bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of plasma leptin and zinc levels in elite athletes and sedentary people
Authors: Arikan Sukran , Akkus Hasan , Halifeoglu Ihsan , Baltaci Abdulkerim Kasim 
Published: August 2008

AbstractIn consideration of leptin effects such as reducing food intake and increasing energy consumption, many researchers have sought to examine the relation between leptin and exercise. The presence of reports arguing that zinc, can be a mediator in leptin production indicates a possible relation between zinc and leptin. The present study aims to determine plasma leptin levels in elite weightlifters and examine their relation with zinc. The study enrolled 30 healthy volunteers in the 18–27 age range. The subjects were allocated to groups in equal numbers: Group 1, Control Group: the group included subjects who did not exercise regularly. Group 2, Elite Weightlifter Group: the group included elite weight lifters who were selected to the national team in their weight classes, who exercised regularly and whose values were measured during rest in the training period. Levels of plasma leptin and zinc were determined in the blood samples collected from the subjects included in the study. Comparison of serum leptin and zinc values between groups showed that leptin and zinc levels in the control group were significantly higher than those in the weightlifters and that leptin levels decreased significantly in parallel with the low zinc levels. It can be concluded that physical activity brings about changes in leptin secretion, which in turn, can be significantly related with zinc (p < 0.01). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
What happened to the social in contemporary accounts of hypnosis?
Authors: Radtke H. Lorraine , Stam Henderikus J. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractHistorically and continuing into the present, the field of hypnosis has been divided into proponents of ‘state’ or ‘special‐state’ and ‘non‐state’ or ‘sociocognitive’ accounts of hypnosis. Although many investigators now dispute this distinction, it can still be used as a rough guide to views of the phenomenon. The sociocognitive view, at least in the last 20 years, has emphasized social and cognitive processes in the explanation of hypnosis and its effects, but increasingly – and consistent with social cognition in general – the social too has been theorized in cognitive terms. This paper reviews these theoretical developments with the aim of exploring the implications of the loss of the social in ‘non‐state’ accounts. As a historical, cultural and ultimately social phenomenon, at what cost is hypnosis reduced to its strictly cognitive dimensions? Copyright © 2008 British Society of Experimental & Clinical Hypnosis. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Localization of spindle checkpoint proteins in cells undergoing mitosis with unreplicated genomes
Authors: Johnson Mary Kathrine , Cooksey Amanda M. , Wise Dwayne A. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractCHO cells can be arrested with hydoxyurea at the beginning of the DNA synthesis phase of the cell cycle. Subsequent treatment with the xanthine, caffeine, induces cells to bypass the S‐phase checkpoint and enter unscheduled mitosis [Schlegel and Pardee,1986, Science 232:1264–1266]. These treated cells build a normal spindle and distribute kinetochores, unattached to chromosomes, to their daughter cells [Brinkley et al.,1988, Nature 336:251–254; Zinkowski et al.,1991, J Cell Biol 113:1091–1110; Wise and Brinkley,1997, Cell Motil Cytoskeleton 36:291–302; Balczon et al.,2003, Chromosoma 112:96–102]. To investigate how these cells distribute kinetochores to daughter cells, we analyzed the spindle checkpoint components, Mad2, CENP‐E, and the 3F3 phosphoepitope, using immunofluorescence and digital microscopy. Even though the kinetochores were unpaired and DNA was fragmented, the tension, alignment, and motor components of the checkpoint were found to be present and localized as predicted in prometaphase and metaphase. This unusual mitosis proves that a cell can successfully localize checkpoint proteins and divide even when kinetochores are unpaired and fragmented. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Arp2 depletion inhibits sheet‐like protrusions but not linear protrusions of fibroblasts and lymphocytes
Authors: Nicholson‐Dykstra Susan M. , Higgs Henry N. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThe Arp2/3 complex‐mediated assembly and protrusion of a branched actin network at the leading edge occurs during cell migration, although some studies suggest it is not essential. In order to test the role of Arp2/3 complex in leading edge protrusion, Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts and Jurkat T cells were depleted of Arp2 and evaluated for defects in cell morphology and spreading efficiency. Arp2‐depleted fibroblasts exhibit severe defects in formation of sheet‐like protrusions at early time points of cell spreading, with sheet‐like protrusions limited to regions along the length of linear protrusions. However, Arp2‐depleted cells are able to spread fully after extended times. Similarly, Arp2‐depleted Jurkat T lymphocytes exhibit defects in spreading on anti‐CD3. Interphase Jurkats in suspension are covered with large ruffle structures, whereas mitotic Jurkats are covered by finger‐like linear protrusions. Arp2‐depleted Jurkats exhibit defects in ruffle assembly but not in assembly of mitotic linear protrusions. Similarly, Arp2‐depletion has no effect on the highly dynamic linear protrusion of another suspended lymphocyte line. We conclude that Arp2/3 complex plays a significant role in assembly of sheet‐like protrusions, especially during early stages of cell spreading, but is not required for assembly of a variety of linear actin‐based protrusions. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Combination of 5‐azacytidine and thalidomide for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Raza Azra , Mehdi Murtaza , Mumtaz Muhammad , Ali Fahad , Lascher Steven , Galili Naomi 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND.The treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) remains a challenge to the clinician despite recent advances. Many patients will either not respond or will have only limited and/or brief responses to single‐agent therapy. Eventually, 30% of patients with MDS will progress and develop acute myeloid leukemia (AML). New strategies are needed for these patients.METHODS.5‐Azacytidine (AZA) and thalidomide were administered to 40 patients with MDS or AML. AZA was given at a dose of 75 mg/m2 subcutaneously for 5 of 28 days together with thalidomide starting at a dose of 50 mg per day and increasing to 100 mg per. Six patients had refractory anemia (RA), 2 patients had RA with ringed sideroblasts, 10 patients had RA with excess blasts (RAEB), 1 patient had RAEB in transformation, 4 patients had chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, 1 patient had chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis, and 16 patients had AML. Thirty‐six patients were evaluable for outcome.RESULTS.A hematologic improvement (HI) was observed in 15 of 36 patients (42%), stable disease was observed in 5 of 36 patients (14%), and 10 of 36 patients (28%) had disease progression. Six patients experienced complete remission (CR), 2 patients experienced an erythroid HI (HI‐E), 1 patient experience an absolute neutrophil count HI (HI‐ANC), 5 patients experienced a platelet HI (HI‐P), and 7 patients had bilineage HI (HI‐P and HI‐ANC or an HI‐E and HI‐ANC). It was noteworthy that 9 of 14 patients with AML had a history of prior MDS, 2 of 9 patients achieved a CR, 4 of 9 patients had HI (HI‐E and bilineage HI), and 1 patient had stable disease and was continuing treatment. DNA microarray analysis of 8 responders and 4 nonresponders revealed that the genes associated with cellular proliferation had higher expression levels in nonresponders.CONCLUSIONS.The current findings indicated that a combination of low‐dose AZA and thalidomide was well tolerated and was effective therapy for the treatment of patients with MDS and AML arising from prior MDS. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Results of the hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone regimen in elderly patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: O'Brien Susan , Thomas Deborah A. , Ravandi Farhad , Faderl Stefan , Pierce Sherry , Kantarjian Hagop 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND.Understanding the causes of failure in older patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) may help improve treatment strategies for patients in this particular age group.METHODS.The objectives of the current study were to define the causes of death in older patients (aged ≥60 years) with ALL during induction and consolidation‐maintenance with a dose‐intensive regimen of alternating 8 courses of hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone (hyper‐CVAD) with high doses of methotrexate and cytarabine followed by maintenance with 6‐mercaptopurine, vincristine, methotrexate, and prednisone and to compare their outcomes with the outcomes of older patients who received earlier, less intensive regimens and younger patients who received hyper‐CVAD. One hundred twenty‐two older patients who received hyper‐CVAD were compared with 34 older patients who received less intensive regimens and with 409 younger patients who received hyper‐CVAD.RESULTS.The complete response (CR) rates in older patients receiving hyper‐CVAD, older patients receiving other regimens, and younger patients receiving hyper‐CVAD were 84%, 59%, and 92%, respectively (P < .001); and the respective induction mortality rates were 10%, 12%, and 2% (P not significant in older patients). The incidence of disease resistance during induction was 5%, 27%, and 2%, respectively (P < .001). The majority of deaths were related to infections. Among patients who achieved a CR, death in CR was noted in 34%, 15%, and 7% of older patients receiving hyper‐CVAD, older patients receiving other regimens, and younger patients, respectively (P < .001); and the respective rates of recurrence were 40%, 80%, and 48% (P = .004). The estimated 5‐year survival rates were 20%, 9%, and 48%, respectively (P < .001).CONCLUSIONS.The results of the current study suggested that intensifying the chemotherapy in older patients with ALL reduced the incidence of leukemia resistance but increased the incidence of death in CR from myelosuppression‐associated infections. The overall benefit:risk ratio was favorable. Identifying novel, low‐intensity agents/regimens for older patients with ALL may improve the results further. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Treatment and survival outcomes based on histologic grading in patients with head and neck mucoepidermoid carcinoma
Authors: Nance Melonie A. , Seethala Raja R. , Wang Yun , Chiosea Simion I. , Myers Eugene N. , Johnson Jonas T. , Lai Stephen Y. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND.Histopathologic grade of mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is an established predictor of prognosis and affects treatment protocol. Tumor behavior is more aggressive in high‐grade than in low‐grade MEC, leading to a more intensive treatment protocol. Outcomes for patients with intermediate‐grade MEC are less clear; therefore, the optimal treatment protocol for this group is not well defined. The treatment protocol and survival outcomes of patients treated for MEC of the head and neck was investigated.METHODS.A retrospective clinical review and prospective review of histopathologic grading were undertaken using the most recently established grading system of 50 patients with MEC of the head and neck from 1983 through 2004.RESULTS.As histologic grade increased from low to intermediate to high, overall survival (P< .0001) and disease‐free survival (P< .001) were significantly decreased. Overall and disease‐free survival were significantly better for patients with intermediate‐grade MEC than those with high‐grade disease. Overall and disease‐free survival were similar for patients with low‐grade and intermediate‐grade MEC. There was a low rate of disease recurrence in patients with intermediate‐grade MEC, but this did not lead to death from disease. Although no patients with low‐grade or intermediate‐grade MEC died of disease, 52% of patients with high‐grade MEC died of disease. Multivariate analysis revealed that histologic grade, age, and surgical margin status significantly predicted prognosis.CONCLUSIONS.These findings suggest that, under the current histopathologic classification system, the behavior of intermediate‐grade MEC is comparable to that of low‐grade MEC and different from high‐grade MEC, allowing for the establishment of an evidence‐based treatment protocol. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Immunohistochemical markers associated with brain metastases in patients with nonsmall cell lung carcinoma
Authors: Saad Ali G. , Yeap Beow Y. , Thunnissen Frederik B. J. M. , Pinkus Geraldine S. , Pinkus Jack L. , Loda Massimo , Sugarbaker David J. , Johnson Bruce E. , Chirieac Lucian R. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND.To the authors' knowledge, there are no reliable markers able to identify patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that will develop metastases to the brain. The authors investigated associations between immunohistochemical markers and the development of brain metastases in patients with NSCLC.METHODS.This was a hospital‐based, case‐control study of patients who were newly diagnosed with NSCLC between 1989 and 2003, developed brain metastases, and had pathology material available from both the primary NSCLC and the brain metastases. These patients were compared with a control group of patients who had NSCLC and no evidence of brain metastases. NSCLC was examined for expression levels of Ki‐67, caspase‐3, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF‐A), VEGF‐C, E‐cadherin, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in 54 surgical pathology specimens using immunohistochemistry, and associations were evaluated between those markers and the development of brain metastases.RESULTS.Brain metastases developed after a median of 12.5 months (range, 1.7‐89.4 months) after the diagnosis of NSCLC. A significantly increased risk of developing brain metastases was associated with patients with NSCLC who had primary tumors with high Ki‐67 levels (adjusted odds ratio [OR] of 12.2; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 2.4‐70.4 [P < .001]), low caspase‐3 expression (adjusted OR of 43; 95% CI, 5.3 to >100 [P < .001]), high VEGF‐C expression (adjusted OR of 14.6; 95% CI, 2.0 to >100 [P < .001]), and low E‐cadherin (adjusted OR of 3.6; 95% CI, 0.9‐16.4 [P = .05]). No significant risk was associated with VEGF‐A or EGFR expression. High Ki‐67 expression also was associated with a shorter overall survival (P = .04).CONCLUSIONS.The results of the current study indicated that patients with NSCLC who had high Ki‐67 expression, low caspase‐3 expression, high VEGF‐C expression, and low E‐cadherin expression in their tumors may benefit from close surveillance because they may have an increased risk of developing brain metastases. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Grid workflow optimization regarding dynamically changing resources and conditions
Authors: Schikuta Erich , Wanek Helmut , Ul Haq Irfan 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAutomatic construction of workflows on the Grid is a challenging task. The problems that have to be solved are manifold: How can existing services be integrated into a workflow that is able to accomplish a specific task? How can an optimal workflow be constructed with respect to changing resource characteristics during the optimization process? How to cope with dynamically changing or incomplete knowledge of the goal function of the optimization process? and finally: How to react to service failures during workflow execution? In this paper, we propose a method to optimize a workflow based on a heuristic A* approach that allows to react to dynamics in the environment. Changes in the Grid infrastructure and in the users' requirements can be handled during the optimization process as well as during the execution of the workflow. Our algorithm also allows the workflow to recover from failing resources during the execution phase. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydrophobic derivatives of 5‐(hydroxymethyl)isophthalic acid that selectively induce apoptosis in leukemia cells but not in fibroblasts
Authors: Galkin Anna , Surakka Anu , Boije af Gennäs Gustav , Ruotsalainen Timo , Kreander Kari , Tammela Päivi , Sivonen Kaarina , Yli‐Kauhaluoma Jari , Vuorela Pia 
Published: August 2008

AbstractNew apoptosis modulating agents are widely sought, because failure in regulation of apoptosis is associated with many diseases. In this study, we have evaluated apoptosis inducing the potential of ten new hydrophobic derivatives of 5‐(hydroxymethyl)isophthalic acid. Cancerous leukemia cells (HL‐60) and non‐malignant fibroblasts (Swiss 3T3) were incubated with test compounds for 24 h and morphologically evaluated. The changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) and caspase‐3 activity were used to confirm the results and to study early induction of apoptosis. Cytotoxicity was determined using the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay and mutagenicity with miniaturized Ames‐test. The most potent selective apoptosis inducers were compounds 1c and 1 h having IC50 values of 41 and 23 µM, respectively, in leukemia cells (HL‐60) while effects in fibroblasts (Swiss 3T3) were insignificant. Reduction of δψm and increase in caspase‐3 activity were observed already during the first 2 hr in the HL‐60 cells treated with compounds 1 c and 1 h. Neither of the compounds was cytotoxic or mutagenic. The results indicate that compounds 1 c and 1 h are selective apoptosis inducers and should be studied further for possible use in cancer therapy. Drug Dev. Res. 69: 185–195, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
17α‐estradiol: a less‐feminizing estrogen
Authors: Moos Walter H. , Dykens James A. , Howell Neil 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAlzheimer's disease (AD) is a major neurodegenerative disorder in the elderly and is the most common form of dementia. Approved AD drugs like donepezil and memantine provide some cognitive benefits to a subset of patients. However, the cost burden of AD will continue to increase in the absence of more effective drugs that treat its symptoms and ultimately slow its progression or delay or prevent its onset. A substantial number of studies report that 17β‐estradiol (E2; estrogen), a potent endogenous feminizing hormone, is neuroprotective. Unfortunately, negative results from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) and its ancillary Memory Study (WHIMS) have overshadowed the positive data collected over several decades. Importantly, there are a number of reasons why the WHIMS results should not be generalized to less‐ or non‐feminizing estrogens. For the sake of argument, consider “non‐hormonal” or non‐feminizing estrogens to be worthwhile drug development candidates for AD and other neurodegenerative conditions because they have the potential to retain the positive neuroprotective activities of E2 while reducing the potential complications associated with feminizing hormones. Because the literature comparing estrogenicity of various estrogens is complex and spans multiple decades, we summarize herein the available hormonal comparisons of a common less‐feminizing estrogen, 17α‐estradiol (17αE2), with E2. 17αE2 is less feminizing than E2 in every published study where reasonable comparisons can be made. One‐half of these studies report a difference of two orders of magnitude or greater. In practice, compounds like 17αE2 may prove to be largely non‐feminizing at doses to be explored in human clinical trials. Moreover, other novel E2 analogues have been identified that are essentially devoid of feminizing actions. If the positive effects of feminizing estrogens on neurodegeneration prove useful in treating neurodegenerative diseases, less‐feminizing and non‐feminizing estrogen analogues may be even more effective, safer, and better tolerated. Drug Dev Res 69:177–184, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of anti‐inflammatory activities of ruscogenin, a major steroidal sapogenin from Radix Ophiopogon japonicus, and Its succinylated derivative, RUS‐2HS
Authors: Huang Ya‐Lin , Kou Jun‐Ping , Liu Ji‐Hua , Liu Nan , Yu Bo‐Yang 
Published: August 2008

AbstractRuscogenin (RUS), first isolated from Ruscus aculeatus, is also a major steroidal sapogenin of the traditional Chinese herb Radix Ophiopogon japonicus. It has robust anti‐inflammatory activities. In previous studies, a ruscogenin affinity column, derived from succinylated ruscogenin (RUS‐2HS), was used to purify an antibody of ruscogenin. A ruscogenin affinity column can also be used to explore its protein targets. However, until now there have been no related pharmacological reports about ruscogenin derivatives. Whether the activity groups of ruscogenin have been blocked during the derivation process remains unknown. The present study was performed to compare the anti‐inflammatory activities in vitro of RUS‐2HS and ruscogenin. Both compounds reduced tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α)‐induced adhesion of human pro‐myelocytic leukemia cells (HL‐60) to endothelial ECV304 cells with IC50 values of 6.90 nM and 7.45 nM, respectively. They were also inhibited overexpression of ICAM‐1 in ECV304 cells at the mRNA level as evaluated by real‐time PCR and at the protein level evaluated by flow cytometry with similar potency. Such data demonstrate that the functional groups of ruscogenin were not blocked by derivation, suggesting further use of the ruscogenin affinity column for target investigation. Meanwhile, RUS‐2HS was found to have remarkable anti‐inflammatory activity for the first time, indicating it would be a new lead compound with improved bioavailability. Drug Dev Res 69: 196–202, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genistein down‐regulates the constitutive activation of nuclear factor‐κB of bone marrow stromal cells in multiple myeloma, leading to suppression of gene expression and proliferation
Authors: He Hui , Chen Laurie , Zhai Ming , Chen John Z.S. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) play a central role in human multiple myeloma(MM) cell survival and proliferation. We explored the possibility of using BMSCs as a target for MM treatment using genistein, a chemopreventive agent with little or no toxicity in humans. NF‐κB was constitutively active in BMSCs and genistein down‐regulated NF‐κB in BMSCs as measured by an electrophoretic mobility gel shift assay. BMSCs also showed constitutively active Akt phosphorylation that was suppressed by genistein. Genistein also down‐regulated the expression of NF‐κB‐regulated gene products, including bcl‐2, bcl‐xl, Cyclin D1, IL‐6, and ICAM‐1, which was associated with the suppression of BMSC proliferation. MM cells can survive if co‐cultured with BMSCs, suggesting that the bone marrow microenvironment is important. However, genistein‐treated BMSCs provide little support to MM cells. Overall, our results indicate that genistein down‐regulates NF‐κB and phospho‐Akt of BMSCs in human myeloma, leading to the suppression of gene expression of bcl‐2, bcl‐xl, Cyclin D1, IL‐6, and ICAM‐1 suppression proliferation, thus providing a potential new target for the treatment of MM. Drug Dev Res 69:219–225, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.