bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Honey on CYP3A4, CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 Enzyme Activity in Healthy Human Volunteers
Authors: Tushar Tewari , Vinod Thomas , Rajan Sundaram , Shashindran Chanolean , Adithan Chandrasekaran 
Published: January 2007

Abstract:  Honey is a common food supplement but not many studies have studied honey and drug interaction. This study investigates the influence of 7 days of honey administration on the activity of CYP3A4, CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 drug‐metabolizing enzymes in healthy volunteers by using appropriate biomarker and probe drugs. A within‐group pharmacokinetic study was done in 12 healthy volunteers. Urine samples (0–8 hr) were collected after administration of 30 mg of oral dextromethorphan (probe drug for CYP2D6) for analysis of dextromethorphan and dextrorphan. A plasma sample (4 hr) was collected after administration of 200 mg of oral proguanil (probe drug for CYP2C19) for the analysis of proguanil and cycloguanil. Urine samples (0–24 hr) were collected for the analysis of 6β‐hydroxycortisol (biomarker for CYP3A4). The volunteers were administered honey for 7 days. Subsequently blood and urine samples were collected after drug dosing as before. These samples were analysed for drug and metabolite concentrations in urine and plasma using high performance liquid chromatography method. Seven days of honey administration resulted in statistically significant increase in 24‐hr urinary excretion of 6β‐hydroxycortisol. However, the metabolic ratios of dextromethorphan and proguanil were not significantly altered after 7 days of honey administration. Honey obtained from Western Ghats of southern India may induce CYP3A4 enzyme activity but not CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 enzyme activities.
Matrine Induces Apoptosis in Angiotensin II‐Stimulated Hyperplasia of Cardiac Fibroblasts: Effects on Bcl‐2/Bax Expression and Caspase‐3 Activation
Authors: Li Yang , Wang Baohua , Zhou Chenghui , Bi Yongyi 
Published: January 2007

Abstract:  The present study was designed to assess the effect of matrine, an active component of Chinese traditional medicine, on angiotensin II (Ang II)‐induced hyperplastic growth of cardiac fibroblasts in vitro. Cardiac fibroblasts were prepared from hearts of neonatal Kunming mice by collagenase disruption. Cultured cardiac fibroblasts were either not treated, treated with 0.1 µM Ang II, or matrine (2.0∼4.0 mM) plus Ang II for 12–72 hr. Cell morphology was monitored under an inverted phase contrast microscope. Number of cells was counted with a haemocytometer. Cell apoptosis was determined by propidium iodide/Hoechst 33342 staining and flow cytometry. The cleaved caspase‐3 fragment expression, anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 and pro‐apoptotic Bax protein expressions were also studied. The results show that Ang II stimulation resulted in hyperplastic growth of cardiac fibroblasts. Matrine significantly, dose and time dependently inhibited Ang II‐induced cell proliferation. Matrine addition to the culture medium led to most cells being arrested in the G1 phase of the cell cycle, the fraction of cells in S phase was markedly decreased compared to control and Ang II alone groups. Cell apoptosis in matrine treatment group was markedly increased, accompanied by down‐regulation in Bcl‐2/Bax ratio and up‐regulation in cleaved caspase‐3 activity. These results suggest that matrine can induce apoptosis and thereby inhibit Ang II‐induced hyperplasic growth of cardiac fibroblasts. The regulations of matrine on Bcl‐2/Bax expression and caspase‐3 activation may be the pro‐apoptotic mechanisms involved.
Morphology-dependent trends of galaxy age with environment in A 901/2 seen with COMBO-17
Authors: Wolf C. , Gray M. E. , Aragón-Salamanca A. , Lane K. P. , Meisenheimer K. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
We investigate correlations between galaxy age and environment in the A 901/2 supercluster for separate morphologies. Using COMBO-17 data, we define a sample of 530 galaxies, complete at MV− 5 log h &lt; −18 on an area of 3.5 × 3.5 (Mpc h−1)2. We explore several age indicators including an extinction-corrected residual from the colour-magnitude relation. As a result, we find a clear trend of age with density for galaxies of all morphologies that include a spheroidal component, in the sense that galaxies in denser environments are older. This trend is not seen among Scd/Irr galaxies since they all have young ages. However, the trend among the other types is stronger for fainter galaxies. While we also see an expected age-morphology relation, we find no evidence for a morphology-density relation at fixed age.
TEXTURE EVALUATION BY UNIAXIAL COMPRESSION OF SOME SNACK FOODS
Authors: RAVI R. , ROOPA B.S. , BHATTACHARYA S. 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACT Three ready‐to‐eat snacks, viz., deep‐fat fried batter drops made from thick chickpea flour batter, extruded corn balls and puffed rice, were subjected to uniaxial compression at four different compression speeds of 0.01, 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 mm/s to obtain maximum force, fracture strain, slope of the force–deformation curve (instrumental firmness) and the number of major and minor peaks during compression. The instrumental firmness was dependent on the compression speed and was correlated (r = 0.656, P ≤ 0.001) with sensory firmness values. Fracture strain, maximum force and number of peaks increased with compression speed. The principal component analysis indicated that the low compression speed of 0.1 or 0.01 mm/s would be appropriate for testing crisp snack foods to have a detailed fractural behavior.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe specific application of the present findings lies in the determination of specific well‐defined instrumental texture parameters based on fracture characteristics of nonuniform snacks and similar products. The advantage of the proposed method is the ease in conducting experiments that require a texture testing machine to provide the force–deformation characteristics. The method is useful for quality control of snack foods, as well as for researchers who wish to have an in‐depth look at the fracture mechanism in combination with microstructural observations. A low compression speed of 0.1 or 0.01 mm/s is desirable to visualize minor, as well as major, fractures.
EFFECTS OF STORAGE TEMPERATURE ON TEXTURAL PROPERTIES OF CHINESE BAYBERRY FRUIT
Authors: YANG ZHENFENG , ZHENG YONGHUA , CAO SHIFENG , TANG SHUANGSHUANG , MA SUJUAN , LI NA 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACT The influence of storage temperature on textural properties of Chinese bayberry fruit was investigated by using instrumental texture profile analysis (TPA). The fruit was harvested at ripe stage and stored at 20, 10 and 1C for 60 h, 5 and 14 days, respectively, and six textural parameters were measured. There was a decrease in fruit firmness, cohesiveness, springiness, resilience and chewiness, and an increase in adhesiveness during storage. Increased storage temperature resulted in accelerated decrease in fruit firmness, cohesiveness, springiness, resilience and chewiness, and an increase in adhesiveness. There was a significant correlation among the six TPA parameters. Low temperature inhibited the decrease of total soluble solids, total titratable acidity and increase of flesh pH value, thereby maintaining better taste quality. TPA parameters could be used as suitable indicators of fruit quality and storability, and low temperature storage is beneficial for delaying textural changes and maintaining the taste quality of Chinese bayberry fruit after harvest. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe research reported in this article is relevant and of interest to both researchers and industry. Because our results confirm that TPA is a reliable instrumental measurement for evaluating the textural quality and fruit softening of Chinese bayberry fruit during storage, the measurement of TPA parameters may have the potential to provide useful information for quality control in industry, and to serve as objective indicators of fruit quality and storability for postharvest researchers to develop more suitable handling, transportation and storage techniques of Chinese bayberry fruit. Moreover, our finding that low temperature storage was beneficial for delaying textural changes and maintaining the taste quality of Chinese bayberry fruit will help industry to determine the suitable temperature for storage of this fruit.
The NeuroGrid Stroke Exemplar Clinical Trial Protocol
Authors: Wardlaw J. M. , Bath Philip , Sandercock Peter , Perry David , Palmer Jeb , Watson Graham , Lloyd Sharon , Geddes John , Farrall Andrew 
Published: January 2007

Rationale Trials of new treatments for neurological disorders like stroke require imaging as part of the patient assessment, but need to be large enough to obtain reliable results if treatment effects are likely to be modest. However, multicentre trials use many different scanners in different hospitals and present complex problems for image data collection, interpretation and analysis and long-term secure archiving. Aims NeuroGrid aims to develop and test grid technologies for collecting, analysing and interpreting, and secure archiving of neuroimaging data for large multicentre trials in common neurological and psychiatric disorders. Design A 3-year multicentre consortium of clinicians, neuroimaging centres and e-scientists are designing a Grid storage network, mechanisms for uploading, curating and retrieving image and metadata, combining image data from different scanners and an analysis tool box. Three clinical exemplars – stroke, dementia and psychosis – provide the data and ‘real-world’ clinical trial applications, and a set of specific and typical problems encountered with image data in multicentre trials for NeuroGrid to address. The stroke exemplar is using image data from two multicentre stroke trials: Third International Stroke Trial and Efficacy of Nitric Oxide in Stroke. Outcomes The final product is intended to appear as an integrated capability consisting of services, both database and analyses, accessed through simple portals. These will include image submission, automated scan quality control, appropriate metadata linkage, streamlined image review and coding tools and long-term secure storage for future multicentre stroke trials.
Modulation of mucosal permeability by vasoactive intestinal peptide or lidocaine affects the adjustment of luminal hypotonicity in rat duodenum
Authors: Nylander O. , Sjöblom M. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractAims:  To examine whether modulation of paracellular solute permeability affects the capability of the duodenum to adjust luminal osmolality.Methods:  Proximal duodenum was perfused with a hypotonic NaCl solution and effects on paracellular permeability to 51Cr‐EDTA, motility, anion secretion, net fluid flux and perfusate osmolality determined in anaesthetized rats in the absence and presence of the COX‐2 inhibitor parecoxib. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) was used to reduce and lidocaine to augment the hypotonicity‐induced increase in paracellular permeability.Results:  Luminal hypotonicity slightly increased paracellular permeability in control animals. Parecoxib induced motility, increased electrolyte and fluid secretion, potentiated the hypotonicity‐induced rise in paracellular permeability and enhanced the capability to adjust luminal osmolality. VIP, given to control animals stimulated electrolyte and fluid secretion and augmented the capability to adjust luminal osmolality. Administration of VIP to parecoxib‐treated animals increased secretion further, markedly reduced the hypotonicity‐induced increase in permeability but did not change the osmolality‐adjusting capability. Luminal lidocaine potentiated the hypotonicity‐induced increase in permeability, reduced the hypotonicity‐induced net fluid absorption and the osmolality‐adjusting capability was 50% greater than in controls. Lidocaine, given to parecoxib‐treated animals potentiated the hypotonicity‐induced increase in permeability, reduced the hypotonicity‐induced net fluid absorption but did not change the osmolality‐adjusting capability.Conclusions:  Vasoactive intestinal peptide reduces the osmolality‐adjusting capacity of the duodenum by inhibiting paracellular solute permeability but improves this capacity by stimulating active electrolyte and fluid secretion. In contrast, lidocaine improves the osmolality‐adjusting capability by augmenting paracellular solute transport but depresses it by reducing the hypotonicity‐induced net fluid absorption.
Pediatric Research Regulations under Legal Scrutiny: Grimes Narrows Their Interpretation
Authors: Kopelman Loretta M. 
Published: January 2007

In Grimes v. Kennedy Krieger Institute, the Maryland Court of Appeals (Maryland’s highest court) considered whether it is possible for investigators or research entities to have a special relationship with subjects, thereby creating a duty of care that could, if breached, give rise to an action in negligence. The research under review, the Lead Abatement and Repair & Maintenance Study, was conducted from 1993 to 1996 by investigators at the Kennedy Krieger Institute (KKI), an affiliate of Johns Hopkins University.After briefly discussing the case at the center of this ruling, I consider how ambiguities within the federal research regulations at 45 C.F.R. § 46 contribute to disagreements among reasonable and informed people of good will about what studies should be approved. I argue that Grimes may be understood as placing restrictions on how these regulations may be interpreted and used.
Why the Netherlands?
Authors: Cohen-Almagor Raphael 
Published: January 2007

The Dutch experience has influenced the debate on euthanasia and death with dignity around the globe, especially with regard to whether physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia should be legitimized or legalized. Review of the literature reveals complex and often contradictory views about the Dutch experience. Some claim that the Netherlands offers a model for the world to follow; others believe that the Netherlands represents danger, rather than promise, and that the Dutch experience is the definitive answer regarding why we shouldnotmake active euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide part of our lives.Having investigated the Dutch experience for a number of years, in the summer of 1999 I went to the Netherlands to visit the major centers of medical ethics as well as some research hospitals, and to speak with leading figures in euthanasia policy and practice. This essay commences by providing some background information on the practice of euthanasia and on the legal framework, and then reports the main answers to my first question: Why the Netherlands?
Necrotizing Fasciitis fromVibrio vulnificusin a Patient with Undiagnosed Hepatitis and Cirrhosis
Authors: Muldrew Kenneth L. , Miller Russell R. , Kressin Megan , Tang Yi-Wei , Stratton Charles 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACTNecrotizing fasciitis due toVibrio vulnificusmay result in overwhelming sepsis, leading to death in some patients. Significant risk factors for severe disease include preexisting liver disease. We report a case ofVibrio vulnificusnecrotizing fasciitis in a patient with previously undiagnosed chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis.
Molecular and Spatial Epidemiology of Cryptosporidiosis in Children in a Semiurban Community in South India
Authors: Ajjampur Sitara Swarna Rao , Gladstone Beryl Primrose , Selvapandian David , Muliyil Jaya Prakash , Ward Honorine , Kang Gagandeep 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACT

Cryptosporidium
spp. are a leading cause of diarrhea in Indian children, but there are no data for prevalent species or subgenotypes. Genetic characterization of
Cryptosporidium
spp. by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism and spatial analysis of cases using Geographical Information Systems technology was carried out for 53 children with cryptosporidial diarrhea in an urban slum. The two most common species were
C. hominis
(81%) and
C. parvum
(12%). Other species identified were
C. felis
and
C. parvum
(mouse genotype). Five subgenotypes were identified at the
Cpgp40/15
locus. Subgenotype Ia predominated among
C. hominis
isolates, and all
C. parvum
isolates were subgenotype Ic.
C. hominis
infection was associated with a greater severity of diarrhea. Sequencing of the
Cpgp40/15
alleles of
C. felis
and
C. parvum
(mouse genotype) revealed similarities to subgenotype IIa and
C. meleagridis
, respectively. Space-time analysis revealed two clusters of infection due to
C. hominis
Ia, with a peak in February 2005. This is the first study to demonstrate space-time clustering of a single subgenotype of
C. hominis
in a setting where cryptosporidiosis is endemic. Molecular characterization and spatial analysis have the potential to further the understanding of disease and transmission in the community.
Multicenter Beta Trial of the GeneXpert Enterovirus Assay
Authors: Kost Christine B. , Rogers Beverly , Oberste M. Steven , Robinson Christine , Eaves Brenda L. , Leos Kristi , Danielson Susan , Satya Malini , Weir Fred , Nolte Frederick S. 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACT
The GeneXpert Dx system (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA) is a fully integrated and automated nucleic acid sample preparation, amplification, and real-time detection system. It consists of an instrument, a personal computer, and disposable fluidic cartridges. The analytical sensitivity and specificity of the GeneXpert enterovirus assay (GXEA) were determined with a panel of 63 different enterovirus serotypes and 24 other microorganisms, respectively. The potential for blood, hemoglobin, white blood cells, and excess protein to interfere with the assay was also assessed. The performance parameters of the GXEA were determined at three sites with 102 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples obtained from patients with suspected meningitis. All samples were tested for enterovirus RNA with locally developed reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assays at the trial sites and with a seminested RT-PCR and an analyte-specific reagent (Cepheid) at a reference laboratory. The 5′ nontranslated region was the target for all of the PCR assays except the seminested RT-PCR, which amplified a VP1 sequence. The VP1 amplicon was sequenced to identify the enterovirus types. Consensus reference laboratory RT-PCR results were used to classify cases of enteroviral meningitis. The GXEA detected all of the enterovirus serotypes and none of the other microorganisms tested except rhinovirus 16. The assay was unaffected by moderate amounts of blood or blood components. Thirty-six (35%) of the CSF samples tested had at least one positive PCR result. Eleven different enterovirus serotypes were identified in the positive samples. The GXEA had a sensitivity of 97.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 84.7 to 99.9%) and a specificity of 100% (95% CI, 94.6 to 100%) for the diagnosis of enteroviral meningitis.
Isolation of
Mycoplasma genitalium
from First-Void Urine Specimens by Coculture with Vero Cells
Authors: Hamasuna Ryoichi , Osada Yukio , Jensen Jørgen Skov 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACT

Isolation of
Mycoplasma genitalium
from clinical specimens remains difficult. We describe an improvement of the Vero cell coculture method in which the growth of
M. genitalium
was monitored by quantitative real-time PCR. Four new
M. genitalium
strains were isolated from six first-void urine specimens of male Japanese patients with urethritis. In two of them, only
M. genitalium
was detected: one also contained
Ureaplasma urealyticum
, and one contained
Chlamydia trachomatis
,
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
,
U. urealyticum
, and
Ureaplasma parvum
. In the specimens yielding isolates of
M. genitalium
, growth was documented by quantitative PCR after two to five passages in Vero cells. The complete isolation procedure from the initial inoculation to completion of single-colony cloning took about 1 year. Isolation of
M. genitalium
from urine specimens proved to be more difficult than from swab specimens. Due to the cytotoxic effect of urine, a procedure involving washing of the urinary sediment was introduced. Furthermore, prolonged storage of the urine specimens before culture was shown to be detrimental to the success of isolation, as shown by the lack of success in attempts to isolate
M. genitalium
from mailed urine specimens as well as by simulation experiments. High concentrations of penicillin G and amphotericin B were surprisingly inhibitory to the growth of wild-type
M. genitalium
strains, but penicillin G at 200 IU/ml and polymyxin B at 500 μg/ml could be used as selective antibiotics to avoid bacterial overgrowth in the Vero cell cultures.
Identification of Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat (VNTR) Sequences in
Legionella pneumophila
and Development of an Optimized Multiple-Locus VNTR Analysis Typing Scheme
Authors: Pourcel Christine , Visca Paolo , Afshar Baharak , D'Arezzo Silvia , Vergnaud Gilles , Fry Norman K. 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACT

The utility of a genotypic typing assay for
Legionella pneumophila
was investigated. A multiple-locus variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) analysis (MLVA) scheme using PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis is proposed based on eight minisatellite markers. Panels of well-characterized strains were examined in a multicenter analysis to validate the assay and to compare its performance to that of other genotyping assays. Excellent typeability, reproducibility, stability, and epidemiological concordance were observed. The MLVA type or profile is composed of a string of allele numbers, corresponding to the number of repeats at each VNTR locus, separated by commas, in a predetermined order. A database containing information from 99
L. pneumophila
serogroup 1 strains and four strains of other serogroups and their MLVA profiles, which can be queried online, is available from
http://bacterial-genotyping.igmors.u-psud.fr/
.
Staphylococcus aureus
Strains Isolated from Bloodstream Infections Changed Significantly in 2006
Authors: van der Mee-Marquet Nathalie , Epinette Christophe , Loyau Jeremy , Arnault Laurence , Domelier Anne-Sophie , Losfelt Barbara , Girard Nicole , Quentin Roland ,   and the Bloodstream Infection Study Group of the Relais d'Hygiène du Centre
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACT

We studied 358
Staphylococcus aureus
strains isolated from bloodstream infections (BSI) observed during an epidemiological study covering 2,007,681 days of hospitalization in 32 healthcare institutions (HCIs) between 2004 and 2006. The strains were tested for antibiotic susceptibility and characterized genetically. The incidence of
S. aureus
BSI declined regularly through 2004 and 2005 and then significantly increased in 2006 (+80%). This was largely due to an increase in BSI involving methicillin-sensitive
S. aureus
(MSSA) strains and nonmultiresistant methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(NORSA) strains. Ninety-six percent of the NORSA strains were resistant only to methicillin and fluoroquinolones. Most of the MSSA strains belonged to a small number of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) divisions and were associated with epidemic phenomena in HCIs. The NORSA strains also clustered into a limited number of PFGE divisions but could not be related to any local outbreak in HCIs. In 2006, there was a significant increase in the incidence of BSI associated with
tst
gene-positive MSSA strains (+275%) and the first three BSI associated with
tst
gene-positive MRSA were observed. PFGE data revealed a limited heterogeneity among the
tst
gene-positive strains without any outbreak in the HCIs. Our study underlines the need for infection control teams to focus efforts on preventing both MRSA and MSSA BSI. As recently demonstrated in vitro, fluoroquinolones may enhance horizontal transfer of virulence and antibiotic resistance genes. These antibiotics are widely used in France, so our findings raise the issue of whether their use has contributed to the acquisition of
mecA
and
tst
genes by
S. aureus
strains.