bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Induction treatment of proliferative lupus nephritis with leflunomide combined with prednisone: a prospective multi-centre observational study
Authors: Wang HY , Cui TG , Hou FF , Ni ZH , Chen XM , Lu FM , Xu FF , Yu XQ , Zhang FS , Zhao XZ , Zhao MH , Wang GB , Qian JQ , Cai GY , Zhu TY , Wang YH , Jiang ZP , Li YN , Mei CL , Zou WZ 
Published: July 2008

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of leflunomide in the treatment of proliferative lupus nephritis, a prospective multi-centre observational study was conducted. Patients with biopsy proven proliferative lupus nephritis were assigned to receive either leflunomide or cyclophosphamide with concomitant prednisone. Leflunomide was given orally with a loading dose of 1 mg/kg/day for 3 days followed by 30 mg/day. Intravenous cyclophosphamide was administered monthly at a dose of 0.5 g/m2 of body-surface area. A total of 110 patients were enrolled, 70 in the leflunomide group and 40 in the cyclophosphamide group. The complete remission rate in the leflunomide group was 21% and partial remission rate 52%, as compared with 18% and 55%, respectively, in the cyclophosphamide group. Renal parameters and systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index improved significantly and similarly in both groups. Serum creatinine decreased or stabilized in both treatment groups. No significant difference was noted with respect to clinical outcome between groups. Repeat biopsy also showed a significant reduction of active lesions in kidney pathology after 6 months of leflunomide treatment. Major adverse events, similar in both treatment groups, included infection, alopecia and hypertension. Leflunomide, compared with cyclophosphamide, in combination with prednisone was effective in the induction therapy of proliferative lupus nephritis and was generally well-tolerated.
Renal outcome and evolution of disease activity in Chinese lupus patients after renal transplantation
Authors: Yu TM , Chen YH , Lan JL , Cheng CH , Chen CH , Wu MJ , Shu KH 
Published: July 2008

Lupus nephritis constitutes the major cause of morbidity and mortality in SLE. The long-term outcome of renal transplantation in lupus patients remains controversial, and the recurrence of lupus activity is a major concern. This study aims to determine the long-term outcome of renal transplantation in Chinese lupus patients and the evolution of lupus activity. A total of 23 lupus patients undergoing renal transplantation were enrolled and compared with 94 matched controls. The overall patient and graft survival rates at 10 years post-transplant in lupus group were not different from the control group (95.2% and 57.7% vs. 90.7% and 66.3%). Recurrence of lupus nephritis in renal allograft and flare-ups of lupus activity were not observed in this study. The SLE group had less acute rejection than the control group (20.4% vs. 29.8%, P < 0.05). The infection rate between the two groups was similar (39.1% vs. 51.1%, P = 0.427), although SLE group had a significantly higher rate of developing avascular necrosis (17.4% vs. 2.1%, P = 0.04). In conclusion, patient and graft survival rates and other major complications in Chinese lupus patients are comparable to non-lupus transplant recipients caused by other diseases. Chinese patients with SLE are suitable candidates for renal transplantation.
Circulating thrombomodulin and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and renal vascular lesion in patients with lupus nephritis
Authors: Yao GH , Liu ZH , Zhang X , Zheng CX , Chen HP , Zeng CH , Li LS 
Published: July 2008

Currently, the detection of renal vascular lesions (VLS) in lupus nephritis (LN) mainly depends on biopsy examination, and lack surrogate biomarkers for clinical dynamic evaluation. The aim of the present study is to explore the correlation between circulatory endothelial damage biomarkers and VLS. Soluble E-selectin, thrombomodulin (TM) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) were measured by ELISA. TM and VCAM-1 levels both were significantly elevated in LN with VLS than in LN without VLS ( P < 0.01). However, the serum E-selectin was not significantly changed in LN patients with and without VLS. A positive correlation was found between TM and serum creatinine ( r = 0.617, P < 0.05) in patients with vascular lesions. In order to further analyse the relationship between TM level and severity degree of vascular lesions in LN patients, we subdivided the patients with vascular lesions into two groups: with thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) and without TMA. TM level of the patients with TMA is significantly higher than those without TMA ( P < 0.01). In conclusion, combined with renal pathological examination, monitoring the circulatory levels of TM and VCAM-1, can provide circulating biomarkers of VLS in LN patients.
Efficacy of enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium in patients with resistant-type lupus nephritis: a prospective study
Authors: Traitanon O , Avihingsanon Y , Kittikovit V , Townamchai N , Kanjanabuch T , Praditpornsilpa K , Wongchinasri J , Tungsanga K , Eiam-Ong S 
Published: July 2008

The role of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is still controversial in the treatment of cyclophosphamide-resistant proliferative lupus nephritis (PLN). Enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS) has less gastrointestinal adverse effects than MMF and is, therefore, increasingly utilised in organ transplantation. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of EC-MPS versus an extended-course of intravenous cyclophosphamide (ED-IVCY) in resistant-type PLN. Thirty-one, biopsy-proven PLN, patients who failed to respond to an induction of IVCY were enrolled in a prospective, open-labelled, historically controlled study. Patients received 6 month of EC-MPS (720 mg b.i.d.) treatment. The patients in the ED-IVCY group, collected from a database, received a repeated 6-month course of monthly IVCY 0.5–1 g/m2 of body surface area. Both groups received 0.5–1 mg/kg/day of prednisolone. Primary outcomes were partial or complete responses. A repeated kidney biopsy was performed to evaluate the histological response. No serious adverse events or patient deaths were observed during the study. Both groups had comparable baseline characteristics. At 6 months, the EC-MPS group had a comparable response rate with the ED-IVCY group. There were significantly less adverse events in the EC-MPS group. Repeated biopsies showed significant improvement in the EC-MPS group. EC-MPS provides salutary efficacy and safety in the treatment of resistant-type PLN and can be a suitably alternative treatment to ED-IVCY.
XRD and NMR characterization of synthetic hectorites and the corresponding surfactant-exchanged clays
Authors: Gerstmans A. , Urbanczyk L. , Jérôme R. , Robert J.- L. , Grandjean J. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractSynthetic hectorites and the corresponding surfactant-exchanged clays have been characterized by X-ray diffraction and 1H, 7Li, 13C, 23Na and 29Si solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The low-charge clays retain water more efficiently, forming aggregates without extensive drying. The hydroxylated hectorite exhibits two 1H NMR signals near 0 ppm whereas the fluorohectorites are characterized by a single peak in the same region. The 23Na 2D 3Q magic angle spinning (MAS) spectra of the low-charge hectorites show a single peak. The 29Si NMR shift depends on the interlayer charge. Tactoids formed by the low-charge hectorites reduce the rate of surfactant incorporation. The population of the all-trans conformer of the hydrocarbon chain, determined by 13C MASNMR, varies with the surfactant content. 13C NMR relaxation data show an increase in mobility with the surfactant loading and along the long alkyl chain, from the polar head to the terminal group. Complexity of the motional behaviour precludes any detailed analysis. These modified clays are not useful in preparing poly(ε-caprolactone) nanocomposites by in situ polymerization.
Solubility and release of fenamates intercalated in layered double hydroxides
Authors: Del Arco M. , Fernández A. , Martín C. , Sayalero M. L. , Rives V. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe effect of a Mg- and Al-containing layered double hydroxide (LDH), used as an additive or as a matrix, on the dissolution and solubility of two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), namely, mefenamic and meclofenamic acids, is reported. The use of MgAl-LDH enhances the solubility of mefenamic acid at the three pH values tested, and the value is larger when the acid is intercalated as opposed to simply being mixed with the layered material. For pure mefenamic acid, the most unfavourable pH is 1.2, while for the physical mixture and the sample with the intercalated drug, the most unfavourable pH is 4.5, for which the minimum increase in the amount of dissolved acid is recorded. The (dissolution) release-rate for both drugs when they are intercalated between the layers is much slower than for the physical mixture or for the dissolution of the pure drug.
Translational control of c-MYC by rapamycin promotes terminal myeloid differentiation
Authors: Wall Meaghan , Poortinga Gretchen , Hannan Katherine M. , Pearson Richard B. , Hannan Ross D. , McArthur Grant A. 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
c-MYC inhibits differentiation and regulates the process by which cells acquire biomass, cell growth. Down-regulation of c-MYC, reduced cell growth, and decreased activity of the PI3K/AKT/mTORC1 signal transduction pathway are features of the terminal differentiation of committed myeloid precursors to polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Since mTORC1 regulates growth, we hypothesized that pharmacological inhibition of mTORC1 by rapamycin may reverse the phenotypic effects of c-MYC. Here we show that granulocytes blocked in their ability to differentiate by enforced expression of c-MYC can be induced to differentiate by reducing exogenous c-MYC expression through rapamycin treatment. Rapamycin also reduced expression of endogenous c-MYC and resulted in enhanced retinoid-induced differentiation. Total cellular c-Myc mRNA and c-MYC protein stability were unchanged by rapamycin, however the amount of c-Myc mRNA associated with polysomes was reduced. Therefore rapamycin limited expression of c-MYC by inhibiting c-Myc mRNA translation. These findings suggest that mTORC1 could be targeted to promote terminal differentiation in myeloid malignancies characterized by dysregulated expression of c-MYC.
The TNFalpha gene relates to clinical phenotype in alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency
Authors: Wood Alice M , Simmonds Matthew J , Bayley Darren L , Newby Paul R , Gough Stephen C , Stockley Robert A 
Published: July 2008

Abstract

Background
Genetic variation may underlie phenotypic variation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in subjects with and without alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD). Genotype specific sub-phenotypes are likely and may underlie the poor replication of previous genetic studies. This study investigated subjects with AATD to determine the relationship between specific phenotypes and TNFα polymorphisms.

Methods
424 unrelated subjects of the PiZZ genotype were assessed for history of chronic bronchitis, impairment of lung function and radiological presence of emphysema and bronchiectasis. A subset of subjects with 3 years consecutive lung function data was assessed for decline of lung function. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) tagging TNFα were genotyped using TaqMan® genotyping technologies and compared between subjects affected by each phenotype and those unaffected. Plasma TNFα levels were measured in all PiZZ subjects.

Results
All SNPs were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. A significant difference in rs361525 genotype (p = 0.01) and allele (p = 0.01) frequency was seen between subjects with and without chronic bronchitis, independent of the presence of other phenotypes. TNFα plasma level showed no phenotypic or genotypic associations.

Conclusion
Variation in TNFα is associated with chronic bronchitis in AATD.
Protein evolution of ANTP and PRD homeobox genes
Authors: Fonseca Nuno A , Vieira Cristina P , Holland Peter WH , Vieira Jorge 
Published: July 2008

Abstract

Background
Although homeobox genes have been the subject of many studies, little is known about the main amino acid changes that occurred early in the evolution of genes belonging to different classes.

Results
In this study, we report a method for the fast and efficient retrieval of sequences belonging to the ANTP (HOXL and NKL) and PRD classes. Furthermore, we look for diagnostic amino acid residues that can be used to distinguish HOXL, NKL and PRD genes.

Conclusion
The reported protein features will facilitate the robust classification of homeobox genes from newly sequenced bilaterian genomes. Nevertheless, in non-bilaterian genomes our findings must be cautiously applied. In principle, as long as a good manually curated data set is available the approach here described can be applied to non-bilaterian organisms as well. Our results help focus experimental studies onto investigating the biochemical functions of key homeodomain residues in different gene classes.
The Hypocrea jecorina (Trichoderma reesei) hypercellulolytic mutant RUT C30 lacks a 85 kb (29 gene-encoding) region of the wild-type genome
Authors: Seidl Verena , Gamauf Christian , Druzhinina Irina S , Seiboth Bernhard , Hartl Lukas , Kubicek Christian P 
Published: July 2008

Abstract

Background
The hypercellulolytic mutant Hypocrea jecorina (anamorph Trichoderma reesei) RUT C30 is the H. jecorina strain most frequently used for cellulase fermentations and has also often been employed for basic research on cellulase regulation. This strain has been reported to contain a truncated carbon catabolite repressor gene cre1 and is consequently carbon catabolite derepressed. To date this and an additional frame-shift mutation in the glycoprotein-processing β-glucosidase II encoding gene are the only known genetic differences in strain RUT C30.

Results
In the present paper we show that H. jecorina RUT C30 lacks an 85 kb genomic fragment, and consequently misses additional 29 genes comprising transcription factors, enzymes of the primary metabolism and transport proteins. This loss is already present in the ancestor of RUT C30 – NG 14 – and seems to have occurred in a palindromic AT-rich repeat (PATRR) typically inducing chromosomal translocations, and is not linked to the cre1 locus. The mutation of the cre1 locus has specifically occurred in RUT C30. Some of the genes that are lacking in RUT C30 could be correlated with pronounced alterations in its phenotype, such as poor growth on α-linked oligo- and polyglucosides (loss of maltose permease), or disturbance of osmotic homeostasis.

Conclusion
Our data place a general caveat on the use of H. jecorina RUT C30 for further basic research.
Cross-platform comparison of SYBR® Green real-time PCR with TaqMan PCR, microarrays and other gene expression measurement technologies evaluated in the MicroArray Quality Control (MAQC) study
Authors: Arikawa Emi , Sun Yanyang , Wang Jie , Zhou Qiong , Ning Baitang , Dial Stacey L , Guo Lei , Yang Jingping 
Published: July 2008

Abstract

Background
The MicroArray Quality Control (MAQC) project evaluated the inter- and intra-platform reproducibility of seven microarray platforms and three quantitative gene expression assays in profiling the expression of two commercially available Reference RNA samples (
Nat Biotechnol
24:1115-22, 2006). The tested microarrays were the platforms from Affymetrix, Agilent Technologies, Applied Biosystems, GE Healthcare, Illumina, Eppendorf and the National Cancer Institute, and quantitative gene expression assays included TaqMan® Gene Expression PCR Assay, Standardized (Sta) RT-PCR™ and QuantiGene®. The data showed great consistency in gene expression measurements across different microarray platforms, different technologies and test sites. However, SYBR® Green real-time PCR, another common technique utilized by half of all real-time PCR users for gene expression measurement, was not addressed in the MAQC study. In the present study, we compared the performance of SYBR Green PCR with TaqMan PCR, microarrays and other quantitative technologies using the same two Reference RNA samples as the MAQC project. We assessed SYBR Green real-time PCR using commercially available RT2 Profiler™ PCR Arrays from SuperArray, containing primer pairs that have been experimentally validated to ensure gene-specificity and high amplification efficiency.

Results
The SYBR Green PCR Arrays exhibit good reproducibility among different users, PCR instruments and test sites. In addition, the SYBR Green PCR Arrays have the highest concordance with TaqMan PCR, and a high level of concordance with other quantitative methods and microarrays that were evaluated in this study in terms of fold-change correlation and overlap of lists of differentially expressed genes.

Conclusion
These data demonstrate that SYBR Green real-time PCR delivers highly comparable results in gene expression measurement with TaqMan PCR and other high-density microarrays.
Calcitonin gene-related peptide alters the firing rates of hypothalamic temperature sensitive and insensitive neurons
Authors: Braasch Daniel C , Deegan Erin M , Grimm Eleanor R , Griffin John D 
Published: July 2008

Abstract

Background
Transient hyperthermic shifts in body temperature have been linked to the endogenous hormone calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), which can increase sympathetic activation and metabolic heat production. Recent studies have demonstrated that these centrally mediated responses may result from CGRP dependent changes in the activity of thermoregulatory neurons in the preoptic and anterior regions of the hypothalamus (POAH).

Results
Using a tissue slice preparation, we recorded the single-unit activity of POAH neurons from the adult male rat, in response to temperature and CGRP (10 μM). Based on the slope of firing rate as a function of temperature, neurons were classified as either warm sensitive or temperature insensitive. All warm sensitive neurons responded to CGRP with a significant decrease in firing rate. While CGRP did not alter the firing rates of some temperature insensitive neurons, responsive neurons showed an increase in firing rate.

Conclusion
With respect to current models of thermoregulatory control, these CGRP dependent changes in firing rate would result in hyperthermia. This suggests that both warm sensitive and temperature insensitive neurons in the POAH may play a role in producing this hyperthermic shift in temperature.
The usefulness of a new rapid diagnostic test, the First Response® Malaria Combo (pLDH/HRP2) card test, for malaria diagnosis in the forested belt of central India
Authors: Bharti Praveen K , Silawat Nipun , Singh Pushpendra P , Singh Mrigendra P , Shukla Manmohan , Chand Gyan , Dash Aditya P , Singh Neeru 
Published: July 2008

Abstract

Background
Malaria presents a diagnostic challenge in tribal belt of central India where two Plasmodium species, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, are prevalent. In these areas, rapid detection of the malaria parasites and early treatment of infection remain the most important goals of disease management. Therefore, the usefulness of a new rapid diagnostic (RDT), the First Response® Combo Malaria Ag (pLDH/HRP2) card test was assessed for differential diagnosis between P. falciparum with other Plasmodium species in remote villages of Jabalpur district.

Methods
A finger prick blood sample was collected to prepare blood smear and for testing with the RDT after taking informed consent. The figures for sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and predictive values were calculated using microscopy as gold standard.

Results
Analysis revealed that overall, the RDT was 93% sensitive, 85% specific with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 79%, and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 95%. The accuracy 88% and J-index was 0.74. For P. falciparum, the sensitivity and specificity of the test were 96% and 95% respectively, with a PPV of 85% and a NPV of 99%. The RDT accuracy 95% and J-index was 0.84. For non-falciparum malaria, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 83%, 94% and 92% respectively with a PPV of 69% and a NPV of 97%.

Conclusion
The RDTs are easy to use, reliable and simple to interpret. RDTs are more suited to health workers in situations where health services are deficient or absent. Therefore, the test can be used as an epidemiological tool for the rapid screening of malaria.
In-vitro antimycobacterial drug susceptibility testing of non-tubercular mycobacteria by tetrazolium microplate assay
Authors: Sankar Manimuthu Mani , Gopinath Krishnamoorthy , Singla Roopak , Singh Sarman 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackgroundNon-tubercular mycobacteria (NTM) has not been given due attention till the recent epidemic of HIV. This has led to increasing interest of health care workers in their biology, epidemiology and drug resistance. However, timely detection and drug susceptibility profiling of NTM isolates are always difficult in resource poor settings like India. Furthermore, no standardized methodology or guidelines are available to reproduce the results with clinical concordance.ObjectiveTo find an alternative and rapid method for performing the drug susceptibility assay in a resource limited settings like India, we intended to evaluate the utility of Tetrazolium microplate assay (TEMA) in comparison with proportion method for reporting the drug resistance in clinical isolates of NTM.MethodsA total of fifty-five NTM isolates were tested for susceptibility against Streptomycin, Rifampicin, Ethambutol, Ciprofloxacin, Ofloxacin, Azithromycin, and Clarithromycin by TEMA and the results were compared with agar proportion method (APM).ResultsOf the 55 isolates, 23 (41.8%) were sensitive to all the drugs and the remaining 32 (58.2%) were resistant to at least one drug. TEMA had very good concordance with APM except with minor discrepancies. Susceptibility results were obtained in the median of 5 to 9 days by TEMA. The NTM isolates were highly sensitive against Ofloxacin (98.18% sensitive) and Ciprofloxacin (90.09% sensitive).M. mucogenicumwas sensitive only to Clarithromycin and resistant to all the other drugs tested. The concordance between TEMA and APM ranged between 96.4 – 100%.ConclusionTetrazolium Microplate Assay is a rapid and highly reproducible method. However, it must be performed only in tertiary level Mycobacteriology laboratories with proper bio-safety conditions.