bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
White lesion in the corneal pigmented ring associated with orthokeratology
Authors: Cheung Sin Wan , Cho Pauline , Cheung Andy 
Published: April 2005

AbstractThe development of the pigmented corneal arc and a white lesion near the inner margin of the arc in a girl wearing overnight orthokeratology (ortho‐k) lenses for myopic control is reported. The girl was examined before and followed up every 6 months after the treatment over a 3‐year period. The initial spherical equivalent refractive error and keratometric readings (flattest/steepest meridians) were −2.37 D and 45.00 D/46.75 D respectively in the right eye and −3.12 D and 45.25 D/46.00 D respectively in the left eye. She was wearing ortho‐k lenses of a four‐zone design made of Boston XO material on a nightly basis. The same lens design was used throughout the monitoring period. Corneal topography showed a rather well‐centred treatment zone but vision varied between visits because of fluctuations in residual refractive error. The corneal condition of each eye was unremarkable except for the presence of the pigmented corneal arc first observed 6 months after the commencement of the treatment. The intensity of the arc did not change over the years in the right eye but increased in the left eye. A faint white lesion within the inner border of the left pigmented arc was first observed at the end of the second year and it became more obvious at the end of the third year. This lesion appears to be similar to those reported in intense Fleischer's rings associated with keratoconus. Although the presence of the arc may have no clinical ramification, the change in the intensity and the development of the white lesion may reflect an increased stress exerted on the cornea with continued ortho‐k lens wear.
Frequency Doubling Technology perimetry and standard automated perimetry in migraine
Authors: Harle Deacon E. , Evans Bruce J. W. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractThe literature suggests that visual field defects may be more common in people who experience migraine. The Humphrey frequency doubling (FDT) visual field instrument selectively examines the magnocellular visual pathway, but has not previously been used to investigate visual function in migraine. In a masked controlled study we compared Humphrey FDT and Humphrey Swedish Interactive Threshold Algorithm fields of 25 migraine sufferers with 25 age‐ and gender‐matched controls. Although both mean deviation and pattern standard deviation were a little worse in the migraine group, these differences did not reach statistical significance. There were no inter‐eye visual field differences in the migraine group compared with controls. Comparing the mean of all the contrast thresholds in each hemisphere, there were no more inter‐hemifield visual field differences in the migraine group compared with controls. There was no significant difference between the migraine and control groups in intra‐ocular pressures. The visual field parameters were not correlated with the interval since the last migraine headache, the severity of migraine headache, the duration of migraine headache or the number of migraine headaches per annum. In our data, there was no evidence of visual field deficits, a magnocellular deficit, or indications of glaucomatous pathology.
Systemic associations of retinal microvascular signs: a review of recent population‐based studies
Authors: Wong Tien Yin , McIntosh Rachel 
Published: April 2005

AbstractRetinal microvascular signs, such as generalized retinal arteriolar narrowing, focal arteriolar narrowing, arteriovenous nicking and retinal haemorrhages, microaneurysms and cotton wool spots, are common fundus findings in the general population, even in individuals without hypertension or diabetes. Recent population‐based studies have provided new insights into the systemic associations and clinical significance of these retinal signs. Studies show that these retinal microvascular signs are strongly associated with elevated blood pressure (BP). Generalized retinal arteriolar narrowing may be associated with markers of inflammation and risk of diabetes and hypertension. Retinal haemorrhages, microaneurysms and cotton wool spots are associated with risk of subclinical and clinical stroke, cognitive impairment, renal dysfunction and cardiovascular mortality, independent of BP and cardiovascular risk factors. A consistent pattern of association between retinal microvascular signs and ischaemic heart disease has not been demonstrated. This suggests that patients with some retinopathy signs (retinal haemorrhages, microaneurysms and cotton wool spots) may benefit from a careful systemic evaluation and, if supported by further research, appropriate risk reduction therapy.
QUALITY OF MEAT PRODUCTS DURING REFRIGERATED AND ULTRA‐CHILLED STORAGE
Authors: SUN SPRING , SINGH R. PAUL , O'MAHONY MICHAEL 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT Standard domestic refrigerators store food between 1 and 5C (33.8–41F). A manufacturer recently developed a refrigerator capable of storing food in the “ultra‐chilled region” (−3 to −7C) and claimed that storage of fresh meat in this region better maintains quality. To understand quality in terms of chemical reaction rates, microbial growth and texture and flavor changes, three common consumer meat products – steak, ground beef patty and salmon – were stored for a selected period of time, as determined by microbial testing, in five refrigerator models with different environmental conditions (constant temperature and temperature fluctuation). At the end of the storage period, consumer panelists assessed the quality of the cooked samples by ranking them according to preference. In addition, instruments were used to measure the color and shear cutting force (for steak only) of each sample. Results from the consumer Ranking R‐Index Test indicate that panelists preferred samples stored under or near ultra‐chilled conditions rather than samples stored under standard refrigerated conditions. The ultra‐chilled samples not only had higher panelist rankings and more favorable comments, but also had lower microbial aerobic plate counts. The instrument readings, however, highly varied and did not correlate well with sensory data.
CULTIVAR AND HARVEST DATE EFFECTS ON FLAVOR AND OTHER QUALITY ATTRIBUTES OF CALIFORNIA STRAWBERRIES
Authors: PELAYO‐ZALDÍVAR CLARA , EBELER SUSAN E. , KADER ADEL A. 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT “Aromas,”“Diamante” and “Selva” strawberries were harvested in early and mid‐season and evaluated for quality attributes, flavor components, fermentative metabolites and physiological characteristics. Preference and flavor tests by consumer panels were also conducted. Cultivar variation was greater than harvest date variation as were differences in color, concentrations of anthocyanins, firmness, total soluble solids, sugars, pH, titratable acidity (TA), organic acids and aroma compounds. “Diamante” and “Selva” had higher aroma quality than “Aromas” fruits. The levels of fermentative metabolites were too low to have an impact on the aroma quality. “Diamante” and “Selva” strawberries had better overall flavor quality and were more preferred by consumers than “Aromas.” These differences were consistent over two harvest dates.
DETERMINATION OF SYNTHETIC COLORANTS IN CONFECTIONERY AND INSTANT DRINK POWDERS CONSUMED IN TURKEY USING UV/VIS SPECTROPHOTOMETRY
Authors: GÜLER ZEHRA 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT One hundred and forty samples of Turkish confectionery and 96 instant drink powders marketed in Turkey, colored with a single colorant, were analyzed for colorants using both quantitative and qualitative UV/VIS spectrophotometer determinations. Six and five synthetic food colorants were determined in confectionery and instant drink powders, respectively. All the synthetic colorants determined in confectionery, except for Erythrosine, are permitted for use by the Turkish Food Codex and European Community (EC). The permitted colorant levels in 63 (43.7%) of 135 confectionery and in 35 (36.45%) of 96 instant drink powder samples were determined to be higher than the maximum tolerable limit in the Turkish Regulations. Continuous surveillance programs may be warranted to monitor regularly the level of colorant in confectionery and instant drink powder consumed, especially by children.
Relationship between Mutations in the
gyrA
Gene and Quinolone Resistance in Clinical Isolates of
Corynebacterium striatum
and
Corynebacterium amycolatum
Authors: Sierra Josep M. , Martinez-Martinez Luis , Vázquez Fernando , Giralt Ernest , Vila Jordi 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT

Quinolone susceptibility was analyzed in 17 clinical isolates of
Corynebacterium striatum
and 9 strains of
Corynebacterium amycolatum
by the E-test method in Mueller-Hinton agar plates. The
C. striatum
ATCC 6940 strain was used as a control strain. The amplified quinolone resistance determining regions of the
gyrA
genes of
C. amycolatum
and
C. striatum
were characterized. Four in vitro quinolone-resistant mutants of
C. amycolatum
were selected and analyzed. Both in vivo and in vitro quinolone-resistant strains of
C. amycolatum
showed high levels of fluoroquinolone resistance in strains with a double mutation leading to an amino acid change in positions 87 and 91 or positions 87 and 88 (unusual mutation) of GyrA, whereas the same concomitant mutations at amino acid positions 87 and 91 in GyrA of
C. striatum
produced high levels of resistance to ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin but only showed a moderate increase in the MIC of moxifloxacin, suggesting that other mechanism(s) of quinolone resistance could be involved in moxifloxacin resistance in
C. amycolatum
. Moreover, a PCR-RFLP-NcoI of the
gyrA
gene was developed to distinguish between
C. amycolatum
and
C. striatum
species.
Virological and Pharmacological Parameters Predicting the Response to Lopinavir-Ritonavir in Heavily Protease Inhibitor-Experienced Patients
Authors: Marcelin Anne-Geneviève , Cohen-Codar Isabelle , King Martin S. , Colson Philippe , Guillevic Emmanuel , Descamps Diane , Lamotte Claire , Schneider Véronique , Ritter Jacques , Segondy Michel , Peigue-Lafeuille Hélène , Morand-Joubert Laurence , Schmuck Anne , Ruffault Annick , Palmer Pierre , Chaix Marie-Laure , Mackiewicz Vincent , Brodard Véronique , Izopet Jacques , Cottalorda Jacqueline , Kohli Evelyne , Chauvin Jean-Pierre , Kempf Dale J. , Peytavin Gilles , Calvez Vincent 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACTThe genotypic inhibitory quotient (GIQ) has been proposed as a way to integrate drug exposure and genotypic resistance to protease inhibitors and can be useful to enhance the predictivity of virologic response for boosted protease inhibitors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictivity of the GIQ in 116 protease inhibitor-experienced patients treated with lopinavir-ritonavir. The overall decrease in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA from baseline to month 6 was a median of −1.50 log10copies/ml and 40% of patients had plasma HIV-1 RNA below 400 copies/ml at month 6. The overall median lopinavir study-stateCminconcentration was 5,856 ng/ml. Using univariate linear regression analyses, both lopinavir GIQ and the number of baseline lopinavir mutations were highly associated with virologic response through 6 months. In the multivariate analysis, only lopinavir GIQ, baseline HIV RNA, and the number of prior protease inhibitors were significantly associated with response. When the analysis was limited to patients with more highly mutant viruses (three or more lopinavir mutations), only lopinavir GIQ remained significantly associated with virologic response. This study suggests that GIQ could be a better predictor of the virologic response than virological (genotype) or pharmacological (minimal plasma concentration) approaches used separately, especially among patients with at least three protease inhibitor resistance mutations. Therapeutic drug monitoring for patients treated by lopinavir-ritonavir would likely be most useful in patients with substantially resistant viruses.
Immunomodulatory Activities of Small Host Defense Peptides
Authors: Bowdish Dawn M. E. , Davidson Donald J. , Scott Monisha G. , Hancock Robert E. W. 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT

Recent studies have demonstrated that in addition to their antimicrobial activity, cationic host defense peptides, like the human cathelicidin LL-37, perform many activities relating to innate immunity, including the induction or modulation of chemokine and cytokine production, alteration of gene expression in host cells, and inhibition of proinflammatory responses of host cells to bacterial components such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vitro and in vivo. To investigate if these properties are shared by smaller peptides, two cathelicidin peptides derived from bovine neutrophils, the 13-mer indolicidin and Bac2A, a linear 12-amino-acid derivative of bactenecin, were compared to the 37-amino-acid peptide LL-37. Indolicidin, like LL-37, inhibited LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) secretion, even when added up to an hour after the addition of
Escherichia coli
O111:B4 LPS to the human macrophage/monocyte-like THP-1 cell line. In contrast, Bac2A demonstrated no significant antiendotoxin activity. At low concentrations, indolicidin and LL-37 acted synergistically to suppress LPS-induced production of TNF-α. Indolicidin was analogous to LL-37 in its ability to induce the production of the chemokine interleukin-8 (IL-8) in a human bronchial cell line, 16HBE14o
−
, but it was unable to induce production of IL-8 in THP-1 cells. In contrast, Bac2A was unable to induce IL-8 in either cell type. Conversely, Bac2A was chemotactic for THP-1 cells at concentrations between 10 and 100 μg/ml, while indolicidin and LL-37 were not chemotactic at these concentrations for THP-1 cells. This indicates that in addition to the potential for direct microbicidal activity, cationic host defense peptides may have diverse and complementary abilities to modulate the innate immune response.
Candida albicans
Zinc Cluster Protein Upc2p Confers Resistance to Antifungal Drugs and Is an Activator of Ergosterol Biosynthetic Genes
Authors: MacPherson Sarah , Akache Bassel , Weber Sandra , De Deken Xavier , Raymond Martine , Turcotte Bernard 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT

The human pathogen
Candida albicans
is responsible for a large proportion of infections in immunocompromised individuals, and the emergence of drug-resistant strains is of medical concern. Resistance to antifungal azole compounds is often due to an increase in drug efflux or an alteration of the pathway for synthesis of ergosterol, an important plasma membrane component in fungi. However, little is known about the transcription factors that mediate drug resistance. In
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
, two highly related transcriptional activators, Upc2p and Ecm22p, positively regulate the expression of genes involved in ergosterol synthesis (
ERG
genes). We have identified a homologue in
C. albicans
of the
S. cerevisiae UPC2
/
ECM22
genes and named it
UPC2
. Deletion of this gene impaired growth under anaerobic conditions and rendered cells highly susceptible to the antifungal drugs ketoconazole and fluconazole. Conversely, overexpression of Upc2p increased resistance to ketoconazole, fluconazole, and fluphenazine. Azole-induced expression of the
ERG
genes was abolished in a Δ
upc2
strain, while basal levels of these mRNAs remained unchanged. Importantly, the purified DNA binding domain of Upc2p bound in vitro to putative sterol response elements in the
ERG2
promoter, suggesting that Upc2p increases the expression of the
ERG
genes by directly binding to their promoters. These results provide an important link between changes in the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway and azole resistance in this opportunistic fungal species.
In Vitro Assessment of the Further Potential for Development of Fluoroquinolone Resistance in
Neisseria meningitidis
Authors: Shultz Tiffany R. , White Peter A. , Tapsall John W. 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT

We examined the potential for the development of fluoroquinolone resistance in
Neisseria meningitidis
by cultivating two clinical isolates of meningococci in the presence of concentrations of ciprofloxacin at and about the predetermined MIC. The quinolone resistance determining regions (QRDRs) of
gyrA
and
parC
of 50 stable quinolone-resistant mutants derived in vitro were sequenced and compared with QRDR alterations reported in clinical isolates of quinolone-resistant meningococci and gonococci. MICs to ciprofloxacin and trovafloxacin were determined and sequence changes were correlated with quinolone MICs. Ciprofloxacin and trovafloxacin MICs of the in vitro-derived quinolone-resistant mutants ranged up to 16 mg/liter. Single GyrA alterations were the first change detected and were accompanied by raised MICs, followed by double GyrA changes and still higher MICs. MICs increased further as single ParC substitutions appeared and these were always in the presence of a single or double GyrA change. GyrA changes occurred at positions 91 and 95 with substitutions of Asp-95→Asn and Thr-91→Ala and Ile. Changes in the
parC
QRDR occurred at positions 85, 86, and 91 with four substitutions, Gly-85→Asp, Asp-86→Asn, Glu-91→Gly, and Glu-91→Lys, detected. The nature of the individual QRDR substitution appeared to influence the level of quinolone resistance expressed, and this varied with the quinolone agent examined. Close similarities occurred between the sequence and nature of QRDR changes in clinical and in vitro-generated quinolone-resistant mutants and with those previously reported for clinical and in vitro-generated quinolone-resistant gonococci. This suggests that quinolone resistance in meningococci may arise in the same manner and reach similar levels in vivo to those seen in quinolone-resistant
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
.
Bactericidal Activity of First-Choice Antibiotics against Gamma Interferon-Induced Persistent Infection of Human Epithelial Cells by
Chlamydia trachomatis
Authors: Reveneau Nathalie , Crane Deborah D. , Fischer Elizabeth , Caldwell Harlan D. 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT

Chlamydia trachomatis
is responsible for clinically important chronic inflammatory diseases of humans, including trachoma and pelvic inflammatory disease. Persistent infection of mucosal sites may contribute to the development of these chronic inflammatory diseases. Standard clinical therapy results in satisfactory cure rates of acute infections; however, chronic infection associated with persistence has been suggested to be less responsive to antibiotic therapy. We report the efficiency of two first-line chlamydial antibiotics, azithromycin and doxycycline, under conditions of eradication of
C. trachomatis
persistent infection using the in vitro model of gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-mediated persistence and reactivation from persistence. Doxycycline was superior in eradicating acute (minimal bactericidal concentration [MBC]
100
= 2.5 to 5.0 μg/ml) compared to persistent (MBC
100
= 10 to 50 μg/ml) infection. In contrast, azithromycin was significantly more effective in eradicating persistent infection (MBC
100
= 2.5 to 5.0 μg/ml) than acute infection (MBC
100
= 10 to 50 μg/ml). The superior bactericidal effect of azithromycin against persistent infection was found to correlate with the enhanced uptake of the drug by IFN-γ-treated infected epithelial cells. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that azithromycin should be a particularly efficacious anti-infective agent for the eradication of IFN-γ-induced chlamydial persistent infection in vivo.
Growth Cycle-Dependent Pharmacodynamics of Antichlamydial Drugs
Authors: Siewert Katrin , Rupp Jan , Klinger Matthias , Solbach Werner , Gieffers Jens 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT
Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular pathogens that exhibit an extensive intracellular developmental cycle in vivo. Clinical treatment of chlamydial infection is typically initiated upon occurrence of symptomatology and is directed against an asynchronous population of different chlamydial developmental forms. Pharmacodynamics of antichlamydial drugs are predominantly characterized by MICs; however, in vitro determinations of MIC may not reflect differential susceptibilities of the developmental cycle. In this study, we correlated the antichlamydial effect of erythromycin, rifampin, doxycycline, and ciprofloxacin with the developmental stage of a fast-replicating and a slow-replicating chlamydial species. In addition, we describe the influence of concentration on killing. Extracellular elementary bodies and very-early-phase and late-phase chlamydiae were refractory to all tested antibiotics except rifampin, which was very effective against early-cycle chlamydiae. Rifampin was the most effective antibiotic overall, killed in a dose dependent matter, and exhibited moderate synergism with erythromycin. These considerations provide important information on chlamydial biology and antimicrobial susceptibility. A combinational therapy of rifampin and a macrolide should be considered in therapy-refractory infections.
Measurement of Intracellular Didanosine and Tenofovir Phosphorylated Metabolites and Possible Interaction of the Two Drugs in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Patients
Authors: Pruvost Alain , Negredo Eugènia , Benech Henri , Theodoro Frédéric , Puig Jordi , Grau Eulàlia , García Elisabet , Moltó José , Grassi Jacques , Clotet Bonaventura 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACTRecent work has demonstrated the existence of a systemic interaction between didanosine (ddI) and tenofovir disoproxyl fumarate (TDF) that leads to a significant increase in plasma ddI levels when coadministered with TDF (40 to 50% increase). These two drugs are, respectively, nucleoside and nucleotide analogues of adenosine and efficiently inhibit the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reverse transcriptase when transformed to their triphosphate moieties in the intracellular (IC) medium (ddA-TP and TFV-DP, respectively). Since ddI and TDF partly share the same IC metabolic pathway leading to the active triphosphates, we investigated a putative IC interaction. We used high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry techniques to determine ddA-TP and TFV-DP IC levels in HIV-infected patients cotreated with both drugs, in comparison with patients treated with just one of the two drugs. These measurements revealed no significant differences in IC levels of the corresponding triphosphates when ddI (250 mg, once a day [QD]) was coadministered with TDF (300 mg, QD) compared to ddI 400 mg (QD) administered without TDF, thus supporting the dose adaptation proposed for this combination. However, we observed that both ddA-TP and TFV-DP have very long IC half-lives, resulting in unusual IC pharmacokinetic profiles with no significant changes in triphosphate concentrations between two dosings. In the case of TFV-DP, thist1/2of elimination was roughly estimated to be 180 h (7.5 days). This characteristic is certainly interesting in terms of efficacy but could have some drawbacks in terms of virus resistance for patients discontinuing these drugs.