bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immunogenicity of a two‐dose regime of varicella vaccine in children with cancers
Authors: Leung Ting‐Fan , Li Chi‐Kong , Hung Emily C. W. , Chan Paul K. S. , Mo Chi‐Wai , Wong Raymond P. O. , Chik Ki‐Wai 
Published: April 2004

Abstract:Objective:  Live‐attenuated varicella vaccine is effective and safe in immunocompetent children. In this study, we assess the immunogenicity and adverse events following varicella vaccination in immunosuppressed cancer children.Methods:  Varicella‐zoster virus (VZV)‐seronegative cancer children received two doses of live‐attenuated VZV vaccine (Varilrix®) in a span of 3 months. Patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) were in the maintenance phase of chemotherapy, whereas those with solid tumours joined the study around 3–6 months from treatment discontinuation. VZV‐specific cellular and humoral immune responses were measured before and after VZV vaccination.Results:  The median (range) age of the 17 patients was 4.4 yr (2.0–14.5). Thirteen had ALL, one had myelodysplastic syndrome and three had solid tumours. Following vaccination, the VZV‐specific stimulation index (SI) increased from 1.7 (0.9–2.9) to 17.9 (5.9–36.0) (P < 0.001). Similarly, SI to phytohaemagglutinin mitogen increased from 1136 (499–1930) to 1714 (848–2518) (P = 0.028). There were also significant increases in CD4+ cells and CD4 : CD8 ratio as well as a reduction in CD16/56+ cells in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Seroconversion rate to VZV was 19% after one dose and increased to 94% after the second dose of VZV vaccine. Serum VZV‐specific IgG concentrations also increased significantly following two doses when compared with one dose of VZV vaccine (P = 0.0004). One subject developed possibly vaccine‐related chickenpox with self‐limiting hepatitis at 5 wk following vaccination. None of the patients developed herpes‐zoster at a median (range) follow‐up of 27.5 months (24.0–30.0).Conclusions:  Non‐immune cancer children can be effectively vaccinated against chickenpox at the defined period. However, the safety of chickenpox vaccine in these immunosuppressed children needs to be further studied.
Clinical impact of internal tandem duplications and activating point mutations in FLT3 in acute myeloid leukemia in elderly patients
Authors: Andersson Anna , Johansson Bertil , Lassen Carin , Mitelman Felix , Billström Rolf , Fioretos Thoas 
Published: April 2004

Abstract:Background:  The FLT3 gene is frequently mutated in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), either by an internal tandem duplication (ITD) of the juxtamembrane domain or by activating point mutations in the second tyrosine kinase domain (ATKD). Only a few investigations have focused on the prognostic significance of FLT3 alterations in AML among the elderly, yielding conflicting results. In the present study, the frequency and clinical relevance of FLT3 abnormalities were ascertained in a cohort of elderly AML patients.Patients and methods:  A total of 109 AMLs, occurring in patients above the age of 60 yr (median 71.5), were investigated. DNA was extracted from fresh bone marrow cells or from cells in fixative and investigated for the presence of ITD of exons 14 and 15 and the ATKD D835 in exon 20.Results:  ITDs and ATKDs were identified in 20 (18%) and 11 (10%) of the cases, respectively. Three cases displayed both an ITD and an ATKD. FLT3 abnormalities were associated with leukocytosis (ITD P < 0.01; ATKD P = 0.069), and the monocytic FAB subtypes M4 and M5 [ITD (P < 0.05), ATKD (P = 0.05)], and ITD and ATKD were significantly (P < 0.05) more common in cases with a normal karyotype. There was no correlation between the presence of FLT3 abnormalities and complete remission rates or overall survival.Conclusion:  A correlation was observed between FLT3 abnormalities and leukocytosis, a normal karyotype, and the M4/M5 subtypes of leukemia. However, no clear‐cut prognostic impact of FLT3 abnormalities was identified in elderly AML patients.
Functional C3435T polymorphism of MDR1 gene: an impact on genetic susceptibility and clinical outcome of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Jamroziak Krzysztof , Młynarski Wojciech , Balcerczak Ewa , Mistygacz Magda , Treliǹska Joanna , Mirowski Marek , Bodalski Jerzy , Robak Tadeusz 
Published: April 2004

Abstract:The significance of genetic background in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is not well understood. Polymorphisms of genes encoding for xenobiotics and drug transporters are potential factors, which can influence the risk of developing ALL and its clinical outcome. P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) is an adenosine triphosphate‐binding cassette (ABC)‐family transporter involved in protection against xenobiotics and multi‐drug resistance. Recently, the single‐nucleotide polymorphism C3435T of MDR1 gene has been found to be associated with altered tissue expression and function of P‐gp. To evaluate whether C3435T MDR1 polymorphism is associated with the occurrence and outcome of ALL, 113 children with ALL (median age 5.1 yr) and 175 healthy individuals of Polish Caucasian origin were studied by polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment‐length polymorhism (PCR‐RFLP) assay. The mutant homozygous TT genotype was found to be associated with occurrence of ALL (OR, 95% CI; 1.8, 1.1–3.1; P = 0.037). Besides, the analysis of factors influencing clinical outcome of our ALL patient cohort showed that CC genotype carriers had significantly lower event‐free survival probability (pEFS) (0.62 vs. 0.87; P = 0.007) and overall survival probability (pOS) (0.72 vs. 0.91; P = 0.006). The Cox proportional hazards model‐based analysis revealed that the hazard ratios for lower pEFS and lower pOS among CC homozygous subjects were 3.9 (P = 0.008) and 3.3 (P = 0.02), respectively. In conclusion, the results of the present study provide evidence that C3435T MDR1 polymorphism may involve both the susceptibility to and the clinical outcome of childhood ALL. Carriers of the TT genotype are more at risk of developing ALL than other individuals, whereas CC genotype carriers are supposed to have worse prognosis.
Risk factors, prevalence, and treatment of anxiety and depressive disorders in Pakistan: systematic review
Authors: Mirza Ilyas , Jenkins Rachel 
Published: April 2004

AbstractObjectives To assess the available evidence on the prevalence, aetiology, treatment, and prevention of anxiety and depressive disorders in Pakistan.Design Systematic review of published literature.Studies reviewed 20 studies, of which 17 gave prevalence estimates and 11 discussed risk factors.Main outcome measures Prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders, risk factors, effects of treatment.Results Factors positively associated with anxiety and depressive disorders were female sex, middle age, low level of education, financial difficulty, being a housewife, and relationship problems. Arguments with husbands and relational problems with in-laws were positively associated in 3/11 studies. Those who had close confiding relationships were less likely to have anxiety and depressive disorders. Mean overall prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders in the community population was 34% (range 29-66% for women and 10-33% for men). There were no rigorously controlled trials of treatments for these disorders.Conclusions Available evidence suggests a major social cause for anxiety and depressive disorders in Pakistan. This evidence is limited because of methodological problems, so caution must be exercised in generalising this to the whole of the population of Pakistan.
Analyzing three‐component 3D vertical seismic profiling data
Authors: Gulati Jitendra S. , Stewart Robert R. , Parkin John M. 
Published: April 2004

A three‐component 3D vertical seismic profile (VSP) was acquired over the Blackfoot oil field in Alberta, Canada. The VSP survey was recorded simultaneously with a surface seismic program. The objectives of the VSP were to develop recording logistics, data handling, and processing procedures and to determine if the 3D VSP volumes could image the glauconitic sand reservoir of the Blackfoot field.Dynamite shots from the surface seismic survey, which fell within a 2200‐m offset from the recording well, were used in the VSP analysis. The shots were recorded by a string of three‐component borehole receivers that was moved seven times, resulting in a receiver depth range of 400 to 910 m. The borehole data were processed using basic VSP processing techniques that included hodogram analysis, wavefield separation using median filters, and VSP deconvolution. The final P‐P and P‐S image volumes were obtained by VSP common‐depth point and VSP common‐conversion point stacking the upgoing wavefields followed by f‐xy deconvolution. The P‐P and P‐S images from the VSP correlate well with those from the surface seismic survey. Time slices from the VSP also indicate the trend of the sand channel of the Blackfoot field.
Attitude corrections of helicopter EM data using a superposed dipole model
Authors: Yin Changchun , Fraser Douglas C. 
Published: April 2004

The analysis of helicopter‐borne electromagnetic (EM) survey data commonly assumes that the EM sensor (bird) has flown straight and levelly, whereupon the coils are either horizontal or vertical. The EM data typically are transformed, under this assumption, to yield the electrical properties (conductivity, permeability, permittivity) of a homogeneous earth, or they are inverted to a horizontally layered earth. In actual fact, the bird exhibits some roll, pitch, and yaw rotation, which will generate changes to the data that we call bird attitude effect.On the basis of a superposed dipole model, we distinguish the geometric part of the bird attitude effect from the inductive part. Theoretical investigation shows that the geometric effect results from the reorientation of the bird's coil axes related to the earth. It is independent of the system frequency and the electrical properties of the earth but dependent only on the bird's attitude. In contrast, the inductive effect results from the coupling change between the coils and the conductive earth. It depends not only on the attitude of the bird but also on the system frequency and the earth's electrical properties.We calculate ratios of the EM responses when the bird is rotated to those when the bird flies straight and levelly. These ratios, reflecting the purely geometric effect of the bird's rotation, are simple trigonometric functions of the rotation angles and thus can be easily incorporated into our processing of the EM data. We show that, in the general case of helicopter EM systems, the majority (>95%) of the attitude error results from the geometric effect rather than from the inductive effect. Sufficient accuracy is obtained by using the simple geometric technique for attitude correction, without requiring information about the earth's electrical properties. We demonstrate the usefulness of the method, using an example from a test survey.
Integrating S‐wave seismic‐reflection data and cone penetration test data using a multiangle multiscale approach
Authors: Ghose Ranajit , Goudswaard Jeroen 
Published: April 2004

A cone penetration test (CPT) is the most common geotechnical testing method used to estimate in situ the strength properties of soil. Although CPT provides valuable information, this information is restricted to the location of the measurement. We propose a new concept to integrate shallow S‐wave reflection seismic data with CPT data in order to obtain laterally continuous subsoil information. In this vein, a valid quantitative means to relate seismic reflections to CPT data is a primary requirement. The approach proposed here is based on the characterization of the scaling behavior of the local fine‐scale S‐wave velocity information extracted from the seismic reflection data and the same behavior of the CPT cone resistance. The local velocity contrast information is extracted by linearized Zoeppritz inversion of the amplitude‐preserved prestack reflection data. We have formulated a multiscale analysis approach employing the continuous wavelet transform in order to quantitatively characterize the nature of change at an interface of the local S‐wave velocity contrast and the CPT cone resistance and to illuminate any relation between these two. The multiscale analysis estimates the singularity parameter α, which indicates the nature of the interfacial change.The application of our method to the field data has uncovered a striking relation between the nature of variation of the local S‐wave velocity contrast and that of CPT cone resistance; otherwise, such a relation was not visible. Detailed analyses of two extensive field datasets have shown that the lateral fine‐scale variation of soil strength, as seen by CPT cone resistance, has a close resemblance with the variation of the local S‐wave velocity function as seen by angle‐dependent reflection measurements. This leads to a unique possibility to integrate two very different in‐situ measurements—reflection seismic and CPT—providing laterally continuous detailed information of the soil layer boundaries.
Productivity Effects of Organizational Change: Microeconometric Evidence
Authors: Bertschek Irene , Kaiser Ulrich 
Published: April 2004

This paper analyzes the relationship between investment in information and communication technologies (ICT), non-ICT investment, labor productivity, and workplace reorganization. Firms are assumed to reorganize workplaces if the productivity gains arising from workplace reorganization exceed the associated reorganization costs. Two different types of organizational change are considered: enhancement group work and flattening of hierarchies. Empirical evidence is provided for a sample of 411 firms from the German business-related services sector. We develop and estimate a model for labor productivity and firms' decision to reorganize workplaces that allows workplace reorganization to affect any parameter of the labor productivity equation. Our general and flexible methodology allows us to properly take account of strategic complementarities between the input factors and workplace reorganization. The estimation results show that changes in human resources practices do not significantly affect firms' output elasticities with respect to ICT, non-ICT capital, and labor, although most of the point estimates of the individual output elasticities and of the control variables for observable firm heterogeneity are larger if workplace reorganization is realized. We therefore apply the Kernel density-estimation technique and demonstrate that for firms with organizational change, the entire labor productivity distribution shifts significantly out to the right if workplace reorganization takes place, indicating that workplace reorganization induces an increase in labor productivity that is attributable to complementarities between the various input factors and workplace reorganization. By contrast, firms without organizational change would not have realized significant productivity gains if they had reorganized workplaces.
Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Aminoboronic Acids as Growth‐Factor Receptor Inhibitors of EGFR and VEGFR‐1 Tyrosine Kinases
Authors: Asano Toru , Nakamura Hiroyuki , Uehara Yoshimasa , Yamamoto Yoshinori 
Published: April 2004

AbstractA series of aminoboronic acids was synthesized based on the structure of lavendustin pharmacophore 1. Their inhibitory activities against the epidermal growth‐factor receptor (EGFR) and vascular endothelial growth‐factor receptor‐1 (VEGFR‐1, Flt‐1) protein tyrosine kinases, and various protein kinases, PKA, PKC, PTK, and eEF2K were evaluated. Selective inhibition activities were observed in a series of aminoboronic acids. 4‐Methoxy‐3‐((2‐ methoxyphenylamino)methyl)phenylboronic acid 10 inhibited EGFR tyrosine kinase, whereas 4‐(2,5‐dihydroxybenzylamino)phenylboronic acid 12 inhibited Flt‐1 protein kinase, although lavendustin pharmacophore 1 inhibited both EGFR and Flt‐1 kinases at a compound concentration of 1.0 μg mL−1. The selective inhibition of EGFR by 10 is considered to be due to the substitution of the dihydroxy groups on the benzyl moiety for a boronic acid group at the para position, whereas the selective inhibition of Flt‐1 by 12 is due to the substitution of the carboxyl group on the aniline moiety in the lavendustin pharmacophore 1 for a boronic acid group.
Exploring Recombinant Flavonoid Biosynthesis in Metabolically Engineered Escherichia coli
Authors: Watts Kevin T. , Lee Pyung Cheon , Schmidt‐Dannert Claudia 
Published: April 2004

AbstractFlavonoids are important plant‐specific secondary metabolites synthesized from 4‐coumaroyl coenzyme A (CoA), derived from the general phenylpropanoid pathway, and three malonyl‐CoAs. The synthesis involves a plant type III polyketide synthase, chalcone synthase. We report the cloning and coexpression in Escherichia coli of phenylalanine ammonia lyase, cinnamate‐4‐hydroxylase, 4‐coumarate:CoA ligase, and chalcone synthase from the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Simultaneous expression of all four genes resulted in a blockage after the first enzymatic step caused by the presence of nonfunctional cinnamate‐4‐hydroxylase. To overcome this problem we fed exogenous 4‐coumaric acid to induced cultures. We observed high‐level production of the flavanone naringenin as a result. We were also able to produce phloretin by feeding cultures with 3‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid. Feeding with ferulic or caffeic acid did not yield the corresponding flavanones. We have also cloned and partially characterized a new tyrosine ammonia lyase from Rhodobacter sphaeroides. Tyrosine ammonia lyase was substituted for phenylalanine ammonia lyase and cinnamate‐4‐hydroxylase in our E. coli clones and three different growth media were tested. After 48 h induction, high‐level production (20.8 mg L−1) of naringenin in metabolically engineered E. coli was observed for the first time.
Synthesis of Metal‐Carbonyl–Dendrimer–Antibody Immunoconjugates: Towards a New Format for Carbonyl Metallo Immunoassay
Authors: Fischer‐Durand Nathalie , Salmain Michèle , Rudolf Bogna , Vessières Anne , Zakrzewski Janusz , Jaouen Gérard 
Published: April 2004

AbstractWe report the preparation of metal‐carbonyl–dendrimer–antibody conjugates. These metal‐carbonyl‐multilabeled antibodies are designed to be used in a new solid‐phase‐format carbonyl metallo immunoassay (CMIA). A fourth‐generation polyamidoamine dendrimer was labeled with 10–25 (η5‐cyclopentadienyl)iron dicarbonyl (η1‐N‐succinimidyl) entities. An antibody was chemically modified at its carbohydrate chains by a site‐directed process used to preserve the antigen–antibody binding site. The antibody was then coupled with the dendrimer labeled with 10 metal carbonyl groups. An average of 1.4 labeled dendrimers were grafted per antibody molecule. These metal‐carbonyl–dendrimer–antibody conjugates were used as new universal detection reagents that recognize their specific antigens. The antigens were spotted onto nitrocellulose membranes and detected by using the conjugates in combination with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. A detection level in the range 5–200 pmol per membrane was achieved. This approach opens the way to a new CMIA format.
Selective Inhibition of HIV‐1 Reverse Transcriptase (HIV‐1 RT) RNase H by Small RNA Hairpins and Dumbbells
Authors: Hannoush Rami N. , Carriero Sandra , Min Kyung‐Lyum , Damha Masad J. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractWe present here the design of a novel class of RNA inhibitors of the RNase H domain of HIV‐1 RT, a ribonuclease activity that is essential for viral replication in vivo. Specifically, we show that small RNA hairpins and dumbbells can selectively inhibit the RNase H activity of HIV‐1 RT without affecting other cellular RNases H (e.g., E. coli and human RNase H). These results suggest that the inhibitors do not interact with the nucleic acid binding site of RT RNase H, as this region should be well conserved among the various enzymes. The most potent inhibitors displayed IC50 values in the 3–8 μM range. Remarkably, the DNA polymerase activity, an intrinsic property of HIV RT, was not inhibited by the hairpin and dumbbell aptamers, a property not previously observed for any nucleic acid aptamer directed against RT RNase H. The results described here suggest a noncompetitive binding mechanism, as outlined in the differential inhibitory characteristics of each of the nucleic acid aptamers against the bacterial, human, and viral RNase H homologues.
Intermingling versus clonal coherence during skeletal muscle development: Mosaicism in eGFP/nLacZ‐labeled mouse chimeras
Authors: Eberhard Daniel , Jockusch Harald 
Published: April 2004

AbstractTo study the relative contributions of clonal coherence vs. myoblast intermingling to the formation of mammalian skeletal muscles, enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) and nLacZ labels were used to analyze neonatal and adult mouse embryo aggregation chimeras. The eGFP marker allowed us to estimate absolute levels of the eGFP transgenic parental contributions as well as variances of levels within a chimeric individual; nLacZ served as a counter‐label in neonatal chimeras. In mature chimeric muscle, free intracellular diffusion of eGFP led to an averaging of the eGFP level in individual myofibers. Chimerism, i.e., differing eGFP levels, was evident between corresponding right and left muscles, between adjacent back, body wall, limb (shank, foot), and extraocular muscles and among myofibers within these muscles. Inhomogeneities in muscles far from their somitic origin indicated unbalanced sampling from small founder pools. The results obtained with adult eGFP↔0 chimeras were corroborated by neonatal chimeras with complementary eGFP↔nLacZ labels. Developmental Dynamics 230:69–78, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
3,11,19‐Trithia[3.3.3]pyridinophane: Structural Diversity in Its Transition Metal Complexes
Authors: Vetrichelvan Muthalagu , Lai Yee‐Hing , Mok Kum Fun 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe pyridine‐containing aza‐thia macrocycle 3,11,19‐trithia[3.3.3]pyridinophane (10) and its complexes with NiII, PdII, CuI, AgI and HgII were synthesised and their crystal structures were determined. The NiII and HgII complexes (11, 12) are mononuclear with 10 serving as an unusual quinquedentate ligand. The CuI complex 13 is also mononuclear with 10 being tetra‐coordinated to a tetrahedral CuI. Palladium(II) forms a binuclear complex 14 which exists as an inorganic zwitterion and both PdII metal ions adopt the expected square‐planar geometry with facial coordination. Silver(I) forms one‐dimensional coordination polymers (15 and 16) with 10 and these exhibit two different coordination modes, namely tetrahedral and trigonal planar. It was found that the macrocycle 10 did not show any selectivity among a series of metal ions. The electronic and redox properties of several complexes were studied. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)