bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acute health effects of the Tasman Spirit oil spill on residents of Karachi, Pakistan
Authors: Janjua Naveed Zafar , Kasi Pashtoon Murtaza , Nawaz Haq , Farooqui Sadia Zohra , Khuwaja Urooj Bakht , Najam-ul-Hassan  , Jafri Syed Nadim , Lutfi Shahid Ali , Kadir Muhammad Masood , Sathiakumar Nalini 
Published: April 2006

Abstract

Background
On July 27 2003, a ship carrying crude oil run aground near Karachi and after two weeks released 37,000 tons of its cargo into the sea. Oil on the coastal areas and fumes in air raised health concerns among people. We assessed the immediate health impact of oil spill from the tanker Tasman Spirit on residents of the affected coastline in Karachi, Pakistan.

Methods
We conducted a study consisting of an exposed group including adults living in houses on the affected shoreline and two control groups (A and B) who lived at the distance of 2 km and 20 km away from the sea, respectively. We selected households through systematic sampling and interviewed an adult male and female in each household about symptoms relating to eyes, respiratory tract, skin and nervous system, smoking, allergies, beliefs about the effect on their health and anxiety about the health effects. We used logistic regression procedures to model each symptom as an outcome and the exposure status as an independent variable while adjusting for confounders. We also used linear regression procedure to assess the relationship exposure status with symptoms score; calculated by summation of all symptoms.

Results
Overall 400 subjects were interviewed (exposed, n = 216; group A, n = 83; and group B, n = 101). The exposed group reported a higher occurrence of one or more symptoms compared to either of the control groups (exposed, 96% vs. group A, 70%, group B 85%; P < 0.001). Mean summary symptom scores were higher among the exposed group (14.5) than control group A (4.5) and control group B (3.8, P < 0.001). Logistic regression models indicated that there were statistically significant, moderate-to-strong associations (Prevalence ORs (POR) ranging from 2.3 to 37.0) between the exposed group and the symptoms. There was a trend of decreasing symptom-specific PORs with increase in distance from the spill site. Multiple linear regression model revealed strong relationship of exposure status with the symptoms score (β = 8.24, 95% CI: 6.37 – 10.12).

Conclusion
Results suggest that the occurrence of increased symptoms among the exposed group is more likely to be due to exposure to the crude oil spill.
Decreased intracellular zinc in human tumorigenic prostate epithelial cells: a possible role in prostate cancer progression
Authors: Huang Liping , Kirschke Catherine P , Zhang Yunfan 
Published: April 2006

Abstract

Background
Zinc plays important roles in maintaining normal function of the prostate and in development of prostate malignancy. It has been demonstrated that prostate malignant epithelial cells contain much less cellular zinc than the surrounding normal epithelial cells. However, the pathway(s) which leads to lower zinc accumulation in malignant prostate epithelial cells is poorly understood. In this study, the zinc homeostatic features of two human prostate epithelial cell lines (non-tumorigenic, RWPE1, and tumorigenic, RWPE2) were investigated. Effects of over-expression of ZIP1 in RWPE2 on cell proliferation and apoptosis were also studied.

Results
RWPE2 accumulated less intracellular zinc than RWPE1 due to the decreased zinc uptake activity. The mRNA expression of ZIP1 and ZIP3 in RWPE1 and RWPE2 was comparable. However, the protein expression of ZIP1 in RWPE2 was lower than that in RWPE1. ZIP3 was detected in a lysosomal compartment of RWPE2 while no ZIP3 was detected in the same compartment of RWPE1. Over-expression of ZIP1 in RWPE2 resulted in an elevation of intracellular zinc concentration and suppression of cell growth of RWPE2 due to the increased apoptosis.

Conclusion
These findings suggest that tumorigenic prostate epithelial cells accumulated less intracellular zinc than non-tumorigenic prostate epithelial cells. The reduction in capacity for accumulation of intracellular zinc in tumorigenic prostate epithelial cells may be caused by the decrease in the ZIP1 protein expression and the intracellular redistribution of ZIP3 in RWPE2. RWPE1 and RWPE2 are excellent cellular models to study the association of intracellular zinc levels with prostate cancer progression.
Internship workplace preferences of final-year medical students at Zagreb University Medical School, Croatia: all roads lead to Zagreb
Authors: Polasek Ozren , Kolcic Ivana , Dzakula Aleksandar , Bagat Mario 
Published: April 2006

Abstract

Background
Human resources management in health often encounters problems related to workforce geographical distribution. The aim of this study was to investigate the internship workplace preferences of final-year medical students and the reasons associated with their choices.

Method
A total of 204 out of 240 final-year medical students at Zagreb University Medical School, Croatia, were surveyed a few months before graduation. We collected data on each student's background, workplace preference, academic performance and emigration preferences. Logistic regression was used to analyse the factors underlying internship workplace preference, classified into two categories: Zagreb versus other areas.

Results
Only 39 respondents (19.1%) wanted to obtain internships outside Zagreb, the Croatian capital. Gender and age were not significantly associated with internship workplace preference. A single predictor variable significantly contributed to the logistic regression model: students who believed they would not get the desired specialty more often chose Zagreb as a preferred internship workplace (odds ratio 0.32, 95% CI 0.12–0.86).

Conclusion
A strong preference for Zagreb as an internship workplace was recorded. Uncertainty about getting the desired specialty was associated with choosing Zagreb as a workplace, possibly due to more extensive and diverse job opportunities.
Innate immune functions of microglia isolated from human glioma patients
Authors: Hussain S Farzana , Yang David , Suki Dima , Grimm Elizabeth , Heimberger Amy B 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBackgroundInnate immunity is considered the first line of host defense and microglia presumably play a critical role in mediating potent innate immune responses to traumatic and infectious challenges in the human brain. Fundamental impairments of the adaptive immune system in glioma patients have been investigated; however, it is unknown whether microglia are capable of innate immunity and subsequent adaptive anti-tumor immune responses within the immunosuppressive tumor micro-environment of human glioma patients. We therefore undertook a novel characterization of the innate immune phenotype and function of freshly isolated human glioma-infiltrating microglia (GIM).MethodsGIM were isolated by sequential Percoll purification from patient tumors immediately after surgical resection. Flow cytometry, phagocytosis and tumor cytotoxicity assays were used to analyze the phenotype and function of these cells.ResultsGIM expressed significant levels of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), however they do not secrete any of the cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) critical in developing effective innate immune responses. Similar to innate macrophage functions, GIM can mediate phagocytosis and non-MHC restricted cytotoxicity. However, they were statistically less able to mediate tumor cytotoxicity compared to microglia isolated from normal brain. In addition, the expression of Fas ligand (FasL) was low to absent, indicating that apoptosis of the incoming lymphocyte population may not be a predominant mode of immunosuppression by microglia.ConclusionWe show for the first time that despite the immunosuppressive environment of human gliomas, GIM are capable of innate immune responses such as phagocytosis, cytotoxicity and TLR expression but yet are not competent in secreting key cytokines. Further understanding of these innate immune functions could play a critical role in understanding and developing effective immunotherapies to malignant human gliomas.
Amphotropic murine leukemia virus is preferentially attached to cholesterol-rich microdomains after binding to mouse fibroblasts
Authors: Beer Christiane , Pedersen Lene 
Published: April 2006

Abstract

Background
We have recently shown that amphotropic murine leukemia virus (A-MLV) can enter the mouse fibroblast cell line NIH3T3 via caveola-dependent endocytosis. But due to the size and omega-like shape of caveolae it is possible that A-MLV initially binds cells outside of caveolae. Rafts have been suggested to be pre-caveolae and we here investigate whether A-MLV initially binds to its receptor Pit2, a sodium-dependent phosphate transporter, in rafts or caveolae or outside these cholesterol-rich microdomains.

Results
Here, we show that a high amount of cell-bound A-MLV was attached to large rafts of NIH3T3 at the time of investigation. These large rafts were not enriched in caveolin-1, a major structural component of caveolae. In addition, they are rather of natural occurrence in NIH3T3 cells than a result of patching of smaller rafts by A-MLV. Thus cells incubated in parallel with vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSV-G) pseudotyped MLV particles showed the same pattern of large rafts as cells incubated with A-MLV, but VSV-G pseudotyped MLV particles did not show any preference to attach to these large microdomains.

Conclusion
The high concentration of A-MLV particles bound to large rafts of NIH3T3 cells suggests a role of these microdomains in early A-MLV binding events.
Suppression of adaptive immunity to heterologous antigens during Plasmodium infection through hemozoin-induced failure of dendritic cell function
Authors: Millington Owain R , Di Lorenzo Caterina , Phillips R Stephen , Garside Paul , Brewer James M 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Background
Dendritic cells (DCs) are central to the initiation and regulation of the adaptive immune response during infection. Modulation of DC function may therefore allow evasion of the immune system by pathogens. Significant depression of the host's systemic immune response to both concurrent infections and heterologous vaccines has been observed during malaria infection, but the mechanisms underlying this immune hyporesponsiveness are controversial.

Results
Here, we demonstrate that the blood stages of malaria infection induce a failure of DC function in vitro and in vivo, causing suboptimal activation of T cells involved in heterologous immune responses. This effect on T-cell activation can be transferred to uninfected recipients by DCs isolated from infected mice. Significantly, T cells activated by these DCs subsequently lack effector function, as demonstrated by a failure to migrate to lymphoid-organ follicles, resulting in an absence of B-cell responses to heterologous antigens. Fractionation studies show that hemozoin, rather than infected erythrocyte (red blood cell) membranes, reproduces the effect of intact infected red blood cells on DCs. Furthermore, hemozoin-containing DCs could be identified in T-cell areas of the spleen in vivo.

Conclusion
Plasmodium infection inhibits the induction of adaptive immunity to heterologous antigens by modulating DC function, providing a potential explanation for epidemiological studies linking endemic malaria with secondary infections and reduced vaccine efficacy.
Antipituitary Antibodies Recognizing Growth Hormone (GH)-Producing Cells in Children with Idiopathic GH Deficiency and in Children with Idiopathic Short Stature
Authors: De Bellis Annamaria , Salerno Mariacarolina , Conte Marisa , Coronella Concetta , Tirelli Gilda , Battaglia Marina , Esposito Valentina , Ruocco Giuseppe , Bellastella Giuseppe , Bizzarro Antonio , Bellastella Antonio 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Context: Antipituitary antibodies (APA) recognizing GH-secreting cells may indicate an autoimmune pituitary involvement in adults with idiopathic GH deficiency (IGHD).
Objective: We aimed 1) to investigate the presence of APA in prepubertal children with IGHD or idiopathic short stature (ISS), identifying the pituitary hormone-producing cells targeted by APA; and 2) to verify whether in patients with ISS the presence of APA could predict the development of GHD.
Design: We performed a cross-sectional and partially longitudinal cohort study.
Setting: The study was performed at the Endocrinology Unit and Pediatric Unit of the Second University and University Federico II of Naples, respectively.
Patients: Twenty-six children with IGHD (group 1), 60 children with ISS (group 2), 33 children with GHD caused by lesions/abnormalities of the hypothalamus or pituitary (group 3), and 40 controls participated in the study. Nineteen children of group 2 were reevaluated after 2 yr.
Main Outcome Measures: IGF-I levels, GH secretion, and APA (by indirect immunofluorescence) were evaluated in all participants.
Results: At study entry, APA recognizing GH-producing cells were detected in seven of 26 children in group 1 and in 14 of 60 in group 2. Two years later, all eight initially APA-positive and all 11 APA-negative of the 19 reevaluated patients persisted positive and negative, respectively. The reevaluation of GH secretion in these patients revealed the development of GHD in all but one of the APA-positive children but in none of the APA-negative ones.
Conclusions: IGHD in children can be frequently associated with APA targeting GH-secreting cells; thus, the detection of APA in children with ISS could identify those prone to develop GHD.
Facile Synthesis of α- Keto Carbonyl Compounds by Indirect Anodic Oxidation
Authors: Maekawa Hirofumi , Ishino Yoshio , Nishiguchi Ikuzo 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Secondary alcohols having a carbonyl group at the neighboring carbon atom were electrochemically oxidized to the corresponding α-keto carbonyl compounds in good yields. Thus, aromatic α-hydroxyl esters were easily transformed to arylglyoxylates in excellent yields using an undivided cell while efficient anodic oxidation of α-hydroxyl ketones and aliphatic α-hydroxyl esters successfully proceeded in a divided cell to give the corresponding α-keto carbonyl compounds.
The Characteristics of the Fluorescence Spectra of Rhodamine B Molecules Doped in Si-Ti Binary Oxide System by the Sol-Gel Method
Authors: Negishi Nobuaki , Yamashita Hiromi , Anpo Masakazu 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
The characteristics of the fluorescence spectra of Rhodamine B (RhB) doped in Si-Ti binary oxide by the sol-gel method were measured as a function of Ti-content in the binary oxides. The RhB fluorescence in the Si-Ti binary oxide was only from the excited state of the monomer when the Ti-content in the Si-Ti binary oxide was low. On the other hand, the RhB dimer fluorescence was observed when the Ti-content in the Si-Ti binary oxide was high.
Oxidation of Ethers by NO3• Generated from NO3− with Anodic Oxidation
Authors: Shono Tatsuya , Yamamoto Yoshinari , Takigawa Katsuya , Maekawa Hirofumi , Ishifune Manabu , Kashimura Shigenori 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
A radical NO3• generated by anodic oxidation of NO3− was found to be an effective species to the oxidation of ethers to the corresponding carboxylic acids and ketones, and this reaction was successfully applied to the synthesis of dihydrojasmone.
Transition Metal Phosphine Complexes Possessing Phase Transfer Function. Preparation and Reactivities of Palladium Complexes Containing Quaternary Ammonium Groups
Authors: Okano Tamon , Harada Nobuyuki , Kiji Jitsuo 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
A new type of phosphine ligands (L) bearing quaternary ammonium as a functional group was synthesized. Their palladium complexes, PdBr2L2, readily underwent halogen exchange with powdered NaI under two-phase conditions, and efficiently catalyzed the fluorocarbonylation of phenyl bromide with powdered KF at atmospheric pressure of CO.
Total Synthesis of (−)-Pyrenophorin via Cobalt(II) Porphyrin-Catalyzed Oxygenation of Ethyl (2E,4E,7R)-7-Acetoxy-2,4-octadienoate
Authors: Matsushita Yoh-ichi , Furusawa Hiroshi , Matsui Takanao , Nakayama Mitsuru 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
(−)-Pyrenophorin was synthesized by the Mitsunobu reaction of (2E,7S)-4,4-ethylenedioxy-7-hydroxy-2-octenoic acid which has been prepared via cobalt(II) porphyrin-catalyzed oxygenation of ethyl (2E,4E,7S)-7-acetoxy-2,4-octadienoate.
Coupled Cyclodextrin Appending Imidazole as an Enzyme Model
Authors: Akiike Toshiyuki , Nagano Yuichi , Yamamoto Yukinori , Nakamura Asao , Ikeda Hiroshi , Ueno Akihiko , Toda Fujio 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Novel imidazole-appended coupled β-cyclodextrin (6) was prepared by the condensation of 6-deoxy-6-(l-histidylamino)-β-cyclodextrin and 6-(carboxymethylthio)-6-deoxy-β-cyclodextrin with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. The enzyme-like activities of 6 were studied by measuring the rates for the hydrolysis reaction of some kinds of p-nitrophenyl alkanoates (C2, C3, C6, and C12). 6 showed large acceleration ability and substrate specificity for only p-nitrophenyl C6 ester.
A New Approach to the Synthesis of γ-Hydroxy-α,β-unsaturated Macrolides and (−)-Pyrenophorin by Intramolecular C=C Bond Formation with Oxidative Functionalization from ω-[α-(p-Chlorophenylsulfinyl)acetoxy]alkanal
Authors: Nokami Junzo , Taniguchi Takuya , Gomyô Shintaro , Kakihara Toshio 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
The title compounds were prepared via the intramolecular condensation reaction of 12-[α-(p-chlorophenylsulfinyl)acetoxy]tridecanal(or dodecanal) or via the combination of inter- and intramolecular condensation of 5-[α-(p-chlorophenylsulfinyl)acetoxy]hexanal in the presence of piperidine.
Molecular Design of Calix[4]arene-Based Sodium-Selective Electrodes Which Show Remarkably High 105.0–105.3 Sodium/Potassium Selectivity
Authors: Yamamoto Hiromasa , Shinkai Seiji 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Several ionophores for the Na+-selective electrode were developed from calix[4]arene crown ethers with a short –(CH2CH2O)2CH2CH2– crown loop on the lower rim. The ionophoric cavities generated in these ionophores are much smaller and more rigid than those derived from calix[4]arene crown ethers with a long –(CH2CH2O)3CH2CH2– crown loop. It was shown that two electrodes possess Na+ selectivity (with respect to K+) exceeding a factor of 105 which is higher by more than two orders of magnitude than that of the former calix[4]arene-based Na+-selective electrodes!
Time-Resolved Luminol Chemiluminescence for Simultaneous Determination of Cobalt(II) and Copper(II)
Authors: Kamidate Tamio , Ishikawa Atsushi , Segawa Tadashi , Watanabe Hiroto 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
The peroxidation of luminol was performed using both Co(II) and Cu(II) as a catalyst in the presence of cysteine. A luminol chemiluminescence (CL) catalyzed by Co(II) occurred instantly from the initiation of the reaction, whereas a Cu(II)-catalyzed luminol CL suddenly appeared after a dark period. The time-resolved luminol CL were applied for the simultaneous determination of Co(II) and Cu(II).
Molecular Oriented Thin Film of Biphenyl-4,4′-dithiol Fabricated by Molecular Beam Deposition Method
Authors: Tsumura Akira , Hamano Kouji , Fuchigami Hiroyuki , Kurata Tetsuyuki , Kohri Sachiko , Uehara Yasushi , Koezuka Hiroshi , Niino Hiroyuki , Yabe Akira 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Biphenyl-4,4′-dithiol was deposited as a stacked molecular layer onto several kinds of substrates by a molecular beam deposition method. It was found that both the gold thin film and the potassium bromide (KBr) single crystal were effective substrates for the control of the molecular orientation and also that the lattice constants of the substrate were responsible for the control of crystallinity of biphenyl-4,4′-dithiol thin films.
A Heterotrimetallic Sulfide Cluster Having a Linear RhIII···WVI···CuI Framework of an Octahedral - Tetrahedral - Trigonal Planar Sequence
Authors: Ogo Seiji , Suzuki Takayoshi , Ozawa Yoshiki , Isobe Kiyoshi 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
A heterotrimetallic sulfide cluster with an organometallic group, [Cp*Rh{P(OEt)3}(μ-S)2W(μ-S)2CuCl] (Cp* = η5-C5Me5), was prepared stepwise by using mononuclear units of organorhodium(III), thiotungstate(VI), and chlorocopper(I). X-ray crystal structure analysis revealed that the cluster possesses a linear sequence of middle (Rh), early (W), and late (Cu) transition metal atoms with octahedral, tetrahedral, and trigonal planar coordination geometries, respectively.
Immobilization of the Ring Inversion Motion in Calix[6]arene by a Cap with C3-Symmetry
Authors: Araki Koji , Akao Kiyotaka , Otsuka Hideyuki , Nakashima Kazuaki , Inokuchi Fumiaki , Shinkai Seiji 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
A conformationally-immobilized calix[6]arene (2) was synthesized for the first time. The immobilization was attained by capping calix[6]aryl 1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid chloride with C3-symmetrical triol. The 1H NMR spectral examination with 2D EXSY established that 2 is immobilized in a cone conformation. Compound 2 showed the high affinity for guanidinium ion because of rigidification of the conformation.
Random and Block Copolymerization of Substituted Acetylenes Catalyzed by Tungsten μ-Hydride Complexes
Authors: Yamamoto Hidetoshi , Saito Yasuko , Nagase Yu , Fuchikami Takamasa 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
High molecular weight copolymers were obtained from 1-phenyl-1-propyne and monosubstituted acetylenes by coordination polymerization with tungsten μ-hydride complexes as catalysts in toluene as a solvent. The permeability coefficients of N2 and O2 through the membranes obtained from phenylacetylene/1-phenyl-1-propyne copolymers were evaluated.
Synthesis of 2,3,4,5-Tetra(2-thienyl)cyclopentadienone Exhibiting Considerable Substituent Effects and Synthetic Utility
Authors: Kawase Takeshi , Ohsawa Takeshi , Enomoto Tetsuya , Oda Masaji 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
2,3,4,5-Tetra(2-thienyl)cyclopentadienone and the related compounds, here first synthesized, show large bathochromic shift of visible absorptions and appreciably higher amphoteric redox properties than tetraphenylcyclopentadienone; 2-thienyl groups at 2,5-positions exert stronger substituent effects than those at 3,4-positions.
A Selective Fluorometric Sensing System for Guanidinium Ion in the Presence of Primary Ammonium Ions
Authors: Takeshita Michinori , Shinkai Seiji 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Pyrene functionalized calix[6]arene selectively recognizes guanidinium ion in the presence of primary ammonium ions, the recognition process being detected by its intramolecular excimer fluorescence change: this is the first selective ‘reading-out’ system for guanidinium ion.
Synthesis and Reactions of a 2,5-Dithia-3,4-disilatitanacyclopentane
Authors: Choi Nami , Sugi Shin-ichiro , Ando Wataru 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Lithium 1,2-di-tert-butyl-1,2-diphenyldisilane-1,2-dithiolate reacted with titanocene dichloride to afford cis-3,4-di-tert-butyl-3,4-diphenyl-2,5-dithia-3,4-disila-1-bis(cyclopentadienyl)titanacyclopentane (2), whose structure was determined by X-ray analysis. The titanacycle 2 is reacted with electrophilic reagents (SCl2, S2Cl2, PhPCl2, Ph2GeCl2) to afford the corresponding heterocycles in good yields.
Uniform-size Macroporous Polymer-based Stationary Phase for HPLC Prepared through Molecular Imprinting Technique
Authors: Hosoya Ken , Yoshizako Kimihiro , Tanaka Nobuo , Kimata Kazuhiro , Araki Takeo , Haginaka Jun 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Uniform-size macroporous polymer-based stationary phase was prepared through molecular imprinting technique. Although the stationary phase was prepared by polymerization in an aqueous medium, template molecule was effectively imprinted onto the uniform-size macroporous polymer particles. The ability of chromatographic recognition toward the template molecule on the stationary phase was almost identical to that of the previously reported rod-type separation media1) with larger capacity factor.