bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of treatment with ketoconazole on central CRH systems of depressed patients
Authors: Paslakis Georgios , Lecei Olivera , Stalla Günther K. , Landgraf Rainer , Uhr Manfred , Hamann Bettina , Luppa Peter , Gilles Maria , Heuser Isabella , Deuschle Michael 
Published: March 2011

AbstractObjectivesSteroid‐synthesis inhibitors are reported to reduce psychopathology in treatment‐resistant depressed patients.MethodsWe studied the effect of a 3‐week treatment with ketoconazole on the evening plasma concentrations of cortisol, corticosteroid‐binding globulin (CBG), dehydroepiandrosterone‐sulfate (DHEA‐S) and adrenocorticotrope hormone (ACTH) as well as morning cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of cortisol, corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH) and arginine‐vasopressin (AVP) in six elderly treatment‐resistant depressed patients.ResultsWhile we found plasma cortisol concentrations to be unchanged, a decline in plasma DHEA‐S concentrations indicated effective steroid‐synthesis inhibition. In morning CSF we found CRH concentrations that did not change.ConclusionsOur preliminary observations indicate that the treatment of depressed patients with the steroid‐synthesis inhibitor ketoconazole does not lead to a major increase in CSF CRH secretion. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of water quality variation in the Mekong River at Vientiane by frequent observations
Authors: Iida Toshiaki , Inkhamseng Somphone , Yoshida Koshi , Tanji Hajime 
Published: March 2011

AbstractTo better understand the variation of water quality in the Mekong River, sampling and measurement were scheduled twice a week for about 3 years at Vientiane, followed by basic statistical analysis of the observed data. The frequent measurement revealed detailed characteristics of the water quality variation, which had not been detected by monthly observation in the previous studies. The variation in total ionic content was considered to be governed by dilution of the amount of water. Increases in turbidity could be attributed to physical effects including surface soil erosion and bed material resuspension at the time of discharge increase. Nitrogen concentrations were stably low during the low flow period and abruptly increased in May. After the annual maximum in late May, the nitrate concentration steadily decreased regardless of the remarkable rise in the discharge from mid‐July, whereas the ammonium concentration remained at a similar level until October. It was considered that the first small discernable runoff after the long dry season flushed the accumulated nitrogen in the surface soil and mobilized the nitrogen in the riverbed. The variation in phosphorus concentrations was different from that in nitrogen concentrations. During the high flow period, continual dilutions at discharge peaks and occasional large additions of phosphorus by surface runoff were suggested. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A comparison of simulated and measured lake ice thickness using a Shallow Water Ice Profiler
Authors: Brown Laura C. , Duguay Claude R. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractIn northern regions where observational data is sparse, lake ice models are ideal tools as they can provide valuable information on ice cover regimes. The Canadian Lake Ice Model was used to simulate ice cover for a lake near Churchill, Manitoba, Canada throughout the 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 ice covered seasons. To validate and improve the model results, in situ measurements of the ice cover through both seasons were obtained using an upward‐looking sonar device Shallow Water Ice Profiler (SWIP) installed on the bottom of the lake. The SWIP identified the ice‐on/off dates as well as collected ice thickness measurements. In addition, a digital camera was installed on shore to capture images of the ice cover through the seasons and field measurements were obtained of snow depth on the ice, and both the thickness of snow ice (if present) and total ice cover. Altering the amounts of snow cover on the ice surface to represent potential snow redistribution affected simulated freeze‐up dates by a maximum of 22 days and break‐up dates by a maximum of 12 days, highlighting the importance of accurately representing the snowpack for lake ice modelling. The late season ice thickness tended to be under estimated by the simulations with break‐up occurring too early, however, the evolution of the ice cover was simulated to fall between the range of the full snow and no snow scenario, with the thickness being dependant on the amount of snow cover on the ice surface. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
MEG3 imprinted gene contribution in tumorigenesis
Authors: Benetatos Leonidas , Vartholomatos George , Hatzimichael Eleftheria 
Published: March 2011

AbstractMaternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) is a maternally expressed imprinted gene representing a large noncoding RNA in which microRNAs (miRNAs) and small nucleolar RNAs are also hosted. It is capable of interacting with cyclic AMP, p53, murine double minute 2 (MDM2) and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) playing a role in cell proliferation control. MEG3 expression is under epigenetic control, and aberrant CpG methylation has been observed in several types of cancer. Moreover, gene copy number loss has been reported as additional mechanism associated with tumorigenesis. MEG3 deletion seems to upregulate the paternally expressed genes and on the other hand downregulate the expression of downstream maternally expressed genes and tumor suppressor miRNAs, although there are conflicting data on the topic. MEG3 could represent a tumor suppressor gene located in chromosome 14q32 and its association with tumorigenesis is growing every day.
Gamma‐tocotrienol induces apoptosis and autophagy in prostate cancer cells by increasing intracellular dihydrosphingosine and dihydroceramide
Authors: Jiang Qing , Rao Xiayu , Kim Choon Young , Freiser Helene , Zhang Qingbo , Jiang Ziying , Li Guilan 
Published: March 2011

AbstractAlthough cell‐based studies have shown that γ‐tocotrienol (γTE) exhibits stronger anticancer activities than other forms of vitamin E including γ‐tocopherol (γT), the molecular bases underlying γTE‐exerted effects remains to be elucidated. Here we showed that γTE treatment promoted apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy in human prostate PC‐3 and LNCaP cancer cells. In search of potential mechanisms of γTE‐provoked effects, we found that γTE treatment led to marked increase of intracellular dihydroceramide and dihydrosphingosine, the sphingolipid intermediates in de novo sphingolipid synthesis pathway but had no effects on ceramide or sphingosine. The elevation of these sphingolipids by γTE preceded or coincided with biochemical and morphological signs of cell death and was much more pronounced than that induced by γT, which accompanied with much higher cellular uptake of γTE than γT. The importance of sphingolipid accumulation in γTE‐caused fatality was underscored by the observation that dihydrosphingosine and dihydroceramide potently reduced the viability of both prostate cell lines and LNCaP cells, respectively. In addition, myriosin, a specific inhibitor of de novo sphingolipid synthesis, counteracted γTE‐induced cell death. In agreement with these cell‐based studies, γTE inhibited LNCaP xenograft growth by 53% (p < 0.05), compared to 33% (p = 0.07) by γT, in nude mice. These findings provide a molecular basis of γTE‐stimulated cancer cell death and support the notion that elevation of intracellular dihydroceramide and dihydrosphingosine is likely a novel anticancer mechanism.
Cytotoxic activity of the histone deacetylase inhibitor panobinostat (LBH589) in anaplastic thyroid cancer in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Catalano Maria Graziella , Pugliese Mariateresa , Gargantini Eleonora , Grange Cristina , Bussolati Benedetta , Asioli Sofia , Bosco Ornella , Poli Roberta , Compagnone Alessandra , Bandino Andrea , Mainini Franco , Fortunati Nicoletta , Boccuzzi Giuseppe 
Published: March 2011

AbstractAnaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) has a rapidly fatal clinical course, being resistant to multimodal treatments. Microtubules, α/β tubulin heterodimers, are crucial in cell signaling, division and mitosis and are among the most successful targets for anticancer therapy. Panobinostat (LBH589) is a potent deacetylase inhibitor acting both on histones and nonhistonic proteins, including α‐tubulin. In vitro LBH589, evaluated in three ATC cell lines (BHT‐101, CAL‐62 and 8305C), resulted in impairment of cell viability, inhibition of colony formation, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction. Mechanistically, we showed that LBH589 not only affected the expression of p21 and cyclin D1, but markedly determined microtubule stabilization as evidenced by tubulin acetylation and increased tubulin polymerization. In a SCID xenograft model implanted with CAL‐62 cells, the cytotoxic properties of LBH589 were confirmed. The drug at the dose of 20 mg/kg significantly impaired tumor growth (final tumor volume 2.5‐fold smaller than in untreated animals); at this dose, no relevant side effects were observed. In tumors of treated animals, a significant reduction of Ki67, which was negatively correlated with tubulin acetylation, was observed. Moreover, acetyl‐tubulin levels negatively correlated with tumor volume at sacrifice, reinforcing the opinion that tubulin acetylation has a role in the inhibition of tumor growth. In conclusion, LBH589, acting on both histones and nonhistonic proteins in anaplastic thyroid cancer, appears to be a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of this kind of cancer which is known not to respond to conventional therapy.
Dysregulation of microRNA‐204 mediates migration and invasion of endometrial cancer by regulating FOXC1
Authors: Chung T.K.H. , Lau T.S. , Cheung T.H. , Yim S.F. , Lo K.W.K. , Siu N.S.S. , Chan L.K.Y. , Yu M.Y. , Kwong J. , Doran G. , Barroilhet L.M. , Ng A.S.W. , Wong R.R.Y. , Wang V.W. , Mok S.C. , Smith D.I. , Berkowitz R.S. , Wong Y.F. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate mRNA stability and protein expression, and certain miRNAs have been demonstrated to act either as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. Differential miRNA expression signatures have been documented in many human cancers but the role of miRNAs in endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC) remains poorly understood. This study identifies significantly dysregulated miRNAs of EEC cells, and characterizes their impact on the malignant phenotype. We studied the expression of 365 human miRNAs using Taqman low density arrays in EECs and normal endometriums. Candidate differentially expressed miRNAs were validated by quantitative real‐time PCR. Expression of highly dysregulated miRNAs was examined in vitro through the effect of anti‐/pre‐miRNA transfection on the malignant phenotype. We identified 16 significantly dysregulated miRNAs in EEC and 7 of these are novel findings with respect to EEC. Antagonizing the function of miR‐7, miR‐194 and miR‐449b, or overexpressing miR‐204, repressed migration, invasion and extracellular matrix‐adhesion in HEC1A endometrial cancer cells. FOXC1 was determined as a target gene of miR‐204, and two binding sites in the 3′‐untranslated region were validated by dual luciferase reporter assay. FOXC1 expression was inversely related to miR‐204 expression in EEC. Functional analysis revealed the involvement of FOXC1 in migration and invasion of HEC1A cells. Our results present dysfunctional miRNAs in endometrial cancer and identify a crucial role for miR‐204‐FOXC1 interaction in endometrial cancer progression. This miRNA signature offers a potential biomarker for predicting EEC outcomes, and targeting of these cancer progression‐ and metastasis‐related miRNAs offers a novel potential therapeutic strategy for the disease.
Carcinogenetic risk estimation based on quantification of DNA methylation levels in liver tissue at the precancerous stage
Authors: Nagashio Ryo , Arai Eri , Ojima Hidenori , Kosuge Tomoo , Kondo Yutaka , Kanai Yae 
Published: March 2011

AbstractFor appropriate surveillance of patients at the precancerous stage for hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), carcinogenetic risk estimation is advantageous. The aim of our study was to establish criteria for such estimation based on DNA methylation profiling. The DNA methylation status of 203 CpG sites on 25 bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones, whose DNA methylation status had been proven to discriminate samples of noncancerous liver tissue obtained from patients with HCC (N) from normal liver tissue (C) samples by BAC array‐based methylated CpG island amplification, was evaluated quantitatively using pyrosequencing. The 45 CpG sites whose DNA methylation levels differed significantly between C and N in the learning cohort (n = 22) were identified. The criteria combining DNA methylation status for the 30 regions including the 45 CpG sites were able to diagnose N as being at high risk of carcinogenesis with 100% sensitivity and specificity in the learning cohort and 95.6% sensitivity and 100% specificity in the validation (n = 90) cohort. DNA methylation status for the 30 regions in N samples was significantly correlated with the outcome of patients with HCCs, indicating that clinicopathologically valid DNA methylation alterations have already accumulated at the precancerous stage. The DNA methylation status of the 30 regions did not depend on the presence or absence of hepatitis virus infection, or the status of noncancerous liver tissue (chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis). These criteria may be applicable for carcinogenetic risk estimation using liver biopsy specimens obtained from patients who are followed up because of chronic liver diseases.
MicroRNA profiles of prostate carcinoma detected by multiplatform microRNA screening
Authors: Wach Sven , Nolte Elke , Szczyrba Jaroslaw , Stöhr Robert , Hartmann Arndt , Ørntoft Torben , Dyrskjøt Lars , Eltze Elke , Wieland Wolf , Keck Bastian , Ekici Arif B. , Grässer Friedrich , Wullich Bernd 
Published: March 2011

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA molecules that regulate gene expression via posttranscriptional inhibition of protein synthesis. They play a vital role in tumorigenesis. To characterize the diagnostic potential of miRNAs in prostate cancer, a leading cause of cancer mortality, we performed screening of miRNA expression profiles. We used commercially available microarrays to establish miRNA expression profiles from a cohort of 20 cancer samples. The expression of selected miRNAs was analyzed by quantitative real‐time PCR and the identity of miRNA expressing cells was determined by miRNAin situhybridization. We identified 25 miRNAs that showed a significant differential expression in cancer samples. The comparison with previously published data generated by deep sequencing of cDNA libraries of small RNA molecules revealed a concordance rate of 47% among miRNAs identified with both techniques. The differential expression of miRNAsmiR‐375,miR‐143andmiR‐145was validated by quantitative PCR. MiRNAin situhybridization revealed that the differential expression is cancer‐cell associated. A combination of three miRNAs correctly classified tissue samples with an accuracy of 77.6% with an area under the receiver–operator characteristic curve of 0.810. Our data extend the knowledge about the deregulation of miRNAs in prostate cancer. The differential expression of several miRNAs is highly consistent using independent cohorts of tumor samples, different tissue preservation methods and different experimental methods. Our results indicate that combinations of miRNAs are promising biomarkers for the diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Down‐regulation of Thanatos‐associated protein 11 by BCR‐ABL promotes CML cell proliferation through c‐Myc expression
Authors: Nakamura Satoki , Yokota Daisuke , Tan Lin , Nagata Yasuyuki , Takemura Tomonari , Hirano Isao , Shigeno Kazuyuki , Shibata Kiyoshi , Fujisawa Shinya , Ohnishi Kazunori 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBcr‐Abl activates various signaling pathways in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cells. The proliferation of Bcr‐Abl transformed cells is promoted by c‐Myc through the activation of Akt, JAK2 and NF‐κB. However, the mechanism by which c‐Myc regulates CML cell proliferation is unclear. In our study, we investigated the role of Thanatos‐associated protein 11 (THAP11), which inhibits c‐Myc transcription, in CML cell lines and in hematopoietic progenitor cells derived from CML patients. The induction of THAP11 expression by Abl kinase inhibitors in CML cell lines and in CML‐derived hematopoietic progenitor cells resulted in the suppression of c‐Myc. In addition, over‐expression of THAP11 inhibited CML cell proliferation. In colony forming cells derived from CML‐aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)hi/CD34+ cells, treatment with Abl kinase inhibitors and siRNA depletion of Bcr‐Abl induced THAP11 expression and reduced c‐Myc expression, resulting in inhibited colony formation. Moreover, overexpression of THAP11 significantly decreased the colony numbers, and also inhibited the expression of c‐myc target genes such as Cyclin D1, ODC and induced the expression of p21Cip1. The depletion of THAP11 inhibited JAK2 or STAT5 inactivation‐mediated c‐Myc reduction in ALDHhi/CD34+ CML cells. Thus, the induced THAP11 might be one of transcriptional regulators of c‐Myc expression in CML cell. Therefore, the induction of THAP11 has a potential possibility as a target for the inhibition of CML cell proliferation.
Risk of liquidity and contagion of the crisis on the United States, United Kingdom and euro zone money markets
Authors: Blancheton Bertrand , Bordes Christian , Maveyraud Samuel , Rous Philippe 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTThe financial crisis has produced a generalized rise of the liquidity risk on the money markets. The purpose of this article is to highlight the mechanisms of contagion between the money markets of the United States, the United Kingdom and the Euro Zone. To give an account of these mechanisms, a BEKK model, in which we introduce a structural break, is adopted. Thus, this model explicitly tests the spillover effects of the liquidity risk premium on money markets. The results show that before the financial crisis (i.e. the reference period), there is a recursive propagation process between the Euro€ and the BP£ zones, a propagation process between the BP£ and the US$ areas and an obvious spread of volatilities from the EU€ zone towards the US$ zone;. During the crisis period, the liquidity problems start from the US money market to the UK£ and EU€ money markets. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On finding an orthogonal convex skull of a digital object
Authors: Dutt Mousumi , Biswas Arindam , Bhowmick Partha , Bhattacharya Bhargab B. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractA combinatorial algorithm to compute an orthogonal convex skull of a digital object imposed on the background grid is presented in this paper. The proposed algorithm has the time complexity of O(n log n), which improves the earlier method of O(n2) time complexity for finding the convex skull of a simple orthogonal polygon. A set of rules is formulated first and then an orthogonal convex skull is derived by applying these rules while traversing along the boundary of the inner orthogonal polygon that tightly inscribes the given digital object. The algorithm uses only comparison and addition in the integer domain, which makes it amenable to fast real‐world applications. Experimental results on different shapes have also been presented to demonstrate the efficacy and elegance of the proposed technique. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 21, 14–27, 2011.
Development of a compliant and cytocompatible micro‐fibrous polyethylene terephthalate vascular scaffold
Authors: Moreno M. J. , Ajji A. , Mohebbi‐Kalhori D. , Rukhlova M. , Hadjizadeh A. , Bureau M. N. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBioengineering approaches have been intensively applied to create small diameter vascular grafts using artificial materials. However, a fully successful, high performing and anti‐thrombogenic structure has not been achieved yet. In this study, we have designed and fabricated a novel non‐woven fibrous vascular graft with biomechanical properties closely resembling those of native vessels. Vascular cell growth, preservation of cell phenotype, retention of vasoactive properties, as well as the effect of gelatin coating on the cellular interaction with the scaffolds under static and shear stress conditions were investigated. The non‐woven fibrous scaffolds were made from melt blown polyethylene terephthalate fiber webs stacked by means of a consolidation technique. The scaffold variables were fiber diameter distribution and the number of consolidated web stacks. SEM analysis confirmed various fiber diameter and pore size ranges corresponding to the different conditions. The scaffolds showed burst pressure values of ∼1500 mmHg and compliance (8.4 ± 1.0 × 10−2% mmHg−1) very similar to those of native arteries (∼8 × 10−2% mmHg−1). The structure with the smallest fiber diameter range (1–5 μm) and pore size range (1–20 μm) was the most suitable for the growth of human brain endothelial cells and aortic smooth muscle cells. The cells maintained their specific cell phenotype, expressed collagen and elastin and produced cAMP in response to α‐calcitonin gene‐related peptide. However, under shear stress conditions (0.9 dyne cm−2), only 30% of the cells were retained in both uncoated and gelatin‐coated scaffolds indicating the need for improving the cell retention capacity of these structures, which is our future research direction. This study indicates that the biomechanical and biocompatible properties of this novel vascular scaffold are promising for the development of a vascular graft with similar characteristics to those of native vessels. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2011.
Lentiviral vector‐mediated siRNA knockdown and concurrent rescue of Murine CIN85
Authors: Wang Yumei , Zhang Xiaoan , Zhang Qinxian , Sheng Guangyao 
Published: March 2011

AbstractRNA interference (RNAi), an evolutionarily conserved process of gene silencing, is now a common tool in gene functional studies. However, potential “off‐target effects” is one of major concerns in RNAi experiment associated with false positive results. Apart from continuing improvement in small interfering RNA (siRNA) designs, there is no method available to prevent the generation of “off‐target effects” resulted from possible identity between siRNA and abundant cellular mRNA transcripts. In the present study, we have developed a lentiviral vector‐mediated system that allows efficient siRNA silencing and concurrent rescue of targeted genes. While this approach does not eliminate potential “off‐target effects,” concurrent rescue of a target gene allows a definite judgment with regard to a phenotype change, either from expected siRNA silencing or “off‐target effects.” The system has been validated with murine CIN85 gene and may be generally applicable in molecular studies from broad fields. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 25:55–59 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/jbt.20331