bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vitro degradation of articular cartilage: does trypsin treatment produce consistent results?
Authors: Moody H. R. , Brown C. P. , Bowden J. C. , Crawford R. W. , McElwain D. L. S. , Oloyede A. O. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractIt is common practice in laboratories to create models of degraded articular cartilage in vitro and use these to study the effects of degeneration on cartilage responses to external stimuli such as mechanical loading. However, there are inconsistencies in the reported action of trypsin, and there is no guide on the concentration of trypsin or the time to which a given sample can be treated so that a specific level of proteoglycan depletion is achieved. This paper argues that before any level of confidence can be established in comparative analysis it is necessary to first obtain samples with similar properties. Consequently, we examine the consistency of the outcome of the artificial modification of cartilage relative to the effects of the common enzyme, trypsin, used in the process of in vitro proteoglycan depletion. The results demonstrate that for a given time and enzyme concentration, the action of trypsin on proteoglycans is highly variable and is dependent on the initial distribution and concentration of proteoglycans at different depths, the intrinsic sample depth, the location in the joint space and the medium type, thereby sounding a note of caution to researchers attempting to model a proteoglycan‐based degeneration of articular cartilage in their experimental studies.
Four Components Describe Behavioral Symptoms in 1,120 Individuals with Late‐Onset Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Hollingworth Paul , Hamshere Marian L. , Moskvina Valentina , Dowzell Kimberley , Moore Pamela J. , Foy Catherine , Archer Nicola , Lynch Aoibhinn , Lovestone Simon , Brayne Carol , Rubinsztein David C. , Lawlor Brian , Gill Mike , Owen Michael J. , Williams Julie 
Published: July 2006

OBJECTIVES: To investigate behavioral components of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and to analyze behavioral components in relation to disease severity, apolipoprotein E genotype (APOE), sex, years of education, age at onset, and cognitive impairment.DESIGN: Cross‐sectional study.SETTING: Data were collected from community‐dwelling individuals and those residing in nursing homes.PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1,120 individuals meeting National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke/Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association criteria for late‐onset probable AD.MEASUREMENTS: Behavioral symptoms were assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory. First‐order polychoric correlations, controlling for disease severity, between the 12 symptom domain scores were estimated, and the resulting matrix underwent principal components analysis.RESULTS: Four interpretable components were identified: behavioral dyscontrol (euphoria, disinhibition, aberrant motor behavior, and sleep and appetite disturbances), psychosis (delusions and hallucinations), mood (depression, anxiety, and apathy), and agitation (aggression and irritability). Scores on the four components were associated with severity of cognitive impairment. Higher behavioral dysfunction, agitation, and mood component scores were associated with lower age at onset. Behavioral dysfunction and mood component scores were associated with sex. None of the components were associated with age at assessment, years of education, or number of APOE ɛ4 alleles.CONCLUSION: Four behavioral components were identified that were comparable with those observed previously. Future analysis of these components will strengthen understanding of the underlying pathology of behavioral symptoms and AD.
Satisfaction with Hospital at Home Care
Authors: Leff Bruce , Burton Lynda , Mader Scott , Naughton Bruce , Burl Jeffrey , Clark Rebecca , Greenough William B. , Guido Susan , Steinwachs Donald , Burton John R. 
Published: July 2006

OBJECTIVES: To examine differences in satisfaction with acute care between patients who received treatment in a physician‐led substitutive Hospital at Home program and those who received usual acute hospital care.DESIGN: Survey questionnaire of participants in prospective, nonrandomized clinical trial.SETTING: Three Medicare‐managed care health systems and a Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred fourteen community‐dwelling elderly patients who required acute hospital admission for community‐acquired pneumonia, exacerbation of chronic heart failure, exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or cellulitis, 84 of whom were treated in Hospital at Home and 130 in the acute care hospital.INTERVENTION: Treatment in a Hospital at Home model of care that substitutes for treatment in an acute care hospital.MEASUREMENTS: A 40‐question survey measuring nine domains of care for patients and a 37‐question survey measuring eight domains of care for family members.RESULTS: A higher proportion of patients were satisfied with treatment in Hospital at Home than with the acute care hospital in eight of nine domains, and this difference was statistically different in four domains. Hospital at Home patients were more likely than acute hospital patients to be satisfied with their physician (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=3.84, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.32–11.19), comfort and convenience of care (AOR=6.52, 95% CI=1.97–21.56), admission processes (AOR=5.90, 95% CI=2.21–5.76), and the overall care experience (AOR=2.98, 95% CI=1.08–8.21). Family members of patients treated in Hospital at Home were also more likely to be satisfied with multiple domains of care.CONCLUSION: Hospital at Home care was associated with greater satisfaction than acute hospital inpatient care for patients and their family members. These findings support further dissemination of the Hospital at Home care model.
Management of Far‐Field R Wave Sensing for the Avoidance of Inappropriate Mode Switch in Dual Chamber Pacemakers: Results of the FFS‐Test Study
Authors: KOLB CHRISTOF , WILLE BERND , MAURER DOMINIK , SCHUCHERT ANDREAS , WEBER RALF , SCHIBGILLA VOLKER , KLEIN NORBERT , HÜMMER ALEXANDER , SCHMITT CLAUS , ZRENNER BERNHARD ,   on behalf of the FFS‐Test Study Group
Published: July 2006

Background and Objective: Far‐field R wave sensing (FFS) in the atrial channel of dual chamber pacemakers is a relevant source for inappropriate mode switch from the DDD mode to the DDI or VDI mode. Inappropriate loss of atrioventricular synchrony due to false positive mode switch is hemodynamically disadvantageous, may induce atrial tachyarrhythmias, can lead to pacemaker syndrome, and impairs the reliability of pacemaker Holter data. The aim of the study was to determine whether individual adjustment of the postventricular atrial blanking period (PVAB) based on an additional test is effective in avoiding inappropriate mode switch due to FFS when compared with standard programming of the PVAB. Methods: A total of 207 patients were supplied with a St. Jude Medical Identity DR® or Identity ADx DR® dual chamber pacemaker for sinus nodal disease (n = 84), atrioventricular block (n = 79), binodal disease (n = 35), or other indications (n = 9). At hospital discharge, they were randomized to an individually optimized PVAB (n = 100) or to a control group with the PVAB left at the nominal of 100 msec (n = 107). Primary endpoint was the occurrence of inappropriate mode switch due to FFS within 3 months after pacemaker implantation assessed by stored electrograms of the pacemaker. Results: At the 3‐month follow‐up, 28/107 (26%) patients with the standard programming of the PVAB showed at least one episode of inappropriate mode switch due to FFS versus 10/100 (10%) patients with optimized PVAB (P < 0.01). The optimized PVAB was shorter than the nominal PVAB in about one‐third of patients and longer in about two‐third of patients. Different atrial lead localizations were not associated with the occurrence of inappropriate mode switch. Conclusions: Individual adjustment of the PVAB significantly reduces the incidence of inappropriate mode switch due to FFS.
External and Endoluminal Analysis of Left Atrial Anatomy and the Pulmonary Veins in Three‐Dimensional Reconstructions of Magnetic Resonance Angiography: The Full Insight from Inside
Authors: SCHMIDT BORIS , ERNST SABINE , OUYANG FEIFAN , CHUN K.R. JULIAN , BROEMEL THOMAS , BÄNSCH DIETMAR , KUCK KARL‐HEINZ , ANTZ MATTHIAS 
Published: July 2006

Introduction: The detailed knowledge of the individual pulmonary vein (PV) anatomy may help to prevent serious complications during PV isolation (PVI). The purpose of this study was to determine the geometry of the PV ostia and their spatial relation to adjacent structures in external (ex 3D) and endoluminal (en 3D) three‐dimensional reconstructions of magnetic resonance angiographies (MRAs). Methods and Results: Ex 3D and en 3D of the left atrium (LA) and the PVs of 28 patients were calculated. Diameters and the shape of PV ostia were assessed. In addition, the distances between ipsilateral PV ostia, the LA isthmus line, the roof line and the distance between the left PV and the LA appendage (LAA) were measured. Both ex 3D and en 3D are useful tools to determine the dimensions and the geometry of PVs. En 3D facilitates the identification of common PV ostia (15/28 patients). In en 3D, ipsilateral PV ostia are separated by a narrow myocardial ridge of less than 4 mm in 19/38 PVs (mean 4.3 ± 1 mm; 4.6 ± 2 mm with ex 3D). LAA and the LPV ostia are separated by a ridge of less than 4 mm in 12/28 PVs measured with en 3D (4.8 ± 2 mm; 6.4 ± 2 mm with ex 3D). Conclusions: Both ex 3D and en 3D reconstructions of MRA precisely visualize the complex LA anatomy. Exact determination of PV ostial geometry is facilitated with en 3D and provides important anatomical information for the PVI strategy. According to our data, individual encircling of every PV is strongly discouraged.
Alpha‐fetoprotein antagonizes X‐linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein anticaspase activity and disrupts XIAP–caspase interaction
Authors: Dudich Elena , Semenkova Lidia , Dudich Igor , Denesyuk Alexander , Tatulov Edward , Korpela Timo 
Published: July 2006

Previous results have shown that the human oncoembryonic protein α‐fetoprotein (AFP) induces dose‐dependent targeting apoptosis in tumor cells, accompanied by cytochrome c release and caspase 3 activation. AFP positively regulates cytochrome c/dATP‐mediated apoptosome complex formation in a cell‐free system, stimulates release of the active caspases 9 and 3 and displaces cIAP‐2 from the apoptosome and from its complex with recombinant caspases 3 and 9 [Semenkova et al. (2003) Eur. J. Biochem. 270, 276–282]. We suggested that AFP might affect the X‐linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP)–caspase interaction by blocking binding and activating the apoptotic machinery via abrogation of inhibitory signaling. We show here that AFP cancels XIAP‐mediated inhibition of endogenous active caspases in cytosolic lysates of tumor cells, as well as XIAP‐induced blockage of active recombinant caspase 3 in a reconstituted cell‐free system. A direct protein–protein interaction assay showed that AFP physically interacts with XIAP molecule, abolishes XIAP–caspase binding and rescues caspase 3 from inhibition. The data suggest that AFP is directly involved in targeting positive regulation of the apoptotic pathway dysfunction in cancer cells inhibiting the apoptosis protein function inhibitor, leading to triggering of apoptosis machinery.
Elasticity of Energy Demand and Challenges for China's Energy Industry
Authors: Yin Jason Zunsheng , Gates David Forrest 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe rapid growth of energy demand, the lagging growth of energy production and rising pollution problems have raised concerns in several policy areas, including the availability and cost of energy supply and the possibility of further adverse impacts on the environment. This paper begins with an overview of recent developments in energy demand and supply in China. Using a traditional demand elasticity approach, it analyzes the elasticity of each of four major energy end uses and the potential for adjustments in their relationships. The paper concludes with suggestions for public policy to meet the challenge of growing energy demand and implications for the private sector, including both private and foreign investments.(Edited by Zhinan Zhang)
How we do it: Tympanoplasty: are different three‐ and four‐frequency averages comparable?
Authors: Dawes P.J.D. , Welch D. , Lee P. 
Published: July 2006

Keypoints• The results of tympanoplasty may be reported in a variety of ways. Pure‐tone audiometry underpins reporting, yet there is no constancy in the pure‐tone threshold average used. We examine the relationship between the 0.5, 1, 2 kHz, 0.5, 1, 2, 3 kHz and 0.5, 1, 2, 4 kHz pure‐tone audiometry averages.• Using audiometric data collected for 77 patients, we have compared hearing threshold using three different frequency averages derived from pure‐tone audiometry.• The 0.5, 1, 2 kHz, 0.5, 1, 2, 3 kHz and 0.5, 1, 2, 4 kHz three‐ and four‐frequency averages are significantly different, this difference being primarily determined by the changes in the 4‐kHz threshold. Using an average including 4 kHz results in 8% few patients achieving an ABG closure to within either 10 dB or 20 dB.• When comparing surgical results with others, surgeons should use reports employing comparable audiometric measures of analysis.
How we do it: An audit of Action on ENT baseline standards in otolaryngology departments in England, UK
Authors: Persaud R. , Hajioff D. , Georgalas C. , Bentley M. , Silva S. , Narula A. 
Published: July 2006

Keypoints• An internet‐based audit was conducted to determine how well English otolaryngology departments apply Action on ENT baseline clinical and administrative standards.• A total of 91% (97 of 107) departments responded.• Only 8% of 97 departments met all 23 standards but the majority complied with most standards.• Microsuction and outpatient endoscopy were almost universally available (99% and 97% respectively) and 98% monitored in‐patient and day surgery activity.• Compliance was poor (<60%) for three standards: common waiting lists for common conditions (51%), facilities to elicit patient feedback (56%) and the inclusion of a treatment plan in the notes (46%). More than one in four departments lacked dedicated facilities to treat children or a lead clinician for paediatric audiology, despite the Children Acts of 1989 and 2004.• It is hoped that this audit will help sub‐optimal units to correct their deficiencies.
A Subset of
Staphylococcus aureus
Strains Harboring Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome
mec
(SCC
mec
) Type IV Is Deficient in CcrAB-Mediated SCC
mec
Excision
Authors: Noto Michael J. , Archer Gordon L. 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACT

The gene encoding resistance to β-lactam antibiotics in the staphylococci is found on the chromosome in a genomic island designated staphylococcal cassette chromosome
mec
, or SCC
mec
. In addition to the resistance gene
mecA
, SCC
mec
also contains site-specific recombinase genes that are capable of catalyzing the chromosomal excision and reintegration of SCC
mec
. SCC
mec
is found in five major isotypes partially defined by the recombinase genes present, either
ccrAB
or
ccrC
. Of these, SCC
mec
type IV is presumed to be mobile in the environment, and this mobility may be partially responsible for the rise in community-associated methicillin-resistant staphylococcal infections. In this study, we investigate the presumptive first step in type IV SCC
mec
mobility: chromosomal excision of the element. CcrAB from a panel of six
Staphylococcus aureus
and four
Staphylococcus epidermidis
strains were able to catalyze chromosomal excision of SCC
mec
types I and II, indicating that these proteins maintain recombinase activity despite varying by up to 3.7% at the amino acid level. Excision of type IV SCC
mec
was not universally seen, as a subset of
S. aureus
strains with type IV SCC
mec
did not excise their element. These strains are all highly related and represent a lineage of successful community-associated pathogens. In addition, the inability to excise SCC
mec
in these strains is associated with the insertion of a presumptive mobile element containing the gene for staphylococcal enterotoxin H (
seh
) immediately downstream of SCC
mec
on the chromosome. Acquisition of this mobile element, containing a known virulence gene, appears to have stabilized the chromosomal integration of the methicillin resistance gene in these strains.
Genetic and Biochemical Characterization of FUS-1 (OXA-85), a Narrow-Spectrum Class D β-Lactamase fromFusobacterium nucleatumsubsp.polymorphum
Authors: Voha Christine , Docquier Jean-Denis , Rossolini Gian Maria , Fosse Thierry 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACTPrevious studies have reported β-lactamase-mediated penicillin resistance inFusobacterium nucleatum, but no β-lactamase gene has yet been identified in this species. AnF. nucleatumsubsp.polymorphumstrain resistant to penicillin and amoxicillin was isolated from a human periodontitis sample. DNA cloning and sequencing revealed a 765-bp open reading frame encoding a new class D β-lactamase named FUS-1 (OXA-85). A recombinantEscherichia colistrain carrying theblaFUS-1gene exhibited resistance to amoxicillin with a moderate decrease in the MICs with clavulanic acid. TheblaFUS-1gene was found in two additional clonally unrelatedF. nucleatumsubsp.polymorphumisolates. It was located on the chromosome in a peculiar genetic environment where a gene encoding a putative transposase-like protein is found, suggesting a possible acquisition of this class D β-lactamase gene. The FUS-1 enzyme showed the closest ancestral relationship with OXA-63 fromBrachyspira pilosicoli(53% identity) and with putative chromosomal β-lactamases ofCampylobacterspp. (40 to 42% identity). FUS-1 presents all of the conserved structural motifs of class D β-lactamases. Kinetic analysis revealed that FUS-1 exhibits a narrow substrate profile, efficiently hydrolyzing benzylpenicillin and oxacillin. FUS-1 was poorly inactivated by clavulanate and NaCl. FUS-1 is the first example of a class D β-lactamase produced by a gram-negative, anaerobic, rod-shaped bacterium to be characterized.
CTX-M-Type Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamases in Italy: Molecular Epidemiology of an Emerging Countrywide Problem
Authors: Mugnaioli Claudia , Luzzaro Francesco , De Luca Filomena , Brigante Gioconda , Perilli Mariagrazia , Amicosante Gianfranco , Stefani Stefania , Toniolo Antonio , Rossolini Gian Maria 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACTA nationwide survey of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production amongEnterobacteriaceae, carried out in 2003, showed that CTX-M-type enzymes have achieved a sizeable prevalence among ESBL producers in Italy, mostly inEscherichia coliand, to a lesser extent, inKlebsiella pneumoniae. In this work, we report on the molecular epidemiology of the CTX-M-producing isolates from that survey and on the mechanisms of dissemination of these emerging resistance determinants. The CTX-M-producing isolates were detected in 10 of the 11 participating centers distributed across the Italian national territory, although at remarkably variable rates in different centers (1.2 to 49.5% of the ESBL producers). All CTX-M determinants were of group 1, with CTX-M-15 and CTX-M-1 being the most prevalent variants (60% and 35%, respectively) and CTX-M-32 carried by a minority (5%) of isolates. Each variant was detected both inE. coliand inK. pneumoniae. Genotyping of the CTX-M-producing isolates by random amplification of polymorphic DNA revealed a notable diversity, especially among those producing CTX-M-1, while clonal expansion was evident with some CTX-M-15-producing strains. Mating experiments revealed a higher overall transferability ofblaCTX-M-1andblaCTX-M-32than ofblaCTX-M-15. Coresistance to quinolones and aminoglycosides was overall higher with the CTX-M-15-producing isolates. The present results indicate that CTX-M-producing strains are now widespread across the Italian territory and underscore the emerging role of these ESBL determinants in the European setting. They also reveal notable differences in the dissemination mechanisms of genes encoding different CTX-M variants of the same lineage.
Novel Nonnucleoside Inhibitors That Select Nucleoside Inhibitor Resistance Mutations in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Reverse Transcriptase
Authors: Zhang Zhijun , Walker Michelle , Xu Wen , Shim Jae Hoon , Girardet Jean-Luc , Hamatake Robert K. , Hong Zhi 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACTMutations in and around the catalytic site of the reverse transcriptase (RT) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) are associated with resistance to nucleoside RT inhibitors (NRTIs), whereas changes in the hydrophobic pocket of the RT are attributed to nonnucleoside RT inhibitor (NNRTI) resistance. In this study, we report a novel series of nonnucleoside inhibitors of HIV-1, exemplified by VRX-329747 and VRX-413638, which inhibit both NNRTI- and NRTI-resistant HIV-1 isolates. Enzymatic studies indicated that these compounds are HIV-1 RT inhibitors. Surprisingly, however, following prolonged (6 months) tissue culture selection, this series of nonnucleoside inhibitors did not select NNRTI-resistant mutations in HIV-1 RT. Rather, four mutations (M41L, A62T/V, V118I, and M184V) known to cause resistance to NRTIs and two additional novel mutations (S68N and G112S) adjacent to the catalytic site of the enzyme were selected. Although the M184V mutation appears to be the initial mutation to establish resistance, this mutation alone confers only a two- to fourfold decrease in susceptibility to VRX-329747 and VRX-413638. At least two additional mutations must accumulate for significant resistance. Moreover, while VRX-329747-selected viruses are resistant to lamivudine and emtricitabine due to the M184V mutation, they remain susceptible to zidovudine, stavudine, dideoxyinosine, abacavir, tenofovir, and efavirenz. These results directly demonstrate that VRX-329747 and VRX-413638 are novel nonnucleoside inhibitors of HIV-1 RT with the potential to augment current therapies.
Moxifloxacin Lethality against
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
in the Presence and Absence of Chloramphenicol
Authors: Malik Muhammad , Drlica Karl 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACT

The C-8-methoxy fluoroquinolone moxifloxacin was more lethal against chloramphenicol-treated
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
than Bay y3114, a C-8-H cognate of moxifloxacin, and two C-8-methoxy fluoroquinolones, gatifloxacin and BMS-433368, which have different C-7 substituents. Thus, an optimal combination of C-7 and C-8 substituents is likely to be important for killing nongrowing
M. tuberculosis
.
AG205, a Novel Agent Directed against FabK of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Takahata Sho , Iida Maiko , Osaki Yumi , Saito Jun , Kitagawa Hideo , Ozawa Tomohiro , Yoshida Takuji , Hoshiko Shigeru 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACT

AG205 was identified from high-throughput screening as a potent inhibitor of FabK, the enoyl-ACP reductase in
Streptococcus pneumoniae
. Specific inhibition of lipid biosynthesis in a macromolecular biosynthesis assay and identification of an Ala141Ser substitution in FabK from spontaneous AG205-resistant mutants indicated that AG205 exerts antibacterial activity against
S. pneumoniae
through the specific inhibition of FabK.