bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improved template representation in cpn60 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product libraries generated from complex templates by application of a specific mixture of PCR primers
Authors: Hill Janet E. , Town Jennifer R. , Hemmingsen Sean M. 
Published: November 2005

SummarySome classes of high G+C content organisms such as the Actinobacteria, which are known through culture‐based studies to be present in large numbers in particular microbial communities, are under‐represented or even absent from 16S rRNA or cpn60 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product libraries derived from these templates. Using reference cpn60 sequence data from organisms with high G+C content genomes, a pair of PCR primers were designed which, when used in combination with the previously developed degenerate, universal cpn60 primers, improve the representation of templates with high G+C content. The primers were validated using a combination of traditional and quantitative real‐time PCR on both manufactured template mixtures and biological samples. The development and optimization of this specific primer mixture represents an improvement of established methods and a significant advance in the ability to generate cpn60 PCR product libraries that more closely represent the sequence diversity in complex templates.
Vancomycin‐ and erythromycin‐resistant enterococci in a pig farm and its environment
Authors: Manero Albert , Vilanova Xavier , Cerdà‐Cuéllar Marta , Blanch Anicet R. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryA high prevalence of vancomycin‐ and erythromycin‐resistant enterococci (VRE and ERE respectively) in a pig farm and its environment was observed. A similar structure and composition of enterococcal populations was detected between urban sewage and those associated with the pig environment. Enterococcus faecium was the most predominant species among VRE isolates from both animal and human origin. The high population similarity index (Sp) obtained comparing VRE and ERE isolates from urban sewage and pig slurry suggests that there are certain strains circulating through the food chain from farms to humans. Erythromycin resistance was present in a wider variety of clones and species of enterococci in both pigs and humans than vancomycin resistance.
Rapid and accurate identification of microorganisms contaminating cosmetic products based on DNA sequence homology
Authors: Fujita Y. , Shibayama H. , Suzuki Y. , Karita S. , Takamatsu S. 
Published: November 2005

SynopsisThe aim of this study was to develop rapid and accurate procedures to identify microorganisms contaminating cosmetic products, based on the identity of the nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal RNA coding DNA (rDNA). Five types of microorganisms were isolated from the inner portion of lotion bottle caps, skin care lotions, and cleansing gels. The rDNA ITS region of microorganisms was amplified through the use of colony‐direct PCR or ordinal PCR using DNA extracts as templates. The nucleotide sequences of the amplified DNA were determined and subjected to homology search of a publicly available DNA database. Thereby, we obtained DNA sequences possessing high similarity with the query sequences from the databases of all the five organisms analyzed. The traditional identification procedure requires expert skills, and a time period of approximately 1 month to identify the microorganisms. On the contrary, 3–7 days were sufficient to complete all the procedures employed in the current method, including isolation and cultivation of organisms, DNA sequencing, and the database homology search. Moreover, it was possible to develop the skills necessary to perform the molecular techniques required for the identification procedures within 1 week. Consequently, the current method is useful for rapid and accurate identification of microorganisms, contaminating cosmetics.
The biology of facial beauty
Authors: Fink B. , Neave N. 
Published: November 2005

SynopsisIt was once widely believed that standards of beauty were arbitrarily variable. Recent research suggests, however, that people's views of facial attractiveness are remarkably consistent, regardless of race, nationality or age. Facial characteristics are known to influence human attractiveness judgements and evolutionary psychologists suggest that these characteristics all pertain to health, leading to the conclusion that humans have evolved to view certain bodily features as attractive because the features were displayed by healthy others. Here we review some of the fundamental principles of sexual selection theory that apply to human beauty and summarize the major findings of human beauty perception.
‘Healthy skin’: significance and results of an Italian study on healthy population with particular regard to ‘sensitive’ skin
Authors: Sparavigna A. , Di Pietro A. , Setaro M. 
Published: November 2005

SynopsisThere is an increasing demand in general population regarding skin healthiness and improvement of aesthetical appearance, indicating that people require more information about how to treat healthy skin and to prevent skin disease. This study is the result of a campaign on healthy skin organized by the International Society of Plastic Dermatology. This campaign was at the same time an occasion to perform an epidemiological study on Italian population and was conducted during only one month (March 2004) throughout Italy. In total, 462 dermatologists all over Italy joined the project. Study protocol and diagnostic kits were provided to all adhering dermatologists. After signing an informed consent, subjects were assigned to undergo anamnesis, medical examination and stinging test with 10% lactic acid at the level of nasolabial fold. A total of 2101 duly compiled case record forms were sent back by the dermatologists. The analysis of the demographic features and lifestyle of the subjects who were attracted by the campaign allows us to draw the identikit of people interested in the maintenance of a healthy skin, i.e. mainly young women, who already lead a healthy life and took care of their skin. Sensitive skin was common in this healthy population.
Sexual differentiation in sensitivity to male body odor1
Authors: Tokunaga Y. , Omoto Y. , Sangu T. , Miyazaki M. , Kon R. , Takada K. 
Published: November 2005

SynopsisWe have confirmed that more female subjects than male subjects evaluate male body odor as significantly unpleasant. Through an investigation on sexual differentiation in sensitivity to male body odor, we concluded that one of the volatile steroids, androstenone, had two effects on female olfactory sense. First, female subjects perceived androstenone itself to be more unpleasant than male subjects. Second, for only female subjects, androstenone, at a concentration of one‐tenth of detection threshold, enhanced the intensity and unpleasantness of body‐odor constituents such as short‐chain fatty acids.
The influence of weightlessness on pharmacokinetics
Authors: Gandia Peggy , Saivin Sylvie , Houin Georges 
Published: November 2005

AbstractThe primary hostile factor during a spaceflight is the lack of gravity, which can induce space motion sickness and act on bones, muscles and the cardiovascular system. These physiological effects may modify the pharmacokinetics of the drugs administered during the flight producing reduced pharmacological activity or appearance of adverse effects. Given the small number of spaceflights and the difficulties of conducting experiments during missions, pharmacokinetic data obtained in flight are insufficient to determine if drug monitoring is necessary for the drugs present in the onboard medical kit. Therefore, validated earthbound models like tail‐suspension performed with animals and long‐term bedrest performed with human volunteers are used to simulate weightlessness and to study the pharmacokinetic variations of either absorption, distribution, or elimination of drugs. As a result of these studies, it is possible to make some dosing recommendations but more information is necessary to predict with precision all of the pharmacokinetic variations occurring in spaceflight. To collect more pharmacokinetic information, head‐down bedrest studies are still the best solution and as saliva is an appropriate substitution for plasma for some drugs, salivary sampling can be planned during flights.
Chemopreventive efficacy and anti‐lipid peroxidative potential of Jasminum grandiflorum Linn. on 7,12‐dimethylbenz(a)anthracene‐induced rat mammary carcinogenesis
Authors: Kolanjiappan K. , Manoharan S. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the chemopreventive efficacy and anti‐lipid peroxidative potential of Jasminum grandiflorum Linn. on 7,12‐dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)‐induced rat mammary carcinogenesis. Mammary tumors were developed by a single subcutaneous injection of 25 mg DMBA in 1 mL emulsion of sunflower oil and physiological saline. The tumor incidence and tumor volume that formed in the breast were determined. Oral administration of ethanolic extract of J. grandiflorum flowers (JgEt) at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight for 14 weeks to DMBA‐injected animals completely prevented the formation of tumors in the pre‐initiation period. JgEt also exerted significant anti‐lipid peroxidative effect and improved the antioxidant defense system in DMBA‐treated rats. The results of this study clearly indicate that JgEt has potent chemopreventive efficacy in experimental mammary carcinogenesis and further studies are warranted to isolate and characterize the bioactive principle from JgEt.
Cardiovascular and metabolic effects of natriuretic peptides
Authors: Moro Cédric , Berlan Michel 
Published: November 2005

AbstractNatriuretic peptides (NP) are essential in mammals to regulate blood volume and pressure. The functional roles of NP are not limited to natriuresis and diuresis. Several peripheral and central actions of the peptides have been characterized. Studies on transgenic mice have revealed their key function in the regulation of cardiomyocyte growth. Plasma NP levels increase in patients with cardiovascular disorders and heart failure. They represent useful clinical markers for clinicians to diagnose heart diseases. The recent discovery of their potent lipolytic action in adipose tissue is a breakthrough in cardiovascular medicine. This new function of NP in the regulation of lipid metabolism offers interesting questions in the field of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. This review will briefly describe the effects of NP on the cardiovascular system and lipid metabolism.
Lamotrigine pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modelling in rats
Authors: Castel‐Branco M.M. , Falcão A.C. , Figueiredo I.V. , Caramona M.M. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractThe aim of this study was to perform a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modelling of lamotrigine following its acute administration to rats. Adult male Wistar rats were given 10 mg/kg of lamotrigine intraperitoneally. Plasma and brain samples were obtained at predetermined times over 120 h post‐dose and analysed by liquid chromatography. The anticonvulsant profile against maximal electroshock seizure stimulation was determined over 48 h after dosing. As a linear relationship between lamotrigine plasma and brain profiles was observed, only the plasma data set was used to establish the PK/PD relationship. To fit the effect–time course of lamotrigine, the PK/PD simultaneous fitting link model was used: the pharmacokinetic parameters and dosing information were used in the one‐compartment first‐order model to predict concentrations, which were then used to model the pharmacodynamic data with the sigmoidEmaxmodel, in order to estimate all the parameters simultaneously. The following parameters were obtained:Vd = 2.00 L/kg,kabs = 8.50 h−1,kel = 0.025 h−1,ke0 = 3.75 h−1,Emax = 100.0% (fixed), EC50 = 3.44 mg/L andγ = 8.64. From these results, it can be stated that lamotrigine is extensively distributed through the body, its plasma elimination half‐life is around 28 h and a lamotrigine plasma concentration of 3.44 mg/L is enough to protect 50% of the animals. When compared with humans, the plasma concentrations achieved with this dose were within the therapeutic concentration range that had been proposed for epileptic patients. With the present PK/PD modelling it was possible to fit simultaneously the time‐courses of the plasma levels and the anticonvulsant effect of lamotrigine, providing information not only about the pharmacokinetics of lamotrigine in the rat but also about its anticonvulsant response over time. As this approach can be easily applied to other drugs, it becomes a useful tool for an explanatory comparison between lamotrigine and other antiepileptic drugs.
Radish seed extract mediates its cardiovascular inhibitory effects via muscarinic receptor activation
Authors: Ghayur Muhammad Nabeel , Gilani Anwarul Hassan 
Published: November 2005

AbstractIn this study, we describe the hypotensive, cardio‐modulatory and endothelium‐dependent vasodilator actions of Raphanus sativus (radish) seed crude extract in an attempt to provide scientific basis for its traditional use in hypertension. The plant extract (Rs.Cr) was prepared in distilled water and was subjected to phytochemical screening using standard analytical procedures. In vivo blood pressure was monitored in anaesthetized normotensive rats. Isolated tissue preparations were suspended in tissue baths containing Kreb's solution while acute toxicity study was performed in mice for 24 h. Rs.Cr tested positive for the presence of saponins, flavonoids, tannins, phenols and alkaloids and caused a dose‐dependent (0.1–3 mg/kg) fall in blood pressure and heart rate of rats that was mediated via an atropine‐sensitive pathway. In isolated guinea‐pig atria, Rs.Cr showed dose‐dependent (0.03–3.0 mg/mL) inhibition of force and rate of contractions. In the atropine‐treated tissues, the inhibitory effect was abolished and a cardiac stimulant effect was unmasked which was resistant to adrenergic and serotonergic receptor blockade. In the endothelium‐intact rat aorta, Rs.Cr inhibited phenylephrine‐induced contractions, which was blocked by atropine and Nω‐Nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester hydrochloride while was also absent in the endothelium‐denuded preparations. The extract was safe in mice up to the dose of 10 g/kg. The study shows that the cardiovascular inhibitory effects of the plant are mediated through activation of muscarinic receptors thus possibly justifying its use in hypertension.
Differential caspase‐9‐dependent signaling pathway between tumor necrosis factor receptor‐ and Fas‐mediated hepatocyte apoptosis in mice
Authors: Imao Motohiro , Nagaki Masahito , Imose Motoaki , Moriwaki Hisataka 
Published: November 2005

Abstract: Background/Aims: Two apoptosis signaling pathways, which are used by different cell types, are identified. The activation of caspases is critical for the apoptosis process. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the caspase‐9 inhibitor Ac‐LEHD‐CHO on tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)‐ and Fas‐mediated hepatocyte apoptosis in vivo, in order to evaluate the similarities and distinctions between TNFR‐ and Fas‐mediated signaling pathways.Methods: BALB/c mice were intravenously injected with d‐galactosamine (GalN, 20 mg/mouse)/tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α, 0.5 μg/mouse), or αFas (10 μg/mouse) 30 min after treatment with the caspase‐9 inhibitor Ac‐LEHD‐CHO or pan‐caspase inhibitor Z‐VAD‐fmk. Liver injury was assessed biochemically and histologically. Cytochrome c release and processing of procaspases in the liver were analyzed by Western blotting. Activities of caspases were measured using a fluorogenic peptide substrate.Results: Pretreatment with Z‐VAD‐fmk prevented liver injury and hepatocyte apoptosis induced by either GalN/TNF‐α or αFas. On the other hand, pretreatment with Ac‐LEHD‐CHO prevented GalN/TNF‐α‐induced hepatotoxicity and hepatocyte apoptosis but not αFas‐induced liver injury and apoptosis. Both inhibitors reduced the activities of caspase‐9 and ‐3 in the livers of mice administered by GalN/TNF‐α. However, unlike Z‐VAD‐fmk, Ac‐LEHD‐CHO did not inhibit caspase‐3 activation in αFas‐treated mice, although this inhibitor attenuated caspase‐9.Conclusion: Fas may rely on both caspase‐8 activation (extrinsic pathway) and mitochondria (intrinsic pathway) to activate caspase‐3. If the mitochondria‐dependent pathway is blocked, the other pathway can compensate. In contrast, TNFR may mediate hepatocellular apoptosis mainly through the mitochondria‐mediated caspase‐9 activation pathway alone.
Measurement of hepatitis B virus core‐related antigen is valuable for identifying patients who are at low risk of lamivudine resistance
Authors: Tanaka Eiji , Matsumoto Akihiro , Suzuki Fumitaka , Kobayashi Mariko , Mizokami Masashi , Tanaka Yasuhito , Okanoue Takeshi , Minami Masahito , Chayama Kazuaki , Imamura Michio , Yatsuhashi Hiroshi , Nagaoka Shinya , Yotsuyanagi Hiroshi , Kawata Sumio , Kimura Tatsuji , Maki Noboru , Iino Shiro , Kiyosawa Kendo ,   HBV Core‐Related Antigen Study Group
Published: November 2005

Abstract: Objective: The clinical usefulness of hepatitis B virus core‐related antigen (HBVcrAg) assay was compared with that of HBV DNA assay in predicting the occurrence of lamivudine resistance in patients with chronic hepatitis B.Patients: Of a total of 81 patients who were treated with lamivudine, 25 (31%) developed lamivudine resistance during a median follow‐up period of 19.3 months.Results: The pretreatment positive rate of HBe antigen, or pretreatment levels of HBVcrAg or HBV DNA did not differ between patients with and without lamivudine resistance. Levels of both HBVcrAg and HBV DNA decreased after the initiation of lamivudine administration; however, the level of HBVcrAg decreased significantly more slowly than that of HBV DNA. The occurrence of lamivudine resistance was significantly less frequent in the 56 patients whose HBV DNA level was less than 2.6 log copy/ml at 6 months of treatment than in the remaining 25 patients. The cumulative rate of lamivudine resistance was as high as 70% within 2 years in the latter group, while it was only 28% in the former group. Lamivudine resistance did not occur during the follow‐up period in the 19 patients whose HBVcrAg level was less than 4.6 log U/ml at 6 months of treatment, while it did occur in 50% of the remaining patients within 2 years.Conclusion: These results suggest that measurement of HBV DNA is valuable for identifying patients who are at high risk of developing lamivudine resistance, and that, conversely, measurement of HBVcrAg is valuable for identifying those who are at low risk of lamivudine resistance.
Historical Aspects of Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsies
Authors: Wolf Peter 
Published: November 2005

Summary:  Early in these proceedings, the origin of the three terms in the title, “idiopathic generalized epilepsy,” is discussed with respect to their significance over time, and typical misunderstandings. In the mid‐20th century, a rather chaotic use of a multitude of often loosely defined terms had developed, which increasingly became an obstacle to a meaningful international discussion. The International League against Epilepsy (ILAE) took the initiative to develop an internationally accepted terminology with a classification system consisting of a classification of seizures (1981) and a classification of syndromes (1989). The Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsies are one of its four major groups emerging from a double dichotomy of generalized versus localization‐related and idiopathic versus symptomatic.The inclusion of biologic aspects such as syndrome‐specific ages of onset (“age‐related syndromes”) or syndrome‐specific relations of seizure occurrence to the sleep–wake cycle (“Epilepsy with Grand Mal on Awaking”) meant that the syndrome classification merged the more biological views of the German school with the more neurophysiological ones of the French.Apart from establishing a common international language concerning epilepsy, the International Classification of Epilepsies and Epileptic Syndromes became an important stimulator of research, especially concerning the idiopathic epilepsies. In particular, genetic and functional imaging investigations aim at a better understanding of these conditions. It is now understood that most idiopathic syndromes have a—sometimes complex—genetic background, but we are also becoming aware of the inappropriateness of the time‐honored term “generalized” and part of our dichotomies. Both localization‐related and “generalized” idiopathic epilepsies seem to share a principle of ictogenesis based on functional anatomic pathogenic networks, and we seem to move toward understanding them as functional system disorders of the brain.
Nonepileptic Disorders Imitating Generalized Idiopathic Epilepsies
Authors: Fejerman Natalio 
Published: November 2005

Summary: Differential diagnosis between epileptic and nonepileptic paroxysmal disorders is fundamental not only to allow correct management of patients but also to avoid the burden of unnecessary antiepileptic medication. The focus of this chapter is limited to imitators of idiopathic generalized epilepsies (IGE) which are expressed through myoclonic, tonic–clonic, tonic, atonic, and absence seizures. Apparent losses of consciousness and drop attacks also have to be considered. Benign myoclonus of early infancy is the main nonepileptic disorder in the differential diagnosis of infantile spasms, but is not dealt with here because West syndrome is not an IGE. Hyperekplexia, metabolic disorders, hypnagogic myoclonus, and disturbed responsiveness caused by the use of drugs are listed inTable 1. Other conditions that may imitate more focal epileptic seizures are omitted. Benign neonatal sleep myoclonus, apnea and apparent life‐threatening events in infants, cyanotic and pallid breath‐holding spells, syncope, staring spells, psychogenic seizures, hyperventilation syndrome, and narcolepsy have been selected based on frequency or difficulties in differential diagnosis with the intention to cover the most conspicuous imitators of IGE in different ages.Nonepileptic disorders imitating idiopathic generalized epilepsiesimage