bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sublingual sugar for hypoglycaemia in children with severe malaria: A pilot clinical study
Authors: Graz Bertrand , Dicko Moussa , Willcox Merlin L , Lambert Bernard , Falquet Jacques , Forster Mathieu , Giani Sergio , Diakite Chiaka , Dembele Eugène M , Diallo Drissa , Barennes Hubert 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBackgroundHypoglycaemia is a poor prognostic indicator in severe malaria. Intravenous infusions are rarely feasible in rural areas. The efficacy of sublingual sugar (SLS) was assessed in a pilot randomized controlled trial among hypoglycaemic children with severe malaria in Mali.MethodsOf 151 patients with presumed severe malaria, 23 children with blood glucose concentrations < 60 mg/dl (< 3.3 mmol/l) were assigned randomly to receive either intravenous 10% glucose (IVG; n = 9) or sublingual sugar (SLS; n = 14). In SLS, a teaspoon of sugar, moistened with a few drops of water, was gently placed under the tongue every 20 minutes. The child was put in the recovery position. Blood glucose concentration (BGC) was measured every 5–10 minutes for the first hour. All children were treated for malaria with intramuscular artemether. The primary outcome measure was treatment response, defined as reaching a BGC of >= 3.3 mmol/l (60 mg/dl) within 40 minutes after admission. Secondary outcome measures were early treatment response at 20 minutes, relapse (early and late), maximal BGC gain (CGmax), and treatment delay.ResultsThere was no significant difference between the groups in the primary outcome measure. Treatment response occurred in 71% and 67% for SLS and IVG, respectively. Among the responders, relapses occurred in 30% on SLS at 40 minutes and in 17% on IVG at 20 minutes. There was one fatality in each group. Treatment failures in the SLS group were related to children with clenched teeth or swallowing the sugar, whereas in the IVG group, they were due to unavoidable delays in beginning an infusion (median time 17.5 min (range 3–40).Among SLS, the BGC increase was rapid among the nine patients who really kept the sugar sublingually. All but one increased their BGC by 10 minutes with a mean gain of 44 mg/dl (95%CI: 20.5–63.4).ConclusionSublingual sugar appears to be a child-friendly, well-tolerated and effective promising method of raising blood glucose in severely ill children. More frequent repeated doses are needed to prevent relapse. Children should be monitored for early swallowing which leads to delayed absorption, and in this case another dose of sugar should be given. Sublingual sugar could be proposed as an immediate "first aid" measure while awaiting intravenous glucose. In many cases it may avert the need for intravenous glucose.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus type-1 reverse transcriptase exists as post-translationally modified forms in virions and cells
Authors: Davis Adam J , Carr Jillian M , Bagley Christopher J , Powell Jason , Warrilow David , Harrich David , Burrell Christopher J , Li Peng 
Published: December 2008

Abstract

Background
HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) is a heterodimer composed of p66 and p51 subunits and is responsible for reverse transcription of the viral RNA genome into DNA. RT can be post-translationally modified in vitro which may be an important mechanism for regulating RT activity. Here we report detection of different p66 and p51 RT isoforms by 2D gel electrophoresis in virions and infected cells.

Results
Major isoforms of the p66 and p51 RT subunits were observed, with pI's of 8.44 and 8.31 respectively (p668.44 and p518.31). The same major isoforms were present in virions, virus-infected cell lysates and intracellular reverse transcription complexes (RTCs), and their presence in RTCs suggested that these are likely to be the forms that function in reverse transcription. Several minor RT isoforms were also observed. The observed pIs of the RT isoforms differed from the pI of theoretical unmodified RT (p668.53 and p518.60), suggesting that most of the RT protein in virions and cells is post-translationally modified. The modifications of p668.44 and p518.31 differed from each other indicating selective modification of the different RT subunits. The susceptibility of RT isoforms to phosphatase treatment suggested that some of these modifications were due to phosphorylation. Dephosphorylation, however, had no effect on in vitro RT activity associated with virions, infected cells or RTCs suggesting that the phospho-isoforms do not make a major contribution to RT activity in an in vitro assay.

Conclusion
The same major isoform of p66 and p51 RT is found in virions, infected cells and RTC's and both of these subunits are post-translationally modified. This post-translational modification of RT may be important for the function of RT inside the cell.
KEGG spider: interpretation of genomics data in the context of the global gene metabolic network
Authors: Antonov Alexey V , Dietmann Sabine , Mewes Hans W 
Published: December 2008

AbstractKEGG spider is a web-based tool for interpretation of experimentally derived gene lists in order to gain understanding of metabolism variations at a genomic level. KEGG spider implements a 'pathway-free' framework that overcomes a major bottleneck of enrichment analyses: it provides global models uniting genes from different metabolic pathways. Analyzing a number of experimentally derived gene lists, we demonstrate that KEGG spider provides deeper insights into metabolism variations in comparison to existing methods.
Rifaximin for Treatment of Hepatic Encephalopathy
Authors: Maclayton Darego O , Eaton-Maxwell Angie 
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVE To review the effectiveness and safety of rifaximin in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). DATA SOURCES MEDLINE (1990–October 2008) was searched using the terms rifaximin, rifamycins, hepatic encephalopathy, liver cirrhosis, and acute liver failure. Other sources included the bibliographies of pertinent articles as well as programs and abstracts from infectious diseases and gastrointestinal diseases meetings. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION All English-language articles identified from the search were evaluated. All primary literature that addressed the efficacy and safety of rifaximin in the treatment of HE was included in this review. DATA SYNTHESIS HE is a complex neuropsychiatric syndrome seen in patients with liver failure. It is characterized by disturbances in consciousness and behavior, personality changes, fluctuating neurologic signs, asterixis, and electroencephalographic changes. Although the etiology of HE is unknown, the accumulation of several gut-derived toxins such as mercaptans, ammonia, and benzodiazepine has been implicated. Current treatment options for HE include agents that reduce the concentration of these toxins, such as nonabsorbable disaccharides and antibiotics. Several studies have evaluated the use of rifaximin in the treatment of HE. They include a dose-finding study, 9 open-label studies, and 4 double-blind studies comparing rifaximin with either nonabsorbable disaccharides or antibiotics. Commonly used outcomes in most of these studies were changes in portal systemic encephalopathy index and the improvement in HE grade. Despite various limitations of the studies, rifaximin showed superior efficacy compared with lactulose for the treatment of HE, similar efficacy to paromomycin, and similar or greater efficacy than neomycin. Rifaximin was found to be associated with fewer hospitalizations, fewer days of hospitalization, and lower hospitalization charges than were seen with lactulose. Rifaximin also had a better tolerance profile than the comparative agents. CONCLUSIONS Rifaximin appears to be an effective and safe treatment option for HE. Better-designed studies are needed to characterize its efficacy in the treatment of HE. A For Our Patients summary of this article is available at www.ForOurPatients.info
A Novel Approach to Model Moving Heat Sources
Authors: Fischer F. D. , Krempaszky C. , Očenášek J. , Werner E. 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
The solution of quasistationary heat-conduction problems with moving heat sources on the surface of a body is a demanding task and still a topic of ongoing research. The authors have shown in several contributions that an exact analytical solution exists for a constant velocity of the heat source and constant thermal properties of the body. Since also convection at the surface can be treated properly, cooling and quenching problems can be solved, accordingly. The main characteristic of the governing equation is that the partial derivative of the temperature with respect to time must be replaced by the convective term being the velocity of the heat source times the gradient of the temperature. In this contribution it is shown that the quasistationary problem can be transformed into a stationary one, if a modified heat-conduction coefficient is introduced. The application of this concept and its limits are demonstrated in comparison with existing analytical solutions. For this purpose a model is set up which consists of two parts. In the first part the concept of transforming to a stationary problem is employed, whereas in the second part fictitious heat sources are defined. The methodology is shown to be very efficient as it avoids difficulties arising from the necessity to use very dense meshes and proper time integration routines necessary when applying standard fine element codes for a spatially fixed configuration of a body with moving heat sources on its surface.
Carcinoid Tumors
Authors: Pinchot Scott N. , Holen Kyle , Sippel Rebecca S. , Chen Herbert 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Carcinoid tumors are rare, slow-growing neuroendocrine tumors arising from the enterochromaffin cells disseminated throughout the gastrointestinal and bronchopulmonary systems. Though they have been traditionally classified based on embryologic site of origin, morphologic pattern, and silver affinity, newer classification systems have been developed to emphasize the considerable clinical and histopathologic variability of carcinoid tumors found within each embryologic site of origin. These neoplasms pose a diagnostic challenge because they are often innocuous at the time of presentation, emphasizing the need for a multidisciplinary diagnostic approach using biochemical analysis, standard cross-sectional imaging, and newer advances in nuclear medicine. Similarly, treatment of both primary and disseminated carcinoid disease reflects the need for a multidisciplinary approach, with surgery remaining the only curative modality. The prognosis for patients with these tumors is generally favorable; however, it can be quite variable and is related to the location of the primary tumor, extent of metastatic disease at initial presentation, and time of diagnosis.
Clinical Prediction Rules for Physical Therapy Interventions: A Systematic Review
Authors: Beneciuk Jason M , Bishop Mark D , George Steven Z 
Published: December 2008

Background and Purpose
Clinical prediction rules (CPRs) involving physical therapy interventions have been published recently. The quality of the studies used to develop the CPRs was not previously considered, a fact that has potential implications for clinical applications and future research. The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the quality of published CPRs developed for physical therapy interventions.

Methods
Relevant databases were searched up to June 2008. Studies were included in this review if the explicit purpose was to develop a CPR for conditions commonly treated by physical therapists. Validated CPRs were excluded from this review. Study quality was independently determined by 3 reviewers using standard 18-item criteria for assessing the methodological quality of prognostic studies. Percentage of agreement was calculated for each criterion, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was determined for overall quality scores.

Results
Ten studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Percentage of agreement for individual criteria ranged from 90% to 100%, and the ICC for the overall quality score was .73 (95% confidence interval=.27–.92). Criteria commonly not met were adequate description of inclusion or exclusion criteria, inclusion of an inception cohort, adequate follow-up, masked assessments, sufficient sample sizes, and assessments of potential psychosocial factors. Quality scores for individual studies ranged from 48.2% to 74.0%.

Discussion and Conclusion
Validation studies are rarely reported in the literature; therefore, CPRs derived from high-quality studies may have the best potential for use in clinical settings. Investigators planning future studies of physical therapy CPRs should consider including inception cohorts, using longer follow-up times, performing masked assessments, recruiting larger sample sizes, and incorporating psychological and psychosocial assessments.
The Metabolism of Anammox
Authors: Kartal Boran , Keltjens Jan T , Jetten Mike SM 
Published: December 2008

Abstract

Anaerobic ammonium‐oxidizing (anammox) bacteria derive their energy for growth from the conversion of ammonium and nitrite into dinitrogen gas. The bacteria are the latest addition to the biogeochemical nitrogen cycle. The slowly growing micro‐organisms that belong to the Planctomycetes are characterized by a compartmentalized cell architecture featuring a central cell organelle, the ‘anammoxosome’. Membrane systems surrounding the different cellular compartments are composed of unique ‘ladderane’ lipid molecules. Although the metabolism has not been completely resolved, nitrogen formation seems to involve the intermediary formation of hydrazine, a most reactive and toxic compound. Anammox bacteria have been detected in many oxygen‐limited freshwater and marine ecosystems investigated. In the marine environment, over 50% of the nitrogen gas released is made by anammox bacteria. Application of the anammox process offers an attractive alternative to current wastewater treatment systems for the removal of fixed nitrogen.

Key concepts

Ammonium is converted under anaerobic conditions into dinitrogen gas by a newly discovered and specialized group of micro‐organisms, the anammox bacteria.

Anammox bacteria are chemolithoautotrophic organisms that gain their energy for growth from the conversion of the inorganic substrates ammonium and nitrite. Cell carbon is derived from carbon dioxide.

Anammox bacteria are characterised by a unique cell plan featuring a central cell organelle, the anammoxosome.

The lipids from anammox bacteria are composed of highly unusual ‘ladderane’ molecules.

The conversion of ammonium and nitrite into dinitrogen gas proceeds through the intermediary formation of the toxic and highly reactive hydrazine.

Anammox bacteria synthesize adenosine triphosphate (ATP) by an electrochemical proton gradient most likely established across the anammoxosome membrane.

In nature approximately 50% of the dinitrogen gas released into the atmosphere is made by anammox bacteria.

Anammox bacteria offer an economically attractive and environmentally friendly alternative to current wastewater treatment processes for the removal of fixed nitrogen.
Single Molecule Detection, Analysis, and Manipulation
Authors: Walter Nils G. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractSingle molecule detection represents the ultimate goal in analytical chemistry. Both confocal and wide‐field microscopes are now widely used to detect, analyze, and manipulate single molecules in samples ranging in complexity from controlled in vitro conditions to the inside of living cells. Conformational rearrangements and chemical reactions of single molecules can be monitored in real time to detect rare and/or short‐lived intermediates and molecular heterogeneity. The molecular motion of single molecules or particles can be followed at high temporal and spatial resolution. Individual molecules can be repeatedly manipulated and their mechanical properties measured using calibrated forces. The current status of the analytical chemistry of single molecules is surveyed here, including fluorescence microscopy, optical tweezers, and atomic force microscopy (AFM).
Design and Fabrication of Magnetically Functionalized Core/Shell Microspheres for Smart Drug Delivery
Authors: Gong Xiuqing , Peng Suili , Wen Weijia , Sheng Ping , Li Weihua 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe fabrication of magnetically functionalized core/shell microspheres by using the microfluidic flow‐focusing (MFF) approach is reported. The shell of each microsphere is embedded with magnetic nanoparticles, thereby enabling the microspheres to deform under an applied magnetic field. By encapsulating a drug, for example, aspirin, inside the microspheres, the drug release of the microspheres is enhanced under the compression–extension oscillations that are induced by an AC magnetic field. This active pumping mode of drug release can be controlled by varying the frequency and magnitude of the applied magnetic field as well as the time profile of the magnetic field. UV absorption measurements of cumulative aspirin release are carried out to determine the influence of these factors. The drug release behavior is found to be significantly different depending on whether the applied field varies sinusoidally or in a step‐function manner with time.
Von Economo Neurons in the Elephant Brain
Authors: Hakeem Atiya Y. , Sherwood Chet C. , Bonar Christopher J. , Butti Camilla , Hof Patrick R. , Allman John M. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractVon Economo neurons (VENs), previously found in humans, all of the great ape species, and four cetacean species, are also present in African and Indian elephants. The VENs in the elephant are primarily found in similar locations to those in the other species. They are most abundant in the frontoinsular cortex (area FI) and are also present at lower density in the anterior cingulate cortex. Additionally, they are found in a dorsolateral prefrontal area and less abundantly in the region of the frontal pole. The VEN morphology appears to have arisen independently in hominids, cetaceans, and elephants, and may reflect a specialization for the rapid transmission of crucial social information in very large brains. Anat Rec 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ultrastructural Morphology and Morphometry of Phrenic Nerve in Rats
Authors: Fazan Valéria Paula Sassoli , Rodrigues Filho Omar Andrade , Jordão Caroline Echavarria Rodrigues , Moore Kenneth Charles 
Published: December 2008

AbstractDespite numerous literature reports on the morphometry of the myelinated fibers of phrenic nerves in rats, a systematic study of the longitudinal and lateral symmetry of the unmyelinated fibers morphometry is not available. In this study, we have undertaken ultrastructural and morphometric studies of the phrenic nerve in adult rats, assessing two different levels (proximal and distal) from both right and left sides. Phrenic nerves of adult male Wistar rats were prepared for epoxy resin embedding and transmission electron microscopy. Morphometric analysis was performed with the aid of computer software, which took into consideration the unmyelinated fiber number, density, area, and diameter, as well as ratio between myelinated and unmyelinated fibers, and the percentage of the fascicular area occupied by the myelinated and unmyelinated fibers. Comparison of data from proximal and distal segments on the same side and from the same levels between sides was performed. Differences were considered significant when P < 0.05. The most important finding is that morphometric parameters of the phrenic nerve unmyelinated fibers in adult rats are both longitudinally and laterally symmetric. This study adds important morphometric information about the unmyelinated fibers of the phrenic nerves in adult rats for proximal and distal levels on both sides of the animal. Anat Rec 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Aero‐hygrothermisches Verhalten von Umfassungskonstruktionen mit Hohlräumen
Authors: Gnoth Steffen , Hansel Frank , Häupl Peter , Fechner Heiko 
Published: December 2008

AbstractDie vorliegende Arbeit leistet einen Beitrag zur gekoppelten aero‐hygrothermischen Bauteilsimulation für Strukturen mit Hohlräumen. Den Schwerpunkt bildet dabei die Entwicklung eines CaFD‐Modells (Cavity Fluid Dynamics) und Computercodes, welche auf der Lösung der Navier‐Stokes‐Gleichungen für laminare Strömungen inkompressibler reibungsbehafteter Fluide basieren. Mit der Definition einer Softwareschnittstelle gelingt es, den zunächst eigenständig ausführbaren Strömungslöser CaFD‐Tool in Form einer dynamischen Bibliothek in den Quellcode der am Institut für Bauklimatik der Technischen Universität Dresden entwickelten Software DELPHIN 4 einzubinden. Mit der Formulierung eines vereinfachten Mehr‐Zonen‐Modells ist es möglich, die bei einem durchströmten Hohlraum oder Spalt auftretende Überlagerung von natürlicher und erzwungener Konvektion zu simulieren. Außerdem können die Feuchtefelder, verursacht durch Kondensationserscheinungen der eindringenden feucht‐warmen Raumluft im Hohlraum und im angrenzenden Baustoff quantifiziert werden. Neben der exakten energetischen Beurteilung der Bauteile lassen sich Möglichkeiten zur Vermeidung von Feuchteschäden aufzeigen.
Host and Non‐Host Plant Response to Bacterial Wilt in Potato: Role of the Lipopolysaccharide Isolated from Ralstonia solanacearum and Molecular Analysis of Plant–Pathogen Interaction
Authors: Esposito Nunzio , Ovchinnikova Olga G. , Barone Amalia , Zoina Astolfo , Holst Otto , Evidente Antonio 
Published: December 2008

AbstractRalstonia solanacearum is one of the most devastating phytopathogenic bacteria, in particular its race 3. This microorganism is the causal agent of destructive diseases of different crops including tomato and potato. An important aspect of the interaction between this pathogen, and the host and non‐host plants was its biochemical and molecular basis. Thus, the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) were extracted from the R. solanacearum cell wall, purified, and the O‐specific polysaccharide (OPS) was isolated and chemically characterized by compositional analyses and NMR spectroscopy. The OPS was constituted of two linear polymers of an approximate ratio of 3 : 1, both of which were built up from three rhamnose and one N‐acetylglucosamine residues and differed only in the substitution of one rhamnose residue. The LPS inhibited the hypersensitivity reaction (HR) in non‐host tobacco plants and induced localized resistance in host potato plants, both of which were pre‐treated with the LPS before being inoculated with the pathogen. A cDNA‐AFLP approach was used to study transcriptome variation during the resistant and susceptible interactions. This revealed the presence of metabolites specifically expressed in the S. commersonii‐resistant genotypes, which could be involved in the plant–pathogen incompatible reaction. Furthermore, a specific EST collection of the Ralstonia–potato interaction has been built up.