bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Porphyroblast rotation during crenulation cleavage development: an example from the aureole of the Mooselookmeguntic pluton, Maine, USA
Authors: JOHNSON S. E. , DUPEE M. E. , GUIDOTTI C. V. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractIn the low‐pressure, high‐temperature metamorphic rocks of western Maine, USA, staurolite porphyroblasts grew at c. 400 Ma, very late during the regional orogenesis. These porphyroblasts, which preserve straight inclusion trails with small thin‐section‐scale variation in pitch, were subsequently involved in the strain and metamorphic aureole of the c. 370 Ma Mooselookmeguntic pluton. The aureole shows a progressive fabric intensity gradient from effectively zero emplacement‐related deformation at the outer edge of the aureole ∼2900 m (map distance) from the pluton margin to the development of a pervasive emplacement‐related foliation adjacent to the pluton. The development of this pervasive foliation spanned all stages of crenulation cleavage development, which are preserved at different distances from the pluton. The spread of inclusion‐trail pitches in the staurolite porphyroblasts, as measured in two‐dimensional (2‐D) thin sections, increases nonlinearly from ∼16° to 75° with increasing strain in the aureole. These data provide clear evidence for rotation of the staurolite porphyroblasts relative to one another and to the developing crenulation cleavage. The data spread is qualitatively modelled for both pure and simple shear, and both solutions match the data reasonably well. The spread of inclusion‐trail orientations (40–75°) in the moderately to highly strained rocks is similar to the spread reported in several previous studies. We consider it likely that the sample‐scale spread in these previous studies is also the result of porphyroblast rotation relative to one another. However, the average inclusion‐trail orientation for a single sample may, in at least some instances, reflect the original orientation of the overgrown foliation.
Benzodiazepine Use and Physical Disability in Community‐Dwelling Older Adults
Authors: Gray Shelly L. , LaCroix Andrea Z. , Hanlon Joseph T. , Penninx Brenda W. J. H. , Blough David K. , Leveille Suzanne G. , Artz Margaret B. , Guralnik Jack M. , Buchner Dave M. 
Published: December 2005

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether benzodiazepine use is associated with incident disability in mobility and activities of daily living (ADLs) in older individuals.DESIGN: A prospective cohort study.SETTING: Four sites of the Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly.PARTICIPANTS: This study included 9,093 subjects (aged ≥65) who were not disabled in mobility or ADLs at baseline.MEASUREMENTS: Mobility disability was defined as inability to walk half a mile or climb one flight of stairs. ADL disability was defined as inability to perform one or more basic ADLs (bathing, eating, dressing, transferring from a bed to a chair, using the toilet, or walking across a small room). Trained interviewers assessed outcomes annually.RESULTS: At baseline, 5.5% of subjects reported benzodiazepine use. In multivariable models, benzodiazepine users were 1.23 times as likely as nonusers (95% confidence interval (CI)=1.09–1.39) to develop mobility disability and 1.28 times as likely (95% CI=1.09–1.52) to develop ADL disability. Risk for incident mobility was increased with short‐ (hazard ratio (HR)=1.27, 95% CI=1.08–1.50) and long‐acting benzodiazepines (HR=1.20, 95% CI=1.03–1.39) and no use. Risk for ADL disability was greater with short‐ (HR=1.58, 95% CI=1.25–2.01) but not long‐acting (HR=1.11, 95% CI=0.89–1.39) agents than for no use.CONCLUSION: Older adults taking benzodiazepines have a greater risk for incident mobility and ADL disability. Use of short‐acting agents does not appear to confer any safety benefits over long‐acting agents.
Global Sleep Satisfaction of Older People: The Jerusalem Cohort Study
Authors: Jacobs Jeremy M. , Cohen Aaron , Hammerman‐Rozenberg Robert , Stessman Jochanan 
Published: December 2005

OBJECTIVES: To describe the nature of global sleep satisfaction (GSS) of older people and the factors associated with it.DESIGN: A 7‐year follow‐up of an age‐homogenous cohort.SETTING: Community based.PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred ninety subjects aged 70 at baseline and 77 at follow‐up.MEASUREMENTS: Self‐reported sleep domains and a comprehensive assessment of health variables, including psychosocial, physical, and functional factors, at ages 70 and 77.RESULTS: GSS was found to be poor in 25% of subjects at ages 70 and 77, with an estimated average annual remission rate of 7% and an annual incidence of 2.4%. Poor GSS at ages 70 and 77 was significantly associated with difficulty falling asleep, awakening feeling tired, two or more nocturnal awakenings, and taking sleeping tablets. Significant cross‐sectional associations were found at age 70 and 77 between poor GSS and poor self‐rated health, general fatigue, depression, dependence in one or more activities of daily living, and low level of physical activity. In a regression analysis, risk factors at age 70 for subsequent poor GSS were loneliness, depression, poor self‐rated health, economic difficulties, back pain, obesity, and prior poor GSS. The only significant long‐term association was between poor GSS and poor self‐rated health. GSS did not influence mortality data.CONCLUSION: Poor GSS in older people is common and chronic. Its chief determinants are loneliness, depression, poor self‐rated health, economic difficulties, back pain, and obesity. It predicts poor self‐rated health but not increased mortality.
A method to study sustained antimicrobial activity of rinse and dentifrice components on biofilm viability in vivo
Authors: Van Der Mei H. C. , White D. J. , Atema‐Smit J. , Van De Belt‐Gritter E. , Busscher H. J. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractAim: To develop an improved method for quantitative assessment of antimicrobial efficacy and substantivity of mouth rinses and dentifrices on in vivo treated plaque.Material and Methods: Nine‐ and 72‐h‐old plaques were formed in volunteers carrying out standardized hygiene using NaF‐containing dentifrice. Plaques were collected before (baseline) in vivo treatment with dentifrices or chlorhexidine mouth rinse, immediately post‐treatment and after 1 or 6 h, dispersed in demineralized water and stained with live/dead stain after which bacteria were enumerated. Dispersed baseline plaques were treated with dentifrices or chlorhexidine to determine antimicrobial efficacy against planktonic bacteria.Results: Baseline plaques revealed 56–41% viable organisms in 9‐ and 72‐h‐old plaques, respectively. Treatment of planktonic (dispersed baseline plaque) bacteria resulted in 1–4% viable organisms. Chlorhexidine mouth rinse and dentifrices produced strong immediate antimicrobial effects, but after 1 or 6 h, the proportion of viable organisms in 9‐h‐old plaques rebounded significantly with only chlorhexidine mouth rinse retaining significant efficacy. Seventy‐two‐hour‐old plaques were less susceptible to antimicrobials, although dentifrices appeared more effective after 6 h than initially, whereas efficacy of chlorhexidine rinse continued to drop with time post‐treatment.Conclusions: The proposed method holds promise for assessment of both immediate and retained antimicrobial actions of oral treatments against dental plaque in vivo.
Microbial colonization patterns predict the outcomes of surgical treatment of intrabony defects
Authors: Heitz‐Mayfield Lisa , Tonetti Maurizio S. , Cortellini Pierpaolo , Lang Niklaus P. ,   on behalf of European Research Group on Periodontology (ERGOPERIO)
Published: December 2005

AbstractAim: To explore the impact of bacterial load and microbial colonization patterns on the clinical outcomes of periodontal surgery at deep intrabony defects.Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty‐two patients with advanced chronic periodontitis and at least one intrabony defect of >3 mm were recruited in 10 centres. Before recruitment, the infection control phase of periodontal therapy was completed. After surgical access and debridement, the regenerative material was applied in the test subjects, and omitted in the controls. At baseline and 1 year following the interventions, clinical attachment levels (CAL), pocket probing depths (PPD), recession (REC), full‐mouth plaque scores and full‐mouth bleeding scores were assessed. Microbial colonization of the defect‐associated pocket was assessed using a DNA–DNA checkerboard analysis.Results: Total bacterial load and counts of red complex bacteria were negatively associated with CAL gains 1 year following treatment. The probability of achieving above median CAL gains (>3 mm) was significantly decreased by higher total bacterial counts, higher red complex and T. forsythensis counts immediately before surgery.Conclusions: Presence of high bacterial load and specific periodontal pathogen complexes in deep periodontal pockets associated with intrabony defects had a significant negative impact on the 1 year outcome of surgical/regenerative treatment.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Fetus: Physicists', Technologists' and Radiologists' Perspectives
Authors: Morris J. , Whitby E. , Paley M. 
Published: December 2005

Summary In utero magnetic resonance imaging has expanded from a research tool into everyday practise for many centres worldwide. This is predominantly for central nervous system abnormalities, but research is continuing on it's role in other body systems. The technique is dependent on radiographers, radiologists and physicists working together to optimise the sequences and reduce the time taken. Experience is essential on all aspects including the interpretation of the images. There is no doubt that it is a useful adjuvant to antenatal ultrasound in certain clinical situations. For optimal use a multidisciplinary team approach with detailed case discussion is essential.
1H Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of the Brain in Paediatrics: the Diagnosis of Creatine Deficiencies
Authors: Sijens P. E. , Oudkerk M. 
Published: December 2005

SummaryThe diagnosis of creatine deficiencies, a paediatric application of magnetic resonance spectroscopy that has already become a diagnostic tool in clinical practice, is reviewed and illustrated with results from recent examinations.
Localized 4.7 T Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Neonatal Encephalopathy: Implementation, Safety and Preliminary Interpretation of Results
Authors: De Vita E. , Bainbridge A. , Cheong J. , Kinchesh P. , Huertas‐Ceballos A. , Ordidge R. J. , Robertson N. J. , Cady E. B. 
Published: December 2005

SummaryMagnetic resonance (MR) techniques have revolutionized the assessment of brain development and injury in the newborn. MR studies at 3 T or above are becoming widespread; however, given the high cost and complexity of high‐field MR systems, it is important to assess their benefits and limitations for clinical practice.MR spectroscopy (MRS) studies at high field carry potential benefits such as improved signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and chemical shift dispersion compared with 1.5 T. However, safety is a very important consideration as radiofrequency (RF) tissue heating and acoustic noise also increase with field strength. Furthermore, increased chemical‐shift dependence of the position of the volume of interest (VOI), shorter transverse and longer longitudinal relaxation times constitute additional challenges.We describe the first in‐vivo, proton MRS studies of newborn human brain at 4.7 T. Nine infants with neonatal encephalopathy, all ventilated and with continuous physiological monitoring, were studied. We used L‐FOCI localization, mostly with a VOI centred on the thalami.The absence of 4.7 T results from healthy infants made it impossible to interpret pathological metabolite peak‐area ratios. However, concentration ratios and concentrations should be field‐strength independent and interpretable using control values acquired at lower field. Of eight infants with concentration‐ratio measurements, seven had low [N‐acetylaspartate (NAA)]/[choline (Cho)] and three increased [lactate]/[NAA]. Of the two infants with ‘concentration’ measurements both had low [NAA] and one reduced [creatine].We used an adult coil and consequent RF power restrictions had repercussions for the minimum magnetization recovery time (TR). A smaller, neonatal coil should improve SNR and, with less RF power, relax TR constraints thereby enabling fuller exploitation of the potential of high‐field MRS.
Lack of association between the TNF‐α promoter gene polymorphism and susceptibility to B‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Authors: Bogunia‐Kubik K. , Mazur G. , Urbanowicz I. , Wróbel T. , Kuliczkowski K. , Woźniak M. , Lange A. 
Published: December 2005

SummaryB‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B‐CLL) is a lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by clonal expansion of B lymphocytes. The present study aimed to determine whether there is an association between the polymorphic features located within the promoter/enhancer region of tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNFA) gene and susceptibility to B‐CLL. TNFA (−308 G/A) promoter single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was determined by polymerase chain reaction with sequence‐specific primers (PCR‐SSP) using commercial oligonucleotides. No significant association was found between the distribution of TNFA alleles and B‐CLL in Polish patients with B‐CLL. Our single centre results were compared with other literature data and combined in a cumulative analysis employing the Mantel–Haenszel method. Among 183 B‐CLL patients, 47 (26%) were carrying TNFA*2 allele and this allele was present in 98 out of 348 controls (28%). Also, the results of the Mantel–Haenszel test did not show a significant correlation [Mantel‐Haenszel estimate of approximate relative risk (RMH) = 0.86, P = 0.294]. These results suggest that TNFA (–308) alleles are not involved in the predisposition to the development of B‐CLL.
Polymorphism of HLA‐DRB1 gene shows no strong association with ulcerative colitis in Chinese patients
Authors: Lü M. , Xia B. 
Published: December 2005

SummaryThe genetic factors predisposing to ulcerative colitis (UC) have remained totally unclear to date. This study aimed to investigate the role of HLA‐DRB1 genetic polymorphism in the susceptibility to develop UC in Chinese patients. HLA‐DRB1 genotyping was carried out in 72 unrelated patients with UC and 314 healthy controls by using polymerase chain reaction–sequence‐specific primers (PCR‐SSP). All of the patients and healthy controls are Han people in China. The frequency of DRB1*07 allele was increased in UC patients compared with healthy controls (19.4% vs. 9.2%, P = 0.0229, OR = 2.372, 95%CI: 1.181–4.766), but the significance disappeared when given Bonferroni correction (PC = 0.2977). Furthermore, compared with healthy controls, although HLA‐DRB1*07, DRB1*16/DRB1*09 and DRB1*07/DRB1*12 genotypes were increased in frequency in the patients with extensive colitis, and the patients without extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) carried an increased frequency of HLA‐DRB1*07 and DRB1*07/DRB1*12 genotypes, these differences did not reach statistical significance after Bonferroni correction. HLA‐DRB1 alleles showed no strong association with UC, and no HLA‐DRB1 alleles or genotypes were strongly associated with clinical subgroups of UC in Chinese patients.
Parasites from feral pigeons as a health hazard for humans
Authors: Haag‐Wackernagel D. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractFeral pigeons live in almost every large city in the world. The feeding of pigeons by humans, deliberately or accidentally, allows the build‐up of large populations that can cause a variety of problems, primarily the fouling of buildings and monuments by their droppings. Excreta of wild birds are a well‐known source of pathogenic microorganisms that can cause infection in man. The most important ectoparasites of feral pigeons are the red blood mite,Dermanyssus gallinae, and the pigeon tick,Argas reflexus, both of which can migrate into human living space when they lose their natural hosts. The bites of the red blood mite are irritating but harmless, whereas the pigeon tick can cause severe health problems to predisposed persons. After repeated bites fromA. reflexus, people can develop IgE‐mediated (type I) allergy, which in extreme situations may lead to life‐threatening symptoms of anaphylactic shock. So far, one fatality due toA. reflexusderiving from feral pigeons has been reported. In the case of parasitic infestations of humans, the source must be removed by excluding pigeons from further breeding and by disinfection of the environment of pigeon‐breeding sites.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF CLOSTRIDIUM PERFRINGENS, ESCHERICHIA COLI AND ENTEROCOCCI AS INDICATORS OF FECAL CONTAMINATION OF GROUND BEEF
Authors: OBAIDAT MOHAMMAD M. , FUNG DANIEL Y.C. 
Published: December 2005

ABSTRACT This research aimed to compare Clostridium perfringens with Escherichia coli and enterococci as indicators of fecal contamination of raw ground beef. The first experiment evaluated the natural occurrence of C. perfringens, E. coli and enterococci in raw ground beef. The second experiment compared the linear regression curve of C. perfringens, E. coli and enterococci from ground beef intentionally spiked with bovine feces at different levels (0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7% [w/w]). The biochemical profiles of C. perfringens, E. coli and Enterococcus faecalis from raw ground beef and raw ground beef spiked with feces were also studied. The results of the first experiment showed that the prevalence rates of C. perfringens, E. coli and enterococci in raw ground beef were 45.0, 79.0 and 60.0%, respectively. The results of the second experiment showed that C. perfringens, E. coli and enterococci have a positive correlation with the level of inoculated fecal material. However, the average R2for C. perfringens, E. coli and enterococci models were 0.86, 0.71 and 0.93, respectively. The results also showed that the biochemical profiles of C. perfringens, E. coli and E. faecalis cultures from raw ground beef spiked with feces had high variations, and differ from those for the cultures isolated from raw ground beef. The compiled data indicate that C. perfringens should be considered a viable alternative to current fecal indicators.
Pde1 Phosphodiesterase Modulates Cyclic AMP Levels through a Protein Kinase A-Mediated Negative Feedback Loop in
Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Hicks Julie K. , Bahn Yong-Sun , Heitman Joseph 
Published: December 2005

ABSTRACT

The virulence of the human pathogenic fungus
Cryptococcus neoformans
is regulated by a cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) signaling cascade that promotes mating and the production of melanin and capsule. In this study, genes encoding homologs of the
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
low- and high-affinity phosphodiesterases,
PDE1
and
PDE2
, respectively, were deleted in serotype A strains of
C. neoformans
. The resulting mutants exhibited moderately elevated levels of melanin and capsule production relative to the wild type. Epistasis experiments indicate that Pde1 functions downstream of the Gα subunit Gpa1, which initiates cAMP-dependent signaling in response to an extracellular signal. Previous work has shown that the PKA catalytic subunit Pka1 governs cAMP levels via a negative feedback loop. Here we show that a
pde1
Δ
pka1
Δ mutant strain exhibits cAMP levels that are dramatically increased (
∼
15-fold) relative to those in a
pka1
Δ single mutant strain and that a site-directed mutation in a consensus PKA phosphorylation site reduces Pde1 function. These data provide evidence that fluctuations in cAMP levels are modulated by both Pka1-dependent regulation of Pde1 and another target that comprise a robust negative feedback loop to tightly constrain intracellular cAMP levels.
A Fungus-Specific Ras Homolog Contributes to the Hyphal Growth and Virulence of
Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Fortwendel Jarrod R. , Zhao Wei , Bhabhra Ruchi , Park Steven , Perlin David S. , Askew David S. , Rhodes Judith C. 
Published: December 2005

ABSTRACT

The Ras family of GTPase proteins has been shown to control morphogenesis in many organisms, including several species of pathogenic fungi. In a previous study, we identified a gene encoding a fungus-specific Ras subfamily homolog,
rasB
, in
Aspergillus fumigatus
. Here we report that deletion of
A. fumigatus rasB
caused decreased germination and growth rates on solid media but had no effect on total biomass accumulation after 24 h of growth in liquid culture. The Δ
rasB
mutant had an irregular hyphal morphology characterized by increased branching. Expression of
rasB
Δ
113-135
, a mutant transgene lacking the conserved
rasB
internal amino acid insertion, did not complement the deletion phenotype of delayed growth and germination rates and abnormal hyphal morphology. Virulence of the
rasB
deletion strain was diminished; mice infected with this strain exhibited ∼65% survival compared to ∼10% with wild-type and reconstituted strains. These data support the hypothesis that
rasB
homologs, which are highly conserved among fungi that undergo hyphal growth, control signaling modules important to the directional growth of fungal hyphae.
Serial Analysis of Gene Expression Reveals Conserved Links between Protein Kinase A, Ribosome Biogenesis, and Phosphate Metabolism in
Ustilago maydis
Authors: Larraya Luis M. , Boyce Kylie J. , So Austin , Steen Barbara R. , Jones Steven , Marra Marco , Kronstad James W. 
Published: December 2005

ABSTRACT

The switch from budding to filamentous growth is a key aspect of invasive growth and virulence for the fungal phytopathogen
Ustilago maydis
. The cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling pathway regulates dimorphism in
U. maydis
, as demonstrated by the phenotypes of mutants with defects in protein kinase A (PKA). Specifically, a mutant lacking the regulatory subunit of PKA encoded by the
ubc1
gene displays a multiple-budded phenotype and fails to incite disease symptoms, although proliferation does occur in the plant host. A mutant with a defect in a catalytic subunit of PKA, encoded by
adr1
, has a constitutively filamentous phenotype and is nonpathogenic. We employed serial analysis of gene expression to examine the transcriptomes of a wild-type strain and the
ubc1
and
adr1
mutants to further define the role of PKA in
U. maydis
. The mutants displayed changes in the transcript levels for genes encoding ribosomal proteins, genes regulated by the
b
mating-type proteins, and genes for metabolic functions. Importantly, the
ubc1
mutant displayed elevated transcript levels for genes involved in phosphate acquisition and storage, thus revealing a connection between cAMP and phosphate metabolism. Further experimentation indicated a phosphate storage defect and elevated acid phosphatase activity for the
ubc1
mutant. Elevated phosphate levels in culture media also enhanced the filamentous growth of wild-type cells in response to lipids, a finding consistent with PKA regulation of morphogenesis in
U. maydis
. Overall, these findings extend our understanding of cAMP signaling in
U. maydis
and reveal a link between phosphate metabolism and morphogenesis.