bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The recovery time‐course of CYP3A after induction by St John's wort administration
Authors: Imai Hiromitsu , Kotegawa Tsutomu , Tsutsumi Kimiko , Morimoto Takuya , Eshima Nobuoki , Nakano Shigeyuki , Ohashi Kyoichi 
Published: February 2008

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • St John's wort causes the induction of CYP3A. Little is known about how long the effect remains after cessation of St John's wort. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • The in vivo CYP3A activity returns progressively to the basal level approximately 1 week after cessation of St John's wort administrationAIMSTo examine the recovery time course of CYP3A after enzyme induction by St John's wort administration.METHODSThe subjects were 12 healthy men, aged 20–33 years. On the first day, they received an oral dose of midazolam 5 mg without St John's wort (day −14). From the next day, they took St John's wort for 14 days. On the last day of St John's wort treatment (day 0) and 3 and 7 days after completion of St John's wort treatment (days 3 and 7), they received the same dose of midazolam. On each day, blood samples were obtained until 8 h after midazolam administration. Plasma concentrations of midazolam were measured by HPLC. Pharmacokinetic parameters of midazolam were determined using noncompartmental analysis.RESULTSApparent oral clearance of midazolam was significantly increased after St John's wort administration from 65.3 ± 8.4 l h−1 (day −14) to 86.8 ± 17.3 l h−1 (day 0). It returned to the control level 7 days after the completion of St John's wort (day 7, 59.7 ± 3.8 l h−1). No significant difference in the elimination half‐life between the four periods of the study was observed. The changes in apparent oral clearance after St John's wort discontinuation indicated that CYP3A activity recovers from enzyme induction with an estimated half‐life of 46.2 h.CONCLUSIONSCYP3A activity induced by St John's wort administration progressively returns to the basal level after approximately 1 week. This finding may provide useful information to avoid clinically significant interactions of St John's wort with CYP3A substrates.
Dual‐porosity modelling of the pore structure and transport properties of a contaminated soil
Authors: Tsakiroglou C. D. , Ioannidis M. A. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryWe have developed a new method to characterize the pore structure of mineral soils. We combined data from the analysis of back‐scattered scanning electron microscope (BSEM) images of resin‐impregnated pore‐casts, and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) data, with analytical percolation models and inverse modeling algorithms. The pore space is regarded as a dual‐pore network consisting of a primary Euclidean pore‐and‐throat network and a secondary, fractal, pore system that is accessed through primary pores. The digitized 2‐D BSEM images of resin‐impregnated soil samples are employed to determine the autocorrelation function. The Fourier transform of this function provides the small‐angle neutron scattering (SANS) intensity function, which is extended by using the surface fractal dimension obtained from high‐pressure MIP data. Inversion of the extended scattering intensity function produces the volume‐based radius distribution function of spherical pore bodies (PBRD). The complete volume‐based PBRD is fitted with a composite number‐based PBRD composed of a lognormal primary PBRD and a power (fractal) secondary PBRD with upper and lower cut‐offs. Based on the concepts of invasion percolation, an analytic mathematical model that describes Hg intrusion into dual pore networks is developed. The complete PBRD and pore‐throat radius distribution (PTRD) functions of the primary network along with the drainage accessibility functions (DAFs) of the primary and secondary pore networks are estimated with inverse modelling of the Hg intrusion curve. Based on critical path analysis of percolation theory, approximate analytical relationships are developed to calculate explicitly the absolute permeability and electrical formation factor from the geometrical and topological parameters of the primary pore network. The method is demonstrated with application to four soil samples.
Changes in shrinkage of restored soil caused by compaction beneath heavy agricultural machinery
Authors: Schäffer B. , Schulin R. , Boivin P. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryCompaction is a major cause of soil degradation. It affects not only the porosity of the soil, but also the soil’s hydrostructural stability. Soil that is restored after temporary removal is particularly sensitive to compaction. We investigated the effects of trafficking with a heavy combine harvester on the shrinkage behaviour of a restored soil that had been gently cultivated for several years. We tested the hypothesis that compaction decreases the hydrostructural stability of restored soil by analysing simultaneously measured shrinkage and water retention curves of undisturbed soil samples. Shrinkage strongly depended on clay and organic carbon content. Taking account of this influence and normalizing the shrinkage parameters with respect to these soil properties, we found pronounced effects of trafficking on shrinkage. Ten passes with the combine harvester decreased the structural porosity by about 40% at maximum swelling and by about 30% at the shrinkage limit and increased the bulk density by 8% at maximum swelling and by 10% at the shrinkage limit, but did not significantly affect the porosity of the soil plasma. Moreover, trafficking modified shrinkage, increasing the slopes of the shrinkage curve in the basic and structural shrinkage domains by about 30% and more than 150% after 10 passes, respectively. Evidently the aggregate structure was strongly destabilized. The results indicate that the hydrostructural stability of the soil was still very sensitive to compaction by trafficking even 5 years after restoration. The analysis of shrinkage seemed well suited for the assessment of compaction effects on soil structure.
A mechanistic model of benthos community dynamics in the River Sihl, Switzerland
Authors: SCHUWIRTH NELE , KÜHNI MARTIN , SCHWEIZER STEFFEN , UEHLINGER URS , REICHERT PETER 
Published: February 2008

Summary1. Most of the existing river ecosystem models describe only part of the ecosystem, have site‐specific features, and lack an adequate treatment of uncertainty.2. We developed a dynamic model of the functional groups of non‐filamentous and filamentous algae, scrapers, collector‐gatherers and predators of the benthos community in rivers. This model is based on relatively universal model formulations and is intended to be a first submodel for a more complete model of the river ecosystem and the biogeochemical processes in the river.3. The model was tested for the River Sihl in Switzerland. To take advantage of prior knowledge of model parameters, to account for their non‐identifiability given the measured data, and to consider uncertainty of model parameters and results, Bayesian inference was used to update the prior probability distribution of the model parameters.4. The calibrated model showed very good agreement of model results with measured data. None of the posterior parameter marginals showed a conflict with the prior. Some posterior marginals (specific growth rates of the functional groups, specific death rates, parameters characterizing self‐ and mutual shading of algae, and the critical level of discharge for catastrophic loss) were significantly narrower than the priors, indicating considerable gain of information from the measurements. For other parameters (half‐saturation concentrations of algae and invertebrate growth, parameters characterizing temperature dependence of invertebrate growth rates, colonization rates and most coefficients of catastrophic loss), no significant information could be gained from the data. This clearly demonstrated the need for a Bayesian analysis.5. The model seems to be a promising step towards a more comprehensive model of the river ecosystem and the biogeochemical processes in the river. However, more efforts are required: In particular, extension of the model by a description of the dynamics of benthic biofilms and nutrient dynamics and application of the (extended) model to more rivers to learn about the dependence of model parameters on river characteristics. The difficulty of finding adequate data sets for testing such and extended models demonstrates the need for comprehensive measurement campaigns that get information of periphyton, benthic invertebrates, benthic biofilms, suspended and sedimented organic particles, suspended organisms and nutrient concentrations and transformation rates in the water column.
Caspase‐3‐dependent phagocyte death during systemic Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium infection of mice
Authors: Grant Andrew J. , Sheppard Mark , Deardon Rob , Brown Sam P. , Foster Gemma , Bryant Clare E. , Maskell Duncan J. , Mastroeni Pietro 
Published: February 2008

SummaryGrowth of Salmonella enterica in mammalian tissues results from continuous spread of bacteria to new host cells. Our previous work indicated that infective S. enterica are liberated from host cells via stochastic necrotic burst independently of intracellular bacterial numbers. Here we report that liver phagocytes can undergo apoptotic caspase‐3‐mediated cell death in vivo, with apoptosis being a rare event, more prevalent in heavily infected cells. The density‐dependent apoptotic cell death is likely to constitute an alternative mechanism of bacterial spread as part of a bet‐hedging strategy, ensuring an ongoing protective intracellular environment in which some bacteria can grow and persist.
Confocal immunolocalization of VE‐cadherin‐ and CXC chemokine‐expressing endothelial cells in periapical granulomas
Authors: Takeichi O. , Hama S. , Iwata K. , Ito K. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractAim  To determine whether endothelial cells (ECs) in periapical granulomas can express vascular endothelial (VE)‐cadherin, CXCL8 and CXCL10 by examining with two‐colour confocal laser scanning microscope.Methodology  Periapical lesions were surgically removed from patients with chronic periapical periodontitis (n = 20), and the paraffin‐embedded sections were prepared after being fixed with cold acetone. The 7‐μm‐thick sections were stained with haematoxylin–eosin and then examined pathologically using a light microscope. The lesions diagnosed as periapical granulomas (17 specimens) were analysed further using immunofluorescence and antibodies specific for human VE‐cadherin, CXCL8, and CXCL10. The slides were carefully examined using a confocal laser scanning microscope. The numbers of positive ECs were counted, and the comparison between VE‐cadherin‐positive ECs and CXCL8 or CXCL10 was assessed statistically using one‐way ANOVA followed by a Student–Newman–Keuls test.Results  The expression of CXCL8 and CXCL10 by ECs was detected in 60.4 ± 13.4 and 67.2 ± 13.9%, respectively. However, the percentage of VE‐cadherin‐expressing ECs was 40.4 ± 10.5%, which was significantly lower (P < 0.01) than CXCL8 and CXCL10‐expressing ECs. Two‐colour immunofluorescence staining revealed that ECs co‐expressed VE‐cadherin and CXCL8 (37.4 ± 14.1%) or CXCL10 (39.1 ± 13.8%).Conclusions  VE‐cadherin expression in ECs was lower than CXCL8 and CXCL10, suggesting that inflamed ECs in periapical granulomas could increase vascular permeability and that leukocyte chemotaxis mediated by ECs might occur. These findings may suggest the possibility that ECs could play a pivotal role in cell recruitment in periapical granulomas.
Electric pulp testing: a review
Authors: Lin J. , Chandler N. P. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractElectric pulp testing (EPT) has been available for more than a century and used in dental practices worldwide. This article provides an overview of this diagnostic aid. The PubMed database from 1953 was used initially; the reference list for pulp testing featured 1071 articles, and for EPT identified 121 papers. A forward search was undertaken on these articles and using selected author names. Potentially relevant material was also sought in contemporary endodontic texts, while older textbooks on endodontics, operative dentistry and pain revealed historic information and primary research not found electronically. A short account of the innervation of the pulp is followed by an historic overview. Clinical considerations discussed include tooth isolation, glove wearing and tester electrode placement. Orthodontic treatment, pacemaker wearing and patient medications are considered. Research applications are also discussed. While EPT is valuable, no single pulp testing technique can reliably diagnose all pulp conditions. Careful collection of patient history regarding the problem tooth and prudent use of appropriate radiographs are also helpful. The shortcomings of electric tests, especially in the case of immature and concussed teeth, must be understood. The demeanour of the patient and the responses given by control teeth also require careful consideration.
Factors affecting the timing of teething in healthy Turkish infants: a prospective cohort study
Authors: SAHIN FIGEN , CAMURDAN AYSU DUYAN , CAMURDAN M. ORHUN , OLMEZ AYSEGÜL , OZNURHAN FATIH , BEYAZOVA UFUK 
Published: February 2008

Background.  Teething is a developmental process and occurs over a broad chronological age range.Objective.  The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding pattern and growth parameters on teething time of healthy infants.Methods.  A total of 1200 term newborn infants followed up in Gazi University well‐child clinic infants were evaluated, and their growth parameters, feeding patterns, and timing of the eruption of the first tooth were noted. The routine visit times of the clinic were chosen as the cut‐off values for teeth eruption for logistic regression analysis for investigating factors that determine the timing of teeth eruption.Results.  Timing of the eruption of the first tooth ranged from 4 to 13 months. On the sixth month visit, 24.3%, and on the ninth month visit 84.5% of all infants had at least one tooth. Height‐adjusted weight and height percentiles being less than 50, being fed by cow's milk or by formula in the first year, were independent factors negatively influencing teeth eruption by the sixth month, while all but height‐adjusted weight percentiles being less than 50 had negative impact on tooth eruption by the ninth month.Conclusion.  Growth parameters and feeding pattern may be determinants of the timing of teeth eruption in healthy infants.
In vitro pulp chamber temperature rise from irradiation and exotherm of flowable composites
Authors: BAROUDI KUSAI , SILIKAS NICK , WATTS DAVID C. 
Published: February 2008

Objective.  The aim of this study was to investigate the pulpal temperature rise induced during the polymerization of flowable and non‐flowable composites using light‐emitting diode (LED) and halogen (quartz–tungsten–halogen) light‐curing units (LCUs).Methods.  Five flowable and three non‐flowable composites were examined. Pulpal temperature changes were recorded over 10 min in a sample primary tooth by a thermocouple. A conventional quartz–tungsten–halogen source and two LEDs, one of which was programmable, were used for light curing the resin composites. Three repetitions per material were made for each LCU.Results.  There was a wide range of temperature rises among the materials (P < 0.05). Temperature rises ranged between 1.3 °C for Filtek Supreme irradiated by low‐power LED and 4.5 °C for Grandio Flow irradiated by high‐power LED. The highest temperature rises were observed with both the LED high‐power and soft‐start LCUs. The time to reach the exothermic peak varied significantly between the materials (P < 0.05).Conclusions.  Pulpal temperature rise is related to both the radiant energy output from LCUs and the polymerization exotherm of resin composites. A greater potential risk for heat‐induced pulp damage might be associated with high‐power LED sources. Flowable composites exhibited higher temperature rises than non‐flowable materials, because of higher resin contents.
Host responses influence on the induction of lambda prophage
Authors: Rokney Assaf , Kobiler Oren , Amir Amnon , Court Donald L. , Stavans Joel , Adhya Sankar , Oppenheim Amos B. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryInactivation of bacteriophage lambda CI repressor leads almost exclusively to lytic development. Prophage induction can be initiated either by DNA damage or by heat treatment of a temperature‐sensitive repressor. These two treatments also cause a concurrent activation of either the host SOS or heat‐shock stress responses respectively. We studied the effects of these two methods of induction on the lytic pathway by monitoring the activation of different lambda promoters, and found that the lambda genetic network co‐ordinates information from the host stress response networks. Our results show that the function of the CII transcriptional activator, which facilitates the lysogenic developmental pathway, is not observed following either method of induction. Mutations in the cro gene restore the CII function irrespective of the induction method. Deletion of the heat‐shock protease gene ftsH can also restore CII function following heat induction but not following SOS induction. Our findings highlight the importance of the elimination of CII function during induction as a way to ensure an efficient lytic outcome. We also show that, despite the common inhibitory effect on CII function, there are significant differences in the heat‐ and SOS‐induced pathways leading to the lytic cascade.
Unintended pregnancy rates among a US military population
Authors: Custer Michael , Waller Kim , Vernon Sally , O'Rourke Kathleen 
Published: February 2008

SummaryUnintended pregnancy among military women influences their lives and has implications for troop readiness and deployment. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of unintended pregnancy in the US Army and assess the variables associated with unintended pregnancy. Using a cross‐sectional design, 212 female soldiers who delivered viable infants at Darnall Army Community Hospital, Fort Hood, Texas from 1 June 1998 to 6 October 1998 completed a self‐administered survey on pregnancy intention and sociodemographic factors. Approximately 35% of the infants were intended, 51% were unintended and 14% were ambivalent, resulting in 65% not intended, a rate consistent with the upper level of civilian communities. Factors associated univariably with unintended pregnancy included being unmarried, being in the lower enlisted rank, having less than a college degree, and living in the barracks. This study shows the importance of developing programmes and policies that address pregnancy among military personnel.
Flow transformations in slumps: a case study from the Waitemata Basin, New Zealand
Authors: STRACHAN L. J. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe process by which slumps transform into other flow types is an understudied phenomenon; generally, sedimentologists have assumed that this is how many debris flows and turbidity currents form, yet there is a paucity of information relating to the specific processes involved. This paper aims to redress this imbalance and investigates the processes of slump flow transformation using a well‐exposed example, where the precursor slump and flows to which it was transforming have been preserved in the outcrop. A detailed field investigation of the Lower Miocene, Little Manly Slump, located within the Waitemata Basin, New Zealand, reveals a complex bi‐partite deposit, comprised of a lower slump‐debrite unit and an upper turbidite unit, separated from one another by an impersistent contact. Reconstruction of slump evolution, from preserved strain indicators, shows that slump motion was unsteady and non‐uniform, and that the slump arrested rapidly. Flow transformation is directly linked to slump evolution and progressed through the multiple processes of body transformation, fluidization transformation and surface transformation. The resultant flow comprised a very dense lower unit with slump and debris flow phases overlain by a turbidity current. This study shows that flow transformation did not result in en masse transformation to a debris flow by a single process, but rather it was characterized by partial transformation of the slump to generate a three‐phase flow. Density is thought to be the key parameter in controlling flow transformation efficiency, which appears to have varied rapidly as a function of slump unsteadiness and non‐uniformity.
Effects of Monochromatic Light on Proliferation Response of Splencyte in Broilers
Authors: Xie D. , Wang Z. , Cao J. , Dong Y. , Chen Y. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryTo investigate the effects of various monochromatic lights on splenocyte proliferation responses, a total of 260 Arbor Acre male broilers on P1 (post‐hatching day 1) were exposed to blue light (BL), green light (GL), red light (RL) and white light treatments by light emitting diode system for 7 weeks, respectively. All light sources were equalized on the intensity of 15 lx and light period of 23 h daily. Morphological change of spleen and response of splenocyte proliferation were assessed by using histochemistry staining and colorimetric test in cultures of purified splenic cells. The results were as follows: (1) At P21, GL increased significantly the spleen weight by 163.6% and spleen index by 118.8% compared with RL (P < 0.05). Until P49, BL enhanced significantly the spleen weights by 42.2% compared with RL (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found in the spleen index among four light‐treated groups (P > 0.05). (2) Compared with RL, GL increased significantly the diameter of splenic nodule and area of periarterial lymphatic sheath at P21 by 87.2 and 58.1%, respectively (P < 0.05); BL increased significantly the diameter of splenic nodule and area of periarterial lymphatic sheath at P49 by 64.4 and 50.5%, respectively (P < 0.05). (3) At P21, GL enhanced spleen lymphocytes proliferation in response to concanavalin A compared with RL by 50.0% (P < 0.05). Until P49, the mitogenic response in BL was significantly higher (29.4%) than that of RL (P < 0.05). (4) The interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) bioactivity was significantly increased to 34.3% in GL than in RL at P21 (P < 0.05). Until P49, the IL‐2 bioactivity in BL was significantly higher (62.2%) than that of RL (P < 0.05). (5) There was no significant difference in the nitric oxide (NO) concentration of splenocyte among RL, GL and BL groups at P21 (P > 0.05), but the concentration in RL group at P49 was significantly increased, 59.0 and 63.7% compared to that of GL and BL groups, respectively (P < 0.05). These results suggested that the monochromatic light affected splenocyte proliferation mainly because of alterations in IL‐2 bioactivity and NO production in splenocyte of broiler. In early stage of broiler growth, the action of GL was obvious, while the response of BL was stronger in later stage.