bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Significance of RCAS1 antigen in hepatocellular, cholangiocellular and pancreatic carcinomas
Authors: ENJOJI MUNECHIKA , NAKASHIMA MANABU , YAMAGUCHI KOJI , KOTOH KAZUHIRO , NAKAMUTA MAKOTO 
Published: July 2005

AbstractSince receptor‐binding cancer antigen expressed on SiSo cells (RCAS1) was first reported as a tumor‐associated antigen of gynecologic cancer, its function and practical value as a tumor marker have been investigated in various types of carcinomas. Basic research has indicated that RCAS1 expression in cancer cells contributes to the evasion from immune surveillance and progression of carcinomas. The clinical significance of RCAS1 expression in hepatobiliary and pancreatic carcinomas has also been investigated. In this review, we summarize the clinical application of RCAS1 antigen in hepatic and pancreaticobiliary diseases. We present new data and review current knowledge about the potential of RCAS1 as a tumor marker and the relationship between RCAS1 expression and clinicopathologic parameters. We found that the clinical function of RCAS1 appeared to differ according to the type of carcinoma. In hepatocellular carcinoma, the clinical significance of histological RCAS1 expression was controversial and that of serum RCAS1 levels showed little clinical value. In pancreaticobiliary cancers, high RCAS1 expression in tissue samples was an unfavorable independent prognostic factor. Serum RCAS1 was a superior tumor marker reflecting the disease activity in biliary carcinoma. In pancreatic cancer, serum RCAS1 levels were less useful than in biliary carcinoma but may be available for genetically CA19‐9‐negative patients and for CA19‐9‐non‐producing cancer. This review also offers suggestions for future studies.
Influence of load of hepatitis A virus on disease severity and its relationship with clinical manifestations in patients with hepatitis A
Authors: SAINOKAMI SHIGEHIKO , ABE KOICHI , ISHIKAWA KAZUYOSHI , SUZUKI KAZUYUKI 
Published: July 2005

AbstractBackground and Aim: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the influence of viral load on disease severity and analyze the possible relationship of the load of hepatitis A virus (HAV) with disease severity and laboratory findings.Methods: Fifty‐eight patients diagnosed with acute hepatitis A were used in the current study, of whom 12 patients progressed to severe acute hepatitis (s‐AH) defined on the basis of a prothrombin time (PT) of <40% and 46 patients were diagnosed as having mild acute hepatitis (m‐AH). The load of HAV was measured with real‐time polymerase chain reaction.Results: Peak viral load showed a significant correlation with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (r = 0.363, P = 0.0048) and PT levels (r = −0.330, P = 0.0110). In terms of disease severity, there was a significant  correlation  with  ALT  (r = 0.462,  P = 0.0012)  and  PT  levels  (r = 0.400,  P = 0.0059)  in  the m‐AH group, but not in the s‐AH group. A significant positive correlation of peak viral load with the C‐reactive protein level (r = 0.270, P = 0.0400) and a significant negative correlation of peak viral load with the platelet count (r = −0.313, P = 0.0015) was also found.Conclusions: The load of HAV was closely correlated with liver damage and disease severity in m‐AH, but not in s‐AH. The load of HAV was also closely associated with the increase in C‐reactive protein level and enhancement of thrombocytopenia.
Late complication in patients undergoing pancreatic resection with intraoperative radiation therapy: Gastrointestinal bleeding with occlusion of the portal system
Authors: SHIMIZU YASUHIRO , YASUI KENZO , FUWA NOBUKAZU , ARAI YASUAKI , YAMAO KENJI 
Published: July 2005

AbstractBackground:  There are few reports of late complications in patients who have undergone pancreatic resection with intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT), because carcinoma of the pancreas (PCa) and the bile duct (BCa) have a poor prognosis. The purpose of the present paper was to review gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding occurring with occlusion of the portal system (PVs) as a complication of IORT in patients surviving long term without recurrence.Patients:  From 1990 to 1999, 45 patients underwent surgical resection of the pancreas with IORT. Eleven of these patients survived >3 years without recurrence, and occlusion of PVs was recognized in five patients at follow‐up examination. Three of these five patients received repeated blood transfusions for GI bleeding.Results:  One patient had BCa and two had PCa, and pancreatoduodenectomy was carried out. The delivered radiation doses of IORT were 30 Gy (two patients) and 35 Gy (one patient). The postoperative periods to initial GI bleeding were 36, 26 and 9 months, respectively. In all cases, angiography revealed occlusion of PVs and the collateral circulation. The bleeding points were esophageal varix (case 1), remnant stomach varix (case 2) and a jejunal ulcer (case 3), and blood transfusions were carried out totaling 44, 60 and 16 units, respectively. The GI bleeding disappeared spontaneously in case 1, developed sporadically in case 2 and was stopped by metallic stent insertion in PVs in case 3.Conclusion:  During long‐term follow up after pancreatectomy with IORT, it is necessary to monitor patients for GI bleeding. A clinical trial on optimum doses, long‐term safety and benefit of IORT is necessary.
Feasibility of a breath test with a substrate of natural 13C‐abundance and isotope‐selective non‐dispersive infrared spectrometry: A preliminary study
Authors: JONDERKO KRZYSZTOF , KASICKA‐JONDERKO ANNA , SYRKIEWICZ‐TREPIAK DANUTA , BŁOŃSKA‐FAJFROWSKA BARBARA 
Published: July 2005

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Isotope‐selective non‐dispersive infrared spectrometry (NDIRS) is a cheaper alternative to isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). We checked on the efficiency of NDIRS to perform a breath test with naturally 13C‐enriched maize starch.Methods:  Fifty‐six healthy volunteers were examined. After a basal fasted sample of their expiratory air was collected, the subjects ate a test breakfast of 50 g (CF50 group, n = 9) or 100 g (CF100 group, n = 47) cornflakes with 175 g yoghurt. For 6 h thereafter, exhaled air was collected every 30 min for the NDIRS measurement of 13CO2 concentration.Results:  The time‐course of the curves of 13CO2 concentration resembled those obtained previously with IRMS. A dose‐response to the amount of ingested cornflakes was observed – the maximum postprandial net increment in 13CO2 was statistically significantly higher in the CF100 than CF50 group: 4.78 ± 0.13 versus 3.12 ± 0.17‰ (P < 0.001), whereas the time needed to reach the maximum did not differ after the intake of 50 g (233 ± 13 min) or 100 g (248 ± 9 min) cornflakes. The 5‐h area‐under‐the‐curve of cumulative 13CO2 net recovery (AUC60‐360) was statistically significantly greater after ingestion of 100 g compared to 50 g cornflakes (97.6 ± 2.2 versus 61.7 ± 2.2 µmol, P < 0.001) and it also exhibited a stable between‐subject variability.Conclusion:  The obtained proof of technical feasibility of a breath test with the use of naturally 13C‐enriched starch and NDIRS provides background for future research on the clinical usefulness of this method for a non‐invasive assessment of the pancreatic exocrine function.
Mechanical characterization of single crystal silicon and UV‐LIGA nickel thin films using tensile tester operated in AFM
Authors: LEE Y. , TADA J. , ISONO Y. 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACTThis paper describes the mechanical characteristics of microscale single crystal silicon (SCS) and UV‐LIGA nickel (Ni) films used for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). A compact tensile tester, operated in an atomic force microscope (AFM), was developed for accurate evaluation of Young's modulus, tensile strain and tensile strength of microscale SCS and UV‐LIGA Ni specimens. SCS specimens with nominal dimensions of 20 μm in thickness, 50 μm in width and 600 μm in length were prepared by a conventional photolithography and etching process. UV‐LIGA Ni specimens, with a thickness of 15 μm, a width of 50 μm and a length of 600 μm in nominal dimensions, were also fabricated by electroplating using a UV thick photoresist mould. All specimens have line patterns on their specimen gauge section to measure axial elongation under tensile loading. The SCS specimens showed a linear stress–strain response and fractured in a brittle manner, whereas the UV‐LIGA Ni specimens showed elastic–inelastic deformation behaviour. Young's modulus of SCS and UV‐LIGA Ni specimens obtained from tensile tests averaged 169.2 GPa and 183.6 GPa, respectively, close to those of bulk materials. However, the tensile strength of both materials showed a larger value than the bulk materials: 1.47 GPa for the SCS and 0.98 GPa for the Ni specimens. Yield stress and breaking elongation of UV‐LIGA Ni specimens were also quite different from those of the bulk Ni because of the specimen size effect on inelastic properties.
Fracture tests of microsized TiAl specimens
Authors: HALFORD T. P. , TAKASHIMA K. , HIGO Y. , BOWEN P. 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACTγ‐TiAl‐based materials have the ability to provide superior creep strength, high yield strength and Young's modulus at temperatures as high as 700 °C. This has led to the consideration of γ‐TiAl‐based materials for use in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) intended for application at elevated temperatures. One γ‐TiAl‐based material under consideration for these applications is the composition known as Alloy 7/Ti–46Al–5Nb–1W (at%). In this case, this material is tested in the as‐wrought form with a fully lamellar structure and a colony size ≈75 μm. The effect of loading volumes of this material smaller than conventional samples is investigated. This is carried out in order to improve understanding of the fracture toughness behaviour, which ultimately will be required of components of this material with a cross‐section ≈18 × 6 μm. Here, we focus upon a specially developed machine, which provides accurate loading of microsized cantilever beams through a diamond tip. The directional nature of the fracture toughness properties of this material is considered in relation to the local orientation of the lamellar microstructure and the resulting failure modes occurring.
Fracture toughness measurement of thin‐film silicon
Authors: ANDO T. , LI X. , NAKAO S. , KASAI T. , TANAKA H. , SHIKIDA M. , SATO K. 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACTThe fracture toughness of single‐crystal silicon thin films oriented to (100) and (110) was investigated by tensile testing under both 〈100〉 and 〈110〉 loading conditions. The specimen was fabricated from a p‐type Czochralski (CZ)‐grown wafer and passed through a thermal process during the fabrication of the test device. The measured fracture toughness is dependent on the loading direction in the tensile test and independent of the specimen surface orientation. The test results were 1.94 MPa√m in the 〈100〉 direction and 1.17 MPa√m in the 〈110〉. In these tests, no longitudinal size effect on the fracture stress or fracture toughness was observed. The SEM photographs obtained from the fracture specimens after the tensile test show that the crack initiated from the notch tip and propagated straight in the across‐the‐width direction on the (110) or (111) cleavage plane.
Niche heterogeneity determines bacterial community structure in the termite gut (Reticulitermes santonensis)
Authors: Yang Hong , Schmitt‐Wagner Dirk , Stingl Ulrich , Brune Andreas 
Published: July 2005

SummaryDifferences in microenvironment and interactions of microorganisms within and across habitat boundaries should influence structure and diversity of the microbial communities within an ecosystem. We tested this hypothesis using the well characterized gut tract of the European subterranean termite Reticulitermes santonensis as a model. By cloning and sequencing analysis and molecular fingerprinting (terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism), we characterized the bacterial microbiota in the major intestinal habitats – the midgut, the wall of the hindgut paunch, the hindgut fluid and the intestinal protozoa. The bacterial community was very diverse (> 200 ribotypes) and comprised representatives of several phyla, including Firmicutes (mainly clostridia, streptococci and Mycoplasmatales‐related clones), Bacteroidetes, Spirochaetes and a number of Proteobacteria, all of which were unevenly distributed among the four habitats. The largest group of clones fell into the so‐called Termite group 1 (TG‐1) phylum, which has no cultivated representatives. The majority of the TG‐1 clones were associated with the protozoa and formed two phylogenetically distinct clusters, which consisted exclusively of clones previously retrieved from the gut of this and other Reticulitermes species. Also the other clones represented lineages of microorganisms that were exclusively recovered from the intestinal tract of termites. The termite specificity of these lineages was underscored by the finding that the closest relatives of the bacterial clones obtained from R. santonensis were usually derived also from the most closely related termites. Overall, differences in diversity between the different gut habitats and the uneven distribution of individual phylotypes support conclusively that niche heterogeneity is a strong determinant of the structure and spatial organization of the microbial community in the termite gut.
Design and validation of 16S rRNA probes to enumerate members of the Clostridium leptum subgroup in human faecal microbiota
Authors: Lay Christophe , Sutren Malène , Rochet Violaine , Saunier Katiana , Doré Joël , Rigottier‐Gois Lionel 
Published: July 2005

SummaryAmong human faecal bacteria, many members of the Clostridium leptum subgroup are fibrolytic and butyrate producing microorganisms thereby contributing to processes important to colonic health. Yet this phylogenetic subgroup remains poorly described to date. To improve detection and description of members of the C. leptum subgroup, the Clep 866 group probe was developed. Its association with probes targeting the Clostridium viride cluster (Cvir 1414) and Eubacterium desmolans species (Edes 635) allowed for the first time the detection of all members found in this phylogenetic group in human faecal microbiota. A species‐specific probe was also designed to detect members of the Ruminococcus callidus species (Rcal 733). The design of signature regions was based on alignment of 16S rRNA sequences isolated from faeces of five healthy adults. Furthermore, an oligonucleotide competitor strategy was developed in order to improve the specificity of the probes formerly validated or designed in this study. The oligonucleotide probes were tested using a collection of target and non‐target strains using FISH combined with flow cytometry. These new probes were added to a panel of 18 phylogenetic probes selected to describe faecal microbiota composition in 21 human faeces of healthy adults. Clostridium leptum subgroup represented 22% of the total faecal bacteria and codominated with members of Clostridium coccoides group. The cluster Faecalibacterium prausnitzii was the dominant component of the C. leptum subgroup and 20% of the latter subgroup remained unidentified at the species level.
Study of the occurrence of Vibrio vulnificus in oysters in India by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and heterogeneity among V. vulnificus by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA PCR and gyrB sequence analysis
Authors: Parvathi Ammini , Kumar H. Sanath , Karunasagar Indrani , Karunasagar Iddya 
Published: July 2005

SummaryThe pathogenic bacterium Vibrio vulnificus is widely distributed in estuarine waters throughout the world. In this study, the presence of V. vulnificus in oysters was studied both by conventional culture and DNA‐based molecular technique. Following enrichment in alkaline peptone water (APW), the bacteria were lysed and a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for vvhA gene was performed. The effect of duration of enrichment on the sensitivity of detection by PCR was evaluated. The organism was isolated from 43% of samples after 18 h enrichment in APW by conventional culture method. Nested PCR amplifying a fragment of vvhA gene detected the organism in 11%, 60% and 81% of samples following 0, 6 and 18 h of enrichment. All the biochemically identified V. vulnificus strains possessed vvhA gene and belonged to biotype 1. The genetic relatedness among the strains was studied by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) PCR and gyrB sequence analysis. The results suggest the presence of two distinct clonal groups of V. vulnificus in oysters in India. The study demonstrates, for the first time that gyrB sequence analysis could be used to study the genetic diversity of V. vulnificus.
Worldwide distribution of Pseudomonas aeruginosa clone C strains in the aquatic environment and cystic fibrosis patients
Authors: Römling Ute , Kader Abdul , Sriramulu Dinesh Diraviam , Simm Roger , Kronvall Göran 
Published: July 2005

SummaryHighly successful bacterial clones have the ability to effectively colonize environmental niches and patients. However, the factors which determine the complex interplay between the colonization of environmental niches and patients are mainly unknown. In this study we show that Pseudomonas aeruginosa clone C strains are distributed worldwide and highly prone to infect cystic fibrosis (CF) patients in Canada, England, France and Germany. In Hanover, Germany and Vancouver, Canada, clone C strains are highly prevalent in the CF patient community, although the mechanisms of acquisition may have been different. All clone C strains showed highly related macrorestriction fragment pattern of the whole genome as visualized by pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis and harboured the 102 kbp plasmid pKLC102. Comparison of three prevalent P. aeruginosa clones with different distribution between the environment and patients revealed that neither enhanced biofilm formation nor antibiotic resistance was responsible for the spread of clone C. Clone M, which was highly prevalent in the clinical environment such as sanitary facilities, lacked motility, which could explain its relatively low prevalence in CF patients. Elucidation of the mechanisms which lead to the prevalence of clone C strain in patients and the environment requires the investigation of additional phenotypes.
WOAD, TATTOOING AND IDENTITY IN LATER IRON AGE AND EARLY ROMAN BRITAIN
Authors: CARR GILLIAN 
Published: July 2005

Summary. This paper explores the archaeological evidence for the practice of facial and corporeal dyeing, painting and tattooing in the later Iron Age and early Roman period. The aim is to construct a hypothesis which explains how, why, when and by whom such pigments were worn. Although this hypothesis discusses woad‐derived indigo, this is used mainly, although not exclusively, as an experimental tool, as no conclusive archaeological evidence exists which reveals the identity of the ‘real’ pigment(s). Woad has also long held a place in the popular imagination as the source of the dye which the ancient Britons used to paint themselves.This paper explores the possibility that the cosmetic grinder was the focal artefact used in body painting or tattooing, and was used for grinding and mixing body and face paint. It is suggested that, rather than being a ‘Roman’‐style tool for cosmetic application from the start, it may have begun life as an artefact first used by the later Iron Age Britons for body painting and expressing indigenous identities.
In the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy, why are HIV‐infected patients still admitted to hospital for an inaugural opportunistic infection?
Authors: Perbost I , Malafronte B , Pradier C , Santo LDI , Dunais B , Counillon E , Vinti H , Enel P , Fuzibet JG , Cassuto JP , Dellamonica P 
Published: July 2005

ObjectivesTo identify factors related to delayed testing, and delayed or interrupted care‐seeking or treatment uptake, among HIV‐infected patients.DesignHIV‐infected patients hospitalized for an opportunistic infection (OI) cases were included in a prospective study and compared with controls matched by age and sex who had regular follow‐up and treatment. Patients were asked to complete a questionnaire about their therapeutic itinerary and their socioeconomic, psychological and medical characteristics.ResultsSeventy patients were matched with 140 controls. According to their therapeutic itinerary prior to admission, cases were subdivided into four groups among which three will be more particularly studied: nontested patients (NT) (24%; n=17), known HIV‐infected patients with no medical follow‐up (NF) (30%; n=21); and noncompliant patients (NC) (36%, n=25). Characteristics of NT and NF patients included a predominantly sexual mode of contamination (P=0.01), continuing occupational activity (P=0.01) despite a low mean Karnofsky index (P=0.001) and unfavourable virological and immunological parameters. NT patients displayed a low degree of anxiety, and lacked awareness concerning risk of contamination and HIV‐related symptoms. HIV‐status announcement (P=0.04) and the benefits of medical follow‐up (P=0.05) were less favourably perceived by NF patients than by controls, and were associated with a high degree of anxiety in NF patients. NC patients had a weaker commitment to follow‐up and treatment, and more frequent treatment discontinuation associated with a higher rate of interruption of follow‐up in a context of social difficulties.ConclusionsPatients ignorant of their HIV status, patients NF and NC have very specific characteristics. More appropriate approaches are needed regarding screening and access to care in order to reduce the incidence of delayed care‐seeking.
Influence of RANTES, SDF‐1 and TGF‐β levels on the value of interleukin‐7 as a predictor of virological response in HIV‐1‐infected patients receiving double boosted protease inhibitor‐based therapy
Authors: Boulassel MR , Smith GHR , Edwardes MDdeB , Young M , Klein M , Gilmore N , MacLeod J , LeBlanc R , René P , Allan J , Lalonde RG , Routy JP 
Published: July 2005

ObjectivesInterleukin‐7 (IL‐7), RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted), stromal cell‐derived factor‐1 (SDF‐1) and transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β) appear to share certain biological properties in vitro and all are involved in HIV‐1 disease progression. Our earlier observations indicated that IL‐7 levels decrease upon CD4 T‐cell recovery and represent a new, independent predictor of virological response. Here, we examine associations among circulating levels of IL‐7, RANTES, SDF‐1 and TGF‐β in hopes of gaining insight into their contribution to the predictive value of IL‐7.MethodsLevels of IL‐7, RANTES, SDF‐1 and TGF‐β, and immune and viral parameters were assessed in HIV‐1‐infected patients.ResultsCross‐sectional (n=148) and longitudinal (n=36) analyses showed that levels of IL‐7, but not RANTES, SDF‐1 or TGF‐β, were increased in HIV‐1‐infected adults compared with those of healthy controls. In the cross‐sectional study, levels of IL‐7 were correlated with RANTES (r=0.31, P=0.002) and TGF‐β (r=0.53, P<0.001) but not with SDF‐1 (r=0.12, P=0.22), and these associations were more pronounced in patients with CD4 T‐cell counts >200 cells/μL. In contrast to IL‐7, levels of RANTES, SDF‐1 and TGF‐β were not correlated with CD4 T‐cell counts. Longitudinal analysis revealed a marked decline in IL‐7 levels accompanied by an increase in CD4 T‐cell count following antiretroviral therapy (ART), but no changes in RANTES, SDF‐1 or TGF‐β levels. Multivariate regression analysis showed no influence of baseline RANTES, SDF‐1 or TGF‐β levels on the value of IL‐7 as a predictor of virological response at 48 weeks.ConclusionsCollectively, these results indicate that changes in IL‐7 levels did not induce changes in RANTES, SDF‐1 or TGF‐β. Furthermore, they indicate that RANTES, SDF‐1 or TGF‐β levels do not explain the predictor value of IL‐7 in patients receiving ART.