bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of carp and tuna oils on 5‐fluorouracil‐induced antitumor activity and side effects in sarcoma 180‐bearing mice
Authors: Kimura Yoshiyuki , Takaku Takeshi , Nakajima Shigeru , Okuda Hiromichi 
Published: November 2006

AbstractIn this study, we examined the effects of fish oils on 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU)‐induced antitumor activity in mice. First, we examined the antitumor activity of the oral administration of two fish oils (carp oil and tuna oil) in sarcoma 180‐bearing mice. Carp oil (0.2 and 0.4 mL/mouse) and tuna oil (0.2 and 0.4 mL/mouse) had no effects on tumor growth. Next, we examined the combined effects of 5‐FU plus two fish oils (carp oil and tuna oil) on the antitumor activity and side effects compared to the effects of 5‐FU alone (12.5 mg/kg/d). We found that carp oil (0.4 mL/mouse) or tuna oil (0.2 or 0.4 mL/mouse) enhanced the ability of 5‐FU (12.5 mg/kg/d) to prevent tumor growth, without increasing side effects such as myelotoxicity and immunocompetent organ toxicity. Tuna oil (0.2 mL/mouse) slightly reduced body weight as compared to the effects of 5‐FU alone and water alone (control). The area under the curve (AUC) (0–120 min) of blood 5‐FU levels was reduced by the oral co‐administration of 5‐FU with carp oil or tuna oil. Apparent Tmax was shortened by the oral co‐administration of 5‐FU with carp oil or tuna oil. On the other hand, AUC (0–4 h) of 5‐FU incorporation into tumor RNA fraction was not affected by the oral co‐administration of 5‐FU with carp oil or tuna oil.
Energy value and digestibility of dietary oil containing mainly 1,3‐diacylglycerol are similar to those of triacylglycerol
Authors: Taguchi Hiroyuki , Nagao Tomonori , Watanabe Hiroyuki , Onizawa Kouji , Matsuo Noboru , Tokimitsu Ichiro , Itakura Hiroshige 
Published: November 2006

AbstractDiacylglycerol (DAG) is a component of various vegetable oils. Approximately 70% of the DAG in edible oils are in the configuration of 1,3‐DAG. We recently showed that long‐term ingestion of dietary oil containing mainly 1,3‐DAG reduces body fat accumulation in humans as compared to triacylglycerol (TAG) oil with a similar fatty acid composition. As the first step to elucidate the mechanism for this result, we examined the difference in the bioavailabilities of both oils by measuring food energy values and digestibilities in rats. Energy values of the DAG oil and the TAG oil, measured by bomb calorimeter, were 38.9 and 39.6 kJ/g, respectively. Apparent digestibility expressed according to the formula: (absorbed) x (ingested)−1x100=(ingested—excreted in feces)x(ingested)−1x100 for the DAG oil and the TAG oil were 96.3±0.4 and 96.3±0.3% (mean±SEM), respectively. The similarity in the bioavailabilities of both oils supports the hypothesis that the reduced fat accumulation by dietary DAG is caused by the different metabolic fates after the absorption into the gastrointestinal epithelial cells.
Water‐soluble organosulfur compounds of garlic inhibit fatty acid and triglyceride syntheses in cultured rat hepatocytes
Authors: Liu Lijuan , Yeh Yu‐Yan 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe putative hypolipidemic effect of garlic remains controversial. To gain further insight into the effect of garlic on lipid metabolism, the present study determined the inhibitory effects of water‐soluble organosulfur compounds present in garlic on triglyceride (TG) and fatty acid synthesis in cultured rat hepatocytes. When incubated at 0.05 to 4.0 mmol/L with cultured hepatocytes, S‐allyl cysteine (SAC) and S‐propyl cysteine (SPC) decreased [2‐14C]acetate incorporation into triglyceride in a concentration‐dependent fashion achieving a maximal inhibition at 4.0 mmol/L of 43 and 51%, respectively. The rate of [2‐14C]acetate incorporation into phosphlipids was depressed to a similar extent by SAC and SPC. SPC, SAC, S‐ethyl cysteine (SEC), and γ‐glutamyl‐S‐methyl cysteine decreased [2‐14C]acetate incorporation into fatty acid synthesis by 81, 59, 35, and 40%, respectively, at 2.0–4.0 mmol/L concentrations. Alliin, γ‐glutamyl‐S‐allyl cysteine, γ‐glutamyl‐S‐propyl cysteine S‐allyl‐N‐acetyl cysteine, S‐allylsulfonyl alanine, and S‐methyl cysteine had no effect on fatty acid synthesis. The activities of lipogenic enzymes, fatty acid synthase (FAS), and glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) were measured in cultured hepatocytes treated with the inhibitors. The activity of FAS in cells treated with 4.0 mmol/L SAC and SPC, respectively, was 32 and 27% lower than that of non‐treated cells. Neither SAC nor SPC affected G6PDH activity. The results indicate that SAC, SEC, and SPC inhibit lipid biosynthesis in cultured rat hepatocytes, and further suggest that these S‐alk(en)yl cysteines of garlic impair triglyceride synthesis in part due to decreased de novo fatty acid synthesis resulting from inhibition on FAS. Whether tissue concentrations of active garlic components can achieve levels required to inhibit TG synthesis in vivo warrants further investigation.
Regioisomers of octanoic acid‐containing structured triacylglycerols analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry using ammonia negative ion chemical ionization
Authors: Kurvinen J. ‐P. , Mu H. , Kallio H. , Xu X. , Høy C. E. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractTandem mass spectrometry based on ammonia negative ion chemical ionization and sample introduction via direct exposure probe was applied to analysis of regioisomeric structures of octanoic acid containing structured triacylglycerols (TAG) of type MML, MLM, MLL, and LML (M, medium‐chain fatty acid; L, long‐chain fatty acid). Collision‐induced dissociation of deprotonated parent TAG with argon was used to produce daughter ion spectra with appropriate fragmentation patterns for structure determination. Fatty acids constituting the TAG molecule were identified according to [RCO2]− ions in the daughter ion spectra. With the standard curve for ratios of [M‐H‐RCO2H‐100]− ions corresponding to each [RCO2]− ion, determined with known mixtures of sn‐1/3 and sn‐2 regioisomers of structured TAG, it was possible to determine the proportions of different regioisomers in unknown samples. The method enabled quantification of MML‐ and MLM‐type structured TAG. In the case of MLL‐ and LML‐type TAG, it was possible to determine the most abundant regioisomer in the unknown mixture and estimate the proportions of regioisomers when there were more than 50% MLL‐type isomers in the mixture.
Reconstruction of circumferential pharyngolaryngectomy using a ‘horseshoe-shaped’ pectoralis major myocutaneous flap
Authors: Jegoux F , Ferron C , Malard O , Espitalier F , de montreuil C Beauvillain 
Published: November 2006

Eighteen patients underwent a circumferential pharyngolaryngectomy reconstruction post pharyngolaryngectomy. All tumours showed pharyngo-oesophageal junction invasion or circular involvement of the hypopharynx, requiring total, circumferential pharyngolaryngectomy. A pectoralis major myocutaneous flap was directly sutured to the pre-vertebral fascia. A Montgomery® salivary bypass tube was introduced into the oesophagus, and a nasogastric tube was placed within it. No post-operative complications occurred for 14 patients and only minor ones for the other four. Average post-operative stay was 12 days. For 15 patients, feeding returned to normal throughout the follow-up period. No fistulae were noted and neopharyngeal stenosis occurred in three patients (16 per cent). Thirteen had complete resection with normal margins. Thirteen were still alive after one to three years of follow up. The local recurrence rate was 16 per cent.The use of a pectoralis major myocutaneous flap with Spriano's technique provides a simple, reliable method for circumferential hypopharyngeal resection. It has been applied to a wide range of patients, especially elderly ones and those with poor general status, as well as to cases in which widespread involvement was detected during surgery.
Presentation of first branchial cleft anomalies: the Sheffield experience
Authors: Del Pero M Martinez , Majumdar S , Bateman N , Bull P D 
Published: November 2006

Abnormalities of the first branchial cleft are rare. They may present with a cutaneous defect in the neck, parotid region, external auditory meatus or peri-auricular area, or with inflammatory or infective lesions at these sites.A retrospective case note review of the patients treated by the senior author is presented. This group consisted of 18 patients and represents the largest published UK series to date. Eleven patients (65 per cent) had undergone incomplete surgery prior to referral.Over half the patients had a clinically apparent lesion in relation to the external auditory meatus. There was a variable relationship between the tract and the facial nerve, which was identified at surgery in 15 cases.These findings are consistent with those of previously published series. Clinicians should keep this diagnosis in mind when assessing patients with infected lesions in the neck and parotid area. Surgeons should be familiar with parotid surgery, in children where appropriate, and be prepared to expose the facial nerve before embarking on the surgical management of these lesions.
Natural history of nicotine withdrawal
Authors: Shiffman Saul , Patten Christi , Gwaltney Chad , Paty Jean , Gnys Maryann , Kassel Jon , Hickcox Mary , Waters Andrew , Balabanis Mark 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACTAims  To examine the natural history of nicotine withdrawal and individual differences associated with withdrawal duration and severity.Design and Setting  Prospective study of withdrawal symptoms among smokers who quit for at least 24 hours. Participants used Ecological Momentary Assessment to monitor symptoms in their natural environment using an Electronic Diary (ED).Participants  A total of 214 cigarette smokers (59% female, 92% Caucasian).Intervention  All participants received a clinic‐based, behavioral, group cessation intervention. Severity and duration of withdrawal was not addressed explicitly in treatment.Measurements  Participants were ‘beeped’ by the ED approximately five times/day to complete affect assessments (negative affect, arousal, attention disturbance, restlessness), and daily assessments of sleep disturbance (at waking) and of cognitive performance (each evening) for a week prior to quitting and for up to 21 days after quitting. Withdrawal was considered resolved when withdrawal scores returned to baseline levels for at least 2 consecutive days.Findings  All symptoms returned to baseline levels within 10 days of quitting. All variables except arousal and sleep disturbance showed change over time. No robust predictors of individual differences in withdrawal responses emerged.Conclusions  The time‐course of withdrawal may be shorter than previously reported. The natural history of nicotine withdrawal may have implications for theories of withdrawal and smoking relapse and for smoking cessation treatment.
Linking opioid‐dependent hospital patients to drug treatment: health care use and costs 6 months after randomization
Authors: Barnett Paul G. , Masson Carmen L. , Sorensen James L. , Wong Wynnie , Hall Sharon 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACTAims  To conduct an economic evaluation of the first 6 months' trial of treatment vouchers and case management for opioid‐dependent hospital patients.Design  Randomized clinical trial and evaluation of administrative data.Setting  Emergency department, wound clinic, in‐patient units and methadone clinic in a large urban public hospital.Participants  The study randomized 126 opioid‐dependent drug users seeking medical care.Interventions  Participants were randomized among four groups. These received vouchers for 6 months of methadone treatment, 6 months of case management, both these interventions, or usual care.Findings  During the first 6 months of this study, 90% of those randomized to vouchers alone enrolled in methadone maintenance, significantly more than the 44% enrollment in those randomized to case management without vouchers (P < 0.001). The direct costs of substance abuse treatment, including case management, was $4040 for those who received vouchers, $4177 for those assigned to case management and $5277 for those who received the combination of both interventions. After 3 months, the vouchers alone group used less heroin than the case management alone group. The difference was not significant at 6 months. There were no significant differences in other health care costs in the 6 months following randomization.Conclusion  Vouchers were slightly more effective but no more costly than case management during the initial 6 months of the study. Vouchers were as effective and less costly than the combination of case management and vouchers. The finding that vouchers dominate is tempered by the possibility that case management may lower medical care costs.
C1-inhibitor concentrate home therapy for hereditary angioedema: a viable, effective treatment option
Authors: Longhurst H J , Carr S , Khair K 
Published: November 2006

Summary
Economic and political factors have led to the increased use of home therapy programmes for patients who have traditionally been treated in hospital. Many patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE) experience intermittent severe attacks that affect their quality of life and may be life-threatening. These attacks are treated with C1-inhibitor concentrate which, for most patients, is infused at the local hospital. Home therapy programmes for HAE are currently being established. This paper reviews the extent of use of these programmes and summarizes the advantages and potential disadvantages of the concept so far.
Decreasing shrimp (Pandalus borealis) sizes off Newfoundland and Labrador – environment or fishing?
Authors: KOELLER P. A. , FUENTES‐YACO C. , PLATT T. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractDuring the 1990s, carapace length statistics including minimum size caught (Lmin), mean male and female lengths, size at sex transition (L50) and maximum size (Lmax) of northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) decreased in commercial and survey catches off Newfoundland and Labrador. Decreased growth rates caused by decreases in per‐capita food availability due to large population increases, exacerbated by increased metabolic demands from higher water temperatures in the mid‐1990s, appear to be the main cause of the size decrease. Fishing could have had an accelerating effect on environmentally driven decreases in shrimp growth and size by ‘cropping’ the largest shrimp from the population. The greatest decreases in shrimp size occurred in Hudson Strait and the adjacent northern shelf, the area which also has the highest densities and largest shrimp. We hypothesize that the greater size decrease here resulted from decreased primary production from decreased nutrient flux into the euphotic zone, caused by increased atmospheric warming, freshwater runoff and stratification during the warming trend of the 1990s.
Climatic oscillations and tuna catch rates in the Indian Ocean: a wavelet approach to time series analysis
Authors: MÉNARD F. , MARSAC F. , BELLIER E. , CAZELLES B. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractWe analysed the influence of climatic oscillations [based on the Indian Oscillation Index (IOI)] on monthly catch rates of two tropical tuna species in the equatorial Indian Ocean. We carried out wavelet analysis, an efficient method of time series analysis to study non‐stationary data. Catch per unit of effort (CPUE) of bigeye tuna was computed from Japanese longline statistics from 1955 to 2002 in the equatorial Indian Ocean and CPUE of yellowfin tuna was derived from industrial purse seine statistics from 1984 to 2003 in the Western Indian Ocean. Wavelet analyses allowed us to quantify both the pattern of variability in the time series and non‐stationary associations between tuna and climatic signals. Phase analyses were carried out to investigate dependency between the two signals. We reported strong associations between tuna and climate series for the 4‐ and 5‐yr periodic modes, i.e. the periodic band of the El Niño Southern Oscillation signal propagation in the Indian Ocean. These associations were non‐stationary, evidenced from 1970 to 1990 for bigeye, and from 1984 to 1991 and then from 1993 to 2001 for yellowfin. Warm episodes (low negative IOI values) matched increases of longline catch rates of bigeye during the 1970–1990 time frame, whereas the strong 1997–1998 warm event matched a decrease of purse seine catch rates of yellowfin. We discussed these results in terms of changes in catchability for purse seine and longline.
The effects of glucocorticoid therapy on the inflammatory and Dendritic cells in muscular dystrophies
Authors: Hussein Mahmoud R. , Hamed Sherifa A. , Mostafa Mohammed G. , Abu‐Dief Eman E. , Kamel Nageh Fouly , Kandil Mahmoud R. 
Published: November 2006

SummaryVarious clinical trials have documented the therapeutic benefit of glucocorticoids (GCs) in enhancing muscle strength and slowing disease progression of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies (DMD/BMD). We hypothesized that GCs may have relevance to the differential anti‐inflammatory effect on mononuclear inflammatory cells (MICs) and Dendritic cells (DCs) infiltrating the dystrophic muscles. In this prospective study, two muscle biopsies were obtained (before and after 6‐month prednisone therapy) from 30 patients with dystrophies (DMD = 18; BMD = 6; and limb girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMD) = 6). MICs and DCs infiltrating the muscles were examined using mouse monoclonal antibodies and immunoperoxidase staining methods. Muscle strength was evaluated monthly by manual testing, motor ability and timed tests. Prednisone therapy was associated with: (i) functional improvement of overall motor disability, in upper limbs of DMD (P < 0.001) and BMD (P < 0.01) and lower limbs of DMD (P < 0.001) and BMD (P < 0.05); (ii) histological improvement such as fibre size variation (DMD, P < 0.01; BMD, P < 0.05), internalization of nuclei (DMD, P < 0.05), degeneration and necrosis (DMD and BMD, P < 0.01), regeneration (DMD, P < 0.001; BMD, P < 0.01) and endomysial connective tissue proliferation (DMD, P < 0.01; BMD, P < 0.05) and (iii) reduction of total MICs (P < 0.01) and DCs (P < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between the degree of improvement in overall motor disability and reduction of DCs numbers (In upper limbs; r = 0.638, P < 0.01 for DMD and r = 0.725, P < 0.01 for BMD, in Lower limbs; r = 0.547, P < 0.05 for DMD and r = 0.576, P < 0.05 for BMD). Such improvements and changes of MICs/DCs were absent in LGMD. In DMD/BMD, prednisone therapeutic effect was associated with reduced MICs and DCs numbers. Whether this therapeutic effect reflects targeting of the deleterious immune response produced by these cells mandates further investigations.
Immunological hormone atrophy by gonadotropin‐based drug
Authors: Li Jun , Zhang Jinkun 
Published: November 2006

SummaryLuteinizing hormone releasing hormone–Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A (LHRH–PE40) and sequence‐modified LHRH–PE40 (mLHRH–PE40) are two anti‐tumour drugs developed by fusing either native or modified LHRH with the same PE40. This study was designed to evaluate their toxicity on the male genital tract. Male rats were treated intravenously or intraperitoneally with either LHRH–PE40 or mLHRH–PE40 on alternate days for 12 weeks. Serum and testes were examined to detect anti‐LHRH, anti‐LHRH–PE40 or anti‐mLHRH–PE40 using an ELISA assay, testosterone level was measured by radioimmunoassay, and testicular morphology was evaluated. Rats receiving LHRH–PE40 intraperitoneal injections had higher anti‐LHRH antibody titres, lower serum testosterone concentration and remarkable testicular atrophy, whereas those administrated with intravenous injections of either LHRH–PE40 or mLHRH‐PE40 demonstrated no such changes. We concluded that the testicular atrophy can be attributed to higher titre of anti‐LHRH antibodies, which was affected by both drug delivery and the LHRH motif of the chimeric protein.
What is a role of haeme oxygenase‐1 in psoriasis? Current concepts of pathogenesis
Authors: Wojas‐Pelc Anna , Marcinkiewicz Janusz 
Published: November 2006

SummaryThe skin is constantly exposed to endogenous and environmental pro‐oxidant agents, which lead to harmful generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Healthy skin, being a potential target for oxidative stress, is equipped with a large number of defence mechanisms including antioxidant systems. This protection can be corrupted by an imbalance between ROS and antioxidants with pathological level of oxidants prevailing. There is a great body of evidence indicating that some inflammatory skin diseases, such as psoriasis, are mediated by oxidative stress. Keratinocytes of normal skin, the primary target for pro‐oxidant agents, show strong expression of ROS‐detoxifying enzymes. In addition, normal keratinocytes express haeme oxygenase (HO), an enzyme which might be involved in the protection of cells against oxidative stress. HO (inducible HO‐1, constitutive HO‐2 and HO‐3) is the rate‐limiting enzyme in haeme catabolism, which leads to the generation of biliverdin, iron, and carbon monoxide. HO‐1 is a stress‐responsive protein whose expression is induced by various oxidative agents. HO‐1 is known for its cytoprotective, antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties. Interestingly, a strong overexpression of HO‐1 was observed in psoriatic skin. However, the role of HO‐1 in psoriasis remains unclear. In this review, we will discuss some current concepts concerning pathogenesis of psoriasis and the contribution of HO‐1 in skin inflammation to show the relationships between HO‐1, ROS and cytokine network in psoriatic skin. We will try to answer a question whether enhanced HO‐1 expression in keratinocytes results in beneficial or detrimental effect on the development and severity of psoriatic lesions.
Chondroitin AC lyase activity is related to virulence of fish pathogenic Flavobacterium columnare
Authors: Suomalainen L‐R , Tiirola M , Valtonen E T 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe virulence of eight Flavobacterium columnare strains was studied to find correlations between several virulence‐related factors and virulence. Virulence was tested in vivo using rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum). Suggested virulence‐related factors such as production of the degradative enzyme chondroitin lyase, plasmid occurrence and adhesion capability were studied in vitro. Infection with the four most virulent strains resulted in 95–100% mortality within 114 h. Chondroitin lyase activity was found to be significantly related to the virulence of the strains at 25 °C and it was also shown to be temperature‐dependent, being higher at 25 °C than at 20 °C. Virulence was not plasmid associated. The adhesion capability of the strains in vitro varied substantially when tested on crude mucus‐coated slides and no statistical relationship between adhesion and virulence was found using this method.