bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Focal sonographic periventricular pattern associated with mild ventriculomegaly in foetal cytomegalic infection revealing cytomegalic encephalitis in the third trimester of pregnancy
Authors: Guibaud Laurent , Attia‐Sobol Jocelyne , Buenerd Annie , Foray Patrice , Jacquet Catherine , Champion Fabienne , Arnould Pierre , Pracros Jean‐Pierre , Golfier François 
Published: September 2004

AbstractObjectivesTo report focal sonographic periventricular pattern related to residual germinal matrix lesions in foetal cytomegalic infection in association with mild ventriculomegaly seen during the third trimester of pregnancy correlating with neuropathological findings of encephalitis.MethodsWe reviewed prenatal cerebral sonographic examination performed in three patients, during the third trimester of pregnancy, looking for either late ‘isolated’ ventriculomegaly (n = 2) or sonographic follow‐up of cerebral structures following a known primary CMV infection in the early stage of pregnancy (n = 1). In cases of isolated ventriculomegaly, serological examination identified prenatal CMV infection. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in all cases. Imaging findings were compared with those following neuropathological examination.ResultsIn all cases, ultrasound examination revealed an abnormal focal symmetrical bilateral periventricular pattern on the mid‐lateral border of the lateral ventricles, including a mainly hyperechogenic lesion containing a few microcysts (case 1), a mixture of echogenic tissue and cysts (case 2) and mainly cystic areas (case 3). No alteration of cephalic biometry was noted. Neuropathological examination correlated these abnormal areas with lesions of the residual germinal matrix including inflammation and necrosis, but revealed also an extensive inflammatory process of the whole foetal brain.ConclusionsThis focal sonographic periventricular pattern associated with mild ventriculomegaly without any abnormalities of the cerebral and cerebellar organogenesis nor cephalic biometry alteration in the third trimester of pregnancy should be considered as a marker of encephalitis following CMV infection of the foetal brain. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The ductus venosus in early pregnancy and congenital anomalies
Authors: Borrell Antoni 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThe ductus venosus (DV) is a tiny vessel leading oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetal heart and its flow assessment has been used as an indicator of fetal acidemia. At 11 to 14 weeks, the fetuses with increased nuchal translucency also showing an abnormal DV blood flow were consistently found to be aneuploid. Early cardiac dysfunction, signaled by abnormal DV blood flow, was suggested as the underlying cause of increased nuchal translucency. Detection rates for aneuploidy with the use of DV blood flow studies range from 59 to 93% with 2 to 21% false‐positive rates. In fetuses with normal karyotype, an abnormal DV flow pattern signals cardiac defects or adverse perinatal outcome. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Germline mosaicism complicates molecular diagnosis of Lesch–Nyhan syndrome
Authors: Willers Ingrid 
Published: September 2004

AbstractA healthy female with a brother suffering from Lesch–Nyhan syndrome was assigned a carrier status on the basis of haplotype analysis employing flanking and intragenic polymorphic markers of the HPRT gene. Her mother has been confirmed as a definite carrier by cell growth selection studies in cultured fibroblasts. In our proposita's first pregnancy, a male fetus was identified carrying the risk allele. Afterwards, the underlying novel mutation A161E (GCA→GAA at position c482) could be identified in the affected brother and in the heterozygous mother but not in the DNA of the pregnant sister and fetus. The fetus was also confirmed to be normal by uptake of 14C‐hypoxanthine in cultured amniotic cells. To test the discrepancy, the investigation was extended by recruiting additional family members. The data obtained showed that the mother had passed her risk haplotype to the affected son as well as to her mutation‐carrying and non–mutation‐carrying daughters. This provides the first evidence of concomitant somatic and germline mosaicism in Lesch–Nyhan syndrome. The study has a bearing on genetic counselling and cautions against the reliability of only using indirect genetic diagnosis even with intragenic markers. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prenatal molecular diagnosis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: report of the first case
Authors: Charron Philippe , Héron Delphine , Gargiulo Marcela , Feingold Josué , Oury Jean‐François , Richard Pascale , Komajda Michel 
Published: September 2004

AbstractHypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an autosomal dominant disease that may cause premature sudden death, especially in teenagers and young adults. The recent progress in the molecular genetics of the disease has made genetic testing sometimes available in clinical practice. We report the case of a couple who still requested prenatal molecular testing after detailed information had been given through a multidisciplinary consultation. Prenatal diagnosis in HCM is associated with complex medical and psychological implications, in addition to general ethical considerations, as the potential value of the diagnosis is counterbalanced by the highly variable expression of the disease and the difficulty in predicting its evolution. The R403L mutation in the MYH7 gene had been previously identified in this family, characterized by a malignant form of HCM. In the specific context of this case, we decided to agree to the request of the parents and performed the prenatal diagnosis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a prenatal molecular diagnosis performed in the context of HCM. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of time‐dependent measures to estimate benefits of β‐blockers after myocardial infarction
Authors: Levy Adrian R. , Tamblyn Robyn M. , Abrahamowicz Michal , McLeod Peter J. , Fitchett David 
Published: September 2004

AbstractPurposeTo estimate the reduction in all‐cause mortality conferred by β‐blockers in a population‐based cohort of elderly survivors of myocardial infarction during the year following hospital discharge.MethodsA dynamic retrospective cohort was assembled from persons aged 66 years and over surviving myocardial infarction in Quebec between 1990 and 1993. Information on hospitalizations was linked to medication and physician claims, demographic characteristics and vital status. Subjects prescribed β‐blockers at hospital discharge had fewer comorbid medical conditions, less pre‐existing cardiovascular disease and less severe infarcts. To control for these differences, analyzes were restricted to subjects receiving at least one β‐blocker and mortality was compared between periods with and without β‐blocker exposure using Cox proportional hazard models.ResultsAmong 14 547 survivors of myocardial infarction, 41% were dispensed at least one β‐blocker. Among those subjects, the risk of dying during periods of β‐blocker use was reduced 40% (hazard ratio = 0.6; 95% CI: 0.5, 0.7).ConclusionConfounding by indication threatens the validity of observational studies of intended effects of medications. For elderly survivors of myocardial infarction, the estimated benefit of β‐blockers from observational studies is greater than the estimate from randomized trials. Greater benefits do not seem to be an artifact arising from systematically prescribing β‐blockers to subjects with better prognosis. Reducing confounding by indication can enhance the validity of observational studies of medications and widen research applications of administrative health databases. While the actual benefits of medications are never truly known these studies can provide a credible range that brackets the truth. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Allergen‐induced proteolytic cleavage of annexin‐1 and activation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 in the lungs of a mouse model of asthma
Authors: Chung Youn Wook , Oh Hae Yeun , Kim Ji Yeong , Kim Jae‐Hong , Kim Ick Young 
Published: September 2004

AbstractTo identify proteins that might play an important role in allergen‐induced asthma, we analyzed lung extracts prepared from allergen (ovalbumin)‐challenged animals in a mouse model of this condition. The combination of two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry revealed that annexin‐1, a 37 kDa anti‐inflammatory protein that inhibits the activity of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), was down‐regulated by allergen challenge in the lungs of ovalbumin‐sensitized mice. Immunoblot analysis showed that this effect of ovalbumin challenge was attributable to proteolytic cleavage of annexin‐1. The ovalbumin‐induced degradation of annexin‐1 was blocked by pretreatment of mice with the antioxidant N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) or with sodium selenite, both of which have previously been shown to exert anti‐inflammatory effects in this asthma model. Ovalbumin challenge also both increased the expression of cPLA2 in lung tissue and reduced the extent of the interaction between cPLA2 and annexin‐1, and these effects were inhibited by NAC or selenite. Moreover, the concentrations of cysteinyl leukotrienes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and of leukotriene B4 in lung tissue were increased by ovalbumin challenge in a NAC‐ or selenite‐sensitive manner. Together, these results suggest that allergen‐induced oxidative stress results in proteolysis of annexin‐1 and consequent up‐regulation of cPLA2 activity and leukotriene production in this mouse model of asthma, and that the anti‐inflammatory effects of selenite may provide a basis for the development of new antiasthmatic drugs.
A targeted proteomics approach to the rapid identification of bacterial cell mixtures by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Warscheid Bettina , Fenselau Catherine 
Published: September 2004

AbstractA proteomic approach to the rapid identification of bacteria is presented, which relies on the solubilization of a limited number of proteins from intact cells combined with on‐probe tryptic digestion. Within 20 min, complete cleavage products of a limited set of bacterial proteins with molecular masses of about 4–125 kDa were obtained by on‐probe digestion with immobilized trypsin. Bacterial peptides suitable for unimolecular decomposition analysis were generated within 5 min, and the sequence information obtained allowed identification of abundant proteins, and accordingly, their bacterial sources via searches in the NCBI database. Analysis of fragmentation products was also shown to allow for identification of bacterial peptides identical in mass but differing slightly in amino acid sequence by manual data analysis. In this work, Bacillus subtilis 168, B. globigii, B. sphaericus 14577, B. cereus T, and B. anthracis Sterne were examined, and various cold shock proteins were identified in all species. In addition, DNA‐binding, 60 kDa‐heat shock, surface‐related and other stress‐protective proteins were identified in the bacterial cell digests, and species‐specific tryptic peptides could be generated from each of the Bacillus species studied. Bacterial peptides could be analyzed with greater sensitivity and mass accuracy than the parent proteins. The applicability of this targeted proteomics approach to the rapid identification of Bacillus species was further established by analyzing binary cell mixtures.
Proteomic analysis of the sarcosine‐insoluble outer membrane fraction of the bacterial pathogen Bartonella henselae
Authors: Rhomberg Thomas A. , Karlberg Olof , Mini Thierry , Zimny‐Arndt Ursula , Wickenberg Ulrika , Röttgen Marlene , Jungblut Peter R. , Jenö Paul , Andersson Siv G. E. , Dehio Christoph 
Published: September 2004

AbstractBartonella henselae is an emerging zoonotic pathogen causing a wide range of disease manifestations in humans. In this study, we report on the analysis of the sarcosine‐insoluble outer membrane fraction of B. henselae ATCC 49882 Houston‐1 by one‐dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (1‐D SDS‐PAGE) and two‐dimensional nonequilibrium pH gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2‐D NEPHGE). Protein species were identified by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐time of flight‐mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS) and subsequent database query against the B. henselae genome sequence. Subcellular fractionation, application of the ionic detergent lauryl sarcosine, assessment of trypsin sensitivity, and heat modifiability of surface‐exposed proteins represented valuable tools for the analysis of the outer membrane subproteome of B. henselae. 2‐D NEPHGE was applied to display and catalogue a substantial number of proteins associated with the B. henselae sarcosine‐insoluble outer membrane fraction, resulting in the establishment of a first 2‐D reference map of this compartment. Thus, 53 distinct protein species associated with the outer membrane subproteome fraction were identified. This study provides novel insights into the membrane biology and the associated putative virulence factors of this pathogen of increasing medical importance.
Proteome comparison of Vibrio cholerae cultured in aerobic and anaerobic conditions
Authors: Kan Biao , Habibi Hajar , Schmid Monika , Liang Weili , Wang Ruibai , Wang Duochun , Jungblut Peter R. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThe pathogen Vibrio cholerae causes severe diarrheal disease in humans. This environmental inhabitant has two distinct life cycles, in the environment and in the human small intestine, in which it differs in its multiplication behavior and virulence expression. Anaerobiosis, limitation of some nutrient elements, and excess burden from host metabolism reactants are the major stresses for V. cholerae living in intestine, in comparison to conditions in the environment and laboratory medium. For an insight into the response of V. cholerae to different microenvironments, we cultured the bacteria in aerobic and anaerobic conditions, and compared the whole cell proteome by two‐dimensional electrophoresis. Among the protein spots identified, some protein species involved in aerobic respiration and the nutrient carbohydrate transporters were found to be more abundant in aerobic conditions, and some enzymes for anaerobic respiration and some stress response proteins were found more abundant in anaerobic culture. One spot corresponding to flagellin B subunit was decreased in anaerobic conditions, which suggests correlation with the meticulous regulation of bacterial motility during infection in the host intestine. This proteome analysis is the starting point for in‐depth understanding of V. cholerae behavior in different environments.
Proteome analysis of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A
Authors: Bernardini Giulia , Renzone Giovanni , Comanducci Maurizio , Mini Roberta , Arena Simona , D'Ambrosio Chiara , Bambini Stefania , Trabalzini Lorenza , Grandi Guido , Martelli Paola , Achtman Mark , Scaloni Andrea , Ratti Giulio , Santucci Annalisa 
Published: September 2004

AbstractNeisseria meningitidis is an encapsulated Gram‐negative bacterium responsible for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Meningococci are opportunistic pathogens, carried in the nasopharynx of approximately 10% of asymptomatic adults. Occasionally they enter the bloodstream to cause septicaemia and meningitis. Meningococci are classified into serogroups on the basis of polysaccharide capsule diversity, and serogroup A strains have caused major epidemics mainly in the developing world. Here we describe a two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis protein map of the serogroup A strain Z4970, a clinical isolate classified as ancestral to several pandemic waves. To our knowledge this is the first systematically annotated proteomic map for N. meningitidis. Total protein samples from bacteria grown on GC‐agar were electrophoretically separated and protein species were identified by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight spectrometry. We identified the products of 273 genes, covering several functional classes, including 94 proteins so far considered as hypothetical. We also describe several protein species encoded by genes reported by DNA microarray studies as being regulated in physiological conditions which are relevant to natural meningococcal pathogenicity. Since menA differs from other serogroups by having a fairly stable clonal population structure (i.e. with a low degree of variability), we envisaged comparative mapping as a useful tool for microevolution studies, in conjunction with established genotyping methods. As a proof of principle, we performed a comparative analysis on the B subunit of the meningococcal transferrin receptor, a vaccine candidate encoded by the tbpB gene, and a known marker of population diversity in meningococci. The results show that TbpB spot pattern variation observed in the maps of nine clinical isolates from diverse epidemic spreads, fits previous analyses based on allelic variations of the tbpB gene.
Synthesis of functionalized amine oligomers by free‐radical telomerization of methyl methacrylate with a peculiar telogen: 2‐Aminoethanethiol hydrochloride
Authors: Boyer Cyrille , Loubat Cédric , Robin Jean Jacques , Boutevin Bernard 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThe Telomerization of methyl methacrylate with 2‐aminoethanethiol hydrochloride initiated by 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile, was investigated in dimethylformamide (DMF). First, the peculiar behavior of 2‐aminoethanethiol was highlighted because it behaves as a peculiar transfer agent; this is because its transfer constant (CT) is weak compared with that of other thiols. The presence of the amine function greatly disturbs the free radical telomerization reaction. Telomerization was performed in the presence of hydrochloric acid (HCl) to protect the amine group. The transfer constant was strongly influenced by the acid and water concentration. This work emphasized that the nature of the solvent plays an important role in the determination of the transfer constant. Thus, the value of CT increased from 0.23 in DMF to 0.56 in the HCl/DMF mixture. The primary and secondary amines were recovered after the reaction. The functionality of the primary and secondary amines was measured by titration. The influence of the concentration of HCl on the resulting amine functionality was investigated. The acid presence prevents the formation of secondary amines, arising from Michael's reaction, on methyl methacrylate. Finally, these results were applied to the synthesis of amine‐functionalized telomers with molecular masses of 2000 to 15,000 g/mol. The amine function was correlated with the decrease of R0 ([telogen]/[monomer]). © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5146–5160, 2004
Polymers derived from N‐isopropylacrylamide and azobenzene‐containing acrylamides: Photoresponsive affinity to water
Authors: Akiyama Haruhisa , Tamaoki Nobuyuki 
Published: September 2004

AbstractN‐Isopropylacryamide was copolymerized by free‐radical polymerization with N‐[2‐(4‐phenylazophenoxy)ethyl]acrylamide derivatives that were substituted at their 4′‐position with ethoxy, methoxyethoxy, or isopropyl units, or with N‐{2‐[4‐(pyridin‐2‐ylazo)phenoxy]ethyl}acrylamide. The polymers were soluble in cold water and possessed lower critical solution temperatures (LCSTs). The value of the LCST rose a few degrees after UV irradiation and dropped after irradiation with visible light, reversibly, in processes that corresponded to the isomerization of the azobenzene units. The polymers became increasingly hydrophobic after increasing their azobenzene content. The difference of hydrophobicity correlates with the absorption band height at about 400 nm. The structure of the substituent on the azobenzene unit affected both the transition temperature and the hydrophobicity. A change in photoinduced wettability for water was observed to occur on a prepared film at a temperature different from the LCST determined in water. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5200–5214, 2004
Ethylene/1‐pentene copolymers synthesized using the metaloxycarbene complex catalyst system [(CO)5W=C(Me)OZr(Cp)2Cl]/MAO
Authors: Luruli Nyambeni , Grumel Valérie , Brüll Robert , du Toit Aletta , Pasch Harald , van Reenen Albert J. , Raubenheimer Helgard G. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractEthylene/1‐pentene copolymers were prepared using a [(CO)5W= C(Me)OZr(Cp)2Cl] (1)/MAO catalyst system. 1‐Pentene incorporation in the copolymer was monitored using 13C‐NMR spectroscopic methods. The weight average molecular weights (Mw) of the copolymers were between 142,000 and 629,000 g/mol, with polydispersity indexes (PDIs) ranging from ≈ 2 to 90, as analyzed by size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Melting and crystallization temperatures, determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and crystallization analysis fractionation (CRYSTAF), decreased linearly as the amount of 1‐pentene in the copolymer increased. SEC‐FTIR revealed that the 1‐pentene is predominantly incorporated in the low molecular weight fraction. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5121–5133, 2004
Initiator efficiency of 2,2′‐azobis(isobutyronitrile) in bulk dodecyl acrylate free‐radical polymerizations over a wide conversion and molecular weight range
Authors: Charton Nathalie , Feldermann Achim , Theis Alexander , Stenzel Martina H. , Davis Thomas P. , Barner‐Kowollik Christopher 
Published: September 2004

AbstractAn Erratum has been published for this article in J. Polym. Sci. Part A: Polym. Chem. (2004) 42(21) 5559.The initiator efficiency, f, of 2,2′‐azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) in dodecyl acrylate (DA) bulk free‐radical polymerizations has been determined over a wide range of monomer conversion in high‐molecular‐weight regimes (Mn ≅ 106 g mol−1 [≅ 4160 units of DA)] with time‐dependent conversion data obtained via online Fourier transform near infrared spectroscopy (FTNIR) at 60 °C. In addition, the required initiator decomposition rate coefficient, kd, was determined via online UV spectrometry and was found to be 8.4 · 10−6 s−1 (±0.5 · 10−6 s−1) in dodecane, n‐butyl acetate, and n‐dodecyl acetate at 60 °C. The initiator efficiency at low monomer conversions is relatively low (f = 0.13) and decreases with increasing monomer to polymer conversions. The evolution of f with monomer conversion (in high‐molecular‐weight regimes), x, at 60 °C can be summarized by the following functionality: f60 °C (x) = 0.13–0.22 · x + 0.25 · x2 (for x ≤ 0.45). The reported efficiency data are believed to have an error of >50%. The ratio of the initiator efficiency and the average termination rate coefficient, 〈kt±, (f/〈kt〉) has been determined at various molecular weights for the generated polydodecyl acrylate (Mn = 1900 g mol−1 (≅ 8 units of DA) up to Mn = 36,500 g mol−1 (≅ 152 units of DA). The (f/〈kt〉) data may be indicative of a chain length‐dependent termination rate coefficient decreasing with (average) chain length. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5170–5179, 2004