bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plasma serotonin response to carbohydrate‐rich food in chronic schizophrenic patients: clozapine versus classic antipsychotic agents
Authors: Vered Yaffa , Spivak Baruch , Nechmad Allon , Schlapnikov Nina , Graff Eran , Feinberg Israel , Gruper Daniel , Weiss Mordechai , Kotler Moshe , Weizman Abraham , Mester Roberto 
Published: August 2002

AbstractResearchers have reported a stimulatory effect of carbohydrate‐rich intake on platelet‐poor plasma (PPP) serotonin (5‐HT) levels in healthy human subjects. Dietary manipulation may serve as a safer and less invasive means than pharmacologic challenge to provoke serotonergic responsivity in studies of schizophrenia. In the present study, we used the carbohydrate‐rich meal test as an indicator of 5‐HT activity in 12 patients with chronic schizophrenia maintained for at least 6 months on clozapine. PPP 5‐HT levels were measured at baseline and at 1, 2 and 3 h after administration of the test. Findings were compared with those in schizophrenic patients treated with classic antipsychotic agents for the same duration. The maximal PPP 5‐HT response was reached 120 min after meal administration in the clozapine‐treated group and 60 min after in the classic antipsychotic‐treated group (P<0.05 vs baseline for both). The 5‐HT level (as percentage of baseline) at 60 min was significantly lower in the clozapine‐treated group (P<0.02), as were individual PPP 5‐HT peak values (P<0.05). The individual time to reach the peak response was similar in the two groups. Our results indicate that in patients with chronic schizophrenia 5‐HT responsivity to the natural challenge of carbohydrate‐rich meals is lower in those treated with clozapine than in those given classic antipsychotic agents. Values in both groups were lower than those in an appropriate historical comparative group of healthy subjects. We suggest that both clozapine and classic antipsychotic agents suppress serotonergic system sensitivity, but to a different degree. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Controls on evapotranspiration at a subarctic sedge fen
Authors: Eaton Andrea K. , Rouse Wayne R. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractIn this study, 10 years (1990–99) of summertime data collected at a representative sedge fen in the Hudson Bay Lowland (HBL) are used to investigate the energy and water balance dynamics of subarctic wetlands. The summertime climatic characteristics at the study site during the 10 year study period are also examined. It is shown that mean cumulative summertime precipitation Pavg for the study decade closely approximates the 30 year mean Pavg. However, the mean summertime air temperature Tavg for the study decade is 1 °C higher than the 30 year mean Tavg.To examine the energy and water balance dynamics at the study site, the variation in each of their respective components throughout the study decade is considered. Little variation is observed in cumulative summertime net radiation $Q^{*}_{\rm cum}$ and cumulative summertime ground heat flux QGcum; however, substantial year‐to‐year variation is evident in cumulative summertime water deficit WDcum, cumulative summertime precipitation Pcum, cumulative summertime sensible heat flux QHcum, and cumulative summertime latent heat flux QEcum. It is noted that the variability in QEcum is particularly significant because it consumes the largest proportion of the available summertime energy, and is the largest component of the summertime water balance at this subarctic wetland.Past research has suggested that Q*, P, and T have the most influence on summertime QE at high‐latitude wetlands. To test this hypothesis at our study site, QEcum, Pcum, Tavg and $Q^{*}_{\rm cum}$ from each year in the study decade were examined. It is observed that high QEcum is associated with high Pcum, Tavg and $Q^{*}_{\rm cum}$, and that low QEcum is associated with low Pcum and Tavg. To identify the hydroclimatological variables that are most responsible for controlling QEcum dynamics at the sedge fen, a stepwise linear regression was performed. This analysis indicates that Pcum and $Q^{*}_{\rm cum}$ are the most important hydroclimatological controls over QEcum. However, it is demonstrated that the variability in Pcum is more responsible than the variability in $Q^{*}_{\rm cum}$ for the variability in QEcum during the study decade because of its higher coefficient of variation. The results of this study have broader applicability to wetlands in other parts of the subarctic ecoregion, including the Mackenzie River Basin (MRB). For example, past studies have shown similarities in the energy balance regimes at wetland sites from the HBL and MRB. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Action memory and self‐monitoring in children with autism: self versus other
Authors: Hill Elisabeth L. , Russell James 
Published: August 2002

AbstractOne key component of executive function is self‐monitoring. While a number of studies have implied that self‐monitoring deficits may exist in autism (e.g. Russell and Jarrold, 1998), direct tests of this explanation have failed to reveal an autism‐specific deficit (Russell and Hill, 2001). In order to assess further whether a self‐monitoring deficit is present in autism, three groups of children (20 children with autism, 20 with moderate learning difficulties and 20 typically developing children, all matched for verbal mental age) participated in an action memory task. First, the participant and experimenter took turns to produce actions with pairs of objects. Second, participants were presented with an unexpected recall task in which they were required to (i) make a familiarity judgement, (ii) produce an event memory and (iii) produce a source attribution (self/other) concerning the actions performed on these pairs of objects. Broadly speaking, no performance differences were seen between the three participant groups, although there was a small but significant difference in source attributions for the accurately performing children with autism and the less accurately performing children with moderate learning difficulties. We discuss the findings in relation to the literature concerning self‐monitoring in autism. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cancer mortality in the European Union, 1988–1997: The fall may approach 80,000 deaths a year
Authors: Levi Fabio , Lucchini Franca , Negri Eva , La Vecchia Carlo 
Published: August 2002

AbstractAfter the peak rate of cancer mortality reached in 1988 in the European Union, steady declines were observed: 9.1% for both sexes combined over the period 1988–1997 (from 147.0 to 133.6/100,000, world standard), corresponding to the avoidance of about 80,000 deaths in 1997 (approximately 39,000 below age 65 and 41,000 above). In 1997, the total number of cancer deaths also declined, for the first time. The major determining cancers for these favorable trends were stomach (−30%), lung (−10%), intestines (−15%), breast (−10%), uterus (mainly cervix; −22%), leukemias (−10%) and, after 1995, prostate (−3%). © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
bc10: A novel human bladder cancer‐associated protein with a conserved genomic structure downregulated in invasive cancer
Authors: Gromova Irina , Gromov Pavel , Celis Julio E. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractTo identify novel genes that may be associated with the invasive phenotype of bladder cancer, we compared the mRNA expression profiles of fresh noninvasive (grade II, Ta) and invasive (grade III, T2–T4) human transitional cell carcinomas (TCCs) by mRNA differential display. Using this approach, we isolated a novel gene, designated bc10 (bladder cancer, Mr 10 kDa) that was exclusively expressed in the noninvasive lesions as judged by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis of a panel of 30 grade II, Ta and grade III, T2–T4 TCCs. The full‐length bc10 cDNA contains a complete open reading frame (ORF) of 263 bp and encodes a protein composed of 87 amino acids that has no homology to any of the known protein families. Transient expression of bc10 cDNA in COS1 cells yielded a primary translation product with an apparent Mr of 9.8 kDa and pI of 6.7, in agreement with the theoretical calculated value. Comparison of mouse and human bc10 genomic loci revealed an intronless organization of the coding region in both species as well as a highly conserved structure having 91% and 100% identity at the DNA (coding region) and protein levels, respectively. Southern analysis did not reveal gross DNA rearrangements within the bc10 genomic locus in the invasive tumors, implying that the differential expression of the gene most likely reflects alterations in messenger expression (transcription and/or mRNA decay). The downregulation of this novel marker in invasive tumors suggests a putative role in bladder cancer progression. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An algorithm for evaluating the ethics of a placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Amdur Robert J. , Biddle C.J. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThe purpose of this article is to clarify the decision points that are important to consider when evaluating the ethics of a placebo‐controlled trial. The ethical requirements for research involving human subjects are reviewed, and the rationale for and potential problems with concomitant placebo control are explained. A series of case discussions are used to illustrate each decision point. The critical decision points in the evaluation of the ethics of a placebo‐controlled trial are as follows: (i) Is placebo being used in place of standard therapy? (ii) Is standard therapy likely to be effective? (iii) Is the toxicity of standard therapy such that patients routinely refuse this treatment? (iv) Could the use of placebo result in severe suffering or irreversible harm? (v) Is the variability in the placebo response such that it is reasonable to consider other options for the control group? (vi) Would a reasonable person with an average degree of altruism and risk aversiveness agree to participate in this study? The algorithm presented in this article gives researchers and research monitors (such as Institutional Review Board members) the tools they need to evaluate the ethics of a study that uses concomitant placebo control. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prostasin serine protease inhibits breast cancer invasiveness and is transcriptionally regulated by promoter DNA methylation
Authors: Chen Li‐Mei , Chai Karl X. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractWe have shown that prostasin serine protease is downregulated in high‐grade prostate tumors and inhibits invasiveness of prostate cancer cell lines upon enforced reexpression. In our study, prostasin mRNA and protein were shown to be expressed in normal human mammary epithelial cells (NHMEC), the poorly invasive breast carcinoma cell line MCF‐7 and the nonmetastatic breast carcinoma cell line MDA‐MB‐453, but absent in highly invasive and metastatic breast carcinoma cell lines MDA‐MB‐231 and MDA‐MB‐435s. Enforced reexpression of prostasin in MDA‐MB‐231 and MDA‐MB‐435s reduced the in vitro invasiveness of either cell line by 50%. Examination of the prostasin gene promoter and first exon revealed a GC‐enriched region that contains transcription regulatory elements. The promoter and exon 1 region of the prostasin gene was investigated for DNA methylation in NHMEC and the carcinoma cell lines. The results revealed a methylation pattern that correlates with prostasin expression in these cells. Demethylation coupled with histone deacetylase inhibition resulted in reactivated expression of the prostasin mRNA in MDA‐MB‐231 and MDA‐MB‐435s cells. These results suggest that prostasin expression in breast cancer cells may be regulated by DNA methylation and that an absence of prostasin expression may contribute to breast cancer invasiveness and metastatic potential. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Significance of phosphotyrosine proteins, Bcl‐2 and p53 for apoptosis in resting b‐chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells
Authors: Laytragoon‐Lewin Nongnit , Rossmann Eva D. , Castro Juan , Mellstedt Håkan 
Published: August 2002

AbstractSignal transduction and apoptosis in B‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells with a post‐germinal center (GC) phenotype were studied. Specific activation of the cells was induced by a combination of soluble anti‐CD40 monoclonal antibody and interleukin‐4 (CD40/IL‐4) and nonspecific activation with a combination of phytohemagglutinin, phorbol‐12‐myristate‐13‐acetate and ionomycin (chemical mixture). Less than 5% of these leukemia cells entered the cell cycle after activation, as indicated by the number of cells in G0/G1 phase. The protein tyrosine phosphorylation pattern and expression of the Bcl‐2 protein were specific in ex vivo CLL cells of each individual patient. Expression of the p53 protein was not detectable in these leukemia cells. Cross‐linking of the CD40/IL‐4 receptors on CLL cells significantly upregulated phosphotyrosine proteins and the p53 protein. In the presence of chemical mixture, downregulated phosphotyrosine proteins were detected. Alterations in Bcl‐2 expression were independent of cross‐linking with CD40/IL‐4 or chemical mixture. A high frequency of apoptotic cells was detected in cells that had downregulated phosphotyrosine proteins and Bcl‐2 protein. There was no correlation between induction of apoptosis and expression of p53 protein. Our results suggest that apoptosis in resting leukemia cells could occur prior to the cell cycle progression. Alterations in phosphotyrosine proteins and Bcl‐2 but not p53 might play an important role in the regulation of apoptosis in resting G0/G1 memory post‐GC B‐CLL cells. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Three‐dimensional support function estimation and application for projection magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Gregor Jens , Rannou Fernando R. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of nuclei that have very short relaxation times is conveniently based on spherical sampling. We have presented a least squares framework for reconstructing three‐dimensional (3D) source distribution images from such data. In this paper, we describe a practical algorithm for 3D support function estimation, which forms the basis for a method called focus of attention. By essentially identifying and eliminating equations and unknowns that merely represent background data, this data‐driven preprocessing scheme effectively reduces the computational burden associated with our algebraic approach to projection MRI. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol 12, 43–50, 2002
Maternal psychopathology and attachment in toddlers of heavy cocaine‐using mothers
Authors: Espinosa Michael , Beckwith Leila , Howard Judy , Tyler Rachelle , Swanson Krista 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to examine the relationships among maternal psychopathology, early sensitive caregiving, and security of attachment in a sample of cocaine‐using women from environments with high contextual risks that include poverty, low educational attainment, minority status, and single parenthood. Thirty‐five women and their offspring participated in the study. Maternal psychopathology, including Axis I and Axis II disorders, was assessed during the prenatal period via a self‐report clinical measure. Maternal sensitivity was assessed at 1 month and 6 months postdelivery through rating scales. At 18 months postdelivery, toddlers' attachment to their mothers was assessed via the Strange Situation procedure. Also at 18 months, mothers' level of depression was assessed via a depression inventory. Maternal psychopathology during pregnancy was found to be associated with both early caregiving and attachment. Mothers demonstrating clinical levels of particular Axis II disorders provided less sensitive caregiving, and had toddlers who were more likely to be disorganized/disoriented in their attachments. For Axis I disorders, only clinical levels of prenatal dysthymia were found to be associated with a greater likelihood of secure attachment. ©2001 Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health.
The role of Seprafilm™ bioresorbable membrane in the prevention and therapy of endometrial synechiae
Authors: Tsapanos Vassilios S. , Stathopoulou Lavinia P. , Papathanassopoulou Vassiliki S. , Tzingounis Vassilios A. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThis randomized controlled blind prospective study is undertaken to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Seprafilm™—a novel bioresorbable membrane of chemically modified hyaluronic acid and carboxymethylcellulose—in prevention and reduction of postoperative endometrial and endocervical synechiae formation after general suction evacuation or curettage for incomplete, missed, and recurrent abortion. In total, 150 patients with incomplete or missed abortion participated in the clinical study. The study population was divided into two main groups. In the treatment (Seprafilm™) group (n=50), application of Seprafilm™ membrane in the endometrial cavity and the cervical canal was used after the suction evacuation and/or the curettage. In the control group (n=100), nothing was inserted in the uterus. Both groups were divided into two subgroups: patients who had no previous suction or curettage, (with no previous D&C) (n=88), and patients who had at least one previous suction or curettage (with one or more previous D&C) (n=62). In the treatment (Seprafilm™) group, 32 patients had no previous D&C and 18 patients had one or more previous D&C. In the control group, 56 patients had no previous D&C and 44 patients had one or more previous D&C. Further fertility was estimated by pregnancy success in all groups. Endometrial synechiae formation was evaluated with the use of hysterosalpingography (HSG) in patients of all groups without pregnancy success 8 months after the intervention. Registering any adverse reaction and performing ultrasound controls assessed the safety of Seprafilm™ use. From the subgroup with no previous D&C, all 32 patients (100%) who received Seprafilm™ had a pregnancy in the following 8 months; in the controls, pregnancy occurred only in 54%. It was also demonstrated with hysterosalpingography (HSG) that patients with one or more previous interventions and no pregnancy 8 months later were adhesion free in 90% of the patients where Seprafilm™ was used, and only 50% in the untreated group. The membrane was tested on the endometrial area of the uterus and did not produce any adverse reaction. Ultrasound controls did not show any abnormal echoes. Intrauterine insertion of Seprafilm™ is safe, prevents the appearance of endocervical adhesions or endometrial synechiae after curettage, and reduces the area of the endometrial cavity occupied by them in a large percent of cases. It also seems that its use improves the possibility of a new pregnancy and fertility. © 2001 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res (Appl Biomater) 63: 10–14, 2002
A biologically active VEGF construct in vitro: Implications for bioengineering‐improved prosthetic vascular grafts
Authors: Stone David , Phaneuf Matthew , Sivamurthy Nayan , LoGerfo Frank W. , Quist William C. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractProsthetic arterial grafts are unable to develop an intact endothelial lining after implantation, predisposing them to fail. Strategies have been sought to enhance endothelialization using growth factors and cytokines. This study assessed the biologic activity of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) covalently linked to bovine serum albumin (BSA). Native and modified VEGF were assayed for endothelial cell migration and proliferation. Migration assays were performed comparing the effects of 2% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 50 ng/mL, 100 ng/mL, and 200 ng/mL of native VEGF and VEGF–BSA. Proliferation assays were performed by using Alamar Blue comparing cellular growth in 1% FBS, 10% FBS, 100 ng/mL unbound VEGF, and 100 ng/mL VEGF–BSA. VEGF is a potent chemotactic agent for endothelial cells in both unbound and bound states. Native VEGF solutions (50 ng/mL, 100 ng/mL, and 200 ng/mL) stimulated 23.9 cells/high power field (HPF), 35.3 cells/HPF, and 49.1 cells/HPF (p < 0.005). VEGF–BSA solutions stimulated 25.9 cells/HPF, 39.1 cells/HPF, and 69.0 cells/HPF (p < 0.001). VEGF–BSA and native VEGF supported similar increased cellular proliferation compared with 1% FBS media (p < 0.002). Modified VEGF retains its chemotactic and proliferative properties in vitro. These findings suggest that bare prosthetic surfaces lined with VEGF bound to a “basecoat” albumin may support endothelial cell proliferation and migration and thereby offer new strategies to improve graft patency. © 2001 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 59: 160–165, 2002
β‐ and γ‐actin genes differ in their mechanisms of down‐regulation during myogenesis
Authors: Lloyd Catriona , Gunning Peter 
Published: August 2002

AbstractDuring the differentiation of myoblasts to form myotubes, the expression patterns of the different actin isoforms change. The cytoplasmic actins, β and γ, are down‐regulated and the muscle specific isoforms are up‐regulated. The region responsible for the down‐regulation of the β‐actin gene has been located in the 3′end of the gene. Since the β‐ and γ‐actin genes arose from a gene duplication (Erba et al. [1988] J. Cell. Biol. 8:1775–1789), it is possible that the region responsible for down‐regulation of the γ‐actin gene may also be in the 3′end of the gene. We have tested this by transfection of human γ‐actin gene constructs into myogenic C2 cells. To our surprise, we found that the region responsible for down‐regulation of the γ‐actin gene during differentiation is not in the 3′ end of the gene in contrast to that for β‐actin. Rather, we found that intron III is required for appropriate down‐regulation of γ‐actin during myogenesis. Intron III containing transcripts from the γ‐actin gene were also found to accumulate during myogenesis. We, therefore, propose that excision of intron III from the primary transcript is inhibited during myogenesis resulting in degradation of the RNA. Removal of intron III from the gene allows it to escape this regulatory mechanism. J. Cell. Biochem. 84: 335–342, 2002. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Proline‐rich transcript of the brain (prtb) is a serum‐responsive gene in osteoblasts and upregulated during adhesion
Authors: Sommerfeldt Dirk W. , Zhi Jizu , Rubin Clinton T. , Hadjiargyrou Michael 
Published: August 2002

AbstractTo characterize the temporal expression of genes that play a functional role during the process of osteoblast adhesion, we used differential display (DD‐PCR) on mRNA isolated from attached vs. suspended osteoblasts. A 200‐bp fragment displaying upregulated expression after 30 and 60 min adhesion was isolated, sequenced, and showed 97% homology to prtb, previously showed to be expressed in mouse brain. Northern analysis confirmed a two‐fold increase in prtb message during adhesion to tissue culture polystyrene, both in the presence or absence of surface‐adsorbed serum proteins. Serum stimulation alone was also able to induce prtb expression, although to a lesser extent, in suspension cells. Strong prtb expression was also detected in both brain and bone of adult rats. Furthermore, prtb expression analysis during MC3T3‐E1 cell differentiation revealed high expression levels independent of proliferation (day 0–7), matrix maturation (day 7–14), and mineralization (day 14–31). Time course analysis of prtb expression during adhesion of sensitized osteoblasts to serum‐protein coated surfaces showed robust mRNA expression at 5 min post‐plating and a peak at 10 min. The two known serum‐inducible immediate early genes c‐fos and c‐jun showed similar expression kinetics, with c‐jun mRNA levels peaking at 15 min and c‐fos at 20 min. Based on these data, we hypothesize that prtb may function as an immediate early, serum‐responsive, and adhesion‐inducible gene with possible involvement in processes such as cell cycle control, adhesion, and proliferation. J. Cell. Biochem. 84: 301–308, 2002. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.