bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
NMR‐Based Metabonomics for Detection of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Gerbils: Which Is More Descriptive
Authors: Gao Xing X. , Ge Hui M. , Zheng Wei F. , Tan Ren X. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackground:  Helicobacter pylori, the human pathogenic gram‐negative microaerophilic bacterium, causes chronic gastric infection in more than half of the human population regardless of race. The infection of microbe is not yet controllable to pose a substantial public health impact and a growing social burden. The management of H. pylori infection primarily necessitates accurate and timely diagnosis at case level, on‐demand supervision of pathologic progression, and reliable evaluation of the impact of pharmacologic interventions on the patients’ population.Methods:  The characterization of H. pylori infection on gerbils model was performed by metabolic profiling, employing 1H NMR spectroscopy compounding multivariate pattern recognition strategies. In the same manner, urine samples were individually collected from 10 gerbils infected with H. pylori GS13, and from 10 uninfected control animals equally accessible to feed and water.Results:  The resultant metabolic profiles indicate that H. pylori infection disturbs carbohydrate metabolism to elevate the levels of α‐ and β‐glucose, and cis‐aconitate (a TCA cycle intermediate). In addition to the energy metabolism alteration, the colonization of H. pylori in gerbil stomach generates a remarkable deviation of amino acid metabolism as indicated by depletion of taurine and arginine, and elevation of proline and glutamine in the animal urine. Moreover, the H. pylori infection modifies the gut microbiota as highlighted by a range of microbial‐related metabolites such as indoxyl sulfate and hippurate.Conclusions:  These findings demonstrate that the 1H NMR‐based urine metabolic profiling is a promising technique capable of providing an accurate, noninvasive, and rapid diagnosis of H. pylori infection.
Is streamlined evaluation of children for epilepsy surgery possible?
Authors: Patil Shekhar G. , Cross J. Helen , Kling Chong W. , Boyd Stewart G. , Harkness William J. , Neville Brian G. R. , Scott Rod C. 
Published: March 2008

Summary Background:The presurgical evaluation of children with intractable epilepsy includes evaluation by an experienced clinician, MRI, video EEG, and functional imaging techniques to localize seizure onset. However, the contributions of each investigation to surgical decision making has not been systematically assessed.Method:Data used for decision on eligibility for surgery on 353 children was discussed at a presurgical multidisciplinary meeting and systematically recorded. The relationships between MRI, EEG, SPECT findings, and the probability of being offered epilepsy surgery were investigated retrospectively using a quick unbiased statistical tree (QUEST).Results:Sixteen children were offered nonresective surgery. Of the remaining, 236 (70%) were offered resective surgery. The proportion of children with a localized lesion on MRI offered resective surgery was 92%[95% CI: 88 to 95%], and EEG telemetry did not modify decision making in this group (p < 0.001). In children with bilateral MRI changes or normal scan the probability of being offered resective surgery was 78% in those with localized ictal onset on EEG compared to 9% with nonlocalized EEG (p < 0.001). SPECT did not appear to systematically influence decision making in any group.Conclusion:Children with medically intractable epilepsy and localized lesions on MRI may not necessarily need ictal EEG recordings or SPECT prior to offering resective surgery. More targeted use of EEG telemetry could allow more children with less obvious surgical targets to be investigated without increasing resources.
Understanding the Organization of Industrial Ecosystems
Authors: Ashton Weslynne 
Published: March 2008

SummaryIndustrial symbiosis (IS) has been used to describe the physical exchange and shared management of input and output materials by geographically proximate firms. Firms that engage in IS are said to belong to an industrial ecosystem. Symbiosis has been found to be motivated by economic considerations, such as lowering costs for waste disposal, as well as by environmental ones, such as accessing limited water supplies. Communication and trust among managers are thought to play important roles in exchanges; however, empirical studies have not been previously conducted. This study used social network analysis (SNA) to identify the prevalence of industrial symbiosis linkages in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico. The study quantified patterns in various relationships among firms and managers, including formal relations through supply chains, and informal ones through interpersonal interactions. SNA and statistical methods were used to explore how these ties correlate with observed industrial symbiosis activities. IS linkages were found to be less prevalent than product sales among firms and were concentrated among pharmaceutical firms at the core of the regional network. Trust among managers and position in the social hierarchy were found to be correlated with IS but not supply chain links. SNA was useful for examining the organization of different relationships in the industrial ecosystem, but contextual information is still needed to add meaning to its findings.
CAT Bonds and Other Risk‐Linked Securities: State of the Market and Recent Developments
Authors: Cummins J. David 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThis article reviews the current status of the market for catastrophic risk (CAT) bonds and other risk‐linked securities. CAT bonds and other risk‐linked securities are innovative financial vehicles that have an important role to play in financing mega‐catastrophes and other types of losses. The vehicles are especially important because they access capital markets directly, exponentially expanding risk‐bearing capacity beyond the limited capital held by insurers and reinsurers. The CAT bond market has been growing steadily, with record amounts of risk capital raised in 2005, 2006, and 2007. CAT bond premia relative to expected losses covered by the bonds have declined by more than one‐third since 2001. CAT bonds now appear to be priced competitively with conventional catastrophe reinsurance and comparably rated corporate bonds. CAT bonds have grown to the extent that they now play a major role in completing the market for catastrophic‐risk finance and are spreading to other lines such as automobile insurance, life insurance, and annuities. CAT bonds are not expected to replace reinsurance but to complement the reinsurance market by providing additional risk‐bearing capacity. Other innovative financing mechanisms such as risk swaps, industry loss warranties, and sidecars also are expected to continue to play an important role in financing catastrophic risk.
NOTES ON THE GEOLOGY OF THE MACKENZIE DELTA
Authors: Kellaway G.A. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTLittle information has been published regarding the general geology of the Mackenzie Delta region. On the western side of the Delta bedrock appears to consist largely of Mesozoic sedimentary formations. Coal‐bearing rocks occur some 25 miles northwest of Aklavik and a six‐foot coal seam with almost vertical dip is worked at Moose River Coal Mine. A description of these workings is given.The eastern side of the Delta shows some variety in its geology. Bedrock areas between Campbell Lake and Dolomite Lake are largely formed of dolomite and magnesian limestone. Dolomite, limestone and reddish slaty shale are seen on the north shore of Dolomite Lake and exposures of shaly material are seen on the east bank of the East Channel eight miles south of the entrance channel leading to Dolomite Lake.Between Dolomite Lake and the southern end of the Caribou Hills bedrock is concealed beneath unconsolidated deposits covered by bush and muskeg. The deposits appear to consists largely of silt, clay and gravel, and wrap round and conceal the junction of the Caribou Hills formation with the underlying formations. The undulating and rather formless character of this tract of ground and the relation of the deposits to the bedrock at Dolomite Lake suggest that they are glacial drifts.The Caribou Hills form the most striking feature on the east side of the Delta. They form a steep face or escarpment overlooking the East Channel and rise to their maximum height south of the Reindeer Station. Northwards their altitude gradually diminishes and they terminate against the tundra south‐east and the swamps of the Delta of Tununuk. The rocks consist of soft poorly consolidated silty clay, and fine silt and sand with some pebbly or gravelly sand capping the hills locally. Beds of lignite and very thin layers of ironstone were also seen and, where the lignite has been burned out reddened patches and bands appear on the steep hill slopes. The Caribou Hills formation recalls Tertiary lignite‐bearing formations described from other parts of Northern Canada and Alaska.The bearing of these and other observations upon the history of the Mackenzie Delta is briefly discussed.
In vitro characterization of three‐dimensional scaffolds seeded with human bone marrow stromal cells for tissue engineered growth of bone: mission impossible? A methodological approach
Authors: Materna Thomas , Rolf Hans J. , Napp Johanna , Schulz Jutta , Gelinsky Michael , Schliephake Henning 
Published: March 2008

AbstractAims: The aim of the present report was to evaluate current methods of in vitro analysis of three‐dimensional (3D) scaffolds seeded with human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSCs) from six bone marrow aspirates for tissue engineered growth of bone.Methods: A series of experiments was conducted to compare methods of cell expansion and to validate analysis of proliferation and differentiation of hBMSCs in long term cultures of up to 40 days in 3D scaffolds of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and mineralized collagen. Proliferation within the seeded scaffolds was monitored using cell counting, 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐tetrazolium bromide (MTT), neutral red (NR) and DNA fluorescence assays and compared with empty controls. Differentiation was assessed by means of ELISA for osteocalcin (OC) and real time PCR for OC and collagen I (Coll I).Results: The results showed that the scaffold differed in seeding efficacy (CaCO3: 53.3%, min. Coll.: 83.3%). The precise identification of the number of cells in biomaterials by MTT, NR and DNA assays was problematic, as MTT and NR assay overestimated the number of cells, whereas DNA assay grossly underestimated the number of cells on the scaffolds. Monitoring of changes over time may be biased by unspecific material‐dependent background activity that has to be taken into account. Identification of osteogenic differentiation is not reliable by identifying osteogenic markers such as OC in the supernatant but has to be done on the transcriptional level.Conclusions: It is concluded that monitoring of in vitro procedures for the construction of biohybrid scaffolds requires more emphasis in order to make the cell based approach a reliable treatment option in tissue engineering.
Effective treatment and prophylaxis of hyperuricemia and impaired renal function in tumor lysis syndrome with low doses of rasburicase
Authors: Hummel Margit , Reiter Sebastian , Adam Katja , Hehlmann Ruediger , Buchheidt Dieter 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackground:  Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a complication that can cause renal failure by precipitation of uric acid (UA) and phosphate crystals in renal tubules. Rasburicase proved to be effective in rapidly reducing UA levels. Costs of rasburicase average up to 4500€. To assess if lower doses of rasburicase are effective, we treated patients with lower doses than recommended.Patients and methods:  Fifty patients received rasburicase for prophylaxis (n = 8) or treatment (n = 42) of TLS. The median age was 67 yr (16–88), 21 were female. The majority of patients (n = 46) had hematologic malignancies (acute leukemia, 14; lymphoma, 26; myeloproliferative/myelodysplastic syndromes, 6) and four had solid tumors. Creatinine levels were increased in 42 patients.Results:  Baseline median UA and creatinine levels were 856.5 μmol/L (339–1659.5 μmol/L) and 192.7 μmol/L (65.4–761.1 μmol/L), respectively. Patients received between one and eight doses of rasburicase, the median total dose was 0.049 mg/kg. UA levels were lowered by 83%. After rasburicase treatment, median serum UA and creatinine levels were 160.6 μmol/L (5.9–779.2 μmol/L) and 111.4 μmol/L (46.9–610 μmol/L), respectively. Treatment costs were reduced by 96.8%.Conclusions:  Low doses of rasburicase are effective and cost‐saving for prophylaxis and treatment of TLS. Application of an initial dose of 3–4.5 mg of rasburicase and subsequently dosage as needed, depending on UA levels, is feasible.
High serum YKL‐40 concentration is associated with severe bone disease in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients
Authors: Mylin Anne K. , Abildgaard Niels , Johansen Julia S. , Andersen Niels F. , Heickendorff Lene , Standal Therese , Gimsing Peter , Knudsen Lene M. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractObjectives:  In multiple myeloma (MM) YKL‐40 is present in the bone marrow microenvironment and is suggested to play a role in remodelling of the extracellular matrix. Here, the association between serum YKL‐40 and severity of bone disease in MM is investigated.Methods:  Serum YKL‐40 was measured in 34 MM patients at diagnosis. Bone disease was assessed by radiography and biochemical markers of bone metabolism. Patients were treated with conventional chemotherapy and followed for up to 30 months.Results:  Patients with a serum YKL‐40 elevated above the age specific reference range (56%) had a higher total X‐ray score (P = 0.003) and higher levels of the markers of bone resorption serum C‐terminal telopeptide of collagen type I (P = 0.003), urine pyridinoline (P = 0.04) and urine deoxypyridinoline (P = 0.002), while the levels of urine N‐terminal telopeptide of collagen type I (NTX‐1) and the markers of bone formation equalled those seen in patients with a normal serum YKL‐40. Serum YKL‐40 level (β = 7.6; P = 0.002) and urine NTX‐1 (log2) (β = 3.5; P = 0.006) were independent predictors of total X‐ray score at diagnosis. Patients with elevated serum YKL‐40 at diagnosis had shorter time to first osteolytic event compared to patients with normal serum YKL‐40 (12 months vs. not reached; Log rank test: P = 0.03).Conclusions:  Newly diagnosed MM patients with elevated serum concentrations of YKL‐40 have more severe bone destruction including increased bone resorptive activity and shorter time to progression of bone disease. At this point, a potential role for YKL‐40 in myeloma‐related bone disease must be considered.
Endothelial cells do not express GSTA1: potential relevance to busulfan‐mediated endothelial damage during haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Vassord Camille , Lapouméroulie Claudine , Koumaravelou Kailasam , Srivastava Alok , Krishnamoorthy Rajagopal 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBusulfan‐mediated endothelial damage is believed to be a common mechanism in a variety of vascular disorders that occur during haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The alkylating capacity of busulfan is compromised in vivo by enzymatic conjugation with glutathione, principally catalysed by glutathione S‐transferase alpha (GST alpha). We investigated whether the susceptibility of endothelial cells to busulfan‐mediated damage is related to their intrinsic deficiency in GST alpha expression. We tested for the expression of GST alpha mRNA by real‐time quantitative PCR and the GST protein by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in various independently derived endothelial cell types (human bone marrow‐derived endothelial cell line and endothelial cells from human vein umbilical cord ) and in a control hepatic cell line, HepG2. We demonstrate that endothelial cells, contrary to hepatic cells do not express GST alpha either at mRNA or protein levels and hence are potentially susceptible to busulfan‐mediated cytotoxic damage.
Edentulous patients’ knowledge of dental hygiene and care of prostheses
Authors: De Castellucci Barbosa Luciano , Ferreira Manoela Rejane Maia , De Carvalho Calabrich Carolina Freire , Viana Aline Cavalcanti , De Lemos Maria Catarina Lavigne , Lauria Roberta Andrade 
Published: March 2008

Objective:  The aim of this study was to analyse denture users’ oral care habits with regard to the use of their prostheses.Background:  Rehabilitative treatment is only successful when patients are motivated and aware of correct prosthesis use and hygiene.Materials and methods:  Questionnaires were distributed to 150 complete denture users at the Federal University of Bahia School of Dentistry, the Esmeralda Natividade Health Center, the Bahian Science Development Foundation and a Salvador nursing home. The questionnaire included information on gender, age, length of prosthesis use, cleaning methods and materials, etc. The data were analysed using EpiInfo version 6 software. The chi‐squared test was used for statistical analysis, with a significance level of 5%.Results:  Questionnaire results showed that 78% of the subjects, with an average age of 67.3 years, had used the same complete denture for over 5 years. 64% slept with their prostheses and 44% removed them from the mouth only for cleaning. None of the patients interviewed knew anything about brushes designed specifically for complete dentures. 37.3% had a restricted diet and 44% believed that a complete denture would last for more than 10 years.Conclusion:  Within the limitations of this study, it was concluded that the edentulous patients surveyed had limited awareness of prosthetic hygiene and long‐term oral care despite extended periods of denture use.
LABOR'S NEW OPENING TO INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS
Authors: Compa Lance 
Published: March 2008

Most trade unionists were oblivious to international human rights movement in the last half of the twentieth century. For their part, human rights advocates did not include workers' rights on their agenda. But in the late 1990s, labor and human rights advocates came together to reframe workers' collective action as a human rights mission rather than a self‐interested syndical action. A new labor–human rights alliance built a wide‐ranging discourse of workers' rights as human rights. The expertise and knowledge attributable to human rights actors gave their critique of workers' rights violations in the U.S. a high measure of authoritativeness compared with trade unionists making the same claims.Critics suggest that a human rights frame moves away from a class analysis, de‐emphasizing principles of industrial democracy and mass action in favor of individual rights. This article argues that a human rights argument can help win needed labor law reform to protect workers' rights.
Contractile Changes of the Clitoral Cavernous Smooth Muscle in Female Rabbits with Experimentally Induced Overactive Bladder
Authors: Myung Soon-Chul , Lee Moo-Yeol , Lee Shin-Young , Yum Seung-Hee , Park Soo-Hyun , Kim Sae-Chul 
Published: March 2008

Abstract

Introduction
Recently, growing clinical evidence has suggested that sexual dysfunction is more prevalent in women with overactive bladder (OAB).

Aims
However, there has been no basic research to clarify the relationship between OAB and female sexual dysfunction. Therefore, we investigated this issue using a rabbit model of OAB.

Methods
Twenty-seven New Zealand white female rabbits were randomly divided into the OAB and control groups.

Main Outcome Measures
The contractile responses of clitoral cavernous strips to K+, phenylephrine (PE), Bay K 8644, and endothelin (ET)-1, and the relaxation responses of acetylcholine (ACh), sodium nitroprusside (SNP), and Y-27632 to PE-induced contraction by measuring isometric tension.

Results
The contractile responses to K+, PE, Bay K 8644, and ET-1 were significantly more increased in the OAB group in a dose-dependant manner than in the control group (P &lt; 0.05), and the responses to ET-1 were more prominent than those to the remaining substances (P &lt; 0.01). The increased contractile responses to ET-1 were blocked by BQ123 (ETA receptor antagonist) but not by BQ788 (ETB receptor antagonist). Clitoral cavernosal strips from the OAB group were more difficult to relax than those from the control group in terms of ACh- and SNP-induced relaxation (P &lt; 0.05). The Y-27632-induced relaxant responses to PE- and ET-1-induced contraction were less prominent in the OAB group than in the control group.

Conclusions
The results of this study provide evidence that female OAB may deteriorate clitoral engorgement, which is associated with a greater force generation by increased calcium sensitization and subsequently decreased of relaxation. The activation of ET and Rho-kinase system may be crucial to negatively effect the clitoral smooth muscle relaxation in experimentally induced OAB animal model. But whether these vasomotor effects are revived in human clitoris is still debatable.
Sexual Function in Well Women: Stratification by Sexual Satisfaction, Hormone Use, and Menopause Status
Authors: Davison Sonia L. , Bell Robin J. , LaChina Maria , Holden Samantha L. , Davis Susan R. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract

Introduction
Satisfaction with sexual function in community-based women has not been well-described, and little is known of differences in sexual function between pre-(PreM) and postmenopausal (PM) women.

Aim
The aim of this article was to describe sexual function in PreM and PM women who self-identify as being satisfied or dissatisfied with their sexual life.

Methods
A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted among 349 sexually active community-based women, aged 20–65 years, who self-identified as being either satisfied or dissatisfied with their sexual life.

Main Outcome Measures
Scores from a daily diary of sexual function for 4 weeks, examining the frequency of sexual thoughts, interest, and activity.

Results
One hundred and eighty-four women (53%) were PreM, and 165 (47%) were dissatisfied with their sexual life. The median number of days with sexual activity or events per month for all women was 8 (ranges 2–28 days; 2–57 events). Ninety-two percent of reported events involved a partner, 86% involved intercourse, and in 40% the woman initiated the activity. Women satisfied with their sexual life had higher frequencies of sexual thoughts, interest, events, and initiation of activity than dissatisfied women (P &lt; 0.0001). PreM satisfied women had higher frequencies of sexual thoughts, numbers of days with sexual activity, and events per month than PM satisfied women (P &lt; 0.05). PreM oral contraceptive pill (OCP) users had significantly lower average frequencies of sexual thoughts, interest, and days of sexual activity per month (P &lt; 0.05), whereas PM women hormone therapy (HT) users had higher frequencies of sexual thoughts and sexual interest (P = 0.04 and P = 0.05, respectively) compared to nonusers. There were no differences in sexual function between PreM and PM women who were sexually dissatisfied.

Conclusions
Sexual activity mostly involved a partner, partner initiation, and intercourse. Sexually satisfied women reported more sexual thoughts, interest, events, and initiation of sexual activity than dissatisfied women. PreM sexually satisfied women reported more sexual thoughts, days with sexual activity, and sexual events per month compared to PM satisfied women. OCP and HT use appeared to have contrasting effects on sexual function.