bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Efficacy of Different Therapy Protocols for Heart Failure in Patients with Heart Failure and Increased Natriuretic Peptide Level
Authors: Kovačević Radmila , Mirić Milutin 
Published: April 2009

The Efficacy of Different Therapy Protocols for Heart Failure in Patients with Heart Failure and Increased Natriuretic Peptide Level
Natriuretic peptide BNP might be clinically useful for monitoring treatment effects in patients with heart failure (HF). In order to investigate the pharmacological effects of different therapy protocols for patients with HF based on the BNP level before and after therapy, we performed an open randomized comparative trial. Sixty-two HF patients with increased natriuretic peptide level, aged 55.82±9.09, II-III NYHA functional classes, ejection fraction (EF) <45%, received a 12-week treatment with either traditional pharmacotherapy for HF with ACE inhibitors and β-blockers (1st group), or ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) (2nd group), or β-blockers and ARBs (3rd group), and ACE inhibitors, β-blockers and ARBs (4th group). We evaluated the BNP plasma level, hemodynamic state (pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), cardiac output (CO), EF and exercise capacity. The BNP plasma level decreased significantly in the 4th group of patients who received ACE inhibitors, β-blockers and ARBs, in comparison to other groups. A beneficial influence on hemodynamic and exercise capacity was significantly pronounced in this group, compared to the other therapy regimes. In conclusion, the therapeutic protocol: ACE inhibitors, β-blockers and ARBs in HF patients with increased natriuretic peptide level significantly improves the quality of life, left ventricular function, hemodynamic parameters and exercise capacity. All these changes were accompanied with a decreasing of the BNP plasma level.
The Importance of Determining Human Placental Lactogen in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy
Authors: Durković Jasmina , Mandić Bojana 
Published: April 2009

The Importance of Determining Human Placental Lactogen in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy
Human placental lactogen (HPL) is a hormone produced by the placenta with a role in the regulation of fetoplacental growth. In this paper, the results of HPL determination in the third trimester of pregnancy are presented with the aim of testing the sensitivity of this biochemical marker for detecting placental dysfunction, fetal vitality and risk of bad outcome. The tests were performed on 370 women with high-risk pregnancy, between the 20th and 36th week of pregnancy. HPL was determined by an ELISA method using Bioserv Diagnostics tests and the results were read by a STAT-FAX 303+ reader. When compared to normal pregnancy, a significant decrease in the level of HPL biomarker was identified in preeclampsia (p<0.01), whereas in diabetes the serum level of HPL was significantly higher (p<0.01). A significant positive correlation between the level of HPL during pregnancy and the weight of a newborn child, its head circumference and Apgar score was obtained. The results of the research indicate that the maternal concentration of the HPL biomarker is directly connected to the vitality of placental tissue, so that HPL in the third trimester of pregnancy can be used as an indicator of placental insufficiency and fetal vitality.
The Effect of Water Magnetized with Negative Magnetic Field on Effectiveness of Selected Zoocides in the Control of Two-Spotted Spider Mite (Tetranychus Urticae Koch)
Authors: Górski Romuald , Wachowiak Marek , Tomczak Michał 
Published: April 2009

The Effect of Water Magnetized with Negative Magnetic Field on Effectiveness of Selected Zoocides in the Control of Two-Spotted Spider Mite (Tetranychus UrticaeKoch)The results of experiments showed an effect of negative magnetic field on some chemical and physical properties of water. A slight increase in iron (Fe) content, a decrease in zinc (Zn) level and an increase in surface tension (Dc) were observed in the study. At the same time the effect of magnetically modified water on an increase in effectiveness of tested zoocides was observed in the control of the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticaeKoch). A strong and statistically significant increase in the effectiveness of zoocide Talstar 100 EC was recorded after the application of one and three magnetizers, preparation Omite 30 WP after the application of two magnetizers, acaricide Magus 200 SC after the application of one and two magnetizers as well as a simultaneous use of one magnetizer and two semi-rings. Acaricide Ortus 05 SC showed a marked increase in the effectiveness in all treatments with the use of magnetically modified water.
Discrimination Between Celery Cultivars with the Use of Rapd Markers
Authors: Domblides Arthur , Domblides Helen , Kharchenko Victor 
Published: April 2009

Discrimination Between Celery Cultivars with the Use of Rapd MarkersScreening of celery cultivars with random amplified primers is a way of avoiding mistakes in distinguishing similar genotypes. Six primers showed distinct polymorphism between the studied cultivars. The number of bands varied from 7 to 13. Suitable primers generated 52 markers of which 22 were polymorphic. A similarity matrix was created using Jaccard's coefficient. The group average method was employed to construct a dendrogram. Based on RAPD marker profiles the cultivars were grouped into three clusters coinciding with the cultivated types, var. dulce (salad celery), and var. rapaceum (turnip celery), var. secalinum (cutting celery). The salad celery entries were similar to plants of turnip celery with similarity 0.73, and the distance between genotypes of cutting celery and turnip celery was 0.68. Although only 12 cultivars have been analysed, the specific product amplified with OPX1 was observed in the three studied cultivars of cutting celery.
Pancreatic Islet Transplantation and Regeneration for Diabetes mellitus Treatment
Authors: Babarykin Dmitry , Nikolajeva Vizma , Eze Daina , Amerika Diana 
Published: April 2009

Pancreatic Islet Transplantation and Regeneration for Diabetes mellitus Treatment
The incidence of diabetes mellitus due to different causes (heredity, unhealthy food, sedentary life style, etc.) is increasing both in Latvia and worldwide every year. In almost all cases insulin therapy must be administered. However, the latest modern technologies promote the development of new and alternative treatments of diabetes mellitus. One of them, the procedure of islet transplantation is comparatively simple and relatively non-invasive in contrast to whole pancreas transplantation. It is considered as a perspective strategy in the treatment of patients with type 1 diabetes, when the insulin-producing beta cells have been destroyed and blood glucose level is above the normal range (hyperglycaemia). Successful outcome of clinical islet transplantation has been shown in several islet transplantation centres in Europe and elsewhere, particularly in the last seven years, using corticoid-free immunosuppression regimen. Islets are isolated by a collagenase-based digestion of donor pancreas with a "Ricordi" chamber, followed by a purification step in a Ficoll-based continuous density gradient. This review discusses the islet transplantation procedure and deals with the methods of islet isolation. Importance of islet preparations and engraftment quality, as well as clinical outcome and its indications also are described. The present status of islet regeneration including beta cells neogenesis and regeneration therapy strategies also are presented. The experience of Latvian scientists in islet transplantation procedure is briefly described.
Early results of CyberKnife radiosurgery for arteriovenous malformations
Authors: Colombo Federico , Cavedon Carlo , Casentini Leopoldo , Francescon Paolo , Causin Francesco , Pinna Vittore 
Published: April 2009

Object
The authors describe a method that utilizes an image-guided robotic radiosurgical apparatus (the CyberKnife) for treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). This procedure required the development of an original technique that allows a high degree of automation.

Methods
Angiographic images were imported into the treatment planning software by coregistering CT and 3D rotational angiography. The nidus contour was delineated using the contouring tools of the treatment planning system. Functional MR imaging was employed for contouring critical cortical regions, such as the motor cortex and language areas. Once the radiation dose to be delivered to the target volume and dose constraints to critical structures were prescribed, the inverse treatment planning function determined the optimal treatment plan.

Results
A series of 279 patients with cerebral AVMs underwent CyberKnife radiosurgery. One transitory adverse effect of the radiation procedure was observed. Eight bleeding occurrences were noted before complete AVM obliteration. Of the 102 patients with follow-up > 36 months, 80 underwent angiographic evaluation. In this group, 65 patients (81.2%) showed complete angiographic obliteration of their AVM. In 8 more patients, complete angiographic obliteration was demonstrated by MR angiography only.

Conclusions
This is the first report describing a technique developed for CyberKnife radiosurgery of cerebral AVMs. The use of different imaging modalities for automatic delineation of the target and critical structures combined with the employment of the inverse treatment planning capability is the crucial point of the procedure. The procedure proved to be safe and efficient.
Hypoxia-induced Abrogation of Contact-dependent Inhibition of Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovial Fibroblast Proliferation
Authors: NONOMURA YOSHINORI , MIZOGUCHI FUMITAKA , SUZUKI AKIKO , NANKI TOSHIHIRO , KATO HIROYUKI , MIYASAKA NOBUYUKI , KOHSAKA HITOSHI 
Published: April 2009

Objective.Uncontrolled proliferation of synovial fibroblasts is characteristic of the pathology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Since synovial tissues in the rheumatoid joints are hypoxic, we investigated how hypoxia affects RA synovial fibroblast (RASF) proliferation.Methods.RASF were cultured at 2000 cells (low density culture) or at 5000 cells (high density, growth-inhibitory confluent culture) per microtiter well under hypoxic (10%, 3%, or 1% O2) or normoxic (21% O2) conditions. Some RASF were treated with recombinant human interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-neutralizing antibodies, anti-N-cadherin-blocking antibodies, or MG132. 3H-labeled thymidine incorporation was quantified to assess their proliferation. Total RNA and cell lysates were prepared for real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses.Results.Hypoxia exerted no effect on proliferation of RASF cultured at low density. At high density, it abrogated contact-dependent growth inhibition of RASF, but not of human dermal fibroblasts. Addition of anti-TNF-α antibodies or IL-1ra did not affect the results. Upregulated expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1 was observed in the cells cultured at high density under normoxic conditions, but not under hypoxic conditions. Hypoxia decreased N-cadherin expression on RASF. Addition of anti-N-cadherin-blocking antibodies mimicked the effects of hypoxic culture; it promoted proliferation of RASF cultured at high density under normoxic conditions. This antibody treatment also downmodulated p27Kip1 expression.Conclusion.Hypoxia downregulates N-cadherin expression on RASF, and thus prevents p27Kip1 upregulation for their contact inhibition. It is likely that hypoxia in rheumatoid synovial tissues contributes to rheumatoid pathology by augmenting proliferation of synovial fibroblasts.
Mannose-Binding Lectin Gene Polymorphisms Are Associated with Disease Activity and Physical Disability in Untreated, Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide-Positive Patients with Early Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: JACOBSEN SØREN , GARRED PETER , MADSEN HANS OLE , HEEGAARD NIELS H.H. , HETLAND MERETE LUND , STENGAARD-PEDERSEN KRISTIAN , JUNKER PETER , LOTTENBURGER TINE , ELLINGSEN TORKEL , ANDERSEN LIS SMEDEGAARD , HANSEN IB , SKJØDT HENRIK , PEDERSEN JENS KRISTIAN , LAURIDSEN ULRIK BIRK , SVENDSEN ANDERS J. , TARP ULRIK , PØDENPHANT JAN , LINDEGAARD HANNE , VESTERGAARD AAGE , ØSTERGAARD MIKKEL , HØRSLEV-PETERSEN KIM 
Published: April 2009

Objective.To study the association between polymorphisms in the mannose-binding lectin gene (MBL2)and disease activity, physical disability, and joint erosions in patients with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods.Patients with early RA (n = 158) not previously treated with disease modifying antirheumatic drugs, participating in a treatment trial (CIMESTRA study) were examined at inclusion forMBL2pooled structural genotypes (O/O, A/O, A/A), regulatoryMBL2promoter polymorphism in position −221 (XX, XY, YY), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide 2 antibodies (anti-CCP2), disease activity by Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28 score), physical disability by Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) score, and erosive changes in hands and feet (Sharp-van der Heijde score).Results.Eight patients were homozygousMBL2defective (O/O), 101 belonged to an intermediate group, and 49 wereMBL2high producers (YA/YA). Anti-CCP was present in 93 patients (59%). High scores of disease activity, C-reactive protein-based DAS28 (p = 0.02), and physical disability by HAQ (p = 0.01) were associated with highMBL2expression genotypes in a gene-dose dependent way, but only in anti-CCP-positive patients. At this early stage of the disease there was no association with erosion score from radiographs.Conclusion.The results point to a synovitis-enhancing effect of MBL in anti-CCP-positive RA, whereas such an effect was not demonstrated for joint erosions.
Comparison of Threshold Cutpoints and Continuous Measures of Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibodies in Predicting Future Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: CHIBNIK LORI B. , MANDL LISA A. , COSTENBADER KAREN H. , SCHUR PETER H. , KARLSON ELIZABETH W. 
Published: April 2009

Objective.Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies are strongly associated with increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).While the anti-CCP level is commonly dichotomized for clinical use, the best threshold for and utility of the titer as a continuous variable to predict development of RA are uncertain.Methods.Using data from the Nurses’ Health Study and Nurses’ Health Study II longitudinal cohorts, we examined the sensitivity, specificity, and hazard of RA at various thresholds of the anti-CCP. Incident RA was confirmed using the Connective Tissue Disease Screening Questionnaire and medical record review in 93 women from among 62,437 participants with blood samples. Three controls per case were randomly chosen, matching on cohort, age, and menopausal status. Stored plasma was tested for anti-CCP antibodies with the second-generation Diastat™ ELISA. Five threshold values were assessed for sensitivity, specificity, and time to diagnosis of RA. Hazard of RA was assessed with conditional logistic regression models adjusting for smoking and reproductive factors.Results.Using the suggested threshold of > 5 U/ml for anti-CCP positivity, specificity was 100%, but sensitivity was only 28%. A threshold of > 2 U/ml had a higher sensitivity (51%), and similar specificity (80%), with an odds ratio of 11.2 (95% confidence interval 4.7–26.9) for RA. Anti-CCP level as an ordinal variable was strongly associated with time to RA onset, with higher values predicting shorter time to RA onset.Conclusion.A lower threshold for anti-CCP positivity was more sensitive in predicting RA development. Higher ranges of the level were informative in predicting time to RA onset.
Outcome and Predictor Relationships in Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Evidence Concerning the Continuum versus Discrete Disorder Hypothesis
Authors: WOLFE FREDERICK , MICHAUD KALEB 
Published: April 2009

Objective.To compare outcome-predictor relationships in fibromyalgia (FM) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), to provide information regarding the competing hypotheses that FM is a continuum or a discrete disorder.Methods.We studied 3 outcome variables (work disability, opioid use, depression) and 12 clinical predictor variables in 2,046 patients with FM and 20,374 with RA. We determined whether outcome-predictor relationships were stronger in FM or RA by measuring the areas under the receiver-operating curves. We used fractional polynomial logistic regression to create graphic models for the outcome-predictor relationships.Results.All measures of status and outcome were more abnormal in FM than in RA. Depression was reported in 33.4% of patients with FM compared with 15.1% of those with RA. The predictor-outcome relationship was significantly stronger in RA in 28 of the 36 tests, and not different in the remainder. The relationship between outcome and predictor variables was generally similar in patients with FM and RA. However, unmodeled depression that was not explained by study variables was noted in FM.Conclusion.Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that FM is the end of a severity continuum, but that additional psychological factors are an integral part of the syndrome.
Measurement of Human Serum IgD Levels
Authors: Overed‐Sayer Catherine L. , Mosedale David E. , Goodall Margaret , Grainger David J. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThis unit describes an ELISA for the quantitative measurement of IgD levels in human serum. The ELISA is highly specific and sensitive, with a minimum detectable concentration of 30 pg/ml and more than 10,000‐fold specificity for IgD over all other human immunoglobulins. Linear dilution characteristics enable measurement of IgD concentrations ranging over 5 orders of magnitude. These factors are vital for the IgD assay, since IgD makes up only a small proportion of the total immunoglobulins present in normal sera, and IgD serum concentrations are known to vary widely between individuals. Curr. Protoc. Immunol. 85:2.9B.1‐2.9B.7. © 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Isolation of Murine and Human Immunoglobulin M and Murine Immunoglobulin D
Authors: Andrew Sarah M. , Titus Julie A. , Amin Ashok , Coico Richard 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThis unit describes two classical protocols for the purification of IgM—dialysis of ascites fluid, tissue culture medium, or bioreactor supernatants against distilled water to precipitate pure IgM, and ammonium sulfate precipitation. Both protocols can be followed by size‐exclusion chromatography to obtain a highly purified product. Recently, an affinity method for purification of IgM has been developed using mannan‐binding protein, and is described here. The third approach presented is a one‐step IgD purification method, designed specifically for murine derived samples, that uses Sepharose coupled to lectin derived from the seeds of Griffonia simplicifolia‐1. This represents a simple, rapid, and gentle, approach to isolating this highly labile immunoglobulin from IgD‐containing ascites or hybridoma sources. Curr. Protoc. Immunol. 85:2.9.1‐2.9.8. © 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Vaccination of Mice with Baculovirus‐Infected Insect Cells Expressing Antigenic Proteins
Authors: Jordan Kimberly R. , Crawford Fran , Kappler John W. , Slansky Jill E. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractMethods to induce antigen‐specific immune responses in mice using insect cells infected with recombinant baculoviruses are described in this unit. Although this vaccine strategy has been used to generate both antibody and T cell responses, it has been more thoroughly characterized for the peptide‐specific cytotoxic T cell responses. Nonspecific responses to the vaccine vehicle are controlled for by vaccinating with insect cells infected with baculoviruses encoding irrelevant antigens or no antigen. The baculovirus‐infected insect cells alone are an effective immune adjuvant to elicit antigen‐specific T cells. Overall, immune responses generated using this approach are similar to those generated by more conventional vaccine strategies. Curr. Protoc. Immunol. 85:2.15.1‐2.15.23. © 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Isolation of Whole Mononuclear Cells from Peripheral Blood and Cord Blood
Authors: Fuss Ivan J. , Kanof Marjorie E. , Smith Phillip D. , Zola Heddy 
Published: April 2009

AbstractPeripheral blood is the primary source of lymphoid cells for investigation of the human immune system. Its use is facilitated by Ficoll‐Hypaque density gradient centrifugation—a simple and rapid method of purifying peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) that takes advantage of the density differences between mononuclear cells and other elements found in the blood sample. Thus, cells are distributed in the solution in layers based on the differences in their density/size. Additional purification methods can be employed as the mononuclear cell sample can be purified from monocytes by adherence or by exposure to L‐leucine methyl ester; these methods are described for both procedures. Cord blood and peripheral blood from infants contain immature cells, including nucleated red cells, which can result in significant contamination of the mononuclear cell layer, and removal of these cells requires additional steps that are described. The isolation procedures presented here can also be applied to cell populations derived from tissues. Curr. Protoc. Immunol. 85:7.1.1‐7.1.8. © 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Allylboration of Carbonyl Compounds
Authors: Lachance Hugo , Hall Dennis G. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractAllylic boron compounds have gained a prominent status in organic synthesis for their ability to add with high stereoselectivity to carbonyl compounds such as aldehydes, making them a methodology of choice for the preparation of acetate and propionate units found in several classes of natural products. This remarkable reaction process was discovered in 1964, only to become popular in the 1980s. Using either the dialkylborane or boronate reagents, both the thermal uncatalyzed reaction and the more recent acid‐catalyzed procedures can provide homoallylic alcohol products in high enantioselectivity. The wide of range of possibilities for substitution on the reagent's allylic unit has led to the development of numerous reagents, and the residual alkene unit in the products confers to allylboration chemistry a unique versatility. This chapter presents an exhaustive survey of the useful reagents and their associated carbonyl substrates employed in organic synthesis. The mechanisms and parameters of the reaction are discussed, along with an overview of the different preparative methods for allylic boron reagents. The scope and limitations of these reagents in enantioselective additions, doubly diastereoselective additions, tandem reactions, and other variants is emphasized in the context of applications in natural product synthesis. The literature is covered through early 2006.
Wheat
Authors: Khurana Paramjit , Chauhan Harsh , Desai Shreenivas A. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractWheat is one of the important cereal crops and staple food for over 35% of the global population. Genetic engineering is a power tool to introduce new genes and traits, overcoming many barriers of conventional breeding such as sexual incompatibility and species barrier between organisms. Genetically modified crops are gaining tremendous importance and coverage over the last few years. However, wheat is still lagging behind due to many reasons such as its hexaploid nature and a large genome size and complete or partial transgene silencing. Nevertheless, considerable progress has been made to produce wheat transgenics for different agronomic traits such as abiotic and biotic stress tolerance, yield and quality improvement, and functional genomics analysis. This article summarizes the development of wheat transformation technology and its application for engineering major agronomic traits and in functional genomics.