bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors affecting technical success of fetal aortic valve dilation
Authors: Wilkins‐Haug L. E. , Tworetzky W. , Benson C. B. , Marshall A. C. , Jennings R. W. , Lock J. E. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractObjectiveWe have reported previously that valve dilation enhances growth of cardiac structures and may prevent hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) in fetuses with critical aortic stenosis. We aimed to investigate maternal/fetal factors which may affect the technical success of fetal valvuloplasty, and to describe perinatal complications of the procedure.MethodsThis was a descriptive series of 22 fetuses diagnosed with critical aortic stenosis developing into HLHS which underwent intervention by valvuloplasty. Initially this was attempted using a percutaneous approach; reassessment after our first five attempts, only one of which was successful, led to the introduction of the option of laparotomy. Technical success was defined as balloon inflation across the aortic annulus and a broader jet through the aortic valve as assessed by Doppler. Data collected included body mass index, demographic variables, ultrasound findings and postprocedure interventions.ResultsTechnical success increased significantly if maternal laparotomy was an option (83.3% vs. 20.0%, P = 0.017). Laparotomy was performed in 66.6% (12/18) of cases. There was a learning curve that showed an increase in success rate and decrease in need for laparotomy over the 3‐year study period. Neither the need for laparotomy nor the chances of technical success were predictable by gestational age, body mass index or placental location. Tocolysis was limited to perioperative prophylaxis; one woman experienced wound infection and fluid overload. Postoperatively, three fetuses died and two delivered prematurely, 2 and 7 weeks after intervention.ConclusionFetal aortic valvuloplasty can be performed with technical success, with low fetal loss rate and few maternal complications. While the need for laparotomy cannot be predicted, having it available as an option improves the technical success rate. Copyright © 2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Changes in pulmonary venous Doppler parameters in fetal cardiac defects
Authors: Lenz F. , Chaoui R. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractObjectivesRecent observations in pediatric cardiological studies have prompted discussion on the possible role of intrauterine pulmonary venous changes in neonatal and postoperative outcome of infants with congenital heart defects. This study analyzes changes of Doppler blood flow velocity waveforms in the pulmonary veins of fetuses with different cardiac defects.MethodsEighty fetuses (mean gestational age, 27 weeks) with prenatally diagnosed cardiac defects were classified into one of five groups: obstructed left atrium, other left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, right ventricular outflow tract obstruction, miscellaneous cardiac defects and total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage. Doppler examination of the pulmonary veins was performed and the time velocity integral (TVI), end‐diastolic (A) velocity, and pulsatility index for veins (PIV) were compared with reference ranges.ResultsFetuses with infradiaphragmatic total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage showed a continuous Doppler flow pattern instead of the typical pulsatile waveform pattern. In fetuses with obstructed left atrium and restrictive foramen ovale, a reversed A‐velocity and increased PIV were found. In five of the eight fetuses with left outflow tract obstruction but patent mitral valve, PIV was increased. In the other groups there were no obvious changes in Doppler parameters.ConclusionsWe suggest routine examination of the pulmonary veins with pulsed Doppler ultrasound in every fetus with a prenatally diagnosed heart defect. Such Doppler parameters could be used in future as cut‐offs for the recently reported in‐utero atrial septostomy to decompress an obstructed left atrium. Copyright © 2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intracardiac Doppler assessment of left valve inflow in first‐trimester fetuses with increased nuchal translucency: preliminary observations in trisomy 21
Authors: Zoppi M. A. , Ibba R. M. , Floris M. , Manca F. , Axiana C. , Monni G. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractObjectivesTo perform a qualitative assessment of the pulsed Doppler waveform profile at the level of left atrioventricular valve inflow in first‐trimester fetuses with increased nuchal translucency thickness (NT), in order to compare those with trisomy 21 and those with normal karyotype.MethodsThis was a review of 285 consecutive fetuses with increased NT. Pulsed Doppler velocity waveforms of left atrioventricular valve inflow were recorded. The E‐wave, A‐wave and velocity profile in the aorta were displayed. Cases were classified into two patterns: Pattern A included those in which the E‐wave velocity crossed the A‐wave before the baseline in all waveforms; Pattern B included those in which the lowest E‐wave velocity crossed the baseline but not the A‐wave in at least one of the profiles. The karyotype was determined and the frequency of occurrence of Patterns A or B in fetuses with normal karyotype and those with trisomy 21 were compared.ResultsOf the 285 cases, 230 were assigned to Pattern A and 55 to Pattern B. There were 47 cases of trisomy 21, 22 had other chromosomal abnormalities, and 212 had a normal karyotype; in four cases the karyotype was unknown. Among the 212 karyotypically normal fetuses, five had heart defects, five had other structural defects, three suffered spontaneous intrauterine death and one was terminated. Pattern A was found in 200/212 (94.3%) cases with normal karyotype, in 12/47 (25.5%) cases with trisomy 21, and in 17/22 (77.3%) cases with other chromosomal abnormalities. Pattern B was found in 12/212 (5.7%) cases with normal karyotype, in 35/47 (74.5%) cases with trisomy 21 (chi‐square test, P < 0.001), and in 5/22 (22.7%) cases with other chromosomal abnormalities.ConclusionsIntracardiac Doppler qualitative assessment of left valve inflow in first‐trimester fetuses with increased NT shows differences between normal and trisomy 21 fetuses, probably reflecting differences in myocardial function. Copyright © 2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Appraising Democratic Consolidation in Thailand under Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai Government
Authors: GANESAN N. 
Published: June 2006

This article identifies how democracy and transparency in Thailand have been subverted since 2001. Specifically, it appraises the sentiments and trends that have been in place since 1993 to prevent a return to authoritarian government. Additionally, it also examines structures and policies that have thwarted democratic consolidation since 2000. The central hypothesis of the article is that there has been a structural weakening of democracy in Thailand under the Thai Rak Thai government since 2001. In other words, Thailand's democratic consolidation has been held in abeyance since the electoral victory of the Thaksin government.This study utilizes an admixture of the institutionalist and agency approaches to make its case. There is sufficient evidence to discern since 2001 the direction and nature of state–society relations in Thailand and Thaksin has also undertaken a number of policies by way of elite strategic choices. Consequently, bringing these two approaches into strategic convergence obtains better and more comprehensive results of the state of democratic consolidation in Thailand, both from an elite as well as societal perspective for a more balanced approach. The evidence culled thus far suggests that, whereas Thaksin came to power using democratic means and in fact consolidated his democratic credentials after his second victory in 2005, domestic political and social developments reflect a weaker commitment to democratic ideals and its structural and cultural consolidation.
Cleaver: software for identifying taxon specific restriction endonuclease recognition sites
Authors: Jarman Simon N. 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
Summary: Cleaver is an application for identifying restriction endonuclease recognition sites that occur in some taxa but not in others. Differences in DNA fragment restriction patterns among taxa are the basis for many diagnostic assays for taxonomic identification and are used in procedures for removing the DNA of some taxa from pools of DNA from mixed sources. Cleaver analyses restriction digestion of groups of orthologous DNA sequences simultaneously to allow identification of differences in restriction pattern among the fragments derived from different taxa.
Availability: Cleaver is freely available without registration from its website () and can be copied, modified and re-distributed under the terms of the GNU general public licence version2 (). The program can be run as a script for computers that have Python 2.3 and necessary extra modules installed. This allows it to run on Gnu/Linux, Unix, MacOSX and Windows platforms. Stand-alone executable versions for Windows and MacOSX operating systems are available.
Contact: simon.jarman@aad.gov.au
DomainSieve: a protein domain-based screen that led to the identification of dam-associated genes with potential link to DNA maintenance
Authors: Brézellec Pierre , Hoebeke Mark , Hiet Marie-Sophie , Pasek Sophie , Ferat Jean-Luc 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
Motivation: The Dam methyltransferase (DamMT) activity, broadly distributed in association with restriction endonucleases, as part of the restriction-modification defense systems, has evolved to become intimately associated with essential biological functions in a few organisms. In Escherichia coli, DamMT is involved in multiple aspects of DNA maintenance, replication initiation, daughter chromosome segregation, DNA mismatch repair, gene expression control, etc.
The participation of DamMT in such a diverse set of functions required that other genes adapted, or emerged through evolution, in response to the DamMT-induced modification of the genomic environment. One example is SeqA, a protein that senses the methylation status of the origin of replication of the chromosome to control the timing of replication initiation.
Interestingly, seqA is only present in a few DamMT-specifying proteobacteria. This observation led us to hypothesize that other genes, specifying related functions, might also be found in these organisms. To test this hypothesis, we implemented a large-scale comparative genomic screen meant to identify genes specifying DNA methylation sensing domains, probably involved in DNA maintenance functions.
Results: We carried out a phylogenetic analysis of DamMT, identifying two contrasting behaviors of the protein. Based on this phylogeny, we defined precisely a set of genomes, in which the protein activity is likely to be involved in DNA maintenance functions, the ‘resident’ dam genomes. We defined a second set of genomes, in which DamMT is not resident. We developped a new tool, ‘DomainSieve’, in order to screen these two sets for protein domains that are strictly associated with ‘resident’ dam genomes.
This approach was rewarding and generated a list of genes, among which some, at least, specify activities with clear linkage to DamMT-dependent DNA methylation and DNA maintenance.
Availability: DomainSieve is implemented as a web resource and is accessible at
Contact: ferat@cgm.cnrs-gif.fr
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
FeminizingWolbachiainZyginidia pullula(Insecta, Hemiptera), a leafhopper with an XX/X0 sex-determination system
Authors: Negri I , Pellecchia M , Mazzoglio P.J , Patetta A , Alma A 
Published: June 2006

Zyginidia pullulais a grass-dwelling leafhopper characterized by a bisexual reproduction mode. In this species, some females collected in Northern Italy, when mated with males, gave origin to an exclusively female brood. Here, we demonstrated that in these lineages an infection by a new strain ofWolbachia pipientis—designated aswZygpul—was detected by amplifying and sequencing thewspand 16S rRNA genes. About half of the female progeny were characterized by intersexual phenotypes, i.e. showing upper pygofer appendages, a typical male secondary sexual feature. The karyological analysis proved that while phenotypically normal females had a female genotype, those with upper pygofer appendages had a male genotype and were thus feminized males.The complete removal ofW. pipientisafter tetracycline treatment of morphologically normal females, and the consequent re-appearance of males in the brood, permitted us to connect the feminizing effect with the presence of the bacterium. This is the first case of feminization byW. pipientisin an XX/X0 sex-determination system, and is the second case reported in insects.
Two‐step transcriptional amplification–lipid‐based nanoparticles using PSMA or midkine promoter for suicide gene therapy in prostate cancer
Authors: Hattori Yoshiyuki , Maitani Yoshie 
Published: June 2006

A two‐step transcriptional amplification system (TSTA) was used to enhance the efficacy of suicide gene therapy for treatment of prostate cancer. We designed a TSTA system and constructed two types of plasmid: one containing GAL4–VP16 fusion protein under the control of a tumor‐specific promoter, the other containing luciferase or herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV‐tk) under the control of a synthetic promoter. The TSTA systems using nanoparticles based on lipids were evaluated by measuring the amount of induced luciferase activity as a function of prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and midkine (Mk) promoters, specific for LNCaP and PC‐3 prostate cancer cells, respectively. In LNCaP cells that were PSMA‐positive, the TSTA system featuring the PSMA enhancer and promoter exhibited activity that was 640‐fold greater than a system consisting of one‐step transcription with the PSMA promoter. In contrast, this difference in activity did not occur in PSMA‐negative PC‐3 cells. In Mk‐positive PC‐3 cells, the TSTA system with the Mk promoter exhibited a five‐fold increase in activity over one‐step transcription, but such activity was not induced in Mk‐negative LNCaP cells. When using HSV‐tk for suicide gene therapy, TSTA systems featuring the PSMA or Mk promoter inhibited in vitro cell growth in the presence of ganciclovir. Furthermore, the TSTA system featuring the Mk promoter suppressed in vivo growth of PC‐3 tumor xenografts to a greater extent than one‐step transcription. These findings show that TSTA systems can enhance PSMA and Mk promoter activities and selectively inhibit PC‐3 cell growth in tumors. This suggests that TSTA systems featuring tumor‐specific promoters are suitable for cancer treatment by gene therapy. (Cancer Sci 2006; 97: 787–798)
The impact of new insights and revised practice guidelines on prescribing drugs in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Lub René , Denig Petra , Van Den Berg Paul B. , Hoogenberg Klaas , De Jong‐van den Berg Lolkje T. W. 
Published: June 2006

AimsThe aim of this study was to investigate the impact of new insights and revised guidelines on initial and follow‐up treatment with antihyperglycaemic drugs over the period 1998–2003.MethodsThe InterAction Database (IADB), which contains pharmacy dispensing data from 53 community pharmacies in the Northern and Eastern part of the Netherlands, was used in this study. Prevalence and incidence rates of oral antihyperglycaemic drug use were calculated for each year. Follow‐up treatment was compared for two cohorts of initial users of oral antihyperglycaemic drugs, starting treatment either 1 year before or 1 year after guideline revision.ResultsThe prevalence and incidence rate of oral antihyperglycaemic drug use increased over the study period from 1.8% to 2.4% (P < 0.001) and 0.3% to 0.4% (P = 0.04). The proportion of metformin as initial treatment increased rapidly in the observation period from 14% to 50% (P < 0.001). Initial users of metformin in 2000 received additional treatment with a sulphonylurea in the follow‐up period less often compared with those who started metformin in 1998 (46%vs. 60%, P < 0.004). In contrast, initial users of sulphonylurea in 2000 received additional treatment with metformin more often compared with those who started a sulphonylurea in 1998 (42%vs. 36%, P < 0.008). The new drugs, thiazolidinediones and meglitinides, were seldom used as initial treatmentConclusionsNew insights and the revision of the practice guideline were followed by a significant increase in both initial and follow‐up treatment with metformin among patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Population pharmacokinetics of imatinib and the role of α1‐acid glycoprotein
Authors: Widmer N. , Decosterd L. A. , Csajka C. , Leyvraz S. , Duchosal M. A. , Rosselet A. , Rochat B. , Eap C. B. , Henry H. , Biollaz J. , Buclin T. 
Published: June 2006

AimsThe aims of this observational study were to assess the variability in imatinib pharmacokinetics and to explore the relationship between its disposition and various biological covariates, especially plasma α1‐acid glycoprotein concentrations.MethodsA population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using NONMEM based on 321 plasma samples from 59 patients with either chronic myeloid leukaemia or gastrointestinal stromal tumours. The influence of covariates on oral clearance and volume of distribution was examined. Furthermore, the in vivo intracellular pharmacokinetics of imatinib was explored in five patients.ResultsA one‐compartment model with first‐order absorption appropriately described the data, giving a mean (± SEM) oral clearance of 14.3 l h−1 (± 1.0) and a volume of distribution of 347 l (± 62). Oral clearance was influenced by body weight, age, sex and disease diagnosis. A large proportion of the interindividual variability (36% of clearance and 63% of volume of distribution) remained unexplained by these demographic covariates. Plasma α1‐acid glycoprotein concentrations had a marked influence on total imatinib concentrations. Moreover, we observed an intra/extracellular ratio of 8, suggesting substantial uptake of the drug into the target cells.ConclusionBecause of the high pharmacokinetic variability of imatinib and the reported relationships between its plasma concentration and efficacy and toxicity, the usefulness of therapeutic drug monitoring as an aid to optimizing therapy should be further investigated. Ideally, such an approach should take account of either circulating α1‐acid glycoprotein concentrations or free imatinib concentrations.
Immunoglobulins and complement factor C4 in adult rhinosinusitis
Authors: Seppänen M , Suvilehto J , Lokki M-L , Notkola I-L , Järvinen A , Jarva H , Seppälä I , Tahkokallio O , Malmberg H , Meri S , Valtonen V 
Published: June 2006

Summary
We assessed whether complement and its factor C4 or abnormal immunoglobulin levels are associated with chronic or recurrent rhinosinusitis. We used multiple patient and control groups to obtain clinically meaningful data. Adult chronic or recurrent rhinosinusitis and acute purulent rhinosinusitis patients were compared with unselected adults and controls without previous rhinosinusitis. Associated clinical factors were reviewed. Levels of immunoglobulins, plasma C3, C4 and classical pathway haemolytic activity were analysed. C4 immunophenotyping was used to detect C4A and C4B deficiencies as null alleles. Complement was up-regulated in rhinosinusitis. C4A nulls and low IgA, IgG, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 levels were all more common in chronic or recurrent rhinosinusitis patients than in unselected and healthy controls. We searched for relevant differences between the patient groups. According to stepwise logistic regression analysis, nasal polyposis [odds ratio (OR) 10·64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2·5–45·7, P = 0·001], bronchial asthma (OR 8.87, 95% CI 2·3–34·9, P = 0·002), C4A null alleles (OR 5·84, 95% CI 1·4–24·9, P = 0·017) and low levels of IgG4 together with either IgG1 or IgG2 (OR 15·25, 95% CI 1·4–166·8, P = 0·026) were more common in chronic or recurrent rhinosinusitis than in acute rhinosinusitis patients. Isolated low IgG subclasses had limited value in patient assessment. C4A null alleles are associated with chronic or recurrent rhinosinusitis, potentially through their effect on immune defence and inflammation control. Multiple clinical and immunological parameters may need to be evaluated when searching for prognostic variables.
Changes in leucocyte and lymphocyte subsets during tuberculosis treatment; prominence of CD3dimCD56+ natural killer T cells in fast treatment responders
Authors: Veenstra H , Baumann R , Carroll N M , Lukey P T , Kidd M , Beyers N , Bolliger C T , Van Helden P D , Walzl G 
Published: June 2006

SummaryThe immune responses against pulmonary tuberculosis are still poorly defined. This study describes changes in leucocyte and lymphocyte subsets during treatment to find reliable immunological markers for the disease and treatment response. Flow cytometric peripheral blood immune phenotyping, routine haematology and sputum microbiology were performed on 21 HIV-negative adult tuberculosis (TB) patients with positive sputum cultures during therapy in comparison with 14 healthy purified protein derivative (PPD)-positive volunteers. Patients at diagnosis showed high absolute neutrophil and monocyte counts which fell during treatment but low lymphocyte subset counts which increased [except natural killer (NK) and NK T cells]. High counts of a population of CD3dim/CD56+ NK T cells at diagnosis correlated significantly with negative sputum culture after 8 weeks of treatment. A multivariate classification technique showed improved correlation when NK cells were taken into account. In conclusion, peripheral blood white cell counts change significantly during treatment and counts at diagnosis, especially CD3dim/CD56+ NK T cells, hold promise in predictive models of TB treatment response.
Treatment of monocytes with interleukin (IL)-12 plus IL-18 stimulates survival, differentiation and the production of CXC chemokine ligands (CXCL)8, CXCL9 and CXCL10
Authors: Coma G , Peña R , Blanco J , Rosell A , Borras F E , Esté J A , Clotet B , Ruiz L , Parkhouse R M E , Bofill M 
Published: June 2006

SummaryDuring inflammation, interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-18 are produced by macrophages and other cell types such as neutrophils (IL-12), keratinocytes and damaged endothelial cells (IL-18). To explore the role of IL-12 and IL-18 in inflammatory innate immune responses we investigated their impact on human peripheral blood monocytes and mature bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) macrophages. IL-12 and IL-18 together, but not alone, prevented spontaneous apoptosis of cultured monocytes, promoted monocyte clustering and subsequent differentiation into macrophages. These morphological changes were accompanied by increased secretion of CXC chemokine ligands (CXCL)9, CXCL10 (up to 100-fold, P &lt; 0·001) and CXCL8 (up to 10-fold, P &lt; 0·001) but not CCL3, CCL4 or CCL5. Mature macrophages (from BALs) expressed high basal levels of CXCL8, that were no modified upon stimulation with IL-12 and IL-18. In contrast, the basal production of CXCL9 and CXCL10 by BALs was increased by 10-fold (P &lt; 0·001) in the presence of either IL-12 or IL-18 alone and by 50-fold in the presence of both cytokines. In conclusion, our results indicate a relevant role for IL-12 and IL-18 in the activation and resolution of inflammatory immune responses, by increasing the survival of monocytes and by inducing the production of chemokines. In particular, those that may regulate angiogenesis and promote the recruitment of monocytes, activated T cells (CXCL9 and CXCL10) and granulocytes (CXCL8).