bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antiproliferative effects of essential oils and their major constituents in human renal adenocarcinoma and amelanotic melanoma cells
Authors: Loizzo M. R. , Tundis R. , Menichini F. , Saab A. M. , Statti G. A. , Menichini F. 
Published: November 2008

Abstract.  Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate cytotoxic activity of Platycladus orientalis, Prangos asperula and Cupressus sempervirens ssp. pyramidalis essential oils and to identify active components involved in inhibition of population growth of human cancer cell lines. Materials and methods: Essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and were analysed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Antiproliferative activity was tested on amelanotic melanoma C32 cells and on renal cell adenocarcinoma cells, using the sulphorhodamine B assay. Results: Cupressus sempervirens ssp. pyramidalis leaf oil exerted the highest cytotoxic activity with an IC50 value of 104.90 µg/mL against C32, followed by activity of P. orientalis and P. asperula on the renal adenocarcinoma cell line (IC50 of 121.93 and 139.17 µg/mL, respectively). P. orientalis essential oil was also active against amelanotic melanoma with an IC50 of 330.04 µg/mL. Three identified terpenes, linalool, β‐caryophyllene and α‐cedrol, were found to be active on both cell lines tested. Conclusions: Our findings provide novel insights into the field of cytotoxic properties of essential oils. This study provided evidence on how cytotoxic activity of the oils is not always related to their major constituents, except for lower activity found in both cell lines for α‐cedrol. Interestingly, β‐caryophyllene and linalool exhibited comparable IC50 values to the commercial drug vinblastine on the ACHN cell line. This opens a new field of investigation to discover mechanisms responsible for the observed activity.
In vivo characterization of transplanted human embryonic stem cell‐derived pancreatic endocrine islet cells
Authors: Eshpeter A. , Jiang J. , Au M. , Rajotte R. V. , Lu K. , Lebkowski J. S. , Majumdar A. S. , Korbutt G. S. 
Published: November 2008

Abstract.  Objectives: Islet‐like clusters (ILCs), differentiated from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), were characterized both before and after transplantation under the kidney capsule of streptozotocin‐induced diabetic immuno‐incompetent mice. Materials and methods: Multiple independent ILC preparations (n = 8) were characterized by immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and cell insulin content, with six preparations transplanted into diabetic mice (n = 42), compared to controls, which were transplanted with either a human fibroblast cell line or undifferentiated hESCs (n = 28). Results: Prior to transplantation, ILCs were immunoreactive for the islet hormones insulin, C‐peptide and glucagon, and for the ductal epithelial marker cytokeratin‐19. ILCs also had cellular insulin contents similar to or higher than human foetal islets. Expression of islet and pancreas‐specific cell markers was maintained for 70 days post‐transplantation. The mean survival of recipients was increased by transplanted ILCs as compared to transplanted human fibroblast cells (P < 0.0001), or undifferentiated hESCs (P < 0.042). Graft function was confirmed by secretion of human C‐peptide in response to an oral bolus of glucose. Conclusions: hESC‐derived ILC grafts continued to contain cells that were positive for islet endocrine hormones and were shown to be functional by their ability to secrete human C‐peptide. Further enrichment and maturation of ILCs could lead to generation of a sufficient source of insulin‐producing cells for transplantation into patients with type 1 diabetes.
Exploring the role of polymorphisms in ficolin genes in respiratory tract infections in children
Authors: Ruskamp J M , Hoekstra M O , Postma D S , Kerkhof M , Bottema R W , Koppelman G H , Rovers M M , Wijga A H , De Jongste J C , Brunekreef B , Sanders E A M 
Published: November 2008

Summary
Ficolins are pattern-recognition molecules that appear to be relevant for innate immune defence against infections. The ficolin genes in Caucasians are polymorphic and genetic variations may have functional consequences, both in relation to function and concentration. Low levels of Ficolin-2 have been suggested to associate with recurrent respiratory tract infections (RTI), whereas data on Ficolin-3 are still very limited. We investigated the association between variation in genes encoding Ficolin-2 (FCN2) and Ficolin-3 (FCN3) and frequency of RTI during the first 4 years of life. The study population consisted of 900 children from a large, population-based birth cohort of Dutch children, followed prospectively from birth to 4 years of age. The number of RTI was assessed by annual parental questionnaires. Nine single nucleotide polymorphisms in FCN2 and two in FCN3, all based on functionality or haplotype-tagging characteristics, were determined and haplotypes constructed. We found that single nucleotide polymorphisms in FCN2 and FCN3 were not associated with increased risk of RTI during the first 4 years of life. No difference existed between haplotype-frequencies of FCN2 and FCN3 in children grouped according to the reported number of RTI. In conclusion, at a population level, genetic variation in ficolin genes FCN2 and FCN3 do not seem to contribute to the risk of RTI in Caucasian children.
Elastin degradation within the abdominal aortic aneurysm wall – relationship between intramural pH and adjacent thrombus formation
Authors: Wiernicki I. , Cnotliwy M. , Baranowska‐Bosiacka I. , Urasinska E. , Kwas A. , Bober J. , Gutowski P. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTBackground  The natural history of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is wall remodelling potentially leading to a final rupture. The pathogenesis of AAA appears to be multifactorial. The aim of this pilot prospective study was to assess the relationship between the thickness of the thrombus within the abdominal aortic aneurysm, intramural pH and local elastin degradation.Materials and methods  The AAA size, intraluminal thrombus (ILT) morphology and location were evaluated in 206 consecutive patients. Thirty patients with large AAA (aortic diameter ≥ 50 mm) and adjacent ILT with the thinnest part ≤ 10 mm and thickest ≥ 25 mm, measured in the region of the maximum diameter of AAA, were included for further study. During AAA surgery intramural pH measurements were performed and specimens taken from both thin thrombus‐covered and thick thrombus‐covered wall for computerized morphometric analysis.Results  Mean intramural pH value was 7·21 ± 0·18 for the wall covered by thick ILT and 7·64 ± 0·10 for the thin one (P < 0·001). Computerized morphometric analysis demonstrated that elastin fibres in the thin thrombus‐covered wall were decreased in size (for width – P < 0·0001, for length –P < 0·13), irregularly orientated (P < 0·000001) and the amount of fibres was reduced when compared to the wall covered by thick ILT (P < 0·0004).Conclusion  A strong relationship between intramural pH and elastin net destruction suggests that the local alkaline status within the thin thrombus‐covered part of the aneurysm wall is contributing to the elastinolytic process.
Comorbidity predicts survival in myelodysplastic syndromes or secondary acute myeloid leukaemia after allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Boehm A. , Sperr W. R. , Leitner G. , Worel N. , Oehler L. , Jaeger E. , Mitterbauer M. , Haas O. A. , Valent P. , Kalhs P. , Rabitsch W. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTBackground Recent data suggest that, among other factors, comorbidity may be an important prognostic variable in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) who are eligible for haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT).Patients and methods We examined the overall survival (OS) and underlying risk factors in 45 adult patients with MDS (n = 38), chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (n = 1), or secondary acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) arising from MDS (n = 6), who underwent allogeneic SCT at our Institution.Results With a median follow‐up of 37 months, OS for all patients was 23%, post‐transplant relapse occurred in 11 patients, and 10 patients died from treatment‐related complications. The overall outcome and survival was independent of cytogenetic abnormalities and International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS). However, we identified comorbidity as defined by the haematopoietic cell transplantation specific comorbidity index (HCT‐CI), as a significant adverse prognostic variable in our MDS patients.Conclusions Based on these data and similar published data we recommend selecting patients with MDS or secondary AML for SCT according to the presence of comorbidities.
Clinical correlates of blood serotonin levels in patients with mastocytosis
Authors: Kushnir‐Sukhov N. M. , Brittain E. , Scott L. , Metcalfe D. D. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackground  Mastocytosis is a clonal disorder associated with an increased mast cell burden. We have recently demonstrated the ability of human mast cells to express and be activated through multiple serotonin receptors; to synthesize and release serotonin; and that mastocytosis patients may have abnormal serotonin levels. As serotonin has been implicated in the genesis of clinical symptoms found in association with some chronic diseases, we have now determined the whole blood serotonin levels in 29 patients diagnosed with mastocytosis, and correlated these levels with multiple clinical and laboratory parameters.Materials and methods  Patients with mastocytosis were categorized according to disease variant. Blood serotonin values were determined and correlated with values reported for normal subjects; and clinical and laboratory features of the disease.Results  Total blood serotonin levels followed a bimodal distribution in line with our earlier report,unlike the normal distribution reported for normal individuals. Serotonin levels did not correlate with platelet numbers, liver function tests or serum tryptase levels. Patients with lower serotonin values had greater rates of fatigue (P = 0·0001), migraine headaches (P = 0·0028), psychiatric symptoms (P = 0·0001), diarrhoea (P = 0·0407), flushing (0·0085), and abdominal and bone pain (P = 0·0001).Conclusions  Our study suggests that low blood serotonin levels help define a sub‐group of patients with mastocytosis that are more likely to present with neurological and gastrointestinal complaints, and suggests that the use of pharmacologic agents that alter blood serotonin levels could be explored in selected patients.
Variability of IgE reactivity profiles among European mite allergic patients
Authors: Weghofer M. , Thomas W. R. , Kronqvist M. , Mari A. , Purohit A. , Pauli G. , Horak F. , Grönlund H. , Van Hage M. , Valenta R. , Vrtala S. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackground  House dust mites (HDM) Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus are a frequent indoor allergen source. Our aim was to determine the frequencies of IgE reactivity to purified HDM allergen molecules in mite allergic patients from different parts of Europe in order to establish an allergen panel for diagnosis of HDM allergy.Materials and methods  Populations of D. pteronyssinus‐allergic patients from Austria (n = 56), France (n = 55), Italy (n = 67) and Sweden (n = 65) and storage mite allergic patients from Sweden (n = 31) were analysed for IgE reactivity to eight purified natural (n) and recombinant (r) D. pteronyssinus allergens (nDer p 1, rDer p 2, nDer p 4, rDer p 5, rDer p 7, rDer p 8, rDer p 10 and rDer p 14) in RAST‐based dot blot assays.Results  Using a combination of Der p 1 and Der p 2, at least 97% of the D. pteronyssinus‐allergic patients could be diagnosed in each of the HDM allergic populations. However, more than 50% of the patients also reacted with other allergens and significant variabilities regarding the frequencies of IgE reactivity to individual allergen molecules were found. Patients with a predominant storage mite allergy showed none or only very weak IgE reactivity to purified D. pteronyssinus allergens.Conclusions  Purified Der p 1 and Der p 2 are sufficient for the diagnosis of ≥ 97% of D. pteronyssinus allergic patients in Europe, but other allergens may also play an important role for the diagnosis and treatment of HDM allergy.
Retinopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with increased intima‐media thickness and endothelial dysfunction
Authors: Malecki M. T. , Osmenda G. , Walus‐Miarka M. , Skupien J. , Cyganek K. , Mirkiewicz‐Sieradzka B. , Damek‐Guzik T. A. , Guzik T. J. , Sieradzki J. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTBackground  Microangioathy and macroangiopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) frequently coexist. Both types of vascular complications share traditional risk factors. It is not clear whether the presence of microangiopathy, such as diabetic retinopathy (DR), constitutes a predictor of atherosclerosis in T2DM. Here we described the search for the association between DR and intima‐media thickness (IMT) in T2DM. We also compared endothelial function in subjects with and without DR.Material and methods  We examined 182 consecutive patients with T2DM for at least 5 years (mean age at examination 56·3 ± 6·52 years). We assessed (i) IMT of carotid artery by ultrasound and (ii) endothelial function by flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD) method as well as by measurement of concentrations of von Willebrand factor (vWF) and s‐ICAM‐1. All patients underwent ophthalmological examination. Statistical analysis included Student's, Mann–Whitney, chi‐square, Fisher tests and multiple regression.Results  DR was found in 71 (39·0%) subjects. IMT was higher in patients with DR than those without DR (0·87 mm vs. 0·79 mm, respectively, P = 0·0001). FMD was lower in the complication group than in subjects without DR (8·38% vs. 10·45%, respectively, P = 0·0023). Concentrations of s‐ICAM‐1 and vWF were not different between the groups. In multiple regression analysis, DR was among the predictors of increased IMT (P = 0·016) and decreased FMD (P = 0·002). We did not find a significant association of DR with vWF and s‐ICAM‐1 (P = 0·09 and P = 0·11, respectively).Conclusions  DR is associated with increased IMT and endothelial dysfunction in T2DM. Impaired endothelial function may be a common denominator of pathogenesis of microvascular complications and atherosclerosis in T2DM.
Water flow paths in soil control element exports in an Andean tropical montane forest
Authors: Boy J. , Valarezo C. , Wilcke W. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryWe tested the hypothesis that concentrations of chemical constituents in stream water can be explained by the depth of water flow through soil. Therefore, we measured the concentrations of total organic carbon (TOC), NO3‐N, NH4‐N, dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Al and Mn in rainfall, throughfall, stemflow, litter leachate, mineral soil solution and stream water of three 8–13 ha catchments on steep slopes (1900–2200 m above sea level) of the south Ecuadorian Andes, from April 1998 to April 2003. Peak C (14–22 mg litre−1), N (0.6–0.9 mg litre−1), K (0.5–0.7 mg litre−1), Ca (0.6–1.0 mg litre−1), Mg (0.3–0.5 mg litre−1), Al (110–390 μg litre−1) and Mn (3.9–8.4 μg litre−1) concentrations in stream water were associated with lateral flow (fast near‐surface flow in saturated topsoil) while the greatest P (0.1–0.3 mg litre−1), S (0.3–0.7 mg litre−1) and Na (3.0–6.0 mg litre−1) concentrations occurred during low baseflow conditions. All elements had greater concentrations in the organic layer than in the mineral soil, but only C, N, K, Ca, Mg, Al and Mn were flushed out during lateral‐flow conditions. Phosphorus, S and Na, in contrast, were mainly released by weathering and (re‐)oxidation of sulphides in the subsoil. Baseflow accounted for 32% to 61% of P export, while > 50% of S was exported during intermediate flow conditions (i.e. lateral flow at the depth of several tens of cm in the mineral soil). Near‐surface water flow through C‐ and nutrient‐rich topsoil during rainstorms was the major export pathway for C, N, Al and Mn (contributing > 50% to the total export of these elements). Near‐surface flow also accounted for one‐third of total base metal export. Our results demonstrate that near‐surface flow related to storm events markedly affects the cycling of many nutrients in steep tropical montane forests.
Carbon mineralization rates at different soil depths across a network of European forest sites (FORCAST)
Authors: Rey A. , Pegoraro E. , Jarvis P. G. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryMost of the carbon (C) in terrestrial ecosystems is stored in the mineral soil layers. Thus, the response of the mineral soil to potential increases in temperature is crucial for the prediction of the impact of climate change on terrestrial ecosystems. Samples from three mineral soil layers were collected from eight mature forest sites in the European network CARBOEUROFLUX and were incubated at four temperatures (4, 10, 20 and 30°C) forc. 270 days. Carbon mineralization rates were related to soil and site characteristics. Soil water holding capacity, C content, nitrogen (N) content and organic matter all decreased with soil depth at all sites, with significantly larger amounts of organic matter, C and N in the top 0–5 cm of mineral soil than in the deeper layers. The conifer forest soils had significantly lower pH, higher C/N ratios and carbon contents in the top 5 cm than the broadleaf forest soils. Carbon mineralization rates decreased with soil depth and time at all sites but increased with temperature, with the highest rates measured at 30°C for all sites. Between 50 and 70% of the total C respired after 270 days of incubation came from the top 5 cm. The percentage C loss was small in all cases, ranging from 1 to 10%. A two‐compartment model was fitted to all data to derive the labile/active and slow/recalcitrant fractions, as well as their decomposition constants. Although the labile fraction was small in all cases, we found significantly larger amounts of labile C in the broadleaf forest soils than in the conifer forest soils. No statistically significant differences were found in the temperature sensitivity parameterQ10among sites, soil layers or between conifer and broadleaf soils. The averageQ10for all soils was 2.98 (± 0.10). We found that despite large differences among sites, C mineralization can be successfully predicted as a combined function of site leaf area index, mean annual temperature and content of labile carbon in the soil (R2 = 0.93).
Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in particle‐size separates and density fractions of typical agricultural soils in the Yangtze River Delta, east China
Authors: Ni J. Z. , Luo Y. M. , Wei R. , Li X. H. 
Published: November 2008

SummarySoil organic matter can be divided into different organic carbon (C) pools with different turnover rates. The organic pollutants in soils associated with these organic C pools may have different bioavailability and environmental risks during the decomposition of soil organic matter. We studied the distribution patterns of 15 USEPA priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in different particle‐size separates (clay, fine silt, coarse silt, fine sand and coarse sand) and density fractions (light and heavy fractions) of nine agricultural topsoils (0–20 cm depth) from a contaminated area in the Yangtze River Delta region of east China. There was a decreasing trend in PAH concentration in particle‐size separates with decreasing particle size. However, the different particle‐size separates had similar PAH composition. The concentration of PAHs in the light fraction ranged from 13 037 to 107 299 μg kg−1, far higher than in the heavy fraction, which ranged from 222 to 298 μg kg−1. Although the light fraction accounted for only 0.4–2.3% of the soils, it was associated with 31.5–69.5% of soil PAHs. The organic matter in coarse silt had the strongest capacity for enrichment with PAHs. Combining the distributions of PAHs and the turnover rates of organic matter in different soil fractions, the environmental risks of PAH‐polluted soils may be due mainly to the PAHs associated with sand and the light fraction.
Soil hydrophobicity: a contribution of diuron sorption experiments
Authors: Chaplain V. , Brault A. , Tessier D. , Défossez P. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryRetention processes play a major role in the fate and impact of organic contaminants in soils. The main goal of this study was to determine the influence of soil hydrophobic properties on the retention of diuron by using plots of a long‐term experiment in Versailles. We selected seven plots with pH 3.4 to 8.2 and low organic content. Sorption isotherms were obtained on soil slurries and kinetic measurements of diuron sorption were performed on undisturbed soil samples. The results showed that the Freundlich coefficient kf decreased as pH increased and that the Koc coefficient, kf/TOC, was linearly related to the contact angle measured on the clay fraction over a wide range of pH. A low initial adsorption rate and low adsorption equilibrium were observed for the plot treated with NaNO3. In this case, the structure in micro‐aggregates was assumed to limit the accessibility of adsorption sites. The CaCO3 and CaO treated plots had similar organic matter contents, pHs, CECs and bulk densities, although their < 2 μm:C ratio differed. The higher retention of diuron in the CaCO3 plot is attributed to the higher hydrophobicity of the < 2 μm fraction, probably masking part of the permanent clay negative charges. Thus, in addition to the different treatments, organic matter composition and distribution should also be included as specific soil properties. We conclude that the sorption properties of pesticides such as diuron can be a good tool to obtain greater understanding of soil properties and the degree of soil hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity in particular.
Evaluation of phosphorus mobilization potential in rewetted fens by an improved sequential chemical extraction procedure
Authors: Zak D. , Gelbrecht J. , Wagner C. , Steinberg C. E. W. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryAfter rewetting of peatlands, phosphorus (P) pore‐water concentrations were up to three orders of magnitude greater than under pristine conditions. It was hypothesized that different mobilization processes such as ion‐exchange reactions, biotic/abiotic redox reactions, acidification and ongoing anaerobic decomposition of particulate organic matter by hydrolytic cleavage and fermentation might be responsible. To identify P pools in peat samples of varying degrees of decomposition, we modified and improved a sequential chemical extraction method that allowed conclusions on potential mobilization mechanisms in rewetted peatlands. The results indicated that the earlier drainage of rewetted fens strongly increased the P mobilization potential in the upper decomposed peat layers. Accordingly, the amount of P bound to redox‐sensitive (bicarbonate/dithionite soluble) compounds (BD‐P) was, on average, one order of magnitude greater in decomposed peat of rewetted fens (5.4–14.3 μmol P g−1 dry matter or DM) than in underlying less‐decomposed peat layers (0.2–1.9 μmol P g−1 DM) or slightly decomposed peat derived from pristine fens (0.4–2.0 μmol P g−1 DM). The BD‐P fraction found in the upper very decomposed peat layers appears to be most important for P mobilization in rewetted fens and accounted for 85% of the variability of P mobilization rates. Despite uncertainties regarding P diagenetic processes in peat, as well as the development of microbial decomposition processes, in the long‐term, high pore‐water P concentrations can be expected in rewetted fens for decades to come.