bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The human neonatal small intestine has the potential for arginine synthesis; developmental changes in the expression of arginine-synthesizing and -catabolizing enzymes
Authors: Köhler Eleonore S , Sankaranarayanan Selvakumari , van Ginneken Christa J , van Dijk Paul , Vermeulen Jacqueline LM , Ruijter Jan M , Lamers Wouter H , Bruder Elisabeth 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackgroundMilk contains too little arginine for normal growth, but its precursors proline and glutamine are abundant; the small intestine of rodents and piglets produces arginine from proline during the suckling period; and parenterally fed premature human neonates frequently suffer from hypoargininemia. These findings raise the question whether the neonatal human small intestine also expresses the enzymes that enable the synthesis of arginine from proline and/or glutamine.Carbamoylphosphate synthetase (CPS), ornithine aminotransferase (OAT), argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS), arginase-1 (ARG1), arginase-2 (ARG2), and nitric-oxide synthase (NOS) were visualized by semiquantitative immunohistochemistry in 89 small-intestinal specimens.ResultsBetween 23 weeks of gestation and 3 years after birth, CPS- and ASS-protein content in enterocytes was high and then declined to reach adult levels at 5 years. OAT levels declined more gradually, whereas ARG-1 was not expressed. ARG-2 expression increased neonatally to adult levels. Neurons in the enteric plexus strongly expressed ASS, OAT, NOS1 and ARG2, while varicose nerve fibers in the circular layer of the muscularis propria stained for ASS and NOS1 only. The endothelium of small arterioles expressed ASS and NOS3, while their smooth-muscle layer expressed OAT and ARG2.ConclusionThe human small intestine acquires the potential to produce arginine well before fetuses become viable outside the uterus. The perinatal human intestine therefore resembles that of rodents and pigs. Enteral ASS behaves as a typical suckling enzyme because its expression all but disappears in the putative weaning period of human infants.
PwRn1, a novel Ty3/gypsy-like retrotransposon of Paragonimus westermani: molecular characters and its differentially preserved mobile potential according to host chromosomal polyploidy
Authors: Bae Young-An , Ahn Jong-Sook , Kim Seon-Hee , Rhyu Mun-Gan , Kong Yoon , Cho Seung-Yull 
Published: November 2008

Abstract

Background
Retrotransposons have been known to involve in the remodeling and evolution of host genome. These reverse transcribing elements, which show a complex evolutionary pathway with diverse intermediate forms, have been comprehensively analyzed from a wide range of host genomes, while the information remains limited to only a few species in the phylum Platyhelminthes.

Results
A LTR retrotransposon and its homologs with a strong phylogenetic affinity toward CsRn1 of Clonorchis sinensis were isolated from a trematode parasite Paragonimus westermani via a degenerate PCR method and from an insect species Anopheles gambiae by in silico analysis of the whole mosquito genome, respectively. These elements, designated PwRn1 and AgCR-1 – AgCR-14 conserved unique features including a t-RNATrp primer binding site and the unusual CHCC signature of Gag proteins. Their flanking LTRs displayed >97% nucleotide identities and thus, these elements were likely to have expanded recently in the trematode and insect genomes. They evolved heterogeneous expression strategies: a single fused ORF, two separate ORFs with an identical reading frame and two ORFs overlapped by -1 frameshifting. Phylogenetic analyses suggested that the elements with the separate ORFs had evolved from an ancestral form(s) with the overlapped ORFs. The mobile potential of PwRn1 was likely to be maintained differentially in association with the karyotype of host genomes, as was examined by the presence/absence of intergenomic polymorphism and mRNA transcripts.

Conclusion
Our results on the structural diversity of CsRn1-like elements can provide a molecular tool to dissect a more detailed evolutionary episode of LTR retrotransposons. The PwRn1-associated genomic polymorphism, which is substantial in diploids, will also be informative in addressing genomic diversification following inter-/intra-specific hybridization in P. westermani populations.
Immunization against Clostridium perfringens cells elicits protection against Clostridium tetaniin mouse model: identification of cross-reactive proteins using proteomic methodologies
Authors: Alam Syed Imteyaz , Bansod Sunita , Singh Lokendra 
Published: November 2008

Abstract

Background

Clostridium tetani and Clostridium perfringens are among the medically important clostridial pathogens causing diseases in man and animals. Several homologous open reading frames (ORFs) have been identified in the genomes of the two pathogens by comparative genomic analysis. We tested a likelihood of extensive sharing of common epitopes between homologous proteins of these two medically important pathogens and the possibility of cross-protection using active immunization.

Results
Eight predominant cross-reactive spots were identified by mass spectrometry and had hits in the C. tetani E88 proteome with significant MOWSE scores. Most of the cross-reactive proteins of C. tetani shared 65–78% sequence similarity with their closest homologues in C. perfringens ATCC13124. Electron transfer flavoprotein beta-subunit (CT3) was the most abundant protein (43.3%), followed by methylaspartate ammonia-lyase (36.8%) and 2-phosphoglycerate dehydratase (35.6%). All the proteins were predicted to be cytoplasmic by PSORT protein localization algorithm. Active immunization with C. perfringens whole cells elicited cross-protective immunity against C. tetani infection in a mouse model.

Conclusion
Most of the dominant cross-reactive proteins of C. tetani belonged to the cluster of orthologous group (COG) functional category, either of posttranslational modification, protein turnover, and chaperones (O) or energy production and conversion (C). The homologs of the identified proteins have been shown to play role in pathogenesis in other Gram-positive pathogenic bacteria. Our findings provide basis for the search of potential vaccine candidates with broader coverage, encompassing more than one pathogenic clostridial species.
Women's attitude towards prenatal screening for red blood cell antibodies, other than RhD
Authors: Koelewijn JM , Vrijkotte TGM , de Haas M , van der Schoot CE , Bonsel GJ 
Published: November 2008

Abstract

Background
Since July 1998 all Dutch women (± 200,000/y) are screened for red cell antibodies, other than anti-RhesusD (RhD) in the first trimester of pregnancy, to facilitate timely treatment of pregnancies at risk for hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN). Evidence for benefits, consequences and costs of screening for non-RhD antibodies is still under discussion. The screening program was evaluated in a nation-wide study. As a part of this evaluation study we investigated, according to the sixth criterium of Wilson and Jüngner, the acceptance by pregnant women of the screening program for non-RhD antibodies.

Methods
Controlled longitudinal survey, including a prenatal and a postnatal measurement by structured questionnaires. Main outcome measures: information satisfaction, anxiety during the screening process (a.o. STAI state inventory and specific questionnaire modules), overall attitude on the screening program. Univariate analysis was followed by standard multivariate analysis to identify significant predictors of the outcome measures. Participants: 233 pregnant women, distributed over five groups, according to the screening result.

Results
Satisfaction about the provided information was moderate in all groups. All screen- positive groups desired more supportive information. Anxiety increased in screen- positives during the screening process, but decreased to basic levels postnatally. All groups showed a strongly positive balance between perceived utility and burden of the screening program, independent on test results or background characteristics.

Conclusion
Women highly accept the non-RhD antibody screening program. However, satisfaction about provided information is moderate. Oral and written information should be provided by obstetric care workers themselves, especially to screen-positive women.
Characterization of prostate cancer detected at repeat biopsy
Authors: Yuasa Takeshi , Tsuchiya Norihiko , Kumazawa Teruaki , Inoue Takamitsu , Narita Shintaro , Saito Mitsuru , Horikawa Yohei , Satoh Shigeru , Habuchi Tomonori 
Published: November 2008

Abstract

Background
The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of prostate cancer patients who were diagnosed at repeat biopsy and compare them to non-cancerous patients or patients who were diagnosed at initial biopsy.

Methods
We carried out a retrospective analysis of clinical and pathological data from 576 patients, which included data on the period of time from radical prostatectomy to biochemical failure.

Results
Cancer was diagnosed in 191 (33%) of 576 patients at initial biopsy and in 23 (18%) of 127 patients who underwent a repeat biopsy. Cut-off values of 0.80 and 0.30 for prostate specific antigen velocity (PSAV) and prostate specific antigen density (PSAD), respectively, were determined using ROC curve analysis. Based on these values, PSAV and PSAD were able to predict 94% (46 of 49) of negative repeat biopsies, indicating that these patients had undergone unnecessary repeat biopsies. Although the patients who were diagnosed at repeat biopsy had a higher rate of organ-confined tumor than those who were diagnosed at initial biopsy (73% and 44%, respectively; P = 0.041), there were no differences in the recurrence rate or the duration of biochemical failure-free survival between the two groups.

Conclusion
PSAV and PSAD may be useful indicators of the results of repeat biopsies. Although prostate cancer that was diagnosed at repeat biopsy was associated with a more favorable pathological profile, it was not associated with a better outcome after radical prostatectomy.
Experience with adjuvant chemotherapy for pseudomyxoma peritonei secondary to mucinous adenocarcinoma of the appendix with oxaliplatin/fluorouracil/leucovorin (FOLFOX4)
Authors: Chen Chin-Fan , Huang Che-Jen , Kang Wan-Yi , Hsieh Jan-Sing 
Published: November 2008

Abstract

Background
Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare condition characterized by mucinous tumors, disseminated intra-peritoneal implants, and mucinous ascites. So far its diagnosis remains challenging to most clinicians.

Case presentation
A 55-year-old male patient had suffered from acute onset of abdominal pain and abdominal distension for one day prior to his admission. Physical examination revealed tenderness over the right lower quadrant of the abdomen without diffuse muscle guarding. A large amount of ascites was identified by abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan. Paracentesis showed the appearance of sticky mucinous ascites. He underwent laparotomy under the impression of pseudomyxoma peritonei. There was a lot of mucinous ascites, one appendiceal tumor and multiple peritoneal implants disseminated from the subphrenic space to the recto-vesicle pouch. Pseudomyxoma Peritonei caused by mucinous adenocarcinoma of appendiceal origin, was confirmed by histopathology. We performed an excision of the appendiceal tumor combined with copious irrigation and debridement. After the operation, he received 10 cycles of systemic chemotherapy with FOLFOX4 regimen, without specific morbidity. Follow-up of abdominal CT and colonoscopy at post-operative 17 months showed excellent response without evidence of local recurrence or distal metastasis. He made an uneventful recovery (up to the present) for 21 months after the operation.

Conclusion
This case report emphasizes the possible new role of systemic chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with this rare clinical syndrome.
A prospective trial of elective extubation in brain injured patients meeting extubation criteria for ventilatory support: a feasibility study
Authors: Manno Edward M , Rabinstein Alejandro A , Wijdicks Eelco FM , Brown Allen W , Freeman William D , Lee Vivien H , Weigand Stephen D , Keegan Mark T , Brown Daniel R , Whalen Francis X , Roy Tuhin K , Hubmayr Rolf D 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Introduction
To assess the safety and feasibility of recruiting mechanically ventilated patients with brain injury who are solely intubated for airway protection and randomising them into early or delayed extubation, and to obtain estimates to refine sample-size calculations for a larger study. The design is a single-blinded block randomised controlled trial. A single large academic medical centre is the setting.

Methods
Sixteen neurologically stable but severely brain injured patients with a Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) of 8 or less were randomised to early or delayed extubation until their neurological examination improved. Eligible patients met standard respiratory criteria for extubation and passed a modified Airway Care Score (ACS) to ensure adequate control of respiratory secretions. The primary outcome measured between groups was the functional status of the patient at hospital discharge as measured by a Modified Rankin Score (MRS) and Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Secondary measurements included the number of nosocomial pneumonias and re-intubations, and intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay. Standard statistical assessments were employed for analysis.

Results
Five female and eleven male patients ranging in age from 30 to 93 years were enrolled. Aetiologies responsible for the neurological injury included six head traumas, three brain tumours, two intracerebral haemorrhages, two subarachnoid haemorrhages and three ischaemic strokes. There were no demographic differences between the groups. There were no unexpected deaths and no significant differences in secondary measures. The difference in means between the MRS and FIM were small (0.25 and 5.62, respectively). These results suggest that between 64 and 110 patients are needed in each treatment arm to detect a treatment effect with 80% power.

Conclusions
Recruitment and randomisation of severely brain injured patients appears to be safe and feasible. A large multicentre trial will be needed to determine if stable, severely brain injured patients who meet respiratory and airway control criteria for extubation need to remain intubated.
Polymorphism in the Microglial Cell-Mobilizing CX3CR1 Gene Is Associated With Survival in Patients With Glioblastoma
Authors: Rodero Mathieu , Marie Yannick , Coudert Mathieu , Blondet Emmeline , Mokhtari Karima , Rousseau Audrey , Raoul William , Carpentier Catherine , Sennlaub Florian , Deterre Philippe , Delattre Jean-Yves , Debré Patrice , Sanson Marc , Combadière Christophe 
Published: November 2008

Purpose Few reliable prognostic molecular markers have been characterized for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), considered the deadliest of human cancers. We hypothesized that genetic polymorphisms in chemokines and their receptors, which together control microglial cell mobilization, may influence survival. Methods Distributions of one polymorphism of the chemokine CCL2 (−2518A<G) and two polymorphisms of the chemokine receptor CX3CR1 (termed V249I and T280M) were determined in a prospective series of 230 patients with GBM and correlated with overall survival. The replication study used data from a retrospective series of 106 additional patients with GBM. The extent of microglial cell infiltration was assessed by immunochemistry in 102 tumor specimens. Results Survival analysis showed that the common CX3CR1-I249 allele was an independent favorable prognostic factor in both groups, prospective and retrospective, with hazard ratios of 0.619 (95% CI, 0.451 to 0.850; P = .0031) and 0.354 (95% CI, 0.217 to 0.580; P < .0001), respectively. This beneficial effect was observed only in patients who underwent surgery. Patients with only this CX3CR1-I249 allele had a substantially longer mean survival (23.5 v 14.1 months; P < .0001). The CCL2-2518G allele was not associated with patient survival. Immunohistochemical analysis of primary tumor biopsies showed that the common CX3CR1 variant allele was associated with reduced microglial cell infiltration. Conclusion The common CX3CR1 allelic variant was associated with increased GBM survival and with reduced tumor infiltration by microglia. The CX3CR1 polymorphism does not seem to be a risk factor for GBM but may prove useful in predicting survival.
Five-Year Data and Prognostic Factor Analysis of Oxaliplatin and Irinotecan Combinations for Advanced Colorectal Cancer: N9741
Authors: Sanoff Hanna K. , Sargent Daniel J. , Campbell Megan E. , Morton Roscoe F. , Fuchs Charles S. , Ramanathan Ramesh K. , Williamson Stephen K. , Findlay Brian P. , Pitot Henry C. , Goldberg Richard M. 
Published: November 2008

Purpose In this report, we update survival (OS) and time-to-progression (TTP) data for the Intergroup trial N9741 after a median 5 years of follow-up by using risk-stratified and prognostic factor analyses to determine if treatment outcomes differ in specific patient subgroups. Patients and Methods A total of 1,691 patients were randomly assigned to one of seven fluorouracil-, oxaliplatin-, and irinotecan-containing regimens. OS and TTP were calculated by treatment arm and baseline risk group (on the basis of WBC, performance status, number of sites of disease, and alkaline phosphatase). Multivariate prognostic factor analysis was used to assess clinical factors for their relationships to OS, TTP, response, and toxicity by using Cox and logistic regression models. Results The observed 5-year survival with infusional fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) of 9.8% was better than with irinotecan plus bolus fluorouracil and leucovorin (IFL; 3.7%; P = .04) or with bolus irinotecan/oxaliplatin (IROX; 5.1%; P = .128). OS and TTP were significantly longer for FOLFOX (20.2 months and 8.9 months, respectively) than for IFL (14.6 months and 6.1 months, respectively; P < .001 for both) or for IROX (17.3 months and 6.7 months, respectively; P < .001 for both). OS differed by risk group: 20.7 months for low risk, 17.4 months for intermediate risk, and 9.4 months for high risk (P < .001). FOLFOX treatment was superior in all risk groups and was the most powerful prognostic factor for OS, TTP, response rate, and toxicity. Conclusion The 9.8% 5-year OS in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who were treated with first-line FOLFOX sets a new benchmark. Neither baseline risk group nor any prognostic factor examined was predictive of treatment-specific outcome. However, treatment efficacy and patient longevity varied as a function of risk group.
Density Functional Study of the Influence of Carbon Doping on the Aluminum-27 and Nitrogen-14 Electric Field Gradient Tensors in (10, 0) Single-Walled Aluminum Nitride Nanotube
Authors: Seif Ahmad , Mirzaei Mahmoud 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Density functional theory (DFT) study was performed to investigate the influence of carbon doping (C-doping) on the electric field gradient (EFG) tensors at the sites of aluminum-27 (27Al) and nitrogen-14 (14N) nuclei in (10, 0) single-walled aluminum nitride nanotube (AlNNT). Two models of original and C-doped AlNNTs were optimized at first and then the EFG tensors were calculated in the optimized structures. The calculated EFG tensors were converted to measurable nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) spectroscopy parameters, quadrupole coupling constant (C

Q
) and asymmetry parameter (η

Q
). The calculated parameters in the original model reveal that the Al and N atoms located at the mouths of nanotube have the largest C

Q
values revealing their remarkable role in AlNNTs. When C-doping occurs, the C

Q
values of those nuclei directly bonding to C are significantly increased meaning that the active sites in the C-doped model are increased. The results also reveal that the Al and N play the basic and acidic agents roles, respectively, in AlNNT which is better observed in the C-doped model.
A Novel Solvent-free Electrolyte Based on LiBOB and Acetamide for Electrochemical Capacitors
Authors: Yu Shuxian , Li Wei , Yang Zhenyu , Zhang Ning , Gu Ningyu , Gao Lijun 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Room temperature molten salts or ionic liquids are promising “solvent-free” electrolytes for high-voltage double layer supercapacitors. In this work, a novel binary room temperature molten salt electrolyte based on LiBOB and acetamide has been prepared. The electrolyte shows excellent thermal stability, high ionic conductivity and a wide electrochemical stability window, especially at higher temperatures. The temperature dependence of conductivity for the electrolytes follows the VFT equation, which demonstrates a solvent-assisted ionic conductivity mechanism. The EDLC with the LiBOB-acetamide complex electrolyte at molar ratio of 1:6 can be charged up to 2.5 V with better rate performance. The specific capacitance based on activated carbon electrodes can reach 103.1 F g−1. It is reasonable to assume that LiBOB-acetamide complex system has advantages as electrolyte for EDLCs with high energy density.
Photoinduced Electron Transfer from Meso-Tetrakis (N-methylpyridyl)porphyrin (TMPyP) to Colloidal CdS
Authors: Jhonsi M. Asha , Renganathan R. 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
A stable colloidal CdS nanoparticles were prepared. The dynamics of photoinduced interaction between meso-tetrakis(N-methylpyridyl)porphyrin (TMPyP) and colloidal CdS were studied using absorption, steady state, time resolved fluorescence and FT-IR spectral measurements. The apparent association constant (K
app) of TMPyP-CdS obtained from absorption spectral changes is 1.07×103 M−1. The K
app value of TMPyP-CdS as determined from fluorescence spectra is 1.34×103 M−1, which matches well with that determined from the absorption spectra changes. These data indicate that there is an interaction between TMPyP and colloidal CdS nanoparticle surface. The dynamics of photoinduced electron transfer from TMPyP to the conduction band of colloidal CdS nanoparticle has been observed and the mechanism of electron transfer has been confirmed by the calculation of free energy change (ΔG
et) by applying Rehm-Weller equation as well as energy level diagram. Lifetime measurements gave the rate constant (k
et) for electron injection from the excited state TMPyP into the conduction band of CdS is 3.21×108 s–1.
The Transition of Taiwan's Political Geography
Authors: Lay Jinn-Guey , Yap Ko-Hua , Chen Yu-Wen 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThis article reveals that the pan-blue camp has traditionally enjoyed a stable regional stronghold in eastern and certain parts of northern Taiwan. The pan-green camp was scattered but grew to form a considerable southern bloc from 1998 to 2000. Ethnic distribution can partially explain this geographical variation.