bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between reduced levels of MEFV messenger RNA in peripheral blood leukocytes and acute inflammation
Authors: Üstek Duran , Ekmekci Cumhur Gökhan , Selçukbiricik Fatih , Cakiris Aris , Oku Basar , Vural Burcak , Yanar Hakan , Taviloglu Korhan , Özbek Ugur , Gül Ahmet 
Published: December 2006

AbstractObjectiveFamilial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is associated with more than 70 missense mutations in the MEFV gene. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relative expression of messenger RNA (mRNA) for the MEFV gene in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) obtained from patients with FMF during attacks of acute abdominal inflammation as well as during asymptomatic periods.MethodsWe studied 16 patients with FMF during an attack of acute peritonitis and 17 otherwise healthy individuals who were undergoing surgery because of acute appendicitis. Blood samples were collected from both groups of patients during both acute inflammatory and asymptomatic periods. Relative levels of MEFV mRNA in PBLs were detected with real‐time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction using LightCycler, with 2 sets of primers for the MEFV gene (exons 7–10 and exons 2–3) and with primers for CIAS1 and PSTPIP1 genes. Expression levels were compared with β2‐microglobulin as an internal control.ResultsMEFV expression was reduced in FMF patients during asymptomatic periods as compared with the non‐FMF controls (P < 0.001). We observed a further decrease in MEFV expression in FMF patients during periods of inflammation (P = 0.01). Reduced levels of MEFV mRNA were also noted during the preoperative period as compared with asymptomatic periods in control patients with acute appendicitis (P = 0.01). CIAS1 expression in PBLs from patients with FMF was also found to be lower than that in the control patients. However, CIAS1 expression did not change with acute inflammation.ConclusionThis study confirmed that reduced expression of the MEFV gene is associated with inflammation and that it may be one of the pathogenic mechanisms of the attacks of inflammation in FMF patients, along with disease‐associated variations in pyrin.
Effects of short‐term infliximab therapy on autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Aringer Martin , Steiner Günter , Graninger Winfried B. , Höfler Elisabeth , Steiner Carl W. , Smolen Josef S. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo analyze changes in autoantibodies occurring in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) treated with 4 infusions of the chimeric anti–tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) antibody infliximab.MethodsIn an open‐label safety study, 7 patients with SLE were treated with infliximab at weeks 0, 2, 6, and 10 in combination with azathioprine or methotrexate. Antibodies to double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA) were determined by radioimmunoassay and the Crithidia luciliae indirect immunofluorescence assay; anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and antibodies to histone and chromatin were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Antihistone antibodies were also analyzed by immunoblotting. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy individuals and SLE patients were incubated for 2 weeks with or without TNFα. TNFα was removed by washing and by the addition of infliximab. Apoptotic cells were stained with annexin V and analyzed by flow cytometry.ResultsAutoantibodies to dsDNA increased in 5 of 7 patients. Histone, chromatin, and IgM aCL levels were increased in 4 of 7, 6 of 7, and 4 of 7 patients, respectively, peaking 4–10 weeks after the last infliximab infusion, but falling to baseline levels or lower thereafter. In the in vitro experiments, TNF withdrawal after long‐term incubation with recombinant human TNF led to increased percentages of apoptotic cells.ConclusionWhile TNF blockade was clinically effective, the majority of SLE patients treated with infliximab showed an increase in autoantibodies to nuclear antigens and phospholipids. These increases were transient and were not associated with disease flares. Increased availability of apoptotic antigens after TNF blockade may play a role in the autoantibody formation induced by TNF blockade.
Moderation of psychosocial risk factors through dysfunction of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal stress axis in the onset of chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain : Findings of a population‐based prospective cohort study
Authors: McBeth J. , Silman A. J. , Gupta A. , Chiu Y. H. , Ray D. , Morriss R. , Dickens C. , King Y. , Macfarlane G. J. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that abnormalities in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) stress‐response system would act as an effect moderator between HPA function and the onset of chronic widespread pain (CWP).MethodsWe conducted a population‐based prospective cohort study. Current pain and psychosocial status were ascertained in 11,000 subjects. Of the 768 eligible subjects free of CWP but at future risk based on their psychosocial profile, 463 were randomly selected, and 267 (57.7%) consented to assessment of their HPA axis function. Diurnal function was measured by assessing levels of salivary cortisol in the morning (9:00 AM) and evening (10:00 PM). Serum cortisol levels were measured after an overnight low‐dose (0.25 mg) dexamethasone suppression test and a potentially stressful clinical examination. All subjects were followed up 15 months later to identify cases of new‐onset CWP.ResultsA total of 241 subjects (94.9%) completed the followup study, and 28 (11.6%) reported the new onset of CWP. High levels of cortisol post‐dexamethasone (odds ratio [OR] 3.53, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.17–10.65), low levels in morning saliva (OR 1.43, 95% CI 0.52–3.94), and high levels in evening saliva (OR 2.32, 95% CI 0.64–8.42) were all associated with CWP. These 3 factors were found to be independent and additive predictors of CWP (OR for all 3 factors 8.5, 95% CI 1.5–47.9) in analyses controlling for age, sex, depression, sleep disturbance, recent traumatic life events, and pain status. One or more of these 3 HPA factors identified 26 (92.9%) cases of new‐onset CWP.ConclusionAmong a group of psychologically at‐risk subjects, dysfunction of the HPA axis helps to distinguish those who will and will not develop new‐onset CWP.
Conceptions of information science
Authors: Zins Chaim 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe field of information science is constantly changing. Therefore, information scientists are required to regularly review—and if necessary—redefine its fundamental building blocks. This article is one of four articles that documents the results of the Critical Delphi study conducted in 2003–2005. The study, “Knowledge Map of Information Science,” was aimed at exploring the foundations of information science. The international panel was composed of 57 leading scholars from 16 countries who represent nearly all the major subfields and important aspects of the field. In this study, the author documents 50 definitions of information science, maps the major theoretical issues relevant to the formulation of a systematic conception, formulates six different conceptions of the field, and discusses their implications.
Analysis of oxygen transport in a diffusion‐limited model of engineered heart tissue
Authors: Brown David A. , MacLellan W. Robb , Laks Hillel , C.Y. Dunn James , M. Wu Benjamin , Beygui Ramin E. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractCardiac tissue engineering has made notable progress in recent years with the advent of an experimental model based on neonatal cardiomyocytes entrapped in collage gels and purified basement membrane extract, known as “engineered heart tissues” (EHTs). EHTs are a formidable display of tissue‐level contractile function and cellular‐level differentiation, although they suffer greatly from mass transport limitations due to the high density of metabolically active cells and the diffusion‐limited nature of the hydrogel. In this report, a mathematical model was developed to predict oxygen levels inside a one‐dimensional, diffusion‐limited model of EHT. These predictions were then compared to values measured in corresponding experiments with a hypoxia‐sensitive stain (pimonidazole). EHTs were cast between two plastic discs, which allowed for mass transfer with the culture medium to occur in only the radial direction. EHTs were cultured for up to 36 h in the presence of pimonidazole, after which time they were snap‐frozen, histologically sectioned, and stained for bound pimonidazole. Quantitative image analysis was performed to measure the distance from the culture medium at which hypoxia first occurs under various conditions. As tested by variation of simple design parameters, the trends in oxygen profiles predicted by the model are in reasonable agreement with those obtained experimentally, although a number of ambiguities related to the specific model parameters led to a general overprediction of oxygen concentrations. Based on the sensitivity analysis in the present study, it is concluded that diffusion‐reaction models may offer relatively precise predictions of oxygen concentrations in diffusion‐limited tissue constructs. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;97: 962–975. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Influence of cultivation conditions on mechanical and morphological properties of bacterial cellulose tubes
Authors: Bodin Aase , Bäckdahl Henrik , Fink Helen , Gustafsson Lena , Risberg Bo , Gatenholm Paul 
Published: December 2006

AbstractBacterial cellulose (BC) was deposited in tubular form by fermenting Acetobacter xylinum on top of silicone tubes as an oxygenated support and by blowing different concentrations of oxygen, that is, 21% (air), 35%, 50%, and 100%. Mechanical properties such as burst pressure and tensile properties were evaluated for all tubes. The burst pressure of the tubes increased with an increase in oxygen ratio and reached a top value of 880 mmHg at 100% oxygen. The Young's modulus was approximately 5 MPa for all tubes, irrespective of the oxygen ratio. The elongation to break decreased from 30% to 10–20% when the oxygen ratio was increased. The morphology of the tubes was characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). All tubes had an even inner side and a more porous outer side. The cross section indicated that the tubes are composed of layers and that the amount of layers and the yield of cellulose increased with an increase in oxygen ratio. We propose that an internal vessel wall with high density is required for the tube to sustain a certain pressure. An increase in wall thickness by an increase in oxygen ratio might explain the increasing burst pressure with increasing oxygen ratio. The fermentation method used renders it possible to produce branched tubes, tubes with unlimited length and inner diameters. Endothelial cells (ECs) were grown onto the lumen of the tubes. The cells formed a confluent layer after 7 days. The tubes potential as a vascular graft is currently under investigation in a large animal model at the Centre of Vascular Engineering, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;97: 425–434. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Erythrocyte sodium pump stimulation by ouabain and an endogenous ouabain‐like factor
Authors: Balzan Silvana , D'Urso Giuseppina , Nicolini Giuseppina , Forini Francesca , Pellegrino Mario , Montali Umberto 
Published: December 2006

AbstractCardiac glycosides inhibit the sodium pump. However, some studies suggest that nanomolar ouabain concentrations can stimulate the activity of the sodium pump.In this study, using the Na+/K+‐ATPase of human erythrocytes, we compared the effect of digoxin, ouabain and an ouabain like‐factor (OLF), on 86Rb uptake.Ouabain concentrations below 10−9 M significantly stimulate Rb+ uptake, and the maximal increase above base‐line values is 18 ± 5% at 10−10 M ouabain. No stimulation is observed in the same conditions by digoxin. OLF behaved like ouabain, producing an activation of Rb+ flux at concentrations lower than 10−9 M ouabain equivalents (14 ± 3% at 10−10 M).Western blot analysis revealed the presence of both α1 and α3 pump isoforms in human erythrocytes. Our data confirm the analogies between OLF and ouabain and suggest that Na+/K+‐ATPase activation may be related to the α3 isoform.In addition, we investigated whether ouabain at different concentrations was effective in altering the intracellular calcium concentration of erythrocytes. We found that ouabain at concentration lower than 10−9 M did not affect this homeostasis. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regulation of human lymphocyte proliferation by fatty acids
Authors: Gorjão Renata , Cury‐Boaventura Maria Fernanda , de Lima Thaís Martins , Curi Rui 
Published: December 2006

AbstractIn the present study, the effect of increasing concentrations of palmitic (PA, C16:0), stearic (SA, C18:0), oleic (OA, C18:1, n‐9), linoleic (LA, C18:2n‐6), docosahexaenoic (DHA, C22:6 n‐3) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA, C20:5 n‐3) acids on lymphocyte proliferation was investigated. The maximal non‐toxic concentrations of these fatty acids for human lymphocytes in vitro were determined. It was also evaluated whether these fatty acids at non‐toxic concentrations affect IL‐2 induced lymphocyte proliferation and cell cycle progression. OA and LA at 25 µM increased lymphocyte proliferation and at higher concentrations (75 µM and 100 µM) inhibited it. Both fatty acids promoted cell death at 200 µM concentration. PA and SA decreased lymphocyte proliferation at 50 µM and promoted cell death at concentrations of 100 µM and above. EPA and DHA decreased lymphocyte proliferation at 25 and 50 µM being toxic at 50 and 100 µM, respectively. PA, SA, DHA and EPA decreased the stimulatory effect of IL‐2 on lymphocyte proliferation, increasing the percentage of cells in G1 phase and decreasing the proportion of cells in S and G2/M phases. OA and LA caused an even greater pronounced effect. The treatment with all fatty acids increased neutral lipid accumulation in the cells but the effect was more pronounced with PA and DHA. In conclusion, PA, SA, DHA and EPA decreased lymphocyte proliferation, whereas OA and LA stimulated it at non‐toxic concentrations. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Redox regulation of proliferation of lens epithelial cells in culture
Authors: Wilhelm J. , Smištík Z. , Mahelková G. , Vytášek R. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractBoth oxidants and antioxidants have been shown to modulate cell proliferation. We studied the effects of hydrogen peroxide and two antioxidants on the rate of proliferation of lens epithelial cells in culture. Hydrogen peroxide at concentrations higher than 32 µM caused a significant inhibition of proliferation. However, in the concentration range of 0.01–0.5 µM, hydrogen peroxide stimulated the rate of proliferation. The effect of hydrogen peroxide was dependent on the amount of cells in an individual culture well, indicating decomposition of hydrogen peroxide by cellular enzymes. In order to eliminate the possibility of decomposition of the dose of hydrogen peroxide given as a bolus, we induced continual production of hydrogen peroxide by adding glucose oxidase to the incubation medium. We found that hydrogen peroxide, generated by 1–50 µU · ml−1 of glucose oxidase significantly increased the rate of cell proliferation. This effect was most apparent at the beginning of the exponential phase of cellular growth. Glucose oxidase alone (100–500 µU · ml−1) did not produce any effect. The effects of pro‐oxidative hydrogen peroxide were compared with the effects of two biologically important antioxidants, α‐tocopherol and retinol. Both antioxidants completely inhibited proliferation at concentrations of 30 µM and higher. In contrast to retinol, the effect of α‐tocopherol was dependent on the amount of cells, indicating cellular decomposition of α‐tocopherol. The results document the possibility of redox regulation of cellular proliferation at physiologically relevant reactant concentrations. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reversible Inactivation of the CG Specific SssI DNA (Cytosine‐C5)‐Methyltransferase with a Photocleavable Protecting Group
Authors: Rathert Philipp , Raskó Tamás , Roth Markus , Ślaska‐Kiss Krystyna , Pingoud Alfred , Kiss Antal , Jeltsch Albert 
Published: December 2006

AbstractCaging of proteins by conjugation with a photocleavable group is a powerful approach for reversibly blocking enzymatic activity. Here we describe the covalent modification of the bacterial SssI DNA methyltransferase (M.SssI) with the cysteine‐specific reagent 4,5‐dimethoxy‐2‐nitrobenzylbromide (DMNBB). M.SssI contains two cysteine residues; replacement of the active‐site Cys141 with Ser resulted in an approximately 100‐fold loss of enzymatic activity; this indicates an important role for this residue in catalysis. However, replacement of Cys368 with Ala did not affect methyltransferase activity. Treatment of the Cys368Ala mutant enzyme with DMNBB led to an almost complete loss of activity. Irradiation of the inactivated enzyme with near‐ultraviolet light (320–400 nm) restored 60 % of the catalytic activity. This indicates that caging by DMNBB can be used for the reversible inactivation of M.SssI.
Site‐Specific Functionalization of Proteins by Organopalladium Reactions
Authors: Kodama Koichiro , Fukuzawa Seketsu , Nakayama Hiroshi , Sakamoto Kensaku , Kigawa Takanori , Yabuki Takashi , Matsuda Natsuko , Shirouzu Mikako , Takio Koji , Yokoyama Shigeyuki , Tachibana Kazuo 
Published: December 2006

AbstractA new carbon–carbon bond has been regioselectively introduced into a target position (position 32 or 174) of the Ras protein by two types of organopalladium reactions (Mizoroki–Heck and Sonogashira reactions). Reaction conditions were screened by using a model peptide, and the stability of the Ras protein under the reaction conditions was examined by using the wild‐type Ras protein. Finally, the iF–Ras proteins containing a 4‐iodo‐L‐phenylalanine residue were subjected to organopalladium reactions with vinylated or propargylated biotin. Site‐specific biotinylations of the Ras protein were confirmed by Western blot and LC‐MS/MS.
A Comparative Analysis of the Sugar Phosphate Cyclase Superfamily Involved in Primary and Secondary Metabolism
Authors: Wu Xiumei , Flatt Patricia M. , Schlörke Oliver , Zeeck Axel , Dairi Tohru , Mahmud Taifo 
Published: December 2006

AbstractSugar phosphate cyclases (SPCs) catalyze the cyclization of sugar phosphates to produce a variety of cyclitol intermediates that serve as the building blocks of many primary metabolites, for example, aromatic amino acids, and clinically relevant secondary metabolites, for example, aminocyclitol/aminoglycoside and ansamycin antibiotics. Feeding experiments with isotopically labeled cyclitols revealed that cetoniacytone A, a unique C7N‐aminocyclitol antibiotic isolated from an insect endophyticActinomycessp., is derived from 2‐epi‐5‐epi‐valiolone, a product of SPC. By using heterologous probes from the 2‐epi‐5‐epi‐valiolone synthase class of SPCs, an SPC homologue gene,cetA, was isolated from the cetoniacytone producer.cetAis closely related toBE‐orf9found in the BE‐40644 biosynthetic gene cluster fromActinoplanessp. strain A40644. Recombinant expression ofcetAandBE‐orf9and biochemical characterization of the gene products confirmed their function as 2‐epi‐5‐epi‐valiolone synthases. Further phylogenetic analysis of SPC sequences revealed a new clade of SPCs that might regulate the biosynthesis of a novel set of secondary metabolites.
Initial experience with the cardiva Boomerang™ vascular closure device in diagnostic catheterization
Authors: Doyle Brendan J. , Godfrey Michael J. , Lennon Ryan J. , Ryan James L. , Bresnahan John F. , Rihal Charanjit S. , Ting Henry H. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractObjectives: The authors studied the safety and efficacy of the Cardiva Boomerang™ vascular closure device in patients undergoing diagnostic cardiac catheterization. Background: Conventional vascular closure devices (sutures, collagen plugs, or metal clips) have been associated with catastrophic complications including arterial occlusion and foreign body infections; furthermore, they cannot be utilized in patients with peripheral vascular disease or vascular access site in a vessel other than the common femoral artery. The Cardiva Boomerang™ device facilitates vascular hemostasis without leaving any foreign body behind at the access site, can be used in peripheral vascular disease, and can be used in vessels other than the common femoral artery Methods: A total of 96 patients undergoing transfemoral diagnostic cardiac catheterization were included in this study, including 25 (26%) patients with contraindications to conventional closure devices. Femoral angiography was performed prior to deployment of the Cardiva Boomerang™ closure device. Patients were ambulated at 1 hr after hemostasis was achieved. Results: The device was successfully deployed and hemostasis achieved with the device alone in 95 (99%) patients. The device failed to deploy in 1 (1%) patient and required conversion to standard manual compression. Minor complications were observed in 5 (5%) patients. No patients experienced major complications including femoral hematoma > 4 cm, red blood cell transfusion, retroperitoneal bleed, arteriovenous fistula, pseudoaneurysm, infection, arterial occlusion, or vascular surgery. Conclusions: The Cardiva Boomerang™ device is safe and effective in patients undergoing diagnostic cardiac catheterization using the transfemoral approach, facilitating early ambulation with low rates of vascular complications. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The impact of renal insufficiency on patients outcomes in emergent angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Assali Abid R. , Brosh David , Ben‐Dor Itsik , Solodky Alejandro , Fuchs Shmuel , Teplitsky Igal , Kornowski Ran 
Published: December 2006

AbstractBackground: Renal insufficiency (RF) was shown to be associated with a worsened prognosis following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Objectives: The authors analyzed the outcomes of AMI patients with impaired renal function tests treated using primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), to determine factors associated with increased mortality risk. Methods: This study included 558 consecutive AMI patients treated using primary PCI between January 2001 and June 2005. The authors compared outcome results according to glomerular filtration rate (GFR). An abbreviated equation was used to calculate GFR. Patients were grouped as follow: normal (≥90 mL/min/1.73 m2), mildly impaired (60–89 mL/min/1.73 m2), moderately impaired (30–59 mL/min/1.73 m2), and severely impaired GFR (< 30 mL/min/1.73 m2). Results: There was a stepwise increase in 30‐day mortality among patients with normal, mildly, moderately, and severely impaired RF: 2.1%, 3.7%, 8.2%, and 22.2%, respectively (P = 0.004). Seventeen out of the 324 with any degree of RF died within 1 month [5.3%] of these nine patients [53%] died because of cardiac cause. Univariate correlation analysis, factors associated with an increased risk of 1 month mortality included: age > 75 years, left ventricular ejection fraction < 35%, lower GFR, killip class > 1, multivessel coronary artery disease, failure to achieve TIMI flow grade = 3, the occurrence of no‐reflow, IABP use, lack of administration of anti GP 2b/3a. The amount of contrast media used during the procedure [mL/Kg] as well as renal function deterioration were also associated with increased mortality. Conclusions: Clinical and angiographic parameters collected before and during PCI can be used to predict 30‐day mortality among AMI patients with RF. Findings indicate that in the setting of contemporary catheter‐based reperfusion strategy for AMI, the extent of coronary artery disease, measures of PCI complexity, and degree of renal impairment prior/following the procedure are altogether related to mortality. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.