bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhanced Responsiveness to Photodynamic Therapy‐Induced Apoptosis after Mitochondrial DNA Depletion
Authors: Kessel David , Sun Hai Hao 
Published: January 2008

AbstractSeveral lines of evidence indicate that mitochondria are an especially sensitive target for photodamage. Reports of cross resistance between photodynamic therapy (PDT) and the drug cisplatin, along with evidence that depletion of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sensitized cells to cisplatin suggested a study of the photodynamic responsiveness of murine leukemia control L1210 cells versus cells depleted of mtDNA. Loss of mtDNA led to an increased sensitivity to mitochondrial photodamage, while the cytotoxic effects of lysosomal photodamage were not affected. Cells depleted of mtDNA showed an enhanced ap‐optotic response to PDT involving a mitochondrial target, compared with control cells.
Low-level HIV-1 replication and the dynamics of the resting CD4+T cell reservoir for HIV-1 in the setting of HAART
Authors: Sedaghat Ahmad R , Siliciano Robert F , Wilke Claus O 
Published: January 2008

Abstract

Background
In the setting of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), plasma levels of human immunodeficiency type-1 (HIV-1) rapidly decay to below the limit of detection of standard clinical assays. However, reactivation of remaining latently infected memory CD4+ T cells is a source of continued virus production, forcing patients to remain on HAART despite clinically undetectable viral loads. Unfortunately, the latent reservoir decays slowly, with a half-life of up to 44 months, making it the major known obstacle to the eradication of HIV-1 infection. However, the mechanism underlying the long half-life of the latent reservoir is unknown. The most likely potential mechanisms are low-level viral replication and the intrinsic stability of latently infected cells.

Methods
Here we use a mathematical model of T cell dynamics in the setting of HIV-1 infection to probe the decay characteristics of the latent reservoir upon initiation of HAART. We compare the behavior of this model to patient derived data in order to gain insight into the role of low-level viral replication in the setting of HAART.

Results
By comparing the behavior of our model to patient derived data, we find that the viral dynamics observed in patients on HAART could be consistent with low-level viral replication but that this replication would not significantly affect the decay rate of the latent reservoir. Rather than low-level replication, the intrinsic stability of latently infected cells and the rate at which they are reactivated primarily determine the observed reservoir decay rate according to the predictions of our model.

Conclusion
The intrinsic stability of the latent reservoir has important implications for efforts to eradicate HIV-1 infection and suggests that intensified HAART would not accelerate the decay of the latent reservoir.
COGNITIVE AND BEHAVIORAL ABILITIES OF CHILDREN WITH HIV INFECTION IN GREECE
Authors: Bertou Georgia , Thomaidis Loreta , Spoulou Vasiliki , Theodoridou Maria 
Published: January 2008

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to evaluate cognitive and behavioral abilities of HIV-positive children in Greece.
METHODS: The cognitive and behavioral abilities of 20 HIV-positive children (B and C status; 8 boys and 12 girls; aged 3–18 years [mean: 11.5 years]) who were vertically infected and were receiving antiretroviral treatment were assessed twice within a 7-year period. Clinical indices (CD4 lymphocyte and viral load counts) were monitored systematically. A detailed developmental assessment was performed for all children twice within a 7-year period. Cognitive abilities were assessed by using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children III and Griffiths Mental Abilities Scales. Behavioral abilities were assessed by using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, which provides individual scores for anxiety, emotional tension, conduct, hyperactivity, and social relations with peers and provides an overall index of behavioral difficulties (IBD). Detailed neurologic examination and brain imaging were performed for all children.
RESULTS: HIV encephalopathy was evident in 3 children, and 5 of 20 children presented with coexisting diseases (2 neurofibromatosis encephalopathy, 1 brain aneurysm, and 2 autistic disorders). HIV-positive children with normal MRI findings and without signs of HIV encephalopathy scored within the normal range for their chronological age in all measures of general and specific domain cognitive abilities. Low IQ scores showed in 15 of 20 HIV-positive children in both assessments. Factors that were associated consistently with lower scores were positive MRI results, coexistence of an organic disease, maternal education, and gender. The IBD was raised in 7 children. In detail, 9 children had raised IBD scores in emotional tension, 6 seemed to have conduct disorders, 5 had hyperactivity, and 11 presented as having difficulties in social relations with their peers. Factors that were associated significantly and consistently with abnormal IBD scores were lower IQ, positive MRI findings, and coexistence of an organic disease.
CONCLUSIONS: Although the sample was small, the findings of our study support the idea that HIV infection places children at increased risk for poor cognitive and behavioral outcomes only if they experience a severe illness of advancing disease stage or a coexisting disease.
ASSOCIATION OF CYTOKINE-RELATED GENE EXPRESSION WITH DENGUE INFECTION SEVERITY
Authors: Waidab Woraman , Suphapeetiporn Kanya , Srichomthong Chalurmpon , Tongkobpetch Siraprapa , Pancharoen Chitsanu , Shotelersuk Vorasuk , Thisyakorn Usa 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: Dengue is the most prevalent mosquito-borne viral disease and one of the most serious infectious diseases worldwide. Infection by any of the serotypes of dengue viruses (DEN-1–DEN-4) may result in different severities ranging from a relatively benign fever, called dengue fever (DF), to fatal dengue shock syndrome. The pathogenesis of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome is thought to be mediated by various host factors. Previous reports have suggested an involvement of immunoresponse mediators as well as apoptosis-related molecules in the severity of dengue infection.
OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to elucidate the cellular gene responses to dengue viral infection at the transcriptional level and to correlate expression levels with disease activity and/or clinical manifestation.
METHODS: Expression levels of interleukin 8 (IL-8), IL-1β, matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), and Fas in peripheral blood cells were assayed for 10 children with DF, 10 children with DHF, and 5 healthy controls by using real-time reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction.
RESULTS: Expression levels of IL-8, IL-1β, MMP-9, and Fas were higher in children who developed DHF than in those with DF.
CONCLUSIONS: The messenger RNA expression levels of IL-8, IL-1β, MMP-9, and Fas were significantly elevated in children with DHF, which suggests that these mediators are involved in the pathogenesis. The messenger RNA expression level might serve as a predictor of dengue disease activity. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction has a potential to be another rapid and useful tool in assessing disease severity, leading to a proper therapeutic plan.
TRADITIONAL PRACTICES AFFECTING CHILD HEALTH: A SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN EXPERIENCE
Authors: Chapp-Jumbo Assumpta 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: Culture includes the values of a people and affects nurturing of children as well as illness attribution. In spite of scientific discoveries, traditional practices that relate to health-seeking behaviors have persisted.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this work was to highlight the harmfulness and consequent negative effects of some of these practices on child health.
METHODS: A 1-year longitudinal study of children who attended the children's emergency and outpatient departments of a health institution in an urban area in Nigeria was carried out. Oral interviewing of the caregivers and physical inspection of the children was carried out for all patients. Treatment history, preferences for health care, and obvious traditional attempts at cure were evaluated.
RESULTS: There were 4484 hospital visits during which 2040 children were evaluated. The most common form of medical intervention at home before the visit was the use of herbal remedies (964 [47.25%]), scarifications that remained after blood-letting procedures (867 [42.5%]), and pastes applied on the anterior fontanel (24 [1.18%]). Other less common but more traumatic therapies were foot roasting (18 [0.88%]), heat treatment of extremities (6 [0.29%]), and application of special preparations orifices (0.88%).
CONCLUSIONS: The high use of traditional methods of treatment and the harmfulness of some of them calls for health providers in any environment to evaluate these practices to use the information obtained as tools for health education, thereby discouraging harmful treatments and encouraging the practice of useful ones.
CENTRAL OBESITY IS THE MAJOR RISK FACTOR FOR FAILURE OF OBESITY MANAGEMENT DURING CONSOLIDATION PHASE IN CHILDREN
Authors: El Taguri Adel , Dabbas-Tyan Myriam , Ricour Claude 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: A proportion of obese children who are treated with a multidisciplinary approach with behavior modification and parental involvement show no response to the consolidation phase of treatment.
OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to identify possible risk factors that led to failure of obesity management in children who were attending an equipped, busy, specialized outpatient clinic.
METHODS: We performed a case-control study in which cases were those whose conditions failed to respond to current multidisciplinary management as judged by no decrease in BMI z score. Controls were those who responded to treatment (lower subsequent BMI z scores).
RESULTS: Of the 519 children, 416 (80.2%) had BMI z scores of &gt;3. Management was successful in 85% of the patients. In bivariate analysis, risk factors were age of &lt;4 years (odds ratio [OR]: 4.00 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08–14.70]), previous obesity management (OR: 2.18 [95% CI: 1.10–4.32]), triglyceridemia (OR: 2.01 [95% CI: 1.10–3.65]), and higher abdominal fat content as measured directly by dual-energy radiograph absorptiometry (OR: 1.09 [95% CI: 1.00–1.19]) or relative to thigh (waist/hip index) (OR: 2.67 [95% CI: 1.13–6.72]). Duration of obesity, the initial BMI z score, and gender were not predictive of treatment failure. In multivariate analysis, central obesity was the single-most important factor. In more hierarchical conceptual framework, factors retained were maternal obesity (OR: 2.44 [95% CI: 1.22–4.86]), previous management of obesity (OR: 2.21 [95% CI: 1.11–4.37]), and waist/hip index (OR: 3.35 [95% CI: 1.18–9.49]).
CONCLUSIONS: We propose a model in which centrally obese children with obese mothers who have high triglyceride levels are more likely to show resistance to reversal of the pathologic process of excess fat accumulation. Central obesity is a well known correlate of increased morbidity.
RECURRENT IDIOPATHIC THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA IN CHILDHOOD
Authors: Vranou Maria , Pergantou Helen , Platokouki Helen , Kousiafes Dimitris , Avgeri Maria , Aronis Sophia 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is usually a benign disease that remits within weeks to years. The literature on recurrent ITP (rITP) is limited.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to retrospectively review patients with rITP who were followed up during the period of 1975–2004.
METHODS: We reviewed the outcome of 790 children with rITP
RESULTS: Among 790 children with ITP, 47 (5.2%) presented with &gt;1 episode of thrombocytopenia. The median age of the children at onset of the disease was 55.9 ± 35.3 months and at final remission was 94.4 ± 58.9 months. The majority of patients (76.6%) had 1 recurrence, whereas the rest of them had &gt;1 recurrence (up to 4); the total number of recurrences was 63. The interval between 2 episodes was &lt;6 months in 25% of the episodes, 6 to 12 months in 29%, 12 to 24 months in 24%, 24 to 36 months in 8%, and &gt;3 years in 14%. Almost half the patients demonstrated bleeding manifestations at diagnosis, whereas only a minority (5) showed bleeding symptoms during the first recurrence. Hemorrhages occurred at times of severe thrombocytopenia and were, in general, mild; however, 1 patient suffered intracranial hemorrhage. Of the episodes, 28.6% necessitated hospitalization and 17.5% required therapeutic intervention with corticosteroids or/and intravenous immunoglobulin. The long-term outcome of all patients was excellent, and none of them needed splenectomy.
CONCLUSIONS: rITP occurs mostly in young children, has a good outcome after &gt;1 to 5 episodes, and a median age that ranges from months to years. The course is more often benign; however, life-threatening hemorrhage may occur in a severely thrombocytopenic patient.
Stereoselective Synthesis of Sugar Nucleotides Using Neighboring Group Participation
Authors: Timmons Shannon C. , Jakeman David L. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractA straightforward, efficient method for the chemical synthesis of sugar nucleotides derived from D‐mannose and L‐fucose precursors is described. This synthetic strategy involves the coupling of acylated glycosyl bromides with nucleoside 5′‐diphosphates, which enables the exploitation of neighboring group participation to exclusively prepare diastereomerically pure sugar nucleotides of desired 1,2‐trans anomeric configuration. This is the first stereoselective direct coupling approach to sugar nucleotide synthesis. Following deprotection using triethylamine and purification via C18 reversed‐phase ion‐pair chromatography, UDP‐ and GDP‐α‐D‐mannose as well as UDP‐ and GDP‐β‐L‐fucose were obtained in good yield in only four synthetic steps from D‐mannose and L‐fucose. Curr. Protoc. Nucleic Acid Chem. 31:13.7.1‐13.7.16. © 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
One‐Dimensional SDS Gel Electrophoresis of Proteins
Authors: Gallagher Sean R. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractElectrophoresis is used to separate complex mixtures of proteins (e.g., from cells, subcellular fractions, column fractions, or immunoprecipitates), to investigate subunit compositions, and to verify homogeneity of protein samples. It can also serve to purify proteins for use in further applications. In polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, proteins migrate in response to an electrical field through pores in a polyacrylamide gel matrix; pore size decreases with increasing acrylamide concentration. The combination of pore size and protein charge, size, and shape determines the migration rate of the protein. In this unit, the standard Laemmli method is described for discontinuous gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions, that is, in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Both full‐size and minigel formats are detailed. Several modifications are provided for specific applications. For separation of peptides and small proteins, the standard buffers are replaced with either a Tris‐tricine buffer system or a modified Tris buffer in the absence of urea. Continuous SDS‐PAGE is a simplified method in which the same buffer is used for both the gel and the electrode solutions and the stacking gel is omitted. Other protocols cover the preparation and use of ultrathin gels and gradient gels, and the simultaneous preparation of multiple gels. Curr. Protoc. Cell Biol. 37:6.1.1‐6.1.38. © 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Using the iHOP Information Resource to Mine the Biomedical Literature on Genes, Proteins, and Chemical Compounds
Authors: Hoffmann Robert 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThe iHOP (Information Hyperlinked over Proteins) resource employs sophisticated text‐mining methods to assist researchers in their quest for information on specific genes and proteins, their physical interactions and regulatory relationships, their relevance in pathologies, and their interactions with chemical compounds. iHOP parses thousands of PubMed documents every day and collects information specific to thousands of different biological molecules. Rather than providing long lists of entire abstracts upon keyword searches, iHOP selectively retrieves information that is specific to genes and proteins, and summarizes their interactions and functions. In iHOP, with genes and proteins acting as hyperlinks between sentences and abstracts, a large part of the PubMed knowledgebase becomes a giant navigable information network. Curr. Protoc. Bioinform. 20:1.16.1‐1.16.16. © 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Synthesis and characterization of starch piperinic ester and its self‐assembly of nanospheres
Authors: Han Jingfen , Borjihan Gereltu , Bai Ruke , Chen Xuesi , Jing Xiabin 
Published: January 2008

AbstractA novel amphiphilic starch piperinic ester (SPE) has been synthesized by coupling a carboxyl group on the piperic acid and a hydroxyl group on the starch backbone. The synthetic process includes three steps. Firstly, piperic acid was obtained by hydrolyzing piperine that was extracted from seeds of Piper longum L (a kind of traditional Mongolian medicine). Then, piperic acid was reacted with carbonyl diimidazole (CDI) under N2 at 70°C for 4 h to form an activated piperic acid. Finally, starch piperinic ester was obtained by the reaction of the activated piperic acid with water‐soluble starch at 80°C under N2 for 24 h. The product was characterized by FTIR, NMR. It was found that the starch piperinic ester could easily form stable micelles in aqueous solution, and the spherical morphology of micelle was observed by ESEM. The results of DLS analysis proved that the micelle size depends on the composition of the amphiphilic polymer. Our results demonstrate that SPE has great potential in the drug controlled release delivery. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Surface and bulk properties of poly(ether urethane)s/fluorinated phosphatidylcholine polyurethanes blends
Authors: Zhang Xiaoqing , Jiang Xia , Li Jiehua , Tan Hong , Zhong Yinping , Fu Qiang 
Published: January 2008

AbstractAs a part of long‐term project aimed at biomembrane mimicking polyurethanes (PU) with excellent biocompatibility and good mechanical properties, in this work, we report the surface and bulk properties of two series blends of fluorinated phosphatidylcholine polyurethanes (FPCPU) with poly(ether urethane)s (PEU). The blend films were prepared by solution mixing, and the surface and bulk properties were investigated by contact angle measurement, XPS, DSC, and Instron. Our results demonstrated that the surface with high percentage of phosphorus, fluorine, and nitrogen content could be achieved by blending FPCPU with PEU, because of the migration of FPCPU to the surface, resulting in a decreased water contact angle and increased hystersis. The blend films showed a reversible rearrangement of surface structure according to the change of environment from dry state to hydrated state. DSC result suggested that FPCPU could be phase miscible with PEU well in a broad composition region (as the content of FPCPU is less than 50 wt %). The blends showed an increased tensile strength and elongation at break compared with FPCPU, and increased modulus compared with PEU. Combined with the improved mechanical properties and much reduced price, together with the excellent blood compatibility, it can be expected these materials may play important roles in future medical application. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. JAppl Polym Sci, 2008
Factors determining the pattern of a hydrogen‐bonding network in the diastereomeric salts of 1‐arylethylamines with enantiopure P‐chiral acids
Authors: Kobayashi Yuka , Handa Hiroaki , Maeda Jin , Saigo Kazuhiko 
Published: January 2008

AbstractIn order to clarify factor(s) determining the pattern of a hydrogen‐bonding network in the diastereomeric salts of 1‐arylethylamines (1) with enantiopure P‐chiral acids, three kinds of enantiopure P‐chiral alkylphenylphosphinothioic acids (3) were synthesized, and their chiral recognition abilities for racemic 1 were examined. The characteristics of the diastereomeric salt crystals of 1 with 3 were then studied on the basis of their X‐ray crystallographic analyses. Statistical analysis on the molecular conformations observed in the diastereomeric salts with 3 as well as those with P‐chiral O‐alkyl arylphosphonothioic acids (2), which have a chemical structure similar to that of 3, and molecular orbital calculations for 2 and 3 in a gas phase revealed that the torsion angle between the aromatic plane and the PO(alkoxy in 2) or PC(alkyl in 3) plays an important role in determining the pattern of a hydrogen‐bonding network in the diastereomeric salts, either a closed globular cluster or an infinite 21 column type. The calculations also indicated that there is a hydrogen‐bonding‐like interaction between the ammonium hydrogen atom of 1‐arylethylammonium cations and the PO(alkoxy) oxygen atom of phosphonothioate anions in the clusters. Chirality, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High‐frequency stimuli preferentially release large dense‐core vesicles located in the proximity of nonspecialized zones of the presynaptic membrane in sympathetic ganglia
Authors: Cifuentes F. , Montoya M. , Morales M.A. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractWe characterized the effect of a brief high‐frequency stimulus on the number, distribution, and optical density of large dense‐core vesicles (LDCVs) in the nerve terminals of the rat superior cervical ganglia. From 4.21 ± 0.37 LDCVs/bouton detected in control nerve terminals, a stimulus of 40 Hz for 1 min released 41% of LDCVs, decreasing their number to 2.48 ± 0.14 LDCVs/bouton (p = 0.0009). In control ganglia, most dense vesicles were located close to the plasma membrane (at ≤100 nm); in contrast, in stimulated ganglia they were broadly distributed with respect to the active zone. The mean distance of LDCVs to membrane and active zones was 95 ± 8 nm and 473 ± 15 nm, respectively. The analysis of the core density showed that both groups had a similar asymmetric distribution with the same average. Stimulation preferentially released those vesicles located ≤100 nm from the plasma membrane that had no apparent relationship with the active zone. After the stimulus, the average distances of LDCVs to the plasma membrane and active zone did not change, suggesting that the stimulus also caused the relocation of inner LDCVs. Interestingly, optical density analysis showed that the released vesicles had low range densities, and suggested that LDCVs release their entire content. We conclude that LDCV exocytosis mainly involves those vesicles located ≤100 nm from the plasma membrane and occurs in regions of synaptic boutons presumed to be nonspecialized. These results agree with the characteristics of the classical model that proposes full content release. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2008.
Selenium Heterocycles: Reactions of SeX4 (X = Cl, Br) with the Enamine Form of β‐Diketiminato Ligands
Authors: Gushwa Audra F. , Richards Anne F. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractTreatment of SeX4 (X = Cl, Br) with either MesnacnacLi(nacnac = [{N(Ar)C(Me)}2CH]–, Ar = Mes = C6H2Me3‐2,4,6) or DmpnacnacLi (Ar = Dmp = C6H3Me2‐2,6) affords four new SeII six‐membered heterocycles, [MesnacnacHCl2SeCl] (2), [MesnacnacH2Se]+Br– (3), [DmpnacnacH2Cl3Se]+Cl– (4), and [MesnacnacH2(O)Br2Se] (5). All have been characterized in the solid state by X‐ray crystallography. Each of the four complexes is proposed to have formed from the initial reaction of SeX4 with the C–C double bond that results from the enamine form of the ligand, giving rise to an Se–C single bond. Subsequent nucleophilic attack by either the more distant nitrogen atom or the remaining C–C double bond of the enamine form results in the Se heterocycle. In complexes 2, 4, and 5 varying degrees of halogenation of the newly formed heterocycles was observed.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)