bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Juxtacrine function of interleukin-15/interleukin-15 receptor system in tumour derived human B-cell lines
Authors: Tsukamoto K , Huang Y C , Dorsey W C , Carns B , Sharma V 
Published: October 2006

SummaryInterleukin-15 (IL-15) is a cytokine that induces proliferation and promotes cell survival of human T, B and NK cells. IL-15 and interleukin-2 (IL-2) exhibit a similar spectrum of immune effects and share the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) subunits IL-2Rβ and IL-2Rγc for signalling in haematopoietic cells. Furthermore, each cytokine has a private α receptor, namely IL-2Rα for IL-2 and IL-15Rα for IL-15, that functions in ligand binding. Using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods, the expression and secretion of IL-15 and IL-15Rα in tumour-derived B-cell lines were studied. The results as presented in this study identify that IL-15 mRNA is predominantly expressed in EBV positive (EBV+) B-cell lines, although IL-15Rα is ubiquitously and constitutively expressed in all these B-cell lines. Although no detectable levels of IL-15 protein secretion were observed in any of these cell lines, we were able to detect membrane-bound expression of IL-15 protein by FACS analysis in some cell lines. These data imply that the IL-15/IL-15R system requires complex regulatory mechanisms for protein secretion. Taken together, we speculate that these results suggest a juxtacrine, intracrine function for IL-15/IL-15R.
Decreased spinal and femoral neck volumetric bone mineral density (BMD) in men with primary osteoporosis and their first‐degree male relatives: familial effect on BMD in men
Authors: Erbas Bircan , Ristevski Sonia , Poon Cathy , Yeung Stella , Ebeling Peter R. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryObjective  Low bone mass may be caused by a reduction in the amount of bone or density of bone or both. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in bone volume and volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) in men with primary osteoporosis and their first‐degree male relatives (FDMR).Design  We used dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) to measure areal density, then calculated bone volume and volumetric density in 121 men with primary osteoporosis, 73 FDMR and 66 normal men. We used regression methods adjusting for age, height and weight to determine deficits in bone volume and vBMD at the spine and femoral neck between men with spinal fractures due to primary osteoporosis, FDMR and normal men.Results  Men with osteoporosis had a tendency to smaller bone volume in the spine and femoral neck (P = 0·08 and P = 0·09, respectively) and lower volumetric bone density at the spine (by about 50%) and femoral neck (by about 30%) compared with healthy controls (P < 0·0001). FDMR had no deficit in bone volume but did have lower volumetric density at the spine (by 10·2%) compared with healthy controls (P < 0·0001).Conclusions  A deficit in bone mineral accrual may underlie the pathogenesis of primary osteoporosis in men, resulting in low vBMD. This is likely to be determined by genetic factors, although shared common environmental factors may also be important.
Effect of long‐term orlistat treatment on serum levels of advanced glycation end‐products in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Diamanti‐Kandarakis Evanthia , Katsikis Ilias , Piperi Christina , Alexandraki Krystallenia , Panidis Dimitrios 
Published: October 2006

SummaryBackground  Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) exhibit elevated serum advanced glycation end‐products (AGE) compared with healthy subjects. Short‐term administration of orlistat has been shown to reduce the postmeal increase in serum AGE levels in women with PCOS and in controls.Objective  To evaluate the long‐term effect of orlistat and a low‐calorie diet on serum AGE levels, and on the hormonal and metabolic profile of obese PCOS and normal women.Design  A clinical trial of 6 months of orlistat administration with an energy‐restricted diet [basic metabolic rate (BMR) 600 kcal/day] in all subjects.Subjects  Twenty‐nine women with PCOS [aged 27·52 ± 5·77 years; body mass index (BMI) 35·43 ± 5·31 kg/m2] and 18 controls (aged 32·06 ± 5·64 years; BMI 36·39 ± 6·47 kg/m2).Measurements  Serum AGE levels (U/ml), hormonal and metabolic profile.Results  PCOS and controls did not differ in BMI (P = 0·58), waist‐to‐hip ratio (WHR) (P = 0·44), fasting insulin concentration (P = 0·45) and glucose‐to‐insulin ratio (GIR) (P = 0·34). PCOS women exhibited statistically higher AGE (P < 0·001) and testosterone levels (P < 0·001) compared with controls. After 6 months of orlistat treatment, AGE levels showed a statistically significant decrease in both groups (PCOS: baseline 9·08 ± 1·84, post‐orlistat 8·56 ± 1·95, P = 0·001; controls: baseline 5·02 ± 0·62, post‐orlistat 4·91 ± 0·69, P = 0·03), independently of the BMI reduction in the PCOS group. A significant reduction was observed in BMI (PCOS: P < 0·001; controls: P < 0·001), WHR (PCOS: P = 0·002; controls: P = 0·04), fasting insulin (PCOS: P < 0·001; controls: P = 0·008), and testosterone concentrations in PCOS (P < 0·001). SHBG concentration (PCOS: P = 0·004; controls: P = 0·008) and GIR (PCOS: P < 0·001; controls: P = 0·03) were significantly increased. A significant improvement was also observed in insulin resistance indices post‐treatment in both groups.Conclusions  Our data suggest that orlistat has a beneficial effect in reducing elevated AGE levels and improving the hormonal and metabolic profile in women with PCOS after 6 months of treatment, independently of BMI changes.
Mature dendritic cells pulsed with exosomes stimulate efficient cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte responses and antitumour immunity
Authors: Hao Siguo , Bai Ou , Li Fang , Yuan Jinying , Laferte Suzanne , Xiang Jim 
Published: October 2006

SummaryExosomes (EXO) derived from dendritic cells (DC), which express major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and costimulatory molecules, have been used for antitumour vaccines. However, they are still less effective by showing only prophylatic immunity in animal models or very limited immune responses in clinical trials. In this study, we showed that ovalbumin (OVA) protein‐pulsed DC (DCOVA)‐derived EXO (EXOOVA) displayed MHC class I–OVA I peptide (pMHC I) complexes, CD11c, CD40, CD80, CCR7, DEC205, Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4), TLR9, MyD88 and DC‐SIGN molecules, but at a lower level than DCOVA. EXOOVA can be taken up by DC through LFA‐1/CD54 and C‐type lectin/mannose (glucosamine)‐rich C‐type lectin receptor (CLR) interactions. Mature DC pulsed with EXOOVA, which were referred to as mDCEXO, expressed a higher level of pMHC I, MHC II, and costimulatory CD40, CD54 and CD80 than DCOVA. The mDCEXO could more strongly stimulate OVA‐specific CD8+ T‐cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo, and more efficiently induce OVA‐specific cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte responses, antitumour immunity and CD8+ T‐cell memory in vivo than EXOOVA and DCOVA. In addition, mDCEXO could also more efficiently eradicate established tumours. Therefore, mature DC pulsed with EXO may represent a new, highly effective DC‐based vaccine for the induction of antitumour immunity.
‘Best practice’ in focus group research: making sense of different views
Authors: Freeman Tim 
Published: October 2006

Aim.  The aim of this paper is to identify the broad epistemological debates which underpin conflicting statements on ‘rigour’ and ‘good practice’ in qualitative research; to relate divergences in statements of ‘good practice’ in focus group design made by the pre‐eminent commentators on focus group methodology to these broader epistemological debates; and to stimulate further reflection on the range of possible uses for focus groups in health services research. Considerations of the analysis of focus group data are beyond the scope of this paper.Discussion.  Focus groups are a popular form of qualitative data collection, and may be defined as a particular form of group interview intended to exploit group dynamics. While qualitative research may be broadly characterized as concerned with exploring people's lived experiences and perspectives in context, it is a heterogeneous field incorporating many theoretical traditions. Consequently, qualitative researchers may be informed by a wide range of assumptions about the nature of knowledge (epistemology). These assumptions, whether implicit or explicit, have important consequences for claims about rigour and ‘good practice’ in data collection. Thus, while there is broad agreement over the general form of focus groups, statements of ‘good practice’ in terms of its application are varied. A close reading of texts by the two pre‐eminent commentators on the practical application of focus groups identifies differences in ‘best practice’ focus group design related to their respective epistemological assumptions, and differences principally related to sampling techniques, composition of groups, the perceived role of group interaction and the nature of inference.Conclusion.  Explicit consideration of the epistemological basis of divergent statements of ‘best practice’ in focus group design forces health services researchers to balance the demands of theory with the practicalities of conducting focus group research within complex host organisations; and encourages readers to apply appraisal criteria appropriate to the stated intentions of researchers.
Prevention of clozapine‐induced granulocytopenia/agranulocytosis with granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor (G‐CSF) in an intellectually disabled patient with schizophrenia
Authors: Rajagopal G. , Graham J. G. , Haut F. F. A. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackground  While clozapine is an effective treatment for refractory schizophrenia, its use is limited by haematological side effects. Treatment options that allow continued prescription of clozapine by tackling these side effects will greatly aid patients for whom this medication is all too often their only hope of recovery.Method  In this case report, we describe what we believe are two ‘firsts’ in the clozapine literature: the use of granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor on a prophylactic basis in an intellectually disabled patient receiving clozapine for refractory schizophrenia.Result  Treatment with granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor prevented discontinuation of clozapine, enabling our intellectually disabled patient’s recovery from a schizophrenic illness.
The course and outcome of psychiatric illness in people with Prader–Willi syndrome: implications for management and treatment
Authors: Soni S. , Whittington J. , Holland A. J. , Webb T. , Maina E. , Boer H. , Clarke D. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackground  This study is part of a larger UK‐wide study investigating psychiatric illness in people with Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS), and describes the longitudinal aspect of psychiatric illness, in particular psychotic illness, and examines the use and role of psychotropic medication.Method  A total of 119 individuals with genetically confirmed PWS were included in the study. An informant‐based questionnaire was administered for each participant to screen for a history of psychopathology. Those who screened positive were visited at their homes to obtain further information. This assessment included a full psychiatric history and mental state examination using the Psychiatric Assessment Schedule for Adults with Developmental Disability and the Operational Criteria Checklist for psychotic and affective illness to collect information regarding phenomenology and course of illness, and a modified life events questionnaire. At the end of the study period, informant‐based telephone interviews were again carried out, up to 2.5 years after the initial screening. Information regarding medication usage was collected.Results  The results confirm previous findings that psychiatric illness in people with PWS resembles an affective disorder. Individuals with the maternal uniparental disomy genetic subtype had a more severe course of illness than those with the deletion genetic subtype in terms of a greater risk of recurrence, more episodes, higher incidence and a possibly poorer response to medication with more side‐effects. Individuals with a recurrent episode during the follow‐up period had a poorer course of illness. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor medication is frequently used, and beneficial effects may reflect fundamental pathological processes in PWS. Mood‐stabilizing medication was found to be of little benefit and reasons for this are examined.Conclusion  The longitudinal course of psychiatric illness and response to medication in people with PWS is fully described. Further research is needed regarding the effect of psychotropic medications, particularly mood‐stabilizing medication. These data will enable informed decisions to be made regarding management options and provide information on the possible long‐term outcome of illness.
The donor stars of cataclysmic variables
Authors: Knigge Christian 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
We carefully consider observational and theoretical constraints on the global properties of secondary stars in cataclysmic variable stars (CVs). We then use these constraints to construct and test a complete, semi-empirical donor sequence for CVs with orbital periods Porb≤ 6 h. All key physical and photometric parameters of CV secondaries (along with their spectral types) are given as a function of Porb along this sequence. This provides a benchmark for observational and theoretical studies of CV donors and evolution.
The main observational basis for our donor sequence is an empirical mass–radius relationship for CV secondaries. Patterson and co-workers have recently shown that this can be derived from superhumping and/or eclipsing CVs. We independently revisit all of the key steps in this derivation, including the calibration of the period excess–mass ratio relation for superhumpers and the use of a single representative primary mass for most CVs. We also present an optimal technique for estimating the parameters of the mass–radius relation that simultaneously ensures consistency with the observed locations of the period gap and the period minimum. We present new determinations of these periods, finding Pgap,+= 3.18 ± 0.04 h (upper edge), Pgap,−= 2.15 ± 0.03 h (lower edge) and Pmin= 76.2 ± 1.0 min (period minimum).
We test the donor sequence by comparing observed and predicted spectral types (SpTs) as a function of orbital period. To this end, we update the SpT compilation of Beuermann and co-workers and show explicitly that CV donors have later SpTs than main-sequence (MS) stars at all orbital periods. This extends the conclusion of the earlier study to the short-period regime (Porb &lt; 3 h). We then compare our donor sequence to the CV data, and find that it does an excellent job of matching the observed SpTs. Thus the empirical mass–radius relation yields just the right amount of radius expansion to account for the later-than-MS spectral types of CV donors. There is remarkably little intrinsic scatter in both the mass–radius and SpT–Porb relations, which confirms that most CVs follow a unique evolution track.
The donor sequence exhibits a fairly sharp drop in temperature, luminosity and optical/infrared flux well before the minimum period. This may help to explain why the detection of brown dwarf secondaries in CVs has proven to be extremely difficult.
We finally apply the donor sequence to the problem of distance estimation. Based on a sample of 22 CVs with trigonometric parallaxes and reliable 2MASS data, we show that the donor sequence correctly traces the upper envelope of the observed MJHK–Porb distribution. Thus robust lower limits on distances can be obtained from single-epoch infrared observations. However, for our sample, these limits are typically about a factor of 2 below the true distances.
A crustal‐scale cross‐section of the south‐western Alps combining geophysical and geological imagery
Authors: Lardeaux J.M. , Schwartz S. , Tricart P. , Paul A. , Guillot S. , Béthoux N. , Masson F. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractA geotransect across the south‐western Alps from the Pelvoux Massif (external French Alps) to the Dora‐Maira massif (internal Italian Alps), through the Monviso ophiolitic complex, was investigated in the framework of the ‘Géo‐France 3D Alpes’ programme. A new interpretative crustal‐scale section across the south‐western Alps is proposed, combining geological and geophysical 2D/3D data. The Apulian mantle (i.e. the Ivrea body) might be divided into two rigid pieces separated by the downward prolongation of the Penninic frontal thrust. These mantle indenters drive the decoupling of the European crust. Beneath the high to ultra‐high pressure metamorphic nappes, the deep structure results from the stacking of crustal slices extracted from the European lithosphere. The proposed structural model provides a basis for discussing the evidence of the crustal‐scale partitioning of the current strain pattern as well as the location of the seismicity.
The onset of the Tan–Lu fault movement in eastern China: constraints from zircon (SHRIMP) and 40Ar/39Ar dating
Authors: Wang Yu 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIn eastern China, the Dabie Shan–Su–Lu orogenic belt has been separated by the Tan–Lu sinistral strike–slip fault. Mylonites are exposed along the strike–slip fault system in the southern segment, and along the eastern margin of the Dabie Shan orogenic belt. The country rocks of the mylonites are retrograde UHP eclogites, gneissic granites, muscovite granites and gneisses. The ductile strike–slip shear zone trends 30–40°N (NE30–40°‐trending) and exhibits stretching lineations and nearly vertical, SE‐dipping foliations. Most of the zircon grains separated from mylonites have a weighted average radiometric age of 233 ± 6–225 ± 6 Myr. These data constrain the onset of the Tan–Lu sinistral strike–slip movement and imply that the Tan–Lu sinistral strike–slip motion developed after retrograde UHP metamorphism. The related phengite within the eclogite rocks on the western side of the Tan–Lu fault, with 40Ar/39Ar plateau ages of c. 182–190 Myr, is also deformed and aligned parallel to the almost NE trending stretching lineations. Non‐metamorphosed granites exhibit sinistral strike–slip shearing and indicate that the Tan–Lu fault initially developed after 182–190 Myr. Muscovite collected from the mylonite yields 40Ar/39Ar plateau ages of 162 ± 1–156 ± 2 Myr. The zircon SHRIMP age data, the muscovite 40Ar/39Ar plateau ages, together with structural and petrological field information support the interpretation that the Tan–Lu strike–slip fault was not related to the Yangtze–north China plates collision, but corresponded to the formation of a NE‐trending tectonic framework in eastern China starting c. 165–160 Ma.
Annotation and expression profile analysis of 2073 full‐length cDNAs from stress‐induced maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings
Authors: Jia Jinping , Fu Junjie , Zheng Jun , Zhou Xin , Huai Junling , Wang Jianhua , Wang Meng , Zhang Ying , Chen Xiaoping , Zhang Jinpeng , Zhao Jinfeng , Su Zhen , Lv Yuping , Wang Guoying 
Published: October 2006

SummaryFull‐length cDNAs are very important for genome annotation and functional analysis of genes. The number of full‐length cDNAs from maize (Zea mays L.) remains limited. Here we report the construction of a full‐length enriched cDNA library from osmotically stressed maize seedlings by using the modified CAP trapper method. From this library, 2073 full‐length cDNAs (accession numbers DQ244142–DQ246214) were collected and further analyzed by sequencing from both the 5′‐ and 3′‐ends. A total of 1728 (83.4%) sequences did not match known maize mRNA and full‐length cDNA sequences in the GenBank database and represent new full‐length genes. After alignment of the 2073 full‐length cDNAs with 448 maize BAC sequences, it was found that 84 full‐length cDNAs could be mapped to the BACs. Of these, 43 genes (51.2%) have been correctly annotated from the BAC clones, 37 genes (44.0%) have been annotated with a different exon–intron structure from our cDNA, and four genes (4.76%) had no annotations in the TIGR database. Expression analysis of 2073 full‐length maize cDNAs using a cDNA macroarray led to the identification of 79 genes upregulated by stress treatments and 329 downregulated genes. Of the 79 stress‐inducible genes, 30 genes contain ABRE, DRE, MYB, MYC core sequences or other abiotic‐responsive cis‐acting elements in their promoters. These results suggest that these cis‐acting elements and the corresponding transcription factors take part in plant responses to osmotic stress either cooperatively or independently. Additionally, the data suggest that an ethylene signaling pathway may be involved in the maize response to drought stress.
Marked improvement induced in photoaged skin of hairless mouse by ER36009, a novel RARγ‐specific retinoid, but not by ER35794, an RXR‐selective agonist
Authors: Sakuta Tomohiro , Kanayama Toshiji 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackground Photoaging (premature skin aging) results largely from repeated exposure of the skin to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Topical all‐transretinoic acid (RA), the only agent that has been approved for the treatment of photoaging, has been shown to reverse this process. In this study, we evaluated the pharmacologic effects of novel synthetic retinoids, ER36009 and ER35794, on murine wrinkles induced by UVB. ER36009 is a specific agonist of retinoic acid receptor (RAR)γ, the most abundant RAR subtype in the skin, while ER35794 is a potent retinoid X receptor (RXR)‐selective agonist.Method After a 10‐week exposure to escalating doses of UVB irradiation, the animals were treated three times per week with ER36009 (0.0001%, 0.00025%, 0.0005%), ER35794 (0.025%, 0.05%, 0.1%), RA (0.05%) or acetone (control) for 3 weeks.Results ER36009 exerted a dose‐dependent wrinkle‐effacing effect, and 0.0005% ER36009‐treated skin was significantly different from the control. ER36009 also significantly and dose‐dependently increased both epidermal thickness and the area of the dermal repair zone defined by newly synthesized collagen. The effect of 0.0005% ER36009 on photodamaged skin was superior to that of 0.05% RA. In contrast, ER35794 was inactive in this model, though this compound exhibited lower local toxicity than other retinoids.Conclusions These data indicate that RARγ, but not RXR, plays an important role in the improvement of the signs of photoaging, and so a specific RARγ agonist might be superior to an RAR pan‐agonist for clinical treatment. We conclude that ER36009 is a candidate for a potent anti‐skin‐aging agent.