bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) replacement reduces growth hormone (GH) dose requirement in female hypopituitary patients on GH replacement
Authors: Brooke Antonia M. , Kalingag Leonila A. , Miraki‐Moud Farideh , Camacho‐Hübner Cecilia , Maher Katharine T. , Walker Dorothy M. , Hinson Joy P. , Monson John P. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryObjective  GH dose requirement is lower in ACTH replete compared with ACTH deficient hypopituitary patients suggesting that adrenal androgens may augment IGF‐I generation for a given GH dose. This study aimed to determine the effect of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) administration on GH dose requirements in hypopituitary adults.Design  A double blind placebo controlled trial was conducted adding 50 mg DHEA to the standard replacement of hypopituitary patients, including GH, over an initial 6 months, followed by an open phase study of 6 months DHEA replacement and a final 2 month washout phase after DHEA withdrawal. The dose of GH was adjusted to achieve a constant serum IGF‐I.Patients  Thirty female and 21 male hypopituitary patients were enrolled. Data from 26 women and 18 men were analysed after patient withdrawal.Measurements  The primary outcome objective was the GH dose required to achieve a stable serum IGF‐I. Secondary outcome measures were lipoprotein profiles, insulin, insulin sensitivity, IGFBP‐3, waist/hip ratio and indices of bone remodelling.Results  DHEA replacement in female patients lead to a 14·6 ± 20% reduction in the dose of GH for a constant serum IGF‐I (P < 0·05, 95% CI: 1·8, 32·7). This was maintained for 12 months and there was a significant fall in serum IGF‐I two months after withdrawal of DHEA. There was no change in the male group.Conclusions  DHEA replacement may reduce GH dose requirements in female hypopituitary patients.
Partial defects in transcriptional activity of two novel DAX‐1 mutations in childhood‐onset adrenal hypoplasia congenita
Authors: Laissue Paul , Copelli Silvia , Bergada Ignacio , Bergada Cesar , Barrio Gabriel , Karaboga Sinan , Wurtz Jean Marie , Fellous Marc , Lalli Enzo , Veitia Reiner A. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryObjective  Mutations in DAX‐1, an X‐linked gene encoding an orphan nuclear receptor, have been associated with adrenal hypoplasia congenita and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Here we describe two novel DAX‐1 mutations, Y214X and I361T, associated with childhood‐onset primary adrenal failure. We aimed at analysing their effects on protein localization, transcriptional activity and propose a structural‐function relationship.Design  We have directly sequenced the DAX‐1 gene from PCR‐amplified DNA. The effect of the mutations on protein localization was assessed by immunocytochemistry in transfected cells. The impact of mutations on transcriptional activity was determined by transfection using a StAR promoter‐luciferase reporter system.Results  The mutation Y214X produces a protein lacking the C‐terminal half of DAX‐1. The other one, I361T, affects a highly conserved amino acid within the putative ligand‐binding domain. The mutant Y214X displayed a wild‐type subcellular localization while I361T was partially retained in the cytoplasm. Both mutants retained subtantial transcriptional repressive activity, compared to mutants producing early onset adrenal failure. Interestingly, I361T displayed similar in vitro transcriptional repressive activity to the mutant I439S previously described in a case of late‐onset AHC. This shows that molecular alterations of DAX‐1 leading to similar in vitro activities may result in very different ages of onset of adrenal failure, which suggests that additional genetic and epigenetic factors are important in determining the clinical course of AHC.Conclusions  Our results help the understanding of structure–function relationships in the DAX‐1 molecule, suggesting that the N‐terminal domain is relatively autonomous and add credence to presumed molecular interactions within ligand binding domain of the protein.
Antithrombotic action of annexin V proved as efficient as direct inhibition of tissue factor or thrombin
Authors: Galán A. M. , Van Heerde W. L. , Escolar G. , Ordinas A. , Sixma J. , De Groot P. G. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground  The role of phospholipid platelet membrane and tissue factor in thrombin generation and thrombus formation is accepted. In the present study we have explored antithrombotic action of strategies aimed to block exposure of negatively charged phospholipids and we compared effects with those obtained through tissue factor or a direct thrombin inhibition.Materials and methods  Type III collagen was exposed to flowing blood (5 min, 300 s−1). Effects of inhibition of platelet deposition by annexin A5 (ANXA5), hirudin (HIR) or by an antibody against tissue factor (TF) were evaluated. Prothrombin fragment F1 + 2 (F1 + 2) was monitored.Results  Pre‐incubation of whole blood with HIR or ANXA5 resulted in a statistically significant reduction of platelet deposition (12·2 ± 0·6% in control experiments vs. 8·3 ± 0·4% and 8·5 ± 0·5%, respectively, P < 0·05). A similar decrease was found when blood was incubated with an antibody against TF. Furthermore, ANXA5 and HIR inhibited the recruitment of platelets into forming aggregates. The height of platelet aggregates generated was decreased in the presence of HIR or ANXA5, but only incubation with both inhibitors reached levels of statistical significance. The presence of ANXA5 or HIR decreased levels of F1 + 2 suggesting a reduced activation of the coagulation system.Conclusions  In our experimental studies, the inhibitory potential of ANXA5 on platelet‐thrombus formation was as effective as that of a direct thrombin inhibitor, as HIR, or an antibody against TF. Negatively charged phospholipids exposed on activated platelets potentiate the formation of platelet aggregates on a collagen surface and further suggest that inhibition of platelet procoagulant activity might be a specific target for antithrombotic drugs.
High‐density lipoprotein apolipoprotein A‐I kinetics: comparison of radioactive and stable isotope studies
Authors: Ooi E. M. M. , Watts G. F. , Farvid M. S. , Chan D. C. , Allen M. C. , Zilko S. R. , Barrett P. H. R. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground  To compare the kinetic determinants of high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) apolipoprotein A‐I (apoA‐I) concentration in lean normolipidaemic subjects using radioisotope and stable isotope studies.Materials and methods  We pooled data from 16 radioisotope and 13 stable isotope studies to investigate the kinetics of apoA‐I in lean normolipidemic individuals. We also examined the associations of HDL kinetic parameters with age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and concentrations of apoA‐I, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.Results  Lean subjects from radioisotope and stable isotope studies were matched for age, gender, BMI and lipid profile. The apoA‐I concentration was significantly lower in the radioisotope group than the stable isotope group (P = 0·031). There was no significant difference in HDL apoA‐I fractional catabolic rate (FCR) and production rate (PR) between the groups. In the radioisotope group, HDL apoA‐I FCR was significantly associated with apoA‐I and HDL cholesterol concentrations (r = −0·681, P < 0·001 and r = −0·542, P < 0·001, respectively), whereas in the stable isotope group, only HDL apoA‐I PR was significantly associated with apoA‐I concentration (r = 0·455, P = 0·004).Conclusions  Our findings suggest that HDL apoA‐I FCR is the primary determinant of apoA‐I concentrations in lean subjects in studies using radiotracer techniques. By contrast, HDL apoA‐I PR is the primary determinant of apoA‐I concentration in lean subject in studies employing stable isotope methods. These discrepancies may be reconciled by differences in methodologies and/or study population characteristics.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Diversity and biogeography of the Antarctic flora
Authors: Peat Helen J. , Clarke Andrew , Convey Peter 
Published: August 2006

AbstractAim  To establish how well the terrestrial flora of the Antarctic has been sampled, how well the flora is known, and to determine the major patterns in diversity and biogeography.Location  Antarctica south of 60° S, together with the South Sandwich Islands, but excluding South Georgia, Bouvetøya and the periantarctic islands.Methods  Plant occurrence data were collated from herbarium specimens and literature records, and assembled into the Antarctic Plant Database. Distributional patterns were analysed using a geographic information system. Biogeographical patterns were determined with a variety of multivariate statistics.Results  Plants have been recorded from throughout the Antarctic, including all latitudes between 60° S and 86° S. Species richness declines with latitude along the Antarctic Peninsula, but there was no evidence for a similar cline in Victoria Land and the Transantarctic mountains. Multi‐dimensional scaling ordinations showed that the species compositions of the South Orkney, South Shetland Islands and the north‐western Antarctic Peninsula are very similar to each other, as are the floras of different regions in continental Antarctica. They also suggest, however, that the eastern Antarctic Peninsula flora is more similar to the flora of the southern Antarctic Peninsula than to the continental flora (with which it has traditionally been linked). The South Sandwich Islands have a flora that is very dissimilar to that in all Antarctic regions, probably because of their isolation and volcanic nature.Main conclusions  The Antarctic flora has been reasonably well sampled, but certain areas require further floristic surveys. Available data do, however, allow for a number of robust conclusions. A diversity gradient exists along the Antarctic Peninsula, with fewer species (but not fewer higher taxa) at higher latitudes. Multi‐dimensional scaling ordination suggests three major floral provinces within Antarctica: northern maritime, southern maritime, and continental. Patterns of endemism suggest that a proportion of the lichen flora may have an ancient vicariant distribution, while most bryophytes are more recent colonists.
Sublingual Tolerance Induction with Antigen Conjugated to Cholera Toxin B Subunit Induces Foxp3+CD25+CD4+ Regulatory T Cells and Suppresses Delayed‐Type Hypersensitivity Reactions
Authors: Sun J.‐B. , Cuburu N. , Blomquist M. , Li B.‐L. , Czerkinsky C. , Holmgren J. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractAlthough sublingual (s.l.) immunotherapy with selected allergens is safe and often effective for treating patients with allergies, knowledge of the immunological mechanisms involved remains limited. Can s.l. administration of antigen (Ag) induce peripheral immunological tolerance and also suppress delayed‐type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses? To what extent can s.l.‐induced tolerance be explained by the generation of Foxp3+CD25+CD4+ regulatory T cells (Treg)? This study addressed these questions in mice and compared the relative efficacy of administering ovalbumin (OVA) conjugated to cholera toxin B (CTB) subunit with administration of the same Ag alone. We found that s.l. administration of a single or even more efficiently three repeated 40‐μg doses of OVA/CTB conjugate suppressed T‐cell proliferative responses to OVA by cervical lymph node (CLN), mesenteric lymph node (MLN) and spleen cells and concurrently strongly increased the frequency of Ag‐specific Treg in CLN, MLN and spleen and also transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) levels in serum. The CLN and splenic cells from OVA/CTB‐treated BALB/c mice efficiently suppressed OVA‐specific T‐cell receptor (TCR) transgenic (DO11.10) CD25−CD4+ effector T‐cell proliferation in vitro. Further, s.l. treatment with OVA/CTB completely suppressed OVA‐specific DTH responses in vivo and T‐cell proliferative responses in mice immunized subcutaneously with OVA in Freund's complete adjuvant. The intracellular expression of Foxp3 was strongly increased in OVA‐specific (KJ1‐26+) CD4+ T cells from OVA/CTB‐treated mice. Thus, s.l. administration of CTB‐conjugated Ag can efficiently induce peripheral T‐cell tolerance associated with strong increases in serum TGF‐β levels and in Ag‐specific Foxp3+CD25+CD4+ Treg cells.
Sjögren's Syndrome‐Like Disease of C57BL/6.NOD‐Aec1 Aec2 Mice: Gender Differences in Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca Defined by a Cross‐Over in the Chromosome 3 Aec1 Locus
Authors: Nguyen C. , Singson E. , Kim J.‐Y. , Cornelius J. G. , Attia R. , Doyle M. E. , Bulosan M. , Cha S. , Peck A. B. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractSjögren's syndrome (SjS) is a systemic autoimmune disease in which an immunological attack primarily against the salivary and lacrimal glands results in loss of acinar cell tissue and function leading to stomatitis sicca and keratoconjunctivitis sicca. In recent years, the NOD mouse has become an accepted model of SjS, exhibiting a spontaneously developing disease that strongly mimics the human condition. Two genetic regions, one on chromosome 1 (designated Aec2) and the second on chromosome 3 (designated Aec1) of NOD mice, have been shown to be necessary and sufficient to recapitulate SjS‐like disease in non‐susceptible C57BL/6 mice. Here we describe a newly derived strain, C57BL/6.NOD‐Aec1R1Aec2, in which a recombination in Aec1 has resulted in reducing this genetic region to less than 20 cM from 48.5 cM. Profiling of this recombinant inbred strain has revealed that male mice maintain a full SjS‐like disease, whereas female mice exhibit stomatitis sicca in the absence of detectable keratoconjunctivitis sicca. These data suggest SjS‐like disease in the NOD mouse shows gender‐specific regulation determined by autosomal genes.
Nosocomial infection in an eye hospital: incidence and occurrence patterns
Authors: Wang Zhenfang , Hu Shuying , Jiang Yuzhen , Dong Nuo , Lin Xiaofeng , Yu Ayong 
Published: August 2006

AbstractPurpose:  To describe the incidence and occurrence patterns of nosocomial infections in a large eye hospital over a 6‐year period.Methods:  Medical records of 94 013 consecutive inpatients admitted to Zhongshan Ophthalmic Centre, Guangzhou, China, from 1996 to 2002, were reviewed. Demographic data and infection diagnoses were collected. Nosocomial infection was defined as an infection that was absent during preadmission assessments but detected at least 48 h after admission to the hospital, or occurred after surgical procedures performed within the hospital.Results:  The cumulative incidence of nosocomial infections over a 6‐year period was 0.28%. The most common infections were acute conjunctivitis (45.5%) and upper respiratory tract infection (36.4%), followed by suppurative endophthalmitis (8.3%). Patients with acute conjunctivitis were predominantly adults aged from 15 to 59 years (60%), while patients with upper respiratory tract infection were predominantly children of 14 years or younger (74.0%), and those with endophthalmitis predominantly older persons 60 years or older (68.2%). Conditional pathogenic bacteria, mainly gram‐positive, were responsible for most suppurative endophthalmitis cases.Conclusions:  Although nosocomial infection incidence is relatively low in this eye hospital, our data suggest that different subgroups of patients are prone to certain types of infection. Specific preventive strategies targeting different subgroups of inpatients may further reduce the infection incidence.
Immediate postoperative intraocular pressure measurements after trabeculectomy with releasable sutures
Authors: Mehta Jodhbir S , Maurino Vincenzo , Patel Hemankumar , Kirwin James , Murdoch Ian E 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground:  To assess the practicality of same‐day intraocular pressure (IOP) review following trabeculectomy with releasable sutures. It is a prospective observational case series study.Methods:  40 eyes of patients undergoing inpatient trabeculectomy for glaucoma optic neuropathy. IOP measurement at 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h following trabeculectomy with releasable sutures. Slit‐lamp microscopy documenting surgical complications.Results:  Three patients required intervention within the first 24 h and four patients at 24 h because of raised IOP. Investigating pressure outcomes of low (<8 mmHg) and high (>21 mmHg) the sensitivity and specificity of IOP assessments at 2, 4, 8 and 12 h were compared with a ‘gold standard’ of IOP at 24 h postoperatively. False negative results persist at time periods for low IOP and are absent for high IOP only at 8 h postoperatively. There is a marked change in IOP over the first 24‐h period in some patients, both from high to low and from low to high levels.Conclusions:  Same‐day review of trabeculectomy is not a practical proposition as a policy for a unit with present operative techniques. Indeed the finding of transient high pressures during the first 24 h in some cases suggests that in those patients for whom there is concern (mainly those with severe disc cupping at the time of surgery) at least one IOP check during the first 24 h postoperatively may be warranted in addition to the 24‐h postoperative check.
Comparative study of Sperm Motility Analysis System and conventional microscopic semen analysis
Authors: KOMORI KAZUHIKO , TSUJIMURA AKIRA , ISHIJIMA SUMIO , TANJAPATKUL PHANU , FUJITA KAZUTOSHI , MATSUOKA YASUHIRO , TAKAO TETSUYA , MIYAGAWA YASUSHI , TAKADA SHINGO , OKUYAMA AKIHIKO 
Published: August 2006

Background and Aim:  Conventional manual sperm analysis still shows variations in structure, process and outcome although World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines present an appropriate method for sperm analysis. In the present study a new system for sperm analysis, Sperm Motility Analysis System (SMAS), was compared with manual semen analysis based on WHO guidelines.Materials and methods:  Samples from 30 infertility patients and 21 healthy volunteers were subjected to manual microscopic analysis and SMAS analysis, simultaneously. We compared these two methods with respect to sperm concentration and percent motility.Results:  Sperm concentrations obtained by SMAS (Csmas) and manual microscopic analyses on WHO guidelines (Cwho) were strongly correlated (Cwho = 1.325 × Csmas; r = 0.95, P < 0.001). If we excluded subjects with Csmas values >30 × 106 sperm/mL, the results were more similar (Cwho = 1.022 × Csmas; r = 0.81, P < 0.001). Percent motility obtained by SMAS (Msmas) and manual analysis on WHO guidelines (Mwho) were strongly correlated (Mwho = 1.214 × Msmas; r = 0.89, P < 0.001).Conclusions:  The data indicate that the results of SMAS and those of manual microscopic sperm analyses based on WHO guidelines are strongly correlated. SMAS is therefore a promising system for sperm analysis. (Reprod Med Biol 2006; 5: 195–200)
Crack growth predictions in a complex helicopter component under spectrum loading
Authors: NEWMAN J. C. , IRVING P. E. , LIN J. , LE D. D. 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACTFatigue crack growth predictions have been made on a helicopter round‐robin crack configuration. The crack configuration was a small corner defect at the edge of a large central hole in a flanged plate made of 7010 aluminium alloy and the component was subjected to a simulated helicopter spectrum loading. The crack growth rate data and the stress‐intensity factor (K) solution for the crack configuration were provided in the round‐robin. The FASTRAN life‐prediction code was used to predict fatigue crack growth under various load histories on the aluminium alloy, such as Rotorix and Asterix, on both compact tension C(T) specimens and the complex crack configuration. A BEASY three‐dimensional stress‐intensity factor solution for the round‐robin problem was also provided for this paper and is compared with the original K solution. Comparisons are made between measured and predicted fatigue crack growth lives for both crack configurations. The predicted lives for the C(T) specimens were 15–30% longer than the measured lives; and crack growth in the round‐robin configuration agreed very well in the early stages of crack growth, but the life was 30% short of the test results at the final crack length.
Bowel hematoma following an iliohypogastric‐ilioinguinal nerve block
Authors: FRIGON CHANTAL , MAI RYAN , VALOIS‐GOMEZ TERESA , DESPARMET JOËLLE 
Published: August 2006

SummaryWe report a case of a subserosal small bowel hematoma following an ilioinguinal‐iliohypogastric nerve block for an appendicectomy in a 6‐year‐old girl. The bowel hematoma was noted in the wall of the terminal ileum after opening the peritoneum. The hematoma was nonobstructing and the child remained asymptomatic. We discuss the technical aspects of this block.
Consumer identity and moral obligations in non‐plastic bag consumption: a dialectical perspective
Authors: Cherrier Hélène 
Published: August 2006

AbstractAccording to many, we live in an era of autonomy, choice, enterprise and lifestyles. Consumers are active agents who exercise informed and autonomous responsibilities in relation to their values and concerns. This language shows the act of ethical consumption as a personal choice arising from individual concerns. In contrast to this liberal view, the conservatives claim that consumers need to obey prescriptive and proscriptive set of ethical norms in order to consume ethically. This study takes on a third approach and considers consumers both as subjects of moral obligations (the conservative view) and as actors of their life (the liberal view). The analysis of nine existential phenomenological interviews performed on consumers who use environmentally friendly bags for their grocery shopping shows how both liberal and conservative views are co‐productive in the development of ethical consumerism. The dialectical interplay between social norms and self‐identity evolves through time and context across ﬁve main components: community of meaning and support, emotional afﬁliation, localized access to political discourses, personalization of the practice and identity formation. All ﬁve elements are intertwined around the use of a symbolic possession at the level of local and mundane microsocial encounters.
STRATEGIES AND KINETICS OF PHOTOACCLIMATION IN THREE ANTARCTIC NANOPHYTOFLAGELLATES1
Authors: Buma Anita G. J. , Noordeloos Anja A. M. , Larsen Jacob 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACTThree Antarctic nanophytoflagellates (two cryptophyte species and a Pyramimonas sp.) were compared for their capacity to phiotoacclimate and for their kinetic responses in changing photic environments. Division rate, cell size cellular fluorescence, and chlorophyll a content were measured steady and transient states of semi‐continuous cultures maintain at 1.0° C. Of all parameters tested, cell size was most affected by irradiance. Acclimation kinetics were modeled using a first‐order equation. Rates of change in cell size following shifts in irradiance were comparable with rates of change in chemical composition reported for temperate algae. Response rates of cellular in vivo red and orange fluorescence were lower. In many cases, however, responses could not be described by the first‐order kinetic model. Division rates remained high for approximately 3 days following a shift down in irradiance, after which new division rates were established. The nanoflagellates studied here appear to respond to small irradiance perturbations at low rates. However, they may fail to adapt and abrupt changes in photon flux density (PFD). When shade‐adapted (25 μmol, m−2, m−2, s−1) cells were exposed to high PFD (400 μmol, m−2, s−1) for 1–3 days, cell were incapable of readapting division rate and pigment content to the initial irradiance condition (25 μmol, m−2, s−1) for about 1 month following the shift‐down step. The ecological role of the kinetics of photoacclimation in nanophytoflagellate growth performance in Antarctic ecosystems is discussed.