bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hydrogen Peroxide Linked to Lysine Oxidase Activity Facilitates Biofilm Differentiation and Dispersal in Several Gram-Negative Bacteria
Authors: Mai-Prochnow Anne , Lucas-Elio Patricia , Egan Suhelen , Thomas Torsten , Webb Jeremy S. , Sanchez-Amat Antonio , Kjelleberg Staffan 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACT

The marine bacterium
Pseudoalteromonas tunicata
produces an antibacterial and autolytic protein, AlpP, which causes death of a subpopulation of cells during biofilm formation and mediates differentiation, dispersal, and phenotypic variation among dispersal cells. The AlpP homologue (LodA) in the marine bacterium
Marinomonas mediterranea
was recently identified as a lysine oxidase which mediates cell death through the production of hydrogen peroxide. Here we show that AlpP in
P. tunicata
also acts as a lysine oxidase and that the hydrogen peroxide generated is responsible for cell death within microcolonies during biofilm development in both
M. mediterranea
and
P. tunicata
. LodA-mediated biofilm cell death is shown to be linked to the generation of phenotypic variation in growth and biofilm formation among
M. mediterranea
biofilm dispersal cells. Moreover, AlpP homologues also occur in several other gram-negative bacteria from diverse environments. Our results show that subpopulations of cells in microcolonies also die during biofilm formation in two of these organisms,
Chromobacterium violaceum
and
Caulobacter crescentus
. In all organisms, hydrogen peroxide was implicated in biofilm cell death, because it could be detected at the same time as the killing occurred, and the addition of catalase significantly reduced biofilm killing. In
C. violaceum
the AlpP-homologue was clearly linked to biofilm cell death events since an isogenic mutant (CVMUR1) does not undergo biofilm cell death. We propose that biofilm killing through hydrogen peroxide can be linked to AlpP homologue activity and plays an important role in dispersal and colonization across a range of gram-negative bacteria.
International Law on the Agenda of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development: Towards Global Environmental Security?
Authors: Sand Peter H. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBy resolution 44/228 of 22 December 1989, the United Nations General Assembly decided to convene a United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) to be held in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) in June 1992 at the highest possible level of participation.1 The Rio Conference will mark the twentieth anniversary of the 1972 Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment, which had indeed envisaged the holding of a follow-up conference,2 a recommendation echoed by the 1987 report of the World Commission on Environment and Development (Brundtland Report).3
The Role of Natural Prolongation in Relation to Shelf Delimitation beyond 200 Nautical Miles
Authors: Thamsborg Milan , Lilje-Jensen  
Published: May 2008

AbstractIt is common knowledge that the coastal State's right to continental shelf areas emanates from the fundamental conception that "the land dominates the sea". It is, however, by way of the "coastal opening" - the indirect basis of title to shelf areas - that such right manifests itself as the "natural prolongation" into and under the sea of the landmass of the coastal State. Over some 15 years of legal usage natural prolongation assumed a still more abstract character leaving today no trace of its origin as a concept deeply rooted in natural science. The principle of distance was sequentially introduced as the complementary carrier of entitlement to shelf areas. Yet, in case of a wide continental shelf (margin) extending uninterrupted beyond 200 nm from the shoreline, natural prolongation is still considered as the sole carrier of entitlement though in a somewhat figurative sense. It is the role of natural prolongation in relation to the wide shelf and its delimitation between neighbouring States which is the principal subject of the present paper.
Radiographic Location of the Lateral Intercondylar Ridge
Authors: Farrow Lutul D. , Gillespie Robert J. , Victoroff Brian N. , Cooperman Daniel R. 
Published: May 2008

Background The lateral intercondylar ridge (resident's ridge) is considered to be an important landmark during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Presently, no study exists describing the location of this vital landmark on plain radiographic images. Hypothesis Lateral intercondylar ridge location can be estimated on lateral plain film images. Study Design Descriptive laboratory study. Methods Lateral radiographic images were taken of 20 distal femora with metallic markers overlying the lateral intercondylar ridge. The length of Blumensaat's line and the distance from the anterior extent of Blumensaat's line to the point where the lateral intercondylar ridge intersects Blumensaat's line were measured. The ratio of these measurements was then determined (Blumensaat's-ridge ratio). The angle of the lateral intercondylar ridge with respect to Blumensaat's line (Blumensaat's-ridge angle) was also determined. Results The mean length of Blumensaat's line was 32.1 mm (95% confidence interval, 31.0–33.2 mm). The mean distance from the anterior extent of Blumensaat's line to the point where the lateral intercondylar ridge intersects Blumensaat's line was 25.3 mm (95% confidence interval, 24.3–26.3 mm). The mean Blumensaat's-ridge ratio was 0.79 (95% confidence interval, 0.77–0.81). The mean Blumensaat's-ridge angle was 75.5° (95% confidence interval, 72.0°–79.1°). Conclusion The lateral intercondylar ridge intersects Blumensaat's line at a point defined by multiplying the Blumensaat's line length by 0.79. From this point, the ridge runs at a 75.5° angle with respect to Blumensaat's line. Clinical Relevance Awareness of the radiographic location of the lateral intercondylar ridge may help confirm accurate tunnel placement when arthroscopic positioning is in doubt. Furthermore, femoral tunnel position can be quickly and accurately assessed in the outpatient setting in patients with unsatisfactory outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
Upper Extremity Injuries in the National Football League
Authors: Mall Nathan A. , Carlisle John C. , Matava Matthew J. , Powell John W. , Goldfarb Charles A. 
Published: May 2008

Background Very little has been published regarding the incidence of and duration of time lost after hand injuries in professional American football players. Hypotheses (1) Hand, first ray, and finger injuries in professional American football players represent a common cause of missed time from practice and game participation. (2) The effect of upper extremity injuries differs as a function of the anatomic site involved, injury type, and athlete's position. Study Design Descriptive epidemiologic study. Methods A retrospective review of all documented injuries to the hand, first ray, and fingers sustained by American football players in the National Football League over a 10-year period (1996–2005) was performed using the League's injury surveillance database. The data were analyzed from multiple perspectives, with emphasis on the type of injury, athlete position, and activity at the time of injury. Results A total of 1385 injuries occurred to the hand, first ray, and fingers over the 10 seasons studied. Of these injuries, 48% involved the fingers, 30% involved the first ray, and 22% involved the hand, with game injuries more common than practice injuries at each location. Metacarpal fractures and proximal interphalangeal joint dislocations were the 2 most common injuries. Offensive and defensive linemen were the most likely to sustain a hand injury; 80% of hand injuries were metacarpal fractures. The most common injuries to the first ray were fractures (48%) and sprains (36%), which occurred most often in athletes playing a defensive secondary position. Finger injuries were most commonly dislocations at the level of the proximal interphalangeal joint, typically involving the ulnar 2 digits. Finger injuries were most common in wide receivers and defensive secondary players. The act of tackling produced the most injuries (28%). Conclusion Upper extremity trauma, especially injury to the hand, first ray, and fingers, is a significant source of morbidity for professional football players. The results of this study may be used to implement preventive measures to help minimize these injuries.
What determines the outcomes for adolescents and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated on cooperative group protocols? A comparison of Children's Cancer Group and Cancer and Leukemia Group B studies
Authors: Stock Wendy , La Mei , Sanford Ben , Bloomfield Clara D. , Vardiman James W. , Gaynon Paul , Larson Richard A. , Nachman James 
Published: May 2008

AbstractWe performed a retrospective comparison of presenting features, planned treatment, complete remission (CR) rate, and outcome of 321 adolescents and young adults (AYAs) ages 16 to 20 years with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who were treated on consecutive trials in either the Children's Cancer Group (CCG) or the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) from 1988 to 2001. CR rates were identical, 90% for both CALGB and CCG AYAs. CCG AYAs had a 63% event-free survival (EFS) and 67% overall survival (OS) at 7 years in contrast to the CALGB AYAs, in which 7-year EFS was only 34% (P < .001; relative hazard rate [RHR] = 2.2) and OS was 46% (P < .001; RHR = 1.9). While CALGB AYAs aged 16 to 17 years achieved similar outcomes to all CCG AYAs with a 7-year EFS of 55%, the EFS for 18- to 20-year-old CALGB patients was only 29%. Comparison of the regimens showed that CCG AYAs received earlier and more intensive central nervous system prophylaxis and higher cumulative doses of nonmyelosuppressive agents. There were no differences in outcomes of those who reached maintenance therapy on time compared with those who were delayed. Based on these observations, a prospective study for AYAs with ALL using the more successful approach of the CCG has been initiated.
Change in plasma tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 levels in the first week after myeloablative allogeneic transplantation correlates with severity and incidence of GVHD and survival
Authors: Choi Sung W. , Kitko Carrie L. , Braun Thomas , Paczesny Sophie , Yanik Gregory , Mineishi Shin , Krijanovski Oleg , Jones Dawn , Whitfield Joel , Cooke Kenneth , Hutchinson Raymond J. , Ferrara James L. M. , Levine John E. 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) remains a significant cause of mortality after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Tumor necrosis factor–alpha (TNF-α) mediates GVHD by amplifying donor immune responses to host tissues and by direct toxicity to target organs. We measured TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) as a surrogate marker for TNF-α in 438 recipients of myeloablative HCT before transplantation and at day 7 after transplantation. Increases in TNFR1 levels more than or equal to 2.5 baseline correlated with eventual development of GVHD grade 2 to 4 (58% vs 32%, P < .001) and with treatment-related mortality (39% vs 17%, P < .001). In a multivariate analysis including age, degree of HLA match, donor type, recipient and donor sex, disease, and status at HCT, the increase in TNFR1 level at day 7 remained a significant predictor for outcome. Measurement of TNFR1 levels early after transplantation provides independent information in advance of important clinical outcomes, such as GVHD and death.
The relationship between type of drug therapy and blood glucose self-monitoring test strips claimed by beneficiaries of the Seniors' Pharmacare Program in Nova Scotia, Canada
Authors: Sanyal Chiranjeev , Graham Stephen D , Cooke Charmaine , Sketris Ingrid , Frail Dawn M , Flowerdew Gordon 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackgroundThe healthcare expenditure on self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) test strips under the Nova Scotia Seniors' Pharmacare Program (NSSPP) has increased significantly in recent years. The objective of this study was to identify the frequency and cost of claims for blood glucose monitoring test strips by NSSPP beneficiaries in the fiscal year 2005/06 and to explore the variation in the use of test strips by type of treatment, age and sex.MethodsRetrospective analysis was conducted using pharmacy administrative claims data for NSSPP beneficiaries. Study subjects were aged ≥ 65 years on October 1, 2004, received SMBG test strips in the 110 days prior to April 1, 2005, and were alive throughout the twelve month study period. Subjects were categorized into four groups: insulin only, oral antihyperglycemic agents (OAA) only, both OAA and insulin; and no reimbursed diabetes medications. Statistical analysis was performed to identify differences in expenditure by medication group and in frequency of SMBG test strips claimed by medication group, age, and sex.ResultsOf 13,564 included beneficiaries, 13.2% were categorized as insulin only, 53.5% OAA only, 7.2% both OAA and insulin, and 26.0% no reimbursed diabetes medications. Over half (58.7%) were femle. The insulin only category had the highest mean (± SD) number of SMBG test strips claimed per day (2.0 ± 1.5) with a mean annual total cost of $615 ± $441/beneficiary. Beneficiaries aged 80 years and above claimed fewer test strips than beneficiaries below 80 years.ConclusionThis population based study shows that in Nova Scotia the SMBG test strips claimed by the majority of seniors were within Canadian guidelines. However, a small proportion of beneficiaries claimed for SMBG test strips infrequently or too frequently, which suggests areas for improvement. The provincial drug plan covers the majority of the costs of test strip utilization, suggesting that the majority of test strips claimed did not exceed the maximum allowable cost (MAC) established in the program's MAC policy. Drug insurance programs need to work with healthcare providers to determine if patients are using test strips optimally; and to determine their impact on patient outcomes. In addition, they need to determine the cost-effectiveness of their SMBG test strip reimbursement policies.
Association analysis of monoamine oxidase A gene and bipolar affective disorder in Han Chinese
Authors: Lin Yi-Mei J , Davamani Fabian , Yang Wei-Chih , Lai Te-Jen , Sun H Sunny 
Published: May 2008

Abstract

Background
Monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) is a mitochondrial enzyme involved in degrading several different biological amines, including serotonin. Although several pieces of evidence suggested that MAOA is important in the etiology of bipolar affective disorder (BPD), associations for markers of the MAOA gene with BPD were not conclusive and the association has not been investigated in Taiwanese population. This study was designed to illustrate the role of MAOA in the etiology of BPD in Han Chinese.

Methods
Two markers, a dinucleotide polymorphism in exon 2 and a functional uVNTR on the promoter of the MAOA gene, were used to study the genetic association in 108 unrelated patients with BPD and 103 healthy controls. Allelic distributions of two polymorphisms were analyzed and, caused the MAOA located at X chromosome, haplotype association was performed using haplotype unambiguously assigned in male participants.

Results
While no difference in allelic distributions of two MAOA polymorphisms was found, the risk haplotype 114S was associated with BPD in male patients (P = 0.03). The significance, however, was not found in female patients with 114S haplotype.

Conclusion
Results from this study suggest that MAOA may have a gender-specific and small effect on the etiology of BPD in Taiwan. Due to the limited sample size, results from this study need to be confirmed in replicates.
Sequence-based prediction of protein-protein interactions by means of codon usage
Authors: Najafabadi Hamed Shateri , Salavati Reza 
Published: May 2008

AbstractWe introduce a novel approach to predict interaction of two proteins solely by analyzing their coding sequences. We found that similarity in codon usage is a strong predictor of protein-protein interactions and, for high specificity values, is as sensitive as the most powerful current prediction methods. Furthermore, combining codon usage with other predictors results in a 75% increase in sensitivity at a precision of 50%, compared to prediction without considering codon usage.
A Dynamic Model of Brand Choice When Price and Advertising Signal Product Quality
Authors: Erdem Tülin , Keane Michael P. , Sun Baohong 
Published: May 2008

In this paper, we develop a structural model of household behavior in an environment where there is uncertainty about brand attributes and both prices and advertising signal brand quality. Four quality signaling mechanisms are at work: (1) price signals quality, (2) advertising frequency signals quality, (3) advertising content provides direct (but noisy) information about quality, and (4) use experience provides direct (but noisy) information about quality. We estimate our proposed model using scanner panel data on ketchup. If price is important as a signal of brand quality, then frequent price promotion may have the unintended consequence of reducing brand equity. We use our estimated model to measure the importance of such effects. Our results imply that price is an important quality-signaling mechanism and that frequent price cuts can have significant adverse effects on brand equity. The role of advertising frequency in signaling quality is also significant, but it is less quantitatively important than price. In the printed version of Marketing Science, Vol. 27, No. 6, Erdem et al. (2008) was mistakenly identified as a Research Note. It is a regular article and has been corrected here and in the online table of contents.
Watersheds in layers: Landform influences on tree growth and understory species richness
Authors: Mouw Jason E.B. , Dixson William M. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractQuestions:1. Does tree growth differ among bedrock‐controlled and depositional (floodplains and alluvial fans) riparian landforms? 2. Will the elemental composition of tree cores reveal long‐term differences in nutrient availability among bedrock‐controlled and depositional landforms? 3. Is under‐story vascular plant species richness higher on depositional landforms than bedrock‐controlled landforms, and highest yet on floodplains?Location:Lower Indian Creek watershed, a tributary of Turnagain Arm of Cook Inlet, Alaska, USA.Methods:Sampling of riparian forests was stratified by land‐form type. Forest structure, tree growth characteristics, and the elemental composition of tree cores were assessed within point‐centered‐quarter plots (n= 30). Plots were oriented along transects bisecting the valley floor, along which 50 m × 2 m plots (n= 35) were also sampled for understory species composition and richness.Results:Bedrock‐controlled and depositional landforms supported mature trees that did not differ in age, yet structural differences were significant. Forests on depositional landforms were less dense, radial tree growth (cm.a‐1) and annual basal area increments were significantly higher, and tree cores revealed lower C: N ratios than trees growing on bedrock‐controlled landforms. Species richness of vascular plants was higher on depositional landforms at the landform and plot (100 m2) scale. Floodplains supported higher species richness than fans at the landscape scale yet differences at the plot scale were insignificant.Conclusions:Stratification of sampling by landform showed that structural differences between landforms may strongly influence the ecology of riparian plants, and that studies conducted without regard to landform structure may overlook fundamental influences on the ecology of riparian forests.
Longitudinal respiratory health study of the wood processing industry
Authors: Glindmeyer Henry W. , Rando Roy J. , Lefante John J. , Freyder Laurie , Brisolara Joseph A. , Jones Robert N. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackgroundA 5‐year longitudinal study examined nonmalignant respiratory effects of wood processing dust exposure.MethodsTen study plants, investigator selected from 447 candidate plants, included 1 sawmill‐planing‐plywood, 1 plywood, 1 milling, 3 cabinet and 4 furniture facilities. Personal dust samples (2363) were divided into three size fractions (extrathoracic, tracheobronchial, and respirable) which were apportioned into wood solids (WS) and residual particulate matter (RPM), and used to compute each individuals TWA exposure for the 6 exposure types. Serial spirometric tests and medical, smoking and occupational questionnaires were collected with 1,164 subjects having adequate follow‐up (minimum 3 datapoints over at least 2.5 years) for analyses. Forward selection regression was used to evaluate the effect of exposure on annual change in FEV1, FVC, FEF25–75, and FEV1/FVC.ResultsThere were no significant adverse effects of WS exposures (overall means were 0.66, 0.32, and 0.05 mg/m3, for extrathoracic, tracheobronchial, and respirable fractions, respectively). Statistically significant effects were only to respirable RPM in the milling facility (mean exposures of 0.147 mg/m3 associated with changes in FEV1 = −32 ml/year, FEV1/FVC = −0.48%/year, and FEF25–75 = −0.11 l/s/year) and in the sawmill‐planing‐plywood facility (mean exposures of 0.255 mg/m3 associated with changes in FEV1 =  −59 ml/year and FVC = −103 ml/year).ConclusionExposure to WS was not associated with significant adverse effects. Respirable RPM was associated with an obstructive effect in the milling facility, and respirable RPM was also associated with a restrictive effect in the sawmill‐planing plywood facility. Finally, this study does not exclude the possibility that other exposures common to this industry can cause respiratory effects, only that none were noted in this population for wood solids for the exposure levels and durations studied. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51:595–609, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Localizing central nervous system immune surveillance: Meningeal antigen‐presenting cells activate T cells during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Kivisäkk Pia , Imitola Jaime , Rasmussen Stine , Elyaman Wassim , Zhu Bing , Ransohoff Richard M. , Khoury Samia J. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractObjectiveThe onset of neurological signs in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis is tightly associated with infiltration and reactivation of T cells in the central nervous system. The anatomic localization of the initial T cell‐antigen‐presenting cell (APC) interactions leading to reactivation of T cells in the central nervous system is, however, still unclear. We hypothesized that activated CD4+ T cells gain direct access to the subarachnoid space and become reactivated on encounter with cognate antigen in this compartment.MethodsC57Bl/6 mice were immunized with MOG35‐55, and interactions between CD4+ T cells and major histocompatibility class II+ APCs in the subarachnoid space were investigated using flow cytometry, confocal microscopy of leptomeningeal whole‐mount preparations, time‐lapse microscopy of leptomeningeal explants, and in vitro proliferation assays.ResultsCD4+ T cells, polarized to produce Th1/Th17 cytokines, accumulated in the subarachnoid space early during the course of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, before CD4+ T cells were detected in the spinal cord parenchyma. At this time point, leptomeningeal but not parenchymal CD4+ T cells incorporated bromodeoxyuridine, indicating local proliferation of CD4+ T cells in the subarachnoid space. Time‐lapse microscopy indicated that these CD4+ T cells actively scanned the tissue and interacted with local major histocompatibility class II+ APCs, resulting in long‐lasting interactions between CD4+ T cells and major histocompatibility class II+ APCs, suggestive of immunological synapses.InterpretationThese results support the concept that immune surveillance of the central nervous system involves the subarachnoid space and indicate that the leptomeninges play an important role in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis initiation. Ann Neurol 2009;65:457–469