bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization and Partial Purification of a Macrophage‐Stimulating Factor from Mycoplasma hominis
Authors: Peltier Morgan R. , Freeman Angela J. , Mu Hong H. , Cole Barry C. 
Published: November 2005

Problem Mycoplasma hominis is one of the most common pathogens of the genital tract and is associated with increased production of proinflammatory cytokines in reproductive tissues during preterm labor. The mechanism by which M. hominis, an organism lacking cell walls, increases the production of proinflammatory cytokines is unknown.Method of studyWe characterized and purified a macrophage‐activating factor from this organism.ResultsExtraction of whole organisms with Triton‐X‐114 demonstrated that the activity was primarily associated with the detergent phase. Macrophage‐stimulating activity (MSA) of detergent extracts of M. hominis was not inhibited by polymyxin B or heating but was completely abrogated by alkaline hydrolysis and partially reduced by proteinase K digestion. Further experiments that utilized Toll‐like receptor (TLR)‐2‐ and TLR‐4‐transfected cells, revealed that the detergent extracts activate TLR‐2 but not TLR‐4 signal transduction. Purification of the activity using preparative SDS‐PAGE and reverse phase chromatography experiments led to the isolation of a 29‐kDa protein.ConclusionsThese experiments suggest that the MSA of M. hominis is due to a lipophillic factor that interacts with TLR‐2 rather than TLR‐4 (as does lipopolysaccharide), to increase tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α by macrophages. It is known that TNF‐α can cause preterm labor and intrauterine fetal death and that it is upregulated in amniotic fluid samples infected with M. hominis.
Unraveling Brucella Genomics and Pathogenesis in Immunocompromised IRF‐1−/− Mice
Authors: Rajashekara Gireesh , Krepps Michael , Eskra Linda , Mathison Angela , Montgomery Alison , Ishii Yohei , Splitter Gary 
Published: November 2005

ProblemBrucellosis causes abortion in domestic animals and Malta fever in humans. Comparison of Brucella species genomes may reveal potential virulence mechanisms. Engineering bioluminescent Brucella would permit monitoring bacterial dissemination.Method of studyMicroarray of the B. melitensis genome allowed comparison of gene content from six Brucella species. Bioluminescent B. melitensis strains were developed using transposon mutagenesis permitting the study of pathogenic Brucella in mice. Monitoring bacterial dissemination as well as organ localization permits evaluating the role of genes and genomic islands in mutant bacteria.ResultsComparative genomic analysis revealed 217 ORFs altered in five Brucella species and were often found in islands. Bioluminescent bacteria disseminated from the injection site to liver, spleen, inguinal lymph nodes, testes and submanibular region.ConclusionsGenomic islands contribute to Brucella pathogenicity. Biophotonic imaging suggests that Brucella dissemination in mice parallels acute and chronic infections of humans.
Update on Treatment of Immunologic Abortion with Low‐dose Intravenous Immunoglobulin
Authors: Stricker Raphael B. , Winger Edward E. 
Published: November 2005

ProblemRecurrent spontaneous abortion associated with immunologic abnormalities has been termed immunologic abortion. Previously we showed that treatment with low‐dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) appears to be beneficial for older women with immunologic abortion. We now report the results of IVIG treatment in a larger group of women with this disorder.Method of studyA total of 99 women were prospectively evaluated for immunologic abortion, which was defined as three or more miscarriages and the presence of specific immunologic abnormalities. Prior to the next conception, patients were treated with IVIG at a dose of 0.2 g/kg. Once conception was achieved, IVIG treatment was continued on a monthly basis through 26–30 weeks of pregnancy.ResultsThe average age of the women was 37 years (range: 28–49), and the average number of miscarriages was 3.8 (range: 3–12). Of the 99 women, 72 received initial IVIG treatment, and 50 subsequently became pregnant. Of these women, 42 (84%) had a successful term pregnancy. Of the 27 women who refused IVIG therapy, 20 became pregnant and 18 (90%) miscarried. The difference in pregnancy success rate between the IVIG‐treated and untreated groups was significant (P = 0.001). Four women had mild allergic reactions during IVIG infusion, and these reactions resolved when the IVIG brand was changed. Fetal abnormalities were not observed.ConclusionWe conclude that low‐dose IVIG therapy is safe and effective for older women with immunologic abortion.
Intracavernosal Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor Improves Vasoreactivity in the Hypercholesterolemic Rabbit
Authors: Xie Donghua , Pippen Anne M. , Odronic Shelley I. , Annex Brian H. , Donatucci Craig F. 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACT

Purpose
We determined the effects of intracavernosal injection (ICI) of recombinant basic fibroblast growth factor (rbFGF) on corporal tissue in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

Methods
Twenty New Zealand White rabbits were fed a 1% cholesterol diet for 6 weeks and were randomly divided into four groups. Group 1 (N = 5) received an ICI of phosphate buffered saline solution (PBS) once and again 3 weeks later. Group 2 (N = 4) received an ICI of 2.5 µg rbFGF once and PBS 3 weeks later. Group 3 (N = 6) received an ICI of 2.5 µg rbFGF once and again 3 weeks later. Group 4 (N = 5) received an ICI of 2.5 µg rbFGF once. All animals were maintained on the high cholesterol diet until sacrifice, 3 weeks after last injection. Strips of corporal tissue were submaximally contracted with norepinephrine, and dose–response curves were generated to evaluate endothelial-dependent (acetylcholine, ACH) and endothelial-independent (sodium nitroprusside, SNP) vasoreactivity. Protein levels of bFGF and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) protein and mRNA were detected by Western blot and semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively.

Results
Vasoreactivity was improved by bFGF treatment as shown by higher ED50[−log(M)] of ACH and SNP in Groups 2, 3, and 4. The expression of bFGF protein, VEGF protein, nNOS protein, and mRNA were all increased after bFGF treatment.

Conclusions
ICI of bFGF improved vasoreactivity in hypercholesterolemic rabbit corporal tissue, offering a new direction to explore for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
Seedling Mortality Due to Drought and Fire Associated with the 2002 El Niño Event in a Tropical Rain Forest in North‐East Queensland, Australia1
Authors: Edwards Will , Krockenberger Andrew 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACTWe monitored survival of seedlings in 216 1‐m2 quadrats in lowland rain forest in tropical north Queensland between December 2001 and December 2002. During this time, the region experienced severe drought associated with an El Nińo Southern Oscillation event. The 2001 census recorded 124 species and 2912 individuals. In late November 2002 (2 wk prior to the second census), a low intensity fire passed through approximately half of the study site removing all evidence of seedlings from 110 plots. Only 482 (17%) individuals and 64 (52%) species recorded in 2001 survived the 12‐mo period. In 96 quadrats not affected by fire, mortality was high, but considerably variable between species. Six of the 20 most abundant species in 2001 experienced mortality rates higher than the community average and two of the most abundant species showed rates lower than average. Overall, conditions experienced during 2002 caused significant changes in the rank abundances of species between censuses. Mortality due to fire was less severe and mortality more uniform across species, resulting in significant concordance between pre and postfire rankings, once the effects of drought had been considered. Our results provide the first indication of how differences in survival after a perturbation predicted to become more frequent in future global climates may alter the size and species composition of the seedling bank in Australian tropical rain forests.
Ecophysiology in Relation to Exposure of Pendant Epiphytic Bryophytes in the Canopy of a Tropical Montane Oak Forest1
Authors: Romero Claudia , Putz Francis E. , Kitajima Kaoru 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACTWe investigated ecophysiological and morphological traits affecting light and water use of four commercially important pendant epiphytic bryophyte species in a montane oak‐bamboo forest in Costa Rica. Predictions based mostly on ecophysiological studies of temperate bryophytes and vascular plants were experimentally tested on tropical montane bryophyte species ranked on the basis of their distributions in the canopy from the most protected (1) to the most exposed sites (4): (1)Phyllogonium viscosum; (2)Pilotrichella flexilis; (3)Dendropogonella rufescens; and (4)Frullania convoluta. As predicted, highly exposed species tended to have higher light saturation and compensation points, higher dark respiration rates, more chlorophyll, higher chlorophylla:bratios, and higher nitrogen concentrations. Contrary to predicted trends, exposed‐site species had lower water contents at full saturation; there were no detectable differences among species in the rate of water loss. Rates of carbon gain in all species reached asymptotes with increasing water content, but the moisture compensation point for carbon uptake of the mossD. rufescenswas substantially higher than in the other species. Observed patterns result from interactions among processes related to water storage and transport operating at different scales and are determined by various morphological traits including the density, size, and disposition of phylloids, as well as by whole‐clump architecture.
Change of Collision Efficiency with Distance in Bacterial Transport Experiments
Authors: Dong Hailiang , Scheibe Timothy D. , Johnson William P. , Monkman Crystal M. , Fuller Mark E. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractUnderstanding the mechanisms of bacterial transport in aquifers is important in developing bioremediation strategies. Collision efficiency (α) is one important parameter used in modeling bacterial transport. This study was undertaken to measure change in α with distance by performing a bacterial transport experiment in Oyster, Virginia. Following injection of a bacterium, Comamonas sp., into a well, water samples were collected at various distances along the flowpath and injected into columns packed with homogenized South Oyster focus area sediment. Zeta potentials of the bacteria in the samples were measured. Values of α were determined at various locations in the field in two ways: based on field breakthrough concentrations at the sampling points and based on column breakthrough concentrations. The α values estimated from field breakthrough decreased with distance, whereas those estimated from column breakthrough increased with distance. Bacterial cell surface charge became progressively more negative with distance in the field. We hypothesize that the apparent contradiction between field and column α values was caused by differences in the flow of the two systems. Flow in the columns was forced to occur through fine‐grained zones of iron and aluminum hydroxide coatings that selectively removed the most negatively charged bacteria. In contrast, in the field, the injected cells did not come into contact with the positively charged coatings because the bulk solution bypassed them due to heterogeneous hydraulic properties. These results suggest that laboratory‐based models may underestimate bacterial transport distance in the field. A more realistic approach may be necessary to capture the degree of heterogeneity.
How we do it: the anterior thoraco‐cervical approach to tumours of the thoracic inlet
Authors: Upile T. , Triaridis S. , Kirkland P. , Goldstraw P. , Rhys Evans P. 
Published: November 2005

Keypoints• Tumours that arise in the thoracic inlet and superior mediastinum may be benign or malignant and present the surgeon with a difficult problem of access.• The standard approach to the thoracic inlet from below offers limited exposure to the vascular and neural structures superior to the tumours.• The anterior thoraco‐cervical approach to the root of the neck and superior mediastinum combines the anterior cervical approach with a limited upper median sternotomy. If further access is required to achieve surgical clearance a full sternotomy split can be performed.• The approach offers excellent exposure and helps to facilitate complete resection of benign and malignant tumours, which would otherwise be deemed inoperable or difficult to resect completely through other standard approaches.• In contrast to previously described anterior transcervical thoracic approaches which required resection of part of the clavicle or manubrium as well as thoracotomy with increased morbidity, the anterior thoraco‐cervical approach is associated with little morbidity and the postoperative stay is short.
Is ultrasound useful for evaluating paediatric inflammatory neck masses?
Authors: Douglas S.A. , Jennings S. , Owen V.M.F. , Elliott S. , Parker D. 
Published: November 2005

Objective:  To determine the accuracy of ultrasound in detecting the presence of pus in a neck mass in children.Design:  Retrospective case sheet review.Setting:  A district general hospital.Participants:  Children admitted from January 2000 to January 2004 with an acute cervical mass who were investigated by ultrasonography.Main outcome measures:  The presence of a clinically relevant abscess that did not respond to clinical management was used to determine the accuracy of the ultrasound result.Results:  The sensitivity of ultrasound in the detection of an abscess was 65% and the specificity 88%. The predictive value of a positive ultrasound result was 81% and the predictive value of a negative test 77%.Conclusions:  Ultrasound is a useful modality in the evaluation of acute cervical masses but is observer dependent and has a relatively low sensitivity in detecting whether or not pus is present. The clinical indicators for the presence of an abscess are discussed and clinicians should combine clinical findings with the ultrasound findings in order to determine treatment.
Acute complications of otitis media in adults
Authors: Leskinen K. , Jero J. 
Published: November 2005

Objectives:  To establish the incidence, current treatment and outcome of adult patients with acute intratemporal and intracranial complications of otitis media (OM).Design:  A retrospective chart review with a sent questionnaire.Setting:  Tertiary referral centre, University hospital.Participants:  Adult patients treated for acute intratemporal and intracranial complications of OM over the past 15 years (1990–2004) in the study hospital.Main outcome measures:  Incidence, treatment and outcome of patients with intratemporal and intracranial complications of OM.Results:  Fifty patients aged 16–75 years were treated. The annual age‐adjusted incidence of acute intratemporal and intracranial complications was 0.32/100 000. Forty‐one (82%) of the complications were intratemporal and nine (18%) were intracranial. The ear disease behind the acute complication was acute otitis media (AOM) in 80% (40/50), chronic otitis media (COM) in 12% (6/50) and COM with cholesteatoma in 8% (4/50). Mastoiditis was complicated by subperiosteal abscess, labyrinthitis and facial paresis in 7% (3/41), 15% (6/41) and 32% (13/41) respectively. Mastoidectomy was performed on 56% (28/50) of the patients. Four (44%) of the intracranial complications were intracranial abscesses, four (44%) were meningitis and one (11%) was sinus thrombosis. Permanent hearing loss occurred in 13 (26%) patients and one patient died due to otogenic meningitis.Conclusions:  Severe complications of the OM in adults are rare in Finland. The commonest cause is AOM rather than COM. Operative treatment is predominantly needed for intracranial complications and intratemporal abscesses. Complications of OM are still associated with considerable morbidity, and early recognition is most likely to form the basis for effective treatment.
Noise‐induced hearing loss is exacerbated by long‐term smoking
Authors: Wild D.C. , Brewster M.J. , Banerjee A.R. 
Published: November 2005

Objective:  To analyse the influence of long‐term smoking on the hearing threshold of individuals subjected to occupational noise exposure.Design:  Prospective observational cohort study.Setting:  Occupational health examination of noise‐exposed employees in the brick manufacturing industry.Participants:  A study group of long‐term smokers (n = 30) and a control group of non‐smokers (n = 58) were identified from a population of 227 male noise‐exposed employees. Individuals of both groups were employed for 10 years or more at a single brick manufacturing plant. Data on noise exposure, smoking habits, medical and otological history were collected and standard pure tone audiometry was obtained. Exclusion criteria included asymmetrical or conductive hearing loss, uncontrolled systemic illnesses, history of head injury, chronic middle ear pathology or major ear operations.Main outcome measure:  Pure tone audiometry.Results:  Both groups had similar mean age and total duration of occupational noise exposure. The median age‐corrected hearing thresholds at 3 and 4 kHz in the smokers group were significantly higher (∼7dB) than those in the non‐smokers group. No statistical difference in the hearing thresholds between both groups was found in any other tested frequency (0.5, 1, 2, 6 and 8 kHz).Conclusion:  Long‐term smokers with occupational noise exposure may, on the basis of this limited study, have a higher risk of developing permanent hearing loss at 3 and 4 kHz when compared with non‐smokers with a similar occupational history.
The association of antidiuretic hormone levels with an attack of Meniere's disease
Authors: Aoki M. , Ando K. , Kuze B. , Mizuta K. , Hayashi T. , Ito Y. 
Published: November 2005

Objectives:  An elevation of the plasma antidiuretic hormone (ADH) levels has frequently been observed in Meniere's disease patients. However, little is known regarding the mechanism behind such an elevation of ADH level in Meniere's disease patients. Therefore, we measured the plasma ADH in Meniere's disease patients and other vertigo patients to elucidate the association between the ADH levels, stress levels and the development of Meniere's symptom.Design and setting:  The plasma ADH levels and plasma osmotic pressure were determined in 23 definite Meniere's disease patients and 160 patients with other types of vertigo/dizziness. All participants were administered questionnaire regarding their psychological status including their stress levels.Results:  The ADH levels of Meniere's disease patients in the acute phase (5.80 ± 1.37 pg/mL) were significantly higher in comparison with that of Meniere's disease patients in the remission phase (2.26 ± 0.41 pg/mL) (P < 0.05). In other peripheral vertigo patients, the ADH level in the acute phase (1.71 ± 0.23 pg/mL) was not significantly different from that in the remission phase (1.45 ± 0.15 pg/mL). Meniere's disease patients in the acute phase had a significantly higher stress score (114 ± 23) than Meniere's disease patients in the remission phase (56 ± 13) (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant correlation between their stress score and the ADH levels.Conclusions:  These results suggest that the elevation of the plasma ADH levels in Meniere's disease patients in the acute phase is, therefore, associated with the pathogenesis of Meniere's disease attacks rather than with stress.
Population Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Vancomycin in Patients with Hematological Malignancies
Authors: Buelga Dolores Santos , del Mar Fernandez de Gatta María , Herrera Emma V. , Dominguez-Gil Alfonso , García María José 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACTThis study determines vancomycin (VAN) population pharmacokinetics (PK) in adult patients with hematological malignancies. VAN serum concentration data (n= 1,004) from therapeutic drug monitoring were collected retrospectively from 215 patients. A one-compartment PK model was selected. VAN pharmacokinetics population parameters were generated using the NONMEM program. A graphic approach and stepwise generalized additive modeling were used to elucidate the preliminary relationships between PK parameters and clinical covariates analyzed. Covariate selection revealed that total body weight (TBW) affectedV, whereas renal function, estimated by creatinine clearance, and a diagnosis of acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) influenced VAN clearance. We propose one general and two AML-specific models. The former was defined by CL (liters/h) = 1.08 × CLCR(Cockcroft and Gault)(liters/h); CVCL= 28.16% andV(liters) = 0.98 × TBW; CVV=37.15%. AML models confirmed this structure but with a higher clearance coefficient (1.17). The a priori performance of the models was evaluated in another 59 patients, and clinical suitability was confirmed. The models were fairly accurate, with more than 33% of the measured concentrations being within ±20% of the predicted value. This therapeutic precision is twofold higher than that of a noncustomized population model (16.1%). The corresponding standardized prediction errors included zero and a standard deviation close to unity. The models could be used to estimate appropriate VAN dosage guidelines, which are not clearly defined for this high-risk population. Their simple structure should allow easy implementation in clinical software and application in dosage individualization using the Bayesian approach.
High-Throughput Assays Using a Luciferase-Expressing Replicon, Virus-Like Particles, and Full-Length Virus for West Nile Virus Drug Discovery
Authors: Puig-Basagoiti Francesc , Deas Tia S. , Ren Ping , Tilgner Mark , Ferguson David M. , Shi Pei-Yong 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACT

Many flaviviruses cause significant human disease worldwide. The development of flavivirus chemotherapy requires reliable high-throughput screening (HTS) assays. Although genetic systems have been developed for many flaviviruses, their usage in antiviral HTS assays has not been well explored. Here we compare three cell-based HTS assays for West Nile virus (WNV) drug discovery: (i) an assay that uses a cell line harboring a persistently replicating subgenomic replicon (containing a deletion of viral structural genes), (ii) an assay that uses packaged virus-like particles containing replicon RNA, and (iii) an assay that uses a full-length reporting virus. A
Renilla
luciferase gene was engineered into the replicon or into the full-length viral genome to monitor viral replication. Potential inhibitors could be identified through suppression of luciferase signals upon compound incubation. The antiviral assays were optimized in a 96-well format, validated with known WNV inhibitors, and proved useful in identifying a new inhibitor(s) through HTS of a compound library. In addition, because each assay encompasses multiple but discrete steps of the viral life cycle, the three systems could potentially be used to discriminate the mode of action of any inhibitor among viral entry (detected by assays ii and iii but not by assay i), replication (including viral translation and RNA synthesis; detected by assays i to iii), and virion assembly (detected by assay iii but not by assays i and ii). The approaches described in this study should be applicable to the development of cell-based assays for other flaviviruses.