bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Growth Hormone Inhibits Apoptosis in Human Colonic Cancer Cell Lines: Antagonistic Effects of Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor-γ Ligands
Authors: Bogazzi Fausto , Ultimieri Federica , Raggi Francesco , Russo Dania , Vanacore Renato , Guida Chiara , Brogioni Sandra , Cosci Chiara , Gasperi Maurizio , Bartalena Luigi , Martino Enio 
Published: April 2004

AbstractGH has antiapoptotic effects on several cells. However, the antiapoptotic mechanisms of GH on colonic mucosa cells are not completely understood. Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) activation enhances apoptosis, and a link between GH and PPARγ in the colonic epithelium of acromegalic patients has been suggested. We investigated the effects of GH and of PPARγ ligands on apoptosis in colonic cancer cell lines. Colonic cells showed specific binding sites for GH, and after exposure to 0.05–50 nm GH, their apoptosis reduced by 45%. The antiapoptotic effect was due to either GH directly or GH-dependent local production of IGF-1. A 55–85% reduction of PPARγ expression was observed in GH-treated cells, compared with controls (P &lt; 0.05). However, treatment of the cells with 1–50 μm ciglitazone (cig), induced apoptosis and reverted the antiapoptotic effects of GH by increasing the programmed cell death up to 3.5-fold at 30 min and up to 1.7-fold at 24 h. Expression of Bcl-2 and TNF-related apoptosis-induced ligand was not affected by either GH or cig treatment, whereas GH reduced the expression of Bax, which was increased by cig treatment. In addition, GH increased the expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5b, which might be involved in the down-regulation of PPARγ expression. In conclusion, GH may exert a direct antiapoptotic effect on colonic cells, through an increased expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5b and a reduction of Bax and PPARγ. The reduced GH-dependent apoptosis can be overcome by PPARγ ligands, which might be useful chemopreventive agents in acromegalic patients, who have an increased colonic polyps prevalence.
Organising services for influenza vaccination for older people
Authors: Dixon-Woods Mary , Brown Hilary , Arthur Antony , Matthews Ruth , Jagger Carol 
Published: April 2004

Objectives: To follow up a trial of home-administered influenza vaccination of older people to explore reasons for their immunisation behaviour, including their views on the organisation of services. Methods: Follow-up of original trial using analysis of records of 1865 older people and semi-structured interviews of 25 older people. Results: A once-off home visit does not appear to result in sustained changes in immunisation behaviour. Older people's behaviour appears to be largely explained by their beliefs about immunisation; the organisation of services may exert only small effects. Older people can be characterised as belonging to one of four groups in their orientation towards influenza vaccination: the 'faithful', who are keen to have vaccination; the 'converts', who have been persuaded of the benefits of vaccination and are likely to self-initiate appointments for vaccination; the 'easy-going', who require prompting for vaccination; and the 'sceptics', who perceive influenza vaccination to be ineffective or to be irrelevant for them because of their perceived inherent resistance to influenza. The last group sees vaccination as a form of interference and may be resistant to home visits to administer the vaccine. Conclusions: Targets for immunising older people require more debate because of the delicate balance between achieving herd immunity and preserving autonomy and choice for older people.
Modelling in the economic evaluation of health care: selecting the appropriate approach
Authors: Barton Pelham , Bryan Stirling , Robinson Suzanne 
Published: April 2004

Objectives: To provide an overview of alternative approaches to modelling in economic evaluation, and to highlight situations where each of the alternative modelling techniques should be employed. Methods: A review of the available approaches to modelling in the economic evaluation of health care interventions with a leading discussion of examples of published studies leading to guidance in the selection of an appropriate approach in different circumstances. Results: The main approaches to modelling used in economic evaluations in health care are decision trees, Markov models and individual sampling models. These methods assume independence of individuals within the model. Where interaction between individuals is important, other methods such as discrete-event simulation or system dynamics are preferable. Conclusions: The paper highlights the crucial question to be answered when selecting the approach to modelling: can the individuals being simulated in the model be regarded as independent? This issue is very commonly not recognised by analysts but is fundamental to the appropriate application of modelling in economic evaluation.
Size Separation of Circulatory DNA in Maternal Plasma Permits Ready Detection of Fetal DNA Polymorphisms
Authors: Li Ying , Zimmermann Bernhard , Rusterholz Corinne , Kang Anjeung , Holzgreve Wolfgang , Hahn Sinuhe 
Published: April 2004

Abstract
Background: Analysis of fetal DNA in maternal plasma has recently been introduced as a new method for noninvasive prenatal diagnosis, particularly for the analysis of fetal genetic traits, which are absent from the maternal genome, e.g., RHD or Y-chromosome-specific sequences. To date, the analysis of other fetal genetic traits has been more problematic because of the overwhelming presence of maternal DNA sequences in the circulation. We examined whether different biochemical properties can be discerned between fetal and maternal circulatory DNA.
Methods: Plasma DNA was examined by agarose gel electrophoresis. The fractions of fetal and maternal DNA in size-fractionated fragments were assayed by real-time PCR. The determination of paternally and maternally inherited fetal genetic traits was examined by use of highly polymorphic chromosome-21-specific microsatellite markers.
Results: Size fractionation of circulatory DNA indicated that the major portion of cell-free fetal DNA had an approximate molecular size of &lt;0.3 kb, whereas maternally derived sequences were, on average, considerably larger than 1 kb. Analysis of size-fractionated DNA (≤0.3 kb) from maternal plasma samples facilitated the ready detection of paternally and maternally inherited microsatellite markers.
Conclusions: Circulatory fetal DNA can be enriched by size selection of fragment sizes less than ∼0.3kb. Such selection permits easier analysis of both paternally and maternally inherited DNA polymorphisms.
Detection and Quantification of Heteroplasmic Mutant Mitochondrial DNA by Real-Time Amplification Refractory Mutation System Quantitative PCR Analysis: A Single-Step Approach
Authors: Bai Ren-Kui , Wong Lee-Jun C 
Published: April 2004

Abstract
Background: The A3243G mitochondrial tRNA leu(UUR) point mutation causes mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome, the most common mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) disorder, and is also found in patients with maternally inherited diabetes and deafness syndrome (MIDD). To correlate disease manifestation with mutation loads, it is necessary to measure the percentage of the A3243G mtDNA mutation.
Methods: To reliably quantify low proportions of the mutant mtDNA, we developed a real-time amplification refractory mutation system quantitative PCR (ARMS-qPCR) assay. We validated the method with experimental samples containing known proportions of mutant A3243G mtDNA generated by mixing known amounts of cloned plasmid DNA containing either the wild-type or the mutant sequences.
Results: A correlation coefficient of 0.9995 between the expected and observed values for the proportions of mutant A3243G in the experimental samples was found. Evaluation of a total of 36 patient DNA samples demonstrated consistent results between PCR–restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and real-time ARMS-qPCR. However, the latter method was much more sensitive for detecting low percentages of mutant heteroplasmy. Three samples contained allele-specific oligonucleotide-detectable but RFLP-undetectable mutations.
Conclusions: The real-time ARMS-qPCR method provides rapid, reliable, one-step quantitative detection of heteroplasmic mutant mtDNA.
Quantitative, Wide-Range, 5-Minute Point-of-Care Immunoassay for Total Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Whole Blood
Authors: von Lode Piia , Rainaho Jarmo , Pettersson Kim 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBackground: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is among the most common analytes available for point-of-care immunotesting, with most assays currently based on simple manual assay devices. However, as the importance of good analytical performance of rapid assays is increasingly emphasized, more sophisticated immunoassay techniques are needed to meet the future challenges of rapid yet quantitative POC testing.Methods: We developed a simple, dry-reagent, all-in-one immunoassay for the quantitative measurement of hCG in whole blood, plasma, or serum. The noncompetitive assay equally measures intact, nicked, and hyperglycosylated hCG as well as nonnicked and nicked hCG β-subunit with a rapid and simple procedure consisting of a 5-min, one-step incubation and, subsequent to washing, the measurement of time-resolved fluorescence directly from a wet well surface.Results: The assay had a detection limit (background + 3 SD) of 0.4 IU/L hCG. The within-run CV was &lt;15% down to 2 IU/L, and the assay was linear to 6000 IU/L. The within- and between-run CVs in heparinized whole blood and plasma were ≤10% throughout the measured range (4.0–4400 IU/L). The mean (95% confidence interval) difference between whole blood and plasma was −42 (−24 to −61)% without hematocrit correction and 6.5 (−14 to 27)% with hematocrit correction (n = 106). Regression analysis with the Diagnostic Products IMMULITE® 2000 hCG method yielded the following: slope (SD), 1.02 (0.01); y-intercept (SD), −6 (10) IU/L; Sy|x = 99 IU/L (n = 124; range, 1.6–4746 IU/L; r = 0.995).Conclusions: Combined with the fully automated instrumentation, the 5-min, dry-reagent assay allows quantitative and reproducible determination of hCG in whole blood while sustaining the speed and simplicity of conventional rapid assays.
On the Palladium(II)‐Catalysed Oxidative Rearrangement of Propargylic Acetates
Authors: Bartels A. , Mahrwald R. , Müller K. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe catalytic transformation of propargylic acetates into the corresponding α‐acetoxyenones in the presence of palladium(II) chloride is described. Water is a necessary component in this unusual oxidative rearrangement.
Highly Enantioselective Copper‐Catalyzed Allylic Alkylation with Phosphoramidite Ligands
Authors: van Zijl Anthoni W. , Arnold Leggy A. , Minnaard Adriaan J. , Feringa Ben L. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractNew phosphoramidites were applied as chiral ligands in the Cu‐catalyzed allylic alkylation with dialkylzinc reagents. A variety of substrates, reagents and chiral ligands were screened, resulting in improved catalytic methodology for allylic bromides in which enantioselectivities up to 88% were reached.
Solventless Silane Alcoholysis Catalyzed by Recoverable Dirhodium(II) Perfluorocarboxylates
Authors: Biffis Andrea , Braga Mirko , Basato Marino 
Published: April 2004

AbstractWe have developed a novel reaction protocol for the highly efficient and sustainable catalysis of the silane alcoholysis reaction. The catalysts of choice are dirhodium(II) perfluorocarboxylates bearing long perfluoroalkyl chains, which are easily prepared in one step from commercial precursors. Under optimized reaction conditions, these catalysts exhibit up to about 50 times higher activity and 100 times higher productivity than analogous dirhodium(II) complexes described in the prior art. Furthermore, the reaction can be run in a completely solventless fashion. Finally, heterogenization of these catalysts has been accomplished through a novel strategy based on fluorous chemistry. Indeed, perfluorinated catalysts of this kind are easily adsorbed on silica which has been previously functionalized at its surface with perfluoroalkyl chains. Use of such supported catalysts (bonded fluorous phase catalysts) allows an easy and almost complete catalyst separation and recycling with improved catalytic performance.
Liquid–liquid phase separation in gravity settler with inclined plates
Authors: Schlieper Lars , Chatterjee Michael , Henschke Martin , Pfennig Andreas 
Published: April 2004

AbstractExperimental investigations were made into the separation behavior of three different liquid–liquid dispersions in horizontal phase separators including internals. The test setup used, consisting of two separators of 200 mm diameter, enables direct comparative measurement of different internal configurations. The investigation focused on how inflow to the plates, the plate material, and the distance between the plates influenced separation length in the separator. Measurements performed for a range of total volume flows and phase ratios reveal that internals can achieve a reduction in the separation length required of up to 75% compared to that of a separator with no internals. It was also shown that discontinuous settling tests in a glass cylinder including internals can be used in achieving an initial engineering design for separators including internals. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 50: 802–811, 2004
Porous anodic alumina microreactors for production of hydrogen from ammonia
Authors: Ganley Jason C. , Seebauer E. G. , Masel Richard I. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe synthesis and properties are described of a ruthenium‐impregnated anodic aluminum catalyst for use in microreactors for the production of hydrogen from an ammonia feed. The catalyst structure was synthesized using microelectric discharge machining to create a series of 300 × 300‐μm posts on an aluminum substrate. The posts were anodized to yield a 60‐μm covering of anodic alumina, with an average surface area of 16 m2/gm and an average pore size of 50 nm. Ruthenium metal was dispersed on the alumina using conventional wet impregnation. A 0.9 × 0.9‐cm reactor containing 250 posts decomposed 95% of anhydrous ammonia at 650°C to yield 15 sccm of hydrogen. A possible application of these microreactor fabrication methods is hydrogen generation for fuel cells in mobile power production. 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 50:829–834, 2004
Effects of cigarette smoking on diagnostic tests for work‐related hypersensitivity pneumonitis: Data from an outbreak of lung disease in metalworkers
Authors: Dangman Kenneth H. , Storey Eileen , Schenck Paula , Hodgson Michael J. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBackgroundIt is widely believed that development of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is forestalled in cigarette smokers. We encountered the largest outbreak of HP in metalworkers yet reported [Hodgson et al. (2001): Am J Ind Med 39:616–628] and subsequently did a chart review of the 61 patients seen in connection with the outbreak [Dangman et al. (2002a): Am J Resp Crit Care Med 165(8):A528; Dangman et al. (2002b): Am J Ind Med 42:150–162], developing a diagnostic index for this disease.MethodsA re‐examination of data from the chart review was carried out to explore possible effects of cigarette smoking on the clinical tests used to diagnose HP [Hodgson et al. (2001): Am J Ind Med 39:616–628].ResultsCigarette smokers with HP were less likely than non‐smokers with HP to develop crackles in the lungs, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESRs), and restrictive spirometry. Smoking habits had little effect on diffusion capacity and alveolar‐arterial oxygen gradients in the patients with HP. Smokers were more likely to have abnormal gallium scans than non‐smokers.ConclusionsIt appears that cigarette smoking can affect the physical examination findings, spirometry, and ESR changes associated with HP, making these tests less sensitive and specific, and potentially obscuring the diagnosis. Such changes may contribute to the apparent “protective” effect of smoking on the development of HP. Am. J. Ind. Med. 45:455–467, 2004. Published 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia omani type: A new recessive type of SED with progressive spinal involvement
Authors: Rajab A. , Kunze J. , Mundlos Stefan 
Published: April 2004

AbstractWe report a large inbred kindred from Oman with a distinct type of spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia (SED). We evaluated eight individuals from two consanguineous sibships, one male and seven females between the ages of 2 and 22. The pedigrees strongly suggest autosomal recessive inheritance and both families are likely to be related through distant consanguineous loops. The clinical features include near to normal length at birth, short stature with final height of 110–130 cm, shortening of the upper segment due to severe progressive kyphoscoliosis, severe arthritic changes with joint dislocations, rhizomelic limbs, genu valgum, cubitus valgus, mild brachydactyly, camptodactyly, microdontia, and normal intelligence. Minor radiographic metaphyseal changes were found, but major manifestations were in the spine and the epiphyses. During the first year of life the vertebral bodies are of normal height but the endplates are irregular and intervertebral space is narrow. With age, the vertebral endplates become increasingly irregular, the intervertebral space diminishes further and individual vertebrae start to fuse resulting in a severe short trunk dwarfism with kyphoscoliosis. The epiphysis are small and precocious osteoarthropathy was observed involving small and large joints. The elbow, wrist, and hip joints were affected starting in infancy and showed restricted movement. Osteoarthropathy and spinal involvement resulted in physical handicap in early adulthood. Comparison of these patients with other skeletal dysplasias suggests that they represent a previously undescribed variant of SED. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
X‐linked cardioskeletal myopathy and neutropenia (Barth syndrome): An update
Authors: Barth Peter G. , Valianpour Fredoen , Bowen Valerie M. , Lam Jan , Duran Marinus , Vaz Frédéric M. , Wanders Ronald J.A. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractX‐linked cardioskeletal myopathy and neutropenia (Barth syndrome, MIM302060, BTHS) is a disorder with mitochondrial functional impairments and 3‐methylglutaconic aciduria that maps to Xq28. The associated G4.5 or TAZ gene has been identified but the encoded proteins have not yet been characterized. Following the prediction that the gene encodes one or more acyltransferases, lipid studies have shown a deficiency of cardiolipin, especially its tetralinoleoyl form (L4‐CL). Deficiency of L4‐CL was subsequently demonstrated in a variety of tissues, and determination in thrombocytes or cultured skin fibroblasts is now the most specific biochemical test available. BTHS is the first identified inborn error of metabolism that directly affects cardiolipin, a component of the inner mitochondrial membrane, necessary for proper functioning of the electron transport chain. We report here the finding of deficient docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid in a proportion of patients with BTHS. The initial impression of a uniformly lethal infantile disease has to be modified. Age distribution in 54 living patients ranges between 0 and 49 years and peaks around puberty. Mortality is the highest in the first 4 years. The apex of the survival curve around puberty and the emergence of adults may reflect a dynamic shift towards increased survival. This trend is exemplified in a large pedigree previously published. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A severe form of amyloidotic polyneuropathy in a Costa Rican family with a rare transthyretin mutation (Glu54Lys)
Authors: Busse Andreas , Sánchez María A. , Monterroso Victoria , Alvarado Marco V. , León Pedro 
Published: April 2004

AbstractFour affected siblings in a Costa Rican family presented an aggressive polyneuropathy with widespread involvement of many visceral organs and onset during the third decade of life with rapid loss of muscle mass in the lower limbs and severe dysautonomy. The medical histories include vitreous opacity, cardiac enlargement, dermal and gastrointestinal infiltration, and autonomic dysfunction including circulatory compromise and gastrointestinal disturbances. Histological studies using Congo red stain and immunohistochemical assays with antibodies against the transthyretin (TTR) protein showed widespread deposition of amyloid in extracellular areas, including dermis and gastrointestinal lamina propia, endo‐ and perineural spaces, and vascular walls. A mutation search in the transthyretin (ttr) gene was performed seeking the cause of this severe form of familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP). We applied single‐stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP)‐analyses followed by sequencing of the four exons of the ttr gene, revealing a point mutation in exon 3, a G to A transition that causes a Glu54Lys codon change. Western blots of plasma proteins incubated with anti‐transthyretin antibodies after gel electrophoresis provided separation of wild‐type and mutant TTR protein in affected family members. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Osteocyte dendrogenesis in static and dynamic bone formation: An ultrastructural study
Authors: Palumbo Carla , Ferretti Marzia , Marotti Gastone 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe present ultrastructural investigation into osteocyte dendrogenesis represents a continuation of a previous study (Ferretti et al., Anat. Embryol., 2002; 206:21–29), in which we pointed out that, during intramembranous ossification, the well‐known dynamic bone formation (DBF), performed by migrating osteoblast laminae, is preceded by static bone formation (SBF), in which cords of stationary osteoblasts transform into osteocytes in the same site where they differentiated. The research was carried out on the perichondral center of ossification surrounding the mid shaft level of various long bones of chick embryos and newborn rabbits. Transmission electron microscope observations showed that the formation of osteocyte dendrites is quite different in the two types of osteogenesis, mainly depending on whether or not osteoblast movement occurs. In DBF, osteoblasts transform into small ovoidal/ellipsoidal osteocytes and their dentrites form in an asynchronous and asymmetrical manner in concomitance with, and depending on, the advancing mineralizing surface and the receding osteogenic laminae. In SBF, stationary osteoblasts give rise to big globous osteocytes, located inside confluent lacunae, with short and symmetrical dendrites that can radiate simultaneously all around their cell body because they are completely surrounded by unmineralized matrix. Contacts and gap junctions were observed between all osteocytes (both SBF‐ and DBF‐derived) and between osteocytes and osteoblasts. Finally, a continuous osteocyte network extends throughout the bone, regardless of its static or dynamic origin. This network has the characteristic of a functional syncytium, potentially capable of modulating, by wiring transmission, the cells of the osteogenic lineage covering the bone surfaces. Anat Rec Part A 278A:474–480, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.