bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ball Lightning–Aerosol Electrochemical Power Source or A Cloud of Batteries
Authors: Meshcheryakov Oleg 
Published: June 2007

Abstract
Despite numerous attempts, an adequate theoretical and experimental simulation of ball lightning still remains incomplete. According to the model proposed here, the processes of electrochemical oxidation within separate aerosol particles are the basis for this phenomenon, and ball lightning is a cloud of composite nano or submicron particles, where each particle is a spontaneously formed nanobattery which is short-circuited by the surface discharge because it is of such a small size. As free discharge-shorted current loops, aerosol nanobatteries are exposed to a powerful mutual magnetic dipole–dipole attraction. The gaseous products and thermal energy produced by each nanobattery as a result of the intra-particle self-sustaining electrochemical reactions, cause a mutual repulsion of these particles over short distances and prevent their aggregation, while a collectivization of the current loops of separate particles, due to the electric arc overlapping between adjacent particles, weakens their mutual magnetic attraction over short distances. Discharge currents in the range of several amperes to several thousand amperes as well as the pre-explosive mega ampere currents, generated in the reduction–oxidation reactions and distributed between all the aerosol particles, explain both the magnetic attraction between the elements of the ball lightning substance and the impressive electromagnetic effects of ball lightning.
New Sphingolipids with a Previously Unreported 9‐Methyl‐C20‐sphingosine Moiety from a Marine Algous Endophytic Fungus Aspergillus niger EN‐13
Authors: Zhang Yi , Wang Song , Li Xiao‐Ming , Cui Chuan‐Ming , Feng Chao , Wang Bin‐Gui 
Published: June 2007

AbstractAsperamides A (1) and B (2), a sphingolipid and their corresponding glycosphingolipid possessing a hitherto unreported 9‐methyl‐C20‐sphingosine moiety, were characterized from the culture extract of Aspergillus niger EN‐13, an endophytic fungus isolated from marine brown alga Colpomenia sinuosa. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical methods as (2S,2′R,3R,3′E,4E,8E)‐N‐(2′‐hydroxy‐3′‐hexadecenoyl)‐9‐methyl‐4,8‐icosadien‐1,3‐diol (1) and 1‐O‐β‐d‐glucopyranosyl‐(2S,2′R,3R,3′E,4E,8E)‐N‐(2′‐hydroxy‐3′‐hexadecenoyl)‐9‐methyl‐4,8‐icosadien‐1,3‐diol (2). In the antifungal assay, asperamide A (1) displayed moderate activity against Candida albicans.
Synthesis of Long Chain Unsaturated‐α,ω‐Dicarboxylic Acids from Renewable Materials via Olefin Metathesis
Authors: Ngo Helen L. , Foglia Thomas A. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe self‐metathesis reaction of soy, rapeseed, tall, and linseed oil fatty acids was investigated for the synthesis of symmetrical long‐chain unsaturated‐α,ω‐dicarboxylic acids. The metathesis reactions were carried out in the presence of a Grubbs catalyst under solvent‐free condition at a catalyst loading of 0.01 mol% to fatty acid substrate at 50 °C. Under these conditions, the conversions of starting unsaturated acids to metathesis products were >80% and the isolated yields of unsaturated dicarboxylic acid products were >70% of theoretical. This approach represents an effective and efficient route for the synthesis of these potentially useful dicarboxylic acids since they can serve as important intermediates in the production of several materials such as biodegradable polymers.
Clinical indicators for success of misoprostol treatment after early pregnancy failure
Authors: Robledo C. , Zhang J. , Troendle J. , Barnhart K. , Creinin M.D. , Westhoff C. , Huang X. , Frederick M. 
Published: June 2007

Abstract
Objective: To identify clinical indicators for success of misoprostol treatment after early pregnancy failure. Methods: A total of 473 women with early pregnancy failure received 800 μg of vaginal misoprostol on treatment day 1. At the follow‐up visit on day 3, a second dose was given if expulsion was incomplete. On day 8, vacuum aspiration was offered if expulsion had not occurred. Ultrasonography was used as gold standard for success. A Classification and Regression Tree analysis was undertaken to derive two decision trees for the success of misoprostol treatment on study days 3 and 8. Results: Heavy bleeding after the first dose and an open cervical os were identified as clinical indicators of treatment success on day 3. Treatment success occurred in 84% of women with either or both indicators. Reporting passage of tissue after a second misoprostol dose and old blood in the vagina were potential indicators of treatment success or failure on day 8. A woman with either of these indicators has a 65% chance of treatment success after the second dose. Conversely, a woman with neither indicator on day 8 has a 94% chance of treatment failure. Conclusion: Standard clinical findings may be useful as indicators for success or failure of medical management of early pregnancy failure in settings with limited or no access to ultrasonography. More research to identify even better indicators is warranted.
Is there a cost of virus resistance in marine cyanobacteria?
Authors: Lennon Jay T , Khatana Sameed Ahmed M , Marston Marcia F , Martiny Jennifer B H 
Published: June 2007

Abstract
Owing to their abundance and diversity, it is generally perceived that viruses are important for structuring microbial communities and regulating biogeochemical cycles. The ecological impact of viruses on microbial food webs, however, may be influenced by evolutionary processes, including the ability of bacteria to evolve resistance to viruses and the theoretical prediction that this resistance should be accompanied by a fitness cost. We conducted experiments using phylogenetically distinct strains of marine Synechococcus (Cyanobacteria) to test for a cost of resistance (COR) to viral isolates collected from Mount Hope Bay, Rhode Island. In addition, we examined whether fitness costs (1) increased proportionally with ‘total resistance’, the number of viruses for which a strain had evolved resistance, or (2) were determined more by ‘compositional resistance’, the identity of the viruses to which it evolved resistance. A COR was only found in half of our experiments, which may be attributed to compensatory mutations or the inability to detect a small COR. When detected, the COR resulted in a ∼20% reduction in relative fitness compared to ancestral strains. The COR was unaffected by total resistance, suggesting a pleiotropic fitness response. Under competitive conditions, however, the COR was dependent on compositional resistance, suggesting that fitness costs were associated with the identity of a few particular viruses. Our study provides the first evidence for a COR in marine bacteria, and suggests that Synechococcus production may be influenced by the composition of co-occurring viruses.
New checksum functions for Biopython
Authors: Bassi Sebastian , Gonzalez Virginia 
Published: June 2007

AbstractChecksum algorithms are used in biological databases for integrity check and identification purposes. CRC64 is the only checksum algorithm already included in Biopython. This work proposes two new implementation of known algorithms (GCG Checksum and SEGUID). There is also an application based on SEGUID: Looking for redundancy between two FASTA files full of protein sequences based only in sequence information, by comparing the SEGUIDs of both files.The code is shown in the manuscript and may be available at Biopython.org.
Comparison of two different dosages of hydroxyzine for sedation in the paediatric dental patient
Authors: FAYTROUNY MAHMOUD , OKTE ZEYNEP , KUCUKYAVUZ ZUHAL 
Published: June 2007

Aim.  This study compared the effect of two different dosages of hydroxyzine supported by 50% nitrous oxide inhalation sedation in child patients.Subjects and methods.  Thirty uncooperative healthy children with an age range of 31–120 months were included in this study. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups. The patients in group 1 were given 20 mg of hydroxyzine (Atarax) 24 h preoperatively and on the operation day, 3.7 mg/kg hydroxyzine was administered orally. The patients in group 2 received 3.7 mg/kg hydroxyzine orally only on the operation day. All patients also received 50% nitrous oxide inhalation sedation. The child's behaviour was evaluated every 5 min by using Houpt Sedation Rating Scale. The oxygen saturation and heart rates were also followed.Results.  The mean age of the children in the study was 61.9 months (SD 11.9) for group 1 and 53.7 months (SD 12.8) for group 2. Evaluation of the results showed that there were no significant differences (P < 0.05) between behavioural attitudes and sedation degree of the patients.Conclusions.  Twenty milligrams of hydroxyzine administered 24 h preoperatively has no significant benefit on sedation of the child.
Bacterial diversity in aphthous ulcers
Authors: Marchini L. , Campos M. S. , Silva A. M. , Paulino L. C. , Nobrega F. G. 
Published: June 2007

Introduction:  Recurrent aphthous ulcers are common lesions of the oral mucosa of which the etiology is unknown. This study aimed to estimate the bacterial diversity in the lesions and in control mucosa in pooled samples using a culture‐independent molecular approach.Methods:  Samples were collected from ten healthy individuals and ten individuals with a clinical history of recurrent aphthous ulcers. After DNA extraction, the 16S ribosomal RNA bacterial gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction with universal primers; amplicons were cloned, sequenced and matched to the GenBank database.Results:  A total of 535 clones were analyzed, defining 95 bacterial species. We identified 62 putative novel phylotypes. In recurrent aphthous ulcer lesions 57 phylotypes were detected, of which 11 were known species. Control samples had 38 phylotypes, five of which were already known. Only three species or phylotypes were abundant and common to both groups (Gemella haemolysans, Streptococcus mitis strain 209 and Streptococcus pneumoniae R6). One genus was found only in recurrent aphthous ulcer samples (Prevotella) corresponding to 16% of all lesion‐derived clones.Conclusion:  The microbiota found in recurrent aphthous ulcers and in the control groups diverged markedly and the rich variety of genera found can provide a new starting point for individual qualitative and quantitative analyses of bacteria associated with this oral condition.
Effect of cytokine and antigen stimulation on peripheral blood lymphocyte syndecan‐1 expression
Authors: Manakil J. F. , Seymour G. J. , Bartold P. M. 
Published: June 2007

Introduction:  Cytokines are not only produced by activated lymphocytes but also interact with a number of cell‐surface molecules on the same cells. Syndecan‐1 is one such cell‐surface molecule, which has the capacity to bind a variety of growth factors as well as cytokines. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β), interleukin‐1 (IL‐1), IL‐2, IL‐4, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Porphyromonas gingivalis and tetanus toxoid on syndecan‐1 expression by B and T lymphocytes.Methods:  B and T lymphocytes were obtained from the peripheral blood of healthy donors. Following exposure to the above growth factors, cytokines and antigens, syndecan‐1 expression was determined by flow cytometry.Results:  Subjects could be categorized as high or low expressors of syndecan‐1. In the high‐responder group TGF‐β1 alone resulted in a significant increase in syndecan‐1 expression by both B and T cells. None of the other cytokines and antigens produced a significant response. When analysed in combination, TGF‐β1 in combination with IL‐2, IL‐4, P. gingivalis LPS and tetanus toxoid all produced significant increases in syndecan‐1 expression by B cells. For T cells, combinations of TGF‐β1 with IL‐2 and tetanus toxoid resulted in increased syndecan‐1 expression.Conclusions:  Both B and T lymphocytes synthesize the cell‐surface proteoglycan syndecan‐1 and its expression can be modulated by TGF‐β1, either alone or in combination with IL‐2, IL‐4 and LPS from P. gingivalis and tetanus toxoid. While these may reflect general responses under inflammatory conditions their biological significance requires further investigation.
Dysregulation of gene induction in corticostriatal circuits after repeated methylphenidate treatment in adolescent rats: differential effects on zif 268 and homer 1a
Authors: Cotterly Lindsay , Beverley Joel A. , Yano Motoyo , Steiner Heinz 
Published: June 2007

AbstractPsychostimulants and other dopamine agonists produce molecular changes in neurons of cortico–basal ganglia–cortical circuits, and such neuronal changes are implicated in behavioural disorders. Methylphenidate, a psychostimulant that causes dopamine overflow (among other effects), alters gene regulation in neurons of the striatum. The present study compared the effects of acute and repeated methylphenidate treatment on cortical and striatal gene regulation in adolescent rats. Changes in the expression of the immediate–early genes zif 268 and homer 1a were mapped in 23 striatal sectors and 22 cortical areas that provide input to these striatal sectors, in order to determine whether specific corticostriatal circuits were affected by these treatments. Acute administration of methylphenidate (5 mg/kg, i.p.) produced modest zif 268 induction in cortical areas. These cortical zif 268 responses were correlated in magnitude with zif 268 induction in functionally related striatal sectors. In contrast, after repeated methylphenidate treatment (10 mg/kg, 7 days), cortical and striatal gene induction were dissociated. In these animals, the methylphenidate challenge (5 mg/kg) produced significantly greater gene induction (zif 268 and homer 1a) in the cortex. This enhanced response was widespread but regionally selective, as it occurred predominantly in premotor, motor and somatosensory cortical areas. At the same time, striatal gene induction was partly suppressed (zif 268) or unchanged (homer 1a). Thus, repeated methylphenidate treatment disrupted the normally coordinated gene activation patterns in cortical and striatal nodes of corticostriatal circuits. This drug‐induced dissociation in cortical and striatal functioning was associated with enhanced levels of behavioural stereotypies, suggesting disrupted motor switching function.
Sensitization to heat through G‐protein‐coupled receptor pathways in the isolated sciatic mouse nerve
Authors: Fischer Michael J. M. , Reeh Peter W. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractWe have previously shown that isolated rat sciatic nerve axons express capsaicin, heat and proton sensitivity and respond to stimulation with a Ca++‐dependent and graded calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) release. There is morphological evidence for stimulated vesicular exocytosis and for capsaicin receptor, transient receptor potential vanilloid type‐1 (TRPV1, formerly VR1) translocation in the axolemma of unmyelinated nerve fibres. In sensory nerve terminals CGRP release in response to noxious heat can be sensitized by activation of G‐protein‐coupled receptors and related protein kinases. We present evidence that also in isolated mouse sciatic nerve axons the intracellular protein kinase A (PKA)‐ and C (PKC)‐dependent transduction pathways modulate heat‐induced (45 °C) CGRP release. This is demonstrated using the direct activators, forskolin and phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA), as well as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and bradykinin acting through G‐protein‐coupled receptors. Inhibition at rest of protein kinases A or C left heat‐induced CGRP release unchanged. In TRPV1 knockout animals no sensitization to heat was observed using a combined stimulation by prostaglandin E2 and bradykinin. To a surprising degree, peripheral nerve axons resemble peripheral sensory terminals in their common properties of sensory and signal transduction.
Identification of candidate transcriptional modulators involved in successful regeneration after nerve injury
Authors: Stam Floor J. , MacGillavry Harold D. , Armstrong Nicola J. , De Gunst Mathisca C. M. , Zhang Yi , Van Kesteren Ronald E. , Smit August B. , Verhaagen Joost 
Published: June 2007

AbstractSuccessful regeneration of injured neurons requires a complex molecular response that involves the expression, modification and transport of a large number of proteins. The identity of neuronal proteins responsible for the initiation of regenerative neurite outgrowth is largely unknown. Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons display robust and successful regeneration following lesion of their peripheral neurite, whereas outgrowth of central neurites is weak and does not lead to functional recovery. We have utilized this differential response to gain insight in the early transcriptional events associated with successful regeneration. Surprisingly, our study shows that peripheral and central nerve crushes elicit very distinct transcriptional activation, revealing a large set of novel genes that are differentially regulated within the first 24 h after the lesion. Here we show that Ankrd1, a gene known to act as a transcriptional modulator, is involved in neurite outgrowth of a DRG neuron‐derived cell line as well as in cultured adult DRG neurons. This gene, and others identified in this study, may be part of the transcriptional regulatory module that orchestrates the onset of successful regeneration.
Differential role of mGlu1 and mGlu5 receptors in rat hippocampal slice models of ischemic tolerance
Authors: Werner Claudia G. , Scartabelli Tania , Pancani Tristano , Landucci Elisa , Moroni Flavio , Pellegrini‐Giampietro Domenico E. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractActivation of glutamate receptors has been proposed as a key factor in the induction of ischemic tolerance. We used organotypic rat hippocampal slices exposed to 30 min oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD) to evaluate postischemic pyramidal cell death in the CA1 subregion. In this model, 10 min exposure to OGD 24 h before the exposure to toxic OGD was not lethal and reduced the subsequent OGD neurotoxicity by ∼ 53% (ischemic preconditioning). Similarly, a 30 min exposure to the group I mGlu receptor agonist DHPG (10 µM) significantly reduced OGD neurotoxicity 24 h later (pharmacological preconditioning). Ischemic tolerance did not develop when either the selective mGlu1 antagonists LY367385 and 3‐MATIDA or the AMPA/KA antagonist CNQX were present in the incubation medium during exposure to sublethal OGD. Neither the NMDA antagonist MK801 nor the mGlu5 antagonist MPEP affected the preconditioning process. On the other hand, pharmacological preconditioning was prevented not only by LY367385 or CNQX, but also by MPEP. In preconditioned slices, the toxic responses to AMPA or NMDA were reduced. The neurotoxicty of 100 µM DHPG in slices simultaneously exposed to a mild (20 min) OGD was differentially altered in the two preconditioning paradigms. After ischemic preconditioning, DHPG neurotoxicity was reduced in a manner that was sensitive to LY367385 but not to MPEP, whereas after pharmacological preconditioning it was enhanced in a manner that was sensitive to MPEP but not to LY367385. Our results show that mGlu1 and mGlu5 receptors are differentially involved in the induction and expression of ischemic tolerance following two diverse preconditioning stimuli.
Chronic interleukin‐6 alters the level of synaptic proteins in hippocampus in culture and in vivo
Authors: Vereyken Elly J. F. , Bajova Hilda , Chow Stephine , De Graan Pierre N. E. , Gruol Donna L. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThere is now considerable evidence that the level of expression of the proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), is increased in the central nervous system (CNS) during neuroinflammatory conditions such as occurs in neurological disorders and in disease and injury. However, our understanding of the consequences of increased expression of IL‐6 on the CNS is still limited, especially with respect to the developing nervous system, which is known to be particularly vulnerable to environmental factors. To address this issue, we investigated the properties of cultured hippocampal neurons exposed chronically to IL‐6 during the main period of morphological and physiological development, which occurs during the first 2 weeks of culture. IL‐6 was tested at 500 U/mL, considered to reflect a pathophysiologic concentration. The morphological features of neuronal development in the control and IL‐6‐treated cultures appeared similar. However, Western blot analysis showed a significant reduction in the level of Group‐II metabotropic receptors (mGluR2/3) and L‐type Ca2+ channels in the IL‐6‐treated cultures. A similar reduction in mGluR2/3 and L‐type Ca2+ channel protein was observed in transgenic mice that over‐express IL‐6 in the CNS through astrocyte production starting early in development. Analysis of Ca2+ signals produced by spontaneous synaptic network activity in the hippocampal cultures and effects of a mGluR2/3 agonist and antagonist showed that the reduced levels of mGluR2/3 impact on the functional properties of hippocampal synaptic network activity. These results have important implications relative to the mechanisms responsible for altered CNS function during conditions associated with increased levels of IL‐6 in the CNS.
Successful interim therapy with imatinib prior to allogeneic stem cell transplantation in Philadelphia chromosome‐positive acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Cho Byung‐Sik , Kim Hee‐Je , Lee Seok , Eom Ki‐Sung , Min Woo‐Sung , Lee Jong‐Wook , Kim Chun‐Choo 
Published: June 2007

AbstractObjectives:  Imatinib (Glivec, STI571) has been successfully used in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia with the Philadelphia chromosome (Ph). We used imatinib interim therapy for four consecutive patients with newly diagnosed Ph+ acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We monitored the patient status for minimal residual disease by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Methods and results:  Imatinib was administered on an interim schedule after each chemotherapy course. After the first imatinib cycle, all patients remained in sustained complete hematologic remission (CHR) with a decrease in the breakpoint cluster region of the Abelson oncogene locus transcript. All patients received a second imatinib cycle following consolidation and showed sustained CHR, including two cases with complete molecular remission. All cases underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in favorable condition, and are still alive with a leukemia‐free status at 6, 6, 9, and 25 months after HSCT.Conclusions:  As a first‐line interim therapy, imatinib appears to be a useful treatment strategy to provide a bridge to HSCT in patients with Ph+ AML. Further studies with a larger patient population and longer follow‐up are needed for accurate assessment of the impact of imatinib on the long‐term outcome of transplantation for patients with Ph+ AML.