bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CORRELATION BETWEEN TUMOUR AND SERUM β2m EXPRESSION IN PATIENTS WITH BREAST CANCER
Authors: Klein T. , Levin I. , Niska A. , Koren R. , Gal R. , Schachter J. , Kfir B. , Narinski R. , Warchaizer† S. , Klein B. 
Published: April 2007

SUMMARYHLA class I antigens are composed of a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) encoded heavy chain that is associated non‐covalently with a light chain β‐2 microglobulin (β‐2m). When the HLA complex is metabolized, β‐2m is shed into the serum. A large variety of human and experimental tumours have altered MHC class I expression. In a previous study we observed elevated mean β‐2m serum levels in breast cancer patients, as compared to controls. To study the relationship between tumour expression and serum levels, we examined 54 patients with breast cancer. Tumour β‐2m was determined by immunohistochemistry and serum levels by the ELISA technique. Of the 54 patients, 38 had low and 16 had high β‐2m expression on the tumour. There was a significant correlation between tumour β‐2m and serum β‐2m levels (P= 0.02), with patients whose tumours expressed high β‐2m having high serum β‐2m levels. There was an inverse correlation between tumour grade and tumour β‐2m expression which approached statistical significance (P= 0.06). These findings suggest that in a substantial number of patients the high serum levels derive from shedding of β‐2m from tumour cells. These levels may have implications for tumour growth and metastases due to influences on immunological responses.
HLA‐DR2 HAPLOTYPIC DIVERSITY IN POPULATIONS OF SOUTH‐EAST ASIA, NORTHERN CHINA, MELANESIA AND AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINES USING PCR‐RFLP FOR DRB1, DRB5, DQA1 AND DQB1. A NOVEL DRB1 ALLELE: DRB1 * 16022
Authors: Trejaut J. , Bhatia K. , Greville W.D. , Hu K. R. , Duraisamy G. , Nuchprayoon C. , Donald J. , Aziz† A. , Dunckley H. 
Published: April 2007

SUMMARYThe polymorphism of the human leucocyte antigen HLA‐DR2 and the heterogeneity of HLA‐DR2 class II‐related haplotypes (HLA‐DRB1‐DRB5‐DQA1‐DQB1) were investigated in four populations of east and south‐east Asia (SEA) and five Melanesian populations using TaqI restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification‐based techniques PCR‐RFLP and sequence‐specific oligonucleotide (SSO) typing. The haplotype DRB1*1502‐DRB5*0101‐DQA1*0102‐DQB1*0601 was common in Malaysians, Javanese, Thursday Islanders, Madang, Goroka and the Australian Aborigines, while DRB1*16021‐DRB5*0101‐DQA1*0102‐DQB1*0502 was common in the Thai and Thursday Islanders. DRB1*1501‐DRB5*0101‐DQA1*0102‐DQB1*0602 was present at a high frequency in Northern Chinese, Goroka, Watut and Australian Aborigines. The study describes four rare or unusual haplotypes: HLA‐DRB1*1501‐DRB5*0101‐DQA1*0101‐DQB1*0601, DRB1*1502‐DRB5*0101‐DQA1*0101‐DQB1*0502, DRB1*1502‐DRB5*0102‐DQA1*0102‐DQB1*0502 and DRB1*1501‐DRB5*0101‐DQA1*0101/2‐DQB1*0503; the latter two were confirmed by segregation in two Javanese families. A new DR2 allele, initially detected by PCR‐RFLP and confirmed by DNA sequencing as DRB1 * 16022 (previously designated DRB1 * 16Madang), was seen in a Madang individual. A new HLA‐DR2 TaqI RFLP subtype, locally designated as DR15U, is also described. This RFLP subtype segregated in a Javanese family and correlated with a typically SEA haplotype, DRB1*1502‐DRB5*0102‐DQA1*0101‐DQB1*0501. The allele HLA‐DR16Thai, determined by TaqI DRB RFLP, was found by PCR‐RFLP and SSO typing to correlate with a unique SEA haplotype, HLA‐DRB1*16021‐DRB5*0101‐DQA1*0102‐DQB1*0502, and was observed in the Thai, Malaysian, Thursday Islander, Javanese and Northern Chinese populations.
DIFFERENTIAL EXPRESSION OF THE DOWN‐REGULATORY FUNCTION OF CD8 CELLS IN TRICHOSANTHIN‐INDUCED IMMUNOSUPPRESSION AND ITS GENETIC CONTROL IN HUMANS
Authors: Chou K.‐Y. , Chan M. , Bias W. B. 
Published: April 2007

SUMMARYTrichosanthin (Tk), a plant protein isolated from a Chinese medicinal herb, was shown in our previous experiments to suppress mitogenic, antigenic and allogeneic responses of human lymphocytes. Two non‐toxic pathways, the CD8‐dependent and the CD8‐independent, were identified as being involved in inducing the suppression. In this communication, we report that, in a subgroup of healthy subjects, only the CD8‐dependent pathway was found to operate. In cell cultures from the other subjects, removal of CD8 cells from the culture did not diminish the suppression, implying that the down‐regulatory function of the CD8 cells was not expressed in the presence of Tk. Two types of subject, CD8 mediators (M+) (CD8‐dependent pathway operating) and non‐mediators (M−) (CD8‐independent pathway operating), were thus distinguishable. A ‘mediation index’(MI) was calculated as MI (%) = RR of CD8‐depleted cell culture ‐ RR of non‐CD8‐depleted cell culture. Of 68 unrelated subjects tested, 21 (30.9%) could be classified as M+, with a mean ‘mediation index’ of 13.4±4.0, while 47 (69.1%) were M−, with a mean MI of −5.6±4.3 (t= 17.2, P < 0.001). The M+ and M− groups exhibited an essentially non‐overlapping bimodal distribution of MI. Among the 40 Caucasoids in the panel, nine of 14 M+ subjects were HLA‐DR7, DQ2 (χ2= 14.652, Pc= 0.00084). The two DR7‐DQ3 panel members, however, were M−, suggesting that DQ2 might be associated with M+. Segregation patterns in two families revealed that the M+ phenotype is a Mendelian dominant trait.
FINGERPRINTING OF HLA CLASS I GENES FOR IMPROVED SELECTION OF UNRELATED BONE MARROW DONORS
Authors: Martinelli G. , Farabegoli P. , Buzzi M. , Panzica G. , Zaccaria A. , Bandini G. , Calori E. , Testoni N. , Rosti G. , Conte R. , Remiddi C. , Salvucci M. , De Vivo A. , Tura S. 
Published: April 2007

SUMMARYThe degree of matching of HLA genes between the selected donor and recipient is an important aspect of the selection of unrelated donors for allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (UBMT). The most sensitive methods currently used are serological typing of HLA class I genes, mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC), IEF and molecular genotyping of HLA class II genes by direct sequencing of PCR products. Serological typing of class I antigenes (A, B and C) fails to detect minor differences demonstrated by direct sequencing of DNA polymorphic regions. Molecular genotyping of HLA class I genes by DNA analysis is costly and work‐intensive. To improve compatibility between donor and recipient, we have set up a new rapid and non‐radioisotopic application of the ‘fingerprinting PCR’ technique for the analysis of the polymorphic second exon of the HLA class I A, B and C genes. This technique is based on the formation of specific patterns (PCR fingerprints) of homoduplexes and heterodu‐plexes between heterologous amplified DNA sequences. After an electrophoretic run on non‐denaturing polyacrylamide gel, different HLA class I types give allele‐specific banding patterns. HLA class I matching is performed, after the gel has been soaked in ethidium bromide or silver‐stained, by visual comparison of patients’ fingerprints with those of donors. Identity can be confirmed by mixing donor and recipient DNAs in an amplification cross‐match. To assess the technique, 10 normal samples, 22 related allogeneic bone marrow transplanted pairs and 10 unrelated HLA‐A and HLA‐B serologically matched patient‐donor pairs were analysed for HLA class I polymorphic regions. In all the related pairs and in 1/10 unrelated pairs, matched donor‐recipient patterns were identified. This new application of PCR fingerprinting may confirm the HLA class I serological selection of unrelated marrow donors.
HLA‐DQA1 AND ‐DQB1 GENOTYPING BY PCR‐RFLP, HETERODUPLEX AND HOMODUPLEX ANALYSIS
Authors: Teutsch S. M. , Bennetts B. H. , Castle M. , Hibbins M. , Heard R. N. S. , Stewart G. J. 
Published: April 2007

SUMMARYPCR‐RFLP typing methods for DQA1 and DQB1 in conjunction with the analysis of heteroduplex and homoduplex patterns have allowed a simple method for typing all of the major DQA1 and DQB1 alleles. This method has advantages over PCR amplification with sequence‐specific primers (PCR‐SSP), PCR hybridization with sequence‐specific oligonucleotide probes (PCR‐SSO) and other PCR‐RFLP strategies for typing DQ alleles. The analysis of heteroduplex and homoduplex patterns can be used in conjunction with other PCR typing systems such as PCR‐SSP as a confirmatory step with little additional work. In addition, a PCR‐RFLP strategy was designed for resolving the DQB 1*0602 and DQB 1 *0603 alleles, which involved the use of a primer containing a base mutation, creating a new restriction site which distinguished the two alleles. These techniques have enabled resolution of the major homozygous and heterozygous combinations of these DQA1 and DQB I alleles. The PCR‐RFLP technique does not require the large number of oligonucleotides that are necessary for both the PCR‐SSP and PCR‐SSO techniques and is thus both time and cost effective for infrequent or small numbers of samples.
HLA‐G POLYMORPHISM AND ALLELIC ASSOCIATION WITH HLA‐A IN A FINNISH POPULATION
Authors: Karhukorpi J. , Ikaheimo I. , Silvennoinen‐Kassinen S. , Tiilikainen A. 
Published: April 2007

SUMMARYThe polymorphism of the HLA‐G gene can be identified by PCR‐RFLP analysis. This short communication describes the PCR‐RFLP analysis of HLA‐G polymorphisms in exons 2 and 3 and the association of different HLA‐G and HLA‐A alleles in 26 healthy Finnish families.
Information criteria for astrophysical model selection
Authors: Liddle Andrew R. 
Published: April 2007

Abstract
Model selection is the problem of distinguishing competing models, perhaps featuring different numbers of parameters. The statistics literature contains two distinct sets of tools, those based on information theory such as the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), and those on Bayesian inference such as the Bayesian evidence and Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC). The Deviance Information Criterion combines ideas from both heritages; it is readily computed from Monte Carlo posterior samples and, unlike the AIC and BIC, allows for parameter degeneracy. I describe the properties of the information criteria, and as an example compute them from Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe 3-yr data for several cosmological models. I find that at present the information theory and Bayesian approaches give significantly different conclusions from that data.
K+ as a vasodilator in resting human muscle: implications for exercise hyperaemia
Authors: Juel C. , Olsen S. , Rentsch R. L. , González‐Alonso J. , Rosenmeier J. B. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractAim:  Potassium (K+) released from contracting skeletal muscle is considered a vasodilatory agent. This concept is mainly based on experiments infusing non‐physiological doses of K+. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of K+ in blood flow regulation.Methods:  We measured leg blood flow (LBF) and arterio‐venous (A‐V) O2 difference in 13 subjects while infusing K+ into the femoral artery at a rate of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 mmol min−1.Results:  The lowest dose increased the calculated femoral artery plasma K+ concentration by approx.1 mmol L−1. Graded K+ infusions increased LBF from 0.39 ± 0.06 to 0.56 ± 0.13, 0.58 ± 0.17, 0.61 ± 0.11 and 0.71 ± 0.17 L min−1, respectively, whereas the leg A‐V O2 difference decreased from 74 ± 9 to 60 ± 12, 52 ± 11, 53 ± 9 and 45 ± 7 mL L−1, respectively (P < 0.05). Mean arterial pressure was unchanged, indicating that the increase in LBF was associated with vasodilatation. The effect of K+ was totally inhibited by infusion (27 μmol min−1) of Ba2+, an inhibitor of Kir2.1 channels. Simultaneous infusion of ATP and K+ evoked an increase in LBF equalled to the sum of their effects.Conclusions:  Physiological infusions of K+ induce significant increases in resting LBF, which are completely blunted by inhibition of the Kir2.1 channels. The present findings in resting skeletal muscle suggest that K+ released from contracting muscle might be involved in exercise hyperaemia. However, the magnitude of increase in LBF observed with K+ infusion suggests that K+ only accounts for a limited fraction of the hyperaemic response to exercise.
Vascular adaptations to 8‐week cycling training in older men
Authors: Thijssen D. H. J. , De Groot P. C. E. , Smits P. , Hopman M. T. E. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractAim:  Because age‐related changes in the large conduit arteries (increased wall thickness, and attenuated arterial compliance and endothelial function) are associated with cardiovascular pathology, prevention is of paramount importance. The effects of endurance training (i.e. walking or cycling) in older humans are assessed in cross‐sectional studies, examining the brachial and carotid arteries (supplying non‐trained areas). The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of 8‐week endurance training in older men on conduit artery characteristics in the trained and non‐trained vascular beds.Methods:  In eight healthy sedentary older men (70 ± 3 years), characteristics of the large conduit arteries [common femoral (CFA), superficial femoral (SFA), carotid (CA), and brachial artery (BA)] were measured before and after 8‐week cycling training. Functional [arterial compliance and flow‐mediated dilation (FMD)] and structural (diameter and intima‐media thickness) conduit artery properties were measured using echo‐Doppler. Peak blood flow, representing structural peripheral adaptations, was measured using venous occlusion plethysmography.Results:  After training, peak leg blood flow was increased (P < 0.01) and baseline diameter and flow were increased in the CFA (P < 0.05). Cycling training enhanced arterial compliance of the SFA (P = 0.03), but did not affect the FMD (P = 0.32) or the intima‐media thickness of the SFA. Exercise training did not alter characteristics of the BA or CA.Conclusion:  Eight weeks of endurance training in older men altered functional and structural characteristics of the lower extremity vasculature, whereas no changes are reported for the conduit arteries in the non‐trained areas (BA or in the CA).
Consent gained from patients after breast surgery for the use of surplus tissue in research: an exploration: Table 1
Authors: Hamilton S , Hepper J , Hanby A , Hewison J 
Published: March 2007

Objectives:(1) To investigate the quality of consent gained for the use in research of tissue that is surplus after surgery. (2) To compare the use of two consent forms: a simple locally introduced form and a more complex centrally instigated form. (3) To discuss the attitudes of patients towards the use of their surplus tissue in research.Design:Data were collected through interviews and analysed with a combination of quantitative and qualitative analytical techniques.Participants and setting:Patients of the breast care unit at a teaching hospital were interviewed at home or in a quiet room at the hospital.Results:57 people were interviewed out of 81 approached, between October 2003 and March 2004. Most participants had a poor level of knowledge about the consent they had given, but reported being happy about having given it. The patients who had signed the locally introduced form had considerably more knowledge than those who had signed the centrally instigated form (z = −2.56; p<0.05). Participants considered being well informed to be less important than believing that their opinions were valued and respected.Conclusions:The findings suggest that traditional models of informed consent are not universally applicable and, in this case, seem to overstate what people wish to know. The simple consent form achieved a better quality of informed consent and provided a better model of practice than the complex form, and it seemed that a focused approach to consent seeking is more effective and acceptable than more complex approaches.
A good death certificate: improved performance by simple educational measures
Authors: Selinger Christian P , Ellis Robert A , Harrington Mary G 
Published: April 2007

Abstract

Background and aims
The initial aim of this audit was to determine whether information on death certificates is correct and all legal requirements are met. As shortcomings were found, educational measures were undertaken and the effect of those was measured by a re-audit.

Method
All death certificates issued during a 4-month period within the elderly care department of a district general hospital were retrospectively audited. A re-audit was performed later the same year over a 3-month period.

Results
19 (13.6%) of 140 certificates issued during the initial 4-month period could not be shown to meet the statutory criteria, as no evidence was found that these patients were attended by the issuing medical officer. Minor errors and omissions were found in 58.6% of certificates. Following education about these problems, there was a significant improvement in death certification. Only 2 (2.4%) of 85 certificates issued in the re-audit period did not meet the statutory criteria (p = 0.01) and minor errors and omissions occurred in 20%.

Conclusion
The incidence of unsatisfactory death certificates within a hospital setting is high. Increased education and better documentation leads to improvements in accuracy and legitimacy.
Sociodemographic and psychosocial correlates of smoking-induced deprivation and its effect on quitting: findings from the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Survey
Authors: Siahpush Mohammad , Borland Ron , Yong Hua-Hie 
Published: March 2007

Aims:To determine the prevalence and characteristics of smokers who experience smoking-induced deprivation (SID), and to examine its effect on quit attempts, relapse and cessation.Methods:Waves 2 and 3 (2003–5) of the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Survey were used, which is a prospective study of a cohort of smokers in the US, Canada, UK and Australia. SID was measured with the question “In the last six months, have you spent money on cigarettes that you knew would be better spent on household essentials like food?” A total of 7802 smokers participated in the survey in wave 2, of whom 5408 were also interviewed in wave 3.Findings:The proportion of smokers who reported SID was highest in Australia (33%) and lowest in the UK (20%). Younger age, minority status and low income were associated with a higher probability of SID. Some of the other factors related to a higher probability of SID were higher level of nicotine dependence, having an intention to quit, and smoking to help one socialise or control weight. The relationship between SID and quit attempt was mediated by having an intention to quit and worrying that smoking would damage health and reduce the quality of life. The relationship between SID and relapse was mediated by perceived stress. SID was not associated with successful cessation.Conclusions:Many smokers experience deprivation that is the result of their smoking. Strategies to reduce the prevalence of smoking probably effect a general improvement in standards of living and reduction in deprivation.
β-2-Microglobulin Is an Androgen-Regulated Secreted Protein Elevated in Serum of Patients with Advanced Prostate Cancer
Authors: Gross Mitchell , Top Irina , Laux Isett , Katz Jonathan , Curran John , Tindell Charles , Agus David 
Published: April 2007

AbstractPurpose: A better understanding of secreted proteins may lead to the discovery of new biomarkers, which, along with prostate-specific antigen (PSA), may be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer patients.Experimental Design: Conditioned medium was collected from LNCaP cells following stimulation with methyltrienolone (R1881), 17β-estradiol (estradiol), or interleukin-6 and analyzed for differential protein expression with surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, immunoblots, and ELISA were used to measure β-2-microglobulin (B2M) message and protein levels in cells, conditioned medium, and serum.Results: Surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization-time of flight revealed that many peaks were induced or repressed following stimulation with R1881 or estradiol. A peak of interest centered at 11.8 kDa was chosen for additional analysis. Immunodepletion identified the peak of interest as B2M. Reverse transcription-PCR and immunoblots confirmed that PSA and B2M were induced by R1881. However, unlike PSA, B2M was not increased on stimulation with estradiol or interleukin-6. Human B2M is identified in the serum of mice bearing human prostate cancer xenograft. B2M is expressed in human prostate cancer cell lines and tissues. Serum B2M levels are elevated in patients with metastatic, androgen-independent prostate cancer.Conclusions: B2M is a secreted protein expressed in prostate cancer, which is more specific for androgen stimulation than PSA under the conditions tested. Additional studies are warranted to explore if B2M is as useful marker for prostate cancer. Identification of proteins secreted from cancer cells in preclinical models may be a useful strategy for biomarker discovery.
The Therapeutic and Preventive Effect of RRR-α-Vitamin E Succinate on Prostate Cancer via Induction of Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein-3
Authors: Yin Yi , Ni Jing , Chen Ming , DiMaggio Matthew A. , Guo Yinglu , Yeh Shuyuan 
Published: April 2007

Abstract
Purpose: Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) is a well-known antiproliferative and proapoptotic molecule in prostate cancer, suggesting that targeting IGFBP-3 might produce clinical benefits. In prostate cancer cells, RRR-α-vitamin E succinate (VES) inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis, yet the mechanisms remain to be elucidated. We hypothesize that the protective effects of VES in prostate cancer are mediated by IGFBP-3 up-regulation. Using prostate cancer models, the involvement of IGFBP-3 in the anticancer effect of VES was investigated.
Experimental Design: IGFBP-3 mRNA and protein were determined by real-time PCR and Western blotting in prostate cancer cells, xenografted tumors of nude mice, and prostate tumors of transgenic adenocarcinoma mouse prostate (TRAMP) mice. The serum levels of IGFBP-3 were assessed by ELISA. The importance of IGFBP-3 in VES-mediated antitumor effects was confirmed by small interfering RNA knockdown strategy.
Results: We found that VES induced IGFBP-3 mRNA and protein levels in human prostate cancer cell lines. Knockdown of IGFBP-3 by small interfering RNA attenuated VES-induced IGFBP-3 expression and VES-mediated antiproliferative and proapoptotic functions. Furthermore, administration of VES resulted in a significant therapeutic effect on LNCaP and PC3 xenografts and a preventive effect on tumorigenic progression in the TRAMP model without overt toxicity. Notably, the therapeutic and preventive efficacy of VES correlated with increased accumulation of IGFBP-3 in mouse serum as well as in the xenograft tumors and TRAMP prostate samples. Consequently, reduced proliferation and induced apoptosis were witnessed.
Conclusions: VES mediates its therapeutic and preventive effects against prostate cancer at least partially through up-regulating IGFBP-3, which inhibits cell proliferation and promotes cell apoptosis.