bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Allelic‐based gene‐gene interaction associated with quantitative traits
Authors: Jung Jeesun , Sun Bin , Kwon Deukwoo , Koller Daniel L. , Foroud Tatiana M. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractRecent studies have shown that quantitative phenotypes may be influenced not only by multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within a gene but also by the interaction between SNPs at unlinked genes. We propose a new statistical approach that can detect gene‐gene interactions at the allelic level which contribute to the phenotypic variation in a quantitative trait. By testing for the association of allelic combinations at multiple unlinked loci with a quantitative trait, we can detect the SNP allelic interaction whether or not it can be detected as a main effect. Our proposed method assigns a score to unrelated subjects according to their allelic combination inferred from observed genotypes at two or more unlinked SNPs, and then tests for the association of the allelic score with a quantitative trait. To investigate the statistical properties of the proposed method, we performed a simulation study to estimate type I error rates and power and demonstrated that this allelic approach achieves greater power than the more commonly used genotypic approach to test for gene‐gene interaction. As an example, the proposed method was applied to data obtained as part of a candidate gene study of sodium retention by the kidney. We found that this method detects an interaction between the calcium‐sensing receptor gene (CaSR), the chloride channel gene (CLCNKB) and the Na, K, 2Cl cotransporter gene (CLC12A1) that contributes to variation in diastolic blood pressure. Genet. Epidemiol. 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A simple and effective method for cancer immunotherapy by inactivated allogeneic leukocytes infusion
Authors: Su Xiaosan , Guo Sujuan , Zhou Chunxia , Wang Dongmei , Ma Wenbo , Zhang Shuren 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAllogeneic mixed leukocytes reaction has been reported to activate vast numbers of T lymphocytes and produce large amounts of type 1 cytokines that are linked to an initiation of antitumor immunity. Using poor immunogeneic B16‐F10 and Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) tumor model, we evaluated the effects of inactivated allogeneic leukocytes infusion (ALI) on the generation of antitumor immune response, as well as its effect on the primary and metastatic tumor. Allogeneic response promoted the generation of both specific and nonspecific antitumor immunity in an in vitro mixed lymphocytes‐tumor cell culture system. Introveinous infusion of mitotically inactivated allogeneic leukocytes resulted in increased type‐1 cytokines (including IL‐2 and IFN‐γ) release, proliferation of various lymphocyte subsets, and generation of both specific and nonspecific antitumor immune response. As a result of such immune response, ALI caused a delayed tumor growth and a prolonged survival in established B16‐F10 melanoma model. In LLC pulmonary spontaneous metastases model, ALI treatment significantly reduced postoperative tumor metastasis as the lung weights were far smaller than control group (0.16 vs. 0.34 g). Furthermore, after primary tumor resection and ALI treatment, 62.5% mice obtained long‐term survival (>120 days) and there were no tumor growths in these mice when they were rechallenged with the same tumor. These experiments demonstrate that inactivated ALI could activate innate and adoptive antitumor immune response. It would be a simple, effective and secured method for cancer immunotherapy. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dietary intakes of mushrooms and green tea combine to reduce the risk of breast cancer in Chinese women
Authors: Zhang Min , Huang Jian , Xie Xing , Holman C. D'Arcy J. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractTo investigate effects of dietary mushrooms and joint effects of mushrooms and green tea on breast cancer, a case–control study was conducted in southeast China in 2004–2005. The incident cases were 1,009 female patients aged 20–87 years with histologically confirmed breast cancer. The 1,009 age‐matched controls were healthy women randomly recruited from outpatient breast clinics. Information on frequency and quantity of dietary intake of mushrooms and tea consumption, usual diet, and lifestyle were collected by face‐to‐face interview using a validated and reliable questionnaire. Compared with nonconsumers, the Odds ratios (Ors) were 0.36 (95% CI = 0.25–0.51) and 0.53 (0.38–0.73) for daily intake of ≥10 g fresh mushrooms and ≥4 g dried mushrooms, based on multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusting for established and potential confounders. There were dose–response relationships with significant tests for trend (p < 0.001). The inverse association was found in both pre‐ and postmenopausal women. Compared with those who consumed neither mushrooms nor green tea, the ORs were 0.11 (0.06–0.20) and 0.18 (0.11–0.29) for daily high intake of fresh and dried mushrooms combined with consuming beverages made from ≥1.05 g dried green tea leaves per day. The corresponding linear trends were statistically significant for joint effect (p < 0.001). We conclude that higher dietary intake of mushrooms decreased breast cancer risk in pre‐ and postmenopausal Chinese women and an additional decreased risk of breast cancer from joint effect of mushrooms and green tea was observed. More research is warranted to examine the effects of dietary mushrooms and mechanism of joint effects of phytochemicals on breast cancer. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A composite coating of calcium alginate and gelatin particles on Ti6Al4V implant for the delivery of water soluble drug
Authors: Xiao Junwu , Zhu Yingchun , Liu Yanyan , Zeng Yi , Xu Fangfang 
Published: December 2008

AbstractA composite coating on Ti6Al4V implant was prepared from alginate and gelatin particles through a dip‐coating method to control the release of the water soluble drug gentamicin and improve the surface properties of the implant. Gentamicin was dissolved in the coating or bonded to gelatin particles through Schiff base reaction. The drug release experiments in vitro showed that about 10% of gentamicin was released within 0.5 h, the release lasted for 10 days, and the release from the composite coating was dependent on the pH value. The composite coating could induce the formation of apatite on the coating surface, which was fully covered after 7 days immersing in SBF solution. In addition, Ti6Al4V plate with the composite coating had excellent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. All of the results provided the possibility that this composite coating might be applied as a controlled release system to deliver the water soluble drug, and as a bioactive, biodegradable layer on the bio‐inert implant surface to induce the formation of apatite and actively bond to the surrounding tissue in vivo. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
The protein level of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α is increased in the plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) inhabiting high altitudes
Authors: Li Hong‐Ge , Ren Yong‐Ming , Guo Song‐Chang , Cheng Long , Wang De‐Peng , Yang Jie , Chang Zhi‐Jie , Zhao Xin‐Quan 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) is a high hypoxia‐tolerant species living only at 3,000–5,000 m above sea‐level on the Qinghai‐Tibetan plateau. Hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 (HIF‐1) is a key transcription factor that regulates a variety of cellular and systemic adaptations to hypoxia. To investigate how the plateau pika adapts to a high‐altitude hypoxic environment at the molecular level, we examined the expression pattern of the HIF‐1α protein in the pika by Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis. We found that HIF‐1α protein is expressed at a significantly high level in the pika, which is higher in most tissues (particularly in the lung, liver, spleen and kidney) of the plateau pika than that of mice living at sea‐level. Importantly, we found that the protein levels of HIF‐1α in the lung, liver, spleen and kidney of the pika were increased with increased habitat altitudes. We observed that the plateau pika HIF‐1α localized to the nucleus of cells by an immunostaining analysis, and enhanced HRE‐driven gene expression by luciferase reporter assays. Our study suggests that the HIF‐1α protein levels are related to the adaptation of the plateau pika to the high‐altitude hypoxic environment. J. Exp. Zool. 311A:134–141, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Winter circulation weather types and hospital admissions for cardiovascular, respiratory and digestive diseases in Salamanca, Spain
Authors: de Pablo Fernando , Tomás Clemente , Rivas Soriano Luis , Diego Luisa 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe aim of this study is to evaluate the possible associations between daily hospital admissions for cardiovascular, respiratory and digestive diseases in Salamanca (Spain) and weather conditions during the winters of 1995–2005. An objective daily air mass classification was performed by means of statistical analysis of ground‐level meteorological data. This afforded seven main circulation weather types (CWTs) for the cold period, and the frequency distributions of these types and their meteorological characteristics were analysed.A summary of the main characteristics of the hospital admission series and their distribution over the 10 years studied, together with the frequency distributions of the different diseases classified by ages, the average number of the hospital admissions for each day of week, type of disease and sex, is given. In addition, a comparison between air mass classification and hospital admissions was made using an admission index (AI), for each disease. Significant increases in hospital admissions for the cardiovascular AI were evident 24–48 h after a day characterized by an anticyclonic air mass, 4–5 days after a day characterized by a westerly air mass and 6–7 days after an easterly flow. For the respiratory AI, an increase was observed 2–3 days after a cyclonic situation, 4 days after a northeasterly situation, while for days characterized by southwesterly air masses no delay was observed. These results indicate that the effects of weather conditions on hospital admissions tend to occur some days after exposure. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Application of centrifugal partition chromatography coupled with evaporative light scattering detection for the isolation of saikosaponins‐a and ‐c from Bupleurum falcatum roots
Authors: Yoon Kee Dong , Kim Jinwoong 
Published: December 2008

AbstractCentrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) coupled with evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD) was applied to separate saikosaponins‐a and ‐c preparatively from Bupleurum falcatum roots. The two‐phase solvent system composed of ethyl acetate/n‐butanol/methanol/water (15:1:3:15 by volume) was used to yield saikosaponins‐a (36.1 mg) and ‐c (28.7 mg) from 370 mg of saponin‐rich extract. The purities of isolated compounds were 96.6 and 97.3% for saikosaponins‐a and ‐c, respectively. Structure identification of these compounds was accomplished by comparison of spectroscopic data of ESI‐MS, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR with those of previously reported values.
Neutral polar methacrylate‐based monoliths for normal phase nano‐LC and CEC of polar species including N‐glycans
Authors: Zhong Hengwen , El Rassi Ziad 
Published: December 2008

AbstractNeutral diol methacrylate‐based monoliths were developed for normal phase chromatography (NPC) and NP‐CEC of polar compounds including N‐glycans. Four different diol methacrylate‐based monoliths were synthesized via the copolymerization of a functional monomer using either glyceryl monomethacrylate (GMM) or glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and a crosslinker either ethylene dimethacrylate (EDMA) or trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TRIM). While the GMM‐based monoliths yield in one reaction step polar diol methacrylate monoliths that are ready for use in NPC or NP‐CEC, the GMA‐based monoliths required a postmodification with hot sulfuric acid to convert the epoxy functions into diols before use in NPC or NP‐CEC. All the four monoliths are neutral and void of fixed charges on their surfaces but yet exhibited relatively strong EOF in NP‐CEC. The EOF is attributed to the adsorption of ions from the mobile phase thus forming the electric double layer necessary for producing a bulk mobile phase flow. Under the same in situ copolymerization conditions of GMM or GMA with either EDMA or TRIM, the GMM–EDMA monolith was the best choice in terms of retention, separation efficiency, EOF velocity in CEC and linear flow velocity in Nano‐LC.
Use of the Rotation Vector in Brownian Dynamics Simulation of Transient Electro‐Optical Properties
Authors: Evensen Tom Richard , Naess Stine Nalum , Elgsaeter Arnljot 
Published: December 2008

AbstractWe have recently developed a new singularity‐free algorithm for Brownian dynamics simulation of free rotational diffusion. The algorithm is rigorously derived from kinetic theory and makes use of the Cartesian components of the rotation vector as the generalized coordinates describing angular orientation. Here, we report on the application of this new algorithm in Brownian dynamics simulations of transient electro‐optical properties. This work serves two main purposes. Firstly, it demonstrates the integrity of the new algorithm for BD‐simulations of the most common transient electro‐optic experiments. Secondly, it provides new insight into the performance of the new algorithm compared to algorithms that make use of the Euler angles. We study the transient electrically induced birefringence in dilute solutions of rigid particles with anisotropic polarization tensor in response to external electric field pulses. The use of both one single electric pulse and two electric pulses with opposite polarity are being analyzed. We document that the new singularity‐free algorithm performs flawlessly. We find that, for these types of systems, the new singularity‐free algorithm, in general, outperforms similar algorithms based on the Euler angles. In a wider perspective, the most important aspect of this work is that it serves as an important reference for future development of efficient BD‐algorithms for studies of more complex systems. These systems include polymers consisting of rigid segments with single‐segment translational–rotational coupling, segment–segment fluid‐dynamic interactions and holonomic constraints.magnified image
How Quickly are We Treating Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer? Trends over a 17 Year Period
Authors: Mantle M. , Dickinson A. J. , Moody M. , Cox R. 
Published: December 2008

Objective: Our aim was to measure the time from presentation to definitive treatment for muscle invasive bladder cancer in the South West Region. This was compared with previous audits of waiting times over the past 17 years. Methods: A retrospective survey was carried out in each of the hospitals in the South West Region, to assess the interval between referral and definitive treatment of all new cases of muscle invasive bladder cancer in 2006. This was compared to the same data for 1989, 1993 [Dickinson AJ, Howe K, Bedford C, Sanders T, Prentice A, Sibley GNA. A retrospective study of the investigation and management of muscle-invasive bladder cancer in the South West Region. BJU 1996;77:70–75] and 1999. Results: A total of 153 patients were identified. 118 (77%) underwent immediate definitive treatment. Median delay to definitive treatment was 102 days, compared with 114, 96 and 101 days in 1989, 1993 and 1999 respectively. Median delay between TURBT and definitive treatment had increased to 70 days in 2006 compared with 55, 44 and 54 days in the previous years studied. Conclusions: The waits for initial cystoscopy and TURBT, both of which are governed by cancer wait targets, have come down over the last 17 years. However the subsequent delay from TURBT to definitive treatment has lengthened with no change in total time to treatment. Reasons might include TURBT being used as the stop the clock treatment, delay surrounding an increase in tertiary referrals and a general increase in workload.
Cohomologically triangulated categories II
Authors: Baues H.-J. , Muro F. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractA cohomologically triangulated category is an additive categoryAtogether with a translation functortand a cohomology class Δ ∈H3(A,t) such that any good translation track category representing Δ is a triangulated track category. In this paper we give purely cohomological conditions on Δ which imply that (A,t,Δ) is a cohomologically triangulated category, avoiding the use of track categories. This yields a purely cohomological characterization of triangulated cohomology classes.
Role of microbiological studies in management of peritonsillar abscess
Authors: Repanos C , Mukherjee P , Alwahab Y 
Published: December 2008

AbstractIntroduction:Peritonsillar abscess (quinsy) is one of the most common ENT emergencies. A 2002 UK audit of quinsy management revealed that an average ENT department treated 29 cases annually; the most common treatment was needle aspiration with intravenous antibiotics, and culture of the aspirate was often performed routinely. The aims of our study were to evaluate the value of routine culture of quinsy aspirates, and to establish whether the information thus gained was clinically useful.Methods:We examined the notes of patients admitted with quinsy to two hospitals in south-west England, from January 1998 to January 2004 in one hospital and from January 1995 to January 2005 in the other. A total of 577 cases was found. Aspirated pus had been sent for culture in 119 (21 per cent). These cases were examined in more detail.Results:Of the 119 patients, 78.2 per cent (93/119) were treated with either a cephalosporin or penicillin, plus metronidazole. Streptococcal species were cultured in 43.7 per cent (52/119) and anaerobes in 23.5 per cent (28/119; of these cultures, 5.9 per cent (7/119) were pure anaerobes only). All the anaerobes were sensitive to metronidazole. One of the 119 cultures, growing aerobic bacteria, was resistant to penicillin; however, this patient improved clinically on a combination of penicillin and metronidazole. No patients had their treatment changed because of culture results.Conclusions:There appears to be no need to routinely culture quinsy aspirates, based upon our findings (of 16 hospital years) and previous studies (which found no recorded episodes of treatment change as a result of culture sensitivities). The combination of penicillin or a cephalosporin, plus metronidazole appeared to be theoretically effective in 99.2 per cent (118/119) of our specimens; this finding is supported by other studies. However, the rare but potentially life-threatening complications of quinsy must be recognised.
Managing workflow in treatment planning using standard spreadsheet software
Authors: Vaarkamp J. , Hamilton C.S. , Escreet M. , Percy C. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAims: Recent years have seen an expansion of UK radiotherapy treatment capacity with a drive to reduce radiotherapy waiting times. Consequently, the time available for planning patients is decreasing. In this context, management of treatment planning workflow in the Princess Royal Hospital is described and monthly planning times are presented from September 2003 onwards.Materials and Methods: After patients are imaged, patient name, unit number and appointments are available to the planning spreadsheet via a link to the radiotherapy information system. The planning spreadsheet is in descending order of appointment date. Treatment planning staff select the first available task, taking account of individual competencies. At plan completion, the patient record is moved to the completed list.Results: Since September 2003, patient numbers through treatment planning steadily increased from around 90 a month to about 130 currently. Planning times decreased from 11 to 7 workdays.Conclusions: Workflow through treatment planning is indirectly managed and the approach allows for day-to-day staffing fluctuations and competency levels. There is instant information on planning status for all patients throughout the department, building up a record as part of the work process. Bottlenecks and staff training needs can be analysed by reviewing the historic patient workload.
Development of a novel GLUT4 translocation assay for identifying potential novel therapeutic targets for insulin sensitization
Authors: Liu Franklin , Dallas-Yang Qing , Castriota Gino , Fischer Paul , Santini Francesca , Ferrer Marc , Li Jing , Akiyama Taro E. , Berger Joel P. , Zhang Bei B. , Jiang Guoqiang 
Published: December 2008

GLUT4 (glucose transporter 4) plays important roles in glucose homoeostasis in vivo. GLUT4 expression and function are diminished in diabetic human and animal subjects. The goal of the present study is to develop a cell-based assay for identifying negative regulators of GLUT4 translocation as potential targets for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. Traditional GLUT4 translocation assays performed in differentiated myocytes or adipocytes are difficult to perform, particularly in HTS (high-throughput screening) mode. In the present study, we stably co-expressed c-Myc and eGFP [enhanced GFP (green fluorescent protein)] dual-tagged recombinant GLUT4 with recombinant IRS1 (insulin receptor substrate 1) in HEK-293 cells (human embryonic kidney cells) (HEK-293.IRS1.GLUT4 cells). Insulin treatment stimulated both glucose uptake and GLUT4 translocation in these cells. GLUT4 translocation is quantified by a TRF (time-resolved fluorescence) assay in a 96-well HTS format. TRF assays confirmed insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation, which can be inhibited by PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) or Akt [also called PKB (protein kinase B)] inhibitors. Treatment with palmitate increased IRS1 serine phosphorylation and reduced insulin-stimulated Akt phosphorylation and GLUT4 translocation, indicating insulin resistance. Knockdown of PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10) and PTP1B (protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B) gene expression by siRNA (small interfering RNA) treatment significantly increased GLUT4 translocation only in cells treated with palmitate but not in untreated cells. Similar results were obtained on treatment with siRNA of JNK1 (c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1), S6K1 (ribosomal protein S6 kinase, 70 kDa, polypeptide 1) and PKCθ (protein kinase C θ). In summary, we have established and validated a novel GLUT4 translocation assay that is optimal for identifying negative regulators of GLUT4 translocation. In combination with more physiologically relevant secondary assays in myotubes and adipocytes, this assay system can be used to identify potential novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes.