bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of Overall Treatment Time on Local Control of Anal Cancer Treated with Radiochemotherapy
Authors: Graf R. , Wust P. , Hildebrandt B. , Gögler H. , Ullrich R. , Herrmann R. , Riess H. , Felix R. 
Published: July 2003

Between 1987 and 2000, 111 patients with epidermoid anal cancer (T1–T4 Nx M0) were assigned to primary simultaneous radiochemotherapy (RCT) with a radiation dose of 45 Gy, performed either as a split course with 2-Gy single fractions (schedule A, 1987–1996, n = 65 patients) or continuously with fractions of 1.8 Gy (schedule B, 1996–2000; n = 38 patients). The chemotherapy consisted of continuous infusions of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU; 800/1,000 mg/m<sup>2</sup>/day, on 4/5 consecutive days, during weeks 1 and 5) together with one (schedule A) or two (schedule B) short infusions of mitomycin C (10 mg/m<sup>2</sup>) during the first course of 5-FU. Associations between clinical outcome and various prognostic factors were assessed in 103 patients who completed these schedules. For both patient groups combined, 5-year local control rate was 67% and 5-year survival rate 71%. Advanced tumor stage, size, and nodal status significantly decreased the 5-year local control rate as well as the overall treatment time (OTT) >41 days (58% for OTT >41 days vs. 79% for OTT ≤41 days; p = 0.04). However, we did not find a correlation with the prescribed radiotherapy schedule (A or B). In conclusion, in patients with anal carcinomas treated with RCT with a radiation dose of 45 Gy, the predominant determinant of local control is the resulting OTT and not the administration schedule (split course or continuous radiotherapy).
Pain after Quadrantectomy and Radiotherapy for Early-Stage Breast Cancer: Incidence, Characteristics and Influence on Quality of Life
Authors: Amichetti Maurizio , Caffo Orazio 
Published: July 2003

<i>Purpose:</i> Conservative breast surgery (CBS) is viewed as a surgical technique able to improve the psychophysical outcome of women who underwent surgery for breast cancer (BC). CBS has clearly improved the impact of local treatment on postoperative body image adjustment, but the effect on patients’ quality of life (QL) is similar to that observed after mastectomy. This insufficient adjustment may be related to the fact that sensorial alterations, mainly pain, may produce negative effects on patients’ QL. This retrospective study, based on self-completed questionnaires, reports the patients’ descriptions of pain and its relationships with QL adjustment after quadrantectomy and radiotherapy for BC. <i>Patients and Methods:</i> We mailed a questionnaire to a consecutive series of 481 patients treated with CBS and radiotherapy from March 1995 to March 1998. The questionnaire, listing 129 items, comprised: (1) a pain assessment module with the short form of the McGill Pain Questionnaire exploring the characteristics and the description of the pain; (2) a QL questionnaire including four subscales (physical well-being, psychological well-being, physical autonomy, and relationships). <i>Results:</i> Three hundred and forty-eight patients (72%) completed the questionnaire, but 24 were excluded from the analysis due to absence of axillary dissection. One hundred and forty-one patients reported pain as a consequence of treatment. It generally started within 3 months after the completion of therapy, was localized in the axillary region and was intermittent. The pain was mainly described as aching (59%), tender (51%) and cramping (43%). Compared to the patients who did not experience pain, those who suffered from pain had significantly worse scores in physical (p < 0.0001), psychological (p < 0.0001), autonomy (p < 0.05), and relational subscales (p < 0.0001). <i>Conclusions:</i> Our data support the hypothesis that pain is a frequent sequela of CBS and radiotherapy, and that such symptoms can cause postoperative psychosocial distress, thus limiting patient adaptation and reducing the beneficial effect of CBS on body image.
Interaction of Hepatocyte Growth Factor and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs during Gastric Epithelial Wound Healing
Authors: Netzer Peter , Halter Fred , Ma Thomas Y. , Hoa Neil , Nguyen Nathan , Nakamura Toshikazu , Tarnawski Andrzej S. 
Published: July 2003

Background/Aims: Expression of the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is upregulated at the margins of healing gastric ulcers. We investigated in vitrothe interference of HGF, the selective COX-2 inhibitor NS-398 and the nonselective COX inhibitor indomethacin with gastric epithelial wound healing and actin microfilament (actin-MF) formation. Methods: Standardized gastric epithelial wounds, created in confluent RGM1 rat cell monolayers were treated with: HGF (10 ng/ml), NS-398 (1–100 µM) or indomethacin (0.01– 0.5 mM). The areas of re-epithelialization and cell proliferation were measured 24 h after wounding. Actin-MFs were labeled with fluorescein-conjugated phalloidin and their distribution was examined using a Nikon epifluorescence microscope. Results: HGF caused a significant increase in gastric monolayer wound re-epithelialization and this was not affected by mitomycin C. Both indomethacin and NS-398 inhibited HGF-stimulated re-epithelialization, but the basal wound re-epithelialization rate and cell proliferation was only significantly inhibited by indomethacin. HGF triggered actin stress fiber formation which was inhibited by both indomethacin and NS-398, but only indomethacin interfered with actin-MF formation at the baseline condition. Conclusions: HGF significantly increased gastric wound re-epithelialization by activating cell migration which may be mediated by the COX-2 pathway.
Mucosal Villus Microcirculatory Disturbances Associated with Rat Intestinal Ischaemia-Reperfusion Injury Are Not Prevented by Tacrolimus
Authors: Kalia Neena , Wood Richard F.M. , Pockley A. Graham , Brown Nicola J. 
Published: July 2003

Background/Aims: Microcirculatory disturbances following small intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury lead to tissue damage that may affect short- and long-term outcome after transplantation. The immunosuppressive drug Tacrolimus (FK506) attenuates I/R injury in a number of organs, raising the possibility that it might be able to control both I/R injury and rejection after small bowel transplantation. However, its effects on intestinal I/R injury have not been evaluated. Methods: PVG rats were subjected to 30 min intestinal ischaemia. Animals received Tacrolimus (1 mg/kg i.p.) 4 and 1 h prior to ischaemia. The mucosa was visualised in an exteriorised ileal segment using in vivo microscopy. FITC-BSA or Acridine orange was used to quantitate macromolecular leak (MML) and leucocyte adhesion respectively every 15 min for 2 h during reperfusion. Heart rate and mean blood pressure (mBP) were monitored throughout the experiment. Results: Ten of 12 untreated animals subjected to intestinal I/R injury failed to survive the 2-hour reperfusion period. MML and leucocyte adhesion were increased in untreated animals (p < 0.001) and blood flow stasis eventually ensued. Similar results were obtained for Tacrolimus pre-treated I/R animals, with 10 of 12 animals again failing to survive reperfusion. Conclusions: Despite previous evidence that Tacrolimus reduces I/R injury in other organs, it did not improve survival rates or prevent villus microcirculatory disturbances following intestinal I/R injury. The severity of microcirculatory damage suffered by the small intestine highlights the importance of alternative therapies to combat I/R in this organ.
Activation of the Somatotropic Axis by Testosterone in Adult Men: Evidence for a Role of Hypothalamic Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone
Authors: Bondanelli Marta , Ambrosio Maria Rosaria , Margutti Angelo , Franceschetti Paola , Zatelli Maria Chiara , degli Uberti Ettore C. 
Published: July 2003

Testosterone (T) is known to affect the growth hormone (GH) axis. However, the mechanisms underlying the activation of GH secretion by T still remain to be clarified. Available data in animals and humans have shown that withdrawal of somatostatin (SRIH) infusion induces a GH-releasing hormone (GHRH)-mediated rebound release of GH, and there is accumulating evidence that SRIH infusion withdrawal may be a useful test to probe the GHRH function in vivo. With the aim of investigating whether the stimulatory effect of androgens on GH release in man could be accounted for by activation of the hypothalamic GHRH tone, we evaluated the plasma GH response to SRIH withdrawal in 10 patients aged 29.6 ± 2.4 years (mean ± SEM), diagnosed with hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, before and after a 6-month replacement therapy with T enanthate (250 mg every 3 weeks, i.m.), and in 10 healthy men, aged 26.7 ± 2.8 years. To verify whether the modulation of GH secretion by T could also be mediated through changes in SRIH tone and/or pituitary releasable pool, we examined GH secretory responses to combined GHRH and <i>L</i>-arginine (ARG) in the same individuals. Basal plasma concentrations of GH (0.48 ± 0.11 µg/l) and IGF-I (23.79 ± 1.83 nmol/l) were significantly lower in untreated hypogonadal patients than in healthy men, and significantly increased after T replacement therapy (GH 1.13 ± 0.28 µg/l; IGF-I 28.71 ± 1.46 nmol/l). The mean ΔGH peak after SRIH withdrawal recorded in untreated hypogonadal men (2.65 ± 0.86 µg/l) was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that observed in healthy men (6.53 ± 1.33 µg/l) and significantly increased after T replacement therapy (5.52 ± 1.25 µg/l). The GH responses to GHRH combined with ARG (a functional SRIH antagonist) were not significantly different between healthy men and untreated hypogonadal patients, and were not significantly affected by T treatment. Plasma T and estradiol (E<sub>2</sub>) levels significantly correlated with ΔGH peak after SRIH withdrawal in healthy men and in T-treated hypogonadal patients, whereas in untreated patients they did not. No significant correlation was found between GH areas under the curve after GHRH + ARG test and T and E<sub>2</sub> plasma levels in either healthy men or in hypogonadal patients (both before and after T replacement). These findings are consistent with the view that in humans the stimulatory action of T on the GH axis appears to be mediated at the hypothalamic level primarily by promoting GHRH function.
Effects of Treadmill Running on Brain Activation and the Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone System
Authors: Timofeeva Elena , Huang Qingling , Richard Denis 
Published: July 2003

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of treadmill running on the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), CRH receptor type 1 (CRH-R1) and CRH-binding protein (CRH-BP) in the brain of rats that were killed either at rest, immediately after 60 min of treadmill running, or 180 min following a 60-min session of intensive exercise. The expression of the neuronal activity marker c-<i>fos</i> was also determined in the three conditions of this study. The levels of c-<i>fos</i> mRNA immediately following running were high in the cortex, caudate-putamen, lateral septum, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, dorsal and medial thalamus, hypothalamus, pontine nuclei, locus coeruleus and hypoglossal nucleus. In most brain regions investigated, excluding the locus coeruleus and the cingulate cortex, c-<i>fos</i> mRNA expression returned to control levels after 2 h of recovery. The highest concentration of cells co-expressing the protein Fos and CRH mRNA neurons was found in the parvocellular part of the paraventricular nucleus, which also expressed CRH heteronuclear RNA and CRH-R1 mRNA. The medial preoptic area (MPOA), the medial mammillary nucleus and the posterior hypothalamic as well as the somatosensory cortex, the medial geniculate nucleus, the reticulotegmental nucleus, and Barrington’s nucleus also co-expressed Fos and CRH mRNA. The expression of CRH-BP gene was induced in the MPOA following running. In summary, the present study demonstrates that treadmill running leads to a strong expression of c-<i>fos</i> mRNA that is widely distributed throughout the brain. c-<i>fos</i> mRNA was found in structures of the somatosensory and somatomotor systems, indicating that these regions were activated during exercise. The pattern of distribution of c-<i>fos</i> mRNA showed similarities with that triggered by neurogenic and systemic stresses. The present results also indicate that treadmill running can strongly activate the hypophysiotropic CRH system, which suggests, in agreement with the pattern of c-<i>fos</i> mRNA distribution, that treadmill running has a strong stress component.
Involvement of Mesolimbic Structures in Short-Term Sodium Depletion: In situ Hybridization and Ligand-Binding Analyses
Authors: Lucas Louis R. , Grillo Claudia A. , McEwen Bruce S. 
Published: July 2003

Acute treatment with the diuretic furosemide (Lasix) produces a reduction in plasma Na<sup>+</sup> and volume as well as increased thirst and salt appetite. The resulting hypovolemia stimulates the well-known counter-regulatory physiological response from the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. However, the neurochemical players underpinning the behavioral responses of thirst and salt appetite are less clear. Previously, we have reported that salt-replete deoxycorticosterone (DOCA) treatment activates mesolimbic structures associated with reward and goal-seeking behavior. The present study was designed to test whether the same brain regions are affected in a salt-depleted state. In experiment 1, two groups of adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were injected with Lasix (10 mg/rat, s.c.) and 18 h later were allowed access either to 2% NaCl solution (‘Lasix+salt’) or only to tap water (‘Lasixnosalt’) for 2 h. For comparison purposes, a third group received an isotonic saline injection instead of Lasix and was allowed access to the 2% salt solution (Vehicle). All groups were permitted 24 h access to tap water. We found no differences in dynorphin-mRNA levels in any striatal and accumbal regions among any of the treatment groups. However, as found previously in DOCA-treated rats, there were increased enkephalin (ENK)-mRNA and decreased dopamine transporter (DAT) binding levels throughout the striatum in Lasix+salt and decreased ENK-mRNA in Lasixnosalt rats versus Vehicle. In experiment 2, the involvement of the ENKergic and/or dopaminergic system was tested in rats divided into the same three groups described in experiment 1. However, before access to salt or water, the Lasix+salt and the vehicle groups were administered either a δ-opioid, naltrindole or a dopamine D<sub>2</sub> antagonist, raclopride. Only the naltrindole-treated rats showed a blunted intake of salt solution. Thus, these findings along with our neurochemical results suggest that mesolimbic enkephalin might impact salt intake through dopaminergic systems.
F₀ Timing in Kinyarwanda
Authors: Myers Scott 
Published: July 2003

AbstractIn Kinyarwanda (Bantu, Rwanda), a high tone can occur on either the first or the second mora of a syllable. A study of f₀ timing in the language was undertaken to determine how such a contrast is realized phonetically, and how this realization is affected by phrase position, word position, and distance from a following high tone. The study also aimed to explore a reported effect of ‘tone anticipation’ (raising of pitch in a syllable before a high tone) in the language. The study found significant effects of the position of a tone within the syllable, its position within the phrase, and its position with respect to following high tones. Models of f₀ timing in Kinyarwanda are proposed, demonstrating the role of moras in phonetic implementation of tone. These models clarify issues regarding the phonological representation of tones in Kinyarwanda, and the division between phonetic patterns and phonological ones.
Troglitazone Inhibits Isolated Cell Proliferation, and Induces Apoptosis in Isolated Rat Mesangial Cells
Authors: Tsuchiya Takahumi , Shimizu Hiroyuki , Shimomura Kenju , Mori Masatomo 
Published: July 2003

<i>Background/Aims:</i> Troglitazone is one of thiazolidinedione derivatives as a high affinity ligand for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ). The in vivo studies demonstrated that troglitazone ameliorated microalbuminuria. There have been few reports about direct effect of thiazolidinedione derivatives on mesangial cell function. We determined the effect of troglitazone on isolated rat mesangial cell proliferation. <i>Methods:</i> We determined PPAR-γ mRNA expression in isolated rat mesangial cells. Chronic effects of 10<sup>–6</sup> to 10<sup>–4</sup> mol/l troglitazone on mesangial cell proliferation and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activity were also determined. The effects of troglitazone on apoptosis were investigated in rat mesangial cells. <i>Results:</i> Rat PPAR-γ mRNA was detected in isolated rat mesangial cells. Living cell number, assessed by colorimetric [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] (MTT) assay, was significantly decreased with 10<sup>–4</sup> mol/l troglitazone. The addition of 10<sup>–6</sup> to 10<sup>–4</sup> mol/l troglitazone dose-dependently inhibited 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) uptake into isolated rat mesangial cells. The addition of 10<sup>–4</sup> and 10<sup>–5</sup> mol/l troglitazone significantly reduced MAP kinase activity. Troglitazone at the concentrations of 10<sup>–6</sup> to 10<sup>–4</sup> mol/l dose-dependently increased DNA fragmentation rates, indicating that troglitazone may cause apoptosis in rat mesangial cells. Bax and Bcl-xL proteins were not changed, although Bcl-2 proteins increased with troglitazone. <i>Conclusions:</i> The present data demonstrated that troglitazone inhibits cell proliferation, and induces apoptosis in rat mesangial cells, raising a possibility that it directly affects renal function.
Analysis of the Evolution of PIR Foams in the Context of the Phase Out of HCFCs
Authors: Dournel Pierre , Zipfel Lothar 
Published: July 2003

PIR foams are known for their outstanding fire properties and for their good insulation performances. The fire behavior can be attributed to the aromatic structure of the isocyanurate ring and to the nonflammability of the blowing agent that is used nowadays. For environmental reasons, HCFC-141b will have to be phased out as of 01.01.2003 for the production of PIR laminates boards, in Europe and in the United States. This evolution represents a challenge for the producers as they need to find a high performance alternative in a relatively short period of time. As a major requirement, this alternative will have to maintain the properties of the PIR foams, notably the fire behavior and the k-value at a high quality level. Several blowing agent alternatives have been presented, and some of them have already been implemented in production plants. Among them, pentane is seen as a candidate for economical reasons, but because of its high flammability, its use shows some limitations. The nonflammable alternative HFC-365mfc/HFC-227ea has proven to be an interesting alternative to obtain a good insulation value and good fire properties. Besides, the existence of azeotropic blends between HFC-365mfc and the pentane isomers increases the degree of freedom of the system and makes the optimization process easier. When using the right combination of blowing agent, it is possible to reach an interesting compromise between the insulation characteristics, the fire performance and the cost of the system. An analysis of properties of PIR foams produced with the several alternatives will be presented in this paper.
Noncrushing Foam System for Automotive Seats
Authors: Park H. H. , Park J. B. 
Published: July 2003

In general, cold-cured flexible foams have a high content of closed cells during a foaming process because of a high reactivity of foaming components and curing at a low temperature. Cold-cured flexible foams require a mechanical method such as roll crushing or vacuum crushing to open a high content of closed cells for preventing shrinkage and cracking of foam after demolding. But this mechanical crushing process can yield foams with poor properties and reduce productivity on account of increasing costs for utilities, electricity, manpower and repair. A noncrushing foam system developed by Kumho Mitsui Chemicals Inc. (hereafter referred to as “KMCI”) is a new cell opening technology that makes complete cell opening during the foaming process. Thus, this technology results in no shrinkage and cracking after demolding. In addition the noncrushing foam system makes possible manufacturing automotive seat cushions having an open cell structure and excellent cell stability compared to conventional foam by minimizing the degree of cross-linking density and increasing urea linkage. Our new technology has been used to make seat cushion at Hyundai Motor Company in Korea since 1999. We expect that the noncrushing foam system will be applied in various flexible foam applications and will contribute to improvement of productivity and seat cushion quality.
Regional Accelerated Aging Test
Authors: Yamasaki Ryoko , McEvoy James T. 
Published: July 2003

Customers' expectations for a consistent long-term high-level product performance have been increasing year after year, and the automotive industry is leading the trend. As an automotive seating component, polyurethane foam has a direct impact to the perceived value of an occupant, thus providing high durability foam became essential to customer satisfaction. Many tests were developed to evaluate the foam durability in various environments because of the importance of durability. The data used to correlate the results from these tests to that of foam collected from the used vehicles is limited because of the complex nature of aging and usage. In this study, newly manufactured foams were aged at a high temperature, and their fatigue properties were compared with the properties of foam samples collected from the vehicles of different mileage, age and geographical location. The results of this study showed that the heat aging at 100°C can be used to estimate the aging condition in a dry, hot climate with approximate mileage of 139,000 miles. However, varying the heated time of the foam for accelerated aging did not vary the fatigue property significantly enough to correlate to different mileage. Instead, an application of weight during the heating process is found to represent the fatigue property of foam at higher mileage than heat aging alone. Although the level of wear of the foam was found to be different depending on the environmental conditions, 25% compression load deflection (CLD) value before and after repeated compression of all samples of the same size were found to follow a logarithmic relationship. Further study of foam with different levels of wear are necessary for more detailed observations.