bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Indirect Voltammetric Determination of Aluminum in Environmental and Biological Samples in the Presence of the Aluminum Chelating Drugs
Authors: Di Junwei , Zhang Feng , Zhang Min , Bi Shuping 
Published: April 2004

AbstractA simple indirect method using aluminum chelating drugs as electroactive complexation ligands for the voltammetric determination of aluminum in environmental and biological samples on glassy carbon working electrode is studied. In the range of pH 8–9, desferrioxamine (DFO), 1,2‐dimethy‐3‐hydroxypyrid‐4‐one (Hdmp), 3‐hydroxy‐2‐methyl‐4H‐pyran‐4‐one (Hma) and 2,3‐dihydroxypyridine (DHP) yielded good anodic peaks. It was demonstrated that the decrease of the anodic peak current of the drugs was linear with the increase of aluminum concentration. Among them, Hdmp was found the best complexible ligand and chosen for the voltammetric determination of aluminum with EDTA as chelant, which was used for masking most of the interferences. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the linear range for determination of Al by Hdmp was 5×10−7–3×10−5 mol L−1 Al(III), the detection limit was 2×10−7 mol L−1, and the relative standard deviation for 3×10−6 mol L−1 Al(III) was 2.6% (n=7). The proposed method was applied to the determination of Al in real water samples and biological samples. The Al concentration in serum samples can be measured directly without time‐consuming digestion pretreatment.
In vitro and in vivo anti‐tumoral effect of curcumin against melanoma cells
Authors: Odot Johann , Albert Philippe , Carlier Annie , Tarpin Michel , Devy Jérôme , Madoulet Claudie 
Published: April 2004

AbstractCurcumin, the active ingredient from the spice turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn), is known to be an anti‐oxidant and an anti‐inflammatory agent. It has been demonstrated recently to possess anti‐angiogenic effects and pro‐apoptotic activities against Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. In the current study, curcumin was found to be cytotoxic in vitro for B16‐R melanoma cells resistant to doxorubicin either cultivated as monolayers or grown in three‐dimensional (3‐D) cultures (spheroids). We have demonstrated that the cytotoxic effect observed in the 2 culture types can be related to the induction of programmed cell death. In our in vivo studies, we examined the effectiveness of a prophylactic immune preparation of soluble proteins from B16‐R cells, or a treatment with curcumin as soon as tumoral appearance, alone or in combination, on the murine melanoma B16‐R. The combination treatment resulted in substantial inhibition of growth of B16‐R melanoma, whereas each treatment by itself showed little effect. Moreover, animals receiving the combination therapy exhibited an enhancement of their humoral anti‐soluble B16‐R protein immune response and a significant increase in their median survival time (>82.8% vs. 48.6% and 45.7% respectively for the immunized group and the curcumin‐treated group). Our study shows that curcumin may provide a valuable tool for the development of a therapeutic combination against the melanoma. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prognostic value of soluble P‐selectin levels in colorectal cancer
Authors: Ferroni Patrizia , Roselli Mario , Martini Francesca , D'Alessandro Roberta , Mariotti Sabrina , Basili Stefania , Spila Antonella , Aloe Simona , Palmirotta Raffaele , Maggini Alda , Del Monte Girolamo , Mancini Raffaello , Graziano Franco , Cosimelli Maurizio , Guadagni Fiorella 
Published: April 2004

AbstractMeasurement of soluble (s) P‐selectin levels has been proposed as a diagnostic tool for monitoring the clinical course of human neoplasms. Thus, our study was aimed at analyzing the role of sP‐selectin in association with clinicopathological variables in 181 patients with primary (n=149) or metastatic (n=32) colorectal cancer (CRC), 34 patients with benign diseases and 181 control subjects. The results obtained showed that sP‐selectin levels were higher in patients with CRC compared either to patients with benign disease (p= 0.006) or controls (p= 0.003). No differences were observed between the latter and patients with benign diseases. Increased median sP‐selectin levels were significantly associated with the presence of distant metastasis (68.2 ng/ml vs. 48.6 ng/ml, p= 0.002). Of interest, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels were independently associated to sP‐selectin (regression coefficient= 0.28, p< 0.002). Cox's proportional hazards survival analysis of primary CRC patients demonstrated that beside the stage of disease sP‐selectin levels had an independent prognostic role in predicting recurrent disease (HR= 2.22, p= 0.019) and mortality from CRC (HR= 3.44, p= 0.017). These results suggest that measurement of plasma sP‐selectin might represent a prognostic indicator in the management of patients with CRC. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dietary lignan intakes and risk of pre‐ and postmenopausal breast cancer
Authors: McCann Susan E. , Muti Paola , Vito Dominica , Edge Stephen B. , Trevisan Maurizio , Freudenheim Jo L. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractLignans are plant compounds metabolized in the mammalian gut to produce the phytoestrogens enterolactone and enterodiol. Because estrogens have been linked to breast cancer etiology, lignans could affect breast cancer risk through modulation of endogenous estrogen metabolism or competitive inhibition with estrogen receptors. We examined breast cancer risk and dietary lignan intake in a population‐based case‐control study of 1,122 women with primary, incident, histologically confirmed breast cancer and 2,036 controls frequency matched to cases on age and county of residence as part of the Western New York Exposures and Breast Cancer (WEB) Study. Diet was assessed with a self‐administered 104‐item food frequency questionnaire and other relevant data were collected by detailed in‐person interviews. Lignans were expressed as the sum of the dietary precursors secoisolariciresinol and matairesinol. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by unconditional logistic regression, adjusting for age, total energy and other breast cancer risk factors. Premenopausal women in the highest quartile of dietary lignan intake had reduced breast cancer risk (OR = 0.66; 95% CI = 0.44–0.98). No association was observed between lignan intakes and postmenopausal breast cancer. Our results suggest that dietary lignans may be important in the etiology of breast cancer, particularly among premenopausal women. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Esophagin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) are biomarkers of human esophageal neoplastic progression
Authors: Kimos Martha C. , Wang Suna , Borkowski Andrew , Yang Guang‐Yu , Yang Chung S. , Perry Kellie , Olaru Andreea , Deacu Elena , Sterian Anca , Cottrell John , Papadimitriou John , Sisodia Lopa , Selaru Florin M. , Mori Yuriko , Xu Yan , Yin Jing , Abraham John M. , Meltzer Stephen J. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractPCNA and esophagin have been implicated in the multistep process of carcinogenesis, but simultaneous characterization of these proteins in the early stages of esophageal neoplastic progression has yet to be undertaken. In morphologically normal esophageal epithelium, esophagin stains the granular layer cells, principally in their cell membrane portions. PCNA, in contrast, stains the nuclei of cells in the parabasal and basal layers. We examined 201 regions from 47 patients that represented different stages of esophageal neoplasia, comprising 34 areas of normal mucosa, 18 of dysplasia in squamous epithelium (DYS/SC), 39 squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA), 29 areas of Barrett's esophagus, 48 of Barrett's dysplasia (DYS/BAR) and 33 areas of adenocarcinoma (AC). The immunostaining patterns of esophagin and PCNA were evaluated and graded for level of expression. There was loss of esophagin expression in the high‐ and low‐grade dysplasias compared to normal epithelia. In the squamous dysplasias, there was more intense staining (of esophagin) in the atypical nuclei and superficial squamous epithelial cells than in the basal cells. PCNA staining was increased in intensity in the high‐grade dysplasias relative to normal basal layer cells. Combined analysis of esophagin and PCNA appears to reveal an inverse relationship between proliferation and differentiation during esophageal neoplastic progression. Moreover, this combined staining approach also offers promise for detecting esophageal cancer in early, precancerous stages. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Thomsen‐Friedenreich (T) antigen expression increases sensitivity of natural killer cell lysis of cancer cells
Authors: Sotiriadis John , Shin Soon‐Cheon , Yim Daesong , Sieber David , Kim Yoon Berm 
Published: April 2004

AbstractIn this study, we demonstrate a correlation between T antigen expression on a panel of human carcinoma cell lines and their sensitivity to porcine NK cell lysis. Specifically, the more T antigen is expressed, the more sensitive the cancer cells are to porcine NK cell lysis. Furthermore, this correlation also exists for these cells and their ability to induce tumors in vivo. In this porcine animal model, the less T antigen is expressed, the more prolific the tumor growth in vivo and vice versa. Using the human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line SW‐48, we used limiting dilution to clone 2 populations of cells, one expressing high and the other low levels of T antigen, clones 143 and 111, respectively. In these cloned cells, the clone that expressed more T antigen was more NK‐sensitive in vitro and weakly induced tumor growth in vivo. Inversely, the clone that expressed less T antigen clone was more NK‐resistant in vitro and grew more prolific tumors in vivo. Using soluble T antigen in a competitive inhibition assay, there was a decrease in porcine NK cell killing of the T antigen+ human cell line Colo 320HSR. Taken together, these findings suggest a novel role for T antigen in the NK cell recognition of cancer cells, specifically as markers for NK sensitivity in carcinoma cell lines. The significance of T antigens as targets for NK cell–mediated lysis is novel and identifies NK cell–T antigen interactions as potentially significant in the immunotherapy of cancer and its associated metastases. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fibronectin stimulates human lung carcinoma cell growth by inducing cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) expression
Authors: Han Shouwei , Sidell Neil , Roser‐Page Susanne , Roman Jesse 
Published: April 2004

AbstractTobacco use is the most important risk factor for the development of lung carcinoma. One characteristic shared by tobacco‐related lung diseases is altered lung connective tissue content and composition. In particular, tobacco results in increased expression of fibronectin (FN), a matrix glycoprotein implicated in lung development, injury and repair and in tumor cell invasion. We hypothesized that excessive deposition of FN in lung might promote lung carcinoma cell proliferation. Consistent with this hypothesis, we found that FN stimulated human lung carcinoma cell proliferation and diminished apoptosis in vitro, and that this effect was mediated through the integrin α5β1 and associated with upregulation of cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) mRNA and protein expression, and increased prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) biosynthesis. The stimulatory effect of FN on COX‐2 was blocked by the specific COX‐2 inhibitor NS‐398 and by inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC), Calphostin C, and extracellular signal‐regulated kinases (Erks), PD98095. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that FN increased the nuclear binding activity of cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) and CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein (C/EBP), 2 proteins known to play important roles in the regulation of COX‐2 promoter activity. Transient transfection assays with wild‐type and mutated constructs of the human COX‐2 gene promoter revealed that the stimulatory effect of FN was prevented when either the CRE or the NF‐IL6 (C/EBP) sites were mutated. Taken together, the results indicate that FN stimulates human lung carcinoma cell proliferation and diminishes apoptosis by inducing COX‐2 gene expression and PGE2 biosynthesis. Activation of PKC and Erk and DNA‐protein interactions at CRE and NF‐IL6 (C/EBP) sites in the COX‐2 gene promoter appear to play key roles in this process. This work demonstrates that signaling through specific matrix‐binding β1 integrins (i.e., α5β1) resulting from exaggerated deposition in lung of the matrix glycoprotein fibronectin might promote lung carcinoma cell growth. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Different inhibitory effect of imatinib on phosphorylation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase and Akt and on proliferation in cells expressing different types of mutant platelet‐derived growth factor receptor‐α
Authors: Ohashi Akiko , Kinoshita Kazuo , Isozaki Koji , Nishida Toshirou , Shinomura Yasuhisa , Kitamura Yukihiko , Hirota Seiichi 
Published: April 2004

AbstractMost gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) have gain‐of‐function mutations of the c‐kit gene. Previously, we found 2 types of gain‐of‐function mutation of the PDGFRA gene, Val561 to Asp and Asp842 to Val, in about half of GISTs without c‐kit gene mutations. Although the inhibitory effect of imatinib on various types of activating mutant KIT has been well examined, that on the activating mutant PDGFRA has not been fully investigated. In the present study, we examined the effect of imatinib on autophosphorylation of mutant PDGFRA, phosphorylation of MAPK and of Akt and in vitro cell proliferation using murine Ba/F3 cells stably transfected with one of the 2 murine‐type mutated PDGFRA cDNAs. Imatinib almost completely inhibited autophosphorylation of mutant PDGFRA, phosphorylation of MAPK and Akt as well as in vitro cell proliferation at the concentration of 0.01 μM in cells expressing mutant PDGFRA with Val561 to Asp. However, in cells expressing mutant PDGFRA with Asp842 to Val, imatinib almost completely inhibited autophosphorylation of mutant PDGFRA and phosphorylation of MAPK and Akt at 1.0 μM. The concentration contributing to complete inhibition of in vitro cell proliferation was 10 μM. Ba/F3 cells expressing mutant PDGFRA are a good model to investigate the mechanism of cell proliferation or growth inhibition by imatinib in mutant PDGFRA‐driven cells. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nematode Community Structure along the Continental Slope off the Kenyan Coast, Western Indian Ocean
Authors: Muthumbi Agnes W. , Vanreusel Ann , Duineveld Gerard , Soetaert Karline , Vincx Magda 
Published: April 2004

AbstractMetazoan meiofauna and in particular nematode densities, diversity, community structure were studied in relation to water depth (20 m, 50 m, 500 m, 1000 m and 2000 m) along four bathymetric transects in the Western Indian Ocean off the Kenyan coast. Nematode densities ranged between 276–944 ind./10 cm2, which is comparable to values from other oligotrophic areas in the world. Densities was correlated with oxygen concentrations in the overlying water, since they were lowest at mid‐depth (500–1000 m) coinciding with the minimum oxygen level. Nematode community structure (at genus level) resembles communities found in temperate slope regions, which are also characterized by a low productivity. The community structure showed correlations with sediment composition, water depth and oxygen levels in the overlying water. Sediment composition was mainly important at the shelf where nematodes separated into a silty sediment‐dwelling community with high abundances of Daptonema, Dorylaimopsis, Terschellingia and Halalaimus, and a sandy sediment‐dwelling community characterised by high abundances of Microlaimus and Halalaimus. The genera Monhystera, Acantholaimus, Sabatieria, Molgolaimus and Halalaimus dominated the slope communities. The characteristic deep‐sea taxa, the monhysterids and Acantholaimus increased in relative abundance with increasing depth, to become dominant at the lower slope (2000 m). The upper (500 m) and mid‐slope (1000 m), which coincided with the lowest oxygen concentrations, were colonised by Sabatieria, a genus that is known to inhabit suboxic sediments. Diversity at the level of the genera showed an unimodal trend along the sampled gradient, with highest values at mid‐depth (500 m). Although the oxygen minimum at mid depths is much less pronounced than in adjacent areas, the results of this study suggest an impact on the present communities.
Comparative Environmental Assessment in the Studies of Benthic Diatom, Macroinvertebrate, and Fish Communities
Authors: Passy Sophia I. , Bode Robert W. , Carlson Douglas M. , Novak Margaret A. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractCommunity response to environmental gradients operating at hierarchical scales was assessed in studies of benthic diatoms, macroinvertebrates and fish from 44 stream sites in the New York City watershed. Hierarchical cluster analysis (TWINSPAN) of diatoms and fish partitioned the study sites into four groups, i.e., acid streams, reservoir outlets and wetland streams, large eutrophic streams, and small eutrophic streams; macroinvertebrate TWINSPAN distinguished an additional group of silty eutrophic streams. The correspondence among the three assemblage TWINSPAN groupings was moderate, ranging from 51 to 57%. The similarity across the four major group types was the highest among large eutrophic stream and acid stream assemblages, and the lowest among small eutrophic stream assemblages.Stepwise discriminant function analysis revealed that environmental factors discriminated most effectively the diatom grouping and least effectively the fish grouping. The best environmental predictors for diatom and macroinvertebrate grouping were conductance and percent surface water, while population density was most powerful in separating the fish groups. Carbaryl was the only pesticide that correlated with macroinvertebrate grouping.Partial redundancy analyses suggested a differential dependence of freshwater communities on the scale of the environmental factors to which they respond. The role of small‐scale habitat and habitatland cover/land use interaction steadily increased across the diatom, macroinvertebrate, and fish assemblages, whereas the effect of large‐scale land cover/land use declined.
Life Cycle, Feeding and Production of Isoptena serricornis(Pictet, 1841) (Plecoptera, Chloroperlidae)
Authors: Derka Tomáš , Tierno De Figueroa José Manuel , Krno Il'ja 
Published: April 2004

AbstractSome aspects of the biology and ecology (life cycle, feeding and production) of a population of Isoptena serricornis in the Rudava River (Slovakia) are studied, reported and discussed. The life cycle is annual, with slow growth in autumn‐winter and fast growth in late summer and spring. The growth decreased two weeks before the Fall Equinox and increased two weeks after the Spring Equinox. The flight period spans from the end of May to the beginning of July. The presence of large sand particles in the gut of all studied nymphs is of note, and indicates that I. serricornis acts as a deposit‐collector species. Nymphal food is principally composed of detritus, unicellular organisms and, in nymphs of intermediate or large size, Chironomidae larvae. Adult food is composed fundamentally of different types of pollen grains. Males usually have lower food content than females. Annual production of this species (∼694–750 mg · m−2) is very high in relation to other previously studied Chloroperlidae. This is probably largely responsible for I. serricornis being one of the most abundant components of the macroinvertebrate community in its habitat in the Rudava River. A negative correlation between production and temperature was observed.
Motor unit number estimation by decomposition‐enhanced spike‐triggered averaging: Control data, test–retest reliability, and contractile level effects
Authors: Boe Shaun G. , Stashuk Daniel W. , Doherty Timothy J. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractDecomposition‐enhanced spike‐triggered averaging (DE‐STA) has been developed as a method for obtaining a motor unit number estimate (MUNE). We describe the method and report control data for the first dorsal interosseous/adductor pollicis and thenar muscles and reliability in the thenar muscles. Seventeen subjects (ages 20–50 years) took part in the study. The maximum M potential was elicited with supramaximal stimulation of the ulnar or median nerve at the wrist. Surface and intramuscularly detected electromyographic signals were then collected simultaneously during mild to moderate contractions. Decomposition algorithms were used to detect and sort the individual motor unit potential (MUP) occurrences of several concurrently active motor units in the needle‐detected signals. The MUP occurrences were used as triggering sources to estimate their corresponding surface‐detected MUPs (S‐MUPs) using STA. The mean S‐MUP size was calculated and divided into the maximum M‐potential size to derive a MUNE. The MUNE values were consistent with those previously reported with other methods, and thenar MUNEs for the two trials were similar (249 ± 78 and 246 ± 90), with high test–retest reliability (r = 0.94, P < 0.05). DE‐STA thus appears to be a valid and reliable method to obtain MUNEs. Muscle Nerve 29: 693–699, 2004
Factors influencing the spontaneous reporting of adverse drug reactions—the experience of the Slovak Republic
Authors: Tisoňová J. , Szalayová A. , Kriška M. , Gibala P. , Foltán V. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe system of adverse drug reaction (ADR) monitoring in the Slovak Republic is greatly influenced by changes taking place in the current health care delivery system. Under‐reporting and reporting biases due to selective ADR reporting provide very serious problems in pharmacovigilance. In the year 2001, the number of reported ADRs increased due to reports of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor‐induced cough; this coincided with limits being imposed on the use of angiotensin‐II receptor antagonists. These factors provide an example of selective ADR reporting, deforming the quality of drug safety monitoring. They also indicate that administrative strategies can significantly affect spontaneous reporting activities. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical review procedures for the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry
Authors: Scheuerle Angela , Covington Deborah 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry (APR) is an international pregnancy exposure registry designed to monitor prenatal antiretroviral medication exposures and detect any potential increase in the risk of major birth defects. The APR process imitates that of the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program (MACDP) modified to account for the differences in surveillance systems. The APR case definition attempts to separate prenatal and postnatal medication exposure, includes cases with multiple conditional defects only and collects cases diagnosed at later ages. Possible temporal association between defect pathogenesis and antiretroviral medication exposure includes a way to identify cases with known etiology—such as familial genetic conditions—and those with currently ambiguous pathogenesis—like hemangiomata and club feet. The APR also accounts for confounding factors like maternal alcohol use. Some defect reports automatically generate questions back to the reporter asking for more information. The APR incorporates procedures for managing and recording some of the more inconsistently reported malformations, such as microcephaly. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.