bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Soluble human p55 and p75 tumor necrosis factor receptors reverse spontaneous arthritis in transgenic mice expressing transmembrane tumor necrosis factor α
Authors: Edwards Carl K. , Bendele Alison M. , Reznikov Leonid I. , Fantuzzi Giamila , Chlipala Elizabeth S. , Li Li , Moldawer Lyle L. , Mountz John D. , Li Yi‐Yang Yvonne , Dinarello Charles A. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractObjectiveThe roles of the transmembrane and secreted forms of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remain unclear. Agents used to inhibit TNFα have shown varying efficacy in RA patients, suggesting that anti‐TNFα agents possess dissimilar mechanisms of action, including the ability to neutralize transmembrane (tmTNFα) and secreted TNFα. In this study, TNFα‐knockout (TNFα‐KO) mice that were genetically altered to express elevated levels of tmTNFα were constructed to further understand the roles of the 17‐kd secreted, trimeric, and 26‐kd transmembrane forms of TNFα.MethodsA speed‐congenic mating scheme was used to generate 3 unique strains of mice: 1) transgenic tmTgA86 mice overexpressing 26‐kd tmTNFα and also secreting 17‐kd trimeric TNFα (tmTNFα‐transgenic), 2) TNFα−/− mice (TNFα‐KO), and 3) transgenic mice overexpressing tmTNFα backcrossed to TNFα‐KO mice (tmTNFα‐transgenic/TNFα‐KO). Mice were treated with phosphate buffered saline (as vehicle control), dexamethasone (as positive control), or modified recombinant human soluble TNF receptor (sTNFR) p55 or p75, and were assessed clinically and histopathologically for signs of inflammation and development of arthritis.ResultsThe tmTNFα‐transgenic/TNFα‐KO mice were born with crinkled tails and spinal deformities similar to those in ankylosing spondylitis. By 2–4 weeks, these mice developed symmetric inflammatory arthritis, characterized by tissue swelling, pannus formation, and bone deformities. The tmTNFα‐transgenic mice also developed spontaneous‐onset arthritis, but at a slower rate (100% incidence by 10–12 weeks). Clinical and histologic progression of arthritis in the tmTNFα‐transgenic/TNFα‐KO mice was reduced by treatment with dexamethasone or with the p55 or p75 sTNFR (69% and 63% reduction in total histologic score, respectively).ConclusionThese data show that arthritis is sufficiently initiated and maintained in tmTNFα‐transgenic/TNFα‐KO mice, and that it can be neutralized by recombinant human p55 or p75 sTNFR, resulting in amelioration of the biologic and subsequent histologic destructive effects of tmTNFα.
The prevalence and incidence of biopsy‐proven lupus nephritis in the UK: Evidence of an ethnic gradient
Authors: Patel Mumtaz , Clarke Alexandra M. , Bruce Ian N. , Symmons Deborah P. M. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractObjectiveRenal involvement is a major complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and is a strong determinant of morbidity and mortality. There have been no previous studies of the epidemiology of lupus nephritis. Our aim was to establish the prevalence and incidence of biopsy‐proven lupus nephritis in the northwest of England in 2001 and to examine the influence of age, sex, and ethnicity.MethodsAdults (age 18 years and older) with biopsy‐proven lupus nephritis were identified from 5 sources: renal biopsy databases, dialysis/transplant databases, nephrologists' patients, clinic lists, and lupus patient groups. The denominator data for the northwest of England were ascertained from the 2001 census.ResultsWe identified 208 cases of biopsy‐proven lupus nephritis (176 women, 32 men): the overall prevalence was 4.4 per 100,000 population (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 3.8–5.0), 7.1 per 100,000 (95% CI 6.1–8.2) in women, and 1.4 per 100,000 (95% CI 1.0–2.0) in men. The prevalence was significantly higher among women in the ethnic subgroups: 110.3 per 100,000 population (95% CI 55.0–197.3) in Chinese patients, 99.2 per 100,000 (95% CI 55.5–163.6) in Afro‐Caribbean, 21.4 per 100,000 (95% CI 12.0–35.2) in Indo‐Asian (Asians from the Indian subcontinent), and 5.6 per 100,000 (95% CI 4.7–6.7) in white patients. The overall annual incidence rate was 0.40 per 100,000 population per year (95% CI 0.24–0.63), with a rate of 0.68 (95% CI 0.40–1.10) in women and 0.09 (95% CI 0.01–0.32) in men. Capture–recapture methods did not suggest any additional cases.ConclusionThis first estimate of the prevalence and incidence of biopsy‐proven lupus nephritis demonstrates dramatic differences in prevalence according to ethnicity, with an increasing gradient from the white to the Indo‐Asian, Afro‐Caribbean, and Chinese populations.
Early elevation in circulating levels of C‐telopeptides of type II collagen predicts structural damage in articular cartilage in the rodent model of collagen‐induced arthritis
Authors: Oestergaard Svetlana , Chouinard Luc , Doyle Nancy , Smith Susan Y. , Tankó László B. , Qvist Per 
Published: August 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate changes in the circulating levels of the C‐telopeptide of type II collagen (CTX‐II) with relation to disease onset and structural damage of cartilage in a rodent model of collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA), and to investigate immunolocalization of the CTX‐II epitope in the articular cartilage of affected joints.MethodsSeven‐week‐old female Lewis rats were immunized with type II collagen and monitored using blood sampling at weekly intervals. At study termination (day 23), the animals were killed, synovial fluid was collected, and the affected joints were scored macroscopically for disease severity and underwent immunohistochemical evaluation.ResultsAt the time of disease onset (day 15), which was characterized by redness and swelling of the affected joints (mean ± SD macroscopic severity score 9.1 ± 1.6), there was a 355% increase in serum CTX‐II levels. The early change in serum CTX‐II from day 0 to day 15 showed a significant association with the severity of cartilage damage (r = 0.61, P < 0.01). Immunostaining revealed extensive presence of the CTX‐II epitope in the damaged, uncalcified cartilage tissue.ConclusionThe elevation in serum CTX‐II concomitant with the onset of disease and proportional to cartilage damage demonstrates that CTX‐II is a sensitive diagnostic tool for monitoring joint disease in the rodent model of CIA. Furthermore, the immunohistochemical findings are consistent with the concept that the major source of serum CTX‐II is the damaged articular cartilage.
Insulin‐like growth factor binding protein 5 induces skin fibrosis: A novel murine model for dermal fibrosis
Authors: Yasuoka Hidekata , Jukic Drazen M. , Zhou Zhihong , Choi Augustine M. K. , Feghali‐Bostwick Carol A. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the role of insulin‐like growth factor binding protein 5 (IGFBP‐5) in the development of skin fibrosis in vivo, by examining the effect of overexpression of IGFBP‐5 in mouse skin.MethodsWild‐type C57BL/6J mice were injected subcutaneously with replication‐deficient serotype 5 adenovirus expressing human IGFBP‐3 (Ad3), IGFBP‐5 (Ad5), or no complementary DNA (cAd). Mice were killed 3, 8, or 22 days postinjection. The dermal thickness and dermal collagen bundle thickness in skin sections were measured. The deposition of collagen in the extracellular matrix (ECM) was quantified using the Sircol assay. Expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and fibronectin, as determined by immunohistochemical analysis, was used to evaluate fibroblast activation, and vimentin and α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) were used to evaluate the fibroblast phenotype.ResultsAdenovirally expressed IGFBP was detected in dermal fibroblasts, endothelial cells, epithelial cells, and muscle bundles in Ad3‐ and Ad5‐injected mice. Increased collagen deposition, denser dermal connective tissue, and increased collagen bundle thickness were observed in IGFBP‐5–overexpressing mice. Dermal thickness and collagen bundle thickness were significantly increased in Ad5‐injected mice compared with cAd‐ and Ad3‐injected mice. Treatment with Ad5 resulted in a dose‐dependent increase in dermal and collagen bundle thickness. Increased deposition of collagen and fibronectin, increased numbers of PCNA‐positive fibroblasts, as well as increased numbers of vimentin– and α‐SMA–double‐positive fibroblasts were detected in the dermis of IGFBP‐5–overexpressing mouse skin.ConclusionIGFBP‐5 is a key mediator of fibrosis. IGFBP‐5 mediates its profibrotic effects through fibroblast activation, increased ECM deposition, and myofibroblastic transformation of dermal fibroblasts. Overexpression of IGFBP‐5 provides a novel model for studying the pathogenesis of skin fibrosis in systemic sclerosis.
ASIS to ASIS&T: A society in transition?
Authors: Mackenzie Maureen L. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractIn May 2000, the Board of Directors of the American Society for Information Science (ASIS) changed the name of the association by adding the words, “and Technology” (&T). Today this change may be considered minor, but for many involved at the time—it was a change that had purpose and meaning. A study was initiated to trace the society's transition toward a professional association more inclusive of practitioners and applied research. The study was conducted in two stages, using quantitative and qualitative methods. Stage 1 compared the research published in the conference proceedings both prior to and following the society's name change. Stage 2 built upon the assumption that a professional association is a reflection of its membership. The Stage 1 results offer both an aggregate and a comparative view of the papers accepted for and presented at the annual conference. The results suggest that as an association of researchers, the society may be moving toward a renewed focus on practical and applied information. The Stage 2 results suggest that some ASIS&T members welcome the increased focus on technology, applied research, and the topics of interest to practitioners. Others view the changes as negative, perhaps even undermining the value of ASIS. The practical implications suggest that an annual conference can be an association's most important branding opportunity. It should reflect the interests of its membership as well as attract new members. A clear vision, supported by the membership, will guide the activities of the society and, in turn, will effectively serve its members professional needs.
Exploratory evaluation of several teratogen warning symbols
Authors: Goldsworthy Richard , Kaplan Brian 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBACKGROUND: Previous research has noted potential inadequacies in the warning labels and symbols used with some teratogenic medications. A clear teratogen warning symbol represents an important component of risk mitigation for accidental teratogen exposure. METHODS: Several teratogen warning symbols were developed through rapid prototyping and focus groups. A nationally distributed field trial (n = 300) examined the relative effectiveness of 6 candidate symbols, including the symbol in use at the time of the study. Measures included open‐ended interpretation, closed‐ended preference, and demographic surveys. Each participant was shown a single symbol and asked what it meant, to whom it applied, and what that person should do. Text statements were added to the symbol and participants were asked to reinterpret the warning. Participants were told the intended message of the warning, shown all 6 symbols, and asked to choose the most effective symbol. RESULTS: Four of 6 symbols achieved levels of correct interpretation close to or exceeding the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) benchmark of 85% and none exceeded the ANSI limit of 5% critical confusion. Symbols elicited varying conceptual responses. Respondents considered 1 symbol to be the most effective, by a 4 to 1 margin. Several outcomes varied by age and by ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS: Several symbols emerged as viable alternatives to the current symbol; however, no 1 symbol was clearly found to be the most effective. Instead, the symbol considered “best” depends on the messages that are considered most essential to the warning. Additionally, it appears a symbol without the addition of text can convey most, but possibly not all, of the meaning required of the warning label. Next steps should include further symbol refinement, closer examination of text additions to symbols, and validation of the candidate symbols and warnings through a large‐scale field trial. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 76:453–460, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Estimation of Centres and Radial Intensity Profiles of Spherical Nano‐Particles in Digital Microscopy
Authors: Kvarnström Mats , Glasbey Chris A. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractControl of the microscopic characteristics of colloidal systems is critical in a wealth of application areas, ranging from food to pharmaceuticals. To assist in estimating these characteristics, we present a method for estimating the positions of spherical nano‐particles in digital microscopy images. The radial intensity profiles of particles, which depend on the distances of the particles from the focal plane of the light microscope and have no closed functional form, are modelled using a local quadratic kernel estimate. We also allow for the case where pixel values are censored at an upper limit of 255. Standard errors of centre estimates are obtained using a sandwich estimator which takes into account spatial autocorrelation in the errors. The approach is validated by a simulation study. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A Goodness‐of‐fit Test for the Marginal Cox Model for Correlated Interval‐censored Failure Time Data
Authors: Wang Lianming , Sun Liuquan , Sun Jianguo 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe marginal Cox model approach is perhaps the most commonly used method in the analysis of correlated failure time data (Cai, 1999; Cai and Prentice, 1995; Lin, 1994; Wei, Lin and Weissfeld, 1989). It assumes that the marginal distributions for the correlated failure times can be described by the Cox model and leaves the dependence structure completely unspecified. This paper discusses the assessment of the marginal Cox model for correlated interval‐censored data and a goodness‐of‐fit test is presented for the problem. The method is applied to a set of correlated interval‐censored data arising from an AIDS clinical trial. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Statistical Designs for Two‐Color Spotted Microarray Experiments
Authors: Chai Feng‐Shun , Liao Chen‐Tuo , Tsai Shin‐Fu 
Published: August 2006

AbstractTwo‐color cDNA or oligonucleotide‐based spotted microarrays have been commonly used in measuring the expression levels of thousands of genes simultaneously. To realize the immense potential of this powerful new technology, budgeted within limited resources or other constraints, practical designs with high efficiencies are in demand. In this study, we address the design issue concerning the arrangement of the mRNA samples labeled with fluorescent dyes and hybridized on the slides. A normalization model is proposed to characterize major sources of systematic variation in a two‐color microarray experiment. This normalization model establishes a connection between designs for two‐color microarray experiments with a particular class of classical row‐column designs. A heuristic algorithm for constructing A‐optimal or highly efficient designs is provided. Statistical optimality results are found for some of the designs generated from the algorithm. It is believed that the constructed designs are the best or very close to the best possible for estimating the relative gene expression levels among the mRNA samples of interest. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Evidence for a strong selenium–aromatic interaction derived from crystallographic data and ab initio quantum chemical calculations
Authors: Hartman Izabela , Raia Carlo A. , Zauhar Randy J. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractIncreasing attention is being paid to the role of selenium, both as an essential component required for the activity of many enzymes and in the context of selenium‐based pharmaceutical agents. A wide range of therapeutics that include selenium are on the market and under development, such as antihypertensive, anticancerogenic, antiviral, and immunosuppressive agents. Computer‐aided drug design (CADD) has proven to be an important tool for the development of new drugs. Many CADD techniques, including docking, molecular dynamics simulation, and other receptor‐based approaches, require an accurate understanding of the nature of the intermolecular forces that act to stabilize protein–ligand complexes; moreover, a quantitative assessment of these interactions furthers our efforts to rationalize the drug design process. In this paper, we consider one class of interaction involving selenium, that between Se and aromatic rings. Prior work has shown that interactions between divalent sulfur and aromatic rings are observed much more frequently than would be expected on the basis of chance, both in protein structures and the crystal structures of organic compounds that include these moieties. Recent studies on the optimization of inhibitor‐protein binding also suggest that sulfur–aromatic interactions are important in stabilizing these complexes and may be crucial focal point for CADD. Given that selenium and sulfur have similar chemistry, and that selenium is significantly more polarizable, we propose that Se–aromatic interactions may also play an important stabilizing role in the structure of folded proteins and in drug–protein complexes. We have tested this hypothesis against data from the Cambridge Crystallographic Database and ab initio quantum chemical calculations. We have found evidence that selenium does interact strongly with aromatic rings and may play a role analogous to sulfur in stabilizing protein folds. In addition, selenium should be considered along with sulfur in rational drug design strategies that seek to improve binding to target protein sites that include aromatic rings. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 83: 595–613, 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
Optical spectroscopic elucidation of β‐turns in disulfide bridged cyclic tetrapeptides
Authors: Borics Attila , Murphy Richard F. , Lovas Sándor 
Published: August 2006

AbstractVibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopic features of type II β‐turns were characterized previously, but, criteria for differentiation between β‐turn types had not been established yet. Model tetrapeptides, cyclized through a disulfide bridge, were designed on the basis of previous experimental results and the observed incidence of amino acid residues in the i + 1 and i + 2 positions in β‐turns, to determine the features of VCD spectra of type I and II β‐turns. The results were correlated with electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra and VCD spectra calculated from conformational data obtained by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. All cyclic tetrapeptides yielded VCD signals with a higher frequency negative and a lower frequency positive couplet with negative lobes overlapping. MD simulations confirmed the conformational homogeneity of these peptides in solution. Comparison with ECD spectroscopy, MD, and quantum chemical calculation results suggested that the low frequency component of VCD spectra originating from the tertiary amide vibrations could be used to distinguish between types of β‐turn structures. On the basis of this observation, VCD spectroscopic features of type II and VIII β‐turns and ECD spectroscopic properties of a type VIII β‐turn were suggested. The need for independent experimental as well as theoretical investigations to obtain decisive conformational information was recognized. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 85: 1–11, 2007.This 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
Emerging and re‐emerging viral infections in Europe
Authors: Pugliese Agostino , Beltramo Tiziana , Torre Donato 
Published: August 2006

AbstractEmerging viral infections are becoming a serious problem in Europe in the recent years. This is particularly true for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), West Nile virus (WNV) disease, Toscana virus (TOSV) disease, and potentially for avian influenza virus (H5N1). In contrast, emergence or re‐emergence of severe viral infections, including tick borne encephalitis virus, and viral haemorrhagic fever caused by Hantavirus and dengue virus have been frequently reported in several European countries. Laboratory diagnosis of these viral infections based on viral isolation or detection by immune electron microscopy, immunoassay and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has dramatically improved in the recent years, and SARS represents a good example of a diagnostic approach to emerging viral infections. Finally, old and new promising agents are in the pipeline of pharmaceutical companies to treat emerging viral infections. However only prevention based on large epidemiological studies, and research and development of new vaccines may be able to control and eventually eradicate these deadly viral infections. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical Simulation of Separation Factor of NaCl in Surface Force Pore Flow Model
Authors: Sen Gupta B. , Hashim M. A. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe surface force pore‐flow (SFPF) model is based on solute‐membrane material interactions at the membrane‐solution interface. It has been used to model the transport of solute and solvent through membranes under the influence of such forces and to determine the separation efficiency based on the assumption of circular pores. It is evident from the model that the pore diameter has a strong bearing upon the separation factor and the mean separation factor can be determined from the pore size distribution. In this work, the mean separation factor (fmean) of a cellulose acetate membrane based on the SFPF model has been determined by the Monte Carlo simulation technique. The value of fmean was calculated by averaging the separation efficiency of 100 000 pores, generated at random from a Gaussian distribution. The results have been compared with the experimental reverse osmosis data for a NaCl/cellulose acetate/water system. The Monte Carlo technique is an improvement over the numerical integration scheme reported in the literature, as it considers the collective effect of all pore sizes and is not restricted by the upper and lower boundaries of numerical integration.