bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Energy Balance, the PI3K-AKT-mTOR Pathway Genes, and the Risk of Bladder Cancer
Authors: Lin Jie , Wang Jianming , Greisinger Anthony J. , Grossman H. Barton , Forman Michele R. , Dinney Colin P. , Hawk Ernest T. , Wu Xifeng 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
We evaluated the association between energy balance and risk of bladder cancer and assessed the joint effects of genetic variants in the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway genes with energy balance. The study included 803 Caucasian bladder cancer patients and 803 healthy Caucasian controls matched to cases by age (±5 years) and gender. High energy intake [odds ratio, 1.60; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.23-2.09] and low physical activity (odds ratio, 2.82; 95% CI, 2.10-3.79) were each associated with significantly increased risk of bladder cancer with dose-response pattern (Ptrend &lt; 0.001). However, obesity (body mass index, ≥30) was not associated with the risk. Among 222 single nucleotide polymorphisms, 28 single nucleotide polymorphisms located in six genes of mTOR pathway were significantly associated with the risk. Further, the risk associated with high energy intake and low physical activity was only observed among subjects carrying a high number of unfavorable genotypes in the pathway. Moreover, when physical activity, energy intake, and genetic variants were analyzed jointly, the study population was clearly stratified into a range of low- to high-risk subgroups as defined energy balance status. Compared with subjects within the most favorable energy balance category (low energy intake, intensive physical activity, low number of unfavorable genotypes), subjects in the worst energy balance category (high energy intake, low physical activity, and carrying ≥7 unfavorable genotypes) had 21.93-fold increased risk (95% CI, 6.7-71.77). Our results provide the first strong evidence that physical activity, energy intake, and genetic variants in the mTOR pathway jointly influence bladder cancer susceptibility and that these results have implications for bladder cancer prevention. Cancer Prev Res; 3(4); 505–17. ©2010 AACR.
NF-κB Fans the Flames of Lung Carcinogenesis
Authors: Wong Kwok-Kin , Jacks Tyler , Dranoff Glenn 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
This perspective on Deng et al. (beginning on p. 424 in this issue of the journal) examines the link between NF-κB and lung tumorigenesis. Experiments in genetically engineered mouse models of lung cancers are elucidating protumorigenic roles of NF-κB activation in lung cancer pathogenesis. Our growing understanding of the tumor-promoting NF-κB downstream effector pathways could lead to the development of novel approaches for lung cancer therapy and chemoprevention. Cancer Prev Res; 3(4); 403–5. ©2010 AACR.
Unprecedented Opportunities and Promise for Cancer Prevention Research
Authors: Blackburn Elizabeth H. , Tlsty Thea D. , Lippman Scott M. 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
Cancer prevention encompasses a wide range of highly developed science and clinical impact. Enunciating these two aspects in the same breath highlights the crucial link between them. The breadth and excitement of current opportunities in the science of cancer prevention have never been greater. Major avenues of such research include the extent and effect of premalignancy, the molecular underpinnings of carcinogenesis and related prevention targets, in vitro model systems of the progression of normal human epithelial cells to tumorigenesis, molecular risk stratification and pharmacogenomic approaches, and many more. We describe the clinical impacts of cancer prevention (with examples in the areas of molecular targeting, vaccines, epidemiology, and behavioral science) and the stage-setting science that facilitated them. In addition, discussed are new prevention opportunities such as interactions between stromal and microenvironmental factors, the control of premalignant stem cell phenotypes through epigenetic reprogramming, and neoplastic cells and various stress responses including those involving telomere biology. The promise of this science, particularly integrative, interdisciplinary research, is to hasten the ability of clinical prevention to reduce the burden of cancer. Cancer Prev Res; 3(4); 394–402. ©2010 AACR.
Does functional change predict the course of improvement in geriatric inpatient rehabilitation?
Authors: Denkinger Michael D , Igl Wilmar , Jamour Michael , Bader Anne , Bailer Stefanie , Lukas Albert , Nikolaus Thorsten 
Published: March 2010

Objective: The evaluation of rehabilitation success as measured by different tools is becoming increasingly important in terms of time and money allocation. We wanted to know whether functional change in the first week predicts subsequent improvement in a geriatric inpatient rehabilitation clinic. Design: Observational longitudinal study. Setting: Geriatric inpatient rehabilitation clinic in Germany. Subjects: One hundred and sixty-one inpatients (117 women) with a median age of 82 years, capable of walking at baseline. Main measures: Weekly assessments of physical function were performed from admission until three weeks later. We used a self-rated tool (the function component of the Short Form — Late Life Function and Disability Index), a proxy-rated tool (the Barthel Index) and a performance-based tool (gait speed). We set up linear regression models to estimate the predictive capacity of change in physical function within the first week on change in physical function within the following two weeks. Results: Positive correlations were found between functional change within the first week and total change within three weeks. However, correlations of the same periods of change with subsequent change were negative. Correlations were highly significant for both analysis with P-values <0.0001 when the same measures for prediction and outcome were used. Correlations were inconsistent when prediction and outcome were different. Conclusions: Improvement within the first week of inpatient rehabilitation is negatively correlated with subsequent functional change.
BTG1 regulates glucocorticoid receptor autoinduction in acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: van Galen Joost C. , Kuiper Roland P. , van Emst Liesbeth , Levers Marloes , Tijchon Esther , Scheijen Blanca , Waanders Esmé , van Reijmersdal Simon V. , Gilissen Christian , van Kessel Ad Geurts , Hoogerbrugge Peter M. , van Leeuwen Frank N. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractResistance to glucocorticoids (GCs) is a major clinical problem in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Although mutations in the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene can give rise to therapy resistance in vitro, acquired somatic mutations in the GR are rarely encountered in patients. Here we report that the protein encoded by the BTG1 gene, which is frequently deleted in (pediatric) ALL, is a key determinant of GC responsiveness. Using RNA interference, we show that loss of BTG1 expression causes GC resistance both by decimating GR expression and by controlling GR-mediated transcription. Conversely, reexpression of BTG1 restores GC sensitivity by potentiating GC-induced GR expression, a phenomenon known as GR autoinduction. In addition, the arginine methyltransferase PRMT1, a BTG1-binding partner and transcriptional coactivator, is recruited to the GR gene promoter in a BTG1-dependent manner. These results implicate the BTG1/PRMT1 complex in GR-mediated gene expression and reveal that deregulation of a nuclear receptor coactivator complex can give rise to GC resistance. Further characterization of this complex as part of the GR regulatory circuitry could offer novel opportunities for improving the efficacy of GC-based therapies in ALL and other hematologic malignancies.
The importance of vicinal cysteines, C1669 and C1670, for von Willebrand factor A2 domain function
Authors: Luken Brenda M. , Winn Luke Y. N. , Emsley Jonas , Lane David A. , Crawley James T. B. 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
The von Willebrand factor (VWF) A2 crystal structure has revealed the presence of a rare vicinal disulfide bond between C1669 and C1670, predicted to influence domain unfolding required for proteolysis by ADAMTS13. We prepared VWF A2 domain fragments with (A2-VicCC, residues 1473-1670) and without the vicinal disulfide bond (A2-ΔCC, residues 1473-1668). Compared with A2-ΔCC, A2-VicCC exhibited impaired proteolysis and also reduced binding to ADAMTS13. Circular dichroism studies revealed that A2-VicCC was more resistant to thermal unfolding than A2-ΔCC. Mutagenesis of C1669/C1670 in full-length VWF resulted in markedly increased susceptibility to cleavage by ADAMTS13, confirming the important role of the paired vicinal cysteines in VWF A2 domain stabilization.
High frequency of lactose intolerance in a prehistoric hunter-gatherer population in northern Europe
Authors: Malmström Helena , Linderholm Anna , Lidén Kerstin , Storå Jan , Molnar Petra , Holmlund Gunilla , Jakobsson Mattias , Götherström Anders 
Published: March 2010

AbstractBackgroundGenes and culture are believed to interact, but it has been difficult to find direct evidence for the process. One candidate example that has been put forward is lactase persistence in adulthood, i.e. the ability to continue digesting the milk sugar lactose after childhood, facilitating the consumption of raw milk. This genetic trait is believed to have evolved within a short time period and to be related with the emergence of sedentary agriculture.ResultsHere we investigate the frequency of an allele (-13910*T) associated with lactase persistence in a Neolithic Scandinavian population. From the 14 individuals originally examined, 10 yielded reliable results. We find that the T allele frequency was very low (5%) in this Middle Neolithic hunter-gatherer population, and that the frequency is dramatically different from the extant Swedish population (74%).ConclusionsWe conclude that this difference in frequency could not have arisen by genetic drift and is either due to selection or, more likely, replacement of hunter-gatherer populations by sedentary agriculturalists.
Evaluation of the hyplex® TBC PCR test for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in clinical samples
Authors: Hofmann-Thiel Sabine , Turaev Laziz , Hoffmann Harald 
Published: March 2010

Abstract

Background
Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the major public health concerns worldwide. The detection of the pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) as early as possible has a great impact on the effective control of the spread of the disease. In our study, we evaluated the hyplex® TBC PCR test (BAG Health Care GmbH), a novel assay using a nucleic acid amplification technique (NAAT) with reverse hybridisation and ELISA read out for the rapid detection of M. tuberculosis directly in clinical samples.

Results
A total of 581 respiratory and non-respiratory specimens from our pneumological hospital and the National TB Institute of Uzbekistan were used for the evaluation of the PCR assay. Of these, 292 were classified as TB samples and 289 as non-TB samples based on the results of the TB cultures as reference method. The PCR results were initially used to optimise the cut-off value of the hyplex® TBC test system by means of a ROC analysis. The overall sensitivity of the assay was determined to be 83.1%. In smear-positive TB samples, the sensitivity of the hyplex® TBC PCR test was estimated to 93.4% versus 45.1% in smear-negative samples. The specificity of the test was 99.25%. Of the two specimens (0.75%) with false-positive PCR results, one yielded a culture positive for non-tuberculous mycobacteria. Based on the assumption of a prevalence of 8% TB positives among the samples in our diagnostic TB laboratory, the positive and negative predictive values were estimated to 90.4% and 98.5%, respectively.

Conclusions
The hyplex® TBC PCR test is an accurate NAAT assay for a rapid and reliable detection of M. tuberculosis in various respiratory and non-respiratory specimens. Compared to many other conventional NAAT assays, the hyplex® TBC PCR test is in a low price segment which makes it an attractive option for developing and emerging countries with high TB burdens.
A full-length enriched cDNA library and expressed sequence tag analysis of the parasitic weed, Striga hermonthica
Authors: Yoshida Satoko , Ishida Juliane K , Kamal Nasrein M , Ali Abdelbagi M , Namba Shigetou , Shirasu Ken 
Published: March 2010

Abstract

Background
The obligate parasitic plant witchweed (Striga hermonthica) infects major cereal crops such as sorghum, maize, and millet, and is the most devastating weed pest in Africa. An understanding of the nature of its parasitism would contribute to the development of more sophisticated management methods. However, the molecular and genomic resources currently available for the study of S. hermonthica are limited.

Results
We constructed a full-length enriched cDNA library of S. hermonthica, sequenced 37,710 clones from the library, and obtained 67,814 expressed sequence tag (EST) sequences. The ESTs were assembled into 17,317 unigenes that included 10,319 contigs and 6,818 singletons. The S. hermonthica unigene dataset was subjected to a comparative analysis with other plant genomes or ESTs. Approximately 80% of the unigenes have homologs in other dicotyledonous plants including Arabidopsis, poplar, and grape. We found that 589 unigenes are conserved in the hemiparasitic Triphysaria species but not in other plant species. These are good candidates for genes specifically involved in plant parasitism. Furthermore, we found 1,445 putative simple sequence repeats (SSRs) in the S. hermonthica unigene dataset. We tested 64 pairs of PCR primers flanking the SSRs to develop genetic markers for the detection of polymorphisms. Most primer sets amplified polymorphicbands from individual plants collected at a single location, indicating high genetic diversity in S. hermonthica. We selected 10 primer pairs to analyze S. hermonthica harvested in the field from different host species and geographic locations. A clustering analysis suggests that genetic distances are not correlated with host specificity.

Conclusions
Our data provide the first extensive set of molecular resources for studying S. hermonthica, and include EST sequences, a comparative analysis with other plant genomes, and useful genetic markers. All the data are stored in a web-based database and freely available. These resources will be useful for genome annotation, gene discovery, functional analysis, molecular breeding, epidemiological studies, and studies of plant evolution.
Metastatic lymph node in gastric cancer; Is it a real distant metastasis?
Authors: Lim Do Hyoung , Kim Hyeong Su , Park Young Suk , Lee Jeeyun , Park Se Hoon , Lim Ho Yeong , Ji Sang Hoon , Park Min Jae , Yi Seong Yoon , An Ji Yeong , Sohn Tae Sung , Noh Jae Hyoung , Bae Jae Moon , Kim Sung , Park Cheol Keun , Kang Won Ki 
Published: March 2010

Abstract

Background
Currently, the TNM staging system is a widely accepted method for assessing the prognosis of the disease and planning therapeutic strategies for cancer. Of the TNM system, the extent of lymph node involvement is the most important independent prognostic factor for gastric cancer. The aim of our study is to evaluate the survival and prognosis of gastric cancer patients with LN#12 or #13 involvement only and to assess the impact of anatomic regions of primary gastric tumor on survival in this particular subset of patients.

Methods
Among data of 1,008 stage IV gastric cancer patients who received curative R0 gastrectomy, a total of 79 patients with LN#12 (n = 68) and/or #13 (n = 11) were identified. All patients performed gastrectomy with D2 or D3 lymph node dissection.

Results
In 79 patients with LN#12/13 involvement, the estimated one-, three- and five-year survival rate was 77.2%, 41.8% and 26.6% respectively. When we compared the patients with LN#12/13 involvement to those without involvement, there was no significant difference in OS (21.0 months vs. 25.0 months, respectively; P = 0.140). However, OS was significantly longer in patients with LN#12/13 involvement only than in those with M1 lymph node involvement (14.3 months; P = 0.001). There was a significant difference in survival according to anatomic locations of the primary tumor (lower to mid-body vs. high body or whole stomach): 26.5 vs. 9.2 months (P = 0.009). In Cox proportional hazard analysis, only N stage (p = 0.002) had significance to predict poor survival.

Conclusion
In this study we found that curatively resected gastric cancer patients with pathologic involvement of LN #12 and/or LN #13 had favorable survival outcome, especially those with primary tumor location of mid-body to antrum. Prospective analysis of survival in gastric cancer patients with L N#12 or #13 metastasis is warranted especially with regards to primary tumor location.
Contraception for adolescents with lupus
Authors: Tesher Melissa S , Whitaker Amy , Gilliam Melissa , Wagner-Weiner Linda , Onel Karen B 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
Sexually active adolescents, including young women with lupus, are at high risk for unplanned pregnancy. Unplanned pregnancy among teens with lupus is associated with an elevated risk of poor maternal and fetal outcomes. The provision of effective contraception is a crucial element of care for a sexually-active young woman with lupus. Unfortunately, providers may be hesitant to prescribe contraception to this group due to concerns about increasing the risk of lupus complications. This article reviews the risks and benefits of currently-available contraceptives for young women with lupus. Providers are encouraged to consider long-term, highly-effective contraception, such as implantables and intrauterine devices, for appropriately selected adolescents with lupus.
Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 is Essential for Cisplatin-Induced Heat Hyperalgesia in Mice
Authors: Ta Lauren E , Bieber Allan J , Carlton Susan M , Loprinzi Charles L , Low Philip A , Windebank Anthony J 
Published: March 2010

Background: Cisplatin is primarily used for treatment of ovarian and testicular cancer. Oxaliplatin is the only effective treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer. Both are known to cause dose related, cumulative toxic effects on the peripheral nervous system and thirty to forty percent of cancer patients receiving these agents experience painful peripheral neuropathy. The mechanisms underlying painful platinum-induced neuropathy remain poorly understood. Previous studies have demonstrated important roles for TRPV1, TRPM8, and TRPA1 in inflammation and nerve injury induced pain. Results: In this study, using real-time, reverse transcriptase, polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), we analyzed the expression of TRPV1, TRPM8, and TRPA1 induced by cisplatin or oxaliplatin in vitro and in vivo. For in vitro studies, cultured E15 rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons were treated for up to 48 hours with cisplatin or oxaliplatin. For in vivo studies, trigeminal ganglia (TG) were isolated from mice treated with platinum drugs for three weeks. We show that cisplatin and oxaliplatin-treated DRG neurons had significantly increased in TRPV1, TRPA1, and TRPM8 mRNA expression. TG neurons from cisplatin treated mice had significant increases in TRPV1 and TRPA1 mRNA expression while oxaliplatin strongly induced only TRPA1. Furthermore, compared to the cisplatin-treated wild-type mice, cisplatin-treated TRPV1-null mice developed mechanical allodynia but did not exhibit enhancement of noxious heat- evoked pain responses. Immunohistochemistry studies showed that cisplatin-treated mice had no change in the proportion of the TRPV1 immunopositive TG neurons. Conclusion: These results indicate that TRPV1 and TRPA1 could contribute to the development of thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia following cisplatin-induced painful neuropathy but that TRPV1 has a crucial role in cisplatin-induced thermal hyperalgesia in vivo.
Thermodynamic quantities and Urmia Sea water evaporation
Authors: Heidari Nosrat , Roudgar Mina , Ebrahimpour Neda 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
The relation between climatic parameters (relative air humidity) and the water activity of the Urmia Sea water determines the possible maximum evaporation of the lake. Using the Pitzer thermodynamic approach, the activity of the Urmia Lake water during evaporation was calculated and compared to the present relative air humidity above the water. Present climatic conditions allow the Urmia Sea water to evaporate down to water with activity of 0.55, corresponding to the lowest air humidity measured over the lake. This water activity falls in the range of halite precipitation, while carnalite precipitation starts at somewhat lower (a H2O = 0.499) point. Our dynamic model predicts that for air humidity as low as 55% (reflecting present climate conditions), the Urmia Sea level may drop to as low as 1270 m (i. e., 1270 m above mean sea level). At that point, the lake water volume will have a volume of 11 km3. For the sake of comparison, at the beginning of 1990, the level of the lake was 1275 m, its volume was 25 km3, and its surface area was 5145 km2.
Peripheral and gastrointestinal immune systems of healthy cattle raised outdoors at pasture or indoors on a concentrate-based ration
Authors: Lejeune Alexandre , Monahan Frank J , Moloney Aidan P , Earley Bernadette , Black Alistair D , Campion Deirdre P , Englishby Tanya , Reilly Petrina , O'Doherty John , Sweeney Torres 
Published: March 2010

AbstractBackgroundDespite an increasing preference of consumers for beef produced from more extensive pasture-based production systems and potential human health benefits from the consumption of such beef, data regarding the health status of animals raised on pasture are limited. The objective of this study was to characterise specific aspects of the bovine peripheral and the gastrointestinal muscosal immune systems of cattle raised on an outdoor pasture system in comparison to animals raised on a conventional intensive indoor concentrate-based system.ResultsA number ofin vitrofunctional tests of immune cells suggested subtle differences between the animals on the outdoor versus indoor production systems. There was a decrease in the number of neutrophils and monocytes engaged in phagocytosis in outdoor cattle (P< 0.01 andP< 0.05, respectively) in comparison to those indoors. Following mitogen stimulation, a lower level of interferon-γ was produced in leukocytes from the outdoor animals (P< 0.05). There was evidence of a gastrointestinal nematode infection in the outdoor animals with elevated levels of serum pepsinogen (P< 0.001), a higher number of eosinophils (P< 0.05) and a higher level of interleukin-4 and stem cell factor mRNA expression (P< 0.05) in the outdoor animals in comparison to the indoor animals. Lower levels of copper and iodine were measured in the outdoor animals in comparison to indoor animals (P< 0.001).ConclusionDespite distinctly contrasting production systems, only subtle differences were identified in the peripheral immune parameters measured between cattle raised at pasture in comparison to animals raised on a conventional intensive indoor concentrate-based production system.