bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of acoustic standing waves in packed‐bed columns
Authors: Kumar T. Sai , Patle Munesh Kumar , Sujith R. I. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe acoustic characteristics of a column are described when filled with different random packings of various shapes, sizes and void fractions. An experimental setup was developed to study the acoustic field in a packed‐bed column. Eight different packings were used to fill the column, and for each packing the acoustic pressure amplitude and phase were measured along the length of the packed bed. The speed of sound and the attenuation coefficient were determined using a nonlinear regression technique. The speed of sound inside the column decreased when the column was filled with packings. The natural frequencies increased as the void fraction of a particular packing decreased. It is shown that the attenuation coefficient depends on a nondimensional frequency defined as ωd2/v, where v is the kinematic viscosity, ω is the angular frequency, and d is the effective diameter of the packing. © 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2007
HTR2C and HTR1A gene variants in German and Italian suicide attempters and completers
Authors: Serretti Alessandro , Mandelli Laura , Giegling Ina , Schneider Barbara , Hartmann Annette M. , Schnabel Axel , Maurer Konrad , Möller Hans‐Jürgen , Rujescu Dan 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe serotonin 2C (HTR2C) and 1A (HTR1A) receptors have been involved in suicide‐related behaviors. We studied gene variants of both receptors in suicide attempters and completers. The sample was composed of 167 German suicide attempters (affective spectrum n = 107, schizophrenia spectrum n = 35, borderline personality disorder n = 25), 92 Caucasian individuals who committed suicide, 312 German healthy subjects, 152 Italian suicide attempters (major depression n = 68 and bipolar disorder n = 84), and 131 Italian healthy volunteers. HTR2C (SNP: rs547536, rs2192372, rs6318, rs2428707, rs4272555, rs1801412) and HTR1A (SNP: rs1423691, rs878567, and rs6295) variants were analyzed in the German sample. HTR2C rs6318 and HTR1A rs6295 were analyzed in the Italian sample. Haplotype analysis in relation to suicidal behaviors did not reveal any significant association. Single markers and haplotypes were not or only marginally associated with other related features, such as violence of suicide attempt, family history for suicide attempt or State‐Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) and Questionnaire for Measuring Factors of Aggression (FAF) scores. In conclusion, our study does not support the notion that HTR2C and HTR1A gene variants are major contributors to suicide‐, anger‐, or aggression‐related behaviors in our sample. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tumor necrosis factor‐α promoter polymorphism is associated with the risk of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Wu Yih‐Ru , Feng I‐Hsin , Lyu Rong‐Kuo , Chang Kuo‐Hsuan , Lin Yu‐Yun , Chan Huiling , Hu Fen‐Ju , Lee‐Chen Guey‐Jen , Chen Chiung‐Mei 
Published: December 2006

AbstractInflammatory events may contribute to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). We conducted a case‐control study in a cohort of 369 PD cases and another cohort of 326 ethnically matched controls to investigate the association of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) promoter single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with the risk of PD. The overall genotype distribution at T‐1031C and C‐857T sites showed significant difference between PD cases and controls (P = 0.0062 and 0.0035, respectively). However, only the more frequent −1031 CC genotype was evidently associated with PD (P = 0.0085, odds ratio: 2.96; 95% CI: 1.38–7.09). Pairwise SNP linkage disequilibrium showed −1031 and −863 sites are in strong linkage disequilibrium (D′ = 0.93, Δ2 = 0.80). Pairwise haplotype analysis among the four sites showed that −1031C‐863A may act as a risk haplotype among PD cases (P = 0.0028, odds ratio: 2.18; 95% CI: 1.33–3.69). © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association study between the TNXB locus and schizophrenia in a Japanese population
Authors: Tochigi Mamoru , Zhang Xuan , Ohashi Jun , Hibino Hiroyuki , Otowa Takeshi , Rogers Mark , Kato Tadafumi , Okazaki Yuji , Kato Nobumasa , Tokunaga Katsushi , Sasaki Tsukasa 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe chromosome 6p21–24 region, which contains the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region, has been suggested as an important locus for a susceptibility gene for schizophrenia. Recently, a significant association between schizophrenia and the TNXB locus, located immediately telomeric of the NOTCH4 locus in the HLA region, was observed. Few studies have further investigated the region in schizophrenia. In the present study, we investigated the region in a Japanese population. Subjects included 241 patients with schizophrenia and 290 controls. Twenty‐six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the corresponding haplotypes were analyzed. As a result, exactly the same SNPs in the TNXB locus (rs1009382 and rs204887) as in the previous study were associated with schizophrenia (P = 0.034 and 0.034, respectively, uncorrected). A SNP (rs2071287) in the NOTCH4 locus and haplotype around it were also suggested to associate with the disease, consistent with another previous study (P = 0.041 and permutation P = 0.024, respectively, uncorrected). Although these associations became insignificant after Bonferroni correction, the findings might provide support for the association of the TNXB locus or its adjacent region of the NOTCH4 locus with schizophrenia. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association of dopamine transporter genotype with disruptive behavior disorders in an eight‐year longitudinal study of children and adolescents
Authors: Lee Steve S. , Lahey Benjamin B. , Waldman Irwin , Van Hulle Carol A. , Rathouz Paul , Pelham William E. , Loney Jan , Cook Edwin H. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractAssociations between dopamine transporter (DAT1) variable number tandem repeats (VNTR), genotypes, and disruptive behavior were examined in an 8‐year longitudinal study of children (n = 183). Half of the children met criteria for attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at 4–6 years and half were non‐referred comparison children. Consistent with several studies, the non‐additive association for the 10‐repeat allele was significant for hyperactivity‐impulsivity (HI) symptoms. However, consistent with other studies, exploratory analyses of the non‐additive association of the 9‐repeat allele of DAT1 with HI and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) symptoms also were significant. The inconsistent association between DAT1 and child behavior problems in this and other samples may reflect joint influence of the 10‐repeat and 9‐repeat alleles. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The MAOA T941G polymorphism and short‐term treatment response to mirtazapine and paroxetine in major depression
Authors: Tadić André , Müller Matthias J. , Rujescu Dan , Kohnen Ralf , Stassen Hans H. , Dahmen Norbert , Szegedi Armin 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThis study investigated the possible association of the MAOA T941G gene variant with differential antidepressant response to mirtazapine and/or paroxetine in 102 patients with major depression (DSM‐IV criteria) participating in a randomized double‐blind controlled clinical trial. Female mirtazapine‐treated patients homozygous for the T‐allele had a significantly faster and better treatment response than TG/GG‐patients. In males, we failed to show an association between MAOA T941G gene variant and mirtazapine response. In the paroxetine‐treated group, there were no significant differences in treatment response between MAOA T941G genotype groups. Time course of response and antidepressant efficacy of mirtazapine, but not paroxetine, seem to be influenced in a clinically relevant manner by this allelic variation within the MAOA gene, at least in female patients. An independent replication of our finding is needed. If replicated, genotyping of this locus could become a promising tool to predict response to mirtazapine treatment in females suffering from major depression. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synaptotagmin XI as a candidate gene for susceptibility to schizophrenia
Authors: Inoue Shinichi , Imamura Akira , Okazaki Yuji , Yokota Hiroshi , Arai Makoto , Hayashi Naoki , Furukawa Aizo , Itokawa Masanari , Oishi Michio 
Published: December 2006

AbstractSynaptotagmin XI (Syt11) is a member of the synaptotagmin family, which is localized in cells either in synaptic vesicles or the cellular membrane, and is known to act as a calcium sensor. The Syt11 gene is located on chromosome locus 1q21‐q22, which was previously reported as a major susceptibility locus of familial schizophrenia. Here, we present evidence for an association between the number of 33‐bp repeats in the promoter region of the Syt11 gene and schizophrenia. We found that the transcriptional activity of the gene is affected by the number of 33‐bp repeats, which include an Sp1 binding site, suggesting that the excessive expression of Syt11 can be associated with schizophrenia. Another (single nucleotide) polymorphism in the Syt11 5′UTR region, where the potent transcription factor YY1 can bind, also affects the transcriptional activity of Syt11. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Antifertility and antimicrobial studies of pharmaceutically important organolead(IV) complexes of phenanthrolines
Authors: Chaudhary Ashu , Mahajan Karuna , Singh R. V. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe present study deals with a brief description of antifertility and antimicrobial aspects along with the spectral characterization of lead(IV) complexes. The testicular sperm density, testicular sperm morphology, sperm motility, density of cauda epididymal spermatozoa and fertility in mating trails and biochemical parameters of reproductive organs of an interesting class of biologically potent complexes on male albino rats at the dosages have been examined and discussed. Lead(IV) complexes have been synthesized using amino acids and 1,10‐phenanthroline, 4,7‐phenanthroline or 1,7‐phenanthroline. A series of di‐ and tri‐organolead(IV) [LPbRnL′] and [LPbClRnL′] complexes where, L = amino acid (tyrosine and phenylalanine) and L′ = 1, 10‐phenanthroline, 4,7‐phenanthroline or 1,7‐phenanthroline and n = 2 or 3 have been prepared by the conventional methods. Structure elucidation has been done by IR, UV, 1H, 13C and 207Pb NMR spectroscopy. On the basis of spectral evidences, it has been concluded that the carboxylic acid of the amino acid is behaving as a monodentate ligand in all these complexes and the complexes are octahedral in shape with a coordination number six around the lead atom. The complexes have been screened against a number of fungi and bacteria to assess their growth inhibiting potential. Lead complexes incorporating the chelating 1,10‐phenanthroline ligand showed a range of activities. The metal free non‐chelating ligands 1,7‐phenanthroline and 4,7‐phenanthroline were inactive and the complexes derived from 1,7‐phenanthroline displayed only marginal activity. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sensitization of unmyelinated sensory fibers of the joint nerve to mechanical stimuli by interleukin‐6 in the rat: An inflammatory mechanism of joint pain
Authors: Brenn Daniel , Richter Frank , Schaible Hans‐Georg 
Published: December 2006

AbstractObjectivePain during mechanical stimulation of the joint and spontaneous pain are major symptoms of arthritis. An important neuronal process of mechanical hypersensitivity of the joint is the sensitization of thin myelinated Aδ fibers and unmyelinated C fibers innervating the joint. Because interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) is a major inflammatory mediator, we investigated whether this cytokine has the potential to sensitize joint afferents to mechanical stimuli.MethodsIn electrophysiologic experiments conducted on anesthetized rats, action potentials were recorded from afferent fibers supplying the knee joint. Responses to innocuous and noxious rotation of the tibia against the femur in the knee joint were monitored before and 1–2 hours after injection of test compounds into the joint cavity.ResultsInjection of IL‐6 and coinjection of IL‐6 plus soluble IL‐6 receptor (sIL‐6R) caused a gradual increase in the responses of C fibers to innocuous and noxious rotation within 1 hour. The increase in responses to IL‐6 and IL‐6 plus sIL‐6R was prevented by coadministration of soluble glycoprotein 130 (sgp130), but sgp130 did not reverse established mechanical hyperexcitability. Responses of Aδ fibers were not altered by the compounds. While injection of sIL‐6R alone into the normal knee joint did not influence responses to mechanical stimulation, injection of sIL‐6R into the acutely inflamed knee joint caused an increase in responses.ConclusionIL‐6 has the potential to sensitize C fibers in the joint to mechanical stimulation. Thus, IL‐6 contributes to mechanical hypersensitivity, most likely due to an action of IL‐6 on nerve fibers themselves.
Three‐dimensional cartilage tissue engineering using adult stem cells from osteoarthritis patients
Authors: Kafienah Wael , Mistry Sanjay , Dickinson Sally C. , Sims Trevor J. , Learmonth Ian , Hollander Anthony P. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether it is possible to engineer 3‐dimensional hyaline cartilage using mesenchymal stem cells derived from the bone marrow (BMSCs) of patients with osteoarthritis (OA).MethodsExpanded BMSCs derived from patients with hip OA were seeded onto polyglycolic acid scaffolds and differentiated using transforming growth factor β3 in the presence or absence of parathyroid hormone–related protein (PTHrP) to regulate hypertrophy. Micromass pellet cultures were established using the same cells for comparison. At the end of culture, the constructs or pellets were processed for messenger RNA (mRNA) analysis by quantitative real‐time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. Matrix proteins were analyzed using specific assays.ResultsCartilage constructs engineered from BMSCs were at least 5 times the weight of equivalent pellet cultures. Histologic, mRNA, and biochemical analyses of the constructs showed extensive synthesis of proteoglycan and type II collagen but only low levels of type I collagen. The protein content was almost identical to that of cartilage engineered from bovine nasal chondrocytes. Analysis of type X collagen mRNA revealed a high level of mRNA in chondrogenic constructs compared with that in undifferentiated BMSCs, indicating an increased risk of hypertrophy in the tissue‐engineered cells. However, the inclusion of PTHrP at a dose of 1 μMor 10 μMduring the culture period resulted in significant suppression of type X collagen mRNA expression and a significant decrease in alkaline phosphatase activity, without any loss of the cartilage‐specific matrix proteins.ConclusionThree‐dimensional hyaline cartilage can be engineered using BMSCs from patients with OA. This method could thus be used for the repair of cartilage lesions.
Recombinant human anti–transforming growth factor β1 antibody therapy in systemic sclerosis: A multicenter, randomized, placebo‐controlled phase I/II trial of CAT‐192
Authors: Denton Christopher P. , Merkel Peter A. , Furst Daniel E. , Khanna Dinesh , Emery Paul , Hsu Vivien M. , Silliman Nancy , Streisand James , Powell John , Åkesson Anita , Coppock John , Hoogen Frank van den , Herrick Ariane , Mayes Maureen D. , Veale Douglas , Haas Joanna , Ledbetter Stephen , Korn Joseph H. , Black Carol M. , Seibold James R. ,   on Behalf Of The Cat‐192 Study Group The Scleroderma Clinical Trials Consortium
Published: December 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate CAT‐192, a recombinant human antibody that neutralizes transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1), in the treatment of early‐stage diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc).MethodsPatients with SSc duration of <18 months were randomly assigned to the placebo group or to 1 of 3 CAT‐192 treatment groups: 10 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg, 0.5 mg/kg. Infusions were given on day 0 and weeks 6, 12, and 18. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of CAT‐192. Secondary outcomes included the modified Rodnan skin thickness score (MRSS), the Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire, assessment of organ‐based disease, serum levels of soluble interleukin‐2 receptor, collagen propeptides (N propeptide of type I [PINP] and type III collagen), and tissue levels of messenger RNA for procollagens I and III and for TGFβ1 and TGFβ2.ResultsForty‐five patients were enrolled. There was significant morbidity and mortality, including 1 death in the group receiving 0.5 mg/kg of CAT‐192 and 3 deaths in the group receiving 5 mg/kg of CAT‐192. There were more adverse events and more serious adverse events in patients receiving CAT‐192 than in those receiving placebo, although these events were not more frequent in the high‐dose treatment group. The MRSS improved in all groups during the study, but there was no evidence of a treatment effect for CAT‐192. Improvement in the MRSS correlated with the disease duration (r = −0.54, P = 0.0008). Changes in the PINP level from baseline correlated with changes in the MRSS (r = 0.37, P = 0.027).ConclusionWe report the first evaluation of a systemically administered and repeatedly dosed anti‐TGFβ1 drug. In this pilot study, CAT‐192, in doses up to 10 mg/kg, showed no evidence of efficacy. The utility of clinical and biochemical outcome measures and the feasibility of multicenter trials of early dcSSc were confirmed.
Microdamage and altered vascularity at the enthesis–bone interface provides an anatomic explanation for bone involvement in the HLA–B27–associated spondylarthritides and allied disorders
Authors: Benjamin M. , Toumi H. , Suzuki D. , Redman S. , Emery P. , McGonagle D. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the basis for entheseal‐associated bone disease in the spondylarthritides, by analyzing microanatomic and histopathologic relationships between soft tissue, bone cortex, and adjacent trabeculae.MethodsSerial sections from 52 entheses were examined; these entheses encompassed small and large insertions in the upper limb (n = 21), lower limb (n = 27), and spine (n = 4) from 60 cadavers. Enthesis microdamage (fissuring) as well as vascular and reparative changes were evaluated. Contact radiographs were used to ascertain the relationship between entheses and the trabecular network.ResultsAt virtually all fibrocartilaginous entheses, the deep cortical boundary was extremely thin (typically 50–600 μm) or indistinguishable, and 96% of entheses had small holes in the cortical shell (typically 100–400 μm wide). Such regions were frequent sites of bone formation and renewal (96%) and microdamage (31%); these changes were more common in the lower limb. The presence of blood vessels near holes in the cortical shell was common; in 85% of attachments, blood vessels were present on the soft tissue side of the enthesis. Highly orientated trabeculae were more obvious in the lower limb than the upper limb (59% versus 29%).ConclusionThe trabecular network supporting the cortical shell is an integral part of the enthesis, transferring load to an extensive skeletal region. In many cases, tendons/ligaments are anchored directly to such networks. This functional integration is associated with microdamage and repair at the hard tissue–soft tissue interface. These findings have implications for understanding bone involvement in SpA and for the SpA concept in general, especially the hypothesis that enthesis–bone architecture may be important in disease initiation.
Low levels of vitamin D and worsening of knee osteoarthritis: Results of two longitudinal studies
Authors: Felson David T. , Niu Jingbo , Clancy Margaret , Aliabadi Piran , Sack Burton , Guermazi Ali , Hunter David J. , Amin Shreyasee , Rogers Gail , Booth Sarah L. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo confirm reports that 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) deficiency is associated with an increased risk of joint space narrowing or cartilage loss in osteoarthritis (OA).MethodsWe measured 25(OH)D levels in subjects from 2 longitudinal cohort studies, the Framingham Osteoarthritis Study and the Boston Osteoarthritis of the Knee Study (BOKS). In the first, weight‐bearing anteroposterior (AP) and lateral knee radiographs were obtained on subjects in 1993–1994 and again in 2002–2005 (mean interval 9 years); blood was drawn for measurement of vitamin D status in 1996–2000. In the second, subjects with symptomatic knee OA participating in a natural history study had fluoroscopically positioned semiflexed posteroanterior (PA) and lateral radiography of both knees and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the more symptomatic knee performed at baseline and at 15 and 30 months. Blood was drawn at all visits, and the baseline specimen was used when available. In both studies, we defined radiographic worsening based on joint space loss in the tibiofemoral joint on either AP/PA or lateral weight‐bearing views, using a semiquantitative scale (worsening defined as increase by ≥1 on a 0–3 scale). In the BOKS, we evaluated cartilage loss semiquantitatively, using the Whole‐Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score. In both studies, 25(OH)D levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Analyses focused on whether vitamin D levels, defined in tertiles or as deficient (25[OH]D <20 ng/ml) versus nondeficient, predicted worsening of OA. Logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, body mass index, sex, and baseline OA level was used.ResultsThe 715 subjects in the Framingham Study had a mean 25(OH)D level of 20 ng/ml at baseline, and 20.3% of the knees showed worsening, during the course of the study, with most knees having had no evidence of OA at baseline. The 277 subjects with OA in the BOKS had a mean 25(OH)D level of 20 ng/ml at baseline with 23.6% of knees showing radiographic worsening. We found no association of baseline 25(OH)D levels with radiographic worsening in either cohort, and confidence limits in the analyses of vitamin D deficiency were narrow, suggesting that results were not based on insufficient power. In fact, the risk of worsening was slightly, but not significantly, lower in persons with low levels of vitamin D than in persons with higher levels. In the BOKS, vitamin D levels were unrelated to cartilage loss seen on MRI.ConclusionThe findings indicate that vitamin D status is unrelated to the risk of joint space or cartilage loss in knee OA.