bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of aluminum cathodes prepared by ion-beam-assisted deposition in organic light-emitting devices
Authors: Jeong Soon Moon , Koo Won Hoi , Choi Sang Hun , Jo Sung Jin , Baik Hong Koo , Lee Se-Jong , Song Kie Moon 
Published: August 2004

We have fabricated highly stable organic electroluminescent devices based on spin-coated soluble phenyl-substituted poly-p-phenylene-vinylene (Ph-PPVs) thin films. The electrical properties of aluminum cathode, prepared by ion-beam-assisted deposition, on Ph-PPV have been investigated and compared to those prepared by thermal evaporation. Although energetic particles of Al assisted by Ar+ ion may damage the organic material, I–V–L characteristics are improved by evaporating a thin Al buffer layer prior to ion-beam-assisted deposition. In addition, a dense Al cathode inhibits the permeation of H2O and O2 into Ph-PPV film by suppressing pinhole defects, and thus retards dark spot growth. This may be deduced from highly packed structure of Al cathode with smaller contact resistance between Al and Ph-PPV. The lifetime of an organic light-emitting device has been extended by dense Al film through an ion-beam-assisted deposition process.
At the request of the authors, this article is being retracted effective 24 April 2006.
Tissue-Specific Expression of Head-to-Tail Cyclized Miniproteins in Violaceae and Structure Determination of the Root CyclotideViola hederacearoot cyclotide1[W]
Authors: Trabi Manuela , Craik David J. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe plant cyclotides are a family of 28 to 37 amino acid miniproteins characterized by their head-to-tail cyclized peptide backbone and six absolutely conserved Cys residues arranged in a cystine knot motif: two disulfide bonds and the connecting backbone segments form a loop that is penetrated by the third disulfide bond. This knotted disulfide arrangement, together with the cyclic peptide backbone, renders the cyclotides extremely stable against enzymatic digest as well as thermal degradation, making them interesting targets for both pharmaceutical and agrochemical applications. We have examined the expression patterns of these fascinating peptides in various Viola species (Violaceae). All tissue types examined contained complex mixtures of cyclotides, with individual profiles differing significantly. We provide evidence for at least 57 novel cyclotides present in a single Viola species (Viola hederacea). Furthermore, we have isolated one cyclotide expressed only in underground parts of V. hederacea and characterized its primary and three-dimensional structure. We propose that cyclotides constitute a new family of plant defense peptides, which might constitute an even larger and, in their biological function, more diverse family than the well-known plant defensins.
Global Transcription Profiling Reveals Multiple Sugar Signal Transduction Mechanisms in Arabidopsis[W]
Authors: Price John , Laxmi Ashverya , St. Martin Steven K. , Jang Jyan-Chyun 
Published: August 2004

AbstractComplex and interconnected signaling networks allow organisms to control cell division, growth, differentiation, or programmed cell death in response to metabolic and environmental cues. In plants, it is known that sugar and nitrogen are critical nutrient signals; however, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying nutrient signal transduction is very limited. To begin unraveling complex sugar signaling networks in plants, DNA microarray analysis was used to determine the effects of glucose and inorganic nitrogen source on gene expression on a global scale in Arabidopsis thaliana. In whole seedling tissue, glucose is a more potent signal in regulating transcription than inorganic nitrogen. In fact, other than genes associated with nitrate assimilation, glucose had a greater effect in regulating nitrogen metabolic genes than nitrogen itself. Glucose also regulated a broader range of genes, including genes associated with carbohydrate metabolism, signal transduction, and metabolite transport. In addition, a large number of stress responsive genes were also induced by glucose, indicating a role of sugar in environmental responses. Cluster analysis revealed significant interaction between glucose and nitrogen in regulating gene expression because glucose can modulate the effects of nitrogen and vise versa. Intriguingly, cycloheximide treatment appeared to disrupt glucose induction more than glucose repression, suggesting that de novo protein synthesis is an intermediary event required before most glucose induction can occur. Cross talk between sugar and ethylene signaling may take place on the transcriptional level because several ethylene biosynthetic and signal transduction genes are repressed by glucose, and the repression is largely unaffected by cycloheximide. Collectively, our global expression data strongly support the idea that glucose and inorganic nitrogen act as both metabolites and signaling molecules.
Hand development and sequence of ossification in the forelimb of the European shrew Crocidura russula (Soricidae) and comparisons across therian mammals
Authors: Prochel Jan , Vogel Peter , Sánchez‐Villagra Marcelo R. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractHand development in the European shrew Crocidura russula is described, based on the examination of a cleared and double‐stained ontogenetic series and histological sections of a c. 20‐day‐old embryo and a neonate. In the embryo all carpal elements are still mesenchymal condensations, and there are three more elements than in the adult stage: the ‘lunatum’, which fuses with the scaphoid around birth; a centrale, which either fuses with another carpal element or just disappears later in ontogeny; and the anlage of an element that later fuses with the radius. Carpal arrangement in the neonate and the adult is the same. In order to compare the relative timing of the onset of ossification in forelimb bones in C. russula with that of other therians, we built up two matrices of events based on two sets of data and used the event‐pair method. In the first analysis, ossification of forelimb elements in general was examined, including that of the humerus, radius, ulna, the first carpal and metacarpal to ossify, and the phalanges of the third digit. The second analysis included each carpal, humerus, radius, ulna, the first metacarpal and the first phalanx to ossify. Some characters (= event–pairs) provide synapomorphies for some clades examined. There have been some shifts in the timing of ossification apparently not caused by ecological and/or environmental influences. In two species (Oryctolagus and Myotis), there is a tendency to start the ossification of the carpals relatively earlier than in all other species examined, the sauropsid outgroups included.
Quantitative (stereological) study of the effects of vasectomy on spermatogenesis in rabbits
Authors: Kong Ling‐Shu , Huang An‐Pei , Deng Xian‐Zhong , Yang Zheng‐Wei 
Published: August 2004

AbstractUsing stereological methods, especially the optical disector for unbiased estimation of nuclear number, our recent study demonstrated that long‐term (6 or 12 months) vasectomy in the rhesus monkey had no significant effects on spermatogenesis (Peng et al. Reproduction 2002, 124, 847–856). This study aimed to determine the scenario in the rabbit using the same morphometric methodology. Three groups of normal male Japanese white rabbits (aged 4–5 months) were subjected to unilateral vasectomy; 10 days, 6 months and 12 months later both testes and epididymides were removed. Testicular and epididymal methacrylate‐embedded sections were obtained for stereology. Vasectomy‐induced damage to spermatogenesis was observed, primarily sloughing of spermatogenic cells with a greater reduction in the number of advanced (adluminal) cells. The damage was most severe at 10 days, occurring in all the testes on the vasectomized side and involving sloughing of even type A spermatogonia, the number of which returned to normal at 6 and 12 months. Damage was less severe at 6 and 12 months, being found in half of the testes of the vasectomy side, in which the total numbers of later germ cell types were 24.0–59.1% (spermatocytes) and 0.3–11.6% (spermatids) of control at 6 months, and 20.1–22.1% (spermatocytes) and 0.4–12.0% (spermatids) of control at 12 months. By contrast, Sertoli cell number per testis was unchanged following vasectomy in any group. Epididymis on the vasectomy side, especially at 10 days and 6 months, appeared larger than on the contralateral side, but this difference was not statistically significant, and no sperm granuloma was seen in the epididymis.
Expression of angiogenic factors in chronic myeloid leukaemia: role of the bcr/abl oncogene, biochemical mechanisms, and potential clinical implications
Authors: Sillaber C. , Mayerhofer M. , Aichberger K. J. , Krauth M.‐T. , Valent P. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractChronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is a stem cell disease characterized by an increased production and accumulation of clonal BCR/ABL–positive cells in haematopoietic tissues. The chronic phase of CML is inevitably followed by an accelerated phase of the disease, with consecutive blast crisis. However, depending on genetic stability, epigenetic events, and several other factors, the clinical course and survival appear to vary among patients. Recent data suggest that angiogenic cytokines such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), are up‐regulated in CML, and play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. These factors appear to be produced and released in leukaemic cells in patients with CML. In line with this notion, increased serum‐levels of angiogenic growth factors are measurable in CML patients. In this study we provide an overview of angiogenic growth factors expressed in CML cells, discuss the possible pathogenetic role of these cytokines, the biochemical basis of their production in leukaemic cells, and their potential clinical implications.
The biological and clinical significance of MLL abnormalities in haematological malignancies
Authors: Mitterbauer‐Hohendanner G. , Mannhalter C. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe MLL (Mixed Lineage Leukaemia or Myeloid/Lymphoid Leukaemia) gene on chromosome 11q23 is frequently involved in chromosomal translocations associated with human acute leukaemias. These translocations lead to fusion genes generally resulting in novel chimeric proteins containing the amino terminus of MLL fused in‐frame to one of about 30 distinct partner proteins. Abnormalities involving the MLL gene are observed in leukaemias of either lymphoid or myeloid lineage derivation, as well as in poorly differentiated or biphenotypic leukaemias. They are frequently seen in infant patients, and patients with therapy‐related secondary AML following treatment with inhibitors of topoisomerase II (epipodophyllotoxins). In the majority of cases, abnormalities involving the MLL gene are associated with a very poor prognostic outcome. In this review, we will discuss some of the recent advances in MLL research resulting from biological as well as clinical studies.
Novel molecular diagnostic and therapeutic targets in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Authors: Gaiger A. , Heintel D. , Jäger U. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractB‐cell lymphocytic leukaemia (B‐CLL) is an indolent non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma and the most frequent leukaemia. However, after many years, the incurable disease CLL has again become an exciting subject for research. Recently, both serum and molecular markers have been identified which could be used to predict the outcome of patients in early stages. With the advent of microarray analysis, novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets have been discovered. Here we describe the molecular strategies for target identification and validation. An evaluation of some established, and the most promising novel factors, with their diagnostic and prognostic applications is given. Potential therapeutic target molecules and their inhibitors are reviewed.
Role of early EEG and neuroimaging in determination of prognosis in children with complex febrile seizure
Authors: Yücel Oya , Aka Sibel , Yazicioglu Levent , Ceran Omer 
Published: August 2004

Abstract
Background
: The present study investigates the role of early use of EEG in children with no known neuropathology prior to the first CFS, and the contribution made by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to treatment and prognosis.
Methods
: Over a period of 7 years, the authors evaluated 159 children (age range: 2 months−5 years) who were being treated for CFS at Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital, Pediatrics Clinic, Istanbul, Turkey, and who had no previously known neurological disorder. Patients who presented with febrile seizure were determined to have CFS if they fulfilled the following criteria: <3 months of age when seizure occured, duration of seizure ≥15 min, more than one seizure occurred during a single episode of illness, or focal seizures and postictal neurological deficit was found. EEG was performed on all patients. CT was performed on the patients who had postictal neurologic deficit or focal seizures. Cranial MRI was performed on patients who had focal findings in their EEGs.
Results
: Electroencephalogram abnormality was found in 71 cases; 51 of these were diagnosed with epilepsy during follow up. Six of the 16 cases whose EEGs were abnormal between days 2 and 6 were diagnosed with epilepsy. Twenty of the 30 cases whose EEGs were abnormal between days 7 and 10 were diagnosed with epilepsy. All 25 cases who had abnormal EEGs after day 11 were diagnosed with epilepsy. CT was performed for 36 patients, of which five were found to have pathological changes. Pathological changes were detected in two of the nine patients who had cranial MRI. Patients who received CT or MRI were all diagnosed with epilepsy during follow up.
Conclusion
: The results suggest that if neurological examination of CFS patients are normal after their clinical status has stabilised, EEG should be performed after 7 days at the earliest, however for the most accurate diagnosis EEG should be performed 10 days after CFS. The most important predictor for neuroimaging was found to be detection of postictal neurologic deficit. MRI had no advantages over CT in first treating CFS in the emergency unit.
Oesophageal adenocarcinoma or gastric cancer with or without eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection in chronic atrophic gastritis patients: a hypothetical opinion from a systematic review
Authors: Nakajima S. , Hattori T. 
Published: August 2004

SummaryBackground : As chronic atrophic gastritis is a precancerous condition for gastric cancer and the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection halts chronic gastritis, eradication of infection may prevent gastric cancer. However, as chronic atrophic gastritis is a risk factor for reflux oesophagitis after eradication of infection, the risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma may also increase.Methods : We systematically reviewed papers and estimated the expected annual incidence of oesophageal or gastric cancer with and without eradication of H. pylori infection in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis.Results : The expected annual incidence of gastric cancer in patients with corpus atrophy with persistent infection was at least 5.8‐fold higher than that for oesophageal adenocarcinoma after the eradication of infection at all ages. Even for patients with accompanying reflux oesophagitis or Barrett's oesophagus, the expected incidence of either gastric or oesophageal adenocarcinoma with persistent infection was higher than that of oesophageal adenocarcinoma after eradication of infection.Conclusion : If eradication of infection lowers the incidence of gastric cancer, it should be recommended for patients with corpus atrophy at all ages irrespective of the presence of reflux oesophagitis or Barrett's oesophagus, especially in populations having a high prevalence of gastric cancer.
Effect of dietary anti‐Helicobacter pylori‐urease immunoglobulin Y on Helicobacter pylori infection
Authors: Suzuki H. , Nomura S. , Masaoka T. , Goshima H. , Kamata N. , Kodama Y. , Ishii H. , Kitajima M. , Nomoto K. , Hibi T. 
Published: August 2004

SummaryRecently, chicken egg yolk was recognized as an inexpensive antibody source, and the therapeutic usefulness of egg yolk immunoglobulin Y (IgY) in oral passive immunization has been investigated. Although multiple antibiotic treatments eradicate most Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections, therapy fails in 10–15% of cases due to the development of drug resistance. Consequently, it is important that new, more broadly based therapies for the treatment of H. pylori infection should be identified. The present study evaluated the effect, on H. pylori infection, of IgY prepared from egg yolk of hens immunized with H. pylori urease (anti‐HpU IgY). Seventeen asymptomatic volunteers diagnosed as H. pylori‐positive by the 13C‐urea breath test (UBT) were orally administered anti‐HpU IgY for 4 weeks. Four weeks later, UBT values were significantly decreased although no case showed H. pylori eradication. An H. pylori‐positive 53‐year‐old female gastritis patient administered anti‐HpU IgY plus lansoprazole for 8 weeks showed a decrease in serum pepsinogen (PG) I and UBT values as well as an increase in the PG I/II ratio. In conclusion, anti‐HpU IgY may mitigate H. pylori‐associated gastritis and partially attenuate gastric urease activity. Furthermore, anti‐HpU IgY combined with antacids appears to ameliorate gastric inflammation. These encouraging results may represent a novel approach to the management of H. pylori‐associated gastroduodenal disease.
Polymorphisms in ADAM33 are associated with allergic rhinitis due to Japanese cedar pollen
Authors: Cheng L. , Enomoto T. , Hirota T. , Shimizu M. , Takahashi N. , Akahoshi M. , Matsuda A. , Dake Y. , Doi S. , Enomoto K. , Yamasaki A. , Fukuda S. , Mao X.‐Q. , Hopkin J. M. , Tamari M. , Shirakawa T. 
Published: August 2004

SummaryBackground
A recent report provided evidence that a disintegrin and metalloprotease domain 33 (ADAM33), a member of the ADAM family, is a novel susceptibility gene in asthma linked to bronchial hyper‐responsiveness. However, there has been no investigation of the genetic role of ADAM33 variants in nasal allergy.Objective
The purpose of this study was to test the association between ADAM33 polymorphisms and Japanese cedar pollinosis (JCPsis), a most common seasonal allergic rhinitis in Japan.Methods
We conducted a case–control association study among a Japanese population, involving 95 adult individuals with JCPsis and 95 normal healthy controls. A total of 22 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ADAM33 were genotyped using PCR‐based molecular methods.Results
Six SNPs of ADAM33 gene, three in introns (7575G/A, 9073G/A and 12540C/T) and three in the coding region (10918G/C, 12433T/C and 12462C/T), were strongly associated with JCPsis (P=0.0002−0.022 for absolute allele frequencies) and most of the SNPs were in linkage disequilibrium with each other. A higher frequency of the common alleles of these SNPs was noted for the subjects with JCPsis in comparison with healthy controls. We also identified a haplotype associated with the disease susceptibility. In addition, associations were found between ADAM33 polymorphisms and various cedar pollinosis phenotypes including clinical severity, eosinophil counts in nasal secretion and allergen‐specific IgE levels in sera, but not total serum IgE levels.Conclusion
These results indicate that polymorphisms in the ADAM33 gene are associated with susceptibility to allergic rhinitis due to Japanese cedar pollen, but the functional relationship still needs clarification.
Allergic airway inflammation is exacerbated during acute influenza infection and correlates with increased allergen presentation and recruitment of allergen‐specific T‐helper type 2 cells
Authors: Marsland B. J. , Scanga C. B. , Kopf M. , Le Gros G. 
Published: August 2004

SummaryBackground
Respiratory viral infections are a leading cause of the hospitalization of asthmatics, however, the cellular immunological interactions which underlie these two diseases remain elusive.Objective
We sought to characterize the effect influenza viral infection has on allergic airway inflammation and to identify the cellular pathways involved.Methods
We have used an ovalbumin (OVA) model of allergic airway inflammation, which involves sensitization of animals with OVA adsorbed in alum adjuvant followed by an intranasal challenge with OVA in phosphate‐buffered saline. To study T cell recruitment into the lung, we adoptively transferred in vitro activated T cell receptor‐transgenic T cells, which were subsequently identified by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis. In addition, to study in vivo dendritic cell (DC) migration, we administered fluorescently labelled dextran and identified DCs that had phagocytosed it by FACS analysis.Results
We found that different stages of influenza infection had contrasting effects upon the outcome of OVA‐induced allergic airway inflammation. The allergic response against OVA was exacerbated during the acute stage of influenza infection; however, mice were protected against the development of airway eosinophilia at late time‐points following infection. We investigated the mechanisms responsible for the virus‐induced exacerbation and found that the response was partially independent of IL‐4 and that there was increased delivery of inhaled allergens to the draining lymph node during the acute stage of the infection. In addition, virus‐induced inflammation in the lung and draining lymph node resulted in the non‐specific recruitment of circulating allergen‐specific effector/memory cells.Conclusion
In addition to virus‐mediated damage to the lung and airways, influenza viral infection can also enhance unrelated local allergic responses.
Immunoglobulin G4 antibodies to rat urinary allergens, sensitization and symptomatic allergy in laboratory animal workers
Authors: Portengen L. , De Meer G. , Doekes G. , Heederik D. 
Published: August 2004

SummaryBackground and objectives
We have previously reported that high rat urinary allergen (RUA) exposure was not associated with increased risk of rat allergy in long‐term‐exposed laboratory animal (LA) workers. We aimed to assess whether strong allergen‐specific IgG4 responses could explain the absence of a dose response in these subjects. We investigated whether IgG4 was associated with allergen exposure and prevalence of sensitization or respiratory symptoms to rats. The longitudinal relation between IgG4 and rat allergy was studied using data obtained during 2 years of follow‐up.Methods
Five hundred and twenty‐nine LA workers answered a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms and occupational history and participated in skin prick testing. Blood samples were analysed for specific IgG4 and IgE to RUA. Exposure to RUA was estimated based on personal air samples. The relation between IgG4 and newly occurring sensitization or rat allergy was studied in workers who were not sensitized or did not report respiratory symptoms to rats.Results
IgG4 titres were higher in atopic than in non‐atopic subjects, and increased with higher allergen exposure. Titres were highest in subjects who were sensitized and reported respiratory symptoms to rats when compared with those who were not (geometric mean [geometric standard deviation]=202 [5.7] vs. 8.4 [18.3] AU). The association between IgG4 and sensitization or symptomatic rat allergy was independent of estimated allergen exposure. IgG4 was a strong predictor of newly occurring sensitization and symptomatic rat allergy during follow‐up in atopic and rat‐sensitized subjects.Conclusion
High exposure to RUA is associated with a strong allergen‐specific IgG4 antibody response. High anti‐RUA IgG4 is a strong predictor of prevalent and incident sensitization and symptomatic rat allergy in atopic and rat‐sensitized subjects. IgG4 can therefore not explain the absence of a dose response between allergen exposure and allergy in long‐term‐exposed workers. We consider anti‐RUA IgG4 to be a marker that combines aspects of exposure and susceptibility.