bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential expression genes analyzed by cDNA array in the regulation of rat hepatic fibrogenesis
Authors: Qiang Hui , Lin Yong , Zhang Xin , Zeng Xin , Shi Jian , Chen Yue‐Xiang , Yang Miao‐Fang , Han Ze‐Guang , Xie Wei‐Fen 
Published: October 2006

Abstract: Purpose: To analyze the gene expression pattern in rat hepatic fibrogenesis and further assess the role of some key genes during the pathological process.Methods: Hepatic fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of dimethylnitrosamine or carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) injection subcutaneously in rats, and identification of the hepatic fibrosis related genes with cDNA microarray was performed. After some key genes up‐regulated during the development of hepatic fibrosis were screened and confirmed, their effects on the function of the activated rat hepatic stellate cells (HSC) were assessed using the small interfering RNA (siRNA) technique.Results: Using an Atlas rat cDNA array, a number of differentially expressed genes in fibrotic liver tissues were identified compared with non‐diseased control. A total of 15 genes predominantly associated with the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal transduction pathway were upregulated in the fibrotic liver. Immunohistochemical study revealed that the expressions of both extracellular signal‐regulated kinases (ERK) and ribosomal protein S6 kinase (RSK), two of the key genes in the MAPK pathway, were remarkably induced, which was closely correlated to that of collagen types I and III during the development of hepatic fibrosis. Transfection of siRNA targeting ERK1 mRNA (siERK1) into HSC led to a 66% and 72% reduction of ERK1 mRNA and protein expression, respectively. Furthermore, siERK1 exerted the inhibition of the proliferation of HSC, accompanied by the induction of HSC apoptosis and reduction of collagen types I and III. In addition, siERK1 abolished the effect of platelet‐derived growth factor‐BB on the proliferation of HSC.Conclusions: The present study provided strong evidence for the participation of the MAPK pathway in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis. Selective targeting of ERK1 inhibitors to HSC might present as a novel strategy for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis.
Anemia associated with antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis C: incidence, risk factors, and impact on treatment response
Authors: Hung Chao‐Hung , Lee Chuan‐Mo , Lu Sheng‐Nan , Wang Jing‐Houng , Chen Chien‐Hung , Hu Tsung‐Hui , Kee Kwong‐Ming , Chang Kuo‐Chin , Tseng Po‐Lin , Yen Yi‐Hao , Changchien Chi‐Sin 
Published: October 2006

Abstract: Background:One major side effect of combination antiviral therapy is the development of anemia, which is more severe among the Asian population. We conducted this large‐scaled study to explore the incidence, risk factors, and impact on treatment response of anemia in chronic hepatitis C patients receiving combination antiviral therapy.Methods:Four hundred and sixty‐six chronic hepatitis C patients were treated with interferon‐α‐2b (IFN‐α‐2b) three or five million units thrice weekly, or pegylated‐IFN‐α‐2b 1–1.5 μg/kg weekly plus ribavirin (1000–1200 mg/day) for 24 weeks. Severe anemia was defined as hemoglobin concentration <10 g/dl.Results:The mean decrease of hemoglobin was 3.9±1.3 g/dl. Thirty‐nine percent of patients had developed severe anemia during therapy. Stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that old age (≥50 years) (odds ratio [OR]=1.935,P=0.001) and baseline hemoglobin level (≥14 g/dl) (OR=2.975,P<0.001) were significantly correlated with maximal decreases in hemoglobin. Using Cox's regression analysis, pretreatment platelet counts (<150 000/mm3) (OR=1.821,P<0.001), old age (≥50 years) (OR=1.789,P=0.001), female gender (OR=1.739,P<0.001), and low body weight (<65 kg) (OR=1.493,P=0.027) were independent factors contributing to severe anemia. There was a significant linear correlation between the sustained virological response (SVR) rate and the time of severe anemia during therapy (r=0.774,P=0.003), especially among genotype 1 patients (r=0.960,P<0.001).Conclusion:Careful monitoring of hemoglobin level is necessary in patients who are old, female and have low body weight and platelet counts. Development of severe anemia was significantly correlated with the SVR.
Subtotal scapulectomy as the treatment for scapular tumour in the dog: a report of six cases
Authors: Norton C , Drenen CM , Emms SG 
Published: October 2006

The medical records of six dogs treated by sub‐total scapulectomy for tumours involving the scapula were reviewed. The mean age of dogs in this study was 8 years and 4 months. Clinical signs on presentation included lameness of the affected forelimb and a palpable mass over the scapular area on physical examination. Pre‐operative chest and affected forelimb radiographs were taken in most cases in addition to a biopsy. Subtotal scapulectomy was performed, ensuring margins clear of neoplastic tissue of at least 2 cm, preservation of the glenoid cavity and thus retention of the scapulo‐humeral joint. On histopathological examination the tumours where diagnosed as chondrosarcoma (one), haemangiosarcoma (two), anaplastic malignant neoplasia (one) and osteosarcoma (one). Limb function was found to be good in all cases postoperatively. Prognosis was related to histopathological diagnosis of the tumour, favourable with chondrosarcoma and poor with the other tumour types.
Assessment of producer conducted antemortem inspection of market pigs in Australia
Authors: Jackowiak J , Kiermeier A , Kolega V , Missen G , Reiser D , Pointon AM 
Published: October 2006

Objective  A field trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of on‐farm antemortem inspection performed by Australian pig producers in terms of proficiency in detecting unhealthy animals (suspects), the impact on food safety and animal welfare outcomes.Animals  A total of 64 trial groups of market pigs (n= 10,703) were dispatched from 20 herds to three abattoirs in three states.Procedure  All producers and abattoir antemortem inspectors were trained in antemortem inspection prior to the trial using a standardised set of antemortem criteria. Study 1 consisted of three comparisons: on‐farm versus abattoir antemortem inspections on the same pigs, transport effects in suspect and normal pigs, and meat rejection and carcase disposition in suspect and normal pigs. Study 2 compared Salmonella spp status of suspect and normal pigs. Studies 3 and 4 were conducted to assist the interpretation of the results of on‐farm versus abattoir inspection. Antemortem inspection results of three producers and one abattoir antemortem inspector were compared with those of a reference inspector (Gold Standard).Results  Of the pigs examined, 2.12% (95% CI: 1.84%, 2.42%) were classified as suspect at on‐farm antemortem inspection compared to only 0.14% at abattoir antemortem inspection. Forty one percent of pigs classified as suspect on‐farm had locomotor problems (arthritis, lameness and foot abscess). Compared to normal pigs, suspect pigs had a relative risk of 67.7 (P < 0.0001) of suffering transport injuries. Meat rejection amounted to the equivalent of 9.68% of suspect carcases, compared to the equivalent of 0.35% of normal carcases. The isolation of Salmonella species from caecal content from 20.9% of 67 suspect pigs and 18.8% of 133 control pigs (two matched healthy pigs from the same batch for each suspect pig) were not significantly different. When compared with the reference inspector on‐farm, three producers classified abnormalities in 2,495 pigs with high specificity (0.98), acceptable sensitivity (0.82) and kappa (0.57).Conclusions  With training, producer sensitivity in antemortem inspection may be high and more proficient than abattoir antemortem inspection. Use of producer inspections may have benefits for animal welfare and chain efficiency, but not food safety.
A Phase I Study ofIn vitroExpanded Natural Killer T Cells in Patients with Advanced and Recurrent Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Motohashi Shinichiro , Ishikawa Aki , Ishikawa Eiichi , Otsuji Mizuto , Iizasa Toshihiko , Hanaoka Hideki , Shimizu Naomi , Horiguchi Shigetoshi , Okamoto Yoshitaka , Fujii Shin-ichiro , Taniguchi Masaru , Fujisawa Takehiko , Nakayama Toshinori 
Published: October 2006

AbstractPurpose: Human Vα24 natural killer T (Vα24 NKT) cells bearing an invariant Vα24JαQ antigen receptor are activated by a glicolipid ligand α-galactosylceramide (αGalCer; KRN7000) in a CD1d-dependent manner. The human Vα24 NKT cells activated with αGalCer and interleukin-2 have been shown to produce large amounts of cytokines, such as IFN-γ, and also exerting a potent killing activity against various tumor cell lines. We did a phase I study with autologous activated Vα24 NKT cell therapy.Experimental Design: Patients with advanced or recurrent non–small cell lung cancer received i.v. injections of activated Vα24 NKT cells (level 1: 1 × 107/m2 and level 2: 5 × 107/m2) to test the safety, feasibility, and clinical response of this therapeutic strategy. Immunomonitoring was also done in all cases.Results: Six patients were enrolled in this study. No severe adverse events were observed during this study in any patients. After the first and second injection of activated Vα24 NKT cells, an increased number of peripheral blood Vα24 NKT cells was observed in two of three cases receiving a level 2 dose of activated Vα24 NKT cells. The number of IFN-γ-producing cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells increased after the administration of activated Vα24 NKT cells in all three cases receiving the level 2 dose. No patient was found to meet the criteria for either a partial or a complete response.Conclusions: The clinical trial with activated Vα24 NKT cell administration was well tolerated and carried out safely with minor adverse events even in patients with advanced diseases.
A simple method to combine multiple molecular biomarkers for dichotomous diagnostic classification
Authors: Mamtani Manju R , Thakre Tushar P , Kalkonde Mrunal Y , Amin Manik A , Kalkonde Yogeshwar V , Amin Amit P , Kulkarni Hemant 
Published: October 2006

Abstract

Background
In spite of the recognized diagnostic potential of biomarkers, the quest for squelching noise and wringing in information from a given set of biomarkers continues. Here, we suggest a statistical algorithm that – assuming each molecular biomarker to be a diagnostic test – enriches the diagnostic performance of an optimized set of independent biomarkers employing established statistical techniques. We validated the proposed algorithm using several simulation datasets in addition to four publicly available real datasets that compared i) subjects having cancer with those without; ii) subjects with two different cancers; iii) subjects with two different types of one cancer; and iv) subjects with same cancer resulting in differential time to metastasis.

Results
Our algorithm comprises of three steps: estimating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for each biomarker, identifying a subset of biomarkers using linear regression and combining the chosen biomarkers using linear discriminant function analysis. Combining these established statistical methods that are available in most statistical packages, we observed that the diagnostic accuracy of our approach was 100%, 99.94%, 96.67% and 93.92% for the real datasets used in the study. These estimates were comparable to or better than the ones previously reported using alternative methods. In a synthetic dataset, we also observed that all the biomarkers chosen by our algorithm were indeed truly differentially expressed.

Conclusion
The proposed algorithm can be used for accurate diagnosis in the setting of dichotomous classification of disease states.
Use of selected complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments in veterans with cancer or chronic pain: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: McEachrane-Gross F Patricia , Liebschutz Jane M , Berlowitz Dan 
Published: October 2006

Abstract

Background
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is emerging as an important form of care in the United States. We sought to measure the prevalence of selected CAM use among veterans attending oncology and chronic pain clinics and to describe the characteristics of CAM use in this population.

Methods
The self-administered, mail-in survey included questions on demographics, health beliefs, medical problems and 6 common CAM treatments (herbs, dietary supplements, chiropractic care, massage therapy, acupuncture and homeopathy) use. We used the chi-square test to examine bivariate associations between our predictor variables and CAM use.

Results
Seventy-two patients (27.3%) reported CAM use within the past 12 months. CAM use was associated with more education (p = 0.02), higher income (p = 0.006), non-VA insurance (p = 0.003), additional care outside the VA (p = 0.01) and the belief that lifestyle contributes to illness (p = 0.015). The diagnosis of chronic pain versus cancer was not associated with differential CAM use (p = 0.15). Seventy-six percent of CAM non-users reported that they would use it if offered at the VA.

Conclusion
Use of 6 common CAM treatments among these veterans is lower than among the general population, but still substantial. A large majority of veterans reported interest in using CAM modalities if they were offered at the VA. A national assessment of veteran interest in CAM may assist VA leaders to respond to patients' needs.
Fine motor skills in South African children with symptoms of ADHD: influence of subtype, gender, age, and hand dominance
Authors: Meyer Anneke , Sagvolden Terje 
Published: October 2006

Abstract

Background
Motor problems, often characterised as clumsiness or poor motor coordination, have been associated with ADHD in addition to the main symptom groups of inattention, impulsiveness, and overactivity. The problems addressed in this study were: (1) Are motor problems associated with ADHD symptoms, also in African cultures? (2) Are there differences in motor skills among the subtypes with ADHD symptoms? (3) Are there gender differences? (4) Is there an effect of age? (5) Are there differences in performance between the dominant and non-dominant hand?

Method
A total of 528 children (264 classified as having symptoms of ADHD and 264 matched comparisons) of both genders and from seven different South African ethnic groups participated in the study. They were assessed with three simple, easy to administer instruments which measure various functions of motor speed and eye-hand coordination: The Grooved Pegboard, the Maze Coordination Task, and the Finger Tapping Test. The results were analysed as a function of subtype, gender, age, and hand dominance.

Results
The findings indicate that children with symptoms of ADHD performed significantly poorer on the Grooved Pegboard and Motor Coordination Task, but not on the Finger Tapping Test than their comparisons without ADHD symptoms. The impairment was most severe for the subtype with symptoms of ADHD-C (combined) and less severe for the subtypes with symptoms of ADHD-PI (predominantly inattentive) and ADHD-HI (predominantly hyperactive/impulsive). With few exceptions, both genders were equally affected while there were only slight differences in performance between the dominant and non-dominant hand. The deficiencies in motor control were mainly confined to the younger age group (6 – 9 yr).

Conclusion
An association between the symptoms of ADHD and motor problems was demonstrated in terms of accuracy and speed in fairly complex tasks, but not in simple motor tests of speed. This deficiency is found mainly in the children with ADHD-C symptoms, but also to a lesser degree in the children with symptoms of ADHD-PI and ADHD-HI.
Direct effects of caffeine on osteoblastic cells metabolism: the possible causal effect of caffeine on the formation of osteoporosis
Authors: Tsuang Yang-Hwei , Sun Jui-Sheng , Chen Li-Ting , Sun Samuel Chung-Kai , Chen San-Chi 
Published: October 2006

Abstract

Background
Caffeine consumption has been reported to decrease bone mineral density (BMD), increase the risk of hip fracture, and negatively influence calcium retention. In this study, we investigated the influence of caffeine on the osteoblasts behaviour.

Method
Osteoblasts derived from newborn Wistar-rat calvaria was used in this study. The effects of various concentrations of caffeine on bone cell activities were evaluated by using MTT assay. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, von Kossa staining and biochemical parameters including ALP, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and total protein were performed at day 1, 3, and 7. DNA degradation analysis under the caffeine influence was also performed.

Results and discussion
The results showed that the viability of the osteoblasts, the formation of ALP positive staining colonies and mineralization nodules formation in the osteoblasts cultures decreased significantly in the presence of 10 mM caffeine. The intracellular LDH, ALP and PGE2 content decreased significantly, the LDH and PGE2 secreted into the medium increased significantly. The activation of an irreversible commitment to cell death by caffeine was clearly demonstrated by DNA ladder staining.

Conclusion
In summary, our results suggest that caffeine has potential deleterious effect on the osteoblasts viability, which may enhance the rate of osteoblasts apoptosis.
Sialidase expression in activated human T lymphocytes influences production of IFN-γ
Authors: Nan Xinli , Carubelli Ivan , Stamatos Nicholas M 
Published: October 2006

AbstractSialidases influence cellular activity by removing terminal sialic acid from glycoproteins and glycolipids. Four genetically distinct sialidases (Neu1–4) have been identified in mammalian cells. In this study, we demonstrate that only lysosomal Neu1 and plasma membrane-associated Neu3 are detected in freshly isolated and activated human T lymphocytes. Activation of lymphocytes by exposure to anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 IgG resulted in a ninefold increase in Neu1-specific activity after growth of cells in culture for 5 days. In contrast, the activity of Neu3 changed minimally in activated lymphocytes. The increase n Neu1 enzyme activity correlated with increased synthesis of Neu1-specific mRNA. Neu1 was present on the surface of freshly isolated and activated CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes, as determined by staining intact cells with anti-Neu1 IgG and analysis by flow cytometry and by Western blot analysis of biotin-labeled cell surface proteins. Cell surface Neu1 was found tightly associated with a subunit of protective protein/cathepsin A (PPCA). Compared with freshly isolated lymphocytes, activated cells expressed more surface binding sites for galactose-recognizing lectins Erythrina cristagalli (ECA) and Arachis hypogaea. Growth of cells in the presence of sialidase inhibitors 2,3-dehydro-2-deoxy-N-acetylneuraminic acid or 4-guanidino-2-deoxy-2,3-dehydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid resulted in a smaller increase in number of ECA-binding sites and a greater amount of cell surface sialic acid in activated cells. Inhibition of sialidase activity also resulted in reduced expression of IFN-γ in activated cells. The down-regulation of IFN-γ occurred at the transcriptional level. Thus, sialidase activity in activated T lymphocytes contributes to the hyposialylation of specific cell surface glycoconjugates and to the production of IFN-γ.
Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Mono(2,2′-bipyridine)dichlorobis(dimethyl sulfoxide-S)ruthenium(II) Complexes, [RuCl2(bpy)(dmso-S)2]
Authors: Toyama Mari , Inoue Ken-ichi , Iwamatsu Shinobu , Nagao Noriharu 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
The reaction between trans-[RuCl2(dmso-S)4] (dmso = dimethyl sulfoxide) and 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) in EtOH–H2O afforded trans(Cl),cis(S)-[RuCl2(bpy)(dmso-S)2] (1) in good yield. When dissolved in DMSO, 1 rearranged to the thermodynamically more stable cis(Cl),cis(S)-[RuCl2(bpy)(dmso-S)2] (2) along with a small amount of cis(Cl),trans(S)-[RuCl2(bpy)(dmso-S)2] (3). Isomer 2 was selectively synthesized by heating 1 in EtOH–DMSO (9:1) and, more conveniently, by the reaction of cis(Cl),fac(S)-[RuCl2(dmso-S)3(dmso-O)] with bpy in EtOH–DMSO (9:1). The structures of 1, 2, and 3 were determined using single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The crystal structure of 1 revealed that the 6- and 6′-protons of the bpy ligand repulsed the two dmso ligands within the equatorial plane, resulting in the lower thermodynamic stability of 1. In contrast, the crystal structure of 2 showed that its bpy ligand is involved in hydrogen bonding with the monodentate dmso and Cl− ligands within the equatorial plane. Our studies show that hydrogen bonds within the equatorial plane of 2 restrict the conformation of the dmso ligands in the crystal and in DMSO.
The deaf: Their education—improvement of conditions—responsibilities and participation of the profession
Authors: Wright John Dutton 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe aim of this department of THE LARYNGOSCOPE will be to bring to the notice of its readers from month to month, facts that may be helpful to physician and patient in dealing with the life‐problems involved in deafness. Suggestions from readers will be gladly received and all questions answered to the best of our ability.
The neural mechanism of hearing.III.—Animal investigations
Authors: Davis H. , Dworkin S. , Lurie M.H. , Katzman J. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractTwo methods are available for measuring hearing acuity in animals. One is the conditioning or training method, along the lines developed by Pavlov (for example, see Andreyev, 1936). To test an animal's hearing acuity by this procedure, one must condition the animal to respond to tone stimuli of threshold value with some definite activity, such as opening a food box. This procedure is really not very different from clinical hearing tests in man, in which the subject is required, for example, to press a key when he hears a sound. The second method is the electrical, described by Wever and Bray (1930). Both methods have been applied separately to normal animals and to animals with defective hearing. A complete understanding of the relation of deafness to abnormalities of the hearing mechanism requires a combination of the two methods on the same animal, followed by microscopic studies of the anatomical abnormalities underlying the loss of function. We have been engaged upon such a study for the past year, and, although experiments are still in progress, the results so far obtained are sufficient to warrant presentation.
Two hundred laryngeal cancers: Patterns of Growth And Spread As Seen in Serial Section
Authors: Kirchner John A. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractWhole organ serial section studies of specimens removed by partial or total laryngectomy have yielded information which the surgeon ordinarily needs in determining the suitability of the laryngeal cancer for conservation surgery. This information includes the degree to which the surface presentation of a growth reveals its margins, and the likelihood of invasion of the laryngeal framework and overlying soft tissues. The present studies indicate that in assessing these features of a growth before treatment, the surgeon can be guided by: 1. location; 2. fixation, and 3. size of the growth. These features are presented together under each location
Pseudomonas mastoiditis
Authors: Meyerhoff William L. , Gates George A. , Montalbo Philip J. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractOpportunistic infections of the external auditory canal or the middle ear due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa occurring in patients with low resistance to infection have a 35 percent mortality rate. Once the process extends into the pneumatized temporal bone, eradication becomes more difficult and the mortality rate increases to 72 percent because of the high incidence of involvement of cranial nerves, adjacent intracranial vessels, and meningitis. Treatment is directed towards the underlying condition, administration of systemic carbenicillin and gentamicin, topical colistin therapy, and judicious surgical debridement. Pseudomonas vaccine may be of help.Fifteen cases are presented. Nine follow the pattern of malignant external otitis and six began as a primary acute otitis media