bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chronic lung disease of prematurity and respiratory outcome at eight years of age
Authors: Kulasekaran Karthikeyan , Gray Peter H , Masters Brent 
Published: January 2007

Aim:  The study aimed to determine the respiratory outcome of children who had chronic lung disease of prematurity (CLD) compared with a preterm control group of children at school age.Methods:  Fifty‐two preterm infants with CLD born between 26 and 33 weeks gestation were assessed regarding respiratory illness with 47 having lung function testing. Information regarding respiratory illness was obtained from 52 children in the birthweight‐matched control group of whom 45 had lung function testing. The results were compared between the CLD and control groups.Results:  There was no difference in respiratory symptomatology between CLD groups and control preterm infants. On lung function testing, a significantly lower mean forced expiratory flow at 25–75% of vital capacity was identified compared with the preterm controls (P = 0.024). This significant difference did not persist after bronchodilator therapy. There was no evidence of increased air trapping or bronchial hyper‐reactivity in the CLD children compared with the controls.Conclusion:  Lung function in CLD children is largely normal in comparison with preterm controls, apart from some evidence of reversible small airway obstruction. Respiratory symptomatology is not increased in chronic disease children in comparison with control preterm children.
Probabilities of heart donors arising within specified times for child recipients
Authors: Galati John C , Tibballs James , Carlin John B , Weintraub Robert , Carter Bradley G 
Published: January 2007

Aim:  To determine the availability of donor hearts for children of different blood group and weight needing urgent heart transplantation.Methods:  Data maintained by the Australia and New Zealand Organ Donor Registry 1989–2004 were analysed to determine the frequency of donation. Probabilities of suitable donor availability within 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 90 and 180 days were estimated using a Poisson model with the assumptions that traditional ABO blood compatibilities applied, suitable donors were 0.8–4.0 times the recipient’s body weight (BW) and suitable adult donors were aged <40 years.Results:  Probabilities of suitable donor availability increase with passage of time from 10 to 180 days and decrease with competition from other needful recipients. Maximum suitable donor availability occurs for children of all blood groups at body weight 20 kg. The probabilities of a donor heart arising within 40 days (maximum safe duration of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support locally available for young children) for this recipient body weight according to blood group is 0.89, 0.85, 0.73, 0.67 (AB, A, B, O). Probabilities for recipients of BW 3 kg and 60 kg respectively are 0.16, 0.14, 0.10, 0.09 (AB, A, B, O) and 0.66, 0.61, 0.47, 0.42 (AB, A, B, O).Conclusion:  Expectation of suitable heart donation arising within 40 days for needful recipients in Australia is low for infants (probability <0.3), moderate for small children (probability 0.5–0.9) and modest for large children (probability 0.4–0.7), with variation at all body weights according to blood group and waiting time.
Management of foreign bodies in the rectum
Authors: Rodríguez‐Hermosa J. I. , Codina‐Cazador A. , Ruiz B. , Sirvent J. M. , Roig J. , Farrés R. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractObjective  The discovery of foreign bodies (FB) in the rectum is an infrequent clinical problem. Most commonly, FB are introduced through the anal passage or reach the rectum after oral ingestion. We describe our experience in the diagnosis and treatment of FB retained in the rectum.Method  From 1997 to 2004, data were collected prospectively in 30 patients (20 men and 10 women; median age 42.5 years). Extraction method, size and type of object, and postextraction evolution were reviewed.Results  The FB was introduced anally in 16 cases and by oral ingestion in 14. Principal associated factors were: mental disorder in 11, penitentiary confinement in two, and drug and alcohol intake in two. Recent sexual activity had taken place in 14 cases. The size and nature of the FB were varied. The most frequent symptom was constipation with or without pelvic or anal discomfort (n = 23, 77%). Treatment consisted of spontaneous ejection (n = 2), digital extraction with or without enemas (n = 10), digital extraction under local/regional anaesthesia after fragmentation (n = 11) and regional exploratory laparotomy under general anaesthesia (n = 7). Grade I rectal trauma was the most common (n = 23, 77%). Six patients required colostomy. Four patients (13.5%) suffered complications and none died. Only 17 patients were hospitalized, with a mean stay of 6 days. All patients recovered without sequelae.Conclusion  The diagnosis of rectal FB should be suspected when faced with low pelvic or perianal abdominal pain and/or rectal haemorrhage within the context of an unconvincing story in patients without a history of recent instrumental rectal exploration for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes. Because of potential complications, FB in the rectum should be considered a serious condition that must be treated without delay.
Smoothing the mosaic subclinical melanoderma by calcipotriol
Authors: Piérard‐Franchimont C , Paquet P , Quatresooz P , Piérard GE 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackground  The observation of photo‐exposed skin under ultraviolet light reveals a mosaic pattern of varying intensity in epidermal melanization. Several patterns of mosaic subclinical melanoderma (MSM) have been described using a specially designed CCD camera and the ultraviolet light‐enhanced visualization (ULEV) method. Vitamin D3 and its analogues influence the biology of keratinocytes and melanocytes.Objective  To assess the effect of calcipotriol on MSM.Methods  This randomized split‐face study was conducted in 27 men to compare the effect of once daily applications of 5% calcipotriol cream or a moisturizing cream on the heterogeneity of facial MSM. Computerized image analysis of video images was used at 1‐month intervals before and during a 2‐month treatment, as well as during a 3‐month follow‐up.Results  At both sites, the average melanin content of the epidermis showed no significant change over time. However, the mottled appearance was smoothened at the calcipotriol site, whereas it was increased at the site receiving the moisturizer.Conclusion  The decreased heterogeneity in MSM after calcipotriol applications suggests a control of the epidermal melanocyte unit by the vitamin D3 derivative.
The same γ‐secretase accounts for the multiple intramembrane cleavages of APP
Authors: Zhao Guojun , Tan Jianxin , Mao Guozhang , Cui Mei‐Zhen , Xu Xuemin 
Published: January 2007

AbstractIt has been hypothesized that different C‐terminus of β‐amyloid peptide (Aβ) may be generated by different γ‐secretase activities. Recently, we have identified a new ζ‐cleavage site at Aβ46, leading to an important finding that the C‐terminus of Aβ is produced by a series of sequential cleavages. This finding prompted us to examine the effects of the known γ‐secretase inhibitors on different steps of the γ‐secretase‐mediated sequential cleavages and specifically their effects on the formation and turnover of the intermediate Aβ46. Our results demonstrate that some of the known inhibitors, such as L‐685,458 and III‐31C as well as inhibitors IV and V, inhibit the formation of secreted Aβ40/42 by inhibiting the formation of the intermediate Aβ46. However, most of the other inhibitors show no inhibitory effect on the formation of the intermediate Aβ46, but rather inhibit the turnover of Aβ46, resulting in its accumulation. In addition, the non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) ibuprofen and sulindac sulfide have no effect on the formation and turnover of Aβ46, but rather modulate the ratio of secreted Aβ at a step after the formation of Aβ40 and Aβ42. Thus, our data strongly suggest that the multi‐sequential intramembrane cleavages of amyloid precursor protein C (APP) are likely catalyzed by the same γ‐secretase.
Mechanism of toxicity of pesticides acting at complex I: relevance to environmental etiologies of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Sherer Todd B. , Richardson Jason R. , Testa Claudia M. , Seo Byoung Boo , Panov Alexander V. , Yagi Takao , Matsuno‐Yagi Akemi , Miller Gary W. , Greenamyre J. Timothy 
Published: January 2007

AbstractParkinson’s disease (PD) has been linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and pesticide exposure. The pesticide rotenone (ROT) inhibits complex I and reproduces features of PD in animal models, suggesting that environmental agents that inhibit complex I may contribute to PD. We have previously demonstrated that ROT toxicity is dependent upon complex I inhibition and that oxidative stress is the primary mechanism of toxicity. In this study, we examined the in vitro toxicity and mechanism of action of several putative complex I inhibitors that are commonly used as pesticides. The rank order of toxicity of pesticides to neuroblastoma cells was pyridaben > rotenone > fenpyroximate > fenazaquin > tebunfenpyrad. A similar order of potency was observed for reduction of ATP levels and competition for 3H‐dihydrorotenone (DHR) binding to complex I, with the exception of pyridaben (PYR). Neuroblastoma cells stably expressing the ROT‐insensitive NADH dehydrogenase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (NDI1) were resistant to these pesticides, demonstrating the requirement of complex I inhibition for toxicity. We further found that PYR was a more potent inhibitor of mitochondrial respiration and caused more oxidative damage than ROT. The oxidative damage could be attenuated by NDI1 or by the antioxidants α‐tocopherol and coenzyme Q10. PYR was also highly toxic to midbrain organotypic slices. These data demonstrate that, in addition to ROT, several commercially used pesticides directly inhibit complex I, cause oxidative damage, and suggest that further study is warranted into environmental agents that inhibit complex I for their potential role in PD.
Modern Britain and the New Imperial History
Authors: Thompson James 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThis article reviews recent trends in British studies, particularly the impact of ‘four nations’ perspectives, and the rise of the new imperial history. It offers a close examination of debates about the relationship between ‘nation’ and ‘empire’ in modern British history, and assesses the strengths and weaknesses of existing approaches. The article identifies the need to integrate accounts of empire's impact upon Britain with a broader comparative perspective that embraces mainland Europe, and to combine more cultural concerns with greater attention to political and economic history.
The up‐regulation of type I plasminogen activator inhibitor in human gingival fibroblasts stimulated with cyclosporin A
Authors: Lin H.‐J. , Tsai C.‐H. , Huang F.‐M. , Chang Y.‐C. 
Published: January 2007

Background and Objective:  Cyclosporin A is used as an immunosuppressive agent and its prominent side‐effect is the induction of fibrous gingival overgrowth. The progression of fibrous gingival overgrowth results from the accumulation of extracellular matrix. Type I plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI‐1) acts as the inhibitor of extracellular matrix degradation and is involved in some fibrotic diseases. However, little is known about the correlation between PAI‐1 and cyclosporin A‐induced gingival overgrowth. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cyclosporin A on the expression of PAI‐1 mRNA and protein in human gingival fibroblasts human gingival fibroblasts in vitro and to compare PAI‐1 expression in normal healthy gingival tissues and cyclosporin A‐induced gingival overgrowth specimens in vivo.Material and Methods:  Quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and western blot assay were used to investigate the effects on human gingival fibroblasts exposed to cyclosporin A. In addition, 10 cyclosporin A‐induced gingival overgrowth specimens and five normal gingival tissues were examined by immunohistochemistry.Results:  Investigations of the time dependence of PAI‐1 mRNA expression in human gingival fibroblasts treated with 200 ng/ml of cyclosporin A revealed a rapid accumulation of the transcript: a significant signal was first detectable after 1 h of exposure and the signal remained elevated throughout the 24‐h incubation period (p < 0.05). Cyclosporin A was also found to up‐regulate PAI‐1 protein in a time‐dependent manner (p < 0.05). The PAI‐1 staining in gingival tissue was stronger in the cyclosporin A‐induced gingival overgrowth group than in the normal gingival group (p < 0.05). In the cyclosporin A‐induced gingival overgrowth group, intensive staining for PAI‐1 expression was observed mainly in the cytoplasm of fibroblasts, endothelial cells and inflammatory cells.Conclusion:  These findings suggest that the up‐regulation of PAI‐1 may play an important part in the molecular pathogenesis of cyclosporin A‐induced gingival overgrowth.
Study of Interstitial Cells in the Penis: Human Study
Authors: Shafik Ahmed 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Specialized pacemaker cells, similar to the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) of the gut, have been detected in the urinary organs and are thought to pace their motile activity.

Aim
We investigated the hypothesis that such cells could also exist in the corpora cavernosa (CC) of the human penis.

Methods
During the treatment of Peyronie’s disease in 11 subjects (age 42.6 ± 3.2 SD years), 3 × 3 mm strips were excised from each of the two CC and subjected to C-kit immunohistochemistry. Controls for the specificity of the antisera consisted of incubation of the tissue with normal rabbit serum substituted for the primary antiserum.

Main Outcome Measures
Interstitial cells similar to ICC could exist in the CC based on C-kit immunohistochemistry.

Results
C-kit positive branched interstitial cells were detected in the CC. They were clearly distinguishable from the smooth muscle cells that were C-kit negative and non-branched. Although the mast cells were C-kit positive, they had a smooth body surface.

Conclusion
Interstitial cells have been identified in the CC. They are similar to the ICC and may be responsible for initiating the slow waves recorded from the smooth muscle cells and for controlling their activity. We assume that a deficiency or absence of these cells may affect the erectile function of the patient. Further studies are needed to explore the role of these cells in erection.
ENZYME‐LINKED IMMUNOMAGNETIC CHEMILUMINESCENCE INCORPORATING ANTI‐H7 AND ANTI‐O157 ANTIBODIES FOR THE DETECTION OF ESCHERICHIA COLI O157:H7*
Authors: GEHRING ANDREW G. , IRWIN PETER L. , REED SUE A. , TU SHU‐I 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACT The pathogenic bacteria Escherichia coli O157:H7 has been associated with numerous cases of foodborne illnesses. Many rapid methods have been developed for the screening of this pathogen in foods in order to circumvent timely plate culture techniques. However, many of these methods are presumptive and do not claim to confirm the presence of E. coli O157:H7. We developed a rapid method (termed enzyme‐linked immunomagnetic chemiluminescence [ELIMCL]) that employed a relatively affordable and portable luminometer with a superparamagnetic microparticle‐based enzyme‐linked sandwich immunoassay. A key feature of this assay is that it combines the highly selective synergism of both anti‐O157 and anti‐H7 antibodies in the sandwich immunoassay format, thus allowing for potential confirmation of the pathogen. This work presented the development of ELIMCL that incorporated a one‐step sandwich immunoassay that was demonstrated to have a limit of detection of approximately 1 e5–1 e6 live cells/mL of E. coli O157:H7 in pristine‐buffered saline in approximately 1 h or at least 50 cells/mL of E. coli O157:H7 inoculated into ground beef and culture enriched for 5.5 h.
STUDY OF PHENOTYPIC AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS ISOLATES RESISTANT TO BOTH ISONIAZID AND ETHAMBUTOL
Authors: ZAKI MAYSAA EL‐SAYED , GODA TAREK 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACT In the present study, we performed radiometric susceptibility testing, and we analyzed the genetic regions associated with resistance to isoniazid (INH) and ethambutol (EMB) in 100 selected isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The studied codons of M. tuberculosis were amino acid Ser315 of katG for INH resistance and embB Met306 and Gly406 for EMB resistance. The goal of the study was to determine (1) how often these common mutations occurred in the targeted genes in isolates displaying resistance in the phenotypic assays, (2) whether the particular INH‐resistance‐associated mutation occurred with the studied particular EMB‐resistance‐associated mutation and (3) the value of PCR to these regions as a rapid screening tool to identify multidrug‐resistant (MDR) M. tuberculosis. The percentage of isolates resistant to INH, rifampicin (RIF), EMB and streptomycin (STR) was 70, 20, 100 and 70%, respectively. All resistant strains of M. tuberculosis to INH, RIF and STR were resistant to EMB. Sixty strains (85.7%) with phenotypic resistance to INH displayed mutation in amino acid Ser315 of katG sequence. All strains resistant (100%) to EMB had mutations in amino acids Met306 and Gly406 of embB sequence. In conclusion, both mutations in amino acid Ser315 of katG for INH resistance and embB Met306 and Gly406 for EMB resistance are common findings in MDR‐M. tuberculosis. Moreover, the study of embB Met306 and Gly406 for EMB resistance by PCR can be used as a rapid screening test for identifying MDR‐M. tuberculosis.
DIFFERENTIAL AMPLIFICATION OF ACHOLEPLASMA LAIDLAWII PG8 rrnA AND rrnB NUCLEOTIDE SEQUENCES DURING DISSOCIATION OF THE CELL CULTURE POPULATION
Authors: CHERNOV VLADISLAV M. , MOUKHAMETSHINA NATALIA E. , GOGOLEV YURII V. , NESTEROVA TATIANA N. , TRUSHIN MAXIM V. , CHERNOVA OLGA A. 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACT The amplification of the 16S–23S spacer areas of the Acholeplasma laidlawii PG8 rRNA rrnA and rrnB operons has its own features. The attenuation of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) signal of the nucleotide sequences of rrnA containing tRNA genes might be observed if DNA without enzyme deproteinization is used as a matrix. The phenomenon takes place due to dissociation of cell population caused by the active entering of the vegetative cell forms into ultramicroforms in the mycoplasma culture at unfavorable growth conditions. The DNA of A. laidlawii PG8 ultramicroforms showed selective amplification of the rrnB nucleotide sequences – tRNA‐free rRNA operon. As to vegetative cells, the “equal” PCR signals for the nucleotide of rrnA and rrnB sequences were registered. In this connection, the use of specific nucleotide sequences of the rrnA spacer area as primers for PCR, as well as the mycoplasma cell DNA without special enzyme deproteinization as a matrix, may lead to wrong conclusions about the presence of A. laidlawii in the tested samples. The ability of A. laidlawii PG8 vegetative cell forms of actively entering into ultramicroforms at unfavorable growth conditions seems to demand a new approach to control mycoplasma infections, providing an efficient diagnosis to detect the vegetative cell forms and ultramicroforms of the mycoplasma in the tested samples.
FRACTURE‐FILLING CEMENTS IN THE PALAEOZOIC WARBURTON BASIN, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Authors: Rezaee M.R. , Sun X. 
Published: January 2007

In the Cambro‐Ordovician Warburton Basin, South Australia, reservoir rock porosity and permeability are enhanced by open fractures and by partially‐open or incompletely mineral‐filled fractures. However in many cases, the fractures are completely filled by cements of several types. A knowledge of the nature and origin of the fracture‐filling cements can help to identify areas where cement precipitation is relatively less intense, and where oil and gas production may be improved.In the present study, fluid inclusion microthermometry, and stable isotope and electron microprobe analyses were used to indicate the nature and timing of fracture‐filling cements. The study shows that fracture‐filling cements in the studied Warburton Basin wells include quartz, siderite, ankerite, kaolin and pyrite. Based upon precipitation temperatures, stable isotope compositions, elemental compositions and quartz cement textures, a hydrothermal source for the silica and carbonate cements is envisaged. The hydrothermal activity may be related to granite intrusions during the Carboniferous.Fluid inclusion microthermometry suggest that Warburton Basin rocks in some areas have experienced temperatures of more than 260°C and cannot therefore be a source of hydrocarbons. The observed low permeabilities occur because most fractures were completely or partially filled by cements precipitated during hydrothermal activity soon after granite intrusion. There is a greater likelihood of finding reservoir rocks with open fractures in areas far from the granite intrusions.
An Experimental Investigation of Grease-Lubricated Journal Bearings
Authors: Lu Xiaobin , Khonsari M. M. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractA series of experimental results is presented to explore the frictional characteristics of a grease-lubricated journal bearing. Load, grease type, and bushing material are varied to examine their effects on the friction coefficient. The results attest to the existence of distinctive regimes in grease lubrication akin to the oil-lubricated Stribeck curve. A mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication model for line contacts is employed to estimate the coefficient of friction in mixed lubrication regime. The simulation results capture the basic characteristics of mixed lubrication.
Dual Selection Pressure by Drugs and HLA Class I-Restricted Immune Responses on Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Protease
Authors: Mueller Sandra M. , Schaetz Birgit , Eismann Kathrin , Bergmann Silke , Bauerle Michael , Schmitt-Haendle Matthias , Walter Hauke , Schmidt Barbara , Korn Klaus , Sticht Heinrich , Spriewald Bernd , Harrer Ellen G. , Harrer Thomas 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACTTo determine the influence of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-specific CD8+T cells on the development of drug resistance mutations in the HIV-1 protease, we analyzed protease sequences from viruses from a human leukocyte antigen class I (HLA class I)-typed cohort of 94 HIV-1-positive individuals. In univariate statistical analyses (Fisher's exact test), minor and major drug resistance mutations as well as drug-associated polymorphisms showed associations with HLA class I alleles. All correlations withPvalues of 0.05 or less were considered to be relevant without corrections for multiple tests. A subset of these observed correlations was experimentally validated by enzyme-linked immunospot assays, allowing the definition of 10 new epitopes recognized by CD8+T cells from patients with the appropriate HLA class I type. Several drug resistance-associated mutations in the protease acted as escape mutations; however, cells from many patients were still able to generate CD8+T cells targeting the escape mutants. This result presumably indicates the usage of different T-cell receptors by CD8+T cells targeting these epitopes in these patients. Our results support a fundamental role for HLA class I-restricted immune responses in shaping the sequence of the HIV-1 protease in vivo. This role may have important clinical implications both for the understanding of drug resistance pathways and for the design of therapeutic vaccines targeting drug-resistant HIV-1.