bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The inner nuclear membrane protein Sun1 mediates the anchorage of Nesprin-2 to the nuclear envelope
Authors: Padmakumar V.C. , Libotte Thorsten , Lu Wenshu , Zaim Hafida , Abraham Sabu , Noegel Angelika A. , Gotzmann Josef , Foisner Roland , Karakesisoglou Iakowos
Published: August 2005

Nesprins form a novel class of nuclear envelope-anchored spectrin-repeat proteins. We show that a direct association of their highly conserved C-terminal luminal domain with the inner nuclear membrane protein Sun1 mediates their nuclear envelope localisation. In Nesprin-1 and Nesprin-2 the conserved C-terminal amino acids PPPX are essential for the interaction with a C-terminal region in Sun1. In fact, Sun1 is required for the proper nuclear envelope localisation of Nesprin-2 as shown using dominant-negative mutants and by knockdown of Sun1 expression. Sun1 itself does not require functional A-type lamins for its localisation at the inner nuclear membrane in mammalian cells. Our findings propose a conserved nuclear anchorage mechanism between Caenorhabditis elegans and mammals and suggest a model in which Sun1 serves as a `structural bridge' connecting the nuclear interior with the actin cytoskeleton.
Improved muscle healing through enhanced regeneration and reduced fibrosis in myostatin-null mice
Authors: McCroskery Seumas , Thomas Mark , Platt Leanne , Hennebry Alex , Nishimura Takanori , McLeay Lance , Sharma Mridula , Kambadur Ravi
Published: August 2005

Numerous stimulatory growth factors that can influence muscle regeneration are known. Recently, it has been demonstrated that neutralization of muscle growth inhibitory factors, such as myostatin (Mstn; also known as growth differentiation factor 8, Gdf8), also leads to increased muscle regeneration in mdx mice that are known to have cycles of degeneration. However, the precise mechanism by which Mstn regulates muscle regeneration has not yet been fully determined. To investigate the role of Mstn in adult skeletal muscle regeneration, wild-type and myostatin-null (Mstn-/-) mice were injured with notexin. Forty-eight hours after injury, accelerated migration and enhanced accretion of myogenic cells (MyoD1+) and macrophages (Mac-1+) was observed at the site of regeneration in Mstn-/- muscle as compared with wild-type muscle. Inflammatory cell numbers decreased more rapidly in the Mstn-/- muscle, indicating that the whole process of inflammatory cell response is accelerated in Mstn-/- mice. Consistent with this result, the addition of recombinant Mstn reduced the activation of satellite cells (SCs) and chemotactic movements of both myoblasts and macrophages ex vivo. Examination of regenerated muscle (28 days after injury) also revealed that Mstn-/- mice showed increased expression of decorin mRNA, reduced fibrosis and improved healing as compared with wild-type mice. On the basis of these results, we propose that Mstn negatively regulates muscle regeneration not only by controlling SC activation but also by regulating the migration of myoblasts and macrophages to the site of injury. Thus, antagonists of Mstn could potentially be useful as pharmacological agents for the treatment of disorders of overt degeneration and regeneration.
Heuristic Search for the Generalized Minimum Spanning Tree Problem
Authors: Golden Bruce , Raghavan S. , Stanojević Daliborka
Published: August 2005

The generalized minimum spanning tree (GMST) problem occurs in telecommunications network planning, where a network of node clusters needs to be connected via a tree architecture using exactly one node per cluster. The problem is known to be NP-hard, and even finding a constant factor approximation algorithm is NP-hard. In this paper, we present two heuristic search approaches for the GMST problem: local search and a genetic algorithm. Our computational experiments show that these heuristics rapidly provide high-quality solutions for the GMST and outperform some previously suggested heuristics for the problem. In our computational tests on 211 test problems (including 169 problems from the TSPLIB set), our local-search heuristic found the optimal solution in 179 instances and our genetic-algorithm procedure found the optimal solution in 185 instances (out of the 211 instances, the optimal solution is known in 187 instances). Further, on each of the 19 unsolved instances from TSPLIB, both our local-search heuristic and genetic-algorithm procedure improved upon the best previously known solution.
Prenylation-Defective Human Connexin32 Mutants Are Normally Localized and Function Equivalently to Wild-Type Connexin32 in Myelinating Schwann Cells
Authors: Huang Yan , Sirkowski Erich E. , Stickney John T. , Scherer Steven S.
Published: August 2005

Mutations inGJB1,the gene encoding the gap junction protein connexin32 (Cx32), cause the X-linked form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, an inherited demyelinating neuropathy. The C terminus of human Cx32 contains a putative prenylation motif that is conserved in Cx32 orthologs. Using [3H]mevalonolactone ([3H]MVA) incorporation, we demonstrated that wild-type human connexin32 can be prenylated in COS7 cells, in contrast to disease-associated mutations that are predicted to disrupt the prenylation motif. We generated transgenic mice that express these mutants in myelinating Schwann cells. Male mice expressing a transgene were crossed with femaleGjb1-null mice; the male offspring were allGjb1-null, and one-half were transgene positive; in these mice, all Cx32 was derived from expression of the transgene. The mutant human protein was properly localized in myelinating Schwann cells in multiple transgenic lines and did not alter the localization of other components of paranodes and incisures. Finally, both the C280G and the S281x mutants appeared to “rescue” the phenotype ofGjb1-null mice, because transgene-positive male mice had significantly fewer abnormally myelinated axons than did their transgene-negative male littermates. These results indicate that Cx32 is prenylated, but that prenylation is not required for proper trafficking of Cx32 and perhaps not even for certain aspects of its function, in myelinating Schwann cells.
Encoding and the Durability of Episodic Memory: A Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study
Authors: Uncapher Melina R. , Rugg Michael D.
Published: August 2005

Memories vary in their durability even when encoding conditions apparently remain constant. We investigated whether, under these circumstances, memory durability is nonetheless associated with variation in the neural activity elicited during encoding. Event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired while volunteers semantically classified visually presented words. Using the “remember/know” procedure, memory for one-half of the words was tested after 30 min and for the remaining half after 48 h. In several regions, including left hippocampus and left dorsal inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), activity at encoding differed depending on whether items were later recollected regardless of study-test delay. Delay-selective effects were also evident, however. Recollection after 48 h was associated with enhanced activity in bilateral ventral IFG, whereas recollection after 30 min was associated with greater fusiform activity. Thus, there is a relationship between the neural activity elicited by an event as it is encoded and the durability of the resulting memory representation.
Optimal Compensation for Changes in Task-Relevant Movement Variability
Authors: Trommershäuser Julia , Gepshtein Sergei , Maloney Laurence T. , Landy Michael S. , Banks Martin S.
Published: August 2005

Effective movement planning should take into account the consequences of possible errors in executing a planned movement. These errors can result from either sensory uncertainty or variability in movement planning and production. We examined the ability of humans to compensate for variability in sensory estimation and movement production under conditions in which variability is increased artificially by the experimenter. Subjects rapidly pointed at a target region that had an adjacent penalty region. Target and penalty hits yielded monetary rewards and losses. We manipulated the task-relevant variability by perturbing visual feedback of finger position during the movement. The feedback was shifted in a random direction with a random amplitude in each trial, causing an increase in the task-relevant variability. Subjects were unable to counteract this form of perturbation. Rewards and penalties were based on the perturbed, visually specified finger position. Subjects rapidly acquired an estimate of their new variability in <120 trials and adjusted their aim points accordingly. We compared subjects' performance to the performance of an optimal movement planner maximizing expected gain. Their performance was consistent with that expected from an optimal movement planner that perfectly compensated for externally imposed changes in task-relevant variability. When exposed to novel stimulus configurations, aim points shifted in the first trial without showing any detectable trend across trials. These results indicate that subjects are capable of changing their pointing strategy in the presence of externally imposed noise. Furthermore, they manage to update their estimate of task-relevant variability and to transfer this estimate to novel stimulus configurations.
Rhabdomyosarcoma: New Windows of Opportunity
Authors: Breitfeld Philip P. , Meyer William H.
Published: August 2005

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Interpret the histologic findings of rhabdomyosarcoma and differentiate rhabdomyosarcoma from other small round cell neoplasms.Define the extent of disease using the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study stage and group systems and apply these systems to predict prognosis.Discuss the multidisciplinary nature of therapy for rhabdomyosarcoma.Evaluate the most appropriate risk-based therapy alternatives for rhabdomyosarcoma.

Access and take the CME test online and receive 1 hour of AMA PRA category 1 credit at CME.TheOncologist.com

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a highly malignant, small blue cell tumor characterized by muscle differentiation. With modern treatment, more than 70% of children and adolescents with this disease are cured. Adequate biopsy to obtain sufficient tissue for accurate diagnosis and molecular characterization is critical. Patients must be assessed for tumor extent; the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study (IRS) clinical group and Staging system is universally applied in North America. Multidisciplinary therapy is necessary to maximize cure rates. Local control relies on complete surgical excision when possible; those whose tumors are not completely excised and those with alveolar histology tumors require local irradiation to maximize local control. In North America, vincristine (Oncovin®; Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, http://www.lilly.com), dactinomycin (Cosmegen®; Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, NJ, http://www.merck.com), and cyclophosphamide are the standard chemotherapy agents. The IRS has used therapeutic window studies to confirm the predictive nature of preclinical xenograft models and to identify several new single agents and combinations of agents with activity in high-risk patient groups. Despite these efforts, the outcome for these high-risk patients remains poor. The next generation of Children's Oncology Group studies will evaluate the efficacy of topoisomerase-I inhibitors and dose-compression therapy approaches. New advances in molecular characterization of tumors, including gene-expression analysis, may identify new therapeutic targets that can be exploited by expanded preclinical drug discovery efforts, and hold the promise of revolutionizing risk-based therapies.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 enhances production of insulin in insulin-producing cells derived from mouse embryonic stem cells
Authors: Bai L , Meredith G , Tuch B E
Published: August 2005

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can be differentiated into insulin-producing cells by a five-stage procedure involving altering culture conditions and addition of nicotinamide. The amounts of insulin in these cells are lower than those found in pancreatic β cells. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) induces the differentiation of β cells from ductal progenitor cells. We examined the possibility of GLP-1, and its long-acting agonist exendin-4, enhancing the differentiation of insulin-producing cells from mouse ESCs (mESCs). A five-stage culturing strategy starting with embryoid bodies (EBs) was used in this study. mRNA for pancreatic duodenal homeobox gene 1 (PDX-1) and neurogenic differentiation (NeuroD) was detected from stage 1, hepatocyte nuclear factor 3 beta (HNF3β) and insulin 2 from stage 2, Ngn3 and glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) from stage 3, and insulin 1 and other β-cell markers, at stages 4–5. Cells at stage 5 secreted C-peptide, being 0.68 ± 0.01 pmol/106 cells per 2 days, and had an immunoreactive insulin content of 13.5 ± 0.7 pmol/106 cells. Addition of GLP-1 (100 nM) and nicotinamide (10 mM) at stage 5 resulted in a 50% and 48% increase in insulin content and C-peptide secretion respectively compared with nicotinamide alone. Glucose-induced insulin secretion was enhanced 4-fold by addition of both growth factors. The GLP-1 receptor was present at all five stages of the culture. Addition of exendin-4 to cells at stage 2 resulted in a 4.9-fold increase in expression of the gene for insulin 1 and a 2-fold increase in insulin content compared with the effect of nicotinamide alone at stage 5. It is concluded that both GLP-1 and exendin-4 enhance the level of expression of insulin in glucose-responsive insulin-producing cells derived from the R1 mESC line.
Disruption of insulin-like growth factor-II imprinting during embryonic development rescues the dwarf phenotype of mice null for pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A
Authors: Bale Laurie K , Conover Cheryl A
Published: August 2005

Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), an insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IGFBP) protease, increases insulin-like growth factor (IGF) activity through cleavage of inhibitory IGFBP-4 and the consequent release of IGF peptide for receptor activation. Mice homozygous for targeted disruption of the PAPP-A gene are born as proportional dwarfs and exhibit retarded bone ossification during fetal development. Phenotype and in vitro data support a model in which decreased IGF-II bioavailability during embryogenesis results in growth retardation and reduction in overall body size. To test the hypothesis that an increase in IGF-II during embryogenesis would overcome the growth deficiencies, PAPP-A-null mice were crossed with ΔH19 mutant mice, which have increased IGF-II expression and fetal overgrowth due to disruption of IgfII imprinting. ΔH19 mutant mice were 126% and PAPP-A-null mice were 74% the size of controls at birth. These size differences were evident at embryonic day 16.5. Importantly, double mutants were indistinguishable from controls both in terms of size and skeletal development. Body size programmed during embryo development persisted post-natally. Thus, disruption of IgfII imprinting and consequent elevation in IGF-II during fetal development was associated with rescue of the dwarf phenotype and ossification defects of PAPP-A-null mice. These data provide strong genetic evidence that PAPP-A plays an essential role in determining IGF-II bioavailability for optimal fetal growth and development.
HDR brachytherapy and supervoltage external beam therapy of cervical cancer: Protection of the intestinal tract during the treatment
Authors: Ljubenkovic Sasa
Published: August 2005

BACKGROUND: During radiotherapy in most of the irradiated patients occur the symptoms of acute radiation enteritis, less frequently cystitis or proctitis. The aim of this work was to apply non invasive exclusion methods to reduce the small bowel volume within the pelvic high dose volume and indirectly to reduce the number and severity of acute radiation enteritis METHODS: A total number of 183 patients were enrolled in our prospective randomised investigation we performed at the Clinic of Oncology in Knez Selo during one year. Ninety patients from E-group were irradiated with the standard technique two opposite parallel fields on the Mevatron-7445 linear accelerator (SIEMENS) patient-table, while 93 from C-group were irradiated under special conditions on our unique patient-table (PT) manufactured at our special demands by the Jugorendgen Ei-Ni? factory Brachytherapy was administered with RALT technique in both groups with isotope machine BUCHLER. RESULTS: Individual application of exclusion techniques led to protection of over 50% of the small bowel (118-1065 cm3) in 30/43 (70%) patients, and even in 10/43 (23%) more than 90% of the small bowel was protected (118-835 cm3), which would otherwise be irradiated with conventional techniques. None of the patients from E-group (out of 90) had more than 8 stools a day (G3), while in C-group there were 20 such cases Seventy-seven percent of the patients from E-group had formed stool, while the percent in C-group was 29. In C-group 40% of the patients had so called "watery stools"; in E-group the percent was 4. Out of 53 patients from K-group with mobile small bowel, 21 (40%) had "watery diarrhoea". CONCLUSION: Measures to prevent radiation enteritis should be taken before (surgical) or during (non invasive) radiotherapy. At the Clinic of Oncology in Knez Selo, individual application of small bowel exclusion techniques using the unique patient-table (JUGORENDGEN Ei-Ni?) led to protection of the small bowel during radiotherapy of uterine malignancies, which was reflected in a significantly reduced number and severity of acute enteritis symptoms.
Breast self-examination web site of the institute of oncology Sremska Kamenica vs. breast self-examination web sites in English language and languages of former Yugoslavia
Authors: Zdravkovic Svetozar , Devaja-Striber Dubravka
Published: August 2005

Breast self-examination web site of the Institute of Oncology Sremska Kamenica was designed in 2000 year and since then it has had about 490 visits, i.e. one visit by day approximately. The site was presented at the 6th Annual World Congress on the Internet in Medicine "Mednet 2001" in Udine, Italy, from November 29 to December 2, 2001. The next phase in our project is to improve its contents to increase its popularity. To achieve this we compared our site with similar sites in English language and languages of former Yugoslavia. The results of this comparison are presented in this paper. To find the sites in all languages we used search engine Google.com and following key words: "breast self-examination" (English language), "samopregled dojke" (Serbian and Croatian languages) "Samopregledovanje dojk" (Slovenian language) and "Samopregledot na dojkata" (Macedonian language). Some additional aspects of breast self-examination such as its validity as a screening tool and its influence on breast cancer mortality were also involved. Our aim was to emphasize the importance of further development of telemedicine services in general, and particularly the importance of primary care and early detection, including breast self-examination as integral parts of teleoncology services.
The role of rational immunotherapy for renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Salma Svetlana
Published: August 2005

Metastases to distant organs are the principal cause of death from renal cell carcinoma (RCC). No commonly accepted therapy is available for disseminated RCC at present. The rationale for immunotherapy of RCC is based on the fact that there is no other therapy for advanced cases. Biologic therapies are the only current treatment modalities that have produced promising therapeutic results in metastatic RCC (mRCC). Therapy with cytokines usually has typical and sometimes severe side effects. Response rates and toxicity were higher with combined therapy. The administration of cytokines that augment the function of the immune system can be accomplished safely and without toxicity, provided a rational approach is used. The toxic effects that are frequently observed with combined therapy emphasize the need for careful selection of patients.
The prognostic significance of type IV collagen expression in colorectal carcinomas
Authors: Fenyvesi Attila
Published: August 2005

BACKGROUND: Breakdown of basement membrane is believed to be an essential step for tumor invasion and metastasis. The interaction between tumor cells and extracellular matrix can also result in induction of basement membrane synthesis by tumor and stromal cells. The aim of this study was to investigate distribution patterns of type IV collagen expression at the basement membrane in the tumor tissue of colorectal carcinomas by immunohistochemical staining. The degree of expression of type IV collagen correlated with classical clinicopathologic prognostic factors and their potential relationship with patients' prognosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 40 patients who underwent curative resection of colorectal cancer at the Department of Surgery in the General Hospital Senta with complete follow-up for 5 years or until death. The identification of basement membrane was performed immunohistochemically using monoclonal antibodies to collagen IV. The basement membrane synthesis at the invasive front of colorectal cancer was semiquantitatively assessed as mild, moderate or severe. RESULTS: The deposition of basement membrane type of collagen IV had a statistically significant correlation with the stage of disease and histological grade of tumor with tendency of lesser synthesis of basement membrane in the advanced stage of disease and poorer histological grade of tumor. There were no significant correlations between intratumoral basement membrane synthesis and sex and age of patients, and localization and histological type of tumor. Five-year survival rates in patients with mild synthesis of basement membrane in colorectal tumor were significantly lower than in patients with severe expression of basement membrane. The basement membrane synthesis in colorectal cancer was a prognostic factor with significance behind stage of disease and histological grade of tumor by univariate Cox hazard-model. Multivariate Cox analysis verified that explicit synthesis of basement membrane showed a trend toward better prognosis, but it was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION Immunohistochemical staining for type IV collagen is an important additional technique with prognostic value.
Pregnancy and delivery after the breast carcinoma
Authors: Grujic-Miljkovic Zorica , Dobanovacki-Miljkovic Ljiljana , Grujic Ilija
Published: August 2005

The planned pregnancy in patients treated for breast cancer was earlier inconceivable for oncologists and gynecologists. Our study presented a case of pregnancy after the patient had been operated and irradiated for breast cancer.
Advances in systemic treatment of metastatic gastric cancer
Authors: Popov Ivan , Jelic Svetislav , Radosavljevic Davorin , Tomasevic Zorica
Published: August 2005

Gastric carcinoma is a frequent malignancy throughout the world and endemic in many of its regions. Advanced gastric carcinoma is often diagnosed. Patients with advanced gastric cancer have a median survival of 6-8 months and chemotherapy is palliative. Even in patients with resectable disease 5-year survival is generally poor. Chemotherapy is usually accepted as standard treatment for advanced disease. None of existing chemotherapy regimens has been established as standard, and chemotherapy within the controlled clinical trials is still the best option for advanced gastric cancer patients. In some trials a response rate of more than 50% has been achieved for multidrug regimens. It seems that the important story in gastric cancer is not told by focusing on the response rates in serial phase II or even phase III trials. In this disease, the success with respect to high response rates has been virtually canceled out by the fact that tumor shrinkage seems to be evanescent. There has not yet been a regimen reported that leads to a 50% survival probability at one year. A 2-year survival rate of 14% is considered noteworthy as a "long-term survival". Toxicity including nausea, vomiting, asthenia, anorexia, neutropenia, and treatment related morbidity, in patients with gastric cancer remain substantial issues, especially with multidrug therapy. Among the newer agents, oral fluoropyrimidines, taxanes, irinotecan and oxaliplatin appear to be relevant candidates for improved palliation and extension of survival. Further clinical studies are certainly needed to define the optimal role for these drugs. Gastric carcinoma has a variety of molecular abnormalities. Many of these molecules can be targeted theoretically, however, practical applications are yet to be fully developed. Limited number of studies has been done using specific targets against gastric carcinoma.
Histopathological and immunohistochemical features of thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Tatic Svetislav
Published: August 2005

Thyroid-specific malignant tumors are derived from follicle cells (papillary and follicular carcinoma), and from parafollicular, calcitonin-producing C-cells (medullary carcinoma). The main criterion for diagnosis of papillary carcinoma is the occurrence of ground glass, hypochromic nuclei, often associated with papillae as the prominent pattern of the tumor, and psammoma bodies. The diagnosis of follicular carcinoma is based on the true infiltration of the venous vessels outside the tumor capsule and the fungus-like infiltration through the tumor capsule into the surrounding parenchyma. Anaplastic carcinoma is mostly detected by the pathologist by fine-needle aspiration biopsy, or tumor reduction specimen. Medullary thyroid carcinoma is typically composed of solid nests and infiltrating formations of polygonal or spindle-shaped cells and amyloid deposits within the stroma of the tumor. Two main discriminatory immunohistochemical markers for tumors with follicular and parafollicular origin are thyroglobulin and calcitonin, respectively. Thyroglobulin is present in more than 95% of papillary and follicular carcinomas, whereas anaplastic thyroid carcinomas are mostly immunonegative for thyroglobulin. Medullary carcinoma is characteristically positive for calcitonin, pan-neuroendocrine markers, and often numerous peptides.
Radionuclide therapy in the treatment of thyroid malignancy
Authors: Malesevic Milica
Published: August 2005

In this paper we presented the principles of performance of radionuclide therapy, its adverse effect, together with mentioned complications obligation to use it only according to directions and the success of the therapy, which is seen through the length of a patient's survival rate. All types of thyroid malignancies are primary cured surgically, by the total or near-total thyreoidectomy, together with lymph node dissection of the neck and with a long-term suppressive- therapy or only substitutive L-thyroxin therapy. Radionuclide therapy is used only for the types of thyroid malignancies where a radionuclide was detected, beta emitter which is distinguished by its selective entering into the primary tumor and metastatic tissue. This therapy is used for patients with differentiated papillary and follicular thyroid carcinoma (DTC) and patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). By the means of 131-I we additionally cure patients with DTC, by MIBG-131-I we treat patients with MTC, but we also try to cure this malignancy by the specific monoclonal antibodies, marked by 131-I or 90-Y, which is still a part of clinical trial studies. It is very likely that the radioimmune therapy will be the means of cure for malignant thyroid lymphoma (MLT), since this therapy is successful in healing the lymphomas in other locations.
Effective scientific communication in biomedicine
Authors: Savic Jovan
Published: August 2005

Effective scientific communication in biomedicine is the basic mechanism of existence and progress of science. For effective written scientific communication it is not enough only to publish report of obtained scientific results. Scientific article must be written in a way to be easily noticed and understand by the reader. Moreover, effective scientific communication includes the response of readers (feedback) to published information. In this article several facts, important for effective scientific communication, are emphasized: Publication is an integral part of scientific meted of knowledge, the reasons why the results of scientific research must be published and the way to write and publish to be included in effective scientific communication.
Title, abstract, key words and references in biomedical articles
Authors: Brkic Silvija , Vucenovic Marija , Djokic Zorica
Published: August 2005

Scientists frequently communicate the results of their work in research reports. When writing scientific articles, authors must follow instructions and requirements of standard article format. A scientific paper should have in proper order, a Title, Abstract, Introduction, Material and Methods Results, Discussion, Conclusion and Literature. A title should be the fewest possible words that accurately describe the content of the paper. It should attract researchers' attention in order to be included in their investigation. An abstract is a short summary of the article. It concisely summarizes results and conclusion so that essential details of the paper can be understood in 100 - 250 words. The most commonly used are structured abstracts. Key words are provided below the abstract and describe the medical concepts characteristic for the whole article. Assign at least one and an average of 5 to 10 key words. Indexing in biomedicine means using the Thesaurus of the American National Library of Medicine: Medical Subject Headings. It provides easy and fast access to precise information using key words assigned to each document. Reference citation is obligatory and integral part of scientific articles. It provides communication among the authors and binds scientific papers as well as whole scientific knowledge in certain fields.
Comparative analysis of voice in diagnostics of T1 and T2 vocal cord carcinoma
Authors: Mitrovic Slobodan
Published: August 2005

BACKGROUND: Dysphonia is the most frequent symptom of vocal cord carcinoma In the diagnostics of the disease subjective and objective methods of examination (acoustic analysis of a voice signal) and a laryngostroboscopy and aerodynamic exam?ination are used. METHODS: Our clinical prospective study consisted of 40 male patients, who had malignant tumors of one vocal cord - right or left. All the patients underwent otorhino-laryngological and phoniatric examination. The quality of voice was evaluated and estimated according to the 4-level GIRBAS scale (grade-instability-roughness-breathi-ness-asthenic-strain). Aerodynamic analysis dealt with vital capacity (VC), maximum phonation time (MPT) and phonation quotient (PQ). RESULTS: Vibration of vocal cord did not exist in 60% of cases. Instability and strained voice was present in 100% of cases. Mean average value of phonation quotient was 303.33 ml/s. The influence of roughness (R), instability (I), asthenic (A), and strain (S) on the total degree of dysphonia (G), was in all cases in a significantly positive correlation with the level of statistic significance p<0.01 for I, R and S and level p<0.05 for A. Nonvibration of a vocal cord had significant influence on the grade of dysphonia and strain (negative correlation, level p<0.01), and on the instability (negative correlation, level p<0.01). Maximum phonation time had statistically significant influence (negative correlation) on the phonation quotient. CONCLUSION: The voices of all patients who had glottal carcinoma T1 and T2 were psychoacoustically characterized by strain and instability of phonation. It is certain that a patient has glottal carcinoma if he/she has values of phonation quotient higher than 300 ml/s, nonvibration of a vocal cord in laryngostroboscopy and strained voice in psychoacoustic analysis.
Pheochromocytoma in von Hippel-Lindau disease
Authors: Petakov Milan , Djurovic Marina , Miljic Dragana , Obradovic Sandra , Doknic Mirjana , Popovic Vera , Damjanovic Svetozar
Published: August 2005

A 70-year old female was admitted to the hospital because of hypertension increased sweating and weight loss. The hypertension was sustained. Five months before admission CT scan of the abdomen had revealed a well-defined right adrenal mass together with left kidney tumor. A magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen confirmed the presence of the right adrenal and left kidney masses, but also showed another tumor in the pancreas between the body and the tail. Urinary 24-hour noradrenaline was grossly elevated and confirmed the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. 131I-metaiodobenzylgvanidine (MIBG) scintiscan showed increased MIBG uptake in the right adrenal gland. After pre-treatment with phenoxybenzamine 30 mg daily, the patient was operated, and the right adrenalectomy was done. Histopathological examination revealed encapsulated adrenal pheochromocytoma without infiltrative characteristics and lymph node metastasis. After the operation hypertension was controlled easily with amlodipine. The patient was discharged for recovery. Ulteriorly, SSCP (single strand conformational polymorphism) method detected a point mutation in the third exon of the VHL (von Hippel-Linday) gene. It was decided to follow up the patient with the von Hippel-Lindau disease, while waiting for the results of the sequence analysis to confirm that the found mutation is not associated with renal cancer.
The incidence of childhood leukemia in Armenia, 1991-2002
Authors: Nersesyan Armen , Daghbashyan Smbat , Danielyan Samvel , Arutyunyan Rouben
Published: August 2005

The incidence of leukemia in children aged from 0 to 14 years in Armenia was analyzed for the period from 1991 to 2002. During 12 years the incidence of leukemia was not changed substantially. The crude rate of the incidence of leukemia was comparable with data of many countries. But at the same time a comparatively high male/female incidence ratio was registered, which was also comparable with incidence ratio in some of both developed and developing countries. It may be supposed that the incidence of leukemia in children in Armenia is not connected with parental exposure to chemicals.
Changes of biochemical parameters in rat intestinal mucosa induced by methotrexate and effects of enteral administration of glutamine
Authors: Bajin-Katic Katica , Stankov Karmen , Kovacevic Zoran
Published: August 2005

BACKGROUND: Rapidly proliferating crypt cells of the intestinal epithelium, the precursors of the mature enterocytes, are extremely sensitive to the effects of cytostatic agents. We investigated the effects of the methotrexate on rat intestinal mucosa in order to get the information on biochemical indicators of intestinal damage. METHODS: Biochemical parameters were investigated in isolated intestinal mucosa of Sprague-Dawley rats, previously treated with methotrexate by intraperitoneal administration. Glutamine was dissolved in water and administered orally. RESULTS: The activity of glutaminase and alkaline phosphatase showed the enzymatic response to different doses of methotrexate. The activity of both enzymes was significantly lower in the mucosa of treated animals, compared to control group. CONCLUSION: Minimal mucosal damage and regeneration time is dose dependent and influenced by the dosage schedule of antitumor therapy.
Activity of combined gemcitabine therapy on treatment of planocellular carcinoma: A pilot study
Authors: Scepanovic Danijela , Bajic Nada , Babic Jovan
Published: August 2005

BACKGROUND: Drug-orientated, pilot study was conducted to estimate the activity of gemcitabine on treatment of head and neck and lung planocellular carcinoma in combination with either radiotherapy or chemotherapy. METHODS There were 22 patients treated with gemcitabine for planocellular carcinoma of head and neck (9 patients) and lung (13 patients). Combined gemcitabine-radiotherapy was applied in 10 patients while gemcitabine-chemotherapy in 12 patients. Eligible and evaluable patients (22) were with either locally advanced (14 patients) or metastatic (8 patients) stage of the disease. In gemcitabine-radiotherapy group, gemcitabine was given IV, 1000 mg/ m2, on day 1, 8, and 15 during the radiotherapy course as radiopotentiator (65 Gy in 32 fractions for head and neck, and 55 Gy in 20 fractions, split course one month for lung cancer patients). In gemcitabine-chemotherapy group the same dose of gemcitabine was given (4-week schedule) in combination with platinum based cytotoxic drugs. We analyzed response rate and toxicity. RESULTS: Among patients treated for head and neck planocellular carcinoma, there were 67% complete responders while there was 15% complete responders treated for lung cancer. Also, 80% of patients treated in gemcitabine-radiotherapy group had complete response while 50% of those treated in gemc- itabine-chemotherapy group. Actuarial survival as function of tumor control was 52% for lung and 88% for head and neck cancer 12 months after the initiation of treatment. In gemcitabine-radiotherapy group of patients treated for head and neck carcinoma, the radiation mucositis grade III was observed in 80% while in gemcitabine - chemotherapy group of patients the most common side effect (60% of patients) was neutropenia grade II (40%)/III (20%). CONCLUSION: There was no statistically significant difference regarding response rate between two groups of patients (head and neck vs. lung cancer, and gemcitabine- radiotherapy vs. gemcitabine - chemotherapy). However, better clinical results were achieved for head and neck cancer patients, particularly in gemcitabine - radiotherapy group but with significant toxicity due to high gemcitabine dose.
Management of chemotherapy induced emesis
Authors: Roila Fausto
Published: August 2005

Important progress has been achieved in the last few years in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting thanks to the introduction in clinical practice first of the 5-HT3 antagonists and of the NK1 antagonists more recently. To prevent acute emesis induced by cisplatin, moderately emetogenic chemotherapy, a combination of aprepitant plus a 5-HT3 antagonist and dexamethasone is now the most efficacious regimen. For the prevention of delayed emesis induced by cisplatin, moderately emetogenic chemotherapy, a combination of dexamethasone plus aprepitant or metoclopramide or a 5- HT3 antagonist / dexamethasone or a 5-HT3 antagonist are the preferred antiemetic regimens. For the prevention of acute emesis induced by low emetogenic chemotherapy a prophylaxis with a single antiemetic drug such as dexamethasone is suggested while no antiemetic prophylaxis should be administered to prevent acute emesis induced by minimal emetogenic chemotherapy or to prevent delayed emesis induced by low or minimal emetogenic chemotherapy. In this last case a rescue therapy should be administered in patients presenting acute or delayed emesis.
Undifferentiated chondrosarcoma of extraskeletal supraclavicular localization
Authors: Milovancev Aleksandar , Ilincic Dejan , Bijelovic Milorad , Koledin Milos , Djuric Dejan , Vuckovic Dejan
Published: August 2005

We reported a rare extraskeletal localization of undifferentiated chondroscarcoma in a 71-year old patient. The neoplasm with a 20-year history in the left supraclavicular region exhibited a rapid growth in only a few months. Six months after a total tumor excision the patient has been in an excellent general health condition, with no signs of either a local relapse or distant metastases.
Metastatic melanoma and pregnancy
Authors: Nikolin Borislava , Sveljo Olivera
Published: August 2005

Pregnancy after complete treatment of metastatic melanoma is an extremely rare event. We presented a case of a skin melanoma patient with lung and liver metastases who was treated by combined immunochemotherapy for the period of two years. A year and a half after the successful treatment, which resulted a complete remission of metastatic lesions she got pregnant and delivered a healthy baby girl.
Empirical sigma - d relations and main galactic radio loops
Authors: Urosevic Dejan
Published: August 2005

This paper represents a review of the empirical Galactic and extragalactic sigma - D relations (relations between the surface brightness sigma and the diameter D) for supernova remnants (SNRs), with checking the connection of the main Galactic radio loops (Loop I, II, III and IV) with these relations. We present results which suggest, in another way, that the radio loops may have an SNR origin. The updated relations have been measured to have slopes beta = 2 in log-log space. The best sigma - D relations for M31 and M33 galaxies were derived and these relations are shown to be flatter (beta < 2) than those for Galactic SNRs alone. This result confirms that selection effects play an important role in data-sets made up of Galactic SNRs. A sigma - D relation with 157 reliable calibrators (both Galactic and extragalactic) is derived. This relation also has a slope beta = 2.07 ? 13.
Stark broadening parameter tables for Be III
Authors: Dimitrijevic Milan , Dacic Miodrag , Cvetkovic Zorica , Sahal-Brechot S.
Published: August 2005

Using a semiclassical approach, we have calculated electron-, proton-, and He II-impact line widths and shifts for 52 Be III multiplets as a function of temperature and perturber density. The electron temperatures are 10,000 K 20,000 K; 50,000 K; 100,000 K 200,000K and 300,000 K and perturber densities are from 10(exp)11 cm(exp)-3 up to 10(exp)21 cm(exp)-3.
Extraterrestrial intelligence and doomsday: A critical assessment of the no-outsider requirement
Authors: Cirkovic Milan , Milosevic-Zdjelar V.
Published: August 2005

The so-called Doomsday Argument has attracted a lot of attention in recent years. One of the suggested ways to make this argument ineffective is the so-called No-Outsider requirement, indicating that the presence of other intelligent observers (?aliens?) beside humans invalidates the reasoning leading to the apocalyptic conclusion. Obviously, this argumentation bears relevance not only to the effectiveness of the Doomsday Argument, but also to the issues like the relativization of the reference class in anthropic reasoning, transhumanism and the SETI theory. Hereby we critically investigate the No-Outsider Requirement and conclude that it is either fallacious or irrelevant.
Orbits, masses and dynamical parallaxes of 12 visual binary systems
Authors: Olevic Dragomir , Popovic Georgije , Pavlovic Rade , Cvetkovic Zorica
Published: August 2005

In this paper the preliminary orbital elements are presented for the following double stars: WDS 00153+4412 = A 1256 AB, WDS 00470+2315 = HU 413, WDS 00520+3154 = A 924, WDS 01036+6341 = MLR 87, WDS 01131+2942 = A 1260, WDS 01158+0947 = A 2102, WDS 01200-1549 = HJ 2036, WDS 02423+4925 = HU 539, WDS 02512+0141 = A 2338, WDS 02514-2139 = DON 43, WDS 06253+0130 = FIN 343, WDS 20329+1142 = J 1. For all pairs in addition to the orbital elements, the dynamical parallaxes, the masses, the absolute magnitudes, the observations the residuals (O-C) and the ephemerides for the next six years are given.
A modified theoretical Σ − D relation for supernova remnants: I. The case of constant temperature within the supernova remnant
Authors: Urosevic Dejan , Djuric N. , Panuti T.
Published: August 2005

We present a modification of the theoretical ? ? D relation for supernova remnants (SNRs) in the adiabatic expansion phase. This modification is based on the convolution of the relation first derived by Shklovsky with the ? ? D relation derived in this paper for thermal bremsstrahlung radiation from the ionized gas cloud. We adopt McKee & Ostriker?s model for the components of the interstellar medium as part of our derivation. The modified Shklovsky theory agrees well with empirical results. Kesteven?s modified theoretical relation gives the best agreement with the updated Galactic empirical ? ? D relation.
An important feature of the orbital-plane orientations for binaries
Authors: Popovic Georgije , Pavlovic Rade , Cvetkovic Zorica , Ninkovic Slobodan
Published: August 2005

We find that any really close concentration of positions of poles of orbital planes for binaries is not affected by the corresponding positions of "mirror poles" for the same orbital planes. Namely, strong concentrations of positions of the true poles imply a complete isotropy in the distribution of the corresponding positions for the mirror poles.
The database of measurements of the double stars discovered in Belgrade with Zeiss refractor 65/1055cm, 2003.0
Authors: Popovic Georgije , Pavlovic Rade , Pakvor Ivan
Published: August 2005

At the website http://www.aob.bg.ac.yu/staff/gpopovic/index.html all measurements of double and multiple stars discovered in Belgrade at Zeiss Refractor 65/1055 cm in the 1951-2002 period are given. The size of database is about 310 Kb and it is available for download.
Observational data on galactic supernova remnants: I. The supernova remnants within l = 0◦ - 90◦
Authors: Guseinov O.H. , Ankaj A. , Tagieva S.O.
Published: August 2005

We have collected all the available data on Galactic supernova remnants given in the literature. The data on Galactic supernova remnants located in the Galactic longitude interval l=0?-90? in all the spectral bands are presented in this work. We have established values of distance for the SNRs by examining these data. The data on various kinds on neutron stars connected to these supernova remnants are given. Not only the data, but also the comments to some of the authors and ourselves on the data and on some properties of both the supernova remnants and the point sources are given.
The convective cover of the stellar model having the chemical composition: X = 0.628 and Z = 0.047
Authors: Tatomir E.
Published: August 2005

In this paper the way the integrated equations describe the structure of the convective cover is presented. Also given are the numerical results of the convective cover considering null and not-null conditions at the surface of the star.
Observational data on Galactic supernova remnants III: The supernova remnants within l = 270°-360°
Authors: Guseinov O.H. , Ankay A. , Tagieva S.O.
Published: August 2005

We have collected all the available data of Galactic supernova remnants given in the literature. The data of Galactic supernova remnants located in the Galactic longitude interval l=270?-360?in all the spectral bands are represented in this work. We have adopted distance values for the supernova remnants by examining these data. The data of various types of neutron stars connected to these supernova remnants are also displayed. The remarks of some authors and us on the data and some properties of both the supernova remnants and the point sources are also represented.