bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative Evaluation of the Performance of the Abbott Real-Time Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) Assay for Measurement of HIV-1 Plasma Viral Load following Automated Specimen Preparation
Authors: Garcia-Diaz A. , Clewley G. S. , Booth C. L. , Labett W. , McAllister N. , Geretti A. M. 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACT

The performance of the new Abbott real-time human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) assay for HIV-1 RNA load determination in plasma was compared to that of the Abbott LCx HIV-1 RNA quantitative assay following automated RNA isolation by the Abbott m1000 extractor. The measured viral loads of 89 clinical specimens differed by mean 0.19 log
10
copies/ml (95% confidence interval, 0.12 to 0.26 log
10
copies/ml). Although the difference in viral load determinations was positively skewed in favor of the LCx assay, it did not reach statistical significance (
P
= 0.42). Results were linearly associated (
R
2
= 0.94) and strongly correlated (
R
= 0.96). Good performance was observed with HIV-1 subtypes other than B and circulating recombinant forms, although results obtained with two subtype G specimens and one H specimen showed a more substantial difference.
Rapid Detection of
Brucella
spp. in Blood Cultures by Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization
Authors: Wellinghausen Nele , Nöckler Karsten , Sigge Anja , Bartel Melanie , Essig Andreas , Poppert Sven 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACT

Brucellosis is a severe systemic disease in humans. We describe a new 16S rRNA-based fluorescence in situ hybridization assay that facilitates rapid and specific detection of all human pathogenic species of
Brucella
and that can be applied directly to positive blood cultures.
Occurrence of the Enterotoxin Gene Cluster and the Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin 1 Gene among Clinical Isolates of Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
Is Related to Clonal Type and
agr
Group
Authors: Chini Vassiliki , Dimitracopoulos George , Spiliopoulou Iris 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACT

Analysis of 177 methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) strains for the presence of
egc
and
tst
revealed that 60 strains carried at least one of the tested genes. MRSA strains were classified by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis into four clones belonging to
agr
groups I and III. Toxin genotypes were related by clonal type and
agr
group.
Rapid
Staphylococcus aureus agr
Type Determination by a Novel Multiplex Real-Time Quantitative PCR Assay
Authors: Francois Patrice , Koessler Thibaud , Huyghe Antoine , Harbarth Stephan , Bento Manuela , Lew Daniel , Etienne Jérôme , Pittet Didier , Schrenzel Jacques 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACT

The accessory gene regulator (
agr
) is a crucial regulatory component of
Staphylococcus aureus
involved in the control of bacterial virulence factor expression. We developed a real-time multiplex quantitative PCR assay for the rapid determination of
S. aureus agr
type. This assay represents a rapid and affordable alternative to sequence-based strategies for assessing relevant epidemiological information.
Presence of Circulating CCR10+ T cells and Elevated Serum CTACK/CCL27 in the Early Stage of Mycosis Fungoides
Authors: Fujita Yasuyuki , Abe Riichiro , Sasaki Mikako , Honda Ayumi , Furuichi Megumi , Asano Yukie , Norisugi Osamu , Shimizu Tadamichi , Shimizu Hiroshi 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Purpose: Mycosis fungoides (MF), a common type of cutaneous T cell lymphoma with an indolent clinical course, has the characteristic that malignant T cell clones are recruited into the skin from the early disease stages. The mechanisms of recruitment have been suggested from our knowledge of various chemokine-chemokine receptor interactions. Recently, CCR10 and CTACK/CCL27 were proposed to play a role in the recruitment of other types of cutaneous T cell lymphoma. We examined the expression of CCR10 in peripheral blood and serum CTACK/CCL27 levels in patients with MF.
Experimental Design: Eighteen patients with MF, six patients with atopic dermatitis, and nine healthy volunteers were enrolled in our investigation. We investigated the differences in CCR10+ CD4+ expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by flow cytometry. Serum CTACK/CCL27 levels were determined using a CTACK/CCL27 ELISA assay kit.
Results: The number of circulating CCR10+ CD4+ cells was significantly higher in MF peripheral blood than in controls, even during the early stages. In lesional MF skin, infiltrating tumor cells also showed extensive expression of CCR10. The serum level of CTACK/CCL27 was higher in patients with MF than normal controls, but no statistical difference was found compared with atopic dermatitis patients.
Conclusions: CCR10-CTACK/CCL27 interactions between circulating T cells and keratinocytes would seem to play an important role in the pathophysiology of MF from the early disease stages.
Prognostic DNA Methylation Biomarkers in Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Wei Susan H. , Balch Curtis , Paik Henry H. , Kim Yoo-Sung , Baldwin Rae Lynn , Liyanarachchi Sandya , Li Lang , Wang Zailong , Wan Joseph C. , Davuluri Ramana V. , Karlan Beth Y. , Gifford Gillian , Brown Robert , Kim Sun , Huang Tim H-M. , Nephew Kenneth P. 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Purpose: Aberrant DNA methylation, now recognized as a contributing factor to neoplasia, often shows definitive gene/sequence preferences unique to specific cancer types. Correspondingly, distinct combinations of methylated loci can function as biomarkers for numerous clinical correlates of ovarian and other cancers.
Experimental Design: We used a microarray approach to identify methylated loci prognostic for reduced progression-free survival (PFS) in advanced ovarian cancer patients. Two data set classification algorithms, Significance Analysis of Microarray and Prediction Analysis of Microarray, successfully identified 220 candidate PFS-discriminatory methylated loci. Of those, 112 were found capable of predicting PFS with 95% accuracy, by Prediction Analysis of Microarray, using an independent set of 40 advanced ovarian tumors (from 20 short-PFS and 20 long-PFS patients, respectively). Additionally, we showed the use of these predictive loci using two bioinformatics machine-learning algorithms, Support Vector Machine and Multilayer Perceptron.
Conclusion: In this report, we show that highly prognostic DNA methylation biomarkers can be successfully identified and characterized, using previously unused, rigorous classifying algorithms. Such ovarian cancer biomarkers represent a promising approach for the assessment and management of this devastating disease.
Genomic Alterations in Human Malignant Glioma Cells Associate with the Cell Resistance to the Combination Treatment with Tumor Necrosis Factor–Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand and Chemotherapy
Authors: Li Yueh-Chun , Tzeng Ching-Cherng , Song Jin H. , Tsia Fuu-Jen , Hsieh Lie-Jiau , Liao Shu-Ju , Tsai Chang-Hai , Van Meir Erwin G. , Hao Chunhai , Lin Chyi-Chyang 
Published: May 2006

AbstractPurpose: Tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is currently under clinical development as a cancer therapeutic agent. Many human malignant glioma cells, however, are resistant to TRAIL treatment. We, therefore, investigated the genomic alterations in TRAIL-resistant malignant glioma cells.Experimental Design: Seven glioma cell lines and two primary cultures were first analyzed for their sensitivity to TRAIL and chemotherapy and then examined for the genomic alterations in key TRAIL apoptotic genes by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), G-banding/spectral karyotyping, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).Results: CGH detected loss of the chromosomal regions that contain the following genes: 8p12-p23 (DR4 and DR5), 2q33-34 (caspase-8), 11q13.3 (FADD), 22q11.2 (Bid), and 12q24.1-q24.3 (Smac/DIABLO) in TRAIL-resistant cell lines. Spectral karyotyping showed numerical and structural aberrations involving the chromosomal regions harboring these genes. A combination of G-banding/spectral karyotyping and FISH further defined the loss or gain of gene copy of these genes and further showed the simultaneous loss of one copy of DR4/DR5, caspase-8, Bid, and Smac in two near-triploid cell lines that were resistant to the combination treatment with TRAIL and chemotherapy. Loss of the caspase-8 locus was also detected in a primary culture in correlation with the culture resistance to the combined TRAIL and chemotherapy treatment.Conclusions: The study identifies chromosomal alterations in TRAIL apoptotic genes in the glioma cells that are resistant to the treatment with TRAIL and chemotherapy. These genetic alterations could be used to predict the responsiveness of malignant gliomas to TRAIL-based therapies in clinical treatment of the tumors.
The Pharmacokinetics and Safety of ABT-751, a Novel, Orally Bioavailable Sulfonamide Antimitotic Agent: Results of a Phase 1 Study
Authors: Hande Kenneth R. , Hagey Anne , Berlin Jordan , Cai Yingna , Meek Kysa , Kobayashi Hiro , Lockhart A. Craig , Medina Diane , Sosman Jeffrey , Gordon Gary B. , Rothenberg Mace L. 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Purpose: Microtubules play a critical role in many cellular functions, including cell division and mitosis. ABT-751 is a novel sulfonamide antimitotic that binds to the colchicine site on β-tubulin that leads to a block in the cell cycle at the G2M phase, resulting in cellular apoptosis. ABT-751 was investigated in this phase 1 trial designed to assess its maximum tolerated dose (MTD), dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), tolerability, and pharmacokinetics.
Experimental Design: ABT-751 was administered on a daily (q.d.) or twice daily (b.i.d.) oral schedule for 7 days every 3 weeks to 39 patients with refractory solid tumors. Toxicity was monitored weekly. Plasma and urine ABT-751 and metabolite pharmacokinetics were determined.
Results: The MTD for the q.d. schedule was 250 mg/d. DLTs during cycle 1 were abdominal pain, constipation, and fatigue. The MTD on the b.i.d. schedule was 150 mg. Cycle 1 of therapy with the 175 mg b.i.d. schedule was tolerated without DLT. However, six of seven patients reported grade 3 toxicity (ileus, constipation, abdominal pain, or fatigue), which occurred in cycle 2 or 3. ABT-751 was absorbed after oral administration with an overall mean Tmax of about 2 hours. The pharmacokinetics of ABT-751 were dose-proportional and time-independent. There was minimal accumulation of ABT-751 after multiple q.d. and b.i.d. doses. Efficacious concentrations, as determined from preclinical models (0.5-1.5 μg/mL), were achieved in all subjects. ABT-751 metabolism occurred primarily by glucuronidation and sulfation. No complete or partial tumor responses were noted, but one patient had a minor response, and four patients had stable disease lasting at least 6 months.
Conclusions: The MTD and recommended phase 2 doses for ABT-751 were 250 mg q.d. and 150 mg b.i.d. on a 7-day schedule given every 3 weeks, due to subsequent cycle toxicities at 175 mg b.i.d. dosing. Toxicities were abdominal pain, constipation, and neuropathy.
Effect of Calcitriol on Prostate-Specific Antigen In vitro and in Humans
Authors: Beer Tomasz M. , Garzotto Mark , Park Byung , Mori Motomi , Myrthue Anne , Janeba Nicole , Sauer David , Eilers Kristine 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Background: Calcitriol, the natural ligand for the vitamin D receptor, has significant potential in prostate cancer treatment. Measurement of its antineoplastic activity in prostate cancer clinical trials may be complicated by effects of calcitriol on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) production. We examined the effects of calcitriol at similar concentration on cell proliferation, androgen receptor (AR) expression, and PSA production in vitro and on PSA concentrations in prostate cancer patients.
Experimental Design: LNCaP prostate cancer cell proliferation was examined by cell counts 6 days after exposure to a range of concentrations of calcitriol. AR and PSA protein was quantified in LNCaP cells over 96 hours after exposure to 1 nmol/L calcitriol. Serum PSA and free PSA was serially measured by immunoassay over a period of 8 days in patients with hormone-naïve prostate cancer after a single dose of 0.5 μg/kg calcitriol.
Results: Calcitriol treatment resulted in dose-dependent growth inhibition of LNCaP with ∼50% growth inhibition at the clinically achievable concentration of 1 nmol/L. Time-dependent up-regulation of AR expression and of PSA production in LNCaP cells was shown at the same concentration. No significant change in serum PSA or free PSA over 8 days was seen in eight subjects treated with a single dose of 0.5 μg/kg calcitriol. The analysis was powered to detect a 1.23-fold change between the baseline and day 8 serum PSA.
Conclusions: At clinically achievable concentrations, calcitriol inhibits growth and induces AR and PSA expression in LNCaP cells. We did not detect similar changes in serum PSA or free PSA in patients exposed to similar concentrations of calcitriol. Thus, a PSA flare, predicted by preclinical systems, is unlikely to occur in patients and therefore unlikely to complicate interpretation of clinical trial outcomes.
Class III β-Tubulin Overexpression Is a Marker of Poor Clinical Outcome in Advanced Ovarian Cancer Patients
Authors: Ferrandina Gabriella , Zannoni Gian Franco , Martinelli Enrica , Paglia Amelia , Gallotta Valerio , Mozzetti Simona , Scambia Giovanni , Ferlini Cristiano 
Published: May 2006

AbstractPurpose: Overexpression of β III tubulin has been involved in paclitaxel resistance in several experimental models. We investigated the role of β III tubulin as predictor of clinical outcome in ovarian cancer patients given platinum/paclitaxel treatment. We also investigated whether β III tubulin expression could be modified after the selective pressure represented by chemotherapy in vivo.Experimental Design: The study was designed to include a series of consecutive ovarian cancer patients with unresectable disease at time of first surgery, who underwent interval debulking surgery with pathologic assessment of response to treatment with platinum/paclitaxel chemotherapy. Immunostaining was done on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections from pretreatment and posttreatment tissue biopsies by using the polyclonal rabbit anti–class III β-tubulin antibody.Results: β III Tubulin immunoreaction was observed in 51 of 62 (82.2%) cases. β III Tubulin positivity was neither associated with clinicopathologic variables nor with pathologic response to chemotherapy. Significantly lower percentages of β III tubulin positivity were observed in posttreatment (range, 5-80%; median, 20%) versus pretreatment (range 10-100%; median, 40%) tissue biopsies (P = 0.0011). Cases with high β III tubulin expression showed a worse overall survival with respect to cases with low β III tubulin expression (median overall survival, 25 versus 46 months; P = 0.002). Multivariate analysis showed that high content of β III tubulin remains independently associated with a worse prognosis.Conclusions: Assessment of β III tubulin could be useful to identify poor prognosis ovarian cancer patients candidates to more aggressive and/or targeted therapy.
Thymidylate Synthase Expression in Colon Carcinomas with Microsatellite Instability
Authors: Sinicrope Frank A. , Rego Rafaela L. , Halling Kevin C. , Foster Nathan R. , Sargent Daniel J. , La Plant Betsy , French Amy J. , Allegra Carmen J. , Laurie John A. , Goldberg Richard M. , Witzig Thomas E. , Thibodeau Stephen N. 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Purpose: Colon cancer cells with high-frequency microsatellite instability (MSI-H) display resistance to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) that can be reversed by restoring DNA mismatch repair (MMR) proficiency. Given that thymidylate synthase (TS) is inhibited by 5-FU, we studied the relationship between MSI and TS expression, and the prognostic effect of these and other markers (i.e., p53 and 17p allelic imbalance).
Experimental Design: Dukes' stage B2 and C colon carcinomas (n = 320) from participants in 5-FU-based adjuvant therapy trials were analyzed for MSI and 17p allelic imbalance. Expression of MMR (hMLH1, hMSH2), TS, and p53 proteins were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Correlations between markers and associations with overall survival were determined.
Results: Of 320 cancers studied, 60 (19%) were MSI-H. TS expression variables were similar in MSI-H and microsatellite stable/low-frequency MSI (MSS/MSI-L) cancers, and unrelated to MMR proteins. MSI-H tumors had lower stage (P = 0.0007), fewer metastatic lymph nodes (P = 0.004), and improved overall survival (P = 0.01). Loss of MMR proteins was also associated with better overall survival (P = 0.006). None of the TS variables were prognostic. Histologic grade (P = 0.0008) and nodal status (P = 0.0002) were associated with overall survival, in contrast to 17p allelic imbalance or p53. Only MSI status or loss of MMR proteins, histologic grade, and tumor stage were independent markers for overall survival.
Conclusions: MSI-H tumors show earlier stage at presentation and better stage-adjusted survival rates. MSI status and TS expression were unrelated and TS was not prognostic, suggesting that TS levels cannot explain therapeutic resistance to 5-FU reported in MSI-H colon cancers.
Etho-ethnology and ethno-ethology
Authors: Lestel Dominique , Brunois Florence , Gaunet Florence 
Published: May 2006

English In this article we defend the idea that etho-ethnology and ethno-ethology should be combined into a new science at the interface between human and animal sciences. This new field would study the hybrid communities comprised of humans and animals sharing meaning, interests and affects, and would try to account for the complexity of interspecific sociabilities. The study cannot be reduced either to an ethology devoted strictly to animal behaviors or to an ethnology concerned exclusively with the life of humans in society. French Dans cet article, nous défendons l'idée selon laquelle étho-ethnologie et ethno-éthologie doivent se combiner en une nouvelle science à l'interface des sciences de l'homme et des sciences de l'animal. Ce nouveau champ de recherche devra étudier les communautés hybrides homme/animal de partage de sens, d'intérêts et d'affects et devra rendre compte de la complexité des sociabilités interspécifiques. Une telle étude ne peut être réduite ni à une éthologie qui se consacre exclusivement à l'étude des comportements de l'animal, ni à une ethnologie qui étudie seulement la vie des humains en société.
Coexistence of K-ras mutations and HPV infection in colon cancer
Authors: Buyru Nur , Tezol Ayda , Dalay Nejat 
Published: May 2006

Abstract

Background
Activation of the ras genes or association with human papillomavirus infection have been extensively studied in colorectal cancer. However, the correlation between K-ras mutations and HPV in colorectal cancer has not been investigated yet. In this study we aimed to investigate the presence of K-ras mutations and their correlation with HPV infection in colon cancer.

Methods
K-ras mutations were analyzed by a mutagenic PCR assay and digestion with specific restriction enzymes to distinguish the wild-type and mutant codons. HPV infection was analyzed by PCR amplification and hybridization with specific probes by Southern blotting. Stattistical analyses were performed by the chi-square and Fisher's exact tests

Results
HPV gene fragments were detected in 43 tumors and 17 normal tissue samples. HPV 18 was the prevalent type in the tumor tissue. A mutation at codon 12 of the K-ras gene was present in 31 patients. 56% of the HPV-positive tumors also harbored a K-ras mutation. Codon 13 mutations were not observed. These data indicate that infection with high risk HPV types and mutational activation of the K-ras gene are frequent events in colorectal carcinogenesis.

Conclusion
Our findings suggest that mutational activation of the K-ras gene is a common event in colon carcinogenesis and that HPV infection may represent an important factor in the development of the premalignant lesions leading to the neoplastic phenotype.
Elicitation from virus-naive individuals of cytotoxic T lymphocytes directed against conserved HIV-1 epitopes
Authors: Reche Pedro A , Keskin Derin B , Hussey Rebecca E , Ancuta Petronela , Gabuzda Dana , Reinherz Ellis L 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) protect against viruses including HIV-1. To avoid viral escape mutants that thwart immunity, we chose 25 CTL epitopes defined in the context of natural infection with functional and/or structural constraints that maintain sequence conservation. By combining HLA binding predictions with knowledge concerning HLA allele frequencies, a metric estimating population protection coverage (PPC) was computed and epitope pools assembled. Strikingly, only a minority of immunocompetent HIV-1 infected individuals responds to pools with PPC >95%. In contrast, virus-naive individuals uniformly expand IFNγ producing cells and mount anti-HIV-1 cytolytic activity. This disparity suggests a vaccine design paradigm shift from infected to normal subjects.
Attributional style, defensive functioning and persecutory delusions: Symptom‐specific or general coping strategy?
Authors: Humphreys Lloyd , Barrowclough Christine 
Published: May 2006

Objective. Previous research has suggested that individuals with persecutory delusions use an exaggerated self‐serving bias to protect themselves from real or delusional threats to their underlying self‐concept. However, the research to date has been inconsistent thereby limiting the conclusion that can be inferred. A possible explanation for these discrepant findings may be due to the use of measures with questionable validity and reliability such as the Attributional Style Questionnaire and the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Inventory. The present study aims to re‐examine this theory using an improved methodology to determine whether defensive functioning is a defining feature of persecutory delusions.Design and methods. Thirty‐five participants suffering from recent onset psychosis were assessed in a cross‐sectional design. Three tests of attributional style were used, two overt measures (Attributional Style Questionnaire, ASQ; and the Internal Personal and Situational Attributions Questionnaire, IPSAQ) and one covert measure (Pragmatic Inference Test). Self‐esteem was measured using the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Inventory (SEI) and a semi‐structured interview (Self‐Evaluation and Social Support interview – schizophrenia version).Results. A self‐serving bias (SSB) was found in the total sample using the ASQ but not specifically in participants with persecutory delusions. In addition, the SSB was unrelated to levels of paranoia on any measure of attributional style. An underlying depressive attributional style was found in both subjects with and without persecutory delusions, but was not associated with levels of paranoia. Lower positive and higher negative self‐esteem was associated with increased paranoia and was associated with a SSB.Conclusion. The results indicate that the attributional biases observed in individuals with persecutory delusions are not symptom‐specific as previously suggested. The presence of an attributional, SSB was associated with lower psychotic experiences. The theoretical implications of the results will be discussed.