bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative activities of organic fractions from the Mediterranean brown seaweed Cystoseira sedoides
Authors: Mhadhebi Lamia , Laroche-Clary Audrey , Robert Jacque , Bouraoui Abderrahman 
Published: November 2011

The present study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative activities of organic fractions from Cystoseira sedoides (Desfontaines) C. Agardh . Various fractions of C. sedoides (chloroform (F-CHCl3), ethyl acetate (F-AcOEt), and methanol (F-MeOH)) were screened for total phenol content, as well as antioxidant activity, using the stable radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and assays for determining the reducing power of these fractions. The anti-inflammatory properties of these fractions were assessed using the carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema model. The antiproliferative activity of C. sedoides fractions was evaluated on normal Madin–Darby canine kiney (MDCK), and fibroblast cells and on cancer cell lines (A549, MCF7, and HCT15), using the ability of the cells to metabolically reduce 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) formazan dyes. The F-CHCl3 and F-AcOEt fractions showed significant total phenolic content at 55.09 and 61.30 mg gallic-acid equivalent/g dried sample, respectively. Using the DPPH method, the F-CHCl3 and the F-AcOEt fractions exhibited the strongest radical scavenging activity, with IC50 120 µg/mL for F-CHCl3 and 121 µg/mL for F-AcOEt, which approaches the activity of the powerful antioxidant standard, Trolox (IC50 = 90 µg/mL). The reducing power of the samples was in the following order: F-AcOEt > F-CHCl3 > F-MeOH fraction. The F-CHCl3 and F-AcOEt fractions of C. sedoides tested at different doses (25 and 50 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p)), exhibited a dose-dependent reduction of rat paw oedema. The percentage of inhibition of oedema, 3 h after carrageenan injection, ranged from 67.71% to 73.49% and from 67.74% to 74.58%, for F-CHCl3 and F-AcOEt, respectively. Their effects are comparable with that of lysine acetylsalicylate (300 mg/kg body mass; i.p.), which is used as a reference drug with the ability to inhibit oedema by 66.14%. Our results revealed that the F-CHCl3 and F-AcOEt fractions from C. sedoides showed important antiproliferative properties towards all of the cancer cell lines studied here, as judged by their IC50 values, which ranged from 52.6 to 66.5 µg/mL for A549; 22.4 to 70.2 µg/mL for MCF7, and 250.6 to 255.3 µg/mL for HCT15. Moreover, no visible destruction or alteration of normal cells was observed, even at 500 µg/mL F-CHCl3 or F-AcOEt. These results suggest that C. sedoides fractions might be used as a potential source of natural antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor agents. The purification and determination of the chemical structures of the compounds in these active fractions are under investigation. The results could provide a compound(s) with a promising role in future medicines and nutrition, when used either as a drug or a dietary supplement.
Potent Induction of Tumor Immunity by Combining Tumor Cryoablation with Anti–CTLA-4 Therapy
Authors: Waitz Rebecca , Solomon Stephen B. , Petre Elena N. , Trumble Anne E. , Fassò Marcella , Norton Larry , Allison James P. 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
Thermal ablation to destroy tumor tissue may help activate tumor-specific T cells by elevating the presentation of tumor antigens to the immune system. However, the antitumor activity of these T cells may be restrained by their expression of the inhibitory T-cell coreceptor CTLA-4, the target of the recently U.S. Food and Drug Administration–approved antibody drug ipilumimab. By relieving this restraint, CTLA-4–blocking antibodies such as ipilumimab can promote tumor rejection, but the full scope of their most suitable applications has yet to be fully determined. In this study, we offer a preclinical proof-of-concept in the TRAMP C2 mouse model of prostate cancer that CTLA-4 blockade cooperates with cryoablation of a primary tumor to prevent the outgrowth of secondary tumors seeded by challenge at a distant site. Although growth of secondary tumors was unaffected by cryoablation alone, the combination treatment was sufficient to slow growth or trigger rejection. In addition, secondary tumors were highly infiltrated by CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells, and there was a significant increase in the ratio of intratumoral T effector cells to CD4+FoxP3+ T regulatory cells, compared with monotherapy. These findings documented for the first time an effect of this immunotherapeutic intervention on the intratumoral accumulation and systemic expansion of CD8+ T cells specific for the TRAMP C2–specific antigen SPAS-1. Although cryoablation is currently used to treat a targeted tumor nodule, our results suggest that combination therapy with CTLA-4 blockade will augment antitumor immunity and rejection of tumor metastases in this setting. Cancer Res; 72(2); 430–9. ©2011 AACR.
A Novel Method of Transcriptional Response Analysis to Facilitate Drug Repositioning for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Jin Guangxu , Fu Changhe , Zhao Hong , Cui Kemi , Chang Jenny , Wong Stephen T.C. 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
Little research has been done to address the huge opportunities that may exist to reposition existing approved or generic drugs for alternate uses in cancer therapy. In addition, there has been little work on strategies to reposition experimental cancer agents for testing in alternate settings that could shorten their clinical development time. Progress in each area has lagged, in part, because of the lack of systematic methods to define drug off-target effects (OTE) that might affect important cancer cell signaling pathways. In this study, we addressed this critical gap by developing an OTE-based method to repurpose drugs for cancer therapeutics, based on transcriptional responses made in cells before and after drug treatment. Specifically, we defined a new network component called cancer-signaling bridges (CSB) and integrated it with a Bayesian factor regression model (BFRM) to form a new hybrid method termed CSB-BFRM. Proof-of-concept studies were conducted in breast and prostate cancer cells and in promyelocytic leukemia cells. In each system, CSB-BFRM analysis could accurately predict clinical responses to more than 90% of drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and more than 75% of experimental clinical drugs that were tested. Mechanistic investigation of OTEs for several high-ranking drug–dose pairs suggested repositioning opportunities for cancer therapy, based on the ability to enforce retinoblastoma-dependent repression of important E2F-dependent cell-cycle genes. Together, our findings establish new methods to identify opportunities for drug repositioning or to elucidate the mechanisms of action of repositioned drugs. Cancer Res; 72(1); 33–44. ©2011 AACR.
Renal function and long-term mortality in patients with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis
Authors: Pernicka Elisabeth , Niessner Alexander , Goliasch Georg , Amighi Jasmin , Koppensteiner Renate , Minar Erich , Mlekusch Wolfgang , Rumpold Helmut , Wagner Oswald , Schillinger Martin , Hoke Matthias 
Published: November 2011

SummaryRenal dysfunction is a risk factor for mortality in patients with atherosclerosis. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), cystatin C (CysC) and beta-2-microglobulin (B2M) are measures of renal function. It remains unclear, which of these parameters is the strongest predictor of outcome in patients with atherosclerosis. All-cause and cardiovascular mortality were prospectively investigated in 1,065 consecutive patients with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis. During a median follow-up of 6.3 years 275 patients died (25.8%), including 182 (66.2%) from cardiovascular causes. Estimated GFR, CysC and B2M were all significantly and independently associated with mortality. Inclusion of the renal parameters CysC and B2M but not of eGFR into a model with established cardiovascular risk factors improved the C-statistics significantly (p=0.0035 and 0.036, respectively; p=0.182 for eGFR). The net reclassification improvement (NRI) was 32.4% (p<0.0001) for CysC, 29% (p<0.0001) for B2M, and 16.5% (p=0.019) for eGFR. The integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) was 0.014 (p=0.0009) for CysC and 0.011 (p=0.005) for B2M while it was not significant for eGFR. Results were consistent for various subgroups with different extent of atherosclerosis. In summary, CysC and B2M were found to be independent predictors for mortality and had superior predictive value compared to eGFR in patients with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis. The clinical importance of these findings has to be validated in larger studies with a community-based approach.
Hyoid Bone Advancement for Improving Airway Patency
Authors: Rosenbluth Kathryn H. , Kwiat Dillon A. , Harrison Michael R. , Kezirian Eric J. 
Published: November 2011

ObjectiveThe goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of anterior forces applied to the hyoid bone on upper airway dimensions and airflow. The study also evaluated the feasibility of applying these forces using a novel magnet‐based system.Study DesignHuman cadaver specimens.SettingSurgical laboratory.Subjects and MethodsFive fresh cadaveric specimens were evaluated using fluoroscopy and computed tomography to examine upper airway opening as well as an airflow model to examine upper airway collapse. Anteriorly directed force was applied to the hyoid bone directly using a wire and with a magnet‐based system called the Magnap device. Direct application of force was examined with an axial load frame or suspended weights. The magnet‐based system applied similar forces using an internal, implanted magnet secured to the hyoid bone and an external magnet housed within an orthotic brace.ResultsA force of 2 N perpendicular to the neck skin advanced the hyoid 1 cm, opened the upper airway, and significantly improved airflow. The implanted magnet‐based device generated similar forces, with similar effects on the upper airway.ConclusionApplication of anterior force to the hyoid bone improved upper airway dimensions and airflow in the human cadaver model. These results justify additional study to evaluate the benefits of this magnet‐based system as a possible treatment of upper airway obstruction.
Novel migrating mouse neural crest cell assay system utilizing P0-Cre/EGFP fluorescent time-lapse imaging
Authors: Kawakami Minoru , Umeda Masafumi , Nakagata Naomi , Takeo Toru , Yamamura Ken-ichi 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
Background
Neural crest cells (NCCs) are embryonic, multipotent stem cells. Their long-range and precision-guided migration is one of their most striking characteristics. We previously reported that P0-Cre/CAG-CAT-lacZ double-transgenic mice showed significant lacZ expression in tissues derived from NCCs.

Results
In this study, by embedding a P0-Cre/CAG-CAT-EGFP embryo at E9.5 in collagen gel inside a culture glass slide, we were able to keep the embryo developing ex vivo for more than 24 hours; this development was with enough NCC fluorescent signal intensity to enable single-cell resolution analysis, with the accompanying NCC migration potential intact and with the appropriate NCC response to the extracellular signal maintained. By implantation of beads with absorbed platelet-derived growth factor-AA (PDGF-AA), we demonstrated that PDGF-AA acts as an NCC-attractant in embryos.
We also performed assays with NCCs isolated from P0-Cre/CAG-CAT-EGFP embryos on culture plates. The neuromediator 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) has been known to regulate NCC migration. We newly demonstrated that dopamine, in addition to 5-HT, stimulated NCC migration in vitro. Two NCC populations, with different axial levels of origins, showed unique distribution patterns regarding migration velocity and different dose-response patterns to both 5-HT and dopamine.

Conclusions
Although avian species predominated over the other species in the NCC study, our novel system should enable us to use mice to assay many different aspects of NCCs in embryos or on culture plates, such as migration, division, differentiation, and apoptosis.
Construction and evaluation of a whole genome microarray of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Toepel Jörg , Albaum Stefan P , Arvidsson Samuel , Goesmann Alexander , la Russa Marco , Rogge Kristin , Kruse Olaf 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is widely accepted as a model organism regarding photosynthesis, circadian rhythm, cell mobility, phototaxis, and biotechnology. The complete annotation of the genome allows transcriptomic studies, however a new microarray platform was needed. Based on the completed annotation of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii a new microarray on an Agilent platform was designed using an extended JGI 3.1 genome data set which included 15000 transcript models.

Results
In total 44000 probes were determined (3 independent probes per transcript model) covering 93% of the transcriptome. Alignment studies with the recently published AUGUSTUS 10.2 annotation confirmed 11000 transcript models resulting in a very good coverage of 70% of the transcriptome (17000). Following the estimation of 10000 predicted genes in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii our new microarray, nevertheless, covers the expected genome by 90-95%.

Conclusions
To demonstrate the capabilities of the new microarray, we analyzed transcript levels for cultures grown under nitrogen as well as sulfate limitation, and compared the results with recently published microarray and RNA-seq data. We could thereby confirm previous results derived from data on nutrient-starvation induced gene expression of a group of genes related to protein transport and adaptation of the metabolism as well as genes related to efficient light harvesting, light energy distribution and photosynthetic electron transport.
De novo assembly and characterization of a maternal and developmental transcriptome for the emerging model crustacean Parhyale hawaiensis
Authors: Zeng Victor , Villanueva Karina E , Ewen-Campen Ben S , Alwes Frederike , Browne William E , Extavour Cassandra G 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBackgroundArthropods are the most diverse animal phylum, but their genomic resources are relatively few. While the genome of the branchiopodDaphnia pulexis now available, no other large-scale crustacean genomic resources are available for comparison. In particular, genomic resources are lacking for the most tractable laboratory model of crustacean development, the amphipodParhyale hawaiensis. Insight into shared and divergent characters of crustacean genomes will facilitate interpretation of future developmental, biomedical, and ecological research using crustacean models.ResultsTo generate a transcriptome enriched for maternally provided and zygotically transcribed developmental genes, we created cDNA from ovaries and embryos ofP. hawaiensis. Using 454 pyrosequencing, we sequenced over 1.1 billion bases of this cDNA, and assembled themde novoto create, to our knowledge, the second largest crustacean genomic resource to date. We found an unusually high proportion of C2H2 zinc finger-containing transcripts, as has also been reported for the genome of the pea aphidAcyrthosiphon pisum. Consistent with previous reports, we detected trans-spliced transcripts, but found that they did not noticeably impact transcriptome assembly. Our assembly products yielded 19,067 unique BLAST hits againstnr(E-value cutoff e-10). These included over 400 predicted transcripts with significant similarity toD. pulexsequences but not to sequences of any other animal. Annotation of several hundred genes revealedP. hawaiensishomologues of genes involved in development, gametogenesis, and a majority of the members of six major conserved metazoan signaling pathways.ConclusionsThe amphipodP. hawaiensishas higher transcript complexity than known insect transcriptomes, and trans-splicing does not appear to be a major contributor to this complexity. We discuss the importance of a reliable comparative genomic framework within which to consider findings from new crustacean models such asD. pulexandP. hawaiensis, as well as the need for development of further substantial crustacean genomic resources.
Herbal medicine use among urban residents in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Oreagba Ibrahim Adekunle , Oshikoya Kazeem Adeola , Amachree Mercy 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background
Over three-quarter of the world's population is using herbal medicines with an increasing trend globally. Herbal medicines may be beneficial but are not completely harmless.
This study aimed to assess the extent of use and the general knowledge of the benefits and safety of herbal medicines among urban residents in Lagos, Nigeria.

Methods
The study involved 388 participants recruited by cluster and random sampling techniques. Participants were interviewed with a structured open- and close-ended questionnaire.
The information obtained comprises the demography and types of herbal medicines used by the respondents; indications for their use; the sources, benefits and adverse effects of the herbal medicines they used.

Results
A total of 12 herbal medicines (crude or refined) were used by the respondents, either alone or in combination with other herbal medicines. Herbal medicines were reportedly used by 259 (66.8%) respondents. 'Agbo jedi-jedi' (35%) was the most frequently used herbal medicine preparation, followed by 'agbo-iba' (27.5%) and Oroki herbal mixture® (9%). Family and friends had a marked influence on 78.4% of the respondents who used herbal medicine preparations. Herbal medicines were considered safe by half of the respondents despite 20.8% of those who experienced mild to moderate adverse effects.

Conclusions
Herbal medicine is popular among the respondents but they appear to be ignorant of its potential toxicities. It may be necessary to evaluate the safety, efficacy and quality of herbal medicines and their products through randomised clinical trial studies. Public enlightenment programme about safe use of herbal medicines may be necessary as a means of minimizing the potential adverse effects.
Epidemiology of imported malaria among children and young adults in Barcelona (1990-2008)
Authors: Garcia-Villarrubia Mireia , Millet Juan-Pablo , de Olalla Patricia Garcia , Gascón Joaquim , Fumadó Victoria , i Prat Jordi Gómez , Treviño Begoña , Pinazo María-Jesús , Cabezos Juan , Muñoz José , Zarzuela Francesc , Caylà Joan A 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background
Increasing international travel and migration is producing changes in trends in infectious diseases, especially in children from many European cities. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology and determine the trends of imported malaria in patients under 20 years old in the city of Barcelona, Spain, during an 18-year period.

Methods
The study included malaria cases that were laboratory confirmed and reported to the malaria register at the Public Health Agency of Barcelona from 1990 to 2008, residing in Barcelona and less than 20 years old. Patients were classified as natives (born in Spain) or immigrants. Differences in the distribution of demographic, clinical characteristics, and incidence per 100,000 person-year evolution were analysed. Natives and immigrants were compared by logistic regression by calculating the odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and Chi-square for a linear trend (p < 0.05).

Results
Of the total 174 cases, 143 (82.1%) were immigrants, 100 (57.5%) were female, 121 (69.5%) Plasmodium falciparum, and 108 (62.1%) were visiting friends and relatives (VFR) as the reason for travel. Among the immigrants, 99 (67.8%) were from Equatorial Guinea. Immigrant cases more frequently travelled to Africa than natives (p = 0.02). The factors associated with imported malaria among immigrant residents was travelling for VFR (OR: 6.2 CI 1.9-20.2) and age 15-19 (OR: 3.7 CI 1-13.3). The incidence increased from 1990 to 1999 (p < 0.001) and decreased from 2000 to 2008 (p = 0.01), although the global linear trend was not statistically significant (p = 0.41). The fatality rate was 0.5%.

Conclusions
The majority of cases of malaria in population less than 20 years in Barcelona were immigrants, travelling to Africa for VFR and Plasmodium falciparum was most frequently detected. The trend analysis of the entire study period did not show a statistically significant decline. It is recommended to be aware of malaria, especially among children of immigrants who travel to their parent's home country for VFR. Better access to pre travel advice should be provided.
Impacts of impulsive noise from partial discharges on wireless systems performance: application to MIMO precoders
Authors: Madi Ghadir , Sacuto Fabien , Vrigneau Baptiste , Agba Basile L. , Pousset Yannis , Vauzelle Rodolphe , Gagnon François 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
To satisfy the smart grid electrical network, communication systems in high-voltage substations have to be installed in order to control equipments. Considering that those substations were not necessarily designed for adding communication networks, one of the most appropriate solutions is to use wireless sensor network (WSN). However, the high voltage transported through the station generates a strong and specific radio noise. In order to prepare for such a network, the electromagnetic environment has to be characterized and tests in laboratories have to be performed to estimate the communication performances. This paper presents a method for measuring the noise due to high voltage and more particularly the impulsive noise. In the laboratory, we generate the impulsive noise using two specimens, and we show that these laboratory measurements validate the field measurements of Pakala et al. For the two specimens, it aims to link the noise characteristics (magnitude and frequency) with the specimen parameters (power supply and geometric dimensions) to predict the environments where wireless communications can be troublesome. By using different sets of this measured noise, we show that the statistical model of Middleton Class A can be used to model the impulsive noise in high-voltage substations better than the Gaussian model. We consider a cooperative multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) system to achieve the wireless sensor communication. This system uses recent MIMO techniques based on precoding like max-d
min and P-OSM precoders. The MIMO precoder-based cooperative system is a potential candidate for energy saving in WSN since energy efficiency optimization is a very important critical issue. Since MIMO precoders are with Gaussian noise assumption, we evaluate the performance of several MIMO precoders in the presence of impulsive noise using estimated parameters from the measured noise.
Strong convergent result for quasi-nonexpansive mappings in Hilbert spaces
Authors: Tian Ming , Jin Xin 
Published: November 2011

AbstractIn this article, we study an iterative method over the class of quasi-nonexpansive mappings which are more general than nonexpansive mappings in Hilbert spaces. Our strong convergent theorems include several corresponding authors' results.2000 MSC: 58E35; 47H09; 65J15.
A stabilized mixed discontinuous Galerkin method for the incompressible miscible displacement problem
Authors: Luo Yan , Feng Minfu , Xu Youcai 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
A new fully discrete stabilized discontinuous Galerkin method is proposed to solve the incompressible miscible displacement problem. For the pressure equation, we develop a mixed, stabilized, discontinuous Galerkin formulation. We can obtain the optimal priori estimates for both concentration and pressure.