bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
S‐Allyl‐Mercapto‐Captopril: A Novel Compound in the Treatment of Cohen‐Rosenthal Diabetic Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Younis Firas , Mirelman David , Rabinkov Aharon , Rosenthal Talma 
Published: March 2010

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2010;12:451–455. ©2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.S‐allyl‐mercapto‐captopril (CPSSA) is a conjugate of captopril with allicin, an active principle in garlic with multiple beneficial actions on metabolic syndrome abnormalities, including weight preservation, observed by the authors in fructose‐induced hypertensive hyperinsulinemic rats and in Koletsky rats. The aim of the study was to examine blood pressure (BP) and glucose levels in the Cohen‐Rosenthal Diabetic Hypertensive (CRDH) model as well as to follow their weight preservation. CRDH rats (n=14) were fed the sugar‐rich copper‐free diet essential for the development of diabetes mellitus. Two months later BP and blood glucose levels were measured. CPSSA was diluted in drinking water and administered at a final dose of 53.5 mg/kg/d (n=8). Control rats (n=6) received no drug (vehicle group). In contrast to control group, CPSSA prevented progressive weight gain, without a detectable effect on food and water intake. CPSSA was effective in attenuating systolic and diastolic BP (P<0.01) as well as significantly reducing glucose levels (P<0.01). Control rats continued to gain weight, whereas the groups fed CPSSA did not. CPSSA was shown to have additional beneficial effects on improving BP and glucose level, as well as preserving weight gain. The authors conclude that the combined molecule CPSSA integrates the antihypertensive feature of both allicin and captopril, making it a potential antidiabetic and cardiovascular protective agent.
Controlling biofilm formation, prophage excision and cell death by rewiring global regulator H‐NS of Escherichia coli
Authors: Hong Seok Hoon , Wang Xiaoxue , Wood Thomas K. 
Published: March 2010

SummaryThe global regulator H‐NS of Escherichia coli controls genes related to stress response, biofilm formation and virulence by recognizing curved DNA and by silencing acquired genes. Here, we rewired H‐NS to control biofilm formation using protein engineering; H‐NS variant K57N was obtained that reduces biofilm formation 10‐fold compared with wild‐type H‐NS (wild‐type H‐NS increases biofilm formation whereas H‐NS K57N reduces it). Whole‐transcriptome analysis revealed that H‐NS K57N represses biofilm formation through its interaction with the nucleoid‐associated proteins Cnu and StpA and in the absence of these proteins, H‐NS K57N was unable to reduce biofilm formation. Significantly, H‐NS K57N enhanced the excision of defective prophage Rac while wild‐type H‐NS represses excision, and H‐NS controlled only Rac excision among the nine resident E. coli K‐12 prophages. Rac prophage excision not only led to the change in biofilm formation but also resulted in cell lysis through the expression of toxin HokD. Hence, the H‐NS regulatory system may be evolved through a single‐amino‐acid change in its N‐terminal oligomerization domain to control biofilm formation, prophage excision and apoptosis.
Evaluation of the legal risk of a ‘missed’ cancer in two breastscreen services
Authors: Osborne J , Lee W 
Published: March 2010

SummaryVariation in opinions of medical experts is a problem for both the legal and medical profession. This is particularly relevant in breast imaging. BreastScreen Queensland and New South Wales have developed a review protocol to assess ‘reasonableness’ of radiological opinions. It is hoped that the protocol will be acceptable to the courts and will result in a fair outcome for all parties involved in a medico‐legal dispute.
Evaluation of megavoltage CT imaging protocols in patients with lung cancer
Authors: Smith S , Yartsev S , Van Dyk J 
Published: March 2010

SummaryCurrently, megavoltage CT studies in most centres with tomotherapy units are performed prior to every treatment for patient set‐up verification and position correction. However, daily imaging adds to the total treatment time, which may cause patient discomfort as well as results in increased imaging dose. In this study, four alternative megavoltage CT imaging protocols (images obtained: during the first five fractions, once per week, alternating fractions and daily on alternative weeks) were evaluated retrospectively using the daily position correction data for 42 patients with lung cancer. The additional uncertainty introduced by using a specific protocol with respect to the daily imaging, or residual uncertainty, was analysed on a patient and population bases. The impact of less frequent imaging schedules on treatment margin calculation was also analysed. Systematic deviations were reduced with increased imaging frequency, while random deviations were largely unaffected. Mean population systematic errors were small for all protocols evaluated. In the protocol showing the greatest error, the treatment margins necessary to accommodate residual errors were 1.2, 1.3 and 1.7 mm larger in the left–right, superior–inferior and anterior–posterior directions, respectively, compared with the margins calculated using the daily imaging data. The increased uncertainty because of the use of less frequent imaging protocols may be acceptable when compared with other sources of uncertainty in lung cancer cases, such as target volume delineation and motion because of respiration. Further work needs to be carried out to establish the impact of increased residual errors on dose distribution.
Prognostic index to identify patients who may not benefit from whole brain radiotherapy for multiple brain metastases from lung cancer
Authors: Sundaresan P , Yeghiaian‐Alvandi R , Gebski V 
Published: March 2010

SummaryPalliative whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) is often recommended in the management of multiple brain metastases. Allowing for WBRT waiting time, duration of the WBRT course and time to clinical response, it may take 6 weeks from the point of initial assessment for a benefit from WBRT to manifest. Patients who die within 6 weeks (‘early death’) may not benefit from WBRT and may instead experience a decline in quality of life. This study aimed to develop a prognostic index (PI) that identifies the subset of patients with lung cancer with multiple brain metastases who may not benefit from WBRT because of ‘early death’. The medical records of patients with lung cancer who had WBRT recommended for multiple brain metastases over a 10‐year period were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were classified as either having died within 6 weeks or having lived beyond 6 weeks. Potential prognostic indicators were evaluated for correlation with ‘early death’. A PI was constructed by modelling the survival classification to determine the contribution of these factors towards shortened survival. Of the 275 patients recommended WBRT, 64 (23.22%) died within 6 weeks. The main prognostic factor predicting early death was Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) status >2. Patients with a high PI score (>13) were at higher risk of ‘early death’. Twenty‐three per cent of patients died prior to benefit from WBRT. ECOG status was the most predictive for ‘early death’. Other factors may also contribute towards a poor outcome. With further refinement and validation, the PI could be a valuable clinical decision tool.
Innovative program for palliative radiotherapy in Australia
Authors: Holt TR , Yau VKY 
Published: March 2010

SummaryRadiotherapy plays a significant role in the palliation of symptoms in patients with cancer. It can improve symptoms from bone metastases, spinal cord compression, superior vena cava obstruction and cerebral metastases. Long waiting lists and inconvenient access prolong suffering and may even discourage patients from utilising this service. With this in mind, a Rapid Response Palliative Radiotherapy Clinic was established at the Mater Centre – Radiation Oncology Services, Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane. The study evaluates whether the clinic achieves its aim of providing timely and efficient palliative radiotherapy for oncology patients. Data were collected in the first 6 months of the clinic's operation and compared with data from palliative patients seen in other clinics at the same centre over the same period. Patients seen in the Rapid Response Clinic were more likely to have been treated within 24 h of being assessed, and were more likely to have received a single fraction treatment. The clinic fulfils the role of offering a timely and convenient radiation service for palliative patients and acts as a reference for other palliative radiotherapy services in Australia.
Implementation of an image‐guided radiation therapy program: Lessons learnt and future challenges
Authors: Bell LJ , Oliver L , Vial P , Eade TN , Rinks M , Hammond E , Morgan GW , Back M , Wiltshire KL 
Published: March 2010

SummaryThe aim of this paper is to detail the experience obtained in implementing an image‐guided radiation therapy program at the Northern Sydney Cancer Centre. This required retrofitting a Varian Clinac 21EX with an on‐board imager. The commissioning and quality assurance procedures, organisation of a multidisciplinary image guided radiation therapy group, and the development of clinical protocols for orthogonal kV and cone beam computed tomography implementation are described. Reassessment of the image‐guided radiation therapy program has continued as new equipment and software versions were made available in the department.
Central venous catheter tip malposition
Authors: Patel RY , Friedman A , Shams JN , Silberzweig JE 
Published: March 2010

SummaryCentral venous catheters are commonly utilised to gain vascular access for varied clinical indications. Successful central venous catheter placement requires not only technical expertise, but also awareness of the potential complications. This article reviews the major procedural and post‐procedural complications resulting from central venous catheter tip malposition.
A case of emphysematous pyelonephritis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis taking corticosteroid and low‐dose methotrexate
Authors: WATANABE Hiroshi , SUZUKI Ryoma , ASANO Tomoyuki , SHIO Kiori , IWADATE Haruyo , KOBAYASHI Hiroko , MATSUOKA Toshimitsu , AIKAWA Ken , OHIRA Hiromasa 
Published: March 2010

AbstractRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease that is characterized by chronic synovial inflammation. Patients with RA have increased risk of infection; this is related to RA itself or the adverse effects of medication. In this report, we describe a case of emphysematous pyelonephritis in a patient with RA associated with AA amyloidosis and steroid‐induced diabetes mellitus who was taking corticosteroid and low‐dose methotrexate.
The Medici syndrome: a medico‐historical puzzle
Authors: WEISZ George M. , MATUCCI‐CERINIC Marco , ALBURY William R. , LIPPI Donatella 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThe historical significance of the Medici family of Florence is widely recognised, but the diseases which afflicted leading members of this family have only been scientifically studied in recent decades. Paleopathological findings on exhumed skeletons, supplemented by medical descriptions in historical documents, have permitted a retrospective diagnosis of a triple pathological syndrome in the senior branch of the Medici family. Peripheral joint and spinal conditions, with the presence of skin disease, are identified in several generations of the family in the 15th century and are presented as the ‘Medici syndrome’. Radiological findings are compared with macro‐ and microscopical descriptions in the diagnosis of the peripheral joint disease and spinal ankylosis/stenosis within the syndrome.
How to deal with Behcet’s disease in daily practice
Authors: DAVATCHI Fereydoun , SHAHRAM Farhad , CHAMS‐DAVATCHI Cheyda , SHAMS Hormoz , NADJI Abdolhadi , AKHLAGHI Massoomeh , FAEZI Tahereh , SADEGHI ABDOLLAHI Bahar 
Published: March 2010

AbstractIntroduction:  Behcet’s Disease (BD) is classified as a vasculitis, and progresses via attacks and remissions. BD is mainly seen around the Silk Road. The picture varies in different reports. For clinical descriptions, the data from the international cohort of patients (27 countries), will be used.Clinical manifestations:  Mucous membrane manifestations were oral aphthosis seen in 98.1%, and genital aphthosis in 76.9% of patients. Skin manifestations were seen in 71.9% (pseudofolliculitis in 53.6% and erythema nodosum in 33.6%). Ocular manifestations were seen in 53.7% (anterior uveitis 38.8%, posterior uveitis 36.9%, retinal vasculitis 23.5%). Joint manifestations were seen in 50.5% (arthralgia, monoarthritis, oligo/polyarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis). Neurological manifestations were seen in 15.5% of patients (central 11.5%, peripheral 4.4%). Gastrointestinal manifestations were seen in 6.3% of patients. Vascular involvement was seen in 18.2% of patients and arterial involvement in 3% (thrombosis, aneurysm, pulse weakness). Deep vein thrombosis was seen in 8%, large vein thrombosis in 6.5%, and superficial phlebitis in 5.8%. Orchitis and epididymitis were seen in 7.2%. Pathergy test was positive in 49.3% and HLA‐B51 in 49.1% of patients.Diagnosis:  Diagnosis is based on clinical manifestations. The International Criteria for Behcet’s Disease (ICBD) may be helpful.Treatment:  The first line treatment is colchicine (1 mg daily) for mucocutaneous manifestations, non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs for joint manifestations, anticoagulation for vascular thrombosis, and cytotoxic drugs for ocular and brain manifestations. If incomplete response or resistance occurs, therapeutic escalation is worthwhile.Conclusion:  Behcet’s disease is a systemic disease characterized by mucocutaneous, ocular, vascular and neurologic manifestations, progressing by attacks and remissions.
Reduction of liver stiffness by interferon treatment in the patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Arima Yuko , Kawabe Naoto , Hashimoto Senju , Harata Masao , Nitta Yoshifumi , Murao Michihito , Nakano Takuji , Shimazaki Hiroaki , Kobayashi Kyoko , Ichino Naohiro , Osakabe Keisuke , Nishikawa Toru , Okumura Akihiko , Ishikawa Tetsuya , Yoshioka Kentaro 
Published: March 2010

Aim:  To assess the regression of liver fibrosis after interferon (IFN) treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C, liver stiffness (LS) was measured repeatedly and the factors associated with reduction of LS were assessed.Methods:  LS was measured by transient elastography before treatment, at end of treatment (EOT), and 1 year and 2 years after EOT in 145 patients with chronic hepatitis C treated by IFN with or without ribavirin.Results:  In the patients with sustained virological response (SVR) (n = 93) and relapsers (n = 28), LS significantly decreased at EOT (median, 5.4 [interquartile range, 4.0–8.6] kilopascals [kPa], P < 0.0001 and 6.8 [4.5–8.9] kPa, P = 0.0023) and 1 year after EOT (5.3 [4.2–7.0] kPa, P < 0.0001 and 6.8 [4.5–9.3] kPa, P = 0.0204) compared with baseline (8.0 [5.0–11.9] kPa and 10.6 [7.0–16.6] kPa). In SVR patients, LS significantly decreased 2 years after EOT (5.3 [4.1–6.3] kPa) compared with baseline (P < 0.0001) and LS at EOT (P = 0.0034). Two points or greater reduction of deduced stage at last LS measurement was observed in 78% of SVR patients, 59% of relapsers and 15% of patients with non‐virological response whose pretreatment deduced stages were F3–F4. Fibrosis stage, hyaluronic acid levels, duration of treatment, response to treatment and alanine aminotransferase levels were associated with a 2‐point or greater decrease of deduced fibrosis stage.Conclusion:  IFN treatment reduced LS in SVR patients and relapsers. Significant reduction of LS is associated with milder fibrosis stage, lower hyaluronic acid levels, longer IFN treatment, virological response of SVR or relapse and higher alanine aminotransferase levels.
Chemokine CCL3 facilitates the migration of hepatoma cells by changing the concentration intracellular Ca2+
Authors: Yuan Yufeng , Liu Jun , Liu Zhisu , He Yueming , Zhang Zhonglin , Jiang Congqing , Qian Qun 
Published: March 2010

Aim:  Recurrence and metastasis are the major factors associated with the poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It was confirmed that multiple chemokines and their receptors are related to the progression and metastasis of HCC. The aim of this research was to conduct an investigation into whether macrophage inflammatory protein‐1α/CCL3, and its receptor CCR1 play a role in HCC invasion and metastasis.Methods:  We used reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry to detect CCR1 mRNA and protein expression in the four hepatoma cell lines HepG2, Hep3B, HLE and HLF; and we conducted a microscope cell migration experiment to observe the pseudopodia formation and mobility of the hepatoma cells. The concentration of intracellular calcium was measured by fluorescence microscopy.Results:  CCR1 mRNA and protein were positively expressed in the four hepatoma cell lines HepG2, Hep3B, HLE and HLF. Following CCL3 stimulation, obvious pseudopodia formation of hepatoma cells was observed using a fluorescence microscope. The cell migration experiment showed that after incubation with CCL3, the number of Hep3B cells which passed through the polycarbonate microporous filter membranes increased to an obvious extent. After CCL3 incubation, the intracellular Ca2+ level of the Hep3B cells increased to an obvious extent.Conclusion:  Chemokine CCL3 facilitates the migration of hepatoma by changing the concentration intracellular Ca2+. The CCL3–CCR1 axis may play an important role in HCC invasion and metastasis. It may also be a potential target for HCC therapy or for prevention of the recurrence and metastasis of HCC.
Aggregation of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
by a Pneumococcal Capsular Polysaccharide-Specific Human Monoclonal IgM Correlates with Antibody Efficacy
In Vivo
Authors: Fabrizio Kevin , Manix Catherine , Guimaraes̃ Allan J. , Nosanchuk Joshua D. , Pirofski Liise-anne 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT

Acquired antibody immunity to
Streptococcus pneumoniae
(pneumococcus) has been linked to serotype (ST)-specific opsonic antibodies to the relevant pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide (PPS) that mediate protection by enhancing the bactericidal effect of host phagocytes. Despite the well-recognized role of opsonic IgG in host defense against pneumococcus, PPS-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that mediate protection against lethal challenge with ST3 pneumococcus in mice but do not promote phagocytic killing
in vitro
(nonopsonic antibodies) have been described. In this study, we sought to determine the biological activity of one such MAb, A7 (a human PPS3-specific IgM), and the mechanism by which it mediates protection.
In vitro
studies demonstrated that coincubation of A7 with ST3 in the absence of phagocytes or a complement source resulted in a reduction in CFU on blood agar plates that was largely reversible by sonication. A chromogenic cellular proliferation assay demonstrated that A7 did not affect replication of ST3 in liquid culture. The ability of A7 to induce aggregation of ST3 was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry: A7 induced aggregation of ST3, and in the presence of a complement source, A7 promoted deposition of complement component 3 (C3) on aggregated bacteria in a dose-dependent fashion. Similarly, administration of preincubated mixtures of A7 and ST3 intraperitoneally to mice protected them from the lethality of ST3 in a dose-dependent fashion. These findings suggest that A7-mediated aggregation enhances resistance to ST3, most likely by enhancing C3 deposition on the ST3 capsule, thereby promoting host antipneumococcal activity
in vivo
.
Glucose-Based Peritoneal Dialysis Fluids Downregulate Toll-Like Receptors and Trigger Hyporesponsiveness to Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns in Human Peritoneal Mesothelial Cells
Authors: Wu Jun , Yang Xiao , Zhang Yun-Fang , Wang Ya-Ning , Liu Mei , Dong Xiu-Qing , Fan Jin-Jin , Yu Xue-Qing 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of glucose-based peritoneal dialysis (PD) fluids and icodextrin-based PD fluids on the expression of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)/TLR4 and subsequent ligand-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and NF-κB signaling and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) mRNA expression in human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs). A human peritoneal mesothelial cell line (HMrSV5) was stimulated with glucose-based and icodextrin-based peritoneal dialysis fluids. Cell viability was assessed using MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide]. TLR2/TLR4 expression was determined by real-time PCR, Western blotting, and an immunofluorescence assay. In addition, cells were pretreated with different PD solutions and then incubated with Pam3CSK4 or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the degrees of MAPK and NF-κB activation were reflected by detecting the phosphorylation levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38, and p65, using a Western blot method. TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA expression was measured by real-time PCR. Glucose-based peritoneal dialysis fluids suppressed the expression of TLR2 and TLR4 proteins in HPMCs. Challenge of cells with either Pam3CSK4 or LPS resulted in impaired TNF-α and IL-1β production. Moreover, reduced TLR2 and TLR4 levels in glucose-based peritoneal dialysis solution-treated mesothelial cells were accompanied by reduced p42/44 (ERK1/2), JNK, p38 MAPK, and NF-κB p65 phosphorylation upon TLR ligand engagement. No significant changes in MAPK and NF-κB signaling and TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA expression were observed in icodextrin-based PD solution-treated mesothelial cells. Glucose-based PD solution, but not icodextrin-based PD solution, downregulates expression of TLR2/TLR4 by human peritoneal mesothelial cells and triggers hyporesponsiveness to pathogen-associated molecular patterns.