bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between the interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist gene and negative symptom improvement during antipsychotic treatment†
Authors: Mata Ignacio , Crespo‐Facorro Benedicto , Pérez‐Iglesias Rocío , Carrasco‐Marín Eugenio , Arranz Maria Jesús , Pelayo‐Terán José Maria , Leyva‐Cobían Francisco , Vázquez‐Barquero José Luis 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe contribution of immune system to schizophrenia has been an important area of focus in schizophrenia research. Several genetic variants in the cytokine system have been associated with the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a pharmacogenetic relationship exists between a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism in the interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist gene (IL‐1RN) and clinical improvement during antipsychotic treatment in patients with a first non‐affective psychotic episode. One hundred and fifty‐four subjects presenting with a first non‐affective psychotic episode were randomly assigned to treatment with haloperidol, risperidone, or olanzapine and rated with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) and the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS) both at baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment. A control sample of 336 blood bank donors was also included. No differences in genotype or allele distributions were found between patients and controls. However, after controlling for baseline SANS scores, the genotype in the VNTR polymorphism in the IL‐1RN gene significantly predicted negative symptom improvement, accounting for approximately 7% of the variance (F = 5.23, df = 2, P = 0.006). The mean decrease in SANS scores was 58% for the IL‐1RN* 2/2, 44% for the IL‐1RN* 1/2, and 14% for the IL‐1RN* 1/1 subjects, respectively. These results suggest that the VNTR polymorphism in the IL‐1RN gene may be a useful predictor of negative symptom improvement in schizophrenic patients treated with antipsychotic drugs. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Are raw RSS feeds suitable for broad issue scanning? A science concern case study
Authors: Thelwall Mike , Prabowo Rudy , Fairclough Ruth 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBroad issue scanning is the task of identifying important public debates arising in a given broad issue; really simple syndication (RSS) feeds are a natural information source for investigating broad issues. RSS, as originally conceived, is a method for publishing timely and concise information on the Internet, for example, about the main stories in a news site or the latest postings in a blog. RSS feeds are potentially a nonintrusive source of high‐quality data about public opinion: Monitoring a large number may allow quantitative methods to extract information relevant to a given need. In this article we describe an RSS feed‐based coword frequency method to identify bursts of discussion relevant to a given broad issue. A case study of public science concerns is used to demonstrate the method and assess the suitability of raw RSS feeds for broad issue scanning (i.e., without data cleansing). An attempt to identify genuine science concern debates from the corpus through investigating the top 1,000 “burst” words found only two genuine debates, however. The low success rate was mainly caused by a few pathological feeds that dominated the results and obscured any significant debates. The results point to the need to develop effective data cleansing procedures for RSS feeds, particularly if there is not a large quantity of discussion about the broad issue, and a range of potential techniques is suggested. Finally, the analysis confirmed that the time series information generated by real‐time monitoring of RSS feeds could usefully illustrate the evolution of new debates relevant to a broad issue.
Detection of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts using a microfluidic device equipped with the SUS micromesh and FITC‐labeled antibody
Authors: Taguchi Tomoyuki , Arakaki Atsushi , Takeyama Haruko , Haraguchi Satoshi , Yoshino Masato , Kaneko Masao , Ishimori Yoshio , Matsunaga Tadashi 
Published: August 2006

AbstractDevelopment of a microfluidic device equipped with micromesh for detection of Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst was reported. A micromesh consisting of 10 × 10 cavities was microfabricated on the stainless steel plate by laser ablation. Each cavity size, approximately 2.7 µm in diameter, was adopted to capture a single C. parvum oocyst. Under negative pressure operation, suspensions containing microbeads or C. parvum oocysts flowed into the microchannel. Due to strong non‐specific adsorption of microbeads onto the PDMS microchannel surface during sample injection, the surface was treated with air plasma, followed by treatment with 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solution. This process reduced the non‐specific adsorption of microbeads on the microchannel to 10% or less in comparison to a non‐treated microchannel. This microfluidic device equipped with the SUS micromesh was further applied for the capture of C. parvum oocysts. Trapped C. parvum oocysts were visualized by staining with FITC‐labeled anti‐C. parvum oocyst antibody on a micromesh and counted under fluoroscopic observation. The result obtained by our method was consistent with that obtained by direct immunofluorescence assay coupled with immunomagnetic separation (DFA‐IMS) method, indicating that the SUS micromesh is useful for counting of C. parvum oocysts. The newly designed microfluidic device exploits a geometry that allowed for the entrapment of oocysts on the micromesh while providing the rapid introduction of a series of reagents and washes through the microfluidic structure. Our data indicate that this microfluidic device is useful for high‐throughput counting of C. parvum oocysts from tap water sample. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;96: 272–280. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Alkaline‐cell lysis through in‐line static mixer reactor for the production of plasmid DNA for gene therapy
Authors: Chamsart Saethawat , Karnjanasorn Tanyawat 
Published: August 2006

AbstractA state‐of‐the‐art in‐line static mixer reactor (ISMR) was invented to lyse E. coli cells and neutralize the cell lysate continuously and efficiently for the extraction of plasmid DNA. It comprised two connected static dynamic mixers, each 0.01 m in diameter and 0.9 m in length, one for lysis and one for neutralization. Cells were lysed using concentrated alkaline with 1% SDS and the lysate was neutralized at feed rates of cell suspension:lysis solution:neutralization solution of 125:250:125, 250:500:250, and 500:1,000:500 mL/min. Distances for the mixtures to reach color homogeneity were dependent on feed rates. The higher the feed rates the shorter the mixing distances and times. However, complete cell lysis and neutralization were independent of color homogeneity. Lysate viscosity and neutralized floc size decreased and floc density increased, as distances and feed rates increased. High plasmid yields were obtained from both lysis and neutralization at feed rate ratios of 125:250:125 and 250:500:250 mL/min within mixing distances ≤0.6 m. Poor mixing performance and plasmid yield were obtained at a high feed rate of 500:1,000: 500 mL/min when residence and reaction times were less than 2 s and from mixing distances ≥0.6 m at all feed rates due to a longer exposure to strong alkali and shear flow. This invention showed excellent performance with scaleable potential for the commercial manufacture of plasmid DNA. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;96: 471–482. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Microparticle adhesive dynamics and rolling mediated by selectin‐specific antibodies under flow
Authors: Ham Anthony Sang Won , Goetz Douglas J. , Klibanov Alexander L. , Lawrence Michael B. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractIn vitro studies were performed to characterize the relative performance of candidate receptors to target microparticles to inflammatory markers on vascular endothelium. To model the interactions of drug‐bearing microparticles or imaging contrast agents with the vasculature, 6 micron polystyrene particles bearing antibodies, peptides, or carbohydrates were perfused over immobilized E‐ or P‐selectin in a flow chamber. Microparticles conjugated with HuEP5C7.g2 (HuEP), a monoclonal antibody (mAb) specific to E‐ and P‐selectin, supported leukocyte‐like rolling and transient adhesion at venular shear rates. In contrast, microparticles conjugated with a higher affinity mAb specific for P‐selectin (G1) were unable to form bonds at venular flow rates. When both HuEP and G1 were conjugated to the microparticle, HuEP supported binding to P‐selectin in flow which allowed G1 to form bonds leading to stable adhesion. While the microparticle attachment and rolling performance was not as stable as that mediated by the natural ligands P‐selectin Glycoprotein Ligand‐1 or sialyl Lewisx, HuEP performed significantly better than any previously characterized mAb in terms of mediating microparticle binding under flow conditions. HuEP may be a viable alternative to natural ligands to selectins for targeting particles to inflamed endothelium. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;96: 596–607. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optimal design of non‐Newtonian, micro‐scale viscous pumps for biomedical devices
Authors: da Silva A.K. , Kobayashi M.H. , Coimbra C.F.M. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe present paper addresses the numerical optimization of geometrical parameters of non‐Newtonian micro‐scale viscous pumps for biomedical devices. The objective is to maximize the mass flow rate per unit of shaft power consumed by the rotor when an external pressure load is applied along the channel that houses the rotor. Two geometric parameters are considered in the optimization process: (i) the height of the channel that houses the rotor (H) and (ii), the eccentricity (ε) of the rotor. Three different micro‐scale viscous pump configurations were tested: a straight‐housed pump (I‐shaped housing) and two curved housed pumps (L‐ and U‐shaped housings). The stress–strain constitutive law is modeled by a power‐law relation. The results show that the geometric optimization of micro‐scale viscous pumps is critical since the mass flow rate propelled by the rotor is highly dependent on ε and H. Numerical simulations indicate that mass flow rate is maximized when ε ∼ 0, namely when the rotor is placed at a distance of 0.05 radii from the lower wall. The results also show that micro‐scale viscous pumps with curved housing provide higher mass flow rate per unit of shaft power consumed when compared with straight‐housed pumps. The results are presented in terms optimized dimensions of all three configurations (i.e., Hopt and εopt) and for values of the power‐law index varying between 0.5 (shear thinning fluids) and 1.5 (shear‐thickening fluids). Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;96: 37–47. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Parvovirus B19 and immune disorders
Authors: Pugliese Agostino , Beltramo Tiziana , Torre Donato , Roccatello Dario 
Published: August 2006

AbstractParvovirus B19 (PVB19) is the causative agent of erythema infectiosum and sometimes the infection is correlated with severe haematological complications, or in pregnancy to fetalis hydrops. Moreover some authors suggest an infection involvement in some autoimmune diseases. To this purpose we evaluated seroprevalence for PVB19 in following the autoimmune or dysreactive pathologies: systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), cryoglobulinemia, idiopathic systemic—ANCA associated vasculitis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In the case of LES, 31/42 patients were positive for PVB19 versus 21/42 of blood donors, as controls subjects (73.8% vs. 50%; significant difference for p < 0.05), moreover a significant difference for p < 0.001 was detected comparing mean titre values of IgGs against PVB19 of two groups (UI 1.94 ± 0.90 vs. 1.24 ± 0.80). In contrast no significant differences were found in the case of percent seropositivity of cryoglobulinemic subjects (37/57 = 64.9%, the majority of whom were HCV+) in comparison with the control group (50%). However mean units index (UI) was 1.63 ± 0.81; p = 0.019 versus the control group. Similar result, with regard to the percentage of seropositivity, was found for vasculitis (9/17 = 52.9%). The data reported here can confirm a possible correlation between PVB19 prior infection and LES and also suggest possible implications in the case of cryoglobulinemia. In fact, most of our patients were affected by a nephropathic or systemic form of HCV+ cryoglobulinemia and the presence of other infective cofactors could be suggestive in the evolution of this clinical situation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Telomere length is a prognostic factor in neuroblastoma
Authors: Ohali Anat , Avigad Smadar , Ash Shifra , Goshen Yacov , Luria Drorit , Feinmesser Meora , Zaizov Rina , Yaniv Isaac 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBACKGROUND.Maintenance of telomeres, in most instances by reactivation of telomerase, is obligatory for the indefinite proliferation of tumor cells. The objective of this study was to evaluate telomere length and telomerase activity (TA) as markers for progression and prognosis in neuroblastoma.METHODS.Primary tumor samples from 51 patients were analyzed for telomere length and TA and were correlated with known prognostic parameters and outcome.RESULTS.Telomere length had a highly significant correlation with prognosis (P = .007). Short telomeres were predictive of a favorable prognosis, whereas long or unchanged telomeres were predictive of a poor outcome. For the first time to their knowledge, the authors have shown that, within the high‐risk group patients, telomere length could define a favorable subgroup that had a progression‐free survival (PFS) rate of 86% compared with a PFS rate of 36% for patients with more adverse disease, which is the expected PFS rate for such patients (P = .04). In a multivariate analysis, telomere length was the most significant prognostic parameter (P = .032). TA was correlated significantly with outcome and with known prognostic factors. High TA and low TA were associated with adverse and favorable outcomes, respectively (P = .01).CONCLUSION.The results of this investigation suggested that telomere length is a highly significant prognostic parameter of clinical relevance in patients with neuroblastoma. In high‐risk patients, telomere length was the sole significant parameter that identified a group of patients who had a favorable prognosis. The authors suggest that telomere length should be included in the recommended diagnostic investigations for patients with neuroblastoma. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Behavioral assessment of neuropathic pain in preclinical models
Authors: Honore Prisca 
Published: August 2006

AbstractOne of the greatest challenges to creating more efficacious medications for pain control has been the heterogeneity of the “chronic pain condition.” It is now appreciated that distinct mechanisms contribute to physiological pain, to pain arising from tissue damage, and to pain arising from injury to the nervous system. Unlike nociceptive pain, neuropathic pain can persist long after the initiating event has healed and is the expression of an abnormal processing of sensory information by the nervous system. Neuropathic pain is very heterogeneous and can originate from nerve injury associated with a wide array of conditions such as direct trauma to nerves, inflammation/nerve compression, metabolic diseases, infections, tumors, toxins, and primary neurological diseases. To study pain transmission, identify new pain targets, and characterize the potential analgesic profile of novel compounds for neuropathic pain relief, an array of experimental animal pain models has been developed mainly in rodents, trying to reflect as many “neuropathic pain conditions” as possible. However, one should remember that even for patients labeled under the same “neuropathic pain disease,” the pain experience is unique and can be very different from one patient to the other, increasing the difficulties of modeling such painful states in animal models. The present review will describe the most utilized animal models of neuropathic pain and the various methods used to assess degrees of hyperalgesia and allodynia in these animals, outlining similarities and differences observed under various preclinical “neuropathic pain conditions.” Drug Dev. Res. 67:302–307, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neural‐glial interaction in the spinal cord for the development and maintenance of nerve injury‐induced neuropathic pain
Authors: Ji Ru‐Rong , Wen Yeong‐Ray 
Published: August 2006

AbstractDamage to the nervous system often results in neuropathic pain. Current treatment for this disabling state is unsuccessful due to our incomplete understanding of cellular mechanisms causing this pain. Although glial cells were largely ignored in most textbooks of pain, accumulating evidence over the last decade indicates an important role of glial cells in the pathogenesis of pain. Both microglia and astroglia are activated in the spinal cord after peripheral nerve injury. Importantly, activated microglia and astroglia produce multiple inflammatory mediators and neuromodulators, acting on primary afferents or dorsal horn neurons and leading to an enhancement and maintenance of dorsal horn neuron sensitization and subsequent pain sensitization. This neural‐glial interaction after peripheral nerve injury is likely to be triggered by signaling molecules released in the spinal cord from central terminals of damaged sensory neurons, stimulating surrounding glial cells. In addition, there is a microglial‐astroglial interaction; microglia activation occurs before astroglial activation and is known to cause astroglial activation. Glial activation is further enhanced by microglial‐microglial interaction and astroglial‐astroglial interaction. Many signaling molecules (e.g., MAP kinases, ATP receptors, chemokine receptors) are exclusively activated in spinal microglia or astroglia after nerve injury, and an inhibition of these molecules can attenuate neuropathic pain. Since traditional pain‐killers are designed against neuronal targets and are only partially effective to treat neuropathic pain, searching for signaling molecules that are induced in spinal glia in neuropathic pain conditions will identify novel targets for the management of this debilitating chronic pain. Drug Dev. Res. 67:331–338, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The endocannabinoid and endovanilloid systems and their interactions in neuropathic pain
Authors: Maione Sabatino , Starowicz Katarzyna , Palazzo Enza , Rossi Francesco , Di Marzo Vincenzo 
Published: August 2006

AbstractUnder physiological conditions, nociception has a protective role, allowing an individual to react appropriately to the noxious stimulus and to minimize its effects. On the contrary, chronic pain arises from damage to the nervous system and is persistent. Mechanisms, symptoms, and signs of neuropathic pain have been the subject of extensive studies, but still there is no single, well‐tolerated drug that is effective in all types of neuropathic pain. Currently, there is a growing amount of evidence on the analgesic properties of cannabinoids in nociceptive pathways. Interestingly, recent data also implicate an endogenous cannabinoid ligand, anandamide, as an agonist at the capsaicin VR1/TRPV1 receptor. Herein, we review the available evidence in favour of cannabinoid and vanilloid alleviation of hyperalgesia and allodynia, two typical symptoms of neuropathic pain. The most important findings regarding CB1, TRPV1 receptors, and neuropathic pain are discussed in detail. We also consider the implications of combined studies correlating the endocannabinoid and vanilloid signalling systems as promising therapeutic approaches for new analgesic drugs. Collectively, the investigations reviewed here support the use of drugs targeting the endocannabinoid and endovanilloid systems in the treatment of chronic inflammation and neuropathic pain states. Drug Dev. Res. 67:339–354, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors as a target for the treatment of neuropathic pain
Authors: Meyer Michael D. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractNeuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonists have been demonstrated to exhibit antinociceptive, antihyperalgesic, and antiallodynic effects across a range of preclinical models of pain. Yet, to date, no drugs have been successfully developed and approved for the treatment of pain from this pharmacological class. In this overview, the mechanism and site of action of nAChR agonists in models of neuropathic pain, as well as the current status and future prospects for the development of drugs from this class for the treatment of neuropathic pain, will be discussed. Drug Dev. Res. 67:355–359, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Voltage‐gated sodium channels as molecular targets for neuropathic pain
Authors: Priestley Tony , Hunter John C. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe peripheral nervous system relies upon voltage‐gated sodium channels for encoding and transmitting modality‐specific information into and out of the CNS. These channels are powerful transducers, they signal both pleasant and noxious sensations. They are also considered prime suspects for creating and sustaining the inappropriate excitability in neuronal membranes that is a hallmark of any chronic neuropathic pain syndromes. Curtailing such “pathological hyperexcitability” represents a credible approach to the clinical management of neuropathic pain and this review considers the evidence favoring sodium channels as key players in the injury‐induced hyperexcitability and as targets for pharmacological intervention. Currently used sodium channel therapeutics are discussed together with their limitations and issues. Recent developments in sodium channel biology and pathophysiology are reviewed and ideas for next‐generation sodium channel blocking drugs are considered. Drug Dev. Res. 67:360–375, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.