bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of cytoreductive nephrectomy in the era of molecular targeted therapy
Authors: Polcari Anthony J , Gorbonos Alex , Milner John E , Flanigan Robert C 
Published: February 2009

AbstractWhile the widespread use of imaging has resulted in an increasing number of incidentally detected renal cancers, up to one third of patients present with metastatic disease and a significant number of those with clinically localized disease subsequently develop metastasis. The prognosis for patients with metastatic disease has traditionally been poor, with a 2‐year survival of only 10 to 20%. However, over the past decade a number of developments have enhanced the treatment of these patients. Phase III trials have demonstrated a significant improvement in overall survival for well‐selected patients undergoing cytoreductive nephrectomy prior to immunotherapy. Meanwhile, the recent introduction of molecular targeted agents has resulted in improved response rates and tolerability compared with immunotherapy, and has prompted a re‐evaluation of the role and timing of surgery in patients with advanced disease. This review examines the role of surgical therapy for patients with metastatic disease in the new era of molecular targeted therapy.
Fluid control in elderly patients with nocturia
Authors: Natsume Osamu , Kaneko Yoshiteru , Hirayama Akihide , Fujimoto Kiyohide , Hirao Yoshihiko 
Published: February 2009

Objectives:  To investigate the pathophysiology of nocturnal polyuria associated with aging.Methods:  Fifty patients (mean age 67.7 years, range 50–87) with nocturia were recruited for this prospective study. Patients were classified into nocturnal polyuria (NP) and non‐nocturnal polyuria (non‐NP) groups based on records of their frequency‐volume charts. A hypertonic saline infusion test was carried out to evaluate individual osmotic and volume control.Results:  In the NP group, there was a significantly increased nocturnal diuretic rate compared with the daytime diuretic rate. In the non‐NP group, there was a significantly decreased nocturnal diuretic rate compared with the daytime rate. There was also a positive correlation between systolic blood pressure and nocturnal diuretic rate, and a negative correlation between systolic blood pressure and daytime diuretic rate in those with NP, but no correlation in those without NP. Thus, a close relationship between diuretic rates and systolic blood pressure was seen in NP patients. Moreover, a slight overall shift upward from the physiological range of plasma osmolality relative to arginine vasopressin after hypertonic saline loading was seen in those with NP compared with those without. An altered circadian rhythm was also seen in diurnal plasma arginine vasopressin levels in patients with and without NP.Conclusions:  Patients with nocturnal polyuria are likely to have a more hypervolemic or vasoconstrictive condition. It is considered that non‐osmotic control takes on a greater meaning in patients with nocturnal polyuria, though osmotic control contributes less to diuresis within the physiological plasma osmolality range with aging.
Comparison of serum HER2/neu with immunohistochemical HER2/neu expression for the prediction of biochemical progression in metastatic prostate cancer
Authors: Tambo Mitsuhiro , Higashihara Eiji , Terado Yuichi , Nutahara Kikuo , Okegawa Takatsugu 
Published: February 2009

Objectives:  To examine whether pretreatment serum human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu) and immunohistochemical HER2/neu expression predict biochemical recurrence‐free survival in advanced prostate cancer.Methods:  We studied 75 untreated patients with metastatic prostate cancer and compared them to a control group of 97 patients without histologically diagnosed prostate cancer. Serum samples were collected for HER2/neu protein analysis before the patients started endocrine therapy. HER2/neu expression in the prostate tissue was evaluated using immunohistochemical analysis.Results:  Serum concentration of HER2/neu in patients with prostate cancer was significantly higher than in those without cancer (P = 0.005). Based on the median HER2/neu value, a cut‐off level of 12.5 ng/mL was established to separate low from high serum HER2/neu levels. The biochemical recurrence‐free survival rate was significantly lower in patients with a high serum HER2 level (P < 0.001). HER2/neu overexpression was found in 18 patients (24%) by immunohistochemical analysis. Biochemical recurrence‐free survival rates did not show a statistically significant difference between HER2/neu positive and negative groups. Multivariate analysis showed that the pretreatment serum HER2/neu value was an independent predictor of biochemical recurrence (P = 0.02).Conclusions:  Pretreatment serum HER2/neu may represent a more valuable tool than immunohistochemical HER2/neu expression for the prediction of biochemical recurrence in metastatic prostate cancer patients.
Detection of Rare Nonsynonymous Variants in TGFB1 in Otosclerosis Patients
Authors: Thys M. , Schrauwen I. , Vanderstraeten K. , Dieltjens N. , Fransen E. , Ealy M. , Cremers C. W. R. J. , Van De Heyning P. , Vincent R. , Offeciers E. , Smith R. H. , Van Camp G. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryOtosclerosis is one of the most common forms of hearing loss in the European population. We have identified a SNP in the TGFB1 (transforming growth factor beta 1) gene that is associated with susceptibility to otosclerosis. The protective allele of this variant, with isoleucine at position 263 of the protein, is more biologically active than the risk allele, which has a threonine in this position. Because recent studies have shown that not only common, but also rare variants can be involved in complex diseases, we performed DNA sequence analysis of the exons and intron‐exon boundaries of TGFB1 in 755 otosclerosis patients and 877 control samples. We found 3 different nonsynonymous variants (E29, A29 and I241) in four otosclerosis patients, but no such changes were found in controls. In silico analysis shows that these variations could influence TGF‐β1 function and activity. Taking into account that most rare missense alleles are thought to have a biological effect, the data suggest that multiple rare amino acid changing variants in TGF‐β1 may contribute to susceptibility to otosclerosis.
Robust Tests for Single‐marker Analysis in Case‐Control Genetic Association Studies
Authors: Li Qizhai , Zheng Gang , Liang Xueying , Yu Kai 
Published: February 2009

SummaryChoosing an appropriate single‐marker association test is critical to the success of case‐control genetic association studies. An ideal single‐marker analysis should have robust performance across a wide range of potential disease risk models. MAX was designed specifically to achieve such robustness. In this work, we derived the power calculation formula for MAX and conducted a comprehensive power comparison between MAX and two other commonly used single‐marker tests, the one‐degree‐of‐freedom (1‐df) Cochran‐Armitage trend test and the 2‐df Pearson χ2 test. We used a single‐marker disease risk model and a two‐marker haplotype risk model to explore the performances of the above three tests. We found that each test has its own “sweet” spots. Among the three tests considered, MAX appears to have the most robust performance.
Rapid infusion of rituximab over 60 min
Authors: Tuthill Mark , Crook Tim , Corbet Tim , King Jenny , Webb Andrew 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe use of rituximab is increasing and regular administration over 2 to 3 h requires considerable healthcare resources and is inconvenient for patients. There is interest in reducing rituximab administration times and although infusion of rituximab over 90 min is safe, there is limited data on the safety of 60 min infusions. We recently changed our second and subsequent rituximab infusion protocol to a 60 min constant rate infusion for patients who had no significant reaction to their first infusion and conducted a prospective safety audit. Fifty‐four patients aged between 20 and 86 received 105 rapid 60‐min‐rituximab infusions without any significant infusion reactions. We also conducted a survey of 20 major cancer centres in the UK and asked about their local rituximab administration policy. We found that 70% are using 90 min rituximab infusion protocols and that 25% are using slower rate infusions. Only one surveyed unit (5%) was using a 60 min rituximab infusion protocol. This study shows that rapid rituximab infusions over 60 min is safe and can be considered for most patients. This finding has considerable beneficial service implications for patients and healthcare providers and shows that there is considerable scope for further reduction in rituximab administration times within the UK.
Improving the oral health of older people in long‐term residential care: a review of the literature
Authors: Miegel Karen , Wachtel Tracey 
Published: February 2009

Background.  Unrefutable evidence now links poor oral health with the development of preventable systemic illnesses and debilitating conditions that threaten quality of life and life itself. This is especially significant for an increasing older population who are dependent on others for care.Aims and objectives.  The majority of studies analysing the oral health of older dependent people in long‐term residential care have been undertaken by dental professionals. This critical literature review examines the issue from a nursing perspective because nursing care providers have a fundamental role in daily oral health provision for dependent residents.Conclusions.  Multiple barriers were found to negatively impact on daily oral healthcare provision, including lack of care provider education, oral health values, availability of resources, implementation of supportive policies, documentation and oral health assessment tools.Relevance to clinical practice.  The nursing profession, at all levels, must become pro‐active in removing financial, political and workforce barriers that impact negatively on oral health outcomes. A multi‐faceted approach is required to address these barriers, including development and implementation of oral health education programmes, assessment screening tools, care plans, documentation, supply of oral hygiene aids and the appointment of oral care ‘champions’.
Arsenic‐trioxide‐induced apoptosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells
Authors: BAIREY O. , VANICHKIN A. , SHPILBERG O. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryChronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells are characterized by defective apoptosis which leads to their extended survival. Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) was reported to induce cell death in many malignant cells, but the specific pathway of As2O3‐induced apoptosis/necrosis remains controversial. Our aim was to determine if As2O3 kills CLL cells through apoptosis and whether this is accompanied by reduction in Bcl‐2 levels. Cells from nine patients with CLL were incubated with increasing concentrations of As2O3 (0.5–2 μm) for 2, 7, or 14 days. Cells viability was measured using Alamar Blue assay and apoptosis using human Annexin V‐FITC and propidium iodine (PI) kit (BMS306FI; Bender MedSystems, Vienna, Austria). Intracellular Bcl‐2, Bax, and caspase‐3 levels were measured by flow cytometry. As2O3 significantly reduced CLL cell viability (P < 0.01) and induced apoptotic cell death in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. After 7 days, CLL cells showed a significant decrease in mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of Bcl‐2 on flow cytometry study. Bax and caspase‐3 levels showed significant decrease in MFI only after prolonged incubations (7 and 14 days) and mostly at higher concentrations of As2O3. The mechanism underlying the reduction in viability of CLL cells incubated with As2O3 is mediated by induction of apoptosis maybe through the down‐regulation of Bcl‐2. Further studies are needed to elucidate the potential therapeutic role of As2O3 in CLL.
Raman tweezers sorting of single microbial cells
Authors: Huang Wei E. , Ward Andrew D. , Whiteley Andrew S. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryWe have selectively isolated microbial cells by identifying and then manipulating cells using a combination of Raman microspectroscopy and optical trapping. The criterion for cell discrimination is based on spectral peak shifts within the Raman spectrum of individual cells. A specific shift in the phenylalanine peak position from 1001 rel. cm−1 to 965 rel. cm−1 is utilized to indicate the uptake of 13C within the cell that utilized 13C‐substrate. Cells were captured and manipulated using an infrared (1064 nm) laser while Raman spectra were acquired over shorter timescales (30 s) using a co‐aligned 514.5 nm laser beam. Selected cells were manoeuvred to a clean part of a capillary tube and the tubes were cleaved to physically separate the cells. The technique was tested for cell viability and cross‐contamination effects using 70 single yeast cells (Saccharomyces cerevisia). Following these tests, 58 single bacterial cells (Escherichia coli DH5α, and Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25::Km‐RFP) that exhibited 13C uptake were sorted from bacterial populations. Among those isolated cells, 11 out of 18 yeast cells and 7 out of 18 single SBW25::Km‐RFP cells were recovered by incubation; 2 out of 7 sorted yeast cells and 3 out of 8 sorted bacterial cells (single SBW25::Km‐RFP) were genome amplified correctly. We show that the Raman tweezers approach has the potential to open a new frontier to study unculturable microorganisms, which account for more than 99% microbes in natural environment.
Bacterial diversity associated with freshwater zooplankton
Authors: Grossart Hans‐Peter , Dziallas Claudia , Tang Kam W. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryBacterial community compositions (BCC) associated with the cladoceran Bosmina coregoni and the cyclopoid copepod Thermocyclops oithonoides in oligotrophic Lake Stechlin versus eutrophic Lake Dagow (northeastern Germany) were compared using molecular techniques. We also transplanted the zooplankton from their native lake to the other lake, and studied changes in their associated BCC as a result of the modified ambient environment. Bacterial community composition associated with B. coregoni was quite conservative between the oligotrophic and eutrophic lakes, and most of the bacteria belonged to Alpha‐ and Betaproteobacteria. In contrast, BCC associated with T. oithonoides was highly variable and dependent on the environment, and Betaproteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were the most represented among the bacteria. Thermocyclops oithonoides from the oligotrophic lake was more able to retain its bacteria after being transplanted to the eutrophic lake than vice versa. This suggests that bacteria in oligotrophic water were more firmly attached to the copepod and better in resisting environmental fluctuations than those in eutrophic water.
Virus–host interactions in environments with a wide range of ionic strengths
Authors: Kukkaro Petra , Bamford Dennis H. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryAlthough high‐salt environments are rich in viruses, virus–host interactions have not been much explored. Here we study the virus–host interactions occurring in a variety of salt environments, up to saturated salinity. We chose viruses from different environments with diverse morphologies that included both bacterial and archaeal viruses. To extend the test virus set five new haloviruses were isolated and initially characterized in this study. We observed adsorption rates that varied over four orders of magnitude among the virus–host cell systems used in this study. Changes in ionic strength affected the adsorption of these viruses to their host cells in a variety of ways. All the studied viruses, regardless from which environment they were isolated, were more resistant to variations in ionic strength conditions than their host cells. Our study provides a glimpse of the early events in virus life cycles for a number of viruses from different environments. We also gained information on viral responses to changing environments, a valuable piece of information in extending our understanding of the viruses in the environment.
Online program ‘vipcal’ for calculating lytic viral production and lysogenic cells based on a viral reduction approach
Authors: Luef Birgit , Luef Franz , Peduzzi Peter 
Published: February 2009

SummaryAssessing viral production (VP) requires robust methodological settings combined with precise mathematical calculations. This contribution improves and standardizes mathematical calculations of VP and the assessment of the proportion of lysogenic cells in a sample. We present an online tool ‘Viral Production Calculator’ (vipcal, http://www.univie.ac.at/nuhag‐php/vipcal) that calculates lytic production and the percentage of lysogenic cells based on data obtained from a viral reduction approach (VRA). The main advantage of our method lies in its universal applicability, even to different piecewise‐linear curves. We demonstrate the application of our tool for calculating lytic VP and the proportion of lysogenic bacteria in an environmental sample. The program can also be used to calculate different parameters for estimating virus‐induced mortality, including the percentage of lytically infected cells, lysis rate of bacteria, percentage of bacterial production lysed, proportion of bacterial loss per day, viral turnover time as well as dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen release. vipcal helps avoid differences in the calculation of VP and diverse viral parameters between studies and laboratories, which facilities interpretation of results. This tool represents a methodological step forward that can help improve our understanding of the role of viral activity in aquatic systems.
New phylotypes of mesophilic filamentous anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria enriched from sulfide‐containing environments
Authors: Bañeras L. , Gich F. , Martinez‐Medina M. , Miller M. , Abella C. A. , Borrego C. M. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryAgar‐based solid media with increasing concentrations of organic matter were used to isolate new members of the Chloroflexaceae (phylum Chloroflexi) from mesophilic environments containing sulfide. Inorganic media yielded less than 10% positive enrichments, which were not able to be maintained after repetitive inoculations in fresh medium. The use of casaminoacids and complex organic acid mixtures increased the number of positive enrichments (up to 45%) from both water and sediment samples. Two different green filamentous bacteria, SisoF2 and SalF, could be stably maintained as co‐cultures for long periods and their phylogeny inferred from the analysis of complete sequences of the 16S rRNA gene. Ribotype SalF showed a high homology (95–98%) to previously isolated Oscillochloris trichoides strains. The 16S rRNA gene sequence retrieved from culture SisoF2 was largely divergent (< 92% similarity) from any sequence derived from either cultured representatives or environmental samples, suggesting that ribotype SisoF2 may constitute a new genus within the phylum. The presence of the new morphotypes in the environment from where they were enriched was analysed by high‐resolution phylogenetic fingerprinting.
Evaluation of the Combined Application of Ethanol-Fixed and Formaldehyde-Fixed Neutrophil Substrates for Identifying Atypical Perinuclear Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Papp Maria , Altorjay Istvan , Lakos Gabriella , Tumpek Judit , Sipka Sandor , Dinya Tamas , Palatka Karoly , Veres Gabor , Udvardy Miklos , Lakatos Peter Laszlo 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACT

No clear guidelines for indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) detection and interpretation of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) have been proposed for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). We evaluated the reliability of the combined use of ethanol- and formalin-fixed neutrophil substrates to identify atypical perinuclear ANCA (P-ANCA) by IIF under routine laboratory circumstances. A total of 204 IBD patients were assessed with four different fluorescent substrates in two distinct laboratories. Antibodies against myeloperoxidase, proteinase-3, and other specific granule proteins (elastase, lactoferrin, cathepsin G, lysozyme, and bactericidal permeability-increasing protein) were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The combined application of ethanol- and formalin-fixed slides to detect atypical P-ANCA resulted in a lack of agreement between assays (κ, ≤0.39) in the interassay study and moderate agreement in the interobserver study (κ, 0.42). After atypical and typical P-ANCA patterns were combined, the consensus improved greatly. A total of 26.9% of patients were P-ANCA positive by at least two tests (44.3% of ulcerative colitis [UC] and 13.1% of Crohn's disease [CD] patients;
P
< 0.0001), while overall ANCA positivity was 22.5% to 34.8%. The combined application of ethanol-fixed and formaldehyde-fixed neutrophil substrates did not facilitate differentiation between P-ANCA and atypical P-ANCA, and the results were not consistent when substrates from different sources were used. Combining all P-ANCA ensures the highest sensitivity and specificity in differentiating UC from CD.
Whole-Cell Pertussis Vaccine Induces Low Antibody Levels in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Children Living in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Tejiokem Mathurin C. , Njamkepo Elisabeth , Gouandjika Ionela , Rousset Dominique , Béniguel Lydie , Bilong Catherine , Tene Gilbert , Penda Ida , Ngongueu Carine , Gody Jean C. , Guiso Nicole , Baril Laurence 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACT

The WHO recommendations for the immunization of children infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) differ slightly from the guidelines for uninfected children. The introduction of antiretroviral therapy for HIV-infected infants should considerably prolong their life expectancy. The question of the response to the whole-cell pertussis (wP) vaccine should now be addressed, particularly in countries in which pertussis remains endemic. To evaluate the persistence of antibodies to the wP vaccine in HIV-infected and uninfected children who had previously received this vaccine in routine clinical practice, we conducted a cross-sectional study of children aged 18 to 36 months, born to HIV-infected mothers and living in Cameroon or the Central African Republic. We tested blood samples for antibodies to the wP vaccine and for antibodies to diphtheria and tetanus toxoids (D and T, respectively) in the context of the use of a combined DTwP vaccine. We enrolled 50 HIV-infected children and 78 uninfected, HIV-exposed children in the study. A lower proportion of HIV-infected children than uninfected children had antibodies against the antigens tested for all valences of the DTwP vaccine. Agglutinin levels were substantially lower in HIV-infected than in HIV-exposed but uninfected children (30.0% versus 55.1%, respectively;
P
= 0.005). We also observed a high risk of low antibody levels in response to the DTwP vaccine in HIV-infected children with severe immunodeficiency (CD4 T-cell level, <25%). The concentrations of antibodies induced by the DTwP vaccine were lower in HIV-infected children than in uninfected children. This study supports the need for a booster dose of the DTwP vaccine in order to maintain high antibody levels in HIV-infected children.