bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of PlA1/A2 glycoprotein IIIa gene polymorphism on the long-term outcome after successful coronary stenting
Authors: Le Hello Claire , Morello Rémy , Lequerrec Agnès , Duarte Christine , Riddell John , Hamon Martial 
Published: November 2007

Abstract

Aim
To prospectively determine the role of platelet glycoprotein IIIa (GP IIIa) gene PlA1/PlA2 polymorphism on the long-term clinical outcome in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing coronary stenting.

Design and setting
Prospective observational study in the University Hospital of Caen (France).

Patients and methods
1 111 symptomatic consecutive Caucasian patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention including stent implantation underwent genotyping for GP IIIa PlA1/A2.

Main outcome measures
Long-term clinical outcome in terms of the rate of major adverse cardiac events (MACE, ie death from any cause, non-fatal Q wave or non Q wave myocardial infarction, and need for coronary revascularisation) was obtained and subsequently stratified according to the GP IIIa PlA1/A2 polymorphism.

Results
Three groups of patients were determined according to the GP IIIa PlA1/A2 polymorphism (71.6% had the A1/A1, 25.8% had the A1/A2 and 2.6% had the A2/A2 genotype). These three groups were comparable for all clinical characteristics including sex ratio, mean age, vascular risk factors, previous coronary events, baseline angiographic exam, indication for the percutaneous coronary intervention and drug therapy). The incidence of MACE was similar in these 3 groups of patients during a mean follow-up period of 654+/-152 days. Independent risk factors for MACE were a left ventricular ejection fraction < 40%, absence of treatment with a beta-blocker and absence of treatment with an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor during follow-up.

Conclusion
The GP IIIa PlA1/A2 polymorphism does not influence the clinical long-term outcome in patients with symptomatic coronary disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation.
Desire for Information and Involvement in Treatment Decisions: Elderly Cancer Patients' Preferences and Their Physicians' Perceptions
Authors: Elkin Elena B. , Kim Susie H.M. , Casper Ephraim S. , Kissane David W. , Schrag Deborah 
Published: November 2007

Purpose Shared decision making is a tenet of contemporary medicine and oncology practice. How involved elderly patients want to be in making treatment decisions and how physicians perceive patient preferences for such involvement are uncertain. Patients and Methods In structured interviews about multiple facets of chemotherapy treatment decision making, we asked patients age 70 years and older with a recent diagnosis of metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) about their preferences for prognostic information and for involvement in treatment decision making. We also asked treating oncologists (n = 19) to describe their perceptions of patient preferences. Information and decision-making preferences were evaluated in relation to sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Results Seventy-three patients age 70 to 89 years completed the study interview within 16 weeks of metastatic CRC diagnosis. Most patients (n = 70; 96%) had decided to receive chemotherapy and 61 had initiated treatment. Relatively few (n = 32; 44%) wanted information about expected survival when they made a treatment decision. Preference for prognostic information was more common among men than women (56% v 29%; P < .05). About half of the patients (n = 38; 52%) preferred a passive role in the treatment decision-making process. Physician perceptions were concordant with patient preferences for information in 44% of patient-physician pairs and for decision control in 41% of patient-physician pairs. Conclusion For older patients with advanced CRC, preferences for prognostic information and for an active role in treatment decision making are not easily predictable. Physicians' perceptions are often inconsistent with patients' stated preferences. Explicit discussion of preferred decision-making styles may improve patient-physician encounters.
Prognostic Role of Minimal Residual Disease in Mature B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia of Childhood
Authors: Mussolin Lara , Pillon Marta , Conter Valentino , Piglione Matilde , Lo Nigro Luca , Pierani Paolo , Micalizzi Concetta , Buffardi Salvatore , Basso Giuseppe , Zanesco Luigi , Rosolen Angelo 
Published: November 2007

Purpose To study the prevalence of t(8;14) at diagnosis and the response kinetics to treatment of minimal residual disease (MRD) in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) patients and determine its impact on prognosis. Patients and Methods A total of 68 children affected by de novo B-ALL enrolled onto the Berlin-Frankfurt-Muenster–based Italian Association of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology LNH-97 clinical protocol were studied. Bone marrow aspirate from each patient was analyzed for the presence of t(8;14)(q24;q32) by long-distance polymerase chain reaction at diagnosis, after the first chemotherapy cycle, and after subsequent cycles until negative for MRD. Morphologic and immunophenotypic analyses were reviewed centrally. Results A total of 47 patients (69%) were positive for t(8;14)(q24;q32). MRD response kinetics was determined in 39 patients. All of them reached clinical complete remission and most (31 of 39) became MRD negative after the first chemotherapy cycle. The 3-year relapse-free survival (RFS) was 38% (SE = 17%) in patients MRD positive after the first chemotherapy cycle compared with 84% (SE = 7%) in MRD-negative patients (P = .0005), whereas there was no difference in RFS for children who reached a clinical complete remission after the first chemotherapy cycle versus those who did not (RFS = 72% and SE = 9%; RFS = 79% and SE = 11%, respectively; P = .8). In multivariate analysis, MRD was shown to be predictive of higher risk of failure. Conclusion Our study demonstrated that MRD carries a negative prognostic impact in B-ALL patients and suggests that a better risk-adapted therapy, possibly including the use of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, should be considered in selected patients.
Phase II Trial of Bevacizumab in Persistent or Recurrent Epithelial Ovarian Cancer or Primary Peritoneal Cancer: A Gynecologic Oncology Group Study
Authors: Burger Robert A. , Sill Michael W. , Monk Bradley J. , Greer Benjamin E. , Sorosky Joel I. 
Published: November 2007

Purpose Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) seems to be a promoter of tumor progression for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and primary peritoneal cancer (PPC). We conducted a phase II trial to assess the efficacy and tolerability of single-agent bevacizumab, an anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody. Patients and Methods Eligible patients had persistent or recurrent EOC/PPC after one to two prior cytotoxic regimens, measurable disease, and Gynecologic Oncology Group performance status of at least 2. Treatment consisted of bevacizumab 15 mg/kg intravenously every 21 days until disease progression or prohibitive toxicity. Primary end points were progression-free survival (PFS) at 6 months and clinical response. Results The study consisted of 62 eligible and assessable patients, median age 57 years, 41 (66.1%) having received two prior regimens and 36 (58.1%) considered platinum resistant. Grade 3 adverse events at least possibly related to bevacizumab were hematologic (1), GI (3), hypertension (6), thromboembolism (1), allergy (2), hepatic (1), pain (3), coagulation (1), constitutional (1), and dyspnea (1). Grade 4 adverse events included pulmonary embolus (1), vomiting and constipation (1), and proteinuria (1). Thirteen patients (21.0%) experienced clinical responses (two complete, 11 partial; median response duration, 10 months), and 25 (40.3%) survived progression free for at least 6 months. Median PFS and overall survival were 4.7 and 17 months, respectively. There was no significant association of prior platinum sensitivity, age, number of prior chemotherapeutic regimens, or performance status with the hazard of progression or death. Conclusion Bevacizumab seems to be well tolerated and active in the second- and third-line treatment of patients with EOC/PPC and merits phase III investigation.
Prognostic and Predictive Importance of p53 and RAS for Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Tsao Ming-Sound , Aviel-Ronen Sarit , Ding Keyue , Lau Davina , Liu Ni , Sakurada Akira , Whitehead Marlo , Zhu Chang-Qi , Livingston Robert , Johnson David H. , Rigas James , Seymour Lesley , Winton Timothy , Shepherd Frances A. 
Published: November 2007

Purpose p53 and RAS are multifunctional proteins that are critical to cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, cell survival, gene transcription, response to stress, and DNA repair. We have evaluated the prognostic and predictive value of p53 gene/protein aberrations using tumor samples from JBR.10, a North American phase III intergroup trial that randomly assigned 482 patients with completely resected stage IB and II non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to receive four cycles of adjuvant cisplatin plus vinorelbine or observation alone. Methods p53 protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Mutations in exons 5 to 9 of the p53 gene were determined by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography and confirmed by sequencing. RAS mutations were identified by allelic specific oligonucleotide hybridization. Results Of 253 patients, 132 (52%) were positive for p53 protein overexpression. Untreated p53-positive patients had significantly shorter overall survival than did patients with p53-negative tumors (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.89; 95% CI, 1.07 to 3.34; P = .03). However, these p53-positive patients also had a significantly greater survival benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy (HR = 0.54; P = .02) compared with patients with p53-negative tumors (HR = 1.40; P = .26; interaction P = .02). Mutations of p53 and RAS genes were found in 124 (31%) of 397 and 117 (26%) of 450 patients, respectively. Mutations in these genes were neither prognostic for survival nor predictive of a differential benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. Conclusion p53 protein overexpression is a significant prognostic marker of shortened survival, and also a significant predictive marker for a differentially greater benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy in completely resected NSCLC patients.
Costs and Cost-Effectiveness of a Low-Intensity Patient-Directed Intervention to Promote Colorectal Cancer Screening
Authors: Shankaran Veena , McKoy June M. , Dandade Neal , Nonzee Narissa , Tigue Cara A. , Bennett Charles L. , Denberg Tom D. 
Published: November 2007

Purpose Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is the most underused evidence-based cancer screening test in the United States. Few studies have reported the cost-effectiveness of CRC screening promotional efforts. In a recent randomized controlled trial, a patient-directed intervention for average-risk patients who had been referred for screening colonoscopy led to a 12% increase in CRC screening rates. The objective of this secondary analysis is to assess the cost-effectiveness of this intervention. Patients and Methods Patients in the intervention arm received a customized mailed brochure that included a reminder to schedule a screening colonoscopy and general information about CRC, the importance of CRC screening, and how to prepare for the procedure. The end point was completion of screening colonoscopy. The costs and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of this patient-directed intervention were derived. Sensitivity analyses were based on varying the costs of labor and supplies. Results Rates of CRC screening for the intervention (n = 386 patients) versus control (n = 395) arms were 71% and 59%, respectively (P = .001). The total cost of the intervention was $1,927 and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $43 per additional patient screened ($38 to $47 in a sensitivity analysis). Conclusion An intervention based on mailing a customized brochure to patients who were referred for a screening colonoscopy improved CRC screening rates at a university-based general medicine clinic. This intervention was comparable in effectiveness and cost-effectiveness to a similar recently reported low-intensity patient-directed CRC screening intervention, and markedly more affordable and cost-effective than a previously reported physician-directed CRC screening promotion intervention.
Plasma Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 4 Increases with Renal Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetic Patients without Microalbuminuria
Authors: Cabré Anna , Lázaro Iolanda , Girona Josefa , Manzanares Josep M , Marimón Francesc , Plana Núria , Heras Mercedes , Masana Lluís 
Published: November 2007

Abstract
Background: Fatty acid–binding protein 4 (FABP4) has been linked to metabolic syndrome development, diabetes, and arteriosclerosis, but the role of FABP4 in target organ damage has not been assessed. We evaluated whether plasma FABP4 is associated with renal dysfunction in type 2 diabetic patients.
Methods: In 263 individuals (161 type 2 diabetic patients and 102 healthy nondiabetic controls), we analyzed the correlation between FABP4 and creatinine or glomerular filtration index (MDRD-GFR) regarding the presence or absence of microalbuminuria. Patients with severe chronic kidney disease (MDRD-GFR &lt;30 mL/min/1.73 m2) or albuminuria were not included.
Results: FABP4 concentrations were higher in diabetic patients with MDRD-GFR &lt;60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (P &lt;0.001). We observed a significant, direct correlation between FABP4 and creatinine (r = 0.446, P &lt;0.001) and an inverse correlation between FABP4 and MDRD-GFR (r = −0.511, P &lt;0.001) in type 2 diabetic patients, but not in nondiabetic individuals. These correlations were sustained when only those patients without microalbuminuria were analyzed (r = 0.414, P &lt;0.001 and r = −0.510, P &lt;0.001, respectively). Type 2 diabetic patients with FABP4 in the highest tertile compared with those in the lower tertiles had increased adjusted odds ratios for moderate renal dysfunction [7.5 (95%CI 1.8–30.7), P = 0.005 and 15.3 (3.1–76.4), P = 0.001; respectively], independent of microalbuminuria.
Conclusions: High FABP4 plasma concentrations are associated with high plasma creatinine and low MDRD-GFR in patients with type 2 diabetes even in the absence of microalbuminuria or clinically relevant alterations of creatinine and MDRD-GFR values. FABP4 concentrations should be taken into consideration as an early marker of kidney damage in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Lumazine proteins from photobacteria: localization of the single ligand binding site to the N-terminal domain
Authors: Illarionov Boris , Eisenreich Wolfgang , Wirth Martina , Yong Lee Chan , Eun Woo Young , Bacher Adelbert , Fischer Markus 
Published: November 2007

Abstract
Lumazine protein is believed to serve as an optical transponder in bioluminescence emission by certain marine bacteria. Sequence arguments suggest that the protein comprises two similarly folded riboflavin synthase-type domains, but earlier work also suggested that only one domain binds 6,7-dimethyl-8-ribityllumazine (DMRL). We show that the replacement of serine-48 or threonine-50 in the N-terminal domain of lumazine protein of Photobacterium leiognathi modulates the absorbance and fluorescence properties of bound DMRL or riboflavin. Moreover, the replacement of these amino acids is accompanied by reduced ligand affinity. Replacement of serine-48 by tryptophan shifts the 13C NMR signal of the 6-methyl group in bound DMRL upfield by 2.9 ppm as compared to the wild-type protein complex. Replacement of threonine-50 causes a downfield shift of approximately 20 ppm for the 15N NMR signal of N-5, as well as an upfield shift of 3 ppm for the 13C NMR signal of C-7 in bound DMRL, respectively. The replacement of the topologically equivalent serine-144 and proline-146 in the C-terminal domain had no significant impact on optical properties, chemical shifts and apparent binding constants of bound DMRL. These data show that the N-terminal domain is the unique site for ligand binding in lumazine protein.
Novel zinc-responsive post-transcriptional mechanisms reciprocally regulate expression of the mouse Slc39a4 and Slc39a5 zinc transporters (Zip4 and Zip5)
Authors: Weaver Benjamin P. , Dufner-Beattie Jodi , Kambe Taiho , Andrews Glen K. 
Published: November 2007

Abstract
Dietary zinc deficiency in mice is accompanied by enhanced expression of the zinc uptake transporter Slc39a4 (Zip4) and repressed expression of Slc39a5 (Zip5) in tissues which regulate zinc homeostasis (intestine, pancreas and visceral yolk sac). Herein, mechanisms controlling this differential expression were investigated. The induction of Zip4 mRNA during zinc deficiency, and its repression in response to zinc repletion were found to reflect changes in Zip4 mRNA stability and not changes in the relative rate of transcription of this gene. During zinc deficiency, ZIP4 protein levels are increased and this protein is localized on the apical membranes. Administration of an oral gavage of zinc caused ZIP4 internalization and degradation in enterocytes and visceral endoderm cells. Similarly, ZIP4 is induced by zinc deficiency in cultured mouse Hepa cells and is rapidly degraded in response to added zinc. Zip5 mRNA abundance does not change in response to zinc, but the translation of this mRNA was found to be zinc-responsive. During zinc deficiency, Zip5 mRNA remains associated with polysomes, while the protein is internalized and degraded in enterocytes, acinar cells and endoderm cells. After zinc-gavage, ZIP5 is rapidly resynthesized and targeted to the basolateral membranes of these cell types.
Overexpression and mass spectrometry analysis of mature human acid ceramidase
Authors: Schulze Heike , Schepers Ute , Sandhoff Konrad 
Published: November 2007

Abstract
Human acid ceramidase catalyzes the last step of lysosomal sphingolipid degradation, the hydrolysis of ceramide to sphingosine and free fatty acid. Inherited deficiency of acid ceramidase activity leads to Farber disease (Farber lipogranulomatosis). In this study, we describe the overexpression and processing of recombinant human acid ceramidase in Sf21 insect cells, its purification and characterization. Infection of Sf21 cells with a recombinant baculovirus encoding acid ceramidase precursor led to a mixture of human acid ceramidase precursor and mature enzyme secreted into the medium. Acidification of the cell culture supernatant to pH 4.2–4.3 triggered the processing of the precursor and resulted in a homogeneous sample of mature human acid ceramidase. The enzyme was purified by chromatography on Concanavalin A Sepharose and Octyl Sepharose yielding 1 mg purified protein per liter of supernatant. The recombinant enzyme was deglycosylated with peptide N-glycosidase F and the main component of the released oligosaccharides was identified as GlcNAc2(Fuc)Man3 by electrospray mass spectrometry. Apparently, five of the six potential N-glycosylation sites were used. Tryptic digestion of the functional recombinant enzyme and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight- and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry analysis of the resulting peptides indicated disulfide bridges between C10–C319, C122–C271 and C367–C371.
SARS-CoV accessory protein 7a directly interacts with human LFA-1
Authors: Hänel Karen , Willbold Dieter 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe SARS-CoV accessory protein 7a is a type I membrane protein with an extracellular domain of 81 amino acid residues. It is described to be expressed during infection and to be a component of the virus particle surface. In this study, we demonstrate that protein 7a binds directly and specifically to human lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) on the cell surface of Jurkat cells. The binding is increased upon artificial cell activation with phorbol ester. These observations are confirmed by directin vitrobinding of recombinant protein 7a to the wild type and mutant K287C/K294C I domain showing that the I domain is the 7a binding site in the αLchain of LFA-1. Consequences of the LFA-1 interaction with 7a are discussed. In particular, our data suggest LFA-1 to be an attachment factor or the receptor for SARS-CoV on human leukocytes.
Simple Shear Test for Interfaces Between Core and Filter Soils in Rock-Fill Dams
Authors: Zhang Bingyin , Yu Yuzhen , Fu Jian , Hu Liming 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe mechanical behavior of the interface between core and filter soils plays an important role in the construction of rock-filled dams with a composite earth core as a permeability barrier. This paper describes the use of a laminar-ring simple shear apparatus that was developed to test interface properties, a device that uses stacked steel rings to contain the specimen. A series of interface tests between core and filter soils were conducted using the developed apparatus. During the test, the normal stress was kept constant, and the shear stress and the relative displacement were measured. Furthermore, the deformation features of specimen were measured using LVDTs placed at each of the laminar-rings. Test results show that the shear strength of the interface is controlled by the weaker of the two individual soils.
Development of a Modified in situ Direct Shear Test Technique to Determine Shear Strength Parameters of Mine Rock Piles
Authors: Fakhimi A. , Boakye K. , Sperling D. J. , McLemore V. T. 
Published: November 2007

Abstract
A modified direct shear test apparatus was designed and used to measure cohesion and friction angle of rock pile materials. Two test apparatuses were constructed, a 30-cm square metal shear box and a 60-cm square metal shear box. In addition to the shear box, the testing apparatus has a metal top plate, a fabricated roller plate, normal and shear dial gages with wooden supports, and two hydraulic jacks and cylinders with a maximum oil pressure of 70 MPa (10,000 psi) and a load capacity of ten tons. The main difference between the in situ shear box and its conventional laboratory equivalent is that the in situ shear box consists of a single box that confines an excavated block of rock pile material. The lower half of the block consists of the rock pile material underneath the shear plane that is a semi-infinite domain. This modification in the shear test apparatus reduces the time needed for block preparation, helps perform several tests at different levels of the same sample block, and allows for accommodating large shear displacement with no reduction in the area of the shear plane.
Early Discrimination of Atlantic Salmon Smolt Age: Time Course of the Relative Effectiveness of Body Size and Shape
Authors: Pearlstein Jamie H. , Letcher Benjamin H. , Obedzinski Mariska 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe goal of this study was to test the relative effectiveness of morphological measurements and body size in predicting the smolt age of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar and to determine the time course of body size and shape differences between smolt ages. Analyses were conducted on age‐0 to age‐2 fish that were stocked as fry in the West Brook, Massachusetts and on laboratory‐raised age‐0 to age‐1 fish. Using both body size and shape, we could partition the age‐0 fish collected during fall into future early or late smolts, although the predictive ability of body shape was somewhat weaker than that of body size, especially in the laboratory. Classification success averaged 81% (size) and 79% (shape) in the field and 85% (size) and 73% (shape) in the laboratory. Despite differences in smolt age between the field and the laboratory, the relative timing of growth rate differences between future early and late smolts was similar in the field and the laboratory and peaked at 50‐60% of development from fry to smolt. While body shape differed between early and late smolts well before smoltification, it did not improve classification based on size alone.