bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does hippocampus associate discontiguous events? Evidence from event‐related fMRI
Authors: Luo Jing , Niki Kazuhisa 
Published: November 2004

AbstractTo examine the hypothesis that the hippocampus is necessary to overcome temporal or spatial “discontiguity” (Wallenstein et al., Trends Neurosci 1998; 21:317–323), subjects were imaged by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) when they were making judgments as to whether two words were semantically related. Two words were presented, either at the same time (the Simultaneous Presentation Condition) or one after the other with a short unfilled rest period (the Delayed Presentation Condition). The latter condition, relative to the former, was proposed to involve the process of “discontiguity association.” Event‐related fMRI results of eight subjects showed that, relative to the binding of simultaneously presented words, the binding of delay presented words was associated with left hippocampus activity. This result provided direct neuroimaging evidence for the role of the hippocampus in “discontiguity association.” © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Serenoa repens (Permixon®) inhibits the 5α‐reductase activity of human prostate cancer cell lines without interfering with PSA expression
Authors: Habib Fouad K. , Ross Margaret , K.H. Ho Clement , Lyons Valerie , Chapman Karen 
Published: November 2004

AbstractThe phytotherapeutic agent Serenoa repens is an effective dual inhibitor of 5α‐reductase isoenzyme activity in the prostate. Unlike other 5α‐reductase inhibitors, Serenoa repens induces its effects without interfering with the cellular capacity to secrete PSA. Here, we focussed on the possible pathways that might differentiate the action of Permixon from that of synthetic 5α‐reductase inhibitors. We demonstrate that Serenoa repens, unlike other 5α‐reductase inhibitors, does not inhibit binding between activated AR and the steroid receptor‐binding consensus in the promoter region of the PSA gene. This was shown by a combination of techniques: assessment of the effect of Permixon on androgen action in the LNCaP prostate cancer cell line revealed no suppression of AR and maintenance of PSA protein expression at control levels. This was consistent with reporter gene experiments showing that Permixon failed to interfere with AR‐mediated transcriptional activation of PSA and that both testosterone and DHT were equally effective at maintaining this activity. Our results demonstrate that despite Serenoa repens effective inhibition of 5α‐reductase activity in the prostate, it did not suppress PSA secretion. Therefore, we confirm the therapeutic advantage of Serenoa repens over other 5α‐reductase inhibitors as treatment with the phytotherapeutic agent will permit the continuous use of PSA measurements as a useful biomarker for prostate cancer screening and for evaluating tumour progression. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Retracted: Frequent genetic and biochemical alterations of the PI 3‐K/AKT/PTEN pathway in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Pedrero Juana Maria Garcia , Carracedo Dario Garcia , Pinto Cristina Muñoz , Zapatero Agustín Herrero , Rodrigo Juan Pablo , Nieto Carlos Suarez , Gonzalez Maria Victoria 
Published: November 2004

AbstractWe investigated the status of the PI 3‐kinase/AKT/PTEN signaling pathway in a series of 117 head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) in a search for molecular alterations in genes/proteins with potential prognostic value. For this purpose, PIK3CA and AKT2 gene amplification was assessed by multiplex and Quantitative Real‐Time PCR. Protein expression of AKT, p‐AKT, p110α and PTEN was determined by Western blot. PTEN allelic loss was evaluated by microsatellite analysis. PTEN‐exon 5 was screened for point mutations by PCR‐SSCP. Homozygous deletions were determined by multiplex PCR. PIK3CA gene was amplified in 43/117 (37%) fresh tumor samples, a frequency that did not differ from that found in archival premalignant tissues: 15/38 (39%); 12/40 (30%) fresh tumors harbored AKT2 gene amplification. AKT was found activated in 6/36 (17%) fresh tumor samples, when compared to their normal tissue counterparts. Of these 6 cases, 1 showed p110α overexpression and 5 displayed PTEN protein downregulation. Neither allelic loss (found in 11/77 informative cases) nor point mutations or homozygous deletions accounted for the reduced PTEN protein expression observed in our tumor series. The histologically normal mucosa of 4 patients displayed some of the molecular alterations analyzed. Dysregulation of the PI 3‐K/AKT/PTEN pathway might contribute to early HNSCC tumorigenesis and might constitute a potential clinical target. Overall, 17/36 (47%) cases showed at least 1 of the molecular alterations studied here, which makes the PI 3‐kinase‐initiated signaling pathway one of the most frequently altered in HNSCC. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Self‐reported health and use of health care services in long‐term cancer survivors
Authors: Nord Carina , Mykletun Arnstein , Thorsen Lene , Bjøro Trine , Fosså Sophie D. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractOwing to an increasing number of long‐term cancer survivors, the use of health care services and somatic health problems were compared between cancer survivors and a noncancer population. Data from the Nord‐Trøndelag Health Survey 2 (HUNT 2, 1995–1997) was merged with the Cancer Registry of Norway. Six cancer subgroups were constructed with diagnosis 5 years prior HUNT 2: testicular cancer (n= 59), colorectal cancer (n= 175), prostate cancer (n= 87), breast cancer (n= 258), gynaecological cancer (n= 153) and lymphoma/leukaemia (n= 83). For each cancer survivor 3 matched noncancer controls were selected from the HUNT 2 survey. The prevalence of common health problems, use of health care services and unfavourably life style parameters were compared between the 2 groups. Cancer survivors used health care services and received social welfare benefits more often than the controls. There was an increased risk of perceiving poor health after a history of cancer. Common health problems and/or unfavourable life style parameters could not explain poor health or the increased use of health care services among cancer survivors. Further studies are needed to investigate the reasons for increased use of health care services and perceived poor health in cancer survivors. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Accelerated bone repair with the use of a synthetic BMP‐2‐derived peptide and bone‐marrow stromal cells
Authors: Saito Atsuhiro , Suzuki Yoshihisa , Ogata Shin‐Ichi , Ohtsuki Chikara , Tanihara Masao 
Published: November 2004

AbstractA novel synthetic peptide corresponding to BMP‐2 residues 73–92 that can induce bone formation and can form a conjugate with a carrier to localize its effect has been reported previously. The synthetic peptide was bound to a BMP‐2–specific receptor, and it elevated both the alkaline phosphatase activity and the osteocalcin mRNA in the murine multipotent mesenchymal cell line, C3H10T1/2. The 73–92 peptide also induced ectopic bone formation when conjugated to a covalently crosslinked alginate gel and implanted into a rat's calf muscle. Here, it is reported that the 73–92 peptide‐conjugated alginate gel particles significantly promoted the repair of rat tibial bone defects, whereas the alginate gel sponge that the peptide was conjugated with was less effective. Further acceleration and denser bone regeneration was achieved when the 73–92 peptide‐conjugated alginate gel particles were coimplanted with syngeneic rat bone‐marrow stromal cells. Therefore, the 73–92 peptide can induce differentiation of osteoblast precursor cells into osteoblasts, and can activate osteoblasts to promote the repair of bone defects. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 72A: 77–82, 2005
Adenylyl cyclase‐cAMP system inhibits thrombin‐induced HSP27 in vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Hirade Kouseki , Tanabe Kumiko , Niwa Masayuki , Ishisaki Akira , Nakajima Keiichi , Nakamura Mitsuhiro , Sugiyama Tadashi , Katagiri Yoshihiro , Kato Kanefusa , Kozawa Osamu 
Published: November 2004

AbstractWe previously reported that thrombin stimulates the induction of heat shock protein (HSP) 27 via p38 mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase activation in aortic smooth muscle A10 cells. In the present study, we investigated the effect of the adenylyl cyclase‐cAMP system on the thrombin‐stimulated induction of HSP27 in A10 cells. Forskolin, a direct activator of adenylyl cyclase, reduced the thrombin‐induced p38 MAP kinase phosphorylation, and significantly suppressed the thrombin‐stimulated accumulation of HSP27. However, dideoxyforskolin, a forskolin derivative that does not activate cAMP, failed to suppress the HSP27 accumulation. Furthermore, dibutyryl‐cAMP (DBcAMP), a permeable analog of cAMP, significantly suppressed the accumulation of HSP27. On the other hand, calphostin C, an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), reduced the thrombin‐induced p38 MAP kinase phosphorylation, and significantly suppressed the thrombin‐stimulated accumulation of HSP27. Moreover, forskolin reduced the p38 MAP kinase phosphorylation induced by the 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate (TPA), a PKC‐activating phorbol ester, and significantly suppressed the TPA‐stimulated accumulation of HSP27. These results indicate that adenylyl cyclase‐cAMP system has an inhibitory role in thrombin‐stimulated HSP27 induction in aortic smooth muscle cells, and the effect seems to be exerted on the thrombin‐induced PKC‐ p38 MAP kinase signaling pathway. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Do bcl‐2 and survivin help distinguish benign from malignant B‐cell lymphoid aggregates in bone marrow biopsies?
Authors: Gandhi Amish M. , Ben‐Ezra Jonathan M. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractBcl‐2 and survivin are cellular proteins that are known to be inhibitors of apoptosis and are commonly found in malignant tissues, including lymphomas. In previous studies, it has been shown that staining for bcl‐2 can help distinguish between benign and malignant lymphoid aggregates in bone marrow biopsies. To determine whether staining for survivin expression in lymphoid aggregates can aid investigators in making this clinically important distinction, we stained bone marrow biopsies from 10 patients with benign lymphoid aggregates, and 15 malignant ones derived from B cells (six mantle cell, four follicular cells, two diffuse large cell, two small lymphocytic cell, and one marginal zone lymphoma) with antibodies to CD3, CD20, bcl‐2, and survivin by an indirect immunoperoxidase technique. Whereas staining for bcl‐2 was significantly stronger in the malignant lymphoid aggregates (P=0.001), both the control and malignant cases were almost uniformly negative for survivin expression. Only three cases (two mantle cell and one small lymphocytic lymphoma) showed very faint expression of survivin. Although bcl‐2 and survivin both act to inhibit apoptosis, their expressions do not parallel each other. Survivin is not significantly expressed in either benign or malignant bone marrow aggregates, and therefore measuring its expression does not help distinguish benign from malignant B‐cell bone marrow lymphoid aggregates. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 18:285–288, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Insulin‐like growth factors in patients with liver cysts
Authors: Nedić Olgica , Nikolić J. Anna , Baričević Ivona , Jovanović Biljana , Ilić Nataša 
Published: November 2004

AbstractInsulin‐like growth factors (IGFs) play an important role in cell growth and differentiation, and the liver is the main source of IGFs and IGF‐binding proteins (IGFBPs) that appear in the circulation. The effect of liver cysts on the circulating IGF system was studied in this work. Serum concentrations of IGF‐I and ‐II were measured by radioimmunoassay, IGFBP patterns were characterised by ligand‐affinity and immunoblotting, and a lectin‐binding assay was used to investigate the glyco component of IGFBP‐3 complexes. IGF‐I and ‐II concentrations in patients with cysts were significantly lower compared to those in healthy individuals (P<0.0001 and P<0.01, respectively), and the decrease was related to age but not sex. The overall mean concentrations of IGF‐I and ‐II were not significantly different whether the cysts were caused by Echinococcus granulosus, cross‐reactive pathologies, or some other factor. IGFBP profiles correlated with the amount of IGF present: patients with lower IGF‐I concentrations expressed decreased IGFBP‐3 and elevated IGFBP‐2 levels. Increased IGFBP‐3 proteolytic activity in the patients' blood was not detected by immunoblotting. In the lectin‐binding assay, IGFBP‐3 complexes in the circulation of patients demonstrated reactivity similar to that in healthy persons, suggesting that the overall structure of the saccharide moieties of the IGFBP‐3 complexes was not significantly altered due to liver cyst formation. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 18:299–304, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Five polymorphisms in gene candidates for cardiovascular disease in Afro‐Brazilian individuals
Authors: Sakuma Tatsuya , Hirata Rosario D.C. , Hirata Mario H. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractAssociations of polymorphisms in the angiotensin I‐converting enzyme (ACE), apolipoprotein B (APOB) and apolipoprotein E (APOE) genes with hypertension and variations in lipid serum levels were evaluated in 184 Afro‐Brazilians with a familial history of coronary artery disease (CAD). ACE (Ins/Del) and APOB (Ins/Del, XbaI, and EcoRI) and APOE (HhaI) polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses on agarose, and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Serum lipids were measured by means of routine enzymatic assays. The results showed a high frequency of hypertension (44%) in Afro‐Brazilians that was increased in subjects >40 years old and those with a blood mass index (BMI) higher than 25 kg/m2 (P<0.001). The ACE Del allele was associated with hypertension in men >40 years old (P<0.05). APOE (HhaI) and APOB (XbaI and Ins/Del) polymorphisms were not associated with hypertension or variations in serum concentrations of lipids, while subjects with the APOB E− allele had higher low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) levels than E+ carriers (P<0.05). These results suggest that ACE Ins/Del polymorphism is associated with hypertension, and APOB EcoRI polymorphism is associated with LDL‐C variation in Afro‐Brazilians. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 18:309–316, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lignans in resin of Araucaria angustifolia by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
Authors: Yamamoto Shuichi , Otto Angelika , Simoneit Bernd R. T. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractTotal extract of resin from Araucaria angustifolia was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and 32 lignans were identified. Lignan acetates are present in the resin and consist of four secoisolariciresinol acetates, six lariciresinol acetates, two 7′‐hydroxylariciresinol acetates and an isolariciresinol acetate, which have hitherto not been reported in the plant kingdom. Shonanin and 7′‐hydroxylariciresinol type lignans are also present in A. angustifolia resin. Lignans containing syringyl moieties, characteristic for angiosperms, occur in the resin and consist of 5‐methoxylariciresinol‐9‐acetate, 5′‐methoxylariciresinol‐9‐acetate, 5‐methoxypinoresinol dimethyl ether and 5‐methoxypinoresinol. This is noteworthy because syringyl moieties have only been reported for Thuja species (Cupressaceae) among the gymnosperms. The mass spectra of the various lignan trimethylsilyl derivatives are discussed with the interpretations of the fragmentation patterns. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nucleotide correlation between HAV isolates from human patients and environmental samples
Authors: Divizia Maurizio , Gabrieli Rosanna , Macaluso Alessia , Bagnato Barbara , Palombi Leonardo , Buonomo Ersilia , Cenko Fabian , Leno Luljeta , Bino Silva , Basha Anila , Panà Augusto 
Published: November 2004

AbstractHepatitis A disease is endemic in Albania even though records from the Medical Authority show outbreaks involving only limited numbers of people. In the city of Laç, 200 people became ill following an outbreak of hepatitis A started on November 2002. The age distribution of the cases shows a peak in the age group 5–9 (43.5%) followed by the age group 10–14 (28%) and the age group 1–4 (18%). No cases were recorded in the age group 0–1. Drinking water and sewage samples were collected, using electropositive cartridges, during the outbreak. Rotavirus was identified by RT‐PCR in two out of five drinking water samples; however, all the samples tested negative for HAV and astrovirus. Rotavirus was also identified in three out of five sewage samples from which four were HAV positive. HAV‐RNA was identified in 28 (62.2%) out of 45 IgM anti‐HAV positive sera collected during the outbreak. Genotype IA was expressed from all the amplified samples. Sequence analysis of the overlapping VP1‐2A region shows 97–99% homology with three Italian strains IT‐SCH‐00, IT‐ZAM‐01, and IT‐CAP‐00 and one Spanish strain (Sa 30/06/95), whereas the phylogenetic tree built from the 168 bp sequence of the VP1‐2A shows four clusters, one including 24 out of 28 RT‐PCR positive sera. Considering the deduced amino acid sequence, only one substitution was identified and reported previously for genotype IB. J. Med. Virol. 75:8–12, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of full length sequences of hepatitis B virus isolates in hepatocellular carcinoma patients and asymptomatic carriers of Korea
Authors: Song Byung‐Cheol , Kim Hong , Kim Sun‐Hyun , Cha Chang‐Yong , Kook Yoon‐Hoh , Kim Bum‐Joon 
Published: November 2004

AbstractRelatively few genomic sequences of Korean hepatitis B virus (HBV) isolates are available. Moreover, no comparative study has been made between the full‐length genomes of Korean HBV isolates and clinical status. To evaluate mutations in HBV isolates obtained from chronically infected HBV patients in terms of clinical significance, we determined the genomic sequences of HBV isolates obtained from three hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients (He52, He53, and He82) and from three asymptomatic carriers (He74, He100, and He127). A comparison of sequence variations showed that the HBV isolates from the three HCC patients showed higher frequencies of mutation than the isolates from the three asymptomatic carriers. Three characteristic mutation patterns were identified in the HBV isolates from the HCC patients, which distinguished the HBV isolates from the asymptomatic carriers. First, HBV isolates from the three HCC patients both had double mutations in a core promoter (T1762/A1764) and a precore mutation (A1896). Second, although these isolates belonged to genotype C, 11 amino acids deletions in the preS1 region, specific for HBV genotype D, were detected in the isolates of two HCC patients (He52 and He82). Third, mutations (I127T/N, K130M, and V131I) at three codons in the carboxy functional region of X protein were observed in isolates from all three HCC patients. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis based on the entire HBV sequences showed that all six isolates belonged to genotype C2, as do other Korean strains. J. Med. Virol. 75:13–19, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Serum epstein–barr virus DNA load in primary epstein–barr virus infection
Authors: Bauer Claudia C. , Aberle Stephan W. , Popow‐Kraupp Theresia , Kapitan Magdalena , Hofmann Hanns , Puchhammer‐Stöckl Elisabeth 
Published: November 2004

AbstractSpecific viral laboratory diagnosis of primary Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) infection is usually based on antibody‐detection assays. During acute, lytic phase of infection, viral DNA can also be detected in serum. In the present study, the diagnostic utility of EBV DNA detection and quantitation in serum in primary EBV infection was investigated. The level of EBV DNA in the serum of 98 immunocompetent patients aged 1–47 years with symptomatic, antibody‐confirmed EBV primary infection was assessed using a quantitative real‐time PCR assay. The association between viral load and time after onset of disease, age and clinical and laboratory data was investigated. Quantitative PCR detected EBV DNA in 93 of 98 samples (94.9%), and the measured viral loads ranged from 3.8 × 101 to 6.6 × 104 copies/ml. EBV DNA detection exhibited a sensitivity of 94.9% and a specificity of 97.4% for primary EBV infection. EBV DNA was always detectable until day 12 after onset of symptoms, whereas no further positive PCR results were found after a period of 22 days after onset of disease. Detection of EBV DNA also showed a clearer association with the clinical manifestation of disease than the presence of EBV specific VCA IgG antibodies of low avidity. EBV DNA load was found to correlate inversely with the time after onset of disease (P < 0.001), and higher viral load levels were detected in younger (P = 0.009) and in hospitalized patients (P = 0.038). The results indicate that real‐time PCR is a reliable tool for diagnosis of primary EBV infection early in the course of disease. In addition, EBV DNA detection may serve as a useful diagnostic supplement in serologically indeterminate EBV infections. J. Med. Virol. 75:54–58, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Epstein–Barr viral load as a marker of lymphoma in AIDS patients
Authors: Fan Hongxin , Kim Seong Cheol , Chima Chukwuemeka O. , Israel Bruce F. , Lawless Kathleen M. , Eagan Phyllis A. , Elmore Sandra , Moore Dominic T. , Schichman Steven A. , Swinnen Lode J. , Gulley Margaret L. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractEpstein–Barr virus (EBV) is implicated in the pathogenesis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) lymphoma, and viral DNA is present within the malignant cells in about half of affected patients. We examined the extent to which EBV viral load is elevated in the plasma of AIDS lymphoma patients compared to AIDS patients with opportunistic infections. Sixty‐one AIDS patients were studied including 35 with lymphoma (24 non‐Hodgkin, six Hodgkin, and five brain lymphoma) and 26 with various opportunistic infections. In situ hybridization revealed EBV encoded RNA (EBER) expression in the malignant cells of 17/28 AIDS lymphomas (61%). In 232 serial plasma samples from 35 lymphoma patients and in 128 samples from AIDS controls, EBV viral load was assayed by quantitative‐polymerase chain reaction (Q‐PCR) using a TaqMan probe targeting the BamH1W sequence. EBV was detected in plasma from all 17 EBER‐positive AIDS lymphoma patients, with viral loads ranging from 34 to 1,500,000 copies per ml (median 3,210). Viral load usually fell rapidly upon initiation of lymphoma therapy and remained undetectable except in two patients with persistent tumor. In 11 AIDS patients, whose lymphoma lacked EBER expression, and in 26 control patients without lymphoma, levels of EBV in plasma were usually low or undetectable (range 0–1,995 and 0–2,409, median 0 and 0, respectively). There was no association between EBV viral load and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) load or CD4 count. In conclusion, EBV viral load shows promise as a tool to assist in diagnosis and management of EBV‐related lymphoma patients. J. Med. Virol. 75:59–69, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.