bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Close temporal relationship between onset of cancer and scleroderma in patients with RNA polymerase I/III antibodies
Authors: Shah Ami A. , Rosen Antony , Hummers Laura , Wigley Fredrick , Casciola‐Rosen Livia 
Published: May 2010

AbstractObjectiveThis study was undertaken to examine the temporal relationship between scleroderma development and malignancy, and to evaluate whether this differs by autoantibody status among affected patients.MethodsStudy participants had a diagnosis of scleroderma, a diagnosis of cancer, cancer, an available serum sample, and a cancer pathology specimen. Sera were tested for autoantibodies against topoisomerase I, centromere, and RNA polymerase I/III by immunoprecipitation and/or enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Clinical and demographic characteristics were compared across autoantibody categories. Expression of RNA polymerases I and III was evaluated by immunohistochemistry using cancerous tissue from patients with anti–RNA polymerase antibodies.ResultsTwenty‐three patients were enrolled. Six patients tested positive for anti–RNA polymerase I/III, 5 for anti–topoisomerase I, and 8 for anticentromere, and 4 were not positive for any of these antigens. The median duration of scleroderma at cancer diagnosis differed significantly between groups (−1.2 years in the anti–RNA polymerase I/III group, +13.4 years in the anti–topoisomerase I group, +11.1 years in the anticentromere group, and +2.3 years in the group that was negative for all antigens tested) (P = 0.027). RNA polymerase III demonstrated a robust nucleolar staining pattern in 4 of 5 available tumors from patients with antibodies to RNA polymerase I/III. In contrast, nucleolar RNA polymerase III staining was not detected in any of 4 examined tumors from the RNA polymerase antibody–negative group (P = 0.048).ConclusionOur findings indicate that there is a close temporal relationship between the onset of cancer and scleroderma in patients with antibodies to RNA polymerase I/III, which is distinct from scleroderma patients with other autoantibody specificities. In this study, autoantibody response and tumor antigen expression are associated. We propose that malignancy may initiate the scleroderma‐specific immune response and drive disease in a subset of scleroderma patients.
Prevention of cartilage degeneration and restoration of chondroprotection by lubricin tribosupplementation in the rat following anterior cruciate ligament transection
Authors: Jay Gregory D. , Fleming Braden C. , Watkins Bryn A. , McHugh Karen A. , Anderson Scott C. , Zhang Ling X. , Teeple Erin , Waller Kimberly A. , Elsaid Khaled A. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate whether cartilage degeneration is prevented or minimized following intraarticular injections of lubricin derived from human synoviocytes in culture, recombinant human PRG4 (rhPRG4), or human synovial fluid (SF) in a rat model of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.MethodsUnilateral ACL transection (ACLT) was performed in Lewis rats (n = 45). Nine animals were left untreated. The remaining rats were given intraarticular injections (50 μl/injection) of either phosphate buffered saline (PBS) (n = 9), human synoviocyte lubricin (200 μg/ml; n = 9), rhPRG4 (200 μg/ml; n = 9), or human SF lubricin (200 μg/ml; n = 9) twice weekly beginning on day 7 after injury. Joints were harvested on day 32 after injury. Histologic analysis was performed using Safranin O–fast green staining, and articular cartilage degeneration was graded using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI)–modified Mankin criteria. Histologic specimens were immunoprobed for lubricin and sulfated glycosaminoglycans. A 24‐hour urine collection was performed on days 17 and 29 postinjury, and urinary C‐terminal telopeptide of type II collagen (CTX‐II) levels were measured.ResultsTreatment with human synoviocyte lubricin resulted in significantly lower OARSI scores for cartilage degeneration compared with no treatment or PBS treatment (P < 0.05). Increased immunostaining for lubricin in the superficial zone chondrocytes and on the surface of cartilage was observed in lubricin‐treated, but not untreated or PBS‐treated, joints. On day 17, urinary CTX‐II levels in human synoviocyte lubricin– and human SF lubricin–treated animals were significantly lower than those in untreated animals (P = 0.005 and P = 0.002, respectively) and in PBS‐treated animals (P = 0.002 and P < 0.001, respectively).ConclusionAfter treatment with any of the 3 types of lubricin evaluated in this study, a reduction in cartilage damage following ACLT was evident, combined with a reduction in type II collagen degradation. Our findings indicate that intraarticular lubricin injection following an ACL injury may be beneficial in retarding the degeneration of cartilage and the development of posttraumatic OA.
Risk factors for severe infections in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with rituximab in the autoimmunity and rituximab registry
Authors: Gottenberg J.‐E. , Ravaud P. , Bardin T. , Cacoub P. , Cantagrel A. , Combe B. , Dougados M. , Flipo R. M. , Godeau B. , Guillevin L. , Loët X. Le , Hachulla E. , Schaeverbeke T. , Sibilia J. , Baron G. , Mariette X. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractObjectiveThe risk of severe infection is a crucial factor in the assessment of the short‐term risk:benefit ratio of biologic drugs in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There is no increase in severe infections in RA patients treated with rituximab (RTX) in controlled trials, but this has not yet been assessed in daily practice. We undertook this study to investigate the occurrence of and risk factors for severe infections in off‐trial patients using data from the AutoImmunity and Rituximab (AIR) registry.MethodsThe AIR registry was set up by the French Society of Rheumatology. The charts of patients with severe infections were reviewed.ResultsOf the enrolled patients, 1,303 had at least 1 followup visit at 3 months or later, with a mean ± SD followup period of 1.2 ± 0.8 years (1,629 patient‐years). Eighty‐two severe infections occurred in 78 patients (5.0 severe infections per 100 patient‐years), half of them in the 3 months following the last RTX infusion. Multivariate analysis showed that chronic lung disease and/or cardiac insufficiency (odds ratio 3.0 [95% confidence interval 1.3–7.3], P = 0.01), extraarticular involvement (odds ratio 2.9 [95% confidence interval 1.3–6.7], P = 0.009), and low IgG level (<6 gm/liter) before initiation of RTX treatment (odds ratio 4.9 [95% confidence interval 1.6–15.2], P = 0.005) were significantly associated with increased risk of a severe infection.ConclusionThe rate of severe infections in current practice is similar to that reported in clinical trials. The risk factors for severe infections include chronic lung and/or cardiac disease, extraarticular involvement, and low IgG before RTX treatment. This suggests that serum IgG should be checked and the risk:benefit ratio of RTX discussed for patients found to have low levels of IgG.
Determination of trace amounts of dopamine by flow‐injection analysis coupled with luminol–Ag(III) complex chemiluminescence detection
Authors: Xu Xiangdong , Shi Hongmei , Ma Li , Kang Weijun , Li Shan 
Published: May 2010

AbstractA novel flow injection analysis‐direct chemiluminescence (FI‐CL) method has been developed for determination of trace amounts of dopamine (DA) based on the enhancing effect of DA on the CL reaction of luminol with an Ag(III) complex in alkaline solution. Under optimum conditions, CL intensities are proportional to the concentration of DA in the range of 1.0 × 10−10 to 4.0 × 10−8 mol L−1. The detection limit is 3.0 × 10−11 mol L−1 for DA (3s), with a relative standard deviation (n = 13) of 2.3% for 1.0 × 10−8 mol L−1 DA. This method has also been applied for the determination of DA in commercial pharmaceutical injection samples. On the basis of the CL spectra and the results of the free‐radical trapping experiment of this work, a reaction mechanism for this CL reaction is proposed and discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The validation of a simple LC/MS/MS method for determining the level of mevalonic acid in human plasma
Authors: Kindt Erick , Szekely‐Klepser Gabriella , Fountain Scott T. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractA simple plasma extraction method coupled with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) detection was developed and validated for the analysis of endogenous mevalonic acid (MVA), a biomarker indicative of the rate of cholesterol biosynthesis, in human plasma samples. The analyte was extracted from the plasma matrix using a straightforward liquid–liquid sample preparation procedure. The extract supernatants were evaporated, reconstituted in aqueous solvent and injected into the LC/MS/MS system without further processing. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography column. The accuracy and precision of the method was determined over the concentration range 0.25–25 ng/mL MVA from human plasma extracts in three validation batch runs. Inter‐assay precision (%CV) and accuracy (%RE) of the quality control samples were ≤7.00% (at lower limit quality control) and ≤6.10%, respectively. The sensitivity and throughput of this assay was significantly improved relative to previously published methods, resulting in smaller sample requirements and shorter analysis time. Assay results from a clinical study following the oral administration of an exploratory statin demonstrate that this procedure could potentially be used in the investigation of therapies associated with hypercholesterolemia. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydrogenolysis of 1,2‐Propanediol for the Production of Biopropanols from Glycerol
Authors: Amada Yasushi , Koso Shuichi , Nakagawa Yoshinao , Tomishige Keiichi 
Published: May 2010

AbstractProduction of propanols from glycerol, which are known as biopropanols, requires catalysts for the hydrogenolysis of 1,2‐propanediol, which has been easily derived from glycerol. It is found that the Rh/SiO2 catalysts modified with ReOx species exhibited high activity and selectivity in the hydrogenolysis of 1,2‐propanediol to propanols with low selectivity to degradation products and high stability. The optimized RhReOx/SiO2 (Re/Rh=0.5) catalyst gave high yields of 1‐propanol (66 %) and propanols (1‐propanol +2‐propanol) (85 %) in the hydrogenolysis of 1,2‐propanediol. In addition, the catalyst was applicable to the one‐pot conversion of glycerol to propanols. The structure of Rh metal particles with attached ReOx clusters is suggested from the catalyst characterization. It is proposed that 1,2‐propanediol hydrogenolysis proceeds by the hydrogenolysis of the alkoxide species on Re with hydrogen species on the Rh metal surface.
Fine‐needle aspiration of renal cell carcinoma: Is accurate Fuhrman grading possible on cytologic material?
Authors: Bishop Justin A. , Hosler Gregory A. , Kulesza Piotr , Erozan Yener S. , Ali Syed Z. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe Fuhrman grading system of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) consists of four grades based on nuclear size/contour and nucleolar conspicuousness. Fuhrman grading of histpathologic material is an independent prognostic parameter for RCC. Although widely used in surgical pathology, Fuhrman grading is not routinely performed on cytologic material. Thirty‐three cases of renal fine needle aspirations (FNAs) with histologically proven RCC were retrieved from the cytopathology archives at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Fuhrman grade was determined independently and blindly by three faculty cytopathologists and compared with the Fuhrman grade of the subsequent surgical pathology specimen. The 33 resection specimens had the following Fuhrman grades: 0/33, grade I; 24/33 (73%), grade II; 9/33 (27%), grade III; and 0/33, grade IV. After Fuhrman grading was applied to the FNA material, diagnostic sensitivity was 83% for grade II versus 44% for grade III. The specificity and accuracy were 50 and 75%, respectively, for grade II versus 100% and 84% for grade III. Diagnostic sensitivity for grade II tumors ranged from 38 to 83%, grade III 44–62%. Diagnostic specificity for grade II tumors ranged from 50 to 78%, grade III 80–100%. Accuracy ranged from 48 to 75% for grade II and 75–87% for grade III. Using a two‐tier grading model, accuracy improved to 84.2%. In our experience, Fuhrman grading of FNA specimens yielded variable results. There was only moderate agreement between cytopathologists, with an overall tendency to undergrade the tumor when compared with the resection specimen. Averaging the participants' grading and using a two‐tier instead of four‐tier system improved overall performance. Diagn. Cytopathol.2011;39:168–171. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cyclooxygenase‐2 expression in lung cancer cells evaluated by immunocytochemistry
Authors: Koch Andrea , Gustafsson Bertil , Fohlin Helena , Sörenson Sverre 
Published: May 2010

AbstractCyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) expression may be a prognostic factor in lung cancer. In previous studies, COX‐2 expression has almost exclusively been evaluated with immunohistochemical methods performed on histology sections of tissue biopsies. However, in clinical practice, lung cancer is often diagnosed with cytological techniques only. We present methodology and results from analysis of COX‐2 expression with immunochemistry on cytological material in 53 patients with lung cancer. Preparation and staining with the method established at our laboratory were easy to perform and resulted in good quality slides. The percentage COX‐2‐stained cells and the intensity of staining varied widely between and within the different cases. The proportion of positively stained tumor cells was as follows: <1% in 20 patients, 1–10% in 7 patients, 11–50% in 17 patients, and more than 50% in 9 patients. In 17 cases, groups of cells with different intensity of COX‐2 staining were found in the same slide. In conclusion, immunocytochemical analysis of COX‐2 expression is technically easy to perform with routine diagnostic procedures. There is a great variation in the proportion of COX‐2‐positive cells among patients and in the intensity of staining among individual cells in many single cases. Diagn. Cytopathol.2011;39:188–193. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Paramagnetic (1,3‐Diborolyl)ruthenium Triple‐Decker Complexes and Transformation into Diamagnetic Complexes Having Bridging 1,3‐Diborafulvene Ligands
Authors: Mutseneck Elena V. , Wadepohl Hubert , Enders Markus , Kudinov Alexander R. , Siebert Walter 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe paramagnetic triple‐decker complexes [(Cp*Ru)2{μ‐(CMe)3(BCl)(BMe)}] (3b) and [(Cp*Ru)2{μ‐(CMe)3(BCl)2}] (3c) are formed by refluxing a mixture of [Cp*RuCl]4 and pentamethyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1,3‐diborole in thf. In CH2Cl2 under air complex 3b slowly looses a hydrogen atom with formation of the diamagnetic triple‐decker [(Cp*Ru)2{μ‐η5:η6‐(CMe)3(BCl)(BCH2)}] (4b) with the unsymmetrical dihydrodiborafulvene derivative in a bridging position. The analogous complex [(Cp*Ru)2{μ‐η5:η6‐(CMe)3(BMe)‐(BCH2)}] (4a) is obtained by interaction of HCl with the triple‐decker [(Cp*Ru)2{μ‐(CMe)3(BMe)2}] (3a). According to calculations, complexes 4a and 4b have an almost non‐distorted triple‐decker arrangement with a strong bending of the B=CH2 group toward one of the Ru atoms. For the formation of 3b and 3c the chloro‐containing sandwich complexes [Cp*Ru{η5‐(CMe)3(BCl)(BR1)}] (2b,c; R1 = Me, Cl) are proposed as intermediates. The constitutions of the complexes are derived from NMR, MS and DFT data, and the molecular structure of 3b is confirmed by an X‐ray diffraction analysis.
Diselenide‐ and Disulfide‐Mediated Synthesis of Isocoumarins
Authors: Shahzad Sohail A. , Venin Claire , Wirth Thomas 
Published: May 2010

AbstractCyclizations of stilbenecarboxylic acids to the corresponding isocoumarin derivatives using diselenide or disulfide reagents have been developed. By employing bis(triflouroacetoxy)iodobenzene as oxidant for the 6‐endo‐trig cyclizations a variety of dihydroisocoumarins have been prepared in good yields. This method is capable of forming isocoumarins and dihydroisocoumarin derivatives by a cyclization–elimination route.
Comparison of different approaches and computer programs for progress curve analysis of enzyme kinetics
Authors: Zavrel Michael , Kochanowski Karl , Spiess Antje C. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractFor the analysis of enzyme kinetics, a variety of programs exists. These programs apply either algebraic or dynamic parameter estimation, requiring different approaches for data fitting. The choice of approach and computer program is usually subjective, and it is generally assumed that this choice has no influence on the obtained parameter estimates. However, this assumption has not yet been verified comprehensively. Therefore, in this study, five computer programs for progress curve analysis were compared with respect to accuracy and minimum data amount required to obtain accurate parameter estimates. While two of these five computer programs (MS‐Excel, Origin) use algebraic parameter estimation, three computer programs (Encora, ModelMaker, gPROMS) are able to perform dynamic parameter estimation. For this comparison, the industrially important enzyme penicillin amidase (EC 3.5.1.11) was studied, and both experimental and in silico data were used. It was shown that significant differences in the estimated parameter values arise by using different computer programs, especially if the number of data points is low. Therefore, deviations between parameter values reported in the literature could simply be caused by the use of different computer programs.
A catchment scale evaluation of the SIBERIA and CAESAR landscape evolution models
Authors: Hancock GR , Lowry JBC , Coulthard TJ , Evans KG , Moliere DR 
Published: May 2010

AbstractLandscape evolution models provide a way to determine erosion rates and landscape stability over times scales from tens to thousands of years. The SIBERIA and CAESAR landscape evolution models both have the capability to simulate catchment–wide erosion and deposition over these time scales. They are both cellular, operate over a digital elevation model of the landscape, and represent fluvial and slope processes. However, they were initially developed to solve research questions at different time and space scales and subsequently the perspective, detail and process representation vary considerably between the models. Notably, CAESAR simulates individual events with a greater emphasis on fluvial processes whereas SIBERIA averages erosion rates across annual time scales. This paper describes how both models are applied to Tin Camp Creek, Northern Territory, Australia, where soil erosion rates have been closely monitored over the last 10 years. Results simulating 10 000 years of erosion are similar, yet also pick up subtle differences that indicate the relative strengths and weaknesses of the two models. The results from both the SIBERIA and CAESAR models compare well with independent field data determined for the site over different time scales. Representative hillslope cross‐sections are very similar between the models. Geomorphologically there was little difference between the modelled catchments after 1000 years but significant differences were revealed at longer simulation times. Importantly, both models show that they are sensitive to input parameters and that hydrology and erosion parameter derivation has long‐term implications for sediment transport prediction. Therefore selection of input parameters is critical. This study also provides a good example of how different models may be better suited to different applications or research questions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Commonwealth of Australia
Network analysis of resting state EEG in the developing young brain: Structure comes with maturation
Authors: Boersma Maria , Smit Dirk J.A. , de Bie Henrica M.A. , Van Baal G. Caroline M. , Boomsma Dorret I. , de Geus Eco J.C. , Delemarre‐van de Waal Henriette A. , Stam Cornelis J. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractDuring childhood, brain structure and function changes substantially. Recently, graph theory has been introduced to model connectivity in the brain. Small‐world networks, such as the brain, combine optimal properties of both ordered and random networks, i.e., high clustering and short path lengths. We used graph theoretical concepts to examine changes in functional brain networks during normal development in young children. Resting‐state eyes‐closed electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded (14 channels) from 227 children twice at 5 and 7 years of age. Synchronization likelihood (SL) was calculated in three different frequency bands and between each pair of electrodes to obtain SL‐weighted graphs. Mean normalized clustering index, average path length and weight dispersion were calculated to characterize network organization. Repeated measures analysis of variance tested for time and gender effects. For all frequency bands mean SL decreased from 5 to 7 years. Clustering coefficient increased in the alpha band. Path length increased in all frequency bands. Mean normalized weight dispersion decreased in beta band. Girls showed higher synchronization for all frequency bands and a higher mean clustering in alpha and beta bands. The overall decrease in functional connectivity (SL) might reflect pruning of unused synapses and preservation of strong connections resulting in more cost‐effective networks. Accordingly, we found increases in average clustering and path length and decreased weight dispersion indicating that normal brain maturation is characterized by a shift from random to more organized small‐world functional networks. This developmental process is influenced by gender differences early in development. Hum Brain Mapp, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Improving the interpretability of all‐to‐all pairwise source connectivity analysis in MEG with nonhomogeneous smoothing
Authors: Schoffelen Jan‐Mathijs , Gross Joachim 
Published: May 2010

AbstractStudying the interaction between brain regions is important to increase our understanding of brain function. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is well suited to investigate brain connectivity, because it provides measurements of activity of the whole brain at very high temporal resolution. Typically, brain activity is reconstructed from the sensor recordings with an inverse method such as a beamformer, and subsequently a connectivity metric is estimated between predefined reference regions‐of‐interest (ROIs) and the rest of the source space. Unfortunately, this approach relies on a robust estimate of the relevant reference regions and on a robust estimate of the activity in those reference regions, and is not generally applicable to a wide variety of cognitive paradigms. Here, we investigate the possibility to perform all‐to‐all pairwise connectivity analysis, thus removing the need to define ROIs. Particularly, we evaluate the effect of nonhomogeneous spatial smoothing of differential connectivity maps. This approach is inspired by the fact that the spatial resolution of source reconstructions is typically spatially nonhomogeneous. We use this property to reduce the spatial noise in the cerebro‐cerebral connectivity map, thus improving interpretability. Using extensive data simulations we show a superior detection rate and a substantial reduction in the number of spurious connections. We conclude that nonhomogeneous spatial smoothing of cerebro‐cerebral connectivity maps could be an important improvement of the existing analysis tools to study neuronal interactions noninvasively. Hum Brain Mapp, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.