bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pharmacological separation of early afterdepolarizations from arrhythmogenic substrate in ΔKPQ Scn5a murine hearts modelling human long QT 3 syndrome
Authors: Thomas G. , Killeen M. J. , Grace A. A. , Huang C. L.‐H. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractAim:  To perform an empirical, pharmacological, separation of early afterdepolarizations (EADs) and transmural gradients of repolarization in arrhythmogenesis in a genetically modified mouse heart modelling human long QT syndrome (LQT) 3.Methods:  Left ventricular endocardial and epicardial monophasic action potentials and arrhythmogenic tendency were compared in isolated wild type (WT) and Scn5a+/Δ hearts perfused with 0.1 and 1 μm propranolol and paced from the right ventricular epicardium.Results:  All spontaneously beating bradycardic Scn5a+/Δ hearts displayed EADs, triggered beats and ventricular tachycardia (VT; n = 7), events never seen in WT hearts (n = 5). Perfusion with 0.1 and 1 μm propranolol suppressed all EADs, triggered beats and episodes of VT. In contrast, triggering of VT persisted following programmed electrical stimulation in 6 of 12 (50%), one of eight (12.5%), but six of eight (75%) Scn5a+/Δ hearts perfused with 0, 0.1 and 1 μm propranolol respectively in parallel with corresponding alterations in repolarization gradients, reflected in action potential duration (ΔAPD90) values. Thus 0.1 μm propranolol reduced epicardial but not endocardial APD90 from 54.7 ± 1.6 to 44.0 ± 2.0 ms, restoring ΔAPD90 from −3.8 ± 1.6 to 3.5 ± 2.5 ms (all n = 5), close to WT values. However, 1 μm propranolol increased epicardial APD90 to 72.5 ± 1.2 ms and decreased endocardial APD90 from 50.9 ± 1.0 to 24.5 ± 0.3 ms, increasing ΔAPD90 to −48.0 ± 1.2 ms.Conclusion:  These findings empirically implicate EADs in potentially initiating spontaneous arrhythmogenic phenomena and transmural repolarization gradients in the re‐entrant substrate that would sustain such activity when provoked by extrasystolic activity in murine hearts modelling human LQT3 syndrome.
Dose–response effects of free fatty acids on amino acid metabolism and ureagenesis
Authors: Gormsen L. C. , Gjedsted J. , Gjedde S. , Nørrelund H. , Christiansen J. S. , Schmitz O. , Jørgensen J. O. L. , Møller N. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractAim:  Free fatty acids (FFAs) are important fuels and have vital protein‐sparing effects, particularly during conditions of metabolic stress and fasting. However, it is uncertain whether these beneficial effects are evident throughout the physiological range or only occur at very high FFA concentrations. It is also unclear whether secondary alterations in hormone levels and ketogenesis play a role. We therefore aimed at describing dose–response relationships between amino acid metabolism and circulating FFA concentrations at clamped hormone levels.Methods:  Eight healthy men were studied on four occasions (6 h basal, 2 h glucose clamp). Endogenous lipolysis was blocked with acipimox and Intralipid was infused at varying rates (0, 3, 6 or 12 μL kg−1 min−1) to obtain four different levels of circulating FFAs. Endogenous growth hormone, insulin and glucagon secretion was blocked by somatostatin (300 μg h−1) and replaced exogenously. 15N‐phenylalanine, 2H4‐tyrosine and 13C‐urea were infused continuously to assess protein turnover and ureagenesis.Results:  We obtained four distinct levels of FFA concentrations ranging from 0.03 to 2.1 mmol L−1 and 3‐hydroxybutyrate concentrations from 10 to 360 μmol L−1. Whole‐body phenylalanine turnover and phenylalanine‐to‐tyrosine degradation decreased with increasing FFA levels as did insulin‐stimulated forearm fluxes of phenylalanine. Phenylalanine, tyrosine and urea concentrations also decreased progressively, whereas urea turnover was unperturbed.Conclusion:  Circulating FFAs decrease amino acid concentrations and inhibit whole‐body phenylalanine fluxes and phenylalanine‐to‐tyrosine conversion. Our data cover FFA concentrations from 0 to 2 mmol L−1 and indicate that FFAs exert their protein conserving effects in the upper physiological range (>1.5 mmol L−1).
Cognitive Science of Religion: What Is It and Why Is It?
Authors: Barrett Justin L. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractCognitive science of religion (CSR) brings theories from the cognitive sciences to bear on why religious thought and action is so common in humans and why religious phenomena take on the features that they do. The field is characterized by a piecemeal approach, explanatory non‐exclusivism, and methodological pluralism. Topics receiving consideration include how ordinary cognitive structures inform and constrain the transmission of religious ideas, why people believe in gods, why religious rituals and prayers tend to have the forms that they do, why afterlife beliefs are so common, and how human memory systems influence socio‐political features in religious systems. CSR is often associated with evolutionary science and anti‐religious rhetoric but neither is intrinsic nor necessary to the field.
Activity and viability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon‐degrading Sphingomonas sp. LB126 in a DC‐electrical field typical for electrobioremediation measures
Authors: Shi Lei , Müller Susann , Loffhagen Norbert , Harms Hauke , Wick Lukas Y. 
Published: September 2007

SummaryThere has been growing interest in employing electro‐bioremediation, a hybrid technology of bioremediation and electrokinetics for the treatment of contaminated soil. Knowledge however on the effect of weak electrokinetic conditions on the activity and viability of pollutant‐degrading microorganisms is scarce. Here we present data about the influence of direct current (DC) on the membrane integrity, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) pools, physico‐chemical cell surface properties, degradation kinetics and culturability of fluorene‐degrading Sphingomonas sp. LB126. Flow cytometry was applied to quantify the uptake of propidium iodide (PI) and the membrane potential‐related fluorescence intensities (MPRFI) of individual cells within a population. Adenosine tri‐phosphate contents and fluorene biodegradation rates of bulk cultures were determined and expressed on a per cell basis. The cells' surface hydrophobicity and electric charge were assessed by contact angle and zeta potential measurements respectively. Relative to the control, DC‐exposed cells exhibited up to 60% elevated intracellular ATP levels and yet remained unaffected on all other levels of cellular integrity and functionality tested. Our data suggest that direct current (X = 1 V cm−1; J = 10.2 mA cm−2) as typically used for electrobioremediation measures has no negative effect on the activity of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)‐degrading soil microorganism, thereby filling a serious gap of the current knowledge of the electrobioremediation methodology.
A Description of Dental Public Health Programs for the Elderly
Authors: Strayer Michael S. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThe changing oral health status of older adults has focused attention on the need to broaden oral health promotion and prevention activities for this group. The Oral Health Working Group of the US Surgeon General's Workshop: Health Promotion and Aging recently reported that more activities are needed in education and service for older adults—areas that fall within the purview of state and local health agencies. Although dental public health programs for older adults have received more attention, the current breadth and variety of state dental health activities for older adults is unknown. This telephone survey of state dental health departments found that among the 10 states with the largest older adult populations, five were providing oral health programs for the elderly. The 30 states reporting the existence of oral health programs for the elderly account for 58 percent of the total US elderly population. Oral health activities were quite varied, with the majority of states focusing on institutionalized patients and their care givers. Respondents reported that access to dental consultants with gerontological training and information on model oral health programs for older adults would assist program development. Public health agencies play a significant role in improving the quality of life for the nation's elderly. Dental public health programs clearly have demonstrated the ability to improve health prevention and health promotion among younger populations. It is crucial to utilize these skills to begin to enhance the oral health and quality of life of older adults, as well.
Dental Manpower Planning in the Indian Health Service
Authors: Collins Robert J. , Broderick Eric B. , Herman David J. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractAs a public health agency, the Indian Health Service (IHS) must plan for the needs of the entire American Indian and Alaskan Native (AI/AN) population and distribute resources as equitably as possible. To facilitate this process, the IHS has developed a manpower planning model to provide for the distribution of dental providers based upon the dental needs of the AI/AN population and within the limits of annual appropriations of funds. This paper briefly describes the original IHS Dental Program manpower planning model and the development of modifications over time. The need‐based approach to manpower planning developed by the IHS Dental Program has exhibited utility and flexibility over time. It allows a determination of clinic size (number of operatories) and dental staffing requirements, and may be generalizable to other public health programs if an accurate assessment of utilization rate and treatment need can be made for the defined population. Nonetheless, the availability of resources in public programs is subject to the compromises inherent in the political process; thus, the use of a manpower planning model alone may not be sufficient to ensure the equitable distribution of dental resources and dental providers.
Tooth Brushing, Flossing, and Preventive Dental Visits by Detroit‐area Residents in Relation to Demographic and Socioeconomic Factors
Authors: Ronis David L. , Lang W. Paul , Farghaly Mahassen M. , Passow Elaine 
Published: September 2007

AbstractA survey was conducted to identify (a) factors that influence preventive dental behaviors and (b) target groups for interventions. Data were collected in face‐to‐face interviews with a probability sample of 662 dentate adults living in the Detroit tricounty area. The interviews included questions about demographic and socioeconomic variables and about three preventive behaviors: brushing, flossing, and preventive dental visits. All behaviors were positively associated with socioeconomic status. Females were more likely than males to perform each of the behaviors at the recommended frequency. The behaviors were only weakly associated with age. Whites were more likely than nonwhites to make regular dental visits, but frequency of brushing and flossing did not vary substantially across racial groups. The impact of race on frequency of dental visits was reduced when socioeconomic status was statistically controlled. Findings suggest that socioeconomic status, race, and sex remain important considerations when planning dental health education or other interventions.
Collecting State‐level Oral Health Data When Resources Are Limited: an Approach to Oral Health Surveillance
Authors: Reed Susan G. , Tallman Jacqueline A. , Burt Brian A. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractMany states and localities do not have the resources to conduct oral health surveys of their whole populations, but the demands for data collection continue to increase for both program administration and for Maternal and Child Health Block Grant funding. As one response to this problem, the Oral Health Program of the Michigan Department of Public Health developed an oral health surveillance system as a low‐cost method of collecting usable data from the service populations of local health agencies providing direct patient care in Michigan. A record form, to be completed by dentists or hygienists in those agencies at initial or recall examinations, was developed and pilot‐tested for all patients of target age groups who presented over a specified four‐week period. This paper gives the results from 19 agencies that participated in the pilot test in Michigan. Results showed that 40.5 percent of 2–5‐year‐olds (n/341) had some caries experience, their d/dft was 78.2 percent, and mean dft was 4.8 (SD±3.5). Among the 6–19‐year‐olds (n/710), 61.4 percent had experienced caries, the D/DFT was 41.8 percent, and the mean DFT was 4.2 (SD±3.2). Among the adults examined, 45.1 percent of 20–64‐year‐olds (n = 820) and 38.1 percent of those 65 years or older (n = 105) had two or more teeth with untreated decay. These data suggest a high level of untreated disease among the service populations of the local dental health agencies. The method of data collection was well accepted by the staff of the agencies concerned and proved to be simple and inexpensive to conduct. While the population examined is not representative of the state population, it reflects a good cross‐section of the population seeking clinical dental services through public health agencies. The data will be used in program development and to address the Maternal and Child Health reporting requirements of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989. We intend to conduct this oral health surveillance survey periodically in Michigan to demonstrate trends in oral disease.
Any way the wind blows ‐ frequent wind dispersal drives species sorting in ephemeral aquatic communities
Authors: Vanschoenwinkel Bram , Gielen Saïdja , Seaman Maitland , Brendonck Luc 
Published: September 2007

Despite an upsurge of interest in spatial interactions between communities and in the impact of dispersal on ecological and evolutionary processes, dispersal patterns and dynamics in natural metacommunities remain poorly understood. Although passive aerial dispersal of freshwater invertebrates is generally accepted, the frequency and relative importance of wind as a vector is still subject of considerable debate. We assessed the importance of wind dispersal in an invertebrate metacommunity in a cluster of 36 temporary rock pools on an isolated mountaintop in South Africa. Wind dispersal was quantified every four days using nine windsocks (about 1.5 m above rock base), placed in the field during one month. Distance to the nearest pool varied from 2 up to 16 m. Wind direction and speed were monitored for the entire period. About 850 propagules (mostly resting eggs) of 17 taxa were captured. The presence of water in the pools (level of exposure of the dormant propagule bank) and the dominant wind direction were the key factors affecting the yield. Wind speed was much less important.Our results suggest that wind dispersal of propagules from temporary aquatic systems is more frequent than previously thought. This may stabilise the metacommunity by mediating gene flow among populations and facilitating rapid (re)colonisation of patches. On the other hand, wind erosion of the dormant propagule bank may lead to egg bank depletion and local extinction.The measured frequent wind dispersal most likely fuels strong species sorting processes ultimately shaping the structure of the local communities as observed in an earlier study. To elucidate the link between local dispersal rates and their contribution to long range dispersal is a major challenge for future research on aerial dispersal of aquatic invertebrates.
Phase II, Randomized, Multicenter, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of a Polyclonal Anti-
Staphylococcus aureus
Capsular Polysaccharide Immune Globulin in Treatment of
Staphylococcus aureus
Bacteremia
Authors: Rupp Mark E. , Holley H. Preston , Lutz Jon , Dicpinigaitis Peter V. , Woods Christopher W. , Levine Donald P. , Veney Naomi , Fowler Vance G. 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT

New treatment modalities are needed for the treatment of infections due to multidrug-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus. S. aureus
capsular polysaccharide immune globulin (Altastaph) is a polyclonal immune globulin preparation that is being developed as adjunctive therapy for persons with
S. aureus
infections complicated by bacteremia. In a phase II, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 40 subjects with documented
S. aureus
bacteremia received standard therapy plus either Altastaph at 200 mg/kg of body weight in each of two infusions 24 h apart or placebo. During the 42-day observation period, antibody pharmacokinetics and safety were the primary characteristics studied. Information regarding the resolution of bacteremia and fever was also analyzed. Anti-type-5 and anti-type-8 capsular antibody levels peaked after the second infusion at 550 μg/ml and 419 μg/ml, respectively, and remained above 100 μg/ml at day 28. A total of 316 adverse events were noted in 39 of 40 subjects. Infusion-related adverse events in Altastaph recipients were infrequent and similar to those among recipients of commercial intravenously administered immunoglobulin G products. Five of 21 (23%) subjects in the Altastaph group died, whereas 2 of 18 (11%) subjects in the placebo group died (
P
= 0.42). Compared to the control patients, the Altastaph recipients had a shorter median time to the resolution of fever (2 days and 7 days, respectively;
P
= 0.09) and a shorter length of hospital stay (9 days and 14 days, respectively;
P
= 0.03). However, these findings are exploratory, and there were few differences in the other variables measured. High levels of opsonizing antibodies were maintained for the initial 4 weeks. Although the study was not powered to show efficacy, these preliminary findings and safety profile suggest that Altastaph may be an effective adjunct to antibiotics and warrants further investigation (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT00063089).
Impact of Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors on Mitochondria in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Infected Children Receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Saitoh Akihiko , Fenton Terence , Alvero Carmelita , Fletcher Courtney V. , Spector Stephen A. 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACTMitochondrial toxicity induced by nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) has been reported to be responsible for various adverse effects. The relative impact of NRTIs on the mitochondria of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 (HIV-1)-infected children receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is unknown. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) levels were quantified longitudinally from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in 31 HIV-1-infected children from Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trial Group Study 382 who were receiving HAART, including nelfinavir, efavirenz, and different NRTIs, and who had had undetectable plasma HIV-1 RNA levels for >2 years. The median mtDNA levels in PBMCs increased from 137 copies/cell at the baseline to 179 copies/cell at week 48 (P= 0.01) and 198 copies/cell at week 104 (P< 0.001). Before the initiation of HAART, children who received regimens containing didanosine had mtDNA levels persistently lower than those in children not receiving didanosine (106 versus 140 copies/cell;P= 0.008). During HAART, the median increase in the mtDNA level from the baseline to week 104 was the lowest in children who received regimens containing didanosine (+26 copies/cell) compared to those in children who received other regimens (+79 copies/cell) (P= 0.02). A multivariate analysis also demonstrated that didanosine, as part of HAART, was the only NRTI associated with the change in mtDNA levels (P= 0.007). Children receiving didanosine-containing antiretroviral regimens have the lowest mtDNA levels in PBMCs and may be at greater risk for long-term adverse effects due to mitochondrial toxicity. This may be of particular importance in resource-limited countries where didanosine is widely used for the treatment of HIV-infected children.
DNA Polymorphisms in the
pepA
and PPE18 Genes among Clinical Strains of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
: Implications for Vaccine Efficacy
Authors: Hebert Andrea M. , Talarico Sarah , Yang Dong , Durmaz Riza , Marrs Carl F. , Zhang Lixin , Foxman Betsy , Yang Zhenhua 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT

Tuberculosis continues to be a leading cause of death worldwide. Development of an effective vaccine against
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
is necessary to reduce the global burden of this disease. Mtb72F, consisting of the protein products of the
pepA
and PPE18 genes, is the first subunit tuberculosis vaccine to undergo phase I clinical trials. To obtain insight into the ability of Mtb72F to induce an immune response capable of recognizing different strains of
M. tuberculosis
, we investigated the genomic diversity of the
pepA
and PPE18 genes among 225 clinical strains of
M. tuberculosis
from two different geographical locations, Arkansas and Turkey, representing a broad range of genotypes of
M. tuberculosis
. A combination of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and insertion/deletions resulting in amino acid changes in the PPE18 protein occurred in 47 (20.9%) of the 225 study strains, whereas SNPs resulted in amino acid changes in the PepA protein in 14 (6.2%) of the 225 study strains. Of the 122 Arkansas study strains and the 103 Turkey study strains, 32 (26.2%) and 15 (14.6%), respectively, had at least one genetic change leading to an alteration of the amino acid sequence of the PPE18 protein, and many of the changes occurred in regions previously reported to be potential T-cell epitopes. Thus, immunity induced by Mtb72F may not recognize a proportion of
M. tuberculosis
clinical strains.
Evidence for a Common Role for the Serine-Type
Plasmodium falciparum
Serine Repeat Antigen Proteases: Implications for Vaccine and Drug Design
Authors: McCoubrie Joanne E. , Miller Susanne K. , Sargeant Tobias , Good Robert T. , Hodder Anthony N. , Speed Terence P. , de Koning-Ward Tania F. , Crabb Brendan S. 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT

Serine repeat antigens (SERAs) are a family of secreted “cysteine-like” proteases of
Plasmodium
parasites. Several SERAs possess an atypical active-site serine residue in place of the canonical cysteine. The human malaria parasite
Plasmodium falciparum
possesses six “serine-type” (
SERA1
to
SERA5
and
SERA9
) and three “cysteine-type” (
SERA6
to
SERA8
) SERAs. Here, we investigate the importance of the serine-type SERAs to blood-stage parasite development and examine the extent of functional redundancy among this group. We attempted to knock out the four
P. falciparum
serine-type
SERA
genes that have not been disrupted previously.
SERA1
,
SERA4
, and
SERA9
knockout lines were generated, while only
SERA5
, the most strongly expressed member of the SERA family, remained refractory to genetic deletion. Interestingly, we discovered that while
SERA4
-null parasites completed the blood-stage cycle normally, they exhibited a twofold increase in the level of
SERA5
mRNA. The inability to disrupt
SERA5
and the apparent compensatory increase in
SERA5
expression in response to the deletion of
SERA4
provides evidence for an important blood-stage function for the serine-type SERAs and supports the notion of functional redundancy among this group. Such redundancy is consistent with our phylogenetic analysis, which reveals a monophyletic grouping of the serine-type SERAs across the genus
Plasmodium
and a predominance of postspeciation expansion. While SERA5 is to some extent further validated as a target for vaccine and drug development, our data suggest that the expression level of other serine-type SERAs is the only barrier to escape from anti-SERA5-specific interventions.