University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey

About: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Pregnancy. The organization has 14634 authors who have published 19610 publications receiving 1041794 citations.

Chemokines at the crossroads of tumor-fibroblast interactions that promote malignancy

Abstract: Cells of the tumor microenvironment play active roles in determining the malignancy phenotype. The host cells and the cancer cells cross-talk via a large variety of soluble factors, whose effects on both partners determine the final outcome of the tumorigenic process. In this review, we focus on the interactions between cancer cells and fibroblasts that are found in their proximity in the growing and progressing tumor and describe the roles of chemokines in mediating such cross-talks. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs, also termed tumor-associated fibroblasts) were found recently to acquire properties that promote tumor development and metastasis formation, as is also the case for specific members of the chemokine family. In this review, we suggest that there is a bidirectional cross-talk between tumor cells and CAFs, which leads via chemokine activities to increased malignancy. This cross-talk is manifested by the fact that cancer cells release factors that enhance the ability of the fibroblasts to secrete a variety of tumor-promoting chemokines, which then act back on the malignant cells to promote their proliferative, migratory, and invasive properties. The CAF-released chemokines also affect the tumor microenvironment, leading to increased angiogenesis and possibly to an elevated presence of cancer-supporting macrophages in tumors. Here, we describe these bidirectional interactions and the chemokines that are involved in these processes: mainly the CXCL12-CXCR4 pair but also other chemokines, including CCL2, CCL5, CCL7, CXCL8, and CXCL14. The overall findings suggest that chemokines stand at the crossroads of tumor-CAF interactions that lead to increased malignancy in many cancer diseases.

12-month prevalence of DSM-III-R psychiatric disorders among Mexican Americans: nativity, social assimilation, and age determinants.

Abstract: The burden of disease attributable to mental illnesses has major costs and human services implications in the United States Mexican Americans compose two thirds of the nation's largest and fastest-growing minority group, Latinos We report 12-month DSM-III-R psychiatric disorder rates among Mexican Americans derived from a population survey of immigrants and US-born adults of Mexican origin conducted in rural and urban areas of central California Rates of 12-month total mood, anxiety, and substance disorders were 142% for immigrant women, 126% for immigrant men, 278% for US-born women, and 272% for US-born men For immigrants, younger age of entry and longer residence in the United States were associated with increased rates of psychiatric disorders Three dominant explanations are reviewed to explain these differences: selection, social assimilation and stress, and measurement artifact Our results and other research studies collectively support a social assimilation explanation based on aversive impact on health behaviors and protective resources such as families Greater social assimilation increases psychiatric morbidity, with rates for subjects who are US-born of Mexican origin approximately the same as rates for the US general population

Phase III Trial of Alvimopan, a Novel, Peripherally Acting, Mu Opioid Antagonist, for Postoperative Ileus After Major Abdominal Surgery

Abstract: Postoperative ileus presents significant clinical challenges that potentially prolong hospital stay, contribute to readmission, and increase morbidity. There is no approved treatment for postoperative ileus. Alvimopan is a novel, peripherally acting, mu opioid receptor antagonist currently in development for the management of postoperative ileus. Patients undergoing partial colectomy or simple or radical hysterectomy were randomized to receive alvimopan 6 mg (n = 152), alvimopan 12 mg (n = 146), or placebo (n = 153) orally 2 hours before surgery and twice daily thereafter until discharge or for up to seven days. The primary efficacy end point, time to return of gastrointestinal function, was a composite measure of passage of flatus or stool and tolerating solid food. Secondary end points included time to the hospital discharge order written. Adverse events were monitored throughout the study. Mean time to gastrointestinal recovery was significantly reduced in patients treated with alvimopan 6 mg vs. placebo (hazard ratio = 1.45; P = 0.003), with a smaller reduction seen with alvimopan 12 mg (hazard ratio = 1.28; P = 0.059). Mean time to the hospital discharge order written was significantly accelerated in patients treated with alvimopan 6 mg (hazard ratio = 1.50; P < 0.001). The most common treatment-emergent adverse events across all treatment groups were nausea, vomiting, and hypotension; the incidence of nausea and vomiting was reduced by 53 percent in the alvimopan 12-mg group. In patients undergoing major abdominal surgery, alvimopan accelerated gastrointestinal recovery and time to the hospital discharge order written compared with placebo and was well tolerated.

Uptake and distribution of metals in two dominant salt marsh macrophytes, Spartina alterniflora (cordgrass) and Phragmites australis (common reed)

Abstract: We examined patterns of biomass accumulation and tissue concentrations of five metals—mercury, copper, zinc, chromium, lead—and two elements—carbon and nitrogen—to determine differences in net metal accumulation and distribution between Phragmites australis (common reed) and Spartina alterniflora (cord grass) which were growing intermingled in a contaminated low marsh. Data were collected at 2-month intervals across a growing season (April–October, 1999). Although they comprise only 5–15% of whole plant biomass for both species, roots consistently contained 70–100% of the whole plant metal burdens for both S. alterniflora and P. australis (shoot:root ratio <0.42). Stems and rhizomes had low and similar concentrations between plant species throughout the summer. Leaves of S. alterniflora, however, had consistently greater concentrations of Hg and Cr than those of P. australis. In contrast, the micronutrients Cu and Zn were enriched in P. australis leaf tissue in October, compared to S. alterniflora. Pools of metal in aboveground biomass were similar between plant species, but throughout the season S. alterniflora allocated more of this burden to leaf tissue than P. australis, which allocated more of the aboveground burden to stem tissue, a recalcitrant tissue with lower concentrations but greater biomass. The consistently higher concentrations and total pools of Hg and Cr in S. alterniflora leaf tissue and higher Zn and Cu in P. australis may result from differences in leaf phenology, root-influenced metal availability, or transport of dissolved metals. Because S. alterniflora shifts more of its Hg and Cr load into highly decomposable leaf tissues (as opposed to recalcitrant stems, roots, and rhizomes) this pathway of metal bioavailability would be reduced when S. alterniflora is replaced by P. australis.