bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predicting intraocular pressure change before initiating therapy: timolol versus latanoprost
Authors: Van Der Valk Rikkert , Webers Carroll A. B. , Hendrikse Fred , De Vogel Stefan C. , Prins Martin H. , Schouten Jan S. A. G. 
Published: November 2007

Abstract.Purpose:  To study intraocular pressure (IOP) reductions with timolol and latanoprost reached in clinical practice, taking into account data that are routinely collected by the ophthalmologist; to predict IOP reduction from these variables.Methods:  A cohort of patients with primary open‐angle glaucoma (suspect) or ocular hypertension was recruited from nine Dutch centres. Mean absolute and relative IOP reduction was calculated in order to compare timolol to latanoprost. IOP reduction was calculated by comparing patients with certain characteristics to those who had none.Results:  One hundred and fifty‐six persons started on timolol and 76 started on latanoprost monotherapy. Mean [95% confidence interval (CI)] absolute reduction was 7.2 mmHg (7.9; 6.5) for timolol and 6.9 mmHg (8.0; 5.8) for latanoprost. Mean relative reduction (95% CI) was 27.2% (29.3; 25.1) for timolol and 26.6% (30.2; 22.9) for latanoprost. No significant difference in IOP reduction between timolol and latanoprost was found when adjusting for data that are routinely collected by the ophthalmologist. At the time of starting treatment, none of these items normally used for the management of glaucoma, except IOP at baseline, could predict change in IOP.Conclusion:  In clinical practice, timolol and latanoprost achieve similar IOP reductions that are comparable to those achieved in randomized trials. No clinically relevant information for glaucoma management can be used to predict IOP reduction accurately.
Clinical diagnoses in young offspring from eastern Québec multigenerational families densely affected by schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
Authors: Maziade M. , Gingras N. , Rouleau N. , Poulin S. , Jomphe V. , Paradis M.‐E. , Mérette C. , Roy M.‐A. 
Published: November 2007

Objective:  The follow‐up since 1989 of a large sample of multigenerational families of eastern Québec that are densely affected by schizophrenia (SZ) or bipolar disorder (BP) has permitted to look at the rates of DSM diagnoses in the young offspring of a SZ parent (HRSZ) and of a BP parent (HRBP) who had an extremely loaded family history.Method:  The sample (average age of 17.5, SD 4.5) consisted of 54 high‐risk offspring (HR) having one parent affected by a DSM‐IV SZ or BP. The parents descended from 21 multigenerational families that constitute a quasi‐total sample of such kindred in eastern Québec. The HRs were administered a lifetime best estimate DSM‐IV diagnosis.Results:  We observed that the rates, the diversity of diagnoses, the high comorbidity, the severity and the age of onset of the clinical diagnoses tended to be similar with those already reported in the offspring of affected parents with a low familial loading. Although the sample size was small, HRSZ and HRBP also tended to show similarities in their clinical status.Conclusion:  Overall, taking into account methodological limitations, the observation early in life of some shared characteristics among HRSZ and HRBP in terms of non‐psychotic diagnosis may be congruent with the accumulating evidence that several phenotypic features are shared in adulthood by the two major psychoses.
The environments of SLACS gravitational lenses
Authors: Auger M. W. 
Published: November 2007

Abstract
We report on an investigation of the environments of the Sloan Lens ACS Survey (SLACS) sample of gravitational lenses. The local and global environments of the lenses are characterized using Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) photometry and, when available, spectroscopy. We find that the lens systems that are best modelled with steeper than isothermal density profiles are more likely to have close companions than lenses with shallower than isothermal profiles. This suggests that the profile steepening may be caused by interactions with a companion galaxy as indicated by N-body simulations of group galaxies. The global environments of the SLACS lenses are typical of non-lensing SDSS galaxies with comparable properties to the lenses, and the richnesses of the lens groups are not as strongly correlated with the lens density profiles as are the local environments. Furthermore, we investigate the possibility of line-of-sight contamination affecting the lens models, but do not find a significant over-density of sources compared to lines of sight without lenses.
Investigation of the Effects of Salinity and Dietary Protein Level on Growth and Survival of Pacific White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei
Authors: Perez‐Velazquez Martin , González‐Félix Mayra L. , Jaimes‐Bustamente Fernando , Martínez‐Córdova Luis R. , Trujillo‐Villalba Denisse A. , Davis D. Allen 
Published: November 2007

Abstract It is presumed that in hypo‐ and hypersaline environments, shrimp’s requirements for some specific nutrients, such as protein, may differ from those known in the marine habitat; however, few investigations have been conducted in this area of study. In the present investigation, the effects of salinity and dietary protein level on the biological performance, tissue protein, and water content of Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, were evaluated. In a 3 × 4 factorial experiment, juvenile shrimp with an average initial weight of 0.36 ± 0.02 g were exposed for 32 d to salinities of 2, 35, and 50 ppt and fed experimental diets with crude protein contents of 25, 30, 35, and 40%. A significant effect of salinity on growth of shrimp was detected, with the growth responses (final weight, weight gain) ranked in the order 2 ppt (3.87, 3.50 g) > 35 ppt (3.40, 3.04 g) > 50 ppt (2.84, 2.47 g). No effects of dietary protein level or an interaction between salinity and protein on growth of shrimp were observed under the experimental conditions of this study. Percent survival of shrimp fed the highest protein content (40%, survival of 74%) was, however, significantly lower than those of shrimp fed the other feeds (25, 30 and 35% protein, survival of 99, 91, and 94%, respectively), a result likely associated with the concentration of total ammonia nitrogen, which increased significantly at increasing protein levels. Final water content of whole shrimp was significantly lower in animals exposed to 50 ppt (70.8%) than in shrimp held at 2 (73.7%) and 35 ppt (72.3%). No effect of salinity, protein, or their interaction was observed on the protein content of whole shrimp. The results of the present study are in agreement with reports of superior and inferior growth of L. vannamei reared in hypo‐ and hypersaline environments, respectively, as compared to what is generally observed in seawater.
Evaluation of Fermented Soybean Curd Residues as an Energy Source in Diets for Juvenile Olive Flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus
Authors: Sun Mihai , Kim Young Chul , Okorie Okorie Eme , Lee Seunghyung , Devnath Sukumar , Yoo Gwangyeol , Bai Sungchul C , Jo Yong Kil 
Published: November 2007

Abstract A 10‐wk feeding experiment was conducted to evaluate the potential use of fermented soybean curd residues (FSCR) as an energy source in diets for juvenile olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. Five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated to contain dry soybean curd residues to replace wheat meal (WM) at the levels of 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% (FSCR0, FSCR25, FSCR50, FSCR75, and FSCR100, respectively). Fish averaging 6.00 ± 0.07 g (mean ± SD) were randomly distributed into 15 aquaria as groups of 15 fish and fed the experimental diets in triplicate at a rate of 4–5% of wet body weight per day twice daily on dry matter basis. At the conclusion of the feeding trial, weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) of fish fed diet FSCR25 were significantly higher than those of fish fed diets FSCR50, FSCR75, and FSCR100 (P < 0.05); however, there were no significant differences in WG and SGR among fish fed diets FSCR0 and FSCR25 and among those fed diets FSCR0 and FSCR50. Feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio of olive flounder fed diet FSCR25 were significantly higher than those of fish fed diets FSCR50, FSCR75, and FSCR100 (P < 0.05); however, there were no significant differences in these parameters among fish fed diets FSCR0 and FSCR25 and among those fed diets FSCR0, FSCR50, FSCR75, and FSCR100. Hematological characteristics, condition factor, hepatosomatic index, and survival rate of fish fed FSCR0 were not significantly different from those of fish fed the other diets. These results indicated that FSCR could replace up to 50% WM as an energy source in juvenile olive flounder diets based on ANOVA test.
Roles of α and β Carbonic Anhydrases of
Helicobacter pylori
in the Urease-Dependent Response to Acidity and in Colonization of the Murine Gastric Mucosa
Authors: Bury-Moné Stéphanie , Mendz George L. , Ball Graham E. , Thibonnier Marie , Stingl Kerstin , Ecobichon Chantal , Avé Patrick , Huerre Michel , Labigne Agnès , Thiberge Jean-Michel , De Reuse Hilde 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT

Carbon dioxide occupies a central position in the physiology of
Helicobacter pylori
owing to its capnophilic nature, the large amounts of carbon dioxide produced by urease-mediated urea hydrolysis, and the constant bicarbonate supply in the stomach. Carbonic anhydrases (CA) catalyze the interconversion of carbon dioxide and bicarbonate and are involved in functions such as CO
2
transport or trapping and pH homeostasis.
H. pylori
encodes a periplasmic α-CA (α-CA-HP) and a cytoplasmic β-CA (β-CA-HP). Single CA inactivation and double CA inactivation were obtained for five genetic backgrounds, indicating that
H. pylori
CA are not essential for growth in vitro. Bicarbonate-carbon dioxide exchange rates were measured by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy using lysates of parental strains and CA mutants. Only the mutants defective in the α-CA-HP enzyme showed strongly reduced exchange rates. In
H. pylori
, urease activity is essential for acid resistance in the gastric environment. Urease activity measured using crude cell extracts was not modified by the absence of CA. With intact CA mutant cells incubated in acidic conditions (pH 2.2) in the presence of urea there was a delay in the increase in the pH of the incubation medium, a phenotype most pronounced in the absence of
H. pylori
α-CA. This correlated with a delay in acid activation of the urease as measured by slower ammonia production in whole cells. The role of CA in vivo was examined using the mouse model of infection with two mouse-adapted
H. pylori
strains, SS1 and X47-2AL. Compared to colonization by the wild-type strain, colonization by X47-2AL single and double CA mutants was strongly reduced. Colonization by SS1 CA mutants was not significantly different from colonization by wild-type strain SS1. However, when mice were infected by SS1 Δ(β-CA-HP) or by a SS1 double CA mutant, the inflammation scores of the mouse gastric mucosa were strongly reduced. In conclusion, CA contribute to the urease-dependent response to acidity of
H. pylori
and are required for high-grade inflammation and efficient colonization by some strains.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
RsmA Plays an Important Role during Murine Infection by Influencing Colonization, Virulence, Persistence, and Pulmonary Inflammation
Authors: Mulcahy Heidi , O'Callaghan Julie , O'Grady Eoin P. , Maciá María D. , Borrell Nuria , Gómez Cristina , Casey Pat G. , Hill Colin , Adams Claire , Gahan Cormac G. M. , Oliver Antonio , O'Gara Fergal 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT

The ability of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
to cause a broad range of infections in humans is due, at least in part, to its adaptability and its capacity to regulate the expression of key virulence genes in response to specific environmental conditions. Multiple two-component response regulators have been shown to facilitate rapid responses to these environmental conditions, including the coordinated expression of specific virulence determinants. RsmA is a posttranscriptional regulatory protein which controls the expression of a number of virulence-related genes with relevance for acute and chronic infections. Many membrane-bound sensors, including RetS, LadS, and GacS, are responsible for the reciprocal regulation of genes associated with acute infection and chronic persistence. In
P. aeruginosa
this is due to sensors influencing the expression of the regulatory RNA RsmZ, with subsequent effects on the level of free RsmA. While interactions between an
rsmA
mutant and human airway epithelial cells have been examined in vitro, the role of RsmA during infection in vivo has not been determined yet. Here the function of RsmA in both acute and chronic models of infection was examined. The results demonstrate that RsmA is involved in initial colonization and dissemination in a mouse model of acute pneumonia. Furthermore, while loss of RsmA results in reduced colonization during the initial stages of acute infection, the data show that mutation of
rsmA
ultimately favors chronic persistence and results in increased inflammation in the lungs of infected mice.
Paleocene submarine-canyon fill, Point Lobos, California
Authors: Clifton H. Edward , Hill Gary W. 
Published: November 2007

Abstract
Point Lobos, a prominent headland at the southern side of Carmel Bay on the central California coast (Fig.1), is the site of a popular state reserve. Entrance to this reserve is from California 1, about 4 mi(6.4 km) south of the village of Carmel and 2.5 mi(4 km) southwest of the intersection of California 1 and Carmel Valley Road (County Road G16). Within the reserve, paved roads and well-maintained foot trails provide excellent access to many of the more prominent exposures (Fig.1). Outcrops not served by foot trails are off-limits to the public; however, the geologically important exposuresdescribed herein are readily accessible. Point LobosState Reserve is beautifully maintained in a pristine condition by its staff, and the rules are strictly enforced. Most important, froma geologic standpoint, are strictures against collecting or disturbing any natural object within the reserve, so geological hammers are best left in vehicles. The rocks of the reserve are a striking esthetic resource and a mecca for amateur and professional photographers—they are not to be defaced. The reserve opens in the morning (typically at 9:00) and closes before sundown. A nominal entrance fee is charged to visitors.
Heparanase modulates heparinoids anticoagulant activities via non-enzymatic mechanisms
Authors: Muhl Lars , Zwang Etty , Ilan Neta , Herishanu Yair , Deutsch Varda , Naparstek Elizabeth , Vlodavsky Israel , Preissner Klaus , Katz Ben-Zion 
Published: November 2007

SummaryA key element for the physiological restriction of blood coagulation at the endothelial cell surface is its non-thrombogenic property, mainly attributed to cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Heparanase is an endo-β-D-glucuronidase with specific heparan sulfate degrading activity, which is produced and stored in platelets, and is released upon their activation. We examined the effects of heparanase pro-enzyme on coagulation functions, predominantly under physiological conditions. While heparanase pro-enzyme does not directly affect coagulation protein activities, it has profound effects on heparinoid-mediated regulation of coagulation responses, apparently via mechanisms that do not involve its enzymatic activity. Heparanase pro-enzyme reverses the anti-coagulant activity of unfractionated heparin on the coagulation pathway as well as on thrombin activity. In addition, heparanase pro-enzyme abrogated the factor X inhibitory activity of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). The pro-coagulant effects of the non-active heparanase were also exerted by its major functional heparin-binding peptide. Finally, the effects of heparanase on the activity of factor VII activating protease that is auto-activated by heparinoids indicated a complete antagonistic action of heparanase in this system. Altogether, heparanase pro-coagulant activities that were also demonstrated in plasma samples from patients under LMWH treatment,point to a possible use of this molecule as antagonist for heparinoid treatment.
Effect of clopidogrel treatment on stress-induced platelet activation and myocardial ischemia in aspirin-treated patients with stable coronary artery disease
Authors: Perneby Christina , Wallén Håkan , Hofman-Bang Claes , Tornvall Per , Ivert Torbjörn , Li Nailin , Hjemdahl Paul 
Published: November 2007

SummaryStress may counteract responses to antiplatelet drug treatment. We investigated if adding clopidogrel to aspirin treatment could attenutate stress-induced platelet activation and myocardial ischemia in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Thirty-one male patients with documented CAD-treated with aspirin (75–160 mg daily) were randomized to co-treatment with clopidogrel (n=16) or placebo (n=15). A symptom-limited exercise test and 48-hour (h) Holter monitoring were performed before and after two weeks of double-blind treatment. Platelet function was assessed by flow cytometry and impedance aggregometry in whole blood. Exercise-induced and ambulatory ischemia was assessed from electrocardiographic (ECG) recordings. Clopidogrel treatment inhibited ADP-induced platelet P-selectin expression by 64% (22–87%), and attenuated the P-selectin response to thrombin (p<0.001), and platelet aggregation induced by low-dose collagen (p<0.01). Exercise (≈110W) increased heart rate similarly, and caused ≈1.8 mm STsegment depression both before and after treatment. Exercise caused platelet activation, i.e. increased circulating activated single platelets and platelet-platelet aggregates, enhanced the invitro responsiveness to ADP or thrombin stimulation, and increased platelet-leukocyte aggregation. Clopidogrel inhibited ADP-induced platelet activation to a similar relative degree at rest and during exercise, but did not attenuate the platelet activating effect of exercise. Addition of clopidogrel to aspirin treatment did not attenuate either ambulatory or exercise-induced ischemia. In conclusion, adding clopidogrel to aspirin treatment inhibited platelet activation by both ADP, thrombin and collagen in vitro,but did not influence the prothrombotic responses to exercise. Intensified antiplatelet treatment did not reduce ECG signs of either exercise-induced or ambulatory myocardial ischemia.
Risk stratification and heparin prophylaxis to prevent venous thromboembolism in pregnant women
Authors: Dudenhausen Joachim , Faridi Andree , Fischer Thorsten , Fung Samson , Geisen Ulrich , Harenberg Job , Herchenhan Eberhard , Keller Franz , Kemkes-Matthes Bettina , Schinzel Helmut , Spannagl Michael , Thaler Christian , Bauersachs Rupert ,   the EThIG Investigators
Published: November 2007

SummaryWomen with a history of venous thromboembolism (VTE), thrombophilia or both may be at increased risk of thrombosis during pregnancy, but the optimal management strategy is not well defined in clinical guidelines because of limited trial data. A strategy of risk assessment and heparin prophylaxis was evaluated in pregnant women at increased risk of VTE. In a prospective trial (Efficacy of Thromboprophylaxis as an Intervention during Gravidity [EThIG]), 810 pregnant women were assigned to one of three management strategies according to pre-defined risk factors related to history of VTE and thrombophilic profile. Low-risk women (group I), received 50–100 IU dalteparin/ kg body weight/ day for 14 days postpartum, or earlier when additional risk factors occurred. Women at high (group II) or very high risk (group III) received dalteparin from enrolment until six weeks postpartum (50–100 IU and 100–200 IU/ kg/ day, respectively). Objectively confirmed, symptomatic VTE occurred in 5/810 women (0.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.2 to 1.5%) (group I, 0 of 225; II, 3/469; III, 2/116). The rate of serious bleeding was 3.0% (95 % CI, 1.9 to 4.4%); 1.1% (95 % CI, 0.5 to 2.2%) was possibly dalteparin-related. There was no evidence of heparin- induced thrombocytopenia, one case of osteoporosis, and rates of miscarriage and stillbirth were similar to previous, retrospective studies. Risk-stratified heparin prophylaxis was associated with a low incidence of symptomatic VTE and few clinically important adverse events. Antepartum heparin prophylaxis is, therefore, warranted in pregnant women with idiopathic thrombosis or symptomatic thrombophilia.
Fuzzy Set Theory for Performance Evaluation in a Surgical Simulator
Authors: Hajshirmohammadi Ima , Payandeh Shahram 
Published: November 2007

Increasing interest in computer-based surgical simulators as time- and cost-efficient training tools has introduced a new problem: objective evaluation of surgical performance based on scoring metrics provided by surgical simulators. This project employed fuzzy set theory to design a classifier for performance of a subject training on a surgical simulator, using three categories: novice, intermediate, and expert. The MIST-VR simulator was used in a user study of 26 subjects with three different surgical skill levels: 8 experienced laparoscopic surgeons (experts), 8 surgical assistants (intermediates), and 10 nurses (novices). Subjects were required to perform four trials of a suturing task and a knot-tying task on the simulator. The performance data were then used to train and test two fuzzy classifiers for each task. The fuzzy classifier was able to classify the users of the system. The models presented a highly nonlinear relationship between the inputs (performance metrics) and output (fuzzy score) of the system, which may not be effectively captured with classical classification approaches. Fuzzy classifiers, however, can offer effective tools to handle the complexity and fuzziness of objective evaluation of surgical performances.
Gene transactivation without direct DNA binding defines a novel gain-of-function for PML-RARα
Authors: van Wageningen Sake , Breems-de Ridder Marleen C. , Nigten Jeannet , Nikoloski Gorica , Erpelinck-Verschueren Claudia A. J. , Löwenberg Bob , de Witte Theo , Tenen Daniel G. , van der Reijden Bert A. , Jansen Joop H. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractPML-RARα is the causative oncogene in 5% to 10% of the cases of acute myeloid leukemia. At physiological concentrations of retinoic acid, PML-RARα silences RARα target genes, blocking differentiation of the cells. At high concentrations of ligand, it (re)activates the transcription of target genes, forcing terminal differentiation. The study of RARα target genes that mediate this differentiation has identified several genes that are important for proliferation and differentiation control in normal and malignant hematopoietic cells. In this paper, we show that the PML-RARα fusion protein not only interferes with the transcription of regular RARα target genes. We show that the ID1 and ID2 promoters are activated by PML-RARα but, unexpectedly, not by wild-type RARα/RXR. Our data support a model in which the PML-RARα fusion protein regulates a novel class of target genes by interaction with the Sp1 and NF-Y transcription factors, without directly binding to the DNA, defining a gain-of-function for the oncoprotein.