bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes of Metalloproteinases Profile in Patients With Masked Hypertension
Authors: Papadopoulos D.P. , Thomopoulos C. , Perrea D. , Papazachou U. , Daskalaki M. , Bourantas C. , Votteas V. , Makris T.K. 
Published: December 2008

Introduction. The aim of our study was to investigate whether collagen degradation is altered in participants with masked hypertension and whether this alteration could be related to disturbances in the matrix metalloproteinases plasma concentration and to compare the findings with those participants with normal blood pressure levels matched for age, sex, and body mass index. Methods. Twenty-four (11 men, 13 women) participants with masked hypertension [mean age 46 ± 7 years and body mass index 25.9 ± 2.1 kg/m2 (group A)] and 106 healthy normotensives (49 men, 57 women) with normal blood pressure [mean age 44 ± 6 years and body mass index 25.5 ± 2.4 kg/m2 (group B)]. Results. The plasma levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 were significantly higher, while the levels of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases-1 and -4 were significantly lower in group A compared with group B (matrix metalloproteinase-9: 569 ± 135 vs. 282 ± 117 ng/mL, TIMP-1: 169 ± 42 vs. 230 ± 37 ng/mL, P < .01, and TIMP-4: 2.1 ± 1.3 vs. 4.2 ± 1.98 ng/mL, P < .04, respectively). Conclusions. Patients with masked hypertension had significantly increased matrix metalloproteinase-9 plasma levels and significantly decreased plasma levels of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases-1 and -4 compared with participants with normal blood pressure. These findings need further investigation.
Baclofen as an Adjuvant Analgesic for Cancer Pain
Authors: Yomiya Kinomi , Matsuo Naoki , Tomiyasu Shiro , Yoshimoto Tetsusuke , Tamaki Tomohiro , Suzuki Tsutomu , Matoba Motohiro 
Published: December 2008

Purpose: Baclofen is a g-aminobutyric acid receptor agonist commonly used for managing many types of neuropathic pain. The effect of baclofen on cancer pain has not previously been studied. This retrospective study evaluated the efficacy of baclofen in patients with cancer pain.Methods: We reviewed the medical records of all patients given baclofen orally as an analgesic for cancer at 5 institutions.Result: Twenty-five patients received 10 to 40 mg of baclofen for cancer pain relief. Twenty patients have undergone neuropathic pain such as paroxysmal or lancing, sharp, or like an electric shock. Baclofen was effective in 21 of 25 patients and significantly reduced Numeric Rating Scale (pain score, 0-10; P < .0001). Nine patients reported mild adverse events: none of these 9 patients had to discontinue baclofen due to adverse events.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that baclofen may be a useful adjuvant analgesic in the treatment of cancer pain.
EST based phylogenomics of Syndermata questions monophyly of Eurotatoria
Authors: Witek Alexander , Herlyn Holger , Meyer Achim , Boell Louis , Bucher Gregor , Hankeln Thomas 
Published: December 2008

Abstract

Background
The metazoan taxon Syndermata comprising Rotifera (in the classical sense of Monogononta+Bdelloidea+Seisonidea) and Acanthocephala has raised several hypotheses connected to the phylogeny of these animal groups and the included subtaxa. While the monophyletic origin of Syndermata and Acanthocephala is well established based on morphological and molecular data, the phylogenetic position of Syndermata within Spiralia, the monophyletic origin of Monogononta, Bdelloidea, and Seisonidea and the acanthocephalan sister group are still a matter of debate. The comparison of the alternative hypotheses suggests that testing the phylogenetic validity of Eurotatoria (Monogononta+Bdelloidea) is the key to unravel the phylogenetic relations within Syndermata. The syndermatan phylogeny in turn is a prerequisite for reconstructing the evolution of the acanthocephalan endoparasitism.

Results
Here we present our results from a phylogenomic approach studying i) the phylogenetic position of Syndermata within Spiralia, ii) the monophyletic origin of monogononts and bdelloids and iii) the phylogenetic relations of the latter two taxa to acanthocephalans. For this analysis we have generated EST libraries of Pomphorhynchus laevis, Echinorhynchus truttae (Acanthocephala) and Brachionus plicatilis (Monogononta). By extending these data with database entries of B. plicatilis, Philodina roseola (Bdelloidea) and 25 additional metazoan species, we conducted phylogenetic reconstructions based on 79 ribosomal proteins using maximum likelihood and bayesian approaches. Our findings suggest that the phylogenetic position of Syndermata within Spiralia is close to Platyhelminthes, that Eurotatoria are not monophyletic and that bdelloids are more closely related to acanthocephalans than monogononts.

Conclusion
Mapping morphological character evolution onto molecular phylogeny suggests the (partial or complete) reduction of the corona and the emergence of a retractable anterior end (rostrum, proboscis) before the separation of Acanthocephala. In particular, the evolution of a rostrum might have been a key event leading to the later evolution of the acanthocephalan endoparasitism, given the enormous relevance of the proboscis for anchoring of the adults to the definitive hosts' intestinal wall.
Proinflammatory effect in whole blood by free soluble bacterial components released from planktonic and biofilm cells
Authors: Oscarsson Jan , Karched Maribasappa , Thay Bernard , Chen Casey , Asikainen Sirkka 
Published: December 2008

Abstract

Background

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is an oral bacterium associated with aggressive forms of periodontitis. Increasing evidence points to a link between periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases, however, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. This study investigated the pathogenic potential of free-soluble surface material, released from live planktonic and biofilm A. actinomycetemcomitans cells.

Results
By employing an ex vivo insert model (filter pore size 20 nm) we demonstrated that the A. actinomycetemcomitans strain D7S and its derivatives, in both planktonic and in biofilm life-form, released free-soluble surface material independent of outer membrane vesicles. This material clearly enhanced the production of several proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, MIP-1β) in human whole blood, as evidenced by using a cytokine antibody array and dissociation-enhanced-lanthanide-fluorescent-immunoassay. In agreement with this, quantitative real-time PCR indicated a concomitant increase in transcription of each of these cytokine genes. Experiments in which the LPS activity was blocked with polymyxin B showed that the stimulatory effect was only partly LPS-dependent, suggesting the involvement of additional free-soluble factors. Consistent with this, MALDI-TOF-MS and immunoblotting revealed release of GroEL-like protein in free-soluble form. Conversely, the immunomodulatory toxins, cytolethal distending toxin and leukotoxin, and peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein, appeared to be less important, as evidenced by studying strain D7S cdt/ltx double, and pal single mutants. In addition to A. actinomycetemcomitans a non-oral species, Escherichia coli strain IHE3034, tested in the same ex vivo model also released free-soluble surface material with proinflammatory activity.

Conclusion

A. actinomycetemcomitans, grown in biofilm and planktonic form, releases free-soluble surface material independent of outer membrane vesicles, which induces proinflammatory responses in human whole blood. Our findings therefore suggest that release of surface components from live bacterial cells could constitute a mechanism for systemic stimulation and be of particular importance in chronic localized infections, such as periodontitis.
DNA-microarrays identification of Streptococcus mutans genes associated with biofilm thickness
Authors: Shemesh Moshe , Tam Avshalom , Kott-Gutkowski Miriam , Feldman Mark , Steinberg Doron 
Published: December 2008

Abstract

Background
A biofilm is a complex community of microorganisms that develop on surfaces in diverse environments. The thickness of the biofilm plays a crucial role in the physiology of the immobilized bacteria. The most cariogenic bacteria, mutans streptococci, are common inhabitants of a dental biofilm community. In this study, DNA-microarray analysis was used to identify differentially expressed genes associated with the thickness of S. mutans biofilms.

Results
Comparative transcriptome analyses indicated that expression of 29 genes was differentially altered in 400- vs. 100-microns depth and 39 genes in 200- vs. 100-microns biofilms. Only 10 S. mutans genes showed differential expression in both 400- vs. 100-microns and 200- vs. 100-microns biofilms. All of these genes were upregulated.
As sucrose is a predominant factor in oral biofilm development, its influence was evaluated on selected genes expression in the various depths of biofilms. The presence of sucrose did not noticeably change the regulation of these genes in 400- vs. 100-microns and/or 200- vs. 100-microns biofilms tested by real-time RT-PCR.
Furthermore, we analyzed the expression profile of selected biofilm thickness associated genes in the luxS
- mutant strain. The expression of those genes was not radically changed in the mutant strain compared to wild-type bacteria in planktonic condition. Only slight downregulation was recorded in SMU.2146c, SMU.574, SMU.609, and SMU.987 genes expression in luxS
- bacteria in biofilm vs. planktonic environments.

Conclusion
These findings reveal genes associated with the thickness of biofilms of S. mutans. Expression of these genes is apparently not regulated directly by luxS and is not necessarily influenced by the presence of sucrose in the growth media.
What needs to change to increase chlamydia screening in general practice in Australia? The views of general practitioners
Authors: Hocking Jane S , Parker Rhian M , Pavlin Natasha , Fairley Christopher K , Gunn Jane M 
Published: December 2008

Abstract

Background
Australia is considering implementing a chlamydia screening program in general practice. The views of general practitioners (GPs) are necessary to inform the design of the program. This paper aimed to investigate Australian GPs' views on how chlamydia screening could work in the Australian context.

Methods
This project used both qualitative interviews and a quantitative questionnaire. GPs were randomly selected from a national database of medical practitioners for both the qualitative and quantitative components. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with GPs and a thematic analysis conducted. The results of the interviews were used to design a quantitative postal questionnaire for completion by a larger sample of GPs. Up to three reminders were sent to non-responders.

Results
Twenty one GPs completed an interview and 255 completed the postal questionnaire. The results of the postal survey were in strong concordance with those of the interview. GPs identified a number of barriers to increased screening including lack of time, knowledge of GPs and the public about chlamydia, patient embarrassment and support for partner notification. GPs felt strongly that screening would be easier if there was a national program and if the public and GPs had a greater knowledge about chlamydia. Incentive payments and mechanisms for recall and reminders would facilitate screening. Greater support for contact tracing would be important if screening is to increase.

Conclusion
Chlamydia screening in general practice is acceptable to Australian GPs. If screening is to succeed, policy makers must consider the facilitators identified by GPs.
A rare tumoral combination, synchronous lung adenocarcinoma and mantle cell lymphoma of the pleura
Authors: Hatzibougias Dimitrios , Bobos Mattheos , Karayannopoulou Georgia , Karkavelas Georgios , Karapanagiotidis Georgios T , Foroulis Christophoros N , Kostopoulos Ioannis 
Published: December 2008

Abstract

Background
Coexistence of adenocarcinoma and mantle cell lymphoma in the same or different anatomical sites is extremely rare. We present a case of incidental discovery of primary lung adenocarcinoma and mantle cell lymphoma involving the pleura, during an axillary thoracotomy performed for a benign condition.

Case presentation
A 73-year old male underwent bullectomy and apical pleurectomy for persistent pneumothorax. A bulla of the lung apex was resected en bloc with a scar-like lesion of the lung, which was located in proximity with the bulla origin, by a wide wedge resection. Histologic examination of the stripped-off parietal pleura and of the bullectomy specimen revealed the synchronous occurrence of two distinct neoplasms, a lymphoma infiltrating the pleura and a primary, early lung adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemical and fluorescence in situ hybridization assays were performed. The morphologic, immunophenotypic and genetic findings supported the diagnosis of primary lung adenocarcinoma (papillary subtype) coexisting with a non-Hodgkin, B-cell lineage, mantle cell lymphoma involving both, visceral and parietal pleura and without mediastinal lymph node involvement. The neoplastic lymphoid cells showed the characteristic immunophenotype of mantle cell lymphoma and the translocation t(11;14). The patient received 6 cycles of chemotherapy, while pulmonary function tests precluded further pulmonary parenchyma resection (lobectomy) for his adenocarcinoma. The patient is alive and without clinical and radiological findings of local recurrence or distant relapse from both tumors 14 months later.

Conclusion
This is the first reported case of a rare tumoral combination involving simultaneously lung and pleura, emphasizing at the incidental discovery of the two coexisting neoplasms during a procedure performed for a benign condition. Any tissue specimen resected during operations performed for non-tumoral conditions should be routinely sent for pathologic examination.
Fgf2 is expressed in human and murine embryonic choroid plexus and affects choroid plexus epithelial cell behaviour
Authors: Greenwood Sarah , Swetloff Adam , Wade Angela M , Terasaki Tetsuya , Ferretti Patrizia 
Published: December 2008

Abstract

Background
Although fibroblast growth factor (Fgf) signalling plays crucial roles in several developing and mature tissues, little information is currently available on expression of Fgf2 during early choroid plexus development and whether Fgf2 directly affects the behaviour of the choroid plexus epithelium (CPe). The purpose of this study was to investigate expression of Fgf2 in rodent and human developing CPe and possible function of Fgf2, using in vitro models. The application of Fgf2 to brain in vivo can affect the whole tissue, making it difficult to assess specific responses of the CPe.

Methods
Expression of Fgf2 was studied by immunohistochemistry in rodent and human embryonic choroid plexus. Effects of Fgf2 on growth, secretion, aggregation and gene expression was investigated using rodent CPe vesicles, a three-dimensional polarized culture model that closely mimics CPe properties in vivo, and rodent CPe monolayer cultures.

Results
Fgf2 was present early in development of the choroid plexus both in mouse and human, suggesting the importance of this ligand in Fgf signalling in the developing choroid plexus. Parallel analysis of Fgf2 expression and cell proliferation during CP development suggests that Fgf2 is not involved in CPe proliferation in vivo. Consistent with this observation is the failure of Fgf2 to increase proliferation in the tri-dimensional vesicle culture model. The CPe however, can respond to Fgf2 treatment, as the diameter of CPe vesicles is significantly increased by treatment with this growth factor. We show that this is due to an increase in cell aggregation during vesicle formation rather than increased secretion into the vesicle lumen. Finally, Fgf2 regulates expression of the CPe-associated transcription factors, Foxj1 and E2f5, whereas transthyretin, a marker of secretory activity, is not affected by Fgf2 treatment.

Conclusion
Fgf2 expression early in the development of both human and rodent choroid plexus, and its ability to modulate behaviour and gene expression in CPe, supports the view that Fgf signalling plays a role in the maintenance of integrity and function of this specialized epithelium, and that this role is conserved between rodents and humans.
Chronic, low-dose rotenone reproduces Lewy neurites found in early stages of Parkinson's disease, reduces mitochondrial movement and slowly kills differentiated SH-SY5Y neural cells
Authors: Borland M Kathleen , Trimmer Patricia A , Rubinstein Jeremy D , Keeney Paula M , Mohanakumar KP , Liu Lei , Bennett James P 
Published: December 2008

Abstract

Background
Parkinson's disease, the most common adult neurodegenerative movement disorder, demonstrates a brain-wide pathology that begins pre-clinically with alpha-synuclein aggregates ("Lewy neurites") in processes of gut enteric and vagal motor neurons. Rostral progression into substantia nigra with death of dopamine neurons produces the motor impairment phenotype that yields a clinical diagnosis. The vast majority of Parkinson's disease occurs sporadically, and current models of sporadic Parkinson's disease (sPD) can utilize directly infused or systemic neurotoxins.

Results
We developed a differentiation protocol for human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma that yielded non-dividing dopaminergic neural cells with long processes that we then exposed to 50 nM rotenone, a complex I inhibitor used in Parkinson's disease models. After 21 days of rotenone, ~60% of cells died. Their processes retracted and accumulated ASYN-(+) and UB-(+) aggregates that blocked organelle transport. Mitochondrial movement velocities were reduced by 8 days of rotenone and continued to decline over time. No cytoplasmic inclusions resembling Lewy bodies were observed. Gene microarray analyses showed that the majority of genes were under-expressed. qPCR analyses of 11 mtDNA-encoded and 10 nDNA-encoded mitochondrial electron transport chain RNAs' relative expressions revealed small increases in mtDNA-encoded genes and lesser regulation of nDNA-encoded ETC genes.

Conclusion
Subacute rotenone treatment of differentiated SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells causes process retraction and partial death over several weeks, slowed mitochondrial movement in processes and appears to reproduce the Lewy neuritic changes of early Parkinson's disease pathology but does not cause Lewy body inclusions. The overall pattern of transcriptional regulation is gene under-expression with minimal regulation of ETC genes in spite of rotenone's being a complex I toxin. This rotenone-SH-SY5Y model in a differentiated human neural cell mimics changes of early Parkinson's disease and may be useful for screening therapeutics for neuroprotection in that disease stage.
Genomic selection of reference genes for real-time PCR in human myocardium
Authors: Pilbrow Anna P , Ellmers Leigh J , Black Michael A , Moravec Christine S , Sweet Wendy E , Troughton Richard W , Richards A Mark , Frampton Chris M , Cameron Vicky A 
Published: December 2008

Abstract

Background
Reliability of real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) data is dependent on the use of appropriate reference gene(s) for normalization. To date, no validated reference genes have been reported for normalizing gene expression in human myocardium. This study aimed to identify validated reference genes for use in gene expression studies of failed and non-failed human myocardium.

Methods
Bioinformatic analysis of published human heart gene expression arrays (195 failed hearts, 16 donor hearts) was used to identify 10 stable and abundant genes for further testing. The expression stability of these genes was investigated in 28 failed and 28 non-failed human myocardium samples by RT-qPCR using geNorm software.

Results
Signal recognition particle 14 kDa (SRP14), tumor protein, translationally-controlled 1 (TPT1) and eukaryotic elongation factor 1A1 (EEF1A1) were ranked the most stable genes. The commonly used reference gene, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) was ranked the least stable of the genes tested. The normalization strategy was tested by comparing RT-qPCR data of both normalized and raw expression levels of brain natriuretic peptide precursor (NPPB), a gene known to be up-regulated in heart failure. Non-normalized levels of NPPB exhibited a marginally significant difference between failed and non-failed samples (p = 0.058). In contrast, normalized NPPB expression levels were significantly higher in heart-failed patients compared with controls (p = 0.023).

Conclusion
This study used publicly available gene array data to identify a strategy for normalization involving two reference genes in combination that may have broad application for accurate and reliable normalization of RT-qPCR data in failed and non-failed human myocardium.
PTEN and rapamycin inhibiting the growth of K562 cells through regulating mTOR signaling pathway
Authors: Cheng Zhi Y , Guo Xiao L , Yang Xiao Y , Niu Zhi Y , Li Shi H , Wang Su Y , Chen Hao , Pan Ling 
Published: December 2008

Abstract

Objective
To investigate, in vitro, the regulatory effects of tumor-suppressing gene PTEN on mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signaling pathway, the effects of transfected PTEN and rapamycin on the growth inhibition, and apoptosis induction for human leukemia cell line K562 cells.

Methods
K562 cells were transfected with recombined adenovirus-PTEN vector containing green fluorescent protein (Ad-PTEN-GFP), followed by the treatment of the cells with or without rapamycin. The proliferation inhibition rate and apoptotic rate of these transfected and/or rapamycin treated K562 cells were measured by MTT assay and flow cytometry (FCM), the expression levels of PTEN-, mTOR-, cyclinD1- and P27kip1- mRNA were measured by real-time fluorescent relative-quantification reverse transcriptional PCR (FQ-PCR), the protein expression levels of PTEN, Akt, p-Akt were detected by western blotting.

Results
The proliferation of K562 cells was inhibited by PTEN gene transfection with/without the treatment of rapamycin. The expression levels of PTEN- and P27kip1- mRNA were up-regulated, and the mTOR- and cyclinD1- mRNA were down-regulated in K562 cells after the cells transfected with wild type PTEN gene and treated with rapamycin.

Conclusion
PTEN and rapamycin inhibited mTOR expression by acting as an upstream regulator of mTOR. Low dose rapamycin in combination with over-expressed PTEN might have synergistic effects on inhibiting the proliferation and promoting apoptosis of K562 cells.
Primary lymphoma of the head and neck: two case reports and review of the literature
Authors: Essadi Ismail , Ismaili Nabil , Tazi Elmehdi , Elmajjaoui Sanaa , Saidi Ammar , Ichou Mohammed , Errihani Hassan 
Published: December 2008

Abstract

Background
The head and neck is the second most common region for the extra-nodal lymphomas after that of gastrointestinal tract. Approximately 2.5% of malignant lymphoma arises in the oral and para-oral region. In this paper we report two cases of early stage head and neck lymphoma which were managed successfully with chemotherapy and a review of the related literature.

Cases presentation
The first case concerns a 48 years male patient having a diffuse large B-Cell lymphoma of the oropharynx at early bulky stage. This patient was managed successfully with 7 of Rituximab 375 mg/m2, Cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m2 d1, Doxorubicine 50 mg/m2 d1, Vincristine 1.4 mg/m2 d1, and prednisone 50 mg/m2 d1-5 (RCHOP) regimen. The second case concerns a 50 years female patient having the nasal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma of the left nasal pit at early stage. This case was managed successfully with 6 of Cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m2 d1, Doxorubicine 50 mg/m2 d1, Vincristine 1.4 mg/m2 d1, and prednisone 50 mg/m2 d1-5 (CHOP) regimen.

Conclusion
These two cases highlight the important role of CHOP based chemotherapy for achieving successful treatment cure for patients having an early stage head and neck lymphoma.