bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of RhoC in growth and metastatic capacity of melanoma
Authors: Boone Barbara , Van Gele Mireille , Lambert Jo , Haspeslagh Marc , Brochez Lieve 
Published: February 2009

Background:  RhoC overexpression in tumor cells promotes invasive and metastatic behavior. RhoC expression levels have been correlated with tumor progression and metastasis in multiple human cancers. In melanoma, RhoC is upregulated in highly metastatic tumors. Induced expression in melanoma cell lines resulted in invasion and metastasis, whereas inhibition of RhoC reversed the metastatic phenotype both in vitro and in vivo.Methods:  RhoC mRNA and protein expression in two human melanoma cell lines (DX3aza and MeWo) and pooled primary melanocytes were investigated by means of real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. RhoC protein expression was evaluated in 123 primary cutaneous melanoma samples by the use of immunohistochemistry and correlated with known prognostic features.Results:  RhoC upregulation was observed in the highly metastatic DX3aza cell line, whereas in MeWo, only low expression levels could be detected. RhoC expression in primary cutaneous melanoma was strongly associated with thicker and ulcerated tumors. RhoC expression was associated with the presence of lymphatic metastases at the time of diagnosis and shorter disease‐free and overall survival rates, without being an independent predictor.Conclusion:  These results further support a role for RhoC in growth and metastasis of melanoma.
The severity of epithelial dysplasia is associated with loss of maspin expression in actinic cheilitis
Authors: Fontes Alexandra , De Sousa Suzana M. , Dos Santos Elisa , Martins Marília T. 
Published: February 2009

Background:  Prolonged exposure of the lip to sunlight may cause actinic cheilitis (AC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Maspin is a serpin with tumor suppressor functions. This work analyzed the presence and distribution of maspin in AC and lip SCC.Methods:  Sections from 36 cases diagnosed as AC (18 cases with mild epithelial dysplasia, 11 with moderate and 7 with severe), 18 cases diagnosed as lip SCC and 7 specimens containing normal lip vermillion epithelium were submitted for immunohistochemical analysis to detect maspin.Results:  All AC cases with mild and two cases with moderate dysplasia were scored 3. The remaining nine cases with moderate dysplasia were identified as score 2, whereas all cases with severe dysplasia were scored 1. Positive staining for maspin decreased from the basal layer to the surface. Among the 18 lip SCCs studied, 15 cases showed abundant staining for maspin. Epithelium adjacent to the SCCs also showed intense positive staining in all cells.Conclusions:  Our results suggest that the loss of maspin expression occurs from the basal layer to the surface. Lip SCCs related to solar radiation show an intense presence of maspin protein in almost all tumor cells as well as the neighboring epithelium.
Laboratory diagnosis of the antiphospholipid syndrome: a plethora of obstacles to overcome
Authors: Devreese Katrien , Hoylaerts Marc F. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) is defined by two major elements: the presence in plasma of auto‐antibodies, i.e. antiphospholipid antibodies and the occurrence of clinical features, categorised as vascular thrombosis or pregnancy morbidity. In contrast to recent reviews on the physiopathology of APS, the present review focuses on the laboratory diagnosis of APS. The original clinical and laboratory criteria that defined patients with APS were set in 1998 in the so‐called Sapporo criteria. Although a revision of these criteria was published in 2006, a number of questions on the laboratory diagnosis of APS remain unresolved. The highlight in this review will therefore be on the potential and limitations of the detection of the lupus anticoagulant, as an established laboratory criterion for the diagnosis of APS. The strengths and weaknesses of the current laboratory guidelines are discussed against our current insight in the physiopathology of APS.
Bortezomib, ascorbic acid and melphalan (BAM) therapy for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: an effective and well‐tolerated frontline regimen
Authors: Berenson James R. , Yellin Ori , Woytowitz Donald , Flam Marshall S. , Cartmell Alan , Patel Ravi , Duvivier Herb , Nassir Youram , Eades Benjamin , Abaya Christina DiLauro , Hilger Jacqueline , Swift Regina A. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground:  We conducted a single‐arm, multicentre phase 2 study to evaluate bortezomib, ascorbic acid and melphalan (BAM) for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM).Methods:  Induction consisted of up to eight 28‐d cycles of bortezomib 1.0 mg/m2 on days 1, 4, 8 and 11, plus oral ascorbic acid 1 g and oral melphalan 0.1 mg/kg on days 1–4, followed by maintenance bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2 every 2 wk until progression.Results:  Among 35 patients enrolled (median age 70 yr), responses occurred in 23/31 evaluable patients (74%) including five (16%) complete, three (10%) very good partial, six (19%) partial and nine (29%) minimal responses. Six patients (19%) had stable disease. Thus, disease control was achieved in 29 (94%) patients. Median times to first and best responses were 2 and 3 months (ranges 1–5 and 1–7), respectively. Median time to progression was 19 months and median overall survival has not been reached (range 2–23+ months). Grade 3 and 4 adverse events occurred in 17 and 5 patients, respectively; the most common were neutropenia, neuropathy and thrombocytopenia.Conclusions:  BAM is an efficacious, well‐tolerated and steroid‐ and immunomodulatory drug (IMiD)‐free frontline treatment regimen for MM patients.
Analysis of fetal blood using capillary electrophoresis system: a simple method for prenatal diagnosis of severe thalassemia diseases
Authors: Srivorakun Hataichanok , Fucharoen Goonnapa , Sae‐Ung Nattaya , Sanchaisuriya Kanokwan , Ratanasiri Thawalwong , Fucharoen Supan 
Published: February 2009

AbstractIntroduction:  Prenatal diagnosis of severe α‐ and β‐thalasssemia diseases is usually performed by DNA analysis.Objective:  To establish a simple method, we have evaluated the reliability of prenatal diagnosis by fetal blood analysis using automated capillary electrophoresis system.Methods:  Forty‐seven fetal blood specimens collected by cordocentesis at 18–28 wk of gestation were analyzed by the capillary electrophoresis system (Sebia). Fetal DNA was analyzed for respective thalassemia alleles by PCR.Results:  Among 47 fetuses, 20 were at risk for the Hb Bart’s hydrops fetalis. DNA analysis identified four cases of homozygous α°‐thalassemia (SEA type). Hb analysis by the capillary electrophoresis demonstrated a major peak of Hb Bart’s (78.4–81.3%), Hb H (0.8–1.4%) and minor peaks of presumably embryonic Hbs. No Hb F and Hb A was observed. The level of Hb Bart’s was found to be 3.4–5.8% in unaffected heterozygote whereas normal fetus had no Hb Bart’s. Among the remaining 27 fetuses at risk for Hb E‐β‐thalassemia, DNA analysis identified 12 affected fetuses. Hb analysis showed Hb F (94.9–98.9%) and Hb E (1.1–1.8%) without Hb A in all cases. The levels of Hb A were found to be (4.3–7.2%), (1.0–5.5%) and (2.1–3.9%) in normal, heterozygous Hb E and heterozygous β‐thalassemia fetuses, respectively. Affected and unaffected fetuses could be easily distinguished.Conclusion:  Capillary electrophoresis system is a simple and automated procedure for accurate prenatal diagnosis of severe thalassemia diseases which could readily be performed in routine setting.
Course of oral lichen planus: a retrospective study of 808 northern Italian patients
Authors: Carbone M , Arduino PG , Carrozzo M , Gandolfo S , Argiolas MR , Bertolusso G , Conrotto D , Pentenero M , Broccoletti R 
Published: February 2009

Objectives:  To undertake a retrospective inspection of the general features, clinical presentation and outcome of 808 Italian patients with oral lichen planus (OLP), followed up from 6 months to 17 years.Results:  The mean age was 61 years for women (n = 493) and 58 years for men (n = 315). More than 20% of the total cases had liver abnormalities (n = 164) of which 83.5% infected with hepatitis C virus (n = 137). The reticular and plaque form were the predominant type, affecting almost 60% of patients. 12.3% of patients had also extraoral manifestation, taking into account the skin (n = 63) and genital (n = 24). Symptoms were present in 40% of the total patients. Only less than 2.47% of patients underwent remission, whereas 78% still had oral lesions at the end of the follow‐up period. Treatment was directed towards almost 42% of the patients, mainly using topical corticosteroids. Oral squamous cell carcinoma developed in 15 patients, commonly arising on the lateral border of the tongue.Conclusion:  This is one of the largest groups of OLP patients with such long a follow‐up ever reported. We confirm the chronic nature of this disorder, rarely remissive and the treatment intend for alleviating symptoms. OLP is established to be a disease with small frequency of malignant transformation.
Inhibition of Snake Venoms and Phospholipases A2 by Extracts from Native and Genetically Modified Eclipta alba: Isolation of Active Coumestans
Authors: Diogo Luciana C. , Fernandes Renata S. , Marcussi Silvana , Menaldo Danilo L. , Roberto Patrícia G. , Matrangulo Paula V. F. , Pereira Paulo S. , França Suzelei C. , Giuliatti Silvana , Soares Andreimar M. , Lourenço Miriam V. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract:  We genetically modified Eclipta alba using Agrobacterium rhizogenes LBA 9402, with the aim of producing secondary metabolites with pharmacological properties against phospholipase A2 and the myotoxic activities of snake venom. Extracts from in natura aerial parts and roots, both native and genetically modified (in vitro), were prepared and analysed by high‐performance liquid chromatography. In natura materials showed the coumestan wedelolactone at higher concentration in the aerial parts, while demethylwedelolactone appeared at higher concentration in roots. Among the modified roots, clone 19 showed higher concentrations of these coumestans. Our results show that the in natura extracts of plants collected from Botucatu and Ribeirão Preto were efficient in inhibiting snake venom phospholipase A2 activity. Regarding in vitro material, the best effect against Crotalus durissus terrificus venom was that of clone 19. Clone 19 and isolated coumestans (wedelolactone and demethylwedelolactone) inhibited the myotoxic activity induced by basic phospholipases A2 isolated from the venoms of Crotalus durissus terrificus (CB) and Bothrops jararacussu (BthTX‐I and II). The search for antivenom is justified by the need of finding active principles that are more efficient in neutralizing snake venoms and also as an attempt to complement serum therapy.
Protective Effects of Ethanolic Extract of Zingiber officinale Rhizome on the Development of Metabolic Syndrome in High‐Fat Diet‐Fed Rats
Authors: Nammi Srinivas , Sreemantula Satyanarayana , Roufogalis Basil D. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract:  Metabolic syndrome, including obesity, dyslipidaemia, hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance that predisposes type 2 diabetes is a major disease problem around the world and a plethora of herbal medicines are claimed to be effective in controlling these disorders. The rhizome of Zingiber officinale (Zingiberaceae) is commonly used as a spice in various foods and beverages. Apart from its other traditional medical uses, Z. officinale has been used to control diabetes and dyslipidaemia. In the present study, the protective effects of an ethanolic extract of Z. officinale on the development of metabolic syndrome were investigated in a high‐fat diet‐fed rat model at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight. The marked rise in body weights, glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids and phospholipids in serum of the rats that followed 6 weeks of high‐fat diet treatment were significantly reduced by Z. officinale treatment. However, no significant change in serum HDL cholesterol was observed either with high‐fat diet or Z. officinale compared to both control groups. The present results provide scientific evidence to substantiate the traditional use of Z. officinale in preventing metabolic disorders.
CHANGES IN Pb, Cd, Fe, Cu AND Zn LEVELS DURING THE PRODUCTION OF KAŞAR CHEESE
Authors: YÜZBAŞI NURAY , SEZGIN EMEL , YILDIRIM ZELIHA , YILDIRIM METIN 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACT Levels of Pb, Cd, Fe, Cu and Zn in milk, curd, pressed curd, fresh cheese, whey, rennet and scalding water taken from two different Kaşar cheese plants (A and B) in Ankara, Turkey were investigated. The milk used in plant A contained higher amount of Pb, Fe and Zn than the milk used in plant B. Pb level during processing in both dairy plants showed a significant increase from milk to curd (626.2–912.3 µg/kg for plant A and 265.2–371.8 µg/kg, dry weight, for plant B) (P < 0.01). Similarly, Fe, Cu and Zn contents of the curds in plant A and B showed an important increase with respect to the milk (P < 0.01). During transition of the curd to pressed curd and of pressed curd to fresh cheese, almost all metals tested showed a decrease because of the loss of these metals into whey and scalding water. The results showed that curdling the milk was the most important contamination step.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSHeavy metals may enter the human body through food, water, air or absorption through the skin, and can cause metabolic anormalies. Heavy metals may reach our foods from a number of sources. The more important of these are: soil; the chemicals applied to agricultural land; the water used in food processing or cooking; and the equipment, containers and utensils used for food processing, storage or cooking. Milk and milk products are the basic components of the human diet, and among milk products cheese holds an important place. Kaşar cheese ranks second with respect to consumption, significantly contributing to the Turkish diet. In order to prevent the health risk of consuming contaminated cheeses, it is very important to determine the effect of equipment and process variation on the heavy‐metal content of Kaşar cheese. The results of this study would help the regulatory authorities to establish a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan and to identify important contamination sources for Kaşar and similar kind of cheeses.
INFLUENCE OF STORAGE CONDITIONS ON SENSORY SHELF LIFE OF YERBA MATE
Authors: SURKAN S. , ALBANI O. , RAMALLO L. 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACT Samples of yerba mate (YM) manufactured with natural and accelerated processes were stored under constant conditions of temperature (30 and 40C) and relative humidity (75 and 90% RH). Mold and yeast count and changes in sensory attributes, intensity of the flavor, bitterness and humidity flavor were studied. The end of shelf life was determined using the Weibull hazard method, calculated as the time at which 50% of the panelists find the product unacceptable. Conducted tests of acceptability carried out with habitual consumers of YM confirmed results obtained with the trained panel. Similar values of shelf life were found with the high humidity flavor descriptor and with results of acceptance–rejection test. Storage time to which off‐flavor was developed is analogous to the time of fast mold and yeast growth. The RH is the most important variable: sensory shelf life time of 32–44 days at 75% RH and 10–13 days at 90% RH were found at both temperatures of storage. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSAn important contribution of the present work is the analysis of the influence of storage conditions on the quality loss of yerba mate (YM). Furthermore, the shelf life in unfavorable environmental conditions for the YM storage was determined. This is important because even though the Código Alimentario Argentino establishes an upper limit of moisture in YM, there are no systematic studies about the issue.In addition, sensory parameters of YM quality are associated to the consumer's habits and no standard sensory quality attributes are established. Nevertheless, the consumer expectation is satisfied by preservation of product sensory characteristics. In this sense, from the results of this study, it is possible to establish conditions of humidity and temperature of storage that guarantee the preservation of sensory quality of YM during their commercialization
EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT PEKMEZ (FRUIT MOLASSES) TYPES ON CHEMICAL, NUTRITIONAL CONTENT AND STORAGE STABILITY OF CAKE
Authors: BILGIÇLI NERMIN , AKBULUT MEHMET 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACT Pekmez is a natural sugar source that is obtained by concentration of fruit juice up to 70–80% soluble dry matter concentration. In this research, different kinds of pekmezes (mulberry, apricot, elecampane, grape and watermelon) were used in cake formulations instead of crystal sugar. Some chemical and nutritional properties and storage stability of cakes were investigated. Total and reducing sugar content of pekmezes ranged from 36.78 to 65.38% and from 33.54 to 64.70%, respectively. While water activity and crust color values of cakes generally decreased with pekmez addition, ash and mineral contents increased. Hydroxymethylfurfural content of cakes was found between 2.03 and 15.78 mg/kg and the highest value was obtained with grape pekmez addition. Ca, Fe, K, P and Zn contents of pekmez‐added cakes were 92.72–177.82 mg, 4.09–22.70 mg, 4501.99–7208.45 mg, 255.68–416.41 mg and 2.91–4.86 mg/100 g, respectively. After 21 days of storage, apricot‐ and watermelon‐added cakes were found to be softer than others cakes and control. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSPreparation of cake with pekmez addition improved the nutritional value and especially apricot and watermelon addition gave increased shelf life. A new nutritious and delicious product was improved with pekmez additions. Elecampane and grape pekmez‐added cakes were found as alternative food sources of Fe for anemic persons.
DIFFERENTIATION OF CURED COOKED HAMS BY PHYSICO‐CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND CHEMOMETRICS
Authors: MORETTI VITTORIO M. , BELLAGAMBA FEDERICA , PALEARI MARIA A. , BERETTA GIUSEPPE , BUSETTO MARIA L. , CAPRINO FABIO 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACT Comparison of physico‐chemical and compositional traits was carried out on cooked hams. Deboned fresh pig thighs of three different origins were divided into three batches: 200 pig thighs from the Italian market, H1; 200 from The Netherlands, H2; and 200 from Denmark, H3. Boneless pig thighs were processed under commercial guidelines for production of cooked hams, using brine at 25% level of injection. After processing, 12 cooked hams from each batch were sampled randomly and analyzed for proximate and fatty acid composition. Color measurement was performed on the muscles: biceps femoris, semimembranosus, and semitendinosus. H1 hams showed a higher weight loss and a lower technological yield compared to H2 and H3 hams. Analysis of variance on compositional data showed that H1 hams had a lower moisture/protein ratio, a higher fat content, a lower percentage ofα‐linolenic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid, and a higher percentage of myristic and palmitic acids when compared to H2 and H3 hams (P < 0.05). Analysis of color of the three muscles demonstrated that hams from the H1 group had the highest a* values. The application of linear discriminant analysis demonstrated that the use of only four variables allowed to correctly discriminate among groups of cooked hams.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe following are the practical applications of this research. The comparison of physico‐chemical and compositional traits were carried out on cooked hams. Pig thighs of different origin were processed under commercial guidelines. The physicochemical parameters of cooked hams were defined and showed some differences characterizing the products.
Pan Evaporation Trends and the Terrestrial Water Balance. I. Principles and Observations
Authors: Roderick Michael L. , Hobbins Michael T. , Farquhar Graham D. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractPan evaporation is just that – it is the evaporation rate of water from a small dish located at the ground‐surface. Pan evaporation is a measure of the evaporative demand over terrestrial surfaces. Declines in pan evaporation have now been reported in many regions of the world. The trends vary from one pan to the next, but when averaged over many pans, they are typically in the range of −1 to −4 mm a−2(mm per annum per annum). In energetic terms, a trend of −2 mm a−2is equivalent to −0.16 W m−2 a−1and over 30 years this is a change of −4.8 W m−2. For comparison, the top‐of‐atmosphere forcing due to doubled CO2is estimated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to be ~3.7 W m−2. Hence, the magnitude of the pan evaporation trend is large. What is of even greater interest is the direction – a decline – given the well‐established warming of the last 30–50 years. In this article, the first in a two part series, we describe the underlying principles in using and interpreting pan evaporation data and then summarise the reported observations from different countries. In the second article, we describe the interpretation of the trends in terms of changes in the terrestrial water balance.
Pan Evaporation Trends and the Terrestrial Water Balance. II. Energy Balance and Interpretation
Authors: Roderick Michael L. , Hobbins Michael T. , Farquhar Graham D. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractDeclines in pan evaporation have been reported across the USA, former Soviet Union, India, China, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, among other places. The trend is large – approximately an order of magnitude larger than model‐based estimates of top of the atmosphere radiative forcing. The pan evaporation trend also has a different sign (i.e. decline) from commonly held conceptions. These are a remarkably interesting set of observations. In the first article of this two‐part series, we discussed the measurements themselves and then presented summaries of the worldwide observations. In this, the second article, we outline the use of energy balance methods to attribute the observed changes in pan evaporation to changes in the underlying physical variables, namely, radiation, temperature, vapour pressure deficit and wind speed. We find that much of the decline in pan evaporation can be attributed to declines in radiation (i.e. dimming) and/or wind speed (i.e. stilling). We then discuss the interpretation of changes in the terrestrial water balance. This has been an area of much misunderstanding and confusion, most of which can be rectified through use of the familiar and longstanding supply/demand framework. The key in using the pan evaporation data to make inferences about changes in the terrestrial water balance is to distinguish between water‐ and energy‐limited conditions where different interpretations apply.
Artificial Neural Networks and Remote Sensing
Authors: Jensen Ryan R. , Hardin Perry J. , Yu Genong 
Published: February 2009

AbstractAccurate land cover classifications and biophysical estimations derived from remotely sensed data are important to generate map products and provide information about the Earth's changing surface. Statistical classifiers are often used to generate many of these data, but these classifiers rely on assumptions that may limit their utility for many datasets. Conversely, Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) provide an accurate way for researchers to classify land cover and estimate biophysical properties of earthly phenomena without having to rely on statistical procedures or assumptions. This article describes the role of ANNs in remote sensing from their inception and contrasts ANNs with statistical remote sensing classifiers. We conclude that ANNs will continue to play a crucial role in remote sensing because of their many benefits.