bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Elevated healthcare utilisation in young adult males with obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Reuveni H. , Greenberg-Dotan S. , Simon-Tuval T. , Oksenberg A. , Tarasiuk A. 
Published: September 2007

The aim of the present study was to explore morbidity and healthcare utilisation among young adult males with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) compared with middle-aged OSA patients over the 5-yr period preceding diagnosis.A prospective case–control study was performed; 117 young (22–39-yr-old) males with OSA were matched with 117 middle-aged (40–64-yr-old) OSA males for body mass index, apnoea/hypopnoea index, arterial oxygen saturation, arousal and awakening index, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale score. Each OSA patient was matched with controls by age, geographic area and physician.Young adult males with OSA showed no increase in specific comorbidity compared with controls. Middle-aged OSA patients exhibited increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Healthcare utilisation for the 5-yr period was ≥1.9 times higher among young and middle-aged male OSA patients than among controls. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that hyperlipidaemia in young adults and a body mass index of >37 kg·m−2and cardiovascular disease in middle-aged adults are the only independent determinants of the upper third, most costly, OSA patients.Compared with middle-aged males with obstructive sleep apnoea, in whom increased expenditure was related to cardiovascular disease and body mass index, utilisation was not related to any specific disease in younger cases.
Estimation of the number of extreme pathways for metabolic networks
Authors: Yeung Matthew , Thiele Ines , Palsson Bernard Ø 
Published: September 2007

Abstract

Background
The set of extreme pathways (ExPa), {p

i
}, defines the convex basis vectors used for the mathematical characterization of the null space of the stoichiometric matrix for biochemical reaction networks. ExPa analysis has been used for a number of studies to determine properties of metabolic networks as well as to obtain insight into their physiological and functional states in silico. However, the number of ExPas, p = |{p

i
}|, grows with the size and complexity of the network being studied, and this poses a computational challenge. For this study, we investigated the relationship between the number of extreme pathways and simple network properties.

Results
We established an estimating function for the number of ExPas using these easily obtainable network measurements. In particular, it was found that log [p] had an exponential relationship with

log

[

∑

i
=
1

R

d

−
i

d

+
i

c
i

]

MathType@MTEF@5@5@+=feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfKttLearuWrP9MDH5MBPbIqV92AaeXatLxBI9gBaebbnrfifHhDYfgasaacH8akY=wiFfYdH8Gipec8Eeeu0xXdbba9frFj0=OqFfea0dXdd9vqai=hGuQ8kuc9pgc9s8qqaq=dirpe0xb9q8qiLsFr0=vr0=vr0dc8meaabaqaciaacaGaaeqabaqabeGadaaakeaacyGGSbaBcqGGVbWBcqGGNbWzdaWadaqaamaaqadabaGaemizaq2aaSbaaSqaaiabgkHiTmaaBaaameaacqWGPbqAaeqaaaWcbeaakiabdsgaKnaaBaaaleaacqGHRaWkdaWgaaadbaGaemyAaKgabeaaaSqabaGccqWGJbWydaWgaaWcbaGaemyAaKgabeaaaeaacqWGPbqAcqGH9aqpcqaIXaqmaeaacqWGsbGua0GaeyyeIuoaaOGaay5waiaaw2faaaaa@4414@

, where R = |R

eff
| is the number of active reactions in a network,

d

−
i

MathType@MTEF@5@5@+=feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfKttLearuWrP9MDH5MBPbIqV92AaeXatLxBI9gBaebbnrfifHhDYfgasaacH8akY=wiFfYdH8Gipec8Eeeu0xXdbba9frFj0=OqFfea0dXdd9vqai=hGuQ8kuc9pgc9s8qqaq=dirpe0xb9q8qiLsFr0=vr0=vr0dc8meaabaqaciaacaGaaeqabaqabeGadaaakeaacqWGKbazdaWgaaWcbaGaeyOeI0YaaSbaaWqaaiabdMgaPbqabaaaleqaaaaa@30A9@

and

d

+
i

MathType@MTEF@5@5@+=feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfKttLearuWrP9MDH5MBPbIqV92AaeXatLxBI9gBaebbnrfifHhDYfgasaacH8akY=wiFfYdH8Gipec8Eeeu0xXdbba9frFj0=OqFfea0dXdd9vqai=hGuQ8kuc9pgc9s8qqaq=dirpe0xb9q8qiLsFr0=vr0=vr0dc8meaabaqaciaacaGaaeqabaqabeGadaaakeaacqWGKbazdaWgaaWcbaGaey4kaSYaaSbaaWqaaiabdMgaPbqabaaaleqaaaaa@309E@

the incoming and outgoing degrees of the reactions r

i
∈ R

eff
, and c

i
the clustering coefficient for each active reaction.

Conclusion
This relationship typically gave an estimate of the number of extreme pathways to within a factor of 10 of the true number. Such a function providing an estimate for the total number of ExPas for a given system will enable researchers to decide whether ExPas analysis is an appropriate investigative tool.
Origin and distribution of epipolythiodioxopiperazine (ETP) gene clusters in filamentous ascomycetes
Authors: Patron Nicola J , Waller Ross F , Cozijnsen Anton J , Straney David C , Gardiner Donald M , Nierman William C , Howlett Barbara J 
Published: September 2007

Abstract

Background
Genes responsible for biosynthesis of fungal secondary metabolites are usually tightly clustered in the genome and co-regulated with metabolite production. Epipolythiodioxopiperazines (ETPs) are a class of secondary metabolite toxins produced by disparate ascomycete fungi and implicated in several animal and plant diseases. Gene clusters responsible for their production have previously been defined in only two fungi. Fungal genome sequence data have been surveyed for the presence of putative ETP clusters and cluster data have been generated from several fungal taxa where genome sequences are not available. Phylogenetic analysis of cluster genes has been used to investigate the assembly and heredity of these gene clusters.

Results
Putative ETP gene clusters are present in 14 ascomycete taxa, but absent in numerous other ascomycetes examined. These clusters are discontinuously distributed in ascomycete lineages. Gene content is not absolutely fixed, however, common genes are identified and phylogenies of six of these are separately inferred. In each phylogeny almost all cluster genes form monophyletic clades with non-cluster fungal paralogues being the nearest outgroups. This relatedness of cluster genes suggests that a progenitor ETP gene cluster assembled within an ancestral taxon. Within each of the cluster clades, the cluster genes group together in consistent subclades, however, these relationships do not always reflect the phylogeny of ascomycetes. Micro-synteny of several of the genes within the clusters provides further support for these subclades.

Conclusion
ETP gene clusters appear to have a single origin and have been inherited relatively intact rather than assembling independently in the different ascomycete lineages. This progenitor cluster has given rise to a small number of distinct phylogenetic classes of clusters that are represented in a discontinuous pattern throughout ascomycetes. The disjunct heredity of these clusters is discussed with consideration to multiple instances of independent cluster loss and lateral transfer of gene clusters between lineages.
High variability and non-neutral evolution of the mammalian avpr1a gene
Authors: Fink Sabine , Excoffier Laurent , Heckel Gerald 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBackgroundThe arginine-vasopressin 1a receptor has been identified as a key determinant for social behaviour inMicrotusvoles, humans and other mammals. Nevertheless, the genetic bases of complex phenotypic traits like differences in social and mating behaviour among species and individuals remain largely unknown. Contrary to previous studies focusing on differences in the promotor region of the gene, we investigate here the level of functional variation in the coding region (exon 1) of this locus.ResultsWe detected high sequence diversity between higher mammalian taxa as well as between species of the genusMicrotus. This includes length variation and radical amino acid changes, as well as the presence of distinct protein variants within individuals. Additionally, negative selection prevails on most parts of the first exon of thearginine-vasopressin receptor 1a (avpr1a)gene but it contains regions with higher rates of change that harbour positively selected sites. Synonymous and non-synonymous substitution rates in theavpr1agene are not exceptional compared to other genes, but they exceed those found in related hormone receptors with similar functions.DiscussionThese results stress the importance of considering variation in the coding sequence ofavpr1ain regards to associations with life history traits (e.g. social behaviour, mating system, habitat requirements) of voles, other mammals and humans in particular.
Ciclesonide uptake and metabolism in human alveolar type II epithelial cells (A549)
Authors: Nonaka Takashi , Nave Rüdiger , McCracken Nigel , Kawashimo Atsuko , Katsuura Yasuhiro 
Published: September 2007

Abstract

Background
Ciclesonide is a novel inhaled corticosteroid for the treatment of airway inflammation. In this study we investigated uptake and in vitro metabolism of ciclesonide in human alveolar type II epithelial cells (A549). Ciclesonide uptake was compared with fluticasone propionate, an inhaled corticosteroid that is not metabolized in lung tissue. A549 cells were incubated with 2 × 10-8 M ciclesonide or fluticasone propionate for 3 to 30 min to determine uptake; or with 2 × 10-8 M ciclesonide for 1 h, followed by incubation with drug-free buffer for 3, 6, and 24 h to analyze in vitro metabolism. High performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry was used to measure the concentrations of both corticosteroids and metabolites.

Results
At all time points the mean intracellular concentration was higher for ciclesonide when compared with fluticasone propionate. Activation of ciclesonide to desisobutyryl-ciclesonide (des-CIC) was confirmed and conjugates of des-CIC with fatty acids were detected. The intracellular concentration of ciclesonide decreased over time, whereas the concentration of des-CIC remained relatively stable: 2.27 to 3.19 pmol/dish between 3 and 24 h. The concentration of des-CIC fatty acid conjugates increased over time, with des-CIC-oleate being the main metabolite.

Conclusion
Uptake of ciclesonide into A549 cells was more efficient than that of the less lipophilic fluticasone propionate. Intracellular concentrations of the pharmacologically active metabolite des-CIC were maintained for up to 24 h. The local anti-inflammatory activity of ciclesonide in the lung may be prolonged by the slow release of active drug from the depot of fatty acid esters.
Milk consumption and the prepubertal somatotropic axis
Authors: Rich-Edwards Janet W , Ganmaa Davaasambuu , Pollak Michael N , Nakamoto Erika K , Kleinman Ken , Tserendolgor Uush , Willett Walter C , Frazier A Lindsay 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBackgroundNutrients, hormones and growth factors in dairy foods may stimulate growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and raise the ratio of IGF-I to its binding protein, IGFBP-3. We conducted pilot studies in Mongolia and Massachusetts to test the extent to which milk intake raised somatotropic hormone concentrations in prepubertal children.MethodsIn Ulaanbaatar, we compared plasma levels before and after introducing 710 ml daily whole milk for a month among 46 10–11 year old schoolchildren. In a randomized cross-over study in Boston, we compared plasma hormone levels of 28 6–8 year old girls after one week of drinking 710 ml lowfat (2%) milk with their hormone levels after one week of consuming a macronutrient substitute for milk.ResultsAfter a month of drinking whole milk, Mongolian children had higher mean plasma levels of IGF-I (p < 0.0001), IGF-I/IGFBP-3 (p < 0.0001), and 75thpercentile of GH levels (p = 0.005). After a week of drinking lowfat milk, Boston girls had small and non-significant increases in IGF-1, IGF-1/IGFBP-3 and GH.ConclusionMilk drinking may cause increases in somatotropic hormone levels of prepubertal girls and boys. The finding that milk intake may raise GH levels is novel, and suggests that nutrients or bioactive factors in milk may stimulate endogenous GH production.
In vitro permissivity of bovine cells for wild-type and vaccinal myxoma virus strains
Authors: Pignolet Béatrice , Duteyrat Jean-Luc , Allemandou Aude , Gelfi Jacqueline , Foucras Gilles , Bertagnoli Stéphane 
Published: September 2007

AbstractMyxoma virus (MYXV), a leporide-specific poxvirus, represents an attractive candidate for the generation of safe, non-replicative vaccine vector for non-host species. However, there is very little information concerning infection of non-laboratory animals species cells with MYXV. In this study, we investigated interactions between bovine cells and respectively a wild type strain (T1) and a vaccinal strain (SG33) of MYXV. We showed that bovine KOP-R, BT and MDBK cell lines do not support MYXV production. Electron microscopy observations of BT-infected cells revealed the low efficiency of viral entry and the production of defective virions. In addition, infection of bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) occurred at a very low level, even following non-specific activation, and was always abortive. We did not observe significant differences between the wild type strain and the vaccinal strain of MYXV, indicating that SG33 could be used for new bovine vaccination strategies.
Transformation of the Output of Spinal Lamina I Neurons After Nerve Injury and Microglia Stimulation Underlying Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Keller A Florence , Beggs Simon , Salter Michael W , De Koninck Yves 
Published: September 2007

Background:Disinhibition of neurons in the superficial spinal dorsal horn, via microglia – neuron signaling leading to disruption of chloride homeostasis, is a potential cellular substrate for neuropathic pain. But, a central unresolved question is whether this disinhibition can transform the activity and responses of spinal nociceptive output neurons to account for the symptoms of neuropathic pain.Results:Here we show that peripheral nerve injury, local spinal administration of ATP-stimulated microglia or pharmacological disruption of chloride transport change the phenotype of spinal lamina I output neurons, causing them to 1) increase the gain of nociceptive responsiveness, 2) relay innocuous mechanical input and 3) generate spontaneous bursts of activity. The changes in the electrophysiological phenotype of lamina I neurons may account for three principal components of neuropathic pain: hyperalgesia, mechanical allodynia and spontaneous pain, respectively.Conclusion:The transformation of discharge activity and sensory specificity provides an aberrant signal in a primarily nociceptive ascending pathway that may serve as a basis for the symptoms of neuropathic pain.
Sensitive and reliable detection of Kit point mutation Asp 816 to Val in pathological material
Authors: Kähler Christian , Didlaukat Sabine , Feller Alfred C , Merz Hartmut 
Published: September 2007

Abstract

Background
Human mastocytosis is a heterogenous disorder which is linked to a gain-of-function mutation in the kinase domain of the receptor tyrosine kinase Kit. This D816V mutation leads to constitutive activation and phosphorylation of Kit with proliferative disorders of mast cells in the peripheral blood, skin, and spleen. Most PCR applications used so far are labour-intensive and are not adopted to daily routine in pathological laboratories. The method has to be robust and working on such different materials like archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPE) and blood samples. Such a method is introduced in this publication.

Methods
The Kit point mutation Asp 816 to Val is heterozygous which means a problem in detection by PCR because the wild-type allele is also amplified and the number of cells which bear the point mutation is in most of the cases low. Most PCR protocols use probes to block the wild-type allele during amplification with more or less satisfying result. This is why point-mutated forward primers were designed and tested for efficiency in amplification of the mutated allele.

Results
One primer combination (A) fits the most for the introduced PCR assay. It was able just to amplify the mutated allele with high specificity from different patient's materials (FFPE or blood) of varying quality and quantity. Moreover, the sensitivity for this assay was convincing because 10 ng of DNA which bears the point mutation could be detected in a total volume of 200 ng of DNA.

Conclusion
The PCR assay is able to deal with different materials (blood and FFPE) this means quality and quantity of DNA and can be used for high-througput screening because of its robustness. Moreover, the method is easy-to-use, not labour-intensive, and easy to realise in a standard laboratory.
Fibril specific, conformation dependent antibodies recognize a generic epitope common to amyloid fibrils and fibrillar oligomers that is absent in prefibrillar oligomers
Authors: Kayed Rakez , Head Elizabeth , Sarsoza Floyd , Saing Tommy , Cotman Carl W , Necula Mihaela , Margol Lawrence , Wu Jessica , Breydo Leonid , Thompson Jennifer L , Rasool Suhail , Gurlo Tatyana , Butler Peter , Glabe Charles G 
Published: September 2007

Abstract

Background
Amyloid-related degenerative diseases are associated with the accumulation of misfolded proteins as amyloid fibrils in tissue. In Alzheimer disease (AD), amyloid accumulates in several distinct types of insoluble plaque deposits, intracellular Aβ and as soluble oligomers and the relationships between these deposits and their pathological significance remains unclear. Conformation dependent antibodies have been reported that specifically recognize distinct assembly states of amyloids, including prefibrillar oligomers and fibrils.

Results
We immunized rabbits with a morphologically homogeneous population of Aβ42 fibrils. The resulting immune serum (OC) specifically recognizes fibrils, but not random coil monomer or prefibrillar oligomers, indicating fibrils display a distinct conformation dependent epitope that is absent in prefibrillar oligomers. The fibril epitope is also displayed by fibrils of other types of amyloids, indicating that the epitope is a generic feature of the polypeptide backbone. The fibril specific antibody also recognizes 100,000 × G soluble fibrillar oligomers ranging in size from dimer to greater than 250 kDa on western blots. The fibrillar oligomers recognized by OC are immunologically distinct from prefibrillar oligomers recognized by A11, even though their sizes overlap broadly, indicating that size is not a reliable indicator of oligomer conformation. The immune response to prefibrillar oligomers and fibrils is not sequence specific and antisera of the same specificity are produced in response to immunization with islet amyloid polypeptide prefibrillar oligomer mimics and fibrils. The fibril specific antibodies stain all types of amyloid deposits in human AD brain. Diffuse amyloid deposits stain intensely with anti-fibril antibody although they are thioflavin S negative, suggesting that they are indeed fibrillar in conformation. OC also stains islet amyloid deposits in transgenic mouse models of type II diabetes, demonstrating its generic specificity for amyloid fibrils.

Conclusion
Since the fibril specific antibodies are conformation dependent, sequence-independent, and recognize epitopes that are distinct from those present in prefibrillar oligomers, they may have broad utility for detecting and characterizing the accumulation of amyloid fibrils and fibrillar type oligomers in degenerative diseases.
Supercritical Hydrothermal Synthesis of Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Nanoparticles
Authors: Adschiri Tadafumi 
Published: September 2007

Abstract
This paper summarizes specific features of supercritical hydrothermal synthesis: Namely, synthesis of nano single crystals and controllable oxidizing and reducing atmosphere. Synthesis of organic–inorganic hybrid nanoparticles is another unique feature of this method. The synthesized hybrid nanoparticles can be dispersed in organic solvents, from which super lattice structure can be formed.
Spin States of Mono- and Dinuclear Iron(II) Complexes with Bis(imidazolylimine) Ligands
Authors: Fujita Kunihiro , Kawamoto Ryohei , Tsubouchi Ryohei , Sunatsuki Yukinari , Kojima Masaaki , Iijima Seiichiro , Matsumoto Naohide 
Published: September 2007

Abstract
Bis(imidazolylimine) ligands, H2LH and H2LMe, were prepared from hydrazine and 4-formylimidazole or 2-methyl-4-formylimidazole (1:2), respectively. Mononuclear iron(II) complexes, [Fe(H2LH)2](ClO4)2·MeOH and [Fe(H2LMe)2](ClO4)2·2H2O, were in the LS and HS states, respectively, in the temperature range 5–300 K. A triple-helicate [Fe2(H2LH)3](ClO4)4, showed an abrupt [LS–HS] to [HS–HS] spin transition at 240 K, while [Fe2(H2LMe)3](ClO4)4 remained in the LS state in the temperature range 5–300 K.
Adsorption of Eu3+ to smectites and fluoro-tetrasilicic mica
Authors: Okada Tomohiko , Ehara Yusuke , Ogawa Makoto 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThe adsorption of Eu3+ from aqueous solution to natural Na+-montmorillonite (Kunipia F), synthetic saponite (Sumecton SA) and synthetic fluoro-tetrasilicic mica (Na+-TSM) clay samples was investigated. Adsorption capacities derived from the isotherms were 1.02, 0.71 and 1.00 meq/g of clay, respectively, for Kunipia F, Sumecton SA and Na+-TSM. The adsorption capacities were comparable to the cation exchange capacities of the clays, which were 1.19, 0.71 and 0.94 meq/g of clay, respectively. The greater slope of the TSM adsorption isotherm relative to the montmorillonite and saponite isotherms indicates a high affinity of Eu3+ for Na+-TSM. The high affinity of TSM for Eu3+ was thought to be related to the large electronegativity of the octahedral fluorine groups in TSM. Photoluminescence of adsorbed Eu3+ was observed for saponite and TSM, but not for montmorillonite. Quenching of Eu3+ luminescence by Fe in the montmorillonite structure is the probable reason for this phenomenon. The luminescence intensity varied with the amount of adsorbed Eu3+ for saponite and TSM as a result of self-quenching.
Eu incorporation behavior of a Mg-Al-Cl layered double hydroxide
Authors: Curtius Hilde , Ufer Kristian 
Published: September 2007

AbstractFrom leaching experiments with metallic uranium-aluminum research reactor fuel elements in repository-relevant MgCl2-rich salt brines, a Mg-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) with chloride as the interlayer anion was identified as a crystalline secondary phase component. The incorporation behavior of europium into the structure of the Mg-Al-Cl LDH was investigated. Synthesis via co-precipitation was performed. The Mg-Al-Eu-Cl LDH obtained was treated with a concentrated ammonium carbonate solution. No release of Eu was detected; hence the molar stoichiometry of the LDH remained stable with respect to Mg, Al and Eu. This chemical behavior might be the first indication of the incorporation of Eu.The material was further examined by powder X-ray diffraction. Structural parameters were obtained from comparisons of simulated and experimental diffraction patterns of a CO32−${\rm{CO}}_3^{2 - }$-exchanged Mg-Al-Eu LDH and a Mg-Al LDH. The two materials showed different behaviors according to stacking order and lattice parameters. This is an indirect indication of the incorporation of Eu.