bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Protective CD8+T Cells Induced by Malaria Sporozoites Do Not Undergo Modulation of Interleukin-7 Receptor Expression
Authors: Morrot Alexandre , Cockburn Ian A. , Overstreet Michael , Rodríguez Dolores , Zavala Fidel 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACTCD8+T cells induced byPlasmodium yoeliisporozoites develop into protective memory cells without undergoing changes in interleukin-7 receptor α (IL-7Rα) expression, differing from the development of memory CD8+T cells against viruses, which is associated with enhanced IL-7Rα expression. This suggests a microbe-dependent diversity in the signals determining the development of memory populations.
MINING GENE EXPRESSION DATABASES FOR LOCAL CAUSAL RELATIONSHIPS USING A SIMPLE CONSTRAINT-BASED ALGORITHM
Authors: WANG MINGYI , LU HUIJUAN , CHEN ZUOZHOU , WU PING 
Published: March 2006

There is great potential in mining gene expression microarray databases to discover causal relationships in the gene-regulation pathway. Several methods using Bayesian networks have been reported. Most of them use a heuristics search based on the criteria for choosing a network, but these methods are often computationally intractable for microarray data with thousands of genes. In this work, a simple constrained-based, local causal discovery method is presented. This method is computationally feasible but does not attempt to discover complete causal structure. To show the effectiveness of this method, we have conducted simulations and applied this method to the data set from Hughes et al. from 300 expression profiles of yeast. Using this method, results of simulation data tests demonstrated that the accuracy ratios of causal relationships became higher when the sample size increased. From the yeast data set, a number of causal relations were found. A cursory analysis shows some of the relations have biological sense, others need further investigation.
Pituitary Growth Hormone and Growth Hormone–Releasing Hormone Receptor Genes and Associations with Mammographic Measures and Serum Growth Hormone
Authors: Mulhall Cara , Hegele Robert A. , Cao Henian , Tritchler David , Yaffe Martin , Boyd Norman F. 
Published: March 2006

Abstract
Background: Mammographic density is a strong risk factor for breast cancer that is heritable and associated with blood levels of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). We tested single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in pituitary growth hormone (GH1) and growth hormone–releasing hormone receptor (GHRHR) genes for an association with mammographic density, hormones of the growth hormone/IGF-I axis, and anthropometric variables.
Methods: Mammograms from 348 women were measured using a computer-assisted method, blood collected, and DNA extracted. The SNPs genotyped were GH1 −57G&gt;T, GH1 −75G&gt;A, and GHRHR A57T. ANOVA and covariance were used to examine associations, adjusted for age, body mass index, ethnicity, and menopausal status, between each SNP and three measures of the mammogram: percent density, total dense area, and total nondense area. Similarly, the SNPs were tested for associations with serum growth hormone, IGF-I, IGFBP3, prolactin, and anthropometric variables.
Results: GH1 −57G&gt;T and GH1 −75G&gt;A were both associated with percent density and total nondense area. GH1 −57T homozygotes had 5.2 more mean adjusted percent density than other subjects combined (P = 0.03) and 16.2 cm2 (14.6%) less nondense area (P = 0.01). GH1 −75A homozygotes had 3.4 more percent density than subjects with at least one G allele (P = 0.04) and also had 32% higher serum growth hormone levels (P = 0.02).
Conclusion: We have found associations between mammographic density and two SNPs in the pituitary growth hormone gene, one of them also associated with serum growth hormone levels. These findings suggest that the GH1 gene may also influence breast cancer risk.
Relationships between Cigarette Consumption and Biomarkers of Tobacco Toxin Exposure
Authors: Joseph Anne M. , Hecht Stephen S. , Murphy Sharon E. , Carmella Steven G. , Le Chap T. , Zhang Yan , Han Shaomei , Hatsukami Dorothy K. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractEpidemiologic studies show a dose-response relationship between cigarettes per day and health outcomes such as heart and lung disease, and health outcomes are related to some biomarkers of tobacco exposure. The objective of this study was to examine the relationships between cigarettes per day and levels of selected biomarkers of tobacco toxin exposure: carbon monoxide (CO), metabolites of the tobacco-specific carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [total 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) and 1-hydroxypyrene (1-HOP), respectively], and total cotinine (cotinine plus cotinine-N-glucuronide). We did a cross-sectional analysis of merged data from (a) two clinical trials and (b) two cohorts of light smokers (total n = 400). The mean age of participants was 50.4 years and the range of cigarette consumption was 1 to 100/d; however, few subjects smoked &gt;45 cigarettes/d (n = 12). Results show that levels of the biomarkers CO, total NNAL, and total cotinine increase with an increase in the number of cigarettes smoked per day, but not in a linear fashion. 1-HOP is a less discriminating biomarker as levels are relatively stable regardless of the number of cigarettes smoked per day. There is considerable variability in toxin measurement, especially at high levels of smoking. There was a significant correlation between cigarettes per day and total NNAL, 1-HOP, total cotinine, and CO. Total NNAL was highly significantly correlated with total cotinine and CO and also significantly correlated with 1-HOP. These findings suggest that the number of cigarettes smoked per day is not necessarily a reliable measure of toxin exposure and may underestimate tobacco toxin exposure at low levels of smoking or overestimate exposure at high levels of smoking. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2005;14(12):2963-8)
Discrimination of Breast Cancer by Anti-Malignin Antibody Serum Test in Women Undergoing Biopsy
Authors: Harman S. Mitchell , Gucciardo Frank , Heward Christopher B. , Granstrom Per , Barclay-White Belinda , Rogers Lowell W. , Ibarra Julio A. 
Published: March 2006

Abstract
Purpose: The anti-malignin antibody serum (AMAS) test (Oncolab, Boston, MA) has been reported as 97% sensitive and 95% specific for malignancies. To objectively assess accuracy of this test for discrimination of breast cancer, we studied a series of women undergoing core breast biopsy.
Subjects and Methods: Seventy-one core-needle breast biopsies were classified as malignant, suspicious, or benign by two independent pathologists blinded to AMAS results. Corresponding sera were read as AMAS positive, negative, or borderline by criteria used by Oncolab and also using criteria derived from receiver-operator curves based on values for slow (S-tag), fast (F-tag), and their difference (Net-tag) antibody reported by Oncolab. We calculated sensitivity and specificity and analyzed distributions by Fisher's exact test.
Results: Biopsies were read as 42 (59%) benign, 12 (17%) suspicious, and 17 (24%) malignant. By Oncolab criteria, sensitivity (59%) and specificity (62%) were maximized by pooling suspicious with malignant and AMAS borderline with positive (P = 0.098). Receiver-operator curves showed best sensitivity (62%) and specificity (69%) for the criterion AMAS positive if Net-Tag &gt; 135 μg/mL or S-Tag &gt; 220 μg/mL (P = 0.015).
Conclusions: The AMAS test discriminates suspicious and malignant from benign lesions, but sensitivity is insufficient to identify patients to be spared biopsy and false-positive rates are too high for population screening.
Interaction of Calcium Supplementation and Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs and the Risk of Colorectal Adenomas
Authors: Grau Maria V. , Baron John A. , Barry Elizabeth L. , Sandler Robert S. , Haile Robert W. , Mandel Jack S. , Cole Bernard F. 
Published: March 2006

Abstract
Background: Calcium and aspirin have both been found to be chemopreventive against colorectal neoplasia. However, the joint effect of the two agents has not been well investigated.
Methods: To explore the separate and joint effects of calcium and aspirin/nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), we used data from two large randomized clinical trials among patients with a recent history of colorectal adenomas. In the Calcium Polyp Prevention Study, 930 eligible subjects were randomized to receive placebo or 1,200 mg of elemental calcium daily for 4 years. In the Aspirin/Folate Polyp Prevention Study, 1,121 eligible subjects were assigned to take placebo, 81 mg of aspirin, or 325 mg of aspirin daily for 3 years. In each study, subjects completed a validated food frequency questionnaire at enrollment and were asked periodically about medications and supplements used. Recurrent adenomas and advanced adenomas were the end points considered. We used generalized linear models to assess the separate and combined effects of aspirin (or NSAIDs) and calcium supplementation (or dietary calcium) and the interactions between these exposures.
Results: In the Calcium Trial, subjects randomized to calcium who also were frequent users of NSAIDs had a reduction of risk for advanced adenomas of 65% [adjusted risk ratio (RR), 0.35; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.13-0.96], and there was a highly significant statistical interaction between calcium treatment and frequent NSAID use (Pinteraction = 0.01). Similarly, in the Aspirin Trial, 81 mg aspirin and calcium supplement use together conferred a risk reduction of 80% for advanced adenomas (adjusted RR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.05-0.81); there was a borderline significant statistical interaction between the two treatments (Pinteraction = 0.09). In this trial, we found similar trends when we considered baseline dietary calcium intake instead of calcium supplements. For all adenomas considered together, the interactive patterns were not consistent.
Conclusion: Data from two different randomized clinical trials suggest that calcium and NSAIDs may act synergistically to lower the risk of advanced colorectal neoplastic polyps.
Effect of Direct Mail as a Population-Based Strategy to Increase Mammography Use among Low-Income Underinsured Women Ages 40 to 64 Years
Authors: Slater Jonathan S. , Henly George A. , Ha Chung Nim , Malone Michael E. , Nyman John A. , Diaz Sarah , McGovern Paul G. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractWomen with inadequate health insurance have lower mammography rates than the general population. Finding successful strategies to enroll eligible women is an ongoing challenge for the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. To test the effectiveness of a population-based strategy to increase mammography utilization among low-income underinsured women ages 40 to 64 years, a randomized trial was conducted to assess the effect of two mailed interventions on mammography utilization through Sage, the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program in Minnesota. Women (N = 145,467) ages 40 to 63 years [mean (SD), 49.7 (6.8)] with estimated household incomes below $50,000 (47.9% were &lt;$35,000) from a commercial database were randomized to three groups: Mail, Mail Plus Incentive, or Control. Both the Mail and the Mail Plus Incentive groups received two simple mailings prompting them to call a toll-free number to access free mammography services. The Mail Plus Incentive intervention offered a small monetary incentive for a completed mammogram. After 1 year, both intervention groups had significantly higher Sage mammography rates than the Controls, and the Mail Plus Incentive group had a significantly higher rate than the Mail group. The Mail and Mail Plus Incentive interventions were estimated to produce increases in Sage screening rates of 0.23% and 0.75%, respectively, beyond the composite Control rate of 0.83%. Direct mail is an effective strategy for increasing mammography use through Sage. Coupling direct mail with an incentive significantly enhances the intervention's effectiveness. Direct mail should be considered as a strategy to increase mammography use among low-income, medically underserved women.
Adherence Assessment Using Medication Weight in a Phase IIb Clinical Trial of Difluoromethylornithine for the Chemoprevention of Skin Cancer
Authors: Hess Lisa M. , Saboda Kathylynn , Malone Daniel C. , Salasche Stuart , Warneke James , Alberts David S. 
Published: March 2006

Abstract
Objective: Adherence is a common and essential measurement in clinical trials. This study evaluates the association between participant self-reported study diary records and the weight of the medication vessel at each study visit, in the setting of a phase IIb topical chemoprevention trial.
Methods: One hundred and twenty-four eligible participants were randomized to one of four arms [34 to difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) plus triamcinolone, 31 to DFMO plus placebo, 31 to placebo plus triamcinolone, and 28 to double placebo] for 6 months of treatment for actinic keratosis. Adherence was assessed at each clinic visit by weighing each tube of dispensed and returned medication and the participant's study diary.
Results: Self-reported adherence was consistently higher than adherence measured by returned medication weight (96.5% versus 71.3%, 94.6% versus 82.4%, 95.3% versus 69.5%, and 95.8% versus 66.8% for DFMO, DFMO placebo, triamcinolone, and triamcinolone placebo, respectively; P &lt; 0.001). Most participants (59.2%) recorded 100% adherence on the study diary; however, using the weight adherence, only 10.2% were completely adherent to the study regimen.
Conclusions: Self-reported diary measures seem to overestimate adherence when compared with weighing the returned medication vessel. It is recommended that future clinical trials involving topical applications incorporate medication weights as a primary measure of adherence because it is objective, quantitative, inexpensive, noninvasive, and easy to use.
Analysis of Total 4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-Pyridyl)-1-Butanol in Smokers' Blood
Authors: Carmella Steven G. , Han Shaomei , Villalta Peter W. , Hecht Stephen S. 
Published: March 2006

Abstract
The sum of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol and its glucuronides (total NNAL) is an excellent biomarker for uptake of the tobacco-specific carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone. Although numerous studies have examined levels of total NNAL in the urine of people who use tobacco products, few have quantified this biomarker in blood, and the available methods used relatively large amounts of blood. A method is urgently needed for the analysis of total NNAL in blood, the fluid most commonly stored in molecular epidemiologic studies. We developed a liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) method for the analysis of total NNAL in 1-mL samples of plasma. LC-ESI-MS/MS provides both high-sensitivity and structural information supporting analyte identity. The method is practical and sensitive, with a detection limit of 8 fmol total NNAL/mL plasma. Levels of total NNAL averaged 42 ± 22 (SD) and ranged 1.7 to 88 fmol/mL plasma in 16 smokers; NNAL was not detected in the plasma of five nonsmokers. These results show that total NNAL can readily be quantified in 1-mL plasma samples.
Estrogen Bioactivation, Genetic Polymorphisms, and Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Sellers Thomas A. , Schildkraut Joellen M. , Pankratz V. Shane , Vierkant Robert A. , Fredericksen Zachary S. , Olson Janet E. , Cunningham Julie , Taylor William , Liebow Mark , McPherson Carol , Hartmann Lynn C. , Pal Tuya , Adjei Araba A. 
Published: March 2006

Abstract
Recent experimental evidence has shown that catechol estrogens can be activated through metabolism to form depurinating DNA adducts and thereby initiate cancer. Limited data are available regarding this pathway in epithelial ovarian cancer. We conducted a case-control study of 503 incident epithelial ovarian cancer cases at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, and Jacksonville, FL, and a 48-county region in North Carolina. Six hundred nine cancer-free controls were frequency matched to the cases on age, race, and residence. After an interview to obtain data on risk factors, a sample of blood was collected for DNA isolation. Subjects were genotyped for seven common single nucleotide polymorphisms in four genes involved in catechol estrogen formation (CYP1A1 and CYP1B1) or conjugation (COMT and SULT1A1). Data were analyzed using logistic regression, stratified by race, and with adjustment for design factors and potential confounders. None of the individual genotypes were significantly associated with ovarian cancer risk. However, an oligogenic model that considered the joint effects of the four candidate genes provided evidence for an association between combinations of these genes and ovarian cancer status (P = 0.015). Although preliminary, this study provides some support for the hypothesis that low-penetrance susceptibility alleles may influence risk of epithelial ovarian cancer.
Life Stressors Are an Important Reason for Women Discontinuing Follow-up Care for Cervical Neoplasia
Authors: Coker Ann L. , Bond Sharon M. , Pirisi Lucia A. 
Published: March 2006

Abstract
Although studies have addressed psychosocial factors associated with obtaining follow-up care for an abnormal Pap test, none have explored the effect of stressful life events in predicting the receipt of follow-up care for an abnormal Pap test. Data from a program (1995-2001) that provided free follow-up care for women with low-grade cervical lesions (n = 601) was used to determine whether life stressors increased risk of study discontinuation. Women were interviewed at baseline and offered follow-up at 4- to 6-month intervals for up to 24 months. Of the 556 women recruited and interviewed (92% response rate), 53 were referred out because they had high-grade cervical lesions and 33 had a health condition precluding follow-up. Among 470 women who began follow-up, 175 (37.2%) discontinued before completing three visits. Women who discontinued were significantly more likely to report more stressful life events in the past year [age-adjusted relative risk (aRR), 1.19; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.08-1.30; 17-item scale]. Events most strongly associated with discontinuation included having a problem with a boss (aRR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.5-2.4), severe physical partner violence (aRR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.3-2.2), being homeless (aRR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.6-2.8), and having an unplanned pregnancy (aRR, 1.5, 95% CI, 1.2-2.1). Life stressors may be important predictors of discontinuation of free follow-up care among women in need of immediate follow-up care to prevent lesion progression. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(2):321–5)
Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Risk of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: The European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition
Authors: Schulz Mandy , Lahmann Petra H. , Boeing Heiner , Hoffmann Kurt , Allen Naomi , Key Timothy J.A. , Bingham Sheila , Wirfält Elisabet , Berglund Göran , Lundin Eva , Hallmans Göran , Lukanova Annekatrin , Martínez Garcia Carmen , González Carlos A. , Tormo Maria J. , Quirós José R. , Ardanaz Eva , Larrañaga Nerea , Lund Eiliv , Gram Inger T. , Skeie Guri , Peeters Petra H.M. , van Gils Carla H. , Bueno-de-Mesquita H. Bas , Büchner Frederike L. , Pasanisi Patrizia , Galasso Rocco , Palli Domenico , Tumino Rosario , Vineis Paolo , Trichopoulou Antonia , Kalapothaki Victoria , Trichopoulos Dimitrios , Chang-Claude Jenny , Linseisen Jakob , Boutron-Ruault Marie Christine , Touillaud Marina , Clavel-Chapelon Françoise , Olsen Anja , Tjønneland Anne , Overvad Kim , Tetsche Mette , Jenab Mazda , Norat Teresa , Kaaks Rudolph , Riboli Elio 
Published: March 2006

Abstract
Objective: The association between consumption of fruit and vegetables and risk of ovarian cancer is still unclear from a prospective point of view.
Methods: Female participants (n = 325,640) of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study, free of any cancer at baseline, were followed on average for 6.3 years to develop ovarian cancer. During 2,049,346 person-years, 581 verified cases of primary, invasive epithelial ovarian cancer were accrued. Consumption of fruits and vegetables as well as subgroups of vegetables, estimated from validated dietary questionnaires and calibrated thereafter, was related to ovarian cancer incidence in multivariable hazard regression models. Histologic subtype specific analyses were done.
Results: Total intake of fruit and vegetables, separately or combined, as well as subgroups of vegetables (fruiting, root, leafy vegetables, cabbages) was unrelated to risk of ovarian cancer. A high intake of garlic/onion vegetables was associated with a borderline significant reduced risk of this cancer. The examination by histologic subtype indicated some differential effects of fruit and vegetable intake on ovarian cancer risk.
Conclusion: Overall, a high intake of fruits and vegetables did not seem to protect from ovarian cancer. Garlic/onion vegetables may exert a beneficial effect. The study of the histologic subtype of the tumor warrants further investigation.
Urinary Thymidine Dimer as a Marker of Total Body Burden of UV-Inflicted DNA Damage in Humans
Authors: Kotova Natalia , Hemminki Kari , Segerbäck Dan 
Published: March 2006

Abstract
High levels of DNA damage are induced in human skin following exposure to UV radiation. Cyclobutane thymidine dimer (T = T) is the most common of these lesions, which are enzymatically removed as oligonucleotides from DNA and further degraded before excretion in urine. Analysis of such repair products in the urine could serve as a biomarker of total body burden of UV exposure. The aim of this study was to examine the kinetics of T = T excretion following a single tanning session in a commercial solarium and to validate the method by delivering different doses. Ten individuals used the solarium for a total of 35 sessions of body tanning. Urine was collected before UV exposure and daily thereafter (up to 5 or 11 days) and T = T was analyzed using a very sensitive and quantitative 32P-postlabeling technique combined with high-performance liquid chromatography. Following exposure, T = T levels increased dramatically and reached a peak 3 days later; afterwards, the T = T levels gradually decreased. The total amount of T = T excreted differed about 5-fold among subjects given an equal dose. A 50% excretion time was calculated using the excretion data for the first 5 days and it was found to be between 55 and 76 hours for different individuals. There was a good correlation between the amount of T = T excreted during days 1 to 5 and the delivered UV dose. Reducing exposure time to 50% lowered the amount of T = T to 47%; if half of the lamps were covered, T = T decreased to 44%. Our data show that urinary T = T could be a suitable noninvasive biomarker for UV exposure; a finding which could also be applicable to studies in children. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2005;14(12):2868–72)