bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Indication of Hepatopancreatoduodenectomy for Biliary Tract Cancer
Authors: Hirono Seiko , Tani Masaji , Kawai Manabu , Ina Shinomi , Uchiyama Kazuhisa , Yamaue Hiroki 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackgroundThe indication for a hepatopancreatoduodenectomy (HPD) in patients with advanced biliary tract cancer is still controversial, because this aggressive surgery might be associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. In this study, we review our experience with HPD for advanced biliary tract cancer, and seek to define the indication for HPD.MethodsEleven patients with biliary tract cancer underwent HPD at Wakayama Medical University Hospital between 1986 and 2004. Univariate analysis was used to assess independent variables of the mortality and morbidity associated with HPD.ResultsThe rates of mortality and morbidity were 18% and 82%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that the total serum bilirubin level before surgery and the hepatic parenchymal resection of more than two Healey’s segments correlated significantly with an increased risk of severe complications (P = 0.044, 0.0152, respectively). The 1‐, 2‐, and 3‐year survival rates were 44%, 33%, and 11%, respectively.ConclusionsHepatopancreatoduodenectomy might offer a chance of long survival by yielding a tumor‐free margin in selected patients who are able to tolerate such an aggressive operation, but the indication for this aggressive surgery should be carefully considered.
Sequential Preoperative Ipsilateral Portal and Arterial Embolization in Patients with Colorectal Liver Metastases
Authors: Gruttadauria Salvatore , Luca Angelo , Mandala’ Lucio , Miraglia Roberto , Gridelli Bruno 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackgroundPreoperative portal vein embolization (PVE) induces ipsilateral atrophy of the hepatic parenchyma to be resected, as well as contralateral compensatory hypertrophy of the residual liver. However, there are two potential problems with this technique: inadequate contralateral hypertrophy and tumor progression while waiting for the non‐embolized liver to hypertrophy. We devised a strategy to deal with these two problems by performing an ipsilateral hepatic artery embolization 6 weeks after an unsatisfactory PVE in an effort to accelerate the hypertrophy of the remnant liver.Materials and MethodsTwo patients with colorectal liver metastases underwent to this sequential preoperative treatment in order to achieve resectability of their metastatic disease.ResultsBoth patients successfully underwent major hepatic resection.ConclusionsIn our experience sequential ipsilateral portal vein and hepatic artery embolization extended the indications for liver resection for metastatic colorectal cancer.
Outcomes of Surgery for Mid and Distal Rectal Cancer in the Elderly
Authors: Law Wai Lun , Choi Hok Kwok , Ho Judy WC , Lee Yee Man , Seto Chi Leung 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate the surgical strategies, operative results, and oncological outcomes of elderly patients who underwent curative resection for mid and distal rectal cancer. Comparison was made with patients of younger age.Study DesignOf the 612 patients who underwent curative resection for rectal cancer, 133 were older than 75 years of age. Comparisons were made between the young and elderly patients in the aspects of operative strategies, operative results, and long‐term outcomes.ResultsResection resulting in a permanent end colostomy was performed in 96 patients (15.7%), and there was no difference between young and elderly patients. There was a female predominance in the elderly group. Elderly patients also had a higher incidence of comorbid medical diseases, especially cardiovascular and neurological diseases. The operative time, blood loss, and incidence of intraoperative complications did not differ in the two groups. However, significantly fewer elderly patients underwent adjuvant radiation and/or chemotherapy. The overall 30‐day mortality was 1.14%. There was no difference between the elderly patients and younger patients in hospital mortality (P = 0.178). The complication rates of the elderly and young patients were 36.8% and 30.1%, respectively (P = 0.141). Comparison between the individual complications in the elderly and young patients revealed significantly more cardiovascular complications in the elderly patients. With the median follow up of the surviving patients of 45.1 months, the overall 5‐year survival of the elderly and younger groups was 47.7% and 70.1%, respectively (P < 0.001). The 5‐year cancer‐specific survival was 75.4% and 67.5% in the young and elderly patients, respectively (P = 0.061).ConclusionsCurative resection for mid and distal rectal cancer for the elderly can be performed safely with the same strategies of sphincter preservation used for younger patients. The postoperative complications and the 5‐year cancer‐specific survival rates were similar to those of younger patients.
Blockade of IKs by HMR 1556 increases the reverse rate‐dependence of refractoriness prolongation by dofetilide in isolated rabbit ventricles
Authors: So Petsy Pui‐Sze , Hu Xu‐Dong , Backx Peter H , Puglisi José Luis , Dorian Paul 
Published: March 2006

The rate‐dependent contributions of the rapid and slow components of the cardiac delayed rectifier K+ current (IKr and IKs, respectively) to repolarization are not fully understood. It is unclear whether the addition of IKs block will attenuate reverse rate‐dependence seen after IKr block.
The individual and combined electrophysiological effects of selective IKr and IKs blockers, dofetilide and HMR 1556, respectively, were evaluated using Langendorff‐perfused rabbit hearts. Monophasic action potential duration at 90% repolarization (MAPD90) and ventricular effective refractory period (VERP) were determined at cycle lengths (CLs) of 200–500 ms (at 50 ms intervals).
Dofetilide (1–100 nM) prolonged MAPD90 in a concentration‐dependent manner (P<0.001, n=6) with reverse rate‐dependence (P<0.0001). In contrast, HMR 1556 (10–240 nM) alone did not prolong MAPD90. However, in the presence of 7.5 nM dofetilide, HMR 1556 (100 nM) increased the extent of reverse rate‐dependence by further prolonging MAPD90 at CLs of 400, 450 and 500 ms (P<0.05, n=9) and, to a lesser extent, at shorter CLs (e.g. by 17±4 ms at CL 500 vs 2±3 ms at CL 200 ms).
Effects of dofetilide and HMR 1556 on VERP were similar to those on MAPD90. The slope of the VERP vs CL relation was steeper after the combination (0.081±0.013) than after dofetilide alone (0.028±0.018, P<0.01, n=9).
Blockade of rabbit IKs increased reverse rate‐dependence of IKr block.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2006) 148, 255–263. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706721
Platelets accelerate gastric ulcer healing through presentation of vascular endothelial growth factor
Authors: Wallace John L , Dicay Michael , McKnight Webb , Dudar Genevieve K 
Published: March 2006

Platelets contain an array of growth factors that can modulate healing processes, including both pro‐ (e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)) and antiangiogenic (e.g., endostatin) factors. Previous studies have shown that circulating platelets contribute significantly to gastric ulcer healing, acting as a delivery system for these growth factors to the site of injury. In this study, we examined the effects of orally administered human platelets on the healing of gastric ulcers in rats, and determined the contribution of VEGF and endostatin to healing in this model.
Twice‐daily administration of human platelets significantly accelerated ulcer healing, but platelet‐poor plasma (PPP), lysed platelets and serum failed to produce this effect. There was no correlation between ulcer healing and the levels of VEGF or endostatin in serum, PPP or platelet‐rich plasma (PRP).
Accelerated ulcer healing could not be produced by oral administration of the angiogenic factors themselves, at concentrations matching those in PRP.
The accelerated healing induced by platelets could be reversed by immuno‐neutralization of VEGF. In contrast, immuno‐neutralization of endostatin did not affect PRP‐induced ulcer healing.
These studies indicate that VEGF released from platelets accounts for the accelerated healing of gastric ulcers. However, as intact (rather than lysed) platelets were required for the accelerated healing, the presentation of VEGF by the platelet at the site of injury appears to be crucial for enhancement of the healing process.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2006) 148, 274–278. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706722
Pharmacological assessment of the duration of action of glycopyrrolate vs tiotropium and ipratropium in guinea‐pig and human airways
Authors: Villetti Gino , Bergamaschi Marco , Bassani Franco , Bolzoni Pier Tonino , Harrison Selena , Gigli Paolo M , Janni Alberto , Geppetti Pierangelo , Civelli Maurizio , Patacchini Riccardo 
Published: March 2006

Our study was aimed at investigating the duration of the bronchodilator action of the antimuscarinc drug glycopyrrolate compared to tiotropium and ipratropium.
In the guinea‐pig isolated trachea, the time (t1/2) necessary for a contractile response to carbachol (0.3 μM) to return to 50% recovery after washout of the antagonist was studied. The offset of the antagonist effect of glycopyrrolate, tiotropium and ipratropium (10 nM each) was t1/2=4.0±0.5, >4.5 and 0.5±0.1 h, respectively. At 4.5 h from the washout of the antagonist, the recovery of the response to carbachol was 50±8, 10±4 and 70±7%, respectively.
In the human isolated bronchus, the offset of the bronchodilator effects of glycopyrrolate (3 nM), tiotropium (1 nM) and ipratropium (10 nM) was t1/2=3.7±0.2; >6 and 3.0±0.2 h, respectively. At 6.0 h from the washout of the antagonist, the recovery of the response to carbachol (1 μM) was 101±10, 27±3 and 110±10%, respectively.
In anaesthetized guinea‐pigs, acetylcholine‐induced bronchoconstriction was markedly reduced by intratracheal instillation of glycopyrrolate (3 nmol kg−1; 88.1±4% inhibition), tiotropium (1.3 nmol kg−1; 86.2±5% inhibition) or ipratropium (1.45 nmol kg−1; 88.1±10% inhibition). These inhibitory effects assessed 3 or 24 h after antagonist administration were reduced to 69.9±5 and 29.7±6%; 28.3±5 and 14.2±5% for glycopyrrolate and ipratropium, respectively, whereas they remained stable (83.5±4; 70.6±6) for tiotropium. The residual inhibitory effect of glycopyrrolate was also assessed at 16 h from administration, and proved to be as low as that found at 24 h (31.2±10 vs 29.7±6%, respectively).
In conclusion, glycopyrrolate‐induced bronchodilation has a longer duration than that of ipratropium, but less than that of tiotropium. The efficacy of a possible glycopyrrolate‐based therapy for asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease given once‐a‐day is not guaranteed by the present investigation.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2006) 148, 291–298. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706724
The epithelial–mesenchymal transition: new insights in signaling, development, and disease
Authors: Lee Jonathan M. , Dedhar Shoukat , Kalluri Raghu , Thompson Erik W. 
Published: March 2006

The conversion of an epithelial cell to a mesenchymal cell is critical to metazoan embryogenesis and a defining structural feature of organ development. Current interest in this process, which is described as an epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), stems from its developmental importance and its involvement in several adult pathologies. Interest and research in EMT are currently at a high level, as seen by the attendance at the recent EMT meeting in Vancouver, Canada (October 1–3, 2005). The meeting, which was hosted by The EMT International Association, was the second international EMT meeting, the first being held in Port Douglas, Queensland, Australia in October 2003. The EMT International Association was formed in 2002 to provide an international body for those interested in EMT and the reverse process, mesenchymal–epithelial transition, and, most importantly, to bring together those working on EMT in development, cancer, fibrosis, and pathology. These themes continued during the recent meeting in Vancouver.
Discussion at the Vancouver meeting spanned several areas of research, including signaling pathway activation of EMT and the transcription factors and gene targets involved. Also covered in detail was the basic cell biology of EMT and its role in cancer and fibrosis, as well as the identification of new markers to facilitate the observation of EMT in vivo. This is particularly important because the potential contribution of EMT during neoplasia is the subject of vigorous scientific debate (Tarin, D., E.W. Thompson, and D.F. Newgreen. 2005. Cancer Res. 65:5996–6000; Thompson, E.W., D.F. Newgreen, and D. Tarin. 2005. Cancer Res. 65:5991–5995).
Cytokine expression profiles of bovine lymph nodes: effects ofMycobacterium bovisinfection and bacille Calmette–Guérin vaccination
Authors: Widdison S , Schreuder L J , Villarreal-Ramos B , Howard C J , Watson M , Coffey T J 
Published: March 2006

SummaryCytokine expression in lymph nodes from cattle inoculated intranasally with Mycobacterium bovis was compared to that of non-infected animals using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The effect of M. bovis infection, 4 months post-challenge, was to suppress the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10 as well as the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and IL-6. Expression of interferon (IFN)-γ and IL-12 was maintained. Animals vaccinated with bacille Calmette–Guérin responded differently to challenge with M. bovis. In particular, no decrease in expression of IL-4 or IL-6 was observed following challenge of vaccinated animals and decreased IFN-γ was detected. Also, vaccinated animals had higher levels of IL-4 and IL-10 transcripts compared to unvaccinated animals following challenge. These changes in cytokine expression levels led to a significant shift in the IFN-γ/IL-4 or IFN-γ/IL-10 ratio within the lymph node following challenge. Challenged animals generally showed a strong Th1 bias that was not seen in animals vaccinated prior to challenge. An inverse correlation between the level of pathology and bacterial load within the lymph node and the expression of IL-4, IL-10 and TNF was also observed. These results suggest that in the lymph nodes of cattle with established tuberculosis and a persisting bacterial infection, maintenance of the pro-inflammatory response in combination with a suppressed anti-inflammatory response may control the infection but contribute to host-induced tissue damage. Vaccination, which reduces the bacterial load and consequently the IFN-γ response, may result in less suppression of anti-inflammatory cytokines.
Enhanced immunogenicity and antitumour effects with heterologous prime-boost regime using vaccines based on MG7-Ag mimotope of gastric cancer
Authors: Lin T , Liang S , Meng F , Han Q , Guo C , Sun L , Chen Y , Liu Z , Yu Z , Xie H , Ding J , Fan D 
Published: March 2006

SummaryMG7-Ag, gastric cancer-associated antigen, has been shown to be immunogenic and has been used as marker molecule for prognosis. In a previous study, we developed an oral DNA vaccine based on MG7-Ag mimotope. However, we failed to detect cellular immune response using the oral MG7-Ag mimotope DNA vaccine. To induce significant T cell response, we developed a recombinant adenovirus vaccine based on MG7-Ag mimotope and evaluated the efficacy and protective effects of heterologous prime-boost immunization protocol with an oral DNA vaccine previously developed. We found that both vaccines were able to elicit a significant humoral response against MG7-Ag, while the highest serum titre MG7 antibody was detected in mice immunized with the heterologous prime-boost immunization protocol. Enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay demonstrated that the heterologous prime-boost immunization strategy was more efficient in inducing T cell response than the homologous prime-boost strategy. In the tumour challenge assay, 2 of 5 mice immunized with the heterologous prime-boost protocol were tumour free, while none of the mice in homologous prime-boost groups or control groups was tumour free. Those tumour-bearing mice in the heterologous prime-boost regime had smaller tumour masses than their counterparts in the homologous prime-boost groups or control groups. Therefore, our study suggests that vaccines against MG7-Ag induce significant immune response against gastric cancer, and that the heterologous prime-boost protocol using different types of vaccines could achieve better protective effect than the homologous prime-boost protocol.
PDGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor suppresses mesangial cell proliferation involving STAT3 activation
Authors: Hirai T , Masaki T , Kuratsune M , Yorioka N , Kohno N 
Published: March 2006

Summary
Proliferation of mesangial cells is a hallmark of glomerular disease, and understanding the regulatory mechanisms is critically important. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between mesangial cell proliferation and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 and to determine whether the PDGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor STI 571 inhibited mesangial cell proliferation via modulation of STAT3. In this study, we investigated for the first time, the glomerular expression of phosphorylated STAT3 in paraffin sections from animals with experimental mesangial proliferative glomeronephritis. Phosphorylated STAT3 colocalized with many proliferating mesangial cells. We also demonstrated that treatment with STI 571 reduced mesangial cell proliferation and phosphorylated STAT3 signalling both in vitro and in vivo. In vivo, STI 571 treatment reduced the number of glomerular mesangial cells positive for both phosphorylated STAT3 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. In summary, phosphorylated STAT3 is strongly expressed during mesangial cell proliferation and STI 571 induced suppression of mesangial cell proliferation involves inhibition of phosphorylated STAT3 signalling.
A to G transitions at 260, 386 and 437 in DAZL gene are not associated with spermatogenic failure in Indian population
Authors: Thangaraj K. , Deepa S.R. , Pavani K. , Gupta N. J. , Reddy P. , Reddy A. G. , Chakravarty B. N. , Singh L. 
Published: March 2006

SummaryThe autosomal DAZL (Deleted‐in‐Azoospermic‐Like) gene, mapped to the short arm of the human chromosome 3, is the precursor for the Y‐chromosomal DAZ cluster, which encodes for putative RNA‐binding proteins. Mutations in the DAZL have been reported to be associated with spermatogenic failure in Taiwanese population but not in Caucasians. As there was no study on Indian populations, we have analysed the entire coding sequences of exons 2 and 3 of DAZL in a total of 1010 men from Indian subcontinent, including 660 infertile men with 598 non‐obstructive azoospermia, 62 severe oligozoospermia and 350 normozoospermic fertile control men, to investigate whether mutation(s) in the DAZL is associated with male infertility. Interestingly, none of our samples (1010) showed A386G (T54A) mutation, which was found to be associated with spermatogenic failure in Taiwanese population. In contrast, A260G (T12A) mutation was observed in both infertile and normozoospermic fertile control men, without any significant association with infertile groups (χ2 = 0.342; p = 0.556). Similarly, we have found a novel A437G (I71V) mutation, which is also present in both infertile and normozoospermic fertile control men without any significant difference (χ2 = 0.476; p = 0.490). Our study clearly demonstrates the complete absence of the A386G (T54A) mutation in Indian subcontinent and the other two mutations – A260G (T12A) and A437G (I71V) – observed are polymorpic. Therefore, we conclude that these mutations in the DAZL gene are not associated with male infertility in Indian subcontinent.
Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors in the treatment of premature ejaculation
Authors: Wang W. F. , Minhas S. , Ralph D. J. 
Published: March 2006

SummaryTo date, there is no FDA‐approved therapy for premature ejaculation (PE). Recently, phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5‐Is) have been demonstrated to have encouraging results in the treatment of PE by a few studies. The aim of this review was to assess the updated manuscripts and thereafter present the practical recommendations and possible mechanisms concerning PDE5‐Is for treating PE. Using MEDLINE, we searched and assessed the peer manuscripts published from 1 January 1996 to 1 September 2005 about PDE5‐Is for treating PE. The results show that the number of patients in all the reports is very few and most of the studies do not employ double‐blinded and placebo‐controlled tests, though they are prospective and randomized. Therefore, the results and conclusions might be biased. PDE5‐Is are suggested to be used in PE with old age or associated with erectile dysfunction (ED), or to be employed alone or in combination with selective‐serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) when SSRIs fail to treat PE; behavioural therapy is proposed to be used for preventing the recurrence of PE following withdrawal of PDE5‐Is. In addition, for the PE patient with a definite aetiological cause, the aetiology should be cured first, if PE still exists, followed by PDE‐Is prescription. Possible mechanisms that are involved include relaxing the smooth muscles of vas deferens, seminal vesicle, prostate and urethra; decreasing the central sympathetic output; inducing peripheral analgesia; prolonging the duration of erection; and increasing confidence, the perception of ejaculatory control, overall sexual satisfaction, and decreasing the post‐orgasmic refractory time to achieve a second erection after ejaculation. Well‐designed multicentre studies are urgently warranted to further elucidate the efficacies and safety as well as mechanisms of PDE5‐Is in the treatment of PE.
Optimization of osmotic dehydration of melons followed by air‐drying
Authors: Teles Ulisses M. , Fernandes Fabiano A. N. , Rodrigues Sueli , Lima Andréa S. , Maia Geraldo A. , Figueiredo Raimundo W. 
Published: March 2006

SummaryOsmotic dehydration represents a technological alternative to reduce post‐harvest losses of fruits. In this work, the influence of the osmotic solution concentration and osmotic solution to fruit weight ratio was examined on the osmotic dehydration of melons under vacuum. The process of osmotic dehydration followed by air‐drying was studied and modelled so that it could be optimised. The developed model has been validated with experimental data and simulations have shown that how the operating conditions affect the process. An optimisation was done using the model in order to search for the best operating condition that would reduce the total processing time.