bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adipokines and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Relationship with Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors
Authors: VADACCA MARTA , MARGIOTTA DOMENICO , RIGON AMELIA , CACCIAPAGLIA FABIO , COPPOLINO GIUSY , AMOROSO ANTONIO , AFELTRA ANTONELLA 
Published: May 2009

Objective.To study concentrations of adipokines in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the relationship among adipokines, the metabolic syndrome (MeS), and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.Methods.We enrolled 50 SLE patients and 26 controls, all women. Leptin, resistin, visfatin, and adiponectin were measured by commercial ELISA kits.Results.MeS prevalence was increased among subjects with SLE. Leptin levels were higher in patients with SLE than controls. Among SLE patients, independent determinants of leptin were insulin levels (p < 0.0001), triglycerides (p = 0.03), body mass index (p = 0.02), corticosteroid dosage (p = 0.02), and SLE Disease Activity Index (p = 0.005). Other adipokines did not differ between SLE patients and controls.Conclusion.Leptin was increased in SLE patients and could play a role in SLE-related cardiovascular diseases.
Autoantibodies in Pediatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Ethnic Grouping, Cluster Analysis, and Clinical Correlations
Authors: JURENCÁK ROMAN , FRITZLER MARVIN , TYRRELL PASCAL , HIRAKI LINDA , BENSELER SUSANNE , SILVERMAN EARL 
Published: May 2009

Objective.(1) To evaluate the spectrum of serum autoantibodies in pediatric-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (pSLE) with a focus on ethnic differences; (2) using cluster analysis, to identify patients with similar autoantibody patterns and to determine their clinical associations.Methods.A single-center cohort study of all patients with newly diagnosed pSLE seen over an 8-year period was performed. Ethnicity, clinical, and serological data were prospectively collected from 156/169 patients (92%). The frequencies of 10 selected autoantibodies among ethnic groups were compared. Cluster analysis identified groups of patients with similar autoantibody profiles. Associations of these groups with clinical and laboratory features of pSLE were examined.Results.Among our 5 ethnic groups, there were differences only in the prevalence of anti-U1RNP and anti-Sm antibodies, which occurred more frequently in non-Caucasian patients (p < 0.0001, p < 0.01, respectively). Cluster analysis revealed 3 autoantibody clusters. Cluster 1 consisted of anti-dsDNA antibodies. Cluster 2 consisted of anti-dsDNA, antichromatin, antiribosomal P, anti-U1RNP, anti-Sm, anti-Ro and anti-La autoantibody. Cluster 3 consisted of anti-dsDNA, anti-RNP, and anti-Sm autoantibody. The highest proportion of Caucasians was in cluster 1 (p < 0.05), which was characterized by a mild disease with infrequent major organ involvement compared to cluster 2, which had the highest frequency of nephritis, renal failure, serositis, and hemolytic anemia, or cluster 3, which was characterized by frequent neuropsychiatric disease and nephritis.Conclusion.We observed ethnic differences in autoantibody profiles in pSLE. Autoantibodies tended to cluster together and these clusters were associated with different clinical courses.
The Efficacy and Safety of Milnacipran for Treatment of Fibromyalgia. A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial
Authors: MEASE PHILIP J. , CLAUW DANIEL J. , GENDREAU R. MICHAEL , RAO SRINIVAS G. , KRANZLER JAY , CHEN WEI , PALMER ROBERT H. 
Published: May 2009

Objective.To evaluate the safety and efficacy of milnacipran, a dual norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibitor, in the treatment of fibromyalgia (FM).Methods.A 27-week, randomized, double-blind, multicenter study compared milnacipran 100 and 200 mg/day with placebo in the treatment of 888 patients with FM. Two composite responder definitions were used to classify each patient’s individual response to therapy. “FM responders” concurrently satisfied response criteria for improvements in pain (visual analog scale 24-h morning recall), patient global impression of change (PGIC), and physical functioning (SF-36 Physical Component Summary); while “FM pain responders” concurrently satisfied response criteria for improvements in pain and PGIC.Results.At the primary endpoint, after 3-month stable dose treatment, a significantly higher percentage of milnacipran-treated patients met criteria as FM responders versus placebo (milnacipran 200 mg/day, p = 0.017; milnacipran 100 mg/day, p = 0.028). A significantly higher percentage of patients treated with milnacipran 200 mg/day also met criteria as FM pain responders versus placebo (p = 0.032). Significant pain reductions were observed after Week 1 with both milnacipran doses. At 15 weeks, milnacipran 200 mg/day led to significant improvements over placebo in pain (realtime, daily and weekly recall; all measures, p < 0.05), PGIC (p < 0.001), fatigue (p = 0.016), cognition (p = 0.025), and multiple SF-36 domains. Milnacipran was safe and well tolerated by the majority of patients during 27 weeks of treatment; nausea and headache were the most common adverse events.Conclusion.Milnacipran is safe and effective for the treatment of multiple symptoms of FM.
Pharmacokinetics of sertindole and its metabolite dehydrosertindole in rats and characterization of their comparative pharmacodynamics based onin vivoD2receptor occupancy and behavioural conditioned avoidance response
Authors: Bundgaard Christoffer , Larsen Frank , Kreilgaard Mads , Brennum Lise T. , Olsen Christina Kurre 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe objectives of this study were to characterize the pharmacokinetics of sertindole and its active metabolite dehydrosertindole in rats and to evaluate the central modulatory and behavioural pharmacodynamics including a competitive interaction model between the compounds. Following oral administration of sertindole or dehydrosertindole, the plasma concentration–time courses were determined in conjunction with striatal dopamine D2receptor binding. In addition, the behavioural effects were recorded in the conditioned avoidance response (CAR) paradigm. A one‐compartment model with Michaelis‐Menten elimination best described the pharmacokinetics of sertindole. Formation of dehydrosertindole was incorporated into the pharmacokinetic model and exhibited first‐order elimination. PK/PD modelling after administration of dehydrosertindole resulted in potency estimates of 165 and 424 ng/ml for D2‐occupancy (Kd) and CAR measurements (EC50), respectively. The pharmacokinetics of the parent–metabolite system was integrated into a competitive pharmacodynamicEmaxmodel in order to quantitate the potency of sertindole with the pharmacodynamic parameters of the metabolite taken into account. Based on this approach, effect compartment concentrations of sertindole needed to attain 50% occupancy and half‐maximal effect in the CAR paradigm were 133 and 338 ng/ml, respectively. The corresponding potency‐estimates obtained after conventional modelling of the sertindole data without accounting for the metabolite amounted to 102 and 345 ng/ml. Based on competitive PK/PD analysis of the parent–metabolite interaction, the relative contribution of dehydrosertindole to the overall pharmacological effect after sertindole administration in rats appeared to be of minor significance. This could mainly be ascribed to the relatively low extent of bioconversion of sertindole into dehydrosertindole in this species. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is sex associated with the outcome of patients treated with radiation for nonsmall cell lung cancer?
Authors: McGovern Susan L. , Liao Zhongxing , Bucci M. Kara , McAleer Mary Frances , Jeter Melenda D. , Chang Joe Y. , O'Reilly Michael S. , Cox James D. , Allen Pamela K. , Komaki Ritsuko 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND:Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women, but the disease course differs between the sexes. To the authors' knowledge, sex‐based differences in outcomes among the population of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving radiation have not been well defined.METHODS:Data for 831 patients (319 women and 512 men) with stage I to III NSCLC and treated with ≥45 Gray of radiation between March 1985 and November 2003 were retrospectively analyzed (grading determined according to the 1997 American Joint Committee on Cancer grading system).RESULTS:Women were more likely to have earlier stage disease, to have smoked <50 pack‐years, and to have adenocarcinoma or large‐cell carcinoma (all P ≤ .001). For each stage, treatment did not differ between women and men. Five‐year survival rates were significantly better for women than for men: overall survival (OS), 28.6% versus 16.1% (P < .001); disease‐free survival, 31.2% versus 20.1% (P = .02); and distant metastasis–free survival, 48.8% versus 37.6% (P < .02). Among patients with medically inoperable stage I NSCLC, women had improved 5‐year OS compared with men (30.0% vs 13.1%; P = .004). On multivariate analysis, male sex, weight loss, age ≥65 years, and stage III disease were found to be associated with poorer OS (all P < 0.02).CONCLUSIONS:Although women are more likely to have earlier stage disease, among patients with medically inoperable stage I NSCLC, women still have a better OS. Along with known prognostic factors, including age, weight loss, and stage, sex remained significant on multivariate analysis of OS, suggesting that sex is a determinant of outcome in NSCLC patients receiving radiation. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
NV‐128, a novel isoflavone derivative, induces caspase‐independent cell death through the Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway
Authors: Alvero Ayesha B. , Montagna Michele K. , Chen Rui , Kim Ki Hyung , Kyungjin Kim , Visintin Irene , Fu Han‐Hsuan , Brown David , Mor Gil 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND:Resistance to apoptosis is 1 of the key events that confer chemoresistance and is mediated by the overexpression of antiapoptotic proteins, which inhibit caspase activation. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the activation of an alternative, caspase‐independent cell death pathway could promote death in chemoresistant ovarian cancer cells. The authors report the characterization of NV‐128 as an inducer of cell death through a caspase‐independent pathway.METHODS:Primary cultures of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cells were treated with increasing concentration of NV‐128, and the concentration that caused 50% growth inhibition (GI50) was determined using a proprietary assay. Apoptotic proteins were characterized by Western blot analyses, assays that measured caspase activity, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. Protein‐protein interactions were determined using immunoprecipitation. In vivo activity was measured in a xenograft mice model.RESULTS:NV‐128 was able to induce significant cell death in both paclitaxel‐resistant and carboplatin‐resistant EOC cells with a GI50 between 1 μg/mL and 5 μg/mL. Cell death was characterized by chromatin condensation but was caspase‐independent. The activated pathway involved the down‐regulation of phosphorylated AKT, phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and phosphorylated ribosomal p70 S6 kinase, and the mitochondrial translocation of beclin‐1 followed by nuclear translocation of endonuclease G.CONCLUSIONS:The authors characterized a novel compound, NV‐128, which inhibits mTOR and promotes caspase‐independent cell death. The current results indicated that inhibition of mTOR may represent a relevant pathway for the induction of cell death in cells resistant to the classic caspase‐dependent apoptosis. These findings demonstrate the possibility of using therapeutic drugs, such as NV‐128, which may have beneficial effects in patients with chemoresistant ovarian cancer. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
The 2008 World Health Organization classification system for myeloproliferative neoplasms
Authors: Tefferi Ayalew , Thiele Juergen , Vardiman James W. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe first formal classification of chronic myeloid neoplasms is credited to William Dameshek, who in 1951 described the concept of “myeloproliferative disorders (MPD)” by grouping together chronic myelogenous leukemia, polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and primary myelofibrosis (PMF). The 2001 World Health Organization (WHO) classification of myeloid malignancies included these MPDs under the broader category of chronic myeloproliferative diseases (CMPD), which also included chronic neutrophilic leukemia, chronic eosinophilic leukemia/hypereosinophilic syndrome (CEL/HES), and “CMPD, unclassifiable.” The revised 2008 WHO classification system featured the following changes: 1) the term “CMPD” was replaced by “myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN),” 2) mast cell disease was formally included under the category of MPN, and 3) the subcategory of CEL/HES was reorganized into “CEL not otherwise specified (CEL‐NOS)” and “myeloid and lymphoid neoplasms with eosinophilia and abnormalities of PDGFRA, PDGFRB, and FGFR1”; CEL‐NOS remained a subcategory of “MPN,” whereas the latter neoplasms were now assigned a new category of their own. Furthermore, diagnostic criteria for PV, ET, and PMF were revised by incorporating recently described molecular markers (eg, JAK2 and MPL mutations) as well as underscoring the role of histology in differentiating reactive from clonal myeloproliferations. As a result, red cell mass measurement is no longer necessary for the diagnosis of PV, and ET can now be diagnosed at a lower platelet count threshold. The revised WHO document continues to promote the recognition of histologic categories as a necessary first step toward the genetic characterization of myeloid malignancies. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Regioselective Addition of N‐(4‐Thiocyanatophenyl)pyrrolidine Addends to Fullerenes
Authors: Ortiz Angy L. , Rivera Danisha M. , Athans Andreas J. , Echegoyen Luis 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe regioselectivity of 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reactions between N‐(4‐thiocyanatophenyl)glycine and tetrakis[bis(ethoxycarbonyl)methylene]‐C60 (7) was studied. The mono‐addition resulted in two penta‐adduct isomers (8 and 9) in a 1:1 ratio. A second addition to each compound led to, in the case of 8, two hexa‐adduct isomer products (10 and 11), whereas addition to 9 led to 11 and 12. Finally, reaction of 11 and the glycine afforded a third addition, giving rise to hepta‐adduct isomers 13 and 14. Preparative TLC and column chromatography were used to separate and purify these compounds. The structures were assigned based on their molecular symmetries as analyzed by 1H, 13C, and 2D NMR spectra and MALDI‐TOF MS.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Molecular dynamics simulation study of association in trifluoroethanol/water mixtures
Authors: Jalili S. , Akhavan M. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractMixtures of Trifluoroethanol (TFE) and water with different proportions are studied using molecular dynamics simulations. The radial and spatial distribution functions, as well as the size distribution of TFE clusters are obtained from the trajectories. The variation of radial and spatial distribution functions with composition show that the addition of TFE enhances the water structure, but the hydrogen bonds between TFE molecules are broken as TFE is diluted with water. The TFE‐rich solutions have stronger TFE–water hydrogen bonds. The clustering of TFE molecules in low concentration region is attributed to the hydrophobic interactions between CF3 groups. The distribution of cluster sizes in solution supports these conclusions. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010
Qualitative and quantitative determination of seven triterpene acids in Eriobotrya japonica Lindl. by high‐performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection and mass spectrometry
Authors: Li Er‐Na , Luo Jian‐Guang , Kong Ling‐Yi 
Published: May 2009

AbstractIntroductionThe leaves of Eriobotrya japonica are used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, chronic bronchitis, coughs and skin diseases. No method is currently available, however, by which to assess the quality of the crude herb on the basis of the quantitative profile of the main bioactive triterpene acids present. ObjectiveTo develop a simple and accurate HPLC‐UV (photodiode array detection) method for the simultaneous quantification of seven triterpene acids in the leaves of E. japonica.MethodSeparations were performed on an Ultimate XB‐C18 column by gradient elution using methanol:formic acid. Analytes were identified by HPLC coupled with electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry experiments. The quantitative HPLC‐UV method was validated for linearity, precision, accuracy, and limits of detection and quantification.ResultsCalibration curves presented good linear regression (r > 0.9992) within test ranges. The precision and accuracy of the method were acceptable with overall intra‐day and inter‐day variations of 1.35–3.30 and 1.98–4.43%, respectively, and overall recoveries of 95.60–102.67% for the seven compounds analysed. The method was successfully applied to the quantification of seven triterpene acids in eleven samples of E. japonica collected from different provinces of China.ConclusionThe developed assay could be considered as a suitable quality control method for E. japonica. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antiviral Activity and Mode of Action of Propolis Extracts and Selected Compounds
Authors: Schnitzler Paul , Neuner Annett , Nolkemper Silke , Zundel Christine , Nowack Hans , Sensch Karl Heinz , Reichling Jürgen 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAqueous and ethanol extracts of propolis were analysed phytochemically and examined for their antiviral activity in vitro. Different polyphenols, flavonoids and phenylcarboxylic acids were identified as major constituents. The antiviral effect of propolis extracts and selected constituents, e.g. caffeic acid (1), p‐coumaric acid (2), benzoic acid (3), galangin (4), pinocembrin (5) and chrysin (6) against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1) was analysed in cell culture. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of aqueous and ethanol propolis extracts for HSV‐1 plaque formation was determined at 0.0004% and 0.000035%, respectively. Both propolis extracts exhibited high levels of antiviral activity against HSV‐1 in viral suspension tests, plaque formation was significantly reduced by >98%. In order to determine the mode of antiviral action of propolis, the extracts were added at different times during the viral infection cycle. Both propolis extracts exhibited high anti‐HSV‐1 activity when the viruses were pretreated with these drugs prior to infection. Among the analysed compounds, only galangin and chrysin displayed some antiviral activity. However, the extracts containing many different components exhibited significantly higher antiherpetic effects as well as higher selectivity indices than single isolated constituents. Propolis extracts might be suitable for topical application against herpes infection. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance prediction of wind turbines utilizing passive smart blades: approaches and evaluation
Authors: Maheri Alireza , Isikveren Askin T. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe induced deformation, because of the presence of elastic coupling in the structure of passive smart blades, is the key parameter that affects the wind turbine aerodynamic performance, namely rotor mechanical power and blade loading. Therefore, in order to determine the aerodynamic performance of these turbines, a structural analyser is also required to bring the effect of the induced deformation into account. When predicting the rotor mechanical power, additional complexity arises when the blades are bend‐twist‐coupled. In this case, an iterative coupled‐aero‐structure analysis must be carried out at each given wind speed. Further difficulties in simulation of these turbines are posed by the fact that the current analytical models for analysis of structures made of anisotropic composite materials are not accurate enough. This differentiates the numerical simulation of wind turbines utilizing passive smart blades from the simulation of wind turbines with conventional blades. Different strategies have been proposed and followed by investigators in simulation of wind turbines utilizing passive smart blades. These methods can be categorized by the approach adopted in treating the torsional‐induced deformation. In these studies, the induced twist has been predicted, planned or a combination of both. The present paper describes, evaluates and compares these approaches. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cognitive processing in putative functional gastrointestinal disorder: Rumination yields orientation to social threat not pain
Authors: Martin Maryanne , Chapman Sarah C.E. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractTwo possible roles of selective attention in the development and maintenance of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were examined. First, hypervigilance to pain within FGID may exacerbate pain perception and pain‐related distress. Second, hypervigilance to socially threatening stimuli could account for the disrupted social functioning reported by patients. Furthermore, stress‐related variations in reported symptom severity and functioning impairments may reflect changes in cognitive bias with psychological state. Patterns of selective attention were probed within a sample of putative FGID participants (pFGID). The effect of rumination induction on performance on a modified exogenous cueing task was examined. Thirty‐three women with pFGID and 27 matched controls responded to dot probes following pain, social threat and neutral word cues, both before and after rumination (passive self‐focused thought), or distraction induction. Reaction times revealed that after rumination but not neutral distraction, pFGID participants showed enhanced attention to social threat words, but not to pain or neutral words. Between‐group differences in mood, anxiety or depression could not account for these effects. These results implicate selective attention in social but not pain‐related idiosyncrasies in FGID including IBS.