bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Decreased expression of C-erbB-2 and CXCR4 in breast cancer after primary chemotherapy
Authors: Yang Shi-Xin , Loo Wings TY , Chow Louis WC , Yang Xin-hua , Zhan Yi , Fan Lin-Jun , Zhang Fan , Chen Li , Wang Qing-liang , Xiao Hua-Liang , Wu Jin-Long , Bian Xiu-wu , Jiang Jun 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
Biological molecular markers such as proto-oncogene erbB-2 (HER-2/neu, c-erbB-2), the CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), estrogen receptor (ER), Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA), DNA topoisomerase II (topo II), P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were observed for changes after administration of neochemotherapy and whether these protein expression changes were correlated with response to chemotherapy.

Methods
Sixty-four patients with primary breast cancer who had undergone neo-adjuvant chemotherapy were enrolled in the present study. The expressions of C-erbB-2, CXCR4 and ER-α were measured by immunohistochemistry (IHC) on full tissue sections and on tissue microarrays (TMAs). PCNA, TopoII, P-gp and GST were measured by IHC on TMAs. On the other hand, CXCR4, C-erbB-2 and ER-α expressions were detected using western blot analysis to 16 pairs of fresh preoperative core biopsies. The final surgical specimens were obtained from patients with breast carcinoma who received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy and obtained a partial response (PR).

Results
Our data demonstrated that the levels of C-erbB-2, CXCR4 and ER-α in patients decreased after they received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy on full tissue sections and on TMAs. The PCNA level was down-regulated after receiving neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, and no significant change was observed for TopoII, P-gp and GST. The levels of C-erbB-2, CXCR4 and ER-α were also down-regulated after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy was administered, as detected by western blot. In addition, the change expressions of C-erbB-2 and CXCR4 in specimens tended to be correlated with pathological change to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy on full tissue sections and on TMAs in a Pearson chi-square analysis.

Conclusions
As demonstrated in our study, after breast cancer patients were treated with neo-adjuvant systemic therapy, decreased expressions of C-erbB2, ER-α and CXCR4 were observed. Down-regulated expressions of c-erbB-2 and CXCR4 may be a novel mechanism of chemotherapy; the changes of these objective markers may be useful in evaluating the clinical response of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer.
Advancing the evidence base in cancer: psychosocial multicenter trials
Authors: Sanson-Fisher Robert , Mackenzie Lisa , Butow Phyllis , Rankin Nicole , Paul Christine 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
The diagnosis and treatment of cancer is associated with significant distress and psychosocial morbidity. Although psychosocial interventions have been developed in an attempt to improve psychosocial outcomes in cancer patients and survivors, there is continued debate about whether there is adequate high-level evidence to establish the effectiveness of these interventions. The evidence base is limited as a result of numerous challenges faced by those attempting to conduct psychosocial intervention trials within the health system. Barriers include insufficient participant recruitment, difficulty generalizing from single-trial studies, difficulty in building and managing research teams with multidisciplinary expertise, lack of research design expertise and a lack of incentives for researchers conducting intervention research. To strengthen the evidence base, more intervention studies employing methodologically rigorous research designs are necessary.

Methods
In order to advance the evidence base of interventions designed to improve psychosocial outcomes for cancer patients and survivors, we propose the formation of a collaborative trials group that conducts multicenter trials to test the effectiveness of such interventions.

Results
Establishment of such a group would improve the quality of the evidence base in psychosocial research in cancer patients, by increasing support for conducting intervention research and providing intervention research training opportunities. A multidisciplinary collaborative group conducting multicenter trials would have the capacity to overcome many of the barriers that currently exist.

Conclusions
A stronger evidence base is necessary to identify effective psychosocial interventions for cancer patients. The proposed formation of a psycho-oncology collaborative trials group that conducts multicenter trials to test the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions would assist in achieving this outcome.
Improvement of quality of life and survival using self-expandable metal stent placement for severe malignant stenosis of the gastric body: a case report
Authors: Kumagai Hozumi , Nio Kenta , Shirakawa Tsuyoshi , Uchino Keita , Kusaba Hitoshi , Isobe Taichi , Komoda Masato , Tamura Shingo , Maeyama Ryo , Nagai Eishi , Akashi Koichi , Baba Eishi 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Introduction
Advanced gastric carcinoma often decreases quality of life because of upper gastrointestinal tract stenosis. Self-expandable metal stents have been thought to be an effective, minimally invasive treatment for stenosis. However, the effectiveness of self-expandable metal stent placement for carcinomatous stenosis of the gastric body and antrum has not been clarified, and there have been few reports of such cases.

Case presentation
A 74-year-old Japanese woman developed stenosis of the gastric body and antrum caused by advanced gastric cancer during first-line chemotherapy. She developed weight loss and poor nutrition due to inadequate intake. Self-expandable metal stent placement for stenosis of the gastric body and antrum ameliorated her symptoms rapidly and improved her general condition and quality of life. Eight days after self-expandable metal stent placement, second-line chemotherapy could be administered safely. Oral intake and nutritional status were maintained for 117 days after self-expandable metal stent placement, and she died of gastric cancer 176 days after self-expandable metal stent placement and initiation of second-line chemotherapy.

Conclusions
Self-expandable metal stent placement for carcinomatous stenosis in the gastric body and antrum could be an effective therapeutic strategy for patients with inadequate oral uptake. It may provide rapid improvement of the patient’s general condition and oral intake with minimal complications, comparatively long-term symptom relief, and a survival benefit by allowing second-line chemotherapy.
Regionalisation - what will the future bring?
Authors: Raakjær Jesper , Degnbol Poul , Hegland Troels Jacob , Symes David 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
It is the contention of this special issue that regionalisation, in the sense of focusing important aspects of governance on the scale of marine eco-regions, can make a valuable contribution to the reform of the European Union’s Common Fisheries Policy (cfp). Despite recent trials and tribulations associated with the current reforms, we remain firmly convinced of the merits of reforming the cfp around a process of devolving detailed, technical decision-making to some form of collective organisation of member states working together at the level of the regional sea. We remain hopeful that something more substantive will prevail by the end of 2012, perhaps in the form of non-statutory regional governance structures capable of implementing Community policy in a regionally sensitive and practical way. Though we believe that regional management is inevitable if the cfp is eventually to deliver sustainable fisheries, we acknowledge that in reality regionalising the cfp was always likely to proceed incrementally.
Overexpression of the Adiponectin Receptor AdipoR1 in Rat Skeletal Muscle Amplifies Local Insulin Sensitivity
Authors: Patel S. A. , Hoehn K. L. , Lawrence R. T. , Sawbridge L. , Talbot N. A. , Tomsig J. L. , Turner N. , Cooney G. J. , Whitehead J. P. , Kraegen E. W. , Cleasby M. E. 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Adiponectin is an adipokine whose plasma levels are inversely related to degrees of insulin resistance (IR) or obesity. It enhances glucose disposal and mitochondrial substrate oxidation in skeletal muscle and its actions are mediated through binding to receptors, especially adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1). However, the in vivo significance of adiponectin sensitivity and the molecular mechanisms of muscle insulin sensitization by adiponectin have not been fully established. We used in vivo electrotransfer to overexpress AdipoR1 in single muscles of rats, some of which were fed for 6 wk with chow or high-fat diet (HFD) and then subjected to hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. After 1 wk, the effects on glucose disposal, signaling, and sphingolipid metabolism were investigated in test vs. contralateral control muscles. AdipoR1 overexpression (OE) increased glucose uptake and glycogen accumulation in the basal and insulin-treated rat muscle and also in the HFD-fed rats, locally ameliorating muscle IR. These effects were associated with increased phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1, Akt, and glycogen synthase kinase-3β. AdipoR1 OE also caused increased phosphorylation of p70S6 kinase, AMP-activated protein kinase, and acetyl-coA carboxylase as well as increased protein levels of adaptor protein containing pleckstrin homology domain, phosphotyrosine binding domain, and leucine zipper motif-1 and adiponectin, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α, and uncoupling protein-3, indicative of increased mitochondrial biogenesis. Although neither HFD feeding nor AdipoR1 OE caused generalized changes in sphingolipids, AdipoR1 OE did reduce levels of sphingosine 1-phosphate, ceramide 18:1, ceramide 20:2, and dihydroceramide 20:0, plus mRNA levels of the ceramide synthetic enzymes serine palmitoyl transferase and sphingolipid Δ-4 desaturase, changes that are associated with increased insulin sensitivity. These data demonstrate that enhancement of local adiponectin sensitivity is sufficient to improve skeletal muscle IR.
Debt and Taxes: Village Relations and Economic Obligations in Seventeenth-Century Auvergne
Authors: Bonar Daphne L. 
Published: September 2012

This article looks at tax collection practices at the village level through the lens of microcredit—a system of local, undocumented, informal credit that, in a semimonetized economy like the Auvergne, inevitably comprised a wide range of exchanges of goods and obligations. Research on the historical role of microcredit offers fruitful ways to understand social relations in rural Auvergne, especially as they mediated and were mediated by local practices of exchange and tax collection. Conversely, studying the appropriation of tax collection and how its practices entered a local economy of informal credit expands our general understanding of microcredit.
Cet article examine les pratiques de la collection des impôts, « la collecte », au village à travers le microcrédit. Le crédit au niveau local, non-documenté, dans une région semimonétaire se fait souvent par échanges de biens et d’obligations. Les recherches sur le rôle historique du microcrédit nous offrent des moyens de comprendre les relations sociales en Auvergne rurale, surtout comment elles étaient négociées par les coutumes d’échange et de « collecte », mais aussi comment elles influencent ces pratiques. En revanche, l’étude particulière de l’appropriation de la collecte et les moyens par lesquelles ces pratiques sont absorbées par une économie locale du microcrédit approfondit notre compréhension en général du microcrédit.
Management of chronic venous disease by primary care
Authors: Lane T R A , Sritharan K , Herbert J R , Franklin I J , Davies A H 
Published: September 2012

Objective: To assess the patterns of referral for chronic venous disease (CVD). Method: General practitioners (GPs) were invited by an email to complete a validated online survey evaluating the referral and community management of CVD. Results: A total of 138 participants were recruited. Most GPs (85%) saw fewer than 50 patients with CVD a year. Thirty-one percent were aware of National Institute for Clinical Excellence referral guidelines for CVD and 36% were aware of and agreed with local referral guidelines. Eleven percent were aware of clinical venous scoring systems. Sixty-three percent believed mild CVD would progress and 84% believed treatment would improve the quality of life. Sixteen referred C3 disease, 43% C4, 37% C5 and 65% C6 disease. Forty-one percent would refer on request. Pain symptoms increased referral in C2 disease. Endothermal ablation was believed available to 33% and traditional stripping to 62% and 27% were unaware of the treatment options. Forty-five percent were happy to provide postoperative care. Conclusions: Despite national guidelines, the management of CVD in the UK is variable.
Plasma betaine concentrations correlate with plasma cortisol but not with C-reactive protein in an elderly population
Authors: Lever Michael , Storer Malina K. , Lewis John G. , George Peter M. , Chambers Stephen T. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractLow plasma betaine concentrations are a feature of seriously ill patients. Increased dietary betaine intake has been associated with lowered systemic inflammation. We aimed to compare plasma cortisol (a stress marker) and C-reactive protein (an inflammation marker) as statistical predictors of plasma betaine concentrations.Plasma carnitine, cortisol and C-reactive protein concentrations, other biochemical measures and urine betaine excretion, were compared with plasma betaine concentration by correlation and in multiple regression models, using morning blood and urine samples from 64 ambulant elderly subjects and from 55 patients admitted to hospital with hip fractures.In the ambulant elderly without acute trauma, plasma cortisol (with negative coefficients) and carnitine (with positive coefficients) statistically predicted plasma betaine concentrations. C-reactive protein was not a predictor. In the patients, the significant predictors were plasma carnitine (positive coefficient) and plasma homocysteine (negative coefficient) and C-reactive protein again was not a predictor. In regression models using combined patient and control data there were large ranges of both cortisol and especially C-reactive protein; cortisol and homocysteine (negative coefficients) and carnitine (positive coefficient) were significant predictors but C-reactive protein was not significant.Stress rather than inflammation may affect plasma betaine concentrations.
The Path to Industrial Production of Highly Efficient Metal Wrap Through Silicon Solar Cells
Authors: Benjamin Thaidigsmann , Michael Linse , Andreas Wolf , Florian Clement , Daniel Biro , Ralf Preu 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThis work presents large-area metal wrap through (MWT) solar cells with passivated surfaces made from Czochralski grown silicon (Cz-Si). Besides further improvement in conversion efficiency, the paper addresses industrial applicability of the fabrication process and technology. Three different base materials are compared – conventional boron-doped Cz-Si, gallium-doped Cz-Si and boron-doped magnetically cast Cz-Si (mCz-Si). Stencil printing is applied for front contact formation resulting in increased aspect ratio and finger homogeneity and thus low series resistance losses. Regarding material consumption, the presented cells allow for a reduction of silver usage by 30%. The peak efficiency for cells made from mCz-Si with an edge length of 156 mm is 20.2% (confirmed) in the annealed state.
Asia Pacific Super Grid – Solar electricity generation, storage and distribution
Authors: Andrew Blakers , Joachim Luther , Anna Nadolny 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThis paper explores the large scale transmission of solar electricity to Southeast Asia from Australia. Despite the expense and losses incurred in long distance transmission of Australian solar electricity, it appears to be competitive with locally produced solar electricity because of high insolation levels in Australia. Supplementation of locally produced electricity (both from renewable and conventional sources) with power from Australia, together with substantial integrated energy storage, would allow a high solar electricity fraction to be achieved in Southeast Asia.
Co-expression of genes with estrogen receptor-α and progesterone receptor in human breast carcinoma tissue
Authors: Andres Sarah A. , Wittliff James L. 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background: To detect genes associated with the expression of ESR1 and PGR – as well as of their protein products, estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) – 221 de-identified invasive ductal carcinomas of the breast were investigated. Our long-term goal is to decipher relationships between the expression of ER- and PR-associated genes and breast cancer behavior to improve diagnostics and identify new molecular targets for drug design.

Materials and methods: Frozen tissue sections were evaluated for structural integrity and pathology after hematoxylin and eosin staining. ER and PR protein levels were quantified by either enzyme immunoassay or radio-ligand binding assay. Total RNA preparations were reverse transcribed for qPCR measurements of ESR1, PGR and 31 gene candidates.

Results: Both ESR1 and PGR expression levels were correlated with their cognate receptor protein expression (Pearson correlations of 0.82 and 0.68, p<0.001, respectively), to assess molecular relationships between clinically relevant biomarkers in tissue specimens. Coordinate expression of EVL, NAT1, TBC1D9, SCUBE2, RABEP1, SLC39A6, TCEAL1, FUT8, XBP1, PTP4A2 or GATA3 with either ESR1 or PGR was detected.

Conclusions: Examination of relationships between ESR1 and PGR gene expression and that of other genes of interest indicated: a high degree of correlation between ESR1 levels and expression of NAT1, SCUBE2, XBP1 and GATA3; and a high degree of correlation between PGR expression and that of NAT1, ESR1, SCUBE2 and RABEP1. These results suggest that direct relationships of these genes exist with estrogen and progestin receptor mediated pathways. Pathway analysis software provided additional evidence of gene interactions.
Biological applications of the electrochemical sensing of nitric oxide: fundamentals and recent developments
Authors: Trouillon Raphaël 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) is a unique cellular messenger linked to a number of important biological processes. Its free radical nature, small size and fast diffusivity make it highly reactive and membrane permeable. Unfortunately, its reactivity, coupled with the inherent complexity of in situ biological measurements, makes it a challenge to detect. For the past 20 years, electrochemical methods have been used to investigate the role of NO in a number of biological processes, including vascular physiology, immune response, neuronal mediation, tissue growth and oxidative stress. This review examines the biological applications of electrochemical NO sensors and the technologies used to elucidate different physiological phenomena associated with this unique biomolecule with a specific focus on the developments and innovations reported in the last 3 years.
Crystal structure of (N,N',N"-trimethyl-N,N',N"-tris-(1-phenylethyl)- guanidinium hexafluorophosphate), C28H36F6N3P
Authors: Frey Wolfgang , Castiglia Amélie , Jäger Volker 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
C28H36F6N3P, monoclinic, P21 (No. 4), a = 9.125(1) Å, b = 14.596(3) Å, c = 11.028(2) Å, β = 102.36(1)°, V = 1434.7 Å3, Z = 2,Rgt(F) = 0.0783, wRref(F2) = 0.1597, T = 293 K.
Spectrophotometric study of competitive complexation equilibria involving overlapped spectral responding species: Determination of the stability constant of bismuth-pyrophosphate complex
Authors: Nedeltcheva Tsvetanka , Surleva Andriana , Nikolova Liliya , Borissova Rahila , Georgieva Stela 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Spectrophotometric study of competitive complex formation equilibria involving overlapped spectral responding species applying a simple and versatile algorithm was carried out. The algorithm involves multivariable regression for calculation of equilibrium concentrations from multiwavelength data and mass action law for the stability constant calculation. The used regression functions are part of common statistical software. Stability constants and complex stoichiometry of competing equilibria were simultaneously determined. The species concentration profiles at several spectral overlapping and α-coefficient of competing reaction were obtained. Non-absorbing bismuth — pyrophosphate (PPh) system was studied as a competitive reaction of bismuth — 4-(2-Pyridylazo) resorcinol (PAR) complex. The formation of Bi-PPh complex with 1:1 stoichiometry was proved in the studied concentration region (CBi = 1×10−5 mol L−1; CPPh = 5×10−6 − 1×10−4 mol L−1). The stability constant of the complex at pH 1 and µ = 1.0 have been determined: logβ = 4.2±0.2.
Excess interfacial energy change of solid/aqueous salt solution system with increasing salt concentration at a constant charge-determining ion activity based on the Gibbs equation and ionic components of charge
Authors: Ratajczak Tomasz , Drzymala Jan 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
A thermodynamic equation relating the change of interfacial excess (Gibbs) energy in the solid/aqueous salt solution system, caused by a variation of concentration of inorganic salt at a constant charge-determining ion activity, temperature and pressure, is derived. The equation is based on the Gibbs equation and ionic components of charge parameters. On the basis of literature experimental data for the AgI/aqueous KNO3 and TiO2/aqueous NaCl systems it was shown that the interfacial excess energy decreases with increasing salt concentration due to variation of the ionic components of charge of the interface.
Electrochemical determination of tyrosine in the presence of uric acid at a carbon paste electrode modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes enhanced by sodium dodecyl sulfate
Authors: Ghoreishi Sayed , Behpour Mohsen , Delshad Mona , Khoobi Asma 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Tyrosine (Tyr) was quantitated with high sensitivity and selectivity in the presence of uric acid (UA) using a carbon paste electrode modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Tyr and UA were catalytically oxidized with diffusion-controlled characteristics. They were determined simultaneously by differential pulse voltammetry with a potential difference of 350 mV. The electrocatalytic currents increase linearly with Tyr and UA concentrations 4×10−7−1×10−4 M and 3×10−7−2×10−4 M. Their detection limits were 1×10−7 and 5.1×10−8 M respectively. In the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate the Tyr detection limit improved from 1×10−7 to 6.9×10−8 M. The electrode was successfully used to quantitate Tyr and UA in serum.