bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bone Formation Following Implantation of Titanium Sponge Rods into Humeral Osteotomies in Dogs: A Histological and Histometrical Study
Authors: Faria Paulo Esteves Pinto , Carvalho Alexandre Leite , Felipucci Daniela Nair Borges , Wen Cui'e , Sennerby Lars , Salata Luiz Antonio 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTBackground: Titanium (Ti) is widely proven to enhance bone contact and growth on its surface. It is expected that bone defects could benefit from Ti to promote healing and to increase strength of the implanted area.Purpose: The present study aimed at comparing the potential of porous Ti sponge rods with synthetic hydroxyapatite (HA) for the healing of bone defects in a canine model.Material and Methods: Six mongrel dogs were submitted to three trephined osteotomies of 6.0 × 4.0 mm in one humerus and after 2 months another three osteotomies were performed in the contralateral humerus. A total of 36 defects were randomly filled either with Ti foam, particulate HA, or coagulum (control). The six animals were killed 4 months after the first surgery for histological and histometrical analysis.Results: The Ti‐foam surface was frequently found in intimate contact with new bone especially at the defect walls. Control sites showed higher amounts of newly formed bone at 2 months – Ti (p = 0.000) and HA (p = 0.009) – and 4 months when compared with Ti (p = 0.001). Differently from HA, the Ti foam was densely distributed across the defect area which rendered less space for bone growth in the latter's sites. The use of Ti foams or HA resulted in similar amounts of bone formation in both time intervals. Nevertheless, the presence of a Ti‐foam rod preserved defect's marginal bone height as compared with control groups. Also, the Ti‐foam group showed a more mature bone pattern at 4 months than HA sites.Conclusion: The Ti foam exhibited good biocompatibility, and its application resulted in improved maintenance of bone height compared with control sites. The Ti foam in a rod design exhibited bone ingrowth properties suitable for further exploration in other experimental situations.
Fibrosis and Loss of Smooth Muscle in the Corpora Cavernosa Precede Corporal Veno-Occlusive Dysfunction (CVOD) Induced by Experimental Cavernosal Nerve Damage in the Rat
Authors: Ferrini Monica G. , Kovanecz Istvan , Sanchez Sandra , Umeh Chiome , Rajfer Jacob , Gonzalez-Cadavid Nestor F. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Corporal veno-occlusive dysfunction (CVOD), which usually is associated with a loss of smooth muscle cells (SMC) and an increase in fibrosis within the corpora cavernosa, can be induced by an injury to the cavernosal nerves. The corporal tissue expresses inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), presumably as an antifibrotic and SMC-protective response.

Aims
We studied the temporal relationship in the corpora between the expression of iNOS, other histological and biochemical changes, and the development of CVOD, after bilateral cavernosal nerve resection (BCNR) in the rat.

Methods
Rats underwent either BCNR or sham operation. Cavernosometry was performed 1, 3, 7, 15, 30, and 45 days (N = 8/groups) after surgery. Penile tissue sections were subjected to Masson trichrome staining for SMC and collagen, and immunodetection for alpha smooth muscle actin, iNOS, neuronal NOS (nNOS), endothelial NOS (eNOS), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and terminal transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). Quantitative western blot analysis was done in homogenates.

Main Outcome Measures
Time course on the development of fibrosis and CVOD.

Results
Following BCNR, CVOD was detectable 30 days later, and it became more pronounced by 45 days. In contrast, the SMC/collagen ratio in the BCNR corpora was reduced at 7 days and bottomed at 30 and 45 days, due in part to the reduction of SMC, presumably caused by an increase in apoptosis peaking at 3 days. PCNA also peaked at 3 days, but then decayed. nNOS was reduced early (3–7 days) and disappeared at 30 days, whereas eNOS was not affected. iNOS was induced at day 3, and steadily increased peaking at 30 days.

Conclusions
CVOD develops in the BCNR rat as a result of the early loss of corporal SMC by the neuropraxia-induced apoptosis, which the initial cell replication response cannot counteract, followed by fibrosis. The time course of iNOS induction supports the antifibrotic role of iNOS.
Cavernous Artery Intima-Media Thickness: A New Parameter in the Diagnosis of Vascular Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Caretta Nicola , Palego Pierfrancesco , Schipilliti Mirko , Ferlin Alberto , Di Mambro Antonella , Foresta Carlo 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT

Introduction
A precise characterization of erectile dysfunction (ED) of vascular origin has not yet been achieved. Although cavernous peak systolic velocity (PSV) is generally considered a major parameter, it has many false positives and negatives because of anatomic variations of the cavernous artery course, challenging site of sampling, insufficient caracterization of an early phase of vascular disease, and significant influence of adrenergic tone.

Aim
We performed a high magnification ultrasonographic study in order to compare functional and morphological parameters of the cavernous artery to PSV and their relation with penile and systemic atherosclerosis.

Methods
A total of 109 subjects (84 ED patients and 25 controls) evaluated in our andrological center from March 2007 to January 2008 were enrolled in the study.

Main Outcome Measures
All subjects underwent medical history, erectile function domain of the International Index of Erectile Function, physical examination, routine and sex hormone blood tests, and high resolution echo color doppler evaluation of carotid, femoral and penile districts (acceleration time, intima media thickness [IMT], intima adventitia thickness, caliper before and after intracavernous alprostadil injection [Δ-cavernous calliper]).

Results
Cavernous parameters were significantly different between ED and controls. Multivariate model showed that IMT was the only predicting parameter for ED of vascular origin. Cavernous IMT showed a strong direct correlation with carotid and femoral IMT. ED patients with two or more cardiovascular risk factors had a significantly higher cavernous IMT.

Conclusions
An increased cavernous IMT (≥0.3 mm) might predict ED of vascular origin with more accuracy than PSV and could be a sensitive predictor also for systemic atherosclerosis at an earlier phase.
State Ritual in Late Imperial China
Authors: Pidhainy Ihor 
Published: December 2008

AbstractUntil recently scholars have tended to view the Chinese imperial tradition from a human‐centred perspective. However, in the last two decades, the importance of ritual and state religion in imperial China has become better appreciated and more fully explored. This article focuses on research of late imperial China, from the tenth century to the beginning of the twentieth century, with a particular focus on the last two dynasties: the Ming (1368–1643) and Qing (1644–1911). This article is divided into four sections: a definition of Chinese ritual and its essential texts; its relationship to other religious ritual systems (Buddhism, Daoism and folk religions); an examination of three central reign periods: Hongwu (Zhu Yuanzhang, reign 1368–1398), Jiajing (Zhu Houcong, reign 1521–1567), and Qianlong (Hongli, reign 1735–1796); and the aesthetics of state ritual, including literature, art history and music.
Heat Pretreatment Alleviates UV‐B Toxicity in the CyanobacteriumAnabaena doliolum: A Proteomic Analysis of Cross Tolerance
Authors: Mishra Yogesh , Chaurasia Neha , Rai Lal Chand 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThis study offers proteomic elucidation of heat pretreatment‐induced alleviation of UV‐B toxicity inAnabaena doliolum. Heat‐pretreated cells exposed to UV‐B showed improved activity of PSI, PSII, whole chain,14C fixation, ATP and NADPH contents compared to UV‐B alone. Proteomic analysis using two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (2‐DE), MALDI‐TOF MS/MS and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) of UV‐B and heat pretreatment followed by UV‐B–treated cells exhibited significant and reproducible alterations in nine proteins homologous to phycocyanin‐α‐chain (PC‐α‐chain), phycoerythrocyanin‐α‐chain (PEC‐α‐chain), hypothetical protein alr0882, phycobilisome core component (PBS‐CC), iron superoxide dismutase (Fe‐SOD), fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphate aldolase (FBA), nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK), phosphoribulokinase (PRK) and ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCo) large chain. Except the PEC‐α‐chain, hypothetical protein alr0882 and PBS‐CC, all other proteins showed upregulation at low doses of UV‐B (U2) and significant downregulation at higher doses of UV‐B (U5). The disruption of redox status, signaling, pentose phosphate pathway and Calvin cycle appears to be due to the downregulation of Fe‐SOD, NDPK, FBA, PRK and RuBisCo thereby leading to the death ofAnabaena. In contrast to this, the upregulation of all the above proteins in heat‐pretreated cells, harboring different heat shock proteins (HSPs) like 60, 26 and 16.6, followed by UV‐B treatment than only the UV‐B–treated ones suggests a protective role of HSPs in mitigating UV‐B toxicity.
Performance of Purified Antigens for Serodiagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis: a Meta-Analysis
Authors: Steingart Karen R. , Dendukuri Nandini , Henry Megan , Schiller Ian , Nahid Payam , Hopewell Philip C. , Ramsay Andrew , Pai Madhukar , Laal Suman 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTSerological antibody detection tests for tuberculosis may offer the potential to improve diagnosis. Recent meta-analyses have shown that commercially available tests have variable accuracies and a limited clinical role. We reviewed the immunodiagnostic potential of antigens evaluated in research laboratories (in-house) for the serodiagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis and conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the performance of comparable antigens. Selection criteria included the participation of at least 25 pulmonary tuberculosis patients and the use of purified antigens. Studies evaluating 38 kDa, MPT51, malate synthase, culture filtrate protein 10, TbF6, antigen 85B, α-crystallin, 2,3-diacyltrehalose, 2,3,6-triacyltrehalose, 2,3,6,6′-tetraacyltrehalose 2′-sulfate, cord factor, and TbF6 plus DPEP (multiple antigen) were included in the meta-analysis. The results demonstrated that (i) in sputum smear-positive patients, sensitivities significantly ≥50% were provided for recombinant malate synthase (73%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 58 to 85) and TbF6 plus DPEP (75%; 95% CI, 50 to 91); (ii) protein antigens achieved high specificities; (iii) among the lipid antigens, cord factor had the best overall performance (sensitivity, 69% [95% CI, 28 to 94]; specificity, 91% [95% CI, 78 to 97]); (iv) compared with the sensitivities achieved with single antigens (median sensitivity, 53%; range, 2% to 100%), multiple antigens yielded higher sensitivities (median sensitivity, 76%; range, 16% to 96%); (v) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients who are sputum smear positive, antibodies to several single and multiple antigens were detected; and (vi) data on seroreactivity to antigens in sputum smear-negative or pediatric patients were insufficient. Potential candidate antigens for an antibody detection test for pulmonary tuberculosis in HIV-infected and -uninfected patients have been identified, although no antigen achieves sufficient sensitivity to replace sputum smear microscopy. Combinations of select antigens provide higher sensitivities than single antigens. The use of a case-control design with healthy controls for the majority of studies was a limitation of the review. Efforts are needed to improve the methodological quality of tuberculosis diagnostic studies.
Bacterin That Induces Anti-OspA and Anti-OspC Borreliacidal Antibodies Provides a High Level of Protection against Canine Lyme Disease
Authors: LaFleur Rhonda L. , Dant Jennifer C. , Wasmoen Terri L. , Callister Steven M. , Jobe Dean A. , Lovrich Steven D. , Warner Thomas F. , Abdelmagid O. , Schell Ronald F. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTGroups of 15 laboratory-bred beagles were vaccinated and boosted with either a placebo or adjuvanted bivalent bacterin comprised of a traditionalBorrelia burgdorferistrain and a uniqueospA- andospB-negativeB. burgdorferistrain that expressed high levels of OspC and then challenged withB. burgdorferi-infectedIxodes scapularisticks. The vaccinated dogs produced high titers of anti-OspA and anti-OspC borreliacidal antibodies, including borreliacidal antibodies specific for an epitope within the last seven amino acids at the OspC carboxy terminus (termed OspC7) that was conserved among pathogenicBorreliagenospecies. In addition, spirochetes were eliminated from the infected ticks that fed on the bacterin recipients,B. burgdorferiwas not isolated from the skin or joints, and antibody responses associated specifically with canine infection withB. burgdorferiwere not produced. In contrast,B. burgdorferiwas recovered from engorged ticks that fed on 13 (87%) placebo-vaccinated dogs (P< 0.0001), skin biopsy specimens from 14 (93%) dogs (P< 0.0001), and joint tissue specimens from 8 (53%) dogs (P= 0.0022). In addition, 14 (93%) dogs developed specific antibody responses againstB. burgdorferiproteins, including 11 (73%) with C6 peptide antibodies (P< 0.0001). Moreover, 10 (67%) dogs developed Lyme disease-associated joint abnormalities (P< 0.0001), including 4 (27%) dogs that developed joint stiffness or lameness and 6 (40%) that developed chronic joint inflammation (synovitis). The results therefore confirmed that the bacterin provided a high level of protection against Lyme disease shortly after immunization.
Comparison of
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Multiantigen Sequence Typing and
porB
Sequence Analysis for Identification of Clusters of
N. gonorrhoeae
Isolates
Authors: Liao Mingmin , Helgeson Sarah , Gu Wei-Ming , Yang Yang , Jolly Ann M. , Dillon Jo-Anne R. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT

porB
DNA sequence analysis and
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
multiantigen sequence typing (NG-MAST) methods were compared for their abilities to discriminate strains and to identify epidemiologically congruent pairs of
N. gonorrhoeae
. Both methods provided high-level discrimination of strains. NG-MAST further differentiated large
porB
-based clusters. However, considerations of cost suggest that
porB
DNA sequence analysis is a useful tool for preliminary molecular analysis of the epidemiology of
N. gonorrhoeae
.
MyD88 Intrinsically Regulates CD4 T-Cell Responses
Authors: Zhou Shenghua , Kurt-Jones Evelyn A. , Cerny Anna M. , Chan Melvin , Bronson Roderick Terry , Finberg Robert W. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTMyeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) is an essential adaptor protein in the Toll-like receptor-mediated innate signaling pathway, as well as in interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) and IL-18R signaling. The importance of MyD88 in the regulation of innate immunity to microbial pathogens has been well demonstrated. However, its role in regulating acquired immunity to viral pathogens and neuropathogenesis is not entirely clear. In the present study, we examine the role of MyD88 in the CD4+T-cell response following lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection. We demonstrate that wild-type (WT) mice developed a CD4+T-cell-mediated wasting disease after intracranial infection with LCMV. In contrast, MyD88 knockout (KO) mice did not develop wasting disease in response to the same infection. This effect was not the result of MyD88 regulation of IL-1 or IL-18 responses since IL-1R1 KO and IL-18R KO mice were not protected from weight loss. In the absence of MyD88, naïve CD4+T cells failed to differentiate to LCMV-specific CD4 T cells. We demonstrated that MyD88 KO antigen-presenting cells are capable of activating WT CD4+T cells. Importantly, when MyD88 KO CD4+T cells were reconstituted with an MyD88-expressing lentivirus, the rescued CD4+T cells were able to respond to LCMV infection and support IgG2a antibody production. Overall, these studies reveal a previously unknown role of MyD88-dependent signaling in CD4+T cells in the regulation of the virus-specific CD4+T-cell response and in viral infection-induced immunopathology in the central nervous system.
A Histidine Switch in Hemagglutinin-Neuraminidase Triggers Paramyxovirus-Cell Membrane Fusion
Authors: Krishnan Anuja , Verma Santosh K. , Mani Prashant , Gupta Rahul , Kundu Suman , Sarkar Debi P. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Most paramyxovirus fusion proteins require coexpression of and activation by a homotypic attachment protein, hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN), to promote membrane fusion. However, the molecular mechanism of the activation remains unknown. We previously showed that the incorporation of a monohistidylated lipid into F-virosome (Sendai viral envelope containing only fusion protein) enhanced its fusion to hepatocytes, suggesting that the histidine residue in the lipid accelerated membrane fusion. Therefore, we explored whether a histidine moiety in HN could similarly direct activation of the fusion protein. In membrane fusion assays, the histidine substitution mutants of HN (H247A of Sendai virus and H245A of human parainfluenza virus 3) had impaired membrane fusion promotion activity without significant changes in other biological activities. Synthetic 30-mer peptides corresponding to regions of the two HN proteins containing these histidine residues rescued the fusion promoting activity of the mutants, whereas peptides with histidine residues substituted by alanine did not. These histidine-containing peptides also activated F-virosome fusion with hepatocytes both in the presence and in the absence of mutant HN in the virosome. We provide evidence that the HN-mimicking peptides promote membrane fusion, revealing a specific histidine “switch” in HN that triggers fusion.
Diverse and Newly Recognized Effects Associated with Short Interfering RNA Binding Site Modifications on the
Tomato Bushy Stunt Virus
P19 Silencing Suppressor
Authors: Hsieh Yi-Cheng , Omarov Rustem T. , Scholthof Herman B. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT

The
Tomato bushy stunt virus
-encoded P19 forms dimers that bind duplex short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to suppress RNA silencing. P19 is also involved in multiple host-specific activities, including the elicitation of symptoms, and in local and/or systemic spread. To study the correlation between those various roles and the siRNA binding by P19, predicted siRNA-interacting sites were modified. Twenty-two mutants were generated and inoculated onto
Nicotiana benthamiana
plants, to reveal that (i) they were all infectious, (ii) symptom differences did not correlate strictly with mutation-associated variation in P19 accumulation, and (iii) substitutions affecting a central domain of P19 generally exhibited symptoms more severe than for mutations affecting peripheral regions. Three mutants selected to represent separate phenotypic categories all displayed a substantially reduced ability to sequester siRNA. Consequently, these three mutants were compromised for systemic virus spread in P19-dependent hosts but had differential plant species-dependent effects on the symptom severity. One mutant in particular caused relatively exacerbated symptoms, exemplified by extensive morphological leaf deformations in
N. benthamiana
; this was especially remarkable because P19 was undetectable. Another striking feature of this mutant was that only within a few days after infection, viral RNA was cleared by silencing. One more original property was that host RNAs and proteins (notably, the P19-interactive Hin19 protein) were also susceptible to degradation in these infected
N. benthamiana
plants but not in spinach. In conclusion, even though siRNA binding by P19 is a key functional property, compromised siRNA sequestration can result in novel and diverse host-dependent properties.
Motion control shoe affects temporal activity of quadriceps in runners
Authors: Cheung R T H , Ng G Y F 
Published: December 2008

Objective:Delay onset of the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) has often been reported to happen in people with patellofemoral pain (PFP). Previous studies revealed that a motion control shoe could check rearfoot pronation in overpronators. Literature suggested that movements of the lower leg could affect patellar tracking; thus motion control shoe may help prevent PFP by controlling excessive foot movements. This study aimed to compare the vasti muscle activities in people with excessive foot pronation when running with different footwear.Methods:Twenty female subjects with rearfoot pronation >6° were tested by running for 10 km on a treadmill on two separate days. During each test, subjects either wore a motion-control running shoe or a neutral running shoe. EMG activities of their right VMO and vastus lateralis (VL) were recorded. Their EMG onset timing and median frequency (MF) were compared between the two shoe conditions.Results:A more significant delay in VMO onset of the running duty cycle was observed in the neutral shoe condition than in the motion control shoe (p<0.001). In the neutral shoe condition, the delay in VMO increased with running mileage (Pearson correlation = 0.948), whereas no such pattern was observed in the motion control shoe. A significant drop in MF of the quadriceps after the 10 km run in both shoe conditions was observed (p ranged from <0.001 to 0.008), and there was a larger drop in VMO MF when running with the neutral shoe.Conclusions:The findings suggest that the motion control shoe may facilitate a stable temporal activation of VMO during running.
Relationship between job strain and smoking cessation: the Finnish Public Sector Study
Authors: Kouvonen A , Vahtera J , Väänänen A , De Vogli R , Heponiemi T , Elovainio M , Virtanen M , Oksanen T , Cox S J , Pentti J , Kivimäki M 
Published: December 2008

Aims:To examine whether job strain (ie, excessive demands combined with low control) is related to smoking cessation.Methods:Prospective cohort study of 4928 Finnish employees who were baseline smokers. In addition to individual scores, coworker-assessed work unit level scores were calculated. A multilevel logistic regression analysis, with work units at the second level, was performed.Results:At follow-up, 21% of baseline smokers had quit smoking. After adjustment for sex, age, employer and marital status, elevated odds ratios (ORs) for smoking cessation were found for the lowest vs the highest quartile of work unit level job strain (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.75) and for the highest vs the lowest quartile of work unit level job control (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.31 to 1.96). After additional adjustment for health behaviours and trait anxiety, similar results were observed. Further adjustment for socioeconomic position slightly attenuated these associations, but an additional adjustment for individual strain/control had little effect on the results. The association between job strain and smoking cessation was slightly stronger in light than in moderate/heavy smokers. The results for individual job strain and job control were in the same direction as the work unit models, although these relationships became insignificant after adjustment for socioeconomic position. Job demands were not associated with smoking cessation.Conclusions:Smoking cessation may be less likely in workplaces with high strain and low control. Policies and programs addressing employee job strain and control might also contribute to the effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions.