bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Ambient Humidity on UV/Visible Photodegradation of Melanin Thin Films
Authors: Sharma Anup 
Published: June 2010

AbstractPhotodegradation of spin‐coated thin films of melanin is investigated using UVA and visible light from light‐emitting diodes. The gradual increase in transmitted light through the film is measured as melanin photodegrades over the course of several hours. The photodegradation rate is measured for wavelengths in the 365–600 nm range. It is found that the increase in ambient humidity significantly accelerates the photodegradation process. Implications of these observations for evolution of melanism in biological systems are discussed.
Survival analysis of pancreatic and periampullary collision cancers
Authors: NIU Geng Ming , JIN Da Yong , JI Yuan , HOU Jun , WANG Dan Song , LOU Wen Hui 
Published: June 2010

OBJECTIVE:  Collision cancers are malignancies in the same organ or anatomical site that comprises at least two different tumor components, with no mixed or transitional area between two components. Collision cancers are very rare in the pancreas and periampullary region. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical and pathological features and prognosis of collision cancer in the pancreas and periampullary region.METHODS:  Patients with collision cancers of the pancreas and periampullary region (n= 10) who had undergone radical surgery were retrospectively studied. Their clinical and pathological features were summarized and the prognostic data were compared with patients with pancreatic adenocarcinomas who underwent radical surgery (n= 87) and with patients with pancreatic or periampullary malignancies who underwent palliative surgery (n= 89).RESULTS:  Compared with other cancers at these sites, collision cancer presents no specific clinical features. However, the median survival period of patients with such malignancies was only 10.0 months, which was much less than those with pancreatic adenocarcinomas who underwent radical surgery (27.0 months) and those who received a palliative operation (20.9 months) only.CONCLUSION:  Collision cancers of the pancreas and periampullary region are difficult to diagnose preoperatively. Their prognosis is poor even after radical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy were given.
Intellectual Property: a powerful tool to develop biotech research
Authors: Giugni Diego , Giugni Valter 
Published: June 2010

SummaryToday biotechnology is perhaps the most important technology field because of the strong health and food implications. However, due to the nature of said technology, there is the need of a huge amount of investments to sustain the experimentation costs. Consequently, investors aim to safeguard as much as possible their investments. Intellectual Property, and in particular patents, has been demonstrated to actually constitute a powerful tool to help them. Moreover, patents represent an extremely important means to disclose biotechnology inventions. Patentable biotechnology inventions involve products as nucleotide and amino acid sequences, microorganisms, processes or methods for modifying said products, uses for the manufacture of medicaments, etc. There are several ways to protect inventions, but all follow the three main patentability requirements: novelty, inventive step and industrial application.
Outcome of surgery after macula‐off retinal detachment – results from MUSTARD, one of the largest databases on buckling surgery in Europe. Results from a large German case series
Authors: Thelen Ulrich , Amler Susanne , Osada Nani , Gerding Heinrich 
Published: June 2010

Abstract.Purpose:  To evaluate the anatomical success rate of scleral buckling surgery in the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and to evaluate the differences in outcome between patients suffering macula‐off retinal detachment and those without a macular involvement.Methods:  As a retrospective interventional case series, Munster Study on Therapy Achievements in Retinal Detachment (MUSTARD) is one of the largest ever established of retinal detachment patients and their outcome after buckling surgery, with 4325 patients who underwent surgery between 1980 and 2001. In 53.94% (n = 2134) of 3956 patients with nontraumatic retinal detachment, the macula was involved. The main outcome measure was the achievement of dry anatomical attachment of the retina.Results:  The success rate in patients with macula‐off retinal detachment is 80.46% and thus 7.78% lower (p < 0.01) than that in those patients with their macula intact whose success rate amounted to 88.24%. The overall success rate of all 4325 MUSTARD patients was 83.98%.Conclusions:  Scleral buckling is an established and mostly successful method for the treatment of retinal detachment. As our case series has demonstrated, even eyes with macula‐off can be treated successfully by this procedure, thereby avoiding the complications of primary vitrectomy.
Development of a questionnaire for identification of the risk factors for osteoarthritis of the knees in developing countries. A pilot study in Iran and Bangladesh. An ILAR–COPCORD phase III study
Authors: HAQ Syed Atiqul , DAVATCHI Fereydoun , DAHAGHIN Saeideh , ISLAM Nazrul , GHOSE Aniruddha , DARMAWAN John , CHOPRA Arvind , YU Zeng Quing , DANS Leonila F. , RASKER Johannes J. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackground:  Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most prevalent rheumatic disorders in the Asia‐Pacific region. Identification of modifiable risk factors is important for development of strategies for primary and secondary prevention of knee OA.Objective:  Developing a core questionnaire for identification of risk factors of knee OA at the community level.Methods:  Steps performed: (1) item generation from literature, existing knee OA questionnaires and patient focus group discussions; (2) development of a preliminary APLAR‐COPCORD English questionnaire; (3) translation into target language, back translation and development of a pre‐final target language version; (4) adaptation of the pre‐final target language version through tests of comprehensibility, content validity, test–retest reliability; and (5) finalization of the English questionnaire. Investigators in Bangladesh, Iran, China, Philippines and Indonesia participated in steps 1 and 2. Subsequent steps were carried out by Bangladeshi and Iranian investigators.Results:  Fifty‐three items were generated. Fourteen were obtainable from physical examination and placed in an examination sheet. Two radiological items were not included. A preliminary English questionnaire comprising the remaining 37 items was constructed and translated into Bengali and Persian. The preliminary Bengali and Persian versions were adapted as a result of tests of comprehensibility, content validity and test–retest reliability. The English questionnaire was adapted through repeated exchange of ideas and experiences among participating investigators. A 35‐item English core questionnaire was finally developed.Conclusion:  The questionnaires may be used to identify risk factors of knee OA in Asia‐Pacific communities after validation and further adaptation. From these data strategies for primary and secondary prevention of knee OA can be developed.
Association of resistin polymorphism, its serum levels and prevalence of stroke in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Nakashima Eitaro , Watarai Atsuko , Tsukahara Takayoshi , Hamada Yoji , Naruse Keiko , Kamiya Hideki , Kato Jiro , Kato Norihiro , Tomita Makoto , Oiso Yutaka , Nakamura Jiro 
Published: June 2010

AbstractAims/Introduction:  Resistin, an inflammatory cytokine, might be involved in the development of atherosclerosis. In a recent paper, we showed that resistin polymorphism might be a risk marker for stroke susceptibility in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients. We tested whether the serum resistin levels might be also a risk marker of stroke independently from RETN polymorphism.Materials and Methods:  Type 2 diabetic outpatients from our hospitals were enrolled. Patients (n = 89) with a history of coronary heart disease and stroke, and randomly selected controls (n = 178) matched for sex and age, but without a history of coronary heart disease and stroke, were examined for polymorphism ‐420 (C>G) and cytokines levels.Results:  Serum resistin levels were significantly higher in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) than in those without CVD (P = 0.024), and were highest in patients with stroke among the CVD. In multiple logistic regression analysis, serum resistin levels was an independent risk marker of stroke even after adjusted by RETN polymorphism, age, sex, body mass index, HbA1c, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, creatinine, history of coronary heart disease, treatment of insulin, sulfonylurea and aspirin (odds ratio 1.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02–1.73, P = 0.039). The enrolled patients were divided by their serum resistin levels (high or low group) and their genotypes (CC, CG, GG at ‐420) into six groups. Patients with the GG genotype and high resistin levels showed the highest odds ratio, 5.69 (95% CI 1.24–26.1), compared with the group with CC and low levels.Conclusions:  The results suggest that serum resistin levels might be a good marker of susceptibility to stroke as well as RETN polymorphism. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040‐1124.00040.x, 2010)
Rupture of the mesocolon as a cause of recurrent colic in a showjumper mare
Authors: Torre F. , Gasparin J. , Andreasi M. B. 
Published: June 2010

SummaryAn 11‐year‐old Italian Saddlebred showjumper mare was referred for investigation of recurrent colic. The mare had undergone surgery for left dorsal displacement of the ascending colon 5 years previously and had subsequently experienced several episodes of colic that had responded to medical treatment. Due to deterioration of the mare's clinical condition in the last episode, characterised by unrelenting pain and worsening of the cardiovascular parameters, the mare underwent repeat surgery for suspected colonic displacement. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a complete rupture of the mesocolon of the ascending colon. The mesocolon was repaired and the mare recovered uneventfully. She returned to training and competition and only a single episode of mild transient colic was recorded in the follow‐up.
Impact of Burden on Granulocyte Clearance of Bacteria in a Mouse Thigh Infection Model
Authors: Drusano G. L. , Fregeau Christine , Liu Weiguo , Brown D. L. , Louie Arnold 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT

We wished to delineate granulocytes' impact on the clearance of different bacterial burdens of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and
Staphylococcus aureus
in a granulocyte-replete mouse thigh infection model. A mouse thigh model was employed. Bacterial challenges from 10
5
to 3 × 10
7
CFU (
S. aureus
) and from 3 × 10
4
to 3 × 10
8
CFU (
P. aeruginosa
) were injected into murine posterior thighs. Organism quantitation was at baseline, 2 h (
Pseudomonas
only), and 24 h. A Michaelis-Menten population model was fit to the data for each organism. Breakpoints for microbial containment by granulocytes were identified. Bacterial burdens exceeding that breakpoint value resulted in organism multiplication. The Michaelis-Menten model fit the data well. For
P. aeruginosa
, the observed-predicted plot had a regression equation that explained over 98% of the variance (
P
≪ 0.001). For
S. aureus
, this relationship explained greater than 94% of the variance (
P
≪ 0.001). Maximal growth rate constants, maximal population burdens, and the bacterial loads at which granulocytes killed if half-saturated were not different. The kill rate constant for
P. aeruginosa
was almost 10 times that of
S. aureus
. Bacterial kill by granulocytes is saturable. No difference between saturation points of different isolates was seen. A higher bacterial burden means an increasing reliance on chemotherapy to drive bacterial clearance.
Is the Recommended Once-Daily Dose of Lamivudine Optimal in West African HIV-Infected Children?
Authors: Bouazza Naïm , Hirt Déborah , Bardin Christophe , Diagbouga Serge , Nacro Boubacar , Hien Hervé , Zoure Emmanuelle , Rouet François , Ouiminga Adama , Blanche Stephane , Van De Perre Philippe , Tréluyer Jean-Marc , Msellati Philippe , Urien Saik 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACTWe aimed in this study to describe lamivudine concentration-time courses in treatment-naïve children after once-daily administration, to study the effects of body weight and age on lamivudine pharmacokinetics, and to simulate an optimized administration scheme. For this purpose, lamivudine concentrations were measured in 49 children after at least 2 weeks of didanosine-lamivudine-efavirenz treatment. A total of 148 plasma lamivudine concentrations were measured, and a population pharmacokinetic model was developed with NONMEM. The influence of individual characteristics was tested using a likelihood ratio test. Children were divided into two groups, according to their pharmacokinetic parameters, thanks to tree regression analysis. For each patient, the area under the curve was derived from estimated individual pharmacokinetic parameters. Different once-daily doses were simulated in each group, to obtain the same exposure in children as the mean effective exposure in adults (8.9 mg/liter·h). A two-compartment model in which the slope of distribution is assumed to be equal to the absorption rate constant adequately described the data. Parameter estimates were standardized for a mean standard body weight using an allometric model. Children were then divided into 2 groups according to body weight: CL/Fwas significantly higher in children weighing less than 17 kg (1.12 liters/h/kg) than in children over 17 kg (0.95 liters/h/kg;P= 0.01). The target mean AUC of 8.9 mg/liters·h was obtained with a 10-mg/kg once-daily lamivudine (3TC) dose for children below 17 kg; the recommended dose of 8 mg/kg seems to be sufficient in children weighing more than 17 kg. These assumptions should be prospectively confirmed.
Inhibition of Dengue Virus by an Ester Prodrug of an Adenosine Analog
Authors: Chen Yen-Liang , Yin Zheng , Lakshminarayana Suresh B. , Qing Min , Schul Wouter , Duraiswamy Jeyaraj , Kondreddi Ravinder Reddi , Goh Anne , Xu Hao Ying , Yip Andy , Liu Boping , Weaver Margaret , Dartois Veronique , Keller Thomas H. , Shi Pei-Yong 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT

Dengue virus (DENV) is the most prevalent mosquito-borne viral pathogen that infects humans. Neither a vaccine nor an antiviral therapy is currently available for DENV. Here, we report an adenosine nucleoside prodrug that potently inhibits DENV replication both in cell culture and in a DENV mouse model. NITD449 (2′-
C
-acetylene-7-deaza-7-carbamoyladenosine) was initially identified as a parental compound that inhibits all four serotypes of DENV with low cytotoxicity. However,
in vivo
pharmacokinetic studies indicated that NITD449 had a low level of exposure in plasma when dosed orally. To increase the oral bioavailability, we covalently linked isobutyric acids to the 3′- and 5′-hydroxyl groups of ribose via ester linkage to NITD449, leading to the prodrug NITD203 (3′,5′-
O
-diisobutyryl-2′-
C
-acetylene-7-deaza-7-carbamoyl-adenosin). Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that upon oral dosing of the prodrug, NITD203 was readily converted to NITD449, resulting in improved exposure of the parental compound in plasma in both mouse and rat. In DENV-infected AG129 mice, oral dosing of the prodrug at 25 mg/kg of body weight reduced peak viremia by 30-fold. Antiviral spectrum analysis showed that NITD203 inhibited various flaviviruses (DENV, yellow fever virus, and West Nile virus) and hepatitis C virus but not Chikungunya virus (an alphavirus). Mode-of-action analysis, using a luciferase-reporting replicon, indicated that NITD203 inhibited DENV RNA synthesis. Although NITD203 exhibited potent
in vitro
and
in vivo
efficacies, the compound could not reach a satisfactory no-observable-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) in a 2-week
in vivo
toxicity study. Nevertheless, our results demonstrate that a prodrug approach using a nucleoside analog could potentially be developed for flavivirus antiviral therapy.
Identification of
Campylobacter jejuni
Genes Involved in Its Interaction with Epithelial Cells
Authors: Novik Veronica , Hofreuter Dirk , Galán Jorge E. 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT

Campylobacter jejuni
is the leading cause of infectious gastroenteritis in industrialized nations. Its ability to enter and survive within nonphagocytic cells is thought to be very important for pathogenesis. However, little is known about the
C. jejuni
determinants that mediate these processes. Through an extensive transposon mutagenesis screen, we have identified several loci that are required for
C. jejuni
efficient entry and survival within epithelial cells. Among these loci, insertional mutations in
aspA
,
aspB
, and
sodB
resulted in drastic reduction in
C. jejuni
entry and/or survival within host cells and a severe defect in colonization in an animal model. The implications of these findings for the understanding of
C. jejuni
-host cell interactions are discussed.
Role for CD2AP and Other Endocytosis-Associated Proteins in Enteropathogenic
Escherichia coli
Pedestal Formation
Authors: Guttman Julian A. , Lin Ann E. , Veiga Esteban , Cossart Pascale , Finlay B. Brett 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT

Enteropathogenic
Escherichia coli
(EPEC) strains are extracellular pathogens that generate actin-rich structures (pedestals) beneath the adherent bacteria as part of their virulence strategy. Pedestals are hallmarks of EPEC infections, and their efficient formation
in vitro
routinely requires phosphorylation of the EPEC effector protein Tir at tyrosine 474 (Y474). This phosphorylation results in the recruitment and direct attachment of the host adaptor protein Nck to Tir at Y474, which is utilized for actin nucleation through a downstream N-WASP-Arp2/3-based mechanism. Recently, the endocytic protein clathrin was demonstrated to be involved in EPEC pedestal formation. Here we examine the organization of clathrin in pedestals and report that CD2AP, an endocytosis-associated and cortactin-binding protein, is a novel and important component of EPEC pedestal formation that also utilizes Y474 phosphorylation of EPEC Tir. We also demonstrate the successive recruitment of Nck and then clathrin prior to actin polymerization at pedestals during the Nck-dependent pathway of pedestal formation. This study further demonstrates that endocytic proteins are key components of EPEC pedestals and suggests a novel endocytosis subversion strategy employed by these extracellular bacteria.
Absence of Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase 1 Delays the Onset of
Salmonella enterica
Serovar Typhimurium-Induced Gut Inflammation
Authors: Altmeyer Matthias , Barthel Manja , Eberhard Matthias , Rehrauer Hubert , Hardt Wolf-Dietrich , Hottiger Michael O. 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT

The immune system comprises an innate and an adaptive immune response to combat pathogenic agents. The human enteropathogen
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium invades the intestinal mucosa and triggers an early innate proinflammatory host gene response, which results in diarrheal disease. Several host factors, including transcription factors and transcription coregulators, are involved in the acute early response to
Salmonella
infection. We found in a mouse model of enterocolitis induced by
S
. Typhimurium that the absence of the nuclear protein poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1), a previously described cofactor for NF-κB-mediated proinflammatory gene expression, is associated with a delayed proinflammatory immune response after
Salmonella
infection. Our data reveal that PARP1 is expressed in the proliferative zone of cecum crypts, where it is required for the efficient expression of proinflammatory genes, many of which are related to interferon signaling. Consequently, animals lacking PARP1 show impaired infiltration of immune cells into the gut, with severely delayed inflammation.
Differential Expression of Interleukin-8 by Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes of Two Closely Related Species,Ovis canadensisandOvis aries, in Response toMannheimia haemolyticaInfection
Authors: Herndon Caroline N. , Foreyt William J. , Srikumaran Subramaniam 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACTThe pneumonic lesions and mortality caused byMannheimia haemolyticain bighorn sheep (BHS;Ovis canadensis) are more severe than those in the related species, domestic sheep (DS;Ovis aries), under both natural and experimental conditions. Leukotoxin (Lkt) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are the most important virulence factors of this organism. One hallmark of pathogenesis of pneumonia is the influx of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) into the lungs. Lkt-induced cytolysis of PMNs results in the release of cytotoxic compounds capable of damaging lung tissue. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a potent PMN chemoattractant. The objective of the present study was to determine if there is differential expression of IL-8 by the macrophages and PMNs of BHS and DS in response toM. haemolytica. Macrophages and PMNs of BHS and DS were stimulated with heat-killedM. haemolyticaor LPS. IL-8 expression by the cells was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). The PMNs of BHS expressed severalfold higher levels of IL-8 than those of DS upon stimulation. Lesional lung tissue ofM. haemolytica-infected BHS contained significantly higher levels of IL-8 than nonlesional tissue. The bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of infected BHS also contained higher levels of IL-8 than that of infected DS. Depletion of IL-8 reduced migration of PMNs toward BAL fluid by approximately 50%, indicating that IL-8 is integral to PMN recruitment to the lung duringM. haemolyticainfection. Excessive production of IL-8, enhanced recruitment of PMNs, and PMN lysis by Lkt are likely responsible for the severity of the lung lesions inM. haemolytica-infected BHS.
Effects of Ramadan fasting on 60 min of endurance running performance in moderately trained men
Authors: Aziz Abdul Rashid , Wahid Mohamed Faizul , Png Weileen , Jesuvadian Carolyn V 
Published: June 2010

ObjectiveThis study examines the effects of Ramadan fasting on endurance performance.MethodUsing a crossover design, 10 moderately trained, active Muslim men performed 60 min runs on a treadmill in the fasted (Ramadan, RAM) and non-fasted (Control, CON) state on two separate counterbalanced occasions. After familiarisation, four subjects performed their CON trial 1 week before Ramadan, while the other six subjects performed their CON trial 1 week after the Ramadan month. The subjects' last meals were standardised before their exercise trials. The 60 min continuous endurance running criteria test consisted of 30 min preloading run at 65% maximum oxygen consumption (Vo2max) intensity speed, followed by another 30 min time trial (TT) where subjects manually adjusted their speeds so as to cover the greatest possible distance.ResultsSubjects ran significantly further during the 30 min TT run in the CON compared to RAM condition (5649±715 vs 5448±847 m, p=0.023). Blood glucose concentration was significantly lower (4.5±0.3 vs 4.9±0.4 mmol/l, p=0.003) and urine specific gravity was significantly higher (1.018±0.006 vs 1.006±0.004, p=0.001) at the start of exercise in the RAM condition than in CON. Physiological responses during the 30 min TT run (mean heart rate, blood lactate and ratings of perceived exertion) were, however, not significantly different between the two conditions (all p>0.05). There were also no significant differences in the subjects' daytime sleepiness or mood profile between the RAM and CON conditions (all p>0.05).ConclusionRamadan fasting has a small yet significant negative impact on endurance running performance, although the impact varies across individuals.