bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
RECURRENT MAJOR INFECTIONS IN JUVENILE-ONSET SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS: A CLOSE LINK WITH LONG-TERM DISEASE DAMAGE
Authors: Lee Pamela Pui-Wah , Lee Tsz-Leung , Ho Marco Hok-Kung , Wong Wilfred Hing-Sang , Lau Yu-Lung 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: Infection is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We postulated that patients with recurrent infections are more likely to have poorer disease outcome.
OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to describe the pattern of infections and disease damage that occurred in a cohort of patients with juvenile-onset SLE and to determine whether cumulative disease damage was associated with recurrent infections in these patients.
METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed (1988–2004) the clinical characteristics, infective complications, and disease damage as measured by the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index Score (SDI) in 47 patients with juvenile-onset SLE. Potential risk factors for disease damage were evaluated by univariate analysis and logistic regression. The correlation between number of major infections and disease damage was determined.
RESULTS: Thirty-two (68.1%) patients had lupus nephropathy, and 16 (34.0%) patients had neuropsychiatric lupus. Sixty-one episodes of major infections, defined as infections that required more than 1 week of antimicrobial agents, occurred in 27 (57.4%) patients, and 18 (31.4%) patients had recurrent major infections (≥2 episodes). Organ damage (SDI ≥ 1) was documented in 21 (44.7%) patients. By logistic regression, occurrence of major infections was the only significant risk factor for disease damage. There was a positive correlation between SDI score and the number of recurrent major infections.
CONCLUSIONS: Infections and disease damage are common comorbidities in juvenile-onset SLE. Recurrent infections could predict poorer disease outcome and associated organ damage in SLE.
SEVERE LUNG HYPOPLASIA IS OBSERVED IN DHCR24-KNOCKOUT MICE: A MOUSE MODEL OF DESMOSTEROLOSIS
Authors: Mirza Rusella , Hayasaka Sizu , Kaji Takehide , Murata Yoshiharu , Seo Hisao 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: The DHCR24 gene encodes an enzyme that converts desmosterol to cholesterol in the last step of cholesterol synthesis. Desmosterolosis is an autosomal-recessive disorder that is caused by mutation in the DHCR24 gene, resulting multiple developmental anomalies.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to understand the pathophysiology of desmosterolosis.
METHODS: DHCR24-knockout mice were used in this study. All homozygous mice (−/−) died soon after birth. DHCR24−/− mice demonstrated features of lethal restrictive dermopathy, associated with impaired skin barrier function as a result of hyperproliferation of undifferentiated keratinocytes throughout the epidermis. One other possible cause for neonatal death in DHCR24−/− mice is respiratory failure, as evidenced by severe cyanosis immediately after birth. We therefore studied the lung development of these mice. Lungs from the newborn alive pups were subjected to weight measurement and histologic and Western blot analyses.
RESULTS: DHCR24−/− mice were identified by their phenotype and genotyping. Lung-to-body weight ratio was decreased in DHCR24−/−. The space between lung surface and the thoracic wall was significantly increased as a result of less expansion of the lung. The majority of the lung portion consisted of collapsed alveoli and decreased saccular space in DHCR24−/− mice. No differentiation defect in alveolar type I cell was detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry with anti-T1 α antibody, a type I cell–specific marker. Immunohistochemistry with anti–caveolin 1 demonstrated no change in vascular development.
CONCLUSIONS: A distinct saccular hypoplasia in DHCR24−/− mice suggests that there is an important role of DHCR24 in lung development. Additional experiments with surfactant compositions are needed to explore the underlying respiratory pathology.
IMMUNE STATUS AND IMMUNE RECOVERY IN CHILDREN WITH LYMPHOMA AT THE END OF THERAPY (CHEMOTHERAPY AND/OR RADIOTHERAPY) AND IN FOLLOW-UP EVALUATIONS
Authors: Kosmidis Sofia , Pourtsidis Apostolos , Bouhoutsou Despina , Baka Margarita , Varvoutsi Maria , Doganis Dimitrios , Kallergi Constantina , Douladiris Nikolaos , Synodinou Maria , Saxoni-Papageorgiou Fotini , Kosmidis Helen 
Published: January 2008

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the immune status and immune recovery after completion of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy in children with lymphoma.
METHODS: We prospectively evaluated humoral and cellular immunity in 22 children with lymphoma (11 with Hodgkin's disease [HD] and 11 with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma [NHL]) at the completion of therapy and every 6 months thereafter.
RESULTS: Immunoglobulin (Ig) levels were normal before the onset of therapy in all but 1 child. At the end of therapy, Ig levels decreased: IgM in 18, IgG in 12, and IgA in 7 children. In addition, 17 of 22 had decreased CD19 levels. In HD after radiotherapy, IgG and CD19 levels increased significantly (P = .013 and .004, respectively). IgM levels remained abnormally low in 16 of 22 children up to 18 months after therapy completion. At the end of therapy, helper T lymphocyte (CD4) levels were low in 20 of 22 children, and suppressor (CD8) levels were elevated in 13 of 22 children. (For those with HD before radiotherapy, the CD8 level was high in 10 of 11 children, and the CD4 level was low in 6 of 11 children.) The suppressor CD8 level remained elevated in 12 of 20 children, and helper CD4 level remained abnormally low in 18 of 20 children for a period of 6 to 18 months after therapy. Some immunized children became nonimmune to polio (15 of 22), mumps (6 of 22), rubella (5 of 22), and measles (1 of 22).
CONCLUSIONS: In children with lymphoma, IgM levels remained low for long periods. Helper T lymphocyte levels were low and suppressor levels were high at the end of therapy. Suppressor cells normalized faster, whereas helper cell levels remained abnormally low for a long period. Most children became nonimmune to polio, whereas the majority had antibodies to measles, mumps, and rubella. Despite depressed immunity, serious infections were not documented.
SURVEILLANCE OF INFLUENZA IN CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN 5 YEARS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN BANGKOK, THAILAND
Authors: Suntarattiwong Piyarat , Thongtip Parada , Sian-nork Chortip , Thawatsupha Pranee , Kitphati Rungruang , Chotpitayasunondh Tawee 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: Influenza is a common febrile illness with a significant impact on the pediatric population. Few data regarding influenza in young children have come from tropical resource-limited countries.
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to study epidemiological data, clinical manifestations, influenza rapid tests, and oseltamivir treatment in children with influenza.
METHODS: We conducted influenza surveillance at Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, a tertiary care children's hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. From July 5, 2004, to July 3, 2005, 2 groups of patients aged 0 to 5 years were enrolled: (1) patients diagnosed with lower respiratory tract infections (ie, viral croup, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia) and (2) patients diagnosed with influenza-like illness on the basis of World Health Organization criteria. Subjects must have had symptoms for &lt;5 days. We collected nasal swabs to perform influenza A antigen tests by rapid-test kit and nasopharyngeal swab to perform viral cultures. Clinical signs and symptoms were recorded. Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) was given to the patients with positive rapid-test results, and parents agreed to receive an antiviral agent. Other treatment was provided by attending physicians as the routine standard of care.
RESULTS: We enrolled 495 patients, 49 (9.9%) of which had influenza virus. The virus was isolated year-round with 2 peaks. Fever and myalgia were symptoms with a statistically significant difference between patients with and without influenza infection. The rapid test for influenza A showed 51% sensitivity and 98% specificity compared with viral culture. Eighteen (37%) of 49 patients received oseltamivir treatment. The oseltamivir-treated patients had, on average, 1.12, 0.41, and 0.55 days' shorter oxygen duration, hospital stay, and time to improvement, respectively, but there was no statistically significant difference.
CONCLUSIONS: Influenza in young children in Thailand can be found in 10% of patients with lower respiratory tract and influenza-like illness. Two peaks occurred during July to October and January to April. Rapid-test kits have moderate sensitivity but high specificity. Benefit from oseltamivir treatment was observed but not statistically significant.
EXPRESSION AND MODULATION OF AQUAPORIN 5 IN HYPEROXIA-INDUCED LUNG INJURY
Authors: Xu Feng , Tan Liping 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a common disease that is caused by mechanical ventilation with persistent high-concentration oxygen in newborns, especially in preterm infants. One of the most important reasons is oxygen toxicosis. In physiologic conditions, liquid in the lung tissue is also transferred by aquaporins (AQPs), but the mechanism of aquaporins in hyperoxia-induced lung injury and lung dropsy is not clear.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore the expression and the modulation of AQP5 in hyperoxia-induced lung injury.
METHODS: Lung tissue was harvested after high-concentration oxygen exposure on the third, seventh, and 14th days in rats. The expression of AQP5 mRNA level and the location were detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, respectively, and compared with that in rats that were administered an injection of dexamethasone.
RESULTS: AQP5 was strongly labeled in alveolar epithelial cells. The expression of AQP5 in hyperoxia groups (3, 7, and 14 days) revealed a notable decline as compared with the control group, with no change even in the hyperoxia 14-day group. There was no difference between hyperoxia groups and hyperoxia + dexamethasone groups on AQP5 mRNA level.
CONCLUSIONS: The significant decrease of AQP5 expressed in hyperoxia-induced lung injury may be an important reason for abnormal water movement, which leads to pulmonary edema. Dexamethasone seems to have no effect in modulating AQP5 expression in acute lung injury.
EFFECT OF COBALAMIN SUPPLEMENTATION IN INFANTS: A RANDOMIZED, CONTROLLED TRIAL
Authors: Monsen Anne-Lise Björke , Torsvik Ingrid , Sζtran Hege , Markestad Trond , Magne Ueland Per 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: A metabolic profile that suggests impaired cobalamin status is prevalent in breastfed infants. Whether this profile reflects immature organ systems or cobalamin deficiency has not been clarified.
OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to study serum cobalamin levels in breastfed infants.
METHODS: This study included 107 apparently healthy infants who at the age of 6 weeks were randomly assigned to receive either an intramuscular injection with 400 μg of cobalamin or no intervention. Concentrations of cobalamin and folate in serum and total homocysteine (tHcy), methylmalonic acid (MMA), and cystathionine in plasma were determined at inclusion and at the age of 4 months.
RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the concentrations of any vitamin marker between those in the intervention (n = 54) and control (n = 53) groups at 6 weeks (P = .20–.78). At the age of 4 months, infants who were given cobalamin had 75% higher serum cobalamin levels than those of controls. The intervention was associated with a remarkable reduction in median plasma tHcy (from 7.46 to 4.57 μmol/L) and MMA (from 0.58 to 0.20 μmol/L) (P &lt; .001) levels, whereas both metabolite levels were essentially unchanged during follow-up in the control-group infants.
CONCLUSIONS: Cobalamin supplementation of infants changed all markers of impaired cobalamin status (low cobalamin, high MMA and tHcy, and slightly elevated folate concentrations) toward a profile observed in cobalamin-replete older children and adults. Thus, high MMA and tHcy levels, reported for a large fraction of infants, do not reflect immature metabolism but, rather, insufficient cobalamin to fully sustain cobalamin-dependent reactions. Clinicians and researchers should address the possible developmental and clinical consequences of metabolic evidence of cobalamin deficiency in infants.
THYROID FUNCTION IN EPILEPTIC CHILDREN TREATED WITH SODIUM-VALPROATE MONOTHERAPY: A PROSPECTIVE LONG-TERM STUDY
Authors: Attilakos Achilleas , Voudris Kontsantinos , Katsarou Efstathia , Mastroyianni Sotiria , Fotinou Aspasia , Prassouli Alexia , Garoufi Anastasia 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: Sodium valproate (VPA) is widely used for the treatment of partial and generalized epilepsy in childhood and adolescence. The results of studies that have evaluated the effect of VPA monotherapy on thyroid function in children are controversial.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate, prospectively, whether treatment with VPA has an effect on serum thyroid hormone concentrations in epileptic children.
METHODS: Serum levels of triiodothyronine, thyroxine, free thyroxine, and thyrotropin were determined in 30 epileptic children (aged 2 to 14 years [mean ± SD: 9.10 ± 3.74 years]) before and after 6, 12, and 24 months of VPA monotherapy.
RESULTS: Serum levels of thyroxine and free thyroxine were significantly decreased after 6 (P = .000 and .000, respectively), 12 (P = .000 and .015, respectively), and 24 (P = .000 and .003, respectively) months of treatment with VPA, whereas serum levels of triiodothyronine were significantly decreased only after 24 months of treatment (P = .043). Serum levels of thyrotropin were significantly increased after 6 (P = .000), 12 (P = .000), and 24 (P = .000) months of treatment with VPA. Thirteen children (43.3%) had thyrotropin values higher than the normal-range maximum after 6, 12, and 24 months of VPA monotherapy. Serum VPA concentrations remained within the therapeutic range during the period of study.
CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that VPA monotherapy in childhood may cause early and persistent alterations in thyroid function, which suggests a need for early and careful monitoring of serum thyroid hormone concentrations in epileptic children who receive VPA.
TRANSMISSION OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION IN MOTHER-INFANT PAIRS
Authors: Selda Hizel Bulbul , Ozden Ali , Tanzer Fatos , Kisa Ucler , Buyukkayhan Derya , Misirrlioglou Emine Dibek , Kisa Ozgul 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: Various pathways, such as person-person, fecal-oral, and oral-oral transmission, play a role in transmission of Helicobacter pylori infection. It can be transferred from mother to infant in either the perinatal or postnatal periods.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this prospective study was to determine the course of H pylori infection in mother-infant pairs in early years of life.
METHODS: Forty-eight mother-child pairs were followed for 12 months. H pylori and hepatitis A virus immunoglobulin G levels were measured in maternal sera, infant sera, and breast-milk samples at birth and in breast-milk samples and infant sera at follow-up visits.
RESULTS: At birth, the seropositivity for H pylori was 81.25% and hepatitis A was 68.75% in breast milk and 95.8% in maternal and infant sera for both microorganisms. Although there was a decrease in seropositivities for both agents in both infant sera and breast milk at the age of 9 months, an increase was observed in the twelfth month.
CONCLUSIONS: High seroprevalence rates of H pylori and hepatitis A virus and similar monthly changes in seroprevalence could be indicators of the same transmission routes.
The role of lung function in brain tissue oxygenation following traumatic brain injury
Authors: Rosenthal Guy , Hemphill J. Claude , Sorani Marco , Martin Christine , Morabito Diane , Meeker Michele , Wang Vincent , Manley Geoffrey T. 
Published: January 2008

Object
Previous studies have demonstrated that periods of low brain tissue oxygen tension (PbtO2) are associated with poor outcome after head trauma but have primarily focused on cerebral and hemodynamic factors as causes of low PbtO2. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of lung function on PbtO2 with an oxygen challenge (increase in fraction of inspired oxygen [FiO2] concentration to 1.0).

Methods
This prospective observational cohort study was performed in the neurointensive care unit of the Level 1 trauma center at San Francisco General Hospital. Thirty-seven patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) undergoing brain tissue oxygen monitoring as part of regular care underwent an oxygen challenge, consisting of an increase in FiO2 concentration from baseline to 1.0 for 20 minutes. Partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2), PbtO2, and the ratio of PaO2 to FiO2 (the PF ratio) were determined before and after oxygen challenge.

Results
Patients with higher PF ratios achieved greater PbtO2 during oxygen challenge than those with a low PF ratio because they achieved a higher PaO2 after an oxygen challenge. Lung function, specifically the PF ratio, is a major determinant of the maximal PbtO2 attained during an oxygen challenge.

Conclusions
Given that patients with TBI are at risk for pulmonary complications such as pneumonia, severe atelectasis, and adult respiratory distress syndrome, lung function must be considered when interpreting brain tissue oxygenation.
Using the Tools and Resources of the RCSB Protein Data Bank
Authors: Dutta Shuchismita , M. Berman Helen , F. Bluhm Wolfgang 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThe Protein Data Bank (PDB; http://www.pdb.org) is the world‐wide repository for three‐dimensional structural data determined using various experimental methods. The options and procedures for searching and downloading structural data from the Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics (RCSB) PDB are described here, along with tools for assessing the quality of structures. Several types of information are associated with each structure deposition, including atomic coordinates of the structure, experimental data used to solve it, sequences of all macromolecules in the structures, details about the structure solution method, images showing different views of the structure, derived geometric data, and a variety of links to other resources. These data and resources may be used for understanding the function and stability of the molecule and for designing biochemical, genetic, or other experiments. They can also be used for molecular modeling and drug design. Curr. Protoc. Bioinform. 20:1.9.1‐1.9.24. © 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Isolation and Characterization of Mesoangioblasts from Mouse, Dog, and Human Tissues
Authors: Tonlorenzi Rossana , Dellavalle Arianna , Schnapp Esther , Cossu Giulio , Sampaolesi Maurilio 
Published: January 2008

AbstractMesoangioblasts are recently identified stem/progenitor cells, associated with small vessels of the mesoderm in mammals. Originally described in the mouse embryonic dorsal aorta, similar though not identical cells have been later identified and characterized from postnatal small vessels of skeletal muscle and heart (not described in this unit). They have in common the anatomical location, the expression of endothelial and/or pericyte markers, the ability to proliferate in culture, and the ability to undergo differentiation into various types of mesoderm cells upon proper culture conditions. Currently, the developmental origin of mesoangioblasts, their phenotypic heterogeneity, and the relationship with other mesoderm stem cells are not understood in detail and are the subject of active research. However, from a practical point of view, these cells have been successfully used in cell transplantation protocols that have yielded a significant rescue of structure and function in skeletal muscle of dystrophic mice and dogs. Since the corresponding human cells have been recently isolated and characterized, a clinical trial with these cells is planned in the near future. This unit provides detailed methods for isolation, culture, and characterization of mesoangioblasts. Curr. Protoc. Stem Cell Biol. 3:2B.1.1‐2B.1.29. © 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Preparation, characterization, crystal structure and bioactivity determination of ferrocenyl–thiazoleacylhydrazones
Authors: Zhang Jie 
Published: January 2008

Abstract4‐Methylthiazole‐5‐carbohydrazide was synthesized by heating 85% hydrazine hydrate and methyl 4‐methylthiazole‐5‐carboxylate in ethanol. Ferrocenyl–thiazoleacyl hydrazones were synthesized by condensing hydrazide with formylferrocene or acetylferrocene in the presence of a few drops of ice acetic acid. The structures of the synthetical compounds were confirmed using elemental analysis, IR and 1H‐NMR. In addition, the structure of (E)‐N′‐ferrocenylidene‐4‐methylthiazole‐5‐carbohydrazide was confirmed by single crystal X‐ray diffraction analyse. The compound crystallized in the tetragonal space group, P4(2)/n with cell dimensions a = 21.041(3) Å, b = 21.041(3) Å, c = 7.1212(14) Å, β = 90.00° , V = 3152.6(9) Å3, Dcalc = 1.488 g cm−3, Z = 8, µ = 1.093 mm−1 and F(000) = 1456, and its structure was refined to R1 = 0.0423 and wR2 = 0.0871 for 2906 observed reflections (I > 2σ(I)). It showed the substituted cyclopentadiene ring to be approximately coplanar with the thiazole ring but a small twist between its two ring systems. In the crystal structure, molecules were linked by intermolecular hydrogen bonds NH···O bonds into closed eight‐membered loops and centrosymmetric dimers. The ferrocenyl–thiazoleacylhydrazone compounds were tested for their anti‐Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Reverse Transcriptase, anti‐Human Lung Cancer A549 cells and antibacterial bioactivities. It was found that they showed significant activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Esherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with minimum inhibitory concentration values in the range of 25.0–100.0 µg/ml. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and performance of water‐retention PEMs with nafion‐intercalating‐montmorillonite hybrid
Authors: Xiuchong He , Haolin Tang , Mu Pan 
Published: January 2008

AbstractA proton exchange membrane modified with montmorillonite (MMT) was prepared by introducing perfluorosulfonylfluroride resin into the interlayer of MMT at high temperature and high pressure. The intercalating structure was analyzed by wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and the results showed that the polymer was indeed intercalated into the interlayer of the modified montmorillonite (m‐MMT) matrix without destroying the microstructure of the matrix by largely increasing the d‐spacings of m‐MMT. SEM analysis on the surface and cross‐section of these composite membranes shows that the MMT nanoparticles are dispersed in the membrane uniformly. This composite membrane reveals excellent water retention and conductance at high temperature. The composite membrane was evaluated in a single cell, and the results show that the performance of composite membrane is higher than that of pure Nafion membrane at hightemperature especially without external‐humidification. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Experimental investigation into the selective laser sintering of high‐impact polystyrene
Authors: Shi Yusheng , Wang Yan , Chen Jibing , Huang Shuhuai 
Published: January 2008

AbstractHigh‐impact polystyrene (HIPS) was used as selective laser sintering (SLS) material. The sintering parameters and the properties of sintered parts were investigated. The results show that sintered parts, which have good dimensional accuracy and good mechanical properties, can be fabricated with wide ranges of laser energy and bed temperature. To apply HIPS parts as functional parts, a reinforcement method, in which the sintered HIPS parts were postprocessed by infiltrating with epoxy resin, were suggested. The properties of the parts after postprocess were also studied. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008