bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An approach to remove albumin for the proteomic analysis of low abundance biomarkers in human serum
Authors: Ahmed Nuzhat , Barker Gillian , Oliva Karen , Garfin David , Talmadge Kenneth , Georgiou Harry , Quinn Michael , Rice Greg 
Published: November 2003

AbstractProteomic technologies are being used to discover and identify disease‐associated biomarkers. The application of these technologies in the search for potential diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers in the serum of patients has been limited by the presence of highly abundant albumin and immunoglobulins that constitute approximately 60–97% of the total serum proteins. The purpose of the study was to evaluate whether treatment of human serum with Affi‐Gel Blue alone or in combination with Protein A (Aurum serum protein mini kit, Bio‐Rad) before two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (2‐DE) analysis removed high abundance proteins to allow the visualization of low abundant proteins. Serum samples were treated with either Affi‐Gel Blue or Aurum kit and then subjected to 2‐DE using 11 cm, pH 4–7 isoelectric focussing strips for the first dimension and 10% sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for second dimension. Protein spots were visualized using a fluorescent protein dye (SYPRO Ruby, Bio‐Rad). Comparison between treatment methods showed significant removal of albumin by both Affi‐Gel Blue and Aurum kit and considerable differences in the protein profile of the gels after each treatment. Direct comparison between treatments revealed twenty‐eight protein spots unique to Affi‐Gel Blue while only two spots were unique after Aurum kit treatment. Unique spots in Affi‐Gel Blue and Aurum kit treated serum were not visualized in untreated serum. Sixteen hours of Affi‐Gel Blue treatment resulted in enhanced visualization of fifty‐three protein spots by two‐fold, thirty‐one by five‐fold, twelve by ten‐fold and six by twenty‐fold. In parallel after Aurum kit treatment two‐, five‐, ten‐ and twenty‐fold enhancements of thirty, thirteen, eight and five protein spots, respectively, were observed. The pattern of increased visualization of protein spots with both treatment methods was similar. In conclusion, treatment of serum samples with Affi‐Gel Blue or Aurum kit before 2‐DE analysis can be used to remove high abundance proteins in order to increase the detection sensitivity of proteins present in low abundance.
Analysis of the activity and identification of enzymes after separation of cytosol proteins in mouse liver by microscale nondenaturing two‐dimensional electrophoresis
Authors: Shimazaki Youji , Sugawara Yuki , Ohtsuka Yuki , Manabe Takashi 
Published: November 2003

AbstractEnzyme activities such as of fructose bisphosphatase, malate dehydrogenase and carbonic anhydrase were analyzed after cytosol proteins in the mouse liver and were separated using nondenaturing two‐dimensional electrophoresis (2‐DE). The activities of both fructose bisphosphatase and malate dehydrogenase were inhibited by thyroxine, and fructose bisphosphatase activity was specifically inhibited by adenosine monophosphate in nondenaturing 2‐DE. Furthermore, polypeptides of the separated proteins were analyzed by peptide mass fingerprinting using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry or by peptide sequencing using electrospray ionization‐tandem mass spectrometry, or both. Proteins separated by 2‐DE were identified. These results indicate that the function of proteins such as enzyme activity, and their sequence structure can be analyzed, for example by peptide mapping and peptide sequencing, after the proteins have been separated by nondenaturing 2‐DE. Present results also indicate analysis of enzyme activity using nondenaturing 2‐DE can be applied to screen substances which affect enzyme activity.
Profiling of the cell surface proteome
Authors: Jang Jun Ho , Hanash Samir 
Published: November 2003

AbstractThe in depth‐mining of the proteome necessitates the comprehensive analysis of proteins in individual subcellular compartments to uncover interesting patterns of protein expression that include assessment of protein location, trafficking and of post‐translational modifications that are location specific. One of the compartments of substantial interest from a diagnostic and therapeutic point of view is the plasma membrane which contains intrinsic membrane proteins and other proteins expressed on the cell surface. Technologies are currently available for the comprehensive profiling of the cell surface proteome that rely on protein tagging of intact cells. Studies are emerging that point to unexpected patterns of expression of specific proteins on the cell surface, with a common occurrence of proteins previously considered to occur predominantly in other compartments, notably the endoplasmic reticulum. The profiling of the cell surface and plasma membrane proteomes will likely provide novel insights and uncover disease related alterations.
Antibody‐dependent enhancement of viral infection: molecular mechanisms and in vivo implications
Authors: Takada Ayato , Kawaoka Yoshihiro 
Published: November 2003

AbstractBesides the common receptor/coreceptor‐dependent mechanism of cellular attachment, some viruses rely on antiviral antibodies for their efficient entry into target cells. This mechanism, known as antibody‐dependent enhancement (ADE) of viral infection, depends on the cross‐linking of complexes of virus–antibody or virus–activated complement components through interaction with cellular molecules such as Fc receptors or complement receptors, leading to enhanced infection of susceptible cells. Recent studies have suggested that additional mechanisms underlie ADE: involvement of complement component C1q and its receptor (Ebola virus), antibody‐mediated modulation of the interaction between viral protein and its coreceptor (human immunodeficiency virus) and suppression of cellular antiviral genes by the replication of viruses entering cells via ADE (Ross River virus). Since ADE is exploited by a variety of viruses and has been associated with disease exacerbation, it may have broad relevance to the pathogenesis of viral infection and antiviral strategies. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The legacy of C. West Churchman: a framework for social systems assessments
Authors: Nelson Harold G. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractThis paper is an overview of a framework for social systems assessment based on my study and work with C. West Churchman. The framework is an outgrowth of the systems categories developed by Churchman as part of his definition of teleological systems. It is an expansion of the methodologies used for socio‐economic impact assessments that has evolved out of the value distribution assessment process first used in my graduate studies of the impact of geothermal energy development on rural communities in northern California. This social systems assessment framework is inclusive of social systems analysis, social systems intervention and social systems redesign and provides an organizing structure for relating the diverse theories, methods and experiences of systems scholars and practitioners. This framework is part of the rich legacy of systems approaches that continue to be developed from the seminal work of C. West Churchman. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Timing of Ovulation and Conception Rate in Primiparous and Multiparous Cows after Synchronization of Ovulation with GnRH and PGF2α
Authors: Tenhagen B‐A , Wittke M , Drillich M , Heuwieser W 
Published: November 2003

ContentsConception rates after Ovsynch have been higher in primiparous than in multiparous cows. The objective of this study was to investigate whether this difference might be due to differences in ovulation rate or follicular size. The experiment was conducted with 136 Holstein Frisian cows from a commercial herd in Brandenburg, Germany. All cows were synchronized using Buserelin (GnRH analogue) at day −10, Tiaprost (PGF2α analogue) at day −3 and again GnRH at day −1. Timed artificial insemination (TAI) was carried out 16–20 h after the second dose of GnRH on day 0. Milk samples for analysis of milk progesterone were obtained on days −17, −10, −3 and at TAI. Progesterone concentrations were used to determine the stage of oestrus cycle at the start of the synchronization protocol and to investigate the presence of functional luteal tissue before treatment with PGF2α and TAI. All animals were examined by ultrasound at the second treatment with GnRH, at AI, 8 and 24 h after AI. Overall synchronization rate (proportion of cows with an ovulation within 40 h after GnRH) was 86.8% in primiparous and 88.2% in multiparous cows, respectively. Ovulation occurred earlier in primparous than in multiparous cows (p < 0.05) and ovulatory follicles were smaller. Conception rates were numerically higher in primiparous cows but the difference was not significant. Cows that displayed signs of oestrus on day −1 and received an additional AI on this day were more likely to conceive than cows that only received TAI 16 to 20 h after GnRH2. It is concluded that ovulation occurs earlier in primiparous than in multiparous cows after Ovsynch. However, a significant relationship between these differences and the probability of conception could not be established.
The influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization and environment on root development in soil
Authors: Atkinson D. , Black K. E. , Forbes P. J. , Hooker J. E. , Baddeley J. A. , Watson C. A. 
Published: November 2003

SummaryThe production of fine roots is one of the principal means by which carbon, fixed during photosynthesis, enters the soil, and quantifying the production for particular combinations of environmental and biotic factors is important for predicting the sequestration of carbon in the soils of grassland ecosystems. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can have a major effect on the production of roots, and we studied how colonization by AMF affects the lifespan of roots. Twenty per cent of control roots of Trifolium repens survived for longer than 42 days whereas 37% survived that long in AMF‐colonized plants. The overall survival of the roots of Lolium perenne was less than in T. repens: around 10% of roots survived beyond 42 days and this was not affected by AMF colonization. Previous studies have shown that lifespans of roots can be affected by temperature. We tested the hypothesis that these observations are linked to a change in the morphology of the root system caused by temperature and also by AMF. We found that inoculation with AMF in a microcosm study using Plantago lanceolata grown at various temperatures, with and without AMF, showed no clear effect of AMF on branching patterns. Temperature had a significant effect on total lengths, numbers and branching rates of some higher orders of roots. Total lengths of both secondary and tertiary roots grown at 27°C were about double those of plants grown at 15°C. Colonization by AMF tended to reduce this effect. Evidently the effect of colonization by AMF on root lifespan depends on the species. Increased branching, and thus a greater proportion of ephemeral roots, was responsible for shortening the lives of the roots at increased temperature, which suggests a strong link between lifespan and morphology.
Microbial activity as a major factor in the mobilization of iron in the humid tropics
Authors: Stemmler S. J. , Berthelin J. 
Published: November 2003

SummaryThe relation between the biodegradation and mineralization of soil organic matter and the bacterial solubilization and mobilization of iron in soils of the humid tropics is not clear. We therefore studied how microbial activity mobilized iron in a typical swamp soil of the humid tropics using two complementary approaches. By analysing soil water we found that the swamps (20% of the catchment) are the major sites of mineral weathering. Bacteria caused the solubilization of ferrous iron, produced ammonium, released organic soluble compounds, and caused the disappearance of nitrate. The waterlogged soil of the swamp (Gleysol) degraded and mineralized organic matter, producing CO2 and NH4+, and the amount of that activity depended on the amount, availability and quality of the organic matter. The nature and biomass of autochthonous bacteria were also important. The solubilization of iron was detected in the upper horizons (L1, 0–30 cm; L2, 30–70 cm; L3, 70–100 cm), where both iron and organic matter are available. Highly significant correlations were found between mineralization of organic matter and iron reduction. Quantitatively, we found that 100 µg of organic C being mineralized could reduce and dissolve 38, 97 and 115 µg Fe2+ in the L1, L2 and L3 horizons, respectively, during 30 days. After 30 days, there was a marked change in the relation, suggesting that lack of iron limited reduction. The coupling of iron reduction to the carbon cycle (soil organic matter biodegradation) is significant.
Behavioral measures of drinking: patterns from the Alcohol Interlock Record
Authors: Marques Paul R. , Voas Robert B. , Tippetts A. Scott 
Published: November 2003

ABSTRACTAims  This report reviews breath test data captured by the alcohol ignition interlock, a device that prevents a car from starting when BAC (breath alcohol concentration) is elevated.Design  The predictors were elevated BAC test rates from ignition interlock equipped cars of traffic offenders convicted of DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol) and who used interlocks for 6–18 months. Outcome data were future DUI convictions.Settings  Québec and Alberta, Canada.Participants  Approximately 10 000 interlock users from these two culturally distinctive English‐ and French‐speaking Provinces.Measurement  Predictor patterns were analyzed from among 23 million breath tests. Repeat DUI convictions accumulated up to several years after interlock removal were studied as an outcome to be predicted by the rate of BAC tests ≥20 mg/dl (0.02%) while the interlock was installed. Data were analyzed with sensitivity and survival methods.Findings  A median of eight interlock breath tests per day per driver were logged (a rate of 3000 tests/year). Less than 1% of all tests were over 0.02%, but the rate of elevated BAC tests, particularly those taken at 7–9 a.m., strongly predicts repeat DUI offenses 2 years hence. The interlock record is an unobtrusive measure of drinking behavior and can be used to profile driver risk.Conclusions  With new legal mandates, North American use of these DUI control devices is increasing rapidly from the current 5% penetration rate. Interlock data may eventually come to serve as a useful adjunct for patient monitoring by alcohol counselors as well as by courts and motor vehicle authorities.
Patient‐perceived severity of irritable bowel syndrome in relation to symptoms, health resource utilization and quality of life
Authors: Hahn B. A. , Kirchdoerfer L. J. , Fullerton S. , Mayer E. 
Published: November 2003

Aim:In this study of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), we evaluated the relationship between patient‐rated severity of IBS and patients' physical and psychological symptoms, health care resource use and quality of life.Methods:One hundred and twenty‐six patients diagnosed with IBS were administered a series of questionnaires, including the Bowel Symptom Checklist, the Symptom Checklist‐90 R (a psychological symptom checklist), the IBSQOL (a disease‐specific quality of life instrument), the SF‐36 (a general health status instrument), and a health resource utilization assessment that measured health care use, time loss from work, impact on productivity, and days worked with symptoms.Results:No relationship was found between IBS severity and gastrointestinal symptoms, except for a feeling of unpassed stool. IBS severity was also not related to psychological symptom severity. Direct traditional indicators of resource use (e.g. physician visits, hospital admissions and emergency room visits) were not significantly associated by severity level; however, indirect measures of resource use (e.g. number of days with pain, productivity and number of bed days) were related to severity. Quality of life was clearly associated with perceived IBS severity. Patients who rated themselves as very severe reported the lowest scores and had the poorest health for all quality of life dimensions measured.Conclusions:These findings suggest that perceived IBS severity is defined by the limitations the disease imposes, rather than by the symptoms. Patients with reduced productivity and decreased functioning for most of the quality of life indicators were those who rated their IBS as very severe.
Successful low‐dose amoxycillin, metronidazole and omeprazole combination therapy in a population with a high frequency of metronidazole‐resistant Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Breuer T. , Kim J. G. , Gurer I. E. , Graham D. P. , Osato M. , Genta R. M. , Graham D. Y. 
Published: November 2003

Aim:Effective anti‐Helicobacter pylori therapies with few side‐effects are needed. We studied the effectiveness of a low‐dose combination of metronidazole, amoxycillin and omeprazole for treatment of ulcer patients in Seoul, Korea.Methods:Patients with gastric or duodenal ulcer received metronidazole (125 mg b.d.), amoxycillin (500 mg b.d.) and omeprazole (20 mg at bedtime) for 2 weeks. Endoscopic examinations were performed before treatment and at least 6 weeks after completion of antimicrobial therapy. H. pylori status was confirmed by histological examination of two gastric biopsies using the Genta stain.Results:Seventy‐nine patients (64 men, 15 women, mean age 46 years) with peptic ulcer were enrolled. H. pylori infection was cured in 56 (71%, 95% CI: 60–81%). The cure rate in non‐smokers was significantly higher than in smokers (88% vs. 65%, P=0.035). Twelve pre‐treatment isolates were available and metronidazole resistance was noted in all; H. pylori infection was cured in 10. Thirty‐six patients cured of H. pylori have been followed for 1 year (mean of 361 days) and 2 cases became reinfected (5.5%, 95% CI: 1–18%).Conclusions:The low‐dose combination of metronidazole, amoxycillin and omeprazole was effective even in the face of metronidazole resistance. Recurrence of H. pylori infection is infrequent even in countries with a high prevalence of H. pylori infection.
Gastric emptying of semisolid meal unaltered by 3 days' administration of a sustained‐release preparation of the nitric oxide donor, isosorbide dinitrate
Authors: Stacher G. , Bergmann H. , Stacher‐Janotta G. , Schneider C. , Steinringer H. 
Published: November 2003

Background:Evidence has accumulated that nitric oxide is involved in the regulation of gastrointestinal motor activity. We investigated whether nitric oxide derived from a sustained‐release isosorbide dinitrate (Cedocard retard) had an effect on gastric emptying and on subjective feelings.Methods:Twelve healthy males aged 23–32 years received at weekly intervals, for 3 days twice daily, either 20 mg isosorbide dinitrate, 40 mg isosorbide dinitrate, or placebo, under random double‐blind conditions. After a further dose on day 4, subjects ate a 1168 kJ semisolid meal, the emptying of which was recorded scintigraphically for 50 min.Results:Neither dosage of isosorbide dinitrate had an effect on emptying which differed from the effect of placebo and the effects of the two dosages were the same. The radioactivity remaining in the stomach 50 min postprandially was 68.5% ± 4.5 S.E.M. after placebo, 65.4 ± 5.6% after 20 mg isosorbide dinitrate and 66.1 ± 4.4% after 40 mg isosorbide dinitrate. With 40 mg isosorbide dinitrate, all 12 subjects complained of persistent headache, whereas only slight headache was reported by 7 subjects on 20 mg isosorbide dinitrate and by 1 subject on placebo.Conclusion:Twenty and 40 mg doses of sustained‐release isosorbide dinitrate twice daily had no effect on the gastric emptying of a semisolid meal, but dose‐dependently induced headaches.
Helicobacter pylori eradication using a 7‐day regimen of low‐dose clarithromycin, lansoprazole and amoxycillin
Authors: Lim A. G. , Walker C. , Chambers S. , Gould S. R. 
Published: November 2003

Aim:To evaluate the efficacy of a 7‐day regimen of clarithromycin 250 mg b.d., amoxycillin 1 g b.d., and lansoprazole 30 mg b.d. as a treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection.Methods: H. pylori status of dyspeptic patients was assessed by 13C‐urea breath test and at endoscopy by histology, culture and rapid urease testing of gastric biopsies. Fifty‐one H. pylori‐positive patients were treated with the above regimen. H. pylori status was reassessed by 13C ‐urea breath test not less than 28 days after completing treatment. Adverse events and compliance were evaluated.Results:On an intention‐to‐treat basis, H. pylori infection was cured in 77% (95% CI: 65–88%) of patients. Minor side‐effects including diarrhoea, nausea and taste disturbance were reported by 64% of patients. Ninety‐five per cent of patients consumed > 95% of tablets. Metronidazole resistance was 29% but all cultures were sensitive to amoxycillin and clarithromycin.Conclusion:This 7‐day treatment with low‐dose clarithromycin was moderately effective in curing H. pylori infection. Although compliance was excellent, there was a high frequency of minor adverse events.
Colonic spread of three rectally administered mesalazine (Pentasa) dosage forms in healthy volunteers as assessed by gamma scintigraphy
Authors: BROWN J. , HAINES S. , WILDING I. R. 
Published: November 2003

Background: Rectal administration of enemas, foams and suppositories is the most efficient method of delivering locally‐acting drugs to the distal colon, sigmoid colon and rectum. Healthy volunteers provide an effective population to compare different formulations for rectal drug delivery. However, there is still only limited comparative information available on the dispersion of such dosage forms in human subjects. Therefore, the objective of this scintigraphic study was to compare colonic spread of an enema, a rectal foam and a suppository formulation in healthy volunteers. Methods: This was a randomized, crossover study in eight healthy male volunteers. Each received Pentasa rectal formulations as either a 100 mL suspension enema (1 g mesalazine), one actuation of a non‐CFC propellant rectal foam (1 g mesalazine in 5 mL concentrate, expanding to 40 mL on actuation), or one suppository (1 g mesalazine) on three separate occasions. The spread of the radiolabelled formulations was assessed over a 4‐h period by gamma scintigraphy. Results: The formulations were retained by all subjects for the whole of the 4‐h imaging period. The enema spread to the splenic flexure in 7 out of 8 subjects, but was retained in the rectum and sigmoid colon in one individual. The foam spread as far as the descending colon in four subjects. In the remaining individuals the foam was retained in the rectum and sigmoid colon. The spread of the suppository was limited and confined to the rectum. Conclusions: The findings of this study are consistent with previous research and support the intended clinical uses of the enema, foam and suppository formulations to treat distal ulcerative colitis, proctosigmoiditis and proctitis, respectively. The results highlight the potential of gamma scintigraphy in providing in vivo `proof of concept' data to help verify the targeting of pharmaceutical products to their intended site of delivery.