bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitative methylation profiling in tumor and matched morphologically normal tissues from breast cancer patients
Authors: Van der Auwera Ilse , Bovie Catherine , Svensson Cecilia , Trinh Xuan B , Limame Ridha , van Dam Peter , van Laere Steven J , van Marck Eric A , Dirix Luc Y , Vermeulen Peter B 
Published: March 2010

AbstractBackgroundIn the present study, we determined the gene hypermethylation profiles of normal tissues adjacent to invasive breast carcinomas and investigated whether these are associated with the gene hypermethylation profiles of the corresponding primary breast tumors.MethodsA quantitative methylation-specific PCR assay was used to analyze the DNA methylation status of 6 genes (DAPK, TWIST, HIN-1, RASSF1A, RARβ2andAPC) in 9 normal breast tissue samples from unaffected women and in 56 paired cancerous and normal tissue samples from breast cancer patients.ResultsNormal tissue adjacent to breast cancer displayed statistically significant differences to unrelated normal breast tissues regarding the aberrant methylation of theRASSF1A(P = 0.03),RARβ2(P = 0.04) andAPC(P = 0.04) genes. Although methylation ratios for all genes in normal tissues from cancer patients were significantly lower than in the cancerous tissue from the same patient (P ≤ 0.01), in general, a clear correlation was observed between methylation ratios measured in both tissue types for all genes tested (P < 0.01). When analyzed as a categorical variable, there was a significant concordance between methylation changes in normal tissues and in the corresponding tumor for all genes tested butRASSF1A. Notably, in 73% of patients, at least one gene with an identical methylation change in cancerous and normal breast tissues was observed.ConclusionsHistologically normal breast tissues adjacent to breast tumors frequently exhibit methylation changes in multiple genes. These methylation changes may play a role in the earliest stages of the development of breast neoplasia.
Targeting mTORC2 inhibits colon cancer cell proliferation in vitro and tumor formation in vivo
Authors: Roulin Didier , Cerantola Yannick , Dormond-Meuwly Anne , Demartines Nicolas , Dormond Olivier 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), which exists in two functionally distinct complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2 plays an important role in tumor growth. Whereas the role of mTORC1 has been well characterized in this process, little is known about the functions of mTORC2 in cancer progression. In this study, we explored the specific role of mTORC2 in colon cancer using a short hairpin RNA expression system to silence the mTORC2-associated protein rictor. We found that downregulation of rictor in HT29 and LS174T colon cancer cells significantly reduced cell proliferation. Knockdown of rictor also resulted in a G1 arrest as observed by cell cycle analysis. We further observed that LS174T cells deficient for rictor failed to form tumors in a nude mice xenograft model. Taken together, these results show that the inhibition of mTORC2 reduces colon cancer cell proliferation in vitro and tumor xenograft formation in vivo. They also suggest that specifically targeting mTORC2 may provide a novel treatment strategy for colorectal cancer.
Neighborhood sampling: how many streets must an auditor walk?
Authors: McMillan Tracy E , Cubbin Catherine , Parmenter Barbara , Medina Ashley V , Lee Rebecca E 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
This study tested the representativeness of four street segment sampling protocols using the Pedestrian Environment Data Scan (PEDS) in eleven neighborhoods surrounding public housing developments in Houston, TX. The following four street segment sampling protocols were used (1) all segments, both residential and arterial, contained within the 400 meter radius buffer from the center point of the housing development (the core) were compared with all segments contained between the 400 meter radius buffer and the 800 meter radius buffer (the ring); all residential segments in the core were compared with (2) 75% (3) 50% and (4) 25% samples of randomly selected residential street segments in the core. Analyses were conducted on five key variables: sidewalk presence; ratings of attractiveness and safety for walking; connectivity; and number of traffic lanes. Some differences were found when comparing all street segments, both residential and arterial, in the core to the ring. Findings suggested that sampling 25% of residential street segments within the 400 m radius of a residence sufficiently represents the pedestrian built environment. Conclusions support more cost effective environmental data collection for physical activity research.
Intraductal papilloma of ectopic breast tissue in axillary lymph node of a patient with a previous intraductal papilloma of ipsilateral breast: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Dzodic Radan , Stanojevic Boban , Saenko Vladimir , Nakashima Masahiro , Markovic Ivan , Pupic Gordana , Buta Marko , Inic Momcilo , Rogounovitch Tatiana , Yamashita Shunichi 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
The presence of ectopic breast tissue in axillary lymph nodes (ALN) is a benign condition that must be differentiated from primary or metastatic carcinoma. Here we report a patient who underwent excision of enlarged ALN 10 years after she had received surgical treatment of ipsilateral breast for an intracystic intraductal papilloma (IDP). Histological examination of the removed ALN revealed that the proliferative lesion consisted of papillary and tubular structures lined by luminal cuboidal cells and a distinct outer layer of myoepithelial cells resembling IDP of the breast. Immunostaining with a set of immunohistochemical markers including AE/AE3, alpha-smooth muscle actin and p63 in combination with estrogen and progesterone receptors confirmed the diagnosis of ectopic IDP.
This case shows that even though benign proliferative change in ectopic breast tissue is an extremely rare phenomenon, this possibility should be taken into account for correct diagnosis.
Risk factors for multidrug resistant bacteria and optimization of empirical antibiotic therapy in postoperative peritonitis
Authors: Augustin Pascal , Kermarrec Nathalie , Muller-Serieys Claudette , Lasocki Sigismond , Chosidow Denis , Marmuse Jean-Pierre , Valin Nadia , Desmonts Jean-Marie , Montravers Philippe 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
Introduction
The main objective was to determine risk factors for presence of multidrug resistant bacteria (MDR) in postoperative peritonitis (PP) and optimal empirical antibiotic therapy (EA) among options proposed by Infectious Disease Society of America and the Surgical Infection Society guidelines.

Methods
One hundred patients hospitalised in the intensive care unit (ICU) for PP were reviewed. Clinical and microbiologic data, EA and its adequacy were analysed. The in vitro activities of 9 antibiotics in relation to the cultured bacteria were assessed to propose the most adequate EA among 17 regimens in the largest number of cases.

Results
A total of 269 bacteria was cultured in 100 patients including 41 episodes with MDR. According to logistic regression analysis, the use of broad-spectrum antibiotic between initial intervention and reoperation was the only significant risk factor for emergence of MDR bacteria (odds ratio (OR) = 5.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.7 - 15; P = 0.0031). Antibiotics providing the best activity rate were imipenem/cilastatin (68%) and piperacillin/tazobactam (53%). The best adequacy for EA was obtained by combinations of imipenem/cilastatin or piperacillin/tazobactam, amikacin and a glycopeptide, with values reaching 99% and 94%, respectively. Imipenem/cilastin was the only single-drug regimen providing an adequacy superior to 80% in the absence of broad spectrum antibiotic between initial surgery and reoperation.

Conclusions
Interval antibiotic therapy is associated with the presence of MDR bacteria. Not all regimens proposed by Infectious Disease Society of America and the Surgical Infection Society guidelines for PP can provide an acceptable rate of adequacy. Monotherapy with imipenem/cilastin is suitable for EA only in absence of this risk factor for MDR. For other patients, only antibiotic combinations may achieve high adequacy rates.
Pegvisomant-Induced Liver Injury Is Related to the UGT1A1*28 Polymorphism of Gilbert’s Syndrome
Authors: Bernabeu Ignacio , Marazuela Mónica , Lucas Tomás , Loidi Lourdes , Alvarez-Escolá Cristina , Luque-Ramírez Manuel , Fernandez-Rodriguez Eva , Paniagua Amalia-Elisa , Quinteiro Celsa , Casanueva Felipe F. 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
Context: Pegvisomant (PEG) therapy has been associated with drug-induced liver dysfunction in acromegalic patients. The mechanism of its toxicity remains unknown.
Objective: The primary objective was to determine whether or not the UGT1A1*28 polymorphism associated with Gilbert’s syndrome influences the development of liver dysfunction during PEG treatment.
Design and Setting: A cross-sectional study was conducted in four Spanish university hospitals.
Patients: Thirty-six acromegalic patients with active disease, resistant to somatostatin analogs, participated.
Results: The prevalence of the UGT1A1*28 homozygous and heterozygous genotypes in acromegalic patients was 14 and 44%, respectively. Ten patients (28%) developed liver function test (LFT) abnormalities. There was a tendency for more frequent liver function abnormalities in males (70% males vs. 30% females, P = 0.058). Carriers of the UGT1A1*28 polymorphism had a higher incidence of LFT abnormalities than the UGT1A1 wild type (43% carriers vs. 7% wild type, P = 0.024). This difference persisted when adjusted in an all-factors multiple regression analysis [coefficient of determination (R2) = 0.463; P = 0.008] for age, gender, alcohol consumption, and UGT1A1*28 polymorphism. A stepwise multivariate likelihood binary logistic regression analysis (R2 = 0.40; P = 0.003) identified male gender (β = 7.21; P = 0.033) and UGT1A1*28 polymorphism (β = 14.1; P = 0.028) as the only significant predictors for the development of LFT abnormalities.
Conclusions: The UGT1A1*28 genotype and male gender predict an increased incidence of LFT abnormalities during PEG therapy in acromegaly.
Heating rate and symbiont productivity are key factors determining thermal stress in the reef-building coral Acropora formosa
Authors: Middlebrook Rachael , Anthony Kenneth R. N. , Hoegh-Guldberg Ove , Dove Sophie 
Published: March 2010

SUMMARY
The onset of large-scale coral bleaching events is routinely estimated on the basis of the duration and intensity of thermal anomalies determined as degree heating weeks. Degree heating weeks, however, do not account for differential rates of heating. This study aimed to explore the relationship between different rates of heating above the documented regional winter threshold, and resultant bleaching of the reef-building coral Acropora formosa. Under a relatively low light field, rapid heating of 1°C day−1 from 29°C to 32°C lead to a 17.6% decline in Fv/Fm, concurrent with a rapid increase in xanthophyll de-epoxidation sustained into the dark, whereas slower heating rates of 0.5°C day−1 lead to no decline in Fv/Fm and no change in dark-adapted xanthophyll cycling. At the winter bleaching threshold of 30°C, areal net O2 evolution exceeded the control values for rapidly heated corals, but was lower than the controls for slowly heated corals. At the maximum temperature of 33°C, however, both treatments had net O2 fluxes that were 50% of control values. At 30°C, only symbiont densities in the slowly heated controls were reduced relative to controls values. By 33°C, however, symbiont densities were 55% less than the controls in both treatments. The rate of heat accumulation was found to be an important variable, with rapidly heated corals attaining the same bleaching status and loss of areal O2 production for half the degree heating week exposure as slowly heated corals. The study revealed that it is incorrect to assume that significant dark acclimation disables non-photochemical quenching, because 75% of an increased xanthophyll pool was found to be in the de-epoxidated state following rapid heat accumulation. This has important ramifications for the interpretation of chlorophyll fluorescence data such as dark adapted Fv/Fm.
Adenosinergic modulation of neuronal activity in the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis
Authors: Malik Aqsa , Buck Leslie Thomas 
Published: March 2010

SUMMARY
Adenosine has been termed a retaliatory metabolite and its neuroprotective effects have been implicated in the hypoxia tolerance of several species; however, its role in the invertebrate CNS remains unclear. To determine if adenosine modulates neuronal activity in invertebrate neurons, we conducted whole-cell recordings from neurons in the central ring ganglia of the anoxia-tolerant pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis during exposure to adenosine and pharmacological compounds known to modulate the type I subclass of adenosine receptors (A1R). Action potential (AP) frequency and membrane potential (Vm) were unchanged under control conditions, and addition of adenosine decreased AP frequency by 47% (from 1.08±0.22 to 0.57±0.14 Hz) and caused significant hyperpolarization of Vm. The A1R agonist cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) mimicked the results obtained with adenosine whereas antagonism of the A1R with 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX) had no effect on AP frequency or Vm but prevented the adenosine and CPA-mediated decreases in neuronal activity. Furthermore, Ca2+ measurements with fluo-4 revealed that A1R activation led to a 12% increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration and this elevation was also antagonized by DPCPX. Our results suggest that adenosine acting via the adenosine receptor (type I subclass) depresses neuronal activity in the adult L. stagnalis CNS and this depression is correlated with an increase in cytosolic Ca2+ levels.
The scaling of myofibrillar actomyosin ATPase activity in apid bee flight muscle in relation to hovering flight energetics
Authors: Askew Graham N. , Tregear Richard T. , Ellington Charles P. 
Published: March 2010

SUMMARYFor all types of locomotion, the overall efficiency with which chemical energy is converted into mechanical work increases with increasing body size. In order to gain insight into the determinants of the scaling of overall efficiency, we measured the scaling of the rate of ATP utilisation during cyclical contractions using glycerinated fibres from the dorsolongitudinal flight muscle of several species of apid bees, covering a ninefold range in body mass. The efficiency of ATP utilisation by the crossbridges is one of the stages that determines the overall efficiency of locomotion. The mechanochemical coefficient was calculated from the ratio of the net power output to the rate of ATP hydrolysis and ranged from 6.5 to 9.7 kJ mol−1 ATP. The corresponding gross myofibrillar efficiency was 15–23%, increasing concomitantly with body mass (Mb) and decreasing with increasing wingbeat frequency (n) and scaling as Mb0.184 and n−1.168 in bumblebees and as Mb0.153 and n−0.482 in euglossine bees. Overall efficiency of hovering in bumblebees and euglossine bees was calculated using previously published metabolic power data and revised estimates of the mechanical power output to take into account the drag due to the leading edge vortex that has not been included in previous models. The scaling of overall efficiency of hovering flight in apid bees was not as pronounced as the scaling of myofibrillar efficiency. Therefore the scaling of myofibrillar efficiency with body mass (or frequency) only explained part of the scaling of overall efficiency, and it is likely that the efficiency of other steps in the transduction of chemical energy into mechanical work (e.g. the efficiency of mitochondrial oxidative recovery) may also scale with body mass.
Influence of wing loading on the trade-off between pursuit-diving and flight in common guillemots and razorbills
Authors: Thaxter C. B. , Wanless S. , Daunt F. , Harris M. P. , Benvenuti S. , Watanuki Y. , Grémillet D. , Hamer K. C. 
Published: March 2010

SUMMARYSpecies of bird that use their wings for underwater propulsion are thought to face evolutionary trade-offs between flight and diving, leading to the prediction that species with different wing areas relative to body mass (i.e. different wing loadings) also differ in the relative importance of flight and diving activity during foraging trips. We tested this hypothesis for two similarly sized species of Alcidae (common guillemots and razorbills) by using bird-borne devices to examine three-dimensional foraging behaviour at a single colony. Guillemots have 30% higher wing loading than razorbills and, in keeping with this difference, razorbills spent twice as long in flight as a proportion of trip duration whereas guillemots spent twice as long in diving activity. Razorbills made a large number of short, relatively shallow dives and spent little time in the bottom phase of the dive whereas guillemots made fewer dives but frequently attained depths suggesting that they were near the seabed (ca. 35–70 m). The bottom phase of dives by guillemots was relatively long, indicating that they spent considerable time searching for and pursuing prey. Guillemots also spent a greater proportion of each dive bout underwater and had faster rates of descent, indicating that they were more adept at maximising time for pursuit and capture of prey. These differences in foraging behaviour may partly reflect guillemots feeding their chicks single large prey obtained near the bottom and razorbills feeding their chicks multiple prey from the water column. Nonetheless, our data support the notion that interspecific differences in wing loadings of auks reflect an evolutionary trade-off between aerial and underwater locomotion.
The substrate as a skeleton: ground reaction forces from a soft-bodied legged animal
Authors: Lin Huai Ti , Trimmer Barry A. 
Published: March 2010

SUMMARYThe measurement of forces generated during locomotion is essential for the development of accurate mechanical models of animal movements. However, animals that lack a stiff skeleton tend to dissipate locomotor forces in large tissue deformation and most have complex or poorly defined substrate contacts. Under these conditions, measuring propulsive and supportive forces is very difficult. One group that is an exception to this problem is lepidopteran larvae which, despite lacking a rigid skeleton, have well-developed limbs (the prolegs) that can be used for climbing in complex branched structures and on a variety of surfaces. Caterpillars therefore are excellent for examining the relationship between soft body deformation and substrate reaction forces during locomotion. In this study, we devised a method to measure the ground reaction forces (GRFs) at multiple contact points during crawling by the tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta). Most abdominal prolegs bear similar body weight during their stance phase. Interestingly, forward reaction forces did not come from pushing off the substrate. Instead, most positive reaction forces came from anterior abdominal prolegs loaded in tension while posterior legs produced drag in most instances. The counteracting GRFs effectively stretch the animal axially during the second stage of a crawl cycle. These findings help in understanding how a terrestrial soft-bodied animal can interact with its substrate to control deformation without hydraulic actuation. The results also provide insights into the behavioral and mechanistic constraints leading to the evolution of diverse proleg arrangements in different species of caterpillar.
Functional characterization of Rhesus glycoproteins from an ammoniotelic teleost, the rainbow trout, using oocyte expression and SIET analysis
Authors: Nawata C. Michele , Wood Chris M. , O'Donnell Michael J. 
Published: March 2010

SUMMARYRecent experimental evidence from rainbow trout suggests that gill ammonia transport may be mediated in part via Rhesus (Rh) glycoproteins. In this study we analyzed the transport properties of trout Rh proteins (Rhag, Rhbg1, Rhbg2, Rhcg1, Rhcg2, Rh30-like) expressed in Xenopus oocytes, using the radiolabeled ammonia analogue [14C]methylamine, and the scanning ion electrode technique (SIET). All of the trout Rh proteins, except Rh30-like, facilitated methylamine uptake. Uptake was saturable, with Km values ranging from 4.6 to 8.9 mmol l−1. Raising external pH from 7.5 to 8.5 resulted in 3- to 4-fold elevations in Jmax values for methylamine; Km values were unchanged when expressed as total or protonated methylamine. Efflux of methylamine was also facilitated in Rh-expressing oocytes. Efflux and influx rates were stimulated by a pH gradient, with higher rates observed with steeper H+ gradients. NH4Cl inhibited methylamine uptake in oocytes expressing Rhbg1 or Rhcg2. When external pH was elevated from 7.5 to 8.5, the Ki for ammonia against methylamine transport was 35–40% lower when expressed as total ammonia or NH4+, but 5- to 6-fold higher when expressed as NH3. With SIET we confirmed that ammonia uptake was facilitated by Rhag and Rhcg2, but not Rh30-like proteins. Ammonia uptake was saturable, with a comparable Jmax but lower Km value than for total or protonated methylamine. At low substrate concentrations, the ammonia uptake rate was greater than that of methylamine. The Km for total ammonia (560 μmol l−1) lies within the physiological range for trout. The results are consistent with a model whereby NH4+ initially binds, but NH3 passes through the Rh channels. We propose that Rh glycoproteins in the trout gill are low affinity, high capacity ammonia transporters that exploit the favorable pH gradient formed by the acidified gill boundary layer in order to facilitate rapid ammonia efflux when plasma ammonia concentrations are elevated.
Functional study of the pectoral spine stridulation mechanism in different mochokid catfishes
Authors: Parmentier E. , Fabri G. , Kaatz I. , Decloux N. , Planes S. , Vandewalle P. 
Published: March 2010

SUMMARY
Mochokidae are able to produce pectoral spine stridulation sounds. During sound production, high speed videos were used to study the pectoral fin movements to identify the mechanisms involved. A call consisted of a series of pulses and occurred during a spine sweep, which was in fact made up of a series of jerky movements. The morphology of the pectoral spines and associated muscles was also observed in different species. The contractions of adductor profundus and superficial adductor allows adduction and abduction movements (sweep) of the spine, respectively. Simultaneously, the contraction of the arrector ventralis or the arrector 3 of the pectoral spine allows the pulling and pressing the ridges of the dorsal process, against the rough lateral face of the spinal fossa. This results in the rubbing of the ridges of the dorsal process, producing sounds. In Synodontis the analogy for sound production would be a brake shoe pressing against a wheel.