bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sck1 activator coordinates glucose transport and glycolysis and is controlled by Rag8 casein kinase I in Kluyveromyces lactis
Authors: Neil Helen , Hnatova Martina , Wésolowski‐Louvel Micheline , Rycovska Adriana , Lemaire Marc 
Published: February 2007

SummaryCasein kinases I (CKI) are ubiquitous in eukaryotic cells and are crucial factors for nutrient‐signalling pathways in yeasts. In Kluyveromyces lactis, the KlRgt1 repressor represses the expression of the glucose transporter RAG1 gene in absence of glucose, but in response to glucose availability, Rag8 CKI cooperates with the Rag4 glucose sensor to inactivate KlRgt1. The SCK1 gene, a rag8 mutation suppressor, encodes a bHLH activator required for maximal expression of the RAG1 and glycolytic genes in the presence of glucose. We investigated further the function of Sck1 and its relationship to Rag8. We demonstrated that Sck1 regulates the RAG1 and glycolytic genes by directly binding to their promoter. We also found that SCK1 gene expression was induced by glucose and repressed by KlRgt1. In addition, we showed that (i) Sck1 was phosphorylated in vivo, (ii) Sck1 was phosphorylated in vitro by Rag8, and (iii) Sck1 was rapidly degraded in a rag8 mutant. We therefore suggest that Sck1 coordinates glucose import and glycolysis in K. lactis and that Rag8 controls this transcription factor by transcriptional and post‐translational regulations.
Inhibition of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Enhances Anti‐tumour Immune Responses in Rats Immunized with IFN‐γ‐Secreting Glioma Cells
Authors: Badn W. , Hegardt P. , Fellert M. A. , Darabi A. , Esbjörnsson M. , Smith K. E. , Janelidze S. , Salford L. G. , Visse E. , Siesjö P. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractInterferon gamma (IFN‐γ) has successfully been used in immunotherapy of different experimental tumours. Mechanistically, IFN‐γ has extensive effects on the immune system including release of nitric oxide (NO) by upregulation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). NO has putative immunosuppressive effects but could also play a role in killing of tumour cells. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to clarify whether inhibition of iNOS in rats immunized with glioma cells (N32) producing IFN‐γ (N32‐IFN‐γ), could enhance the anti‐tumour immune response. Initially, both a selective iNOS, l‐N6‐(1‐Iminoethyl)‐l‐lysine (l‐NIL), and non‐selective, N‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME), inhibitor of NOS were tested in vitro. After polyclonal stimulation with LPS and SEA, both l‐NIL and l‐NAME enhanced proliferation and production of IFN‐γ from activated rat splenocytes and this effect was inversely correlated to the production of NO. However, l‐NIL had a broader window of efficacy and a lower minimal effective dose. When rats were immunized with N32‐IFN‐γ, and administered NOS inhibitors by intraperitoneal (i.p.) mini‐osmotic pumps, only splenocytes of rats treated with l‐NIL, but not l‐NAME, displayed an enhanced proliferation and production of IFN‐γ when re‐stimulated with N32 tumour cells. Based on these findings, l‐NIL was administered concurrently with N32‐IFN‐γ cells to rats with intracerebral (i.c.) tumours resulting in a prolonged survival. These results show that inhibition of iNOS can enhance an IFN‐γ‐based immunotherapy of experimental i.c. tumours implying that NO released after immunization has mainly immunosuppressive net effects.
Paediatric pseudophakia: analysis of intraocular lens power and myopic shift
Authors: Astle William F , Ingram April D , Isaza Gloria M , Echeverri Pilar 
Published: February 2007

AbstractBackground:  At the Alberta Children’s Hospital, the authors have been performing paediatric cataract extraction with intraocular lens (IOL) implant for over 10 years. The authors examined the amount of myopic shift that occurs in various age groups and cataract types, in order to evaluate the success of predicting the appropriate power of IOL to implant.Methods:  This study is a retrospective review children undergoing small incision posterior chamber foldable IOL implantation between age 1 month and 18 years, from 1995 to 2005. 163 eyes of 126 patients underwent surgery. All patients were followed for a minimum of 6 months postoperatively. The children were divided into four groups at time of surgery: Group A: 1–24 months, Group B: 25–48 months, Group C: 49–84 months, Group D: 85 months−18 years.Results:  The mean target refraction for the groups were: Group A: +6.37 D, Group B: +4.66 D, Group C: +1.95 D, and Group D: +0.97 D. Children under 4 years experienced the most myopic shift and the largest mean rate of refractive change per year. Mean change Group A: −5.43 D, Group B: −4.16 D, Group C: −1.58 D, Group D: −0.71 D. Eighty‐nine per cent of patients with unilateral cataracts had a postoperative refraction within 3.00 D of the fellow eye at last follow‐up visit (mean = 3.16 years).Conclusions:  The rate of myopic shift is high in children under age 4 years at time of surgery, shifting as much as −12.00 D. The mean postoperative target refraction should probably be increased from previous literature recommendations. The patient’s age at time of cataract surgery and the refractive power of fellow eye are all factors to consider when deciding what power IOL to surgically implant in a paediatric patient.
PRIORITIZING PATIENTS FOR PROSTATECTOMY: BALANCING CLINICAL AND PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS
Authors: Curtis Andrea J. , Wolfe Rory , Russell Colin O. H. , Costello Anthony J. , Travis Douglas G. , Snow Ross , McNeil John J. 
Published: February 2007

Background:  The aim of this study was to develop a points‐based approach to prioritize patients for elective transurethral resection of the prostate and to determine the relative contributions that clinical and psychosocial characteristics should make to a measurement of urgency for surgery. Another objective was to measure the agreement between urologists, other medical practitioners and laypersons in assessing the major determinants of priority.Methods:  A focus group of urologists and epidemiologists developed a standard questionnaire identifying relevant clinical and psychosocial factors in men with benign prostatic hypertrophy. The questionnaire was used to interview 48 men with benign prostatic hypertrophy being placed on waiting lists for transurethral resection of the prostate at four Victorian public hospitals. Individual patient case vignettes were produced using the answers to the interview questions. Members of an assessor panel comprising six laypeople, six non‐urologist medical practitioners, and five urologists individually reviewed the vignettes and assigned urgency ratings and rankings to each patient. The urgency ratings and rankings were used to derive weightings for the clinical and psychosocial factors that were then incorporated into a prioritization tool framework.Results:  The assessor panel perceived a broad spread of urgency for surgery among the patients. Agreement on rankings and urgency ratings was moderate among assessors. Linear regression showed that the effect of clinical symptoms and psychosocial disturbance held approximately equal‐strength independent associations with perceived urgency for all groups of assessors.Conclusion:  Urologists, non‐urologist medical practitioners and laypeople considered the severity of benign prostatic hypertrophy symptoms and any resulting psychosocial disturbance as equally important in establishing priority for transurethral resection of the prostate. New prioritization tools should take both into consideration and weight them equally.
CORONARY ARTERY SPASM AFTER OFF‐PUMP CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFTING
Authors: Lin Chih‐Yuan , Weng Zen‐Chung , Loh Shih‐Hurng , Hong Gou‐Jieng , Tsai Chien‐Sung 
Published: February 2007

Background:  Coronary artery spasm (CAS) in the immediate postoperative period has been recognized as a possible cause for perioperative myocardial ischaemia after off‐pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). It varies in severity and can be associated with circulatory collapse and death. The purpose of this study was to present our experiences on CAS after off‐pump CABG and detail its management.Methods:  The case reports of three patients with similar clinical presentations of ischaemic heart disease who underwent CABG using an off‐pump technique are reviewed. Severe manifestations of CAS in the immediate postoperative period with documented angiographic findings are presented.Results:  Three patients (two men and one woman) with angina pectoris were diagnosed with coronary artery disease using coronary angiography. The elective off‐pump CABG was uneventful; however, severe manifestation of myocardial ischaemia with abrupt onset developed at the intensive care unit. All three patients underwent immediate coronary angiography to verify the diagnosis of CAS. Apart from intracoronary nitroglycerine infusion and medical support with inotropic agents, extracorporeal membranous oxygenation was carried out because of severe haemodynamic deterioration in one case, while support was required with intraaortic balloon pumping in another. All three patients made a full recovery.Conclusion:  Coronary artery spasm can severely complicate the postoperative course for patients undergoing off‐pump CABG, leading to myocardial ischaemia or infarction, life‐threatening arrhythmias, persistent hypotension and even cardiac arrest. Early awareness and diagnosis of CAS with the establishment of appropriate management strategies may prevent its potentially lethal consequences.
FACTORS AFFECTING THE MORTALITY RISK IN ELDERLY PATIENTS UNDERGOING SURGERY
Authors: Ozturk Ersin , Yilmazlar Tuncay 
Published: February 2007

Background:  Factors affecting the mortality in elderly patients vary among different studies. This study investigates the influence of the patient‐related factors, especially the effect of the diseased organ system on the mortality risk in the elderly.Methods:  Records of 942 operated patients aged 70 years and over were retrospectively examined. Age, sex, site of the diseased organ system, type of admission, benign/malign nature, American Society for Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, main surgical diagnosis, method of surgical therapy and concomitant diseases were examined for their influence on the mortality.Results:  There were 501 men and 441 women. Mean age was 75.5 years. Most of the patients had colorectal pathologies. Emergency surgery was carried out in 313 patients. Mortality rate was 11.8%. Cardiogenic shock was the leading cause of mortality. There was a strong linear correlation between ASA score and mortality. Logistic regression analysis concluded that higher (≥3) ASA scores, operations under emergent conditions and diseases of the colorectal and upper gastrointestinal systems were significantly associated with higher mortality rates.Conclusion:  When combined with ASA score and type of admission, site of the diseased organ system may be a good indicator of mortality in the elderly patients undergoing surgery.
Conducting mental health research: Key steps, practicalities, and issues for the early career researcher
Authors: Horsfall Jan , Cleary Michelle , Walter Garry , Hunt Glenn E. 
Published: February 2007

TABLE OF CONTENTSThe publication of this supplement was supported byimage

Preface
S3

Overview and aims
S4

Why mental health clinicians may begin research
S4

Values, research, and evidence‐based practice
S5

Generating and developing the research question
S6

Collaboration
S7

Stakeholders in mental health research
S8

Evaluating the literature
S9

Ethics and mental health research
S10

Planning the project
S11

Preparation for interviewing
S12

Mental health service consumers
S13

Mental health settings
S14

Writing the research proposal
S14

Some research design considerations
S15

Data collection and analysis
S16

Dissemination of research findings
S17

Conclusion
S19

Acknowledgements
S19

References
S19
Cross‐resistance spectra of Culex quinquefasciatus resistant to mosquitocidal toxins of Bacillus thuringiensis towards recombinant Escherichia coli expressing genes from B. thuringiensis ssp. israelensis
Authors: Wirth Margaret C. , Zaritsky Arieh , Ben‐Dov Eitan , Manasherob Robert , Khasdan Vadim , Boussiba Sammy , Walton William E. 
Published: February 2007

SummarySixteen Escherichia coli clones were assayed against susceptible and Bacillus thuringiensis‐resistant Culex quinquefasciatus larvae. The clones expressed different combinations of four genes from Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. israelensis; three genes encoded mosquitocidal toxins (Cry11Aa, Cry4Aa and Cyt1Aa) and the fourth encoded an accessory protein (P20). The cross‐resistance spectra of the mosquitoes were similar to the profiles for recombinant B. thuringiensis strains expressing B. thuringiensis toxin genes, but with varied toxicity levels. The toxicity of the recombinants towards resistant mosquito larvae was improved when p20 and cyt1Aa were expressed in combination with cry4Aa and/or cry11Aa. Recombinant pVE4‐ADRC, expressing cry4Aa, cry11Aa, p20 and cyt1Aa, was the most active against the resistant Culex, and resistance levels did not exceed fourfold. These results indicate that B. thuringiensis ssp. israelensis genes expressed in a heterologous host such as E. coli can be effective against susceptible and B. thuringiensis‐resistant larvae and suppress resistance.
Outcomes of the rectal remnant following colectomy for ulcerative colitis
Authors: Brady R. R. W. , Collie M. H. S. , Ho G. T. , Bartolo D. C. C. , Wilson R. G. , Dunlop M. G. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective  Controversy surrounds the optimal surgical management of the distal rectal remnant during colectomy for ulcerative colitis (UC) and the potential benefit from the placement of a rectal catheter for remnant drainage. This study reviews the clinical outcomes of patients who have undergone colectomy for UC with intra‐peritoneal closure of the rectal remnant.Method  Analysis of prospective data lodged on Lothian Surgical Audit databases from patients treated in a tertiary coloproctology unit over 11 years.Results  One hundred and fifty‐nine patients were identified, the mean age was 41.9 years, 63% were men. Failure of maximal medical therapy necessitated surgery for 78.1% patients, while 12.6% had acute perforation and 11.9% had toxic megacolon. Complications included five (3.1%) stump dehiscences, eight (5.0%) intra‐abdominal/pelvic collections, four (2.5%) significant wound infections, three (1.9%) small bowel obstructions and three (1.9%) deaths. Within the follow‐up period, 62.3% patients had an ileo‐pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA), 7.5% patients had a completion proctectomy, 10.1% patients within the series had a retained rectal remnant after 1 year follow up, the remaining patients had less than 1 year follow up.Conclusion  The intra‐peritoneal rectal stump following colectomy for UC is associated with low rates of pelvic sepsis and a high proportion of patients successfully proceeding to IPAA.
Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion leads to immediate, stable and long‐term changes in metabolic control
Authors: Aberle I. , Zimprich D. , Bach‐Kliegel B. , Fischer C. , Gorny M. , Kliegel A. , Langer K. , Kliegel M. 
Published: February 2007

Background:  Evaluations of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) usually focus on one pre‐ and one post‐CSII measurement to assess metabolic therapy outcome.Aim:  Extending this research, the aim of the present study was to provide a more fine‐grained analysis of achieved glycaemic control.Methods:  In 52 patients with type 1 diabetes (mean age of 37.85 years at CSII begin; s.d. ± 12.41), haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were assessed every 3 months over a period of 5 years (1 year before and 4 years after the introduction of CSII). Mixed models were utilized to describe changes in glycaemic control.Results:  The pre–post course showed that already in the first quarter, a statistically significant lower HbA1c level was obtained [7.30%, in contrast to 8.21% at the last quarter with intensified conventional therapy (ICT)]. In the following 15 quarters, the mean HbA1c levels remained constantly lower than that with ICT. Overall, the aggregated mean HbA1c level of patients with CSII therapy was 7.19%, in contrast to 8.08% with ICT; thus, an overall decrease by 11% was achieved. In addition, individual differences in blood glucose level and age of diabetes onset as a predictor for therapy success were analysed.Conclusions:  The data show an immediate, stable and long‐term effect of CSII on HbA1c. In addition, a significant relationship between metabolic control and age of diabetes onset was found, as well as a reduction of variance in HbA1c levels between subjects after change to CSII.
Can a slit‐like meatus be achieved with the V‐incision sutured meatoplasty for onlay island flap hypospadias repair?
Authors: Hayashi Yutaro , Kojima Yoshiyuki , Nakane Akihiro , Maruyama Tetsuji , Kohri Kenjiro 
Published: February 2007

In the paediatric urology section this month, the papers describe studies on hypospadias repair and renal function after pyeloplasty.OBJECTIVESTo evaluate whether the V‐incision sutured meatoplasty (VSM) is useful for configuring the constructed meatus after the onlay flap and the Mathieu flip‐flap repair for hypospadias, as the transverse preputial onlay island urethroplasty is excellent for repairing anterior hypospadias with no chordee, and a slit‐like normal meatus cannot be constructed in many patients who had the original onlay island‐flap repairPATIENTS AND METHODSThe configuration of the meatus which was repaired by the onlay island flap technique with VSM (group 2) was evaluated and compared with that of the original onlay technique (group 1). Group 1 consisted of 30 patients treated with only the classic onlay procedure as primary hypospadias repair (1999–2001). Group 2 consisted of 22 patients treated using the onlay procedure with VSM as primary hypospadias repair (2002–2004).RESULTSThere were complications after surgery in four (18%) of 22 patients in group 1 and in five (17%) of 30 in group 2, with no significant difference. A slit‐like meatus was achieved in eight (27%) of 30 in group 1 and in 12 (55%) of 22 in group 2. There was a significant difference between the groups in meatal configuration (P = 0.04).CONCLUSIONThe VSM is a useful technique to make a slit‐like meatus for onlay island flap urethroplasty and flip‐flap hypospadias repair, although the technique cannot always achieve the intended result.
Correlation of ureteric length with anthropometric variables of surface body habitus
Authors: Hruby Gregory W. , Ames Caroline D. , Yan Yan , Monga Manoj , Landman Jaime 
Published: February 2007

Authors from the USA describe a method of correlating anthropometric variables of body habitus with ureteric length; they found height to be the variable that correlated most closely with ureteric length, but ureteric length was nevertheless difficult to predict.OBJECTIVETo evaluate the association of variables of body habitus with direct measurements of ureteric length, as the correct choice of ureteric stent length might help to prevent complications and improve stent tolerance, and to date there are limited data correlating height or other body variables with ureteric length.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe prospectively measured pelvi‐ureteric junction to vesico‐ureteric junction length in 100 patients by placing a ruled 5 F ureteric catheter. Ureteric length was then correlated with patient height, weight, body mass index, and distance from the shoulder (acromium process) to the wrist (head of the ulna; S–W), the elbow (olecranon process) to the wrist (head of the ulna), xyphoid process to umbilicus, xyphoid process to pubis (X–P), umbilicus to pubis, and anterior iliac spine to anterior iliac spine. Patients with pathology affecting the ureteric length were excluded. The results were analysed statistically using a multiple linear regression model with stepwise selection of variables, and a paired t‐test.RESULTSThe mean right and left ureteric lengths were similar (P = 0.61); height (P < 0.01), weight (P = 0.02), X–P (P = 0.01), and S–W (P = 0.02) distances all correlated with ureteric length. On multivariate regression analysis, weight, height and male gender were associated with mean ureteric length. From these data a formula was constructed to predict ureteric length.CONCLUSIONSIt is a challenge to predict ureteric length from body habitus, but height, X–P distance and S–W distance can be used to predict ureteric length.
Non‐invasive evaluation of tumour hypoxia in the Shionogi tumour model for prostate cancer with 18F‐EF5 and positron emission tomography
Authors: Yapp Donald T.T. , Woo Janet , Kartono Aileen , Sy Jonathan , Oliver Thomas , Skov Kirsten A. , Koch Cameron J. , Adomat Hans , Dragowska Wieslawa H. , Fadzli Ladan , Ruth Thomas , Adam Michael J. , Green David , Gleave Martin 
Published: February 2007

OBJECTIVETo evaluate hypoxia non‐invasively in androgen‐dependent (AD), regressing (6‐days after castration, RG) and androgen‐independent (AI) Shionogi tumours, using the radiolabelled tracer for hypoxia, 18F‐EF5, and positron emission tomography (PET).MATERIALS AND METHODSGroups of mice bearing AD, RG and AI Shionogi tumours were co‐injected with 18F‐EF5 and unlabelled EF5. The mice were imaged non‐invasively with PET to examine the accumulation of 18F‐EF5 in hypoxic regions of the tumour. The tumours were subsequently placed in a γ‐counter, or disaggregated for flow cytometry, to determine the levels of 18F‐EF5 and the percentage of hypoxic cells present in the tumour, respectively.RESULTSThe mean (sd) levels of hypoxia in AD Shionogi tumours decreased significantly 6 days after androgen ablation as measured by flow cytometry, from 17.1 (4.77) to 1.74 (0.46)% (P = 0.003). There were no significant differences in the levels of 18F‐EF5 in the tissue between AD and RG tumours using region‐of‐interest analysis of PET images or γ‐counting, although the differences were significant when measured by flow cytometry. However, mean (sd) levels of hypoxia in AI Shionogi tumours were significantly higher than in AD tumours regardless of the analysis method; PET, 10.5 (4.93) × 10−5) Bq/cm2 (P = 0.017), flow cytometry, 42.98 (3.35)% (P < 0.001), well count, 6.81 (1.17) × 104 and 13.1 (1.99) × 104 cpm/g, for AD and AI tumours, respectively (P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONSDifferences in hypoxia between AD and AI, but not RG, Shionogi tumours can be detected non‐invasively with 18F‐EF5 and PET. As prostate tumours are hypoxic and the oxygen levels can change with androgen ablation, noninvasive imaging of hypoxia with PET and 18F‐EF5 might ultimately have a prognostic and/or diagnostic role in the clinical management of the disease.