bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
39 De Novo Malignancies After Renal Transplantation – A Single Center Experience
Authors: Ivanovski N , Popov Z , Kolevski P , Čakalaroski K , Masin J , Zafirovska K 
Published: February 2005

Background  The occurrence of malignancies after organ transplantation is a well known and very serious complication. According to many authors, the overall prevalence of malignancies after renal transplantation is between 6 and 12%. Despite the fact that many factors could be involved, the etiopathogenesis is still unclear. The aim of the authors is to present their own clinical experience in early diagnosis and treatment of de novo malignancies after renal transplantation.Patients and Methods  Over a period of 12 years, 184 renal transplant (138 living related and 46 cadaveric) were performed and followed in our department on an outpatient basis. All patients were treated by sequential quadruple immunosuppressive protocol with mono (Il‐2R antagonists) and polyclonal antibody (ATG) induction therapy and Cyclosporine A, Mycophenolate Mofetil or/and Azathioprine, and Prednisolone as maintenance therapy. The standard surgical and preservation procedure was performed in most of the patients. The mean cold ischemia time in living renal transplants was 3.6 h, while in cadaver was 25.6 h. About 20% of the patients developed acute rejection episodes, successfully treated by steroid pulse therapy. According to the protocol in the Department the patients were regularly examined once‐monthly during the whole period of follow up.Results  Overall 18 malignancies (9.78%) in 14 patients (7.8%) were observed. All cases were clinically and histologically confirmed. Of 14 transplant patients with malignancies, 4 were female and 10 male. The mean age of patients with cancer was 45 years (range 21–53). Most of the malignancies were basal and/or squamous skin cancers (10 or 55%). Kaposi's sarcomas were found in 3 patients (16.6%, one visceral form). One breast cancer, one seminoma, one cancer of the colon, one urogenital cancer in female, one renal cell carcinoma and one plasmocytoma, were detected to. Surprisingly no cases of post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) were observed. All cancers were de novo malignancies presented in a mean time of 21 months (range 2–52 months) after surgery. The overall mortality rate was 42.6%, most among the patients with solid organ cancers. Three grafts were lost because of reduction and cessation of immunosuppression in patients with visceral form of Kaposi's sarcoma, multiple skin cancers and plasmocytoma. We did not observe any correlation between the clinical occurrence of post‐transplant malignancies and different HLA type, number of rejection episodes as well as any specific bacterial, viral, or fungal infection.Conclusion  The prevalence of post‐transplant malignancies in our group of patients is similar to other authors. The predominance of the skin cancers is understandable bearing in mind the sunny side of the country. Careful clinical examination and long‐term screening protocols are needed for early detection and treatment of this mostly life threatening complication among the transplant population.
Dimensional Accuracy of 7 Die Materials
Authors: Kenyon Brian J. , Hagge Mark S. , Leknius Casimir , Daniels Walter C. , Weed Scott T. 
Published: February 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the linear dimensional accuracy and the handling characteristics of 7 die materials.
Materials and Methods: A master die analogous to a complete veneer crown preparation was machined from medical grade stainless steel, and 3 measurements (1: vertical; 2 and 3: horizontal) were made from 3 scribed reference lines. Individual polyvinylsiloxane impressions were made (n = 10) for each of the specimens. The fabricated dies were measured (50×) to the nearest 0.0001 mm. Data were subject to ANOVA/Duncan tests at significance level 0.05 and pairwise comparisons.
Results: Type IV resin‐impregnated dental stone and copper‐plated dies most closely approximated the dimensions of the master die, and were not significantly different from each other in any of the pairwise comparisons. Conventional Types IV and V dental stone dies exhibited setting expansion within the range appropriate for gypsum. Epoxy resin die materials demonstrated shrinkage comparable to the expansion of the Types IV and V dies. Polyurethane dies displayed a combination of linear expansion and shrinkage. Bis‐acryl composite resin dies had excessive shrinkage.
Conclusions: Type IV resin‐impregnated dental stone and copper‐plated dies were more dimensionally accurate than the other die materials tested.
Periodontitis lesions are a source of salivary cytomegalovirus and Epstein–Barr virus
Authors: Saygun Işıl , Kubar Ayhan , Özdemir Atilla , Slots Jørgen 
Published: February 2005

Aim:  Several herpesvirus species can be detected in periodontal pockets and saliva. This study compared human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) DNA copy counts in periodontitis sites and in whole saliva, and evaluated the potential of periodontal therapy to reduce the salivary level of the two viruses.Material and methods:  A total of 20 systemically healthy periodontitis patients, 21–56 years of age, participated in the study. All 20 patients were examined at baseline, and seven patients also at 3 months after periodontal therapy. Treatment included oral hygiene instruction, scaling and root planing, and surgery. Clinical parameters were evaluated using established methods. In each patient, virological samples were collected from one periodontal pocket of 6–10 mm probing depth, from the adjacent inflamed periodontal pocket wall, and from unstimulated whole saliva. Relationships between subgingival, gingival tissue and salivary herpesvirus counts were evaluated using Spearman's and Kendall's rank correlation coefficient tests. The 5′‐nuclease (TaqMan®) real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was employed to quantify genomic copies of periodontal HCMV and EBV.Results:  At baseline, the 20 periodontitis patients showed significant positive correlations between gingival tissue and salivary counts of HCMV DNA (p = 0.003) and EBV DNA (p = 0.045). Periodontal pocket depth was positively correlated with salivary EBV DNA counts (p = 0.002). Periodontal therapy reduced average full‐mouth periodontal pocket depth from 4.6 mm to 1.4 mm, plaque index from 2.1 to 0.9, and gingival index from 2.1 to 0.4. Following treatment, HCMV DNA counts decreased 37.5 fold in subgingival sites and 64.6 fold in saliva, and EBV DNA counts decreased 5.7 fold in subgingival sites and 12.9 fold in saliva.Conclusions:  The present study provides compelling evidence of a periodontitis source for salivary HCMV and EBV. The potential of periodontal therapy to decrease herpesvirus salivary counts may help diminish herpesvirus transmission from person to person and herpesvirus‐related diseases in exposed individuals. Further research is warranted to determine the relationship between periodontal herpesvirus counts and the risk of viral transmission to close acquaintances.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ANTHOCYANIN PATTERNS AND ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY IN MULBERRY WINE DURING STORAGE
Authors: TSAI PI‐JEN , HUANG HSIAO‐PING , HUANG TZOU‐CHI 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT Mulberry wine stored for 1, 3, and 12 months was used to investigate the relationship between wine color, copigmentation, polymerization of anthocyanins, and the antioxidant capacity of the wine. Color density, patterns of anthocyanins (monomeric, copigmented and polymeric) and antioxidant capacity were measured. The results show that copigmented and polymeric anthocyanins in mulberry wine increased from 0% and 16.63% to 20.93% and 30.44%, respectively, while monomeric anthocyanins decreased from 83.37% to 48.63%. The 1,1,Diphenyl‐2‐picryl‐hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging ability increased after storage and was highly correlated with the polymeric anthocyanin content (r = 0.98). The ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) reducing power decreased on storage. Sephadex G25 was used to separate the pigments into three different molecular sizes. The largest molecules were in Fraction I, which contained the polymerized anthocyanins and was associated with the DPPH scavenging activity. Fraction II, intermediate in size, contained the copigmented anthocyanins. Fraction III, the smallest in size, was composed of the monomeric anthocyanins and was associated with the FRAP activity.
PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND SENSORY ATTRIBUTES OF WHEAT‐BASED “PAPADS” INCORPORATED WITH GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES
Authors: KAVERI GUNALAN VASANTHI , GUPTA SHEETAL , LAKSHMI A. JYOTHI , PRAKASH JAMUNA 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACTPapads are cereal or legume‐based preserved products which are consumed after deep fat frying. They were chosen for value addition with two types of green leafy vegetables (GLV). Wheat‐based papads were prepared using refined wheat flour, cumin seeds, salt and GLV, that is, shepu (Peucedanum graveolens) and kilkeerae (Amaranthus tricolor) at different levels in fresh (15 and 20%) and dehydrated forms (5 and 10%). Greens were analyzed for their proximate principles, selected minerals and vitamins. In the fried papads, fat uptake and expansion volume were determined. The fried papads were subjected to sensory analysis by a panel of 100 members. Expansion volume of papads with fresh greens and 5% dehydrated greens were satisfactory, but differences existed between the greens. Fat uptake of kilkeerae papads was similar to that of control papads but shepu‐incorporated papad showed slightly lower absorption. Papads with 15–20% fresh greens and 5% dehydrated greens scored above 6 on a scale of 10 indicating acceptability of papads incorporated with greens. Mineral, vitamin and fiber content of greens‐incorporated papads increased remarkably. Acceptability of papads in terms of physicochemical characteristics, sensory attributes and nutritional quality suggests the suitability of papads incorporated with greens.
Making Capitalism Work for Everyone
Authors: Rajan Raghuram G. , Zingales Luigi 
Published: February 2005

Capitalism–or, more precisely, the free enterprise system–is the most effective system for allocating resources and rewards. For this reason, most economists tend to believe that capitalism is bound to spread from the U.S. to all parts of the world. But the authors argue that the triumph of capitalism is far from certain. Part of the problem is that the forms of capitalism that are experienced in most countries are very far from the ideal. They are a corrupt version in which vested interests prevent competition from playing its socially bene. cial role.What's more, as many economists fail to recognize, and as has become clear from the experience of many countries in recent years, a market system cannot. ourish without the very visible hand of the government, which is needed to set up and maintain the infrastructure that enables participants to trade freely and with con. dence. But this in turn gives rise to a political, or collective action, problem: Even though we all bene. t from the better goods and services and the equality of access that competitive markets make possible, no one in particular makes huge pro. ts from keeping the system competitive and the playing. eld level; everyone has an incentive to take a free ride and let someone else defend the system. In this sense, a competitive market is a form of public good, one in need of collective action to maintain it.In all nations, the main political threat to free markets comes from two very different groups: (1) “incumbents,” who want to retain their positions and thus have a strong incentive to suppress any potential source of competition; and (2) those who have lost out and would be happy if the rules of the game that caused their troubles were changed. The longterm feasibility of free markets depends on reducing the incentives and limiting the ability of both of these groups to work against the market. This can be accomplished not by expanding the power of the state, but through policies –including a strengthening of the “safety net” as well as removal of barriers to the. ow of trade and capital–that end up limiting the state's ability to take inef. cient economic actions that favor the few at the expense of the majority.
Modified Virulence of Antibiotic-Induced
Burkholderia pseudomallei
Filaments
Authors: Chen Kang , Sun Guang Wen , Chua Kim Lee , Gan Yunn-Hwen 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT

Melioidosis is a life-threatening bacterial infection caused by
Burkholderia pseudomallei
. Some antibiotics used to treat melioidosis can induce filamentation in
B. pseudomallei
. Despite studies on the mechanism of virulence of the bacteria, the properties of
B. pseudomallei
filaments and their impact on virulence have not been investigated before. To understand the characteristics of antibiotic-induced filaments, we performed in vitro assays to compare several aspects of virulence between normal, nonfilamentous and filamentous
B. pseudomallei
. Normal, nonfilamentous
B. pseudomallei
could cause the lysis of monocytic cells, while filaments induced by sublethal concentrations of ceftazidime, ofloxacin, or trimethoprim show decreased lysis of monocytic cells, especially after prolonged antibiotic exposure. The motility of the filamentous bacteria was reduced compared to that of nonfilamentous bacteria. However, the filamentation was reversible when the antibiotics were removed, and the revertant bacteria recovered their motility and ability to lyse monocytic cells. Meanwhile, antibiotic resistance developed in revertant bacteria exposed to ceftazidime at the MIC. Our study highlights the danger of letting antibiotic concentration drop to the MIC or sub-MICs during antibiotic treatment of melioidosis. This could potentially give rise to a temporary reduction of bacterial virulence, only to result in bacteria that are equally virulent but more resistant to antibiotics, should the antibiotics be reduced or removed.
Orally Active Antiviral Tripeptide Glycyl-Prolyl-Glycinamide Is Activated by CD26 (Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV) before Transport across the Intestinal Epithelium
Authors: Hubatsch Ina , Lazorova Lucia , Vahlne Anders , Artursson Per 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT

The tripeptide amide glycyl-prolyl-glycinamide (GPG-amide) is a new antiretroviral drug candidate, but its absorption mechanism is unknown. In this investigation, the transport and metabolism of GPG-amide were studied in a model of the human intestinal epithelium, Caco-2 cell monolayers. The results show that when the tripeptide amide came into contact with the apical enterocyte membrane, it was degraded by CD26 (dipeptidyl peptidase IV) to glycylproline and the antiretrovirally active metabolite glycinamide. Glycinamide retained antiretroviral activity in vitro after transport through the Caco-2 cell monolayers. The transport of glycinamide across Caco-2 cell monolayers occurred via passive diffusion with an apparent permeability coefficient of about 2 × 10
−6
cm s
−1
, which suggests that it is absorbed by the oral route in sufficient amounts to be considered for oral administration. In conclusion, the tripeptide GPG-amide acts as a prodrug that is activated by CD26 to release the orally active antiretroviral compound glycinamide.
Pharmacokinetics of Gatifloxacin in Infants and Children
Authors: Capparelli Edmund V. , Reed Michael D. , Bradley John S. , Kearns Gregory L. , Jacobs Richard F. , Damle Bharat D. , Blumer Jeffrey L. , Grasela Dennis M. 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT
Gatifloxacin is an 8-methoxy fluoroquinolone effective against a broad spectrum of pathogens common in pediatric infections. The safety and pharmacokinetics of a single dose of gatifloxacin were studied in pediatric patients from 6 months to 16 years of age. Seventy-six pediatric patients (average age, 6.7 ± 5.0 years) were administered a single oral dose of gatifloxacin suspension (5, 10, or 15 mg/kg of body weight; 600-mg maximum) in a dose-escalating manner. Subjects were stratified by age into 4 groups. An additional 12 children, greater than 6 years of age, received gatifloxacin as the tablet formulation at a dose of approximately 10 mg/kg. Gatifloxacin's apparent clearance and half-life were 5.5 ± 2.1 ml/min/kg and 5.1 ± 1.4 h. The maximum concentration of drug in plasma and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) increased in a manner approximately proportional to the dose. At the 10-mg/kg dose, the bioavailability was similar between the suspension and tablet formulation. The apparent oral clearance of gatifloxacin, normalized for body weight, exhibited a small but statistically significant decrease with increasing age. In all subjects receiving gatifloxacin at 10 mg/kg, the AUC exceeded 20 μg · h/ml (estimated free AUC/MIC ratio of ≥34 for MIC of ≤0.5 μg/ml). These data suggest that gatifloxacin at a dose of 10 mg/kg every 24 h will achieve therapeutic concentrations in plasma in infants and children.
Rifampin-Resistant RNA Polymerase Mutants of
Chlamydia trachomatis
Remain Susceptible to the Ansamycin Rifalazil
Authors: Suchland Robert J. , Bourillon Agnès , Denamur Erick , Stamm Walter E. , Rothstein David M. 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT

Stable, homotypic mutants of
Chlamydia trachomatis
for which MICs of rifampin and rifalazil are elevated were isolated by serial passage at sub-MIC concentrations of these compounds. An alternative approach, in which
Chlamydia
cells were incubated and subsequently passaged three times, all in the presence of the selective agent at concentrations above the MIC, appeared to be a more effective means of selecting for mutants. In every instance where an elevation in the MIC occurred, one or more mutations in the
rpoB
gene, encoding the rifampin binding site, were detected. With one exception, all
rpoB
mutants that contained a single mutation conferred lower levels of resistance than mutants containing multiple mutations. Some
rpoB
mutations conferred very high levels of resistance to rifampin, up to 512 μg/ml. In all cases, mutants remained susceptible to concentrations of rifalazil at or below 0.064 μg/ml. Thus, rifalazil, a compound that is extremely potent against
Chlamydia
wild-type cells (MIC of 0.00025 μg/ml), may also protect against the selection of mutants at physiologically achievable concentrations.
In Vitro Activity of Structurally Diverse Nucleoside Analogs against Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 with the K65R Mutation in Reverse Transcriptase
Authors: Parikh Urvi M. , Koontz Dianna L. , Chu Chung K. , Schinazi Raymond F. , Mellors John W. 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACTHuman immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) with a lysine-to-arginine substitution at codon 65 (HIV-165R) of reverse transcriptase (RT) can rapidly emerge in patients being treated with specific combinations of nucleoside analog RT inhibitors (NRTIs). A better understanding of the activity of approved and investigational NRTIs against HIV-165Ris needed to select optimal therapy for patients infected with this mutant and to devise strategies to prevent its emergence. Therefore, we tested a broad panel of NRTIs that differed by enantiomer, pseudosugar, and base component against HIV-165Rto determine how NRTI structure affects activity. Drug susceptibilities of recombinant wild-type (HIV-165K) or mutant HIV-165Rwere determined using a single-replication-cycle susceptibility assay with P4/R5 cells and/or a multiple-replication-cycle susceptibility assay with MT-2 cells. Alld,l, and acyclic NRTIs were significantly less active against HIV-165Rthan against HIV-165Kexcept for analogs containing a 3′-azido moiety. Pseudosugar structure and base component but not enantiomer influenced NRTI activity against HIV-165R. These findings support the inclusion of 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine in drug combinations to treat patients having HIV-165Rand to prevent its emergence.
Antimalarial Activities and Therapeutic Properties of Febrifugine Analogs
Authors: Jiang Suping , Zeng Qiang , Gettayacamin Montip , Tungtaeng Anchalee , Wannaying Srisombat , Lim Apassorn , Hansukjariya Pranee , Okunji Christopher O. , Zhu Shuren , Fang Daohe 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT

Febrifugine is the active principal isolated 50 years ago from the Chinese herb chang shan (
Dichroa febrifuga
Lour), which has been used as an antimalarial in Chinese traditional medicine for more than 2,000 years. However, intensive study of the properties of febrifugine has been hindered for decades due to its side effects. We report new findings on the effects of febrifugine analogs compared with those of febrifugine extracted from the dry roots of
D. febrifuga
. The properties of the extracted febrifugine were comparable to those obtained from the standard febrifugine provided by our collaborators. A febrifugine structure-based computer search of the Walter Reed Chemical Information System identified 10 analogs that inhibited parasite growth in vitro, with 50% inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.141 to 290 ng/ml. The host macrophages (J744 cells) were 50 to 100 times less sensitive to the febrifugine analogs than the parasites. Neuronal (NG108) cells were even more insensitive to these drugs (selectivity indices, >1,000), indicating that a feasible therapeutic index for humans could be established. The analogs, particularly halofuginone, notably reduced parasitemias to undetectable levels and displayed curative effects in
Plasmodium berghei
-infected mice. Recrudescence of the parasites after treatment with the febrifugine analogs was the key factor that caused the death of most of the mice in groups receiving an effective dose. Subcutaneous treatments with the analogs did not cause irritation of the gastrointestinal tract when the animals were treated with doses within the antimalarial dose range. In summary, these analogs appear to be promising lead antimalarial compounds that require intensive study for optimization for further down-selection and development.
Activity of Cathelicidin Peptides against
Chlamydia
spp
Authors: Donati Manuela , Di Leo Korinne , Benincasa Monica , Cavrini Francesca , Accardo Silvia , Moroni Alessandra , Gennaro Renato , Cevenini Roberto 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT

The in vitro activity of six cathelicidin peptides against 25 strains of
Chlamydia
was investigated. SMAP-29 proved to be the most active peptide, reducing the inclusion numbers of all 10 strains of
Chlamydia trachomatis
tested by ≥50% at 10 μg/ml. This peptide was also active against
C. pneumoniae
and
C. felis.
Experimental Bacteriophage Protection against
Staphylococcus aureus
Abscesses in a Rabbit Model
Authors: Wills Quintin F. , Kerrigan Claire , Soothill James S. 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT

In a rabbit model of wound infection caused by
Staphylococcus aureus
, 2 × 10
9
PFU of staphylococcal phage prevented abscess formation in rabbits when it was injected simultaneously with
S
.
aureus
(8 × 10
7
CFU) into the same subcutaneous site. Phage multiplied in the tissues. Phages might be a valuable prophylaxis against staphylococcal infection.
Combined Activity In Vitro of Caspofungin, Amphotericin B, and Azole Agents against Itraconazole-Resistant Clinical Isolates of
Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Cuenca-Estrella Manuel , Gomez-Lopez Alicia , Garcia-Effron Guillermo , Alcazar-Fuoli Laura , Mellado Emilia , Buitrago Maria J. , Rodriguez-Tudela Juan L. 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT

Interactions in vitro between amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole, and caspofungin against itraconazole-resistant
Aspergillus fumigatus
clinical strains were determined. Differential results were obtained depending on the criteria (MIC or minimal effective concentration) used. Caspofungin and voriconazole exhibited the most potent interactions, with synergy against at least 50% of isolates, and the average fractional concentration index was 0.38. Antagonism was not found for any combination.