bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Binding assay for incorporation of alkali‐extractable proteins in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall
Authors: Teparić Renata , Stuparević Igor , Mrša Vladimir 
Published: February 2007

AbstractYeasts have developed three different ways of attaching proteins to cell wall glucan. Some proteins are bound to β‐1,3‐glucan non‐covalently, while others are attached covalently, through GPI‐anchor and β‐1,6‐glucan, or directly to β‐1,3‐glucan by alkali‐labile ester linkage between the γ‐carboxyl groups of glutamic acid and the hydroxyl groups of glucoses (Pir proteins). In order to obtain further insight into the binding mechanism, a novel, simple binding assay for Pir‐family proteins was developed. It has been shown that PIR, as well as SCW4 mutants, can bind externally added Ccw5p to their cell walls. A study of appropriate binding conditions revealed the requirement of the native conformation of Ccw5p. The presence of EDTA blocked the binding of Ccw5p, indicating the cation dependence of the reaction. Both wild‐type and mutant cells showed enhanced binding of the Ccw5p in 0.6 M KCl. After disruption of all Pir genes (CCW5, CCW6, CCW7 and CCW8), 67 kDa protein still remained in NaOH extract. SCW4 disruption in the ccw5ccw6ccw7ccw8 mutant resulted in disappearance of the 67 kDa band from the extract, indicating that Scw4p could also be covalently linked to the cell wall by a so‐far unidentified alkali‐labile linkage. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of Ccw12p, a major key player in cell wall stability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Ragni Enrico , Sipiczki Matthias , Strahl Sabine 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe GPI‐anchored mannoprotein Ccw12p is a crucial structural component of the cell wall of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Compared to wild‐type, the mutant ccw12Δ grows more slowly, is highly sensitive to Calcofluor white and contains 2.5 times more cell wall chitin. In this study, electron microscopy of ccw12Δ cell walls revealed that, with respect to wild‐type, the inner glucan layer is thicker with irregular depositions of wall material, whereas the outer mannan layer is less condensed. Biochemical analyses of cell wall glucan suggest that in the absence of Ccw12p, GPI‐anchored cell wall proteins are transferred preferentially to chitin and random deposition of cell wall material reinforces the inner glucan–chitin layer, thereby enhancing the overall stability of the cell wall. To further elucidate the role of Ccw12p, structure–function analysis was performed. We demonstrate that Ccw12p is highly N‐glycosylated. However, loss of N‐glycans does not affect Ccw12p functionality. In contrast, deletion of the repeated amino acid motive TTEAPKNGTSTAAP in the C‐terminal part of the protein affects Ccw12p function. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Disintegrator vectors for single‐copy yeast chromosomal integration
Authors: Sadowski Ivan , Su Ting‐Cheng , Parent Jennifer 
Published: February 2007

AbstractVectors were developed for two‐step chromosomal integration of reporter genes or expression constructs. With these vectors, integration produces a disruption of the ADE8, LYS2, MET15, LEU2, HIS3 or FCY1 genes, and integrants can be easily identified by replica‐plating on selective media. Integration using these ‘disintegrator’ vectors produces a single‐copy integration of the construct of interest at the junction of the marker deletion, and removes the additional plasmid sequences. Importantly, the integrated constructs do not contain flanking sequence duplications, and therefore should be highly stable. Each of the vectors was shown to reliably integrate a TEF1–KAN expression cassette and/or GAL1–HIS3 and STE12–LacZ reporter genes. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children: Correlation of musculoskeletal manifestations and immunophenotypes
Authors: Maman Eran , Steinberg David M. , Stark Batia , Izraeli Shai , Wientroub Shlomo 
Published: February 2007

Purpose Studies on musculoskeletal manifestations (MSM) of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have yielded variable findings with regard to their clinical impact. We investigated the significance for differential diagnosis, treatment and outcome of musculoskeletal complaints as presenting symptoms of ALL, and their correlation with leukemia immunophenotypes, for which data is lacking. Methods Data on 783 children in the national study for childhood ALL between 1984 and 2003 were reviewed retrospectively. Statistical analysis examined possible relationships between MSM at the time of diagnosis and demographic and clinical data, biological features of leukemia (peripheral blood counts, immunophenotype and main cytogenetic aberration), response to initial prednisone treatment, and outcome. Results Of 765 children with data on orthopaedic complaints, 240 presented with MSM (31.4%). Among these children, B cell precursor (BCP) was much more common (209/576, 36.3%) than T cell ALL (25/176, 14.2%). Patients with MSM had lower white blood cell counts (WBC) (median of 9 vs. 20 × 109/L, P < 0.001) and percentage of blast cells in the peripheral blood at diagnosis compared to those without (median of 27 vs. 53%, P < 0.001). Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly were less common in MSM group (67 vs. 53% <3 cm, P < 0.001, and 63 vs. 50% <3 cm, P < 0.001, respectively). Poor response to initial treatment with prednisone was recorded in 7.1% of patients with MSM versus 11.5% of those without ( P = 0.086). The analysis revealed no independent effect of MSM on event-free survival (EFS), after correcting for differences in EFS related to immunophenotype or initial WBC. Conclusions MSM occur mostly in children with BCP ALL who present with less involvement of extramedullary organs, low peripheral blood blasts and white blood cells counts. These findings highlight the importance of including ALL in the differential diagnosis of MSM even in the presence of an apparently normal peripheral blood count. Our study also suggests that MSM are caused by leukemic cells with enhanced biological propensity to remain relatively confined within the intramedullary bone-marrow space.
Emergency peripartum hysterectomy in the nulliparous patient
Authors: Seffah J.D. , Kwame‐Aryee R.A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective: To find out the incidence, indications and outcomes of emergency peripartum hysterectomy in the nulliparous woman. Method: Retrospective study at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana, between January 1995 and December 2003. Results: During the eight‐year study period there were 92,966 deliveries out of which 36,550 (39.5%) were for the nulliparous. Peripartum hysterectomy was performed for 39 nulliparous women, thus giving an incidence of 1 per 1000 nulliparous deliveries. The indications for the hysterectomy were: atonic uterus 28 (71.8%), ruptured uterus 8 (20.5%) and placenta praevia/accreta 3 (7.7%). The perinatal losses were 8 (20.5%) and the total blood loss ranged from 1 to 4.5 l. There were no maternal deaths but there were 7 near‐missed fatalities. Conclusion: Though rare, peripartum hysterectomy in the nulliparous patients carries high maternal morbidity and perinatal mortality.
Risk factors for placenta previa in an Asian population
Authors: Hung Tai‐Ho , Hsieh Ching‐Chang , Hsu Jenn‐Jeih , Chiu Tsung‐Hong , Lo Liang‐Ming , Hsieh T'sang‐T'ang 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective: To identify the risk factors for placenta previa in an Asian population. Methods: This retrospective cohort study involved Taiwanese women delivered between July 1990 and December 2003 at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Pregnancies complicated by multiple gestation and fetal anomalies were excluded. Results: There were 457 cases of placenta previa (1.2%) among the 37,702 pregnancies analyzed. Risk factors for placenta previa included a prior preterm birth (OR, 6.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.1–10.6); technology‐assisted conception (OR, 4.8; 95% CI, 2.9–7.8); smoking (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.2–9.1) or working (OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 2.8–5.3) during pregnancy; maternal age of, or greater than 35 years (OR, 2.0 to 2.2; 95% CI, 1.3–3.7); and previous induced abortions (OR, 1.3–3.0; 95% CI, 1.1–7.1). Conclusion: The risk factors for placenta previa were found to be the same for Asian women as those previously recorded for American and European women, but additional factors were detected.
Malaria parasite induces tryptophan-related immune suppression in mice
Authors: TETSUTANI K. , TO H. , TORII M. , HISAEDA H. , HIMENO K. 
Published: February 2007

SUMMARYPlasmodiumspp. cause the worst parasitic diseases in humans and evade host immunity in complicated ways. Activated catabolism of tryptophan in dendritic cells is thought to suppress immunity, which is mediated by an inducible rate-limiting enzyme of tryptophan catabolism, indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO), via both tryptophan depletion and production of toxic metabolites. In various infections, including malaria, IDO is known to be activated but its biological significance is unclear; therefore, we investigated whether malaria parasites induce IDO to suppress host immune responses. We found that enzymatic activity of IDO was elevated systematically in our mouse malaria model, and was abolished byin vivoIDO inhibition with 1-methyl tryptophan. Experimental infection withPlasmodium yoeliishowed that IDO inhibition slightly suppressed parasite density in association with enhanced proliferation and IFN-γ production by CD4+T cells in response to malaria parasites. Our observations suggest that induction of IDO is one of the immune mechanisms of malaria parasites.
Regulation of hepatic metabolism by enteral delivery of nutrients
Authors: Dardevet D. , Moore M. C. , Remond D. , Everett-Grueter C. A. , Cherrington A. D. 
Published: February 2007

The liver plays a unique role in nutrient homeostasis. Its anatomical location makes it ideally suited to control the systemic supply of absorbed nutrients, and it is the primary organ that can both consume and produce substantial amounts of glucose. Moreover, it is the site of a substantial fraction (about 25 %) of the body's protein synthesis, and the liver and other organs of the splanchnic bed play an important role in sparing dietary N by storing ingested amino acids. This hepatic anabolism is under the control of hormonal and nutritional changes that occur during food intake. In particular, the route of nutrient delivery, i.e. oral (or intraportal)v.peripheral venous, appears to impact upon the disposition of the macronutrients and also to affect both hepatic and whole-body nutrient metabolism. Intraportal glucose delivery significantly enhances net hepatic glucose uptake, compared with glucose infusion via a peripheral vein. On the other hand, concomitant intraportal infusion of both glucose and gluconeogenic amino acids significantly decreases net hepatic glucose uptake, compared with infusion of the same mass of glucose by itself. Delivery of amino acids via the portal vein may enhance their hepatic uptake, however. Elevation of circulating lipids under postprandial conditions appears to impair both hepatic and whole-body glucose disposal. Thus, the liver's role in nutrient disposal and metabolism is highly responsive to the route of nutrient delivery, and this is an important consideration in planning nutrition support and optimising anabolism in vulnerable patients.
Food habits and physical activity patterns among Palestinian adolescents: findings from the national study of Palestinian schoolchildren (HBSC-WBG2004)
Authors: Al Sabbah H , Vereecken C , Kolsteren P , Abdeen Z , Maes L 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the food habits and physical (in)activity patterns and to investigate the relationship with sociodemographic factors among Palestinian adolescents.Design and subjectsThe Palestinian Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) is a cross-sectional survey of grades 6, 8, 10 and 12. Students completed a modified version of the international HBSC questionnaire. A total of 8885 students were included in this analysis; 53% were from the West Bank and 47% from the Gaza Strip.ResultsAdolescents in the West Bank consume more fruit, meat, chicken, sweets and soft drinks, but less vegetables than adolescents in Gaza (P < 0.01). Girls reported more daily consumption of fruit, vegetables and sweets than boys (P < 0.001), and less consumption of soft drinks, milk, meat and chicken (P < 0.01). Boys were physically more active than girls (P < 0.01), whereas girls reported doing more homework (P < 0.001). Both boys and girls reported less physical activity with increasing age (P < 0.001). Consumption of fruit and milk was positively associated with both parents' education, while consumption of meat, chicken and soft drinks was positively associated with mother's education only. Having breakfast on schooldays was positively associated with the father's education. Physical activity and television viewing were associated with the mother's education (P < 0.01). The parents' level of education had no effect on vegetable consumption and dieting status.ConclusionThis study indicated that there are problems with Palestinian adolescents' eating, dieting and physical activity. Regional, gender and parental socio-economic status differences should be taken into account in developing interventions. More detailed studies are needed with more elaborate instruments about food habits and physical activity of adolescents.
The impact of body mass index and Western advertising and media on eating style, body image and nutrition transition among Jordanian women
Authors: Madanat Hala N , Brown Ralph B , Hawks Steven R 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjectivesTo identify the impact of body mass index (BMI) and Western advertising and media on the stage of the nutrition transition among Jordanian women, and to evaluate their impact on eating styles and body image.DesignA randomised cross-sectional survey that included a variety of culturally measured Likert-type scales and body size images. In addition, BMI was calculated based on measured height and weight.SettingIn the homes of the participants. The data were collected by female interviewers who worked for the Jordan Department of Statistics.SubjectsThe sample was based on a random and representative selection of 800 mostly urban Jordanian women. A pre-test sample of 100 women was also used to validate the instruments.ResultsWomen tended to agree that they ate based on emotional cues. They had high levels of disordered eating attitudes and behaviours and 42.1% were considered restrained eaters. However, these women also had higher than expected body esteem levels and desired a healthy body size. As expected, being obese was associated with a desire to lose weight, being a restrained and emotional eater, and having more disordered eating attitudes and behaviours. Similarly, Western advertising and media were associated with restrained and emotional eating, desired weight loss, and disordered eating attitudes and behaviours.ConclusionsThere is a need to develop health education materials that explain the influence of obesity on health and the negative psychological and physical consequences of restrained and emotional eating, building on the current cultural preferences of healthy body size. Further implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Gene symbol disambiguation using knowledge-based profiles
Authors: Xu Hua , Fan Jung-Wei , Hripcsak George , Mendonça Eneida A. , Markatou Marianthi , Friedman Carol 
Published: February 2007

AbstractMotivation: The ambiguity of biomedical entities, particularly of gene symbols, is a big challenge for text-mining systems in the biomedical domain. Existing knowledge sources, such as Entrez Gene and the MEDLINE database, contain information concerning the characteristics of a particular gene that could be used to disambiguate gene symbols.Results: For each gene, we create a profile with different types of information automatically extracted from related MEDLINE abstracts and readily available annotated knowledge sources. We apply the gene profiles to the disambiguation task via an information retrieval method, which ranks the similarity scores between the context where the ambiguous gene is mentioned, and candidate gene profiles. The gene profile with the highest similarity score is then chosen as the correct sense. We evaluated the method on three automatically generated testing sets of mouse, fly and yeast organisms, respectively. The method achieved the highest precision of 93.9% for the mouse, 77.8% for the fly and 89.5% for the yeast.Availability: The testing data sets and disambiguation programs are available at http://www.dbmi.columbia.edu/~hux7002/gsd2006Contact: friedman@dbmi.columbia.edu
Clustering by common friends finds locally significant proteins mediating modules
Authors: Andreopoulos Bill , An Aijun , Wang Xiaogang , Faloutsos Michalis , Schroeder Michael 
Published: February 2007

AbstractMotivation: Much research has been dedicated to large-scale protein interaction networks including the analysis of scale-free topologies, network modules and the relation of domain–domain to protein–protein interaction networks. Identifying locally significant proteins that mediate the function of modules is still an open problem.Method: We use a layered clustering algorithm for interaction networks, which groups proteins by the similarity of their direct neighborhoods. We identify locally significant proteins, called mediators, which link different clusters. We apply the algorithm to a yeast network.Results: Clusters and mediators are organized in hierarchies, where clusters are mediated by and act as mediators for other clusters. We compare the clusters and mediators to known yeast complexes and find agreement with precision of 71% and recall of 61%. We analyzed the functions, processes and locations of mediators and clusters. We found that 55% of mediators to a cluster are enriched with a set of diverse processes and locations, often related to translocation of biomolecules. Additionally, 82% of clusters are enriched with one or more functions. The important role of mediators is further corroborated by a comparatively higher degree of conservation across genomes. We illustrate the above findings with an example of membrane protein translocation from the cytoplasm to the inner nuclear membrane.Availability: All software is freely available under Supplementary information.Contact: williama@biotec.tu-dresden.deSupplementary information: http://www.cse.yorku.ca/billa/MODULARPIN/
Adjunctive Effects of Exercise Training in Heart Failure Patients Receiving Maximum Pharmacologic Therapy
Authors: Bunny Pozehl , Duncan Kathleen , Krueger Steven , VerMaas Patricia 
Published: February 2007

The purpose of this pilot study was to test the adjunctive effects of a 12‐week exercise training intervention vs. standard pharmacologic therapy on quality of life, functional status, and mood in heart failure patients. A randomized, two‐group repeated measures design was used to test outcomes at baseline and 12 weeks in 23 subjects (ejection fraction=40%, standard pharmacologic therapy [diuretics, angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors,βblockers, and digoxin] and no change in medical therapy for 30 days). The exercise group had significantly higher adjusted means on the role physical, role emotional, and mental functioning subscales of the Medical Outcomes Study 36‐item Short‐Form Health Survey compared with the control group. Confusion/bewilderment (Profile of Mood States subscale) adjusted mean scores were significantly lower for the exercise group, indicating better mood compared with the control group. Exercise training provided adjunctive benefit in terms of role and mental functioning for these heart failure patients.
AN ANALYSIS OF PULMONARY COMPLICATIONS FOLLOWING ANESTHESIA AND ANALGESIA IN 2,064 CONSECUTIVE CASES
Authors: HOLMES F. 
Published: February 2007

SUMMARY1. In 2,064 consecutive unselected cases pulmonary atelectasis and acute bronchitis were common post‐operative complications while consolidation was comparatively rare.2. The type of patient most frequently affected was the male in early middle life.3. The operations most commonly followed by these complications were herniotomy and appendicectomy.4. Oblique wounds may interfere to a greater extent with the abdominal component in the mechanism of respiration than do paramedian and mid‐line incisions. Excessive tightening of muscles of the abdominal wall during hernial repair may lead to reduced pulmonary ventilation in the post‐operative period and so predispose to respiratory morbidity.5. The method of anæsthesia employed did not appear to affect the incidence of these complications, and spinal analgesia does not reduce their occurrence.
BENZEDRINE, CORAMINE AND PICROTOXIN
Authors: THOMAS D. VERNON 
Published: February 2007

SummaryA comparative clinical study has been made of the efficiency of benzedrine, coramine and picrotoxin in reducing the period of unconsciousness following intravenous thiopentone anæsthesia in 48 cases.The mean recovery times after each analeptic drug were less than the corresponding times for the control group.Picrotoxin was the most, and coramine the least, effective drug.I am indebted to Dr. N. J. S. Nathan, Medical Superintendent at Staincliffe County Hospital, for helpful co‐operation.
The role of the neurologist in the decline of stroke
Authors: Whisnant Jack P. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractMortality from stroke in the United States has been declining since 1900. In the population of Rochester, Minnesota the primary cause of the decline was shown to be the decrease in the incidence of new cases of stroke from 1945 through 1979. The neurologist's primary contribution to stroke prevention is the identification and management of patients who have had transient focal cerebral ischemic attacks. Although the presence of these attacks is a powerful risk for stroke occurrence, their low prevalence and the lack of clearly effective medical or surgical treatment make it unlikely that management of transient focal cerebral ischemic attacks accounts for much of the decline in the incidence or mortality of stroke.
Polyneuropathy in nonmalignant IgM plasma cell dyscrasia: A Morphological study
Authors: Nemni Rafaello , Galassi Giuliana , Latov Norman , Sherman William H. , Olarte Marcelo R. , Hays Arthur P. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractSix patients had peripheral neuropathy and nonmalignant IgM plasma cell dyscrasia. In two of them, immunological studies indicated that the monoclonal immunoglobulin reacted with myelin‐associated glycoprotein, a constituent of peripheral nerve myelin. Sural nerve biopsy specimens from both patients showed morphological signs of primary damage to the myelin sheath. In the other four patients, two of whom had a monoclonal IgMk reactive with chondroitin sulfate C, the axon rather than the myelin sheath was considered the chief site of nerve injury. The morphological findings suggest that the pathogenesis of peripheral neuropathies in IgM plasma cell dyscrasia is heterogeneous. Moreover, the observations are consistent with a pathogenic interaction of the IgM paraprotein with autoantigens in peripheral nerve in some instances.
Herpes zoster ophthalmicus with contralateral hemiplegia: Identification of cause
Authors: Doyle Patrick W. , Gibson Gillian , Dolman Clarisse L. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractA patient with herpes zoster ophthalmicus developed hemiparesis that at first responded to steroids but, when these were reduced, culminated in massive cerebral infarction and death. The cause was an extensive necrotizing arteritis of large and small cerebral arteries. Herpeslike virions were identified in smooth muscle cells of the middle cerebral artery.