bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Different adaptations of alpha‐actinin isoforms to exercise training in rat skeletal muscles
Authors: Ogura Y. , Naito H. , Kakigi R. , Akema T. , Sugiura T. , Katamoto S. , Aoki J. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractAim:  Alpha (α)‐actinins are located in the skeletal muscle Z‐line and form actin–actin cross‐links. Mammalian skeletal muscle has two isoforms: α‐actinin‐2 and α‐actinin‐3. However, the response of α‐actinin to exercise training is little understood. Therefore, the current study examined the effects of exercise training on the expression level of two α‐actinin isoforms in skeletal muscles.Methods:  Twelve male Wistar rats were assigned randomly to a control (C; n = 6) or exercise training (T; n = 6) group. After T animals were trained on an animal treadmill for 9 weeks, α‐actinin‐2 and α‐actinin‐3 levels in the plantaris, white and red gastrocnemius muscles were analysed. In addition, changes in the myosin heavy chain (MyHC) composition were assessed, and muscle bioenergetic enzyme activities were measured.Results:  Results show that exercise training increased α‐actinin‐2 expression levels in all muscles (P < 0.05). However, no significant difference was found in α‐actinin‐3 expression levels between C and T animals. Subsequent MyHC analyses of all muscle showed an MyHC shift with direction from IIb to IIa. Furthermore, enzymatic analysis revealed that exercise training improved enzyme activities related to aerobic metabolism.Conclusion:  The results of this study demonstrate that exercise training alters the expression level of α‐actinin at the isoform level. Moreover, the increase in expression levels of α‐actinin‐2 is apparently related to alteration of skeletal muscle: its aerobic capacity is improved.
Protective effect of yogurt extract on dental enamel demineralization in vitro
Authors: Ferrazzano GF , Cantile T , Quarto M , Ingenito A , Chianese L , Addeo F 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackground:  Casein phosphopeptides (CPPs) are phosphorylated casein‐derived peptides produced synthetically by proteolytic digestion of αs1‐, αs2‐ and β‐casein. The anticariogenic activity of CPPs is due to their ability to stabilize high levels of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) on tooth surface, preventing demineralization and enhancing remineralization of enamel caries. The aim of this study was to test the in vitro ability of natural CPPs (contained in yogurt) to prevent demineralization and promote remineralization of dental enamel.Methods:  Eighty human molars were used. After standardizing an in vitro demineralization procedure for producing artificial caries (Group 1: pH 4.8; Group 2: pH 3.97), this procedure was used on teeth, but with the addition of natural CPPs (Group 3: pH 4.8; Group 4: pH 3.97). The effects of these procedures were evaluated by quantitative analysis (change in weight and calcium titration) and qualitative analysis (SEM). Statistical analysis of the results was performed using ANOVA.Results:  Statistical analysis showed significant differences in weight changes between the groups with and without natural CPPs. The SEM observation showed the protective effects of natural CPPs.Conclusions:  The results demonstrated that CPPs contained in yogurt have an inhibitory effect on demineralization and promote the remineralization of dental enamel.
Retention of cast crown copings cemented to implant abutments
Authors: Dudley JE , Richards LC , Abbott JR 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackground:  The cementation of crowns to dental implant abutments is an accepted form of crown retention that requires consideration of the properties of available cements within the applied clinical context. Dental luting agents are exposed to a number of stressors that may reduce crown retention in vivo, not the least of which is occlusal loading. This study investigated the influence of compressive cyclic loading on the physical retention of cast crown copings cemented to implant abutments.Methods:  Cast crown copings were cemented to Straumann synOcta titanium implant abutments with three different readily used and available cements. Specimens were placed in a humidifier, thermocycled and subjected to one of four quantities of compressive cyclic loading. The uniaxial tensile force required to remove the cast crown copings was then recorded.Results:  The mean retention values for crown copings cemented with Panavia‐F cement were statistically significantly greater than both KetacCem and TempBond non‐eugenol cements at each compressive cyclic loading quantity. KetacCem and TempBond non‐eugenol cements produced relatively low mean retention values that were not statistically significantly different at each quantity of compressive cyclic loading. Compressive cyclic loading had a statistically significant effect on Panavia‐F specimens alone, but increased loading quantities produced no further statistically significant difference in mean retention.Conclusions:  Within the limitations of the current in vitro conditions employed in this study, the retention of cast crown copings cemented to Straumann synOcta implant abutments with a resin, glass ionomer and temporary cement was significantly affected by cement type but not compressive cyclic loading. Resin cement is the cement of choice for the definitive non‐retrievable cementation of cast crown copings to Straumann synOcta implant abutments out of the three cements tested.
Double‐Blind Placebo‐Controlled Trial of Adjuvant Pamidronate with Palliative Radiotherapy and Intravenous Doxorubicin for Canine Appendicular Osteosarcoma Bone Pain
Authors: Fan T.M. , Charney S.C. , De Lorimier L.P. , Garrett L.D. , Griffon D.J. , Gordon‐Evans W.J. , Wypij J.M. 
Published: November 2008

Background: Canine osteosarcoma (OSA) causes focal malignant osteolysis leading to severe pain. Despite the documented efficacy of radiotherapy or IV aminobisphosphonates for managing cancer bone pain, their potential combined therapeutic value has not been reported in OSA‐bearing dogs.Hypothesis: Pamidronate combined with standardized palliative therapy will improve pain control and bone biologic effects in OSA‐bearing dogs.Animals: Fifty dogs with appendicular OSA treated with standardized palliative therapy and either pamidronate or sterile saline.Methods: Randomized, prospective, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled study. Treatment responses for dogs receiving standardized palliative therapy with (n = 26) or without (n = 24) adjuvant pamidronate were serially evaluated for changes in subjective pain scores, urine N‐telopeptide (NTx) excretion, primary tumor relative bone mineral density (rBMD), and computerized pressure platform gait analysis.Results: Median duration of subjective pain relief for dogs treated with adjuvant pamidronate or placebo was 76 and 75 days, respectively (P= .39). Forty percent (20/50; pamidronate [11/26] and placebo [9/24]) of dogs experienced durable analgesia, defined by pain alleviation ≥112 days. For patients achieving durable pain control, dogs treated with pamidronate achieved greater reductions in NTx excretion and larger increases in rBMD compared with placebo controls. Changes in peak vertical force assessed by computerized pressure platform gait analysis correlated with pain alleviation in OSA‐bearing dogs.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Combining pamidronate with standardized palliative therapy is safe, but does not clearly improve pain alleviation. However, in dogs achieving durable pain control, adjuvant pamidronate appears to decrease focal bone resorption in the local tumor microenvironment.
Adverse Effects of Concurrent Carboplatin Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy in Dogs
Authors: Hume K.R. , Johnson J.L. , Williams L.E. 
Published: November 2008

Background:Concurrent chemo‐ and radiotherapy improves outcome of certain human neoplasms but with increased signs of toxicity. Reports on adverse effects of concurrent chemo‐ and radiotherapy in the veterinary literature are scant.Objective:To report adverse hematologic and gastrointestinal effects of combined carboplatin and radiation therapy in dogs.Animals:Client‐owned dogs with spontaneously occurring neoplasia.Methods:Retrospective case study. Medical records of 65 dogs were reviewed. Criteria for inclusion were administration of radiation according to 1 of 3 fractionation schemes (19 × 3, 16 × 3, or 12 × 4 Gy) and administration of at least 1 concurrent carboplatin treatment at a dosage of 200–300 mg/m2. Dog and treatment‐related variables were analyzed for association with signs of intoxication.Results:Median carboplatin dosage was 200 mg/m2(range, 200–250 mg/m2). Twelve of 58 dogs (21%) developed grade 3 or 4 neutropenia. Eleven of 56 dogs (20%) developed grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia. Six of 62 dogs (10%) developed grade 3, 4, or 5 gastrointestinal toxicosis. Analysis of association of dog and treatment‐related variables with signs of intoxication was hampered by the small numbers of dogs in individual groups, and no statistically significant associations were found.Conclusions and Clinical Importance:Combined modality therapy resulted in myelosuppression and gastrointestinal toxicosis. Future studies are needed to determine whether the potential benefit of combined modality therapy outweighs the risk of decreasing chemotherapy and radiation treatment intensity.
Cryopreservation of Canine Platelets
Authors: Appleman E.H. , Sachais B.S. , Patel R. , Drobatz K.J. , Groman R.P. , Kennedy D.R. , O'Donnell P.A. , Bryan C. , Callan M.B. 
Published: November 2008

Background:Platelet cryopreservation allows long‐term storage and immediate availability of transfusion products.Hypothesis:The addition of a preparation inhibiting platelet activation (Thrombosol, in 2% dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO]) will enhance in vitro function and prolong in vivo survival of cryopreserved platelets compared with those preserved in 6% DMSO.Animals:Thirty‐three research dogs.Methods:Prospective study. Eleven fresh canine apheresis platelet concentrates (PCs) were each split into 3 units: fresh and cryopreserved in 6% DMSO or Thrombosol. Platelet analysis, performed 1–10 weeks postfreezing, included in vitro functional testing and in vivo survival assessed by administration of biotinylated platelets.Results:Platelet aggregation was diminished in cryopreserved PC. Cryopreserved platelets could be activated, as based on mean thrombin‐stimulated P‐selectin expression (6% DMSO, 23.0%; Thrombosol, 18.4%), although to a lesser extent than fresh PC (49.1%) (P< .0001). The mean maximum in vivo platelet recovery for fresh PC was 80.3%, significantly greater than recovery for 6% DMSO (49.2%) and Thrombosol PC (43.7%) (P≤ .001). The half‐life (days) of fresh PC (3.8 ± 0.4) was significantly (P< .002) greater than that of 6% DMSO (1.9 ± 1.0) and Thrombosol (2.4 ± 1.1) PC, with no difference (P= .3) between cryopreserved PC.Conclusions and Clinical Importance:Cryopreservation of canine platelets using Thrombosol did not provide any advantage over preservation using 6% DMSO. Cryopreserved platelets can be activated in vitro and provide therapeutic benefit when fresh platelets are unavailable. Further studies are needed to assess their in vivo hemostatic function.
Development and Evaluation of a Real-Time PCR Assay for Detection of
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Carbapenemase Genes
Authors: Cole Justin M. , Schuetz Audrey N. , Hill Charles E. , Nolte Frederick S. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT

We developed a novel real-time PCR assay to detect
Klebsiella pneumoniae
carbapenemases (KPCs) and used this assay to screen clinical isolates of
K. pneumoniae
and
Klebsiella oxytoca
for the presence of
bla
KPC
genes. The TaqMan real-time PCR assay amplified a 399-bp product from the
bla
KPC
gene. The amplicon was designed so that the genes for isoenzymes KPC-1, -2, and -3 could be easily distinguished by subsequent restriction digestion of the amplicon with the enzymes BstNI and RsaI. The assay was validated with reference strains obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that contained each of the three described isoenzymes and 69 extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing clinical isolates (39
K. pneumoniae
and 30
K. oxytoca
isolates). Subsequently, the
bla
KPC
PCR assay was used to confirm the presence of
bla
KPC
genes in any meropenem-resistant
Klebsiella
spp. The PCR assay detected
bla
KPC
in all of the reference strains, in 6 of 7 meropenem-resistant isolates, and in 0 of 62 meropenem-susceptible clinical isolates. The PCR assay was then used to confirm the presence of
bla
KPC
in an additional 20 meropenem-resistant isolates from 16 patients. Restriction digestion of the PCR amplicons identified two
bla
KPC
gene variants in our patient population: 9 isolates with C and 17 with T at nucleotide 944, consistent with
bla
KPC-2
and
bla
KPC-3
, respectively. The real-time PCR assay is a rapid and accurate method to detect all KPC isoenzymes and was useful in documenting the presence and dissemination of KPC-producing strains in our patient population.
Predominance of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
EAI and Beijing Lineages in Yangon, Myanmar
Authors: Phyu Sabai , Stavrum Ruth , Lwin Thandar , Svendsen Øyvind S. , Ti Ti , Grewal Harleen M. S. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT

Isolates of the
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Beijing lineage are associated with high rates of transmission, hypervirulence and drug resistance. The Beijing lineage has been shown to dominate the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic in East Asia; however, the diversity and frequency of
M. tuberculosis
genotypes from Myanmar are unknown. We present the first comprehensive study describing the
M. tuberculosis
isolates circulating in Yangon, Myanmar. Thus, 310 isolates from pulmonary TB patients from Yangon, Myanmar, were genotyped by spoligotyping and IS
6110
-based restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (IS
6110
RFLP). The most frequent lineages observed were the East African-Indian (EAI; 48.4%;
n
= 150) and Beijing (31.9%;
n
= 99) lineages. Isolates belonging to the most frequent shared types (STs), ST1 (
n
= 98; Beijing), ST292 (
n
= 28; EAI), and ST89 (
n
= 11; EAI), had ≥75% similarity in their IS
6110
patterns. Five of 11 Beijing isolates comprising five clusters with identical IS
6110
RFLP patterns could be discriminated by mycobacterial interspersed repetitive-unit-variable-number tandem-repeat (MIRU-VNTR) analysis. Of the 150 EAI isolates, 40 isolates (26.7%) had only one IS
6110
copy, and 17 of these isolates could be discriminated by MIRU-VNTR analysis. The findings from this study suggest that although there is a predominance of the ancient EAI lineage in Yangon, the TB epidemic in Yangon is driven by clonal expansion of the ST1 genotype. The Beijing lineage isolates (21.4%) were more likely (
P
= 0.009) than EAI lineage isolates to be multidrug resistant (MDR) (1.3%; odds ratio, 3.2, adjusted for the patients' history of exposure to anti-TB drugs), suggesting that the spread of MDR Beijing isolates is a major problem in Yangon.
Rotavirus Architecture at Subnanometer Resolution
Authors: Li Zongli , Baker Matthew L. , Jiang Wen , Estes Mary K. , Prasad B. V. Venkataram 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTRotavirus, a nonturreted member of theReoviridae, is the causative agent of severe infantile diarrhea. The double-stranded RNA genome encodes six structural proteins that make up the triple-layer particle. X-ray crystallography has elucidated the structure of one of these capsid proteins, VP6, and two domains from VP4, the spike protein. Complementing this work, electron cryomicroscopy (cryoEM) has provided relatively low-resolution structures for the triple-layer capsid in several biochemical states. However, a complete, high-resolution structural model of rotavirus remains unresolved. Combining new structural analysis techniques with the subnanometer-resolution cryoEM structure of rotavirus, we now provide a more detailed structural model for the major capsid proteins and their interactions within the triple-layer particle. Through a series of intersubunit interactions, the spike protein (VP4) adopts a dimeric appearance above the capsid surface, while forming a trimeric base anchored inside one of the three types of aqueous channels between VP7 and VP6 capsid layers. While the trimeric base suggests the presence of three VP4 molecules in one spike, only hints of the third molecule are observed above the capsid surface. Beyond their interactions with VP4, the interactions between VP6 and VP7 subunits could also be readily identified. In the innermost T=1 layer composed of VP2, visualization of the secondary structure elements allowed us to identify the polypeptide fold for VP2 and examine the complex network of interactions between this layer and the T=13 VP6 layer. This integrated structural approach has resulted in a relatively high-resolution structural model for the complete, infectious structure of rotavirus, as well as revealing the subtle nuances required for maintaining interactions in such a large macromolecular assembly.
Motor Recovery and Axonal Plasticity With Short-Term Amphetamine After Stroke
Authors: Papadopoulos Catherine M. , Tsai Shih-Yen , Guillen Veronica , Ortega Juan , Kartje Gwendolyn L. , Wolf William A. 
Published: November 2008

Background and Purpose—There is considerable debate regarding the efficacy of amphetamine to facilitate motor recovery after stroke or experimental brain injury. Different drug dosing and timing schedules and differing physical rehabilitation strategies may contribute to outcome variability. The present study was designed to ascertain (1) whether short-term amphetamine could induce long-term functional motor recovery in rats after an ischemic lesion modeling stroke in humans; (2) how different levels of physical rehabilitation interact with amphetamine to enhance forelimb-related functional outcome; and (3) whether motor improvement was associated with axonal sprouting from intact corticoefferent pathways originating in the contralesional forelimb motor cortex.Methods—After permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion, rats received vehicle or amphetamine during the first postoperative week (2 mg/kg, subcutaneously on Postoperative Days 2, 5, and 8). In both treatment groups, separate cohorts of rats were exposed to different levels of “physical rehabilitation” represented by a control environment, enriched environment, or enriched environment with additional sessions of focused activity. Skilled forelimb performance was assessed using the forelimb reaching task and ladder rung walk test. Anterograde tracing with biotinylated dextran amine was used to assess new fiber outgrowth to denervated motor areas.Results—All treatment groups showed significant motor improvement as compared with control-housed, vehicle-treated animals. However, animals housed in an enriched environment that received amphetamine paired with focused activity sessions performed significantly better than any other treatment group and was the only group to achieve complete motor recovery (ie, reached preoperative performance) by 8 weeks. This recovery was associated with axonal sprouting into deafferentated subcortical areas from contralesional projection neurons.Conclusions—This study suggests that, after stroke, short-term pairing of amphetamine with sufficiently focused activity is an effective means of inducing long-term improvement in forelimb motor function. The anatomic data suggests that corticoefferent plasticity in the form of axonal sprouting contributes to the maintenance of motor recovery.
Genome Environment Browser (GEB): a dynamic browser for visualising high-throughput experimental data in the context of genome features
Authors: Huntley Derek , Tang Y Amy , Nesterova Tatyana B , Butcher Sarah , Brockdorff Neil 
Published: November 2008

Abstract

Background
There is accumulating evidence that the milieu of repeat elements and other non-genic sequence features at a given chromosomal locus, here defined as the genome environment, can play an important role in regulating chromosomal processes such as transcription, replication and recombination. The availability of whole-genome sequences has allowed us to annotate the genome environment of any locus in detail. The development of genome wide experimental analyses of gene expression, chromatin modification and chromatin proteins means that it is now possible to identify potential links between chromosomal processes and the underlying genome environment. There is a need for novel bioinformatic tools that facilitate these studies.

Results
We developed the Genome Environment Browser (GEB) in order to visualise the integration of experimental data from large scale high throughput analyses with repeat sequence features that define the local genome environment. The browser has incorporated dynamic scales adjustable in real-time, which enables scanning of large regions of the genome as well as detailed investigation of local regions on the same page without the need to load new pages. The interface also accommodates a 2-dimensional display of repetitive features which vary substantially in size, such as LINE-1 repeats. Specific queries for preliminary quantitative analysis of genome features can also be formulated, results of which can be exported for further analysis.

Conclusion
The Genome Environment Browser is a versatile program which can be easily adapted for displaying all types of genome data with known genomic coordinates. It is currently available at http://web.bioinformatics.ic.ac.uk/geb/.
Die Macht des »und« The power of the word »and«
Authors: Jacob Frank 
Published: November 2008

Zusammenfassung
Die Nutzer und die Hersteller von interaktiven Produkten und Softwaresystemen haben gelernt, eine bestmögliche Bedienbarkeit als besonderen Wert für sich einzufordern. Mit dieser Wertvorstellung verknüpft sich unmittelbar, dass Usability und Ästhetik in einer, diesen Wert schaffenden Einheit verstanden und realisiert werden muss. Zwei Beispiele aus der wirtschaftlichen Praxis von human interface.design und aus der akademischen Praxis der Muthesius Kunsthochschule Kiel illustrieren, was ein ganzheitliches Verständnis von Usability und Ästhetik zu leisten im Stande ist.
Warum man die Gestaltung des iPhones nicht kopieren sollte. Designalltag zwischen Ästhetik und Usability Why you should not just copy the iPhone design. Daily design routine between aesthetics and usability
Authors: Wiesenauer Bernd 
Published: November 2008

Zusammenfassung
In den letzten Jahren haben sich die Anforderungen an das Design interaktiver Produkte verändert. Ganzheitliche Gestaltung erfolgreicher Produkte spielt sich immer mehr im Spannungsfeld zwischen Design, Gebrauchstauglichkeit und Innovationen ab.