bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
APOBEC3F and APOBEC3G mRNA Levels Do Not Correlate with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Plasma Viremia or CD4
+
T-Cell Count
Authors: Cho Soo-Jin , Drechsler Henning , Burke Ryan C. , Arens Max Q. , Powderly William , Davidson Nicholas O. 
Published: January 2006

ABSTRACT

APOBEC3F and APOBEC3G (hA3F and hA3G) are part of an innate mechanism of antiretroviral defense. The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) accessory protein Vif targets both proteins for proteasomal degradation. Using mRNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 92 HIV-infected subjects not taking antiretroviral therapy and 19 HIV-uninfected controls, we found that hA3F (
P
< 0.001) and hA3G (
P
= 0.016) mRNA levels were lower in HIV-infected subjects and were positively correlated with one another (
P
= 0.003). However, we found no correlation in the abundance of either hA3F or hA3G mRNA with either viral load or CD4 counts in HIV-infected subjects.
Lymphatic vessel density in the neoplastic progression of Barrett’s oesophagus to adenocarcinoma
Authors: Brundler M-A , Harrison J A , de Saussure B , de Perrot M , Pepper M S 
Published: January 2006

Background:Oesophageal adenocarcinoma is an aggressive neoplasm with poor prognosis as a result of early lymph node metastasis.Aims:To measure lymphatic vessel density (LVD) in the neoplastic progression from Barrett’s metaplasia to adenocarcinoma and determine whether LVD can predict the risk of cancer. In addition, to correlate LVD with lymph node metastasis and assess whether LVD could be used as a prognostic indicator for outcome or survival.Methods:LVD and microvascular density (MVD) were assessed after immunohistochemical staining of vessels in Barrett’s metaplasia, dysplasia, and adenocarcinoma tissues and were correlated with clinicopathological features.Results:LVD was significantly reduced in adenocarcinoma, being half that seen in normal stomach/oesophagus or metaplasia/dysplasia. LVD did not correlate with tumour grade, stage, or clinical outcome; however, patients who had either lymph node metastasis or invasion of tumour cells into peritumorous lymphatic vessels had a significantly worse overall survival. MVD was also assessed as a prognostic marker; its increase appeared to be linked more with the development of Barrett’s metaplasia than adenocarcinoma.Conclusions:The reduction in lymphatic vessel numbers was not useful for determining disease outcome in the patient group studied. It is the entry of tumour cells into pre-existing peritumorous lymphatic vessels that confers a significantly worse overall survival.
Euthyphro's Thesis Revisited
Authors: Dimas Panos 
Published: January 2006

AbstractIt has been an interpretative dogma to condemn Euthyphro's attempt to account for piety in terms of the gods' wishes as one totally repudiated by Socrates, and in itself untenable. Still at 15c8-9 Socrates expresses some scepticism about whether his refutation of Euthyphro's original account of piety in terms of what the gods love has established that it must be abandoned altogether. He then goes on to say that he and Euthyphro ought to investigate again (παλιν σκεπτεoν), from the beginning (εξ αρχηζ), what piety is (15c11-12), which may be taken to imply that Euthyphro's original account should be revisited. Interpreting Socrates' refutation of that account as having shown that it is one he rejects completely implies that no weight should be attached to Socrates' later reservations, even though he exhibits considerable care in expressing them. Unfortunately, as I argue, this interpretative stand has not brought us any closer to understanding the conception of piety Plato may be attributing to Socrates. If only for the purpose of interpretative completeness, we owe it to Plato actually to do as Socrates suggests at the end of the dialogue that one ought to, and revisit Euthyphro's thesis. In this paper, I propose to break ranks with the dogma. Instead, I follow Socrates' recommendation at 15c11 that we should look into what piety is from the beginning, simply to examine whether there are any insights that might be uncovered by doing so.
Mechanical Properties Evaluation of a Recycled Flax Fiber-reinforced Vinyl Ester
Authors: Rodriguez E. , Alvarez V. A. , Moran J. , Moreno S. , Petrucci R. , Kenny J. M. , Vazquez A. 
Published: January 2006

Flax fiber-vinyl ester composites are milled and mixed with virgin matrices to produce recycled composites. The effect of this powder incorporation on the mechanical properties of a thermosetting matrix (vinyl ester) and a thermoplastic matrix (polypropylene) is studied. In the case of thermosetting matrix, flexural and tensile strength decrease with the addition of powder. For filler contents higher than 50 vol%, the strength reaches a constant value. Flexural and Young’s moduli remain constant for different powder contents. In the case of thermoplastic matrix, strength and modulus decrease when powder is replaced by fibers. Both, fibers and powder act as reinforcement as moduli increase. Impact properties are improved with the addition of powder and fibers in comparison with the pure matrix.
Volume Changes in the Menisci and Articular Cartilage of Runners
Authors: Kessler Markus A. , Glaser Christian , Tittel Sylvia , Reiser Maximilian , Imhoff Andreas B. 
Published: January 2006

Background Articular cartilage contributes to transferring enormous loads as uniformly as possible from one skeletal segment to the next. Whether it manages this task when subjected to the high repetitive loading cycles occurring during long-distance running and can remain intact is still the topic of controversy. Purpose To investigate the changes in cartilaginous volumes of the tibia, patella, and medial and lateral menisci after extreme dynamic loading as occurs in long-distance runners. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods Forty-eight knees of male athletes were studied (38 ± 14 years). The subjects ran around a predetermined and precisely measured course (5, 10, 20 km), the beginning and end of the run being in the magnetic resonance imaging investigation room. The scan protocol was 60-minute rest period, first measurement, run, 3-minute delay, and second measurement. Results Overall, there were significant reductions in volume (P < .05) for the patella, tibia, and menisci. There was evidence of significant change after a running distance of 5 km. A further statistical reduction of the volume could only be demonstrated for the medial meniscus after 10 and 20 km. Conclusion Tibial, patellar, and meniscal cartilaginous volumes show not only load-dependent volume changes but also an asymptotic curve. This is the first time that meniscal volume changes due to loading have been used as an indicator of the important mechanical contribution that the menisci make to sustaining the knee during repetitive loading. Clinical Relevance On the basis of the results of this study, the authors assume that the cartilage is able to adapt well to the loads caused by running.
The Relationship between Menstrual Cycle Phase and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
Authors: Beynnon Bruce D. , Johnson Robert J. , Braun Stuart , Sargent Mike , Bernstein Ira M. , Skelly Joan M. , Vacek Pamela M. 
Published: January 2006

Background Female athletes suffer a greater incidence of anterior cruciate ligament tears compared with male athletes when participating in common sports; however, very little is known about the factors that explain this disparity. Study Design Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods Female recreational alpine skiers with an anterior cruciate ligament rupture and age-matched control skiers provided a serum sample and self-reported menstrual history data immediately after injury. Both serum concentrations of progesterone and menstrual history were then used to group subjects into either preovulatory or postovulatory phases of the menstrual cycle. Results Analysis of serum concentrations of progesterone revealed that alpine skiers in the preovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle were significantly more likely to tear their anterior cruciate ligaments than were skiers in the postovulatory phase (odds ratio, 3.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-9.52; P = .027). Analysis of menstrual history data found similar results, but the difference was not statistically significant (odds ratio, 2.38; 95% confidence interval, 0.86-6.54; P = .086). Conclusion The likelihood of sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury does not remain constant during the menstrual cycle; instead, the risk of suffering an anterior cruciate ligament disruption is significantly greater during the preovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle compared with the postovulatory phase. Clinical Relevance Phase of menstrual cycle may be one of the risk factors that influence knee ligament injury among female alpine skiers. The findings from this study should be considered in subsequent studies designed to identify persons at risk for anterior cruciate ligament injury and to develop intervention strategies.
Anatomical Double-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction after Valgus High Tibial Osteotomy
Authors: Kilger Robert H. P. , Stehle Jens , Fisk Jesse A. , Thomas Maribeth , Miura Kazutomo , Woo Savio L-Y. 
Published: January 2006

Background Although anatomical double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction can successfully restore normal knee biomechanics for knees with typical varus-valgus alignment, the efficacy of the same reconstruction method for knees after a valgus high tibial osteotomy is unclear. Hypothesis Anatomical double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction for valgus knees after a high tibial osteotomy cannot restore normal knee kinematics and can result in abnormally high in situ forces in the ligament graft. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods Ten cadaveric knees were subjected to valgus high tibial osteotomy followed by an anatomical double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The valgus knees were tested using a robotic/universal force-moment sensor system before and after the ligament reconstruction. The knee kinematics in response to anterior tibial load and combined rotatory loads, as well as the corresponding in situ forces of the anterior cruciate ligament bundles and grafts, were compared between the ligament-intact and ligament-reconstructed valgus knees. Results After reconstruction, the anterior tibial translation and internal tibial rotation for the valgus knee decreased approximately 2 mm and 2°, respectively, at low flexion angles compared with those of the anterior cruciate ligament–intact knee (P < .05). The in situ forces in the posterolateral graft became 56% to 200% higher than those in the posterolateral bundle of the intact anterior cruciate ligament (P < .05). Conclusion Performing an anatomical double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction on knees after valgus high tibial osteotomy may overconstrain the knee and result in high forces in the posterolateral graft, which could predispose it to failure. Clinical Relevance Modifications of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction procedures to reduce posterolateral graft force may be needed for valgus knees after a high tibial osteotomy.
The Effects of Medialization and Anteromedialization of the Tibial Tubercle on Patellofemoral Mechanics and Kinematics
Authors: Ramappa Arun J. , Apreleva Maria , Harrold Fraser R. , Fitzgibbons Peter G. , Wilson David R. , Gill Thomas J. 
Published: January 2006

Background Medialization and anteromedialization of the tibial tubercle are used to correct patellar subluxation in adults. Purpose To compare the effects of the 2 osteotomies on patellofemoral joint contact pressures and kinematics. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods Tibial tubercle osteotomies were performed on 10 cadaveric human knees. The knees were tested between 0° and 90° of flexion while dynamic patellofemoral joint contact pressure and kinematic data were simultaneously obtained. Four conditions were tested: normal knee alignment, simulated increased Q angle, postmedialization of the tibial tubercle, and postanteromedialization of the tubercle. Results An increased Q angle laterally translated the patella, shifted force to the lateral facet, and increased patella contact pressures. Both medialization and anteromedialization partially corrected the abnormal contact pressures. Medialization partially corrected the shift of force to the lateral facet induced by an increased Q angle, whereas the anteromedialization could not. Both medialization and anteromedialization corrected the patella maltracking. Conclusion Medialization and anteromedialization are equivalent in their ability to correct abnormal patellar mechanics and kinematics.
Hydrogen peroxide scavenging is not a virulence determinant in the pathogenesis of Haemophilus influenzae type b strain Eagan
Authors: Vergauwen Bjorn , Herbert Mark , Van Beeumen Jozef J 
Published: January 2006

Abstract

Background
A potentially lethal flux of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is continuously generated during aerobic metabolism. It follows that aerobic organisms have equipped themselves with specific H2O2 dismutases and H2O2 reductases, of which catalase and the alkyl hydroperoxide reductase (AhpR) are the best-studied prokaryotic members. The sequenced Haemophilus influenzae Rd genome reveals one catalase, designated HktE, and no AhpR. However, Haemophilus influenzae type b strain Eagan (Hib), a causative agent of bacterial sepsis and meningitis in young children, disrupted in its hktE gene is not attenuated in virulence, and retains the ability to rapidly scavenge H2O2. This redundancy in H2O2-scavenging is accounted for by peroxidatic activity which specifically uses glutathione as the reducing substrate.

Results
We show here that inside acatalasaemic H. influenzae all of the residual peroxidatic activity is catalyzed by PGdx, a hybrid peroxiredoxin-glutaredoxin glutathione-dependent peroxidase. In vitro kinetic assays on crude hktE
-
pgdx
-
H. influenzae Rd extracts revealed the presence of NAD(P)H:peroxide oxidoreductase activity, which, however, appears to be physiologically insignificant because of its low affinity for H2O2 (K
m = 1.1 mM). Hydroperoxidase-deficient hktE
-
pgdx
-
H. influenzae Rd showed a slightly affected aerobic growth phenotype in rich broth, while, in chemically defined medium, growth was completely inhibited by aerobic conditions, unless the medium contained an amino acid/vitamin supplement. To study the role of PGdx in virulence and to assess the requirement of H2O2-scavenging during the course of infection, both a pgdx single mutant and a pgdx/hktE double mutant of Hib were assayed for virulence in an infant rat model. The ability of both mutant strains to cause bacteremia was unaffected.

Conclusion
Catalase (HktE) and a sole peroxidase (PGdx) account for the majority of scavenging of metabolically generated H2O2 in the H. influenzae cytoplasm. Growth experiments with hydroperoxidase-deficient hktE
-
pgdx
-
H. influenzae Rd suggest that the cytotoxicity inflicted by the continuous accumulation of H2O2 during aerobic growth brings about bacteriostasis rather than bacterial killing. Finally, H2O2-scavenging is not a determinant of Hib virulence in the infant rat model of infection.
Morphological development of Aspergillus niger in submerged citric acid fermentation as a function of the spore inoculum level. Application of neural network and cluster analysis for characterization of mycelial morphology
Authors: Papagianni Maria , Mattey Michael 
Published: January 2006

Abstract

Background
Although the citric acid fermentation by Aspergillus niger is one of the most important industrial microbial processes and various aspects of the fermentation appear in a very large number of publications since the 1950s, the effect of the spore inoculum level on fungal morphology is a rather neglected area. The aim of the presented investigations was to quantify the effects of changing spore inoculum level on the resulting mycelial morphology and to investigate the physiology that underlines the phenomena. Batch fermentations were carried out in a stirred tank bioreactor, which were inoculated directly with spores in concentrations ranging from 104 to 109 spores per ml. Morphological features, evaluated by digital image analysis, were classified using an artificial neural network (ANN), which considered four main object types: globular and elongated pellets, clumps and free mycelial trees. The significance of the particular morphological features and their combination was determined by cluster analysis.

Results
Cell volume fraction analysis for the various inoculum levels tested revealed that by rising the spore inoculum level from 104 to 109 spores per ml, a clear transition from pelleted to dispersed forms occurs. Glucosamine formation and release by the mycelium appears to be related to spore inoculum level. Maximum concentrations detected in fermentations inoculated with 104 and 105 spores/ml, where pellets predominated. At much higher inoculum levels (108, 109 spores/ml), lower dissolved oxygen levels during the early fermentation phase were associated with slower ammonium ions uptakes and significantly lower glucosamine concentrations while the mycelium developed in dispersed morphologies. A big increase in the main and total hyphal lengths and branching frequency was observed in mycelial trees as inoculum levels rise from 104 to 109 spores/ml, while in aggregated forms particle sizes and their compactness decreased.

Conclusion
The methods used in this study, allowed for the detailed quantification of the transition between the two extreme morphological forms. The impact of spore inoculum level on the detailed characteristics of the particular morphological forms produced was high. Control of mycelial morphology is often regarded as a prerequisite to ensure increased productivities in industrial applications. The research described here demonstrates that adjusting the spore inoculum level controls effectively mycelial morphology.
The Effect of Triage‐applied Ottawa Ankle Rules on the Length of Stay in a Canadian Urgent Care Department: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Fan Jerome , Woolfrey Karen 
Published: January 2006

Objectives:To determine whether triage nurses ordering ankle or foot radiographs according to the Ottawa Ankle Rules (OAR) before physician evaluation decreases the length of stay for patients visiting an urgent care department.Methods:From July to September 2004, a randomized controlled trial of consecutive adult patients with ankle or foot twisting injuries who arrived at an urgent care department was conducted. Patients were included if their age was 18 years or older and their injury had occurred within seven days. They were excluded if there were neurovascular deficits, limb deformities, open fractures, or nonisolated ankle or foot injuries. Patients were randomly allocated to a roentgenogram–ordering clinical pathway (intervention) or to standard departmental care (control). Those assigned to the intervention group had triage nurses applying the OAR, and those with positive OAR were sent for roentgenograms before physician evaluation. Physicians were blinded to negative OAR nurse assessments. Investigators were blinded to group allocation. The primary outcome was the total mean length of stay (TLOS). The secondary outcomes were patient satisfaction (five‐point ordinal scale) and the proportion willing to return to the site for future care. Two–independent sample t‐test was used to analyze the TLOS. The Kruskal‐Wallis test was used to analyze satisfaction ratings differences between groups. Fisher's exact test was used to analyze the willing‐to‐return outcome. This study had 80% power to detect an effect size of 25 minutes.Results:Two hundred thirty‐two patients were eligible; 130 patients gave consent and were enrolled. Three patients were then excluded, three were lost to follow‐up, and one left without being seen. The intervention and control groups had mean TLOS of 73.0 minutes and 79.7 minutes, respectively. There was a statistically nonsignificant time difference of −6.7 minutes (95% CI =−20.9 to 7.4) between groups. There were no differences in patient satisfaction ratings (p‐value = 0.343) or WOR (3.8%; 95% CI =−3.3% to 11.0%).Conclusions:The use of OAR and the ordering of roentgenograms by triage nurses before physician evaluation for twisting ankle or foot injuries does not decrease the length of stay in an urgent care department.
Patient and Physician Perceptions as Risk Factors for Oligoanalgesia: A Prospective Observational Study of the Relief of Pain in the Emergency Department
Authors: Miner James , Biros Michelle H. , Trainor Arleigh , Hubbard Daniel , Beltram Maryam 
Published: January 2006

Objectives:
Previous studies have reported that pain is undertreated in the emergency department (ED), but few physician‐dependent risk factors have been identified. In this study, the authors determine whether pain treatment and relief in ED patients are negatively associated with the physician's perception of whether the patient was exaggerating symptoms, and with the patient and physician's perceptions of the interaction between them, as well as whether demographic characteristics were associated with these perceptions.
Methods:
This was a prospective observational study of patients who were undergoing treatment for painful disorders in the ED. Before treatment for pain, patients were asked to complete a 100‐mm visual analog scale (VAS) describing their pain. Demographic information and pain treatments administered were recorded. Patients completed a second pain VAS before discharge from the ED. Patients were then asked to complete three queries describing their perception of their interaction with the physician. After the patient had left the department, the patient's physician was asked to complete a query describing his or her perception of the interaction and to complete a VAS describing how likely it was that the patient was exaggerating symptoms to obtain pain medicines for nonmedical purposes.
Results:
There were 1,695 patients enrolled in the study; 32 patients were excluded because of missing or incomplete data, leaving 1,663 for analysis. Of these patients, 71.9% received a pain medication while in the ED. There was no association between the physician's VAS for perceived exaggeration of symptoms, the queries describing physician–patient interactions, and patient ethnicity and whether patients received pain treatment in the ED. There was a negative correlation between the physician's VAS for perceived exaggeration of symptoms and the change in the patient's pre‐ and posttreatment pain VAS scores. The physician's VAS score for perceived exaggeration of symptoms was higher among Native American patients than among other ethnic groups (p ≤ 0.001). The patient and physician queries rating their interaction show a decreased absolute reduction of VAS pain scores (p ≥ 0.001) and a reduction in the number of patients having at least a 50% reduction in their pain VAS score when interactions were rated “bad” and “very bad” (p ≤ 0.001).
Conclusions:
The physician's perception of whether a patient was exaggerating symptoms was associated with the patient's ethnic background and with both the physician's and patient's perception of their interaction. These perceptions were negatively associated with the achievement of pain relief and the change in the patient's pain VAS scores, but not with whether a patient was treated with a pain medication.