bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Hormone Replacement Therapy on Clitoral Artery Blood Flow in Healthy Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Alatas Erkan , Yagci Baki , Oztekin Ozer , Sabir Nuran 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Aging and the decline of ovarian hormonal secretion during menopause may alter libido, and sexual response and functioning. The effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on the genital vascular hemodynamics have been widely studied. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the effect of HRT on basal clitoral blood flow.

Aim
The aims of this study were to measure clitoral artery blood flow and to determine whether HRT has a significant effect in clitoral artery blood flow in postmenopausal women.

Methods
Doppler sonography of clitoral arteries was performed in 25 postmenopausal women aged 51.3 ± 4.5 years who had been using a continuous combined HRT (0.625 mg of conjugated equine estrogens plus 2.5 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate, in 1 tablet daily) for 2.0 ± 1.1 years, and the clitoral artery peak systolic velocity, resistance index (RI), and pulsatility index (PI) were measured. Thirty-five postmenopausal women aged 50.0 ± 4.2 years who had not used HRT served as a control group.

Main Outcome Measures
Assessment of clitoral blood flow with color Doppler ultrasonography by measuring the peak systolic velocity, RI, and PI.

Results
Clitoral artery circulation was easily detectable by the color Doppler sonography. The clitoral artery peak systolic velocities were significantly higher in postmenopausal women taking HRT compared with the control group (11.8 ± 5.2 cm/second vs. 15.0 ± 5.4 cm/second, P = 0.025).

Conclusion
HRT improves blood flow to the clitoris. A clitoral blood flow evaluation may be proposed as a potential tool to assess the impact of HRT on the genital tissues and to investigate female sexual response disorders in postmenopausal women.
Prevalence and Sociocultural Predictors of Sexual Dysfunction among Chinese Men Who Have Sex with Men in Hong Kong
Authors: Lau Joseph T.F. , Kim Jean H. , Tsui Hi Yi 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTIntroductionLimited data are available on sexual dysfunction (SD) in men who have sex with men (MSM) population.AimsThe study investigates the prevalence and associated sociocultural factors of SD in MSM.MethodsWith an informed consent, 324 MSM respondents were interviewed by trained peer workers in certain gay venues, and another 87 MSM self-administered the same questionnaire via a gay website.Main Outcome MeasuresSelf-reported pain during intercourse, premature ejaculation, anxiety about sex, erectile dysfunction, no pleasure from sex, no orgasm, and hypoactive sexual desire were evaluated.ResultsOf all respondents, 42.5% had at least one of the seven studied SD for at least three consecutive months in the last 12 months (pain during sex, 13.8%; premature ejaculation, 10.4%; anxiety, 18.7%; erectile problems, 6.3%; no pleasure, 13.8%; no orgasm, 5.6%; hypoactive sexual desire, 8.3%), whereas 11.4% were dissatisfied with their sexual life. Except for erectile dysfunction, age had no significant effects on individual SD. The results of the multivariate analyses show that unemployment, venue of recruitment, substance use, number of HIV-related behaviors practiced, unprotected anal sex, self-perceived discrimination against MSM, self-identity of sexual orientation, experience of being discriminated because of one's MSM status, uneasy or shame feeling about one's sexual orientation/status, and the count variable of social support received regarding one's MSM status were associated with SD (multivariate OR = 1.68–5.57), whereas having no or few MSM friends and exposure to HIV-related education were associated with lower chances of having some SD problems (multivariate OR = 0.16–0.46). Only associations with P &lt; 0.05 were considered statistically significant.ConclusionsThe prevalence of SD among MSM in Hong Kong is relatively high. SD in this group is associated with HIV-related behaviors as well as sociocultural factors related to social support and acceptance of one's MSM status. A more supportive environment is essential for the promotion of sexual health in MSM.
Soral Crypsis: Protective Mimicry of a Coccid on an Indian Fern
Authors: Patra Biplab , Bera Subir , Hickey R. James 
Published: June 2008

Abstract Herbivory with crypsis is not well documented in ferns. The present record of cryptic coloration of coccid Saissetia filicum Boisduval (Homoptera: Coccidae) to the sori of a fern species Asplenium nidus L. (Aspleniaceae) is unique. Predatory beetles (Jauravia sp., Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) that feed on the coccids, are suggested to be selective pressure for the development of the present homopteran soral crypsis. A higher rate of effective predation is noticed in the vegetative leaves than the fertile leaves. Aggressive ants were found harvesting honeydew secretions from the coccids and defending the trophobionts as well as the host fern from their natural enemies. In addition, a possible three‐way mutualistic relationship among the coccids, its host fern and the tending ant is suggested. Differential numbers of coccids on vegetative and fertile leaves is correlated with their phenol content and degree of predation by beetles. Such coloration mimicry by the coccids may enable them to obtain the necessary blend of sorus of the host fern needed to evade beetle detection and attack.
Effects of Elevated CO2 on Growth, Carbon Assimilation, Photosynthate Accumulation and Related Enzymes in Rice Leaves during Sink‐Source Transition
Authors: Li Jun‐Ying , Liu Xing‐Hua , Cai Qing‐Sheng , Gu Hui , Zhang Shan‐Shan , Wu Yan‐Yan , Wang Chun‐Jiao 
Published: June 2008

Abstract To study the effects of growing rice (Oryza sativa L.) leaves under the treatment of the short‐term elevated CO2 during the period of sink‐source transition, several physiological processes such as dynamic changes in photosynthesis, photosynthate accumulation, enzyme activities (sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), and sucrose synthase (SS)), and their specific gene (sps1 and RSus1) expressions in both mature and developing leaf were measured. Rice seedlings with fully expanded sixth leaf (marked as the source leaf, L6) were kept in elevated (700 μmol/mol
) and ambient (350 mol/L) CO2 until the 7th leaf (marked as the sink leaf, L7) fully expanded. The results demonstrated that elevated CO2 significantly increased the rate of leaf elongation and biomass accumulation of L7 during the treatment without affecting the growth of L6. However, in both developing and mature leaves, net photosynthetic assimilation rate (A), all kinds of photosynthate contents such as starch, sucrose and hexose, activities of SPS and SS and transcript levels of sps1 and RSus1 were significantly increased under elevated CO2 condition. Results suggested that the elevated CO2 had facilitated photosynthate assimilation, and increased photosynthate supplies from the source leaf to the sink leaf, which accelerated the growth and sink‐source transition in new developing sink leaves. The mechanisms of SPS regulation by the elevated CO2 was also discussed.
Response of Polygonum viviparum Species and Community Level to Long‐term Livestock Grazing in Alpine Shrub Meadow in Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau
Authors: Zhu Zhi‐Hong , Lundholm Jeremy , Li Yingnian , Wang Xiaoan 
Published: June 2008

Abstract Grazing by domestic herbivores is generally recognized as a major ecological factor and an important evolutionary force in grasslands. Grazing has both extensive and profound effects on individual plants and communities. We investigated the response patterns of Polygonum viviparum species and the species diversity of an alpine shrub meadow in response to long‐term livestock grazing by a field manipulative experiment controlling livestock numbers on the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau in China. Here, we hypothesize that within a range of grazing pressure, grazing can alter relative allocation to different plant parts without changing total biomass for some plant species if there is life history trade‐offs between plant traits. The same type of communities exposed to different grazing pressures may only alter relative species' abundances or species composition and not vary species diversity because plant species differ in resistant capability to herbivory. The results show that plant height and biomass of different organs differed among grazing treatments but total biomass remained constant. Biomass allocation and absolute investments to both reproduction and growth decreased and to belowground storage increased with increased grazing pressure, indicating the increasing in storage function was attained at a cost of reducing reproduction of bulbils and represented an optimal allocation and an adaptive response of the species to long‐term aboveground damage. Moreover, our results showed multiform response types for either species groups or single species along the gradient of grazing intensity. Heavy grazing caused a 13.2% increase in species richness. There was difference in species composition of about 18%–20% among grazing treatment. Shannon‐Wiener (H′) diversity index and species evenness (E) index did not differ among grazing treatments. These results support our hypothesis.
On active galactic nuclei as sources of ultra-high energy cosmic rays
Authors: George M. R. , Fabian A. C. , Baumgartner W. H. , Mushotzky R. F. , Tueller J. 
Published: June 2008

Abstract
We measure the correlation between sky coordinates of the Swift Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) catalogue of active galactic nuclei (AGN) with the arrival directions of the highest energy cosmic rays detected by the Auger Observatory. The statistically complete, hard X-ray catalogue helps to distinguish between AGN and other source candidates that follow the distribution of local large-scale structure. The positions of the full catalogue are marginally uncorrelated with the cosmic ray arrival directions, but when weighted by their hard X-ray flux, AGN within 100 Mpc are correlated at a significance level of 98 per cent. This correlation sharply decreases for sources beyond ∼100 Mpc, suggestive of a GZK suppression. We discuss the implications for determining the mechanism that accelerates particles to these extreme energies in excess of 1019 eV.
Biotechnological applications of Listeria's sophisticated infection strategies
Authors: Barbuddhe Sukhadeo , Chakraborty Trinad 
Published: June 2008

Summary Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram‐positive bacterium that is able to survive both in the environment and to invade and multiply within eukaryotic cells. Currently L. monocytogenes represents one of the most well‐studied and characterized microorganisms in bacterial pathogenesis. A hallmark of L. monocytogenes virulence is its ability to breach bodily barriers such as the intestinal epithelium, the blood–brain barrier as well as the placental barrier to cause severe systemic disease. Curiously, this theme is repeated at the level of the interaction between the individual cell and the bacterium where its virulence factors contribute to the ability of the bacteria to breach cellular barriers. L. monocytogenes is a model to study metabolic requirements of bacteria growing in an intracellular environment, modulation of signalling pathways in the infected cell and interactions with cellular defences involving innate and adaptive immunity. Technical advances such as the creation of LISTERIA‐susceptible mouse strains, had added interest in the study of the natural pathogenesis of the disease via oral infection. The use of attenuated strains of L. monocytogenes as vaccines has gained considerable interest because they can be used to express heterologous antigens as well as to somatically deliver recombinant DNA to eukaryotic cells. A novel vaccine concept, the use of non‐viable but metabolically active bacteria to induced immunoprotective responses, has been developed with L. monocytogenes. In this mini‐review, we review the strategies used by L. monocytogenes to subvert the cellular functions at different stages of the infection cycle in the host and examine how these properties are being exploited in biotechnological and clinical applications.
Occupational tuberculosis following extremely short exposure
Authors: Kamper‐Jørgensen Zaza , Lillebaek Troels , Andersen Åse Bengård 
Published: June 2008

AbstractIntroduction:  Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MT) in most cases requires extended exposure.Objectives:  To document that MT transmission may occur even after very short exposure.Material and Methods:  All first‐time culture‐confirmed tuberculosis (TB) cases in Denmark have since 1992 been subjected to genotyping, using the IS6110‐Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) technique. A young nurse with no risk factors developed pulmonary TB: the DNA pattern of her MT strain was compared to The Danish TB Subtyping Database, comprising >6000 DNA patterns from TB patients nationwide.Results:  Only one single MT DNA pattern matched the DNA profile of the isolate from the nurse. The pattern originated from a patient shortly admitted to the department where she worked at the time. MT transmission had occurred in spite of very short exposure.Conclusion:  By adding modern molecular epidemiological methods to traditional epidemiological surveys, a more detailed picture of MT‐transmission pathways can be obtained, showing that MT transmission can occur even after extremely short exposure. This stresses the necessity for adequate respiratory protection among hospital staff taking care of patients with pulmonary symptoms suspected for TB.Please cite this paper as: Kamper‐Jørgensen Z, Lillebaek T and Andersen ÅB. Occupational tuberculosis following extremely short exposure. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2009; 3: 55–57.
Identification of novel epigenetically modified genes in human melanoma via promoter methylation gene profiling
Authors: Liu Suhu , Ren Suping , Howell Paul , Fodstad Oystein , Riker Adam I. 
Published: June 2008

SummaryThe inactivation of tumor‐related genes through the aberrant methylation of promoter CpG islands is thought to contribute to tumor initiation and progression. We therefore investigated promoter methylation events involved in cutaneous melanoma by screening 30 genes of interest for evidence of promoter hypermethylation, examining 20 melanoma cell lines and 40 freshly procured melanoma samples. Utilizing quantitative methylation‐specific PCR, we identified five genes (SOCS1, SOCS2, RAR‐beta 2, TNFSF10C, and TNFSF10D) with hypermethylation frequencies ranging from 50% to 80% in melanoma cell lines as well as freshly procured tissue samples. Eighteen genes (LOX, RASSF1A, WFDC1, TM, APC, TFPI2, TNFSF10A, CDKN2A, MGMT, TIMP3, ASC, TPM1, IRF8, CIITA‐PIV, CDH1, SYK, HOXB13, and DAPK1) were methylated at lower frequencies (2–30%). Two genes (CDKN1B and PTEN), previously reported as methylated in melanoma, and five other genes (RECK, IRF7, PAWR, TNFSF10B, and Rb) were not methylated in the samples screened here. Daughter melanoma cell lines showed identical methylation patterns when compared with original samples from which they were derived, as did synchronous metastatic lesions from the same patient. We identified four genes (TNFSF10C, TNFSF10D, LOX, and TPM1) that have never before been identified as hypermethylated in melanoma, with an overall methylation frequency of 60, 80, 50, and 10%, respectively, hypothesizing that these genes may play an important role in melanoma progression.
Point Mutation in the Group B Streptococcal
pbp2x
Gene Conferring Decreased Susceptibility to β-Lactam Antibiotics
Authors: Dahesh Samira , Hensler Mary E. , Van Sorge Nina M. , Gertz Robert E. , Schrag Stephanie , Nizet Victor , Beall Bernard W. 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACT

Beta-lactam antibiotics (BLAs) are the first-line agents used against group B streptococci (GBS) infection. A clonal set of four independent, invasive GBS isolates with elevated MICs to BLAs were identified that shared a
pbp2x
mutation (Q557E) corresponding to a resistance-conferring pneumococcal mutation. BLA sensitivity was restored through allelic replacement or complementation with the wild-type
pbp2x
.
Constitutive Activation of the PrfA Regulon Enhances the Potency of Vaccines Based on Live-Attenuated and Killed but Metabolically Active
Listeria monocytogenes
Strains
Authors: Lauer Peter , Hanson Bill , Lemmens Edward E. , Liu Weiqun , Luckett William S. , Leong Meredith L. , Allen Heather E. , Skoble Justin , Bahjat Keith S. , Freitag Nancy E. , Brockstedt Dirk G. , Dubensky Thomas W. 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACT

Recombinant vaccines derived from the facultative intracellular bacterium
Listeria monocytogenes
are presently undergoing early-stage clinical evaluation in oncology treatment settings. This effort has been stimulated in part due to preclinical results that illustrate potent activation of innate and adaptive immune effectors by
L. monocytogenes
vaccines, combined with efficacy in rigorous animal models of malignant and infectious disease. Here, we evaluated the immunologic potency of a panel of isogenic vaccine strains that varied only in
prfA
. PrfA is an intracellularly activated transcription factor that induces expression of virulence genes and encoded heterologous antigens (Ags) in appropriately engineered vaccine strains. Mutant strains with PrfA locked into a constitutively active state are known as PrfA* mutants. We assessed the impacts of three PrfA* mutants, G145S, G155S, and Y63C, on the immunologic potencies of live-attenuated and photochemically inactivated nucleotide excision repair mutant (killed but metabolically active [KBMA]) vaccines. While PrfA* substantially increased Ag expression in strains grown in broth culture, Ag expression levels were equivalent in infected macrophage and dendritic cell lines, conditions that more closely parallel those in the immunized host. However, only the
prfA
(
G155S
) allele conferred significantly enhanced vaccine potency to KBMA vaccines. In the KBMA vaccine background, we show that PrfA*(G155S) enhanced functional cellular immunity following an intravenous or intramuscular prime-boost immunization regimen. These results form the basis of a rationale for including the
prfA
(
G155S
) allele in future live-attenuated or KBMA
L. monocytogenes
vaccines advanced to the clinical setting.
An Iron-Binding Protein, Dpr, Decreases Hydrogen Peroxide Stress and Protects
Streptococcus pyogenes
against Multiple Stresses
Authors: Tsou Chih-Cheng , Chiang-Ni Chuan , Lin Yee-Shin , Chuang Woei-Jer , Lin Ming-T. , Liu Ching-Chuan , Wu Jiunn-Jong 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACT

Streptococcus pyogenes
does not produce catalase, but it can grow in aerobic environments and survive in the presence of peroxide. One of the stress proteins of this organism, peroxide resistance protein (Dpr), has been studied to examine its role in resistance to hydrogen peroxide, but the protective mechanism of Dpr is not clear. The aim of this study was to characterize the
dpr
gene and its role in dealing with different stresses. A
dpr
deletion mutant was constructed by double-crossover mutagenesis. The
dpr
mutant was more sensitive to H
2
O
2
, and complementation could partially restore the defect in the mutant. Pretreatment with the iron chelator deferoxamine mesylate rescued the survival activity of the mutant under oxidative stress conditions. The
dpr
mutant also showed a low survival rate in the long-term stationary phase, when it was treated with extreme acids, and under alkaline pH conditions compared to the wild-type strain. The growth of the
dpr
mutant was slower than that of the wild-type strain in iron-limiting conditions. The
dpr
mutant showed high sensitivity to iron and zinc but not to manganese, copper, nickel, and calcium. Recombinant Dpr protein was purified and showed iron-binding activity, whereas no DNA-binding activity was found. These data indicate that an iron-binding protein, Dpr, provides protection from hydrogen peroxide stress by preventing the Fenton reaction, and Dpr was identified as a novel stress protein that protects against several stresses in group A streptococci.
Shiga Toxin 2 Causes Apoptosis in Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells via C/EBP Homologous Protein
Authors: Fujii Jun , Wood Katie , Matsuda Fumiko , Carneiro-Filho Benedito A. , Schlegel Keilo H. , Yutsudo Takashi , Binnington-Boyd Beth , Lingwood Clifford A. , Obata Fumiko , Kim Kwang S. , Yoshida Shin-ichi , Obrig Tom 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTShiga toxin 1 (Stx1) and Stx2 produced byEscherichia coliO157 are known to be cytotoxic to Vero and HeLa cells by inhibiting protein synthesis and by inducing apoptosis. In the present study, we have demonstrated that 10 ng/ml Stx2 induced DNA fragmentation in human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC), with cleavage activation of caspase-3, -6, -8, and -9. A microarray approach used to search for apoptotic potential signals in response to Stx2 revealed that Stx2 treatment induced a marked upregulation of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP)/growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible protein 153 (GADD153). Increased CHOP expression was dependent on enzymatically active Stx1. Knockdown of CHOP mRNA reduced the activation of caspase-3 and prevented apoptotic cell death. These results suggest that Stx2-induced apoptosis is mediated by CHOP in HBMEC and involves activation of both the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis.
Molecular characterization of the waxy locus in sorghum
Authors: McIntyre C. L. , Drenth J. , Gonzalez N. , Henzell R. G. , Jordan D. R. 
Published: June 2008

A comparison of approximately 4.5 kb of nucleotide sequence from the waxy locus (the granule-bound starch synthase I [GBSS I] locus) from a waxy line, BTxARG1, and a non-waxy line, QL39, revealed an extremely high level of sequence conservation. Among a total of 24 nucleotide differences and 9 indels, only 2 nucleotide changes resulted in altered amino acid residues. Protein folding prediction software suggested that one of the amino acid changes (Glu to His) may result in an altered protein structure, which may explain the apparently inactive GBSS I present in BTxARG1. This SNP was not found in the second waxy line, RTx2907, which does not produce GBSS I, and no other SNPs or indels were found in the approximately 4 kb of sequence obtained from RTx2907. Using one indel, the waxy locus was mapped to sorghum chromosome SBI-10, which is syntenous to maize chromosome 9; the waxy locus has been mapped to this maize chromosome. The distribution of indels in a diverse set of sorghum germplasm suggested that there are two broad types of non-waxy GBSS I alleles, each type comprising several alleles, and that the two waxy alleles in BTxARG1 and RTx2907 have evolved from one of the non-waxy allele types. The Glu/His polymorphism was found only in BTxARG1 and derived lines and has potential as a perfect marker for the BTxARG1 source of the waxy allele at the GBSS I locus. The indels correctly predicted the non-waxy phenotype in approximately 65% of diverse sorghum germplasm. The indels co-segregated perfectly with phenotype in two sorghum populations derived from crosses between a waxy and a non-waxy sorghum line, correctly identifying heterozygous lines. Thus, these indel markers or sequence-based SNP markers can be used to follow waxy alleles in sorghum breeding programs in selected pedigrees.