bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of a Novel Chitosan Gel on Mucosal Wound Healing Following Endoscopic Sinus Surgery in a Sheep Model of Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Athanasiadis Theo , Beule Achim G. , Robinson Brian H. , Robinson Simon R. , Shi Z. , Wormald Peter‐John 
Published: May 2008

AbstractIntroduction: Postoperative bleeding and adhesion formation remain the two major problems after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). This study investigates the effect on adhesion formation and wound healing in a sheep model of chronic sinusitis of three topical agents: recombinant tissue factor (rTF, Dade Innovin, Marburg, Germany), poly‐ethylene glycol (SprayGel, Confluent Surgical, Waltham, MA), and a novel chitosan‐dextran derivative gel (CD, Department of Chemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand).Methods: Twenty sheep with chronic sinusitis underwent ESS with standardized mucosal injuries created on the lateral nasal wall and the ethmoid region. Injured areas were divided into four groups, and one of the three agents or control (no treatment) was randomly applied. The presence and severity of adhesions were noted and the healing was evaluated by taking brushings for ciliary beat frequency and biopsies of the injured regions at day 28, 56, 84, and 112 post initial surgery. The biopsy specimens were assessed for re‐epithelialisation using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy for reciliation. The cytobrush specimens assessed cilial function by measuring ciliary beat frequency.Results: CD significantly decreased lateral nasal wall and ethmoidal adhesions compared to tissue factor at all time points (5% vs. 25%, and 0 vs. 50%, respectively). There was a noticeable trend toward decreased adhesions on the lateral nasal wall and ethmoids in the SprayGel group (10% and 14%) and the CD group (10% and 0%) compared to controls (15% and 40%). The CD group had a significantly greater percentage of re‐epithelialisation at day 28 and day 84 compared to the rTF group (70% vs. 33%, P < .001; 84.5% vs. 61%, P < 0.05). At day 28, the CD group was significantly more ciliated than control (62% vs. 31%, P < .01) and than rTF (62% vs. 23%, P < .001). This difference between CD and rTF reciliation remained significant at day 56 (67% vs. 40%, P < .05). In addition, the mean cilial grade for CD at day 112 was significantly better than control (1.9 vs. 2.7, P < .05).Conclusion: In the sheep model of chronic sinusitis, CD significantly improves microscopic wound healing and reduces adhesion formation after ESS.
In-Gel S-Pyridylethylation of Gel-Resolved Proteins: Whole Gel Method
Authors: Simpson Richard J. 
Published: June 2008

INTRODUCTIONThis protocol describes a method for performing reduction and S-alkylation of Coomassie-blue-stained proteins within an intact gel. Reduction is performed with dithiothreitol, and alkylation with 4-vinylpyridine. (Treatment of free cysteines with 4-vinylpyridine yields the S-β-(4-pyridylethyl) cysteinyl derivative.) S-β-(4-pyridylethyl) cysteine-containing peptides can be readily identified during RP-HPLC by their characteristic absorbance at 254 nm and during electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry by the appearance of a characteristic pyridylethyl fragment ion of 106 Da. The position of cysteine residues in a polypeptide sequence can be determined either by mass spectrometry or as phenylthiohydantoin S-β-(4-pyridylethyl) cysteine during Edman degradation.
Using Gaps and Gap Penalties to Optimize Pairwise Sequence Alignments
Authors: Mount David W. 
Published: June 2008

INTRODUCTIONTo obtain the best possible alignment between two sequences, it is necessary to include gaps in sequence alignments and use gap penalties. For aligning DNA sequences, a simple positive score for matches and a negative score for mismatches and gaps are most often used. To score matches and mismatches in alignments of proteins, it is necessary to know how often one amino acid is substituted for another in related proteins. In addition, a method is needed to account for insertions and deletions that sometimes appear in related DNA or protein sequences. To accommodate such sequence variations, gaps that appear in sequence alignments are given a negative penalty score reflecting the fact that they are not expected to occur very often. Mathematically speaking, it is very difficult to produce the best-possible alignment, either global or local, unless gaps are included in the alignment. This article discusses how to use gaps and gap penalties to optimize pairwise sequence alignments.
Acquired pure red cell aplasia: updated review of treatment
Authors: Sawada Kenichi , Fujishima Naohito , Hirokawa Makoto 
Published: May 2008

SummaryPure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is a syndrome characterized by a severe normocytic anaemia, reticulocytopenia, and absence of erythroblasts from an otherwise normal bone marrow. Primary PRCA, or secondary PRCA which has not responded to treatment of the underlying disease, is treated as an immunologically‐mediated disease. Although vigorous immunosuppressive treatments induce and maintain remissions in a majority of patients, they carry an increased risk of serious complications. Corticosteroids were used in the treatment of PRCA and this has been considered the treatment of first choice although relapse is not uncommon. Cyclosporine A (CsA) has become established as one of the leading drugs for treatment of PRCA. However, common concerns have been the number of patients treated with CsA who achieve sustained remissions and the number that relapse. This article reviews the current status of CsA therapy and compares it to other treatments for diverse PRCAs.
Risk factors for early death in neonates with Down syndrome and transient leukaemia
Authors: Muramatsu Hideki , Kato Koji , Watanabe Nobuhiro , Matsumoto Kimikazu , Nakamura Tomohiko , Horikoshi Yasuo , Mimaya Junichi , Suzuki Chizuko , Hayakawa Masahiro , Kojima Seiji 
Published: May 2008

SummaryTransient leukaemia (TL) in neonates with Down syndrome (DS) is characterized by the transient appearance of blast cells in the peripheral blood that resolves spontaneously. Some TL patients die at an early age due to organ failure. Seventy DS patients with TL were studied retrospectively to identify clinical and laboratory characteristics associated with early death (<6 months of age). Sixteen of 70 patients (22·9%) died early. The main causes of death were organ failure, particularly hepatic and cardiopulmonary failure. On univariate analysis, early gestational age (EGA), high white blood cell (WBC) count (≥100 × 109/l), percentage of peripheral blasts, elevated aspartate transaminase (AST), elevated direct bilirubin (DB), and low Apgar score were significantly associated with poor survival. On multivariate analysis, EGA, WBC count, and DB were independent predictors of poor outcome. A simple risk stratification system combining EGA and WBC count was devised to predict poor outcome. Term infants (EGA ≥ 37 weeks) whose WBC count was lower than 100 × 109/l had the best outcome [7·7% (3/39) died early], while preterm infants (EGA < 37 weeks) whose WBC count was higher than 100 × 109/l had the worst outcome [54·5% (6/11) died early]. This stratification system may be useful for identifying high‐risk patients who need early therapeutic interventions.
Fibroblast activation protein α identifies mesenchymal stromal cells from human bone marrow
Authors: Bae Sohyun , Park Chae Woon , Son Hye Kyung , Ju Hye Kyung , Paik Donggi , Jeon Choon‐Ju , Koh Gou Young , Kim Jaeseob , Kim Hoeon 
Published: May 2008

SummaryMesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have gained widespread popularity in cell therapy, but their development into clinical products has been impeded by the scarcity of cell‐specific markers. We previously explored transcriptome and membrane proteome of MSCs, from which fibroblast activation protein α (FAP) was recognized as a prime surface marker candidate. The present study showed that FAP was constitutively expressed on MSCs, but not on other cells. FAP immunoselection yielded homogeneous MSCs from cryopreserved bone marrow (BM). These results suggest that FAP serves as a surface protein marker that can singly define MSCs from BM and possibly from other sources.
Human dendritic cells infected with an adenoviral vector suppress proliferation of autologous and allogeneic T cells
Authors: Newton Katy R. , Sala‐Soriano Emma , Varsani Hemlata , Stephenson John R. , Goldblatt David , Wedderburn Lucy R. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryDendritic cells (DCs) play a key role in the type and course of an immune response. The manipulation of human DCs to produce therapeutic agents by transduction with viral vectors is a growing area of research. We present an investigation into the effects of adenoviral vector infection on human DCs and other cell types, and on their subsequent ability to induce T‐cell proliferation. We show that infection with replication‐deficient adenovirus results in impaired proliferation of T cells in a mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). We show this to be an active suppression rather than a defect in the DCs as T cells also fail to proliferate in response to phytohaemagglutinin in the presence of adenoviral vector‐infected DCs. This suppression is not attributable to phenotypic changes, death or inability of the DCs to produce cytokines on stimulation. By separation of DCs from T cells, and addition of conditioned supernatants, we show that suppression is mediated by a soluble factor. Blocking of interleukin (IL)‐10 but not transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β could overcome the suppressive effect in some donors, and the source of the suppressive IL‐10 was lymphocytes exposed to conditioned supernatant. Together our data suggest that infection of DCs by adenoviral vectors leads to suppression of the resulting immune response.
Resource partitioning for soil phosphorus: a hypothesis
Authors: Turner Benjamin L. 
Published: May 2008

Summary

Organic phosphorus is abundant in soil and its turnover can supply a considerable fraction of the phosphorus taken up by natural vegetation. Despite this, the ecological significance of organic phosphorus remains poorly understood, which is remarkable given the biological importance of phosphorus in terrestrial environments.
Of particular interest is the possibility that coexisting plant species partition soil organic phosphorus to reduce competition. This seems likely given the large number of biologically available phosphorus compounds that occur in soil and the variety of mechanisms by which plants can utilize them.
Here I propose a conceptual model of resource partitioning for soil phosphorus. The model describes a hypothetical example of four coexisting plant species that differ in their ability to access soil organic phosphorus compounds, which are grouped to form a gradient of biological availability based on the processes involved in their utilization by plants.
Synthesis: Resource partitioning for soil phosphorus could provide an additional mechanism to explain the coexistence and distribution of plant species. It is likely to occur widely in terrestrial environments, but should have greatest ecological significance wherever productivity is limited by the availability of soil phosphorus. This includes freshwater wetlands, super‐humid temperate regions and ecosystems developed on strongly‐weathered soils that cover vast areas of ancient landscapes in Africa, Australia and South America.
Biological Flora of the British Isles: Paris quadrifolia L.
Authors: Jacquemyn Hans , Brys Rein , Hutchings Michael J. 
Published: May 2008

Summary

This account reviews information on all aspects of the biology of Paris quadrifolia L. (herb Paris) that are relevant to understanding its ecological characteristics and behaviour. The main topics are presented within the framework of the Biological Flora of the British Isles: distribution, habitat, communities, responses to biotic factors, responses to environment, structure and physiology, phenology, floral and seed characters, herbivores and disease, history and conservation.
Paris quadrifolia is a perennial woodland herb that is found across the boreal and temperate areas of Europe. In the UK, it is a native species of moist, mostly ancient woodlands on calcareous soils. It can occasionally be found in grikes on open limestone pavement. It is absent from both very dry and very wet sites. It flowers and fruits most freely in the open stages of the coppice cycle, but persists in deep shade.
Paris quadrifolia is a rhizomatous geophyte. Regeneration is both by vegetative spread and sexual reproduction, and heavily weighted towards the former strategy. Paris quadrifolia has a monopodial growth form, with the increments of several years of growth remaining connected along the rhizome. Branching of the rhizome is sometimes observed. Amylose (a component of starch and a major storage carbohydrate) concentrations are low in young rhizome segments, but significantly higher in older segments. Severing rhizome connections by removing the oldest segments results in reduced growth and significantly smaller distal shoots, indicating that the size of the clonal fragment determines vigour of the terminal shoot and that integration serves to maintain the vitality of the rhizome, particularly in resource‐poor environments.
Flowers are pollinated by wind, or self‐pollinated. Insect pollination is very rare. Seed dispersal is limited and rates of spread vary between 0.21 and 0.33 m year−1.
As in most other European countries, Paris quadrifolia has declined in the UK. Many sites were lost in northern England and central Scotland before 1930, and since then there has been some decline in south‐east England because of the destruction of broad‐leaved woodland and planting of conifers. Since the species colonizes new forest stands very slowly, management should focus mainly on conservation of ancient forest stands.
The everyday life of adolescent coeliacs: issues of importance for compliance with the gluten‐free diet
Authors: Olsson C. , Hörnell A. , Ivarsson A. , Sydner Y. M. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackground  Noncompliance with the gluten‐free diet is often reported among adolescents with coeliac disease. However, knowledge is limited regarding their own perspectives and experiences of managing the disease and the prescription of a gluten‐free diet. The aim of this study was to explore how adolescents with coeliac disease perceive and manage their everyday lives in relation to a gluten‐free diet.Methods  In total, 47 adolescents with coeliac disease, divided into 10 focus groups, were interviewed. In the qualitative analysis, themes emerged to illustrate and explain the adolescents’ own perspectives on life with a gluten‐free diet.Results  The probability of compliance with the gluten‐free diet was comprised by insufficient knowledge of significant others, problems with the availability and sensory acceptance of gluten‐free food, insufficient social support and their perceived dietary deviance. Three different approaches to the gluten‐free diet emerged: compliers, occasional noncompliers, and noncompliers. Each approach, as a coping strategy, was rational in the sense that it represented the adolescents’ differing views of everyday life with coeliac disease and a prescription of a gluten‐free diet.Conclusions  Adolescents with coeliac disease experience various dilemmas related to the gluten‐free diet. The study demonstrated unmet needs and implies empowerment strategies for optimum clinical outcomes.
Knowledge, compliance and serum phenylalanine concentrations in adolescents and adults with phenylketonuria and the effect of a patient‐focused educational resource
Authors: Durham‐Shearer S. J. , Judd P. A. , Whelan K. , Thomas J. E. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackground  There is a lack of dedicated resources for adolescent and adult patients with phenylketonuria (PKU) and few studies have examined dietary practices within this group.Methods  One hundred and seventy‐seven PKU patients were sent questionnaires to assess dietary compliance and the preferred format for an educational resource. Seventy‐one patients responded; 32 following diet were recruited to assess the resource’s impact on test variables. The results were compared for the intervention group (n = 22) and control group (n = 10) at baseline, and 1 and 6 months after resource intervention.Results  Most patients were aware of dietary recommendations, although this did not always result in compliance. The preferred resource format was a filofax‐style folder with inserts (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference in the extent of change in knowledge score between baseline and 1 month in favour of the intervention group (P < 0.05). The improvement in knowledge was not accompanied by a significant improvement in measures of compliance.Conclusions  These findings add to the knowledge base about this patient group and support the use of patient involvement in resource development. It is likely that the test parameters used were not sensitive enough to pick up subtle and longer‐term effects on compliance.
Kisspeptin: A Novel Regulator of Reproductive Function
Authors: Dhillo W. S. 
Published: May 2008

Young Neuroendocrinologists Prize ReviewsMichael Harbuz Young Investigator Prize LectureThe UK and international neuroendocrine community was deeply shocked and saddened the unbelievably premature death of Michael Harbuz in Bristol in 2006. Mick was a superb friend and colleague, and played a huge part in the development and activities of the British Neuroendocrine Group/British Society for Neuroendocrinology (BSN), serving as both Membership Secretary and Treasurer between 1999 and 2004. Mick was a leader in the field of neuroendocrine–immune interactions, and brought a great deal of charisma, humour and ability to meetings and conferences. He was also a passionate and committed supporter of the progress of young researchers and of their participation in neuroendocrine events. He recognised that today’s postgraduate students and postdoctoral research fellows are tomorrow’s neuroendocrine researchers, be it in academia, the health services or industry.To recognise Mick’s great commitment to and enthusiasm for postgraduate education both in the University of Bristol and in the BSN, we decided to honour and remember him by instituting the ‘Michael Harbuz Young Investigator Prize Lecture’ to be delivered annually. Dr Waljit Dhillo from Imperial College London was the inaugural recipient of this award, and presented his lecture at the Annual Meeting of the BSN in Nottingham in September 2007, upon which this review is based.Recent evidence demonstrates that the neuropeptide kisspeptin and its receptor, GPR54, have a fundamental role in initiating the onset of puberty and are important in regulating reproductive function. This review discusses the evidence available from animals and humans demonstrating that kisspeptin potently stimulates the release of gonadotrophins by stimulating the release of gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone and that a lack of kisspeptin or GPR54 results in reproductive failure.
Molecular evolution and population genetics of two Drosophila mettleri cytochrome P450 genes involved in host plant utilization
Authors: BONO JEREMY M. , MATZKIN LUCIANO M. , CASTREZANA SERGIO , MARKOW THERESE A. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractUnderstanding the genetic basis of adaptation is one of the primary goals of evolutionary biology. The evolution of xenobiotic resistance in insects has proven to be an especially suitable arena for studying the genetics of adaptation, and resistant phenotypes are known to result from both coding and regulatory changes. In this study, we examine the evolutionary history and population genetics of two Drosophila mettleri cytochrome P450 genes that are putatively involved in the detoxification of alkaloids present in two of its cactus hosts: saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea) and senita (Lophocereus schottii). Previous studies demonstrated that Cyp28A1 was highly up‐regulated following exposure to rotting senita tissue while Cyp4D10 was highly up‐regulated following exposure to rotting saguaro tissue. Here, we show that a subset of sites in Cyp28A1 experienced adaptive evolution specifically in the D. mettleri lineage. Moreover, neutrality tests in several populations were also consistent with a history of selection on Cyp28A1. In contrast, we did not find evidence for positive selection on Cyp4D10, although this certainly does not preclude its involvement in host plant use. A surprising result that emerged from our population genetic analyses was the presence of significant genetic differentiation between flies collected from different host plant species (saguaro and senita) at Organ Pipe National Monument, Arizona, USA. This preliminary evidence suggests that D. mettleri may have evolved into distinctive host races that specialize on different hosts, a possibility that warrants further investigation.
The Importance of ‘Mechnikov’s Thorn’ for an Improved Understanding of 21st Century Medicine and Immunology: A View from the Eye
Authors: McGonagle D. , Georgouli T. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractIn 1908, Ehrlich and Mechnikov shared the Nobel Prize in Medicine for their independent studies that set the scene for the modern understanding of innate and adaptive immunity. However, 20th century immunology thinking was dominated by aberrant adaptive immunity but this never adequately explained the full spectrum of inflammatory disease. This article draws on medical observations, from where immunology originated, and uses the example of the eye to illustrate how the integration of medicine and immunology leads to an improved understanding of inflammation against self. The spectrum of ocular inflammation can be viewed as either predominantly adaptive immune mediated (mostly the realm of immunology), or predominantly due to ocular tissues factors that lead to regional innate immune activation (the realm of medicine), or a variable interaction between the two. Just as the thorns that Mechnikov inserted into molluscs lead to localized innate immune activation; ocular inflammation can likewise be driven by non‐immune factors that include tissue degeneration or microdamage. The present article emphasizes the importance of such factors in the initiation or phenotypic expression of ocular immunopathology allowing different immunological dogmas including self–non‐self discrimination, immunological tolerance and immunoprivilege to be viewed in a different light. This scheme also leads to an appreciation of how the innate immune system may be the sole perpetuator of some ocular immunopathologies. We propose that this integrated view of medicine and immunology is crucial for understanding immunology from a translational angle and has implications far beyond ocular disease.