bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Essential Oils as Components of a Diet-Based Approach to Management of
Helicobacter
Infection
Authors: Bergonzelli G. E. , Donnicola D. , Porta N. , Corthésy-Theulaz I. E. 
Published: September 2003

ABSTRACT

An increased density of
Helicobacter pylori
in the gastric mucosa can be associated with more severe gastritis and an increased incidence of peptic ulcers. Therefore, people with asymptomatic gastritis would certainly benefit from a nutritional approach to help them manage the infection and therefore decrease the risk of development of associated pathologies. We analyzed the activities of 60 essential oils against
H. pylori
P1 and identified 30 oils that affected growth, with in vitro inhibition zones ranging between 0.7 and 6.3 cm in diameter. We further analyzed the effects of 16 oils with different activities on
H. pylori
P1 viability. Fifteen showed strong bactericidal activities, with minimal bactericidal concentrations after 24 h ranging from 0.02 to 0.1 g/liter at pH 7.4. Even though slight variations in activities were observed, the essential oils that displayed the strongest bactericidal potentials against
H. pylori
P1 were also active against other
Helicobacter
strains tested. Among the pure constituents of different essential oils tested, carvacrol, isoeugenol, nerol, citral, and sabinene exhibited the strongest anti-
H. pylori
activities. Although oral treatment of
H. pylori
SS1-infected mice with carrot seed oil did not result in significant decreases in the bacterial loads in the treated animals compared to those in the control animals, in all experiments performed, the infection was cleared in 20 to 30% of carrot seed oil-treated animals. Our results indicate that essential oils are unlikely to be efficient anti-
Helicobacter
agents in vivo. However, their effects may not be irrelevant if one plans to use them as food additives to complement present therapies.
In Vitro Antibacterial Potency and Spectrum of ABT-492, a New Fluoroquinolone
Authors: Nilius Angela M. , Shen Linus L. , Hensey-Rudloff Dena , Almer Laurel S. , Beyer Jill M. , Balli Darlene J. , Cai Yingna , Flamm Robert K. 
Published: September 2003

ABSTRACT

ABT-492 demonstrated potent antibacterial activity against most quinolone-susceptible pathogens. The rank order of potency was ABT-492 > trovafloxacin > levofloxacin > ciprofloxacin against quinolone-susceptible staphylococci, streptococci, and enterococci. ABT-492 had activity comparable to those of trovafloxacin, levofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin against seven species of quinolone-susceptible members of the family
Enterobacteriaceae
, although it was less active than the comparators against
Citrobacter freundii
and
Serratia marcescens.
The activity of ABT-492 was greater than those of the comparators against fastidious gram-negative species, including
Haemophilus influenzae
,
Moraxella catarrhalis
,
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
, and
Legionella
spp. and against
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and
Helicobacter pylori
. ABT-492 was as active as trovafloxacin against
Chlamydia trachomatis
, indicating good intracellular penetration and antibacterial activity. In particular, ABT-492 was more active than trovafloxacin and levofloxacin against multidrug-resistant
Streptococcus pneumoniae
, including strains resistant to penicillin and macrolides, and
H. influenzae
, including β-lactam-resistant strains. It retained greater in vitro activity than the comparators against
S. pneumoniae
and
H. influenzae
strains resistant to other quinolones due to amino acid alterations in the quinolone resistance-determining regions of the target topoisomerases. ABT-492 was a potent inhibitor of bacterial topoisomerases, and unlike the comparators, DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV from either
Staphylococcus aureus
or
Escherichia coli
were almost equally sensitive to ABT-492. The profile of ABT-492 suggested that it may be a useful agent for the treatment of community-acquired respiratory tract infections, as well as infections of the urinary tract, bloodstream, and skin and skin structure and nosocomial lung infections.
Efficacy of Multiple- or Single-Dose Cidofovir against Vaccinia and Cowpox Virus Infections in Mice
Authors: Quenelle Debra C. , Collins Deborah J. , Kern Earl R. 
Published: September 2003

ABSTRACT
Orthopoxviruses, including variola and monkeypox, pose risks to human health through natural transmission or potential bioterrorist activities. Since vaccination has not recently been utilized for control of these infections, there is renewed effort in the development of antiviral agents not only for postexposure smallpox therapy but also for treatment of adverse reactions following vaccination. The objectives of this study were to expand on the results of others that cidofovir (CDV) is effective in mice inoculated with cowpox virus (CV) or vaccinia virus (VV) and to document the efficacy of single and interval dosing beginning prior to or after infection, particularly including evaluations using suboptimal doses of CDV. We utilized BALB/c or SCID mice inoculated with CV or VV as models for systemic poxvirus infections. BALB/c mice were inoculated intranasally with CV or VV and treated with CDV prior to or after virus inoculation. CDV, at concentrations as low as 0.7 to 6.7 mg/kg of body weight/day for 5 days, conferred significant protection when treatment was initiated as late as 72 to 96 h postinfection. A single-dose pretreatment or posttreatment with CDV at 3 to 100 mg/kg was effective when given as early as 5 days prior to infection or as late as 3 days after infection with either VV or CV. Interval treatments given every third day beginning 72 h postinfection using 6.7 or 2 mg of CDV/kg also proved effective against CV infections. When SCID mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with CV or VV and treated for 7 to 30 days with CDV, all the mice eventually died during or after cessation of treatment; however, significant delays in time to death and reduction of virus replication in organs occurred in most treated groups, and no resistance to CDV was detected.
DNA Gyrase and Topoisomerase IV Mutations in Clinical Isolates of
Ureaplasma
spp. and
Mycoplasma hominis
Resistant to Fluoroquinolones
Authors: Bébéar C. M. , Renaudin H. , Charron A. , Clerc M. , Pereyre S. , Bébéar C. 
Published: September 2003

ABSTRACT

Twelve clinical isolates of
Ureaplasma
spp. and one isolate of
Mycoplasma hominis
were examined for resistance to fluoroquinolones. Previously described mutations at positions 83 and 95 in GyrA (
Escherichia coli
numbering) and positions 80 and 87 in ParC were found. Unusual alterations were described at positions ParC 123 and 134.
Erythromycin Esterase Gene
ere
(A) Is Located in a Functional Gene Cassette in an Unusual Class 2 Integron
Authors: Biskri Latefa , Mazel Didier 
Published: September 2003

ABSTRACT

The gene
ere
(A) of the plasmid pIP1100 is larger than originally reported and is organized as an integron gene cassette. The
ere
(A) gene cassette carries its own promoter and is propagated by a class 2 integron with an insertion sequence element, IS
1
, inserted upstream of the
intI2
gene. The mobility of the
ere
(A) cassette has been demonstrated.
Glutathione S-transferases M1-1 and T1-1 as risk modifiers for renal cell cancer associated with occupational exposure to chemicals
Authors: Buzio L , De Palma G , Mozzoni P , Tondel M , Buzio C , Franchini I , Axelson O , Mutti A 
Published: September 2003

Aims:To investigate the possible interaction between occupational risk factors and genotype for glutathione S-transferases M1 and T1 (GSTM1andGSTT1) in renal cell cancer (RCC).Methods:One hundred patients with RCC and 200 outpatient controls were enrolled at Parma University Hospital. The polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase M1-1 (GSTM1) and T1-1 (GSTT1) were investigated by PCR; occupational history was collected by a structured questionnaire.Results:Subjects withGSTM1present genotype showed higher risks for RCC, compared toGSTM1null subjects, if exposed to metals (OR 2.73; 95% CI 0.91 to 8.22v1.14; 95% CI 0.46 to 2.82) or pesticides (OR 3.46; 95% CI 1.12 to 10.74v1.59; 95% CI 0.48 to 5.34). TheGSTT1present genotype also enhanced the risk (about twofold) of RCC among subjects exposed to solvents and pesticides, compared with thoseGSTT1null.Conclusions:Results support the hypothesis thatGSTM1andGSTT1polymorphisms can interact with several occupational exposures to significantly modify the risk of RCC among exposed subjects.
ARISTOTLE ON GEOMETRIC PERFECTION IN THE PHYSICAL WORLD
Authors: Kouremenos Theokritos 
Published: September 2003

Although Aristotle is usually thought to deny the existence of physical objects with perfect geometric properties, J. Lear has argued that for Aristotle geometric properties can be perfectly instantiated in the physical world. In support of this thesis Lear has pointed mainly to
de An.
403a10- 6, where Aristotle seems to admit the existence of physical objects with so perfect geometric properties that the edge of one touches the spherical surface of the other at a point. In this paper I argue that
de An.
403a10- 6 does not commit Aristotle to the perfect instantiation of geometric properties in the physical world because the two objects assumed to touch each other at a point in this passage are not physical, as Lear takes it, but geometric: consequently,
de An.
403a10-6 cannot be taken as evidence that geometric properties are perfectly instantiated in physical objects, from which geometric objects are abstracted. In
Cael.
287b14-21, however, Aristotle notes that unlike the heaven a sphere made by a craftsman cannot be perfectly spherical and, in general, that no human artifact of whatever shape can be as geometrically perfect as the spherical heaven. This passage leaves no doubt that Aristotle denies the perfect instantiation of geometric properties in the sublunary region of his universe: some geometric properties are perfectly instantiated only in the superlunary region where the
aether
, the material of the heaven as well as of the celestial spheres that produce the apparent motions of each planet (the sun and the moon included), forms geometrically perfect spheres.
The intronic prothrombin 19911A&gt;G polymorphism influences splicing efficiency and modulates effects of the 20210G&gt;A polymorphism on mRNA amount and expression in a stable reporter gene assay system
Authors: von Ahsen Nicolas , Oellerich Michael 
Published: September 2003

AbstractThe common prothrombin gene cleavage site mutation 20210G&gt;A is associated with elevated prothrombin levels and thrombosis. The pathomechanism of the 20210G&gt;A mutation was explained by increased mRNA formation and/or more efficient translation. Human studies also showed an influence of the intronic 19911A&gt;G polymorphism on prothrombin activity. We established HepG2 cell lines stably transfected with prothrombin mini-genes containing the last 2 prothrombin exons, the last intron, 3′ untranslated region (UTR), and flanking sequence. The highest mRNA expression and protein activity resulted from the mutant haplotype 19911A-20210A. Haplotypes with wild-type cleavage site (19911A-20210G, 19911G-20210G) also differed significantly as a consequence of the intronic 19911 mutation; the 19911G-20210G haplotype showed lower expression than the 19911A-20210G haplotype, whereas previous clinical studies have reported elevated prothrombin activity with the 19911G-20210G haplotype. The cleavage site pattern was homogeneous with 20210A, which may cause a favorable intracellular processing, and heterogeneous with 20210G. In an independent assay for splicing efficiency, 19911G showed about 30% higher efficiency than 19911A. We conclude that the intronic 19911A&gt;G single nucleotide polymorphism is itself functional and changes splicing efficiency by altering a known functional pentamer motif. Further studies are needed to define the value of additional prothrombin 19911 genotyping for thrombophilia screening, especially in cases heterozygous for 20210G&gt;A.
Annexin II mediates plasminogen-dependent matrix invasion by human monocytes: enhanced expression by macrophages
Authors: Brownstein Carrie , Deora Arunkumar B. , Jacovina Andrew T. , Weintraub Rebecca , Gertler Menard , Khan K. M. Faisal , Falcone Domenick J. , Hajjar Katherine A. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractMonocytes and macrophages participate in a wide variety of host defense mechanisms. Annexin II, a fibrinolytic receptor, binds plasminogen and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) independently at the cell surface, thereby enhancing the catalytic efficiency of plasmin production. We demonstrated previously that annexin II on the surface of both cultured monocytoid cells and monocyte-derived macrophages promotes their ability to remodel extracellular matrix. Here, we demonstrate that human peripheral blood monocytes represent the major circulating annexin II–expressing cell. Annexin II supported t-PA–dependent generation of cell surface plasmin and the matrix-penetrating activity of human monocytes. Compared to polymorphonuclear leukocytes, monocytes supported a 12.9-fold greater rate of plasmin generation in the presence of exogenous t-PA, and this activity was largely attributable to annexin II. Likewise, anti–annexin II IgG directed against the t-PA–binding tail domain inhibited plasminogen-dependent, cytokine-directed monocyte migration through extracellular matrix. On differentiation of monocytes to macrophages, there was a 2.4-fold increase in annexin II–specific mRNA, and a 7.9-fold increase in surface annexin II. Thioglycolate-elicited peritoneal macrophages, furthermore, displayed an additional 3.8-fold increase in annexin II surface expression compared with resident cells. Thus, annexin II–mediated assembly of plasminogen and t-PA on monocyte/macrophages contributes to plasmin generation, matrix remodeling, and directed migration.
Differential contribution of Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein to selective advantage in T- and B-cell lineages
Authors: Konno Akihiro , Wada Taizo , Schurman Shepherd H. , Garabedian Elizabeth K. , Kirby Martha , Anderson Stacie M. , Candotti Fabio 
Published: September 2003

Abstract
Somatic mosaicism because of in vivo reversion has been recently reported in a small number of patients affected with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS). Flow cytometry analysis of WAS protein (WASP) expression has shown that these patients carried revertant cells only among T lymphocytes. Here, we have used high-resolution capillary electrophoresis to analyze genomic DNA from highly purified cells of one of these patients and detected revertant sequences also within the B-cell fraction. The demonstration of revertant cells among both T and B lymphocytes in this patient is consistent with the reversion event having occurred in a common lymphoid progenitor. However, although WASP-expressing T cells showed selective advantage and were readily detectable in the periphery of the mosaic patient, revertant B lymphocytes remained below the detection threshold of flow cytometry. These findings suggest that, contrary to T cells, differentiation and survival of B lymphocytes is minimally dependent on WASP.
Aberrant methylation of DAP-kinase in therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Voso Maria Teresa , Scardocci Alessandra , Guidi Francesco , Zini Gina , Di Mario Antonella , Pagano Livio , Hohaus Stefan , Leone Giuseppe 
Published: September 2003

Abstract
Death-associated protein kinase (DAP-kinase), a proapoptotic serine/threonine kinase, is a candidate tumor suppressor gene. We studied the methylation status of DAP-kinase of 194 bone marrow samples from 160 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and 34 with a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) at the time of initial diagnosis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Hypermethylation of DAP-kinase was present in 27.5% (44 of 160) of AML and in 47% (16 of 34) of MDS specimens and significantly correlated to loss of DAP-kinase expression (P = .008). It was significantly more frequent in AML secondary to therapy for other malignancies (s-AML; 14 of 29, 48.3%), as compared to de novo AML (30 of 131, 22.9%, P = .01). DAP-kinase hypermethylation in AML was associated with myelodysplastic changes in the bone marrow at the time of the initial diagnosis (P = .002) and with the presence of cytogenetic abnormalities (P = .02). Alteration in the apoptotic response due to the loss of DAP-kinase function may be an early event in the transformation pathway to secondary leukemia via myelodysplasia.
Pulmonary vascular involvement in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Voelkel N.F. , Cool C.D. 
Published: September 2003

Chronic obstructive lung disease affects the entire lung, not just the airways. Although pulmonary hypertension (PH) has long been recognised in a subset of patients with COLD, the important pathophysiological questions remain unanswered. Oxygen supplementation, however, has been shown to blunt the exercise-induced PH in these patients. Hypercoagulability has also been described in patients with COLD. This may, in part, be due to the inflammatory aspects of COLD exacerbation events. In addition to perivascular inflammation, the pathology of vessels in COLD includes intimal thickening, muscularisation of arterioles,in situthrombosis, loss of capillaries and precapillary arterioles, and vascular congestion and stasis. Recent work describes apoptosis of septal endothelial cells and decreased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and one of its receptors, VEGFRII, in lungs from patients with emphysema. Based on this work, a rat model was developed that shows chronic blockade of VEGF receptors leads to septal cell apoptosis and results in emphysema and PH. This animal model has led to prevention trials using 1) a broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor, 2) a superoxide dismutase mimetic, and 3) α1‐antitrypsin.These findings highlight the importance of vascular endothelial growth factor, apoptosis, oxidative stress and protease activity in the pathogenesis of emphysema. They also underscore the importance of the vasculature in what is traditionally thought of as an airways disease. Future treatment strategies need to address the vascular components of chronic obstructive lung disease.
Sleep-related hypoxaemia and excessive erythrocytosis in Andean high-altitude natives
Authors: Spicuzza L. , Casiraghi N. , Gamboa A. , Keyl C. , Schneider A. , Mori A. , Leon-Velarde F. , Di Maria G.U. , Bernardi L. 
Published: September 2003

To determine whether nocturnal hypoxaemia contributes to the excessive erythrocytosis (EE) in Andean natives, standard polysomnographies were performed in 10 patients with EE and in 10 controls (mean haematocrit 76.6±1.3% and 54.4±0.8%, respectively) living at an altitude of 4,380 m. In addition, the effect of O2administration for 1 h prior to sleep, and the relationship between the hypoxic/hypercapnic ventilatory response and the apnoea/hypopnoea index (AHI) during sleep were studied.Awake arterial oxygen saturation (Sa,O2) was significantly lower in patients with EEthan in controls (83.7±0.3%versus85.6±0.4%). In both groups, the meanSa,O2significantly decreased during sleep (to 80.0±0.8% in EE and to 82.8±0.5% in controls). The meanSa,O2values remained significantly lower in patients with EE than in controls at all times of the night, and patients with EE spent significantly more time than the controls with anSa,O2of <80%. There were no differences between the two groups in the number and duration of the apnoeas/hypopnoeas. None of these variables were affected by O2administration. In both groups the AHI positively correlated with the hypercapnic ventilatory response.Andean natives undergo minor respiratory disorders during sleep. The reduction inoxygen saturation found in subjects with excessive erythrocytosis was small, yet consistent and potentially important, as it remained below the threshold known for theincrease in erythropoietin stimulation. This may be an important factor promoting erythropoiesis, but its relevance needs to be further explored.
Blocking malaria parasite invasion of mosquito salivary glands
Authors: James Anthony A. 
Published: September 2003

SUMMARYRelease of genetically engineered mosquitoes resistant to parasite infections has been proposed as a novel way to control malaria transmission,and several important advances have been made in anticipation of testing this approach. In particular, the development of synthetic effector genes that block parasite development in mosquito hosts has exploited a number of different mechanisms that result in parasite-resistant phenotypes, and those that target specifically the sporozoites are reviewed here. The use of a number of synthetic genes based on different mechanisms in transgenic mosquitoes will make the selection of resistant parasites unlikely.
Monitoring antimalarial drug resistance: making the most of the tools at hand
Authors: Plowe Christopher V. 
Published: September 2003

SUMMARYMost countries in resource-poor, malaria-endemic areas lack current and comprehensive information on antimalarial drug efficacy, resulting in sub-optimal antimalarial treatment policies. Many African countries continue to use chloroquine despite very high rates of resistance, and others have changed policies based on limited data, with mixed success. Methods for measuring antimalarial drug efficacy and resistance include in vivostudies of clinical efficacy and parasitological resistance, in vitrosusceptibility assays and molecular markers for resistance to some drugs. These methods have the potential to be used in an integrated fashion to provide timely information that is useful to policy makers, and the combined use of in vivo and molecular surveys could greatly extend the coverage of resistance monitoring. Malawi, the first African country to change from chloroquine to sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine at the national level, serves as a case study for resistance monitoring and evidence-based antimalarial policies. Molecular, in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate that chloroquine-sensitive parasites reemerged and now predominate in Malawi after it switched from chloroquine to sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine. This raises the intriguing possibility of rotating antimalarial drugs.
Open reduction and internal fixation of comminuted fractures of the radial head using low-profile mini-plates
Authors: Ikeda M. , Yamashina Y. , Kamimoto M. , Oka Y. 
Published: September 2003

Between 1996 and 2000, we treated ten patients with severely comminuted fractures of the radial head using low-profile mini-plates. Their mean age was 42 years (24 to 71). Three fractures were Mason type III and seven were Mason-Johnston type IV. At a mean follow-up of 28.5 months (15 to 44), all fractures had united. The plates were removed in nine patients. No patient had difficulty with daily activities or symptoms of instability of the elbow. The mean range of flexion of the elbow was from 7° to 135°, with 74° of supination and 85° of pronation. According to the Broberg and Morrey functional elbow index, the mean score was 90.7 points (73 to 100), and the outcome was excellent in three patients, good in six and fair in one. These results compare favourably with those reported previously. The technique is applicable to severely comminuted fractures of the radial head which otherwise would require excision.