bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A new ELISA kit which uses a combination of Plasmodium falciparum extract and recombinant Plasmodium vivax antigens as an alternative to IFAT for detection of malaria antibodies
Authors: Doderer Cecile , Heschung Aurelie , Guntz Phillippe , Cazenave Jean-Pierre , Hansmann Yves , Senegas Alexandre , Pfaff Alexander W , Abdelrahman Tamer , Candolfi Ermanno 
Published: February 2007

Abstract

Background
The methods most commonly used to measure malarial antibody titres are the Indirect Fluorescence Antibody Test (IFAT), regarded as the gold standard, and the Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA). The objective here was to assess the diagnostic performance, i.e. the sensitivity and specificity, of a new malaria antibody ELISA kit in comparison to IFAT. This new ELISA kit, the ELISA malaria antibody test (DiaMed), uses a combination of crude soluble Plasmodium falciparum extract and recombinant Plasmodium vivax antigens.

Methods
Two groups were used: 95 samples from malaria patients to assess the clinical sensitivity and 2,152 samples from blood donors, who had not been exposed to malaria, to assess the clinical specificity.

Results
The DiaMed ELISA test kit had a clinical sensitivity of 84.2% and a clinical specificity of 99.6% as compared with 70.5% and 99.6% respectively, using the IFAT method. The ELISA method was more sensitive than the IFAT method for P. vivax infections (75% vs. 25%). However, in 923 malaria risk donors the analytical sensitivity of the ELISA test was 40% and its specificity 98.3%, performances impaired by large numbers of equivocal results non-concordant between ELISA and IFAT. When the overall analytical performances of ELISA was compared to IFAT, the ELISA efficiency J index was 0.84 versus 0.71 for IFAT. Overall analytical sensitivity was 93.1% and the analytical specificity 96.7%. Overall agreement between the two methods reached 0.97 with a reliability k index of 0.64.

Conclusion
The DiaMed ELISA test kit shows a good correlation with IFAT for analytical and clinical parameters. It may be an interesting method to replace the IFAT especially in blood banks, but further extensive investigations are needed to examine the analytical performance of the assay, especially in a blood bank setting.
A cost-effectiveness analysis of artemether lumefantrine for treatment of uncomplicated malaria in Zambia
Authors: Chanda Pascalina , Masiye Felix , Chitah Bona M , Sipilanyambe Naawa , Hawela Moonga , Banda Patrick , Okorosobo Tuoyo 
Published: February 2007

Abstract

Background
Malaria remains a leading cause of morbidity, mortality and non-fatal disability in Zambia, especially among children, pregnant women and the poor. Data gathered by the National Malaria Control Centre has shown that recently observed widespread treatment failure of SP and chloroquine precipitated a surge in malaria-related morbidity and mortality. As a result, the Government has recently replaced chloroquine and SP with combination therapy as first-line treatment for malaria. Despite the acclaimed therapeutic advantages of ACTs over monotherapies with SP and CQ, the cost of ACTs is much greater, raising concerns about affordability in many poor countries such as Zambia. This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness analysis of artemether-lumefantrine, a version of ACTs adopted in Zambia in mid 2004.

Methods
Using data gathered from patients presenting at public health facilities with suspected malaria, the costs and effects of using ACTs versus SP as first-line treatment for malaria were estimated. The study was conducted in six district sites. Treatment success and reduction in demand for second line treatment constituted the main effectiveness outcomes. The study gathered data on the efficacy of, and compliance to, AL and SP treatment from a random sample of patients. Costs are based on estimated drug, labour, operational and capital inputs. Drug costs were based on dosages and unit prices provided by the Ministry of Health and the manufacturer (Norvatis).

Findings
The results suggest that AL produces successful treatment at less cost than SP, implying that AL is more cost-effective. While it is acknowledged that implementing national ACT program will require considerable resources, the study demonstrates that the health gains (treatment success) from every dollar spent are significantly greater if AL is used rather than SP. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio is estimated to be US$4.10. When the costs of second line treatment are considered the ICER of AL becomes negative, indicating that there are greater resource savings associated with AL in terms of reduction of costs of complicated malaria treatment.

Conclusion
This study suggests the decision to adopt AL is justifiable on both economic and public health grounds.
Parallel evolution of conserved non-coding elements that target a common set of developmental regulatory genes from worms to humans
Authors: Vavouri Tanya , Walter Klaudia , Gilks Walter R , Lehner Ben , Elgar Greg 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
Background
The human genome contains thousands of non-coding sequences that are often more conserved between vertebrate species than protein-coding exons. These highly conserved non-coding elements (CNEs) are associated with genes that coordinate development, and have been proposed to act as transcriptional enhancers. Despite their extreme sequence conservation in vertebrates, sequences homologous to CNEs have not been identified in invertebrates.

Results
Here we report that nematode genomes contain an alternative set of CNEs that share sequence characteristics, but not identity, with their vertebrate counterparts. CNEs thus represent a very unusual class of sequences that are extremely conserved within specific animal lineages yet are highly divergent between lineages. Nematode CNEs are also associated with developmental regulatory genes, and include well-characterized enhancers and transcription factor binding sites, supporting the proposed function of CNEs as cis-regulatory elements. Most remarkably, 40 of 156 human CNE-associated genes with invertebrate orthologs are also associated with CNEs in both worms and flies.

Conclusion
A core set of genes that regulate development is associated with CNEs across three animal groups (worms, flies and vertebrates). We propose that these CNEs reflect the parallel evolution of alternative enhancers for a common set of developmental regulatory genes in different animal groups. This 're-wiring' of gene regulatory networks containing key developmental coordinators was probably a driving force during the evolution of animal body plans. CNEs may, therefore, represent the genomic traces of these 'hard-wired' core gene regulatory networks that specify the development of each alternative animal body plan.
Influence of heat stress on human monocyte-derived dendritic cell functions with immunotherapeutic potential for antitumor vaccines
Authors: Hatzfeld-Charbonnier Anne Sophie , Lasek Audrey , Castera Laurent , Gosset Philippe , Velu Thierry , Formstecher Pierre , Mortier Laurent , Marchetti Philippe 
Published: February 2007

AbstractMild heat stress can modulate the activities of immune cells, including dendritic cells (DC) and theoretically, would constitute an innovative approach capable of enhancing the antitumor functions of DC. Therefore, we tested the effects of mild heat stress on the physiology and viability of human monocyte-derived DC, the major type of DC used in tumor immunotherapy trials. We first designed a heat-stress protocol consisting of repetitive, sublethal heat shocks throughout the generation of DC. Using this protocol, we observed that heat stress did not perturb the morphology and the phenotype of immature or mature DC or the capacities of immature DC to uptake antigens efficiently. It is noteworthy that in response to heat stress, mature DC produced higher levels of IL-12p70 and TNF-α, which are two cytokines involved in the stimulation of inflammatory reaction, whereas IL-10 production remained low. After heat-stress exposure, mature DC have the full ability to stimulate naive T cells with Th1 response polarization (high IFN-γ and low IL-4 production) in an allogeneic MLR. It is interesting that heat stress enhanced the migratory capacities of DC in response to MIP-3β/CCL19. Finally, heat stress partly protected DC from apoptosis induced by cytokine withdrawal. Overall, these findings validate the feasibility of improving immune response by heating human monocyte-derived DC and provide a strong rationale for using mild heat stress in combination with DC vaccination to increase antitumor response.
Older Breast Cancer Survivors: Factors Associated With Change in Emotional Well-Being
Authors: Clough-Gorr Kerri M. , Ganz Patricia A. , Silliman Rebecca A. 
Published: February 2007

PurposeDuring the 5 years after primary breast cancer diagnosis for women ≥ 65 years old, we examined factors associated with change in emotional well-being.Patients and MethodsWe identified women diagnosed with primary breast cancer and selected women with stage I to IIIa disease, age ≥ 65 years, and for whom we had permission from the attending physician to contact. Data were collected during 5 years of follow-up from consenting patients' medical records and telephone interviews with patients. Outcomes included a five-question Mental Health Inventory general measure of emotional health (MHI5) and two cancer-specific measures: breast cancer–specific emotional health (BCSEH) and Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation System–Short Form (CARES-SF) Psychosocial Summary Scale.ResultsDuring 5 years of follow-up of older breast cancer survivors, 57% had less than a ± 10-point change in MHI5, 38% had less than a ± 10-point change in BCSEH, and 52% had less than a ± 10-point change in CARES-SF Psychosocial Summary Scale. Women with less than 12 years of education were at greatest risk for having negative changes in both general and breast cancer–specific emotional health. Moreover, we also found that women who perceived themselves as never being cured had greater negative changes in all outcomes. Conversely, those who had better physical function, emotional social support, and positive ratings regarding the quality of medical interactions at baseline were less likely to have poor emotional health during follow-up.ConclusionFor the majority of older breast cancer survivors, cancer-specific well-being and general emotional health do not change substantially after a breast cancer diagnosis. Among those in whom change occurs, risk factors are similar and may be related to other age-related diseases.
Impaired Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ Function through Mutation of a Conserved Salt Bridge (R425C) in Familial Partial Lipodystrophy
Authors: Jeninga Ellen H. , van Beekum Olivier , van Dijk Aalt D. J. , Hamers Nicole , Hendriks-Stegeman Brenda I. , Bonvin Alexandre M. J. J. , Berger Ruud , Kalkhoven Eric 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ plays a key role in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism in adipocytes by regulating their differentiation, maintenance, and function. A heterozygous mutation in the PPARG gene, which changes an arginine residue at position 425 into a cysteine (R425C), has been reported in a patient with familial partial lipodystrophy subtype 3 (FPLD3). The strong conservation of arginine 425 among nuclear receptors that heterodimerize with retinoic acid X receptor prompted us to investigate the functional consequences of the R425C mutation on PPARγ function. Here we show that this mutant displayed strongly reduced transcriptional activity compared with wild-type PPARγ, irrespective of cell type, promoter context, or ligand, whereas transrepression of nuclear factor-κB activity remained largely intact. Our data indicate that the reduced transcriptional activity of PPARγ R425C is not caused by impaired corepressor release, but due to reduced dimerization with retinoic acid X receptor α in combination with reduced ligand binding and subsequent coactivator binding. As a consequence of these molecular defects, the R425C mutant was less effective in inducing adipocyte differentiation. PPARγ R425C did not inhibit its wild-type counterpart in a dominant-negative manner, suggesting a haploinsufficiency mechanism in at least some FPLD3 patients. Using molecular dynamics simulations, substitution of R425 with cysteine is predicted to cause the formation of an alternative salt bridge. This structural change provides a likely explanation of how mutation of a single conserved residue in a patient with FPLD3 can disrupt the function of the adipogenic transcription factor PPARγ on multiple levels.
Perioperative Nesiritide Versus Milrinone in High-Risk Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Patients
Authors: Brackbill Marcia L , Stam M Denton , Schuller-Williams Rebecca V , Dhavle Ajit A 
Published: February 2007

Background: Patients with left-ventricular dysfunction have an increased risk of developing heart failure after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Therapies to maintain cardiac output in such patients warrant investigation. Nesiritide is unique among intravenous medications used to manage heart failure. It mediates natriuresis and vasodilation and suppresses the renin–angiotensin'aldosterone axis. Nesiritide may attenuate the body's neurohormonal response to myocardial stretch after CABG and provide clinical benefit in the immediate postoperative period. Objective: To determine whether perioperative infusion of nesiritide improves clinical outcomes compared with milrinone therapy. Methods: A prospective, open-label, randomized controlled trial was conducted in 40 consecutive hemodynamically stable patients with ejection fractions 35% or less undergoing CABG surgery. Patients were randomized to receive either an intraoperative bolus of nesiritide or milrinone followed by a 24 hour infusion of each agent. Length of postoperative intensive care unit stay was the primary outcome variable evaluated. Incidence of postoperative heart failure, 30 day readmission rates, mortality, and other clinical parameters were also compared. Results: Patients receiving nesiritide had a mean ± SD postoperative intensive care unit stay of 50.6 ± 46.8 hours compared with 44.1 ± 23.5 hours in those receiving milrinone (p = 0.578). Incidence of postoperative heart failure was also not significantly different between the drugs (p = 0.259). Thirty day follow-up confirmed no difference in hospital readmission rates between nesiritide and milrinone (p = 0.661). No differences in mortality were observed during hospitalization or 30 days of follow-up. Conclusions: Nesiritide does not decrease postoperative intensive care unit stay or other clinical parameters compared with milrinone in high-risk patients with hemodynamically stable left-ventricular function undergoing CABG surgery.
Distinct alleles of mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and surfactant proteins A (SP-A) in patients with chronic cavitary pulmonary aspergillosis and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
Authors: Vaid Mudit , Kaur Savneet , Sambatakou Helen , Madan Taruna , Denning David W. , Sarma P. Usha 
Published: February 2007

AbstractClin Chem Lab Med 2007;45:183–6.
HER-2 protein concentrations in breast cancer cells increase before immunohistochemical and fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis turn positive
Authors: Olsen Dorte A. , Østergaard Birthe , Bokmand Susanne , Wamberg Peter A. , Jakobsen Erik H. , Brandslund Ivan 
Published: February 2007

AbstractClin Chem Lab Med 2007;45:177–82.
Accreditation of medical laboratories in the European Union
Authors: Huisman Wim , Horvath A. Rita , Burnett David , Blaton Victor , Czikkely Rózsa , Jansen Rob T.P. , Kallner Anders , Kenny Desmond , Mesko Pika , Plebani Mario , Queralto José , Schumann Gerhard , Šprongl Luděk , Vitkus Dalius , Wallinder Hans , Zerah Simone 
Published: February 2007

Abstract: Using a questionnaire, the EC4 (European Communities Confederation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine) has collated an inventory of the accreditation procedures for medical laboratories in the EU.: Accreditation of medical laboratories in the countries of the EU is mostly carried out in cooperation with national accreditation bodies. These national accreditation bodies work together in a regional cooperation, the European Cooperation for Accreditation (EA). Professionals are trained to become assessors and play a prominent role in the accreditation process. The extent of the training is diverse, but assessors are kept informed and up-to-date by annual meetings. The frequency of assessments and surveillance visits differs from country to country and ranges from 1 to 4 years. More harmonisation is needed in this respect, based on a frequency that can be pragmatically handled by laboratory professionals. In the majority of EA bodies, accreditation is carried out on a test-by-test basis. Many professionals would prefer accreditation of the entire service provided within the actual field of testing (i.e., haematology, immunology, etc.), with accreditation granted if the majority of tests offered within a service field fulfil the requirements of the ISO 15189 standard. The scope of accreditation is a major point of discussions between the EC4 Working Group on Accreditation and representatives of accreditation bodies in the EA Medical Laboratory Committee.Clin Chem Lab Med 2007;45:268–75.
Patient hydration: a major source of laboratory uncertainty
Authors: Ritchie Robert F. , Ledue Thomas B. , Craig Wendy Y. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractMovement of body water from compartment to compartment during any time period is attributable to forces active within and upon each space. The result of these forces leads to transfer of water between intravascular and extravascular compartments, as well as shifts between extracellular and intracellular spaces. The importance of these shifts and of the associated mechanism was described by Ernest Starling in 1896 in very much the same manner as it is viewed today. The end result of fluid transfer and its physiological and laboratory consequences has not been fully appreciated. Despite awareness that fluid shifts can affect laboratory analytical results, little recent investigation has addressed the problem in the routine clinical laboratory. Thus, the potential for significant misinterpretation remains. For example, it is known that individual laboratory test values can vary widely, depending on many factors including the subject's posture during and immediately before phlebotomy, leading to significant changes in the interpretation of blood analyte values. Furthermore, a variety of ubiquitous environmental effects have additional impact on fluid distribution and thus on test values. In other words, patient hydration status is a major pre-analytical variable that needs to be addressed by the clinical laboratory.The need to adjust data for patient hydration status is especially important in the case of colloid analytes for which the dynamic range includes a narrow “gray zone” where hydration changes of a few percentage points can change the clinical implications. The crucial importance of this adjustment is underscored by the fact that neither the testing laboratory nor the clinician are aware of this unseen circumstance and are thus compelled to work with data that do not necessarily reflect the clinical situation.Clin Chem Lab Med 2007;45:158–66.
Hyperhomocysteinemia and cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women: the role of folate supplementation
Authors: Villa Paola , Suriano Rosanna , Costantini Barbara , Macrì Francesca , Ricciardi Luigi , Campagna Giuseppe , Lanzone Antonio 
Published: February 2007

AbstractIn the postmenopausal period, cardiovascular diseases are a frequent chronic condition leading to high risk of myocardial infarction and death. Recently hyperhomocysteinemia and even mildly elevated plasma concentrations of homocysteine have been recognized as independent risk factors for vascular damage predisposing to arteriosclerosis. Elevated plasma levels of homocysteine induce vascular endothelial damage and are frequently associated with low folate levels.In this review we evaluate literature data on some aspects related to menopause and homocysteine metabolism. In particular, we show the effect of folic acid supplementation on homocysteine concentrations and on homocysteine-related thiols, such as cysteine and cysteine-glycine, as well as the relationship with glucose, insulin, and lipidic metabolism in postmenopausal women. We also analyze the influence of folate supplementation on endothelial function, by brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (endothelium-dependent) and nitroglycerine-induced dilatation (endothelium-independent) before and after a methionine load.Folate administration in postmenopausal women is able to reduce high plasma homocysteine levels and to modify impaired endothelial function induced by hyperhomocysteinemia.Clin Chem Lab Med 2007;45:130–5.
Deficits in Surface Force Production During Seated Reaching in People After Stroke
Authors: Reisman Darcy S , Scholz John P 
Published: February 2007

Background and PurposeIn order to design effective treatment strategies for the rehabilitation of reaching after stroke, it is necessary to understand the underlying deficits. Although the kinematic aspects of reaching after stroke have been studied frequently, little attention has been paid to the surface force production underlying this behavior. The purpose of this study was to investigate surface force production and its coordination with arm movement during seated reaching in a group of people with hemiparesis.SubjectsSeven people with mild right hemiparesis after stroke and 7 people who were neurologically healthy participated.MethodsSubjects performed seated reaching at 160% their normal speed toward ipsilateral and contralateral targets placed 160% beyond arm reach. Surface forces beneath the seat and feet and 3-dimensional hand movement and joint motions of the upper extremity and trunk were recorded.ResultsA weight shift from seat to feet occurred earlier whereas the onset of medial-lateral seat force was delayed and smaller in magnitude in people with hemiparesis.Discussion and ConclusionThe results suggest that the normal magnitude and timing of surface force production during reaching beyond arm’s length are altered in people with even mild hemiparesis after stroke, particularly during reaching toward the hemiparetic side.