bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Local hyperthermia for treatment of carcinoma of the prostate: A preliminary report
Authors: Yerushalmi A. , Servadio C. , Leib Z. , Fishelovitz Y. , Rokowsky E. , Stein J. A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractFollowing extensive experiments on animals, we have concluded a study on the treatment of 15 patients with prostatic carcinoma using localized deep microwave hyperthermia (LDMWH; 2.45 GHz), either alone or in combination with radiotherapy or hormonal therapy. The results of this pilot trial were encouraging and are herewith presented. A total of 146 LDMWH treatments were given. All patients tolerated the treatments well, and there were no complications; the condition of the rectal mucosa was checked routinely by rectoscopy. A pronounced and rapid subjective and objective response was recorded in all cases, as noted by reduction in tumor size, regression of ureteral or urethral obstruction, disappearance of pelvic pain and improvement in well being. LDMWH was effective by itself and appeared to potentiate the effects of radiotherapy or hormonal therapy.Although LDMWH seems to be a promising and safe new method of treatment of prostatic cancer, either alone or in combination with other accepted forms of therapy, more controlled studies, which are at present underway, are needed to draw more definite conclusions.
Ultrastructural and analytical studies on the prostate of castrated rats
Authors: Timms B. G. , Chandler J. A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractRat lateral and ventral prostate tissue was studied using ultrastructural and analytical techniques in adult animals castrated for periods of 3 to 20 days. As in previous reports involution of the prostatic epithelium following testosterone deprivation resulted in alterations of the amount, distribution, and conformation of the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi, and lysosomes in addition to some nuclear changes. Although the fundamental changes were similar in both lobes there were specific effects on the individual lobes.Reductions in the subcellular levels of zinc were more pronounced in the lateral prostate, particularly with respect to the secretory and stromal concentrations of the metal. Despite low concentrations of circulating testosterone, secretory activity was still evident after a 20‐ day castration period and would appear to reflect a different sensitivity in the lateral lobe to the lowered testosterone level or stimulation by other hormones when compared to the ventral lobe. The significance of the subcellular distribution pattern of zinc during the experimental periods is discussed in relation to the possible functional significance of the metal in prostatic tissue.
The glycosaminoglycans of normal and hyperplastic prostate
Authors: De Klerk Daniel P. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractA study has been made of the glycosaminoglycans (GAG) of the fetus, normal adult, and benign hyperplastic prostate. In the adult normal prostate dermatan sulphate (DS) is the predominant GAG. The central zone has a slightly higher chondroitin sulphate (Ch AC) content than the peripheral Lone. Fctal prostates (22–27 weeks gestation) contain no heparan sulphatc (HS). Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has an increased content of Ch AC. On separation of BPH stroma and epithelium, the epithelial fraction contains only Ch AC and DS. HS and hyaluronic acid (HA) are confined to the prostatic stroma.
Locating the active sites of enzymes using mechanical properties
Authors: Sacquin‐Mora Sophie , Laforet Émilie , Lavery Richard 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWe have applied the calculation of mechanical properties to a dataset of almost 100 enzymes to determine the extent to which catalytic residues have distinct properties. Specifically, we have calculated force constants describing the ease of moving any given amino acid residue with respect to the other residues in the protein. The results show that catalytic residues are invariably associated with high force constants. Choosing an appropriate cutoff enables the detection of roughly 80% of catalytic residues with only 25% of false positives. It is shown that neither multidomain structures, nor the presence or absence of bound ligands hinder successful detections. It is however noted that active sites near the protein surface are more difficult to detect and that non‐catalytic, but structurally key residues may also exhibit high force constants. Proteins 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Electronic structure of negative oxygen ion in ZrO2 crystal
Authors: Abarenkov I. V. , Matyukevich I. D. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWith a rapid downscaling of the complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor (CMOS) devices, the ZrO2 becomes a promising candidate for application in microelectronic and therefore the information about the electronic structure of the perfect and defect ZrO2 crystal becomes important. In the present study, the local orbital Hartree–Fock approximation was applied to the ZrO2 crystal electronic structure calculations. The noncanonical orbitals localized on ions were employed, which are the solutions of the Hartree–Fock equations for ions in the confining potential simulating the crystal environment. The confining potential was calculated selfconsistently to bring the minimum to the crystal energy. The cluster expansion for the crystal energy was employed. The general idea of the method is similar to that of the study (1978, 20, 565), devoted to the electronic structure calculations of MgO crystal. In the present study, the more complicated system is considered. First, ZrO2 crystal has lower symmetry, and second the d‐orbitals are present among ions occupied orbitals. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007
Coronary heart disease: How do the benefits of ω‐3 fatty acids compare with those of aspirin, alcohol/red wine, and statin drugs?
Authors: Basu Hemendra , Pernecky Steven , Sengupta Aditi , Liepa George U. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAt the present time the primary cause of death of most Americans is cardiovascular disease. Approximately 20 million Americans are currently being treated with some form of statin drugs as a means to lower their blood cholesterol levels, and many of these same people also consume some combination of omega‐3 FA, aspirin, and alcohol/red wine because of clinical data indicating that each of these, taken alone, seems to improve mortality. Recent studies with omega‐3 FA have demonstrated a positive impact on mortality from coronary heart disease as well as from “all causes,” and this article compares their metabolic benefits with those of aspirin, alcohol/red wine, and statin drugs. The article suggests that these four compounds may have synergistic qualities and that clinical trials to study this possibility are warranted.
Synthesis of hyperbranched P poly(glycerol‐diacid) oligomers
Authors: Wyatt Victor T. , Nuñez Alberto , Foglia Thomas A. , Marmer William N. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractNovel oligomeric prepolymers were synthesized by acid‐catalyzed condensation of glycerol with iminodiacetic, azelaic, or succinic acid. The prepolymers were obtained, on average, in 62% yield and were characterized by 13C NMR, 1H NMR, matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization‐time of flight‐mass spectrometry, and gel permeation chromatography. The synthesized oligomers had an average M.W. of 1543 Daltons (average polydispersity (PD)=1.34, average degree of polymerization (DOP)=5.5). Hyperbranching was evident in the oligomers produced when using azelaic acid and succinic acid as co‐monomers with glycerol, whereas the reaction between iminodiacetic acid and glycerol resulted in linear products bearing cyclic urethane structures.
Microstructures formed by spray freezing of food fats
Authors: Gwie C. G. , Griffiths R. J. , Cooney D. T. , Johns M. L. , Wilson D. I. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe spray‐freezing of two food fats, tripalmitin (PPP) and cocoa butter (CB) and mixtures thereof, has been modeled experimentally using a novel single droplet freezing apparatus configured so that temperature profiles or samples for microstructure analysis can be obtained. For 2 mm diameter droplets suspended in a cold air flow at temperatures around 2–15°C, initial cooling rates were on the order of 10 K s−1 and the temperature profiles could be correlated directly to DSC data collected at 20 K min−1, indicating that minimal supercooling of the materials occurred in the droplet form. Microstructure analysis confirmed that PPP crystallized preferentially in mixtures, and that the surface structure was very sensitive to storage conditions. The bulk structure was much less sensitive, and the internal microstructure of the PPP droplets revealed distinct nucleation sites, which were absent from the CB: These persisted in the mixtures up to 50 wt%. X‐ray analysis indicated that the fats crystallized in their more stable forms, namely, β for PPP and Form V/V1 in CB.
The lichenicolous Phoma species (coelomycetes) on Cladonia
Authors: DIEDERICH Paul , KOCOURKOVÁ Jana , ETAYO Javier , ZHURBENKO Mikhail 
Published: February 2007

Abstract:The lichenicolous Phoma species on Cladonia are revised. A statistical analysis of the conidial size suggests that three species are involved: P. cladoniicola sp. nov. a common and widespread species in the Northern Hemisphere occurring on a wide range of Cladonia species; P. foliaceiphila sp. nov. known from C. foliacea and C. fimbriata in Europe; and P. grumantiana sp. nov. known from C. symphycarpia and C. mateocyatha in Svalbard and the USA.
Photobiont selectivity in the epiphytic lichens Hypogymnia physodes and Lecanora conizaeoides
Authors: HAUCK Markus , HELMS Gert , FRIEDL Thomas 
Published: February 2007

Abstract:In two lichen species, Hypogymnia physodes and Lecanora conizaeoides, often used as model organisms for pollution-sensitive and pollution-tolerant epiphytic lichens, respectively, the hypothesis was tested that the toxitolerance of the Trebouxia photobiont limits the tolerance of the entire lichen symbiosis. Being lecanoralean-trebouxioid associations, H. physodes and L. conizaeoides represent the most common type of lichens. Photobionts of both lichen species deriving from microhabitats with varying supply of S and heavy metals were identified using nuclear ITS nrDNA sequencing. The photobiont of L. conizaeoides was identified as T. simplex, whereas the photobiont of H. physodes belongs to an undescribed Trebouxia species, related to T. jamesii subsp. angustilobata and provisionally named as T. hypogymniae Hauck & Friedl ined. Since T. hypogymniae ined. is also known from Lecidea silacea, which is characteristic of rock and slag with high heavy metal content, a high sensitivity of this alga to pollutants is unlikely to be a key factor for the relatively low toxitolerance of H. physodes. Furthermore, the photobiont cannot be crucial for the extremely high toxitolerance of L. conizaeoides, as T. simplex is also known from pollution-sensitive lichens of the fruticose genus Pseudevernia. These findings suggest that the photobiont is not generally a key factor determining pollution sensitivity in the most common type of lichen symbiosis. The high specificity for T. simplex in L. conizaeoides in existing populations of L. conizaeoides suggest that already established thalli could be a source of photobiont cells for re-lichenization.
Cerebral: a Cytoscape plugin for layout of and interaction with biological networks using subcellular localization annotation
Authors: Barsky Aaron , Gardy Jennifer L. , Hancock Robert E. W. , Munzner Tamara 
Published: February 2007

AbstractSummary: Cerebral (Cell Region-Based Rendering And Layout) is an open-source Java plugin for the Cytoscape biomolecular interaction viewer. Given an interaction network and subcellular localization annotation, Cerebral automatically generates a view of the network in the style of traditional pathway diagrams, providing an intuitive interface for the exploration of a biological pathway or system. The molecules are separated into layers according to their subcellular localization. Potential products or outcomes of the pathway can be shown at the bottom of the view, clustered according to any molecular attribute data—protein function—for example. Cerebral scales well to networks containing thousands of nodes.Availability: http://www.pathogenomics.ca/cerebralContact: tmm@cs.ubc.caSupplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The half‐life of the T‐cell receptor/peptide–major histocompatibility complex interaction can modulate T‐cell activation in response to bacterial challenge
Authors: Carreño Leandro J. , Bueno Susan M. , Bull Paulina , Nathenson Stanley G. , Kalergis Alexis M. 
Published: February 2007

SummaryT‐cell activation results from engagement of the T‐cell receptor (TCR) by cognate peptide–major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) complexes on the surface of antigen‐presenting cells (APC). Previous studies have provided evidence supporting the notion that the half‐life of the TCR/pMHC interaction and the density of pMHC on the APC are two parameters that can influence T‐cell activation. However, whether the half‐life of the TCR/pMHC interaction can modulate T‐cell activation in response to a pathogen challenge remains unknown. To approach this question, we generated strains of bacteria expressing variants of the ovalbumin (OVA) antigen, carrying point mutations in the SIINFEKL sequence. When bound to H‐2Kb, this peptide is the cognate ligand for the OT‐I TCR. Variants of the H‐2Kb/SIINFEKL bind to the OT‐I TCR with distinct half‐lives. Here we show that dendritic cells (DCs) infected with bacteria expressing OVA variants were incapable of activating OT‐I T cells when the half‐life of the TCR/H‐2Kb/OVA interaction was excessively short. Consistent with these data, T‐cell activation was only observed in mice infected with bacteria expressing OVA variants that bound to OT‐I with a half‐life above a certain threshold. Considered together, our data suggest that the half‐life of TCR/pMHC interaction can significantly modulate T‐cell activation in vivo, as well as influence recognition of antigens expressed by bacteria. These observations underscore the importance of the TCR/pMHC half‐life on the clearance of pathogens.
Guided‐wave and ellipsometric imaging of supported cells
Authors: BIVOLARSKA M. , VELINOV T. , STOITSOVA S. 
Published: February 2007

SummaryIn this study, results are reported from guided‐wave microscopy and imaging ellipsometry near the angle of resonant excitation of an optical guided mode in planar wave guides with metal and dielectric layers. The main goal was to test their ability to detect micro‐organisms (Escherichia coli) attached to a support. For this purpose, images from the two techniques were compared with an optical image and good agreement was found. The reasons for the differences between the pictures obtained with wave‐guide microscopy and imaging ellipsometry were investigated and it was found that both the reduced plasmon propagation length and the use of additional polarizing elements contributed to the improved quality of the latter.
Electron backscatter diffraction on pearlite structures in steel
Authors: WALENTEK A. , SEEFELDT M. , VERLINDEN B. , AERNOUDT E. , VAN HOUTTE P. 
Published: February 2007

SummaryElectron backscatter diffraction measurements were performed on a set of pearlitic steel samples after different heat treatments. The strengths and limitations of the technique with respect to the pearlite issue are presented. Interpretation of the obtained results confirmed that more than one pearlite colony may exist inside one ferrite nodule of nearly the same crystallographic orientation. It was also found that, in most cases, a misorientation of the order of several degrees exists between pearlite colonies within one ferrite nodule. Moreover, the ferrite matrix exhibits changes of crystallographic orientation inside colonies often accompanied by a network of low angle boundaries. The mean size of the ferrite nodule in the matrix was determined by means of electron backscatter diffraction. However, determination of the mean pearlite colony size was difficult and often impossible by means of both metallographic methods and electron backscatter diffraction measurements.
Return hospital visits and morbidity within 60 days after day surgery: a retrospective study of 18,736 day surgical procedures
Authors: Engbæk J. , Bartholdy J. , Hjortsø N.‐C 
Published: February 2007

Background:  As day surgery includes more extensive procedures focus should be put on late outcome. The frequency of day surgery‐related return visits and the associated morbidity were examined to identify suitable indicators of quality.Methods:  From two centres, 16,048 patients underwent 18,736 day surgery operations including 4,829 surgical abortions. Patients were retrospectively analysed for contacts to Danish hospitals within 60 post‐operative days and the associated morbidity and mortality. Data were obtained from the Danish National Patient Registry and the National Causes of Death Registry. Patient records were studied to validate contacts as being definite, likely, possible or not related.Results:  Altogether 113 patients (not including the surgical abortions) were readmitted to hospitals with 117 complications definitely or likely related to day surgery. The most common complications were haematomas or haemorrhage (0.40%) and infections (0.29%). Morbidity after the two most common procedures, hernia repair and knee arthroscopy, was observed in 1 : 39 patients and 1 : 220 patients, respectively. More serious complications included four patients with septic arthritis of the knee and six patients with venous thromboembolism. After surgical abortion, pelvic inflammation and bleeding were observed in 3.1% and 2.2%, respectively, with centre differences. Altogether no myocardial infarctions, central nervous system deficits, pneumonias or deaths were recorded that could definitely or likely be related to day surgery.Conclusion:  Day surgery in Denmark is a safe practice. Readmission rates, haematomas and wound infections are likely future indicators of outcome quality after day surgery.
Serum osmolality and outcome in intensive care unit patients
Authors: Holtfreter B. , Bandt C. , Kuhn S.‐O. , Grunwald U. , Lehmann C. , Schütt C. , Gründling M. 
Published: February 2007

Background:  The aim of the present study was to compare 16 routine clinical and laboratory parameters, acute physiologic and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score for their value in predicting mortality during hospital stay in patients admitted to a general intensive care unit (ICU).Methods:  A retrospective observational clinical study was carried out in a 15‐bed ICU in a university hospital. Nine hundred and thirty‐three consecutive patients with ICU stay > 24 h (36.2% surgical, 29.1% medical and 34.7% trauma) were observed. Blood sampling, patient surveillance and data collection were performed. The primary outcome was mortality in the hospital. We used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses and logistic regression to compare the 16 relevant parameters, APACHE II and SOFA scores.Results:  Two hundred and thirty‐three out of the 933 patients died (mortality 25.0%). One laboratory parameter, serum osmolality [area under the curve (AUC) 0.732] had a predictive value for mortality which lay between that of APACHE II (AUC 0.784) and SOFA (AUC 0.720) scores. When outcome prediction was restricted to long‐term patients (ICU stay > 5 days), serum osmolality (AUC 0.711) performed better than either of the standard scores (APACHE AUC 0.655, SOFA AUC 0.636). Using logistic regression analysis, the association of clinical parameters, age and diagnosis group with mortality was determined.Conclusion:  Elevated serum osmolality at ICU admission is associated with an increased mortality risk in critically ill patients. Serum osmolality is cheaper and more rapid to determine than the scoring systems. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the predictive value of serum osmolality in different patient populations.
Lack of analgesic effect of parecoxib following laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Authors: Puolakka P. A. E. , Puura A. I. E. , Pirhonen R. A. , Ranta A. U. , Autio V. , Lindgren L. , Rorarius M. G. F. 
Published: February 2007

Background:  The cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 inhibitor, parecoxib, can be administered parenterally. The recommended dose for post‐operative use is 40 mg twice daily, which may not be the appropriate dose for the treatment of visceral pain. We studied the effect of a single dose of parecoxib of either 40 or 80 mg in laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and its effect on opioid‐induced side‐effects.Methods:  Seventy‐three patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, double‐blind study. Patients were randomized into three groups: a placebo‐treated control group, a 40‐mg parecoxib‐treated group (P40) and an 80‐mg parecoxib‐treated group (P80). We recorded the cumulative fentanyl consumption during the first 20 h post‐operatively by patient‐controlled analgesia equipment, the pain scores during rest, coughing and mobilization (visual analogue scale, 0–10), the worst pain during the first 2 h post‐operatively and in the following 18 h, and the side‐effects by questionnaire.Results:  No significant differences in fentanyl consumption between the three groups could be detected. The worst pain experienced between 2 and 20 h post‐operatively on the ward was significantly lower in the P80 group than in the control group.Conclusion:  The recommended dose of parecoxib, 40 mg, is not effective for the treatment of pain during the early post‐operative period after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Doubling the dose to 80 mg seems to improve the results.
The Effect of Hemosporidian Infections on White‐Crowned Sparrow Singing Behavior
Authors: Gilman Sarah , Blumstein Daniel T. , Foufopoulos Johannes 
Published: February 2007

AbstractRelatively little is known about the effects of specific parasites on sexually selected behavioral traits. We subjected free‐living mountain white‐crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys oriantha) to a playback experiment to identify the effect of hemosporidian parasites on potentially sexually selected song characteristics. We recorded song after a playback of a novel white‐crowned sparrow song, meant to simulate a territorial intrusion. Infections withLeucocytozoonorPlasmodiuminfluenced singing behavior, while infection withHaemoproteushad no detectable effect. Specifically, song consistency, as measured using a spectrogram correlation, was influenced by bothPlasmodiumandLeucocytozooninfection. Additionally, birds infected withPlasmodiumsang fewer songs following experimental playback. Thus, relatively widespread parasites, likePlasmodium, may have a strong effect on potentially sexually selected song characteristics.