bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expression of vasohibin as a novel endothelium‐derived angiogenesis inhibitor in endometrial cancer
Authors: Yoshinaga Kousuke , Ito Kiyoshi , Moriya Takuya , Nagase Satoru , Takano Tadao , Niikura Hitoshi , Yaegashi Nobuo , Sato Yasufumi 
Published: March 2008

We have previously reported on vasohibin as a novel endothelium‐derived vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)–inducible inhibitor of angiogenesis. The aim of our present study was to define the role of vasohibin in endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma. We collected 78 sections of endometrial carcinoma for assessment using immunohistochemistry. Twenty‐seven were well differentiated (G1), 25 were moderately differentiated (G2), and 26 were poorly differentiated endometrioid adenocarcinomas (G3). We also included 12 sections of normal cyclic endometria, six of which were in the proliferative phase and six were in the secretory phase. We investigated the expression of vasohibin, and compared it to VEGF receptor‐2 (VEGFR‐2: KDR/flk‐1), CD34, Ki‐67, VEGF‐A, and D2‐40 (as a lymphatic vessel marker). We assessed the ratio of vasohibin‐ and VEGFR‐2‐positive vessels in the stroma of endometrial carcinoma. Immunohistochemical assessment was classified as negative or positive based on staining intensity. Vasohibin was selectively expressed on vascular endothelial cells in both cyclic endometria and endometrial carcinomas. Vasohibin was highly expressed in the normal functional endmetrium of the secretory phase, especially in the spiral artery, and was highly expressed in all grades of endometrioid adenocarcinomas. The stromal endothelial cells in G3 expressed vasohibin and VEGFR‐2 more frequently than these in G1. In endometrioid adenocarcinomas, there was a significant correlation between the expression percentage of vasohibin and that of VEGFR‐2 (P < 0.0001, r2 = 0.591). This is the first study to elucidate the correlation between expression of vasohibin in the stromal endothelial cells and that of VEGFR‐2 in human carcinomas. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 914–919)
Increased CD177 (PRV1) expression in thalassaemia and the underlying erythropoietic activity
Authors: Zoi Katerina , Terpos Evangelos , Zoi Christine , Loukopoulos Dimitris 
Published: March 2008

Summary CD177 (PRV1) expression is strongly related to polycythaemia vera (PV). Whilst studying CD177 expression in PV patients and controls, individuals with β‐thalassaemia minor were found to display an elevated expression of CD177. The study was expanded to include patients with thalassaemia intermedia, sickle cell/β‐thalassaemia and thalassaemia major. CD177 expression was increased in these thalassaemic groups and correlated with their erythropoietic activity, as assessed by the measurement of serum erythropoietin and soluble transferrin receptor levels. Within this context, elevated CD177 expression is not only a specific feature of PV but may be an indicator of increased erythropoietic activity in thalassaemia syndromes.
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia CD20 expression is dependent on the genetic subtype: a study of quantitative flow cytometry and fluorescent in‐situ hybridization in 510 patients
Authors: Tam Constantine S. , Otero‐Palacios Joselle , Abruzzo Lynne V. , Jorgensen Jeffrey L. , Ferrajoli Alessandra , Wierda William G. , Lerner Susan , O’Brien Susan , Keating Michael J. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryCD20 is an important therapeutic target in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). In order to examine the relationship between CD20 expression and cytogenetic abnormalities, we correlated the fluorescent in‐situ hybridization (FISH) genetic subtype of 510 treatment‐naïve patients with CD20 expression as measured by quantitative flow cytometry. Patients were classified using the Dohner hierarchial classification. The median numbers of CD20 antigen sites by FISH subtypes were: 17p‐ (n = 26), 9341 per cell; 11q‐ (n = 42), 5886 per cell; +12 (n = 93), 23 603 per cell; negative FISH (n = 153), 8828 per cell; and 13q‐ (n = 196), 10 781 per cell. Compared to cases with negative FISH, 11q‐ cases had significantly lower CD20 expression (P = 0·001), and +12 cases had significantly higher CD20 expression (P < 0·001). The significance of trisomy 12 and high CD20 expression was maintained after multivariate analysis accounting for other disease characteristics. Fifty‐nine patients received the combination of rituximab and granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor as frontline therapy; responses were observed in 13 of 14 (93%) patients with +12, in two of four (50%) patients with 11q‐, and in 30 of 41 (73%) patients with negative FISH, 13q‐ or 17p‐ CLL. Leukemic CD20 expression differed significantly between FISH subtypes. Patients with trisomy 12 CLL showed strong leukemic cell CD20 expression and had a high rate of response to rituximab‐based therapy.
Magnetic resonance imaging for the detection of bone marrow involvement in malignant lymphoma
Authors: Kwee Thomas C. , Kwee Robert M. , Verdonck Leo F. , Bierings Marc B. , Nievelstein Rutger A. J. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryThis study systematically reviewed the published data regarding the sensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compared with bone marrow biopsy as reference standard for the detection of bone marrow involvement in patients with malignant lymphoma. A systematic search for relevant studies was performed of the PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase databases. Two reviewers independently assessed the methodological quality of each study and the sensitivity of the included studies was calculated. The 11 included studies had moderate methodological quality. Sensitivity of MRI for the detection of bone marrow involvement ranged from 50% to 100%, with a median of 100%. MRI is probably sufficiently sensitive to rule out bone marrow involvement in patients with malignant lymphoma. However, a well‐designed study with a large sample size is needed to confirm current results.
A mechanism for Ikaros regulation of human globin gene switching
Authors: Keys Janelle R. , Tallack Michael R. , Zhan Ye , Papathanasiou Peter , Goodnow Christopher C. , Gaensler Karin M. , Crossley Merlin , Dekker Job , Perkins Andrew C. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryThe human β globin locus consists of an upstream LCR and functional genes arranged sequentially in the order of their expression during development: 5′‐HBE1, HBG2, HBG1, HBD, HBB‐3′. Haemoglobin switching entails the successive recruitment of these genes into an active chromatin hub (ACH). Here we show that the transcription factor Ikaros plays a major role in the formation of the β‐globin ACH, and in haemoglobin switching. In Plastic mice, where the DNA‐binding region of Ikaros is disrupted by a point mutation, there is concomitant marked down‐regulation of HBB, and up‐regulation of HBG expression. We show for the first time Ikaros and its family member Eos, bind to critical cis elements implicated in haemoglobin switching and deletional hereditary persistence of fetal haemoglobin (HPFH). Chromatin conformation capture (3C) data demonstrated that Ikaros facilitates long‐distance DNA looping between the LCR and a region upstream of HBD. This study provides new insights into the mechanism of stage‐specific assembly of the β‐globin ACH, and HPFH.
Outcome of BEAM‐autologous and BEAM‐alemtuzumab allogeneic transplantation in relapsed advanced stage follicular lymphoma
Authors: Ingram Wendy , Devereux Stephen , Das‐Gupta Emma P. , Russell Nigel H. , Haynes Andrew P. , Byrne Jennifer L. , Shaw Bronwen E. , McMillan Andrew , Gonzalez Juan , Ho Aloysius , Mufti Ghulam J. , Pagliuca Antonio 
Published: March 2008

SummaryThe role of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in relapsed follicular lymphoma remains controversial. This study analysed 126 patients with relapsed, advanced stage follicular lymphoma who received BEAM (BCNU [carmustine], cytarabine, etoposide, melphalan)‐alemtuzumab allogeneic HSCT (BEAM‐allo) (n = 44) or BEAM‐autologous HSCT (BEAM‐auto) (n = 82). The BEAM‐allo group had a younger median age (48 years vs. 56 years, P < 0·001) but received a higher median number of therapies pretransplant (P = 0·015) compared with the BEAM‐auto group. There was a higher non‐relapse mortality (NRM) in the BEAM‐allo group compared with the BEAM‐auto group at 1 year (20% vs. 2%, P = 0·001). Older age and heavily pretreated patients were associated with a higher NRM and poorer survival in the BEAM‐allo group. There was, however, a significantly lower relapse rate (20% vs. 43%, P = 0·01) at 3 years with BEAM‐alemtuzumab, with no relapses after 2 years, compared with a continued pattern of relapse in the autologous group. No difference in overall survival (OS) (P = 0·99) or disease‐free survival (DFS) (P = 0·90) was identified at 3 years, whereas a plateau in OS and DFS with crossing of the survival curves in favour of BEAM‐allo group was observed. Furthermore, the ability to re‐induce remissions with donor leucocytes provides additional benefit in favour of allogeneic HSCT.
Montelukast inhibits tumour necrosis factor‐α‐mediated interleukin‐8 expression through inhibition of nuclear factor‐κB p65‐associated histone acetyltransferase activity
Authors: Tahan F. , Jazrawi E. , Moodley T. , Rovati G. E. , Adcock I. M. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryBackground
Montelukast is a potent cysteinyl leukotriene‐1 receptor antagonist possessing some anti‐inflammatory effects although the molecular mechanism of these anti‐inflammatory effects is unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of montelukast on nuclear factor (NF)‐κB‐associated histone acetylation activity in phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)‐differentiated U937 cells.Methods
We examined the inhibitory effects of montelukast on TNF‐α‐induced IL‐8 production in PMA‐differentiated U‐937 cells. U‐937 cells were exposed to PMA (50 ng/mL) for 48 h to allow differentiation to macrophages. Macrophages were then exposed to TNF‐α (10 ng/mL) in the presence or absence of montelukast (0.01–10 μm) for 24 h. After this time, the concentration of IL‐8 in the culture supernatant was measured by sandwich‐type ELISA kit. The effect of signalling pathways on TNF‐α‐induced IL‐8 release was examined pharmacologically using selective NF‐κB/IKK2 (AS602868, 3 μm), (PD98059, 10 μm) and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) (SB203580, 1 μm) inhibitors. NF‐κB DNA binding activity was measured by a DNA‐binding ELISA‐based assay. NF‐κB‐p65‐associated histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity was measured by immunoprecipitation linked to commercial flourescent HAT.Results
TNF‐α‐induced IL‐8 release was suppressed by an NF‐κB inhibitor but not by MEK or p38 MAPK inhibitors. Montelukast induced a concentration‐dependent inhibition of TNF‐α‐induced IL‐8 release and mRNA expression that reached a plateau at 0.1 μm without affecting cell viability. Montelukast did not affect NF‐κB p65 activation as measured by DNA binding but suppressed NF‐κB p65‐associated HAT activity.Conclusion
Montelukast inhibits TNF‐α‐stimulated IL‐8 expression through changes in NF‐κB p65‐associated HAT activity. Drugs targeting these enzymes may enhance the anti‐inflammatory actions of montelukast.
Evidence that fungi can oxidize NH4+to NO3−in a grassland soil
Authors: Laughlin R. J. , Stevens R. J. , Müller C. , Watson C. J. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryThe contribution of bacteria and fungi to NH4+and organic N (Norg) oxidation was determined in a grassland soil (pH 6.3) by using the general bacterial inhibitor streptomycin or the fungal inhibitor cycloheximide in a laboratory incubation study at 20°C. Each inhibitor was applied at a rate of 3 mg g−1oven‐dry soil. The size and enrichment of the mineral N pools from differentially (NH415NO3and15NH4NO3) and doubly labelled (15NH415NO3) NH4NO3were measured at 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours after N addition. Labelled N was applied to each treatment, to supply NH4+‐N and NO3−‐N at 3.15 μmol N g−1oven‐dry soil. The N treatments were enriched to 60 atom % excess in15N and acetate was added at 100 μmol C g−1oven‐dry soil, to provide a readily available carbon source. The oxidation rates of NH4+and Norgwere analysed separately for each inhibitor treatment with a15N tracing model. In the absence of inhibitors, the rates of NH4+oxidation and organic N oxidation were 0.0045 μmol N g−1 hour−1and 0.0023 μmol N g−1 hour−1, respectively. Streptomycin had no effect on nitrification but cycloheximide inhibited the oxidation of NH4+by 89% and the oxidation of organic N by more than 30%. The current study provides evidence to suggest that nitrification in grassland soil is carried out by fungi and that they can simultaneously oxidize NH4+and organic N.
Increasing pH releases colloidal lead in a highly contaminated forest soil
Authors: Klitzke S. , Lang F. , Kaupenjohann M. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryColloids can play an important role in the leaching of lead (Pb) in soils, and liming to increase pH may produce conditions conducive to colloid release. We studied the effect of pH and the role of counterion valency on the mobilization of Pb in two topsoil horizons of a former shooting range. In batch experiments, the release of both dissolved and colloidal Pb was studied at a pH range between 3 and 7. The pH was adjusted with solutions of nitric acid (pH 3) and KOH and Ca(OH)2 (pH 4–7) and the chemical composition, size and charge of the mobilized colloids were determined. In the presence of the monovalent K+‐ion concentrations of colloidal and dissolved Pb increased markedly with increasing pH. Colloids were stabilized not only by electrostatic but also by steric repulsion. Organic colloids seem to dominate at low pH of the KOH‐treatment; at pH > 4 mineral particles were also dispersed. Even though the presence of the Ca2+ ion reduced the concentrations of colloidal Pb more than did the K+ ion, our results of the Ca(OH)2 treatment show that the relevance of both colloidal and dissolved Pb increases at a pH of about 5.8. Risk assessment on limed sites should therefore take into account both dissolved and colloidal Pb in judging the likelihood of Pb leaching.
Responses in organic matter accumulation and processing to an experimental wood addition in three headwater streams
Authors: ENTREKIN SALLY A. , TANK JENNIFER L. , ROSI‐MARSHALL EMMA J. , HOELLEIN TIMOTHY J. , LAMBERTI GARY A. 
Published: March 2008

Summary1. Additions of large wood are being used to restore streams that have been subjected to channelization, wood removal or riparian timber harvest. This added wood potentially increases channel stability, habitat complexity and organic matter retention and improves habitat and productivity of higher trophic levels. However, few stream restorations monitor restoration effectiveness after project completion.2. We added 25 aspen logs (each 2.5 m length × 0.5 m diameter) to 100‐m reaches of each of three forested headwater streams in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, U.S.A. These wood‐poor streams drain forests that were completely harvested of timber over a century ago and have been selectively logged for the past 50–60 years. An upstream unmanipulateds 100‐m reach in each stream served as the control.3. We evaluated responses in organic matter processing by measuring red maple leaf decomposition 1 year before and 2 years after wood addition. We also quantified coarse organic matter standing stocks in the main channel and in debris accumulations associated with large wood. In response to wood addition, we predicted both organic matter standing stocks and leaf decomposition rates would increase, thereby enhancing resource availability to higher trophic levels.4. Leaf decomposition rates did not change following wood addition. Temporal variation in rates among streams was mostly explained by differences in degree days, water velocity, scour/burial and water column inorganic nitrogen concentrations, but not large wood. Variation within streams across years was explained by differences in degree days, water velocity and shredder biomass.5. Contrary to our prediction, organic matter standing stocks did not increase significantly at the reach scale. However, the experimentally added wood retained c. 4% of total annual coarse benthic organic matter (CBOM) in the first year and an additional c. 15% in the second year, suggesting accumulation over time in the manipulated reaches. The CBOM held by the new logs may be more biologically available because it is less susceptible to burial and transport than material in the streambed.6. Some shredding macroinvertebrates responded to changes caused by the wood additions. In particular, the common caddisfly shredder, Lepidostoma sp., increased in abundance in leaf bags following wood addition, whereas the biomass of the winter stoneflies, Capniidae, declined in the first year.7. Considerable funds are spent to restore in‐stream habitat, but few restorations are monitored, particularly over long periods (>5 years). Our results show that longer‐term monitoring is needed to determine the efficacy of these restorations on ecosystem function; organic matter decomposition in our low‐gradient streams did not respond to a substantial increase in large wood after 2 years.
Microflora of the seminal fluid of healthy men and men suffering from chronic prostatitis syndrome
Authors: Ivanov Iuri B. , Kuzmin Michael D. , Gritsenko Viktor A. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryChronic prostatitis syndrome (CPS) is a common urologic condition that many clinicians find difficult to diagnose and treat effectively. The information about the composition of the flora of the seminal fluid in healthy men and patients with CPS is limited. The aim of this study was to define the microbial communities present in the seminal fluid of healthy men and patients with CPS and at in vitro detection of decomplementary activity (DCA) phenotypes of isolates along with their comparison with isolates from patients with or without CPS. The bacteriological study was carried out to 48 healthy men and 60 men with CPS. Culture specimens were spread on various selective media. Bacterial DCA was tested by measuring the decrease in complement activity (CH50) under the influence of culture supernatants. The most common isolates in both groups were coryneforms, lactobacilli, coagulase‐negative staphylococci, micrococci and streptococci. Enterobacteriaceae, enterococci and Staphylococcus aureus were isolated only from the CPS group. The organisms from seminal fluid of healthy men exerted DCA at 3.56 ± 2.15; 2.47 ± 1.23 and 4.36 ± 2.2 anti‐CH50 for staphylococci, micrococci and diphtheroids respectively. The DCA of staphylococci, coryneforms, Enterobacteriaceae, enterococci and micrococci from CPS group were 12.8 ± 2.1 (p < 0.05), 4.4 ± 3.6 (p > 0.05), 16.8 ± 2.1, 7.2 ± 1.9 and 11.6 ± 3.3 (p < 0.05) anti‐CH50 respectively. The data obtained in this study testify the microecological disorders in microbiota of seminal fluid in CPS.
The European Male Ageing Study (EMAS): design, methods and recruitment
Authors: Lee David M. , O’Neill Terence W. , Pye Stephen R. , Silman Alan J. , Finn Joseph D. , Pendleton Neil , Tajar Abdelouahid , Bartfai Gyorgy , Casanueva Felipe , Forti Gianni , Giwercman Aleksander , Huhtaniemi Ilpo T. , Kula Krzysztof , Punab Margus , Boonen Steven , Vanderschueren Dirk , Wu Frederick C. W. ,   the EMAS study group
Published: March 2008

SummaryLife expectancy is increasing in most developed countries, in part due to improved socioeconomic conditions and in part to advances in healthcare. It is widely acknowledged that the promotion of healthy ageing by delaying, minimizing or preventing disabilities or diseases is one of the most important public health objectives in this century. In contrast to the menopausal transition in females, we know relatively little about the contribution of androgens and anabolic hormones to the quality of ageing in men. The European Male Ageing Study (EMAS) is a multicentre prospective cohort designed to examine the prevalence, incidence and geographical distribution of gender‐specific and general symptoms of ageing in men, including their endocrine, genetic and psychosocial predictors. Men aged 40–79 years were recruited from eight European centres: Florence (Italy), Leuven (Belgium), Lodz (Poland), Malmö (Sweden), Manchester (UK), Santiago de Compostela (Spain), Szeged (Hungary) and Tartu (Estonia). Subjects were recruited from population registers and those who agreed to take part completed a detailed questionnaire including aspects of personal and medical history, lifestyle factors and sexual function. Objective measures of body size, cognition, vision, skeletal health and neuromuscular function were obtained. Blood and DNA specimens were collected for a range of biochemical and genetic analyses. After an average of 4 years, it is planned to resurvey the participants with similar assessments. A total of 3369 men with a mean age of 60 ± 11 years were recruited. The mean centre response rate was 43%, and highest in those aged 50–59 years. Those who participated were marginally younger than those who were invited but declined to participate (60.0 vs. 61.1 years). Participants left education slightly later than a sample of non‐participants, though there were no consistent differences in levels of general health, physical activity, or smoking. EMAS will provide new population‐based data concerning the main features that characterize ageing in men and its critical determinants, particularly with reference to age‐related changes in hormone levels. Such information is an important prerequisite to develop effective strategies to reduce age‐related disabilities and optimise health and well‐being into old‐age.
Stainless steel crown versus modified open‐sandwich restorations for primary molars: a 2‐year randomized clinical trial
Authors: ATIEH MOMEN 
Published: March 2008

Objective.  The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical performance and survival of stainless steel crown (SSC) restoration and modified open‐sandwich technique using resin‐modified glass ionomer cement.Design.  Randomized clinical trial.Setting.  General dental practice.Materials and methods.  A total of 87 children aged 4–7 years at baseline with one or more primary molars that have undergone pulp therapy were randomly assigned to receive either SSC or modified open‐sandwich restoration. One hundred and sixty restorations were placed and evaluated after 6, 12, 18, and 24 months using the Ryge criteria.Results.  Comparable survival rates were observed for both SSC and modified open‐sandwich restoration. With only four SSCs and six modified open‐sandwich restorations failing over 24 months, the survival rates were high for both materials (2‐year survival rate: 95.0% for SSCs and 92.5% for modified open‐sandwich restorations). Significantly better gingival health (P < 0.05) was observed for the modified open‐sandwich restorations compared with SSCs, as only one modified open‐sandwich restoration was rated Charlie compared to 13 SSCs. No significant differences were observed between the two materials for marginal integrity, proximal contact, occlusion, or recurrent caries.Conclusion.  The 2‐year results indicated that the modified open‐sandwich restoration is an appropriate alternative to SSC in extensive restorations, particularly where aesthetic considerations are important.