bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic and phenotypic diversity of Bifidobacterium thermacidophilum fecal isolates from newborns
Authors: Kheadr E. , Dabour N. , von Ah U. , Lacroix C. , Meile L. , Fliss I. 
Published: April 2008

This study was undertaken to genetically identify and phenotypically characterize 14 bifidobacteria isolated from 20 breast-fed newborns. These isolates showed 98%–99% similarity to Bifidobacterium thermacidophilum subsp. suis based on 16S rDNA. Further analysis by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of chromosomal DNA digested with XbaI revealed 4 distinct restriction patterns. The predominant pattern, shared by 8 (57%) isolates, produced a macro-restriction profile with about 13 large fragments ranging in size from >242.5 to 23.1 kb, whereas the other 6 displayed 3 distinct restriction profiles all characterized by more micro- than macro-restriction, with fragments ranging in size from 97 to 9.4 kb. Phenotypic characteristics, including carbohydrate fermentation profile, maximal growth temperature, and antibiotic susceptibility, varied widely even among strains showing the same restriction profile. The presence of B. thermacidophilum in stools of newborn infants may indicate the potential of these bacteria for aiding the development of the intestinal ecosystem.
Identification of iron-regulated cellular proteins, Fe3+-reducing and -chelating compounds, in the white-rot fungus Perenniporia medulla-panis
Authors: Arantes Valdeir , Milagres Adriane M.F. 
Published: April 2008

In this paper, we present the responses of the white-rot fungus Perenniporia medulla-panis to iron availability with regard to alterations in growth, expression of cellular proteins, Fe3+-reducing activity, and Fe3+chelators production. Iron supplementation stimulated fungal growth but did not result in a significant increase in biomass production. Catechol and hydroxamate derivatives were produced mainly under iron deficiency, and their productions were repressed under iron supplementation conditions. Perenniporia medulla-panis showed several cellular proteins in the range of 10–90 kDa. Some of them showed negative iron-regulation. Iron-supplemented medium also repressed both cell surface and extracellular Fe3+-reducing activities; however, the highest cell surface activity was detected at the initial growth phase, whereas extracellular activity increased throughout the incubation period. No significant production of chelators and extracellular Fe3+-reducing activity were observed within the initial growth phase, suggesting that the reduction of Fe3+to Fe2+is performed by ferrireductases.
Diversity of tet resistance genes in tetracycline-resistant bacteria isolated from a swine lagoon with low antibiotic impact
Authors: Macauley John J , Adams Craig D. , Mormile Melanie R. 
Published: April 2008

Tetracycline resistance has been extensively studied and shown to be widespread. A number of previous studies have clearly demonstrated that a variety of tetracycline resistance genes are present in swine fecal material, treatment lagoons, and the environments surrounding concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). The diversity of tetracycline resistance within a swine lagoon located at a CAFO that used only bacitricin methylene disalicylate as an antibiotic was evaluated by screening 85 tetracycline-resistant isolates for the presence of 18 different genes by performing PCR with primers that target tetracycline efflux genes of Gram-negative bacteria and ribosomal protection proteins. In addition, partial 16S rRNA sequences from each of these isolates were sequenced to determine the identity of these isolates. Of the 85 isolates examined, 17 may represent potential novel species based on BLAST results. Greater than 50% of the isolates (48 out of 85) were found to not contain targeted tet efflux genes. Though minimum inhibitory concentrations ranged widely (16 – >256 mg/L), these values did not give an indication of the tet genes present. Ten new genera were identified that contain at least one tet efflux gene. Five other genera possessed tet efflux genes that were not found in these organisms previously. Interestingly, none of the isolates possessed any of the selected ribosomal protection protein genes. Though tetracycline resistance was found in bacteria isolated from a swine CAFO lagoon, it appears that the limited antibiotic use at this CAFO might have impacted the presence and diversity of tetracycline resistance genes.
Detection ofBacillus cereusvirulence factors in commercial products ofBacillus thuringiensisand expression of diarrheal enterotoxins in a target insect
Authors: Kyei-Poku George , Gauthier Debbie , Pang A. , van Frankenhuyzen K. 
Published: April 2008

We examined isolates from 4 commercial bioinsecticides based on different strains of Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies ( kurstaki , israelensis , aizawai , and tenebrionis ) for the presence of genes encoding proteins with known enterotoxigenicity (nhe, hbl, cytk, ces) and various other putative virulence genes (piplc, sph, bceT, entFM, entS, entT). The piplc and bceT sequences were present in all the isolates; sph was found in aizawai and israelensis; entFM only in israelensis; and entS in kurstaki, israelensis, and tenebrionis. Our results corroborate previous findings that isolates used in commercial products contain all nhe and hbl component genes but not the ces gene. We ascertained that the cytK gene present in the kurstaki-, israelensis-, and aizawai-based products belongs to the cytK-2 type and not the more toxigenic cytK-1 variant originally isolated from enterotoxic Bacillus cereus. We provide the first evidence that hemolytic (hblA) and nonhemolytic (nheA, nheB, nheC) enterotoxin genes are expressed during septicemia in a target insect. This opens the door for their possible participation in pathogenesis in target insects. If enterotoxins do not contribute to bacterial pathogenesis in target insects, their genes could be deleted from commercial production strains to pre-empt perceptions of public health risks.
A Theology for the Older, Female Hiv-Infected Body
Authors: Landman Christina 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAids management programmes in South Africa focus primarily on people under the age of 48. Local theologies, too, address mainly the needs of HIV-infected people between the ages of 15 and 50. This article, then, argues for theological attention to women over the age of 50 who remain voiceless and isolated in their bodies. Although Body Theology as developed by Lisa Isherwood does not deal with the HIV-infected body as such, the insights of this theology, in dialogue with the experiences of HIV-infected women over 50, are used here to construct a basic theology for empowering the four 'bodies' of the older woman living with HIV: the physical body is to be embodied as a site of resistance and enjoyment, the symbolic body as a site of relationship and beauty; the political body as the site of energy, and the spiritual body as the site of recreation and resurrection. Women over 50 are in special need of theological care because of the loneliness ensuing from the fact that, in this age group, the women/men ratio in South Africa is 100 to 70. This renders older women vulnerable to illicit sexual encounters.
Extracorporeal photopheresis reverses experimental graft-versus-host disease through regulatory T cells
Authors: Gatza Erin , Rogers Clare E. , Clouthier Shawn G. , Lowler Kathleen P. , Tawara Isao , Liu Chen , Reddy Pavan , Ferrara James L. M. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP), a technique that exposes isolated white blood cells to photoactivatable 8-methoxypsoralen and ultraviolet A radiation, is used clinically to treat cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and immune-mediated diseases such as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). ECP is thought to control these diseases in part through direct induction of lymphocyte apoptosis, but its effects on the immune system beyond apoptosis remain poorly characterized. We have developed a novel method for incorporating ECP treatment into well-established and clinically relevant murine models of GVHD to examine its effects during an ongoing immune response. We demonstrate that the transfer of cells treated with ECP reverses established GVHD by increasing donor regulatory T cells and indirectly reducing the number of donor effector lymphocytes that themselves had never been exposed to psoralen and ultraviolet A radiation.
Studies on Effects of External Electric Fields on Halobacteria with Fluorescence Intensity and Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy
Authors: Nakabayashi Takakazu , Wang Hui-Ping , Tsujimoto Kazuo , Miyauchi Seiji , Kamo Naoki , Ohta Nobuhiro 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Effects of an external electric field have been measured for Halobacterium salinarum loaded with fluorescent dye BCECF. Aggregates of the halobacteria are effectively formed by an electric field. The fluorescence lifetime of BCECF remains unchanged after the formation of the aggregates, suggesting that intracellular environments are not affected significantly by an external electric field in spite of the aggregate formation.
Calcium Chloride as an Efficient Lewis Base Catalyst for the One-pot Synthesis of α-Aminophosphonic Esters
Authors: Kaboudin Babak , Zahedi Hazegh 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
A simple, efficient, and general method has been developed for the one-pot synthesis of α-aminophosphonic esters, under solvent-free conditions, with the use of CaCl2 as a Lewis base catalyst. The esters were obtained under mild conditions and in high yield (80 to 96%) and purity. They were synthesized by the reaction of diethyl phosphite with a mixture of aldehydes and amines, in the presence of CaCl2, and under solvent-free conditions. Major advantages of this protocol are: high yields, inexpensive method, making use of a non-toxic catalyst and finally mild and solvent-free conditions.
Photoinduced Processes of Subphthalocyanine–Diazobenzene–Fullerene Triad as an Efficient Excited Energy Transfer System
Authors: Kim Jong-Hyung , El-Khouly Mohamed E , Araki Yasuyuki , Ito Osamu , Kay Kwang-Yol 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Photoinduced processes of a newly synthesized subphthalocyanine–diazobenzene–fullerene triad have been studied by the time-resolved spectroscopic techniques. On photo-excitation of subphthalocyanine (SubPc) moiety, the fluorescence quenching of SubPc was observed, suggesting the energy-transfer process from singlet excited energy of the light-harvesting SubPc to C60 through diazobenzene. This finding is confirmed by the nanosecond transient absorption of the triplet excited state of C60.
Single-walled Carbon Nanotube Modification into a Photograft-polymerized Polymer Film via Polyion-complexation
Authors: Yamaguchi Yoshifumi , Haraguchi Shinsuke , Nakashima Naotoshi 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Shortened single-walled carbon nanotubes having anionic charges were immobilized in a cationic vinyl monomer-photografted poly(ethylene terephthalate) film. The present method is simple and useful for preparing polymer/nanotube hybrid films via the polyion-complexation of cationic photografted polymer films and anionic CNTs.
Incidence of interval breast cancers after 650,000 negative mammographics in 13 Italian health districts
Authors: Bucchi Lauro , Ravaioli Alessandra , Foca Flavia , Colamartini Americo , Falcini Fabio , Naldoni Carlo 
Published: April 2008

Objectives To estimate the total proportional incidence of interval breast cancers in a two-yearly mammography screening programme, and to perform subgroup analyses by woman's age, screening centre-specific recall rate and screening round. Methods Using unconverted electronic datasets from the 13 screening centres in the Emilia-Romagna Region of northern Italy (540,450 women aged 50-69 years), a database of 919,538 mammography records was created. Of these, 655,175 eligible single-mammography records (1997-2002) from 379,318 women were record-linked with the regional Breast Cancer Registry. In the two-year inter-screening interval, a total of 1,022,694.3 woman-years at risk were accumulated, with 695 interval cancers observed and 2428.3 expected. The observed number of interval cancers was divided by the expected number to obtain the proportional incidence. Results The total proportional incidence of first- and second-year interval cancers was 0.18 (95% CI 0.15-0.20) and 0.43 (0.39-0.47), respectively. woman's age was inversely associated with proportional incidence in both interval years, with a cut-off point at age 60. A screening centre-specific recall rate greater than the regional average of 5% was associated with a proportional incidence of 0.14 (0.11-0.17) versus 0.20 (0.17-0.24) in the first interval year, and of 0.36 (0.31-0.41) versus 0.50 (0.44-0.56) in the second. The proportional incidence remained unchanged between the first and subsequent screening rounds. Conclusions The results were in line with the previous Italian data and with the recommended European standards. The inverse effect of woman's age and of recall rate was expected.
High-grade cervical abnormalities and screening intervals in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Schindeler Suzanne , Morrell Stephen , Zuo Yeqin , Baker Deborah 
Published: April 2008

Objectives This study aims to determine the association of two versus three year screening intervals with the likelihood of detection of a high-grade cervical abnormality and cervical cancer. Methods Data were obtained from the New South Wales (NSW) Papanicolaou (Pap) Test Register (PTR) and NSW Central Cancer Registry (CCR). Subjects were human papillomavirus (HPV) unvaccinated women aged 20-69 years who had a minimum of two Pap tests with a negative result at their first recorded Pap test (n = 1,213,295). Logistic regression was used to determine the association between screening interval and the likelihood of: (1) a cytological prediction of high-grade abnormality, defined as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 or greater; (2) a histologically confirmed high-grade abnormality; (3) a cytological prediction of cervical cancer and (4) a confirmed diagnosis of cervical cancer, controlling for potential confounders of age and socioeconomic status (SES) of area of residence. Results For each year increase in the screening interval, the odds of a histologically confirmed high-grade abnormality increased significantly in women aged 20-29 years (odds ratio [OR] 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20-1.28) and in women aged 30-49 years (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.06-1.16), but not in women aged 50-69 years (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.89-1.32). Similar results were observed for cytologically detected high-grade abnormalities. The screening interval was significantly and positively associated with a cytological prediction of cervical cancer (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.28-1.54) and a confirmed cervical cancer diagnosis (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.33-2.07) in women aged 20-69 years. We estimate that if the screening interval were increased from two to three years, and the number of women participating in triennial screening participation was the same as for biennial participation in NSW, then 267 (95% CI 186-347) extra cases of high-grade abnormalities would be detected annually by cytology and 225 extra cases (95% CI 160-291) confirmed by histology, mostly confined to women aged 20-49 years. Equivalently, 2.3 (95% CI 1.8-2.8) and 1.9 (95% CI 1.5-2.4) extra cases of high-grade cytology and histology, respectively, would be expected per 1000 women with initially negative cytology if the screening interval were extended from two to three years. Conclusion Increasing the cervical screening interval from two to three years would be expected to significantly increase the odds of detection of a high-grade abnormality for NSW women aged 20-49 years and cervical cancer for NSW women aged 20-69 years. Accordingly, our study provides evidence in support of retaining the recommended cervical screening interval at two years for HPV unvaccinated, well women.
Performance of systematic and non-systematic (‘opportunistic’) screening mammography: a comparative study from Denmark
Authors: Bihrmann Kristine , Jensen Allan , Olsen Anne Helene , Njor Sisse , Schwartz Walter , Vejborg Ilse , Lynge Elsebeth 
Published: April 2008

Objectives Evaluation and comparison of the performance of organized and opportunistic screening mammography. Methods Women attending screening mammography in Denmark in 2000. The study included 37,072 women attending organized screening. Among these, 320 women were diagnosed with breast cancer during follow-up. Opportunistic screening was attended by 2855 women with 26 women being diagnosed with breast cancer. Data on women attending screening were linked with information on cancer status. Each woman was followed with respect to diagnosis of breast cancer (invasive as well as in situ) for a period of two years. Screening outcome and cancer status during follow-up were combined to assess whether the result of the examination was true-positive, true-negative, false-positive or false-negative. Based on this classification, age-adjusted sensitivity and specificity of organized and opportunistic screening were calculated. Results Defining BI-RADS™ 4-5 as a positive screening outcome, the overall sensitivity of opportunistic screening was 33.6% and the specificity was 99.1%. Using BI-RADS™ 3-5 as positive, the sensitivity was 37.4% and the specificity was 97.9%. Organized screening (which was not categorized according to BI-RADS™) had an overall sensitivity of 67.2% and a specificity of 98.4%. Conclusion Our study showed a considerably higher sensitivity in organized screening than in opportunistic screening, while the specificity was fairly similar in the two settings. The findings support implementation of population-based breast screening programmes, as recommended in the ‘European guidelines for quality assurance in breast cancer screening and diagnosis’.
A cohort effect in cervical screening coverage?
Authors: Lancuck L , Patnickand J , Vessey M 
Published: April 2008

Introduction Objectives The objective of this study is to analyse cervical screening coverage data over time. Methods Routinely collected cervical screening statistics, in England, on the proportion of women who have undergone cervical screening with cytology during the preceding five years. The participants included all women residents eligible for cervical screening. Results Overall coverage remained at about 82% or over between 1995 and 2000. Since 2000, however, coverage has drifted slowly down to just over 80% in 2005. Coverage has long been observed to be related to age. In 2005, the coverage rate was 71% in women aged 25-29, 83% in those aged 35-54 and 75% in those aged 55-64. Comparing coverage by age in the three years, 1995-2000 and 2005 - shows broad conformity with this pattern in each of the three years, but overlaid is the fact that at ages below 50, the rate has been falling while at ages above 55, the rate has been rising. The fall in screening coverage appears to be largely a cohort effect, with women born in the 1960s and later being increasingly less likely to participate. Conclusions No specific reason for this effect is evident. Action could be targeted at women aged 25-34 to address falling coverage.
EphrinB2 Regulation by PTH and PTHrP Revealed by Molecular Profiling in Differentiating Osteoblasts
Authors: Allan Elizabeth H , Häusler Karl D , Wei Tao , Gooi Jonathan H , Quinn Julian MW , Crimeen-Irwin Blessing , Pompolo Sueli , Sims Natalie A , Gillespie Matthew T , Onyia Jude E , Martin T John 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
With the aim of identifying new pathways and genes regulated by PTH(1–34) and PTH-related protein 1–141 [PTHrP(1–141)] in osteoblasts, this study was carried out using a mouse marrow stromal cell line, Kusa 4b10, that acquires features of the osteoblastic phenotype in long-term culture conditions. After the appearance of functional PTH receptor 1 (PTHR1) in Kusa 4b10 cells, they were treated with either PTH(1–34) or PTHrP(1–141), and RNA was subjected to Affymetrix whole mouse genome array. The microarray data were validated using quantitative real-time RT-PCR on independently prepared RNA samples from differentiated Kusa 4b10, UMR106 osteosarcoma cells, and primary mouse calvarial osteoblasts, as well as in vivo using RNA from metaphyseal bone after a single PTH injection to 3-wk-old and 6-mo-old ovariectomized rats. Of the 45,101 probes used on the microarray, 4675 were differentially expressed by ≥1.5 fold, with a false discovery rate &lt;0.1. Among the regulated genes, ephrinB2 mRNA was upregulated in response to both PTH and PTHrP. This was confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR in vitro and in vivo. Increased ephrinB2 protein was also shown in vitro by Western blotting, and immunostaining of femur sections showed ephrinB2 in both osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Production of ephrinB2, as well as other ephrins or Eph family members, did not change during differentiation of Kusa 4b10 cells. Blockade of ephrinB2/EphB4 interaction resulted in inhibition of mineralization of Kusa 4b10 cells. Together with the shown effect of ephrinB2 promoting osteoblast differentiation and bone formation through action on EphB4, the data raise the possibility that PTH or PTHrP might regulate ephrinB2 to act in a paracrine or autocrine manner on EphB4 or EphB2 in the osteoblast, contributing as a local event to the anabolic action of PTH or PTHrP.
Berberine Promotes Osteoblast Differentiation by Runx2 Activation With p38 MAPK
Authors: Lee Hyun Woo , Suh Jung Hee , Kim Hyun-Nam , Kim A Young , Park So Yun , Shin Chan Soo , Choi Je-Yong , Kim Jae Bum 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Berberine (BBR) has been implicated in bone biology. Although BBR reduces osteoporosis by enhancing BMD and inhibiting osteoclast activity, the effects of BBR on osteoblasts during the process of osteogenesis have not been thoroughly studied. In osteoblastic cells, BBR enhanced the expression of osteogenic marker genes including osteopontin and osteocalcin and promoted the transcriptional activity of the key osteogenic transcription factor Runx2. In osteoblasts, BBR increased the binding of Runx2 to the promoter region of osteopontin. The recruitment of co-factors such as p300 and HDAC1 to the promoter regions of osteopontin and osteocalcin was regulated by BBR, resulting in an enhancement in the expression of those genes. Furthermore, BBR activated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and increased cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) expression, which are key factors in osteoblast differentiation. Consistently, a p38 MAPK-specific inhibitor attenuated the effect of BBR on osteogenesis, whereas p38 MAPK overexpression augmented BBR-induced osteogenic gene expression. Moreover, BBR stimulated bone area formation in calvarial organ culture. Taken together, these findings indicate that BBR promotes osteoblast differentiation through activation of Runx2 by p38 MAPK. Therefore, BBR may be a potential therapeutic agent to treat bone-related disorders including osteoporosis.