bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
rHuEPO and Improved Treatment Outcomes: Potential Modes of Action
Authors: Blackwell Kimberly , Gascón Pere , Sigounas George , Jolliffe Linda 
Published: December 2004

Abstract

Learning Objectives
After completing this course, the reader will be able to:
Relate hypoxia to gene expression. Relate hypoxia to angiogenesis. Discuss the possible relationship between tissue hypoxia and metastatic potential.
Access and take the CME test online and receive one hour of AMA PRA category 1 credit atCME.TheOncologist.com
Within the past decade, clinical trials have shown that the presence of anemia can diminish the physical status, functional abilities, and overall quality of life (QOL) of cancer patients and can negatively influence the outcome of their treatment. However, recent preclinical and clinical studies have also shown that increasing hemoglobin levels by administering recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO, epoetin alfa) may ameliorate anemia and, in doing so, improve QOL and possibly result in better treatment outcomes following radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these modalities. Several mechanisms by which rHuEPO may improve treatment outcome have been proposed, including correction of tumor hypoxia, increased sensitivity of tumor cells to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, correction of anemia and its associated symptoms (particularly fatigue), and immune-modulated effects of rHuEPO on tumor growth. Improvement of tumor oxygenation by rHuEPO could affect treatment outcome in two ways. First, correction of hypoxia results in the downregulation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), a key regulator of cellular adaptive responses to hypoxia (e.g., angiogenesis), including many pathways that are important for tumor growth and metastasis. Interruption of the HIF-1 pathway not only limits growth of the primary tumor but also reduces the potential for the development of more aggressive tumors and metastatic spread, which could ultimately improve treatment outcome. Second, within the tumor, it is the hypoxic cells that are resistant to oxygen-dependent radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and improvement in their oxygenation would increase their sensitivity to the cytotoxic effects of such treatment.
Correction of anemia and its associated symptoms, particularly fatigue, can have a beneficial effect on patient QOL, and this in turn may translate into greater tolerance of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, allowing patients to receive full doses and on-schedule dosing, and thus have an increased likelihood of a therapeutic response. Lastly, results of a study using a murine model of multiple myeloma have indicated that rHuEPO may induce an immune-mediated antitumor effect. Therefore, additional research is warranted to further explore the biologic actions of rHuEPO and to determine their relevance to therapeutic outcome.
Assessment of Wastewater Impact on Groundwater by Hydraulic Soil Investigations
Authors: Mohrlok Ulf , Bücker‐Gittel Meike , Cata Cristina , Jirka Gerhard H. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThere is an unknown risk potential related to the uncontrolled wastewater infiltrations from damaged sewers into soils affecting groundwater quality. The possible transformation processes during subsurface migration of pollutants are not well understood in their interactions under field conditions. In order to quantify the water and mass fluxes from single sewer leaks to groundwater mainly the hydraulics of water and mass transport in the unsaturated soils were investigated by experimental and numerical methods. The recently developed numerical code WTM (Water and Transport Model) was applied to different scenarios, including a two‐dimensional experimental set‐up simulating the water content and concentration development from a leaking pipe. Fine‐grained soils because of their hydraulic parameters as well as high infiltration rates lead to a wider spreading of the seepage flow. Residence times related to unsteady infiltrations have been more depending on the initial water content than on infiltration rates. Analyses of the pore size distribution in soil columns exposed to long‐term wastewater infiltration indicated clogging effects due to chemical or microbial transformation processes.
Changes of Chemical and Biological Parameters in Soil Caused by Trickling Sewage
Authors: An Pinglin , Hua Jianmin , Franz Mathias , Winter Josef , Gallert Claudia 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe effect of leaking sewers on soil and groundwater was simulated by trickling sewage through 125 cm sand columns in the laboratory. The filtering effect of sludge and soil was tested and a detailed analysis of the soil and column effluent was performed after 3 months and 18 months. The trickling rates were highly variable. Sewage components that sedimented on top of the sand or were swept into the upper sand layers reduced the trickling rates to almost zero after a few days. However, biogas production by the anaerobic bacterial consortium in the sludge and upper soil layers periodically led to a significant increase of the trickling rates for a while, after the gas bubbles escaped and destroyed the dense sludge structure that restricted trickling with increasing trickling time. The COD elimination averaged 71.7…74 %. The total nitrogen content of the sewage was reduced after trickling through the sand column by 34 %. The column effluent contained mainly Norg and ammonia. Since the sand columns were not explicitly kept anaerobic, some oxygen was apparently available and little nitrite/nitrate was generated. As judged from the COD, TOC, or the total organic solids, the organic matter on the sand grains decreased rapidly and exponentially from top to bottom. This was in accordance with a decrease of the population density that was determined after resolution of the biofilm from the sand at different depth. More culturable bacteria per gram sand at every depth were found in the column that was run for 18 months than in the column that was run for only 3 months. This may be an indication for a less developed biofilm after 3 months in comparison to a more developed, thicker biofilm after 18 months. After trickling of sewage for 3 months the biofilm on the sand grains contained more aerobic bacteria, the biofilm that had developed after 18 months contained a higher portion of anaerobic bacteria.
Impact of Leaky Sewers on Groundwater Quality
Authors: Wolf Leif , Held Inka , Eiswirth† Matthias , Hötzl Heinz 
Published: December 2004

AbstractWastewater from defect sewers can affect groundwater quality. An assessment of this environmental impact for a city of 50 000 inhabitants (Rastatt, SW Germany) was done using marker species distributions, condition monitoring of the sewer network, lab‐scale analogy experiments, and specifically instrumented in‐situ test sites near defect sewers. The studies revealed elevated concentrations of iodated X‐ray contrast media (up to 360 ng/L amidotrizoic acid) and boron concentrations in the urban groundwater which are directly related to leaky sewers. Other common pharmaceuticals could not be detected in the groundwater. Observation wells were installed based on the information from a sewer defect database. These wells focusing on specific sewer leakages show significant changes in groundwater quality parameters.
Biodegradation and Bioclogging in the Unsaturated Porous Soil beneath Sewer Leaks
Authors: Fuchs Stephan , Hahn Hermann H. , Roddewig Jochen , Schwarz Martin , Turković Robertino 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAccording to the potential risk for soil and groundwater caused by wastewater exfiltration, the processes of retention, transport, and transformation in the surrounding of leaky sewers have been studied in detail. The importance of the microbial biomass and its spatial and temporal distribution are focused on in this paper. Considering two aspects i) degradation of wastewater compounds, ii) soil clogging, several experiments have been carried out under laboratory and full‐scale conditions.Besides the purification capacity the clogging of the pore space beneath a leak and its stability are essential to assess the long‐term impacts of exfiltrating wastewater on soil and groundwater. Deposition of particulate matter as well as microbial growth are responsible for decreasing pore space and hydraulic conductivity.According to the grain size of the soil, the water and mass flux, the availability of oxygen, and the filter length the removal rates vary in a wide range. For DOC from 30 to 73 % and for NH4+‐N from 0 to 99 % removal were observed.The influence of the microorganisms on soil clogging has been quantified by detecting the concentration of nucleic acids as an indicator for microbial biomass and activity. A correlation between the total biomass in the upper layers of soil and hydraulic conductivity could be drawn up.
Randomized trial comparing the Prolene® Hernia System, mesh plug repair and Lichtenstein method for open inguinal hernia repair
Authors: Nienhuijs S W , van Oort I , Keemers-Gels M E , Strobbe L J A , Rosman C 
Published: December 2004

Abstract

Background
Most surgeons favour the use of a mesh for open inguinal hernia repair as it has a low recurrence rate. Procedures used most frequently are the Lichtenstein method, mesh plug repair and the Prolene® Hernia System. The choice of technique may be influenced by the effects on postoperative pain and quality of life.

Methods
A total of 334 patients were allocated blindly and at random to receive one of these three meshes for open hernia repair. Quality of life was assessed with the Short Form 36 and pain by a visual analogue scale 14 days, and 3 and 15 months after surgery.

Results
Operative complications were rare and comparable between the groups. Long-term follow-up was completed by questionnaire in 95·8 per cent of patients. There were no significant differences in pain parameters between the three meshes; overall, 43·3 per cent of patients reported some form of groin pain. The severity of the chronic pain correlated with a higher pain score in the first 2 weeks after surgery (P &lt; 0·001). A significant reduction in scores for role emotional (short term) and vitality (long term) quality of life domains was found in patients who had a Lichtenstein repair.

Conclusion
These short- and long-term results did not show any clinically significant difference in postoperative pain and quality of life between the three types of mesh hernia repair. Severe early postoperative pain reliably predicted the likelihood of persisting chronic groin pain.
Spatial determinants in morphogenesis: Recovery from plasmolysis in the diatom Ditylum
Authors: Pollock Fiona M. , Pickett‐Heaps Jeremy D. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractDitylum cells are enclosed in a rigid wall consisting of two “valves” (end walls) connected by “girdle bands.” A hollow spine, the Labiate Process (LP), extends from each valve and a stable cytoplasmic strand connects its base with the nucleus. We investigated whether cells might possess “spatial determinants” for controlling their internal organization and wall morphogenesis. Upon plasmolysis, cells contracted into a spherical protoplast detached from the wall. Recovery was initiated by growing filopodia that “searched” the inside of the wall. Some attached to the inside corners, generating tension that could temporarily displace the protoplast. Others consolidated into the strand connecting nucleus with the LP. The protoplasts soon expanded and cells recovered: some divided immediately, the rest within 24 h. When recently divided cells were plasmolysed, their nascent valves were exocytosed. These were ignored by the filopodia during recovery. Later, protoplasts secreted a new valve, while the nascent valves were discarded. The interphase microtubule (MT) cytoskeleton radiates from a central Microtubule Center. A thicker bundle connects the nucleus to each LP. Plasmolysis destroyed the MT cytoskeleton; its re‐establishment matched growth of the filopodia. The anti‐MT drug oryzalin prevented filopodial extension while existing filopodia retracted, except those stabilized by attachment to the corners of the cell and the LP. Several anti‐actin agents had relatively little effect. However, one, mycalolide B, caused the nucleus to be extruded from the protoplast by a bundle of MTs. We conclude that the geometry of the wall could provide spatial information to which the MT‐cytoskeleton/filopodia respond. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 60:71–82, 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The genes and gene organization of the Ly49 region of the rat natural killer cell gene complex
Authors: Nylenna Øyvind , Naper Christian , Vaage John T. , Woon Peng Y. , Gauguier Dominique , Dissen Erik , Ryan James C. , Fossum Sigbjørn 
Published: December 2004

AbstractWe here report the cDNA sequences of 11 new rat Ly49 genes with full and three with incomplete open reading frames. Although obtained from different inbred rat strains, these as well as six previously published cDNA represent non‐allelic genes matching different loci in the Brown Norway (BN) rat genome, which is predicted to contain 34 Ly49 loci distributed over the distal part of the NK cell gene complex. Some of the cloned genes appear to be mutated to non‐function in the BN genome, which harbors additional genes with full open reading frames, suggesting at least 26 non‐allelic functional Ly49 genes in the rat. Of the encoded receptors, 13 are predicted to be inhibitory, eight to be activating, whereas five may be both (‘bifunctional’). Phylogenetic analysis bears evidence of a highly dynamic genetic region, in which only the most distally localized Ly49 gene has a clear‐cut mouse ortholog. In phylograms, the majority of the genes cluster into three subgroups with the genes mapping together, defining three chromosomal regions that seem to have undergone recent expansions. When comparing the lectin‐like domains, the receptors form smaller subgroups, most containing at least one inhibitory and one activating or ‘bifunctional’ receptor, where close sequence similarities suggest recent homogenization events.
Bayesian models for population‐based case‐control studies when the population is in Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium
Authors: Cheng K.F. , Chen J.H. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAssociation analysis of genetic polymorphisms has been mostly performed in a case‐control setting with unrelated affected subjects compared with unrelated unaffected subjects. In this paper, we present a Bayesian method for analyzing such case‐control data when the population is in Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium. Our Bayesian method depends on the informative prior which is the retrospective likelihood based on historical data, raised to a powera. By modeling the retrospective likelihood properly, different prior information about the studied population can be incorporated into the specification of the prior. The scalarais a precision parameter quantifying the heterogeneity between current and historical data. A guide value forais discussed in this paper. The informative prior and posterior distributions are proper under very general conditions. Therefore, our method can be applied in most case‐control studies. Further, for assessing gene‐environment interactions, our approach will naturally lead to a Bayesian model depending only on the case data, when genotype and environmental factors are independent in the population. Thus our approach can be applied to case‐only studies. A real example is used to show the applications of our method.Genet. Epidemiol.28:183–192, 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ex‐vivo magnetic resonance image texture analysis can discriminate genotypic origin in bovine meat
Authors: Mahmoud‐Ghoneim Doaa , Bonny Jean‐Marie , Renou Jean‐Pierre , de Certaines Jacques D 
Published: December 2004

AbstractTexture analysis (TA) combined with dedicated gradient echo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at high field provides specific parametric $T_{2}^{*}$ maps of connective tissue and allows statistical analysis of the resulting texture. The present study clearly demonstrates that MRI‐TA of bovine meat can discriminate between muscle types Gluteo biceps and Pectoralis profundus, and between genotype origins corresponding to the mutation on the myostatin gene: normal +/+, heterozygous mh/+ or homozygous double‐muscled mh/mh Belgian White Blue bulls. Values of interclass separations reflect the significantly different collagen and fat contents in these genotypes. To our knowledge, no previous study has demonstrated such a correlation between MRI texture and genetics‐related modifications. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Identification and in vitro biological activities of flavonols in garlic leaf and shoot: inhibition of soybean lipoxygenase and hyaluronidase activities and scavenging of free radicals
Authors: Kim Mi‐Yeon , Kim Young‐Chan , Chung Shin‐Kyo 
Published: December 2004

AbstractWe isolated four flavonols from garlic (Allium sativum L) leaf and shoot and measured the in vitro antioxidant activity of the isolated flavonols and their aglycones. The chemical structures of the compounds were shown to be quercetin 3‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (isoquercitrin), quercetin 3‐O‐β‐D‐xylopyranoside (reynoutrin), kaempferol 3‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (astragalin) and isorhamnetin 3‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside based on FAB‐MS and NMR analyses. Assays of DPPH (1,1‐diphenyl‐β‐picryl hydrazyl) and hydroxyl radical scavenging, inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation, and soybean lipoxygenase (LO) and hyaluronidase (HYA) inhibition were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity. Quercetin and its glycosides showed the highest antioxidant activity among the compounds. In the LO assay, the IC50 values of quercetin, isoquercitrin and reynoutrin were 16.9, 40.1 and 32.9 µM respectively. Quercetin was the most effective among the flavonols. In the HYA assay the IC50 values of quercetin, isoquercitrin and reynoutrin were 23.0, 20.9 and 22.1 mM respectively. Isoquercitrin had the most potent inhibitory activity on HYA. The inhibition patterns of the flavonols on LO and HYA were elucidated as mixed types of competitive and non‐competitive inhibition according to Lineweaver–Burk plot results. Although most garlic shoots and leaves are discarded and not used at present, our results suggest that ancillary garlic parts could be utilised as functional foods or ingredients. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Analysis of extra virgin olive oils from stoned olives
Authors: Mulinacci Nadia , Giaccherini Catia , Innocenti Marzia , Romani Annalisa , Vincieri Franco F , Marotta Federico , Mattei Alissa 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThis paper focuses on comparing the main chemical characteristics of 16 fresh commercial samples of extra virgin olive oil obtained from four harvest years (1999–2002) and derived from both stoned and whole fruits. The qualitative and quantitative contents of minor polar compounds (MPCs) together with other reference analytical parameters (acidity, peroxides, UV absorption values and Rancimat test) were evaluated. An investigation of the MPCs and oil composition obtained from only stoned olives was also carried out. The acidity values of the oils from stoned fruits were always similar to or lower than those of the corresponding oils from whole fruits. For almost all the samples from stoned olives a better resistance to oxidation was revealed in comparison with the corresponding traditional oils. Five pairs obtained from the 2000 and 2001 harvests showed higher concentrations of both MPCs and hydroxytyrosol derivatives in the oils from stoned fruits, in agreement with their higher Rancimat values. Overall, our findings with regard to acidity values, % hydrolysis, the Rancimat test and the qualitative and quantitative distribution of MPCs suggest a higher antioxidant capacity of the oils from stoned olives. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Shelf‐life extension of vacuum‐packaged sea bream (Sparus aurata) fillets by combined γ‐irradiation and refrigeration: microbiological, chemical and sensory changes
Authors: Chouliara Irene , Savvaidis Ioannis N , Riganakos Kyriakos , Kontominas Michael G 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe combined effect of γ‐irradiation and refrigeration on the shelf‐life of vacuum‐packaged sea bream (Sparus aurata) fillets was studied by monitoring the microbiological, chemical and sensory changes of non‐irradiated and irradiated fish samples using low‐dose irradiation doses of 1 and 3 kGy. Fish species such as sea bream and sea bass are very popular in the Mediterranean countries due to their high quality characteristics, and their preservation is a constant challenge given their extreme perishability. Irradiation (3 kGy) dramatically reduced populations of bacteria, namely, total viable counts (3 vs 7 log cfu g−1) for the non‐irradiated samples, Pseudomonas spp (<2 vs 7.6 log cfu g−1), H2S‐producing bacteria typical of Shewanella putrefaciens (<2 vs 5.9 log cfu g−1), Enterobacteriaceae (<2 vs 6.0 log cfu g−1) and lactic acid bacteria (<2 vs 3.5 log cfu g−1) after 10 days of storage. The effect was more pronounced at the higher dose (3 kGy). Lactic acid bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae and H2S‐producing bacteria typical of Shewanella putrefaciens showed higher sensitivity to γ‐radiation than did the rest of the microbial species. Of the chemical indicators of spoilage, Trimethylamine (TMA) values of non‐irradiated sea bream increased very slowly, whereas for irradiated samples significantly lower values were obtained reaching a final value of 7.9 and 6.3 mg N per 100 g muscle at 1 and 3 kGy respectively (day 42). Total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB‐N) values increased slowly attaining a value of 67.3 mg N per 100 g for non‐irradiated sea bream during refrigerated storage, whereas for irradiated fish, lower values of 52.8 and 43.1 mg N per 100 g muscle were recorded (day 42). Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values for irradiated sea bream samples were higher than respective non‐irradiated fish and increased slowly until day 21 of storage, reaching final values of 1.1 (non‐irradiated), 2.0 (1 kGy) and 2.2 mg malonaldehyde kg−1 muscle (3 kGy), respectively (day 42). Sensory evaluation showed a good correlation with bacterial populations. On the basis of overall acceptability scores (sensory evaluation) a shelf‐life of 28 days (3 kGy) was obtained for vacuum‐packaged sea bream, compared with a shelf‐life of 9–10 days for the non‐irradiated sample. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Multiple forms of β‐galactosidase from mango (Mangifera indica L Alphonso) fruit pulp
Authors: Prasanna V , Prabha TN , Tharanathan RN 
Published: December 2004

AbstractMango (Mangifera indica L cv Alphonso) was found to contain three isoforms (I, II and III) of β‐galactosidase which, upon purification on Sephadex G‐200, had relative abundances of 44, 38 and 18%, respectively. The total specific activity increased from 20 to 727 µmol l−1 upon purification, representing a ∼36‐fold increase with a recovery of 0.28 U U−1. The optimal pH for activity and stability were in the ranges 3.6–4.3 and 4–6.2, respectively. The optimal temperature for β‐galactosidase activity was between 42 and 47 °C with Tm in the range 45–51 °C. The Km for pNP‐β‐galactopyranoside was 0.98, 1.11 and 0.95 mM, and Vmax was 0.56, 0.53 and 0.35 µmol pNP min−1, respectively for isoforms I, II and III. Hg2+ caused strong inhibition, whereas galacturonic acid, galactose, xylose, fucose and mannose slightly inhibited the activity of β‐galactosidase isoforms. The apparent molecular weights by GPC were 78, 58 and 91 kDa for isoforms I, II and III, respectively. The ability of these isoforms to degrade the endogenous substrate (arabinogalactan) possibly suggests a role in pectin dissolution during tissue softening/fruit ripening. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry