bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum neuron-specific enolase as early predictor of outcome after in-hospital cardiac arrest: a cohort study
Authors: Rech Tatiana H , Vieira Silvia ReginaRios , Nagel Fabiano , Brauner Janete Salles , Scalco Rosana 
Published: September 2006

Abstract
Introduction
Outcome after cardiac arrest is mostly determined by the degree of hypoxic brain damage. Patients recovering from cardiopulmonary resuscitation are at great risk of subsequent death or severe neurological damage, including persistent vegetative state. The early definition of prognosis for these patients has ethical and economic implications. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in predicting outcomes in patients early after in-hospital cardiac arrest.

Methods
Forty-five patients resuscitated from in-hospital cardiac arrest were prospectively studied from June 2003 to January 2005. Blood samples were collected, at any time between 12 and 36 hours after the arrest, for NSE measurement. Outcome was evaluated 6 months later with the Glasgow outcome scale (GOS). Patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (unfavorable outcome) included GOS 1 and 2 patients; group 2 (favorable outcome) included GOS 3, 4 and 5 patients. The Mann–Whitney U test, Student's t test and Fisher's exact test were used to compare the groups.

Results
The Glasgow coma scale scores were 6.1 ± 3 in group 1 and 12.1 ± 3 in group 2 (means ± SD; p < 0.001). The mean time to NSE sampling was 20.2 ± 8.3 hours in group 1 and 28.4 ± 8.7 hours in group 2 (p = 0.013). Two patients were excluded from the analysis because of sample hemolysis. At 6 months, favorable outcome was observed in nine patients (19.6%). Thirty patients (69.8%) died and four (9.3%) remained in a persistent vegetative state. The 34 patients (81.4%) in group 1 had significantly higher NSE levels (median 44.24 ng/ml, range 8.1 to 370) than those in group 2 (25.26 ng/ml, range 9.28 to 55.41; p = 0.034).

Conclusion
Early determination of serum NSE levels is a valuable ancillary method for assessing outcome after in-hospital cardiac arrest.
Analysis of proinflammatory activity of highly purified eukaryotic recombinant HMGB1 (amphoterin)
Authors: Rouhiainen Ari , Tumova Sarka , Valmu Leena , Kalkkinen Nisse , Rauvala Heikki 
Published: September 2006

AbstractHMGB1 (amphoterin) is a 30-kDa heparin-binding protein that mediates transendothelial migration of monocytes and has proinflammatory cytokine-like activities. In this study, we have investigated proinflammatory activities of both highly purified eukaryotic HMGB1 and bacterially produced recombinant HMGB1 protens. Mass analyses revealed that recombinant eukaryotic HMGB1 has an intrachain disulphide bond. In mass analysis of tissue-derived HMGB1, two forms were detected: the carboxyl terminal glutamic acid residue lacking form and a full-length form. Cell culture studies indicated that both eukaryotic and bacterial HMGB1 proteins induce TNF-α secretion and nitric oxide release from mononuclear cells. Affinity chromatography analysis revealed that HMGB1 binds tightly to proinflammatory bacterial substances. A soluble proinflammatory substance was separated from the bacterial recombinant HMGB1 by chloroform-methanol treatment. HMGB1 interacted with phosphatidylserine in both solid-phase binding and cell culture assays, suggesting that HMGB1 may regulate phosphatidylserine-dependent immune reactions. In conclusion, HMGB1 polypeptide has a weak proinflammatory activity by itself, and it binds to bacterial substances, including lipids, that may strengthen its effects.
Targeted in vivo expression of IFN-γ-inducible protein 10 induces specific antitumor activity
Authors: Yang Xiuli , Chu Yiwei , Wang Ying , Zhang Ruihua , Xiong Sidong 
Published: September 2006

Abstract
Although it is known that the chemoattractant effect of IFN-γ inducible protein 10 (IP-10), a CXC chemokine (CXCL10), plays an important role in T cell-mediated antitumor immunity in vivo, whether IP-10 is involved in modulating the proliferation, survival and functional activation of tumor-specific T cells remains poorly investigated. Using an experimental mouse tumor model, we demonstrated that the in vivo growth of 4T1 tumor cells harboring IP-10 gene (4T1-IP-10) was inhibited. Mice inoculated with 4T1-IP-10 tumor cells expressing functional IP-10 survived over 90 days, whereas mice injected with control parental 4T1 cells and mice of control 4T1 cells transduced with control plasmid all succumbed to the tumor by day 38 after tumor inoculation. Mechanical analysis showed that targeted expression of IP-10 in 4T1 tumor cells markedly enhanced the infiltration of tumor-specific T cells into the 4T1-IP-10 tumor. These tumor infiltrating T lymphocytes (TILs) recruited by IP-10 were potent cytolytic killers against 4T1 tumor cells and were able to proliferate and produce high levels of IFN-γ in response to 4T1 cells. In vivo administration of IP-10-recruited TILs induced vigorous proliferation of these TILs in situ in the 4T1-IP-10 tumor but not in the 4T1-pcDNA3 and parental 4T1 tumors. Furthermore, culture of TILs together with recombinant IP-10 significantly enhanced the proliferation and expansion of IP-10-recruited TILs in response to 4T1 tumor antigens. These results suggest that IP-10 is not only able to chemoattract tumor-specific T cells into the local tissue, but also enhance the proliferation, survival, and functional activation of these TILs, leading to the tumor regression. Thus, targeted expression of IP-10 in vivo will allow for the development of a novel approach for immunotherapy of tumor.
CD4+ T cells stimulate memory CD8+ T cell expansion via acquired pMHC I complexes and costimulatory molecules, and IL-2 secretion
Authors: Shi Meiqing , Hao Siguo , Chan Tim , Xiang Jim 
Published: September 2006

Abstract
The rapid and efficient expansion of CD8+ memory T cells after the second encounter with a pathogen constitutes a hallmark trait of adaptive immunity. Yet, the contribution of CD4+ T cells to the expansion of memory CD8+ T cells remains the subject of controversy. Here, we show that, antigen-specific CD4+ T cells, once activated by dendritic cells (DC) in vitro, have the capacity to stimulate expansion of memory CD8+ T cells in vivo. The memory CD8+ T cell expansion triggered by active CD4+ T cells are mediated through DC-derived MHC I/peptide complexes and CD80 molecules displayed on the active CD4+ T cells, with the involvement of IL-2 secreted by the active CD4+ T cells. These results highlight a previously undescribed role of active CD4+ T cells in triggering expansion of memory CD8+ T cells.
HMGB1-secreting capacity of multiple cell lineages revealed by a novel HMGB1 ELISPOT assay
Authors: Wähämaa Heidi , Vallerskog Therese , Qin Shixin , Lunderius Carolina , LaRosa Gregory , Andersson Ulf , Harris Helena Erlandsson 
Published: September 2006

AbstractHigh mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) exerts different biological functions dependent on its cellular localization. Nuclear HMGB1 maintains chromatin architecture and is required for undisturbed transcription activity, and extracellularly released HMGB1 mediates inflammation and tissue regeneration. A present paucity of readily accessible methods to quantify released HMGB1 represents a problem concerning the exploration of HMGB1 biology. We have now developed a HMGB1-specific ELISPOT assay enabling enumeration of individual HMGB1-releasing cells. The method also allows automated, semiquantitative assessment of released HMGB1 by evaluating areas of single HMGB1 spots. Actively secreted HMGB1 as well as cells passively releasing the protein following necrotic cell death are visualized distinctly using this ELISPOT assay. Kinetics of HMGB1 secretion after different stimuli was studied using cell lines of various lineages. IFN-γ already induced substantial HMGB1 secretion from the monocytic cell line RAW 264.7 within 24 h and even more so after 48 h. LPS only stimulated a modest HMGB1 release within 24 h, but this increased considerably by 48 h. TNF-induced HMGB1 release was unexpectedly low. Mast cells, which share the secretory, lysosomal pathway with macrophages/monocytes, did not secrete HMGB1 in response to any studied mode of activation. Most transformed cells overexpress HMGB1, but the ELISPOT assay revealed that all transformed cell lines will not actively secrete the protein. We believe the ELISPOT method provides a novel tool to study pathways promoting or inhibiting HMGB1 secretion.
Stochastic inversion of pressure and saturation changes from time-lapse AVO data
Authors: Veire Helene Hafslund , Borgos Hilde Grude , Landrø Martin 
Published: September 2006

Effects of pressure and fluid saturation can have the same degree of impact on seismic amplitudes and differential traveltimes in the reservoir interval; thus, they are often inseparable by analysis of a single stacked seismic data set. In such cases, time-lapse AVO analysis offers an opportunity to discriminate between the two effects. We quantify the uncertainty in estimations to utilize information about pressure- and saturation-related changes in reservoir modeling and simulation. One way of analyzing uncertainties is to formulate the problem in a Bayesian framework. Here, the solution of the problem will be represented by a probability density function (PDF), providing estimations of uncertainties as well as direct estimations of the properties. A stochastic model for estimation of pressure and saturation changes from time-lapse seismic AVO data is investigated within a Bayesian framework. Well-known rock physical relationships are used to set up a prior stochastic model. PP reflection coefficient differences are used to establish a likelihood model for linking reservoir variables and time-lapse seismic data. The methodology incorporates correlation between different variables of the model as well as spatial dependencies for each of the variables. In addition, information about possible bottlenecks causing large uncertainties in the estimations can be identified through sensitivity analysis of the system. The method has been tested on 1D synthetic data and on field time-lapse seismic AVO data from the Gullfaks Field in the North Sea.
Calculation of magnitude magnetic transforms with high centricity and low dependence on the magnetization vector direction
Authors: Gerovska Daniela , Araúzo-Bravo Marcos J. 
Published: September 2006

We present a Matlab tool that calculates five magnitude magnetic transforms (MMTs) from an input measured anomalous magnetic field. The MMTs are all based on the total magnitude anomaly (TMA), and consist of the TMA itself, the modulus of the gradient of the TMA, the Laplacian of the TMA, half of the square root of the Laplacian of the square of the TMA, and the square root of the product of the TMA plus the Laplacian of the TMA. These MMTs produce anomalies that are closer to the magnetic source’s true horizontal position and are simpler to interpret than the measured anomalous magnetic field itself. While the conventional magnetic transforms of reduction-to-the-pole (RTP), the pseudogravity field, and the analytic signal (AS) also have these properties, these MMTs have several additional advantages. They require only first-order, horizontal derivatives for their calculation. They are also more stable at low magnetic latitudes than the RTP, and have a pattern that is independent of the geomagnetic-field vector direction, in contrast to the AS. The Matlab tool is designed to deal with big data sets and is compatible with common data formats, GS ASCII grid files, and XYZ data files. A calculation of the MMTs of the total magnetic anomaly of a synthetic example at a low magnetic latitude and with a field example from the Kuju volcanic area, Japan demonstrate the effectiveness of the program.
Anisotropic geometrical-spreading correction for wide-azimuth P-wave reflections
Authors: Xu Xiaoxia , Tsvankin Ilya 
Published: September 2006

Compensation for geometrical spreading along a raypath is one of the key steps in AVO (amplitude-variation-with-offset) analysis, in particular, for wide-azimuth surveys. Here, we propose an efficient methodology to correct long-spread, wide-azimuth reflection data for geometrical spreading in stratified azimuthally anisotropic media. The P-wave geometrical-spreading factor is expressed through the reflection traveltime described by a nonhyperbolic moveout equation that has the same form as in VTI (transversely isotropic with a vertical symmetry axis) media. The adapted VTI equation is parameterized by the normal-moveout (NMO) ellipse and the azimuthally varying anellipticity parameter [Formula: see text]. To estimate the moveout parameters, we apply a 3D nonhyperbolic semblance algorithm of Vasconcelos and Tsvankin that operates simultaneously with traces at all offsets andazimuths. The estimated moveout parameters are used as the input in our geometrical-spreading computation. Numerical tests for models composed of orthorhombic layers with strong, depth-varying velocity anisotropy confirm the high accuracy of our travetime-fitting procedure and, therefore, of the geometrical-spreading correction. Because our algorithm is based entirely on the kinematics of reflection arrivals, it can be incorporated readily into the processing flow of azimuthal AVO analysis. In combination with the nonhyperbolic moveout inversion, we apply our method to wide-azimuth P-wave data collected at the Weyburn field in Canada. The geometrical-spreading factor for the reflection from the top of the fractured reservoir is clearly influenced by azimuthal anisotropy in the overburden, which should cause distortions in the azimuthal AVO attributes. This case study confirms that the azimuthal variation of the geometrical-spreading factor often is comparable to or exceeds that of the reflection coefficient.
Prospective Study of [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma With Palpably Negative Neck
Authors: Ng Shu-Hang , Yen Tzu-Chen , Chang Joseph Tung-Chieh , Chan Sheng-Chieh , Ko Sheung-Fat , Wang Hung-Ming , Lee Li-Yu , Kang Chung-Jan , Wong Alex Mun-Ching , Liao Chun-Ta 
Published: September 2006

Purpose To assess the clinical usefulness of [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ([18F]FDG PET) as well as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients with palpably negative neck. Patients and Methods In total, 134 oral SCC patients with palpably negative neck were prospectively evaluated with [18F]FDG PET, CT/MRI, and their visual correlation. Histopathologic analysis was used as the gold standard for assessment of these imaging techniques. Results Thirty-five (26.1%) of our 134 patients were found to have neck metastases. On a level-by-level basis, the sensitivity of [18F]FDG PET for nodal metastases was two-fold higher than that of CT/MRI (41.2% v 21.6%, respectively; P = .021). Visual correlation of [18F]FDG PET and CT/MRI yielded slightly higher sensitivity and specificity than [18F]FDG PET alone (47.1% v 41.2%, P = .25; 98.0% v 96.8%, P = .125, respectively). On a patient-by-patient basis, the sensitivity of [18F]FDG PET for neck metastases was 51.4% and increased to 57.1% after visual correlation with CT/MRI. The probabilities of occult neck metastasis after using [18F]FDG PET were 6.7% in T1 tumors, 10.8% in T2 tumors, 13.3% in T3 tumors, and 25% in T4 tumors and decreased to 3.3% in T1 tumors and to 9.2% in T2 tumors after visual correlation with CT/MRI. Conclusion [18F]FDG PET was superior to CT/MRI for detecting palpably occult neck metastasis of oral SCC. Because [18F]FDG PET could reduce the probability of occult neck metastasis to less than 15% in T1 to T3 tumors, it should be indicated for evaluation of these subpopulations.
Breast Cancer Treatment of Older Women in Integrated Health Care Settings
Authors: Enger Shelley M. , Thwin Soe Soe , Buist Diana S.M. , Field Terry , Frost Floyd , Geiger Ann M. , Lash Timothy L. , Prout Marianne , Yood Marianne Ulcickas , Wei Feifei , Silliman Rebecca A. 
Published: September 2006

Purpose A substantial literature describes age-dependent variations in breast cancer treatment, showing that older women are less likely to receive standard treatment than younger women. We sought to identify patient and tumor characteristics associated with the nonreceipt of standard primary tumor and systemic adjuvant therapies. Patients and Methods We studied 1,859 women age 65 years or older with stage I and II breast cancer diagnosed between 1990 and 1994 who were cared for in six geographically dispersed community-based health care systems. We collected demographic, tumor, treatment, and comorbidity data from electronic data sources, including cancer registry, administrative, and clinical databases, and from subjects' medical records. Results Women 75 years of age or older and women with higher comorbidity indices were more likely to receive nonstandard primary tumor therapy, to not receive axillary lymph node dissection, and to not receive radiation therapy after breast-conserving surgery (BCS). Asian women were less likely to receive BCS, and African American women were less likely to be prescribed tamoxifen. Although nonreceipt of most therapies was associated with a lower baseline risk of recurrence, an important minority of high-risk women (16% to 30%) did not receive guideline therapies. Conclusion Age is an independent risk factor for nonreceipt of effective cancer therapies, even when comorbidity and risk of recurrence are taken into account. Information regarding treatment effectiveness in this age group and tools that allow physicians and patients to estimate the benefits versus the risks of therapies, taking into account age and comorbidity burden, are critically needed.
McCune-Albright Syndrome and Acromegaly: Effects of Hypothalamopituitary Radiotherapy and/or Pegvisomant in Somatostatin Analog-Resistant Patients
Authors: Galland Françoise , Kamenicky Peter , Affres Hélène , Reznik Yves , Pontvert Dominique , Le Bouc Yves , Young Jacques , Chanson Philippe 
Published: September 2006

Abstract
Background: Acromegaly, which may be present in patients with McCune-Albright syndrome (MCAS), in association with café-au-lait spots, precocious puberty, and fibrous dysplasia, is often difficult to treat surgically because skull base bone dysplasia prevents the removal of the pituitary adenoma. Somatostatin analogs (SAs) generally give only partial responses. The use of radiotherapy (RT) is controversial because of a possible risk of bone sarcomatous transformation.
Aim: This study was a retrospective analysis of the efficacy and adverse effects of different treatment modalities in six patients with both MCAS and acromegaly.
Patients and Methods: Because surgery was impossible and SA failed to normalize GH/IGF-I hypersecretion, five of the six patients received fractionated RT (45–55 Grays). Three patients (two with previous RT) were also prescribed pegvisomant. We analyzed the clinical features of acromegaly, GH, and IGF-I concentrations and bone radiological features.
Results: GH and IGF-I concentrations fell after RT (median follow-up, 5 yr; range, 0.5–9 yr). Symptoms of acromegaly improved in parallel. Bone sarcomatous transformation was only noted in one patient in a region (the mandible) outside the radiation field. RT alone and/or combined with SA failed to normalize GH/IGF-I levels in the five patients concerned. In contrast, IGF-I levels normalized very rapidly (5–9 months) in the three patients receiving pegvisomant (10–20 mg/d).
Conclusion: RT may be an option for the treatment of acromegaly in patients with MCAS when surgery is impossible and SA therapy is ineffective. However, although no bone sarcomatous transformation was observed within the radiation field in this series, this risk cannot be ruled out. As shown in this small series of severely affected patients, pegvisomant therapy may thus be useful to normalize IGF-I levels rapidly.
Four Novel Missense Mutations in the CYP21A2 Gene Detected in Russian Patients Suffering from the Classical Form of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: Identification, Functional Characterization, and Structural Analysis
Authors: Grischuk Yulia , Rubtsov Petr , Riepe Felix G. , Grötzinger Joachim , Beljelarskaia Svetlana , Prassolov Vladimir , Kalintchenko Natalya , Semitcheva Tatyana , Peterkova Valentina , Tiulpakov Anatoly , Sippell Wolfgang G. , Krone Nils 
Published: September 2006

Abstract
Context: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is a group of autosomal recessive inherited disorders of steroidogenesis. The most frequent cause is the deficiency of steroid 21-hydroxylase (CYP21) due to mutations in the CYP21A2 gene.
Objective: We analyzed the functional and structural consequences of the four CYP21A2 missense mutations (C169R, G178R, W302R, and R426C) to prove their clinical relevance and study their impact on CYP21 function.
Results: Analyzing the mutations in vitro revealed an almost absent or negligible CYP21 activity for the conversion of 17-hydroxyprogesterone to 11-deoxycortisol and progesterone to deoxycorticosterone. Protein translation and intracellular localization were not affected by the mutants, as could be demonstrated by Western blotting and immunofluorescence studies. Analysis of these mutants in a three-dimensional model structure of the CYP21 protein explained the observed in vitro effects because all the mutations severely interfere either directly or indirectly with important structures of the 21-hydroxylase protein.
Conclusion: The in vitro expression analysis of residual enzyme function is a complementary method to genotyping and an important tool for improving the understanding of the clinical phenotype of 21-hydroxylase deficiency. This forms the foundation for accurate clinical and genetic counseling and for prenatal diagnosis and treatment. Moreover, this report demonstrates that the combination of in vitro enzyme analysis and molecular modeling can yield novel insights into CYP450 structure-functional relationships.
Marked Difference in the Reaction Rate of an Azobenzene-based Photochromic Amorphous Molecular Material between Films Prepared by Vacuum Deposition and Spin Coating
Authors: Tanino Takahiro , Nakano Hideyuki , Shirota Yasuhiko 
Published: September 2006

Abstract
A marked difference in the reaction rate of an azobenzene-based photochromic amorphous molecular material between films prepared by vacuum deposition and spin coating was found, the rate for the vacuum-deposited film being significantly faster compared to spin-coated amorphous film; this result indicates that the microstructures of amorphous films prepared by the above two methods are different from each other, suggesting that the local free volume of the vacuum-deposited film is smaller than that of the spin-coated film.
Analysis of Molecular Aggregation States in Pentacene Thin Films Prepared from Soluble Precursor
Authors: Akinaga Takahiro , Yasutake Shigekazu , Sasaki Sono , Sakata Osami , Otsuka Hideyuki , Takahara Atsushi 
Published: September 2006

Abstract
Molecular packing structure in pentacene films prepared from the Afzali’s precursor soluble in general organic solvents was characterized by in-plane grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD) measurements. The crystallographic ab plane of pentacene was parallel to the surface of a Si substrate. Crystal structure of pentacene near the substrate was identified as the thin-film phase.