bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of glucose intolerance in school age children. Population based cross‐sectional study
Authors: Mazur A , Grzywa M , Małecka‐Tendera E , Telega G 
Published: October 2007

AbstractAim: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of glucose intolerance among school children in south‐eastern Poland.Methods: Schools were randomly selected in the area and the entire school population was studied. We examined 1083 children (510 boys and 573 girls) in the mean age 14.49 years (age range: 7.9–19 years). Their weight and height were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Patients were classified as overweight or obese based on International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria. We tested fasting glucose level in randomly selected children with normal weight (N = 83) in all overweight and obese subjects (N = 229). In children with fasting blood glucose level higher than 5.5 mmol/L (100 mg/dL) oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed.Results: About 17.8% of children were overweight and 4.6% obese. Fasting hyperglycemia was found in 16.7% obese children. The calculated prevalence of fasting hyperglycemia for entire population was 6.7/1000. Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) was found only in obese children. The prevalence of glucose intolerance in obese children was 7.1%, in contrast the calculated prevalence of glucose intolerance for the entire population was 3.0/1000 (95% confidence interval: 0–8.4/1000).Conclusion: Despite relatively high number of obese children, the prevalence of IGT among schoolchildren of south‐eastern Poland remains low.
Efficacy and safety of neutral pH superoxidised solution in severe diabetic foot infections
Authors: Martínez‐De Jesús Fermín R , Ramos‐De la Medina Antonio , Remes‐Troche José María , Armstrong David G , Wu Stephanie C , Lázaro Martínez Jose Luis , Beneit‐Montesinos Juan V 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe use of antiseptics in wound care is often controversial and there is definitely a need for a non toxic, highly disinfective agent. This study assessed the efficacy of a neutral pH superoxidised aqueous solution (NpHSS) for infection control, odour reduction and surrounding skin and tissue damage on infected diabetic foot ulcerations. From November 2003 to March 2004, 45 patients with type 2 diabetes were randomised into a single‐blind clinical trial comparing NpHSS (intervention group; n = 21) versus conventional disinfectant (control group; n = 16). All patients received comprehensive care including surgical debridement as appropriate, moist wound care, intensive glucose control and broad spectrum antibiotics. Treatment groups were matched in terms of sex, age (61·9 ± 11·9 versus 67·8 ± 11·6), years of diabetes duration (16·4 ± 8·1 versus 17 ± 10·2), obesity, HgAlc (7·1 ± 2 versus 6·7 ± 1·8), initial fasting glycaemia (163 ± 59 versus 152 ± 65·8 mg/dl), ulcer duration/week (13·7 ± 24 versus 15·1 ± 16·3), B/A Index (0·9 ± 0·5 versus 1·14 ± 0·7), depth and extent of infection/periwound cellulitis (groups B and C of the Tampico Hospital Classification) as well as aetiology (P = 0·647). Odour reduction was achieved in all NpHSS patients (100% versus 25%; P < 0·01) and surrounding cellulitis diminished (P < 0·001) in 17 patients (80·9% versus 43·7%). Nineteen patients in the NpHSS group showed advancement to granulating tissue stage (90·4% versus 62·5%; P = 0·05) with significantly less tissue toxicity (94% versus 31·2%; P < 0·01). A non toxic, NpHSS, as part of a comprehensive care regimen, may be more efficacious in infection control, odour and erythema reduction than conventional disinfectants in treatment of diabetic foot infections.
Bremelanotide: An Overview of Preclinical CNS Effects on Female Sexual Function
Authors: Pfaus James , Giuliano François , Gelez Hélène 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACTIntroductionBremelanotide is an analogue of the naturally occurring peptide α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). It stimulates erection in men and male rats, and is currently in clinical trials for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.AimTo review the effects of bremelanotide, an analogue of the naturally occurring peptide α-MSH, on the preclinical indices of sexual desire in female rats, and where in the brain these actions may occur.Main Outcome MeasuresAppetitive sexual behaviors, such as solicitations, hops and darts, and pacing, were assessed along with consummatory behaviors such as lordosis. The involvement of brain regions was assessed following direct administration to the region, by the stimulation of molecular markers of neural activation, and using microdialysis to examine extracellular fluid for different neurotransmitters.MethodsUsing a model that allows ovariectomized, hormone-primed female rats to control the timing of sexual encounters with males, we tested the ability of bremelanotide to increase appetitive (proceptive) and/or consummatory sexual behaviors.ResultsBremelanotide dramatically and selectively increased measures of solicitation in female rats, without altering pacing or lordosis, following both peripheral (subcutaneous) administration or infusions directly into the lateral ventricles or medial preoptic area (mPOA), but not the ventromedial hypothalamus. The mPOA is critical for the display of appetitive sexual behaviors in females and males of a variety of species. Peripheral administration of bremelanotide activates the mPOA and other hypothalamic and limbic regions of the brain involved in sexual behavior, and may work by activating dopamine terminals in the mPOA.ConclusionsTo the extent that solicitations indicate the desire of female rats to engage in sexual activity, bremelanotide appears to possess the behavioral, pharmacological, and neuroanatomical specificity required of a drug in the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorders.
Verticase: a Fibrinolytic Enzyme Produced by Verticillium sp. Tj33, an Endophyte of Trachelospermum jasminoides
Authors: Li Ying , Shuang Jing‐Lei , Yuan Wei‐Wei , Huang Wu‐Yang , Tan Ren‐Xiang 
Published: October 2007

Abstract Plant endophytes are among the most important resources of biologically active metabolites. Twenty‐three endophyte strains residing in Trachelospermum jasminoides were cultivated in vitro with the cultures assayed for the fibrinolytic substance production. As a result, the culture of Verticillium sp. Tj33 was shown to be the most active. A fibrinolytic enzyme designated as verticase was subsequently purified from the supernatant of Verticillium sp. culture broth by a combination of DEAE‐52, Sephadex G‐75 and hydrophobic column chromatographies. Verticase, with its molecular mass of 31 kDa and pI of 8.5, was demonstrated to be homogeneous by sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing electrophoresis. Verticase is an enzyme that hydrolyzes fibrin directly without activation of plaminogen. It was stable in a broad pH range from 4 through to 11 with the optimal reaction pH value and temperature shown to be around 9–10 and 50–60 °C, respectively. The fibrinolytic activity of verticase was severely inhibited by phenylmethylsulfony fluoride, indicating that verticase was a serine protease.
Relationships among the Stem, Aboveground and Total Biomass across Chinese Forests
Authors: Cheng Dong‐Liang , Wang Gen‐Xuan , Li Tao , Tang Qing‐Long , Gong Chun‐Mei 
Published: October 2007

Abstract Forest biomass plays a key role in the global carbon cycle. In the present study, a general allometric model was derived to predict the relationships among the stem biomass MS, aboveground biomass MA and total biomass MT, based on previously developed scaling relationships for leaf, stem and root standing biomass. The model predicted complex scaling exponents for MT and/or MA with respect to MS. Because annual biomass accumulation in the stem, root and branch far exceeded the annual increase in standing leaf biomass, we can predict that MT∝MA∝MS
as a simple result of the model. Although slight variations existed in different phyletic affiliations (i.e. conifers versus angiosperms), empirical results using Model Type II (reduced major axis) regression supported the model's predictions. The predictive formulas among stem, aboveground and total biomass were obtained using Model Type I (ordinary least squares) regression to estimate forest biomass. Given the low mean percentage prediction errors for aboveground (and total biomass) based on the stem biomass, the results provided a reasonable method to estimate the biomass of forests at the individual level, which was insensitive to the variation in local environmental conditions (e.g. precipitation, temperature, etc.).
Novel Neolignan from Penthorum chinense
Authors: Zhang Tao , Chen Yao‐Ming , Zhang Guo‐Lin 
Published: October 2007

Abstract A new neolignan (7′E)‐2′,4,8‐trihydroxy‐3‐methoxy‐2,4′‐epoxy‐8,5′‐neolign‐7′‐en‐7‐one (1) was isolated from the whole plants of Penthorum chinense Pursh, along with lupeol (2), betulinic acid (3), glyceryl monopalmitate (4), β‐sitosterol (5), palmitic acid (6), ursolic acid (7), 2β,3β,23‐trihydroxy‐urs‐12‐ene‐28‐oic acid (8), glyceryl monolaurate (9), scopoletin (10), (–)syringaresinol (11), 9,9′‐O‐diferuloyl‐(–)‐secoisolariciresionl (12), pinocembrin (13), apigenin (14), kaempferol (15), luteolin (16), β‐daucosterol (17), quercetin (18), 1‐O‐(β‐D‐glucopyranosyl)‐(2S, 2′R, 3R,4E,8E)‐2‐(2′‐hydroxyhexadecanoylamino)‐4,8‐octdecadiene‐1,3‐diol (19), gallic acid (20), pinocembrin‐7‐O‐β‐D‐glucoside (21), and quercetin‐3‐O‐β‐D‐glucoside (22). The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectral evidence.
Surveillance of Dairy Production Holdings Supplying Raw Milk to the Farmhouse Cheese Sector for Escherichia coli O157, O26 and O111
Authors: Murphy M. , Buckley J. F. , Whyte P. , O’Mahony M. , Anderson W. , Wall P. G. , Fanning S. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryClinically healthy domestic animals can harbour Escherichia coli O157 and other verocytotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC) strains in their faeces. Milk filters can be used to microbiologically monitor direct milk secretion and environmental contamination for these pathogens. The aim of this study was to establish baseline data on the prevalence and characteristics of VTEC organisms in lactating animals (bovine, ovine and caprine) supplying milk to the farmhouse cheese sector, with particular emphasis on serogroups O157, O111 and O26. Fifty‐six bovine, 13 caprine and 5 ovine herds/flocks, the majority of which supplying milk for farmhouse cheese production, were surveyed from May 2004 to July 2005. Milk filters were analysed by immunomagnetic separation followed by PCR, on a serogroup‐specific basis for E. coli O157, O26 and O111. Positive isolates were examined using a multiplex PCR protocol, for their potential to produce verocytotoxins (vt1/vt2), the haemolysin‐encoding gene (hlyA) and the gene encoding attaching and effacement (eae). Five verocytotoxigenic and 22 non‐virulent E. coli O157 isolates were detected. Seventeen E. coli O26 isolates were also detected, four of which were verocytotoxigenic, seven isolates contained the eae gene only and six isolates were devoid of any of the virulence factors. The VTEC O157 and O26 isolates contained the hlyA and eae genes along with the verocytotoxin genes. No E. coli O111 isolates were detected. Some of the herds were positive on more than one occasion and multiple E. coli serogroups were isolated from the same milk filter sample. Although all food products tested were VTEC negative, routine surveillance for such pathogens in raw milk/raw milk products is of public health importance. Herd‐level surveillance along with subsequent risk management action may be a cost‐effective component of risk reduction strategies for food production, drinking water supplies and the protection of public health.
Clinical and Epidemiological Aspects of Invasive
Streptococcus pyogenes
Infections in Denmark during 2003 and 2004
Authors: Luca-Harari Bogdan , Ekelund Kim , van der Linden Mark , Staum-Kaltoft Margit , Hammerum Anette M. , Jasir Aftab 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACT

Active surveillance of invasive group A streptococcal (GAS) infections was conducted in Denmark during 2003 and 2004 as a part of the Strep-EURO initiative. The main objective was to improve understanding of the epidemiology of invasive GAS disease in Denmark. During the 2 years, 278 cases were reported, corresponding to a mean annual incidence of 2.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The vast majority of isolates, 253 (91%), were from blood, with the remaining 25 (9%) being from cerebrospinal fluid, joints, or other normally sterile sites. The mean case fatality rate (CFR) was 20%, with the rate being higher in patients more than 70 years of age (36.5%). For streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) and necrotizing fasciitis the CFRs were 53% and 25%, respectively. Out of 16 T types recorded, three predominated: T28 (23%), T1 (22%), and the cluster T3/13/B3264 (14%). Among 29 different
emm
types,
emm
28 and
emm
1 accounted for 51% of strains, followed by
emm
3 (11%),
emm
89 (7%), and
emm
12 (5.5%). Low resistance rates were detected for macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLS
B
) antibiotics (3%) and tetracycline (8%); two isolates exhibited coresistance to tetracycline and macrolides. Of nine pyrogenic exotoxin (superantigen) genes examined,
speA
and
speC
were identified in 58% and 40% of the strains, respectively; either of the genes was present in all strains causing STSS. Most strains harbored
speG
(99%).
ssa
was present in 14% of the isolates only. In Denmark, as in comparable countries, GAS invasive disease shows a sustained, high endemicity, with involvement of both established and emerging streptococcal
emm
and T types.
Yaba Monkey Tumor Virus Encodes a Functional Inhibitor of Interleukin-18
Authors: Nazarian Steven H. , Rahman Masmudur M. , Werden Steven J. , Villeneuve Danielle , Meng Xiangzhi , Brunetti Craig , Valeriano Chalice , Wong Christina , Singh Rajkumari , Barrett John W. , Xiang Yan , McFadden Grant 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACT

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a critical proinflammatory cytokine whose extracellular bioactivity is regulated by a cellular IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP). Many poxviruses have acquired variants of this IL-18BP gene, some of which have been shown to act as viral virulence factors.
Yaba monkey tumor virus
(YMTV) encodes a related family member, 14L, which is similar to the orthopoxvirus IL-18BPs. YMTV 14L was expressed from a baculovirus system and tested for its ability to bind and inhibit IL-18. We found that YMTV 14L bound both human IL-18 (hIL-18) and murine IL-18 with high affinity, at 4.1 nM and 6.5 nM, respectively. YMTV 14L was able to fully sequester hIL-18 but could only partially inhibit the biological activity of hIL-18 as measured by gamma interferon secretion from KG-1 cells. Additionally, 17 hIL-18 point mutants were tested by surface plasmon resonance for their ability to bind to YMTV 14L. Two clusters of hIL-18 surface residues were found to be important for the hIL-18-YMTV 14L interaction, in contrast to results for the
Variola virus
IL-18BP, which has been shown to primarily interact with a single cluster of three amino acids. The altered binding specificity of YMTV 14L most likely represents an adaptation resulting in increased fitness of the virus and affirms the plasticity of poxviral inhibitor domains that target cytokines like IL-18.
Intracellular Restriction of a Productive Noncytopathic Coronavirus Infection
Authors: Slobodskaya Olga , Laarman Alexander , Spaan Willy J. M. 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACT

Virus infection in vitro can either result in a cytopathic effect (CPE) or proceed without visible changes in infected cells (noncytopathic infection). We are interested in understanding the mechanisms controlling the impact of coronavirus infection on host cells. To this end, we compared a productive, noncytopathic infection of murine hepatitis virus (MHV) strain A59 in the fibroblastlike cell line NIH 3T3 with cytopathic MHV infections. Infected NIH 3T3 cells could be cultured for up to 4 weeks without apparent CPE and yet produce virus at 10
7
to 10
8
PFU/ml. Using flow cytometry, we demonstrated that NIH 3T3 cells expressed as much MHV receptor CEACAM1 as other cell lines which die from MHV infection. In contrast, using quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and metabolic labeling of RNA, we found that the rate of viral RNA amplification in NIH 3T3 cells was lower than the rate in cells in which MHV induces a CPE. The rate of cellular RNA synthesis in contact-inhibited confluent NIH 3T3 cells was also lower than in cells permissive to cytopathic MHV infection. However, the induction of cellular RNA synthesis in growing NIH 3T3 cells did not result in an increase of either viral RNA amplification or CPE. Our results suggest that a specific, receptor CEACAM1-independent mechanism restricting coronaviral RNA synthesis and CPE is present in NIH 3T3 and, possibly, other cells with preserved contact inhibition.
Immunization with a Lentivector That Targets Tumor Antigen Expression to Dendritic Cells Induces Potent CD8
+
and CD4
+
T-Cell Responses
Authors: Lopes Luciene , Dewannieux Marie , Gileadi Uzi , Bailey Ranbir , Ikeda Yasuhiro , Whittaker Christopher , Collin Matthew P. , Cerundolo Vincenzo , Tomihari Mizuki , Ariizumi Kiyoshi , Collins Mary K. 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACT

Lentivectors stimulate potent immune responses to antigen transgenes and are being developed as novel genetic vaccines. To improve safety while retaining efficacy, we constructed a lentivector in which transgene expression was restricted to antigen-presenting cells using the mouse dectin-2 gene promoter. This lentivector expressed a green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgene in mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cell cultures and in human skin-derived Langerhans and dermal dendritic cells. In mice GFP expression was detected in splenic dectin-2
+
cells after intravenous injection and in CD11c
+
dendritic cells in the draining lymph node after subcutaneous injection. A dectin-2 lentivector encoding the human melanoma antigen NY-ESO-1 primed an NY-ESO-1-specific CD8
+
T-cell response in HLA-A2 transgenic mice and stimulated a CD4
+
T-cell response to a newly identified NY-ESO-1 epitope presented by H2 I-A
b
. As immunization with the optimal dose of the dectin-2 lentivector was similar to that stimulated by a lentivector containing a strong constitutive viral promoter, targeting antigen expression to dendritic cells can provide a safe and effective vaccine.
Tumorigenic Adenovirus Type 12 E1A Inhibits Phosphorylation of NF-κB by PKAc, Causing Loss of DNA Binding and Transactivation
Authors: Guan Hancheng , Jiao Junfang , Ricciardi Robert P. 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACT

Human adenovirus type 12 (Ad12) E1A protein (E1A-12) is the key determinant of viral tumorigenesis. E1A-12 mediates major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) shutoff by inhibiting the DNA binding of the transcriptional activator NF-κB (p50/p65) to the class I enhancer. This enables Ad12 tumorigenic cells to avoid class I recognition and lysis by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. In this study, we demonstrate that the phosphorylation of p50 and p65 by the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A (PKAc) is essential for NF-κB DNA binding and transactivation activity. Treatment with H89 and knockdown of PKAc in cells led to the inhibition of phosphorylation at p50 Ser
337
and p65 Ser
276
and loss of DNA binding by NF-κB. Importantly, NF-κB phosphorylation by PKAc was repressed by tumorigenic E1A-12, but not by nontumorigenic Ad5 E1A (E1A-5). The stable introduction of E1A-12 into Ad5 nontumorigenic cells resulted in a decrease in the phosphorylation of NF-κB, loss of NF-κB DNA binding, and the failure of NF-κB to activate a target promoter, as well as diminution of MHC-I transcription and cell surface expression. Significantly, the amount and enzymatic activity of PKAc were not altered in Ad12 tumorigenic cells relative to its amount and activity in nontumorigenic Ad5 cells. These results demonstrate that E1A-12 specifically prevents NF-κB from being phosphorylated by PKAc.
Alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors: Ahlquist's landmark hypothesis of a single mediator with two receptors
Authors: Bylund David B. 
Published: October 2007

This essay looks at the historical significance of an APS classic paper that is freely available online: Ahlquist RP. A study of adrenotropic receptors. Am J Physiol 153: 586–600, 1948 ( http://ajplegacy.physiology.org/cgi/reprint/153/3/586 ).
How Negative Emotion Enhances the Visual Specificity of a Memory
Authors: Kensinger Elizabeth A. , Garoff-Eaton Rachel J. , Schacter Daniel L. 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
Some studies have suggested that emotion primarily increases memory for “gist,” and does not enhance memory for detail. There are, however, some instances in which negative objects (e.g., snake, grenade) are remembered with more visual detail than neutral objects (e.g., barometer, blender). In the present functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study, we examined the encoding processes that lead a person to remember the exact visual details of negative and neutral objects, and to remember which of two decisions were made about the objects (a size decision or an animacy decision). The enhancement in memory for a negative item's visual details appeared to result from enhanced visual processing: The right fusiform gyrus, a region known to be critical for processing exemplar-specific details, showed a greater extent and magnitude of activity during the successful encoding of negative objects. Activity in the right amygdala also corresponded with memory for visual detail, although it did not relate to memory for the task performed with the item. These data provide strong evidence that engagement of some amygdalar regions can correspond with enhanced memory for certain types of details, but does not ensure successful encoding of all contextual details.
The Eyes Remember It: Oculography and Pupillometry during Recollection in Three Amnesic Patients
Authors: Laeng Bruno , Waterloo Knut , Johnsen Stein Harald , Bakke Søren Jacob , Låg Torstein , Simonsen Synnøve Steiro , Høgsæt Jørgen 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
Two patients (TC and SS) with lesions that included the hippocampal regions (predominantly on the left side) were severely impaired in their recall of simple, verbally stated facts. However, both patients remembered spatial information that was temporally associated with semantic information. Specifically, TC and SS could not recall explicitly the content of an episode, but their spontaneous oculomotor behavior showed that they retained some information about the event as their gaze automatically returned to the locations on the computer screen where visual information had been paired to verbally presented information. Thus, this spatial information is implicit, automatically retrieved, and eye-based, as when one patient (TC) was asked to point with the finger to the same positions he was impaired. In addition, in an old/new recognition task, TC and SS and an additional patient, OB, showed significant changes in eye pupil diameter when viewing novel visual stimuli compared to stimuli that they had previously seen, also when they (incorrectly) declared with confidence that an old item was new. The spared memory of these patients, despite severe amnesia for the learning episodes, is characterized by a re-enactment of previous eye fixations that were associated with each (forgotten) episode and physiological responses (as indexed by pupillometry) to previously seen stimuli. Such spared memory can be seen as a type of “snapshot” memory, which automatically processes eye-based spatial information and whose content remains implicit. Finally, we surmise on the basis of the neuroanatomical findings of these patients, that neural substrates in the spared (right) hemisphere might support both the eye fixations' re-enactment and implicit visual pattern recognition.