bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spinal Subdural Empyema
Authors: Dacey Ralph G. , Winn Richard H. , Jane John A. , Butler Albert B. 
Published: August 2004

Abstract
Spinal subdural empyema (SSE) is a rare variety of intraspinal infection. SSE should be suspected in patients presenting with fever, back pain, and signs of cord or nerve root compression. Two patients with SSE are presented. The first patient complained of fever and back pain. She had no neurological deficit but was found to have SSE. The second patient, who presented with intracerebral hemorrhage in the fifth month of pregnancy and spontaneous abortion, was found to have SSE at lumbar puncture. The clinical manifestations and management are discussed.
Interdural Cyst of the Lumbosacral Region
Authors: Stephen L. Done , Anne L. Hayman , Paul F. J. New , Kenneth R. Davis , Paul H. Chapman 
Published: August 2004

Abstract
The purpose of this report is to call attention to the clinical, myelographic, and computed tomographic appearance of a very rare type of dural cyst within the lumbosacral spinal canal. We report this condition in three unrelated boys who presented with symptoms of cauda equina compression. Our experience suggests that these cysts are congenital in origin. Anatomically, the cyst wall consisted of a dura-like layer without arachnoid. There was a small ventral defect allowing incomplete communication with the compressed subarachnoid space. Cerebrospinal fluid-like fluid accumulated within the interdural cyst as a result of this communication. Treatment consisted of obliteration of the point of entry between cyst and subarachnoid space in all cases and partial cyst wall excision in one case. After operation, the two patients who had presented with long-standing sphincter disturbance had partial improvement in function and the child with a pain syndrome was completely relieved of symptoms.
Percutaneous Retrogasserian Glycerol Rhizotomy for Tic Douloureux: Part 1 Technique and Results in 112 Patients
Authors: Dade L. Lunsford , Marvin H. Bennett 
Published: August 2004

Abstract
The technique and results of treatment of tic douloureux by percutaneous retrogasserian glycerol rhizotomy (PRGR) were assessed in a series of 112 patients. All patients were refractory to or intolerant of medical therapy, Many of these patients had recurrent pain despite such surgical treatment as microvascular decompression (21%) or one or more percutaneous radiofrequency thermal rhizotomies (19%). The follow-up duration after glycerol rhizotomy ranged from 4 to 28 months. At the final assessment, 67% had complete pain relief; 23% were improved, with pain relieved by minimal drug therapy; and 10% had poor results with unsatisfactory pain relief even with medications. Before the final assessment, 19 patients required a second PRGR because of an initially suboptimal injection (10%) or recurrent pain (16.9%). Seventy-three per cent had no demonstrable change in facial sensation after operation. Hakanson's original procedure based on anatomic verification by cisternography provided precise localization. required no intraoperative stimulation or lesion generators, and allowed varied anesthetic options during operation. In contrast to thermal rhizotomy. PRGR offers patients relief of painful tic douloureux without altering facial sensation in most cases.
Intracarotid Chemotherapy with a Combination of 1,3-Bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU), cis-Diaminedichloroplatinum (Cisplatin), and 4'-O-Demethyl-1-O-(4,6-O-2-thenylidene-β-D-glucopyranosyl)epipodophyllotoxin (VM-26) in the Treatment of Primary and Metastatic Brain Tumors
Authors: David J.Stewart , Grahovac Zvonimir , Benoit Brien , Addison David , Richard Michael T. , Dennery Jean , Hugenholtz Herman , Russell Neville , Peterson Eric , Maroun Jean A. , Vandenberg Ted , Hopkins Harry S. 
Published: August 2004

Abstract

Thirty-seven patients with intracranial primary or metastatic tumors were treated with an intraarterial combination of BCNU, cisplatin, and VM-26 to determine the efficacy, toxicity, and maximal tolerated doses for the combination. A transfemoral fluoroscopic approach was used to catheterize temporarily the internal carotid or vertebral artery. Thirteen of 19 (68%) evaluable primary brain tumors and 9 of 16 (56%) evaluable brain metastases responded. The response rate was lower in patients previously treated with both cranial irradiation and i.v. chemotherapy than in patients less heavily pretreated (54% vs. 82%), although even patients previously treated i.v. with all three of the study drugs responded. All five patients with both extracranial and intracranial evaluable tumor deposits experienced a greater response of their intracranial than of their extracranial tumor. Ipsilateral retinal and neurological toxicity were dose-limiting, with major toxicity (permanent decreased vision or hemiparesis) occurring in five of nine (56%) patients receiving doses of BCNU ≥ 100 mg/m2, plus cisplatin, 60 mg/m2, plus VM-26, 175 mg/m2. Only 9% of the patients treated with a lower VM-26 dose developed permanent severe toxicity, and the doses that we now recommend are: BCNU, 100 mg/m2; cisplatin, 60 mg/m2; and VM-26, 150 mg/m2. The response rate was also dose-related (100% at the highest doses tested vs. 57% at the lower doses). Fully reversible toxicity was also seen, including transient decrease in ipsilateral visual acuity (11%), transient hemiparesis or hemianesthesia (5%), transient increased intracranial pressure (5%), mild ototoxicity (3%), mild to moderate vomiting (80%), severe periorbital pain and erythema during BCNU infusion (94%), and myelosuppression (30%). Vertebral artery infusion must be performed with great caution because infusions of BCNU and VM-26 (but not of cisplatin) were associated with marked but rapidly reversible somnolence and potentially life-threatening cardiac and respiratory depression. No cardiorespiratory depression was seen with carotid artery infusions. The intraarterial infusion of this three-drug regimen is quite effective in reducing the size of the tumor as seen on the computed tomographic scan in this poor prognosis group of patients, but is also potentially quite toxic. We are now initiating other studies adding i.v. drugs to our intracarotid combination.
Suprasellar Germ Cell Tumor with Extracranial Metastases
Authors: Jennings Darrell C. , Powell Deborah E. , Walsh John W. , Mortara Richard H. 
Published: August 2004

Abstract

A case of metastasizing suprasellar germ cell tumor is described. Serum tumor markers were measured and the immunochemistry of the tumor was studied. The rarity of extracranial metastasis from suprasellar germinomas is noted, and the relevance to mixed tumors is discussed. The difficulties associated with small biopsies and the importance of tumor marker studies in all cases of an intracranial germ cell tumor are emphasized by the case study. (Neurosurgery 16:9–12, 1985)
Ependymal Cyst of the Quadrigeminal Plate: Case Report
Authors: Davis Raphael P. , Sachdev Ved P. , Sachar Michael , Wood James H. 
Published: August 2004

Abstract

A patient with an ependymal cyst of the quadrigeminal plate is reported. The patient presented with headache, diplopia, and evidence of increased intracranial pressure. A nonenhancing cyst with hydrocephalus was demonstrated by computed tomographic scan. The cyst was subtotally resected using a transtentorial approach. The causes, clinical presentation, and treatment of quadrigeminal plate ependymal cysts are discussed, together with a review of the literature. (Neurosurgery 16:96–99, 1985)
Revascularization and Aneurysm Surgery: Current Status
Authors: Spetzler Robert F. , Carter Philip L. 
Published: August 2004

Abstract

Unclippable intracranial aneurysms are most effectively treated by hunterian ligation; however, the attendant risk of cerebral ischemia is significant. Many techniques have been used in an attempt to predict the safety of proximal vessel occlusion. Unfortunately, there is none that is risk-free and highly successful. A combination of stump pressure and cerebral blood flow measurements has been shown to be the most accurate in the acute assessment. In addition, recent studies have demonstrated that the long term risk of carotid ligation is significant. Extracranial-intracranial bypass grafting (EC-IC) has been shown to improve the safety of parent vessel ligation and is a low risk procedure. Whenever hunterian ligation is planned for the treatment of an intracranial aneurysm, EC-IC should be strongly considered. (Neurosurgery 16:111–116, 1985)
Intramedullary Spinal Neurofibroma Diagnosed with Computed Tomography: Report of a Case
Authors: Gonzalez Gelabert M. , Allut Garcia A. , Alonso Conde C. , Zabala Bollar A. , Rumbo Martinez R. , Oliveros Reyes F. 
Published: August 2004

Abstract
A case of intramedullary neurofibroma of the cervical spine in a patient with no signs of von Recklinghausen's disease is presented. Intramedullary neurofibroma is extremely rare, accounting for less than 1% of spinal cord neurofibromas. This case is the first diagnosed with computed tomography. (Neurosurgery 16: 543-545, 1985)
Modeling the structure of bound peptide ligands to major histocompatibility complex
Authors: Tong Joo Chuan , Tan Tin Wee , Ranganathan Shoba 
Published: August 2004

AbstractIn this article, we present a new technique for the rapid and precise docking of peptides to MHC class I and class II receptors. Our docking procedure consists of three steps: (1) peptide residues near the ends of the binding groove are docked by using an efficient pseudo‐Brownian rigid body docking procedure followed by (2) loop closure of the intervening backbone structure by satisfaction of spatial constraints, and subsequently, (3) the refinement of the entire backbone and ligand interacting side chains and receptor side chains experiencing atomic clash at the MHC receptor–peptide interface. The method was tested by remodeling of 40 nonredundant complexes of at least 3.00 Å resolution for which three‐dimensional structural information is available and independently for docking peptides derived from 15 nonredundant complexes into a single template structure. In the first test, 33 out of 40 MHC class I and class II peptides and in the second test, 11 out of 15 MHC–peptide complexes were modeled with a Cα RMSD < 1.00 Å.
The HU–DNA binding interaction probed with UV resonance Raman spectroscopy: Structural elements of specificity
Authors: Wojtuszewski Kristi , Mukerji Ishita 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe Escherichia coli protein HU functions as an architectural DNA‐binding protein by facilitating DNA looping or bending to form multiprotein complexes. Although HU does not recognize a specific DNA sequence, site‐specific binding to a number of discontinuous, looped, or bent DNA substrates has been observed. In this study UV resonance Raman (UVRR) spectroscopy is used to identify structural elements associated with low‐ and high‐affinity binding by examining three different HU–DNA complexes. UVRR spectra obtained with an excitation wavelength of 210 nm, which preferentially enhances protein backbone amide vibrations, indicate that HU secondary structure content increases and the protein structure becomes more rigid upon binding to DNA. The increase in α‐helical content is attributed to the C‐terminal helix, which interacts with the DNA and may play a role in binding affinity and specificity. UVRR spectra obtained with a 215 nm excitation wavelength demonstrate that Pro mode intensity at 1455 cm−1 decreases upon complex formation. This intensity decrease is attributed to the intercalation of Pro residues between DNA base pairs to induce a bend in the DNA, as has been observed previously in the IHF–DNA and HU–DNA cocrystal structures. DNA vibrational modes are also indicative of significant base unstacking and opening of the minor groove upon protein binding, consistent with bending and distortion of the DNA. In all three complexes, A‐DNA conformational features are indicated by deoxyribose‐phosphate backbone modes. These and other results suggest that protein‐induced bending plays an important role in HU site‐specific binding and supports a model of a mutually induced fit.
Conformational stability and thermodynamic characterization of the lipoic acid bearing domain of human mitochondrial branched chain α‐ketoacid dehydrogenase
Authors: Naik Mandar T. , Huang Tai‐Huang 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe lipoic acid bearing domain (hbLBD) of human mitochondrial branched chain α‐ketoacid dehydrogenase (BCKD) plays important role of substrate channeling in oxidative decarboxylation of the branched chain α‐ketoacids. Recently hbLBD has been found to follow two‐step folding mechanism without detectable presence of stable or kinetic intermediates. The present study describes the conformational stability underlying the folding of this small β‐barrel domain. Thermal denaturation in presence of urea and isothermal urea denaturation titrations are used to evaluate various thermodynamic parameters defining the equilibrium unfolding. The linear extrapolation model successfully describes the two‐step; native state ↔denatured state unfolding transition of hbLBD. The average temperature of maximum stability of hbLBD is estimated as 295.6 ± 0.9 K. Cold denaturation of hbLBD is also predicted and discussed.
Long‐range allosteric transitions in carbamoyl phosphate synthetase
Authors: Thoden James B. , Huang Xinyi , Kim Jungwook , Raushel Frank M. , Holden Hazel M. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractCarbamoyl phosphate synthetase plays a key role in both pyrimidine and arginine biosynthesis by catalyzing the production of carbamoyl phosphate from one molecule of bicarbonate, two molecules of MgATP, and one molecule of glutamine. The enzyme from Escherichia coli consists of two polypeptide chains referred to as the small and large subunits, which contain a total of three separate active sites that are connected by an intramolecular tunnel. The small subunit harbors one of these active sites and is responsible for the hydrolysis of glutamine to glutamate and ammonia. The large subunit binds the two required molecules of MgATP and is involved in assembling the final product. Compounds such as L‐ornithine, UMP, and IMP allosterically regulate the enzyme. Here, we report the three‐dimensional structure of a site‐directed mutant protein of carbamoyl phosphate synthetase from E. coli, where Cys 248 in the small subunit was changed to an aspartate. This residue was targeted for a structural investigation because previous studies demonstrated that the partial glutaminase activity of the C248D mutant protein was increased 40‐fold relative to the wild‐type enzyme, whereas the formation of carbamoyl phosphate using glutamine as a nitrogen source was completely abolished. Remarkably, although Cys 248 in the small subunit is located at ∼100 Å from the allosteric binding pocket in the large subunit, the electron density map clearly revealed the presence of UMP, although this ligand was never included in the purification or crystallization schemes. The manner in which UMP binds to carbamoyl phosphate synthetase is described.
Solution structure of the human Grb14–SH2 domain and comparison with the structures of the human Grb7–SH2/erbB2 peptide complex and human Grb10–SH2 domain
Authors: Scharf Paul J. , Witney Jill , Daly Roger , Lyons Barbara A. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractGrb14 is an adapter protein that is known to be overexpressed in estrogen receptor positive breast cancers, and in a number of prostate cancer cell lines. Grb14 has been demonstrated to bind to a number of activated receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and to modulate signals transduced through these receptors. The RTKs to which Grb14 binds include the insulin receptor (IR), the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR), the platelet‐derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), and the tunica endothelial kinase (Tek/Tie2) receptor. Grb14 has been shown to bind to these activated RTKs through its Src homology 2 (SH2) domain, with the exception of the insulin receptor, where the primary binding interaction is via a small domain adjacent to the SH2 domain (the BPS or PIR domain). Grb14 is a member of the Grb7 family of proteins, which also includes Grb7 and Grb10. We have solved the solution structure of the human Grb14–SH2 domain and compared it with the recently determined Grb7–SH2 and Grb10–SH2 domain structures.
Changes in Sexual Function in Middle‐Aged and Older Men: Longitudinal Data from the Massachusetts Male Aging Study
Authors: Araujo Andre B. , Mohr Beth A. , McKinlay John B. 
Published: August 2004

Objectives: To describe within‐individual change in sexual function over a 9‐year period and to determine whether the amount of change differs by age group.Design: Cohort study; participants interviewed at baseline (1987–89) and follow‐up (1995–97).Setting: Population‐based; communities surrounding Boston, Massachusetts.Participants: One thousand eighty‐five men aged 40 to 70 at baseline (born between 1917 and 1947) with complete baseline and follow‐up sexual function data.Measurements: Within‐person change (follow‐up minus baseline) in the following sexual function variables: sexual intercourse, erection frequency, sexual desire, ejaculation with masturbation, satisfaction with sex, and difficulty with orgasm.Results: Unadjusted analyses showed significant longitudinal changes over the 9‐year period in all domains of sexual function except frequency of ejaculation with masturbation, which showed no change between baseline and follow‐up. Adjusted for baseline sexual function, within‐person change in all outcomes was strongly related to age, with decline in sexual function becoming more pronounced with increasing age. For example, over the 9‐year study period, sexual intercourse or activity frequency decreased by less than once per month, two times per month, and three times per month in men in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, respectively. Number of erections per month declined by 3, 9, and 13 in men in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, respectively.Conclusion: This research fills a major gap in the literature by providing age‐specific estimates of change in sexual functioning over a 9‐year period in a cohort of unselected men.
Aberrant IgG2 Antibody Response to Neisseria Meningitidis Polysaccharide A After Vaccination in Frequently Infected Compared to Healthy IgA‐Deficient Individuals
Authors: Friman V. , Hahn‐Zoric M. , Björkander J. , Oxelius V.‐A. , Hanson L. Å. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractIn search for a possible explanation of the phenotypic heterogeneity in selective immunoglobulin (Ig)A deficiency, we studied the IgG2 antibody response to meningococcal polysaccharide A (PSA) in IgA‐deficient (IgAd) individuals after vaccination with meningococcal A + C polysaccharide vaccine. Two groups of IgAd individuals, one frequently infected and one clinically apparently healthy, as well as healthy controls, were studied. In response to meningococcal A + C polysaccharide vaccine, a significant titre increase of specific IgG2 anti‐PSA was found in 71% of the control individuals, in 50% of the healthy and in 42% of the infection‐prone IgAd individuals. The specific IgG2 response against meningococcal PSA was significantly lower in the infection‐prone IgAd individuals compared to the controls (P < 0.05). Among the IgAd individuals who responded with a significant IgG2 antibody increase, the IgG2 antibody response was significantly lower in the infection‐prone than in the healthy IgAd individuals (P < 0.05). Thus, a limited capacity to mount a specific IgG2 response may suggest a more profound antibody maturation defect in infection‐prone IgAd patients compared to healthy IgAd individuals.
Interactions Between Lipoxin A4, the Stable Analogue 16‐phenoxy‐lipoxin A4 and Leukotriene B4 in Cytokine Generation by Human Monocytes
Authors: Andersson P. , Serhan C. N. , Petasis N. A. , Palmblad J. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractLipoxins display both stimulatory and inhibitory actions with leucocytes that are cell‐type dependent. We tested whether lipoxin A4 (LXA4) and its stable synthetic analogue 16‐phenoxy‐17‐18,19,20‐tetranor‐lipoxin‐A4 (16‐phe‐LXA4) modulated the ability of human blood monocytes (MO) to express mRNA and proteins for interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), IL‐6 and IL‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1Ra) in vitro and compared their actions with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4). 16‐phe‐LXA4, LPS and LTB4, but not LXA4, induced gene expression of IL‐1β in MO. IL‐1β protein synthesis increased by LPS (1500‐fold), LTB4 (280‐fold) and 16‐phe‐LXA4 (30‐fold). Although the IL‐1Ra gene was constitutively activated, mRNA concentration not affected by any of the stimulants, IL‐Ra protein synthesis was increased by LPS (with 74%), 16‐phe‐LXA4 (35%) and LTB4 (20%), but not by LXA4. Each of these stimuli upregulated the IL‐6 gene. Increases of IL‐6 protein were 3000‐fold for LPS, threefold for 16‐phe‐LXA4, eightfold for LXA4 and twofold for LTB4. Prior exposure of MO to 16‐phe‐LXA4, but not LXA4, reduced LTB4 induced synthesis of IL‐1β with 66%, IL‐6 with 20% and IL‐1Ra with 29%. Thus, a stable LXA analogue, that resists rapid inactivation by monocytes, displays novel actions in cytokine generation, intimately involved in the regulation of inflammation.
Protective Responses in Tuberculosis: Induction of Genes for Interferon‐γ and Cytotoxicity by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and During Human Tuberculosis
Authors: Toossi Z. , Mayanja‐Kizza H. , Kanost A. , Edmonds K. , McHugh M. , Hirsch C. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe host effector mechanisms against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection are not well understood, and this remains a problem in the development of new vaccines and immunotherapies in tuberculosis (TB). Here, we studied the expression of genes for interferon gamma (IFN‐γ) and molecules involved in lymphocyte‐mediated cytotoxicity [granzyme B (grzB), perforin, granulysin and Fas ligand (FasL)] against M. tuberculosis‐infected macrophages. The kinetics of expression of these molecules were first established in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of healthy donors, and then investigated in TB patients with and without HIV‐1 coinfection and appropriate control groups. We found that only IFN‐γ and grzB were induced by M. tuberculosis in PBMC from healthy purified protein derivative skin test reactive subjects. However, expression of neither gene nor IFN‐γ protein correlated with intracellular M. tuberculosis growth containment by macrophages. Mycobacterium tuberculosis induction of IFN‐γ, but not grzB, mRNA expression was significantly lower (P < 0.03) in TB patients as compared with healthy subjects.