bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rough‐Form Lipopolysaccharide Increases Apoptosis in Human CD4+ and CD8+ T Lymphocytes
Authors: Nielsen J. S. , Larsson A. , Ledet T. , Turina M. , Tønnesen E. , Krog J. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractImmunosuppression induced by lymphocyte apoptosis is considered an important factor in the pathogenesis of sepsis and has been demonstrated in both animal models of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced endotoxemia and septic patients. As rough‐form LPS (R‐LPS) has recently been shown to elicit a stronger immunological response than regular smooth‐form LPS (S‐LPS), we aimed to assess the apoptosis‐inducing capabilities of R‐LPS in different subsets of lymphocytes (CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cell, B cells and NK cells). Using multicolour flow cytometry on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, we found that R‐LPS increased apoptosis in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells assessed by annexin V and propidium iodide (AV+PI−), compared with both S‐LPS‐stimulated and unstimulated cells. 7‐Amino‐actinomycin D and staining for intracellular active caspase‐3, which are considered later signs of apoptosis, did not reveal the same results. Both forms appeared to inhibit apoptosis in B cells, but no LPS‐form‐specific effect was seen on B or NK cells. Our results indicate that R‐LPS induces a stronger AV+PI−‐assessed apoptotic response in T cells than S‐LPS. Our findings emphasize the importance of T cell apoptosis in endotoxemia and advocates for control of LPS form in both endotoxemia research and clinical trials with Gram‐negative infections.
Efficacy and safety of SBR759, a novel calcium‐free, iron(III)‐based phosphate binder, in Asian patients undergoing hemodialysis: A 12‐week, randomized, open‐label, dose‐titration study versus sevelamer hydrochloride
Authors: CHEN JIN‐BOR , CHIANG SHOU‐SHAN , CHEN HUNG‐CHUN , OBAYASHI SEIICHI , NAGASAWA MASAKI , HEXHAM J MARK , BALFOUR ALISON , JUNGE GUIDO , AKIBA TAKASHI , FUKAGAWA MASAFUMI 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT:Aim:  SBR759 is a calcium‐free, polymeric, iron(III)‐based oral phosphate binder, in development for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia. The efficacy and safety of SBR759 was compared with sevelamer hydrochloride in chronic kidney dialysis patients on hemodialysis.Methods:  Japanese and Taiwanese hyperphosphatemic patients who were on hemodialysis (n = 203) received starting doses of 3.0 or 4.5 g/day SBR759 or 2.4 or 4.8 g/day sevelamer‐hydrochloride (HCl) based on baseline phosphate levels. Daily doses were up‐titrated every 2 weeks to reach the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (K/DOQI) recommended target serum phosphate concentration ≤1.7 mmol/L. The key endpoints were proportion of patients achieving target serum phosphate and the safety at week 12.Results:  SBR759 showed a superior phosphate response at week 12 compared with sevelamer‐HCl (83% vs 54% patients; P < 0.0001). Mean serum calcium concentrations were unaffected by either treatment. Similar incidences of adverse events and serious adverse events were seen with SBR759 and sevelamer‐HCl (90.3% vs 94.1% and 5.2% vs 4.4%, respectively), but overall discontinuation rates were lower with SBR759 (11.9% vs 20.6%). The proportion of patients experiencing gastrointestinal disorders was lower in SBR759 versus sevelamer‐HCl. No treatment‐related serious adverse events were reported.Conclusions:  SBR759 showed superior phosphate control with a favorable tolerability profile compared to sevelamer‐HCl in hemodialysis patients.
Circulating anti‐glomerular basement membrane autoantibodies against α3(IV)NC1 undetectable by commercially available enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays
Authors: JIA XIAO‐YU , QU ZHEN , CUI ZHAO , YANG RUI , ZHAO JUAN , ZHAO MING‐HUI 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT:Aim:  Cases with anti‐glomerular basement membrane (GBM) disease have been reported with linear deposit of immunoglobulin G (IgG) along GBM, but have undetectable anti‐GBM antibodies in circulation by enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). We speculated that the structure of the antigens recognized by these antibodies may contribute to the negative results of ELISA.Methods:  Sera from four patients were collected, with typical linear deposit of IgG along GBM but no anti‐GBM reactivity by commercial ELISA kits. Circulating anti‐GBM antibodies were detected by indirect immunofluorescence. Antigen specificity and its conformational structure was investigated by western‐blot analysis, using recombinant human α1–α5(IV)NC1 and chimeric proteins EA and EB as antigens.Results:  The presence of circulating anti‐GBM antibodies were confirmed by indirect immunofluorescence with linear deposit of IgG towards cryptic epitopes along GBM on normal kidney sections. These antibodies did not recognize recombinant human α1, α2, α4 or α5(IV)NC1, but could blot α3(IV)NC1 under non‐reducing non‐boiling conditions on western‐blot analysis, when the conformational epitope(s) on α3(IV)NC1 were thought to be preserved. When α3(IV)NC1 was prepared under reducing conditions with β‐mercaptoethanol and/or boiled to destroy the disulfide bonds, the binding with the antibodies disappeared. Moreover, these antibodies recognized neither EA nor EB, indicating their distinct epitope repertoire.Conclusion:  Circulating anti‐GBM antibodies undetectable by ELISA could recognize cryptic and conformation‐dependent epitopes restricted on α3(IV)NC1, distinct from EA and EB. Indirect immunofluorescence was necessary for antibody detection and treatment monitoring under such circumstances.
Uric acid and incident chronic kidney disease in a large health check‐up population in Taiwan
Authors: WANG SHENGFENG , SHU ZHENG , TAO QIUSHAN , YU CANQING , ZHAN SIYAN , LI LIMING 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTAim:  Uric acid (UA) is strongly associated with the confirmed chronic kidney disease (CKD) risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes and metabolic syndrome (MS); however, whether higher UA is independently associated with CKD is still debatable. Other studies found that low UA level may reflect inadequate protection against oxidant‐mediated stress; it is also unknown whether hypouricemia may have a harmful effect on the kidney. No studies have examined whether there is a J‐shaped relationship between UA and incident CKD.Methods:  The association between UA and incident kidney disease (Glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min per 1.73 m2) was examined among 94 422 Taiwanese participants, aged ≥20 years with a mean 3.5 years follow‐up in a retrospective cohort. The association between UA and CKD was evaluated using Cox models with adjustment for confounders.Results:  The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for incident CKD was 1.03 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01 to 1.06) for baseline UA level (increase by 1 mg/dL). Compared with serum UA in the first quintile (2.0 to 4.5 mg/dL), the multivariate‐adjusted HR for CKD of the fifth (≥7.3 mg/dL), fourth (6.3 to 7.2 mg/dL), third (5.5 to 6.2 mg/dL), second (4.6 to 5.4 mg/dL) and hyopuricemia (<2.0 mg/dL) were 1.15 (95%CI, 1.01–1.30), 0.98 (95%CI, 0.87–1.10), 1.06 (95%CI, 0.94–1.19), 1.02 (95%CI, 0.91–1.14) and 1.65(95%CI, 0.53–5.15), respectively. The tests for the non‐linear association were all not significant for both male and female. Gender‐specific model revealed only the UA above 7.3 mg/dL with the increased risk of new‐onset CKD in males.Conclusion:  Hyperuricemia is a risk factor for CKD in Taiwan, future studies are still necessary to determine whether hypouricemia increases the risk of CKD.
Identification of two novel mutations in the OCRL1 gene in two Chinese families with Lowe syndrome
Authors: KE YAO‐HUA , HE JIN‐WEI , FU WEN‐ZHEN , ZHANG ZHEN‐LIN 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT:Aim:  Lowe syndrome is a rare, multisystem, X‐linked disorder characterized by anomalies affecting the eyes, the nervous system and the kidneys. The objective of this study was to identify and characterize the clinical manifestations of mutations of the causative gene in two Chinese families with Lowe syndrome.Methods:  Lowe syndrome was diagnosed based on the clinical manifestations and laboratory and imaging findings. Altogether, 164 DNA samples, including samples from three affected subjects, five family members (from two families) and 156 healthy donors, were analyzed to identify the mutations in the OCRL1 gene.Results:  In family 1, proband 1 had a novel nonsense mutation (c.880G>T) in exon 10 of the OCRL1. This mutation led to a premature termination of the OCRL1 protein (p.Glu294X). In family 2, a novel insertion mutation (c.2626dupA) in exon 24 of OCRL1 was found in proband 2 and his affected elder brother. This mutation likely results in the degradation of the OCRL1 protein (p.Met876AsnfsX8). Both probands' mothers were identified as carriers of the respective mutations. These mutations were not found in the unrelated controls.Conclusions:  Our study suggests that the novel nonsense mutation (c.880G>T) in exon 10 and the novel insertion mutation (c.2626dupA) in exon 24 of the OCRL1 gene cause Lowe syndrome in these two Chinese families.
Urinary angiotensinogen levels in relation to renal involvement of Henoch‐Schonlein purpura in children
Authors: MAO YAN NA , LIU WEI , LI YAN GE , JIA GUO CUN , ZHANG ZHANG , GUAN YU JIE , ZHOU XU FENG , LIU YU FENG 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT:Aim:  To investigate whether urinary angiotensinogen (UAGT) levels are correlated with renal involvement of Henoch‐Schonlein purpura (HSP) in children, and to explore whether UAGT has any relation to the severity of HSP.Methods:  The study sample consisted of 107 patients (50 boys and 57 girls, 6.68 ± 2.41 years) with clinical diagnosis of HSP. A 24 h urine sample was collected before treatment. UAGT levels were measured in patients with HSP in the acute and convalescent phases by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.Results:  Urinary angiotensinogen/urinary concentration of creatinine levels were significantly higher in proteinuric HSP in the acute phase and the convalescent phase (32.02 ± 3.95 and 25.31 ± 4.11 µg/g) compared with those with HSP without renal involvement (17.26 ± 2.60 and 15.14 ± 3.81 µg/g) and those with hematuric HSP (19.70 ± 2.21 and 17.28 ± 3.62 µg/g) (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.01, respectively). Using matched urine samples from the same patients, UAGT/urinary concentration of creatinine (UCr) levels of proteinuric HSP patients were significantly lower in the convalescent phase (25.31 ± 4.11 µg/g, P < 0.01) than in the acute phase (32.02 ± 3.95 µg/g). UAGT/UCr levels showed positive correlation with 24 h urine protein or serum creatinine in both hematuric HSP and proteinuric HSP groups during the acute phase (P < 0.05).Conclusions:  Urinary angiotensinogen levels were remarkably high in the acute phase in the patients with proteinuric HSP, suggesting increased UAGT may indicate a series of functional changes in the kidney and it may be used as a potential biomarker of severity of HSP to monitor the progression of HSP with renal involvement.
What is the current status of revalidation in urology?
Authors: Ahmed Kamran , Zakri Rhana , Rowland Simon , Joyce Adrian , Challacombe Ben , Dasgupta Prokar , Khan Mohammad Shamim 
Published: August 2011

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Revalidation encourages consolidation of clinical knowledge through active reflection on surgical practice. Current guidelines fall short of recommending structured and evidence based guidelines for specialist revalidation.This article describes the process of revalidation for urologists, highlights challenges in its practical application and suggests potential improvements to the current strategy of revalidation.The aim of revalidation (or maintenance of certification) is to reassure patients, the general public, employers and other healthcare professionals that an individual is fit to practice. It may lead to a reduction in near misses or adverse events. The process of revalidation entails a commitment to the provision of lifelong learning and assessment of clinical practice that ultimately ensure patient safety. Lifelong learning addresses knowledge and skills, whereas assessment of clinical practice ensures quality of care. Various learning and assessment tools are available in clinical practice; however, the tools for revalidation are not validated at specialist level. Further research is needed to develop and implement evidence‐based structured programmes of revalidation that consider the holistic needs of modern urologists.
Significant impact of age at diagnosis on the prognosis of Japanese patients with pT1 renal cell carcinoma following surgical resection
Authors: Sakai Iori , Miyake Hideaki , Muramaki Mototsugu , Kondo Yutaka , Kusuda Yuji , Yamada Yuji , Fujisawa Masato 
Published: August 2011

Study Type – Prognosis (individual cohort)Level of Evidence 2bWhat's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Several parameters significantly associated with the prognosis of patients with small venal cell carcinoma (RCC) have been reported; however, the outcomes described in such studies are not totally consistent, and the majority of these studies were based on the data from Western populations. Age of diagnosis is a significant predictor of disease recurrence as well as overall survivals in Japanese patients with pT1 RCC following surgical resection; therefore, intensive follow‐up of older patients is necessary even for those with pT1 RCC.OBJECTIVE
To retrospectively review oncological outcomes following surgical resection in Japanese patients with pT1 renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
PATIENTS AND METHODS
The present study included a total of 832 consecutive Japanese patients who underwent either radical or partial nephrectomy and were subsequently diagnosed as having localized pT1 RCC.
The significance of several clinicopathological factors in their postoperative outcomes was analysed.
RESULTS
The median (range) age of the 832 patients was 66 (31–90) years. Radical and partial nephrectomies were performed for 710 patients (85.3%) and 122 patients (14.7%), respectively. Distribution of pathological stage was pT1a in 582 patients (70.0%) and pT1b in 250 patients (30.0%).
During the observation period (median 44 months, range 3–114 months), postoperative disease recurrence developed in 38 patients (4.6%) and death occurred in 34 (4.1%). The 5‐year recurrence‐free and overall survival rates were 93.6% and 94.1%, respectively.
Of several factors examined, only age at diagnosis was identified as an independent predictor of both postoperative disease recurrence and overall survival in these patients. Furthermore, there were significant differences in the recurrence‐free and overall survivals among patient groups stratified by age at diagnosis.
CONCLUSION
These findings suggest that age at diagnosis is a significant predictor of disease recurrence as well as overall survival in patients with pT1 RCC following surgical resection; therefore, intensive follow‐up of older patients is necessary even for those with pT1 RCC.
Long‐term toxicity and quality of life up to 10 years after low‐dose rate brachytherapy for prostate cancer
Authors: Emara Amr M. , Chadwick Eliot , Nobes Jenny P. , Abdelbaky Ather Mohamed , Laing Robert W. , Langley Stephen E.M. 
Published: August 2011

Study Type – Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?
Prostate BXT is an established treatment option for low and intermediate risk localized prostate cancer. Long‐term studies have confirmed similar oncological outcomes for low risk disease compared with radical prostatectomy and external beam radiotherapy.
This study reports long‐term toxicity for a large cohort of patients who had been followed‐up after LDR BXT for up to 10 years, with a minimum follow‐up of 5 years.
Long‐term toxicity results are very encouraging and provide useful date to help clinicians and patients make informed treatment choices.
OBJECTIVE
To report on the long‐term toxicity outcome for patients with prostate cancer treated by low‐dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy (BXT).
PATIENTS AND METHODS
The study population comprised a cohort of men treated in our centre between March 1999 and April 2004 with LDR BXT for prostate cancer who had at least 5 years of follow‐up post‐implant.
Patients who had died or experienced biochemical failure were excluded.
We contacted eligible patients and asked them to complete a questionnaire to assess current urinary, erectile and bowel function.
Urinary and erectile function was compared pre‐ and post‐treatment and outcomes were assessed by treatment modality.
RESULTS
Of the 226 LDR BXT‐treated patients with >5 years of follow‐up, 174 (77.0%) responded to the questionnaire.
The mean International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) increased from 6.70 pre‐BXT to 7.91 at follow‐up (P= 0.003). Of the patients with mild symptoms pre‐BXT (IPSS, 0–7), 64.2% retained mild symptoms at follow‐up, 31.2% developed moderate symptoms (IPSS, 8–9) and 4.6% reported severe symptoms (IPSS, 20–35).
A good or acceptable quality of life (QoL) secondary to urinary symptoms (IPSS QoL, 0–4) was reported by 98.0% of respondents.
Of those patients potent (International Index of Erectile Function‐5 ≥11) pre‐BXT, 62.9% remained potent at follow‐up. There were no differences in the proportion of patients who were potent when analyzed by the number of years post‐implant.
At follow‐up, 51.7% and 45.4% of patients, respectively, had normal or mild bowel symptoms as indicated by the European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer questionnaire (QLQ‐C30/PR25 scores, 4–8). Moderate bowel symptoms (QLQ‐C30/PR25 scores, 9–12) were reported by 2.9% of respondents; none reported severe symptoms.
CONCLUSION
The present study shows low morbidity after LDR BXT over the long‐term for a large cohort of patients.
The species richness–productivity relationship in the herb layer of European deciduous forests
Authors: Axmanová Irena , Chytrý Milan , Zelený David , Li Ching‐Feng , Vymazalová Marie , Danihelka Jiří , Horsák Michal , Kočí Martin , Kubešová Svatava , Lososová Zdeňka , Otýpková Zdenka , Tichý Lubomír , Martynenko Vasiliy B. , Baisheva El'vira Z. , Schuster Brigitte , Diekmann Martin 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTAim  In contrast to non‐forest vegetation, the species richness–productivity (SR‐P) relationship in forests still remains insufficiently explored. Several studies have focused on the diversity of the tree layer, but the species richness of temperate deciduous forests is mainly determined by their species‐rich herb layer. The factors controlling herb‐layer productivity may differ from those affecting tree layers or open herbaceous vegetation, and thus the SR‐P relationship and its underlying processes may differ. However, the few relevant studies have reported controversial results. Here we explore the SR‐P relationship in the forest herb layer across different areas from oceanic to continental Europe, and put the effect of habitat productivity on species richness into context with other key factors, namely soil pH and light availability.Location  North‐western Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia and southern Urals (Russia).Methods  We measured herb‐layer species richness and biomass, soil pH and tree‐layer cover in 156 vegetation plots of 100 m2 in deciduous forests. We analysed the SR‐P relationship and the relative importance of environmental variables using regression models for particular areas and separate forest types.Results  We found a consistent monotonic increase in the herb‐layer species richness with productivity across all study areas and all forest types. Soil pH and light availability also affected species richness, but their relative importance differed among areas.Main conclusions  We suggest that the monotonically increasing SR‐P relationship in the forest herb layer results from the fact that herb‐layer productivity is limited by canopy shading; competition within the herb layer is therefore not strong enough to exclude many species. This differs fundamentally from open herbaceous vegetation, which is not subject to such productivity limits and consequently exhibits a unimodal SR‐P relationship. We present a conceptual model that might explain the differences in the SR‐P relationship between the forest herb layer and open herbaceous vegetation.
An analysis of the accounting and finance research productivity in Australia and New Zealand in 1991–2010
Authors: Chan Kam C. , Chang Chih‐Hsiang , Tong Jamie Y. , Zhang Feida 
Published: August 2011

AbstractWe assess the research productivity of the accounting and finance community in Australian and New Zealand higher education institutions (HEIs) during 1991–2010 using 48 high‐quality accounting and finance journals. Our finding suggests that the HEIs’ research output steadily increases during the 20‐year period. The University of New South Wales, the University of Sydney, Monash University, the University of Melbourne and the University of Queensland are the top‐five HEIs. We also find that it is a challenge for an academic staff member to publish multiple articles. If an author is able to manage five total appearances over a 20‐year period, he/she is in the top 15 per cent among all authors. Many highly productive authors are able to move to different jobs during the 20‐year period.
Blood–brain barrier modeling with co‐cultured neural progenitor cell‐derived astrocytes and neurons
Authors: Lippmann Ethan S. , Weidenfeller Christian , Svendsen Clive N. , Shusta Eric V. 
Published: August 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 119, 507–520.AbstractIn vitro blood–brain barrier (BBB) models often consist of brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) that are co‐cultured with other cells of the neurovascular unit, such as astrocytes and neurons, to enhance BBB properties. Obtaining primary astrocytes and neurons for co‐culture models can be laborious, while yield and heterogeneity of primary isolations can also be limiting. Neural progenitor cells (NPCs), because of their self‐renewal capacity and ability to reproducibly differentiate into tunable mixtures of neurons and astrocytes, represent a facile, readily scalable alternative. To this end, differentiated rat NPCs were co‐cultured with rat BMECs and shown to induce BBB properties such as elevated trans‐endothelial electrical resistance, improved tight junction continuity, polarized p‐glycoprotein efflux, and low passive permeability at levels indistinguishable from those induced by primary rat astrocyte co‐culture. An NPC differentiation time of 12 days, with the presence of 10% fetal bovine serum, was found to be crucial for generating NPC‐derived progeny capable of inducing the optimal response. This approach could also be extended to human NPC‐derived astrocytes and neurons which similarly regulated BBB induction. The distribution of rat or human NPC‐derived progeny under these conditions was found to be a roughly 3 : 1 mixture of astrocytes to neurons with varying degrees of cellular maturity. BMEC gene expression analysis was conducted using a BBB gene panel, and it was determined that 23 of 26 genes were similarly regulated by either differentiated rat NPC or rat astrocyte co‐culture while three genes were differentially altered by the rat NPC‐derived progeny. Taken together, these results demonstrate that NPCs are an attractive alternative to primary neural cells for use in BBB co‐culture models.