bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Entamoeba histolytica cysteine protease 2 (EhCP2) modulates leucocyte migration by proteolytic cleavage of chemokines
Authors: Pertuz Belloso S. , Ostoa Saloma P. , Benitez I. , Soldevila G. , Olivos A. , García‐Zepeda E. 
Published: October 2004

SUMMARY Human amoebiasis is a disease produced by infection with the protozoan Entamoeba histolytica currently affecting many millions of people worldwide. Amoebic colitis is the most common clinical manifestation. Host protective immunity involves participation of both humoral and cellular responses. However, the mechanisms involved in immune evasion are not clear and remain under investigation. One of these mechanisms could be associated with the ability of parasite proteases to modulate or interfere with the inflammation process, which is initiated by expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as chemokines. To further clarify the potential role of cysteine proteases in modulating chemokine‐mediated functions, we have analysed the ability of Entamoeba histolytica cysteine protease 2 (EhCP2) to have an effect on the chemotaxis of leucocytes by chemokine cleavage. We find that EhCP2 is capable of cleaving chemokines CCL2, CCL13 and CXCL8, and the resulting proteolysis products modulate the chemotaxis of leucocytes when compared to that induced by intact chemokine. Thus, the extracellular activity of the cysteine proteases affects chemokine‐mediated responses and could be considered as part of the mechanisms used by Entamoeba histolytica to circumvent the host immune responses.
Establishment ofNeospora caninumantigen‐specific T cell lines of primarily CD4+T cells
Authors: Tuo W. , Davis W. C. , Fetterer R. , Jenkins M. , Boyd P. C. , Gasbarre L. C. , Dubey J. P. 
Published: October 2004

SUMMARYNeosporosis is an important cause of pregnancy loss in cattle worldwide. Protective immunity againstNeospora caninuminfection may include both cell‐mediated (CMI) and humoral immune responses. This study was to establish short‐term antigen‐specific T cell lines composed of primarily CD4+T cells from peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of infected cows, which may be used to identify immunodominant antigens for the development ofN. caninumvaccines. CrudeN. caninumtachyzoite antigen was prepared fromin vitroderivedN. caninumtachyzoites. Multiple T cell lines were established and maintained for 11 weeks by weekly re‐stimulation withN. caninumantigen and antigen‐presenting cells. All cell lines responded highly to antigen between weeks 3 and 11. Phenotypically, these cells were composed primarily of CD4+T cells between weeks 2–8, with a gradual expansion of gamma/delta+T cells thereafter. The results indicate thatN. caninum‐specific T cell lines can be established and maintained without exogenous T cell growth factors and may be used to identifyN. caninumantigens. This research will enhance our understanding of bovine CMI to neosporosis and may facilitate development of a proven neosporosis vaccine.
Skp2 and p27kip1 expression in melanocytic nevi and melanoma: an inverse relationship*
Authors: Li Qing , Murphy Michael , Ross Jeffrey , Sheehan Christine , Carlson J. Andrew 
Published: October 2004

Background:  S‐phase kinase associated protein‐2 (Skp2) ubiquitin ligase p45SKP2 is important in the degradation of p27kip1 (a cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor) and progression through the G1‐S cell‐cycle checkpoint. Low levels of p27 and high levels of Skp2 are related to poor prognosis in some cancers.Methods:  Clinicopathologic features and immunohistochemical expression of Skp2 and p27kip1 were investigated in 198 melanocytic proliferations: 21 melanocytic nevi, 23 melanoma in situ, 119 primary melanoma, and 35 metastatic melanoma samples. Comparative and survival analyses were performed.Results:  Progressive and significant increases and decreases in the nuclear expression of Skp2 and p27kip1, respectively, was identified moving from melanocytic nevi (0.05 ± 0.2/85 ± 15) to melanoma in situ (3 ± 2/45 ± 20) to primary cutaneous melanoma (12 ± 9/30 ± 25) to metastatic melanoma (25 ± 15/15 ± 20) (p ≤ 0.006). Expression of these proteins also significantly correlated with increasing American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) T (tumor) classification and AJCC stage (p ≤ 0.01). Moreover, the level of these two proteins exhibited a significant inverse relationship (r = −0.4, p = 0.0001). Skp2 cytoplasmic labeling index of >20% predicted worse 10‐year overall survival (38% vs. 86%, p = 0.04) in primary melanoma. Neither p27 nor Skp2 nuclear expression impacted significantly on prognosis.Conclusions:  Gain of Skp2 and loss of p27kip1 protein expression are implicated in melanoma progression where the level of p27kip1 may be regulated by targeted proteolysis via Skp2. Cytoplasmic expression of Skp2 defines a subset of aggressive melanomas and could represent another pathway of deregulation of the cell cycle.
Analysis of p53 and bcl‐2 protein expression in the non‐tumorigenic, pretumorigenic, and tumorigenic keratinocytic hyperproliferative lesions
Authors: Hussein Mahmoud R. , Al‐Badaiwy Zaeneb H. , Guirguis Marcelle N. 
Published: October 2004

Background:  The hyperproliferative keratinocytic lesions encompass a wide range of non‐tumorigenic, pretumorigenic, and tumorigenic conditions. The aim of this work was to examine the expression patterns of apoptosis‐linked molecules (bcl‐2 and p53) in these lesions.Methods:  Immunoperoxidase staining methods were applied to analyze p53 and bcl‐2 protein expression in a total of 66 cases, including 12 squamous cell carcinomas (both in situ and invasive SCC), 11 actinic keratoses (AK), 13 psoriasis vulgaris (PV), eight verruca vulgaris (VV), six chronic dermatitis (CD), five seborrheic keratosis (SK), four lichen planus (LP), three epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EDV), two condyloma acuminata (CA), two lichen simplex chronicus (LSC), and 10 specimens from normal skin.Results:  As compared to normal skin (0.70 ± 0.26), the bcl‐2 average weighted scores in the non‐tumorigenic (0.76 ± 0.16), pretumorigenic (1.45 ± 0.28), and tumorigenic lesions (2.83 ± 0.50 and 2.92 ± 0.50 for in situ and invasive SCC, respectively) showed significant up‐regulation (p = 0.001). In the non‐tumorigenic lesions, the bcl‐2 expression values decreased in the following order: SK > EDV > CD > LP > CA > PV > VV (1.40 ± 0.24 > 1.33 ± 0.67 > 0.83 ± 0.40 > 0.67 ± 0.21 > 0.50 ± 0.20 > 0.46 ± 0.22 > 0.13 ± 0.01, respectively). As compared to normal skin (1.10 ± 0.23), the p53 average weighted scores in the non‐tumorigenic (1.86 ± 0.18), pretumorigenic (3.64 ± 0.53), and tumorigenic lesions (5.00 ± 1.00 and 5.08 ± 0.86 for in situ and invasive SCC, respectively) showed significant up‐regulation (p = 0.021). In the non‐tumorigenic lesions, p53 average weighted scores decreased in the following order: SK > PV > CA > LP > CD > VV > EDV (3.20 ± 0.49 > 2.38 ± 0.27 > 2.0 ± 0.0 > 1.83 ± 0.48 > 1.0 ± 0.37 > 1.0 ± 0.33 > 1.0 ± 0.0, respectively). There was a positive correlation between bcl‐2 and p53 protein expression in normal skin (r = 0.966, p = 0.0001), non‐tumorigenic (r = 0.775, p = 0.0001), pretumorigenic (r = 0.830, p = 0.001), and tumorigenic lesions (r = 0.757, p = 0.003).Conclusions:  Bcl‐2 and p53 proteins are altered in the keratinocytic hyperproliferative lesions. Determination of whether these alterations reflect underlying gene mutations will require further investigations.
Evaluation of anti‐thrombomodulin antibody as a tumor marker for vascular neoplasms
Authors: Manning Trey , Smoller Bruce R. , Horn Thomas D. , El Darouti Mohammad , Marzouk S. , Hadidi H. E. , Ramadan S. 
Published: October 2004

Background:  Various endothelial markers are available for the evaluation of vascular tumors and malformations, including anti CD34, anti‐CD31, von Willebrand factor (vWF), and anti‐thrombomodulin (anti‐TM) antibodies. All have their limitations, and we sought to compare the utility of anti‐TM antibody as a marker for several types of vascular neoplasms vs. previously established endothelial markers.Methods:  We examined immunostaining profiles of 30 capillary hemangiomas, 10 pyogenic granulomas, five tufted angiomas, 17 Kaposi's sarcomas, and nine angiosarcomas. Immunostains for TM, CD34, and vWF were carried out using a labeled streptavidin–biotin peroxidase detection system.Results:  Anti‐TM antibody showed moderately intense immunostaining in 89% of benign and malignant vascular neoplasms. Anti‐CD34 antibody showed moderate to diffuse immunostaining in 98% of vascular neoplasms, and vWF showed weak focal staining in 84% of all vascular neoplasms examined.Conclusion:  Anti‐TM antibody proved to be a sensitive marker for both benign and malignant vascular neoplasms. While not as sensitive as anti‐CD34, it may have some advantages in specificity that would make it a more reliable vascular tumor marker in certain situations.
Gene expression profiling of porokeratosis demonstrates similarities with psoriasis
Authors: Hivnor Chad , Williams Nathan , Singh Fiza , VanVoorhees Abby , Dzubow Leonard , Baldwin Donald , Seykora John 
Published: October 2004

Background:  Porokeratosis (PK) is a clinically heterogeneous entity associated with sharply demarcated, annular, or serpiginous lesions with a hyperkeratotic ridge. This disorder is associated with aberrant keratinocyte differentiation that histologically manifests as a stack of parakeratin termed the cornoid lamella; this structure represents the peripheral hyperkeratotic ridge of clinical lesions. Histologically, the keratinocytes forming the cornoid lamella demonstrate an altered differentiation program. However, the molecular basis of PK remains incompletely understood.Methods:  As a first step in characterizing PK at the molecular level, gene expression profiling was performed on a cornoid lamella isolated from a large, Mibelli‐type porokeratotic lesion. As a control, gene expression profiling of peripheral uninvolved epidermis was also performed. The gene expression profile of cornoid lamellar keratinocytes was compared with similar profiles obtained from a psoriatic plaque and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.Results:  Our study demonstrates a striking similarity between the gene expression profiles of PK and psoriasis. In addition, novel markers of the porokeratotic keratinocytes were identified, including keratin 16, S‐100 A8 and A9, and connexin 26.Conclusions:  This study supports the hypothesis that PK is a disorder of hyperproliferative keratinocytes exhibiting similarity at the molecular level to psoriasis. Consequently, some therapeutic modalities efficacious for psoriasis may be of benefit in PK.
Heat shock protein 27 is expressed in normal and malignant human melanocytes in vivo
Authors: Kang Steven H. , Fung Maxwell A. , Gandour‐Edwards Regina , Reilly Debra , Dizon Teresa , Grahn Jennifer , Isseroff R. Rivkah 
Published: October 2004

Background:  Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are a family of highly conserved proteins found ubiquitously in mammalian cells, believed to be regulators of normal cell physiology and the cellular stress response. In addition, the small 27‐kDa heat shock protein (HSP27) has previously been found to be a differentiation marker for keratinocytes and a prognostic marker associated with increased survival in certain cancerous tumors.Methods:  Using immunohistochemistry on routinely processed paraffin sections, we examined skin biopsies from 15 invasive melanomas, 13 intradermal nevi, and two compound nevi immunostained with a mouse monoclonal antibody to HSP27. In addition, cultured melanocytes were heat stressed at 45°C for 1 h and then fixed and immunostained in order to localize HSP27 expression intracellularly.Results:  We found cytoplasmic and strong perinuclear staining of HSP27 in melanocytes in normal skin, in melanomas, and in nevi. Nuclear reactivity was absent. In addition, in cultured non‐malignant melanocytes, HSP27 expression relocated from the cytoplasm to the nucleus with heat stress.Conclusions:  To our knowledge, this investigation is the first to demonstrate that HSP27 is expressed in melanocytes in normal skin, in nevi, and in non‐malignant cultured melanocytes.
Lymphatic vessel density is significantly increased in melanoma
Authors: Giorgadze T. A. , Zhang P. J. , Pasha T. , Coogan P. S. , Acs G. , Elder D. E. , Xu X. 
Published: October 2004

Background:  Melanoma is well known for its ability to involve regional lymph nodes in the early stage. However, the presence of lymphangiogenesis in melanoma is still controversial due to lack of lymphatic‐specific markers. The purpose of this study was to determine the intra‐ and peritumoral lymphatic vessel density (LVD) using a novel lymphatic vessel‐specific marker D2‐40 and compare it to general vessel density (GVD) as determined by CD31 immunostaining in a series of melanocytic lesions.Methods:  The intra‐ and peritumoral GVD and LVD were examined by immunohistochemistry using D2‐40 and CD31 antibodies in a series of melanocytic lesions.Results:  We found significantly higher intratumoral LVD in melanomas as compared to either common acquired or dysplastic nevi (p < 0.01). Although peritumoral LVD in melanoma and malignant melanoma in situ was higher compared to nevi, the difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.059). There was no significant difference in GVD among the various groups of melanocytic lesions.Conclusions:  Our results show that intratumoral LVD is significantly increased in melanomas compared to benign nevi. The higher intratumoral lymphatic density in invasive melanomas suggests that melanoma cells might promote lymphangiogenesis. In addition, assessment of intratumoral LVD may be potentially useful in the differential diagnosis of melanocytic lesions.
Adolescent alcohol misuse: methodological issues for enhancing treatment research
Authors: Colby Suzanne M. , Lee Christina S. , Lewis‐Esquerre Johanna , Esposito‐Smythers Christianne , Monti Peter M. 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACTAims The objective of this article is to present an overview of the current state of the field of adolescent alcohol treatment research and to discuss several priorities for future research directions.Method The authors identified trends in adolescent alcohol treatment research from multiple sources, including searches of the National Institutes of Health grantee listings, proceedings from annual meetings of the Research Society on Alcoholism and relevant English‐language journal articles available in MEDLINE and PSYCHLIT databases over the past decade.Research recommendations This field must build on its major strength, which has been its success in appreciating the unique developmental characteristics of adolescence and meaningfully incorporating them into adolescent alcohol treatment approaches. Priorities for future research include: empirically investigating the potential value of harm reduction approaches for promoting public health and reducing total harm for adolescents; developing efficacious interventions across a wide range of intensities and settings; increasing the reach and relevance of randomized treatment efficacy trials and their products, with a particular focus on enhancing the recruitment and retention of diverse treatment samples; increasing a focus on key individual difference variables such as co‐occurring diagnoses, that may serve as the basis for treatment tailoring; and exploration of the potential benefits of transdisciplinary research.
Motivational enhancement and other brief interventions for adolescent substance abuse: foundations, applications and evaluations
Authors: Tevyaw Tracy O’Leary , Monti Peter M. 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACTAims  To present a comprehensive review of the use of motivational enhancement and other brief interventions for substance use in adolescents.Methods  In this paper, we review the major theoretical foundations and influences of brief interventions (including motivational interviewing), consider developmental issues in its application for adolescents, discuss methodological issues in the design and implementation of brief interventions, including the assessment of treatment fidelity, evaluate and interpret the latest findings on brief interventions for adolescents and young people and discuss the issue of translating and exporting effective research into practice.Findings  Results from recent clinical trials using motivational interventions indicate that these approaches result in decreases in substance‐related negative consequences and problems, decrements in substance use and increased treatment engagement, with results particularly strong for those with heavier substance use patterns and/or less motivation to change.Conclusion  While results are promising, more research is needed to examine the essential elements of motivational interventions, for whom they work best, and their impact on developmental transitions during adolescence.
Family‐based therapies for adolescent alcohol and drug use: research contributions and future research needs
Authors: Liddle Howard A. 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACTObjective  To characterize the developmental status of the family‐based adolescent alcohol and drug treatment specialty by identifying and discussing research and clinical advances.Method  Selective and interpretative literature review and analysis.Study selection  Controlled trials and mechanisms of change studies of family‐based treatments for adolescent alcohol and drug misuse.Results  Clinical innovations of family‐based treatments include development of detailed therapy, training/supervision, and adherence manuals. Different family‐based treatments have been tested with success in controlled trials and process studies. Different versions of the same approach might vary on parameters such as treatment dose, setting, and client characteristics. Research advances include findings that engagement and retention rates for family‐based treatments are superior to standard treatment engagement/retention methods. Also, in clinical trials in which they are compared with alternative interventions, in the majority of studies, family‐based treatments produce superior and stable outcomes with significant decreases on target symptoms of alcohol and drug use, and related problems such as delinquency, school and family problems, and affiliation with substance abusing peers. Mechanisms of change studies support the theory basis of family‐based treatments. For instance, improvements in family interaction patterns coincide with decreases in core target alcohol and drug misuse symptoms.Conclusions  Once in the shadows of the adult substance abuse field, the adolescent substance abuse specialty has become a unique, clinically creative, and empirically‐based area. Research and clinical advances of family‐based treatments have implications for non‐family‐based interventions in the adolescent substance misuse treatment specialty.
Cross‐validation of the alcohol and cannabis use measures in the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs (GAIN) and Timeline Followback (TLFB; Form 90) among adolescents in substance abuse treatment
Authors: Dennis Michael L. , Funk Rodney , Godley Susan Harrington , Godley Mark D. , Waldron Holly 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACTAims  To examine the comparability, reliability and predictive validity of two instruments used to assess alcohol use and dependence: the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs (GAIN) and the Form 90 Timeline Followback (TLFB) method.Design, setting and participants  Adolescents (n = 101) admitted to a residential treatment program in the United States were interviewed at intake with the GAIN, and again within a week with a variation of TLFB, called Form 90. Alcohol and cannabis measures were compared and used to predict the number of past‐month substance abuse and dependence symptoms.Measurement  Self‐report measures of days of alcohol and cannabis use in the 90 days prior to intake, peak number of drinks/joints used, peak blood alcohol content (BAC) and alcohol and cannabis abuse and dependence symptom counts.Findings  Results revealed that the measures had: (a) excellent comparability (r = 0.7–0.8) across the two instruments; (b) deteriorating reliability after reported peak BAC levels exceeded 0.50 and peak joints exceeding 19; and (c) similar and strong relationships between use measures and the number of abuse/dependence symptoms across measures and instruments.Conclusions  In a sample of 101 adolescents who were admitted to residential treatment for alcohol or drug dependence, the corresponding measures from the two instruments produced comparable results. If the cross‐validation of these two measures generalizes to adolescents treated in out‐patient settings and other adolescent treatment populations, the GAIN and Form 90 may provide useful core alcohol measures for meta‐analyses.
Culturally sensitive substance abuse intervention for Hispanic and African American adolescents: empirical examples from the Alcohol Treatment Targeting Adolescents in Need (ATTAIN) Project
Authors: Gil Andrés G. , Wagner Eric F. , Tubman Jonathan G. 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACTAims  This study presents preliminary analyses examining the effects of an alcohol and other drug use (AOD) intervention with minority juvenile offenders. Furthermore, the study investigates the impact of cultural factors on baseline AOD use among Hispanic and African American youth, as well as on treatment outcome.Design, setting and participants  Participants were 213 juvenile offenders referred for treatment (mean age = 15.7 years), 97 of whom have completed treatment to date. The intervention was carried out in clinics placed within the neighborhoods in which the participants resided.Intervention  Alcohol Treatment Targeting Adolescents in Need (ATTAIN) is a controlled clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of a brief motivational, cognitive behavioral intervention, guided self‐change (GSC). Participants are assigned randomly to the individual format of guided self‐change (I‐GSC), the family involved format of guided self‐Change (F‐GSC), choice of one of these two, or a waiting list control condition. Only participants involved in active intervention are included in the present report.Measurements  Data were collected via structured face‐to‐face interviews. Alcohol and marijuana use measures were collected using the Time‐line Follow‐back interview (TLFB).Findings  There were significant reductions in alcohol and marijuana use for all ethnic groups from baseline to post‐intervention. Cultural factors (discrimination, acculturation, ethnic pride and cultural mistrust) were associated with pre‐intervention levels of alcohol and marijuana use. Among Hispanics, pre‐intervention level of substance use were higher among foreign‐born than US‐born youth. Analyses conducted with the US‐born Hispanic group showed that ethnic orientation and ethnic pride were associated positively with greater reductions in alcohol use.Conclusions  The intervention provided through ATTAIN appears to be effective with a multi‐ethnic population of juvenile delinquents. Cultural factors, such as ethnic orientation and ethnic mistrust, appear to constitute amenability to treatment factors, with US‐born Hispanic youth lower in acculturation responding better to the intervention.
Treasure!
Authors: Middleton Andrew ,   the Science Group
Published: October 2004

The word ‘treasure’ conjures an image of objects of silver and gold, perhaps encrusted with gemstones, and some treasures dug from the ground certainly match this image (Fig. 1). However, a theme that ran through the recent exhibition of Treasure at the British Museum was that the archaeological value of treasure does not depend only on its content of precious metals or gems. Many items recovered from archaeological sites are made from or include natural rocks, minerals and gemstones, so that geological and mineralogical techniques and interpretative approaches often make an essential contribution to their study. This article explores the role of scientific examination in realizing the full archaeological value of treasure.Group of items from a Roman hoard, found at Thetford. These objects are not in Treasure but may be seen in Gallery 49 of the British Museum.image