bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Colorectal cancer audit: a comparative study before and after establishing a specialty colorectal surgery unit
Authors: Sitzler P. J. , Taylor M. , Faragher I. , Mclaughlin S. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractObjective  A prospective audit was kept for colorectal cancer after the establishment of a special‐interest colorectal unit at a Melbourne metropolitan teaching hospital.Methods  These data were compared with data collected retrospectively on surgical management of colorectal cancer by general surgeons in the hospital.Results  The groups were well matched with respect to age, sex, pathological staging and elective vs urgent surgery. Differences were found in postoperative length of stay (9 vs 12 days, P = 0.01) in favour of the colorectal special interest group. Differences were found in the permanent stoma rate with regard to rectal cancer with the colorectal special interest group having a lower permanent stoma rate.Conclusion  Specialisation improved the results of treatment.
Prospective analysis of stoma‐related complications
Authors: Robertson I. , Leung E. , Hughes D. , Spiers M. , Donnelly L. , Mackenzie I. , Macdonald A. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractBackground  Stoma‐related complication rates vary between 10% and 70%, possibly because of varying lengths of follow‐up. It is thought that most of the complications improve with time. Furthermore, little is known about the commonly neglected but potentially quite distressing complications such as leakage, soiling and night‐time emptying. The aim of this audit was to examine prospectively whether there was any difference in the complication rates at different time‐points during the postoperative follow up period.Method  A prospective study on 408 consecutive patients with either colostomy or ileostomy was conducted over a period of at least 2 years. Both emergency and elective procedures were included. Stoma related complications were analysed at 10 days, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years postoperatively.Results  Both elective and emergency stomas had similar complication rates. The percentage of patients who had stenosis (1–2%), retraction (8–22%), prolapse (1–3%) or odour (6–9%) did not significantly change with time. The complication rates for skin excoriation, leakage, soiling or night‐time emptying were higher amongst the ileostomy patients, and these rates did not improve with time. The proportion of patients who had parastomal hernias increased with time (from 0 to 40% in the colostomy and 0 to 22% in the ileostomy group). Daytime leakage, night‐time leakage, soiling and night‐time emptying were more problematic in the ileostomy group.Conclusions  The proportion of patients who had postoperative stoma‐related complications did not improve with time, but the rate of parastomal hernias in both groups and night‐time emptying in the ileostomy group was worse with time. Ileostomy patients had a higher incidence of skin excoriation, leakage, soiling, and night‐time emptying, and they should receive additional support.
Diagnosis and treatment of enterovesical fistulae
Authors: Kavanagh D. , Neary P. , Dodd J. D. , Sheahan K. M. , O'Donoghue D. , Hyland J. M. P. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractObjective  Enterovesical fistulae are a recognized complication of a variety of inflammatory and neoplastic conditions. Despite advances in imaging and treatment the diagnosis may be delayed and the management remains diverse. We describe our experience with their diagnosis and management.Patients and methods  This retrospective study encompassed all patients referred over a 10‐year period with clinical suspicion of or confirmed enterovesical fistula. Demographics, clinical presentation, aetiology and clinical outcome were evaluated. Mean follow‐up was 18 months (range 6–50 months).Results  Thirty patients were studied. The mean age was 63.5 years (range 23–92 years). Fifteen (50%) patients presented with classical urinary symptoms (pneumaturia, faecaluria and recurrent urinary tract infections). The commonest investigations (n, % positive) included CT (15, 80), cystoscopy (16, 87.5), endoscopy (11, 54.5) and barium enema (8, 50). There were 20 inflammatory and 10 neoplastic aetiologies. Five patients were treated conservatively and 25 patients underwent surgery. Surgery resulted in symptomatic cure in the majority of cases (22/25).Conclusion  Classical urinary symptoms were only evident in 50% of patients with confirmed fistulae. We advocate CT scanning as the optimum imaging modality before surgical intervention. Surgical treatment in a specialized unit remains the most effective treatment of enterovesical fistulae.
Enhanced recovery of a secreted recombinant human growth factor using stabilizing additives and by co‐expression of human serum albumin in the moss Physcomitrella patens
Authors: Baur Armin , Reski Ralf , Gorr Gilbert 
Published: April 2005

SummaryThe production of pharmaceutical proteins in plants provides a valuable alternative to other traditional eukaryotic expression systems from economic and safety perspectives. The moss Physcomitrella patens allows the expression and secretion of complex target proteins into a simple aqueous maintenance medium, which facilitates downstream processing by rendering it less complex. To address the question of whether the addition of protein‐stabilizing substances enhances the recovery of a target protein secreted into the culture medium, several additives at different concentrations were tested in a small‐scale screening system. Although polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and human serum albumin (HSA) showed a significant impact on protein levels, supplementation of the medium with these substances was accompanied by certain limitations in upstream processes, such as foam formation (HSA), and in downstream processes, such as reduced binding efficiency on chromatography columns (PVP), respectively. In order to reap the benefit of the enhancing effect and to avoid the given negative aspects, we developed a new strategy based on the recombinant expression of HSA in plants that are already capable of expressing a target protein. First, we analysed the expression and secretion of recombinant HSA in transiently and stably transformed wild‐type (WT) plants. HSA was then co‐expressed in Physcomitrella plants transgenic for human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Even with high expression levels of recombinant human VEGF (rhVEGF), the co‐expression of recombinant HSA (rHSA) resulted in 48%−102% higher recovery of the target protein without concomitant negative effects on the upstream process. This strategy enables the enhanced recovery of target protein and does not require the addition of foreign components directly to the culture medium.
A new metabonomic strategy for analysing the growth process of the poplar tree
Authors: Wiklund Susanne , Karlsson Marlene , Antti Henrik , Johnels Dan , Sjöström Michael , Wingsle Gunnar , Edlund Ulf 
Published: April 2005

SummaryHigh‐resolution, magic angle spinning, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H HR/MAS NMR) spectroscopy and multivariate data analysis using batch processing (BP) were applied to the analysis of two different genotypes of poplar tree (Populus tremula L. x tremuloides Michx.) containing an antisense construct of PttMYB76 and control (wild‐type). A gene encoding a MYB transcription factor, with unknown function, PttMYB76, was selected from a cambial expressed sequence tag (EST) library of poplar tree (Populus tremula L. x tremuloides Michx.) for metabonomic characterization. The PttMYB76 gene is believed to affect different paths in the phenyl propanoid synthetic pathway. This pathway leads to the formation of S‐ and G‐lignin, flavonoids and sinapate esters. Milled poplar samples collected at the internodes of the tree were analysed using 1H HR/MAS NMR spectroscopy. The application of multivariate BP of the NMR results revealed a growth‐related gradient in the plant internode direction, as well as the discrimination between the trees with down‐regulated PttMYB76 expression and wild‐type populations. This paper focuses on the potential of a new analytical multivariate approach for analysing time‐related plant metabonomic data. The techniques used could, with the aid of suitable model compounds, be of high relevance to the detection and understanding of the different lignification processes within the two types of poplar tree. Additionally, the findings highlight the importance of applying robust and organized multivariate data analysis approaches to facilitate the modelling and interpretation of complex biological data sets.
Recent advances in rice biotechnology—towards genetically superior transgenic rice
Authors: Bajaj Shavindra , Mohanty Amitabh 
Published: April 2005

SummaryRice biotechnology has made rapid advances since the first transgenic rice plants were produced 15 years ago. Over the past decade, this progress has resulted in the development of high frequency, routine and reproducible genetic transformation protocols for rice. This technology has been applied to produce rice plants that withstand several abiotic stresses, as well as to gain tolerance against various pests and diseases. In addition, quality improving and increased nutritional value traits have also been introduced into rice. Most of these gains were not possible through conventional breeding technologies. Transgenic rice system has been used to understand the process of transformation itself, the integration pattern of transgene as well as to modulate gene expression. Field trials of transgenic rice, especially insect‐resistant rice, have recently been performed and several other studies that are prerequisite for safe release of transgenic crops have been initiated. New molecular improvisations such as inducible expression of transgene and selectable marker‐free technology will help in producing superior transgenic product. It is also a step towards alleviating public concerns relating to issues of transgenic technology and to gain regulatory approval. Knowledge gained from rice can also be applied to improve other cereals. The completion of the rice genome sequencing together with a rich collection of full‐length cDNA resources has opened up a plethora of opportunities, paving the way to integrate data from the large‐scale projects to solve specific biological problems.
Cannabinoids, loratadine and allopurinol as novel additions to the antipsoriatic ammunition
Authors: Namazi MR 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACTAs the current antipsoriatic medications are commonly associated with deleterious side‐effects, a determined search for safer agents, which could be used alone or in combination with current antipsoriatic drugs, would be very imperative. Psoriasis is believed to be characterized by a type 1 cytokine pattern; interferon‐γ, interleukin (IL)‐2 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α are predominantly expressed in this disorder. Nitric oxide, reactive oxygen species, histamine, leukotriene B4, and increased keratinocyte cyclic adenosine monophosphate/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cAMP/cGMP) ratio are supposed to play roles in the pathogenesis of this disorder. Based on the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis, this paper introduces three novel, potential treatments for this clinical conundrum: (i) cannabinoids, which exert inhibitory effects on antigen processing and macrophage/T‐cell interaction and also on the release of IL‐2, TNF‐α and nitric oxide from immune cells; (ii) loratadine, which is an antihistamine capable of decreasing the cAMP/cGMP ratio and the production of leukotriene B4; and (iii) allopurinol, which scavenges free radicals, inhibits the production of TNF‐α, and downregulates the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 and P2X7 receptors on monocytes/macrophages, which are involved in antigen presentation and production of the inflammatory response, respectively. Importantly, allopurinol, especially in combination with cyclosporin, has been shown to be effective against experimental autoimmune uveitis, which, like psoriasis, is a cell‐mediated autoimmune disorder.
A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study of a commercial Aloe vera gel in the treatment of slight to moderate psoriasis vulgaris
Authors: Paulsen E , Korsholm L , Brandrup F 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACTBackground  The Aloe vera plant has been used for an array of ailments, including skin diseases. Recent experimental research have substantiated the presence of biologically active compounds in the gel, but there are few controlled, clinical trials to assess the efficacy.Objective  To test the effect of a commercial, preserved, but otherwise untreated Aloe vera gel in psoriasis.Patients/methods  Forty‐one patients with stable plaque psoriasis were included in a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled right/left comparison. The study comprised a 2‐week wash‐out period followed by a 4‐week treatment period with two daily applications and follow‐up visits after 1 and 2 months.Results  Data on 40 patients were analysed. The score sum of erythema, infiltration and desquamation decreased in 72.5% of the Aloe vera‐treated sites compared with 82.5% of the placebo‐treated areas from week 0 to week 4, which was statistically significant in favour of the placebo treatment (P = 0.0197). Fifty‐five per cent of the patients reported local side‐effects, mainly drying up of the skin on test areas.Conclusions  The effect of this commercial Aloe vera gel on stable plaque psoriasis was modest and not better than placebo. However, the high response rate of placebo indicated a possible effect of this in its own right, which would make the Aloe vera gel treatment appear less effective.
Acrokeratosis paraneoplastica (Bazex syndrome)
Authors: Valdivielso M , Longo I , Suárez R , Huerta M , Lázaro P 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACTBazex syndrome is a paraneoplastic dermatosis characterized by acral psoriasiform lesions associated with an underlying neoplasm. We present the case of a 64‐year‐old patient that was diagnosed with squamous cell lung carcinoma after being evaluated for lesions compatible with paraneoplastic acrokeratosis. With a high frequency Bazex syndrome is the earliest marker of an underlying subclinical neoplasm. An early suspicion is of the outmost importance in order to perform a prompt diagnosis of an underlying malignancy. We propose a diagnostic algorithm upon suspicion of acrokeratosis paraneoplastica and review the pathogenesis of this entity.
‘Decubital candidosis’: a study of 26 cases
Authors: Nico MMS , Rivitti EA 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACTBackground  Candidoses are infections caused by yeasts of the genus Candida. ‘Decubital candidosis’ is a particular form of cutaneous candidosis that occurs on the dorsal skin of chronically bedridden patients; there are very few studies about this presentation in the medical literature.Objective  To study the clinical, mycological and histopathological features of 26 cases of ‘decubital candidosis’ along with factors that may predispose to it.Methods  Twenty‐six patients were included and their general characteristics and clinical lesions were carefully studied. The presence of candidosis in other organs and the occurrence of predisposing factors were searched by reviewing the medical records. Mycological studies were performed and cutaneous biopsies were taken.Results  Median age of patients was 46 years, 11 were male and 15 were female, 25 were caucasian, one was Asian and no one was Afro‐Carribean. This finding suggests a greater resistance of Afro‐Carribean skin to this form of candidosis. The median time of hospitalization until rash occurrence was 24.8 days. Clinical lesions consisted of erythema, erosions, pustules, papules and desquamation. The most significant predisposing factors for this eruption were prolonged bedrest and broad‐spectrum antibiotics. Candidosis on other body sites was diagnosed in 10 cases and additional specific predisposing factors were observed in all 10. Potassium hydroxide examination was a reliable test for diagnosing this disease. Candida albicans was the agent in all 26 cases. Spongiform pustules were the most significant histopathological findings and yeasts were restricted to the horny layer in all biopsied cases.Conclusion  ‘Decubital candidosis’ is probably induced by prolonged bedrest and facilitated by long‐term use of antibiotics. This cutaneous infection does not seem to predispose to systemic candidosis.
A segmental pattern of alkaline phosphatase activity within the notochord coincides with the initial formation of the vertebral bodies
Authors: Grotmol Sindre , Nordvik Kari , Kryvi Harald , Totland Geir K. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractThis study shows that segmental expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity by the notochord of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) coincides with the initial mineralization of the vertebral body (chordacentrum), and precedes ALP expression by presumed somite‐derived cells external to the notochordal sheath. The early expression of ALP indicates that the notochord plays an instructive role in the segmental patterning of the vertebral column. The chordacentra form segmentally as mineralized rings within the notochordal sheath, and ALP activity spreads within the chordoblast layer from ventral to dorsal, displaying the same progression and spatial distribution as the mineralization process. No ALP activity was observed in sclerotomal mesenchyme surrounding the notochordal sheath during initial formation of the chordacentra. Our results support previous findings indicating that the chordoblasts initiate a segmental differentiation of the notochordal sheath into chordacentra and intervertebral regions.
Twist is required for establishment of the mouse coronal suture
Authors: Yoshida Toshiyuki , Phylactou Leonidas A. , Uney James B. , Ishikawa Isao , Eto Kazuhiro , Iseki Sachiko 
Published: April 2005

AbstractCranial sutures are the growth centres of the skull, enabling expansion of the skull to accommodate rapid growth of the brain. Haploinsufficiency of the human TWIST gene function causes the craniosynostosis syndrome, Saethre–Chotzen syndrome (SCS), in which premature fusion of the coronal suture is a characteristic feature. Previous studies have indicated that Twist is expressed in the coronal suture during development, and therefore that it may play an important role in development and maintenance of the suture. The Twist‐null mouse is lethal before the onset of osteogenesis, and the heterozygote exhibits coronal suture synostosis postnatally. In this study we investigated the function of Twist in the development of the mouse coronal suture, by inhibiting Twist synthesis using morpholino antisense oligonucleotides in calvarial organ culture. Decreased Twist production resulted in a narrow sutural space and fusion of bone domains within 48 h after the addition of the morpholino oligonucleotides. Proliferation activity in the sutural cells was decreased, and the expression of osteogenic marker genes such as Runx2 and Fgfr2 was up‐regulated in the developing bone domain within 4 h. These results suggest that during establishment of the suture area, Twist is required for the regulation of sutural cell proliferation and osteoblast differentiation.
Kinetics and subunit composition of NMDA receptors in respiratory‐related neurons
Authors: Paarmann I. , Frermann D. , Keller B. U. , Villmann C. , Breitinger H. G. , Hollmann M. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractNMDA receptors are involved in a variety of brainstem functions. The excitatory postsynaptic NMDA currents of pre‐Bötzinger complex interneurons and hypoglossal motoneurons, which are located in the medulla oblongata, show remarkably fast deactivation kinetics of approximately 30 ms compared with NMDA receptors in other types of neurons. Because structural heterogeneity might be the basis for physiological properties, we examined the expression of six NMDA receptor subunits (NMDAR1, NR2A−2D, and NR3A) plus eight NMDR1 splice variants in pre‐Bötzinger complex, hypoglossal and, for comparison, neurons from the nucleus of the solitary tract in young rats using single cell multiplex RT–PCR. Expression of NR2A, NR2B, and NR2D was observed in all three cell types while NR3A was much more abundant in pre‐Bötzinger complex interneurons, which belong to the rhythm generator of respiratory activity. In hypoglossal neurons, the NMDAR1 splice variants NMDAR1–4a and NMDAR1–4b were found. In neurons of the nucleus of the solitary tract, instead of NMDAR1–4b, the NMDAR1–2a splice variant was detected. This differential expression of modulatory splice variants might be the molecular basis for the characteristic functional properties of NMDA receptors, as neurons expressing a special NMDAR1 splice variant at the mRNA level show fast kinetics compared with neurons lacking this splice variant.
STAT5A interacts with and is phosphorylated upon activation of the µ‐opioid receptor
Authors: Mazarakou Georgia , Georgoussi Zafiroula 
Published: April 2005

AbstractSignal Transducers and Activators of Transcription (STATs) are transcription factors shown to be activated by G protein‐coupled receptors. In the present study, we demonstrate that acute morphine or [D‐Ala2,N‐Me‐Phe4,Gly5‐ol]enkephalin (DAMGO) exposure of COS‐7 cells transiently transfected with the µ‐opioid receptor and STAT5A, leads to receptor‐dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT5A. Activation of HEK293 cells, stably expressing the µ‐opioid receptor with µ‐opioid agonists results in the transcriptional activation of a STAT‐responsive reporter gene. Pertussis toxin has no effect on the level of STAT5A phosphorylation, while the Src inhibitor PP1 abolishes opioid‐dependent STAT5A phosphorylation. All three opioid receptor subtypes –µ, δ and κ– share the conserved motif YXXL (amino‐acids 336–339 for the µ‐opioid receptor), known to be critical for STAT5A/5B binding. Co‐immunoprecipitation and pull‐down experiments using a GST‐carboxyl‐terminal tail of the µ‐opioid receptor and rat brain, or COS‐7 cell cytosolic extracts, demonstrate the direct binding of STAT5A to this region. Mutation of the Y336 to alanine does not prevent STAT5A binding, whereas deletion of the entire putative STAT5A binding site YXXL abolishes STAT5A interaction to the carboxyl‐terminal tail of the µ‐opioid receptor. Collectively, our results demonstrate the association of STAT5A with the µ‐opioid receptor and reveal novel signalling pathways in the regulation of transcription by the µ‐opioid receptor.
Role of oxidative stress in paraquat‐induced dopaminergic cell degeneration
Authors: McCormack Alison L. , Atienza Jennifer G. , Johnston Louisa C. , Andersen Julie K. , Vu Susan , Di Monte Donato A. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractSystemic treatment of mice with the herbicide paraquat causes the selective loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons, reproducing the primary neurodegenerative feature of Parkinson's disease. To elucidate the role of oxidative damage in paraquat neurotoxicity, the time‐course of neurodegeneration was correlated to changes in 4‐hydroxy‐2‐nonenal (4‐HNE), a lipid peroxidation marker. When mice were exposed to three weekly injections of paraquat, no nigral dopaminergic cell loss was observed after the first administration, whereas a significant reduction of neurons followed the second exposure. Changes in the number of nigral 4‐HNE‐positive neurons suggest a relationship between lipid peroxidation and neuronal death, since a dramatic increase in this number coincided with the onset and development of neurodegeneration after the second toxicant injection. Interestingly, the third paraquat administration did not cause any increase in 4‐HNE‐immunoreactive cells, nor did it produce any additional dopaminergic cell loss. Further evidence of paraquat‐induced oxidative injury derives from the observation of nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity in the substantia nigra of paraquat‐treated animals and from experiments with ferritin transgenic mice. These mice, which are characterized by a decreased susceptibility to oxidative stress, were completely resistant to the increase in 4‐HNE‐positive neurons and the cell death caused by paraquat. Thus, paraquat exposure yields a model that emphasizes the susceptibility of dopaminergic neurons to oxidative damage.