bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glycoproteomic analysis of WGA‐bound glycoprotein biomarkers in sera from patients with lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Hongsachart Piyorot , Huang‐Liu Rosa , Sinchaikul Supachok , Pan Fu‐Ming , Phutrakul Suree , Chuang Yu‐Min , Yu Chong‐Jen , Chen Shui‐Tein
Published: March 2009

Differential protein expression profiles in the serum samples from patients with lung adenocarcinoma may be associated with glycosylation during cancer development. In this study, we used various glycoproteomic approaches to investigate the different glycoproteomic profiles of human normal and lung adenocarcinoma serum samples and to investigate putative altered glycoprotein biomarkers. In our preliminary screening, FITC‐labeled lectin staining was used for the detection of specific glycoprotein profiles. wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) lectin had the highest level of specific binding to glycoproteins in both samples. We enriched for glycoproteins in the serum samples using WGA lectin affinity and then performed co‐immunoprecipitation with anti‐haptoglobin and 2‐DE, 2‐D difference in‐gel electrophoresis and MS analyses. From these analyses, we identified 39 differentially expressed proteins, including 27 up‐regulated proteins and 12 down‐regulated proteins. Bioinformatics tools were used to search for protein ontology, category classifications and prediction of glycosylation sites. In addition, three up‐regulated glycoproteins (adiponectin, cerulolasmin and glycosylphosphatidyl‐inositol‐80) and two down‐regulated glycoproteins (cyclin H and Fyn) that were found to be correlated with lung cancer development were validated by Western blot analysis. We suggest that these altered glycoproteins may be useful as biomarkers for lung cancer development and progression.
Hippocampal long‐term potentiation is enhanced in urethane‐anesthetized RGS2 knockout mice
Authors: Hutchison R. Matthew , Chidiac Peter , Leung L. Stan
Published: March 2009

RGS2 is a member of the regulator of G‐protein signaling (RGS) family and has been implicated in cellular mechanisms associated with neuronal plasticity. Long‐term potentiation (LTP) of RGS2 knockout and wild‐type mice was examined at the Schaffer collaterals to CA1 pathway in urethane‐anesthetized mice in vivo to examine RGS2's possible role in the regulation of potentiation. As compared to wild‐type mice, RGS2 knockouts demonstrated much stronger LTP of the extracellular population spikes at the somatic and dendritic layers in CA1 region and more pronounced LTP of the population excitatory postsynaptic current sink. Under baseline conditions, RGS2 knockouts showed lower paired‐pulse facilitation of the excitatory postsynaptic potentials and associated current sinks in vivo as compared with wild‐type mice. The data show for the first time that RGS2 deficient mice in vivo differ from wild‐type mice in both short‐term and long‐term synaptic plasticity suggesting that RGS2 serves as a negative regulator of long‐term synaptic plasticity. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immunotherapy with cytokine induced killer cells in solid and hematopoietic tumours: a pilot clinical trial
Authors: Olioso Paola , Giancola Raffaella , Di Riti Maria , Contento Alessandro , Accorsi Patrizia , Iacone Antonio
Published: March 2009

Background and Objectives: CIK cells are a novel population of efficient immune effector cells with high antitumour activity mainly due to the high proliferation of CD3+CD56+ cells, so may play a role in the development of new forms of adoptive cellular immunotherapy. We started a pilot clinical trial with autologous CIK cells in patients with refractory lymphoma and metastatic solid tumours. This study was aimed at determining the feasibility of generating a sufficient number of CIK cells in heavily pretreated patients and at assessing treatment toxicity. Design and Methods: CIK cells were generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNC) and incubated in the presence of IFN‐γ followed by OKT3 and IL‐2. Treatment schedule consisted of three cycles of CIK cells infusions at an interval of 3 weeks. Results: At present 12 patients were enrolled: 6 advanced lymphomas, 5 metastatic kidney carcinoma and 1 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The median number of transferred cells per patient was 28 × 109 (range, 6–61). Protocol adherence was excellent and the toxicity profile was favourable. After CIK cells infusion, the absolute median count of lymphocytes, CD3+, CD8+ and CD3+CD56+ cells significantly increased in patient's peripheral blood. Clinical outcome appeared promising: three patients had complete response (CR) and two patients had stabilization of disease with a median follow‐up of 33 months (range, 9–44). Interpretations and Conclusions: These preliminary data showed that adoptive immunotherapy with CIK cells is a safe therapy with some suggestion of efficacy that significantly enhances immune functions increasing absolute numbers of effector cells without side effects. If confirmed in larger scale studies, these promising results may have a favourable impact on conventional treatment strategy of malignancies. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Physiological comparison of Pseudomonas putida between two growth phases during cometabolism of 4‐chlorophenol in presence of phenol and glutamate: a proteomics approach
Authors: Cao Bin , Loh Kai‐Chee
Published: March 2009

BACKGROUND: In cometabolic transformation of 4‐chlorophenol (4‐cp) in the presence of phenol and sodium glutamate (SG), a new biphasic growth pattern has been reported. This study investigates the physiological changes of Pseudomonas putida P8 during the biphasic growth by means of 2‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (2‐DE) and MALDI‐TOF analyses.

RESULTS: A total of 49 protein spots were selected and identified in the 2‐DE gels from P. putida P8 grown on a mixed substrate containing 200 mg L−1 of phenol, 200 mg L−1 of 4‐cp and 1000 mg L−1 SG. Among them, 16 protein spots were found differentially expressed in the two exponential growth phases during the biphasic growth, including six catabolic enzymes (DmpC, DmpD, DmpE, DmpF, DmpG and AspA) for substrate utilization. The expression of other proteins involved in detoxification and stress responses, carbohydrate and energy metabolism, and environmental information processing as well as a multifunctional xenobiotic reductase (XenA) was quantitatively analyzed and discussed.

CONCLUSION: The expression levels of the identified catabolic enzymes during growth in the two growth phases correlated well with the substrate utilization patterns observed in previous kinetics studies. Furthermore, the results show that cells growing on a mixture of aromatic substrates undergo significant physiological changes. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Use of rosemary and Hibiscus sabdariffa in production of kavurma, a cooked meat product
Authors: Bozkurt Hüseyin , Belibaǧlı K Bülent
Published: March 2009

BACKGROUND: Spices are used in different types of foods to improve flavours and are well known for their antioxidant properties. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of rosemary and Hibiscus sabdariffa on the quality attributes of kavurma, a cooked meat product.

RESULTS: pH values of samples remained constant (P > 0.05) at about 6.35 during the cooking period, and addition of H. sabdariffa, rosemary or butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) did not significantly affect pH values (P > 0.05). However, addition of antioxidants decreased (P < 0.05) thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substance (TBARS) values, the highest values being observed in control samples. Lightness (Hunter L) values of control samples increased (P < 0.05) from 28.79 to 37.91 during the first 20 min of cooking. Hunter a and b values were significantly affected (P < 0.05) by process time and addition of antioxidants. Addition of BHT, rosemary or H. sabdariffa did not affect the overall sensory attributes of kavurma during the cooking process.

CONCLUSION: Colour values changed during the cooking process, mainly as a result of browning reactions. Addition of rosemary or H. sabdariffa enhanced the colour attributes of kavurma during cooking. Rosemary and H. sabdariffa could be used to modify the quality characteristics and obtain kavurma with a low TBARS value and probably a longer shelf‐life. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Somatostatin and gentamicin‐induced auditory hair cell loss
Authors: Caelers Antje , Monge Arianne , Brand Yves , Bodmer Daniel
Published: March 2009

Objective/Hypothesis:

Hair cells of the mammalian auditory system do not regenerate, and therefore their loss leads to irreversible hearing loss. Aminoglycosides, among other substances, can irreversibly damage hair cells. Somatostatin, a peptide with hormone/neurotransmitter properties, has neuroprotective effects by binding to its receptor. In this study, we tested whether somatostatin can protect hair cells from gentamicin‐induced damage in vitro.

Study Design:

This study confirmed the expression of somatostatin receptor mRNA within the cochlea and analyzed the effect of somatostatin on gentamicin‐induced hair cell damage and death in vitro.

Methods:

Expression of somatostatin receptor mRNA in the rat cochlea was analyzed by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Protection of auditory hair cells from gentamicin was tested using two different concentrations (1 μM and 5 μM, respectively) of somatostatin.

Results:

We detected somatostatin receptor‐1 and ‐2 mRNA and in the organ of Corti (OC), spiral ganglion, and stria vascularis by RT‐PCR. Moreover, we could see significantly less hair cell loss in the OCs that were pretreated with either 1 μM or 5 μM of somatostatin as compared with samples treated with gentamicin alone.

Conclusions:

Decreased hair cell loss in somatostatin‐treated samples that had been exposed to gentamicin provides evidence for a protective effect of somatostatin in aminoglycoside‐induced hair cell death in vitro.
Optical Waveguide Spectroscopy for the Investigation of Protein‐Functionalized Hydrogel Films
Authors: Aulasevich Alena , Roskamp Robert F. , Jonas Ulrich , Menges Bernhard , Dostálek Jakub , Knoll Wolfgang
Published: March 2009

This article reports the implementation of optical waveguide spectroscopy (OWS) for the quantitative time‐resolved observation of changes in the swelling behavior and mass density of protein‐functionalized hydrogel films. In the experiment, a thin film of an N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm)‐based polymer that supported optical waveguide modes is attached to a metallic sensor surface. IgG molecules are in situ immobilized in this gel by using novel coupling chemistry with a charge‐attraction scheme based on a tetrafluorophenol sulfonate active ester. The anti‐fouling properties of the functionalized hydrogel network and the kinetics of the affinity binding of protein molecules in the gel are investigated.

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Infrared multiphoton dissociation in quadrupole ion traps
Authors: Brodbelt Jennifer S. , Wilson Jeffrey J.
Published: March 2009

The development of new ion activation techniques continues to be a dynamic area of scientific discovery, in part to complement the tremendous innovations in ionization methods that have allowed the mass spectrometric analysis of an enormous array of molecules. Ion activation/dissociation provides key information about ion structures, binding energies, and differentiation of isomers, as well as affording a primary means of identifying compounds in mixtures. Numerous new activation methods have emerged over the past two decades in an effort to develop alternatives to collisional activated dissociation, the gold standard for providing structurally diagnostic fragmentation patterns. Collisional activated dissociation does not always offer sufficiently high or controllable energy deposition, thus rendering it less useful for certain classes of molecules, such as large proteins or macromolecular complexes. Photodissociation is one of the most promising alternatives and is readily implemented in ion trapping and time‐of‐flight mass spectrometers. Photodissociation generally entails using a laser to irradiate ions with UV, visible, or IR photons, thus resulting in internal energy deposition based on the number and wavelengths of the photons. The activation process can be extremely rapid and efficient, as well as having the potential for high total energy deposition. This review describes infrared multiphoton dissociation in quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry. A comparison of photodissociation and collisional activated dissociation is covered, in addition to some of the methods to increase photodissociation efficiency. Numerous applications of IRMPD are discussed as well, including ones related to the analysis of drugs, peptides, nucleic acids, and oligosaccharides. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 28:390–424, 2009
Neutral and ion thermochemistry: Its present status and significance
Authors: Holmes John L. , Aubry Christiane
Published: March 2009

This short account outlines the sources of thermochemical data that are important for gas phase ion chemistry. It describes some of the relationships that have been identified for the empirical estimation of enthalpies among neutral molecules, free radicals, and odd and even electron ions. For neutral species, the additivity principle works well and this has been developed to cover a very wide range of structures and isomers. Ionization energies of homologous species depend inversely on molecular size, allowing estimates to be made for missing members. For ions, the effect of a group substitution (such as replacing a hydrogen atom by, e.g., a methyl or hydroxyl group) can easily be estimated, but such results are strongly dependent upon the position of the charge site, relative to that of the substitution. Special emphasis is given to the reliability of data collections and simple directions are provided as to how critically to assess and identify less‐than‐satisfactory values. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 28:694–700, 2009
A FETI‐preconditioned conjugate gradient method for large‐scale stochastic finite element problems
Authors: Ghosh Debraj , Avery Philip , Farhat Charbel
Published: March 2009

In the spectral stochastic finite element method for analyzing an uncertain system, the uncertainty is represented by a set of random variables, and a quantity of interest such as the system response is considered as a function of these random variables. Consequently, the underlying Galerkin projection yields a block system of deterministic equations where the blocks are sparse but coupled. The solution of this algebraic system of equations becomes rapidly challenging when the size of the physical system and/or the level of uncertainty is increased. This paper addresses this challenge by presenting a preconditioned conjugate gradient method for such block systems where the preconditioning step is based on the dual–primal finite element tearing and interconnecting method equipped with a Krylov subspace reusage technique for accelerating the iterative solution of systems with multiple and repeated right‐hand sides. Preliminary performance results on a Linux Cluster suggest that the proposed solution method is numerically scalable and demonstrate its potential for making the uncertainty quantification of realistic systems tractable. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Benchmarking currently available SELDI‐TOF MS preprocessing techniques
Authors: Emanuele Vincent A. , Gurbaxani Brian M.
Published: March 2009

SELDI protein profiling experiments can be used as a first step in studying the pathogenesis of various diseases such as cancer. There are a plethora of software packages available for doing the preprocessing of SELDI data, each with many options and written from different signal processing perspectives, offering many researchers choices they may not have the background or desire to make. Moreover, several studies have shown that mistakes in the preprocessing of the data can bias the biological interpretation of the study. For this reason, we conduct a large scale evaluation of available signal processing techniques to establish which are most effective. We use data generated from a standard, published simulation engine so that “truth” is known. We select the top algorithms by considering two logical performance metrics, and give our recommendations for research directions that are likely to be most promising. There is considerable opportunity for future contributions improving the signal processing of SELDI spectra.
Proteomic analysis of GTP cyclohydrolase 1 multiprotein complexes in cultured normal adult human astrocytes under both basal and cytokine‐activated conditions
Authors: Chiarini Anna , Armato Ubaldo , Pacchiana Raffaella , Dal Pra Ilaria
Published: March 2009

GTP cyclohydrolase 1 (GCH1) is the rate‐limiting enzyme of a metabolic pathway synthesizing tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), the cofactor dimerizing and activating inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS‐2). GCH1 protein expression and enzyme activity are minimal in cultured, phenotypically stable, untreated normal adult human astrocytes (NAHA), but are strongly induced, together with NOS‐2, by a mixture of three proinflammatory cytokines (IL‐1β, TNF‐α, and IFN‐γ – the CM‐trio) released by microglia under brain‐damaging conditions. The resulting hyper‐production of NO severely harms neurons. In this study, using MALDI‐TOF/MS, PMF, Western immunoblotting (WB), and antibody microarrays we identified several proteins coimmunoprecipitating with GCH1. Under basal conditions, GCH1 was associated with various adaptor/regulator molecules involved in G‐protein‐coupled receptors signalling, protein serine/threonine phosphatase 2Cβ (PP2Cβ), and serine–threonine kinases like Ca2+calmodulin kinases (CaMKs), casein kinases (CKs), cAMP‐dependent kinases (PKAs), and mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Exposure to the three cytokines' mixture (CM‐trio) significantly changed, within the 48–72 h required for the induction and activation of GCH1, the levels and identities of some of the 0 h‐associated proteins: after 72 h CK‐IIα tended to dissociate from, whereas MAPK12 and JNK3 were strongly associated with fully active GCH1. These findings provide a first enticing glimpse into the intricate mechanisms regulating GCH1 activation by proinflammatory cytokines in NAHA, and may have therapeutic implications.
The detection, correlation, and comparison of peptide precursor and product ions from data independent LC‐MS with data dependant LC‐MS/MS
Authors: Geromanos Scott J. , Vissers Johannes P. C. , Silva Jeffrey C. , Dorschel Craig A. , Li Guo‐Zhong , Gorenstein Marc V. , Bateman Robert H. , Langridge James I.
Published: March 2009

The detection, correlation, and comparison of peptide and product ions from a data independent LC‐MS acquisition strategy with data dependent LC‐MS/MS is described. The data independent mode of acquisition differs from an LC‐MS/MS data acquisition since no ion transmission window is applied with the first mass analyzer prior to collision induced disassociation. Alternating the energy applied to the collision cell, between low and elevated energy, on a scan‐to‐scan basis, provides accurate mass precursor and associated product ion spectra from every ion above the LOD of the mass spectrometer. The method therefore provides a near 100% duty cycle, with an inherent increase in signal intensity due to the fact that both precursor and product ion data are collected on all isotopes of every charge‐state across the entire chromatographic peak width. The correlation of product to precursor ions, after deconvolution, is achieved by using reconstructed retention time apices and chromatographic peak shapes. Presented are the results from the comparison of a simple four protein mixture, in the presence and absence of an enzymatically digested protein extract from Escherichia coli. The samples were run in triplicate by both data dependant analysis (DDA) LC‐MS/MS and data‐independent, alternate scanning LC‐MS. The detection and identification of precursor and product ions from the combined DDA search results of the four protein mixture were used for comparison to all other data. Each individual set of data‐independent LC‐MS data provides a more comprehensive set of detected ions than the combined peptide identifications from the DDA LC‐MS/MS experiments. In the presence of the complex E. coli background, over 90% of the monoisotopic masses from the combined LC‐MS/MS identifications were detected at the appropriate retention time. Moreover, the fragmentation pattern and number of associated elevated energy product ions in each replicate experiment was found to be very similar to the DDA identifications. In the case of the corresponding individual DDA LC‐MS/MS experiment, 43% of the possible detectable peptides of interest were identified. The presented data illustrates that the time‐aligned data from data‐independent alternate scanning LC‐MS experiments is highly comparable to the data obtained via DDA. The obtained information can therefore be effectively and correctly deconvolved to correlate product ions with parent precursor ions. The ability to generate precursor‐product ion tables from this information and subsequently identify the correct parent precursor peptide will be illustrated in a companion manuscript.
Database searching and accounting of multiplexed precursor and product ion spectra from the data independent analysis of simple and complex peptide mixtures
Authors: Li Guo‐Zhong , Vissers Johannes P. C. , Silva Jeffrey C. , Golick Dan , Gorenstein Marc V. , Geromanos Scott J.
Published: March 2009

A novel database search algorithm is presented for the qualitative identification of proteins over a wide dynamic range, both in simple and complex biological samples. The algorithm has been designed for the analysis of data originating from data independent acquisitions, whereby multiple precursor ions are fragmented simultaneously. Measurements used by the algorithm include retention time, ion intensities, charge state, and accurate masses on both precursor and product ions from LC‐MS data. The search algorithm uses an iterative process whereby each iteration incrementally increases the selectivity, specificity, and sensitivity of the overall strategy. Increased specificity is obtained by utilizing a subset database search approach, whereby for each subsequent stage of the search, only those peptides from securely identified proteins are queried. Tentative peptide and protein identifications are ranked and scored by their relative correlation to a number of models of known and empirically derived physicochemical attributes of proteins and peptides. In addition, the algorithm utilizes decoy database techniques for automatically determining the false positive identification rates. The search algorithm has been tested by comparing the search results from a four‐protein mixture, the same four‐protein mixture spiked into a complex biological background, and a variety of other “system” type protein digest mixtures. The method was validated independently by data dependent methods, while concurrently relying on replication and selectivity. Comparisons were also performed with other commercially and publicly available peptide fragmentation search algorithms. The presented results demonstrate the ability to correctly identify peptides and proteins from data independent acquisition strategies with high sensitivity and specificity. They also illustrate a more comprehensive analysis of the samples studied; providing approximately 20% more protein identifications, compared to a more conventional data directed approach using the same identification criteria, with a concurrent increase in both sequence coverage and the number of modified peptides.
Proteome wide screening using peptide affinity capture
Authors: Poetz Oliver , Hoeppe Sibylle , Templin Markus F. , Stoll Dieter , Joos Thomas O.
Published: March 2009

MS‐based strategies are key technologies for identifying proteins in proteomic research. Despite significant improvements in recent years efficient fractionation processes of target analytes remain major bottlenecks in MS‐based protein analysis. Immunoaffinity‐based sample fractionation strategies have shown their potential for the enrichment of analyte peptides of interest, but only small numbers of analytes can be quantified in one experiment. The lack of appropriate capture reagents limits the application of immunoaffinity‐based approaches and only biased biomarker discovery approaches are possible. This perspective discusses the current status of immunoaffinity MS‐based approaches and introduces a novel concept that uses group specific anti‐peptide antibodies – Triple X Proteomics Antibodies – for the enrichment of signature peptides. Classes of peptides with identical termini can be fractionated based on TXP immunoaffinity enrichment steps and can subsequently be identified using established tandem MS procedures. Based on bioinformatic algorithms minimal sets of TXP epitopes can be specified, that cover a wide range of given proteome landscapes of one or even several different species. This opens the possibility to use a minimal number of TXP antibodies as a universal toolbox for general immunoaffinity‐based approaches in proteome analysis.
Structure Retention and Water Stability of Microwave Plasma Polymerized Films From Allylamine and Acrylic Acid
Authors: Finke Birgit , Schröder Karsten , Ohl Andreas
Published: March 2009

Low‐pressure downstream microwave plasma was used to deposit thin water resistant PPAAm and PPAAc films on titanium substrates. Film stability against dissolution was tested under sonication in ultrapure water. Variation of duty cycle on mean power was applied to evaluate the sensitivity of film properties on plasma conditions. Strong cross‐linked and therewith water resistant PPAAm and PPAAc films correlate with a relatively low but for biomedical applications sufficient density of functional groups. Furthermore, some similarity exists between process parameter and dissolution stability of deposited plasma polymer films prepared by microwave and reported for radio frequency plasmas.
Non‐invasive biomarker sampling and analysis of the exhaled breath proteome
Authors: Bloemen Karolien , Hooyberghs Jef , Desager Kristine , Witters Erwin , Schoeters Greet
Published: March 2009

Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is a biological fluid that contains trace amounts of secreted pulmonary proteins, and is emerging as a potentially valuable and non‐invasively obtained source of disease biomarkers. Proteome analysis of these samples could lead to the identification of prognostic indicators of airway diseases. The objective of this study was to develop a protocol for proteome analysis of EBC samples. In this report, an improved procedure for EBC sample preparation and concentration is presented, together with a method for comparison of the protein profiles between two groups. The presented approach enabled to study the condensed exhaled breath proteome for biomarker analysis, and revealed proteins not previously identified in an EBC proteomics approach. In a comparative pilot study, EBC protein profiles obtained from smokers and non‐smokers showed distinct differences and are illustrative for its potential in clinical studies. EBC from smokers contained higher concentrations of the more abundant proteins, such as cytokeratins, compared to non‐smokers, and calgranulin B was identified uniquely in EBC samples from smokers.
Molecular beam epitaxial growth of ZnCrO films by using RF plasma source
Authors: Yoneta Minoru , Satou Yuichi , Shintani Motoyuki , Ii Masakazu , Yoshino Kenji , Honda Makoto , Ohishi Masakazu
Published: March 2009

The transition‐metal chromium‐doped zinc oxide, ZnCrO, was successfully grown on an a ‐sapphire (11$ \bar 2 $0) substrate by radio frequency‐plasma‐assisted molecular beam epitaxy. The growth and optical property of ZnCrO were investigated. The growth mode changed from a 2‐dimensional one to a 3‐dimensional one with Cr doping. The ZnCrO films showed a textured morphology and the surface roughness of each was clearly reduced by increasing the amount of Cr doping.

The X‐ray diffraction peak intensity from ZnO (0002) became smaller as the Cr cell temperature was increased. A photoluminescence spectrum of ZnCrO was dominated by an excitonic peak around 3.36 eV. The transmission spectra showed that light wavelength shorter than 3.26 eV was removed. This was caused by Cr doping, and its losses caused by Cr doping. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Safety of ultrasonography in pregnancy: WHO systematic review of the literature and meta‐analysis
Authors: Torloni M. R. , Vedmedovska N. , Merialdi M. , Betrán A. P. , Allen T. , González R. , Platt L. D.
Published: March 2009

Objective

In the context of the planned International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology–World Health Organization multicenter study for the development of fetal growth standards for international application, we conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to evaluate the safety of human exposure to ultrasonography in pregnancy.

Methods

A systematic search of electronic databases, reference lists and unpublished literature was conducted for trials and observational studies that assessed short‐ and long‐term effects of exposure to ultrasonography, involving women and their fetuses exposed to ultrasonography, using B‐mode or Doppler sonography during any period of pregnancy, for any number of times. The outcome measures were: (1) adverse maternal outcome; (2) adverse perinatal outcome; (3) abnormal childhood growth and neurological development; (4) non‐right handedness; (5) childhood malignancy; and (6) intellectual performance and mental disease.

Results

The electronic search identified 6716 citations, and 19 were identified from secondary sources. A total of 61 publications reporting data from 41 different studies were included: 16 controlled trials, 13 cohort and 12 case–control studies. Ultrasonography in pregnancy was not associated with adverse maternal or perinatal outcome, impaired physical or neurological development, increased risk for malignancy in childhood, subnormal intellectual performance or mental diseases. According to the available clinical trials, there was a weak association between exposure to ultrasonography and non‐right handedness in boys (odds ratio 1.26; 95% CI, 1.03–1.54).

Conclusion

According to the available evidence, exposure to diagnostic ultrasonography during pregnancy appears to be safe. Copyright © World Health Organization (2009).
The First Structure with Isolated Carbon‐Centered Tetrahedra of Rare‐Earth Metals – the New Compound Ce4CCl8
Authors: Schaloske Manuel C. , Kienle Lorenz , Hoch Constantin , Mattausch Hansjürgen , Kremer Reinhard K. , Simon Arndt
Published: March 2009

Ce4CCl8 is prepared by heating stoichiometric mixtures of cerium, CeCl3 and carbon in sealed tantalum capsules at 820 °C. It forms black polyhedral, in fragments transparent orange to red and moisture‐sensitive crystals [space group Pc, a = 13.538(1) Å, b = 10.487(1) Å, c = 22.845(1) Å, β = 126.31(1)°]. The crystal structure contains C‐centered Ce4C single tetrahedra, linked by chlorine atoms above edges and corners in different ways. The compound is further characterized by HRTEM, electron‐diffraction investigations and magnetic measurements.
Clinical Improvement After Duodenojejunal Bypass for Nonobese Type 2 Diabetes Despite Minimal Improvement in Glycemic Homeostasis
Authors: Ferzli G. S. , Dominique E. , Ciaglia M. , Bluth M. H. , Gonzalez A. , Fingerhut A.
Published: March 2009

Background

Glycemic control of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains a dilemma to physicians. Although gastric bypass surgery undertaken for morbid obesity has been shown to resolve this disease well, data on the effectiveness of duodenojejunal bypass in improving or resolving T2DM and the metabolic syndrome (MS), especially in nonobese patients are scarce. This study was intended to evaluate the clinical effects of laparoscopic duodenojejunal bypass (LDJB) in patients with T2DM and a body mass index of <35 kg/m2.

Methods

We conducted a 12‐month prospective study on the changes in glucose homeostasis and the MS in seven T2DM subjects undergoing LDJB with similar DM duration, type of DM treatment, and glycemic control. Laboratory values including glycosylated hemoglobin A (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, and C‐peptide were followed throughout the 12 months. Serum levels of gastric inhibitory peptide and ghrelin were followed for 1 month. Serum levels of gastrin and glucagon‐like peptide were followed for 3 months.

Results

At 12 months after surgery, all subjects consistently felt relief from fatigue, pain and/or numbness in the extremities, polyuria, and polydypsia. Clinical resolution was obtained for one patient, and the preoperative diabetic medication requirements decreased for most of the other patients. The subjects demonstrated an overall improved HbA1c (from 9.4% to 8.5%) and fasting blood glucose level (from 209 to 154 mg/dl). Although the change in fasting blood glucose approached statistical significance, these measures of glucose homeostasis did not achieve significance. Cholesterol and triglycerides increased slightly, and C‐peptide decreased slightly over 1 year. These changes were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Although this is a small series, our data show that at 12 months after surgery, clinical improvement was obvious in all of our seven patients, but LDJB may not be effective at inducing remission of T2DM and the MS in certain patients undergoing this operation. This suggests that larger patient studies should be conducted, before concluding that surgery may offer clinical and biochemical resolution to a disease once treated only medically. Longer follow‐up is required for better evaluation.
Effects of Land Mines and Unexploded Ordnance on the Pediatric Population and Comparison with Adults in Rural Cambodia
Authors: Bendinelli Cino
Published: March 2009

Background

This paper was designed to evaluate and compare the impact of explosive war remnants on children versus adults in rural Cambodia.

Methods

A prospective review of trauma database from November 2003 to January 2006 of the Civilian War Victims Surgical Centre in Battambang, Cambodia, run by an Italian NGO called “EMERGENCY” was performed. Age, female ratio, time of evacuation, type of ordnance, pattern of injury, number of operations, transfused patients, hospitalization, mortality, and residual disability were registered and compared.

Results

A total of 356 patients acutely wounded by antipersonnel land mines, antitank land mines, or unexploded ordnances (UXO) were admitted. Among these, 94 (26.4%) were children (younger than aged 16 years). Females were more common among children than adults (31.9% vs. 11.8%); 61.7% of children were injured by UXO, whereas 72.1% of adults were victims of antipersonnel land mines. Antitank mines victims were uncommon in both groups. The majority of adults (49.2%) were injured to lower limbs, whereas 50% of children were injured to upper limbs, face, and torso. Random wounds, typical of an explosion in vicinity, were observed in 32.9% of children and 18.7% of adults. All differences were statistically significant (P < 0.005). Time of evacuation, number of operations, and hospitalization did not statistically differ among groups. Number of transfused patients (23% vs. 7.2%), mortality (6.3% vs. 1.5%), incidence of blindness (21.2% vs. 9.5%), and maimed upper limbs (23.3% vs. 8.8%) were significantly higher in children compared with adults (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Long after ceasefire, antitank mines, antipersonnel land mines, and UXO continue to injure and kill civilians. Children are commonly injured and sustain more severe injuries.
The Combined Role of Ultrasound and Frozen Section in Surgical Management of Thyroid Nodules Read as Suspicious for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma on Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Moon Hee Jung , Kwak Jin Young , Kim Eun‐Kyung , Kim Min Jung , Park Cheong Soo , Chung Woung Youn , Son Eun Ju
Published: March 2009

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the combined role of ultrasound (US) and frozen section (FS) in the surgical management of thyroid nodules that are suspicious for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) on US‐guided fine‐needle aspiration biopsy (US‐FNAB).

Methods

Between 2006 and 2008, 217 patients with thyroid nodules classified as suspicious for PTC on US‐FNAB underwent intraoperative FS and surgery. A thyroid nodule with any suspicious US findings of marked hypoechogenicity, microlobulated or irregular margins, microcalcifications, or taller than wider in shape was defined as positive and that without was defined as negative. FSs were classified as malignant, indeterminate, defer, and benign. We compared the results of US groupings, FS, and final histopathologic diagnosis.

Results

Twenty‐one (52.5%) of 40 patients with a negative US revealed malignancy. In contrast, 168 (94.9%) of 177 patients with a positive US had malignancy. Fourteen (50%) of 28 patients with benign pathology on FS had malignancy, and 166 (97.6%) of 170 patients with malignancy on FS proved malignancy on histopathology. Of 40 patients with negative US, 13 (92.9%) of 14 with malignancy on FS proved malignancy.

Conclusions

The malignancy rate of thyroid nodules read as “suspicious for PTC” on US‐FNAB was 87.1%. When a thyroid nodule with “suspicious for PTC” on US‐FNAB has suspicious malignant US features, FS may be unnecessary due to a very high risk of malignancy (94.9%). In contrast, when a thyroid nodule read as “suspicious for PTC” on US‐FNAB has no suspicious malignant US features, FS can help surgeons determine the extent of surgery.
Investigation of the Lymphatic Stream of the Stomach in Gastric Cancer with Solitary Lymph Node Metastasis
Authors: Tokunaga Masanori , Ohyama Shigekazu , Hiki Naoki , Fukunaga Tetsu , Yamada Kazuhiko , Sano Takeshi , Yamaguchi Toshiharu
Published: March 2009

Background

Understanding the lymphatic drainage route in gastric cancer is crucial for complete lymph node retrieval from sites susceptible to metastasis. However, the lymphatic stream of the stomach is complex and remains incompletely characterized.

Methods

Patients with small (<4 cm) serosa‐negative gastric cancer with solitary lymph node metastasis treated at the Cancer Institute Hospital were included in this study. A total of 135 patients were classified according to the location of the solitary lymph node metastasis into the left gastric artery (LGA) group, the right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) group, the right gastric artery (RGA) group, or the splenic artery (SA) group. The location of the primary tumors was investigated to aid the mapping of the lymphatic stream of the stomach.

Results

Lymphatic flow in LGA (65 patients) and in RGEA (57 patients) are main lymphatic drainage routes of the stomach. The lymphatic area overlapped in the lower third of the stomach in LGA and RGEA, and the lymphatic flow associated with gastric cancer located within this overlapped area can be multidirectional. Skip metastases were observed in 13 patients (10%), and all skip metastases were observed in the suprapancreatic area (station 7, 8a, 9, or 11p).

Conclusions

The lymphatic stream of the stomach is complicated and multidirectional. Understanding and mapping the complex lymphatic streams of the stomach will allow surgeons to perform more effective lymph node dissection during gastric cancer surgery.
Using the Identity Processing Style Q‐Sort to examine identity styles of Turkish young adults
Authors: Eryigit Suna , Kerpelman Jennifer
Published: March 2009

This paper reports on two studies with Turkish young adults that used the Turkish version of the Identity Processing Style Q‐Sort (IPSQ). The IPSQ is based on Berzonsky's informational, normative, and diffused identity styles. Participants sort descriptors of the styles into columns ranging from most to least like them. Patterns in Turkish young adults’ identity styles were examined in the first study. The construct validity of the IPSQ‐Turkish version based on associations between the IPSQ and measures of cultural orientation, self‐definitions, self‐concept clarity, self‐esteem, and coping was tested in the second study. Results of the first study were consistent with the current literature in terms of a negative correlation between informational and diffuse/avoidant styles, and a relatively weaker relationship between informational and normative styles. Support for the construct validity of the Turkish version of the IPSQ was found in the second study, with results consistent with other IPSQ research.
Overexpression of E2F‐1 inhibits progression of gastric cancer in vitro
Authors: Xie Yubo , Wang Changqing , Li Lei , Ma Yulin , Yin Yongshuo , Xiao Qiang
Published: March 2009

E2F‐1 plays a critical role in cell cycle regulation and other biological processes in cells. E2F‐1 mediates apoptosis and suppresses tumorigenesis in many tissue types, but there are few data available on E2F‐1 expression and its relationship to tumor kinetics in gastric cancer. To gain better insight into the involvement of E2F‐1 in the biological characteristics of gastric tumors, we investigated the effect of E2F‐1 overexpression on the progression of gastric carcinoma cells. A gastric cancer cell line stably overexpressing E2F‐1 (MGC‐803/E2F‐1) was established. The influence of E2F‐1 overexpression on in vitro cell growth was assessed by measuring cell survival, colony formation, and cell cycle progression. The results clearly show that overexpression of E2F‐1 significantly inhibits cell growth and proliferation, blocking entry into the S‐phase of the cell cycle. MGC‐803/E2F‐1 cells also had a higher apoptotic rate than control cells. In addition, E2F‐1 reduced the motility and invasion of gastric cancer cells.
Identifying predictors for good lithium response – A retrospective analysis of 100 patients with bipolar disorder using a life-charting method
Authors: Backlund Lena , Ehnvall Anna , Hetta Jerker , Isacsson Göran , Ågren Hans
Published: March 2009

Purpose

Our aim was to investigate bipolar patients in order to test the validity of various outcome measures and to identify prognostic predictors for pharmacological treatment.

Material and method

One hundred patients were interviewed using a computerized life-charting program in a descriptive, retrospective analysis. The concept “Burden of illness” was defined as a combination of severity and duration of episodes. Response to treatment was defined as the difference in burden before and after treatment, a low burden during treatment, and freedom of episodes for at least 3 years after insertion of treatment.

Results

The absence of mixed episodes and a high initial burden predicted a good response measured as the difference in burden. If remission for 3 years or a low burden during lithium treatment was used, the absence of rapid cycling and of mixed episodes were the most important predictors. The severity of illness before treatment had no impact.

Discussion and conclusion

We suggest the use of absolute measures of severity during treatment as the most appropriate measure of the outcome. Furthermore, our data provide corroboration that treatment with lithium ameliorates the prognosis of the illness, but that mixed episodes and rapid cycling predict a poorer response to lithium.
Rab35 regulates neurite outgrowth and cell shape
Authors: Chevallier Julien , Koop Charles , Srivastava Archana , Petrie Ryan J. , Lamarche-Vane Nathalie , Presley John F.
Published: March 2009

MINT‐7012095: cdc42 (uniprotkb:P60953) and Rab 35 (uniprotkb:Q15286) colocalize (MI:0403) by fluorescence microscopy (MI:0416)
Association of the eukaryotic V1VO ATPase subunits a with d and d with A
Authors: Thaker Youg R. , Hunke Cornelia , Yau Yin H. , Shochat Susana Geifman , Li Ying , Grüber Gerhard
Published: March 2009

MINT‐7012028: d (uniprotkb:P32366) binds (MI:0407) to a (uniprotkb:P32563) by surface plasmon resonance (MI:0107)
Intercellular exchange of proteins: The immune cell habit of sharing
Authors: Rechavi Oded , Goldstein Itamar , Kloog Yoel
Published: March 2009

The recent recognition of new types of cell–cell communication pathways challenges classic theories of cell autonomy. Evidence of functional “proteome mixing” among interacting cells, particularly immune cells, supports the notion that no cell is an island, and that even these “unsplittable” units are actually non‐autonomous. We summarize various mechanisms of intercellular transfer of proteins—trans‐endocytosis, trogocytosis, exosomal transport, shuttle through nanotubes, and cell‐contact‐dependent intercellular transfer of intracellular proteins including oncogenic Ras. These phenomena suggest exciting new possibilities for proteome research, focusing on system‐level proteomics that characterize cell contents and functions in the context of intercellular protein transfer.
Neonatal lipopolysaccharide exposure attenuates the homotypic stress‐induced suppression of LH secretion in adulthood in male rat
Authors: Iwasa Takeshi , Matsuzaki Toshiya , Murakami Masahiro , Kinouchi Riyo , Ogata Rie , Kuwahara Akira , Yasui Toshiyuki , Irahara Minoru
Published: March 2009

Neonatal immune challenges have a long‐lasting influence on immune response. Using male Sprague–Dawley rats, we examined whether neonatal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge alters the sensitivity of male reproductive function to adult LPS challenge and at which level (central or testes) the alteration occurs. We also examined the mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines in the hypothalamus and testes because they have a pivotal role in immune stress‐induced suppression of gonadotropin secretion and testosterone synthesis. On day 10 after birth, all the pups were injected with LPS (100 μg/kg, i.p.) or saline. Thereafter, LPS (100 μg/kg, i.p.) or saline was injected in adulthood at 8 weeks of age. The serum LH concentration was decreased by LPS injection during adulthood in the neonatal saline‐injected rats. This suppressive effect was not seen in the neonatal LPS‐injected rats. The serum testosterone concentration was decreased by adult LPS injection in both the neonatal LPS‐injected and neonatal saline‐injected rats. The expression levels of KiSS‐1, which encodes kisspeptin, known to have a crucial role in the regulation of gonadotropin secretion, and GnRH mRNA in the hypothalamus and LHβ mRNA in the pituitary were not influenced by neonatal or adult LPS injection. On the other hand, the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) mRNA in the hypothalamus and testes were increased by adult LPS injection in both the neonatal LPS‐injected and neonatal saline‐injected rats. Furthermore, the expression levels of these factors in the hypothalamus after adult LPS injection were significantly lower in the neonatal LPS‐injected rats than in the neonatal saline‐injected rats. These findings indicate that neonatal LPS challenge reduces the sensitivity of male reproductive function to the suppressive effects of LPS, mainly at the central level. Attenuation of proinflammatory cytokine synthesis in the hypothalamus might be involved in this alteration.