bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lemierre’s syndrome: more than a historical curiosa
Authors: Riordan T , Wilson M 
Published: June 2004

Abstract
Lemierre’s syndrome is a severe illness caused by the anaerobic bacterium, Fusobacterium necrophorum which typically occurs in healthy teenagers and young adults. The infection originates in the throat and spreads via a septic thrombophlebitis of the tonsillar vein and internal jugular vein. The ensuing bacteraemia is complicated by septic emboli to a range of sites such as lung, joints, and bones. Although rare, there is evidence of a resurgence in the condition in recent years, possibly associated with reduced use of antibiotic therapy for sore throats. The typical clinical picture is characteristic but many clinicians are unaware of the condition and diagnosis is often delayed with potentially fatal consequences.
A novel multimedia tool to improve bedside teaching of cardiac auscultation
Authors: Woywodt A , Herrmann A , Kielstein J T , Haller H , Haubitz M , Purnhagen H 
Published: June 2004

Abstract
Training in cardiac auscultation is a core element of undergraduate teaching but recent studies have documented a remarkable decline in auscultatory skills. Therefore there is an interest in new ways to teach cardiac auscultation. In analogy to phonocardiography, an electronic system for simultaneous auscultation and visualisation of murmurs was sought. For this purpose, an electronic stethoscope was linked to a laptop computer and software created to visualise auscultatory findings. In a preliminary trial in undergraduate students, this approach greatly facilitated teaching. Amalgamating traditional phonocardiography with a multimedia approach, this system represents a novel tool for bedside teaching of cardiac auscultation.
Cross-linking of P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 induces death of activated T cells
Authors: Chen Shu-Ching , Huang Chiu-Chen , Chien Chung-Liang , Jeng Chung-Jiuan , Su Ho-Ting , Chiang Evelyn , Liu Meng-Ru , Wu C. H. Herbert , Chang Chung-Nan , Lin Rong-Hwa 
Published: June 2004

AbstractIncreasing evidence has shown that death signaling in T cells is regulated in a complicated way. Molecules other than death receptors can also trigger T-cell death. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) or CD162 molecules cross-linked by an anti–PSGL-1 monoclonal antibody, TAB4, can trigger a death signal in activated T cells. In contrast to classic cell death, PSGL-1–mediated T-cell death is caspase independent. It involves translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor from mitochondria to nucleus and mitochondrial cytochrome c release. Ultrastructurally, both peripheral condensation of chromatin and apoptotic body were observed in PSGL-1–mediated T-cell death. Collectively, this study demonstrates a novel role for PSGL-1 in controlling activated T-cell death and, thus, advances our understanding of immune regulation.
Polymorphisms and haplotypes in folate-metabolizing genes and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Skibola Christine F. , Forrest Matthew S. , Coppedé Fabio , Agana Luz , Hubbard Alan , Smith Martyn T. , Bracci Paige M. , Holly Elizabeth A. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractFolate metabolism plays an essential role in DNA synthesis and methylation processes. Deviations in the flux of folate due to genetic variation could result in selective growth and genomic instability and affect susceptibility to various cancers including lymphoma. To test this hypothesis, genetic polymorphisms in the folate metabolic pathway were investigated using DNA from a population-based case-control study of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) conducted in the San Francisco Bay Area between 1988 and 1995. The polymorphisms examined and haplotypes generated included thymidylate synthase (TYMS 28-bp triple repeat [3R] → double repeat [2R], 1494del6, IVS6 -68C&gt;T, 1122A&gt;G, and 1053C&gt;T); 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR 677C&gt;T and 1298A&gt;C); serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT1 C1420T); reduced folate carrier (RFC G80A); and methionine synthase (MTR A2756G), making the present study the largest and most comprehensive to date to evaluate associations between genetic polymorphisms in folatemetabolizing genes and NHL risk. The TYMS 6 base pair (bp)-6bp- (homozygous for 6bp deletion), IVS6 -68C&gt;T, and 1053C&gt;T genotypes (all in complete linkage disequilibrium) were all inversely associated with NHL (TYMS; odds ratio [OR] = 0.57; 0.34-0.94), particularly with diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLCL; OR = 0.29; 0.10-0.82). Further, the MTR 2756AG/GG and the MTHFR 677TT genotypes were associated with increased risk for NHL (OR = 1.3; 0.99-1.7) and follicular lymphoma (FL; OR = 1.8; 0.98-3.1), respectively. We did not observe any significant differences in genotype frequencies of the SHMT1 and RFC polymorphisms between the cases and controls. The associations of DLCL and FL with TYMS 1494del6 and MTHFR 677TT genotypes, respectively, suggest that folate metabolism may play an important role in the pathogenesis of specific subtypes of NHL. (Blood. 2004;104: 2155-2162)
Human marrow megakaryocyte differentiation: multiparameter correlative analysis identifies von Willebrand factor as a sensitive and distinctive marker for early (2N and 4N) megakaryocytes
Authors: Tomer Aaron 
Published: June 2004

AbstractHuman megakaryocyte differentiation and maturation were studied in fresh marrow aspirates by using multiparameter flow cytometric correlative analysis. The expression of glycoprotein (GP)IIb/IIIa, GPIIIa, GPIb, and CD36 correlated directly with cell size and ploidy (r &gt; 0.97); however, GPIb acquisition was relatively slow. von Willebrand factor (VWF) is robustly expressed by early (2N and 4N) megakaryocytes, enabling their complete resolution from the other marrow cells at a level superior to that achieved with GPIIb/IIIa. Expression of myeloid CD45 and immunoglobulin G (IgG)-FcγRII receptor (CDw32) increased with megakaryocyte maturation and contrasted with the declining expression of HLA-DR (negative in platelets). Interleukin-6 receptor expression in megakaryocytes was higher than in other marrow cells. By using the time-of-flight technique, the diameter of the megakaryocyte population was 37 ± 4 μm (mean ± 1 SD) compared with 14 ± 2 μm for the total marrow cells, ranging from 21 ± 4 μm for 2N cells to 56 ± 8 μm for 64N cells. Cell size directly correlated with cell DNA (r = 0.98). Receptor density of GPIIb/IIIa and GPIb decreased with the transition from 2N to 4N cells, then reached maximum at 32N cells. In conclusion, the present methods are useful for studying in vivo human megakaryocytopoiesis in normal and altered states. The expression of VWF is a sensitive and distinctive marker for the identification of young marrow megakaryocytes. (Blood. 2004; 104:2722-2727)
Promoter hypermethylation of cancer-related genes: a strong independent prognostic factor in acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Roman-Gomez Jose , Jimenez-Velasco Antonio , Castillejo Juan A. , Agirre Xabier , Barrios Manuel , Navarro German , Molina Francisco J. , Calasanz Maria J. , Prosper Felipe , Heiniger Anabel , Torres Antonio 
Published: June 2004

Abstract
Promoter hypermethylation plays an important role in the inactivation of cancer-related genes. This abnormality occurs early in leukemogenesis and seems to be associated with poor prognosis in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). To determine the extent of hypermethylation in ALL, we analyzed the methylation status of the CDH1, p73, p16, p15, p57, NES-1, DKK-3, CDH13, p14, TMS-1, APAF-1, DAPK, PARKIN, LATS-1, and PTEN genes in 251 consecutive ALL patients. A total of 77.3% of samples had at least 1 gene methylated, whereas 35.9% of cases had 4 or more genes methylated. Clinical features and complete remission rate did not differ among patients without methylated genes, patients with 1 to 3 methylated genes (methylated group A), or patients with more than 3 methylated genes (methylated group B). Estimated disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) at 11 years were 75.5% and 66.1%, respectively, for the nonmethylated group; 37.2% and 45.5% for methylated group A; and 9.4% and 7.8% for methylated group B (P &lt; .0001 and P = .0004, respectively). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the methylation profile was an independent prognostic factor in predicting DFS (P &lt; .0001) and OS (P = .003). Our results suggest that the methylation profile may be a potential new biomarker of risk prediction in ALL.
Characterization of the choline carrier of Plasmodium falciparum: a route for the selective delivery of novel antimalarial drugs
Authors: Biagini Giancarlo A. , Pasini Erica M. , Hughes Ruth , De Koning Harry P. , Vial Henri J. , O'Neill Paul M. , Ward Stephen A. , Bray Patrick G. 
Published: June 2004

Abstract
New drugs are urgently needed to combat the growing problem of drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum malaria. The infected erythrocyte is a multicompartmental system, and its transporters are of interest as drug targets in their own right and as potential routes for the delivery of antimalarial drugs. Choline is an important nutrient that penetrates infected erythrocyte membranes through the endogenous carrier and through parasite-induced permeability pathways, but nothing is known about its transport into the intracellular parasite. Here we present the first characterization of choline transport across the parasite membrane. Transport exhibits Michaelis-Menten kinetics with an apparent Km of 25.0 ± 3.5 μM for choline. The carrier is inhibitor-sensitive, temperature-dependent, and Na+-independent, and it is driven by the proton-motive force. Highly active bis-amidine and bis-quaternary ammonium compounds are also known to penetrate the host erythrocyte membrane through parasite-induced permeability pathways. Here, we demonstrate that the parasite choline transporter mediates the delivery of these compounds to the intracellular parasite. Thus, the induced permeability pathways in the host erythrocyte membrane and the parasite choline transporter described here form a cooperative transport system that shows great promise for the selective targeting of new agents for the chemotherapy of malaria. (Blood. 2004;104: 3372-3377)
Adjuvant Therapy for Stage II Colon Cancer: A Systematic Review From the Cancer Care Ontario Program in Evidence-Based Care’s Gastrointestinal Cancer Disease Site Group
Authors: Figueredo Alvaro , Charette Manya L. , Maroun Jean , Brouwers Melissa C. , Zuraw Lisa 
Published: June 2004

Purpose To develop a systematic review that would address the following question: Should patients with stage II colon cancer receive adjuvant therapy? Methods A systematic review was undertaken to locate randomized controlled trials comparing adjuvant therapy to observation. Results Thirty-seven trials and 11 meta-analyses were included. The evidence for stage II colon cancer comes primarily from a trial of fluorouracil plus levamisole and a meta-analysis of 1,016 patients comparing fluorouracil plus folinic acid versus observation. Neither detected an improvement in disease-free or overall survival for adjuvant therapy. A recent pooled analysis of data from seven trials observed a benefit for adjuvant therapy in a multivariate analysis for both disease-free and overall survival. The disease-free survival benefits appeared to extend to stage II patients; however, no P values were provided. A meta-analysis of chemotherapy by portal vein infusion has also shown a benefit in disease-free and overall survival for stage II patients. A meta-analysis was conducted using data on stage II patients where data were available (n = 4,187). The mortality risk ratio was 0.87 (95% CI, 0.75 to 1.01; P = .07). Conclusion There is preliminary evidence indicating that adjuvant therapy is associated with a disease-free survival benefit for patients with stage II colon cancer. These benefits are small and not necessarily associated with improved overall survival. Patients should be made aware of these results and encouraged to participate in active clinical trials. Additional investigation of newer therapies and more mature data from the presently available trials should be pursued.
Statistics in the Pharmacy Literature
Authors: Lee Charlene M , Soin Herpreet K , Einarson Thomas R 
Published: June 2004

BACKGROUND: Research in statistical methods is essential for maintenance of high quality of the published literature. OBJECTIVE: To update previous reports of the types and frequencies of statistical terms and procedures in research studies of selected professional pharmacy journals. METHODS: We obtained all research articles published in 2001 in 6 journals: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy, Formulary, Hospital Pharmacy, and Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association. Two independent reviewers identified and recorded descriptive and inferential statistical terms/procedures found in the methods, results, and discussion sections of each article. Results were determined by tallying the total number of times, as well as the percentage, that each statistical term or procedure appeared in the articles. RESULTS: One hundred forty-four articles were included. Ninety-eight percent employed descriptive statistics; of these, 28% used only descriptive statistics. The most common descriptive statistical terms were percentage (90%), mean (74%), standard deviation (58%), and range (46%). Sixty-nine percent of the articles used inferential statistics, the most frequent being χ2 (33%), Student's t-test (26%), Pearson's correlation coefficient r (18%), ANOVA (14%), and logistic regression (11%). CONCLUSIONS: Statistical terms and procedures were found in nearly all of the research articles published in pharmacy journals. Thus, pharmacy education should aim to provide current and future pharmacists with an understanding of the common statistical terms and procedures identified to facilitate the appropriate appraisal and consequential utilization of the information available in research articles.
New pressure cell for single-crystal X-ray investigations on diffractometers with area detectors
Authors: Ahsbahs Hans 
Published: June 2004

Abstract
The development of a pressure cell using Merrill-Bassett geometry is described, that avoids the use of beryllium. Nevertheless, an opening angle of 90° was obtained for the X-rays using a new mounting technique for the diamonds. The cell was specifically designed for comfortable use on modern single-crystal diffractometers with area detectors. It has the additional advantage that no absorption correction is necessary for the cell. It is intended for pressures up to 10 GPa, the range in which liquid pressure-transmitting media are available.
The first results are presented, including comparative investigations with a single-counter diffractometer equipped with an edge-collimator.
High-pressure behavior of sillimanite and kyanite: Compressibility, decomposition and indications of a new high-pressure phase
Authors: Friedrich Alexandra , Kunz Martin , Winkler Björn , Le Bihan Tristan 
Published: June 2004

Abstract
The high-pressure behavior of the two Al2SiO5 polymorphs sillimanite and kyanite was investigated up to 46 and 53 GPa, respectively, using a diamond-anvil cell and powder X-ray synchrotron diffraction. The bulk moduli of sillimanite and kyanite obtained from a fit to a second-order Birch-Murnaghan equation of state are B
0 = 176(11) GPa and B
0 = 190(3) GPa at fixed B′ = 4, respectively. The samples were laser annealed several times at high pressures. After laser annealing at 46 GPa, sillimanite was decomposed into its oxide components corundum (Al2O3) and stishovite (SiO2). The high-pressure behavior of kyanite, however, is more complicated. Up to 20 GPa, kyanite remains stable. At 30 GPa a new high-pressure form is observed, which seems to be structurally related to kyanite. After laser heating, it partly decomposed into corundum and stishovite. However, when laser heating at much higher pressures of 47 to 53 GPa, the new phase remains stable.
Semen and Serum Pharmacokinetics of Zidovudine and Zidovudine‐Glucuronide in Men with HIV‐1 Infection
Authors: Anderson Peter L. , Noormohamed Saleem E. , Henry Keith , Brundage Richard C. , Balfour Henry H. , Fletcher Courtney V. 
Published: June 2004

Study Objective. To characterize the concentration‐time profiles of zidovudine and zidovudine‐glucuronide in semen and serum of men infected with the human immunodeficiency‐1 virus (HIV‐1).Design. Open‐label observational study.Setting. University‐affiliated teaching hospital and research center.Patients. Four asymptomatic HIV‐1‐infected men.Interventions. Zidovudine administration was followed by an 8‐hour intensive pharmacokinetic study on day 1. Over the next 8 days, a dose administration and timed single‐sample strategy was employed to determine serum and semen concentration time profiles simultaneously.Measurements and Main Results. Zidovudine and zidovudine‐glucuronide concentrations were uniformly higher in semen than in serum except at 1 hour after the dose. The median area under the curve ratio (semen AUC0–48:serum AUC0–∞) was 3.31 for zidovudine and 15.04 for zidovudine‐glucuronide.Conclusion. Zidovudine and zidovudine‐glucuronide reach high levels in seminal plasma relative to serum. The virologic, pharmacodynamic, and public health implications of distribution to this compartment require further study.
Potential Influence of Timing of Low‐Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Evaluation in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Faulkner Michele A. , Hilleman Daniel E. , Destache Christopher J. , Mooss Aryan N. 
Published: June 2004

Objective. To determine the significance of timing of low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol evaluation in patients with chest pain as it relates to subsequent National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) treatment decisions.Design. Prospective, observational study.Setting. A university‐affiliated tertiary care hospital.Patients. Sixty‐two patients with coronary heart disease who were not receiving lipid‐lowering therapy and whose LDL levels were obtained 25–48 hours after onset of chest pain.Intervention. We evaluated laboratory test results of patients with chest pain admitted to the cardiac care unit to determine risk to patients when LDL levels obtained inappropriately are used to make decisions regarding antihyperlipidemic therapy.Measurements and Main Results. Inpatient and outpatient LDL levels were compared, and changes in NCEP treatment decisions analyzed. Differences between inpatient and outpatient LDL levels were significant (p<0.05), which frequently resulted in changes in therapy using the NCEP guidelines. The LDL levels of most inpatients were consistent with NCEP goals for patients with coronary heart disease, whereas the outpatient levels showed a need for drug therapy.Conclusion. Lipid values obtained 25–48 hours after hospital admission in patients with acute coronary syndromes do not represent baseline values and may significantly alter the treatment approach; thus, they should not be used to direct drug therapy.
Homozygosity Mapping Using Pooled DNA
Authors: Sheffield Val C. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractGenomic screening is a common and popular method for localizing human disease genes. Genotyping each individual sample can be a laborintensive and expensive process. This unit describes the technique of pooling DNA from many related affected individuals, genotyping the resulting pools, and scoring the results. This technique can greatly reduce the effort required to screen for genetic linkage and is particularly useful when applied to inbred populations. The unit includes a table showing a pool of human STRP markers developed by the Cooperative Human Linkage Center.
Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis
Authors: Jarcho John 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThis unit describes Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, which utilizes restriction endonuclease digestion to identify DNA sequence polymorphisms in genes or DNA regions of interest. When investigating families for inheritance of an RFLP, aliquots of genomic DNA from individual family members are digested to completion with the restriction enzyme known to generate the polymorphism of interest. After size fractionation on an agarose gel, DNA is transferred to a membrane by capillary action in a high‐salt buffer. The gel is first treated with NaOH to denature DNA, and after neutralization, the gel is placed between buffer‐soaked filter paper and a sheet of membrane. Labeled probe is hybridized overnight to the Southern blot. The blot is washed under conditions designed to remove all nonspecifically adherent probe and exposed to X‐ray film. Identified fragment sizes differ among individuals and can be traced from generation to generation.
Simultaneous Detection of Multiple Point Mutations Using Allele‐Specific Oligonucleotides
Authors: Handelin Barbara , Shuber Anthony P. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThis unit can be used to screen one gene for many allelic mutations or to screen each of several loci for several allelic mutations. In the , pools of radiolabeled allele‐specific oligonucleotide (ASO) probes are hybridized to dot blots containing polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐amplified DNA products generated from one or more loci. The pooled probes will give a positive hybridization signal from any PCR‐amplified DNA sample containing a sequence complementary to any of the ASOs in the pool of oligonucleotide sequences. If many PCR‐amplified samples are spotted onto a single filter, multiple individuals can then be screened simultaneously for many mutant sequences. The describes the removal of radiolabeled probe DNA from the filter in order to reuse the filter for further screening.
Prevalence and predictors of respiratory symptoms among New York farmers and farm residents
Authors: Gomez Marta I. , Hwang Syni‐An , Lin Shao , Stark Alice D. , May John J. , Hallman Eric M. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractBackgroundData from telephone interviews with New York farmers and farm residents were used to study the prevalence and risk factors of symptoms that could be related to asthma and allergies.MethodsParticipants were asked if they had wheezing or whistling in the chest in the past year and about the occurrence of stuffy, itchy, runny nose or watery, itchy eyes in the past year.ResultsThe prevalence of wheeze was 18.2% and of stuffy nose/watery eyes was 57.4% (N = 1,620). Significant risk factors for wheeze were cigarette smoking, a systemic reaction to allergy skin testing, immunotherapy, or insect sting, reactivity to a pet, having goats, and more acreage in corn for silage. Significant risk factors of stuffy nose/watery eyes were younger age, having more than a high school education, being a worker on the farm, and having done spraying.ConclusionsWheeze may be indicative of existing or latent asthma, a potentially limiting respiratory illness. Stuffy, itchy, runny nose or watery, itchy eyes, which may cause irritation and discomfort, may also indicate an increased sensitivity to respirable dusts and chemicals. This cohort of New York farmers had significant farm‐related risk factors for wheeze and stuffy nose/watery eyes. Am. J. Ind. Med. 46:42–54, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.