bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Co‐culture of Buffalo Preantral Follicles with Different Somatic Cells
Authors: Ramesh HS , Gupta PSP , Nandi S , Manjunatha BM , Kumar V Girish , Ravindra JP 
Published: February 2008

ContentsThe effect of co‐culture of buffalo preantral follicles (PFs) with different somatic cells, i.e, cumulus, granulosa, ovarian mesenchymal and oviductal epithelial cells was studied. Large PFs (250–450 μm) were isolated by microdissecting the trypsin (1%) digested ovarian cortical slices. Cumulus cells were isolated by repeated pipetting of oocytes, granulosa cells were isolated by aspirating from punctured PFs and ovarian mesenchymal cells were isolated from ovarian cortex by scraping the cortical slices and passing through 20 μm filter. Preantral follicles were cultured in standard culture medium without somatic cells or co‐cultured with cumulus cells, granulosa cells, ovarian mesenchymal cells and oviductal epithelial cells for 80 days. The growth rate (μm/day) of the PFs was monitored by measuring follicular diameter on day 0, 30, 60 and 80 days of culture. The viability of PFs was evaluated by trypan blue staining. The results indicated that PFs co‐cultured with cumulus, granulosa and ovarian mesenchymal cells had a better development and survivality compared with control and those co‐culture with oviductal epithelial cells. Maximum growth and survivality of PFs were achieved when cultured with cumulus cells. It is concluded that inclusion of somatic cells in PF culture media had beneficial effect on the growth of PFs and cumulus cells supported maximum growth and survivality of PFs in vitro of all somatic cells tested.
Prognostic significance of adjuvant cisplatin‐based combination chemotherapy following radical cystectomy in patients with invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Muramaki Mototsugu , Miyake Hideaki , Kurahashi Toshifumi , Takenaka Atsushi , Inoue Taka‐Aki , Fujisawa Masato 
Published: February 2008

Objectives:  The objectives of this study were to retrospectively examine the outcomes of adjuvant cisplatin‐based combination chemotherapy following radical cystectomy in patients with invasive bladder cancer in order to identify parameters predicting the prognosis of these patients.Methods:  This study included a total of 51 patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer who underwent radical cystectomy between January 1995 and December 2004, and subsequently received at least two cycles of either MVAC (methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin) or MVP‐CAB (methotrexate, doxorubicin, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, bleomycin and cisplatin) chemotherapy in an adjuvant setting because of the presence of diseases corresponding to pT3/4 and/or pN1/2 without clinical evidence of metastasis. The significance of several clinicopathological factors as predictors of disease recurrence and cancer‐specific death was evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses.Results:  During the observation period of this study (median, 26.5 months), disease‐recurrence and cancer‐specific death were observed in 21 and 16 patients, respectively. The 5‐year recurrence‐free and cancer‐specific survival rates were 48.6% and 54.1%, respectively. Among several factors examined in this series, lymph node metastasis and concomitant carcinoma in situ (CIS) were identified as significant predictors of both disease‐recurrence and cancer‐specific death, and these were also independently associated with disease‐recurrence and cancer‐specific death.Conclusions:  Adjuvant cisplatin‐based combination chemotherapy for patients with extravesically extended bladder cancer following radical cystectomy resulted in comparatively unsatisfactory outcome concerning cancer‐control; accordingly, it would be necessary to develop a more efficacious therapeutic strategy for such patients, particularly for those with lymph node metastasis and/or concomitant CIS.
Developmental trajectories for spatial frames of reference in Williams syndrome
Authors: Nardini Marko , Atkinson Janette , Braddick Oliver , Burgess Neil 
Published: February 2008

Abstract Williams syndrome (WS) is a genetic disorder associated with severe visuocognitive impairment. Individuals with WS also report difficulties with everyday wayfinding. To study the development of body‐, environment‐, and object‐based spatial frames of reference in WS, we tested 45 children and adults with WS on a search task in which the participant and a spatial array are moved with respect to each other. Although individuals with WS showed a marked delay, like young controls they demonstrated independent, additive use of body‐ and environment‐based frames of reference. Crucially, object‐based (intrinsic) representations based on local landmarks within the array were only marginally used even by adults with WS, whereas in typical development these emerge at 5 years. Deficits in landmark use are consistent with wayfinding difficulties in WS, and may also contribute to problems with basic localization, since in typical development landmark‐based representations supplement those based on the body and on self‐motion. Difficulties with inhibition or mental rotation may be further components in the impaired ability to use the correct reference frame in WS.
Balanced translocation in a patient with severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy disrupts the sodium channel gene SCN1A
Authors: Møller Rikke S. , Schneider Lizette M. , Hansen Christian P. , Bugge Merete , Ullmann Reinhard , Tommerup Niels , Tümer Zeynep 
Published: February 2008

Summary In a patient with severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy (SMEI), we identified a de novo balanced translocation, t(2;5)(q24.3,q34). The breakpoint on chromosome 2q24.3 truncated the SCN1A gene and the 5q34 breakpoint was within a highly conserved genomic region. Point mutations or microdeletions of SCN1A have previously been identified in SMEI patients, but this is the first report of a balanced translocation disrupting the SCN1A gene in an epilepsy patient. We therefore recommend that SMEI patients without SCN1A microdeletions or point mutations should be investigated for chromosomal rearrangements.
Desquamative gingivitis: retrospective analysis of disease associations of a large cohort
Authors: Leao JC , Ingafou M , Khan A , Scully C , Porter S 
Published: February 2008

Background:  Desquamative gingivitis (DG) is usually a manifestation of immunologically mediated mucocutaneous disorders, although it was previously suggested to be hormonally related.Methods:  One hundred and eighty‐seven Caucasian UK residents with clinical features of DG (126 female, median age of 51 years, range 23–93 years) were retrospectively evaluated.Results:  It was established that, in this population, the largest cohort yet reported, oral lichen planus was most common (70.5%) while mucous membrane pemphigoid (14%), pemphigus vulgaris (13%), linear IgA disease (1.6%), dermatomyositis (0.5%) and mixed connective tissue disease (0.5%) were less common.Conclusion:  Oral lichen planus is the main disorder associated with DG. However, DG may be a feature of bullous disease and connective tissue disease.
Comparison of Line‐Drive and Push‐Pull Flushing Schemes
Authors: Boving T.B. , Blanford W.J. , McCray J.E. , Divine C.E. , Brusseau M.L. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe performance of cyclodextrin (CD)‐enhanced push‐pull (PP) and line‐drive (LD) approaches to remediation of a site contaminated with a multicomponent dense nonaqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) present in a surficial sandy aquifer was evaluated in this field study. The treatment techniques were compared to each other and to the projected performance of a conventional water‐flushing system. Performance was assessed based on contaminant mass removed per unit volume of extraction solution and per unit time of operation. As expected, the CD‐enhanced LD and PP approaches to remediation were more efficient than conventional flushing with water. Between the two techniques, the PP approach performed 1.5 to 2 times better than the LD approach, particularly for higher DNAPL saturation of the source zone. This result suggests that forcing the flushing solution directly into and through the DNAPL source zone minimized flow bypassing and consequently resulted in a more efficient transfer of contaminant mass between the DNAPL phase and the flushing solution. Nonuniform treatment zone contaminant concentrations and changes in contaminant composition influenced the treatment performances, but these effects were small and still permitted the comparison of successive tests. Although CD was used as the solubility‐enhancing flushing agent in this study, it is likely that the results can be transferred to other chemically enhanced flushing technologies that use, for example, surfactants or alcohols.
Effects of Hydraulic Variables and Well Construction on Horizontal Borehole Flowmeter Measurements
Authors: Wu Y.‐S. , Lee C.‐H. , Yu J.‐L. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractDue to differences in hydraulic conductivity and effects of well construction geometry, ground water flow in a wellbore typically differs from the flow field in the surrounding porous media. These differences must be well understood to use borehole flowmeters for ground water velocity and direction measurement. In this work, a lab‐scale sand tank test and a small‐scale field test were conducted to explore the differences between average linear velocities in the borehole and in the formation and flow directions. In the sand tank test, six variables were studied, colloidal borescope meters were used to measure flows in wellbores, and correction factors (= linear velocity in center of borehole/average linear velocity in the surrounding formation away from the well) for flow velocity were determined. In these tests, correction factors ranged between 3 and 6 for all conditions studied, without any strong correlation between correction factor and most of the variables studied. The most obvious relationship was that the correction factor appeared to increase with decreasing ground water velocity; when the flow velocity decreased to near or below 2 × 10−3 m/s, the value of the correction factors increased to equal or exceed 10. In the field test, two different types of flowmeter—the colloidal borescope meters and heat‐pulse flowmeters—were used under natural gradient and forced hydraulic gradient conditions. Field test results showed no differences in correction factors when either type of borehole meters or hydraulic conditions were used. The correction factors remained between 3.9 and 6.0 consistent with other previously published results. The flow directions measured by borehole flowmeters in wellbores were consistent with the flow directions in the geological formation. The results of the sand tank test indicated the larger well screen diameter and the lower hydraulic gradient seem to have the more accurate flow directions measured by borehole flowmeters. Field and lab measurements suggested that the errors of flow direction were less than 15°, with a maximum of 21°.
Anti-BK Virus Activity of Nucleoside Analogs
Authors: Randhawa Parmjeet , Zemlicka Jiri , Sauerbrei Andreas , Meier Chris , Hostetler Karl Y. , Beadle James R. , Farasati Noush Afarin , Huang Yuchen , Bradley Matthews 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACTPolyomavirus BK is an important pathogen in transplant recipients with no effective therapy. This study demonstrates that alkoxyalkyl esters of (S)-9-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)adenine and fatty acid derivatives of 9-[2-(phosphonomethyoxy)ethyl]adenine (P393 and P405) are potent and selective inhibitors of BK virus replication in vitro, with a 50% effective concentration in the micromolar-to-nanomolar range.
Attenuated Vancomycin Bactericidal Activity against
Staphylococcus aureus hemB
Mutants Expressing the Small-Colony-Variant Phenotype
Authors: Tsuji Brian T. , von Eiff Christof , Kelchlin Pamela A. , Forrest Alan , Smith Patrick F. 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACT

The in vitro bactericidal activities of vancomycin against
Staphylococcus aureus hemB
mutants displaying the small-colony-variant phenotype and their parental strains were evaluated. Vancomycin killing activities against
hemB
mutants were markedly attenuated, demonstrating approximately 50% less effect, a result which was well described by a Hill-type pharmacodynamic model.
Prevalence and Susceptibility Profile of
Candida metapsilosis
and
Candida orthopsilosis
: Results from Population-Based Surveillance of Candidemia in Spain
Authors: Gomez-Lopez A. , Alastruey-Izquierdo A. , Rodriguez D. , Almirante B. , Pahissa A. , Rodriguez-Tudela J. L. , Cuenca-Estrella M. 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACT

We describe the prevalences and susceptibility profiles of two recently described species,
Candida metapsilosis
and
Candida orthopsilosis
, related to
Candida parapsilosis
in candidemia. The prevalences of these species (1.7% for
C. metapsilosis
and 1.4% for
C. orthopsilosis
) are significant. Differences observed in their susceptibility profiles could have therapeutic importance.
A Chemical Genomic Screen in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Reveals a Role for Diphthamidation of Translation Elongation Factor 2 in Inhibition of Protein Synthesis by Sordarin
Authors: Botet Javier , Rodríguez-Mateos María , Ballesta Juan P. G. , Revuelta José Luis , Remacha Miguel 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACT

Sordarin and its derivatives are antifungal compounds of potential clinical interest. Despite the highly conserved nature of the fungal and mammalian protein synthesis machineries, sordarin is a selective inhibitor of protein synthesis in fungal organisms. In cells sensitive to sordarin, its mode of action is through preventing the release of translation elongation factor 2 (eEF2) during the translocation step, thus blocking protein synthesis. To further investigate the cellular components required for the effects of sordarin in fungal cells, we have used the haploid deletion collection of
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
to systematically identify genes whose deletion confers sensitivity or resistance to the compound. Our results indicate that genes in a number of cellular pathways previously unknown to play a role in sordarin response are involved in its growth effects on fungal cells and reveal a specific requirement for the diphthamidation pathway of cells in causing eEF2 to be sensitive to the effects of sordarin on protein synthesis. Our results underscore the importance of the powerful genomic tools developed in yeast (
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
) to more comprehensively understanding the cellular mechanisms involved in the response to therapeutic agents.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Cystic Fibrosis Isolates from Individual Patients Demonstrate a Range of Levels of Lethality in Two
Drosophila melanogaster
Infection Models
Authors: Lutter Erika I. , Faria Monica M. P. , Rabin Harvey R. , Storey Douglas G. 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACT

Recently, two
Drosophila melanogaster
models of infection, fly feeding and fly nicking, have been developed that allow a determination of pathogenic potential of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
isolates. In this study, control strains, isolates from burn wounds, and isolates from the sputa of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients were used to compare the two infection models to determine whether any of the isolates might be better adapted to either of the models. In addition, our goal was to determine the variability of isolates from individual CF patients. Three of four control strains (PAO1, PAK, and PA14) caused significant mortality in the flies in both models of infection. The remaining control strain, PA103, was lethal to flies in the nicking model but lacked significant lethality in the feeding model. The burn wound isolates had a high level of lethality in both models. Interestingly, the CF isolates had the largest diversity of lethality in both models of infection. The range of pathogenic potentials of the CF isolates occurred across a cohort of patients, both at the patient level and down to the level of individual sputum samples. The majority of all isolates had similar levels of lethality in both fly infection models. However, two CF isolates were significantly more lethal in the nicking model, and three CF isolates were significantly more lethal in the feeding model. In conclusion, the two
Drosophila
infection models were useful for the analysis of the diversity of pathogenic potentials of
P. aeruginosa
isolates.
Hepatosplenomegaly Is Associated with Low Regulatory and Th2 Responses to Schistosome Antigens in Childhood Schistosomiasis and Malaria Coinfection
Authors: Wilson Shona , Jones Frances M. , Mwatha Joseph K. , Kimani Gachuhi , Booth Mark , Kariuki H. Curtis , Vennervald Birgitte J. , Ouma John H. , Muchiri Eric , Dunne David W. 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACTHepatosplenomegaly among Kenyan schoolchildren has been shown to be exacerbated where there is transmission of bothSchistosoma mansoniandPlasmodium falciparum. This highly prevalent and chronic morbidity often occurs in the absence of ultrasound-detectable periportal fibrosis and may be due to immunological inflammation. For a cohort of school-age children, whole-blood cultures were stimulated withS. mansonisoluble egg antigen (SEA) or soluble worm antigen (SWA). Responses to SWA were found to be predominantly Th2 cytokines; however, they were not significantly associated with either hepatosplenomegaly or infection withS. mansoniorP. falciparum. In comparison, SEA-specific Th2 cytokine responses were low, and the levels were negatively correlated withS. mansoniinfection intensities and were lower among children who were coinfected withP. falciparum. Tumor necrosis factor alpha levels in response to stimulation with SEA were high, and a negative association between presentation with hepatomegaly and the levels of the regulatory cytokines interleukin-6 and transforming growth factor β1suggests that a possible mechanism for childhood hepatomegaly in areas where both malaria and schistosomiasis are endemic is poor regulation of an inflammatory response to schistosome eggs.
The Image of the Jews in Ps.-Gregory of Nyssa's Testimonies against the Jews
Authors: Albl Martin 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThis article examines the implicit audience of Ps.-Gregory's Testimonies against the Jews, a late fourth-century collection of Old Testament proof-texts and commentary intended to prove the truth of Christian beliefs over against Jewish objections. As a "meta-collection" of previous Christian proof-text collections and exegetical traditions, it reflects disparate and sometimes contradictory images of the Jews. In comparison with other Christian adversus Iudaeos literature, however, the Testimonies is remarkable for its generally positive portrayal of Judaism. It argues, for example, that the purpose of the Jewish law was to keep the descendants of Abraham pure until the birth of the Messiah. While "proving" at length that Jesus' death was prophesied in scripture, it never blames the Jews for that death. Its tone is consistently civil, presuming that "the Jew" is not "blind" or "hard-hearted," but rather is a person who can be persuaded by rational argument.
Circulating neutrophils maintain physiological blood pressure by suppressing bacteria and IFNγ-dependent iNOS expression in the vasculature of healthy mice
Authors: Morton Jonathan , Coles Barbara , Wright Kate , Gallimore Awen , Morrow Jason D. , Terry Erin S. , Anning Peter B. , Morgan B. Paul , Dioszeghy Vincent , Kühn Hartmut , Chaitidis Pavlos , Hobbs Adrian J. , Jones Simon A. , O'Donnell Valerie B. 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
Whether leukocytes exert an influence on vascular function in vivo is not known. Here, genetic and pharmacologic approaches show that the absence of neutrophils leads to acute blood pressure dysregulation. Following neutrophil depletion, systolic blood pressure falls significantly over 3 days (88.0 ± 3.5 vs 104.0 ± 2.8 mm Hg, day 3 vs day 0, mean ± SEM, P < .001), and aortic rings from neutropenic mice do not constrict properly. The constriction defect is corrected using l-nitroarginine-methyl ester (L-NAME) or the specific inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor 1400W, while acetylcholine relaxation is normal. iNOS- or IFNγ-deficient mice are protected from neutropenia-induced hypotension, indicating that iNOS-derived nitric oxide (NO) is responsible and that its induction involves IFNγ. Oral enrofloxacin partially inhibited hypotension, implicating bacterial products. Roles for cyclooxygenase, complement C5, or endotoxin were excluded, although urinary prostacyclin metabolites were elevated. Neutrophil depletion required complement opsinization, with no evidence for intravascular degranulation. In summary, circulating neutrophils contribute to maintaining physiological tone in the vasculature, at least in part through suppressing early proinflammatory effects of infection. The speed with which hypotension developed provides insight into early changes that occur in the absence of neutrophils and illustrates the importance of constant surveillance of mucosal sites by granulocytes in healthy mice.
Genetic analysis of the two zebrafish patched homologues identifies novel roles for the hedgehog signaling pathway
Authors: Koudijs Marco J , den Broeder Marjo J , Groot Evelyn , van Eeden Fredericus JM 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackgroundAberrant activation of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway in different organisms has shown the importance of this family of morphogens during development. Genetic screens in zebrafish have assigned specific roles for Hh in proliferation, differentiation and patterning, but mainly as a result of a loss of its activity. We attempted to fully activate the Hh pathway by removing both receptors for the Hh proteins, called Patched1 and 2, which are functioning as negative regulators in this pathway.ResultsHere we describe a splice-donor mutation in Ptc1, calledptc1hu1602, which in a homozygous state results in a subtle eye and somite phenotype. Since we recently positionally cloned aptc2mutant, aptc1;ptc2double mutant was generated, showing severely increased levels ofptc1,gli1andnkx2.2a, confirming an aberrant activation of Hh signaling. As a consequence, a number of phenotypes were observed that have not been reported previously usingShhmRNA overexpression. Somites ofptc1;ptc2double mutants do not express anteroposterior polarity markers, however initial segmentation of the somites itself is not affected. This is the first evidence that segmentation and anterior/posterior (A/P) patterning of the somites are genetically uncoupled processes. Furthermore, a novel negative function of Hh signaling is observed in the induction of the fin field, acting well before any of the previously reported function of Shh in fin formation and in a way that is different from the proposed early role of Gli3 in limb/fin bud patterning.ConclusionThe generation and characterization of theptc1;ptc2double mutant assigned novel and unexpected functions to the Hh signaling pathway. Additionally, these mutants will provide a useful system to further investigate the consequences of constitutively activated Hh signaling during vertebrate development.