bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for leukemic transformation in patients with primary myelofibrosis
Authors: Huang Jocelin , Li Chin‐Yang , Mesa Ruben A. , Wu Wentling , Hanson Curtis A. , Pardanani Animesh , Tefferi Ayalew 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND.Previous prognostic studies in primary myelofibrosis have focused on risk factors for overall survival and have resulted in the establishment of several prognostic scoring systems. However, to the authors' knowledge, information regarding risk factors for leukemic transformation in primary myelofibrosis is limited.METHODS.The current retrospective study examined clinical variables at the time of diagnosis and specific treatment modalities for their effect on leukemic transformation in 311 patients with primary myelofibrosis who were seen at the Mayo Clinic.RESULTS.Univariate analysis of parameters at the time of diagnosis revealed a significant association between inferior leukemia‐free survival and a peripheral blood blast percentage ≥3 (P < .0001), a platelet count <100 × 109/L (P = .004), a monocyte count ≥1 × 109/L (P = .02), the presence of hypercatabolic symptoms (P = .03), a low hemoglobin level (P = .04), and a high leukocyte count (P = .04). The first 2 parameters were found to maintain their statistical significance during multivariate analysis. Neither leukemia‐free nor overall survival was found to be affected by the presence of <3% peripheral blood blasts or JAK2V617F mutation. The evaluation of treatment effect on leukemic transformation unexpectedly revealed a significant and independent association with previous therapy with either erythropoiesis‒stimulating agents (P = .004) or danazol (P = .007), even when the aforementioned prognostic indicators at the time of diagnosis were added as covariates to the multivariate model. In contrast, leukemia‐free survival was not found to be affected by a treatment history with hydroxyurea, thalidomide, or other drugs.CONCLUSIONS.A peripheral blood blast percentage ≥3 and/or a platelet count <100 × 109/L at the time of diagnosis were found to be strong and independent predictors of leukemic transformation in patients with primary myelofibrosis. The unexpected association between leukemic transformation and a history of treatment with erythropoiesis‒stimulating agents or danazol requires validation by prospective studies. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Cryptochrome is present in the compound eyes and a subset of Drosophila's clock neurons
Authors: Yoshii Taishi , Todo Takeshi , Wülbeck Corinna , Stanewsky Ralf , Helfrich‐Förster Charlotte 
Published: April 2008

AbstractCryptochrome (CRY) is intimately associated with the circadian clock of many organisms. In the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, CRY seems to be involved in photoreception as well as in the core clockwork. In spite of the critical role of CRY for the clock of Drosophila, it was not quite clear whether CRY is expressed in every clock cell. With the help of a new antibody and a mutant that lacks CRY, we show here that CRY is expressed in specific subsets of Drosophila's pacemaker neurons and in the photoreceptor cells of the compound eyes. In the pacemaker neurons, CRY levels and kinetics under light‐dark cycles are quite different from each other. High‐amplitude oscillations are observed in only three groups of clock neurons, suggesting that these three groups are strongly receptive to light. The different CRY kinetics may account for phase differences in oscillations of the clock proteins observed in these three groups in earlier studies. The molecular clock of the neurons that contain lower CRY levels or are completely CRY negative can still be synchronized by light, probably via intercellular communication with the CRY‐positive neurons as well as via external photoreceptors. J. Comp. Neurol. 508:952–966, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Talking about others: Emotionality and the dissemination of social information
Authors: Peters Kim , Kashima Yoshihisa , Clark Anna 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThere is evidence that we may be more likely to share stories about other people to the extent that they arouse emotion. If so, this emotional social talk may have important social consequences, providing the basis for many of our social beliefs and mobilising people to engage or disengage with the targets of the talk. Across three studies, we tested the situated communicability of emotional social information by examining if the ability of emotionality to increase communicability would depend on the emotion that was aroused and the identity of the audience. Study 1 showed that participants were more willing to share social anecdotes that aroused interest, surprise, disgust and happiness with an unspecified audience. Study 2 provided a behavioural replication of these findings. Study 3 showed that the communicability of emotional social talk did vary with audience identity (friend or stranger). Together, these findings suggest that emotional social events (particularly those that arouse disgust and happiness) are likely to become part of a society's social beliefs, with important consequences for the structure of social relationships. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Health effects of nanomaterials: A critical appraisal approach and research to practice
Authors: Sequeira Reynold , Genaidy Ash , Weckman Gary , Shell Richard , Karwowski Waldemar , Acosta‐Leon Adriana 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackground Researchers across the globe are studying health effects of various nanomaterials and nanostructures. Most of these studies are qualitative in nature and lack parallel research to compare and validate the reliability of the findings.Objective This research targets a critical appraisal of such clinical studies by first developing a suitable tool and then evaluating the quality of reporting of these trials.Methods The published articles were collected from a search of electronic databases and bibliographies of identified articles. A critical appraisal (ExpAI) suitable for assessment of such experimental studies was developed and the articles were appraised using this instrument. The main findings of the study were evaluated for their use in the development of new techniques for practice using a linguistic scale.Results Twenty‐eight articles were found to satisfy the inclusion criteria adopted in this research. The methodological qualities of the published studies ranged from marginal to average.Conclusions Though the studies evaluated in this research have proven that nanoparticles do have adverse health effects, nanoparticles should not be discounted without exploring the possibility of using them to benefit companies and the general population. Reengineering should be considered while creating these new systems to overcome the health effects found by various studies. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Experimental design comparison of studies evaluating doxorubicin nanoparticles in breast cancer therapy
Authors: Moayed Farman A. , Pauletti Giovanni M. , Shell Richard , Genaidy Ash 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackground The unique properties of nanoparticles (NP) qualify these colloidal systems for a wide range of medical applications, including diagnosis and treatment. Particularly in cancer therapy, NP have significantly enhanced the potential of conventional imaging, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy and, consequently, offered new avenues for early interventions. So far, breast cancer has been one of the most studied cancer types with NP research, which can benefit the occupational breast cancer for the increasing number of women in the labor force in industry.Objectives The objective of this study is to compare the experimental designs of preclinical studies that assessed the effect of doxorubicin NP (DOX‐NP) on the estrogen‐dependent MCF‐7 breast cancer cell line using a recently established quantitative Experimental Appraisal Instrument (ExpAI).Methods A systematic review of research articles published between August 2004 and August 2005 on NP and breast cancer treatment with doxorubicin was performed using various online databases and indexes available through the University of Cincinnati. Restrictive inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined leading to selection of four relevant articles that used comparable experimental designs. Critical appraisal of those studies was performed by five independent assessors using the ExpAI version 2.0 and the results were summarized in a table of evidence.Results The study design in the selected articles was either between groups or mixed, with sample sizes varying from n = 3–6, and the evaluation of the effect of DOX‐NP either in vitro or in vivo. The cytotoxic drug doxorubicin was the input variable in all studies, whereas different end points such as pharmacokinetic parameters, cytotoxicity surrogates (e.g., growth inhibition, mitochondrial activity), and quantitative analysis of messenger RNA were used as output variables.Conclusions Although the articles assessed in this article were preclinical experimental studies, the results showed that doxorubicin NP drugs can be used effectively to enhance the delivery process in MCF‐7 breast cancer cells by increasing the circulation time and targeting the tumor tissues. Considering the rising number of women in the labor force and the risk of occupational breast cancer, it can be concluded that DOX‐NP may potentially be used as an effective anticancer drug on humans, but further research and studies are required to understand how DOX‐NP drugs might react in the human body before using it on breast cancer patients. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Silencing of hSlo potassium channels in human osteosarcoma cells promotes tumorigenesis
Authors: Cambien Béatrice , Rezzonico Roger , Vitale Sébastien , Rouzaire‐Dubois Béatrice , Dubois Jean‐Marc , Barthel Robert , Soilihi Babou Karimdjee , Mograbi Baharia , Schmid‐Alliana Annie , Schmid‐Antomarchi Heidy 
Published: April 2008

AbstractPotassium channels, the most diverse superfamily of ion channels, have recently emerged as regulators of carcinogenesis, thus introducing possible new therapeutic strategies in the fight against cancer. In particular, the large conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ channels, often referred to as BK channels, are at the crossroads of several tumor‐associated processes such as cell proliferation, survival, secretion and migration. Despite the high BK channel expression in osteosarcoma (OS), their function has not yet been investigated in this malignant bone pathology. Here, using stable RNA interference to reduce the expression of hSlo, the human pore‐forming α‐subunit of the BK channel, in human Cal72 OS cells, we show that BK channels play a functional role in carcinogenesis. Our results reveal for the first time that BK channels exhibit antitumoral properties in OS in vivo and affect the tumor microenvironment through the modulation of both chemokine expression and leukocyte infiltration. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
DNA methylation and histone modifications cause silencing of Wnt antagonist gene in human renal cell carcinoma cell lines
Authors: Kawamoto Ken , Hirata Hiroshi , Kikuno Nobuyuki , Tanaka Yuichiro , Nakagawa Masayuki , Dahiya Rajvir 
Published: April 2008

AbstractSecreted frizzled‐related protein 2 (sFRP2) is a negative modulator of the Wingless‐type (Wnt) signaling pathway, and shown to be inactivated in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, the molecular mechanism of silencing of sFRP2 is not fully understood. Our study was designed to elucidate the silencing mechanism of sFRP2 in RCC. Expression of sFRP2 was examined in 20 pairs of primary cancers by immunohistochemistry. Kidney cell lines (HK‐2, Caki‐1, Caki‐2, A‐498 and ACHN) were analyzed for sFRP2 expression using real‐time RT‐PCR and Western blotting. The methylation status at 46 CpG sites of the 2 CpG islands in the sFRP2 promoter was characterized by bisulfite DNA sequencing. Histone modifications were assessed by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay using antibodies against AcH3, AcH4, H3K4 and H3K9. sFRP2 was frequently repressed in primary cancers and in RCC cells. The majority of sFRP2 negative cells had a methylated promoter. Meanwhile, sFRP2 expression was repressed by a hypomethylated promoter in Caki‐1 cells, and these cells had a repressive histone modification at the promoter. In Caki‐1 cells, sFRP2 was reactivated by trichostatin A (TSA). Repressive histone modifications were also observed in RCC cells with hypermethylated promoters, but sFRP2 was reactivated only by 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine (DAC) and not by TSA. However, the activation of the silenced sFRP2 gene could be achieved in all cells using a combination of DAC and TSA. This is the first report indicating that aberrant DNA methylation and histone modifications work together to silence the sFRP2 gene in RCC cells. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An in vitro comparison of possibly bioactive titanium implant surfaces
Authors: Göransson A. , Arvidsson A. , Currie F. , Franke‐Stenport V. , Kjellin P. , Mustafa K. , Sul Y. T. , Wennerberg A. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe aim of the study was to compare Ca and P formation (CaP) and subsequent bone cell response of a blasted and four different possibly bioactive commercially pure (cp) titanium surfaces; 1. Fluoride etched (Fluoride), 2. Alkali‐heat treated (AH), 3. Magnesium ion incorporated anodized (TiMgO), and 4. Nano HA coated and heat treated (nano HA) in vitro. Furthermore, to evaluate the significance of the SBF formed CaP coat on bone cell response. The surfaces were characterized by Optical Interferometry, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). CaP formation was evaluated after 12, 24 and 72 h in simulated body fluid (SBF). Primary human mandibular osteoblast‐like cells were cultured on the various surfaces subjected to SBF for 72 h. Cellular attachment, differentiation (osteocalcin) and protein production (TGF‐β1) was evaluated after 3 h and 10 days respectively. Despite different morphological appearances, the roughness of the differently modified surfaces was similar. The possibly bioactive surfaces gave rise to an earlier CaP formation than the blasted surface, however, after 72 h the blasted surface demonstrated increased CaP formation compared to the possibly bioactive surfaces. Subsequent bone cell attachment was correlated to neither surface roughness nor the amount of formed CaP after SBF treatment. In contrast, osteocalcin and TGF‐β1 production were largely correlated to the amount of CaP formed on the surfaces. However, bone response (cell attachment, osteocalcin and TGF‐F production) on the blasted controls were similar or increased compared to the SBF treated fluoridated, AH and TiMgO surface. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
Enhancing neurite outgrowth from primary neurones and neural stem cells using thermoresponsive hydrogel scaffolds for the repair of spinal cord injury
Authors: Nisbet D. R. , Moses D. , Gengenbach T. R. , Forsythe J. S. , Finkelstein D. I. , Horne M. K. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIn this study, thermoresponsive xyloglucan hydrogel scaffolds were investigated as candidates for neural tissue engineering of the spinal cord. The hydrogels were optimized to provide similar mechanical properties to that of native spinal cord, although also being functionalized through the immobilization of poly‐D‐lysine to promote neurone adhesion and neurite outgrowth. Under 2D and 3D culture conditions, xyloglucan scaffolds supported the differentiation of primary cortical neurones. Furthermore, functionalization provided a means of controlling and optimizing the cell diameter, number, migration and the neurite density, and the direction of growth. The interaction of neural stem cells (NSCs) was also investigated on the xyloglucan scaffolds in vitro. The survival of the NSCs and the axonal extensions on the scaffolds were similar to that of the primary cortical neurones. These findings suggest that xyloglucan‐based materials are suitable for providing a neurotrophic milieu. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
Physical vapor deposition of zirconium or titanium thin films on flexible polyurethane highly support adhesion and physiology of human endothelial cells
Authors: Ozkucur N. , Wetzel C. , Hollstein F. , Richter E. , Funk R. H. W. , Monsees T. K. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe aim of this study was to develop and characterize novel metal‐polymer constructs to improve the biocompatibility of flexible but hydrophobic polyurethane (PUR) implants. Using a physical vapor deposition (PVD) technique, thin films (≤100 nm) of zirconium (Zr) or titanium (Ti) were deposited on the polyurethane surface. Both coatings displayed good stability when subjected to cross‐cutting test and especially Zr showed only minor and superficial cracks in the scanning electron microscopy analysis. PVD coating resulted in significantly lowered contact angles and the standard surface free energy of wetting (ΔwetG°) turned to more favorable negative values (Ti: −40; Zr: −30; untreated PUR (uPUR): +10.1 mN/m). This may lead to the highly enhanced adhesion and proliferation properties observed with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In addition, the novel coatings had no toxic effect and even drastically reduced apoptosis rates of HUVECs. Cell morphology, nitric oxide production, and mitochondrial membrane potential—both at static and flow conditions—were superior compared with uPUR, thus demonstrating intact physiological functions. Therefore, we suggest that combining PUR as a flexible material with a thin coating of Zr or Ti as the improved biocompatible surface may have advantages for use, for example, vascular graft material. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
Pretreatment of docetaxel enhances TRAIL‐mediated apoptosis in prostate cancer cells
Authors: Yoo Jinsang , Park Sung‐Soo , Lee Yong J. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractTumor necrosis factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a promising cancer therapeutic agent because of its tumor selectivity. TRAIL is known to induce apoptosis in cancer cells but spare most normal cells. In this study, we examined whether treatment of docetaxel (DTX) can enhance apoptotic cell death by TRAIL against androgen‐independent prostate cancer (AIPC). The cell death effect of combinations of TRAIL and docetaxel on prostate cancer cell lines (androgen‐dependent LNCaP and its derived androgen‐independent, metastatic C4‐2B) was evaluated by synergisms of apoptosis. Western blot assay and DNA fragmentation assay were used to study the underlying mechanisms of cell death and search for any mechanisms of enhancement of TRAIL induced apoptosis in the presence of docetaxel. In addition, we investigated the in vitro anti‐tumor effects of combined docetaxel and TRAIL using MAP kinase inhibitors. Docetaxel itself could not induce apoptotic cell death in 24 h even in high concentration. Apoptotic cell death, however, was drastically enhanced by pretreatment of docetaxel 20 h before TRAIL treatment. Docetaxel enhanced the PARP‐1 cleavage and caspases activation by TRAIL especially in androgen‐independent, metastatic C4‐2B cell line, mainly by phosphorylation of Bcl‐2 by JNK activation. It appears that apoptotic cell death was protected by the JNK inhibitor SP600125. The results of our study show that pretreatment of docetaxel is able to enhance the apoptosis produced by TRAIL in prostate cancer cells, especially in hormone‐refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). J. Cell. Biochem. 104: 1636–1646, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Anorexia nervosa and parental bonding: the contribution of parent–grandparent relationships to eating disorder psychopathology
Authors: Canetti Laura , Kanyas Kyra , Lerer Bernard , Latzer Yael , Bachar Eytan 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe present study adopted an intergenerational approach in examining the association between parental bonding and anorexia nervosa. Forty‐three anorexic participants and 33 nonclinical comparison participants completed eating disorder questionnaires and the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI). The participant's parents also completed the PBI. The anorexic participants perceived both parents as less caring and fathers as more controlling than nonclinical participants. Among anorexic participants, mother control and father care were associated with symptom severity. Intergenerational effects were present. Among anorexic participants, maternal grandmother care was associated with eating disorder psychopathology. The present findings suggest that parental characteristics of grandparents might play a role in the development of eating disorders in granddaughters. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 64: 703–716, 2008.
Phylogeographic and conservation genetic analysis of the black caiman (Melanosuchus niger)
Authors: Vasconcelos William Rangel , Hrbek Tomas , Da Silveira Ronis , De Thoisy Benoit , Ruffeil Luis Augusto Araújo dos Santos , Farias Izeni Pires 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe assessed the spatial distribution of the genetic variability of Melanosuchus niger from 11 localities in South America using 1,027 base pairs of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Screening 132 animals, we found 41 haplotypes, high values of genetic diversity, low values of nucleotide diversity and significant deviations from neutral expectation of allelic frequencies in some localities. Mantel test and nested‐clade analysis indicated that isolation‐by‐distance was an important population dynamic for the species as a whole. Wright's fixation indexes analyses showed that hydrogeographically separated populations from French Guiana together with Amapá state population in Brazil are genetically differentiated from all other populations that are found in the Amazon drainage basin. These indexes also disclosed that the population from Ecuador is genetically differentiated in relation to the populations from Brazil, Peru and French Guiana. Within the Amazon Basin little differentiation exists, and genetic and geographic distances are not correlated. Demographic data as well as population genetic data suggest that M. niger is recovering in some protected regions. However, part of this apparent recovery may be owing to the movement of animals into protected regions. J. Exp. Zool. 309A:600–613, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.