bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Miconazole gel compared with Zataria multiflora Boiss. gel in the treatment of denture stomatitis
Authors: Amanlou Massoud , Beitollahi Jalil Momen , Abdollahzadeh Shervin , Tohidast‐Ekrad Zahra 
Published: August 2006

AbstractAn open, randomized, controlled study with two parallel treatment groups was done to evaluate the efficacy of a miconazole 2% gel compared with Zataria multiflora 0.1% gel applied four times daily for 2 weeks, in the treatment of Candida‐associated denture stomatitis. Twenty four patients were included in the study. The efficacy variables were the colony count of Candida from the palatal mucosa and the denture surface and the erythema surface of the palatal mucosa on days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 after commencement of therapy. Twelve patients received miconazole gel and twelve Z. multiflora gel. The erythema surface was significantly reduced by both gels. No significant difference was seen between the two groups (p < 0.05). There was a significant reduction in the colony count of the palatal mucosa in both groups (except on days 21 and 28 in the Zataria group p = 0.07 and 0.08). Miconazole treatment reduced the number of denture colonies more efficiently than Z. multiflora except for day 21 when the efficacy of both groups was similar (p = 0.17). The results indicate that Z. multiflora gel reduced the surface erythema of the palate more efficiently than miconazole gel but did not reduce the colony count of the denture surface as efficiently as miconazole. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Active packaging of UHT milk to prevent the development of stale flavour during storage
Authors: Perkins Melinda L. , Zerdin Katherine , Rooney Michael L. , D'Arcy Bruce R. , Deeth Hilton C. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractIndirectly processed UHT milk was packaged in IntaseptTM aseptic pouches with (treatment) or without (control) oxygen‐scavenging film and stored for 14 weeks at 26 ± 0.3°C. Samples were analysed at 0, 4, 8 and 14 weeks for dissolved oxygen, stale flavour volatiles (methyl ketones and aldehydes) and free fatty acids. Discriminative subjective analysis of odour by a consumer panel was also conducted. The oxygen‐scavenging film was shown to significantly (p < 0.05) reduce dissolved oxygen content by 23–28% during storage. Significant reductions of 23–41% were also observed for some stale flavour volatiles, including three methyl ketones and two aldehydes. Free fatty acid levels remained far below threshold values, indicating that lipolytic rancidity would not interfere with the subjective analysis. However, the consumer panel failed to detect a significant difference in odour between the treatment and control samples. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Single‐Molecule Förster Resonance Energy Transfer Analysis of Fluorescent DNA–Protein Conjugates for Nanobiotechnology
Authors: Kukolka Florian , Müller Barbara K. , Paternoster Stefan , Arndt Andreas , Niemeyer Christof M. , Bräuchle Christoph , Lamb Don C. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe development of nanobiotechnological devices requires the ability to build various components with nanometer accuracy. DNA is a well‐established nanoscale building block that self assembles due to specific interactions that are encoded in its sequence. Recently, it has become possible to couple proteins to DNA, thereby expanding the capabilities of DNA for use with molecular photonics and bioelectronics. Here, we present the design and characterization of a supramolecular Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) system by using a fluorescent protein bound to single‐stranded DNA (ssDNA), a fluorophore attached to a second ssDNA molecule, and a complementary strand for hybridizing the two fluorophores together. The FRET efficiency was studied by using both ensemble and single‐pair FRET measurements. The distance between the two fluorophores was determined from the single‐pair FRET efficiency and could be described by a simple cylindrical model for the DNA. Hence, DNA can be used as a scaffold for positioning fluorescent proteins, as well as traditional fluorophores, with nanometer accuracy and shows great potential for use in the future of nanobiotechnology.
Women's interpretation of an abnormal result on measurement of fetal nuchal translucency and maternal serum screening for prenatal testing of Down syndrome
Authors: Khoshnood B. , De Vigan C. , Blondel B. , Lhomme A. , Vodovar V. , Garel M. , Goffinet F. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the effects of sociodemographic and health‐provider factors on women's understanding of abnormal results on measurement of nuchal translucency (NT) and maternal serum screening (MSS), 18 months after the implementation of a policy aimed at increasing women's awareness regarding MSS.MethodsA representative sample of women (n = 734) who gave birth in Parisian maternity units in 1999 were asked about their understanding of an abnormal result on MSS and NT. We assessed the effects of sociodemographic and health‐provider factors on the probability of women interpreting an abnormal result correctly, misinterpreting it as a definitive diagnosis, or declaring that they did not know how to interpret the result. Response rate was 92% and the analyses included multinomial models.ResultsFor both MSS and NT measurement, the majority of women interpreted an abnormal result correctly. However, there were substantial sociodemographic differences in the probability of women interpreting an abnormal result correctly, and more so in the probability of their declaring not to know how to interpret the result. The probability of correct interpretations was substantially higher, and that of declaring not to know how to interpret the result substantially lower, for MSS than NT measurement. However, for several sociodemographic groups, the proportion of women who misinterpreted an abnormal result on screening as indicative of a definitive diagnosis was also higher for MSS as compared with NT measurement.ConclusionsThese findings underscore the need for additional efforts, along with alternative strategies, to inform women about the implications of prenatal screening, particularly in the case of measurement of NT. Copyright © 2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tumor angiogenesis assessed by three‐dimensional power Doppler ultrasound in early, advanced and metastatic ovarian cancer: a preliminary study
Authors: Alcázar J. L. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate tumor vascularity by three‐dimensional power Doppler ultrasound (3D‐PDU) in early and advanced stage primary ovarian cancers and in metastatic tumors to the ovary.Patients and methodsThis was a retrospective analysis of clinical and sonographic data from 49 women with primary ovarian cancers or metastatic tumors to the ovary. All women underwent 3D‐PDU prior to surgery. Vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularization flow index (VFI) from solid portions or papillary projections in the tumors were calculated using the Virtual Organ Computer‐aided AnaLysis (VOCAL™) program. Definitive histological diagnosis was obtained in each case.ResultsAmong the 49 women, 10 had stage I primary cancers (five low‐malignant potential tumors and five invasive tumors), 26 had advanced stage primary ovarian cancers and 13 had metastatic tumors to the ovary. Mean VI and VFI were significantly higher in advanced stage tumors and metastatic tumors as compared with early stage tumors. No differences in 3D‐PDU indices were found between advanced stage and metastatic cancers.ConclusionsVascular indices derived from 3D‐PDU tend to be higher in advanced stage and metastatic ovarian cancers as compared with early stage ovarian tumors. Copyright © 2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Korrosionsinhibierende Plasmapolymerschichten auf Stahluntergründen
Authors: Holzhausen Ute , Milliow Sieghard 
Published: August 2006

AbstractDie plasmabasierte Oberflächentechnik ermöglicht wissenschaftlich‐technisch, wirtschaftlich und ökologisch interessante Alternativen zu herkömmlichen Vorbehandlungsverfahren.Daher stand am iLF in den vergangenen Jahren die Entwicklung eines neuen Verfahrens zur Verbesserung der Korrosionsbeständigkeit von niedriglegierten Stahloberflächen durch ultradünne Plasmapolymerschichten im Vordergrund.Im Anschluss an eine Plasmafeinstreinigung unter oxidativen Bedingungen sollten Plasmapolymerschichten mit einer korrosionsinhibierenden/passivierenden Wirkung abgeschieden werden.Dazu werden während des Prozesses der Plasmapolymerisation siliziumorganischer Monomere Korrosionsinhibitormoleküle in die sonst elektrochemisch inaktive Schicht implantiert. Dadurch verbessert sich nachweislich der langfristige Korrosionsschutz. Ferner kann durch plasmatechnische Verfahren die Oberfläche der abgeschiedenen Plasmapolymerschicht so modifiziert werden, dass sie auch eine optimale Haftvermittlung aufweist.
Structural and functional changes in peripheral vasculature of Fabry patients
Authors: Kalliokoski Riikka J. , Kalliokoski Kari K. , Penttinen Maila , Kantola Ilkka , Leino Aila , Viikari Jorma S. , Simell Olli , Nuutila Pirjo , Raitakari Olli T. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryObjective: Fabry disease is a lysosomal storage disorder due to deficient α‐galactosidase A activity, which leads to glycosphingolipid accumulation especially in vascular smooth‐muscle and endothelial cells. Little is known about the effects of Fabry disease on peripheral artery function and structure. Therefore, we aimed to further characterize the peripheral vascular structural and functional changes in Fabry disease. Methods and results: We measured structural and functional vascular parameters, including intima‐media thickness (IMT) of brachial and carotid arteries and abdominal aorta, carotid and aortic compliance, and brachial artery flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD) in 17 Fabry patients and 34 healthy controls matched for age, sex and smoking. Carotid IMT (0.64 ± 0.15 vs 0.57 ± 0.12 mm), brachial IMT (1.02 ± 0.25 vs 0.74 ± 0.18 mm), and aortic IMT (0.31 ± 0.09 vs 0.26 ± 0.04 mm) were significantly increased, and brachial FMD was significantly impaired (6.3 ± 5.0 vs 9.7 ± 3.9%) in Fabry patients compared to healthy controls (p < 0.05 in all comparisons after adjustments for age, LDL‐cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure). No differences were observed in arterial compliance between the groups. Conclusions: These data suggest that Fabry disease affects arterial function and structure by disturbing peripheral endothelial function and promoting intima‐media thickening.
Haematological findings in children with inborn errors of metabolism
Authors: Tavil Betul , Sivri Hatice Serapl Kalkanoglu , Coskun Turgay , Gurgey Aytemiz , Ozyurek Emel , Dursun Ali , Tokatlı Aysegul , Altay Cigdem , Gumruk Fatma 
Published: August 2006

SummaryEarly detection and therapy of haematological abnormalities and/or diseases may improve the prognosis of metabolic disorders. Accordingly, we aimed to evaluate the frequency and types of haematological abnormalities in children[‐31pc] with various inherited metabolic disorders. The study group comprised 46 children with metabolic disorders who were followed at the Pediatric Metabolism Unit and were referred to the Pediatric Hematology Unit for evaluation of anaemia between June 2000 and 2005. The mean age of the children was 55.2 ± 64.8 months at haematological evaluation (range 1 month–18 years, median 22.0 months); 16 were female and 30 were male. Of these 46 patients with anaemia, 25 of (54.3%) had anaemia of chronic disease (ACD), 9 (19.6%) had iron‐deficiency anaemia (IDA), 7 (15.2%) had megaloblastic anaemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency, 3 (6.5%) had chronic haemolytic anaemia, 2 (4.3%) had autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, 1 had β‐thalassaemia major, and 1 had hereditary spherocytosis. In addition to the anaemia, bicytopenia or pancytopenia was found in 8 of 46 children (17.4%). The study indicated that in organic acidaemias including methylmalonic acidaemia, propionic acidaemia, isovaleric acidaemia, and argininosuccinic acidaemia, the majority of patients had ACD (75%), which was followed by vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia and IDA (p < 0.001). In PKU, both nutritional anaemias and ACD were present at about same frequency: 46.7% and 40%, respectively (p > 0.05). This study suggested that congenital anaemias such as hereditary spherocytosis or thalassaemias should be kept in mind as a coexisting haematological diseases in young patients with inborn errors of metabolism. In conclusion, ACD and nutritional anaemias are the most prevalent anaemias seen in patients with inborn errors of metabolism. Early detection of the disease, early administration of specific diet, and close monitoring of the patients are very important factors to prevent the development of haematological diseases in patients with inborn errors of metabolism.
Barth syndrome presenting with acute metabolic decompensation in the neonatal period
Authors: Donati Maria Alice , Malvagia Sabrina , Pasquini Elisabetta , Morrone Amelia , Marca Giancarlo La , Garavaglia Barbara , Toniolo Daniela , Zammarchi Enrico 
Published: August 2006

SummaryWe describe two patients affected by Barth syndrome. Their symptoms became manifest on respectively the third and first day of their lives. Clinical presentation included poor sucking, lethargy, hypotonia, hypothermia and cardiomyopathy. Laboratory findings such as hypoglycaemia, metabolic acidosis, elevated transaminases, hyperlactacidaemia and mild hyperammonaemia pointed to an inborn error of energy metabolism with possible mitochondrial involvement. Molecular analysis of the TAZ (G4.5) gene showed the c.877G > A mutation leading to the G197R amino acid substitution in patient 1, and the new splice donor c.829 + 1G > A genetic lesion in patient 2.
Oxygen free radicals in children with acute rheumatic fever
Authors: Oran Bülent , Atabek Emre , Karaaslan Sevim , Reisli Ýsmail , Gültekin Fatih , Erkul Ýbrahim 
Published: August 2006

We have investigated the relationship between oxygen free radicals and acute rheumatic fever with regard to diagnosis of the disease process. At the time of diagnosis, we measured the levels of reactive oxygen molecules in the plasma, this being a parameter for oxygen free radicals, and discovered the levels to be significantly higher when compared with those measured in a control group (P< 0.05). The levels measured in the plasma, however, were not statistically different among patients with and without carditis.We found a progressive decrease in the levels measured in the plasma when patients with acute rheumatic fever were tested on the 15th, 30th and 90th days subsequent to diagnosis. By the 90th day, levels measured in the plasma were still higher, but no longer significantly elevated, when compared with the control group. The present study is preliminary, but raises the possibility that measurement of oxygen free radicals in the plasma could be used as a laboratory test for active state of acute rheumatic fever. Further investigations will be needed, nonetheless, to determine the clinical application of this technique.
Non-contact mapping and ablation of tachycardia originating in the right ventricular outflow tract
Authors: Paul Thomas , Blaufox Andrew T. D. , Saul J. Philip 
Published: August 2006

We performed an electrophysiological study, using non-contact mapping, in an 8-year-old girl weighing 39.9 kg who had suffered recurrent symptomatic episodes of exercise-induced non-sustained ventricular tachycardia. Color-coded isopotential maps of the ventricular tachycardia identified the area of earliest endocardial activation high and anterior in the right ventricular outflow tract. Although partial deflation of the balloon was required to position the ablation catheter at the earliest site of activation, this site was still identified accurately, as demonstrated by termination of the ventricular tachycardia and ectopy upon mechanical pressure, as well as application of radiofrequency current.In this young patient, precise mapping of the earliest endocardial activation using the non-contact mapping system was safe and effective, allowing successful radiofrequency ablation of the tachycardia.
Development of a Highly Productive and Scalable Plasmid DNA Production Platform
Authors: Listner K. , Bentley L. , Okonkowski J. , Kistler C. , Wnek R. , Caparoni A. , Junker B. , Robinson D. , Salmon P. , Chartrain M. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractWith the applications of DNA vaccines extending from infectious diseases to cancer, achieving the most efficient, reproducible, robust, scalable, and economical production of clinical grade plasmid DNA is paramount to the medical and commercial success of this novel vaccination paradigm. A first generation production process based on the cultivation of Escherichia coli in a chemically defined medium, employing a fed‐batch strategy, delivered reasonable volumetric productivities (500–750 mg/L) and proved to perform very well across a wide range of E. coli constructs upon scale‐up at industrial scale. However, the presence of monosodium glutamate (MSG) in the formulation of the cultivation and feed solution was found to be a potential cause of process variability. The development of a second generation process, based on a defined cultivation medium and feed solution excluding MSG, was undertaken. Optimization studies, employing a plasmid coding for the HIV gag protein, resulted in cultivation conditions that supported volumetric plasmid titers in excess of 1.2 g/L, while achieving specific yields ranging from 25 to 32 μg plasmid DNA/mg of dry cell weight. When used for the production of clinical supplies, this novel process demonstrated applicability to two other constructs upon scale‐up in 2,000‐L bioreactors. This second generation process proved to be scalable, robust, and highly productive.
The histone acetyltransferases CBP/p300 are degraded in NIH 3T3 cells by activation of Ras signalling pathway
Authors: Sánchez-Molina Sara , Oliva José Luis , García-Vargas Susana , Valls Ester , Rojas José M. , Martínez-Balbás Marian A. 
Published: August 2006

The CBP [CREB (cAMP-response-element-binding protein)-binding protein]/p300 acetyltransferases function as transcriptional co-activators and play critical roles in cell differentiation and proliferation. Accumulating evidence shows that alterations of the CBP/p300 protein levels are linked to human tumours. In the present study, we show that the levels of the CBP/p300 co-activators are decreased dramatically by continuous PDGF (platelet-derived growth factor) and Ras signalling pathway activation in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. This effect occurs by reducing the expression levels of the CBP/p300 genes. In addition, CBP and p300 are degraded by the 26 S proteasome pathway leading to an overall decrease in the levels of the CBP/p300 proteins. Furthermore, we provide evidence that Mdm2 (murine double minute 2), in the presence of active H-Ras or N-Ras, induces CBP/p300 degradation in NIH 3T3 cells. These findings support a novel mechanism for modulating other signalling transduction pathways that require these common co-activators.
Modification of the pulmonary renin–angiotensin system and lung structural remodelling in congestive heart failure
Authors: Lefebvre Frederic , Préfontaine Annick , Calderone Angelino , Caron Alexandre , Jasmin Jean-François , Villeneuve Louis , Dupuis Jocelyn 
Published: August 2006

Lung structural remodelling, characterized by myofibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition, contributes to impaired functional capacity in CHF (congestive heart failure). As the lung is the primary site for the formation of Ang II (angiotensin II), local modifications of this system could contribute to lung remodelling. Rats with CHF, induced following myocardial infarction (MI) via coronary artery ligation, were compared with sham-operated controls. The MI group developed lung remodelling as confirmed by morphometric measurements and immunohistochemistry. Pulmonary Ang II concentrations increased more than 6-fold (P&lt;0.01), and AT1 (Ang II type 1) receptor expression was elevated by 3-fold (P&lt;0.01) with evidence of distribution in myofibroblasts. AT2 (Ang II type 2) receptor expression was unchanged. In isolated lung myofibroblasts, AT1 and AT2 receptors were expressed, and Ang II stimulated proliferation as measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation. In normal rats, chronic intravenous infusion of Ang II (0.5 mg·kg−1 of body weight·day−1) for 28 days significantly increased mean arterial pressure (P&lt;0.05), without pulmonary hypertension, lung remodelling or a change in AT1 receptor expression. We conclude that there is a modification of the pulmonary renin–angiotensin system in CHF, with increased Ang II levels and AT1 receptor expression on myofibroblasts. Although this may contribute to lung remodelling, the lack of effect of increased plasma Ang II levels alone suggests the importance of local pulmonary Ang II levels combined with the effect of other factors activated in CHF.
Mining frequent stem patterns from unaligned RNA sequences
Authors: Hamada Michiaki , Tsuda Koji , Kudo Taku , Kin Taishin , Asai Kiyoshi 
Published: August 2006

Abstract
Motivation: In detection of non-coding RNAs, it is often necessary to identify the secondary structure motifs from a set of putative RNA sequences. Most of the existing algorithms aim to provide the best motif or few good motifs, but biologists often need to inspect all the possible motifs thoroughly.
Results: Our method RNAmine employs a graph theoretic representation of RNA sequences and detects all the possible motifs exhaustively using a graph mining algorithm. The motif detection problem boils down to finding frequently appearing patterns in a set of directed and labeled graphs. In the tasks of common secondary structure prediction and local motif detection from long sequences, our method performed favorably both in accuracy and in efficiency with the state-of-the-art methods such as CMFinder.
Availability: The software is available upon request.
Contact: hamada-michiaki@aist.go.jp
Supplementary information: Visit the following URL for Supplementary information, software availability and the information about the web server:
Clarification of Pathway-Specific Inhibition by Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance/Mass Spectrometry-Based Metabolic Phenotyping Studies
Authors: Oikawa Akira , Nakamura Yukiko , Ogura Tomonori , Kimura Atsuko , Suzuki Hideyuki , Sakurai Nozomu , Shinbo Yoko , Shibata Daisuke , Kanaya Shigehiko , Ohta Daisaku 
Published: August 2006

Abstract
We have developed a metabolic profiling scheme based on direct-infusion Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR/MS). The scheme consists of: (1) reproducible data collection under optimized FT-ICR/MS analytical conditions; (2) automatic mass-error correction and multivariate analyses for metabolome characterization using a newly developed metabolomics tool (DMASS software); (3) identification of marker metabolite candidates by searching a species-metabolite relationship database, KNApSAcK; and (4) structural analyses by an MS/MS method. The scheme was applied to metabolic phenotyping of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) seedlings treated with different herbicidal chemical classes for pathway-specific inhibitions. Arabidopsis extracts were directly infused into an electrospray ionization source on an FT-ICR/MS system. Acquired metabolomics data were comprised of mass-to-charge ratio values with ion intensity information subjected to principal component analysis, and metabolic phenotypes from the herbicide treatments were clearly differentiated from those of the herbicide-free treatment. From each herbicide treatment, candidate metabolites representing such metabolic phenotypes were found through the KNApSAcK database search. The database search and MS/MS analyses suggested dose-dependent accumulation patterns of specific metabolites including several flavonoid glycosides. The metabolic phenotyping scheme on the basis of FT-ICR/MS coupled with the DMASS program is discussed as a general tool for high throughput metabolic phenotyping studies.