bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plasma adiponectin in heart transplant recipients
Authors: Ambrosi Pierre , Oddoze Christiane , Nicolay Alain , Penet‐Lorec Anne‐Marie , Riberi Alberto , Métras Dominique , Portugal Henri , Habib Gilbert 
Published: February 2009

Abstract:  Background:  The association between plasma adiponectin and metabolic syndrome may be impaired in heart transplant recipients, since renal failure is frequent among these patients. Thus, we studied the relationship between metabolic syndrome and plasma adiponectin in transplanted heart recipients.Methods:  Ninety‐five heart transplant recipients were prospectively included 8.3 ± 5.6 yr after transplantation in this cross‐sectional study. All patients had physical examination, echocardiography or routine biennial coronary angiography, and laboratory measurements.Results:  Metabolic syndrome was found in 31% of these patients. Plasma adiponectin was significantly lower in patients with metabolic syndrome (12.5 ± 8.3 μg/mL) than in patients without (16.7 ± 9.4 μg/mL, p = 0.03). Adiponectin levels were usually in the normal or high range (< 4 μg/mL in only two patients). Low creatinine clearance was associated with higher plasma adiponectin (R=−0.26, p = 0.01). Plasma adiponectin was not significantly different between the 28 patients with angiographic evidence of graft vasculopathy (13.9 ± 9.5 μg/mL) and the 67 patients without (16.1 ± 9.1 μg/mL, p = 0.3).Conclusions:  Contrasting with a high frequency of metabolic syndrome in these patients, adiponectin levels were usually in the normal or high range, probably as a consequence of renal failure. This suggests that adiponectin is not a major determinant for insulin resistance among these patients.
Role of dietary intervention and nutritional follow‐up in heart transplant recipients
Authors: Guida Bruna , Perrino Nunzia Ruggiero , Laccetti Roberta , Trio Rossella , Nastasi Annamaria , Pesola Domenica , Maiello Ciro , Marra Claudio , De Santo Luca Salvatore , Cotrufo Maurizio 
Published: February 2009

Abstract:  Background:  Obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are common features after heart transplantation and they lead to coronary artery disease and graft loss.Aim:  To determine the effects of a dietary intervention on nutritional status and metabolic outcome of two groups enrolled during or after the first year from the transplant.Methods:  Forty two subjects (mean age 51.36±12.4 yr) were studied; 20 were enrolled during the first year by the transplant, 22 were enrolled after the first year from the transplant (7.9±3.86 and 56.86±38.6 months after surgery, respectively). According to diet compliance both groups were divided into two subgroups and they were prospectively followed for 4 years. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical nutritional markers, and dietary records were collected at baseline (T0) and after a 12‐month follow‐up period (T12) and a 48‐month follow‐up period (T48). Body composition was performed at T0 and T12.Results:  Diet compliance was associated with a decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose plasma level and with a weight loss mainly due to a decrease in fat mass.Conclusion:  Our study shows the efficacy of dietary intervention to obtain an early and late weight and metabolic control after heart transplant.
Parameters for successful pig islet isolation as determined using 68 specific‐pathogen‐free miniature pigs
Authors: Kim Hyoung‐Il , Lee Song‐Yi , Jin Sang Man , Kim Kang Seok , Yu Jae Eun , Yeom Su‐Cheong , Yoon Tai Wook , Kim Jae Hyeon , Ha Jongwon , Park Chung‐Gyu , Kim Sang‐Joon 
Published: February 2009

Abstract: Background:  Islet cell transplantation is a novel therapeutic modality for the cure of diabetes. Pig islet cells are an attractive substitute for human islet cells; however, they are known to be particularly difficult to isolate because of a weak islet capsule and a tendency to be fragmented during enzymatic digestion. Therefore, parameters favoring successful pig islet isolation were investigated using specific‐pathogen‐free (SPF) miniature pigs.Methods:  Sixty‐eight SPF miniature pigs were used for islet isolation. Birth weight, body weight, age, sex, pregnancy history, and the fasting blood glucose levels of each pig were determined. Each pig’s general condition was assessed with regard to feeding status and physical activity. Pancreas procurement was performed by one surgical team. Anesthesia duration, operation duration, procedure quality, and perfusate type were recorded. After pancreatectomy, a biopsy was performed for islet density analysis. Decapsulation, cannulation duration, degree of distension, and cold ischemic time were assessed. During islet isolation, pancreas weight, digestion time, and digested tissue proportion were recorded. Isolation results were evaluated by total islet equivalents (IEQ), islet equivalents per gram of pancreas (IEQ/g), isolation index, islet recovery rate, purity, and visual grade. To identify the predictors of higher islet isolation yield, we performed binary logistic regression analysis with significant (P < 0.05) variables from the univariate analysis.Results:  The pigs were categorized into high (n = 34) and low yield (n = 34) groups according to the median IEQ/g or total IEQ values. Body weight and age were significantly different between the two groups. Being male or a positive history of pregnancy in females was factors favoring successful islet isolation. General condition assessments failed to estimate islet isolation results. Long anesthesia duration, which might have caused ischemic injury to the pancreas, negatively affected islet isolation results. Decapsulation, cannulation duration, and subsequent pancreas distension were significantly important in successful islet isolation. Inter‐lot variability of Liberase was not observed because of screening processes performed before purchase. Isolation index and islet recovery rate correlated well with islet yields.Conclusions:  Multivariate analysis using total IEQ and IEQ/g as outcome variables indicated that age older than 2, being male and moderate distension by Liberase injection are major determinants influencing successful islet isolation.
No in vivo infection of triple immunosuppressed non‐human primates after inoculation with high titers of porcine endogenous retroviruses*
Authors: Specke Volker , Plesker Roland , Wood James , Coulibaly Cheick , Suling Kristen , Patience Clive , Kurth Reinhard , Schuurman Henk‐Jan , Denner Joachim 
Published: February 2009

Abstract: Background:  Porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) released from pig tissue can infect selected human cells in vitro and therefore represent a safety risk for xenotransplantation using pig cells, tissues, or organs. Although PERVs infect cells of numerous species in vitro, attempts to establish reliable animal models failed until now. Absence of PERV transmission has been shown in first experimental and clinical xenotransplantations; however, these trials suffered from the absence of long‐term exposure (transplant survival) and profound immunosuppression.Methods:  We conducted infectivity studies in rhesus monkeys, pig‐tailed monkeys, and baboons under chronic immunosuppression with cyclosporine A, methylprednisolone, and the rapamycin derivative. These species were selected because they are close to the human species and PERVs can be transmitted in vitro to cells of these species. In addition, the animals received twice, a C1 esterase inhibitor to block complement activation before inoculation of PERV. In order to overcome the complications of microchimerism, animals were inoculated with high titers of cell‐free PERV. In addition, to enable transmission via cell–cell contact, some animals also received virus‐producing cells. For inoculation the primate cell‐adapted strain PERV/5° was used which is characterized by a high infectious titer. Produced on human cells, this virus does not express alpha 1,3 Gal epitopes, does not contain porcine antigens on the viral surface and is therefore less immunogenic in non‐human primates compared with pig cell‐derived virus. Finally, we present evidence that PERV/5° productively infects cells from baboons and rhesus monkeys.Results:  In a follow‐up period of 11 months, no antibody production against PERV and no integration of proviral DNA in blood cells was observed. Furthermore, no PERV sequences were detected in the DNA of different organs taken after necropsy.Conclusion:  These results indicate that in a primate model, in the presence of chronic immunosuppression, neither the inoculation of cell‐free nor cell‐associated PERV using a virus already adapted to primate cells results in an infection; this is despite the fact that peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the same animals are infectible in vitro.
Synergistic effects of α‐1,2‐fucosyltransferase, DAF, and CD59 in suppression of xenogenic immunological responses
Authors: Li Sheng‐Zhi , Qu Yan‐Chun , Liu Bing‐Qian , Wang Guang‐You , Zhang Yue , Ma Zhi‐Fang , Ma Teng‐Xiang , Qiu Mengsheng , Han Rui‐Fa 
Published: February 2009

Abstract: Background:  Previous studies showed that α‐1,2‐fucosyltransferase (HT), decay accelerating factor (DAF), and CD59 have an inhibitory effect on the immunological rejection of xenogenic transplantation.Methods:  To investigate their possible synergistic effects in suppression of heterogeneic transplantation, we produced transgenic mouse lines expressing human HT, DAF, and/or CD59 by the standard pronuclear injection approach. PCR and Southern blot were used to identify the transgenic founder lines. Flow cytometry confirmed the high‐level expression of HT, DAF, or CD59 in the transgenic mice.Results:  The deposition of IgM, C3c, or C9 in the cardiac vascular endothelial cells of the HT, HT/CD59, and/or DAF multiple positive transgenic mice was markedly decreased. The survival time and function of the hearts of the co‐transgenic mice were significantly longer and higher than that of the single HT‐positive transgenic mice (P < 0.05).Conclusion:  The mice co‐expressing HT/DAF or HT/CD59 could resist the hyperacute rejection better than those expressing HT alone. It is feasible to use HT and C‐reactive proteins co‐transgenic tissues to resist hyperacute rejection and xenograft rejection.
Insecticidal bacterium isolated from an ant lion larva from Munakata, Japan
Authors: Egami I. , Iiyama K. , Zhang P. , Chieda Y. , Ino N. , Hasegawa K. , Lee J. M. , Kusakabe T. , Yasunaga‐Aoki C. , Shimizu S. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractTwenty bacteria were isolated from four ant lion larvae. The isolates were classified into three groups by biological characteristics. Since Group I, Group II and Group III were isolated from individual larvae Kuo1, Kuo3, 4 and Kuo2, respectively, with exception of one isolate Kuo2‐1, each ant lion tested had its own dominant bacterial flora. Groups I and II were closer to Serratia liquefaciens and Enterobacter cloacae, respectively, whereas Group III could not be identified by the test used. The phylogenetic analysis of GroEL amino acid sequences revealed that Group I, II and III were related to those of Serratia spp., E. cloacae and Salmonella spp. –Escherichia/Shigella spp., respectively. Among these groups, Group I was highly virulent against Bombyx mori and Periplaneta americana, and caused 100% mortality within 24 h. The other two groups (Group II and III) were avirulent to these insect species. The culture filtrate of Group I caused killing activity to B. mori larvae and the insecticidal substance was purified from culture filtrate of Group I bacterium. Since the insecticidal activity highly correlated with proteolytic activity in the chromatographies, Group I bacterium may secret insecticidal proteinase in vitro.
Benthic indicators and index approaches in the three main estuaries along the French Atlantic coast (Seine, Loire and Gironde)
Authors: Dauvin Jean‐Claude , Bachelet Guy , Barillé Anne‐Laure , Blanchet Hugues , De Montaudouin Xavier , Lavesque Nicolas , Ruellet Thierry 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe three main estuaries in the French Atlantic coast – the Seine, Loire and Gironde, all with high tidal regimes – are interfaces between the continental and the coastal ecosystems. The Seine and Gironde are highly contaminated, whereas the Loire remains in a more natural state. Both the Seine and Gironde have suffered from harbour construction, and as a result, their biological units are extremely compartmentalized. Benthic species and communities have adapted to tolerate temporal physical and chemical changes (e.g. salinity, substrata, depth, and levels of fine particles and oxygen) and human activities (e.g. dredging, shipping traffic, and habitat reduction). Although numerous bio‐indicators and indices are used to define the ecological quality status (EcoQS) of coastal waters, very few of them were developed specifically for environments with a mosaic of conditions and salinity levels, including freshwater. The main problem appears to be that all the indices for determining anthropogenic stress examine the abundances of stress‐tolerant species, which may also be able to tolerate natural stressors such as those occurring in estuaries. This paper takes a look at the development status of the benthic indicators and index approaches used in the three main estuaries along the French Atlantic coast. In addition, it examines the adaptation of the different benthic indicators to the taxonomic sufficiency principle, and the adaptation of the Benthic Opportunistic Polychaetes Amphipods index (BOPA) and the Benthic Opportunistic Annelida Amphipod index (BO2A) for use in the freshwater zones of transitional waters (i.e. up to the upper limit of the tidal range). Several perspectives are discussed in light of the diverse disturbances and the heterogeneity of such stressed zones, such as the use of multimetric and scoring approaches.
Environmental features of deep‐sea habitats linked to the genetic population structure of a crustacean species in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Maggio Teresa , Lo Brutto Sabrina , Cannas Rita , Deiana Anna Maria , Arculeo Marco 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe deep‐sea habitat, from 200 to 2000 m depth, has long been thought as an ecosystem where biotic and abiotic factors vary very little and consequently species are not disturbed by processes and phenomena which could promote fast evolutionary mechanisms. Unfortunately, biological information relating to deep water is limited, especially regarding the population genetics of species inhabiting the Mediterranean Sea, and general patterns cannot be inferred. In this study we report data on the population genetic structure of Aristeus antennatus, a deep‐sea decapod crustacean species which has been widely studied due to its important economic value. We surveyed and examined the variation in a 369‐bp fragment of the mtDNA control region from individuals caught by Spanish and Italian trawlers in eight localities. High levels of mitochondrial control region haplotypic diversity (ranging from 0.884 to 0.989) were observed. AMOVA showed a high level of genetic variation, more within than between populations, and a low but significant ΦST value was recovered. Minimum spanning network did not separate any haplotype group and haplotype distribution does not mirror the geographic origin of the samples. The absence of population substructuring was also observed with a principal coordinates analysis, which uses an individual‐by‐individual comparison. These results revealed extensive gene flow among populations. Information on demographic history based on mismatch analysis revealed an unstable population, showing an alternate pattern of growth and decline. Our results indicated that in the western and central Mediterranean basins A. antennatus is a large panmictic population with a fluctuating abundance. The absence of deep‐sea barriers and adult migration may prevent the structuring of the species into genetically differentiated populations.
Comparison of the clinical practice satisfaction of nursing students in Korea and the USA
Authors: Lee Chung Yul , White Barbara , Hong Yoon Mi 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe objective of this research was to compare the clinical practice satisfaction of nursing students in South Korea and the United States. A self‐report questionnaire on ‘Satisfaction of clinical nursing practice of undergraduate students’ was used to survey 131 nursing students of the Yonsei University in South Korea and 109 nursing students of the Colorado Christian University in the USA. Findings indicate that American nursing students had significantly higher clinical practice satisfaction levels than the Korean students. Two factors were identified to explain the differences. One is the different motivation for choosing a nursing major and the second is the different clinical practice environment. Although different countries utilize clinical practice differently, it is beneficial to understand the factors that influence students’ satisfaction levels by comparing countries’ nursing education system.
Streptococcus bovis endocarditis, a silent sign for colonic tumour
Authors: Gupta A. , Madani R. , Mukhtar H. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractAim  An association between colonic carcinoma and Streptococcus bovis endocarditis/bacteraemia was first suggested in 1951. This knowledge has great clinical implications, yet we found scant awareness amongst general surgical trainees. The aim of this article was to review the evidence available in the literature and explore the pathophysiology behind this association.Method  The literature was reviewed, between 1950 and 2008, using Pubmed, Embase and Ovid database searches. We utilized different combinations of the keywords: Streptococcus bovis, endocarditis, septicaemia and colon cancer/carcinoma. Quality assessment was determined using the Oxford Centre for Evidence‐based Medicine Levels of Evidence (May 2001). Studies were selected based on their relevance to the aims to be addressed.Results  We included nine case reports and found 24 studies demonstrating an association between S. bovis bacteraemia/endocarditis and colon cancer; the reported incidence in studies was variable (6–67%). The majority of studies (20) were retrospective analysis of data; only four studies were prospective. A total of 12 of 24 studies also reported an association with extra‐colonic malignancy (1–22%) and 12 with liver disease (3–57%). Eight studies relevant to the pathophysiology of this association were identified.Conclusion  Streptococcus bovis endocarditis and/or bacteraemia is an early clue to the likely presence of colorectal cancer. Whilst further studies are required to determine the precise pathophysiology, clinicians should be aware of this association. It is advisable to investigate rigorously for colon cancer in all patients presenting with S. bovis endocarditis/bacteraemia; such patients may also present with liver disease or, occasionally, extra‐colonic malignancy.
The evolution of the protonephridial terminal organ across Rotifera with particular emphasis on Dicranophorus forcipatus, Encentrum mucronatum and Erignatha clastopis (Rotifera: Dicranophoridae)
Authors: Riemann Ole , Ahlrichs Wilko H. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractRiemann, O. and Ahlrichs, W.H. 2009. The evolution of the protonephridial terminal organ across Rotifera with particular emphasis on Dicranophorus forcipatus, Encentrum mucronatum and Erignatha clastopis (Rotifera: Dicranophoridae). —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 91: 199–211We report on the ultrastructure of the protonephridial terminal organ in three species of dicranophorid rotifers (Dicranophorus forcipatus, Encentrum mucronatum and Erignatha clastopis). Differences between the three species relate to shape and size, the morphology of the filter region and the number of microvilli and cilia inside the terminal organ. A comparison across Rotifera indicates that the terminal organs in D. forcipatus display a number of plesiomorphic characters, but are modified in E. mucronatum and Er. clastopis. This is in accordance with the results of phylogenetic analyses suggesting a basal position of D. forcipatus compared with the more derived species E. mucronatum and Er. clastopis. Moreover, we survey available data on the terminal organ in Rotifera and discuss its evolutionary transformations. The protonephridial terminal organ in the common ancestor of Rotifera consisted of a cytoplasmic cylinder with cilia united into a vibratile flame and a single circle of circumciliary microvilli. Depending on the topology on which characters are optimized, the site of ultrafiltration was formed by longitudinal cytoplasmic columns spanned by a fine filter diaphragm or by pores in the wall of the terminal organ. In several taxa of Rotifera, the terminal organ – probably independently – lost its circumciliary microvilli.
Ultrastructure and functional features of midgut of an adult water mite Teutonia cometes (Koch, 1837) (Hydrachnidia: Teutoniidae)
Authors: Shatrov Andrew B. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractShatrov, A. B. 2010. Ultrastructure and functional features of midgut of an adult water mite Teutonia cometes (Koch 1837) (Hydrachnidia: Teutoniidae). —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 91: 222–232The midgut of the adult water mite Teutonia cometes (Koch 1837) (Hydrachnidia: Teutoniidae) was investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy and on semi‐thin sections. The midgut is represented by a blind sac composed of the narrow ventriculus, two proventricular lateral diverticula and three pairs of postventricular caeca. A single‐layered epithelium consists of one type of endodermal digestive cells of quite different shape and size, which may form protrusions into the midgut lumen. The large nuclei are frequently lobed and contain one to three nucleoli. The apical cell membrane forms short scarce microvilli, between their bases the pinocytotic vesicles of unspecific macropinocytosis as well as the narrow pinocytotic canals are formed and immersed into the cell. The intracellular digestion of the food ingested into the midgut after extraintestinal digestion is predominant. The pinocytotic vesicles fuse with small clear vesicles of proposed Golgi origin to form secondary lysosomes. The digestive cells also contain small amounts of rough endoplasmic reticulum, variously structured heterolysosomes, residual materials in the form of both the small electron‐dense bodies and the large variously granulated substances, reserve nutritive materials such as lipid and glycogen, as well as clear vacuoles. Residual materials are obviously extruded from the cells into the gut lumen.
Environmental Change, Human Resources and Organizational Turnaround
Authors: Boyne George A. , Meier Kenneth J. 
Published: February 2009

abstractResearch on turnaround has largely focused on the impact of retrenchment and repositioning, and has paid less attention to the impact of changes in the task environment and human resources on recovery from decline. Moreover, all of the empirical research on turnaround has been conducted on private organizations. We develop a new model that is derived from theories of environmental and human resource effects on organizational performance. We apply this model to failing school districts in Texas, and find that turnaround is influenced by changes in the munificence and complexity of task environments, and the appointment of a new chief executive and front‐line staff.