bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of the Imbalance of Procoagulant Versus Anticoagulant Factors in Cirrhosis by a Simple Laboratory Method
Authors: Tripodi Armando , Primignani Massimo , Lemma Laura , Chantarangkul Veena , Dell'Era Alessandra , Iannuzzi Francesca , Aghemo Alessio , Mannucci Pier Mannuccio
Published: March 2010

Patients with cirrhosis possess an imbalance in procoagulant versus anticoagulant activity due to increased factor VIII and decreased protein C. This imbalance can be detected by thrombin-generation assays performed in the presence/absence of thrombomodulin (predicate assay) that are not readily available in clinical laboratories. We sought to assess this hypercoagulability with a simpler thrombin-generation assay performed in the presence/absence of Protac, a snake venom that activates protein C in a manner similar to thrombomodulin (new assay). We analyzed blood from 105 patients with cirrhosis and 105 healthy subjects (controls). Results for the predicate-assay or the new-assay were expressed as ratio (with:without thrombomodulin) or as Protac-induced coagulation inhibition (PICI%). By definition, high ratios or low PICI% translate into hypercoagulability. The median(range) PICI% was lower in patients (74% [31%-97%]) than controls (93% [72%-99%];

P

< 0.001), indicating that patients with cirrhosis are resistant to the action of Protac. This resistance resulted in greater plasma hypercoagulability in patients who were Child class C than those who were A or B. The hypercoagulability of Child C cirrhosis (63% [31%-92%]) was similar to that observed for patients with factor V Leiden (69% [15%-80%];

P

= 0.59). The PICI% values were correlated with the levels of protein C (rho = 0.728,

P

< 0.001) or factor VIII (rho = −0.517,

P

< 0.001). Finally, the PICI% values were correlated with the predicate assay (rho = −0.580,

P

< 0.001).

Conclusion:

The hypercoagulability of plasma from patients with cirrhosis can be detected with the new assay, which compares favorably with the other markers of hypercoagulability (i.e., high factor VIII and low protein C) and with the predicate-assay based on thrombin-generation with/without thrombomodulin. Advantages of the new assay over the predicate assay are easy performance and standardized results. Prospective trials are needed to ascertain whether it is useful to predict thrombosis in patients with cirrhosis. Hepatology 2010
Wisteria Floribunda Agglutinin-Positive Mucin 1 Is a Sensitive Biliary Marker for Human Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Matsuda Atsushi , Kuno Atsushi , Kawamoto Toru , Matsuzaki Hideki , Irimura Tatsuro , Ikehara Yuzuru , Zen Yoh , Nakanuma Yasuni , Yamamoto Masakazu , Ohkohchi Nobuhiro , Shoda Junichi , Hirabayashi Jun , Narimatsu Hisashi
Published: March 2010

Cholangiocarcinoma (CC) is an aggressive malignant tumor for which useful markers are not presently available for early and precise diagnosis. The aim of this study was therefore to identify a high-performance diagnostic marker with a special focus on glyco-alteration of glycoproteins. In the course of study, we found that

Wisteria floribunda

agglutinin (WFA) is the best probe to differentiate intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) lesions from normal bile duct epithelia (BDE) (

P

< 0.0001). The subsequent histochemical study confirmed ICC-specific WFA staining on 165 tissue specimens. On the other hand, the WFA staining was shown to be closely associated with that of MY.1E12 established previously against sialylated mucin 1 (MUC1) by double-staining experiments. Moreover, glyco-alteration of MUC1 could be verified by western blotting of WFA-captured bile samples from patients with CC patients. Thus, we attempted to construct an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system for more convenient CC diagnosis, where WFA-coated plates, the specific monoclonal antibody MY.1E12, and the bile specimens from CC including ICC (n = 30) and benign diseases (n = 38) were combined. As a result, CC was clearly distinguished from benign diseases with statistical scores (sensitivity = 90.0%, specificity = 76.3%, and area under the curve = 0.85). As a particular note, the obtained sensitivity is the highest score among those having been so far reported.

Conclusion:

Our approach focusing significant glyco-alteration of a particular glycoprotein yielded a novel diagnostic system for CC with satisfactory clinical scores. Hepatology 2010
Oxidative Stress Markers in the Brain of Patients With Cirrhosis and Hepatic Encephalopathy
Authors: Görg Boris , Qvartskhava Natalia , Bidmon Hans-Jürgen , Palomero-Gallagher Nicola , Kircheis Gerald , Zilles Karl , Häussinger Dieter
Published: March 2010

Cell culture studies and animal models point to an important role of oxidative/nitrosative stress in the pathogenesis of cerebral ammonia toxicity. However, it is unknown whether oxidative/nitrosative stress in the brain is also characteristic of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in humans. We therefore analyzed

post mortem

cortical brain tissue samples from patients with cirrhosis dying with or without HE in comparison with brains from patients without liver disease. Significantly elevated levels of protein tyrosine-nitrated proteins, heat shock protein-27, and 8-hydroxyguanosine as a marker for RNA oxidation were found in the cerebral cortex of HE patients, but not of patients with cirrhosis but without HE. Glutamine synthetase (GS) activity was significantly decreased, whereas GS protein expression was not significantly affected. Protein expression of the glutamate/aspartate cotransporter was up-regulated in HE, whereas protein expression of neuronal and inducible nitric oxide synthases, manganese-dependent and copper/zinc-dependent superoxide dismutase, and glial glutamate transporter-1 were not significantly increased.

Conclusion:

These data indicate that HE in patients with cirrhosis is associated with oxidative/nitrosative stress, protein tyrosine nitration, and RNA oxidation, suggesting a role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of HE in patients with cirrhosis. Hepatology 2010
Telomeres and telomerase in normal and malignant B‐cells
Authors: Lobetti‐Bodoni Chiara , Bernocco Elisa , Genuardi Elisa , Boccadoro Mario , Ladetto Marco
Published: March 2010

The telomeric checkpoint is emerging as a critical sensor of cellular damage, playing a major role in human aging and cancer development. In the meantime, telomere biology is rapidly evolving from a basic discipline to a translational branch, capable of providing major hints for biomarker development, risk assessment and targeted treatment of cancer. These advances have a number of implications in the biology of lymphoid tumours. Moreover, there is considerable interest in the potential role of telomeric dysfunction in the wide array of immunological abnormalities, grouped under the definition of ‘immunosenescence’. This review will summarize the impact of recent advances in telomere biology on the physiology and pathology of the B lymphocyte, with special interest in immunosenescence and lymphomagenesis. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface chemistry and polymer film thickness effects on endothelial cell adhesion and proliferation
Authors: Bhattacharyya Dhiman , Xu Hao , Deshmukh Rajendra R. , Timmons Richard B. , Nguyen Kytai T.
Published: March 2010

Adherence and growth rates of human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) on plasma polymerized poly(vinylacetic acid) films were measured as functions of the surface density of COOH groups and plasma deposited film thickness. Pulsed plasma polymerization was employed to produce films containing 3.6 to 9% COOH groups, expressed as a percent of total carbon content. Endothelial cells exhibited increased cell adherence and proliferation with increasing COOH surface densities. Additionally, and unexpectedly, cell growth was also dependent on the film thicknesses, which ranged from 25 to 200 nm. The results indicate that optimization of the functional group surface density and film thickness could produce significant enhancements in initial adhesion and subsequent growth of the HAEC cells. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2010
Osteoconductive and degradable electrospun nonwoven poly(ε‐caprolactone)/CaO‐SiO2 gel composite fabric
Authors: Seol Yang‐Jo , Kim Kyoung‐Hwa , Kim In Ae , Rhee Sang‐Hoon
Published: March 2010

A nonwoven ceramic/polymer composite fabric composed of randomly mixed bioactive and fast degradable CaO‐SiO2 gel fibers and biodegradable poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) fibers is prepared with a simultaneous electrospinning method for potential use as bone grafting materials. A 17% PCL solution is prepared using 1,1,3,3‐hexafluoro‐2‐propanol as the solvent, whereas the CaO‐SiO2 gel solution is prepared via a condensation reaction following the hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate. PCL and CaO‐SiO2 gel solutions are spun simultaneously with two separate nozzles. As controls, pure PCL and CaO‐SiO2 gel nonwoven fabrics are also made by the same methods. The three nonwoven fabrics were exposed to simulated body fluid for 1 week and resulted in the deposition of a layer of apatite crystals on the surfaces of both the CaO‐SiO2 gel and PCL/CaO‐SiO2 gel composite fabrics, but not on the PCL fabric. A tensile strength test showed that the fracture behavior of the CaO‐SiO2 gel fabric was brittle, that of the PCL fabric was ductile‐tough, and that of the PCL/CaO‐SiO2 gel composite fabric was intermediate between that of the CaO‐SiO2 gel and PCL fabrics. Our in vivo tests showed that the CaO‐SiO2 gel and PCL/CaO‐SiO2 gel composite fabrics had good osteoconductivity and fast degradation rates in calvarial defects of New Zealand white rabbits within 4 weeks, in contrast to the pure PCL fabric. Together, these results suggest that the composite fabric composed of PCL and CaO‐SiO2 gel fibers must have a great potential for use in applications such as bone grafting because of its good osteoconductivity and adequate mechanical properties. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2010
CARM1 activates myogenin gene via PCAF in the early differentiation of TPA‐induced rhabdomyosarcoma‐derived cells
Authors: Gao Xin , Pan Wei‐song , Dai Hui , Zhang Ye , Wu Ning‐hua , Shen Yu‐fei
Published: March 2010

CARM1/PRMT4 is a member of the protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT) family. CARM1 as a transcriptional coactivator plays an active role on mammalian genes. Here, we show that CARM1 can be recruited to the promoter of myogenin gene to enhance its transcriptional activation via PCAF at the early stage of TPA‐induced RD cell differentiation. By adding adenosine dialdehyde, AdOx, to inhibit the PRMT in RD cells, the TPA‐induced recruiting of p300, PCAF and the Brg1 at the myogenin promoter is abolished and myogenic differentiation is blocked. More specifically, the expression of PCAF and its nucleation are prohibited when CARM1 is knockdown by its specific siRNA. We suggest that the physical interaction of CARM1 and PCAF is likely pivotal for the activation of PCAF in the downstream of CARM1 pathway for inducing myogenin under TPA‐induced differentiation. The findings shed lights on novel therapeutic targets in the treatment of rhabdomyosarcoma patients. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 162–170, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
DJ‐1 modulates the p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway through physical interaction with apoptosis signal‐regulating kinase 1
Authors: Mo Jung‐Soon , Jung Jane , Yoon Ji‐Hye , Hong Ji‐Ae , Kim Mi‐Yeon , Ann Eun‐Jung , Seo Mi‐Sun , Choi Yun‐Hee , Park Hee‐Sae
Published: March 2010

DJ‐1 has been reported as a gene linked to early onset familial Parkinson's disease, and is functionally involved in transcriptional regulation and oxidative stress‐induced cell death. To understand the role of DJ‐1 in cellular stress, this study investigated DJ‐1's effect on stress‐activated protein kinase signaling and H2O2‐induced activation of apoptosis signal‐regulating kinase 1 (ASK1). According to the results, the overexpression of DJ‐1 inhibited H2O2‐induced activation of ASK1 as well as the activation of downstream kinases in the p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade. The results of both in vivo binding and kinase studies have revealed that ASK1 is the direct target of DJ‐1, whereas it has shown no effect on either MKK3 or p38. DJ‐1 blocked both the homo‐oligomerization of ASK1 and inhibited ASK1 activity. Taken together, our data strongly suggest that DJ‐1, by directly inhibiting ASK1, may act as a negative regulator in ASK1 signaling cascades. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 229–237, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Preservation of the chondrocyte's pericellular matrix improves cell‐induced cartilage formation
Authors: Vonk Lucienne A. , Doulabi Behrouz Zandieh , Huang ChunLing , Helder Marco N. , Everts Vincent , Bank Ruud A.
Published: March 2010

The extracellular matrix surrounding chondrocytes within a chondron is likely to affect the metabolic activity of these cells. In this study we investigated this by analyzing protein synthesis by intact chondrons obtained from different types of cartilage and compared this with chondrocytes. Chondrons and chondrocytes from goats from different cartilage sources (articular cartilage, nucleus pulposus, and annulus fibrosus) were cultured for 0, 7, 18, and 25 days in alginate beads. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction analyses indicated that the gene expression of Col2a1 was consistently higher by the chondrons compared with the chondrocytes and the Col1a1 gene expression was consistently lower. Western blotting revealed that Type II collagen extracted from the chondrons was cross‐linked. No Type I collagen could be extracted. The amount of proteoglycans was higher for the chondrons from articular cartilage and nucleus pulposus compared with the chondrocytes, but no differences were found between chondrons and chondrocytes from annulus fibrosus. The expression of both Mmp2 and Mmp9 was higher by the chondrocytes from articular cartilage and nucleus pulposus compared with the chondrons, whereas no differences were found with the annulus fibrosus cells. Gene expression of Mmp13 increased strongly by the chondrocytes (>50‐fold), but not by the chondrons. Taken together, our data suggest that preserving the pericellular matrix has a positive effect on cell‐induced cartilage production. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 260–271, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Microarray analysis of spaceflown murine thymus tissue reveals changes in gene expression regulating stress and glucocorticoid receptors
Authors: Lebsack Ty W. , Fa Vuna , Woods Chris C. , Gruener Raphael , Manziello Ann M. , Pecaut Michael J. , Gridley Daila S. , Stodieck Louis S. , Ferguson Virginia L. , DeLuca Dominick
Published: March 2010

The detrimental effects of spaceflight and simulated microgravity on the immune system have been extensively documented. We report here microarray gene expression analysis, in concert with quantitative RT‐PCR, in young adult C57BL/6NTac mice at 8 weeks of age after exposure to spaceflight aboard the space shuttle (STS‐118) for a period of 13 days. Upon conclusion of the mission, thymus lobes were extracted from space flown mice (FLT) as well as age‐ and sex‐matched ground control mice similarly housed in animal enclosure modules (AEM). mRNA was extracted and an automated array analysis for gene expression was performed. Examination of the microarray data revealed 970 individual probes that had a 1.5‐fold or greater change. When these data were averaged (n = 4), we identified 12 genes that were significantly up‐ or down‐regulated by at least 1.5‐fold after spaceflight (P ≤ 0.05). The genes that significantly differed from the AEM controls and that were also confirmed via QRT‐PCR were as follows: Rbm3 (up‐regulated) and Hsph110, Hsp90aa1, Cxcl10, Stip1, Fkbp4 (down‐regulated). QRT‐PCR confirmed the microarray results and demonstrated additional gene expression alteration in other T cell related genes, including: Ctla‐4, IFN‐α2a (up‐regulated) and CD44 (down‐regulated). Together, these data demonstrate that spaceflight induces significant changes in the thymic mRNA expression of genes that regulate stress, glucocorticoid receptor metabolism, and T cell signaling activity. These data explain, in part, the reported systemic compromise of the immune system after exposure to the microgravity of space. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 372–381, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of the morphology of the limbs of juvenile and adult horses (Equus caballus) and their implications on the locomotor biomechanics
Authors: Grossi Bruno , Canals Mauricio
Published: March 2010

We analyzed the morphology and the walk–trot and trot–gallop transition velocities of nine juvenile horses and compared them with their mothers. We also compared the relative stride length and the duty factor of the juveniles with respect to adults at three equivalent trotting speeds (Froude numbers 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0), to determine dynamic similarity. Juveniles had a negative allometry in their leg bones, mainly because of little size changes of the distal portions. The negative allometry of extremities allows juveniles to increase stride length without increasing step frequency, which can be biomechanically advantageous. The Froude number during the walk–trot velocity transition of juveniles was similar to that of adult horses, but walk–trot transition velocity in juveniles was greater than expected for their mass. However, during the change trot–gallop, the trot–gallop velocity transition was conserved, but the Froude number was lower. Thus, juvenile horses did not move in a manner that was dynamically similar to the adult horses. At low speed (walk–trot), the gait approaches the behavior predicted by the inverted pendulum model, but at high speed (trot–gallop) dominates the inertial forces. The trot–gallop gait change would be conducted at speeds that would minimize energy costs of transport owing to collisions and changes in the trajectory of the center of mass.J. Exp. Zool. 313A:292–300, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Strategy of treatment for hepatocellular Carcinomas with vascular infiltration in patients undergoing hepatectomy
Authors: Nanashima Atsushi , Tobinaga Syuuichi , Kunizaki Masaki , Miuma Satoshi , Taura Naota , Takeshita Hiroaki , Hidaka Shigekazu , Sawai Terumitsu , Nakao Kazuhiko , Nagayasu Takeshi
Published: March 2010

Background and Objectives

Vascular infiltration (VI) is an important prognostic factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and predictive parameters are necessary to preoperatively decide treatment strategies in patients with HCC.

Methods

Relationships between presence and degree of VI in the portal and hepatic veins and bile duct, and post‐hepatectomy survival were examined in 271 HCC patients who underwent hepatectomy.

Results

VI was observed in 81 patients (30%). Disease‐free and overall survival rates was significantly lower in patients with VI than in patients without VI, and became poorer according to the degree of infiltration (P < 0.01). Multiple, increased size, non‐meeting of Milan criteria, irregular macroscopic findings and increased PIVKA‐II levels were associated with degree of VI in portal vein (P < 0.01). Increased size and increased PIVKA‐II level were associated with degree of VI in hepatic vein (P < 0.05). Non‐meeting of Milan criteria was associated with degree of infiltration in bile duct (P = 0.034). Survival was significantly better following anatomical resection than with non‐anatomical resection and, furthermore, survival was better with surgical margins >5 mm than with shorter margins in patients who underwent non‐anatomical resection.

Conclusion

Adequate extent of operative procedures, but not limited resection with short margins, is useful when predictive parameters associated with VI are observed. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010; 101:557–563. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Laryngeal mucosa: Its susceptibility to damage by acid and pepsin
Authors: Bulmer David M. , Ali Mahmoud S. , Brownlee Iain A. , Dettmar Peter W. , Pearson Jeffrey P.
Published: March 2010

Objectives/Hypothesis.

Exposure of pig laryngeal mucosa to pepsin and acid will have a differential damaging effect depending on the anatomical site, mirroring the effects seen in the human larynx in laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). This study aims to quantitate damage caused to laryngeal tissue by acid alone, and acid and pepsin, and also to determine if the extent of this damage depends on the tissue site.

Study Design.

Prospective translational research study.

Methods.

An excised porcine laryngeal damage model in a small Ussing chamber was used to measure the effect of pepsin and acid on five sites (ventricles, vocal folds, posterior commissure, supraglottic, and subglottic mucosa). The tissue samples were incubated on the lumenal side for 1 hour with pH 2 and 4 HCl, pH 2 plus 1 mg/mL pepsin, and pH 4 plus 1 mg/mL pepsin. Damage was assessed by changes in absorbance of the bathing solution at optical density (OD) 260 nm and OD 280 nm and by measurement of released DNA compared to tissues bathed in pH 7.4 buffer. Damage was also assessed histologically.

Results.

Based on histology, all the tissues were resistant to pH 4.0 except the subglottic mucosa. Only the posterior commissure was not damaged by pH 2.0 plus pepsin. Similar patterns were observed with absorbance changes and DNA release.

Conclusions.

The subglottic mucosa was the most susceptible to damage and the posterior commissure the least. Laryngeal tissues are essentially resistant to damage at pH 4.0, but are damaged when pepsin is present. This suggests that in LPR, pH 4.0 or above refluxate would only be damaging if it contains pepsin. Laryngoscope, 2010
Management of patients with acoustic neuromas: A Markov decision analysis
Authors: Morrison Daniel
Published: March 2010

Objectives/Hypothesis:

The management of patients with small (<1.5 cm) acoustic neuromas is controversial. Immediate treatment via microsurgical resection or radiosurgery is often advocated. A period of observation is sometimes advised followed by microsurgery or radiosurgery for tumors that demonstrate growth during the observation period. The purpose of this study is to calculate quality‐adjusted life expectancy for the most commonly applied management strategies in hypothetical cohorts of patients of various ages.

Study Design:

Markov decision analysis; societal perspective.

Methods:

Assumptions used in creating this model and event probabilities were obtained from a thorough literature review. Key parameters were identified and defined by the best available evidence. The main outcome measure is the benefit derived from each management strategy in quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs). Sensitivity analysis was used to define benchmark performance information for these parameters.

Results:

The benefit of a period of observation followed by radiosurgery, if needed, for significant tumor growth is greater then all other strategies for all age groups and both sexes. When compared to observation followed by microsurgery, the additional benefit is small. QALY totals for the two immediate treatment groups were significantly lower than that for the observation groups.

Conclusions:

For patients of all ages, a period of observation during which tumor growth and hearing thresholds are closely monitored is the superior strategy. For tumors that grow substantially or when hearing deteriorates, definitive management via radiosurgery is recommended. Laryngoscope, 2010
Quality of life following nasal surgery
Authors: Croy Ilona , Hummel Thomas , Pade Angelika , Pade Jürgen
Published: March 2010

Objectives/Hypothesis:

This prospective study aimed to investigate changes in quality of life (QOL) after nasal surgery.

Study Design:

Prospective study.

Methods:

A total of 788 patients (492 men and 296 women; age range, 9–81 years; mean age, 41 years) were included in this prospective study. Three hundred thirty‐six patients received sinus surgery, 358 received septum surgery, and 94 additional patients received sinus surgery involving the septum. QOL was assessed with a standardized questionnaire for general health and well‐being (36‐Item Short Form Health Survey [SF‐36]). Additionally, subjective sinunasal impairment was collected using the Rhinosinusitis Disability Index (RSBI). QOL and subjective sinunasal impairment were retested 4 months after surgery (63–339 days after surgery; mean, 128 days) in 361 patients.

Results:

In the RSBI severity scale, 29.5% of the patients rated their sinunasal problems presurgery to be of high severity, 61.2% rated them as medium, and 9.3% as minor. Postsurgery, 2.8% of the patients rated the severity of their sinunasal problems high, 35% medium, and 62.2% minor. Subjective improvement of symptoms was found in more than 80% of the patients. Presurgery, general QOL (SF‐36) was impaired in sinus patients and improved significantly after surgery. For most septum patients we found relatively little impact of sinunasal disease on general QOL (SF‐36) compared to the German normative sample.

Conclusions:

Functional endoscopic surgery seems to be a good technique for reducing sinunasal symptomatology in the majority of patients. It appears to enhance QOL in those patients who were severely affected beforehand. Long‐term investigations are currently underway to further explore the patients' subjective QOL following nasal surgery. Laryngoscope, 2010
The effect of topical castellani solution on outer hair cell function of rats
Authors: Gültekin Erdoğan , Yener Murat , Özdemir İsmail
Published: March 2010

Objectives/Hypothesis:

To evaluate if Castellani solution, which is used for the treatment of mycotic infections of the ear, has any ototoxic potential. There are some studies about the toxic effect of some of the ingredients of the Castellani solution, but the ototoxic effect is not known. The current study was designed to investigate the ototoxicity experimentally.

Study Design:

Prospective controlled animal study.

Methods:

Experiments were performed on 40 male Wistar albino rats. The animals were divided into four groups, each consisting of 10 rats. Under general anesthesia, the right tympanic membranes of the all of the rats were perforated and baseline distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) measurements were performed from the right ears before the use of solutions. The solutions were applied through the ear canal for 2 weeks using 0.1 mL twice a day. The rats in group I (study group) received Castellani solution. The rats in group II and group III received gentamicin (40 mg/mL) and saline solution respectively. The rats in group IV were followed without use of any medication. After 2 weeks DPOAE recordings were repeated.

Results:

Baseline DPOAE results were normal in the right ears of all animals tested. Animals treated with either Castellani solution or saline and the rats in the control group showed no significant changes in the DPOAE amplitudes. The gentamicin group showed a significant decrease in the DPOAE values.

Conclusions:

In the rat, Castellani solution, which is topically applied to the middle ear cavity, does not affect DPOAE amplitudes. Laryngoscope, 2010
Long-Term Results of Urgent Revascularization For Hepatic Artery Thrombosis After Pediatric Liver Transplantation
Authors: Warnaar Nienke , Polak Wojciech G. , de Jong Koert P. , de Boer Marieke T. , Verkade Henkjan J. , Sieders Egbert , Peeters Paul M. J. G. , Porte Robert J.
Published: March 2010

Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) after pediatric orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is a serious complication resulting in bile duct necrosis and often requiring retransplantation. Immediate surgical thrombectomy/thrombolysis has been reported to be a potentially successful treatment for restoring blood flow and avoiding urgent retransplantation. The long-term results of this strategy remain to be determined. In 232 pediatric liver transplants, we analyzed long-term outcomes after urgent revascularization for early HAT. HAT developed in 32 patients (13.7%). In 16 children (50%), immediate surgical thrombectomy was performed in an attempt to salvage the graft. Fourteen patients (44%) underwent urgent retransplantation, and 2 (6%) died before further intervention. Immediate thrombectomy resulted in long-term restoration of the hepatic artery flow in 6 of 16 patients (38%) and in 1- and 5-year graft and patient survival rates of 83% and 67%, respectively. In 10 patients, revascularization was unsuccessful, and retransplantation was inevitable. The 1- and 5-year patient survival rates in this group decreased to 50% and 40%, respectively. After immediate retransplantation, the 5-year patient survival rate was 71%. In conclusion, immediate surgical thrombectomy for HAT after pediatric OLT results in long-term graft salvage in about one-third of patients. However, when thrombectomy is unsuccessful, long-term patient survival is lower than the survival of patients who underwent immediate retransplantation. Liver Transpl 16:847–855, 2010. © 2010 AASLD.
Increased Incidence of Early De Novo Cancer in Liver Graft Recipients Treated with Cyclosporine: An Association with C2 Monitoring and Recipient Age
Authors: Tjon Angela S. W. , Nicolaas Jerome Sint , Kwekkeboom Jaap , de Man Robert A. , Kazemier Geert , Tilanus Hugo W. , Hansen Bettina E. , van der Laan Luc J. W. , Tha-In Thanyalak , Metselaar Herold J.
Published: March 2010

The goal of this study was to determine the risk factors for de novo cancer after liver transplantation (LTx). Retrospective analyses were performed in 385 LTx patients who underwent transplantation between 1986 and 2007. In total, 50 (13.0%) recipients developed de novo malignancy. The cumulative incidence of de novo cancer at 1, 5, 10, and 15 years after LTx was 2.9% ± 0.9%, 10.5% ± 1.8%, 19.4% ± 3.0%, and 33.6% ± 6.8%, respectively. The standardized incidence ratio of malignancy in LTx patients compared to the general population was 2.2 (95% confidence interval: 1.6-2.8). After excluding posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder and skin cancer, patients with de novo cancer had a significantly lower survival rate compared to recipients who remained cancer-free. The identified univariate risk factors for de novo cancer were cyclosporine A (CsA) treatment, time period of LTx, and recipient age. In multivariate analysis, only CsA treatment emerged as an independent risk factor for de novo cancer, which was attributed to more aggressive cancer types. A surprising finding was that CsA treatment specifically enhanced cancer risk in patients who underwent transplantation after 2004, when C2 monitoring (blood concentration at 2 hours postdose) was introduced. In addition, these patients showed a significantly lower acute rejection rate, which might reflect a more robust immunosuppressive status caused by the CsA-C2 regimen. When age was considered, only patients ≤50 years had a higher cancer rate when treated with CsA compared to treatment with tacrolimus. Our data suggest that, compared to tacrolimus treatment, CsA treatment with C2 monitoring or in younger patients of ≤50 years is associated with a higher early de novo cancer risk after LTx. Liver Transpl 16:837–846, 2010. © 2010 AASLD.
Real‐time visualization of altered gastric motility by magnetic resonance imaging in patients with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Unger Marcus M. , Hattemer Katja , Möller Jens C. , Schmittinger Katrin , Mankel Katharina , Eggert Karla , Strauch Konstantin , Tebbe Johannes J. , Keil Boris , Oertel Wolfgang H. , Heverhagen Johannes T. , Knake Susanne
Published: March 2010

Gastrointestinal motility is frequently affected in Parkinson's disease (PD) and has even been reported in early stages of PD. We hypothesized that gastric motility can be assessed in vivo by real‐time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), an established, noninvasive method. After an overnight fast and a standardized test meal, 10 patients with PD (six drug naïve, four treated) and 10 healthy volunteers underwent real‐time MRI scanning of the stomach. Gastric motility was quantified by calculating the gastric motility indices (GMI) from transversal oblique und sagittal oblique MRI scans. There was a trend toward a decreased gastric motility in patients with PD compared with healthy controls (Mann‐Whitney test, P 0.059). This difference in peristalsis was due to a significant reduction in the amplitude of peristaltic contractions (P 0.029) and not to a decelerated velocity of the peristaltic waves (P 0.97). Real‐time MRI allows direct visualization of gastric motility in PD. In this pilot study, a relatively high interindividual variability impaired accurate separation of our PD sample from healthy controls. The trend toward decreased gastric motility is in accordance with previous studies that investigated gastric motility in patients with PD using other methods. Our study provides first demonstration of a possible underlying mechanism for disturbed gastric motility in PD (reduced amplitude of contractions versus altered velocity of peristaltic waves). Further studies in drug‐naïve PD patients are required to determine the discriminatory power and validity of this technique in PD. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
1H, 13C, and 15N NMR spectra of some pyridazine derivatives
Authors: Katritzky Alan R. , El‐Gendy Bahaa El‐Dien M. , Draghici Bogdan , Fedoseyenko Dmytro , Fadli Aziz , Metais Eric
Published: March 2010

1H, 13C, and 15N NMR chemical shifts for pyridazines 4–22 were measured using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic methods including 1H1H gDQCOSY, 1H13C gHMQC, 1H13C gHMBC, and 1H15N CIGAR–HMBC experiments. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quasi‐solid‐state dye‐sensitized solar cells containing P (MMA‐co‐AN)‐based polymeric gel electrolyte
Authors: Lan Zhang , Wu Jihuai , Lin Jianming , Huang Miaoliang
Published: March 2010

Quasi‐solid state dye‐sensitized solar cells (QS‐DSSC) containing poly (methyl methacrylate‐co‐acrylonitrile) [P (MMA‐co‐AN)] gel electrolytes were fabricated. By tuning AN molar percentage in P (MMA‐co‐AN), the optimized polymeric gel electrolyte for fabricating QS‐DSSC can be obtained. QS‐DSSC containing polymeric gel electrolyte with 45 mol.% AN in P(MMA‐co‐AN) shows higher energy conversion efficiency than that of QS‐DSSCs containing polymeric gel electrolytes with either pure PMMA or PAN. So it presents an effective way to improve the photovoltaic performance of QS‐DSSC by tuning the components of polymeric gelling agent. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrospun poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐based composites using synthesized β‐tricalcium phosphate
Authors: Bianco Alessandra , Di Federico Erica , Cacciotti Ilaria
Published: March 2010

Non‐woven hybrid membranes based on poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) and as‐synthesized β‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) were obtained by the electrospinning technique. A wide range of composition was investigated, the filler content spanning between 2 and 60 wt%. The synthesis of the β‐TCP powder was accomplished by titration of calcium hydroxide with phosphoric acid followed by calcination of the resulting precipitate at 1100°C. The as‐dried calcium phosphate was characterized by Inductive Coupled Plasma (AES‐ICP), thermal analysis (TG‐DTA), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT‐IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and high temperature X‐ray diffraction analysis (HT‐XRD). The specific surface area (SSA) was evaluated by N2 adsorption. Microstructure of PCL/TCP membranes was investigated by SEM, energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS), XRD analysis, and SSA measurements. The average fiber diameter ranged between 1 and 2 µm, the porosity was 80–90%, and the SSA 16 m2/g. Mechanical properties were determined by uniaxial tensile test. A remarkable enhancement of the tensile modulus was observed for composites containing up to 4 wt% β‐TCP. The ultimate tensile strength ranged between 2 and 3 MPa for samples loaded up to 8 wt%. For most of the samples, the elongation at break was in the range 100–150%. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Parental attitudes toward research participation in pediatric sickle cell disease
Authors: Liem Robert I. , Cole Allison H. , Pelligra Stephanie A. , Mason Maryann , Thompson Alexis A.
Published: March 2010

Background

Socio‐cultural attitudes and perceptions are commonly cited barriers to the recruitment of African‐Americans for medical research, yet no studies have examined the factors influencing research participation among individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) or caregivers of children with SCD.

Procedure

We distributed a 32‐item, self‐administered survey to parents or legal guardians of children with SCD over a 6‐month period. We used Pearson's chi‐square to determine factors associated with a favorable attitude toward research participation and logistic regression to determine independent associations.

Results

We collected 151 surveys in this pilot study. In general, 86% of respondents believed more research needed to be done for SCD and 57% would allow their child to participate in a medical research study, corresponding to a favorable attitude. Respondent belief that more research needed to be done for SCD (OR 23.4, 95% CI 4.5–121.9, P = 0.001), perception of greater severity of their own child's SCD (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.0–7.1, P = 0.041) and prior exposure to research (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.0–10.3, P = 0.043) were significantly associated with a favorable attitude, although only the first two remained independent associations in our regression model. Attitude toward research participation was not affected by respondent country of birth.

Conclusions

Parents of children with SCD who allow participation in medical research are likely to believe that more research is needed in SCD and that their child's SCD is moderate to severe. Developing effective tools, based on identified knowledge gaps related to clinical research, may improve research participation in this population. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2010;55:129–133. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synovial sarcoma in childhood and adolescence: A retrospective series of 77 patients registered by the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group between 1991 and 2006
Authors: Brennan Bernadette , Stevens Michael , Kelsey Anna , Stiller Charles A.
Published: March 2010

Background

The analysis of a contemporary multi‐centre series of synovial sarcoma in children and young people describes the clinical characteristics, examines the effect of known prognostic factors and looks at outcome with particular emphasis on a conservative approach to treatment of localised disease.

Procedure

Data from 77 young patients with synovial sarcoma registered or treated by the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG) between 1991 and 2006 were reviewed. The outcome of 21 patients with localised favourable disease who were treated with surgery only is described.

Results

Five‐year event‐free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) for all 77 patients were 72% and 76%, respectively. In multivariate analysis survival was influenced by tumour invasiveness and size (T stage) and IRS group (T1b, P = 0.002; T2a, P = 0.041; T2b, P < 0.001; IRS III, P = 0.012). Patients with metastatic disease (IRS group IV) had a very poor prognosis; all but one has died. In IRS III patients, response to chemotherapy was seen in 38%. In a subgroup of 21 patients with small completed resected tumours no further primary treatment was given. Nineteen of this group were alive in first complete remission (CR).

Conclusion

The outcome of treatment for young patients in this national, multi‐centre series of synovial sarcoma cases compares favourably to that in other contemporary series and presents novel information that demonstrates the validity of a conservative approach to further therapy in patients with small completely resected tumours. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2010;55:85–90. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Proteomic analysis of rice seedlings infected by Sinorhizobium meliloti 1021
Authors: Chi Feng , Yang Pingfang , Han Feng , Jing Yuxiang , Shen Shihua
Published: March 2010

Rhizobial endophytes infect and colonize not only leguminous plants, but several non‐leguminous species as well. Using green fluorescent protein tagging technique, it has been shown that Rhizobia infect different varieties of rice species and migrate from plant roots to aerial tissues such as leaf sheaths and leaves. The interaction between them was found to promote the growth of rice. The growth promotion is the cumulative result of enhanced photosynthesis and stress resistance. In addition, indole‐3‐acetic acid also contributes to the promotion. Gel‐based comparative proteomic approaches were applied to analyze the protein profiles of three different tissues (root, leaf sheath and leaf) of Sinorhizobium meliloti 1021 inoculated rice in order to get an understanding about the molecular mechanism. Upon the inoculation of rhizobia, proteins involved in nine different functional categories were either up‐regulated or down‐regulated. Photosynthesis related proteins were up‐regulated only in leaf sheath and leaf, while the up‐regulated proteins in root were exclusively defense related. The results implied that there might have been an increase in the import and transport of proteins involved in light and dark reactions to the chloroplast as well as more efficient distribution of nutrients, hence enhanced photosynthesis. Although the initiation of defensive reactions mainly occurred in roots, some different defense mechanisms were also evoked in the aerial tissues.
Temporal proteomic analysis of IGF‐1R signalling in MCF‐7 breast adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: Murphy J. Patrick , Pinto Devanand M.
Published: March 2010

Dysregulation of the insulin‐like growth factor 1 receptor signalling network is implicated in tumour growth and resistance to chemotherapy. We explored proteomic changes resulting from insulin‐like growth factor 1 stimulation of MCF‐7 adenocarcinoma cells as a function of time. Quantitative analysis using iTRAQ™ reagents and 2‐D LC‐MS/MS analysis of three biological replicates resulted in the identification of 899 proteins (p≤0.05) with an estimated mean false‐positive rate of 2.6%. Quantitative protein expression was obtained from 681 proteins. Further analysis by supervised k‐means clustering identified five temporal clusters, which were submitted to the FuncAssociate server to assign overrepresented gene ontology terms. Proteins associated with vesicle transport were significantly overrepresented. We further analyzed our data set for proteins showing temporal significance using the software, extraction and analysis of differential gene expression, resulting in 20 significantly and temporally changing proteins (p≤0.1). These significant proteins play roles in, among others, altered glucose metabolism (lactate dehydrogenase A and pyruvate kinase M1/M2) and cellular stress (nascent polypeptide‐associated complex subunit α and heat shock (HSC70) proteins). We used multiple reaction monitoring to validate these interesting proteins and have revealed several differences in relative peptide expression corresponding to protein isoforms and variants.
Pendant structure governed anion sensing property for sulfonamide‐functionalized poly(phenylacetylene)s bearing various α‐amino acids
Authors: Kakuchi Ryohei , Shimada Ryotaro , Tago Yasuyuki , Sakai Ryosuke , Satoh Toshifumi , Kakuchi Toyoji
Published: March 2010

The colorimetric detection of anionic species has been studied for α‐amino acid‐conjugated poly(phenylacetylene)s, which were prepared by the polymerization of the ethyl esters of N‐(4‐ethynylphenylsulfonyl)‐L‐alanine, L‐isoleucine, L‐valine, L‐phenylalanine, L‐aspartic acid, and L‐glutamic acid using Rh+(2,5‐norbornadiene)[(η6‐C6H5)B−(C6H5)3] as the catalyst in CHCl3. The one‐handed helical conformations of all the sulfonamide‐functionalized polymers were characterized by Cotton effects in the circular dichroism spectra. The addition of anions with a relatively high basicity, such as tetra‐n‐butylammonium acetate and fluoride, induced drastic changes in both the optical and chiroptical properties. On the other hand, anions with a relatively low basicity, such as tetra‐n‐butylammonium nitrate, azide, and bromide, had essentially no effects on the helical conformation of all the sulfonamide‐functionalized polymers. The anion signaling property of the sulfonamide‐functionalized polymers possessing α‐amino acid moieties was significantly affected by the installed residual amino acid structures. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1683–1689, 2010
End‐functionalization of syndiotactic polystyrene by vinylsilane inducing selective chain transfer reactions
Authors: Hsiao Ting‐Jui , Tsai Jing‐Cherng
Published: March 2010

Structurally well‐defined end‐functionalized syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) can be prepared by conducting a simultaneous selective chain transfer reaction during the syndiospecific polymerization of styrene in the presence of vinylsilanes. The production of vinylsilane end‐capped sPS involves a unique selective chain transfer pathway via the incorporation of a terminal vinylsilane unit at the polymer chain end by 2,1‐insertion. This unusual insertion pattern situates the bulky silyl functional group at a closer β‐position from the active catalyst center, thus deactivating the propagating chain by a steric jam between the vinylsilane end group and the active catalyst. Subsequently, chain releasing by hydrogen addition (in the presence of H2) or by β‐elimination (in the absence of H2) can take place, which leads to the production of end‐functionalized sPS with precise controls of stereoregularity and of the location of functionality. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1690–1698, 2010