bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of substrate and adsorbed proteins on adhesion, growth and shape of CaCo‐2 cells
Authors: Zemljič Jokhadar Š. , Žnidarčič T. , Svetina S. , Batista U. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractExtracellular matrix (ECM) proteins play a critical role in many cellular functions, from spreading, migration and proliferation to apoptosis. This role can be altered when proteins of the native ECM are adsorbed to different substrates which cause structural modifications that can influence their biological function. The effects on CaCo‐2 cells of laminin‐1, fibronectin, collagen‐1 and ECM gel adsorbed to glass and to tissue culture polystyrene (PS) were compared in terms of adhesion, proliferation, shapes and spreading of cells in culture. Significant differences between glass and PS surfaces were observed for proliferation and cell shape. Protein surfaces prepared on PS substrates had, in most cases, more pronounced effects on cells than uncoated PS, especially if coated by collagen‐1. Adsorbed ECM gel was the most adhesive for cells, but its effect on cell proliferation was not notably different from the controls (glass or PS). These findings indicate that the choice of the substrate can have a significant effect on experimental results and should be taken into consideration when comparing results obtained on different surfaces.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Cervical Carcinomas
Authors:   ACOG Committee on Practice Bulletins ‐ Gynecology
Published: March 2007

AbstractInvasive cervical carcinoma, once the most common reproductive‐tract cancer in the United States, has recently fallen to the rank of third most common. Globally, cervical cancer is a major health problem, with a yearly incidence of 371,000 cases and an annual death of 190,000. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) recently revisited its staging criteria. In addition, new evidence had documented conclusively that survival rates for women with cervical cancer improve when radiotherapy is combined with cisplatin‐based chemotherapy. This document will describe staging criteria and treatment for cervical carcinoma. For practical purposes, it will focus on the squamous and adenocarcinoma histologies only.
Antimicrobial treatment reduces intestinal microflora and improves protein digestive capacity without changes in villous structure in weanling pigs
Authors: Thymann Thomas , Sørensen Kristina U. , Hedemann Mette S. , Elnif Jan , Jensen Bent B. , Banga-Mboko Henri , Leser Thomas D. , Sangild Per T. 
Published: March 2007

The immediate post-weaning period is often associated with gut malfunction and diarrhoea for young pigs. Administration of antimicrobials remains an effective way to control weaning diarrhoea but it remains unclear how they affect gut physiology and microbiology although this is a prerequisite for being able to devise better alternatives. Hence, for 7 d we treated pigs, weaned at 24 d of age, with a combination of amoxicillin (25 mg/kg feed and injection of 8·75 mg/kg body weight per 12 h) and ZnO (2·5 g/kg feed). The pigs treated with antimicrobials (n11) showed no signs of gut malfunction at any time, whereas untreated weaned controls (n11) developed clinical diarrhoea. The antimicrobial treatment resulted in a higher daily weight gain compared with weaned controls (101v. − 44 g/d,P < 0·0001), whereas both groups had a similar degree of villous atrophy compared with unweaned 24-d-old controls (n8;P < 0·05). The antimicrobial treatment gave a dramatic reduction in small intestinal microbial diversity, and specifically prevented tissue colonization withEscherichia colicompared with weaned controls. Further, the antimicrobial treatment improved amylase, trypsin and small intestinal aminopeptidase A and N activities (allP < 0·05). Specifically for the colon, the antimicrobial treatment was associated with reduced tissue weight ( − 23 %,P < 0·05), reduced concentration of SCFA (P < 0·05), and increased mucosal goblet cell area (P < 0·0001) compared with weaned controls. We conclude that the beneficial effects of antimicrobials are mediated not only through reduction in intestinal bacterial load, but also through a stimulation of protein digestive function and goblet cell density.
Childhood malnutrition is associated with a reduction in the total melanin content of scalp hair
Authors: McKenzie Colin A. , Wakamatsu Kazumasa , Hanchard Neil A. , Forrester Terrence , Ito Shosuke 
Published: March 2007

Childhood malnutrition is known to be associated with visible lightening of hair colour (hypochromotrichia). Nevertheless, no systematic investigations have been carried out to determine the biochemical basis of this change. We used an HPLC method to measure melanins in the scalp hair of thirteen Jamaican children, diagnosed as having primary malnutrition, during various stages of their treatment and after recovery. During treatment for malnutrition, a progressive decrease in total melanin content along the hair shaft from tip to root (root:tip ratio: 0·62 (sd 0·31)) was observed. This ratio was significantly different (P = 0·003) from the ratio observed among children sampled several months after discharge from hospital (0·93 (sd 0·23)) and among normal control children (0·97 (sd 0·12)). Thus, it appears that a decrease in melanin content is associated with periods of malnutrition. The low root:tip ratio during malnutrition presumably arises because the tips reflect prior hair growth during ‘normal’ nutrition and the roots reflect hair growth during malnutrition; a return of the root:tip ratio to that seen among controls reflects ‘recovery’ from malnutrition. It is possible that reduced intake or availability of tyrosine, a key substrate in melanin synthesis, may play a role in the reduction of hair melanin content during periods of malnutrition. The precise mechanisms by which melanin content is reduced, and the role of aromatic amino acid availability in hair colour change and other features of childhood malnutrition remain to be explored.
Carob pulp preparation rich in insoluble dietary fibre and polyphenols increases plasma glucose and serum insulin responses in combination with a glucose load in humans
Authors: Gruendel Sindy , Otto Baerbel , Garcia Ada L. , Wagner Karen , Mueller Corinna , Weickert Martin O. , Heldwein Walter , Koebnick Corinna 
Published: March 2007

Dietary fibre consumption is associated with improved glucose homeostasis. In contrast, dietary polyphenols have been suggested to exert both beneficial and detrimental effects on glucose and insulin metabolism. Recently, we reported that a polyphenol-rich insoluble dietary fibre preparation from carob pulp (carob fibre) resulted in lower postprandial acylated ghrelin levels after a liquid meal challenge test compared with a control meal without supplementation. The effects may, however, differ when a different food matrix is used. Thus, we investigated the effects of carob fibre on glucose, insulin and ghrelin responses in healthy humans in combination with a glucose load. In a randomized single-blind cross-over study involving twenty healthy subjects (aged 22–62 years), plasma glucose, total and acylated ghrelin, and serum insulin were repeatedly assessed before and after the ingestion of 200 ml water with 50 g glucose and 0, 5, 10 or 20 g carob fibre over a period of 180 min. The intake of 5 and 10 g carob fibre increased the plasma glucose by 47 % and 64 % (P < 0·001), and serum insulin by 19·9 and 24·8 % (P < 0·001), compared with the control. Plasma acylated ghrelin concentrations did not change significantly after the consumption of carob-enriched glucose solution. Total ghrelin decreased only after 10 g carob fibre (P < 0·001) compared with control. In conclusion, we showed that polyphenol-rich carob fibre, administered within a water–glucose solution, increases postprandial glucose and insulin responses, suggesting a deterioration in glycaemic control.
An Approach for Increasing the Mass Recovery of Proteins Derived from Inclusion Bodies in Biotechnology
Authors: Wu Dan , Wang Chaozhan , Geng Xindu 
Published: March 2007

AbstractA method for increasing the mass recovery of therapeutic proteins produced by E. coli using liquid chromatography was investigated. Recombinant human interferon‐γ (rhIFN‐γ) produced by E. coli was selected as a model therapeutic protein, and hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) was performed as a model for liquid chromatography. Using seven types of stationary phase hydrophobic interaction chromatography (STHIC) with different end groups, the effect of the stationary phase on the mass recovery during protein folding by liquid chromatography (LC) and the causes of mass loss of rhIFN‐γ during its folding with simultaneous purification were investigated. Also strategies for increasing mass recovery are proposed. The results demonstrate that the mass recovery of rhIFN‐γ increases with the decreasing hydrophobicity for six STHIC with end groups of PEG‐200, PEG‐400, PEG‐600, PEG‐1000, furfural, and phenyl, except for PEG‐1000. However, for oxethyl and PEG‐600, even though the same diol end group is bonded to PEG‐600, so long as the PEG‐600 is modified by acetyl chloride, it can effectively enhance the mass and bioactivity recovery of rhIFN‐γ compared to the PEG‐600 column. The effect of sample size including both mass and volume on the mass recovery of the rhIFN‐γ was also investigated. Last, redissolving the target protein that has irreversibly adsorbed to the stationary phase and re‐injecting it onto the column is an approach for increasing mass recovery.
Flux Balance Analysis of a Genome‐Scale Yeast Model Constrained by Exometabolomic Data Allows Metabolic System Identification of Genetically Different Strains
Authors: Çakır Tunahan , Efe Çaǧrı , Dikicioǧlu Duygu , Hortaçsu Amable , Kırdar Betül , Oliver Stephen G. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractA systems approach to biology requires a principled approach to pathway identification. In this study, the two nuclear petite yeast mutants K1Δpet191a and K1Δpet191ab and their parental industrial strain K1 were cultured in glucose‐containing microaerobic chemostats. Exometabolomic profiles were used to infer the differences in the fermentation characteristics and respiration capacity of the strains. The ability of the metabolite measurement information to describe genetically different strains was investigated using a genome‐scale yeast model. Flux balance analysis (FBA) of the model reveals that the objective function of minimal oxygen consumption enables the identification of the effect of genotypic differences when combined with the knowledge of the extracellular state of metabolism. The predicted decrease in oxygen consumption flux of K1Δpet191a and K1Δpet191ab strains with respect to the parental strain is about 80% and 100%, respectively, which coincides with the respiratory deficiencies of the strains. The expected increase in ethanol production rates in response to the decrease in the respiratory capacity was also predicted to be very close to the experimental values. This study shows the predictive power of the integrated analysis of genome‐scale models with exometabolomic profiles, since accurate predictions could be made without any information about the respiration capacity of the strains. The FBA approach thereby enables identification of responsive pathways and so permits the elucidation of the genetic characteristics of strains in terms of expressed metabolite profiles.
Impact of post-translational modifications of proteins on the inflammatory process
Authors: Ito K. 
Published: March 2007

PTM (post-translational modification) is the chemical modification of a protein after its translation. The well-studied PTM is phosphorylation, but, recently, PTMs have been re-focused by extensive studies on histone modifications and the discovery of the ubiquitin system. Histone acetylation is the well-established epigenetic regulator for gene expression. Recent studies show that different patterns of PTMs and cross-talk of individual modifications (acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation) are keys of gene regulation (known as the ‘histone code’). As well as histone, non-histone proteins are also targets of acetylation. For instance, NF-κB (nuclear factor κB), a transcriptional factor, is regulated dynamically by acetylation/deacetylation. Acetylation of NF-κB [RelA (p65)] at Lys310 enhances its transcriptional activity, which is inhibited by SIRT1 deacetylase, type III HDAC (histone deacetylase). We also found that acetylated NF-κB preferentially bound to the IL-8 (interleukin 8) gene promoter, but not to GM-CSF (granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor), suggesting NF-κB acetylation is involved in selective gene induction as well as an increased level of transcription. A receptor of glucocorticoid, a potent anti-inflammatory agent, is also a target of acetylation. The glucocorticoid receptor is highly acetylated after ligand binding but its deacetylation is necessary for gene repression through binding to NF-κB. As well as acetylation, other PTMs, such as nitration, carbonylation and ubiquitination on transcriptional/nuclear factors, are taking part in the inflammatory process. Cross-talk of individual modifications on proteins deserves further evaluation in the future (as ‘protein code’).
Inflammation and polyamine catabolism: the good, the bad and the ugly
Authors: Babbar N. , Murray-Stewart T. , Casero R.A. 
Published: March 2007

The induction of polyamine catabolism by specific anti-tumour polyamine analogues has increased interest in the roles polyamine catabolism play in cell growth, death and response to various anti-tumour agents. The relatively recent finding of an inducible mammalian spermine oxidase (SMO/PAOh1), in addition to the two-step spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferanse (SSAT)/N1-acetylpolyamine oxidase (APAO) catabolic pathway, underscores the complexities of the regulation of polyamine catabolism by various stimuli. Furthermore, recent data indicate that infectious agents and mediators of inflammation can also up-regulate polyamine catabolism. Induction of SSAT by these agents can reduce intracellular polyamine concentrations and cell growth rate, thus providing a beneficial mechanism by which cells may adapt to inflammatory stress. However, increased polyamine catabolism can also result in substantial increases in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) through the production of H2O2 as a by-product of either APAO or SMO/PAOh1 activity. This increased generation of ROS can have different results, depending on the mechanism of induction and cell types involved. Targeted killing of tumour cells by agents that stimulate SSAT/APAO and/or SMO/PAOh1 is obviously a ‘good’ effect. However, induction of SMO/PAOh1 by inflammation or infectious agents has the potential to produce sufficient ROS in normal, non-tumour cells to lead to DNA damage, mutation and, potentially, carcinogenic transformation (‘bad’). The variation in the induction of these polyamine catabolic enzymes, as well as the level and timing of this induction will dictate the cellular outcome in the presence of both desirable and undesirable effects (‘ugly’). Here we discuss the relative role of each of the steps in polyamine catabolism in response to inflammatory stress.
Potassium channel blockers quinidine and caesium halt cell proliferation in C6 glioma cells via a polyamine-dependent mechanism
Authors: Weiger T.M. , Colombatto S. , Kainz V. , Heidegger W. , Grillo M.A. , Hermann A. 
Published: March 2007

Potassium channels are ubiquitous in cells and serve essential functions in physiology and pathophysiology. Potassium channel blockers have been shown to block tumour growth by arresting cells at the G0/G1 checkpoint of the cell cycle. We investigated the effect of quinidine and caesium (Cs+) on cell proliferation, LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) release, free internal calcium, membrane potential, polyamine concentration, ODC (ornithine decarboxylase) activity and polyamine uptake in C6 glioma cells. The EC50 for reducing cell proliferation was 112 μM for quinidine, whereas Cs+ was less effective with an EC50 of 4.75 mM. KCl or sucrose did not affect proliferation. LDH release was augmented by quinidine. Quinidine caused a transient increase in free internal calcium but decreased calcium after a 48 h incubation period. Further 300 μM quinidine depolarized the cell membrane in a similar range as did 30 mM KCl. Quinidine decreased cellular putrescine beyond detection levels while spermidine and spermine remained unaffected. ODC activity was reduced. Addition of putrescine could not override the antiproliferative effect owing to a reduced activity of the polyamine transporter. Our study indicates that the antiproliferative effect of quinidine is not due to a simple membrane depolarization but is caused by a block of ODC activity.
Risk Factors for Death Due to Nosocomial Infection in Intensive Care Unit Patients: Findings From the Krankenhaus Infektions Surveillance System
Authors: Gastmeier P. , Sohr D. , Geffers C. , Behnke M. , Rüden H. 
Published: March 2007

Objective.To determine risk factors for death among patients with nosocomial pneumonia and patients with primary bloodstream infections (BSI) in intensive care units (ICUs).Design.Prospective cohort study.Setting.Data collected from January 1997 through June 2003 from ICUs registered with the Krankenhaus Infektions Surveillance System in Germany.Patients.A total of 8,432 patients with nosocomial pneumonia from 202 ICUs and 2,759 patients with nosocomial primary BSI from 190 ICUs.Methods.The following risk factors were considered in the analysis: age, sex, time in the ICU before onset of infection, type of ICU, type and size of hospital, intubation, central venous catheter use, total parenteral nutrition, and type of pathogen.Results.A total of 750 patients (8.9%) with nosocomial pneumonia and 302 patients (10.9%) with nosocomial primary BSI died. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified treatment in a medical or surgical ICU (odds ratio [OR], 1.55 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.32-1.82]) or a hospital with more than 1,000 beds (OR, 2.14 [95% CI, 1.81-2.56]), age older than 65 years (OR, 1.54 [95% CI, 1.31-1.81]), and infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (OR, 2.39 [95% CI, 1.81-3.12]) or multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (OR, 3.00 [95% CI, 1.90-4.63]) as independent determinants of death from nosocomial pneumonia. Age older than the median of 63 years (OR, 1.44 [95% CI, 1.12-1.86]) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus as the causative agent (OR, 2.98 [95% CI, 1.81-5.82]) were both associated with increased mortality from primary BSI. The types of infecting pathogens, particularly those resistant to multiple drugs, were also strong outcome predictors among ICU patients.Conclusions.The study results underline the need for further investigations of the role of antimicrobial resistance in the outcome of patients with nosocomial pneumonia and patients with primary BSI.
Usefulness of Severity-of-Illness Scores Based on Admission Data Only in Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Systems
Authors: Gastmeier Petra , Menzel Karin , Sohr Dorit , Rüden Henning 
Published: March 2007

Background.Surveillance of nosocomial infection (NI) and the use of reference data for comparison is recommended to improve the quality of patient care. In addition to standardization according to device use, another stratification of reference data according to patients' severity-of-illness scores is often required for benchmarking in intensive care units (ICUs).Objective.To determine whether severity-of-illness scores on admission to the ICU are sufficient data for predicting the development of NI.Methods.This study was performed in an interdisciplinary ICU at a teaching hospital. Two scores were studied: the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scoring system and the Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (TISS). The patient's clinical condition was evaluated on admission and reevaluated daily during the period before the development of NI. In addition, we recorded the number of intubations for every patient-day, the age and sex of the patients, and their history of operations. The Fisher exact test and the stepwise multiple logistic regression model were applied to identify significant predictors of NI.Results.During a 12-month period, 270 patients with ICU stays of more than 24 hours were included in the study. Sixty-nine NIs were identified (incidence, 25.6 cases per 100 patients [95% confidence interval, 19.9-32.3]). A mean APACHE II score and a mean TISS score above the median for these scores, duration of ventilation above the median in the period before the development of NI, and patient age were significantly associated with the development of NI; the score data on admission provided a clearly poorer prediction.Conclusion.The APACHE II and TISS scores on admission are not useful predictors for NI in ICUs.
Development and Application of Evaluation Indices for Hospital Infection Surveillance and Control Programs in the Republic of Korea
Authors: Oh Hyang Soon , Cheong Hae Won , Yi Seung Eun , Kim Ho , Choe Kang Won , Cho Sung Il 
Published: March 2007

Objective.To develop new evaluation indices of infection control and to use them to evaluate Korean infection surveillance and control programs (ISCPs).Design.We performed a questionnaire-based survey to 164 acute care general hospitals throughout the Republic of Korea that had more than 300 beds. Study methods were based completely on those of the Study on the Efficacy of Nosocomial Infection Control (SENIC). Four SENIC indices (hospital epidemiologist index, infection control nurse index, surveillance index, and control index) and 4 newly developed indices (healthcare worker index, quality improvement index, resource index, and hand hygiene facilities index) were used to evaluate Korean ISCPs. Data were collected by questionnaire from June 17 to October 11, 2003.Setting.One hundred sixty-four general hospitals with more than 300 beds in the Republic of Korea.Results.Personnel from 85 general hospitals responded to the study questionnaire. The reliability and validity of the evaluation indices were statistically significant (P<.05). The 8 evaluation indices were categorized into 2 factor groups: personnel factors (hospital epidemiologist index and infection control nurse index) and activity factors (the remaining 6 indices). Korean ISCPs showed a major weakness in surveillance. The scores for the newly developed evaluation indices were better than those for the SENIC evaluation indices. However, most Korean hospitals were estimated to have had only slight reductions in nosocomial infection rates. The evaluation indices were influenced significantly by the number of beds in the hospital, whether the hospital was located in the Seoul-Gyonggi region, the presence of full-time infection control nurses at the hospital, the education level of the infection control nurses, and the nurses' experience in infection control (P<.05).Conclusions.The reliability and validity of the SENIC evaluation indices and the newly developed evaluation indices were satisfactory in evaluating Korean ISCPs. However, surveillance should be improved to increase the efficacy of Korean ISCPs.