bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Andrenocortical Carcinomas: Twelve‐year Prospective Experience
Authors: Tauchmanovà Libuse , Colao Annamaria , Marzano Luigi Antonio , Sparano Lucianna , Camera Luigi , Rossi Annalisa , Palmieri Giovanna , Marzano Ettore , Salvatore Marco , Pettinato Guido , Lombardi Gaetano , Rossi Riccardo 
Published: September 2004

AbstractAdrenocortical carcinoma (AC) is a rare tumor with poor prognosis. Twenty‐two patients (14 F, 8 M; age 22 to 59 years; median, 43 years) with AC were evaluated prospectively in a single center: tumor stage was I–II in 12 cases and III–IV in 10. The overall survival in our cohort was 41.6 ± 42 months; 16 subjects are still alive. Curative surgery was followed by longer survival than debulking or no surgery (p < 0.0001). The first relapse was highly predictive for further recurrences. Recurrent ACs were progressively more aggressive, and they occurred with variable but ever shorter intervals. At diagnosis, 14 patients (63.5%) presented with features of clear adrenocortical hyperactivity. Despite the absence of clinical signs of hormonal excess, all other patients presented some abnormalities of steroid secretion. The most common clinical finding was a recent diagnosis of moderate‐to‐severe hypertension (68%), poorly controlled by pharmacological treatment, often associated with multiple cardiovascular risk factors. High mitotic rate and undifferentiated polymorph cellular pattern were associated with worse prognosis. Response to treatments other than surgery (mitotane chemotherapy) was better in patients treated early after the first surgery. In conclusion, curative surgery was the most effective treatment. Monitoring arterial pressure, endocrine parameters, and metabolic parameters can be helpful for the early detection of AC recurrences.
Outcomes after Pylorus‐preserving Gastrectomy for Early Gastric Cancer: A Prospective Multicenter Trial
Authors: Shibata Chikashi , Shiiba Ken‐ichí , Funayama Yuji , Ishii Seiichi , Fukushima Kouhei , Mizoi Takayuki , Koyama Kaori , Miura Koh , Matsuno Seiki , Naito Hiroo , Kato Eiichi , Honda Tsuyohiko , Momono Satoshi , Ouchi Akio , Ashino Yoshikazu , Takahashi Yoshinobu , Fujiya Tsuneaki , Iwatsuki Akihiro , Sasaki Iwao 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to compare in a prospective, multicenter trial the results early and late after pylorus‐preserving gastrectomy (PPG) versus conventional distal gastrectomy (CDG) with Billroth I anastomosis for early gastric cancer. Eighty‐one patients with early gastric cancer were randomized and then underwent either PPG or CDG. Duration of operation, intraoperative blood loss, days until removal of the nasogastric tube, days until start of oral intake, and decrease in body weight were studied as parameters for outcomes early after the surgery. Late results were studied in patients followed for longer than 3 years. Change in body weight, status of oral intake, symptoms suggesting early dumping syndrome, and overall satisfaction were addressed in the questionnaire. The presence of gallstones was examined with ultrasonography. There were no differences in early results between PPG and CDG. The incidence of early dumping syndrome was lower in PPG (8%) than in CDG (33%). Other late results including the incidence of gallstones were not different between the 2 groups. These results indicate that PPG is as safe as CDG and has an advantage in terms of early dumping syndrome.
Expression of matrix metalloproteinase‐9 in human platelets: regulation of platelet activation in in vitro and in vivo studies
Authors: Sheu Joen R , Fong Tsorng H , Liu Cheng M , Shen Ming Y , Chen Ta L , Chang Yi , Lu Meng S , Hsiao George 
Published: September 2004

The aim of this study was to identify the presence of matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) in human platelets and systematically examine its inhibitory mechanisms of platelet activation.
In this study, we report on an efficient method for the quantitative analysis of pro‐MMP‐9 in human platelets using capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). To elucidate subcellular localization of MMP‐9 in human platelets, we investigated intraplatelet MMP‐9 by immunogold labeling and visualized it using electron microscopy. In an in vivo thrombotic study, platelet thrombus formation was induced by irradiation of mesenteric venules with filtered light in mice pretreated with fluorescein sodium.
MMP‐9‐gold labeling was observed on the plasma membrane, α‐granules, open canalicular system, and within the cytoplasma both in resting and activated platelets. Furthermore, activated MMP‐9 concentration‐dependently (15–90 ng ml−1) inhibited platelet aggregation stimulated by agonists. Activated MMP‐9 (21 and 90 ng ml−1) inhibited phosphoinositide breakdown, intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, and thromboxane A2 formation in human platelets stimulated by collagen (1 μg ml−1). In addition, activated MMP‐9 (21 and 90 ng ml−1) significantly increased the formation of nitric oxide/cyclic GMP.
Rapid phosphorylation of a platelet protein of Mr 47,000 (P47), a marker of protein kinase C activation, was triggered by phorbol‐12, 13‐dibutyrate (PDBu) (60 nM). This phosphorylation was markedly inhibited by activated MMP‐9 (21 and 90 ng ml−1). Activated MMP‐9 (1 μg g−1) significantly prolonged the latency period of inducing platelet plug formation in mesenteric venules.
These results indicate that the antiplatelet activity of activated MMP‐9 may be involved in the following pathways. (1) Activated MMP‐9 may inhibit the activation of phospholipase C, followed by inhibition of phosphoinositide breakdown, protein kinase C activation, and thromboxane A2 formation, thereby leading to inhibition of intracellular Ca2+ mobilization. (2) Activated MMP‐9 also activated the formation of nitric oxide/cyclic GMP, resulting in inhibition of platelet aggregation. These results strongly indicate that MMP‐9 is a potent inhibitor of aggregation. It may play an important role as a negative feedback regulator during platelet activation.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2004) 143, 193–201. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705917
A Stepwise Surgical Technique Using the Medial Orbital Floor as the Key Landmark in Performing Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
Authors: Casiano Roy R. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractHypothesis The medial orbital floor (MOF) and adjacent bony ridge of the antrostomy, when combined with columellar measurements, are easily identifiable and consistent anatomic reference points from which critical orbital and skull base structures can be found during endoscopic sinus surgery.Methods Two examiners, with varying endoscopic sinus surgery experience, performed endoscopic and direct measurements from the columnella and medial orbital floor to critical orbital and skull base structures on 11 human cadaver heads (18 sides). The distances to four critical skull base or orbital structures and to the anterior and posterior wall of the sphenoid sinus were measured. The mean, ranges, and standard deviations for all measurements (endoscopic and direct) were calculated and simple regression analysis was performed.Results The mean and range of values for each of the variables correlated well between examiners, and between endoscopic and direct measurements. There was slightly more variability in measurements when the MOF was used. However, the differences were no more than a few millimeters and did not appear to affect the overall clinical use of these values.Conclusions The MOF and adjacent bony ridge of the antrostomy, when combined with columellar measurements, are easily identifiable and consistent anatomic landmarks that are not affected by the presence of significant inflammatory disease or previous surgery. These reference points provide even the most inexperienced surgeon with precise anatomic localization within the paranasal sinuses. They also determine the correct anteroposterior trajectory into the sphenoid sinus, whereby inadvertent intracranial or intraorbital complications may be avoided.
Photofrin‐Mediated Photodynamic Therapy for Treatment of Aggressive Head and Neck Nonmelanomatous Skin Tumors in Elderly Patients
Authors: Schweitzer Vanessa Gayl 
Published: September 2004

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis Aggressive nonmelanomatous skin tumors (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and Bowen's disease) of the head and neck often occur in Caucasian elderly patients because of prior history of radiation therapy for teenage acne and adenoid hypertrophy; severe solar‐induced skin damage, basal cell nevus syndrome, and other genetic skin diseases; chemical carcinogen exposure; and drug‐induced immunosuppression. In patients with large, multifocal recurrent tumors, standard therapy with acceptable cosmetic outcomes may be difficult. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with photosensitizing agents selectively taken up by skin provides a primary or adjunct intraoperative option for treatment of this special group of cancer patients.Study Design Retrospective review.Methods Patients (age range, 60–92 y) were injected with 1.0 mg/kg PHOTOFRIN (dihematoporphyrin derivative) followed 60 hours later by intraoperative laser light activation. Light was delivered through microlens fiber by means of an argon dye laser at 630 nm at a light dose of 100 to 300 J/cm2 microlens delivery for PDT alone and 50 to 100 J/cm2 microlens delivery for tumor bed resection sites in the case of adjunct PDT combined with surgical resection.Results Twelve cases of aggressive recurrent nonmelanomatous cutaneous tumors of the head and neck were treated. Five patients received intraoperative PDT combined with surgical resection, including radical mastoidectomy, lateral temporal bone resection, partial maxillectomy with temporalis myofacial flap reconstruction, and wide local resection with secondary intention healing of exposed scalp wounds. Seven patients were treated with PDT alone for extensive multiple cutaneous lesions or wide‐field primary or recurrent nonmelanomatous tumors. Ten patients achieved complete responses (follow‐up, 6–60 mo) with excellent wound healing and cosmetic outcomes.Conclusions PHOTOFRIN‐mediated PDT is an excellent locoregional oncological modality for aggressive primary or recurrent basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, particularly in elderly patients who were previously treated with extensive Mohs microsurgery, surgical resection, and external‐beam radiation therapy. Multiple repeat treatments are well tolerated, painless, without systemic morbidity, and amenable to local anesthesia or intravenous sedation for PDT alone, and wound healing and cosmetic outcomes are excellent.
Breast‐conserving therapy in young women with invasive carcinoma of the breast
Authors: Borg MF 
Published: September 2004

SummaryHigher local recurrence rates have been reported in young women with invasive carcinoma of the breast treated with breast‐conserving therapy (BCT). However, age itself may not be responsible for this increased risk of recurrence. To investigate this further, a computerized literature search of MEDLINE was performed using data from 1996 to May 2003. The research was limited to female patients with localized, invasive adenocarcinoma of the breast but also included patients of young age with ductal carcinoma in situ. Women of young age with breast cancer, treated with BCT are at an increased risk of recurrence ranging from 7.5 to 35%. However, the data would suggest that the increased risk is secondary to the association of young age with more aggressive tumours and a positive family history of breast cancer. Other factors that may explain the adverse prognosis in women of a young age include associated genetic abnormalities and the lack of mammographic screening programmes for women of young age. Young age is a risk factor for breast recurrence after BCT. However, management decisions should be based on tumour stage, grade and other related prognostic features rather than on young age alone.
Newly secreted adenylate cyclase toxin is responsible for intoxication of target cells by Bordetella pertussis
Authors: Gray M. C. , Donato G. M. , Jones F. R. , Kim T. , Hewlett E. L. 
Published: September 2004

SummaryAdenylate cyclase (AC) toxin is present on the surface of Bordetella pertussis organisms and their addition to eukaryotic cells results in increases in intracellular cAMP. To test the hypothesis that surface‐bound toxin is the source for intoxication of cells when incubated with B. pertussis, we characterized the requirements of intoxication from intact bacteria and found that this process is calcium‐dependent and blocked by monoclonal antibody to AC toxin or antibody against CD11b, a surface glycoprotein receptor for the toxin. Increases in intracellular cAMP correlate with the number of adherent bacteria, not the total number present in the medium, suggesting that interaction of bacteria with target cells is important for efficient delivery of AC toxin. A filamentous haemagglutinin‐deficient mutant (BP353) and a clinical isolate (GMT1), both of which have a marked reduction in AC toxin on their surface, and wild‐type B. pertussis (BP338) from which surface AC toxin has been removed by trypsin, were fully competent for intoxicating target cells, demonstrating that surface‐bound AC toxin is not responsible for intoxication. B. pertussis killed by gentamicin or gamma irradiation were unable to intoxicate, illustrating that toxin delivery requires viable bacteria. Furthermore, CCCP, a protonophore that disrupts the proton gradient necessary for the secretion of related RTX toxins, blocked intoxication by whole bacteria. These data establish that delivery of this toxin by intact B. pertussis is not dependent on the surface‐associated AC toxin, but requires close association of live bacteria with target cells and the active secretion of AC toxin.
Lack of mismatch correction facilitates genome evolution in mycobacteria
Authors: Springer Burkhard , Sander Peter , Sedlacek Ludwig , Hardt Wolf‐Dietrich , Mizrahi Valerie , Schär Primo , Böttger Erik C. 
Published: September 2004

Summary In silico genome sequence analyses suggested that mycobacteria are devoid of the highly conserved mutLS‐based post‐replicative mismatch repair system. Here, we present the first biological evidence for the lack of a classical mismatch repair function in mycobacteria. We found that frameshifts, but not general mutation rates are unusually high in Mycobacterium smegmatis. However, despite the absence of mismatch correction, M. smegmatis establishes a strong barrier to recombination between homeologous DNA sequences. We show that 10–12% of DNA sequence heterology restricts initiation of recombination but not extension of heteroduplex DNA intermediates. Together, the lack of mismatch correction and a high stringency of initiation of homologous recombination provide an adequate strategy for mycobacterial genome evolution, which occurs by gene duplication and divergent evolution.
Testing the branch autonomy theory: a 13C/14C double‐labelling experiment on differentially shaded branches
Authors: LACOINTE A. , DELEENS E. , AMEGLIO T. , SAINT‐JOANIS B. , LELARGE C. , VANDAME M. , SONG G. C. , DAUDET F. A. 
Published: September 2004

ABSTRACTThe impact of a heterogeneous within‐crown light environment on carbon allocation was investigated on young walnut trees trained on two branches: one left in full sunlight, the other shaded until leaf fall resulting in 67% reduction in photosynthetically active radiation. In September, the two branches were separately labelled with 14CO2 and 13CO2, respectively, so that the photosynthates from each branch could be traced independently at the same time. Although some carbon movements could be detected within 5 d in both directions (including from the shaded branch to the sun branch), between‐branch carbon movements were very limited: approximately 1% of the diurnal net assimilation of a branch. At this time of the year branch autonomy was nearly total, leading to increased relative respiratory losses and a moderate growth deficit in the shaded branch. The ratio of growth to reserve storage rate was only slightly affected, indicating that reserves acted not as a mere buffer for excess C but as an active sink for assimilates. In winter, branch autonomy was more questionable, as significant amounts of carbon were imported into both branches, possibly representing up to 10% of total branch reserves. Further within‐plant carbon transfers occurred in spring, which totally abolished plant autonomy, as new shoots sprouted on each branch received significantly more C mobilized from tree‐wide reserves than from local, mother‐branch located reserves. This allowed great flexibility of tree response to environment changes at the yearly time scale. As phloem is considered not functional in winter, it is suggested that xylem is involved as the pathway for carbohydrate movements at this time of the year. This is in agreement with other results regarding sugar exchanges between the xylem vessels and the neighbouring reserve parenchyma tissues.
Information Transfer in Multienzyme Complexes
Authors: Avilan Luisana , Gontero Brigitte , Lebreton Sandrine , Ricard Jacques 
Published: September 2004

A mutant phosphoribulokinase has been isolated from the 12‐2B mutant of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. In this mutant, Arg64 has been replaced by Cys. The enzyme, which may exist in the dimeric and tetrameric states, is almost devoid of activity. Neither of these enzymes is able to form a complex with glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase.The phosphoribulokinase gene has been expressed in Escherichia coli. The resulting recombinant protein, after isolation and purification, is apparently identical to the native enzyme extracted from the chloroplast. Three mutants have been generated by site directed mutagenesis. Arg64 has been replaced by Ala, Lys or Glu. With the exception of the latter, the two other mutants, [A64]phosphoribulokinase and [K64]phosphoribulokinase, are active when they are reduced, and nearly totally inactive in their oxidized state. Their activity, however, is decreased relative to that of the native, or to that of the wild‐type recombinant phosphoribulokinase. Both the catalytic constant and the apparent affinity of ribulose 5‐phosphate are decreased relative to the corresponding values obtained for the wild‐type, the native or the recombinant enzyme.Whereas the [A64]phosphoribulokinase is unable to form a complex with glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase, [K64]phosphoribulokinase does, but the stability of the resulting complex is much decreased relative to that of the wild‐type complex. The oxidized mutant [K64]phosphoribulokinase becomes active in the presence of glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase but this activity is smaller than that of the corresponding wild‐type enzyme.Taken together, these results show that Arg64 plays a major role in the association of the two enzymes and in the information transfer that takes place between glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase and phosphoribulokinase. As this residue also appears to be important for catalytic activity, it may be tempting to consider that it stabilizes a conformation that is required for both the catalytic activity and the formation of the bienzyme complex.
Tumour Incidence, Prevalence and Lethality Estimation in the Absence of Cause-of-Death Information
Authors: Härkänen T. , Arjas E. 
Published: September 2004

SummaryA Bayesian intensity model is presented for studying a bioassay problem involving interval-censored tumour onset times, and without discretization of times of death. Both tumour lethality and base-line hazard rates are estimated in the absence of cause-of-death information. Markov chain Monte Carlo methods are used in the numerical estimation, and sophisticated group updating algorithms are applied to achieve reasonable convergence properties. This method was tried on the rat tumorigenicity data that have previously been analysed by Ahn, Moon and Kodell, and our results seem to be more realistic.
In vivo somatic delivery of plasmid DNA and retrograde transport to obtain cell‐specific gene expression in the central nervous system
Authors: Morris Renée , Morgan Branwen S. , Lewis Trevor M. , Pierce Kerrie D. , Pisano Anthony , Schofield Peter R. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractWe utilised the retrograde transport machinery of neurones to deliver naked plasmid DNA into the central nervous system. A 5.4‐kb fragment of the glycine receptor (GlyR) α1 subunit gene was cloned and used to drive the expression of a construct encoding for the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). Injections of the plasmid DNA in the tongue of mice resulted in the expression of the marker protein in hypoglossal motor neurones, showing that the GlyRα1 promoter sequence is sufficient to drive expression of the transgene. In order to determine the specificity of expression of the 5.4‐kb fragment of the GlyR α1 subunit gene promoter, we subsequently injected the plasmid DNA into the mouse central nucleus of the amygdala. This nucleus receives projections from the parabrachial nucleus, a brainstem area that has a high density of GlyRs, and from the insular cortex, a forebrain structure devoid of GlyRs. We observed EGFP‐labelled neurones in the parabrachial nucleus, but not in the insular cortex, indicating that the 5.4‐kb GlyR α1 subunit gene promoter confers specificity of expression. This approach provides a simple and rapid way to identify, in vivo, promoter elements that mediate neurone‐specific gene expression.
Fabrication of a Maxillofacial Prosthesis Using a Computer‐Aided Design and Manufacturing System
Authors: Tsuji Mitsuhiro , Noguchi Nobuhiro , Ihara Koichiro , Yamashita Yoshio , Shikimori Michio , Goto Masaaki 
Published: September 2004

Purpose: Maxillofacial prostheses are usually fabricated on the basis of impressions made with dental‐impression material. The extent to which the prosthesis reproduces normal facial morphology depends on the clinical judgment of the individual fabricating the prosthesis. This paper describes a computer‐aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) system for the fabrication of maxillofacial prostheses. This system will provide a more consistently accurate reproduction of facial morphology.
Materials and Methods: Facial measurements were taken using a non‐contact three‐dimensional laser morphological measurement system. The measurements were sent to a computer numerical controlled (CNC) milling machine to generate a cast of the patient's face for the fabrication of prosthesis.
Results: Facial contours were measured using a laser. This method minimizes patient discomfort and avoids soft tissue distortion by impression material. Moreover, the digital data obtained is easy to store and transmit, and mirror‐images can be readily generated by computer processing.
Conclusion: This method offers an objective, quantified approach for fabricating maxillofacial prostheses.