bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An open study of antibiotics for the treatment of pre‐pouch ileitis following restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch–anal anastomosis
Authors: MCLAUGHLIN S. D. , CLARK S. K. , BELL A. J. , TEKKIS P. P. , CICLITIRA P. J. , NICHOLLS R. J. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryBackground  Pre‐pouch ileitis is a recently described condition which may occur following restorative proctocolectomy. Its aetiology remains unknown and only one study has reported the effect of treatment. We report a series of fourteen patients treated and followed up with repeat pouchoscopy.Aim  To study the effectiveness of antibiotics for the treatment of pre‐pouch ileitis following restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch–anal anastomosis.Methods  Fourteen consecutive patients with symptomatic pre‐pouch ileitis were treated with ciprofloxacin 500 mg b.d. and metronidazole 400 mg b.d. for 28 days. All had concurrent pouchitis. Symptomatic, endoscopic and histological assessment was performed before and following treatment using the pouchitis disease activity index (PDAI). Symptomatic remission was defined as a score of 0 in the clinical component of the PDAI.Results  Twelve (86%) patients experienced symptomatic remission. Stool frequency fell from a median of 12 (range 8–20) to 6 (4–17) (P = 0.002). There was a significant reduction in the anatomical length of pre‐pouch ileitis with nine (64%) patients having either a resolution or a reduction in length of pre‐pouch ileitis from a median of 10 cm (range 3–20 cm) to a median of 1 cm (range 0–10 cm) (P = 0.007).Conclusion  Combination antibiotic therapy in this uncontrolled study appears effective in reducing the length of pre‐pouch ileitis and in inducing symptomatic remission in most patients whether or not its extent is reduced.
Expression of FcγRs and mCD14 on polymorphonuclear neutrophils and monocytes may determine periodontal infection
Authors: Nicu E A , van der Velden U , Everts V , Loos B G 
Published: October 2008

Summary
Variance in expression of receptors for immunoglobulin G (FcγRs), complement (CR3) and lipopolysaccharide (mCD14) on polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and monocytes might affect susceptibility for infection with certain pathogens in periodontitis, a chronic infectious disease of tooth-supportive tissues. Levels of FcγRI, IIa, III, CR3 and mCD14 on PMNs and monocytes were measured in 19 periodontitis patients and 18 healthy controls. Subgingival infection with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) was determined. Activation of PMNs and monocytes in response to stimulation with Aa and Pg was assessed by means of change in mCD14 expression. Periodontitis is associated with an enrichment of the FcγRIII+ monocytes (P = 0·015) with concomitant low mCD14 (P = 0·001). Unadjusted data showed that the subjects culture-positive for Aa (Aa+) had significantly lower expression of monocytic FcγRI (P = 0·005) and FcγRIIa (P = 0·015) than Pg+ subjects. The FcγRI was still lower on monocytes from Aa+ subjects after adjusting for the background factors (P = 0·037). PMNs from Aa+ subjects responded in a hyper-reactive manner, in particular when stimulated with Aa (P = 0·011). Lower FcγRs expression by monocytes is related to a higher susceptibility of a subject to become infected with Aa. The higher proportion of FcγRIII+ monocytes may be involved in the chronicity of this condition. Hyper-reactive PMNs in Aa+ subjects may contribute to accelerated breakdown of tooth-supportive tissues.
Attenuation of monocyte proinflammatory cytokine responses toNeisseria meningitidisin children by erythropoietin
Authors: Schultz C , Zimmer J , Härtel C , Rupp J , Temming P , Strunk T 
Published: October 2008

SummaryMeningococcal disease is a leading infectious cause of death in children in industrialized countries. The induction of high levels of proinflammatory cytokines has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Neisseria meningitidis-related multi-organ failure. Here, we demonstrate that N. meningitidis serotypes A and B induce significantly higher levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α positive cells in vitro in infants and young children compared with adults (serotype A/B; infants: 64·9%/63·9%; children: 77·8%/64·3% versus adults: 27·7%/32%; P &lt; 0·005). Serotype A induces also higher levels of interleukin (IL)-6 positive cells in neonates and infants compared with adults (serotype A; newborn 55·4%; infants 58·8% versus adults 49%; P &lt; 0·05). Treatment with human recombinant erythropoietin in vitro resulted in significant attenuation of the N. meningitidis-induced proinflammatory response in all age groups (reduction rate of erythropoietin for IL-6 after stimulation with serotype B: newborn 28%, infants 15%, children 23% and adults 28% and for TNF-α after stimulation with serotype B: newborn 27%, infants 22%, children 20% and adults 28%; P &lt; 0·05). We conclude that (i) Neisseria meningitidis induces a higher TNF-α response in infants and children compared with adults and (ii) erythropoietin was able to attenuate IL-6 and TNF-α production in all investigated age groups. These data may explain the high incidence of meningococcal infection in infants and makes erythropoietin a potentially attractive candidate for interventional strategies in an otherwise devastating course of the disease.
Skew in T cell receptor usage with polyclonal expansion in lesions of oral lichen planus without hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Gotoh A , Hamada Y , Shiobara N , Kumagai K , Seto K , Horikawa T , Suzuki R 
Published: October 2008

SummaryOral lichen planus (OLP) is a refractory disorder of the oral mucosa. Its predominant symptoms are pain and haphalgesia that impair the quality of life of patients. OLP develops via a T cell-mediated immune process. Here, we examined the characteristics of the infiltrating T cells in terms of the T cell receptor (TCR) repertoires, T cell clonality, T cell phenotypes and cytokine production profiles. TCR repertoire analyses and CDR3 size spectratyping were performed using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and tissue specimens of OLP biopsies from 12 patients. The cytokine expression profiles and T cell phenotypes were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. We observed that there were skewed TCR repertoires in the tissue samples (TCRVA8-1, VA22-1, VB2-1, VB3-1 and VB5-1) and PBMCs (TCRVA8-1, VB2-1, VB3-1 and VB5-1) from OLP patients. Furthermore, the CDR3 distributions in the skewed TCR subfamilies exhibited polyclonal patterns. We observed increases in CD4+ T lymphocytes, interleukin (IL)-5, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and human leucocyte antigen D-related in the OLP tissue specimens. Taken together, the present results suggest that T cells bearing these TCRs are involved in the pathogenesis of OLP, and that IL-5 and TNF-α may participate in its inflammatory process.
The demography of nurses and patients on acute psychiatric wards in England
Authors: Bowers Len , Jones Julia , Simpson Alan 
Published: October 2008

Aims and objectives. To describe the ethnic and demographic composition of staff and patients on acute psychiatric wards in England.Background. A significant proportion of the UK population (7·6%) belong to an ethnic minority and there are concerns that ethnic minority patients are not well served by psychiatry, in particular that they are subject to excessive force and coercion.Design. Survey of a random sample of psychiatric wards in three regions.Methods. A survey was conducted of staff (n = 1536) and patients (n = 11 128) on 136 acute admission psychiatric wards.Results. Ethnic minority patients were more likely to be admitted with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, younger, more likely to be admitted for a risk of harm to others and more likely to be legally detained. The association between ethnic minority status and detention remains, even when risk, age, gender and diagnosis are taken into account. Ethnic minority patients come from areas of greater social deprivation and fragmentation. Ethnic concordance between staff and patients varies, but the greatest difference is found in London where the proportion of minority staff is greater than the proportion of minority patients.Conclusions. There continues to be evidence that ethnic minority patients are subject to an excessive amount of legal coercion in English mental health services. However, the proportion of staff belonging to an ethnic minority is greater than the proportion of patients.Relevance to clinical practice. Solutions to the problem of excessive use of legal coercion with ethnic minority patients need to be found. Changes of recruitment strategies are required if concordance is to be achieved.
New insights into the cellular organization of the RNA processing and degradation machinery of Escherichia coli
Authors: Taghbalout Aziz , Rothfield Lawrence 
Published: October 2008

SummaryRibonuclease E (RNase E) is a component of the Escherichia coli RNA degradosome, a multiprotein complex that also includes RNA helicase B (RhlB), polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase) and enolase. The degradosome plays a key role in RNA processing and degradation. The degradosomal proteins are organized as a cytoskeletal‐like structure within the cell that has been thought to be associated with the cytoplasmic membrane. The article by Khemici et al. in the current issue of Molecular Microbiology reports that RNase E can directly interact with membrane phospholipids in vitro. The RNase E–membrane interaction is likely to play an important role in the membrane association of the degradosome system. These findings shed light on important but largely unexplored aspects of cellular structure and function, including the organization of the RNA processing machinery of the cell and of bacterial cytoskeletal elements in general.
Non‐invasive topology analysis of membrane proteins in the secretory pathway
Authors: Brach Thorsten , Soyk Sebastian , Müller Christopher , Hinz Giselbert , Hell Rüdiger , Brandizzi Federica , Meyer Andreas J. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryWe present a novel method to experimentally visualize in vivo the topology of transmembrane proteins residing in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane or passing through the secretory pathway on their way to their final destination. This approach, so‐called redox‐based topology analysis (ReTA), is based on fusion of transmembrane proteins with redox‐sensitive GFP (roGFP) and ratiometric imaging. The ratio images provide direct information on the orientation of roGFP relative to the membrane as the roGFP fluorescence alters with changes in the glutathione redox potential across the ER membrane. As proof of concept, we produced binary read‐outs using oxidized roGFP inside the ER lumen and reduced roGFP on the cytosolic side of the membrane for both N‐ and C‐terminal fusions of single and multi‐spanning membrane proteins. Further, successive deletion of hydrophobic domains from the C‐terminus of the K/HDEL receptor ERD2 resulted in alternating localization of roGFP and a topology model for AtERD2 with six transmembrane domains.
MS/MS spectral tag‐based annotation of non‐targeted profile of plant secondary metabolites
Authors: Matsuda Fumio , Yonekura‐Sakakibara Keiko , Niida Rie , Kuromori Takashi , Shinozaki Kazuo , Saito Kazuki 
Published: October 2008

SummaryThe MS/MS spectral tag (MS2T) library‐based peak annotation procedure was developed for informative non‐targeted metabolic profiling analysis using LC‐MS. An MS2T library of Arabidopsis metabolites was created from a set of MS/MS spectra acquired using the automatic data acquisition function of the mass spectrometer. By using this library, we obtained structural information for the detected peaks in the metabolic profile data without performing additional MS/MS analysis; this was achieved by searching for the corresponding MS2T accession in the library. In the case of metabolic profile data for Arabidopsis tissues containing more than 1000 peaks, approximately 50% of the peaks were tagged by MS2Ts, and 90 peaks were identified or tentatively annotated with metabolite information by searching the metabolite databases and manually interpreting the MS2Ts. A comparison of metabolic profiles among the Arabidopsis tissues revealed that many unknown metabolites accumulated in a tissue‐specific manner, some of which were deduced to be unusual Arabidopsis metabolites based on the MS2T data. Candidate genes responsible for these biosyntheses could be predicted by projecting the results to the transcriptome data. The method was also used for metabolic phenotyping of a subset of Ds transposon‐inserted lines of Arabidopsis, resulting in clarification of the functions of reported genes involved in glycosylation of flavonoids. Thus, non‐targeted metabolic profiling analysis using MS2T annotation methods could prove to be useful for investigating novel functions of secondary metabolites in plants.
Plant invaders and their novel natural enemies: who is naïve?
Authors: Verhoeven Koen J. F. , Biere Arjen , Harvey Jeffrey A. , Van Der Putten Wim H. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractIntroduced exotic species encounter a wide range of non‐coevolved enemies and competitors in their new range. Evolutionary novelty is a key aspect of these interactions, but who benefits from novelty: the exotic species or their new antagonists? Paradoxically, the novelty argument has been used to explain both the release from and the suppression by natural enemies. We argue that this paradox can be solved by considering underlying interaction mechanisms. Using plant defenses as a model, we argue that mismatches between plant and enemy interaction traits can enhance plant invasiveness in the case of toxin‐based defenses, whereas invasiveness is counteracted by mismatches in recognition‐based defenses and selective foraging of generalist herbivores on plants with rare toxins. We propose that a mechanistic understanding of ecological mismatches can help to explain and predict when evolutionary novelty will enhance or suppress exotic plant invasiveness. This knowledge may also enhance our understanding of plant abundance following range expansion, or during species replacements along successional stages.
Microbial diversity and activity through a permafrost/ground ice core profile from the Canadian high Arctic
Authors: Steven Blaire , Pollard Wayne H. , Greer Charles W. , Whyte Lyle G. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryCulture‐dependent and culture‐independent methods were used in an investigation of the microbial diversity in a permafrost/massive ground ice core from the Canadian high Arctic. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis as well asBacteriaandArchaea16S rRNA gene clone libraries showed differences in the composition of the microbial communities in the distinct core horizons. Microbial diversity was similar in the active layer (surface) soil, permafrost table and permafrost horizons while the ground ice microbial community showed low diversity.BacteriaandArchaeasequences related to theActinobacteria(54%) andCrenarchaeota(100%) respectively were predominant in the active layer while the majority of sequences in the permafrost were related to theProteobacteria(57%) andEuryarchaeota(76%).The most abundant phyla in the ground ice clone libraries were theFirmicutes(59%) andCrenarchaeota(82%). Isolates from the permafrost were both less abundant and diverse than in the active layer soil, while no culturable cells were recovered from the ground ice. Mineralization of [1‐14C] acetic acid and [2‐14C] glucose was used to detect microbial activity in the different horizons in the core. Mineralization was detected at near ambient permafrost temperatures (−15°C), indicating that permafrost may harbour an active microbial population, while the low microbial diversity, abundance and activity in ground ice suggests a less hospitable microbial habitat.
Surveillance colonoscopy improves survival in a cohort of subjects with a single mismatch repair gene mutation
Authors: Stupart D. A. , Goldberg P. A. , Algar U. , Ramesar R. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractObjective  Previous studies have shown a benefit for surveillance colonoscopy in heterogeneous groups of subjects with suspected or proven hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate whether surveillance colonoscopy improves the survival in subjects who all carry a single mismatch repair gene defect.Method  This is a prospective cohort study of 178 subjects who carry a mutation of the MLH1 gene in exon 13 (C1528T). They were offered surveillance colonoscopy between 1988 and 2006, and were followed up until September 2007.Results  One hundred and twenty‐nine subjects underwent surveillance colonoscopy, and 49 declined. After a median follow up of 5 years, colorectal cancer was diagnosed in 14/129 (11%) subjects in the surveillance group and 13/49 (27%) in the nonsurveillance group (P = 0.019). Cancers in the surveillance group were at an earlier stage than in the nonsurveillance group (P = 0.032). Death from colorectal cancer occurred in three of 129 (2%) subjects in the surveillance group, and six of 49 (12%) in the nonsurveillance group (P = 0.021). The Kaplan–Meyer estimates for median survival from birth were 78 years in the surveillance group, and 55 years in the nonsurveillance group (P = 0.024). The Kaplan–Meyer estimates for median colorectal cancer‐free survival from birth were 73 years in the surveillance group and 47 years in the nonsurveillance group (P = 0.0089).Conclusion  Surveillance colonoscopy was associated with improved overall and colorectal cancer‐related survival in subjects carrying a single mismatch repair gene mutation.
Subsidiary Strategy: The Embeddedness Component
Authors: Garcia‐Pont Carlos , Canales J. Ignacio , Noboa Fabrizio 
Published: October 2008

abstractThis article develops the concept of internal subsidiary embeddedness as the canvas within which subsidiary strategy takes place. Developing an inductive model, we identify three hierarchical levels of embeddedness. The first level is operational embeddedness, which relates to interlocking day‐to‐day relations. The second level is capability embeddedness, which concerns the development of competitive capabilities for the multinational as a whole. The third level is strategic embeddedness, which concerns a subsidiary's participation in a multinational corporation's strategy setting. We derived our concept of embeddedness from an in‐depth case study. Embeddedness is not merely an outcome of the institutional setting in which a subsidiary is situated, but is a resource a subsidiary can manage by means of manipulating dependencies or exerting influence over the allocation of critical resources. A subsidiary can modify its embeddedness to change its strategic restraints. Therefore, the development of subsidiary embeddedness becomes an integral part of subsidiary strategy.
Measures for Dealing with Competence and Integrity Violations of Interorganizational Trust at the Corporate and Operating Levels of Organizational Hierarchy
Authors: Janowicz‐Panjaitan Martyna , Krishnan Rekha 
Published: October 2008

abstractWe examine how partners in an interorganizational relationship can repair violated trust, and if that is impossible, how they can preserve the collaborative relationship. We also consider under what circumstances exit from the relationship is the only viable option. We propose that the effectiveness of legalistic and non‐legalistic measures in response to a trust violation is a function of the hierarchical level at which the violation occurred (corporate vs. operating), the character of the violation (competence vs. integrity), the frequency and severity with which it occurred, the organizational context in which boundary spanners are embedded, and the degree of dependence between the partners. Based on these factors, we explore how the way in which violation of trust is dealt with at one hierarchical level might affect trust at the other level. Our theoretical model reveals that prior findings on trust repair in inter‐personal context may not hold in the interorganizational context.
Managerial (In)attention to Competitive Threats
Authors: McMullen Jeffery S. , Shepherd Dean A. , Patzelt Holger 
Published: October 2008

abstractWe integrate the Attention Based View of the firm and Regulatory Focus Theory to propose a model of managerial (in)attention that explains why appeals by middle managers for top managers to attend to specific threats of emerging rivals go unheeded. By acknowledging that different regulatory foci are elicited by different structural positions within the firm, we suggest that these differences in regulatory foci influence the allocation of attention to competitive intelligence warning of an emerging threat. We conclude by discussing how top managers might better evaluate whether threats of emerging rivals are worthy of deeper consideration.
Ontology‐based concept map for planning a personalised learning path
Authors: Chen Chih‐Ming 
Published: October 2008

AbstractDeveloping personalised web‐based learning systems has been an important research issue in e‐learning because no fixed learning pathway will be appropriate for all learners. However, most current web‐based learning platforms with personalised curriculum sequencing tend to emphasise the learner preferences and interests in relation to personalised learning services but fail to consider the difficulty level of course materials, learning order of prior and posterior knowledge and learner abilities while constructing a personalised learning path. As a result, these ignored factors thus easily lead to the generation of poor quality learning paths. Generally, learners could generate cognitive overload or fall into cognitive disorientation owing to inappropriate curriculum sequencing during learning processes, thus, reducing the learning effect. With the advancement of artificial intelligence technologies, ontology technologies enable a linguistic infrastructure to represent conceptual relationships between course materials. Ontology can be served as a structured knowledge representation scheme, capable of assisting the construction of a personalised learning path. This study thus proposes a novel genetic‐based curriculum sequencing scheme based on a generated ontology‐based concept map, which can be automatically constructed by the pretest results of numerous learners, to plan appropriate learning paths for individual learners. The experimental results indicated that the proposed approach could create high‐quality learning paths for individual learners. The proposed approach thus can help learners to learn more effectively and to likely reduce learners' cognitive overloads during learning processes.
Svetovid—Interactive development and submission system with prevention of academic collusion in computer programming
Authors: Pribela Ivan , Ivanović Mirjana , Budimac Zoran 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThis paper discusses Svetovid, cross‐platform software that helps instructors to assess the amount of effort put into practical exercises and exams in courses related to computer programming. The software was developed as an attempt at solving problems associated with practical exercises and exams. This paper discusses the design and use of Svetovid system along with the advantages it brings to both students and instructors.