bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Photodynamic inactivation of multi‐resistant bacteria (PIB) – a new approach to treat superficial infections in the 21st century
Authors: Maisch Tim , Hackbarth Steffen , Regensburger Johannes , Felgenträger Ariane , Bäumler Wolfgang , Landthaler Michael , Röder Beate 
Published: November 2010

SummaryThe increasing resistance of bacteria against antibiotics is one of the most important clinical challenges of the 21st century. Within the gram‐positive bacteria the methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium represent the major obstacle to successful therapy. Apart from the development of new antibiotics it requires additional differently constituted approaches, like photodynamic inactivation in order to have further effective treatment options against bacteria available. Certain dyes, termed photosensitizers, are able to store the absorbed energy in long‐lived electronic states upon light activation with appropriate wavelengths and thus make these states available for chemical activation of the immediate surroundings. The interaction with molecular oxygen, which leads to different, very reactive and thus cytotoxic oxygen species, is highlighted. In this review the application of the photodynamic inactivation of bacteria will be discussed regarding the possible indications in dermatology, like localized skin and wound infections or the reduction of nosocomial colonization with multi‐resistant bacteria on the skin. The crucial advantage of the local application of photosensitizers followed by irradiation of the area of interest is the fact that independent of the resistance pattern of a bacterium a direct inactivation takes place similarly as with an antiseptic. In this review the physical‐chemical and biological basics of photo‐dynamic inactivation of bacteria (PIB) will be discussed as well as the possible dermatological indications.
Low birth weight young adults: quality of life, academic achievements and social functioning
Authors: Odberg Morten Duus , Elgen Irene Bircow 
Published: November 2010

AbstractAim:  To compare the quality of life (QOL), academic achievements and social functioning of 134 non‐handicapped low birth weight (LBW, birth weight < 2000 g) and 135 normal birth weight (NBW, birth weight > 3000 g) young adults.Study design:  Population‐based longitudinal follow‐up study.Methods:  The Norwegian version of the originally US child health questionnaire, child form 87 (CHQ‐CF87), a generic health instrument was applied to measure different physical and psychosocial concepts of QOL. Questionnaires and semi‐structured interviews were applied to the cohort to register different aspects of social functioning and academic performance.Results:  The LBW group reported well‐being in the different aspects of QOL. The LBW group was socially well functioning. The college attendance was similar in the two groups, but more LBW young adults had dropped out of school or attended individually adjusted classes. Performance in mathematics for the LBW women attending academic college was lower. With this exception, the academic performance was comparable in the two groups.Conclusion:  Except a somewhat higher rate of school dropouts, the overall outcome of school performance, QOL and social functioning in the LBW young adults was comparable to that of the NBW control group.
BEST ESTIMATED TASTE DETECTION THRESHOLD FOR CARDAMOM (ELETTARIA CARDAMOMUM MATON) AROMA IN DIFFERENT MEDIA
Authors: SENTHIL AMUDHA , BHAT K.K. 
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACTCardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) oleoresin was used for determining the detection threshold of cardamom in water, sugar solution (2.5%) and milk. Best estimate threshold (BET) for taste detection of cardamom aroma was determined according to the forced choice ascending method of limits (3‐alternative forced‐choice [AFC]) using 19 panelists. Twelve scale steps were used at a concentration factor of 1.25 with a 3‐AFC presentation at each media. Panel detection thresholds and standard log deviation from the geometric mean were found to be 4.04 and 0.37 ppb in water, 4.48 and 0.35 ppb in sugar solution and 13.97 and 0.31 ppb in milk, respectively. There was no significant difference between the taste threshold values in water and sugar solution, with thresholds ranging from 4.0 to 4.5 ppb. Milk showed threshold of 13.97 ppb indicating that cardamom aroma could be better perceived in water and sugar solution than in milk. Detection threshold values in water and sugar solutions determined by calculating geometric mean of individual BETs using criterion of 50% above chance and logistic regression of 3‐AFC data were found to be comparable.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONThe detection threshold of cardamom aroma was determined in different mediavizwater, sugar solution and milk. Knowledge of cardamom threshold is important because it is used as a flavorant in many food formulations. It is vital to know the threshold values of certain food‐related substances and components in order to solve specific technical problems, generally related with the formulation of food products and with changes in the aroma characteristics of the products. The results of this study gives an insight in to the effect of different media on perception of cardamom aroma and the information generated could be useful for developing cardamom‐flavored products.
Challenging the use of the lymphocyte to white cell count ratio in the diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis by analysis of a large cohort of monospot test results
Authors: Lennon P. , O’ Neill J.P. , Fenton J.E. , O’ Dwyer T. 
Published: November 2010

Clin. Otolaryngol. 2010, 35, 397–401Objective:  We investigated the hypothesis that a lymphocyte/white cell count ratio should be used as a diagnostic indicator of infectious mononucleosis.Design:  Retrospective study to compare lymphocyte counts and white blood cell counts, against the criterion standard, the mononucleosis spot test.Setting:  Department of Otolaryngology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.Participants:  We reviewed 1000 patients who had Monospot assays, 500 positive and 500 negative.Main outcome measures:  The lymphocyte counts and white blood cell ratio was calculated and compared with the monospot result to calculate the sensitivity and specificity at various ratios.Results:  The lymphocyte counts and white blood cell ratio was significantly different in the positive and negative monospot groups (P < 0.05). The mean lymphocyte counts and white blood cell ratio in the positive group was 0.49 and the mean lymphocyte to white cell count ratio in the monospot negative group was 0.29.A ratio of 0.35 had a specificity of 72% and a sensitivity of 84% for the detection of glandular fever. A higher ratio will give a greater specificity, but a lower sensitivity, and vice versa.Conclusions:  The mean lymphocyte to white cell count ratio is not sufficient to diagnose or exclude infectious mononucleosis. Thus, this study does not confirm the conclusions of earlier studies.
Improvement in quality of life by adenotonsillectomy in children with adenotonsillar disease
Authors: Naiboğlu B. , Külekçi S. , Kalaycık C. , Sheidaei S. , Toros S.Z. , Egeli E. 
Published: November 2010

Clin. Otolaryngol. 2010, 35, 383–389Objectives:  To evaluate the effect of adenotonsillectomy on quality of life of children with adenotonsillar disease and to evaluate the basal differences and post‐surgical changes of life quality in children with different disease severity.Study design:  Prospective, case – controlled study.Setting:  Tertiary referral center.Participants and main outcome measures:  Preoperative and postoperative quality of life of 40 children with adenotonsillar disease were determined by pedsQL™, and disease severity was assessed in terms of a score obtained by tonsil and adenoid health status instrument (TAHSI). These children comprised the study group. Median of scores of study group was 31. Twenty‐one children with a score less than 31 comprised the study subgroup I, while 19 children with a score bigger than 31 comprised the study subgroup II. Thirty normal children comprised the control group. Comparisons of data obtained from affected and healthy children and their parents were made.Results:  The mean preoperative physical, emotional, social, school and total quality of life scores of the study group were 64.81, 49.62, 76.37, 66.62 and 64.41; postoperatively 83.67, 75.75, 85.75, 87.25, 83.18; and control group were 82.21, 77.50, 92.50, 90.50, 85.40, respectively. There was highly statistically significant difference between all preoperative and postoperative scores of the study group. There was highly statistically significant difference between all preoperative scores of the study and control group. There was no statistically significant difference in preoperative and postoperative scores between the study subgroups. The improvement after surgery was not statistically significant between mild and severe group except for emotional scale.Conclusion:  Children with adenotonsillar disease showed significant improvements in disease‐specific and global quality of life after adenotonsillectomy as measured by TAHSI and PedsQL™. Preoperative and postoperative life quality does not differ according to severity of the disease. The improvement provided by adenotonsillectomy in the children with mild disease is statistically not different from the severely affected children in overall life quality.
Quality of life and functional outcomes in the management of early glottic carcinoma: a systematic review of studies comparing radiotherapy and transoral laser microsurgery
Authors: Spielmann P.M. , Majumdar S. , Morton R.P. 
Published: November 2010

Clin. Otolaryngol. 2010, 35, 373–382Background:  Early glottic carcinoma can be managed by radiotherapy and transoral laser microsurgery with similar control and survival rates. The functional and quality of life outcomes of these interventions are therefore important to guide management.Objective of review:  To compare the different treatment modalities for early glottic carcinoma with respect to quality of life, post‐treatment voice character and swallowing outcomes.Type of review:  A systematic review of the literature with defined search strategy.Search strategy:  Searches of EBM databases, and literature databases using key words: glotti*, laryn*, neoplasm, radiotherapy and laser surgery from 1970 to November 2009. Articles were screened for relevance using pre‐determined inclusion and exclusion criteria.Evaluation method:  Articles reviewed by authors and data compiled in tables for analysis.Results:  No randomised controlled trials were identified. There were 15 studies reporting vocal outcomes, and perception of voice disability was measured in eight studies; numbers were low in all the papers. Cumulatively, results for 880 patients were included, 448 had trans‐oral laser microsurgery and 442 had radiotherapy. For vocal outcomes, 12 studies found no significant difference between radiotherapy and laser surgery, three reported superior outcomes for radiotherapy, whereas for the perception of voice disability, five reported no difference between treatment groups, while the remaining three reported conflicting results. Nine studies reported quality of life outcomes; seven of these reported no difference between the treatment groups in overall scores although some report differences in subsets of questions.Conclusions:  The evidence base to date demonstrates comparable vocal and quality of life outcomes for radiotherapy and transoral laser surgery for early glottic carcinoma. There is a need for consensus on which measures of vocal quality and life satisfaction to be used in research trials to allow comparison between studies.
Oromandibular dystonia questionnaire (OMDQ‐25): a valid and reliable instrument for measuring health‐related quality of life
Authors: Merz R.I. , Deakin J. , Hawthorne M.R. 
Published: November 2010

Clin. Otolaryngol. 2010, 35, 390–396Objective:  To develop and validate a disease‐specific instrument to measure health‐related quality of life in patients with oromandibular dystonia.Design:  Prospective, cross‐sectional observational study.Setting:  Tertiary referral clinic, North East England, UK.Methods:  The Oromandibular Dystonia Questionnaire (OMDQ‐25) was evaluated in a group of 30 patients for psychometric properties, including its sensitivity to change after Botulinum Toxin A treatment. Comparison to a generic instrument was enabled using the Glasgow Health Scale Inventory and the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI).Results:  Item generation passed tests for scaling assumptions. Reliability was proven (Cronbach’s α > 0.78; test‐retest > 0.9) and validity supported with both convergent validity and discriminant validity. Sensitivity to change after Botulinum Toxin A treatment was established for all subscales (P ≤ 0.005), and in comparison with the GBI, all subscales showed large effect sizes.Conclusion:  The Oromandibular Dystonia Questionnaire (OMDQ‐25) is the first reliable and valid instrument to measure health‐related quality of life in patients with oromandibular dystonia.
Bacterial Bioluminescence, Bioelectromagnetics and Function
Authors: Pooley David T. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThe biological functions of light emission in bacterial bioluminescence are not always obvious, especially if the bacteria are in a free‐living mode. Experimental evidence suggests that light emission confers benefit to the bacteria themselves such as through photoreactivation and involves as much as 20% of cell energy metabolism. A theoretical model shows if the effect is mediated solely by light then cells should be luminescent at both high and low cell densities, therefore raising doubt over the photoreactivation hypothesis and suggesting that another cofactor is involved. It has been postulated that bioelectromagnetics may be involved in biological processes and be involved with coordinated activity in quorate cells. The cell densities associated with autoinduction coincide with a large change in coupling efficiency in the millimeter and submillimeter spectral region. In this paper it is suggested that one function of bioluminescence is as a pump, involving millimeter and submillimeter wave coupling that is of benefit to the quorum. This may be related to the observation that millimeter wave radiation exposure has been reported to induce changes in DNA conformation and possibly gene expression. Agents that change DNA conformation in bioluminescent bacteria can cause increases in light emission. This work may have implications for electromagnetic fields as quorum‐quenching agents.
In Vitro Model of Vitamin D Synthesis by UV Radiation in an Australian Urban Environment
Authors: McKinley Alex , Janda Monika , Auster Josephine , Kimlin Michael 
Published: November 2010

AbstractVitamin D, an important constituent of human health, is produced through the exposure of human skin to short wave (280–315 nm) ultraviolet radiation (UV). We aimed to establish whether an urbanized environment with tall buildings in close proximity (an “urban canyon”) significantly reduced the capacity of sunlight to synthesize vitamin D, when compared with a typical suburban area (∼2.5 km away); and to investigate the association of UV and vitamin D production with pollution, temperature, and humidity. Measurements of ambient UV (295–400 nm) (using a portable photometer/radiometer and detector) and synthesized vitamin D (from an in vitro model) were taken regularly at urban and control sites over 3 months in Brisbane, Australia. During a typical 20 min measurement, urban and control sites received 0.26 and 1.03 W m−2 mean total UV respectively (P < 0.001), and produced 0.12 and 0.53 μg mL−1 mean vitamin D (P < 0.001). Pollution, temperature and humidity were not associated with UV or vitamin D production. This demonstrates a large difference in vitamin D synthesis between an urban canyon and a nearby control site. Although the results cannot be directly applied to humans, they emphasize the need for further study of human vitamin D production in urban environments.
HSP‐27 protein expression in uveal melanoma: correlation with predicted survival
Authors: Jmor Fidan , Kalirai Helen , Taktak Azzam , Damato Bertil , Coupland Sarah E. 
Published: November 2010

Abstract.Purpose:  Almost 40% of uveal melanomas (UM) are fatal, because of metastatic disease that usually involves the liver. Partial or complete deletion of chromosome 3 (i.e., monosomy 3) is a strong predictor of metastatic mortality; however, genetic analysis is not always possible. The aim of this study was to determine whether heat shock protein 27 (HSP‐27) protein expression could reliably predict prognosis.Methods:  Immunohistochemical analysis of HSP‐27 protein expression was performed on formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded sections from 99 UM of known chromosome 3 status, as determined by multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification. Slides were evaluated blind by three independent observers. The percentage of tumour cells staining for HSP‐27 was categorized as: 0 (<1%); 1 (1–24%); 2 (25–49%); 3 (50–74%) or 4 (>74%). The staining intensity was categorized as: 0 (no staining); 1 (weak); 2 (moderate) and 3 (strong). These two categories were multiplied together to obtain the HSP‐27 expression score. All data were processed in spss for statistical analyses.Results:  Heat shock protein 27 score was lower in monosomy 3 melanomas than in disomy 3 tumours (p < 0.001; Mann–Whitney U‐test). An ‘accelerated failure time model’ was used to generate predicted survival for all patients included in the study. Kaplan–Meier analysis indicated a significantly decreased predicted 8‐year survival rate for patients with an HSP‐27 Score ≤6 (p = 0.03; Log rank test). Predicting monosomy 3 was enhanced by considering the HSP‐27 score together with basal tumour diameter, melanoma cytomorphology and mitotic rate.Conclusions:  Low HSP‐27 expression correlates with monosomy 3 in UM and with increased predicted mortality. When assessed together with other clinical and pathological variables, the HSP‐27 score enhances estimation of survival probability.
Physiologic and Pathophysiologic Role of Calpain: Implications for the Occurrence of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Bukowska Alicja , Lendeckel Uwe , Bode‐Böger Stefanie M. , Goette Andreas 
Published: November 2010

SUMMARYCalpain is an intracellular Ca2+‐activated protease and an important mediator of the actions of calcium. Cleavage by calpain is critical in a variety of calcium‐regulated cellular processes such as muscle contraction, neuronal excitability, secretion, signal transduction, cell proliferation, differentiation, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis. Deregulation of calpain caused by a disruption of calcium homeostasis during cardiac pathologies such as atrial fibrillation, heart failure, hypertrophy, or ischemia reperfusion, is critically involved in the myocardial damage. This review will summarize the physiologic and pathophysiologic basis of calpain. Atrial fibrillation is chosen as one example to explain the specific consequences of an increased calpain activity in cardiac muscle.
Myocardial Reverse Remodeling
Authors: Hellawell Jennifer L. , Margulies Kenneth B. 
Published: November 2010

SUMMARYDespite an extensive literature defining the mechanisms and significance of pathological myocardial remodeling, there has been no comprehensive review of the inverse process, often labeled reverse remodeling. Accordingly, the goal of this review is to overview the varied settings in which clinically significant reverse remodeling has been well documented. When available, we reviewed relevant randomized, controlled clinical trials, and meta‐analyses with sufficient cardiac imaging data to permit conclusions about reverse remodeling. When these types of studies were not available, relevant case‐control studies and case series that employed appropriate methodology were reviewed. Regression of pathological myocardial hypertrophy, chamber shape distortions, and dysfunction occurs in a wide variety of settings. Although reverse remodeling occurs spontaneously in some etiologies of myocardial dysfunction and failure, remodeling is more commonly observed in response to medical, device‐based, or surgical therapies, including β‐blockers, revascularization, cardiac resynchronization therapy, and valve surgery. Indeed, reverse remodeling following pathophysiologically targeted interventions helps validate that the targeted mechanisms are propelling and/or sustaining pathological remodeling. The diverse clinical settings in which reverse remodeling has been observed demonstrates that myocardial remodeling is bidirectional and occurs across the full spectrum of myocardial disease severity, duration, and etiology. Observations in several settings suggest that recovered hearts are not truly normal despite parallel improvements at organ, tissue, and cellular level. Nevertheless, the link between reverse remodeling and improved outcomes should inspire further research to better understand the mechanisms responsible for both reverse remodeling and persistent deviations from normalcy.
α‐Galactosylceramide activates antitumor immunity against liver tumor
Authors: Tatsumi Tomohide , Takehara Tetsuo , Miyagi Takuya , Sugiyama Tsukasa , Aketa Hiroshi , Sasakawa Akira , Kanto Tatsuya , Hiramatsu Naoki , Hayashi Norio 
Published: November 2010

Aim:  α‐Galactosylceramide (α‐GalCer) has been attracting attention as a novel approach to treat metastatic liver cancer. We investigated the detailed process of activating liver dendritic cells (DC) and immune cells after α‐GalCer treatment in the mouse liver tumor model.Methods:  BALB/c mice bearing CMS4 liver tumor (p53 peptide‐expressing tumor) were treated by α‐GalCer. We evaluated the activation of liver DC and immune cells after α‐GalCer treatment. Interferon (IFN)‐γ enzyme‐linked immunosorbent spot (ELISPOT) assay was performed to detect p53 peptide‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). To assess the impact of systemic acquired immunity by α‐GalCer treatment, 28 days after liver tumor treatment, CMS4 cells or Colon26 cells were re‐challenged s.c.Results:  The liver weights of α‐GalCer‐treated mice were significantly lighter than those of vehicle‐treated mice. Depletion experiments revealed that natural killer (NK) cells were essential for the antitumor effect of α‐GalCer. α‐GalCer treatment significantly increased the population of DC and NK cells in the liver. The expressions of co‐stimulatory molecules on liver DC significantly increased with the peak at 1 day after α‐GalCer administration. IFN‐γ ELISPOT assay demonstrated that p53 peptide‐specific CTL was generated efficiently in α‐GalCer‐treated mice. 51Cr‐release assay revealed that CD8+, not CD4+, CTL against CMS4 cells were generated in α‐GalCer‐treated mice. The mice that had been protected from CMS4 liver tumor by α‐GalCer injection became resistant against s.c. CMS4 re‐challenge, but not against Colon26 re‐challenge.Conclusion:  These results demonstrated the therapeutic potential of α‐GalCer against liver cancer through activating liver DC and immune cells in the liver.