐label, single‐arm, Phase IIIb/IV study of continuous treatment with subcutaneous efalizumab, 1.0 mg/kg/wk. Involvement of the nails, scalp, or hands or feet was assessed using the Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI), the Psoriasis Scalp Severity Index (PSSI), or the Palmoplantar Pustulosis Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PPPASI), respectively. Missing data were handled using a last observation carried forward or nonresponder imputation approach.Results.  Of the 189 patients who received treatment, 112 patients had nail involvement, 172 had scalp involvement, and 19 had palmoplantar disease at baseline. At Week 24, ≥50% improvement on the NAPSI, PSSI and PPPASI was observed in 31%, 71% and 68% of patients, respectively, whereas ≥75% improvement on these scores was observed in 17%, 52% and 63%, respectively. Descriptive statistics showed lower NAPSI‐75 and higher PSSI‐75 and ‐50 response rates among patients with higher baseline scores.Conclusions.  This open‐label, uncontrolled study provides supportive evidence of the potential of efalizumab as a treatment for nail, scalp and palmoplantar psoriasis.
Assisted colonization under the U.S. Endangered Species Act
Authors: Shirey Patrick D. , Lamberti Gary A. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractAssisted colonization could help prevent the extinction of threatened and endangered species by intentionally moving a species to a region where it has not occurred in the recent past, but should survive under future climate scenarios. Where species are naturally localized and confined to patchy habitats, assisted colonization might be the only means for population dispersal across human landscape barriers such as urban and agriculture areas. The major risk associated with assisted colonization is introducing ecologically harmful species. Previous policy papers have described management options for deciding when to move a species to mitigate for climate change. We build on this previous work by examining management options and policy solutions for assisted colonization under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). On its surface, the ESA statutory language appears to provide the legal framework for allowing assisted colonization, as the U.S. Congress gave the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) broad discretion to manage populations of endangered species. However, current USFWS regulations are an impediment to assisted colonization for many endangered animal species, whereas regulations do not necessarily restrict assisted colonization of endangered plants. Because of this discrepancy, we recommend a review of the regulatory language governing movements of endangered species.
Systemic disease associations of familial and sporadic glaucoma: the Glaucoma Inheritance Study in Tasmania
Authors: Hewitt Alex W. , Wu Johnny , Green Catherine M. , Lai Tze , Kearns Lisa S. , Craig Jamie E. , Mackey David A. 
Published: December 2009

Abstract.Background:  This aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of various disease‐associated and potentially modifiable risk factors between people with familial and sporadic forms of primary open angle glaucoma (OAG).Methods:  A cross‐sectional, retrospective study design was utilized. A detailed questionnaire enquiring about knowledge of family history, demographic data, current medications, and medical history of systemic disorders was administered. Where possible, living relatives were examined for signs of OAG.Results:  A total of 3,800 potential patients with OAG were identified, of whom 2062 were examined. One thousand twelve (59.5%) subjects were found to have familial OAG, and 688 (40.5%) subjects had no known or identified relative with OAG (sporadic glaucoma). One thousand forty‐two unaffected family members examined. A past history of migraine was found more often with familial OAG (OR: 1.67 95% CI: 1.15–2.42). This effect was primarily driven by patients who had a first‐degree relative also affected by OAG. Following adjustment for male gender and the age at review, the presence of atherosclerosis was also found to be more common in patients with familial glaucoma than in people with sporadic disease (OR: 1.42 95% CI: 1.05–1.92). No significant difference in the prevalence of hypertension, Raynaud’s phenomenon, diabetes mellitus or thyroid disease was identified.Conclusions:  Patients with a known relative affected by OAG were statistically significantly more likely to have a past history for migraine or presence of atherosclerosis compared to people with no known affected relative. An understanding of such differences and systemic comorbidities will be useful for further work investigating the underlying molecular mechanisms of this disease.
Efficacy of Clarithromycin against Experimentally Induced Pneumonia Caused by Clarithromycin-Resistant
Haemophilus influenzae
in Mice
Authors: Nakamura Shigeki , Yanagihara Katsunori , Araki Nobuko , Yamada Koichi , Morinaga Yoshitomo , Izumikawa Koichi , Seki Masafumi , Kakeya Hiroshi , Yamamoto Yoshihiro , Kamihira Shimeru , Kohno Shigeru 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACT

Clarithromycin is a 14-member lactone ring macrolide with potent activity against
Haemophilus influenzae
, including ampicillin-resistant strains. We evaluated the
in vivo
efficacy of clarithromycin at 40 mg/day and 100 mg/day for 3 days in the treatment of a murine model of pneumonia using a macrolide-resistant
H. influenzae
strain, which was also ampicillin resistant. The MIC of clarithromycin was 64 μg/ml. The viable bacterial counts in infected tissues after treatment with 100 mg clarithromycin/kg of body weight were lower than the counts obtained in control and 40-mg/kg clarithromycin-treated mice. The concentrations of macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples from mice treated at both concentrations were lower than in the control group. Pathologically, following infection, clarithromycin-treated mice, particularly at a dose of 100 mg/kg, showed lower numbers of neutrophils in alveolar walls, and inflammatory changes had apparently improved, whereas large aggregates of inflammatory cells were observed within the alveoli of control mice. In addition, we demonstrated that clarithromycin has bacteriological effects against intracellular bacteria at levels below the MIC. Our results indicate that clarithromycin may be useful
in vivo
for macrolide-resistant
H. influenzae
, and this phenomenon may be related to the good penetration of clarithromycin into bronchoepithelial cells. We also believe that conventional drug susceptibility tests may not reflect the
in vivo
effects of clarithromycin.
Therapy of Murine Pulmonary Aspergillosis with Antibody-Alliinase Conjugates and Alliin
Authors: Appel Elena , Vallon-Eberhard Alexandra , Rabinkov Aharon , Brenner Ori , Shin Irina , Sasson Keren , Shadkchan Yona , Osherov Nir , Jung Steffen , Mirelman David 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACTAspergillus fumigatusis an opportunistic fungal pathogen responsible for invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised individuals. The high morbidity and mortality rates as well as the poor efficacy of antifungal agents remain major clinical concerns. Allicin (diallyl-dithiosulfinate), which is produced by the garlic enzyme alliinase from the harmless substrate alliin, has been shown to have wide-range antifungal specificity. A monoclonal antibody (MAb) againstA. fumigatuswas produced and chemically ligated to the enzyme alliinase. The purified antibody-alliinase conjugate bound to conidia and hyphae ofA. fumigatusat nanomolar concentrations. In the presence of alliin, the conjugate produced cytotoxic allicin molecules, which killed the fungus.In vivotesting of the therapeutical potential of the conjugate was carried out in immunosuppressed mice infected intranasally with conidia ofA. fumigatus.Intratracheal (i.t.) instillation of the conjugate and alliin (four treatments) resulted in 80 to 85% animal survival (36 days), with almost complete fungal clearance. Repetitive intratracheal administration of the conjugate and alliin was also effective when treatments were initiated at a more advanced stage of infection (50 h). The fungi were killed specifically without causing damage to the lung tissue or overt discomfort to the animals. Intratracheal instillation of the conjugate without alliin or of the unconjugated monoclonal antibody significantly delayed the death of the infected mice, but only 20% of the animals survived. A limitation of this study is that the demonstration was achieved in a constrained setting. Other routes of drug delivery will be investigated for the treatment of pulmonary and extrapulmonary aspergillosis.
Diverse Cadmium Resistance Determinants in
Listeria monocytogenes
Isolates from the Turkey Processing Plant Environment
Authors: Mullapudi S. , Siletzky R. M. , Kathariou S. 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACT

Two different
cadA
cadmium resistance determinants (
cadA1
, first identified in Tn
5422
, and
cadA2
, associated with pLM80) were detected among cadmium-resistant
Listeria monocytogenes
strains from turkey processing plants. Prevalence of
cadA1
versus
cadA2
was serotype associated. Cadmium-resistant isolates that were also resistant to benzalkonium chloride (BC) were more likely to harbor
cadA2
alone or together with
cadA1
than isolates that were cadmium resistant but BC susceptible.
Use of Green Fluorescent Protein To Monitor Cell Envelope Stress in
Lactococcus lactis
Authors: Campelo Ana Belén , Rodríguez Ana , Martínez Beatriz 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACT

A
Lactococcus lactis
reporter system suitable to detect cell envelope stress in high-throughput settings was developed by fusing the CesR-regulated promoter of
llmg0169
to the

gfp
uv

gene. A dot blot assay allowed fast detection of green fluorescent protein (GFP) fluorescence even at low production levels. Unexpectedly, this promoter was also induced by mitomycin C via CesR.
Oriented Immobilization of Bacteriophages for Biosensor Applications
Authors: Tolba M. , Minikh O. , Brovko L. Y. , Evoy S. , Griffiths M. W. 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACT

A method was developed for oriented immobilization of bacteriophage T4 through introduction of specific binding ligands into the phage head using a phage display technique. Fusion of the biotin carboxyl carrier protein gene (
bccp
) or the cellulose binding module gene (
cbm
) with the small outer capsid protein gene (
soc
) of T4 resulted in expression of the respective ligand on the phage head. Recombinant bacteriophages were characterized in terms of infectivity. It was shown that both recombinant phages retain their lytic activity and host range. However, phage head modification resulted in a decreased burst size and an increased latent period. The efficiency of bacteriophage immobilization with streptavidin-coated magnetic beads and cellulose-based materials was investigated. It was shown that recombinant bacteriophages form specific and strong bonds with their respective solid support and are able to specifically capture and infect the host bacterium. Thus, the use of immobilized BCCP-T4 bacteriophage for an
Escherichia coli
B assay using a phage multiplication approach and real-time PCR allowed detection of as few as 800 cells within 2 h.
Septins AspA and AspC Are Important for Normal Development and Limit the Emergence of New Growth Foci in the Multicellular Fungus
Aspergillus nidulans
Authors: Lindsey Rebecca , Cowden Susan , Hernández-Rodríguez Yainitza , Momany Michelle 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACT

Septins are cytoskeletal proteins found in fungi, animals, and microsporidia, where they form multiseptin complexes that act as scaffolds recruiting and organizing other proteins to ensure normal cell division and development. Here we characterize the septins AspA and AspC in the multicellular, filamentous fungus
A
spergillus nidulans
. Mutants with deletions of
aspA
,
aspC
, or both
aspA
and
aspC
show early and increased germ tube and branch emergence, abnormal septation, and disorganized conidiophores. Strains in which the native
aspA
has been replaced with a single copy of
aspA-GFP
driven by the native septin promoter or in which
aspC
has been replaced with a single copy of
aspC-GFP
driven by the native promoter show wild-type phenotypes. AspA-GFP and AspC-GFP show identical localization patterns as discrete spots or bars in dormant and expanding conidia, as rings at forming septa and at the bases of emerging germ tubes and branches, and as punctate spots and filaments in the cytoplasm and at the cell cortex. In conidiophores, AspA-GFP and AspC-GFP localize as diffuse bands or rings at the bases of emerging layers and conidial chains and as discrete spots or bars in newly formed conidia. AspA-GFP forms abnormal structures in
ΔaspC
strains while AspC-GFP does not localize in
ΔaspA
strains. Our results suggest that AspA and AspC interact with each other and are important for normal development, especially for preventing the inappropriate emergence of germ tubes and branches. This is the first report of a septin limiting the emergence of new growth foci in any organism.
Evidence for Mucin-Like Glycoproteins That Tether Sporozoites of
Cryptosporidium parvum
to the Inner Surface of the Oocyst Wall
Authors: Chatterjee Anirban , Banerjee Sulagna , Steffen Martin , O'Connor Roberta M. , Ward Honorine D. , Robbins Phillips W. , Samuelson John 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACT

Cryptosporidium parvum
oocysts, which are spread by the fecal-oral route, have a single, multilayered wall that surrounds four sporozoites, the invasive form. The
C
.
parvum
oocyst wall is labeled by the
Maclura pomifera
agglutinin (MPA), which binds GalNAc, and the
C
.
parvum
wall contains at least two unique proteins (

C

ryptosporidium
o
ocyst
w
all protein 1 [COWP1] and COWP8) identified by monoclonal antibodies.
C
.
parvum
sporozoites have on their surface multiple mucin-like glycoproteins with Ser- and Thr-rich repeats (e.g., gp40 and gp900). Here we used ruthenium red staining and electron microscopy to demonstrate fibrils, which appear to attach or tether sporozoites to the inner surface of the
C
.
parvum
oocyst wall. When disconnected from the sporozoites, some of these fibrillar tethers appear to collapse into globules on the inner surface of oocyst walls. The most abundant proteins of purified oocyst walls, which are missing the tethers and outer veil, were COWP1, COWP6, and COWP8, while COWP2, COWP3, and COWP4 were present in trace amounts. In contrast, MPA affinity-purified glycoproteins from
C
.
parvum
oocysts, which are composed of walls and sporozoites, included previously identified mucin-like glycoproteins, a GalNAc-binding lectin, a Ser protease inhibitor, and several novel glycoproteins (
C
.
parvum
MPA affinity-purified glycoprotein 1 [CpMPA1] to CpMPA4). By immunoelectron microscopy (immuno-EM), we localized mucin-like glycoproteins (gp40 and gp900) to the ruthenium red-stained fibrils on the inner surface wall of oocysts, while antibodies to the
O
-linked GalNAc on glycoproteins were localized to the globules. These results suggest that mucin-like glycoproteins, which are associated with the sporozoite surface, may contribute to fibrils and/or globules that tether sporozoites to the inner surface of oocyst walls.