bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A pilot study to assess the use of protein a immunoadsorption for chronic dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Cooper Leslie T. , Belohlavek Marek , Korinek Josef , Yoshifuku Shiro , Sengupta Partho P. , Burgstaler Edwin A. , Winters Jeffrey L. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractDilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a leading cause of end‐stage heart failure and cardiac transplantation. Anticardiac antibodies are common and removal of these through immunoadsorption (IA) is associated with improvement in global cardiac function. The effect of IA on regional function and quality of life (QOL) without intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) substitution has not been described. We performed a pilot trial using Immunosorba® columns in four patients with chronic DCM and NYHA Class II–III congestive heart failure. Subjects were followed for 6 months with serial echocardiograms and validated QOL assessments. Regional and global left ventricular (LV) end‐systolic deformations were assessed by two‐dimensional strain echocardiography. Total IgG decreased 95% (from 1,210 ± 274 mg/dl to 57 ± 16 mg/dl, P = 0.003) and IgG3 decreased 61% (from 33 ± 16 mg/dl to 13 ± 7 mg/dl, P = 0.024). QOL improved from baseline to 6 months as assessed by the Living with Heart Failure questionnaire (from 54 ± 18 to 19 ± 7, P = 0.029). Mean LV ejection fraction improved from 35 to 40% at Day 5 and to 44% at 6 months (P = NS). The LV end diastolic and end systolic volumes decreased (220–202 ml, 159–130 ml, P = NS) at 6 months. Global end‐systolic strain improved from −7.3% at baseline to −8.5% at Day 5 and −8.8% at 6 months (P = NS). Regional LV function and response to IA was not uniform. Even without IVIG substitution, IA for the treatment of chronic DCM is associated with improved QOL up to 6 months after treatment. A randomized, sham‐controlled trial is required to confirm the benefits of IA for DCM. J. Clin. Apheresis., 2007 © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Serum immune complexes as diagnostic and therapeutic markers in lymphatic filariasis
Authors: Dixit Vandana , Gupta A.K. , Bisen P.S. , Prasad G.B.K.S. , Harinath B.C. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractIn the present study we examined the utility of measuring antigen‐specific soluble immune complexes (ICs) for the differential diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of Bancroftian filariasis. Antigen‐specific ICs were detected in significantly elevated levels in 90% of lymphatic filarial subjects suffering from disease manifestations, and very low levels in 8–10% of microfilaria (MF) carriers. The high incidence of antigen‐specific ICs in the circulation of filarial subjects with clinical manifestations in contrast to the negligible presence in MF carriers facilitates serological differentiation of these two important stages of lymphatic filarial infection. A sudden spurt in circulating levels of antigen‐specific ICs was recorded in all MF carriers on diethylcarbamazine (DEC) therapy, and the magnitude of the increase correlated positively with the pretreatment levels of circulating MF. Thus, it is evident from the present study that circulating ICs (CICs) are potential serological markers for both the differential diagnosis of filarial infection and therapeutic monitoring of MF carriers. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 21:114–118, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Functional polymorphism of thymidylate synthase, but not of the COMT and IL‐1B genes, is associated with breast cancer
Authors: Akisik Elif , Dalay Nejat 
Published: March 2007

AbstractPolymorphic variations may affect the rate of gene transcription, the stability of the mRNA, or the quantity and activity of the resulting protein. In this study we evaluated the association between the interleukin‐1B C‐31T, catechol‐O‐methyltransferase Val158Met, and thymidylate synthase (TS) 1494del6 polymorphisms and breast cancer. Each genetic polymorphism was investigated by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) analysis. No significant difference in either the genotype distribution or the allelic frequencies of the IL‐1B and COMT gene polymorphisms was observed between the patient and control groups. For the TS 1494del6 polymorphism a significant difference was observed for both the genotypes (P=0.01) and the allele frequencies (P=0.0097), indicating a decreased risk associated with the variant allele. Our data do not provide evidence for an association between the polymorphic variants of the IL‐1B and COMT genes and breast cancer risk. On the other hand, the TS 1494del6 polymorphism is associated with a significantly lower risk of breast cancer and may be a potential genetic marker. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 21:97–102, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association of idiopathic generalized epilepsy with polymorphisms in the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits
Authors: Lee Cheng‐Chun , Chou I‐Ching , Tsai Chang‐Hai , Wan Lei , Shu Yu‐An , Tsai Yuhsin , Li Tsai‐Chung , Tsai Fuu‐Jen 
Published: March 2007

AbstractIdiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) refers to a common group of epilepsies, and genetic factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of these disorders. Mutations in CHRNA4 and CHRNB2 are associated with some cases of familial epilepsies classified as autosomal‐dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsies. We aimed to evaluate whether polymorphisms of CHRNA4 and CHRNB2are associated with IGE. A total of 75 children with IGE and 80 normal control subjects were included in the study. Each genetic polymorphism was typed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based restriction analysis. The genotypes and allelic frequencies of each polymorphism were compared between the IGE patients and controls. The results showed that genotype and allelic frequency for CHRNB2 did not differ significantly between the groups. However, the genotype proportion of the CHRNA4 (Ser543Ser) gene in both groups was significantly different (P<0.0001). The T allele frequency was significantly higher (P=0.0126) in patients with IGE compared to healthy controls. The odds ratio (OR) for developing IGE in individuals with the CHRNA4 (Ser543Ser)‐T homozygote was 4.9 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.71–14.04) compared to individuals with two copies of the CHRNA4 (Ser543Ser)‐C allele. This study demonstrates that the CHRNA4 gene may be one of the susceptibility factors for IGE. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 21:67–70, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The proteome of the developing tooth of the sea urchin, Lytechinus variegatus: mortalin is a constituent of the developing cell syncytium
Authors: Alvares Keith , Dixit Saryu N. , Lux Elizabeth , Barss Joseph , Veis Arthur 
Published: March 2007

AbstractEchinoderm teeth are continuously growing calcite‐mineralized tissues of complex structure. Two features are of special interest: (1) cell division takes place in a restricted aboral domain, the plumula, and the cells immediately merge into multinucleated syncytial layers; (2) the major part of the heavily mineralized tooth elongates and moves towards the adoral incisal tip continuously as the syncytial cells actively expand the syncytium and intermembrane mineral phase. As the first step to understanding the nature of the mineralization processes, we have isolated the proteins of the plumula and of the mature mineralized portions of the tooth, and begun their characterization. Peptide sequences were used to screen a plumula cDNA library by polymerase chain reaction. One primer set yielded a prominent amplified product which was cloned, and sequenced. Comparison with the nucleotide and protein data banks revealed the protein to be Mortalin, a member of the hsp‐70 family, with >75% of its sequences identical to that of human mortalin. Immunocytochemical localization of mortalin within the plumula, using Anti‐human Grp75, showed staining of the odontoblast cytosol and matrix at the point where syncytial formation was occurring. The cytosol of the syncytial layers was weakly stained. The nuclei within the syncytia were stained at their periphery. In the mature part of the tooth, the perinuclear staining of the nuclei was more prominent. We conclude that mortalin is involved in syncytium formation and maintenance. The urchin mortalin has a distinctive aspartic acid and serine‐rich C‐terminal domain that may link it to the mineralization process. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 308B:357–370, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Loop‐mediated isothermal amplification method for detection of human papillomavirus type 6, 11, 16, and 18
Authors: Hagiwara Masanori , Sasaki Hajime , Matsuo Koma , Honda Mariko , Kawase Masaaki , Nakagawa Hidemi 
Published: March 2007

AbstractA new method was developed for detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) by loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), which was compared with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and real‐time PCR for specificity and sensitivity. All initial validation studies with the control DNA proved to be type‐specific. In order to evaluate the reliability of HPV type‐specific LAMP detecting HPV DNA from clinical samples, tissue specimens were obtained from 27 patients with external genital polypoid lesions. The histologic diagnoses included condyloma acuminatum (n = 21), bowenoid papulosis (n = 2), seborrheic keratosis (n = 2), epidermolytic acanthoma (n = 1), and hairy nymphae (n = 1). HPV‐6 DNA and HPV‐11 DNA were detected in 18 and 3 of 21 condylomata acuminata, respectively, and there was no simultaneous infection. HPV‐16 DNA was detected in one of two bowenoid papuloses. HPV DNA was not detected in the seborrheic keratoses, epidermolytic acanthoma, and hairy nymphae. These results correlated perfectly with those from real‐time PCR analysis. Most positive samples contained high copy numbers of HPV DNA. HPV‐11 DNA was detected in one case that could not be detected by PCR. The average reaction time was about 59 min. There was a linear correlation between the genome quantity and reaction time to reach the threshold. The LAMP method has an additional advantage as a quantitative method, and is superior in terms of sensitivity, specificity, rapidity, and simplicity, and can potentially be a valuable tool for the detection of HPV DNA. J. Med. Virol. 79:605–615, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prevalence of sapovirus infection among infants and children with acute gastroenteritis in Dhaka City, Bangladesh during 2004–2005
Authors: Dey Shuvra Kanti , Phan Tung Gia , Nguyen Tuan Anh , Nishio Osamu , Salim Abul Faiz Mohammad , Yagyu Fumihiro , Okitsu Shoko , Ushijima Hiroshi 
Published: March 2007

AbstractSapovirus, a member of the family Caliciviridae is one of the major causative agents of viral gastroenteritis affecting all age group. Sapovirus was detected in 25 of 917 stool specimens from infants and children with acute gastroenteritis in a Children Hospital in Dhaka City, Bangladesh during 2004–2005. All fecal specimens were examined for sapovirus by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. Molecular analysis of sapovirus was carried out by sequencing methods. Sapovirus detected in this study was clustered into only one distinct genogroup I. Sapovirus GI/1 was predominant, followed by GI/2 and accounted for 92% (23 of 25) and 8% (2 of 25), respectively. The results clearly indicated that sapovirus infections were observed most commonly in the autumn to winter seasons (September to January) in Dhaka City. The common clinical symptoms of sapovirus infected patients were dehydration (88%), vomiting (76%), and abdominal pain (60%). This is the first report of sapovirus in Bangladesh. J. Med. Virol. 79:633–638, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The janus faces of botulinum neurotoxin: Sensational medicine and deadly biological weapon
Authors: Osborne Shona L. , Latham Catherine F. , Wen Peter J. , Cavaignac Sonia , Fanning Jonathon , Foran Patrick G. , Meunier Frederic A. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe botulinum neurotoxins are the most dangerous toxins known (BoNTs serotypes A–G) and induce profound flaccid neuromuscular paralysis by blocking nerve–muscle communication. Poisoned motoneurons react by emitting a sprouting network known to establish novel functional synapses with the abutting muscle fiber. Understanding how our motoneurons are capable of bypassing such transmission blockade, thereby overcoming paralysis, by an astonishing display of plasticity is one of the research goals that have numerous therapeutic ramifications. This Mini‐Review aims at giving a brief update on the recent discoveries regarding the molecular mechanism of botulinum toxins intoxication. Curing botulism still is a challenge once the toxin has found his way inside motoneurons. In view of the potential use of botulinum toxins as biological weapon, more research is needed to find efficient ways of curing this disease. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Computer‐assisted estimation in the CNS of 3D multimarker ‘Overlap’ or ‘Touch’ at the level of individual nerve endings: A confocal laser scanning microscope application
Authors: Wouterlood Floris G. , Boekel Amber J. , Meijer Gerrit A. , Beliën Jeroen A.M. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractPresynaptic boutons and associated postsynaptic structures in the CNS express markers that are highly synapse type‐specific. In multilabel immunofluorescence imaging, coexpression of such markers appears as overlap of signals in the same structures whereas closely related yet segregated markers, e.g., located pre‐and postsynaptically, translate into signals that touch. ‘Overlap’ and ‘touch’ occur in three dimensions (3D). The instrument of choice to study overlap vs. touch of small objects in tissue volumes is the confocal laser scanning microscope (CSLM). To quantify overlap and touch we used two paradigms. Overlap was studied in rat brain sections triple‐immunostained with antibodies against markers predominantly located presynaptically: glutamic acid decarboxylase, vesicular glutamate transporter 2, and calretinin. Touch was studied in rat temporal cortex where afferent, tracer‐labeledentorhinohippocampal fibers in the subiculum were imaged together with possible postsynaptic target neurons immunostained with an antibody against the calcium binding protein, parvalbumin. Z‐series of CLSM images were obtained in multiple channels. After post‐acquisition deconvolution we further processed the images via software written in the C/C++ SCIL_Image computer programming environment. The software receives parameters via scripts, after which it first identifies 3D objects through establishing isodensity envelopes around pixels representing small biologic structures (in our case: boutons) and then compares associated Z‐series in which it determines whether there is overlap or touch between recognized 3D objects. Finally, graphic and numeric output is produced. With this script‐commanded software we feel equipped to accurately and objectively quantify overlap and touch. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A protein derived from the fusion of TAT peptide and FNK, a Bcl‐xL derivative, prevents cochlear hair cell death from aminoglycoside ototoxicity in vivo
Authors: Kashio Akinori , Sakamoto Takashi , Suzukawa Keigo , Asoh Sadamitsu , Ohta Shigeo , Yamasoba Tatsuya 
Published: March 2007

AbstractWe constructed a powerful artificial cytoprotective protein, FNK, from an antiapoptotic member of the BCL‐2 family, Bcl‐xL. To test the efficacy of FNK in protecting cochlear hair cells (HCs) from aminoglycoside‐induced cell death in vivo, we fused FNK with protein transduction domain, TAT, of the HIV/Tat protein to construct a fusion protein of TAT‐FNK. We demonstrated that, after an intraperitoneal administration to guinea pigs, TAT‐myc‐FNK protein was diffusely distributed in the cochlea, most prominently in the HCs and supporting cells, followed by the spiral ganglion cells, 3 hr after the injection. We next demonstrated that TAT‐FNK attenuated cochlear damage induced by an ototoxic combination of kanamycin sulfate (KM) and ethacrynic acid (EA) administered at 2 different dosages: 400 mg/kg KM + 50 mg/kg EA and 200 mg/kg KM + 40 mg/kg EA. TAT‐FNK or vehicle was intraperitoneally injected from 3 hr before through 5 hr after inducing the ototoxic insults, 14 days after which auditory brainstem response (ABR) and HC loss were evaluated. In comparison with vehicle‐administered controls, the TAT‐FNK protein significantly attenuated ototoxic drug‐induced ABR threshold shifts and the extent of HC death at either dosage. The TAT‐FNK protein also significantly reduced the amount of cleaved poly‐(ADP‐ribose) polymerase‐positive HCs 8 hr after the ototoxic insults compared with that in the vehicle‐administered controls. These findings indicate that systemically administered TAT‐FNK was successfully delivered to the guinea pig cochlea and effectively prevented apoptotic cell death of the cochlear HCs induced by KM and EA. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inhibition of phosphatidylserine biosynthesis in developing rat brain by maternal exposure to ethanol
Authors: Wen Zhiming , Kim Hee‐Yong 
Published: March 2007

AbstractPhosphatidylserine (PtdSer), major acidic phospholipids in neuronal membranes, participate in important cell signaling processes. The PtdSer in brain is highly enriched with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n‐3), and the DHA status or ethanol exposure has been shown to influence the PtdSer level. This study shows that ethanol exposure during prenatal and developmental period significantly attenuates microsomal PtdSer biosynthetic activities and reduces PtdSer, particularly 18:0, 22:6‐PtdSer, in developing rat brain cortices. Brain microsomes were incubated with deuterium labeled exogenous substrates in vitro and the products formed were detected by reversed phase HPLC‐electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS). These in vitro bioassays showed that 1‐stearoyl‐2‐docosahexaenoyl (18:0, 22:6) species is the best substrate for PtdSer synthesis from both phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn). The PtdSer biosynthetic activity of brain, especially for 18:0, 22:6‐PtdSer production, was hampered significantly by maternal exposure to ethanol. PtdSer levels were consistently reduced significantly in brain cortices of the pups from ethanol‐exposed dams, due mainly to the depletion of 18:0, 22:6‐PtdSer. The mRNA expression of PtdSer synthase 1 (PSS1) and PtdSer synthase 2 (PSS2) was not reduced by ethanol. Similarly, the PSS1 enzyme level did not change after ethanol exposure but PSS2 could not be probed with the antibody available currently. Degradation of PtdSer by mitochondrial PtdSer decarboxylation was not enhanced but also inhibited. Taken together, attenuated PtdSer biosynthetic activities are largely responsible for the PtdSer reduction observed in developing rat brains after maternal exposure to ethanol. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Renal failure after high‐dose methotrexate in a child homozygous for MTHFR C677T polymorphism
Authors: Turello Rita , Rentsch Katharina , Di Paolo Ermindo , Popovic Maja Beck 
Published: March 2007

AbstractWe report the case of an 11‐year‐old female treated for mediastinal T‐cell lymphoma who presented renal failure following the second cycle of high‐dose methotrexate (HDMTX). Because of life threatening plasma methotrexate (MTX) levels, carboxypeptidase G2 (CPDG2) was administered resulting in a dramatic decrease within 1 hr. The patient recovered from renal failure and no other side effects were observed. Homozygosity for the methylentetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism diagnosed by molecular genetic analysis was the only explanation for this toxicity. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:154–156. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy in surveillance of pediatric brain malignancies
Authors: Khanna Geetika , O'Dorisio M. Sue , Menda Yusuf , Glasier Charles , DeYoung Barry , Smith Brian J , Graham Michael , Juweid Malik 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackgroundSomatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) has been successfully used in imaging PBTs and, as a functional imaging modality, may be better able to differentiate tumor from scar/necrosis. This retrospective study evaluates the role of SRS in post‐treatment surveillance of PBTs.ProcedureTwenty children (age range: 7 months to 24 years, mean: 9 years) with known brain malignancies underwent serial SRS and MRI. The sensitivity and specificity of SRS and MRI were compared for surveillance scanning using patient outcome as the reference standard. Somatostatin receptors (sstrs) expression was determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) of available tumor specimens.ResultsSRS was true positive (TP) in 15 of 16 patients with proven disease found post‐resection (n = 5) or during follow‐up (n = 11). In contrast, MRI was positive in 12 of these 16 patients and equivocal in another two patients where it could not distinguish between radiation necrosis and tumor recurrence. The two patients with false negative (FN) MRI and proven disease were positive by SRS. SRS was negative in all four patients with no evidence of disease by follow‐up (mean follow‐up = 58 months). The only patient with a FN SRS (TP by MRI) was one without IHC evidence of sstrs. SRS was TP in 7/7 tumors with IHC documented sstrs.ConclusionsSRS is a useful adjunct to MRI for post‐treatment surveillance of sstr‐positive PBTs, particularly when MRI is equivocal. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:561–566. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Influence of processing parameters on the electric conductivity and on the mechanical properties of thick polypyrrole films
Authors: Pini Niccolò , Siegrist Mathias , Busato Stephan , Ermanni Paolo 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe electric conductivity and the mechanical properties of electrochemically synthesized polypyrrole/p‐toluene sulfonic acid (PPy/pTSA) as a function of its processing parameters were investigated. The influence of polymerization current density, pyrrole concentration, and counter ion concentration on the electric conductivity of thick (≫100 μm) polymer films was examined and the electric conductivity was found to be in a range between 1.6 and 97 S · cm−1. Analysis of the polymer's chemical composition delivered a result in agreement with literature data of one counter ion for every 2.97 pyrrole rings for the best conducting samples. In mechanical tests, maximum values for Young's modulus, tensile strength, and elongation at break, were found to be 4.0 GPa, 72.6 MPa, and 11.2%, respectively. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:662–666, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Process optimization of injection molding using an adaptive surrogate model with Gaussian process approach
Authors: Zhou Jian , Turng Lih‐Sheng 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThis article presents an integrated, simulation‐based optimization procedure that can determine the optimal process conditions for injection molding without user intervention. The idea is to use a nonlinear statistical regression technique and design of computer experiments to establish an adaptive surrogate model with short turn‐around time and adequate accuracy for substituting time‐consuming computer simulations during system‐level optimization. A special surrogate model based on the Gaussian process (GP) approach, which has not been employed previously for injection molding optimization, is introduced. GP is capable of giving both a prediction and an estimate of the confidence (variance) for the prediction simultaneously, thus providing direction as to where additional training samples could be added to improve the surrogate model. While the surrogate model is being established, a hybrid genetic algorithm is employed to evaluate the model to search for the global optimal solutions in a concurrent fashion. The examples presented in this article show that the proposed adaptive optimization procedure helps engineers determine the optimal process conditions more efficiently and effectively. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:684–694, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers.