bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
N-terminal region of Saccharomyces cerevisiae eRF3 is essential for the functioning of the eRF1/eRF3 complex beyond translation termination
Authors: Urakov Valery N , Valouev Igor A , Kochneva-Pervukhova Natalia V , Packeiser Anna N , Vishnevsky Alexander Yu , Glebov Oleg O , Smirnov Vladimir N , Ter-Avanesyan Michael D 
Published: October 2006

Abstract

Background
Termination of translation in eukaryotes requires two release factors, eRF1, which recognizes all three nonsense codons and facilitates release of the nascent polypeptide chain, and eRF3 stimulating translation termination in a GTP-depended manner. eRF3 from different organisms possess a highly conservative C region (eRF3C), which is responsible for the function in translation termination, and almost always contain the N-terminal extension, which is inessential and vary both in structure and length. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae the N-terminal region of eRF3 is responsible for conversion of this protein into the aggregated and functionally inactive prion form.

Results
Here, we examined functional importance of the N-terminal region of a non-prion form of yeast eRF3. The screen for mutations which are lethal in combination with the SUP35-C allele encoding eRF3C revealed the sup45 mutations which alter the N-terminal domain of eRF1 and increase nonsense codon readthrough. However, further analysis showed that synthetic lethality was not caused by the increased levels of nonsense codon readthrough. Dominant mutations in SUP35-C were obtained and characterized, which remove its synthetic lethality with the identified sup45 mutations, thus indicating that synthetic lethality was not due to a disruption of interaction with proteins that bind to this eRF3 region.

Conclusion
These and other data demonstrate that the N-terminal region of eRF3 is involved both in modulation of the efficiency of translation termination and functioning of the eRF1/eRF3 complex outside of translation termination.
Development of a Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (HRQL) for patients with Extremity Soft Tissue Infections (ESTI)
Authors: Storck Aric J , Laupland Kevin B , Read Ronald R , Mah Manuel W , Gill John M , Nevett Deborah , Louie Thomas J 
Published: October 2006

Abstract

Background
Past clinical trials of antimicrobial treatment in soft tissue infections have focused on non-standardized clinical and physiological outcome variables, and have not considered the subjective experience of patients. The objective of this study was to develop a health-related quality of life questionnaire (HRQL) for patients with extremity soft tissue infections (ESTI) for future use in clinical trials.

Methods
The design of this study followed published guidelines and included item generation, item reduction, and questionnaire preparation. Study subjects were consenting English-speaking adults with acute ESTI requiring prescription of at least two days of outpatient intravenous antibiotic therapy.

Results
A list of 49 items that adversely impact the quality of life of patients with ESTI was generated by literature review, informal health professional feedback, and semi-structured interviews with twenty patients. A listing of these items was then administered to 95 patients to determine their relative importance on quality of life. A questionnaire was prepared that included the twenty most important items with a 5-point Likert scale response. Questionnaire domains included physical symptoms, problems performing their activities of daily living, impairment of their emotional functioning, and difficulties in their social interactions as related to their ESTI. The final questionnaire was pre-tested on a further ten patients and was named the ESTI-Score.

Conclusion
The ESTI-Score is a novel instrument designed to quantify the impact of ESTI on quality of life. Future study is required to determine its validity and responsiveness before use as an outcome measure in clinical trials.
Langerhans cell histiocytosis on the penis: a case report
Authors: Hagiuda Jun , Ueno Munehisa , Ashimine Satoshi , Kuroda Isao , Ishizawa Keisuke , Deguchi Nobuhiro 
Published: October 2006

Abstract

Background
Langerhans cell histiocytosis affects mainly young children and features an accumulation of CD1a+ dendritic Langerhans cells in the bone, skin, and other organs. A few cases of Langerhans cell histiocytosis on the penis have been reported in the literature. We present a case of Langerhans cell histiocytosis on the penis and review the similar cases in the literature.

Case presentation
The patient was a 13-year-old boy who had a history of lymph node, femur bone, and pituitary-thalmic axis lesions from Langerhans cell histiocytosis who noticed a painful nodule on the prepuce of his penis. The histological and immunohistochemical examination fulfilled the criteria of Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

Conclusion
We herein describe the case reported of Langerhans cell histiocytosis on the penis.
Harm reduction services for British Columbia's First Nation population: a qualitative inquiry into opportunities and barriers for injection drug users
Authors: Wardman Dennis , Quantz Darryl 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackgroundAboriginal injection drug users are the fastest growing group of new Human Immunodeficiency Virus cases in Canada. However, there remains a lack of comprehensive harm reduction services available to First Nation persons, particularly for First Nation people dwelling in rural and reserve communities. This paper reports findings from an exploratory study of current harm reduction practices in First Nation communities. The purpose of this study was to provide an overview of the availability and content of current harm reduction practices, as well as to identify barriers and opportunities for implementing these services in First Nation communities.MethodsKey informant interviews were conducted with 13 addictions service providers from the province of British Columbia, Canada.ResultsParticipants identified barriers to these services such as community size and limited service infrastructure, lack of financial resources, attitudes towards harm reduction services and cultural differences.ConclusionIt was recommended that community education efforts be directed broadly within the community before establishing harm reduction services and that the readiness of communities be assessed.
The prevalence of migraine in meniere's disease
Authors: Rassekh Christopher H. , Harker Lee A. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThis study attempted to determine the prevalence of migraine in unilateral classic Meniere's disease and vestibular Meniere's disease. Diagnostic criteria for these three entities were identified and charts of patients with episodic vertigo were reviewed. A questionnaire was designed to assess the prevalence of migraine using criteria established previously by other authors. Questionnaires were mailed to patients with classic Meniere's disease, patients with vestibular Meniere's disease, and a normal control group The response rates from the questionnaires in the three groups were 75%, 70%, and 36%. The percentages of the respondents who met the predetermined criteria for migraine in the three groups were 22%, 81%, and 33%. The significant difference in migraine prevalence between classic and vestibular Meniere's disease suggests the possibility of different etiologies for the two entities.
Abductor laryngeal dystonia: A series treated with botulinum toxin
Authors: Blitzer Andrew , Brin Mitchell F. , Stewart Celia , Aviv Jonathan E. , Fahn Stanley 
Published: October 2006

AbstractAbductor laryngeal dystonia (LD) is characterized by a hoarse voice quality which is broken up by breathy or whispered portions. Botulinum toxin injection (Botox) has been a safe and effective treatment for adductor laryngeal dystonia and is currently accepted medical therapy. As an extension of the established treatment program, in 1989 treatment of abductor LD was initiated. Thirty‐two patients have been treated by sequential percutaneous electromyogram‐guided (EMG) injections of the posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) muscles. Most patients required treatment of both PCA muscles and improved to an average of 70% of normal voice. Patients who had a preexisting tremor, evidence of dystonia in other muscle groups, vocal tremor, or respiratory dysrhythmia had less improvement. Ten patients also required injection of the cricothyroid muscles and/or type I laryngoplasty.
How i do it: Head and neck and plastic surgery: Maxillary removal and reinsertion for improved access to anterior cranial base tumors
Authors: Schuller David E. , Goodman Joseph H. , Brown Berna L. , Frank John E. , Ervin‐Miller Kevin J. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractPortions or all of the maxillae are oftentimes removed solely to provide access to certain cranial base tumors rather than because they are involved directly with disease. The purpose of this report is to describe an approach that involves removal of one or both maxillae to improve tumor exposure with subsequent reinsertion as free bone grafts which are stabilized with titanium craniofacial fixation plates. The titanium permits postoperative imaging studies and radiotherapy. Eleven patients ranging from 10 to 69 years of age have undergone 12 operations using this technique for resection of 4 benign and 8 malignant tumors at The Ohio State University. Seven of the 8 patients with malignancies underwent postoperative radiation therapy. There have been no permanent complications and no evidence of bone resorption in this group after follow‐up of up to 15 months.
Lymphoma of the parotid gland
Authors: Mehle Mark E. , Wood Benjamin G. , Tucker Harvey M. , Lavertu Pierre , Tubbs Raymond , Kraus Dennis H. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIn a consecutive group of 452 patients undergoing parotid surgery at this institution, 18 (4%) were found to have lymphoma. Review and analysis of presenting symptoms, predisposing factors, histopathology, postsurgical morbidity, and long‐term outcome with treatment are presented. The current literature on parotid lymphoma is reviewed, and management strategies are outlined. Although a relatively uncommon primary lesion, lymphoma must be considered in the differential diagnosis of any mass presenting in the parotid gland.
Nonwound infections following head and neck oncologic surgery
Authors: Weber Randal S. , Hankins Patti , Rosenbaum Beverly , Raad Issam 
Published: October 2006

AbstractLittle information exists regarding the comorbidity of postoperative nonwound infections (NWIs) in patients with head and neck cancer. Prospectively, 225 patients were randomized in a double‐blind fashion to receive either clindamycin or ampicillin sodium/sulbactam sodium for prevention of postoperative wound infection. Of the 113 patients receiving clindamycin, 14 developed nonwound infections, compared with 10 of 112 patients receiving ampicillin/sulbactam. A single site of nonwound infection occurred in 21 patients, and 2 sites occurred in 3 patients. The majority of infections were pulmonary (22), followed by urinary tract (3), septic phlebitis (1), and acute sinusitis (1). Gram‐negative organisms were isolated more frequently among patients on clindamycin (18) versus ampicillin/sulbactam (6) (P = .014). Risk factors for pulmonary nonwound infection included: longer surgery, a greater than 70 packs per year smoking history, blood transfusion, and hypoalbuminemia (P < .05). Nonwound infections produce significant postoperative morbidity and the predominance of gram‐negative organisms isolated from these infections has therapeutic implications.
Idiopathic facial nerve paralysis: A randomized double blind controlled study of placebo versus prednisone
Authors: Austin John R. , Peskind Steven P. , Rice Dale H. , Austin Sara G. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIdiopathic facial nerve paralysis (IFNP) is a common malady. Because its etiology is unclear, there are a variety of treatment options. Studies to date have not clearly established the benefits of treatment with oral steroids (prednisone).The authors performed a randomized double‐blind controlled study comparing the use of placebo versus prednisone which shows that prednisone‐treated patients benefit from early treatment. Seventy‐six patients met inclusion criteria and completed follow‐up until recovery; 35 patients received prednisone and 41 received placebo. Their mean age was 36.8 years. Facial nerve function was assessed using the House‐Brackmann facial nerve grading scale, as well as a variety of other measures. Patients were evaluated pretreatment, regularly post‐treatment until judged recovered (return of facial function to a grade III or better), and at 6 months after recovery.Difference in mean time to resolution for the prednisone (51.4 days) and placebo (69.3 days) groups was not statistically significant. There was a significant difference in grade at recovery, with the placebo group having a higher proportion of grade III results (P<.03). Eight of 10 patients with electroneurography (ENOG) evidence of denervation were in the placebo group and accounted for 6 of the 7 grade III results. However, the difference in proportion of patients with evidence of denervation for the prednisone (5.7%) and placebo (19.5%) groups did not achieve statistical significance.This study shows that patients treated with prednisone have less denervation than placebo‐treated patients. They also have a significant improvement in facial grade at recovery compared to placebo‐treated patients. Therefore, the authors recommend that all patients at risk for developing denervation receive prednisone treatment.
Composite graft tympanoplasty in the treatment of ears with advanced middle ear pathology
Authors: Milewski Christian 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIn ears with advanced pathology, the functional and anatomical results of surgery are compromised by such factors as total perforation, tympanosclerosis, atelectasis, suppuration, or previous surgery. Perichondrium cartilage composite grafts (PCCGs) were used for membrane grafting in 550 such cases over a period of 5 years. In all, 197 tympanoplastic procedures of type I (25% with previous surgery) and 353 of type III (47% with previous surgery) were carried out. The graft was obtained from the tragus and/or the concha. Two slightly different surgical techniques of grafting were used.Closure of the eardrum perforation was successful in 92% of the procedures. An air‐bone gap of less than or equal to 30 dB was obtained in 92.4% of tympanoplasty type I procedures and in 79% of tympanoplasty type III procedures. The conclusion drawn from the results is that PCCG is a reliable graft in cases of advanced destruction of the middle ear.
Microbial counts and pesticide concentrations in drinking water after alum flocculation of channel feed water at the household level, in Vinh Long Province, Vietnam
Authors: Wrigley Tim 
Published: October 2006

Low technology water supply, treatment and sanitation techniques were reviewed in a Vietnamese village in the Mekong River Delta as part of an AusAID Project to reduce poverty and to improve the overall living standards and health in the Cuu Long (Mekong) delta for 500,000 rural poor.
It was found that dosing of canal water in 200-l ceramic jars with alum, PAC or PAC followed by hypochlorite provides a high level of treatment for drinking water at the household level in a rural village setting in the Mekong River delta.
Seventy per cent (7 in total) of the 24 samples collected showed that Escherichia coli levels per 100 ml in the jars after treatment showed a ‘no risk’ profile (0 E. coli 100 ml-1) i.e. the water would be considered to be of very good quality for drinking according to World Health Organization Guidelines for Rural Drinking Water Supply. This included the eight samples that were dosed with hypochlorite. The remaining 30% of samples (seven in total) ranged from 14 to 47 E. coli 100 ml-1 which is considered an intermediate risk (10‒100 E. coli 100 ml-1) according to WHO guidelines. All control water samples (eight in total) were high or very high risk (&gt;100 E. coli 100 ml-1).
Pesticide concentrations generally were low and met Vietnamese drinking water quality criteria.
Occurrence of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts in the Nakdong River and their removal during water treatment
Authors: Lee Shun-Hwa , Lee Chul-Hee , Kim Yun-Hee , Do Ju-Hee , Kim Seung-Hyun 
Published: October 2006

This study was conducted in preparation of a pending Cryptosporidium regulation in Korea. The study had two main objectives: 1) to examine the occurrence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in the Nakdong River; and 2) to evaluate their removal during water treatment. Occurrence of Giardia cysts was also examined. Average (arithmetic mean) numbers of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts at the treatment intake site were 2.6 l-1 and 4.8 l-1, respectively. Generally, the number of Giardia cysts was higher than that of Cryptosporidium oocysts at more sites, but the difference was minimal. Comparison of tributaries indicated that livestock wastes were more serious pollutants than sewage in terms of protozoa contamination. In general, fewer oocysts and cysts were detected during winter. No correlation was found for such water quality parameters as T-N, T-P, TOC, DO, pH and temperature with the numbers of oocysts and cysts except for suspended solids, which showed the highest correlation (R2=0.55). Removal of Cryptosporidium oocysts was evaluated using a Cryptosporidium tracer, which has similar characteristics to Cryptosporidium oocysts. The tracer removal depended on turbidity removal. Coagulation followed by sedimentation resulted in 1.2‒1.5 log removal of the tracer under optimal conditions. Filtration resulted in 1.3‒1.5 log removal of the tracer. These treatability experiments showed that traditional water treatment processes could achieve 2.5‒3.0 log removal of the oocysts.
Maximising biogas in anaerobic digestion by using engine waste heat for thermal hydrolysis pre-treatment of sludge
Authors: Pickworth B. , Adams J. , Panter K. , Solheim O.E. 
Published: October 2006

Dublin's Ringsend WWTP was designed to serve a population of approximately 1.2 million p.e. with a sludge production of 37,000 dry tonnes per year after upgrading to full secondary treatment. Several technical solutions were put forward as part of a design, build, finance and operate (DBFO) competition, with the chosen solution being a proposal by Black and Veatch for a combination of sequencing batch reactor (SBR) technology and anaerobic digestion with Cambi thermal hydrolysis pre-treatment (THP). The THP plant was built by Cambi and handed over to B&V in 2002. The plant is now operated by Celtic Anglian Water. In September 2004 a test was carried out on the mass and energy balance of the plant following 2 years of operation and is detailed in this paper.
The process enables digestion at very high dry solids feed and low hydraulic retention time. The plant was built with three digesters of 4,250 m3 each and is fed with hydrolysed sludge at 11% DS. There are four no. 1 MW Jenbacher engines operating mainly on biogas. Each pair of engines is fitted with a waste heat boiler with a capacity of one tonne steam per hour. These boilers have sufficient capacity to provide 80% of the steam required for the THP, which in turn provides all the heat for the subsequent digestion in the form of hydrolysed feed. There are two main biogas boilers for top up steam and other uses of the biogas including thermal oxidation of concentrated odours.
Thin Lead Sheets in the Decorative Features in Pavia Charterhouse
Authors: Colombo Chiara , Realini Marco , Sansonetti Antonio , Rampazzi Laura , Casadio Francesca 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe facade of the church of the Pavia Charterhouse, built at the end of the 15th century, shows outstanding decorative features made of different stone materials, such as marbles, breccias and sandstones. Magnificent ornamental elements are made of thin lead sheets, and some marble slabs are inlaid with them. Metal elements are shaped in complex geometric and phytomorphic design, to form a Greek fret in black contrasting with the white Carrara marble. Lead pins were fixed to the back of the thin lead sheets with the aim of attaching the metal elements to the marble; in so doing the pins and the lead sheets constitute a single piece of metal. In some areas, lead elements have been lost, and they have been substituted with a black plaster, matching the colour of the metal. To the authors' knowledge, this kind of decorative technique is rare, and confirms the refinement of Renaissance Lombard architecture. This work reports on the results of an extensive survey of the white, orange and yellowish layers, which are present on the external surface of the lead. The thin lead sheets have been characterized and their state of conservation has been studied with the aid of Optical Microscopy, SEM‐EDS, FTIR and Raman analyses. Lead sulphate, lead carbonates and oxides have been identified as decay products.
Identification of Genotoxic Compounds in the Airborne Particulate Matter Endowed by Small Aerodynamic Diameter in the City of Catania (Italy)
Authors: Motta Salvatore , Librando Vito , Minniti Zelica , Federico Concetta , Saccone Salvatore 
Published: October 2006

AbstractAirborne particulate matter (PM) is one of the most important polluting factors in the atmosphere containing solid particles generated during the combustion processes. PM, due to the particle size, is easily inhaled and constitutes a potential hazard for the human health. We previously documented, using in vitro cell culture systems, cytogenetic damages caused by exposure to a non‐fractionated PM in two different areas from the city of Catania (Sicily, Italy). In the present work, the PM was fractionated in six different sub‐fractions, and the relative extractable organic matters (EOM) were analyzed in order to quantify the presence of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PHAs), a well known class of genotoxic agents. More than 70% of the total EOM was found in the PM with aerodynamic diameters less than 3.5 μm (PM3.5), and about 60% of the total EOM was detected between PM0.14 and PM1.2. Also the large amount of all the analyzed PAHs were found between the PM0.14 and PM1.2. The obtained data indicates that the genotoxic effect previously shown on mammalian cells (Chinese hamster epithelial liver cells) should be due, in the large part, to the PM with smaller particle size, namely less than PM1.2.
Classification and Technology of Byzantine Mosaic Glass
Authors: Vandini Mariangela , Fiori Cesare , Cametti Rachele 
Published: October 2006

AbstractGlass‐making is a very sophisticated skill and the contribution given by the chemical analyses of glass materials is fundamental for the classification of glass types and for identifying compositional groups according to consistent characteristics that can be associated with chronological and geographical differentiations. The chemical composition of glasses is particularly complex: to a few basic constituents many components were added, either derived from impurities in the raw materials or intentionally incorporated into the glass mix. The field of study concerning the chemical composition and the technology of Byzantine mosaic production has not been dealt with in a systematic manner and certainly not exhaustively from the view point of classification according to the reconstruction of chronological and geographical development. Nevertheless, it is of great interest because it is probable that during the Byzantine period the production of mosaic glass was greater than for any other type of glass. We propose a methodology for classifying Byzantine mosaic glasses on the basis of simple statistical treatment of the chemical composition data. Compositional data relative to basic and accessory constituents together with colorants were analysed and elaborated through binary diagrams. Byzantine glasses are also compared to glasses of different epoch and provenance.