bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aromatase inhibitors or gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonists for the management of uterine adenomyosis: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: BADAWY AHMED M. , ELNASHAR ABOUBAKR M. , MOSBAH ALAA A. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractObjective. To compare the efficacy of aromatase inhibitor vs. gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone agonists in treating premenopausal women with uterine adenomyosis. Design. A prospective randomized controlled study. Setting. A university hospital and a private practice setting. Population. Thirty‐two patients with uterine adenomyosis. Methods. Patients were randomly allocated to receive oral letrozole (2.5mg/day) or a subcutaneous gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonist (goserelin, 3.6mg) for 12 weeks. Uterine and adenomyoma volumes were determined at baseline and during treatment at four, eight and 12 weeks. Outcome measures. Measurements were performed at baseline and during treatment at four, eight 8 and 12 weeks, and mean values were calculated. Symptoms at the start and after 12 weeks were evaluated. Results. No significant differences in the total uterine size between the post treatment uterine volumes in the two groups (20.1, 15.4 and 13.0cm3 vs. 21.7, 15.1 and 11.7cm3, at four, eight and 12 weeks, respectively). Total adenomyoma volume decreased by 8.6, 29.7 and 40.9% vs. 5.7, 34.6 and 49.1% after four, eight and 12 weeks of treatment, in group A and B, respectively. Two patients became pregnant in group A during treatment. Conclusions. Aromatase inhibitors are as effective as gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonists in reducing adenomyoma volume and improving symptoms.
The association of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans with preeclampsia in a subset of Japanese pregnant women
Authors: Hirano Emi , Sugita Noriko , Kikuchi Akira , Shimada Yasuko , Sasahara Jun , Iwanaga Ruriko , Tanaka Kenichi , Yoshie Hiromasa 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAimTo determine whether periodontitis and three prominent members of the periodontal flora are associated with the development of preeclampsia (hypertension plus proteinuria)Materials and MethodsThe samples were composed of 127 systemically healthy women. Within 5 days after labour, clinical periodontal parameters and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia in subgingival plaque were evaluated. Maternal serum IgG antibody specific for each bacteria was determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to control for confounders (maternal age, body mass index before pregnancy, parity, and smoking).ResultsEighteen women were affected with preeclampsia. The number of A.actinomycetemcomitans was shown to be significantly associated with preeclampsia in the logistic regression model (odds ratio; 1.7, 95% confidence interval; 1.1–2.7). There were statistically significant differences between the preeclamptic and control groups in body mass index before pregnancy, pre‐term birth and low birthweight (respectively, p = 0.014, p = 0.010 and p < 0.0001). We found no statistically significant association between preeclampsia and periodontal clinical parameters or the presence of periodontitis.ConclusionIn systemically healthy pregnant women, our findings suggested that the levels of maternal subgingival A. actinomycetemcomitans DNA were elevated in preeclamptic women.
Atmospheric plasma enhances wettability and cell spreading on dental implant metals
Authors: Duske Kathrin , Koban Ina , Kindel Eckhard , Schröder Karsten , Nebe Barbara , Holtfreter Birte , Jablonowski Lukasz , Weltmann Klaus D. , Kocher Thomas 
Published: January 2012

AbstractObjectivesTreatment regimens, which predictably support re‐osseointegration of implants with peri‐implantitis, are needed. Increased wettability may be an important factor for re‐osseointegration. In this study, a cold atmospheric pressure gas‐discharge plasma was applied to reduce water contact angles on titanium discs with different surface topography and to improve the spreading of osteoblastic cells.Material and MethodsAn argon plasma jet with different oxygen admixtures was used to treat titanium discs with different topologies, i.e. machined, SLA®, SLActive®, diamond bur‐treated or Airflow®‐treated. Water contact angles were measured before and after plasma treatment. The spreading behaviour of human osteoblastic cells was investigated.ResultsContact angle of titanium discs (baseline values: 68°–117°) were significantly reduced close to 0° irrespective of surface topography after the application of argon plasma with 1.0% oxygen admixture for 60 s or 120 s. The cell size of osteoblastic cells grown on argon‐oxygen‐plasma‐treated titanium discs was significantly larger than on non‐treated surfaces (p < 0.001) irrespective of surface topography.ConclusionsPlasma treatment reduced contact angle and supported spreading of osteoblastic cells. The application of cold plasma may be supportive in the treatment of peri‐implant lesions and may improve the process of re‐osseointegration.
Chitinase expression in parotid glands of non‐obese diabetic mice
Authors: Fukushima T , Nashida T , Haga‐Tsujimura M , Mataga I 
Published: January 2012

Oral Diseases (2012) 18, 506–512Objective:  This investigation was a basal study that used a mouse model of xerostomia to identify protein biomarkers of xerostomia in saliva. We identified genes expressed differently in parotid glands from non‐obese diabetic mice with diabetes and those from control mice; subsequently, we investigated expression of the proteins encoded by these genes in parotid glands and saliva.Materials and Methods:  DNA microarray and real‐time PCR analyses were performed to detect differences between NOD/ShiJcl and C57BL/6JJcl (control) female mice in gene expression from parotid glands or parotid acinar cells. Subsequently, protein expression was assessed using immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Similarly, enzyme activity in saliva was assessed using zymography.Results:  Based on gene expression analyses, Chia expression was higher in diabetic mice than non‐diabetic mice and control mice; similarly, expression of chitinase, the protein encoded by Chia, was higher in diabetic mice. Saliva from NOD/ShiJcl mice had more chitinase than saliva from control mice.Conclusions:  Chitinase was highly expressed in parotid acinar cells from diabetic mice compared with non‐diabetic and control mice. Increased chitinase expression and enzyme activity may characterize the autoimmune diabetes in mice; however, further investigation is required to assess its use as a biomarker of xerostomia in humans.
β‐Phenethyl isothiocyanate induces death receptor 5 to induce apoptosis in human oral cancer cells via p38
Authors: Huong LD , Shin J‐A , Choi E‐S , Cho N‐P , Kim HM , Leem D‐H , Cho S‐D 
Published: January 2012

Oral Diseases (2012) 18, 513–519Objectives:  β‐Phenylethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) has been demonstrated to fight many types of cancers through various molecular pathways. In this study, we focused on its effect on the induction of apoptosis to inhibit cell growth and molecular mechanism in oral cancer.Materials and methods:  3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐5‐(2,4‐disulfophenyl)‐2‐(4 sulfophenyl)‐2H‐tetrazolium (MTS) assay was used to examine cell viability. The apoptotic effect was investigated using 4′‐6‐Diamidino‐2‐phenylindole (DAPI) staining or Western blotting. Inhibitors were used to determine the molecular target and mechanism of PEITC‐mediated apoptosis.Results:  β‐Phenylethyl isothiocyanate inhibited the growth of HN22 human oral cancer cells and induced caspase‐dependent apoptosis in HN22 cells as evidenced by nuclear fragmentation and the activation of caspase 3. It increased cleaved caspase 8, truncated BID, and death receptor 5 (DR5) through the activation of p38 MAPK. This result was confirmed by blockage of PEITC‐induced cleavages of Poly(ADP‐ribose) Polymerase, caspase‐3, caspase‐8, and DR5 by p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580. We also found that PEITC activated p38 and augmented DR5 to induce apoptosis in other human oral cancer cells.Conclusions:  These results suggest that DR5 is a potential molecular target for PEITC‐induced apoptosis in oral cancer via p38 MAPK.
Effect of humoral factors from hPDLSCs on the biologic activity of hABCs
Authors: Park J‐C , Lee S‐M , Kim JC , Yun J‐H , Cho K‐S , Im G‐I , Kim B‐S , Kim C‐S 
Published: January 2012

Oral Diseases (2012) 18, 537–547Objective:  The human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) and human alveolar bone–derived stromal cells (hABCs) seem to be closely involved in the maintenance of alveolar bone in an anatomically indirect manner; however, there is little study on this matter. Therefore, the effect of hPDLSCs on the osteoclastogenic, osteogenic, and adipogenic differentiation of hABCs was evaluated, focusing on the humoral factors released by hPDLSCs.Materials and methods:  Human periodontal ligament stem cells and hABCs were isolated and characterized. hPDLSCs were indirectly cocultured to observe the in vitro effect of humoral factors released from hPDLSCs on the osteoclastogenic, osteogenic, and adipogenic differentiation of hABCs. Human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs) were utilized as positive control.Results:  Isolated cells demonstrated the presence of stem cells within. Indirect coculture of hPDLSCs greatly inhibited osteoclastogenesis by hABCs. Osteogenesis/adipogenesis of hABCs was also inhibited by indirect coculture with hPDLSC. The magnitude of regulatory effect from hPDLSCs was significantly greater than that of hGFs.Conclusions:  Humoral factors released from hPDLSCs seemed to modulate the differentiation of hABCs, and the osteoclastogenic, osteogenic, and adipogenic differentiation of hABCs was all inhibited, suggesting the potential role of hPDLSCs in the maintenance of the alveolar bone.
APPLICATION OF ETHNOGRAPHY AND CONJOINT ANALYSIS TO DETERMINE KEY CONSUMER ATTRIBUTES FOR LATTE‐STYLE COFFEE BEVERAGES
Authors: JERVIS S.M. , LOPETCHARAT K. , DRAKE M.A. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to examine and compare ethnography and conjoint analysis to identify the factors that influence choice of latte‐style coffee beverages. Ethnographical data were collected at four of the top producers of latte‐style beverages. Attributes measured by the conjoint survey included location of purchase, milk type, fat content, sweetener type and additional flavor. Consumer responses (n = 721) from the conjoint survey showed that the most important attributes in determining latte beverage purchase intent were location and milk type, followed by fat content, sweetener and additional flavor. Segmentation of respondents based upon patterns in utility scores showed three distinct groups. Segment 1 (n = 185) called the “indulgents” was influenced by milk type and sweetener type. Segment 2 (n = 200), “location consumers,” was influenced by a coffee house. Segment 3 (n = 336), “health conscious,” was calorie and health conscious. Ethnographical observations identified and described the consumer segments based upon patterns of behaviors and were in alignment with consumer responses to survey questions. Ethnography coupled with choice‐based conjoint provided a robust technique for understanding consumer choices of latte‐style coffee beverages.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSChoice‐based conjoint analysis is a quantitative survey technique designed to collect large amounts of information from consumers in a realistic scenario format. Ethnography is a qualitative research tool that provides insight to consumer consumption and purchase behaviors that may not be readily acquired by quantitative approaches. These behaviors can be just as important as the product attributes themselves in determining liking and purchase. Coffee companies will be able to utilize the results to better target the attributes that are driving consumer choice.
Brown Bears (Ursus arctos) Seem Resistant to Atherosclerosis ­Despite Highly Elevated Plasma Lipids during Hibernation and Active State
Authors: Arinell Karin , Sahdo Berolla , Evans Alina L. , Arnemo Jon M. , Baandrup Ulrik , Fröbert Ole 
Published: January 2012

AbstractHibernation is an extreme physiological challenge for the brown bear (Ursus arctos) in which metabolism is based mainly on lipids. The study objective was to compare plasma lipids in hibernating and active free‐ranging brown bears and relate them to arterial histopathology. Blood was drawn from seven immobilized free‐ranging brown bears (three females, 2–3 years old) during hibernation in February and from the same bears while active in June and analyzed by enzymatic and automated hematology methods within 48 hours of sampling. Left anterior descending coronary arteries and aortic arches from 12 bears (six females, 1.5–12 years old) killed in hunting were examined by histopathology. Total plasma cholesterol decreased from hibernation to the active period (11.08 ± 1.04 mmol/L vs. 7.89 ± 1.96 mmol/L, P= 0.0028) as did triglyceride (3.16 ± 0.62 mmol/L vs. 1.44 ± 0.27 mmol/L, P= 0.00012) and LDL cholesterol (4.30 ± 0.71 mmol/L vs. 2.02 ± 1.03 mmol/L, P= 0.0075), whereas HDL cholesterol was unchanged. No atherosclerosis, fatty streaks, foam cell infiltration, or inflammation were seen in any arterial samples. Brown bears tolerate elevated cholesterol levels, obesity, physical inactivity, and circulatory slow flow during hibernation without signs of ­atherosclerosis. This species might serve as a reverse translational model for atherosclerosis resistance. Clin Trans Sci 2012; Volume 5: 269–272
Farmers' perspectives for the development of a bioenergy industry in Ireland
Authors: Augustenborg Cara A. , Finnan John , McBennett Leah , Connolly Vivienne , Priegnitz Uta , Müller Christoph 
Published: January 2012

AbstractA survey of Irish farmers was conducted to identify farmers’ opinions on energy crop production and to characterize potential adopters of energy crop cultivation in Ireland. One hundred and seventy‐two surveys were completed from 25 counties in Ireland. Miscanthus (48%) and grass (30%) were the preferred crops for adoption of energy crop production. Potential adopters described themselves as having a significantly greater level of knowledge of energy crop production compared with other respondents. The results indicate that lack of interest in adopting energy crop production may be due to lack of knowledge regarding the economic benefits of adoption and the variety of energy crops available for cultivation in Ireland. The establishment of long‐term contracts and government schemes were identified as important requirements for the development of bioenergy crop production in Ireland. Energy crop adoption was not limited to farmers undertaking specific farm enterprises. Farmers were motivated to adopt energy crop production for both economic and environmental benefits. These results are the first to provide valuable information on the perspectives of potential adopters of bioenergy crop production in Ireland for the promotion and implementation of a national bioenergy industry. Policy requirements and outreach strategies to encourage adoption of energy crops by agricultural producers are suggested.
Projection of the future EU forest CO2 sink as affected by recent bioenergy policies using two advanced forest management models
Authors: Böttcher Hannes , Verkerk Pieter Johannes , Gusti Mykola , HavlÍk Petr , Grassi Giacomo 
Published: January 2012

AbstractForests of the European Union (EU) have been intensively managed for decades, and they have formed a significant sink for carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere over the past 50 years. The reasons for this behavior are multiple, among them are: forest aging, area expansion, increasing plant productivity due to environmental changes of many kinds, and, most importantly, the growth rates of European forest having been higher than harvest rates. EU countries have agreed to reduce total emissions of GHG by 20% in 2020 compared to 1990, excluding the forest sink.A relevant question for climate policy is: how long will the current sink of EU forests be maintained in the near future? And could it be affected by other mitigation measures such as bioenergy? In this article we assess tradeoffs of bioenergy use and carbon sequestration at large scale and describe results of the comparison of two advanced forest management models that are used to project CO2 emissions and removals from EU forests until 2030. EFISCEN, a detailed statistical matrix model and G4M, a geographically explicit economic forestry model, use scenarios of future harvest rates and forest growth information to estimate the future carbon balance of forest biomass. Two scenarios were assessed: the EU baseline scenario and the EU reference scenario (including additional bioenergy and climate policies).Our projections suggest a significant decline of the sink until 2030 in the baseline scenario of about 25–40% (or 65–125 Mt CO2) compared to the models’ 2010 estimate. Including additional bioenergy targets of EU member states has an effect on the development of this sink, which is not accounted in the EU emission reduction target. A sensitivity analysis was performed on the role of future wood demand and proved the importance of this driver for the future sink development.
Potential for Pet Animals to Harbour Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus When Residing with Human MRSA Patients
Authors: Morris D. O. , Lautenbach E. , Zaoutis T. , Leckerman K. , Edelstein P. H. , Rankin S. C. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryColonization by methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) may be persistent in people and is horizontally transmissible. The scientific literature suggests that domestic pets may also participate in cross‐transmission of MRSA within households. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of and risk factors for MRSA carriage by pets residing in households with an MRSA‐infected person. From 66 households in which an MRSA‐infected patient resided, we screened 47 dogs and 52 cats using a swab protocol. Isolates from pets and humans were genotyped using two techniques and compared for concordance. Human participants completed a 22‐question survey of demographic and epidemiologic data relevant to staphylococcal transmission. Eleven of 99 pets (11.5%) representing 9 (13.6%) of households were MRSA‐positive, but in only six of these households were the human and animal‐source strains genetically concordant. Human infection by strain USA 100 was significantly associated with pet carriage [OR = 11.4 (95% CI 1.7, 76.9); P = 0.013]. Yet, for each day of delay in sampling the pet after the person’s MRSA diagnosis, the odds of isolating any type of MRSA from the pet decreased by 13.9% [(95% CI 2.6, 23.8); P = 0.017)]. It may be concluded that pets can harbour pandemic strains of MRSA while residing in a household with an infected person. However, the source of MRSA to the pet cannot always be attributed to the human patient. Moreover, the rapid attrition of the odds of obtaining a positive culture from pets over time suggests that MRSA carriage may be fleeting.
Functional and Genetic Characterization of the Tap Efflux Pump in Mycobacterium bovis BCG
Authors: Ramón-García Santiago , Mick Virginie , Dainese Elisa , Martín Carlos , Thompson Charles J. , De Rossi Edda , Manganelli Riccardo , Aínsa José A. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT

Efflux pumps extrude a wide variety of chemically unrelated compounds conferring multidrug resistance and participating in numerous physiological processes.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
possesses many efflux pumps, and their roles in drug resistance and physiology are actively investigated. In this work we found that
tap
mutant cells showed changes in morphology and a progressive loss of viability upon subcultivation in liquid medium. Transcriptome analysis in
Mycobacterium bovis
BCG revealed that disruption of the
Rv1258c
gene, encoding the Tap efflux pump, led to an extensive change in gene expression patterns during stationary phase, with no changes during exponential growth. In stationary phase, Tap inactivation triggered a general stress response and led to a general repression of genes involved in cell wall biosynthesis, in particular the formation of the peptidoglycan; this suggested the accumulation of an unknown Tap substrate that reaches toxic concentrations during stationary phase. We also found that both disruption and overexpression of
tap
altered susceptibility to many clinically approved antibiotics in
M. bovis
BCG. Acriflavine and tetracycline accumulation assays and carbonyl cyanide
m
-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) potentiation experiments demonstrated that this phenotype was due to an active efflux mechanism. These findings emphasize the important role of the Tap efflux pump in bacterial physiology and intrinsic drug resistance.
Fosfomycin Enhances the Active Transport of Tobramycin in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: MacLeod David L. , Velayudhan Jyoti , Kenney Thomas F. , Therrien Joseph H. , Sutherland Jennifer L. , Barker Lynn M. , Baker William R. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTElevated levels of mucins present in bronchiectatic airways predispose patients to bacterial infections and reduce the effectiveness of antibiotic therapies by directly inactivating antibiotics. Consequently, new antibiotics that are not inhibited by mucins are needed to treat chronic respiratory infections caused byPseudomonas aeruginosaandStaphylococcus aureus. In these studies, we demonstrate that fosfomycin synergistically enhances the activity of tobramycin in the presence of mucin. The bactericidal killing of a novel 4:1 (wt/wt) combination of fosfomycin-tobramycin (FTI) is superior (>9 log10CFU/ml) relative to its individual components fosfomycin and tobramycin. Additionally, FTI has a mutation frequency resulting in an antibiotic resistance >3 log10lower than for fosfomycin and 4 log10lower than for tobramycin forP. aeruginosa. Mechanistic studies revealed that chemical adducts are not formed, suggesting that the beneficial effects of the combination are not due to molecular modification of the components. FTI displayed time-kill kinetics similar to tobramycin and killed in a concentration-dependent fashion. The bactericidal effect resulted from inhibition of protein biosynthesis rather than cell wall biosynthesis. Studies using radiolabeled antibiotics demonstrated that tobramycin uptake was energy dependent and that fosfomycin enhanced the uptake of tobramycin inP. aeruginosain a dose-dependent manner. Lastly, mutants resistant to fosfomycin and tobramycin were auxotrophic for specific carbohydrates and amino acids, suggesting that the resistance arises from mutations in specific active transport mechanisms. Overall, these data demonstrate that fosfomycin enhances the uptake of tobramycin, resulting in increased inhibition of protein synthesis and ultimately bacterial killing.