bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bevacizumab plus 5-fluorouracil induce growth suppression in the CWR-22 and CWR-22R prostate cancer xenografts
Authors: Hung Huynh 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in men. Although patients with metastatic prostate cancer can benefit from androgen ablation, most of them will die of prostate cancer progression to an androgen-refractory state. In the present study, the effects of docetaxel, bevacizumab, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), bevacizumab plus docetaxel, and bevacizumab plus 5-FU on the growth of human CWR-22 (androgen-dependent) and CWR-22R (androgen-independent) prostate carcinoma xenografts were investigated. We report that i.p. administration of 10 mg/kg docetaxel at 1-week interval, 5 mg/kg/ bevacizumab once every 2 weeks, or 12.5 mg/kg 5-FU, bevacizumab/docetaxel, or bevacizumab/5-FU weekly to severe combined immunodeficient mice bearing prostate cancer xenografts (12 mice per treatment group) for 21 days resulted in 22.5 ± 8%, 23 ± 7%, 31 ± 8%, 22 ± 6%, and 81 ± 5% growth inhibition, respectively. Greatest growth suppression was observed in bevacizumab/5-FU treatment. Bevacizumab/5-FU–induced growth suppression was associated with reduction in microvessel density, inhibition of cell proliferation; up-regulation of phosphatase and tensin homologue, p21Cip1/Waf1, p16INK4a, and p27Kip1; hypophosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein; and inhibition of Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway. Our data indicate that bevacizumab/5-FU effectively inhibits angiogenesis and cell cycle progression and suggest that bevacizumab/5-FU may represent an alternative treatment for patients with prostate cancer. [Mol Cancer Ther 2007;6(8):2149–57]
Acute pharmacodynamic and antivascular effects of the vascular endothelial growth factor signaling inhibitor AZD2171 in Calu-6 human lung tumor xenografts
Authors: Smith Neil R. , James Neil H. , Oakley Ian , Wainwright Anna , Copley Clive , Kendrew Jane , Womersley Lynsey M. , Jürgensmeier Juliane M. , Wedge Stephen R. , Barry Simon T. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) signaling pathway, a key stimulant of solid tumor vascularization, is primarily dependent on the activation of the endothelial cell surface receptor VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2). AZD2171 is an oral, highly potent small-molecule inhibitor of VEGFR tyrosine kinase activity that inhibits angiogenesis and the growth of human tumor xenografts in vivo. Here, we show pharmacodynamic changes in VEGFR-2 phosphorylation induced by AZD2171. In mouse lung tissue, a single dose of AZD2171 at 6 mg/kg inhibited VEGF-A–stimulated VEGFR-2 phosphorylation by 87% at 2 h with significant inhibition (≥60%) maintained to 24 h. To examine inhibition of VEGFR-2 phosphorylation in tumor vasculature by immunohistochemistry, a comprehensive assessment of antibodies to various phosphorylation sites on the receptor was undertaken. Antibodies to the phosphotyrosine epitopes pY1175/1173 and pY1214/1212 were found suitable for this application. Calu-6 human lung tumor xenografts, from mice receiving AZD2171 or vehicle treatment (p.o., once daily), were examined by immunohistochemistry. A significant reduction in tumor vessel staining of phosphorylated VEGFR-2 (pVEGFR-2) was evident within 28 h of AZD2171 treatment (6 mg/kg). This effect preceded a significant reduction in tumor microvessel density, which was detectable following 52 h of AZD2171 treatment. These data show that AZD2171 is a potent inhibitor of VEGFR-2 activation in vivo and suggest that AZD2171 delivers therapeutic benefit in Calu-6 tumors by targeting vessels dependent on VEGFR-2 signaling for survival. In addition, this work highlights the utility of measuring either pY1175/1173 or pY1214/1212 on VEGFR-2 as a pharmacodynamic marker of VEGFR-2 activation. [Mol Cancer Ther 2007;6(8):2198–208]
Radiation dosimetry and biodistribution of the beta-amyloid plaque imaging tracer 11C-BTA-1 in humans
Authors: Thees S. , Neumaier B. , Deisenhofer S. , von Arnim C. A. F. , Reske S. N. , Mottaghy F. M. , Glatting G. 
Published: August 2007

SummaryAim: [N-methyl-11C]2-(4'-(methylaminophenyl)-benzothiazole (11C-BTA-1) is a thioflavin-T derivative that has been one of the promising PET tracers for imaging of amyloid plaque distribution in the Alzheimer patients brain in vivo. The biodistribution and dosimetry of this tracer in humans is presented and compared to the results of a previous dosimetry and biodistribution study of another thioflavin-T derivative [N-methyl-11C]2-hydroxy-(4'-(methylaminophenyl)- benzothiazole (11C-OH-BTA-1) in baboons. Methods: Five subjects underwent 2D dynamic PET imaging. Source organs were segmented using a semiautomatic algorithm based on clustering. Residence times for each source organ were determined by analytical integration of an exponential fit of the time activity curves. Finally organ doses were estimated using the software OLINDA/EXM. Results: The administration of 286 ± 93 MBq 11C-BTA-1 was well tolerated by all subjects. Effective radiation dose was 4.3 μSv/MBq, range 3.6–5.0 μSv/MBq. In four of the five subjects the liver, in one of the subjects the gallbladder was the critical organ. Conclusion: The radiation burden of a single dose of 300 MBq 11C-BTA-1 is within the accepted limits for research purpose. In contrast to the previous non-human primate study revealing the gallbladder as the critical organ for 11C-6-OH-BTA-1, we found the liver as the critical organ in humans using 11C-BTA-1. Possible explanations may be (1) a reduced bile concentration of 11C-BTA-1 due to the absent OH-group or (2) a different hepatic metabolism of thioflavin derivatives in human and baboon.
Procedure guideline for thyroid scintigraphy (version 3)
Authors: Dressler J. , W. Eschner , Leisner B. , Reiners C. , Schicha H. , Dietlein M. 
Published: August 2007

SummaryThe version 3 of the procedure guideline for thyroid scintigraphy is an update of the procedure guideline previously published in 2003. The interpretation of the scintigraphy requires the knowledge of the patients' history, the palpation of the neck, the laboratory parameters and of the sonography. The interpretation of the technetium-99m uptake requires the knowledge of the TSH-level. As a consequence of the improved alimentary iodine supply the 99mTc-uptake has decreased; 100 000 counts per scintigraphy should be acquired. For this, an imaging time of 10 minutes is generally needed using a high resolution collimator for thyroid imaging.
Sensitivity of the Latitude of the Surface Westerlies to Surface Friction
Authors: Chen Gang , Held Isaac M. , Robinson Walter A. 
Published: August 2007

The sensitivity to surface friction of the latitude of the surface westerlies and the associated eddy-driven midlatitude jet is studied in an idealized dry GCM. The westerlies move poleward as the friction is reduced in strength. An increase in the eastward phase speed of midlatitude eddies is implicated as playing a central role in this shift. This shift in latitude is mainly determined by changes in the friction on the zonal mean flow rather than the friction on the eddies. If the friction on the zonal mean is reduced instantaneously, the response reveals two distinctive adjustment time scales. In the fast adjustment over the first 10–20 days, there is an increase in the barotropic component of zonal winds and a substantial decrease in the eddy kinetic energy; the shift in the surface westerlies and jet latitude occurs in a slower adjustment. The space–time eddy momentum flux spectra suggest that the key to the shift is a poleward movement in the subtropical critical latitude associated with the faster eastward phase speeds in the dominant midlatitude eddies. The view is supported by simulating the upper-tropospheric dynamics in a stochastically stirred nonlinear shallow water model.
An Idealized Two-Dimensional Framework to Study the West African Monsoon. Part II: Large-Scale Advection and the Diurnal Cycle
Authors: Peyrillé Philippe , Lafore Jean-Philippe 
Published: August 2007

The idealized 2D model developed in Part I of this study is used to study the West African monsoon sensitivity to large-scale forcing. Using ECWMF reanalyses, a large-scale forcing is introduced in the 2D model in terms of temperature and humidity advection. A coherent structure of cooling–moistening near the surface and drying–warming in the 2–4-km layer is found in the Saharan heat low region. The effect of the advective forcing is to block the monsoon propagation by strengthening the northerly flux and by an increase of convective inhibition. The heat low thus appears to play a key role in the monsoon northward penetration through its temperature and humidity budget. Ultimately, warmer low levels and/or more moist midlevels in the heat low favor a more northerly position of the ITCZ. A detailed view of the continental diurnal cycle is also presented. Potential temperature and humidity budgets are performed in the deep convective and heat low area. The moistening process to sustain deep convection is made through nocturnal advection at low levels and daytime turbulence that redistributes humidity vertically. The same mechanism occurs in the heat low except that the vertical transfers by turbulence help maintain the dryness of the low levels. A possible mechanism of interaction between the deep convective zone and the Saharan heat low is also proposed that involves gravity waves in the upper troposphere.
PBL State Estimation with Surface Observations, a Column Model, and an Ensemble Filter
Authors: Hacker Joshua P. , Rostkier-Edelstein Dorita 
Published: August 2007

AbstractFollowing recent results showing the potential for using surface observations of temperature, water vapor mixing ratio, and winds to determine PBL profiles, this paper reports on experiments with real observations. A 1D column model with soil, surface-layer, and PBL parameterization schemes that are the same as in the Weather Research and Forecasting model is used to estimate PBL profiles with an ensemble filter. Surface observations over the southern Great Plains are assimilated during the spring and early summer period of 2003. To strictly quantify the utility of the observations for determining PBL profiles in the ensemble filter framework, only climatological information is provided for initialization and forcing. The analysis skill, measured against rawinsondes for an independent verification, is compared against climatology to quantify the influence of the observations. Sensitivity to changing parameterization schemes, and to prescribed values of observation error variance, is examined. Temporal propagation of skillful analyses is also assessed, separating the effects of good prior state estimates from the impact of assimilation at night when covariance is weak. Results show that accurate profiles of temperature, mixing ratio, and winds are estimated with the column model and ensemble filter assimilating only surface observations. Results are largely insensitive to choice of parameterization scheme and specified observation error variance. The effects of using different parameterization schemes within the column model depend on whether assimilation is included, showing the importance of evaluating models within assimilation systems. At night, skillful estimates are possible because the influence of the observations from the previous day is temporally propagated, and atmospheric dynamics in the residual layer operate on slow time scales. It is expected that these profiles will have applications for nowcasting and secondary models (e.g., plume dispersion models) that rely on accurate specification of PBL structure.
A Comparison of Two Coastal Barrier Jet Events along the Southeast Alaskan Coast during the SARJET Field Experiment
Authors: Olson Joseph B. , Colle Brian A. , Bond Nicholas A. , Winstead Nathaniel 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
The Southeastern Alaskan Regional Jets experiment investigated the structures and physical processes of barrier jets along the coastal Fairweather Mountains near Juneau, Alaska, from 24 September to 21 October 2004. This paper compares in situ aircraft data and high-resolution simulations from the first intensive observation period (IOP1), which featured a nearly terrain-parallel barrier jet (classical jet) with another coastal jet event (IOP7) that was influenced by offshore-directed gap flows at the coast (hybrid jet). IOP1 featured southerly onshore flow preceding a landfalling trough, which was blocked by the coastal terrain and accelerated down the pressure gradient to produce a 5–10 m s−1 wind enhancement in the alongshore direction in the lowest 1 km MSL. In contrast, IOP7 featured higher surface pressure and colder low-level temperatures to the east (inland) of the study area than did IOP1, which resulted in offshore-directed coastal gap flow exiting Cross Sound below ∼500 m that turned anticyclonically and merged with the ambient flow. Unlike the classical jet (IOP1), IOP7 had a surface warm anomaly adjacent to the steep coastal terrain, while a cold anomaly existed farther offshore within the gap outflow. Above the shallow gap flow (&gt;500 m MSL), there were more classical barrier jet characteristics. High-resolution fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model (MM5) simulations were performed to compare the structures and underlying dynamics between the two cases. Model trajectories show that coastal winds for IOP1 originated offshore, while much of the coastal flow in IOP7 had gap flow origins near the surface and offshore origins above the gap outflow. A model momentum budget suggests that the vertical mixing of southerly momentum from aloft forced the gap outflow in IOP7 to turn anticyclonically more rapidly than an inertial circle. A simulation of IOP7 with the Cross Sound gap removed (filled in) produced a coastal jet with similar maximum wind speeds to the control but resulted in a reduction in the width of the coastal jet by about 40%.
Effects of movement imagery and electromyography-triggered feedback on arm—hand function in stroke patients in the subacute phase
Authors: Hemmen B. , Seelen H.A.M. 
Published: August 2007

Objective: To investigate the effects of movement imagery-assisted electromyography (EMG)-triggered feedback (focused on paretic wrist dorsiflexors) on the arm—hand function of stroke patients. Design: Single-blinded, longitudinal, multicentre randomized controlled trial. Measurements were performed (on average) 54 days post stroke (baseline), three months later (post training) and at 12 months post baseline. Setting: Two rehabilitation centres. Subjects: Twenty-seven patients with a first-ever, ischaemic, subacute stroke. Interventions: A reference group received conventional electrostimulation, while the experimental group received arm—hand function training based on EMG-triggered feedback combined with movement imagery. Both groups were trained for three months, 5 days/week, 30 minutes/day, in addition to their therapy as usual. Main measures: Arm—hand function was evaluated using the upper extremity-related part of the Brunnstrom Fugl-Meyer test and the Action Research Arm test. Results: During training, Brunnstrom Fugl-Meyer scores improved 8.7 points and Action Research Arm scores by 19.4 points ( P < 0.0001) in both groups relative to baseline results, rising to 13.3 and 28.4 points respectively at one year follow-up ( P < 0.0001). No between-group differences were found at any time. Conclusions: EMG-triggered feedback stimulation did not lead to more arm—hand function improvement relative to conventional electrostimulation. However, in contrast to many clinical reports, a significant improvement was still observed in both groups nine months after treatment ceased.
The Physical Activity and Disability Survey (PADS): reliability, validity and acceptability in people with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Kayes Nicola M. , McPherson Kathryn M. , Taylor Denise , Schluter Philip J. , Wilson Bobbie-Jo K. , Kolt Gregory S. 
Published: August 2007

Objective: To explore the test—retest reliability and construct validity of the standardized Physical Activity and Disability Survey (PADS) and its acceptability to people with multiple sclerosis. Design: Participants completed the PADS twice with seven days between repeated measures, while also wearing an Actical accelerometer. Semi-structured interview questions were used to explore the acceptability of the PADS. Subjects: Thirty participants were recruited from the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Auckland, New Zealand. Mean age of participants was 54 years (range 27–76).. Main Measuress: Physical Activity and Disability Survey (PADS) and Actical accelerometer. Results: A wide range of standardized PADS scores were recorded at each time-point (ranges 6.7-83.3 and 6.7-87.4). While standardized PADS scores between time-points had a high intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.92 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.88, 0.98), Bland–Altman 95% limits of agreement (–17.4, 17.4) were modest. Accelerometer activity counts were not accurately predicted by standardized PADS scores (wide 95% prediction intervals). Participants reported the PADS was easy to understand and complete, enabling them to give an accurate picture of their physical activity. Conclusions: The PADS appears to be a potentially appropriate measure of activity for people with multiple sclerosis, particularly in terms of the wide range of activities it covers and its ability to detect varying levels of physical activity. We suggest the test–retest reliability and validity of the PADS could be improved with some minor revisions.
Sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of the clinical trunk muscle endurance tests in low back pain
Authors: Massoud Arab Amir , Salavati Mahyar , Ebrahimi Ismaeil , Ebrahim Mousavi Mohammad 
Published: August 2007

Objective: To describe the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of five clinical tests used to measure trunk muscle endurance in low back pain. Design: A cross-sectional non-experimental design. Setting: Orthopaedic and physical therapy departments of four hospitals and outpatient physical therapy clinics, Tehran, Iran. Subjects: Convenience sample of 200 subjects participated in this study. Subjects were categorized into four groups: men without low back pain ( N = 50, mean (SD) age = 38 (12) years), women without low back pain ( N = 50, mean (SD) age = 43 (11) years), men with low back pain ( N = 50, mean (SD) age = 39 (12) years) and women with low back pain ( N = 50, mean (SD) age = 43 (12) years). Main measures: Five clinical static endurance tests of trunk muscles such as: Sorensen test, prone isometric chest raise test, prone double straight-leg raise test, supine isometric chest raise test and supine double straight-leg raise test were measured in each group. Results: The result of receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis revealed that in a separate analysis of data for men and women, among all tests, the prone double straight-leg raise test had the highest sensitivity, specificity and predictive value in low back pain compared with other performed tests. Conclusions: It seems that the prone double straight-leg raise test has more sensitivity, specificity and predictive value in low back pain than other tests and could be used as a useful clinical method for testing the spinal muscle endurance to predict the probability of the occurrence of low back pain.
Predictors for persistent neck/shoulder pain, medical care-seeking due to neck/shoulder pain and sickness absence
Authors: Grooten Wilhelmus Johannes Andreas 
Published: August 2007

Objective: To determine whether symptoms and clinical signs can predict persistent neck/shoulder pain, future medical care-seeking and sickness absence. Design: A population-based cohort was followed prospectively over a 5—6 year period. Setting: Subjects from the district of Norrtälje (Sweden). Subjects: Subjects with self-rated neck/shoulder pain were included ( n = 1471). Main measures: Cox regression analyses were used to test the predictive value of single and combinations of symptoms and clinical signs obtained with questionnaires and simple tests concerning persistent neck/shoulder pain, future medical care-seeking and sickness absence. Results: Several symptoms and clinical signs were associated with the outcomes of interest: the relative risk (RR) for persistent neck/shoulder pain was 1.38 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14—1.52) for subjects with pain for over three months at baseline and concerning future medical care-seeking RR was 2.10 (95% CI 1.73—2.54) for subjects who had previously sought medical care. An episode of sickness absence during the year of enrolment increased the risk for future sickness absence (RR = 2.42, 95% CI 1.95—3.00). Having five or seven concurrent symptoms and clinical signs was common and more strongly associated with persistent pain (RR = 1.77, 95% CI 1.39 — 2.27) and future medical care-seeking (RR = 4.51, 95% CI 2.54—9.94), respectively, but not concerning sickness absence. Conclusion: By simply counting the number of concurrent symptoms and clinical signs, it is possible to predict persistent neck/shoulder pain and future medical care-seeking, but not sickness absence.
Family-centred care in family-specific teams
Authors: Nijhuis B.J.G. , Reinders-Messelink H.A. , de Blécourt A.C.E. , Hitters W.M.G.C. , Groothoff J.W. , Nakken H. , Postema K. 
Published: August 2007

Objective: To evaluate the perceptions and views of parents and rehabilitation and special education professionals on the family-centredness of care delivered and received. Design: Descriptive study with comparison of ratings in family-specific teams. Setting: Five paediatric facilities in the Netherlands. Subjects: Parents of children with cerebral palsy and professionals providing their children's rehabilitation and educational services. Main measures: The Dutch Measure of Processes of Care for families (MPOC-NL) and the Measure of Processes of Care for service providers (MPOC-SP). Data were collected and analysed per family. Results: In total 38 MPOC-NLs and 204 MPOC-SPs were returned. The family-specific team analysis of importance ratings yielded significant differences ( P < 0.05) on all domains between parents, rehabilitation professionals and special education professionals. For Enabling and partnership ( P < 0.01) and Specific information about the child ( P < 0.01), parents considered the behaviours to be significantly more important than rehabilitation professionals. The problem-score analyses showed that in all domains a considerable number of parents (19—38%) did not receive the care they deemed important. Conclusion: Family-specific analyses of MPOC importance ratings revealed differences in attitudes towards importance of specific care behaviours of team members, which subsequently may have caused the relatively high incidence of parents not receiving the care they deemed important. This underscores the need to explore and attune opinions on what constitutes proper service delivery.