bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rise of plasma t‐PA fibrinolytic activity in a group of maturity onset diabetic patients shifted from a first generation (tolbutamide) to a second generation sulphonylurea (gliclazide)
Authors: GRAM J. , KOLD A. , JESPERSEN J. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract. During treatment with tolbutamide 10 maturity onset diabetic patients had no detectable activity of tissue‐type plasminogen activator (t‐PA) determined on two occasions 3 months apart. All 10 patients responded on the change in treatment to gliclazide with an increase in activity of t‐PA. However, after 12 months of treatment the t‐PA activity in one of the 10 patients returned to the baseline level, whereas the remaining nine patients had a sustained increased t‐PA activity compared to the period during treatment with tolbutamide. The concentration in plasma of t‐PA antigen under basal conditions and after stimulation (venous occlusion) increased significantly during the period of treatment with gliclazide. The plasma concentrations of plasminogen activator inhibitor remained unchanged throughout the study. In contrast to these findings seven patients with marked activities of t‐PA during treatment with tolbutamide retained unchanged levels of the variables reported above after a change in treatment to gliclazide.Serum glucose, HBA1c, apolipoproteins A and B, and triglycerides remained constant throughout the study, whereas serum cholesterol showed a decrease in both groups of patients after 3 months (P < 0.05) as well as after 12 months (P < 0.05) of treatment with gliclazide. There was no significant relationship between serum cholesterol concentrations and plasma concentrations of t‐PA antigen indicating that the increase in t‐PA antigen was independent of the metabolic state of the patients.
Cyclosporin A treatment of severe steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome in adults
Authors: NYROP M. , OLGAARD K. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract. Ten adult patients with a severe nephrotic syndrome resistant to conventional immunosuppression were treated with cyclosporin A (CyA) for a mean period of 11 months. CyA was effective in all but two patients, as evaluated by 24‐h urine protein excretion and clinical appearance. In general the best effect of CyA was seen in patients with minimal change disease and in those who had normal kidney function before CyA was initiated. CyA‐induced nephrotoxicity was observed in four patients. There was no correlation with the duration of CyA therapy. Hypertension was accentuated and required multidrug treatment in five patients. This side‐effect tended to be most pronounced among patients with reduced kidney function at onset of CyA therapy.In conclusion, CyA is effective in the treatment of severe steroid resistant adult nephrotic syndrome. For most patients in the present study. CyA reduced proteinuria by at least 70% to less than 3.5 g of protein per day in 8 of 10 patients: only two patients were unresponsive to CyA treatment.
Hip fractures and the thyroid: a case‐control study
Authors: Wejda B. , Hintze G. , Katschinski B. , Olbricht Th. , Benker G. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract. Objective. To investigate the prevalence of thyroid illness – especially hyperthyroidism – and exposure to thyroid hormones in patients with hip fracture. Design. A case–control study.Setting. Two surgical/orthopaedic hospital units and 22 facilities for the aged in a moderately iodine‐deficient region of Germany.Subjects. A total of 116 postmenopausal females with hip fracture and 402 postmenopausal female controls.Main outcome measures. Hip fracture; thyroid disease confirmed by measurement of serum thyrotropin, total and free thyroxine and triiodothyronine; history of thyroid disease and thyroid medication obtained by a questionnaire.Results. Of the hip fracture patients 4.3% had overt untreated hyperthyroidism, and 6.9% gave a history of past hyperthyroidism (total, 11.2%). The corresponding figures for the controls were 2.0 and 2.7%, respectively (total, 4.7%). 7.8% of the cases had been exposed to levo‐thyroxine for 3–29 years, compared to 11.2% of the controls. The odds ratio for hyperthyroidism (present and past) was 2.5(1.2–5.3, 95% confidence interval), and the odds ratio for levo‐thyroxine exposure was 0.67 (0.32–1.41) in the hip fracture patients.Conclusions. Hyperthyroidism is found 2.5‐fold more often in hip fracture patients than in controls. Hence, hyperthyroidism appears to be a significant risk factor for hip fracture and should be investigated by clinical and, when necessary, laboratory means in hip fracture patients. In contrast, no increased risk for hip fracture could be detected after exposure to levothyroxine.
A redox‐active isopropylmalate dehydrogenase functions in the biosynthesis of glucosinolates and leucine in Arabidopsis
Authors: He Yan , Mawhinney Thomas P. , Preuss Mary L. , Schroeder Amy C. , Chen Bing , Abraham Linda , Jez Joseph M. , Chen Sixue 
Published: August 2009

SummaryWe report a detailed functional characterization of an Arabidopsis isopropylmalate dehydrogenase (AtIPMDH1) that is involved in both glucosinolate biosynthesis and leucine biosynthesis. AtIPMDH1 shares high homology with enzymes from bacteria and yeast that are known to function in leucine biosynthesis. In plants, AtIPMDH1 is co‐expressed with nearly all the genes known to be involved in aliphatic glucosinolate biosynthesis. Mutation of AtIPMDH1 leads to a significant reduction in the levels of free leucine and of glucosinolates with side chains of four or more carbons. Complementation of the mutant phenotype by ectopic expression of AtIPMDH1, together with the enzyme’s substrate specificity, implicates AtIPMDH1 in both glucosinolate and leucine biosynthesis. This functional assignment is substantiated by subcellular localization of the protein in the chloroplast stroma, and the gene expression patterns in various tissues. Interestingly, AtIPMDH1 activity is regulated by a thiol‐based redox modification. This work characterized an enzyme in plants that catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation step in both leucine biosynthesis (primary metabolism) and methionine chain elongation of glucosinolates (specialized metabolism). It provides evidence for the hypothesis that the two pathways share a common origin, and suggests a role for redox regulation of glucosinolate and leucine synthesis in plants.
Bacterial screening of platelet concentrates: results of 2 years active surveillance of transfused positive cultured units released as negative to date
Authors: Koopman M. M. W. , Van't Ende E. , Lieshout‐Krikke R. , Marcelis J. , Smid W. M. , De Korte D. 
Published: August 2009

Background  The BacT/ALERT system for bacterial monitoring of platelet concentrates (PCs) was introduced in the Netherlands in 2001. Samples are cultured for 7 days, and as a result of the short shelf‐life of PCs, they are usually released as ‘negative to date’. Therefore, some of the PCs have already been transfused at the moment of a positive signal in continued cultures in the BacT/Alert. It is unclear, however, whether these PCs are associated with more transfusion reactions.Methods  During a 2‐year period clinical data were collected from all patients who received PCs released as ‘negative to date’ but with a positive bacterial culture after being transfused.Results  Data of 158 patients who received PCs with confirmed positive bacterial culture tests were analysed. Two patients developed a transfusion reaction. In both PCs, Propionibacterium was cultured. The imputability as related to the transfusion was classified as unlikely in both patients.Conclusion  Two of 158 transfusions of PCs released as ‘negative to date’, but with a confirmed positive BacT/ALERT result, were initially associated with transfusion reactions. However, the imputability of both reactions was low.
Competition and Antitrust Policy in the Enlarged European Union: A Level Playing Field?*
Authors: HÖLSCHER JENS , STEPHAN JOHANNES 
Published: August 2009

AbstractWith the central and eastern European countries (CEECs) increasingly included into the international division of labour in the European economic space, we are prompted to ask whether this integration operates on a level playing field with respect to competition policy. In fact, our analysis reveals that effectiveness of implementation of competition law and policy and intensity of competition are lower in the CEECs. We find no reason to believe that the new eastern EU members struggle with the recent reforms of competition policy in the EU, nor do we see the necessity for policy action to spur effective implementation.
Maintaining high fluid pressures in older sedimentary basins
Authors: BREDEHOEFT J. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractHigh fluid pressures in old geologic basins, where the mechanisms that generate high fluid pressure have ceased to operate, pose the problem of how high fluid pressures are maintained through geologic time. Recent oil and gas exploration reveals that low permeability shales, the source beds for oil and gas, contain large quantities of gas that are now being exploited in many sedimentary basins in North America. No earlier analyses of how to maintain high fluid pressure in older sedimentary basins included a shale bed as a source of adsorbed gas; this is a new conceptual element that will fundamentally change the analysis. Such a large fluid source can compensate for a low rate of bleed off in a dynamic system. If the fluid source is large enough, as the gas within these shale source beds appears to be, there will no appreciable drop in pressure accompanying a low rate of leakage from the basin for long periods. For the dynamic school of basin analysts this may provide the missing piece in the puzzle, explaining how high fluid pressures are maintained for long periods of geologic time in a crust with finite, non‐zero permeability. This is a hypothesis which needs to be tested by new basin analyses.
The role of traumatic event history in non‐medical use of prescription drugs among a nationally representative sample of US adolescents
Authors: McCauley Jenna L. , Danielson Carla Kmett , Amstadter Ananda B. , Ruggiero Kenneth J. , Resnick Heidi S. , Hanson Rochelle F. , Smith Daniel W. , Saunders Benjamin E. , Kilpatrick Dean G. 
Published: August 2009

Background:  Building on previous research with adolescents that examined demographic variables and other forms of substance abuse in relation to non‐medical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD), the current study examined potentially traumatic events, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), other substance use, and delinquent behavior as potential correlates of past‐year non‐medical use of prescription drugs.Method:  A nationally representative sample of 3,614 non‐institutionalized, civilian, English‐speaking adolescents (aged 12–17 years) residing in households with a telephone was selected. Demographic characteristics, traumatic event history, mental health, and substance abuse variables were assessed. NMUPD was assessed by asking if, in the past year, participants had used a prescription drug in a non‐medical manner. Multivariable logistic regressions were conducted for each theoretically derived predictor set. Significant predictors from each set were then entered into a final multivariable logistic regression to determine significant predictors of past‐year NMUPD.Results:  NMUPD was endorsed by 6.7% of the sample (n = 242). The final multivariable model showed that lifetime history of delinquent behavior, other forms of substance use/abuse, history of witnessed violence, and lifetime history of PTSD were significantly associated with increased likelihood of NMUPD. Conclusions: Risk reduction efforts targeting NMUPD among adolescents who have witnessed significant violence, endorsed abuse of other substances and delinquent behavior, and/or endorsed PTSD are warranted. Interventions for adolescents with history of violence exposure or PTSD, or those adjudicated for delinquent behavior, should include treatment or prevention modules that specifically address NMUPD.
Recurrent dysosmia induced by pyrazinamide
Authors: El Aïdli Sihem , Kastalli Sarrah , Zaïem Ahmed , Lakhoua Ghozlane , Rejeibi Imen , Loueslati Mohamed Hedi , Daghfous Riadh , Belkahia Chalbi 
Published: August 2009

AbstractPyrazinamide can have adverse effects such as hepatic toxicity, hyperuricemia or digestive disorders. In rare cases, alterations in taste and smell function have been reported for pyrazinamide when combined with other drugs. We report a case of reversible olfactory disorder related to pyrazinamide in a woman, with a positive rechallenge. The patient presented every day a sensation of smelling something burning 15 min after drug intake. Dysosmia disappeared completely after pyrazinamide withdrawal and recurred after its rechallenge. The case was reported to the Tunisian Centre of Pharmacovigilance.
Construction and validation of a Tamil logMAR chart
Authors: Varadharajan Srinivasa , Srinivasan Krithica , Kumaresan Brindha 
Published: August 2009

AbstractPurpose:  To design, construct and validate a new Tamil logMAR visual acuity chart based on current recommendations.Methods:  Ten Tamil letters of equal legibility were identified experimentally and were used in the chart. Two charts, one internally illuminated and one externally illuminated, were constructed for testing at 4 m distance. The repeatability of the two charts was tested. For validation, the two charts were compared with a standard English logMAR chart (ETDRS).Results:  When compared to the ETDRS chart, a difference of 0.06 ± 0.07 and 0.07 ± 0.07 logMAR was found for the internally and externally illuminated charts respectively. Limits of agreement between the internally illuminated Tamil logMAR chart and ETDRS chart were found to be (−0.08, 0.19), and (−0.07, 0.20) for the externally illuminated chart. The test – retest results showed a difference of 0.02 ± 0.04 and 0.02 ± 0.06 logMAR for the internally and externally illuminated charts respectively. Limits of agreement for repeated measurements for the internally illuminated Tamil logMAR chart were found to be (−0.06, 0.10), and (−0.10, 0.14) for the externally illuminated chart.Conclusions:  The newly constructed Tamil logMAR charts have good repeatability. The difference in visual acuity scores between the newly constructed Tamil logMAR chart and the standard English logMAR chart was within acceptable limits. This new chart can be used for measuring visual acuity in the literate Tamil population.
DIETARY LIPIDS CHANGE THE EXPRESSION OF A PROLIFERATION MARKER IN MURINE 9,10‐DIMETHYL‐1,2‐BENZANTHRACENE‐INDUCED SALIVARY TUMORS
Authors: ACTIS ADRIANA B. , CREMONEZZI DAVID C. , LAMPE PAUL D. , CARINO SILVIA , VALENTICH MIRTA A. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT Salivary tumors were induced by 9,10‐dimethyl‐1,2‐benzanthracene injection into the submandibulary gland of mice fed with different dietary lipids. Tumor tissue from 10 mice fed with diets containing corn oil (CO) or fish oil (FO) were immunohistochemically stained for Cx26, β‐ and γ‐catenin, BAX, Bcl‐2 and Ki‐67. The percentage of animals showing different levels of biomarker expression in epithelial, mesenchymal and stromal cells was calculated in each group. The number of nuclei positive for Ki‐67 per 500 total cells was calculated. Reduced expression of Cx26 was observed in FO group as compared to CO. The staining was similar for β‐catenin, γ‐catenin, BAX and Bcl‐2 in both groups. The Ki‐67 labeling index was significantly different for CO and FO (0.45–0.40, P < 0.0008). The lower expression of Ki‐67 in FO mice could indicate less cellular proliferation. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSDietary fatty acids (FAs) affect tumorigenesis. This study examines the effect of dietary lipids on proliferation, apoptosis, cell adhesion and intercellular communication level change during tumorigenesis. Since dietary lipids may be protective or act as promoters of tumorigenesis, the beneficial and negative effects of different FAs could help inform nutrition recommendations directed to the population.
Evidence for Vertical Transmission of Bacterial Symbionts from Adult to Embryo in the Caribbean SpongeSvenzea zeai
Authors: Lee On On , Chui Pui Yi , Wong Yue Him , Pawlik Joseph R. , Qian Pei-Yuan 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTThe Caribbean reef spongeSvenzea zeaiwas previously found to contain substantial quantities of unicellular photosynthetic and autotrophic microbes in its tissues, but the identities of these symbionts and their method of transfer from adult to progeny are largely unknown. In this study, both a 16S rRNA gene-based fingerprinting technique (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis [DGGE]) and clone library analysis were applied to compare the bacterial communities associated with adults and embryos ofS. zeaito test the hypothesis of vertical transfer across generations. In addition, the same techniques were applied to the bacterial community from the seawater adjacent to adult sponges to test the hypothesis that water column bacteria could be transferred horizontally as sponge symbionts. Results of both DGGE and clone library analysis support the vertical transfer hypothesis in that the bacterial communities associated with sponge adults and embryos were highly similar to each other but completely different from those in the surrounding seawater. Sequencing of prominent DGGE bands and of clones from the libraries revealed that the bacterial communities associated with the sponge, whether adult or embryo, consisted of a large proportion of bacteria in the phylaChloroflexiandAcidobacteria, while most of the sequences recovered from the community in the adjacent water column belonged to the classAlphaproteobacteria. Altogether, 21 monophyletic sequence clusters, comprising sequences from both sponge adults and embryos but not from the seawater, were identified. More than half of the sponge-derived sequences fell into these clusters. Comparison of sequences recovered in this study with those deposited in GenBank revealed that more than 75% ofS. zeai-derived sequences were closely related to sequences derived from other sponge species, but none of the sequences recovered from the seawater column overlapped with those from adults or embryos ofS. zeai. In conclusion, there is strong evidence that a dominant proportion of sponge-specific bacteria present in the tissues ofS. zeaiare maintained through vertical transfer during embryogenesis rather than through acquisition from the environment (horizontal transfer).
Microbial Biogeography of Six Salt Lakes in Inner Mongolia, China, and a Salt Lake in Argentina
Authors: Pagaling Eulyn , Wang Huanzhi , Venables Madeleine , Wallace Andrew , Grant William D. , Cowan Don A. , Jones Brian E. , Ma Yanhe , Ventosa Antonio , Heaphy Shaun 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT

We used cultivation-independent methods to investigate the prokaryotic biogeography of the water column in six salt lakes in Inner Mongolia, China, and a salt lake in Argentina. These lakes had different salt compositions and pH values and were at variable geographic distances, on both local and intercontinental scales, which allowed us to explore the microbial community composition within the context of both contemporary environmental conditions and geographic distance. Fourteen 16S rRNA gene clone libraries were constructed, and over 200 16S rRNA gene sequences were obtained. These sequences were used to construct biotic similarity matrices, which were used in combination with environmental similarity matrices and a distance matrix in the Mantel test to discover which factors significantly influenced biotic similarity. We showed that archaeal biogeography was influenced by contemporary environmental factors alone (Na
+
, CO
3
2−
, and HCO
3
−
ion concentrations; pH; and temperature). Bacterial biogeography was influenced both by contemporary environmental factors (Na
+
, Mg
2+
, and HCO
3
−
ion concentrations and pH) and by geographic distance.
N
-Acetylglucosamine Utilization by
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Based on Expression of
Candida albicans NAG
Genes
Authors: Wendland Jürgen , Schaub Yvonne , Walther Andrea 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT

Synthesis of chitin de novo from glucose involves a linear pathway in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
. Several of the pathway genes, including
GNA1
, are essential. Genes for chitin catabolism are absent in
S. cerevisiae
. Therefore,
S. cerevisiae
cannot use chitin as a carbon source. Chitin is the second most abundant polysaccharide after cellulose and consists of
N
-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) moieties. Here, we have generated
S. cerevisiae
strains that are able to use GlcNAc as a carbon source by expressing four
Candida albicans
genes (
NAG3
or its
NAG4
paralog,
NAG5
,
NAG2
, and
NAG1
) encoding a GlcNAc permease, a GlcNAc kinase, a GlcNAc-6-phosphate deacetylase, and a glucosamine-6-phosphate deaminase, respectively. Expression of
NAG3
and
NAG5
or
NAG4
and
NAG5
in
S. cerevisiae
resulted in strains in which the otherwise-essential Sc
GNA1
could be deleted. These strains required the presence of GlcNAc in the medium, indicating that uptake of GlcNAc and its phosphorylation were achieved. Expression of all four
NAG
genes produced strains that could use GlcNAc as the sole carbon source for growth. Utilization of a GlcNAc catabolic pathway for bioethanol production using these strains was tested. However, fermentation was slow and yielded only minor amounts of ethanol (approximately 3.0 g/liter), suggesting that fructose-6-phosphate produced from GlcNAc under these conditions is largely consumed to maintain cellular functions and promote growth. Our results present the first step toward tapping a novel, renewable carbon source for biofuel production.
Evolution of Diversity in Spatially Structured
Escherichia coli
Populations
Authors: Ponciano José Miguel , La Hyun-Joon , Joyce Paul , Forney Larry J. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT

The stochastic Ricker population model was used to investigate the generation and maintenance of genetic diversity in a bacterial population grown in a spatially structured environment. In particular, we showed that
Escherichia coli
undergoes dramatic genetic diversification when grown as a biofilm. Using a novel biofilm entrapment method, we retrieved 64 clones from each of six different depths of a mature biofilm, and after subculturing for ∼30 generations, we measured their growth kinetics in three different media. We fit a stochastic Ricker population growth model to the recorded growth curves. The growth kinetics of clonal lineages descendant from cells sampled at different biofilm depths varied as a function of both the depth in the biofilm and the growth medium used. We concluded that differences in the growth dynamics of clones were heritable and arose during adaptive evolution under local conditions in a spatially heterogeneous environment. We postulate that under nutrient-limited conditions, selective sweeps would be protracted and would be insufficient to purge less-fit variants, a phenomenon that would allow the coexistence of genetically distinct clones. These findings contribute to the current understanding of biofilm ecology and complement current hypotheses for the maintenance and generation of microbial diversity in spatially structured environments.