bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Eustachian Tube Dysfunction in Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Lazo‐Sáenz Juan Gerardo , Galván‐Aguilera Armando Alejando , Martínez‐Ordaz Verónica Araceli , Velasco‐Rodríguez Víctor Manuel , Nieves‐Rentería Armando , Rincón‐CastañEda Cuauhtémoc 
Published: April 2005

OBJECTIVE:To assess eustachian tube function in patients with allergic rhinitis and compare them with a control group.STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING:Tympanometry was performed in 130 patients (260 ears), divided into 2 groups: 80 cases with allergic rhinitis and 50 healthy controls. Cases underwent skin hypersensitivity tests.RESULTS:Cases, age 21.1 ± 14.9; Controls, age 23.9 ± 15.6. Most frequent skin hypersensitivity: Dermatophagoides pt (62%), Zea Maiz (44%), and Cockroach (37%). Tympanometry of cases showed negative values of peak tympanometric pressure in both children and adults (P ≤ 0.05). Among children under 11 years of age, 15.5% tympanograms showed abnormal curves (13% C curves and 3% B curves); among the control group only normal curves were found (type A).CONCLUSION:Allergic rhinitis patients have a higher risk of eustachian tube dysfunction, particularly during childhood. Tympanometry is a noninvasive, readily available procedure that may be useful in these patients to prevent chronic middle‐ear disease.
Action‐at‐a‐distance interactions enhance protein binding affinity
Authors: Joughin Brian A. , Green David F. , Tidor Bruce 
Published: April 2005

AbstractThe identification of protein mutations that enhance binding affinity may be achieved by computational or experimental means, or by a combination of the two. Sources of affinity enhancement may include improvements to the net balance of binding interactions of residues forming intermolecular contacts at the binding interface, such as packing and hydrogen‐bonding interactions. Here we identify noncontacting residues that make substantial contributions to binding affinity and that also provide opportunities for mutations that increase binding affinity of the TEM1 β‐lactamase (TEM1) to the β‐lactamase inhibitor protein (BLIP). A region of BLIP not on the direct TEM1‐binding surface was identified for which changes in net charge result in particularly large increases in computed binding affinity. Some mutations to the region have previously been characterized, and our results are in good correspondence with this results of that study. In addition, we propose novel mutations to BLIP that were computed to improve binding significantly without contacting TEM1 directly. This class of noncontacting electrostatic interactions could have general utility in the design and tuning of binding interactions.
Hospital to home: An integrated approach to discharge planning in a rural South Australian town
Authors: Bolch Denise , Johnston Julie B. , Giles Lynne C. , Whitehead Craig , Phillips Paddy , Crotty Maria 
Published: April 2005

AbstractObjective:  To produce safer and more integrated hospital discharge planning practices for older people living in rural and remote settings. Design:  Plan–Do–Study–Act framework using case‐note audit and focus groups. Setting:  Central Yorke Peninsula Hospital in South Australia. Subjects:  All patients aged 65 years or older admitted between October 2001 and June 2002. Interventions:  Range of communication strategies designed to improve discharge planning practices. Main outcome measures:  Percentage of patients with documented discharge plan, Percentage of patients risk screened, Percentage of community health service provider referrals, Percentage of patients followed up within 10 days of discharge. Results:  There was a significant increase in the proportion of patients with a documented discharge plan for both non‐Aboriginal (23%) and Aboriginal patients (52%). There was also a significant increase in the proportion of patients who received timely and informative risk screening (41% for non‐Aboriginal and 58% for Aboriginal patients). Referrals to community health service providers also increased significantly from baseline to the intervention period (14% for non‐Aboriginal and 33% for Aboriginal patients). The project also resulted in improved communication processes between hospital staff and community health service providers. Conclusions:  This National Demonstration Hospitals Program project has impacted on both hospital discharge planning and the hospital–community interface. Flow‐on effects to other initiatives within the region are likely.
Dual Roles of an E-Helix Residue, Glu167, in the Transcriptional Activator Function of CooA
Authors: Youn Hwan , Thorsteinsson Marc V. , Conrad Mary , Kerby Robert L. , Roberts Gary P. 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT

CooA is a transcriptional activator that mediates CO-dependent expression of the genes responsible for CO oxidation in
Rhodospirillum rubrum
. In this study, we suggest in vitro and in vivo models explaining an unusual requirement of CooA for millimolar levels of divalent cations for high-affinity DNA binding. Several lines of evidence indicate that an E-helix residue, Glu167, plays a central role in this requirement by inhibiting sequence-specific DNA binding via charge repulsion in the absence of any divalent cation and that divalent cations relieve such repulsion in the process of DNA binding by CooA. Unexpectedly, the Glu167 residue is the optimal residue for in vivo transcriptional activity of CooA. We present a model in which the Glu167 from the downstream subunit of CooA helps the protein to interact with RNA polymerase, probably through an interaction between activating region 3 and σ subunit. The study was further extended to a homologous protein, cyclic AMP receptor protein (CRP), which revealed similar, but not identical, roles of the residue in this protein as well. The results show a unique mechanism of CooA modulating its DNA binding and transcriptional activation in response to divalent cations among the CRP/FNR (fumarate and nitrate reductase activator protein) superfamily of regulators.
TheBacillus subtilisSinR and RapA Developmental Regulators Are Responsible for Inhibition of Spore Development by Alcohol
Authors: Gottig Natalia , Pedrido María Eugenia , Méndez Marcelo , Lombardía Esteban , Rovetto Adrián , Philippe Valeria , Orsaria Lelia , Grau Roberto 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACTEven though there is a large body of information concerning the harmful effects of alcohol on different organisms, the mechanism(s) that affects developmental programs, at a single-cell level, has not been clearly identified. In this respect, the spore-forming bacteriumBacillus subtilisconstitutes an excellent model to study universal questions of cell fate, cell differentiation, and morphogenesis. Here, we demonstrate that treatment with subinhibitory concentrations of alcohol that did not affect vegetative growth inhibited the initiation of spore development through a selective blockage of key developmental genes under the control of the master transcription factor Spo0A∼P. Isopropyl-β-d-thiogalactopyranoside-directed expression of a phosphorylation-independent form of Spo0A (Sad67) and the use of an in vivo mini-Tn10insertional library permitted the identification of the developmental SinR repressor and RapA phosphatase as the effectors that mediated the inhibitory effect of alcohol on spore morphogenesis. A doublerapA sinRmutant strain was completely resistant to the inhibitory effects of different-C-length alcohols on sporulation, indicating that the two cell fate determinants were the main or unique regulators responsible for the spo0 phenotype of wild-type cells in the presence of alcohol. Furthermore, treatment with alcohol produced a significant induction ofrapAandsinR, while the stationary-phase induction ofsinI, which codes for a SinR inhibitor, was completely turned off by alcohol. As a result, a dramatic repression ofspo0Aand the genes under its control occurred soon after alcohol addition, inhibiting the onset of sporulation and permitting the evaluation of alternative pathways required for cellular survival.
Crystal Structure of the Flagellar Rotor Protein FliN from
Thermotoga maritima
Authors: Brown Perry N. , Mathews Michael A. A. , Joss Lisa A. , Hill Christopher P. , Blair David F. 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT

FliN is a component of the bacterial flagellum that is present at levels of more than 100 copies and forms the bulk of the C ring, a drum-shaped structure at the inner end of the basal body. FliN interacts with FliG and FliM to form the rotor-mounted switch complex that controls clockwise-counterclockwise switching of the motor. In addition to its functions in motor rotation and switching, FliN is thought to have a role in the export of proteins that form the exterior structures of the flagellum (the rod, hook, and filament). Here, we describe the crystal structure of most of the FliN protein of
Thermotoga maritima
. FliN is a tightly intertwined dimer composed mostly of β sheet. Several well-conserved hydrophobic residues form a nonpolar patch on the surface of the molecule. A mutation in the hydrophobic patch affected both flagellar assembly and switching, showing that this surface feature is important for FliN function. The association state of FliN in solution was studied by analytical ultracentrifugation, which provided clues to the higher-level organization of the protein.
T. maritima
FliN is primarily a dimer in solution, and
T. maritima
FliN and FliM together form a stable FliM
1
-FliN
4
complex.
Escherichia coli
FliN forms a stable tetramer in solution. The arrangement of FliN subunits in the tetramer was modeled by reference to the crystal structure of tetrameric HrcQB
C
, a related protein that functions in virulence factor secretion in
Pseudomonas syringae
. The modeled tetramer is elongated, with approximate dimensions of 110 by 40 by 35Å, and it has a large hydrophobic cleft formed from the hydrophobic patches on the dimers. On the basis of the present data and available electron microscopic images, we propose a model for the organization of FliN subunits in the C ring.
Youth Violence and Self-Help
Authors: Nijboer Jan , de Haan Willem 
Published: April 2005

AbstractIn this article, the focus is on youth violence in neighbourhoods, including confrontations with the police. In the light of Black's theory of crime as a form of social control, we raise the question whether this kind of youth violence can be explained as a form of self-help. In the aftermath of two cases involving public disorder, we interviewed offenders, victims, bystanders and residents as well as members of the police force, the justice department and the city government about their views on the events in question as well as why they thought confrontations with the police had occurred. Based on an analysis of risk factors, we conclude that three particular conditions are necessary for youth violence: institutionalised mistrust, a neighbourhood subculture with strong elements of territoriality, and an environment that harbours a continuous threat of violence.
Airway epithelial cell tolerance to Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Wu Qi , Lu Zhong , Verghese Margrith W , Randell Scott H 
Published: April 2005

Abstract
Background
The respiratory tract epithelium is a critical environmental interface that regulates inflammation. In chronic infectious airway diseases, pathogens may permanently colonize normally sterile luminal environments. Host-pathogen interactions determine the intensity of inflammation and thus, rates of tissue injury. Although many cells become refractory to stimulation by pathogen products, it is unknown whether the airway epithelium becomes either tolerant or hypersensitive in the setting of chronic infection. Our goals were to characterize the response of well-differentiated primary human tracheobronchial epithelial cells to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, to understand whether repeated exposure induced tolerance and, if so, to explore the mechanism(s).

Methods
The apical surface of well-differentiated primary human tracheobronchial epithelial cell cultures was repetitively challenged with Pseudomonas aeruginosa culture filtrates or the bacterial media control. Toxicity, cytokine production, signal transduction events and specific effects of dominant negative forms of signaling molecules were examined. Additional experiments included using IL-1β and TNFα as challenge agents, and performing comparative studies with a novel airway epithelial cell line.

Results
An initial challenge of the apical surface of polarized human airway epithelial cells with Pseudomonas aeruginosa culture filtrates induced phosphorylation of IRAK1, JNK, p38, and ERK, caused degradation of IκBα, generation of NF-κB and AP-1 transcription factor activity, and resulted in IL-8 secretion, consistent with activation of the Toll-like receptor signal transduction pathway. These responses were strongly attenuated following a second Pseudomonas aeruginosa, or IL-1β, but not TNFα, challenge. Tolerance was associated with decreased IRAK1 protein content and kinase activity and dominant negative IRAK1 inhibited Pseudomonas aeruginosa -stimulated NF-κB transcriptional activity.

Conclusion
The airway epithelial cell response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa entails adaptation and tolerance likely mediated, in part, by down-regulation of IRAK1.
Pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of a depot formulation of naltrexone in alcoholics: an open-label trial
Authors: Galloway Gantt P , Koch Monika , Cello Ryan , Smith David E 
Published: April 2005

Abstract
Background
Naltrexone is an effective medication for treatment of alcohol dependence, but its efficacy is limited by lack of adherence to the oral dosage form. A long-acting depot formulation of naltrexone may increase adherence.

Methods
A single site, 6-week open label study was conducted with 16 alcohol dependent subjects each receiving 300 mg of Naltrexone Depot by intramuscular injection. The main outcomes were safety and tolerability of the Naltrexone Depot formulation, blood levels of naltrexone and its main metabolite 6-beta naltrexol, and self-reported alcohol use. All subjects received weekly individual counseling sessions.

Results
The medication was well tolerated with 88% of subjects completing the 6-week trial. The most common side effect experienced was injection site complications. There were no serious adverse events. Subjects had naltrexone and 6-beta-naltrexol concentrations throughout the trial with mean values ranging from 0.58 ng/mL to 2.04 ng/mL and 1.51 ng/mL to 5.52 ng/mL, respectively, at each sampling time following administration. Compared to baseline, subjects had significantly reduced number of drinks per day, heavy drinking days and proportion of drinking days.

Conclusion
Naltrexone Depot is safe and well tolerated in alcoholics and these findings support the further investigation of its utility in larger double-blind placebo controlled trials.
Study of the thermal release behaviour of mercury and thallium from liquid eutectic lead-bismuth alloy
Authors: Neuhausen Jörg , Eichler B. 
Published: April 2005

Summary
The release of mercury and thallium from liquid eutectic lead-bismuth alloy (LBE) under a flowing Ar/7%-H2 atmosphere has been studied in the temperature range from 408 to 1292 K using γ-ray spectroscopy. For technical applications such as liquid metal spallation targets or accelerator driven systems, where liquid LBE is planned to be used as target material, the release of radioactive mercury isotopes produced by spallation is expected to be one of the major safety issues.
During short-term experiments significant amounts of mercury begin to evaporate from liquid LBE at temperatures starting from about 475 K. 80% of the mercury present in the sample is released from samples of approximately 1.5–3 g within one hour at temperatures higher than 625 K. Thallium release in the temperature range investigated is below experimental error. Long-term experiments reveal that even at temperatures as low as 476 K about 25% of the mercury present in the samples is released per day under a flowing Ar/7%-H2 atmosphere.
Charge density research: from inorganic and molecular materials to proteins
Authors: Lecomte Claude , Aubert Emmanuel , Legrand Vincent , Porcher Florence , Pillet Sébastien , Guillot Benoît , Jelsch Christian 
Published: April 2005

Abstract
This paper intends to present applications of experimental charge density research in physics, chemistry and biology. It describes briefly most methods for modelling the charge density and calculating and analyzing derived properties (electrostatic potential, topological properties). These methods are illustrated through examples ranging from material science and coordination chemistry to biocrystallography, like the estimation of electrostatic energy in a zeolite-like material or the relation between electrostatic energy and spin density to macroscopic magnetic properties in a ferrimagnetic molecular material. The accurate structure and charge density of a coordination compound exhibiting LIESST effect is also described, together with an exemple of transferability of charge density methods to macromolecular science and protein crystallography.
Discrete time adaptive control for a MEMS gyroscope
Authors: Park Sungsu , Horowitz Roberto 
Published: April 2005

AbstractThis paper presents a discrete time version of the observer‐based adaptive control system for micro‐electro‐mechanical systems gyroscopes, which can be implemented using digital processors. A stochastic analysis of this control algorithm is developed and it shows that the estimates of the angular rate and the fabrication imperfections are biased due to the signal discretization errors in the feedforward control path introduced by the sampler and holder. Thus, a two‐rate discrete time control is proposed as a compromise between the measurement biases and the computational burden imposed on the controller. The convergence analysis of this algorithm is also conducted and an analysis method is developed for determining the trade‐off between the controller sampling frequency and the magnitude of the angular rate estimate biased errors. All convergence and stochastic properties of a continuous time adaptive control are preserved, and this analysis is verified with computer simulations. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mutational screening and association study of glutamate decarboxylase 1 as a candidate susceptibility gene for bipolar affective disorder and schizophrenia
Authors: Lundorf M.D. , Buttenschøn H.N. , Foldager L. , Blackwood D.H.R. , Muir W.J. , Murray V. , Pelosi A.J. , Kruse T.A. , Ewald H. , Mors O. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractRecent evidence from postmortem studies suggests thatGAD1encoding the gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) synthetic enzyme GAD67 is a functional candidate susceptibility gene for both bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) and schizophrenia. Previous studies suggest linkage between D2S326 nearGAD1and BPAD. We systematically screenedGAD1exons, flanking intronic sequences, and the promoter sequence for polymorphisms in 16 BPAD patients and five controls from Denmark. We identified eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) including two in the promoter sequence. An association study of SNPs coveringGAD1was performed in a Danish sample of 82 BPAD subjects and 120 controls and in a Scottish sample of 197 individuals with schizophrenia, 200 BPAD subjects and 199 controls. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) and haplotype frequencies were estimated from genotype data from eight SNPs. Strong pairwise LD was observed among all pairs of neighboring markers. In the Danish sample, we found weak association between BPAD and two promoter SNPs spaced 1 kb apart. Furthermore, one, two, and three loci haplotype analysis showed weak association with BPAD in the Danish sample. The results from the association studies indicate that promoter variants are of importance for the Danish BPAD cases and we cannot reject the hypothesis ofGAD1as a functional candidate gene for BPAD. No association was observed between BPAD or schizophrenia and any of the investigated SNPs in the Scottish sample set. Thus the results obtained from the Scottish sample suggest that theGAD1gene variants do not play a major role in the predisposition to schizophrenia. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association of the apolipoprotein A‐IV: 360 gln/his polymorphism with cerebrovascular disease, obesity, and depression in a Brazilian elderly population
Authors: Ejchel T.F. , Araújo L.M.Q. , Ramos L.R. , Cendoroglo M.S. , Smith Marília de Arruda Cardoso 
Published: April 2005

AbstractThe identification of genetic polymorphisms as risk factors for complex diseases can be relevant for their prevention, diagnosis, and prognosis. The apolipoprotein A‐IV: 360 Gln/His polymorphism was investigated in 383 elderly individuals, who were participants of a longitudinal study commenced in 1991. The major morbidities that affect elderly people, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, low cognitive function, depression, and obesity, were extensively investigated. DNA was isolated from blood cells, amplified by PCR, and digested with Fnu4HI. In this population the frequency of the His allele was 0.056 and the genotypes were distributed according to Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between the presence of His allele and cerebrovascular disease and/or transitory ischemic attack (odds ratio) (OR = 3.070, P = 0.027), obesity (OR = 2.241, P = 0.047), and depression (OR = 2.879, P = 0.005). This study indicates that the presence of the rare allele in elderly people can play a significant role in the occurrence of multifactorial diseases. This is the first study analyzing this polymorphism in elderly people in Brazil. More studies should be encouraged to elucidate the mechanisms involved in these diseases. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) and antisocial behaviors in the presence of childhood and adolescent maltreatment
Authors: Haberstick Brett C. , Lessem Jeffrey M. , Hopfer Christian J. , Smolen Andrew , Ehringer Marissa A. , Timberlake David , Hewitt John K. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractThere is a robust relationship between the experience of maltreatment in childhood and later antisocial behaviors amongst adolescents and adults. Animal and human studies suggest that variation in monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) genotype may moderate the effects of maltreatment. Self‐reported conduct problems and criminal convictions amongst sibling‐pairs from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health were tested for association with reports of maltreatment before and after the age of 12. MAOA promoter polymorphisms were tested for possible moderation effects. Maltreatment predicted conduct problems and criminal convictions. MAOA genotype did not have a significant moderating effect in any of the six analyses that were conducted. We did not replicate a previous report that MAOA polymorphisms moderated the relationship between maltreatment and conduct problems. There was, however, a non‐significant trend in the predicted direction. Additional studies will be needed before firm conclusions can be drawn about this hypothesized genotype–environment interaction. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.