bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An in vitro model for de‐ and remyelination using lysophosphatidyl choline in rodent whole brain spheroid cultures
Authors: Vereyken E. J. F. , Fluitsma D. M. , Bolijn M. J. , Dijkstra C. D. , Teunissen C. E. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe process of demyelination occurring in diseases as multiple sclerosis is usually investigated in animal models. A major drawback of animal models is that only one condition can be tested per animal, necessitating many animals and systemic effects are factors to be considered. The aim of the study was to develop a reproducible in vitro model for de‐ and remyelination using whole brain spheroid cultures and lysophosphatidyl choline (LPC). In spheroid cultures, single cell suspensions of embryonic day 15 rodent brain cells reaggregate under constant rotation. Three‐dimensional contacts form between the central nervous system cell types present. Multilayered myelin is maximal in four‐week old cultures. A week of repeated exposure to LPC led to 30% loss of MBP protein concentration and 2′,3′‐cyclic nucleotide 3′‐phosphodiesterase activity measurements in both rat and mouse spheroids and 56% loss in the number of myelin sheets, with partial remyelination after a week of recovery. The number of dividing cells was increased after LPC exposure and oligodendrocytes were shown to be among the dividing cells. Microglia and astrocytes were not affected and neurons were relatively spared. This suggests that LPC toxicity is specific for myelin and oligodendrocytes. LPC toxicity could be decreased using cholesterol and simvastatin, suggesting that LPC works through altering membrane composition. Thus, in different rodent species and using different read‐outs, we could reproducibly show de‐ and remyelination in spheroid cultures after LPC exposure. This model for demyelination with potential for remyelination offers possibilities for testing novel therapies and studying mechanisms of remyelination. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hospital type and patient outcomes: an empirical examination using AMI readmission and mortality records
Authors: Jensen Paul H. , Webster Elizabeth , Witt Julia 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThis paper investigates whether there are differences in patient outcomes across different types of hospitals using patient‐level data on readmission and mortality associated with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Hospitals are grouped according to their ownership type (private, public teaching, public non‐teaching) and their location (metropolitan, country and remote country). Using data collected from 130 Victorian hospitals on 19 000 patients admitted to a hospital with their first AMI between January 2001 and December 2003, we consider how the likelihood of unplanned re‐admission and mortality varies across hospital type. We find that there are significant differences across hospital types in the observed patient outcomes – private hospitals persistently outperform public hospitals. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How do physician assessments of patient preferences for colorectal cancer screening tests differ from actual preferences? A comparison in Canada and the United States using a stated‐choice survey
Authors: Marshall Deborah A. , Johnson F. Reed , Kulin Nathalie A. , Özdemir Semra , Walsh Judith M. E. , Marshall John K. , Van Bebber Stephanie , Phillips Kathryn A. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground: Patient preferences can affect colorectal cancer (CRC) screening test use. We compared utility‐based preferences for alternative CRC screening tests from a stated‐preference discrete‐choice survey of the general population and physicians in Canada and the United States.Methods: General population respondents (Canada, n=501; US, n=1087) participated in a survey with 12 choice scenarios and 9 CRC screening test attributes. Physicians (n=100, both Canada and US) reported expected patient preferences. We estimated relative importance of attributes using bivariate probit regression analysis and calculated willingness‐to‐pay for various CRC screening tests.Results: In 28 and 31% of scenarios, Canadian and US respondents, respectively, chose no screening over a hypothetical test. Canadian (45%) and US (46%) physicians expected patients to choose no screening more often. For all groups the most important attribute was sensitivity, but physicians' perception of patients' preferences are significantly different from actual preferences. Other key attributes are those related to test performance or the testing process. Fecal DNA, colonoscopy, and virtual colonoscopy were the most preferred tests by all groups, but respondents were willing‐to‐pay more than physicians predicted.Conclusion: Physicians' perception of patients' preferences are quite different from those of the general population. However, among general population and physicians, Canadian and US preferences were similar. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Physician's production of primary care in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Sarma Sisira , Devlin Rose Anne , Hogg William 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThis paper examines the factors affecting the number of patient visits per week reported by family physicians in Ontario. The way that a physician is paid is potentially endogenous to the number of patients seen per week, thus an instrumental variable method of estimation is employed to account for the endogeneity bias. Once account is taken of the endogeneity of remuneration as well as relevant physician and practice characteristics, the estimated elasticity of output with respect to hours worked is 0.74; 0.68 in group practices and 0.82 in solo practices. Physicians paid on a non‐fee‐for‐service (NFFS) conduct 15–31% fewer patient visits per week in comparison to those paid under an FFS scheme. Certain patient populations in practices affect patient visits in important ways, as do a number of physician and practice characteristics. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A game of two halves? Incentive incompatibility, starting point bias and the bidding game contingent valuation method
Authors: McNamee Paul , Ternent Laura , Gbangou Adjima , Newlands David 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe bidding game (BG) method of contingent valuation is one way to increase the precision of willingness to pay (WTP) estimates relative to the single dichotomous choice approach. However, there is evidence that the method may lead to incentive incompatible responses and be associated with starting point bias. While previous studies in health using BGs test for starting point bias, none have also investigated incentive incompatibility. Using a sample of respondents resident in Burkina Faso, West Africa, this paper examines whether the BG method is associated with both incentive incompatibility and starting point bias. We find evidence for both effects. However, average WTP values remained largely unaffected after accounting for both factors in multivariate analyses. The results suggest that the BG method is an acceptable technique in settings where prices for goods are flexible. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Beneficiary price sensitivity in the Medicare prescription drug plan market
Authors: Frakt Austin B. , Pizer Steven D. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe Medicare stand‐alone prescription drug plan (PDP) came into existence in 2006 as part of the Medicare prescription drug benefit. It is the most popular plan type among Medicare drug plans and large numbers of plans are available to all beneficiaries. In this article we present the first analysis of beneficiary price sensitivity in the PDP market. Our estimate of elasticity of enrollment with respect to premium, −1.45, is larger in magnitude than has been found in the Medicare HMO market. This high degree of beneficiary price sensitivity for PDPs is consistent with relatively low product differentiation, low fixed costs of entry in the PDP market, and the fact that, in contrast to changing HMOs, beneficiaries can select a PDP without disrupting doctor–patient relationships. Published in 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
XRCC3 haplotypes and risk of gliomas in a Chinese population: A hospital‐based case‐control study
Authors: Zhou Keke , Liu Yanhong , Zhang Haishi , Liu Hongliang , Fan Weiwei , Zhong Yu , Xu Zhonghui , Jin Li , Wei Qingyi , Huang Fengping , Lu Daru , Zhou Liangfu 
Published: February 2009

AbstractIn mammalian cells, X‐ray repair cross‐complementing group3 (XRCC3) plays an important role in the DNA double‐strand breaks (DSBs) repair by homologous recombination. Genetic polymorphisms in the XRCC3 gene may potentially affect the repair of DSBs and thus confer susceptibility to gliomas. In this study, we used a haplotype‐based approach to investigate whether 4 tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms of the XRCC3 gene are associated with risk of gliomas in 771 glioma patients and 752 cancer‐free controls. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by the unconditional logistic regression, and haplotype associations were estimated using Haplo.Stat. After adjustment for age and sex, the variant G allele of rs861530 and T allele of rs3212092 were significantly associated with an increased risk of gliomas (AG/GG versus AA: adjusted OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.15–1.80, p = 0.001 and CT/TT versus CC: adjusted OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.12–2.46, p = 0.013, respectively). Consistent with these results, XRCC3 haplotype “GGCC” containing rs861530 G allele and haplotype “AGTC” containing rs3212092 T allele were also significantly associated with an elevated risk of gliomas compared with the common haplotype “AGCC” (adjusted OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.14–1.58, p = 0.000 and adjusted OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.11–2.52, p = 0.015, respectively). Our results suggest that common genetic variants in the XRCC3 gene may modulate glioma risk. © 2009 UICC
Lysyl oxidase‐like 2 promotes migration in noninvasive breast cancer cells but not in normal breast epithelial cells
Authors: Hollosi Peter , Yakushiji Jana K. , Fong Keith S.K. , Csiszar Katalin , Fong Sheri F.T. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractA growing number of studies indicate the importance of the lysyl oxidase family in the promotion of epithelial neoplasms towards their more aggressive forms. However, the role of individual family members in carcinoma progression has yet to be ascertained. In this study, we analyzed LOXL2 expression in malignantly transformed MCF‐7 and normal MCF‐10A mammary epithelial cell line clones stably transduced with LOXL2 in vitro, and in normal and cancerous breast tissue samples in vivo. We found LOXL2 to be catalytically active in both MCF‐7 and MCF‐10 clones. LOXL2 overexpression promoted a more mesenchymal morphology in both cell types, but LOXL2‐induced increase in migratory ability could only be established in MCF‐7 clones. We demonstrated altered localization of the LOXL2 protein in breast cancer tissue compared to normal mammary tissue, and altered localization and processing of LOXL2 protein in breast cancer cell lines compared to normal cell lines, which may allow LOXL2 to interact with different intra and extracellular components during tumor progression. Results support the role of LOXL2 in selectively promoting a metastatic phenotype in breast tumor cells. Additional data suggest epigenetic molecular mechanisms in tumor specific regulation of LOXL2 expression that could be explored as a molecular target in the prevention of breast cancer progression. © 2009 UICC
Risk of liver cancer and exposure to organic solvents and gasoline vapors among Finnish workers
Authors: Lindbohm Marja‐Liisa , Sallmén Markku , Kyyrönen Pentti , Kauppinen Timo , Pukkala Eero 
Published: February 2009

AbstractWe investigated the association between exposure to various groups of solvents and gasoline vapors and liver cancer. A cohort of economically active Finns born between 1906 and 1945 was followed up during the period 1971–1995. The incident cases of primary liver cancer (n = 2474) were identified in a record linkage with the Finnish Cancer Registry. Occupations from the 1970 census were converted to exposures using a job‐exposure matrix. Cumulative exposure was calculated as the product of estimated prevalence, level and duration of exposure, and we used Poisson regression to calculate the relative risks (RR). Among the occupations entailing exposure to organic solvents, an elevated liver cancer incidence was observed in male printers, and varnishers and lacquerers. Among men, the risk was increased in the highest exposure category of aromatic hydrocarbons [RR 1.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.30–2.40], aliphatic/alicyclic hydrocarbons (RR 1.47, 95% CI 0.99–2.18), chlorinated hydrocarbons (RR 2.65, 95% CI 1.38–5.11) and “other solvents” (RR 2.14, 95% CI 1.23–3.71). Among women, the risk was increased for the group “other solvents” that includes mainly alcohols, ketones, esters and glycol ethers (RR 2.73, 95% CI 1.21–6.16). Our finding of an increased risk among workers exposed to chlorinated hydrocarbons is in line with several earlier studies on trichloroethylene. The results also suggest a link between exposure to other types of solvents and the risk of liver cancer. The possibility that alcohol consumption contributes to the observed risks cannot be totally excluded. © 2009 UICC
Glycemic load, glycemic index and breast cancer risk in a prospective cohort of Swedish women
Authors: Larsson Susanna C. , Bergkvist Leif , Wolk Alicja 
Published: February 2009

AbstractHigh‐glycemic load diets have been hypothesized to increase the risk of breast cancer but epidemiologic studies have yielded inconsistent findings. We examined the associations of carbohydrate intake, glycemic index and glycemic load with risk of overall and hormone receptor‐defined breast cancer in the Swedish Mammography Cohort, a population‐based cohort of 61,433 women who completed a food frequency questionnaire at enrollment in 1987–1990. During a mean follow‐up of 17.4 years, we ascertained 2,952 incident cases of invasive breast cancer. Glycemic load but not carbohydrate intake or glycemic index was weakly positively associated with overall breast cancer risk (p for trend = 0.05). In analyses stratified by estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status of the breast tumors, we observed statistically significant positive associations of carbohydrate intake, glycemic index and glycemic load with risk of ER+/PR− breast cancer; the multivariate relative risks comparing extreme quintiles were 1.34 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.93–1.94; p for trend = 0.04] for carbohydrate intake, 1.44 (95% CI = 1.06–1.97; p for trend = 0.01) for glycemic index and 1.81 (95% CI = 1.29–2.53; p for trend = 0.0008) for glycemic load. No associations were observed for ER+/PR+ or ER−/PR− breast tumors. These findings suggest that a high carbohydrate intake and diets with high glycemic index and glycemic load may increase the risk of developing ER+/PR− breast cancer. © 2009 UICC
Endogenous steroid hormone levels in early pregnancy and risk of testicular cancer in the offspring: A nested case–referent study
Authors: Holl Katsiaryna , Lundin Eva , Surcel Heljä‐Marja , Grankvist Kjell , Koskela Pentti , Dillner Joakim , Hallmans Göran , Wadell Göran , Olafsdottir Gudridur H. , Ögmundsdottir Helga M. , Pukkala Eero , Lehtinen Matti , Stattin Pär , Lukanova Annekatrin 
Published: February 2009

AbstractAccording to the leading hypothesis on testicular cancer (TC) etiology exposure to a specific pattern of steroid hormones in utero, in particular, to high levels of estrogens and low levels of androgens is the major determinant of TC risk in the offspring. We performed a case–referent study nested within Finnish, Swedish and Icelandic maternity cohorts exploiting early pregnancy serum samples to evaluate the role of maternal endogenous steroid hormones with regard to the risk of TC. TC cases and referents were aged between 0 and 25 years. For each case‐index mother pair, three or four matched referent‐referent mother pairs were identified using national population registries. First trimester or early second trimester sera were retrieved from the index mothers of 73 TC cases and 286 matched referent mothers, and were tested for dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), androstenedione, testosterone, estradiol, estrone, and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). Offspring of mothers with high DHEAS levels had a significantly decreased risk of TC (OR for highest vs. lowest DHEAS quartile, 0.18 (95% CI 0.06–0.58). In contrast, offspring of mothers with high androstenedione levels had an increased risk of TC (OR 4.1; 95% CI 1.2–12.0). High maternal total estradiol level also tended to be associated with an increased risk of TC in the offspring (OR 32; 95% CI 0.98–1,090). We report the first direct evidence that interplay of maternal steroid hormones in the early pregnancy is important in the etiology of TC in the offspring. © 2009 UICC
Fiber diffraction of skin and nails provides an accurate diagnosis of malignancies
Authors: James Veronica J. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractAn early diagnosis of malignancies correlates directly with a better prognosis. Yet for many malignancies there are no readily available, noninvasive, cost‐effective diagnostic tests with patients often presenting too late for effective treatment. This article describes for the first time the use of fiber diffraction patterns of skin or fingernails, using X‐ray sources, as a biometric diagnostic method for detecting neoplastic disorders including but not limited to melanoma, breast, colon and prostate cancers. With suitable further development, an early low‐cost, totally noninvasive yet reliable diagnostic test could be conducted on a regular basis in local radiology facilities, as a confirmatory test for other diagnostic procedures or as a mass screening test using suitable small angle X‐ray beam‐lines at synchrotrons. © 2009 UICC
Roles of clusterin in progression, chemoresistance and metastasis of human ovarian cancer
Authors: Wei Li , Xue Tao , Wang Jian , Chen Biliang , Lei Yingfeng , Huang Yanhong , Wang Hongying , Xin Xiaoyan 
Published: February 2009

AbstractClusterin (CLU) is a multivalent glycoprotein with ubiquitous tissue distribution. To address the possible differential functional roles assumed by different isoforms of CLU in the progression of human ovarian cancer, we constructed 2 human ovarian cancer cell models that represent examples of contradistinctive CLU expression levels. One is constitutively overexpressing different clusterin isoforms in SKOV3 cells by transfection of the 3 different expression vectors, another is silencing the intrinsically expressing clusterin in cisplatin‐resistant human A2780‐cis(CP70) tumor cells with the usage of shRNA‐mediated CLU gene silencing. Then, the different cellular localization, biological effects, and functional roles played in tumor progression and drug resistances were studied. We found that (i) in the distinct cellular contexts of human ovarian carcinoma SKOV3 and CP70 cells assayed, sCLU is a central molecule in cell homeostasis that functions as a cytoprotective protein, whereas nCLU is proapoptotic; (ii) In SKOV3 cells, nuclear localization of the truncated CLU is NLS dependent, without which the pnCLU protein was sequestrated in cytoplasm to prevent cytotoxicity. (iii) sCLU plays a significant role in the development of the chemoresistance phenotype in ovarian cancer cells. Moreover, with the CLU‐specific shRNA oligonucleotides, we successfully sensitized cells for chemotherapy, and inhibited cells' proliferation, migration and invasion. Collectively, our results reveal that, CLU gene expression might play a crucial role in ovarian cancer progression, adaptation and eventual resistance to chemotherapy through differential processing of CLU isoforms. Specifically, sCLU as an antiapoptotic protein, upregulated in an adaptive cell‐survival manner by chemotherapy, confers resistance to various cell‐death triggers. © 2009 UICC
The melanoma specific 9.2.27PE immunotoxin efficiently kills melanoma cells in vitro
Authors: Risberg Karianne , Fodstad Øystein , Andersson Yvonne 
Published: February 2009

AbstractMalignant melanomas are generally drug resistant and have a very poor prognosis. We have studied the effects of a chemical conjugate of pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE) and the antibody 9.2.27, which recognizes the high molecular weight melanoma associated antigen (HMW‐MAA) expressed in most malignant melanomas and melanoma cell lines. We demonstrate that the 9.2.27PE immunotoxin (IT) induces cell death in malignant melanoma cells through protein synthesis inhibition followed by some morphological and biochemical features of apoptosis, like rounding up of cells, chromatin condensation and inactivation of PARP. Unlike previous results with the 425.3PE IT in breast cancer cells, we detected no depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane after 9.2.27PE IT treatment. This is likely due to the lack of strong activation of caspase‐8 and caspase‐3. The lack of depolarization suggests that cytochrome c, a molecule that triggers activation of caspase‐3, was retained within the mitochondria. In addition, the protein level of the antiapoptotic Bcl‐2 did not decrease in contrast to other antiapoptotic molecules belonging to the inhibitor of apoptosis and the Bcl‐2 family. This suggests that Bcl‐2 may play a role in maintaining the mitochondrial membrane integrity in the 9.2.27PE‐treated cells. Nevertheless, 9.2.27PE IT efficiently killed malignant melanoma cells that can be ascribed to inhibition of protein synthesis followed by some morphological and biochemical features of apoptosis. © 2009 UICC
International osteosarcoma incidence patterns in children and adolescents, middle ages and elderly persons
Authors: Mirabello Lisa , Troisi Rebecca J. , Savage Sharon A. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractOsteosarcoma incidence rates in the United States peak in adolescence and in the elderly. The international patterns of osteosarcoma incidence in children have been described, whereas those for young, middle age or elderly adults have not. Using the Cancer Incidence in Five Continents, International Agency for Cancer Research database we compared incidence rates for children and adolescents (age 0–24 years), the middle age group (25–59 years) and elderly (≥60 years) persons by world regions and individual countries. Overall, worldwide osteosarcoma incidence rates were quite similar in the younger age groups. The greatest variation in incidence rates was observed in the elderly. Published 2009 UICC