bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Conformational Flexibility in DNA Duplexes Containing Single G · G Mismatches
Authors: Lane Andrew N. , Peck Brian 
Published: July 2010

Purine‐purine mismatches can base‐pair in a variety of configurations depending on solution conditions. The G • G mismatch, which also occurs in the G‐quartet structure, has been showm by both x‐ray crystallography and NMR to adopt G(anti) · G(syn) mispairs, with very different hydrogen bonding patterns [Skelly, J., Edwards, K., Jenkins, T. C. & Neidle, S. (1993) Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 90, 804–808; Cognet, J. A. H., Gabarro‐Arpa, J., Le Bret, M., van der Marel, G. A. van Boom, J. H. & Fazakerley, G. V. (1991) Nucleic Acids. Res. 19, 6771–6779] while we have recently suggested the presence of weakly hydrogen‐bonded G(anti) · G(anti) pairs in solution [Borden, K. L. B., Jenkins, T. C., Skelly, J. V., Brown, T. & Lane, A. N. (1992) Biochemistry 31, 5411–5422]. Spectral overlap and additional exchange processes have made detailed structural analysis difficult in these mismatched oligomers. We have used NMR to characterise the conformations of four duplexes containing single G • G mismatches, including a nonamer d(CATCGGATG), two undecamers d(GCATTGAATGC) and d(CATGTGACGTG) that can each form a self‐complementary duplex with a single G · G mispair in the centre, and the non‐self‐complementary d(GTAACGACATG) · d(CATGTGGTTAC).The three self‐complementary duplexes have a single set of NMR resonances, and all four duplexes show evidence of conformational exchange at the mismatch site. The N1H resonances of the mismatched G residues each integrate to two protons, ruling out the enol tautomer. They resonate between 10.5–10.7 ppm, far upfield of the Watson‐Crick hydrogen‐bonded GN1H and exchange readily with water protons.Intraresidue GH8‐H1′ NOE intensities are two–threefold larger for the mismatched G residues than in G · C base pairs, indicating the presence of syn conformations. NOE time courses for the self‐complementary duplexes were consistent with an equimolar mixture of G(syn) · G(anti) and G (anti) · G(syn) states. By symmetry, these states must be interconverting at a rate that is fast on the chemical shift timescale. In the non‐self‐complementary undecamer, the NOE data indicated that the distinguishable mismatched G residues also spend a significant, but different, fraction of the time in both the syn and anti conformations.The rate constant for the syn/anti transition in the non‐self‐complementary undecamer was determined as ≈ 14000 s−1 at 303 K from rotating frame T1 measurements, and the apparent frequency difference was > 250 Hz.Calculations based on NOEs and coupling constants showed that the duplexes are overall in the B form. Improved agreement with the NOE data for the mismatched residues could be obtained by constructing linear averages of conformations for the mismatched bases.
Hepatitis B and C virus infections and anti‐tumor necrosis factor‐α therapy: Guidelines for clinical approach
Authors: Nathan Debbie M , Angus Peter W , Gibson Peter R 
Published: July 2010

AbstractAnti‐tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF) therapy has recently been recognized to be associated with activation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, with a potentially fatal outcome, mirroring experience in the setting of immune suppression and subsequent reconstitution in cancer chemotherapy and transplantation. Although there is no current evidence that anti‐TNF therapy influences the natural history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, the involvement of TNF in the pathogenesis of hepatic injury and extrapolation from other clinical situations heighten awareness of a potential conflict. Preventive strategies should be mandatory. These include screening of all patients for HBV and HCV infection prior to commencement of anti‐TNF therapy, and active monitoring of aminotransferases and, for HBV, viral load during and for 3 months after therapy has terminated. Prophylactic or early intervention strategies with nucleoside analogs are recommended for patients with evidence of HBV infection.
LEARNING CURVE FOR ENDOSCOPIC SUBMUCOSAL DISSECTION OF LARGE COLORECTAL TUMORS
Authors: Hotta Kinichi , Oyama Tsuneo , Shinohara Tomoaki , Miyata Yoshinori , Takahashi Akiko , Kitamura Yoko , Tomori Akihisa 
Published: July 2010

Background and Aim:  No studies have previously described the learning curve for colonic endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). The aim of the present study was to describe the learning curve for ESD of large colorectal tumors based on a single colonoscopist's experience.Methods:  ESD was carried out for 120 colorectal tumors in 115 patients (68 males, median age 70 years). All procedures were carried out by a single experienced colonoscopist. The cases were grouped chronologically into three periods: (1st): cases 1–40; (2nd): cases 41–80; and (3rd): cases 81–120.Results:  The learning curve was the changes in proficiency over time. Proficiency was expressed as procedure time per unit area of specimen. In the 1st, 2nd and 3rd periods, the proficiencies were 18.9, 12.6 and 12.9 (min/cm2), respectively. The proficiencies in the 2nd and 3rd periods were significantly shorter than in the 1st period (t‐test, P < 0.05). The en‐bloc resection rates of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd periods were 92.5% (37/40), 90% (36/40) and 97.5% (39/40), respectively. The en‐bloc and R0 resection rates of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd periods were 85% (34/40), 77.5% (31/40) and 92.5% (37/40), respectively. The perforation rates of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd periods were 12.5% (5/40), 5% (2/40) and 5% (2/40), respectively.Conclusion:  Based on our analysis of the learning curve, approximately 80 procedures must be carried out to acquire skill with ESD for large colorectal tumors. However, approximately 40 procedures were sufficient to acquire skill in avoiding perforations during the ESD procedure.
DIAGNOSIS AND CLINICAL COURSE OF ULCERATIVE GASTRODUODENAL LESION ASSOCIATED WITH ULCERATIVE COLITIS: POSSIBLE RELATIONSHIP WITH POUCHITIS
Authors: Hisabe Takashi , Matsui Toshiyuki , Miyaoka Masaki , Ninomiya Kazeo , Ishihara Hiroshi , Nagahama Takashi , Takaki Yasuhiro , Hirai Fumihito , Ikeda Keisuke , Iwashita Akinori , Higashi Daijiro , Futami Kitaro 
Published: July 2010

Background and Aim:  Ulcerative colitis (UC) is not only characterized by pathological lesions localized to colonic mucosa, but also to various complications involving other organs, including postoperative pouchitis. Among these complications, diffuse gastroduodenitis with lesions resembling colonic lesions has been reported, albeit rarely. The aim of the present study was to attempt to characterize the lesions of the upper gastrointestinal tract occurring as a complication of UC, and to assess the frequency and clinical course of these lesions.Methods:  A total of 322 UC patients who had undergone upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were retrospectively analyzed. We assessed the frequency of endoscopic findings, including diffuse gastroduodenal lesions resembling colonic lesions. Ulcerative gastroduodenal lesion (UGDL) associated with UC was diagnosed if lesions satisfied the following criteria: (i) improvement of the lesions with treatment of UC; and/or (ii) resemblance to UC in pathological findings.Results:  UGDL satisfying the aforementioned criteria was found in 15 (4.7%) of 322 patients. All the 15 patients had UGDL accompanied by pancolitis or after proctocolectomy. Frequency in 146 patients with pancolitis was 6.2% (nine patients) and that in 81 patients who had undergone proctocolectomy was 7.4% (six patients). Four patients with diffuse ulcerative upper‐gastrointestinal mucosal inflammation (DUMI) had pouchitis. In all patients except one, the lesions resolved easily with medical treatment.Conclusions:  In more than half of the post‐proctocolectomy patients, UGDL was related to the occurrence of pouchitis. The existence of characteristic UGDL must be taken into account in the diagnosis and treatment of UC, and UGDL is possibly related to the occurrence of pouchitis.
Does a vitrified blastocyst stage embryo transfer program need hormonal priming for endometrial preparation?
Authors: Kim Yong Jin , Choi Young Sik , Lee Won Don , Kim Ki Chul , Jee Byung Chul , Suh Chang Suk , Kim Seok Hyun , Moon Shin Yong 
Published: July 2010

AbstractAim:  To compare the clinical outcomes of a vitrified blastocyst stage embryo transfer (ET) program among natural, ovulation induced and artificial cycles.Material & Methods:  The clinical outcomes were retrospectively analyzed in three groups according to endometrial preparation (natural cycle group [n = 34], ovulation induced [n = 21], and artificial cycles [n = 70]) among women that underwent vitrified blastocyst stage ET.Results:  The overall pregnancy rate was 48.8%. There were no significant differences in the duration of endometrial preparation, endometrial thickness on the day of progesterone or human chorionic gonadotropin administration, implantation and clinical pregnancy rates among the three groups. Triple‐line endometrial patterns were more frequently observed in the natural and ovulation induced groups than in the artificial cycle group (85.3% vs 64.3%, P = 0.021; 90.5% vs 64.3%, P = 0.016).Conclusion:  Our findings suggest that the types of endometrial preparation may have no significant effect on the clinical outcomes of vitrified blastocyst ET. Hormonal priming does not appear to be a prerequisite for endometrial preparation for vitrified blastocyst ET.
Case of polyhydramnios complicated by Opitz G/BBB syndrome
Authors: Tajima Hiroko , Itoh Hiroaki , Mochizuki Ayako , Nakamura Yuki , Kobayashi Yukiko , Hirai Kyuya , Suzuki Kazunao , Sugihara Kazuhiro , Ohishi Akira , Ohzeki Takehiko , Kanayama Naohiro 
Published: July 2010

AbstractOpitz G/BBB syndrome is a congenital disorder characterized by midline defects, such as hypertelorism, cleft lip and/or palate, hypospadias, and by dysphagia often caused by laryngo‐tracheo‐esophageal abnormalities. We experienced a case of polyhydramnios in a male dichorionic diamniotic (DD) twin, who was diagnosed with Opitz G/BBB syndrome after birth. It is suggested that severe dysphagia was causatively associated with the development of polyhydramnios. In cases of Opitz G/BBB syndrome, boys are usually more heavily affected than girls, who generally manifest only hypertelorism. In the differential diagnosis of polyhydramnios of unidentified cause in male fetuses, it may be helpful to consider maternal facial characteristics, especially hypertelorism.
Baseline serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in the Tromsø Study 1994–95 and risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus during 11 years of follow‐up
Authors: Grimnes G. , Emaus N. , Joakimsen R. M. , Figenschau Y. , Jenssen T. , Njølstad I. , Schirmer H. , Jorde R. 
Published: July 2010

Diabet. Med. 27, 1107–1115 (2010)AbstractAims  We wanted to test the hypothesis that low serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations are associated with increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in a population‐based cohort during 11 years of follow‐up.Methods  The analyses included 4157 non‐smokers and 1962 smokers from the Tromsø Study 1994–95 without diabetes at baseline. Subsequent Type 2 DM was defined using a hospital journal‐based end‐point registry, completed through the year 2005. Participants were allocated into quartiles of serum 25(OH)D within each month to account for seasonal variation, and serum 25(OH)D values both as a continuous variable and in quartiles were used in Cox regression models. The analyses were stratified by smoking. Adjustments were made for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), physical activity and, in non‐smokers, former smoking.Results  Type 2 DM was registered in 183 non‐smoking and 64 smoking participants. Using the fourth (highest) quartile of serum 25(OH)D as the reference, non‐smoking participants in the third, second and first quartiles had age‐ and sex‐adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of incident Type 2 DM of 1.00 (0.62–1.61), 1.50 (0.97–2.31) and 1.89 (1.25–2.88), respectively, whereas the corresponding values for smokers were 1.79 (0.77–4.19), 2.33 (1.02–5.35) and 2.68 (1.18–6.08). Adjustment for BMI attenuated the hazard ratios, and they were no longer significant.Conclusions  Baseline serum 25(OH)D was inversely associated with subsequent Type 2 DM in a population‐based 11 year follow‐up study, but not after adjustment for BMI. Randomized trials are needed to define the possible role of serum 25(OH)D status, and thereby the role of supplementation, in the prevention of Type 2 DM.
Metformin action on AMP‐activated protein kinase: a translational research approach to understanding a potential new therapeutic target
Authors: Boyle J. G. , Salt I. P. , McKay G. A. 
Published: July 2010

Diabet. Med. 27, 1097–1106 (2010)AbstractClinical studies in Type 2 diabetes mellitus have shown that the effects of metformin go beyond improving HbA1c and include reductions in cardiovascular endpoints. Metformin therapy has been widely used in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes for many years, yet the precise mode of action remains uncertain. It has recently been proposed that metformin‐mediated stimulation of hepatic AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) underlies the hypoglycaemic effects of metformin. AMPK is a heterotrimeric enzyme that is expressed in many tissues and plays a central role in the regulation of energy homoeostasis. Furthermore, there is increasing evidence that AMPK is implicated in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The generation of more specific and potent activators of AMPK, however, could have additional metabolic and vascular benefits for patients with Type 2 diabetes.
Red meat and colorectal cancer: a critical summary of prospective epidemiologic studies
Authors: Alexander D. D. , Cushing C. A. 
Published: July 2010

SummaryMeat consumption and cancer has been evaluated in hundreds of epidemiologic studies over the past three decades; however, the possible role of this food group on carcinogenesis is equivocal. In this comprehensive review, the currently available epidemiologic prospective studies of red meat intake and colorectal cancer are summarized to provide a greater understanding of any potential relationships. Specifically, salient demographic, methodological and analytical information is synthesized across 35 prospective studies. Collectively, associations between red meat consumption and colorectal cancer are generally weak in magnitude, with most relative risks below 1.50 and not statistically significant, and there is a lack of a clear dose–response trend. Results are variable by anatomic tumour site (colon vs. rectum) and by gender, as the epidemiologic data are not indicative of a positive association among women while most associations are weakly elevated among men. Colinearity between red meat intake and other dietary factors (e.g. Western lifestyle, high intake of refined sugars and alcohol, low intake of fruits, vegetables and fibre) and behavioural factors (e.g. low physical activity, high smoking prevalence, high body mass index) limit the ability to analytically isolate the independent effects of red meat consumption. Because of these factors, the currently available epidemiologic evidence is not sufficient to support an independent positive association between red meat consumption and colorectal cancer.
SHOULD WE DE‐MORALIZE ETHICAL THEORY?
Authors: McElwee Brian 
Published: July 2010

AbstractSome philosophers, such as Roger Crisp and Alastair Norcross, have recently argued that the traditional moral categories of wrongness, permissibility and obligation should be avoided when doing ethical theory. I argue that even if morality does not itself provide reasons for action, the moral categories nevertheless have a central role to play in ethical theory: they allow us to make crucial judgements about how to feel about, and react to, agents who behave in anti‐social ways, and they help motivate us to act altruistically.
SIMULTANEITY IN DISPOSITIONAL INTERACTION?
Authors: Tugby Matthew 
Published: July 2010

AbstractMy aim is to question an assumption that is often made in the philosophical literature on dispositions. This is the assumption that, generally, the stimulation (or ‘triggering’) of a disposition temporally precedes the manifesting of that disposition. I will begin by examining precisely what the trigging of a disposition may be thought to consist in, and will identify two plausible views. I will then argue that on either of these views about triggering, a case can be made against the view that the triggering of a disposition always occurs before the manifesting of that disposition. More precisely, if the first view about triggering is accepted, and certain plausible assumptions about dispositions are put into place, a metaphysical argument can be formulated for the claim that the stimulation of a disposition never occurs before that disposition manifests. If the second view about triggering is accepted, the question concerning simultaneity becomes an empirical one. There are, however, examples of dispositional interaction which, on the second view about triggering, clearly seem to involve simultaneity.1
The Characteristics of a New Glucose Sensor for Use in an Artificial Pancreatic Beta Cell
Authors: Clarke W. L. , Santiago J. V. 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACTA new glucose sensor has been developed for the continuous extracorporeal monitoring of blood glucose concentrations in conjunction with an artificial pancreatic beta cell simulator. This sensor has a rapid ninety percent response time (<1 min), is stable for periods of up to 140 hours of accumulated use and can be calibrated without the use of a reference glucose analyzer. Its reliability has been confirmed in over 100 clinical studies. A comparison of this sensor to other glucose sensors designed for artificial pancreatic beta cell devices is made and the sensor is shown to be the most advanced glucose sensor presently available for extracorporeal continuous glucose monitoring in man.
Hematologic Observations Made in Patients With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in the Cooperative ECMO Project
Authors: Rodvien Robert 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACTIn a recently completed three‐year multicenter trial, 90 individuals with adult acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) were randomly allocated to conventional therapy with or without long‐term extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). This study conclusively demonstrated that ARDS is associated with frequent major bleeding and thrombotic episodes and that the bleeding correlates best with the degree of thrombocytopenia and is enhanced by the machine. Neither heparin's therapeutic efficacy nor its ability to increase bleeding could be proven. ARDS is associated with a complex coagulation disturbance. Besides thrombocytopenia, there were lowered circulating levels of factors VII and XII which may be related to changes in the pulmonary endothelium. ECMO was associated with relative leukopenia and a marked shift to immature circulating leukocytes. Further studies are needed to better define the clinical importance of thrombosis and bleeding in the lung, the role for heparin in treatment, and the meaning of reductions in coagulation factors in defining the course, prognosis and response to therapy of patients with ARDS.
Mathematical and Experimental Methods for Design and Evaluation of Membrane Oxygenators
Authors: Eberhart Robert C. , Dengle Satish K. , Curtis Robert M. 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACTThree categories of membrane oxygenators are considered: passive flow, secondary flow induced by the mainstream, secondary flow induced by an external application of energy. The current status of mathematical methods for analysis of fluid mechanics, O2 and CO2 exchange for these categories are briefly reviewed. Emphasis is given to approximate methods for calculation of gas exchange. Practical methods for experimental design optimization studies are outlined; these methods are extended to evaluation of O2 and CO2 exchange in clinical operation. A new method for estimation of internal ventilation and perfusion maldistribution and diffusion resistance is described. A brief assessment of blood damage in clinical application of the oxygenator is presented from the point of view of deterioration of gas exchange performance.
Human Thoracic Anatomy Relevant to Implantable Artificial Hearts
Authors: Jacobs Gordon B. , Agishi Tetsuzo , Ecker Robert , Meaney Thomas , Kiraly Raymond J. , Nosé Yukihiko 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study is to define the human thorax in a quantitative statistical manner such that the information will be useful to the designers of cardiac prostheses, both total replacement and assist devices. This paper pertains specifically to anatomical parameters relevant to the total artificial heart.Methods were developed for generating an integrated, statistical model of the anatomical structures within the human thorax. These methods involve definition of the anatomy in four areas: chest wall, pericardium, vascular connection locations, and great vessels.Results are presented in three dimensional scale views of the human thorax showing the main features pertinent to cardiac prosthesis implantation. Statistical variability of this data is also included. Measurements were obtained from a number of sources and represent both normal and diseased patients. The ERDA total artificial heart was shown to successfully fit the fiftieth percentile adult male human.
Hemodynamic Studies, Acid‐Base Status and Osmolality in Different Hemodialysis Procedures
Authors: Hampl Hannelore , Paeprer Horst , Unger Volker , Ryzlewicz Thomas , Fischer Christoph , Cambi Vincenzo , Kessel Michael 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACTThree patients on maintenance dialysis were each treated with three different procedures: A) twenty‐liter recirculation dialysis with bicarbonate buffering, B) recirculation‐adsorption dialysis and C) single‐pass dialysis. Hemodynamic parameters were measured invasively and procedures A, B and C were compared for each patient. In this intra‐individual comparative study, the authors attempted to establish a relationship between the varying hemodynamic parameters and the changes in osmolality and acid‐base status. There were indications of some causal relationship to circulatory stability: in A and B, there were peripheral resistance increases of 24.5% and 38.4%, respectively, with stable circulation; in C., there was a 6.1% increase and unstable circulation. Additionally, the influence of acidosis is shown in B, with disproportionately strong reductions of cardiac output (21.9%) and pulmonary artery pressure (44.9%). In spite of a decrease of osmolality (A: 15.6 mOsm/L), stable circulation could be achieved if the peripheral resistance was substantially increased and acid‐base status was equalized.