bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in differentiation between the viable and necrotic parts of head and neck tumors
Authors: Razek A. A. K. Abdel , Megahed A. Salam , Denewer A. , Motamed A. , Tawfik A. , Nada N. 
Published: March 2008

Background: Differentiation between the viable and necrotic parts of a tumor is essential for accurate biopsy results and for treatment planning. Purpose: To determine the role of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in differentiation between the viable and necrotic parts of head and neck tumors. Material and Methods: Thirty patients with malignant head and neck tumors underwent postcontrast MR imaging. Diffusion MR imaging was done on a 1.5T unit using multislice single-shot echo-planar imaging. Diffusion-weighted MR images were acquired with a diffusion-weighted factor b of 0, 500, and 1000 s/mm2, and an apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map was reconstructed. The ADC value was measured within the enhanced and nonenhanced part of the tumor, and the mean ADC values were calculated. The ADC value was correlated with biopsy results. Results: The mean ADC value of a viable part of the tumor was 1.17±0.33×10−3 mm2/s, and of the necrotic parts of the tumor 2.11±0.05×10−3 mm2/s. The difference in the ADC value between the viable and necrotic parts of the head and neck tumors was statistically significant ( P<0.001). Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the ADC value were 92.9%, 93%, and 94.6%, respectively. Conclusion: Creation of an ADC map is an excellent method for differentiation between the viable and necrotic parts of head and neck tumors. Thus, the ADC map can be used to select the best biopsy site and to detect tumor viability in post-treatment follow-up of patients after radiation therapy.
Reduction in dose from CT examinations of liver lesions with a new postprocessing filter: a ROC phantom study
Authors: Martinsen A. C. Trægde , Sæther H. Kjernlie , Olsen D. R. , Skaane P. , Olerud H. M. 
Published: March 2008

Background: It is desirable to lower the dose from computed tomography (CT) examinations as much as possible without reducing diagnostic performance. Mathematical postprocessing filters are one tool to achieve dose reduction. Purpose: To evaluate the possibilities of reducing CT doses from liver examinations using a new postprocessing filter. Material and Methods: An anthropomorphic upper-abdomen phantom was used in receiver operating characteristic (ROC) studies of the detectability of liver lesions. A standard abdominal CT protocol was used. Only mA settings were changed; all other scan parameters were constant. The postprocessing filter used was SharpView CT, which provides context-controlled restoration of digital images using adaptive filters. Six readers were given a set of 10 images obtained at five different dose levels, each image with 32 predefined areas to be evaluated on a five-point scale. In total, 1920 areas were evaluated. At each dose level, the readers evaluated five images without enhancement and five images based on postprocessing filters. All images were randomized with respect to dose level. Results: The postprocessing filter improved the diagnostic performance significantly compared to the unenhanced images at all dose levels. Radiation dose for abdominal CT examinations of liver lesions in the range 2–7 mm was reduced by 30% using postprocessing filters, while diagnostic performance of the examination was maintained or even improved. Conclusion: This study indicates great potential for lowering doses for CT examinations of liver lesions using the new postprocessing filter. The software must be fully tested clinically to reliably assess the benefits of this filtration.
Value of the vertebrogram in predicting cement filling patterns with unipedicular percutaneous vertebroplasty
Authors: Ormsby E. L. , Dublin A. B. 
Published: March 2008

Background: Unipedicular vertebroplasty can be successful in selected patients to decrease procedure time, sedation amounts, and cost. Purpose: To evaluate the value of the antecedent unipedicular vertebrogram in predicting patterns of cement deposition to decide whether unipedicular vertebroplasty will be successful, or if a bipedicular vertebroplasty is needed. Material and Methods: 75 fractured vertebral levels were injected by a unipedicle approach with iodinated contrast material (vertebrogram). This filling pattern was then compared to the cement deposition pattern, via the same pedicle, of the percutaneous vertebroplasty. Results: 35 levels showed excellent cross-filling and matched pattern by vertebrogram and cement deposition (47%). Twelve levels (16%) showed cross-filling by both techniques, with less than 100% matched pattern, but cement deposition was considered adequate for fracture treatment. Four levels (5%) showed predominantly matched central filling, considered adequate for fracture treatment. Twenty-one levels (28%) showed only matched filling of half of the vertebral body with both techniques, necessitating a bipedicle approach for treatment with cement. The remaining three levels (4%) demonstrated mismatched patterns between the vertebrogram and the cement deposition, necessitating a bipedicular approach. Conclusion: The unipedicular vertebrogram was helpful in predicting adequate cement deposition, using a single pedicle, in 51 of 75 cases (68%). The vertebrogram was also accurate in predicting the need for a double-pedicle technique in an additional 21 cases (28%). Therefore, the vertebrogram was very helpful in predicting the route of cement deposition in 72 of 75 (96%) cases, and should be considered as an adjunct to percutaneous vertebroplasty.
What is the optimal composition of an athlete's diet?
Authors: Broad Elizabeth M. , Cox Gregory R. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractDesigning the most suitable diet for an athlete requires an intimate knowledge of the relevant scientific literature, the training and competition demands of the sport, the individual athlete's preferences and social situation. The scientific literature contains an abundance of information on nutritional demands of athletes undertaking endurance or strength training programmes, but much less information is available on sprint/power sports, team, racquet, weight‐making, aesthetic (diving, gymnastics), and skill‐based events. Furthermore, most research has been undertaken on adult males, with the assumption that females and adolescent athletes follow the same patterns of fuel usage and requirements. Consequently, assessing the optimal composition of an athlete's diet relies at best on an informed interpretation of the scientific data, plus individually collected observations. The aims of this article are to provide an overview of the current evidence on macronutrient requirements for day‐to‐day training for a range of different athletes, provide some recommendations regarding formulating an athlete's diet, and highlight areas where more research is required.
Phylogeny of Y chromosomes from bovine species
Authors: Nijman Isaäc J. , Van Boxtel Dick C. J. , Van Cann Lisette M. , Marnoch Yindee , Cuppen Edwin , Lenstra Johannes A. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe Bovini tribe contains domestic and wild cattle‐like species, several of which are cross‐fertile. We present a completely resolved Y‐chromosomal phylogeny, which is better in agreement with autosomal phylogeny, morphological data, cross‐fertility and estimates of divergence times than mitochondrial data. The tree links Bos grunniens (yak) to Bison, so the commonly accepted Bos genus is not monophyletic. Therefore, we advocate the term Poephagus as designation of yak. This work illustrates the resolving power of Y‐chromosomal variation for cladistic studies of closely related species.© The Willi Hennig Society 2008.
PLASMA TESTOSTERONE AND ANDROSTENEDIONE LEVELS DURING MONITORED INDUCTION OF OVULATION IN INFERTILE WOMEN WITH ‘SIMPLE’ AMENORRHOEA AND WITH THE POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME
Authors: LAWRENCE DAPHNE M. , McGARRIGLE H. H. G. , RADWANSKA EWA , SWYER G. I. M. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryTwenty‐seven infertile patients with ‘simple’ amenorrhoea‐oligomenorrhoea and eighteen with the polycystic ovary (PCO) syndrome were treated for induction of ovulation with clomiphene, human menopausal gonadotrophin and human chorionic gonadotrophin. The treatment was monitored by plasma oestradiol, testosterone, andfostenedione and progesterone estimation. Women with PCO had significantly higher plasma androgen levels than women with ‘simple’ amenorrhoea (P < 0.01 to P < 0.001) both before treatment and during induction of ovulation. When ovulation was induced the pregnancy rate for women with the PCO syndrome with elevated androgens was 21% while for those with uncomplicated amenorrhoea it was 75%. It is concluded that high levels of circulating androgens might be a factor preventing conception in some patients in whom ovulation is apparently successfully induced.
THE RADIOIMMUNOASSAY OF 3,3‘,5’‐TRHODOTHYRONINE (REVERSE T3) IN UNEXTRACTED HUMAN SERUM
Authors: RATCLIFFE W. A. , MARSHALL J. , RATCLIFFE J. G. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryA specific, sensitive and simple double antibody radioimmunoassay for total serum 3,3′,5′,‐triiodothyronine (reverse T3, rT3) in small volumes of unextracted human serum is described. High titre antisera were raised in rabbits using dl‐rt3 or l‐rT3 conjugated to bovine serum albumin. The selected antisera cross reacted less than 0–003% with triiodothyronine (T3) and 0–14% with thyroxine (T4). A stable high activity rT3 tracer was prepared by iodination of 3,3′‐diiodo‐l‐thyronine by the chloramine‐T method, and purified by column chromatography on Sephadex LH‐20. Binding of rT3 to endogenous serum proteins was blocked by including 8‐anilino‐l‐naphthalene sulphonic acid (ANS) in the assay. Mean rT3 levels in healthy euthyroid adults are 0.27 nmol/1 (range 015–0.42); in euthyroid patients 0.29 nmol/1 (range 0.11–0.80); in thyrotoxic subjects 1.26 nmol/1 (range 0.41–4.66); in T3 thyrotoxic subjects 0.47 nmol/1 (range 0.21–1.18); in cord sera 3.67 nmol/1 (range 2.30–7.45) and in amniotic fluid taken during the second trimester 4.70 nmol/1 (range 2.22–8.00). In approximately half the hypothyroid subjects, rT3 levels were undetectable (<0.05 nmol/1) and in the remaining subjects the mean rT3 level was 0.10 nmol/1 (range 0.05–0.25).
PROLACTIN LEVELS DURING THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE*
Authors: FRANCHIMONT P. , DOURCY C. , LEGROS J. J. , REUTER A. , VRINDTS‐GEVAERT Y. , CAUWENBERGE J. R. VAN , GASPARD U. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryThe levels of prolactin, FSH, LH, oestradiol and progesterone were measured daily during fourteen ovulatory cycles. The behaviour of FSH, LH, oestradiol and progesterone was classical. Non‐systematic changes occurred in prolactin levels during the course of the menstrual cycle with the highest level being either during the ovulatory period or during the luteal phase. However, the mean level of prolactin was significantly higher during the ovulatory and luteal phases than during the follicular phase. A direct relationship between oestradiol and prolactin levels was noted, although there was no correlation between prolactin on the one hand and FSH, LH and progesterone on the other.
LHRH‐PITUITARY PLASMA MEMBRANE BINDING: THE PRESENCE OF SPECIFIC BINDING SITES IN OTHER TISSUES
Authors: MARSHALL J. C. , SHAKESPEAR R. A. , ODELL W. D. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryTwo specific binding sites for LHRH are present on plasma membranes prepared from rat and bovine anterior pituitary glands. One site is of high affinity (K = 2 ±108 1/mol) and the second is of lower affinity (8.5 ±105 1/mol) and much greater capacity. Studies on membrane fractions prepared from other tissues showed the presence of a single specific site for LHRH. The kinetics and specificity of this site were similar to those of the lower affinity pituitary receptor. These results indicate that only pituitary membranes possess the higher affinity binding site and suggest that the low affinity site is not of physiological importance in the regulation of gonadotrophin secretion. After dissociation from membranes of non‐pituitary tissues 125I‐LHRH rebound to pituitary membrane preparations. Thus receptor binding per se does not result in degradation of LHRH and the function of these peripheral receptors remains obscure.
BASAL AND TRH‐STIMULATED PROLACTIN IN PATIENTS WITH PITUITARY TUMOURS
Authors: LAMBERTS S. W. J. , BIRKENHÄGER J. C. , KWA H. G. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryThe diagnostic value of the assessment of prolactin (PRL) secretion in reaction to thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH) was investigated in twenty‐four patients who had all radiological signs of a pituitary tumour and symptoms of hypogonadism and/or galactorrhoea. It was found that in these patients a PRL response to TRH can be present or absent, independent of the size of the tumour and/or the presence of suprasellar extension of the tumour. The measurement of several basal plasma PRL concentrations in combination with lateral tomography of the sella turcica seem to be a good screening for the existence of a prolactin producing pituitary adenoma and no important additional information is obtained by a TRH‐test.
STIMULATION OF GROWTH HORMONE RELEASE BY LUTEINIZING HORMONE‐RELEASING HORMONE AND MELANOCYTE‐STIMULATING HORMONE‐RELEASE INHIBITING HORMONE IN THE HYPOPHYSECTOMIZED RAT BEARING AN ECTOPIC PITUITARY
Authors: PANERAI A. E. , COCCHI D. , GIL‐AD I. , LOCATELLI V. , ROSSI G. L. , MÜLLER E. E. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryIntrajugular administration of LHRH (0.6 and 1.2 μg) in hypophysectomized rats which received renal grafts of anterior pituitary induced a small but significant rise in plasma GH 5 and 10 min post‐treatment. LHRH, at the same dose levels, was ineffective in weight‐matched intact controls. MIF, at the dose of 1.2 μg, induced a slight GH rise 5 min after treatment in hypophysectomized‐transplanted rats, while it was ineffective in intact controls. Unlike the two hypothalamic peptides, α‐MSH (0.6 and 1.2 μg) was ineffective as a GH‐releaser in both transplanted and intact rats.
BROMOCRIPTINE POTENTIATION OF GASTRIC ACID SECRETION IN CATS
Authors: HIRST BARRY H. , REED J. DAVID , GOMEZ‐PAN ANTONIO , LABIB L. ALBERT 
Published: March 2008

SummaryBromocriptine administered both orally and intravenously potentiated gastric acid secretion in response to submaximal pentagastrin stimulation in cats. Bromocriptine did not increase the maximum acid secretion in response to pentagastrin, nor did it stimulate basal acid secretion. Potentiation was observed in normal and vagotomized animals which precludes involvement of the vagi in the response. The mechanism of action of this compound on the stomach does not appear to be mediated through stimulation of dopaminergic receptors as no potentiation was observed with dopamine infusions. It is argued that the bromocriptine potentiation of gastric acid secretion may be a demonstration of 5‐hydroxytryptamine or a‐adrenergic antagonism. However, the potentiation observed with daily oral bromocriptine treatment had disappeared by the eighth day and may correlate with the disappearance of gastric side effects noted in patients on bromocriptine treatment.
EFFECT OF METOCLOPRAMIDE ON SERUM PROLACTIN LEVELS IN HUMANS
Authors: DELITALA G. , MASALA A. , ALAGNA S. , DEVILLA L. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryThe effect of acute and chronic administration of metoclopramide on serum prolactin levels in normal subjects was studied. Metoclopramide 10 mg i.v. induced a prompt rise in serum prolactin levels in all subjects. At 180 min the levels remained high. Prolactin levels were markedly elevated during a 5 day course of treatment with metoclopramide in six subjects. It is suggested that metoclopramide could be used in the functional exploration of the hypothalamic‐pituitary axis.
The interaction of zinc and vitamin A in human schistosomiasis
Authors: MIKHAIL MARY M. , MANSOUR MOUSTAFA M. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. Levels of vitamin A and components of its transport protein complex, retinol binding protein and prealbumin, as well as zinc and its major binding proteins albumin and α 2‐macroglobulin were measured in plasma of ninety‐one male Egyptian patients with active schistosomal infection and thirty‐two healthy adult males. Patients were divided into four groups: Group I had active schistosomiasis without associated complications; Group II had schistosomiasis complicated by colonic polyposis; Group III had advanced schistosomiasis, hepatosplenomegaly and/or ascites; and Group IV had chronic salmonella septicaemia in addition to schistosomiasis.Results showed that all patient groups had subnormal levels of plasma vitamin A, retinol binding protein, prealbumin, zinc and albumin (P<0·005 for all parameters) but elevated α2‐macroglobulin (P<0·001) when compared to the control group. Alterations in the vitamin A transport proteins increased with schistosomal complications and were closely correlated to changes in vitamin A (P<0·005), but alterations of albumin and α2‐macroglobulin were less consistent and did not correlate with changes in zinc levels. There was a highly significant correlation, however, between plasma zinc concentrations and those of vitamin A, retinol binding protein and prealbumin (P<0·001 for all correlations) in all groups of patients as well as the control group.These findings indicate that the binding and transport proteins of both zinc and vitamin A were adversely affected by schistosomiasis and its various complications. Deficiencies of both zinc and vitamin A seem to be interrelated in this disease and the vitamin A transport system may be largely dependent on zinc status.
To model objects in information systems and user interfaces: implications for object‐oriented methods
Authors: Kaasboll J. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. A general way of contrasting the object‐oriented to the function‐oriented approach, called ‘object‐order’ and ‘function‐order’, is proposed in this paper. In addition, when modelling information systems, there is a third principle of ordering, ‘subject‐order’. Object and function‐order are used to define the two approaches to modelling information systems and in human‐computer interaction, in ways that are compatible to the corresponding distinction in programming. The conditions for selecting either of the two approaches are, however, not discussed here.By means of an object‐ordered method, e.g. Jackson System Development (JSD), an object‐ordered model is produced, and the user interface that can be derived from the model is object‐ordered too. However, other guidelines in JSD support subject‐order. A function‐ordered interface can be derived from the subject‐ordered model. A computer system designed by means of an object‐organized method may therefore obtain an interface that is partially object‐ordered and partially function‐ordered. Other object‐oriented methods give guidelines for designing function‐oriented interfaces without relating these guidelines to the model.The system designer may benefit from having three principles of ordering when modelling a system. However, a user may be confused by an interface that sometimes gives preference to objects, sometimes to functions.
Novel coiled‐coil cell division factor ZapB stimulates Z ring assembly and cell division
Authors: Ebersbach Gitte , Galli Elisa , Møller‐Jensen Jakob , Löwe Jan , Gerdes Kenn 
Published: March 2008

SummaryFormation of the Z ring is the first known event in bacterial cell division. However, it is not yet known how the assembly and contraction of the Z ring are regulated. Here, we identify a novel cell division factor ZapB in Escherichia coli that simultaneously stimulates Z ring assembly and cell division. Deletion of zapB resulted in delayed cell division and the formation of ectopic Z rings and spirals, whereas overexpression of ZapB resulted in nucleoid condensation and aberrant cell divisions. Localization of ZapB to the divisome depended on FtsZ but not FtsA, ZipA or FtsI, and ZapB interacted with FtsZ in a bacterial two‐hybrid analysis. The simultaneous inactivation of FtsA and ZipA prevented Z ring assembly and ZapB localization. Time lapse microscopy showed that ZapB–GFP is present at mid‐cell in a pattern very similar to that of FtsZ. Cells carrying a zapB deletion and the ftsZ84ts allele exhibited a synthetic sick phenotype and aberrant cell divisions. The crystal structure showed that ZapB exists as a dimer that is 100% coiled‐coil. In vitro, ZapB self‐assembled into long filaments and bundles. These results raise the possibility that ZapB stimulates Z ring formation directly via its capacity to self‐assemble into larger structures.
Bacitracin sensing in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Rietkötter Eva , Hoyer Diana , Mascher Thorsten 
Published: March 2008

SummaryThe extracellular presence of antibiotics is a common threat in microbial life. Their sensitive detection and subsequent induction of appropriate resistance mechanisms is therefore a prerequisite for survival. The bacitracin stress response network of Bacillus subtilis consists of four signal‐transducing systems, the two‐component systems (TCS) BceRS, YvcPQ and LiaRS, and the extracytoplasmic function (ECF) σ factor σM. Here, we investigated the mechanism of bacitracin perception and the response hierarchy within this network. The BceRS–BceAB TCS/ABC transporter module is the most sensitive and efficient bacitracin resistance determinant. The ABC transporter BceAB not only acts as a bacitracin detoxification pump, but is also crucial for bacitracin sensing, indicative of a novel mechanism of stimulus perception, conserved in Firmicutes bacteria. The Bce system seems to respond to bacitracin directly (drug sensing), whereas the LiaRS TCS and σM respond only at higher concentrations and indirectly to bacitracin action (damage sensing). The YvcPQ–YvcRS system is subject to cross‐activation via the paralogous Bce system, and is therefore only indirectly induced by bacitracin. The bacitracin stress response network is optimized to respond to antibiotic gradients in a way that maximizes the gain and minimizes the costs of this stress response.
The multiple phenylpropene synthases in both Clarkia breweri and Petunia hybrida represent two distinct protein lineages
Authors: Koeduka Takao , Louie Gordon V. , Orlova Irina , Kish Christine M. , Ibdah Mwafaq , Wilkerson Curtis G. , Bowman Marianne E. , Baiga Thomas J. , Noel Joseph P. , Dudareva Natalia , Pichersky Eran 
Published: March 2008

SummaryMany plants synthesize the volatile phenylpropene compounds eugenol and isoeugenol to serve in defense against herbivores and pathogens and to attract pollinators. Clarkia breweri flowers emit a mixture of eugenol and isoeugenol, while Petunia hybrida flowers emit mostly isoeugenol with small amounts of eugenol. We recently reported the identification of a petunia enzyme, isoeugenol synthase 1 (PhIGS1) that catalyzes the formation of isoeugenol, and an Ocimum basilicum (basil) enzyme, eugenol synthase 1 (ObEGS1), that produces eugenol. ObEGS1 and PhIGS1 both utilize coniferyl acetate, are 52% sequence identical, and belong to a family of NADPH‐dependent reductases involved in secondary metabolism. Here we show that C. breweri flowers have two closely related proteins (96% identity), CbIGS1 and CbEGS1, that are similar to ObEGS1 (58% and 59% identity, respectively) and catalyze the formation of isoeugenol and eugenol, respectively. In vitro mutagenesis experiments demonstrate that substitution of only a single residue can substantially affect the product specificity of these enzymes. A third C. breweri enzyme identified, CbEGS2, also catalyzes the formation of eugenol from coniferyl acetate and is only 46% identical to CbIGS1 and CbEGS1 but more similar (>70%) to other types of reductases. We also found that petunia flowers contain an enzyme, PhEGS1, that is highly similar to CbEGS2 (82% identity) and that converts coniferyl acetate to eugenol. Our results indicate that plant enzymes with EGS and IGS activities have arisen multiple times and in different protein lineages.