bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic Features, Surgical Treatment, and Postoperative Follow-up of the Aortic-Left Ventricular Tunnel
Authors: Balthazar Jacob José Luiz , da Silveira Luiz Carlos , Cecim Coelho Wilson Miguel , Spinola Machado Nilton Carlos , Coimbra Garzon Sérgio Aloisio , Nicolau José Carlos , Lorga Adalberto Menezes 
Published: August 2008

This report of 3 cases of aortic-left ventricular tunnel describes the clinical features, cross-sectional echocardiographic and angiocardiographic studies, surgical technique, and postoperative follow-up. Left ventricular hypertrophy was apparent in the electrocardiogram of each patient, and the chest x-rays showed marked cardiomegaly and dilatation of the ascending aorta. The echocardiographic parasternal long-axis view and the parasternal short- axis view allowed the correct diagnosis of the aortic-left ventricular tunnel, and the Doppler study showed aortic valve regurgitation in all patients. The left ventriculogram and aortogram in right anterior oblique view were very important for diagnosis and permitted visualization of the tunnel in all cases. The surgical technique consisted of the closure of the aortic and ventricular ends of the tunnel with a reinforced patch repair to reestablish the attachment between the unsupported aortic annulus and the ventricular septum. At the postoperative follow-up, the 3 patients have mild aortic valve regurgi tation that has not increased to the present.
Traumatic Pseudoaneurysms of Peripheral Arteries and Their Surgical Management
Authors: Yasar Tahsin , Inci Ilhan , Furtun Kamil , Özgen Gökalp 
Published: August 2008

From 1977 through 1990, 60 patients who had traumatic pseudoaneurysms underwent surgical treatment at Dicle University, School of Medicine, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Department; 65% of the aneurysms were localized at lower extremities and 35% at upper extremities. The most frequent localiza tion was 40% at the superficial femoral artery. Etiology of the trauma was as follows: 67% shotgun injuries, 25% penetrating instrument injuries, 5% blunt trauma, and 3% iatrogenic. In 31.7% end-to-end anastomosis, in 45% saphenous venous interposition, in 10% ligation, in 8.3% lateral suture, and in 3.3% artificial grafting were done as a surgical management. Primary amputation was done in 1.7% of the patients; 93.3% of all the pa tients have recovered, and only 1 patient died (1.7%).
Computer Simulations of Ventricular Function: Surgical Implications for Repair and Reconstruction
Authors: Yee Edward S. , Kim Francis , Wilson James M. 
Published: August 2008

Computer simulation technique has been developed to model the complex heterogeneous function of the left ventricle. The left ventricle was modeled as a series of twenty-five consecutive cylindrical shells in an elliptical configuration and then these were specifically and regionally modified. These techniques al lowed assessment of many salient features of clinical situations, such as (1) acute myocardial infarction with secondary loss of apical or anterior wall function, then (2) chronic changes with ventricular aneurysmal formation, and (3) sec ondary residual myocardial compensatory hypertrophy. These pathological de formations were then surgically operated by computer simulation to compare the reconstruction techniques of (1) direct apposition or primary closure versus (2) synthetic patch repair of the resected myocardium for these clinical condi tions. Computer simulation allowed a better understanding of the available data in relationship to surgical decision for ventricular reconstruction to achieve op timal function in each of these specific settings. The current computer simulation models were used to demonstrate the com plex, dynamic function of the heterogeneous nature of the left ventricle and to allow further evaluations of various potential surgical reparative procedures. These models allow prediction for the best and worst potential outcome of func tion after surgical reconstruction.
AL amyloidosis associated with IgM paraproteinemia: clinical profile and treatment outcome
Authors: Wechalekar Ashutosh D. , Lachmann Helen J. , Goodman Hugh J. B. , Bradwell Arthur , Hawkins Philip N. , Gillmore Julian D. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAL amyloidosis associated with immunoglobulin M (IgM) paraproteinemia is rare. We report 103 consecutive such patients evaluated at the National Amyloidosis Centre (London, United Kingdom) between 1988 and 2006. Renal, cardiac, and lymph node amyloid was present in 53%, 35%, and 21% of patients, respectively, at presentation and 2 or more organs were involved in 54%. Seventy-three percent had an abnormal bone marrow infiltrate (lymphoid in 87%). The median IgM paraprotein was 8 g/L and serum free light chain (FLC) ratio was abnormal in 77 (88%) of 87. The abnormal FLC component was more than 100 mg/L in only 31% cases. Thirty-two percent achieved a partial hematologic response to treatment with no complete responders, and there appeared to be a greater response to combination regimens than single-agent oral alkylators (59% vs 20%, respectively; P = .003). Four achieved amyloidotic organ responses; organ function remained stable in 68%. None with lymph node involvement showed nodal improvement. Median overall survival was 49 months. AL amyloidosis with IgM paraproteinemia represents a distinctive subset of patients with AL amyloidosis who have a wider variety of underlying clonal disorders (often lymphoid) than AL in general, have low-level FLC abnormality, and should be treated with appropriately tailored chemotherapeutic regimens for the underlying clonal disorder.
Skeletal muscle weakness, exercise tolerance and physical activity in adults with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Troosters T. , Langer D. , Vrijsen B. , Segers J. , Wouters K. , Janssens W. , Gosselink R. , Decramer M. , Dupont L. 
Published: August 2008

The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of muscle weakness and the importance of physical inactivity in cystic fibrosis (CF), and its relationship to exercise tolerance and muscle strength.Exercise tolerance, skeletal and respiratory muscle strength were studied in a group of 64 adults with CF (age 26±8 yrs, FEV1 % predicted65±19) and in 20 age-matched controls. Physical activity (PA) was assessed in 20 patients and all controls.Quadriceps muscle weakness was present in 56% of the patients. Peak oxygen uptake and 6-min walking distance were below normal in 89 and 75% of patients, respectively. Respiratory muscle strength was normal. The differences remained after correcting for PA. Quadriceps force was correlated to the 6-min walking distance but not to peak oxygen uptake. “Mild” PA (>3 metabolic equivalents (METS)) and the number of steps overlapped with controls, but CF patients had less moderate PA (>4.8 METS). Moderate PA was related to peak oxygen uptake and quadriceps force.Skeletal muscle weakness and exercise intolerance are prevalent in cystic fibrosis. Physical inactivity is a factor significantly contributing to exercise tolerance and skeletal muscle force in adults with cystic fibrosis, but these impairments are in excess to that expected from physical inactivity only.
Lung structure and function of infants with recurrent wheeze when asymptomatic
Authors: Llapur C. J. , Martínez T. M. , Coates C. , Tiller C. , Wiebke J. L. , Li X. , Applegate K. , Coxson H. O. , Tepper R. S. 
Published: August 2008

Infants with recurrent wheeze have repeated episodes of airways obstruction; however, relatively little is known about the structure and function of their lungs when not symptomatic. The current authors evaluated whether infants with recurrent wheeze have smaller airway lumens or thickened airway walls, as well as decreased airway function.High-resolution computed tomography images 1 mm thick were obtained at three anatomic locations at an elevated lung volume and at functional residual capacity. Forced expiratory flows were also measured in subjects with recurrent wheeze.Airway lumen, wall areas and lung tissue density were not significantly different for recurrent wheeze (n = 17) and control (n = 14) subjects; however, subjects with recurrent wheeze had lower forced expiratory flows than predicted. Similar findings were obtained when subjects were grouped by exposure to tobacco smoke.These findings indicate that infants with recurrent wheeze, as well as exposure to tobacco smoke, have lower airway function when not symptomatic. The lower forced expiratory flows may result from a degree of airway narrowing that could not be resolved with the methodology employed or from other mechanisms, such as more collapsible airways or decreased pulmonary elastic recoil.
High MMP-9 activity characterises pleural tuberculosis correlating with granuloma formation
Authors: Sheen P. , O’Kane C. M. , Chaudhary K. , Tovar M. , Santillan C. , Sosa J. , Caviedes L. , Gilman R. H. , Stamp G. , Friedland J. S. 
Published: August 2008

Tuberculosis (TB) pleural disease is complicated by extensive tissue destruction. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and -9 are implicated in immunopathology of pulmonary and central nervous system TB. There are few data on MMP activity in TB pleurisy. The present study investigated MMP-1, -2 and -9 and their specific inhibitors (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and -2) in tuberculous effusions, and correlated these with clinical and histopathological features.Clinical data, routine blood tests, and pleural fluid/biopsy material were obtained from 89 patients presenting with pleural effusions in a TB-endemic area. MMP-1, -2 and -9 were measured by zymography or western blot, and TIMP-1 and -2 by ELISA. Pleural biopsies were examined microscopically, cultured for acid–alcohol fast bacilli and immunostained for MMP-9.Tuberculous pleural effusions contained the highest concentrations of MMP-9 compared with malignant effusions or heart failure transudates. MMP-9 concentrations were highest in effusions from patients with granulomatous biopsies: median (interquartile range) 108 (61–218) pg·mL−1versus43 (12–83) pg·mL−1in those with nongranulomatous pleural biopsies. MMP-1 and -2 were not upregulated in tuberculous pleural fluid. The ratio of MMP-9:TIMP-1 was significantly higher in TB effusions.Tuberculous pleurisy is characterised by a specific pattern of matrix metalloproteinase-9 upregulation, correlating with the presence of granulomas and suggesting a specific role for matrix metalloproteinase-9 in inflammatory responses in tuberculous pleural disease.
Optimization of capsid-incorporated antigens for a novel adenovirus vaccine approach
Authors: Matthews Qiana L , Yang PingAr , Wu Qi , Belousova Natalya , Rivera Angel A , Stoff-Khalili Mariam A , Waehler Reinhard , Hsu Hui-Chen , Li Zan , Li Jing , Mountz John D , Wu Hongju , Curiel David T 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
Despite the many potential advantages of Ad vectors for vaccine application, the full utility of current Ad vaccines may be limited by the host anti-vector immune response. Direct incorporation of antigens into the adenovirus capsid offers a new and exciting approach for vaccination strategies; this strategy exploits the inherent antigenicity of the Ad vector. Critical to exploiting Ad in this new context is the placement of antigenic epitopes within the major Ad capsid protein, hexon. In our current study we illustrate that we have the capability to place a range of antigenic epitopes within Ad5 capsid protein hexon hypervariable regions (HVRs) 2 or 5, thus producing viable Ad virions. Our data define the maximal incorporation size at HVR2 or HVR5 as it relates to identical antigenic epitopes. In addition, this data suggests that Ad5 HVR5 is more permissive to a range of insertions. Most importantly, repeated administration of our hexon-modified viruses resulted in a secondary anti-antigen response, whereas minimal secondary effect was present after administration of Ad5 control. Our study describes antigen placement and optimization within the context of the capsid incorporation approach of Ad vaccine employment, thereby broadening this new methodology.
Radioguided breast surgery for occult lesion localization – correlation between two methods
Authors: Moreno Marcelo , Wiltgen Janete Eunice , Bodanese Benito , Schmitt Ricardo Ludwig , Gutfilen Bianca , da Fonseca Lea Mirian Barbosa 
Published: August 2008

Abstract

Background
The detection of sub-clinical breast lesions has increased with screening mammography. Biopsy techniques can offer precision and agility in its execution, as well as patient comfort. This trial compares radioguided occult lesion localization (ROLL) and wire-guided localization (WL) of breast lesions. We investigate if a procedure at the ambulatorial level (ROLL) could lead to a better aesthetic result and less postoperative pain. In addition, we intend to demonstrate the efficacy of radioguided localization and removal of occult breast lesions using radiopharmaceuticals injected directly into the lesions and correlate radiological and histopathological findings.

Methods
One hundred and twenty patients were randomized into two groups (59 WL and 61 ROLL). The patients were requested to score the cosmetic appearance of their breast after surgery, and a numerical rating scale was used to measure pain on the first postoperative day. Clearance margins were considered at ≥ 10 mm for invasive cancer, ≥ 5 mm for ductal carcinoma in situ, and ≥ 1 mm for benign disease. Patients were subsequently treated according to the definitive histological result. When appropriate, different statistical tests were used in order to test the significance between the two groups, considering a P value < 0.05 as statistically significant.

Results
WL and ROLL located all the occult breast lesions successfully. In the ROLL group, the specimen volume was smaller and there were more cases with clear margins (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in mean time of hospital stay between WL and ROLL (21.42 vs. 2.56 hours), but not in operative time (39.4 vs. 29.9 minutes). There were significant differences in the subjective ease of the procedures as rated by the patients (cosmetic outcomes and postoperative pain).

Conclusion
ROLL is an effective method for the excision of non-palpable breast lesions. It enables more careful planning of the cutaneous incision, leading to better aesthetic results, less postoperative symptoms, and smaller volumes of excised tissue.
Cia5dregulates a new fibroblast-like synoviocyte invasion-associated gene expression signature
Authors: Laragione Teresina , Brenner Max , Li Wentian , Gulko Pércio S 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
Introduction
The in vitro invasive properties of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) have been shown to correlate with disease severity and radiographic damage. We recently determined that FLSs obtained from pristane-induced arthritis (PIA)-susceptible DA rats are also highly invasive in the same in vitro assay through Matrigel. The transfer of alleles derived from the arthritis-resistant F344 strain at the arthritis severity locus Cia5d (RNO10), as in DA.F344(Cia5d) congenics, was enough to significantly and specifically reduce the invasive properties of FLSs. This genetically controlled difference in FLS invasion involves increased production of soluble membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) by DA, and is dependent on increased activation of MMP-2. In the present study we aimed to characterize the pattern of gene expression that correlates with differences in invasion in order to identify pathways regulated by the Cia5d locus.

Methods
Synovial tissues were collected from DA and DA.F344(Cia5d) rats 21 days after the induction of PIA. Tissues were digested and FLSs isolated. After a minimum of four passages, FLSs were plated on Matrigel-covered dishes at similar densities, followed by RNA extraction. Illumina RatRef-12 expression BeadChip arrays were used. Expression data were normalized, followed by t-test, logistic regression, and cluster analysis. Real-time PCR was used to validate the microarray data.

Results
Out of the 22,523 RefSeq gene probes present in the array, 7,665 genes were expressed by the FLSs. The expression of 66 genes was significantly different between the DA and DA.F344(Cia5d) FLSs (P < 0.01). Nineteen of the 66 differentially expressed genes (28.7%) are involved in the regulation of cell cycle progression or cancer-associated phenotypes, such as invasion and contact inhibition. These included Cxcl10, Vil2 and Nras, three genes that are upregulated in DA and known to regulate MMP-2 expression and activation. Nine of the 66 genes (13.6%) are involved in the regulation of estrogen receptor signaling or transcription. Five candidate genes located within the Cia5d interval were also differentially expressed.

Conclusions
We have identified a novel FLS invasion associated gene expression signature that is regulated by Cia5d. Many of the genes found to be differentially expressed were previously implicated in cancer cell phenotypes, including invasion. This suggests a parallel in the behavior of arthritis FLSs and cancer cells, and identifies novel pathways and genes for therapeutic intervention and prognostication.
TLR4-mediated activation of dendritic cells by the heat shock protein DnaK fromFrancisella tularensis
Authors: Ashtekar Amit R , Zhang Ping , Katz Jannet , Deivanayagam Champion C S , Rallabhandi Prasad , Vogel Stefanie N , Michalek Suzanne M 
Published: August 2008

AbstractFrancisella tularensis is the causative agent of tularemia, a severe, debilitating disease of humans and other mammals. As this microorganism is also classified as a “category-A pathogen” and a potential biowarfare agent, there is a need for an effective vaccine. Several antigens of F. tularensis, including the heat shock protein DnaK, have been proposed for use in a potential subunit vaccine. In this study, we characterized the innate immune response of murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DC) to F. tularensis DnaK. Recombinant DnaK was produced using a bacterial expression system and purified using affinity, ion-exchange, and size-exclusion chromatography. DnaK induced the activation of MAPKs and NF-κB in DC and the production of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-12 p40, as well as low levels of IL-10. DnaK induced phenotypic maturation of DC, as demonstrated by an up-regulation of costimulatory molecules CD40, CD80, and CD86. DnaK stimulated DC through TLR4 and the adapters MyD88 and Toll/IL-1R domain-containing adaptor-inducing IFN-β (TRIF) that mediated differential responses. DnaK induced activation of MAPKs and NF-κB in a MyD88- or TRIF-dependent manner. However, the presence of MyD88- and TRIF-dependent signaling pathways was essential for an optimal, DnaK-induced cytokine response in DC. In contrast, DnaK induced DC maturation in a TRIF-dependent, MyD88-independent manner. These results provide insight about the molecular interactions between an immunodominant antigen of F. tularensis and host immune cells, which is crucial for the rational design and development of a safe and efficacious vaccine against tularemia.
CD5-low expression lymphocytes in canine peripheral blood show characteristics of natural killer cells
Authors: Huang Yi-Chun , Hung Shao-Wen , Jan Tong-Rong , Liao Kuang-Wen , Cheng Chiung-Hsiang , Wang Yu-Shan , Chu Rea-Min 
Published: August 2008

AbstractNK cell markers and receptors have been discovered in many mammalian species, such as humans, mice, rats, pigs, and cows. However, there is still a lack of information concerning NK cell markers or receptors in canines. We have discovered that canine CD5-low density (CD5lo) cells in PBL are closely associated with NK cell characteristics. CD5lo cells comprised 14.9 ± 6.68% of the total PBL. A high proportion of the CD5lo cell population expressed CD3 (96.6%), CD8α (77.7%), CD8β (53%), α/β TCR (83%), and CD11/18 (80%), but the expression of γ/δ TCR (6.5%), CD4 (10.6%), and CD21 (2.4%) was low. CD5lo cells were larger than CD5-high density (CD5hi) cells. Light and electron microscopy revealed numerous large cytoplasmic granules in CD5lo cells, especially after IL-2 stimulation, which was in contrast to CD5hi, in which intracytoplasmic granules were not frequently seen. After IL-2 stimulation, CD5lo cells had significantly stronger NK cytotoxicity than CD5hi cells. CD5lo cells had much higher mRNA levels for NKG2D, CD16, CD94, CD160, perforin, and granzyme than CD5hi. Following IL-2 stimulation, CD5lo cells had significantly higher mRNA levels of NKp30, NKp44, CD16, and CD94 than CD5hi cells. In addition, IL-2-stimulated, CD5lo-depleted PBL showed a loss of NK cytotoxicity. CD5lo cells also showed significantly lower antigen-specific cytotoxic T cell activity as compared with CD5hi cells. Taken together, the CD5lo subset in canine PBL is closely related to canine NK cells, and CD5lo can be used as a phenotypic marker for an IL-2-dependent canine NK cell enrichment.
Prognostic Value of Mature MicroRNA-21 and MicroRNA-205 Overexpression in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer by Quantitative Real-Time RT-PCR
Authors: Markou Athina , Tsaroucha Emily G , Kaklamanis Loukas , Fotinou Marianthi , Georgoulias Vassilis , Lianidou Evi S 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
Background: microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles are being intensively investigated for their involvement in carcinogenesis. We evaluated the prognostic value of mature microRNA-21 (miR-21) and mature microRNA-205 (miR-205) overexpression in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Patients and methods: We studied 48 pairs of NSCLC fresh frozen tissue specimens collected at time of surgery and before chemotherapy. Highly specific amplification and quantification of mature miR-21 and mature miR-205 was achieved using looped real time RT-PCR.
Results: miRNA expression, determined by real time RT-PCR, was defined by ΔΔCt measurements. We detected overexpression of mature miR-21 in 25 (52.0%) of the 48 NSCLC paired specimens and overexpression of miR-205 in 31 (64.6%). Overexpression was assessed after comparison of miRNA expression in NSCLC tissues and in their corresponding noncancerous tissues with respect to U6 expression. During the follow-up period, 29 of 48 (60.4%) patients relapsed, and 23 of 48 died (47.9%). Mature miR-21 was upregulated in 16 of 29 (55.2%) patients who relapsed and 15 of 23 (65.2%) patients who died. Mature miR-205 was overexpressed in 19 of 29 patients who relapsed (65.5%) and 15 of 23 patients who died (65.2%). Mature miR-21 overexpression correlated with overall survival (OS) of the patients (P = 0.027), whereas overexpression of mature miR-205 did not.
Conclusions: Our results suggest that overexpression of mature miR-21 is an independent negative prognostic factor for OS in NSCLC patients.
Flexural, in-plane shear and nail shear properties of falcataria-rubberwood laminated veneer board for flooring
Authors: Hwang Kweonhwan , Wong EeDing , Komatsu Kohei 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
A research project has been conducted to develop structural laminated veneer lumber products from tropical wood, and to evaluate their feasibility for the structural components of wooden houses. As part of this project, we investigated the flexural, in-plane shear, and nail shear properties of laminated veneer board (LVB) manufactured from a combination of falcataria (Paraserianthes falcataria) and rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) for flooring applications. In addition, 11-ply larch (Larix leptolepis) and 7-ply radiata pine (Pinus radiata) plywood were investigated as controls. Larch plywood, bonded with phenol-based adhesive, showed the best strength properties in bending and shear tests, whereas the 12-ply (28 mm thick) resorcinol-based resin-bonded LVB had the highest ductility in nail shear. The LVB also had better bending and shear properties than radiata pine plywood. In conclusion, falcataria-rubberwood LVB demonstrated good potential to substitute larch plywood and radiata pine plywood in flooring applications.