bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ChemInform Abstract: Preconcentration and Separation Methods for the Determination of Trace Palladium in Environmental Samples
Authors: Krystyna Pyrzynska
Published: January 2009

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis of 11C, 18F, 15O, and 13N Radiolabels for Positron Emission Tomography
Authors: Miller Philip W. , Long Nicholas J. , Vilar Ramon , Gee Antony D.
Published: January 2009

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Mass Spectrometry of Carbohydrates: Newer Aspects
Authors: Rodrigues Joao A. , Taylor Adrian M. , Sumpton David P. , Reynolds James C. , Pickford Russell , Thomas‐Oates Jane
Published: January 2009

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
A phase 1/pilot study of radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of recurrent pediatric solid tumors
Authors: Hoffer Fredric A. , Daw Najat C. , Xiong Xiaoping , Anghelescu Doralina , Krasin Matthew , Yan Xiaowei , Davidoff Andrew M. , Furman Wayne L. , Rodriguez‐Galindo Carlos , Spunt Sheri L.
Published: January 2009

BACKGROUND:

This prospective study was designed to be the first to evaluate the toxicity of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with recurrent pediatric solid tumors.

METHODS:

From 2003 through 2008, a phase 1/pilot study of RFA for recurrent pediatric solid tumors was conducted. A multidisciplinary cancer management team selected appropriate candidates for the study. Imaging‐guided RFA was performed percutaneously. Repeat RFA was performed for recurrences when appropriate. Toxicity and imaging response was assessed at 1 month and 3 months prospectively. Accrual stopped in 2006, and data collection stopped in 2008.

RESULTS:

Sixteen patients (ages 4 years‐33 years; median age, 15 years) and 56 tumor sites were treated in 37 RFA sessions including 38 pulmonary, 11 musculoskeletal, and 7 hepatic lesions (82 lesion‐treatments). Postprocedural pain was moderate (median 5 on a scale from 1 to 10) and lasted a median of 9 days. Prolonged hospitalization (beyond 1 day) occurred 17 times (range, 2 days‐25 days; median, 3 days). Hypoxia supported by supplemental oxygen occurred in 8 of 16 patients and resolved within 1 month after each RFA. No patient had tumor lysis syndrome but myoglobinuria/hemoglobinuria occurred in 6 of 16 patients, all without renal damage. Serious complications from pulmonary RFA included 2 diaphragmatic hernias. Of 82 lesions imaged, 24 (29%) remained ablated at the end of the study.

CONCLUSIONS:

The toxicity from RFA of recurrent pediatric solid tumors was real but limited, and RFA may offer a local tumor control alternative in carefully selected cases. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
The use of reflex high‐risk human papillomavirus testing for atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance interpretations on vaginal specimens
Authors: Kendall Brian S. , Zahn Christopher M.
Published: January 2009

BACKGROUND:

The use of reflex high‐risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing as a triage method for cervical specimens with an interpretation of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC‐US) is well established. To the authors' knowledge, very little has been reported regarding the utility of this approach in vaginal specimens in women with a prior hysterectomy. The current study evaluated the results of hrHPV testing in women with vaginal specimens interpreted as ASC‐US in the authors' laboratory.

METHODS:

Follow‐up information, including results of hrHPV testing, was sought for all vaginal smears reported as ASC‐US from the authors' cytology laboratory during the calendar years 2005 and 2006.

RESULTS:

For the 2 years reviewed, 254 ASC‐US vaginal specimens were available for assessment. Reflex hrHPV testing was requested on 236 (92.9%), with sufficient residual material available in 193 specimens. hrHPV was detected in 44 (22.8%). Follow‐up results were available for 136 specimens, with a squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL, all but 1 of which was low grade) found to be present in 21 (15.4%). SIL was identified in significantly more women in whom hrHPV was detected compared with those in whom hrHPV was not detected (41.9% vs 4.2%; P < .001 by the Fisher exact test).

CONCLUSIONS:

Rates of detection of squamous abnormalities in women with ASC‐US on vaginal preparations in whom hrHPV was detected were found to be higher than in those without hrHPV. These findings suggest that clinical follow‐up is needed for women in whom hrHPV is detected. hrHPV testing may be clinically useful as a method of triage for women with ASC‐US vaginal smears. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2009. Published 2009 by the American Cancer Society.
Proliferative rate in endoscopic ultrasound fine‐needle aspiration of pancreatic endocrine tumors
Authors: Alexiev Borislav A. , Darwin Peter E. , Goloubeva Olga , Ioffe Olga B.
Published: January 2009

BACKGROUND:

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the role of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)‐guided fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) in the preoperative diagnosis of pancreatic endocrine tumors (PETs) and to investigate whether the Ki‐67 index determined on cytologic material could help predict their behavior.

METHODS:

The study included 10 men and 5 women (ratio of men to women, 2:1) with a mean age of 62.4 years (range, 40‐79 years). Diff‐Quik‐ and Papanicolaou‐stained FNA samples were analyzed retrospectively, and immunocytochemical stains were performed for chromogranin A, synaptophysin, vimentin, α‐1‐antitrypsin, and Ki‐67 on cell block sections. The Ki‐67 index was evaluated by using digital image‐analysis software and was correlated with follow‐up (mean, 21.5 months; range, 2‐43 months).

RESULTS:

The overall survival was rate 86.7% (13 of 15 patients). Seven of 15 patients (46.7%) patients developed lymph node and/or hematogenous metastases. The Ki‐67 index in PETs with no metastases was lower (mean, 6.3%; range, 2%‐13%) than in clinically aggressive (metastatic) tumors (mean, 7.7%; range, 3%‐27%; P = .03). None of the tumors that had a Ki‐67 index ≤2% were metastatic. Both patients who died of disease had a Ki‐67 index of 4%.

CONCLUSIONS:

Although tumors with metastatic potential tended to exhibit a slightly higher Ki‐67 index, there was a significant overlap with nonmetastatic tumors, and PETs that had a very low proliferative rate still could behave aggressively; therefore, the authors concluded that the Ki‐67 index does not predict the risk of disease progression in patients with PETs. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
P63 differentiates subtypes of nonsmall cell carcinomas of lung in cytologic samples
Authors: Jorda Merce , Gomez‐Fernandez Carmen , Garcia Monica , Mousavi Fatemeh , Walker Gail , Mejias Aldo , Fernandez‐Castro Gustavo , Ganjei‐Azar Parvin
Published: January 2009

BACKGROUND:

Bevacizumab in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel improves overall response and survival in patients with advanced or recurrent nonsmall cell lung carcinoma. However, this drug is not recommended in patients with squamous cell carcinoma or neoplasms with a dominant squamous component. Therefore, identification of squamous cell differentiation has therapeutic implications. In many instances, cytology is the diagnostic tool of choice; however, routine cytomorphology is limited in classification of nonsmall cell carcinomas into squamous and nonsquamous subtypes. The aim of this study was to identify the value of p63 immunocytochemical analysis in this distinction.

METHODS:

Review of cytology records identified 51 consecutive pulmonary specimens (16 fine needle aspiration samples, 15 washes, 12 brushes, and 8 lavages) with the diagnosis of nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (9 carcinomas with squamous differentiation and 42 carcinomas without squamous differentiation). Histologically, they all proved to be nonsmall cell carcinomas, 26 with squamous differentiation and 25 without squamous differentiation. p63 immunocytochemical stain was performed on archival alcohol‐fixed Papanicolaou‐stained cytology slides using standard immunocytochemical methods.

RESULTS:

Twenty‐three (88 %) of the 26 histologically proven squamous cell carcinomas were positive for p63 on cytologic smears. By using p63 immunocytochemistry, the authors detected 14 carcinomas with squamous differentiation not identified by cytomorphology. Smears from all histologically proven carcinomas with squamous differentiation were positive for p63. Sensitivity of cytology for the detection of nonsmall cell carcinoma of lung with squamous differentiation increased from 35% to 88% using p63 immunocytochemistry (P = .001; McNemar test). The squamous component in 4 carcinomas was detected only in cytologic and not in corresponding histologic samples when subsequent p63 immunostaining was performed.

CONCLUSIONS:

The authors concluded that p63 is a useful marker for the detection of nonsmall cell carcinomas of lung with squamous differentiation when used in cytologic pulmonary samples. p63 immunocytochemistry significantly increases the sensitivity for the identification of lung neoplasms with squamous differentiation from 35% to 88% (P = .001). Therefore, p63 immunocytochemistry may be used in pulmonary cytologic samples of nonsmall cell carcinomas to identify squamous differentiation and to improve therapeutic selection of patients with lung cancer. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Welcome to the new editor
Authors: Frable William J.
Published: January 2009

This article welcomes the new editor of Cancer Cytopathology, Dr. Celeste N. Powers.
Connexin57 is expressed in dendro‐dendritic and axo‐axonal gap junctions of mouse horizontal cells and its distribution is modulated by light
Authors: Janssen‐Bienhold Ulrike , Trümpler Jennifer , Hilgen Gerrit , Schultz Konrad , De Sevilla Müller Luis Pérez , Sonntag Stephan , Dedek Karin , Dirks Petra , Willecke Klaus , Weiler Reto
Published: January 2009

Mouse horizontal cells are coupled by gap junctions composed of connexin57. These gap junctions are regulated by ambient light via multiple neuromodulators including dopamine. In order to analyze the distribution and structure of horizontal cell gap junctions in the mouse retina, and examine the effects of light adaptation on gap junction density, we developed antibodies that detect mouse retinal connexin57. Using immunohistochemistry in retinal slices, flat‐mounted retinas, and dissociated retinal cells, we showed that connexin57 is expressed in the dendrites and axon terminal processes of mouse horizontal cells. No staining was found in retinas of connexin57‐deficient mice. Significantly more connexin57‐positive puncta were found in the distal than in the proximal outer plexiform layer, indicating a higher level of expression in axon terminal processes than in the dendrites. We also examined the gap junctions using immunoelectron microscopy and showed that connexin57 does not form hemichannels in the horizontal cell dendritic tips. Light adaptation resulted in a significant increase in the number of connexin57‐immunoreactive plaques in the outer plexiform layer, consistent with previously reported effects of light adaptation on connexin57 expression in the mouse retina. This study shows for the first time the detailed location of connexin57 expression within mouse horizontal cells, and provides the first ultrastructural data on mouse horizontal cell gap junctions. J. Comp. Neurol. 513:363–374, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of somatostatin and neuropeptide Y in the embryonic, postnatal, and adult mouse amygdalar complex
Authors: Real María Angeles , Heredia Raúl , del Carmen Labrador María , Dávila José Carlos , Guirado Salvador
Published: January 2009

Recent developmental studies indicate that distinct neuronal subpopulations in the amygdala, including somatostatin (SOM)‐containing neurons, originate from progenitor domains in the anterior entopeduncular area, thus suggesting a different origin from subpallial territories for amygdalar versus cortical SOM‐expressing interneurons, the latter derived from the dorsal part of the medial ganglionic eminence. In this context, we carried out an immunohistochemical study analyzing spatiotemporal expression patterns for SOM‐ and neuropeptide Y (NPY)‐containing neurons in the embryonic, postnatal, and adult mouse amygdala. Our results indicate that SOM‐ and NPY‐immunoreactive cells are present in the amygdalar complex from embryonic day (E)12.5, and that these peptidergic cells seem to arise from the anterior entopeduncular area progenitor domain. From E12.5 on there was a notable increase in the number and immunoreactivity of cells containing these peptides in distinct territories of the amygdalar complex, reaching a peak around birth. The distribution pattern for NPY neurons was very similar to that of SOM neurons in most nuclei of the amygdala, although the number of NPY neurons was always lower than that of SOM. At postnatal ages a reduction in the number of immunoreactive cells is observed in most amygdalar nuclei, remaining then similar from P14 to the adult. We interpret this reduction of the number of immunoreactive neurons in relation to the increased immunoreactivity for axons that occurs postnatally. We also suggest that the anterior entopeduncular area‐derived SOM‐ and NPY‐containing neurons in pallial and subpallial amygdaloid nuclei become local interneurons and projection neurons, respectively. J. Comp. Neurol. 513:335–348, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Regional differences in olfactory epithelial homeostasis in the adult mouse
Authors: Vedin Viktoria , Molander Marie , Bohm Staffan , Berghard Anna
Published: January 2009

The olfactory sensory neurons in the nasal cavity of the adult mouse are organized into a few regions that differ in their molecular properties, as several classes of genes show regional expression. Most renowned is the fact that expression of each of hundreds of different odorant receptor genes is limited to one such region, or zone, of the olfactory neuroepithelial sheet. Zone differences are in place at birth, as exemplified here by the expression of neuronal progenitor marker Foxg1. We herein describe that an adult pattern showing regional differences in neurogenesis develops during the first few weeks of postnatal life which, e.g., is reflected in the temporal and regional regulation of the neuronal progenitor marker Ascl1. The most dorsomedial zone shows significantly fewer cells in S‐phase in the adult but not in newborn mice by two different measures. Moreover, we show that there are regional differences in the relative differentiation, cell survival, and thickness of the olfactory epithelium. These findings are compatible with the view that zones are inherently distinct and that such differences contribute to generate regional differences in cellular homeostasis that in turn may modulate the capacity of a region to adjust to extrinsic influence. J. Comp. Neurol. 513:375–384, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
β‐amyloid cortical deposits are accompanied by the loss of serotonergic neurons in the dog
Authors: Bernedo Vanessa , Insua Daniel , Suárez María‐Luisa , Santamarina Germán , Sarasa Manuel , Pesini Pedro
Published: January 2009

Dogs may naturally suffer an age‐related cognitive impairment that has aroused a great deal of interest, even beyond the field of the veterinary clinic. This canine senile dementia reproduces several key aspects of Alzheimer's disease (AD), including the presence of β‐amyloid (Aβ) deposits in the cerebral cortex, neurodegeneration, and learning and memory impairments. In the present study, we have used unbiased stereological procedures to estimate the number of the dorsal and median raphe nuclei (DRN and MRN, respectively) serotonergic neurons immunolabeled with an anti‐tryptophan hydroxylase (TrH) monoclonal antibody in young and aged dogs without Aβ cortical deposits and in aged dogs with Aβ cortical deposits. The estimated total number of TrH‐labeled neurons (mean ± SD) was 94,790 ± 26,341 for the DRN and 40,404 ± 8,692 for the MRN. The statistical analyses revealed that aged dogs with Aβ cortical pathology had 33% fewer serotonergic neurons in the DRN and MRN than aged dogs without Aβ cortical deposits (108,043 ± 18,800 vs. 162,242 ± 39,942, respectively;P= 0.01). In contrast, no significant variations were found between young and aged dogs without Aβ cortical deposits. These results suggest that degeneration of the serotonergic neurons could be involved in the cognitive damage that accompanies Aβ cortical pathology in the dog and reinforce the use of the canine model for exploring the potential mechanisms linking the cortical Aβ pathology and serotonergic neurodegeneration that occurs during the course of AD. J. Comp. Neurol. 513:417–429, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Multiplexed labeling of viable cells for high‐throughput analysis of glycine receptor function using flow cytometry
Authors: Gilbert Daniel F. , Wilson John C. , Nink Virginia , Lynch Joseph W. , Osborne Geoffrey W.
Published: January 2009

Flow cytometry is an important drug discovery tool because it permits high‐content multiparameter analysis of individual cells. A new method dramatically enhanced screening throughput by multiplexing many discrete fixed cell populations; however, this method is not suited to assays requiring functional cellular responses. HEK293 cells were transfected with unique mutant glycine receptors. Mutant receptor expression was confirmed by coexpression of yellow fluorescent protein (YFP). Commercially available cell‐permeant dyes were used to label each glycine receptor expressing mutant with a unique optical code. All encoded cell lines were combined in a single tube and analyzed on a flow cytometer simultaneously before and after the addition of glycine receptor agonist. We decoded multiplexed cells that expressed functionally distinct glycine receptor chloride channels and analyzed responses to glycine in terms of chloride‐sensitive YFP expression. Here, data provided by flow cytometry can be used to discriminate between functional and nonfunctional mutations in the glycine receptor, a process accelerated by the use of multiplexing. Further, this data correlates to data generated using a microscopy‐based technique. The present study demonstrates multiplexed labeling of live cells, to enable cell populations to be subject to further cell culture and experimentation, and compares the results with those obtained using live cell microscopy. © 2009 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Organic carbon and nitrogen removal in anoxic/oxic‐membrane bioreactor treating high‐strength wastewater
Authors: Fu Zhimin , Yang Fenglin , Wang Xinhua , Liu Huijun
Published: January 2009

The performance of an anoxic/oxic membrane bioreactor system for the simultaneous removal of nitrogen and chemical oxygen demand (COD) was investigated. This process removed up to 87% of total nitrogen (TN) and 94% of COD, with the influent concentrations of 200 mg NH4+‐N/L and 4000 mg COD/L and a recycle ratio (R) of 200%. Biological assimilation and simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) were considered on nitrogen removal process. The TN removal efficiency was above 87.5%, while the nitrogen being removed through SND was above 75.5% and nitrogen assimilated into the biomass was below 24.5%, with influent concentration below 200 mg NH4+‐N/L. Increasing the influent concentration to 400 mg NH4+‐N/L, TN removal efficiency decreased significantly to 37.5%, of which 49.5% was provided by microorganism growth. Batch experiments provided evidence for the phenomena of SND. Furthermore, the SND removal efficiency increased gradually from 26.8 to 90.0%. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2009
Salt‐water recycling for brine production at road‐salt‐storage facilities
Authors: Fitch G. Michael , Oyanedel‐Craver Vinka , Bartelt‐Hunt Shannon L. , Fuller Megan , Smith James A.
Published: January 2009

This research investigates the storm‐water quality at road‐salt‐storage facilities located at Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) winter maintenance locations and investigates the feasibility of a sustainable solution to better manage the salt‐contaminated storm‐water runoff. Collection ponds are currently used at most salt‐storage sites to contain highly saline runoff and prevent its release into the environment. During a synoptic, winter‐time sampling, chloride‐ion concentrations in these ponds were found to be significantly greater than state and federal regulatory guidelines for surface‐water‐quality criteria, with individual values exceeding 2000 mg/L. The pond water is currently treated as a waste product by VDOT, resulting in significant costs for disposal. However, this saline pond water can potentially be recycled to produce concentrated brine solutions, which can then be used by VDOT for either prewetting dry salt during application to roadways or for direct brine application. Laboratory and field tests have been performed using a bench‐scale brine generation system to quantify the effects of hydraulic retention time, temperature, and influent‐water quality on system performance. Results of these studies have found that the storm‐water runoff captured in collection ponds requires no pretreatment before entering the brine generation system and can effectively produce brine at the target salt concentration. Results of a cost‐benefit analysis indicate that it is possible under multiple scenarios to recover the investment capital of implementing brine generation at all VDOT winter maintenance locations, typically within a 4‐year horizon. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2009
Off‐line sentence processing: What is involved in answering a comprehension probe?
Authors: Newman Sharlene D. , Lee Donghoon , Ratliff Kristen L.
Published: January 2009

The aim of this study was to better characterize the influence of the comprehension probe on syntax‐related activation patterns observed in fMRI studies of sentence comprehension. In this study, sentence comprehension was assessed by presenting a true/false statement after each sentence. To disassociate the sentence reading from the comprehension probe activation, a 6‐s delay was placed between these processing phases. Two factors were manipulated, one affected the sentence and the other affected the probe. The sentences were manipulated by varying their syntactic complexity; conjoined‐active and object‐relative sentences were examined. The comprehension probes asked whether one of the first two mentioned nouns in the preceding sentence performed the action of one of the two verbs. The probes were manipulated by varying the distance (number of intervening words) between the noun and verb within the sentence; there were three probe types: short distance, long distance, and false statements. The results, which focused on the processing taking place during the probe, showed that the distance manipulation resulted in significant differences in both behavioral and brain activation measures. This was particularly true of BA 44, which revealed an interaction between complexity and distance such that the complexity effect was all but eliminated for the long‐distance condition. Additionally, we replicated our previous finding of syntactic complexity effects during the probe phase. Finally, post hoc analysis revealed that participants used two distinct strategies during sentence reading; significant effects of strategy use on both behavioral and brain activation data were observed. Hum Brain Mapp 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cardiorespiratory effects on default‐mode network activity as measured with fMRI
Authors: van Buuren Mariët , Gladwin Thomas E. , Zandbelt Bram B. , van den Heuvel Martijn , Ramsey Nick F. , Kahn René S. , Vink Matthijs
Published: January 2009

The default‐mode network (DMN) consists of areas showing more activation during rest than during a task. Several authors propose some form of cognitive processing to underlie BOLD signal changes in the DMN as activity within the network is modulated by the level of effort required by the task and is positively correlated with self‐referential processing. Alternatively, BOLD signal changes within the DMN may be caused by cardiorespiratory processes (CR) affecting BOLD signal measurements independent of neuronal activity. The goal of this study is to investigate whether BOLD signal changes within the DMN can be explained by CR effects. To this aim, brain activity, heartbeat, and respiration are measured during resting‐state and while subjects perform a cognitive task with a high‐ and low‐demand condition. To correct for CR effects we used RETROICOR (Glover et al., [ 2000]: Magn Reson Med 44:162–167) in combination with additive linear modeling of changes due to respiration volume, heart rate and heart rate variability. CR effects were present within the frequency‐range of the DMN and were located in areas of the DMN, but equally so in other areas. After removal of CR effects, deactivation and resting‐state connectivity between the areas of the DMN remained significant. In addition, DMN deactivation was still modulated by task demand. The same CR correction method did remove activation in task‐related areas. We take these results to indicate that the BOLD signal within the DMN cannot be explained by CR effects alone and is possibly related to some form of cognitive neuronal processing. Hum Brain Mapp, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Factors influencing surface runoff generation from two agricultural hillslopes in central Pennsylvania
Authors: Buda Anthony R. , Kleinman Peter J. A. , Srinivasan M. S. , Bryant Ray B. , Feyereisen Gary W.
Published: January 2009

The variable source area (VSA) concept provides the underlying paradigm for managing phosphorus losses in runoff in the north‐eastern USA. This study sought to elucidate factors controlling runoff along two hillslopes with contrasting soils, including characterizing runoff generation mechanisms and hydrological connectivity. Runoff monitoring plots (2 m × 1 m) were established in various landscape positions. Footslope positions were characterized by the presence of a fragipan that contributed to seasonally perched water tables. In upslope positions without a fragipan, runoff was generated primarily via the infiltration‐excess (IE) mechanism (96% of events) and was largely disconnected from downslope runoff. Roughly 80% of total runoff originated from the north footslope landscape position via saturation‐excess (SE) (46% of events; 62% of runoff) and IE (54% of events; 38% of runoff) mechanisms. Runoff from the north hillslope was substantially greater than the south hillslope despite their proximity, and apparently was a function of the extent of fragipan representation. Results demonstrate the influence of subsurface soil properties (e.g. fragipan) on surface runoff generation in variable source area hydrology settings, which could be useful for improving the accuracy of existing runoff prediction tools. Published in 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gamma‐linolenic acid alters Ku80, E2F1, and bax expression and induces micronucleus formation in C6 glioma cells in vitro
Authors: Benadiba Marcel , Miyake Juliano Andreoli , Colquhoun Alison
Published: January 2009

Gamma‐linolenic acid (GLA) is an inhibitor of tumor cell proliferation in both in vitro and in vivo conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 150 μM GLA on the expression of E2F1, cyclin D1, bax, bcl2, Ku70, and Ku80 in C6 rat glioma cells. The Ku proteins were chosen as previous studies have shown that loss or reduction in their expression causes increased DNA damage and micronucleus formation in the presence of radiation. The fact that GLA exposure is known to enhance the efficacy of radiation treatment raised the question whether the Ku proteins could be involved in this effect as seen for other molecules such as roscovitine and flavopiridol. GLA altered the mRNA expression of E2F1, cyclin D1, and bax, but no changes were found for bcl2, Ku70, and Ku80. Alterations in protein expression were observed for bax, Ku80, and E2F1. The 45% decrease in E2F1 expression was proportional to decreased cell proliferation (44%). Morphological analysis found a 25% decrease in mitotic activity in the GLA‐treated cells, which was accompanied by a 49% decrease in S‐phase by FACS analysis. A 39% increase in the number of micronuclei detected by Hoechst fluorescence points to GLA's effects on cell division even at concentrations that do not produce significant increases in apoptosis. Most important was the finding that Ku80 expression, a critical protein involved in DNA repair as a heterodimer with Ku70, was decreased by 71%. It is probable that reduced Ku80 is responsible for the increase in micronucleus formation in GLA‐treated cells in a similar manner to that found in Ku80 null cells exposed to radiation. The decreased expression of Ku80 and E2F1 could make cells more susceptible to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. © 2009 IUBMB IUBMB Life 61(3): 244–251, 2009
Serine proteases
Authors: Di Cera Enrico
Published: January 2009

Over one third of all known proteolytic enzymes are serine proteases. Among these, the trypsins underwent the most predominant genetic expansion yielding the enzymes responsible for digestion, blood coagulation, fibrinolysis, development, fertilization, apoptosis, and immunity. The success of this expansion resides in a highly efficient fold that couples catalysis and regulatory interactions. Added complexity comes from the recent observation of a significant conformational plasticity of the trypsin fold. A new paradigm emerges where two forms of the protease, E* and E, are in allosteric equilibrium and determine biological activity and specificity. © 2009 IUBMB IUBMB Life 61(5): 510–515, 2009
Parathyroid hormone synergizes with non‐cyclic AMP pathways to activate the cyclic AMP response element
Authors: Murrills Richard J. , Andrews Jennifer L. , Samuel Rachelle L. , Coleburn Valerie E. , Bhat Bheem M. , Bhat Ramesh A. , Bex Frederick J. , Bodine Peter V.N.
Published: January 2009

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) activates multiple signaling pathways following binding to the PTH1 receptor in osteoblasts. Previous work revealed a discrepancy between cAMP stimulation and CRE reporter activation of truncated PTH peptides, suggesting that additional signaling pathways contribute to activation of the CRE. Using a CRE‐Luciferase reporter containing multiple copies of the CRE stably transfected into the osteoblastic cell line Saos‐2, we tested the ability of modulators of alternative pathways to activate the CRE or block the PTH‐induced activation of the CRE. Activators of non‐cyclic AMP pathways, that is, EGF (Akt, MAPK, JAK/STAT pathways); thapsigargin (intracellular calcium pathway); phorbol myristate acetate (protein kinase C, PKC pathway) induced minor increases in CRE‐luciferase activity alone but induced dramatic synergistic effects in combination with PTH. The protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor H‐89 (10 µM) almost completely blocked PTH‐induced activation of the CRE‐reporter. Adenylate cyclase inhibitors SQ 22536 and DDA had profound and time‐dependent biphasic effects on the CRE response. The MAPK inhibitor PD 98059 partially inhibited basal and PTH‐induced CRE activity to the same degree, while the PKC inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide (BIS) had variable effects. The calmodulin kinase II inhibitor KN‐93 had no significant effect on the response to PTH. We conclude that non‐cAMP pathways (EGF pathway, calcium pathway, PKC pathway) converge on, and have synergistic effects on, the response of a CRE reporter to PTH. J. Cell. Biochem. 106: 887–895, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
From sextant to GPS: Twenty‐five years of mapping the genome with ChIP
Authors: Wacker David A. , Kim Tae Hoon
Published: January 2009

Since its inception, ChIP technology has evolved immensely. Technological advances have improved its specificity and sensitivity, its scale has expanded to a genome‐wide level, and its relative ease of use has made it a virtually ubiquitous tool. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the development of ChIP. In honor of this milestone, we briefly revisit its history, offer a review of recent articles employing ChIP on a genome‐wide scale, and lay out our views for the future of ChIP. J. Cell. Biochem. 107: 6–10, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of PEDF: A multi‐functional serpin family protein
Authors: Filleur S. , Nelius T. , de Riese W. , Kennedy R.C.
Published: January 2009

Pigment epithelium‐derived factor (PEDF) is a 50 kDa secreted glycoprotein that belongs to the non‐inhibitory serpin family group. PEDF has been described as a natural angiogenesis inhibitor with neurotrophic and immune‐modulation properties; it balances angiogenesis in the eye and blocks tumor progression. The mechanisms underlying most of these events are not completely clear; however, it appears that PEDF acts via multiple high affinity ligands and cell receptors. In this review article, we will summarize the current knowledge on the biochemical properties of PEDF and its receptors, the multimodal activities of PEDF and finally address the therapeutic potential of PEDF in treating angiogenesis‐, neurodegeneration‐ and inflammation‐related diseases. J. Cell. Biochem. 106: 769–775, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Who is doing well? A typology of newly homeless adolescents
Authors: Milburn Norweeta , Liang Li‐Jung , Lee Sung‐Jae , Rotheram‐Borus Mary Jane , Rosenthal Doreen , Mallett Shelley , Lightfoot Marguerita , Lester Patricia
Published: January 2009

There is growing evidence to support developing new typologies for homeless adolescents. Current typologies focus on the risks associated with being homeless, with less consideration of the positive attributes of homeless adolescents. The authors examined both risk and protective factors in a sample of newly homeless adolescents. Using cluster analysis techniques, they identified three distinct clusters of newly homeless adolescents: those who are protected and doing relatively well while out of home with more protective than risk factors, those who are at‐risk, and those who are risky with more risk than protective factors. Over half (51.9%) of these newly homeless adolescents were in the protected cluster. This typology has implications for the design and implementation of services and interventions for newly homeless adolescents to reconnect them with stable housing situations. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Religious involvement and depressive symptoms among Mexican‐origin adults in California
Authors: Ellison Christopher G. , Finch Brian K. , Ryan Daniell Nicole , Salinas Jennifer J.
Published: January 2009

A burgeoning literature has documented generally salutary relationships between various aspects of religious involvement and mental health outcomes, including depressive symptoms. However, few of these studies have focused on Latinos (Hispanics), who now constitute the largest ethnic minority population in the United States. Our work addresses this gap in the literature. A number of hypotheses concerning main and contingent effects of religious attendance, salience, and consolation‐seeking are developed and tested, using data on a large (N=3,012) sample of Mexican‐origin adults drawn in the Fresno, CA area in 1995–1996. An initial inverse association between religious attendance and depressive symptoms disappears with controls for supportive social ties. However, an apparently salutary association between religious salience and depression persists despite all statistical controls; this relationship is present among both men and women, but it is significantly stronger for women. Contrary to expectations, there are signs that religious involvement may exacerbate the deleterious effects of discrimination and acculturation stress on depressive symptoms. A number of study implications, limitations, and directions for future research is discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Multiple senses of community: the experience and meaning of community
Authors: Mannarini Terri , Fedi Angela
Published: January 2009

This study contributes to the debate on the meaning of community and sense of community, and attempts to clarify the relationship between sense of community and civic and political participation. The authors interviewed 76 participants about their views and feelings about community. Forty‐seven were active members of political parties, neighborhood and cultural associations, and volunteers helping disadvantaged people. Twenty‐nine had never been involved in any kind of social or political group. Results showed that (a) the experience of community emerging from participants' discourse is not remarkably different from the academic meaning of community, and (b) the way individuals perceive community is linked both to sense of community and to civic and political participation. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Frequency and citations of published authors in two community psychology journals
Authors: Pokorny Steven B. , Adams Monica , Jason Leonard A. , Patka Mazna , Cowman Shaun , Topliff Annie
Published: January 2009

The current study examined the development of community psychology through publications in the main journals of the field, the American Journal of Community Psychology (AJCP) and Journal of Community Psychology (JCP). The investigation assessed which individuals played a major role in shaping the field through their publications by recording information from every citation in AJCP and JCP since the journals started in 1973 through 2004. Each author and the year of publication were documented. In addition, the number of times each article was cited by other researchers was also documented as an approximation of the impact of the article. To document trends over time, three periods (1973–1983; 1984–1994; 1995–2004) were assessed. The relative contribution of authors to the field's literature is presented by rank orders of productivity and influence. Historical trends are discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ROS‐mediated p38α MAPK activation and ERK inactivation responsible for upregulation of Fas and FasL and autocrine Fas‐mediated cell death in Taiwan cobra phospholipase A2‐treated U937 cells
Authors: Liu Wen‐Hsin , Cheng Yun‐Ching , Chang Long‐Sen
Published: January 2009

The aim of the present study is to explore the signaling pathway associated with Naja naja atra phospholipase A2 (PLA2)‐induced apoptotic death of human leukemia U937 cells. Degradation of procaspases, production of tBid, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and cytochrome c release were observed in PLA2‐treated cells. PLA2 treatment increased Fas and FasL protein expression, and upregulated transcription of Fas and FasL mRNA. Upon exposure to PLA2, ROS generation, p38 MAPK activation, and ERK inactivation were found in U937 cells. Abolition of PLA2‐induced ROS generation abrogated p38 MAPK activation and upregulation of Fas and FasL expression, but restored ERK activation and viability of PLA2‐treated cells. Block of p38 MAPK by SB202190 abolished PLA2‐induced Fas/FasL upregulation and ERK inactivation, but not ROS generation. Activated ERK suppressed p38 MAPK activation and Fas/FasL protein expression. Selective inactivation or overexpression of p38α MAPK proved that upregulation of Fas/FasL and ERK inactivation were related to p38α MAPK activation. Deprivation of catalytic activity with PLA2 blocked completely PLA2‐induced Fas/FasL upregulation. Downregulation of FADD abolished PLA2‐induced procaspase‐8 degradation and rescued viability of PLA2‐treated cells. Taken together, our results indicate that Fas/FasL upregulation in PLA2‐treated U937 cells is elicited by ROS‐mediated p38α MAPK activation and ERK inactivation, and suggest that autocrine Fas/FasL apoptotic mechanism is involved in PLA2‐induced cell death. J. Cell. Physiol. 219: 642–651, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diagnosis of recurrent lung cancer in the mediastinum using endosonographically guided fine‐needle aspiration biopsy
Authors: Singh Sandeep , Thakur Manika
Published: January 2009

Endoscopic sonography is a well‐established tool for the diagnosis and staging of gastrointestinal malignancies. It has been found to be of increasing utility in the diagnosis and management of lung cancers. We report a case of recurrent lung cancer presenting 4 years after initial diagnosis and treatment, in which endoscopic sonography was used to guide the fine‐needle aspiration biopsy. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 2009
Combined hematopoietic and lentiviral gene‐transfer therapies in newborn Twitcher mice reveal contemporaneous neurodegeneration and demyelination in Krabbe disease
Authors: Galbiati F. , Givogri M.I. , Cantuti L. , Lopez Rosas A. , Cao H. , van Breemen R. , Bongarzone E.R.
Published: January 2009

This study characterized the therapeutic benefits of combining hematogenous cell replacement with lentiviral‐mediated gene transfer of galactosylceramidase (GALC) in Twitcher mice, a bona fide model for Krabbe disease. Bone marrow cells and GALC‐lentiviral vectors were administered intravenously without any preconditioning to newborn Twitcher pups before postnatal day 2. Treated Twitchers survived up to 4 months of age. GALC activity remained less than 5% of normal values in the nervous system for the first 2 months after treatment and reached ∼30% in long‐term‐surviving mice. Long‐term reconstitution of GALC activity in the nervous system was provided primarily by infiltrating macrophages and to a lesser extent by direct lentiviral transduction of neural cells. Treated Twitchers had significant preservation of myelin, with a G‐ratio (ratio of the axon diameter to the diameter of the myelinated fiber) in sciatic nerve myelin of 0.75 ± 0.08 compared with 0.85 ± 0.10 in untreated mutants. Although treated mutants had improved locomotor activities during their long‐term survival, they died with symptoms of progressive neurological degeneration, indistinguishable from those seen in untreated Twitchers. Examination of long‐lived Twitchers showed that treated mutants were not protected from developing degeneration of axons throughout the neuroaxis. These results suggest that GALC deficiency not only affects myelinating glia but also leads to neuronal dysfunction. The contemporaneous neuropathology might help to explain the limited efficacy of current gene and cell therapies. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of neural cell adhesion molecule L1‐derived neuritogenic ligands of the fibroblast growth factor receptor
Authors: Kulahin Nikolaj , Li Shizhong , Kiselyov Vladislav , Bock Elisabeth , Berezin Vladimir
Published: January 2009

The neural cell adhesion molecule L1 plays an important role in axon growth, neuronal survival, and synaptic plasticity. We recently demonstrated that the L1 fibronectin type III (FN3) modules interact directly with the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor (FGFR). Sequence alignment of individual L1 FN3 modules with various FGFs suggested that four sequence motifs located in the third and fifth L1 FN3 modules might be involved in interactions with FGFR. The present study found that corresponding synthetic peptides, termed elcamins 1, 2, 3, and 4, bind and activate FGFR in the absence of FGF1. Conversely, in the presence of FGF1, elcamins inhibited receptor phosphorylation, indicating that the peptides are FGFR partial agonists. Elcamins 1, 3, and 4 dose dependently induced neurite outgrowth in cultured primary cerebellar neurons. The neuritogenic effect of elcamins was dependent on FGFR activation, insofar as the effect was abolished by the receptor inhibition. Thus, the identified peptides act as L1 mimetics with regard to activation of FGFR and induction of neurite outgrowth. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comprehensive analysis of expression, subcellular localization, and cognate pairing of SNARE proteins in oligodendrocytes
Authors: Feldmann Anke , Winterstein Christine , White Robin , Trotter Jacqueline , Krämer‐Albers Eva‐Maria
Published: January 2009

Oligodendrocytes form the central nervous system myelin sheath by spiral wrapping of their plasma membrane around axons, necessitating a high rate of exocytic membrane addition to the growing myelin membrane. Membrane fusion is mediated by soluble N‐ethylmaleimide‐sensitive factor attachment protein receptor proteins (SNAREs), which act by specific pairing of vesicle (R)‐ and target (Q)‐SNAREs. To characterize oligodendroglial SNAREs and their trafficking pathways, we performed a detailed expression analysis of SNAREs in differentiating cultured oligodendrocytes and myelin and determined their subcellular localization. Expression of the plasma membrane Q‐SNAREs syntaxin 3, syntaxin 4, SNAP23, and the endosomal R‐SNARE VAMP3/cellubrevin increased with oligodendroglial maturation, while the expression of SNAP29 decreased. Interestingly, syntaxin 3, syntaxin 4, and VAMP7/tetanustoxin‐insensitive VAMP accumulated in myelin during development, suggesting a role in myelin membrane fusion. Coimmunoprecipitation from oligodendroglial cell lysates elucidated interactions between SNAREs: for example, Golgi‐localized VAMP4 associated with syntaxin 6 and SNAP29. Furthermore, we identified a cognate core complex composed of VAMP3, syntaxin 4, and SNAP23, which may mediate fusion of endosome‐derived vesicles with the plasma membrane. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of SNARE proteins in oligodendrocytes and assigns defined SNAREs to putative vesicle trafficking pathways in myelinating oligodendrocytes, thus facilitating future functional analysis of distinct SNAREs in oligodendroglial membrane traffic and myelination. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Targeted mechanical properties for optimal fluid motion inside artificial bone substitutes
Authors: Blecha L.D. , Rakotomanana L. , Razafimahery F. , Terrier A. , Pioletti D.P.
Published: January 2009

Our goal was to develop a method to identify the optimal elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio, porosity, and permeability values for a mechanically stressed bone substitute. We hypothesized that a porous bone substitute that favors the transport of nutriments, wastes, biochemical signals, and cells, while keeping the fluid‐induced shear stress within a range that stimulates osteoblasts, would likely promote osteointegration. Two optimization criteria were used: (i) the fluid volume exchange between the artificial bone substitute and its environment must be maximal and (ii) the fluid‐induced shear stress must be between 0.03 and 3 Pa. Biot's poroelastic theory was used to compute the fluid motion due to mechanical stresses. The impact of the elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio, porosity, and permeability on the fluid motion were determined in general and for three different bone substitute sizes used in high tibial osteotomy. We found that fluid motion was optimized in two independent steps. First, fluid transport was maximized by minimizing the elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio, and porosity. Second, the fluid‐induced shear stress could be adjusted by tuning the bone substitute permeability so that it stayed within the favorable range of 0.03 to 3 Pa. Such method provides clear guidelines to bone substitute developers and to orthopedic surgeons for using bone substitute materials according to their mechanical environment. © 2009 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27: 1082–1087, 2009