bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Acetochlor Registration Partnership: Prospective Ground Water Monitoring Program
Authors: Newcombe Andrew C. , Gustafson David I. , Fuhrman John D. , van Wesenbeeck Ian J. , Simmons Nick D. , Klein Andrew J. , Travis Kim Z. , Harradine Kevin J. 
Published: May 2005

ABSTRACTThe Acetochlor Registration Partnership conducted a prospective ground water (PGW) monitoring program to investigate acetochlor [2‐chloro‐N‐(ethoxymethyl)‐N‐(2‐ethyl‐6‐methylphenyl)‐acetamide] transport to ground water at eight sites. The distribution of soil textures among these sites was weighted toward coarser soil types, while also including finer‐textured soils that dominate most corn (Zea mays L.)‐growing areas of the United States. Each site consisted of a 1.2‐ha test plot adjacent to a 0.2‐ha control plot. Suction lysimeters and monitoring wells were installed at multiple depths within each test and control plot to sample soil‐pore water and near‐surface ground water. Irrigation was applied to each site during the growing season to ensure water input of 110 to 200% of average historical rainfall. Acetochlor dissipated rapidly from surface soils at all sites with a DT50 (time for 50% of the initial residues to dissipate) of only 3 to 9 d, but leaching was not an important loss mechanism, with only 0.25% of the 15312 soil‐pore water and ground water samples analyzed containing parent acetochlor at or above 0.05 μg L−1 However, quantifiable residues of a soil degradation product, acetochlor ethanesulfonic acid, were more common, with approximately 16% of water samples containing concentrations at or above 1.0 μg L−1 A second soil degradation product, acetochlor oxanilic acid, was present at concentrations at or above 1.0 μg L−1 in only 0.15% of water samples analyzed. The acetochlor PGW program demonstrated that acetochlor lacks the potential to leach to ground water at detectable concentrations, and when applied in accordance with label restrictions, is unlikely to move to ground water at concentrations hazardous to human health.
Effect of Petroleum‐Containing Wastewater Irrigation on Bacterial Diversities and Enzymatic Activities in a Paddy Soil Irrigation Area
Authors: Li H. , Zhang Y. , Zhang C. G. , Chen G. X. 
Published: May 2005

ABSTRACTEffects of petroleum contamination on bacterial diversities and enzymatic activities in paddy soils were investigated in the Shenfu irrigation area, the largest area irrigated by oil‐containing wastewater for more than 50 yr in northeastern China. Bacterial diversities were determined by conventional colony morphology typing techniques and 16S rDNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Dehydrogenase, hydrogen peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, urease, and substrate‐induced respiration (SIR) were measured to evaluate the effects of petroleum‐containing wastewater irrigation on soil biochemical characteristics. Results showed that paddy soil total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) concentration in the irrigation area varied from 277.11 to 5213.37 mg kg−1dry soil. Soil TPH concentration declined along the gradient of the irrigation channel from up‐ to downstream. At the current pollution level, the paddy soil TPH concentration was positively correlated with the colony forming units (CFU) of aerobic heterotrophic bacteria (AHB) (r= 0.928,p< 0.001) and the genetic diversity based on DGGE profiles (r= 0.655,p< 0.05). The bacterial diversities in the soils based on colony morphotypes of AHB also increased with TPH concentration (r= 0.598), but not significant statistically (p= 0.052). Analysis of soil enzyme activities indicated a significant positive correlation between soil TPH concentration and activities of dehydrogenases (r= 0.974,p< 0.001), hydrogen peroxidases (r= 0.957,p< 0.001), polyphenol oxidases (r= 0.886,p< 0.001), and SIR (r= 0.916,p< 0.001). On the contrary, the urease activity showed a negative correlation with paddy soil TPH concentration (r= −0.814,p= 0.002), and could be used as a sensitive indicator of petroleum contamination.
Traversing the conceptual divide between biological and statistical epistasis: systems biology and a more modern synthesis
Authors: Moore Jason H. , Williams Scott M. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractEpistasis plays an important role in the genetic architecture of common human diseases and can be viewed from two perspectives, biological and statistical, each derived from and leading to different assumptions and research strategies. Biological epistasis is the result of physical interactions among biomolecules within gene regulatory networks and biochemical pathways in an individual such that the effect of a gene on a phenotype is dependent on one or more other genes. In contrast, statistical epistasis is defined as deviation from additivity in a mathematical model summarizing the relationship between multilocus genotypes and phenotypic variation in a population. The goal of this essay is to review definitions and examples of biological and statistical epistasis and to explore the relationship between the two. Specifically, we present and discuss the following two questions in the context of human health and disease. First, when does statistical evidence of epistasis in human populations imply underlying biomolecular interactions in the etiology of disease? Second, when do biomolecular interactions produce patterns of statistical epistasis in human populations?Answers to these two reciprocal questions will provide an important framework for using genetic information to improve our ability to diagnose, prevent and treat common human diseases. We propose that systems biology will provide the necessary information for addressing these questions and that model systems such as bacteria, yeast and digital organisms will be a useful place to start. BioEssays 27:637–646, 2005. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Integrative biology of sticky feet in geckos
Authors: Pianka Eric R. , Sweet Samuel S. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractGeckos have gained ecological access to novel microhabitats by exploiting intermolecular van der Waals forces, which allow them to climb smooth vertical surfaces. They use microscopic surface‐based phenomena to thrive in a macroscopic mass‐ and kinetic energy‐based world. Here we detail this as a premier example of integrative biology, spanning seven orders of magnitude and a lot of interesting biology. Emergent properties arising from molecular adhesion include several adaptive radiations that have produced a great diversity of geckos worldwide. BioEssays 27:647–652, 2005. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rho GTPase expression in tumourigenesis: Evidence for a significant link
Authors: del Pulgar Teresa Gómez , Benitah Salvador A. , Valerón Pilar F. , Espina Carolina , Lacal Juan Carlos 
Published: May 2005

AbstractRho proteins belong to the small GTPases superfamily. They function as molecular switches that, in response to diverse stimuli, control key signaling and structural aspects of the cell. Although early studies proposed a role for Rho GTPases in cellular transformation, this effect was underestimated due to the fact that no genetic mutations affecting Rho‐encoding genes were found in tumors. Recently, it has become evident that Rho GTPases participate in the carcinogenic process by either overexpression of some of the members of the family with oncogenic activity, downmodulation of other members with suggested tumor suppressor activity, or by alteration of upstream modulators or downstream effectors. Thus, alteration of the levels of expression of different members of the family of Rho GTPases has been detected in many types of human tumors leading to a great interest in the cellular effects elicited by these oncoproteins. This essay reviews the current evidence of dysregulation of Rho signaling by overexpression in human tumors. BioEssays 27:602–613, 2005. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Many roads to resistance: how invertebrates adapt to Bt toxins
Authors: Griffitts Joel S. , Aroian Raffi V. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractThe Cry family of Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal and nematicidal proteins constitutes a valuable source of environmentally benign compounds for the control of insect pests and disease agents. An understanding of Cry toxin resistance at a molecular level will be critical to the long‐term utility of this technology; it may also shed light on basic mechanisms used by other bacterial toxins that target specific organisms or cell types. Selection and cross‐resistance studies have confirmed that genetic adaptation can elicit varying patterns of Cry toxin resistance, which has been associated with deficient protoxin activation by host proteases, and defective Cry toxin‐binding cell surface molecules, such as cadherins, aminopeptidases and glycolipids. Recent work also suggests Cry toxin resistance may be induced in invertebrates as an active immune response. The use of model invertebrates, such as Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster, as well as advances in insect genomics, are likely to accelerate efforts to clone Cry toxin resistance genes and come to a detailed and broad understanding of Cry toxin resistance. BioEssays 27:614–624, 2005. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Is ectopic expression caused by deregulatory mutations or due to gene‐regulation leaks with evolutionary potential?
Authors: Rodríguez‐Trelles Francisco , Tarrío Rosa , Ayala Francisco J. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractIt has long been thought that gene expression is tightly regulated in multicellular eukaryotes, so that expression profiles match functional profiles. This conception emerged from the assumption that gene activity is synonymous with gene function. This paradigm was first challenged by comparative protein electrophoresis studies showing extensive differences in expression patterns among related species. The paradigm is now being challenged by evolutionary transcriptomics using microarray technologies. Most gene expression profiles display features that lack any obvious functional significance. The so‐called “ectopic” expression refers to the expression of genes at times and locations where the target gene is not known to have a function. However, ectopic expression might be associated with genuine function even if this function is not essential or has yet to be ascertained. Alternatively, ectopic expression might come about as a superfluous by‐product of regulatory systems, which would call for a revision of prevailing ideas about the specificity of gene regulation. We herein review available evidence for ectopic expression and the hypotheses proposed for its origin and evolution. We propose that ectopic expression must be regarded as part of an integrated phenotypic whole. It seems likely that ectopic expression represents a leak in the evolution of regulatory systems, but one that is endowed with considerable evolutionary possibilities. BioEssays 27:592–601, 2005. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Coding repeats and evolutionary “agility”
Authors: Caburet Sandrine , Cocquet Julie , Vaiman Daniel , Veitia Reiner A. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractThe rapid generation of new shapes observed in the living world is the result of genetic variation, especially in “morphological” developmental genes. Many of these genes contain coding tandem repeats. Fondon and Garner have shown that expansions and contractions of these repeats are associated with the great diversity of morphologies observed in the domestic dog, Canis familiaris.1 In particular, they found that the repeat variations in two genes were significantly associated with changes in limb and skull morphology. These results open the possibility that such a mechanism contributes to the diversity of life. BioEssays 27:581–587, 2005. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Detection of sentinel nodes and micrometastases using radioisotope navigation and immunohistochemistry in patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Uenosono Y , Natsugoe S , Ehi K , Arigami T , Hokita S , Aikou T 
Published: May 2005

AbstractBackgroundPatients with early gastric cancer may be treated by minimally invasive surgery. This study investigated the value of sentinel node (SN) navigation surgery, including detection of micrometastases, in patients with clinical (c) T1 and T2 gastric cancer.MethodsThe day before surgery 99mTc-radiolabelled tin colloid was injected submucosally near the tumour. After resecting the stomach, radioisotope uptake in all dissected lymph nodes was measured during and after surgery. Micrometastasis was detected immunohistochemically using an anticytokeratin antibody.ResultsSNs were identified in 99 of 104 patients. The rate of identification of SNs in patients with cT1 and cT2 tumours, excluding three technical failures, was 99 and 95 per cent respectively. Lymph node metastases and/or micrometastases were found in 28 patients (15 cT1 and 13 cT2). In the 15 patients with cT1 tumours, at least one SN contained metastasis and/or micrometastasis. For cT1 tumours, the sensitivity and accuracy of detecting SNs were both 100 per cent. Six patients with cT2 tumours had false-negative results.ConclusionSN navigation surgery appears to be clinically useful only for cT1 tumours. Based on SN results, the extent of lymphadenectomy may be reduced in patients with early gastric cancer.
Quality of life assessment in patients with chronic anal fissure after lateral internal sphincterotomy
Authors: Ortiz H , Marzo J , Armendariz P , De Miguel M 
Published: May 2005

Abstract

Background
The aim of this study was to compare quality of life of patients with chronic anal fissure before and after open lateral internal sphincterotomy.

Methods
A prospective study was undertaken of 108 consecutive patients with a history of chronic anal fissure who underwent lateral internal sphincterotomy. Quality of life was measured before and 6 months after operation with the Short-Form 36 (SF-36) Health Survey.

Results
Quality of life improved significantly in six of the eight scales of the SF-36 questionnaire: physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, energy, social functioning and mental health. There were no significant differences between the 70 patients who had no change in continence after operation and the 38 patients with continence disturbances after sphincterotomy. However, there were significant improvements in four scales in patients without changes in continence compared with improvements in only two scales in those with continence disturbances.

Conclusion
Patients with chronic anal fissure showed an improvement in quality of life 6 months after internal lateral sphincterotomy. Patients with postoperative continence disturbances showed improvement in fewer scales of the SF-36 questionnaire than those without changes in continence.
Prognostic significance of alarm symptoms in patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Stephens M R , Lewis W G , White S , Blackshaw G R J C , Edwards P , Barry J D , Allison M C 
Published: May 2005

Abstract

Background
The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and spectrum of alarm symptoms in patients with newly diagnosed gastric cancer, and to examine the relationship between symptoms and outcome.

Methods
Three hundred consecutive patients with gastric adenocarcinoma were studied prospectively. The outcomes of 40 patients (13·3 per cent) without alarm symptoms (21 men; median age 69 years) were compared with those of the 260 patients (86·7 per cent) with alarm symptoms (175 men; median age 72 years).

Results
It was possible to perform an R0 gastrectomy more often in patients without alarm symptoms (21 patients; 52 per cent) than in those with alarm symptoms (71 patients; 27·3 per cent) (χ2 = 10·35, 1 d.f., P = 0·001). The cumulative survival rate at 5 years was 38 per cent for patients without alarm symptoms versus 15·0 per cent for those with alarm symptoms (χ2 = 10·18, 1 d.f., P = 0·001). In a multivariate analysis, distant metastasis (hazard ratio (HR) 2·73 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 2·04 to 3·66); P &lt; 0·001), overall stage of cancer (HR 1·83 (95 per cent c.i. 1·53 to 2·19); P &lt; 0·001) and persistent vomiting at diagnosis (HR 1·66 (95 per cent c.i. 1·26 to 2·18); P &lt; 0·001) were independently associated with length of survival.

Conclusion
Alarm symptoms are absent in a significant minority of patients with gastric cancer at diagnosis; these patients stand a better chance of curative surgery and long-term survival than those with alarm symptoms.
Risk of tumour seeding after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Livraghi T , Lazzaroni S , Meloni F , Solbiati L 
Published: May 2005

Abstract

Background
A recent small study reported a high rate of neoplastic seeding after cooled-tip radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients who had undergone previous needle biopsy. Tumour seeding was associated with subcapsular tumour location, poorly differentiated tumours and a high α-fetoprotein (AFP) level. The aim of the present study was to determine the rate of neoplastic seeding after RFA in a large series of unselected patients with HCC who had a long follow-up.

Methods
A total of 1314 patients with 2542 nodules were treated in three centres. Median follow-up was 37 months. Needle biopsy had been performed before RFA in 241 patients (18·3 per cent). The influence of subcapsular location, high AFP level and previous biopsy on risk of tumour seeding was assessed.

Results
Neoplastic seeding was identified in 12 patients (0·9 per cent); the rate was comparable at the three centres (0·9, 0·7 and 1·4 per cent). Only previous biopsy was significantly associated with tumour seeding (P = 0·004).

Conclusion
RFA with a cooled-tip needle was associated with a low risk of neoplastic seeding, even in unselected patients. The use of biopsy before RFA is to be discouraged, particularly when liver transplantation is a possibility at a later date.
Experimental bile duct protection by intraductal cooling during radiofrequency ablation
Authors: Stippel D L , Bangard C , Kasper H U , Fischer J H , Hölscher A H , Gossmann A 
Published: May 2005

Abstract

Background
The use of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for liver tumours is limited by the proximity of large bile ducts to the targeted lesion. The aim of this randomized study was to evaluate intraductal cooling as a mean of protecting the bile ducts during RFA.

Methods
Twelve pigs underwent RFA adjacent to the right bile duct. After placement of an intraductal cooling catheter and a RFA probe, pigs were randomized to cooling or no cooling. Intraductal temperature was measured in all animals. The bile ducts were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cholangiography 1 and 28 days after the procedure.

Results
Intraductal cooling abolished the increase of intraductal temperature seen in the absence of cooling. Concurrent cholangiography and MRI showed a biliary lesion in one of six pigs subjected to intraductal cooling and in five of six without cooling (P = 0·040). The biliary injuries were barely visible by MRI on day 1 but were clearly visible on day 28.

Conclusion
Intraductal cooling can prevent biliary injury induced by RFA. The exact parameters for intraductal cooling require further investigation to establish the best compromise between bile duct protection and complete ablation of surrounding tissue.
Capecitabine plus docetaxel combination therapy
Authors: Verma Shailendra , Maraninchi Dominique , O'Shaughnessy Joyce , Jamieson Carol , Jones Stephen , Martín Miguel , McKendrick Joseph , Miles David , Twelves Chris , Hornberger John 
Published: May 2005

AbstractBACKGROUNDFor patients with anthracycline‐pretreated metastatic breast carcinoma, capecitabine plus docetaxel significantly increased overall survival compared with docetaxel alone. The current study evaluated the cost‐effectiveness of the capecitabine/docetaxel combination versus docetaxel monotherapy, comparing the gain in quality‐adjusted survival with associated health care costs.METHODSPatients were randomized to receive 21‐day cycles of oral capecitabine 1250 mg/m2 twice daily, on Days 1–14, plus docetaxel 75 mg/m2 Day 1 (n = 255), or docetaxel 100 mg/m2 on Day 1 (n = 256). Health and cost outcomes in the two arms were compared, and cost‐effectiveness was estimated. Data on survival time and medical care resource use were prospectively collected in the trial. Costs associated with medical care resource use and quality‐of‐life adjustments were obtained from the published literature. The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio was calculated as the cost per quality‐adjusted life year (QALY) gained.RESULTSCapecitabine/docetaxel increased the median overall survival by 3 months compared with docetaxel alone (14.5 vs. 11.5 months). The mean quality‐adjusted survival was increased by 1.8 months in the capecitabine/docetaxel group. The total medical‐resource utilization cost per patient was 8.9% higher with the combination: $24,475 for combination therapy versus $22,477 for single‐agent docetaxel. The mean cost per QALY gained with combination therapy was $13,558 (standard deviation, $6742). Cost savings due to reduced docetaxel dose and hospital use were the major cost offsets with the combination. Sensitivity analyses showed that varying the mean hospital cost per day from the 5th to the 95th percentile resulted in cost‐utility ratios ranging from $20,326 to as low as $6360.CONCLUSIONSCapecitabine/docetaxel was a cost‐effective treatment in patients with anthracycline‐pretreated advanced breast carcinoma, and had an incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio that compares very favorably with that of many other oncology therapies. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Lamina‐specific distribution of synaptopodin, an actin‐associated molecule essential for the spine apparatus, in identified principal cell dendrites of the mouse hippocampus
Authors: Bas Orth Carlos , Vlachos Andreas , Del Turco Domenico , Burbach Guido J. , Haas Carola A. , Mundel Peter , Feng Guoping , Frotscher Michael , Deller Thomas 
Published: May 2005

AbstractSynaptopodin is an actin‐associated molecule found in a subset of telencephalic spines. It is an essential component of the spine apparatus, a Ca2+‐storing organelle and has been implicated in synaptic plasticity (Deller et al. [2003] Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 100:10494–10499). In the rodent hippocampus, Synaptopodin is distributed in a characteristic region‐ and lamina‐specific manner. To learn more about the cellular basis underlying this distribution, the regional, laminar, and cellular localization of Synaptopodin and its mRNA were analyzed in mouse hippocampus. First, Synaptopodin puncta densities were quantified after immunofluorescent labeling using confocal microscopy. Second, the dendritic distribution of Synaptopodin‐positive puncta was studied using three‐dimensional confocal reconstructions of Synaptopodin‐immunostained and enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP)‐labeled principal neurons. Synaptopodin puncta located within dendrites of principal neurons were primarily found in spines (>95%). Analysis of dendritic segments located in different layers revealed lamina‐specific differences in the percentage of Synaptopodin‐positive spines. Densities ranged between 37% (outer molecular layer) and 14% (stratum oriens; CA1). Finally, synaptopodin mRNA expression was studied using in situ hybridization, laser microdissection, and quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction. Expression levels were comparable between all regions. These data demonstrate a lamina‐specific distribution of Synaptopodin within dendritic segments of identified neurons. Within dendrites, the majority of Synaptopodin‐positive puncta were located in spines where they represent spine apparatuses. We conclude, that this organelle is distributed in a region‐ and layer‐specific manner in the mouse hippocampus and suggest that differences in the activity of afferent fiber systems could determine its distribution. J. Comp. Neurol. 487:227–239, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.