bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of increased interferon‐inducible gene expression with disease activity and lupus nephritis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Feng Xuebing , Wu Hui , Grossman Jennifer M. , Hanvivadhanakul Punchong , FitzGerald John D. , Park Grace S. , Dong Xin , Chen Weiling , Kim Michelle H. , Weng Haoling H. , Furst Daniel E. , Gorn Alan , McMahon Maureen , Taylor Mihaela , Brahn Ernest , Hahn Bevra H. , Tsao Betty P. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo study 5 type I interferon (IFN)–inducible genes (LY6E, OAS1, OASL, MX1, and ISG15) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to correlate expression levels with disease activity and/or clinical manifestations.MethodsPeripheral blood cells were obtained from 48 SLE patients, 48 normal controls, and 22 rheumatic disease controls, and total RNA was extracted and reverse transcribed into complementary DNA. Gene expression levels were measured by real‐time polymerase chain reaction, standardized to a housekeeping gene, and summed to an IFN score. Disease activity was determined by the Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus: National Assessment–Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SELENA‐SLEDAI) composite.ResultsEach gene was highly expressed in SLE patients compared with normal controls (P ≤ 0.0003) or disease controls (P ≤ 0.0008 except for MX1). IFN scores were positively associated with the SELENA‐SLEDAI instrument score (P = 0.001), the SELENA‐SLEDAI flare score (P = 0.03), and the physician's global assessment score (P = 0.005). Compared with patients without nephritis, lupus nephritis patients had higher IFN scores (overall P < 0.0001), especially during active renal disease. IFN scores were weakly associated with neurologic manifestations. Elevated IFN scores were positively associated with the current presence of anti–double‐stranded DNA (anti‐dsDNA) antibodies (P = 0.007) or hypocomplementemia (P = 0.007). LY6E expression levels distinguished active from inactive lupus nephritis (P = 0.02) and were positively associated with proteinuria (P = 0.009).ConclusionThe 5 IFN‐inducible genes were highly expressed in SLE patients, and increased levels were correlated with disease activity defined by several methods. IFN scores, or LY6E levels, were elevated in lupus nephritis patients, especially during active renal disease, and in patients with anti‐dsDNA antibody positivity and hypocomplementemia. IFN scores, or LY6E levels, may be useful as a biomarker for lupus nephritis therapy.
IgG and IgM anticardiolipin antibodies following treatment with infliximab plus methotrexate in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Visvanathan Sudha , Wagner Carrie , Smolen Josef , St.Clair E. William , Hegedus Ron , Baker Daniel , Keenan Gregory 
Published: August 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the occurrence of anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving treatment with infliximab plus methotrexate (MTX) versus MTX alone.MethodsThe first 299 patients enrolled in the randomized, Active‐Controlled Study of Patients Receiving Infliximab for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis of Early Onset (ASPIRE) trial who had baseline (week 0) samples available for aCL testing were included in this study. Sera were collected at weeks 0, 30, and 54 from 110 patients taking infliximab 3 mg/kg plus MTX, 98 patients taking infliximab 6 mg/kg plus MTX, and 91 patients taking placebo plus MTX. IgG and IgM aCL were measured using an anticardiolipin assay.ResultsIgG and IgM aCL positivity at baseline was similar in all treatment groups. Most patients were negative for IgG aCL at baseline and remained so at the last followup evaluation. One percent (2 of 208) of patients who received infliximab plus MTX and were negative for IgG aCL at baseline were positive for IgG aCL at weeks 30 and 54. A slightly higher proportion of patients who received infliximab plus MTX and were negative for IgM aCL at baseline were positive for IgM aCL at weeks 30 and 54 (4.8% [10 of 208]) as compared with patients who received placebo plus MTX (1.1% [1 of 91]), but the difference was not significant.ConclusionThere was a low incidence of the development of aCL in patients with early RA who received infliximab in combination with MTX, and the difference was not significant compared with patients who received placebo plus MTX.
Lymphocyte‐independent connective tissue mast cells populate murine synovium
Authors: Shin Kichul , Gurish Michael F. , Friend Daniel S. , Pemberton Alan D. , Thornton Elisabeth M. , Miller Hugh R. , Lee David M. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractObjectiveMast cells (MCs) are a heterogeneous population of tissue‐resident bone marrow–derived cells; distinct MC subpopulations are situated at specific microanatomic locations. The phenotype of the murine synovial MC remains undefined. Since MCs have been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory arthritis, we sought to define the phenotype of the murine synovial MC population in normal and arthritic joints. We also examined the contribution of lymphocytes to synovial MC physiology.MethodsThe MC phenotype in healthy and K/BxN serum transfer–induced arthritic synovial tissue was defined using immunohistochemical staining of prototypic MC‐specific proteases (murine MC proteases [mMCP] 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7) (chymases and tryptases). MC numbers and density were determined by histomorphometry in healthy and arthritic synovia. The lymphocyte contribution to MC populations was assessed using RAG‐null mice.ResultsWe found that synovial MCs display a connective tissue mast cell (CTMC) phenotype in both normal and arthritic synovial tissue, which expresses mMCP‐4, ‐5, ‐6, and ‐7, but not mMCP‐1 or mMCP‐2. In addition, MC hyperplasia was seen in the arthritic synovium. In RAG‐null mice, the phenotype and degree of MC hyperplasia were identical to those observed in normal mice with and without arthritis. Furthermore, in contrast to skin CTMCs, all synovial MCs expressed mMCP‐6, demonstrating discrete differences between synovial CTMCs and other anatomic CTMC populations.ConclusionOur findings demonstrate that the murine synovial MC population is composed of lymphocyte‐independent CTMCs and identify arthritic synovium as a model system by which to gain insight into the poorly understood physiology of CTMCs in chronic inflammation.
Increased levels of transforming growth factor β receptor type I and up‐regulation of matrix gene program: A model of scleroderma
Authors: Pannu Jaspreet , Gardner Humphrey , Shearstone Jeffrey R. , Smith Edwin , Trojanowska Maria 
Published: August 2006

AbstractObjectivePreviously published studies have demonstrated that a majority of systemic sclerosis (SSc) fibroblasts exhibit elevated levels of transforming growth factor β type I receptor (TGFβRI). An experimental model that recapitulates this condition was established in control dermal fibroblasts by titrating the dose of adenovirus vector expressing TGFβRI (AdTGFβRI). The present study was undertaken to determine the functional consequences of increased levels of TGFβRI in SSc.MethodsGene array analysis of control dermal fibroblasts transduced with AdTGFβRI was performed using GeneChip expression arrays. Gene validation was done by Northern blot, quantitative reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot techniques. TGFβ blockade was performed using soluble TGFβ receptor. TGFβRI kinase/activin receptor–like kinase 5 was inhibited with pharmacologic inhibitors. TGFβRI and TGFβRII protein levels and collagen production were examined by Western blotting in primary dermal fibroblasts from 9 SSc patients and 9 healthy adults. Endogenous TGFβRI levels were suppressed in control and SSc fibroblasts using specific small interfering RNA (siRNA).ResultsGlobal gene analysis indicated that a 2‐fold increase in TGFβRI levels in control fibroblasts resulted in profibrotic changes that closely resembled the phenotype of SSc fibroblasts. A total of 125 genes were up‐regulated, including COL1A1, COL1A2, and connective tissue growth factor, and 206 genes were down‐regulated. Elevated production of collagen in cells transduced with AdTGFβRI was dependent on the autocrine TGFβ, but not TGFβRI kinase activity. Eight of the 9 SSc strains exhibited increased levels of TGFβRI protein, which correlated with increased collagen synthesis. Treatment of SSc and matched control fibroblasts with siRNA that normalizes TGFβRI levels reverted collagen protein production in SSc fibroblasts to the levels observed in control fibroblasts.ConclusionOur findings demonstrate that aberrantly expressed TGFβRI may drive an autocrine loop involved in the up‐regulation of collagen and other matrix‐related genes in SSc fibroblasts.
Walking barefoot decreases loading on the lower extremity joints in knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Shakoor Najia , Block Joel A. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the effects that modern shoes have on gait and lower extremity joint loads in osteoarthritis (OA).MethodsGait analyses were performed on 75 subjects with knee OA while they were wearing their everyday walking shoes and while they were walking barefoot. The trials involved optoelectronic detection of external markers during ambulation over a multicomponent force plate, and were matched for speed. Comparisons were made of gait parameters and joint loading during trials in which the subjects walked while wearing shoes and while barefoot.ResultsPeak joint loads at the hips and knees significantly decreased during barefoot walking, with an 11.9% reduction noted in the knee adduction moment. Stride, cadence, and range of motion at the lower extremity joints also changed significantly, but these changes could not explain the reduction in the peak joint loads.ConclusionShoes may detrimentally increase loads on the lower extremity joints. Once factors responsible for the differences in loads between with‐shoe and barefoot walking are better delineated, modern shoes and walking practices may need to be reevaluated with regard to their effects on the prevalence and progression of OA in our society.
Collaborative information synthesis I: A model of information behaviors of scientists in medicine and public health
Authors: Blake Catherine , Pratt Wanda 
Published: August 2006

AbstractScientists engage in the discovery process more than any other user population, yet their day‐to‐day activities are often elusive. One activity that consumes much of a scientist's time is developing models that balance contradictory and redundant evidence. Driven by our desire to understand the information behaviors of this important user group, and the behaviors of scientific discovery in general, we conducted an observational study of academic research scientists as they resolved different experimental results reported in the biomedical literature. This article is the first of two that reports our findings. In this article, we introduce the Collaborative Information Synthesis (CIS) model that reflects the salient information behaviors that we observed. The CIS model emerges from a rich collection of qualitative data including interviews, electronic recordings of meetings, meeting minutes, e‐mail communications, and extraction worksheets. Our findings suggest that scientists provide two information constructs: a hypothesis projection and context information. They also engage in four critical tasks: retrieval, extraction, verification, and analysis. The findings also suggest that science is not an individual but rather a collaborative activity and that scientists use the results of one analysis to inform new analyses. In Part 2, we compare and contrast existing information and cognitive models that have inadvertently reported synthesis, and then provide five recommendations that will enable designers to build information systems that support the important synthesis activity.
Non‐Inferiority Testing with a Variable Margin
Authors: Zhang Zhiwei 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThere has been growing interest, when comparing an experimental treatment with an active control with respect to a binary outcome, in allowing the non‐inferiority margin to depend on the unknown success rate in the control group. It does not seem universally recognized, however, that the statistical test should appropriately adjust for the uncertainty surrounding the non‐inferiority margin. In this paper, we inspect a naive procedure that treats an “observed margin” as if it were fixed a priori, and explain why it might not be valid. We then derive a class of tests based on the delta method, including the Wald test and the score test, for a smooth margin. An alternative derivation is given for the asymptotic distribution of the likelihood ratio statistic, again for a smooth margin. We discuss the asymptotic behavior of these tests when applied to a piecewise smooth margin. A simple condition on the margin function is given which allows the likelihood ratio test to carry over to a piecewise smooth margin using the same critical value as for a smooth margin. Simulation experiments are conducted, under a smooth margin and a piecewise linear margin, to evaluate the finite‐sample performance of the asymptotic tests studied. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Prospective use of electrospun ultra‐fine silicate fibers for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Sakai Shinji , Yamada Yusuke , Yamaguchi Tetsu , Kawakami Koei 
Published: August 2006

AbstractElectrospinning involves the generation of a jet of viscous solution, and results in the formation of ultra‐fine fibers. Silicate fibers prepared using this technology and via the sol‐gel process were evaluated as scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. We found that human osteoblastic MG63 cells successfully adhered on individual silicate fibers, and proliferated on them. In an apatite‐formation ability study, spherical particles covered the fibers after soaking in simulated body fluid for 7 days. Energy dispersive X‐ray analysis revealed that Ca/P atomic ratio of the particles was similar to that of human bone. In addition, X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that crystalline structure of the particles agreed with that of apatite. These results suggest that electrospun silicate fibers are a potential candidate for scaffolding material in bone tissue engineering.
Melt electrospinning of poly‐(ethylene glycol‐block‐ϵ‐caprolactone)
Authors: Dalton Paul D. , Lleixà Calvet Júlia , Mourran Ahmed , Klee Doris , Möller Martin 
Published: August 2006

AbstractVarious block copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) (PEG‐b‐PCL) with molecular weights between 7000 and 26 900 g/mol were synthesized, and melt electrospun at temperatures between 60°C and 90°C. Two types of fibers were collected, including excellent quality fibers – highly coiled and continuous, with a constant diameter and relatively defect free. Such fibers, termed “solid fibers”, were sufficiently cooled during their path between the spinneret and the collector that the symmetric fiber shape is maintained after landing on the collector. The second type of melt electrospun fiber were poor quality, large diameter fibers, flattened on the collector – termed “molten fibers”. The solid and molten fibers were morphologically distinct from each other as determined from scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Using an SEM imaging method to assess the regional variations of collected electrospun material, we found the spinneret pump rate largely influenced the fiber quality. The polymer flow rate to the spinneret and the molecular weight of PEG‐b‐PCL had the greatest effect on the electrospun fibers collected, with an optimum rate of 0.05–0.1 mL/h for the highest molecular weight copolymers. The lowest molecular weight PEG‐b‐PCL tended to electrospray, while the material collected from higher molecular weight copolymers were conducive to fiber formation. The highest quality fibers were PEG‐b‐PCL block copolymers (22 000 and 26 900 g/mol) melt electrospun at temperatures of 85°C and 90°C, corresponding to shear viscosities of the polymer of between 28.1 and 39.4 Pa.S.
The potential of differential mobility analysis coupled to MS for the study of very large singly and multiply charged proteins and protein complexes in the gas phase
Authors: de la Mora Juan Fernández , Ude Sven , Thomson Bruce A. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractAs previously demonstrated by the technique of gas‐phase electrophoretic mobility molecular analyzer (GEMMA) introduced by Kaufman and colleagues, differential mobility analysis (DMA) of charge‐reduced electrospray ions in the gas phase is a useful complement to MS for studying large proteins and their weakly bound complexes. Several limitations of GEMMA, the solutions for which have the potential to greatly improve its performance, are discussed here, including DMA resolution and transmission. A quantitative theory of charge reduction kinetics for dried multiply charged globular proteins at atmospheric pressures is also presented, showing that the charge reduction time must be carefully chosen to maximize a singly charged ion signal, while avoiding survival of contaminating multiply charged species. Because charge reduction limits the range of masses analyzable by MS, we also consider the potential of a parallel‐plate DMA coupled in series to an MS for DMA‐MS studies without charge reduction.
Application of inkjet printing to tissue engineering
Authors: Boland Thomas , Xu Tao , Damon Brook , Cui Xiaofeng 
Published: August 2006

AbstractRecent advances in organ printing technology for applications relating to medical interventions and organ replacement are described. Organ printing refers to the placement of various cell types into a soft scaffold fabricated according to a computer‐aided design template using a single device. Computer aided scaffold topology design has recently gained attention as a viable option to achieve function and mass transport requirements within tissue engineering scaffolds. An exciting advance pioneered in our laboratory is that of simultaneous printing of cells and biomaterials, which allows precise placement of cells and proteins within 3‐D hydrogel structures. This advance raises the possibility of spatially controlling not only the scaffold structure, but also the type of tissue that can be grown within the scaffold and the thickness of the tissue as capillaries and vessels could be constructed within the scaffolds. Here we summarize recent advances in printing cells and materials using the same device.
Encapsulation and suspension of hydrophobic liquids via electro‐hydrodynamics
Authors: Díaz Gómez Juan E. , Marín Álvaro G. , Marquez Manuel , Barrero Antonio , Loscertales Ignacio G. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThere are situations in which bioactive products of interest in biotechnology turn out to be hydrophobic. To reach high uniform levels of such products in water‐based host fluids, such as those existing in many biological environments, one strategy consists on dividing the bioactive product into tiny micrometer (or sub‐micrometer) pieces, since these are much more amenable of being uniformly dispersed and stabilized in the host fluid. On the other hand, if the bioactive product must act at specific locations, these micrometer pieces need to be hold in place, an objective that may be achieved by encapsulating them in mats of fibers. Here we demonstrate how these tasks may be accomplished by resorting to the generation and control of electrified coaxial jets of a hydrophilic liquid surrounding the hydrophobic liquid carrying the bioactive substance. When the process is carried out inside a dielectric liquid, double oil/water/oil and simple oil/water emulsions may be formed. On the other hand, when the process runs in air and a biopolymer is added to the hydrophilic liquid, then non woven mats of beaded nanofibers, encapsulating the bioactive product in the beads, are generated.
Dielectrophoresis based‐cell patterning for tissue engineering
Authors: Lin Ruei‐Zeng , Ho Chen‐Ta , Liu Cheng‐Hsien , Chang Hwan‐You 
Published: August 2006

AbstractEngineering functional tissues and organs in vitro is considered integral to regenerative medicine. Many recent cell patterning technique developments position cells at a pre‐designated pattern to improve tissue engineering efficiency and quality and to facilitate 3‐D cell‐cell interaction exploration. Among these techniques, dielectrophoresis (DEP)‐based cell patterning advantageously offers speed, ease of operation, low degree of cell damage, and precision. This article reviews recent advances in DEP‐based patterning techniques, including electrode design, suitable buffer and hydrogel, effects of the electric current to cells, combination potential with other techniques, as well as efforts to generate 3‐D tissues.
Unzipping the cuticle of the human hair shaft to obtain micron/nano keratin filaments
Authors: Cao Jinan , Wijaya Ratna , Leroy Frédéric 
Published: August 2006

AbstractAn attempt has been made to obtain intact individual keratin filaments of various levels from micron cortical, micron macrofibril to nano intermediate filament and polypeptide α‐helix from the human hair shaft. The feasibility of this initiative has been largely demonstrated by finding that there is a longitudinal seam/zipper on the cuticle of the human hair shaft, which can be unzipped by certain solvents such as performic acid and urea, allowing one to use an anatomical approach to separate intact individual micron/nano filaments. Micron cortical and macrofibril filaments have been obtained. It is also found that the cortical filaments are twisted together to form a yarn, giving rise to the strength for the hair shaft; and that individual cortical filaments are often 2‐2 paired in a similar structure to the double helix. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 83: 614–618, 2006This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Radiographic method to assess the prevalence of sacral spina bifida occulta
Authors: Albrecht T.L. , Scutter S.D. , Henneberg M. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractSpina bifida occulta of the sacrum is the most common type of spinal deformity. Many authors have published data on the frequency of spina bifida occulta, with varying results. Some possible reasons for this variability could include the differing methods used to gather data and differing ways of classifying the condition. This study attempts to develop an X‐ray method to study sacral spina bifida occulta in a standardized fashion, using an angulated antero‐posterior technique. This technique is then used to estimate the frequency of sacral spina bifida occulta in an Australian sample. The sacra of 53 cadavers were X‐rayed and the level of closure of the sacral spinal canal recorded. The X‐ray technique was validated by open dissection of six of the cadavers studied and was shown to be accurate to half a sacral segment. No sacra with a completely open sacral canal were found, two sacra (4%) were open from S2 down to S5 and ten sacra (19%) were open from S3 down to S5. The most common condition (43%) recorded was where S4 and S5 only were open. Eighteen cadavers (34%) showed only S5 open, and interestingly, no sacra were recorded as having the dorsal sacral arch completely closed. A study of a larger sample will follow using the validated X‐ray technique. Clin. Anat. 20:170–174, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.