bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electrochemical Behavior of Chloranil Chemically Modified Carbon Paste Electrode. Application to the Electrocatalytic Determination of Ascorbic Acid
Authors: Ojani Reza , Raoof Jahan‐Bakhsh , Zamani Saeed 
Published: June 2005

AbstractA p‐chloranil modified carbon paste electrode was constructed and the electrochemical behavior of this electrode was studied in the aqueous solution with different pH. From the E1/2–pH diagram for this compound the values of formal potential E0' and pKa of some different redox and acid‐base couples depending on the solution pH were estimated. The diffusion coefficient, D, value for p‐chloranil was estimated 1.5×10−7 cm2 s−1. It has been shown by direct current cyclic voltammetry and double potential step chronoamperometry, that this p‐chloranil incorporated carbon paste electrode, can catalyze the oxidation of ascorbic acid in the aqueous buffered solution. Under the optimum condition (pH 7.00), the oxidation of ascorbic acid at the surface of such an electrode occurs at a potential about 325 mV less positive than that at an unmodified carbon past electrode. The catalytic oxidation peak currents was linearly dependent on the ascorbic acid concentration and a linear calibration curve was obtained in the range of 7×10−5 M–4×10−3 M of ascorbic acid with a correlation coefficient of 0.9998. The limit of detection (3σ) was determined as 3.5×10 −5 M. This method was used as simple, selective and precise voltammetric method for determination of ascorbic acid in pharmaceutical preparations.
Forecasting international bandwidth capability
Authors: Madden Gary , Coble‐Neal Grant 
Published: June 2005

AbstractM‐competition studies provide a set of stylized recommendations to enhance forecast reliability. However, no single method dominates across series, leading to consideration of the relationship between selected data characteristics and the reliability of alternative forecast methods. This study conducts an analysis of predictive accuracy in relation to Internet bandwidth loads. Extrapolation techniques that perform best in M‐competitions perform relatively poorly in predicting Internet bandwidth loads. Such performance is attributed to Internet bandwidth data exhibiting considerably less structure than M‐competition data. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Model uncertainty, thick modelling and the predictability of stock returns
Authors: Aiolfi Marco , Favero Carlo A. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractRecent financial research has provided evidence on the predictability of asset returns. In this paper we consider the results contained in Pesaran and Timmerman (1995), which provided evidence on predictability of excess returns in the US stock market over the sample 1959–1992. We show that the extension of the sample to the nineties weakens considerably the statistical and economic significance of the predictability of stock returns based on earlier data. We propose an extension of their framework, based on the explicit consideration of model uncertainty under rich parameterizations for the predictive models. We propose a novel methodology to deal with model uncertainty based on ‘thick’ modelling, i.e. on considering a multiplicity of predictive models rather than a single predictive model. We show that portfolio allocations based on a thick modelling strategy systematically outperform thin modelling. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is birth history the key to highly educated women's higher breast cancer mortality? A follow‐up study of 500,000 women aged 35–54
Authors: Strand Bjørn Heine , Tverdal Aage , Claussen Bjørgulf , Zahl Per‐Henrik 
Published: June 2005

AbstractA positive relationship has been found between high levels of education and breast cancer mortality. The aim of our study is to determine if the educational gradient in breast cancer mortality persists after adjustment for reproductive history. Register data including the total adult population in Norway were used. A total of 512,353 Norwegian women 35–54 years of age at the Norwegian Census in 1990 were followed with respect to breast cancer deaths until December 31, 2001. The analysis included 2,052 breast cancer deaths in 5.6 million person years. Educational differences in breast cancer mortality were analysed using Cox regression. The age adjusted relative risk of dying from breast cancer for women with >12 years of education compared to women with <10 years was 1.25 (95% confidence limits [CI] = 1.10–1.41). Adjustment for age at first birth with nulliparous as reference category reduced this difference to 1.08 (95% CI = 0.95–1.23). For parous women, age at first birth explained all the educational difference in breast cancer mortality. Among nulliparous women there was a larger positive educational gradient in breast cancer mortality than among parous women (relative risk [RR] = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.15–2.13), indicating that there were differences in other confounders than birth history among the childless. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
FTY720, a fungus metabolite, inhibits in vivo growth of androgen‐independent prostate cancer
Authors: Chua Chee‐Wai , Lee Davy Tak‐Wing , Ling Ming‐Tat , Zhou Chun , Man Kwan , Ho Joanna , Chan Franky L. , Wang Xianghong , Wong Yong‐Chuan 
Published: June 2005

AbstractFTY720, a derivative of fungus, has demonstrated dramatic anticancer effect in several malignancies recently. Our study evaluates the therapeutic potential of FTY720 in the treatment of androgen‐independent prostate cancer using a human prostate cancer xenograft in nude mice. CWR22R, an androgen‐independent human prostate tumor xenograft was inoculated into castrated nude mice and the animals were administrated with either normal saline or FTY720 (10 mg/kg) through intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection for 20 days. Body weight and tumor volume were recorded every 2 days, and serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels were also measured before and after the treatment. The effect of FTY720 on tumor cell proliferation was examined using antibodies against PCNA and Ki‐67 by immunohistochemical staining, MTT assay and colony forming assay, whereas apoptotic effect of FTY720 was evaluated by TUNEL assay and immunostaining using antibodies against cleaved caspase 3 and Bcl‐2. In addition, the potential inhibitory effect of FTY720 on prostate cancer angiogenesis and metastasis was investigated by immunostaining of CD31, VEGF, E‐cadherin and β‐catenin. Our results showed that FTY720 treatment led to suppression of CWR22R tumor growth without causing any detectable side effects in nude mice. The FTY720‐induced tumor suppression was correlated with decreased serum PSA level as well as reduced proliferation rate, suppression of angiogenic factors, and restoration of E‐cadherin and β‐catenin expression. In addition, the FTY720‐treated tumors showed increased apoptosis rate demonstrated by increased TUNEL‐ and cleaved caspase 3‐positive cells, and decreased Bcl‐2 expression. Our results suggest a potential novel agent in the suppression of androgen‐independent prostate cancer. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lifestyle habits as prognostic factors in survival of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer: A multicentric European study
Authors: Dikshit Rajesh P. , Boffetta Paolo , Bouchardy Christine , Merletti Franco , Crosignani Paolo , Cuchi Teresa , Ardanaz Eva , Brennan Paul 
Published: June 2005

AbstractLittle information is available on the role of tobacco, alcohol and diet in the survival of upper aero digestive cancers. Our study analysed the survival of 931 laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer patients, enrolled in a population based case‐control study conducted at 5 centres in southeast Europe during 1979–1982. Age at the time of diagnosis and site of origin of tumour were observed to be predictors of the survival. Cigarette smoking, and to a limited extent alcohol drinking, before the diagnosis of tumour seem to influence the overall survival whereas high intakes of vegetables and vitamin C were observed to favourably affect the prognosis. For mortality from upper aerodigestive cancer protective effects of high intakes of vegetables, fibres and vitamin C were observed. Our results support the hypothesis that there is a role for dietary intervention to improve survival of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer patients. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Incidence of intracranial meningiomas in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, 1968–1997
Authors: Klaeboe Lars , Lonn Stefan , Scheie David , Auvinen Anssi , Christensen Helle C. , Feychting Maria , Johansen Christoffer , Salminen Tiina , Tynes Tore 
Published: June 2005

AbstractIt has been reported that the incidence of meningioma increased in several industrialized countries in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The aim of this study was to evaluate the time trends in incidence of meningiomas in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, with emphasis on the age distribution and sex ratio. Information about cases of meningiomas in people aged 15–84 years was obtained from the cancer registries of these Nordic countries for the years 1968–1997, and estimates of person‐years at risk were calculated from information provided by the national population registries. Age‐specific incidence rates per 100,000 and incidence rate ratios were calculated for 3‐year periods. The female:male ratios were also evaluated. The combined incidence among men increased from 1.4 to 1.9 per 100,000 during the follow‐up period, the corresponding rates for women were 2.6 and 4.5. The female:male ratio increased over time for several age groups and was as high as 3.5:1 in the group aged 40–44 years in the latest follow‐up period (1993–1997). In summary, our results provide some support for the idea that the introduction of computed tomography in the late 1970s has had an impact on the detection of cases in people aged 60 and over. The decrease in the rate or detection postmortem has affected the incidence time trend, but it also coincides with widespread use of new imaging technologies. The increasing trend shown for the female:male ratio in the group aged 35–59 years is consistent with the possibility that increasing use of hormones may affect the incidence of meningiomas in women. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of Hap/BAG‐1 variants as RP1 binding proteins with antiapoptotic activity
Authors: Wadle Andreas , Mischo Axel , Henrich Philipp P. , Stenner‐Lieven Frank , Scherer Christoph , Imig Jochen , Petersen Gabriele , Pfreundschuh Michael , Renner Christoph 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThe MAPRE protein family (EB1, RP1, EB2) represents a highly conserved group of proteins that localize preferentially to the plus end of microtubules, both in the nucleus and cytoplasm. In addition, MAPRE family members are characterized by their capability to bind to the C‐terminus of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) protein and tubulin in order to stabilize microtubules. Apart from the interaction with APC and tubulin, no other direct binding partners are known today. Because the RP1 gene product was identified in activated T cells, we set out to search for new interacting molecules in a yeast 2‐hybrid system. We isolated a cDNA variant encoding for the antiapoptotic Hap/BAG‐1 protein truncated by 34 amino acids at the C‐terminus. In the original Hap/BAG‐1 protein, the C‐terminal domain is responsible for binding to Bcl‐2 and Hsp/Hsc70, which is believed to be the reason for its antiapoptotic activity. Although this putative Hap/BAG‐1 variant protein showed no interaction with Bcl‐2 or Hsp/Hsc70, it was perfectly able to confer resistance to apoptosis. Subcellular distribution analysis revealed that the Hap/Bag‐1 variant protein localized homogenously to the cytoplasm and shuttles into the nucleus in response to stress, a process that could be blocked by RP1 protein overexpression. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of pregnancy as a risk factor for breast cancer in BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation carriers
Authors: Cullinane Carey A. , Lubinski Jan , Neuhausen Susan L. , Ghadirian Parviz , Lynch Henry T. , Isaacs Claudine , Weber Barbara , Moller Pal , Offit Kenneth , Kim‐Sing Charmaine , Friedman Eitan , Randall Susan , Pasini Barbara , Ainsworth Peter , Gershoni‐Baruch Ruth , Foulkes William D. , Klijn Jan , Tung Nadine , Rennert Gad , Olopade Olufunmilayo , Couch Fergus , Wagner Teresa , Olsson Hakan , Sun Ping , Weitzel Jeffrey N. , Narod Steven A. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractEarly age at first birth and multiparity have been associated with a decrease in the risk of breast cancer in women in the general population. We examined whether this relationship is also present in women at high risk of breast cancer due to the presence of a mutation in either of the 2 breast cancer susceptibility genes, BRCA1 or BRCA2. We performed a matched case‐control study of 1,260 pairs of women with known BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations, recruited from North America, Europe and Israel. Women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer were matched with unaffected control subjects for year of birth, country of residence, and mutation (BRCA1 or BRCA2). Study subjects completed a questionnaire detailing their reproductive histories. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were derived by conditional logistic regression. Among BRCA1 carriers, parity per se was not associated with the risk of breast cancer (OR for parous vs. nulliparous = 0.94; 95% CI = 0.75–1.19; p = 0.62). However, women with a BRCA1 mutation and 4 or more children had a 38% decrease in breast cancer risk compared to nulliparous women (OR = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.41–0.94). In contrast, among BRCA2 carriers, increasing parity was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer; women with 2 or more children were at approximately 1.5 times the risk of breast cancer as nulliparous women (OR = 1.53; 95% CI = 1.01–2.32; p = 0.05). Among women with BRCA2 mutations and who were younger than age 50, the (adjusted) risk of breast cancer increased by 17% with each additional birth (OR = 1.17; 95% CI = 1.01–1.36; p = 0.03). There was no significant increase in the risk of breast cancer among BRCA2 carriers older than 50 (OR for each additional birth = 0.97; 95% CI = 0.58–1.53; p = 0.92). In the 2‐year period following a birth, the risk of breast cancer in a BRCA2 carrier was increased by 70% compared to nulliparous controls (OR = 1.70; 95% CI = 0.97–3.0). There was a much smaller increase in breast cancer risk among BRCA2 carriers whose last birth was 5 or more years in the past (OR = 1.24; 95% CI = 0.79–1.95). A modest reduction in risk of breast cancer was observed among BRCA1 carriers with 4 or more births. Among BRCA2 carriers, increasing parity was associated with a significant increase in the risk of breast cancer before age 50 and this increase was greatest in the 2‐year period following a pregnancy. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Breast‐feeding and childhood cancer: A systematic review with metaanalysis
Authors: Martin Richard M. , Gunnell David , Owen Christopher G. , Smith George Davey 
Published: June 2005

AbstractIt has been suggested that breast milk may play a role in the prevention of certain childhood cancers. We undertook a systematic review of published studies investigating the association between breast‐feeding and childhood cancers using Medline (1966 to June 2004), supplemented with autoalerts and manual searches. Analyses are based on odds ratios for specific cancers among those ever breast‐fed compared with those never breast‐fed, pooled using random‐effects models. Forty‐nine publications were potentially relevant; of these, 26 provided odds ratio estimates for at least one childhood cancer outcome and were included in metaanalyses. Overall, 92% of the studies were case‐control studies, 85% relied on long‐term recall of feeding history, only 8% examined breast‐feeding exclusivity and control response rates were under 80% in over half. Metaanalyses suggested lower risks associated with having been breast‐fed of 9% (95% CI = 2–16%) for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 24% (3–40%) for Hodgkin's disease and 41% (22–56%) for neuroblastoma, with little between‐study heterogeneity. The estimates for Hodgkin's disease and neuroblastoma, however, were driven by single studies. There was little evidence that breast‐feeding was associated with acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia, non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma, central nervous system cancers, malignant germ cell tumors, juvenile bone tumors, or other solid cancers. In conclusion, ever having been breast‐fed is inversely associated with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Hodgkin's disease and neuroblastoma in childhood, but noncausal explanations are possible. Even if causal, the public health importance of these associations may be small. Our estimates suggest that increasing breast‐feeding from 50% to 100% would prevent at most 5% of cases of childhood acute leukemia or lymphoma. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hormonal contraceptive use, pregnancy and parity, and the risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3 among oncogenic HPV DNA‐positive women with equivocal or mildly abnormal cytology
Authors: Castle Philip E. , Walker Joan L. , Schiffman Mark , Wheeler Cosette M. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractOral contraceptive (OC) use, hormonal contraceptive use and multiparity are potential risk factors for cervical precancer, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3 (CIN3), but a limited number of studies have adequately accounted for possible confounding effect of oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. To examine the relationships of these factors with CIN3, we conducted an analysis of women (n = 5,060) with minimally abnormal Pap smears who were enrolled in the ASCUS and LSIL Triage Study (ALTS), a clinical trial to evaluate management strategies. Cervical specimens collected at enrollment were tested for HPV DNA using 2 methods. Multivariate logistics regression models were used to assess associations (odds ratio [OR] with 95% confidence intervals [CI]) of the potential risk factors (e.g., OC use and parity) with testing oncogenic HPV positive among controls (<CIN2) (n = 4,114) and with rigorously reviewed cases of CIN3 identified throughout the study (n = 499) among women with oncogenic HPV (n = 3,126). Only former oral contraceptive use (OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.0–1.7) was associated marginally with having an oncogenic HPV infection among controls. Restricted to women with oncogenic HPV, current injectable hormonal contraceptive users were at an elevated risk of CIN3 (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.2–2.1) compared to women who never used them. Similarly, restricted to women with HPV16 infection, current users of injectable contraceptives were at a marginally elevated risk of CIN3 (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.0–2.3) compared to women who never used them. Oral contraceptive use, Norplant (implantable hormonal contraceptive) use, a history of pregnancy, age at first pregnancy, lifetime numbers of pregnancies and lifetime numbers of live births were not associated with CIN3. We conclude that only current injectable hormonal contraceptive use slightly elevated the risk (∼50%) of CIN3 in this young and low parity population of women with oncogenic HPV and minimally abnormal Pap smears but further confirmation of this relationship is needed. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with colon adenomatous polyps detected by high‐resolution colonoscopy
Authors: Mizuno Shigeto , Morita Yoshinori , Inui Toshio , Asakawa Akihiro , Ueno Naohiko , Ando Takashi , Kato Haruki , Uchida Mutsumi , Yoshikawa Toshikazu , Inui Akio 
Published: June 2005

AbstractHelicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is associated with the development of cancer in the stomach, but both positive and negative associations were reported with colorectal neoplasia. We sought to determine whether H. pylori is associated with colon neoplasia in Japanese population. We examined 332 patients who underwent routine high‐resolution total colonoscopy and serologic testing for IgG antibodies agonist H. pylori. Subjects who received cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibitors or previous eradication therapy and those with borderline titer levels were excluded from data analysis (n = 27). Seronegative control subjects were from the same study population to maximize the representativeness. There were no significant differences in age and gender between the 2 patient groups. A significant increase in the incidence of adenomatous polyps (p < 0.0001) and decrease in normal colonoscopic findings (p < 0.0005) were observed in seropositive patients than those seronegative. Our study indicates an etiological link of H. pylori infection to colorectal neoplasia and the need of routine colonoscopy in seropositive patients. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immunocytochemistry of the nervous system and the musculature of the chordoid larva of Symbion pandora (Cycliophora)
Authors: Wanninger Andreas 
Published: June 2005

AbstractTo date, the phylum Cycliophora comprises only one described extant species of acoelomate marine invertebrates, Symbion pandora. Adult specimens live commensally on the mouthparts of the Norwegian lobster, Nephrops norvegicus. Its complicated life cycle includes an asexually produced Pandora larva and a sexually produced chordoid larva. Despite detailed TEM investigations and its inclusion in recent molecular phylogenetic analyses, cycliophoran relationships still remain enigmatic. In order to increase the morphological database, I investigated the anatomy of the nervous system and the musculature of the chordoid larva by applying fluorescence‐coupled antibodies against the neurotransmitters serotonin and FMRFamide, as well as FITC‐coupled phalloidin to label filamentous F‐actin, in combination with confocal laser scanning microscopy. The FMRFamidergic nervous system shows a bilobed anterior ganglion and one pair of ventral nerve cords, while serotonin is distributed in a scattered pattern in the anterior ganglion. In addition, there are two pairs of ventral serotonergic nerves, of which the inner pair fuses with the outer nerve cords in the posterior third of the larva. The musculature comprises an outer layer of six units of circular body wall muscles, several helicoid muscle fibers, a set of paired longitudinal muscles that span the entire anterior–posterior axis of the larva, and a few oblique muscle strands. Furthermore, an anterior muscle complex and one pair of posterior muscles are present. The chordoid organ consists of a number of distinct subunits that are each formed by a dense layer of circular muscle fibers.The overall arrangement of the oblique and longitudinal muscles as well as the body wall musculature in the chordoid larva of Symbion pandora exhibits similarities with the condition found in certain rotifers. This is congruent with some recent phylogenies based on 18S rRNA sequences but additional morphological, developmental, and molecular data are needed to clarify the phylogenetic relationships of Cycliophora. J. Morphol. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.