bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rac2 GTPase activation by angiotensin II is modulated by Ca2+/calcineurin and mitogen-activated protein kinases in human neutrophils
Authors: El Bekay Rajaa , Alba Gonzalo , Reyes M Edith , Chacón Pedro , Vega Antonio , Martín-Nieto José , Jiménez Juan , Ramos Eladio , Oliván Josefina , Pintado Elízabeth , Sobrino Francisco 
Published: November 2007

AbstractAngiotensin II (Ang II) highly stimulates superoxide anion production by neutrophils. The G-protein Rac2 modulates the activity of NADPH oxidase in response to various stimuli. Here, we describe that Ang II induced both Rac2 translocation from the cytosol to the plasma membrane and Rac2 GTP-binding activity. Furthermore, Clostridium difficile toxin A, an inhibitor of the Rho-GTPases family Rho, Rac and Cdc42, prevented Ang II-elicited production, phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2, and Rac2 activation. Rac2 GTPase inhibition by C. difficile toxin A was accompanied by a robust reduction of the cytosolic Ca2+ elevation induced by Ang II in human neutrophils. Furthermore, SB203580 and PD098059 act as inhibitors of p38MAPK and ERK1/2 respectively, wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase, and cyclosporin A, a calcineurin inhibitor, hindered both translocation of Rac2 from the cytosol to the plasma membrane and enhancement of Rac2 GTP-binding elicited by Ang II. These results provide evidence that the activation of Rac2 by Ang II is exerted through multiple signalling pathways, involving Ca2+/calcineurin and protein kinases, the elucidation of which should be insightful in the design of new therapies aimed at reversing the inflammation of vessel walls found in a number of cardiovascular diseases.
Steroidogenic factor 1/adrenal 4 binding protein transforms human bone marrow mesenchymal cells into steroidogenic cells
Authors: Tanaka Tomoko , Gondo Shigeki , Okabe Taijiro , Ohe Kenji , Shirohzu Hisao , Morinaga Hidetaka , Nomura Masatoshi , Tani Kenzaburo , Takayanagi Ryoichi , Nawata Hajime , Yanase Toshihiko 
Published: November 2007

AbstractSteroidogenic factor 1/adrenal 4 binding protein (SF-1/Ad4BP) is an essential nuclear receptor for steroidogenesis as well as for adrenal and gonadal gland development. Mesenchymal bone marrow cells (BMCs) contain pluripotent progenitor cells, which differentiate into multiple lineages. In a previous study, we reported that adenovirus-mediated forced expression of SF-1 could transform mouse primary long-term cultured BMCs into steroidogenic cells. For future clinical application, trials using human BMCs would be indispensable. In this study, we examined whether SF-1 could transform human BMCs into steroidogenic cells and compared the steroid profile of these cellswith that of mouse steroidogenic BMCs. Primary cultured human BMCs infected with adenovirus containing bovine SF-1 cDNA could produce progesterone, corticosterone, cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone, testosterone, and estradiol. Such a mixed character of adrenal and gonadal steroid production in human BMCs was supported by the expressions of P450scc, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD), P450c21, P450c11, P450c17, 17β-HSD, and P450arom mRNAs. Unlike mouse steroidogenic BMCs, introduction of SF-1 into human BMCs caused dramatic inductions of both ACTH and LH receptors, thus leading to good responsiveness of the cells to ACTH and LH respectively. Importantly, among several factors that are known to be closely associated with adrenal and/or gonadal development, introduction of only SF-1 enabled the human BMCs to express P450scc and to produce cortisol and testosterone, suggesting that SF-1 is truly a master regulator for the production of steroidogenic cells from human BMCs.
1H NMR investigation of normal and osteoarthritic synovial fluid in the horse
Authors: Fanizzi F. P. , Francioso E. , Crovace A. , Lacitignola L. 
Published: November 2007

SummaryProton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR) has been successfully used in the study of many biological fluids. The data presented here report on the metabolic profiles of normal equine synovial fluids compared with osteoarthritic (OA) fluids. Twenty-five OA synovial fluid samples and eight normal ones were collected from the forelimb fetlock joint in 22 horses, aged between five and 24 years. 1H NMR spectroscopy was carried out with a Bruker Avance DRX 500 equiped with a cryomagnet working at 11 Tesla, and ‘Mestre-C 4.9.9.6’ software was used to analyze the spectra. The study assessed the increase of lactate, alanine, acetate, N-acetylglucosamine, pyruvate, citrate, creatine/creatinine, glycerol, HDL choline, and α-glucose in OA synovial fluid. The variations observed in samples from horses with OA compared to those in the control group, and similar data found in other studies, confirm that this technique may be useful in the study of joint metabolism. Its practical application may be in the evaluation of the treatment of OA in athletic horses.
Treatment with rhBMP-2 of extreme radial bone atrophy secondary to fracture management in an Italian Greyhound
Authors: Furneaux R. , Adrega Da Silva C. , Bardet J.-F. , Bernard F. 
Published: November 2007

SummaryrhBMP-2 solution on a collagen sponge was placed along the diaphysis of an atrophicradius, which had a history of recurring fractures. Two months after rhBMP-2 treatment, new mineralized bone was present, which significantly increased the diameter of the radius and allowed the removal of the external skeletal fixator (ESF). Due to carpo-metacarpal joint compromise, a pancarpal arthrodesis was performed seven months later. At follow-up evaluation two years later the dog was only very mildly lame.
Treatment of acquired factor X inhibitor by plasma exchange with concomitant intravenous immunoglobulin and corticosteroids
Authors: Hsia Cyrus C. , Keeney Mike , Bosco Annmarie A. , Xenocostas Anargyros 
Published: November 2007

AbstractA patient with spontaneous hemorrhage from multiple body sites was found to have markedly prolonged international normalized ratio (INR) and activated partial thromboplastin times (aPTT) with incomplete correction of aPTT on mixing studies using normal plasma. The cause of this severe hemorrhage was due to a specific factor X inhibitor. No underlying or associated diseases were found. Initial treatment with fresh frozen plasma, vitamin K, and recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) was unsuccessful. However, therapy utilizing plasma exchange with concomitant intravenous immunoglobulin and corticosteroids resulted in a rapid and sustained normalization of factor X levels with a clinical hemostatic response. Am. J. Hematol., 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fatal case of bilateral internal jugular vein thrombosis following IVIg infusion in an adolescent girl treated for ITP
Authors: Tam Pui‐Ying Iroh , Richardson Matthew , Grewal SatKiran 
Published: November 2007

AbstractIntravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is often used as therapy in immune‐mediated diseases and is generally considered a safe therapeutic agent. However, thrombotic complications such as myocardial infarction and deep vein thrombosis have been reported, although primarily in older adults. We describe a 13‐year‐old girl who received one dose of IVIg for immune thrombocytopenic purpura and developed fatal bilateral jugular venous thromboses. This is the first known case of IVIg‐associated thrombosis in an adolescent and alsothe first report describing internal jugular vein thrombosis associated with IVIg infusion. We identify additional risks that may potentiate the agent's thrombotic risk. Am. J. Hematol., 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Occupational injury mortality: New Mexico 1998–2002
Authors: Mulloy Karen B. , Moraga‐McHaley Stephanie , Crandall Cameron , Kesler Denece O. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBackgroundThe current study characterizes patterns of occupational injury fatalities in New Mexico for the 5‐year period 1998–2002.MethodsThe study applied methods developed by the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (CSTE/NIOSH) Occupational Health Indicator Work Group and compared the relative strength and weakness of two different datasets (CFOI and NMVRHS) for occupational injury fatality surveillance.ResultsAnnual occupational injury mortality rates ranged from 4.4 to 7.6 per 100,000 employed persons aged 16 and over compared to annual US rates of 4.0–4.6 per 100,000. Risk factors for higher mortality rates included age over 65 years, self‐employment, non‐US citizenship, being African‐American or Hispanic, and occurrence in rural counties. The top industry for fatality rate was mining followed by transportation, public utilities, agriculture, and construction.ConclusionsApplying CSTE/NIOSH Occupational Health Indicator protocol and using both CFOI and NMVRHS data improved the characterization of occupational injury mortality and the setting of priorities for prevention intervention. Am. J. Ind. Med. 50:910–920, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pesticide use and chronic bronchitis among farmers in the agricultural health study
Authors: Hoppin Jane A. , Valcin Martin , Henneberger Paul K. , Kullman Greg J. , Umbach David M. , London Stephanie J. , Alavanja Michael C.R. , Sandler Dale P. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBackgroundFarmers have increased risk for chronic bronchitis. Few investigators have considered pesticides.MethodsWe evaluated pesticides as risk factors for chronic bronchitis using the Agricultural Health Study enrollment data on lifetime pesticide use and history of doctor‐diagnosed chronic bronchitis from 20,908 private pesticide applicators, primarily farmers.ResultsA total of 654 farmers (3%) reported chronic bronchitis diagnosed after age 19. After adjustment for correlated pesticides as well as confounders, 11 pesticides were significantly associated with chronic bronchitis. Heptachlor use had the highest odds ratio (OR = 1.50, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.19, 1.89). Increased prevalence for chronic bronchitis was also seen for individuals who had a history of a high pesticide exposure event (OR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.51, 2.25) and for those who also applied pesticides in off‐farm jobs (OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.04, 1.88). Co‐morbid asthma and current farm activities did not explain these results.ConclusionsThese results provide preliminary evidence that pesticide use may increase chronic bronchitis prevalence. Am. J. Ind. Med. 50:969–979, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Injuries and injury risk factors among members of the United States Army band
Authors: Knapik Joseph J. , Jones Sarah B. , Darakjy Salima , Hauret Keith G. , Nevin Remington , Grier Tyson , Jones Bruce H. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBackgroundThis project documented injuries in the professional musical performers of the US Army Band and used a multivariate approach to determine injury risk factors.MethodsInjuries were obtained from a medical surveillance database. Administrative records from the Band provided fitness test scores, physical characteristics, performing unit (Blues, Ceremonial, Chorale, Chorus, Concert, Strings), and functional group (strings, winds, keyboard, vocal, percussion, brass). A questionnaire completed by 95% of the Band (n = 205) included queries on practice time, physical activity, tobacco use, and medical care.ResultsOne or more injuries were diagnosed in 44 and 53% of Band members in the years 2004 and 2005, respectively. In univariate analysis, higher injury risk was associated with higher body mass index (BMI), less physical activity, prior injury, unit, functional group, and practice duration. In multivariate analysis, less self‐rated physical activity, a prior injury, and functional group were independent risk factors.ConclusionIn the US Army Band, about half the performers had a medical visit for an injury in a 1‐year period and injury risk was associated with identifiable factors. Am. J. Ind. Med. 50:951–961, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by Penicillium citrinum, not enoki spores
Authors: Yoshikawa Sumiko , Tsushima Kenji , Yasuo Masanori , Fujimoto Keisaku , Kubo Keishi , Kumagai Toshiko , Yamazaki Yoshitaka 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBackgroundFlammulina velutipes is called the Enoki mushroom in Japanese and is cultivated indoors. Mushroom workers face occupational exposure to a tremendous number of fungi and organic antigens capable of causing hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). One worker employed at an Enoki farm developed HP due to Penicillium citrinum. This study investigated new cases of HP among the workers cultivating Enoki.MethodsSerum Krebs von der Lungen‐6 (KL‐6), surfactant protein (SP)‐A and SP‐D were measured. Lymphocyte stimulation tests (LST) and double immunodiffusion tests (DIT) were performed to identify P. citrinum. Workers showing high levels of KL‐6, SP‐A, or SP‐D and a high LST value or positive DIT were identified and then were further examined by chest computed tomography, bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial lung biopsy. The initial patient and new HP patients were defined as the HP group and the other participants were defined as the non‐HP group.ResultsForty‐eight Enoki workers participated in the study. Four of nine workers who met the criteria for further examinations were diagnosed as having HP due to P. citrinum. In comparison between non‐HP group and HP group, KL‐6, SP‐D and LST values were significantly higher in HP group. There was a strong correlation between KL‐6 and SP‐D. DIT had high sensitivity and high specificity.ConclusionsKL‐6, SP‐D, LST, and DIT were useful for detecting HP patients. KL‐6 was the most useful predictor of HP in this study. DIT was useful not only as a predictor of HP but also as a detector of the causative antigen. Am. J. Ind. Med. 50:1010–1017, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mapping of a novel type III variant of Knobloch syndrome (KNO3) to chromosome 17q11.2
Authors: Khaliq Shagufta , Abid Aiysha , White Dominick R.A. , Johnson Colin A. , Ismail Muhammad , Khan Ayesha , Ayub Qasim , Sultana Salma , Maher Eamonn R. , Mehdi Syed Qasim 
Published: November 2007

AbstractKnobloch syndrome (KNO) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by ocular abnormalities (myopia and retinal detachment) and occipital encephalocele. The syndrome is clinically and genetically heterogeneous (KNO1, KNO2). Previously germline mutations in COL18A1 (21q22.3) were detected in some families, but in other kindreds linkage to COL18A1 was excluded. We ascertained a large consanguineous family with high myopia, vitreoretinal degeneration and occipital scalp defect with autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. Due to the overlapping clinical presentation of this family with Knobloch syndrome we propose this phenotype as a type III variant of KS (KNO3). A genome wide linkage study using microsatellite markers at 10–20 cM interval revealed linkage to 17q11.2 with a maximum LOD scores 3.40 (θ = 0.00) for markers D17S1307 and D17S1166. Fine mapping defined a 2.67 cM disease region between D17S1307 and D17S798. Mutation analysis of three candidate genes (UNC119, MYO1D, and RAB11FIP4) within the disease region did not identify any disease‐associated mutation in affected individuals. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nonmosaic balanced homologous translocations of major clinical significance: Some may be mosaic
Authors: Kovaleva Natalia V. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe main mechanism proposed for formation of homologous translocations/isochromosomes is mitotic and if this occurs in a chromosomally normal conceptus, mosaicism would be expected to be seen. The lack of mosaicism in published cases of rearrangement (REA) of mitotic origin might be explained by under‐detection due to the low level mosaicism for a normal line. Recently it was reported that sex‐specific centromere instability in early embryogenesis leads to a female prevalence among individuals with mosaicism for pericentromeric rearrangements. To determine whether carriers of apparent non‐mosaic homologous REA could be mosaics for a normal cell line, the sex ratio (male to female ratio) among carriers of balanced and unbalanced homologous translocations/isochromosomes was studied. This ratio was determined to establish if there is a female predominance similar to that seen in carriers of REA with mosaicism. In reviewing the literature, a female prevalence among fetuses with balanced homologous REA and among carriers of unbalanced homologous REA detected prenatally, postnatally and in miscarriages was found. Overall, there were 48 males and 72 females in the collected sample, and this ratio differed significantly from the expected sex ratio of 1.06 (P = 0.0075). There is not a male prevalence among miscarried fetuses, there is no evidence of selection against males in the collected material of this study. The analysis of sex ratios in different variants of trisomy 13 with respect to ascertainment (prenatal diagnosis, miscarriages, liveborn) also does not support an intrauterine selection against males as a cause of a female prevalence among carriers of homologous REA. Thus the data presented in this paper suggests that a proportion of the carriers of balanced homologous REA may have mosaicism for a normal line. Since low level mosaicism for a normal line in a translocation carrier would alter his/her reproductive options, it can be recommended that molecular polymorphic analysis be applied to these cases. This would allow those resulting from meiotic formation to be distinguished from those resulting from postzygotic formation. This latter mechanism may indicate the presence of a mosaicism for a normal line, making further intensive karyotypic analysis advisable. However, additional studies of healthy carriers of homologous REA of chromosome 14 or 15 should not be done. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Atypical Angelman syndrome with macrocephaly due to a familial imprinting center deletion
Authors: Ronan Anne , Buiting Karin , Dudding Tracy 
Published: November 2007

AbstractTwo elderly brothers with severe intellectual disability were diagnosed with Angelman syndrome after a once‐removed, 15‐year‐old cousin was found to have the syndrome due to a deletion of the imprinting center. For many years it was believed the brothers, who both have macrocephaly, were affected by nonsyndromic X‐linked mental retardation. This was because, apart from absent speech and intellectual disability, the phenotype of the two men was not characteristic of Angelman syndrome. Conversely, the cousin, in addition to severe intellectual disability, language impairment, and ataxic gait, has microcephaly. None of the three have seizures, and so in the presence of the brothers' macrocephaly, Angelman syndrome was not considered until a diagnosis was made in the younger distant cousin. We report on a familial imprinting center deletion and the importance of considering the mild and atypical Angelman syndrome phenotypes within the differential diagnosis of intellectual handicap, particularly in clarifying the genetic risk to other family members. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A novel form of lethal microcephaly with simplified gyral pattern and brain stem hypoplasia
Authors: Rajab Anna , Manzini M. Chiara , Mochida Ganeshwaran H. , Walsh Christopher A. , Ross M. Elizabeth 
Published: November 2007

AbstractWe report on four patients from the same family affected by a lethal form of autosomal recessive microcephaly of prenatal onset. Symptoms include low birth‐weight and length with disproportionately small head, fetal distress, apnea, seizures and facial features reminiscent of Amish microcephaly and Bowen–Conradi syndrome. Brain imaging revealed a simplified gyral pattern with normal to slightly thinned cortical gray matter, thin corpus callosum, mild brainstem and cerebellar hypoplasia. No abnormalities of the internal organs, eye, or skeleton, and no striking dysmorphic facial features were found to be associated with this syndrome. All patients died within hours to weeks after birth following severe apnea attacks and central hypoventilation. Recessive primary microcephaly with lethality in early infancy is rarely reported. The patients described here do not resemble any other published cases of such clinical severity and the locus for the only reported early lethal microcephaly gene found in Amish families was excluded. Therefore, this appears to be a distinct genetic cause of lethal microcephaly. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Preparation and evaluation of nonionic amphiphilic phenolic biocides in urethane hydrogels
Authors: Wynne James H. , Pant Ramesh R. , Jones‐Meehan Joanne M. , Phillips J. Paige 
Published: November 2007

AbstractPhenols are rarely used in the preparation of polyurethanes because of the inherent competitive reaction of the phenolic moiety with isocyanates. This work represents a successful application of the combination of phenols with isocyanates toward the development of phenolic‐based antimicrobial urethane coatings for niche applications. In this effort, a series of nonionic amphiphilic phenolic molecules were prepared by condensation of 4‐hexylresorcinol with the corresponding hydroxyl‐terminated monomethyl poly(ethylene glycol) in the presence of a catalytic amount of acid in refluxing toluene. These new molecules were evaluated against a variety of Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria for their antimicrobial activity in minimum inhibitory concentration solution testing. The same amphiphilic molecules were also incorporated into a hydrophilic polyurethane hydrogel and dispensed as films for evaluation of surface activity with a newly developed protocol. All samples possessed some degree of surface antimicrobial activity, which was expressed as a log kill reduction in colony‐forming units starting from an initial bacterial concentration of 107 CFU, and structural features of the phenolic compound were found to contribute significantly to the observed antimicrobial activity. The highest activity was observed in samples containing the phenolic compound with the shortest ethylene oxide polar structural feature and therefore highest mobility in the highly polar urethane resin. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of poly(vinylidene fluoride) in a poly(vinylidene fluoride)/dibutyl phthalate/di(2‐ethylhexyl)phthalate system via thermally induced phase separation
Authors: Ji Gen‐Liang , Zhu Bao‐Ku , Zhang Chun‐Fang , Xu You‐Yi 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) in PVDF/dibutyl phthalate (DBP)/di(2‐ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) blends via thermally induced phase separation were investigated through differential scanning calorimetry measurements. The Ozawa approach failed to describe the crystallization behavior of PVDF in PVDF/DBP/DEHP blends, whereas the modified Avrami equation successfully described the nonisothermal crystallization process of PVDF. Two stages of crystallization were observed in this analysis, including primary crystallization and secondary crystallization. The influence of the cooling rate and DBP ratio in the diluent mixture on the crystallization mechanism and crystal structure was determined by this method. The Mo approach well explained the kinetics of primary crystallization. An analysis of these two methods indicated that the increase in the DBP ratio in the diluent mixture caused a decrease in the crystallization rate at the primary crystallization stage. The activation energy was determined according to the Kissinger method and also decreased with the DBP ratio in the diluent mixture increasing. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008