bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ser217Leu polymorphism of the HPC2/ELAC2 gene associated with prostatic cancer risk in Japanese men
Authors: Takahashi Hiroyuki , Lu Wei , Watanabe Masatoshi , Katoh Takahiko , Furusato Masakuni , Tsukino Hiromasa , Nakao Hiroyuki , Sudo Akemi , Suzuki Hiroyoshi , Akakura Koichiro , Ikemoto Isao , Asano Kouji , Ito Takaaki , Wakui Shin , Muto Tomoko , Hano Hiroshi 
Published: August 2003

AbstractThe HPC2/ELAC2 gene may be associated with hereditary/familial prostate cancer (PCa). Two common missense variants (Ser217Leu and Ala541Thr) have been reported in the gene. We performed mutational, allelotyping and expression analyses and a molecular epidemiological study to clarify the relations between this gene and prostatic diseases, including PCa and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in Japanese men. We screened for mutations in 109 patients with PCa including 11 patients from 1 hereditary and 9 familial PCa. Loss of heterozygosity and expression were analyzed. An epidemiological study was done in sporadic PCa (n=98) and BPH (n=143) using 1 novel (Ser627Leu) and 2 previously described polymorphisms of the HPC2/ELAC2 gene. Somatic or germline mutations were not confirmed in any cases of PCa. Loss of heterozygosity at 2 microsatellites, D17S1289 and D17S520, was detected in 1 of 38 and 1 of 35 cases, respectively. Expression analysis revealed decreased or absent mRNA expression in 6 of 38 tumors. Epidemiologic analysis showed that a Leu allele at codon 217 was significantly more frequent in patients with PCa than in controls (10.2% vs. 3.5%, odds ratio = 3.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.22–7.90). At codon 541, all patients with PCa or BPH and all control subjects had the Ala/Ala genotype. At codon 627, the incidence of the Leu variant was slightly, but not significantly, higher in patients with BPH than in controls (7.0% vs. 2.8%, odds ratio = 2.59, 95% confidence interval, 0.94–7.13, not statistically significant). We concluded that germline/somatic mutations of HPC2/ELAC2 are uncommon in PCa. Similarly, allelic imbalances at the gene locus and changes in expression are rare. Although no difference in allele frequency at Ser217Leu between patients with PCa and controls has been reported in a Western population, this polymorphism is a potential indicator of PCa risk in Japanese men and it should be examined in other ethnic groups. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dietary factors protective against breast cancer in Japanese premenopausal and postmenopausal women
Authors: Hirose Kaoru , Takezaki Toshiro , Hamajima Nobuyuki , Miura Shigeto , Tajima Kazuo 
Published: August 2003

AbstractSince components of the Japanese diet that might be responsible for the relatively low breast cancer incidence rates observed in Japan have not been clarified in detail, a case‐referent study with reference to menopausal status was conducted using data from the hospital‐based epidemiologic research program at Aichi Cancer Center (HERPACC). In total, 2,385 breast cancer cases were included, and 19,013 women, confirmed as free of cancer, were recruited as the reference group. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were determined by multiple logistic regression analysis. There were reductions in risk associated with high intake of milk and green–yellow vegetables (green leafy vegetables, carrots and pumpkins) among both pre‐ and postmenopausal women. The protective effects of the Japanese diet were more prominent among postmenopausal than premenopausal women. The adjusted OR of fish consumption (5 or more times per week vs. fewer than 3 times per month) was 0.75 (95% CI 0.57–0.98, ptrend = 0.01) for postmenopausal breast cancer. A significant decrease in postmenopausal breast cancer risk was also observed for increasing intake of fruit (OR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.41–0.91). Thus, traditional Japanese dietary factors may protect against breast cancer development, especially among postmenopausal women. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Does pizza protect against cancer?
Authors: Gallus Silvano , Bosetti Cristina , Negri Eva , Talamini Renato , Montella Maurizio , Conti Ettore , Franceschi Silvia , La Vecchia Carlo 
Published: August 2003

AbstractWe analyzed the potential role of pizza on cancer risk, using data from an integrated network of case‐control studies conducted in Italy between 1991 and 2000. Cancer sites were: oral cavity and pharynx (598 cases), esophagus (304 cases), larynx (460 cases), colon (1,225 cases) and rectum (728 cases). Controls were 4,999 patients admitted for acute, non‐neoplastic conditions to the same hospital network as cases. Odds ratios for regular pizza consumers were 0.66 (95% confidence interval, CI = 0.47–0.93) for oral and pharyngeal cancer, 0.41 (95% CI = 0.25–0.69) for oesophageal, 0.82 (95% CI = 0.56–1.19) for laryngeal, 0.74 (95% CI = 0.61–0.89) for colon and 0.93 (95% CI = 0.75–1.17) for rectal cancer. Pizza appears therefore to be a favorable indicator of risk for digestive tract neoplasms in this population. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Risk factors for multiple oral premalignant lesions
Authors: Thomas Gigi , Hashibe Mia , Jacob Binu J. , Ramadas Kunnambathu , Mathew Babu , Sankaranarayanan Rengaswamy , Zhang Zuo‐Feng 
Published: August 2003

AbstractOral leukoplakia, oral submucous fibrosis and erythroplakia are 3 major types of oral premalignant lesions. Multiple oral premalignant lesions may possibly develop due to field cancerization, where carcinogenic exposures can cause simultaneous genetic defects to the upper aerodigestive tract epithelium, putting the epithelium at high risk for development of premalignant lesions at different stages of carcinogenesis. There have been no epidemiological studies on risk or protective factors of the disease. A case‐control study was conducted with data from the baseline screening of a randomized oral cancer screening trial in Kerala, India. A total of 115 subjects with multiple oral premalignant lesions (8–10% of oral premalignant lesions in our case series) were included: 64 subjects with oral leukoplakia and oral submucous fibrosis, 19 subjects with oral leukoplakia and erythroplakia, 22 subjects with oral submucous fibrosis and erythroplakia and 10 subjects with all 3 lesions. Individuals without oral lesions were considered controls (n=47,773). The odds ratio (OR) for ever tobacco chewers was 37.8 (95% confidence interval (CI)=16.2–88.1) when adjusted for age, sex, education, BMI, smoking, drinking and fruit/vegetable intake. Dose‐response relationships were seen for the frequency (p<0.0001) and duration of tobacco chewing (p<0.0001) with the risk of multiple oral premalignant lesions. Whereas alcohol drinking may possibly be a risk factor for multiple oral premalignant lesions, smoking was not associated with the risk of multiple oral premalignant lesions (OR=0.9, 95%CI=0.5–1.7). The results suggest that tobacco chewing was the most important risk factor for multiple oral premalignant lesions and may be a major source of field cancerization on the oral epithelium in the Indian population. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Autotrophic and Heterotrophic Picoplankton in Wetlands: Differences with Lake Patterns
Authors: Rodrigo María A. , Rojo Carmen , Álvarez‐Cobelas Miguel 
Published: August 2003

AbstractThis study describes the occurrence, importance and seasonal patterns of picoplankton in two wetlands (TDNP and La Safor), and compares them to a system of fifteen interconnected lakes (Ruidera). In TDNP we performed a six‐year monthly study in three sites of the wetland. Bacterial abundance increased throughout time and the autotrophic picoplankton (APP) range was wide (up to 33 × 106 cells/ml). The annual averaged APP contribution to total picoplankton and phytoplankton biovolumes was 0.5–22% and 0.03–6% respectively. There were large differences among sites in terms of APP absolute and relative abundance and seasonal patterns. In La Safor, the APP relative contribution to picoplankton and phytoplankton biovolumes was 0–25% and 0–40%, respectively, while in the Ruidera lakes was 0–47% and 0–5%, respectively. In the three systems there was a significant correlation between bacterial abundance and chlorophyll a but the slopes of the linear regressions were different. No significant relationships were found of APP abundance and trophic status in the wetlands, but were noted in the lake system. There was no clear relationship of APP contribution to total phytoplankton biomass to the trophic gradient in wetlands. In the lakes, the higher contribution of APP was found in those with higher trophic levels.
Photophysiology of Surface Phytoplankton Communities in a Transect from the Mouth of the Peene‐Strom to the Arkona Sea (Baltic)
Authors: Müller Anna Maria , Wasmund Norbert 
Published: August 2003

AbstractThe potential of surface phytoplankton to withstand photostress was investigated in August 1998 along a transect from the mouth of the Peene‐Strom (Pomeranian Bight) to the open Arkona Sea (Baltic). Photosynthetic efficiency, algal class composition and pigment pattern were determined. Algae were photoinhibited by artificial illumination and the kinetics of recovery were recorded. Under photoinhibitory treatment, algae from the estuary showed a low effective quantum yield but a high potential to recover their maximum photosynthetic efficiency. Contrary to this, the relatively high effective quantum yield of open sea algae under photoinhibitory treatment is accompanied by a low final recovery of maximum photosynthetic efficiency. These phenomena are discussed with respect to nutrient supply, algal class composition and to different strategies of algae to react to light stress. Literature data of summer primary productivity of open sea and coastal algae are compared with our data on electron transport rates. This revealed a low influence of photoinhibitory effects on productivity.
Chemical and Microbial Composition of Sediments in Reservoirs with Different Trophic State
Authors: Maassen Sebastian , Röske Isolde , Uhlmann Dietrich 
Published: August 2003

AbstractFor the assessment of the metabolic potential of a sediment, the upper 5 cm layer should preferentially be regarded, since this is the horizon with the highest biochemical activity in the entire reservoir. Sediment cores from four different reservoirs were examined. These represent a broad range of trophic conditions (Neunzehnhain – oligotrophic; Muldenberg – oligotrophic, acidic, dystrophic; Saidenbach – mesotrophic; Quitzdorf – highly eutrophic). The vertical concentration gradients in the interstitial water of the examined sediments showed the tendencies characteristic of the trophic state of the reservoirs. The gradients increased with the trophic state, which affected the release of dissolved substances. The internal P load was substantial in all cases, in Quitzdorf it even exceeded the external P load. The total cell numbers of the bacteria in the sediment were only slightly influenced by the trophic state, all being in the same order of magnitude. The reservoir Quitzdorf displayed very high P release rates from the sediment and mass growths of Microcystis with a high content of intracellular polyphosphate granules in the summer months.
Quantifying Burial, the Transport of Matter from the Lake Biosphere to the Geosphere
Authors: Håkanson Lars 
Published: August 2003

AbstractBurial is one of the most fundamental processes in contexts of massbalance calculations for substances (such as nutrients, organics, metals and radionuclides) in lakes. Substances can leave a lake by two processes, outflow, i.e., the transport to a downstream system, and burial, i.e., the transport by sedimentation from the lake biosphere to the geosphere. This work gives for the first time, to there best of the author's knowledge, a review on the factors and processes regulating burial and presents a general model for burial. This approach accounts for bottom dynamic conditions (i.e., where areas of fine sediment erosion, transport and accumulation prevail), sedimentation, bioturbation, mineralisation, and the depth and age of the bioactive sediment layer. This approach has been critically tested with very good results for radiocesium, radiostrontium, many metals, calcium from liming and phosphorus, but it has not been presented before in a comprehensive way. This model for burial is meant to be used in massbalance models based on ordinary differential equations (i.e., box models) in contexts where burial is not a target y‐variable but a necessary model variable (an x‐variable). This means that there are also specific demands on this approach, e.g., it must be based on readily accessible driving variables so that it is not too difficult to use the model in practice within the context of an overall lake model. The factors influencing burial, e.g., the deposition of materials and the depth of the bioactive sediment layer, are also needed in calculations of sediment concentrations and to determine amounts of substances or pollutants in sediments. To carry out such calculations, one also needs information on sediment bulk density, water content and organic content. This paper also presents new empirical models for such calculations to be used in the new model for burial.
Predictive Length–Dry Mass Regressions for Freshwater Invertebrates in a Pre‐Alpine Lake Littoral
Authors: Baumgärtner Daniel , Rothhaupt Karl‐Otto 
Published: August 2003

AbstractTo date, no regressions for invertebrates from lentic environments are available to facilitate biomass estimation. Predictive length–dry mass regressions for 20 freshwater invertebrate taxa from a pre‐alpine lake littoral in Central Europe are presented here. Regressions were calculated by fitting a power function to body‐length parameters. For Gammarus roeseli, the head height, an easily measurable length parameter, was used. Differences between regressions of different taxa were confirmed by analyses of covariance. Equations for invertebrates grouped at a higher taxonomic level had lower coefficients of determination; therefore, the use of regression equations at the lowest possible taxonomic level is indicated. A comparison of regressions with those published for related taxa in streams revealed significant differences, supporting the opinion that equations should be applied carefully and their use restricted to waterbodies with similar abiotic conditions.
The Role of Fish Communities in Water Quality Management of a Large Shallow Lake
Authors: Tátrai István , Paulovits Gábor , Mátyás Kálmán , Korponai János 
Published: August 2003

AbstractManagement measures of Lake Balaton such as wetland reconstruction at the main inflow to the lake along with the “unplanned” commercial fishery led to great changes in the density and biomass of fish populations. There was no significant difference in CPUE data between the two, eastern and western, basins. Biomass of total fish stock in Lake Balaton has decreased substantially, 2–3 times between 1991–1999, and ranges between 120–194 kg ha−1. Bottom‐up effects are more important than the top‐down effects due to the impact of internal nutrient load. Changes in the biomass and thus the activity of omnivorous fish in the lake lowered the intensity of various indirect effects and feedback mechanisms causing changes in the nutrient metabolism of the lake. Intensified fishery effort in Lake Balaton did not result in an increased stock of piscivores. The ratio of piscivores and omnivores remained at 5% during the whole study period. Despite this low piscivores to omnivores ratio, the water quality has improved in all basins.
The Physical and Chemical Limnology of 24 Ponds and One Lake from Isachsen, Ellef Ringnes Island, Canadian High Arctic
Authors: Antoniades Dermot , Douglas Marianne S. V. , Smol John P. 
Published: August 2003

AbstractThe limnology of freshwaters surrounding Isachsen, Ellef Ringnes Island, Nunavut was examined to determine the baseline physical and chemical limnological conditions present in the region. Sites were found to be circumneutral to slightly acidic, and were oligotrophic. Concentrations of most measured chemical variables were highly variable, with broad ranges that greatly exceeded those found in previous surveys conducted in the High Arctic. Ratios of nitrogen to phosphorus suggest that nitrogen may be the limiting nutrient for algal growth at the majority of sites. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) indicated that the major controls on water chemistry variability between sites were conductivity and related variables, and nutrients, explaining 36.5% and 26.5% of the variation in the dataset, respec‐tively.
A Quantitative Food Web Model for the Macroinvertebrate Community of a Northern German Lowland Stream
Authors: Poepperl Rainer 
Published: August 2003

AbstractTrophic interactions and cycling of organic carbon within the macroinvertebrate community of a Northern German lowland stream were analyzed based on a compartment model. The network model describes the structure of the food web quantifying biomass, production, and consumption of their elements, of the entire system and between trophic levels. System primary production is 153.7 g C m−2 yr−1 and invertebrate production 53.3 g C m−2 yr−1. Invertebrate consumption amounts to 702.6 g C m−2 yr−1. Main flows are identified between trophic level 1 and 2 and are connected with highly productive compartments. ‘Anodonta and Pseudanodonta’ and Dreissena polymorpha show the highest consumption of all groups with 269.9 g C m−2 yr−1 and 114.1 g C m−2 yr−1, respectively. System consumption is highest on the import from the upstream lake with 532.5 g C m−2 yr−1, sediment detritus with 135.5 g C m−2 yr−1, and primary producers with 25.7 g C m−2 yr−1. The lowest predation pressure is observed for Bivalvia with an ecotrophic efficiency of <10% and highest for Chironomidae with 91%. Approximately 20% of organic matter entering the detritus pool are recycled to the living groups of the system. Transfer efficiencies between discrete trophic levels are generally low except for transfer of detrital material between level I and II.
Evolutionary transformations of fetal membranes and reproductive strategies
Authors: Mess Andrea , Blackburn Daniel G. , Zeller Ulrich 
Published: August 2003

AbstractFetal membranes (such as the chorioallantois and yolk sac) are essential to embryonic development, and have contributed importantly to the evolutionary and ecological diversity of vertebrates. Since the mid ‐ 19th century, many scientific careers have been devoted to investigations of their structure, function, and development. However, significant gaps remain in our understanding of the diversity and evolution of fetal membranes. This symposium volume focuses on the use of cladistic principles and phylogenetic relationships to reconstruct the evolutionary morphology of fetal membranes. The main goal of the present paper is to introduce the application of such methods to the evolution of vertebrate fetal membranes, as well as to provide the reader with background information on relevant concepts and terminology. Contributions within this journal issue draw upon studies of metatherian and eutherian mammals, as well as sauropsid reptiles (notably squamates). Particular attention is given to historical transformations of fetal membranes associated with the evolution of such phenomena as placentation and matrotrophy, and reproductive strategies such as viviparity. What emerges from the contributed papers is a broad sampling of contemporary research on fetal membranes, and an overview of how these membranes have evolved to support embryonic life in diverse terrestrial and intra‐uterine environments. J. Exp. Zool. 299A:3–12 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evolutionary transformations of the fetal membranes of viviparous reptiles: A case study of two lineages
Authors: Stewart James R. , Thompson Michael B. 
Published: August 2003

AbstractThe reptilian placenta is a composite structure formed by a functional interaction between extraembryonic membranes and the maternal uterus. Study of placental structure of squamate reptiles over the past century has established that each of the multiple independent origins of placentation, which characterize the reproductive diversity of squamates, has resulted from the evolutionary transformation of these homologous structures. Because each evolutionary transformation is an independent novel relationship between maternal and embryonic tissues, the resulting placentae are not homologous, even though the individual components may be. The evolution of reptilian placentation should reveal much about evolutionary patterns and mechanisms because similar structural—functional systems have been transformed along parallel trajectories on multiple occasions. We compared extraembryonic membrane and placental development and pattern of embryonic nutrition in thamnophiine snakes and Pseudemoia lizards in the context of recent hypotheses of phylogenetic relationships. Two primary types of placentation, chorioallantoic and yolk sac, evolved in each lineage. Smooth, highly vascular regions of chorioallantoic placentation are indistinguishable homoplasies that evolved in parallel, likely to facilitate respiratory exchange. The yolk sac placenta of each lineage is specialized for histotrophic nutrient transfer, yet composition of these structures differs because of variation in the ancestral snakes and lizards. In addition, the omphalopleure that contributes to yolk sac placentation persists to later embryonic stages compared to oviparous outgroups, but the two lineages have evolved different structures that prevent replacement of the omphalopleure by the allantois. Each lineage has also evolved unique structural specializations of the chorioallantoic placenta. J. Exp. Zool. 299A:13–32, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evolution of placental specializations in viviparous African and South American lizards
Authors: Flemming Alexander F. , Blackburn Daniel G. 
Published: August 2003

AbstractPhylogenetic information offers an important resource in analyses of reproductive diversity, including interpretations of fetal membrane evolution. In this paper, we draw upon ongoing studies of South American and African lizards to consider the value of combining phylogenetic and reproductive evidence in the construction of evolutionary interpretations. South American lizards of the genusMabuyaexhibit several reproductive specializations that are convergent on those of eutherian mammals, including viviparity, long gestation periods, ovulation of tiny eggs, and placental supply of the nutrients for development. Studies of placental morphology and development indicate that New WorldMabuyashare several other derived features, including chorionic areolae and a “Type IV” epitheliochorial placenta with a villous, mesometrial placentome. Some characteristics of these lizards are shared by two African skinks,M. ivensiiandEumecia anchietae, including minuscule eggs, placentotrophy, an absorptive chorioallantois, and features of the yolk sac. Available evidence is consistent with two explanations: (1) placentotrophy originated in Africa, predating a trans‐Atlantic colonization byMabuyaof the New World; and (2) placentotrophy arose two or three separate times among these closely related skinks. As illustrated by analysis of these animals, not only can data on fetal membrane morphology yield phylogenetic information, but phylogenetic evidence in turn provides a valuable way to reconstruct the evolution of fetal membranes in a biogeographic context. When appropriately interpreted, morphological and phylogenetic evidence can be combined to yield robust evolutionary conclusions that avoid the pitfalls of circular reasoning.J. Exp. Zool. 299A:33–47, 2003.© 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.