bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficiency of combined methotrexate/chloroquine therapy in adjuvant‐induced arthritis
Authors: Silva M.A.R.C.P. , Ishii‐Iwamoto E.L. , Bracht A. , Caparroz‐Assef S.M. , Kimura E. , Cuman R.K.N. , Bersani‐Amado C.A. 
Published: July 2005

AbstractThe present study evaluates the effects of methotrexate (MTX) and chloroquine (CQ), and of combined MTX + CQ treatment, on the inflammatory response and on plasma and liver phosphatase and transaminase activities, employing an adjuvant‐induced arthritis model in rats. Arthritis was induced by the intradermal injection of a suspension of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in mineral oil into the plantar surface of the hind paws. Development of the inflammatory response was assessed over a 21‐day period. Animal groups received either: (i) MTX, administered i.p., weekly, in 0.15, 1.5, 3, 6 or 12 mg/kg doses; (ii) CQ, given intragastrically, in daily 25 or 50 mg/kg doses; or (iii) MTX + CQ, administered in two combinations (MTX1.5 mg/kg + CQ50 mg/kg, or MTX6 mg/kg + CQ50 mg/kg). At the end of the experimental period, the animals were anesthetized and killed, blood and liver samples were collected and prepared for measurement of acid and alkaline phosphatase (AP, ALP), and aspartate (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities. MTX at 6 and 12 mg/kg reduced the inflammatory response while CQ had no effect. MTX6 mg/kg + CQ50 mg/kg reduced the inflammatory response similar to MTX12 mg/kg, without affecting the bone marrow. Plasma AP and liver ALP activities were very elevated in the arthritic rats. While MTX treatment partially reduced both plasma AP and liver ALP activities at all doses used in the arthritic rats, CQ treatment reduced plasma AP, but increased liver AP activity. MTX + CQ treatment decreased plasma AP and liver ALP activities in the arthritic rats to control values. Plasma and liver AST activities were unaltered in the arthritic rats, and were unaffected by treatment. However, plasma and liver ALT activities were significantly reduced in the arthritic rats. While MTX or CQ treatment did not alter plasma transaminase activity in the arthritic rats, after MTX + CQ treatment, plasma ALT activity returned to normal values. In conclusion, the present data suggest that MTX + CQ treatment provides more effective anti‐inflammatory protection against adjuvant‐induced arthritis than does MTX alone, reverting the alterations in enzyme activities induced by this inflammatory disease in rats.
Minor abnormalities of renal function: a situation requiring integrated management of cardiovascular risk
Authors: Segura Julian , Ruilope Luis M. 
Published: July 2005

AbstractChanges in renal function related with essential hypertension are associated with an elevated cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Indices of altered renal function (e.g. microalbuminuria, increased serum creatinine concentrations, decrease in estimated creatinine clearance or overt proteinuria) are independent predictors of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The Framingham Heart Study documented the relevance of proteinuria for cardiovascular prognosis in the community. The Intervention as a Goal in Hypertension Treatment (INSIGHT) Study assessed the role of proteinuria as a very powerful risk factor. It has also been shown that microalbuminuria along with primary hypertension poses a high risk for cardiovascular diseases. Recent data indicate that even minor derangements of renal function are associated with the clustering of cardiovascular risk factors observed in metabolic syndrome, that promote progression of atherosclerosis. All these parameters should be routinely evaluated in clinical practice, and considered in any stratification of cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients. The high prevalence of chronic kidney disease in the general and in the hypertensive populations implies the need for an integrative therapeutic approach to fully protect renal and cardiovascular systems simultaneously.
Use of the Atad catheter for the induction of labour in women who have had a previous Caesarean section – a case series
Authors: MILLER Trent David , DAVIS Gregory 
Published: July 2005

AbstractThe induction of labour of women with an unfavourable cervix who have had a previous Caesarean section, is challenging. Eight women who had a Caesarean section in a previous pregnancy had labour induced with an Atad catheter. Six out of eight women achieved labour, and two out of these six women had a vaginal delivery. An Atad catheter is an option for women needing induction of labour with an unfavourable cervix who have had a Caesarean section previously and are motivated to have a vaginal delivery.
Management of recurrent epithelial ovarian carcinoma
Authors: VASEY Paul A. 
Published: July 2005

AbstractDespite the standardisation of surgical techniques and significant progress in chemotherapeutics over the last 30 years, advanced epithelial ovarian cancer remains the most lethal gynaecological malignancy in the western world. Although the majority of women achieve a remission following primary therapy, most patients with advanced stage disease will eventually relapse and become candidates for ‘salvage’ therapy. The chances of a further remission depend on factors such as the ‘treatment‐free interval’, and there are now a large number of chemotherapy agents with activity in ovarian cancer available to the oncologist. Recent randomised studies have reported on survival benefits for chemotherapy in recurrent disease, and therefore careful and appropriate selection of treatments has assumed a greater importance. This article reviews the most current data, and discusses the factors involved in making individualised treatment decisions.
Molecular Mechanisms of Microtubular Organelle Assembly in Tetrahymena
Authors: GAERTIG JACEK 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACT.Thanks to recent technological advances, the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila has emerged as an attractive model organism for studies on the assembly of microtubular organelles in a single cell. Tetrahymena assembles 17 types of distinct microtubules, which are localix.ed in cilia, cell cortex, nuclei, and the endoplasm. These diverse microtubules have distinct morphologies, stabilities, and associations with specific Microtubule‐Assoeiated Proteins. For example, kinesin‐111, a microtubular motor protein, is required for assembly of cilia and is preferentially targeted to microtubules of actively assembled, immature cilia. It is unlikely that the unique properties of individual microtubules are derived from the utilization of diverse tubulin genes, because Tetrahymena expresses only a single isotype of α‐and two isotypes of β‐tubulin. However, Tetrahymena tubulins are modified secondarily by a host of post‐translational mechanisms. Each microtubule organelle type displays a unique set of secondary tubulin modifications. The results of systematic in vivo mutational analyses of modification sites indicate a divergence in significance among post‐translational mechanisms affecting either α‐or β‐tubulin. Both acetylation and polyglycylation of α‐tubulin are not essential and their complete elimination does not change the cell's phenotype in an appreciable way. However, the multiple polyglycylation sites on β‐tubulin are essential for survival, and their partial elimination dramatically affects cell motility, growth and morphology. Thus, both high‐precision targeting of molecular motors to individual organelles as well as organelle‐specific tubulin modifications contribute to the creation of diverse microtubules in a single cytoplasm of Tetrahymena.
Ancient Weapons for Attack and Defense: the Pore‐forming Polypeptides of Pathogenic Enteric and Free‐living Amoeboid Protozoa1
Authors: LEIPPE MATTHIAS , HERBST ROSA 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACTPore‐forming polypeptides have been purified from several amoeboid protozoans that are well‐known human pathogens. Obligate enteric parasites, such as Entamoeba histolytica, and free‐living but potentially highly pathogenic species, such as Naegleria fowleri, contain these cytolytic molecules inside cytoplasmic granules. Comprehensive functional and structural studies have been conducted that include isolation of the proteins from their natural sources, monitoring of their biological activity towards different targets, and molecular cloning of the genes of their precursors. In the case of the most prominent member of the protein family, with respect to protozoans, the three‐dimensional structure of amoebapore A was solved recently. The amoebic pore‐forming polypeptides can rapidly perforate human cells. The antibacterial activity of amoebapores and of related polypetides from free‐living protozoa points to a more vital function of these molecules: inside the digestive vacuoles they combat growth of phagocytosed bacteria which are killed when their cytoplasmic membranes are permeabilized. The concommitant activity of these proteins towards host cells may be due to a coincidental selection for an efficient effector molecule. Nonetheless, several lines of evidence indicate that these factors are involved in pathogenesis of fatal diseases induced by amoeboid protozoa.
Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis Places Percolomonas cosmopolites within Heterolobosea: Evolutionary Implications
Authors: NIKOLAEV SERGEY I. , MYLNIKOV ALEXANDRE P. , BERNEY CEDRIC , FAHRNI JOSE , PAWLOWSKI JAN , ALESHIN VLADIMIR V. , PETROV NIKOLAY B. 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACT Percolomonas cosmopolitus is a common free‐living flagellate of uncertain phylogenetic position that was placed within the Heterolobosea on the basis of ultrastructure studies. To test the relationship between Percolomonas and Heterolobosea, we analysed the primary structure of the actin and small‐subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) genes of P. cosmopolitus as well as the predicted secondary structure of the SSU rRNA. Percolomonas shares common secondary structure patterns of the SSU rRNA with heterolobosean taxa, which, together with the results of actin gene analysis, confirms that it is closely related to Heterolobosea. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on the sequences of the SSU rRNA gene suggest Percolomonas belongs to the family Vahlkampliidae. The first Bayesian analysis of a large taxon sampling of heterolobosean SSU rRNA genes clarifies the phylogenetic relationships within this group.
Co‐infection of the Macronucleus ofParamecium caudatumby Free‐Living Bacteria Together with the InfectiousHolospora obtusa
Authors: FOKIN SERGEI O. , SKOVORODKIN ILYA N. , SCHWEIKERT MICHAEL , GÖRTZ HANS‐D. 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACTInfection experiments were performed incubatingParamecium caudatumwith non‐infectious free‐living bacteria or weakly infectious intracellular bacteria together with the infectiousHolospora obtusa. Two of four non‐infectious free‐living bacteria (Enterobacter aerogenesandKlebsiella pneumoniae) were found to get into the nuclei when added toParameciumtogether withH. obtusa. The endonuclear bacteriumNonospora macronucleatathat is weakly infectious by itself increases its infectivity when presented together with the infectious holosporas. The results provide evidence thatH. obtusamay facilitate entry of other, non‐infectious bacteria into the nuclei ofParamecium.
Inhibition of Vorticetta microstoma Stalk Formation by Wheat Germ Agglutinin
Authors: BRAMUCCI MICHAEL G. , NAGARAJAN VASANTHA 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACTFluorescently labeled conjugates of wheat germ agglutinin and concanavalin A stained the contractile stalk but not the cell body of Vorticetta microstoma trophonts. Binding of the fluorescent conjugants did not noticeably alter the activity of the trophonts. However, unconjugated wheat germ agglutinin prevented free swimming telotrochs from adhering to a glass surface and deploying a contractile stalk during differentiation into trophonts. These observations indicated that the stalk, the material that binds the stalk to surfaces, and the precursors for these components have saccharide residues in common.
A Molecular Biological Approach to the Phylogenetic Position of the Genus Hyperamoeba
Authors: WALOCHNIK JULIA , MICHEL ROLF , ASPÖCK HORST 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACTIn 1923 Alexeieff described a new amoebic species within a new genus and named it Hyperamoeba flagellata. This amoeba exhibits three life cycle stages, an amoeboid trophozoite, a flagellated stage, and a cyst‐like the heteroloboseans, the mastigamoebae, and several slime moulds. Since then more strains have been isolated and relationships to the protostelids and cercomonads and to the myxogastrid plasmodial slime moulds have been suggested. However, up to now the classification and phylogenetic position of the hyperamoebae has remained unclear. The aim of our study was to make an approach to the phylogeny of the genus Hyperamoeba with combined morphological and molecular biological data. Since 1988 we have isolated and collected Hyperamoeba‐like, strains from different aquatic and terrestrial sources. The 18S rDNA‐sequences of 8 new Hyperamoeba strains isolated from various habitats were analysed and a cluster analysis was performed including all other available hyperamoebae. Altogether, the results of our study corroborate the relatedness of Hyperamoeba to various slime moulds. However, the hyperamoebae do not seem to be a monophyletic group, clearly putting the validity of the genus Hyperamoeba into question.
Pyruvate Formate Lyase (PFL) and PFL Activating Enzyme in the Chytrid FungusNeocallimastix frontalis: A Free‐Radical Enzyme System Conserved Across Divergent Eukaryotic Lineages1
Authors: GELIUS‐DIETRICH GABRIEL , HENZE KATRIN 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACTFermentative formate production involves the activity of pyruvate formate lyase, an oxygen‐sensitive enzyme that employs a glycyl radical in its reaction mechanism. While common among anaerobic prokaryotes, this enzyme has so far been found in only two distantly related eukaryotic lineages, anaerobic chytridiomycetes and chlorophytes. Sequence comparisons of homologues from the chytridiomycetesPiromycesandNeocallimastix, the chlorophyteChlamydomonas, and numerous prokaryotes suggest a single, eubacterial origin of eukaryotic pyruvate formate lyases. Pyruvate formate lyase activating enzyme introduces the glycyl radical into the pyruvate formate lyase protein chain. We discovered this enzyme, which had not previously been reported from eukaryotes, in the same two eukaryotic lineages and show that it shares a similar evolutionary history to pyruvate formate lyase. Sequences with high homology to pyruvate formate lyase activating enzyme were identified in the genomes of the anaerobic protozoan parasitesTrichomonas vaginalis, Entamoeba histolytica, andGiardia intestinalis. While the occurrence of pyruvate formate lyase activating enzyme together with pyruvate formate lyase in fungi and chlorophytes was to be expected, the target protein of a glycyl radical enzyme‐activating enzyme in these protozoa remains to be identified.
Age‐related differential expression of apoptosis‐related genes in conjunctival epithelial cells
Authors: Giebel Jürgen , Woenckhaus Christian , Fabian Michael , Tost Frank 
Published: July 2005

Abstract.Purpose:  To investigate whether the expression of apoptosis‐related genes in normal conjunctival epithelial cells is age‐related (as a prerequisite to assessing whether dysregulation of apoptosis may be involved during degenerative diseases). Methods:  Differential expression of apoptosis‐related genes (e.g. apoptosis protease‐activating factor 1 [Apaf‐1]; caspases [casp] 3, 5, 8 and 9; Bad, Bax, Bcl‐2, Bim, c‐myc, Bag‐1, as well as p53) was assessed by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Samples were obtained from impression cytology (IC) specimens taken from 50 healthy subjects. Group A comprised 27 subjects aged 19−32 years and group B included 23 subjects aged 53−84 years. Results:  Reverse transcription‐PCR revealed the detection of apoptosis‐related m‐RNAs as follows (group A compared to group B): Apaf‐1 0%/0%; Bcl‐2 0%/35%; Bim 0%/9%; Bag‐1 0%/9%; p53 0%/4%; casp‐3 11%/52%; casp‐5 59%/48%; casp‐8 44%/22%; casp‐9 4%/9%; Bax 81%/52%; Bad 96%/56%, and c‐myc 89%/96%. Conclusion:  The data show an age‐related expression of apoptosis‐related genes such as casp‐3, Bad, Bax and Bcl‐2 in normal conjunctival cells. These results provide basic information which will help us understand the expression pattern of apoptotic genes during physiological ageing of the conjunctiva and the possible dysregulation of apoptotic genes during acute and chronic diseases such as dry eye disease, allergic conjunctivitis or cicatrizing conjunctivitis.
Ptosis of submental skin
Authors: Setaro M. , Abella M. L. , Sparavigna A. , Lévêque J. L. 
Published: July 2005

Background/purpose: Sagging of the face skin is a visible and unattractive characteristic of skin ageing. This phenomenon, due to both gravitational force and age‐related alterations in the mechanical properties of skin, has never been quantitatively studied. The aim of this paper was, first, to define a method and a precise procedure allowing the objective measurement of this phenomenon and, second, to study how it is related to age.Methods: We used an electronically controlled bed that allows the comparison of submental skin profiles in both the reclined and the upright positions. A parameter that characterises the sagging amplitude for an individual was defined and the reproducibility of measurement of this parameter was verified.Results: Results, obtained from 66 female volunteers, demonstrated a statistically significant positive correlation between this new parameter and age, and also between this new parameter and the elastic recovery parameter of skin, as measured by torquemeter.Conclusion: Age‐related changes of the skin's mechanical properties and of the various underlying skin tissues would explain this phenomenon. This new method and procedure should allow objective evaluation of the efficacy of any treatments (cosmetic, medical or surgical) proposed for rendering the appearance of people younger.
Exploring the influence of skin perfusion on transepidermal water loss
Authors: Rodrigues Luís Monteiro , Pinto Pedro Contreiras , Magro José Martins , Fernandes Milene , Alves José 
Published: July 2005

Background: Eventual relationships between the vascular function and transepidermal water loss (TEWL), in vivo, have not been entirely explored. By promoting local perfusion alterations through a well‐known challenge test, the ‘tourniquet‐cuff occlusion’ manoeuvre, the present study searches for other dynamical factors influencing the cutaneous barrier, further exploring the applicability of these flow‐related variables in dermatological research.Methods: By applying the tourniquet‐cuff manoeuvre to a group of healthy volunteers (n=20), transcutaneous (tc) gases (pO2–pCO2), LDF (laser doppler flowmetry) and TEWL were considered as representing the dynamical aspects under study and measured non‐invasively.Results and conclusion: An haemodynamical relationship between tcpO2 and LDF in the post‐occlusive period was clearly identified, defining the autoregulatory index as a numerical descriptor of the local metabolic‐flow adjustment under stress. TEWL was also significantly affected by the manoeuvre, especially during the post‐occlusive period, although no significant relationships between TEWL and other tc variables could be found. The present findings seem to suggest that, under the present experimental conditions, local haemodynamics may also influence TEWL measurements and the skin barrier.
Experiments on peeling adhesive tapes from human forearms
Authors: Karwoski A. C. , Plaut R. H. 
Published: July 2005

Background/purpose: Peeling of adhesive tape from human skin can cause pain and trauma. The effects of the peel angle, peel rate, dwell time, subject, and order of testing were examined.Methods: Adhesive tape was peeled from the volar forearms of four human subjects. The tape was 25.4‐mm‐wide DuraporeTM by 3M. The rates ranged from 100 to 10,000 mm/min, the peel angle from 90° to 180°, and the dwell time from one to 15 min. The tensile testing machines recorded the peel force and the displacement of the end of the tape.Results: A range of maximum and average peel force values was observed. The peel force tended to be minimum for a peel angle around 150° in most cases. As the peel rate was increased, the peel force generally tended to increase slightly, but the relationship was erratic. As the dwell time increased, the peel force increased and then settled down. Of the subjects tested, the skin of the oldest subject experienced the most displacement and highest peel forces (the maximum force over all tests was 3.6 N). The peel force tended to increase with repeated peeling from the same skin site. Compared with peeling from a rigid substrate such as steel, the peel force from skin was lower.Conclusion: The results improve understanding of the factors affecting the peel force, which has been correlated previously with trauma caused by peeling adhesive tape from skin.
STABLE CONTINUOUS SPECTRA FOR DIFFERENTIAL OPERATORS OF ARBITRARY ORDER
Authors: BARO M. , DEMUTH M. , GIERE E. 
Published: July 2005

Perturbations of the continuous spectra of two self-adjoint operators H0 and H can be controlled by sandwiched differences of the form [Formula: see text] where ϕj(·) are bounded functions of the operators involved. If ϕj(H0) and ϕj(H) are integral operators, we give general integral conditions for the kernels, such that the continuous, the absolutely continuous and the singular continuous spectra of H0 and H coincide. The abstract operator theoretical conditions are applied for H0 in L 2(ℝd) of the form (-Δ)α/2, α∈ (0,2) and (-Δ)m, m∈ℕ. H is given as a perturbation of H0, where we allow perturbations by variable coefficients, potentials or obstacles.
Emergence of Cooperation: State of the Art
Authors: Nitschke Geoff 
Published: July 2005

This review presents a review of prevalent results within research pertaining to emergent cooperation in biologically inspired artificial social systems. Results reviewed maintain particular reference to biologically inspired design principles, given that current mathematical and empirical tools have provided only a partial insight into elucidating mechanisms responsible for emergent cooperation, and then only in systems of an abstract nature. This review aims to provide an overview of important and disparate research contributions that investigate utilization of biologically inspired concepts such as emergence, evolution, and self-organization as a means of attaining cooperation in artificial social systems. An introduction and overview of emergent cooperation in artificial life is presented, followed by a survey of emergent cooperation in swarm-based systems, the pursuit-evasion domain, and RoboCup soccer. The final section draws conclusions regarding future directions of emergent cooperation as a problem-solving methodology that is potentially applicable in a wide range of problem domains. Within each of these sections and their respective themes of research, the mechanisms deemed to be responsible for emergent cooperation are elucidated and their key limitations highlighted. The review concludes that current studies in emergent cooperative behavior are limited by a lack of situated and embodied approaches, and by the research infancy of current biologically inspired design approaches. Despite these limiting factors, emergent cooperation maintains considerable future potential in a wide variety of application domains where systems composed of many interacting components must cooperatively perform unanticipated global tasks.