bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Iontophoresis as a means of delivering antibiotics into allograft bone
Authors: Day R. E. , Megson S. , Wood D. 
Published: October 2005

Allograft bone is widely used in orthopaedic surgery, but peri-operative infection of the graft remains a common and disastrous complication. The efficacy of systemic prophylactic antibiotics is unproven, and since the graft is avascular it is likely that levels of antibiotic in the graft are low. Using an electrical potential to accelerate diffusion of antibiotics into allograft bone, high levels were achieved in specimens of both sheep and human allograft. In human bone these ranged from 187.1 mg/kg in endosteal (sd 15.7) to 124.6 (sd 46.2) in periosteal bone for gentamicin and 31.9 (sd 8.9) in endosteal and 2.9 (sd 1.1) in periosteal bone for flucloxacillin. The antibiotics remained active against bacteria in vitro after iontophoresis and continued to elute from the allograft for up to two weeks. Structural allograft can be supplemented directly with antibiotics using iontophoresis. The technique is simple and inexpensive and offers a potential means of reducing the rate of peri-operative infection in allograft surgery. Iontophoresis into allograft bone may also be applicable to other therapeutic compounds.
Tissue restoration after resorption of polyglycolide and poly-laevo-lactic acid screws
Authors: Böstman O. M. , Laitinen O. M. , Tynninen O. , Salminen S. T. , Pihlajamäki H. K. 
Published: October 2005

Despite worldwide clinical use of bio-absorbable devices for internal fixation in orthopaedic surgery, the degradation behaviour and tissue replacement of these implants are not fully understood. In a long-term experimental study, we have determined the patterns of tissue restoration 36 and 54 months after implantation of polyglycolic acid and poly-laevo-lactic acid screws in the distal femur of the rabbit. After 36 months in the polyglycolic acid group the specimens showed no remaining polymer and loose connective tissue occupied 80% of the screw track. Tissue restoration remained poor at 54 months, the amounts of trabecular bone and haematopoietic elements being significantly lower than those in the intact control group. The amount of trabecular bone within the screw track at 54 months in the polyglycolic acid group was less than in the empty drill holes (p = 0.04). In the poly-laevo-lactic acid group, polymeric material was present in abundance after 54 months, occupying 60% of the cross-section of the core area of the screw track. When using absorbable internal fixation implants we should recognise that the degradation of the devices will probably not be accompanied by the restoration of normal trabecular bone.
Post-surgical use of radioiodine (131I) in patients with papillary and follicular thyroid cancer and the issue of remnant ablation: a consensus report
Authors: Pacini Furio , Schlumberger Martin , Harmer Clive , Berg Gertrud G , Cohen Ohad , Duntas Leonidas , Jamar François , Jarzab Barbara , Limbert Eduard , Lind Peter , Reiners Cristoph , Franco Franco Sanchez , Smit Johannes , Wiersinga Wilmar 
Published: October 2005

Objective: To determine, based on published literature and expert clinical experience, current indications for the post-surgical administration of a large radioiodine activity in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer.
Design and methods: A literature review was performed and was then analyzed and discussed by a panel of experts from 13 European countries.
Results: There is general agreement that patients with unifocal microcarcinomas = 1 cm in diameter and no node or distant metastases have a <2% recurrence rate after surgery alone, and that post-surgical radioiodine confers recurrence and cause-specific survival benefits in patients, strongly suspected of having persistent disease or known to have tumor in the neck or distant sites. In other patients, there is limited evidence that after complete thyroidectomy and adequate lymph node dissection performed by an expert surgeon, post-surgical radioiodine provides clear benefit. When there is any uncertainty about the completeness of surgery, evidence suggests that radioiodine can reduce recurrences and possibly mortality.
Conclusion: This survey confirms that post-surgical radioiodine should be used selectively. The modality is definitely indicated in patients with distant metastases, incomplete tumor resection, or complete tumor resection but high risk of recurrence and mortality. Probable indications include patients with tumors >1 cm and with suboptimal surgery (less than total thyroidectomy or no lymph node dissection), with age <16 years, or with unfavorable histology.
Genetic influence of an ACTH receptor promoter polymorphism on adrenal androgen secretion
Authors: Reisch Nicole , Slawik Marc , Zwermann Oliver , Beuschlein Felix , Reincke Martin 
Published: October 2005

Objective: Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is the primary secretagogue stimulating secretion of adrenal androgens (AA). Yet, genetic and environmental factors are assumed to play a determining role in the regulation of their biosynthesis and thus might explain the high variability of AA levels. Here we investigate the influence of an ACTH receptor promoter polymorphism affecting ACTH receptor gene transcription on ACTH-dependent dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) secretion.
Design: We recently reported a polymorphism within the transcription initiation site of the ACTH receptor gene promoter that alters the consensus sequence from CTC to CCC at −2 bp. This results in lower promoter activity in vitro and is associated with impaired cortisol response to ACTH stimulation in vivo. We now studied 14 normal, lean volunteers aged 20–35 years (eight CTC/CTC and six CCC/CCC carriers) in a 6-h ACTH stimulation test.
Methods: After overnight dexamethasone suppression, ACTH1-24 was administered continuously in each subject with hourly increasing doses (120–3840 ng/m2 body surface area/h) within a 6-h period. On a separate day, baseline DHEA samples were collected.
Results: In the 6-h ACTH stimulation test, CTC/CTC carriers showed a significantly higher DHEA response than CCC/CCC carriers (area under the curve: 19 367 ± 2919 vs 11 098 ± 1241 nmol/l per min; P < 0.04, Mann–Whitney U-test). In contrast, baseline DHEA concentrations did not differ between groups.
Conclusion: These data demonstrate that genetic variations within the ACTH receptor promoter result in decreased DHEA secretion. Thus, we might have identified one of the genetic factors responsible for variation in ACTH-dependent DHEA secretion.
Administration of recombinant human GHRH-1,44-amide for 3 months reduces abdominal visceral fat mass and increases physical performance measures in postmenopausal women
Authors: Veldhuis Johannes D , Patrie James M , Frick Kirsten , Weltman Judith Y , Weltman Arthur L 
Published: October 2005

Objective: A recent study indicated that twice-daily s.c. administration of a high dose of recombinant human GHRH-1,44-amide (GHRH) for 90 days can alter body composition in healthy older men. No data establish whether this is also true in postmenopausal women. The present study tests the hypothesis that the same GHRH regimen applied in women will: (i) elevate both IGF-I and GH concentrations; and (ii) reduce abdominal visceral fat mass, augment total body water and enhance functional performance.
Design: Ten postmenopausal volunteers underwent baseline study and then received 1 mg GHRH twice daily s.c. for 3 months.
Methods: Statistical comparisons were made with preintervention baseline data.
Results: GHRH administration stimulated: (i) a mean 98 ± 14% elevation of overnight GH concentrations after administration of the peptide for 1 and 3 months (P < 0.005); (ii) a sustained 71 ± 3.5% rise in IGF-I concentrations over the interval from 2 weeks to 3 months (P < 0.0012); (iii) a 16 ± 7% reduction in abdominal visceral fat mass (P = 0.029) and a 14 ± 5% increase in tri-tiated water space (P < 0.025); (iv) an abbreviation of the times required to walk 30 m (P = 0.015) and ascend two flights of stairs (P = 0.003). Most (70%) subjects experienced local skin reactivity. There were no systemic adverse events.
Conclusions: A 3-month regimen of GHRH supplementation in postmenopausal women can stimulate GH and IGF-I production, reduce abdominal visceral fat and improve selected measures of physical performance, while inducing significant local skin reactivity.
High prevalence of suspicious cytology in thyroid nodules associated with positive thyroid autoantibodies
Authors: Boi F , Lai M L , Marziani B , Minerba L , Faa G , Mariotti S 
Published: October 2005

Objective: We assessed the association between thyroid autoimmunity and thyroid cancer in a retrospective series of unselected thyroid nodules submitted to fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) to avoid the selection bias of surgical series.
Subjects and methods: Ultrasound (US)-guided FNACs were obtained from 590 unselected consecutive patients with single thyroid nodules and positive (ATA + , n = 197) or negative (ATA − , n = 393) serum anti-thyroid antibody (ATA). Cytological results were classified in three classes of increased risk of malignancy: low risk or benign (class II); indeterminate risk (class III); and suspect or malignant (class IV).
Results: A higher prevalence of class III (28.9% vs 21.4%, P < 0.05) and class IV (18.8% vs 9.2%, P < 0.001) and lower prevalence of class II (52.3% vs 69.5%, P < 0.001) were found in ATA + vs ATA − nodules respectively. By multivariate logistic regression analysis ATA + conferred a significant risk (odds ratio (OR): 2.29 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.39–3.76)) for class IV cytology independently from age and sex. In 106 patients where thyroidectomy was carried out, thyroid cancer was found in 54/61 (88.5%) patients with class IV nodules (with similar positive predictive value for cancer in ATA + (96.4%) and ATA– (81.8%) nodules), in 6/31 (19.3%) of class III nodules (all ATA − ) and in none of 14 class II nodules. Non-specific cytological atypias from hyperplastic nodules in lymphocytic thyroiditis probably accounted for the different prevalence of cancer in class III ATA + and ATA − nodules. Histologically proven thyroid cancer (mostly papillary) was then observed in a higher proportion (27/197 = 13.7%) of ATA + , when compared with ATA − nodules (33/393 = 8.4%, P = 0.044), but the significance of this finding is limited by the low number of class II nodules operated on.
Conclusions: The presence of ATA + confers an increased risk of suspicious or malignant cytology in unselected thyroid nodules. Since ATA + is not responsible for increased false- positive class IV FNAC, our study provides indirect evidence supporting a significant association between thyroid carcinoma and thyroid autoimmunity, although further studies with a different design are needed for a definitive histological proof.
Mechanochemical Degradation of Aromatic Sulfonic Acids
Authors: Caschili Silvia , Delogu Francesco , Cao Giacomo 
Published: October 2005

AbstractSulfonic acids and sulfonates are widely used as surfactants in various industrial processes. Although partial biodegradation occurs, their release in the environment has determined a widespread pollution problem due to their remarkable tendency towards accumulation. For this reason, various methodologies to effectively degrade sulfonic acids and sulfonates in real matrices are currently under investigation. In this study, we focused our attention on the mechanochemical degradation of the 1,5‐naphthalene disulfonic acid using strongly reducing agents such as pure Mg and Ca metals. The mechanochemical processing induced either a gradual degradation of the organic compound or a combustion‐like reaction depending upon the experimental conditions. A partial degradation of the sulfonic acid was observed as a result of gradual reactions. An almost complete removal of the pollutant was instead observed after combustion‐like reactions.
Characterization of Raw and Stabilized Waste in Relation to Toxic Metals Mobility in Realistic Landfilling Scenarios
Authors: Buondonno Andrea , Cioffi Raffaele , Santoro Luciano 
Published: October 2005

AbstractToxic metal release in simple leaching tests has been studied in this paper to assess waste behaviour in realistic landfilling scenarios. The waste is a galvanic sludge, raw or cement stabilized. Six different leachants were taken into account: distilled water, CO2‐saturated solution, Olsen solution, Mehlich No. 3 solution, acid or alkaline soil circulating solution. Dynamic leaching tests of different duration were used for raw and stabilized waste. The results have shown that, with the exception of Mehlich No. 3 solution, when the waste comes into contact with waters of composition similar to that of the solutions studied, the potential environmental contamination should not be of concern.
Detection of breastfeeding and weaning in modern human infants with carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios
Authors: Fuller B.T. , Fuller J.L. , Harris D.A. , Hedges R.E.M. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractCarbon (13C/12C) and nitrogen (15N/14N) stable isotope ratios were longitudinally measured in fingernail and hair samples from mother‐infant pairs where infants were exclusively breastfed (n = 5), breast‐ and formula‐fed (n = 2), or exclusively formula‐fed (n = 1) from birth. All exclusively breastfed infants had a dual enrichment in carbon (≈1‰) and nitrogen (≈2–3‰) when compared to maternal values. In contrast, breast‐ and formula‐fed subjects had reduced enrichments compared to exclusively breastfed subjects, and the exclusively formula‐fed infant showed no increase in δ13C or δ15N values. This finding of a carbon trophic level effect in breastfeeding infants suggests that 13C‐enrichments of approximately 1‰ in archaeological populations are not necessarily the result of the consumption of C4‐based weaning foods such as maize or millet. During the weaning process, the δ13C results for breastfed infants declined to maternal levels more rapidly than the δ15N results. This suggests that δ13C values have the potential to track the introduction of solid foods into the diet, whereas δ15N values monitor the length of time of breast milk consumption. These findings can be used to refine the isotopic analysis of breastfeeding and weaning patterns in past and modern populations. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Experiencing and detecting happiness in humans: The role of the supplementary motor area
Authors: Krolak‐Salmon Pierre , Hénaff Marie‐Anne , Vighetto Alain , Bauchet Françoise , Bertrand Olivier , Mauguière François , Isnard Jean 
Published: October 2005

AbstractUnderstanding emotions in others may involve neural structures implicated in both perception and action.1 Laughter is a socially important behavior and its neural correlates are poorly understood. Depth electrode electrophysiological techniques offer a rare opportunity to both record and stimulate neural structures involved in emotion processing.2, 3 This kind of direct electrophysiological investigation in humans is particularly determinant because laughter processing cannot be studied in animals. Ann Neurol 2005
Insights into the Role of the Liquid–Liquid Interface in Biphasic Reactions: The Reaction of Vitamin B12s(aq) with Vicinal Dibromides(oil)
Authors: Davies Trevor J. , Garner A. Christopher , Davies Stephen G. , Compton Richard G. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractElectrocatalytic processes can take place either homogeneously in a single liquid phase or heterogeneously at the liquid–liquid interface formed in emulsions. This Article addresses the question as to whether a change in rate and/or mechanism can occur between the two possibilities. Specifically, cyclic voltammetry and electrosynthetic experiments are used to demonstrate that for the vitamin B12 mediated reduction of vicinal dibromides producing olefins, electric field effects likely operate at the liquid–liquid interface which can change the populations of different conformers relative to the single homogeneous‐phase experiment, leading to significant changes in rate.
The p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase regulates effector functions of primary human CD4 T cells
Authors: Dodeller Francis , Skapenko Alla , Kalden Joachim R. , Lipsky Peter E. , Schulze‐Koops Hendrik 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThe role of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase in primary human T cells is incompletely understood. We analyzed in detail the role of p38 in the regulation of effector functions and differentiation of human CD4 T cells by using a p38‐specific inhibitor and a dominant‐negative mutant of p38. p38 was found to mediate expression of IL‐10 and the Th2 cytokines IL‐4, IL‐5, and IL‐13 in both, primary naive and memory T cells. In contrast, inhibition of p38 activity did not affect expression of the Th1 cytokines IFN‐γ and TNF induced by TCR‐stimulation, but decreased IL‐12‐mediated IFN‐γ expression. Cytokine expression from established Th2 effector cells was also regulated by p38, however, the role of p38 was less pronounced compared to primary CD4 T cells. p38 MAPK regulated cytokine gene expression at both, the transcriptional level by activating gene transcription and the post‐transcriptional level by stabilizing cytokine mRNA. As a result of the effect of p38 on IL‐4 expression, p38 activity modulated differentiation of naive precursor T cells by inducing a shift of the Th1/Th2 balance toward the immuno‐modulatory Th2 direction. Together, the data suggest that p38 plays a key role in human Th2 cell immune responses.
The multigenic structure of the MHC locus contributes to positive selection efficiency: A role for MHC class II gene‐specific restriction
Authors: Monteiro Miguel Caetano , Couceiro Sofia , Penha‐Gonçalves Carlos 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThe study of T cell positive selection in the thymus has long been focused on the specificity of the MHC‐TCR interactions, making use of genetically manipulated mice that display TCR specificities or selecting peptides of limited diversity. However, little is known on the role of the MHC molecules irrespective of the peptide specificity and the implications of MHC multigenic structure in thymic positive selection have not been addressed. Here, we investigated the effect of MHC class II genetic configuration on the positive selection efficiency of naturally generated pre‐selection repertoires in the mouse thymus. Analysis of positively selected thymocyte populations in MHC‐congenic and ‐transgenic mice revealed that expression of I‐E molecule in the thymic cortex increases positive selection efficiency of CD4 cells by approximately 50%. We show that increments in positive selection attributable to either the I‐A and I‐E genes are not due to increased MHC class II expression in the thymic cortex and are not affected by the number of MHC alleles. Collectively, our findings imply that MHC class II gene‐restricted TCR specificities significantly contribute to positive selection efficiency, introducing the notion that multigenic structure of the MHC locus serves to increase selection of non‐overlapping TCR repertoires.
π‐Strain‐Induced Electrophilicity in Small Cycloalkynes: A DFT Analysis of the Polar Cycloaddition of Cyclopentyne towards Enol Ethers
Authors: Domingo Luis R. , Pérez Patricia , Contreras Renato 
Published: October 2005

AbstractSmall cycloalkynes possess a π‐strain‐induced electrophilicity related to the bending of the C–Csp–Csp bond angle. For cyclopentyne and benzyne, the electrophilicity index defined in the context of density functional theory gives a coherent rationale for the reactivity of these cycloalkynes, which may act as electrophiles in polar cycloaddition reactions toward enol ethers. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
The Expedient and Regioselective Metalation of Unprotected Biphenyl‐2‐, ‐3‐, and ‐4‐carboxylic Acids
Authors: Tilly David , Samanta Subhendu S. , Castanet Anne‐Sophie , De Asish , Mortier Jacques 
Published: October 2005

AbstractUnprotected biphenyl‐2‐carboxylic acid can be cleanly metalated with sec‐butyllithium at the position adjacent to the carboxylate and can then be subjected to site‐selective electrophilic substitution. The remote C2′‐position is attacked by the superbasic mixture of n‐butyllithium and potassium tert‐butoxide (LICKOR, 3.5 equiv.) in THF or benzene at 20–60 °C. The resulting dianion cyclizes to give the fluorenone skeleton. The metalation reactions of biphenyl‐3‐ and ‐4‐carboxylic acids are also described. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Towards the Synthesis of Highly Functionalized Chiral α‐Amino Nitriles by Aminative Cyanation and Their Synthetic Applications
Authors: Bernardi Luca , Bonini Bianca F. , Capitò Elena , Comes‐Franchini Mauro , Dessole Gabriella , Fini Francesco , Fochi Mariafrancesca , Herrera Raquel P. , Ricci Alfredo 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThe cyanobis(dibenzylamino)borane‐mediated transformation of chiral aldehydes into the corresponding α‐amino nitriles is described. Starting from these compounds short synthetic routes can be envisaged for obtaining diastereomerically pure functionalized 1,2‐diamines and hydroxylated α‐amino acids that are of interest as core key units of biologically active substances or as potential ligands for asymmetric catalysis. The stereochemical outcome of the aminative cyanation reaction is discussed. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Ring Contracting Rearrangements of 3‐Amino‐4‐(arylamino)‐1H‐isochromen‐1‐ones
Authors: Opatz Till , Ferenc Dorota 
Published: October 2005

AbstractTwo new ring contracting rearrangements of 3‐amino‐4‐(arylamino)‐1H‐isochromen‐1‐ones, leading to 1‐(arylamino)‐3‐oxo‐1,3‐dihydroisobenzofuran‐1‐carboxamides and2‐aryl‐3‐oxo‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐isoindole‐1‐carboxamides, are described. Both conversions proceed in high yield and no further purification of the products is necessary. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Age‐related naturally occurring depression of hippocampal neurogenesis does not affect trace fear conditioning
Authors: Cuppini Riccardo , Bucherelli Corrado , Ambrogini Patrizia , Ciuffoli Stefano , Orsini Laura , Ferri Paola , Baldi Elisabetta 
Published: October 2005

AbstractNew neuron production throughout adulthood in granule cell layer (GCL) of rat hippocampus is a well‐known phenomenon. A role of new neurons in hippocampal learning has been proposed, but the question is still open. A reduction of neural precursor proliferation in GCL of 2‐month‐old rats to about 20%, induced by the cytostatic agent methylazoxymethanol, was found to cause impairment in trace conditioning, suggesting a role of immature neurons in this kind of hippocampus‐dependent learning (Shors et al., Hippocampus 2002;12:578–584). Neurogenesis decreases with increasing age. In this study, neural precursor proliferation and newborn cell survival were evaluated in GCL of adult rats within a range of ages following development and preceding old age. In 5‐month‐old rats, neural precursor proliferation was reduced to 57% and newborn cell survival was reduced to 40% in comparison to rats of 2 months of age; in 12‐month‐old rats, the decrease was to 5 and 4%, respectively. Consistently, the density of immature neurons decreased to 41 and 13% in 5‐ and 12‐month‐old rats, respectively. The role of neurogenesis in trace fear conditioning was studied in this natural model of neurogenesis depression. No impairment in trace fear conditioning was found both in 5‐ and 12‐month‐old rats in comparison to 2‐month‐old rats, notwithstanding the decrease of neurogenesis that is marked in 12‐month‐old rats. This finding shows that a lower rate of neurogenesis is sufficient for learning in 12‐month‐old rats in comparison to young rats. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.