bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Coronary artery disease investigated using 99mTc‐tetrofosmin myocardial SPECT
Authors: Toriyama T. , Takase H. , Goto T. , Sugiura T. , Nakazawa A. , Hayashi K. , Ishikawa H. , Hikita Y. , Ueda R. , Dohi Y. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground  Coronary artery disease can be diagnosed from stress and delayed images of myocardial single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using technetium‐99 m‐tetrofosmin (TcTF). However, the negative predictive value of stress SPECT images after a single injection of a low tracer dose remains unknown. Thus, the present study investigates whether normal stress SPECT results predict event‐free survival.Materials and methods  We screened 302 consecutive patients who were randomly assigned to two groups for myocardial ischaemia using either stress SPECT with a low dose of TcTF (296 MBq, TcTF group, n = 150) or stress together with rest SPECT using thallium201 chloride (TlCl, 111 MBq; TlCl group, n = 152) as the tracer. A total of 80 patients with abnormal SPECT findings were excluded and the remaining 222 with normal results (age, 66·5 ± 0·7 years; TcTF/TlCl, 112/110) were enrolled in the present study and followed up for 401 ± 9 days, with the endpoint being ischaemic cardiac events.Results  The incidence of cardiac events did not differ between the two groups (0·9% and 0·0% in TcTF and TlCl groups, respectively). The cost and duration of TcTF and TlCl SPECT examinations were about 425 and 603 Euros and 50 and 280 min, respectively.Conclusions  The negative predictive values of stress SPECT using a low dose of TcTF and of combined stress and rest SPECT using TlCl did not differ and both were clinically acceptable. Thus, stress SPECT using low dose TcTF is useful in screening patients for myocardial ischaemia.
TGF‐β1 overexpression in the transversalis fascia of patients with direct inguinal hernia
Authors: Pascual G. , Corrales C. , Gómez‐Gil V. , Buján J. , Bellón J. M. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground  The aetiology of inguinal hernia includes changes in collagen turnover and metalloproteinase (MMP) expression, and direct hernia has been linked to increased MMP‐2 expression. Since transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) plays a role in tissue remodelling, this growth factor could directly affect metalloproteinase secretion and thus the proteolytic activity of these enzymes. We hypothesized that TGFβ1 expression could also be altered in direct inguinal hernias.Materials and methods  Tissue specimens were obtained from the transversalis fascia (TF) of organ donors (controls; n = 10) and patients with inguinal hernia (indirect; n = 20/direct; n = 20), who were also divided into two groups according to age (20–40/41–60 years). Tissue sections were immunohistochemically labelled using anti‐LAP TGFβ1 (latent form) and anti‐TGFβ1 (active form) antibodies, and fragments of tissue were subjected to Western blot analysis.Results  No significant differences in LAP‐TGFβ1 expression were detected between specimens from control and hernia patients. However, significantly higher levels of active TGFβ1 were detected in the TF of patients with direct hernia (P < 0·05). Age affected the expression of the growth factor in its active form, and significant differences emerged between direct hernias and controls/indirect hernias only in the younger age groups.Conclusions  Our findings indicate overexpression of the active form of TGFβ1 in the TF of young patients with direct hernia. This overexpression reflects an attempt to counterbalance the enhanced matrix degradation process observed in these patients, identifying a subset of patients requiring the use of a prosthetic material for primary hernia repair.
Predicting the development of early skin test sensitization in offspring of parents with asthma
Authors: Jin Y. , Xu Y. , Xue S. , Liu H. , Zhao J. , Xu M. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground  The direct causal relationship between skin sensitization and asthma are controversial until now and remains to be further researched. Our aim is to analyse the role of parental asthma in the development of skin sensitization in offspring.Materials and methods  This study was performed among nuclear families (determined by index of asthma patients), and subjects included parents and offspring. Parents were subdivided into four phenotypes on the basis of skin sensitization (SPT+ or SPT–) and asthma status (AST+ or AST–) and offspring were subdivided into three age groups: 3–8, 9–14 and 15–20 years. The main tests included a standard questionnaire and skin prick tests.Results  Offspring's skin sensitization differed among parental phenotypes at all ages (P < 0·05). In the SPT+/AST–, SPT–/AST+ and SPT+/AST+ groups, offspring were significantly more likely to be allergic than the ones in SPT–/AST– group at 3–8 years. Offspring with at least one parent with asthma were significantly more likely to have positive skin prick test response than those with non‐asthmatic parents at age 3–8 years and 9–14 years, but not at 15–20 years among offspring with allergic parents. Results were independent of asthma in the children and of the characteristics of atopy in the parents.Conclusion  Parent asthma history is an independent risk factor for allergic sensitization in their offspring in a Chinese population.
Net ecosystem productivity of boreal jack pine stands regenerating from clearcutting under current and future climates
Authors: GRANT R. F. , BARR A. G. , BLACK T. A. , GAUMONT‐GUAY D. , IWASHITA H. , KIDSON J. , McCAUGHEY H. , MORGENSTERN K. , MURAYAMA S. , NESIC Z. , SAIGUSA N. , SHASHKOV A. , ZHA T. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractLife cycle analysis of climate and disturbance effects on forest net ecosystem productivity (NEP) is necessary to assess changes in forest carbon (C) stocks under current or future climates. Ecosystem models used in such assessments need to undergo well‐constrained tests of their hypotheses for climate and disturbance effects on the processes that determine CO2 exchange between forests and the atmosphere. We tested the ability of the model ecosys to simulate diurnal changes in CO2 fluxes under changing air temperatures (Ta) and soil water contents during forest regeneration with eddy covariance measurements over boreal jack pine (Pinus banksiana) stands along a postclearcut chronosequence. Model hypotheses for hydraulic and nutrient constraints on CO2 fixation allowed ecosys to simulate the recovery of C cycling during the transition of boreal jack pine stands from C sources following clearcutting (NEP from −150 to −200 g C m−2 yr−1) to C sinks at maturity (NEP from 20 to 80 g C m−2 yr−1) with large interannual variability. Over a 126‐year logging cycle, annualized NEP, C harvest, and net biome productivity (NBP=NEP–harvest removals) of boreal jack pine averaged 47, 33 and 14 g C m−2 yr−1. Under an IPCC SRES climate change scenario, rising Ta exacerbated hydraulic constraints that adversely affected NEP of boreal jack pine after 75 years. These adverse effects were avoided in the model by replacing the boreal jack pine ecotype with one adapted to warmer Ta. This replacement raised annualized NEP, C harvest, and NBP to 81, 56 and 25 g C m−2 yr−1 during a 126‐year logging cycle under the same climate change scenario.
Postfire carbon pools and fluxes in semiarid ponderosa pine in Central Oregon
Authors: IRVINE J. , LAW B. E. , HIBBARD K. A. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractForest fire dramatically affects the carbon storage and underlying mechanisms that control the carbon balance of recovering ecosystems. In western North America where fire extent has increased in recent years, we measured carbon pools and fluxes in moderately and severely burned forest stands 2 years after a fire to determine the controls on net ecosystem productivity (NEP) and make comparisons with unburned stands in the same region. Total ecosystem carbon in soil and live and dead pools in the burned stands was on average 66% that of unburned stands (11.0 and 16.5 kg C m−2, respectively, P<0.01). Soil carbon accounted for 56% and 43% of the carbon pools in burned and unburned stands. NEP was significantly lower in severely burned compared with unburned stands (P<0.01) with an increasing trend from −125±44 g C m−2 yr−1 (±1 SD) in severely burned stands (stand replacing fire), to −38±96 and +50±47 g C m−2 yr−1 in moderately burned and unburned stands, respectively. Fire of moderate severity killed 82% of trees <20 cm in diameter (diameter at 1.3 m height, DBH); however, this size class only contributed 22% of prefire estimates of bole wood production. Larger trees (> 20 cm DBH) suffered only 34% mortality under moderate severity fire and contributed to 91% of postfire bole wood production. Growth rates of trees that survived the fire were comparable with their prefire rates. Net primary production NPP (g C m−2 yr−1, ±1 SD) of severely burned stands was 47% of unburned stands (167±76, 346±148, respectively, P<0.05), with forb and grass aboveground NPP accounting for 74% and 4% of total aboveground NPP, respectively. Based on continuous seasonal measurements of soil respiration in a severely burned stand, in areas kept free of ground vegetation, soil heterotrophic respiration accounted for 56% of total soil CO2 efflux, comparable with the values of 54% and 49% previously reported for two of the unburned forest stands. Estimates of total ecosystem heterotrophic respiration (Rh) were not significantly different between stand types 2 years after fire. The ratio NPP/Rh averaged 0.55, 0.85 and 1.21 in the severely burned, moderately burned and unburned stands, respectively. Annual soil CO2 efflux was linearly related to aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) with an increase in soil CO2 efflux of 1.48 g C yr−1 for every 1 g increase in ANPP (P<0.01, r2= 0.76). There was no significant difference in this relationship between the recently burned and unburned stands. Contrary to expectations that the magnitude of NEP 2 years postfire would be principally driven by the sudden increase in detrital pools and increased rates of Rh, the data suggest NPP was more important in determining postfire NEP.
Pemphigus vulgaris immunoglobulin G can recognize a 130 000 MW antigen other than desmoglein 3 on peripheral blood mononuclear cell surface
Authors: Cirillo Nicola , Gombos Fernando , Lanza Alessandro 
Published: May 2007

SummaryPemphigus vulgaris (PV) is considered to be an autoimmune disease affecting skin and mucous membranes. Traditionally, PV autoantibodies are thought to recognize antigens located in the intercellular substance (ICS) of keratinocytes; antigens represented mainly by the desmosomal cadherin desmoglein 3 (Dsg3). Accordingly, titres of anti‐ICS and anti‐Dsg3 immunoglobulin G (IgG) are considered to be major laboratory criteria when making a diagnosis of PV. In this paper, we demonstrated for the first time that PV IgG bind antigen(s) expressed on the surface of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), as revealed by immunofluorescence studies. This novel autoantigen is immunoprecipitated by PV IgG as a 130 000 molecular weight protein. However, Western blot analysis of the immunocomplexes failed to show reactivity with anti‐Dsg3 monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. Taken together, our data provide strong evidence that PV autoimmunity targets a 130 000 antigen other than Dsg3 on PBMC. This shifting from epidermis to blood cells may open new perspectives for a better understanding of pemphigus autoimmunity and more rational approaches to its treatment.
Monoclonal antibodies capable of discriminating the human inhibitory Fcγ‐receptor IIB (CD32B) from the activating Fcγ‐receptor IIA (CD32A): biochemical, biological and functional characterization
Authors: Veri Maria‐Concetta , Gorlatov Sergey , Li Hua , Burke Steve , Johnson Syd , Stavenhagen Jeffrey , Stein Kathryn E. , Bonvini Ezio , Koenig Scott 
Published: May 2007

SummaryHuman CD32B (FcγRIIB), the low‐affinity inhibitory Fcγ receptor (FcγR), is highly homologous in its extracellular domain to CD32A (FcγRIIA), an activating FcγR. Available monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against the extracellular region of CD32B recognize both receptors. Through immunization of mice transgenic for human CD32A, we generated a set of antibodies specific for the extracellular region of CD32B with no cross‐reactivity with CD32A, as determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and surface plasmon resonance with recombinant CD32A and CD32B, and by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting analysis of CD32 transfectants. A high‐affinity mAb, 2B6, was used to explore the expression of CD32B by human peripheral blood leucocytes. While all B lymphocytes expressed CD32B, only a fraction of monocytes and almost no polymorphonuclear cells stained with 2B6. Likewise, natural killer cells, which express CD32C, a third CD32 variant, did not react with 2B6. Immune complexes co‐engage the inhibitory receptor with activating Fcγ receptors, a mechanism that limits cell responses. 2B6 competed for immune complex binding to CD32B as a monomeric Fab, suggesting that it directly recognizes the Fc‐binding region of the receptor. Furthermore, when co‐ligated with an activating receptor, 2B6 triggered CD32B‐mediated inhibitory signalling, resulting in diminished release of inflammatory mediators by FcεRI in an in vitro allergy model or decreased proliferation of human B cells induced by B‐cell receptor stimulation. These antibodies form the basis for the development of investigational tools and therapeutics with multiple potential applications, ranging from adjuvants in FcγR‐mediated responses to the treatment of allergy and autoimmunity.
BAC to immunology – bacterial artificial chromosome‐mediated transgenesis for targeting of immune cells
Authors: Sparwasser Tim , Eberl Gérard 
Published: May 2007

SummaryThirty years after the first transgenic mouse was produced, a plethora of genetic tools has been developed to study immune cells in vivo. A powerful development is the bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenic approach, combining advantages of both conventional transgenic and knock‐in gene‐targeting strategies. In immunology the potential of BAC transgenic technology has yet to be fully harvested and, combined with a variety of elegant genetic tools, it will allow the analysis of complex immunological processes in vivo. In this short review, we discuss the applications of BACs in immunology, such as identification of regulatory regions, expression and cell‐fate mapping, cell ablation, conditional mutations and the generation of humanized mice.
Accidental ingestion and aspiration of root canal instruments and other dental foreign bodies in a French population
Authors: Susini G. , Pommel L. , Camps J. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAim  To determine the incidence of aspiration and ingestion of endodontic instruments in France during root canal treatment without using rubber dam.Methodology  Data was provided by two insurance companies representing 24 651 French general dentists over 11 years. The type and number of accidents per year, the number of dental items involved and the percentage of occurrence of either aspiration or ingestion were reported. The incidence of accidental aspiration or ingestion was calculated. The need for hospitalization to remove the endodontic instruments and other dental items was reported and compared using chi square tests.Results  One endodontic instrument was aspirated and 57 were ingested. Forty‐three other dental items were aspirated and 409 were ingested. For the endodontic instruments: the incidence of aspiration was 0.001 per 100 000 root canal treatments and the incidence of ingestion was 0.12 per 100 000 root canal treatments. The aspirated endodontic instruments and dental items required statistically more frequent hospitalization than the ingested items (P < 0.0001). The endodontic instruments did not require more frequent hospitalization than other dental items when aspirated (ns) and when ingested (ns). No fatal outcome was reported.Conclusion  The incidence of ingestion or aspiration of endodontic instruments was low even thought most general practitioners do not routinely use rubber dam. Use of rubber dam by general practitioners for endodontic procedures should be encouraged by stressing its advantages rather than the fear factor of accidents.
Fatigue testing of a NiTi rotary instrument. Part 1: strain–life relationship
Authors: Cheung G. S. P. , Darvell B. W. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAim  To examine the fatigue behaviour using a strain‐life approach, and to determine the effect of water on the fatigue life of a NiTi rotary instrument.Methodology  Instruments of one brand of NiTi engine‐file (size 25, ProFile 0.04 and 0.06) were subjected to rotational bending either in air or under water, the number of revolutions to fracture (Nf) being recorded using an optical counter and an electronic break‐detection circuit. The effective surface strain amplitude (ɛa) for each specimen was determined from the curvature of the instrument (on a photograph) and the diameter of the fracture cross‐section (from a scanning electron micrograph of the fracture surface). Strain was plotted against fatigue life and the low‐cycle fatigue (LCF) region identified. Values were examined using two‐way analysis of variance for difference between various instrument–environment combinations.Results  A total of 212 instruments were tested. A strain‐life relationship typical of metals was found. Nf declined with an inverse power function dependence on ɛa. A fatigue limit was present at about 0.7% strain. The apparent fatigue‐ductility exponent, a material constant for the LCF life of metals, was found to be between −0.45 and −0.55. There was a significant effect of the environmental condition on the LCF life, water being more detrimental than air.Conclusions  The fatigue behaviour of NiTi rotary instrument is typical of most metals, provided that the analysis is based on the surface strain amplitude, and showed a high‐cycle and a LCF region. The LCF life is adversely affected by water.
Penetration depth of a dye marker into dentine using a novel hydrodynamic system (RinsEndo®)
Authors: Hauser V. , Braun A. , Frentzen M. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAim  To investigate the efficiency of a hydrodynamic irrigation system compared with conventional cleansing techniques in root canals.Methodology  Forty‐five freshly extracted single‐rooted teeth were de‐coronated and their root canals were enlarged to size 30 at the apex. The teeth were randomly divided into three groups (n = 15) for the final rinsing sequence using 2% NaOCl plus acid fuchsin: group I: static application of irrigant, 3 min; group II: flushing with a syringe; 5‐mL NaOCl, 1 min; group III: RinsEndo®‐system; 5‐mL NaOCl, 50 s. Apical extrusion was documented photographically. The roots were sectioned at 2, 4, 6 and 8 mm from their apices and the penetration depths of dye into dentine measured, using a stereomicroscope. Wilcoxon's test and Pearson's chi‐squared test were employed to prove statistic relevance.Results  Greater dye penetration depth into the dentinal tubules was achieved when employing hydrodynamic rinsing procedures. Using this technique, 23% of the specimens were penetrated for more than 50% of their dentine thickness, whereas the results for flushing with a syringe were 12% (static application, 7%). No penetration of dentine occurred in 63% of specimens with static application, 39% flushing with a syringe and 15% using the hydrodynamic system (P < 0.05 Pearson's chi‐squared test). Apical extrusion occurred more frequently after hydrodynamic rinsing (extruded specimens: RinsEndo® = 80%; static application/flushing with a syringe = 13%; P < 0.05 Pearson's chi‐squared test).Conclusions  Hydrodynamic rinsing demonstrated an improvement over conventional methods in terms of dentine penetration of a dye marker. A higher risk of apical extrusion with the RinsEndo®‐system was evident.
Dolomite formation in the dynamic deep biosphere: results from the Peru Margin
Authors: MEISTER PATRICK , MCKENZIE JUDITH A. , VASCONCELOS CRISOGONO , BERNASCONI STEFANO , FRANK MARTIN , GUTJAHR MARCUS , SCHRAG DANIEL P. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractEarly diagenetic dolomite beds were sampled during the Ocean Drilling Programme (ODP) Leg 201 at four reoccupied ODP Leg 112 sites on the Peru continental margin (Sites 1227/684, 1228/680, 1229/681 and 1230/685) and analysed for petrography, mineralogy, δ13C, δ18O and 87Sr/86Sr values. The results are compared with the chemistry, and δ13C and 87Sr/86Sr values of the associated porewater. Petrographic relationships indicate that dolomite forms as a primary precipitate in porous diatom ooze and siliciclastic sediment and is not replacing the small amounts of precursor carbonate. Dolomite precipitation often pre‐dates the formation of framboidal pyrite. Most dolomite layers show 87Sr/86Sr‐ratios similar to the composition of Quaternary seawater and do not indicate a contribution from the hypersaline brine, which is present at a greater burial depth. Also, the δ13C values of the dolomite are not in equilibrium with the δ13C values of the dissolved inorganic carbon in the associated modern porewater. Both petrography and 87Sr/86Sr ratios suggest a shallow depth of dolomite formation in the uppermost sediment (<30 m below the seafloor). A significant depletion in the dissolved Mg and Ca in the porewater constrains the present site of dolomite precipitation, which co‐occurs with a sharp increase in alkalinity and microbial cell concentration at the sulphate–methane interface. It has been hypothesized that microbial ‘hot‐spots’, such as the sulphate–methane interface, may act as focused sites of dolomite precipitation. Varying δ13C values from −15‰ to +15‰ for the dolomite are consistent with precipitation at a dynamic sulphate–methane interface, where δ13C of the dissolved inorganic carbon would likewise be variable. A dynamic deep biosphere with upward and downward migration of the sulphate–methane interface can be simulated using a simple numerical diffusion model for sulphate concentration in a sedimentary sequence with variable input of organic matter. Thus, the study of dolomite layers in ancient organic carbon‐rich sedimentary sequences can provide a useful window into the palaeo‐dynamics of the deep biosphere.
The Alboran Sea (Western Mediterranean) revisited with a view from the Moroccan Margin
Authors: Mauffret A. , Ammar A. , Gorini C. , Jabour H. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThis paper presents a new depth to acoustic basement map based on a grid of seismic profiles. In the Western Alboran Basin the basement is more than 10 km deep. An examination of a seismic profile of this region suggests that Late Oligocene–Early Miocene 5 km thick synrift formation has been accumulated in this basin. This West Alboran basin has been formed in an extensional setting, but in a fore‐arc position, south of the Balearic Islands then westwards transported behind a subduction zone.
Lower friction of the Xianshuihe–Xiaojiang fault system and its effect on active deformation around the south‐eastern Tibetan margin
Authors: He Jiankun , Lu Shuangjiang 
Published: May 2007

AbstractWe use three‐dimensional mechanical modelling with fault as Coulomb‐type frictional surface to explore the active deformation of the Xianshuihe–Xiaojiang fault system in south‐eastern Tibet. Crustal rheology is simplified as an elastoplastic upper crust and a viscoelastic lower crust. Far‐field GPS velocities and Quaternary fault slip rates are used to constrain the model results. Numerical experiments show that effective fault friction lower than ∼0.1–0.08 leads to a high slip rate that fits well with geological estimates of the slip rate on the fault system. Associating with the modelled fault slip rate, strain in the surrounding crust distributes broadly, and is partitioned into strike–slip and thrust senses. This means that in the Indian‐Eurasia convergence, accommodation of the large fraction of sinistral motion on the fault system is achieved mainly due to its lower fault friction. This in turn affects crustal deformation around the south‐eastern Tibetan margin, resulting in negligible compression across the Longmen Shan.