bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Childhood intracranial ependymoma
Authors: Shu Hui‐Kuo G. , Sall Walter F. , Maity Amit , Tochner Zelig A. , Janss Anna J. , Belasco Jean B. , Rorke‐Adams Lucy B. , Phillips Peter C. , Sutton Leslie N. , Fisher Michael J. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBACKGROUNDBecause few large studies of pediatric ependymoma treatment are available, the authors believed that a retrospective review of treatment outcomes from a single institution would yield potentially valuable information regarding potential prognostic factors. In this article, they report their 20‐year institutional experience with this disease.METHODSMedical records were reviews of patients with intracranial ependymoma who received their initial treatment at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)/Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) between January 1980 and December 2000. Of the 61 patients who were identified, 49 patients underwent primary therapy at CHOP/HUP and formed the basis for the study. Actuarial overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) were determined by the Kaplan‐Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using the log‐rank test and Cox proportional‐hazards models.RESULTSWith median follow‐up of 110.2 months, the 5‐year OS and PFS rates were 66.2% and 40.7%, respectively. Older age and higher radiation dose significantly predicted for improved OS. Anaplastic histology predicted for decreased PFS. Cervical spinal cord extension resulted in decreased OS primarily caused by failures outside the primary site. Patients who had a favorable prognosis (aged ≥3 years, no dissemination or cord extension, complete resection, and radiation dose ≥54 grays [Gy]) had 5‐year OS and PFS rates of 83.1% and 60.6%, respectively.CONCLUSIONSIn this study of patients with pediatric intracranial ependymoma, OS and PFS rates were concordant with the rates published in other modern series. The finding of a dose response up to 54 Gy supported the current trend toward dose escalation. Tumor extension to the cervical spine was identified as a predictor for failure outside of the primary site. Although the survival rates were encouraging, there is still significant room for improvement in the management of this disease. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Serum EGFR and serum HER‐2/neu are useful predictive and prognostic markers in metastatic breast cancer patients treated with metronomic chemotherapy
Authors: Sandri Maria Teresa , Johansson Harriet Ann , Zorzino Laura , Salvatici Michela , Passerini Rita , Maisonneuve Patrick , Rocca Andrea , Peruzzotti Giulia , Colleoni Marco 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBACKGROUND.Metronomic chemotherapy has been demonstrated to be of value in patients with advanced breast cancer. No reliable markers of response are available. In breast tumor, HER‐2/neu is a prognostic factor, whereas no definite data exist for EGFR. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prognostic and predictive role of serum HER‐2/neu and serum EGFR in breast cancer patients treated with low‐dose chemotherapy.METHODS.Serum levels of HER‐2/neu (n = 135) and of EGFR (n = 113) were prospectively determined before the start of chemotherapy, after 2 months of treatment, and when progressive disease was diagnosed.RESULTS.Elevated (>15 ng/mL) serum HER‐2/neu before the start of chemotherapy was not associated with response rate, whereas elevated serum HER‐2/neu at 2 months was significantly associated with reduced long‐term clinical benefit (24weeks) (P < .001), as well as changes in HER‐2/neu levels between baseline and 2 months (P < .0001). Multivariate analysis identified a ≥20% increase of serum HER‐2/neu as an independent factor for progression‐free survival (PFS). Kinetics of serum HER‐2/neu were significantly associated with PFS (P < .0001) and overall survival (OS) (P = .015). Low baseline serum levels of EGFR (<45 ng/mL) were predictive of reduced response rate both at 2 months (P = .031) and after 24 weeks (P = .022). Moreover, they were significantly associated with reduced PFS (P = .016) and OS (P = .015).CONCLUSIONS.Serum HER‐2/neu and EGFR may represent useful markers for early prediction of probability of response, PFS, and OS in patients with advanced breast cancer treated with metronomic chemotherapy. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Central nervous system distribution of the transcription factor Phox2b in the adult rat
Authors: Kang B.J. , Chang D.A. , MacKay D.D. , West G.H. , Moreira T.S. , Takakura A.C. , Gwilt J.M. , Guyenet P.G. , Stornetta R.L. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractPhox2b is required for development of the peripheral autonomic nervous system and a subset of cranial nerves and lower brainstem nuclei. Phox2b mutations in man cause diffuse autonomic dysfunction and deficits in the automatic control of breathing. Here we study the distribution of Phox2b in the adult rat hindbrain to determine whether this protein is selectively expressed by neurons involved in respiratory and autonomic control. In the medulla oblongata, Phox2b‐immunoreactive nuclei were present in the dorsal vagal complex, intermediate reticular nucleus, dorsomedial spinal trigeminal nucleus, nucleus ambiguus, catecholaminergic neurons, and retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN). Phox2b was expressed by both central excitatory relays of the sympathetic baroreflex (nucleus of the solitary tract and C1 neurons) but not by the inhibitory relay of this reflex. Phox2b was absent from the ventral respiratory column (VRC) caudal to RTN and rare within the parabrachial nuclei. In the pons, Phox2b was confined to cholinergic efferent neurons (salivary, vestibulocochlear) and noncholinergic peritrigeminal neurons. Rostral to the pons, Phox2b was detected only in the oculomotor complex. In adult rats, Phox2b is neither a comprehensive nor a selective marker of hindbrain autonomic pathways. This marker identifies a subset of hindbrain neurons that control orofacial movements (dorsomedial spinal trigeminal nucleus, pontine peritrigeminal neurons), balance and auditory function (vestibulocochlear efferents), the eyes, and both divisions of the autonomic efferent system. Phox2b is virtually absent from the respiratory rhythm and pattern generator (VRC and dorsolateral pons) but is highly expressed by neurons involved in the chemical drive and reflex regulation of this oscillator. J. Comp. Neurol. 503:627–641, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Connecting users to instruments and sensors: portals as multi‐user GUIs for instrument and sensor facilities
Authors: McMullen Donald F. , Huffman Kianosh 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe Common Instrument Middleware Architecture (CIMA) aims at integrating instruments and sensors into computing and storage Grids through a standard interface methodology that existing and future instrument facilities can provide. This instrument interface provides a base which data acquisition and reduction applications can rely on as the design of the underlying facilities evolves and changes. After connecting instruments and sensors in a reliable and secure manner to applications, the next step is to integrate instruments, data acquisition, reduction and analysis applications with community provided resources such as application servers, temporary and archival storage. Practices and workflows at the instrument facilities also need to be captured and presented to users. Portals provide a natural approach to a ‘community’ interface to instrument and sensor facilities. Here we describe the CIMA Crystallography portal, a portal based on GridSphere that provides a user interface to equipment and workflows for a global federation of crystallography laboratories. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Portal‐based Knowledge Environment for Collaborative Science
Authors: Schuchardt Karen , Pancerella Carmen , Rahn Larry A. , Didier Brett , Kodeboyina Deepti , Leahy David , Myers James D. , Oluwole Oluwayemisi O. , Pitz William , Ruscic Branko , Song Jing , von Laszewski Gregor , Yang Christine 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe Knowledge Environment for Collaborative Science (KnECS) is an open‐source informatics toolkit designed to enable knowledge Grids that interconnect science communities, unique facilities, data, and tools. KnECS features a Web portal with team and data collaboration tools, lightweight federation of data, provenance tracking, and multi‐level support for application integration. We identify the capabilities of KnECS and discuss extensions from the Collaboratory for Multi‐Scale Chemical Sciences (CMCS) which enable diverse combustion science communities to create and share verified, documented data sets and reference data, thereby demonstrating new methods of community interaction and data interoperability required by systems science approaches. Finally, we summarize the challenges we encountered and foresee for knowledge environments. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Automated analysis of FISH and immunohistochemistry images: A review
Authors: Theodosiou Zenonas , Kasampalidis Ioannis N. , Livanos George , Zervakis Michalis , Pitas Ioannis , Lyroudia Kleoniki 
Published: June 2007

AbstractFluorescent in‐situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) constitute a pair of complimentary techniques for detecting gene amplification and overexpression, respectively. The advantages of IHC include relatively cheap materials and high sample durability, while FISH is the more accurate and reproducible method. Evaluation of FISH and IHC images is still largely performed manually, with automated or semiautomated techniques increasing in popularity. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of a number of (semi‐) automated FISH and IHC image processing systems, focusing on the algorithmic aspects of each technique. Our review verifies the increasingly important role of such methods in FISH and IHC; however, manual intervention is still necessary in order to resolve particularly challenging or ambiguous cases. In addition, large‐scale validation is required in order for these systems to enter standard clinical practice. © 2007 International Society for Analytical Cytology
Copper(II) Terpyridine Complexes: Effect of Substituent on DNA Binding and Nuclease Activity
Authors: Uma Varadarajan , Elango Munusamy , Nair Balachandran Unni 
Published: June 2007

AbstractMononuclear copper(II) terpyridine complexes, [Cu(ttpy)Cl]Cl (1) and [Cu(itpy)Cl]Cl (2) (ttpy = tolylterpyridine and itpy = imidazolylterpyridine) were synthesized and characterized. The interaction of the complexes with DNA was studied by electronic and CD spectroscopy, viscosity and gel electrophoresis. Absorption titrations, viscosity and CD experiments reveal an intercalative mode of DNA binding for these complexes. The binding constant values for 1 and 2 are (5.6 ± 0.2) × 104 and (1.4 ± 0.2) × 104 M–1, respectively, and suggest moderate binding of these complexes to DNA. From computational studies, it was found that the aromatic π cloud is more uniformly distributed in the case of tolylterpyridine (complex 1), which possibly leads to better stacking interactions with the DNA bases and hence a higher binding constant value for complex 1. From the gel electrophoresis experiments, it is inferred that both complex 1 and 2 cleave plasmid DNA in the presence of ascorbic acid and the cleavage efficiency of complex 1 is greater than that of complex 2.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Probing the stability of serum protein–ruthenium(III) drug adducts in the presence of extracellular reductants using CE
Authors: Timerbaev Andrei R. , Foteeva Lidia S. , Rudnev Alexander V. , Abramski Jan K. , Połeć‐Pawlak Katarzyna , Hartinger Christian G. , Jarosz Maciej , Keppler Bernhard K. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractA CE kinetic assay was developed to study the stability of the adducts of a novel ruthenium(III)‐based anticancer agent with serum proteins under simulated reductive physiological conditions. Formation of the reactive Ru(II) species and their release from the serum proteins are thought to play an important role in the mode‐of‐action of indazolium trans‐[tetrachlorobis(1H‐indazole)ruthenate(III)] (KP1019) which has successfully finished a clinical phase I study. The CE method was adapted, in zone electrophoresis and affinity CE modes, to make obvious that such transformation would take place in the hypoxic tumor tissue rather than in the bloodstream. Indeed, no measurable effect of extracellular concentration levels of glutathione incorporated into the BGE on the UV signals of albumin and transferrin adducts was observed over 30 min of examination. Incubation of the KP1019–albumin adduct with the major blood reducing agent, ascorbic acid, revealed no changes in the continuously monitored peak areas (average corrected responses were 9.56 ± 0.86 and 9.87 ± 0.60 mAU for the adduct and its mixtures with ascorbic acid in the physiological range of 1×10−5–8×10−5 M, respectively). On the other hand, both the transferrin adduct and transferrin itself accelerated the oxidation of ascorbic acid; however, the oxidation rate constants measured by CE were virtually the same: (19.1 ± 4.4)×10−3 and (18.2 ± 5.0)×10−3 min−1, respectively. In order to confirm more unambiguously the stability of KP1019–protein adducts in the presence of ascorbic acid (UV absorbance detection does not distinguish the adduct and protein signals), CE with inductively coupled plasma (ICP) MS detection was applied to follow metal‐selectively the signal of bound ruthenium, which remained unaffected by this reducing agent. This work appears the first to present the application of CE to the stability studies of the protein‐bound metallodrugs.
Determination of binding constants of vasoactive intestinal peptide to poly(amidoamine) dendrimers designed for drug delivery using ACE
Authors: Dribek Mohamed , Le Potier Isabelle , Rodrigues Arnaud , Pallandre Antoine , Fattal Elias , Taverna Myriam 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe purpose of the present paper was to study at physiological pH the affinity between vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and four poly(amidoamine) dendrimers (PAMAMs) designed for drug delivery. Therefore, a fast and reproducible CE method was first developed to analyze the strongly basic peptide. To allow an accurate determination of binding constant (K) values, the ability to suppress peptide adsorption onto the silica capillary of nonpermanent coatings (poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), low and medium relative molecular masses poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA)) or poly(acrylamide) permanent coating (PAA) was evaluated. Very good intraday repeatability of VIP migration times and peak areas (0.1–0.6 and 2.9–4.9% RSD, respectively) was obtained using two of the investigated coatings (PEO and PDDA with medium molecular mass). ACE combined with these dynamic coatings was then employed to evaluateKbetween VIP and two amine‐terminated PAMAM dendrimers of generation 2 and 5 (G2.NH2, G5.NH2) and two carboxyl‐terminated PAMAM derivatives of generation 2 and 5 (G2.COOH, G5.COOH). Binding constant of (6.7 ± 1.1)×104/M could be determined for the couple VIP/G5.NH2, while no affinity was evidenced between VIP and all other dendrimers investigated. These results suggest that G5.NH2 might be an interesting carrier for the delivery of VIP.
Educating and developing leaders of racially diverse organizations
Authors: Byrd Marilyn 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThis article discusses the need to address issues emerging from racial differences in the workplace under the heading of leadership development. Traditionally leadership development centers on creating models of leadership, describing what constitutes effective leadership, and identifying skills and competencies that will improve the capacity to be a good leader. However, in the real world, relationships among people of different races are often sources of conflict, friction, and discord. Effective leadership is necessary to mediate and resolve issues stemming from these racially induced differences.
Regulation of E‐cadherin and β‐catenin by Ca2+ in colon carcinoma is dependent on calcium‐sensing receptor expression and function
Authors: Bhagavathula Narasimharao , Hanosh Andrew W. , Nerusu Kamalakar C. , Appelman Henry , Chakrabarty Subhas , Varani James 
Published: June 2007

AbstractAn siRNA directed against the extracellular calcium‐sensing receptor (CaSR) was used to down‐regulate this protein in CBS colon carcinoma cells. In additional studies, we utilized a variant of the parental CBS line that demonstrates CaSR expression but does not upregulate this protein in response to extracellular Ca2+. In neither the siRNA‐transfected cells nor the Ca2+‐nonresponsive variant cells did inclusion of Ca2+ in the culture medium inhibit proliferation or induce morphological alterations. Extracellular Ca2+ also failed to induce E‐cadherin production or a shift in β‐catenin from the cytoplasm to the cell membrane. In mock‐transfected cells and in a Ca2+‐responsive variant line derived from the same parental CBS cells, Ca2+ treatment resulted in growth‐reduction. This was accompanied by increased E‐cadherin production and a shift in β‐catenin distribution from the cytoplasm to the cell membrane. Additionally, down‐regulation of c‐myc and cyclin D1 expression was observed in mock‐transfected cells and in the Ca2+‐responsive variant line (along with reduced T cell factor transcriptional activation). Neither c‐myc nor cyclin D1 was significantly down‐regulated in the siRNA‐transfected cells or in the Ca2+‐nonresponsive variant cells upon Ca2+ stimulation. In histological sections of human colon carcinoma CaSR was significantly reduced as compared to the level in normal colonic crypt epithelial cells. Where CaSR expression was high, strong surface staining for E‐cadherin and β‐catenin was observed. Where CaSR expression was reduced, β‐catenin surface expression was likewise reduced. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Combination of thalidomide and cisplatin in an head and neck squamous cell carcinomas model results in an enhanced antiangiogenic activity in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Vasvari Gergely P. , Dyckhoff Gerhard , Kashfi Farzaneh , Lemke Britt , Lohr Jennifer , Helmke Burkhard M. , Schirrmacher Volker , Plinkert Peter K. , Beckhove Philipp , Herold‐Mende Christel C. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThalidomide is an immunomodulatory, antiangiogenic drug. Although there is evidence that it might be more effective in combination with chemotherapy the exact mechanism of action is unclear. Therefore, we investigated its effect in combination with metronomically applied cisplatin in a xenotransplant mouse model characteristic for advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, its possible synergistic action in vitro, and which tumor‐derived factors might be targeted by thalidomide. Although thalidomide alone was ineffective, a combined treatment with low‐dose cisplatin inhibited significant tumor growth, proliferation and angiogenesis in vivo as well as migration and tube formation of endothelial cells in vitro. Noteworthy, the latter effect was enhanced after coapplication of cisplatin in nontoxic doses. An inhibitory effect on tumor cell migration was also observed suggesting a direct antitumor effect. Although thalidomide alone did not influence cell proliferation, it augmented antiproliferative response after cisplatin application emphasizing the idea of a potentiated effect when both drugs are combined. Furthermore, we could show that antiangiogenic effects of thalidomide are related to tumor‐cell derived factors including vascular endothelial growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor and Il‐8 some known and with, granulocyte colony stimulating growth factor and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating growth factor, some new target molecules of thalidomide. Altogether, our findings reveal new insights into thalidomide‐mediated antitumor and antiangiogenic effects and its interaction with cytostatic drugs. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Determination of optimal number of projections and parametric sensitivity analysis of operators for parallel‐ray transmission tomography using hybrid continuous genetic algorithm
Authors: Qureshi Shahzad Ahmad , Mirza Sikander M. , Arif M. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractIn this work, a hybrid continuous genetic algorithm (HCGA) based methodology has been developed for optimization of number of projections for parallel‐ray transmission tomography. The HCGA calculations with filtered back‐projection (FBP) utilize 8 bits for both head and lung phantoms. The effect of selection operator through proportionate, truncation, and tournament schemes has been analyzed along with the introduction of a mixed‐selection scheme. Image quality has been measured using root‐mean‐squared error, Euclidean error and peak signal‐to‐noise ratios. The sensitivity of reconstructed image quality on various mutation operators, namely standard, gradient‐, and offset‐based schemes, has been analyzed along with the effect of number of projections. The number of projections has resulted in maximization of image quality while minimizing the radiation hazard involved. The results of HCGA have been compared with FBP as a deterministic technique and simulated annealing (SA) as a stochastic technique for IRT approximation. For the 8 × 8 head and lung phantoms, HCGA, SA, FBP, have resulted PSNR values correspondingly as 40.47, 33.92, 8.28 and 26.38, 20.36, 12.98 dB. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 17, 10–21, 2007
In vivo bone response to 3D periodic hydroxyapatite scaffolds assembled by direct ink writing
Authors: Simon Joshua L. , Michna Sarah , Lewis Jennifer A. , Rekow E. Dianne , Thompson Van P. , Smay James E. , Yampolsky Andrew , Parsons J. Russell , Ricci John L. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe in vivo bone response of 3D periodic hydroxyapatite (HA) scaffolds is investigated. Two groups of HA scaffolds (11 mm diameter × 3.5 mm thick) are fabricated by direct‐write assembly of a concentrated HA ink. The scaffolds consist of cylindrical rods periodically arranged into four quadrants with varying separation distances between rods. In the first group, HA rods (250 μm in diameter) are patterned to create pore channels, whose areal dimensions are 250 × 250 μm2 in quadrant 1, 250 × 500 μm2 in quadrants 2 and 4, and 500 × 500 μm2 in quadrant 3. In the second group, HA rods (400 μm in diameter) are patterned to create pore channels, whose areal dimensions of 500 × 500 μm2 in quadrant 1, 500 × 750 μm2 in quadrants 2 and 4, and 750 × 750 μm2 in quadrant 3. Each group of scaffolds is partially densified by sintering at 1200°C prior to being implanted bilaterally in trephine defects of skeletally mature New Zealand White rabbits. Their tissue response is evaluated at 8 and 16 weeks using micro‐computed tomography, histology, and scanning electron microscopy. New trabecular bone is conducted rapidly and efficiently across substantial distances within these patterned 3D HA scaffolds. Our observations suggest that HA rods are first coated with a layer of new bone followed by subsequent scaffold infilling via outward and inward radial growth of the coated regions. Direct‐write assembly of 3D periodic scaffolds composed of micro‐porous HA rods arrayed to produce macro‐pores that are size‐matched to trabecular bone may represent an optimal strategy for bone repair and replacement structures. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2007