bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The change in renal function in the supranormal hydronephrotic kidney after pyeloplasty
Authors: Song Cheryn , Park Hongjoo , Park Sungchan , Moon Kyung Hyun , Kim Kun Suk 
Published: May 2007

OBJECTIVETo investigate changes in the differential renal function (DRF) before and after pyeloplasty in renal units with unilateral pelvi‐ureteric junction obstruction (PUJO) with supranormal function, and to evaluate the clinical significance.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe reviewed the medical and radiographic records of 29 children (26 boys and three girls) with unilateral PUJO with a DRF (estimated by 99mTc‐mercaptoacetyltriglycine renal scintigraphy) of ≥ 50% in the affected renal unit, who had pyeloplasty and were followed for >1 year after surgery. Patients were divided into two groups according to the degree of change in their DRF to compare the clinical variables, anteroposterior pelvic diameter and parenchymal thickness measured by renal ultrasonography. The mean (range) follow‐up after pyeloplasty was 35 (12–89) months.RESULTSAfter pyeloplasty, although the mean DRF reduced from 53.8% to 51.4%, in seven (24%) patients the DRF decreased significantly (>5%) while most (76%) showed a change of ≤ 5% of the preoperative function, or further improvement. In the seven patients with a DRF of ≥ 55% before surgery, the DRF afterward was >55% in four and 50–55% in one. Between those with and with no significant reduction in DRF, only the preoperative renal parenchymal thickness differed significantly (2.78 vs 5.00 mm, P = 0.006).CONCLUSIONSupranormal DRF exists and represents the true split function of the affected renal unit in patients with adequate renal parenchyma; these units maintained the supranormal function after pyeloplasty. Parenchymal thickness might be useful to differentiate between the true and false estimates and predict surgical outcome before surgery.
Production of glucocerebrosidase with terminal mannose glycans for enzyme replacement therapy of Gaucher's disease using a plant cell system
Authors: Shaaltiel Yoseph , Bartfeld Daniel , Hashmueli Sharon , Baum Gideon , Brill‐Almon Einat , Galili Gad , Dym Orly , Boldin‐Adamsky Swetlana A. , Silman Israel , Sussman Joel L. , Futerman Anthony H. , Aviezer David 
Published: May 2007

SummaryGaucher's disease, a lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding glucocerebrosidase (GCD), is currently treated by enzyme replacement therapy using recombinant GCD (Cerezyme®) expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. As complex glycans in mammalian cells do not terminate in mannose residues, which are essential for the biological uptake of GCD via macrophage mannose receptors in human patients with Gaucher's disease, an in vitro glycan modification is required in order to expose the mannose residues on the glycans of Cerezyme®. In this report, the production of a recombinant human GCD in a carrot cell suspension culture is described. The recombinant plant‐derived GCD (prGCD) is targeted to the storage vacuoles, using a plant‐specific C‐terminal sorting signal. Notably, the recombinant human GCD expressed in the carrot cells naturally contains terminal mannose residues on its complex glycans, apparently as a result of the activity of a special vacuolar enzyme that modifies complex glycans. Hence, the plant‐produced recombinant human GCD does not require exposure of mannose residues in vitro, which is a requirement for the production of Cerezyme®. prGCD also displays a level of biological activity similar to that of Cerezyme® produced in CHO cells, as well as a highly homologous high‐resolution three‐dimensional structure, determined by X‐ray crystallography. A single‐dose toxicity study with prGCD in mice demonstrated the absence of treatment‐related adverse reactions or clinical findings, indicating the potential safety of prGCD. prGCD is currently undergoing clinical studies, and may offer a new and alternative therapeutic option for Gaucher's disease.
The Effectiveness of Jobs Reservation: Caste, Religion and Economic Status in India
Authors: Borooah Vani K. , Dubey Amaresh , Iyer Sriya 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTThis article investigates the effect of jobs reservation on improving the economic opportunities of persons belonging to India's Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). Using employment data from the 55th NSS round, the authors estimate the probabilities of different social groups in India being in one of three categories of economic status: own account workers; regular salaried or wage workers; casual wage labourers. These probabilities are then used to decompose the difference between a group X and forward caste Hindus in the proportions of their members in regular salaried or wage employment. This decomposition allows us to distinguish between two forms of difference between group X and forward caste Hindus: ‘attribute’ differences and ‘coefficient’ differences. The authors measure the effects of positive discrimination in raising the proportions of ST/SC persons in regular salaried employment, and the discriminatory bias against Muslims who do not benefit from such policies. They conclude that the boost provided by jobs reservation policies was around 5 percentage points. They also conclude that an alternative and more effective way of raising the proportion of men from the SC/ST groups in regular salaried or wage employment would be to improve their employment‐related attributes.
Prevalence and correlates of partner violence among South African adolescents
Authors: Flisher Alan J. , Myer Landon , Mèrais Adele , Lombard Carl , Reddy Priscilla 
Published: May 2007

Background:  Little is known about the prevalence of partner violence among adolescents, nor of the factors with which it is associated. The objectives of this study were to document prevalence rates for partner violence among high school students in Cape Town, and to explore factors that are associated with such violence.Method:  The sample consisted of 596 Grade 8 and 11 students attending public high schools in Cape Town, who were selected using a multistage cluster design. They completed an anonymous and confidential questionnaire. The dependent variable was whether they had ever perpetrated partner violence, or intended to do so. The independent variables, which were derived from a modified version of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), included attitudes, subjective norms (general and peer social influence and outcome expectancy) and self‐efficacy. Separate multiple logistic regression models were developed of partner violence intentions or behaviours on the scales derived from the TPB and demographic variables. Regression coefficients from adjusted models were used to examine the potential mediating role of partner violence intentions in the association between each scale and partner violence behaviours using the Sobel test.Results:  Among participants who reported being in a relationship, 20.7% reported perpetrating partner violence, and 16.4% reported intending to do so. After adjusting for demographic characteristics and other predictor scales, perpetration of partner violence was significantly associated with attitudes and outcome expectancy, while intention to perpetrate partner violence was significantly associated with attitudes and general social influence. The influence of attitude and general social influence on violent behaviours were each partially mediated by partner violence intentions.Conclusions:  There are high levels of partner violence among high school students in Cape Town. Interventions to address this problem should focus on violence‐related attitudes and outcome expectancy.
Characterization of expressed sequence tag‐derived microsatellites from the kuruma prawn, Marsupenaeus japonicus
Authors: ZHAO YUMING , LI QI 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe kuruma prawn, Marsupenaeus japonicus, is a commercially important benthic marine crustacean in East Asia. Understanding the species’ population structures will be very important for its proper stock assessment and management strategy. Herein, 13 polymorphic microsatellite loci originating from expressed sequence tag libraries of M. japonicus were isolated and characterized. Number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 15, observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.250 to 0.906 and from 0.310 to 0.932, respectively. The adequate level of variability within the population renders these microsatellite loci ideal markers for population genetic analysis of M. japonicus.
Factors influencing the outcome of lower‐extremity diabetic ulcers treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Authors: Fife Caroline E. , Buyukcakir Cem , Otto Gordon , Sheffield Paul , Love Tommy , Warriner Robert 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTThe objectives of this study were to report outcomes of a large number of patients receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO2T) for diabetic lower‐extremity ulcers, and to identify likely outcome predictors. Five hyperbaric facilities supplied data on 1,006 patients. A sixth clinic served as a validation sample for the regression‐based prediction model, and later additional data from Memorial Hermann Hospital were added. The severity of lower‐extremity lesions was assessed upon initiation of HBO2T using the Modified Wagner scale, and the outcome described as healed, partially healed, not improved, amputated, or died. Overall, 73.8% of patients improved (granulated or healed). Factors significantly related to outcome included renal failure, pack‐year smoking history, transcutaneous oximetry, number of HBO2T treatments, and interruption of treatment regimen. Number of treatments per week and treatment pressure (2.0 vs. 2.4 atmospheres absolute) were not significant factors in outcome. Concomitant administration of autologous growth factor gel did not improve outcome. A multiple regression model was fitted to the data that can be used to predict the outcome of diabetic patients undergoing HBO2T. Given the high cost of amputation and rehabilitation, these data suggest that hyperbaric oxygen treatment should be an important adjunctive therapy to heal lower‐extremity lesions, especially those with a Wagner grade of 3 or higher.
Clinical utilization of near‐infrared spectroscopy devices for burn depth assessment
Authors: Cross K. M. , Leonardi L. , Payette J. R. , Gomez M. , Levasseur M. A. , Schattka B. J. , Sowa M. G. , Fish J. S. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTThe diagnosis of burn depth is based on a visual assessment and can be subjective. Near‐infrared (NIR) spectroscopic devices were used preclinically with positive results. The purpose of this study was to test the devices in a clinical setting using easily identifiable burn wounds. Adult patients with acute superficial and full‐thickness burns were enrolled. NIR point spectroscopy and imaging devices were used to collect hemodynamic data from the burn site and an adjacent unburned control site. Oxy‐hemoglobin and deoxy‐hemoglobin concentrations were extracted from spectroscopic data and reported as oxygen saturation and total hemoglobin. Sixteen patients (n=16) were included in the study with equal numbers in both burn wound groups. Point spectroscopy data showed an increase in oxygen saturation (p<0.0095) and total hemoglobin (<0.0001) in comparison with the respective control areas for superficial burn wounds. The opposite was true for full‐thickness burns, which showed a decrease in oxygenation (p<0.0001) and total hemoglobin (p<0.0147) in comparison with control areas. NIR imaging technology provides an estimate of hemodynamic parameters and could easily distinguish superficial and full‐thickness burn wounds. These results confirm that NIR devices can successfully distinguish superficial and full‐thickness burn injuries.
Efficacy of gaseous nitric oxide in the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections
Authors: Ghaffari Abdi , Jalili Reza , Ghaffari Mazyar , Miller Chris , Ghahary Aziz 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTBacterial burden significantly interferes with the healing process in chronic ulcers. Nitric oxide (NO) plays a key role in regulating skin's response to infection and wound healing. In previous studies, we demonstrated that exogenous NO gas (gNO) at 200  parts per million (ppm) exhibits potent antimicrobial effects against a representative range of pathogens. The aim of the present study is to explore the antimicrobial properties of gNO in vivo and to determine skin cells' sensitivity to the cytotoxic effects of gNO. To test gNO's antimicrobial effects, full‐thickness wounds were infected with Staphylococcus aureus on the dorsal skin surface of New Zealand White rabbit and treated with 200 ppm gNO for 8 hours/day for 3 consecutive days. Significant reduction in wound bacterial content was observed in the presence of gNO. In a separate experiment, primary cultures of human fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and endothelial cells were established to test gNO's cytotoxicity in the skin. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium proliferation assays demonstrated that human skin cells, unlike bacterial cells, exhibited significant resistance toward gNO cytotoxicity. In vitro migration studies on keratinocytes and endothelial cells revealed that gNO treatment does not seem to interfere with reepithelialization and angiogenesis during the process of wound healing. Following 24 hours of gNO treatment, fibroblasts expressed significantly higher levels of procollagen and, to a lesser degree, a decrease in matrix metalloproteinase ‐1 mRNA. In conclusion, the present study provides evidence for the potential application of high doses of gNO as an antimicrobial agent for the treatment of infection in chronic nonhealing ulcers or burn patients, without compromising the viability, and function of skin cells.
Adult rat hepatic bipotent progenitor cells remain dormant even after extensive hepatectomy
Authors: Yamamoto Harumi , Togo Shinji , Zheng Yun‐wen , Kubota Toru , Taniguchi Hideki , Shimada Hiroshi 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTSIt remains unknown whether the normal adult liver contains bipotent stem/progenitor cells, and if it does, then what are the circumstances under which they proliferate. The aim of this study was to clarify whether the normal adult liver contains hepatic stem/progenitor cells, and if it does, will they be activated by extensive hepatectomy? Adult rat liver cells were isolated and cultured at a low‐density, and the colony‐forming assay was performed to evaluate the cell proliferative capacity. Immunocytochemistry and reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction were used to investigate the multilineage differentiation capability. The rate of colony formation by cells from the normal liver and those from the regenerating liver after partial hepatectomy (PH) were compared to determine whether progenitor cell proliferation might be activated by PH. Only a few epithelial colonies (0.043±0.009% of nonparenchymal cells) continued to proliferate for more than 1 month. Reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and immnocytochemistry showed that these progenitor colonies expressed both hepatocyte and cholangiocyte markers. The proportion of progenitor cells that formed bipotential colonies did not differ significantly between the cells obtained from the normal and PH livers. Adult normal liver contains bipotent hepatic progenitor cells, but they are scarcely activated even after extensive hepatectomy.
Prevention of Action Potentials During Extracellular Electrical Stimulation of Long Duration
Authors: ZHOU XIAOHONG , SMITH WILLIAM M. , IDEKER RAYMOND E. 
Published: May 2007

Prevention of Action Potentials by Electrical Stimulation. Introduction: This study investigated if action potentials can be prevented by electrical field stimuli of long duration. Methods and Results: The transmembrane potential was recorded by a double‐barrel micro‐electrode during field stimulation given across a papillary muscle from 10 guinea pigs. After 10 stimuli (S) with a 200‐msec S‐S interval, a 400‐msec square wave shock was given Just before or after the end of the effective refractory period following the 10th stimulus through electrodes 1 cm on either side of the papillary muscles. Another two stimuli (S' and S”) having the same 200‐msec S‐S interval were given during the shock pulse to test if the action potentials induced by these two stimuli could be prevented by the shock. The shock strength was increased until the shock field prevented the action potentials induced by the S' and S” stimuli. The resting membrane potential was −85.5 ± 2.9 mV. For shocks causing depolarization at the recording site, the field strength required to prevent S'‐ and S”‐induced action potentials was 1.5 ± 0.4 V/cm, which depolarized the transmembrane potential to −55.3 ± 8.9 mV and −58.1 ± 7.2 mV from the resting membrane potential at the time of the S' and S” stimuli, respectively. The strength of shocks causing hyperpolarization required to prevent S'‐ and S”‐induced action potentials was 5.0 ± 0.8 V/cm, which hyperpolarized the transmembrane potential to −105 ± 6.5 mV and −115.6 ± 6.9 mV from the resting membrane potential at the time of the S' and S” stimuli, respectively. Conclusion: Both depolarization and hyperpolarization caused by an electrical field can prevent action potentials.
High‐Rate Atrial Pacing as an Innovative Bridging Therapy in a Neonate with Congenital Long QT Syndrome
Authors: TANEL RONN E. , TRIEDMAN JOHN K. , WALSH EDWARD P. , EPSTEIN MICHAEL R. , De LUCCA JANET M. , MAYER JOHN E. , FISHBERGBR STEVEN B. , SAUL J. PHILIP 
Published: May 2007

Neonatal Long QT Syndrome. Introduction: The neonatal presentation of the long QT syndrome is rare, although it is frequently accompanied by life‐threatening arrhythmias. Infants may not survive childhood despite traditional management with beta‐adrenergic blockade and pacing. Methods and Results: This case describes a newborn with a long QT interval, T wave alternans, intermittent 2:1 AV block, ventricular arrhythmias, and a family history of sudden death. After failing medical therapy, conventional VVI and DDD pacing were unsuccessful due to prolonged ventricular refractoriness and proarrhythmia. At 2 months of life, the child was treated with high‐rate (180 ppm) atrial pacing to produce intentional 2:1 AV block. Following an episode of possible syncope at 16 months of age, an automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) was added. Finally, as recently reported, acutely induced hyperkalemia led to both a marked decrease in QTc and functional improvement in repolarization (consistent 1:1 AV conduction at rates to 180 beats/min). Spironolactone and dietary potassium were added and have produced the same effects chronically. Conclusions: High‐rate atrial pacing with 2:1 AV block is presented as a novel and “bridging” therapy for neonatal long QT syndrome and 2:1 AV block with ventricular arrhythmias. Definitive therapy with ICD implantation was then possible when patient size was substantially increased. The electrophysiologic response to intentional elevation of the serum potassium suggests a genetic defect in an inward potassium channel and demonstrates a possible therapy of long QT syndrome in some future patients.
Testing an Intervention to Promote Children's Adherence to Asthma Self‐Management
Authors: Burkhart Patricia V. , Rayens Mary Kay , Oakley Marsha G. , Abshire Demetrius A. , Zhang Mei 
Published: May 2007

Purpose: To test the hypothesis that compared with the control group, 7 through 11‐year‐old children with persistent asthma who received asthma education plus a contingency management behavioral protocol would show higher adherence to peak expiratory flow (PEF) monitoring for asthma self‐management and would report fewer asthma episodes.
Design and Methods: A randomized, controlled trial was conducted with 77 children with persistent asthma in a southeastern U.S. state. Both the intervention and control groups received instruction on PEF monitoring. Only the intervention group received asthma education plus contingency management, based on cognitive social learning theory, including self‐monitoring, a contingency contract, tailoring, cueing, and reinforcement. At‐home adherence to daily PEF monitoring during the 16‐week study was assessed with the AccuTrax Personal Diary Spirometer, a computerized hand‐held meter. Adherence was measured as a percentage of prescribed daily PEF uses at Weeks 4 (baseline), 8 (postintervention), and 16 (maintenance).
Results: At the end of the baseline period, the groups did not differ in adherence to daily PEF monitoring nor at Week 8. At Week 16, the intervention group's adherence for daily electronically monitored PEF was higher than that of the control group. Children in either group who were ≥ 80% adherent to at least once‐daily PEF monitoring during the last week of the maintenance period (weeks 8 to 16) were less likely to have an asthma episode during this period compared with those who were less adherent.
Conclusions: The intervention to teach children to adhere to the recommended regimen for managing their asthma at home was effective.
Stable isotope methods in biological and ecological studies of arthropods
Authors: Hood‐Nowotny Rebecca , Knols Bart G. J. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThis is an eclectic review and analysis of contemporary and promising stable isotope methodologies to study the biology and ecology of arthropods. It is augmented with literature from other disciplines, indicative of the potential for knowledge transfer. It is demonstrated that stable isotopes can be used to understand fundamental processes in the biology and ecology of arthropods, which range from nutrition and resource allocation to dispersal, food‐web structure, predation, etc. It is concluded that falling costs and reduced complexity of isotope analysis, besides the emergence of new analytical methods, are likely to improve access to isotope technology for arthropod studies still further. Stable isotopes pose no environmental threat and do not change the chemistry or biology of the target organism or system. These therefore represent ideal tracers for field and ecophysiological studies, thereby avoiding reductionist experimentation and encouraging more holistic approaches. Considering (i) the ease with which insects and other arthropods can be marked, (ii) minimal impact of the label on their behaviour, physiology, and ecology, and (iii) environmental safety, we advocate more widespread application of stable isotope technology in arthropod studies and present a variety of potential uses.
Breast Metastasis around Dental Implants: A Case Report
Authors: Dib Luciano Lauria , Soares Ana Laura , Sandoval Renata Lazzari , Nannmark Ulf 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTBackground  Metastases to the oral cavity and to the jaws are rare; hence, the clinical manifestations of the oral metastasis lesion could frequently be simulating general pathologic entities, making the diagnosis a challenging process to the dental team. Local factors, such as trauma, have been observed to facilitate the growth of blood‐borne tumors. To this end, surgical procedures such as fixture placement might cause cancer cells to spread.Purpose  Careful clinical examination is a valuable help in diagnosing oral lesions, which can improve the quality of life of patients and reduce the risks of oral complications.Materials and Methods  A female patient was referred to the clinic with symptoms of irritation, swelling, and pain associated with implants in the mandible and the maxilla.Results  Clinical examination, x‐ray, and histopathology revealed that the patients suffered from a metastatic lesion, primary tumor being an adenocarcinoma of the breast diagnosed at the same time.Conclusion  Optimal clinical examination in conjunction with radiography and histopathology is a necessity in order to discover malignant lesions in time. Routine dental check‐ups must comprise more thorough soft‐tissue examination.