bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PTPN22 gene polymorphism in Behçet’s disease
Authors: Sahin N. , Bicakcigil M. , Atagunduz P , Direskeneli H. , Saruhan‐Direskeneli G. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractA functional single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of PTPN22 gene encoding the protein tyrosine phosphatase has been reported to be associated with autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and type I diabetes. PTPN22 R620W polymorphism has a wide variation of allelic frequencies among different populations. This polymorphism is investigated in Turkish patients with Behçet’s disease (BD), a systemic vasculitis with immune activation. DNA samples from 134 patients with BD and 177 healthy controls are genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–restriction fragment length polymorphism method for the SNP (rs2476601, A/G) of PTPN22 gene. Polymorphic region was amplified by PCR and digested with XcmI enzyme. The frequency of heterozygous genotype (AG) was 5.1% (9/177) in control group, whereas polymorphic allele was not present in the whole BD group (P = 0.012, OR 0.65, 95% confidence interval 0.0–1.1). Both the lower prevalence in the general population and the absence in BD show the limited role of PTPN22 polymorphism in the pathogenesis of autoimmunity in Turkey.
Increased Resistance of a Maize Mutant Lacking the 9‐Lipoxygenase Gene, ZmLOX3, to Root Rot Caused by Exserohilum pedicellatum
Authors: Isakeit T. , Gao X. , Kolomiets M. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractPlant oxylipins, produced via the lipoxygenase (LOX) pathway, function as signals in defence and development. Previous research showed that maize (Zea mays L.) mutants lacking function of one of their 9‐LOX genes, ZmLOX3, had decreased levels of susceptibility to several fungal foliar pathogens. In this study, lox3‐4 mutants of maize displayed less root and mesocotyl necrosis caused by Exserohilum pedicellatum, when compared with the corresponding wild type near isogenic lines in three parent lines (B73, FR2128B and CML176B). These results further support the hypothesis that a specific plant 9‐LOX isoform mediates susceptibility of maize to fungal pathogens.
Cytoprotective effect of tauroursodeoxycholate on hepatocyte apoptosis induced by peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma ligand
Authors: Nonaka Michihiro , Tazuma Susumu , Hyogo Hideyuki , Kanno Keishi , Chayama Kazuaki 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) ligands inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis in various cancer cells. Bile acids are also known to cause hepatocyte apoptosis through nuclear receptor‐mediated mechanisms. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of two different bile acid species on the inhibitory action of PPARγ in cell growth with paying attention to the role of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway as an underlying mechanism.Methods:  Immortalized human hepatocytes (OUMS‐29) and hepatoma cells (HepG2 and Huh7) were incubated with troglitazone (TGZ), a PPARγ ligand with or without pre‐incubation of either hydrophobic glycochenodeoxycholate (GCDC) or hydrophilic tauroursodeoxycholate (TUDC).Results:  TGZ induced cell apoptosis in all cell types, resulting in the reduction of cell viability. While pre‐incubation with GCDC enhanced the apoptotic effects of TGZ, TUDC significantly attenuated it. Both bile acids enhanced p38 and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation in a similar way, whereas there was more drastic enhancement of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 phosphorylation in the presence of TUDC compared to GCDC. In addition, ERK inhibitors suppressed the action of TUDC against apoptotic effect of TGZ.Conclusion:  This study demonstrates that TUDC exhibits anti‐apoptotic and cytoprotective effects against TGZ‐induced cell apoptosis, presumably through the ERK signaling pathway. We speculate that the administration of TUDC might be one of the potential strategies for the hepatotoxicity caused by TGZ.
Prophylaxis with mesna prevents oxidative stress induced by ischemia reperfusion in the intestine via inhibition of nuclear factor‐κB activation
Authors: Ypsilantis Petros , Tentes Ioannis , Lambropoulou Maria , Anagnostopoulos Konstantinos , Papadopoulos Nikolaos , Kortsaris Alexandros , Simopoulos Constantinos 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Mesna (2‐mercaptoethane‐sulfonate) has been shown to attenuate oxidative injury induced by ischemia reperfusion (I/R) in the kidneys, the liver, and the intestine; however, its mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated. We sought to determine a prophylactic admininstration schedule of mesna that would confer optimal antioxidant protection on the intestinal mucosa following I/R and to investigate whether mesna's action is mediated via inhibition of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) activity.Methods:  Wistar rats were subjected to one of the following: (a) induction of 30 min ischemia followed by 60 min reperfusion (I30/R60) of the intestine, (b) pretreatment with intraperitoneal or oral mesna at various time‐ and dose‐ administration schedules plus I30/R60, (c) sham operation, (d) no operation (controls), or (e) oral mesna alone. At the end of the reperfusion period or at various time points after mesna alone administration, the oxidative state of the intestinal mucosa was assessed in terms of glutathione to glutathione disulfide ratio, malondialdehyde concentration, and superoxide dismutase activity. In addition, NF‐κB activity in the intestinal mucosa was assessed immunohistochemically in the oral mesna plus I/R and in the oral mesna alone groups.Results:  Sham operation caused mild stress, while I/R caused substantial oxidative stress in the intestinal mucosa. Mesna pretreatment had an antioxidant effect which varied from attenuation to prevention of oxidative stress. Over the two routes of administration, the oral proved to be more effective and had a time‐ and dose‐ dependent effect. The antioxidant action of mesna was not related to enhancement of the intestinal mucosa oxidative state. Furthermore, I/R induced NF‐κB activation in the intestinal mucosa which was inhibited by mesna pretreatment. In the absence of oxidative damage, mesna led to downregulation of activated NF‐κB.Conclusions:  Prophylaxis with mesna prevents oxidative stress induced by I/R in the intestine via inhibition of NF‐κB activation.
Adverse impact of pretransplant polyoma virus infection on renal allograft function
Authors: HAYAT ASHIK , MUKHOPADHYAY RATNA , RADHIKA SRINIVASAN , SACHDEVA MANUPDESH S , NADA RITAMBHRA , JOSHI KUSUM , SAKHUJA VINAY , JHA VIVEKANAND 
Published: September 2007

SUMMARY:Background:  BK polyoma virus (BKV) has emerged as an important cause of acute and chronic allograft injury in renal transplant recipients. Reactivation of latent infection requires reduction in cell‐mediated immunity. We hypothesized that BKV could get reactivated in the urinary tract of patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) and impact the allograft function after these individuals undergo transplantation.Methods:  We prospectively examined the urine specimens of 68 ESRD patients and their donors for BKV inclusion containing decoy cells with Papanicoulau staining and immunohistochemistry. Polymerase chain reaction was carried out to confirm the presence of viral DNA. Urine examination was repeated 3–9 months after transplantation and during episodes of graft dysfunction. All graft dysfunction episodes were investigated by biopsy. BKV‐associated nephropathy was confirmed by immunoperoxidase staining. Graft loss and doubling of serum creatinine were the study end‐points.Results:  Decoy cells were detected in 22 ESRD patients and four donors (P < 0.0001). All 22 continued decoy cell excretion after transplantation and two fresh excreters were noted. Patients exhibiting decoy cells had more frequent graft dysfunction episodes (67% vs 30%, P = 0.003) and higher serum creatinine value (P < 0.001). About 33% patients achieved the combined end‐points in the BK viruria group, compared with 11% in the non‐decoy cell excreters (P = 0.03). Histologically proved BKV nephropathy was noted in 7% cases; all decoy cell excreters.Conclusion:  We conclude that reactivation of latent BKV infection can occur in ESRD and confers an increased risk of graft dysfunction after transplantation. The mechanism of graft dysfunction in decoy cell excreters who do not develop overt nephropathy needs more studies.
Fast onset of effect of budesonide/formoterol versus salmeterol/fluticasone and salbutamol in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and reversible airway obstruction
Authors: LINDBERG Anne , SZALAI Zsuzsanna , PULLERITS Teet , RADECZKY Eva 
Published: September 2007

Background and objectives:  Data on the onset of action of COPD medications are lacking. This study compared the onset of bronchodilation following different inhaled therapies in patients with moderate‐to‐severe COPD and reversible airway obstruction.Methods:  In this double‐blind, double‐dummy, crossover study, 90 patients (aged ≥40 years; FEV1 30–70% predicted) were randomized to a single dose (two inhalations) of budesonide/formoterol 160/4.5 μg, salmeterol/fluticasone 25/250 μg, salbutamol 100 μg or placebo (via pressurized metered‐dose inhalers) on four visits. The primary end‐point was change in FEV1 5 min after drug inhalation; secondary end‐points included inspiratory capacity (IC) and perception of onset of effect.Results:  Budesonide/formoterol significantly improved FEV1 at 5 min compared with placebo (P < 0.0001) and salmeterol/fluticasone (P = 0.0001). Significant differences were first observed at 3 min. Onset of effect was similar with budesonide/formoterol and salbutamol. Improvements in FEV1 following active treatments were superior to placebo after 180 min (all P < 0.0001); both combinations were better than salbutamol at maintaining FEV1 improvements (P ≤ 0.0001) at 180 min. Active treatments improved IC at 15 and 185 min compared with placebo (P < 0.0001). Maximal IC was greater with budesonide/formoterol than salmeterol/fluticasone (P = 0.0184) at 65 min. Patients reported a positive response to the perceptions of the onset of effect question shortly after receiving active treatments (median time to onset 5 min for active treatments vs 20 min for placebo), with no significant difference between active treatments.Conclusion:  Budesonide/formoterol has an onset of bronchodilatory effect in patients with COPD and reversible airway obstruction that is faster than salmeterol/fluticasone and similar to salbutamol.
Role of hemoglobin A1c, duration and puberty on bone mineral density in diabetic children
Authors: ÇAMURDAN M. ORHUN , CİAZ PEYAMİ , BİDECİ AYSUN , DEMİREL FATMA 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBackground: The aim of the present was to determine bone mineral density (BMD) in type 1 diabetic children and the roles of hemoglobin A1c, disease duration and pubertal stage on BMD changes.Methods: Fifty‐eight patients were investigated: 16 had been newly diagnosed (DiabetesNew) and 42 were already on follow up (DiabetesFollow up). BMD of the lumbar vertebrae, HbA1c(HbA1clast), Ca, P, Mg were measured. Mean HbA1c of the previous year (HbA1c1year), the whole duration of diabetes (HbA1cwhole), and diabetic impact index (HbA1cwhole× diabetes duration) were calculated in the DiabetesFollow up group.Results: Mean BMD‐Z score (−0.61 ± 0.99 g/cm2) of the whole group was significantly lower than zero. Osteopenia was present in 14 (24.1%), and osteoporosis in three (5.2%). HbA1cwhole was the most important determinant effecting BMD‐Z (r = −0.35, P < 0.05) with the cut‐off for osteopenia and osteoporosis being 9.8% and 12.1%, respectively. The cut‐off of diabetes duration for osteopenia was 3.6 years and it was more predictive for osteopenia compared to HbA1cwhole. In the DiabetesNew group, the BMD‐Z score of the early pubertal group was significantly lower than those in other pubertal groups.Conclusion: BMD is affected in diabetic children, and HbA1cwhole and diabetes duration are the most important determinants. Pubertal stage is another determinant of BMD, especially in newly diagnosed patients.
Pain management and the effect of guidelines in neonatal units in Austria, Germany and Switzerland
Authors: GHARAVI BAHMAN , SCHOTT CLAUS , NELLE MATHIAS , REITER GERNOT , LINDERKAMP OTWIN 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBackground:  Painful invasive procedures are frequently performed on preterm infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The aim of the present study was to investigate current pain management in Austrian, German and Swiss NICU and to identify factors associated with improved pain management in preterm infants.Methods:  A questionnaire was sent to all Austrian, German and Swiss pediatric hospitals with an NICU (n = 370). Pain assessment and documentation, use of analgesics for 13 painful procedures, presence of written guidelines for pain management and the use of 12 analgesics and sedatives were examined.Results:  A total of 225 units responded (61%). Pain assessment and documentation and frequent analgesic therapy for painful procedures were performed more often in units using written guidelines for pain management and in those treating >50 preterm infants at <32 weeks of gestation per year. This was also the case for the use of opioid analgesics and sucrose solution. Non‐opioid analgesics were used more often in smaller units and in units with written guidelines. There was a broad variation in dosage of analgesics and sedatives within all groups.Conclusion:  Pain assessment, documentation of pain and analgesic therapy are more frequently performed in NICU with written guidelines for pain management and in larger units with more than 50 preterm infants at <32 weeks of gestation per year.
Central corneal thickness among Aboriginal people attending eye clinics in remote South Australia
Authors: Durkin Shane R , Tan Edwin WH , Casson Robert J , Selva Dinesh , Newland Henry S 
Published: September 2007

AbstractPurpose:  To determine the central corneal thickness (CCT) and its demographic associations among Aboriginal people attending eye clinics in remote South Australia.Methods:  A clinic‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted involving opportunistic sampling of patients. Eligible participants underwent measurement of CCT by ultrasound pachymetry. The results were compared with a group of Caucasian control patients.Results:  All patients (189) who were invited to participate in the study had their CCT measured. The mean age was 44.8 ± 14.5 years, and women comprised 57.7% of the sample. The control group consisted of 115 Caucasian participants. The mean age was 47.1 ± 14.8 years, and women accounted for 55.7% of the sample. Mean CCT for Aboriginal participants was 514.9 ± 30.5 μm in the right eye and 515.6 ± 30.5 μm in the left eye (t = 1.1, P = 0.3). Mean right CCT for Caucasian participants was 544.6 ± 31.9 μm and mean left CCT in this group was 547.1 ± 32.2 μm (t = 4.6, P < 0.001). There was a significant difference between the right (t = 8.4, P < 0.001) and left (t = 8.8, P < 0.001) CCT of Aboriginal and Caucasian participants.Conclusions:  The CCT among Aboriginal patients attending eye clinic in remote South Australia was significantly thinner than that of a Caucasian control group. Thinner corneas among this group of Aboriginal patients may indicate a need to adjust intraocular pressure according to CCT and to be more vigilant for glaucoma.
Dopamine release is heterogeneous within microenvironments of the rat nucleus accumbens
Authors: Wightman R. Mark , Heien Michael L.A.V. , Wassum Kate M. , Sombers Leslie A. , Aragona Brandon J. , Khan Amina S. , Ariansen Jennifer L. , Cheer Joseph F. , Phillips Paul E. M. , Carelli Regina M. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractMany individual neurons within the intact brain fire in stochastic patterns that arise from interactions with the neuronal circuits that they comprise. However, the chemical communication that is evoked by these firing patterns has not been characterized because sensors suitable to monitor subsecond chemical events in micron dimensions have only recently become available. Here we employ a voltammetric sensor technology coupled with principal component regression to examine the dynamics of dopamine concentrations in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of awake and unrestrained rats. The sensor has submillimeter dimensions and provides high temporal (0.1 s) resolution. At select locations spontaneous dopamine transient concentration changes were detected, achieving instantaneous concentrations of ∼50 nm. At other locations, transients were absent even though dopamine was available for release as shown by extracellular dopamine increases following electrical activation of dopaminergic neurons. At sites where dopamine concentration transients occur, uptake inhibition by cocaine enhances the frequency and magnitude of the rapid transients while also causing a more gradual increase in extracellular dopamine. These effects were largely absent from sites that did not support ongoing transient activity. These findings reveal an unanticipated spatial and temporal heterogeneity of dopamine transmission within the NAc that may depend upon the firing of specific subpopulations of dopamine neurons.
Norepinephrine depletion facilitates recovery of function after focal ischemia in the rat
Authors: Windle Victoria , Power Alexandra , Corbett Dale 
Published: September 2007

AbstractPrevious studies have suggested that increased norepinephrine plays an important role in recovery of function after brain injury; however, the majority of these studies used drugs that are known to also affect other monoamines to increase or decrease norepinephrine. The purpose of the present study was to determine if norepinephrine is required to promote recovery after ischemia. A form of enriched rehabilitation was used to rehabilitate animals after ischemia and the neurotoxin N‐(2‐chloroethyl)‐N‐ethyl‐2‐bromobenzylamine was used to selectively destroy norepinephrine projections from the locus coeruleus. Three sensorimotor tests were used to evaluate the recovery of the animals. Depletion of norepinephrine improved sensorimotor recovery in standard‐housed animals and did not impede recovery in the rehabilitation groups. Dopamine beta hydroxylase staining was used to confirm N‐(2‐chloroethyl)‐N‐ethyl‐2‐bromobenzylamine‐depleted terminal norepinephrine levels. The amount of norepinephrine terminal staining negatively correlated with recovery of function in the staircase test after ischemia. In addition, enriched rehabilitation increased, but depletion of norepinephrine had no effect on, brain‐derived neurotrophic factor protein levels, which have also been linked to improved recovery of function. Together the above findings question the previously postulated role of norepinephrine in recovery of function after stroke.
Coding of spatial information by soma and dendrite of pyramidal cells in the hippocampal CA1 of behaving rats
Authors: Takahashi Susumu , Sakurai Yoshio 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThe soma and dendrite of a single neuron differ markedly in their anatomical and chemical organization. However, the difference between the neuronal codes by the soma and dendrite in the brain of behaving animals remains unknown. Here, we show that in the hippocampal CA1 of behaving rats, the soma and dendrite of pyramidal cells code distinct spatial information. To detect these neuronal codes, we used a unique extracellular multiunit recording technique with special electrodes (dodecatrodes) and a novel spike‐sorting system with an independent component analysis (ICSort). First, we examined whether ICSort could separate extracellular signals from the soma and those from the dendrite of a single cell, in comparison with the separation obtained by a conventional spike‐sorting technique. The results suggest that ICSort could distinguish extracellular signals originating from the soma and dendrite. Second, we examined spatial information coded by signals from the soma and dendrite of hippocampal pyramidal cells when the rats were moving in a familiar open environment. The results indicate that the somatic units had single place fields, and showed higher spatial specificity, lower sparsity and lower firing rates than the dendritic units. Therefore, we conclude that a hippocampal pyramidal cell has the ability to transform redundant spatial information received from upstream neurons via the dendrite into more place‐specific information along the dendrosomatic axis and transmit this information to downstream neurons via the soma.
Prognostic value of plasma D‐dimer levels in patients with colorectal cancer
Authors: Kılıc M. , Yoldas O. , Keskek M. , Ertan T. , Tez M. , Gocmen E. , Koc M. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractObjective  Plasma D‐dimer levels have been shown to be increased in patients with various solid tumours including lung, prostate, cervical, ovarian, breast and colon cancer. The purpose of this prospective study was to estimate the plasma D‐dimer level of patients with colorectal cancer before surgery and to assess whether it has a prognostic value.Method  The study comprised 51 patients with colorectal cancer. Variables including demographic, clinical, operative and pathological findings and routine laboratory tests were recorded. In addition, tumour markers, coagulation tests and plasma D‐dimer levels were evaluated.Results  Histological types other than well‐differentiated adenocarcinoma, relatively advanced tumour stage and a high preoperative plasma D‐dimer level were the prognostic factors that were associated with shorter postoperative survival according to univariate analyses. The presence of vascular invasion was associated with higher preoperative D‐dimer levels. However, there was no statistically significant relationship between postoperative survival and the presence of vascular invasion.Conclusion  Postoperative survival was significantly shorter in colorectal cancer patients with elevated preoperative D‐dimer levels. Evaluation of preoperative D‐dimer level can be used to predict postoperative survival.
Strategy in clinical practice for classification of unselected colorectal tumours based on mismatch repair deficiency
Authors: Jensen L. H. , Lindebjerg J. , Byriel L. , Kolvraa S. , Crüger D. G. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractObjective  Deficiency of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) causes microsatellite instability (MSI) in a subset of colorectal cancers. Patients with these tumours have a better prognosis and may have an altered response to chemotherapy. Some of the tumours are caused by hereditary mutations (hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer or Lynch syndrome), but most are epigenetic changes of sporadic origin. The aim of this study was to define a robust and inexpensive strategy for such classification in clinical practice.Method  Tumours and blood samples from 262 successive patients with colorectal adenocarcinomas were collected. Expression of the MMR proteins MLH1, MSH2, and MSH6 by immunohistochemistry (IHC) was compared with MSI DNA analysis. Methylation analysis of MLH1 and mutation analysis for BRAF V600E were compared in samples with MSI and/or lack of MLH1 expression to determine if the tumour was likely to be sporadic.Results  Thirty‐nine (14.9%) of the tumours showed MMR deficiency by IHC or by microsatellite analysis. Sporadic inactivation by methylation of MLH1 promoter was found in 35 patients whereby the BRAF activating V600E mutation, indicating sporadic origin, was found in 32 tumours. On the basis of molecular characteristics we found 223 patients with intact MMR, 35 patients with sporadic MMR deficiency, and four patients who were likely to have hereditary MMR deficiency.Conclusion  To obtain the maximal benefit for patients and clinicians, MMR testing should be supplemented with MLH1 methylation or BRAF mutation analysis to distinguish sporadic patients from likely hereditary ones. MMR deficient patients with sporadic disease can be reassured of the better prognosis and the likely hereditary cases should receive genetic counselling.