bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
One‐Year Survey of Cutaneous Lesions in 1000 Consecutive Iranian Newborns
Authors: Moosavi Zahra , Hosseini Tahereh 
Published: January 2006

Abstract:  Our objective was to study skin disorders in neonates within the first 48 hours of life in Ahvaz, Iran. One thousand consecutive neonates were examined in a descriptional prospective cohort study for 1 year (2002–03). The rate of skin disorders and their relationship to age of gestation and sex were calculated and analyzed using the computerized program spss version 10 and chi‐squared test (χ2). Our findings were Mongolian spots (71.3%), Epstein pearls (70.2%), sebaceous hyperplasia (43.7%), salmon patch (26.2%), hypertrichosis (25.7%), erythema toxicum (11.1%), milia (7.5%), desquamation (1.9%), hemangioma (1.3%), and miliaria (1.3%). The most frequent skin disorders were Mongolian spots, Epstein pearls, and sebaceous hyperplasia. Differences between our study findings and those of others may be based on racial differences and study method.
The Cross‐Section of Volatility and Expected Returns
Authors: ANG ANDREW , HODRICK ROBERT J. , XING YUHANG , ZHANG XIAOYAN 
Published: January 2006

ABSTRACTWe examine the pricing of aggregate volatility risk in the cross‐section of stock returns. Consistent with theory, we find that stocks with high sensitivities to innovations in aggregate volatility have low average returns. Stocks with high idiosyncratic volatility relative to the Fama and French (1993, Journal of Financial Economics 25, 2349) model have abysmally low average returns. This phenomenon cannot be explained by exposure to aggregate volatility risk. Size, book‐to‐market, momentum, and liquidity effects cannot account for either the low average returns earned by stocks with high exposure to systematic volatility risk or for the low average returns of stocks with high idiosyncratic volatility.
Importance of Initiation Pattern of Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia in Patients with Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators
Authors: GORENEK BULENT , KUDAIBERDIEVA GULMIRA , BIRDANE ALPARSLAN , CAVUSOGLU YUKSEL , GOKTEKIN OMER , UNALIR AHMET , ATA NECMI , TIMURALP BILGIN 
Published: January 2006

Background: Stored intracardiac electrograms (ICEGs) are helpful in understanding the initiation mechanisms of sustained ventricular arrhythmias and in determining the appropriateness of the therapy delivered by implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs).
Aim: We investigated the initiation pattern of sustained polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PVT) and the features of the therapy delivered by ICDs.
Methods: Sixty‐six patients (mean age of 67 ± 8 years) with 97 stored ICEGs showing PVT were evaluated. Cardiovascular diagnosis included coronary artery disease in 72.7% of the patients. The average left ventricular ejection fraction was 33±6%.
Results: Nonsudden onset episodes were more common than sudden onset episodes (63 episodes, 65% vs 34 episodes, 35%, P < 0.001). More PVT episodes were required multiple shock delivery if they had nonsudden onset initiation (28.6% vs 23.6%, P < 0.01). The mean shock energy delivered for arrhythmia termination was higher in PVT with nonsudden onset (20 ± 4 vs 14 ± 5 J, P < 0.01).
Conclusions: The stored ICEGs demonstrate that PVT is most often preceded by ventricular ectopy. To be reverted, nonsudden onset episodes require higher levels of shock energy and more frequently multiple shock achievements than sudden onset episodes.
Suboptimal Glycemic Control, Independently of QT Interval Duration, Is Associated with Increased Risk of Ventricular Arrhythmias in a High‐Risk Population
Authors: CHEN‐SCARABELLI CAROL , SCARABELLI TIZIANO M. 
Published: January 2006

Background: Although cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in diabetic patients, little is known about the impact of glycemic control on ventricular tachycardia (VT).
Objective: To investigate whether hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is associated with increased incidence of VT.
Methods: A retrospective study of 336 implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator patients (both diabetes mellitus (DM) and non‐DM) was conducted.
Results: HbA1c levels between 8% and 10% had a significant association with spontaneous VT, but not with QT/QTc.
Conclusions: Glycemic index is a significant predictor of spontaneous VT, independently of QT interval. Optimal glycemic control may help reduce occurrence of VT and sudden cardiac death in high‐risk DM patients.
Myocardial Contractility and Cardiac Filling Measured by Impedance Cardiography in Patients with Nitroglycerine‐Induced Vasovagal Syncope
Authors: MITRO PETER , HIJOVÁ EMÍLIA 
Published: January 2006

Objective: Increased myocardial contractility and inadequate cardiac filling leading to activation of the Bezold‐Jarisch reflex were proposed as possible triggering mechanisms of vasovagal syncope (VVS). In the present study noninvasive hemodynamic measurements were performed in order to examine the role of myocardial contractility and cardiac filling in pathogenesis of VVS.
Methods: Hemodynamic parameters were measured during head‐up tilt test (HUT) by impedance cardiography in 46 patients with unexplained syncope. Myocardial contractility was measured as index of contractility (IC), acceleration index (ACI), and ejection fraction (EF). Afterload was measured as systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) and preload was expressed as end‐diastolic index (EDI). Serial measurements were done 1 minute before HUT, during HUT at 1‐minute intervals, and 1 minute after completion of HUT.
Results: HUT was positive in 30 patients (10 men, 20 women, mean age 36 ± 16 years) and negative in 16 patients (8 men, 8 women, mean age 31 ± 14 years). No significant differences were observed between HUT(+) and HUT(−) groups in hemodynamic parameters at supine rest and during HUT until the development of syncope. SVRI was lower in HUT(+) than in HUT(−) group at syncope (122.7 + 66.3 vs 185.6 + 51.4 dyn sec cm−5/m2, P = 0.002) and after syncope (117.0 + 61.1 vs 198.0 + 95.7 dyn sec cm−5/m2, P = 0.007). ACI, IC, EF, and EDI did not differ between groups at syncope. After syncope EF was higher in HUT(+) group compared to HUT(−) group (59.2 + 6.1 vs 52.7 + 9.4%, P = 0.02).
Conclusion: The role of increased myocardial contractility and decreased cardiac filling is not confirmed in the present study.
Immunohistochemical analysis of the biological potential of odontogenic keratocysts
Authors: Kolář Zdeněk , Geierová Marie , Bouchal Jan , Pazdera Jindřich , Zbořil Vítězslav , Tvrdý Peter 
Published: January 2006

Background: The aim of this study was to analyse the usefulness of detecting important apoptosis and proliferation markers in assessing the biological potential of odontogenic keratocysts (OKC) and thus selecting the optimal diagnostic algorithm for these lesions.Methods: Indirect immunohistochemistry and relevant statistical methods were used for analysis of formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded samples from 98 patients.Results: Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) keratocysts were characterized by higher expression of Bcl‐2, p27Kip1and c‐erbB‐2 as well as by lower proliferative activity measured by Ki‐67 in basal cell epithelium and by a lower inflammatory response in comparison with sporadic keratocysts. Dentigerous, radicular and non‐specified odontogenic cysts differed from both NBCCS and sporadic keratocysts in a wide spectrum of apoptosis and/or cell cycle‐related protein expressions, higher proliferation in the basal cell layer, and vice versa, lower proliferation in the suprabasal cell layer.Conclusions: The NBCCS keratocysts have a different immunophenotype from sporadic keratocysts and both types are distinguishable from dentigerous, radicular and non‐specified odontogenic cysts. These findings confirm the separate biological potential of these lesions and the results of the immunohistochemical analysis have diagnostic and prognostic implications.
Levamisole can modulate the serum tumor necrosis factor‐α level in patients with recurrent aphthous ulcerations
Authors: Sun Andy , Wang Jeng‐Tzung , Chia Jean‐San , Chiang Chun‐Pin 
Published: January 2006

Background:  Recurrent aphthous ulcerations (RAU) are common oral inflammatory lesions. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α is an important inflammatory mediator and a critical cytokine for adequate host defense. Our previous studies have shown that 14–43% and 59–63% of patients in the ulcerative stage of major, minor or herpetiform RAU have significantly higher than normal serum levels of interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐8, respectively. In this study, we examined whether RAU patients in the ulcerative stage had a significantly higher than normal serum level of TNF‐α and assessed whether treatment with levamisole can modulate serum TNF‐α levels in RAU patients.Methods:  This study used a solid phase, two‐site sequential chemiluminescent immunometric assay to determine the baseline serum levels of TNF‐α in 146 patients with RAU, nine patients with traumatic ulcers (TU), and 54 normal control subjects. Fifty‐five RAU patients with serum TNF‐α levels higher than 5.0 pg/ml were treated with levamisole for 0.5–4 months and their serum TNF‐α levels were measured after treatment.Results:  We found that 29% (42 of 146) RAU patients as well as 39% (24 of 61) major type, 20% (14 of 69) minor type, and 25% (four of 16) herpetiform type RAU patients had a serum level of TNF‐α greater than the upper normal limit of 7.4 pg/ml. The mean serum level of TNF‐α in patients with RAU (9.1 ± 1.0 pg/ml, P < 0.001), major type RAU (11.6 ± 1.9 pg/ml, P < 0.001), minor type RAU (6.9 ± 0.9 pg/ml, P < 0.005), or herpetiform type RAU (9.6 ± 2.7 pg/ml, P < 0.001) was higher than that (3.8 ± 0.2 pg/ml) in normal control subjects. The mean serum TNF‐α level was significantly higher in patients with major type RAU than in patients with minor type RAU (P < 0.05) and was significantly higher in major type RAU patients in the exacerbation stage than in the post‐exacerbation stage (P < 0.05). In 55 RAU patients with serum TNF‐α levels higher than 5.0 pg/ml, treatment with levamisole for a period of 0.5–4 months could significantly reduce the serum TNF‐α level from 16.4 ± 1.9 to 5.8 ± 0.6 pg/ml (P < 0.001).Conclusions:  We conclude that a significantly higher than normal serum level of TNF‐α can be detected in 20–39% of patients in the ulcerative stage of major, minor or herpetiform RAU. The serum TNF‐α level may be associated with the severity and the stage of RAU. Levamisole can modulate serum TNF‐α levels in RAU patients.
HPV detection in primary intra‐oral squamous cell carcinomas – commensal, aetiological agent or contamination?
Authors: Boy Sonja , Rensburg Estrelita Janse Van , Engelbrecht Susan , Dreyer Leonora , van Heerden Marlene , van Heerden Willie 
Published: January 2006

Background:  High‐risk human papilloma viruses (HPV) are reported to be significant independent risk factors for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The prevalence of HPV in OSCC in a South African population sample was evaluated comparing three different HPV detection methods.Methods:  Tumour and adjacent morphologically normal oral mucosa of 59 resections of primary OSCC were evaluated for the presence of HPV using real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), conventional in situ hybridization (ISH), and a signal amplification ISH technique (Dako GenPointTM).Results:  HPV18 DNA was detected in seven cases using real‐time PCR. No positivity was found with the other two ISH techniques.Conclusions:  We support the view that HPV is probably unimportant in the pathogenesis of OSCC and hypothesize HPV detection techniques as the main reason for the positive results in many studies. Real‐time PCR was confirmed as the most sensitive technique, but researchers are urged to incorporate strict internal controls when using this detection method.
Paired comparison of bathwater versus oral delivery of 8‐methoxypsoralen in psoralen plus ultraviolet A therapy for chronic palmoplantar psoriasis
Authors: Hofer A. , Fink‐Puches R. , Kerl H. , Quehenberger F. , Wolf P. 
Published: January 2006

Background: Both bath psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) and oral PUVA with 8‐methoxypsoralen (8‐MOP) have been successfully used for the treatment of recalcitrant palmoplantar psoriasis. This trial was designed to assess the efficacy and side effects of the different treatment modalities in a randomized half‐side comparison.Methods: Eight patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis on soles (n=6) and/or palms (n=8) were randomly assigned to receive bath PUVA treatment on one side and oral PUVA on the other. Initial treatment dose was 50% of the minimal phototoxic dose evaluated for bath PUVA and oral PUVA. Treatment was given three times a week for 4 weeks. Before treatment and every week a severity index (SI) was assessed by summing the scores of erythema, infiltration, scaling and vesicles evaluated on a scale from 0 to 4. After 4 weeks of treatment the half‐side trial was finished and the treatment was continued on both sides with the more effective treatment regimen.Results: Both bath PUVA and oral PUVA achieved a reduction of the mean initial SI from 5.9 (95% confidence intervals (CI) 4.5–8.0) to 3.3 (1.8–6.0) (44% SI reduction, P<0.005, Student's paired t‐test) and 6.0 (5.0–7.8) to 2.9 (1.8–4.0) (52% SI reduction; P<0.005), respectively. The statistical comparison of the entire 4‐week study period revealed a significant better effect in lesions treated with oral PUVA compared with bath PUVA (P=0.033). However, at 4 weeks, there was no significant difference between the achieved SI reduction of oral PUVA and bath PUVA. Systemic side effects (nausea and/or dizziness) were only observed after oral PUVA.Conclusion: This study gives evidence that in the first 4 treatment weeks oral PUVA is slightly more effective than bath PUVA but the former has more systemic side effects.
The missing metals problem – II. How many metals are in z ⋍ 2.2 galaxies?
Authors: Bouché Nicolas , Lehnert Matthew D. , Péroux Céline 
Published: January 2006

Abstract
In the context of the ‘missing metals problem’, the contributions of the ultraviolet-selected z ⋍ 2.2‘BX’ galaxies and z ⋍ 2.5‘distant red galaxies’ (DRGs) have not been discussed previously. Here we show that: (i) DRGs make only a marginal contribution to the metal budget (∼5 per cent); (ii) BX galaxies contribute as much as 18 per cent to the metal budget; and (iii) the K-bright subsample (K &lt; 20) of the BX sample (roughly equivalent to the ‘BzK’ selected samples) contributes roughly half of this 18 per cent, owing to both their larger stellar masses and higher metallicities, implying that the rare K-bright galaxies at z &gt; 2 are a major source of metals in the budget. We showed in the first paper of this series that submillimetre galaxies (SMGs) brighter than 3 mJy contribute ∼5 per cent (≲9 per cent as an upper limit) to the metal budget. Adding the contribution of SMGs and damped Lyα absorbers to the contribution of ultraviolet-selected galaxies implies that at least 30 per cent of the metals (in galaxies) have been accounted for at z ⋍ 2. The cosmic metal density thus accounted for is ρZ,galaxies ⋍ 1.3 × 106 M⊙ Mpc-3 or, in terms of the closure density, ΩZ= 9.6 × 10−6. This is a lower limit given that galaxies on the faint end of the luminosity function are not included. An estimate of the distribution of metals in local galaxies as a function of luminosity suggests that galaxies with luminosity &lt;L⋆ contribute about half of the total mass of metals. If the metals in galaxies at z ∼ 2 are similarly distributed then faint galaxies alone cannot solve the ‘missing metals problem’. Galaxy populations at z ∼ 2 account for only about 50 per cent of the total metals predicted.
Native Cell Wall Organization Shown by Cryo-Electron Microscopy Confirms the Existence of a Periplasmic Space in
Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Matias Valério R. F. , Beveridge Terry J. 
Published: January 2006

ABSTRACT

The current perception of the ultrastructure of gram-positive cell envelopes relies mainly on electron microscopy of thin sections and on sample preparation. Freezing of cells into a matrix of amorphous ice (i.e., vitrification) results in optimal specimen preservation and allows the observation of cell envelope boundary layers in their (frozen) hydrated state. In this report, cryo-transmission electron microscopy of frozen-hydrated sections of
Staphylococcus aureus
D
2
C was used to examine cell envelope organization. A bipartite wall was positioned above the plasma membrane and consisted of a 16-nm low-density inner wall zone (IWZ), followed by a 19-nm high-density outer wall zone (OWZ). Observation of plasmolyzed cells, which were used to artificially separate the membrane from the wall, showed membrane vesicles within the space associated with the IWZ in native cells and a large gap between the membrane and OWZ, suggesting that the IWZ was devoid of a cross-linked polymeric cell wall network. Isolated wall fragments possessed only one zone of high density, with a constant level of density throughout their thickness, as was previously seen with the OWZs of intact cells. These results strongly indicate that the IWZ represents a periplasmic space, composed mostly of soluble low-density constituents confined between the plasma membrane and OWZ, and that the OWZ represents the peptidoglycan-teichoic acid cell wall network with its associated proteins. Cell wall differentiation was also seen at the septum of dividing cells. Here, two high-density zones were sandwiched between three low-density zones. It appeared that the septum consisted of an extension of the IWZ and OWZ from the outside peripheral wall, plus a low-density middle zone that separated adjacent septal cross walls, which could contribute to cell separation during division.
Distribution and Genetic Diversity of the ABC Transporter Lipoproteins PiuA and PiaA withinStreptococcus pneumoniaeand Related Streptococci
Authors: Whalan Rachael H. , Funnell Simon G. P. , Bowler Lucas D. , Hudson Michael J. , Robinson Andrew , Dowson Christopher G. 
Published: January 2006

ABSTRACTStreptococcus pneumoniaeis a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The existence of approximately 90 antigenically distinct capsular serotypes has greatly complicated the development of an effective pneumococcal vaccine. Virulence-associated proteins common and conserved among all capsular types now represent the best strategy to combat pneumococcal infections. PiuA and PiaA are the lipoprotein components of two pneumococcal iron ABC transporters and are required for full virulence in mouse models of infection. Here we describe a study of the distribution and genetic diversity of PiuA and PiaA within typical and atypicalS. pneumoniae,Streptococcus oralis, andStreptococcus mitisstrains. The genes encoding both PiuA and PiaA were present in all typical pneumococci tested, (covering 20 and 27 serotypes, respectively). ThepiuAgene was highly conserved within the typical pneumococci (0.3% nucleotide divergence), but was also present in “atypical” pneumococci and the closely related speciesS. mitisandS. oralis, showing up to 10.4% nucleotide divergence and 7.5% amino acid divergence from the typical pneumococcal alleles. Conversely, thepiaAgene was found to be specific to typical pneumococci, 100% conserved, and absent from the oral streptococci, including isolates ofS. mitisknown to possess pneumolysin and autolysin. These are desirable qualities for a vaccine candidate and as a diagnostic tool forS. pneumoniae.
Biochemical Analysis of Lpt3, a Protein Responsible forPhosphoethanolamine Addition to Lipooligosaccharide ofPathogenic
Neisseria
Authors: O'Connor Ellen T. , Piekarowicz Andrzej , Swanson Karen V. , Griffiss J. McLeod , Stein Daniel C. 
Published: January 2006

ABSTRACT

The
inner core of neisserial lipooligosaccharide (LOS) contains heptose
residues that can be decorated by phosphoethanolamine (PEA). PEA
modification of heptose II (HepII) can occur at the 3, 6, or 7
position(s). We used a genomic DNA sequence of
lpt3
, derived
from
Neisseria meningitidis
MC58, to search the genomic
sequence of
N. gonorrhoeae
FA1090 and identified a homolog of
lpt3
in
N. gonorrhoeae
. A PCR amplicon containing
lpt3
was amplified from F62ΔLgtA, cloned, mutagenized,
and inserted into the chromosome of
N. gonorrhoeae
strain
F62ΔLgtA, producing strain
F62ΔLgtAlpt3::Tn
5
. LOS isolated
from this strain lost the ability to bind monoclonal antibody (MAb)
2-1-L8. Complementation of this mutation by genetic removal of the
transposon insertion restored MAb 2-1-L8 binding. Mass spectrometry
analysis of LOS isolated from the F62ΔLgtA indicated that this
strain contained two PEA modifications on its LOS.
F62ΔLgtAlpt3::Tn
5
lacked a PEA
modification on its LOS, a finding consistent with the hypothesis that
lpt3
encodes a protein mediating PEA addition onto gonococcal
LOS. The DNA encoding
lpt3
was cloned into an expression
vector and Lpt3 was purified. Purified Lpt3 was able to mediate the
addition of PEA to LOS isolated from
F62ΔLgtAlpt3::Tn
5
.
Segregation of the Replication Terminus of the TwoVibrio choleraeChromosomes
Authors: Srivastava Preeti , Fekete Richard A. , Chattoraj Dhruba K. 
Published: January 2006

ABSTRACTGenome duplication and segregation normally are completed before cell division in all organisms. The temporal relation of duplication and segregation, however, can vary in bacteria. Chromosomal regions can segregate towards opposite poles as they are replicated or can stay cohered for a considerable period before segregation. The bacteriumVibrio choleraehas two differently sized circular chromosomes, chromosome I (chrI) and chrII, of about 3 and 1 Mbp, respectively. The two chromosomes initiate replication synchronously, and the shorter chrII is expected to complete replication earlier than the longer chrI. A question arises as to whether the segregation of chrII also is completed before that of chrI. We fluorescently labeled the terminus regions of chrI and chrII and followed their movements during the bacterial cell cycle. The chrI terminus behaved similarly to that of theEscherichia colichromosome in that it segregated at the very end of the cell division cycle: cells showed a single fluorescent focus even when the division septum was nearly complete. In contrast, the single focus representing the chrII terminus could divide at the midcell position well before cell septation was conspicuous. There were also cells where the single focus for chrII lingered at midcell until the end of a division cycle, like the terminus of chrI. The single focus in these cells overlapped with the terminus focus for chrI in all cases. It appears that there could be coordination between the two chromosomes through the replication and/or segregation of the terminus region to ensure their segregation to daughter cells.