bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dens invaginatus. Part 1: classification, prevalence and aetiology
Authors: Alani A. , Bishop K. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractAim  To review and discuss the aetiology, prevalence and classification of this dental anomaly together with the morphology of an invagination and the most appropriate nomenclature.Summary  This review considers the different possible nomenclatures and concludes that dens invaginatus is the most appropriate description. The paper highlights the different reported prevalence figures and concludes that the problem is probably one of the most common of the dental developmental abnormalities with maxillary lateral incisors most commonly affected. The paper suggests that the classification system described by Oehlers (1957a) is probably the most clinically relevant and that the morphological features associated with this problem may increase the risk of pulpal pathology developing and complicate any possible endodontic treatment.Key learning points • The aetiology of dens invaginatus is still unknown, although there is some evidence that it may be genetic in origin.• The problem is probably more prevalent than most clinicians are aware of and this is because of the diagnostic difficulties associated with the anomaly.• The nature of the problem may increase the risk of pulp disease and complicate any root canal treatment.
The biocompatibility of modified experimental Portland cements with potential for use in dentistry
Authors: Camilleri J. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractAim  To evaluate the biocompatibility of a group of new potential dental materials and their eluants by assessing cell viability.Methodology  Calcium sulpho‐aluminate cement (CSA), calcium fluoro‐aluminate cement (CFA) and glass–ionomer cement (GIC; Ketac Molar), used as the control, were tested for biocompatibility. Using a direct test method cell viability was measured quantitatively using alamarBlue™ dye, and an indirect test method where cells were grown on material elutions and cell viability was assessed using methyltetrazolium (MTT) assay as recommended by ISO 10 993‐Part 5 for in vitro testing. Statistical analysis was performed by analysis of variance and Tukey multi‐comparison test method.Results  Elution collected from the prototype cements and the GIC cured for 1 and 7 days allowed high cell activity after 24 h cell exposure, which reduced after 48 h when compared to the nontoxic glass–ionomer control, but increased significantly after 72 h cell contact. Elutions collected after 28 days revealed reduced cell activity at all cell exposure times. Cells placed in direct contact with the prototype materials showed reduced cell activity when compared with the control.Conclusions  Cell growth was poor when seeded in direct contact with the prototype cements. GIC encouraged cell growth after 1 day of contact. The eluted species for all the cements tested exhibited adequate cell viability in the early ages with reduced cell activity at 28 days. Changes in the production of calcium hydroxide as a by‐product of cement hydration affect the material biocompatibility adversely.
An evaluation of three nutritional screening tools in a Portuguese oncology centre
Authors: Amaral T. F. , Antunes A. , Cabral S. , Alves P. , Kent‐Smith L. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackground  Because the choice of the most appropriate nutritional screening tool in cancer patients remains an important issue, the aim of the present study was to compare the screening value of three undernutrition screening tools in cancer patients.Methods  In a probabilistic sample of 50% in‐patients from an oncology hospital, the screening values of Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST) and Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) were calculated using the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS‐2002) as the reference method in identifying nutritionally‐at‐risk patients. Their ability to predict a high length‐of‐hospital stay (LOS), defined as ≥7 days, was assessed.Results  A total of 130 patients were assessed. MUST identified the highest proportion of nutritionally‐at‐risk patients (43.8%), followed by 28.5% using NRS‐2002 and 17.7% using MST. They all identified head and neck cancer patients as the most at risk of nutritional problems. The odds of having a longer LOS were higher for MUST estimates [odds ratio (OR) = 3.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.50–7.00] than for NRS‐2002 (OR = 2.47, 95% CI = 1.05–5.80).Conclusion  MUST had the highest agreement with NRS‐2002 in hospitalized cancer patients and better identified patients at‐risk for a longer LOS.
RecQ DNA helicase HRDC domains are critical determinants in Neisseria gonorrhoeae pilin antigenic variation and DNA repair
Authors: Killoran Michael P. , Kohler Petra L. , Dillard Joseph P. , Keck James L. 
Published: November 2008

Summary Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Gc), an obligate human bacterial pathogen, utilizes pilin antigenic variation to evade host immune defences. Antigenic variation is driven by recombination between expressed (pilE) and silent (pilS) copies of the pilin gene, which encodes the major structural component of the type IV pilus. We have investigated the role of the GcRecQ DNA helicase (GcRecQ) in this process. Whereas the vast majority of bacterial RecQ proteins encode a single ‘Helicase and RNase D C‐terminal’ (HRDC) domain, GcRecQ encodes three tandem HRDC domains at its C‐terminus. Gc mutants encoding versions of GcRecQ with either two or all three C‐terminal HRDC domains removed are deficient in pilin variation and sensitized to UV light‐induced DNA damage. Biochemical analysis of a GcRecQ protein variant lacking two HRDC domains, GcRecQΔHRDC2,3, shows it has decreased affinity for single‐stranded and partial‐duplex DNA and reduced unwinding activity on a synthetic Holliday junction substrate relative to full‐length GcRecQ in the presence of Gc single‐stranded DNA‐binding protein (GcSSB). Our results demonstrate that the multiple HRDC domain architecture in GcRecQ is critical for structure‐specific DNA binding and unwinding, and suggest that these features are central to GcRecQ's roles in Gc antigenic variation and DNA repair.
Preferential post‐replication repair of DNA lesions situated on the leading strand of plasmids in Escherichia coli
Authors: Bichara Marc , Fuchs Robert P. P. , Cordonnier Agnès , Lambert Iain B. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryIn Escherichia coli, RecF‐dependent post‐replication repair (PRR) permits cells to tolerate the potentially lethal effects of blocking lesions at the replication fork. We have developed an in vivo experimental system to study the PRR mechanisms that allow blocked replication forks to be rescued by homologous sequences. We show that approximately 80% of the PRR events observed in SOS‐uninduced cells are generated by RecA‐mediated excision repair, a novel nucleotide excision repair‐ and RecA/RecF‐dependent mechanism, while 20% are generated by RecF‐dependent homologous recombination. Moreover, we show that in a wild‐type background, PRR is approximately an order of magnitude more efficient in processing DNA containing a blocked leading strand, as compared with a blocked lagging strand. This strand bias is abolished in cells that are deficient in nucleotide excision repair. These results are discussed in the context of recent models describing the mechanisms of replication past damaged templates.
Glycosylation of the phosphate binding protein, PstS, in Streptomyces coelicolor by a pathway that resembles protein O‐mannosylation in eukaryotes
Authors: Wehmeier S. , Varghese A. S. , Gurcha S. S. , Tissot B. , Panico M. , Hitchen P. , Morris H. R. , Besra G. S. , Dell A. , Smith M. C. M. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryPreviously mutations in a putative protein O‐mannosyltransferase (SCO3154, Pmt) and a polyprenol phosphate mannose synthase (SCO1423, Ppm1) were found to cause resistance to phage, φC31, in the antibiotic producing bacteria Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2). It was proposed that these two enzymes were part of a protein O‐glycosylation pathway that was necessary for synthesis of the phage receptor. Here we provide the evidence that Pmt and Ppm1 are indeed both required for protein O‐glycosylation. The phosphate binding protein PstS was found to be glycosylated with a trihexose in the S. coelicolor parent strain, J1929, but not in the pmt− derivative, DT1025. Ppm1 was necessary for the transfer of mannose to endogenous polyprenol phosphate in membrane preparations of S. coelicolor. A mutation in ppm1 that conferred an E218V substitution in Ppm1 abolished mannose transfer and glycosylation of PstS. Mass spectrometry analysis of extracted lipids showed the presence of a glycosylated polyprenol phosphate (PP) containing nine repeated isoprenyl units (C45‐PP). S. coelicolor membranes were also able to catalyse the transfer of mannose to peptides derived from PstS, indicating that these could be targets for Pmt in vivo.
Genetic association between functional haplotype of collagen type III alpha 1 and chronic hepatitis B and cirrhosis in Koreans
Authors: Lee S. K. , Yi C.‐H. , Kim M.‐H. , Cheong J. Y. , Cho S. W. , Yang S.‐J. , Kwack K. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractCollagen type III alpha 1 (COL3A1) is one of the extracelluar matrix (ECM) proteins. The expression of COL3A1 is closely related to chronic liver diseases. In this study, we investigated whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of COL3A1 confer genetic susceptibility to patients with hepatitis B virus‐infected liver diseases including chronic hepatitis B (CH), liver cirrhosis (CIR), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A total of 399 Korean (KOR) people, 111 patients with CH, 95 patients with CIR, 86 patients with HCC, and 107 spontaneously recovery, were genotyped for 16 SNPs of the COL3A1 gene. The ‘A’ allele of rs3106796 was highly associated with the CH [odds ratio (OR) = 1.62, P = 0.01], CIR (OR = 1.67, P = 0.01), and HCC (OR = 1.59, P = 0.03). There were six polymorphic SNPs that could be divided into two linkage disequilibrium (LD) blocks. The haplotype pattern of the KOR control seems to be similar to the patterns displayed in the Japanese, Chinese, and Caucasian populations sampled in the International HapMap project. Haplotype 3 (A‐G‐A) of the LD block 2 was significantly associated with CH (OR = 2.23, P = 0.02), CIR (OR = 2.24, P = 0.03), and HCC (OR = 2.27, P = 0.03). Moreover, diplotype analysis showed that they had increased relative risk for CH and CIR in the two diplotypes, dt3 (A‐G‐A/G‐G‐A; OR = 4.05, P = 0.01) and dt6 (A‐A‐A/A‐G‐A; OR = 7.42, P = 0.01 and OR = 5.84, P = 0.05) against dt1 (G‐G‐A/G‐G‐A), the most common diplotype in both KOR groups. In vitro reporter gene assays showed that the constructs containing the ‘G’ allele of rs3106796 appear to exert lower transcriptional activity of COL3A1 than the ‘A’ allele, depending on the promoter types.
Genetic association of interferon‐alpha subtypes 1, 2 and 5 in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Hirankarn N. , Tangwattanachuleeporn M. , Wongpiyabovorn J. , Wongchinsri J. , Avihingsanon Y. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractIn this study, the association between the systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) susceptibility and the new candidate genes, IFNA1, IFNA2 and IFNA5 genes, major interferon‐alpha subtypes, in responses to viral infection was investigated. Allele and genotype frequencies of each marker were compared between 150 SLE patients and 150 healthy control subjects. This study indicated that the A/A genotype of IFNA5 (−2529) and the G/G genotype of IFNA1 (−1823) were associated with the protection of SLE disease in a recessive model [Pc = 0.03, P = 0.01, odds ratio (OR) = 0.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.2–0.8 and Pc = 0.09, P = 0.03, OR = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.2–0.9, respectively). Multifactor dimensionality reduction analysis showed a marginal interaction between IFNA5 (−2529) and IFNA1 (−1823) gene, with a cross‐validation consistency of 10 of 10 and a prediction error of 46% (permutation P‐value = 0.05). This is the first report of positive association of IFNA gene in SLE, especially the role of specific subtypes IFNA1 and IFNA5.
Begomoviruses Associated with Yellow Leaf Curl Disease of Tomato in Iran*
Authors: Bananej Kaveh , Vahdat Aisan , Hosseini‐Salekdeh Ghasem 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe occurrence of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV; genus Begomovirus, family Geminiviridae) in the major tomato‐growing areas of Iran was determined using TAS‐ELISA and PCR. The nucleotide sequences of the coat protein (CP) gene and intergenic region (IR) of eight Iranian isolates were determined. CP nucleotide identities among the Iranian isolates were 96–98%, and showed 94–96% identity with TYLCV‐IR [IR:Ira:98] and TYLCV‐IL [IL:Reo:86]. However, they showed low identity (68–69%) with ToLCIRV‐[IR:Ira]. Sequence analyses of IR indicated that seven Iranian isolates had sequence identity of 93–100% with each other, and 76% identity with the Jiroft isolate; identities of 75–79% with TYLCV‐IR[IR:Ira:98] were observed in every case, and 59–62% identity with ToLCIRV‐[IR:Ira]. The IR nucleotide sequences of Iranian isolates showed 92–93% identity with TYLCV‐IL[IL:Reo:86], except the Jiroft isolate (75%). The CP and IR sequence analyses suggested that eight Iranian TYLCV isolates probably differ from ToLCIRV‐[IR:Ira]. Based on IR sequence comparisons and phylogenetic analyses, the Iranian isolates were divided into two groups. The first major group (A), consists of seven virus isolates, was most closely related to TYLCV‐IL[IL:Reo:86], and relatively divergent from TYLCV‐IR [IR:Ira:98] and ToLCIRV‐[IR:Ira]. However, the Jiroft isolate from group B did not show high similarity with TYLCV‐IR[IR:Ira:98], ToLCIRV‐[IR:Ira], and TYLCV‐IL[IL:Reo:86], suggesting that the isolate may be a divergent variant. The differences are in a range that suggests different strains or species from TYLCV‐IR[IR:Ira:98] and ToLCIRV‐[IR:Ira] are probably associated with tomato yellow leaf curl disease in Iran.
Elevated Histone H1 (MPF) and Mitogen‐activated Protein Kinase Activities in Pig Oocytes Following In Vitro Maturation do not Indicate Cytoplasmic Maturation
Authors: Setiadi MA , Trumpa M , Rath D , Meinecke B 
Published: November 2008

ContentsEffects of different media (TCM 199 + BSA, TCM 199 + FCS, TCM 199 + NBCS, Whitten’s medium + BSA) supplemented with estradiol‐17β and two isolated and everted follicle shells on MPF and MAP kinase activities and the sensitivity to parthenogenetic activation of pig oocytes were examined at the end of culture (48 h). Elevated (P < 0.05) activities of MAP kinase were recorded in metaphase II oocytes following culture in Whitten’s medium, whereas MPF levels were lowest (P < 0.05) in MII oocytes matured in TCM 199 supplemented with BSA. Oocytes matured in TCM 199 based media showed higher (P < 0.05) activation rates when compared to oocytes incubated in Whitten’s medium. Whitten’s medium supplemented with different protein sources (amino acids, FCS, BSA) was used to study the effects of different exposure periods to eCG/hCG stimulation on MPF and MAP kinase activities and in vivo fertilisability following culture for 48 h. MPF and MAP kinase activities were significantly increased by eCG/hCG stimulation of COCs during maturation. Further, the continuous presence of eCG/hCG during culture (48 h) significantly increased the levels of both kinases in comparison to stimulation by gonadotrophins alone during the first 24 h of incubation. In vivo fertilisation of oocytes matured in Whitten’s medium supplemented with eCG/hCG for 24 or 48 h led to a significant retardation of early embryonic development compared to ovulated oocytes. In conclusion, media composition and gonadotrophin stimulation affect MPF/MAP kinase activities and the susceptibility to parthenogenetic activation of IVM oocytes. However, elevated kinase levels in pig oocytes following culture do not indicate complete cytoplasmic maturation.
Dose–Response Studies for Pituitary and Testicular Function in Male Dogs Treated with the GnRH Superagonist, Deslorelin
Authors: Junaidi A , Williamson PE , Martin GB , Blackberry MA , Cummins JM , Trigg TE 
Published: November 2008

ContentsWe tested the effect of dose of GnRH superagonist on pituitary and testicular function in a study with four groups of four male dogs. The Controls received blank implants and the other three groups received implants containing 3, 6 or 12 mg deslorelin (d‐Trp6‐Pro9‐des‐Gly10‐GnRH ethylamide). In all deslorelin‐treated groups, there was initially an acute increase in plasma concentrations of LH and testosterone, followed by declines such that both hormones became undetectable after approximately 12 days. There was a dose–response in some of these early aspects of the hormone profiles. With respect to long‐term effects of treatment, the 12‐mg dose had significantly greater effects than the smaller doses for the duration of minimum testicular volume [366 ± 77, mean ± SEM (3 mg), 472 ± 74 (6 mg), and 634 ± 59 (12 mg) days], absence of ejaculate [416 ± 88 (3 mg), 476 ± 83 (6 mg), and 644 ± 67 (12 mg) days], undetectable plasma concentrations of LH and testosterone [367 ± 64 (3 mg), 419 ± 72 (6 mg), and 607 ± 69 (12 mg) days], the delay until complete recovery of LH and testosterone secretion [394 ± 65 (3 mg), 484 ± 72 (6 mg) and 668 ± 47 (12 mg) days], and the delay until testes had regrown to normal volume [408 ± 77 (3 mg), 514 ± 74 (6 mg), 676 ± 59 (12 mg) days]. The time taken to restore full ejaculates was also longest for the 12‐mg dose: 716 ± 67 (12 mg) days vs 440 ± 66 (3 mg) and 538 ± 83 (6 mg) days after implantation. There was no correlation between delay to recovery of normal ejaculate quality and body mass. We conclude that the dose–response relationship with deslorelin implants is not expressed with respect to the degree of suppression of reproduction, but on the maximum duration of suppression and thus to delay until recovery.
Airway hyper‐responsiveness in young adults with asthma that remitted either during or before adolescence
Authors: KOMATSU Yoshimichi , FUJIMOTO Keisaku , YASUO Masanori , URUSHIHATA Kazuhisa , HANAOKA Masayuki , KOIZUMI Tomonobu , KUBO Keishi 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  More than 50% of patients with childhood asthma enter clinical remission by puberty, although 40–50% of these people will probably develop asthma symptoms during early adulthood. The mechanism of relapsing asthma in early adulthood remains unclear. This study determined the characteristics of young adults whose asthma remitted either during or before adolescence.Methods:  A comparative study was performed on 24 students whose childhood asthma had gone into clinical remission by puberty (remission group), 25 atopic students with no history of asthma (atopy group) and 19 non‐atopic students without allergic diseases (control group). Examinations included spirometry, levels of serum‐specific IgE‐antibodies, airway responsiveness to methacholine, exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) and evidence of airway inflammation in induced sputum.Results:  Airway responsiveness (P < 0.01), eosinophil counts in sputum (P < 0.05) and the prevalence of sensitization to Dermatophagoides forinae (P < 0.01) were significantly higher, and FEF25–75% and FEF75% (P < 0.01) were significantly lower in the remission group than in the atopy and control groups. Furthermore, 50% and 33% of the remission group had airway hyper‐responsiveness (AHR) and sputum eosinophilia, respectively. The eNO levels in the remission (P < 0.01) and atopy (P < 0.05) groups were significantly higher than in controls. Remission group members with AHR had a significantly longer period of childhood asthma, a shorter period of remission and greater airway eosinophilic inflammation than those without AHR (P < 0.05).Conclusion:  One half of young adults with childhood asthma that remitted either during or before adolescence continued to have evidence of AHR and airway eosinophilic inflammation, and might be at risk of future relapse.
SH2‐Bβ expression in alveolar macrophages in BAL fluid of asthmatic guinea pigs and its role in NGF–TrkA‐mediated asthma
Authors: LI Li , KONG Lingfei , FANG Xiubin , JIANG Changlin , WANG Yating , ZHONG Zhaoshuang , SUN Qiyu , GU Guozhong , ZHENG Dongqing , MENG Rui , KANG Jian 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTBackground and objective: Nerve growth factor (NGF)/tyrosine kinase receptor A (TrkA) signalling may play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma, and SH2‐Bβ, a TrkA‐binding protein, modulates the NGF signalling pathway. In this study, SH2‐Bβ expression in alveolar macrophages (AM) in guinea pig BAL fluid and its role in asthma pathogenesis through the NGF–TrkA signalling pathway were investigated.Methods: Guinea pigs were randomized into five groups: control, a model of asthma, anti‐SH2‐Bβ antibody treatment, anti‐NGF antibody treatment and anti‐TrkA antibody treatment. The asthmatic model was established in guinea pigs by inhalation of ovalbumin. Specific anti‐SH2‐Bβ, anti‐NGF and anti‐TrkA antibodies were administered and AM were isolated from BAL fluid to assess SH2‐Bβ expression using an immunofluorescence assay. SH2‐Bβ and TrkA protein expression were determined by western blotting, IL‐1β and IL‐4 levels in the BAL fluid supernatants were determined by ELISA, and pathological changes in the bronchi and lung tissues were examined by HE staining.Results: Lymphocyte, eosinophil and total inflammatory cell numbers in BAL fluid were significantly higher in the asthma model group than in the other groups (P < 0.01). NGF expression in the asthma model group was significantly higher than that in the PBS control group (P < 0.01). SH2‐Bβ was expressed in AM of control animals and expression was significantly higher in the asthma model than in the other groups (P < 0.01). TrkA protein expression was significantly higher in the asthma model group than in the PBS group (P < 0.01), and treatment with anti‐NGF antibody resulted in significant reduction of TrkA expression (P < 0.01).Conclusions: SH2‐Bβ is expressed in AM of normal guinea pigs, and SH2‐Bβ may participate in asthma pathogenesis through the NGF–TrkA signalling pathway.
Cognitive, mood and quality of life impairments in a select population of ARDS survivors
Authors: MIKKELSEN Mark E. , SHULL William H. , BIESTER Rosette C. , TAICHMAN Darren B. , LYNCH Sarah , DEMISSIE Ejigayehu , HANSEN‐FLASCHEN John , CHRISTIE Jason D. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  There is increasing evidence that survivors of ARDS may have impairments in cognitive function, mood and quality of life. This study investigated associations between cognitive impairment, mood disorders and quality of life in a select group of ARDS survivors.Methods:  A cross‐sectional study was conducted to describe the specific impairments in cognitive function, mood and quality of life in a group of 79 self‐selected ARDS survivors who contacted an Internet‐based support site. A battery of cognitive tests was administered by telephone interview. Standardized scores on cognitive tests were compared with normative values and tested for associations with indices of anxiety, depression and quality of life.Results:  Cognitive impairment was found in 56% of subjects. Compared with population norms, 24% of subjects had deficiencies in short‐term memory (P = 0.04) and 29% in executive functioning (P = 0.001). Moderate or severe anxiety was present in 48% of the study population, and 34% had moderate or severe depression. Moderate or severe anxiety was present in 61% of subjects with evidence of cognitive impairment as compared with 31% of subjects without. Subjects with cognitive impairment scored worse than subjects without cognitive impairment on most subscales of the SF‐36 and the Sickness Impact Profile questionnaire.Conclusions:  Significant cognitive abnormalities may be present in long‐term ARDS survivors, particularly in memory and executive function. Impairments in cognition appear to be associated with significantly increased anxiety and worse quality of life.