bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prolidase activity and oxidative status in patients with thalassemia major
Authors: Cakmak Alpay , Soker Murat , Koc Ahmet , Aksoy Nurten 
Published: January 2010

AbstractAim: Prolidase is a specific imidodipeptidase involved in collagen degradation. The increase in the enzyme activity is believed to be correlated with the increased intensity of collagen degradation. The study aimed to evaluate the relationship between prolidase activity and oxidative status in patients with thalassemia major. Methods: Comparison was made between 87 patients diagnosed with thalassemia major and 33 healthy children of similar age and gender. Mean age of the subjects was 7.5±4.3 years in the group of patients with thalassemia major and 8.9±3.1 years in the control group. Serum prolidase activity was measured spectrophotometrically. Oxidative status was determined using total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and oxidative stress index (OSI) measurement. Results: Prolidase activity was significantly increased in patients with thalassemia major (53.7±8.7 U/l) compared to the control group (49.2±7.2 U/l, P<0.001). TOS was significantly increased in the patient group (5.31±3.14 mmol H2O2 equiv./l) compared to the control group (3.49±2.98 μmol H2O2 equiv./l) and the OSI was also significantly increased in the patient group (3.86±3.28 arbitrary unit) compared to the control group (2.53±2.70 arbitrary unit) (P<0.0001 and P<0.001, respectively), while there were no significant differences between the patient (1.61±0.30 μmol Trolox equiv./l) and control (1.64±0.33 μmol Trolox equiv./l) groups with respect to TAC. Conclusion: Significant increases in prolidase activity in patients with thalassemia major may constitute a key parameter in demonstrating a disorder of the collagen metabolism. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 24:6–11, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Correlates of NT‐proBNP concentration in patients with essential hypertension in absence of congestive heart failure
Authors: Toda Keizo , Sato Yukihito , Hara Tomoko , Hijiya Kenro , Kaneko Ryutaro , Okada Tatuo , Takatsu Yoshiki , Fujiwara Hisayoshi , Iwasaki Toshiaki 
Published: January 2010

AbstractBackground: N‐terminal proBNP (NT‐proBNP) is widely used as a diagnostic biomarker and for the risk stratification of patients with heart failure (HF). Its role in the evaluation of patients with essential hypertension (EHT) is less clear. We examined the relationship between NT‐proBNP concentrations and various clinical characteristics in hypertensive patients without HF. Methods: This study included 186 consecutive patients with EHT and no history of HF, ischemic heart disease, or atrial fibrillation. Single and multiple variable regression analyses were performed in search of clinical correlates of NT‐proBNP concentrations. Results: In patients with EHT, median serum concentration of NT‐proBNP was 73 pg/ml, and interquartile range (IQR) was 40–128 pg/ml. NT‐proBNP was significantly higher (P<0.001) in women (87 pg/ml; IQR 55–137 pg/ml) than in men (52 pg/ml; IQR 24–115 pg/ml). Age (r=0.371, P<0.001), precordial QRS voltage (r=0.223, P<0.001), hemoglobin (Hgb) concentration, (r=−0.208, P=0.023) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (r=−0.139, P=0.044) were correlated with log‐transformed NT‐proBNP by multiple variable analysis. In men, age (r=0.453, P<0.001) and QRS voltage (r=0.283, P=0.004), and in women age (r=0.299, P=0.006), QRS voltage (r=0.212, P=0.019), Hgb (r=−0.182, P=0.049), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (r=−0.272, P=0.009) were correlated with serum concentrations of NT‐proBNP. Conclusions: Age, gender, Hgb, left ventricular hypertrophy and renal function were correlated with NT‐proBNP in patients with EHT. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 24:12–16, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of group A rotavirus infections in adolescents and adults from Pune, India: 1993–1996 and 2004–2007
Authors: Tatte Vaishali S. , Gentsch Jon R. , Chitambar Shobha D. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractA total of 1,591 fecal specimens were collected in 1993–1996 and 2004–2007 from adolescents and adults with acute gastroenteritis in Pune, India for detection and characterization of rotavirus. At the two time points, group A rotavirus was detected in 8.6% and 16.2% of the adolescents and 5.2% and 17.2% of the adults, respectively. Reverse transcription‐PCR with consensus primers followed by multiplex genotyping PCR detected common strains G1P[8], G2P[4], G3P[8], and G4P[8] in a total of 53.1% of the samples from 1993 to 1996, while the only prevalent strain identified in 2004–2007 was G2P[4] (23.5% of total). Uncommon rotavirus strains (G1P[4], G2P[8] G9P[6]/P[4]) increased from 7.8% (1993–1996) to 41.2% (2004–2007), while the prevalence of mixed rotavirus infections was high (39%/35%) at both time points. Mixed infections detected by multiplex PCR were confirmed by sequencing two or more individual genotype‐specific PCR products of the VP7 and VP4 genes from the same sample. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequences showed circulation of a heterogeneous rotavirus strain population comprising genotypes G1 (lineages I and IIb), G2 (lineages I and IIb), G4 (lineage Ia), P[4] (lineages P[4]‐5 and P[4]‐1), P[8] (lineages P[8]‐II and P[8]‐III), and P[6] (M37‐like lineage). The VP6 gene sequences of the nontypeable strains were most homologous to animal strains. This study documents the molecular epidemiology of rotavirus strains in adolescents and adults in India, and suggests that it may be important to monitor these strains over time for the potential impact on rotavirus vaccines under development for use in the Indian population. J. Med. Virol. 82:519–527, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A new panel of NS1 antibodies for easy detection and titration of influenza A virus
Authors: Tan Zhihao , Akerstrom Sara , Wee Boon Yu , Lal Sunil K. , Mirazimi Ali , Tan Yee‐Joo 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe non‐structural protein NS1 of the influenza A virus is a good target for the development of diagnostic assays. In this study, three NS1 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were generated by using recombinant NS1 protein of H5N1 virus and found to bind both the native and denatured forms of NS1. Two of the mAbs, 6A4 and 2H6, bind NS1 of three different strains of influenza A virus, namely H1N1, H3N2, and H5N1. Epitope mapping revealed that residues 42–53 of H5N1 NS1 are essential for the interaction with both mAbs. Between the three strains, there is only one amino acid difference in this domain, which is consistent with the observed cross‐reactivities. On the other hand, mAb 1G1 binds to residues 206–215 of H5N1 NS1 and does not bind NS1 of H1N1 or H3N2. Furthermore, all three mAbs detected NS1 proteins expressed in virus infected MDCK cells and indirect immunofluorescence staining with mAbs 6A4 and 2H6 provided an alternative method for viral titer determination. Quantifying the numbers of fluorescent foci units yielded viral titers for three different isolates of H5N1 virus that are highly comparable to that obtained by observing cytopathic effect induced by virus infection. Importantly, this alternative method yields results at 1 day post‐infection while the conventional method using cytopathic effect yields results at 3 days post‐infection. The results showed that this new panel of NS1 antibodies can detect NS1 protein expressed during viral infection and can be used for fast and easy titration of influenza A virus. J. Med. Virol. 82:467–475, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genotypic and clinicopathological characterization of Kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus infection in Japan
Authors: Kanno Takayuki , Sato Yuko , Nakamura Tomoyuki , Sakamoto Kouta , Sata Tetsutaro , Katano Harutaka 
Published: January 2010

AbstractKaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is related causally to Kaposi's sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma, and a subset of cases of multicentric Castleman's disease. As the numbers of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients have increased, KSHV‐associated diseases have also increased in Japan. Sporadic cases of classic Kaposi's sarcoma have also been reported in Japan. In the present study, the clinicopathological characteristics of 75 samples, comprising 68 cases of Kaposi's sarcoma, 5 cases of primary effusion lymphoma, and 5 cases of multicentric Castleman's disease were investigated. All of these cases were positive for KSHV by immunohistochemistry or PCR analysis. All fifty‐two of the AIDS‐associated Kaposi's sarcoma cases were males, whereas 7 of the 13 non‐AIDS‐associated Kaposi's sarcoma cases were females. The mean age of patients with AIDS‐associated Kaposi's sarcoma or primary effusion lymphoma was 46 years, whereas the mean age of patients with non‐AIDS‐associated Kaposi's sarcoma or primary effusion lymphoma was 71.8 and 97.5, respectively. KSHV genotypes were determined based on the sequence of variable region 1 in the K1 gene. Genotypes A and C of KSHV were detected in both AIDS‐ and non‐AIDS‐associated Kaposi's sarcoma. Genotype A was detected more frequently in AIDS‐associated cases than non‐AIDS‐associated cases, suggesting that genotype C is broadly distributed in Japan, and genotype A spreads among AIDS patients. Genotype D was detected only in non‐AIDS‐associated Kaposi's sarcoma. These data confirmed the difference between AIDS‐ and non‐AIDS‐associated KSHV diseases with regard to age of onset, gender, and genotypes in Japan. J. Med. Virol. 82:400–406, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association of candidate susceptible loci with chronic infection with hepatitis B virus in a Chinese population
Authors: Chen Ding‐Qiang , Zeng Yong , Zhou Jie , Yang Ling , Jiang Shibo , Huang Jian‐Dong , Lu Liwei , Zheng Bo‐Jian 
Published: January 2010

AbstractA number of genetic loci have been proposed to be associated with persistent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. This study aimed to evaluate the association and interaction of susceptible genes with HBV persistence in a Chinese population. A total of 17 polymorphisms in 9 candidate genes were studied in 361 Chinese chronic hepatitis B patients and 304 patients who recovered spontaneously. Distributions of susceptible polymorphisms were examined in healthy Chinese and Caucasian populations. Gene–gene interactions were tested by the multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) method. The TNF −308 G/G genotype and G allele, IL‐10RB codon 47 A allele, and MCP‐1 −2518 G/G genotype and G allele were more frequent in patients than controls (P < 0.01, after multiple corrections Pc < 0.05), while the frequencies of TNF −308 A/G genotype and IL‐10 −592 A/A genotype were significantly higher in controls than in the patient group (Pc < 0.05). The frequencies of the risk allele MCP‐1 −2518 G and CTLA4 6230 G were much higher in Chinese than in the Caucasian groups (P < 0.001). An interaction between CCR5 −2459, TNFA −863, IL‐10RB codon 47, and MCP‐1 −2518 was detected by MDR (P = 0.001). The results indicate that genetic determinants may affect the outcome of HBV infection in both independent and synergic manners. J. Med. Virol. 82:371–378, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immunohistochemical expression of HER1, HER3, and HER4 in HER2‐positive breast cancer patients treated with trastuzumab‐containing neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Yonemori Kan , Tsuta Koji , Shimizu Chikako , Hatanaka Yutaka , Hirakawa Akihiro , Ono Makiko , Kouno Tsutomu , Katsumata Noriyuki , Ando Masashi , Tamura Kenji , Hasegawa Tadashi , Kinoshita Takayuki , Fujiwara Yasuhiro 
Published: January 2010

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to examine the association between the expression of human epidermal receptor (HER) 1, HER3, and HER4 and pathologic complete response (pCR) in HER2‐positive patients treated with trastuzumab‐containing neo‐adjuvant chemotherapy.MethodsImmunohistochemical analyses of HER1, HER3, and HER4 were performed using tumor specimens obtained from patients treated with trastuzumab‐containing neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The staining intensity of each biomarker was evaluated, and the correlations between the immunohistochemical profiles and pCR were examined.ResultsThe present study included 44 patients with HER2‐positive breast cancer treated with trastuzumab‐containing neo‐adjuvant chemotherapy. Seventeen patients achieved a pCR. The expressions of HER1, HER3, and HER4 were observed in 18.2%, 27.3%, and 18.2% of the specimens, respectively. A marginally significant negative correlation between the expression of HER1 and pCR was observed, irrespective of the expression of HER3 and HER4, whereas the expressions of HER3 and HER4 were not significantly correlated with pCR.ConclusionThe expression of HER1 might be an independently negative predictor of pCR in HER2‐positive breast cancer patients treated with trastuzumab‐containing neoadjuvant chemotherapy. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010; 101:222–227. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development, validation, and implementation of capillary gel electrophoresis as a replacement for SDS‐PAGE for purity analysis of IgG2 mAbs
Authors: Lacher Nathan A. , Roberts Rachel K. , He Yan , Cargill Holly , Kearns Katrina M. , Holovics Heidi , Ruesch Margaret N. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractCapillary gel electrophoresis (CGE) methods with UV detection were developed for reduced and non‐reduced mAb analysis. These methods can be used to evaluate mAb purity, offering more reproducible quantitation compared with that of traditional SDS‐PAGE methods. These CGE methods have been utilized as platform technology for bioprocess development, formulation development, mAb characterization, drug substance/drug product release testing as well as a required methodology for stability testing. We have found these CGE methods to be applicable across a platform of mAbs in preclinical and clinical development, with the majority of mAbs requiring no modification to the method conditions. This methodology has been ICH validated and transferred to several supporting organizations. The data presented herein describes the development of CGE methodology, platform application to mAb purity analysis, ICH validation, reliability metrics, and considerations on technology enhancement for improved performance and throughput.
Differences in porous characteristics of styrenic monoliths prepared by controlled thermal polymerization in molds of varying dimensions
Authors: Byström Emil , Viklund Camilla , Irgum Knut 
Published: January 2010

AbstractNitroxide‐mediated polymerization was used as a model system for preparing styrenic monolithic materials with significant mesopore contents in different mold formats, with the aim of assessing the validity of pore characterization of capillary monoliths by analysis of parallel bulk polymerized precursor solution. Capillary monoliths were prepared in 250 μm id fused silica tubes (quadruplicate samples, in total 17 m), and the batch polymerizations were carried out in parallel in 100 μL microvials and regular 2 mL glass vials, both in quintuplicate. The monoliths recovered from the molds were characterized for their meso‐ and macroporous properties by nitrogen sorptiometry (three repeated runs on each sample), followed by a single analysis by mercury intrusion porosimetry. A total of 14 monolith samples were thus analyzed. A Grubbs' test identified one regular vial sample as an outlier in the sorptiometric surface area measurements, and data from this sample were consequently excluded from the pore size calculations, which are based on the same nitrogen sorption data, and also from the mercury intrusion data set. The remaining data were subjected to single factor analyses of variance analyses to test if the porous properties of the capillary monoliths were different from those of the bulk monoliths prepared in parallel. Significant differences were found between all three formats both in their meso‐ and macroporous properties. When the dimension was shrunk from conventional vial to capillary size, the specific surface area decreased from 52.2±4.7 to 34.6±1.7 m2/g. This decrease in specific surface area was accompanied by a significant shift in median diameter of the through‐pores, from 310±3.9 to 544±13 nm. None of these differences were obvious from the scanning electron micrographs that were acquired for each sample type. The common practice of determining the mesopore characteristics from analysis of samples prepared by parallel bulk polymerization and looking for changes in the macropore structure by visual assessment of SEMs are therefore both rather questionable, at least for monoliths of the kind used in this study.
Dental evidence of congenital syphilis in a 19th century cemetery from the mid‐hudson valley
Authors: Nystrom K. C. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe purpose of this communication is to provide a description of a pattern of enamel defects that are consistent with a diagnosis of congenital syphilis. While there is an abundance of literature documenting the skeletal manifestations of congenital syphilis, the description, and particularly the depiction, of the dental stigmata associated with this disease are rare in the paleopathological literature. This report describes enamel defects in the unerupted permanent dentition of two subadults recovered from a historic cemetery in Newburgh, New York. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mutational analysis of FOXL2 codon 134 in granulosa cell tumour of ovary and other human cancers
Authors: Kim Min Sung , Hur Soo Young , Yoo Nam Jin , Lee Sug Hyung 
Published: January 2010

AbstractA missense somatic mutation in the FOXL2 gene affecting codon 134 has recently been reported in granulosa cell tumour (GCT) and thecoma of the ovary. Such a recurrent nature of the mutation strongly suggests that the FOXL2 mutation may play an important role in the development of ovarian sex cord‐stromal tumours. The aim of this study was to characterize the FOXL2 mutation in human tumour tissues. We analysed 1353 tumour tissues from various origins, including ovarian tumours and other common cancers, by single‐strand conformation polymorphism analysis. We found the FOXL2 codon 134 missense mutation in 53 of 56 adult GCTs (94.6%) and two of the 16 thecomas (12.5%), but none in other tumours. Histologically, FOXL2 mutation‐negative adult GCT showed that GCT cells were admixed with fibrothecomatous cells, and FOXL2 mutation‐positive thecomas showed that luteinized theca cells were predominant. However, immunostaining of either inhibin α or FOXL2 did not differentiate the FOXL2 mutation status of adult GCTs and thecomas. There was no FOXL1 mutation and no common oncogenic mutation in the adult GCTs and thecomas. Our data indicate that the FOXL2 codon 134 mutation occurs exclusively in GCT and thecoma, and suggest the possibility that the development of most GCTs and a fraction of thecomas may be dependent on this mutation. Our data also suggest that the FOXL2 mutation status, as well as some histological features, may be important in the diagnosis of ovarian sex cord‐stromal tumours. Copyright © 2010 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
VHL and HIF signalling in renal cell carcinogenesis
Authors: Baldewijns Marcella M , van Vlodrop Iris JH , Vermeulen Peter B , Soetekouw Patricia MMB , van Engeland Manon , de Bruïne Adriaan P 
Published: January 2010

AbstractHypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF) plays an important role in renal tumourigenesis. In the majority of clear cell RCC (ccRCC), the most frequent and highly vascularized RCC subtype, HIF is constitutively activated by inactivation of the von Hippel–Lindau gene. Of the HIF subunits, HIF‐2α appears to be more oncogenic than HIF‐1α, in that HIF‐2α activates pro‐tumourigenic target genes. In addition, recent studies indicate that HIF‐1α, more than HIF‐2α, can undergo proteasomal degradation in VHL − /− RCC cells. A more detailed understanding of the molecular basis of hypoxia and angiogenesis in renal carcinogenesis has set the stage for the development of targeted therapies, inhibiting multiple HIF‐related pathways, such as the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase–AKT–mTOR, RAS/RAF/MAP, and VEGF signalling routes. However, despite the positive results of these targeting agents in progression‐free survival, clinical resistance remains an issue. Recent pre‐clinical studies have suggested new targeting approaches such as inhibition of HIF‐driven key metabolic enzymes and have introduced new HIF targeting agents, such as histone deacetylase inhibitors, with successful anti‐neoplastic effects. In this review, we discuss existing and novel findings about RCC carcinogenesis, with subsequent clinical implications. Copyright © 2010 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of religion on the attitude of primiparous women toward genetic testing
Authors: Usta Ihab M. , Nassar Anwar H. , Abu‐Musa Antoine A. , Hannoun Antoine 
Published: January 2010

AbstractBackgroundFactors that influence a pregnant woman's decision to accept or decline genetic tests are largely undefined. The objective of this study was to determine the acceptance rate of prenatal diagnostic testing in Lebanon according to religion.MethodsPrenatal charts were reviewed to obtain information about prenatal genetic testing. Women were divided according to their religion and were compared regarding the acceptance of triple screen test (TST) or amniocentesis (AMN) and reasons for declining such tests. Differences between groups were examined using the student's t‐test, χ2‐test and multivariate analysis (age ≥ 35 years, religion, education and class).ResultsThe religious distribution was 73.8% Moslems, 14.0% Christians and 11.2% Druze. Utilization of TST, AMN, and either (TST/AMN) was 61.2%, 7.6% and 67.0%, respectively. Uptake of TST/AMN was highest in Christians and lowest in Moslems and that of AMN higher in Christians ≥ 35 years compared with Moslems. On multivariate analysis, none of the factors studied significantly affected the utilization of TST or TST/AMN except for age ≥ 35 years which was associated with a borderline decrease in the utilization of TST Odds Ratio (OR) 0.485 (95% CI 0.21–1.12). The utilization of AMN significantly increased with age ≥ 35 years OR 7.19 (95% CI 2.65–19.56) and lower education.ConclusionReligion does not seem to affect utilization of prenatal diagnostic tests in Lebanon. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hematological characteristics in neonates with twin anemia–polycythemia sequence (TAPS)
Authors: Lopriore E. , Slaghekke F. , Oepkes D. , Middeldorp J. M. , Vandenbussche F. P. H. A. , Walther F. J. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the neonatal hematological features of monochorionic twins with twin anemia–polycythemia sequence (TAPS) and to determine the additional diagnostic value of reticulocyte count measurement.MethodsA cohort of consecutive monochorionic twins with TAPS (n = 19) was included in the study and each twin pair was compared with two monochorionic twin pairs (n = 38) unaffected by TAPS or twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), matched for gestational age at birth. We measured full blood counts on day 1 and determined the incidence of anemia, polycythemia, reticulocytosis and thrombocytopenia.ResultsMedian inter‐twin hemoglobin (Hb) difference in monochorionic twins with and without TAPS was 13.7 g/dL and 2.4 g/dL, respectively (p < 0.01). Median inter‐twin reticulocyte count ratio in twins with and without TAPS was 3.1 and 1.0, respectively (p < 0.01). Thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 150 × 109/L) occurred more often in the TAPS group than in the control group, 45% (17/38) versus 11% (11/38), respectively (p < 0.01). In the TAPS group, mean platelet count was significantly lower in recipients than in donors, 133 × 109/L versus 218 × 109/L, respectively (p < 0.01).ConclusionsTAPS twins have a large inter‐twin Hb difference in combination with a large inter‐twin reticulocyte count ratio. Recipients are more often thrombocytopenic than donors, probably due to polycythemia. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.