bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Strategies for the recovery of active proteins through refolding of bacterial inclusion body proteins
Authors: Vallejo Luis Felipe , Rinas Ursula 
Published: September 2004

AbstractRecent advances in generating active proteins through refolding of bacterial inclusion body proteins are summarized in conjunction with a short overview on inclusion body isolation and solubilization procedures. In particular, the pros and cons of well-established robust refolding techniques such as direct dilution as well as less common ones such as diafiltration or chromatographic processes including size exclusion chromatography, matrix- or affinity-based techniques and hydrophobic interaction chromatography are discussed. Moreover, the effect of physical variables (temperature and pressure) as well as the presence of buffer additives on the refolding process is elucidated. In particular, the impact of protein stabilizing or destabilizing low- and high-molecular weight additives as well as micellar and liposomal systems on protein refolding is illustrated. Also, techniques mimicking the principles encountered during in vivo folding such as processes based on natural and artificial chaperones and propeptide-assisted protein refolding are presented. Moreover, the special requirements for the generation of disulfide bonded proteins and the specific problems and solutions, which arise during process integration are discussed. Finally, the different strategies are examined regarding their applicability for large-scale production processes or high-throughput screening procedures.
Polyphosphoinositides suppress the adhesion of Haemophilus influenzae to pharyngeal cells
Authors: Liu Jim-Wen R , Anderson Steve N , Meulbroek Jonathan A , Hwang Shie-Ming , Mukerji Pradip , Huang Yung-Sheng 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
Background
One of the primary causes of otitis media (OM), an inflammation of the middle ear, is the bacterium Haemophilus influenzae (HI). OM often occurs to young children, and is mostly treated with antibiotics. Due to concerns over bacterial resistance toward antibiotics, reliable prophylactic treatments such as administrating anti-adhesion agents are now viewed as viable alternatives.

Results
The present study tested the feasibilty of using phosphoinositides as anti-adhesion agents against HI cells. Cells of non-typeable HI were radiolabeled with 111- indium-oxine, pre-incubated with various individual phosphoinositides for 15 minutes at 37°C, and incubated with a monolayer of human pharynx carcinoma (DT 562) cells for 20 minutes at 37°C. The result showed that at 0.1 mg/mL dipalmitoylphosphatidylinositol-3,4-diphosphate (PI-3,4-PP) had the highest anti-adhesion activity, followed by phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate (PI-3-P) and phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PI-4-P). The anti-adhesion activity of PI-3,4-PP was dose-dependent ranging from 0.006 to 0.1 mg/mL. In addition, results from an in vivo study demonstrated that pre-incubation of HI cells with PI-3,4-PP at 1 mg/mL suppressed the growth of HI in nasopharynx of neonatal rats.

Conclusions
These findings suggest that PI-3-P and PI-4-P and more so PI-3,4-PP may serve as prophylactic agents against HI adhesion and colonization.
Disability weights for the burden of oral disease in South Australia
Authors: Brennan David S , Spencer A John 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
Background
Australian burden of disease estimates appeared inconsistent with the reported repetitive and ubiquitous nature of dental problems. The aims of the study were to measure the nature, severity and duration of symptoms for specific oral conditions, and calculate disability weights from these measures.

Methods
Data were collected in 2001–02 from a random sample of South Australian dentists using mailed self-complete questionnaires. Dentists recorded the diagnosis of dental problems and provided patients with self-complete questionnaires to record the nature, severity and duration of symptoms using the EuroQol instrument. Data were available from 378 dentists (response rate = 60%).

Results
Disability weights were highest for pulpal infection (0.069), caries (0.044) and dentinal sensitivity (0.040), followed by denture problems (0.026), periodontal disease (0.023), failed restorations (0.019), tooth fractures (0.014) and tooth wear (0.011). Aesthetic problems had a low disability weight (0.002), and both recall/maintenance care and oral hygiene had adjusted weights of zero.

Conclusions
Disability weights for caries (0.044), periodontal disease (0.023) and denture problems (0.026) in this study were higher than comparable oral health conditions in the Australian Burden of Disease and Injury Study (0.005 for caries involving a filling and 0.014 for caries involving an extraction, 0.007 for periodontal disease, and 0.004 for edentulism). A range of common problems such as pulpal infection, failed restorations and tooth fracture that were not included in the Australian Burden of Disease and Injury Study had relatively high disability weights. The inclusion of a fuller range of oral health problems along with revised disability weights would result in oral health accounting for a larger amount of disability than originally estimated.
Dichotomous factor analysis of symptoms reported by UK and US veterans of the 1991 Gulf War
Authors: Nisenbaum Rosane , Ismail Khalida , Wessely Simon , Unwin Catherine , Hull Lisa , Reeves William C 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
Background
Factor analysis is one of the most used statistical techniques to analyze the inter-relationships among symptoms reported by Gulf War veterans. The objective of this study was to apply factor analyses to binary symptom data from the UK study of Gulf War illness and the US Air Force study of Gulf War veterans, and to compare the symptom domains derived from the distinct samples.

Methods
UK veterans of the 1991 Gulf War (n = 3,454), individuals deployed to Bosnia on U.N. peacekeeping operations (n = 1,979) and Gulf War-era servicemen (n = 2,577) who were not deployed to the Gulf were surveyed in 1997–1998, and US 1991 Gulf War veterans from four Air Force units (n = 1,163) were surveyed in 1995 to collect health characteristics including symptoms. Each sample was randomly split in half for exploratory and confirmatory dichotomous factor analyses with promax oblique rotation.

Results
Four correlated factors were identified in each of the samples. Three factors (Respiratory, Mood-Cognition, Peripheral Nervous) overlapped considerably across the UK cohorts. The Gastrointestinal/Urogenital factor in the UK Gulf cohort was noticeably different from the Gastrointestinal factor identified from the Bosnia and Era cohorts. Symptoms from Gulf War UK and U.S cohorts yielded similar Gastrointestinal, Respiratory and Mood-Cognition factors, despite differences in symptom inventories between the two surveys. A Musculoskeletal factor was only elicited from the US Gulf sample.

Conclusion
Findings of this report are consistent with those from other factor analysis studies that identified similar symptom dimensions between Gulf and non-Gulf War veterans, except that the Gastrointestinal factor in Gulf veterans included other symptom types. Correlations among factors raise the question as to whether there is a general illness, even if not unique to Gulf veterans, representing the common pathway underlying the identified factors. Hierarchical factor analysis models may be useful to address this issue.
Emergence of new SalmonellaEnteritidis phage types in Europe? Surveillance of infections in returning travellers
Authors: Nygård Karin , de Jong Birgitta , Guerin Philippe J , Andersson Yvonne , Olsson Agneta , Giesecke Johan 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
Background
Among human Salmonella Enteritidis infections, phage type 4 has been the dominant phage type in most countries in Western Europe during the last years. This is reflected in Salmonella infections among Swedish travellers returning from abroad. However, there are differences in phage type distribution between the countries, and this has also changed over time.

Methods
We used data from the Swedish infectious disease register and the national reference laboratory to describe phage type distribution of Salmonella Enteritidis infections in Swedish travellers from 1997 to 2002, and have compared this with national studies conducted in the countries visited.

Results
Infections among Swedish travellers correlate well with national studies conducted in the countries visited. In 2001 a change in phage type distribution in S. Enteritidis infections among Swedish travellers returning from some countries in southern Europe was observed, and a previously rare phage type (PT 14b) became one of the most commonly diagnosed that year, continuing into 2002 and 2003.

Conclusions
Surveillance of infections among returning travellers can be helpful in detecting emerging infections and outbreaks in tourist destinations. The information needs to be communicated rapidly to all affected countries in order to expedite the implementation of appropriate investigations and preventive measures.
Is HIV-1 RNA dimerization a prerequisite for packaging? Yes, no, probably?
Authors: Russell Rodney S , Liang Chen , Wainberg Mark A 
Published: September 2004

AbstractDuring virus assembly, all retroviruses specifically encapsidate two copies of full-length viral genomic RNA in the form of a non-covalently linked RNA dimer. The absolute conservation of this unique genome structure within the Retroviridae family is strong evidence that a dimerized genome is of critical importance to the viral life cycle. An obvious hypothesis is that retroviruses have evolved to preferentially package two copies of genomic RNA, and that dimerization ensures the proper packaging specificity for such a genome. However, this implies that dimerization must be a prerequisite for genome encapsidation, a notion that has been debated for many years. In this article, we review retroviral RNA dimerization and packaging, highlighting the research that has attempted to dissect the intricate relationship between these two processes in the context of HIV-1, and discuss the therapeutic potential of these putative antiretroviral targets.
Prevalence of Elevated Troponin I in End‐stage Renal Disease Patients Receiving Hemodialysis
Authors: Donnino Michael W. , Karriem‐Norwood Varnada , Rivers Emanuel P. , Gupta Ajay , Nguyen H. Bryant , Jacobsen Gordon , McCord James , Tomlanovich Michael C. 
Published: September 2004

Abstract Objectives: Patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) who are receiving hemodialysis have an increased incidence of atherosclerotic heart disease. Currently, there is considerable controversy regarding the significance of elevated cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels in patients with ESRD. The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of elevated cTnI levels in asymptomatic patients with ESRD on hemodialysis. Methods:This was a prospective cohort study at an urban hospital outpatient dialysis center. Serum was collected pre‐ and postdialysis from patients on dialysis at this center over a two‐week period. Samples were batched and analyzed for cTnI using the Asxym fluorescent antibody test. An elevated cTnI level was defined as >0.8 ng/dL. Results: Predialysis cTnI levels ranged from <0.1 to 0.7 ng/dL, and postdialysis cTnI levels ranged from <0.1 to 0.6 ng/dL. None of the patients had a cTnI level >0.8 ng/dL. Conclusions: cTnI levels are not falsely elevated in patients with ESRD on hemodialysis. In a patient with ESRD, myocardial injury should be suspected if his or her cTnI level is >0.8 ng/dL.
Assessment of Resident Professionalism Using High‐fidelity Simulation of Ethical Dilemmas
Authors: Gisondi Michael A. , Smith‐Coggins Rebecca , Harter Phillip M. , Soltysik Robert C. , Yarnold Paul R. 
Published: September 2004

Abstract Objectives: To examine the responses of emergency medicine residents (EMRs) to ethical dilemmas in high‐fidelity patient simulations as a means of assessing resident professionalism. Methods:This cross‐sectional observational study included all EMRs at a three‐year training program. Subjects were excluded if they were unable or unwilling to participate. Each resident subject participated in a simulated critical patient encounter during an Emergency Medicine Crisis Resource Management course. An ethical dilemma was introduced before the end of each simulated encounter. Resident responses to that dilemma were compared with a professional performance checklist evaluation. Multiresponse permutation procedure analysis was used to compare performance measures between resident classes, with the a priori hypothesis that mean performance should increase as experience increases. Results: Of the 30 potential subjects, 90% (27) participated. The remaining three residents were unavailable due to scheduling conflicts. It was observed that senior residents (second and third year) performed more checklist items than did first‐year residents (p < 0.028 for each senior class). Omnibus comparison of mean critical actions completed across all three years was not statistically significant (p < 0.13). Residents performed a critical action with 100% uniformity across training years in only one ethical scenario (“Practicing Procedures on the Recently Dead”). Residents performed the fewest critical actions and overall checklist items for the “Patient Confidentiality” case. Conclusions: Senior residents had better overall performance than incoming interns, suggesting that professional behaviors are learned through some facet of residency training. Although limited by small sample size, the application of this performance‐assessment tool showed the ability to discriminate between experienced and inexperienced EMRs with respect to a variety of aspects of professional competency. These findings suggest a need for improved resident education in areas of professionalism and ethics.
SAEM Abstracts to Articles: 1997 and 1999–2001
Authors: Li Siu Fai , Umemoto Tom , Crosley Pascal , Cassidy Christine 
Published: September 2004

Abstract Objectives: The Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) annual meeting is the primary research conference in emergency medicine. An abstract presented at the 2000 SAEM meeting found a trend of decreasing publication rates of articles based on SAEM abstracts from 47% in 1995 to 33% in 1997. The authors wished to determine whether the publication rates of articles based on SAEM abstracts continued to decline since 1997. Methods:A MEDLINE search of all SAEM abstracts from 1997 and 1999–2001 was conducted. The primary outcome was the publication rates of articles based on abstracts presented each year. Secondary outcomes included comparison of publication rates by oral versus poster presentation and category of research. Results: Thirty‐eight percent of 2,054 SAEM abstracts were published as articles by fall 2003, with 40% in 1997, 40% in 1999, 38% in 2000, and 35% in 2001. The publication rate was higher for oral presentations (50%) than poster presentations (34%). Publication rates ranged from 32% to 53% by category of research; the highest rates were in wound (53%) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation/resuscitation (51%), and the lowest rates were in administration (32%) and cardiovascular (33%). Twenty‐six percent of articles were published in emergency medicine journals. The times to publication were similar across the years: 4%–7% were published in the same year of the meeting, 15%–17% one year later, 10%–11% two years later, 5% three years later, and 3%–5% after three years. Conclusions: The publication rate of articles based on SAEM abstracts has held steady at 40% in recent years when the time delay to publication is taken into account.
A Randomized Clinical Trial to Assess the Efficacy of the Epley Maneuver in the Treatment of Acute Benign Positional Vertigo
Authors: Chang Andrew K. , Schoeman Gary , Hill MaryAnn 
Published: September 2004

Abstract Objectives: To compare the efficacy of the Epley maneuver with that of a placebo maneuver in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with benign positional vertigo (BPV). Methods:This was a prospective, randomized, single‐blind placebo‐controlled trial. Consecutive adult ED patients presenting to a university teaching hospital with BPV were randomized to treatment with either the Epley or placebo maneuver. The severity of vertigo was evaluated on a 0 to 10‐point scale before and after the maneuvers. Results: Eleven patients were randomized to the Epley group and 11 to the placebo group before the trial was terminated, based on a planned interim analysis. The median decreases in vertigo severity were 6 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 4 to 9) for the Epley group and 1 (95% CI = 0 to 3) for the placebo group (p = 0.001). Conclusions: The Epley maneuver is a simple bedside maneuver that appears to be more efficacious than a placebo maneuver in the treatment of acute BPV among ED patients.
Ethics Seminars: The Ethical Debate on Practicing Procedures on the Newly Dead
Authors:   The SAEM Ethics Committee, Schmidt Terri A. , Abbott Jean T. , Geiderman Joel M. , Hughes Jason A. , Johnson Catherine X. , McClure Katie B. , McKay Mary P. , Razzak Junaid A. , Salo David , Schears Raquel M. , Solomon Robert C. ,   for the SAEM Board of Directors
Published: September 2004

AbstractEmergency medicine and its academic teaching programs face an ethical dilemma surrounding the question of practicing procedures on the newly dead. For many years, procedures have been practiced on the newly dead, but few institutions have had policies addressing the practice. This article considers the ethical arguments both for and against practicing procedures on the newly dead without consent, reviews the empirical studies on the subject, and presents the positions of other professional societies, before concluding with the position of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM). SAEM strongly encourages all emergency medicine training programs to develop a policy and make that policy available to the institution, educators, trainees, and the public. The practice should not occur behind closed doors or on an ad hoc basis without clearly articulated guidelines. With improvements in technology, including patient simulation and virtual reality, the need for the practice may decrease, but there is no current evidence that is compelling regarding the best methods of teaching procedural skills. Given the importance of protecting trust in the profession of medicine and the existing evidence that the public would expect that consent be obtained, SAEM recommends that families be asked for consent prior to practicing procedures on the newly dead.
Reproductive Function during Summer and Winter in Norwegian Men Living North and South of the Arctic Circle
Authors: Malm Gunilla , Haugen Trine B. , Henrichsen Trine , Bjørsvik Cathrine , Grotmol Tom , Sæther Thomas , Malm Johan , Figenschau Yngve , Hagmar Lars , Rylander Lars , Levine Richard J. , Giwercman Aleksander 
Published: September 2004

Seasonal, daylight-dependent variation in human spermatozoa counts, with lowest values during summer, has been suggested. To test this hypothesis, we performed a longitudinal study of semen quality and reproductive hormone levels in Norwegian men living north and south of the Arctic Circle. An ejaculate and a serum specimen were obtained both in summer and in winter from 92 volunteers in Tromsoe (69° north latitude) and 112 in Oslo (60° north latitude). Semen analyses were performed, and serum was assayed for FSH and inhibin B. The median spermatozoa concentration in Tromsoe after adjustment for abstinence period length was 49 × 106/ml in summer and 54 × 106/ml in winter. Corresponding values for Oslo were 59 × 106/ml and 54 × 106/ml. The seasonal differences in spermatozoa concentration were not statistically significant, nor were significant differences observed in median total spermatozoa count, semen volume, percentage progressive motile spermatozoa, or FSH. In Tromsoe, but not Oslo, inhibin B concentration was slightly, but significantly (P = 0.02) higher in winter than summer (229 ng/liter vs. 223 ng/liter).The length of the daylight period may have a slight impact on hormonal markers of spermatogenesis but does not cause substantial changes in spermatozoa numbers and motility.
Formation of Surface Nano-step Structures and Improvement of Photocatalytic Activities of NaTaO3 by Doping of Alkaline Earth Metal Ions
Authors: Iwase Akihide , Kato Hideki , Okutomi Hiroaki , Kudo Akihiko 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
Powders of NaTaO3 doped with alkaline earth metal ions were prepared. Scanning electron microscopy observation revealed that NaTaO3 crystals doped with Ca, Sr, and Ba became smaller than nondoped NaTaO3 crystals. In addition, nano-step structures were constructed on the surfaces of NaTaO3 doped with Ca, Sr, and Ba. The photocatalytic activity of water splitting on NaTaO3 was improved by the doping of Ca, Sr, and Ba. It is due to the small particle size and the formation of surface nano-step structures as observed for La doping.
Spongiacysteine, a Novel Cysteine Derivative from Marine Sponge Spongia sp.
Authors: Kobayashi Keiko , Shimogawa Hiroki , Sakakura Akira , Teruya Toshiaki , Suenaga Kiyotake , Kigoshi Hideo 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
A novel cysteine derivative, spongiacysteine (1), was isolated from marine sponge Spongia sp. The gross structure was elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analysis, and the absolute stereostructure was established by its total synthesis. This compound showed moderate antimicrobial activity against rice blast fungus Pyricularia oryzae.
Amorphous Molecular Materials with High Carrier Mobilities: Thiophene- and Selenophene-Containing Tris(oligoarylenyl)amines
Authors: Ohishi Hitoshi , Tanaka Masatake , Kageyama Hiroshi , Shirota Yasuhiko 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
A novel class of amorphous molecular materials, thiophene- and selenophene-containing tris(oligoarylenyl)amines, were developed. They were found to exhibit high hole drift mobilities greater than 10−2 cm2V−1s−1 at an electric field of 1.0 × 105 Vcm−1 at 293 K in their amorphous glassy states. These values are of the highest level among those reported for organic disordered systems.
Color Changes Dependent on the Anisotropic Intercalation of Poly(diacetylenecarboxylates) in LDH Clay Hybrids
Authors: Itoh Toshio , Shichi Tetsuya , Yui Tatsuto , Takahashi Hiroki , Takagi Katsuhiko 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
Variation in the coloration of LDH clay-intercalated poly(diacetylenecarboxylates), i.e., poly-[m,n]/LDH, was found to be dependent on the conformations of the carboxylates within the hybrid which were quite sensitive to the carbon numbers, m and n, in the alkyl chains.
One-pot Solution-phase Synthesis of Paramagnetic Co2P Nanorods
Authors: Hou Hongwei , Yang Qing , Tan Chenrong , Ji Guangbin , Gu Benxi , Xie Yi 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
A solution-phase route has been developed for the synthesis of cobalt phosphide nanorods, which have been characterized by techniques of X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron microscope (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS). The microscope analysis reveals that the nanorods have width of about 10 nm and length of 200–300 nm, which exhibit paramagnetic behavior down to 2 K, determined by a commercial superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer.
Palladium-Catalyzed Mizoroki–Heck-type Reactions Using Telluronium Salts
Authors: Hirabayashi Kazunori , Nara Yoshiko , Shimizu Toshio , Kamigata Nobumasa 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
A Mizoroki–Heck-type reaction of telluronium iodides with olefins proceeded under mild conditions to produce substituted olefins in high yields. The reaction required a catalytic amount of palladium(II) species and a stoichiometric amount of silver(I) acetate as an additive.