bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Micronutrient sprinkles add more bioavailable iron to some Kenyan complementary foods: studies using an in vitro digestion/Caco‐2 cell culture model
Authors: Lung'aho Mercy G. , Glahn Raymond P. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractIron deficiency anaemia is arguably the most important public health problem in developing countries. In Sub‐Saharan Africa, iron deficiency anaemia has largely been attributed to poor infant feeding practices where complementary foods low in iron bioavailability are offered to at‐risk infants. Home fortification of complementary foods using micronutrient Sprinkles has been shown to reduce iron deficiency anaemia in many resource‐poor settings. In this study, the benefit of using the micronutrient Sprinkles as a home fortificant for some Kenyan complementary foods was assessed using an in vitro Caco‐2 cell model. In each case when micronutrient Sprinkles were added to the complementary food, the amount of Caco‐2 cell ferritin formation increased. For example, the addition of Sprinkles to corn porridge increased ferritin formation 5‐fold from 5.8 to 31.8 ng mg−1. Therefore, as indicated by the results, micronutrient Sprinkles would be a suitable form of home fortification for Kenyan complementary foods. Their use should be encouraged so as to improve infant feeding practices in Kenya.
W55a Encodes a Novel Protein Kinase That Is Involved in Multiple Stress Responses
Authors: Xu Zhao‐Shi , Liu Li , Ni Zhi‐Yong , Liu Pei , Chen Ming , Li Lian‐Cheng , Chen Yao‐Feng , Ma You‐Zhi 
Published: November 2008

Abstract Protein kinases play crucial roles in response to external environment stress signals. A putative protein kinase, W55a, belonging to SNF1‐related protein kinase 2 (SnRK2) subfamily, was isolated from a cDNA library of drought‐treated wheat seedlings. The entire length of W55a was obtained using rapid amplification of 5′ cDNA ends (5′‐RACE) and reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction(RT‐PCR). It contains a 1 029 ‐bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding 342 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence of W55a had eleven conserved catalytic subdomains and one Ser/Thr protein kinase active‐site that characterize Ser/Thr protein kinases. Phylogenetic analysis showed that W55a was 90.38% homologous with rice SAPK1, a member of the SnRK2 family. Using nullisomic‐tetrasomic and ditelocentric lines of Chinese Spring, W55a was located on chromosome 2BS. Expression pattern analysis revealed that W55a was upregulated by drought and salt, exogenous abscisic acid, salicylic acid, ethylene and methyl jasmonate, but was not responsive to cold stress. In addition, W55a transcripts were abundant in leaves, but not in roots or stems, under environmental stresses. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing W55a exhibited higher tolerance to drought. Based on these findings, W55a encodes a novel dehydration‐responsive protein kinase that is involved in multiple stress signal transductions.
Vasopressin‐dependent upregulation of aquaporin‐2 gene expression in aged rats with glucocorticoid deficiency
Authors: Saito T. , Saito T. , Kasono K. , Otani T. , Tamemoto H. , Kawakami M. , Sasaki S. , Ishikawa S. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractAim:  The study was undertaken to determine whether ageing affects kidney expression of the aquaporin‐2 (AQP2) water channel in glucocorticoid‐deficient rats.Methods:  After adrenalectomy, 6‐ and 52‐week‐old Sprague–Dawley rats received aldosterone via osmotic minipumps (glucocorticoid‐deficient rats). Aldosterone and dexamethasone were administered to control rats of the same age.Results:  An acute water load test verified impairment of water excretion in both young and aged rats with glucocorticoid deficiency, with a more serious impairment in the older rats. Despite the presence of hypoosmolality, non‐suppressible release of arginine vasopressin (AVP) was particularly evident in the aged rats with glucocorticoid deficiency in comparison with the young rats. The expression levels of AQP2 mRNA and protein were lower in the aged rats, with a particularly large reduction in AQP2 protein expression. AQP2 expression levels were significantly augmented in the glucocorticoid‐deficient rats compared with the controls under both basal and water‐loaded conditions. Acute water loading did not suppress expression of AQP2 mRNA and protein, and the percentage increases in AQP2 mRNA and protein expression vs. the respective controls were more pronounced in the 52‐week‐old glucocorticoid‐deficient rats compared with the 6‐week‐old rats.Conclusion:  The findings indicate that upregulation of AQP2 expression is maintained dependent upon non‐suppressible release of AVP in rats with glucocorticoid deficiency, and that AQP2 plays a crucial role in persistent impairment of water excretion in aged rats with glucocorticoid deficiency.
The Role of Prominence Information in the Real‐Time Comprehension of Transitive Constructions: A Cross‐Linguistic Approach
Authors: Bornkessel‐Schlesewsky Ina , Schlesewsky Matthias 
Published: November 2008

AbstractApproaches to language processing have traditionally been formulated with reference to general cognitive concepts (e.g. working memory limitations) or have based their representational assumptions on concepts from generative linguistic theory (e.g. structure determines interpretation). Thus, many well‐established generalisations about language that have emerged from cross‐linguistic/typological research have not as yet had a major influence in shaping ideas about online processing. Here, we examine the viability of using typologically motivated concepts to account for phenomena in online language comprehension. In particular, we focus on the comprehension of simple transitive sentences (i.e. sentences involving two arguments/event participants) and cross‐linguistic similarities and differences in how they are processed. We argue that incremental argument interpretation in these structures is best explained with reference to a range of cross‐linguistically motivated, hierarchically ordered information types termed ‘prominence scales’ (e.g. animacy, definiteness/specificity, case marking and linear order). We show that the assumption of prominence‐based argument processing can capture a wide range of recent neurocognitive findings, as well as deriving well‐known behavioural results.
Update on skin repigmentation therapies in vitiligo
Authors: Falabella Rafael , Barona Maria I. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryTreatment for vitiligo is difficult and prolonged. Nevertheless, at present considerable knowledge accumulated during several decades on the pathogenic mechanisms, revealed important clues for designing new strategies to improve vitiligo depigmentation. With available medical therapies, high repigmentation percentages mostly on facial and neck lesions are achieved, although they are less effective on trunk and limbs and poor on the acral parts of the extremities. Narrow band UVB and psoralens and UVA are the two most important treatments for generalized vitiligo affecting more than 10–20% of the cutaneous surface, and topical corticosteroids, or calcineurin inhibitors are the most valuable treatments for localized vitiligo. Persistence of achieved regimentation is variable and an undefined percentage of patients may have variable recurrence. When vitiligo becomes refractory, surgical methods may improve depigmentation as effectively as with medical therapy; in segmental (unilateral) or long standing, non‐segmental (bilateral) stable vitiligo, repigmentation with surgical methods is usually permanent.
The role of alcohol in oral carcinogenesis with particular reference to alcohol‐containing mouthwashes
Authors: McCullough MJ , Farah CS 
Published: November 2008

AbstractWorldwide, oral cancer represents approximately 5 per cent of all malignant lesions, with over 800 new intra‐oral squamous cell carcinomas registered in Australia each year. Despite recent advances in therapy, the five‐year survival rate remains around 50 per cent and the sequelae of treatment can be seriously debilitating. It has been long established that smoking and alcohol consumption are risk factors linked to the development of oral cancer. This review assesses the epidemiological evidence, supportive in vitro studies and mechanism by which alcohol is involved in the development of oral cancer. Further, we review the literature that associates alcohol‐containing mouthwashes and oral cancer. On the basis of this review, we believe that there is now sufficient evidence to accept the proposition that alcohol‐containing mouthwashes contribute to the increased risk of development of oral cancer and further feel that it is inadvisable for oral healthcare professionals to recommend the long‐term use of alcohol‐containing mouthwashes.
The incidence of mandibular third molar impactions in different skeletal face types
Authors: Breik O , Grubor D 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackground:  The cause of mandibular third molar impaction is said to be due to inadequate space between the distal of the second mandibular molar and the anterior border of the ascending ramus of the mandible. The amount of space is determined primarily by facial growth. This study aimed to assess whether different patterns of facial growth lead to a different incidence of mandibular third molar impaction. It was hypothesized that those with predominantly horizontal (brachyfacial) would have lower incidence of mandibular third molar impaction compared with those with a predominantly vertical growth pattern (dolichofacial).Methods:  Ninety‐eight dental records were sourced from the records of orthodontic patients in the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne and all lateral cephalometric radiographs and orthopantomograms were assessed. The degree of impaction was determined by the Pell and Gregory system, and the facial type categorized by the facial axis angle.Results:  The overall rate of mandibular third molar impaction was 58.76 per cent. Those with a facial axis angle >93 (brachyfacials) demonstrated an almost two times lower incidence of mandibular third molar impaction as compared to subjects with a facial axis angle <87 (dolichofacials).Conclusions:  Within the limitations of the study, it was concluded that the greater horizontal facial growth pattern of brachyfacial subjects over dolichofacial subjects provides increased space for full eruption of the mandibular third molars.
Dentine bond strength and microleakage of flowable composite, compomer and glass ionomer cement
Authors: Xie H , Zhang F , Wu Y , Chen C , Liu W 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackground:  To assess in vitro the dentine bond strength and microleakage of three Class V restorations viz. flowable composite, compomer and glass ionomer cement.Methods:  Eighteen dentine specimens were prepared and randomly distributed among three groups. Three kinds of restoration materials were each bonded on prepared dentine surfaces in three groups as per the manufacturers’ instructions. Group Aelite: Tyrian SPE (a no‐rinse, self‐priming etchant) + One Step Plus (an universal dental adhesive) + Aeliteflo (a flowable composite); Group Dyract: Prime & Bond NT (a no‐rinse, self‐priming dental adhesive) + Dyract AP (a compomer); Group GlasIonomer: GlasIonomer Type II (a self‐cured restorative glass ionomer). Fifteen dentine/restoration microtensile bond test specimens were prepared from each group and were subjected to microtensile bond strength testing. The bond interfaces were observed morphologically using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Twenty‐four cervical cavities of 4.0 mm mesiodistal length, 2.0 mm occlusogingival height and 1.5 mm depth were prepared at the cemento‐enamel junction (CEJ) on both buccal and lingual surfaces of each tooth. The cavities were each filled with flowable composite (Group Aelite), compomer (Group Dyract) and glass ionomer cement (Group GlasIonomer) using the same material and methods as for the microtensile bond tests. Microleakage of each restoration was evaluated by the ratio of the length of methylene blue penetration along the tooth‐restoration interface and the total length of the dentine cavity wall on the cut surface.Results:  One‐way ANOVA and least significant difference (LSD) tests revealed statistically significant differences among the dentine bond strength for Group Aelite (28.4 MPa), Group Dyract (15.1 MPa) and Group GlasIonomer (2.5 MPa). SEM images showed intimate adaptation in the restoration/dentine interfaces of Group Aelite and Group Dyract. All of the systems tested in this study presented microleakage. However, both Group Aelite (0.808) and Group Dyract (0.863) had significantly less microleakage than Group GlasIonomer (0.964). There were no statistically significant microleakage differences between Group Aelite and Group Dyract, and no statistically significant microleakage differences between the occlusal margin and gingival margin.Conclusions:  None of the systems tested in this study completely eliminated microleakage. However, both the flowable composite and compomer provided stronger dentine bond strengths and better margin sealing than the conventional glass ionomer cement. Occlusal forces exerted the same effects on microleakage of the occlusal margin and gingival margin in cervical cavities.
Caries risk reduction in patients attending a caries management clinic
Authors: Sbaraini A , Evans RW 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackground:  A Caries Management Clinic was established for patients at high risk of caries aiming to reduce caries incidence to close to zero. That is, to prevent new lesions on existing sound surfaces, along the susceptible restoration margins, and to remineralize existing cavitated and non‐cavitated lesions. Twenty patients attended the clinic every two weeks from April to December 2005.Methods:  The Caries Management System is a ten‐step non‐invasive strategy to arrest and remineralize early lesions and includes consideration of the patient at risk, the status of each individual lesion, patient management, clinical management, and monitoring.Results:  After six months, there was a 42 per cent increase in gingival sites having Gingival Index scores of zero, and a 21 per cent decrease in sites having Gingival Index scores of 2 compared to baseline (χ2 = 137.67, 4 df, p = 0.00001). Ready to change (RTC) patients had significantly fewer sites scored GI ≤ 2 compared to not‐RTC patients (p = 0.01). Compared with the not‐RTC patients, RTC patients were more than twice as likely to have fewer sites scored GI ≤ 2 (RR = 2.43, 95% CI (1.24, 4.71), p = 0.01). A total of 100 out of 146 smooth non‐cavitated carious surfaces at baseline have remineralized after six months, 99 per cent of sound surfaces remained sound, and 23 new lesions were observed in six of the 20 patients (α2 = 292, 7 df, p = 0.00001). About half of proximal surfaces showing bitewing scores of grade 1 or 2 had regressed (α2 = 86.66, 56 df, p = 0.0001) and 95 per cent of proximal sound surfaces at baseline, as diagnosed via bitewing radiographs, remained sound.Conclusions:  This audit revealed that the implementation of the non‐invasive approach to caries management which combined intensive coaching in oral hygiene maintenance, special home care and intensive monitoring in a clinic for high‐risk patients was able to reduce gingival inflammation and maintain low plaque levels, at least within the scope of this short‐term review.
Production of a Dendritic Cell-Based Vaccine Containing Inactivated Autologous Virus for Therapy of Patients with Chronic Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection
Authors: Whiteside Theresa L. , Piazza Paolo , Reiter Amanda , Stanson Joanna , Connolly Nancy C. , Rinaldo Charles R. , Riddler Sharon A. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTIn preparation for a pilot clinical trial in patients with chronic human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection, a novel dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccine is being manufactured. The trial will test the hypothesis that isolated endogenous virus presented by DCs serves as a potent immunogen for activation of CD8+and CD4+T cells specific for a broad range of autologous HIV-1 antigens. Production of the vaccine under good manufacture practice conditions involves (i) autologous virus isolation; (ii) superinfection of CD4+T cells with the virus; (iii) inactivation of the virus in CD4+T cells, T-cell apoptosis, and coincubation of T cells with autologous DCs; and (iv) product testing and release. Endogenous virus was isolated from peripheral blood-derived CD4+T cells of three HIV-1-positive subjects by coincubation with autologous OKT-3-stimulated CD4+T cells. CD4+T-cell supernatants were tested for p24 levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (>25 ng/ml) and for the 50% tissue culture infective doses (TCID50; which ranged from 4,642 to 46,416/ml on day 19 of culture). Autologous CD4+T cells that were separated on immunobeads (>95% purity) and superinfected with virus-expressed p24 (28 to 54%) had TCID50of >400/ml on days 5 to 10. Virus inactivation with psoralen (20 μg/ml) and UVB irradiation (312 nm) reduced the TCID50of the supernatants from 199,986 to 11/ml (>99%). 7-Amino-actinomycin D-positive, annexin V-positive CD4+T cells were fed to autologous DCs generated by using the Elutra cell separation system and the Aastrom system. Flow analysis showed that DC loading was complete in 24 h. On the basis of these translational results and experience with the generation of DCs from HIV-1-infected patients in a previous clinical trial, the Investigational New Drug application for clinical vaccination was submitted and approved by the FDA (application no. BB-IND-13137).
Evolutionary Dynamics of Variant Genomes of Human Papillomavirus Types 18, 45, and 97
Authors: Chen Zigui , DeSalle Rob , Schiffman Mark , Herrero Rolando , Burk Robert D. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTHuman papillomavirus type 18 (HPV18) and HPV45 account for approximately 20% of all cervix cancers. We show that HPV18, HPV45, and the recently discovered HPV97 comprise a clade sharing a most recent common ancestor within HPV α7 species. Variant lineages of these HPV types were classified by sequence analysis of the upstream regulatory region/E6 region among cervical samples from a population-based study in Costa Rica, and 27 representative genomes from each major variant lineage were sequenced. Nucleotide variation within HPV18 and HPV45 was 3.82% and 2.39%, respectively, and amino acid variation was 4.73% and 2.87%, respectively. Only 18 nucleotide variations, of which 10 were nonsynonymous, were identified among three HPV97 genomes. Full-genome comparisons revealed maximal diversity between HPV18 African and non-African variants (2.6% dissimilarity), whereas HPV18 Asian-American [E1 (AA)] and European (E2) variants were closely related (less than 0.5% dissimilarity); HPV45 genomes had a maximal difference of 1.6% nucleotides. Using a Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method, the divergence times of HPV18, -45, and -97 from their most recent common ancestors indicated that HPV18 diverged approximately 7.7 million years (Myr) ago, whereas HPV45 and HPV97 split off around 5.7 Myr ago, in a period encompassing the divergence of the great ape species. Variants within the HPV18/45/97 lineages were estimated to have diverged from their common ancestors in the genusHomowithin the last 1 Myr (<0.7 Myr). To investigate the molecular basis of HPV18, HPV45, and HPV97 evolution, regression models of codon substitution were used to identify lineages and amino acid sites under selective pressure. The E5 open reading frame (ORF) of HPV18 and the E4 ORFs of HPV18, HPV45, and HPV18/45/97 had nonsynonymous/synonymous substitution rate ratios (dN/dS) over 1 indicative of positive Darwinian selection. The L1 ORF of HPV18 genomes had an increased proportion of nonsynonymous substitutions (4.93%; averagedN/dSratio [M3] = 0.3356) compared to HPV45 (1.86%; M3 = 0.1268) and HPV16 (2.26%; M3 = 0.1330) L1 ORFs. In contrast, HPV18 and HPV16 genomes had similar amino acid substitution rates within the E1 ORF (2.89% and 3.24%, respectively), while HPV45 E1 was highly conserved (amino acid substitution rate was 0.77%). These data provide an evolutionary history of this medically important clade of HPVs and identify an unexpected divergence of the L1 gene of HPV18 that may have clinical implications for the long-term use of an L1-virus-like particle-based prophylactic vaccine.
Erectile dysfunction in type 1 diabetic males
Authors: Jamieson Fiona , Chalmers John , Duncan Catriona , Prescott Robin J , Campbell Ian W 
Published: November 2008

In a survey of 142 type 1 diabetic males, 40—59 years of age, 76 (54%) had erectile dysfunction (ED). Using a multi-variate analysis, the six most significant associations with ED were age (p = 0.009), duration of diabetes (p = 0.001), glycaemic control as assessed by HbA1c (p = 0.003), weight (p = 0.003), hypertension (p = 0.06) and microalbuminuria (p = 0.04). ED was associated with a higher cardiovascular risk score. In an assessment of categorical variables, retinopathy and laser therapy were also significant, reflecting the severity of underlying microangiopathy. It is concluded that despite advances in the management of micro- and macrovascular complications over the past 30 years, ED is still a common problem in diabetic males requiring careful assessment and appropriate treatment.
Mapping similarities in mTOR pathway perturbations in mouse lupus nephritis models and human lupus nephritis
Authors: Reddy Padmalatha S , Legault Holly M , Sypek Joseph P , Collins Mark J , Goad Elizabeth , Goldman Samuel J , Liu Wei , Murray Stuart , Dorner Andrew J , O'Toole Margot 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Introduction
Treatment with sirolimus, a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, has been shown to be efficacious in the MRL/lpr and NZB × NZW F1 mouse models of lupus nephritis, indicating a critical role for the mTOR pathway in both models. This type of demonstration of efficacy in animal models is usually a pre-requisite for advancement into clinical development. However, efficacy in an animal model often has not translated to the desired activity in the clinic. Therefore, a more profound understanding of the mechanistic similarities and differences between various animal models and human diseases is highly desirable.

Methods
Transcriptional profiling was performed on kidneys from mice with lupus nephritis; from mice who had efficacious drug treatment; and from mice before they developed nephritis. Analysis of variance with false discovery rate adjusted to p < 0.05 and an average fold change of two or more was used to identify transcripts significantly associated with disease and response to therapy. Pathway analyses (using various bioinformatics tools) were carried out to understand the basis for drug efficacy in the mouse model. The relevance in human lupus of the pathways identified in the mouse model was explored using information from several databases derived from the published literature.

Results
We identified a set of nephritis-associated genes in mouse kidney. Expression of the majority of these returned to asymptomatic levels on sirolimus treatment, confirming the correlation between expression levels and symptoms of nephritis. Network analysis showed that many of these nephritis genes are known to interact with the mTOR pathway. This led us to ask what human diseases are linked to the mTOR pathway. We constructed the mTOR pathway interactome consisting of proteins that interact with members of the mTOR pathway and identified a strong association between mTOR pathway genes and genes reported in the literature as being involved in human lupus.

Conclusions
Our findings implicate the mTOR pathway as a critical contributor to human lupus. This broad pathway-based approach to understanding the similarities in, and differences between, animal models and human diseases may have broader utility.