bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Primary non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma of the uterus, cervix and parametrium treated by combined immunochemotherapy
Authors: Su Chi‐Feng , Tsai Horng‐Jyh , Kuo Chih , Chen Gin‐Den , Lin Long‐Yau , Huang Che‐Cheng , Luo Kan‐Hung 
Published: September 2008

AbstractPrimary malignant lymphoma of the female genital tract is extremely rare and no standard treatment has been established. The present patient is menopausal with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma of the uterine body, endocervix and parametrium. She underwent a simple total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo‐oophorectomy, followed by treatment with a new regimen, combined immunochemotherapy with rituximab (monoclonal antibody), cyclophosphamide vincristine, and prednisolone. The patient had complete remission in the follow‐up 3 years after this therapy. We suggest this treatment is a useful therapy for a patient with primary malignant lymphoma of the uterine body.
Heterotopic triplet pregnancy (twin tubal) in a natural cycle with tubal rupture: Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Simsek Tayup , Dogan Askın , Simsek Mehmet , Pestereli Elif 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe incidence of heterotopic/ectopic pregnancy has risen in recent years, largely due to more frequent use of ovulatory medicine and increased incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease. In a natural cycle, it is a very rare event. Most heterotopic/ectopic pregnancies are localized in the uterine tube and, usually, it is diagnosed when symptoms develop. We report the case of a 37 year‐old, gravida 2, para 0, abortion 1 woman with no known risk factors for heterotopic pregnancy. The patient attended the emergency department because of acute abdominal pain. She was evaluated in our department and a heterotopic twin pregnancy in the tube was diagnosed by transvaginal sonography. Intrauterine pregnancy with positive fetal cardiac activity at 9 weeks of gestation according to crown‐rump length measurement was detected. Laparotomy was carried out because of acute abdominal syndrome. Right ruptured tubal ectopic/heterotopic pregnancy and hemoperitoneum were diagnosed. Right salpingectomy was carried out. Pathology revealed monochorionic twin tubal pregnancy. In a review of the literature, this is first case of twin tubal pregnancy in one uterine tube. In conclusion, heterotopic pregnancy in twin form in the uterine tube is possible in natural cycles. Intrauterine pregnancy does not exclude extrauterine pregnancy in natural cycles.
Role of menaquinone biosynthesis genes in selenate reduction by Enterobacter cloacae SLD1a‐1 and Escherichia coli K12
Authors: Ma Jincai , Kobayashi Donald Y. , Yee Nathan 
Published: September 2008

SummaryIn this study, we investigated the role of menaquinone biosynthesis genes in selenate reduction by Enterobacter cloacae SLD1a‐1 and Escherichia coli K12. A mini‐Tn5 transposon mutant of E. cloacae SLD1a‐1, designated as 4E6, was isolated that had lost the ability to reduce Se(VI) to Se(0). Genetic analysis of mutant strain 4E6 showed that the transposon was inserted within a menD gene among a menFDHBCE gene cluster that encodes for proteins required for menaquinone biosynthesis. A group of E. coli K12 strains with single mutations in the menF, menD, menC and menE genes were tested for loss of selenate reduction activity. The results showed that E. coli K12 carrying a deletion of either the menD, menC or menE gene was unable to reduce selenate. Complementation using wild‐type sequences of the E.  cloacae SLD1a‐1 menFDHBCE sequence successfully restored the selenate reduction activity in mutant strain 4E6, and E. coli K12 menD and menE mutants. Selenate reduction activity in 4E6 was also restored by chemical complementation using the menaquinone precursor compound 1,4‐dihydroxy‐2‐nathphoic acid. The results of this work suggest that menaquinones are an important source of electrons for the selenate reductase, and are required for selenate reduction activity in E. cloacae SLD1a‐1 and E. coli K12.
Anaerobic degradation of naphthalene and 2‐methylnaphthalene by strains of marine sulfate‐reducing bacteria
Authors: Musat Florin , Galushko Alexander , Jacob Jacob , Widdel Friedrich , Kube Michael , Reinhardt Richard , Wilkes Heinz , Schink Bernhard , Rabus Ralf 
Published: September 2008

SummaryThe anaerobic biodegradation of naphthalene, an aromatic hydrocarbon in tar and petroleum, has been repeatedly observed in environments but scarcely in pure cultures. To further explore the relationships and physiology of anaerobic naphthalene‐degrading microorganisms, sulfate‐reducing bacteria (SRB) were enriched from a Mediterranean sediment with added naphthalene. Two strains (NaphS3, NaphS6) with oval cells were isolated which showed naphthalene‐dependent sulfate reduction. According to 16S rRNA gene sequences, both strains were Deltaproteobacteria and closely related to each other and to a previously described naphthalene‐degrading sulfate‐reducing strain (NaphS2) from a North Sea habitat. Other close relatives were SRB able to degrade alkylbenzenes, and phylotypes enriched anaerobically with benzene. If in adaptation experiments the three naphthalene‐grown strains were exposed to 2‐methylnaphthalene, this compound was utilized after a pronounced lag phase, indicating that naphthalene did not induce the capacity for 2‐methylnaphthalene degradation. Comparative denaturing gel electrophoresis of cells grown with naphthalene or 2‐methylnaphthalene revealed a striking protein band which was only present upon growth with the latter substrate. Peptide sequences from this band perfectly matched those of a protein predicted from genomic libraries of the strains. Sequence similarity (50% identity) of the predicted protein to the large subunit of the toluene‐activating enzyme (benzylsuccinate synthase) from other anaerobic bacteria indicated that the detected protein is part of an analogous 2‐methylnaphthalene‐activating enzyme. The absence of this protein in naphthalene‐grown cells together with the adaptation experiments as well as isotopic metabolite differentiation upon growth with a mixture of d8‐naphthalene and unlabelled 2‐methylnaphthalene suggest that the marine strains do not metabolize naphthalene by initial methylation via 2‐methylnaphthalene, a previously suggested mechanism. The inability to utilize 1‐naphthol or 2‐naphthol also excludes these compounds as free intermediates. Results leave open the possibility of naphthalene carboxylation, another previously suggested activation mechanism.
Dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry imaging of microbial populations utilizing 13C‐labelled substrates in pure culture and in soil
Authors: Pumphrey Graham M. , Hanson Buck T. , Chandra Subhash , Madsen Eugene L. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryWe demonstrate that dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS)‐based ion microscopy can provide a means of measuring 13C assimilation into individual bacterial cells grown on 13C‐labelled organic compounds in the laboratory and in field soil. We grew pure cultures of Pseudomonas putida NCIB 9816‐4 in minimal media with known mixtures of 12C‐ and 13C‐glucose and analysed individual cells via SIMS imaging. Individual cells yielded signals of masses 12, 13, 24, 25, 26 and 27 as negative secondary ions indicating the presence of 12C–, 13C–, 24(12C2)–, 25(12C13C)–, 26(12C14N)– and 27(13C14N)– ions respectively. We verified that ratios of signals taken from the same cells only changed minimally during a ∼4.5 min period of primary O2+ beam sputtering by the dynamic SIMS instrument in microscope detection mode. There was a clear relationship between mass 27 and mass 26 signals in Psuedomonas putida cells grown in media containing varying proportions of 12C‐ to 13C‐glucose: a standard curve was generated to predict 13C‐enrichment in unknown samples. We then used two strains of Pseudomonas putida able to grow on either all or only a part of a mixture of 13C‐labelled and unlabelled carbon sources to verify that differential 13C signals measured by SIMS were due to 13C assimilation into cell biomass. Finally, we made three key observations after applying SIMS ion microscopy to soil samples from a field experiment receiving 12C‐ or 13C‐phenol: (i) cells enriched in 13C were heterogeneously distributed among soil populations; (ii) 13C‐labelled cells were detected in soil that was dosed a single time with 13C‐phenol; and (iii) in soil that received 12 doses of 13C‐phenol, 27% of the cells in the total community were more than 90% 13C‐labelled.
Exaggerating Character Motions Using Sub‐Joint Hierarchy
Authors: Kwon Ji‐yong , Lee In‐Kwon 
Published: September 2008

AbstractMotion capture cannot generate cartoon‐style animation directly. We emulate the rubber‐like exaggerations common in traditional character animation as a means of converting motion capture data into cartoon‐like movement. We achieve this using trajectory‐based motion exaggeration while allowing the violation of link‐length constraints. We extend this technique to obtain smooth, rubber‐like motion by dividing the original links into shorter sub‐links and computing the positions of joints using Bézier curve interpolation and a mass‐spring simulation. This method is fast enough to be used in real time.
PERFECT VICTIMS, PERFECT POLICING? IMPROVING RAPE COMPLAINANTS’ EXPERIENCES OF POLICE INVESTIGATIONS
Authors: JORDAN JAN 
Published: September 2008

Despite recent reforms internationally, significant criticism has been levelled at police departments regarding their service delivery to crime victims, and particularly for the disbelieving and insensitive attitudes officers may display towards women reporting rape and sexual assault. Police responses are frequently influenced by negative judgements regarding the victim’s dress, behaviour, and demeanour. These are flawed and ‘imperfect’ women – what right have they to expect ‘perfect’ treatment? This paper approaches this issue from the other end of the lens by considering the positive lessons to be learned from how ‘perfect victims’ were policed.The material presented is based on interviews conducted with 14 of the women attacked by the same serial rapist, supplemented by interviews with police investigators. The paper aims to identify what contributed most to victim satisfaction with police performance, and to present this as evidence of ‘best practice’ to inform future developments in adult sexual assault investigations.
Multilevel Modelling of Refusal and Non-Contact in Household Surveys: Evidence From Six UK Government Surveys
Authors: Durrant Gabriele B. , Steele Fiona 
Published: September 2008

SummaryWe analyse household unit non-response in six major UK Government surveys by using a multilevel multinomial modelling approach. The models are guided by current conceptual frameworks and theories of survey participation. One key feature of the analysis is the investigation of the extent to which effects of household characteristics are survey specific. The analysis is based on the 2001 UK Census Link Study, which is a unique source of data containing an unusually rich set of auxiliary variables. The study contains the response outcome of six surveys, linked to census data and interviewer observations for both respondents and non-respondents.
Friendship Ties and Geographical Mobility: Evidence from Great Britain
Authors: Belot Michèle , Ermisch John 
Published: September 2008

SummaryA common finding in analyses of geographic mobility is a strong association between past movement and current mobility. We argue that one of the driving forces behind this pattern is the strength of local social ties outside the household. We use data from the British Household Panel Survey on the location of the three closest friends and the frequency of meetings with them. We estimate the processes of friendship formation and residential mobility jointly, allowing for correlation between the two processes. Our results show that a larger number of close friends living nearby substantially reduces movement of 20 miles or more.
Oral isotretinoin in photoaging: clinical and histopathological evidence of efficacy of an off‐label indication
Authors: Rabello‐Fonseca RM , Azulay DR , Luiz RR , Mandarim‐de‐Lacerda CA , Cuzzi T , Manela‐Azulay M 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackground  Despite evidences of the beneficial clinical effects of oral isotretinoin in the treatment of cutaneous photoaging, scientific evidences are still scarce, mainly supported by histopathological and morphometric studies.Objectives  To analyse possible clinical and morphological changes resulting from the treatment of photoaging with oral isotretinoin.Methods  Thirty female patients, aged 40 to 55 years, phototypes II to IV, with moderate to severe photoaging were randomly assigned to two groups of 15 each. Group I (G I) patients were treated with 10 mg of isotretinoin and group II (G II) with 20 mg of oral isotretinoin thrice a week for 3 months. Skin biopsies were performed before and after the end of therapy, and the various sections were submitted to specific staining for collagen and elastic fibres. To analyse the changes, morphometric studies were performed, and the results obtained were analysed by Student's t‐test (paired and non‐paired). Clinical results of therapy regarding texture, colouring and aspect of the wrinkles were assessed by both physician and patient.Results  The increase in the amount of collagen fibres was statistically significant with both dosage regimens (mean, 37.8%, increasing to 44.4%; P = 0.029 with the 10‐mg dosage; and mean, 36.6%, increasing to 41.9%; P = 0.01 with the 20‐mg dosage). A pattern pointing toward a decrease in the number of elastic fibres was found (mean, 15.3–12%; P = 0.014 with the 10‐mg dosage; mean, 15.5–14%; P = 0.125 with the 20‐mg dosage). Additionally, there was improvement in the general aspect of the skin, regarding texture, wrinkles depth and skin coloration.Limitations  Despite ethical considerations, a lack of a control group using placebo may render the results less accurate.Conclusion  Low dosages of oral isotretinoin seem to be an effective therapeutic option for cutaneous photoaging.Conflicts of interestNone declared
Extracellular matrix protein SC1/hevin in the hippocampus following pilocarpine‐induced status epilepticus
Authors: Lively Starlee , Brown Ian R. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractPilocarpine‐induced status epilepticus (SE) mimics many features of temporal lobe epilepsy and is a useful model to study neural changes that result from prolonged seizure activity. In this study, distribution of the anti‐adhesive extracellular matrix protein SC1 was examined in the rat hippocampus following SE. Western blotting showed decreased levels of SC1 protein in the week following SE. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that the decrease in overall SC1 protein levels was reflected by a reduction of SC1 signal in granule cells of the dentate gyrus. Interestingly, levels of SC1 protein in neurons of the seizure‐resistant CA2 sector of the hippocampus did not change throughout the seizure time course. However, at 1 day post‐SE, a subset of neurons of the hippocampal CA1, CA3, and hilar regions, which are noted for extensive neuronal degeneration after SE, exhibited a transient increase in SC1 signal. Neurons exhibiting enhanced SC1 signal were not detected at 7 days post‐SE. The cellular stress response was also examined. A prominent induction of heat‐shock protein (Hsp70) and Hsp27 was detected following SE, while levels of constitutively expressed Hsp40, Hsp90, Hsp110, and Hsc70 showed little change at the time points examined. The subset of neurons that demonstrated a transient increase in SC1 colocalized with the cellular stress marker Hsp70, the degeneration marker Fluoro‐Jade B, and the neuron activity marker activity‐regulated cytoskeleton‐associated protein (Arc). Taken together, these findings suggest that SC1 may be a component of the ‘matrix response’ involved in remodeling events associated with neuronal degeneration following neural injury.
New pharmacological strategies against metastatic spread
Authors: Perret G.Y. , Crépin M. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractAlthough metastatic spread is the most frequent cause of death in cancer patients, there are very few drugs specifically targeting this process. Bases for a new antimetastatic drug discovery strategy are weak because a great number of unknowns characterize the complete understanding of the metastatic cascade mechanisms. Moreover, the current experimental models are too simplistic and do not account for the complexity of the phenomenon. Some targets have been identified but too few are validated. Among them, the metastasis suppressor genes seem to be the most promising. In spite of this, during recent years, a dozen of molecules, which fulfil the definition of a specific metastatic drug that inhibits the metastases without altering the growth of the primary tumour (which can be eradicated by surgery), have been identified and assessed for the proof of the concept. The continuation of this effort would benefit in terms of efficiency, if the objectives were defined more precisely. It is particularly important to distinguish molecules that prevent spread of the metastatic cells of the early‐stage primary tumour from the ones which induce a regression of the established metastases or to inhibit the transition from disseminated occult tumour cells to dormant micrometastasis. This second goal is a priori more relevant in the current clinical setting where the detection of early metastatic spread is very difficult, and therefore would call for greater effort on the part of the scientific community.
Relaxing and contracting effects of theophylline’s metabolites on the rabbit upper gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Psarra Theophano A. , Batzias Georgios C. , Peeters Theo L. , Koutsoviti‐Papadopoulou Maria 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe present study, aimed to clarify whether the gastrointestinal adverse effects following administration of the bronchodilator theophylline are owing to the action of the drug itself or its metabolites, investigates the pharmacodymanic effects of theophylline’s metabolites on the spontaneous contractility in the rabbit upper gastrointestinal tract. Comparative examination reveals that while two of the metabolites, namely 1‐methylxanthine (1‐MX) and 3‐methylxanthine (3‐MX), cause a similar, but less pronounced than the parent drug, concentration‐dependent relaxation on the isolated oesophagus, lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS), fundus, antrum and pylorus, the remaining two metabolites, 1,3‐dimethyluric acid (1,3‐DMU) and 1‐methyluric acid (1‐MU), produce either a weak stimulating effect, or an even weaker relaxation. The relaxation which is muscle‐mediated, non‐adrenergic non‐cholinergic (NANC) and nitric oxide (NO)‐independent is probably mediated via inhibition of the metabolites on phosphodiesterases (PDEs), while a presynaptic cholinergic pathway is involved in the weak stimulating effect. The effects of all substances are additive. As a consequence, the net result of the cumulative action of all metabolites in the oesophagus, LOS, antrum and pylorus is, at 10−3 m, comparable with that of theophylline, but in the fundus it is lower than that of the parent drug, because in the latter tissue the stimulating effect of 1,3‐DMU and 1‐MU counteracts the relaxing effect of the other two metabolites. However, combination of the parent drug with its metabolites leads to a considerable relaxation in all the gastrointestinal regions extending from the oesophagus to pylorus. Conclusively, upper gastrointestinal adverse effects following theophylline’s administration are also because of theophylline’s metabolites.
Investigation of the anti‐inflammatory and analgesic effects from an extract ofAplysina caissara, a marine sponge
Authors: Azevedo Luciana Gutterres , Peraza Gianni Goulart , Lerner Clea , Soares Andrea , Murcia Nícolas , Muccillo‐Baisch Ana Luiza 
Published: September 2008

AbstractA variety of biologically active compounds with pharmacological applications has been reported to occur in marine sponges. The present study was undertaken to provide a set of data about an extract fromAplysina caissara, a Brazilian marine sponge. The antinociceptive and anti‐inflammatory effects were investigated against different experimental models in mice. When evaluated against writhing test intraperitoneally (60 and 90 mg/kg), the extract significantly inhibited abdominal constriction by 33.7% and 41.4% respectively. In the formalin test (60 and 90 mg/kg), the extract of sponge inhibited 43.6% and 51.6% in the first phase and 98.2% and 97.2% in the second phase respectively. When evaluated against the hot plate test, both doses demonstrated activity. An increase in the hot plate latency was observed after 60 min. The anti‐inflammatory effect was evaluated by formalin‐induced mice paw edema. Extract fromA. caissara(60 and 90 mg/kg) significantly reduced hind paw swelling. Mortality increased with increasing doses, with LD50of 212.2 mg/kg for intraperitoneal administration. These results demonstrated that the extract of the marine spongeA. caissarapossesses antinociceptive and anti‐edematogenic effects.
A potent and selective inhibitor of endocannabinoid uptake, UCM707, potentiates antinociception induced by cholestasis
Authors: Hasanein Parisa , Javanmardi Kazem 
Published: September 2008

AbstractCholestasis is associated with changes including analgesia. The endocannabinoid system can reduce pain sensitivity. Considering the interaction between the endogenous opioid and endocannabinoid systems in nociception processing, we studied the effect of UCM707 as a potent and selective inhibitor of endocannabinoid uptake on modulation of nociception in a model of elevated endogenous opioid tone, cholestasis. Cholestasis was induced in male Sprague–Dawley rats by ligation of the main bile duct using two ligatures and transecting the duct at the midpoint between them. Seven days later, tail‐flick latencies were measured 10 min after injection of UCM707 (0.1, 1 and 10 mg/kg, i.p.) alone or with co‐administration of a CB1receptor antagonist, AM251 (1 mg/kg, i.p.), with UCM707 (10 mg/kg, i.p.) in experimental groups. A significant increase (P < 0.01) in tail‐flick latency was observed in cholestatic rats compared with rats belonging to unoperated and sham groups. Administration of UCM707 (1 and 10 mg/kg) to cholestatic animals significantly increased tail‐flick latency compared with the vehicle‐treated cholestatic group (P < 0.05 andP < 0.001, respectively). UCM707 injection in unoperated and sham groups did not alter baseline tail‐flick latency compared with vehicle‐treated groups. The effect of UCM707 in the cholestatic group was blocked by co‐administration of AM251 (1 mg/kg, i.p.) with UCM707. These data showed that the endocannabinoid system is involved in nociception processing during cholestasis and that the effects of UCM707 on the pain threshold in cholestatic rats may be a result of CB1receptor activation by the increased extracellular levels of endocannabinoids.