bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: Outcome on UK national paediatric (ALL97) and adult (UKALLXII/E2993) trials
Authors: Ramanujachar Ramya , Richards Sue , Hann Ian , Goldstone Anthony , Mitchell Christopher , Vora Ajay , Rowe Jacob , Webb David 
Published: January 2006

AbstractBackgroundAdolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) have languished in the shadow of success of the outcome of therapy in childhood ALL. Their treatment has always been incorporated into either paediatric or adult clinical trials depending on the mode of referral and hence there is a need to address an age and risk specific strategy for improving the outcome of this neglected group of patients. This article has summarised the recent and updated retrospective comparative analysis of adolescents treated on the Medical Research Council (MRC) trials. This analysis adds further emphasis to the treatment approach and the merits and limitations of treatment of adolescents on paediatric and adult trials.MethodsA retrospective comparative analysis of adolescents aged 15–17 years, treated on either MRC ALL97/revised 99 (n = 61), a randomised paediatric trial or UKALLXII/E2993 (n = 67), an adult trial, between 1997 and 2002 was undertaken.ResultResults suggest a trend towards a superior outcome on paediatric trials. The 5‐year EFS on ALL97 was 65% (95% CI = 52–78%) and on UKALLXII/E2993 was 49% (95% CI = 37–61%;P = 0.01). Multivariate analysis allowing for age and Ph status, diminished the EFS difference, but confirmed a reduced rate of death in remission in patients managed on the paediatric protocol.ConclusionsDespite limitations in the methodology, comparative studies including our MRC study suggest a consistent advantage for adolescents managed intensively on paediatric trials. Redefining age limits with risk‐based strategy and multi‐centre collaboration should be considered to improve the survival of young adults. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;48:254–261. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Steady‐state and time‐resolved fluorescence studies of the intestinal fatty acid binding protein
Authors: Chattopadhyay Krishnananda , Frieden Carl 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThe intestinal fatty acid binding protein contains two tryptophan residues (Trp6 and Trp82) both of which have been shown by X‐ray and NMR methods to be buried in hydrophobic clusters. By using a combination of steady‐state and time‐resolved fluorescence experiments, we have deconvoluted the lifetime weighted contribution of each of the tryptophans to the steady‐state fluorescence quantum yield. While Trp82 has been implicated in an intermediate that appears at relatively high denaturant concentrations, the variation of the lifetime weighted contribution of Trp6 with urea or guanidium hydrochloride shows formation of an intermediate state at low concentrations of the denaturant before the actual unfolding starts. Trp82 did not show similar behavior. Fluorescence quenching experiments by acrylamide show that while Trp6 in the native protein is less solvent‐exposed, its accessibility is increased significantly at low urea concentration indicating that the early intermediate state is partially unfolded. Time‐resolved anisotropy experiments indicate that the volume of the partially unfolded intermediates is larger than the native protein and lead to the speculation that the last step of the protein folding might be the removal of solvent molecules from the protein. Proteins 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Estimation of survival functions in interval and right censored data using STD behavioural diaries
Authors: Harezlak Jaroslaw , Tu Wanzhu 
Published: January 2006

AbstractIn investigations of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), true infection times are often either interval censored or right censored. For such data, reliable estimation of the survival function is difficult to obtain. In this research, we propose a resampling based method for the estimation of the survival function using auxiliary behavioural information provided by daily diaries. By imputing the unknown infection time from a list of sexual encounter times recorded in the diaries, the proposed procedure can be easily implemented using existing estimation procedures for right censored data. Our simulations show that the proposed procedure consistently outperforms the existingad hocestimation methods and produces smaller mean integrated squared errors (MISE). We illustrate this method by analysing infection data obtained from an ongoing STD investigation of adolescent females. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The age-dependent decline of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a meta-analysis of follow-up studies
Authors: FARAONE STEPHEN V. , BIEDERMAN JOSEPH , MICK ERIC 
Published: January 2006

Background. This study examined the persistence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) into adulthood.Method. We analyzed data from published follow-up studies of ADHD. To be included in the analysis, these additional studies had to meet the following criteria: the study included a control group and it was clear from the methods if the diagnosis of ADHD included subjects who did not meet full criteria but showed residual and impairing signs of the disorder. We used a meta-analysis regression model to separately assess the syndromatic and symptomatic persistence of ADHD.Results. When we define only those meeting full criteria for ADHD as having ‘persistent ADHD’, the rate of persistence is low, ~15% at age 25 years. But when we include cases consistent with DSM-IV's definition of ADHD in partial remission, the rate of persistence is much higher, ~65%.Conclusions. Our results show that estimates of ADHD's persistence rely heavily on how one defines persistence. Yet, regardless of definition, our analyses show that evidence for ADHD lessens with age. More work is needed to determine if this reflects true remission of ADHD symptoms or is due to the developmental insensitivity of diagnostic criteria for the disorder.
Recent developments in the engineering of zinc finger proteins
Authors: Moore Michael , Ullman Christopher 
Published: January 2006

Abstract
Within the last 20 years, the understanding of the biology of the ‘classical’ or Cys2His2 zinc finger domain has progressed rapidly from the initial identification of the zinc finger as a repetitive zinc-binding motif in transcription factors to its use in biotechnology. The domain is the most abundant DNA-binding motif in the human genome and is a component of many key eukaryotic transcription factors involved in growth and development. Numerous structures now exist for this domain and its mode of action is known in a variety of zinc finger–DNA complexes. Application of this knowledge has led to the development of ‘designer’ transcription factors where zinc fingers have been engineered to bind desired DNA sequences. Recently, advances have been made in this field that potentially allow the targeting of any DNA site. Consideration of chromatin structure and the use of effector domains in these ‘designer’ transcription factors have made possible the regulation of a number of endogenous genes. These advances in the customised regulation of genes will be discussed in detail, as well as the potential to use these proteins in functional genomics and gene therapy applications.
Combining signals from spotted cDNA microarrays obtained at different scanning intensities
Authors: Piepho H. P. , Keller B. , Hoecker N. , Hochholdinger F. 
Published: January 2006

Abstract
Motivation: The analysis of spotted cDNA microarrays involves scanning of color signals from fluorescent dyes. A common problem is that a given scanning intensity is not usually optimal for all spotted cDNAs. Specifically, some spots may be at the saturation limit, resulting in poor separation of signals from different tissues or conditions. The problem may be addressed by multiple scans with varying scanning intensities. Multiple scanning intensities raise the question of how to combine different signals from the same spot, particularly when measurement error is not negligible.
Results: This paper suggests a non-linear latent regression model for this purpose. It corrects for biases caused by the saturation limit and efficiently combines data from multiple scans. Combining multiple scans also allows reduction of technical error particularly for cDNA spots with low signal. The procedure is exemplified using cDNA expression data from maize.
Availability: All methods were implemented using standard procedures available in the SAS/STAT module of the SAS System. Programming statements are available from the first author upon request.
Contact: piepho@uni-hohenheim.de
Supplementary information: The supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Isolation of Helicobacter pylori from the Intestinal Mucosa of Patients with Crohn's Disease
Authors: Oliveira Adriana Gonçalves , Rocha Gifone Aguiar , Rocha Andreia Maria Camargos , Sanna Maria das Graças Pimenta , Moura Sílvia Beleza , Dani Renato , Marinho Frederico Passos , Moreira Liano Sia , Ferrari Maria de Lourdes Abreu , Castro Lúcia Porto Fonseca , Queiroz Dulciene Maria Magalhães 
Published: January 2006

AbstractBackground:  Helicobacter species are associated with inflammatory bowel disease in rodents and in nonhuman primates. Therefore, we prospectively investigated the presence of Helicobacter species in the intestinal mucosa of patients with and without Crohn's disease by culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays.Materials and Methods:  Mucosal fragments were obtained from the ileum, different colon regions, and rectum of 43 patients with Crohn's disease and of 74 patients without inflammatory bowel disease.Results:  Helicobacter pylori strains, identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, were more frequently isolated and PCR‐detected in the intestinal mucosa of patients with ulcerative colitis‐like Crohn's disease than in intestinal mucosa of the control group. Otherwise, anti‐H. pylori immunoglobulin G levels were significantly lower in fibrostenosing and fistulating Crohn's disease subgroups. No other Helicobacter species were found in the intestinal mucosa of the patients.Conclusions:  Although our results suggest an association between the presence of H. pylori in the intestine and ulcerative colitis‐like phenotype of Crohn's disease, H. pylori infection in the actual causality of Crohn's disease is still to be determined.
Efficacy of Moxifloxacin‐Based Triple Therapy as Second‐Line Treatment for Helicobacter pylori Infection
Authors: Cheon Jae Hee , Kim Nayoung , Lee Dong Ho , Kim Jung Mogg , Kim Joo Sung , Jung Hyun Chae , Song In Sung 
Published: January 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Metronidazole and tetracycline‐based second‐line quadruple therapy, widely used for Helicobacter pylori infection, often ends up in failure due to antibiotic resistance and poor compliance in Korea. Our aim is to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of moxifloxacin‐based triple therapy as an alternative second‐line treatment for H. pylori infection.Methods:  The subjects consisted of 85 patients infected with H. pylori, in whom initial proton pump inhibitor triple therapy had failed. They were randomized to receive the following 7‐day therapy: 1, moxifloxacin 400 mg q.d., esomeprazole 20 mg b.i.d., and amoxicillin 1 g b.i.d.; and 2, esomeprazole 40 mg b.i.d., tripotassium dicitrate bismuthate 300 mg q.i.d., metronidazole 500 mg t.i.d., and tetracycline 500 mg q.i.d. Eradication rates, drug compliance, and side‐effect rates of each group were evaluated.Results:  The eradication rates were 75.6 and 83.8% with moxifloxacin triple therapy, and 54.5 and 72.7% with quadruple therapy by intention‐to‐treat (p = .042) and per‐protocol analyses (p = .260), respectively. Moxifloxacin triple therapy was significantly superior to quadruple therapy in terms of side‐effect rates (p = .039). Compliance for therapy, i.e., the percentage of tablets taken (> 85%), was 90.2 and 75.0%, numerically higher in moxifloxacin triple therapy group than in quadruple therapy group, but without statistical difference (p = .065).Conclusions:  Moxifloxacin‐based triple therapy showed high eradication rates with few side effects and good drug compliance, suggesting this regimen could be a safe and effective option as second‐line therapy for H. pylori infection in Korea.
7‐Day Triple Therapy of Helicobacter pylori Infection with Levofloxacin, Amoxicillin, and High‐Dose Esomeprazole in Patients with Known Antimicrobial Sensitivity
Authors: Antos David , Schneider‐Brachert Wulf , Bästlein Elke , Hänel Christine , Haferland Christian , Buchner Michael , Meier Eberhard , Trump Friedrich , Stolte Manfred , Lehn Norbert , Bayerdörffer Ekkehard 
Published: January 2006

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Failed primary anti‐Helicobacter pylori therapy results in a high rate of antimicrobial resistance. This necessitates a search for new regimens to cure H. pylori infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a new levofloxacin‐containing 7‐day triple therapy and to compare it with that of standard French triple therapy in patients with known H. pylori susceptibility to MET (metronidazole) and CLA (clarithromycin).Patients and Methods:  Sixty‐one patients with documented antibiotic sensitivity (E‐test) and an indication for anti‐H. pylori treatment based on the Maastricht Consensus 2/2000 guidelines were randomized to receive either esomeprazole 2 × 40 mg, levofloxacin 2 × 500 mg, and amoxicillin 2 × 1 g for 7 days (ELA, n = 30), or esomeprazole 2 × 20 mg, clarithromycin 2 × 500 mg, and amoxicillin 2 × 1 g for 7 days (ECA, n = 31). A cure check was performed 4–6 weeks after conclusion of therapy.Results:  Sixty‐one patients were randomized to the two treatment groups. Twenty‐eight of 30 patients of the ELA group were available for per‐protocol (PP) analysis, of whom 26 (92.9% CI: 76–99%; intention‐to‐treat [ITT] analysis 86.7% CI: 68–96%) became H. pylori negative compared with 26 of the 31 patients of the ECA group (83.9%, CI: 66–93% both PP and ITT analyses). Five patients of the ELA group showed CLA resistance, three of whom also showed MET resistance, and all five were treated successfully. Two patients with levofloxacin‐resistant strains, one in each group, were cured. Both regimens were generally well tolerated with minor adverse events being seen in 15 patients (51.7%) of the ELA group and in 13 (40.6%) of the ECA group. None of the patients discontinued treatment prematurely due to adverse events.Conclusion:  The data of this pilot study suggest a better than 80% efficacy of the new 7‐day levofloxacin triple therapy, which is within the range of the French triple therapy in patients with MET‐ and CLA‐susceptible strains. The data suggest that the new levofloxacin triple therapy may also be an option in patients with MET‐ and CLA‐resistant H. pylori strains.
Helicobacter pylori Infection, but not Low‐Dose Aspirin, Results in a Local Reduction of the Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor in Gastroduodenal Mucosa
Authors: Wex Thomas , Ye Siying , Treiber Gerhard , Vieth Michael , Roessner Albert , Malfertheiner Peter 
Published: January 2006

AbstractBackground:  The secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) represents a multifunctional protein with mucosa‐protective features. Helicobacter pylori and the usage of low‐dose aspirin are two independent risk factors for the development of gastrointestinal diseases. Therefore, the effect of low‐dose aspirin on gastrointestinal SLPI expression was analyzed in the context of H. pylori infection.Material and Methods:  The study included 20 volunteers (H. pylori positive and negative: n = 10) who received 2 × 50 mg aspirin/day for 7 days. H. pylori‐positive subjects underwent eradication therapy and repeated the protocol. Gastroduodenoscopy was performed at day 0, 1, 3, and 7, and biopsies were obtained each from antrum, corpus, and duodenal bulb. SLPI expression was determined by quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results:  A reduction of antral SLPI levels, ranging between 582 (day 0) and 941 pg/10 µg protein (day 7), was determined in H. pylori‐positive compared to H. pylori‐negative and ‐eradicated subjects (1600–2050 pg/10 µg protein, ANOVA: p = .001–.045). No differences concerning aspirin were observed within the groups. SLPI levels in corpus and duodenal mucosa were neither affected by H. pylori nor low‐dose aspirin. There was an inverse correlation between SLPI and H. pylori‐induced inflammation (activity: r = −0.575, −0.69 to −0.43, p < .0001; chronicity: r = −0.54, −0.66 to −0.39, p < .0001) in antral mucosa only, whereas other locations as well as the usage of low‐dose aspirin did not show an association between SLPI and inflammation.Conclusions:  H. pylori infection, but not the usage of low‐dose aspirin, has a role in the down‐regulation of antral SLPI levels.
An in vivo model to evaluate the efficacy of barrier creams on the level of skin penetration of chemicals
Authors: Teichmann Alexa , Jacobi Ute , Waibler Evguenia , Sterry Wolfram , Lademann Jürgen 
Published: January 2006

The reservoir function and the barrier function are important properties of the skin. The reservoir function is dependent on the barrier function which, however, needs support by protective measures, in particular under working conditions. Barrier creams represent a possibility to protect the skin.In the present study, a method was developed to investigate the effectiveness of reservoir closure by different formulations. Patent Blue V in water was used as a model penetrant. Its penetration, with and without barrier cream treatment, was analyzed by tape stripping in combination with UV/VIS spectroscopic measurements.The investigations showed that the stratum corneum represents a reservoir for topically applied Patent Blue V in water. Furthermore, the barrier investigations showed that vaseline and bees wax form a 100% barrier on the skin surface. The third barrier cream, containing waxes and surfactant, only partially showed a protective effect against the penetration of Patent Blue V in water. Strong interindividual differences were observed for this barrier product.In conclusion, it was assumed that the application of barrier creams cannot replace other protective measures and should be maximally used to inhibit low‐grade irritants or in combination with other protectants or in body areas where other protective measures are not applicable.
Two cases of thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) deficiency – a lucky save and a near miss with azathioprine
Authors: Gardiner Sharon J. , Gearry Richard B. , Barclay Murray L. , Begg Evan J. 
Published: January 2006

BackgroundThe association between thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) deficiency and myelosuppression with azathioprine is well recognized. Two cases are presented that illustrate the very different outcomes that may occur with azathioprine in patients with TPMT deficiency, which affects 0.3–0.6% of caucasians.Case 1The first patient’s TPMT deficiency was identified following hospitalization for pancytopenia attributed to azathioprine.Case 2The second patient was identified as deficient early in treatment and myelosuppression was avoided by treating with a greatly decreased dose (25 mg per week).ConclusionsTesting for TPMT ideally should be performed in every patient commencing a thiopurine drug.
Thein vitrometabolism of irinotecan (CPT‐11) by carboxylesterase and β‐glucuronidase in human colorectal tumours
Authors: Tobin Peter , Clarke Stephen , Seale J Paul , Lee Soon , Solomon Michael , Aulds Sally , Crawford Michael , Gallagher James , Eyers Tony , Rivory Laurent 
Published: January 2006

AimsIrinotecan (CPT‐11) is a prodrug that is used to treat metastatic colorectal cancer. It is activated to the topoisomerase poison SN‐38 by carboxylesterases. SN‐38 is metabolized to its inactive glucuronide, SN‐38 glucuronide. The aim of this study was to determine, the reactivation of SN‐38 from SN‐38 glucuronide by β‐glucuronidase may represent a significant pathway of SN‐38 formation.MethodsThe production of SN‐38 from irinotecan and SN‐38 glucuronide (2.4, 9.6 and 19.2 µm) was measured in homogenates of human colorectal tumour, and matched normal colon mucosa from 21 patients).ResultsThe rate of conversion of irinotecan (9.6 µm) was lower in tumour tissue than matched normal colon mucosa samples (0.30 ± 0.14 pmol min−1 mg−1protein and 0.77 ± 0.59 pmol min−1 mg−1protein, respectively;P < 0.005). In contrast, no significant difference was observed in β‐glucuronidase activity between tumour  and matched normal colon samples (4.56 ± 6.9 pmol min−1 mg−1protein and 3.62 ± 2.95 pmol min−1 mg−1protein, respectively, using 9.6 µmSN‐38 glucuronide;P > 0.05). β‐Glucuronidase activity in tumour correlated to that observed in matched normal tissue (r2 > 0.23,P < 0.05), whereas this was not the case for carboxylesterase activity. At equal concentrations of irinotecan and SN‐38 glucuronide, the rate of β‐glucuronidase‐mediated SN‐38 production was higher than that formed from irinotecan in both tumour and normal tissue (P < 0.05). However, at concentrations that reflect the relative plasma concentrations observed in patients, the rate of SN‐38 production via these two pathways was comparable.ConclusionsTumour β‐glucuronidase may play a significant role in the exposure of tumours to SN‐38in vivo.
Comparative Analysis of Immunoreactive Cells for Androgen Receptors and Oestrogen Receptor α in Copulating and Non‐Copulating Male Rats
Authors: Portillo W. , Díaz N. F. , Cabrera E. Antonio , Fernández‐Guasti A. , Paredes R. G. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractIn some species, including gerbils, guinea pigs, mice, rams and rats, some apparently normal males fail to mate. These kinds of animals have been named ‘noncopulating (NC)’. The cause of this behavioural deficit is unknown. The present study aimed to determine whether NC male rats have alterations in the amount of androgen (AR) and oestrogen receptor α (ERα) in a neuronal circuit important for the control of male sexual behaviour; the vomeronasal projection pathway. We evaluated the number of AR and ERα immunoreactive (AR‐IR and ERα‐IR) cells in the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB), the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), the anterior‐dorsal medial amygdala (MeAD), the posterior dorsal amygdala (MePD) and the medial preoptic area (MPOA). The results demonstrate that the number of AR‐IR cells in NC males was significantly higher compared to copulating (C) males in the MePD, but no significant differences were found in any of the other structures analysed. ERα‐IR cells were more abundant in NC than in C males in the MeAD and the MePD. However, in the MPOA the number of ERα‐IR cells was significantly reduced in NC males. No significant differences were found in the AOB or in the BNST. A similar pattern of results was observed when regions within these structures that are activated by Fos expression, on mating or exposure to sexually relevant cues were analysed. The differences in the number of AR and ER in particular brain areas could be associated with alterations in sexual behaviour as well as partner and olfactory preference for receptive females seen in NC male rats.