bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hereditary pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma
Authors: Mazzaglia Peter J. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractHereditary pheochromocytomas (pheo) and paragangliomas (pgl) are caused by identifiable germline mutations. The previously well‐known associated syndromes include neurofibromatosis type 1, multiple endocrine neoplasia 2 A and B, and von Hippel‐Lindau syndrome. Newly discovered mutations in the succinate dehydrogenase gene complex have been identified as a cause of inherited pgls and pheos. It is now clear that up to 30% of patients presenting with sporadic pheos/pgls harbor a recognizable germline mutation, and therefore directed genetic testing is recommended for many of these patients. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:580–585. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Summary outcomes of two‐stage resection for advanced colorectal liver metastases
Authors: Chua Terence C. , Liauw Winston , Chu Francis , Morris David L. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBackgroundSurgical resection is associated with improved long‐term survival in patients with colorectal liver metastases (CLM). However, majority of patients have unresectable bilobar advanced liver metastases. Two‐stage resection (TSR) allows selected patients to achieve complete resection when combined with chemotherapy and interventional radiological procedures.MethodsElectronic search of the MEDLINE and PubMed databases (January 2000–October 2011) to identify studies examining the outcomes of the surgical approach of TSR of advanced CLM was undertaken.ResultsTwelve studies were examined. This comprised 488 patients. A median of 77% (range: 64–100%) of planned patients completed TSR. The most common reason for failure was due to disease progression observed in a median of 100% (range: 56–100%) of patients. Second‐stage resection appeared to be more morbid compared to first‐stage resection with higher complication rates (33% vs. 14%) and requiring more blood transfusions (3 U vs. 1 U). Completed TSR achieved a median survival of 37 (range: 18–66) months, median 3‐year survival rate of 60% (range: 45–84%), and median 5‐year survival rate of 48% (range: 32–70%). In patients who failed TSR, the median survival was 16 (range: 10–29) months.ConclusionIn carefully selected candidates with advanced bilobar CLM, the TSR approach achieves long‐term survival in patients who would otherwise be considered for palliative chemotherapy only. Despite failing to complete TSR, patients had an encouraging survival outcome that appeared to compare favorably over palliative chemotherapy alone. J. Surg. Oncol. 2013;107:211–216. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Circulating miR‐34a levels are reduced in colorectal cancer
Authors: Nugent M. , Miller N. , Kerin M.J. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractIntroductionMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non‐coding RNA segments that regulate gene expression via post‐transcriptional inhibition and have roles in cell differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. Expression differs between tumor and normal tissue in several malignancies. Most work has focused on tissue and cell expression with few reports of circulating miRNAs in colorectal cancer. Available biomarkers for colorectal cancer have limited sensitivity and specificity, thus there is a need for new markers.AimsThis study aimed to identify miRNAs that are differentially expressed in the blood of colorectal cancer patients compared to controls and to establish if this is specific to colorectal cancer and thus could be utilized as potential tumor markers.MethodsBlood samples were collected from 63 colorectal cancer patients and 45 controls. Expression of 7 target miRNAs (miR‐143, miR‐145, miR‐21, miR‐30a‐3p, miR‐31, miR‐34a, and miR‐92) was measured using RQ‐PCR. Results were correlated with clinicopathological data and analyzed. Analysis of differentially expressed circulating miRNAs was expanded to include 62 patients with prostate, renal, breast, and melanoma cancers.ResultsAnalysis of the relative quantification of the target miRNAs showed significantly reduced expression (P = 0.004) of miR‐34a in colorectal cancer. MiR‐34a was also significantly reduced in breast cancer (P = 0.019).ConclusionThis study demonstrates significantly reduced expression of circulating miR‐34a in colorectal and breast cancer. This may have future application as part of a biomarker profile. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106: 947–952. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Intervention effectiveness among war‐affected children: A cluster randomized controlled trial on improving mental health
Authors: Qouta Samir R. , Palosaari Esa , Diab Marwan , Punamäki Raija‐Leena 
Published: May 2012

AbstractWe examined the effectiveness of a psychosocial intervention in reducing mental health symptoms among war‐affected children, and the role of peritraumatic dissociation in moderating the intervention impact on posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). School classes were randomized into intervention (n = 242) and waitlist control (n = 240) conditions in Gaza, Palestine. The intervention group participated in 16 extracurriculum sessions of teaching recovery techniques (TRT) and the controls received normal school‐provided support. Participants were 10‐ to 13‐year‐old Palestinian girls (49.4%) and boys (50.6%). Data on PTSS, depressive symptoms, and psychological distress were collected at baseline (T1), postintervention (T2), and 6‐month follow‐up (T3). Peritraumatic dissociation was assessed only at baseline. Regression analyses that took regression to the mean and cluster sampling into account were applied. The results on intervention effectiveness were specific to gender and peritraumatic dissociation. At T2, the intervention significantly reduced the proportion of clinical PTSS among boys, and both the symptom level (R2 = .24), and proportion of clinical PTSS among girls who had a low level of peritraumatic dissociation. The results have implications for risk‐specific tailoring of psychosocial interventions in war conditions.
Poly(ethylene carbonate) Nanoparticles as Carrier System for Chemotherapy Showing Prolonged in vivo Circulation and Anti‐Tumor Efficacy
Authors: Renette Thomas , Librizzi Damiano , Endres Thomas , Merkel Olivia , Beck‐Broichsitter Moritz , Bege Nadja , Petersen Holger , Curdy Catherine , Kissel Thomas 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThe aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of PEC nanoparticles as delivery system for cancer chemotherapy. Assembly of paclitaxel‐loaded nanoparticles with high loading efficiency and narrow‐size distribution is successful. For non‐invasive in vivo tracing, nanoparticle blends of chelator bearing poly(lactide) with PEC and PLGA are successfully prepared. Pharmacokinetic studies in mice reveal a twofold higher circulation time of PEC as compared to PLGA. A tumor model shows an accumulation of PEC NPs in cancerous tissue and a higher anti‐tumor efficiency compared to the standard Taxol™, which is reflected in a significantly slower tumor growth compared to the NaCl control group. magnified image
Poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline) as Alternative for the Stealth Polymer Poly(ethylene glycol): Comparison of in vitro Cytotoxicity and Hemocompatibility
Authors: Bauer Marius , Lautenschlaeger Christian , Kempe Kristian , Tauhardt Lutz , Schubert Ulrich S. , Fischer Dagmar 
Published: May 2012

AbstractLimitations of PEG in drug delivery have been reported from clinical trials. PEtOx (0.4–40 kDa) as alternative is synthesized by a living, microwave‐assisted polymerization, and is directly compared to PEG of similar molar mass regarding cytotoxicity and hemocompatibility. In short‐term treatments, both types of polymers are well tolerated even at high concentrations. Moderate concentration and molar mass dependent cytotoxic effects occurred only after long‐term incubation at concentrations higher than therapeutic doses. PEtOx possesses not only an easy route of synthesis and beneficial physicochemical characteristics such as low viscosity and high stability, which are advantageous over PEG, but additionally in vitro toxicology comparable to PEG. magnified image
Magnetic resonance imaging of the substantia nigra in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Lehéricy Stéphane , Sharman Michael A. , Santos Clarisse Longo Dos , Paquin Raphaël , Gallea Cecile 
Published: May 2012

AbstractUntil recently, conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was most often negative in Parkinson's disease or showed nonspecific findings. Recent developments in structural MRI, including relaxometry, magnetization transfer, and neuromelanin imaging, have demonstrated improved contrast and enabled more accurate visualization of deep brain nuclei, in particular, the substantia nigra. Meanwhile, diffusion imaging has provided useful biomarkers of substantia nigra degeneration, showing reduced anisotropy and anatomical connectivity with the striatum and thalamus. These advances in structural imaging are complemented by findings of magnetic resonance spectroscopy on brain metabolism and resting‐state functional MRI on functional connectivity. This article presents an overview of these new structural, metabolic, and resting‐state functional MRI techniques and their implications for Parkinson's disease. The techniques are reviewed in the context of their potential for better understanding the disease in terms of diagnosis and pathophysiology and as biomarkers of its progression. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Short latency activation of cortex during clinically effective subthalamic deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease
Authors: Walker Harrison C. , Huang He , Gonzalez Christopher L. , Bryant James E. , Killen Jeffrey , Cutter Gary R. , Knowlton Robert C. , Montgomery Erwin B. , Guthrie Bart L. , Watts Ray L. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractSubthalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) is superior to medical therapy for the motor symptoms of advanced Parkinson's disease (PD), and additional evidence suggests that it improves refractory symptoms of essential tremor, primary generalized dystonia, and obsessive‐compulsive disorder. Despite this, its therapeutic mechanism is unknown. We hypothesized that subthalamic stimulation activates the cerebral cortex at short latencies after stimulus onset during clinically effective stimulation for PD. In 5 subjects (six hemispheres), EEG measured the response of cortex to subthalamic stimulation across a range of stimulation voltages and frequencies. Novel analytical techniques reversed the anode and cathode electrode contacts and summed the resulting pair of event‐related potentials to suppress the stimulation artifact. We found that subthalamic brain stimulation at 20 Hz activates the somatosensory cortex at discrete latencies (mean latencies: 1.0 ± 0.4, 5.7 ± 1.1, and 22.2 ± 1.8 ms, denoted as R1, R2, and R3, respectively). The amplitude of the short latency peak (R1) during clinically effective high‐frequency stimulation is nonlinearly dependent on stimulation voltage (P < 0.001; repeated‐measures analysis of variance), and its latency is less variable than that of R3 (1.02 versus 19.46 ms; P < 0.001, Levene's test). We conclude that clinically effective subthalamic brain stimulation in humans with PD activates the cerebral cortex at 1 ms after stimulus onset, most likely by antidromic activation. These findings suggest that alteration of the precise timing of action potentials in cortical neurons with axonal projections to the subthalamic region may be an important component of the therapeutic mechanism of subthalamic brain stimulation. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Dietary intake of rosmarinic acid by ApcMin mice, a model of colorectal carcinogenesis: levels of parent agent in the target tissue and effect on adenoma development
Authors: Karmokar Ankur , Marczylo Timothy H. , Cai Hong , Steward William P. , Gescher Andreas J. , Brown Karen 
Published: May 2012

ScopeRosmarinic acid (RA), a constituent of culinary herbs is considered to possess cancer chemopreventive properties. It has been shown to inhibit the development of cancer in preclinical models but data are conflicting and whether it can protect against gastrointestinal malignancies in vivo has not been examined. This study aimed to investigate the effect of RA on the development of intestinal adenomas in the ApcMin mouse model of colorectal carcinogenesis, and to correlate efficacy with levels of RA achieved in the plasma and gastrointestinal tract.Methods and resultsRA inhibited the growth of APC10.1 cells derived from ApcMin mouse adenomas, with an IC50 of 43 μM. Consumption of dietary RA (0.3%) by ApcMin mice for 8 weeks post weaning decreased adenoma burden by ∼35%, but the difference from controls was not significant. Although RA significantly decreased the frequency of large adenomas, the number of small ones increased. Using a novel validated HPLC assay, average levels of RA in the plasma and intestinal mucosa of these mice were found to be 1.1 μM and 38 nmol/g, respectively.ConclusionChronic consumption of RA furnished quantifiable levels of parent compound in the plasma and intestinal tract of ApcMin mice and may slow adenoma development.
Calcium‐sensing receptor mediates dietary peptide‐induced CCK secretion in enteroendocrine STC‐1 cells
Authors: Nakajima Shingo , Hira Tohru , Hara Hiroshi 
Published: May 2012

ScopeDietary peptides are potent stimulators of cholecystokinin (CCK) secretion, but the sensing mechanism in CCK‐producing cells is poorly understood. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the calcium‐sensing receptor (CaSR) mediates CCK secretion induced by amino acids. We investigated the role of CaSR in CCK secretions induced by various protein hydrolysates (egg albumin, meat, casein, azuki bean, soybean ß‐conglycinin, and potato) in the enteroendocrine cell line STC‐1.Methods and resultsCCK secretions in response to these hydrolysates were measured in the STC‐1 cells with or without CaSR antagonist (NPS 2143) treatment. Changes in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in response to protein hydrolysates were measured in Human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells transfected with CaSR‐expression vector. Protein hydrolysates‐induced CCK secretions were decreased by CaSR antagonist treatment, except meat hydrolysate‐induced secretion. Protein hydrolysates increased [Ca2+]i in CaSR‐transfected HEK 293 cells. CaSR antagonist treatment suppressed low molecular weight fractions of azuki hydrolysate‐induced CCK secretion, but the secretion induced by both low and high molecular weight fractions of ß‐conglycinin hydrolysate. Further, CCK secretion induced by peptide fractions (>500 Da) derived from various protein hydrolysates were also reduced by CaSR antagonist.ConclusionThese results demonstrate that CaSR plays a significant role in sensing various dietary peptides in triggering CCK secretion in enteroendocrine cells.
Lycopene induces retinoic acid receptor transcriptional activation in mice
Authors: Aydemir Gamze , Carlsen Harald , Blomhoff Rune , Rühl Ralph 
Published: May 2012

ScopeLycopene is a lipophilic carotenoid and provides the red colour to tomatoes and tomato product. Various studies indicated that lycopene and tomatoes/tomato products are able to positively influence various diseases associated with a chronic inflammation. The mechanism of action of lycopene to elicit these effects is partly unknown. A possible mechanism is that biological metabolites of lycopene may activate nuclear hormone receptors in mammalian cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of orally administered lycopene and all‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA) for the induction of the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) in a transgenic retinoic acid response‐element (RARE)‐reporter mouse system.Methods and resultsOrally administered lycopene (100 mg/kg bw in beadlets, n = 6) and ATRA as an endogenous RAR ligand (50 mg/kg bw, n = 6) for the induction of the retinoic acid receptor in male mice using a transgenic RARE‐reporter mouse system.ConclusionLycopene treatments induced RARE‐mediated cell signalling indicated by quantified bioimaging, increased luciferase activity and up‐regulated the retinoid target genes in selected organs of the mice. We conclude that lycopene can induce RAR‐transcriptional activation in mice and lycopene might be a precursor of still non‐identified biologically active metabolites.
Capsaicin induces CYP3A4 expression via pregnane X receptor and CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein β activation
Authors: Han Eun Hee , Kim Hyung Gyun , Choi Jae Ho , Jang Yin‐Jin , Lee Sang Seop , Kwon Kwang‐il , Kim Eunyoung , Noh Kyeumhan , Jeong Tae Cheon , Hwang Yong Pil , Chung Young Chul , Kang Wonku , Jeong Hye Gwang 
Published: May 2012

ScopeCapsaicin (8‐methyl‐N‐vanillyl‐6‐nonenamide) is the principal pungent ingredient in hot red and chili peppers. Many studies have focused on the anticarcinogenic or chemopreventive activities of capsaicin. However, the influence of capsaicin on CYP3A4, its involvement in drug metabolism, and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.Methods and resultsHere, we examined the effect of capsaicin on CYP3A4 expression and the metabolism of CYP3A1 substrate, nifedipine in male Sprague–Dawley rats. Capsaicin induced the enzymatic activity and expression of CYP3A4 in HepG2 cells. Treatment with a human pregnane X receptor (hPXR) inhibitor reduced the inductive effects of capsaicin on CYP3A4 expression. Capsaicin also induced the activation of CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein β (C/EBPβ). Moreover, capsaicin increased the activation of the transient receptor potential vanilloid type‐1 receptor downstream signaling components Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase and Akt. Capsaicin elevated the level of CYP3A1 in rat liver and significantly increased the biotransformation of nifedipine to dehydronifedipine.ConclusionFrom these data, we conclude that capsaicin induces CYP3A4 expression in vitro and in vivo. This induction was achieved by the activation of hPXR and C/EBPβ. Our results suggest that capsaicin might induce CYP3A4 expression; thus, exposure to capsaicin may increase the metabolism of CYP3A4 substrate and potentially cause food–drug interactions.
Molecular mechanism of curcumin on the suppression of cholesterol accumulation in macrophage foam cells and atherosclerosis
Authors: Zhao Jing‐Feng , Ching Li‐Chieh , Huang Yu‐Chu , Chen Chien‐Yu , Chiang An‐Na , Kou Yu Ru , Shyue Song‐Kun , Lee Tzong‐Shyuan 
Published: May 2012

ScopeCurcumin, a potent antioxidant extracted from Curcuma longa, confers protection against atherosclerosis, yet the detailed mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we examined the effect of curcumin on lipid accumulation and the underlying molecular mechanisms in macrophages and apolipoprotein E‐deficient (apoE−/−) mice.Methods and resultsTreatment with curcumin markedly ameliorated oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (oxLDL)‐induced cholesterol accumulation in macrophages, which was due to decreased oxLDL uptake and increased cholesterol efflux. In addition, curcumin decreased the protein expression of scavenger receptor class A (SR‐A) but increased that of ATP‐binding cassette transporter (ABC) A1 and had no effect on the protein expression of CD36, class B receptor type I (SR‐BI), or ATP‐binding cassette transporter G1 (ABCG1). The downregulation of SR‐A by curcumin was via ubiquitin–proteasome–calpain‐mediated proteolysis. Furthermore, the curcumin‐induced upregulation of ABCA1 was mainly through calmodulin‐liver X receptor α (LXRα)‐dependent transcriptional regulation. Curcumin administration modulated the expression of SR‐A, ABCA1, ABCG1, and SR‐BI in aortas and retarded atherosclerosis in apoE−/− mice.ConclusionOur findings suggest that inhibition of SR‐A‐mediated oxLDL uptake and promotion of ABCA1‐dependent cholesterol efflux are two crucial events in suppression of cholesterol accumulation by curcumin in the transformation of macrophage foam cells.
Impact of dietary fibre‐enriched ready‐to‐eat extruded snacks on the postprandial glycaemic response of non‐diabetic patients
Authors: Brennan Margaret A. , Derbyshire Emma J. , Brennan Charles S. , Tiwari Brijesh K. 
Published: May 2012

Food intervention is a financially sensible way for prevention and treatment of diabetes. Extruded snack foods are considered high glycaemic products. Our previous research illustrated that postprandial glycaemic responses to snacks are manipulated by altering dietary fibre and starch contents. The current research assessed the effect of psyllium and oat bran on postprandial glycaemia and in vitro digestibility. Addition of psyllium fibre to extruded snack products significantly reduced both the in vitro and in vivo glycaemic responses of products compared to a control snack product recipe. Oat bran inclusion reduced in vitro starch digestibility but not in vivo glycaemic response. The inclusion of oat bran into the snack products appeared to extend the glycaemic response of individuals compared to the control snack, suggesting a possibility of prolonging glucose release and potentially affecting satiety responses. The positive effect in attenuating glucose response means that psyllium fibre could be a target for inclusion by the snack food industry to effectively manipulate postprandial glucose response of individuals.
A novel Bayesian strategy for the identification of spatially varying material properties and model validation: an application to static elastography
Authors: Koutsourelakis Phaedon‐Stelios 
Published: May 2012

SUMMARYThe present paper proposes a novel Bayesian, a computational strategy in the context of model‐based inverse problems in elastostatics. On one hand, we attempt to provide probabilistic estimates of the material properties and their spatial variability that account for the various sources of uncertainty. On the other hand, we attempt to address the question of model fidelity in relation to the experimental reality and particularly in the context of the material constitutive law adopted. This is especially important in biomedical settings when the inferred material properties will be used to make decisions/diagnoses. We propose an expanded parametrization that enables the quantification of model discrepancies in addition to the constitutive parameters. We propose scalable computational strategies for carrying out inference and learning tasks and demonstrate their effectiveness in numerical examples with noiseless and noisy synthetic data. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Three‐dimensional meshfree‐enriched finite element formulation for micromechanical hyperelastic modeling of particulate rubber composites
Authors: Wu C.T. , Koishi M. 
Published: May 2012

SUMMARYA three‐dimensional microstructure‐based finite element framework is presented for modeling the mechanical response of rubber composites in the microscopic level. This framework introduces a novel finite element formulation, the meshfree‐enriched FEM, to overcome the volumetric locking and pressure oscillation problems that normally arise in the numerical simulation of rubber composites using conventional displacement‐based FEM. The three‐dimensional meshfree‐enriched FEM is composed of five‐noded tetrahedral elements with a volume‐weighted smoothing of deformation gradient between neighboring elements. The L2‐orthogonality property of the smoothing operator enables the employed Hu–Washizu–de Veubeke functional to be degenerated to an assumed strain method, which leads to a displacement‐based formulation that is easily incorporated with the periodic boundary conditions imposed on the unit cell. Two numerical examples are analyzed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.