bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Glioblastoma in the elderly
Authors: Iwamoto Fabio M. , Cooper Anna R. , Reiner Anne S. , Nayak Lakshmi , Abrey Lauren E. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND:Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant primary brain tumor, and approximately 50% of cases occur in patients aged ≥65 years. However, to the authors' knowledge, there is no accepted standard treatment for elderly GBM patients, and specific prognostic factors in the elderly GBM population have not been systematically studied to date.METHODS:The Memorial Sloan‐Kettering Cancer Center institutional database was used to identify patients with histologically confirmed GBM who were aged ≥65 years at the time of diagnosis.RESULTS:Three hundred ninety‐four GBM patients with a median age of 71.9 years (59% of whom were men) were included. Approximately 18% of patients underwent biopsy, whereas 82% underwent tumor resection; 81% received radiotherapy (RT), and 43% received adjuvant chemotherapy. The median overall survival was 8.6 months; at the time of last follow‒up, 90% of patients had died, and the median follow‐up of the 39 surviving patients was 12 months. In a multivariate analysis, younger age, better Karnofsky performance status (KPS), single tumor, and surgical resection were found to be independent predictors of survival. Comparing 103 patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy with 48 who were only followed after RT, there was a 55% decrease in the risk of death (hazards ratio, 0.45; 95% confidence interval, 0.30‐0.66 [P < .0001]) after adjusting for age, KPS, extent of surgical resection, and number of lesions.CONCLUSIONS:Similar to studies in younger GBM patients, advancing age, KPS, and extent of tumor resection were found to be independent prognostic factors in the current study. Although survival is inferior in older GBM patients, age alone should not disqualify patients from aggressive therapy with surgical resection, RT, and chemotherapy. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Immunohistochemical localization of calbindin‐D28k and calretinin in the brainstem of anuran and urodele amphibians
Authors: Morona Ruth , González Agustin 
Published: May 2009

AbstractCalbindin‐D28k (CB) and calretinin (CR) are calcium binding proteins present in distinct sets of neurons; they act as buffers regulating the concentration of intracellular calcium. CB and CR immunohistochemistry was studied in the brainstem of anuran and urodele amphibians in combination with other markers (choline acetyltransferase, tyrosine hydroxylase, and nitric oxide synthase), which served to clarify the localization and signature of many cell groups. CR labeled the retinorecipient layers of the optic tectum, and CB and CR labeled distinct tectal cell populations. The two proteins were largely complementary in the torus semicircularis and marked auditory and lateral line sensory regions, depending on the species. CB and CR in the mesencephalic and isthmic tegmentum specified the boundaries of basal and medial longitudinal bands. In the cerebellum, CB labeled Purkinje cells in all species, whereas CR was mainly found in fibers and labeled Purkinje cells only in Rana. In the parabrachial region, CB and CR allowed the distinction of the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus, isthmic nucleus, locus coeruleus, and rostral octavolateral nuclei. The distribution of CB‐ and CR‐immunoreactive cells in the reticular formation and central gray was consistent with the current models of brainstem segmentation in amphibians. CR was found in the auditory fibers and nuclei in Rana and in mechanosensory lateral line fibers in Xenopus and urodeles, whereas CB mainly labeled vestibular fibers and nuclei in all species. These results highlight the anatomical complexity of the amphibian brainstem and help in an understanding of its regional organization that is not cytoarchitectonically evident. J. Comp. Neurol. 515:503–537, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Botulinum toxin: A noninvasive option for the symptomatic treatment of salivary gland stenosis—A case report
Authors: Kruegel Jenny , Winterhoff Jan , Koehler Sabrina , Matthes Philipp , Laskawi Rainer 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBackground.A man diagnosed with Stensen's duct stenosis exhibited recurrent parotid swelling, invariably during meals. Previous parotid duct dilations and percutaneous radiotherapy were ineffective. Botulinum toxin (BTX) injections were injected into the affected gland to regulate salivary flow and reduce parotid swelling.Methods.BTX (22.5 units) was injected into the affected gland. A second treatment with 30 units BTX was carried out 7 weeks later. Two further injections followed after 4 months, respectively. The results were scored by the patient and evaluated in an examination.Results.The patient reported the disappearance of parotid swelling after 2 weeks of injections. This effect was maintained for 5 weeks after the first treatment and for 4 months after the following 2 treatments. There were no side effects.Conclusion.Here we introduce BTX as a therapeutic option for the treatment of salivary duct stenosis when other therapies are ineffective and before opting for gland extirpation. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2009
Diphenyl diselenide protects against glycerol‐induced renal damage in rats
Authors: Brandão Ricardo , Acker Carmine I. , Leite Marlon R. , Barbosa Nilda B. V. , Nogueira Cristina W. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractIn this study we evaluated the effect of diphenyl diselenide (PhSe)2on glycerol‐induced acute renal failure in rats. Rats were pre‐treated by gavage every day with (PhSe)2(7.14 mg kg−1) for 7 days. On the eighth day, rats received an intramuscular injection of glycerol (8 mL kg−1). Twenty‐four hours afterwards, rats were euthanized and the levels of urea and creatinine were measured in plasma. Catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathioneS‐transferase (GST),δ‐aminolevulinate dehydratase (δ‐ALA‐D) and Na+, K+‐ATPase activities and ascorbic acid levels were evaluated in renal homogenates. Histopathological evaluations were also performed. The results demonstrated that (PhSe)2was able to protect against the increase in urea and creatinine levels and histological alterations in kidney induced by glycerol. (PhSe)2protected against the inhibition inδ‐ALA‐D, CAT and GPx activities and the reduction in ascorbic acid levels induced by glycerol in kidneys of rats. In conclusion, the present results indicate that (PhSe)2was effective in protecting against acute renal failure induced by glycerol. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cartilage tissue engineering on fibrous chitosan scaffolds produced by a replica molding technique
Authors: Ragetly Guillaume R. , Slavik Gregory J. , Cunningham Brian T. , Schaeffer David J. , Griffon Dominique J. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe biocompatibility of chitosan and its similarity with glycosaminoglycans make it attractive as a scaffold for cartilage engineering. Fibrous scaffolds may simulate cartilage extracellular matrix structure and promote chondrocyte functions. Our objectives were to produce chitosan fibers of different size and evaluate their potential for chondrogenesis. A novel replica molding technique was developed to produce chitosan nonwoven scaffolds made of fiber measuring 4, 13, or 22 μm in width. A polyglycolic acid mesh (PGA) served as a reference group. Controls were analyzed 48 h after seeding porcine chondrocytes via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), DNA, and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) quantifications. Constructs were cultured for 21 days prior to confocal microscopy, SEM, histology, and quantitive analysis (weight, water, DNA, GAG and collagen II). Chondrocytes maintained their phenotypic appearance and a viability above 85% on the chitosan scaffolds. Chondrocytes attach preferentially to PGA, resulting in a greater cellularity of these constructs. However, based on the GAG/DNA and Collagen II/DNA ratios, matrix production per chondrocyte was improved in chitosan constructs, especially on smaller fibers. The differences between PGA and chitosan are more likely to result from the chemical composition rather than their structural characteristics. Although chitosan appears to promote matrix formation, further studies should be aimed at improving its cell adhesion properties. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2010
Fabrication of arbitrary polymer patterns for cell study by two‐photon polymerization process
Authors: Jeon Hojeong , Hidai Hirofumi , Hwang David J. , Grigoropoulos Costas P. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractTopographically patterned surfaces are known to be powerful tools for influencing cellular functions. Here we demonstrate a method for fabricating high aspect ratio (∼10) patterns of varying height by using two‐photon polymerization process to study contact guidance of cells. Ridge patterns of various heights and widths were fabricated through single laser scanning steps by low numerical aperture optics, hence at much higher processing throughput. Fibroblast cells were seeded on parallel line patterns of different height (∼1.5‐μm, ∼0.8‐μm, and ∼0.5‐μm) and orthogonal mesh patterns (∼8‐μm and ∼4‐μm height, ∼5‐μm and ∼5.5‐μm height, ∼5‐μm and ∼6‐μm height). Cells experienced different strength of contact guidance depending on the ridge height. Our results demonstrate that a height threshold of nearly 1 μm influences cell alignment on both parallel line and orthogonal mesh patterns. This fabrication technique may find wide application in the design of single cell traps for controlling cell behavior in microdevices and investigating signal transduction as influenced by surface topology. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2010
Evaluation of dynamic creep properties of surgical mesh prostheses—Uniaxial fatigue
Authors: Velayudhan Shiny , Martin Darren , Cooper‐White Justin 
Published: May 2009

AbstractIn this study, we examine the dynamic creep behavior of four commonly used commercial hernia meshes (Prolene®, Ultrapro®, Vypro®, and Vypro®II). The meshes, differing from each other with respect to composition and architecture, were tested under uniaxial tension at simulated physiological loads and environmental conditions. The changes in percentage strain elongation, secant modulus, and cyclic energy dissipation over 100,000 cycles were compared. All of the meshes evaluated were found to be overengineered compared to physiological‐loading criteria and displayed good load‐carrying performance. When all meshes were tested at 37°C in physiological saline, they survived 100,000 cycles of sinusoidal loading without fracture, except Ultrapro®. Interestingly, irrespective of the differences in structure and composition, all meshes underwent strain‐hardening and permanent plastic deformation. Scanning electron micrographs of the meshes showed evidence of yarn thinning, decrimping, and fracture. The results of this study suggest that strain‐hardening of the meshes under dynamic loading could be a possible cause for complications related to abdominal mobility during long‐term implantations. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
Crosslinking heparin to collagen scaffolds for the delivery of human platelet‐derived growth factor
Authors: Sun Bo , Chen Bing , Zhao Yannan , Sun Wenjie , Chen Kaoshan , Zhang Jing , Wei Zhanliang , Xiao Zhifeng , Dai Jianwu 
Published: May 2009

AbstractPlatelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF) plays an important role in tissue regeneration and wound repair. However, the lack of effective delivery and the efficient targeting specificity limits its clinical applications. Here, heparin possessing PDGF binding domain was crosslinked to the collagen‐based demineralized bone matrix (DBM) for the delivery of human PDGF(HC‐PDGF). In in vitro experiments, heparin improves the binding of PDGF to collagen. In vitro activity assay indicates that collagen‐heparin‐PDGF (CH‐PDGF) promotes human fibroblasts to proliferate on collagen gel. In addition, HC‐PDGF stimulates cells to migrate into DBM scaffolds after implantation. The histological analysis shows that HC‐PDGF promotes vascularization of the implants. In summary, heparin‐DBM/PDGF could prevent the diffusion of PDGF, prolong its activity, and promote the cellularization and vascularization of the scaffold. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
Apoptotic DNA fragmentation can be revealed in situ: An ultrastructural approach
Authors: Burattini Sabrina , Ferri Paola , Battistelli Michela , D'emilio Alessandra , Biagiotti Laura , Sestili Piero , Rocchi Marco B. L. , Falcieri Elisabetta 
Published: May 2009

AbstractA common pattern of apoptotic death is DNA cleavage, initially producing large fragments (50 kbp), followed by the production of nucleosomic/oligonucleosomic fragments. Nevertheless, apoptosis without DNA fragmentation, at least of the nucleosomic type, has been reported. To investigate the spatial relationship between DNA cleavage and chromatin condensation, we applied the TUNEL technique to the ultrastructural analysis of apoptotic cells. A modified method, utilizing a gold‐conjugated antidigoxigenin antibody, was carried out on U937 versus Molt‐4 cells, both exposed to UVB radiation or staurosporine treatment. Gold particle density in the different domains of apoptotic cells was evaluated by a four‐way ANOVA test. Gold labelling was more strongly localised in condensed chromatin than in the diffuse chromatin. U937 cells, which evidenced in vitro oligonucleosomic fragmentation after both UVB and staurosporine treatments, revealed a significantly higher gold particle density, when compared with Molt‐4, which did not show, on the other hand, oligonucleosomic cleavage even in the presence of ≤50 kbp cleavage. Thus, a correlation between DNA fragment sizes and gold particle density appears. TUNEL applied to electron microscopy is an effective approach to study the relationship between apoptotic chromatin condensation and DNA cleavage. Both these events indeed appear in the apoptotic nucleus, but their reciprocal correlation is still greatly unknown. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Increased androgen receptor and remodeling in the prostatic stroma after the inhibition of 5‐alpha reductase and aromatase in gerbil ventral prostate
Authors: Corradi Lara S. , Góes Rejane M. , Vilamaior Patricia S.L. , Taboga Sebastião R. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractProstate require high levels of steroidogenic enzymes such as 5α‐reductase (5α‐r) and Aromatase (Aro) for the formation of active steroids. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the prostate dominant androgen, is converted from testosterone (T) by the action of 5α‐r. Aro provides an alternative pathway for estrogen, via T aromatization. Since prostatic maintenance is dependent on both reciprocal stromal–epithelial interaction and regulation by steroids, this study aimed to elucidate what the absence of 5α‐r and Aro enzymes provokes in the prostate microenvironment after their long‐term inhibition. Data obtained 1 day after the 30 consecutive days of enzymatic inhibition with Finasteride (5α‐r inhibitor) and Letrozole (Aro inhibitor) demonstrated a marked stromal remodeling, with an increased deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins besides androgen receptor (AR) overexpression in the three phases of postnatal development analyzed. The subepithelial area of acini from ventral prostate presented collagen and reticular fibers accumulation, besides various altered and active fibroblasts. The AR content immunostaining was elevated after enzymatic inhibition therapy, mainly in the nuclei of epithelial cells. Similar data were observed in the ventral prostates even 21 days after the end of treatments. Results obtained following the long‐term inhibition of 5α‐r and Aro are relevant and highlight the actions of these enzymes as crucial not only for the maintenance of tissue architecture and ECM arrangement but also for androgen and AR function. The long‐term absence of their action imposes a novel situation on the prostate from which its normal physiology could not be restored by the conclusion of the treatments. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Relative changes in the abundance of branchial Na+/K+‐ATPase α‐isoform‐like proteins in marine euryhaline milkfish (Chanos chanos) acclimated to environments of different salinities
Authors: Tang Cheng‐Hao , Chiu Yu‐Huei , Tsai Shu‐Chuan , Lee Tsung‐Han 
Published: May 2009

AbstractPrevious studies revealed that upon salinity challenge, milkfish (Chanos chanos), the euryhaline teleost, exhibited adaptive changes in branchial Na+/K+‐ATPase (NKA) activity with different Na+ and K+ affinities. Since alteration of activity and ion‐affinity may be influenced by changes in different isoforms of NKA α‐subunit (i.e., the catalytic subunit), it is, thus, intriguing to compare the patterns of protein abundance of three major NKA α‐isoform‐like proteins (i.e., α1, α2, and α3) in the gills of euryhaline milkfish following salinity challenge. The protein abundance of three NKA α‐isoform‐like proteins in gills of milkfish reared in seawater (SW), fresh water (FW), as well as hypersaline water (HSW, 60‰) were analyzed by immunoblotting. In the acclimation experiments, the SW group revealed significantly higher levels of NKA α1‐ and α3‐like proteins than the FW or HSW group. Time‐course experiments on milkfish that were transferred from SW to HSW revealed the abundance of branchial NKA α1‐like and α3‐like proteins decreased significantly after 96 and 12 hr, respectively, and no significant difference was found in NKA α2‐like protein. Furthermore, when fish were transferred from SW to FW, the amounts of NKA α1‐ and α3‐like proteins was significantly decreased after 96 hr. Taken together, acute and chronic changes in the abundance of branchial NKA α1‐ and α3‐like proteins may fulfill the requirements of altering NKA activity with different Na+ or K+ affinity for euryhaline milkfish acclimated to environments of various salinities. J. Exp. Zool. 311A:521–529, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Profile of estrogen‐responsive genes in an estrogen‐specific mammary gland outgrowth model
Authors: Deroo Bonnie J. , Hewitt Sylvia C. , Collins Jennifer B. , Grissom Sherry F. , Hamilton Katherine J. , Korach Kenneth S. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBoth ovarian and pituitary hormones are required for the pubertal development of the mouse mammary gland. Estradiol directs ductal elongation and branching, while progesterone leads to tertiary branching and alveolar development. The purpose of this investigation was to identify estrogen‐responsive genes associated with pubertal ductal growth in the mouse mammary gland in the absence of other ovarian hormones and at different stages of development. We hypothesized that the estrogen‐induced genes and their associated functions at early stages of ductal elongation would be distinct from those induced after significant ductal elongation had occurred. Therefore, ovariectomized prepubertal mice were exposed to 17β‐estradiol from two to 28 days, and mammary gland global gene expression analyzed by microarray analysis at various times during this period. We found that: (a) gene expression changes in our estrogen‐only model mimic those changes that occur in normal pubertal development in intact mice, (b) both distinct and overlapping gene profiles were observed at varying extents of ductal elongation, and (c) cell proliferation, the immune response, and metabolism/catabolism were the most common functional categories associated with mammary ductal growth. Particularly striking was the novel observation that genes active during carbohydrate metabolism were rapidly and robustly decreased in response to estradiol. Lastly, we identified mammary estradiol‐responsive genes that are also co‐expressed with estrogen receptor α in human breast cancer. In conclusion, our genomic data support the physiological observation that estradiol is one of the primary hormonal signals driving ductal elongation during pubertal mammary development. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 733–750, 2009. Published 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Implications of epigenetics and genomic imprinting in assisted reproductive technologies
Authors: Laprise Shari L. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThere have been several reports of an increased risk of genomic imprinting disorders associated with assisted reproductive technology (ART). However, the connection between imprinting defects and ART is tenuous. In this review, this putative association is investigated in detail, with emphasis on particular steps of the ART process, and which of these may be prone to induction of imprinting errors due to synchrony with major imprinting events during gametogenesis, fertilization, and early embryonic development. While contributions from in vitro manipulation of gametes and embryos cannot be ruled out, it appears that superovulation and/or the condition of infertility, itself, may be largely responsible for the increased risk of genomic imprinting disorders observed with ART births. However, two significant shortcomings of all of these studies preclude rigorous exploration of this issue: the lack of large, longitudinal studies on specific cohorts of ART‐conceived children, and questions surrounding the primary generation of expression and epigenetic data from oocytes and embryos. Future directions for study are proposed, along with a preview of what may be in store as the art of ART advances. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 1006–1018, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Loss of fine motor function correlates with ataxia and decline of cognition in cerebellar tumor survivors
Authors: Rueckriegel Stefan Mark , Blankenburg Friederike , Henze Günter , Baqué Herrmann , Driever Pablo Hernáiz 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBackgroundMotor and cognitive function losses resemble handicaps in pediatric posterior fossa tumor survivors. Several factors determine type and extent of impairment. We quantified loss of fine motor function and its association with ataxia and intelligence in patients with and without adjuvant treatment.ProcedureFine motor function, extent of ataxia and cognitive function were assessed in 25 medulloblastoma (MB) and 16 cerebellar pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) patients at least 1 year after completion of therapy. Kinematic parameters (speed, automation, variability, and pressure) of different movement complexity levels were investigated employing a digitizing graphic tablet. Degree of ataxia was quantified using the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale and cognition was determined using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale.ResultsKinematic parameters of low and high complexity tasks as well as ataxia of MB patients were strongly impaired. Fine motor impairment was weaker in PA patients, but still evident in the complex task of writing. Ataxia was significantly more pronounced in medulloblastoma patients. Young age and short recovery time correlated significantly with impaired kinematic parameters. Ataxia was strongly associated with inferior fine motor function. Cognition, especially performance IQ, was associated with dysfunctional kinematic parameters.ConclusionThe digitizing tablet detected extent of fine motor function loss at varying levels of complexity of pediatric cerebellar tumor survivors. This tool promises to be a potentially effective method for measuring fine motor function in clinical trials and may be helpful in studying mechanisms of neurotoxicity in posterior fossa tumor patients as well as success of rehabilitation. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;53:424–431. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.