bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interleukin 27: a double-edged sword for offense and defense
Authors: Yoshida Hiroki , Nakaya Mako , Miyazaki Yoshiyuki 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
Interleukin 27 has pro- and anti-inflammatory features and is a potent target for therapy of various immune diseases.
Cytokine-mediated immunity plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of various diseases including infection and autoimmune diseases. IL-27, along with IL-12, −23, and −35, belongs to the IL-12 cytokine family. These family members play roles in regulation of Th cell differentiation. IL-27 is unique in that although it induces Th1 differentiation, the same cytokine suppresses immune responses. In the absence of IL-27-mediated immunosuppression, hyperproduction of various proinflammatory cytokines concomitant with severe inflammation is observed. The immunosuppressive effects of IL-27 depend on IL-2 suppression, inhibition of Th17 development, and induction of IL-10 production. Administration of IL-27 suppresses some diseases of autoimmune or allergic origin, demonstrating its potential in therapy of diseases mediated by inflammatory cytokines. In this review, we discuss recent studies about the role of IL-27 in immune regulation in view of its pro- and anti-inflammatory properties and possible therapeutic application.
Risk of Relapse of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Is Predicted By Flow Cytometric Measurement of Residual Disease on Day 15 Bone Marrow
Authors: Basso Giuseppe , Veltroni Marinella , Valsecchi Maria Grazia , Dworzak Michael N. , Ratei Richard , Silvestri Daniela , Benetello Alessandra , Buldini Barbara , Maglia Oscar , Masera Giuseppe , Conter Valentino , Arico Maurizio , Biondi Andrea , Gaipa Giuseppe 
Published: October 2009

Purpose Speed of blast clearance is an indicator of outcome in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Availability of measurement of minimal residual disease (MRD) at an early time point with a reduced-cost method is of clinical relevance. In the AIEOP-BFM-ALL (Associazione Italiana Ematologia Oncologia Pediatrica and Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster Study Group) 2000 trial, patients were stratified by levels of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) MRD at day +33 and +78. AIEOP studied the prognostic impact of MRD measured by flow cytometry (FCM) at day 15 of induction therapy. Patients and Methods Bone marrow samples from 830 Italian patients were collected on day 15, after 14 days of steroids, and one dose of intrathecal methotrexate, vincristine, daunorubicine, and asparaginase. Cells were analyzed by four-color FCM for detection of leukemia-associated immunophenotypes. Results Three patient risk groups were identified by FCM: standard (< 0.1% blast cells; 42% of the total), intermediate (0.1 to < 10%; 47%), and high (≥ 10%; 11%). Their 5-year cumulative incidences of relapse were 7.5% (SE, 1.5), 17.5% (SE, 2.1), and 47.2% (SE, 5.9), respectively. In multivariate analysis, FCM was the most important prognostic factor among those available by day 15, with two-fold and five-fold increase in the risk of relapse compared with patients with less than 0.1%. PCR MRD, when added to the model, had significant prognostic impact; yet high levels of FCM MRD retained an independent ability to detect a significantly higher risk of relapse. Conclusion Measurement of FCM MRD in day 15 bone marrow was the most powerful early predictor of relapse, applicable to virtually all patients; it may complement PCR MRD–based stratification including later time points, thus allowing additional treatment tailoring.
Novel Breast Tissue Feature Strongly Associated With Risk of Breast Cancer
Authors: McKian Kevin P. , Reynolds Carol A. , Visscher Daniel W. , Nassar Aziza , Radisky Derek C. , Vierkant Robert A. , Degnim Amy C. , Boughey Judy C. , Ghosh Karthik , Anderson Stephanie S. , Minot Douglas , Caudill Jill L. , Vachon Celine M. , Frost Marlene H. , Pankratz V. Shane , Hartmann Lynn C. 
Published: October 2009

Purpose Accurate, individualized risk prediction for breast cancer is lacking. Tissue-based features may help to stratify women into different risk levels. Breast lobules are the anatomic sites of origin of breast cancer. As women age, these lobular structures should regress, which results in reduced breast cancer risk. However, this does not occur in all women. Methods We have quantified the extent of lobule regression on a benign breast biopsy in 85 patients who developed breast cancer and 142 age-matched controls from the Mayo Benign Breast Disease Cohort, by determining number of acini per lobule and lobular area. We also calculated Gail model 5-year predicted risks for these women. Results There is a step-wise increase in breast cancer risk with increasing numbers of acini per lobule (P = .0004). Adjusting for Gail model score, parity, histology, and family history did not attenuate this association. Lobular area was similarly associated with risk. The Gail model estimates were associated with risk of breast cancer (P = .03). We examined the individual accuracy of these measures using the concordance (c) statistic. The Gail model c statistic was 0.60 (95% CI, 0.50 to 0.70); the acinar count c statistic was 0.65 (95% CI, 0.54 to 0.75). Combining acinar count and lobular area, the c statistic was 0.68 (95% CI, 0.58 to 0.78). Adding the Gail model to these measures did not improve the c statistic. Conclusion Novel, tissue-based features that reflect the status of a woman's normal breast lobules are associated with breast cancer risk. These features may offer a novel strategy for risk prediction.
Phase III Trial of Casopitant, a Novel Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonist, for the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting in Patients Receiving Moderately Emetogenic Chemotherapy
Authors: Herrstedt Jørn , Apornwirat Wichit , Shaharyar Ahmed , Aziz Zeba , Roila Fausto , Van Belle Simon , Russo Mark W. , Levin Jeremey , Ranganathan Salabha , Guckert Mary , Grunberg Steven M. 
Published: October 2009

Purpose The purpose of this phase III trial was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of regimens containing casopitant, a novel neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist, for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting during the first cycle in patients receiving moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC). Patients and Methods Predominantly female patients (98%) diagnosed with breast cancer (96%) who were chemotherapy-naïve and scheduled to receive an anthracycline and cyclophosphamide (AC) –based regimen were enrolled onto this multinational, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled clinical trial. All patients received dexamethasone 8 mg intravenously (IV) on day 1 and oral ondansetron 8 mg twice daily on days 1 to 3. Patients were randomly assigned to a control arm (placebo), a single oral dose casopitant arm (150 mg orally [PO] on day 1), a 3-day oral casopitant arm (150 mg PO on day 1 plus 50 mg PO on days 2 to 3), or a 3-day IV/oral casopitant arm (90 mg IV on day 1 plus 50 mg PO on days 2 to 3). The primary end point was the proportion of patients achieving complete response (no vomiting/retching or rescue medications) in the first 120 hours after the initiation of MEC. Results A significantly greater proportion of patients in the single-dose oral casopitant arm, 3-day oral casopitant arm, and 3-day IV/oral casopitant arm achieved complete response (73%, 73%, and 74%, respectively) versus control (59%; P < .0001). The study did not demonstrate a reduced proportion of patients with nausea or significant nausea in those receiving casopitant. Adverse events were balanced among study arms. Conclusion All casopitant regimens studied were more effective than the control regimen. Casopitant was generally well tolerated.
Alpha-Fetoprotein Response After Locoregional Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Oncologic Marker of Radiologic Response, Progression, and Survival
Authors: Riaz Ahsun , Ryu Robert K. , Kulik Laura M. , Mulcahy Mary F. , Lewandowski Robert J. , Minocha Jeet , Ibrahim Saad M. , Sato Kent T. , Baker Talia , Miller Frank H. , Newman Steven , Omary Reed , Abecassis Michael , Benson Al B. , Salem Riad 
Published: October 2009

Purpose Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is considered to be an indicator of tumor activity in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We present a novel correlation of AFP response to radiologic response, time-to-progression (TTP), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) in patients treated with locoregional therapies. Patients and Methods Four hundred sixty-three patients with HCC were treated with chemoembolization or radioembolization at our institution. One hundred twenty-five patients with baseline AFP higher than 200 ng/mL were studied for this analysis. AFP response was defined as more than 50% decrease from baseline. One hundred nineteen patients with follow-up imaging were studied for the AFP imaging correlation analysis. AFP response was correlated to radiologic response, TTP, PFS, and OS. Multivariate analyses were performed. Results Eighty-one patients (65%) showed AFP response. AFP response was seen in 26 (55%) of 47 and 55 (70%) of 78 of patients treated with chemoembolization and radioembolization, respectively (P = .12). WHO response was seen in 41 (53%) of 77 and 10 (24%) of 42 of AFP responders and nonresponders, respectively (P = .002). The hazard ratio (HR) for TTP in AFP nonresponders compared with responders was 2.8 (95% CI, 1.5 to 5.1). The HR for PFS was 4.2 (95% CI, 2.4 to 7.2) in AFP nonresponders compared with responders. The HR for OS in AFP nonresponders compared with responders was 5.5 (95% CI, 3.1 to 9.9) and 2.7 (95% CI, 1.6 to 4.6) on univariate and multivariate analyses, respectively. Conclusion The data presented support the use of AFP response seen after locoregional therapy as an ancillary method of assessing tumor response and survival, as well as an early objective screening tool for progression by imaging.
Atrial granular cells of the snailAchatina fulicarelease proteins into hemolymph after stimulation of the heart nerve
Authors: Shabelnikov Sergej V. , Bystrova Olga A. , Ivanov Vadim A. , Margulis Boris A. , Martynova Marina 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe atrium of the gastropod mollusc Achatina fulica receives rich innervation and contains numerous granular cells (GCs). We studied the atrial innervation and discovered that axon profiles typical in appearance of peptidergic neurons form close unspecialized membrane contacts with GCs. Then,we investigated, at both morphological and biochemical levels, the effect of electrical stimulation of the heart nerve on GCs of Achatina heart perfused in situ. The ultrastructural study demonstrated changes in granule morphology consistent with secretion. These events included alteration of granule content, intracellular granule fusion and formation of complex degranulation channels, within which the granule matrix solubilized. It was shown that electrical stimulation resulted in a significant increase of the total protein concentration in the perfusate. Furthermore, SDS-PAGE analysis of the perfusate revealed three new proteins with molecular masses of 16, 22,and 57 kDa. Affinity-purified polyclonal antibodies against the 16 kDa protein were obtained; the whole-mount immunofluorescence technique revealed the presence of this protein in the granules of atrial GCs. In GCs of the stimulated atrium, a progressive loss of their granular content was observed. The results suggest that the central nervous system can modulate the secretory activity of the atrial GCs through non-synaptic pathways.
Preferred viewing directions of bumblebees (Bombus terrestrisL.) when learning and approaching their nest site
Authors: de Ibarra Natalie Hempel , Philippides Andrew , Riabinina Olena , Collett Thomas S. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYMany bees and wasps learn about the immediate surroundings of their nest during learning flights, in which they look back towards the nest and acquire visual information that guides their subsequent returns. Visual guidance to the nest is simplified by the insects' tendency to adopt similar viewing directions during learning and return flights. To understand better the factors determining the particular viewing directions that insects choose, we have recorded the learning and return flights of a ground-nesting bumblebee in two visual environments – an enclosed garden with a partly open view between north and west, and a flat roof with a more open panorama. In both places, bees left and returned to an inconspicuous nest hole in the centre of a tabletop, with the hole marked by one or more nearby cylinders. In all experiments, bees adopted similar preferred orientations on their learning and return flights. Bees faced predominantly either north or south, suggesting the existence of two attractors. The bees' selection between attractors seems to be influenced both by the distribution of light, as determined by the shape of the skyline, and by the direction of wind. In the partly enclosed garden with little or no wind, bees tended to face north throughout the day, i.e. towards the pole in the brighter half of their surroundings. When white curtains,which distributed skylight more evenly, were placed around the table, bees faced both north and south. The bees on the roof tended to face south or north when the wind came from a wide arc of directions from the south or north,respectively. We suggest that bees switch facing orientation between north and south as a compromise between maintaining a single viewing direction for efficient view-based navigation and responding to the distribution of light for the easier detection of landmarks seen against the ground or to the direction of the wind for exploiting olfactory cues.
Carotenoids modulate the effect of coccidian infection on the condition and immune response in moulting house sparrows
Authors: Pap Péter László , Vágási Csongor István , Czirják Gábor Árpád , Titilincu Adriana , Pintea Adela , Barta Zoltán 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYIn the present study, we experimentally manipulated coccidian parasitism and dietary carotenoid availability in a fully factorial experiment in male house sparrows (Passer domesticus Linnaeus), and tested whether carotenoid supplementation reduces the cost of parasitism in terms of condition, moult and immune responses. We found that coccidians have a significant but transient negative effect on body mass, which can be reduced if birds have access to carotenoid supplementation in their diet. Experimental manipulation had no significant effect on the moulting parameters of the birds measured following coccidian infestation and during the whole moulting period. Carotenoid supplementation increased the plasma carotenoid concentration in both infested and medicated birds treated with a coccidiostatic drug; however,after two months exposure to parasites, plasma carotenoid concentration increased only in the carotenoid-supplemented and medicated group whereas no difference was observed between the carotenoid-supplemented and infested and non-supplemented groups. On the contrary, coccidian infestation was not affected by carotenoid supplementation. Experimental infestation decreased the antibody response to sheep red blood cells (SRBCs), although no significant effect was observed in the capacity of the birds to respond to a mitogenic challenge with phytohemagglutinin. Within the experimentally infested groups birds with carotenoid-supplemented food tended to have an increased anti-SRBC humoral immune response. The positive correlation between coccidian infestation and the strength of the humoral immune response against SRBCs in the non-supplemented and infested groups indicates that this part of the immune system plays an important role in defence against these parasites.
Waiting time before release increases the motivation to home in homing pigeons (Columba livia)
Authors: Dell'Ariccia Gaia , Costantini David , Dell'Omo Giacomo , Lipp Hans-Peter 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYWhen performing homing experiments with individual releases, pigeons have to wait in a transport box for a certain amount of time before being released and hence perceive the departure of companions. Quite often, the last pigeons disappear straightforward from the release site. The question is whether this reflects improved orientation because of prolonged exposure to the release place or whether it reflects increased homing motivation. By releasing pigeons from a familiar site, we investigated the effects of the time spent at the release site on homing performance, recording pigeons' flights with GPS loggers. Our results show that, despite individual peculiarities of flight patterns, the waiting time at release site had a positive effect on homing speed and time, and reduced the time spent circling around the release point. However, the overall path efficiency as derived from GPS tracking was not influenced. These results suggest that a longer waiting time before release improves homing performance and this is related not only to increased navigational abilities but also to increased homing motivation.
Olfactory memory established during trophallaxis affects food search behaviour in ants
Authors: Provecho Yael , Josens Roxana 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYCamponotus mus ants can associate sucrose and odour at the source during successive foraging cycles and use this memory to locate the nectar in the absence of other cues. These ants perform conspicuous trophallactic behaviour during recruitment while foraging for nectar. In this work, we studied whether Camponotus mus ants are able to establish this odour–sucrose association in the social context of trophallaxis and we evaluated this memory in another context previously experienced by the ant, as a nectar source. After a single trophallaxis of a scented solution, the receiver ant was tested in a Y-maze without any reward, where two scents were presented: in one arm, the solution scent and in the other, a new scent. Ants consistently chose the arm with the solution scent and stayed longer therein. Trophallaxis duration had no effect on the arm choice or with the time spent in each arm. Workers are able to associate an odour (conditioned stimulus)with the sucrose (unconditioned stimulus) they receive through a social interaction and use this memory as choice criteria during food searching.
High-affinity hemoglobin and blood oxygen saturation in diving emperor penguins
Authors: Meir Jessica U. , Ponganis Paul J. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) thrives in the Antarctic underwater environment, diving to depths greater than 500 m and for durations longer than 23 min. To examine mechanisms underlying the exceptional diving ability of this species and further describe blood oxygen(O2) transport and depletion while diving, we characterized the O2–hemoglobin (Hb) dissociation curve of the emperor penguin in whole blood. This allowed us to (1) investigate the biochemical adaptation of Hb in this species, and (2) address blood O2 depletion during diving, by applying the dissociation curve to previously collected partial pressure of O2 (PO2) profiles to estimate in vivo Hb saturation (SO2)changes during dives. This investigation revealed enhanced Hb–O2 affinity (P50=28 mmHg, pH 7.5) in the emperor penguin, similar to high-altitude birds and other penguin species. This allows for increased O2 at low blood PO2 levels during diving and more complete depletion of the respiratory O2 store. SO2 profiles during diving demonstrated that arterial SO2 levels are maintained near 100%throughout much of the dive, not decreasing significantly until the final ascent phase. End-of-dive venous SO2 values were widely distributed and optimization of the venous blood O2store resulted from arterialization and near complete depletion of venous blood O2 during longer dives. The estimated contribution of the blood O2 store to diving metabolic rate was low and highly variable. This pattern is due, in part, to the influx of O2 from the lungs into the blood during diving, and variable rates of tissue O2 uptake.
Laboratory diagnostics in the prevention, differential diagnosis, and monitoring of osteoporosis1
Authors: Anliker Markus , Bieglmayer Christian , Dimai Hans Peter , Gasser Rudolf Wolfgang , Kudlacek Stefan , Obermayer-Pietsch Barbara , Schmidt-Gayk Heinrich , Sottara Elke , Woloszczuk Wolfgang , Zwettler Elisabeth , Griesmacher Andrea 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
The World Health Organization ranks osteoporosis as one of the economic most significant diseases of the 21st century. Apart from anamnesis, physical examination and imaging techniques, laboratory tests are important tools in the diagnosis and monitoring of osteoporosis. Basic laboratory tests can be distinguished from advanced laboratory tests. The basic laboratory tests are used to differentiate between the primary and secondary form of osteoporosis. Further laboratory tests can clarify the causation of secondary forms of osteoporosis. Biochemical markers of bone turnover are particularly used for monitoring the therapy and the course of osteoporosis.
Experimental Evaluation of Ultraviolet and Visible Light Curing Acrylates for Use in Glass Structures
Authors: Weller Bernhard , Tasche Silke 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
Adhesive joints in glass construction have been realized with one- and two-component silicones for more than 20 years. However, ultraviolet and visible light curing acrylates in glass constructions provide additional design potential due to their inherent transparency, their advantages in regard to the production process, and their increased material strength. The aging behavior of these adhesives was comprehensively examined by testing bonded joints of annealed glass and metal to gain in-depth knowledge of their durability. The study was expanded by testing full-scale samples of various glass applications.
Addressing the Issue of Fuel Filter Fouling with Recent Changes in Fuel Quality
Authors: Richards Paul , Barker Jim , Cook Stephen 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
The recent introduction of biodiesel blends to the U.S. market has coincided with an increase in the reported problems of fouling of fuel filters and fuel injection equipment, manifested in power loss, noise, vibration, and increased filter changes. However, the introduction of biodiesel has to a large extent coincided with the introduction of ultra low sulfur diesel fuel and changes in engine technology, leading to higher fuel injection pressures. It is thus proposed that current incidences of fouling are not a problem brought about solely as a result of the introduction of biodiesel. A review of known fuel degradation mechanisms suggests that the effects of increased fuel pressure and also high shear environments should be examined as a probable cause of increasing deposit formation. Deposit formation on both fuel filters and injectors has previously been attributed to a variety of sources including: Biological contamination, both aerobic and non-aerobic, water contamination, adulteration with lubricating oil, fuel additive interactions, and biodiesel degradation. The deposits currently being encountered appear to be more akin to the high carbon content particles found in diesel exhaust than those previously described and are frequently found in the presence of deposit precursor molecules. This paper concentrates on the issue of fuel filter fouling, presents the analysis of currently encountered deposits, relates these results to some of the degradation mechanisms alluded to above, and suggests possible precursor molecules in fuels both pre and post stressing to support the proposed mechanisms. It is also shown that existing fuel quality tests do not correlate well with reported fouling propensity, suggesting that new test methods are required to ensure future fuels are fit for purpose.