bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigation of interleukin 10, 12 and 18 levels in patients with head and neck cancer
Authors: Jebreel A , Mistry D , Loke D , Dunn G , Hough V , Oliver K , Stafford N , Greenman J 
Published: August 2006

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is an aggressive epithelial malignancy. It is the most common neoplasm arising in the upper aerodigestive tract.Interleukin (IL) 12 and IL-18 are cytokines which have a major anti-tumour activity via stimulation of a T-helper type 1 (Th1) immune response. Interleukin 10, a potent antagonist of IL-12, is a cytokine which possesses immunosuppressive activity mainly produced via T-helper type 2 (Th2) cells. Studies of other types of cancer have shown that the level of IL-12 in serum or tissues is suppressed and/or the IL-10 level is increased, suggesting that there is an impaired cell-mediated anti-tumour response.The aim of this study was to measure pre-operative serum cytokine concentrations in HNSCC patients in order to detect any changes in IL-10, IL-12 and IL-18, compared with non-tumour controls. The relationship between cytokine levels and standard clinicopathological features, including tumour site, tumour stage and presence of nodal metastasis, was also examined.Fifty-seven patients with primary HNSCC were prospectively recruited, together with 40 non-tumour control patients with a similar age and sex distribution. Serum cytokine levels were measured using commercial quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The HNSCC patients had significantly lower IL-12 levels (median; interquartile range) than controls (42.8 pg/ml, 26.2–61.6 vs 52.3 pg/ml, 37.5–113.7; p=0.018). Also, patients were more likely to have detectable IL-10 levels than were controls, as IL-10 was positive in 27/55 patients but in only 9/39 controls (p=0.011). Furthermore, IL-10 detectability varied according to primary site, being more commonly observed in hypopharyngeal and laryngeal tumours, and IL-10 was more likely to be detected with advanced tumour stage (T3 and T4). No differences in IL-18 levels were observed between patients and controls (p=0.169).These results suggest (in agreement with studies on other solid malignancies) that HNSCC causes a significant change in the serum levels of specific Th1 and Th2 cytokines, producing an in vivo environment that is unlikely to promote an effective cell-mediated anti-tumour response.
Transcatheter closure of various types of defects within the oval fossa using the double umbrella device (CardioSEAL) – feasibility and echocardiographic follow-up
Authors: Kaulitz Renate , Peuster Matthias , Jux Christian , Paul Thomas , Hausdorf Gerd 
Published: August 2006

Data on long-term follow-up for closure of so-called secundum type“ atrial septal defects within the oval fossa using recently developed devices are limited, and results focused on presence of residual shunting. The purpose of our study was to report the experience from a single center establishing the effectiveness of transcatheter closure in patients with various types of defect other than those located centrally within the oval fossa.A total of 72 patients was included in this study. On transesophageal echocardiography, the size of the defects varied from 6 to 18 mm, with estimation of the stretched diameter from 11 to 21 mm. The ratio of stretched diameter to the extent of the residual septum ranged from 0.28 to 0.54. Mean follow-up was 30.5+ 7.4 months, with a range from 13 to 42 months. The rate of closure using devices with diameters from 28 to 40 mm increased from 80% immediately after implantation to 93% in the 57 patients examined 24 months after implantation. For further analysis, we compared the 44 patients with a solitary, centrally located, defect to 28 having morphological variations, including superiorly located defects with deficient superior and aortic rims, multifenestrated and aneurysmal defects, or isolated additional defects. There was no incidence of formation of thrombus, sustained atrial arrhythmia, or infective endocarditis. Residual shunting was not influenced by location or morphology of the defects, but increased with size, stretched diameter, and the ratio of pulmonary to systemic flows. Serial transthoracic echocardiographic findings revealed malposition of one right-sided superior arm of the device in 8 patients, while protrusion of one leftsided arm onto the right atrial aspect was observed in 3 patients. Fluoroscopy showed fatigue fracture of a single arm in 7 patients (9.7%) within the first 6 months after implantation.These results demonstrate that transcatheter closure with the non self-centering double umbrella device was effective and safe on medium-term follow-up, and could be extended to defects within the oval fossa having various morphologies. Residual shunting resolved with time, and was not related to either morphology or the position of the device.
Patterns of pulmonary venous flow in the fetus with disease of the left heart
Authors: Crowe David A. , Allan Lindsey D. 
Published: August 2006

A restrictive atrial septal defect is a risk factor for mortality in some forms of left heart disease, and can be predicted from the patterns of flow in the pulmonary veins in fetal life. Our objective was to document the patterns of pulmonary venous flow of blood in different forms of left heart disease in the fetus. The pulmonary venous flow profile was documented in 61 cases. The systolic, diastolic, and reverse waves were measured and compared to normal. Profiles of venous flow suggestive of restriction at the atrial septum were found in 32 of 61 cases using the ratio of systolic to diastolic waves, and 26 cases using the height of the reverse wave.A restrictive atrial septal defect was found most commonly in fetuses with critical aortic stenosis or the hypoplastic left heart syndrome, and was less frequently seen in the setting of mitral atresia or coarctation. In order to plan appropriate postnatal management, examination of the profiles of pulmonary venous flow is an essential part of the evaluation of any form of left heart disease detected in the fetus.
Late neointimal proliferation following implantation of stents for relief of pulmonary arterial stenosis
Authors: Tomita Hideshi , Yazaki Satoshi , Kimura Kohji , Ono Yasuo , Yagihara Toshikatsu , Echigo Shigeyuki 
Published: August 2006

On the assumption that the diameter of the reference vessel might determine the thickness of neointimal coverage of stents placed in the pulmonary arteries, we analyzed the angiograms of 28 lesions in 17 patients who underwent follow-up cardiac catheterization. Excluding 2 lesions where late stenosis was determined mainly by recoil of greater than 30%, we investigated the neointimal thickness of 26 lesions in 16 patients. Several factors that might contribute to late re-stenosis were also analyzed. Age and body weight at implantation ranged from 0.8 to 20 years, with a median of 6 years, and from 6.8 to 77.5 kg, with a median of 17.6 kg. Follow-up interval was from 6 to 15 months, with a median of 6 months.There was a significant increase in diameter, as well as a reduction in pressure gradient, immediately after the implantation of stents. Although there was no significant difference between the achieved diameter and the diameter of the stent at follow-up, the diameter of the lesion at follow-up was significantly smaller than the diameter achieved by stenting. The increase in the pressure gradient at follow-up was slightly greater in 4 lesions where the late reduction in diameter was greater than 30% than in the 18 lesions where this was less than 30% (p = 0.05). The diameter of the reference vessel, and the diameter by stenting correlated with the late reduction in diameter. All lesions with diameter reduced greater than 30% had a reference diameter of less than 6.1 mm, and a diameter achieved by stenting of less than 6.5 mm. Late loss in luminal diameter directly correlated with the thickness of the neointimal coverage. In conclusion, close observation should be mandatory following implantation of stents in small pulmonary arteries.
Supplementation of thyroid hormone in children undergoing cardiac surgery
Authors: Mainwaring Richard D. , Nelson Jerald C. 
Published: August 2006

Triiodothyronine has been introduced as a promising new supplement for patients undergoing openheart surgery. This manuscript will review the existing literature regarding supplementation with triiodothyronine in children.Infants and children undergoing cardiac surgery experience a profound decrease in levels of free and total triiodothyronine. These decreases are of sufficient magnitude to effect cardiac function. Supplementation with triiodothyronine has been shown to enhance myocardial performance, improve recovery of circulating levels of triiodothyronine, and to result in an increase in mixed venous oxygen saturation. As encouraging as these results are, there is no definitive study which demonstrates that triiodothyronine improves clinical outcome in children. Thus, while triiodothyronine appears to have promise as a supplement for children undergoing openheart surgery, more studies are needed to establish the efficacy of such therapy scientifically.
Innocent murmurs: the perception of the parents versus that of the child
Authors: Advani Najib , Menahem Samuel , Wilkinson James L. 
Published: August 2006

Innocent murmurs in childhood are common, and often they do not reflect cardiac disease. We have performed a prospective review, by means of a questionnaire, to clarify the parental perception of the innocent murmur identified in their child. Whenever possible, depending on age, we also sought the input of the child.Of a cohort of 63 infants and children with innocent murmurs, a response was obtained from 40 parents and 8 children to an initial questionnaire, with 26 parents replying to a second questionnaire a year later. No parent reported any symptoms in their children, or had imposed any restrictions. Of the parents, however three sets considered regular review was necessary. We conclude that the diagnosis of an innocent murmur by a paediatric cardiologist, aided by investigations including cross-sectional echocardiography, and an opportunity for explanation and reassurance, led to the child being treated normally.
Novel genes encoding six kinds of three-finger toxins in Ophiophagus hannah (king cobra) and function characterization of two recombinant long-chain neurotoxins
Authors: Li Jing , Zhang Huayuan , Liu Jing , Xu Kangsen 
Published: August 2006

Three-finger toxins are a family of low-molecular-mass toxins (&lt;10 kDa) having very similar three-dimensional structures. In the present study, 19 novel cDNAs coding three-finger toxins were cloned from the venom gland of Ophiophagus hannah (king cobra). Alignment analysis showed that the putative peptides could be divided into six kinds of three-finger toxins: LNTXs (long-chain neurotoxins), short-chain neurotoxins, cardiotoxins (CTXs), weak neurotoxins, muscarinic toxins and a toxin with a free SH group. Furthermore, a phylogenetic tree was established on the basis of the toxin cDNAs and the previously reported similar nucleotide sequences from the same source venom. It indicated that three-finger-toxin genes in O. hannah diverged early in the course of evolution by long- and short-type pathways. Two LNTXs, namely rLNTX1 (recombinant LNTX1) and rLNTX3, were expressed and showed cytolytic activity in addition to their neurotoxic function. By comparing the functional residues, we offer some possible explanations for the differences in their neurotoxic function. Moreover, a plausible elucidation of the additonal cytolytic activity was achieved by hydropathy-profile analysis. This, to our knowledge, is the first observation that recombinant long chain α-neurotoxins have a CTX-like cytolytic activity.
Nucleotides bind to the C-terminus of ClC-5
Authors: Wellhauser Leigh , Kuo Hsin-Hen , Stratford Fiona L. L. , Ramjeesingh Mohabir , Huan Ling-Jun , Luong Winnie , Li Canhui , Deber Charles M. , Bear Christine E. 
Published: August 2006

Mutations in ClC-5 (chloride channel 5), a member of the ClC family of chloride ion channels and antiporters, have been linked to Dent's disease, a renal disease associated with proteinuria. Several of the disease-causing mutations are premature stop mutations which lead to truncation of the C-terminus, pointing to the functional significance of this region. The C-terminus of ClC-5, like that of other eukaryotic ClC proteins, is cytoplasmic and contains a pair of CBS (cystathionine β-synthase) domains connected by an intervening sequence. The presence of CBS domains implies a regulatory role for nucleotide interaction based on studies of other unrelated proteins bearing these domains [Ignoul and Eggermont (2005) Am. J. Physiol. Cell Physiol. 289, C1369–C1378; Scott, Hawley, Green, Anis, Stewart, Scullion, Norman and Hardie (2004) J. Clin. Invest. 113, 274–284]. However, to date, there has been no direct biochemical or biophysical evidence to support nucleotide interaction with ClC-5. In the present study, we have expressed and purified milligram quantities of the isolated C-terminus of ClC-5 (CIC-5 Ct). CD studies show that the protein is compact, with predominantly α-helical structure. We determined, using radiolabelled ATP, that this nucleotide binds the folded protein with low affinity, in the millimolar range, and that this interaction can be competed with 1 μM AMP. CD studies show that binding of these nucleotides causes no significant change in secondary structure, consistent with a model wherein these nucleotides bind to a preformed site. However, both nucleotides induce an increase in thermal stability of ClC-5 Ct, supporting the suggestion that both nucleotides interact with and modify the biophysical properties of this protein.
Lopap, a prothrombin activator from Lonomia obliqua belonging to the lipocalin family: recombinant production, biochemical characterization and structure–function insights
Authors: Reis Cleyson Valença , Andrade Sonia Aparecida , Ramos Oscar Henrique Pereira , Ramos Celso Raul Romero , Ho Paulo Lee , Batista Isabel de Fátima Correia , Chudzinski-Tavassi Ana Marisa 
Published: August 2006

Using a cDNA library made from Lonomia obliqua caterpillar bristles, we identified a transcript with a 603 bp open reading frame. The deduced protein corresponds to Lopap, a prothrombin activator previously isolated by our group from the bristles of this species. The mature protein is composed by 185 amino acids and shares similarity with members of the lipocalin family. The cDNA encoding the mature form was amplified by PCR, subcloned into pAE vector and used to transform Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) cells. As for the native Lopap, the recombinant fusion protein shows enzymatic activity, promotes prothrombin hydrolysis, generates fragments similar to prethrombin-2 and fragment 1.2 as intermediates, and generates thrombin as the final product. In addition, structural bioinformatics studies indicated several interesting molecular features, including the residues that could be responsible for Lopap's serine protease-like activity and the role of calcium binding in this context. Such catalytic activity has never been found in other members of the lipocalin family. This is the first report describing the recombinant production and biochemical characterization of a Lonomia obliqua lipocalin, as well as the structural features that could be responsible for its serine protease-like catalytic activity.
Relationships between changes in plasma lipid transfer proteins and apolipoprotein B-100 kinetics during fenofibrate treatment in the metabolic syndrome
Authors: Watts Gerald F. , Ji Juying , Chan Dick C. , Ooi Esther M. M. , Johnson Anthony G. , Rye Kerry-Anne , Barrett P. Hugh R. 
Published: August 2006

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between changes in apoB (apolipoprotein B-100) kinetics and plasma PLTP (phospholipid transfer protein) and CETP (cholesteryl ester transfer protein) activities in men with MetS (the metabolic syndrome) treated with fenofibrate. Eleven men with MetS underwent a double-blind cross-over treatment with fenofibrate (200 mg/day) or placebo for 5 weeks. Compared with placebo, fenofibrate significantly increased the FCRs (fractional catabolic rates) of apoB in VLDL (very-low-density lipoprotein), IDL (intermediate-density lipoprotein) and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) (all P&lt;0.01), with no significant reduction (−8%; P=0.131) in VLDL-apoB PR (production rate), but an almost significant increase (+15%, P=0.061) in LDL-apoB PR. Fenofibrate significantly lowered plasma TG [triacylglycerol (triglyceride); P&lt;0.001], the VLDL-TG/apoB ratio (P=0.003) and CETP activity (P=0.004), but increased plasma HDL (high-density lipoprotein)-cholesterol concentration (P&lt;0.001) and PLTP activity (P=0.03). The increase in PLTP activity was positively associated with the increase in both LDL-apoB FCR (r=0.641, P=0.034) and PR (r=0.625, P=0.040), and this was independent of the fall in plasma CETP activity and lathosterol level. The decrease in CETP activity was positively associated with the decrease in VLDL-apoB PR (r=0.615, P=0.044), but this association was not robust and not independent of changes in PLTP activity and lathosterol levels. Hence, in MetS, the effects of fenofibrate on plasma lipid transfer protein activities, especially PLTP activity, may partially explain the associated changes in apoB kinetics.
The ties problem resulting from counting-based error estimators and its impact on gene selection algorithms
Authors: Zhou Xin , Mao K. Z. 
Published: August 2006

Abstract
Motivation: Feature selection approaches, such as filter and wrapper, have been applied to address the gene selection problem in the literature of microarray data analysis. In wrapper methods, the classification error is usually used as the evaluation criterion of feature subsets. Due to the nature of high dimensionality and small sample size of microarray data, however, counting-based error estimation may not necessarily be an ideal criterion for gene selection problem.
Results: Our study reveals that evaluating genes in terms of counting-based error estimators such as resubstitution error, leave-one-out error, cross-validation error and bootstrap error may encounter severe ties problem, i.e. two or more gene subsets score equally, and this in turn results in uncertainty in gene selection. Our analysis finds that the ties problem is caused by the discrete nature of counting-based error estimators and could be avoided by using continuous evaluation criteria instead. Experiment results show that continuous evaluation criteria such as generalised ‖w‖2 measure for support vector machines and modified Relief's measure for k-nearest neighbors produce improved gene selection compared with counting-based error estimators.
Availability: The companion website is at . The website contains (1) the source code of all the gene selection algorithms and (2) the complete set of tables and figures of experiments.
Contact: ekzmao@ntu.edu.sg
Advanced resources for plant genomics: a BAC library specific for the short arm of wheat chromosome 1B
Authors: Janda Jaroslav , Šafář Jan , Kubaláková Marie , Bartoš Jan , Kovářová Pavlína , Suchánková Pavla , Pateyron Stephanie , Číhalíková Jarmila , Sourdille Pierre , Šimková Hana , Faivre‐Rampant Patricia , Hřibová Eva , Bernard Michel , Lukaszewski Adam , Doležel Jaroslav , Chalhoub Boulos 
Published: August 2006

SummaryCommon wheat (Triticum aestivum L., 2n = 6x = 42) is a polyploid species possessing one of the largest genomes among the cultivated crops (1C is approximately 17 000 Mb). The presence of three homoeologous genomes (A, B and D), and the prevalence of repetitive DNA make sequencing the wheat genome a daunting task. We have developed a novel ‘chromosome arm‐based’ strategy for wheat genome sequencing to simplify this task; this relies on sub‐genomic libraries of large DNA inserts. In this paper, we used a di‐telosomic line of wheat to isolate six million copies of the short arm of chromosome 1B (1BS) by flow sorting. Chromosomal DNA was partially digested with HindIII and used to construct an arm‐specific BAC library. The library consists of 65 280 clones with an average insert size of 82 kb. Almost half of the library (45%) has inserts larger than 100 kb, while 18% of the inserts range in size between 75 and 100 kb, and 37% are shorter than 75 kb. We estimated the chromosome arm coverage to be 14.5‐fold, giving a 99.9% probability of identifying a clone corresponding to any sequence on the short arm of 1B. Each chromosome arm in wheat can be flow sorted from an appropriate cytogenetic stock, and we envisage that the availability of chromosome arm‐specific BAC resources in wheat will greatly facilitate the development of ready‐to‐sequence physical maps and map‐based gene cloning.
Identification and quantification of uncultivated Proteobacteria associated with pyrene degradation in a bioreactor treating PAH‐contaminated soil
Authors: Singleton David R. , Sangaiah Ramiah , Gold Avram , Ball Louise M. , Aitken Michael D. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryUncultivated bacteria associated with the degradation of pyrene in a bioreactor treating soil contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were identified by DNA‐based stable‐isotope probing (SIP) and quantified by real‐time quantitative PCR. Most of the 16S rRNA gene sequences recovered from 13C‐enriched DNA fractions clustered phylogenetically within three separate groups of β‐ and γ‐Proteobacteria unassociated with described genera and were designated ‘Pyrene Groups 1, 2 and 3’. One recovered sequence was associated with the Sphingomonas genus. Pyrene Groups 1 and 3 were present in very low numbers in the bioreactor but represented 75% and 7%, respectively, of the sequences recovered from 16S rRNA gene clone libraries constructed from 13C‐enriched DNA. In a parallel time‐course incubation with unlabelled pyrene, there was between a 2‐ and 4‐order‐of‐magnitude increase in the abundance of 16S rRNA genes from Pyrene groups 1 and 3 and from targeted Sphingomonas spp. over a 10 day incubation. Sequences from Pyrene Group 2 were 11% of the SIP clone libraries but accounted for 14% of the total bacterial 16S rRNA genes in the bioreactor community. However, the abundance of this group did not increase significantly in response to pyrene disappearance. These data indicate that the primary pyrene degraders in the bioreactor were uncultivated, low‐abundance β‐ and γ‐Proteobacteria not previously associated with pyrene degradation.