bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Short‐faced bats (Phyllostomidae: Stenodermatina): a Caribbean radiation of strict frugivores
Authors: Dávalos Liliana M. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractAim  To test the hypothesis that Caribbean Short‐faced bats descended from a single recent ancestor that originated in the continental Neotropics (Mexico, Central America and/or South America).Location  The Neotropics, including the West Indies.Methods  New mitochondrial cytochrome b and nuclear Rag2 sequences were combined with published molecular data to estimate phylogenetic relationships and sequence divergence among Short‐faced bats. The resulting phylogenies were compared with those compatible with the single‐origin hypothesis using two model‐based statistical tests. Confidence limits on sequence divergence were estimated using a parametric bootstrap.Results  All molecular phylogenies revealed two independent Caribbean lineages and showed that continental Short‐faced bats share a recent common ancestor. Morphology‐based trees compatible with the single‐origin hypothesis were significantly worse at explaining the molecular data than any molecular phylogeny.Main conclusions  The ancestor of all Short‐faced bats reached the Antilles in the Miocene, too recently to have used a proposed Oligocene land bridge, and well before the Pleistocene glaciations that are thought to have facilitated dispersal for many bats. After a long period of isolation, Short‐faced bats diversified quickly on the Caribbean islands. A single Short‐faced lineage then reached the continent and subsequently expanded its range and diversified into the four extant genera. Among bats, independent lineages of aerial insectivores and nectarivores have also recolonized the continent after evolving in the West Indies. The evidence for an insular origin of the short‐faced frugivorous radiation completes a dynamic model of Caribbean biogeography that encompasses an entire biological community.
The inappropriate use of HbA1c testing to monitor glycemia: is there evidence in laboratory data?
Authors: Akan Pinar , Cimrin Dilek , Ormen Murat , Kume Tuncay , Ozkaya Aygul , Ergor Gul , Abacioglu Hakan 
Published: October 2006

AbstractRationale, aims and objectives  Diabetes is a chronic illness and have relatively high prevalence. Glycemic control is fundamental to the management of diabetes. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is a commonly used laboratory test to monitor glycemia and to manage diabetes. This study aimed to assess the appropriateness of the frequency of HbA1c test order with respect to the commonly approved guidelines for monitoring glycaemia of patients.Methods  To assess the rate of inappropriate test orders, laboratory records of HbA1c tests ordered between 2002 and 2004 were evaluated. Inappropriate orders were defined as any order for a given patient that takes place within a 29‐ or 89‐day‐period following the previous HbA1c order. The effects of various parameters, like ordering clinics, the first HbA1c level, or the on‐line availability of test results on test ordering were evaluated.Results  Evaluation of test intervals showed that 10.3% of all orders and 33.8% of the inpatients’ orders were performed within 29 days, 35.5% of all orders and 55% of the inpatients’ orders were within 89 days.Conclusions  Inappropriate laboratory utilization of HbA1c testing is very common especially in the inpatient clinics. We think that the application of the guidelines may decrease unnecessary health expenditure.
The Finnish national asthma programme: communication in asthma care – quality assessment of asthma referral letters
Authors: Tuomisto Leena E , Marina Erhola , Minna Kaila , Brander Pirkko E , Ritva Kauppinen , Hannu Puolijoki , Pertti Kekki 
Published: October 2006

AbstractAims and objectives  The Finnish National Asthma Programme, which was launched in year 1994, considered the management of asthma as a community problem. The role of the primary health care in the management of asthma was emphasized. Optimal asthma management includes good communication between health care professionals. Referral letters are an accepted tool for evaluation of the communication process. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of asthma‐related referral letters.Methods  All non‐acute referral letters (n = 3176) to three pulmonary departments were screened in 2001 and all those related to asthma were included (n = 1289). The 14 previously derived asthma‐specific criteria were applied: occupation, smoking, known allergies, current medication, other diseases, onset of symptoms, wheezing, dyspnoea, specified dyspnoea, cough, specified cough, use of asthma medication, peak‐flow follow‐up or spirometry with bronchodilatation test as an attachment. The study group was prepared to accept the maximum of 30% of the referral letters to be of poor quality.Results  Twenty‐one per cent of the referral letters were graded good, 34% satisfactory and 45% poor. Information on wheezing, smoking habits and current medication was mentioned in 44%, 42% and 41% of asthma letters respectively.Conclusions  The Finnish National Asthma Programme calls for optimizing communication between doctors. The proportion of poor letters was 50% higher than the preset standard and clearly indicates a need for improvement. We found several issues, which need to be better communicated (smoking, lung function tests, wheezing, medication) when referring a patient with suspected asthma.
Transcriptional slippage controls production of type III secretion apparatus components in Shigella flexneri
Authors: Penno Christophe , Hachani Abderrahman , Biskri Latefa , Sansonetti Philippe , Allaoui Abdelmounaïm , Parsot Claude 
Published: October 2006

SummaryDuring transcription, series of approximately 9 As or Ts can direct RNA polymerase to incorporate into the mRNA nucleotides not encoded by the DNA, changing the reading frame downstream from the slippage site. We detected series of 9 or 10 As in spa13, spa33 and mxiA encoding type III secretion apparatus components. Analysis of cDNAs indicated that transcriptional slippage occurs in spa13, mxiA and spa33. Changes in the reading frame were confirmed by using plasmids carrying slippage sites in the 5′ part of lacZ. Slippage is required for production of Spa13 from two overlapping reading frames and should lead to production of truncated MxiA and Spa33 proteins. Complementation of spa13 and mxiA mutants with plasmids carrying altered sites indicated that slippage in spa13 is required for assembly of the secretion apparatus and that slippage sites in spa13 and mxiA have not been selected to encode Lys residues or to produce two proteins endowed with different activities. The presence of slippage sites decreases production of Spa13 by 70%, of MxiA and Spa33 by 15% and of Spa32 (encoded downstream from spa13) by 50%. These results suggest that transcriptional slippage controls protein production by reducing the proportion of mRNA translated into functional proteins.
Neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis in non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Lee Seung Gyu , In Seung Gyun , Shin Jeong Hyun , Choi Gwang Seong , Kim Yoo Chan 
Published: October 2006

A 75‐year‐old man was treated for non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (stage IIIb) with three‐cycle chemotherapy (cisplatin and paclitaxel) for 3 weeks. No skin lesions were observed during the first and second chemotherapy cycles. After the third chemotherapy cycle, he developed slightly pruritic skin eruptions on the anterior chest. He was treated for 1 month with topical steroid without improvement, and was referred to our dermatologic department.Skin examination revealed slightly elevated, dusky, erythematous, edematous patches on the anterior chest in a bilateral distribution (Fig. 1).Dusky, erythematous, edematous patches on the anterior chestimageHistologic examination of a biopsy specimen taken from the cutaneous lesions showed a neutrophilic infiltrate surrounding the secretory eccrine glands. The epithelial cells of the eccrine ducts and coils were not affected. There was a mild superficial perivascular infiltrate of mainly lymphocytes. These changes were consistent with a diagnosis of neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis (Fig. 2).An inflammatory infiltrate involving eccrine coils in the dermis without vasculitis (hematoxylin and eosin, ×40). Inset: neutrophils surrounding eccrine coils (hematoxylin and eosin, ×400)imageHe was treated with dapsone, 50 mg/day, and methylprednisolone, 8 mg/day, for 2 weeks, and his skin lesions improved. Two months later the erythematous eruptions recurred on the chest, back, and extremities without the use of any chemotherapeutic agent, and were treated effectively with the same drugs.
Epidemiology of pemphigus in Macedonia: A 15‐year retrospective study (1990–2004)
Authors: V’lckova‐Laskoska Marija T. , Laskoski Dimitri S. , Kamberova Suzana , Caca‐Biljanovska Nina , Volckova Nadja 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackground  Pemphigus is an autoimmune blistering skin disease mediated by auto‐antibodies directed against desmoglein proteins. There are only a few epidemiological studies on pemphigus. Our objective was to determine the epidemiological features of pemphigus in Macedonia, and to compare the results with those reported elsewhere.Methods  Diagnosis in all cases was confirmed by histopathology and direct immunofluorescence. Binomial distribution testing and Fisher's exact‐test at the 0.01 level of significance were used to determine if particular demographic groups were over‐/ under‐represented among the pemphigus patients.Results  One hundred and thirty‐three new pemphigus cases were diagnosed in Macedonia from 1990–2004. The average annual incidence was 0.44/100,000 inhabitants (SD = 0.17). The incidence doubled to 0.89 in 2001 during the local armed unrest. The disease did not affect either gender to a greater extent. The average annual incidence was 0.51 for ethnic Macedonians. Roma (Gypsies) had a statistically significantly higher incidence of pemphigus at 2.4 cases/100,000 individuals. Ethnic Albanians had statistically significantly lower incidence of 0.1 cases/100,000 individuals. The most common variant was pemphigus vulgaris (77.4%).Conclusions  The annual incidence for pemphigus in Macedonia is 0.44 cases/100,000 inhabitants. Most common form was pemphigus vulgaris. An epidemiological peak occurred in 2001 during the local armed conflict. Macedonian Roma had a sixfold higher incidence of pemphigus compared with the overall population; ethnic Albanians had a fourfold lower incidence.
Towards endothelial cell‐specific transgene expression in pigs: characterization of the pig ICAM‐2 promoter
Authors: Godwin James W. , Fisicaro Nella , D'Apice Anthony J. F. , Cowan Peter J. 
Published: October 2006

Abstract:  Background:  Targeting protective gene expression to porcine endothelium has obvious advantages in xenotransplantation, but no endothelial cell‐specific promoters have yet been used successfully in transgenic pigs. We have previously reported that a human intercellular adhesion molecule‐2 (ICAM‐2) gene promoter fragment functioned efficiently in transgenic mice but not pigs, suggesting that it lacked important transcriptional signals. In this study, we cloned and characterized regulatory elements of the pig ICAM‐2 gene.Methods:  Various segments of the pig ICAM‐2 gene upstream region and first intron were cloned into a luciferase reporter vector and assayed for promoter activity in vitro. Putative regulatory elements were analysed by site‐directed mutagenesis.Results:  A 0.90‐kb pig ICAM‐2 promoter fragment had strong activity in pig endothelial cells but not in non‐endothelial cells. Deletion analysis revealed that the majority of promoter activity was specified by a 0.48‐kb sub‐fragment with significant homology to the human ICAM‐2 promoter. Conserved positive‐acting elements included binding sites for GATA and Ets transcription factors, and a palindromic octamer (P8) that has been implicated in the endothelial specificity of several genes. Significant enhancer activity was identified within the first intron of the pig ICAM‐2 gene. Mutational analysis was used to show that a second P8 site in the first intron was essential for enhancer activity.Conclusions:  The pig and human ICAM‐2 promoters exhibit many similarities, but the pig ICAM‐2 gene, unlike its human and mouse homologs, contains P8 sites in both the promoter and first intron. The enhancer activity associated with the intronic P8 site suggests that it may be the key to achieving strong endothelial cell‐specific transgene expression in pigs.
NK cells promote peritoneal xenograft rejection through an IFN‐γ‐dependent mechanism
Authors: Lin Ming‐Lee , Zhan Yifan , Nutt Stephen L. , Brady Jason , Wojtasiak Magdalena , Brooks Andrew G. , Lew Andrew M. 
Published: October 2006

Abstract:  Background:  Natural killer (NK) cells have emerged as major players in anti‐viral and anti‐tumour immune responses. Like cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), they express perforin and are potent secretors of γ‐interferon (IFN‐γ). However, there is conflicting evidence about their role in mediating rejection of xenogeneic tissue.Methods:  A pig‐to‐mouse peritoneal cell model of xenotransplantation was used to investigate the effect of NK deficiency on xenograft recovery and the possible mechanisms behind this NK‐mediated graft rejection. γc−/−RAG−/− mice were used as a model of NK deficiency. Additionally, NK cells were depleted in RAG−/− mice using anti‐asialo GM1. The contributions of IFN‐γ, perforin and NKT cells were studied using knock‐out mice that were depleted in vivo of T cells. Mice were injected with 107 pig cells intraperitoneally and peritoneal fluid was assessed 5 days later for xenograft recovery and phenotypic analysis. The requirement for NK cells for xenograft rejection was also assessed using luciferase‐transfected porcine cells in a renal subcapsular model of transplantation.Results:  Pig cell recovery was enhanced in both γc−/−RAG−/− and NK‐depleted RAG−/− mice when compared with RAG−/− control mice. IFN‐γ−/− mice depleted of T cells also demonstrated superior graft survival compared with their B6 counterparts. However, there were minimal graft survival differences between Pfp−/− and B6 control mice. Similarly, a deficiency in NKT cells did not improve pig xenograft recovery from the peritoneum of these mice.Conclusions:  Therefore, we conclude that NK cells, but not NKT cells, are important mediators of xenograft rejection in the peritoneal cavity, and that their role may be unmasked in the absence of T cells. The mechanism for this xenorejection appears to involve IFN‐γ but is perforin independent.
A new liquid, intravenous immunoglobulin product (IGIV 10%) highly purified by a state‐of‐the‐art process
Authors: Teschner W. , Butterweck H. A. , Auer W. , Muchitsch E.‐M. , Weber A. , Liu S.‐L. , Wah P.‐S. , Schwarz H.‐P. 
Published: October 2006

Background and Objectives  The ultimate goal was to generate an industrial‐scale process suitable to produce a high‐yield, safe and stable immunoglobulin G (IgG) preparation for intravenous administration, which is ready to use for customer convenience. This new liquid 10% IgG preparation (IGIV 10%) was compared to Gammagard SD, a licenced lyophilized immunoglobulin in biochemical and preclinical testing.Materials and Methods  The new process, which includes three dedicated virus clearance steps, is a streamlined combination of the currently applied and well‐established manufacturing procedures. The biochemical characterization is done by standard methods focusing on purity, integrity and functionality of the preparation. Efficacy is demonstrated in vivo by mouse protection testing and in vitro by opsonization and protein A affinity chromatography. Pharmacokinetics in rats is evaluated after a single intravenous dose. The anaphylactoid potential is determined in rats and in guinea pigs, while thrombogenicity is assessed in a rabbit model. The influence of the products on vital functions is tested on dogs, while acute toxicity studies are carried out on mice and rats.Results  The biochemical characterization data demonstrate the high purity of monomeric IgG in the product. The mouse protection test showed that the protective activity against systemic bacterial infections of IGIV 10% is at least as good as the reference Gammagard SD. This result is supported by the broad spectrum of antibodies in high titres against bacteria and viruses and the high functional integrity of the IgG molecule (≥ 90% functionally intact IgG) in IGIV 10%. The opsonic activity of all IGIV 10% lots is similar to the one of the reference Gammagard SD. In safety and thrombogenicity studies, no adverse effects of IGIV 10% were observed. Pharmacokinetic studies showed no statistically significant differences between the two products. In the acute toxicity animal studies, IGIV 10% compared favourably to the reference Gammagard SD.Conclusions  The new manufacturing process enables the production of a highly purified IgG preparation for intravenous administration. The product has an IgG subclass distribution similar to plasma and contains a broad spectrum of functionally intact antibodies. Preclinical studies demonstrate that the liquid IGIV 10% combines excellent qualities of efficacy, safety and tolerability.
An Argentine Equine Herpesvirus Strain with Special Restriction Patterns Protect Mice Challenged with a Pathogenic Strain
Authors: Galosi C. M. , Barbeito C. G. , Martin Ocampos G. P. , Martinez J. P. , Ayala M. A. , Corva S. G. , Fuentealba N. A. , Gimeno E. J. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryEquine herpesvirus 1 (EHV‐1) was first isolated in Argentina in 1979. This strain SPv has especial restriction patterns, but a previous study demonstrated that SPv did not modify its growth in cell culture. In addition, it showed low virulence in the mouse respiratory model consistently with results found in female BALB/C at different state of gestation. This study evaluates in a mouse respiratory model, if primary infection with SPv strain protects animals from subsequent challenge with a pathogenic strain. Body weight loss was not observed in mice intranasally inoculated with SPv strain and challenged with HH1 Japanese strain. The SPv primary infection does not completely prevent clinical presentation by HH1 infection but the SPv inoculated animals recovered more quickly, with less intense and less persistent histological lesions. The challenge infection caused a rapid and prolonged increase in anti‐EHV‐1 antibodies in the mice previously infected with SPv, along with a more rapid reduction of viral titres in lungs. In this work it was demonstrated that this EHV‐1 strain constitute a good immunogen. These results show that this SPv strain could be considered to produce an EHV‐1 vaccine.
Molecular Characterization of MG Isolates Using RAPD and PFGE Isolated from Chickens in Brazil
Authors: Mettifogo E. , Buzinhani M. , Buim M. R. , Piantino Ferreira A. J. , Kleven S. H. , Timenetsky J. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryIn the present study, 27 primers were screened under different cycles by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method. Mathematical models were used for analysis of the genetic relationships among strains, including vaccinal, reference strains and nine field isolates previously characterized as Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG)F by RAPD and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The PFGE was considered as laborious, expensive and time‐consuming than RAPD method. These methods improved the typeability for epidemiological studies of MG with regard to differentiation from vaccinal and field strains.
Dynamics of Infestation of Cattle and Pasture by Gastrointestinal Nematodes in an Atlantic Temperate Environment
Authors: Nogareda C. , Mezo M. , Uriarte J. , Lloveras J. , Cordero del Campillo M. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryThe objective of the present study was to determine the dynamics of infestation of cattle and pasture by gastrointestinal nematodes in a mild humid environment in northwestern Spain. For this, infestation of pasture by free‐living stages (L3), dynamics of faecal egg output, blood pepsinogen levels and worm burden in slaughtered animals were quantified. The results showed a high degree of annual variability, which was dependent on weather conditions. The seasons were clearly defined in the study area, with mild humid winters and relatively dry summers registered throughout the years of the study. Infestation of pasture by larvae varied from year to year, peaking during August in the first year, between August and December in the second year, and during October in the third year. The annual variation was mainly due to weather conditions, particularly the amount of rain in summer. The patterns of faecal egg output were similar in the first and third grazing seasons, with maximum levels observed in May/June; however, in the second year, the peak was reached in October. Blood pepsinogen levels increased from pasture turnout (March/April) until the end of the grazing season (November/December), reaching maximum values from August/September onwards. The nematode parasite species identified at necropsy wereOstertagia osteragi, O. lyrata, Cooperia oncophora, C. macmasteri, C. punctataandTrichuris ovis, withO. ostertagi and C. oncophorapredominating. In faecal cultures, the following genera were also identified:Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Nematodirus, Bunostomum, OesophagostomumandStrongyloides. There was a significant correlation (r = 0.97,P < 0.01) between worm burden (Ostertagiaspp.) and pasture infestation (OstertagiaL3) 3 weeks prior to slaughter of the calves, and also between blood pepsinogen levels and pasture infestation byOstertagiaL3 (r = 0.33,P < 0.02). Correlations between worm burden and faecal egg output and between blood pepsinogen level and faecal egg output were not significant. The results obtained in the present study confirm that there is annual variability in the time‐course of nematodosis in cattle, and demonstrate the importance of weather, particularly summer rainfall, in an Atlantic temperate environment.
Development of aDrosophilaseizure model forin vivohigh‐throughput drug screening
Authors: Stilwell Geoff E. , Saraswati Sudipta , Littleton J. Troy , Chouinard Scott W. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractAn important application of model organisms in neurological research has been to identify and characterise therapeutic approaches for epilepsy, a recurrent seizure disorder that affects > 1% of the human population. Proconvulsant‐treated rodent models have been widely used for antiepileptic drug discovery and development, but are not suitable for high‐throughput screening. To generate a genetically tractable model that would be suitable for large‐scale, high‐throughput screening for antiepileptic drug candidates, we characterized aDrosophilachemical treatment model using the GABAAreceptor antagonist picrotoxin. This proconvulsant, delivered toDrosophilalarvae via simple feeding methods suitable for automated screening, generated robust generalised seizures with lethality occurring at doses between 0.3 and 0.5 mg/mL. Electrophysiological analysis of CNS motor neuron output in picrotoxin‐treated larvae revealed generalised seizures within minutes of drug exposure. At subthreshold doses for seizure induction, picrotoxin produced an increased frequency of motor neuron action potential bursting, indicating that CNS GABAergic transmission regulates patterned activity. Mutants in theDrosophila RdlGABAAreceptor are resistant to picrotoxin, confirming that seizure induction occurs via a conserved GABAAreceptor pathway. To validate the usefulness of this model forin vivodrug screening, we identified several classes of neuroactive antiepileptic compounds in a pilot screen, including phenytoin and nifedipine, which can rescue the seizures and lethal neurotoxicity induced by picrotoxin. The well‐defined actions of picrotoxin inDrosophilaand the ease with which compounds can be assayed for antiseizure activity makes this genetically tractable model attractive for high‐throughputin vivoscreens to identify novel anticonvulsants and seizure susceptibility loci.