bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physiological characterization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae kha1 deletion mutants
Authors: Maresova Lydie , Sychrova Hana 
Published: January 2005

SummaryMaintenance of intracellular K+ homeostasis is one of the crucial requisites for the survival of yeast cells. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the high K+ content corresponds to a steady state between simultaneous influx and efflux across the plasma membrane. One of the transporters formerly believed to extrude K+ from the yeast cells (besides Ena1‐4p and Nha1p) was named Kha1p and presumed as a putative plasma membrane K+/H+ antiporter. We prepared kha1 and tok1‐kha1 deletion strains in the B31 and MAB 2d background. Both the strains contain the ena1‐4 and nha1 deletions; that means they lack the main active sodium and potassium efflux systems. MAB 2d has additional trk1 and trk2 deletions, i.e. is impaired in active K+ uptake as well. We performed a large physiological study with these strains to specify the phenotype of kha1 deletion. In our experiments, no difference in K+ content or efflux was observed in strains lacking the KHA1 gene compared with control strains. Two main phenotype manifestations of the kha1 deletion were growth defect on high external pH and hygromycin sensitivity. The correlation between these phenotypes and the kha1 deletion was confirmed by plasmid complementation. Fluorescence microscopy of green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐tagged Kha1p showed that this antiporter is localized preferentially intracellularly (in contrast to the plasma membrane Na+/H+ antiporter Nha1p). Based on these findings, Kha1p is probably not localized in plasma membrane and does not mediate efflux of alkali metal cations from cells, but is important for the regulation of intracelular cation homeostasis and optimal pH control, similarly as the Nhx1p.
Topological insulators inhibit diffusion of transcription‐induced positive supercoils in the chromosome of Escherichia coli
Authors: Moulin Laurent , Rahmouni A. Rachid , Boccard Frédéric 
Published: January 2005

SummaryThe double helical nature of DNA implies that progression of transcription machinery that cannot rotate easily around the DNA axis creates waves of positive supercoils ahead of it and negative supercoils behind it. Using topological reporters that detect local variations in DNA supercoiling, we have characterized the diffusion of transcription‐induced (TI) positive supercoils in plasmids or in the chromosome of wild type Escherichia coli cells. Transcription‐induced positive supercoils were able to diffuse and affect local supercoiling several kilobases away from the site of origin. By testing the effect of various DNA sequences, these reporters enabled us to identify elements that impede supercoil diffusion, i.e. behave as topological insulators. All the elements tested correspond to DNA gyrase catalytic targets. These results correlate the ability of a DNA sequence to be cleaved by DNA gyrase with topological insulator activity. Implications of the asymmetry in supercoil diffusion for the control of DNA topology are discussed.
Interferon alpha 2b and ribavirin for the treatment of recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation: Cohort study of 38 patients
Authors: MUKHERJEE SANDEEP , LYDEN ELIZABETH , MCCASHLAND TIMOTHY M , SCHAFER DANIEL F 
Published: January 2005

AbstractAim: Recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) is universal following liver transplantation. Patients are often treated with interferon and ribavirin in an attempt to eradicate the virus. We describe our experience with 38 patients with recurrent HCV from a single liver transplant program.Methods: Between October 2000 and November 2001, 38 patients with recurrent HCV were treated with interferon alpha 2b 3 million units three times a week and ribavirin 1000–1200 mg per day. HCV RNA and liver biopsies were performed before treatment at the end of treatment (EOT), and 6 months after EOT in patients who were HCV RNA negative at EOT.Results: There were 29 males and nine females. Median age was 49 years. In total, 34 patients were genotype 1 and two each were genotype 3 and 4. Six patients received HCV positive donors and 24 patients (63%) completed treatment. The most common indication for discontinuation of treatment was severe fatigue in 14 patients (37%). On intention to treat analysis, a sustained biochemical and virological response occurred in 10 patients (26%). Unchanged or improved fibrosis scores were present in 37% of patients, of whom 71% were non‐responders to therapy.Conclusions: Interferon alpha 2b and ribavirin were poorly tolerated in this series of recurrent HCV patients, with sustained HCV eradication occurring in only 26% of patients. However, the majority of non‐responders demonstrated unchanged or improved fibrosis scores, suggesting that a subset of patients may benefit from maintenance antiviral therapy to prevent the development of cirrhosis.
Role of aberrant crypt foci detected using high‐magnification‐chromoscopic colonoscopy in human colorectal carcinogenesis
Authors: HURLSTONE DAVID P , CROSS SIMON S 
Published: January 2005

AbstractLiaison between gastrointestinal endoscopists and histopathologists is essential to provide the highest standards of diagnostic accuracy and patient management. The histopathologist needs to be aware of the endoscopic findings when interpreting endoscopic biopsies. High‐magnification‐chromoscopic‐colonoscopy (HMCC) is a new technology that provides the endoscopists with much greater resolution and functional staining of the gastrointestinal tract. Using HMCC, the endoscopist is now able to identify subtle changes in the colorectal luminal openings or crypts. Changes in crypt appearances now allow detection of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in the colon, which might themselves be precancerous lesions but additionally might serve as a valid biomarker of subsequent adenoma and colorectal cancer formation. This article describes the role of the aberrant crypt focus in colorectal carcinogenesis and discusses the clinical impact of HMCC techniques as applicable to ACF.
Prevalence and etiology of persistently elevated alanine aminotransferase levels in healthy Iranian blood donors
Authors: POURSHAMS AKRAM , MALEKZADEH REZA , MONAVVARI AREZOO , AKBARI MOHAMMAD R , MOHAMADKHANI ASHRAF , YARAHMADI SHAHIN , SEDDIGHI NAHID , MOHAMADNEJAD MEHDI , SOTOUDEH MASOUD , MADJLESSI AMIR 
Published: January 2005

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Causes of elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels vary depending on the population under study. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and causes of elevated ALT levels among apparently healthy Iranian blood donors in Tehran.Methods:  A total of 1959 (1465 male) randomly selected blood donors were enrolled in the study. Body mass index (BMI), viral markers and ALT levels were measured. If ALT was elevated (> 40 U/L), it was rechecked twice within 6 months. Blood donors with ≥2 times elevated ALT levels (persistently elevated ALT) were invited for further evaluation.Results:  A total of 100 donors (5.1%) had elevated ALT levels at the first measurement. Fifty‐two persons (2.65%) were found to have persistently elevated serum ALT. Among subjects with persistently elevated serum ALT, non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) was diagnosed in 46 (88.4%), chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in four (7.7%), alcoholic liver disease in one (1.92%), and drug‐induced liver disease in one (1.92%). The prevalence of NASH and HCV infection in the studied population was 2.35% and 0.4%, respectively. The mean BMI of NASH subjects was 30.58 kg/m2, compared with 27.28 kg/m2 of those without NASH (P < 0.001).Conclusion:  Non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis is the most common cause of persistently elevated serum ALT in the asymptomatic Iranian blood donors in Tehran.
Decreased numbers and impaired function of circulating dendritic cell subsets in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection (R2)
Authors: DUAN XUE‐ZHANG , ZHUANG HUI , WANG MIN , LI HAN‐WEI , LIU JING‐CHAO , WANG FU‐SHENG 
Published: January 2005

AbstractBackground and Aim: To investigate the frequencies, numbers and function of circulating dendritic cell (DC) subsets in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, we assayed the circulating precursor DC subsets (including pDC1 and pDC2) and their ability in patients at various stages of HBV infection in vitro.Methods: Circulating pDC1 and pDC2 frequencies in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were analyzed by flow cytometric analysis. Costimulatory molecule expression and allostimulatory mixed lymphocyte reaction (AMLR) of DC1, cultured from PBMC in vitro, were detected in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). On behalf of pDC2, interferon (IFN)‐α production of PBMC was determined by the ELISA method in HBV‐infected patients.Results: The number of circulating pDC1 decreased only in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) compared with that in normal controls. However, pDC2 numbers decreased in both CHB and LC patients. DC1 from CHB patients showed lower expression of costimulatory molecules CD80, CD86 and impaired allostimulatory mixed lymphocyte reaction (AMLR) compared with those in normal controls. The ability of PBMC to secrete IFN‐α also decreased significantly in patients with chronic HBV infection.Conclusions: Our results suggest that patients with chronic HBV infection have a significantly lower expression of costimulatory molecules and impaired AMLR of pDC1, as well as decreased number and impaired function of circulating pDC2, which may be partially related to HBV disease progression in these patients.© 2004 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Effect of liver cirrhosis on body composition: Evidence of significant depletion even in mild disease
Authors: FIGUEIREDO FÁTIMA APARECIDA FERREIRA , DE MELLO PEREZ RENATA , KONDO MÁRIO 
Published: January 2005

Abstract Background and Aims:  Malnutrition is common in liver cirrhosis patients. However, it is under‐diagnosed because liver disease affects the traditional nutritional assessment. An understanding of changes in body composition and the establishment of the tissue‐loss pattern in liver cirrhosis patients could help practitioners to better manage malnutrition in this setting. The aims of this study were: to quantify body composition changes, to determine tissue loss pattern, and to assess the relation of these to the severity of hepatic dysfunction.Methods:  Seventy‐nine patients and 17 controls were studied. Total body water and extracellular water were measured using dilution techniques. Intracellular water and body cell mass were calculated from these parameters. Total body fat was obtained using absorptiometry.Results:  Extracellular water was increased and intracellular water was decreased in patients. The two major compartments (body cell mass and body fat) were significantly reduced, mainly in patients with moderate and severe disease. However, significant losses occurred even in Child–Pugh class A patients. We established a tissue‐loss pattern. In Child–Pugh class A patients body fat loss predominated. Child–Pugh class B patients had losses in at least one of the two compartments. Most Child–Pugh class C patients had simultaneous depletion in both compartments.Conclusions:  Liver cirrhosis was characterized by a significant reduction in body cell mass and body fat and by a redistribution of body water. Significant losses occurred even in patients with mild disease. There was a more pronounced loss of fat in the initial stages, followed by an accelerated loss of body cell mass in the advanced stages of liver cirrhosis.© 2004 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Human leukocyte antigen allele associations in type‐1 autoimmune hepatitis patients from western India
Authors: SHANKARKUMAR UMAPATHY , AMARAPURKAR DEEPAK N , KANKONKAR SHARADA 
Published: January 2005

Abstract Background and Aims:  The immunogenetic basis of autoimmune diseases has become more and more evident. We have analyzed the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) associations with type‐1 autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) among patients from western India.Methods:  In 20 patients and 120 healthy controls, polymerase chain reaction amplified with sequence specific primers and hybridized with oligoprobes was carried out to elucidate the HLA A, B, C and DRB1 allele associations.Results:  The study revealed that A*0222 (20%vs 1.66%; P = 0.0001), A*3201 (15%vs 0.83%; P = 0.0004), A*680102 (30%vs 6.66%; P = 0.001), B*35 (40%vs 11.66%; P = 0.001), B*5501 (10%vs 0.83%; P = 0.008), Cw*0102 (15%vs 1.66%; P = 0.002) and Cw*070101 (50%vs 11.66%; P = 2.5E‐05) were significantly increased among the A, B and C alleles of AIH patients. Among the HLA DRB1 alleles, DRB1*0301 (20%vs 6.19%; P = 0.03), DRB1*1301 (15%vs 2.65%; P = 0.01), DRB1*14 (30%vs 11.5%; P = 0.02) and DRB1*1501 (40%vs 22.12%; P = 0.08) were increased in AIH patients when compared with the controls.Conclusions:  The present study indicates that the HLA susceptibility to type 1 AIH in the different populations studied is complex.© 2004 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Genetic association of vitamin D receptor polymorphisms with autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cirrhosis in the Chinese
Authors: FAN LIEYING , TU XIAOQING , ZHU YE , ZHOU LIN , PFEIFFER THOMAS , FELTENS RALPH , STOECKER WINFRIED , ZHONG RENQIAN 
Published: January 2005

AbstractBackground: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) are two autoimmune diseases of unknown etiology. Genetic factors appear to be involved in the pathogenesis of both diseases. Vitamin D has been shown to exert multiple immunomodulatory effects, which acts through its own receptor (VDR). Polymorphisms of VDR had been implicated in several autoimmune diseases. In the present study, the association between Chinese patients with AIH, PBC and the polymorphisms in exon 2, intron 8 and exon 9 of vitamin D receptor genes was studied.Methods: Four candidate gene loci were investigated in 49 patients with AIH, 58 patients with PBC, and 160 healthy controls. The VDR polymorphisms were assessed by FokI, BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI endonuclease digestion after specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification.Results: The result show a significant difference in FokI polymorphism between AIH patients and controls (χ2 = 5.47, P = 0.019), and a significant association in BsmI polymorphisms between PBC patients and controls (χ2 = 6.52, P = 0.01). Furthermore the distribution of FokI, BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI gene types differered between Chinese healthy controls and Caucasian healthy controls.Conclusion: It is suggested that there is a genetic link of VDR polymorphisms to autoimmune liver dieseses such as AIH and PBC in Chinese patients. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms by which VDR polymorphisms contribute to the lose of immune tolerance in autoimmune diseases.© 2004 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Industrial Location and Spatial Inequality: Theory and Evidence from India
Authors: Lall Somik Vinay , Chakravorty Sanjoy 
Published: January 2005

AbstractThe authors argue that spatial inequality of industry location is a primary cause of spatial income inequality in developing nations. Their study focuses on understanding the process of spatial industrial variation: identifying the spatial factors that have cost implications for firms, and the factors that influence the location decisions of new industrial units. The analysis has two parts. First the authors examine the contribution of economic geography factors to the cost structure of firms in eight industry sectors and show that local industrial diversity is the one factor with significant and substantial cost‐reducing effects. They then show that new private sector industrial investments in India are biased toward existing industrial and coastal districts, whereas state industrial investments (in deep decline after structural reforms) are far less biased toward such districts. The authors conclude that structural reforms lead to increased spatial inequality in industrialization, and therefore, income.
Trade Liberalization and Spatial Inequality: a Methodological Innovation in a Vietnamese Perspective
Authors: Jensen Henning Tarp , Tarp Finn 
Published: January 2005

AbstractThe authors calibrate two static computable general‐equilibrium (CGE) models with 16 and 5999 representative households. Aggregated and disaggregated household categories are consistently embedded in a 2000 social accounting matrix (SAM) for Vietnam, mapping on a one‐to‐one basis. Distinct differences in poverty assessments emerge when the impact of trade liberalization is analyzed in the two models. This highlights the importance of modeling micro‐household behavior and related income and expenditure distributions endogenously within a static CGE model framework. The simulations indicate that poverty will rise following a revenue‐neutral lowering of trade taxes. This is interpreted as a worst‐case scenario, which suggests that the government should be proactive in combining trade liberalization measures with a pro‐poor fiscal response to avoid increasing poverty in the short to medium term.
Endocardial Pacing After Fontan‐Type Procedures
Authors: HANSKY BERT , BLANZ UTE , PEUSTER MATTHIAS , GUELDNER HOLGER , SANDICA EUGEN , CRESPO‐MARTINEZ EUGENIA , MATHIES WOLFGANG , MEYER HANS , KOERFER REINER 
Published: January 2005

Background: Sinus node dysfunction is a frequent complication of Fontan‐type procedure. Epicardial pacing is considered as the standard treatment for these patients.
Methods and Results: We evaluated an endocardial approach in seven patients using a 4.1 French bipolar lumenless lead (SelectSecure) that is positioned through a steerable guiding catheter. Either a purely transvenous or an open transatrial approach can be used for lead placement. The smallest child weighed 12 kg. Individual anatomy was assessed preimplantation using magnetic resonance imaging and injection of radiographic contrast agent through the guiding catheter. A pullback pressure recording was used to confirm unimpaired blood flow into the pulmonary artery. Five of our seven patients underwent de novo transvenous atrial lead implantation for AAIR pacing. In the remaining two patients, both atrial and ventricular leads were inserted. One patient with an intraatrial tunnel underwent transvenous‐lead placement. The remaining patient with an extracardiac conduit received atrial and ventricular leads implanted through a guiding catheter inserted through an atriotomy. The postoperative management included short‐ or long‐term oral anticoagulation.
Conclusions: Transvenous endocardial lead implantation avoids the problem of increasing capture thresholds typically observed with epicardial leads. Due to its high tensile strength and lumenless design, the isodiametric lead is expected to remain extractable for an extended period of time.
Acute and Long‐Term Results of Slow Pathway Ablation in Patients with Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia—An Analysis of the Predictive Factors for Arrhythmia Recurrence
Authors: ESTNER HEIDI LUISE , NDREPEPA GJIN , DONG JUN , DEISENHOFER ISABEL , SCHREIECK JUERGEN , SCHNEIDER MICHAEL , PLEWAN ANDREAS , KARCH MARTIN , WEYERBROCK SONJA , WADE DIANA , ZRENNER BERNHARD , SCHMITT CLAUS 
Published: January 2005

Backqround: Predictors of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) recurrence after radiofrequency ablation including the importance of residual slow pathway conduction are not known. The aim of this study was to report the acute and long‐term results of slow pathway ablation in a large series of consecutive patients with AVNRT and to analyze the potential predictors of arrhythmia recurrence with a particular emphasis on the residual slow pathway conduction after ablation.
Methods: The study included 506 consecutive patients with AVNRT (mean age 52.6 ± 16 years, 315 women) who underwent slow pathway ablation using a combined electrophysiological and anatomical approach. The end point of ablation procedure was noninducibility of the arrhythmia. The primary end point of the study was the recurrence of AVNRT.
Results: Acute success was achieved in 500 patients (98.8%). After ablation, 471 patients (93%) were followed up for a mean of 903 ± 692 days. Of the 465 patients with successful ablation, 24 patients (5.2%) developed AVNRT recurrences during the follow‐up. No significant differences in the cumulative rates of AVNRT recurrence were observed in groups with or without electrophysiological evidence of residual slow pathway conduction (P = 0.25, log‐rank test). Multivariate analysis identified only age as an independent predictor of AVNRT recurrence (hazard ratio 0.96, 95% confidence interval 0.94–0.99, P = 0.004) with younger patients being at an increased risk for arrhythmia recurrence.
Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that only younger age, but not other clinical or electrophysiological parameters including residual slow pathway conduction predicted an increased risk for AVNRT recurrence after slow pathway radiofrequency ablation.
Passive euthanasia
Authors: Garrard E , Wilkinson S 
Published: January 2005

The idea of passive euthanasia has recently been attacked in a particularly clear and explicit way by an “Ethics Task Force” established by the European Association of Palliative Care (EAPC) in February 2001. It claims that the expression “passive euthanasia” is a contradiction in terms and hence that there can be no such thing. This paper critically assesses the main arguments for the Task Force’s view. Three arguments are considered. Firstly, an argument based on the (supposed) wrongness of euthanasia and the (supposed) permissibility of what is often called passive euthanasia. Secondly, the claim that passive euthanasia (so-called) cannot really be euthanasia because it does not cause death. And finally, a consequence based argument which appeals to the (alleged) bad consequences of accepting the category of passive euthanasia.We conclude that although healthcare professionals’ nervousness about the concept of passive euthanasia is understandable, there is really no reason to abandon the category provided that it is properly and narrowly understand and provided that “euthanasia reasons” for withdrawing or withholding life-prolonging treatment are carefully distinguished from other reasons.
Rosuvastatin, but not Simvastatin, Provides End-Organ Protection in Stroke-Prone Rats by Antiinflammatory Effects
Authors: Sironi Luigi , Gianazza Elisabetta , Gelosa Paolo , Guerrini Uliano , Nobili Elena , Gianella Anita , Cremonesi Benedetta , Paoletti Rodolfo , Tremoli Elena 
Published: January 2005

Objective—Brain abnormalities, preceded by a systemic inflammation, develop in spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone rats (SHRSP). In this model, we investigated whether the hydrophilic statin, rosuvastatin, influences the development of inflammation associated with brain abnormalities. Because differences in hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity contribute to the differences in statin pharmacology, we also evaluated the effects of simvastatin, a lipophilic moleculeMethods and Results—SHRSP, fed a high-salt diet, were treated long-term with vehicle or rosuvastatin (1 and 10 mg/kg per day). Brain abnormalities developed after 40±5 days and after 60±5 days of salt loading, in vehicle-treated and in rosuvastatin-treated (1 mg/kg per day) SHRSP, respectively. After 100 days of treatment, no damage was detectable in 30% of the rats treated with the highest dose of the drug. In comparison with vehicle-treated SHRSP, rosuvastatin treatment attenuated the transcription of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, transforming growth factor-β1, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α in the kidney, and of P-selectin in brain vessels and increased the transcription of endothelial nitric oxide synthase mRNA in the aorta. Urinary excretion of acute-phase proteins increased with time in vehicle-treated animals but remained negligible in drug-treated animals. These effects are independent of changes in physiological parameters. Treatment of SHRSP with simvastatin (2 to 20 mg/kg per day) did not exert any protective effect.Conclusions—Rosuvastatin attenuates inflammatory processes associated with cerebrovascular disease.