bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electrophysiological and diffusion tensor imaging evidence of delayed corollary discharges in patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Whitford T. J. , Mathalon D. H. , Shenton M. E. , Roach B. J. , Bammer R. , Adcock R. A. , Bouix S. , Kubicki M. , De Siebenthal J. , Rausch A. C. , Schneiderman J. S. , Ford J. M. 
Published: July 2010

BackgroundPatients with schizophrenia (SZ) characteristically exhibit supranormal levels of cortical activity to self-induced sensory stimuli, ostensibly because of abnormalities in the neural signals (corollary discharges, CDs) normatively involved in suppressing the sensory consequences of self-generated actions. The nature of these abnormalities is unknown. This study investigated whether SZ patients experience CDs that are abnormally delayed in their arrival at the sensory cortex.MethodTwenty-one patients with SZ and 25 matched control participants underwent electroencephalography (EEG). Participants' level of cortical suppression was calculated as the amplitude of the N1 component evoked by a button press-elicited auditory stimulus, subtracted from the N1 amplitude evoked by the same stimulus presented passively. In the three experimental conditions, the auditory stimulus was delivered 0, 50 or 100 ms subsequent to the button-press. Fifteen SZ patients and 17 healthy controls (HCs) also underwent diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and the fractional anisotropy (FA) of participants' arcuate fasciculus was used to predict their level of cortical suppression in the three conditions.ResultsWhile the SZ patients exhibited subnormal N1 suppression to undelayed, self-generated auditory stimuli, these deficits were eliminated by imposing a 50-ms, but not a 100-ms, delay between the button-press and the evoked stimulus. Furthermore, the extent to which the 50-ms delay normalized a patient's level of N1 suppression was linearly related to the FA of their arcuate fasciculus.ConclusionsThese data suggest that SZ patients experience temporally delayed CDs to self-generated auditory stimuli, putatively because of structural damage to the white-matter (WM) fasciculus connecting the sites of discharge initiation and destination.
Outbreak of gastroenteritis caused byYersinia pestisin Afghanistan
Authors: LESLIE T. , WHITEHOUSE C. A. , YINGST S. , BALDWIN C. , KAKAR F. , MOFLEH J. , HAMI A. S. , MUSTAFA L. , OMAR F. , AYAZI E. , ROSSI C. , NOORMAL B. , ZIAR N. , KAKAR R. 
Published: July 2010

SUMMARYPlague, which is most often caused by the bite ofYersinia pestis-infected fleas, is a rapidly progressing, serious disease that can be fatal without prompt antibiotic treatment. In late December 2007, an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis occurred in Nimroz Province of southern Afghanistan. Of the 83 probable cases of illness, 17 died (case fatality 20·5%). Being a case was associated with consumption or handling of camel meat (adjusted odds ratio 4·4, 95% confidence interval 2·2–8·8,P<0·001). Molecular testing of patient clinical samples and of tissue from the camel using PCR/electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry revealed DNA signatures consistent withYersinia pestis. Confirmatory testing using real-time PCR and immunological seroconversion of one of the patients confirmed that the outbreak was caused by plague, with a rare gastrointestinal presentation. The study highlights the challenges of identifying infectious agents in low-resource settings; it is the first reported occurrence of plague in Afghanistan.
Prolonged in-hospital exposure to an infant with active pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: ATTI M. L. CIOFI DEGLI , GATTINARA G. CASTELLI , CILIENTO G. , LANCELLA L. , RUSSO C. , COLTELLA L. , VINCI M. R. , ZAFFINA S. , RAPONI M. 
Published: July 2010

SUMMARYActive pulmonary tuberculosis was diagnosed in a 4-month-old infant 16 days after hospitalization; 186 exposed individuals were traced and one conversion detected. Although the risk of tuberculosis transmission in paediatric hospitals is low, paediatricians in low-incidence countries should maintain a high level of alert for timely identification of cases.
Interactive Workshop Discusses Nonlinear Waves and Chaos: Eighth International Nonlinear Wave Workshop; La Jolla, California, 1–5 March 2010
Authors: Tsurutani Bruce , Morales George , Passot Thierry 
Published: July 2010

Nonlinear waves and chaos were the focus of a weeklong series of informal and interactive discussions at the Eighth International Nonlinear Wave Workshop (NWW8), held in California. The workshop gathered nonlinear plasma and water wave experts from the United States, France, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Holland, India, and Japan. Attendees were from the fields of space, laboratory, and fusion plasma physics, astrophysics, and applied mathematics.Special focus was placed on nonlinear waves and turbulence in the terrestrial environment as well as in the interstellar medium from observational, laboratory, and theoretical perspectives. Discussions covered temperature anisotropies and related instabilities, the properties and origin of the so‐called dissipation range, and various coherent structures of electromagnetic as well as electrostatic nature. Reconnection and shocks were also topics of discussion, as were properties of magnetospheric whistler and chorus waves. Examples and analysis techniques for superdiffusion and subdiffusion were identified. On this last topic, a good exchange of ideas and results occurred between a water wave expert and a plasma expert, with the rest of the audience listening intently.
Competitive interactions in Escherichia coli populations: the role of bacteriocins
Authors: Majeed Hadeel , Gillor Osnat , Kerr Benjamin , Riley Margaret A 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
Explaining the coexistence of competing species is a major challenge in community ecology. In bacterial systems, competition is often driven by the production of bacteriocins, which are narrow-spectrum proteinaceous toxins that serve to kill closely related species, providing the producer better access to limited resources. Bacteriocin producers have been shown to competitively exclude sensitive, nonproducing strains. However, the dynamics between bacteriocin producers, each lethal to its competitor, are largely unknown. In this study, we used in vitro, in vivo and in silico models to study competitive interactions between bacteriocin producers. Two Escherichia coli strains were generated, each carrying a DNA-degrading bacteriocin (colicins E2 and E7). Using reporter-gene assays, we showed that each DNase bacteriocin is not only lethal to its opponent but, at lower doses, can also induce the expression of its opponent's toxin. In a well-mixed habitat, the E2 producer outcompeted its adversary; however, in structured environments (on plates or in mice colons), the two producers coexisted in a spatially ‘frozen’ pattern. Coexistence occurred when the producers were initiated with a clumped spatial distribution. This suggests that a ‘clump’ of each producer can block invasion of the other producer. Agent-based simulation of bacteriocin-mediated competition further showed that mutual exclusion in a structured environment is a relatively robust result. These models imply that colicin-mediated colicin induction enables producers to successfully compete and defend their niche against invaders. This suggests that localized interactions between producers of DNA-degrading toxins can lead to stable coexistence of heterogeneously distributed strains within the bacterial community and to the maintenance of diversity.
First Report of Root and Crown Rot of Almond Caused by Phytophthora spp. in Turkey
Authors: Kurbetli İ. , Değirmenci K. 
Published: July 2010

Almond (Prunus dulcis) production is currently increasing in Turkey. Losses of approximately 1% associated with root and crown rot of almond seedlings were observed in two commercial nurseries in Ankara and Düzce provinces in 2009. Aboveground symptoms were leaf chlorosis and wilt. Feeder roots were decayed, necrosis occurred on taproots and basal stems, and plants collapsed within several weeks. Roots were washed in tap water and 9 to 10 pieces (3 to 5 mm long) of root tissue taken from the margins of canker lesions, without surface disinfection, were placed on selective medium P5ARPH-CMA (2). Plates were incubated for 3 to 5 days at 20°C in darkness and a number of Phytophthora spp. were recovered. Actively growing mycelium was transferred to carrot piece agar containing β-sitosterol (per liter: carrot piece, 40 g; agar, 20 g; β-sitosterol, 20 mg). Isolates were identified as Phytophthora cactorum and P. citrophthora on the basis of morphological characteristics (1). P. cactorum produced abundant sporangia, oogonia, and paragynous antheridia on carrot piece agar plus β-sitosterol. It had conspicuously papillate and caducous sporangia with short pedicel. Sporangia were usually ovoid but sometimes nearly spherical. P. citrophthora did not produce sexual structures in single culture. It produced papillate, noncaducous sporangia, which were usually ovoid and obpyriform, often asymmetrically shaped and rarely possessed more than one apex. P. citrophthora did not grow at 35°C but it grew well at 30°C. Isolate identities were confirmed by sequence analysis of the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 (GenBank Accession Nos. HM357622, HM357623, HM357624, HM357625) using primers ITS1 and ITS2 (3). One representative isolate of each species was used to inoculate eight 2-year-old almond plants with an agar plug with actively growing mycelium that was attached to exposed cambium of basal stems. Agar plugs without mycelium were used for eight control plants. All plants inoculated with Phytophthora spp. collapsed within 3 to 4 weeks. Control plants remained healthy. Phytophthora spp. were reisolated from necrotic basal stems. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. cactorum and P. citrophthora of almond in Turkey. References: (1) M. E. Gallegly and C. Hong. Phytophthora, Identifying Species by Morphology and DNA Fingerprints. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN, 2008. (2) S. N. Jeffers and S. B. Martin. Plant Dis. 70:1038, 1986. (3) S. G. Roy et al. J. Phytopathol. 157:666, 2009.
Amelanotic malignant melanoma where primary lesion was discovered 5 years after metastasis in the lymph node
Authors: KATO Hiroshi , INOUE Yuji , ISHIHARA Tsuyoshi , KAGESHITA Toshiro , IHN Hironobu 
Published: July 2010

AbstractA 53‐year‐old Japanese man presented with a subcutaneous nodule in his left inguinal region in 2002. He was diagnosed as having a malignant tumor of the soft tissues at a local hospital; however, an exact diagnosis was not obtained. CYVADIC (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and dacarbazine) therapy was done for adjuvant therapy. In 2004, he noticed a nodule on the left heel. Positron emission computed tomography showed abnormal up‐take and he consulted our department. He was diagnosed as having amelanotic malignant melanoma and the lesion was resected. There were no metastases in the groin or popliteal lymph nodes. After the evaluation, the tumor was staged at pT3b N1b M0 stage IIIC (Breslow’s tumor thickness was 7 mm). In our hospital, we have experienced 16 cases of amelanotic malignant melanoma. Generally, it is reported that the patients with amelanotic malignant melanoma have a poor prognosis, but we have observed no difference in the outcome between the patients with amelanotic malignant melanoma and those with malignant melanoma.
Pyodermatitis–pyostomatitis vegetans after subtotal colectomy for ulcerative colitis
Authors: KITAYAMA Asuka , MISAGO Noriyuki , OKAWA Takeshi , IWAKIRI Ryuichi , NARISAWA Yutaka 
Published: July 2010

AbstractA 51‐year‐old Japanese woman underwent subtotal colectomy for ulcerative colitis 5 years before her first visit to our hospital, and her symptoms stabilized. She presented with a 2‐month history of proliferative, pustular lesions on her face, scalp, and gingival and anal mucosae. Histological examination showed features similar to those of pemphigus vegetans. However, the results of immunofluorescence studies, immunoblot analysis and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay for pemphigus were negative, and colonoscopy revealed a relapse of ulcerative colitis in the remaining rectal mucosa, so a diagnosis of pyodermatitis–pyostomatitis vegetans was made. This is the first report of mucocutaneous lesions that developed with a relapse of ulcerative colitis in the remaining rectum after subtotal colectomy. Moreover, a close correlation was found between the condition of bowel inflammation and that of mucocutaneous lesions.
Sialidase of Streptococcus intermedius: a putative virulence factor modifying sugar chains
Authors: Takao Ayuko , Nagamune Hideaki , Maeda Nobuko 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACTA sialidase gene of Streptococcus intermedius was cloned. It was most similar to nanA, a major sialidase gene in Streptococcus pneumoniae, and was expressed in Escherichia coli. Since the gene‐knockout S. intermedius strain lost detectable sialidase activity, the gene might code, either solely or mainly, the glycosidase in the bacterial genome. Polymerase chain reaction using the primers for the nanA homologue in S. intermedius (described as nanA below) showed that this sialidase gene was commonly distributed within the isolates of S. intermedius, but not found in the strains of other species among the anginosus group. In biofilm formation assay under cultivation with mucin, the nanA‐deleted S. intermedius maintained the amount of biofilm for 72 hr, while that of the parent strain decreased during incubation from 24 to 72 hr. Since sialidase activity in the parent strain increased during that time period, sialidase might contribute to the degradation of biofilm under sialic acid‐rich conditions. When S. intermedius was added into the HepG2 hepatoma culture, the calculated disassociation constant (Kd) of EDTA‐releasable bacterial adhesion to the cells was higher in the nanA‐deleted strain than in the parent. Furthermore, the rate constant, assuming endocytosis of the bacterium mediated by ASGP‐R in HepG2 cells, seemed to be increased by sialidase pretreatment of the bacterial cells before addition to the cell culture. According to the results, modification of sugar chains by sialidase on the bacterial surface and in the surrounding environment might influence both bacterial interaction and host–bacterial interaction in S. intermedius.
The absorption of bismuth from oral doses of tripotassium dicitrato bismuthate
Authors: NWOKOLO C. U. , GAVEY C. J. , SMITH J. T. L. , POUNDER R. E. 
Published: July 2010

SUMMARYTwo studies measured plasma concentrations of bismuth during dosing with tripotassium dicitrato bismuthate (De‐Noltab). The first study compared 24 h plasma bismuth concentration and urinary bismuth excretion in six patients who had already received 29–131 days (median 47 days) of treatment with De‐Noltab 2 b.d., and six healthy subjects who only received De‐Noltab 2 b.d. on the day of study. There was a prompt rise in plasma bismuth concentration after each dose of De‐Noltabs. The median 24 h integrated plasma bismuth concentration was similar in both groups, but the median 24 h urinary bismuth excretion was 5.4‐fold higher in the patients.The second study compared the plasma bismuth concentrations after the first and third doses of De‐Noltab 2 b.d. in 16 healthy subjects. The median peak bismuth concentration occurred 30 min (range 15–105 min) post‐dosing. The peak plasma bismuth concentration was greater than 50 ng/ml in 14 of the 16 subjects, and greater than 100 ng/ml in nine of the subjects. There was no significant difference in the median integrated 10‐h plasma bismuth concentration after the first or third dose of De‐Noltabs.The results of these studies confirm that bismuth is absorbed and sequestrated during dosing with De‐Noltabs. Bismuth is absorbed rapidly after oral dosing with De‐NoItabs, to produce peak plasma bismuth concentrations hitherto considered to be in the range associated with bismuth neurotoxicity.
Evaluation of oral cisapride and metoclopramide in diabetic autonomic neuropathy: an eight‐week double‐blind crossover study
Authors: DE CAESTECKER J. S. , EWING D. J. , TOTHILL P. , CLARKE B. F. , HEADING R. C. 
Published: July 2010

SUMMARYNineteen diabetic patients with autonomic neuropathy were enrolled in a double‐blind crossover study of cisapride, metoclopramide and placebo. Symptoms were evaluated from diary cards and from assessments undertaken at the end of each eight week treatment period. Measurements of oesophageal transit, gastric emptying and whole gut transit were made before treatment began and at the end of each treatment period. Three patients dropped out early in the study, and the results from 16 patients were analysed.The severity of autonomic neuropathy, judged from cardiovascular reflex tests, correlated with delayed oesophageal transit and prolonged gastric emptying, but abnormal oesophageal transit and gastric emptying were often unrelated to the presence of upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Neither cisapride nor metoclopramide had a statistically significant effect on oesophageal transit, gastric emptying or whole‐gut transit, nor was any significant effect on symptoms identified, although a trend towards reduced nausea and vomiting with metoclopramide and reduced epigastric fullness and diarrhoea with cisapride was suggested.
Quinidine single dose pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics are unaltered by omeprazole
Authors: CHING M. S. , ELLIOTT S. L. , STEAD C. K. , MURDOCH R. T. , DEVENISH‐MEARES S. , MORGAN D. J. , SMALLWOOD R. A. 
Published: July 2010

SUMMARYOmeprazole has been shown in previous studies to inhibit the hepatic metabolism of selected drugs. Quinidine is an antiarrhythmic and antimalarial agent with a low therapeutic index. We therefore examined the effect of 40 mg omeprazole daily for one week or placebo on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a single 400 mg dose of quinidine in 8 healthy volunteers in a double‐blind crossover study.During placebo and omeprazole treatment, there was no significant difference in area under the time–plasma quinidine concentration curve, (17.0 ± 4.83 μg.h/ml, 18.6 ± 4.43 μg.h/ml, respectively;P> 0.2) or renal clearance of quinidine (56.2 ± 26.0 ml/min, 55.6 ± 12.7 ml/min, respectively;P> 0.5). Quinidine unbound fraction in plasma (0.170 ± 0.041vs.0.166 ± 0.041 in the presence of omeprazole;P> 0.5) was not altered by omeprazole. Peak plasma quinidine concentration and the time this occurred did not differ. Omeprazole also had no effect on these parameters for the metabolite 3‐hydroxyquinidine. There was no significant difference in the change in the corrected Q—T interval on the electrocardiogram due to quinidine (mean area under the time versus ±Q–Tccurve = 351 ± 192 ms. h, placebo; 414 ± 303 ms. h, omeprazole) showing that quinidine pharmacodynamics were unaltered by omeprazole. We conclude that omeprazole does not affect the pharmacokinetics of quinidine.
Drug‐induced hepatotoxicity
Authors: LEE W. M. 
Published: July 2010

SUMMARYThe liver is central to the metabolic disposition of virtually all drugs and xenobiotics (foreign substances).1–3For the most part, this process is accomplished without injury to the liver itself or to other organs. A few compounds such as acetaminophen, CCl4and the toxin responsible for mushroom poisoning are toxic themselves or produce metabolites which cause liver injury in a uniform, dose‐dependent fashion.4–7However, most agents form a sufficiently toxic byproduct and cause liver injury only quite rarely, under special circumstances. Generation of a toxic metabolite within the hepatocyte may produce direct cell injury with disruption of intracellular function, or may cause indirect injury by immune‐mediated membrane damage. Factors promoting the accumulation of toxins include genetic enzyme variants which allow greater formation of the harmful metabolite, induction of an isozyme species which produces more than the usual quantity of the toxin, interference with regular (non‐toxic) metabolic pathways by substrate competition for enzyme, or depletion of required detoxifying substrates.The following review will provide clinical examples of some of these well‐known metabolic reactions, discuss some new issues in drug‐induced hepatotoxicity, such as use of combination agents and complex multiple drug regimens, alternative health strategies (vitamins and herbal remedies) as well as the widespread use of cocaine. The overall message is that, as new compounds are issued, new opportunities for drug‐induced hepatotoxicity arise. Until extensive experience with any new compound has evolved, it is best to maintain a healthy paranoia concerning the newer drugs—there are very few totally safe agents.
Twenty‐four‐hour intragastric acidity: 300 mg ranitidine b.d., 20 mg omeprazole o.m., 40 mg omeprazole o.m. vs. placebo
Authors: HOUBEN G. M. P. , HOOI J. , HAMEETEMAN W. , STOCKBRÜGGER R. W. 
Published: July 2010

SUMMARY Background: There is considerable controversy about the degree of acid suppression that is optimal for the treatment of peptic disorders. Aim: To compare the effects of three different regimens that are reported to strongly inhibit acid secretion. Methods: Intragastric 24‐hour pH monitoring was performed in 11 healthy subjects in a randomized, multiple, cross‐over, double‐blind study. Each subject received four dose regimens, each for 2 weeks, in a random order. The regimens were: 300 mg ranitidine b.d., 20 mg omeprazole o.m., 40 mg omeprazole o.m., and placebo. Results: The decrease in gastric acidity during the daytime and during the total 24‐hour period by all three treatments was significantly greater than after placebo: a significant difference in acid inhibition was found between ranitidine and 40 mg omeprazole, but not between ranitidine and 20 mg omeprazole, nor between the two doses of omeprazole. During the night‐time the decrease in gastric acidity by all three treatments was significantly greater than after placebo: no difference was seen between the two doses of omeprazole and ranitidine. For the time of pH greater than 3 we found no statistical difference between the various acid decreasing regimens. The pH remained significantly longer above 4 after ranitidine and the two doses of omeprazole compared with placebo, and also longer above 4 after 40 mg omeprazole compared with ranitidine, but not after 20 mg omeprazole compared with ranitidine, nor after the two different doses of omeprazole. Conclusions: Dosing with 300 mg ranitidine b.d., 20 mg omeprazole or 40 mg omeprazole is superior in gastric acid inhibition compared with placebo, when measured using 24‐hour pH monitoring.