bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Macrophage activation syndrome: characteristic findings on liver biopsy illustrating the key role of activated, IFN-γ-producing lymphocytes and IL-6- and TNF-α-producing macrophages
Authors: Billiau An D. , Roskams Tania , Van Damme-Lombaerts Rita , Matthys Patrick , Wouters Carine 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a rare and potentially fatal disorder, thought to result from uncontrolled activation and proliferation of T cells and excessive activation of macrophages. The term MAS designates a clinicopathologic entity that occurs in different hemophagocytic syndromes (HSs). Primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is recognized to have an immunogenetic basis, but in the secondary HS (also referred to as secondary HLH), the cause is unknown. The pathogenesis of the accelerated disease phase typical of MAS remains incompletely understood. This report describes the immunohistochemical findings on liver tissues from 5 children, each of whom presented with MAS in the context of a different type of HS. The data provide direct evidence for the involvement of activated CD8+ lymphocytes through the production of interferon-γ and of macrophages through hemophagocytosis and production of interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, and underscore the view that MAS in different HSs share a common effector pathway. (Blood. 2005;105:1648-1651)
Microarrays for global expression constructed with a low redundancy set of 27,500 sequenced cDNAs representing an array of developmental stages and physiological conditions of the soybean plant
Authors: Vodkin Lila O , Khanna Anupama , Shealy Robin , Clough Steven J , Gonzalez Delkin Orlando , Philip Reena , Zabala Gracia , Thibaud-Nissen Françoise , Sidarous Mark , Strömvik Martina V , Shoop Elizabeth , Schmidt Christina , Retzel Ernest , Erpelding John , Shoemaker Randy C , Rodriguez-Huete Alicia M , Polacco Joseph C , Coryell Virginia , Keim Paul , Gong George , Liu Lei , Pardinas Jose , Schweitzer Peter 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
Background
Microarrays are an important tool with which to examine coordinated gene expression. Soybean (Glycine max) is one of the most economically valuable crop species in the world food supply. In order to accelerate both gene discovery as well as hypothesis-driven research in soybean, global expression resources needed to be developed. The applications of microarray for determining patterns of expression in different tissues or during conditional treatments by dual labeling of the mRNAs are unlimited. In addition, discovery of the molecular basis of traits through examination of naturally occurring variation in hundreds of mutant lines could be enhanced by the construction and use of soybean cDNA microarrays.

Results
We report the construction and analysis of a low redundancy 'unigene' set of 27,513 clones that represent a variety of soybean cDNA libraries made from a wide array of source tissue and organ systems, developmental stages, and stress or pathogen-challenged plants.
The set was assembled from the 5' sequence data of the cDNA clones using cluster analysis programs. The selected clones were then physically reracked and sequenced at the 3' end. In order to increase gene discovery from immature cotyledon libraries that contain abundant mRNAs representing storage protein gene families, we utilized a high density filter normalization approach to preferentially select more weakly expressed cDNAs. All 27,513 cDNA inserts were amplified by polymerase chain reaction. The amplified products, along with some repetitively spotted control or 'choice' clones, were used to produce three 9,728-element microarrays that have been used to examine tissue specific gene expression and global expression in mutant isolines.

Conclusions
Global expression studies will be greatly aided by the availability of the sequence-validated and low redundancy cDNA sets described in this report. These cDNAs and ESTs represent a wide array of developmental stages and physiological conditions of the soybean plant. We also demonstrate that the quality of the data from the soybean cDNA microarrays is sufficiently reliable to examine isogenic lines that differ with respect to a mutant phenotype and thereby to define a small list of candidate genes potentially encoding or modulated by the mutant phenotype.
Tuberculous peritonitis in a case receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis(CAPD) treatment
Authors: Sahin Garip , Kiraz Nuri , Sahin Ilknur , Soydan Mehmet , Akgün Yurdanur 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
Background
Tuberculosis continues to be an important health problem in the world. Besides pulmonary involvement extrapulmonary involvement becomes an affair in developing countries, even in developed countries.

Case presentation
A thirty-six year old male patient was admitted with abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and fever which had started one week before. The patient had been followed up with predialisis Chronic Renal Failure(CRF) diagnosis for 4 years and receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) treatment for 4 months. In peritoneal fluid, 1600/mm3 cells were detected and 70% of them were polymorphonuclear leukocytosis. The patient begun nonspesific antibiotherapy but no benefit was obtained after 12 days and peritoneal fluid bacterial cultures remained negative. Peritoneal smear was positive for Asid-fast basilli (AFB), and antituberculosis therapy was started with isoniazid, rifampicine, ethambutol and pyrazinamide. After 15 days his peritoneal fluid cell count was decreased and his symptoms were relieved. Peritoneal fluid tuberculosis culture was found positive.

Conclusion
Considering this case, we think that in patients with CAPD catheter and peritonitis; when peritoneal fluid leukocytes are high and PMNL are dominant, AFB and tuberculosis culture must be investigated besides bacterial culture routinely.
Impact of seasonal variation, age and smoking status on human semen parameters: The Massachusetts General Hospital experience
Authors: Chen Zuying , Godfrey-Bailey Linda , Schiff Isaac , Hauser Russ 
Published: October 2004

Abstract

Background

To investigate the relationship of human semen parameters with season, age and smoking status.

Methods

The present study used data from subjects recruited into an ongoing cross-sectional study on the relationship between environmental agents and semen characteristics. Our population consisted of 306 patients who presented to the Vincent Memorial Andrology Laboratory of Massachusetts General Hospital for semen evaluation. Sperm concentration and motility were measured with computer aided sperm analysis (CASA). Sperm morphology was scored using Tygerberg Kruger strict criteria. Regression analyses were used to investigate the relationships between semen parameters and season, age and smoking status, adjusting for abstinence interval.

Results

Sperm concentration in the spring was significantly higher than in winter, fall and summer (p < 0.05). There was suggestive evidence of higher sperm motility and percent of sperm with normal morphology in the spring than in the other seasons. There were no statistically significant relationships between semen parameters and smoking status, though current smokers tended to have lower sperm concentration. We also did not find a statistically significant relationship between age and semen parameters.

Conclusions

We found seasonal variations in sperm concentration and suggestive evidence of seasonal variation in sperm motility and percent sperm with normal morphology. Although smoking status was not a significant predictor of semen parameters, this may have been due to the small number of current smokers in the study.
The anti-inflammatory effects of a selectin ligand mimetic, TBC-1269, are not a result of competitive inhibition of leukocyte rolling in vivo
Authors: Hicks Anne E R , Abbitt Kate B , Dodd Paul , Ridger Victoria C , Hellewell Paul G , Norman Keith E 
Published: October 2004

AbstractSelectins and their ligands support leuocyte rolling, facilitating the subsequent firm adhesion and migration that occur during inflammation. TBC-1269 (Bimosiamose), a structural mimetic of natural selectin ligands, inhibits P-, E-, and L-selectin in vitro, has anti-inflammatory effects in vivo, and recently underwent phase II clinical trials for childhood asthma and psoriasis. We studied whether the anti-inflammatory effects of TBC-1269 could be related to leukocyte rolling in vivo. Although TBC-1269 inhibited rolling of a murine leukocyte cell line on murine P-selectin in vitro and thioglycollate-induced peritonitis in vivo, it did not alter leukocyte rolling in mouse cremaster venules. TBC-1269 reduced neutrophil recruitment in thioglycollate-induced peritonitis in wild-type and P-selectin−/− mice but not in E-selectin−/− mice. We suggest that the in vivo effects of TBC-1269 may be mediated through E-selectin but do not appear to involve leukocyte rolling.
Attitudes of Finnish Community Pharmacists Toward Concordance
Authors: Kansanaho Heli M , Puumalainen Inka I , Varunki Maaret M , Airaksinen Marja SA , Aslani Parisa 
Published: October 2004

BACKGROUND Concordance is a new model of interaction between healthcare professionals and patients. The work of pharmacists and patients in the consultation is a negotiation between equals, and the aim is therapeutic alliance between them. OBJECTIVE To assess Finnish community pharmacists’ attitudes toward concordance and its perceived impact on pharmacist–patient consultations during a 4-year Finnish project (TIPPA Project 2000–2003) aimed at promoting patient counseling. METHODS A survey of a random sample of 734 community pharmacists in Finland was conducted in 2002. The questionnaire included an attitudinal scale and 2 open-ended questions on the impact of the TIPPA Project on patient counseling. Attitudes toward concordance were measured using a modified version of the LATCon scale. The construct validity and internal consistency of the scale were evaluated using factor analysis and Cronbach's α. Mean summative factor scores (MSS) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for each factor. The responses to the open-ended questions were content analyzed. RESULTS A response rate of 51% (n = 376) was obtained. Almost 80% of the respondents strongly agreed that the highest priority in patient counseling was to establish a therapeutic alliance between the pharmacist and patient. Factor analysis of the attitudinal scale yielded 3 primary factors explaining 37.6% of the variance, interpreted as respecting patients’ beliefs (α = 0.60; MSS = 1.90; 95% CI 2.25 to 2.40), establishing a therapeutic alliance (α = 0.65; MSS = 1.36; 95% CI 1.31 to 1.40), and sensitivity to patients’ reactions (α = 0.66; MSS = 2.33; 95% CI 1.83 to 1.96). Results of the open-ended questions indicated that the TIPPA Project had a positive impact on pharmacists’ attitudes toward concordance. CONCLUSIONS Respondents to our survey were supportive of concordance. The TIPPA Project elicited a positive impact on pharmacists’ attitudes toward counseling. Pharmacist education through programs such as TIPPA can aid in the implementation of a concordance-based counseling practice.
Mutational Analysis of Two Stefin A Epitopes
Authors: Kopitar-Jerala N. , Jerala R. , Turk B. , Gubensek F. , Turk V. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractStefin A, an intracellular inhibitor of cysteine proteinases, is expressed most abundantly in epithelial cells and in cells of lymphatic origin. In order to study its role in normal and pathological conditions we have prepared and characterized monoclonal antibodies against recombinant stefin A. Two high affinity monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) (A22 and C52) were tested for binding to free and papain-complexed stefin A and to a chimeric inhibitor, consisting of 61 amino acid residues of stefin A and 37 carboxy-terminal residues of stefin B. mAb A22 recognized not only free stefin A but also stefin A in complex with papain. The mAbs were further tested for their cross-reactivity against stefin A and B isolated from different mammalian species. On the basis of sequence similarity and tertiary structure of human stefin A we have prepared three mutants–Glu33Lys, Asp61Gly and Asn62Tyr–and their reactivity with the mAbs was tested. The binding affinities of mAb A22 for the Asp61Gly and Asn62Tyr mutants were significantly lower, indicating that the two amino acids are part of the stefin A epitope recognized by A22. The binding of both mAbs to the mutants Gly4Arg and Gly4Glu was comparable to wild-type stefin A.
Cyclin Dependent Kinases and Regulation of the Fission Yeast Cell Cycle
Authors: Nurse P. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractThe cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs), formed by complexes between Cdc2p and the B-cyclins Cig2p and Cdc13p, have a central role in regulating the fission yeast cell cycle and maintaining genomic stability. The CDK Cig2p/Cdc2p controls the onset of S-phase and the CDK Cdc13p/Cdc2p controls the onset of mitosis and ensures that there is only one S-phase in each cell. Cdc13p/Cdc2p can replace Cig2p/Cdc2p for the onset of S-phase, suggesting that the increasing activity of a single CDK during the cell cycle is sufficient to drive a cell in an orderly fashion into S-phase and into mitosis. If S-phase is incomplete, then inhibition of Cdc13p/Cdc2p prevents cells with unreplicated DNA from undergoing a catastrophic entry into mitosis. Control of CDK activity is also important to allow cells to exit the cell cycle and accumulate in G1 in response to nutritional deprivation and the presence of pheromone.
Viroids with Hammerhead Ribozymes: Some Unique Structural and Functional Aspects with Respect to Other Members of the Group
Authors: Flores R. , Navarro J.-A. , Peña M. de la , Navarro B. , Ambrós S. , Vera A. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractViroids, subviral pathogens of plants, are composed of a single-stranded circular RNA of 246–399 nucleotides. Within the 27 viroids sequenced, avocado sunblotch, peach latent mosaic and chrysanthemum chlorotic mottle viroids (ASBVd, PLMVd and CChMVd, respectively) can form hammerhead structures in both of their polarity strands. These ribozymes mediate self-cleavage of the oligomeric RNAs generated in the replication through a rolling circle mechanism, whose two other steps are catalyzed by an RNA polymerase and an RNA ligase. ASBVd, and presumably PLMVd and CChMVd, replicate and accumulate in the chloroplast, whereas typical viroids replicate and accumulate in the nucleus. PLMVd and CChMVd do not adopt a rod-like or quasi rod-like secondary structure as typical viroids do but have a highly branched conformation. A pathogenicity determinant has been mapped in a defined region of the CChMVd molecule.
Mutagenesis via Insertional or Restriction Enzyme-Mediated Integration (REMI) as a Tool to Tag Pathogenicity Related Genes in Plant Pathogenic Fungi
Authors: Maier F. J. , Schäfer W. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractRandom insertional mutagenesis is a powerful tool to investigate the molecular basis of most genetically determined processes, for example in pathogenic fungi. An improved version of this method is the insertional mutagenesis via restriction enzyme mediated integration (REMI). Transformation efficiency and mode of vector integration are species dependent and further influenced by vector conformation, restriction enzyme activity, and transformation protocol. An overview is given, covering the mutants and already identified genes obtained after REMI mutagenesis. An outlook describes the future developments in the field.
A Role of Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase in NF- B Transcriptional Activation
Authors: Hassa P. O. , Hottiger M. O. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractThe transcription factor NF-κB plays a critical role in immune and inflammatory responses. Here we show that poly (ADP ribose) polymerase (PARP) is required for specific NF-κB transcriptional activationin vivo. The activation of the HIV-LTR promoter and an NF-κBdependent artificial promoter was drastically reduced in PARP (_/_) cells, independently of the signaling pathway through which NF-bB was induced. Furthermore NF-κB-dependent gene activation was restoredin vivoby the expression of PARP in PARP (_/_) cells. Finally, we show that both NF-κB and PARP formed a stable immunoprecipitable nuclear complex. This interaction did not need DNA binding. Our results suggest that PARP is an important cofactor in the activation cascade of NF-κB-dependent target genes.
The Role of Protein Phosphatase 2A Catalytic Subunit Cα in Embryogenesis: Evidence from Sequence Analysis and Localization Studies
Authors: Götz Jürgen , Kues Wilfried 
Published: October 2004

AbstractProtein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) constitutes one of the major families of protein serine/threonine phosphatases found in all eukaryotic cells. PP2A holoenzymes are composed of a catalytic subunit complexed with a structural regulatory subunit of 65 kDa. These core subunits associate with regulatory subunits of various sizes to form different heterotrimers which have been purified and evaluated with regard to substrate specificity. In fully differentiated tissues PP2A expression levels are highest in the brain, however, relatively little is known about expression in the developing embryo.In order to determine the composition of PP2A catalytic subunits in the mouse, cDNAs were cloned and the genomic organization of PP2A Cα was determined.By a gene targeting approach in the mouse, we have previously shown that the absence of the major catalytic subunit of PP2A, Cα, resulted in embryonic lethality around embryonic day E6.5. No mesoderm was formed which implied that PP2A plays a crucial role in gastrulation.Here, we extended our studies and analyzed wildtype embryos for Cα expression at subsequent stages of development. After gastrulation is completed, we find high expression of Cα restricted to the neural folds, which suggests that PP2A plays an additional pivotal role in neurulation.
A High Affinity Binding Site for the Polypyrimidine Tract Binding Protein (PTB) Is Located in the 5'-Untranslated Region of the Rat Proteinase α1-Inhibitor 3 Variant I Gene
Authors: Sickinger Stefan , Schweizer Michael 
Published: October 2004

AbstractAs a first step towards understanding the mechanism underlying the differential gene expression of the two variants of the rat proteinase-inhibitor α1-Inhibitor 3 (α1I3) corresponding genomic clones were isolated. The 100% similarity between the sequence of one genomic clone and that of the α1-I3 variant I cDNA strongly suggested that its 5′-sequence represented the upstream region of the corresponding gene. Several putativecis-regulatory elements were identified as well as a polypyrimidine tract located between the transcription start site of the α1-I3 variant I mRNA and the AUG codon. The polypyrimidine tract functions as a positivecis-element in a heterologous promoter. By electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) we have shown that a GST (glutathione S-transferase) fusion of the rat polypyrimidine tract binding protein (PTB) has a high affinity for the pyrimidine-rich sense strand but not for the complementary sequence of the 5′-untranslated region of the α1-I3 variant I gene.
The Anti-Estrogen Hydroxytamoxifen Is a Potent Antagonist in a Novel Yeast System
Authors: Liu Jia Wei , Jeannin Elisabeth , Picard Didier 
Published: October 2004

AbstractThe budding yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiaehas been used extensively as a biological ‘test tube’ to study the regulation of the human estrogen receptor (ER) α. However, anti-estrogens, which are of great importance as therapeutic agents and research tools, fail to antagonize the activation by estrogen in yeast. Here, we have surveyed the antagonistic potential of five different anti-estrogens of diverse chemical nature. While they all act as agonists for wild-type ERα we have established a novel yeast assay system for anti-estrogens, in which at least the commonly used anti-estrogen hydroxytamoxifen is a potent antagonist.
Standardization and Clinical Management of Lipoprotein(a) Measurements
Authors: Lippi Giuseppe , Guidi Giancesare 
Published: October 2004

AbstractThe present article proposes personal suggestions to improve determinations and clinical interpretation of results of lipoprotein(a) assays. Methods and procedures for sampling and quantification of the various isoforms of lipoprotein(a) in serum, plasma and urine are reviewed with the aim of improving the reliability and reproducibility of results and reinforcing the clinical utility of lipoprotein(a) measurements.
Neopterin Plasma Concentrations Predict the Course of Severe Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Kaufmann Peter , Tilz Gernot P. , Demel Ulrike , Wachter Helmut , Kreijs Günter J. , Fuchs Dietmar 
Published: October 2004

AbstractIn a prospective, descriptive study in 25 patients with acute pancreatitis neopterin plasma concentrations were found to be associated with the severity of the disease, which was assessed using weights of the worst 17 physiological abnormalities of the APACHE-III score over a 24 h period after hospital admission. Neopterin concentrations were higher in severe pancreatitis (n = 10) compared to mild disease, and there existed a positive exponential correlation between neopterin and the Acute Physiology Score (r = 0.66). Higher neopterin concentrations were associated with the development of multiple organ failure (p = 0.012) and death (p = 0.019). At a cut-off concentration of 12 nmol/l the sensitivity (80 %) and specificity (100 %) of neopterin for the discrimination between mild and severe clinical course of pancreatitis was more accurate than C-reactive protein at a risk threshold of 1.2 g/l (70 % and 87 %). Development of pancreatic necrosis was associated with higher neopterin concentrations than edematous pancreatitis (p < 0.001).
Biological Variation and Quantification of Health: The Emergence of the Concept of Normality
Authors: Büttner Johannes 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
Historical research on the concept of normality, its roots and its development show that this concept has its sources in very different areas of scientific and medical thinking. Of great importance were:

(i)
a new theory of disease arising early in the 19th century supposing a continuous change from the healthy to the diseased state;

(ii)
the examination of variation within and between species of plants and animals;

(iii)
the clinical theory of constitution developed to describe the wholeness of the individual determined both by genetic factors and the influence of the environment;

(iv)
the development of mathematical and statistical tools starting with the adaptation of Bernoulli's “law of the great numbers” and Gauss' and Legendre's “law of errors” to biological measurements by the Belgian astronomer Quetelet.

At the end of the First World War the concept of normality was first discussed. An idealistic “value norm” was set against a statistical “frequency norm”. Between 1920 and 1930 the principles of our present concept were accepted and the mathematical tools developed. It took several decades to introduce this concept into practical medicine finally being recommended by the IFCC.