bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early Postoperative Oral Feeding Accelerates Upper Gastrointestinal Anastomotic Healing in the Rat Model
Authors: Fukuzawa Junya , Terashima Hideo , Ohkohchi Nobuhiro 
Published: April 2007

AbstractBackgroundThe benefits of early postoperative oral feeding following colonic anastomosis have previously been demonstrated. However, early postoperative oral feeding in patients with upper gastrointestinal surgery has been avoided because of concerns regarding anastomotic leakage. We investigated whether early postoperative oral feeding was advantageous for upper gastrointestinal anastomosis in comparison to parenteral feeding with a fasting period.Materials and MethodsMale Sprague‐Dawley rats were subjected to the same surgical manipulation, i.e., venous catheterization, gastrostomy, and proximal jejunal anastomosis. Rats were divided into two groups: the enteral nutrition (EN) group, which received nutrients via gastrostomy as a substitute for oral feeding, and the total parental nutrition (TPN) group, which was fed via a venous catheter. Identical nutritional solutions were administered to the two groups immediately after surgery. The anastomotic bursting pressure (ABP) and the content of hydroxyproline in the anastomotic tissue were measured 5 days postoperatively.ResultsThe ABP in the EN group was significantly higher than that in the TPN group (214.6 ± 42 versus 149.5 ± 49 mmHg; p < 0.01). The hydroxyproline content in the EN group was also significantly higher (63.5 ± 10 versus 50.5 ± 12 μmol/g dry tissue; p < 0.01).ConclusionsEarly enteral feeding via gastrostomy accelerated jejunal anastomotic healing in comparison to parenteral feeding. This study clearly indicates that early oral feeding after upper gastrointestinal surgery leads to prompt anastomotic healing.
Inter-observer reliability of the Stulberg classification in the assessment of Perthes disease
Authors: Wiig Ola , Terjesen Terje , Svenningsen Svein 
Published: April 2007

Purpose Accurate and reliable radiographic classifications are of great importance as a basis of treatment decisions and prognosis in Perthes disease. The classification of Stulberg is widely used as a predictor of long-term outcome. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the Stulberg classification is sufficiently reliable for routine clinical use in the assessment of Perthes disease. Methods We used this classification to assess the radiographs of 101 hips in two separate sessions (55 and 46 hips, respectively), interfered by an educational intervention in which the classification algorithm was discussed and clarified. Results We obtained good agreement between experienced examiners (weighted kappa 0.65) and a percentage agreement of 71%. We obtained weighted kappa values of 0.51 and 0.57 (moderate agreement) and percentage agreements of 62% and 65% between the least experienced observer and the two experienced examiners. Combining Stulberg class I and II, and IV and V into a simpler three-group classification gave better agreement between all observers. The agreement between the two experienced observers was improved to 81%. Conclusions We conclude that the reliability of the Stulberg classification is acceptable when the radiographic assessment is carried out by experienced examiners. A simpler three-group classification based on the shape of the femoral head (spherical, ovoid and flat) gave better agreement and is, therefore, recommended for routine clinical use.
Popularizing labor analgesia in China
Authors: Fan Zi Tian , Gao Xue Lian , Yang Hui Xia 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn China many women in labor are young primigravidas whose fear of labor pain leads them to request cesarean deliveries. While the rate of cesarean deliveries has reached 50% in many hospitals, less than 1% of women in labor are given neuraxial analgesia. The necessary equipment is seldom available in China and many physicians have misconceptions about the risks associated with neuraxial analgesia, which are low with the ultra‐low‐dosages used today. However, attitudes have begun to change. Meetings held in China have brought together Chinese physicians and world experts on the various epidural and combined spinal‐epidural techniques. Thanks to the information and support provided at these meetings clinical trials were carried out, more than 5000 women benefited from labor analgesia, and publications appeared in Chinese journals. An effective, safe, and cost‐effective way to provide analgesia to women in labor may slow the increase in cesarean delivery rates across China and improve Women's health in general.
HPV‐related vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia: Outcome of different management modalities
Authors: Bruchim I. , Gotlieb W.H. , Mahmud S. , Tunitsky E. , Grzywacz K. , Ferenczy A. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractObjective: To evaluate the outcome of various management schemes for HPV‐related vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN, usual type). Methods: Retrospective chart review of patients with histologically diagnosed grade 2/3‐VIN who had at least one year of follow‐up. The variables that were collected included patient characteristics, management modalities, and clinical outcome. Results: Fifty patients with a median age of 45 years old were evaluated. The median duration of follow‐up was 43.5 months (12–186). Complete response (CR) and partial response occurred in 28 (56%) and 4 (8%), respectively. Nineteen of 28 patients with CR recurred with VIN. Surgical excision yielded higher CR (77%) than did either ablational techniques (21–33%) or topical immunotherapy (33%). Conclusion: In this experience, surgical excision for VIN, usual type, resulted in better therapeutic success rates than other treatment modalities. Management schemes should be individualized based on extent of disease and patient compliance.
Inactivation-denaturation kinetics of bovine milk alkaline phosphatase during mild heating as determined by using a monoclonal antibody-based immunoassay
Authors: Levieux Didier , Geneix Nathalie , Levieux Annie 
Published: April 2007

A monoclonal antibody based capture immunoassay has been recently developed for the specific quantitation of bovine milk alkaline phosphatase (ALP) without interference by contaminating microbial or fungal ALPs (Geneix et al. 2007). This immunoassay was used to study the kinetics of ALP heat denaturation in bovine milk over a range 50–60°C for 5 to 60 min using a colorimetric quantification of the enzyme activity as a reference test. A denaturation midpoint was obtained at 56°C for a 30 min heating. Thermal inactivation was found to follow first order kinetics and is characterized by z value of 6·7 deg C (D60°C=24·6 min) and 6·8 (D60°C=23·0 min) for respectively immunoassay and colorimetric assay. The high values of enthalpy of activation and the positive values of the entropy of activation and free energy of activation indicate that during denaturation ALP underwent a large change in conformation. The results of the immunoassay were highly correlated (r=0·994) with those obtained by the colorimetric assay. A similar high correlation (r=0·998) was obtained when industrially thermized milks (62–67°C for 20–90 s) were analysed by both techniques. These results indicated that 1) thermally induced epitopic structural changes recognized by the capture monoclonal antibody are concomitant with or occur after the loss of enzymatic activity and 2) quantification of ALP by the specific immunoassay is appropriate for determining mild time/temperature treatment of milk and for the control of milk pasteurization.
Immunology of pregnancy: cellular mechanisms allowing fetal survival within the maternal uterus
Authors: Zenclussen Ana Claudia , Schumacher Anne , Zenclussen Maria Laura , Wafula Paul , Volk Hans-Dieter 
Published: April 2007

AbstractPregnancy success remains a fascinating phenomenon to immunologists as it defies the immunological rules of rejection. Although it was previously thought that the maternal immune system does not see the fetus, it is now well documented that fetal cells reach the maternal body and encounter host immune cells. Natural tolerance mechanisms following this interaction remain to be fully elucidated. This article reviews the current literature on mechanisms of adaptive immunity, with emphasis on regulatory T cells and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1). We propose a scenario in which regulatory T cells create a tolerant microenvironment at the fetal–maternal interface characterised by the presence of tolerance-associated molecules such as HO-1, which has been shown to be of vital importance for fetal survival.
Novel P2X7 receptor antagonists ease the pain
Authors: King B F 
Published: April 2007

In recent months, a series of chemically diverse antagonists has been identified for the ATP‐gated P2X7 receptor. In particular, two classes of highly‐selective competitive P2X7 antagonists have been developed by Michael Jarvis and his colleagues at Abbott Laboratories. These di‐substituted tetrazole and cyanoguanidine derivatives are outstanding for a number of reasons (not least their stability, selectivity, potency and, of course, reversibility); most exciting is their near equal potency at human and rodent P2X7 isoforms. Armed with drugs such as A740003 and newer A438079, Jarvis and colleagues have explored the role of P2X7 receptors in the onset and persistence of chronic pain in animal models. Their findings ‐ and applicability to the human condition ‐ are reviewed in this current issue of British Journal of Pharmacology. This accompanying Commentary describes the progress made by Jarvis and others in developing novel P2X7 antagonists for pain relief.British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 151, 565–567; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707266
Characterization of novel non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitor resistance mutations at residues 132 and 135 in the 51 kDa subunit of HIV-1 RT
Authors: Nissley Dwight V. , Radzio Jessica , Ambrose Zandrea , Sheen Chih-Wei , Hamamouch Noureddine , Moore Katie L. , Tachedjian Gilda , Sluis-Cremer Nicolas 
Published: April 2007

Several rare and novel NNRTI [non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitor] resistance mutations were recently detected at codons 132 and 135 in RTs from clinical isolates using the yeast-based chimaeric TyHRT (Ty1/HIV-1 RT) phenotypic assay. Ile132 and Ile135 form part of the β7–β8 loop of HIV-1 RT (residues 132–140). To elucidate the contribution of these residues in RT structure–function and drug resistance, we constructed twelve recombinant enzymes harbouring mutations at codons 132 and 135–140. Several of the mutant enzymes exhibited reduced DNA polymerase activities. Using the yeast two-hybrid assay for HIV-1 RT dimerization we show that in some instances this decrease in enzyme activity could be attributed to the mutations, in the context of the 51 kDa subunit of HIV-1 RT, disrupting the subunit–subunit interactions of the enzyme. Drug resistance analyses using purified RT, the TyHRT assay and antiviral assays demonstrated that the I132M mutation conferred high-level resistance (&gt;10-fold) to nevirapine and delavirdine and low-level resistance (∼2–3-fold) to efavirenz. The I135A and I135M mutations also conferred low level NNRTI resistance (∼2-fold). Subunit selective mutagenesis studies again demonstrated that resistance was conferred via the p51 subunit of HIV-1 RT. Taken together, our results highlight a specific role of residues 132 and 135 in NNRTI resistance and a general role for residues in the β7–β8 loop in the stability of HIV-1 RT.
Allosteric activation of the extracellular Ca2+-sensing receptor byL-amino acids enhances ERK1/2 phosphorylation
Authors: Lee Heather J. , Mun Hee-Chang , Lewis Narelle C. , Crouch Michael F. , Culverston Emma L. , Mason Rebecca S. , Conigrave Arthur D. 
Published: April 2007

The calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) mediates feedback control of Ca2+o (extracellular Ca2+) concentration. Although the mechanisms are not fully understood, the CaR couples to several important intracellular signalling enzymes, including PI-PLC (phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C), leading to Ca2+i (intracellular Ca2+) mobilization, and ERK1/2 (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2). In addition to Ca2+o, the CaR is activated allosterically by several subclasses of L-amino acids, including the aromatics L-phenylalanine and L-tryptophan. These amino acids enhance the Ca2+o-sensitivity of Ca2+i mobilization in CaR-expressing HEK-293 (human embryonic kidney) cells and normal human parathyroid cells. Furthermore, on a background of a physiological fasting serum L-amino acid mixture, they induce a small, but physiologically significant, enhancement of Ca2+o-dependent suppression of PTH (parathyroid hormone) secretion. The impact of amino acids on CaR-stimulated ERK1/2, however, has not been determined. In the present study, we examined the effects of L-amino acids on Ca2+o-stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation as determined by Western blotting and a newly developed quantitative assay (SureFire). L-Amino acids induced a small, but significant, enhancement of Ca2+o-stimulated ERK1/2. In CaR-expressing HEK-293 cells, 10 mM L-phenylalanine lowered the EC50 for Ca2+o from approx. 2.3 to 2.0 mM in the Western blot assay and from 3.4 to 2.9 mM in the SureFire assay. The effect was stereoselective (L&gt;D), and another aromatic amino acid, L-tryptophan, was also effective. The effects of amino acids were investigated further in HEK-293 cells that expressed the CaR mutant S169T. L-Phenylalanine normalized the EC50 for Ca2+o-stimulated Ca2+i mobilization from approx. 12 mM to 5.0 mM and ERK1/2 phosphorylation from approx. 4.6 mM to 2.6 mM. Taken together, the data indicate that L-phenylalanine and other amino acids enhance the Ca2+o-sensitivity of CaR-stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation; however, the effect is comparatively small and operates in the form of a fine-tuning mechanism.
Regulation of brain anandamide by acute administration of ethanol
Authors: Ferrer Belen , Bermúdez-Silva Francisco Javier , Bilbao Ainhoa , Alvarez-Jaimes Lily , Sanchez-Vera Irene , Giuffrida Andrea , Serrano Antonia , Baixeras Elena , Khaturia Satishe , Navarro Miguel , Parsons Loren H. , Piomelli Daniele , Rodríguez de Fonseca Fernando 
Published: April 2007

The endogenous cannabinoid acylethanolamide AEA (arachidonoylethanolamide; also known as anandamide) participates in the neuroadaptations associated with chronic ethanol exposure. However, no studies have described the acute actions of ethanol on AEA production and degradation. In the present study, we investigated the time course of the effects of the intraperitoneal administration of ethanol (4 g/kg of body mass) on the endogenous levels of AEA in central and peripheral tissues. Acute ethanol administration decreased AEA in the cerebellum, the hippocampus and the nucleus accumbens of the ventral striatum, as well as in plasma and adipose tissue. Parallel decreases of a second acylethanolamide, PEA (palmitoylethanolamide), were observed in the brain. Effects were observed 45–90 min after ethanol administration. In vivo studies revealed that AEA decreases were associated with a remarkable inhibition of the release of both anandamide and glutamate in the nucleus accumbens. There were no changes in the expression and enzymatic activity of the main enzyme that degrades AEA, the fatty acid amidohydrolase. Acute ethanol administration did not change either the activity of N-acyltransferase, the enzyme that catalyses the synthesis of the AEA precursor, or the expression of NAPE-PLD (N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine-hydrolysing phospholipase D), the enzyme that releases AEA from membrane phospholipid precursors. These results suggest that receptor-mediated release of acylethanolamide is inhibited by the acute administration of ethanol, and that this effect is not derived from increased fatty acid ethanolamide degradation.
Utilizing genetic resources to enhance productivity of salt-prone land.
Authors: Munns R. 
Published: April 2007

Abstract
Unexplored biodiversity exists within crop species and their close relatives, which could be used to improve germplasm for salt-affected land. However, screening large germplasm collections for salt tolerance is difficult, and more specific and feasible selection techniques are required. Knowledge of the target environment and understanding of the genetic basis for salt tolerance of plants will help to choose the most appropriate screening method. Towards this end, the different types of salinity and the physiological and molecular mechanisms for salt tolerance are summarized in this review. There is great scope for improving the tolerance of important food and feed crops. Wheat, rice and alfalfa (lucerne), the most widely grown food and forage species, are used as examples of this approach.
Practicalities of developing and registering microbial biologicalcontrol agents.
Authors: Kiewnick S. 
Published: April 2007

Abstract
There is considerable interest in the exploitation of microbial biological control agents (MBCAs) for the control of crop pests, weeds and diseases. MBCAs can be used where chemical pesticides are banned or being phased out or where pests have developed resistance to standard chemicals. The use of MBCAs can play an important role in crop protection, as a key element in integrated pest management (IPM) programmes. However, despite considerable research efforts on the development of new biological control agents the number of such products on the market in the European Union (EU) is still extremely low compared with the USA or Canada. In areas that previously constrained the commercialization of MBCAs, discovery, fermentation, formulation and application, significant progress has been made. The low number of products is mainly due to the slow registration process. In the EU, MBCAs are regulated by and follow Directive 91/414/EEC for placing plant protection products in the market. Once an active ingredient is listed in Annex I, national registrations for the formulated product have to follow. This time consuming and expensive process has forced most companies to suspend their efforts in research and development. Initiatives by stakeholders from industry, science, regulatory authorities, policy and environment are underway to accelerate market introduction of MBCAs.
Transplanting large trees.
Authors: Harris J. R. 
Published: April 2007

Abstract
Rapid urbanization has resulted in an increased need for installed landscapes. Transplanting large trees (over 2m tall) into these urban and residential landscapes has become an essential practice because smaller trees do not have significant impact when first planted. In addition, poor site conditions and vandalism severely limit the chances that a newly planted small tree will eventually grow large enough to provide such intended services as cooling shade, air pollution and stormwater abatement, and psychological well-being. Transplanting large trees poses a different set of challenges to those normally encountered for transplanting small trees or annual agricultural crops. In addition to requiring longer attention to production details, large trees take much longer to fully establish after transplanting than small trees planted for reforestation purposes, and compared with annual agricultural crops, the long-term expectations for the transplanted large tree increase the importance of good transplanting techniques. This paper is a review of the biological underpinnings of the challenges encountered when transplanting large trees and how these challenges have been identified and addressed.
Libaffy: software for processing Affymetrix(R) GeneChip(R) data
Authors: Eschrich Steven A. , Hoerter Andrew M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractSummary: Affymetrix(R) GeneChip(R) microarrays are increasingly used in gene expression studies and in greater number. A software library was developed that supports Affymetrix file formats and implements two popular summary algorithms (MAS5.0 and RMA). The library is modular in design for integration into larger systems and processing pipelines. Additionally, a graphical interface (GENE) was developed to allow end-user access to the functionality within the library.Availability: libaffy is free to use under the GNU GPL license. The source code and Windows binaries can be freely accessed from the website http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/libaffy. Additional API documentation and user manual are available.Contact: Steven.Eschrich@moffitt.org
Human recombination rates are increased around accelerated conserved regions—evidence for continued selection?
Authors: Freudenberg Jan , Fu Ying-Hui , Ptáček Louis J. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractMotivation: We hypothesized that recombination rates might be increased at genetic loci that are subject to more intense selection. Here, we test this hypothesis by using a recently published set of accelerated conserved regions and fine-scale recombination rate estimates provided by the HapMap project.Results: We observed that fine-scale recombination rates are increased around conserved noncoding regions that show accelerated evolution in human or chimp, as compared to noncoding regions showing accelerated evolution in mouse and those being conserved between human and fugu. Recombination rates around hominid accelerated conserved regions (ACRs) are furthermore increased as compared to exonic regions. On the other hand, GC-content is reduced around ACRs, excluding a major confounding influence of GC-content on the observed variation in recombination rate.Conclusion: Our observations indicate that selection intensity could be an important determinant of local recombination rate variation and that continued positive selection might act at many ACR loci. Alternatively, a confounding factor needs to be found that causes a congruent signal in recombination rate estimates based on human polymorphism data and in the comparative genomic data. Researchers who consider the explanation involving selection as more likely may expect more common functional sequence variants at ACRs in genetic association studies.Contact: jan.freudenberg@ucsf.eduSupplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Two-stage designs applying methods differing in costs
Authors: Goll Alexandra , Bauer Peter 
Published: April 2007

AbstractMotivation: Two-stage pilot and integrated designs are powerful tools for investigating large numbers of hypotheses. Asymptotically, optimal two-stage designs controlling the familywise error or false discovery rate are considered when costs and effect sizes per measurement differ between stages and total costs are constrained.Results: Depending on the cost and effect size ratios between the measurements, it is generally more powerful to apply two-stage procedures using one measurement method at both stages. For the practically relevant case that the same method is applied at both stages but designing the second-stage measurements raises extra costs, two-stage designs are more powerful than the single-stage design even for large costs ratios. The power of the optimal pilot and integrated two-stage designs generally are similar, however, the integrated approach is less sensitive even to severe design misspecifications in the planning phase.Availability: R-programs (R, 2005) to calculate asymptotically optimal designs are available on: http://statistics.msi.meduniwien.ac.at/index.php?page=ao2stageContact: alexandra.goll@meduniwien.ac.at