bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The dynamics of tumour–vasculature interaction suggests low‐dose, time‐dense anti‐angiogenic schedulings
Authors: D’Onofrio A. , Gandolfi A. , Rocca A. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractObjectives: The administration schedule appears to be a particularly relevant factor in determining the effectiveness of an antiangiogenic drug. A better quantitative knowledge of the interactions between tumour growth and the development of its vasculature could help to design effective therapies.Material and Methods: Biological and clinical inferences were derived from the analysis of a mathematical model proposed by Hahnfeldt et al. (1999), and some of its variants. In particular, we compared the effect of constant continuous infusion of an anti‐angiogenic drug that induces vascular loss, to the effect of periodic, bolus‐based therapy.Results and Conclusions: The role of drug elimination rate and of dose fractionation was investigated, and we show that different schedulings, guaranteeing the same mean value of drug concentration, may exhibit very different long‐term responses according to their concentration vs. time profile. For a large class of tumour growth laws, the profiles that approach the constant one are the most effective. This behaviour appears to depend on the ‘cooperativity’ of the tumour‐vasculature interaction and on the functional form of the relationship between tumour growth and vasculature extent. Moreover, we suggest that a therapy approaching constant drug infusion might be advantageous also in the case of cytostatic anti‐angiogenic drugs.
Plasma and memory B‐cell kinetics in infants following a primary schedule of CRM197‐conjugated serogroup C meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine
Authors: Kelly Dominic F. , Snape Matthew D. , Perrett Kirsten P. , Clutterbuck Elizabeth A. , Lewis Susan , Rohner Geraldine Blanchard , Jones Meryl , Yu Ly‐Mee , Pollard Andrew J. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryThe induction of persistent protective levels of pathogen‐specific antibody is an important goal of immunization against childhood infections. However, antibody persistence is poor after immunization in infancy versus later in life. Serogroup C meningococci (MenC) are an important cause of bacteraemia and meningitis in children. The use of protein–polysaccharide conjugate vaccines against MenC has been associated with a significant decline in the incidence of invasive disease. However, vaccine effectiveness is negligible by more than 1 year after a three‐dose priming series in infancy and corresponds to a rapid decline in antibody following an initial immune response. The cellular mechanisms underlying the generation of persistent antibody in this age group are unclear. An essential prelude to larger studies of peripheral blood B cells is an understanding of B‐cell kinetics following immunization. We measured MenC‐ and diphtheria‐specific plasma and memory B‐cell kinetics in infants receiving a CRM197 (cross‐reactive material; mutant diphtheria toxoid)‐conjugated MenC vaccine at 2, 3 and 4 months of age. Plasma cell responses were more delayed after the first dose when compared with the rapid appearance of plasma cells after the third dose. Memory B cells were detectable at all time‐points following the third dose as opposed to the low frequency seen following a first dose. This study provides data on B‐cell kinetics following a primary schedule of immunization in young infants upon which to base further studies of the underlying cellular mechanism of humoral immunity.
Molecular cloning, characterization, expression pattern and cellular distribution of an ovarian lipophorin receptor in the cockroach, Leucophaea maderae
Authors: Tufail M. , Elmogy M. , Ali Fouda M. M. , Elgendy A. M. , Bembenek J. , Trang L. T. D. , Shao Q‐M. , Takeda M. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractA cDNA that encodes a lipophorin receptor (LpR) with a predicted structure similar to that of the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene superfamily was cloned from ovaries of the cockroach, Leucophaea maderae (Lem) and characterized. This is the first LpR sequenced from the order Dictyoptera. The cDNA has a length of 3362 bp coding for an 888‐residue mature protein with a predicted molecular mass of ~99.14 kDa and a pI value of 4.68. The deduced amino acid sequence showed that the LemLpR harbours eight ligand‐binding repeats (LBRs) at the N‐terminus similar to the other insect LpRs, and thus resembles vertebrate VLDLRs. In addition to eight tandemly arranged LBRs, the five‐domain receptor contains an O‐linked sugar region and the classic LDLR internalization signal, FDNPVY. Northern blot analysis revealed the presence of ~4.0 kb ovarian mRNA that was transcribed throughout oogenesis with its peak especially during late previtellogenic and vitellogenic periods (from days 3 to 11). LpR transcript(s) or homologues of LDLRs were also detected in the head, midgut, Malpighian tubules, muscles and in the fat body. RNA in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry localized the LpR mRNA and protein to germ line‐derived cells, the oocytes, and revealed that LpR gene transcription and translation starts very early during oocyte differentiation in the germarium. LpR protein was evenly distributed throughout the cytoplasm during previtellogenic periods of oogenesis. However, during vitellogenic stages, the receptor was accumulated mainly in the cortex of the oocyte. Immunoblot analysis probed an ovarian LpR protein of ~115 and 97 kDa under reducing and nonreducing conditions, respectively. The protein signal appeared on day 2, increased every day and was high during vitellogenic periods from day 4 to day 7. Southern blot analysis suggested the presence of a single copy of the LpR gene in the genome of Le. maderae.
Climate, season, and social status modulate the functional response of an efficient stalking predator: the Eurasian lynx
Authors: Nilsen Erlend B. , Linnell John D. C. , Odden John , Andersen Reidar 
Published: March 2009

Summary

Predation plays a major role in shaping the structure and dynamics of ecological communities, and the functional response of a predator is of crucial importance to the dynamics of any predator–prey system by linking the trophic levels. For large mammals, there is a dearth of field studies documenting functional responses, and observations at low prey density are particularly scarce. Furthermore, there is a lack of understanding about how variables such as season, social status and climate modulate the functional response curves.
We analysed kill rate data collected over a 10‐year period based on radio‐marked lynx (Lynx lynx) mainly preying on roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) along a steep prey density gradient in south‐eastern Norway.
The asymptotic kill rate was reached at a very low prey density for both solitary individuals and family groups (i.e. females with their dependent kittens), indicative of an efficient predator. This highlights the importance of understanding the interplay between predator and prey at low prey densities.
A purely prey‐dependent functional response was a poor descriptor of the data, as the curve was strongly modulated by season and differences between lynx of different social status. In addition, there was a clear effect of abiotic climatic factors (indexed by the North Atlantic Oscillation) on observed kill rates in the more snow‐rich portion of our study area.
Our analysis suggests that simple functional response curves might be poor descriptors of predator consumption rates in complex natural system, and that auxiliary factors are likely to induce complexity into any predator–prey systems that would not be captured by simple deterministic approaches.
Effect of dietary boron on immune function in growing beef steers*
Authors: Fry R. S. , Lloyd K. E. , Jacobi S. K. , Siciliano P. D. , Robarge W. P. , Spears J. W. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryThirty‐six Angus and Angus × Simmental cross steers (initial BW 269.5 ± 22.3 kg) were used to determine the effects of dietary boron (B) on performance and immune function. Steers were fed on one of the three dietary treatments: (i) control (no supplemental B; 7.2 mg B/kg DM), (ii) 5 mg supplemental B/kg DM and (iii) 50 mg supplemental B/kg DM, from sodium borate for 78 days. Supplementation of dietary B had no effect on body weight (BW) gain, feed intake or gain:feed during the study. Jugular blood samples were collected prior to feeding on days 28, 63 and 77 for plasma‐B analysis. Supplementation of dietary B increased (p < 0.001) plasma B‐concentration in a dose‐responsive manner. Furthermore, plasma B‐concentration was correlated (p < 0.001; R2 = 0. 95) to daily B‐intake (mg B/day). Jugular blood was also collected, from an equal number of steers from each treatment, on day 42 or 44 for determination of in vitro production of interferon‐γ and tumour necrosis factor‐α from isolated monocytes and assessment of lymphocyte proliferation. Dietary B did not affect T‐ or B‐lymphocyte proliferation or in vitro cytokine production from monocytes. On day 49 of the study, the humoral immune response was assessed by i.m. injection of a 25% pig red blood cell (PRBC) solution for determination of anti‐PRBC IgG and IgM titre responses. Boron‐supplemented steers had greater (p = 0.035) anti‐PRBC IgG titres than controls on day 7 but not on day 14 or 21 post‐injection. Anti‐PRBC IgM titres did not differ throughout the sampling period. Results from this study indicate that supplemental B had minimal effects on immune function and did not affect performance of growing steers.
Dietary flavonoids do not affect vitamin E status in growing rats
Authors: Wiegand H. , Boesch‐Saadatmandi C. , Wein S. , Wolffram S. , Frank J. , Rimbach G. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryThis study aimed at investigating potential effects of the flavonoids genistein, quercetin and catechin and the role of co‐ingested dietary fat on vitamin E concentrations in rats. In experiment 1, genistein, quercetin and catechin were fed to rats, incorporated into semisynthetic diets at concentrations of 2 g/kg, either as individual compounds or in combination to investigate their individual and possible synergistic actions towards α‐tocopherol in plasma and selected tissues. For experiments 2 and 3, quercetin was selected as a representative model flavonoid to study the effects of the quantity (5% vs. 10%) and type of dietary fat (coconut fat plus corn oil vs. rapeseed oil; experiment 2) and the role of cholesterol (experiment 3) on potential flavonoid‐vitamin E interactions. The concentrations of α‐tocopherol and γ‐tocopherol in the plasma, liver, lung and cortex of flavonoid‐fed rats were not significantly different from the concentrations measured in control rats in all three experiments. However, increasing the amount of coconut fat plus corn oil from 5 to 10% resulted in lower α‐tocopherol concentrations in plasma and tissue. The α‐tocopherol concentrations in the rats fed rapeseed oil were significantly higher than in rats fed coconut fat plus corn oil. The addition of 0.2% cholesterol to the diet did not influence the tocopherol concentrations in plasma and tissue in both quercetin‐supplemented and control rats. Additionally, the mRNA levels of α‐TTP, CYP3A4, CYP4F and Mdr2, which are integral proteins involved in vitamin E homeostasis were measured. Only genistein reduced the Mdr2 mRNA level, but none of the other transcripts. All other flavonoids were without effect. In conclusion, co‐ingested dietary fat appears to influence vitamin E concentrations in rats, but does not seem to be an important determinant of flavonoid‐vitamin E interactions.
Serum Starvation and Full Confluency for Cell Cycle Synchronization of Domestic Cat (Felis catus) Foetal Fibroblasts
Authors: De Barros FRO , Goissis MD , Caetano HVA , Paula‐Lopes FF , Peres MA , Assumpção MEOA , Visintin JA 
Published: March 2009

ContentsNuclear transfer of domestic cat can be used as a tool to develop reproductive biotechnologies in wild felids. The importance of cell cycle phase during the nuclear transfer has been a matter of debate since the first mammalian clone was produced. The cell cycle phase of donor cells interferes on maintenance of correct ploidy and genetic reprogramming of the reconstructed embryo. The use of G0/G1 arrested donor cells has been shown to improve nuclear transfer efficiency. The present study was conducted to test the hypothesis that domestic cat foetal fibroblasts cultured up to the fifth passage and submitted to full confluency provide a higher percentage of cells at G0/G1 stage than fibroblasts cultured in serum starved media. Results demonstrated that serum starvation increased (p ≤ 0.05) the percentage of G0/G1 fibroblasts when compared with control. Moreover, the combined protocol using confluency and serum starvation was more efficient (p ≤ 0.05) synchronizing cells at G0/G1 stage than serum starvation or confluency alone for the first 3 days of treatment. In conclusion, serum starvation and full confluency act in a synergistic manner to improve domestic cat foetal fibroblast cell cycle synchronization at the G0/G1 stage.
Cross‐species hybridization of woodchuck hepatitis viral infection‐induced woodchuck hepatocellular carcinoma using human, rat and mouse oligonucleotide microarrays
Authors: Wang Fangjing , Kuang Yu , Salem Nicolas , Anderson Paul W , Lee Zhenghong 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground and Aim:  We aimed to evaluate the transcriptional characteristics of viral infection‐induced woodchuck hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), to compare the use of human, rat and mouse gene arrays for cross‐species hybridization, and to look into gene expression profiles in woodchuck HCC by the combined use of these arrays.Methods:  Commercially available human, rat and mouse oligonucleotide microarrays were used to determine the gene expression profiles on the same woodchuck liver samples. Differentially expressed genes between HCC and the surrounding hepatic tissues found in the arrays were selected for quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.Results:  Despite the difference in the number of the probes from each array, the percentage of genes that were detectable was similar. Stringent microarray data analysis using both supervised and unsupervised methods identified 281 differentially expressed genes via the human array with a false discovery rate (FDR) of 0.99%, 107 genes via the rat array with an FDR of 1.85% and 78 genes via the mouse array with an FDR of 7.41%. Eleven genes were differentially changed in all three arrays that include the upregulation of NPM1, H2AFZ, EEF1G, HNRPAB, RPS18, EIF5, CKS2, ARIH1, RPS12 and RPS10, and the downregulation of EGR1. The quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction with woodchuck‐specific primers confirmed the reliability of the microarray results.Conclusion:  This study further demonstrated the utility of cross‐species hybridization of microarrays on woodchuck HCC. A combined use of three types of arrays identified more differential genes in HCC than individual arrays with the human array providing the richest information among the three arrays used.
Prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma complicating chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Ueno Yoshiyuki , Sollano Jose D , Farrell Geoffrey C 
Published: March 2009

AbstractChronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection accounts for most cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Japan and is the second major cause in many other countries. Development of HCC takes a considerable time after onset of HCV infection, between 20–40 years in most cases, and usually develops after cirrhosis is established. Although only a minority of HCV infections reach this stage, the high prevalence of chronic HCV infection in many countries (1–3%) is such that HCC related to HCV infection poses a significant public health issue 20–50 years after the onset of HCV epidemics. Due to advances in testing, and accessibility of clean, disposable medical apparatus including syringes and needles, and particularly screening of donor blood for anti‐HCV and by nucleic acid testing, new cases of HCV infection have decreased in most countries, except for continued transmission by injection drug users (IDU). A key difference between HBV and HCV infection is that HCV can be eradicated by effective antiviral treatment. Sustained eradication of HCV reverses hepatic fibrosis, thereby preventing progression to cirrhosis and risk of HCC. Further, it has been well demonstrated that interferon‐based antiviral therapy suppresses development of HCC in high‐risk patients, particularly when sustained viral response (SVR) is obtained. In summary, the two key approaches to prevent development of HCV‐related HCC are primary prevention of HCV infection (adequate programs to screen donor blood, universal precautions to stop medical transmission of blood‐borne viruses, curbing transmission by IDU) and potent antiviral therapy of chronic HCV infection.
Independent risk factors for renal damage in a series of primary vesicoureteral reflux: A multivariate analysis
Authors: SILVA JOSE MARIA P , DINIZ JOSE SILVERIO S , LIMA ELEONORA M , PINHEIRO SERGIO V , MARINO VIVIANE P , CARDOSO LUIS SERGIO B , COLOSIMO ENRICO A , SILVA ANA C SIMÕES E , OLIVEIRA EDUARDO A 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYAim:  The aim of this study was to investigate risk factors associated with different extents of renal parenchyma involvement in a paediatric series of primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR).Methods:  A total of 549 patients with VUR were analyzed. The variable of interest was renal scar, assessed by technetium‐99m dimercaptosuccinic acid scan, and classified into three subtypes: focal scar, multiple cortical scarring and diffuse scars with a contracted renal unit. The multinomial regression model was applied to identify independent variables associated with each subtype of renal damage.Results:  After adjustment, four variables remained independently associated with a contracted renal unit: reflux grades III–V (odds ratio (OR) = 9.7; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 4.1–21.0), age at diagnosis (OR = 3; 95% CI = 1.6–5.1), unilateral reflux (OR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.2–3.8), and male sex (OR = 2; 95% CI = 1.1–3.8). Two variables were associated with multiple scars: reflux grades III–V (OR = 13.8; 95% CI = 7.4–26.0) and age at diagnosis (OR = 1.9; 95% CI = 1.2–3.0). Two variables were associated with a focal scar: reflux grades III–V (OR = 7.9, 95% CI CI = 3.8–16.4) and male sex as a protective factor (OR = 0.5; 95% CI = 0.25–1.0).Conclusion:  Our findings suggest that the development of a contracted renal unit is probably due to congenital malformation, more commonly observed in male infants with high‐grade reflux.
Responses in children to measles vaccination associated with perirenal transplantation
Authors: Mori Kazuetsu , Kawamura Ken , Honda Masataka , Sasaki Nozomu 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground:  Measles infection can be fatal in pediatric patients with chronic renal failure or in patients who have undergone renal transplantation, both of whom are in the immunosuppressed state. The efficacy of single, live measles vaccination in preventing infection was examined.Methods:  Of 156 children with renal failure who underwent renal transplantation, the changes in antibody titer were investigated before and after renal transplantation in 125 children whose measles antibody titer could be examined, together with disease and vaccination histories. Live measles vaccine was administered to 42 children with negative antibody titer. The antibody seroconversion rate was then investigated in these children, along with rate of antibody maintenance and degree of antibody titer elevation.Results:  Seroconversion rate was 97.6%. Antibody titers measured on HI and EIA were 72 ± 118 fold (HI) and 36.9 ± 31.3 (EIA), respectively. The geometric mean of the increase in antibody titer 6 months after vaccination was 15. No side‐effects of vaccination were observed in any of the children.Conclusions:  Live measles vaccination of children with chronic renal failure is effective and safe, because the seroconversion rate, rate of antibody titer maintenance and degree of antibody titer elevation in children with chronic renal failure were all equivalent to those of healthy children.
Correlation of troponin I with perinatal and neonatal outcomes in neonates with respiratory distress
Authors: Mu Shu‐Chi , Wang Ling‐Jen , Chen Yi‐Ling , Lin Ming‐I , Sung Tseng‐Chen 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground:   The specific aims of the present study were to evaluate the associations between cardiac troponin I (Tn I) and perinatal events and whether Tn I serves as a predictor to evaluate neonatal outcomes.Methods:   Tn I level was assessed in sick neonates with respiratory distress within 12 h after birth. Apgar scores, acidosis, ventilator or oxygen requirement, hospital days and placenta clues were recorded. A total of 80 sick neonates were enrolled (54 preterm and 26 full‐term neonates) delivered at Shin‐Kong Wu Ho‐Su Memorial Hospital between July 2003 and December 2004.Results:   There was a significant negative correlation between Apgar scores at 1 min and 5 min (r=−0.383, P= 0.001; r=−0.500, P < 0.001), acidosis (r=−0.309, P= 0.006), base excess (r=−0.332, P= 0.003) and Tn I. The subjects were divided into two groups using the median level of 0.028 ng/mL as a cut‐off. There were significantly fewer neonates with high Apgar score (>7 at 5 min; 27/40, 69.2% vs 38/40, 97.4%; P= 0.001) in the higher Tn I group (≥0.028 ng/mL). Lower pH (7.4 ± 0.10 vs 7.3 ± 0.1, P= 0.011), lower base excess (−1.0 ± 4.3 vs −4.4 ± 5.1, P= 0.003) and less placental weight (548.8 ± 195.36 g vs 396.56 ± 154.30 g, P= 0.019) were also seen in the higher Tn I group.Conclusion:   Tn I may play a role in the assessment of perinatal outcomes but is not a precise predictor of neonatal outcomes. Tn I level of 0.028 ng/mL is also suggested as a predictor of severity of perinatal outcomes in neonates with respiratory distress.
Recovery of erectile function after radical prostatectomy is quantitatively related to the response to intraoperative cavernous nerve stimulation
Authors: Rabbani Farhang , Patel Manish , Cozzi Paul , Mulhall John P. , Scardino Peter T. 
Published: March 2009

OBJECTIVETo correlate the results of intraoperative cavernous nerve stimulation (CaNS) at radical prostatectomy (RP), with preoperative erectile function (EF) and to determine the significance of the results of stimulation after RP in predicting the recovery of EF.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe study included 183 potent men who had not received neoadjuvant therapy, and who had RP without nerve grafting, with intraoperative CaNS, between July 1998 and April 2002. Follow‐up International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaires were returned at a median (range) of 25 (1–51) months. Age, preoperative EF, neurovascular bundle (NVB) status, pathological stage and CaNS results were evaluated as independent predictors of the recovery of EF, as assessed by the IIEF, using Cox proportional hazards analysis.RESULTSCaNS strength before RP correlated with the level of preoperative potency (P = 0.023). CaNS strength after RP correlated with that before RP (P < 0.001) and the degree of NVB preservation (P = 0.007). Only age and maximum percentage change in penile girth after RP were significant independent predictors of the recovery of EF. For each 1‐year increase in age, men were 4%, 6% and 5% less likely to achieve erections, defined as an IIEF EF domain score of ≥17, ≥22 and ≥26, respectively. For each 1% increase in maximum percentage change in penile girth after RP with CaNS, men were 26% (95% confidence interval 7–48%), 22% (0–49%), and 47% (17–83%) more likely to achieve erections, with an IIEF EF score of ≥17, ≥22 and ≥26, respectively. There was a significant false‐negative rate, with 15% of patients with a minimal CaNS response normalizing their EF score and 35% recovering scores of ≥22.CONCLUSIONSWhile CaNS results after RP correlated strongly with the degree of NVB preservation, the degree of penile girth change, rather than degree of surgeon‐documented NVB preservation, was independently predictive of the recovery of EF.