bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The influence of erythropoietin on cognitive function in women following chemotherapy for breast cancer
Authors: Mar Fan H.G. , Park A. , Xu W. , Yi Q‐L. , Braganza S. , Chang J. , Couture F. , Tannock I.F. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractObjective: Cognitive dysfunction is a potential side effect of chemotherapy, and erythropoietin might be protective. A previously reported study compared quality‐of‐life in women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer who were randomized to receive epoetin‐alfa or standard care. Here, we report a non‐randomized sub‐study in which cognitive function of participants was evaluated at 12–30 months after chemotherapy.Methods: The primary endpoint was the proportion of women with moderate–severe cognitive impairment, as measured by the High Sensitivity Cognitive Screen (HSCS). Subjects also completed the Revised Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT‐R), the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—Fatigue (FACT‐F) and FACT‐G self‐report questionnaires for fatigue and quality‐of‐life, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.Results: Of 278 patients receiving adjuvant treatment in the primary study, 87 participated in the sub‐study: 45 had received epoetin‐alfa and 42 standard care. Groups were well matched for age and type of chemotherapy. Eight patients (9%) had moderate–severe cognitive dysfunction by the HSCS: six of them in the epoietin‐alfa group (not significant). There were no significant differences in the HVLT‐R, or in fatigue, but patients who had received epoetin‐alfa reported better quality‐of‐life.Conclusion: This study failed to demonstrate a protective effect of epoetin‐alfa against the development of delayed cognitive dysfunction after chemotherapy. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Top‐down proteomics with a quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer and collision‐induced dissociation
Authors: Armirotti Andrea , Benatti Umberto , Damonte Gianluca 
Published: January 2009

AbstractWith slight modifications of the instrumental parameters, we demonstrate that satisfactory top‐down data can be obtained with collision‐induced dissociation (CID) tandem mass spectrometry on a quadrupole time‐of‐flight (qTOF) instrument not originally designed for this purpose. Protein identification is achieved with both N‐ and C‐terminal sequence tags and BLAST database searches. The accurate mass measurement of multiply charged fragment ions (mostly y and b‐type) supplements the limited set of cleavage sites and provides a high degree of sequence coverage (90–100%). Post‐translational modification issues can be addressed too. This approach might help those mass spectrometry (MS) core facilities that are not able to afford very high‐resolution instruments, thus expanding the benefits of top‐down protein analysis over the worldwide MS community. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A finite mixture survival model to characterize risk groups of neuroblastoma
Authors: Hunsberger Sally , Albert Paul S. , London Wendy B. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractNeuroblastoma is a childhood cancer with patients experiencing heterogeneous survival outcomes despite aggressive treatment. Disease outcomes range from early death to spontaneous regression of the tumor followed by cure. Owing to this heterogeneity, it is of interest to identify patients with similar types of neuroblastoma so that specific types of treatment can be developed. Oncologists are especially interested in identifying patients who will be cured so that the minimum amount of a potentially toxic treatment can be given to this group of patients. We analyze a large cohort of neuroblastoma patients and develop a finite mixture model that uses covariates to predict the probability of being in a cure group or other (one or more) risk groups. A prediction method is developed that uses the estimated probabilities to assign a patient to different risk groups. The robustness of the model and the prediction method is examined via simulation by looking at misclassification rates under misspecified models. Published in 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rostro-Caudal Gradual Loss of Cellular Diversity Within the Periventricular Regions of the Ventricular System
Authors: Hermann Andreas , Suess Christian , Fauser Mareike , Kanzler Sylvia , Witt Martin , Fabel Klaus , Schwarz Johannes , Höglinger Günter U. , Storch Alexander 
Published: January 2009

Abstract
Neurogenesis occurs constitutively within the periventricular region (PVR) of the lateral ventricles (LV) of the adult mammalian brain. The occurrence of adult neurogenesis within the PVR outside the neurogenic niche of the LV remains controversial, but neural stem cells can be isolated from PVR of the whole ventricular system. The histological basis of this phenomenon including the regional differences of cellular phenotypes within the PVRs is still enigmatic. The occurrence of neurogenesis or manipulable progenitor cells in caudal parts of the adult brain is however one prerequisite for orthotopic regenerative approaches in Parkinson's disease (PD) and other disorders of the midbrain/brainstem. Using quantitative immunohistochemical techniques and electron microscopy, we found a rostro-caudal gradual loss of cellular diversity within the PVR throughout the whole ventricular axis with loss of transit amplifying epidermal growth factor-receptor+ type C cells in all parts caudal to the LV, a gradual reduction from rostral to caudal of both stem cells (type B cells or astrocytes) without signs of proliferation outside the PVR of the LV as well as neuroblasts-like cells (polysialylated neural cell adhesion molecule [PSA-NCAM]+, but doublecortin negative cells) with a different morphology compared with neuroblasts of the PVR of the LV. Electron microscopy confirmed these immunohistochemical data. The proportion of Nestin+/CD24+ cells and Nestin+/S100β+ ependymal cells were consecutively increased in the PVR from rostral to caudal, and ultrastructural analysis showed a region-specific morphology with darker cytoplasm with occasional large lipid droplets as well as indented nuclei within the caudal PVRs. The strong correlation of neuroblast-like cells with the number of neurosphere-forming cells suggests that a quiescent subtype of PSA-NCAM+ cells might be a source of neurosphere-forming cells. We did not find any evidence for neurogenesis or the occurrence of neuroprogenitors within the substantia nigra or other parts of the midbrain/brainstem outside the PVR. Our data provide the histological framework for future studies on orthotopic regenerative approaches in PD by recruiting endogenous predopaminergic progenitors from the midbrain PVR.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Activation of Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription 3 and Focal Adhesion Kinase by Stromal Cell-Derived Factor 1 Is Required for Migration of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Response to Tumor Cell-Conditioned Medium
Authors: Gao Hui , Priebe Waldemar , Glod John , Banerjee Debabrata 
Published: January 2009

Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) migrate to tumors both in vitro and in vivo. Gene expression profiling analysis reveals that stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) is significantly upregulated in MSCs exposed to tumor cell-conditioned medium, when compared with cells treated with control medium, suggesting that SDF-1 signaling is important in mediating MSC migration. This study investigates downstream signaling during MSC migration in response to tumor cell-conditioned medium and recombinant SDF-1 protein treatments. We observed that both recombinant SDF-1 and tumor cell-conditioned medium were able to activate downstream signaling via signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) as revealed by increased phosphorylation of STAT3 and ERK1/2 in human MSCs (hMSCs). Significant impairment of in vitro migration was observed in the presence of MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK) inhibitor PD98059, whereas two Janus kinase 2 (Jak2) inhibitors completely abolished migration induced by tumor cell-conditioned medium. Impaired MSC migration correlated with decreased levels of phosphorylated STAT3 and ERK1/2, suggesting that SDF-1 stimulation activates Jak2/STAT3 as well as MEK/ERK1/2 signaling, which in turn promotes migration of MSCs toward tumor cells. Furthermore, stimulation of hMSCs with recombinant SDF-1 and tumor cell-conditioned medium also significantly activated the focal adhesion kinases (FAKs) and paxillin, which correlated with reorganization of F-actin filaments in hMSCs. Decreased phosphorylation of FAK and paxillin as well as disruption of cytoskeleton organization was observed following Jak2 and MEK inhibitor treatment. Taken together, our results provide insight into the molecular pathways responsible for MSC migration toward the tumor microenvironment and may provide the molecular basis for modifying MSCs for therapeutic purposes.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
1100 kV substation ‐ basic design/specifications of GIS for UHV AC and its verification test and site
Authors: Kobayashi Takayuki 
Published: January 2009

AbstractIn Japan, to satisfy the steadily increasing demand for electricity in urban areas, 1100 kV substation equipment have been developed, and a part of the 1100 kV transmission lines were constructed. 1100 kV substations would be located in the mountainous areas, so they must be made as compact as possible to meet installation space constraints and to harmonize with the natural environment. Thus, 1100 kV substations adopt Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) as the main circuit from transmission line entrance to transformer bushings. Because the substation is one of the most important items in a 1100 kV system, the equipment in 1100 kV substations requires to be of extremely high reliability. Additionally, various technologies that have not been used in 500 kV and lower systems are applied. To establish carefully the 1100 kV equipment technologies, TEPCO constructed a UHV Equipment Test Station (in the 500 kV Shin‐Haruna substation), which has the minimum component of a 1100 kV substation‐3 single‐phase transformers (3000 MVA bank) and 1 bay of GIS (8000 A). Connecting these facilities to the actual grid in 1996, a field verification test has been carried out. Copyright © 2009 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Particle Swarm Optimization with velocity control
Authors: Nakagawa Naoya , Ishigame Atsushi , Yasuda Keiichiro 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThis paper presents a new Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) technique with velocity control. In the proposed method, we lead the particles from intensification to diversification by adding a random number to the velocity of the particle depending on the distance from global best position (gbest), and thereby the particles can search widely in the search space. Copyright © 2009 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Ubiquitin ligase Rsp5p is involved in the gene expression changes during nutrient limitation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Cardona F. , Aranda A. , del Olmo M. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractRsp5p is an essential ubiquitin ligase involved in many different cellular events, including amino acid transporters degradation, transcription initiation and mRNA export. It plays important role in both stress resistance and adaptation to the change of nutrients. We have found that ubiquitination machinery is necessary for the correct induction of the stress response SPI1 gene at the entry of the stationary phase. SPI1 is a gene whose expression is regulated by the nutritional status of the cell and whose deletion causes hypersensitivity to various stresses, such as heat shock, alkaline stress and oxidative stress. Its regulation is mastered by Rsp5p, as mutations in this gene lead to a lower SPI1 expression. In this process, Rsp5p is helped by several proteins, such as Rsp5p‐interacting proteins Bul1p/2p, the ubiquitin conjugating protein Ubc1p and ubiquitin proteases Ubp4p and Ubp16p. Moreover, a mutation in the RSP5 gene has a global effect at the gene expression level when cells enter the stationary phase. Rsp5p particularly controls the levels of the ribosomal proteins mRNAs at this stage. Rsp5p is also necessary for a correct induction of p‐bodies under stress conditions, indicating that this protein plays an important role in the post‐transcriptional fate of mRNA under nutrient starvation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PGK1, the gene encoding the glycolitic enzyme phosphoglycerate kinase, acts as a multicopy suppressor of apoptotic phenotypes in S. cerevisiae
Authors: Mazzoni Cristina , Torella Mirko , Petrera Agnese , Palermo Vanessa , Falcone Claudio 
Published: January 2009

AbstractIn a previous paper we reported the construction of a S. cerevisiae strain lacking the essential gene LSM4, which could survive by the introduction of a truncated form of the orthologous gene from Kluyveromyces lactis. This strain showed apoptotic hallmarks and other phenotypes, including an increased sensitivity to caffeine and acetic acid. The suppression of the latter phenotype by overexpressing yeast genes allowed the isolation of PGK1, the gene encoding the glycolytic enzyme phosphoglycerate kinase. This gene restored normal ageing, oxygen peroxide resistance and nuclear integrity in the mutant. Other phenotypes, such as caffeine sensitivity and glycerol utilization, were also suppressed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of proton-specific ATPase activities in plume and root tissues of two co-occurring hydrocarbon seep tubeworm species Lamellibrachia luymesi and Seepiophila jonesi
Authors: Dattagupta Sharmishtha , Redding Meredith , Luley Kathryn , Fisher Charles 
Published: January 2009

Abstract

Lamellibrachia luymesi and Seepiophila jonesi are co-occurring species of vestimentiferan tubeworms found at hydrocarbon seepage sites on the upper Louisiana slope of the Gulf of Mexico. Like all vestimentiferans, they rely on internal sulfide-oxidizing symbiotic bacteria for nutrition. These symbionts produce hydrogen ions as a byproduct of sulfide oxidation, which the host tubeworm needs to eliminate to prevent acidosis. The hydrothermal vent tubeworm Riftia pachyptila uses a high activity of P- and V-type H+-ATPases located in its plume epithelium to excrete protons. Unlike R. pachyptila, the seep species grow a posterior root, which they can use in addition to their plumes as a nutrient exchange surface. In this study we measured the ATPase activities of plume and root tissues collected from L. luymesi and S. jonesi, and used a combination of inhibitors to determine the relative activities of P- and V-type H+-ATPases. We found that the total H+-ATPase activity of their plumes was approximately 14 μmol h−1 g−1 wet weight, and that of their roots was between 5 and 7 μmol h−1 g−1 wet weight. These activities were more than ten times lower than those measured in R. pachyptila. We suggest that seep tubeworms might use passive channels to eliminate protons across their roots, in addition to ATP-dependant proton pumps located in their plumes and roots. In addition, we found strong differences between the types of ATPase activities in the plumes of L. luymesi and S. jonesi. While the H+-ATPase activity of L. luymesi plumes is dominated by P-type ATPases, S. jonesi has an unusually high activity of V-type H+-ATPases. We suggest that S. jonesi relies on its high V-type H+-ATPase activity to drive carbon dioxide uptake across its plume surface. L. luymesi, on the other hand, might rely partially on bicarbonate uptake across its root.
Cost analysis of a system of ad hoc theatre sessions for the management of delayed trauma cases
Authors: Basso Oreste 
Published: January 2009

Abstract

Background
Reducing hospital stay optimizes bed capacity. Shortage of operating time can cause some patients to have their treatment and discharge home delayed. Extra operating sessions could help in reducing such a delay. We performed a feasibility study for a simulated model of trauma lists, implemented ad- hoc to reduce time to surgery.

Materials and methods
Two hundred thirty-five consecutive trauma admissions were audited. The time required to deliver surgical treatment was recorded. Patients waiting for their operation more than 48 h from admission were allocated into a simulated system of ad hoc trauma lists, using a realistic decision-making process. The potential to reduce time-to-operation was assessed and the number of saved bed occupancy days was calculated. A cost analysis was also performed.

Results
Surgical treatment was delivered within 48 h in 193 (85%) patients, while 32 (15%) patients waited a mean of 3.8 days (3–7), because of insufficient time. To operate on these patients earlier, additional lists would have cost £38, 703, reducing the time to surgery to 1 day (0–2). This would have saved 86 days of bed occupancy, representing a savings of £17,200. Restricting the use of extra lists to the elderly patients in the cohort would have required only 11 extra lists and reduced waiting from 3 (3–4) to 1 days (0–2), for a cost of £22,407. Elderly patients’ lists would have had space left to treat additional seven younger patients, with a total saving of 51 bed occupancy days, corresponding to £10,200.

Conclusions
The system of ad hoc trauma lists is easy to organize and it appears to impact significantly on patients’ discharge and bed capacity. Direct costs to the health service are contained, as they are partially compensated by the improvement in beds availability.
Evaluating the trans Fatty Acid, CLA, PUFA and Erucic Acid Diversity in Human Milk from Five Regions in China
Authors: Li Jing , Fan Yawei , Zhang Zhiwu , Yu Hai , An Yin , Kramer John K. G. , Deng Zeyuan 
Published: January 2009

AbstractHuman milk was obtained from 97 healthy lactating women from five different regions in China. Twenty‐four hour dietary questionnaire identified the foods consumed that showed distinct differences in food types between cities. The southern and central regions had higher levels of total trans fatty acids (TFA) and conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) in human milk than the northern region. The major isomers in human milk from the northern region were vaccenic and rumenic acids, whereas the other regions had a random distribution of these isomers. This was consistent with the isomer distribution in the refined vegetable oils used and their increased formation during high temperature stir‐frying. The human milk composition showed little evidence that partially hydrogenated fats were consumed, except eight mothers in Guangzhou who reported eating crackers, plus four other mothers. The TFA concentration in these human milk samples was higher (2.06–3.96%). The amount of n‐6 (1.70–2.24%) and n‐3 (0.60–1.47%) highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) in human milk and the resultant ratio (1.43–2.95) showed all mothers in China had an adequate supply of HUFA in their diet. Rapeseed oil was consumed evidenced by erucic acids in human milk. The levels of erucic acid were below internationally accepted limits for human consumption. The levels of undesirable TFA and CLA isomers in human milk are a concern. Efforts to decrease the practice of high temperature stir‐frying using unsaturated oils, and a promotion to increase consumption of dairy and ruminant products should be considered in China.
Observation of fetal brain in a rat valproate‐induced autism model: a developmental neurotoxicity study
Authors: Kuwagata Makiko , Ogawa Tetsuo , Shioda Seiji , Nagata Tomoko 
Published: January 2009

AbstractPrenatal exposure to chemicals is well known to induce developmental abnormalities in the central nervous system of children. Developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) tests are important to identify neurotoxic agents and prevent neurodevelopmental disorders. We have investigated DNT, focusing on the fetal brain shortly after chemical exposure. To demonstrate a usefulness of a study focusing on the fetal brain in DNT tests, we assessed the fetal brain in a rat valproate‐induced autism model. Rats were treated with sodium valproate (VPA, 800 mg/kg) orally on gestational day (GD) 9 or 11 (VPA9 or VPA11), and the fetal brains were examined on GD16 using immunohistochemistry for serotonin (5‐HT), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and TuJ1 (neuron specific class III β‐tubulin). Hypoplasia of the cortical plate was induced in both VPA9 and VPA11 groups. Abnormal migration of TH‐positive and 5‐HT neurons, possibly due to the appearance of an abnormally running nerve tract in the pons, was observed only in the VPA11 group. In addition, when we compared the incidence of these abnormalities between pregnant rats mated in our own animal facility (in‐house group), and rats purchased pregnant (supplier group), the supplier group was much more sensitive, especially to the pons abnormality. Shipping stress may affect the reproducibility of VPA‐induced DNT. The present results demonstrate that examination of the GD16 fetal brain was useful for detecting and characterizing abnormal development of the brain after VPA exposure. Further discussion was made with reference to the findings in children with autism.
Consumer decision making and aging: A commentary
Authors: Sternthal Brian , Bonezzi Andrea 
Published: January 2009

AbstractYoon, Cole and Lee's review suggests two strategies to address elderly individuals' limitations in processing information and decision making. One is accommodation, which entails designing information processing and judgment tasks so that they are compatible with the elderly's resource limitations. The other strategy involves stimulating self‐regulation. Here the premise is that elderly individuals often have the resources necessary to engage in a task, but only activate them in response to explicit directions. We discuss whether this observation reflects older individuals' inability to activate self‐regulation strategies spontaneously, or their purposive rationing of their limited resources so they remain available for more profound activities.
Can coverage of schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminthiasis control programmes targeting school-aged children be improved? New approaches
Authors: MASSA K. , OLSEN A. , SHESHE A. , NTAKAMULENGA R. , NDAWI B. , MAGNUSSEN P. 
Published: January 2009

SUMMARYControl programmes generally use a school-based strategy of mass drug administration to reduce morbidity of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) in school-aged populations. The success of school-based programmes depends on treatment coverage. The community-directed treatment (ComDT) approach has been implemented in the control of onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis in Africa and improves treatment coverage. This study compared the treatment coverage between the ComDT approach and the school-based treatment approach, where non-enrolled school-aged children were invited for treatment, in the control of schistosomiasis and STH among enrolled and non-enrolled school-aged children. Coverage during the first treatment round among enrolled children was similar for the two approaches (ComDT: 80·3% versus school: 82·1%, P=0·072). However, for the non-enrolled children the ComDT approach achieved a significantly higher coverage than the school-based approach (80·0 versus 59·2%, P<0·001). Similar treatment coverage levels were attained at the second treatment round. Again, equal levels of treatment coverage were found between the two approaches for the enrolled school-aged children, while the ComDT approach achieved a significantly higher coverage in the non-enrolled children. The results of this study showed that the ComDT approach can obtain significantly higher treatment coverage among the non-enrolled school-aged children compared to the school-based treatment approach for the control of schistosomiasis and STH.