bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High‐level production of human type I collagen in the yeast Pichia pastoris
Authors: Nokelainen Minna , Tu Hongmin , Vuorela Annamari , Notbohm Holger , Kivirikko Kari I. , Myllyharju Johanna 
Published: August 2002

AbstractFour human genes, two of them encoding the proα1 and proα2 chains of type I procollagen and two of them the two types of subunit of prolyl 4‐hydroxylase (4‐PH), were integrated into the genome of Pichia pastoris. The proα1 and proα2 chains expressed formed type I procollagen molecules with the correct 2:1 chain ratio, and the 4‐PH subunits formed an active enzyme tetramer that fully hydroxylated the proα chains. Chains lacking their N but not C propeptides formed pCcollagen molecules with the 2:1 chain ratio and, surprisingly, the expression levels of pCcollagen were 1.5–3‐fold relative to those of procollagen. Both types of molecule could be converted by pepsin treatment to collagen molecules that formed native‐type fibrils in vitro. The expression levels obtained for the pCcollagen using only single copies of each of the four genes and a 2 l fermenter ranged up to 0.5 g/l, indicating that it should be possible to optimize this system for high‐level production of recombinant human type I collagen for numerous medical applications. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The diversity of retrotransposons in the yeast Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Goodwin Timothy J. D. , Poulter Russell T. M. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractWe have undertaken an analysis of the retrotransposons in the medically important basidiomycetous fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. Using the data generated by a C. neoformans genome sequencing project at the Stanford Genome Technology Center, 15 distinct families of LTR retrotransposons and several families of non‐LTR retrotransposons were identified. Members of at least seven families have transposed recently and are probably still active. For several families, only partial elements could be identified and these are quite diverse in sequence, suggesting that they are ancient components of the C. neoformans genome. Most C. neoformans elements are not closely related to previously identified fungal retrotransposons, suggesting that the diversity of fungal retrotransposons has been only sparsely sampled to date. C. neoformans has fewer distinct retrotransposon families than Candida albicans (37 or more), in particular fewer families represented solely by ancient and inactive elements, but it has considerably more families than either Saccharomyces cerevisiae (five) or Schizosaccharomyces pombe (two). The findings suggest that elimination of retrotransposons is faster in C. neoformans than in C. albicans, but perhaps not as rapid as in S. cerevisiae or Sz. pombe. The identification of the retrotransposons of C. neoformans should assist in the molecular characterization of this important pathogen, and also further our understanding of the role played by retroelements in genome evolution. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The KlTrk1 gene encodes a low affinity transporter of the K+ uptake system in the budding yeast Kluyveromyces lactis
Authors: Miranda Manuel , Saldaña Carlos , Ramírez Jorge , Codiz Guadalupe , Brunner Aurora , Ongay‐Larios Laura , Coria Roberto , Peña Antonio 
Published: August 2002

AbstractPotassium uptake in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is mediated by at least two proteins, known as Trk1p and Trk2p. Direct involvement in cation movements has been demonstrated for Trk1p, which is the high affinity transporter. S. cerevisiae cells also show low affinity potassium uptake, perhaps mediated by Trk2p. Mutants lacking Trk1p, lose high affinity system, but when grown with moderate potassium concentrations, Trk2p seems to replace it. Mutants lacking both proteins are viable but require at least 10 mM K+ in the medium to sustain growth. Here we report the cloning and characterization of a gene from Kluyveromyces lactis encoding a homologue of these two proteins. KlTrkp is a 1070 amino acid peptide that shows, overall, higher homology with Trk2p than with Trk1p, and its disruption gives rise to cells with deficient potassium transport and with an increased K+ requirement for normal growth. Determination of kinetic parameters in the K. lactis wild‐type and Kltrk1Δ strains, as well as in Sctrk1Δ Sctrk2Δ S. cerevisiae cells expressing KlTrk1, indicated that this is a low affinity component of a major potassium uptake system in K. lactis. The sequence has been deposited in GenBank under Accession No. AF136181. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Copper adaptation and methylotrophic metabolism in Candida boidinii
Authors: Santovito Gianfranco , Salvato Benedetto , Manzano Marisa , Beltramini Mariano 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThe importance of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) in the metabolic switch from normotrophic to methylotrophic conditions was studied in the facultative methylotrophic yeast Candida boidinii. Copper adaptation was performed to qualify C. boidinii as a suitable cellular system to study the effect of induction of CuZnSOD, and other biochemical components along the copper detoxification system, on methanol adaptation. Copper adaptation results in the induction of CuZnSOD peroxidase activity as well as of glutathione. The effects at the metabolic level of exposure to both copper and methanol were also studied: the results suggest that the effect on antioxidant enzyme levels as a function of the change of trophic condition are predominant with respect to the effects of copper administration. Thus, the methanol‐dependent induction of such enzymes is likely to provide a sufficient protection for the cells against toxic effects depending on copper administration. Administration of copper under methylotrophic conditions decreases the growth rate in spite of the high levels of antioxidant enzymes that are elicited by copper treatment. The adaptation to methanol metabolism was studied alsoafter methanol‐independent induction of CuZnSOD, glutathione and catalase levels, obtained by exposure to high copper concentrations in glucose‐containing medium. The metabolic changes induced by copper are persistent over several re‐inoculations in normo‐cupric glucose medium, thus allowing the study of the glucose‐to‐methanol switch on cells exhibiting high levels of antioxidant enzyme activities. Under such conditions the lag time observed during the transition from normotrophic to methylotrophic conditions is strongly reduced. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Bile Acid Replacement on Endotoxin‐induced Tumor Necrosis Factor‐a Production in Obstructive Jaundice
Authors: Sheen‐Chen Shyr‐Ming , Chen Han‐Shiang , Ho Hsin‐Tsung , Chen Wei‐Jen , Sheen Chih‐Chi , Eng Hock‐Liew 
Published: August 2002

There is a high incidence of perioperative morbidity and mortality in patients with obstructive jaundice due to sepsis. Tumor necrosis factor‐a (TNF‐a) is considered a crucial mediator in inducing and processing the inflammatory cascade. We hypothesize that obstructive jaundice leads to an increased endotoxin‐induced TNF‐a production and that intestinal bile acid replacement can prevent this phenomenon. Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomized to three groups of 12 animals each. Group 1 underwent common bile duct ligation (CBDL) with oral intestinal bile acid
(deoxycholic acid 5 mg/100 g body weight/3 times daily) replacement
(CBDL + bile acid); group 2 underwent common bile duct ligation with the same amount of normal saline replacement orally (CBDL +
saline); and group 3 underwent a sham operation (sham control). After 2
days, endotoxin was given to the animals, and after 90 minutes, tissues
(liver and lung) and blood were collected for checking the TNF‐a levels and biochemical analyses. Comparisons among these three groups were performed and recorded. While serum and tissue (liver and lung)
TNF‐a levels of group 2 (CBDL + saline) were significantly increased after endotoxin challenge, these elevations were reduced to control levels (sham control) following oral replacement of intestinal bile acid (CBDL + bile acid). Obstructive jaundice leads to an increased endotoxin‐induced TNF‐a production and intestinal bile acid replacement can inhibit this phenomenon.
Case Series of Acute Abdominal Surgery in Rural Sierra Leone
Authors: McConkey Samuel J. 
Published: August 2002

In many poor countries of the world the need for surgical treatment of acute abdominal emergencies is largely unmet. In some cases this service is provided by physicians with little postgraduate surgical training, and there is a paucity of published data on the outcomes of this service. This series of sequential cases of acute abdominal surgical emergencies from a hospital in rural Sierra Leone illustrates the causes, outcomes, and challenges in this setting.
All patients with an acute abdomen from September 1992 until September
1994 who required surgery were identified by review of theater records,
ward books, and patients’ notes. Altogether, 173 cases were identified. Operative diagnoses included ectopic pregnancy
(n = 43), strangulated hernia (n =
45) 15 of which required bowel resection, appendicitis
(n = 15), normal appendix (n = 4),
uterine rupture (n = 9), perforated ulcer
(n = 8), tubal or pelvic abscess (n =
7), volvulus (n = 6), and others. Ninety percent survived to discharge after a median postoperative stay of 9.2 days
(range 7–127 days). Of the 18 deaths, 83% occurred during the first 3
days. Factors associated with poor outcome were ileal perforation due to typhoid fever and resection of bowel after a strangulated hernia.
These results show that acute abdominal surgery can be done at the district level in poor countries using limited facilities by staff without extensive surgical training. The outcomes are comparable to those from larger centers.
Endorectal Ultrasonography and Treatment of Early Stage Rectal Cancer
Authors: Akasu Takayuki , Kondo Hitoshi , Moriya Yoshihiro , Sugihara Kenichi , Gotoda Takuji , Fujita Shin , Muto Tetsuichiro , Kakizoe Tadao 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of preoperative staging by endorectal ultrasonography (EUS) and its contribution to treatment of early stage rectal cancer (ESRC). The results of EUS for 154 consecutive patients with ESRC (pTis to pT2) were compared prospectively with histologic findings, assessed according to the TNM classification. Results of treatment selection and long‐term outcomes were analyzed retrospectively. There were 35 patients histologically staged as pTis, 8 as pT1‐slight (invasion confined to the superficial one‐third of the submucosa), 37 as pT1‐massive (invasion extending to the deeper submucosa), and 74 as pT2. The equipment used was an echoendoscope GF‐UM2 or GF‐UM3 (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan). Sensitivity/specificity/overall accuracy rates for detection of slight submucosal invasion, massive submucosal invasion, and muscularis propria invasion were 99%/74%/96%, 98%/88%/97%, and 97%/93%/96%, respectively. Incidences of lymph node metastasis in pTis, pTis to pT1‐slight, pT1, pT1‐massive, and pT2 cases were 0%, 0%, 18%, 22%, and 30%, respectively. Incidences of lymph node metastasis in ESRCs staged by EUS (u) as uTis, uT1‐slight, uT1‐massive, uT2, and uT3 by EUS were 0%, 0%, 26%, 36%, and 64%, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy rates for detection of positive nodes in overall ESRCs were 53%, 77%, and 72%, respectively. Of the 43 patients with pTis to pT1‐slight tumors, 22 underwent endoscopic polypectomy or local excision, 20 radical surgery, and 1 radical surgery after endoscopic polypectomy due to vascular invasion. All these patients are alive and all but one (who refused radical surgery due to vascular invasion after local excision and developed liver and lung metastases) are disease‐free. Of the 37 patients with pT1‐massive tumors, 34 underwent radical surgery and 3 transcoccygeal segmental resection. All these patients are alive disease‐free except for one who died of peritoneal carcinomatosis after radical surgery. All patients with pT2 tumors underwent radical surgery. The overall 5‐year survival rates for pTis, pT1, and pT2 cases were 100%, 98%, and 97%, respectively. EUS is an accurate method for evaluating invasion depth in ESRC. Patients with uTis or uT1‐slight tumors staged by EUS are at low risk of positive nodes and good candidates for endoscopic polypectomy or local excision. Those with uT1‐massive or uT2 lesions should be treated with a radical operation because of the high incidence of positive nodes.
Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: “Complete” Rational Approach
Authors: Kebebew Electron , Clark Orlo H. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractControversy continues regarding the optimal management of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer because no prospective randomized studies evaluating the merits of (1) extent of thyroidectomy, (2) postoperative radioactive iodine ablation, or (3) thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) suppressive therapy exist. Patients with low risk differentiated thyroid cancer enjoy a relatively good prognosis with a mortality rate of about 2% to 5% and a recurrence rate of about 20%. Despite the excellent prognosis in patients considered to be at low risk, total or near‐total thyroidectomy in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer has the advantages that: (1) postoperative radioactive iodine can be used to detect and treat residual normal thyroid tissue and local or distant metastases; (2) follow‐up serum thyroglobulin levels are a more sensitive marker of persistent or recurrent disease when all thyroid tissue has been removed; and (3) total or near‐total thyroidectomy with postoperative 131I ablation and TSH suppressive therapy is associated with better survival and lower recurrence rates. Patients with occult papillary thyroid cancer and minimally invasive follicular thyroid cancer can be treated by thyroid lobectomy because they have a near‐normal life expectancy. Virtually all other patients with differentiated thyroid cancer appear to benefit from more extensive initial treatment.
Mediastinal Tumors: Diagnosis and Treatment
Authors: Wright Cameron D. , Mathisen Douglas J. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractMediastinal tumors are uncommon and often asymptomatic if benign. Tumors have a predilection for arising in one of three mediastinal compartments; anterior, middle, or posterior. If symptoms are present, they are usually compressive in origin. Computed tomography is almost always the imaging modality of choice. Benign‐appearing lesions are usually resected for cure. Malignant‐appearing lesions usually require biopsy by the least invasive route appropriate for the suspected tumor type.
Optimum Treatment Strategy for Superficial Esophageal Cancer: Endoscopic Mucosal Resection versus Radical Esophagectomy
Authors: Fujita Hiromasa , Sueyoshi Susumu , Yamana Hideaki , Shinozaki Koji , Toh Uhi , Tanaka Yuichi , Mine Takashi , Kubota Masahiro , Shirouzu Kazuo , Toyonaga Atsushi , Harada Hiroshi , Ban Sigeki , Watanabe Masahide , Toda Yukihiko , Tabuchi Emi , Hayabuchi Naofumi , Inutsuka Hiroki 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThis study was designed to determine the optimum treatment for a superficial esophageal cancer involving the mucosal or submucosal layer of the esophagus. The subjects were 150 patients with a superficial esophageal cancer who underwent endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) or esophagectomy in Kurume University Hospital from 1981 to 1997. The mortality and morbidity rates, survival rate, and recurrence rate were retrospectively compared for (1) 35 patients who underwent EMR and 37 patients who underwent esophagectomy for a mucosal esophageal cancer and (2) 45 patients who underwent extended radical esophagectomy and 33 patients who underwent less radical esophagectomy for a submucosal esophageal cancer. Among the 72 patients with a mucosal cancer, lymph node metastasis/recurrence was observed in only one (1%); whereas of 78 patients with a submucosal cancer it was observed in 30 (38%). Among patients with a mucosal cancer the mortality and morbidity rates after EMR were lower than for those after esophagectomy. The survival rate after EMR was the same as that after esophagectomy. No recurrence was observed after either treatment modality. Among the patients with a submucosal cancer, the survival rate was higher and the recurrence rate lower after extended radical esophagectomy; than after less radical esophagectomy; the mortality and morbidity rates after extended radical esophagectomy were the same as those after less radical esophagectomy. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the treatment modality (EMR versus esophagectomy) did not influence the survival of patients with a mucosal esophageal cancer, whereas it strongly influenced the survival of patients with a submucosal esophageal cancer. We concluded that EMR was the mainstay of treatment for a mucosal esophageal cancer, and extended radical esophagectomy was the mainstay of treatment for a submucosal esophageal cancer.
Effect of Pneumoperitoneum on Interatrial Pressure Gradient During Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Authors: Iwase Kazuhiro , Kamiike Wataru , Uchikoshi Fumihiro , Takenaka Hiroaki , Miyata Masahiko , Matsuda Hikaru 
Published: August 2002

AbstractAlterations of the left atrial/right atrial pressure gradient were determined using a Swan‐Ganz thermodilution catheter in 20 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy with 12 mmHg pneumoperitoneum (LAP) and 13 patients who underwent minilaparotomy cholecystectomy (MINI). Right and left atrial pressures were both elevated by pneumoperitoneum. A diminished or reversed left/right interatrial pressure gradient was recognized during pneumoperitoneum in 4 of the 20 patients (20%) in the LAP group, whereas it was not recognized during operation in any of the 13 patients in the MINI group. Evaluation of the elevation of intrathoracic pressure during pneumoperitoneum using peak inspiratory airway pressure or pulmonary arterial pressure could not predict the occurrence of this paradoxical interatrial pressure gradient.
Elective Surgery for Corrosive‐Induced Gastric Injury
Authors: Chaudhary Adarsh , Puri Amarinder Singh , Dhar Puneet , Reddy Pratap , Sachdev Ajay , Lahoti Deepak , Kumar Nirmal , Broor Sohan Lal 
Published: August 2002

AbstractGastric cicatrization is a well recognized late sequela of corrosive gastric injury, but the optimum timing and type of surgery for this complication are still unclear. Over a 7‐year period (1988–1994) 34 patients underwent elective surgery for gastric lesions secondary to corrosive ingestion. A total of 18 (53%) patients had an associated esophageal stricture and presented with dysphagia, 15 (44%) patients had features of gastric outlet obstruction, 6 (18%) had diffuse gastric injury, and 28 (82%) had a segmental lesion. A tube jejunostomy was done in 23 (68%) patients to improve nutrition and resulted in a significant increase in weight and in the serum protein level after 8 weeks of tube feeding. Elective surgery was performed 3 to 24 months (average 7 months) after ingestion of the corrosive substance. Gastric resection was done in 20 (59%) patients and gastrojejunostomy (without vagotomy) in 11 (32%); at follow‐up the latter group did not exhibit development of a stomal ulcer. In patients with an associated esophageal stricture, endoscopic dilatation was successful in 89% patients and simplified the surgical approach. In conclusion, the success of surgery for corrosive‐induced gastric injury depends on selecting the right procedure and intervening at the appropriate time.
Analysis of Vascular Anatomy and Lymph Node Metastases Warrants Radical Segmental Bowel Resection for Colon Cancer
Authors: Yada Hirokazu , Sawai Kiyoshi , Taniguchi Hiroki , Hoshima Masakazu , Katoh Makoto , Takahashi Toshio 
Published: August 2002

AbstractTo determine the indications for limited colon cancer surgery in each location, we reviewed the arterial branching patterns and lymph node metastases along the course of specific vascular trunks in 344 colon cancer patients who had undergone preoperative angiography and colectomy with lymph node dissection. Our conclusions are follows: Because the ileocecal artery always arises from the superior mesenteric artery and lymph node metastases of cecum cancer were limited to nodes along the ileocolic artery, cecum cancer can be cured by ileocecal resection. The right colic artery has various origins, and ascending colon cancer shows various patterns of lymph node metastases. Therefore a right hemicolectomy should be performed for ascending colon cancer. The middle colic artery forks into right and left branches, and each branch has different branching variations. If the right colic and middle colic arteries have a common trunk, a right hemicolectomy should be performed for transverse colon cancer on the right side. If the left branch of the middle colic artery has an independent replaced origin, lymph node dissection should be modified according to the variant origin. If the left colic artery and the first sigmoidal artery have a common trunk, the lymph nodes along the common trunk should be removed for sigmoid colon cancer and for descending colon cancer. Of the patients with sigmoid colon cancer, 6.3% also had lymph node metastases along the superior rectal artery. Given that the lymph nodes along the superior rectal artery are skeletonized, sigmoid colon cancer can be also cured by partial sigmoidectomy.
Importance of Extended Lymphadenectomy with Lateral Node Dissection for Advanced Lower Rectal Cancer
Authors: Moriya Yoshihiro , Sugihara Kenichi , Akasu Takayuki , Fujita Shin 
Published: August 2002

AbstractA total of 448 patients with advanced lower rectal cancer who underwent curative wide lymphadenectomy with autonomic nerve preservation were reviewed with respect to surgical techniques, operative burdens, node status, survival rate, and mode of recurrence. Operative time and blood loss in patients who underwent lateral dissection were much greater than those encountered with conventional resection. According to the direction of lymphatic spread in patients with Dukes C disease, the incidence of upward spread was
94% and lateral spread 27%. The overall incidence of lateral metastasis was 14%. The overall 5‐year survival was 70%. According to the Dukes classification, the 5‐year survival rates were 92% for Dukes A, 79% for Dukes B, and 55% for Dukes C, whereas it was 43% in patients with lateral node metastasis. An analysis of the survival rate was carried out with regard to the number of node metastases, direction of lymphatic spread, and autonomic nerve preservation. The overall incidence of local recurrence was 9.3% and amounted to 16.0% in patients with Dukes C disease. The case of advanced lower rectal cancer was characterized by positive lymph nodes or circular lesions around the circumference (both diagnosed by endorectal ultrasonography). We recommend extended lymphadenectomy with lateral node dissection, as it preserves the autonomic nerve.