bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prospective study of transfusion history and thyroid cancer incidence among females in Japan
Authors: Fujino Yoshihisa , Tamakoshi Akiko , Hoshiyama Yoshiharu , Mikami Haruo , Okamoto Naoyuki , Ohno Yoshiyuki , Yoshimura Takesumi 
Published: June 2004

AbstractA link between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and thyroid cancer was recently reported in a series of case‐control studies in southern Italy. A prospective study could reinforce these findings. However, cohort studies that began before 1990 rarely assessed serological HCV infection. In addition, thyroid cancer is rare and generally has a good prognosis. Therefore, incidence outcome data are required, rather than mortality data, to evaluate the risk of thyroid cancer. Blood transfusion history might be a possible substitute measure to evaluate the cancer risks associated with HCV infection because blood transfusions were the major HCV transmission route in Japan until 1992. The purpose of our study was therefore to examine the association between transfusion history and thyroid cancer. A baseline survey of members of the JACC Study was conducted from 1988 until 1990, which involved 110,792 participants from 45 areas throughout Japan. Data were collected from a total of 37,983 women with no history of cancer at the baseline (337,906 person‐years) and 79 cases of thyroid cancer were identified among this group. A history of blood transfusion marginally increased the risk of thyroid cancer [risk ratio (RR) = 1.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.95–3.30], and a history of transfusion and/or liver disease significantly increased the thyroid cancer risk (RR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.07–3.16). These results indirectly support an association between HCV and thyroid cancer. In addition, our data reveal an association between blood transfusion and thyroid cancer, which might be facilitated by transfusion‐associated immunomodulation. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cytokine‐modified Mycobacterium smegmatis as a novel anticancer immunotherapy
Authors: Young Sarah L. , Murphy Michael , Zhu Xing Wu , Harnden Patricia , O'Donnell Michael A. , James Keith , Patel Poulam M. , Selby Peter J. , Jackson Andrew M. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractIntravesical administration of live M. bovis BCG organisms for carcinoma in situ of the urinary bladder is the most successful immunotherapy for solid malignancy. Nevertheless BCG‐therapy is associated with significant toxicity and is ineffective in 30–40% of cases. Recently it has been proposed that cytokine‐modified mycobacteria may give greater efficacy. As any immunotherapy involving administration of live BCG organisms (wild‐type or recombinant) is likely to have associated toxicity (notably in the immunocompromised), we examined the anti‐tumour potential of the closely related nonpathogenic organism, Mycobacterium smegmatis, and a TNFα gene‐modified recombinant M. smegmatis. When wild‐type M. smegmatis were delivered to immunocompetent C57Bl/6 mice bearing the transplantable MB49 bladder tumour, efficacy comparable to live BCG was observed with 10–20% long‐term survival. However, this effect was lost in both Nude and Beige mice, lacking functional T and NK cells, respectively. Recombinant M. smegmatis secreting TNFα, however, gave a 70% durable tumour‐free survival. Lymphocytes from draining lymph‐nodes and spleens of these mice exhibited pronounced IFNγ production to mycobacterial‐antigen and tumour‐lysate, indicating a bias towards cell‐mediated immunity. This was further supported by histopathological examination of the tumour site, which revealed significantly increased numbers of CD3+ lymphocytes in animals receiving the recombinant vaccine, but not in those receiving wild‐type bacteria. Importantly, tumour rejection following M. smegmatis/TNFα was independent of T lymphocytes, as athymic Nude mice efficiently eradicated MB49 tumours. In contrast, the therapeutic efficacy of M. smegmatis/TNFα was reduced in animals deficient in NK cytolytic function, suggesting a role for NK‐cells in initial tumour destruction. Furthermore the absence of NK‐function in Beige mice did not prevent the establishment of tumour‐protective memory. No toxicity was observed with wild‐type or recombinant M. smegmatis in immunocompetent, T‐deficient or NK‐deficient models. We demonstrate for the first time that recombinant mycobacteria expressing mammalian cytokines have markedly increased anti‐tumour properties. The lack of toxicity suggests that M. smegmatis is a “safe” vehicle for use in immunocompromised patients. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Anisamide‐targeted stealth liposomes: A potent carrier for targeting doxorubicin to human prostate cancer cells
Authors: Banerjee Rajkumar , Tyagi Pradeep , Li Song , Huang Leaf 
Published: June 2004

AbstractCertain human malignancies including prostate cancer overexpress sigma receptor, a membrane bound protein that binds haloperidol and various other neuroleptics with high affinity. An anisamide derivatized ligand possesses high affinity for sigma receptors and we hypothesized that its incorporation into the liposomes encapsulating doxorubicin (DOX) can specifically target and deliver the drug to prostate cancer cells that overexpress sigma receptors. A polyethylene glycol phospholipid was derivatized with an anisamide ligand, which was then incorporated into the DOX‐loaded liposome. The resulting anisamide‐conjugated liposomal DOX showed significantly higher toxicity to DU‐145 cells than non‐targeted liposomal DOX, the IC50 being 1.8 μM and 14 μM respectively. The cytotoxicity of the targeted liposomal DOX, however, was significantly blocked by haloperidol, suggesting that the enhanced cytotoxicity was specifically mediated by the sigma receptors. Fluorescence imaging studies after intravenous (i.v.) administration showed that incorporation of anisamide into liposomes significantly improved their accumulation into the tumor. A weekly injection of the targeted liposomal DOX for 4 weeks at a dose of 7.5 mg/kg led to a significant growth inhibition of established DU‐145 tumor in nude mice with minimal toxicity. Free DOX was effective, but associated with significant toxicities. The present study is the first to demonstrate the use of small molecular weight ligand for mediating efficient targeting of liposomal drugs to sigma receptor expressing prostate cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modeling and Managing the Cost and Quality of Information Technology Services at Indiana University: A Case Study
Authors: Peebles Christopher Spalding , Antolovic Laurie G. , Holland Norma B. , Adams Karen Hoeve , Allmayer Debby , Davidson Phyllis H. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractA focus on the quality, cost, and value of technology can turn potential conflicts into a productive dialogue that leads to effective change.
Looking for Bias in All the Wrong Places: A Search for Truth or a Witch Hunt in Student Ratings of Instruction?
Authors: Theall Michael , Franklin Jennifer 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThrough a half‐century of research on student ratings, the constant quest has been to prove or disprove the existence of biasing factors. What have we learned, and what has happened as a result? This chapter examines some of these supposed biases and presents some guidelines for improving practice.
Improving Judgments About Teaching Effectiveness Using Teacher Rating Forms
Authors: Abrami Philip C. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThis chapter critically examines five issues surrounding the use of student evaluations of teaching for summative decisions: current practices, validity concerns, improving the reporting of results, improving the decision‐making process, and incorporating validity estimates into the decision‐making process. The author proposes that we can improve judgments by improving the precision of our measures.
Inhibition of cell proliferation and the action mechanisms of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) on human breast cancer cells
Authors: Chow Stephanie K.Y. , Chan Judy Y.W. , Fung K.P. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractArsenic trioxide (As2O3) is one of the arsenic compounds found in nature. As2O3 has recently been used to treat patients suffering from retinoic acid receptor (AML). It is of clinical interest to investigate whether As2O3 is also effective in treating solid tumors. Here, we report that As2O3 exhibited inhibitory effects on the proliferation of human breast cancer MCF‐7 cells in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of As2O3 in inhibiting proliferation of MCF‐7 cells were 8, 1.8, and 1.2 μM upon 1‐, 2‐, and 3‐day treatment, respectively. In elucidating the underlying action mechanisms, the results of experiments concerning DNA fragmentation and externalization indicated that As2O3 exerted its action on MCF‐7 cells via apoptosis, whereas the result of flow cytometry also indicated that As2O3 could induce mitochondrial mediated cell‐cycle arrest at G1 phase. Further studies by Western blot analysis indicated that As2O3 regulated apoptosis and the expression of cell‐cycle‐related proteins as it upregulated p53 protein level and downregulated bcl‐2 protein level. Results in present study indicated that As2O3 might also be a good candidate for treating breast cancer. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prolactin increases HO‐1 expression and induces VEGF production in human macrophages
Authors: Malaguarnera L. , Imbesi R.M. , Scuto A. , D'Amico F. , Licata F. , Messina A. , Sanfilippo S. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThe pituitary hormone prolactin (PRL) is a multifunctional polypeptide which exerts a role on cell proliferation and may also contribute to cell differentiation. PRL is also produced by immune cells and is regarded as a key component of the neuroendocrine–immune loop and as a local regulator of macrophage response. The involvement of PRL in regulating monocyte/macrophage functions is suggested by the presence of PRL receptors in these cells. It has been shown that PRL possess both angiogenic and antiangiogenic effects. Recently, we revealed that augmentation of HO‐1 activity enhances PRL‐mediated angiogenesis in human endothelial cells. Since macrophages are key participants in angiogenesis our objective was to investigate the effect of PRL also in human macrophages. In vitro treatment of macrophages with PRL was found to increase both heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) expression and protein synthesis in a time and dose dependent manner as quantified respectively by reverse‐transcriptase real‐time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. PRL‐treated macrophages also showed an enhanced release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as demonstrated by ELISA assay. Furthermore, to determine whether PRL‐induced HO‐1 activity was required for VEGF production by macrophages, the effect of PRL on the induction of VEGF was studied in the presence of an inducer stannic chloride (SnCl2) and of an inhibitor stannic mesoporphyrin (SnMP) of HO activity. Our observations suggest that PRL may regulate monocyte activation and influences not only immune function but also angiogenesis. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Isolation increases milt production in goldfish
Authors: Fraser E. Jane , Stacey Norm 
Published: June 2004

AbstractMilt volume in goldfish is increased by female steroid and prostaglandin pheromones, by exposure to males with elevated gonadotropin levels, and by isolation from conspecifics. This study examined various aspects of the isolation effect on milt volume and serum gonadotropin II (GTH II). The latency of isolation‐induced milt increase in this study (12–24 hr) was longer than the latencies to pheromone‐induced milt increase in previous work (0.5–6.0 hr), was not affected by the time of day at which males were isolated, persisted for at least 72 hr in isolated males, and was terminated within 24 hr in males that were returned to groups. Isolated males maintained high milt production when separated from tank mates by a perforated barrier or when exposed to visual and odor cues from males in other tanks, suggesting that the unknown conspecific cues that maintain low milt production in groups operate at close range. Isolation appears to increase milt through a mechanism different from that mediating response to female pheromones because: (1) unlike female pheromones, which consistently increase serum GTH II, no isolation or regrouping treatment in this study affected male GTH II concentration; and (2) the effects of isolation and of exposure to the female pheromone 17α,20β‐dihydroxy‐4‐pregnen‐3‐one (17,20β‐P) are additive. Finally, males that were previously isolated or exposed to 17,20β‐P increased milt (but not GTH II) in grouped males, suggesting that the effects of isolation and pheromone exposure can indirectly stimulate male conspecifics. Although the biological function of the isolation effect is not clear, we propose that it illustrates the effect of removal from inhibitory cues normally received from male conspecifics. J. Exp. Zool. 293:511–524, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Influence of cortisol on developmental rhythms during embryogenesis in a tropical damselfish
Authors: Mccormick Mark I. , Nechaev Igor V. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractNewly‐spawned teleost eggs can vary widely in their maternal endowment of a variety of hormones, including cortisol. Field and laboratory experiments have shown that initial egg cortisol concentrations directly influence the size at hatching of the benthic spawning damselfish, Pomacentrus amboinensis. The present study examines the mechanism by which cortisol influences larval size at hatching by investigating the growth and developmental rhythms throughout embryogenesis. Newly spawned eggs of P. amboinensis were collected from natural benthic nests, and half of each clutch was incubated in a moderate level of cortisol (2.7×10−6 M, equivalent to a concentration of 0.79 pg/egg). Cortisol was found to have no affect on the rate of cell‐pulsations up to epiboly (18 hr post‐fertilization), with cells pulsing at a mean rate of 56–60 pulses/min. Cortisol had an affect on the relative growth rate from the start of gastrulation to knot formation. Growth in the cortisol‐supplemented embryos was pulsed, with periods of fast growth punctuated by long periods of stasis. Overall growth rates during this period were lower in the cortisol‐supplemented embryos despite their higher growth during active periods. Pulse rates of somite cells and contraction rhythms of myotomes and the heart were twice as high in cortisol‐supplemented embryos than controls. Despite this, cortisol‐supplemented eggs developed at the same rate as controls and hatched at the same time. This study suggests that the maternal endowment of cortisol to eggs plays a vital role in determining the embryonic rhythms by which embryos grow and may be directly influencing metabolism. J. Exp. Zool. 293:456–466, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Relation between the reproductive status and somatolactin cell activity in the pituitary of pejerrey, Odontesthes bonariensis (atheriniformes)
Authors: Vissio Paula G. , Andreone Luz , Paz Dante A. , Maggese María C. , Somoza Gustavo M. , Strüssmann Carlos A. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThe aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between somatolactin (SL) expressing cells and the reproductive status in a multiple spawning fish, the pejerrey Odontesthes bonariensis. Somatolactin cells were identified in adults of both sexes by immunocytochemistry using a heterologous piscine antiserum. The area of the cells that showed immunoreactivity to SL (ir‐SL) was compared in specimens with different degrees of reproductive activity as inferred from histological examination of the gonads and calculation of the gonadosomatic index (GSI %). The results showed a significant difference between the area of ir‐SL cells of resting/regressing (62.9 ± 2.1 µm2) and sexually active/vitellogenic (76.8 ± 2.3 µm2) females and a significant positive correlation between the ir‐SL cellular area and the GSI % (P < 0.01 in both cases). In males, the correlation between the area of ir‐SL cells and the GSI % was not statistically significant. However, in those animals with the highest GSI % values, the ir‐SL cells appeared more numerous and showed an increase in the immunostained area when compared to individuals with lower GSI % values.The present morphological observations are in accordance with biochemical data obtained from other species and support the assumption that SL might be involved in the regulation of reproduction in fish. J. Exp. Zool. 293:492–499, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
“La manie d'Écrire”: Psychology, auto‐observation, and case history
Authors: Reed Matt T. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThis essay examines the modern psychiatric case study as a scientific method and as a genre of writing about the self. As psychological discourse became a privileged language of selfhood at the fin de siècle, the penultimate signifier of the self came to be found in the realm of sexuality, in the particular contours of an individual's sexual desire. The investigative tool used to uncover these secrets of identity was the case history. This article concerns an influential project of sexual research based on “auto‐observations”—autobiographical patient narratives—conducted by Dr. Georges Saint‐Paul, who published under the inverted pseudonym “Laupts.” The article focuses on the central autobiography of his collection, the “roman d'un inverti,” and related sexological literature to suggest how this emphasis on patient stories in psychiatric writing engendered new narrative possibilities for doctors and patients alike. Putting patient stories at the center of psychiatric investigation created a new relationship between patient and doctor, observation and diagnosis, subject and discourse. The tools of psychological observation simultaneously placed a subject's confession more firmly at the center of the investigation and made it more open to interpretation by nonspecialists. Rather than simply confirming the authority of the trained observer, the story of Laupts's enquête suggests that the method actually authorized inquiry by others. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Propylene polymerization in liquid monomer with a Ziegler‐Natta catalyst in bench scale reactors. Kinetics and model to predict reaction yields
Authors: Hernández Vaquero J.L. , Morrón Lingl G. , Perea Gaitán J.M. , Vargas Fernández L. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThe study of new catalytic systems is critical in order to develop improved and cost effective polymerization processes. One of the methods to evaluate the performance of a catalytic system is by means of bench scale reactors. Despite its difference in size with large scale industrial plants, bench scale reactors have proved to be a valuable tool to understand the behavior of the catalytic system during the polymerization. In this work, a method to estimate the kinetic parameters of propylene polymerization over a conventional Ziegler Natta catalyst is evaluated. Thus, it was possible to set up a semi‐empirical model to correlate the reaction yield with the polymerization time, the hydrogen content in the reactor and the reaction temperature. This model proves to be useful to evaluate the performance of a catalytic system within the range of normal operating conditions. A brief study on the particle size distribution of the products is also carried out.
In vitro corrosion characterization and cell proliferation on surface‐modified Ti
Authors: Rimondini L. , Rondelli G. , Quirici N. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractTwo types of surface treatments (Low pressure metal organic chemical vapor deposition (Ti‐MOCVD) and anodized Ti) have been conducted on Ti to improve their osteointegration properties in view of dental implant application. The two typologies of surfaces have been characterized in vitro both regarding the corrosion and the in biological behaviour in comparison with the Ti machined surface. The corrosion tests showed that both the surface treatments reduced markedly the corrosion rate compared to Ti machined. The biological tests showed that all specimens are cytocompatible and significant differences among them were detected. In particular WST1 tests showed more viable osteoblasts adhering to MOCVD specimens in comparison with the other surfaces.
Cell‐to‐Cell Communication of Neurons Is Impaired by Metals
Authors: Carpenter D. O. , Hussain R. J. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractSeveral metals are known to block voltage‐activated calcium channels at relatively high concentrations, and some also block agonist‐activated channels. However some of the actions of metals which occur at the lowest concentrations are on plastic responses of neurons, that is, responses which show prolonged changes after specific kinds of manipulation. We have investigated the effects of lead on the process of long‐term potentiation (LTP), an electrical response which is believed to be a component of learning and memory. LTP is an increased response to a stimulus after a patterned input, and LTP is reduced in aged animals and in animals with genetic backgrounds that result in a poor ability to learn. In humans there is strong evidence that children exposed to lead early in life have a reduced IQ. Therefore our hypothesis was that lead might be acting on LTP, and that this could be the basis of the IQ decrement seen in exposed children.We exposed rats to lead using two different protocols: chronic in vivo exposure and perfusion of lead‐containing solutions over brain slices of control rats. We find similar effects in both studies. We recorded LTP in two different regions of hippocampus, in CA1 where LTP is dependent upon activation of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors, and in CA3 where LTP is primarily presynaptic in origin and independent of NMDA receptors. We recorded from isolated and perfused brain slices of either control or exposed animals at two ages, 30 and 60 days.In CA1 lead did not significantly alter the synaptic responses recorded at about 30% of maximal amplitude, but reduced LTP at either age. In contrast, in CA3 lead reduced LTP in slices from 30‐day old animals after exposure to lead either with chronic in vivo exposure or with acute in vitro exposure, but increased the response in CA3 in 60‐day old animals exposed by either route. We have evidence that this action is mediated neither by blockade of voltage‐activated calcium nor NMDA channels, but is likely an action of protein kinase C, an enzyme necessary for induction of LTP at both sites.
Metals in clinical medicine: the induction of apoptosis by metal compounds
Authors: Krug H. F. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractProgrammed cell death, or apoptosis, plays a central role in animal development and tissue homeostasis. Since its discovery interest increases in the biological as well as in medical aspects of this genetic program. On the one hand, missing or low induction of apoptosis is connected to an increased cancer risk, on the other hand, an excessive occurrence of cell death results in serious consequences for the whole organism. An early death of immune competent cells may weaken the immune defense. Additionally, the acceptance of transplanted organs or synthetic prostheses is decreased when surrounding tissues are induced to undergo apoptosis. Particularly metallic ingredients or impurities in alloys or plastic materials may interfere with cellular signal transduction pathways that induce apoptosis leading to detrimental effects. The review summarises recent publications on apoptosis induced by metals and metal compounds with the aim of providing a better understanding of the connection between the apoptotic machinery and the toxic effects of metals in medicine.