bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exogenous coenzyme Q10 modulates MMP-2 activity in MCF-7 cell line as a breast cancer cellular model
Authors: Bahar Massih , Khaghani Shahnaz , Pasalar Parvin , Paknejad Maliheh , Khorramizadeh Mohammad Reza , Mirmiranpour Hossein , Nejad Siavash Gerayesh 
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Background/Aims
Matrix Metalloproteinases 2 is a key molecule in cellular invasion and metastasis. Mitochondrial ROS has been established as a mediator of MMP activity. Coenzyme Q10 contributes to intracellular ROS regulation. Coenzyme Q10 beneficial effects on cancer are still in controversy but there are indications of Coenzyme Q10 complementing effect on tamoxifen receiving breast cancer patients.

Methods
In this study we aimed to investigate the correlation of the effects of co-incubation of coenzyme Q10 and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) on intracellular H2O2 content and Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) activity in MCF-7 cell line.

Results and Discussion
Our experiment was designed to assess the effect in a time and dose related manner. Gelatin zymography and Flowcytometric measurement of H2O2 by 2'7',-dichlorofluorescin-diacetate probe were employed. The results showed that both coenzyme Q10 and N-acetyl-L-cysteine reduce MMP-2 activity along with the pro-oxidant capacity of the MCF-7 cell in a dose proportionate manner.

Conclusions
Collectively, the present study highlights the significance of Coenzyme Q10 effect on the cell invasion/metastasis effecter molecules.
Deletion or insertion in the first immunoglobulin-plexin-transcription (IPT) domain differentially regulates expression and tumorigenic activities of RON receptor Tyrosine Kinase
Authors: Ma Qi , Zhang Kun , Guin Sunny , Zhou Yong-Qing , Wang Ming-Hai 
Published: November 2010

AbstractBackgroundActivation of the RON receptor tyrosine kinase, a member of the c-MET family, regulates tumorigenic phenotypes. The RON extracellular domains are critical in regulating these activities. The objective of this study was to determine the role of the first IPT domain in regulating RON-mediated tumorigenic activities and the underlying mechanisms.ResultsTwo RON variants, RON160 and RONE5/6inwith deletion and insertion in the first IPT domain, respectively, were molecularly cloned. RON160 was a splicing variant generated by deletion of 109 amino acids encoded by exons 5 and 6. In contrast, RONE5/6inwas derived from a transcript with an insertion of 20 amino acids between exons 5 and 6. Both RON160 and RONE5/6inwere proteolytically matured into two-chain receptor and expressed on the cell surface. RON160 was constitutively active with tyrosine phosphorylation. However, activation of RONE5/6inrequired ligand stimulation. Deletion resulted in the resistance of RON160 to proteolytic digestion by cell associated trypsin-like enzymes. RON160 also resisted anti-RON antibody-induced receptor internalization. These features contributed to sustained intracellular signaling cascades. On the other hand, RONE5/6inwas highly susceptible to protease digestion, which led to formation of a truncated variant known as RONp110. RONE5/6inalso underwent rapid internalization upon anti-RON antibody treatment, which led to signaling attenuation. Although ligand-induced activation of RONE5/6inpartially caused epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), it was RON160 that showed cell-transforming activities in cell focus formation and anchorage-independent growth. RON160-mediated EMT is also associated with increased motile/invasive activity.ConclusionsAlterations in the first IPT domain in extracellular region differentially regulate RON mediated tumorigenic activities. Deletion of the first IPT results in formation of oncogenic variant RON160. Enhanced degradation and internalization with attenuated signaling cascades could be the mechanisms underlying non-tumorigenic features of RONE5/6in.
Inter-laboratory validation of the measurement of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) after various lengths of frozen storage
Authors: Scriver Jessica , Baker Valerie L , Young Steven L , Behr Barry , Pastore Lisa M 
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Background
Serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels are used clinically to evaluate infertility, pituitary and gonadal disorders. With increased frequency of research collaborations across institutions, it is essential that inter-laboratory validation is addressed.

Methods
An inter-laboratory validation of three commercial FSH immunoassays was performed with human serum samples of varying frozen storage length (2 batches of 15 samples each) at -25 degree C. Percentage differences and Bland-Altman limits of agreement were calculated.

Results
The inter- and intra-laboratory consistency of FSH values with the same assay manufacturer was much higher after shorter-term storage (frozen for less than 11 months, mean percentage degradation less than 4%) than after long-term storage (2-3 years, mean percentage degradation = 23%). Comparing assay results from different manufacturers, there was similar overall long term degradation as seen with the same manufacturer (-25%), however the degradation was greater when the original FSH was greater than 20 mIU/mL relative to less than 10 mIU/mL (p < 0.001 trend test).

Conclusion
The findings suggest that degradation of serum samples stored between 11 months and 2-3 years at -25 degrees C can lead to unstable FSH measurements. Inter-laboratory variability due to frozen storage time and manufacturer differences in assay results should be accounted for when designing and implementing research or clinical quality control activities involving serum FSH at multiple study sites.
ISDD: A computational model of particle sedimentation, diffusion and target cell dosimetry for in vitro toxicity studies
Authors: Hinderliter Paul M , Minard Kevin R , Orr Galya , Chrisler William B , Thrall Brian D , Pounds Joel G , Teeguarden Justin G 
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Background
The difficulty of directly measuring cellular dose is a significant obstacle to application of target tissue dosimetry for nanoparticle and microparticle toxicity assessment, particularly for in vitro systems. As a consequence, the target tissue paradigm for dosimetry and hazard assessment of nanoparticles has largely been ignored in favor of using metrics of exposure (e.g. μg particle/mL culture medium, particle surface area/mL, particle number/mL). We have developed a computational model of solution particokinetics (sedimentation, diffusion) and dosimetry for non-interacting spherical particles and their agglomerates in monolayer cell culture systems. Particle transport to cells is calculated by simultaneous solution of Stokes Law (sedimentation) and the Stokes-Einstein equation (diffusion).

Results
The In vitro Sedimentation, Diffusion and Dosimetry model (ISDD) was tested against measured transport rates or cellular doses for multiple sizes of polystyrene spheres (20-1100 nm), 35 nm amorphous silica, and large agglomerates of 30 nm iron oxide particles. Overall, without adjusting any parameters, model predicted cellular doses were in close agreement with the experimental data, differing from as little as 5% to as much as three-fold, but in most cases approximately two-fold, within the limits of the accuracy of the measurement systems. Applying the model, we generalize the effects of particle size, particle density, agglomeration state and agglomerate characteristics on target cell dosimetry in vitro.

Conclusions
Our results confirm our hypothesis that for liquid-based in vitro systems, the dose-rates and target cell doses for all particles are not equal; they can vary significantly, in direct contrast to the assumption of dose-equivalency implicit in the use of mass-based media concentrations as metrics of exposure for dose-response assessment. The difference between equivalent nominal media concentration exposures on a μg/mL basis and target cell doses on a particle surface area or number basis can be as high as three to six orders of magnitude. As a consequence, in vitro hazard assessments utilizing mass-based exposure metrics have inherently high errors where particle number or surface areas target cells doses are believed to drive response. The gold standard for particle dosimetry for in vitro nanotoxicology studies should be direct experimental measurement of the cellular content of the studied particle. However, where such measurements are impractical, unfeasible, and before such measurements become common, particle dosimetry models such as ISDD provide a valuable, immediately useful alternative, and eventually, an adjunct to such measurements.
Prevalence and analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in chinchillas
Authors: Hirakawa Yasuko , Sasaki Hiraku , Kawamoto Eiichi , Ishikawa Hiroki , Matsumoto Tetsuya , Aoyama Naoki , Kawasumi Koh , Amao Hiromi 
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Background
Chinchillas (Chinchilla laniger) are popular as pets and are often used as laboratory animals for various studies. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major infectious agent that causes otitis media, pneumonia, septicaemia enteritis, and sudden death in chinchillas. This bacterium is also a leading cause of nosocomial infections in humans. To prevent propagation of P. aeruginosa infection among humans and animals, detailed characteristics of the isolates, including antibiotic susceptibility and genetic features, are needed. In this study, we surveyed P. aeruginosa distribution in chinchillas bred as pets or laboratory animals. We also characterized the isolates from these chinchillas by testing for antibiotic susceptibility and by gene analysis.

Results

P. aeruginosa was isolated from 41.8% of the 67 chinchillas included in the study. Slide agglutination and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis discriminated 5 serotypes and 7 unique patterns, respectively. For the antibiotic susceptibility test, 40.9% of isolates were susceptible to gentamicin, 77.3% to ciprofloxacin, 77.3% to imipenem, and 72.7% to ceftazidime. DNA analyses confirmed that none of the isolates contained the gene encoding extended-spectrum β-lactamases; however, 2 of the total 23 isolates were found to have a gene similar to the pilL gene that has been identified in the pathogenicity island of a clinical isolate of P. aeruginosa.

Conclusions

P. aeruginosa is widely spread in chinchillas, including strains with reduced susceptibility to the antibiotics and highly virulent strains. The periodic monitoring should be performed to help prevent the propagation of this pathogen and reduce the risk of infection from chinchillas to humans.
Development and validation of molecular markers for characterization of Boehmeria nivea var. nivea and Boehmeria nivea var. tenacissima
Authors: Li Chuan-I , Chiou Shu-Jiau , Tong Teng-Soung , Lee Cheng-Yu , Lee Lain-Tze , Cheng Ching-Ming 
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Background
The root of Boehmeria spp (ramie) is a hepatoprotective Chinese herbal medicine. Medicinal properties vary between Boehmeria nivea var. nivea and Boehmeria nivea var. tenacissima, which are local species found in Taiwan. As commercial preparations may use either species, there is a need for a rapid and simple assay to identify variants for quality control.

Methods
Four methods were developed and tested for their applicability in differentiating the two species. These methods were random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD); sequence characterized amplified regions (SCAR); single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences (CAPS).

Results
Three RAPD markers were developed that produced unique bands in B. nivea var. tenacissima and B. nivea var. nivea. Based on sequenced RAPD bands, one SCAR marker was developed that produced a single DNA band in B. nivea var. nivea. Two SNP markers differentiated between B. nivea var. nivea and B. nivea var. tenacissima based on single nucleotide substitutions. A pair of CAPS oligonucleotides was developed by amplifying a 0.55-kb DNA fragment that exhibited species-specific digestion patterns with restriction enzymes Alf III and Nde I. Consistent results were obtained with all the four markers on all tested Boehmeria lines.

Conclusion
The present study demonstrates the use of the RAPD, SCAR, SNP and CAPS markers for rapid identification of two closely related Boehmeria species.
ExprEssence - Revealing the essence of differential experimental data in the context of an interaction/regulation net-work
Authors: Warsow Gregor , Greber Boris , Falk Steffi SI , Harder Clemens , Siatkowski Marcin , Schordan Sandra , Som Anup , Endlich Nicole , Schöler Hans , Repsilber Dirk , Endlich Karlhans , Fuellen Georg 
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Background
Experimentalists are overwhelmed by high-throughput data and there is an urgent need to condense information into simple hypotheses. For example, large amounts of microarray and deep sequencing data are becoming available, describing a variety of experimental conditions such as gene knockout and knockdown, the effect of interventions, and the differences between tissues and cell lines.

Results
To address this challenge, we developed a method, implemented as a Cytoscape plugin called ExprEssence. As input we take a network of interaction, stimulation and/or inhibition links between genes/proteins, and differential data, such as gene expression data, tracking an intervention or development in time. We condense the network, highlighting those links across which the largest changes can be observed. Highlighting is based on a simple formula inspired by the law of mass action. We can interactively modify the threshold for highlighting and instantaneously visualize results. We applied ExprEssence to three scenarios describing kidney podocyte biology, pluripotency and ageing: 1) We identify putative processes involved in podocyte (de-)differentiation and validate one prediction experimentally. 2) We predict and validate the expression level of a transcription factor involved in pluripotency. 3) Finally, we generate plausible hypotheses on the role of apoptosis, cell cycle deregulation and DNA repair in ageing data obtained from the hippocampus.

Conclusion
Reducing the size of gene/protein networks to the few links affected by large changes allows to screen for putative mechanistic relationships among the genes/proteins that are involved in adaptation to different experimental conditions, yielding important hypotheses, insights and suggestions for new experiments. We note that we do not focus on the identification of 'active subnetworks'. Instead we focus on the identification of single links (which may or may not form subnetworks), and these single links are much easier to validate experimentally than submodules. ExprEssence is available at http://sourceforge.net/projects/expressence/.
Cognitive therapy v. usual treatment for borderline personality disorder: prospective 6-year follow-up
Authors: Davidson Kate M. , Tyrer Peter , Norrie John , Palmer Stephen J. , Tyrer Helen 
Published: November 2010

BackgroundLonger-term follow-up of patients with borderline personality disorder have found favourable clinical outcomes, with long-term reduction in symptoms and diagnosis.AimsWe examined the 6-year outcome of patients with borderline personality disorder who were randomised to 1 year of cognitive–behavioural therapy for personality disorders (CBT–PD) or treatment as usual (TAU) in the BOSCOT trial, in three centres across the UK (trial registration: ISRCTN86177428).MethodIn total, 106 participants met criteria for borderline personality disorder in the original trial. Patients were interviewed at follow-up by research assistants masked to the patient's original treatment group, CBT–PD or TAU, using the same measures as in the original randomised trial. Statistical analyses of data for the group as a whole are based on generalised linear models with repeated measures analysis of variance type models to examine group differences.ResultsFollow-up data were obtained for 82% of patients at 6 years. Over half the patients meeting criteria for borderline personality disorder at entry into the study no longer did so 6 years later. The gains of CBT–PD over TAU in reduction of suicidal behaviour seen after 1-year follow-up were maintained. Length of hospitalisation and cost of services were lower in the CBT–PD group compared with the TAU group.ConclusionsAlthough the use of CBT–PD did not demonstrate a statistically significant cost-effective advantage, the findings indicate the potential for continued long-term cost-offsets that accrue following the initial provision of 1 year of CBT–PD. However, the quality of life and affective disturbance remained poor.
Effects of opt-in letters in a National Health Service psychotherapy service
Authors: Houghton Simon , Saxon Dave , Smallwood Amanda 
Published: November 2010

Aims and methodUp to a third of clients referred to National Health Service (NHS) mental health services will miss their first appointment. Opt-in systems are widely used to reduce non-attendance but there has been little published research examining the effects of such methods on clients. A cohort study with non-randomised historical controls was used to examine the introduction of an opt-in letter as the route to a first appointment in an NHS psychotherapy service.ResultsThe introduction of the opt-in letter slightly reduced non-attendance rates for first appointments, but this was at the expense of overall access to the service for the highest prevalence disorders.Clinical implicationsIt appears that although an opt-in system can reduce non-attendance at first appointments, it may have an unintended consequence of denying access to clients with the most common mental health problems such as anxiety disorders and depression.
Continuing professional development for staff and associate specialist grade doctors: the final frontier?
Authors: Rao Rahul 
Published: November 2010

SummaryThe staff and associated specialist grade in psychiatry represents a large proportion of the non-consultant career grade workforce in some areas of the UK, with no direct equivalent worldwide. The advent of separate funding for continuing professional development (CPD) in England offers an opportunity to commission bespoke educational resources for a group of doctors who deliver front-line clinical care. This article details the background to the UK staff and associated specialist grade workforce and describes a model of CPD delivery that has attempted to meet training needs, with a view to improving patient care. Also at the heart of this model is the acquisition of consultant-level competencies through personal and professional development.
Early termination of cognitive-behavioural interventions: literature review
Authors: Salmoiraghi Alberto , Sambhi Rajvinder 
Published: November 2010

Aims and methodThe evidence of the efficacy of cognitive-behavioural interventions is well established. Despite this, clinicians often face a consistent number of not attended appointments or early treatment discontinuation rates. This paper reviews the literature to date regarding the possible causes of early termination of cognitive-behavioural interventions. A literature search was done using Medline, PsycINFO, Embase and the Cochrane Library.ResultsWe reviewed 14 articles. Out of these, two were randomised controlled trials, one was a controlled trial and the rest were cohort studies. Drop-out was defined differently across papers. There are many factors that may affect early treatment discontinuation rates and they are described individually.Clinical implicationsThere does not appear to be a single strong predictor of early treatment discontinuation. Specific literature relating to cognitive-behavioural therapy is scarce. However, some factors such as young age, education level and psychopathology appear to be more strongly associated with early treatment discontinuation than others.
Subcutaneous Compared With Intravenous Administration of Amifostine in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer Receiving Radiotherapy: Final Results of the GORTEC2000-02 Phase III Randomized Trial
Authors: Bardet Etienne , Martin Laurent , Calais Gilles , Alfonsi Marc , Feham Nasr Eddine , Tuchais Claude , Boisselier Pierre , Dessard-Diana Bernadette , Seng Sok-Hun , Garaud Pascal , Aupérin Anne , Bourhis Jean 
Published: November 2010

Purpose To compare compliance with and efficacy of intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SC) amifostine for the treatment of patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. Patients and Methods Patients with newly diagnosed squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, who were eligible for radiotherapy and who were not receiving concurrent chemotherapy, were randomly assigned to receive either IV amifostine (200 mg/m2 daily for 3 minutes, 15 to 30 minutes before irradiation) or SC amifostine (500 mg; two sites; 20 to 60 minutes before irradiation). The primary end point was late xerostomia at 1 year as indicated by unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow rates, a patient benefit questionnaire score, and Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) late toxicity grade. Results Results for IV (n = 143) versus SC (n = 148) administration were as follows. There was no significant difference in compliance (69% for IV v 71% for SC) in patients receiving a full dose of amifostine. Reasons for dose reduction were acute toxicity (25% for IV v 27% for SC; P = .51) and logistics (18% for IV v 9% for SC administration; P = .09). Acute toxicity differed significantly in terms of grade 1 to 2 hypotension (19% for IV v 8% for SC; P = .01), grade 1 to 2 skin rash (9% for IV v 21% for SC; P = .01), and local pain (0% for IV v 8% for SC; P = .003). The incidence of grade 2 or greater xerostomia was significantly higher for patients who received amifostine via SC administration (37% for IV v 62% for SC; P = .005) in the 127 patients (n = 67, IV; n = 60, SC) evaluable at 1 year but not at 2 or 3 years (36% for IV v 51% for SC administration; P = .19; 32% for IV v 41% for SC; P = .63). A generalized linear mixed-model analysis of all data revealed no significant difference in patient self-assessment of salivary function (P = .25), unstimulated or stimulated salivary flow rates (P = .054 and .82, respectively), or grade 2 or greater xerostomia (P = .23). Conclusion SC amifostine administration was not significantly superior to IV amifostine administration in terms of patient compliance or efficacy.