bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Imaging of deep vein thrombosis
Authors: Orbell J H , Smith A , Burnand K G , Waltham M
Published: January 2008

Background

Deep vein thrombosis of the leg affects 1–2 per cent of the population with an annual incidence of 0·5–1 per 1000. It presents with non-specific symptoms and signs making clinical diagnosis difficult. Techniques to image and diagnose this condition are advancing rapidly.

Methods and results

A literature review from 1980 to 2007 was undertaken using PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Medline and Embase. The most frequently used diagnostic test is duplex ultrasonography which is accurate above the knee and has a low cost, but is limited by inaccuracy when assessing the pelvic and distal veins and in diagnosing a new thrombosis in the post-thrombotic limb. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and sonographic elasticity imaging are more recent techniques that have shown promise in overcoming these limitations. However, their availability is currently restricted because they are expensive. Computed tomography (CT) is sensitive, specific and provides good imaging of the pelvis. It has the advantage that it can be performed at the same time as CT pulmonary angiography.

Conclusion

MRI has some specific advantages over duplex ultrasonography, but requires refinement before it can be used clinically. Venography or CT venography should be considered when duplex scanning is inadequate.
Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on the safety and effectiveness of day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Authors: Gurusamy K , Junnarkar S , Farouk M , Davidson B R
Published: January 2008

Background

Although day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy can save bed costs, its safety has to be established. The aim of this meta-analysis is to assess the advantages and disadvantages of day-case surgery compared with overnight stay in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods

Randomized clinical trials addressing the above issue were identified from The Cochrane Library trials register, Medline, Embase, Science Citation Index Expanded and reference lists. Data were extracted from these trials by two independent reviewers. For each outcome the relative risk, weighted mean difference or standardized mean difference was calculated with 95 per cent confidence intervals based on available case analysis.

Results

Five trials with 215 patients randomized to the day-case group and 214 to the overnight-stay group were included in the review. Four of the five trials were of low risk of bias. The trials recruited 49·1 per cent of patients presenting for cholecystectomy. There was no significant difference between day case and overnight stay with respect to morbidity, prolongation of hospital stay, readmission rates, pain, quality of life, patient satisfaction, and return to normal activity and work. In the day-case group 80·5 per cent of patients were discharged on the day of surgery.

Conclusion

Day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe and effective treatment for symptomatic gallstones.
Chronic pain after groin hernia repair
Authors: Kehlet H
Published: January 2008

Lack of evidence-based treatment strategies
Endovascular repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
Authors: Balm R
Published: January 2008

Promising–but quality evidence lacking
Exploring the scope of redox‐triggered chiroptical switches: Syntheses, X‐ray structures, and circular dichroism of cobalt and nickel complexes of N,N‐Bis(arylmethyl)methionine derivatives
Authors: Das Debasis , Dai Zhaohua , Holmes Andrea , Canary James W.
Published: January 2008

N,N‐Bis(arylmethyl)methionine derivatives are chiral ligands whose complexes with metal ions may show molecular helicity that can be modulated by defined structural processes. It was shown previously that exciton‐coupled circular dichroism (ECCD) spectral amplitude could be modulated by one‐electron copper redox chemistry in copper complexes of these ligands. Here we describe the further development of novel systems that show conformational changes resulting in the inversion of exciton chirality. The phenomenon was probed in a N,N‐bis(arylmethyl)methionine derivative containing quinoline/pyridine moieties and a methionine carboxylate moiety. The sign of the ECCD of the complex formed between this ligand and CoCl2 is negative, which suggests that the deprotonated carboxylate oxygen coordinates to the metal, but the sulfur atom does not. The sign of the ECCD inverts to positive upon addition of ascorbic acid, which can be turned back to negative upon further treatment with persulfate. X‐ray quality crystals of three cobalt complexes and one nickel complex were obtained. The ascorbate‐treated cobalt complex of the ligand and the same ligand with nickel, however, vary from the behavior expected from their X‐ray crystal structures. It is clear that the solution and crystallographic structures of these complexes differ in several cases. Chirality, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of the midbrain–hindbrain boundary cell fate using a boundary cell‐specific Cre‐mouse strain
Authors: Kala Kaia , Jukkola Tomi , Pata Illar , Partanen Juha
Published: January 2008

We describe here a transgenic mouse line MHB‐Cre, which expresses Cre recombinase in a group of cells at the midbrain–hindbrain boundary. Using this mouse line, we studied the contribution of the boundary cells to distinct brain areas during development. Initially, the MHB‐Cre expression coincides with that of Cdh22 and p21 around the Otx2 expression border in a narrow population of cells with reduced proliferative activity. Consistent with their location on both sides of the Otx2 expression border, the Cre expressing boundary cells contribute both to midbrain as well as hindbrain. However, the majority of recombinant cells remain close to the mid‐ and hindbrain border, suggesting very limited cell mixing within these brain compartments during development. Interestingly, dorsocaudally oriented fibers of the midbrain dopaminergic neurons follow the path marked by the boundary cells. genesis 46:29–36, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
IGFBP5 is a potential regulator of craniofacial skeletogenesis
Authors: Bobola Nicoletta , Engist Bettina
Published: January 2008

Six known proteins bind to the insulin‐like growth factor (IGF) with high affinity. Igfbp5 encodes one of these proteins, which regulates the activity of IGF, but also exerts IGF‐independent actions. Using in situ hybridization to detect cells expressing Igfbp5 mRNA, we show that Igfbp5 is expressed in a dynamic pattern in the mouse embryonic craniofacial region. At early stages corresponding to the completion of neural crest migration, Igfbp5 mRNA was found predominantly in the epithelia, whereas when the craniofacial mesenchyme has begun its differentiation into skeletal tissue, Igfbp5‐expressing cells surrounded the developing cartilages and bones. Embryos transgenically expressing Igfbp5 in restricted areas of the mesenchyme fated to form craniofacial bones revealed decreased ossification and even deletion of head bones areas. Transgenic expression of a mutant Igfbp5, encoding a product with reduced binding affinity for IGF, led to no skeletal abnormalities, suggesting that the observed negative effects on skeletal development rely on a mechanism that depends on binding to IGF. genesis 46:52–59, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
SLIC‐1/sorting nexin 20: A novel sorting nexin that directs subcellular distribution of PSGL‐1
Authors: Schaff Ulrich Y. , Shih Heather H. , Lorenz Meike , Sako Dianne , Kriz Ron , Milarski Kim , Bates Brian , Tchernychev Boris , Shaw Gray D. , Simon Scott I.
Published: January 2008

P‐Selectin glycoprotein ligand‐1 (PSGL‐1) is a mucin‐like glycoprotein expressed on the surface of leukocytes that serves as the major ligand for the selectin family of adhesion molecules and functions in leukocyte tethering and rolling on activated endothelium and platelets. Previous studies have implicated the highly conserved cytoplasmic domain of PSGL‐1 in regulating outside‐in signaling of integrin activation. However, molecules that physically and functionally interact with this domain are not completely defined. Using a yeast two‐hybrid screen with the cytoplasmic domain of PSGL‐1 as bait, a novel protein designated selectin ligand interactor cytoplasmic‐1 (SLIC‐1) was isolated. Computer‐based homology search revealed that SLIC‐1 was the human orthologue for the previously identified mouse sorting nexin 20. Direct interaction between SLIC‐1 and PSGL‐1 was specific as indicated by co‐immunoprecipitation and motif mapping. Colocalization experiments demonstrated that SLIC‐1 contains a Phox homology domain that binds phosphoinositides and targets the PSGL‐1/SLIC‐1 complex to endosomes. Deficiency in the murine homologue of SLIC‐1 did not modulate PSGL‐1‐dependent signaling nor alter neutrophil adhesion through PSGL‐1. We conclude that SLIC‐1 serves as a sorting molecule that cycles PSGL‐1 into endosomes with no impact on leukocyte recruitment.
Minimal and maximal goal orientation and reactions to norm violations
Authors: Fritsche Immo , Kessler Thomas , Mummendey Amélie , Neumann Jörg
Published: January 2008

Violations of social norms can either be evaluated in an absolute or in a gradual fashion depending on whether group goals are represented as minimal or maximal goals. Recent research has shown that absolute versus gradual deviations lead to increased levels of demanded punishment and inclination to exclude the deviant from the respective moral community. In this article, we investigate whether individual differences in orientation towards setting goals in either minimal or maximal terms predict reactions to norm violation. In three studies we found that a dominant minimal goal orientation (MIN) relative to maximal goal orientation (MAX) increased punishment inclinations and social exclusion tendencies towards norm violators. These effects were mediated by affective reaction and proved to be unique goal orientation effects when possible effects of need for closure, intolerance of ambiguity and regulatory focus were controlled for. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
If we have the will, there will be a way: regulatory focus as a group identity
Authors: Faddegon Krispijn , Scheepers Daan , Ellemers Naomi
Published: January 2008

Based on social identity theory and regulatory focus theory, we predicted that promotion and prevention strategies can be part of the identity of a group (i.e., collective regulatory focus) which in turn influences the behavior and experienced emotions of individual group members. We conducted two experiments to test this prediction. After assessing participants' personal regulatory focus preference, collective regulatory focus was induced by showing participants group mottos, allegedly chosen by other members of their group, that either voiced a promotion or a prevention strategy preference. Both experiments yielded evidence for our prediction in that the collective regulatory focus shifted the behavior of individual group members on a signal detection task towards promotion‐ (liberal bias) or prevention‐ (conservative bias) consistent behavior and influenced the emotions they experienced. Experiment 2 further substantiated our group identity rationale by showing that these effects were especially strong for high identifiers. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nonconscious goal pursuit and the surmounting of physical and social obstacles
Authors: Custers Ruud , Maas Marjolein , Wildenbeest Miranda , Aarts Henk
Published: January 2008

The ability to overcome obstacles is widely regarded as a sign of motivation. Building on recent research on nonconscious goal pursuit, two experiments are presented that test whether activating the goal of helping outside people's awareness by exposure to social stereotypes causes them to overcome physical and social obstacles. Experiment 1 established that although overall participants were less inclined to pick up a tissue that was accidentally dropped on the floor by the experimenter when this tissue was dirty instead of clean, they were able to overcome their aversion toward picking up the physical object when they were primed with the mental representation of a social group (e.g., nurse) containing the goal of helping. Results were replicated in Experiment 2, in which participants had to overcome a social obstacle by providing feedback to a student of a negatively evaluated ethnic minority group, and explanations in terms of demand characteristics and mood were excluded. Implications for the literature on nonconscious goal pursuit are briefly discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Conformity: moods matter
Authors: Tong Eddie M. W. , Tan Cindy R. M. , Latheef Nareeman A. , Selamat Mohammad F. B. , Tan Dennis K. B.
Published: January 2008

This study examined the hypotheses that positive mood enhances conformity and that negative mood reduces it. Participants were induced to feel positive, neutral, or negative moods and then answered, in private, six mathematical questions. They observed that wrong answers were unanimously given by five bogus participants for three of the questions. Conformity was measured by whether they indicated the erroneous answers given by these bogus participants in these three questions. The results were supportive of the hypothesis. The current results are consistent with past findings about mood differences in heuristic versus elaborative processing. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Minority influence: the role of ambivalence toward the source
Authors: Mucchi‐Faina Angelica , Pagliaro Stefano
Published: January 2008

According to literature on social influence, a minority source may indirectly influence group members by fostering ambivalent reactions. Two studies were carried out in order to provide empirical support for this theoretical assumption. In Study 1 participants (n = 133), were exposed to a counter‐attitudinal minority message and ambivalence was manipulated by facilitating the accessibility of either ambivalent (positive and negative) or univalent (positive or negative) thoughts toward the source. We predicted and found more indirect influence in ambivalent condition than in univalent conditions. No effect of ambivalence on direct influence was found. In Study 2 (n = 127), ambivalence was measured and two possible antecedents of ambivalence, consistency of the minority and personal relevance of the topic for participants, were taken into account. Findings suggest that ambivalence mediates the effects of the two factors on indirect influence. In sum, these studies provide evidence of the importance of ambivalence in minority influence context, an early assumption that was still lacking in strong empirical support. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reliability and validity of the Single‐Target IAT (ST‐IAT): assessing automatic affect towards multiple attitude objects
Authors: Bluemke Matthias , Friese Malte
Published: January 2008

In contrast to the original Implicit Association Test (IAT), the Single‐Target Implicit Association Test (ST‐IAT) measures the evaluation of a target object without the need to simultaneously evaluate a counter‐category. The present research investigates (a) whether position within a series of several ST‐IATs affects reliability and validity, and (b) whether the ST‐IAT exhibits adequate construct validity if the target objects are closely interrelated. We address these questions by taking five interrelated yet distinct political parties in Germany as an exemplary domain. The ST‐IAT reliably and validly assessed attitudes towards political parties (Study 1). Serial position effects did not affect the results. The ST‐IATs mostly captured a specific party evaluation and exhibited discriminant validity. At the same time, discriminant validity was limited among parties within one wing of the political left–right spectrum that underlies implicit and explicit party evaluations (Study 2). If used with caution, the ST‐IAT can be a valuable supplement to implicit measures in the case of multiple single‐target assessments. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Psychological group memberships as outcomes of resource distributions
Authors: Platow Michael J. , Grace Diana M. , Wilson Nicole , Burton Derek , Wilson Andrew
Published: January 2008

We propose that people can and will infer group memberships from resource distributions, and that these distributions have implications for people's understandings of the groups themselves and their own associations with these groups. We derive hypotheses from social identity and self‐categorization theories, and test them in three experiments. In Experiment 1, participants systematically rated specific patterns of group memberships as more likely than others in light of specific resource distributions in a manner consistent with our predictions. In Experiment 2, intragroup distributive fairness led to greater perceived self‐in‐group similarity than intra‐group distributive unfairness, while distributively unfair, in‐group favouritism led to greater perceived self‐in‐group similarity than intergroup fairness. In Experiment 3, social identification dropped following unfair, out‐group favouritism and intragroup unfairness, but not unfair, in‐group favouritism, or intragroup and intergroup fairness. The current data provide support for our hypotheses and clear evidence that resource distributions can be providers of group membership information. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Solo status and women's spatial test performance: the role of individuation tendencies
Authors: Keller Johannes , Sekaquaptewa Denise
Published: January 2008

The impact of anticipated solo status on women's spatial performance was investigated in an experimental study. The study was designed to test whether the underperformance of women entering testing situations who find themselves to be the only woman present is related to a tendency to individuate the self. Women performed a test of spatial ability under conditions of anticipated solo or non‐solo status and responded to a measure of self‐construal. In line with previous research, we found a disrupting solo status effect on women's performance on the spatial ability test. Most importantly, the negative effect of solo status on performance was partially mediated by individuation tendencies as reflected in a decreased predominance of the interdependent (as compared to the independent) level of the self under solo status conditions. These findings indicate that individuation tendencies play a crucial role in the process triggered in test takers under threatening performance situations. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Retracted:Staff, miter, book, share: how attributes of Saint Nicholas induce normative behavior
Authors: Joly Janneke F. , Stapel Diederik A.
Published: January 2008

In three studies the hypothesis was tested that for young Dutch children, who associate Saint Nicholas with the norm to share one's wealth with others, attributes of Saint Nicholas (miter, book, and staff) would spontaneously activate the “sharing norm” and subsequent sharing behavior. The results confirmed our expectations. In two studies, young Dutch children share more candy with others after being primed with attributes of Saint Nicholas compared to being primed with a dwarf in the control condition. In a third study, children evaluate sharing more positively after being primed with attributes of Saint Nicholas, and more negatively after being primed with the Toys R Us logo, compared to being primed with a dwarf. This is the first empirical evidence that attributes of normative symbols can induce normative behavior and change norm judgments. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sprinklered office fire tests
Authors: Bennetts I. D. , Moinuddin K. A. M. , Thomas I. R. , Proe D. J.
Published: January 2008

This paper presents data relating to the performance of sprinklers and detectors in real office fire situations. For sprinklers, these data are additional to that associated with the standardized testing used to determine the design delivery density and pressure requirements for various occupancy situations, and provide a useful insight into the effect of sprinklers on developing fires with various office situations. The data given in this paper include the times for activation of various types of sprinkler heads (normal and fast response), the efficacy of the systems as far as extinguishment is concerned, estimates of the maximum size of the fires prior to commencement of extinguishment and associated air temperatures at various locations within the office enclosures. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Remarks on the links between low‐order DG methods and some finite‐difference schemes for the Stokes problem
Authors: Minev P. D.
Published: January 2008

In this paper we demonstrate that some well‐known finite‐difference schemes can be interpreted within the framework of the local discontinuous Galerkin (LDG) methods using the low‐order piecewise solenoidal discrete spaces introduced in (SIAM J. Numer. Anal. 1990; 27(6): 1466–1485). In particular, it appears that it is possible to derive the well‐known MAC scheme using a first‐order Nédélec approximation on rectangular cells. It has been recently interpreted within the framework of the Raviart–Thomas approximation by Kanschat (Int. J. Numer. Meth. Fluids 2007; published online). The two approximations are algebraically equivalent to the MAC scheme, however, they have to be applied on grids that are staggered on a distance h/2 in each direction. This paper also demonstrates that both discretizations allow for the construction of a divergence‐free basis, which yields a linear system with a ‘biharmonic’ conditioning. Both this paper and Kanschat (Int. J. Numer. Meth. Fluids 2007; published online) demonstrate that the LDG framework can be used to generalize some popular finite‐difference schemes to grids that are not parallel to the coordinate axes or that are unstructured. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Amplification and overexpression of PPFIA1, a putative 11q13 invasion suppressor gene, in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Tan Kaia Davis , Zhu Yansong , Tan Hiang Khoon , Rajasegaran Vikneswari , Aggarwal Amit , Wu Jeanie , Wu Hui Yong , Hwang Jacqueline , Lim Dennis T. H. , Soo Khee Chee , Tan Patrick
Published: January 2008

Chromosomal amplifications of the 11q13 genomic region are frequent in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). To identify novel 11q13 amplification targets, we integrated high‐resolution array‐based comparative genomic hybridization and Affymetrix gene‐expression profiling of eight HNSCC cell lines. We found that PPFIA1 was the highest upregulated gene in the 11q13 amplicon of HNSCC cell lines when compared with HNSCC lines without 11q13 amplification and confirmed the upregulation of PPFIA1 in primary HNSCCs by real‐time PCR. Using siRNA knockdown, we investigated PPFIA1 function in three HNSCC lines using both in vitro invasion assays and wound‐healing assays. Surprisingly, we found that cancer cells become more invasive when the PPFIA1 protein levels were reduced, suggesting that PPFIA1 may act as an invasion inhibitor in HNSCC. This unexpected result suggests that the 11q13 amplicon may comprise both positive and negative regulators involved in HNSCC. Our study is the first to evaluate the role of PPFIA1 in head and neck carcinogenesis and suggests a potential link between PPFIA1 activity and cell‐extracellular matrix interactions. This article contains supplementary material available via the Internet at http://www.interscience.wiley.com/jpages/1045‐2257/suppmat. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Second primary neoplasms in survivors of Wilms' tumour—A population‐based cohort study from the British Childhood Cancer Survivor Study
Authors: Taylor Aliki J. , Winter David L. , Pritchard‐Jones Kathy , Stiller Charles A. , Frobisher Clare , Lancashire Emma R. , Reulen Raoul C. , Hawkins Mike M. ,   on behalf of the British Childhood Cancer Survivor Study
Published: January 2008

A British population‐based cohort study was carried out to determine the risk of second primary neoplasms in survivors of Wilms' tumour. The cohort was obtained from the British Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, a population‐based cohort study of treatment toxicities in 18,044 individuals diagnosed with childhood cancer, at an age of less than 15 years, between 1940 and 1991 in Britain. There were 1,441 Wilms' tumour survivors in the cohort: 732 males (50.8%) and 709 females (49.2%). Total follow‐up from 5‐year survival was 27,841 person years, mean follow‐up of 19.3 years per survivor. There were 81 second primary neoplasms, including 52 solid neoplasms, 3 acute myeloid leukaemias and 26 basal cell carcinomas. Thirty‐five of the 39 solid neoplasms that developed in the thoracic, abdominal or pelvic region occurred within irradiated tissue. The standardised incidence ratio for all solid second primary neoplasms was 6.7 (95% CI: 5.0–8.8). Cumulative incidence for all solid second primary neoplasms by ages 30, 40 and 50 years was 2.3% (1.4–3.5%), 6.8% (4.6–9.5%) and 12.2% (7.3–18.4%). The overall risk of second primary neoplasms in survivors of Wilms' tumour treated between 1940 and 1991 was substantial, and solid second tumours tended to develop in the irradiated tissue. Continued follow‐up of these survivors is important to monitor such late effects of treatment. It is also important to evaluate the risk of second primary neoplasms following more recent lower radiation dose treatment practices. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The p75NTR neurotrophin receptor is a tumor suppressor in human and murine retinoblastoma development
Authors: Dimaras Helen , Gallie Brenda L
Published: January 2008

The transition from the benign retinal tumor retinoma to its malignant counterpart retinoblastoma is accompanied by the loss of expression of the p75NTR neurotrophin receptor. This change in expression is mimicked in the TAg‐RB murine model of retinoblastoma, where early tumors retain expression of p75NTR and advanced tumors lack it. We sought to determine the functional effect on tumor development of absence of p75NTR from the onset of TAg‐RB tumor initiation. TAg‐RB mice were crossed with either p75NTR exon 3 (E3KO) or exon 4 knockout (E4KO) mice to produce TAg‐RB offspring that lacked one or both normal p75NTR alleles. The average tumor area per eye as a percentage of retinal area was measured. TAg‐RB/E3KO (TAg‐RBE3KO) and heterozygous mice showed no significant difference in tumor area compared to the TAg‐RB control mice at any time point studied. However, TAg‐RB/E4KO (TAg‐RBE4KO) and heterozygous mice displayed a significantly larger tumor area than the TAg‐RB control mice. Furthermore, adenoviral‐mediated expression of p75NTR in a p75NTR‐deficient human retinoblastoma cell line resulted in increased apoptosis. Our results confirm that p75NTR suppresses progression of both human and TAg‐RB murine retinoblastoma, and holds promise as a target for future therapy of the disease. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Polymorphisms in XPC and ERCC2 genes, smoking and breast cancer risk
Authors: Shore Roy E. , Zeleniuch‐Jacquotte Anne , Currie Diane , Mohrenweiser Harvey , Afanasyeva Yelena , Koenig Karen L. , Arslan Alan A. , Toniolo Paolo , Wirgin Isaac
Published: January 2008

To evaluate the associations of breast cancer risk with polymorphisms in the XPC and XPD/ERCC2 DNA nucleotide excision repair genes, a case‐control study nested within a prospective cohort of 14,274 women was conducted. Genotypes were characterized for 612 incident, invasive breast cancer cases and their 1:1 matched controls. The homozygous variant of a poly(AT) insertion/deletion polymorphism in intron 9 of the XPC gene (XPC‐PAT+/+), was associated with breast cancer risk [odds ratio (OR) = 1.45, 95% confidence interval: 1.07–1.97], after adjustment for other breast cancer risk factors. The breast cancer risk associated with XPC‐PAT+/+ did not differ by age at diagnosis. There was an indication of an interaction (p = 0.08) between the XPC‐PAT+/+ genotype and cigarette smoking. Ever smokers with the XPC‐PAT+/+ genotype were at elevated risk of breast cancer (OR = 1.56, CI: 0.95–2.58), but no differences were observed among never smokers. Analyses of the ERCC2 Lys751Gln polymorphism did not show an association with breast cancer risk, either overall or at younger ages. The results suggest that breast cancer risk is related to the XPC haplotype tagged by the XPC‐PAT+/+ insertion‐deletion polymorphism in intron 9. Further study of the XPC haplotypes and their interactions with smoking in relation to breast cancer risk is needed. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The association of cyclin D1 G870A and E‐cadherin C‐160A polymorphisms with the risk of colorectal cancer in a case control study and meta‐analysis
Authors: Tan Xiang‐Lin , Nieters Alexandra , Kropp Silke , Hoffmeister Michael , Brenner Hermann , Chang‐Claude Jenny
Published: January 2008

Cyclin D1 (CCND1) and E‐cadherin (CDH1) have been shown to be important genes of the β‐catenin/LEF pathway that is involved in colorectal carcinogenesis. However, epidemiological studies on relationship between genetic variants of these two genes and colorectal cancer (CRC) have shown inconsistent results. In a population‐based case‐control study (498 cases and 600 controls), we assessed the association of CCND1 G870A and CDH1 C‐160A polymorphisms with CRC risk. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the association between genotypes, environmental exposures and CRC risk, adjusting for potential confounders. Compared to common homozygotes, the OR for heterozygous and homozygote variant genotype was 1.08 (95% CI, 0.80–1.46) in CCND1 and 0.97 (95% CI, 0.75–1.25) in CDH1. Neither tumor stage nor location showed an association with genetic susceptibility. However, a significant interaction between hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and CCND1 genotypes in CRC risk was found among postmenopausal women (pinteraction = 0.02). The risk reduction associated with HRT was substantial (OR, 0.09; 95% CI, 0.02–0.35) in women who were GG homozygous. A meta‐analyses including 11 published studies on CCND1 G870A in addition to our study showed a slightly increased risk of CRC for carriers of the A allele (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.06–1.34); however, there was some indication of publication bias. We conclude that the CCND1 G870A and CDH1 C‐160A polymorphisms are not associated with the risk of CRC in the German population. However, the CCND1 G870A polymorphism may modify the protective effect of postmenopausal hormone use on the development of CRC. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ultramicroscopy: 3D reconstruction of large microscopical specimens
Authors: Becker K. , Jährling N. , Kramer E. R. , Schnorrer F. , Dodt H.‐U.
Published: January 2008

Ultramicroscopy is a microscopical technique that allows optical sectioning and 3D reconstruction of biological and medical specimens. While in confocal microscopy specimen size is limited to several hundred micrometers at best, using ultramicroscopy even centimeter sized objects like whole mouse embryos can be reconstructed with micrometer resolution. This is possible by using a combination of a clearing procedure and the principle of lightsheet illumination. We present ultramicroscopic 3D reconstructions of whole immunohistochemically labelled mouse embryos and adult Drosophila, giving detailed insight into their anatomy. Its speed and simplicity makes ultramicroscopy ideally suited for high‐throughput phenotype screening of transgenic mice and thus will benefit the investigation of disease models. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Fast procedure for reconstruction of full‐atom protein models from reduced representations
Authors: Rotkiewicz Piotr , Skolnick Jeffrey
Published: January 2008

We introduce PULCHRA, a fast and robust method for the reconstruction of full‐atom protein models starting from a reduced protein representation. The algorithm is particularly suitable as an intermediate step between coarse‐grained model‐based structure prediction and applications requiring an all‐atom structure, such as molecular dynamics, protein‐ligand docking, structure‐based function prediction, or assessment of quality of the predicted structure. The accuracy of the method was tested on a set of high‐resolution crystallographic structures as well as on a set of low‐resolution protein decoys generated by a protein structure prediction algorithm TASSER. The method is implemented as a standalone program that is available for download from http://cssb.biology.gatech.edu/skolnick/files/PULCHRA. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2008
A ligand‐pseudoreceptor system based on de novo designed peptides for the generation of adenoviral vectors with altered tropism
Authors: Zeng Yue , Pinard Maxime , Jaime Jaïro , Bourget Lucie , Uyen Le Phuong , O'Connor‐McCourt Maureen D. , Gilbert Rénald , Massie Bernard
Published: January 2008

Background

Delivery of transgenes into specific tissues by adenovirus vectors (AdVs) relies on ablations of their natural tropism and on introduction of a new tropism. If the interaction with its natural receptor is ablated, a new packaging cell line is required to produce the AdV. In the present study, we have used two de novo designed peptides (E‐Coil and K‐Coil) that interact with each other with high affinity to establish a new receptor‐ligand system for the propagation of retargeted AdVs.

Methods

We produced a cell line (293E) expressing on its surface a pseudoreceptor containing the E‐Coil. An AdV (AdFK4m/GFP) lacking the interaction with the primary receptor for adenovirus (CAR) and containing the K‐Coil inserted at the fiber C‐terminus was constructed and tested using two strategies: (1) an RGD motif (Arg‐Gly‐Asp) was inserted into the HI‐loop of the fiber; (2) AdFK4m/GFP was conjugated to a bispecific adaptor for the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).

Results

AdFK4m/GFP infected 293E cells more efficiently than cells lacking the pseudoreceptor. The transduction was due to the K‐Coil/E‐Coil specific interaction since it was competed by addition of soluble K‐Coil, but not soluble fiber. We demonstrated that the modified AdV was retargeted toward αv integrin by inclusion of the RGD motif, or toward EGFR using the bispecific adaptor.

Conclusions

We have established a new system to produce AdVs ablated of natural tropism. This system should permit the retargeting of AdVs by inserting new ligands within the fiber or through the interaction with bispecific adaptors. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long‐term effect of gene therapy for chronic ischemic myocardium using platelet‐derived endothelial cell growth factor in dogs
Authors: Li Wei , Tanaka Kuniyoshi , Morioka Koichi , Takamori Atsushi , Handa Mitsuteru , Yamada Narihisa , Ihaya Akio
Published: January 2008

Background

We previously reported the 2‐week benefits of platelet‐derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD‐ECGF) gene therapy in chronically ischemic myocardium. However, the long‐term effects and safety using this gene have not been reported.

Methods

Chronic myocardial ischemia was created in 24 dogs by stenosing the origin of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) using an ameroid constrictor. Two weeks later, the PD‐ECGF gene, the LacZ gene, or saline was infused directly into the myocardium in the LAD area. The myocardial blood volume and myocardial function were examined prior to ischemia, immediately before gene injection, and for 6 months following injection, and then the organs were harvested for histological and molecular examination.

Results

PD‐ECGF gene treatment significantly attenuated endocardial infarction at 6 months. Myocardial blood volume and myocardial function decreased in all three groups after ameroid implantation, but recovered after 2 weeks in the PD‐ECGF‐treated group, and maintained a higher level of function during the examination period. Histological analysis demonstrated that angiogenesis and arteriogenesis occurred after PD‐ECGF gene treatment. There was a decreased expression of the pro‐apoptotic proteins, active caspase‐3 and Bax, and the number of apoptotic myocardial cells was lower in the PD‐ECGF‐treated group. Histological examination demonstrated that no abnormal histological changes or neoplasms were found in any organs.

Conclusions

We conclude that gene targeting of ischemic myocardium using PD‐ECGF generated long‐term improvement in cardiac function by causing angiogenesis, arteriogenesis and inhibiting apoptosis, but did not induce neoplasms in the remote organs, and may be a promising therapy. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Scottish psychoanalysis: A rational religion
Authors: Miller Gavin
Published: January 2008

The ambition to rationally preserve a Christian religious inheritance distinctively informs Scottish psychoanalytic ideas. Scottish psychoanalysis presents the human personality as born into communion with others. The aim of therapy is to restore, preserve, and promote genuinely interpersonal relations. The Scottish psychoanalysis apparent in the work of W. R. D. Fairbairn, Ian Suttie, Hugh Crichton‐Miller, and in the philosophy of John Macmurray, is exported to New Zealand, where it is promoted by the New Zealand Association of Psychotherapists. Scottish psychoanalytic ideas also remain effective in post‐war Britain: the idea of communion appears in dialogue with other theories in thework of Harry Guntrip, John Macquarrie, R. D. Laing, and Aaron Esterson. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Demythologizing the machine: Patrick geddes, lewis mumford, and classical sociological theory
Authors: Renwick Chris , Gunn Richard C.
Published: January 2008

This paper reconsiders the work of the Scottish biologist, sociologist, and town planner Patrick Geddes and his most famous intellectual disciple: the American independent scholar Lewis Mumford. It is argued that existing interpretations of their work, ranging from a dismissal of the two men as eccentric polymaths to the speculative emphasis on the importance of psychological theories in Mumford's oeuvre, are fundamentally flawed. Examining their writings and the letters they exchanged during their 17‐year correspondence, this paper shows that the only way we can appreciate the scholarly conventions underpinning Geddes's and Mumford's work, as well as the context in which it was produced, is by looking to the principles of classical sociological theory. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The anatomy of fertilization in the yellow dung fly Scathophaga stercoraria
Authors: Arthur B.I. , Sbilordo S.H. , Pemberton A.J. , Ward P.I.
Published: January 2008

Female yellow dung flies, Scathophaga stercoraria, can influence the traffic of sperm stored in their spermathecae to the site of fertilization in the bursa copulatrix. However, the anatomical mechanisms employed are largely unknown. We investigated the anatomy of the female genital tract, seeking structures involved in sperm transfer and egg fertilization. We found a membranous structure descending from the ends of the spermathecal and accessory gland ducts into the bursa copulatrix. We call this the prolatus. Sperm accumulate in the prolatus during oviposition. When an egg is in the bursa the egg micropyle, rather than being aligned towards the dorsal openings of the spermathecal ducts, lies on the opposite, ventral side. We also confirm the presence, and suggest a function for, a cuticularized pouch on the ventral wall of the anterior bursa copulatrix. This pouch, plus a previously undescribed chamber, may be homologous to the ventral receptacle/fertilization chamber found in other dipterans. Further, we describe a translucent cap, apparently transversed by channels, covering the micropyle. Sperm were observed to aggregate on and in the micropyle cap, which appears to attract and hold sperm. We interpret the prolatus as a structure that allows an ovipositing female to transfer a few sperm onto the ventral bursal wall and thus, indirectly, onto the micropyle cap. Such anatomy potentially gives the female a large degree of control over sperm traffic from storage to the site of fertilization. J. Morphol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assessing the scalability of dynamic field gradient focusing by linear modeling
Authors: Tracy Noah I. , Ivory Cornelius F.
Published: January 2008

Dynamic field gradient focusing (DFGF) separates and concentrates proteins in native buffers, where proteins are most soluble, using a computer‐controlled electric field gradient which lets the operator adjust the pace and resolution of the separation in real‐time. The work in this paper assessed whether DFGF could be scaled up from microgram analytical‐scale protein loads to milligram preparative‐scale loads. Linear modeling of the electric potential, protein transport, and heat transfer simulated the performance of a preparative‐scale DFGF instrument. The electric potential model showed where the electrodes should be placed to optimize the shape and strength of the electric field gradient. Results from the protein transport model suggested that in 10 min the device should separate 10 mg each of two proteins whose electrophoretic mobilities differ by 5×. Proteins with electrophoretic mobilities differing by only 5% should separate in 3 h. The heat transfer model showed that the preparative DFGF design could dissipate 1 kW of Joule heat while keeping the separation chamber at 25°C. Model results pointed to DFGF successfully scaling up by 1000× using the proposed instrument design.
Simultaneous determination of simvastatin and simvastatin acid in human plasma by LC‐MS/MS without polarity switch: Application to a bioequivalence study
Authors: Patel Bhavin N. , Sharma Naveen , Sanyal Mallika , Shrivastav Pranav S.
Published: January 2008

A simple, specific and sensitive LC‐MS/MS assay for simultaneous determination of simvastatin (SV) and its active β‐hydroxy acid metabolite, simvastatin acid (SVA) in human plasma was developed using a statin analog as internal standard (IS). The method was validated over a dynamic linear range of 0.20–100.00 ng/mL for SV and 0.10–50.00 ng/mL for SVA with correlation coefficient r ⪈ 0.9987 and 0.9989, respectively. The analytes and IS were extracted from 500 μL aliquots of human plasma via liquid‐liquid extraction using methyl tert‐butyl ether and separated through an Aquasil C18 column (100 mm×2.1 mm, 5 μm). Detection of analytes and IS was done by MS/MS with a turbo ion spray interface operating in positive ion and selective reaction monitoring acquisition mode. The total chromatographic run time was 3.0 min. Flash freezing of the aqueous phase was an added advantage during liquid‐liquid extraction, which considerably reduced time and labour. The method was extensively validated for its accuracy, precision, recovery, stability studies and matrix effect. The method was successfully used for bioequivalence study of 40 mg SV tablet formulation in 12 human subjects under fasting condition.
Determination of nine active components in Radix Hedysari and Radix Astragali using capillary HPLC with diode array detection and MS detection
Authors: Zhao Jing , Yu Qing‐Tao , Li Ping , Zhou Peng , Zhang Yuan‐Jie , Wang Wei
Published: January 2008

A capillary HPLC (cHPLC) coupled with diode array detection (DAD) and MS method was developed for the simultaneously qualitative and quantitative determination of nine components, namely vanillic acid, calycosin‐7‐O‐β‐D‐glucoside, (6αR,11αR)‐9,10‐dimethoxypterocarpan‐3‐O‐β‐D‐glucoside, ononin, calycosin, (3R)‐2′‐hydroxy‐3′,4′‐dimethoxyisoflavan‐7‐O‐β‐D‐glucoside, isoliquiritigenin, formononetin, (3R)‐8,2′‐dihydroxy‐7,4′‐dimethoxyisoflavan, in Radix Hedysari (Hongqi) and Radix Astragali (Huangqi). Simultaneous separation of these nine compounds was achieved on a Zorbax C18 microcolumn (5 μm, 150×0.3 mm). The mobile phase consisted of (A) 0.3% aqueous formic acid and (B) ACN with a gradient elution. The identification of nine compounds in both Hongqi and Huangqi was confirmed by TOF‐MS. All calibration curves showed good linearity (R2 >0.998) within test ranges. This method showed good repeatability for the quantification of these nine components in Hongqi and Huangqi with intra‐ and inter‐day variations of less than 1.89 and 3.13%, respectively. The validated method was successfully applied to quantify nine investigated components in eighteen samples of Hongqi and Huangqi. Hierarchical cluster analysis of 18 samples was performed using the peak area of nine analytes on cHPLC chromatograms. The result showed that Hongqi and Huangqi are significantly different, though the two species of Astragalus are very similar.
Automated derivatization and analysis of malondialdehyde using column switching sample preparation HPLC with fluorescence detection
Authors: Lord Heather L. , Rosenfeld Jack , Raha Sandeep , Hamadeh Mazen J.
Published: January 2008

Analyte derivatization is advantageous for the analysis of malondialdehyde (MDA) as a biomarker of oxidative stress in biological samples. Conventionally, however, derivatization is time consuming, error‐prone and has limited options for automation. We have addressed these challenges for the solid phase analytical derivatization of MDA from small volume tissue homogenate samples. A manual derivatization method was first developed using Amberlite XAD‐2 (12 mg) as the solid phase. Subsequently an automated column switching process was developed that provided simultaneous derivatization and extraction of the MDA‐DH hydrazone product on a cartridge packed with XAD‐2, followed by quantitative elution of the product to an analytical LC column (Waters NovoPak C18, 3.9×150 mm). The LOD was 0.02 μg/mL and recovery was quantitative. The method was linear (r2 >0.999) with precision < 5% from the LOQ (0.06 μg/mL) to at least 35 μg/mL. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of small volume (30 μL) mouse tissue homogenate samples. Endogenous levels of MDA in the tissues ranged from 20 to 40 nmol/g tissue (ca. 0.1–0.2 μg/mL homogenate). Compared to conventional MDA analyses, the current method has advantages in automation, selectivity, precision and sensitivity for analysis from very small sample volumes.
Generation of transgenic chickens that produce bioactive human granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor
Authors: Kwon Mo Sun , Koo Bon Chul , Choi Bok Ryul , Park Yoon‐Yub , Lee Young Man , Suh Hun Suk , Park Young Sik , Lee Hoon Taek , Kim Jin‐Hoi , Roh Ji Yeol , Kim Nam‐Hyung , Kim Teoan
Published: January 2008

We report here the generation of transgenic chickens that produce human granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor (hG‐CSF) using replication‐defective Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMLV)‐based vectors packaged with vesicular stomatitis virus G glycoprotein (VSV‐G). The recombinant retrovirus was injected beneath the blastoderm of nonincubated chicken embryos (stage X). Out of 140 injected eggs, 17 chicks hatched after 21 days of incubation and all hatched chicks were found to express vector‐encoded hG‐GSF gene. The biological activity of the recombinant hG‐CSF was significantly higher than its commercially derived E. coli‐derived counterpart. Successful germline transmission of the transgene was also confirmed in G1 transgenic chicks produced from the cross of Go transgenic roosters with nontransgenic hens, but most of the G1 progeny were dead within 1 month of hatching. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 1120–1126, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.