bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Laminin receptor specific therapeutic gold nanoparticles (
198
AuNP-EGCg) show efficacy in treating prostate cancer
Authors: Shukla Ravi , Chanda Nripen , Zambre Ajit , Upendran Anandhi , Katti Kavita , Kulkarni Rajesh R. , Nune Satish Kumar , Casteel Stan W. , Smith Charles Jeffrey , Vimal Jatin , Boote Evan , Robertson J. David , Kan Para , Engelbrecht Hendrik , Watkinson Lisa D. , Carmack Terry L. , Lever John R. , Cutler Cathy S. , Caldwell Charles , Kannan Raghuraman , Katti Kattesh V. 
Published: July 2012

Systemic delivery of therapeutic agents to solid tumors is hindered by vascular and interstitial barriers. We hypothesized that prostate tumor specific epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCg) functionalized radioactive gold nanoparticles, when delivered intratumorally (IT), would circumvent transport barriers, resulting in targeted delivery of therapeutic payloads. The results described herein support our hypothesis. We report the development of inherently therapeutic gold nanoparticles derived from the Au-198 isotope; the range of the
198
Au β-particle (approximately 11 mm in tissue or approximately 1100 cell diameters) is sufficiently long to provide cross-fire effects of a radiation dose delivered to cells within the prostate gland and short enough to minimize the radiation dose to critical tissues near the periphery of the capsule. The formulation of biocompatible
198
AuNPs utilizes the redox chemistry of prostate tumor specific phytochemical EGCg as it converts gold salt into gold nanoparticles and also selectively binds with excellent affinity to Laminin67R receptors, which are over expressed in prostate tumor cells. Pharmacokinetic studies in PC-3 xenograft SCID mice showed approximately 72% retention of
198
AuNP-EGCg in tumors 24 h after intratumoral administration. Therapeutic studies showed 80% reduction of tumor volumes after 28 d demonstrating significant inhibition of tumor growth compared to controls. This innovative nanotechnological approach serves as a basis for designing biocompatible target specific antineoplastic agents. This novel intratumorally injectable
198
AuNP-EGCg nanotherapeutic agent may provide significant advances in oncology for use as an effective treatment for prostate and other solid tumors.
Estimating Oocyte Growth Rate and Its Potential Relationship to Spawning Frequency in Teleosts with Indeterminate Fecundity
Authors: Ganias Konstantinos , Nunes Cristina , Vavalidis Theocharis , Rakka Maria , Stratoudakis Yorgos 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
We present a method for estimating the interspawning interval (ISI) in batch-spawning teleosts with indeterminate fecundity based on the rate of oocyte growth and the size of oocytes at the beginning and end of the spawning cycle. The method is accompanied by a number of prerequisites, which are tested and subsequently applied to wild collections of Atlantic sardine Sardina pilchardus (also known as European pilchard). The rate of oocyte growth and oocyte size at the end of vitellogenesis were shown to exhibit rather constant values in Atlantic sardine; thus, the ISI could be simply estimated as a factor of oocyte size at the beginning of the spawning cycle (Ob). Given that vitellogenesis in Atlantic sardine ceases at final oocyte maturation, Ob was estimated by measuring the size of oocytes of the subsequent batch in females with hydrated oocytes. The resulting average ISI was very close to inverse values of the spawning fraction estimated through the postovulatory follicle method, which indicated the validity of the ISI method. Applications of the ISI method require fewer samples of adult females compared with the postovulatory follicle method, are histology independent, and could be combined with oocyte counts to provide batch fecundity measurements. These modifications in spawning frequency and batch fecundity estimation could help to decrease both cost and labor in daily egg production method surveys.
Assessment of Testis Development during Induced Spermatogenesis in the European Eel Anguilla anguilla
Authors: Tomkiewicz Jonna , Kofoed Tanja M. N. , Pedersen Jes S. 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
In a study of reproduction in male European eels Anguilla anguilla, we induced spermatogenesis through hormone injection and established a spermatogenic maturity index (SMI) as a novel quantification of testis development. Eels in the experiments were sacrificed weekly and testis tissue was sampled for histological analysis of spermatogenesis. Testis development was followed over 18 weeks, during which the males continued to develop spermatocytes and produce spermatozoa. The SMI describes testis development from estimation of the area fractions of various tissue categories characterized by progressive gamete development stages in histological sections of the testes. The index weighs the volume fractions of the different tissues (somatic cells and germ cell stages) and describes development on a scale of 0 to 1. The method improves the existing histological classification, providing a quantitative measure that reflects the spermatogenic process and can be correlated with morphological and physiological parameters. In this study, the SMI reacted immediately to the onset of spermatogenesis and increased linearly over time, tracking the development of spermatocysts and spermatozoa. In week 7, the SMI reached a stable level of around 0.75, where it remained, with limited fluctuations, until the end of the experiment. This reflected the composition of different germ cell stages in the testis tissue with a continuous generation of spermatocysts and production of spermatozoa. In comparison, the gonadosomatic index showed a delayed response to the onset of spermatogenesis and fluctuated substantially during the sperm production period. The properties of the SMI made it a useful index for describing spermatogenesis in male European eels during this experiment and a promising tool for quantifying testis development and describing male reproductive strategy in other fish species.
Reproductive Timing in Marine Fishes: Variability, Temporal Scales, and Methods
Authors: Lowerre-Barbieri Susan K. , Ganias Konstantinos , Saborido-Rey Fran , Murua Hilario , Hunter John R. 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Reproductive timing can be defined as the temporal pattern of reproduction over a lifetime. Although reproductive timing is highly variable in marine fishes, certain traits are universal, including sexual maturity, undergoing one or more reproductive cycles, participating in one or more spawning events within a reproductive cycle, release of eggs or offspring, aging, and death. These traits commonly occur at four temporal scales: lifetime, annual, intraseasonal, and diel. It has long been known that reproductive timing affects reproductive success, especially in terms of the onset of sexual maturity and the match or mismatch between seasonal spawning and offspring survival. However, a comprehensive understanding of variability in reproductive timing over species, populations, and temporal scales is lacking. In addition, there is a need to assess how variability in reproductive timing affects a population's resilience. Because natural selection occurs at the individual level, this necessitates an understanding of within-population (i.e., individual) variability in reproductive timing and how fishing may impact it through age truncation and size-specific selectivity or fisheries-induced evolution. In this paper, we review the temporal aspects of reproductive strategies and the four most-studied reproductive timing characteristics in fishes: sexual maturity, spawning seasonality, spawning frequency, and diel periodicity. For each characteristic, we synthesize how it has traditionally been measured, advances in understanding the underlying physiology, its role in equilibrium-based fish population dynamics, and its importance to reproductive success. We then provide a review of emerging methodology—with an emphasis on ovarian histology—to improve our ability to assess variability in reproductive timing both among populations and within populations.
Retention of Coastal Cod Eggs in a Fjord Caused by Interactions between Egg Buoyancy and Circulation Pattern
Authors: Myksvoll Mari S. , Sundby Svein , Ådlandsvik Bjørn , Vikebø Frode B. 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Norwegian coastal cod form a stationary population of Atlantic cod Gadus morhua consisting of several genetically separated subpopulations. A small-scale differentiation in marine populations with pelagic eggs and larvae is made possible by local retention of early life stages in coastal environments. A numerical model was used to simulate the circulation in a fjord system in northern Norway over 2 years with different river runoff patterns. The dispersal of cod eggs was calculated with a particle-tracking model that used three-dimensional currents. The observed thickness of the low-salinity surface layer was well reproduced by the model, but the surface salinity was generally lower in the model than in the observations. The cod eggs attained a subsurface vertical distribution, avoiding the surface and causing retention. Interannual variations in river runoff can cause small changes in the vertical distribution of cod eggs and larger changes in the vertical current structure. Retention in the fjord system was strong in both years, but some eggs were subjected to offshore transport over a limited time period. The timing of offshore transport depended on the precipitation and temperatures in adjacent drainage areas. A possible match between maximized spawning and offshore transport may have a negative effect on local recruitment.
The work function of n-ZnO deduced from heterojunctions with Si prepared by ALD
Authors: Quemener V , Alnes M , Vines L , Rauwel P , Nilsen O , Fjellvåg H , Monakhov E V , Svensson B G 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Highly doped n-type ZnO films have been grown on n-type and p-type Si substrates by atomic layer deposition (ALD). Transmission electron microscopy shows columnar growth of the ZnO films with randomly oriented grains and a very thin interfacial layer of SiO
x
(x ⩽ 2) with a thickness below 0.4 nm to the Si substrate. Current–voltage and capacitance–voltage measurements performed at temperatures from 50 to 300 K reveal a strong rectifying behaviour on both types of substrates with an ideality factor close to unity between 180 and 280 K. Using the classical approach of thermionic emission, the barrier heights of the ZnO/n-Si and ZnO/p-Si junctions have been deduced and consistent values are obtained yielding a work function of n-type ZnO close to 4.65 eV.
Elastic photoelectron scattering effects in the XPS analysis of stratified samples
Authors: Jablonski A 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Two theoretical models describing photoelectron transport in multilayer samples were developed: (i) the Monte Carlo simulation strategy, in which the photoelectron elastic scattering events are accounted for, and (ii) the common x-ray electron spectroscopy (XPS) formalism adjusted to multilayer systems, in which the photoelectron elastic scattering events are ignored. Calculations were performed for Au/Ni and Si/Au multilayer systems with layers of different thicknesses. The emission depth distribution function (EMDDF) calculated for a layer deposited at a surface turns out to be identical to that for the bulk of the layer material; however, it may differ considerably when the layer is buried at a certain depth. The EMDDFs for buried layers are found to be considerably affected by elastic photoelectron scattering, however, in a different way from the EMDDF of the bulk material. The XPS depth profiles calculated for multilayer materials in the considered geometry are noticeably affected by elastic photoelectron collisions. However, in contrast with Auger electron spectroscopy depth profiling, the shape of the profile due to a given layer is not affected by the structure beneath that layer.
Laser lift-off initiated by direct induced ablation of different metal thin films with ultra-short laser pulses
Authors: Heise Gerhard , Domke Matthias , Konrad Jan , Sarrach Sebastian , Sotrop Jürgen , Huber Heinz P 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Molybdenum thin films on glass substrates play an important role as contact layer for thin film solar cells. They can be ablated by picosecond laser pulses irradiated from the substrate side at low laser fluences of less than 1 J cm−2, while structured trenches remain free from thermal damage and residues. The fluence for that so-called direct induced ablation from the substrate side is in contrast to metal side ablation reduced by approximately one order of magnitude and is far below the thermodynamic limit for heating, melting and evaporating the complete layer. For an extended investigation of the direct induced laser ablation and the underlying mechanism, further thin film materials, chromium, titanium and platinum, with thicknesses between 200 nm and 1 µm were examined. Finally, a simple thermo-dynamical model is able to connect the observed ablation energetics with the mechanical ductility and stress limit of the metal thin films.
Optimizing dendritic cell vaccine for immunotherapy in multiple myeloma: tumour lysates are more potent tumour antigens than idiotype protein to promote anti-tumour immunity
Authors: Hong S , Li H , Qian J , Yang J , Lu Y , Yi Q 
Published: July 2012

SummaryDendritic cells (DCs) are the most potent antigen-presenting cells and are the mediators of T cell immunity. Many investigators have explored the potential of using DCs as a vaccine for tumour-derived antigens in immunotherapy of B cell malignancies, and the results have been disappointing. To search for better tumour antigens to improve the efficacy of DC-based immunotherapy in myeloma, we evaluated and compared the efficacy of the vaccination of DCs pulsed with idiotype (Id) or tumour lysate in the 5TGM1 myeloma mouse model. Our results showed that Id- or tumour lysate-pulsed DC vaccines protected mice efficiently against developing myeloma, retarded tumour growth, induced tumour regression against established tumour and protected surviving mice from tumour rechallenge. The therapeutic responses were associated with an induction of strong humoral immune responses, including anti-Id or anti-lysate antibodies, and cellular immune responses including myeloma-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes, CD4+ type 1 T helper cells and memory T cells in mice receiving Id- or tumour lysate-pulsed DC vaccines. In addition, our studies showed that tumour lysate-pulsed DCs were more potent vaccines than the Id-pulsed DC vaccines to promote anti-tumour immunity in the model. This information will be important for improving the strategies of DC-based immunotherapy for patients with myeloma and other B cell tumours.
Association of polymorphisms in DNMT1, DNMT3A, DNMT3B, MTHFR and MTRR genes with global DNA methylation levels and prognosis of autoimmune thyroid disease
Authors: Arakawa Y , Watanabe M , Inoue N , Sarumaru M , Hidaka Y , Iwatani Y 
Published: July 2012

Summary
To clarify the association between factors regulating DNA methylation and the prognosis of autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs), we genotyped single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes encoding DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), DNMT3A, DNMT3B, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR), which are enzymes essential for DNA methylation. Subjects for this study included 125 patients with Hashimoto's disease (HD), including 48 patients with severe HD and 49 patients with mild HD; 176 patients with Graves’ disease (GD), including 79 patients with intractable GD and 47 patients with GD in remission; and 83 healthy volunteers (control subjects). The DNMT1+32204GG genotype was more frequent in patients with intractable GD than in patients with GD in remission. Genomic DNA showed significantly lower levels of global methylation in individuals with the DNMT1+32204GG genotype than in those with the AA genotype. The MTRR+66AA genotype was observed to be more frequent in patients with severe HD than in those with mild HD. The DNMT1+14395A/G, DNMT3B−579G/T, MTHFR+677C/T and +1298A/C polymorphisms were not correlated with the development or prognosis of AITD. Our study indicates that the DNMT1+32204GG genotype correlates with DNA hypomethylation and with the intractability of GD, and that the MTRR+66AA genotype may correlate with the severity of HD.
Cryptosporidium parvum antigens induce mouse and human dendritic cells to generate Th1‐enhancing cytokines
Authors: BEDI B. , MEAD J. R. 
Published: July 2012

SummaryCryptosporidium parvum is an opportunistic intracellular parasite that causes mild to severe diarrhoea, which can be life‐threatening in an immunocompromised host. To increase our understanding of the mechanisms that play a role in host immune responses, we investigated the effects of C. parvum antigens on the phenotype of mouse and human dendritic cells (DCs). Cryptosporidium parvum antigens induced DC activation as indicated by upregulation of the maturation marker CD209, as well as by the production of the cytokines interleukin‐12 p70, IL‐2, IL‐1beta, IL‐6. In particular, significant increases in the expression of IL‐12 p70 were observed from mouse DCs derived from bone marrow in response to solubilized sporozoite antigen and the recombinant cryptosporidial antigens, Cp40 and Cp23. We observed a small but significant increase in IL‐18 expression following the exposure to Cp40. We found that the induction of Th1 cytokines was MyD88 dependent (MyD88 knockout mouse DCs were unresponsive). Additionally, both sporozoite preparations (solubilized and live) significantly induced IL‐12 production by human monocytic dendritic cells (MoDCs). This finding indicates that solubilized as well as recombinant antigens can induce the maturation of DCs and subsequently initiate an innate immune response.
Orthographic neighborhood effects as a function of word frequency: An event‐related potential study
Authors: Vergara‐Martínez Marta , Swaab Tamara Y. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe present study assessed the mechanisms and time course by which orthographic neighborhood size (ON) influences visual word recognition. ERPs were recorded to words that varied in ON and in word frequency while participants performed a semantic categorization task. ON was measured with the Orthographic Levenshtein Distance (OLD20), a richer metric of orthographic similarity than the traditional Coltheart's N metric. The N400 effects of ON (260–500 ms) were larger and showed a different scalp distribution for low than for high frequency words, which is consistent with proposals that suggest lateral inhibitory mechanisms at a lexical level. The ERP ON effects had a shorter duration and different scalp distribution than the effects of word frequency (mainly observed between 380–600 ms) suggesting a transient activation of the subset of orthographically similar words in the lexical network compared to the impact of properties of the single words.
Amphetamine and methamphetamine reduce striatal dopamine transporter function without concurrent dopamine transporter relocalization
Authors: German Christopher L. , Hanson Glen R. , Fleckenstein Annette E. 
Published: July 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 123, 288–297.AbstractAmphetamine (AMPH) and methamphetamine (METH) alter dopamine transporter (DAT) function. In vitro heterologous cell line and synaptosome studies demonstrate AMPH‐induced DAT internalization, implicating relocalization in reduced DAT uptake following drug exposure. However, few studies have evaluated DAT localization following in vivo AMPH/METH administration. To determine DAT subcellular localization following drug administration, a centrifugation technique was developed to isolate striatal synaptosomal membrane and vesicle fractions. DAT was distributed between the synaptosomal membrane (60%) and endosomal vesicles (40%), and in vitro application of the protein kinase C activator phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate to striatal synaptosomes caused DAT internalization into the vesicle fractions. In contrast, neither single nor repeated in vivo AMPH and/or METH administrations altered DAT localization 5, 15, 30, or 60 min post‐treatment, despite reduced DAT uptake. Importantly, repeated METH injections uniformly decreased total DAT immunoreactivity within all fractions 7 days post‐treatment. These findings suggest that factors other than internalization can contribute to the observed acute and persistent DAT dysfunction and dopaminergic deficits following in vivo AMPH or METH administration.
Adverse reactions from essential oil‐containing natural flea products exempted from Environmental Protection Agency regulations in dogs and cats
Authors: Genovese Allison G. , McLean Mary Kay , Khan Safdar A. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo describe adverse effects in dogs and cats exposed to Environmental Protection Agency exempted plant‐derived flea preventatives containing mixtures of essential oils.DesignRetrospective study from 2006 to 2008.SettingRecords of dog and cat cases were reviewed from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Animal Poison Control Center database.AnimalsThirty‐nine cats and 9 dogs with history of exposure to natural flea preventatives.Measurements and Main ResultsThe following information was retrieved from each incident: number of animals, species involved, frequency, types, onset time, duration of clinical signs, exposure appropriateness, final outcome, and treatment information. Ninety‐two percent of animals (n = 44) showed presence of one or more adverse effects. The frequency of adverse effects in dogs (n = 8; 89%) and cats (n = 36; 92%) was similar. Onset time of adverse effects in 39 of 44 animals occurred within 24 hours. The duration of signs in 24 animals ranged from 30 minutes to 149 hours. The products were used as per label in 77% animals (n = 37). Of 28 animals with known outcome, 50% (n = 14) recovered with bathing alone while others received intravenous fluids, muscle relaxants, and anticonvulsive medications. Death (1 cat; n = 1/28; 4%) or euthanasia (1 cat and 1 dog; n = 2/28; 7%) was reported in 3 animals.ConclusionDogs and cats can experience significant adverse effects when exposed to plant‐derived flea preventatives even when used according to label directions. The number of reports of exposure in cats was higher than dogs, but the frequency of reported adverse effects was similar between the 2 species. Agitation and hypersalivation were common in cats, whereas lethargy and vomiting were common in dogs.