Johan Saldeen, Nils Welsh

European Cytokine Network, Vol.15, No.1, pp. 47-52, 2004

Abstract The signaling pathways mediating nitric oxide production and apoptosis in pancreatic β-cells are incompletely characterized. We report here that the inhibitor of p38 MAPK (p38), SB203580 (10-100 µM) inhibits interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced nitric oxide production in rat insulin-producing RINm5F cells. SB203580 also counteracts apoptosis induced by a combination of IL-1β and interferon-γ. However, the contribution by p38 to the induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and apoptosis is independent of NF-κB nuclear translocation since SB203580 does not prevent IL-1β-induced DNA-binding of this transcription factor. Further-more, SB203580 alone leads to phosphorylation of JNK2 which may reflect More >

Dimitrios Tziakas¹, Georgios Chalikias¹, John T. Parissis², Helen Hatzinikolaou¹, Dimitrios Stakos¹, Evropi Papadopoulou³, Alexandros Kortsaris³, Dimitrios Hatseras¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.15, No.3, pp. 231-239, 2004

Abstract Introduction. Recent clinical and experimental studies indicate that upregulation of the TNF system can contribute to the progression of cardiac remodeling and heart failure decompensation, by promoting alterations in cardiomyocyte biology and extracellular matrix metabolism. Extracellular matrix turnover is regulated by the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are endogenous enzymes responsible for extracellular collagen degradation. The present study investigates the fluctuation of serum levels of TNF-α, soluble TNF receptor-1 (sTNFR1) and -2 (sTNFR2), in patients with chronic heart failure both during acute decompensation and the stable state of the syndrome. The second goal of this study… More >

Youping Chen¹, James D Lee², Azim Esk,arian¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.5, No.1, pp. 35-44, 2004, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2004.005.035

Abstract This paper addresses the need of theories and simulations for material body of mesoscopic and microscopic sizes. An overview of polar theories is presented. The micropolar theory proposed by Eringen is introduced and compared with other polar theories. Constitutive equations of micropolar thermo-visco-elastic solid are derived. Finite element analyses have been performed for a few sample problems with wide range of length scales. Based on the discussion, comparison and computer simulations, the unique feature and applicability of micropolar theory are demonstrated. More >

X. Han^1,2,3, G. R. Liu^1,2, G. Y. Li ¹

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.1, No.1, pp. 39-50, 2004, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2004.001.039

Abstract An efficient hybrid numerical method is presented for investigating transient response of cross-ply laminated axisymmetric cylinders subjected to an impact load. In this hybrid numerical method, the laminated cylinder is divided into layered cylindrical elements in the thickness direction. The Hamilton principle is used to develop governing equations of the structure. The displacement response is determined by employing the Fourier transformations and the modal analysis. Numerical examples for analyzing transient waves have been provided in axisymmetric laminated cylindrical structures, both for thin cylindrical shells and thick cylinders.
A computational inverse technique is also presented for More >

Diane Damotte^1,3, Claire Goulvestre², Jeannine Charreire², Claude Carnaud¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.14, No.1, pp. 52-59, 2003

Abstract Although adjuvants are essential for the initiation of experimental autoimmune diseases, their precise contribution to the pathological manifestations is still poorly understood. Experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT) is interesting in that respect because it can be initiated with the help of two different adjuvants — Freund’s complete or LPS — which may initiate independent pathogenic pathways. In the present study, we have compared Freund’s-induced versus LPS-induced EAT with respect to their dependence upon CD8⁺ T cells, which are considered as major actors in the pathogenesis of thyroiditis. Our results reveal that whereas CD8+ T cells are mandatory More >

Agnieszka Wierzbowska, Tadeusz Robak, Agata Wrzesień-Kuś, Anna Krawczyńska, Ewa Lech-Marańda, Halina Urbańska-Ryś

European Cytokine Network, Vol.14, No.3, pp. 149-153, 2003

Abstract Angiogenesis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of acute leukemia, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a crucial, positive regulator of this process. The biological activity of VEGF is mediated by two different receptor tyrosine kinases: VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-1. The soluble form of VEGFR-1 is likely to be a negative regulator of VEGF availability, but the physiological role of sVEGFR-2 is still unclear. The plasma levels of sVEGFR-1 and sVEGFR-2 in patients with acute leukemia have not been investigated. We measured the plasma concentrations of VEGF and its two soluble receptors in 39… More >

Armen G Aprikian¹, Neil Fleshner², Adrian Langleben³, Jeffrey Hames⁴

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.10, No.5, pp. 1986-1994, 2003

Abstract Objectives: To provide context in oncology for the significance of the benefits and cost of combined androgen blockade (CAB) in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer.
Methods: Canadian drug costs for the survival benefit with CAB in advanced prostate cancer were compared with the costs of benefit with new treatments in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), metastatic colorectal cancer, and metastatic breast cancer. Clinical toxicities were also compared.
Results: The survival benefit with CAB in advanced prostate cancer appears to be approximately 3 months. The survival benefit with the addition of vinorelbine to cisplatin for the treatment of… More >

Shafquat Meraj, Harris M. Nagler, Peter Homel, Daniel Shasha, Joseph R. Wagner

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.10, No.1, pp. 1743-1748, 2003

Abstract Objective: To determine if there is correlation between the size of radical prostatectomy specimens and perioperative complications including intraoperative blood loss.
Methods: One hundred twenty consecutive retropubic radical prostatectomy cases were retrospectively reviewed. Perioperative complications, intraoperative blood loss, pathologic stage, and size of the prostatectomy specimen were recorded. Logistic regression was used to determine whether variables such as age, PSA, and prostate weight are significant predictors of perioperative complications and intraoperative blood loss.
Results: The final analysis included a total of 117 cases. Significant complications were seen in 10 patients (8.5%). The median weight of the prostatectomy specimen… More >

A.L. Estebenet, P.R. Martín

BIOCELL, Vol.26, Suppl.S, pp. 83-89, 2002

Abstract This article has no abstract. More >

Gerhard Klimeck^1,2, Fabiano Oyafuso², Timothy B. Boykin³, R. Chris Bowen², Paul von Allmen⁴

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.3, No.5, pp. 601-642, 2002, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2002.003.601

Abstract Material layers with a thickness of a few nanometers are common-place in today's semiconductor devices. Before long, device fabrication methods will reach a point at which the other two device dimensions are scaled down to few tens of nanometers. The total atom count in such deca-nano devices is reduced to a few million. Only a small finite number of "free'' electrons will operate such nano-scale devices due to quantized electron energies and electron charge. This work demonstrates that the simulation of electronic structure and electron transport on these length scales must not only be fundamentally… More >