bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Health Perceptions and Demographic Characteristics Associated With Underassessment of Body Weight
Authors: Gregory Cria O. , Blanck Heidi M. , Gillespie Cathleen , Maynard L. Michele , Serdula Mary K. 
Published: February 2008

Objectives: To describe the relationship between BMI and perceived weight status and to determine how underassessment of weight status is associated with demographic characteristics, self‐reported general health, and perceived health risk in relation to one's body weight.Methods and Procedures: In the 2004 Styles surveys, 3,888 US adult participants described their current weight status (underweight, about right, slightly overweight, very overweight), which we compared with self‐reported BMI in order to determine concordance. We used multivariable logistic regression to evaluate associations between underassessment of body weight and characteristics of interest.Results: Among persons with a BMI ≥25, women were more likely than men to recognize their overweight status (slightly or very overweight; 93.0% of women vs. 73.5% of men) and the extent to which they were overweight: 70.4% of obese women vs. 49.5% of obese men described themselves as very overweight. Among the overweight and obese of both sexes, disagreement with regard to current weight as a health risk was associated with underassessment of weight. Additional factors associated with underassessment were education and race/ethnicity among overweight women; race/ethnicity among overweight men; household income and self‐rated health among obese women; and self‐rated health among obese men (P < 0.05).Discussion: While most of the obese participants recognized that they were overweight, many of them, particularly among the men, did not realize the extent to which they were overweight. Public health messages may be more effective if they are specifically tailored to target audiences, besides emphasizing the health risks associated with excess body weight.
Impaired Skeletal Muscle Substrate Oxidation in Glucose‐intolerant Men Improves After Weight Loss
Authors: Corpeleijn Eva , Mensink Marco , Kooi Marianne E. , Roekaerts Paul M.H.J. , Saris Wim H.M. , Blaak Ellen E. 
Published: February 2008

Objective: An impaired fatty acid handling in skeletal muscle may be involved in the development of insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2). We investigated muscle fatty acid metabolism in glucose‐intolerant men (impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)), a prediabetic state, relative to BMI‐matched control men (normal glucose tolerance (NGT)) during fasting and after a meal, because most people in the western society are in the fed state most of the day.Methods and Procedures: Skeletal muscle free fatty acid (FFA) uptake and oxidation were studied using the stable isotope tracer [2,2‐2H]‐palmitate and muscle indirect calorimetry in the forearm model during fasting and after a mixed meal (33 energy % (E%) carbohydrates, 61 E% fat). Intramyocellular triglycerides (IMTGs) were monitored with 1H‐magnetic resonance spectroscopy. IGT men were re‐examined after weight loss (−15% of body weight (BW)).Results: The postprandial increase in forearm muscle respiratory quotient (RQ) was blunted in IGT compared to NGT, but improved after weight loss. Weight loss also improved fasting‐fat oxidation and tended to decrease IMTGs (P = 0.08). No differences were found in fasting and postprandial forearm muscle fatty acid uptake between NGT and IGT, or in IGT before and after weight loss.Discussion: The ability to switch from fat oxidation to carbohydrate oxidation after a meal is already impaired in the prediabetic state, suggesting this may be an early factor in the development toward DM2. This impaired ability to regulate fat oxidation during fasting and after a meal (impaired metabolic flexibility) can be (partly) reversed by weight loss.
Placental histological inflammation and reproductive tract infections in a low risk pregnant population in Latvia
Authors: REZEBERGA DACE , LAZDANE GUNTA , KROICA JUTA , SOKOLOVA LUDMILA , DONDERS GILBERT G.G. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackground. To investigate the correlation of reproductive tract infections (RTI) and endogenous vaginal flora at first antenatal consultation with placental histological inflammation. Methods. In a follow‐up study, 154 low risk women with no miscarriage risk factors were examined for the presence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis, Gardnerella vaginalis, Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS), Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis (GDS) and bacterial vaginosis (BV). At delivery, outcome data were collected and the histology of the placenta was studied. Results. Some 85 (56.3%) of all pregnant women had RTI or endogenous vaginal flora. Placental histological inflammation correlated with genital tract colonisation with G. vaginalis (p =0.013), BV (p =0.031), S. aureus (p =0.04) and aerobic vaginitis (p =0.017). BV and BV‐related G. vaginalis correlated with the presence of parietal and placental chorioamnionitis in 53.8 and 43.5% of cases. Genital tract colonisation with GDS and other aerobic flora in combination with inflammatory vaginitis correlated with the presence of funisitis in 33.3 and 40.0% of cases. Mycoplasmas increased the risk for intrauterine infection only when present in combination with other RTIs (p =0.023). Conclusion. Histological placental inflammation is associated with both BV and genital tract colonisation with aerobic bacteria, while funisitis is associated with colonisation of aerobic bacteria at first prenatal visit before the 17th gestational week.
Bloodstream Infections in Patients Given Treatment With Intravenous Prostanoids
Authors: Kallen Alexander J. , Lederman Edith , Balaji Alexandra , Trevino Ingrid , Petersen Emily E. , Shoulson Rivka , Saiman Lisa , Horn Evelyn M. , Gomberg-Maitland Mardi , Barst Robyn J. , Srinivasan Arjun 
Published: February 2008

Objective.In September 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was notified of cases of gram-negative bloodstream infection (BSI) occurring among outpatients who received an intravenous formulation of the prostanoid treprostinil. An investigation was conducted to determine rates of prostanoid-associated BSI in this patient population and possible risk factors for infection.Methods.We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients who had received intravenous formulations of at least 1 of the 2 approved prostanoids (epoprostenol and treprostinil) from January 1, 2004, through late 2006. Chart reviews were conducted at 2 large centers for pulmonary arterial hypertension, and a survey of infection control practices was conducted at 1 center.Results.A total of 224 patients were given intravenous prostanoid treatment, corresponding to 146,093 treatment-days during the study period. Overall, there were 0.55 cases of BSI and 0.18 cases of BSI due to gram-negative organisms per 1,000 treatment-days. BSI rates were higher for patients who received intravenous treprostinil than for patients who received intravenous epoprostenol (1.13 vs. 0.42 BSIs per 1,000 treatment-days; P < .001), as were rates of BSI due to gram-negative organisms (0.81 vs. 0.04 BSIs per 1,000 treatment-days; P < .001). Adjusted hazard ratios for all BSIs and for BSIs due to gram-negative organisms were higher among patients given treatment with intravenous treprostinil. The survey identified no significant differences in medication-related infection control practices.Conclusion.At 2 centers, BSI due to gram-negative pathogens was more common than previously reported and was more frequent among patients given treatment with intravenous treprostinil than among patients given treatment with intravenous epoprostenol. Whether similar results would be found at other centers for pulmonary arterial hypertension warrants further investigation. This investigation underscores the importance of surveillance and evaluation of healthcare-related adverse events in patients given treatment primarily as outpatients.
SubSeqer: a graph-based approach for the detection and identification of repetitive elements in low-complexity sequences
Authors: He David , Parkinson John 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
Summary: Low-complexity, repetitive protein sequences with a limited amino acid palette are abundant in nature, and many of them play an important role in the structure and function of certain types of proteins. However, such repetitive sequences often do not have rigidly defined motifs. Consequently, the identification of these low-complexity repetitive elements has proven challenging for existing pattern-matching algorithms. Here we introduce a new web-tool SubSeqer (http://compsysbio.org/subseqer/) which uses graphical visualization methods borrowed from protein interaction studies to identify and characterize repetitive elements in low-complexity sequences. Given their abundance, we suggest that SubSeqer represents a valuable resource for the study of typically neglected low-complexity sequences.
Contact: jparkin@sickkids.ca
Crystal structure of enoyl–acyl carrier protein reductase (FabK) from Streptococcus pneumoniae reveals the binding mode of an inhibitor
Authors: Saito Jun , Yamada Mototsugu , Watanabe Takashi , Iida Maiko , Kitagawa Hideo , Takahata Sho , Ozawa Tomohiro , Takeuchi Yasuo , Ohsawa Fukuichi 
Published: February 2008

AbstractEnoyl–acyl carrier protein (ACP) reductases are critical for bacterial type II fatty acid biosynthesis and thus are attractive targets for developing novel antibiotics. We determined the crystal structure of enoyl–ACP reductase (FabK) from Streptococcus pneumoniae at 1.7 Å resolution. There was one dimer per asymmetric unit. Each subunit formed a triose phosphate isomerase (TIM) barrel structure, and flavin mononucleotide (FMN) was bound as a cofactor in the active site. The overall structure was similar to the enoyl–ACP reductase (ER) of fungal fatty acid synthase and to 2‐nitropropane dioxygenase (2‐ND) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, although there were some differences among these structures. We determined the crystal structure of FabK in complex with a phenylimidazole derivative inhibitor to envision the binding site interactions. The crystal structure reveals that the inhibitor binds to a hydrophobic pocket in the active site of FabK, and this is accompanied by induced‐fit movements of two loop regions. The thiazole ring and part of the ureido moiety of the inhibitor are involved in a face‐to‐face π–π stacking interaction with the isoalloxazine ring of FMN. The side‐chain conformation of the proposed catalytic residue, His144, changes upon complex formation. Lineweaver–Burk plots indicate that the inhibitor binds competitively with respect to NADH, and uncompetitively with respect to crotonoyl coenzyme A. We propose that the primary basis of the inhibitory activity is competition with NADH for binding to FabK, which is the first step of the two‐step ping‐pong catalytic mechanism.
NMR solution structure of KP‐TerB, a tellurite‐resistance protein from Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Chiang Sheng‐Kuo , Lou Yuan‐Chao , Chen Chinpan 
Published: February 2008

AbstractKlebsiella pneumoniae (KP), a Gram‐negative bacterium, is a common cause of hospital‐acquired bacterial infections worldwide. Tellurium (Te) compounds, although relatively rare in the environment, have a long history as antimicrobial and therapeutic agents. In bacteria, tellurite (TeO3 −2) resistance is conferred by the ter (Ter) operon (terZABCDEF). Here, on the basis of 2593 restraints derived from NMR analysis, we report the NMR structure of TerB protein (151 amino acids) of KP (KP‐TerB), which is mainly composed of seven α‐helices and a 310 helix, with helices II to V apparently forming a four‐helix bundle. The ensemble of 20 NMR structures was well‐defined, with a RMSD of 0.32 ± 0.06 Å for backbone atoms and 1.11 ± 0.07 Å for heavy atoms, respectively. A unique property of the KP‐TerB structure is that the positively and negatively charged clusters are formed by the N‐terminal positively and C‐terminal negatively charged residues, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, the protein sequence and structures of KP‐TerB are unique.
Positive association of up‐regulated Cripto‐1 and down‐regulated E‐cadherin with tumour progression and poor prognosis in gastric cancer
Authors: Zhong X‐Y , Zhang L‐H , Jia S‐Q , Shi T , Niu Z‐J , Du H , Zhang G‐G , Hu Y , Lu A‐P , Li J‐Y , Ji J‐F 
Published: February 2008

Aims:  Cripto‐1 may be capable of up‐regulating signalling molecules associated with epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), an important event characterized by loss of E‐cadherin during malignant tumour progression and metastasis. The aim was to investigate the expression of Cripto‐1 and E‐cadherin in relation to clinicopathological features and patient prognosis of gastric cancer.Methods and results:  The expression of Cripto‐1 and E‐cadherin was studied by immunohistochemistry in 118 gastric cancer cases. Up‐regulated Cripto‐1 (CR+) was found in 54% (64/118) of cases, whereas down‐regulated E‐cadherin (E‐cad−) was found in 70% (83/118) of cases. Either CR+ or E‐cad− was associated with lymph node metastasis, liver metastasis and late TNM stage (P < 0.05). Patients with either CR− or E‐cad+ showed higher 5‐year survival rates than those with CR+ or E‐cad− (P = 0.0012 and P = 0.0017, respectively). When combined, evaluation of these two proteins, simultaneous CR+ and E‐cad− (CR+/E‐cad−) in cancer was strongly associated with the above three aggressive clinicopathological features (P < 0.001) and indicated the worst patient survival (P = 0.0001). Multivariate analysis revealed that CR+/E‐cad− was an independent prognostic factor in gastric cancer.Conclusions:  Combined analysis of Cripto‐1 and E‐cadherin has significant value in evaluating the metastatic potential of gastric cancer and predicting patient prognosis.
Dentine demineralization when subjected to EDTA with or without various wetting agents: a co‐site digital optical microscopy study
Authors: De‐Deus G. , Reis C. , Fidel S. , Fidel R. , Paciornik S. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractAim  To analyse quantitatively the chelating ability of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and three common EDTA‐based associations with wetting agents.Methodology  Twelve maxillary human molars were selected, from which 3 mm thick discs were obtained from the cervical third of the root. Following the creation of standardized smear layer co‐site microscopy image sequences of the dentine surface submitted to EDTA, EDTA plus 0.1% cetavlon® (Sigma Chemical Co., St Louis, MO, USA), EDTA plus 1.25% sodium lauryl ether sulphate and SmearClear™ (Sybron Endo, Orange, CA, USA) were obtained after several cumulative demineralization times. Sixteen images were obtained of each dentine sample for each experimental time, at 1000× magnification. An image processing and analysis sequence was used to measure the area of open tubules for each experimental time. Thus, it was possible to follow the demineralization process and quantitatively analyse the effect of the various substances. The Student’s t‐test was used to assess differences between experimental groups.Results  EDTA solution had the strongest effect at all experimental times whilst the association of EDTA with wetting agents showed a weaker chelating effect and this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).Conclusions  (i) The EDTA solution had the strongest effect at all experimental times (P < 0.05); (ii) the association of EDTA with wetting agents did not improve the chelating power of the solution; (iii) co‐site optical microscopy represents a powerful approach to compare directly, longitudinally and quantitatively the ability of the chelating solutions.
Bond strengths of three types of fibre‐reinforced post systems in various regions of root canals
Authors: D’Arcangelo C. , Zazzeroni S. , D’Amario M. , Vadini M. , De Angelis F. , Trubiani O. , Caputi S. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractAim  To evaluate the bond strengths of three adhesive/resin cement/fibre post systems to coronal, middle and apical thirds of post space dentine.Methodology  Three types of glass‐fibre post systems were selected for the study. Saremco Post Non‐stop Fibre (Saremco), FRC Postec Plus (Ivoclar Vivadent) and Anatomical Post (Dentalica) were luted in prepared root canals using adhesive system and resin cement provided by the respective manufacturer. The luting agent was placed into the root canal using a specific syringe with needle. A push‐out test was performed on sections from the apical, middle and coronal parts of each specimen to measure bond strength. All fractured specimens were observed using a stereomicroscope to identify the modes of failure.Results  Bond strength values were significantly affected both by the post–adhesive–cement system used and by root region (P < 0.05). Additionally, there was no significant interaction between the post system and region of canal factors (P > 0.05). The highest bond strength values were found in the coronal third for all experimental groups. The middle and apical thirds exhibited similar bond strengths with no statistically significant differences amongst them. Saremco and Precision post systems had the highest retentive strengths, whilst the Ivoclar post system had the lowest values. Microscopic analysis of the specimens revealed a prevalence of post–cement and mixed failures.Conclusions  Type of post–adhesive–cement system and root position had a significant effect on fibre post retention. The coronal region of the canals was characterized by significantly higher bond strengths.
Molecular identification of vertebrate species by oligonucleotide microarray in food and forensic samples
Authors: Teletchea Fabrice , Bernillon Jacques , Duffraisse Marilyne , Laudet Vincent , Hänni Catherine 
Published: February 2008

Summary

Molecular identification of animal or plant species in fresh and degraded products (e.g. food, faeces, hair and other organic remains) has become a very important issue in both conservation biology and food science.
In this proof‐of‐concept study, we developed a microarray‐based method using cytochrome b‐derived probes to identify the main commercial and/or endangered vertebrate species in both food and forensic samples.
This method allowed the unambiguous identification of 71 out of 77 species tested. In the remaining six cases, identification was hampered due to false sequences deposited in GenBank and high intraspecific variability. Our evaluation of this DNA chip for routine control demonstrated its effectiveness for the simultaneous identification of at least five species, and that its sensitivity varied according to the type of sample analysed.
Synthesis and applications. Taken together, our results suggest that cytb‐based microarray is a reliable and powerful identification tool for vertebrates, and more generally highlights the significant role of both molecular and traditional taxonomy in the development of molecular identification methods.
Polyphosphate at the Streptomyces lividans cytoplasmic membrane is enhanced in the presence of the potassium channel KcsA
Authors: HEGERMANN J. , LÜNSDORF H. , OVERBECK J. , SCHREMPF H. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryThe distribution of polyphosphate (polyP) within the cytoplasmic membrane of Streptomyces lividans hyphae or protoplasts has been determined at high spatial resolution by elemental mapping using energy‐filtered electron microscopy (EFTEM). The results revealed that polyP was best traceable after its interaction with lead ions followed by their precipitation as lead sulphide. Concomitant studies of the S.lividans wildtype (WT) strain and its co‐embedded mutant ΔK (lacking a functional kcsA gene) were conducted by labelling as the surface matrix of either one was labelled by cationic colloidal thorium dioxide. Within the WT strain, additional polyP was found to accumulate distinctly at the inner face of the cytoplasmic membrane. After removal of the cell wall (within protoplasts), the polyP‐derived lead‐sulphide (PbS) precipitate formed clusters of fibrillar material extending up to 50 nm into the cytoplasm. This feature was absent in the ΔK mutant strain. Together the results revealed that the presence of the KcsA channel and the structured polyP coincide.
Observation of the ion‐mirror effect during microscopy of insulating materials
Authors: CROCCOLO F. , RICCARDI C. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryUtilizing the ion beam of a focused ion beam (FIB)/scanning electron microscope (SEM) microscope to investigate non‐conductive samples, we observe a mirror image very much similar to the one that is commonly obtained with the electron beam and the same samples. To our knowledge this is the first observation of what can be called ‘Ion‐Mirror Effect’. This effect is produced by a positive charging of the sample obtained by rastering with high‐energy ions (30 kV) and a subsequent imaging with low energy ones (5 kV). The proposed explanation is that first a positive charge is trapped within the sample and eventually the lower energy ions are deflected back by the latter, and hit the surface of the microscope chamber very similar to what happens in the ‘Electron‐Mirror Effect’. The mirror image is produced after detection of the electrons produced by the interaction between ions and the chamber materials.
Orientation fields of nonlinear biological fibrils by second harmonic generation microscopy
Authors: ODIN C. , LE GRAND Y. , RENAULT A. , GAILHOUSTE L. , BAFFET G. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryThe orientation of fibrils within biological tissues is of primary importance. In this study, we propose a simple method based on second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy to map, pixel by pixel, the orientation of the symmetry axis of the second‐order nonlinear susceptibility tensor of fibrils that produce SHG. The method uses only four images acquired at specific polarizations of the input laser beam, and can be easily and cheaply implemented on a confocal microscope. In addition to orientation informations, the method also provides polarization independent images and estimations of the ratio of the nonlinear susceptibility components. We demonstrate the relevance of our concept by studying the orientation fields of the collagen meshwork in a healthy rat liver that provides well separated fibrils. By correlating the mean orientation of the nonlinear susceptibility to the fibril orientation itself for many fibril segments, and using circular statistics, it is shown that both orientations are truly parallel at the fibril scale. Our polarimetric method allows to map fibril orientation fields, independently of individual fibril contrast in the SHG image.
Jr‐ZFP2, encoding a Cys2/His2‐type transcription factor, is involved in the early stages of the mechano‐perception pathway and specifically expressed in mechanically stimulated tissues in woody plants
Authors: LEBLANC‐FOURNIER NATHALIE , COUTAND CATHERINE , CROUZET JEROME , BRUNEL NICOLE , LENNE CATHERINE , MOULIA BRUNO , JULIEN JEAN‐LOUIS 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACTPlants respond to environmental mechanical stimulation, such as wind, by modifying their growth and development. To study the molecular effects of stem bending on 3‐week‐old walnut trees, a cDNA‐AFLP approach was developed. This study allowed the identification of a cDNA, known as Jr‐ZFP2, encoding a Cys2/His2‐type two‐zinc‐fingered transcription factor. Reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction analysis confirmed that Jr‐ZFP2 mRNA accumulation is rapidly and transiently induced after mechanical stimulation. After bending, Jr‐ZFP2 transcript increase was restricted to the stem, the organ where the mechanical solicitation was applied. Furthermore, other abiotic factors, such as cold or salt, did not modify Jr‐ZFP2 mRNA accumulation in walnut stems under our experimental conditions, whereas growth studies demonstrated that salt stress was actually perceived by the plants. These results suggest that the regulation of Jr‐ZFP2 expression is more sensitive to mechanical stimulus. This gene will be a good marker for studying the early stages of mechanical perception in woody plants.