bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Collaborative Consensus for Optimized Multilocus Sequence Typing of
Candida albicans
Authors: Bougnoux M.-E. , Tavanti A. , Bouchier C. , Gow N. A. R. , Magnier A. , Davidson A. D. , Maiden M. C. J. , d'Enfert C. , Odds F. C. 
Published: November 2003

ABSTRACT

A panel of 86 different
Candida albicans
isolates was subjected to multilocus sequence typing (MLST) in two laboratories to obtain sequence data for 10 published housekeeping gene fragments. Analysis of data for all possible combinations of five, six, seven, eight, and nine of the fragments showed that a set comprising the fragments
AAT1a
,
ACC1
,
ADP1
,
MPIb
,
SYA1
,
VPS13
, and
ZWF1b
was the smallest that yielded 86 unique diploid sequence types for the 86 isolates. This set is recommended for future MLST with
C. albicans
.
Prevalence of Group A Streptococcal Carriers in Asymptomatic Children and Clonal Relatedness among Isolates in Malatya, Turkey
Authors: Durmaz Riza , Durmaz Bengul , Bayraktar Mehmet , Ozerol Ibrahim Halil , Kalcioglu Mahmut Tayyar , Aktas Elif , Cizmeci Zeynep 
Published: November 2003

ABSTRACT

In our study, the prevalence of nasopharyngeal
Streptococcus pyogenes
was 130 (14.3%) of 909 healthy children. Isolates were found to be susceptible to all antibiotics tested. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and arbitrarily primed PCR revealed that 34 (32.4%) of the 105 isolates and 41 (40.6%) of the 101 isolates typed, respectively, were clonally indistinguishable.
Infections in International Pregnancy Study: Performance of the Optical Immunoassay Test for Detection of Group B Streptococcus
Authors: Thinkhamrop Jadsada , Limpongsanurak Sompop , Festin Mario R. , Daly Sean , Schuchat Anne , Lumbiganon Pisake , Zell Elizabeth , Chipato Tsungai , Win Aye Aye , Perilla Mindy J. , Tolosa Jorge E. , Whitney Cynthia G. 
Published: November 2003

ABSTRACT
We evaluated the Strep B optical immunoassay (OIA; ThermoBiostar, Inc.) for detecting light and heavy group B streptococcus colonization in 1,306 pregnant women. The women were examined at 20 to 32 weeks gestation and were from six countries. Compared to culture, the sensitivity and specificity of OIA were 13.3 and 98.4%, respectively, for light colonization and 41.5 and 97.7%, respectively, for heavy colonization.
Disseminated Trichosporonosis Caused by
Trichosporon loubieri
Authors: Marty Francisco M. , Barouch Dan H. , Coakley Eoin P. , Baden Lindsey R. 
Published: November 2003

ABSTRACT

Trichosporonosis is an emerging invasive fungal infection in immunosuppressed patients; a case of disseminated infection caused by
Trichosporon loubieri
presented confirms its role as a human pathogen.
Capnocytophaga
sp. Isolated from a Cat with Chronic Sinusitis and Rhinitis
Authors: Frey Erin , Pressler Barrak , Guy James , Pitulle Christian , Breitschwerdt Edward 
Published: November 2003

ABSTRACT

A
Capnocytophaga
sp. was inadvertently isolated from a cat with chronic sinusitis and rhinitis when cytopathic effects were observed in Crandall-Reese feline kidney cells that had been inoculated with oropharyngeal swab samples. Although
Capnocytophaga
spp. are of considerable zoonotic importance, their clinical relevance for dogs or cats has not been established. However, failure to do so may be attributed to the infrequent use of specialized isolation techniques that are required to grow
Capnocytophaga
spp. To our knowledge, successful isolation of these organisms from a cat with nasopharyngeal disease has not been reported.
Implantable Defibrillator Pocket Infection and Bacteremia Caused by
Nocardia nova
Complex Isolate
Authors: Boell Keith , Gotoff Robert , Foltzer Michael , Storm Randle , Bourbeau Paul P. 
Published: November 2003

ABSTRACT

Nocardia
spp. are common environmental organisms that, to our knowledge, have never been implicated as causing an implantable defibrillator or pacemaker infection. We describe a 70-year-old male with a recent implantable cardiac defibrillator revision and subsequent device infection and bacteremia caused by a
Nocardia nova
complex isolate.
CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM STRINGS IN PLANE WAVES, SHOCK WAVES AND SPACE–TIME SINGULARITIES: SYNTHESIS AND NEW RESULTS
Authors: SANCHEZ NORMA G. 
Published: November 2003

Key issues and essential features of classical and quantum strings in gravitational plane waves, shock waves and space–time singularities are synthetically understood. This includes the string mass and mode number excitations, energy–momentum tensor, scattering amplitudes, vacuum polarization and wave-string polarization effect. The role of the real pole singularities characteristic of the tree level string spectrum (real mass resonances) and that of the space–time singularities is clearly exhibited. This throws light on the issue of singularities in string theory which can be thus classified and fully physically characterized in two different sets: strong singularities (poles of order ≥ 2, and black holes) where the string motion is collective and nonoscillating in time, outgoing states and scattering sector do not appear, the string does not cross the singularities; and weak singularities (poles of order < 2, (Dirac δ belongs to this class) and conic/orbifold singularities) where the whole string motion is oscillatory in time, outgoing and scattering states exist, and the string crosses the singularities. Common features of strings in singular wave backgrounds and in inflationary backgrounds are explicitly exhibited. The string dynamics and the scattering/excitation through the singularities (whatever their kind: strong or weak) is fully physically consistent and meaningful.
Increased level of oxidized LDL-dependent monocytederived microparticles in acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Matsumoto Noriko , Kamihata Hiroshi , Kimura Yutaka , Iwasaka Toshiji , Nomura Shosaku 
Published: November 2003

SummaryWe measured and compared the levels of plasma soluble (s) Pselectin, sCD40L, platelet-derived microparticles (PDMP), monocyte-derived microparticles (MDMP), and anti-oxidized LDL antibody, to obtain a better understanding of their potential contribution to vascular complications in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The concentrations of sP-selectin, sCD40L, PDMP, and MDMP in ACS patients were significantly higher than those in normal controls and patients with stable angina.When levels of these markers were compared with differences in concentration of anti-oxidized LDL antibody, all markers were significantly higher in ACS patients with a high level of antioxidized LDL antibody. Next, a monocytic cell line (THP-1) was incubated with high shear stress-induced platelet aggregates and PDMP. After incubation,THP-1 cells generated tissue factorexpressing MDMPs. This finding was particularly significant in the presence of oxidized LDL. These findings suggest that elevated levels of MDMPs may be a sign of atherosclerotic development in ACS patients, particularly those who exhibit anti-oxidized LDL antibodies.
Expression analysis of the human kallikrein 7 (KLK7) in breast tumors: a new potential biomarker for prognosis of breast carcinoma
Authors: Talieri Maroulio , Diamandis Eleftherios , Gourgiotis Dimitrios , Mathioudaki Kostandina , Scorilas Andreas 
Published: November 2003

SummaryKallikreins are a subgroup of serine proteases that are involved in the post-translational processing of polypeptide precursors. Growing evidence suggests that many kallikreins are implicated in carcinogenesis. Human kallikrein gene 7 (KLK7; HSCCE) is a new member of the human kallikrein gene family. KLK7 is expressed in normal breast tissue and is up-regulated in breast cancer cells by estrogens and glucocorticoids. In the present study, expression of the KLK7 gene in 92 breast cancer tissues was analyzed by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and direct sequencing of several samples. The results were correlated with other clinicopathological variables and patient outcome. KLK7 gene expression was significantly lower in breast cancer patients of low stage (I/II) (p = 0.011) and patients with positive progesterone receptors (p = 0.022). Survival analysis showed that breast cancer patients with KLK7 positive tumors have relatively shorter disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) than patients with KLK7 negative tumors. These data suggest that KLK7 gene expression may be used as a marker of unfavorable prognosis for breast cancer patients.
The influence of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on human platelet serotonin
Authors: Pittendreigh Cheryl , Solomons Kevin , Maurer-Spurej Elisabeth 
Published: November 2003

SummaryClinical depression has been proposed to be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. While it is suggested that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) reduce the risk of acute cardiovascular problems of depressed patients, the effect of SSRIs on platelets, the only blood cells committed to serotonin (5-HT) transport, remains largely unknown. The goal of this pilot study was to measure the 5-HT levels in platelets of untreated and SSRI-treated depressed patients and normal subjects and to determine whether the interaction of SSRIs with platelets can explain their possible cardiovascular benefit in patients with depression. Platelet 5-HT was determined by an immunocytochemical assay and high-pressure liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD). In normal control subjects without cardiovascular disease, 78 ± 8% of platelets were 5-HT-positive (n = 14). Depression caused a significant reduction in platelet 5-HT to 46 ± 21% in untreated patients (n = 13) and 22 ± 13% in SSRI-treated patients (n = 14). As a class, all selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors significantly reduced the 5-HT concentration in patient platelets. An inverse relationship of 5-HT level and dose of medication might be suggested. These results correlated well with 5-HT data from HPLC (r = 0.8509, p < 0.001). SSRIs did not affect platelet aggregation and dense granule release in response to thrombin, but significantly reduced ADP-induced platelet aggregation and dense granule release in both patient and normal control samples. The active inhibition of platelet aggregation by SSRIs might explain their cardiovascular benefit.
Matricellular proteins as modulators of wound healing and the foreign body response
Authors: Kyriakides Themis , Bornstein Paul 
Published: November 2003

SummaryMatricellular proteins form a group of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins that do not subserve a primary structural role, but rather function as modulators of cell-matrix interactions (1). Members of the group, including thrombospondin (TSP) -1, TSP-2, SPARC, tenascin (TN)-C, and osteopontin (OPN), have been shown to participate in a number of processes related to tissue repair. Specifically, studies in knockout mice have indicated that a deficiency in one or more of these proteins can alter the course of wound healing. More recently, TSP1, TSP2, and SPARC have also been implicated in the foreign body response, an unusual reaction to injury that occurs after the implantation of biomaterials. This review will focus on the roles of these proteins in the response to injury in mice and will show how studies of this pathophysiological process can elucidate some of the intrinsic properties of these matricellular proteins.
VOYEZ LES ŒUVRES DE DIEU ÉTUDE STRUCTURELLE DU PSAUME LXVI
Authors: Auffret Pierre 
Published: November 2003

AbstractL'auteur reprend ici, en confrontation avec la proposition de M. Girard, l'étude de la structure littéraire du Psaume lxvi. Il commence par étudier la structure de chacune des unités qui composent chacun des volets 1-8, 9-12, et 13-20, puis celle de chacun d'eux en son ensemble. Suit l'étude structurelle des rapports de chacun avec les deux autres. Le volet central 9-12 étant structuré selon un chiasme, le psaume apparaît finalement structuré lui-même selon un chiasme où 1-8 appellent 13-20 tandis que 9-11a appellent 11b-12.
IN SEARCH OF TREES: ISAIAH XLIV 14 AND ITS IMPLICATIONS
Authors: Sherwin Simon 
Published: November 2003

AbstractIsa. xliv 14 forms part of the longer section Isa. xliv 9-20, one of the anti-idol polemics in Isaiah xl-lv. The verse mentions four different types of tree, two of which are well known, two hapax legomena. The identification of possible species and the confirmation that their provenance was in the West rather than in Babylonia lead to the conclusion that the author of the section was well acquainted with Western geography. An examination of the materials used for Babylonian image manufacture also demonstrates the author's ignorance in this regard. This has implications for the time and place of composition and calls into question the majority view that Isa. xliv 9-20 was composed in Babylonia in the late exilic period.
Water Ingression and Compression Properties of Epoxy Containing Ash Particles with their Surfaces Containing Paraffin Oil Film
Authors: Kishore  , Mahajan S. S. , Kulkarni S. M. 
Published: November 2003

Epoxy system having 10% by vol. of fly ash fillers with their surfaces covered by paraffin oil was made and the responses to exposure by immersion in waterat 75C in one case and water containing smaller amounts of dilute acid in theother were monitored. Weight recordings up to 100 h were noted regularly on thetest coupons exposed to the two media. The samples exposed to 100 h duration were later on subjected to compression test to evaluate the strength. In one case, a set of samples were immersed in water for a prolonged period of 1000 h before subjecting these also to compression tests. The result showed increased absorption in acid bearing medium. The strength of the plain water exposed samples were lower than the dry counterparts. Samples that had an immersion in medium containing acid showed a further but marginaldrop in strength compared to the plain water case. However, the prolonged period plain water immersed sample exhibited considerable drop in strength. These are explained using scanning fractography where surface features of compression failed samples are recorded. The plain water as well as the acid media exposed ones show a plasticised matrix and in some places a cavity-like feature, left bythe separating ash particles, whose number showed a perceptible increase for the acid bearing system compared to the plain water case. Longer exposed samples showed the loss of fly ash due to the surface of the matrix holding them showing a step-like expanded appearance indicating the interfacial regions being affected by the prolonged exposure time. These and other features are discussed in this report.
Reversible Shape Change and Energy Conversion of Semi-Smart Structure Composed of Ti–Ni Alloys and Elastic Metals
Authors: Nagai H. , Ota H. , Oishi R. , Xu Ya , Yoshida H. 
Published: November 2003

Theoretical solutions were derived for reversible shape change and energy conversion of composite materials with embedded Ti–Ni shape memory alloy as sensor and actuator. Coil type composite specimens composed of Ti–Ni alloy and elastic metal were fabricated to compare experimental and analytical results. These materials contain sensor and actuator functions. Four specimens were used. The agreement of numerical results between the analytical and the experimental values were satisfying. The proposed model is simple but very useful in evaluating geometry and force characteristics of shape memory alloys as actuators or sensors.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery XVI: A Treatment for Previously Irradiated Pituitary Adenomas
Authors: Swords F. M. , Allan C. A. , Plowman P. N. , Sibtain A. , Evanson J. , Chew S. L. , Grossman A. B. , Besser G. M. , Monson J. P. 
Published: November 2003

Abstract
We report the use of stereotactic radiosurgery delivered through an adapted linear accelerator [stereotactic multiple arc radiation therapy (SMART)] for pituitary adenomas not cured by conventional therapy. All 21 patients had undergone conventional radiotherapy (45–50 Gy); 18 had also undergone prior surgery. This cohort comprised 13 patients with somatotrope adenomas, four with corticotrope adenomas, one with a lactotrope adenoma, and three with nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (median follow-up: 33 months, range: 3–72 months).
SMART has proven effective, safe, and rapidly acting. We observed an accelerated reduction in GH and IGF-I levels in acromegaly, with normalization of GH and IGF-I levels in 58%. Mean GH fell from 21.1 mU/liter to 7.9 mU/liter (7 ng/ml to 2.6 ng/ml, P &lt; 0.01, median 25 months) faster than our predicted fall to 50% at 2 yr with conventional radiotherapy. Mean IGF-I fell from 624 ng/ml to 384 ng/ml (P &lt; 0.001). Tumor growth was controlled in two of three nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas, and three of four corticotrope adenomas.
There were no adverse effects from SMART. Notably there have been no visual sequelae or further loss of anterior pituitary function in this heavily pretreated group. Our data indicate that SMART is an effective complementary therapy for pituitary adenomas that have displayed a suboptimal response to conventional therapy including external irradiation.
Serum Resistin (FIZZ3) Protein Is Increased in Obese Humans
Authors: Degawa-Yamauchi Mikako , Bovenkerk Jason E. , Juliar Beth Elisa , Watson William , Kerr Kimberly , Jones RoseMarie , Zhu Qihong , Considine Robert V. 
Published: November 2003

Abstract
The role of resistin in obesity and insulin resistance in humans is controversial. Therefore, resistin protein was quantitated by ELISA in serum of 27 lean [13 women/14 men, body mass index (BMI) 21.7 ± 0.4 kg/m2, age 33 ± 2 yr] and 50 obese (37 women/13 men, BMI 49.8 ± 1.5 kg/m2, age 47 ± 1 yr) subjects. There was more serum resistin protein in the obese (mean ± sem: 5.3 ± 0.4 ng/ml; range 1.8–17.9) than lean subjects (3.6 ± 0.4 ng/ml; range 1.5–9.9; P = 0.001). The elevation of serum resistin in obese humans was confirmed by Western blot as was expression of resistin protein in human adipose tissue and isolated adipocytes. There was a significant positive correlation between resistin and BMI (r = 0.37; P = 0.002). Multiple regression analysis with predictors BMI and resistin explained 25% of the variance in homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance score. BMI was a significant predictor of insulin resistance (P = 0.0002), but resistin adjusted for BMI was not (P = 0.11). The data demonstrate that resistin protein is present in human adipose tissue and blood, and that there is significantly more resistin in the serum of obese subjects. Serum resistin is not a significant predictor of insulin resistance in humans.
Somatostatin Receptors 2 and 5 Are the Major Somatostatin Receptors in Insulinomas: An in Vivo and in Vitro Study
Authors: Bertherat J. , Tenenbaum F. , Perlemoine K. , Videau C. , Alberini J. L. , Richard B. , Dousset B. , Bertagna X. , Epelbaum J. 
Published: November 2003

Abstract
Somatostatin (SRIF) receptors (sst) are present on normal pancreatic endocrine β-cells. However, the use of SRIF analogs in the scintigraphic imaging of insulinomas and in the medical management of these tumors seems to be restricted to a subgroup of patients. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of sst expression in vitro and characterize sst subtype binding in insulinomas and its correlation with in vivo sst receptor scintigraphy (SRS). In vitro studies were performed on 27 insulinomas from 25 patients: 22 with benign and three with malignant tumors. Semiquantitative RT-PCR of sst mRNAs was performed for 20 of these insulinomas. Sst2 and sst5 were expressed in 70%, sst1 in 50%, and sst3 and sst4 subtypes only in 15–20% of the tumors. 125I-Tyr0DTrp8SRIF14 binding was assessed by quantitative autoradiography in 18 insulinomas, and competition experiments were performed with SRIF14 and L797–591, L779–976, L796–778, L803–087, L817–818, selective agonists of the five sst subtypes, and BIM23244, a selective agonist of sst2 and sst5. Significant specific binding was observed in 72% of the insulinomas. Displacement experiments with ligands of higher affinity for each of the sst receptors revealed significant binding with the sst2 and sst5 ligands in 72%, sst3 in 44%, sst1 in 44%, and sst4 in 28% of cases. All insulinomas displaying sst2 binding were also sst5 sensitive. However, the ratio of sst5/sst2 displacement was variable and only equal to that for SRIF14 in experiments with the sst2/sst5 agonist BIM23244. SRS was performed 10 times in nine patients; it detected 60% of the tumors, including metastases of a malignant insulinoma. All the tumors detected by SRS displayed high levels of 125I-Tyr0DTrp8SRIF14 binding. The mechanisms underlying the loss of expression of sst2/sst5 in a third of insulinomas remains to be determined, but this loss of expression may be involved in β-cell dysfunction.
Prediction of Bone Mass Density Variation by Bone Remodeling Markers in Postmenopausal Women with Vitamin D Insufficiency Treated with Calcium and Vitamin D Supplementation
Authors: Grados Franck , Brazier Michel , Kamel Saïd , Mathieu Marc , Hurtebize Nathalie , Maamer Mohamed , Garabédian Michèle , Sebert Jean-Luc , Fardellone Patrice 
Published: November 2003

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine whether early changes in bone markers could predict long-term response in bone mineral density (BMD) after calcium (500 mg) and vitamin D (400 IU) supplementation twice daily in ambulatory elderly women with vitamin D insufficiency (25-hydroxyvitamin D, &lt;12 ng/ml). One hundred and ninety-two women (mean age, 75 ± 7 yr) were randomized to receive either the supplementation (n = 95) or a placebo (n = 97) in a double-blind, controlled clinical trial for 1 yr. In comparison with the placebo group, supplementation significantly increased BMD, normalized 25-hydroxyvitamin D and significantly decreased intact PTH and bone remodeling markers. The initial values of telopeptide cross-links were correlated with improvement in total body BMD [urinary N-telopeptides (NTX), r = 0.38; C-telopeptides (CTX), r = 0.32; serum CTX, r = 0.28], and the 3-month changes in the same markers were correlated with improvement in total body (urinary N-telopeptides, r = −0.29; serum CTX, r = −0.26) and vertebral BMD (CTX, r = −0.26; all P &lt; 0.05). We concluded that short-term changes in bone resorption markers can predict long-term variations in BMD in elderly women with vitamin D insufficiency receiving calcium and vitamin D supplementation.
Comparative Efficacy and Side Effects of the Treatment of Euthyroid Goiter with Levo-Thyroxine or Triiodothyroacetic Acid
Authors: Brenta G. , Schnitman M. , Fretes O. , Facco E. , Gurfinkel M. , Damilano S. , Pacenza N. , Blanco A. , Gonzalez E. , Pisarev M. A. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractEuthyroid goiter is usually treated with TSH-inhibitory doses of levo-T4 (l-T4). Because triiodothyroacetic acid (TRIAC) decreases TSH levels, the following study was perfomed: 36 euthyroid goitrous female patients (no cancer or chronic thyroiditis) were randomized to TRIAC (19.6 μg/kg) (n = 19) or l-T4 (1.7 μg/kg) (n = 17) treatment during 11 months. Goiter volume; lumbar and femoral bone mineral density; serum osteocalcin; deoxypyridinoline; TSH; free T4; total, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; and triglycerides were measured before and after the study period. Student’s t test and χ2 analysis were performed. TSH values (microunits per milliliter) in the TRIAC and l-T4 groups were: 1.91 ± 0.6 (basal) and 0.180 ± 0.1 (after) and 2.1 ± 2.5 (basal) and 0.180 ± 0.3 (after), respectively. Thyroid volume decreased 37.9 ± 35.4% in the TRIAC patients and 14.5 ± 39.5% in the l-T4 group (P = 0.069). Forty-two percent of the goiters with TRIAC reduced more than 50% their initial volume vs. 17.7% with l-T4 (P = 0.15). With TRIAC, patients experienced fewer side effects. No differences in the changes of bone mineral density, serum deoxypyridinoline, osteocalcin, or the lipid profile were observed between both groups. The present results show that TRIAC is more effective than l-T4 in the reduction of goiter size, with comparable effects on peripheral parameters.