bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dislocations of the Metacarpophalangeal Joint of the Thumb
Authors: PATEL M. , DAVÉ J. 
Published: September 2005

We report 13 cases of thumb metacarpophalangeal dislocations, ten dorsal and three palmar. Eleven had complex dislocations requiring open reductions. With dorsal dislocations the palmar plate, the tendon of flexor pollicis longus and the “thenar trap” (adductor pollicis, flexor pollicis brevis and abductor pollicis brevis) were the main impediments to reduction. The dorsal capsule, extensor expansion and extensor pollicis longus and brevis prevented reduction with the uncommon palmar dislocations. Cadaver studies showed that dorsal dislocations are hyperextension and pronation injuries and palmar dislocations are hyperflexion and supination injuries. The unique “handlebar grip” injury which can cause either dorsal or palmar dislocations is also discussed. The palmar plate is the single most important stabilizer of the metacarpophalangeal joint and it is impossible to sustain a dislocation without tearing it. It is most likely to get entrapped within the joint in dorsal dislocations. Ulnar collateral ligament tears are more common with palmar dislocations.
The Efful (Evaluation of Function in the Flail Upper Limb) System
Authors: EGGERS I. M. , MENNEN U. 
Published: September 2005

The EFFUL (Evaluation of Function of the Flail Upper Limb) system measures in numerical terms the improvement, achieved through reconstructive surgery and hand therapy, in patients with brachial plexus injuries. The EFFUL system measures practical, everyday activities performed with the shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist and hand. The ranking system is based upon a classification of function, with a hierarchy of increasing functional demands until normal function has been achieved. These activities focus on two-handed coordination and hand dominance. The score is plotted on a star histogram known as the patient’s profile, and shows the preoperative score achieved in the first evaluation, and the postoperative score achieved in the second evaluation. The shaded area between the two plotted points clearly demonstrates any improvement in function obtained by surgery and rehabilitation. It also demonstrates the interrelationship between the various regions: improvement in function in one region often results in improvement in other regions.
Vascularized Bone Graft from the Palmar Carpal Artery for Treatment of Scaphoid Nonunion
Authors: MATHOULIN C. , HAERLE M. 
Published: September 2005

We report the use of a bone graft harvested from the palmar and ulnar aspect of the distal radius and vascularized by the palmar carpal artery for the treatment of scaphoid nonunion in 17 patients, ten of whom had already had unsuccessful surgery. Union was obtained in all cases at an average of 60 days (range, 45–90 days). The average follow-up was 16 months (range, 12–36 months). There were no failures.
Intraarticular Fractures of the Distal Radius Treated with Metaphyseal External Fixation
Authors: KRISHNAN J. , CHIPCHASE L. S. , SLAVOTINEK J. 
Published: September 2005

Twenty-two patients with unstable Frykman grade 7 or 8 intra-articular fractures of the distal radius were treated with an external fixator. The distal pins were inserted into the distal radial fracture fragments, permitting movement of the wrist and hand. Eleven patients were male and 11 female, with a mean age of 50 years. All patients had regained full function with good range of motion at mean final follow-up of 12 months. However function, pain and range of motion had returned to acceptable levels 4 weeks after removal of the external fixator. This method of external fixation provides a reliable method of maintaining fracture reduction whilst allowing early return of function.
The Early Results of the Brunelli Procedure for Trapeziometacarpal Instability
Authors: ROBERTS S. N. J. , BROWN J. N. , HAYES M. G. , SAIES A. 
Published: September 2005

We report the results of Brunelli’s abductor pollicis longus transfer for symptomatic instability of the trapeziometacarpal joint in 15 hands (14 patients) at a mean follow-up of 21 months. Patients were assessed subjectively, and objectively by an independent observer. All but one of the patients were very satisfied with the result of the operation, including the six patients who had significant degeneration of the carpometacarpal joint surface preoperatively. Four patients said they had no pain and the mean pain score overall on a visual analogue scale was 1.2 (out of a maximum of 10). Overall the outcome was rated good or excellent in 11 of the 15 thumbs.
Why Illness Causes More Serious Economic Damage than Crop Failure in Rural Cambodia
Authors: Kenjiro Yagura 
Published: September 2005

AbstractIn rural Cambodia, illness has caused more serious economic damage to rural households than crop failure. This article explores the reasons for this using data on the strategies adopted by households in two Cambodian villages to cope with these different types of shock. The data show that Cambodian households can cope with crop failure by earning additional income. However, to cope with illness, which entails lump‐sum treatment costs, they have to borrow money or sell their assets, because households cannot acquire the necessary funds in a short period just by earning additional income. Combined with the harsh conditions of credit markets (high interest rates, strict debt collection and credit rationing), and weak risk‐sharing among households, this results in illness causing a large number of land sales in the surveyed villages.
Temporal and spatial patterns in the emigrations of the army ant Dorylus (Anomma) molestus in the montane forest of Mt Kenya
Authors: Schöning Caspar , Njagi Washington M. , Franks Nigel R. 
Published: September 2005

Abstract.  1. The emigration behaviour of the army ant Dorylus (Anomma) molestus was studied in the montane forest of Mt Kenya. This species forages by massive swarm raids (mean width 10.3 m ± 4.6 m SD), which are assumed to have a strong negative impact on the densities of prey populations.2. For non‐reproductive colonies the stay duration in a nest is highly variable (median 17, range 3–111 days). This suggests that the frequency of emigrations is not dictated by a brood cycle as an underlying endogenous pattern generator.3. Colony density is high (mean nearest neighbour's distance 82.1 m ± 29.4 m SD) and mean foraging range is 75.0 m, so encounters with neighbouring colonies occur frequently.4. The straight line emigration distance is on average 92.7 m (± 29.7 SD). The emigration direction is random with respect to absolute bearing and also relative to the direction of the previous emigration. However, the emigration direction is influenced by the location of the nearest neighbour. Colonies typically emigrate directly away from their nearest neighbour.5. Local food depletion is likely to be the ultimate cause for emigrations in this species, because emigration distance is larger than foraging range and colonies move away from their nearest neighbour. A small percentage of emigrations may be triggered by pangolin attacks on nests.6. Contrary to the prediction of a recently developed mathematical model for epigaeic swarm‐raiding Dorylus (Anomma) species, D. (A.) molestus colonies do not engage in intraspecific battles. Possible reasons for the absence of fights between colonies despite apparently fierce intraspecific competition are discussed.
Potential sexual transmission of environmental microbes in a traumatically inseminating insect
Authors: Reinhardt Klaus , Naylor Richard A. , Siva‐Jothy Michael T. 
Published: September 2005

Abstract.  1. Very little attention has been paid to the importance of environmental microbes and how they gain access to potential hosts during host wounding or sexual interactions. Male members of the family Cimicidae (including the haematophagous human pest, the bed bug, Cimex lectularius) show traumatic insemination: in order to transfer sperm the male punctures the female's cuticle using a needle‐like intromittent organ. The microbes from the local environment that gain entry into females during mating have previously been shown to be an important source of mortality. This study aimed to identify these microbes and their natural environmental substrates.2. Nine different microbe taxa from the surface of the cuticle were identified, five of them (two Penicillium spp., Stenotrophomonas, Enterobacter, Bacillus) were found in the local environment as well as on the intromittent organ of male bed bugs: these are strong candidates for the causal agents of mating‐induced female mortality. Local differences in the microbial communities and their hosts' response to them are discussed as a source of reproductive isolation.3. Four microbe genera (Scopulariopsis, Staphylococcus, Arthrobacter, Micrococcus) were found exclusively on blood agar. One of them, and four grown on regular agar, are classified as human pathogens. However, because no microbes were isolated from the piercing and sucking mouthparts the epidemiological significance of bed bugs carrying externally attached microbes is probably low.
The evolution of immune‐related genes from disease carrying mosquitoes: diversity in a peptidoglycan‐ and a thioester‐recognizing protein
Authors: Little T. J. , Cobbe N. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractAdaptive polymorphism may be common in immune system genes as co‐evolutionary interactions foster diversity; either through ongoing positive selection (arms races), or balancing selection. DNA sequence diversity in two putative immune system genes was examined in species of the genus Anopheles and from Aedes aegypti. For one gene, encoding the peptidoglycan recognizing protein PGRPLB, there was evidence of purifying selection, suggesting that selection acts to eliminate sequence variation. For another gene, encoding the thioester‐containing protein TEP3, higher levels of amino acid replacement were found than would be expected under neutral models of evolution – an indication that this gene has been subject to repeated bouts of positive selection.
Assessing the odd secondary structural properties of nuclear small subunit ribosomal RNA sequences (18S) of the twisted‐wing parasites (Insecta: Strepsiptera)
Authors: Gillespie J. J. , McKenna C. H. , Yoder M. J. , Gutell R. R. , Johnston J. S. , Kathirithamby J. , Cognato A. I. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractWe report the entire sequence (2864 nts) and secondary structure of the nuclear small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene (18S) from the twisted‐wing parasiteCaenocholax fenyesi texensisKathirithamby & Johnston (Strepsiptera: Myrmecolacidae). The majority of the base pairings in this structural model map on to the SSU rRNA secondary and tertiary helices that were previously predicted with comparative analysis. These regions of the core rRNA were unambiguously aligned across all Arthropoda. In contrast, many of the variable regions, as previously characterized in other insect taxa, had very large insertions inC. f. texensis. The helical base pairs in these regions were predicted with a comparative analysis of a multiple sequence alignment (that containsC. f. texensisand 174 published arthropod 18S rRNA sequences, including eleven strepsipterans) and thermodynamic‐based algorithms. Analysis of our structural alignment revealed four unusual insertions in the core rRNA structure that are unique to animal 18S rRNA and in general agreement with previously proposed insertion sites for strepsipterans. One curious result is the presence of a large insertion within a hairpin loop of a highly conserved pseudoknot helix in variable region 4. Despite the extraordinary variability in sequence length and composition, this insertion contains the conserved sequences 5′‐AUUGGCUUAAA‐3′ and 5′‐GAC‐3′ that immediately flank a putative helix at the 5′‐ and 3′‐ends, respectively. The longer sequence has the potential to form a nine base pair helix with a sequence in the variable region 2, consistent with a recent study proposing this tertiary interaction. Our analysis of a larger set of arthropod 18S rRNA sequences has revealed possible errors in some of the previously published strepsipteran 18S rRNA sequences. Thus we find no support for the previously recovered heterogeneity in the 18S molecules of strepsipterans. Our findings lend insight to the evolution of RNA structure and function and the impact large insertions pose on genome size. We also provide a novel alignment template that will improve the phylogenetic placement of the Strepsiptera among other insect taxa.
Radiation‐induced changes in gene expression in the silkworm revealed by serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE)
Authors: Huang J. , Miao X. , Jin W. , Couble P. , Zhang Y. , Liu W. , Shen Y. , Zhao G. , Huang Y. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractSerial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) was used to examine the profile of expressed genes during embryonic development in the domesticated silkworm, Bombyx mori, after irradiation with Cobalt‐60. A comparison of the SAGE sequence tags derived from irradiated embryos with those from normal embryos revealed 673 differentially expressed genes (P < 0.01 and at least three folds change). Of these, 292 genes were highly expressed in normal embryos and 381 genes were highly expressed in irradiated embryos. These results provide valuable information for understanding the mechanisms of radiation‐induced changes in gene expression. In addition, it was noted that the generation of longer cDNA fragments from SAGE tags is an efficient way to identify genes, thereby facilitating the analysis of large numbers of unknown genes.
The pathogen Neisseria meningitidis requires oxygen, but supplements growth by denitrification. Nitrite, nitric oxide and oxygen control respiratory flux at genetic and metabolic levels
Authors: Rock Jonathan D. , Mahnane M. Reda , Anjum Muna F. , Shaw Jonathan G. , Read Robert C. , Moir James W. B. 
Published: September 2005

SummaryThe human pathogen Neisseria meningitidis is the major causative agent of bacterial meningitis. The organism is usually treated as a strict aerobe and is cultured under fully aerobic conditions in the laboratory. We demonstrate here that although N. meningitidis fails to grow under strictly anaerobic conditions, under oxygen limitation the bacterium expresses a denitrification pathway (reduction of nitrite to nitrous oxide via nitric oxide) and that this pathway supplements growth. The expression of the gene aniA, which encodes nitrite reductase, is regulated by oxygen depletion and nitrite availability via transcriptional regulator FNR and two‐component sensor‐regulator NarQ/NarP respectively. Completion of the two‐step denitrification pathway requires nitric oxide (NO) reduction, which proceeds after NO has accumulated during batch growth under oxygen‐limited conditions. During periods of NO accumulation both nitrite and NO reduction are observed aerobically, indicating N. meningitidis can act as an aerobic denitrifier. However, under steady‐state conditions in which NO is maintained at a low concentration, oxygen respiration is favoured over denitrification. NO inhibits oxidase activity in N. meningitidis with an apparent Ki NO = 380 nM measured in intact cells. The high respiratory flux to nitrite after microaerobic growth and the finding that accumulation of the denitrification intermediate NO inhibits oxygen respiration support the view that denitrification is a pathway of major importance in N. meningitidis.
Phosphate limitation induces catalase expression inSinorhizobium meliloti,Pseudomonas aeruginosaandAgrobacterium tumefaciens
Authors: Yuan Ze‐Chun , Zaheer Rahat , Finan Turlough M. 
Published: September 2005

SummaryGrowth ofSinorhizobium melilotiunder Pi‐limiting conditions induced expression of the major H2O2‐inducible catalase (HPII) gene (katA) in this organism. This transcription required the PhoB transcriptional regulator and initiated from a promoter that was distinct from the OxyR‐dependent promoter which activateskatAtranscription in response to addition of H2O2. In N2‐fixing root nodules,katAwas transcribed from the OxyR‐ and not the PhoB‐dependent promoter. This is consistent with the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in nodules and also indicates that bacteroids within nodules are not Pi‐limited. Pi‐limited growth also induced expression of catalase genes inAgrobacterium tumefaciens(HPI) andPseudomonas aeruginosa(PA4236‐HPI) suggesting that this may be a widespread phenomenon. The response is not a general stress response as in bothS. melilotiandP. aeruginosaincreased transcription is mediated by the phosphate responsive transcriptional activator PhoB. The phenotypic consequences of this response were demonstrated inS. melilotiby the dramatic increase in H2O2resistance of wild type but notphoBmutant cells upon growth in Pi‐limiting media. Our data indicate that inS. meliloti,katAand other genes whose products are involved in protection from oxidative stress are induced upon Pi‐limitation. These observations suggest that as part of the response to Pi‐limitation,S.meliloti,P. aeruginosaandA. tumefacienshave evolved a capacity to increase their resistance to oxidative stress. Whether this capacity evolved because Pi‐starved cells generate more ROS or whether the physiological changes that occur in the cells in response to Pi‐starvation render them more sensitive to ROS remains to be established.
Characterization of EBV‐transformed B‐cells Established from an Individual Homozygously Mutated (G329A) in the FUT7α1,3‐fucosyltransferase Gene
Authors: Bengtson P. , Zetterberg H. , Mellberg T. , Påhlsson P. , Larson G. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractThe α1,3‐fucosyltransferase VII (Fuc‐TVII) is involved in the biosynthesis of E‐ and P‐selectin ligands such as sialyl Lewis x (SLex) on human leukocytes. Recently, individuals were characterized carrying a missense mutation (G329A; Arg110‐Gln) in the FUT7 gene encoding this enzyme. The mutated FUT7 construct produced a Fuc‐TVII enzyme with impaired activity compared with the wildtype enzyme. Polymorphonuclear granulocytes from an individual carrying this mutation homozygously also showed a reduced expression of SLex. In the present study, we have established Epstein–Barr virus‐transformed B‐cell lines from this individual (SIGN) and from an individual not carrying the mutation (IWO). The cell lines were confirmed to be of B‐cell origin by flow cytometry analysis. IWO cells interacted with E‐selectin in an in vitro flow chamber analysis whereas SIGN cell did not. However, when SIGN cell was transiently transfected with wildtype FUT7 cDNA, interaction with E‐selectin could be restored. Cell surface expression of the SLex‐related epitopes recognized by antibodies CSLEX‐1, KM‐93 and HECA‐452 was elevated on IWO cells compared with that on SIGN cells, consistent with a role of these antigens in E‐selectin recognition. These cell lines will be useful in further characterization of E‐selectin ligands and encourage further studies on the consequences of the FUT7‐G329A mutation in vivo.
Adenovirus Transduction and Culture Conditions Affect the Immunogenicity of Murine Dendritic Cells
Authors: Salucci V. , Lena A. M. , Ciliberto G. , Scarselli E. , La Monica N. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractAdenovirus vectors encoding carcinoembryonic antigen (Ad‐CEA) or costimulatory molecules CD80, intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) and leucocyte function‐associated antigen‐3 (LFA‐3) (Ad‐STIM) were used to transduce murine bone marrow‐derived dendritic cells (BMDC). BMDC were characterized for expression of activation markers and for their ability to elicit protective immunity against MC38‐CEA tumours in wildtype and CEA‐transgenic (CEA‐tg) mice. To determine optimal culture conditions, studies were conducted using BMDC cultured in heterologous bovine serum or autologous mouse serum. Transduction of cells grown in presence of heterologous serum increased the expression of costimulatory molecules, major histocompatibility complex class II, of IL‐6 and IL‐12. Upon vaccination, tumour protection was not specific and was observed also with untransduced cells. Transduced BMDC cultured in the presence of autologous serum showed low expression of the activation markers, did not express IL‐6 and had reduced ability to stimulate T‐cell proliferation. Nonetheless, CEA‐specific CD8+ T‐cell response was enhanced upon coinfection of Ad‐STIM and Ad‐CEA in both mouse strains, although this immune response was not sufficient to protect CEA‐tg mice from tumour challenge. These studies support the use of BMDC transduced with Ad vectors encoding tumour antigens for cancer immunotherapy and demonstrate that culture conditions greatly affect the immunological properties of these cells.
Chagasic Patients with Indeterminate Clinical Form of the Disease have High Frequencies of Circulating CD3+CD16–CD56+ Natural Killer T Cells and CD4+CD25High Regulatory T Lymphocytes
Authors: Vitelli‐Avelar D. M. , Sathler‐Avelar R. , Dias J. C. P. , Pascoal V. P. M. , Teixeira‐Carvalho A. , Lage P. S. , Elói‐Santos S. M. , Corrêa‐Oliveira R. , Martins‐Filho O. A. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractSeveral studies have demonstrated that different clinical manifestations of human Chagas' disease are associated with distinct and complex host–parasite relationships directly involving the immune system. In this context, it has been proposed that tissue damage might be more severe in the absence of regulatory mechanisms that involve both innate and adaptive immune responses. Herein, we describe a descriptive phenotypic profile focusing on the frequency of major regulatory T cells [CD4+CD25high and natural killer T (NKT) lymphocytes] in different clinical forms of Chagas' disease. Ex vivo immunophenotyping of whole blood demonstrated that the indeterminate clinical form displays a higher frequency of both CD4+CD25high and NKT regulatory cells (CD3+CD16–CD56+), associated with increased levels of circulating cytotoxic NK cells (CD3–CD16+CD56+ and CD3–CD16+CD56dim NK cells). By contrast, the increased percentage of activated CD8+HLA‐DR+ T‐cell subset was exclusively associated with severe clinical forms of Chagas' disease. We hypothesize that regulatory T cells may be able to control the deleterious cytotoxic activity in the indeterminate clinical form by inhibiting the activation of CD8+HLA‐DR+ T cells. The lack of regulated populations in cardiac and digestive clinical forms could account for impaired immune response that culminates in strong cytotoxic activity and tissue damage.