bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The influence of completing a health-related questionnaire on primary care consultation behaviour
Authors: Jeffery Amanda , Jinks Clare , Jordan Kelvin 
Published: August 2006

Abstract

Background
Surveys of the population are commonly used to obtain information on health status. Increasingly, researchers are linking self-reported health status information to primary care consultation data. However, it is not known how participating in a health-related survey affects consultation behaviour. The objective of this study was to assess whether completion of a health-related questionnaire changes primary care consultation behaviour.

Methods
Participants were 3402 adults aged 50 and over from the general population in North Staffordshire, UK, who completed a health-related postal survey received in April 2003. The survey was predominantly about occurrence and severity of knee pain in the last year. Primary care attendance for the three months following response was compared to three control periods: i) the three months prior to the survey, ii) the same time period in the previous year and iii) the same time period in the following year. Comparisons were made on consultations for any problem, consultations for musculoskeletal disorders and consultations for knee problems.

Results
The percentage of subjects consulting for any condition was marginally higher for the three months directly after receipt of the questionnaire but the difference was only statistically significant in comparison to the three months before the survey (64% v. 62%, p = 0.05). There was little difference in consultation prevalence for musculoskeletal problems immediately after the survey compared to the three control periods. There was an increase of 37% in knee disorder consultations for the three months after the survey compared to the three months directly before the survey (p = 0.02). However, consultation prevalence for knee problems was identical for the three months after the survey to the same time periods in the years prior to and following the survey (both p = 0.94).

Conclusion
The results from this study suggests that questionnaires related to physical health do not affect the standard consulting behaviour of patients, even for the symptom under investigation. This should reassure researchers who wish to link self-reported health status and medical care utilisation and clinicians whose patients are involved in such research.
Identifying conditions for inducible protein production in E. coli: combining a fed-batch and multiple induction approach
Authors: Aucoin Marc G , McMurray-Beaulieu Virginie , Poulin Frédéric , Boivin Eric B , Chen Jingkui , Ardelean Francisc M , Cloutier Mathieu , Choi Young J , Miguez Carlos B , Jolicoeur Mario 
Published: August 2006

Abstract

Background
In the interest of generating large amounts of recombinant protein, inducible systems have been studied to maximize both the growth of the culture and the production of foreign proteins. Even though thermo-inducible systems were developed in the late 1970's, the number of studies that focus on strategies for the implementation at bioreactor scale is limited. In this work, the bacteriophage lambda PL promoter is once again investigated as an inducible element but for the production of green fluorescent protein (GFP). Culture temperature, induction point, induction duration and number of inductions were considered as factors to maximize GFP production in a 20-L bioreactor.

Results
It was found that cultures carried out at 37°C resulted in a growth-associated production of GFP without the need of an induction at 42°C. Specific production was similar to what was achieved when separating the growth and production phases. Shake flask cultures were used to screen for desirable operating conditions. It was found that multiple inductions increased the production of GFP. Induction decreased the growth rate and substrate yield coefficients; therefore, two time domains (before and after induction) having different kinetic parameters were created to fit a model to the data collected.

Conclusion
Based on two batch runs and the simulation of culture dynamics, a pre-defined feeding and induction strategy was developed to increase the volumetric yield of a temperature regulated expression system and was successfully implemented in a 20-L bioreactor. An overall cell density of 5.95 g DW l-1 was achieved without detriment to the cell specific production of GFP; however, the production of GFP was underestimated in the simulations due to a significant contribution of non-growth associated product formation under limiting nutrient conditions.
Adenoid basal carcinoma of the cervix in a 20-year-old female: a case report
Authors: DePond William David , Flauta Victor Santos , Lingamfelter Daniel Christian , Schnee David Mark , Menendez Kristyn Poncy 
Published: August 2006

Abstract

Background
Adenoid basal carcinoma of the cervix is a rare condition mostly occurring among postmenopausal women. Although it can be confused with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the cervix, adenoid basal carcinoma has several clinicopathologic features that will allow distinction from adenoid cystic carcinoma.

Case presentation
This is the case of a twenty-year old African-American female who initially presented with a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion on Pap smear, with a subsequent cervical LEEP specimen revealing adenoid basal carcinoma. The lesion showed the characteristic histologic features of adenoid basal carcinoma and was positive for the immunohistochemical marker EMA and negative for collagen IV, further defining the tumor while helping to rule out the possibility of adenoid cystic carcinoma. As far as the authors are aware, this is the youngest reported case of adenoid basal carcinoma to date.

Conclusion
This case shows that adenoid basal carcinoma can deviate markedly from its typical postmenopausal demographics to affect women as young as 20 years of age. In addition, adenoid basal carcinoma has several identifiable features that will differentiate it from adenoid cystic carcinoma including histologic and cellular morphologies, as well as immunohistochemistry. Treatment for most patients involves hysterectomy, LEEP, or a conization procedure which provides a favorable prognosis because of this lesion's low potential for recurrence and metastasis.
Role of gp120 in dendritic cell dysfunction in HIV infection
Authors: Chougnet Claire , Gessani Sandra 
Published: August 2006

Abstract
Only a limited fraction of circulating virions are demonstrably infectious; therefore, exposure to inactivated viruses may mimic the most frequent type of CD4-HIV interactions that occur in vivo. Several studies have recently underscored the crucial role that those noninfectious viruses could play in defective immune function in HIV-infected individuals and in particular, in the dysregulation of dendritic cell (DC) function. In this review, we discuss how interactions between DC and HIV gp120 or inactivated virus, which harbor intact surface gp120, lead to impaired DC function through direct (direct contact) or indirect mechanisms (as a consequence of primary CD4+ T cell dysregulation, followed by defective CD4-DC interactions). It is important that these functionally impaired DCs fail to give optimal signal to T cells but appear to favor the emergence of regulatory T cells. gp120-mediated impairment of DC function could therefore play an important role in the pathogenesis of HIV disease.
The glutamate-glutamine cycle as an inducible, protective face of macrophage activation
Authors: Gras Gabriel , Porcheray Fabrice , Samah Boubekeur , Leone Cathie 
Published: August 2006

AbstractNeuronal damage in HIV infection results mainly from chronic activation of brain tissue and involves inflammation, oxidative stress, and glutamate-related neurotoxicity. Glutamate toxicity acts via two distinct pathways: an excitotoxic one, in which glutamate receptors are hyperactivated, and an oxidative one, in which cystine uptake is inhibited, resulting in glutathione depletion, oxidative stress, and cell degeneration. A number of studies have shown that astrocytes normally take up glutamate, keeping extracellular glutamate concentration low in the brain and preventing excitotoxicity. They, in turn, provide the trophic amino acid glutamine via their expression of glutamine synthetase. These protective and trophic actions are inhibited in HIV infection, probably as a result of the effects of inflammatory mediators and viral proteins. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that activated microglia and brain macrophages (AMM) express the transporters and enzymes of the glutamate cycle. This suggests that in addition to their recognized neurotoxic properties in HIV infection, these cells exhibit some neuroprotective properties, which may partly compensate for the inhibited astrocytic function. This hypothesis might explain the discrepancy between microglial activation, which occurs early in the disease, and neuronal apoptosis and neuronal loss, which are late events. In this review, we discuss the possible neuroprotective and neurotrophic roles of AMM and their relationships with inflammation and oxidative stress.
Cathepsin K in Adipocyte Differentiation and Its Potential Role in the Pathogenesis of Obesity
Authors: Xiao Yin , Junfeng Han , Tianhong Luo , Lu Wang , Shulin Chen , Yu Zhao , Xiaohua Li , Weixia Jian , Sheng Zheng , Yanyun Gu , Guo Li , Min Luo 
Published: August 2006

AbstractContext: The alteration of protein expression in white adipose tissue (WAT) may contribute to the pathogenesis of obesity.Objective: The aim of the present study was to uncover proteins differentially expressed in the WAT of overweight/obese subjects and study the role of the identified proteins in adipocyte differentiation.Design and Setting: Two-dimensional electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry were used to identify proteins differentially expressed in WAT between obese/overweight and control groups. Cathepsin K (CTSK), one of the proteins identified by the above methods, was highlighted to assess its effects on adipocyte differentiation through 3T3-L1 cell line.Results: Human visceral adipose tissue of overweight/obese subjects displayed a differential protein expression profile, compared with that of normal-weight controls. CTSK was up-regulated in the WAT of overweight/obese subjects, and it had a significant positive correlation with body mass index. In vitro study showed that CTSK expression and its enzyme activity gradually increased in the process of adipocyte differentiation. Moreover, E-64, an inhibitor of CTSK, could prevent adipocyte differentiation in a dose-dependent manner, which was characterized by the absence of triglyceride accumulation and glycerol contents.Conclusions: CTSK, a cysteine protease involved in extracellular matrix remodeling, could be one of the determinants of adipocyte differentiation. CTSK may be involved in the pathogenesis of obesity by promoting adipocyte differentiation.
Differences in the Apparent Metabolic Clearance Rate of Testosterone in Young and Older Men with Gonadotropin Suppression Receiving Graded Doses of Testosterone
Authors: Coviello Andrea D. , Lakshman Kishore , Mazer Norman A. , Bhasin Shalender 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground: Recently we found that testosterone levels are higher in older men than young men receiving exogenous testosterone. We hypothesized that older men have lower apparent testosterone metabolic clearance rates (aMCR-T) that contribute to higher testosterone levels.Objective: The objective of the study was to compare aMCR-T in older and young men and identify predictors of aMCR-T.Methods: Sixty-one younger (19–35 yr) and 60 older (59–75 yr) men were given a monthly GnRH agonist and weekly testosterone enanthate (TE) (25, 50, 125, 300, or 600 mg) for 5 months. Estimated aMCR-T was calculated from the amount of TE delivered weekly and trough serum testosterone concentrations, corrected for real-time absorption kinetics from the im testosterone depot.Results: Older men had lower total (316 ± 13 vs. 585 ± 26 ng/dl, P &lt; 0.00001) and free testosterone (4 ± 0.1 vs. 6 ± 0.3 ng/dl, P &lt; 0.00001) and higher SHBG (52 ± 3 vs. 33 ± 2 nmol/liter, P &lt; 0.00001) than younger men at baseline. Total and free testosterones increased with TE dose and were higher in older men than young men in the 125-, 300-, and 600-mg dose groups. aMCR-T was lower in older men than young men (1390 ± 69 vs. 1821 ± 102 liter/d, P = 0.006). aMCR-T correlated negatively with age (P = 0.0007), SHBG (P = 0.046), and total testosterone during treatment (P = 0.02) and percent body fat at baseline (P = 0.01) and during treatment (P = 0.004). aMCR-T correlated positively with lean body mass at baseline (P = 0.03) and during treatment (P = 0.01). In multiple regression models, significant predictors of aMCR-T included lean body mass (P = 0.008), percent fat mass (P = 0.009), and SHBG (P = 0.001).Conclusions: Higher testosterone levels in older men receiving TE were associated with an age-related decrease in apparent testosterone metabolic clearance rates. Body composition and SHBG were significant predictors of aMCR-T.
Longitudinal Changes in Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I, Insulin Sensitivity, and Secretion from Birth to Age Three Years in Small-for-Gestational-Age Children
Authors: Iñiguez Germán , Ong Ken , Bazaes Rodrigo , Avila Alejandra , Salazar Teresa , Dunger David , Mericq Verónica 
Published: August 2006

AbstractIntroduction: Insulin resistance (IR) develops as early as age 1 to 3 yr in small for gestational age (SGA) infants who show rapid catch-up postnatal weight gain. In contrast, greater insulin secretion is related to infancy height gains. We hypothesized that IGF-I levels could be differentially related to gains in length and weight and also differentially related to IR and insulin secretion.Methods: In a prospective study of 50 SGA (birth weight &lt; 5th percentile) and 14 normal birth weight [appropriate for gestational age (AGA)] newborns, we measured serum IGF-I levels at birth, 1 yr, and 3 yr. IR (by homeostasis model assessment) and insulin secretion (by short iv glucose tolerance test) were also measured at 1 yr and 3 yr.Results: SGA infants had similar mean length and weight at 3 yr compared with AGA infants. SGA infants had lower IGF-I levels at birth (P &lt; 0.0001), but conversely they had higher IGF-I levels at 3 yr (P = 0.003) than AGA infants. Within the SGA group, at 1 yr IGF-I was associated with length gain from birth and insulin secretion (P &lt; 0.0001); in contrast at 3 yr IGF-I was positively related to weight, body mass index, and IR.Conclusions: IGF-I levels increased rapidly from birth in SGA, but not AGA children. During the key first-year growth period, IGF-I levels were related to β-cell function and longitudinal growth. In contrast, by 3 yr, when catch-up growth was completed, IGF-I levels were related to body mass index and IR, and these higher IGF-I levels in SGA infants might indicate the presence of relative IGF-I resistance.
Alanine Aminotransferase Levels and Fatty Liver in Childhood Obesity: Associations with Insulin Resistance, Adiponectin, and Visceral Fat
Authors: Burgert Tania S. , Taksali Sara E. , Dziura James , Goodman T. Robin , Yeckel Catherine W. , Papademetris Xenophon , Constable R. Todd , Weiss Ram , Tamborlane William V. , Savoye Mary , Seyal Aisha A. , Caprio Sonia 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground: Concurrent with the rise in obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is recognized as the leading cause of serum aminotransferase elevations in obese youth. Nevertheless, the complete metabolic phenotype associated with abnormalities in biomarkers of liver injury and intrahepatic fat accumulation remains to be established.Methods: In a multiethnic cohort of 392 obese adolescents, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were related with parameters of insulin sensitivity, glucose, and lipid metabolism as well as adipocytokines and biomarkers of inflammation. A subset of 72 adolescents had determination of abdominal fat partitioning and intrahepatic fat accumulation using magnetic resonance imaging.Findings: Elevated ALT (&gt;35 U/liter) was found in 14% of adolescents, with a predominance of male gender and white/Hispanic race/ethnicity. After adjusting for potential confounders, rising ALT was associated with reduced insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance as well as rising free fatty acids and triglycerides. Worsening of glucose and lipid metabolism was already evident as ALT levels rose into the upper half of the normal range (18–35 U/liter). When hepatic fat fraction was assessed using fast magnetic resonance imaging, 32% of subjects had an increased hepatic fat fraction, which was associated with decreased insulin sensitivity and adiponectin, and increased triglycerides, visceral fat, and deep to superficial sc fat ratio. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was significantly greater in those with fatty liver.Interpretation: Deterioration in glucose and lipid metabolism is associated even with modest ALT elevations. Hepatic fat accumulation in childhood obesity is strongly associated with the triad of insulin resistance, increased visceral fat, and hypoadiponectinemia. Hence, hepatic steatosis may be a core feature of the metabolic syndrome.
Nonclassical 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency
Authors: New Maria I. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractContext: Nonclassical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) owing to steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency (NC21OHD) is the most frequent of all autosomal recessive genetic diseases, occurring in one in 100 persons in the heterogeneous New York City population. NC21OHD occurs with increased frequency in certain ethnic groups, such as Ashkenazi Jews, in whom one in 27 express the disease. NC21OHD is underdiagnosed in both male and female patients with hyperandrogenic symptoms because hormonal abnormalities in NC21OHD are only mild to moderate, not severe as in the classical form of CAH. Unlike classical CAH, NC21OHD is not associated with ambiguous genitalia of the newborn female.Main Outcome Measures: The hyperandrogenic symptoms include advanced bone age, early pubic hair, precocious puberty, tall stature, and early arrest of growth in children; infertility, cystic acne, and short stature in both adult males and females; hirsutism, frontal balding, polycystic ovaries, and irregular menstrual periods in females; and testicular adrenal rest tissue in males.Conclusions: The signs and symptoms of hyperandrogenism are reversed with dexamethasone treatment.
Benzocrown Ether Hydrazones as Extractants for Alkali Metal Ions
Authors: Sakamoto Hidefumi , Goto Hiroki , Yokoshima Makoto , Dobashi Makoto , Ishikawa Junichi , Doi Kunio , Otomo Makoto 
Published: August 2006

Abstract
Four types of benzo-15-crown-5 and benzo-18-crown-6 derivatives bearing a substituted hydrazone moiety as a proton-dissociable chromogenic group were synthesized and the solvent extraction behaviors of these compounds for alkali metal ions were evaluated spectrophotometrically. Benzo-15-crown-5 and -18-crown-6 hydrazones with 2,4-dinitro-6-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl or 2,6-dinitro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl groups extracted alkali metal ions predominantly as 2 : 1 and 1 : 1 (crown ether : metal ion) complexes, respectively, from an aqueous alkaline solution into 1,2-dichloroethane and these ligands exhibited high K+-selectivity. The composition of the extracted species and the K+-selectivity depended on the polarity of the extraction solvent used. In particular, 2 : 2 complexes of several alkali metal ions with benzo-15-crown-5 and -18-crown-6 hydrazones bearing a 2,4-dinitro-6-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl group were readily extracted from an aqueous solution into chloroform.
Synthesis of Barnase Site-Specifically Labelled with Two 13C Atoms Using Partially Protected Peptide Thioester Building Blocks
Authors: Hojo Hironobu , Aimoto Saburo 
Published: August 2006

Abstract
Barnase, site-specifically labelled with two 13C atoms, was synthesized using partially protected peptide thioesters as building blocks. Four partially protected peptide segments (Boc–[Lys(Boc)19,27]–barnase(1—34)–SC(CH3)2CH2CO–Nle–NH2, iNoc–[Lys(Boc)39,49]–barnase(35—52)–SC(CH3)2CH2CO–Nle–NH2, iNoc–[Lys(Boc)62,66]–barnase(53—81)–SC(CH3)2CH2CO–Nle–NH2, [Lys(Boc)98,108]–barnase(82—110)) were successively condensed in the presence of silver ions and N-hydroxysuccinimide (HONSu). Finally, barnase with full ribonuclease activity was obtained in a yield of 11% based on the carboxyl terminal peptide segment.
Convenient Synthesis of Biphenyl-2-carboxylic Acids via the Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution Reaction of 2-Methoxybenzoates by Aryl Grignard Reagents
Authors: Hattori Tetsutaro , Suzuki Takatsugu , Hayashizaka Noriyuki , Koike Nobuyuki , Miyano Sotaro 
Published: August 2006

Abstract
Nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) of 2-methoxybenzoic esters derived from 2,6-dialkylphenols by aryl Grignard reagents affords 1,1′-biphenyl-2-carboxylates in excellent yields by proper choice of the bulk of the 2,6-dialkyl-substituents. The phenoxyl protecting groups can be easily removed from the resulting biphenyl-2-carboxylates to the free acids by treatment with potassium hydroxide in aqueous ethanol (2,4,6-trimethylphenyl and 2,6-diisopropylphenyl esters) or sodium methoxide in toluene–hexamethylphosphoric triamide (2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenyl esters). The regioselective biphenyl coupling reaction via the SNAr process is utilized for the key-step construction of the biphenyl skeleton in a formal synthesis of cannabinol.
Studies on Nickel-Containing Ziegler-Type Catalysts. III. Dimerization of Propylene to 2,3-Dimethylbutenes. Part-I
Authors: Sato Hiroshi , Noguchi Takanobu , Yasui Seimei 
Published: August 2006

Abstract
A new selective catalyst was developed for the dimerization of propylene to 2,3-dimethylbutenes (DMBS). It comprises five components: nickel naphthenate (Ni(naph)2)/AlEt3/PR3/diene/chlorinated phenol. Among them, chlorinated phenol is an essential component for activating the catalyst. Both the dimerization of propylene and the isomerization of the produced 2,3-dimethyl-1-butene (DMB-1) to 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene (DMB-2) are accelerated in proportion to the content of the chlorinated phenol as well as to the number of chlorine atoms on the chlorinated phenol. These effects are attributed to the Lewis acidity of the reaction product between AlEt3 and the chlorinated phenol. Thus, either DMB-1 or DMB-2 can be produced selectively by controlling the composition of the catalyst.
The content of DMBS mainly depends upon the phosphine ligand; this ligand effect is discussed in terms of the 31P NMR chemical shift. A high content of DMBS of up to 85% in propylene dimers was attained when phosphines with chemical shifts between 0 and −30 ppm were used.
Effect of the Poly(oxyethylene) Chain Length of Ionic Surfactants on the Extraction of Alkali Metal Ions
Authors: Sakai Yukio , Nabeki Kumiko , Uehara Eisaku , Hiraishi Michinori , Takagi Makoto 
Published: August 2006

Abstract
The following three extractants were synthesized: (n = 3, 6, 9). The extraction constants for alkali metal ions were also determined. The extractability with an extractant having three oxyethylene units decreases in the order Li+ &gt; K+ &gt; Na+ &gt; Cs+ Rb+; for other extractants, K+ &gt; Rb+ &gt; Cs+ &gt; Na+ &gt; Li+.