bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Compared Effect of Immunosuppressive Drugs Cyclosporine A and Rapamycin on Cholesterol Homeostasis Key Enzymes CYP27A1 and HMG‐CoA Reductase
Authors: Gueguen Yann , Ferrari Luc , Souidi Maâmar , Batt Anne‐Marie , Lutton Claude , Siest Gérard , Visvikis Sophie 
Published: May 2007

Abstract:  Hyperlipidaemia, i.e. increase in total cholesterol and triglycerides, is a common side‐effect of the immunosuppressive drugs rapamycin (RAPA) and cyclosporine A (CsA), and is probably related to inhibition of the 27‐hydroxylation of cholesterol (acid pathway of bile acid biosynthesis). This might be one of the causes for the increase in plasma cholesterol, as 27‐hydroxycholesterol is a potent suppressor of 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methyl‐glutaryl‐CoA reductase (HMGR), a key enzyme of cholesterol synthesis. As the sterol 27‐hydroxylase (CYP27A1) inhibition by CsA is well known, we evaluated the effect of another immunosuppressive drug, RAPA, on this enzyme in HepG2 mitochondria, which confirmed the dose‐dependent inhibition of mitochondrial CYP27A1 by cyclosporine (10–20 µM), while the inhibition by RAPA required a higher dose (50–100 µM). Corresponding Ki was 10 µM for CsA (non‐competitive inhibition) and 110 µM for RAPA (competitive inhibition). Cotreatment with both immunosuppressive drugs showed an additive inhibitory effect on CYP27A1 activity. Later, we analysed the effect of these immunosuppressants on HMGR expression in HepG2 cells, and a dose‐dependent up‐regulation of HMGR gene expression was observed. The results suggest that RAPA and CsA are both inhibitors of CYP27A1 activity with slightly different mechanisms and that they may accordingly increase HMGR expression.
Effect of Lycopene on Nephrotoxicity Induced by Mercuric Chloride in Rats
Authors: Augusti Paula R. , Conterato Greicy M. M. , Somacal Sabrina , Einsfeld Lídia , Ramos Adriano T. , Hosomi Fernando Y. M. , Graça Dominguita L. , Emanuelli Tatiana 
Published: May 2007

Abstract: Oxidative stress is an important molecular mechanism for kidney injury in mercury poisoning. We studied lycopene, a potent carotenoid found in tomatoes due to its large antioxidant properties, and also evaluated the ability of lycopene to prevent HgCl2nephrotoxicity. Rats were injected with HgCl2(0 or 5 mg/kg body weight, subcutaneously) 6 hr after lycopene administration (0, 10, 25 or 50 mg/kg by gavage) and were killed 12 hr after HgCl2exposure. HgCl2‐induced inhibition of δ‐aminolevulinate dehydratase activity (∼35%) and increase of lipid peroxidation in kidney (∼37%) were prevented by lycopene. However, lycopene did not prevent the increase of plasma creatinine levels (∼123%) and renal tubular necrosis induced by HgCl2. Glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities were enhanced (∼71% and ∼41%), while superoxide dismutase activity was depressed (∼44%) in HgCl2‐treated rats when compared to control and these effects were prevented by lycopene. Our results indicate that although lycopene did not prevent HgCl2‐induced renal failure, it could play a beneficial role against HgCl2toxicity by preventing lipid peroxidation and changes in the activity of δ‐aminolevulinate dehydratase and antioxidant enzymes.
New-Onset Priapism Associated with Ingestion of Terazosin in an Otherwise Healthy Man
Authors: Sadeghi-Nejad Hossein , Jackson Imani 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Priapism has been reported as a rare effect of the commonly used alpha 1-antagonists through direct inhibition of the sympathetic input necessary for detumescence. Although previously reported as an adverse event in a patient with spinal cord injury, to the best of our knowledge, terazosin-induced priapism in an otherwise healthy man has not been previously described.

Aim
We describe an otherwise healthy man with lower urinary symptoms who developed priapism after ingestion of the commonly prescribed alpha-blocker terazosin.

Results
The priapism resolved after a combination of cavernosal aspiration and alpha-agonist administration.

Conclusion
Priapism is an extremely rare side effect of alpha-blocker therapy and has previously been described in association with other alpha-blockers, as well as with terazosin, in a spinal cord-injured patient. We report a case of priapism specifically associated with terazosin prescribed for lower urinary tract symptoms in an otherwise healthy man.
The Impact of Hunting on the Mammalian Fauna of Tropical Asian Forests
Authors: Corlett Richard T. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTPeople have hunted mammals in tropical Asian forests for at least 40,000 yr. This period has seen one confirmed global extinction (the giant pangolin,Manis palaeojavanica) and range restrictions for several large mammals, but there is no strong evidence for unsustainable hunting pressure until the last 2000–3000 yr, when elephants, rhinoceroses, and several other species were progressively eliminated from the large parts of their ranges. Regional declines in most species have occurred largely within the last 50 yr. Recent subsistence hunting has typically focused on pigs and deer (hunted with dogs and spears or with snares), monkeys and other arboreal mammals (often caught with blowpipes), and porcupines and other rodents (smoked or dug out of burrows). Over the last 50 yr, the importance of hunting for subsistence has been increasingly outweighed by hunting for the market. The hunted biomass is dominated by the same species as before, sold mostly for local consumption, but numerous additional species are targeted for the colossal regional trade in wild animals and their parts for food, medicines, raw materials, and pets. Many populations of mammalian dispersers of large seeds and understory browsers have been depleted or eliminated, while seed predators have had a more variable fate. Most of this hunting is now illegal, but the law enforcement is generally weak. However, examples of successful enforcement show that hunting impacts can be greatly reduced where there is sufficient political will. Ending the trade in wild animals and their parts should have the highest regional conservation priority.
The Plight of Large Animals in Tropical Forests and the Consequences for Plant Regeneration
Authors: Wright S. Joseph , Stoner Kathryn E. , Beckman Noelle , Corlett Richard T. , Dirzo Rodolfo , Muller‐Landau Helene C. , Nuñez‐Iturri Gabriela , Peres Carlos A. , Wang Benjamin C. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTWe introduce a special section that addresses the bushmeat or wild meat crisis, its direct impact on game species, and its indirect impact on plants in tropical forests.
EMULSION CHARACTERISTICS OF BEEF AND SHEEP OFFAL
Authors: KURT ŞÜKRÜ , ZORBA ÖMER 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACT Protein concentration, pH, emulsion capacity (EC), emulsion stability (ES), emulsion density (ED) and apparent yield stress of emulsion (raw emulsion; AYSe) and emulsion gel (cooked emulsion; AYSg) of sheep and beef offal (lung, liver, kidney, spleen and heart) were studied by using a model system. The highest pH value was found in sheep kidney and the lowest pH value was found in sheep heart significantly (P < 0.01). The effect of species factor on the EC values of liver, kidney and spleen was found to be statistically insignificant. However, liver had the highest and heart had the lowest EC values significantly (P < 0.01). The highest ES and AYSg values were found in spleen, and these values were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in sheep spleen than in beef. The lowest AYSe value was found in kidney and the highest AYSe value was found in spleen. Significant differences were not found amoung the ED values of beef and sheep offal.
EFFECTS OF SHELF LIFE ENHANCERS AND MICROBIAL LOAD ON ESCHERICHIA COLI K12 SURVIVAL IN INJECTED BEEF STRIP STEAKS
Authors: PAULSON D.D. , WICKLUND R.A. , ROJAS M.C. , BREWER M.S. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine whether sodium lactate (SL) or an SL/diacetate (SLDA) mixture added to an enhancement solution would effectively reduce microbial loads in surface‐inoculated, enhanced beef. Strip loins were cut into strip steaks (7.5 cm thick), then dipped into an inoculum containing either 103 or 106 cfu/mL Escherichia coli K12. Steaks were injected to a target of 110% over initial weight with one of three enhancement solutions to target final concentrations of: 0.3% salt + 0.3% phosphate (control), salt + phosphate + 0.3% SL or salt + phosphate + SL + 0.25% sodium diacetate. Steaks were vacuum packaged then held at 4C for up to 14 days. Plate counts, pH and color of steaks were determined after 0, 7 and 14 days. The SLDA mixture resulted in the greatest log reduction of coliforms in steaks. Both SL and SLDA resulted in darker steaks. The SL‐ and SLDA‐containing solutions also stabilized pH and decreased purge loss over time.
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN MICROSTRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF CELLULAR CORNSTARCH EXTRUDATES
Authors: AGBISIT RODERICK , ALAVI SAJID , CHENG ENZHI , HERALD THOMAS , TRATER ALLEN 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACT Relationships between mechanical properties and microstructure of brittle biopolymer foams were investigated using noninvasive imaging as a tool. Cornstarch was processed in a twin‐screw extruder to produce brittle foams with varying microstructure. X‐ray microtomography was used to measure microstructure features of the foams, including average cell diameter (2.07–6.32 mm), cell wall thickness (0.13–0.25 mm) and cell number density (18–146 cm
‐

3). Mechanical properties, including compression modulus (2.2–7.8 MPa), crushing stress (42–240 kPa), number of spatial ruptures (2.6–3.6 mm
‐

1), average crushing force (22–67 N) and crispness work (6.4–22 N·mm), were determined instrumentally. Compression modulus had a reasonably good fit (R2 = 0.72) with the Gibson–Ashby model for brittle foams, while crushing stress did not fit as well (R2 = 0.41). Cellular characteristics had moderate to high correlation (|r| = 0.48–0.81) with mechanical properties, and provided significant insight into the deformation mechanism of the foams.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSMechanical properties of extruded biopolymeric foams are largely determined by their microstructure, but the relationships involved have not been properly understood. This study used mechanical testing in combination withnoninvasive x‐ray microtomography to investigate these relationships. Results from this study furthered understanding of the deformation mechanism of brittle foams, and represent an important step toward the ability to better design crisp and crunchy food products with desired textures.
PROBABILISTIC CHARACTERISTICS OF STRESS CHANGES DURING CEREAL SNACK PUNCTURE
Authors: TSUKAKOSHI YOSHIKI , NAITO SHIGEHIRO , ISHIDA NOBUAKI 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACT During puncture tests of Japanese cereal snacks, the force increases and decreases alternately. We herein compare the force–deformation curves recorded by two different testing machines and show that the number of changes in the curves depends on the testing machine. Thus, it is impossible to compare results obtained using different instruments. By removing the higher‐frequency components of the force–deformation curves, small events are easily missed. The number of large events decreases when lower‐frequency components are eliminated. This suggests the importance of providing the information on the frequency range of the testing machines. Nevertheless, the number of large force changes is similar between the examined machines. To model the size–frequency distribution, we selected a parametric probabilistic model from among the Weibull, exponential and Pareto distributions using Akaike information criterion and found that the Weibull or exponential distributions have a fit better than the Pareto distribution. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe methods developed in this work can be used to evaluate the quality of crisp snack food. By analyzing the samples obtained from a lot, samples with poor texture because of abnormal moisture levels and/or ingredients can be discerned and can be used to accept or reject the lot.
RHEOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF WET FOOD FOAMS
Authors: CHÁVEZ‐MONTES B. EDGAR , CHOPLIN LIONEL , SCHAER ERIC 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACT Incorporating air bubbles into foods is a technical challenge, and in all cases, the fabrication of a foam goes through a “wet foam” stage, where bubbles are diluted in the food matrix and require stabilization. Sometimes, the end product is itself a wet foam, and a popular example is ice cream. This article describes a study of structural aspects of wet foams, where the continuous phase is a fluid, by means of dynamic rheological tests. The effects of formulation and processing conditions on aerated food foams are studied, and an example is presented for ice cream mix. The incorporation of gas bubbles at volume fractions of 50% or less modifies moderately the bulk rheological properties, and their effect can be predicted by the foam limit case. The continuous phase dominates to a great part the bulk's rheological behavior, and in the case of food systems, it stems from the presence of polysaccharide thickeners. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThis work presents an alternative approach to study the rheological properties of short life and difficult‐to‐sample products, such as wet food foams, in a rheo‐reactor. Through the analysis of mechanical properties in oscillatory regime, the structure and stability of wet food foams can be characterized immediately after being fabricated in situ. This work presents new insights on the foaming step of ice cream mix (decoupled from the freezing step), and shows how the mechanical properties are affected by the incorporation ofbubbles, by process conditions and by the presence of thickeners and emulsifiers. This work can be a valuable guide to decide on optimal process and formulation to fabricate wet food foams (e.g., ice cream, aerated desserts) with specific mechanical properties and stability.
The Golden Weed, America's Most Deadly Drug
Authors: Proctor Robert N. 
Published: May 2007

The Cigarette Century. The Rise, Fall, and Deadly Persistence of the Product That Defined America.By Allan M. Brandt. Basic Books, New York, 2007. 640 pp. $36, C$43.50. ISBN 9780465070473.In this history of changing attitudes toward smoking, Brandt describes how the tobacco industry promoted "the most deadly addiction on the planet."
Comparison of Immunoglobulin G Responses to the Spike and Nucleocapsid Proteins of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Coronavirus in Patients with SARS
Authors: Zhao Jincun , Wang Wei , Wang Wenling , Zhao Zhendong , Zhang Yan , Lv Ping , Ren Furong , Gao Xiao-Ming 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACT
Both the nucleocapsid (N) and the spike (S) proteins of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) are able to induce strong humoral responses in humans following an infection. To compare the immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses to the S and N proteins of SARS-CoV in SARS patients during the manifestation/convalescent period with those during the postinfection period, serum samples were collected from hospitalized SARS patients within 6 weeks after the onset of illness (set 1; 57 sequential samples from 19 patients) or 2 to 3 months after their recovery (set 2; 33 postinfection samples from 33 subjects). Serum samples from 100 healthy blood donors (set 3), collected in 2002, were also included. The specific IgG response to whole virus, the fragment from positions 450 to 650 of the S protein (S450-650), and the full-length N protein of SARS-CoV were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Western blot assays were carried out to confirm the ELISA results. Fifty-one of the serum samples in set 1 (89%) bound to the N protein, a proportion similar to that which recognized whole virus (79%) and the S-protein fragment (77%). All 33 serum samples from set 2 were strongly positive for N-protein-specific IgG, while 27 (82%) were positive for anti-S450-650 IgG. Two of the serum samples from set 3 were strongly positive for anti-N-protein IgG but not anti-S450-650 IgG. Similar levels of IgG responses to the S and N proteins were observed in SARS patients during the manifestation and convalescent stages. In the postinfection period, however, a number of patients had much lower serum IgG levels against S450-650 than against the N protein.
Real-Time PCR for Diagnosis of Human Bocavirus Infections and Phylogenetic Analysis
Authors: Neske Florian , Blessing Kerstin , Tollmann Franz , Schubert Jörg , Rethwilm Axel , Kreth Hans Wolfgang , Weissbrich Benedikt 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACT

The human bocavirus (hBoV) was first described in 2005 in respiratory tract samples. The clinical relevance of hBoV is still unclear. The aim of our study was to establish a real-time PCR assay for the detection and quantification of hBoV DNA, to apply the real-time assay for the analysis of stool and serum samples for the presence of hBoV DNA, and to perform a phylogenetic analysis of the hBoV positive samples. A total of 834 nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA), 10 serum samples, and 31 stool samples of children with acute respiratory diseases were retrospectively tested. For phylogenetic analysis, 968 bp of the VP2 gene were sequenced from 69 hBoV-positive NPA samples. The qualitative results of the real-time hBoV PCR were in good agreement with a conventional hBoV PCR. We found that 12% of the NPA were positive for hBoV DNA. The median viral load in the NPA was 4.9 × 10
3
copies/ml (range, 2.7 × 10° to 1.5 × 10
11
copies/ml). There was no difference of the hBoV load in NPA between children with or without known coinfection, but the load was significantly higher in children with bronchitis than in children with the diagnosis of febrile seizures. hBoV DNA was found in 1 of 10 serum samples and in 14 of 31 stool samples. hBoV sequence identity was >99% in the VP2 region. In conclusion, hBoV DNA can be found in NPA samples at very high titers. In addition to being found in the respiratory tract, hBoV was found in stool samples. The clinical relevance of these findings remains to be determined.
Quality Control and Reference Guidelines for CLSI Broth Microdilution Method (M38-A Document) for Susceptibility Testing of Anidulafungin against Molds
Authors: Espinel-Ingroff A. , Fothergill A. , Ghannoum M. , Manavathu E. , Ostrosky-Zeichner L. , Pfaller M. A. , Rinaldi M. G. , Schell W. , Walsh T. J. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACT

The CLSI (formerly NCCLS) M38-A document for antifungal susceptibility testing of filamentous fungi does not describe guidelines for echinocandins. A multicenter study (eight centers) evaluated inter- and intralaboratory reproducibilities of two reading times (24 and 48 h or 48 and 72 h) and two end points (MICs and minimum effective concentrations [MECs]) for evaluating anidulafungin against molds. Anidulafungin MICs (≥50% inhibition) and MECs (morphological hyphal changes) were determined for seven
Aspergillus
isolates (four species) and one isolate each of
Fusarium moniliforme
,
Fusarium solani
, and
Paecilomyces variotii
and for two
Scedosporium apiospermum
isolates. The inter- and intralaboratory reproducibilities of 10 replicate tests performed in each laboratory on 10 different days for each isolate was 100% at 24 h (MECs, ≤0.015 μg/ml) for six
Aspergillus
and
P. variotii
isolates. The reproducibility was 94 to 96.7% at 72 h (MECs, 1 to 8 μg/ml) for
S. apiospermum
and 96.7 to 97.5% at 48 h (MICs, ≥32 μg/ml) for both
Fusarium
isolates. Introduction of these identified optimum testing conditions for anidulafungin into future versions of the M38 document is warranted.
Ultrasensitive p24 Antigen Assay for Diagnosis of Perinatal Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection
Authors: Fiscus Susan A. , Wiener Jeffrey , Abrams Elaine J. , Bulterys Marc , Cachafeiro Ada , Respess Richard A. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTWe evaluated an ultrasensitive p24 antigen enzyme immunosorbent assay on 802 plasma specimens from 582 infants and children of 0 to 180 days of age. Overall sensitivity and specificity were 91.7% and 98.5%, respectively. After exclusion of infants of less than 7 days of age, the sensitivity and specificity were 93.7% and 98.3%, respectively.
The Other Group G Streptococcus: Increased Detection ofStreptococcus canisUlcer Infections in Dog Owners
Authors: Lam Maggie M. , Clarridge Jill E. , Young E. J. , Mizuki Sally 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTβ-Hemolytic Lancefield group GStreptococcus dysgalactiaeandStreptococcus caniscannot be distinguished when only Lancefield typing is performed. Phenotypic testing and 16S rRNA gene sequencing identifiedS. canisassociated with ulcer infections in dog owners. BecauseS. canismay be incorrectly identified (published biochemical descriptions are inconsistent), there may be an underestimation of the true number of infections. Identification of group G streptococci to the species level could have epidemiological and clinical implications.
The Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 BgKLVariant, Unlike the BgOLVariant, Shows a Higher Association with Orolabial Infection than with Infections at Other Sites, Supporting the Variant-Dispersion-Replacement Hypothesis
Authors: Ozawa Shigeru , Eda Hiroyuki , Ishii Yasuyuki , Ban Fumihiko , Funabashi Toshiyuki , Hata Seiichiro , Hayashi Kozaburo , Iga Hiroki , Ikushima Takao , Ishiko Hiroaki , Itagaki Tomoo , Kawana Rinji , Kobayashi Shunsaku , Ogino Takeo , Sekizawa Tsuyoshi , Shimomura Yoshikazu , Shiota Hiroshi , Mori Ryoichi , Nakakita Takashi , Numazaki Yoshio , Ozaki Yoshikatsu , Yamamoto Shigeru , Yoshino Kamesaburo , Yanagi Kazuo 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTThe identification and geographic distribution of the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) BglII restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) variants named BgKLand BgOLin clinical isolates from orolabial and cutaneous sites were described in our previous reports, in which the dispersion and replacement of HSV-1 variants were proposed. The base substitution sites deduced from the BgKLmultiple RFLP variations were mapped to the UL12 (DNase), RL2 (α0 transactivator), and latency-associated transcript genes in the present study. The results show that the relative frequencies (RFs) of BgKLare significantly higher in orolabial and cutaneous HSV-1 infections than in ocular infections. For the BgOLvariant, the opposite was found; i.e., the RF of BgOLwas significantly lower in orolabial and cutaneous infections than in ocular infections. No significant differences in the RFs of non-BgKL:non-BgOLisolates were observed. The ratio of the BgKLRF to the BgOLRF was much higher for the orolabial and cutaneous infection groups than for the ocular infection group, whereas the BgKLRF-to-non-BgKL:non-BgOLRF ratios for the former groups were slightly higher than those for the latter group. The higher efficiency of orolabial and cutaneous infections caused by BgKLcompared to the efficiency of infections caused by BgOLallows BgKLto spread more efficiently in human populations and to displace BgOL, because the mouth and lips are the most common HSV-1 infection sites in children. The present study supports our HSV-1 dispersion-and-replacement hypothesis and suggests that HSV-1, the latency-reactivation of which allows variants to accumulate in human populations, has evolved under competitive conditions, providing a new perspective on the polymorphism or variation of HSV-1.