bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Induction of ES Cell–Derived Cartilage Formation
Authors: Kramer Jan , Schlenke Peter , Rohwedel Jürgen 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThis unit describes the protocols used for cultivation of murine embryonic stem (ES) cells and their differentiation into chondrogenic cell types in vitro. ES cells cultivated as cellular aggregates, so‐called embryoid bodies (EBs), differentiate spontaneously into chondrogenic cell types recapitulating cellular events of chondro‐ and osteogenesis. The undifferentiated ES cells differentiate into mesenchymal prechondrogenic cells in the EB outgrowths. These progenitor cells aggregate and form mesenchymal condensations. During further cultivation, these cells form cartilage nodules, show a phenotype typical for chondroblasts, and start to express marker molecules of cartilage tissue. Later, the chondrocytes become hypertrophic, and finally, marker molecules indicating bone formation can be detected in the nodules. This unit also contains protocols for characterization of the differentiated cells by immunostaining, mRNA‐in situ hybridization, electron microscopy, and RT‐PCR analysis.
Maximum‐Likelihood Analysis Using TREE‐PUZZLE
Authors: Schmidt Heiko A. , von Haeseler Arndt 
Published: March 2007

AbstractTREE‐PUZZLE provides a means to analyze and reconstruct evolutionary relationships and trees based on quartets, i.e., groups of four sequences. Basic Protocol 1 explains how to reconstruct trees based on the maximum‐likelihood principle and quartet puzzling. Basic Protocol 2 discusses likelihood mapping, a method to visualize phylogenetic content in a multiple sequence alignment. Basic Protocol 3 explains how to compare tree topologies using different tests.
Assembling Genomic DNA Sequences with PHRAP
Authors: de la Bastide Melissa , McCombie W. Richard 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe PHRAP assembly program provides rapid comparison, alignment, and assembly of large sets of DNA sequences. PHRAP compares sequences by searching for pairs of perfectly matching “words” or sequence regions that meet certain criteria. If a match is found, PHRAP then tries to extend the alignment into overlapping sections called contigs. PHRAP uses quality values produced by the PHRED basecaller to strike a balance between tolerance of discrepancies and prevention of stacking repeat sequences. The PHRAP assembly algorithm is generally used as part of the PHRED/PHRAP/Consed software suite for sequence analysis. This unit presents instructions for basic usage of the PHRAP assembler, including preparation of the input files (Support Protocols 1 and 2) and explanation of output files (Basic Protocols 1 and 2). Several command line options for changing the PHRAP assembly parameters are also discussed (Basic Protocol 3).
Hexamethylene diisocyanate crosslinking 2‐hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan/poly(acrylonitrile) composite nanofiltration membrane
Authors: Huang Rui‐Hua , Chen Guo‐Hua , Sun Ming‐Kun , Gao Cong‐Jie 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe effects of membrane preparation conditions on membrane properties were studied in detail. The results suggested that composite nanofiltration (NF) membrane from 2.0 wt % 2‐hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (HACC) vaporized for 2.5 h at 50°C, and then crosslinked for 9 h at 50°C with hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI)/ethanol (0.45/50 wt/wt) were found to have optimal performance. The resultant membrane was called HACC/PAN [poly(acrylonitrile)] NF membrane. The characteristics of this membrane such as pure water permeability, molecular weight cut‐off, rejection of salts, and swelling were investigated. And its cut‐off molecular weight (MWCO) was ∼520 Da. At 25°C and 1.0 MPa, the permeability of water was 17.24 L/h m2 MPa. Swelling in water decreased and rejection of salts increased with increasing HDI concentration, indicating pore contraction and increase in hydrophobicity as well as pore tortuosity due to crosslinking. The order of rejection to different salt solutes followed the decreasing of CaCl2, MgCl2, NaCl, KCl, and Na2SO4, suggesting that this membrane was positively charged. The rejections to MgCl2 and CaCl2 were more than 0.90; therefore, this membrane can be used for hardness removal in water treatment process. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007.
Measuring fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review of scales in use
Authors: Hewlett S. , Hehir M. , Kirwan J. R. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractObjectiveFatigue is an important outcome for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The purpose of this study was to identify the scales being used to measure RA fatigue, and to systematically examine the evidence for their validation.MethodsArticles measuring fatigue in RA were sought using the terms RA and fatigue, and RA and tiredness, plus scale, questionnaire, inventory, and checklist. Index articles reporting identifiable RA fatigue data were examined for the fatigue scale used. Index and validation articles for each scale were reviewed for evidence supporting scale validation to measure RA fatigue using a standardized checklist of content, face, criterion, and construct validity, reliability, and sensitivity to change.ResultsA total of 61 index articles used 23 different fatigue scales to measure RA fatigue on 71 occasions. Seventeen scales had either no data on validation in RA or limited evidence. Reasonable evidence of validation was identified for 6 scales, each also having some evidence of sensitivity to change: ordinal scales, the Short Form 36 vitality subscale, the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy Fatigue Scale, visual analog scales (VAS), the Profile of Mood States, and the RA‐specific Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue scale (MAF). However, the 4 generic scales would benefit from further validation in patients with RA, the VAS requires standardization, and the MAF would benefit from further sensitivity data.ConclusionIt was possible to identify evidence of reasonable validation for 6 of 23 scales being used to measure RA fatigue. Researchers and clinicians should select scales to measure RA fatigue carefully.
Computed tomography measurement of tophus volume: Comparison with physical measurement
Authors: Dalbeth Nicola , Clark Barnaby , Gregory Kate , Gamble Gregory D. , Doyle Anthony , McQueen Fiona M. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractObjectiveComputed tomography (CT) has high accuracy for tophus detection. This study assessed reliability of CT measurement of tophus volume and compared reproducibility of CT with physical measurement of tophus size.MethodsForty‐seven hand tophi were analyzed in 20 patients with gout. The longest tophus diameter was recorded by 2 independent observers. All patients proceeded to CT scanning of the hands on a Philips Brilliance scanner (0.8‐mm slices). Two independent observers measured tophus volume using the Surface Shaded Display 3‐dimensional function on the Philips CT workstation. Five patients underwent repeat physical and CT assessments within 1 week (18 observations). Inter‐ and intraobserver reproducibility were analyzed by limits of agreement and coefficients of variation.ResultsOf the 47 lesions identified as tophi on physical examination, 42 (89%) were also identified on CT. The mean (95% confidence interval [95% CI]) difference between observers for physical measurement was 0.45 mm (−4.07, 4.96) and for CT was 65.2 mm3 (−293.0, 423.3). The mean (95% CI) difference between visits for physical measurement was −0.72 mm (−5.47, 4.03) and for CT was −13.1 mm3 (−112.5, 86.3). There was no difference between coefficients of variation for inter‐ and intraobserver reproducibility for the 2 measurement techniques. For tophi identified by physical and CT assessment, there was good correlation between measurements (r = 0.91, P < 0.0001).ConclusionCT assessment of tophus volume is reliable and reproducible. However, physical measurement correlates well with CT and has equivalent reproducibility. These data support the use of physical measurement as a simple and reliable method to assess tophus size.
Work disability among two cohorts of women with recent‐onset rheumatoid arthritis: A survival analysis
Authors: Reisine S. , Fifield J. , Walsh S. , Dauser D. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractObjectiveTo analyze factors associated with leaving employment among women with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsWomen with RA were recruited from a national sample of rheumatologists in 1987 and 1998. Inclusion criteria were RA diagnosis <18 months earlier, age ≥18 years, and no other disabling health condition. The 1987 and 1998 cohorts comprised 48 and 91 women, respectively. Data were collected by telephone for 4 years. Survival analysis was conducted using Kaplan‐Meier curves and a proportional hazards generalized linear model to assess whether the time to stopping work differed between the cohorts and to identify baseline predictors and time‐varying covariates of leaving work.ResultsMost patients were age <50 years, married, had >12 years of education, and were white. Fifteen patients (31%) in the 1987 cohort and 24 patients (26%) in the 1998 cohort stopped working in the observation periods. Kaplan‐Meier survival curves for each cohort were not significantly different. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that married women (P = 0.03) and those with joint deformities (P = 0.00) were more likely to stop working. A significant flares by cohort interaction (P = 0.01) indicated that, in comparison with patients in the 1998 cohort, those in the 1987 cohort with <2 disease flares had the lowest risk of stopping work and those with ≥2 flares had the greatest risk.ConclusionUnexpectedly, the cumulative rate of stopping work among women in the 1998 study did not differ from that among women diagnosed >16 years earlier. However, disease flares greatly affected employment in the 1987 but not the 1998 cohort, possibly indicating that newer medications were effective in maintaining functional status among those with more severe disease activity, measured by number of flares, in the 1998 group.
Impact of health maintenance organizations and fee‐for‐service on health care utilization among people with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Yelin Edward , Trupin Laura , Katz Patricia , Criswell Lindsey A. , Yazdany Jinoos , Gillis Joann , Panopalis Peter 
Published: March 2007

AbstractObjectiveTo compare health care utilization in people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and fee‐for‐service (FFS).MethodsA structured survey was administered to a cohort of 982 people with SLE who were assembled between 2002 and early 2005. A total of 2,656 person‐years of observation were completed by the end of 2005. In each year, respondents reported their health care utilization and whether they had HMO or FFS coverage. We compared health care utilization of those in HMOs and FFS, with and without adjustment for socioeconomic, demographic, and health characteristics using repeated‐measures regression techniques.ResultsCompared with people with SLE who were in FFS, those in HMOs were younger (3.3 years), received a diagnosis at an earlier age (3.6 years), had slightly less disease activity (0.4 on a 10‐point scale), were more likely to be nonwhite (8.8%), were less likely to be below the poverty line (7.8%), and were less likely to have public insurance (29.7%). The 2 groups did not differ in other characteristics. On an unadjusted basis, subjects with SLE in HMOs had significantly fewer physician visits (3.1; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.7, 4.5) and were less likely to report one or more outpatient surgical visits (6.3%; 95% CI 2.5, 10.0), and hospital admissions (5.5%; 95% CI 1.7, 9.3) than those in FFS. Adjustment reduced the differences in physician visits (2.3; 95% CI 1.1, 3.5), outpatient surgical rates (4.4%; 95% CI 0.6, 8.1), and hospital admission rates (4.0%, 95% CI 0.4, 7.7).ConclusionSubjects with SLE in HMOs utilized substantially less ambulatory care and were less likely to have outpatient surgery and hospital admissions than those in FFS; the effects were not completely explained by socioeconomic, demographic, and health characteristics.
Berechnung erdgedeckter Lagertanks nach Mang
Authors: Bußhaus Ludger 
Published: March 2007

AbstractErdgedeckte Lagertanks, die einzeln im gewachsenen Boden gelagert sind (“Grabenlagerung”) und eine Erdüberdeckung von mindestens 1000 mm aufweisen, können nach dem Verfahren von Windels [1] sehr wirtschaftlich dimensioniert werden. Dieses Verfahren wurde in [2] ausführlich beschrieben und um alle vorkommenden betrieblichen und Montage‐Lastfälle erweitert. Die übrigen erdgedeckten Lagertanks werden nach dem Verfahren von Mang [3] entsprechend den Vorgaben in [4] ausgelegt. Dieses Verfahren wird in diesem Beitrag erläutert.
Strategy for selecting and characterizing linker peptides for CBM9‐tagged fusion proteins expressed in Escherichia coli
Authors: Kavoosi Mojgan , Creagh A. Louise , Kilburn Douglas G. , Haynes Charles A. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe influence of linker design on fusion protein production and performance was evaluated when a family 9 carbohydrate‐binding module (CBM9) serves as the affinity tag for recombinant proteins expressed in Escherichia coli. Two bioinformatic strategies for linker design were applied: the first identifies naturally occurring linkers within the proteome of the host organism, the second involves screening peptidases and their known specificities using the bioinformatics software MEROPS™ to design an artificial linker resistant to proteolysis within the host. Linkers designed using these strategies were compared against traditional poly‐glycine linkers. Although widely used, glycine‐rich linkers were found by tandem MS data to be susceptible to hydrolysis by E. coli peptidases. The natural (PT)xP and MEROPS™‐designed S3N10 linkers were significantly more stable, indicating both strategies provide a useful approach to linker design. Factor Xa processing of the fusion proteins depended strongly on linker chemistry, with poly(G) and S3N10 linkers showing the fastest cleavage rates. Luminescence resonance energy transfer studies, used to measure average distance of separation between GFP and Tb(III) bound to a strong calcium‐binding site of CBM9, revealed that, for a given linker chemistry, the separation distance increases with increasing linker length. This increase was particularly large for poly(G) linkers, suggesting that this linker chemistry adopts a hydrated, extended configuration that makes it particularly susceptible to proteolysis. Differential scanning calorimetry studies on the PT linker series showed that fusion of CBM9 to GFP did not alter the Tm of GFP but did result in a destabilization, as seen by both a decrease in Tm and ΔHcal, of CBM9. The degree of destabilization increased with decreasing length of the (PT)xP linker such that ΔTm = −8.4°C for the single P linker. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;98: 599–610. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The novel MGC13096 protein is correlated with proliferation
Authors: Chen Qiu , Yan Chengqi , Yan Qingfeng , Feng Lifeng , Chen Jianping , Qian Kaixian 
Published: March 2007

AbstractWe report a functional characterisation of the novel protein MGC13096. MGC13096 over‐expression restrained proliferation of HEK293T cells. DNA/flow cytometry analysis showed that the over‐expression of MGC13096 severely delays cell cycle progression at S phase. Transcription factors such as activator protein‐1 (AP‐1), cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT), NF‐κB, signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) took part in the process. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pilot study to evaluate the safety and feasibility of intracoronary CD133+ and CD133− CD34+ cell therapy in patients with nonviable anterior myocardial infarction
Authors: Manginas Athanassios , Goussetis Evgenios , Koutelou Maria , Karatasakis George , Peristeri Ioulia , Theodorakos Athanassios , Leontiadis Evangelos , Plessas Nikolaos , Theodosaki Maria , Graphakos Stelios , Cokkinos Dennis V 
Published: March 2007

AbstractObjectives: The long‐term effect of intracoronary infusion of progenitor cells in patients with chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy. Background: Bone marrow stem‐cell administration in patients with myocardial infarction improved myocardial performance and in some studies contributed to favorable left ventricular remodeling. Methods: We report on the results of a pilot, single center, controlled safety, and feasibility study, including 24 patients with old, nonviable anterior myocardial infarction. Twelve patients underwent intracoronary administration of selected CD133+ and CD133−CD34+ progenitor cells and 12 were followed up on medical therapy. Left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction, at rest and during low‐dose dobutamine, and myocardial viability, using TL‐201 reinjection scintigraphy, were analyzed at baseline and long‐term follow‐up. Results: Patients in the treatment group experienced a sustained decrease in left ventricular end‐diastolic and end‐systolic resting volumes (P = 0.008 and P = 0.002, respectively), as well as an improvement in global ejection fraction at rest [from (27.2 ± 6.8)% to (29.7 ± 7.3)%, P = 0.016]. Segmental anterior and apical wall perfusion, during TL‐201 reinjection, were similarly improved (P = 0.005 and P << 0.001, respectively). One patient developed restenosis at the cell delivery site and one progression of atherosclerosis. During 28.0 ± 8.7 months of clinical follow‐up, only one patient experienced deterioration of heart failure. In the control group, we observed stability in the perfusion defect and deterioration in end‐diastolic and end‐systolic volumes (P= 0.002 and P = 0.003, respectively) and a nonsignificant decrease in ejection fraction (P = 0.11). Conclusion: Intracoronary infusion of selected CD133+ and CD133−CD34+ progenitor cells to a previously infarcted and nonviable anterior wall is safe, and results in sustained improvement in segmental myocardial perfusion and in favorable left ventricular remodeling. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stent thrombosis with drug‐eluting stents: A re‐examination of the evidence
Authors: Kedia Gautam , Lee Michael S. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe excitement of drug‐eluting stents and their promise for reduced restenosis rates have been tempered by recent reports of stent thrombosis. The mechanism of stent thrombosis is multifactorial but appears to be related to delayed endothelialization and healing, late stent malapposition, and antiplatelet resistance. The most important risk factor appears to be the discontinuation of dual antiplatelet therapy. The data from clinical trials suggest that drug‐eluting stents are associated with increased incidence of death or myocardial infarction compared with bare metal stents at long‐term follow‐up, suggesting that the window of thrombotic risk with drug‐eluting stents may extend far beyond that for bare metal stents. Measures to possibly decrease the incidence of stent thrombosis include improvements in antiplatelet regimens and newer generation of drug‐eluting stents which have biodegradable polymers or are polymer‐free. In addition, percutaneous coronary intervention with bare metal stents in patients may be helpful in those known to be intolerant or noncompliant to antiplatelet therapy, have planned procedures or surgeries, or have overwhelming risks which may require discontinuation of dual antiplatelet therapy. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Spontaneous Formation of Heteroligated PtII Complexes with Chelating Hemilabile Ligands
Authors: Ulmann Pirmin A. , Brown Aaron M. , Ovchinnikov Maxim V. , Mirkin Chad A. , DiPasquale Antonio G. , Rheingold Arnold L. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe spontaneous formation of the heteroligated complex [PtCl(κ2‐Ph2PCH2CH2SMe)(Ph2PCH2CH2SPh)]Cl (8 a) by a novel ligand rearrangement process has been observed. By using the weak‐link approach, the relative arrangement of the alkyl and aryl groups can be controlled by abstraction of chloride from 8 a to form the closed complex [Pt(κ2‐Ph2PCH2CH2SMe)(κ2‐Ph2PCH2CH2SPh)][BF4]2 (5) and reopening using halide ions to form semi‐open complexes [PtX(κ2‐Ph2PCH2CH2SMe)(Ph2PCH2CH2SPh)]BF4 (8 b; X=Cl−) and (8 c; X=I−). Analogous procedures using Ph2PCH2CH2SMe and 1,4‐(Ph2PCH2CH2S)2C6H4 lead to heteroligated bimetallic complexes 7 and 9, illustrating that this ligand rearrangement process can be used as a tool for the assembly of complementary metallosupramolecular structures.
Anti‐Nogo‐A antibody treatment enhances sprouting of corticospinal axons rostral to a unilateral cervical spinal cord lesion in adult macaque monkey
Authors: Freund Patrick , Wannier Thierry , Schmidlin Eric , Bloch Jocelyne , Mir Anis , Schwab Martin E. , Rouiller Eric M. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractAfter injury, regrowth of axons in mammalian adult central nervous system is highly limited. However, in monkeys subjected to unilateral cervical lesion (C7–C8 level), neutralization of an important neurite outgrowth inhibitor, Nogo‐A, stimulated axonal sprouting caudal to the lesion, accompanied by enhanced functional recovery of manual dexterity, compared with lesioned monkeys treated with a control antibody (Freund et al. [2006] Nat. Med. 12:790–792). The present study aimed at comparing the same two groups of monkeys for axonal sprouting rostral to the cervical lesion. The corticospinal tract was labeled by injecting the anterograde tracer biotinylated dextran amine into the contralesional motor cortex. The corticospinal axons were interrupted at the level of the lesion, accompanied by retrograde axonal degeneration (axon dieback), reflected by the presence of terminal retraction bulbs. The number of terminal retraction bulbs was lower in anti‐Nogo‐A antibody treated monkeys, and, when present, they were found closer to the lesion than in control‐antibody treated monkeys. Compared with control antibody treated monkeys, the anti‐Nogo‐A antibody treated monkeys exhibited an increased cumulated axon arbor length and a higher number of axon arbors going in the medial direction from the white to the gray matter. Higher in the cervical cord (at C5 level), the anti‐Nogo‐A treatment enhanced the number of corticospinal fibers crossing the midline, suggesting axonal sprouting. Thus, the anti‐Nogo‐A antibody treatment enhanced axonal sprouting rostral to the cervical lesion; some of these fibers grew around the lesion and into the caudal spinal segments. These processes paralleled the observed improved functional recovery. J. Comp. Neurol. 502:644–659, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.