Changes in S100 calcium-binding protein β (S100β) and cognitive function from pre- to post-chemotherapy among women with breast cancer.

Many patients with cancer experience cancer-related cognitive decline (CRCD). Previous studies have shown that elevated S100β, a calcium-binding protein commonly found in glial cells, can exhibit neurotoxic effects, including disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). We studied changes in S100β levels in patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy, and the relationship to changes in cognitive function.

Effects of mammary cancer and chemotherapy on neuroimmunological markers and memory function in a preclinical mouse model.

Treatment modalities for breast cancer, including cyclophosphamide chemotherapy, have been associated with the development of cognitive decline (CRCD), which is characterized by impairments in memory, concentration, attention, and executive functions. We and others have identified a link between inflammation and decreased cognitive performance in patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy. In order to better understand the inflammation-associated molecular changes within the brain related to tumor alone or in combination with chemotherapy, we orthotopically implanted mouse mammary tumors (E0771) into female C57BL/6 mice and administered clinically relevant doses of cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin intravenously at weekly intervals for four weeks.

Population structure and reproductive states of the dogwhelk Nucella lapillus differ between artificial structures and natural rocky shores.

Artificial structures are an increasingly common feature of coastal marine environments. These structures are poor surrogates of natural rocky shores, and generally support less diverse communities and reduced population sizes. Little is known about sub-lethal effects of such structures in terms of demographic properties and reproductive potential, both of which may influence the dynamics and long-term viability of populations.

The population structure, sex ratio and reproductive potential of limpets (Patella spp.) on natural shores and artificial structures in the Irish Sea.

Artificial structures often support depauperate communities compared to natural rocky shores. Understanding variation in ecological success across shore types, particularly regarding habitat-forming species or those with structuring roles, is important to determine how artificial structure proliferation may influence ecosystem functioning and services. We investigated the population structure, sex ratio and reproductive potential of limpets on natural shores and artificial structures on Irish Sea coasts.

Inflammation, Attention, and Processing Speed in Patients With Breast Cancer Before and After Chemotherapy.

Background: Inflammation may contribute to cognitive difficulties in patients with breast cancer. We tested 2 hypotheses: inflammation is elevated in patients with breast cancer vs noncancer control participants and inflammation in patients is associated with worse attention and processing speed over the course of chemotherapy.

Methods: Serum cytokines (interleukin [IL]-4, 6, 8, 10; tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α) and soluble receptors [sTNFRI, II]) were measured in 519 females with breast cancer before and after chemotherapy and 338 females without cancer serving as control participants.

Relationships between cytokines and cognitive function from pre- to post-chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer.

Cancer-related cognitive decline (CRCD) is a clinically important problem and negatively affects daily functioning and quality of life. We conducted a pilot longitudinal study from pre- to post-chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer to assess changes in inflammation and cognition over time, as well as the impact of baseline cytokine level on post-chemotherapy cognitive scores. We found that concentrations of IL-6, MCP-1, sTNFRI, and sTNFRII significantly increased in patients, while IL-1β significantly decreased (p < 0.

Fucus vesiculosus populations on artificial structures have potentially reduced fecundity and are dislodged at greater rates than on natural shores.

Artificial structures are widespread features of coastal marine environments. These structures, however, are poor surrogates of natural rocky shores, meaning they generally support depauperate assemblages with reduced population sizes. Little is known about sub-lethal effects of such structures, for example, in terms of demographic properties and reproductive potential that may affect the dynamics and long-term viability of populations.

Plantain () reduces the environmental impact of farmed red deer ().

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of plantain ( L.) on water dynamics and balance, as well as nitrogen (N) excretion by red deer ( L.) as a potential forage tool to reduce negative environmental impacts.

A comparison of methods for estimating forage intake, digestibility, and fecal output in red deer (Cervus elaphus).

The objective of this experiment was to determine appropriate methods for estimating fecal output, digestibility, and intake in red deer (Cervus elaphus). Dry matter intake (DMI), digestibility, and fecal output were estimated using the dual-marker (titanium dioxide; TiO2 and indigestible acid detergent fiber) technique, double n-alkane ratio technique (ALK) and the pulse dose (Yttrium; Y) technique to determine a suitable method to estimate DMI, fecal output, and digestibility measurements. Four male and four female deer were stratified by sex and randomly assigned either fresh-cut perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.

Associations between inflammatory markers and cognitive function in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Background: Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is often related to chemotherapy. Increased chronic inflammation is believed to play a key role in the development of CRCI related to chemotherapy but studies assessing this hypothesis specifically in patients receiving chemotherapy are rare.

Methods: We assessed several cognitive domains using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) in twenty-two breast cancer patients currently receiving chemotherapy.

A clinically relevant dose of cyclophosphamide chemotherapy impairs memory performance on the delayed spatial alternation task that is sustained over time as mice age.

Background: Cyclophosphamide chemotherapy is a mainstay of adjuvant breast cancer treatment. Unfortunately, this drug is associated with cognitive impairments in cancer patients that may accelerate cognitive aging. Memory is particularly affected in many patients.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor deletion in cerebellar granule neuron precursors impairs neurogenesis.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated member of the basic-helix-loop-helix/PER-ARNT-SIM(PAS) transcription factor superfamily that also mediates the toxicity of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Increasing evidence suggests that AhR influences the development of many tissues, including the central nervous system. Our previous studies suggest that sustained AhR activation by TCDD and/or AhR deletion disrupts cerebellar granule neuron precursor (GNP) development.

IGF-1 partially restores chemotherapy-induced reductions in neural cell proliferation in adult C57BL/6 mice.

Chemotherapeutic agents produce persistent difficulties in memory through an unknown mechanism. We tested the hypothesis that chemotherapeutic agents readily able to cross the blood-brain barrier (cyclophosphamide and fluorouracil), as opposed to those not known to readily cross the barrier (paclitaxel and doxorubicin), reduce neural cell proliferation following chemotherapy. We found that 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine labeling following chemotherapy given to C57BL/6 mice revealed a similar reduction in neural cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus for all four agents.

Iterative multi-channel coherence analysis with applications.

An iterative learning algorithm for performing Multi-Channel Coherence Analysis (MCCA) is developed in this paper. MCCA is an extension of the well-known Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA) that allows for more than two data channels to be analyzed. This paper discusses a standard method for performing MCCA and compares it to a newly developed data-driven and iterative approach.

2,3,7,8-Tetracholorodibenzo-p-dioxin exposure disrupts granule neuron precursor maturation in the developing mouse cerebellum.

The widespread environmental contaminant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) has been linked to developmental neurotoxicity associated with abnormal cerebellar maturation in both humans and rodents. TCDD mediates toxicity via binding to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a transcription factor that regulates the expression of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes and growth regulatory molecules. Our previous studies demonstrated that cerebellar granule neuron precursor cells (GNPs) express transcriptionally active AhR during critical developmental periods.

The spectrum of GI strongyloidiasis: an endoscopic-pathologic study.

Background: The aim of this study was a detailed endoscopic-pathologic assessment of patients with various forms of GI strongyloidiasis.

Methods: Six patients with a diagnosis of GI strongyloidiasis who underwent endoscopic evaluation during a 3-year period (January 1998-January 2001) were included. Published information was reviewed in detail, focusing on the endoscopic features and the diagnostic approach to this parasitosis.

Hereditary, familial, and idiopathic chronic pancreatitis are not associated with polymorphisms in the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) promoter region or the TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) gene.

Purpose: Genetic alterations that are associated with acute and chronic pancreatitis remain to be identified.

Methods: The authors investigated two functionally active tumor necrosis factor (TNF) promoter region polymorphisms at positions -238 and -308 and the entire coding region of the corresponding TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) gene in 54 patients with hereditary, familial, and idiopathic chronic pancreatitis who were previously tested negative for cationic trypsinogen mutations by direct DNA sequencing.

Results: In three patients, we detected novel DNA variants in the TNFR1 gene that did not segregate with the disease.

Pancreatic cholesterol esterase, ES-10, and fatty acid ethyl ester synthase III gene expression are increased in the pancreas and liver but not in the brain or heart with long-term ethanol feeding in rats.

Introduction: Chronic alcohol consumption predisposes susceptible individuals to both acute and chronic pancreatitis.

Aims: Our hypothesis was that alcohol increases the risk of pancreatitis by disrupting defense mechanisms and/or enhancing injury-associated pathways through altered gene expression. Hence, we studied the expression of pancreatic genes in rats chronically exposed to ethanol.