bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of Malignant Melanoma Cells in the Treatment With Fast Neutrons
Authors: TSUNEMOTO HIROSHI , MORITA SHINROKU , MORI SHUNJI 
Published: July 2006

The radioresistance of malignant melanoma cells has been explained by the wide shoulder of the dose‐cell‐survival curve of the cells exposed to photon beams. Fast neutrons, 30 MeV d‐Be, were used to treat patients who had malignant melanoma in order to confirm the biological effects of high linear energy transfer (LET) radiation for tumor control.Seventy‐two patients suffering from malignant melanoma participated in the clinical trials with fast neutrons between November 1975 and December 1986. Of 72 patients, 45 had melanoma of the skin, 20 had melanoma of the head and neck, and seven had choroidal melanoma.Five‐year survival rate of the patients who had previously untreated melanoma of the skin was 61% and for patients who received postoperative irradiation, it was 35.7% whereas no patients who had recurrent tumor survived over 4 years. Of 22 patients who had melanoma of the skin, stage I, local control in four cases was achieved by irradiation alone, whereas local control was achieved in 17 of 18 patients who required salvage surgery after fast‐neutron therapy. The results of pathological studies performed with specimens obtained from salvage surgery have shown that melanoma cells growing in intradermal tissue are radio‐resistant, compared with cells growing in intraepidermal tissue. This might suggest that melanoma cells acquire radioresistance when the connective tissue is involved.Five‐year survival rate of the patients who had locally advanced melanoma of the head and neck, previously untreated, was 15.4%. Radiation therapy with accelerated protons was suitable for patients suffering from choroidal melanoma.
Alpha‐Melanocyte‐Stimulating Hormone Immunoreactivity in Human Melanoma Metastases Extracts
Authors: GHANEM G. , VERSTEGEN J. , LIBERT A. , ARNOULD R. , LEJEUNE F. 
Published: July 2006

Seven human melanoma metastases were extracted in order to check the possible presence of any α‐melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) immunoreactivity. The aim of that study was to provide some explanation for, mainly, two observations that we have already made and reported: 1) increased plasma α‐MSH levels in melanoma of tumour‐bearing patients as compared with tumour‐free patients; 2) the presence of specific α‐MSH receptors on human melanoma cells in culture.We could measure large amounts of immunoreactive α‐MSH in all tumours ranging from 0.31 to 4.27 pmoles per g of wet tissue. Further identification of the extracted material by high‐performance liquid chromatography revealed compounds of higher molecular weight and more hydrophobic than synthetic α‐MSH. In addition, purified extracts could also displace 125I‐labelled α‐MSH from its cellular binding sites in an α‐MSH specific radio‐receptor binding assay. Our findings would suggest a possible presence of some hormone precursor(s) inside the melanoma tumours.
Differentiation of Hairbulb Pigment Cell Melanosomes in Compound Agouti and Albino Locus Mouse Mutants (Ay, a, c2J; C57BL/6J)
Authors: GRANHOLM NELS H. , JAPS ROBERT A. , KAPPENMAN KARL E. 
Published: July 2006

Our objective was to determine using electron microscopy how nonagouti (a), lethal yellow (Ar), and albino (c2J) genes affect the program of mouse hairbulb melanosome differentiation; 1,921 hairbulb melanosomes from four genotypes (a/a C/C = B,Ay/a C/C = Y, a/a c2J/c2J= BA, and Ay/a c2J/c2J= YA) were scored for developmental stage, length, and width.Qualitative and quantitative electron microscopy revealed the following. An albino locus‐induced diminution of melanosome size suggests that the albino locus is involved in structural features of melanosomes not directly related to the synthesis and deployment of tyrosinase. Ratio data on melanosome length‐to‐width confirm that the agouti locus determines melanosome shape, either spherical or elliptical; melanization is not required for melanosomes to achieve their agouti‐locus‐determined shapes. YA (Ay/a c2J/c2J) melanosomes, characterized by poorly organized matrices, absence of active tyrosinase, unusually large membrane invaginations, and significantly smaller dimensions than those of BA (a/a c2J/c2J), showed additive effects of both Ay and c2J alleles.These data suggest that the albino locus plays a structural as well as functional (tyrosinase) role in the differentiation of mouse hairbulb melanosomes. The agouti locus, even in the absence of melanization, directs melanosome shape either via synthesis and deployment of agouti‐locus‐encoded matrix proteins or by other structural factors. The additive effects of Ay and c2J alleles in compound YA mutants document the importance of specific interactions both functional and structural between agouti and albino loci.
Protein‐Kinase C Mediates MCH Signal Transduction in Teleost, Synbranchus marmoratus, Melanocytes
Authors: ABRÃO MARIA SILVIA , CASTRUCCI ANA MARIA DE L. , HADLEY MAC E. , HRUBY VICTOR J. 
Published: July 2006

MCH (melanin concentrating hormone) is a heptadecapeptide, Asp‐Thr‐Met‐Arg‐Cys‐Met‐Val‐Gly‐Arg‐Val‐Tyr‐Arg‐Pro‐Cys‐Tip‐Glu‐Val, which stimulates melanosome (melanin granule) aggregation to a perinuclear position within teleost fish integumental melanocytes, resulting in lightening of the skin. The mechanisms of action of MCH are unknown.Drugs that affect the diacylglycerol/inositol triphosphate pathway were used to investigate the possible roles of this pathway in the mechanisms of action of MCH on Synbranchus marmoratus (teleost) melanocytes. The shift of the dose‐response curve to MCH in the presence of various concentrations of 4‐bromophenacyl bromide and neomycin sulphate, phospholipase C inhibitors, suggests that phospholipase C is stimulated after MCH receptor activation. Low concentrations (10−9 to 10−8 M) of the phorbol ester TPA exhibited MCH‐like activity, eliciting a dose‐dependent melanosome aggregation. Higher doses, however, displaced to the right the dose‐response curve to MCH, as did the protein kinase C inhibitors, dibucaine and 1‐(5‐isoquinolinylsulfonyl)‐2‐methylpiperazine (H‐7). These results support the assumption that protein kinase C mediates the pigment aggregating activity of MCH.Both MCH and norepinephrine lightening actions were abolished by beta‐glycerophosphate, a phosphatase inhibitor, suggesting that a protein dephosphorylation occurs during melanosome aggregation, and is, therefore, a common event triggered by MCH and norepinephrine, although both agonists act through separate receptors and exhibit different transduction mechanisms.
Production of [14C]‐Labeled 3‐Hydroxy‐L‐Kynurenine in a Butterfly, Heliconius charitonia L. (Heliconidae), and Precursor Studies in Butterfly Wing Ommatins
Authors: KOCH P. BERNHARDT 
Published: July 2006

A method was developed to produce radiolabeled 3‐hydroxy‐L‐kynurenine by injection of [14C]‐L‐tryptophan into pupae of the heliconid butterfly, Heliconius charitonia, which was converted into [14C]‐3‐hydroxy‐L‐kynurenine and deposited as a wing pigment. Extractions of 3‐hydroxykynurenine (3‐OHK) with 60% methanol from wings yielded in 14.4 μg per mg dry weight. In extracts from yellow wing areas, 3‐OHK represented 100% of detectable amino acids. Resulting specific radioactivity of [14C]‐3‐OHK was between 0.05 and 0.07 mCi/mmol when 0.5 μCi [14C]‐tryptophan was injected into pupae 1 or 2 days before emergence of the butterfly.Incorporation of [14C]‐3‐OHK into wing ommochromes was studied in nymphalid butterflies, Araschnia levana and Precis coenia. After injection into pupae [I4C]‐3‐OHK as well as [14C]‐tryptophan were specifically incorporated into red and red‐brown wing scales as shown by autoradiography. The same incorporation occurred in isolated wings after incubation in Grace's medium containing [14C]‐3‐OHK. In Araschnia levana, [14C]‐3‐OHK offered to left wing pairs was incorporated into dihydroxanthommatin six times more effectively than [14C]‐tryptophan offered to right wing pairs from the same specimen. Therefore, 3‐OHK seems to be the ultimate precursor of wing ommatins.
Does Melanin Turnover Occur in the Eyes of Adult Vertebrates?
Authors: SCHRAERMEYER ULRICH 
Published: July 2006

This paper is a review of what is known about the turnover of melanin in iris, choroid, and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of the adult vertebrate eye. Differences in size and structure of choroideal and retinal pigment epithelial melanin granules are shown by electron micrographs. The classical stages of melanin synthesis, including the premelanosome, are shown in the RPE of adult hamsters that had been exposed to intense light. Degradation or synthesis of melanin also seem to occur in the melanocytes of the choroid in these animals.It is postulated that all three pigmented eye tissues (iris, RPE, and choroid) of adult vertebrates form melanin granules in vivo. However, nothing is known about the amount of this turnover.
Effects of Odorants on Pigment Aggregation and cAMP in Fish Melanophores
Authors: KARLSSON JAN OLOF G. , SVENSSON SAMUEL P.S. , MÅRTENSSON LENA G.E. , ÖDMAN SVANTE , ELWING HANS , LUNDSTRÖM K. INGEMAR 
Published: July 2006

Odor perception within olfactory neuroepithelium and pigment translocation within melanophores both seem to rely on a cAMP‐based second messenger system.From studies on cultured frog melanophores, Lerner et al. (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:261‐264, 1988) suggested that some aspect of odor perception may be mediated by a nonspecific mechanism whose signal is transduced by a cAMP‐based second messenger system.In the present study, odorants (β‐ionone, benzylaldehyde, cineole, cinnamaldehyde, and octanol), which previously have been shown to stimulate formation of cAMP in the olfactory neuroepithelium, were investigated for possible pigment dispersing and cAMP‐increasing effects. Pretreatment of fish melanophores with the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin (1 μM) resulted in an approximately 300% increase in cAMP and an almost complete blockage of noradrenaline‐induced pigment aggregation. However, none of the tested odorants were able to increase the cAMP level and only cinnaldehyde and β‐ionone were found to have any pigment dispersing activity.
Growth of Neural Crest Cells In Vitro Is Enhanced By Extracts From Silky Fowl Embryonic Tissues
Authors: LECOIN LAURE , MERCIER PASCALE , DOUARIN NICOLE M. LE 
Published: July 2006

In the Silky Fowl (SF) breed of chicken, most of the internal organs are infiltrated with melanocytes. Previous studies have shown that this generalized mesodermal pigmentation is not due to a cell autonomous abnormality of the melanocytes but to environmental factors able to promote both the homing of pigment cell precursors in abnormal embryonic sites and their proliferation and differentiation.To analyse the mode of these environmental cues, we tested the effect of SF embryo extract (SFEE) on cultured quail neural crest cells as compared with that of EE from normal chickens of the JA57 strain (JA57EE). We found that SFEE enhances crest cell proliferation as judged by 3H‐TdR incorporation and cell counting. In contrast, no effect of SFEE was observed either on the proportion of cultured cells that are engaged into the melanocytic differentiation pathway or on the amount of melanin produced by each differentiated pigment cell. The simple observation, however, reveals that SFEE has a significant effect on pigmentation of the cultured quail neural crest cells. This effect has therefore to be accounted for by the general increase in cell number induced by SFEE. The question is raised as to whether the in vivo SF phenotype is generated exclusively by this mechanism.
Atypical Androgen Receptor in the Human Melanoma Cell Line IIB‐MEL‐J
Authors: MORVILLO VERÓNICA , LUTHY ISABEL A. , BRAVO ALICIA I. , CAPURRO MARIANA I. , DONALDSON MÓNICA , QUINTANS CARLOS , CALANDRA RICARDO S. , MORDOH JOSÉ 
Published: July 2006

To evaluate the presence of androgen receptors in the human melanoma cell line IIBMEL‐J, a Scatchard plot analysis was performed. Cells in culture revealed a single binding component with an apparent dissociation constant (KD) at 37°C of 11 nM and a binding capacity of 326 fmol/mg protein when measured with [3H]‐R1881. Competition analysis revealed an atypical relaxation of specificity, since not only androgen (testosterone, dihydrotestosterone [DHT], R1881) and antiandrogen (hydroxy‐flutamide [OH‐FLU]) competed for [3H]‐R1881 binding, but also estradiol, progesterone, and cortisol at 500‐fold excess concentration. Binding of [3H]‐estradiol and [3H]‐R5020 in the absence of unlabeled DHT were completely suppressed in its presence. Immunohistochemistry of androgen receptor with a monoclonal antibody showed that nuclei were vigorously stained.Different doses of flutamide (FLU) and OH‐FLU tested on cultured IIB‐MEL‐J cells in the presence of serum inhibited significantly cell proliferation in a dose‐dependent manner. When cells were incubated with 10 nM DHT and 1%charcoal‐adsorbed serum, a significant stimulation of growth that was observed was inhibited by 4 μM OH‐FLU. DHT stimulation was completely reversed by the antiestrogen tamoxifen.In addition, male nude mice transplanted with IIB‐MEL‐J tumor were treated with FLU when tumors were palpable. FLU was effective in diminishing tumor growth and increasing survival rate of the animals.As a conclusion, the presence of functional androgen receptors in these cells has been demonstrated by growth inhibition in vitro and in vivo with antiandrogens, and their atypical nature is suggested by binding cross‐reactivity and competition studies.
X‐Ray Microanalysis and Phagocytotic Activity of Cultured Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells in Hypoxia
Authors: AKEO KIYOSHI , FUJIWARA TATSUSHI , YORIFUJI HIROSHI , OKISAKA SHIGEKUNI 
Published: July 2006

Purpose: To investigate the influence of the functional and morphological changes induced in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells by retinal ischemia, we evaluated the phagocytotic activity, the concentration of various elements, and ultrastructure in cultured RPE cells in hypoxia.Methods: The concentrations of oxygen in incubators were adjusted to 20, 10, and 1% by the addition of nitrogen for 72 hr. To observe phagocytotic activity and its relationship to actin filaments, the filaments of RPE cells incubated with fluoresbrite carboxylate YG microspheres were stained with rhodamine phalloidin. Some of the specimens were subjected to X‐ray microanalysis by scanning electron microscope after being fixed, freeze‐dried, and coated with carbon to investigate the cytoplasmic concentration of elements. A part of the latter specimens was also observed by transmission electron microscope after being embedded in epon and cut into ultrathin sections to see the ultra‐structural changes inside cell.Results: Lowering oxygen concentrations from 20% to 1% swelled RPE cells and decreased the number of fluoresbrite carboxylate YG microspheres phagocytized by RPE cells. Phagocytosis of a large amount of latex beads (30 μl) for 24 hr in 1% oxygen caused a disruption of RPE cells. Na, S, and P were detected in RPE cells cultured in 20% oxygen. Reducing the oxygen concentration from 20 to 10 or 1% significantly decreased Na and increased S. Mitochondria were observed in RPE cells in 20 and 10% oxygen, but many vacuoles were observed in the cytoplasm in 1% oxygen.Conclusion: Hypoxia as low as 1% oxygen induced malfunction of phagocytosis and the fragility of RPE cells. We could speculate the imbalance of the electrolytes such as Na or a decrease of antioxidants such as glutathione containing S as a reason of disturbance of cell viability.
Involvement of Pteridines in the Body Coloration of the Isopod Armadillidium vulgare
Authors: NEGISHI SUMIKO , HASEGAWA YURIKO , KATOH SETSUKO 
Published: July 2006

The pteridine content was measured as a function of age in Armadillidium vulgare, and the fine structure of the pteridine‐containing granules in the integument was examined in relation to pteridine content. Yellow chromatophores are an essential component of the cream‐markings, which are a defining feature of the female A. vulgare. Four kinds of pteridines in the integument including a yellow pigment (sepiapterin) were determined by HPLC.The body color of the red phenotype of A. vulgare varies from dark red to yellowish red and was formerly thought to be due to the quality and quantity of ommochrome pigment. Our analysis of the pteridine content in the integument of this phenotype revealed a significant change in sepiapterin content per body weight with age. Sepiapterin content per body weight decreased gradually with age, while that of biopterin tended to increase with age. Ultrastructural observations of the pigment granules in the yellow chromatophores revealed a corresponding change in the fine structure of pigment granules. In the older adults, some of the electron‐dense fibrous materials in the pteridine‐containing granules was concentrically arranged, and in the younger adults, most of pteridine‐containing granules were electron‐lucent. The role of pteridine quality in determining the structure of pteridine‐containing granules is discussed.
Electron Microscopy and Spectroscopical Studies on the Coloured Patches on the Wing of a Butterfly, Graphium sarpedon (Lepidoptera: Papillionidae) With Reference to Their Photobiological and Electrical Properties
Authors: DEY S. , HOOROO R.N.K. , BHATTACHARJEE C.R. 
Published: July 2006

The surface ultra‐structural features of the coloured patches on the wing of a butterfly Graphium sarpedon have been studied with the help of scanning electron microscopy. Comparisons have been made between the dark brown area and the light green patches of the wing. A diffraction grating pattern with 15 lines per μm2 with a uniform spacing of about 1 μm is present in the light green patches. A slightly coarser grating is present on the dark brown area, which constitutes the major portion of the wing. Sensilla chaetica was found on both the light green and dark brown area. A special type of sensilla trichodea with a big socket and some elongated projections were localized only on the light green patches. This region of the wing also contains some spherical structures with a diameter of 0.5 to 0.6 μm.The infra‐red spectroscopy has revealed some differences in the nature and position of the peaks in the low‐energy region in the dark brown area and the light green patches. The atomic absorption spectroscopy also shows qualitative as well as quantitative differences in the inorganic set up of the two regions. The electron spin resonance spectroscopy reveals the presence of a peak in the dark brown region only, indicating the presence of free radical in it. The differences observed in the ultra‐structural and spectroscopical features, and also in the inorganic components of the two regions, are discussed in relation to their physical and physiological properties.
Epidermal Oxidative Stress in Vitiligo
Authors: PASSI SIRO , GRANDINETTI MAURO , MAGGIO FRANCESCO , STANCATO ANDREA , DE LUCA CHIARA 
Published: July 2006

Epidermal levels of enzymatic and non‐enzymatic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), vitamin E (Vit E), ubiquinol (CoQ10H2), and reduced glutathione (GSH), as well as polyunsaturated fatty acids of phospholipids (PL‐PUFA), were evaluated in the affected epidermis of 15 patients with active vitiligo (AVP) and in the corresponding epidermis of 15 healthy phototype matched controls. The epidermal levels of CoQ10H2, Vit E, GSH, and CAT activity were significantly reduced in AVP and were associated with a marked increase of oxidized glutathione, whereas SODs and GSH‐Px activities and ubiquinone concentration remained similar to control values. Antioxidant deficiency, in particular the decline of lipophilic antioxidants, i. e., CoQ10H2 and Vit E, accounts well for PL‐PUFA reduction observed in vitiligo epidermis, mainly affecting C18: 3 n‐3, C20: 3 n‐6, C20: 4 n‐6, and C22: 6 n‐3 fatty acids and suggesting the occurrence of a lipoperoxidative process.In conclusion, both an imbalance of the intracellular redox status and a significant depletion of enzymatic and non‐enzymatic antioxidants feature the epidermis of AVP, and represent a fingerprint of an abnormal oxidative stress leading to epidermal cell injury.
Effects of Fluorescent Light on Growth of Bovine Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells In Vitro Incubated with Linoleic Acid or Linoleic Acid Hydroperoxide
Authors: AKEO KIYOSHI , MIYAMOTO HIROTOMO , OKISAKA SHIGEKUNI , HIRAMITSU TADAHISA 
Published: July 2006

Light‐induced peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) may generate lipid hydroperoxides, which may have toxic effects on retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in vitro. We investigated the effects of cool‐white fluorescent light on the RPE cells incubated with linoleic acids (LA) or linoleic acid hydroperoxides (LHP) and the influence of antioxidative enzymes.We measured the bovine RPE cell number after exposure to fluorescent light (610 and 1,200 lux) in the presence of LA or LHP. Furthermore, the effects of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase on LA‐ or LHP‐treated RPE cells were also examined.Both LA and LHP treatment increased RPE cell number under weak illumination (610 lux), but dose‐dependently decreased the number of cells exposed to strong illumination (1,200 lux). With exposure to strong illumination, LA caused a greater reduction in RPE cell number than LHP. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the number of RPE cells was significantly decreased in a manner dependent on the interactions of the illuminance of light and the concentrations of LA or LHP. The antioxidative enzymes significantly ameliorated the damage to RPE cells from LA or LHP and exposure to light.Therefore, the exposure to fluorescent light augmented the cytotoxic effects of LA and LHP on RPE cells, and this effect is likely to be mediated by reactive oxygen species.
The Rationale of the Rule That Forbids a Lawyer To Be Advocate and Witness in the Same Case
Authors: Enker Arnold N. 
Published: July 2006

A long accepted canon of professional ethics forbids a lawyer to appear in a particular matter in the dual role of advocate and witness for his client. As Disciplinary Rule 5-101(B) of the American Bar Association's Code of Professional Responsibility states:A lawyer shall not accept employment in contemplated or pending litigation if he knows or it is obvious that he or a lawyer in his firm ought to be called as a witness….
Advertising and the Price and Quality of Legal Services: The Case for Legal Clinics
Authors: Muris Timothy J. , McChesney Fred S. 
Published: July 2006

Because the holding in Bates v. State Bar of Arizona is narrow and because some lawyers remain opposed to advertising, the dispute over lawyer advertising continues. Many who favor restricting advertising contend that it will not benefit consumers. They argue that prices must either rise to cover the cost of advertising or, if prices do fall, that quality must also drop.This article addresses itself to both charges. The first section is theoretical, demonstrating how advertising could lower the costs of producing legal services. Advertising increases the volume of services a lawyer can expect to sell. Greater volume, in turn, allows greater specialization in production, more effective use of systems management, and the substitution of paralegals and capital for lawyer inputs. The authors argue that each of these changes will lower costs, thereby lowering prices without necessarily reducing quality. The second section is empirical, comparing the prices and particularly the quality of services produced by a heavy advertiser, the Legal Clinic of Jacoby & Meyers, and the traditional firms in the Los Angeles market with which the clinic competes. Quality is defined both subjectively and objectively, and original data are presented indicating that the quality of service that the clinic supplies is at least equivalent, and on some measures better, than the quality of service that traditional firms provide.