bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of IL‐4 and IL‐13 on collagen production in cultured LI90 human hepatic stellate cells
Authors: Sugimoto Rie , Enjoji Munechika , Nakamuta Makoto , Ohta Satoshi , Kohjima Motoyuki , Fukushima Marie , Kuniyoshi Masami , Arimura Eiichiro , Morizono Shusuke , Kotoh Kazuhiro , Nawata Hajime 
Published: March 2005

Abstract:Background: Recently, it has been reported that interleukin 4 (IL‐4) and 13 (IL‐13) directly activate fibroblasts and promote fibrosis. In the process of hepatic fibrosis, the effects of these cytokines on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are not well known.Methods: We evaluated the effects of IL‐4 and IL‐13 on the collagen production and the proliferation of LI90, a hepatic stellate cell line. We also examined whether interferon (IFN) interferes with the expression of collagen, since IFN has been reported to clinically suppress hepatic fibrosis.Results: The receptor complex for IL‐4 and IL‐13 was IL‐4Rα/IL‐13Rα1 on LI90 cells, and the phosphorylation of Stat6 was induced by IL‐4 and IL‐13. The treatment of LI90 cells with IL‐4 or IL‐13 increased the production of collagen I protein levels by nearly three times in comparison with untreated cells. Collagen mRNA levels were increased roughly 10‐fold by IL‐4 and 100‐fold by IL‐13. Interestingly, BrdU incorporation in LI90 cells was decreased by IL‐4 or IL‐13 treatment. Furthermore, induction of collagen I production by these cytokines was blocked by IFNα or IFNβ treatment, although neither treatment alone suppressed collagen production.Conclusions: Our data suggested that IL‐4 and IL‐13 directly affected HSCs by increasing collagen production and suppressing cell proliferation. The anti‐fibrogenetic effect of IFN may be due in part to the blockade of IL‐4 and IL‐13 stimulation of HSCs.
Evaluation of the relationship between interleukin‐1 gene cluster polymorphisms and early implant failure in non‐smoking patients
Authors: Campos Maria I. G. , Santos Maria C. L. G. , Trevilatto Paula C. , Scarel‐Caminaga Raquel M. , Bezerra Fábio J. B. , Line Sergio R. P. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractObjective:The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between specific polymorphisms of the interleukin‐1 gene cluster and the early failure of osseointegrated implants.Material and methods:The subject population was composed by a test group comprising 28 non‐smoking patients (mean age 52.7) that had suffered one or more early implant failures and by a control group consisting of 34 individuals (mean age 43.3) with one or more healthy implants. Genomic DNA from buccal mucosa was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and submitted to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to distinguish the alleles of the interleukin‐1A (−889), interleukin‐1B (+3953), interleukin‐1B (−511) and interleukin‐RN (intron 2) gene polymorphisms. Differences in the allele and genotype frequencies between control and test groups were assessed by χ2test or by Monte Carlo simulations (P<0.05). Haplotype frequencies, linkage disequilibrium and Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium were also estimated.Results:No statistically significant differences were found in the genotype distribution or allelic frequencies of the polymorphisms. No differences were observed between control and test groups when different interleukin‐1 gene cluster haplotypes were compared. Nevertheless, the interleukin‐1A (−889) and interleukin‐1B (+3953) polymorphic sites were in strong linkage disequilibrium (P=0.00014 for control group andP=0.0238 for the test group).Conclusion:This study suggests that polymorphisms in the interleukin‐1 gene cluster are not associated with early implant failure in a non‐smoking Brazilian population.
Implant design and intraosseous stability of immediately placed implants: a human cadaver study
Authors: Akkocaoglu Murat , Uysal Serdar , Tekdemir Ibrahim , Akca Kιvanc , Cehreli Murat Cavit 
Published: March 2005

AbstractObjective: The objective of this study was to explore effects of implant macrodesign and diameter on initial intraosseous stability and interface mechanical properties of immediately placed implants.Material and method: Mandibular premolars of four fresh‐frozen human cadavers were extracted. Ø 4.1/4.8 mm ITI® TE®, Ø 4.1 and 4.8 mm solid screw synOcta® ITI® implants were placed into freshly prepared extraction sockets. Resonance frequency analysis was conducted to quantify primary implant stability quotient (ISQ). Installation torque value (ITV) and removal torque value (RTV) of the implants were measured using a custom‐made strain‐gauged torque wrench connected to a data acquisition system at a sample rate of 10,000 Hz. The vertical defect depth around the collar of each implant was measured directly by an endodontic spreader. The bone–implant contact was determined in digitalized images of periapical radiographs and expressed as percentage bone contact.Results: The ISQ values of the TE® implant was higher than the Ø 4.1 mm implant (P<0.01), and comparable with the Ø 4.8 mm implants (P>0.05). ITVs and RTVs of TE® and Ø 4.8 mm implants were higher than the Ø 4.1 mm implant, although the differences between groups were statistically insignificant (P>0.05). The vertical defect depths around all types of implants were similar. In the radiographic analyses, percentage bone–implant contact of the TE® and Ø 4.8 mm implants were comparable at the marginal bone region and both were higher than that of the Ø 4.1 mm ITI® implant. Nonparametric correlations between groups revealed a significant correlation between ITV and RTV (r=0.838; P<0.001), but not between ISQ values and ITVs and RTVs (P>0.05).Conclusion: Immediately placed ITI® TE® implant leads to initial intraosseous stability and interface mechanical properties comparable with a wide diameter implant.
Healing of dehiscence‐type defects in implants placed together with different barrier membranes: a comparative clinical study
Authors: Moses Ofer , Pitaru Sandu , Artzi Zvi , Nemcovsky Carlos E. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractObjective: Premature exposure of membranes used in guided bone regeneration (GBR) results in decreased bone formation. The effect of an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e‐PTFE) and two collagen membrane on bone healing of buccal dehiscence defects around implants in cases with and without premature membrane exposure was clinically evaluated.Methods: Three groups were established: Group OS (Ossix™, n=73 implants, 41 patients), Group BG (Bio‐Gide®, n=53 implants, 28 patients) and Group GT (e‐PTFE, Gore‐Tex®, n=34 implants, 17 patients). Defect height and width were measured at the time of implant placement and at second stage surgery. Surface area was calculated as half ellipses. When several implants were placed simultaneously, a mean of their defect width and height was calculated.Results: Mean percentage reduction of defect area (92.2±13.78% Group OS, 94.6±6.69% Group BG, and 97.3±4.91% Group GT) and height (81.6±23.19%, 85.4±12.26%, and 93.4±9.39% respectively) did not show statistically significant differences between groups. Differences between groups were not statistically significant for all parameters when cases without spontaneous membrane exposure were compared. However, differences were significant when spontaneous membrane exposure occurred. Mean percentage reduction of defect area among cases where membrane exposure occurred was 91.5±10.86% Group OS, 71.5±8.61% Group BG, and 73.7±13.97% Group GT. Mean percentage reduction of defect height among cases with membrane exposure was 76.4±18.28%, 53.4±9.86%, and 49.4±11.05%, respectively.Conclusions: Premature exposure of membranes and subsequent and consequent exposure of implants results in impaired bone healing. Certain barrier membranes, as used in group OS, are apparently capable of supporting gingival healing even when prematurely exposed that could be advantageous in GBR procedures.
Estimation of genetic parameters for growth and feed utilization traits in Japanese Black cattle
Authors: SHOJO Masayuki , YONG Jiang , ANADA Katsuhito , OYAMA Kenji , MUKAI Fumio 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACTPerformance test results of 3250 sire candidates were used to estimate the genetic parameters of growth and feed utilization traits in Japanese Black cattle. Growth traits analyzed were six body measurements at the end of the performance test and daily gain (DG) during the test. Feed utilization traits were intakes and conversions of concentrate, roughage, digestible crude protein and total digestible nutrient (TDN). Genetic (co)variance components were estimated by the restricted maximum likelihood procedure using an expectation maximization algorithm under the two‐trait animal model. Heritabilities for growth traits ranged from 0.40 to 0.70 and for feed utilization traits from 0.21 to 0.74. Genetic correlations of DG were positive with feed intake (0.15–0.77) and negative with feed conversions (−0.63 to −0.30). These relationships indicate that the selection based on DG improves feed efficiency but it simultaneously increases feed intake. Feed conversions showed genetic correlations ranging from −0.09 to 0.03 with total available energy consumption, TDN intake. Thus the results suggested that feed conversions were not efficient selection criteria to decrease TDN intake and to improve comprehensive feed utilization ability.
Effect of theanine, γ‐glutamylethylamide, on bodyweight and fat accumulation in mice
Authors: ZHENG Guodong , BAMBA Kimio , OKUBO Tsutomu , RAJ JUNEJA Lekh , OGUNI Itaro , SAYAMA Kazutoshi 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACTTo clarify the details of the anti‐obesity effect of theanine, γ‐glutamylethylamide, female ICR mice were fed diets containing theanine at the concentrations of 0.01, 0.02, 0.04, 0.08 and 0.16% for 16 weeks. Bodyweight and food intake in the mice were measured every 4 weeks, and several organs and intraperitoneal adipose tissues (IPAT) were weighed after the feeding. In addition, lipid levels in the serum and liver were analyzed. As a result, the bodyweight increase and weight of IPAT were significantly reduced in mice fed 0.04% theanine compared with controls, but not in mice fed other diets. The levels of triglycerides (TG) and non‐esterified fatty acids in the serum and TG level in the liver in mice fed the 0.04% theanine diet were remarkably decreased. These results indicated that bodyweight increase and fat accumulation were suppressed by a limited concentration of 0.04% theanine in mice.
Staphylococcus aureus
NfrA (SA0367) Is a Flavin Mononucleotide-Dependent NADPH Oxidase Involved in Oxidative Stress Response
Authors: Streker Karin , Freiberg Christoph , Labischinski Harald , Hacker Jörg , Ohlsen Knut 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACT

The NfrA protein, a putative essential oxidoreductase in the soil bacterium
Bacillus subtilis
, is induced under heat shock and oxidative stress conditions. In order to characterize the function of an homologous NfrA protein in
Staphylococcus aureus
, an
nfrA
deletion strain was constructed, the protein was purified, the enzymatic activity was determined, and the transcriptional regulation was investigated. The experiments revealed that NfrA is not essential in
S. aureus
. The purified protein oxidized NADPH but not NADH, producing NADP in the presence of flavin mononucleotide, suggesting that NfrA is an NADPH oxidase in
S. aureus
. In addition, the NfrA enzyme showed nitroreductase activity and weak disulfide reductase activity. Transcription was strongly induced by ethanol, diamide, and nitrofurantoin. Hydrogen peroxide induced
nfrA
transcription only at high concentrations. The expression of
nfrA
was independent of the alternative sigma factor σ
B
. Furthermore, the transcriptional start site was determined, which allowed identification of a PerR box homologous sequence upstream of the
nfrA
promoter. The observations presented here suggest that NfrA is a nonessential NADPH oxidoreductase which may play a role in the oxidative stress response of
S. aureus
, especially in keeping thiol-disulfide stress in balance.
Pleiotropic Effect of a Histidine Kinase on Carbohydrate Metabolism in
Synechocystis
sp. Strain PCC 6803 and Its Requirement for Heterotrophic Growth
Authors: Singh Abhay K. , Sherman Louis A. 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACT

The deletion of a gene coding for a histidine kinase (sll0750, Hik8) in the unicellular cyanobacterium
Synechocystis
sp. strain PCC 6803 resulted in a conditional lethal phenotype with a pleiotropic effect on the expression of genes involved in glucose metabolism. This mutant had comparable doubling times to wild type (WT) in continuous-light-grown photoautotrophic and mixotrophic cultures, whereas it grew poorly under mixotrophic conditions with different light and dark cycles. Growth was completely stopped, and cells eventually died, when the light duration was less than 6 h on a 24-h regimen. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that steady-state transcript levels of genes encoding key enzymes of glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway, and glycogen metabolism were significantly altered in a strain with mutant
hik8
(
Δhik8
) grown with or without glucose. In some cases, differential expression was dependent on growth conditions (photoautotrophic versus mixotrophic). The enzyme activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, and phosphofructokinase were significantly reduced in
Δhik8
compared to WT. Glycogen determination indicated that
Δhik8
accumulated glycogen under mixotrophic conditions but was unable to utilize these reserves for heterotrophic growth. The results suggest that the loss of
gap1
transcription in the absence of Hik8 was the key factor that rendered cells unable to catabolize glucose and grow heterotrophically. Additionally, the transcript levels of the phytochrome gene (
cph1
) and its cotranscribed response regulator gene (
rcp1
) were significantly reduced and its dark inducibility was lost in
Δhik8
. The results demonstrated that Hik8 plays an important role in glucose metabolism and is necessary for heterotrophic growth.
Involvement of AlpV, a New Member of the
Streptomyces
Antibiotic Regulatory Protein Family, in Regulation of the Duplicated Type II Polyketide Synthase
alp
Gene Cluster in
Streptomyces ambofaciens
Authors: Aigle Bertrand , Pang Xiuhua , Decaris Bernard , Leblond Pierre 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACT

A type II polyketide synthase gene cluster located in the terminal inverted repeats of
Streptomyces ambofaciens
ATCC 23877 was shown to be responsible for the production of an orange pigment and alpomycin, a new antibiotic probably belonging to the angucycline/angucyclinone class. Remarkably, this
alp
cluster contains five potential regulatory genes, three of which (
alpT
,
alpU
, and
alpV
) encode proteins with high similarity to members of the
Streptomyces
antibiotic regulatory protein (SARP) family. Deletion of the two copies of
alpV
(one in each
alp
cluster located at the two termini) abolished pigment and antibiotic production, suggesting that AlpV acts as a transcriptional activator of the biosynthetic genes. Consistent with this idea, the transcription of
alpA
, which encodes a ketosynthase essential for orange pigment and antibiotic production, was impaired in the
alpV
mutant, while the expression of
alpT
,
alpU
, and
alpZ
, another regulatory gene encoding a γ-butyrolactone receptor, was not significantly affected. Real-time PCR experiments showed that transcription of
alpV
in the wild-type strain increases dramatically after entering the transition phase. This induction precedes that of
alpA
, suggesting that AlpV needs to reach a threshold level to activate the expression of the structural genes. When introduced into an
S. coelicolor
mutant with deletions of
act
II-ORF4 and
redD
, the SARP-encoding genes regulating the biosynthesis of actinorhodin and undecylprodigiosin, respectively,
alpV
was able to restore actinorhodin production only. However,
act
II-ORF4 did not complement the
alpV
mutant, suggesting that AlpV and ActII-ORF4 may act in a different way.
Subjective impact of osteoarthritis flare-ups on patients' quality of life
Authors: Majani Giuseppina , Giardini Anna , Scotti Aurelio 
Published: March 2005

Abstract

Background
Clinical trials on osteoarthritis (OA) flare-ups treatment usually focus only on objective measures of health status, albeit recent literature suggestions on the importance of patients' subjectivity. Aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of OA and of its different types of medical treatment(s) on Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in terms of both subjective satisfaction and functional status.

Methods
An observational study on prospective data collected from the Evaluation of Quality of life in OA (EQuO) clinical trial (April 1999-November 2000) was conducted; outpatients from 70 participating centers (Orthopedy or Rheumatology Departments in Italy) with a diagnosis of OA of the hip or knee were consecutively enrolled. Patients were observed at OA flare-ups (baseline) and at follow up 4 weeks after treatment. Patients' objective and subjective HRQoL were assessed by means of the SF-36 and the Satisfaction Profile (SAT-P, which focuses on subjective satisfaction); Present Pain at baseline and Pain Relief at follow up were also evaluated.

Results
Among the 1323 patients, 1138 (86%) were prescribed one drug/treatment of osteoarthritis, 169 (13%) 2 drugs/treatments, and 16 (1%) 3 drugs/treatments; most of treatments involved the prescription of NSAIDs; non-coxib, COX2 selective NSAIDs were prescribed in about 50% of patients. Follow-up visits were performed after 29.0 days on average (± 7.69 SD). For all SF-36 domains, all SAT-P items and factors, the differences between baseline and follow up scores resulted statistically significant (p < 0.001), enlighting an improvement both in health status and in subjective HRQoL.

Conclusion
Besides the classic health status measures, the assessment of patients' subjective satisfaction provides important clues on treatments efficacy of OA within the patient-centered medicine model. In clinical practice this could lead to a better doctor-patient communication and to higher levels of treatment adherence.
Comparison of Methods Used to Predict the Burn Injuries in Tests of Thermal Protective Fabrics
Authors: Song G , Barker R , Grimes DR , Thompson D 
Published: March 2005

Abstract
A study was conducted to compare the two methods, Henriques Burn Integral and Stoll criteria, in thermal protective performance evaluation on firefighter clothing composites exposed to various thermal hazards. The thermal hazards that the firefighter may encounter during fire fighting are low level thermal radiation and high intensity flashover fire. With the simulation of these thermal hazards in the lab, the heat flux behind exposed clothing composites are characterized with flux rise rate and peak heat flux. Comparisons were performed on the prediction differences of clothing system made using Henriques Burn integral and Stoll criteria under different conditions. The study demonstrated that in some cases less difference is predicted by the two methods, while in other cases a significant difference is observed. Several recommendations were made for the qualitative prediction of garment and fabric thermal protective performance under different situations.
Hydration Behavior of Portland Cements with Different Hemihydrate/Gypsum Ratios in the Presence of Common Chemical Admixtures
Authors: Farrington SA , Christensen BJ 
Published: March 2005

Abstract
Interactions that take place between hydrating portland cement and chemical admixtures during the early hydration period affect the performance of concrete. Many of the early hydration reactions involve sulfate phases. Cement manufacturers intergrind calcium sulfate with clinker in the finish mill to provide control for the aluminate reactions during hydration. The calcium sulfate is typically added as gypsum, but some of this gypsum can dehydrate to calcium sulfate hemihydrate or soluble anhydrite, depending on the conditions in the finish mill. The final form of the calcium sulfate may affect the hydration characteristics of the cement in the presence of various chemical admixtures.
This paper reports the results of studies of the performance of cement paste and mortar. Three cement samples were manufactured from a single clinker with the same amount of interground calcium sulfate but different relative ratios of gypsum and calcium sulfate hemihydrate. The clinker was manufactured to produce low-alkali Type V cement. The total calcium sulfate addition was approximately 3.7 %, and the amount remaining in the cement as gypsum was 47 %, 31 %, or 11 % of the total amount of gypsum and hemihydrate. Common chemical admixtures were studied, including lignosulfonate, naphthalene sulfonate, polycarboxylate, formulated Type A (non-lignosulfonate), and formulated non-chloride accelerator. Cement pastes that were prepared using the cements and admixtures were tested for workability, workability retention, and hydration profile with isothermal conduction calorimetry. Mortars that were prepared from the cements and admixtures were tested for workability, workability retention, air content, setting time, and early and late-age compressive strength. Initial indications are that the initial workability and workability retention of cement paste in the presence of admixtures are affected by the form of the calcium sulfate. The time of setting and strength development of mortar are affected by the form of the calcium sulfate as well.
Optimization of an Acoustic Telemetry Array for Detecting Transmitter-Implanted Fish
Authors: Clements Shaun , Jepsen David , Karnowski Mark , Schreck Carl B. 
Published: March 2005

Abstract
The development of miniature acoustic transmitters and economical, robust automated receivers has enabled researchers to study the movement patterns and survival of teleosts in estuarine and ocean environments, including many species and age-classes that were previously considered too small for implantation. During 2001–2003, we optimized a receiver mooring system to minimize gear and data loss in areas where current action or wave action and acoustic noise are high. In addition, we conducted extensive tests to determine (1) the performance of a transmitter and receiver (Vemco, Ltd.) that are widely used, particularly in North America and Europe and (2) the optimal placement of receivers for recording the passage of fish past a point in a linear-flow environment. Our results suggest that in most locations the mooring system performs well with little loss of data; however, boat traffic remains a concern due to entanglement with the mooring system. We also found that the reception efficiency of the receivers depends largely on the method and location of deployment. In many cases, we observed a range of 0–100% reception efficiency (the percentage of known transmissions that are detected while the receiver is within range of the transmitter) when using a conventional method of mooring. The efficiency was improved by removal of the mounting bar and obstructions from the mooring line.