bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Distribution and significance of endothelin 1 in guinea pig cochlear lateral wall
Authors: Xu D-Y , Tang Y-D , Liu S-X , Liu J 
Published: February 2007

AbstractEndothelin 1 is a vasoconstrictive peptide with many biological functions. To investigate the distribution of endothelin 1 in guinea pig cochlear lateral wall and the significance of endothelin 1 in maintaining cochlear homeostasis, the immunohistochemistry avidin biotin complex method was applied by using rabbit anti-endothelin 1 polyclonal antibody as primary antibody. Endothelin-1-like activities were detected in the marginal cells, spiral prominence epithelial cells, outer sulcus cells, stria vascularis capillaries, basal cells and spiral ligament fibrocytes.These results suggest that endothelin 1 may play an important role in maintaining cochlear homeostasis.
Chondrosarcomas of the skull base and temporal bone
Authors: Lustig L R , Sciubba J , Holliday M J 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective:To evaluate the clinical presentation and outcomes of treatment for patients with chondrosarcomas involving the skull base and temporal bone.Study design:Retrospective review.Setting:Tertiary medical centre.Patients:Cases of histologically confirmed chondrosarcoma involving the skull base and temporal bones.Intervention:Surgery.Main outcome measures:Demographic features of presenting patients; presenting symptoms and signs; surgical approach employed; use of post-operative radiation therapy; histological grade of tumour; and interval of post-operative follow up.Results: Twelve patients were identified with chondrosarcomas involving the skull base, with post-operative follow up ranging from three to 33 years. The average age at presentation was 42 years. The most common presenting symptoms were diplopia, decreased visual acuity and headaches. Five of the 12 patients required multiple surgical procedures.Conclusions:Patients with chondrosarcoma involving the skull base and temporal bone may present in a variety of ways. Surgical resection, even subtotal, in combination with radiation therapy, can often provide good tumour control over many years for these rare tumours.
Expression and immunolocalisation of antimicrobial peptides within human palatine tonsils
Authors: Ball S L , Siou G P , Wilson J A , Howard A , Hirst B H , Hall J 
Published: February 2007

Background: Recurrent acute tonsillitis is one of the most frequent ENT referrals, yet its pathogenesis remains poorly understood, and tonsillectomy still costs the National Health Service more than £60 000 000 annually. Antimicrobial cationic peptides are components of the innate immune system. They are generally small, highly positively charged peptides with broad spectrum antimicrobial activity which function as the body's ‘natural antibiotics'. The role of antimicrobial cationic peptides in the susceptibility of patients to recurrent acute tonsillitis is unknown.Aims: To characterise and compare antimicrobial cationic peptide expression and localisation in human palatine tonsils from control subjects and recurrent acute tonsillitis patients, and to assess the potential role of these peptides in the pathogenesis of tonsillitis.Methods: Palatine tonsils were harvested with informed consent from 19 recurrent acute tonsillitis patients and from five control subjects undergoing tonsillectomy for sleep disorders. Total ribonucleic acid was isolated and antimicrobial cationic peptide expression was characterised using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Fluorescent immunohistochemical techniques were used to localise antimicrobial cationic peptides within fresh frozen tonsil sections.Results: Using molecular analyses, the palatine tonsils from control and recurrent acute tonsillitis subjects were confirmed as a site of expression of the antimicrobial cationic peptides human β-defensin 1–3, LL-37 (cathelicidin) and Liver expressed antimicrobial peptide-1 (LEAP-1). We also demonstrated for the first time the expression of Liver expressed antimicrobial peptide-2 (LEAP-2). Our analyses indicated that all six antimicrobial cationic peptides were expressed in all 26 tonsil samples. Immunohistochemical staining indicated that the antimicrobial cationic peptides were localised to the tonsil surface and crypt epithelium. However, the surface epithelium of tonsils from recurrent acute tonsillitis patients showed reduced amounts of antimicrobial peptides human β-defensins 1 and 3, and LL-37, compared with healthy controls.Conclusion: The tonsil epithelium synthesises an array of antimicrobial cationic peptides which function as host defence. Preliminary immunohistochemical data suggest that the surface epithelium of tonsils from recurrent acute tonsillitis patients contains reduced amounts of such peptides, which may increase these patients' susceptibility to infection.
Use of intranasal corticosteroids in sinonasal infection and after surgery
Authors: Goonetilleke P J P , Gatland D J 
Published: February 2007

The use of intranasal steroids by otolaryngologists in the treatment of patients with infective rhinosinusitis and after endonasal surgery, particularly endoscopic sinus surgery, is unlicensed, as stated in the British National Formulary and in the manufacturers' leaflets supplied with nasal steroid medications. However, despite this, nasal steroids continue to be prescribed in these circumstances. Debate continues as to the exact role of intranasal steroids in sinonasal infection and after sinonasal surgery and whether their use in these circumstances should still be unlicensed.This article reviews the current medical literature regarding this topic and aims to clarify whether intranasal steroid usage in these circumstances should be recommended.
Hard palate perforation due to mucormycosis: report of four cases
Authors: Barrak H A 
Published: February 2007

AbstractIntroduction:Mucormycosis is an opportunistic, fulminating fungal infection of the sino-nasal region. It tends to affect people with immune suppression. The hard palate is a rare site of the disease and few cases have been reported in the literature. This report discusses the nature of hard palate mucormycosis, with the aim of outlining possible explanations and reviewing associated characteristics.Method:This was a prospective analysis of four cases of hard palate mucormycosis. The patients were referred from the medical department, with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. An aggressive treatment protocol was used, i.e. an intensive course of antifungal drugs and frequent debridement of dead tissue.Results:A painful, dusky red swelling was noticed at the early stages of the hemi-palate lesion. It was eventually followed by deep ulceration and even big perforation. Orbit and intracranial extension was the preceding sign in all instances. The progression of the perforation was not controlled by a full course of treatment. There were two deaths during the treatment course.In conclusion:Mucormycosis of the hard palate is an ominous sign. Although rare, the lesion is progressive in nature and barely controlled by treatment. Clinicians should maintain a high degree of clinical suspicion in the management of patients with palatal ulcer and debilitating illness.
An analysis of the population genetics of potential multi-drug resistance inWuchereria bancroftidue to combination chemotherapy
Authors: SCHWAB A. E. , CHURCHER T. S. , SCHWAB A. J. , BASÁÑEZ M.-G. , PRICHARD R. K. 
Published: February 2007

SUMMARYCurrently, annual mass treatments with albendazole (ABZ) plus ivermectin (IVM) or diethylcarbamazine (DEC) are administered under the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF). Drug resistance against both ABZ and IVM is prevalent in nematodes of veterinary importance, raising awareness that if anthelmintic resistance were to develop amongWuchereria bancroftipopulations, this would jeopardize GPELF's goals. Genetic structure was incorporated into an existing transmission dynamics model for lymphatic filariasis (LF) to investigate the potential development of concurrent resistance to ABZ and IVM. The resultant models explore the impact of different inheritance modes of resistance to ABZ and IVM on the likely risk of treatment failure under our model assumptions. Results indicate that under ABZ+IVM combination, selection for resistance to one drug is enhanced if resistance to the other drug is already present. Excess parasite homozygosity may increase selection for dominant IVM resistanceviaenhancing the frequency of recessive ABZ resistance. The model predicts that if multiple resistance genes are associated with different efficacy properties of a drug combination, then examining changes at single loci may be misleading. Sampling schemes in genetic epidemiological surveys investigating the frequency of an allele under selection should consider host age, as individuals of different ages may acquire parasites at different rates.
System-controlled user interaction within the service robotic control architecture MASSiVE
Authors: Prenzel Oliver , Martens Christian , Cyriacks Marco , Wang Chao , Gräser Axel 
Published: February 2007

SUMMARYThis paper presents an approach to reduce the technical complexity of a service robotic system by means of systematic and well-balanced user-involvement. By taking advantage of the user's cognitive capabilities during task execution, a technically manageable robotic system, which is able to execute tasks on a high level of abstraction reliably and robustly, emerges. For the realisation of this approach, the control architecture MASSiVE has been implemented, which is used for the control of the rehabilitation robot FRIEND II. It supports task execution on the basis of a priori defined and formally verified task-knowledge. This task-knowledge contains all possible sequences of operations as well as the symbolic representation of objects required for the execution of a specific task. The seamless integration of user interactions into this task-knowledge, in combination with MASSiVE's user-adapted human–machine interface layer, enables the system to deliberately interact with the user during run-time.
Differential regulation of neuregulin 1 expression by progesterone in astrocytes and neurons
Authors: Lacroix-Fralish Michael L. , Tawfik Vivianne L. , Nutile-Mcmenemy Nancy , Harris Brent T. , Deleo Joyce A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractGlial−neuronal interactions are crucial processes in neuromodulation and synaptic plasticity. The neuregulin 1 family of growth and differentiation factors have been implicated as bidirectional signaling molecules that are involved in mediating some of these interactions. We have shown previously that neuregulin 1 expression is regulated by the gonadal hormones progesterone and 17β-estradiol in the CNS, which might represent a novel, indirect mechanism of the neuromodulatory actions of these gonadal hormones. In the present study, we sought to determine the effects of progesterone and 17β-estradiol on neuregulin 1 expression in rat cortical astrocytes and neurons in vitro. We observed that progesterone increased the expression of neuregulin 1 mRNA and protein in a dose-dependent manner in cultured astrocytes, which was blocked by the progesterone receptor antagonist RU-486. In contrast, 17β-estradiol did not increase either neuregulin 1 mRNA or protein in astrocytes. We observed no effect of either progesterone or 17β-estradiol on neuregulin 1 mRNA and protein in rat cortical neurons in vitro. Finally, we observed that treatment of cortical neurons with recombinant NRG1-β1 caused PSD-95 to localize in puncta similar to that observed following treatment with astrocyte-conditioned medium. These results demonstrate that progesterone regulates neuregulin 1 expression, principally in astrocytes. This might represent a novel mechanism of progesterone-mediated modulation of neurotransmission through the regulation of astrocyte-derived neuregulin 1.
The effect of epibatidine on spontaneous and evoked neurotransmitter release in the mouse and guinea pig isolated vas deferens
Authors: Williams D J , Brain K L , Cunnane T C 
Published: February 2007

Background and purpose:Nicotinic agonists increase sympathetic field‐stimulus‐evoked contraction of the rodent vas deferens, presumably by increasing evoked neurotransmitter release. This presumption was tested in two species.Experimental approach:The effect of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist epibatidine on neurotransmitter release in mouse and guinea pig isolated vas deferens was investigated using contraction studies and conventional intracellular recording techniques.Key results:In 12 of 14 mouse vasa deferentia, slow bath application of epibatidine (100 nM) had no significant effect on excitatory junction potential (EJP) amplitude and spontaneous EJP (SEJP) frequency. However, rapid application of epibatidine to the mouse vas deferens caused an increase in SEJP frequency (by 530%), with no effect on EJP amplitude. Despite the absence of an effect on EJPs, electrically‐evoked contractions of the mouse vas deferens were significantly increased in the presence of epibatidine (by 50%). A transient contraction was reliably induced by a higher epibatidine concentration (1 μM). This contraction was significantly reduced in the presence of prazosin, tetrodotoxin, or α,β‐methyleneATP. Epibatidine did not induce a contraction in the presence of a combination of prazosin, α,β‐methyleneATP and cyclopentolate. In guinea pig vasa deferentia, bath‐applied epibatidine potentiated EJP amplitude in a biphasic pattern, lasting for at least 30 minutes.Conclusion and implications:The nAChR‐mediated augmentation of neurogenic contraction is indeed prejunctional, but in the mouse arises from an increase in spontaneous neurotransmitter release that primes smooth muscle for subsequent contraction, while in the guinea pig there is a direct augmentation of evoked neurotransmitter (ATP) release.British Journal of Pharmacology(2007)150,906–912. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707183
A comparison of algorithms for the identification of specimens using DNA barcodes: examples from gymnosperms
Authors: Little Damon P. , Stevenson Dennis Wm. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractIn order to use DNA sequences for specimen identification (e.g., barcoding, fingerprinting) an algorithm to compare query sequences with a reference database is needed. Precision and accuracy of query sequence identification was estimated for hierarchical clustering (parsimony and neighbor joining), similarity methods (BLAST, BLAT and megaBLAST), combined clustering/similarity methods (BLAST/parsimony and BLAST/neighbor joining), diagnostic methods (DNA–BAR and DOME ID), and a new method (ATIM). We offer two novel alignment‐free algorithmic solutions (DOME ID and ATIM) to identify query sequences for the purposes of DNA barcoding. Publicly available gymnosperm nrITS 2 and plastid matK sequences were used as test data sets. On the test data sets, almost all of the methods were able to accurately identify sequences to genus; however, no method was able to accurately identify query sequences to species at a frequency that would be considered useful for routine specimen identification (42–71% unambiguously correct). Clustering methods performed the worst (perhaps due to alignment issues). Similarity methods, ATIM, DNA–BAR, and DOME ID all performed at approximately the same level. Given the relative precision of the algorithms (median = 67% unambiguous), the low accuracy of species‐level identification observed could be ascribed to the lack of correspondence between patterns of allelic similarity and species delimitations. Application of DNA barcoding to sequences of CITES listed cycads (Cycadopsida) provides an example of the potential application of DNA barcoding to enforcement of conservation laws.© The Willi Hennig Society 2006.
Heterology: the shadows of a shade
Authors: Williams David M. , Ebach Malte C. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe recent proposition to name some similarities not due to common ancestry as examples of heterology is discussed from a historical point of view. The use of an elaborate terminology for various kinds of similarities is examined and rejected in favor of dealing with homology and non‐homology.© The Willi Hennig Society 2006.
32‐gauge spinal catheters through 26‐gauge needles
Authors: NAGLE C. J. , McQUAY H. J. , GLYNN C. J. 
Published: February 2007

SummarySmall diameter intrathecal catheters potentially combine the certainty of intrathecal injection and the advantage of repeatability, without the risk of a high incidence of headache after dural puncture. We report problems placing such catheters.
Pressure generated during insertion of lumbar epidurals. A comparison with the Portex epidural injection simulator
Authors: LANGTON J. A. , MEIKLEJOHN B. H. 
Published: February 2007

SummaryThe aim of this study was to measure pressures exerted during insertion of lumbar epidurals in obstetric patients. The pressures were compared with those obtained when the Portex epidural injection simulator was used, and were significantly greater when a saline technique was used compared to those when air was used (p < 0.05). There were no differences between the pressures obtained with the simulator and those measured in vivo.
The Ohmeda 9000 syringe pump The first of a new generation of syringe drivers
Authors: STOKES D. N. , PEACOCK J. E. , LEWIS R. , HUTTON P. 
Published: February 2007

SummaryThe Ohmeda 9000 syringe pump was developed in response to the need for an infusion apparatus to administer intravenous anaesthetic agents. It incorporates a bolus facility for the rapid, controlled delivery of loading infusions, or incremental dosing over a background maintenance infusion, and may be interfaced with a controller for computer‐driven infusions. The Ohmeda 9000 pump has undergone bench testing and detailed evaluation in clinical practice using a variety of syringe sizes and makes. It is capable of accurate delivery over a range of infusion rates provided the recommended manufacturers’ syringes are used with the appropriate pump setting. The pump was easy to use and reliable in clinical research and routine clinical practice. It should find its niche as the first genuinely ‘anaesthetist‐friendly’ infusion pump.
Nasal pulse oximetry overestimates oxygen saturation
Authors: ROSENBERG J. , PEDERSEN M. H. 
Published: February 2007

SummaryTen surgical patients were monitored with nasal and finger pulse oximetry (Nellcor N‐200) for five study periods with alternating mouth and nasal breathing and switching of cables and sensors. Nasal pulse oximetry was found to overestimate arterial oxygen saturation by 4.7 (SD 1.4%) (bias and precision).
Influence of allophane and organic matter contents on surface properties of Andosols
Authors: Bartoli F. , Poulenard A. J. , Schouller B. E. 
Published: February 2007

SummaryThe aim of this study was to use nitrogen gas adsorption to study the complex surface properties of a wide range of Andosol Ah and Bw horizons; N2 gas adsorption not only provides specific surface area, SSA, but it also yields complementary information about micropore volume and hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic surface properties. Total SSAs were positively related to micropore SSA which was, in its turn, positively interrelated to the dimensionless parameter C of the Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET) equation (micropore N2 filling) and microporous allophane content. The more allophanic the Andosol horizon sample, the larger were its total, micropore and mesopore SSAs. On the other hand, strong negative exponential relationships were obtained between either total or micropore or mesopore SSA and soil organic carbon content, with a SSA threshold at an organic carbon content of c. 8–10%, the SSAs being extremely small at larger organic carbon content values. Both SSABET and CBET decreased non‐linearly as a function of the organic C/allophane ratio, with either a SSABET or a CBET threshold at an organic C/allophane ratio value of 3–5, above which both SSABET and CBET were very small (mostly the aluandic Andosol Ah horizons). The more the soil allophanes are assumed to be coated, the more hydrophobic the soil surfaces become and the smaller both SSABET and CBET become; nitrogen gas has a permanent quadrupole moment and therefore acts as a polar probe when surfaces are sufficiently hydrophobic. The antagonistic roles played by allophanes and organic matter in both the SSAs and the values of the dimensionless parameter C in the BET equation were also highlighted by (i) multiple linear regressions between the SSAs and both allophane and organic carbon contents and (ii) principal‐component analysis of SSABET, CBET and soil constituent (allophane, ferrihydrite and organic C) contents.
Mechanism of insulin‐like growth factor I‐mediated proliferation of adult neural progenitor cells: role of Akt
Authors: Kalluri Haviryaji S. G. , Vemuganti Raghu , Dempsey Robert J. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractInsulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) is involved in the proliferation and differentiation of adult neural progenitor cells; however, the underlying mechanism is not clear. We analysed the involvement of the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase/Akt and MEK/extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) pathways in the IGF‐I‐mediated proliferation of rat neural progenitor cells. Stimulation of neural progenitor cells with IGF‐I enhanced the phosphorylation of Akt but not ERK. Cell proliferation assay demonstrated that 2‐(4‐morpholinyl)‐8‐phenyl‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐4‐one (phosphoinositide 3‐kinase inhibitor) but not 1,4‐diamino‐2,3‐dicyano‐1,4‐bis(2‐aminophenylthio)‐butadiene (U0126) (ERK inhibitor) inhibited the IGF‐I‐induced survival of cells, whereas fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF‐2) enhanced the IGF‐I‐mediated survival of cells. Consistent with the cell proliferation assay, 5′bromo‐2‐deoxy‐uridine incorporation studies established a negative role for IGF‐I in proliferation. However, FGF‐2 (ERK activator) in the presence of IGF‐I (Akt activator) increased the proliferation of cells. Accordingly, stimulation of the ERK pathway by FGF‐2 induced the expression of cyclin D1, which is essential for the entry of cells into cell cycle, and IGF‐I in the presence of FGF‐2 up‐regulated the expression of cyclin D1. IGF‐I in the absence or presence of FGF‐2 increased the phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase, thus supporting its role in the survival of neural progenitor cells. To further confirm the role of ERK activation in the proliferation, we cultured cells in FGF‐2 + IGF‐I‐containing medium in the presence and absence of U0126 (ERK inhibitor), and showed the inhibition of nestin expression in U0126‐treated cells. The decrease in the cyclin D1 content in conjunction with the inhibition of nestin expression by ERK inhibitor confirms the role of ERK in the proliferation of cells.