bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Different prevalence of asymptomatic atherosclerotic lesions in males and females
Authors: Kröger Knut , Suckel Andreas , Hirche Herbert , Rudofsky Gottfried 
Published: January 2007

The detection of atherosclerotic lesions in asymptomatic healthy subjects is possible using ultrasound. Populations can be investigated in order to detect differences in early and asymptomatic atherosclerosis due to gender and risk factors. This study investigated 2605 male (21-69 years) and 1601 female (20-70 years) employees and civil servants of the city of Düsseldorf, Germany. The ultrasound investigations were performed with an ATL device, type Ultra-mark 4 plus, and a 7.5-MHz linear transducer on the carotid and proximal femoral arteries. An atherosclerotic lesion was defined as visibly different from the intima by its echogenicity and by being larger than 1 mm. A thickening of the intima media complex was not considered to be atherosclerosis. The prevalence of atherosclerotic lesions in male subjects was higher than those in female subjects regardless of age. In male subjects it was 5.3% (30-39 years), 19.8% (40-49 years), 36.7% (50-59 years) and 47.7% (60-70 years). The female subjects had a prevalence of 2.1%, 8.4%, 17.5% and 37.7% in the corresponding age groups. Risk factors such as smoking, hyper-tension and hypercholesterolemia were higher in men than in women. The increase of atherosclerotic lesions from one decade to another was highest in women between 50 and 59 years and 60 and 70 years. This large increase could not be explained by a similar increase in risk factors. It was therefore concluded that male subjects had a higher prevalence of atherosclerosis at earlier ages than females, but female subjects showed a postmenopausal rise in prevalence.
An analysis of limb-threatening lower extremity wound complications after 1090 consecutive coronary artery bypass procedures
Authors: Thomas Terisa A , Taylor Spence M , Crane Martin M , Cornett Wendy R , Langan Eugene M , Snyder Bruce A , Cull David L 
Published: January 2007

The objective of this study was to examine and characterize limb-threatening lower extremity wound or soft tissue complications after coronary artery bypass (CABG) and determine risk factors for their cause. While minor wound problems of the leg after CABG are not uncommon, serious limb-threatening complications, though less frequent, do occur and are often de-emphasized in the surgical literature. A review of 1090 consecutive CABG procedures performed from January 1, 1995 through December 31, 1995 was instituted, which screened for limb-threatening lower extremity wound or soft tissue complications defined as wounds that: required additional surgery for treatment; prolonged the length of stay; or which required lengthy home health nursing for treatment. Minor lymph leaks, leg swelling, infections or wound problems treated as an outpatient were excluded. Of 1090 patients, 54 (5.0%) experienced a limb-threatening lower extremity complication. Complications were categorized as vein harvest incision non-healing (n = 36, 66.7%), decubitus ulceration (n = 11, 20.4%), forefoot ischemia/embolization (n = 10, 18.5%), groin hematoma/abscess (n = 6, 11.1%), severe cellulitis (n = 3, 5.6%), or a combination (n = 12, 22.2%). Statistically significant risk factors by univariate and bivariate analysis for a complication included older age (68 years vs 62 years, p = 0.007), female sex (57% vs 28%, p, 0.001), diabetes (57% vs 33%, p = 0.005) and longer pump time (129 min vs 114 min, p = 0.009). These complications necessitated five major lower extremity amputations and nine revascularization procedures. Chronic lower extremity ischemia from peripheral vascular disease (PVD) was a major contributing factor for the development of wounds in at least 23 (42.6%) of these patients, though suspected in only 10 (43.5%) preoperatively. A non-healing vein harvest incision below the knee of a patient retrospectively found to have inadequate distal circulation for healing occurred in 17 (31.5%) of the total 54 cases. It was concluded that non-healing vein incisions, decubitus ulcers and forefoot ischemic lesions frequently occurring in older diabetic females with undetected pre-existing PVD, comprise the majority of limb-threatening leg complications after CABG. Nearly one-third of the complications may have been avoided had the vein harvest incision not been made at the ankle of a patient with unappreciated PVD.
Paediatric prehospital trauma care
Authors: Gaffney Paul , Johnson Graham 
Published: January 2007

Trauma is the major cause of avoidable death in children in the UK. For many injured children, their initial contact with medical care is with the ambulance service. The main focus of this article is paediatric prehospital trauma care in the UK. It identifies its strengths and highlights areas where improvements are needed. For comparison’s sake, mention is also made of the prehospital care for traumatized children in the USA, which is part of a system termed ‘Emergency Medical Services for Children’ (EMSC). Training and equipment issues, field triage and the ABC of advanced life support of injured children is examined. Future directions for this important aspect of emergency care are discussed, as are issues relevant to research and audit in this area.
Third World trauma
Authors: Bewes Peter 
Published: January 2007

Trauma care has made great strides worldwide in recent years. This is especially noticeable in the more affluent countries, where new methodology has brought the seemingly impossible within reach - especially in fracture care. In parts of the so-called ‘Third World’ however, where expenditure on health care is around $2 per person per year, yet where trauma is rife, new methodologies are not within the reach of the rural poor. Nevertheless, a system of trauma care that works is evolving in many parts of the Third World, and a literature on the subject is growing. ‘Third World trauma’, developed by an army of trauma workers in the field, details the challenges and appropriate response to trauma cases. This paper gives surgeons hoping to work in the trauma field in the Third World examples of the thinking behind these developments, some recommended reading, and advice on preparation for work in the ‘Third World’.
GATA3 up-regulation associated with surface expression of CD294/CRTH2: a unique feature of human Th cells
Authors: De Fanis Umberto , Mori Francesca , Kurnat Rebecca J. , Lee Won Kyung , Bova Maria , Adkinson N. Franklin , Casolaro Vincenzo 
Published: January 2007

AbstractGATA-3 and T-box expressed in T cells (T-bet) play central roles in Th-cell development and function. Consistently, studies in mice document their selective expression in Th1 and Th2 cells, respectively. In contrast, it is not clear whether these genes are regulated in human Th cells. Here we show that T-bet expression is polarized to a comparable degree in human and mouse Th-cell cultures, while only mouse GATA3 is subject to substantial regulation. This did not reflect differential skewing efficiency in human versus mouse cultures, as these contained similar frequencies of IFN-γ– and IL-4–producing cells. However, GATA-3 was expressed at significantly higher levels in human IL-4–producing cells enriched via capture with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the PGD2 receptor, CRTH2, the best selective Th2-cell surface marker to date. Along with increased IL-4 and GATA-3, CRTH2+ Th cells isolated from Th2-skewed cultures or the circulating memory pool exhibited markedly decreased IFN-γ and T-bet expression. Thus, the human GATA-3 gene is not regulated in response to polarizing signals that are sufficient to direct Th2-specific expression in mouse cells. This postulates the involvement of an additional level of complexity in the regulation of human GATA-3 expression and stresses the existence of nontrivial differences in the regulation of human versus mouse T-cell function.
TC-PTP–deficient bone marrow stromal cells fail to support normal B lymphopoiesis due to abnormal secretion of interferon-γ
Authors: Bourdeau Annie , Dubé Nadia , Heinonen Krista M. , Théberge Jean-François , Doody Karen M. , Tremblay Michel L. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
The T-cell protein tyrosine phosphatase (TC-PTP) is a negative regulator of the Jak/Stat cytokine signaling pathway. Our study shows that the absence of TC-PTP leads to an early bone marrow B-cell deficiency characterized by hindered transition from the pre-B cell to immature B-cell stage. This phenotype is intrinsic to the B cells but most importantly due to bone marrow stroma abnormalities. We found that bone marrow stromal cells from TC-PTP−/− mice have the unique property of secreting 232-890 pg/mL IFN-γ. These high levels of IFN-γ result in 2-fold reduction in mitotic index on IL-7 stimulation of TC-PTP−/− pre-B cells and lower responsiveness of IL-7 receptor downstream Jak/Stat signaling molecules. Moreover, we noted constitutive phosphorylation of Stat1 in those pre-B cells and demonstrated that this was due to soluble IFN-γ secreted by TC-PTP−/− bone marrow stromal cells. Interestingly, culturing murine early pre-B leukemic cells within a TC-PTP–deficient bone marrow stroma environment leads to a 40% increase in apoptosis in these malignant cells. Our results unraveled a new role for TC-PTP in normal B lymphopoiesis and suggest that modulation of bone marrow microenvironment is a potential therapeutic approach for selected B-cell leukemia.
Comparative genomic analysis of the family Iridoviridae: re-annotating and defining the core set of iridovirus genes
Authors: Eaton Heather E , Metcalf Julie , Penny Emily , Tcherepanov Vasily , Upton Chris , Brunetti Craig R 
Published: January 2007

Abstract

Background
Members of the family Iridoviridae can cause severe diseases resulting in significant economic and environmental losses. Very little is known about how iridoviruses cause disease in their host. In the present study, we describe the re-analysis of the Iridoviridae family of complex DNA viruses using a variety of comparative genomic tools to yield a greater consensus among the annotated sequences of its members.

Results
A series of genomic sequence comparisons were made among, and between the Ranavirus and Megalocytivirus genera in order to identify novel conserved ORFs. Of these two genera, the Megalocytivirus genomes required the greatest number of altered annotations. Prior to our re-analysis, the Megalocytivirus species orange-spotted grouper iridovirus and rock bream iridovirus shared 99% sequence identity, but only 82 out of 118 potential ORFs were annotated; in contrast, we predict that these species share an identical complement of genes. These annotation changes allowed the redefinition of the group of core genes shared by all iridoviruses. Seven new core genes were identified, bringing the total number to 26.

Conclusion
Our re-analysis of genomes within the Iridoviridae family provides a unifying framework to understand the biology of these viruses. Further re-defining the core set of iridovirus genes will continue to lead us to a better understanding of the phylogenetic relationships between individual iridoviruses as well as giving us a much deeper understanding of iridovirus replication. In addition, this analysis will provide a better framework for characterizing and annotating currently unclassified iridoviruses.
Template-assisted Formation of Charge-transfer Complex by a Mixed Supramolecular Ladder Complex
Authors: Sugimoto Takahiro , Suzuki Takayuki , Shinkai Seiji , Sada Kazuki 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
A 2,6-naphthalenediol-modified BisPYBOX (2,6-bis(benzoxazol-2-yl)pyridine (benzoPYBOX)) ligand and a naphthaldiimide-modified BisPYBOX ligand were newly designed and synthesized as a bar for ladder structure formation. The mixing of these two BisPYBOX ligands formed supramolecular ladders along a polymeric secondary dialkylammonium cations as templates to yield charge-transfer (CT) complexes in solution.
Effects of Coverage of Silica-supported Ni Catalysts with Silica upon Formation of Carbon Nanofibers with Uniform Diameter by Ethylene Decomposition
Authors: Nakagawa Keizo , Takenaka Sakae , Imagawa Satoshi , Matsune Hideki , Kishida Masahiro 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
Carbon nanofibers with uniform diameter of 10–15 nm were produced by the decomposition of ethylene over silica-supported Ni catalysts covered with silica layers.
Generation of Functional Dopamine Neurons from Neural Precursor Cells Isolated from the Subventricular Zone and White Matter of the Adult Rat Brain Using Nurr1 Overexpression
Authors: Shim Jae-Won , Park Chang-Hwan , Bae Yong-Chul , Bae Jin-Young , Chung Seungsoo , Chang Mi-Yoon , Koh Hyun-Chul , Lee Hyun-Seob , Hwang Se-Jin , Lee Ki-Hwan , Lee Yong-Sung , Choi Cha-Yong , Lee Sang-Hun 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
Neural precursor (NP) cells from adult mammalian brains can be isolated, expanded in vitro, and potentially used as cell replacement source material for treatment of intractable brain disorders. Reduced ethical concerns, lack of teratoma formation, and possible ex vivo autologous transplantation are critical advantages to using adult NP donor cells over cells from fetal brain tissue or embryonic stem cells. However, the usage of adult NP cells is limited by the ability to induce specific neurochemical phenotypes in these cells. Here, we demonstrate induction of a dopaminergic phenotype in NP cells isolated from the subventricular zone (SVZ) and white matter of rodent adult brains using overexpression of the nuclear receptor Nurr1 in vitro. Forced expression of Nurr1, a transcriptional factor specific to midbrain dopamine (DA) neuron development, caused in the adult cells an acquisition of the DA neurotransmitter phenotype and sufficient differentiation toward morphologically, phenotypically, and ultrastructurally mature DA neurons. Co-expression of neurogenic factor Mash1 and treatment with neurogenic cytokines brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin-3 greatly enhanced Nurr1-induced DA neuron yield. The Nurr1-induced DA neurons demonstrated in vitro presynaptic DA neuronal functionality, releasing DA neurotransmitter in response to depolarization stimuli and specific DA reuptake. Furthermore, Nurr1-engineered adult SVZ NP cells survived, integrated, and differentiated into DA neurons in vivo that can reverse the behavioral deficit in the host striatum of parkinsonian rats. These findings open the possibility for the use of precursor cells from adult brains as a cell source for neuronal replacement treatment of Parkinson disease.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Selection of Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein-Positive Dopamine Neurons Using the Tyrosine Hydroxylase Promoter Is Confounded by Reporter Gene Expression in Immature Cell Populations
Authors: Hedlund Eva , Pruszak Jan , Ferree Andrew , Viñuela Angel , Hong Sunghoi , Isacson Ole , Kim Kwang-Soo 
Published: January 2007

AbstractTransplantation of mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells can restore function in Parkinson disease models, but can generate teratomas. Purification of dopamine neurons derived from embryonic stem cells by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) could provide a functional cell population for transplantation while eliminating the risk of teratoma formation. Here we used the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) promoter to drive enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) expression in mES cells. First, we evaluated 2.5-kilobase (kb) and 9-kb TH promoter fragments and showed that clones generated using the 9-kb fragment produced significantly more eGFP+/TH+ neurons. We selected the 9-kb TH clone with the highest eGFP/TH overlap for further differentiation, FACS, and transplantation experiments. Grafts contained large numbers of eGFP+ dopamine neurons of an appropriate phenotype. However, there were also numerous eGFP+ cells that did not express TH and did not have a neuronal morphology. In addition, we found cells in the grafts representing all three germ layers. Based on these findings, we examined the expression of stem cell markers in our eGFP+ population. We found that a majority of eGFP+ cells were stage-specific embryonic antigen-positive (SSEA-1+) and that the genetically engineered clones contained more SSEA-1+ cells after differentiation than the original D3 mES cells. By negative selection of SSEA-1, we could isolate a neuronal eGFP+ population of high purity. These results illustrate the complexity of using genetic selection to purify mES cell-derived dopamine neurons and provide a comprehensive analysis of cell selection strategies based on tyrosine hydroxylase expression.Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) method for the estimation of amlodipine in human plasma
Authors: Bhatt Jignesh , Singh Sadhana , Subbaiah Gunta , Shah Bhavin , Kambli Sandeep , Ameta Suresh 
Published: January 2007

AbstractA rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for the estimation of amlodipine in human plasma. Amlodipine was extracted from human plasma by using a solid‐phase extraction technique. Imipramine was used as the internal standard. A Hypersil BDS C18 column provided chromatographic separation of analytes followed by detection with mass spectrometry. The method involves a rapid solid‐phase extraction from plasma, simple isocratic chromatography conditions and mass spectrometric detection that enables detection at sub‐nanogram levels. The proposed method has been validated for a linear range of 0.1–10.0 ng/mL with correlation coefficient ≥0.9990. The intrarun and interrun precision and accuracy were within 10.0%. The overall recovery for amlodipine was 63.67%. Total run time was 3.2 min only. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A high‐performance liquid chromatographic method for determination of mitragynine in serum and its application to a pharmacokinetic study in rats
Authors: Janchawee Benjamas , Keawpradub Niwat , Chittrakarn Somsmorn , Prasettho Supaporn , Wararatananurak Puchong , Sawangjareon Kitja 
Published: January 2007

AbstractA simple HPLC technique for determining mitragynine levels in serum was developed. The separation system consisted of a C18 column heated to 35°C, a methanol–water (80:20, v/v) mobile phase, a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min and detection in the ultraviolet at 225 nm. Mitragynine, with a retention time of 10.09 min, was well resolved from any interferences in human serum and the internal standard peak. The calibration curve was linear from 0.1 to 10 µg/mL (r = 0.9995). Extraction of mitragy‐nine from alkalinized serum using diethyl ether gave a high recovery (≥85%). The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions of the method were 4.29–5.88%RSD and 7.06–8.45%RSD, respectively. The accuracy ranged from −9.54 to +0.67%DEV. The limit of detection was 0.03 µg/mL and the lower limit of quantification was 0.1 µg/mL. Mitragynine in the stock solution was stable during 30 days of storage at 4°C. This method was successfully applied to determine the pharmacokinetic characteristics of mitragynine levels in the serum of rats after it was administered orally. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development and validation of high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry assay for 6‐(3‐benzoyl‐ureido)‐hexanoic acid hydroxyamide, a novel HDAC inhibitor, in mouse plasma for pharmacokinetic studies
Authors: Yeo Pauline , Xin Liu , Goh Evelyn , New Lee Sun , Zeng Peizi , Wu Xiaofeng , Venkatesh P. , Kantharaj Ethirajulu 
Published: January 2007

AbstractA liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometric method for the quantification of 6‐(3‐benzoyl‐ureido)‐hexanoic acid hydroxyamide (EX‐2), a novel histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, in mouse plasma was developed to support in‐house pharmacokinetic (PK) studies in the lead optimization stage. In order to determine the PK parameters for EX‐2 in comparison to other HDAC inhibitors such as suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), PXD‐101 and LBH‐589, which are currently in different stages of clinical trials, research‐grade bio‐analytical method validations were carried out for EX‐2 and these reference HDAC inhibitors, which were synthesized by in‐house medicinal chemists. The components of validation consisted of specificity, extraction efficiency, signal–response of calibration standards, lower limit of quantification, autosampler stability and accuracy and precision of quality control samples. The validated LC/MS/MS methods were accurate and precise. The calibration curve ranged from 1 to 1600 ng/mL for all the analytes. The methods developed were used to quantify EX‐2 and other HDAC inhibitors in mouse plasma obtained from pharmacokinetic studies. The results suggest that EX‐2 has better PK parameters compared with the reference drugs and is a promising drug development candidate. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vivoevaluation of CYP1A2, CYP2A6, NAT‐2 and xanthine oxidase activities in a Greek population sample by the RP‐HPLC monitoring of caffeine metabolic ratios
Authors: Begas E. , Kouvaras E. , Tsakalof A. , Papakosta S. , Asprodini E. K. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractA RP‐HPLC method was developed for the assessment of caffeine and its metabolites in urine and was used for the evaluation of the CYP1A2, CYP2A6, xanthine oxidase (XO) andN‐acetyl‐transferase‐2 (NAT‐2)in vivoactivities in 44 Greek volunteers (21 men, 23 women). Spot urine samples were analyzed 6 h after 200 mg caffeine consumption, following a 30 h methylxantine‐free diet. The major urinary caffeine metabolites are 1‐methyluric acid (1U), 5‐acetylamino‐6‐formylamino‐3‐methyluracil (AFMU), 1‐methylxanthine (1X), 1,7‐dimethyluric acid (17U) and 1,7‐dimethylxanthine (17X). CYP1A2, CYP2A6, XO and NAT‐2 activities were estimated from the metabolic ratios (AFMU + 1U + 1X)/17U, 17U/17X, 1U/(1X + 1U) and AFMU/(AFMU + 1U + 1X), respectively. Metabolites and internal standard were extracted with chloroform/isopropanol (85:15, v/v) and separated on a C18column by an isocratic HPLC system using a two‐step elution with manual switch from solvent A (0.1% acetic acid–methanol–acetonitrile, 92:4:5 v/v) to solvent B (0.1% acetic acid–methanol, 60:40, v/v), and detected at 280 nm. The method exhibited adequate metabolite separation (resolution factors >1.48), accuracy (94.1–106.3%) and intraday and interday precision <8.02 and <8.78%, respectively (n= 6). Smoking affected only CYP1A2, whereas gender had no effect in any enzyme activity. NAT‐2 exhibited bimodal distribution, 63.6% of volunteers being slow acetylators. The developed RP‐HPLC method was fully validated and successfully applied for the evaluation of CYP1A2, CYP2A6, XO and NAT‐2 activities. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.