bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Geographic Pathology of Helicobacter pylori Gastritis
Authors: Liu Yi , Ponsioen Cyriel I. J. , Xiao Shu‐dong , Tytgat Guido N. J. , Ten Kate Fiebo J. W. 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACTBackground and aim.  Helicobacter pylori is etiologically associated with gastritis and gastric cancer. There are significant geographical differences between the clinical manifestation of H. pylori infections. The aim of this study was to compare gastric mucosal histology in relation to age among H. pylori‐infected patients from different geographical areas using the same grading system. The prevalence of atrophy and intestinal metaplasia were also compared with the respective gastric cancer incidence in the different countries.Methods.  A total of 1906 patients infected with H. pylori from seven countries were evaluated. Entry criteria included H. pylori positive cases with antral and corpus biopsies between the ages of 18 and 75 years. The minimum number of cases required from a country was 100. Hematoxylin‐eosin stained biopsies from antrum and corpus were scored semiquantitatively using the parameters suggested by the Sydney Classification System. Statistical evaluation was performed using Krusakal‐Wallis test and Spearman's rank correlation test.Results.  The severity of gastric atrophy varied among the different groups with the highest scores being present in Japan. The lowest scores were found in four European countries and in Thailand. The scores for intestinal metaplasia were low in general except for Xi‐an, Japan, and Shanghai. For all the countries, the presence of atrophy in the antrum correlated well (r = 0.891) with the incidence of gastric cancer.Conclusion.  Using a standardized grading system in a large study of H. pylori‐related geographic pathology, we found major differences in the overall prevalence and severity of H. pylori gastritis in relation to age. These differences mirrored the respective incidences of gastric cancer in those geographical areas.
Principal expression of two mRNA isoforms (ABCB  5α and ABCB  5β ) of the ATP‐binding cassette transporter gene ABCB 5 in melanoma cells and melanocytes
Authors: Chen Kevin G. , Szakács Gergely , Annereau Jean‐Philippe , Rouzaud Francois , Liang Xing‐Jie , Valencia Julio C. , Nagineni Chandrasekharam N. , Hooks John J. , Hearing Vincent J. , Gottesman Michael M. 
Published: March 2005

SummaryATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporters play a pivotal role in physiology and pathology. We identified and cloned two novel mRNA isoforms (ABCB 5α and ABCB 5β) of the ABC transporter ABCB 5 in human melanoma cells. The deduced ABCB 5α protein appears to be an altered splice variant containing only a putative ABC, whereas the ABCB 5β isoform shares approximately 70% similarity with ABCB1 (MDR1) and has a deduced topological arrangement similar to that of the whole carboxyl terminal half of the ABCB1 gene product, P‐glycoprotein, including an intact ABC. Northern blot, real‐time PCR, and conventional RT‐PCR were used to verify the expression profiles of ABCB 5α/β. We found that the melanomas included among the NCI‐60 panel of cell lines preferentially expressed both ABCB 5α and ABCB 5β. However, ABCB 5α/β expression was undetectable in two amelanotic melanomas (M14 and LOX‐IMVI). The expression profile of ABCB 5α/β in all of the other melanomas of the panel was confirmed both by RT‐PCR and by sequencing. Neither ABCB 5α nor ABCB 5β expression was found in normal tissues such as liver, spleen, thymus, kidney, lung, colon, small intestines or placenta. ABCB 5α/β mRNAs were also expressed in normal melanocytes and in retinal pigment epithelial cells, suggesting that ABCB 5α/β expression is pigment cell‐specific and might be involved in melanogenesis. Our findings indicate that expression of ABCB 5α/β might possibly provide two novel molecular markers for differential diagnosis of melanomas and constitute potential molecular targets for therapy of melanomas.
The Impact of Dydrogesterone Supplementation on Hormonal Profile and Progesterone‐induced Blocking Factor Concentrations in Women with Threatened Abortion
Authors: Kalinka Jarosław , Szekeres‐Bartho Julia 
Published: March 2005

Problem:  The therapeutic value of progestogens in threatened abortion is still under debate. In the presence of sufficient progesterone levels during pregnancy, lymphocytes synthesize a mediator [progesterone‐induced blocking factor (PIBF)] that is anti‐abortive in mice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dydrogesterone on pregnancy outcome of threatened aborters.Method of Study:  Twenty‐seven threatened aborters were treated for 10 days with dydrogesterone (30–40 mg/day). Sixteen healthy pregnant controls received no treatment. Serum progesterone and estradiol concentrations as well as urine PIBF concentrations were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results:  Pregnancy outcomes in dydrogesterone‐treated threatened aborters did not statistically differ from those in healthy controls. Serum progesterone concentrations in control patients, but not those in threatened aborters increased as pregnancy progressed. Following dydrogesterone treatment, initially low PIBF concentrations of threatened aborters significantly increased (P = 0.001) to reach the PIBF level found in healthy controls.Conclusions:  These data suggest that by inducing PIBF production, dydrogesterone might improve pregnancy success rates in threatened aborters.
Homing in on the Cellular Immune Response to HSV‐2 in Humans*
Authors: Koelle David M. , Gonzalez Julio C. , Johnson Andrew S. 
Published: March 2005

Problem:  Genital herpes simplex infections are generally limited to epithelia and neurons. Vaccines have had activity in herpes simplex virus (HSV)‐seronegative women only. Understanding how HSV‐specific T cells traffic to infected sites may assist in vaccine design.Method of Study:  Herpes simplex virus epitopes recognized by HSV‐specific CD8 T cells were identified and used to make fluorescent human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐peptide tetramers. Molecules related to lymphocyte rolling adhesion were studied by flow cytometry and cell binding. HSV‐specific CD4 T cells identified ex vivo by cytokine accumulation or activation marker expression, or detected in vitro by 5‐(and‐6)‐carboxyfluorescein diacetate, succinimidyl ester (CFSE) dilution, were similarly investigated.Results:  Herpes simplex virus‐specific T cells are 10‐ to 100‐fold more prevalent in lesional skin compared with blood and greatly enriched in lesions compared with normal skin. Diverse viral antigens are recognized by HSV‐specific T cells. Functionally active E‐selectin ligand, and cutaneous lymphocyte antigen (CLA), are expressed by circulating HSV‐2‐specific CD8 cells. CD4 cells display lower levels of CLA that are dramatically up‐regulated upon re‐stimulation with antigen.Conclusions:  Herpes simplex virus‐2‐specific CD8 and CD4 T cells differ in constitutive expression of skin homing molecules. Vaccines designed to induce proper homing are postulated to have increased efficacy.
National Identity Issues in the New German Elites: A Study of German University Students
Authors: Ezell Elizabeth D. , Seeleib-Kaiser Martin , Tiryakian Edward A. 
Published: March 2005

This empirical study treats German university students as a rising elite. After discussing the broader sociohistorical context of German national identity in recent decades, this study analyzes (a) students’ attitudes and perceptions on issues related to nationalism, national identity, and inclusion, and (b) the extent to which the “Wall in the Mind” as a psychological chasm persists in the new post-cold war generation of West and East Germans. Survey data were obtained from a sample of 544 students at 11 universities in the three areas of Germany: West Germany, East Germany, and Berlin. A major finding on the issue of national identity, as manifested in common symbols and common tasks, is a blurring of regional differences, with no significant differences found by age or gender. Overall, students reject “traditional” nationalism in favor of a “post-national” commitment to transnational values such as human rights and social equality for all. A significant majority feel there is a common German culture and that East and West Germans are forming one people; one whose future lies in being part of the European Union. We conclude there may be an emergent trend among university students of a post-national identity of being German-in-Europe, which warrants further comparative research.
Bioinformatics analysis of the locus for enterocyte effacement provides novel insights into type-III secretion
Authors: Pallen Mark J , Beatson Scott A , Bailey Christopher M 
Published: March 2005

Abstract
Background
Like many other pathogens, enterohaemorrhagic and enteropathogenic strains of Escherichia coli employ a type-III secretion system to translocate bacterial effector proteins into host cells, where they then disrupt a range of cellular functions. This system is encoded by the locus for enterocyte effacement. Many of the genes within this locus have been assigned names and functions through homology with the better characterised Ysc-Yop system from Yersinia spp. However, the functions and homologies of many LEE genes remain obscure.

Results
We have performed a fresh bioinformatics analysis of the LEE. Using PSI-BLAST we have been able to identify several novel homologies between LEE-encoded and Ysc-Yop-associated proteins: Orf2/YscE, Orf5/YscL, rORF8/EscI, SepQ/YscQ, SepL/YopN-TyeA, CesD2/LcrR. In addition, we highlight homology between EspA and flagellin, and report many new homologues of the chaperone CesT.

Conclusion
We conclude that the vast majority of LEE-encoded proteins do indeed possess homologues and that homology data can be used in combination with experimental data to make fresh functional predictions.
Application of population pharmacokinetics to cladribine
Authors: Lindemalm Synnöve , Savic Radojka M , Karlsson Mats O , Juliusson Gunnar , Liliemark Jan , Albertioni Freidoun 
Published: March 2005

Abstract
Background
The nucleoside analog cladribine is used for the treatment of a variety of indolent B- and T-cell lymphoid malignancies. The primary aim of the study was to evaluate the population distribution of pharmacokinetic parameters in patients undergoing treatment with cladribine and to detect the influence of different covariates on the pharmacokinetic parameters.

Methods
This pharmacokinetic study presents the results of a retrospective population pharmacokinetic analysis based on pooled data from 161 patients, who were given cladribine in different administration routes in various dosing regimens. The plasma concentrations of cladribine were determined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography using a solid phase extraction with a limit of quantitation of 1 nM using 1 mL of plasma.

Results
A three compartment structural model best described the disposition of cladribine. Clearance was found to be 39.3 L/hour, with a large interindividual variability. The half-life for the terminal phase was 16 hours. Bioavailability was 100% and 35% for subcutaneous and oral administration, respectively, with low interindividual variability. None of the investigated covariates were found to be correlated with the pharmacokinetic parameters.

Conclusion
As interindividual variability in apparent clearance after oral administration was not significantly higher compared to that following infusion, cladribine could be administered orally instead of intravenously if compensated for its lower bioavailability. Individualized dosing on basis of body surface area or weight does not represent an improvement in this study as compared to administering a fixed dose to all patients.
The chalcone butein from Rhus verniciflua Stokes inhibits clonogenic growth of human breast cancer cells co-cultured with fibroblasts
Authors: Samoszuk Michael , Tan Jenny , Chorn Guillaume 
Published: March 2005

Abstract
Background
Butein (3,4,2',4'-tetrahydroxychalone), a plant polyphenol, is a major biologically active component of the stems of Rhus verniciflua Stokes. It has long been used as a food additive in Korea and as an herbal medicine throughout Asia. Recently, butein has been shown to suppress the functions of fibroblasts. Because fibroblasts are believed to play an important role in promoting the growth of breast cancer cells, we investigated the ability of butein to inhibit the clonogenic growth of small numbers of breast cancer cells co-cultured with fibroblasts in vitro.

Methods
We first measured the clonogenic growth of small numbers of the UACC-812 human breast cancer cell line co-cultured on monolayers of serum-activated, human fibroblasts in the presence of butein (2 μg/mL) or various other modulators of fibroblast function (troglitazone-1 μg/mL; GW9662-1 μM; meloxican-1 μM; and 3,4 dehydroproline-10 μg/mL). In a subsequent experiment, we measured the dose-response effect on the clonogenic growth of UACC-812 breast cancer cells by pre-incubating the fibroblasts with varying concentrations of butein (10 μg/ml-1.25 μg/mL). Finally, we measured the clonogenic growth of primary breast cancer cells obtained from 5 clinical specimens with normal fibroblasts and with fibroblasts that had been pre-treated with a fixed dose of butein (2.5 μg/mL).

Results
Of the five modulators of fibroblast function that we tested, butein was by far the most potent inhibitor of clonogenic growth of UACC-812 breast cancer cells co-cultured with fibroblasts. Pre-treatment of fibroblasts with concentrations of butein as low as 2.5 μg/mL nearly abolished subsequent clonogenic growth of UACC-812 breast cancer cells co-cultured with the fibroblasts. A similar dose of butein had no effect on the clonogenic growth of breast cancer cells cultured in the absence of fibroblasts. Significantly, clonogenic growth of the primary breast cancer cells was also significantly reduced or abolished when the tumor cells were co-cultured with fibroblasts that had been pre-treated with a fixed dose of butein.

Conclusion
We conclude that fibroblasts pre-treated with non-toxic doses of butein (a natural herbal compound) no longer support the clonogenic growth of small numbers of primary breast cancer cells seeded into co-cultures. These results suggest that interference with the interaction between fibroblasts and breast cancer cells by the natural herbal compound, butein, should be further investigated as a novel experimental approach for possibly suppressing the growth of micrometastases of breast cancer.
A qualitative study of the perceptions and experiences of Pre-Registration House Officers on teamwork and support
Authors: Lempp Heidi , Cochrane Mac , Rees John 
Published: March 2005

Abstract
Background
Following the implementation of a new final Year 5 curriculum in one medical school we carried out a study to explore the experience of the transition from final student year to Pre-Registration House Officer (PRHO). This study looks at the experiences of two successive cohorts of PRHOs in relation to team work, support and shared responsibility in their transition from final year students to qualified doctors. The involvement of PRHOs in teams is likely to change in the development of Foundation programmes.

Methods
A qualitative study with semi-structured interviews with 33 PRHOs, stratified by gender, ethnicity and maturity, from two study cohorts, qualifying in 2001 and 2002, from one medical school in the UK, in their first three months following medical graduation.

Results
Most PRHOs reported positive experiences for their inclusion as a full member of their first ward teams. This contributed to their increasing confidence and competence in this early period of career transition. However, a number of organisational barriers were identified, e.g. incomplete teams, shift work, which produced problems in their integration for one third of newly qualified doctors.

Conclusion
Recently introduced policies, intended to improve the working lives of newly qualified doctors have produced both benefits and unintended adverse impacts on PRHOs. The changes of the new PRHO Foundation programme will have further impact. Foundation doctors may need to relate to wider teams with more interaction and less protection. Such changes will need to be managed carefully to protect the PRHO at a vulnerable time.
BioAfrica's HIV-1 Proteomics Resource: Combining protein data with bioinformatics tools
Authors: Doherty Ryan S , De Oliveira Tulio , Seebregts Chris , Danaviah Sivapragashini , Gordon Michelle , Cassol Sharon 
Published: March 2005

AbstractMost Internet online resources for investigating HIV biology contain either bioinformatics tools, protein information or sequence data. The objective of this study was to develop a comprehensive online proteomics resource that integrates bioinformatics with the latest information on HIV-1 protein structure, gene expression, post-transcriptional/post-translational modification, functional activity, and protein-macromolecule interactions. The BioAfrica HIV-1 Proteomics Resource http://bioafrica.mrc.ac.za/proteomics/index.html is a website that contains detailed information about the HIV-1 proteome and protease cleavage sites, as well as data-mining tools that can be used to manipulate and query protein sequence data, a BLAST tool for initiating structural analyses of HIV-1 proteins, and a proteomics tools directory. The Proteome section contains extensive data on each of 19 HIV-1 proteins, including their functional properties, a sample analysis of HIV-1HXB2, structural models and links to other online resources. The HIV-1 Protease Cleavage Sites section provides information on the position, subtype variation and genetic evolution of Gag, Gag-Pol and Nef cleavage sites. The HIV-1 Protein Data-mining Tool includes a set of 27 group M (subtypes A through K) reference sequences that can be used to assess the influence of genetic variation on immunological and functional domains of the protein. The BLAST Structure Tool identifies proteins with similar, experimentally determined topologies, and the Tools Directory provides a categorized list of websites and relevant software programs. This combined database and software repository is designed to facilitate the capture, retrieval and analysis of HIV-1 protein data, and to convert it into clinically useful information relating to the pathogenesis, transmission and therapeutic response of different HIV-1 variants. The HIV-1 Proteomics Resource is readily accessible through the BioAfrica website at: http://bioafrica.mrc.ac.za/proteomics/index.html
Orally administered OVA/CpG-ODN induces specific mucosal and systemic immune response in young and aged mice
Authors: Alignani Diego , Maletto Belkys , Liscovsky Miriam , Rópolo Andrea , Morón Gabriel , Pistoresi-Palencia María C 
Published: March 2005

AbstractWe have previously demonstrated that subcutaneously administered ovalbumin (OVA) plus synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides containing immunostimulatory CpG motifs (CpG-ODN) as adjuvant stimulate cellular and humoral immunity and promote T helper cell type 1 differentiation in aged mice. The present study assessed the ability of CpG-ODN to induce an OVA-specific immune response after oral immunization in young (3-month-old) and aged (18-month-old) BALB/c mice. Oral OVA/CpG-ODN immunization induces a similar OVA-specific T cell-proliferative response (in mucosal and systemic tissues), immunoglobulin G (IgG) in plasma, and IgA in intestinal washes in both groups of ages. The OVA-specific humoral immune response observed in aged mice was similar to the one observed in young mice, peaking at day 7 after the last oral immunization and was present over 40 days after the last oral immunization. The pattern of cytokines released in culture supernatants in both groups of mice was similar, with specific interferon-γ secretion in the absence of interleukin-5 responses. These results provide evidence that orally administered OVA/CpG-ODN induces a young-like, specific, immune response against OVA in aged mice, showing that CpG-ODN might be used as a mucosal adjuvant during aging.
The live vaccine strain ofFrancisella tularensisreplicates in human and murine macrophages but induces only the human cells to secrete proinflammatory cytokines
Authors: Bolger Courtney E , Forestal Colin A , Italo Jaime K , Benach Jorge L , Furie Martha B 
Published: March 2005

AbstractFrancisella tularensis is the highly infectious agent of tularemia, a disease that can prove fatal in humans. An attenuated live vaccine strain (LVS) of this bacterium is avirulent in man but produces lethal illness in mice. As a step toward understanding the species specificity of the LVS, we compared its interactions with murine and human leukocytes. The bacterium replicated within murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (muBMDM), human monocyte-derived macrophages (huMDM), and freshly isolated human monocytes. However, the murine and human phagocytes differed in their ability to secrete proinflammatory cytokines in response to the LVS. The huMDM released large amounts of CXC chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8) and CC chemokine ligand 2 when incubated with live or killed LVS organisms, and live bacteria also elicited production of interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Furthermore, human monocytes secreted CXCL8, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor α in response to various bacterial preparations. In contrast, muBMDM produced little to no proinflammatory cytokines or chemokines when treated with any preparations of the LVS. Clearly, human and murine macrophages support growth of this bacterium. However, the greater proinflammatory response of human leukocytes to F. tularensis LVS may contribute to the avirulence of this strain in the human host.
Relationship between Released Strain and Growth Rate in 39 Year-Old Tectona grandis Planted in Indonesia
Authors: Wahyudi I. , Okuyama T. , Hadi Y. Sudo , Yamamoto H. , Watanabe H. , Yoshida M. 
Published: March 2005

Summary
In order to clarify the growth stress mechanism of tree species in tropical forest, peripheral and internal
longitudinal released strains in 39 year-old teak (Tectona grandis) trees planted in West Java, Indonesia
were investigated using the strain-gauge technique. Results showed that both of the peripheral and internal
longitudinal released strains were not affected by the rate of growth of the trees. However, released
strains distribution inside tree stem, from pith to periphery, were significantly affected by growth rate;
slow growing trees generate steeper released strain gradients.
Dielectric Relaxation Based on Adsorbed Water in Wood Cell Wall under Non-Equilibrium State 2
Authors: Jinzhen C. , Guangjie Z. 
Published: March 2005

Summary
In order to explain, on molecular level, the unusualness of wood physical properties under moisture non-equilibrium
state, the dielectric temperature and frequency spectra of Sikkim spruce (Picea spinulosa
Griff.) specimens were measured during the adsorption process in 20°C, 60% R.H. environment. Furthermore,
the dielectric relaxation based on adsorbed water was separated from that based on the
methanol groups in the amorphous region of wood cell wall, so that the thermodynamic quantities of
adsorbed water associated with the adsorption process could be evaluated. Consequently, the molecular
reorientation model of adsorbed water molecules during the dielectric relaxation process was constructed.
The results show that the activation enthalpy ∆H and activation entropy ∆S of adsorbed water both
increase linearly with the adsorption time. During the initial adsorption period ∆S appears as a negative
value. According to the values of thermodynamic quantities, especially the ∆H values, it can be inferred
that the average number of hydrogen bonds formed between each adsorbed water molecule with its surrounding
wood adsorption sites increases gradually with developing adsorption. The model based on the
obtained data in this experiment shows that after 7 hours' adsorption the number is between two and
three, after 24 hours it is three and later it approaches four.