bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Infections as a stimulus for coronary occlusion, obstruction, or acute coronary syndromes
Authors: Pesonen Erkki , El-Segaier Milad , Persson Kenneth , Puolakkainen Mirja , Sarna Seppo , Öhlin Hans , Pussinen Pirkko J. 
Published: September 2009

Background: Atherosclerosis is considered to be an inflammatory disease. Infections are a significant cause of inflammation. Acute infections might precipitate acute coronary syndromes (ACS) whereas chronic infections might be stimuli for the development of atherosclerosis. Methods: Coronary angiograms were done on 211 of 335 patients with ACS and the percentage of coronary obstruction was determined. Serum antibody levels to Chlamydia pneumoniae, C. pneumoniae heat shock protein 60 (CpnHSP60), human heat shock protein 60 (hHSP60), enterovirus (EV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and two major periodontal pathogens, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis, were measured in healthy controls (n = 355) and all patients. Results: Serum antibody levels to periodontal pathogens did not correlate with ACS. However, IgA-class antibody levels to Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans ( p = 0.021), CpnHSP60 ( p = 0.048) an hHSP60 ( p = 0.038) were higher in patients with coronary occlusion or obstruction compared to those without any obstruction. Odds ratios for coronary changes in the highest quartile as compared to the lower quartiles were for A. actinomycetemcomitans IgA 7.84 (95% CI 1.02—60.39, p = 0.048), for CpnHSP60 IgA 8.61 (1.12—65.89, p = 0.038), and for human HSP60 IgA 3.51 (0.79—15.69, p = 0.100). Conclusions: We have previously reported that EV and HSV titres correlated significantly to acute coronary events. They do not correlate to the degree of coronary obstruction as shown here. However, infection by A. actinomycetemcomitans or C. pneumoniae or host response against them associated with coronary obstruction. Clinical coronary events may arise by the effect of acute infections and obstructing lesions by a chronic inflammatory stimulus.
Alumoåkermanite, (Ca,Na)2(Al,Mg,Fe2+)(Si2O7), a new mineral from the active carbonatite-nephelinite-phonolite volcano Oldoinyo Lengai, northern Tanzania
Authors: Wiedenmann D. , Zaitsev A. N. , Britvin S. N. , Krivovichev S. V. , Keller J. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractAlumoåkermanite, (Ca,Na)2(Al,Mg,Fe2+)(Si2O7), is a new mineral member of the melilite group from the active carbonatite-nephelinite-phonolite volcano Oldoinyo Lengai, Tanzania. The mineral occurs as tabular phenocrysts and microphenocrysts in melilite-nephelinitic ashes and lapilli-tuffs. Alumoåkermanite is light brown in colour; it is transparent, with a vitreous lustre and the streak is white. Cleavages or partings are not observed. The mineral is brittle with an uneven fracture. The measured density is 2.96(2) g/cm3. The Mohs hardness is ~4.5–6. Alumoåkermanite is uniaxial (–) with ω = 1.635(1) and ε = 1.624–1.626(1). In a 30 mm thin section (+N), the mineral has a yellow to orange interference colour, straight extinction and positive elongation, and is nonpleochroic. The average chemical formula of the mineral derived from electron microprobe analyses is: (Ca1.48Na0.50Sr0.02K0.01)(Si1.99Al0.01O7). Alumoåkermanite is tetragonal, space groupP421mwitha= 7.7661(4) Å,c= 5.0297(4) Å,V= 303.4(1) Å3andZ= 2. The five strongest powder-diffraction lines [din Å, (I/Io),hkl] are: 3.712, (13), (111); 3.075, (25), (201); 2.859, (100), (211); 2.456, (32), (311); 1.757, (19), (312). Single-crystal structure refinement (R1= 0.018) revealed structure topology typical of the melilite-group minerals, i.e. tetrahedral [(Al,Mg)(Si2O7)] sheets interleaved with layers of (CaNa) cations. The name reflects the chemical composition of the mineral.
Compressibility of the high-pressure polymorph of AlOOH to 17 GPa
Authors: Suzuki A. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe equation of state of δ-AlOOH was investigated using powder X-ray diffraction up to 17 GPa. Measurement of the volume at 300 K gave a value of the bulk modulus of K0 = 124(2) GPa, whereas its pressure derivative was K’ = 13.5(7). The b axis of the unit cell is more compressible than the a and c axes – in agreement with a neutron diffraction study at high pressure by Sano-Furukawa et al. (2008). Measurements presented here show that δ-AlOOH has a compressibility 200% higher than in the previously reported equation of state by Vanpeteghem et al. (2002).
The morphologies and compositions of depleted uranium particles from an environmental case-study
Authors: Lloyd N. S. , Mosselmans J. F. W. , Parrish R. R. , Chenery S. R. N. , Hainsworth S. V. , Kemp S. J. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractUraniferous particles from contaminated environmental samples were analysed by scanning electron
microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDXA) and microfocus extended X-ray
absorption fine structure (mEXAFS) spectroscopy. The particles of interest are uranium oxides, which
were released into the environment by the combustion of scrap depleted uranium (DU) metal at a
factory in Colonie, New York, USA. Most of the identified particles appear to have primary, ‘as
emitted’ morphologies; some have evidence of minor dissolution, including corrosion pitting.
Polycrystalline and often hollow microscopic spheres were identified, which are similar to particles
produced by DU munitions impacting armoured targets. They are attributed to the autothermic
oxidation of melt droplets. The compositions of the analysed spheres are dominated by UO2+x with
variable amounts of U3O8, two of the least soluble and least bioaccessible phases of U. These particles,
collected from dusts and soils, have survived more than 25 y in the terrestrial environment. This study
further supports the case for using Colonie as an analogue for battlefield DU contamination.
Bone marrow as an alternative site for islet transplantation
Authors: Cantarelli Elisa , Melzi Raffaella , Mercalli Alessia , Sordi Valeria , Ferrari Giuliana , Lederer Carsten Werner , Mrak Emanuela , Rubinacci Alessandro , Ponzoni Maurilio , Sitia Giovanni , Guidotti Luca G. , Bonifacio Ezio , Piemonti Lorenzo 
Published: September 2009

Abstract
The liver is the current site for pancreatic islet transplantation, but has many drawbacks due to immunologic and nonimmunologic factors. We asked whether pancreatic islets could be engrafted in the bone marrow (BM), an easily accessible and widely distributed transplant site that may lack the limitations seen in the liver. Syngeneic islets engrafted efficiently in the BM of C57BL/6 mice rendered diabetic by streptozocin treatment. For more than 1 year after transplantation, these animals showed parameters of glucose metabolism that were similar to those of nondiabetic mice. Islets in BM had a higher probability to reach euglycemia than islets in liver (2.4-fold increase, P = .02), showed a compact morphology with a conserved ratio between α and β cells, and affected bone structure only very marginally. Islets in BM did not compromise hematopoietic activity, even when it was strongly induced in response to a BM aplasia-inducing infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. In conclusion, BM is an attractive and safe alternative site for pancreatic islet transplantation. The results of our study open a research line with potentially significant clinical impact, not only for the treatment of diabetes, but also for other diseases amenable to treatment with cellular transplantation.
MLVA distribution characteristics of Yersinia pestisin China and the correlation analysis
Authors: Zhang Xiaoai , Hai Rong , Wei Jianchun , Cui Zhigang , Zhang Enmin , Song Zhizhong , Yu Dongzheng 
Published: September 2009

Abstract

Background

Yersinia pestis, the aetiological agent of plague, has been well defined genotypically on local and worldwide scales. In November 2005, five cases of severe pneumonia of unknown causes, resulting in two deaths, were reported in Yulong, Yunnan province. In this study, we compared Y. pestis isolated from the Yulong focus to strains from other areas.

Results
Two hundred and thirteen Y. pestis strains collected from different plague foci in China and a live attenuated vaccine strain of Y. pestis (EV76) were genotyped using multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) on 14 loci. A total of 214 Y. pestis strains were divided into 85 MLVA types, and Nei's genetic diversity indices of the various loci ranged between 0.02 - 0.76. Minimum spanning tree analysis showed that Y. pestis in China could be divided into six complexes. It was observed that Microtus strains were different from the other three biovar strains. Each plague focus had its own unique MLVA types.

Conclusion
The strains isolated from Yulong, Yunnan province had a unique MLVA type, indicating a new clone group. Our results suggest that Yulong strains may have a close relationship with strains from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau plague focus.
A secretory phospholipase A2-mediated neuroprotection and anti-apoptosis
Authors: Armugam Arunmozhiarasi , Cher Charmian DN , Lim KaiYing , Koh Dawn CI , Howells David W , Jeyaseelan Kandiah 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBackgroundPhospholipase A2liberates free fatty acids and lysophospholipids upon hydrolysis of phospholipids and these products are often associated with detrimental effects such as inflammation and cerebral ischemia. The neuroprotective effect of neutral phospholipase from snake venom has been investigated.ResultsA neutral anticoagulant secretory phospholipase A2(nPLA) from the venom ofNaja sputatrix(Malayan spitting cobra) has been found to reduce infarct volume in rats subjected to focal transient cerebral ischemia and to alleviate the neuronal damage in organotypic hippocampal slices subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). Real-time PCR based gene expression analysis showed that anti-apoptotic and pro-survival genes have been up-regulated in bothin vivoandin vitromodels. Staurosporine or OGD mediated apoptotic cell death in astrocytoma cells has also been found to be reduced by nPLA with a corresponding reduction in caspase 3 activity.ConclusionWe have found that a secretory phospholipase (nPLA) purified from snake venom could reduce infarct volume in rodent stroke model. nPLA, has also been found to reduce neuronal cell death, apoptosis and promote cell survival in vitro ischemic conditions. In all conditions, the protective effects could be seen at sub-lethal concentrations of the protein.
The interaction of HAb18G/CD147 with integrin α6β1 and its implications for the invasion potential of human hepatoma cells
Authors: Dai Jing-yao , Dou Ke-feng , Wang Cong-hua , Zhao Pu , Lau Wayne Bond , Tao Ling , Wu Ya-mei , Tang Juan , Jiang Jian-li , Chen Zhi-nan 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBackgroundHAb18G/CD147 plays pivotal roles in invasion by hepatoma cells, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Our previous study demonstrated that overexpression of HAb18G/CD147 promotes invasion by interacting with integrin α3β1. However, it has never been investigated whether α3β1 is solely responsible for this process or if other integrin family members also interact with HAb18G/CD147 in human hepatoma cells.MethodsHuman SMMC-7721 and FHCC98 cells were cultured and transfected with siRNA fragments against HAb18G/CD147. The expression levels of HAb18G/CD147 and integrin α6β1 were determined by immunofluorescent double-staining and confocal imaging analysis. Co-immunoprecipitation and Western blot analyses were performed to examine the native conformations of HAb18G/CD147 and integrin α6β1. Invasion potential was evaluated with an invasion assay and gelatin zymography.ResultsWe found that integrin α6β1 co-localizes and interacts with HAb18G/CD147 in human hepatoma cells. The enhancing effects of HAb18G/CD147 on invasion capacity and secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were partially blocked by integrin α6β1 antibodies (P< 0.01). Wortmannin, a specific phosphatidylinositol kinase (PI3K) inhibitor that reverses the effect of HAb18G/CD147 on the regulation of intracellular Ca2+mobilization, significantly reduced cell invasion potential and secretion of MMPs in human hepatoma cells (P< 0.05). Importantly, no additive effect between Wortmannin and α6β1 antibodies was observed, indicating that α6β1 and PI3K transmit the signal in an upstream-downstream relationship.ConclusionThese results suggest that α6β1 interacts with HAb18G/CD147 to mediate tumor invasion and metastatic processes through the PI3K pathway.
Distribution of periodontopathic bacterial species in Japanese children with developmental disabilities
Authors: Naka Shuhei , Yamana Aki , Nakano Kazuhiko , Okawa Rena , Fujita Kazuyo , Kojima Ayuchi , Nemoto Hirotoshi , Nomura Ryota , Matsumoto Michiyo , Ooshima Takashi 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBackgroundRecent developments in molecular biological techniques have enabled rapid detection of periodontopathic bacterial species in clinical specimens. Accumulated evidence suggests that detection of specific bacterial species enables identification of subjects at high risk for the onset of periodontitis. We investigated the distribution of 10 selected periodontopathic bacterial species in dental plaque specimens obtained from children with disabilities who were attending daycare centers.MethodsA total of 187 children (136 boys, 51 girls) aged 1-6 years old and diagnosed with such disabilities as mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and autism, participated in the study. Subgingival dental plaque specimens were collected from the buccal side of the maxillary left second primary molar after a clinical examination. Bacterial DNA was extracted from the specimens and PCR analyses were carried out to detect 10 selected periodontopathic species using specific primers for each. In addition, statistical analyses were performed to analyze the correlations among clinical parameters and the detected species.ResultsThe most frequently detected species wasCapnocytophaga sputigena(28.3%), followed byAggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans(20.9%) andCampylobacter rectus(18.2%).Eikenella corrodens,Capnocytophaga ochracea, andPrevotella nigrescencewere detected in approximately 10% of the specimens, whereasTreponema denticola,Tannerella forsythia, andPrevotella intermediawere rarely found, andPorphyromonas gingivaliswas not detected in any of the subjects. The total numbers of detected species were positively correlated with the age of the subjects. There were 10 subjects with positive reactions forT. denticolaand/orT. forsythia, in whom the total number of bacterial species was significantly higher as compared to the other subjects. Furthermore, subjects possessingC. rectusshowed significantly greater values for periodontal pocket depth, gingival index, and total number of species.ConclusionWe found that approximately one-fourth of the present subjects with disabilities who possessed at least one ofT. denticola,T. forsythia, andC. rectuswere at possible risk for periodontitis. Follow-up examinations as well as preventive approaches should be utilized for such individuals.
Anti-Inflammatory properties of Salograviolide A purified from Lebanese plant Centaurea ainetensis
Authors: Al-Saghir Jamal , Al-Ashi Randa , Salloum Ralph , Saliba Najat A , Talhouk Rabih S , Homaidan Fadia R 
Published: September 2009

Abstract

Background
Anti-inflammatory activities of medicinal plants have largely been attributed to their content of sesquiterpene lactones (SLs). SLs are predominantly found in the sunflower family Asteraceae and have been isolated from many plants of this family, particularly Centaurea. The anti-inflammatory activities of extract of Centaurea ainetensis, a Lebanese endemic plant, and the isolated active molecule were assessed for their potential ant-inflammatory activities.

Methods
Plant extract from Centaurea ainetensis, and the isolated active ingredient Salograviolide A (SA), a sesquiterpene lactones guaianolide, were used for the study. Western blotting and electrophoretic mobility shift assays were used to test the effects of the plant extract and SA on interleukin-1 (IL-1) induced increase in cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) levels and in nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) translocation in an intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) of inflammation. Their effects on inflammation score and cytokine levels were also studied in an iodoacetoamide-induced rat model of inflammation.

Results
Plant extract and SA were shown to reverse the effects observed by IL-1 on COX-2 levels and NF-κB translocation in IEC. SA decreased the level of inflammatory cytokines and the level of inflammation in the animal model.

Conclusion
These findings suggest that SA may be useful in the development of natural therapies for inflammatory diseases.
Noninvasive Quantification of Pancreatic Fat in Humans
Authors: Lingvay Ildiko , Esser Victoria , Legendre Jaime L. , Price Angela L. , Wertz Kristen M. , Adams-Huet Beverley , Zhang Song , Unger Roger H. , Szczepaniak Lidia S. 
Published: September 2009

Objective: To validate magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) as a tool for non-invasive quantification of pancreatic triglyceride (TG) content and to measure the pancreatic TG content in a diverse human population with a wide range of body mass index (BMI) and glucose control.Methods: To validate the MRS method, we measured TG content in the pancreatic tissue of 12 lean and 12 fatty ZDF rats (ages 5–14 weeks) both by MRS and the gold standard biochemical assay. We used MRS to measure pancreatic TG content in vivo in 79 human volunteers. Additionally, to assess the reproducibility of the method, in 33 volunteers we obtained duplicate MRS measurements 1–2 weeks apart.Results: MRS quantifies pancreatic TG content with high reproducibility and concordance to the biochemical measurement (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient = 0.91). In humans, median pancreatic TG content was as follows: (1) normal weight and normoglycemic group 0.46 f/w%, (2) overweight or obese but normoglycemic group 3.16 f/w%, (3) impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance group (BMI matched with group 2) 5.64 f/w%, and (4) untreated type 2 diabetes group (BMI matched with group 2) 5.54 f/w% (Jonckheere-Terpstra trend test across groups p &lt; 0.001).Conclusions: Human pancreatic steatosis, as measured by MRS, increases with BMI and with impaired glycemia. MRS is a quantitative and reproducible non-invasive clinical research tool which will enable systematic studies of the relationship between ectopic fat accumulation in the pancreas and development of type 2 diabetes.Pancreatic triglyceride content as measured by Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in humans is elevated prior to development of type 2 diabetes, early in the natural history of the disease.
The effect of prior bisphosphonate therapy on the subsequent BMD and bone turnover response to strontium ranelate
Authors: Middleton Edward T , Steel Susan A , Aye Mo , Doherty Sheelagh M 
Published: September 2009

Abstract
Strontium ranelate is an effective treatment for osteoporosis in treatment-naive women. In the United Kingdom, bisphosphonates are often used first line. Prior bisphosphonate use may blunt the bone mineral density (BMD) response to strontium ranelate by reducing strontium uptake into the bone. Sixty bisphosphonate-naive women and 60 women discontinuing bisphosphonates were recruited. All women commenced strontium ranelate and calcium/vitamin D. BMD and bone turnover markers were recorded for 12 months. After 12 months, the bisphosphonate-naive group's BMD increased by 5.6% (p &lt; .001) at the spine, 3.4% (p &lt; .001) at the total hip, and 4.0% (p &lt; .001) at the heel. By comparison, the prior bisphosphonate group had a 2.1% (p = .002) increase at the spine but no change at the hip or heel. At all time points, BMD was significantly greater in the bisphosphonate-naive group. In the prior bisphosphonate group, there was no significant change in BMD during the first 6 months at the spine, but between months 6 and 12 there was a parallel gain in BMD (0.027 versus 0.020 g/cm2, p = .40). The baseline difference in bone markers was no longer significant by 3 months for bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP) and 6 months for procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide (P1NP) and carboxy-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX). More women in the prior bisphosphonate group suffered a vertebral fracture (2 versus 8 women, p = .047). After bisphosphonates, bone turnover remains suppressed for up to 6 months, with blunting of the BMD response to strontium ranelate during this time. After 6 months, BMD increases in the spine but not at the hip or heel. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography can assess microstructural and mechanical properties of human distal tibial bone
Authors: Liu X Sherry , Zhang X Henry , Sekhon Kiranjit K , Adams Mark F , McMahon Donald J , Bilezikian John P , Shane Elizabeth , Guo X Edward 
Published: September 2009

Abstract
High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) is a newly developed in vivo clinical imaging modality. It can assess the 3D microstructure of cortical and trabecular bone at the distal radius and tibia and is suitable as an input for microstructural finite element (µFE) analysis to evaluate bone's mechanical competence. In order for microstructural and image-based µFE analyses to become standard clinical tools, validation with a current gold standard, namely, high-resolution micro-computed tomography (µCT), is required. Microstructural measurements of 19 human cadaveric distal tibiae were performed for the registered HR-pQCT and µCT images, respectively. Next, whole bone stiffness, trabecular bone stiffness, and elastic moduli of cubic subvolumes of trabecular bone in both HR-pQCT and µCT images were determined by µFE analysis. The standard HR-pQCT patient protocol measurements, derived bone volume fraction (BV/TVd), trabecular number (Tb.N*), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular spacing (Tb.Sp), and cortical thickness (Ct.Th), as well as the voxel-based direct measurements, BV/TV, Tb.N*, Tb.Th*, Tb.Sp*, Ct.Th, bone surface-to-volume ratio (BS/BV), structure model index (SMI), and connectivity density (Conn.D), correlated well with their respective gold standards, and both contributed to µFE-predicted mechanical properties in either single or multiple linear regressions. The mechanical measurements, although overestimated by HR-pQCT, correlated highly with their gold standards. Moreover, elastic moduli of cubic subvolumes of trabecular bone predicted whole bone or trabecular bone stiffness in distal tibia. We conclude that microstructural measurements and mechanical parameters of distal tibia can be efficiently derived from HR-pQCT images and provide additional information regarding bone fragility. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research