bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immune surveillance in multiple sclerosis patients treated with natalizumab
Authors: Stüve Olaf , Marra Christina M. , Jerome Keith R. , Cook Linda , Cravens Petra D. , Cepok Sabine , Frohman Elliot M. , Phillips J. Theodore , Arendt Gabriele , Hemmer Bernhard , Monson Nancy L. , Racke Michael K. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractObjectiveOur objective was to test whether natalizumab, an antibody against very late activating antigen (VLA)‐4, interferes with central nervous system immune surveillance as assessed by leukocyte cell numbers and cellular phenotypes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and peripheral blood.MethodsCell numbers and cellular phenotypes in CSF and peripheral blood were analyzed in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with natalizumab, untreated MS patients, and patients with other neurological disease (OND). JC virus DNA in the CSF and peripheral blood was quantified by kinetic polymerase chain reaction.ResultsCSF leukocyte counts, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, CD19+ B cells, and CD138+ plasma cells were significantly lower in natalizumab‐treated MS patients compared with OND patients and untreated MS patients. JC virus DNA was not detected in CSF or peripheral blood from natalizumab‐treated patients. Six months after cessation of natalizumab therapy, low lymphocyte counts in the CSF persisted. The patient with the highest total leukocyte and CD4+ and CD8+T‐cell counts in the CSF experienced a clinical relapse.InterpretationThese data suggest that natalizumab treatment results in a prolonged decrease of lymphocytes in the CSF and are consistent with the hypothesis that natalizumab impairs immune surveillance of the central nervous system. Ann Neurol 2006;59:743–747
Natalizumab effects on immune cell responses in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Niino Masaaki , Bodner Caroline , Simard Marie‐Lune , Alatab Sudabeh , Gano Dawn , Kim Ho Jin , Trigueiro Manuela , Racicot Denise , Guérette Christine , Antel Jack P. , Fournier Alyson , Grand'Maison Francois , Bar‐Or Amit 
Published: April 2006

AbstractObjectiveOur objective was to study in vivo biological effects of natalizumab on immune cell phenotype and function in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.MethodsBlood was obtained before and after serial monthly natalizumab infusions to track functional expression of VLA‐4 and migratory capacity of immune cells. The impact of infusion on activation thresholds of immune cells was evaluated.ResultsPreinfusion VLA‐4 expression differed across immune cell subsets. Natalizumab significantly, albeit partially, diminished VLA‐4 expression on circulating immune cells. Cell subsets were differentially affected. Treatment significantly decreased migratory capacity of immune cells, correlating well with changes in VLA‐4 expression. Effects of a single dose were not saturating and did not persist through the monthly dose interval. Infusion effect varied across patients but was remarkably stable in individual patients, over multiple infusions. Treatment significantly modulated proliferative responses of immune cells.InterpretationTo our knowledge, we provide first proof of concept that natalizumab diminishes migratory capacity of immune cells. Our prospective study further shows that effects of therapy likely (1) differ for distinct immune cell subsets, (2) are not sustained over current dose interval, (3) have unique profiles in individual patients, and (4) include modulation of activation threshold of immune cells. Monitoring these parameters could be relevant to ongoing safety and efficacy considerations. Ann Neurol 2006;59:748–754
A transmembrane helix‐bundle from G‐protein coupled receptor CB2: Biosynthesis, purification, and NMR characterization
Authors: Zheng HaiAn , Zhao Ju , Sheng Wanyun , Xie Xiang‐Qun 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe cannabinoid receptor subtype 2 (CB2) is a member of the G‐protein coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily. As the relationship between structure and function for this receptor remains poorly understood, the present study was undertaken to characterize the structure of a segment including the first and second transmembrane helix (TM1 and TM2) domains of CB2. To accomplish this, a transmembrane double‐helix bundle from this region was expressed, purified, and characterized by NMR. Milligrams of this hydrophobic fragment of the receptor were biosynthesized using a fusion protein overexpression strategy and purified by affinity chromatography combined with reverse phase HPLC. Chemical and enzymatic cleavage methods were implemented to remove the fusion tag. The resultant recombinant protein samples were analyzed and confirmed by HPLC, mass spectrometry, and circular dichroism (CD). The CD analyses of HPLC‐purified protein in solution and in DPC micelle preparations suggested predominant α‐helical structures under both conditions. The13C/15N double‐labeled protein CB2(27–101) was further verified and analyzed by NMR spectroscopy. Sequential assignment was accomplished for more than 80% of residues. The15N HSQC NMR results show a clear chemical shift dispersion of the amide nitrogen–proton correlation indicative of a pure double‐labeled polypeptide molecule. The results suggest that this method is capable of generating transmembrane helical bundles from GPCRs in quantity and purity sufficient for NMR and other biophysical studies. Therefore, the biosynthesis of GPCR transmembrane helix bundles represents a satisfactory alternative strategy to obtain and assemble NMR structures from recombinant “building blocks.” © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 83: 46–61, 2006This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Monitoring granule formation in anaerobic upflow bioreactors using oligonucleotide hybridization probes
Authors: Zheng D. , Angenent L.T. , Raskin L. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe process of granule formation in upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors was studied using oligonucleotide hybridization probes. Two laboratory‐scale UASB reactors were inoculated with sieved primary anaerobic digester sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant and operated similarly except that reactor G was fed glucose, while reactor GP was fed glucose and propionate. Size measurements of cell aggregates and quantification of different populations of methanogens with membrane hybridization targeting the small‐subunit ribosomal RNA demonstrated that the increase in aggregate size was associated with an increase in the abundance of Methanosaeta concilii in both reactors. In addition, fluorescence in situ hybridization showed that the major cell components of small aggregates collected during the early stages of reactor startup were M. concilii cells. These results indicate that M. concilii filaments act as nuclei for granular development. The increase in aggregate size was greater in reactor GP than in reactor G during the early stages of startup, suggesting that the presence of propionate‐oxidizing syntrophic consortia assisted the formation of granules. The mature granules formed in both reactors exhibited a layered structure with M. concilii dominant in the core, syntrophic consortia adjacent to the core, and filamentous bacteria in the surface layer. The excess of filamentous bacteria caused delay of granulation, which was corrected by increasing shear through an increase of the recycling rate. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rapid Room Temperature Buchwald–Hartwig and Suzuki–Miyaura Couplings of Heteroaromatic Compounds Employing Low Catalyst Loadings
Authors: Navarro Oscar , Marion Nicolas , Mei Jianguo , Nolan Steven P. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe use of second‐generation [(NHC)Pd(R‐allyl)Cl] complexes for Suzuki–Miyaura and Buchwald–Hartwig cross‐coupling reactions involving heteroaromatic halides at room temperature is reported. The first examples of room temperature Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling of deactivated aryl chlorides with alkenyl boronic acids are also disclosed. Terminal substitution at the allyl moiety of the palladium complex facilitates its activation at room temperature leading to very active catalytic species enabling the present catalytic transformations to be performed rapidly using very mild reaction conditions. Catalyst loadings can be as low as 10 ppm for the Buchwald–Hartwig aryl amination and 50 ppm for the Suzuki–Miyaura reaction.
Binge eating and purging in a multi‐ethnic community sample
Authors: Regan Pamela C. , Cachelin Fary M. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractObjective:The purpose of the present study is to document the frequency of three eating disorder‐related behaviors (binge eating; self‐induced vomiting; and use of laxatives, diuretics, and diet pills) among a multi‐ethnic community sample.Method:A questionnaire was administered to 1225 Hispanic, Asian, black, and white women and men. Participants responded to items (based on DSM‐IV diagnostic criteria for eating disorders) about binge eating and purging behavior.Results:Binge eating and purging were more common among women than among men in Hispanic, black, and white subsamples (frequency rates were similar among Asian men and women). Ethnic differences were found in frequency of purging among women (ethnicity was not associated with behavior rates among men). Fewer Asian than Hispanic, black, and white women induced vomiting and used laxatives, diuretics, and diet pills as weight control methods.Conclusion:The fact that frequency rates differed as a function of participant sex and ethnicity underscores the importance of considering both of these group variables when examining disordered eating and weight control behaviors. © 2006 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2006
Cohabitation reduces bulimic symptoms in young women
Authors: von Soest Tilmann , Wichstrøm Lars 
Published: April 2006

AbstractObjective:This current study examines the relationship between cohabitation and changes in bulimic symptoms in young adults.Method:A sample of 2601 initially noncohabitating adolescents was followed over a 5‐year period and growth curve analyses were conducted.Results:Females who over the course of the study moved in with a partner had greater decreases in bulimic symptoms compared with female noncohabitators. This difference was highly significant, even if small in size. No such effect was found in males. When examining the frequency of bulimic behaviors in females, the most socially unacceptable bulimic behaviors were those most reduced by cohabitation, whereas less obtrusive bulimic behaviors were not reduced.Conclusion:The results give some indication that social control exercised in close relationships may account for decreased bulimic symptoms in female cohabitators. Further studies are needed to confirm the importance of social control and to examine how it affects symptom reduction. © 2006 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2006
Sexual orientation as a risk factor for bulimic symptoms
Authors: Wichstrøm Lars 
Published: April 2006

AbstractObjective:This study was carried out to examine whether sexual orientation predicts future bulimic symptoms and whether alleged risk factors associated with non‐heterosexual sexual orientation explain the increased risk.Method:A nationally representative sample of Norwegian high school students (age 14–19; N = 2,924) completed self‐reports about bulimic symptoms by means of the Bulimic Investigatory Test–Edinborough (BITE), same‐sex sexual experience, degree of sexual attraction to the same sex, and alleged risk factors. They were reexamined 5 years later (T2).Results:Same‐sex sexual experience before T1 increased the prevalence of bulimic symptoms at T2. Males who were attracted to the same sex at T1 had higher odds for bulimic symptoms compared with heterosexual males. These associations were still significant after controlling for initial bulimic symptoms and alleged risk factors.Conclusion:Same‐sex sexual experience in both genders and non‐heterosexual sexual attraction among males predict future bulimic symptoms. Commonly advocated explanations for this elevated risk were not supported. © 2006 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2006
New Cycloadditions of (E)‐N,α‐Dimethyl‐α‐(4‐[2.2]paracylophanyl)nitrone
Authors: Aly Ashraf A. , Hopf Henning , Ernst Ludger , Dix Ina , Jones Peter G. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractWhen N,α‐dimethyl‐α‐(4‐[2.2]paracyclophanyl)nitrone (1) is treated with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (5), phenyl isocyanate (9), benzyne (13), or ethyl propiolate (16), the [2.2]paracyclophane‐based pyrrole 6, imidazole 10, and isoxazole derivatives 14, 15, and 17 are formed in good yields. The stereoisomeric benzisoxazoles 14 and 15 obtained from the reaction between 1 and benzyne (13) could be separated and the structure of one of these stereoisomers, 15, was assigned by X‐ray structural analysis.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Hypoosmolar conditions reduce extracellular volume fraction and enhance epileptiform activity in the CA3 region of the immature rat hippocampus
Authors: Kilb Werner , Dierkes Paul W. , Syková Eva , Vargová Lydia , Luhmann Heiko J. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe osmolarity of the extracellular space (ECS) compartment is an important factor determining the excitability of neuronal tissue. In the adult hippocampus an important role of osmolarity and ECS diffusion parameters on the susceptibility to epileptic events is well established, but the influence of hypo‐ and hyperosmolar conditions on the immature hippocampus remains elusive. To investigate the influence of osmolarity on epileptiform activity, extracellular field potentials were recorded in the CA3 region of hippocampal slices of immature (postnatal days 4–7) Wistar rats. The ECS diffusion parameters were determined by the real‐time tetramethylammonium (TMA+) iontophoretic method with ion‐selective microelectrodes in immature hippocampal slices and showed a lack of diffusion anisotropy; a tortuosity of about 1.39; and a volume fraction, α, of 0.41 ± 0.01 (n = 10 slices). A reduction in osmolarity of –90 mOsm induced a decrease in α to 0.17 ± 0.02 (n = 4 slices). The frequency of epileptiform activity elicited in 10–50 μM 4‐AP‐containing low‐Mg2+ solution was increased under –90 mOsm and –40 mOsm hypoosmolar conditions by 39.9% ± 8.1% (n = 16) and 24.1% ± 4.8% (n = 10), respectively, whereas hyperosmolar solutions decreased the frequency. A –90‐mOsm reduction in the osmolarity of low‐Mg2+ solution induced epileptiform activity in nine of 19 slices. In summary, these results demonstrate that hypoosmolar conditions increased excitability and susceptibility to epileptiform activity in immature hippocampal slices, suggesting a functional role of the larger α in suppression of seizures. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reactions of the activated, rigid, α‐diazomethine group of 1,2,5‐thiadiazole 1,1‐dioxides with nitrogenated nucleophiles. Part III: aliphatic monoamines and phenylhydrazine
Authors: Caram José Alberto , Piro Oscar Enrique , Castellano Eduardo Ernesto , Mirífico María Virginia , Vasini Enrique Julio 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe reactions of n‐butylamine (BuNH2), 2‐aminoethanol (H2N(CH2)2OH), diethylamine (Et2NH), and phenylhydrazine (PhN2H3) with 3,4‐diphenyl‐(1a) and phenanthro[9,10‐c]‐1,2,5‐thiadiazole 1,1‐dioxide (1b) were studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR in aprotic solvent solution. The course of the reactions depended on the substrate‐nucleophile combination: Et2NH added to 1a or 1b, forming the corresponding thiadiazolines in an equilibrium monoaddition reaction. The equilibrium constants were evaluated and compared. With primary amines and PhN2H3, the nucleophile added to both CN double bonds of 1a and displaced the sulfamide moiety. In the case of the reaction of 1a with PhN2H3, the intermediate monoaddition thiadiazoline, 3‐(2‐phenylhydrazino)‐3,4‐diphenyl‐1,2,5‐thiadiazoline 1,1‐dioxide, was also isolated. BuNH2 and H2N(CH2)2OH reacted with 1a to give α‐bis‐imines, while 1a with PhN2H3 gave the α‐bis‐hydrazone. The configurations of benzil bis(ethanolimine) and benzilosazone were determined by single crystal x‐ray diffraction analysis as Z,Z. BuNH2 and PhN2H3 reduced 1b to the corresponding thiadiazoline compound 1bH2. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐speed topic organizer of TV shows using video dialog detection
Authors: Aoki Hisashi 
Published: April 2006

AbstractRecently, due to the rapid spread of digital video recorders capable of storing a large number of TV programs, there is a great need for easy interfaces for viewing program content and for accessing scenes of interest. To provide such functions, it is necessary and effective to segment a recorded TV program into temporal sections according to the content structure. However, in conventional approaches such as cut‐detection methods, content is chopped up into segments that are too short, and the computational costs of intelligent recognition methods for speech, face, and text are prohibitive in many cases. The author has developed a light and high‐speed algorithm which estimates the structure of video content and completes temporal segmentation instantly after the recording. The proposed method introduces a measurement which denotes the likelihood of a given temporal part of a recorded TV program being a dialog scene, according to the appearances of similar shots. With this measurement, related consecutive shots are determined as being in a dialog scene, and consequently topics in a news program and sections in a variety show are effectively estimated. In this paper, the author discusses development, implementation, and effectiveness of the system which provides automatic segmentation of a variety of recorded TV programs, applying the proposed method. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 37(6): 44–54, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20438
Determination of object shape and reflectance based on Moiré system using multiple light sources and a reflection model
Authors: Naganuma Shoichi , Tagawa Norio , Minagawa Akihiro , Moriya Tadashi 
Published: April 2006

AbstractA method for determining the three‐dimensional shape and surface reflectance of an object from images is presented. The method is based on a combination of Moiré analysis and a reflection model, and is defined for objects with reflectance formulated using Phong's reflection model. Objects are regarded as consisting of multiple surfaces, each with specific and uniform reflectance, and the number of regions is assumed to be known for simplicity. The proposed method overcomes two problems in reflectance estimation: ambiguity of reflectance due to the relationship between the surface normal and the components of diffuse and specular reflectance, and the lack of reflectance information for pixels with zero intensity due to the grating pattern employed for Moiré analysis. Using multiple light sources, multiple images with shifted grating phase are captured and analyzed for Moiré analysis. The method is confirmed through numerical simulations and experiments to obtain accurate shape and reflectance information, with a significant improvement over existing image‐based methods. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 37(6): 32–43, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20442
Blind dereverberation of monaural speech signals based on harmonic structure
Authors: Nakatani Tomohiro , Miyoshi Masato , Kinoshita Keisuke 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThis paper presents a new method for dereverberating monaural speech signals. Speech signals captured by a distant microphone usually contain a lot of reverberation, which severely degrades the performance of speech applications such as automatic speech recognition (ASR) systems. Although a number of dereverberation methods have been proposed, dereverberation remains a challenging problem, especially when using a single microphone. To overcome this problem, we propose a dereverberation method based on an inherent property of speech signals, namely, their harmonic structure. We show that a filter that enhances the harmonic structure of reverberant speech signals approximates an inverse filter of the reverberation process, and can achieve high‐quality speech dereverberation. Experimental results show that a dereverberation filter trained with a sufficient amount of observed reverberant signals can effectively reduce the signal reverberation when the reverberation time is 0.1 to 1.0 s. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 37(6): 1–12, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20509
Transabdominal Gastro‐esophageal Devascularization and Esophageal Transection for Bleeding Esophageal Varices after Failed Injection Sclerotherapy: Long‐Term Follow‐Up Report
Authors: Qazi Shabir Ahmad , Khalid Kamran , Hameed Abdul Majeed Abdul , Al‐Wahabi Khalid , Galul Radwan , Al‐Salamah Saleh M. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBackgroundManagement of continued bleeding from esophageal varices despite adequate injection sclerotherapy remains one of the medical and surgical dilemmas. Transabdominal gastroesophageal devascularization and esophageal transection (TGDET) is considered an effective and safe procedure for such patients.AimThis study aimed at presenting continued evaluation of TGDET. Various problems influencing the early outcome are discussed, and long‐term outcome is analyzed.DesignThis was a prospective clinical descriptive study.MethodsProspective data was collected on 142 consecutive patients managed by one group of surgeons over a 5 year‐period and 15 years follow‐up after failed injection sclerotherapy for variceal bleeding. Evaluation was made in terms of effectiveness in controlling the acute bleeding, postoperative morbidity and mortality, recurrent bleeding, encephalopathy, and long‐term survival.ResultsThere were 133 men and 9 women. Mean age was 41.8 years. Etiology of portal hypertension was bilharziasis in 54.9% and posthepatitic in 14.8%. Child–Pugh grading on admission was A: 47.2%, B: 28.8%, and C: 14%. Hemorrhage was controlled in all cases. Clinical leak was observed in 5.6%, portal vein thrombosis in 6.3%, and staple line erosion in 2.1% of cases. No patient developed encephalopathy. In‐hospital mortality was 12.7%. Complete eradication of varices was observed in 70.6% patients. Recurrent variceal bleeding was noticed in 6.9% of cases. Actuarial 15‐year survival for Child–Pugh A patients was 44%, B was 22.5%, and none for C.ConclusionTGDET remains a safe and effective procedure after failure of sclerotherapy when other alternatives are either not indicated or not available.