bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of systemic steroids in patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia
Authors: Garcia-Vidal C. , Calbo E. , Pascual V. , Ferrer C. , Quintana S. , Garau J. 
Published: August 2007

The benefit of systemic steroids as adjunctive treatment in patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of corticosteroid treatment on mortality in patients with severe CAP.A retrospective, observational study of a cohort of patients hospitalised with severe CAP, classes IV and V of the Prognostic Severity Index score, was carried out. Information on epidemiological, clinical and laboratory data, and 30-day mortality was collected from medical charts.Of the 308 patients evaluated, 238 (77%) were treated with standard antimicrobial therapy and 70 (23%) received both antibiotics and systemic steroids. Clinical characteristics were similar between steroid and nonsteroid groups, except in the prevalence of male sex and the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Systemic steroids were independently associated with a decreased mortality (odds ratio 0.287; 95% confidence interval 0.113–0.732), while severity of CAP (2.923; 1.262–6.770) was the only independent factor associated with increased mortality.Mortality decreased in the patients with severe CAP who received simultaneous administration of systemic steroids along with antibiotic treatment.Severity of community-acquired pneumonia remains the most important risk factor associated with increased mortality.
Anti-inflammatory effects of high-dose inhaled fluticasoneversusoral prednisone in asthma exacerbations
Authors: Belda J. , Margarit G. , Martínez C. , Bellido-Casado J. , Casan P. , Torrejón M. , Brufal M. , Rodríguez-Jerez F. , Sanchis J. 
Published: August 2007

The objective of the present study was to investigate the kinetics of high doses of inhaled steroid fluticasone in comparison with oral steroid prednisone on plasma protein leakage and bronchial eosinophilia in adults with moderate asthma exacerbations.The study design was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled prospective trial. In total, 45 patients treated at the emergency department for moderate asthma exacerbations were recruited and 39 were assigned to receive fluticasone and placebo of prednisone (19 patients), or prednisone and placebo of fluticasone (20 patients). Medication was administered to all patientsviaa metered-dose inhaler and spacer (16 puffs; 4,000 μg·day−1or placebo) plus one pill (prednisone 30 mg·day−1or placebo). Spirometry and induced sputum for differential cell counts, albumin and α2-macroglobulin levels and blood eosinophils, interleukin-5 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor levels were obtained before treatment and at 2, 6 and 24 h after treatment.Symptoms clearly improved after 24 h in both groups. No differences were seen between groups in peak expiratory flow or forced expiratory flow in one second, which improved progressively but then decayed slightly after 24 h. Eosinophil counts in sputum also improved over time in both groups. The effect was faster with fluticasone than with prednisone, but was partially lost at 24 h. However, plasma proteins in sputum and eosinophil count in blood both decreased until 24 h, with no significant differences between groups. There was no correlation between eosinophil counts and plasmatic protein levels.In conclusion, both treatments improved symptoms, airway obstruction and inflammation, and plasma protein leakage at 24 h. Prednisone reduced blood eosinophil counts, while fluticasone reduced airway eosinophil counts, suggesting that the anti-inflammatory performance of fluticasone is exerted locally.
Clinical and operational value of the extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis definition
Authors: Migliori G. B. , Besozzi G. , Girardi E. , Kliiman K. , Lange C. , Toungoussova O. S. , Ferrara G. , Cirillo D. M. , Gori A. , Matteelli A. , Spanevello A. , Codecasa L. R. , Raviglione M. C. 
Published: August 2007

Currently, no information is available on the effect of resistance/susceptibility to first-line drugs different from isoniazid and rifampicin in determining the outcome of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) patients, and whether being XDR-TB is a more accurate indicator of poor clinical outcome than being resistant to all first-line anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs.To investigate this issue, a large series of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and XDR-TB cases diagnosed in Estonia, Germany, Italy and the Russian Federation during the period 1999–2006 were analysed. Drug-susceptibility testing for first- and second-line anti-TB drugs, quality assurance and treatment delivery was performed according to World Health Organization recommendations in all study sites.Out of 4,583 culture-positive TB cases analysed, 361 (7.9%) were MDR and 64 (1.4%) were XDR. XDR-TB cases had a relative risk (RR) of 1.58 to have an unfavourable outcome compared with MDR-TB cases resistant to all first-line drugs (isoniazid, rifampicin ethambutol, streptomycin and, when tested, pyrazinamide), and an RR of 2.61 compared with “other” MDR-TB cases (those susceptible to at least one first-line anti-TB drug among ethambutol, pyrazinamide and streptomycin, regardless of resistance to the second-line drugs not defining XDR-TB).The emergence of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis confirms that problems in tuberculosis management are still present in Europe. While waiting for new tools which will facilitate management of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis, accessibility to quality diagnostic and treatment services should be urgently ensured and adequate public health policies should be rapidly implemented to prevent further development of drug resistance.
Unique Helical Triangle Molecular Geometry Induced by Dipole–Dipole Interactions
Authors: Ishikawa Takahito , Morita Tomoyuki , Kimura Shunsaku 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
Novel helix-peptide wheels, in which three helices were connected by using a template, were prepared, and the dipole–dipole interactions among the helices were studied in relation to the formation of a planar triangle structure containing three helices. The helical segments had a 310-helix structure. 13C spin-lattice relaxation time (T1) measurements showed that the helical segments had restricted mobility. Deuterium exchange rates of amide protons were accelerated in the helix-peptide wheels compared to the respective linear helix peptides, suggesting that there is torsion on the cylindrical shape. Therefore, the predominant structure of the helix-peptide wheels is a planar triangle in solution. Further, the triangle structure was successfully transferred onto a gold substrate.
Bond Resonance Energy as an Indicator of Local Aromaticity
Authors: Aihara Jun-ichi , Ishida Toshimasa , Kanno Hideaki 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
By definition, bond resonance energy (BRE) represents the contribution of a given π-bond to aromaticity. The minimum BRE in a π-system is an excellent measure of kinetic stability. It was found that the BRE for a peripheral π-bond correlated not only to the harmonic oscillator model of aromaticity (HOMA) index for a ring, to which the π-bond belongs, but also to the corresponding bond-order index of aromaticity (BOIA) for local aromaticity. Thus, the BRE for a peripheral π-bond can be used as an energetic indicator of local aromaticity at least for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
Micellization Behaviour of AOT in the Presence of Sodium Citrate
Authors: Umlong Iohborlang Mylliem , Dey Jahar , Chanda Snigdha , Ismail Kochi 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
Critical micelle concentration (cmc) values of dioctyl sulfosuccinate (AOT) in aqueous trisodium citrate (NaCit) solution were determined as functions of electrolyte concentration and temperature by using surface tension and EMF methods. Values of surface excess, counter ion binding constant (β), surface area, and standard free energies of micellization and adsorption of AOT were evaluated. Using fluorescence-quenching method, aggregation number and polarity index of AOT were also determined. A sudden increase in the value of β from almost 0.4 to 0.8, associated with a sudden increase in the aggregation number and decrease in the polarity index, was observed with a NaCit concentration of about 0.007 mol kg−1, which is considered to be due to change in the micellar shape of AOT. The present study confirms the special counter ion binding behaviour of AOT as an additional special feature of AOT.
Application of Rank Annihilation Factor Analysis to the Determination of the Stability Constant of the Complex XL and Rate Constants for the Reaction of X and XL with the Reagent Z Using Kinetic Profiles
Authors: Afkhami Abbas , Khalafi Lida 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
A simple procedure for the kinetic spectrophotometric determination of the formation constant of 1:1 (XL) complexes (or adducts) using rank annihilation factor analysis (RAFA) is proposed. The method was based on the effect of the concentration of L (or X) on the reaction of X (or L) with a reagent (Z). The rate constants for the reactions of X (or L) and XL with Z were also determined. In order to perform RAFA, concentration profiles were calculated by optimizing the value of formation constant. The rank of the original data matrix was reduced by one by annihilating the information of X (or L). The best estimation of rate constant of complex XL reduced the rank of the system to zero (noise level). The performance of the method was evaluated using synthetic data as well as experimental data, and good results were obtained. The spectrophotometric data for the study of the effect of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) on the oxidation reaction of some catechol derivatives with iodate at pH 3.60 was used as an example. The difference in the rate of the oxidation reaction of catechol derivatives with iodate at pH 3.60 in the presence of different concentrations of β-CD was monitored.
Heterometal Assembly in Dendritic Polyphenylazomethines
Authors: Takanashi Kensaku , Fujii Atsunobu , Nakajima Reina , Chiba Hiroshi , Higuchi Masayoshi , Einaga Yasuaki , Yamamoto Kimihisa 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
Fine-controlled metal–organic hybridization is strongly desired for advanced nano-materials. Dendrimers are highly branched organic macromolecules with successive layers or “generations” of branch units surrounding a central core. Metal–organic hybrid versions have also been produced by trapping metal ions or metal clusters within the voids of dendrimers. Here, we report a technique to form a dendritic organic structure, which includes various metals, with fine control over the number and location of the metal salts through a radial stepwise complexation. FeCl3, GaCl3, VCl3, and SnCl2 were decorated on a phenylazomethine dendrimer with 4th generations at the first, second, third, and forth layers, respectively. These stepwise complexation and heterometal assembling were also supported by TEM observation, 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, XPS measurement, and NMR spectroscopy.
Anodic Oxidation of Catechols in the Presence of 1,3-Indandione. A Green Electrosynthetic Approach to New Catechol Derivatives
Authors: Raoof Jahan-Bakhsh , Kiani Abolfazl , Ojani Reza , Khalilzadeh Mohammad A 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
Efficient carbon–carbon bond-forming reaction at the 5- and 6-positions of catechol skeleton was achieved through anodic oxidation of catechol, 3-methylcatechol, and 4-methylcatechol in the presence of 1,3-indandione as a nucleophile. The electrochemical synthesis was carried out in aqueous solution, which is a green solvent, using cyclic voltammetry and controlled-current coulometry techniques. The results indicate that the electrogenerated benzoquinone from the electrooxidation of the corresponding catechol participates in a Michael addition reaction with 1,3-indandione. The mechanism of anodic oxidation was deduced from voltammetric and spectroscopic data. The galavanostatic electrochemical synthesis of compounds 2a, 2b, and 2c was successfully performed in an undivided cell in good yield. The products were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, DEPT, FT-IR, and mass spectrometry.
Improved Preparative Method for 1,2-Diaryl-3,4-diphosphinidenecyclobutenes and Its Application to the Studies of 1,2-Bis(arylthienyl)-3,4-diphosphinidenecyclobutenes
Authors: Toyota Kozo , Horikawa Keiko , Jensen Rader S , Omori Kouhei , Kawasaki Subaru , Ito Shigekazu , Yoshifuji Masaaki , Morita Noboru 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
Sterically protected 1,2-diaryl-3,4-diphosphinidenecyclobutenes were prepared from 3-aryl-2-bromo-1-(2,4,6-tri-t-butylphenyl)-3-(trimethylsiloxy)-1-phosphapropene using t-butyllithium and 1,2-dibromoethane, and the properties of the products, such as 1,2-di(2,2′-bithienyl-5-yl)-3,4-diphosphinidenecyclobutene, were studied. This method is an excellent method for preparing these compounds.
Basis Set and Electron Correlation Effects on Lithium Carbenoid Dimerization Energies
Authors: Pratt Lawrence M , Phan Diep Huong Tran , Tran Phuong Thao Thi , Nguyen Ngan Van 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
A systematic investigation was performed to determine which levels of theory are required to obtain accurate geometries and dimerization energies for lithium carbenoids. Dimerization free energies of six lithium carbenoids were calculated in the gas phase at the B3LYP and MP2 levels with several different basis sets and at the CCSD(T) level with the aug-cc-pvdz basis set. It was found that the calculated thermal corrections to the dimerization free energy, obtained from frequency calculation, were relatively independent of the basis set for basis sets larger than 6-31+G(d) and that smaller basis sets often generated qualitatively correct results. The dimerization free energies were usually overestimated by small basis sets compared to those using polarization and diffuse functions, whereas only modest gains were obtained by using basis sets larger than 6-31+G(d). The B3LYP DFT method generated geometries consistent with the MP2 and CCSD methods for halomethyllithium carbenoids, but not always for 1-halovinyllithium carbenoids. The B3LYP calculations also severely underestimated the dimerization free energies for the halovinyllithium carbenoids, compared to the MP2, and coupled cluster methods.
Molecular Mechanism for Antidiabetic Activity of [meso-Tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrinato]oxovanadium(IV) (VO(tpps)) Complex. Studies on Akt Phosphorylation and GLUT4 Translocation in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes
Authors: Basuki Wanny , Hiromura Makoto , Sakurai Hiromu 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
A [meso-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrinato]oxovanadium(IV) (VO(tpps)), has been found to have an antidiabetic activity and thus to be effective for treating diabetic animal models. High hypoglycemic effects have been observed not only in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetic mice but also type 2 diabetic KKAy mice by oral administration of the complex. However, the molecular mechanism for the activities has not yet been examined. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanism of VO(tpps) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes with respect to insulin signaling pathway. Addition of VO(tpps) was found to phosphorylate the insulin receptor β (IRβ) subunit, insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) and protein kinase B (PKB)/Akt in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, in which all phosphorylations were time dependent. The VO(tpps)-induced Akt phosphorylation was suppressed by a PI3K inhibitor, wortmannin. VO(tpps) also stimulated GLUT4 protein translocation to the plasma membrane. Based on these results, we conclude that VO(tpps) exhibits both insulinomimetic and antidiabetic activities via tyrosine phosphorylations of IRβ and IRS1, which activate the downstream Akt phosphorylation through PI3K, and this signaling cascade finally causes GLUT4 translocation from the cytosol to the plasma membrane.
Effective Suppression of Hydrogen Poisoning from a Ru-Based Catalyst in a Ag–Pd Membrane Reactor
Authors: Saito Makoto , Itoh Masahiro , Iwamoto Jun , Machida Ken-ichi 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
Ammonia synthesis was performed using a hydrogen-permeable membrane reactor with a Ru/(MgO–CeO2) catalyst (Mg:Ce = 50:50 in molar ratio; Ru loading = 5 wt %). The catalytic activity with permeated hydrogen (atomic hydrogen) was 1.6 times higher than those of with non-permeated hydrogen (molecular hydrogen). Temperature-programmed reaction experiments, which were conducted by flowing hydrogen onto the catalysts, revealed that the ceria component of the MgO–CeO2 support became much more reductive by hybridization with magnesia. The partially reduced ceria promoted the dissociative adsorption of molecular nitrogen by donating the electrons of Ce3+ ions to Ru metal particles. Furthermore, hydrogen poisoning of the Ru metal catalysts was suppressed by supplying atomic hydrogen through a Ag–Pd hydrogen-permeable membrane under well-controlled conditions to accelerate the catalytic reaction.
Identification of 8 Foodborne Pathogens by Multicolor Combinational Probe Coding Technology in a Single Real-Time PCR
Authors: Huang Qiuying , Hu Qinghua , Li Qingge 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
Background: Real-time PCR assays have been widely used for detecting foodborne pathogens but have been much less frequently applied in species identification, mainly because of the low number of species they can distinguish in 1 reaction. The present study used a new probe coding/labeling strategy, termed multicolor combinational probe coding (MCPC), to increase the number of targets that can be distinguished in a single real-time PCR for rapid and reliable species identification.
Methods: With MCPC, 8 pairs of species-specific tagged primers, 1 pair of universal primers, and 8 unilabeled or mix-labeled molecular beacon probes were included in a single reaction tube. Real-time PCR was performed, and the identity of each of the 8 pathogens was determined by amplification profile comparison. The method was validated via blind assessment of 118 bacterial strains, including clinical isolates and isolates from food products.
Results: The blind test with 118 samples gave no false-positive or -negative results for the target genes. The template DNA suitable for MCPC analysis was simply prepared by heating lysis, and the total PCR analysis was finished within 2.5 h, excluding template preparation.
Conclusions: MCPC is suitable for rapid and reliable identification of foodborne pathogens at the species level.
Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum: Genetic Variations in Antioxidant Genes Are Risk Factors for Early Disease Onset
Authors: Zarbock Ralf , Hendig Doris , Szliska Christiane , Kleesiek Knut , Götting Christian 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
Background: Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a rare hereditary disorder characterized by progressive calcification and fragmentation of elastic fibers in connective tissues. PXE is caused by mutations in the ABCC6 gene, which encodes the membrane transporter multidrug resistance–associated protein 6. Chronic oxidative stress was recently suggested to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Our aim was to investigate the association of PXE with genetic variation in genes coding for antioxidant enzymes.
Methods: We used restriction fragment length polymorphism and allele-specific PCR analyses to evaluate the distribution of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the genes encoding catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), and glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) in DNA samples from 117 German PXE patients and 117 healthy age- and sex-matched control individuals.
Results: The investigated genetic variants had previously been shown to affect the activities of these antioxidant enzymes. We found a correlation between genotype and age of disease onset for polymorphisms in CAT (c.−262C&gt;T), SOD2 (c.47C&gt;T), and GPX1 (c.593C&gt;T). Furthermore, the age of disease onset was inversely correlated with the number of mutated alleles, indicating a cumulative effect on the time of disease onset [mean (SD) age of 40.9 (13.6) years, 32.4 (16.3) years, and 25.7 (15.9) years for carriers of 0, 1–2, and &gt;2 mutated alleles, respectively; P = 0.03].
Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that increased oxidative stress due to activity-affecting polymorphisms in genes encoding antioxidant enzymes leads to earlier PXE onset.
Native eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) survival and growth adjacent to non-native oysters (Crassostrea gigas Thunberg) in the Strait of Georgia, British Columbia
Authors: Kelly Jennifer R. , Volpe John P. 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
We investigated effects of the introduced Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) on native eelgrass (Zostera marina) health on Cortes Island, British Columbia, Canada. Oysters physically alter their environment by increasing habitat complexity and altering water flow, and possibly by causing sulphide to accumulate in the sediment. Sulphide is toxic to eelgrass, and the current decline of eelgrass around Cortes Island may be a consequence of oyster population growth. While oysters and eelgrass coexist at a regional scale, eelgrass is typically absent directly seaward of oyster beds (the “below-oyster zone”) on Cortes Island. In a controlled experiment, we transplanted eelgrass plugs to below-oyster plots to determine whether this habitat is suitable for eelgrass growth. Shoot and leaf number were significantly greater over time in eelgrass-bed transplants than in below-oyster transplants. These results indicate that the below-oyster zone is unsuitable for eelgrass growth; if a causal link exists between oyster presence in the high intertidal zone and eelgrass absence directly seaward, then expansion of feral and farmed oyster beds will result in further eelgrass loss on Cortes Island.
Heavy metal biomonitoring by seaweeds on the Delmarva Peninsula, east coast of the USA
Authors: Chaudhuri Anish , Mitra Madhumi , Havrilla Christopher , Waguespack Yan , Schwarz Jurgen 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
Metal pollution in aquatic ecosystems can pose a major environmental concern impacting various life-forms. The usefulness of seaweeds as biomonitors or indicators of metals in the coastal bays of the Delmarva Peninsula is highlighted in this study, conducted in early spring 2006. Lack of any preexisting data on metal loads in Delmarva seaweeds and in the ambient medium (water and sediments) led to this pilot study for preliminary investigations on the ecological health of these coastal bays. The seaweed species collected from three different sites of the Delmarva Peninsula were: phaeophytes Fucus vesiculosus, and Fucus distichus, chlorophytes Ulva lactuca, and Enteromorpha intestinalis, and rhodophyte Gracilaria tikvahiae. The sampled seaweeds, seawater, and sediments were subsequently analyzed for chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, lead, arsenic, and zinc. The results showed high concentrations of Mn, and low concentrations of Cu in almost all the species. Bioconcentration factors (BCFs) in Ulva lactuca and Fucus vesiculosus, across sites, were similar (though the orders of magnitude varied) for Cu, Zn, and Ni. Calculation of metal pollution index (MPI) and Tomlinson pollution load index (PLI) showed that all three sites had low contamination with the metals investigated.