bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of factors predicting intravesical recurrence of superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder without concomitant carcinoma in situ
Authors: SAKAI IORI , MIYAKE HIDEAKI , HARADA KEN‐ICHI , HARA ISAO , INOUE TAKA‐AKI , FUJISAWA MASATO 
Published: November 2006

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate risk factors for intravesical recurrence in patients with superficial bladder cancer without concomitant carcinoma in situ (CIS).Methods: In this series, we analyzed data from patients with newly diagnosed superficial Ta or T1 transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder without concomitant CIS who underwent complete transurethral resection (TUR) without any adjuvant intravesical instillation therapies. Multivariate analysis was used to determine significant risk factors affecting intravesical recurrence after TUR. Differences in clinicopathological features between primary and recurrent tumors were also characterized.Results: Among 341 patients undergoing TUR of Ta or T1 bladder cancer, 187 diagnosed as having concomitant CIS and/or treated with adjuvant intravesical therapy were excluded, and the remaining 154 were evaluated. Intravesical recurrence was detected in 64 of the 154 patients, showing a 5‐year recurrence‐free survival rate of 58.3%. Among several factors examined, only tumor size was significantly associated with intravesical recurrence. Multivariate analysis identified tumor size as an independent predictor for intravesical recurrence irrespective of other parameters including age, gender, multiplicity, growth pattern, grade and stage. Recurrent tumors were significantly smaller and of a lower grade and lower stage than primary tumors, despite the absence of differences in growth pattern and the multiplicity between them.Conclusions: These findings suggest that primary tumor size could be used as a potential risk factor for predicting intravesical recurrence following TUR of superficial TCC of the bladder without concomitant CIS, and that the pathological characteristics of recurrent tumors are more favorable than those of primary tumors.
The use of functional genomics for the identification of a gene cluster encoding for the biosynthesis of an antifungal tambjamine in the marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas tunicata
Authors: Burke Catherine , Thomas Torsten , Egan Suhelen , Kjelleberg Staffan 
Published: November 2006

SummaryA large insert library was created in Escherichia coli from the DNA of the surface‐associated marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas tunicata. Screening of the library for antifungal activity resulted in the detection and identification of a large gene cluster encoding for the biosynthesis of an antifungal tambjamine. A biosynthetic pathway has been proposed based on analysis and annotation of the gene cluster.
Ureteric branching morphogenesis in BMP4 heterozygous mutant mice
Authors: Cain Jason E. , Bertram John F. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractExogenous bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) inhibits ureteric branching morphogenesis and amplifies the already existing branching asymmetry in the developing mouse kidney in vitro. In the present study we examined ureteric branching morphogenesis in BMP4/lacZ heterozygous (BMP4+/–) mice in vitro under control conditions and in the presence of exogenous BMP4 using three‐dimensional image analysis software. The relative expression of BMP4 mRNA was determined in BMP4+/– and wildtype urogenital ridges using real‐time PCR. Embryonic day 12.5 (E12.5) BMP4+/– and wildtype mouse metanephroi were cultured for 48 h with or without 260 ng mL−1 recombinant human BMP4 (rhBMP4) and were then wholemount immunostained in order to identify the ureteric epithelium, which was quantified in three dimensions. Despite a significant reduction in BMP4 mRNA in BMP4+/– mice, qualitative and quantitative studies identified no differences in ureteric branching morphogenesis between phenotypically normal BMP4+/– and wildtype metanephroi in either BMP4‐treated or control cultures. Both BMP4+/– and wildtype metanephroi cultured in the presence of BMP4 showed a decrease in total ureteric length, branch number and ureteric volume, and increased average branch length compared with control cultures. A marked anterior–posterior asymmetry in both ureteric length, branch number and average branch length was observed in BMP4‐treated metanephroi from both genotypes. A similar asymmetry was revealed in control metanephroi from both genotypes. This asymmetry is the result of reduced ureteric branching morphogenesis but not elongation in the posterior region of the kidney. These results suggest that despite reduced endogenous BMP4 mRNA levels, most BMP4+/– embryos can still facilitate normal ureteric branching morphogenesis during development. In addition, reduced endogenous levels of BMP4 do not alter the inhibitory effects of exogenous BMP4 on ureteric branching or amplification of normal renal asymmetry.
Pathogenic Colonization of the Stomach in Enterally Fed Elderly Patients: Comparing Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy with Nasogastric Tube
Authors: Segal Refael , Dan Michael , Pogoreliuk Irena , Leibovitz Arthur 
Published: November 2006

OBJECTIVES: To compare the gastric juice microbiota of older people fed through a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube (PEG) with that of those fed through a nasogastric tube (NGT).DESIGN: Prospective comparative study.SETTING: Nursing and skilled nursing wards.PARTICIPANTS: Fifty‐four elderly PEG‐fed and 52 NGT‐fed patients.MEASUREMENTS: Cultures from the oropharynx and the gastric juice.RESULTS: Pathogenic bacteria were isolated from the oropharynxes of 44% of the PEG‐fed patients and 54% of the NGT‐fed patients. The most frequent gram‐negative bacilli isolated from the oropharynx were Proteus spp. (13–21%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (13–18%), with no significant difference between the groups. Isolation rates from the gastric juice were significantly more frequent in the NGT‐fed patients than in the PEG‐fed patients for Proteus spp. (4% vs 23%), Escherichia coli (6% vs 21%), and mixed flora (11% vs 27%). Significant correlation was found between high gastric pH and the isolation of bacteria in both groups (correlation coefficient=0.58, P<.001).CONCLUSION: Gastric juice of PEG‐fed patients harbors pathogenic bacteria in significant numbers. No significant difference was noted with respect to the rate of isolation of pathogenic bacteria from the oropharynx between the groups. Major bacterial pathogens, such as P. aeruginosa and Proteus spp., were isolated significantly more from the gastric juice of NGT‐fed patients. These results support the view that a bidirectional spread pattern of pathogens may take place in NGT‐fed patients.
Significance of urea transport: the pioneering studies of Bodil Schmidt-Nielsen
Authors: Kokko Juha P. , Sands Jeff M. 
Published: November 2006

This essay looks at the historical significance of five APS classic papers that are freely available online: Murdaugh HV Jr, Schmidt-Nielsen B, Doyle EM, and O'Dell R. Renal tubular regulation of urea excretion in man. J Appl Physiol 13: 263–268, 1958. ( http://jap.physiology.org/cgi/reprint/13/2/263 ) Schmidt-Nielsen B. Renal tubular excretion of urea in kangaroo rats. Am J Physiol 170: 45–56, 1952. ( http://ajplegacy.physiology.org/cgi/reprint/170/1/45 ) Schmidt-Nielsen B. Urea excretion in white rats and kangaroo rats as influenced by excitement and by diet. Am J Physiol 181: 131–139, 1955. ( http://ajplegacy.physiology.org/cgi/reprint/181/1/131 ) Schmidt-Nielsen B, Osaki H, Murdaugh HV Jr, and O'Dell R. Renal regulation of urea excretion in sheep. Am J Physiol 194: 221–228, 1958. ( http://ajplegacy.physiology.org/cgi/reprint/194/2/221 ) Truniger B and Schmidt-Nielsen B. Intrarenal distribution of urea and related compounds: effect of nitrogen intake. Am J Physiol 207: 971–978, 1964. ( http://ajplegacy.physiology.org/cgi/reprint/207/5/971 )
Prognostic Value of Apoptosis in Rectal Cancer Patients of the Dutch Total Mesorectal Excision Trial: Radiotherapy Is Redundant in Intrinsically High-Apoptotic Tumors
Authors: de Bruin Elza C. , van de Velde Cornelis J.H. , van de Pas Simone , Nagtegaal Iris D. , van Krieken J. Han J.M. , Gosens Marleen J.E.M. , Peltenburg Lucy T.C. , Medema Jan Paul , Marijnen Corrie A.M. 
Published: November 2006

Abstract
Purpose: The combination of radiotherapy and good quality surgery reduces local recurrence rate for rectal cancer patients. This study assesses the prognostic value of both intrinsic and radiotherapy-induced apoptosis and evaluates the relevance of radiotherapy for outcome of rectal cancer patients.
Experimental Design: Tumor samples (1,198) were available from the Dutch Total Mesorectal Excision trial, in which rectal cancer patients were treated with standardized surgery and randomized for preoperative short-term radiotherapy or not. Tumor samples were obtained at time of surgery. Tissue microarrays were constructed and stained with the active caspase-specific M30 antibody to determine the amount of apoptotic epithelial tumor cells.
Results: Nonirradiated patients with a negative circumferential margin displaying lower than median levels of apoptosis developed more local recurrences (10.5% versus 6.1%; P = 0.06) and more rapidly after surgery than patients with high intrinsic apoptosis in their tumors (median time to recurrence, 13.0 versus 21.3 months; P = 0.04). In multivariate analysis, intrinsic apoptosis was an independent predictor for the development of local recurrences (hazard ratio, 2.0; P = 0.05). Radiotherapy increased apoptosis level (11 versus 23 apoptotic cells/mm2 tumor epithelium; P &lt; 0.001), but this apoptosis did not influence patients' prognosis.
Conclusions: Rectal cancer patients with low intrinsic apoptosis will benefit from radiotherapy with respect to the development of local recurrences. Because apoptosis is an inherent characteristic of tumors, patients who do not need radiotherapy may be selected based on the apoptotic index of the primary tumor.
Distribution of GPR30, a Seven Membrane–Spanning Estrogen Receptor, in Primary Breast Cancer and its Association with Clinicopathologic Determinants of Tumor Progression
Authors: Filardo Edward J. , Graeber Carl T. , Quinn Jeffrey A. , Resnick Murray B. , Giri Dilip , DeLellis Ronald A. , Steinhoff Margaret M. , Sabo Edmond 
Published: November 2006

Abstract
Purpose: The seven transmembrane receptor, GPR30, is linked to estrogen binding and heparan-bound epidermal growth factor release. Here, the significance of GPR30 in human breast cancer was evaluated by comparing its relationship to steroid hormone receptor expression and tumor progression variables.
Experimental Design: Immunohistochemical analysis of a National Cancer Institute–sponsored tumor collection comprised of 361 breast carcinomas obtained at first diagnosis (321 invasive and 40 intraductal tumors). Biopsies from 12 reduction mammoplasties served as controls. The distribution pattern of GPR30, estrogen receptor (ER), and progesterone receptor (PR) was correlated with clinicopathologic variables obtained at diagnosis.
Results: GPR30, ER, and PR were positive in all 12 normal controls. In contrast, GPR30 expression varied in breast tumors, in which 62% (199 of 321) of invasive tumors and 42% (17 of 40) of intraductal tumors were positive. Codistribution of ER and GPR30 was measured in 43% (139 of 321) of invasive breast tumors, whereas both receptors were lacking (ER−GPR30−) in 19% (61 of 321) of the tumors analyzed, indicating a significant association between ER and GPR30 (P &lt; 0.05). The coexpression of PR and ER did not influence GPR30 expression, yet coexpression of GPR30 and ER was linked to PR positivity. Unlike ER, which varied inversely with HER-2/neu and tumor size, GPR30 positively associated with HER-2/neu and tumor size. In addition, GPR30 showed a positive association with metastasis (P = 0.014; odds ratio, 1.9).
Conclusions: GPR30 and ER exhibited distinct patterns of association with breast tumor progression variables, including HER-2/neu, tumor size, and metastatic disease. Thus, these results support the hypothesis that GPR30 and ER have an independent influence on estrogen responsiveness in breast carcinoma.
Overexpression of the Insulin-Like Growth Factor I Receptor and Activation of the AKT Pathway in Hyperplastic Endometrium
Authors: McCampbell Adrienne S. , Broaddus Russell R. , Loose David S. , Davies Peter J.A. 
Published: November 2006

Abstract
Purpose: Although there is considerable information on the molecular aberrations associated with endometrial cancer, very little is known of the changes in gene expression associated with endometrial hyperplasia.
Experimental Design: To address this, we have compared the level of expression of estrogen-regulated genes and components of the insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) signaling pathway in endometrial biopsies from subjects with normal endometrium, complex atypical endometrial hyperplasia, and endometrial adenocarcinoma (type I).
Results: There was a significant increase in the expression of the IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) in biopsies from hyperplastic endometrium and endometrial carcinoma compared with the proliferative endometrium. The receptor was also activated, as judged by increased tyrosine phosphorylation. In addition, in endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma, the downstream components of the IGF-IR pathway are activated, as reflected in increased Akt phosphorylation. Loss of phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) expression in endometrial hyperplasia did not correlate with increased activation of IGF-IR. However, the simultaneous loss of PTEN expression and increased IGF-IR activation in hyperplasia was associated with an increased incidence of endometrial carcinoma.
Conclusions: These results suggest that up-regulation of IGF-IR and loss of PTEN may be independent events that give rise to complementary activation of the IGF-I pathway and increase the probability of the development of cancer. These studies suggest that increased expression of IGF-IR may be an important contributor to the risk of endometrial hyperplasia and cancer.
Simulations of the Hydrological Cycle over Southern South America Using the CPTEC/COLA AGCM
Authors: Rodriguez Daniel Andrés , Cavalcanti Iracema F. Albuquerque 
Published: November 2006

Abstract
The La Plata River basin is the second largest basin of South America after the Amazon basin, and it is located in an international area that occupies territories of Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia, areas of great economic activity. In the present work, the water budget over the region was studied and the atmospheric and terrestrial components were analyzed to investigate the Center for Weather Forecast and Climate Studies/Center for Ocean–Land–Atmosphere Studies (CPTEC/COLA) atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) behavior in a simulation of 10 yr. The analysis was performed considering two sectors, northern and southern, because of their different behaviors, and the main characteristics were simulated by the model. The northern sector presents a well-defined annual cycle with well-established wet conditions in the summer, when there is development of the South Atlantic convergence zone (SACZ). In the southern sector, there is a weak annual cycle and the hydrological variables do not have large seasonal variations as in the northern sector. A period of maximum precipitation is identified at the end of spring in the southern sector. Moisture flux convergence (MFC) in the model occurs over southeast Brazil during summer and over northern Argentina in the spring, consistent with observations. Analysis of the meridional and zonal moisture fluxes reveals that there is an intrusion of moisture from the tropical region, southward, and also flux from the Atlantic Ocean, that feed both sectors. The flux from the Amazon region was the main source of external moisture during the summer season, while the flux from the Atlantic Ocean was dominant during winter. Additional analysis of El Niño 1982/83 and La Niña 1988/89 episodes showed the importance of Amazon and Atlantic moisture fluxes to the La Plata basin region. During El Niño 1982/83 there was more moisture flux from the Amazon region to the southern sector than during La Niña 1988/89. This feature was related to droughts during La Niña and floods during El Niño in the La Plata region.
The Hydrometeorology of a Deforested Region of the Amazon Basin
Authors: Ramos da Silva Renato , Avissar Roni 
Published: November 2006

AbstractA series of numerical simulations were performed to evaluate the capability of the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS) to simulate the evolution of convection in a partly deforested region of the Amazon basin during the rainy season, and to elucidate some of the complex land–atmosphere interactions taking place in that region. Overall, it is demonstrated that RAMS can simulate properly the domain-average accumulated rainfall in Rondônia, Brazil, when provided with reliable initial profiles of atmospheric relative humidity and soil moisture. It is also capable of simulating important feedbacks involving the energy partition at the ground surface and the formation of convection. In general, more water in the soil and/or the atmosphere produces more rainfall. However, these conditions affect the onset of rainfall in opposite ways; while higher atmospheric relative humidity leads to early rainfall, higher soil moisture delays its formation. As compared to stratiform clouds, which tend to cover a large area, convective clouds are localized and they let relatively more solar radiation reach the ground surface. As a result, a stronger sensible heat flux is released at the ground surface, which enhances the atmospheric instability and reinforces convection. Simulations using horizontal grid elements 2 and 4 km in size show a delay and decrease of rainfall as compared to simulations with high-resolution grids whose elements are not larger than 1 km and, as a result, afflict RAMS performance. It is concluded that RAMS can be used as a reliable tool to simulate the various hydrometeorological processes involved in land-cover changes as a result of deforestation in this region.
Testing for the antiphospholipid syndrome: importance of IgA anti-beta 2-glycoprotein I
Authors: Greco T P , Amos M D , Conti-Kelly A M , Naranjo J D , Ijdo J W 
Published: November 2006

Background: Testing for the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) using anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) has been problematic. Titers may fluctuate or even become negative. Anti-beta 2 glycoprotein I assays (ab2-GPI) may be more reliable for diagnosis. Methods: In a prospective, blinded study over a nine-month period we retested all patients seen for routine follow-up visits in our clinic who had previously been evaluated for aCL-associated illnesses. Patients were stratified into two groups: group A—patients previously positive (/) for aCL; group B—patients previously negative (7) for aCL. Both groups were further classified according to disease severity. Patients were retested for both aCL and ab2-GPI (isotypes G, M, A for each) using uniform testing standards. Results: 118 patients with previously positive aCL (group A) were retested. Repeat aCL were positive in 52=118 (44%), ab2-GPI positive in 69=118 (58%) and 82=118 (69.5%) were positive for one or both assays. In patients with serious organ damage (92% with documented APS), 48.6% were aCL positive, 64% positive for ab2-GPI, and 75.7% were positive for one or both assays. When only one assay was positive, ab2-GPI was most frequent (P = 0.0096). Overall, IgA ab2-GPI was the most frequent isotype found (60.9%). On retesting of 73 aCL-negative patients (group B), 9=73 (12%) were aCL positive, 27=73 (36%) were ab2-GPI positive, with 24=73 (32.9%) having isolated ab2-GPI. Of those positive for ab2 GPI, IgA ab2-GPI was present in 74.1%. Many of these patients had documented APS. Conclusion: Based on our data, ab2-GPI assays are superior to aCL assays for diagnosis of APS. The combined use of both assays enhance positive testing results in up to 75% of patients with APS at any stage of illness. ACL negative patients suspected of having APS should be retested for both ab2-GPI and aCL. IgA ab2-GPI appears to be the most important isotype detected.
HLA class II alleles associations of anticardiolipin and anti b2GPI antibodies in a large series of European patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Galeazzi Mauro , Sebastiani Gian Domenico , Tincani Angela , Piette Jean-Charles , Allegri Flavio , Morozzi Gabriella , Bellisai Francesca , Scorza Raffaella , Ferrara Giovanni Battista , Carcassi Carlo , Font Josep , Passiu Giuseppe , Smolen Josef , Papasteriades Chryssa , Houssiau Frederic , Nebro Antonio Fernandez , De Ramon Garrido Enrique , Jedryka-Goral Anna , Marcolongo Roberto ,   European Concerted Action on the Immunogenetics of SLE
Published: November 2006

The objective of this study was to determine the HLA class II associations of the anticardiolipin (aCL) and anti-b2GPI (ab2GPI) antibodies in a large series of European patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A cohort of 577 European SLE patients was enrolled. aCL and ab2GPI were measured by ELISA methods. Molecular typing of HLA-DRB1, DRB3, DRB4, DRB5, DQA1 and DQB1 loci was performed by the polymerase chain reaction–sequence specific oligonucleotide probes (PCR–SSOP) method. aCL of IgG, IgM and IgA isotypes were detected in 22.8%, 14% and 13.9% of patients, respectively. IgG and IgM ab2GPI were detected in 20% of patients. aCL showed positive association with HLA DRB1*04, DRB1*0402, DRB1*0403, DRB1*07, DRB3*0301, DQA1*0201, DQA1*0301, DQB1*0302, and negative association with DQA1*0501, DRB3*0202. ab2GPI showed positive association with DRB1*0402, DRB1*0403, DQB1*0302. DRB1*0402 carried the highest relative risk for the presence of both aCL (RR = 8.1) and ab2GPI (RR = 4.6). Our results confirm the already described associations of aCL with HLA DR4 and DR7, but also demonstrate that, among the alleles at the DRB1*04 locus, the *0402 was most represented both in aCL and in ab2GPI positive patients. In addition, HLA class II associations of ab2GPI are for the first time extensively examined in a large cohort of European SLE patients.
Intrathecal cytokines in systemic lupus erythematosus with central nervous system involvement
Authors: Trysberg E , Carlsten H , Tarkowski A 
Published: November 2006

Symptoms originating from central nervous system (CNS) are frequently occuring in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Reliable diagnostic markers for this condition are presently lacking. Importantly, CNS involvement in lupus patients is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The aim of this retrospective evaluate was to study the diagnostic value of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytokine levels in SLE patients with CNS involvement. 34 patients with SLE were hospitalized and investigated for the presence of CNS lupus. These patients were evaluated clinically and with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CSF analyses, as well as with neuropsychiatric tests. 13 patients were found to have CNS lupus whereas another four of the patients fulfilled the criteria for CNS involvement but were excluded from this group due to other causes of CNS involvement. Lastly, in 17 SLE cases, the diagnosis of CNS lupus could not be confirmed. CSF levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8, as well as the CSF/serum IL-6 ratio, were elevated in the CNS lupus group, compared with the 17 SLE patients not fullfilling a diagnosis of cerebral lupus. Interestingly, follow-up of five patients being successfully treated for CNS lupus revealed profound decrease of intrathecal IL-6 levels. These results indicate that analysis of CSF cytokine levels, especially IL-6 and IL-8, may be useful in the diagnostics and possibly follow-up of SLE patients with cerebral lupus.