bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Opening of microglial KATP channels inhibits rotenone‐induced neuroinflammation
Authors: Zhou Fang , Yao Hong‐Hong , Wu Jia‐Yong , Ding Jian‐Hua , Sun Tao , Hu Gang 
Published: October 2008

AbstractAs activated microglia (MG) is an early sign that often precedes and triggers neuronal death, inhibition of microglial activation and reduction of subsequent neurotoxicity may offer therapeutic benefit. The present study demonstrates that rat primary cultured MG expressed Kir6.1 and SUR2 subunits of KATP channel, which was identical to that expressed in BV‐2 microglial cell line. The classic KATP channel opener pinacidil and selective mitochondrial KATP (mito‐KATP) channel opener diazoxide prevented rotenone‐induc microglial activation and production of pro‐inflammatory factors (tumour necrosis factor[TNF]‐α and prostaglandin E2[PGE2]). And the effects of pinacidil and diazoxide were reversed by mito‐KATP blocker 5‐hydroxydecanoate (5‐HD), indicating that mito‐KATP channels participate in the regulation of microglial activation. Moreover, the underlying mechanisms involved the stabilization of mitocho drial membrane potential and inhibition of p38/c‐Jun‐N‐terminal kinase (JNK) activation in microglia. Furthermore, the in vivo study confirmed that diazoxide exhibited neuroprotective effects against rotenone along with the inhibition of microglial activation and neuroinflammation. Thus, microglial mito‐KATP channel might be a novel prospective target for the treatment of neuroinflammation‐related degenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease.
Insights into post‐translational processing of β‐galactosidase in an animal model resembling late infantile human GM1‐gangliosidosis
Authors: Kreutzer R. , Kreutzer M. , Pröpsting M. J. , Sewell A. C. , Leeb T. , Naim H. Y. , Baumgärtner W. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractGM1‐gangliosidosis is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by a deficiency of ß‐galactosidase activity. Human GM1‐gangliosidosis has been classified into three forms according to the age of clinical onset and specific biochemical parameters. In the present study, a canine model for type II late infantile human GM1‐gangliosidosis was investigated ‘in vitro’ in detail. For a better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis underlying GM1‐gangliosidosis the study focused on the analysis of the molecular events and subsequent intracellular protein trafficking of β‐galactosidase. In the canine model the genetic defect results in exclusion or inclusion of exon 15 in the mRNA transcripts and to translation of two mutant precursor proteins. Intracellular localization, processing and enzymatic activity of these mutant proteins were investigated. The obtained results suggested that the β‐galactosidase C‐terminus encoded by exons 15 and 16 is necessary for correct C‐terminal proteolytic processing and enzyme activity but does not affect the correct routing to the lysosomes. Both mutant protein precursors are enzymatically inactive, but are transported to the lysosomes clearly indicating that the amino acid sequences encoded by exons 15 and 16 are necessary for correct folding and association with protective protein/cathepsin A, whereas the routing to the lysosomes is not influenced. Thus, the investigated canine model is an appropriate animal model for the human late infantile form and represents a versatile system to test gene therapeutic approaches for human and canine GM1‐gangliosidosis.
Paediatric short stay unit in a community hospital: Effective, efficient and popular
Authors: Hopper Sandy M , Archer Peter , Breene Richard , Bolt Penny , Sammartino Luke 
Published: October 2008

AbstractObjectives:  Short stay medicine is a cost‐effective and efficient way to manage patients with suitable conditions. Paediatric acute illness and injury are amenable to short stay medicine. Before January 2004, when Maroondah Hospital recommenced inpatient care for children, 700 children were transferred annually to other hospitals. We describe the implementation and performance of the first paediatric short stay unit (SSU) in Victoria, which was designed to remedy this situation.Methods:  Set in a 291‐bed metropolitan hospital, we audited paediatric emergency attendances, admissions, transfers and discharges. We present quality and consumer satisfaction data.Results:  The environment was designed for the physical, developmental and social needs of children. We implemented education, a system of exclusion criteria and pathways to enhance safety. Over 12 months, of 9097 paediatric attendances, 1101 required inpatient care. Among them, 862 patients were admitted to the SSU and 239 were transferred. Accordingly, 78% of admitted patients were cared for in‐house. Median length of stay was 20 h. Of the 708 reviewed cases, there were 19 (3%) unexpected transfers from the SSU, 59 (8%) long stays (>48 h) and no deaths. Via a telephone survey, there were 30/355 (8%) unplanned representations and satisfaction data were overwhelmingly positive. We suggest that this model is suitable for centres with limited paediatric cover. In‐house senior emergency physician cover might be preferable to an after‐hours junior staff‐only model.Conclusion:  A co‐located paediatric SSU within an ED is an efficient, popular and viable alternative for paediatric services to be delivered in a suburban setting.
Review article: Lack of effect of opiates in the treatment of acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema
Authors: Sosnowski Marcin A 
Published: October 2008

AbstractOpiates have traditionally been used as one of the main treatments of acute heart failure and are still recognized as such. Most current textbooks and official guidelines advise the use of morphine as one of the first‐line treatments for patients in acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema and a majority of physicians accept it to be the case. The author performed an extensive literature search in order to validate the evidence for the use of opiates in this condition. A total of seven papers, six in English and one in Polish, were found that directly investigated or reported the clinically important outcomes of treatment of acute pulmonary oedema. Only five of these dealt specifically with the effects of administration of opiates in acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema. None of the above publications suggested a clinically significant improvement in outcomes of patients treated with morphine, although early research did suggest reduced anxiety, blood pressure and pulse rate as well as a reduction in arterial oxygen contents. The more recent studies suggest a strong association between increased mortality and morbidity (e.g. intensive care unit admissions or intubation rates), although causality is difficult to establish because of research methodologies. The current evidence does not support the routine use of opiates in the treatment of acute pulmonary oedema.
Review article: Amphetamines and related drugs of abuse
Authors: Greene Shaun L , Kerr Fergus , Braitberg George 
Published: October 2008

AbstractAcute amphetamine toxicity is a relatively common clinical scenario facing the Australasian emergency medicine physician. Rates of use in Australasia are amongst the highest in the world. Clinical effects are a consequence of peripheral and central adrenergic stimulation producing a sympathomimetic toxidrome and a spectrum of central nervous system effects. Assessment aims to detect the myriad of possible complications related to acute amphetamine exposure and to institute interventions to limit associated morbidity and mortality. Meticulous supportive care aided by judicial use of benzodiazepines forms the cornerstone of management. Beta blockers are contraindicated in managing cardiovascular complications. Agitation and hyperthermia must be treated aggressively. Discharge of non‐admitted patients from the emergency department should only occur once physiological parameters and mental state have returned to normal. All patients should receive education regarding the dangers of amphetamine use.
Difficult diagnosis in the emergency department: Hyperemesis in early trimester pregnancy because of incarcerated maternal diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Ting Joseph Yuk Sang 
Published: October 2008

AbstractHyperemesis gravidarum is a frequent presentation to the ED, which usually resolves with fluid rehydration and antiemetics. Early incarcerated maternal diaphragmatic hernia might be misdiagnosed as relatively benign hyperemesis gravidarum in the first two trimesters of pregnancy. Diagnosis is missed because of non‐specific presentation with abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Hernias rarely become symptomatic even in latter stages of pregnancy, as the uterus increases in size with each trimester and with raised intra‐abdominal pressure from uterine contraction during labour. Symptoms progress with incarceration and strangulation of abdominal contents within the thoracic cavity, compression of the lung and disruption of caval venous return. A woman at 19‐week gestation presented with delayed diagnosis of strangulated diaphragmatic hernia, representing the earliest gestation in the published literature when this has occurred. She had repeatedly been misdiagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum. It is worthwhile considering incarcerated maternal diaphragmatic hernia as an unusual cause of refractory vomiting in pregnancy, when associated with clinically significant upper abdominal pain and progressive respiratory embarrassment. This might occur as early as the mid‐second trimester, and without uterine contraction.
Cardiac arrhythmia during propofol sedation
Authors: Douglas Robert J , Cadogan Mike 
Published: October 2008

AbstractRecent articles have described the increasing frequency of use of propofol as a sedating agent in the ED, and praise the safety profile of propofol when used in this manner. We describe a patient who developed torsade de pointes followed by ventricular fibrillation while undergoing propofol sedation for closed reduction of a mid‐shaft fracture of the tibia and fibula. Possible reasons for the event are discussed, and suggestions are made for areas of further research.
Supermassive black holes in galactic bulges
Authors: Lou Yu-Qing , Jiang Yan-Fei 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
Growing evidence indicate supermassive black holes (SMBHs) in a mass range of MBH∼ 106–1010 M⊙ lurking in central stellar bulges of galaxies. Extensive observations reveal fairly tight power laws of MBH versus the mean stellar velocity dispersion σ of the host stellar bulge. Together with evidence for correlations between MBH and other properties of host bulges, the dynamic evolution of a bulge and the formation of a central SMBH should be linked. In this Letter, we reproduce the empirical MBH–σ power laws based on our recent theoretical analyses (Lou & Wang; Wang & Lou; Lou, Jiang & Jin) for a self-similar general polytropic quasi-static dynamic evolution of bulges with self-gravity and spherical symmetry, and present a sensible criterion of forming a central SMBH. The key result is , where 2/3 &lt; n &lt; 1 and is a proportional coefficient characteristic of different classes of host bulges. By fitting and comparing several empirical MBH–σ power laws, we conclude that SMBHs and galactic bulges grow and evolve in a coeval manner and most likely there exist several classes of galactic bulge systems in quasi-static self-similar evolution and that to mix them together can lead to an unrealistic fitting. Based on our bulge-SMBH model, we provide explanations for intrinsic scatter in the relation and a unified scenario for the formation and evolution of SMBHs in different classes of host bulges.
Trends in Sexual Risk Behavior and Unprotected Sex Among High School Students, 1991‐2005: The Role of Substance Use
Authors: Anderson John E. , Mueller Trisha E. 
Published: October 2008

ABSTRACTObjectives:  To determine the trends in sexual activity and unprotected sex among substance‐using youth, we examined data from the 1991‐2005 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys on drug and alcohol use and sexual risk behaviors.Method:  We examined the association of alcohol and illicit drug use with recent sexual activity and unprotected sex. We assessed linear trends in behaviors and assessed logistic regression models to examine the relationship of alcohol and illicit drug use on trends in the behavioral outcomes.Results:  Strong associations exist between recent sexual activity and alcohol and illicit drug use from 1991 to 2005. In the multivariate model, the odds ratio of having sex in the past 3 months for lifetime illicit drug users compared with nonusers was 3.84 (CI = 3.48‐4.23). Among past‐month alcohol users compared to nonusers, the odds ratio was 3.23 (CI = 2.93‐3.58). Overall, the trend in sexual activity was downward but not for users of alcohol and illicit drugs. Among the sexually active, unprotected sex was not associated with alcohol use over this time period but was associated with illicit drug use.Conclusions:  Illicit drug and alcohol use have a strong association with being recently sexually active. Trends in reported sexual activity declined during 1991‐2005, but the trends among alcohol and drug users have not. Many youth remain at dual risk from both substance use and sexual behaviors.
Outlook for benefits of sediment microbial fuel cells with two bio‐electrodes
Authors: De Schamphelaire Liesje , Rabaey Korneel , Boeckx Pascal , Boon Nico , Verstraete Willy 
Published: October 2008

SummaryThe benefits of sediment microbial fuel cells (SMFCs) go beyond energy generation for low‐power applications. Aside from producing electrical energy, SMFCs can enhance the oxidation of reduced compounds at the anode, thus bringing about the removal of excessive or unwanted reducing equivalents from submerged soils. Moreover, an SMFC could be applied to control redox‐dependent processes in sediment layers. Several cathodic reactions that may drive these sediment oxidation reactions are examined. Special attention is given to two biologically mediated cathodic reactions, respectively employing an oxygen reduction and a manganese cycle. Both reactions imply a low cost and a high electrode potential and are of interest for reactor‐type MFCs as well as for SMFCs.
Positively regulated bacterial expression systems
Authors: Brautaset Trygve , Lale Rahmi , Valla Svein 
Published: October 2008

SummaryRegulated promoters are useful tools for many aspects related to recombinant gene expression in bacteria, including for high‐level expression of heterologous proteins and for expression at physiological levels in metabolic engineering applications. In general, it is common to express the genes of interest from an inducible promoter controlled either by a positive regulator or by a repressor protein. In this review, we discuss established and potentially useful positively regulated bacterial promoter systems, with a particular emphasis on those that are controlled by the AraC‐XylS family of transcriptional activators. The systems function in a wide range of microorganisms, including enterobacteria, soil bacteria, lactic bacteria and streptomycetes. The available systems that have been applied to express heterologous genes are regulated either by sugars (l‐arabinose, l‐rhamnose, xylose and sucrose), substituted benzenes, cyclohexanone‐related compounds, ε‐caprolactam, propionate, thiostrepton, alkanes or peptides. It is of applied interest that some of the inducers require the presence of transport systems, some are more prone than others to become metabolized by the host and some have been applied mainly in one or a limited number of species. Based on bioinformatics analyses, the AraC‐XylS family of regulators contains a large number of different members (currently over 300), but only a small fraction of these, the XylS/Pm, AraC/PBAD, RhaR‐RhaS/rhaBAD, NitR/PnitA and ChnR/Pb regulator/promoter systems, have so far been explored for biotechnological applications.
Decreasing Enterobacter sakazakii (Cronobacter spp.) food contamination level with bacteriophages: prospects and problems
Authors: Zuber Sophie , Boissin‐Delaporte Catherine , Michot Lise , Iversen Carol , Diep Benjamin , Brüssow Harald , Breeuwer Pieter 
Published: October 2008

Summary Enterobacter sakazakii (Cronobacter spp.) is an opportunistic pathogen, which can cause rare, but life‐threatening infections in neonates and infants through feeding of a contaminated milk formula. We isolated 67 phages from environmental samples and tested their lytic host range on a representative collection of 40 E. sakazakii strains. A cocktail of five phages prevented the outgrowth of 35 out of 40 test strains in artificially contaminated infant formula. Two E. sakazakii phages represented prolate head Myoviridae. Molecular tests identified them as close relatives of Escherichia coli phage T4. The remaining three phages represented isometric head Myoviridae with large genome size of 140 and 200 kb, respectively, which belonged to two different DNA hybridization groups. A high dose of 108 pfu ml−1 of phage could effectively sterilize a broth contaminated with both high and low pathogen counts (106 and 102 cfu ml−1). In contrast, broth inoculated with 104 phage and 102 bacteria per ml first showed normal bacterial growth until reaching a cell titre of 105 cfu ml−1. Only when crossing this threshold, phage replication started, but it could not reduce the contamination level below 100 cfu ml−1. Phages could be produced with titres of 1010 pfu ml−1 in broth culture, but they were not stable upon freeze‐drying. Addition of trehalose or milk formula stabilized the phage preparation, which then showed excellent storage stability even at elevated temperature.
Effects of lyophilization on human amniotic membrane
Authors: Rodríguez‐Ares M. Teresa , López‐Valladares María J. , Touriño Rosario , Vieites Begoña , Gude Francisco , Silva María T. , Couceiro José 
Published: October 2008

Abstract.Purpose:  This study aimed to evaluate the effects of lyophilization and cryopreservation on human amniotic membrane (HAM) in terms of histological characteristics and growth factor levels.Methods:  Non‐preserved, lyophilized and cryopreserved HAM samples from 13 placentas were investigated. The morphological characteristics of HAM were evaluated using light and electron microscopy. Immunohistochemical methods were also applied to assess the distribution of collagen IV in the basement membrane. Total protein amounts were measured in extracts of intact amniotic membrane from non‐preserved, lyophilized and cryopreserved samples. An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to assay growth factor protein levels for epidermal growth factor, fibroblast growth factor basic, hepatocyte growth factor, keratinocyte growth factor, transforming growth factor‐β1 and nerve growth factor.Results:  Histological examination of lyophilized and cryopreserved human amniotic membrane showed similar results. Immunohistochemistry showed presence of collagen IV throughout the basement membrane, both in cryopreserved and lyophilized samples. Total protein amount was higher in cryopreserved samples, without statistical significance. Growth factors ELISA did not show statistically significant differences except for fibroblast growth factor basic, with higher levels in cryopreserved amniotic membrane.Conclusions:  Lyophilization maintains the histological structure of HAM, but seems to cause greater reductions in total protein amount and growth factor concentration than cryopreservation.
Is ecological segregation in a pair of sympatric coregonines supported by divergent feeding efficiencies?
Authors: Ohlberger Jan , Mehner Thomas , Staaks Georg , Hölker Franz 
Published: October 2008

Some of the sympatric species pairs commonly described in temperate freshwater fishes provide evidence for ecological specialization driven by competition for food resources as a potential prerequisite of subsequent sympatric speciation. In the postglacial Lake Stechlin (Germany), two sympatric coregonines coexist, common vendace ( Coregonus albula ) and endemic dwarf-sized Fontane cisco ( Coregonus fontanae ). The species segregate vertically along the light intensity and prey density gradients of their pelagic environment. Accordingly, we hypothesized that the species might show differences in their foraging efficiency associated with these environmental gradients. We investigated the feeding behaviour by measuring the functional response of both species to Daphnia magna at various prey densities (0.25–8 individuals·L–1) and light intensities (0.005–5 lx) at a deep blue light spectrum to simulate their natural habitat. Decreasing light intensity and prey density significantly depressed consumption rates in both species. Overall, we observed only weak differences in feeding behaviour, which indicates that the species are functionally similar, coexisting planktivores.
A modelling study of Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) larval dispersal in southern Portugal: predictions of larval wastage and self-recruitment in the Algarve stock
Authors: Marta-Almeida Martinho , Dubert Jesus , Peliz Álvaro , dos Santos Antonina , Queiroga Henrique 
Published: October 2008

A set of simulations using a validated and realistic parameterization of a numerical model was conducted for the south and southwest Portuguese regions as an attempt to understand larval dispersal patterns in the Norway lobster ( Nephrops norvegicus ). Larvae were introduced in the model as Lagrangian particles with five different behavioural scenarios concerning their ability to migrate vertically. Growth rate was temperature dependent and the larvae were tracked individually. The end point of the simulations was the position of the larvae when they reached competency at age 1. Age 1.25 was also considered to simulate a possible delay in settling due to lack of an appropriate substrate. The results showed that the majority of the larvae reached age 1 near the hatching area along the southern shelf, while low exchange of larvae between the south and the west coasts was observed, especially for behavioural scenarios where larvae remained in relatively shallow waters. Scenarios where larvae performed diurnal vertical migration and delayed settlement until age 1.25 indicated a tendency for westward motion because of interactions with the Mediterranean undercurrent. Self-recruitment to the Algarve stock was estimated at 0.2% to 0.5%, raising the concern that this stock may be experiencing recruitment limitation.
Observed evidence of subgrade moisture influence on pavement longitudinal profile
Authors: Bae Abraham , Stoffels Shelley M. , Antle Charles E. , Lee Seung Woo 
Published: October 2008

The relationship between subgrade moisture parameters and pavement profile was explored for 34 asphalt pavements of the seasonal monitoring program (SMP) in the long-term pavement performance (LTPP) program. Volumetric moisture content was quantified in terms of the moisture index (MI), representing moisture as reasonably related to subgrade performance. Using power spectral density (PSD), roughness was evaluated in 21 individual wavebands. From statistical analysis, it was concluded that subgrade moisture significantly affects roughness in the wavebands of 14.9 to 31.2 m and 24.0 to 31.2 m for nonfreezing sites, and in the waveband of 14.9 to 24.0 m for freezing sites. At nonfreezing sites, as the magnitude and variation of moisture increase, pavement surface profile deteriorates quickly. At freezing sites, it was found that moisture variation by freezing contributes to roughness deterioration. Moreover, it was found that pavement thickness and the percent passing the top 0.002 mm of subgrade are significant factors accelerating roughness progression at nonfreezing and freezing sites, respectively.