bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and Safety of Ibutilide for the Conversion of Monomorphic Atrial Tachycardia
Authors: EIDHER ULRIKE , FREIHOFF FRITZ , KALTENBRUNNER WILHELM , STEINBACH KONRAD 
Published: April 2006

Background: Ibutilide is a class III antiarrhythmic drug, frequently used for conversion of atrial fibrillation and flutter. We studied the efficacy of ibutilide for acute conversion of monomorphic atrial tachycardia (monoAT) in a prospective, open label study in the intensive care unit of a cardiological clinic.
Methods: We examined 49 episodes of monoAT in 38 patients (19 men/19 women). Thirty‐three patients (87%) suffered from structural heart disease. Twenty‐three episodes occurred while on antiarrhythmic therapy with class I or III drugs. Patients with prolonged QT interval (except for patients with pretreatment with class III drugs), hypokalemia, left ventricular failure, and recent myocardial infarction were excluded. All patients received one or two doses of 1 mg ibutilide fumarate under continuous rhythm monitoring.
Results: Conversion to sinus rhythm occurred in 19 episodes (38.8%), in 6 episodes (12.2%) after the first dose. Conversion rate was significantly higher in patients with a short history of symptoms (66.6% vs 28.6%; P < 0.05), of documented arrhythmia (0.13 (0/5.7) vs 2.6 (0.38/23.5) months, median (interquartile range); P < 0.03), higher atrial rate (272 ± 49 vs 207 ± 36 beats/min (means ± SD); P < 0.004), or without preexisting antiarrhythmic therapy (53.8% vs 21.7%; P < 0.02). No differences in conversion rates were found regarding gender, age, body mass index, left ventricular function, left atrial diameter, or underlying disease. In three episodes torsade de pointes occurred after ibutilide (6.1%), requiring defibrillation in two cases (4.1%).
Conclusions: Ibutilide can be used for conversion of monoAT with a similar efficacy as for atrial fibrillation, but with a considerably lower efficacy compared to typical atrial flutter.
Guided tissue regeneration/deproteinized bovine bone mineral or papilla preservation flaps alone for treatment of intrabony defects. II: radiographic predictors and outcomes
Authors: Liñares Antonio , Cortellini Pierpaolo , Lang Niklaus P. , Suvan Jean , Tonetti Maurizio S. ,   on behalf of the European Research Group on Periodontology (ErgoPerio)
Published: April 2006

AbstractObjectives: This study reports the secondary analysis of a randomized‐controlled clinical trial designed to assess the efficacy of deproteinized bovine mineral and a collagen membrane in the treatment of intrabony defects. The specific aims of this report are (1) to analyse the radiographic bone changes 1 year after therapy and (2) to assess the association between radiographic defect angle and treatment outcomes.Materials and Methods: Baseline and 12‐month radiographs were collected from 120 patients with advanced chronic periodontitis from 10 centres in seven countries as part of a multi‐centre clinical trial. All patients had at least one intrabony defect 3 mm in depth. The treatment consisted of simplified or modified papilla preservation flaps to access the defect. After debridement of the area, a deproteinized bovine mineral and a collagen membrane were applied in the test subjects, and omitted in the controls. Main outcome measures were radiographic bone fill and defect resolution 1 year after surgery.Results: One hundred and twenty pairs of radiographs were obtained, of which 110 pairs were measurable (57 tests and 53 controls). One year after treatment, radiographic resolution of the intrabony component was significantly higher in the test group (3.2±1.7 mm) when compared with the controls (1.7±1.9 mm). Multivariate analysis indicated that the treatment and the baseline radiographic depth of the intrabony defect significantly influenced the radiographic bone fill of the intrabony defect 1 year following treatment. The percentage of resolution of the defect was influenced by the treatment provided and the baseline plaque score. The baseline radiographic defect angle did not show a significant impact on the clinical and radiographic outcomes.Conclusions: Regenerative periodontal surgery with a deproteinized bovine bone mineral and a collagen membrane offered additional benefits in terms of radiographic resolution of the intrabony defect and predictability of outcomes with respect to papilla preservation flaps alone.
Ibuprofen arginine for pain control during scaling and root planing: a randomized, triple‐blind trial
Authors: Ettlin Dominik A. , Ettlin Andreas , Bless Kathrin , Puhan Milo , Bernasconi Corrado , Tillmann Hans‐Christian , Palla Sandro , Gallo Luigi M. 
Published: April 2006

Abstract:Objectives: The aim of this controlled clinical trial was to investigate the analgesic efficacy and tolerability of ibuprofen arginine in patients with mild‐to‐moderate periodontitis during and after non‐surgical periodontal treatment.Methods: This randomized, triple‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group trial assessed the analgesic efficacy of ibuprofen arginine (Spedifen®) in patients undergoing routine periodontal scaling and root planing. 64 patients with chronic periodontitis received either 800 mg ibuprofen arginine or placebo 30 min. before treatment. Numeric pain and electronic visual analogue scales ranging from 0 to 100 were used.Results: The average pain levels during treatment were lower following ibuprofen arginine (quartiles: 0.5, 4.5, 11) compared with placebo (4, 16, 26), corresponding to a percentage reduction in median pain of 72% (p=0.023). The median maximum pain was 28 (inter‐quartile range 10–50) following placebo and 10 (4–31) following ibuprofen arginine (p=0.065).Conclusions: In patients with mild‐to‐moderate chronic periodontitis, ibuprofen arginine was safe and superior to placebo for alleviating pain during non‐surgical periodontal treatment. Its painless administration and rapid onset of action make it well suitable for pain management in a general dental office.
Ideal versus actual levels of decision‐making in South Australian aged care resident committees
Authors: Wilson Leah , Kirby Neil 
Published: April 2006

Objective:  To investigate the level and types of decision‐making residents have in lo‐level residential aged care facility (RACF) resident committees and whether this is in line with the level and types desired by the residents. Method:  Fifteen South Australian low‐level RACFs participated in the study, with a total of 107 resident committee members completing questionnaires. Results:  Residents wanted to participate significantly more in decision‐making than they currently were, particularly in the areas of deciding on new activities, planning menus and making policies on safety hazards. Conclusion:  The existence of resident committees did not ensure that residents participated in decision‐making to the extent that they wished. Resident committees would benefit from regular evaluation to determine whether residents are provided with opportunities to participate in decision‐making in areas that are important to them and to the levels they desire.
In vivo delivery of heat shock protein 70 accelerates wound healing by up‐regulating macrophage‐mediated phagocytosis
Authors: Kovalchin, PhD Joseph T. , Wang, MD, PhD Ruibo , Wagh, MD Mihir S. , Azoulay, BS Jason , Sanders, MD Melinda , Chandawarkar Rajiv Y. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTInjury causes tissue breakdown, which releases large quantities of intracellular contents into the extracellular space. Some of these materials are well‐established activators of the immune system and include heat shock proteins (HSPs), uric acid, nucleotides, High Mobility Group Box‐1 protein (HMGB‐1), and DNA. Here, we show that in vivo delivery of HSPs into BALB/cJ mice with full‐thickness wounds accelerates the rate of wound closure by 60% as compared with control‐treated mice. The onset is rapid and the effect is sustained, dose dependent, and protein specific. Adoptive transfer of RAW264 macrophages pretreated with HSP70 into naïve recipients with a wound transfers the HSP‐mediated effect on the rate of wound closure. Further, we demonstrate that part of the mechanism by which HSP70 accelerates wound closure is through the stimulation of macrophage‐mediated phagocytosis of wound debris. Disabling the HSP70‐mediated enhancement of phagocytosis abrogates the HSP‐mediated acceleration of the healing process. These findings create two opportunities: one, therapeutic, wherein HSP70 could be used in the clinical management of wounds; and two, pathophysiologic, to decode signals by which the host defenses recognize and respond to injury.
Effect of extracts from the Chinese and European mole cricket on wound epithelialization and neovascularization: in vivo studies in the hairless mouse ear wound model
Authors: Zimmer Markus M. , Frank Johannes , Barker John H. , Becker Hans 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTUntil the end of World War II, oily extracts from the European mole cricket, Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa Linné, were used for treating nonhealing wounds and burns. In traditional Chinese medicine, extracts from the Chinese mole cricket, Gryllotalpa africana Beauvois, have been used to treat boils, abscesses, and ulcers successfully for over two centuries and are still being used today. The aim of this study was twofold: first, to measure the effect mole cricket extracts have on wound epithelialization and neovascularization, and second, to identify the active compounds in the Chinese and German mole cricket extracts. For the first aim, the hairless mouse ear wound model was used. The findings showed that wounds treated with the mole cricket extracts epithelialized significantly faster than control wounds 12.7±0.9 and 13.2±1.4 days vs. 16.3±2.2 days (mean±SD, p<0.05), respectively. While the rate of wound neovascularization was significantly increased in the first 3 days postwounding from that point on, the rate in treated wounds was the same as in controls. To identify the active compounds in the mole cricket extracts, the extracts were fractionated and tested in a foreskin basal keratinocyte cell culture assay. In this assay, the migration of keratinocytes is similar to skin cell migration or reepithelialization in a healing wound. Using this method, we found the active compound in the mole cricket extracts to be linoleic acid methyl ester. All other fatty acid structures that were isolated were found to be inactive.
Effect of platelet‐rich plasma on migration and proliferation of SaOS‐2 osteoblasts: role of platelet‐derived growth factor and transforming growth factor‐β
Authors: Celotti Fabio , Colciago A. , Negri‐Cesi P. , Pravettoni A. , Zaninetti R. , Sacchi M.C. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTPlatelet‐enriched plasma (PRP) is used in therapy as a source of growth factors in bone fracture and wound healing; however, few data exist on its role in the different aspects of the healing process. The effect of PRP and of the two main growth factors present in this preparation (platelet‐derived growth factor [PDGF] and transforming growth factor‐β [TGF‐β]) was evaluated in vitro using the human osteoblastic cell line SaOS‐2, which was shown by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction to express both PDGF‐α and ‐β receptors. Batroxobine‐activated PRP was added in different concentrations to SaOS‐2 cells to assess cell migration (by a microchemotaxis assay) and cell proliferation (by [3H]‐thymidine incorporation into the DNA). Immunoneutralization with anti‐PDGF‐β or anti‐TGF‐β antibodies allowed the assessment of the specific role of these growth factors. The overall results obtained indicate that PRP dose‐dependently stimulates both chemotaxis and cell proliferation. PDGF and TGF‐β appear to exert distinct effects on the two parameters, the former involved in stimulating cell migration and the latter in inhibiting cell proliferation. It is concluded that the different growth factors present in activated PRP can specifically contribute to the main processes of tissue regeneration.
Muscle‐derived stem cells used to treat skin defects prevent wound contraction and expedite reepithelialization
Authors: Buján Julia , Pascual Gemma , Corrales Celia , Gómez‐Gil Verónica , Garcia‐Honduvilla Natalio , Bellón Juan M. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTStem cells derived from adult tissues may serve as cell therapy to enhance the healing process in skin wounds. This study was designed to evaluate the use of autologous muscle‐derived stem cells in an experimental skin wound model in terms of their efficiency at promoting tissue repair/regeneration. Muscle‐derived cells obtained from the dorsal muscle of New Zealand rabbits were cultured in vitro for 2 weeks. The cell population was identified using the satellite markers CD34, m‐cadherin and Myf5, and the proliferative capacity of the adult stem cells was determined. The population was then fluorescently labeled with PKH26 and seeded onto a circular 2 cm diameter defect created on the dorsal side of the ear of the rabbit from which the cells had been harvested. Similar defects on the contra lateral ears were left untreated to form the control group. Fourteen days later, specimens were taken for light, transmission, and scanning electron microscopy, as well as for immunolabeling with antibodies against vimentin, α‐actin, desmin, myosin, fibronectin, and cytokeratin 14. Areas of wound contraction and reepithelialization were determined by image analysis. Wound contraction was significantly greater in the control than the treatment group (p<0.05); control specimens also showed more myosin expression. Reepithelialized areas were significantly greater in the treatment group (p<0.05). Control wounds showed nonepithelialized areas and inflammatory granulation tissue. Reepithelialization occurred as epidermal tongues of fusiform cells. Our findings indicate that the use of autologous stem cells on skin wounds expedites and improves the organism's natural healing process.
THERMAL PROCESS CALCULATION USING ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORKS AND OTHER TRADITIONAL METHODS
Authors: GONÇALVES ELIANE CALOMINO , MINIM LUIS ANTONIO , COIMBRA JANE SÉLIA DOS REIS , MINIM VALÉRIA PAULA RODRIGUES 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACT This work aimed to develop a method of thermal process calculation of canned food based on an artificial neural network and to compare it to the traditional Ball and Stumbo methods. A back‐propagation through time network was used as a model of heat conduction occurring in canned food, in order to predict the cold point temperature as a function of the autoclave and the initial product temperature. For training the network, a dataset of the cold point and retort temperature along time was obtained by processing a paste‐based product in autoclave. The network architecture (5‐8‐9‐1) was selected, presenting an excellent generalization capacity, with a mean relative error of 2.2% between the calculated F‐values of the observed and predicted time–temperature data. The Ball and Stumbo methods presented higher errors as the retort temperature was not constant. Neural network showed a great potential for online process calculation by having advantages such as precision and simplicity.
Male-Specific Coliphages as Indicators of Thermal Inactivation of Pathogens in Biosolids
Authors: Nappier Sharon P. , Aitken Michael D. , Sobsey Mark D. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACT

Male-specific (F
+
) coliphages have been proposed as a candidate indicator of fecal contamination and of virus reduction in waste treatment. However, in this and earlier work with a laboratory thermophilic anaerobic digester, a heat-resistant fraction of F
+
coliphage populations indigenous to municipal wastewater and sludge was evident. We therefore isolated coliphages from municipal wastewater sludge and from biosolid samples after thermophilic anaerobic digestion to evaluate the susceptibility of specific groups to thermal inactivation. Similar numbers of F
+
DNA and F
+
RNA coliphages were found in untreated sludge, but the majority of isolates in digested biosolids were group I F
+
RNA phages. Separate experiments on individual isolates at 53°C confirmed the apparent heat resistance of group I F
+
RNA coliphages as well as the susceptibility of group III F
+
RNA coliphages. Although few F
+
DNA coliphages were recovered from the treated biosolid samples, thermal inactivation experiments indicated heat resistance similar to that of group I F
+
RNA phages. Hence, F
+
DNA coliphage reductions during thermophilic anaerobic digestion are probably related to mechanisms other than thermal inactivation. Further studies should focus on the group III F
+
RNA coliphages as potential indicators of reductions of heat-resistant pathogens in thermal processes for sludge treatment.
Abundance and Distribution of
Ostreococcus
sp. in the San Pedro Channel, California, as Revealed by Quantitative PCR
Authors: Countway Peter D. , Caron David A. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACT

Ostreococcus
is a genus of widely distributed marine phytoplankton which are picoplanktonic in size (<2 μm) and capable of rapid growth. Although
Ostreococcus
has been detected around the world, little quantitative information exists on its contribution to planktonic communities. We designed and implemented a genus-specific TaqMan-based quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay to investigate the dynamics and ecology of
Ostreococcus
at the USC Microbial Observatory (eastern North Pacific). Samples were collected from 5 m and the deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM) between September 2000 and August 2002.
Ostreococcus
abundance at 5 m was generally <5.0 × 10
3
cells ml
−1
, with a maximum of 8.2 × 10
4
cells ml
−1
.
Ostreococcus
abundance was typically higher at the DCM, with a maximum of 3.2 × 10
5
cells ml
−1
. The vertical distribution of
Ostreococcus
was examined in March 2005 and compared to the distribution of phototrophic picoeukaryotes (PPE) measured by flow cytometry. The largest contribution to PPE abundance by
Ostreococcus
was ∼70% and occurred at 30 m, near the DCM. Despite its relatively low abundance, the depth-integrated standing stock of
Ostreococcus
in March 2005 was ∼30 mg C m
−2
. Our work provides a new technique for quantifying the abundance of
Ostreococcus
and demonstrates the seasonal dynamics of this genus and its contribution to picoeukaryote biomass at our coastal sampling station.
Development of a Quantitative Assay for Mycobacterial Endogenous Arabinase and Ensuing Studies of Arabinase Levels and Arabinan Metabolism in
Mycobacterium smegmatis
Authors: Dong Xu , Bhamidi Suresh , Scherman Michael , Xin Yi , McNeil Michael R. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACT

Treatment of either
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
or
M. smegmatis
with ethambutol results both in inhibition of arabinan synthesis and in copious loss of previously formed arabinan from the cell wall. The loss of arabinan has been shown to be due to the action of an endogenous arabinase. To better understand this phenomenon, a quantitative assay for endogenous arabinase was developed. Using the assay it was determined that various subcellular fractions of
M. smegmatis
showed significant amounts of endogenous arabinase activity. Surprisingly, treatment with ethambutol yielded only minor changes in the amounts of endogenous arabinase activities. Endogenous arabinase was present in the cell wall, and consistently, incubation of the
M. smegmatis
cell wall in only buffer resulted in the release of arabinan, mimicking the effect of ethambutol on whole cells. To determine if cell wall arabinan is rapidly turned over, the arabinan was labeled in the early log phase of culture by feeding [
14
C]glucose, followed by a “chase” with nonradioactive glucose. Most of the labeled arabinan remained in the cell wall after the culture was grown to late log phase. Thus, there is active arabinase in the cell wall, but arabinan is not rapidly removed unless ethambutol is present. Purification of the endogenous arabinase, using the assay described, is ongoing to help further discern its biological function.
Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization and Spectral Imaging of Coral-Associated Bacterial Communities
Authors: Ainsworth T. D. , Fine M. , Blackall L. L. , Hoegh-Guldberg O. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACT
Microbial communities play important roles in the functioning of coral reef communities. However, extensive autofluorescence of coral tissues and endosymbionts limits the application of standard fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) techniques for the identification of the coral-associated bacterial communities. This study overcomes these limitations by combining FISH and spectral imaging.
Diversity and Distribution of
Planctomycetes
and Related Bacteria in the Suboxic Zone of the Black Sea
Authors: Kirkpatrick John , Oakley Brian , Fuchsman Clara , Srinivasan Sujatha , Staley James T. , Murray James W. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACT

Samples from six depths of the Black Sea's suboxic zone were analyzed for 16S rRNA gene sequence information. A gradient in phylotype diversity was found. The distributions of known
an
aerobic
amm
onium
ox
idation (anammox) bacteria, many unknown
Planctomycetes
, and other phylotypes were examined in relation to the local nutrient and redox conditions.
Rapid, Field-Adapted Indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Detection of Antibodies in Bovine Whole Blood and Serum to
Brucella abortus
Authors: Gall D. , Nielsen K. , Yu W. , Smith P. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACT

A simple, rapid, field-adapted indirect enzyme-linked immunoassay (FldELISA) for the detection of antibodies to
Brucella abortus
in whole blood and serum has been developed. This assay detects antibodies to
B. abortus
in approximately 15 min or less. Over a 3-month period, this assay has consistently identified immunized and nonimmunized animals, while the percent coefficient of variation for each immunized animal has been less than 20%. As with any indirect enzyme-linked immunoassay, quality control can be established and maintained. Using defined positive and negative sera, the sensitivity and specificity of the FldELISA was 100% and 94.2%, respectively. As a model, this test can be readily extended to other disease applications that use lipopolysaccharide or other stable antigens for the detection of antibodies, such as those to
Salmonella
spp.,
Escherichia coli
, or
Yersinia
spp.
Immunoglobulin G Subclass Response to a Meningococcal Quadrivalent Polysaccharide-Diphtheria Toxoid Conjugate Vaccine
Authors: Findlow Helen , Southern Jo , Mabey Lesley , Balmer Paul , Heyderman Robert S. , Auckland Cressida , Morris Rhonwen , Miller Elizabeth , Borrow Ray 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTChanges in the immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1)/IgG2 ratio following vaccination can indicate the activation of cellular control mechanisms typical of a T-cell-dependent response. We examined IgG subclass ratios in 17 healthy adults (26 to 55 years of age) before and 4 to 6 weeks following immunization with a quadrivalent meningococcal-polysaccharide diphtheria toxoid conjugate vaccine against serogroups A, C, Y, and W135. Serologic responses were determined by serum bactericidal antibody assay and serogroup-specific IgG, IgG1, and IgG2 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Prevaccination serogroup A-specific IgG1/IgG2 ratios were <1 for all subjects and differed by subject for C, Y, and W-135. Postvaccination, significant increases in IgG, IgG1, and IgG2, were observed for all serogroups. Serogroup-specific IgG1/IgG2 ratios increased for group A (14/17 subjects, 88%), decreased in more than half of subjects for groups C (9/17, 53%) and W135 (12/17, 71%) and decreased for serogroup Y (16/17, 94%). IgG1/IgG2 ratios differed between individual vaccinees and were similar to the responses of adults who received pneumococcal conjugate vaccines or a monovalent C conjugate vaccine. Further studies on IgG subclasses following meningococcal polysaccharide and conjugate vaccination are needed.