bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gene expression profiling in human cardiovascular disease
Authors: Steenman Marja , Lamirault Guillaume , Le Meur Nolwenn , Léger Jean J. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractGene expression profiling studies in human diseases have allowed better understanding of pathophysiological processes. In addition, they may lead to the development of new clinical tools to improve diagnosis and prognosis of patients. Most of these studies have been successfully performed for human cancers. Inspired by these results, researchers in the cardiovascular field have also started using large-scale transcriptional analysis to better understand and classify human cardiovascular disease. Here we provide an overview of the literature revealing new cardiac disease markers and encouraging results for further development of the expression profiling strategy for future clinical applications in cardiology.
Insulin sensitivity and counter-regulatory hormones in hypothyroidism and during thyroid hormone replacement therapy
Authors: Stanická Soňa , Vondra Karel , Pelikánová Terezie , Vlček Petr , Hill Martin , Zamrazil Václav 
Published: August 2005

AbstractWe examined insulin sensitivity and secretion, together with the levels of selected glucoregulatory hormones, in 15 female patients with severe hypothyroidism (H) and during subsequent thyroid hormone replacement therapy (HRT) using the euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp technique. Insulin action, as evaluated by glucose disposal, the insulin sensitivity index, and fasting post-hepatic insulin delivery rate were established. The basal levels of insulin, C-peptide and counter-regulatory hormones were measured in basal condition. In H, glucose disposal (p<0.01), the insulin sensitivity index (p<0.01) and post-hepatic insulin delivery rate (p<0.05) were significantly lower than during HRT. No significant changes in the levels of fasting insulin and C-peptide were observed. The levels of counter-regulatory hormones in patients with H were significantly higher than during HRT (glucagon, p<0.05; epinephrine, p<0.01; cortisol, p<0.05; growth hormone, p<0.05). In H, an inverse correlation between insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion was observed (p<0.05). Cortisol was the most important factor affecting the variability of insulin sensitivity values, regardless of thyroid function (p=0.0012). In conclusion, H altered both insulin sensitivity and the levels of selected counter-regulatory hormones. The situation was restored by HRT, as manifested not only by normalisation of insulin sensitivity, secretion and levels of glucoregulatory hormones, but also by improvement of their relationships.
Quantification of voriconazole in plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Vogeser Michael , Schiel Xaver , Spöhrer Ute 
Published: August 2005

AbstractA convenient liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantification of the triazole antifungal agent voriconazole in plasma samples is described. Fenbuconazole is used as an internal standard. After protein precipitation, automated solid-phase extraction is applied. Electrospray ionization in the positive mode is used and the following mass transitions are recorded: voriconazole, 350→127; and fenbuconazol, 337→125. The analytical run time is 4min. The response was linear from 78 to 5000μg/L. The total coefficient of variation (n=16) was 12.6% for a low-concentration pool (143μg/L), 4.7% for a medium-concentration pool (419μg/L), and 5.0% for a high-concentration pool (4304μg/L). The method is proposed for future investigations that should be performed to test the hypothesis that therapeutic drug monitoring of voriconazole is clinically useful.
High-workload endurance training may increase serum ischemia-modified albumin concentrations
Authors: Lippi Giuseppe , Brocco Giorgio , Salvagno Gian Luca , Montagnana Martina , Dima Francesco , Guidi Gian Cesare 
Published: August 2005

AbstractThe measurement of cardiac troponins has emerged as the biochemical “gold standard” for the diagnosis and management of patients with acute chest pain. However, earlier markers should support investigation strategies, as several patients with acute coronary syndrome might present with non-diagnostic concentrations. Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), measured by the albumin cobalt binding (ACB) assay, was recently proposed for early detection of myocardial ischemia. To establish the potential influence of endurance training on the diagnostic approach to patients with suspected myocardial injury, cardiac troponin T (cTnT), creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB), myoglobin and IMA were evaluated in healthy individuals subjected to different aerobic workloads. The concentrations of both IMA and CK-MB were significantly increased in athletes subjected to high-workload endurance training, whereas the concentration of cTnT and myoglobin was not influenced by physical exercise in the medium term. Taken together, our results demonstrate that demanding aerobic physical activity might influence the generation of IMA, which might be increased in the medium term following high-workload endurance training, while the concentration of other conventional markers of myocardial injury remains non-diagnostic.
Effectiveness of different methods for anti-Sm antibody identification. A multicentre study
Authors: Llorente María Jesús , Jiménez Juana , González Concepción , Alarcón Inmaculada , Alsina Monserrat , Casas Luisa María , Benedito José Enrique , Luis Araquistain José , Farre Victor , González-Buitrago José Manuel 
Published: August 2005

AbstractMethods for the measurement of autoantibodies frequently provide controversial results. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the performance of Spanish Clinical Laboratories in the measurement of anti-Sm antibodies. A total of 23 laboratories participated, analysing 30 serum samples from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune and non-autoimmune diseases. The laboratories used four extractable nuclear antigen screens, eight enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) specific for anti-Sm, one line-blot, one dot-blot and one double immunodiffusion assay, from 15 different manufacturers. A total of 871 results were obtained. In general, very good sensitivity was obtained (95–100%), but specificity was moderate (52–86%) and must be improved. Most ELISAs and the line-blot were valid assays for anti-Sm detection and could serve as tests both for analysis and/or confirmation. The likelihood ratios indicated that both methods can be considered very useful or useful for the determination of anti-Sm antibodies. Nevertheless, the analytical quality of the methods for the measurement of anti-Sm antibodies could probably be improved by standardisation of the methods and the participation of laboratories in external quality control programs.
Quality control in neutrophil granulocyte (PMN) concentrates by flow cytometry
Authors: Schwanke Uwe , Schrader Laura , Moog Rainer 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground: In peripheral blood, chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and oxidative burst of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) can be assessed by flow cytometry, whereas function tests, i.e., quality control in PMN concentrates designed for neutropenia therapy, are lacking.Methods: PMN concentrates (n=6) harvested from healthy donors who had been premedicated with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and dexamethasone were stored undiluted (control, C; n=6) and diluted 1:4 (D; n=6) with autologous plasma for 72h. Commercial flow cytometry function tests were performed to quantify changes in chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and oxidative burst of PMNs over time.Results: Median levels of phagocytosis and oxidative burst levelled at 86% (82–94) and 98% (83–100) in C on the day of apheresis, respectively, but deteriorated to 15% (0–24) and 0% within 72h; in D these parameters remained close to 90%. Median levels of chemotaxis were comparable in C (69%, 65–74) and D (74%, 70–84) at baseline. No migration was detected in C after 72h; however, D retained approximately 63% (13–76) migration capacity.Conclusion: Quality control in PMN concentrates is practical using flow cytometry and commercial test kits. While phagocytosis and oxidative burst may be maintained for 72h in vitro, chemotaxis of apheresed PMNs is already reduced on the day of apheresis.
Elevated levels of plasma homocysteine in postmenopausal women in Burkina Faso
Authors: Chillemi Rosa , Simpore Jacques , Persichilli Silvia , Minucci Angelo , D'Agata Alfonsina , Musumeci Salvatore 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground: Low levels of plasma homocysteine have been found in children and adult populations living in Burkina Faso in association with a low prevalence of coronary heart disease. Methods: Based on this finding, the levels of plasma homocysteine and other thiols (cysteine, cysteinylglycine, glutathione) in postmenopausal women living in Burkina Faso were evaluated with the aim of investigating whether age and life conditions influence plasma homocysteine and other thiol levels. Results: It was found that in older postmenopausal women the mean level of homocysteine was higher (16.4±6.6 μmol/L) than in fertile women (6.8±1.2μmol/L) and that thisincrease was correlated with cysteine levels (166.6±44.6μmol/L). While the glutathione level in postmenopausal women was lower (3.6±2.3μmol/L) compared with fertile women (7.0±1.7μmol/L), cysteinylglycine levels were within the normal range (29.9±9.3μmol/L). No correlation was found between homocysteine levels and serum folate, vitamin B
Nomenclature of Mitochondrial DNA Haplotypes for Oncorhynchus mykiss
Authors: Graziano Sara L. , Brown Kim H. , Nielsen Jennifer L. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractCongruence of genetic data is critical for comparative and collaborative studies on natural fish populations. A comprehensive list of reported mitochrondrial DNA haplotypes for Oncorhynchus mykiss generated using the S‐Phe/P2 primer set is presented as a resource for future investigations of this species.
Novel micromixers driven by flow instabilities: Application to post‐reactors
Authors: Deshmukh S. R. , Vlachos D. G. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractFlow‐driven instabilites in microdevices, consisting of small features (posts), are studied using 2‐D computational fluid dynamics simulations as a means of enhanching mixing at the microscale. It is found that oscillatory flow developed above a critical Reynolds number in the wake of a post is weakly affected by volumetric and surface (catalytic) reactions. The observed reactivity, on the other hand, is strongly affected by flow‐driven instabilities. Based on these results, a novel post micromixer that capitalizes on this oscillatory flow while exhibiting a low pressure drop is proposed. Finally, different feature configurations are investigated to gain insights into the mixing performance and to develop design guidelines. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2005
Integrating multidimensional geophysical data
Authors: Kvamme Kenneth L. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractSurveys that utilize multiple geophysical methods offer greater insights about the subsurface because each one generally yields different information. Common approaches to integrating or ‘fusing’ multidimensional geophysical data are investigated utilizing computer graphics, geographical information system (GIS), mathematical and statistical solutions. These approaches are synthesized into graphical, discrete and continuous domains. It is shown that graphical approaches allow complex visualizations of the subsurface, but only images are generated and their dimensionality tends to be low. Discrete methods incorporate any number of geophysical dimensions, allow application of powerful Boolean operations, and produce unambiguous maps of anomaly presence or absence, but many of these methods rely on arbitrary thresholds that define only robust anomalies. Continuous data integrations offer capabilities beyond other methods because robust and subtle anomalies are simultaneously expressed, new quantitative information is generated, and interpretive data are derived in the form of regression weights, factor loadings, and the like, that reveal interrelationships and underlying dimensionality. All approaches are applied to a common data set obtained at Army City, Kansas, a World War I era commercial complex that serviced troops in nearby Camp Funston (now Fort Riley). Utilizing data from six geophysical surveys (magnetic gradiometry, electrical resistivity, ground‐penetrating radar, magnetic susceptibility, soil conductivity, aerial thermography), various data integrations reveal the structure of this nearly forgotten town. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robotic total station for microtopographic mapping: an example from the Northern Great Plains
Authors: Kvamme Kenneth L. , Ernenwein Eileen G. , Markussen Christine J. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractPast human activities in cultural landscapes are often expressed by subtle variations in surface topography that reflect buried archaeological features. When seen from the air under low sunlight angles, resultant ‘shadow marks’ form a cornerstone of site detection in aerial archaeology. Past attempts to quantify and map such variations across large archaeological landscapes have resorted to aerial photogrammetry, electronic total stations, air‐ and ground‐based lidar, and kinematic global positioning systems. The most commonly used surveying instrument is the total station, but its slow rate of data acquisition makes it poorly suited for collecting vast amounts of elevation data over large areas, although it is often used for that task. A robotic total station, examined here, is a relatively new technology that provides a rapid survey solution. It requires only a single person to operate the total station by radio linkage from a control pad affixed to a wheeled reflector rod. As the rod is rolled over the landscape it is automatically tracked, and measurements of surface topography may be acquired to subcentimetre accuracy continuously, at a rate of one measurement per second. A case study from the Double Ditch State Historic Site in the Great Plains of North Dakota, a fortified earthlodge village with culturally significant surface expressions, exemplifies this potential. The loci of prehistoric houses, borrow pits, fortification ditches, middens and defensive mounds are clearly revealed in the topographic mapping. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Correlation of gastric mucosal damage with sialic acid profile in rats: effect of hydrochloric acid, pepsin and hypertonic saline
Authors: Yusuf Sadiq , Nok Andrew J. , Ameh Danladi A. , Adelaiye Alexander B. , Balogun Emmanuel O. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractSialic acids occupy terminal positions on gastric mucus glycoprotein where they contribute to the high viscosity of mucin. Desialylation of mucus may lead to degradation of the mucus and eventually to the breakdown of the gastric mucus barrier. The effect of a variety of damaging agents (0.1 M HCl, 2 mg ml−1 pepsin and 2 M NaCl) on sialic acid profile was determined in pylorus‐ligated rats. The relationship between sialic acid, galactose, pyruvate and the extent of gastric mucosal damage were studied. Instillation of pepsin significantly increased total sialic acid, galactose and macroscopic mucosal lesions in the stomach. Instillation of 0.1 M HCl reduced the total sialic acid but this decrease was not significant. Acidity led to a significant increase in the amount of free sialic acid in the gastric instillates and the macroscopic lesions induced by acid was not significantly different from the control animals (0.15 M NaCl). 2 M NaCl induced the macroscopic lesions in the stomach and also free sialic acid in the instillates. Pepsin potentiates the action of 2 M NaCl. In all the agents examined with the exception of acid, it was observed that an increase in free sialic acid and galactose was accompanied by gastric mucosal erosion and elevation of pyruvate concentration. It is concluded that gastric acidity alone is not inherently damaging and that resistance of gastric mucosa to destructive agents may be dependent on the integrity of the sialic acids. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protective effects of melatonin against carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity in rats
Authors: Zavodnik L. B. , Zavodnik I. B. , Lapshina E. A. , Belonovskaya E. B. , Martinchik D. I. , Kravchuk R. I. , Bryszewska M. , Reiter R. J. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractMelatonin is an indolamine, mainly secreted by the pineal gland into the blood of mammalian species. The potential for protective effects of melatonin on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced acute liver injury in rats was investigated in this work. CCl4 exerts its toxic effects by generation of free radicals; it was intragastrically administered to male Wistar rats (4 g kg−1 body weight) at 20 h before the animals were decapitated. Melatonin (15 mg kg−1 body weight) was administered intraperitoneally three times: 30 min before and at 2 and 4 h after CCl4 injection. Rats injected with CCl4 alone showed significant lipid and hydropic dystrophy of the liver, massive necrosis of hepatocytes, marked increases in free and conjugated bilirubin levels, elevation of hepatic enzymes (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase) in plasma, as well as NO accumulation in liver and in blood. Melatonin administered at a pharmacological dose diminished the toxic effects of CCl4. Thus it decreased both the structural and functional injury of hepatocytes and clearly exerted hepatoprotective effects. Melatonin administration also reduced CCl4‐induced NO generation. These findings suggest that the effect of melatonin on CCl4‐induced acute liver injury depends on the antioxidant action of melatonin. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Amplification of c‐erbB2 oncogene
Authors: Santin Alessandro D. , Bellone Stefania , Van Stedum Sue , Bushen Wendy , Palmieri Michela , Siegel Eric R. , De Las Casas Luis E. , Roman Juan J. , Burnett Alexander , Pecorelli Sergio 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBACKGROUNDOverexpression of the epidermal growth factor type II receptor HER‐2/neu has been associated with resistance to chemotherapy and poor survival in several human tumors. In the current study, the authors have determined the frequency and clinical significance of HER‐2/neu gene amplification in uterine serous papillary endometrial carcinoma (USPC), a highly aggressive variant of endometrial carcinoma.METHODSFluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay was used to analyze gene amplification in paraffin blocks from 30 women harboring Stage IA–IV USPC treated at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (Little Rock, AR) from 1997 to 2004. Chromosome 17 polysomy status by FISH was also assessed in all specimens. USPC patient survival in relation to HER‐2/neu gene amplification was analyzed using Kaplan–Meier curves in conjunction with the log‐rank test.RESULTSAmplification of the HER‐2/neu gene by FISH was observed in 14 of the 30 (47%) cases. Heterogeneity was noted in 4 of 14 cases in the amplification of the HER‐2/neu gene within the same tumor samples with pockets of amplified tumor cells amidst nonamplified tumor cells. Patients with USPC harboring tumors with HER‐2/neu gene amplification had a significantly shorter survival time from diagnosis to disease‐related death when compared with FISH‐negative patients (P = 0.0008). African‐American (AA) patients were found to have a poorer prognosis compared with Caucasian (C) women (P = 0.01) and to harbor USPC with significantly higher levels of HER‐2/neu gene amplification (P = 0.02).CONCLUSIONSHER‐2/neu gene amplification in USPC was found to be an important prognostic indicator for poor outcome that occurs more frequently in AA when compared with C patients. Determination of HER‐2/neu gene amplification may guide clinical management of patients with USPC and may have important implications for the implementation of novel treatment strategies. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Final report of the efficacy and safety of gemtuzumab ozogamicin (Mylotarg) in patients with CD33‐positive acute myeloid leukemia in first recurrence
Authors: Larson Richard A. , Sievers Eric L. , Stadtmauer Edward A. , Löwenberg Bob , Estey Elihu H. , Dombret Hervé , Theobald Matthias , Voliotis Dimitris , Bennett John M. , Richie Maria , Leopold Lance H. , Berger Mark S. , Sherman Matthew L. , Loken Michael R. , van Dongen Jacques J. M. , Bernstein Irwin D. , Appelbaum Frederick R. ,   Mylotarg Study Group
Published: August 2005

AbstractBACKGROUNDIn this study, the authors analyzed the efficacy and safety of gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) (Mylotarg®), an antibody‐targeted chemotherapy for CD33‐positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML).METHODSPatients with CD33‐positive AML in first recurrence were entered in 3 open‐label, single‐arm, Phase II studies. Patients received monotherapy with GO 9 mg/m2 as a 2‐hour intravenous infusion in 2 doses separated by 2 weeks. Patients were evaluated for remission, survival, and treatment‐emergent adverse events.RESULTSTwo hundred seventy‐seven patients (median age, 61 yrs) were treated with GO, and 71 patients (26%) achieved remission, which was defined as ≤ 5% blasts in the bone marrow without leukemic blasts in the peripheral blood, neutrophil recovery to ≥ 1500/μL, hemoglobin ≥ 9 g/dL, and independence from red blood cell and platelet transfusions. Complete remission (CR) with platelet recovery (≥ 100,000/μL) or without full platelet recovery (< 100,000/μL) (CRp) was observed in 35 patients (13%) and 36 patients (13%), respectively. The median recurrence‐free survival was 6.4 months for patients who achieved CR and 4.5 months for patients who achieved CRp. Although expected incidences of Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia (98%) and thrombocytopenia (99%) were observed, the incidence of Grade 3 or 4 sepsis (17%) and pneumonia (8%) was relatively low. Grade 3 or 4 hyperbilirubinemia and hepatic aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase elevations were reported in 29%, 18%, and 9% of patients, respectively; 0.9% of patients who did not undergo prior or subsequent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation developed hepatic venoocclusive disease after GO treatment.CONCLUSIONSWhen it was administered to patients with CD33‐positive AML in first recurrence, single‐agent GO induced a 26% remission rate with a generally acceptable safety profile. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.