bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chronological and Clinical Characteristics of Apnea Associated With Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection: A Retrospective Case Series
Authors: Arms Joseph Leo , Ortega Henry , Reid Samuel 
Published: July 2008

Objective Infants with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection are at risk for developing apnea. The authors compared patients with RSV infection who develop apnea with those who do not, to help ambulatory physicians risk stratify their patients with RSV infection. Methods Entry criteria were age less than 1 year, RSV infection, and presentation to the authors' pediatric emergency departments. Random and weighted sampling techniques were used to identify the study group and provide the control sample. Charts were abstracted for 34 clinical variables. Results The study group consisted of 42 patients with apnea, and the control group consisted of 198 patients without apnea. Logistic regression analysis identified 2 independent variables associated with apnea: young age and presentation with apnea. Most patients with apnea were less than 2 months of age and were ill for less than 5 days. Conclusions Age and duration of illness may help clinicians determine which previously healthy infants are at risk for apnea.
Ototoxicity of trichloroethylene in concentrations relevant for the working environment
Authors: Vyskocil A , Leroux T , Truchon G , Lemay F , Gagnon F , Gendron M , Viau C 
Published: July 2008

Organic solvents can cause hearing loss themselves or promote noise-induced hearing loss. The objective of this study was to review the literature on the effects of low-level exposure to trichloroethylene on the auditory system and consider its relevance for the occupational settings. Both human and animal investigations were evaluated only for realistic exposure concentrations based on the Quebec permissible exposure limits: 50 ppm 8-h time-weighed average exposure value (TWAEV) and 200 ppm short-term exposure value (STEV). In humans, the upper limit for considering ototoxicity data relevant to the occupational exposure situation was set at the STEV. Animal data were evaluated only for exposure concentrations up to 100 times the TWAEV. There is no convincing evidence of trichloroethylene-induced hearing losses in workers. In rats, trichloroethylene affects the auditory function mainly in the cochlear mid- to high-frequency range with a lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) of 2000 ppm. No studies on ototoxic interaction after combined exposure to noise and trichloroethylene were identified in humans. In rats, supra-additive interaction was reported. Further studies with sufficient data on the trichloroethylene exposure of workers are necessary to make a definitive conclusion. In the interim, we recommend considering trichloroethylene as an ototoxic agent.
Functional analysis of the cytoplasmic domain of the integrin α1 subunit in endothelial cells
Authors: Abair Tristin D. , Bulus Nada , Borza Corina , Sundaramoorthy Munirathinam , Zent Roy , Pozzi Ambra 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIntegrin α1β1, the major collagen type IV receptor, is expressed by endothelial cells and plays a role in both physiologic and pathologic angiogenesis. Because the molecular mechanisms whereby this collagen IV receptor mediates endothelial cell functions are poorly understood, truncation and point mutants of the integrin α1 subunit cytoplasmic tail (amino acids 1137-1151) were generated and expressed into α1-null endothelial cells. We show that α1-null endothelial cells expressing the α1 subunit, which lacks the entire cytoplasmic tail (mutant α1-1136) or expresses all the amino acids up to the highly conserved GFFKR motif (mutant α1-1143), have a similar phenotype to parental α1-null cells. Pro1144 and Leu1145 were shown to be necessary for α1β1-mediated endothelial cell proliferation; Lys1146 for adhesion, migration, and tubulogenesis and Lys1147 for tubulogenesis. Integrin α1β1–dependent endothelial cell proliferation is primarily mediated by ERK activation, whereas migration and tubulogenesis require both p38 MAPK and PI3K/Akt activation. Thus, distinct amino acids distal to the GFFKR motif of the α1 integrin cytoplasmic tail mediate activation of selective downstream signaling pathways and specific endothelial cell functions.
Factor H, membrane cofactor protein, and factor I mutations in patients with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count syndrome
Authors: Fakhouri Fadi , Jablonski Mathieu , Lepercq Jacques , Blouin Jacques , Benachi Alexandra , Hourmant Maryvonne , Pirson Yves , Dürrbach Antoine , Grünfeld Jean-Pierre , Knebelmann Bertrand , Frémeaux-Bacchi Véronique 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
The HELLP syndrome, defined by the existence of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count, is a serious complication of pregnancy-related hypertensive disorders and shares several clinical and biologic features with thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). Several recent studies have clearly shown that an abnormal control of the complement alternative pathway is a major risk for the occurrence of a peculiar type of TMA involving mainly the kidney. The aim of this study was to screen for complement abnormalities in 11 patients with HELLP syndrome and renal involvement. We identified 4 patients with a mutation in one of the genes coding for proteins involved in the regulation of the alternative pathway of complement. Our results suggest that an abnormal control of the complement alternative pathway is a risk factor for the occurrence of HELLP syndrome.
Longitudinal analysis of heart and liver iron in thalassemia major
Authors: Noetzli Leila J. , Carson Susan M. , Nord Anne S. , Coates Thomas D. , Wood John C. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractHigh hepatic iron concentration (HIC) is associated with cardiac iron overload. However, simultaneous measurements of heart and liver iron often demonstrate no significant linear association. We postulated that slower rates of cardiac iron accumulation and clearance could reconcile these differences. To test this hypothesis, we examined the longitudinal evolution of cardiac and liver iron in 38 thalassemia major patients, using previously validated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. On cross-sectional evaluation, cardiac iron was uncorrelated with liver iron, similar to previous studies. However, relative changes in heart and liver iron were compared with one another using a metric representing the temporal delay between them. Cardiac iron significantly lagged liver iron changes in almost half of the patients, implying a functional but delayed association. The degree of time lag correlated with initial HIC (r = 0.47, P < .003) and initial cardiac R2* (r = 0.57, P < .001), but not with patient age. Thus, longitudinal analysis confirms a lag in the loading and unloading of cardiac iron with respect to liver iron, and partially explains the weak cross-sectional association between these parameters. These data reconcile several prior studies and provide both mechanical and clinical insight into cardiac iron accumulation.
Mitogenomic evaluation of the historical biogeography of cichlids toward reliable dating of teleostean divergences
Authors: Azuma Yoichiro , Kumazawa Yoshinori , Miya Masaki , Mabuchi Kohji , Nishida Mutsumi 
Published: July 2008

Abstract

Background
Recent advances in DNA sequencing and computation offer the opportunity for reliable estimates of divergence times between organisms based on molecular data. Bayesian estimations of divergence times that do not assume the molecular clock use time constraints at multiple nodes, usually based on the fossil records, as major boundary conditions. However, the fossil records of bony fishes may not adequately provide effective time constraints at multiple nodes. We explored an alternative source of time constraints in teleostean phylogeny by evaluating a biogeographic hypothesis concerning freshwater fishes from the family Cichlidae (Perciformes: Labroidei).

Results
We added new mitogenomic sequence data from six cichlid species and conducted phylogenetic analyses using a large mitogenomic data set. We found a reciprocal monophyly of African and Neotropical cichlids and their sister group relationship to some Malagasy taxa (Ptychochrominae sensu Sparks and Smith). All of these taxa clustered with a Malagasy + Indo/Sri Lankan clade (Etroplinae sensu Sparks and Smith). The results of the phylogenetic analyses and divergence time estimations between continental cichlid clades were much more congruent with Gondwanaland origin and Cretaceous vicariant divergences than with Cenozoic transmarine dispersal between major continents.

Conclusion
We propose to add the biogeographic assumption of cichlid divergences by continental fragmentation as effective time constraints in dating teleostean divergence times. We conducted divergence time estimations among teleosts by incorporating these additional time constraints and achieved a considerable reduction in credibility intervals in the estimated divergence times.
A randomized controlled trial to evaluate self-determination theory for exercise adherence and weight control: rationale and intervention description
Authors: Silva Marlene N , Markland David , Minderico Cláudia S , Vieira Paulo N , Castro Margarida M , Coutinho Sílvia R , Santos Teresa C , Matos Margarida G , Sardinha Luís B , Teixeira Pedro J 
Published: July 2008

Abstract

Background
Research on the motivational model proposed by Self-Determination Theory (SDT) provides theoretically sound insights into reasons why people adopt and maintain exercise and other health behaviors, and allows for a meaningful analysis of the motivational processes involved in behavioral self-regulation. Although obesity is notoriously difficult to reverse and its recidivism is high, adopting and maintaining a physically active lifestyle is arguably the most effective strategy to counteract it in the long-term. The purposes of this study are twofold: i) to describe a 3-year randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed at testing a novel obesity treatment program based on SDT, and ii) to present the rationale behind SDT's utility in facilitating and explaining health behavior change, especially physical activity/exercise, during obesity treatment.

Methods
Study design, recruitment, inclusion criteria, measurements, and a detailed description of the intervention (general format, goals for the participants, intervention curriculum, and main SDT strategies) are presented. The intervention consists of a 1-year group behavioral program for overweight and moderately obese women, aged 25 to 50 (and pre-menopausal), recruited from the community at large through media advertisement. Participants in the intervention group meet weekly or bi-weekly with a multidisciplinary intervention team (30 2 h sessions in total), and go through a program covering most topics considered critical for successful weight control. These topics and especially their delivery were adapted to comply with SDT and Motivational Interviewing guidelines. Comparison group receive a general health education curriculum. After the program, all subjects are follow-up for a period of 2 years.

Discussion
Results from this RCT will contribute to a better understanding of how motivational characteristics, particularly those related to physical activity/exercise behavioral self-regulation, influence treatment success, while exploring the utility of Self-Determination Theory for promoting health behavior change in the context of obesity.

Trial Registration

Clinical Trials Gov. Identifier NCT00513084
Physicians' perception of childhood asthma in Turkey: more appropriate practice among female physicians
Authors: Soyer Ozge Uysal , Civelek Ersoy , Sekerel Bulent E 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackgroundLow levels of asthma control worldwide point to the possibility of sub-optimal management; therefore, documentation of physicians' perception is critical for future interventions. Our aim was to examine self-reported management abilities of Turkish physicians dealing with children with asthma, document the factors affecting appropriate decisions and compare the results with those of a previous survey.MethodsPhysicians were surveyed via a questionnaire aimed to document self-perceived asthma knowledge and attitudes in asthma management.ResultsThe majority of physicians were male (63%) and examined 234 ± 9 patients per week. Infrequent use of objective parameters in asthma diagnosis and attack severity assessment was reported and most preferred nebulized corticosteroids to the systemic form in acute asthma. Even though self-perceived overall asthma knowledge did not differ between genders (p = 0.098), male physicians scored higher than females for inhaled steroids for acute asthma (2.8 ± 0.12 vs 2.17 ± 0.2, respectively, p = 0.007), while female physicians recorded more frequent use of inhaled steroids for chronic asthma (3.72 ± 0.08 vs 3.43 ± 0.07, respectively, p = 0.006). Female physicians' scoring for "symptom control" as the main aim of asthma management was higher than that of their male counterparts (3.88 ± 0.04 vs 3.65 ± 0.06, respectively, p = 0.002).ConclusionAlthough there were some discrepancies between guidelines and clinical practice, most applications of Turkish physicians dealing with children with asthma were appropriate. Interestingly, when scores of female versus male physicians were compared, it can be suggested that female physicians have a more appropriate perception of asthma, indicating a significant contribution of gender-related factors in clinical attitudes and beliefs.
Engineering of xylose reductase and overexpression of xylitol dehydrogenase and xylulokinase improves xylose alcoholic fermentation in the thermotolerant yeast Hansenula polymorpha
Authors: Dmytruk Olena V , Dmytruk Kostyantyn V , Abbas Charles A , Voronovsky Andriy Y , Sibirny Andriy A 
Published: July 2008

Abstract

Background
The thermotolerant methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha is capable of alcoholic fermentation of xylose at elevated temperatures (45 – 48°C). Such property of this yeast defines it as a good candidate for the development of an efficient process for simultaneous saccharification and fermentation. However, to be economically viable, the main characteristics of xylose fermentation of H. polymorpha have to be improved.

Results
Site-specific mutagenesis of H. polymorpha XYL1 gene encoding xylose reductase was carried out to decrease affinity of this enzyme toward NADPH. The modified version of XYL1 gene under control of the strong constitutive HpGAP promoter was overexpressed on a Δxyl1 background. This resulted in significant increase in the KM for NADPH in the mutated xylose reductase (K341 → R N343 → D), while KM for NADH remained nearly unchanged. The recombinant H. polymorpha strain overexpressing the mutated enzyme together with native xylitol dehydrogenase and xylulokinase on Δxyl1 background was constructed. Xylose consumption, ethanol and xylitol production by the constructed strain were determined for high-temperature xylose fermentation at 48°C. A significant increase in ethanol productivity (up to 7.3 times) was shown in this recombinant strain as compared with the wild type strain. Moreover, the xylitol production by the recombinant strain was reduced considerably to 0.9 mg × (L × h)-1 as compared to 4.2 mg × (L × h)-1 for the wild type strain.

Conclusion
Recombinant strains of H. polymorpha engineered for improved xylose utilization are described in the present work. These strains show a significant increase in ethanol productivity with simultaneous reduction in the production of xylitol during high-temperature xylose fermentation.
Differentiation of two types of mobilized peripheral blood stem cells by microRNA and cDNA expression analysis
Authors: Jin Ping , Wang Ena , Ren Jiaqiang , Childs Richard , Shin Jeong Won , Khuu Hanh , Marincola Francesco M , Stroncek David F 
Published: July 2008

Abstract

Background
Mobilized-peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have been used for transplantation, immunotherapy, and cardiovascular regenerative medicine. Agents used for HSC mobilization include G-CSF and the CXCR4 inhibitor AMD3100 (plerixafor). The HSCs cells mobilized by each agent may contain different subtypes and have different functions. To characterize mobilized HSCs used for clinical applications, microRNA (miRNA) profiling and gene expression profiling were used to compare AMD3100-mobilized CD133+ cells from 4 subjects, AMD3100 plus G-CSF-mobilized CD133+ cells from 4 subjects and G-CSF-mobilized CD34+ cells from 5 subjects. The HSCs were compared to peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) from 7 subjects.

Results
Hierarchical clustering of miRNAs separated HSCs from PBLs. miRNAs up-regulated in all HSCs included hematopoiesis-associated miRNA; miR-126, miR-10a, miR-221 and miR-17-92 cluster. miRNAs up-regulated in PBLs included miR-142-3p, -218, -21, and -379. Hierarchical clustering analysis of miRNA expression separated the AMD3100-mobilized CD133+ cells from G-CSF-mobilized CD34+ cells. Gene expression analysis of the HSCs naturally segregated samples according to mobilization and isolation protocol and cell differentiation status.

Conclusion
HSCs and PBLs have unique miRNA and gene expression profiles. miRNA and gene expression microarrays maybe useful for assessing differences in HSCs.
The role of apoptosis in early embryonic development of the adenohypophysis in rats
Authors: Weingärtner Jens , Lotz Kristina , Faltermeier Andreas , Driemel Oliver , Kleinheinz Johannes , Gedrange Tomas , Proff Peter 
Published: July 2008

Abstract

Background
Apoptosis is involved in fundamental processes of life, like embryonic development, tissue homeostasis, or immune defense. Defects in apoptosis cause or contribute to developmental malformation, cancer, and degenerative disorders.

Methods
The developing adenohypophysis area of rat fetuses was studied at the embryonic stage 13.5 (gestational day) for apoptotic and proliferative cell activities using histological serial sections.

Results
A high cell proliferation rate was observed throughout the adenohypophysis. In contrast, apoptotic cells visualized by evidence of active caspase-3, were detected only in the basal epithelial cones as an introducing event for fusion and closure of the pharyngeal roof.

Conclusion
We can clearly show an increasing number of apoptotic events only at the basic fusion sides of the adenohypophysis as well as in the opening region of this organ. Apoptotic destruction of epithelial cells at the basal cones of the adenohypophysis begins even before differentiation of the adenohypophyseal cells and their contact with the neurohypophysis. In early stages of development, thus, apoptotic activity of the adenohypophysis is restricted to the basal areas mentioned. In our test animals, the adenohypophysis develops after closure of the anterior neuroporus.
GridCell: a stochastic particle-based biological system simulator
Authors: Boulianne Laurier , Al Assaad Sevin , Dumontier Michel , Gross Warren J 
Published: July 2008

Abstract

Background
Realistic biochemical simulators aim to improve our understanding of many biological processes that would be otherwise very difficult to monitor in experimental studies. Increasingly accurate simulators may provide insights into the regulation of biological processes due to stochastic or spatial effects.

Results
We have developed GridCell as a three-dimensional simulation environment for investigating the behaviour of biochemical networks under a variety of spatial influences including crowding, recruitment and localization. GridCell enables the tracking and characterization of individual particles, leading to insights on the behaviour of low copy number molecules participating in signaling networks. The simulation space is divided into a discrete 3D grid that provides ideal support for particle collisions without distance calculation and particle search. SBML support enables existing networks to be simulated and visualized. The user interface provides intuitive navigation that facilitates insights into species behaviour across spatial and temporal dimensions. We demonstrate the effect of crowing on a Michaelis-Menten system.

Conclusion
GridCell is an effective stochastic particle simulator designed to track the progress of individual particles in a three-dimensional space in which spatial influences such as crowding, co-localization and recruitment may be investigated.
A postmenopausal woman presenting with Ekbom syndrome associated with recurrent depressive disorder: a case report
Authors: Mahler Courtney , MacQueen Glenda , Samaan Zainab 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackgroundEkbom syndrome is a rare psychiatric disorder that can manifest as a delusion, overvalued idea or hallucination of parasitic infestations. It is more prevalent in postmenopausal women and patients are usually seeking dermatology rather than psychiatry consultation for their symptoms.Case presentationWe present a case of Ekbom syndrome associated with recurrent depressive disorder in an elderly patient. The patient presented with tactile hallucinations of insects crawling just under her skin. These hallucinations resolved with Mirtazepine and electroconvulsive therapy treatment in the absence of an antipsychotic pharmacological agent.ConclusionThis case report highlights the presence of a rare psychiatric presentation of Ekbom syndrome within the context of depression. The majority of such cases will not be seen by psychiatrists but by dermatologists. Therefore collaborative consultations between dermatologists and psychiatrists of patients presenting with symptoms of Ekbom are essential for the identification and management of such cases. The case also takes a look at possible aetiologies and the importance of descriptive psychopathology in distinguishing psychotic symptoms in depressive disorder.