bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tobacco carcinogen induces microglial activation and subsequent neuronal damage
Authors: Ghosh Debapriya , Mishra Manoj Kumar , Das Sulagna , Kaushik Deepak Kumar , Basu Anirban 
Published: June 2009

Abstract4‐Methylnitrosamino‐1‐(3‐pyridyl)‐1‐butanone (NNK) is a tobacco‐specific procarcinogen. We have investigated whether NNK causes inflammatory upheaval in the brain by activation of resident microglia and astrocyte and result in bystander neuronal damage. We have carried out the work in bothin vitroandin vivomodels. We have found that treatment with NNK causes significant activation of mouse microglial (BV2) cell line as evident by increase in reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide level. Western blot analysis has showed increase in proinflammatory signaling proteins, proinflammatory effector proteins, and other stress‐related proteins. Interestingly, increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines like interleukin (IL)‐6, tumor necrosis factor‐α, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1), and IL‐12p70 are also detected. Work from ourin vivostudies has demonstrated similar increase in proinflammatory signaling and effector molecules along with the proinflammatory cytokine levels, following NNK treatment. Immunohistochemical staining of the brain sections of NNK‐treated mice reveals massive microglial and astrocyte activation along with distinct foci of neuronal damage. Bothin vitroandin vivoresults provide strong indication that NNK causes significant upheaval of the inflammatory condition of brain and inflicts subsequent neuronal damage.
Bowel resection for severe endometriosis: An Australian series of 177 cases
Authors: WILLS Hannah J. , REID Geoffrey D. , COOPER Michael J. W. , TSALTAS Jim , MORGAN Matthew , WOODS Rodney J. 
Published: June 2009

Background: Colorectal resection for severe endometriosis has been increasingly described in the literature over the last 20 years.Aims: To describe the experiences of three gynaecological surgeons who perform radical surgery for colorectal endometriosis.Methods: The records of three surgeons were reviewed. Relevant information was extracted and complied into a database.Results: One hundred and seventy‐seven women were identified as having undergone surgery between February 1997 and October 2007. The primary reason for presentation was pain in the majority of women (79%). Eighty‐one segmental resections were performed, 71 disc excisions, ten appendicectomies and multiple procedures in ten women. The majority of procedures (81.4%) were performed laparoscopically. Histology confirmed the presence of disease in 98.3% of cases. A further 124 procedures to remove other sites of endometriosis were conducted, along with an additional 44 procedures not primarily for endometriosis. A total of 16 unintended events occurred.Conclusions: Our study adds to the growing body of literature describing colorectal resection for severe endometriosis. Overall, the surgery appeared to be well tolerated, demonstrating the role for this surgery.
Combined PER2 and CRY1 expression predicts outcome in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Eisele Lewin , Prinz Robert , Klein‐Hitpass Ludger , Nückel Holger , Lowinski Kerstin , Thomale Jürgen , Moeller Lars C. , Dührsen Ulrich , Dürig Jan 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe objective of this study was to confirm previous results regarding the differential expression and prognostic significance of the circadian gene CRY1 in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients and its relationship with the expression of other circadian genes and well‐established prognostic markers. We also aimed to investigate whether the peripheral circadian machinery may be deregulated in CLL cells. The expression of CRY1, PER1, and PER2 was determined by real‐time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) in 116 CLL patients. The expression at sequential time points over a 24‐h period was measured in six CLL patients and six normal donors. We confirmed the differential expression of CRY1 in ZAP‐70+/CD38+ and ZAP‐70−/CD38− CLL samples. Subgroups formed according to CRY1 expression levels differed significantly in time to treatment. This difference was even more pronounced for subgroups stratified by a CRY1 : PER2 expression ratio and the ratio was an independent prognostic marker in a multivariate model. Furthermore, our data indicate disturbances in the periodic expression of circadian genes in CLL cells. Because of their role in the expression of cell cycle‐related and DNA‐damage response genes, we suggest that the deregulated expression of circadian genes may be linked to the molecular pathogenesis of CLL.
Use of Illicit Drugs and Erectile Dysfunction Medications and Subsequent HIV Infection Among Gay Men in Sydney, Australia
Authors: Prestage Garrett , Jin Fengyi , Kippax Susan , Zablotska Iryna , Imrie John , Grulich Andrew 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Use of illicit drugs and oral erectile dysfunction medications (OEM) have been associated with risk behavior among gay men.

Aim
To determine the effects of illicit drugs and OEM as risk factors for HIV seroconversion in a community-based cohort of HIV-negative homosexually active men in Sydney, Australia.

Main Outcome Measures
Drug use in the previous 6 months and at the most recent sexual encounter; Most recent occasions of unprotected and protected anal intercourse; HIV-positive diagnosis.

Methods
From June 2001 to June 2007, participants were followed up with 6-monthly detailed behavioral interviews and annual testing for HIV. Detailed information about sexual, drug-using and other behavior was collected.

Results
Among 1,427 participants enrolled, 53 HIV seroconverters were identified by June 2007. At baseline, 62.7% reported using illicit drugs in the previous 6 months, including 10.7% who reported at least weekly use. Illicit drug use was associated with unprotected anal intercourse with casual partners (P &lt; 0.001). Use of illicit drugs was associated with increased risk of HIV infection at a univariate level, and this risk increased with greater frequency of use. This was also true of the use of OEM. Use of each type of illicit drug was included in multivariate analysis, and after controlling for sexual risk behaviors, only use of OEM remained significantly predictive of HIV infection (Hazard ratios [HR] = 1.75, CI = 1.31–2.33, P &lt; 0.001), although amyl nitrite was of borderline significance (HR = 1.26, CI = 0.98–1.62, P = 0.074).

Conclusion
The association between drug use and increased risk of HIV infection was strongest for drugs used specifically to enhance sexual pleasure, particularly OEM. The risk of infection was substantially increased when both OEM and methamphetamine were used. Within more “adventurous” gay community subcultures, the interconnectedness of sexual behavior and drug use may be key to understanding HIV risk and is an appropriate priority in HIV-prevention efforts in this population.
Laser Doppler Imaging of Genital Blood Flow: A Direct Measure of Female Sexual Arousal
Authors: Waxman Samantha E. , Pukall Caroline F. 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTIntroductionFemale sexual arousal is a challenging construct to measure, partly because of the subtle nature of its indicators, vaginal lubrication and genital swelling. As a result, many instruments have been used in an attempt to accurately measure it; however, problems are associated with each. Furthermore, the relationship between subjective and physiological indicators of arousal appears to be influenced by the instrument used to measure physiological arousal. Specifically, instruments measuring physiological arousal internally yield lower correlations between measures of physiological and subjective arousal than instruments examining the external genitals. Laser Doppler imaging (LDI) is a direct measure of external genital blood flow.AimThe purpose of this study was to investigate the usefulness of LDI for measuring genital blood flow in women in response to erotic visual stimuli, and to explore the relationship between physiological and subjective sexual arousal.MethodSixty-five participants watched three 15-minute films during LDI scanning.Main Outcome MeasuresTwo nature films (measuring acclimatization and baseline blood flow levels) and one randomly assigned experimental film (erotic, anxiety, humor, or neutral) were used. Participants rated their level of subjective arousal following the third film.ResultsResults indicated a significant effect of film condition on genital blood flow, P &lt; 0.001, with the erotic condition differing significantly from the other three conditions. In terms of the relationship between physiological and subjective sexual arousal, physiological arousal was significantly predicted by subjective ratings of sexual arousal (P &lt; 0.001).ConclusionsLDI appears to be able to differentiate blood flow during erotic and nonerotic conditions. In addition, physiological sexual arousal was significantly predicted by women’s reported subjective sexual arousal. These findings suggest that LDI is a useful instrument for measuring female sexual arousal, and that women may be more aware of their level of physiological arousal than previously assumed.
Who is the 40-Year-Old Virgin and Where Did He/She Come From? Data from the National Survey of Family Growth
Authors: Eisenberg Michael L. , Shindel Alan W. , Smith James F. , Lue Tom F. , Walsh Thomas J. 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Little is known about young and middle aged adults who have never engaged in sexual intercourse. Individuals who have not engaged in sexual activity may theoretically have diminished overall quality of life, as recent evidence suggests that sexual activity may be related to overall health status in adults.

Aim
We sought to identify factors related to sexual abstinence in young and middle-aged adults.

Methods
We analyzed data from the male and female sample of the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth to examine sexual abstinence among unmarried participants aged 25–45 (men: N = 2,469; women: N = 5,120).

Main Outcome Measures
Multivariable logistic regression modeling was used to test for independent associations between demographic, medical, and anthropometric variables and abstinence while adjusting for confounding and mediating variables.

Results
A total of 122 (13.9%) men aged 25–45 reported never having had sex, representing approximately 1.1 million American men in this age cohort. Among female participants, a total of 104 (8.9%) women aged 25–45 reported never having sex, representing approximately 800,000 American women in this age cohort. Both men and women who reported that they attend religious services one or more times per week were more likely to be sexually abstinent, independent of their specific religious beliefs. Virgin status was also significantly associated with drinking alcohol within the past year. While a college degree in women predicted virginity, education was not associated with virginity in men. Men showed lower rates of sexual abstinence if they reported having spent time in prison or serving in the military.

Conclusions
Amongst young adults, sexual abstinence does not appear to be mediated by health status, anthropometric measures, or age. Attending religious services and avoidance of alcohol consumption are associated with virginity in adults. Other factors associated with abstinence differ between genders and merit further study.
Is the HR 8799 extrasolar system destined for planetary scattering?
Authors: Goździewski Krzysztof , Migaszewski Cezary 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
The recent discovery of a three-planet extrasolar system of HR 8799 by Marois et al. is a breakthrough in the field of the direct imaging. This great achievement raises questions on the formation and dynamical stability of the system, because Keplerian fits to astrometric data disrupt during ∼0.2 Myr. We search for stable, self-consistent N-body orbits with the so-called GAMP (genetic algorithm with MEGNO penalty) method that incorporates stability constraints into the optimization algorithm. Our searches reveal only small regions of stable motions in the phase space of three-planet, coplanar configurations. Most likely, if the planetary masses are in 10 MJ range, they may be stable only if the planets are involved in two- or three-body mean motion resonances (MMRs). We found that 80 per cent systems found by GAMP that survived 30 Myr backwards integrations, eventually become unstable after 100 Myr. It could mean that the HR 8799 system undergo a phase of planet–planet scattering. We test a hypothesis that the less certain detection of the innermost object is due to a blending effect. In such a case, two-planet best-fitting systems are mostly stable, on quasi-circular orbits and close to the 5:2 MMR, resembling the Jupiter–Saturn pair.
The scaleheight of NGC 1058 measured from its Hi power spectrum
Authors: Dutta Prasun , Begum Ayesha , Bharadwaj Somnath , Chengalur Jayaram N. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
We have measured the H i power spectrum of the nearly face-on spiral galaxy NGC 1058 from radio-interferometric observations using a visibility based estimator. The power spectrum is well fitted by two different power laws P(U) =AUα, one with α=−2.5 ± 0.6 at small length-scales (600 pc to 1.5 kpc) and another with α=−1.0 ± 0.2 at large length-scales (1.5–10.0 kpc). We interpret this change in the slope of the power spectrum as a transition from 3D turbulence at small length-scales to 2D turbulence in the plane of the galaxy's disc at large length-scales. We use the observed break in the power spectrum to estimate the galaxy's scaleheight, which we find to be 490 ± 90 pc.
Serious complications of cosmetic NewColorIris implantation
Authors: Anderson Justin E. , Grippo Tomas M. , Sbeity Zaher , Ritch Robert 
Published: June 2009

Acta Ophthalmol. 2010: 88: 700–704Abstract.Purpose:  This case report describes serious postoperative complications and markedly elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) associated with the NewColorIris cosmetic implant.Methods:  We report an interventional case series of two patients who suffered multiple complications after NewColorIris implantation carried out in Panama. Assessment included visual acuity, photography, endothelial cell count and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) when possible.Results:  Both patients presented with endothelial cell loss, uveitis, pigment dispersion and elevated IOP. Anterior segment OCT demonstrated irregularities in the position and configuration of the implants within the anterior chamber with resultant areas of implant–iris and implant–endothelial contact. One patient had acute postoperative hyphaema that resolved with anterior chamber tissue plasminogen activator injection. Both patients required explantation OU, one eye has required trabeculectomy, and one eye with bullous keratopathy is being evaluated for Descemet’s stripping endothelial keratoplasty.Conclusions:  Implantation of the NewColorIris cosmetic implant can lead to serious complications including hyphaema, uncontrolled IOP, severe endothelial cell loss, bullous keratopathy and anterior uveitis. Explantation may lead to improvement, but permanent damage to the trabecular meshwork and corneal endothelium persists.
Biomass and seed yields of big bluestem, switchgrass, and intermediate wheatgrass in response to manure and harvest timing at two topographic positions
Authors: LEE DOKYOUNG , OWENS VANCE N. , BOE ARVID , KOO BON‐CHEOL 
Published: June 2009

AbstractA principle attribute of perennial grasses for biomass energy is the potential for high yields on marginal lands. Objectives of this study were to compare biomass and seed production of intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium [Host] Barkworth and D.R. Dewey), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman), and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) as affected by harvest timing and manure application on two topographic positions (footslope and backslope). Footslope is the hillslope position that forms the inclined surface at the base of a slope and backslope forms the steepest, middle position of the hillslope. Grasses were harvested for biomass at anthesis (summer), after a killing frost (autumn), or the following spring after overwintering in the field. Seed was harvested at maturity during 2003 and 2004. Two rates of beef cattle (Bos taurus L.) manure (target rates of 0 and 150 kg total‐N ha−1) were surface applied annually. Maximum annual biomass yield ranged from 4.4 to 5.2, 2.7 to 4.2, and 3.7 to 5.6 Mg ha−1 for intermediate wheatgrass, big bluestem, and switchgrass, respectively. Biomass yields were not different between fall and spring harvest treatments. Biomass yields of big bluestem and switchgrass at the backslope position were 86% and 96% of biomass yields at the footslope position with normal precipitation, respectively. Manure application increased biomass yield approximately 30% during the second year on both topographic positions. The highest seed yield was obtained from intermediate wheatgrass, followed by switchgrass and big bluestem. Utilizing these management practices in our environment, it appears that switchgrass and big bluestem could be allowed to overwinter in the field without suffering appreciable loss of biomass.
Biodiesel fuel production via transesterification of oils using lipase biocatalyst
Authors: XIAO MAN , MATHEW SINI , OBBARD JEFFREY PHILIP 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBiodiesel has gained widespread importance in recent years as an alternative, renewable liquid transportation fuel. It is derived from natural triglycerides in the presence of an alcohol and an alkali catalyst via a transesterification reaction. To date, transesterification based on the use of chemical catalysts has been predominant for biodiesel production at the industrial scale due to its high conversion efficiency at reasonable cost. Recently, biocatalytic transesterification has received considerable attention due to its favorable conversion rate and relatively simple downstream processing demands for the recovery of by‐products and purification of biodiesel. Biocatalysis of the transesterification reaction using commercially purified lipase represents a major cost constraint. However, more cost‐effective techniques based on the immobilization of both extracellular and intracellular lipases on support materials facilitate the reusability of the catalyst. Other variables, including the presence of alcohol, glycerol and the activity of water can profoundly affect lipase activity and stability during the reaction. This review evaluates the current status for lipase biocatalyst‐mediated production of biodiesel, and identifies the key parameters affecting lipase activity and stability. Pioneer studies on reactor‐based lipase conversion of triglycerides are presented.
The ecology and agronomy of Miscanthus sinensis, a species important to bioenergy crop development, in its native range in Japan: a review
Authors: STEWART J. RYAN , TOMA YO , FERNÁNDEZ FABIÁN G. , NISHIWAKI AYA , YAMADA TOSHIHIKO , BOLLERO GERMÁN 
Published: June 2009

AbstractAmong several candidate perennial taxa, Miscanthus×giganteus has been evaluated and promoted as a promising bioenergy crop. Owing to several limitations, however, of the sterile hybrid, both at the taxon and agronomic production levels, other options need to be explored to not only improve M. ×giganteus, which was originally collected in Japan, but to also consider the development of other members of its genus, including Miscanthus sinensis, as bioenergy crops. Indeed, there is likely much to be learned and applied to Miscanthus as a bioenergy crop from the long history of intensive interaction between humans and M. sinensis in Japan, which in some regions of the country spans several thousand years. Combined with its high amount of genetic variation, stress tolerance, biotic interactions with fauna, and function as a keystone species in diverse grasslands and other ecosystems within its native range, the unique and extensive management of M. sinensis in Japan as a forage grass and building material provides agronomists, agroecologists, and plant breeders with the capability of better understanding this species in terms of potential contribution to bioenergy crop development. Moreover, the studies described in this review may serve as a platform for future research of Miscanthus as a bioenergy crop in other parts of the world.
Antibacterial Properties and Mode of Action of a Short Acyl-Lysyl Oligomer
Authors: Zaknoon Fadia , Sarig Hadar , Rotem Shahar , Livne Liran , Ivankin Andrey , Gidalevitz David , Mor Amram 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTWe investigated the potency, selectivity, and mode of action of the oligo-acyl-lysine (OAK) NC12-2β12, which was recently suggested to represent the shortest OAK sequence that retains nonhemolytic antibacterial properties. A growth inhibition assay against a panel of 48 bacterial strains confirmed that NC12-2β12exerted potent activity against gram-positive bacteria while exhibiting negligible hemolysis up to at least 100 times the MIC. Interestingly, NC12-2β12demonstrated a bacteriostatic mode of action, unlike previously described OAKs that were bactericidal and essentially active against gram-negative bacteria only. The results of various experiments with binding to model phospholipid membranes correlated well with those of the cytotoxicity experiments and provided a plausible explanation for the observed activity profile. Thus, surface plasmon resonance experiments performed with model bilayers revealed high binding affinity to a membrane composition that mimicked the plasma membrane of staphylococci (global affinity constant[Kapp], 3.7 × 106M−1) and significantly lower affinities to mimics ofEscherichia colior red blood cell cytoplasmic membranes. Additional insertion isotherms and epifluorescence microscopy experiments performed with model Langmuir monolayers mimicking the outer leaflet of plasma membranes demonstrated the preferential insertion of NC12-2β12into highly anionic membranes. Finally, we provide mechanistic studies in support of the view that the bacteriostatic effect resulted from a relatively slow process of plasma membrane permeabilization involving discrete leakage of small solutes, such as intracellular ATP. Collectively, the data point to short OAKs as a potential source for new antibacterial compounds that can selectively affect the growth of gram-positive bacteria while circumventing potential adverse effects linked to lytic compounds.