bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Introduction of in vitro transcribed ENO1 mRNA into neuroblastoma cells induces cell death
Authors: Ejeskär Katarina , Krona Cecilia , Carén Helena , Zaibak Faten , Li Lingli , Martinsson Tommy , Ioannou Panayiotis A 
Published: December 2005

Abstract

Background
Neuroblastoma is a solid tumour of childhood often with an unfavourable outcome. One common genetic feature in aggressive tumours is 1p-deletion.
The α-enolase (ENO1) gene is located in chromosome region 1p36.2, within the common region of deletion in neuroblastoma. One alternative translated product of the ENO1 gene, known as MBP-1, acts as a negative regulator of the c-myc oncogene, making the ENO1 gene a candidate as a tumour suppressor gene.

Methods
Methods used in this study are transfection of cDNA-vectors and in vitro transcribed mRNA, cell growth assay, TUNEL-assay, real-time RT-PCR (TaqMan) for expression studies, genomic sequencing and DHPLC for mutation detection.

Results
Here we demonstrate that transfection of ENO1 cDNA into 1p-deleted neuroblastoma cell lines causes' reduced number of viable cells over time compared to a negative control and that it induces apoptosis. Interestingly, a similar but much stronger dose-dependent reduction of cell growth was observed by transfection of in vitro transcribed ENO1 mRNA into neuroblastoma cells. These effects could also be shown in non-neuroblastoma cells (293-cells), indicating ENO1 to have general tumour suppressor activity.
Expression of ENO1 is detectable in primary neuroblastomas of all different stages and no difference in the level of expression can be detected between 1p-deleted and 1p-intact tumour samples. Although small numbers (11 primary neuroblastomas), there is some evidence that Stage 4 tumours has a lower level of ENO1-mRNA than Stage 2 tumours (p = 0.01). However, mutation screening of 44 primary neuroblastomas of all different stages, failed to detect any mutations.

Conclusion
Our studies indicate that ENO1 has tumour suppressor activity and that high level of ENO1 expression has growth inhibitory effects.
Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis: Results of the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program and review of the literature
Authors: Campbell Craig , Levin Simon , Humphreys Peter , Walop Wikke , Brannan Renee 
Published: December 2005

Abstract

Background
Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE) is so rare in developed countries with measles immunization programs that national active surveillance is now needed to capture sufficient number of cases for meaningful analysis of data. Through the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program (CPSP), the SSPE study was able to document a national incidence and determine the epidemiology of affected Canadian children.

Methods
Between 1997 and 2000, the CPSP surveyed monthly 1978 to 2294 Canadian pediatricians and sub-specialists for SSPE cases. The response rate varied from 82–86% over those years.

Results
Altogether, four SSPE cases were reported to the CPSP: one case before, two during and one after the study period. The incidence of SSPE in Canadian children was 0.06/million children/year. Of the four cases, diagnosed between ages four and 17 years, three children had measles infection in infancy. All children showed a progressive course of dementia, loss of motor skills and epilepsy. Two children were treated with isoprinosine and intraventricular interferon but died in less than three years from disease onset. One child did not have any treatment and died after seven years of illness. One child received intraventricular ribavirin and remains alive, but markedly impaired, nine years following diagnosis.

Conclusion
The CPSP has demonstrated that Canadian paediatricians and paediatric neurologists may encounter cases of SSPE. This report highlights the clinical course of affected Canadian children and provides a review of the disease and its management.
The effect of cartilage and bone density of mushroom-shaped, photooxidized, osteochondral transplants: an experimental study on graft performance in sheep using transplants originating from different species
Authors: Waselau Anja C , Nadler Daniel , Müller Jessika MV , Zlinszky Katalin , Hilbe Monika , Auer Jörg A , von Rechenberg Brigitte 
Published: December 2005

AbstractBackgroundDifferences in overall performance of osteochondral photooxidized grafts were studied in accordance of their species origin and a new, more rigorous cleansing procedure using alcohol during preparation.MethodsPhotooxidized mushroom-shaped grafts of bovine, ovine, human and equine origin were implanted in the femoral condyles of 32 sheep (condyles: n = 64). No viable chondrocytes were present at the time of implantation. Grafts were evaluated at 6 months using plastic embedded sections of non-decalcified bone and cartilage specimens. Graft incorporation, the formation of cyst-like lesions at the base of the cartilage junction as well as cartilage morphology was studied qualitatively, semi-quantitatively using a score system and quantitatively by performing histomorphometrical measurements of percentage of bone and fibrous tissue of the original defects. For statistical analysis a factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA- test) was applied.ResultsDifferences of graft performance were found according to species origin and cleansing process during graft preparation. According to the score system cartilage surface integrity was best for equine grafts, as well as dislocation or mechanical stability. The equine grafts showed the highest percentage for bone and lowest for fibrous tissue, resp. cystic lesions. The new, more rigorous cleansing process decreased cartilage persistence and overall graft performance.ConclusionPerformance of grafts from equine origin was better compared to bovine, ovine and human grafts. The exact reason for this difference was not proven in the current study, but could be related to differences in density of cartilage and subchondral bone between species.
Tango's maximized excess events test with different weights
Authors: Song Changhong , Kulldorff Martin 
Published: December 2005

AbstractBackgroundTango's maximized excess events test (MEET) has been shown to have very good statistical power in detecting global disease clustering. A nice feature of this test is that it considers a range of spatial scale parameters, adjusting for the multiple testing. This means that it has good power to detect a wide range of clustering processes. The test depends on the functional form of a weight function, and it is unknown how sensitive the test is to the choice of this weight function and what function provides optimal power for different clustering processes. In this study, we evaluate the performance of the test for a wide range of weight functions.ResultsThe power varies greatly with different choice of weight. Tango's original choice for the weight function works very well. There are also other weight functions that provide good power.ConclusionWe recommend the use of Tango's MEET to test global disease clustering, either with the original weight or one of the alternate weights that have good power.
Effects of psycho-educational intervention on health-related quality of life (QOL) of patients with chronic liver disease referring to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
Authors: Sharif Farkhondeh , Mohebbi Sadrollah , Tabatabaee Hamid-Reza , Saberi-Firoozi Mehdi , Gholamzadeh Sakineh 
Published: December 2005

Abstract

Background
Chronic liver diseases (CLDs) are progressive disorder which has a significant impact on the well-being of patients and leads to significant morbidity. CLDs are characterized by disturbances in physical, psychological and social aspects of well-being. It causes significant health-related quality of life (QOL) impairment. Psycho-educational interventions targeting to functional factors could be beneficial for patients with CLDs.

Methods
An interventional study was conducted on 110 patients with CLDs in Shiraz Liver Transplantation Center (SLTC). Subjects with the required CLDs criteria were selected and randomly divided into experimental (55) and control (55) groups. A two part questionnaire with 25 items concerning demographic and general information and 29 items regarding QOL was used. The psycho-educational needs of the experimental group were assessed in a session before the intervention, then the experimental group took part in 3 sessions individually and one session in groups. The questionnaires were filled in again for both groups but the control group did not receive the intervention program. The questionnaires were filled in again for both groups one day and three months after the intervention.

Results
Findings revealed no significant differences between the two groups from the view point of demographic characteristics such as marital status, gender, etc... (p > 0.05) and from the point of clinical variables no statistically significant differences were found (p > 0.05).
Findings revealed statistically significant differences in all domain of QOL in the experimental group three months after the intervention (p = 0.001), while there was no statistically significant differences in the control group.

Conclusion
The results of this study revealed that psycho-educational intervention had a significant effect on QOL of patients with CLDs.
Enumeration and phenotypical analysis of distinct dendritic cell subsets in psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Jongbloed Sarah L , Lebre M Cristina , Fraser Alasdair R , Gracie J Alastair , Sturrock Roger D , Tak Paul P , McInnes Iain B 
Published: December 2005

AbstractDendritic cells (DCs) comprise heterogeneous subsets of professional antigen-presenting cells, linking innate and adaptive immunity. Analysis of DC subsets has been hampered by a lack of specific DC markers and reliable quantitation assays. We characterised the immunophenotype and functional characteristics of psoriatic arthritis (PsA)-derived and rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-derived myeloid DCs (mDCs) and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) to evaluate their potential role in arthritis. Circulating peripheral blood (PB) pDC numbers were significantly reduced in PsA patients (P = 0.0098) and RA patients (P = 0.0194), and mDCs were significantly reduced in RA patients (P = 0.0086) compared with healthy controls. The number of circulating mDCs in RA PB was significantly inversely correlated to C-reactive protein (P = 0.021). The phenotype of both DC subsets in PsA PB and RA PB was immature as compared with healthy controls. Moreover, CD62L expression was significantly decreased on both mDCs (PsA, P = 0.0122; RA, P = 0.0371) and pDCs (PsA, P = 0.0373; RA, P = 0.0367) in PB. Both mDCs and pDCs were present in PsA synovial fluid (SF) and RA SF, with the mDC:pDC ratio significantly exceeding that in matched PB (PsA SF, P = 0.0453; RA SF, P = 0.0082). pDCs isolated from RA SF and PsA SF displayed an immature phenotype comparable with PB pDCs. RA and PsA SF mDCs, however, displayed a more mature phenotype (increased expression of CD80, CD83 and CD86) compared with PB mDCs. Functional analysis revealed that both SF DC subsets matured following toll-like receptor stimulation. pDCs from PB and SF produced interferon alpha and tumour necrosis factor alpha on TLR9 stimulation, but only SF pDCs produced IL-10. Similarly, mDCs from PB and SF produced similar tumour necrosis factor alpha levels to TLR2 agonism, whereas SF mDCs produced more IL-10 than PB controls. Circulating DC subset numbers are reduced in RA PB and PsA PB with reduced CD62L expression. Maturation is incomplete in the inflamed synovial compartment. Immature DCs in SF may contribute to the perpetuation of inflammation via sampling of the inflamed synovial environment, and in situ presentation of arthritogenic antigen.
Intra-articular injection of recombinant TRAIL induces synovial apoptosis and reduces inflammation in a rabbit knee model of arthritis
Authors: Yao Qingping , Seol Dai-Wu , Mi Zhibao , Robbins Paul D 
Published: December 2005

AbstractWe demonstrated previously that local, intra-articular injection of an adenoviral vector expressing human tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in a rabbit knee model of inflammatory arthritis stimulated synovial apoptosis and reduced inflammation. To examine whether intra-articular injection of recombinant chimeric human TRAIL protein (rTRAIL) also induces apoptosis of proliferating rabbit synovium and reduces inflammation, we used an experimental rabbit arthritis model of rheumatoid arthritis, induced by intra-articular introduction of allogeneic fibroblasts genetically engineered to secrete human IL-1β. Analysis of synovium isolated from the rabbits treated with intra-articular injection of rTRAIL, relative to saline control, showed areas of extensive acellular debris and large fibrous regions devoid of intact cells, similar to adenoviral mediated TRAIL gene transfer. Extensive apoptosis of the synovial lining was demonstrated using TUNEL analysis of the sections, corresponding to the microscopic findings in hematoxylin and eosin staining. In addition, leukocyte infiltration into the synovial fluid of the inflamed knee joints following rTRAIL treatment was reduced more than 50% compared with the saline control. Analysis of the glycosaminoglycan synthetic rate by cultured cartilage using radiolabeled sulfur and cartilage histology demonstrated that rTRAIL did not adversely affect cartilage metabolism and structure. Analysis of serum alanine aminotransferase showed that intra-articular injection of rTRAIL did not have adverse effects on hepatic function. These results demonstrate that intra-articular injection of rTRAIL could be therapeutic for treating pathologies associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
Study protocol: The Improving Care of Acute Lung Injury Patients (ICAP) study
Authors: Needham Dale M , Dennison Cheryl R , Dowdy David W , Mendez-Tellez Pedro A , Ciesla Nancy , Desai Sanjay V , Sevransky Jonathan , Shanholtz Carl , Scharfstein Daniel , Herridge Margaret S , Pronovost Peter J 
Published: December 2005

Abstract
Introduction
The short-term mortality benefit of lower tidal volume ventilation (LTVV) for patients with acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) has been demonstrated in a large, multi-center randomized trial. However, the impact of LTVV and other critical care therapies on the longer-term outcomes of ALI/ARDS survivors remains uncertain. The Improving Care of ALI Patients (ICAP) study is a multi-site, prospective cohort study that aims to evaluate the longer-term outcomes of ALI/ARDS survivors with a particular focus on the effect of LTVV and other critical care therapies.

Methods
Consecutive mechanically ventilated ALI/ARDS patients from 11 intensive care units (ICUs) at four hospitals in the city of Baltimore, MD, USA, will be enrolled in a prospective cohort study. Exposures (patient-based, clinical management, and ICU organizational) will be comprehensively collected both at baseline and throughout patients' ICU stay. Outcomes, including mortality, organ impairment, functional status, and quality of life, will be assessed with the use of standardized surveys and testing at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after ALI/ARDS diagnosis. A multi-faceted retention strategy will be used to minimize participant loss to follow-up.

Results
On the basis of the historical incidence of ALI/ARDS at the study sites, we expect to enroll 520 patients over two years. This projected sample size is more than double that of any published study of long-term outcomes in ALI/ARDS survivors, providing 86% power to detect a relative mortality hazard of 0.70 in patients receiving higher versus lower exposure to LTVV. The projected sample size also provides sufficient power to evaluate the association between a variety of other exposure and outcome variables, including quality of life.

Conclusion
The ICAP study is a novel, prospective cohort study that will build on previous critical care research to improve our understanding of the longer-term impact of ALI/ARDS, LTVV and other aspects of critical care management. Given the paucity of information about the impact of interventions on long-term outcomes for survivors of critical illness, this study can provide important information to inform clinical practice.
The expression signature of in vitro senescence resembles mouse but not human aging
Authors: Wennmalm Kristian , Wahlestedt Claes , Larsson Ola 
Published: December 2005

Abstract
Background
The biological mechanisms that underlie aging have not yet been fully identified. Senescence, a phenomenon occurring in vitro, limits the number of cell divisions in mammalian cell cultures and has been suggested to contribute to aging.

Results
We investigated whether the changes in gene expression that occur during mammalian aging and induction of cellular senescence are similar. We compared changes of gene expression in seven microarray datasets from aging human, mouse and rat, as well as four microarray datasets from senescent cells of man and mouse. The datasets were publicly available or obtained from other laboratories. Correlation measures were used to establish similarities of the expression profiles and gene ontology analyses to identify functional groups of genes that are co-regulated. Robust similarities were established between aging in different species and tissues, indicating that there is an aging transcriptome. Although some cross-species comparisons displayed high correlation, intra-species similarities were more reliable. Similarly, a senescence transcriptome was demonstrated that is conserved across cell types. A similarity between the expression signatures of cellular senescence and aging could be established in mouse, but not in human.

Conclusion
Our study is the first to use microarray data from several studies and laboratories for dissection of a complex biological phenotype. We demonstrate the presence of a mammalian aging transcriptome, and discuss why similarity between cellular senescence and aging is apparent in aging mice only.
Customized Products: A Competitive Analysis
Authors: Syam Niladri B. , Ruan Ranran , Hess James D. 
Published: December 2005

This paper investigates the competitive market for mass-customized products. Competition leads to surprising conclusions: Manufacturers customize only one of a product's two attributes, and each manufacturer chooses the same attribute. Customization of both attributes cannot persist in an equilibrium where firms first choose customization and then choose price, because effort to capture market with customization makes a rival desperate, putting downward pressure on prices. Equilibrium involves partial or no customization. In partial customization, rival firms do not differentiate their mass-customization programs: If firms customize different attributes, many more consumers are indifferent between the two firms. The elasticity of demand is increased and the resulting price war makes differentiated customization unprofitable. If firms customize the same attribute of a two-attribute product, they should concentrate on the attribute with the smaller heterogeneity in consumers' preferences. We incorporate consumers’ effort in portraying their preferences as a cost of interaction and provide public policy findings on the well-being of these consumers: When this cost is low, consumers are better off with customization than with standard goods, but firms choose too little customization. The loss in consumer surplus is sometimes captured by the firms, but for low interaction costs, firms' profit-driven behavior is economically inefficient.
Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1: a review Plasminogen-Aktivator-Inhibitor-1: eine Übersicht
Authors: Pihusch Markus , Pihusch Verena , Holler Ernst 
Published: December 2005

Abstract
Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is the most potent inhibitor of both tissue type (t-PA) and urokinase type plasminogen activator (u-PA) and thus regulates fibrinolysis as well as proteolysis, cell migration, and tumor cell invasiveness. Stimulated by cytokines, lipopolysaccharide, very low density lipoproteins, and transforming growth factor β-1 (TGF β-1), PAI-1 also influences inflammation, metabolic disorders, and fibrotic diseases. PAI-1 is produced in liver cells, adipocytes, smooth muscle cells, and platelets. In pathological conditions, increased PAI-1 levels mainly result from release by endothelial cells or tumor cells. Elevation of PAI-1 activity is described to be associated with pregnancy complications like recurrent miscarriage, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and preeclampsia. Spontaneous abortion seems to be related to the 4G/4G genotype of the polymorphism in the PAI-1 promoter. Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome, which is associated with anovulatory infertility, also show significantly higher PAI-1 levels than healthy controls. Increased PAI-1 levels are found in a number of malignancies and might give information about prognosis and preferential response to certain therapies especially in patients with primary breast cancer. By influencing extracellular matrix turnover, PAI-1 seems to play a role in fibrotic disorders including nephropathy, chronic lung diseases, cardiac fibrosis, and liver fibrosis. Upregulated by inflammatory mediators, PAI-1 levels are increased in sepsis, trauma, surgery, and a variety of diseases associated with inflammatory reactions. PAI-1 is suggested to play a functional role in host response to trauma. Inflammatory states are also found in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and the metabolic syndrome. Vascular diseases as well as insulin resistance leading to metabolic state are associated with both elevated PAI-1 levels and the 4G/5G polymorphism of the PAI-1 promoter. The 4G/4G and 4G/5G genotypes were observed to be more frequent in patients with obesity, myocardial infarction, and venous thromboembolism. PAI-1 thus represents an important non-invasive diagnostic criterion in a number of diseases and might reveal new therapeutic strategies.
TAFI: regulating the cross talk between coagulation and fibrinolysis TAFI: Regulierung der Wechselwirkung zwischen Gerinnung und Fibrinolyse
Authors: Marx Pauline F. , Meijers Joost C.M. 
Published: December 2005

Abstract
Thrombin activates thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) that removes C-terminal lysines or arginines. The activity of active TAFI (TAFIa) is lost rapidly. TAFIa is not inactivated by proteolysis but converted to an inactive state by a conformational transition. Numerous polymorphisms were identified in the TAFI gene. The TAFI-325Ile variant seems to influence TAFI levels. TAFIa retards plasmin formation and makes plasmin more susceptible to inhibition by antiplasmin; it prevents the conversion of the fibrin fragment DD(E) to fragment DD that impairs fibrin polymerization. The complement-derived factors C3a and C5a as well as bradykinin are further substrates for TAFIa. Elevated TAFI levels were associated with an increased risk of venous thrombosis. TAFI deficiency has been shown to be associated with an enhanced leucocyte migration. The absence of TAFI results in delayed wound healing with disturbed keratinocyte migration. Pro-inflammatory properties of osteopontin are downregulated by TAFIa. Hence, TAFI plays a role – besides in regulation of fibrinolysis – in wound healing, angiogenesis, and inflammation.
Mikrobiologische Liquor-Diagnostik Microbiological diagnostics in CSF
Authors: Rauer Sebastian , Stich Oliver , Bogdan Christian 
Published: December 2005

Zusammenfassung
Die standardisierte Untersuchung des Liquors spielt bei der Differentialdiagnose akuter und chronisch entzündlicher ZNS-Erkrankungen eine entscheidende Rolle. In dieser Empfehlung werden Vorschläge zur mikrobiologischen Liquordiagnostik von der Präanalytik über die Basisdiagnostik bis hin zur differenzierten erregerspezifischen und symptomorientierten mikrobiologischen Diagnostik vorgestellt.