bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unilateral simultaneous renal oncocytoma and angiomyolipoma: case report
Authors: Theodosopoulos Theodosios , Yiallourou Anneza , Kyriazi Maria , Anastasopoulos Georgios , Kairi-Vassilatou Evi , Dafnios Nicolaos , Vassiliou Ioannis 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
A rare case of synchronous angiomyolipoma and oncocytoma in the same kidney of a 70 year old man is presented. A left renal mass was found incidentally by ultrasound. Computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 1,3 cm mass in the mid-portion of the left kidney, whereas on the lower pole of the same kidney, a 3,3 cm mass was also revealed, consistent with angiomyolipoma. A working diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma was made. A radical nephrectomy was performed. Microscopically, the tumor of the lower pole was found to be an angiomyolipoma, whereas the mid-portion tumor was an oncocytoma. Until now, only 16 cases of unilateral simultaneous presence of renal angiomyolipoma and oncocytoma have been reported. Of these cases, all except one were female and three were associated with the tuberous sclerosis complex. It is well worth remarking, that renal oncocytoma overlap with other renal neoplasms, therefore nephrectomy remains the treatment of choice.
Renal angiomyolipoma and oncocytoma are uncommon neoplasms and their simultaneous presence in the same kidney is rare. Only 16 cases have been reported until now in the literature. The purpose of this paper is to present an additional case without evidence of tuberous sclerosis.
Infliximab concentration monitoring improves the control of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Mulleman Denis , Méric Jean-Camille , Paintaud Gilles , Ducourau Emilie , Magdelaine-Beuzelin Charlotte , Valat Jean-Pierre , Goupille Philippe ,   the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 6239 GICC
Published: November 2009

Abstract
Introduction
Adjustment of infliximab dosage for individuals may be useful in improving therapeutic response in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Herein, we aimed to determine whether measurement of infliximab serum concentration modifies the therapeutic decision and improves the control of disease activity.

Methods
RA patients routinely treated with infliximab were included in an observational open-label study. On visit 1 (V1), according to the disease activity, a preliminary therapeutic decision was selected among four therapeutic options and a blood sample was collected to measure trough serum infliximab concentration. The final therapeutic decision, based on both disease activity and serum infliximab concentration assessed at V1, was applied at the following infusion (V2). Clinical and biological evaluations were performed at V3 and V4 and compared with those at V1.

Results
We included 24 patients. The final therapeutic decision differed from the preliminary decision for 12 patients (50%). For patients with increased infliximab dosage at V2, mean disease activity score for 28 joints (DAS28) decreased by about 20% at V3 or V4 as compared with V1 (P < 0.05). Decreased DAS28 was correlated with increased serum infliximab concentration (P < 0.02).

Conclusions
The measurement of infliximab trough concentration modifies the therapeutic decision for RA patients and helps improve control of disease activity. Therapeutic drug monitoring of infliximab in RA may be useful for individual dosage adjustment.
Safety of TNF-blocking agents in rheumatic patients with serology suggesting past hepatitis B state: results from a cohort of 21 patients
Authors: Charpin Caroline , Guis Sandrine , Colson Philippe , Borentain Patrick , Mattéi Jean-Pierre , Alcaraz Patrice , Balandraud Nathalie , Thomachot Benoit , Roudier Jean , Gérolami René 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
Introduction
Reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in patients with past infection has been described in 5% to 10% of individuals undergoing immunosuppressive therapies. No data are available to date on the outcome of patients treated by tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) inhibitors for chronic arthritis with a serological pattern of past HBV infection. The aim of our study was to monitor HBV markers in HBV surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative/anti-HBcAb-positive patients treated with a TNFα inhibitor for inflammatory arthritides.

Methods
Twenty-one HBsAg-negative/anti-HBcAb-positive patients were included. HBV serological patterns were compared with those determined before starting TNFα inhibitors. Serum HBV DNA testing by polymerase chain reaction was additionally performed. Spearman correlation analysis was used and P < 0.05 was chosen as the significance threshold.

Results
Before starting therapy, mean anti-HBsAb titre was 725 IU/L, no patient had an anti-HBsAb titre <10 IU/L, and 18 patients had an anti-HBsAb >100 IU/L. At a mean time of 27.2 months following therapy introduction, mean anti-HBsAb titre was 675 IU/L and anti-HBsAb titre remained >100 IU/L in 17 patients. There was a strong correlation between the first and second anti-HBsAb titres (r = 0.98, P = 0.013). Moreover, no patient had an anti-HBsAb titre below 10 IU/L or HBV reactivation (HBsAg seroreversion or positive HBV DNA detection). However, the anti-HBsAb titre decreased by more than 30% in 6 patients. The mean anti-HBsAb titre at baseline was significantly lower (P = 0.006) and the mean duration of anti-TNFα therapy, although non-significant (P = 0.09), was longer in these six patients as compared to patients without a decrease in anti-HBsAb titre.

Conclusions
Anti-TNFα treatments are likely to be safe in patients with past hepatitis B serological pattern. However, the significant decrease of anti-HBsAb titre observed in a proportion of patients deserves HBV virological follow-up in these patients, especially in those with a low anti-HBsAb titre at baseline.
Clinical relevance of the interleukin 10 promoter polymorphisms in Chinese Han patients with major trauma: genetic association studies
Authors: Zeng Ling , Gu Wei , Chen Kehong , Jiang Dongpo , Zhang Lianyang , Du Dingyuan , Hu Ping , Liu Qing , Huang Suna , Jiang Jianxin 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
Introduction
An excessive inflammatory response is thought to account for the pathogenesis of sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) after severe trauma. The interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a potent anti-inflammatory cytokine. The objectives of this prospective study were to investigate the distribution of IL-10 promoter polymorphisms in a cohort of 308 Chinese Han patients with major trauma, and to identify associations of IL-10 promoter polymorphisms with IL-10 production and incidence of sepsis and MODS.

Methods
A total of 308 patients with major trauma were included in this study. The genotypes of polymorphisms -1082, -819 and -592 were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The IL-10 levels in the supernatants were determined with enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay.

Results
The -1082A and -592A alleles were significantly associated with lower lipopolysaccharide-induced IL-10 production in an allele-dose dependent fashion. There was no significant difference for the -819 polymorphism. Except for the -1082 polymorphism, the -819 and -592 polymorphisms were not significantly associated with sepsis morbidity rate and MOD scores.

Conclusions
Our results further confirm the functionality of the IL-10 promoter single nucleotide polymorphisms in relation to IL-10 production. They also suggest that individual difference in IL-10 production in trauma patients might be at least in part related to genetic variations in the IL-10 promoter region.
Decreased Muscle Strength Relates to Self-Reported Stooping, Crouching, or Kneeling Difficulty in Older Adults
Authors: Hernandez Manuel E. , Goldberg Allon , Alexander Neil B. 
Published: November 2009

Background
Bending down and kneeling are fundamental tasks of daily living, yet nearly a quarter of older adults report having difficulty performing or being unable to perform these movements. Older adults with stooping, crouching, or kneeling (SCK) difficulty have demonstrated an increased fall risk. Strength (force-generating capacity) measures may be useful for determining both SCK difficulty and fall risk.

Objective
The purposes of this study were: (1) to examine muscle strength differences in older adults with and without SCK difficulty and (2) to examine the relative contributions of trunk and leg muscle strength to SCK difficulty.

Design
This was a cross-sectional observational study.

Methods
Community-dwelling older adults (age [X̅±SD]=75.5±6.0 years) with SCK difficulty (n=27) or without SCK difficulty (n=21) were tested for leg and trunk strength and functional mobility. Isometric strength at the trunk, hip, knee, and ankle also was normalized by body weight and height.

Results
Compared with older adults with no SCK difficulty, those with SCK difficulty had significant decreases in normalized trunk extensor, knee extensor, and ankle dorsiflexor and plantar-flexor strength. In 2 separate multivariate analyses, raw ankle plantar-flexor strength (odds ratio [OR]=0.97, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.95–0.99) and normalized knee extensor strength (OR=0.61, 95% CI=0.44–0.82) were significantly associated with SCK difficulty. Stooping, crouching, and kneeling difficulty also correlated with measures of functional balance and falls.

Limitations
Although muscle groups that were key to rising from SCK were examined, there are other muscle groups that may contribute to safe SCK performance.

Conclusions
Decreased muscle strength, particularly when normalized for body size, predicts SCK difficulty. These data emphasize the importance of strength measurement at multiple levels in predicting self-reported functional impairment.
Phase Reversion‐Induced Nanograined/Ultrafine‐Grained Structures in Austenitic Stainless Steel and their Significance in Modulating Cellular Response: Biochemical and Morphological Study with Fibroblasts
Authors: Misra R. Devesh Kumar , Thein‐Han Wah‐Wah , Somani Mahesh Chandra , Pentti Karjalainen L. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractMaterials science, engineering, and biological sciences have been combined to improve the tissue compatibility of medical devices. In this regard, nano/ultrafine structuring of austenitic stainless steel obtained using an innovative approach of “phase‐reversion” has been evaluated for modulation of cellular activity. The biochemical and morphology study with fibroblasts point toward the improvement of tissue compatibility on comparison with coarse‐grained structures, strengthening the foundation of nanostructured materials for bio‐medical applications.
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of New AlCoxCrFeMo0.5Ni High‐Entropy Alloys
Authors: Hsu Chin‐You , Wang Woei‐Ren , Tang Wei‐Yeh , Chen Swe‐Kai , Yeh Jien‐Wei 
Published: November 2009

AbstractEffects of Co content on microstructures and hot hardness of a new high‐entropy alloy system, AlCoxCrFeMo0.5Ni (x = 0.5 to 2.0) were investigated. As cobalt content increases, the microstructure changes from dendrite to polygrain type and the constituent phases change from BCC + σ at x = 0.5 to BCC + FCC + σ at x = 2.0. The alloy hardness varies from Hv 788 at x = 0.5 to Hv 596 at x = 2.0. This can be explained with the relative amount of hard σ phase, medium hard BCC phase and soft FCC phase. All the AlCoxCrFeMo0.5Ni alloys possess higher hardness level than that of Ni‐based superalloys In 718/In 718 H from room temperature to 1273 K. They obey the Westbrook equation presenting the normal heating behavior. Both alloys of x = 0.5 and 1.0 exhibit a transition temperature higher than that of Co‐based alloy T‐800 by about 200 K. They also have a high hot hardness of Hv 347 at 1273 K, which is higher than those of In 718 and In718 H by Hv 220. The strengthening mechanism for their superiority is proposed. The AlCoxCrFeMo0.5Ni alloy system has great potential in high‐temperature applications.
A New Technique for Severe Plastic Deformation: The Cone–Cone Method
Authors: Bouaziz Olivier , Estrin Yuri , Kim Hyong Seop 
Published: November 2009

AbstractA new technique for producing ultrafine grained materials by severe plastic deformation is proposed. The principle and possible design of this technique, referred to as “cone–cone method,” are outlined and the first results of numerical simulations that demonstrate its feasibility are reported. These results give promise with regard to achieving very large plastic strains and the concomitant grain refinement in sheet products.
Impact of Ethanol on the Developing GABAergic System
Authors: Isayama Ricardo Noboro , Leite Paulo Emilio Correa , Lima Jean Pierre Mendes , Uziel Daniela , Yamasaki Edna Nanami 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAlcohol intake during pregnancy has a tremendous impact on the developing brain. Embryonic and early postnatal alcohol exposures have been investigated experimentally to elucidate the fetal alcohol spectrum disorders' (FASD) milieu, and new data have emerged to support a devastating effect on the GABAergic system in the adult and developing nervous system. GABA is a predominantly inhibitory neurotransmitter that during development excites neurons and orchestrates several developmental processes such as proliferation, migration, differentiation, and synaptogenesis. This review summarizes and brings new data on neurodevelopmental aspects of the GABAergic system with FASD in experimental telencephalic models. Anat Rec, 292:1922–1939, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inhibition of 2A‐mediated ‘cleavage’ of certain artificial polyproteins bearing N‐terminal signal sequences
Authors: de Felipe Pablo , Luke Garry A. , Brown Jeremy D. , Ryan Martin D. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractWhere 2A oligopeptide sequences occur within ORFs, the formation of the glycyl–prolyl peptide bond at the C‐terminus of (each) 2A does not occur. This property can be used to concatenate sequences encoding several proteins into a single ORF: each component of such an artificial polyprotein is generated as a discrete translation product. 2A and ‘2A‐like’ sequences have become widely utilised in biotechnology and biomedicine. Individual proteins may also be co‐ and post‐translationally targeted to a variety of sub‐cellular sites. In the case of polyproteins bearing N‐terminal signal sequences we observed, however, that the protein downstream of 2A (no signal) was translocated into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We interpreted these data as a form of ‘slipstream’ translocation: downstream proteins, without signals, were translocated through a translocon pore already formed by the signal sequence at the N‐terminus of the polyprotein. Here we show this effect is, in fact, due to inhibition of the 2A reaction (formation of fusion protein) by the C‐terminal region (immediately upstream of 2A) of some proteins when translocated into the ER. Solutions to this problem include the use of longer 2As (with a favourable upstream context) or modifying the order of proteins comprising polyproteins.
Plant‐based corosolic acid: Future anti‐diabetic drug?
Authors: Sivakumar Ganapathy , Vail Daniel R. , Nair Vipin , Medina‐Bolivar Fabricio , Lay Jackson O. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractDiabetes is one of the nation's most prevalent, debilitating and costly diseases. For diabetes, frequent insulin treatment is very expensive and may increase anti‐insulin antibody production, which may cause unwanted side effects. Corosolic acid may also have some efficacy in the treatment of diabetes, but without induction of anti‐insulin antibodies. Recently, corosolic acid from Lagerstroemia speciosa L. leaf extracts has been reported to act via an indirect mechanism (unlike insulin) in animal experiments. The insulin‐complementary anti‐diabetic therapeutic value observed in these Japanese preliminary clinical trials has led to renewed interest in the biosynthesis of this compound. So far, there has been no clear evidence for a corosolic acid biosynthetic pathway in plants. This article provides possible roles of corosolic acid and hypothetical information on the biosynthetic pathway in plants.
Medicinally important secondary metabolites in recombinant microorganisms or plants: Progress in alkaloid biosynthesis
Authors: Schäfer Holger , Wink Michael 
Published: November 2009

AbstractPlants produce a high diversity of natural products or secondary metabolites which are important for the communication of plants with other organisms. A prominent function is the protection against herbivores and/or microbial pathogens. Some natural products are also involved in defence against abiotic stress,e.g.UV‐B exposure. Many of the secondary metabolites have interesting biological properties and quite a number are of medicinal importance. Because the production of the valuable natural products, such as the anticancer drugs paclitaxel, vinblastine or camptothecin in plants is a costly process, biotechnological alternatives to produce these alkaloids more economically become increasingly important. This review provides an overview of the state of art to produce alkaloids in recombinant microorganisms, such as bacteria or yeast. Some progress has been made in metabolic engineering usually employing a single recombinant alkaloid gene. More importantly, for benzylisoquinoline, monoterpene indole and diterpene alkaloids (taxanes) as well as some terpenoids and phenolics the proof of concept for production of complex alkaloids in recombinantEscherichia coliand yeast has already been achieved. In a long‐term perspective, it will probably be possible to generate gene cassettes for complete pathways, which could then be used for production of valuable natural products in bioreactors or for metabolic engineering of crop plants. This will improve their resistance against herbivores and/or microbial pathogens.
Quinobis(imidazolylidene): Synthesis and Study of an Electron‐Configurable Bis(N‐Heterocyclic Carbene) and Its Bimetallic Complexes
Authors: Tennyson Andrew G. , Ono Robert J. , Hudnall Todd W. , Khramov Dimitri M. , Er Joyce A. V. , Kamplain Justin W. , Lynch Vincent M. , Sessler Jonathan L. , Bielawski Christopher W. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractReaction of bromanil with N,N′‐dimesitylformamidine followed by deprotonation with NaN(SiMe3)2 afforded 1,1′,3,3′‐tetramesitylquinobis(imidazolylidene) (1), a bis(N‐heterocyclic carbene) (NHC) with two NHC moieties connected by a redox active p‐quinone residue, in 72 % yield of isolated compound. Bimetallic complexes of 1 were prepared by coupling to FcN3 (2) or FcNCS (3; Fc=ferrocenyl) or coordination to [M(cod)Cl] (4 a or 4 b, where M=Rh or Ir, respectively; cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene). Treatment of 4 a and 4 b with excess CO(g) afforded the corresponding [M(CO)2Cl] complexes 5 a and 5 b, respectively. Analysis of 2–5 by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction indicated that the electron‐deficient quinone did not significantly affect the inherent spectral properties or coordination chemistry of the flanking imidazolylidene units, as compared to analogous NHCs. Infrared spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry revealed that decreasing the electron density at MLn afforded an increase in the stretching energy and a decrease in the reduction potential of the quinone, indicative of metal–quinone electronic interaction. Differential pulse voltammetry and chronoamperometry of the metal‐centered oxidations in 2–4 revealed two single, one‐electron peaks. Thus, the metal atoms bound to 1 are oxidized at indistinguishable potentials and do not appear electronically coupled. However, the metal–quinone interaction was used to increase the electron density at coordinated metal atoms. Infrared spectroelectrochemistry revealed that the average νCO values for 5 a and 5 b decreased by 14 and 15 cm−1, respectively, upon reduction of the quinone embedded within 1. These shifts correspond to 10 and 12 cm−1 decreases in the Tolman electronic parameter of this ditopic ligand.
Reduction vs. Metathesis in the Reactions of Bismuth Tribromide with a Bulky Lithium Silanide – An Experimental and Theoretical Study
Authors: Monakhov Kirill Yu. , Zessin Thomas , Linti Gerald 
Published: November 2009

AbstractOn reaction of BiBr3 with Li(thf)3SiPh2tBu (1) in the corresponding ratios redox/metathesis reactions were observed, yielding dibismuthane (tBuPh2Si)4Bi2 (2) and disilylbismuth halide (tBuPh2Si)2BiBr (3). The latter is a reaction intermediate in the formation of the dark‐red 2. The X‐ray crystal structures of 1–3 were determined by low‐temperature X‐ray diffraction. The Si2Bi–BiSi2 core of 2 is in the semi‐eclipsed conformation. No oligomerization of “nonthermochromic” 2 was observed. Compound 3 is a mixed substituted monomer with a pyramidal environment around the bismuth center. On the basis of quantum chemical calculations, the formation of tertiary bismuthane (tBuPh2Si)3Bi is not expected for steric reasons. According to DFT‐optimized geometries of the simplified model systems n[(H3Si)2Bi]2 (n = 1–3), the closed‐shell attraction between intermolecular Bi centers in the chain provides a moderate elongation of the intramolecular Bi–Bi bond in the dibismuthane unit and a shortening of the intermolecular Bi···Bi contacts. According to MP4(SDQ) computations, such oligomerization is carried out by intermolecular interaction of s lone pairs that are bound together and p‐type orbitals of the Bi–Bi bonds in the bismuth chain. An increase in the number of [(H3Si)2Bi]2 molecules per chain results in a decrease in the HOMO–LUMO gap and leads to a bathochromic shift. TD‐PBE0 computations suggest that the lowest energy electron transition in 2 is metal–metal charge transfer. In addition, the attractive contributions in the chain [(H3A)2Bi]2···[Bi(AH3)2]2 with silyl groups (A = Si) outweigh the repulsion of the Bi···Bi centers, whereas for the alkyl‐substituted bismuth chain (A = C) the repulsive van der Waals force dominates. This fact makes the rectangle oligomerization model more preferred for n[(H3A)2Bi]2 (A = C; n = 2), while for A = Si chain formation is favored in the gas phase.
A Versatile, Modular Platform for Multivalent Peptide Ligands Based on a Dendritic Wedge
Authors: Lempens Edith H. M. , Helms Brett A. , Bayles Andrea R. , Merkx Maarten , Meijer E. W. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractA general methodology for the synthesis of multifunctional AB2, AB3, AB4, and AB5 dendritic wedges is described based on an orthogonal protection strategy. Asymmetric polyamide dendrons that possess N‐terminal cysteine residues at the periphery were quantitatively functionalized with C‐terminal thioester peptides using native chemical ligation. Conjugation of biologically relevant groups at the focal point resulted in a series of related structures with a highly controlled valency (2–5) that can directly be used in a systematic study on the strength of multivalent interactions. Using our modular approach various ligands, functional groups and spacers can readily be combined in order to generate a toolbox for the development of smart biomaterials used in molecular medicine and imaging.
Ultrasensitive Eletrogenerated Chemiluminescence Immunoassay by Magnetic Nanobead Amplification
Authors: Li Mingyue , Sun Yuming , Chen Li , Li Lu , Zou Guizheng , Zhang Xiaoli , Jin Wenrui 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAn ultrasensitive electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) immunoassay was proposed by using magnetic nanobeads (MNBs) as the carrier of ECL labels for ECL emission amplification. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and MNBs were initially immobilized on a platform in 1 : 1 molar ratio via sandwich immunoreaction. Subsequently, the MNBs were released from the platform and labeled with Ru(bpy)32+ species. After the MNBs with Ru(bpy)32+ were immobilized on an Au electrode, ECL of the Ru(bpy)32+ was measured for CEA determination. A linear relation between the ECL intensity and CEA concentration was obtained in a range of 1×10−14 to 3×10−13 mol/L (2.0 to 60 pg/mL) with a limit of detection of 8.0×10−15 mol/L (1.6 pg/mL).