bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of NYD‐SP27 down‐regulation on ATP‐induced Ca2+‐dependent pancreatic duct anion secretion in cystic fibrosis cells
Authors: Zhu Jin Xia , Yang Ning , Zhu Hu , Chung Yiu Wa , Chan Hsiao Chang 
Published: November 2006

AbstractOur previous study demonstrated that NYD‐SP27 is a novel inhibitory PLC isoform expressed endogenously in human pancreas and upregulated in CFPAC‐1 cells. The present study investigated the effect of NYD‐SP27 down‐regulation on the ATP‐stimulated and Ca2+‐dpendent pancreatic anion secretion by CFPAC‐1 cell line using short‐circuit current (I SC) recording. NYD‐SP27 antisense‐transfected CFPAC‐1 (AT‐CF) cells exhibited a significantly higher basal transmembrane potential difference and current than those of empty vector‐transfected CFPAC‐1 (VT‐CF) cells. Cl− channel blocker, DPC or Glibenclamide (1 mM), and inhibitor of Na+‐K+‐Cl− cotransporter, bumetanide (100 μM) significantly inhibited the basal current in AT‐CF cells. The inhibitor of adenylate cyclase, MDL12330A (20 μM), and Ca2+‐dependent Cl− channel (CaCC) blocker, DIDS (100 μM) also significantly reduced the basal current in AT‐CF. Apical application of ATP (10 μM) stimulated a fast transient I SC increase in VT‐CF cells, but a more sustained rise with slower decline in AT‐CF cells. Pretreatment with BAPTA‐AM (50 μM) reduced the ATP‐induced I SC response in AT‐CF cells by 77.9%. PMA (1 μM), a PKC activator, inhibited the ATP‐stimulated current increase (the transient peak) in VT‐CF cells, but had no effect on the AT‐CF cells. However, PKC inhibitor, staurosporine (40 μM) could inhibit the ATP‐induced I SC response in AT‐CF cells. The present results confirm the previously proposed inhibitory role of NYD‐SP27 in the PLC pathway and demonstrate that the suppression of its expression could result in an enhancement of ATP‐stimulated Ca2+ dependent pancreatic anion secretion.
Reversine inhibits spontaneous synaptic transmission in cultured rat hippocampal neurons
Authors: Li Ruxin , Zhu Shaoqing , He Xiangping , Xie Zuoping 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe dedifferentiation agent “reversine” [2‐(4‐morpholinoanilino)‐N6‐cyclohexyladenine 2], which can induce myogenic lineage‐committed cells to become multipotent mesenchymal progenitor cells, was discovered by Shuibing Chen et al. in 2003. But its effects on neurons were unknown. Using patch‐clamp technique, we found that reversine inhibits spontaneous synaptic transmission in cultured rat hippocampal neurons without influencing the dynamics function of potassium, sodium and calcium channels. This result suggests that reversine may also act as a dedifferentiation agent in neurons, and inhibiting the synaptic transmission maybe the early step of neuronal dedifferentiation.
Heavy daily smoking among under 18-year-old psychiatric inpatients is associated with increased risk for suicide attempts
Authors: Riala Kaisa , Viilo Kaisa , Hakko Helinä , Räsänen Pirkko 
Published: November 2006

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the relationship between heavy daily smoking and suicidality among adolescent psychiatric inpatients in Finland.MethodsData were collected from 411 patients (age 12–17 years) admitted to inpatient psychiatric hospitalization between April 2001 and July 2005. The number of daily cigarettes (>15) and the time of first cigarette after waking up (within 30 min) were used as indicators of heavy daily smoking.ResultsAfter adjusting for psychiatric diagnoses an over twofold risk for suicide attempts was found among adolescents who smoked over 15 cigarettes a day. Additionally, if an adolescent also smoked the first cigarette immediately after waking up the risk was over threefold. Suicidal ideation was not associated with smoking behaviour.Discussion and conclusionsAmong adolescents with severe psychiatric illnesses, heavy daily smoking may increase the risk of suicidal behaviour independently of current psychiatric diagnosis. The degree of nicotine dependence of an adolescent should therefore be carefully assessed as part of psychiatric evaluation.
Challenging DSM-IV criteria for hypomania: Diagnosing based on number of no-priority symptoms
Authors: Benazzi Franco 
Published: November 2006

AbstractBackgroundDSM-IV definition of hypomania of bipolar-II disorder (BP-II), which includes elevated/irritable mood change as core feature (i.e., it must always be present), is not based on sound evidence.Study aimFollowing classic descriptions of hypomania, was to test if hypomania could be diagnosed on the basis of its number (9) of DSM-IV symptoms, setting no-priority symptom.MethodsConsecutive 422 depression-remitted outpatients were re-interviewed by a mood specialist psychiatrist using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders-Clinician Version [a semi-structured interview modified by Benazzi and Akiskal (J Affect Disord, 2003; J Clin Psychiatry, 2005) to improve the probing for BP-II] in a private practice. History of episodes of subthreshold (i.e., 2 or more symptoms) and threshold (i.e., meeting DSM-IV criteria of elevated mood plus at least 3 symptoms, or irritable mood plus at least 4) hypomania, lasting at least 2 days, and which were the most common symptoms during the episodes, were systematically assessed.ResultsBipolar-II disorder (BP-II) patients (according to DSM-IV criteria, apart from hypomania duration) were 260, and major depressive disorder (MDD) patients were 162. Mood change was present in all BP-II by definition. The most common symptoms were overactivity, which was present in almost all BP-II, followed by elevated mood and racing thoughts. ROC analysis of the number of hypomanic symptoms predicting BP-II found that a cut point of 5 or more symptoms over 9 had the best combination of sensitivity (90%) and specificity (84%), and the highest figure of correctly classified (87%) BP-II. History of episodes of 5 or more hypomanic symptoms was met by almost all BP-II.LimitationsSingle interviewer.ConclusionsFollowing classic descriptions of hypomania, not setting any priority among the three basic domains of hypomania (mood, thinking, behavior), results suggest that a cutoff number of 5 symptoms over 9 (of those listed by DSM-IV) could be used to diagnose hypomania of BP-II. Diagnosing hypomania by counting a checklist of symptoms should make it easier to diagnose BP-II, and should reduce the current high misdiagnosis of BP-II as MDD, significantly impacting the treatment of depression.
Outcome and its predictors in schizophrenia within the Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort
Authors: Lauronen E. , Miettunen J. , Veijola J. , Karhu M. , Jones P.B. , Isohanni M. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractPurposeWe report clinical and social outcomes of schizophrenia in the longitudinal, population-based Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort, and describe associated demographic, developmental and illness-related factors.Subjects and methodsSubjects with DSM-III-R schizophrenia (n = 59) were followed prospectively from mid-gestation up to age 35 years. Outcome measures included positive and negative symptoms, psychiatric hospitalisations, social and occupational functioning. Several definitions of good and poor outcome were explored, and developmental, socio-demographic and clinical predictors of outcomes were analysed.ResultsGood clinical outcome varied from 10% to 59%, and good social outcome 15–46%, depending on definition. Poor clinical outcome varied 41–77% and poor social 37–54%. Lack of friends in childhood, father's high social class, lower school performance and earlier age of illness onset predicted poor outcomes.DiscussionThe outcomes of schizophrenia in this study depended on definitions used but were relatively poor. The age of illness onset, father's social class, school performance and poor social contacts in childhood were only statistically significant predictors.ConclusionDefinitions of outcome have a major effect on estimates for proportions of good and bad outcomes and on the predictors of outcomes. However, regardless of which definitions were used, the outcome of schizophrenia in this population-based sample was generally bleak.
Temperament and character dimensions of the relatives of schizophrenia patients and controls: The relationship between schizotypal features and personality
Authors: Bora Emre , Veznedaroglu Baybars 
Published: November 2006

AbstractPurposePrevious findings indicated that schizophrenia patients might have a different personality structure from the general population on several dimensions of temperament and character. Some authors proposed that HA might be a marker of underlying genetic vulnerability to schizophrenia. Studies on high-risk subjects and first degree relatives of patients is essential to test the value of a measure as a marker of genetic vulnerability to a disease. Few studies tested the biopsychosocial model of personality on unaffected relatives of schizophrenia.Subjects and methodsWe compared the Temperament and Character (TCI) profiles of 94 first degree relatives of schizophrenia and 75 controls. We also investigated the relationship between schizotypy and TCI dimensions in the study sample.ResultsThe harm avoidance scores of the relatives of schizoprenia patients with schizotypal features were significantly higher. Self transcendence scores were also significantly higher among relatives with schizotypal features. In contrast, the relatives of the patients with schizophrenia who did not have schizotypal features had higher SD and C scores than the control group.Discussion and conclusionThis finding is consistent with the previous findings which suggested harm avoidance as a vulnerability indicator of schizophrenia. Some character features like self transcendence might be also associated with schizotypal features.
Schizophrenic subtype, seasonality of birth and social class: A preliminary analysis
Authors: Gallagher Bernard J. , Jones Brian J. , McFalls Joseph A. , Pisa Anthony M. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractObjectiveThe neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia includes the etiological impact of fetal brain stressors possibly connected with birth seasonality. Specification of social class of origin (SES) as a related risk factor remains unexamined as does type of schizophrenia as an outcome variable. The objective of this study was to test for an interconnection between SES, type of schizophrenia and seasonality of birth.MethodsPatients (N = 436) from a United States psychiatric hospital were separated into deficit/nondeficit presentation and bifurcated into poor/nonpoor SES. Birth seasonality was assessed by months hypothetically connected with winter-related trimesters of gestation.ResultsResults showed that there is a significant difference (p = 0.0411) in the monthly birth patterns of poor vs. nonpoor patients and that the difference connects with the likelihood of deficit vs. nondeficit schizophrenia. Specifically, an elevated proportion of patients with deficit schizophrenia were born to impoverished women who likely conceived in January. Findings were confirmed by multiple levels of statistical assessment including log linear analysis.ConclusionThe resultant model suggests the environmental location (lower SES) and timing (winter conception) of adult schizophrenia with poor outcome (deficit).
Aortic Arch Laceration: A Lethal Complication After Percutaneous Tracheostomy
Authors: Ayoub Omar M. , Griffiths Mansel V. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractPercutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) is not a new technique. However, it was not until Ciaglia introduced a simple technique using a needle, catheter, and guidewire that it became a possible alternative to open surgical tracheotomy. PDT is not performed blindly but with the assistance of fiberoptic endoscopy. However, even with fiberoptic endoscopic control, PDT can give rise to serious complications similar to those encountered with open surgical tracheostomy. We present an uncommon complication of percutaneous tracheostomy, a case of aortic arch laceration. We discuss the anatomy of the pretracheal space and how to avoid such a lethal complication.
Pneumococcal Peptidoglycan‐Polysaccharides Induce the Expression of Interleukin‐8 in Airway Epithelial Cells by way of Nuclear Factor‐κB, Nuclear Factor Interleukin‐6, or Activation Protein‐1 Dependent Mechanisms
Authors: Tsuchiya Katsuyuki , Toyama Katsuhiro , Tsuprun Vladimir , Hamajima Yuki , Kim Youngki , Ondrey Frank G. , Lin Jizhen 
Published: November 2006

AbstractCell envelope compounds of bacteria trigger immune and inflammatory reactions by way of chemokines/cytokines. In this study, we demonstrated that pneumococcal peptidoglycan‐polysaccharides (PGPS) induced the production of interleukin (IL)‐8 by way of nuclear factor (NF)‐κB, nuclear factor interleukin (NF‐IL)6, and activation protein (AP)‐1 dependent mechanisms in the human bronchial epithelial cells (NL‐20) in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner in vitro, and the mutation of either the NF‐κB, NF‐IL6, or AP‐1 binding sites in the promoter of IL‐8 abrogated the IL‐8 transcriptional activity. In a similar way, lipopolysaccharides induced the promoter activation of IL‐8 in NL‐20. However, the PGPS‐induced IL‐8 promoter activation in rodent middle ear epithelial cells required NF‐κB and NF‐IL6 but not AP‐1.
Endoscopic Surgery for Sinonasal Invasive Aspergillosis in Bone Marrow Transplantation Patients
Authors: Eliashar Ron , Resnick Igor B. , Goldfarb Abraham , Wohlgelernter Jay , Gross Menachem 
Published: November 2006

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis: Sinonasal invasive aspergillosis (IA) is an aggressive fungal infection with high mortality rates. It commonly develops in immunocompromised patients, often after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Aggressive surgical debridement by an external approach has been considered a central element of treatment. We describe our experience in endoscopic management of IA in BMT patients in a retrospective study.Methods: Charts of BMT patients with IA in the past 5 years were reviewed. Demographic data, primary disease, comorbidities, signs and symptoms, blood test results, preparation for surgery, surgical technique, and outcome were recorded.Results: Fourteen BMT patients, age ranging from 3 to 56 years, had sinonasal IA. The primary disease was acute myelogenous leukemia in 6, acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 3, chronic myeloblastic leukemia in one, severe combined immunodeficiency disease in 2, and myelodysplastic syndrome in 2 patients. Diagnosis was made by physical examination, biopsy, culture, and computed tomography scan. Treatment, including aggressive endoscopic debridement, a systemic antifungal medication, and local irrigations of amphotericin‐B enabled eradication of IA in all patients. Seven patients required two or more operations. None required orbital exenteration or craniotomy. Six patients died of the primary illness or of comorbidities with no evidence of residual disease. Eight patients are alive.Conclusion: Early detection of IA in BMT patients enables aggressive treatment before the disease spreads into the orbit or brain. Proper preoperative preparation facilitates safe endoscopic surgery in patients with severe bleeding tendencies. Although sinonasal IA is lethal, endoscopic surgery is feasible and efficient, enabling excellent local control.
An Analysis of Surgical Complications, Morbidity, and Cost Calculation in Patients Undergoing Multimodal Treatment for Operable Oropharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Preuss Simon F. , Quante Gero , Semrau Robert , Mueller Rolf‐Peter , Klussmann Jens Peter , Guntinas‐Lichius Orlando 
Published: November 2006

AbstractObjective/Hypothesis: Tumor control and survival are considered the most important measures of treatment efficacy for patients with primary oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Furthermore, multimodal treatment protocols should be judged by their complication rates, morbidity, and therapy costs.Study Design: The results of a combined approach of primary surgery and neck dissection with postoperative radio)chemo)therapy were analyzed in retrospective chart review.Methods: Two hundred eleven patients' records were analyzed for surgical complications, therapeutic morbidity, and treatment costs.Results: The rate of postoperative hemorrhage was 4.7%. We observed no fatal complications. Ten percent of our patients required nutrition through percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). Twelve percent of all patients required long‐term tracheostomy. The rates of PEG and tracheostomy were significantly higher in patients operated by the transcervical approach. The costs for the combined approach ranged from 10,587 euros ($13,377) to 24,531 euros ($30,996).Conclusions: The presented multimodal approach provides a low rate of surgical complications and a tolerable morbidity. Considering the excellent oncologic results, this extensive and more cost‐intensive multimodal approach is justified for patients with oropharyngeal cancer.
Specific interactions by the N‐terminal arm inhibit self‐association of the AraC dimerization domain
Authors: Weldon John E. , Schleif Robert F. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractDeletion of the regulatory N‐terminal arms of the AraC protein from its dimerization domain fragments increases the susceptibility of the dimerization domain to form a series of higher order polymers by indefinite self‐association. We investigated how the normal presence of the arm inhibits this self‐association. One possibility is that arms can act as an entropic bristles to interfere with the approach of other macromolecules, thereby decreasing collision frequencies. We examined the repulsive effect of flexible arms by measuring the rate of trypsin cleavage of a specially constructed ubiquitin‐arm protein. Adding an arm to ubiquitin or increasing its length produced only a modest repulsive effect. This suggests that arms such as the N‐terminal arm of AraC do not reduce self‐association by entropic exclusion. We consequently tested the hypothesis that the arm on AraC reduces self‐association by binding to the core of the dimerization domain even in the absence of arabinose. The behaviors of dimerization domain mutants containing deletions or alterations in the N‐terminal arms substantiate this hypothesis. Apparently, interactions between the N‐terminal arm and the dimerization domain core position the arm to interfere with the protein–protein contacts necessary for self‐association.
New algorithms and an in silico benchmark for computational enzyme design
Authors: Zanghellini Alexandre , Jiang Lin , Wollacott Andrew M. , Cheng Gong , Meiler Jens , Althoff Eric A. , Röthlisberger Daniela , Baker David 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe creation of novel enzymes capable of catalyzing any desired chemical reaction is a grand challenge for computational protein design. Here we describe two new algorithms for enzyme design that employ hashing techniques to allow searching through large numbers of protein scaffolds for optimal catalytic site placement. We also describe an in silico benchmark, based on the recapitulation of the active sites of native enzymes, that allows rapid evaluation and testing of enzyme design methodologies. In the benchmark test, which consists of designing sites for each of 10 different chemical reactions in backbone scaffolds derived from 10 enzymes catalyzing the reactions, the new methods succeed in identifying the native site in the native scaffold and ranking it within the top five designs for six of the 10 reactions. The new methods can be directly applied to the design of new enzymes, and the benchmark provides a powerful in silico test for guiding improvements in computational enzyme design.
Enhanced cell‐free protein expression by fusion with immunoglobulin Cκ domain
Authors: Palmer Elizabeth , Liu Hong , Khan Farid , Taussig Michael J. , He Mingyue 
Published: November 2006

AbstractWhile cell‐free systems are increasingly used for protein expression in structural and functional studies, several proteins are difficult to express or expressed only at low levels in cell‐free lysates. Here, we report that fusion of the human immunoglobulin κ light chain constant domain (Cκ) at the C terminus of four representative proteins dramatically improved their production in the Escherichia coli S30 system, suggesting that enhancement of cell‐free protein expression by Cκ fusion will be widely applicable.
Identifying protein construct variants with increased crystallization propensity––A case study
Authors: Malawski Guido A. , Hillig Roman C. , Monteclaro Felipe , Eberspaecher Uwe , Schmitz Arndt A.P. , Crusius Kerstin , Huber Martina , Egner Ursula , Donner Peter , Müller‐Tiemann Beate 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThis study describes an efficient multiparallel automated workflow of cloning, expression, purification, and crystallization of a large set of construct variants for isolated protein domains aimed at structure determination by X‐ray crystallography. This methodology is applied to MAPKAP kinase 2, a key enzyme in the inflammation pathway and thus an attractive drug target. The study reveals a distinct subset of truncation variants with improved crystallization properties. These constructs distinguish themselves by increased solubility and stability during a parallel automated multistep purification process including removal of the recombinant tag. High‐throughput protein melting point analysis characterizes this subset of constructs as particularly thermostable. Both parallel purification screening and melting point determination clearly identify residue 364 as the optimal C terminus for the kinase domain. Moreover, all three constructs that ultimately crystallized feature this C terminus. At the N terminus, only three amino acids differentiate a noncrystallizing from a crystallizing construct. This study addresses the very common issues associated with difficult to crystallize proteins, those of solubility and stability, and the crucial importance of particular residues in the formation of crystal contacts. A methodology is suggested that includes biophysical measurements to efficiently identify and produce construct variants of isolated protein domains which exhibit higher crystallization propensity.
Altered immune function of monocytes in different stages of patients with acute on chronic liver failure
Authors: Xing T , Li L , Cao H , Huang J 
Published: November 2006

SummaryThe aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of the immune function of monocytes in different stages of the patients with acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF). Human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DR and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) expression on monocytes in early and late stages of acute on chronic liver failure were detected by flow cytometry. The secretion function of monocytes was measured by cytometric bead array. Compared with healthy controls, the levels of HLA-DR expression on monocytes in patients with chronic hepatitis B, liver cirrhosis and acute on chronic liver failure were gradually decreased, especially in the late stage of acute on chronic liver failure (P &lt; 0·001). TLR-4 expression on monocytes in patients with liver cirrhosis and acute on chronic liver failure were higher than the healthy controls. The concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-12p70 in early-stage ACLF were significantly higher compared with healthy controls and lower in late-stage ACLF (P &lt; 0·01, 0·05). However, a significantly lower amount of IL-10 was found on monocytes in early-stage ACLF than that of late-stage ACLF and healthy controls (P &lt; 0·01). Monocyte HLA-DR expression in patients who died was significantly lower compared with patients who survived in the early and late stages of ACLF (P &lt; 0·01). The dynamic detection of HLA-DR expression or cytokines secreted from monocytes could contribute to the estimation of the status of the immune function of patients with acute on chronic liver failure.