bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combination of human plasminogen kringle 5 with ionizing radiation significantly enhances the efficacy of antitumor effect
Authors: Jin Guang‐Hui , Ma Ding‐Yuan , Wu Ning , Marikar Faiz M.M.T , Jin Shun‐Zi , Jiang Wei‐Wei , Liu Yan , Hua Zi‐Chun
Published: August 2007

Antiangiogenic therapy could destroy tumor vasculature and inhibit tumor growth. It might inhibit tumor growth significantly when used as a single treatment modality and its therapeutic benefit may even be greater when used in combination with established treatment modalities such as radiation therapy (RT). In the present report, we investigated the effect of recombinant human plasminogen kringle 5 domain (rhK5) in combination with ionizing radiation on angiogenesis, tumor growth and survival in a murine Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) tumor model. Combined treatment using rhK5 and radiotherapy displayed obvious suppressive effect on LLC tumor growth as compared with single treatment with either modality (p < 0.05), and resulted in a more additive effect on tumor growth delay in this model. In addition, combined treatment significantly enhanced the survival of mice and no toxic effect, such as weight loss, was observed. The significant antitumor effect of rhK5 plus radiation was associated with a direct suppression effect on early neoangiogenesis and tumor cell apoptosis. Furthermore, the expression of VEGF and HIF‐1α in tumor tissue correlated well with decreased vessel density. The results suggest that rhK5 significantly enhances the antitumor activity of RT and could be a potent adjuvant therapeutic approach to improve the efficacy of radiotherapy for lung cancer. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Altered methionine metabolism and global DNA methylation in liver cancer: Relationship with genomic instability and prognosis
Authors: Calvisi Diego F. , Simile Maria M. , Ladu Sara , Pellegrino Rossella , De Murtas Valentina , Pinna Federico , Tomasi Maria L. , Frau Maddalena , Virdis Patrizia , De Miglio Maria R. , Muroni Maria R. , Pascale Rosa M. , Feo Francesco
Published: August 2007

Mounting evidence underlines the role of genomic hypomethylation in the generation of genomic instability (GI) and tumorigenesis, but whether DNA hypomethylation is required for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development and progression remains unclear. We investigated the correlation between GI and DNA methylation, and influence of methionine metabolism deregulation on these parameters and hepatocarcinogenesis in c‐Myc and c‐Myc/Tgf‐α transgenic mice and human HCCs. S‐adenosyl‐L‐methionine/S‐adenosylhomocysteine ratio and liver‐specific methionine adenosyltransferase (MatI/III) progressively decreased in dysplastic and neoplastic liver lesions developed in c‐Myc transgenic mice and in human HCC with better (HCCB) and poorer (HCCP) prognosis (based on patient's survival length). Deregulation of these parameters resulted in a rise of global DNA hypomethylation both in c‐Myc and human liver lesions, positively correlated with GI levels in mice and humans, and inversely correlated with the length of survival of HCC patients. No changes in MATI/III and DNA methylation occurred in c‐Myc/Tgf‐α lesions and in a small human HCC subgroup with intermediate prognosis, where a proliferative activity similar to that of c‐Myc HCC and HCCB was associated with low apoptosis. Upregulation of genes involved in polyamine synthesis, methionine salvage and downregulation of polyamine negative regulator OAZ1, was highest in c‐Myc/Tgf‐α HCCs and HCCP. Our results indicate that alterations in the activity of MAT/I/III, and extent of DNA hypomethylation and GI are prognostic markers for human HCC. However, a small human HCC subgroup, as c‐Myc/Tgf‐α tumors, may develop in the absence of alterations in DNA methylation. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Autoimmunity as a prognostic factor in melanoma patients treated with adjuvant low‐dose interferon alpha
Authors: Satzger Imke , Meier Andre , Schenck Florian , Kapp Alexander , Hauschild Axel , Gutzmer Ralf
Published: August 2007

Interferon alpha is used for the adjuvant treatment of malignant melanoma at different dosages (high‐, intermediate‐, low‐dose therapy). Only a minority of patients might benefit from this therapy, and markers to identify such patients are missing. A recent study suggested that melanoma patients developing autoantibodies or clinical manifestations of autoimmunity during adjuvanthigh‐doseinterferon alpha treatment had a significant survival benefit. We retrospectively reviewed 134 melanoma patients from our institution treated with adjuvantlow‐doseinterferon alpha therapy and correlated the development of autoimmune diseases with prognosis. Interferon (IFN) therapy was routinely monitored by history, physical examination and laboratory tests before, after the first month and then after every 3 months of therapy. During a median follow up of 46.0 months (8.5–79.0 months) 28 patients (20.9%) suffered from recurrences and melanoma related deaths occurred in 16 patients (11.9%). In 20 patients (14.9%) autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) was diagnosed during IFN therapy, one of these 20 patients developed rheumatoid arthritis later while continuing IFN therapy. Other autoimmune diseases were not observed. In 2 patients (one with AIT and one with arthritis) the autoimmune disease led to discontinuation of IFN therapy, in the other patients AIT remained subclinical or responded well to treatment while IFN therapy was continued. Kaplan–Meier analyses revealed a significant better recurrence free survival and a trend for a better overall survival for patients with AIT. Thus, autoimmunity triggered by low‐dose IFN therapy appears to indicate an improved prognosis and should encourage continuation of IFN therapy. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
2‐Methoxyestradiol attenuates phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase/Akt pathway‐mediated metastasis of gastric cancer
Authors: Lin Heng‐Liang , Yang Muh‐Hwa , Wu Chew‐Wun , Chen Po‐Min , Yang Yi‐Ping , Chu Yue‐Ru , Kao Chung‐Lan , Ku Hung‐Hai , Lo Jen‐Fan , Liou Jing‐Ping , Chi Chin‐Wen , Chiou Shih‐Hwa
Published: August 2007

The major obstacle for the treatment of gastric cancer is recurrence and metastasis; yet, its molecular mechanism is largely unknown. 2‐methoxyestradiol (2‐ME), a metabolite of the estradiol‐17β, has recently been demonstrated to have multifactorial effects against tumor proliferation and angiogenesis; how these effects are interrelated and act cooperatively is the key question to be elucidated. Akt activation was shown to promote cancer cell invasiveness, and inhibition of Akt phosphorylation by 2‐ME was also noted. We herein investigated the significance of PI3K/Akt activation in gastric cancer metastasis and the anti‐metastatic effect of 2‐ME through attenuation of Akt activity. Immunohistochemistry of PI3K, phosphorylated Akt (p‐Akt) and phosphorylated Erk (p‐Erk) was performed in tumors from 56 gastric cancer patients, and a significant correlation between PI3K/p‐Akt and tumor stage/prognosis was demonstrated (p < 0.05). An in vitro study of 7 gastric cancer cell lines showed a remarkable correlation between PI3K and p‐Akt. PI3K/p‐Akt overexpression was associated with invasiveness/migration; in contrast, phosphorylation of Erk was not shown to be correlated with invasiveness. In addition, metastatic gastric cancer clones expressed a higher level of PI3K/p‐Akt. The anti‐metastatic effect of a low dose of 2‐ME and inactivation of Akt was demonstrated. 2‐ME also exhibited an ability to inhibit gastric cancer cell proliferation and induce G2/M cell cycle arrest at a higher concentration than that required for inhibition of migration. We conclude that the activation of PI3K/Akt pathway is involved in the late‐stage progression and metastasis of gastric cancer, and attenuation of p‐Akt by 2‐ME suppresses metastasis. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Body mass index and risk of multiple myeloma: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Larsson Susanna C. , Wolk Alicja
Published: August 2007

Excess body weight has been identified as a risk factor for a variety of cancer types. However, whether excess body weight increases the risk of multiple myeloma remains controversial. We conducted a meta‐analysis to quantitatively summarize the evidence from epidemiologic studies of the associations of overweight and obesity with the risk of multiple myeloma. We searched the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases (1966 to May 2007) and the reference lists of retrieved articles. Cohort and case–control studies were included if they reported relative risk (RR) estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the relation between body mass index and multiple myeloma incidence or mortality. A random‐effects model was used to combine study‐specific results. A total of 11 cohort studies (involving 13,120 cases) and 4 case–control studies (1,166 cases and 8,247 controls) were included in the meta‐analysis. Compared with individuals with normal weight, the risk of multiple myeloma was statistically significantly higher among those who were overweight (cohort studies: RR, 1.12, 95% CI, 1.07–1.18; case–control studies: RR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.23–1.68) or obese (cohort studies: RR, 1.27, 95% CI, 1.15–1.41; case– control studies: RR, 1.82, 95% CI, 1.47–2.26). Results from this meta‐analysis indicate that excess body weight may be a risk factor for multiple myeloma. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Influence of socioeconomic factors on survival after breast cancer—A nationwide cohort study of women diagnosed with breast cancer in Denmark 1983–1999
Authors: Dalton Susanne Oksbjerg , Ross Lone , Düring Maria , Carlsen Kathrine , Mortensen Preben Bo , Lynch John , Johansen Christoffer
Published: August 2007

The reasons for social inequality in breast cancer survival are far from established. Our study aims to study the importance of a range of socioeconomic factors and comorbid disorders on survival after breast cancer surgery in Denmark where the health care system is tax‐funded and uniform. All 25,897 Danish women who underwent protocol‐based treatment for breast cancer in 1983–1999 were identified in a clinical database and information on socioeconomic variables and both somatic and psychiatric comorbid disorders was obtained from population‐based registries. We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate the association between socioeconomic position and overall survival and further to analyse breast cancer specific deaths in a competing risk set‐up regarding all other causes of death as competing risks. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for death was reduced in women with higher education (HR, 0.91; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.85–0.98), with higher income (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.87–0.98) and with larger dwellings (HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.85–0.96 for women living in houses larger than 150 m2). Presence of comorbid disorders increased the HR. An interaction between income and comorbid disorders resulting in a 15% lower survival 10 year after primary surgery in poor women with low‐risk breast cancer having comorbid conditions (∼65%) compared to rich women with similar breast cancer prognosis and comorbid conditions (∼80%) suggests that part of the explanation for the social inequality in survival after breast cancer surgery in Denmark lies in the access to and/or compliance with management of comorbid conditions in poorer women. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phase II trial of irinotecan, cisplatin and mitomycin for relapsed small cell lung cancer
Authors: Fennell Dean A. , Steele Jeremy P.C. , Shamash Jonathan , Slater Sarah E. , Sheaff Michael T. , Wells Paula , Rudd Robin M. , Stebbing Justin
Published: August 2007

There is no standard therapy for relapsed small cell lung cancer (rSCLC). We evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of a new triplet consisting of irinotecan (100 mg/m2 Days 1 and 15 q28), cisplatin (40 mg/m2 Days 1 and 15 q28) and mitomycin (6 mg/m2 d1 q28) administered to a maximum of 6 cycles in individuals with rSCLC that had relapsed following first line treatment. Partial remisions were observed in 35% and progression in 30% of patients. Progression free survival measured 4.5 months (95% CI 0.8–8.2) and overall survival was 7.8 months (95% CI 5.3–10.3). QoL showed improvement in activity symptoms and stabilization of physical symptoms. As IPM was a well‐tolerated regimen with activity in rSCLC, a phase III trial comparing this triplet with other regimens in this setting is warranted. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparative fatigue behavior and toughness of remelted and annealed highly crosslinked polyethylenes
Authors: Medel Francisco J. , Peña P. , Cegoñino José , Gómez‐Barrena E. , Puértolas J. A.
Published: August 2007

Highly cross‐linked polyethylenes (HXLPEs) have been incorporated into the hip replacement armamentarium based on their improved wear resistance. However, two different methods of thermal treatment separate the orthopedic community as strategies to control potential long‐term oxidation, and controversy remains with problems in the long‐term use of acetabular liners (long‐term oxidation, rim fracture after impingement, etc.). Meanwhile, the mechanical properties of HXLPEs that may alleviate these problems are still unclear. On the other hand, HXLPEs are scarcely used in knee replacements, as there exists concern about the probably reduced fatigue and fracture performances of these materials. Thus, our aim was to compare the effects of both thermal treatment regimes on mechanical properties and to associate these findings with the material microstructure. The fatigue behavior of annealed and remelted HXLPEs was characterized using short‐term cyclic stress–strain, long‐term fatigue, and fatigue crack propagation tests. On the other hand, impact tests, tensile experiments, and the J‐integral multispecimen method allowed us to assess toughness. Microstructure features such as crosslink density, crystallinity percentage, and lamellar thickness were investigated by swelling measurements, differential scanning calorimetry, and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. This study confirms that annealing preserves mechanical properties better than remelting from both fatigue and fracture resistance points of view, and it remarks that a suitable selection of irradiation and stabilization conditions is needed to achieve optimal mechanical performances of ultra high molecular weight polyethylenes for each specific total joint replacement. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2007
Haptide‐coated collagen sponge as a bioactive matrix for tissue regeneration
Authors: Marx Gerard , Hotovely‐Salomon Anna , Levdansky Lila , Gaberman Elena , Snir Ganit , Sievner Zaki , Klauzner Yakir , Silberklang Melvin , Thomas Dolly , Hoffman Nataly , Luke Sunny , Lesnoy Daniel , Gorodetsky Raphael
Published: August 2007

We previously described a new class of conserved, cell adhesive (haptotactic) peptides, termed Haptides, based on sequences first identified in fibrinogen. Here, we describe a new biomaterial, Haptide‐coated Collagen, in which the carbodiimide reagent, EDC, was used to covalently couple a Haptide (preCγ), equivalent to the carboxy terminus of the fibrinogen γ chain, to a cross‐linked sponge composed of bovine collagen type I. The dose response of Haptide bound to collagen on cell attachment response reached a plateau at a concentration of 5–10 mg Haptide/g collagen. The Haptized‐collagen was more stable to 1N NaOH, with a degradation half‐time (T1/2) of 1.7 h, compared to 0.9 h for untreated control. Haptized collagen discs could be loaded with ∼30% more human dermal fibroblasts or bovine aortic endothelial cells than unmodified collagen discs (p < 0.001). After a proliferation phase, Haptized collagen discs contained ∼45% more fibroblasts than non‐Haptized discs (p < 0.01). Histological analysis following sub‐dermal implantation in rats indicated that at day 8, Haptized collagen sponge was less degraded than unmodified collagen sponge, attracted more endogenous fibroblasts with newly deposited collagen, and provoked less inflammatory or other adverse reactions. These results suggest potential clinical applications for Haptized collagen sponge for tissue regeneration, soft tissue augmentation, skin repair, and wound healing. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 2008
Identification of biomolecular conformations from incomplete torsion angle observations by hidden markov models
Authors: Fischer Alexander , Waldhausen Sonja , Horenko Illia , Meerbach Eike , Schütte Christof
Published: August 2007

We present a novel method for the identification of the most important conformations of a biomolecular system from molecular dynamics or Metropolis Monte Carlo time series by means of Hidden Markov Models (HMMs). We show that identification is possible based on the observation sequences of some essential torsion or backbone angles. In particular, the method still provides good results even if the conformations do have a strong overlap in these angles. To apply HMMs to angular data, we use von Mises output distributions. The performance of the resulting method is illustrated by numerical tests and by application to a hybrid Monte Carlo time series of trialanine and to MD simulation results of a DNA–oligomer.
Epithelial—mesenchymal and mesenchymal—epithelial transitions in carcinoma progression
Authors: Hugo Honor , Ackland M. Leigh , Blick Tony , Lawrence Mitchell G. , Clements Judith A. , Williams Elizabeth D. , Thompson Erik W.
Published: August 2007

Like a set of bookends, cellular, molecular, and genetic changes of the beginnings of life mirror those of one of the most common cause of death—metastatic cancer. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important change in cell phenotype which allows the escape of epithelial cells from the structural constraints imposed by tissue architecture, and was first recognized by Elizabeth Hay in the early to mid 1980's to be a central process in early embryonic morphogenesis. Reversals of these changes, termed mesenchymal to epithelial transitions (METs), also occur and are important in tissue construction in normal development. Over the last decade, evidence has mounted for EMT as the means through which solid tissue epithelial cancers invade and metastasize. However, demonstrating this potentially rapid and transient process in vivo has proven difficult and data connecting the relevance of this process to tumor progression is still somewhat limited and controversial. Evidence for an important role of MET in the development of clinically overt metastases is starting to accumulate, and model systems have been developed. This review details recent advances in the knowledge of EMT as it occurs in breast development and carcinoma and prostate cancer progression, and highlights the role that MET plays in cancer metastasis. Finally, perspectives from a clinical and translational viewpoint are discussed. J. Cell. Physiol. 213: 374–383, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cell–matrix adhesion
Authors: Berrier Allison L. , Yamada Kenneth M.
Published: August 2007

The complex interactions of cells with extracellular matrix (ECM) play crucial roles in mediating and regulating many processes, including cell adhesion, migration, and signaling during morphogenesis, tissue homeostasis, wound healing, and tumorigenesis. Many of these interactions involve transmembrane integrin receptors. Integrins cluster in specific cell–matrix adhesions to provide dynamic links between extracellular and intracellular environments by bi‐directional signaling and by organizing the ECM and intracellular cytoskeletal and signaling molecules. This mini review discusses these interconnections, including the roles of matrix properties such as composition, three‐dimensionality, and porosity, the bi‐directional functions of cellular contractility and matrix rigidity, and cell signaling. The review concludes by speculating on the application of this knowledge of cell–matrix interactions in the formation of cell adhesions, assembly of matrix, migration, and tumorigenesis to potential future therapeutic approaches. J. Cell. Physiol. 213:565–573. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Renal artery aneurysm in a solitary kidney
Authors: Cianci Rosario , Stivali Gilda , Zaccaria Alvaro , Barbano Biagio , Bianco Palma , Cerroni Franca
Published: August 2007

A 55‐year‐old hypertensive female was referred for renal artery color Doppler examination because of a suspicion of renovascular hypertension. Renal artery aneurysm was occasionally detected at the distal portion of the artery in the single left kidney, without the presence of stenosis. An aneurysm was confirmed via magnetic resonance angiography and arteriographical examination. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2008
Antenatal diagnosis of a Morgagni hernia in the second trimester
Authors: Jain Krishan Kumar , Sen Jyotsna , Rathee Suresh Kanta , Saini Jitender
Published: August 2007

Morgagni hernia is an uncommon type of congenital hernia that is rarely diagnosed antenatally. Herniation of the liver into the fluid‐filled pericardial sac resulting in a thoracic mass is a particularly rare form of Morgagni hernia; only 3 cases have been reported in the literature, all with a diagnosis made at 32 weeks' gestation or later. We report a case of Morgagni hernia diagnosed on antenatal sonography at 24 weeks' gestation. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2008
Sonographic appearance of a postpartum pyomyoma with gas production
Authors: Nguyen Quyen H. , Gruenewald Simon M.
Published: August 2007

Pyomyoma or suppurative leiomyoma is a potentially fatal complication of uterine leiomyomas. It is a rare condition with only a small number of reported cases since the era of antibiotics, and the descriptions of its sonographic appearance has been limited. We present a case of a pyomyoma associated with gas production, including a brief review of the reported sonographic features. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2008
Axon or dendrite? cell biology and molecular pathways for neuronal cell asymmetry
Authors: Kishi Masashi
Published: August 2007

Young neurons polarize by specializing axons and dendrites from immature neurites. After synapse formations, they transmit electrical activity along the axon‐dendrite axis, thereby working as functional units of the neural circuits. This axon‐dendrite asymmetry is referred to as neuronal polarity. Although a great number of cell biological studies in vitro had been performed, little was known about the molecular events that establish the polarity. In the last several years, rapid advancement in molecular and genetic studies has unraveled the multiple signaling pathways. This paper summarizes current perspectives on the cell and molecular biological mechanisms of the neuronal polarization, to clarify future directions in this growing research field. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reactions to psychological contract breach: a dual perspective
Authors: Chen Zhen Xiong , Tsui Anne S. , Zhong Lifeng
Published: August 2007

This study examined reactions to psychological contract breach from two separate perspectives, that is, employee's reactions to perceptions of employer breach and supervisor's reactions to perceptions of employee breach of the psychological contract. In addition to the main effects, we also hypothesized that the benevolence (or kindness) of the supervisor and the traditional values (or respect for authority) of the employee would attenuate the negative effects of psychological contract breach. We tested these hypotheses with a sample of 273 supervisor‐subordinate dyads from the People's Republic of China. The results showed that employer breach correlated negatively with employee outcomes of organizational commitment (OC), organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), and work performance, but this negative relationship was weaker for employees with traditional values. The results also demonstrated that employee breach correlated negatively with responses from the supervisor, in terms of the mentoring provided to the employee and the leader‐member exchange (LMX) quality. However, more benevolent supervisors reacted less negatively in terms of the mentoring than did the less benevolent supervisors. Implications for future research are offered. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Value of intensive follow‐up of patients after curative surgery for gastric carcinoma
Authors: Tan Ing Tuan , So Bok Yan Jimmy
Published: August 2007

Objective

Most clinicians perform surveillance after gastrectomy for gastric cancer. There is no consensus on the regimen, follow‐up interval and choice of investigations. This study aims to review the long‐term results of patients followed‐up in our institution after gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Methods

Patients with gastric carcinoma who had undergone gastrectomy between 1995 and 1998 were reviewed. The patients were assigned to either intensive or regular regimen based on the follow‐up they had undergone. Intensive regimen included routine physical examination, serum tumor markers, and the use of computed tomography (CT) scan of more than once per year in the follow‐up.

Results

A total of 102 patients were reviewed. Forty‐nine patients received intensive and 53 patients received regular follow‐up. Recurrences were detected earlier in the intensive group (11.5 vs. 19.2 months, P = 0.02). There was no difference in the length of survival in the two groups. Most recurrences (60%) were detected by CT scan.

Conclusions

Intensive follow‐up after gastrectomy resulted in the earlier detection of recurrences. However, there was no survival benefit from this regimen. A regimen based on symptoms and physical examination is adequate for most patients. CT was the most useful investigation for detection of recurrences. J. Surg. Oncol. 2007;96:503–506. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Radio‐guided nonpalpable metastatic lymph node localization in patients with recurrent thyroid cancer
Authors: Tükenmez Mustafa , Erbil Yeşim , Barbaros Umut , Dural Cem , Salmaslioglu Artür , Aksoy Deniz , Mudun Ayse , Özarmağan Selçuk
Published: August 2007

The detection of nonpalpable recurrent thyroid carcinoma has increased due to the use of imaging techniques in time. This report is to investigate whether preoperative injection of a radiotracer under ultrasound guidance is useful in nonpalpable recurrent thyroid carcinoma. The neck of two patients with recurrent thyroid carcinoma was scanned with the probe to localize the area of maximal radioactivity allowing appropriate location of the incision over the lesion. After the lymph nodes were removed, radioactivity was measured in the lesion bed to confirm the success of the dissection. In conclusion, the radio‐guided nonpalpable lesion localization technique can be performed safely for the detection and excision of metastatic foci. J. Surg. Oncol. 2007;96:534–538. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Structures and Chiroptical Properties of Thermoresponsive Block Copolymers Containing L‐Proline Moieties
Authors: Mori Hideharu , Iwaya Hideyuki , Endo Takeshi
Published: August 2007

Amino acid‐based block copolymers containing poly(A‐Pro‐OMe) have been synthesized by RAFT polymerization using the dithioester‐terminated poly(DMA) as a macro‐CTA. An amphiphilic block copolymer composed of polystyrene as a hydrophobic segment and poly(A‐Pro‐OMe) as a hydrophilic segment was also prepared using polystyrene as the macro‐CTA. The chiroptical properties of the block copolymer, poly(DMA)‐block‐poly(A‐Pro‐OMe), was evaluated by specific rotation, CD, and UV‐vis spectroscopy. The assembled structure of the block copolymer on a mica surface was characterized by SFM. Thermally induced phase separations of the random and block copolymers were also studied in aqueous solution.

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Copolycondensation of Regular Functional Silane and Siloxane in Aqueous Emulsion Using B(C6F5)3 as a Catalyst
Authors: Longuet Claire , Joly‐Duhamel Christine , Ganachaud François
Published: August 2007

The copolycondensation of siloxane and silane bearing hydrido and methoxy groups, respectively, was carried out in a surfactant‐free aqueous emulsion, at room temperature and using B(C6F5)3 as a water‐tolerant Lewis acid. Several characterization techniques, including triple detection SEC, 29Si NMR and MALDI‐TOF, confirmed the generation of linear polymers (no macrocycles), of average molar masses ranging between 30 and 80 000 g · mol−1, and bearing silanol end‐groups. Colloidal evolution with time showed that a stable surfactant‐free emulsion was generated before some coalescence occurs by decreasing the content of silanol groups suspected to stabilize the emulsion. The kinetics of reaction was followed by SEC, and revealed the generation of small cycles, along with linear oligomers, before converting them to poly(dimethylsiloxane) chains. A tentative mechanism, where ring‐opening polymerization of the most stranded cyclosiloxane and polycondensation of polymer chains are considered, is proposed.

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Augmented Lagrangian coordination for distributed optimal design in MDO
Authors: Tosserams S. , Etman L. F. P. , Rooda J. E.
Published: August 2007

Quite a number of coordination methods have been proposed for the distributed optimal design of large‐scale systems consisting of a number of interacting subsystems. Several coordination methods are known to have numerical convergence difficulties that can be explained theoretically. The methods for which convergence proofs are available have mostly been developed for so‐called quasi‐separable problems (i.e. problems with individual subsystems coupled only through a set of linking variables, not through constraints and/or objectives). In this paper, we present a new coordination approach for multidisciplinary design optimization problems with linking variables as well as coupling objectives and constraints. Two formulation variants are presented, offering a large degree of freedom in tailoring the coordination algorithm to the design problem at hand. The first, centralized variant introduces a master problem to coordinate coupling of the subsystems. The second, distributed variant coordinates coupling directly between subsystems. Our coordination approach employs an augmented Lagrangian penalty relaxation in combination with a block coordinate descent method. The proposed coordination algorithms can be shown to converge to Karush–Kuhn–Tucker points of the original problem by using the existing convergence results. We illustrate the flexibility of the proposed approach by showing that the analytical target cascading method of Kim et al. (J. Mech. Design‐ASME 2003; 125(3):475–480) and the augmented Lagrangian method for quasi‐separable problems of Tosserams et al. (Struct. Multidisciplinary Opt. 2007, to appear) are subclasses of the proposed formulations. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydrophobic and self‐cleaning coatings
Authors: Dodiuk H. , Rios P. F. , Dotan A. , Kenig S.
Published: August 2007

The effects of nano and micro roughness as well as the chemical composition of surface treatments on hydrophobicity and self‐cleaning properties of the coated surfaces were studied theoretically and experimentally. Accordingly, relationships were derived between the interfacial adhesion strength of the liquid drop to a polymer surface of a given composition, the mass of the drop, the measured contact angles, and the sliding angle. To verify the proposed model various hydrophobic coatings having different surface nano and micro roughness were prepared using polycarbonate (PC) as a substrate.

The surface treatment was based on fluoroalkylsilane. Roughness was introduced by means of Silica (micro) and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS; nano) using a double morphology topography mimicking the Lotus leaf. In the case of optimal compositions and processing conditions, transparent ultra‐hydrophobic characteristics were obtained. In these cases the contact angle was close to 180° and the sliding angle was below 5°.

These novel ultra‐hydrophobic surface coatings and the associated model could be used to develop and design surfaces for a variety of applications such as self‐cleaning glazing, repellent surfaces for threats from biochemicals, and anti‐icing of surfaces. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of the concept of “Living Polymers” on material science
Authors: Levy M.
Published: August 2007

The concept of “Living Polymers” was first introduced in a short communication by M. Szwarc, M. Levy, and R. Milkovich in 1956 and is now widely used in the polymer literature. It led to the synthesis of monodisperse polymers, telechelic polymers, and block copolymers. Living polymerization has evolved in the last 50 years and new methods were developed for various other types of anionic, cationic, ring‐opening, and free radical polymerizations. The field has expanded tremendously and the term “controlled/living” polymerization is commonly used to cover all the methods. A few of the interesting developments in the area are described in this paper. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Flammability of polyamide 6 using the sulfamate system and organo‐layered silicate
Authors: Lewin Menachem , Zhang Jin , Pearce Eli , Gilman Jeffrey
Published: August 2007

A high degree of flame retardancy (FR) of polyamide 6 (PA6) is obtained by adding low weight per cent NH2SO3NH4 (ammonium sulfamate, AS) and dipentaerythritol (Di). This result is preserved when 1 wt% of organo‐layered montmorillonite (OMMT) is dispersed in the AS + Di formulation. Increasing OMMT decreases these FR ratings. The surfaces of the gallery or exfoliated layers of OMMT adsorb and immobilize a part of AS + Di preventing its contribution to the FR reactions. The addition of the hydrophilic poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) partly restores the original FR ratings so a greater amount of AS + Di remains effective. The decrease in the high heat release rate (HRR) of the AS + Di containing PA6 by OMMT imparts to the PA6 lowered peak HRR (PHRR) and slower burning. Addition of pristine montmorillonite (MMT) up to 5 wt% does not decrease the UL‐94 V‐0 rating. The smaller surface area of the relatively large particles of the non‐colloidal pristine MMT adsorbs less AS + Di than OMMT. A straight line relationship was found between oxygen index (OI) values and ignition times in the cone calorimeter. The char resulting from combustion is composed mainly of MMT and some graphitic carbon. XRD found that the d(100) spacing for the clay in the final chars from burning was found to be 1.27 nm, corresponding to a 2θ peak of 7.0. No correlation between the size of the floccular structures on the char surface and the decrease in PHRR is found. Mechanistic considerations are presented. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Erratum: Polymeric materials for fuel cells: concise review of recent studies
Authors: Jagur‐Grodzinski Joseph
Published: August 2007

Polym. Adv. Technol. 2007. DOI: 10.1002/pat.935

The following changes should be recognised:

On page 3 of the article 'The size of the hydrophilic clusters increased when they absorbed water. Subsequent ion exchange reaction with [Pt(NH3)4]Cl2 followed by reduction with 1‐pentanol at 125°C for 2 hr yielded Pt particles uniformly dispersed on SiO2‐PEM.

On page 8 of the article 'The relation between the crossovers of methanol and its concentration in the anode compartment of DMFC's equipped with Nafion membranes was explored and its effect on the efficiency and power density generation was investigated.73–75

Errors will be rectified prior to print publication.
An overview on gender, personality and mental health
Authors: Paris Joel
Published: August 2007

Personality traits are influenced by gender, and these differences are unlikely to be artefacts. Gender effects on traits also shape differences in the prevalence of common mental disorders, so that internalizing disorders are more common in females, while externalizing disorders are more common in males. Finally, gender effects influence the prevalence of specific personality disorders. These differences have clinical implications. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of personality disorders on treatment outcome in bipolar disorder: A review
Authors: Bieling Peter J. , Green Sheryl M. , Macqueen Glenda
Published: August 2007

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic psychiatric illness for which there are a number of efficacious and effective treatments. However, for many sufferers recovery is incomplete or tenuous. Factors associated with poor outcomes in the disorder are of special interest, and comorbidity of BD with personality disorder (PD) has been proposed as a possible predictor of poor outcome. We reviewed available studies (n = 12) in the literature that specifically assessed the impact of personality psychopathology on illness outcomes in BD including functioning, response to treatment and suicidality. Quality of methodology, assessment methods and number of participants in studies were highly variable. Despite these variations in study quality, the presence of a PD was robustly associated (usually medium size effects) with a worse outcome in BD. Patients with BD and a diagnosis of PD are more likely to be hospitalized, require more time to achieve symptom stabilization, have more chronic impairments in occupational and social functioning, are less compliant to medication, have greater levels of suicidality and utilize more psychiatric services than patients with BD alone. The implications of these findings for further research and clinical care in BD are discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The experience of suicidal, substance‐abusing men with severe personality disorders in the emergency department
Authors: Links Paul S. , Strike Carol , Ball Jeffrey S. , Bergmans Yvonne , Rhodes Anne E. , Spence Julie M. , Watson William J. , Rufo Claire
Published: August 2007

This qualitative study examines the experience of suicidal, substance‐abusing men with severe personality disorders presenting to an emergency department (ED). Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with ED patients (n = 25), ED physicians (n = 5), ED nurses (n = 6), other ED staff (n = 6) and family physicians (FPs) (n = 7). Interviews were tape‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and managed using a comprehensive qualitative software program N6. Transcripts were coded using an iterative process and team involvement to capture emergent themes. Negative expectations were found to be held by participants from all perspectives, patients, ED staff and FPs, and these overarching negative expectations appear to interact with prior negative experiences and current negative behaviours to foster negative outcomes from these encounters. The suicidal men, ED staff and FPs offered suggestions, both systemic and within the ED interactions between providers and patients, that could minimize negative outcomes. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Predictive validity of the five‐factor model prototype scores for antisocial and borderline personality disorders
Authors: Stepp Stephanie D. , Trull Timothy J.
Published: August 2007

We assessed the predictive validity of Five‐Factor Model (FFM) prototype scores for antisocial and borderline personality disorders over a period of up to six years in a large community sample. Generally, these prototype scores demonstrated good convergent and discriminant validity with health behaviours, disinhibitory behaviours, measures of psychopathology, and leisure activities and interests up to six years after the initial FFM personality assessment. We also found support for the incremental validity of the antisocial and borderline personality prototype over the remaining FFM personality disorder scores in predicting health behaviours, disinhibitory behaviours and measures of psychopathology. The implications for the classification and assessment of personality disorders are discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Parental stress in the NICU: the influence of personality, psychological, pregnancy and family factors
Authors: Carter Janet D. , Mulder Roger T. , Darlow Brian A.
Published: August 2007

Background The birth of an infant requiring admission to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) can represent a considerable source of stress for some parents. Currently, little is known about the factors associated with parental stress response to the NICU, especially for fathers. The objective of this study is to compare sources of NICU stress for mothers and fathers and explore variables associated with NICU stress.

Method One hundred and seventy‐two randomly selected couples with an infant admitted to the NICU were administered a structured clinical interview and completed self‐report measures, including the Parental Stress Scale (PSS).

Results Mothers had the highest overall stress. The altered parental role was the highest source of stress for both parents. Key general predictors of parental stress were dysfunctional personality traits and high anxiety. For mothers, high stress was associated with lower income, de facto relationship, abnormal pregnancy scan and no previous NICU experience. For fathers, high stress was associated with transfer of the pregnant mother due to complications and early experience of paternal over control.

Conclusion Identification of factors that contribute to parent stress can enable health professionals to facilitate parent adaptation and coping, thereby promoting optimal parent–infant relationships and subsequent infant development. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Personality disorder and outcome in schizophrenia: A negative systematic review
Authors: Newton‐Howes Giles , Tyrer Peter , Moore Alexandra , Nur Ula
Published: August 2007

Background It is commonly believed that the presence of personality disorder influences the outcome of schizophrenia but no systematic examination of the literature has been published to examine this.

Aims The aim of the current research was to review the literature in a standard systematic way in order to determine the influence of personality disorder on the outcome of schizophrenia in methodologically robust trials. The null hypothesis was that personality disorder had no influence on the outcome of schizophrenia.

Method A systematic electronic search of the literature was carried out to identify papers. Relevant papers, written in English, were accessed and assessed for data. Suitable papers were identified to extract outcome data.

Results A total of 3 972 papers were identified by the electronic search and two reviewers read all the abstracts. Of these, 97 were identified as potentially containing information about outcome in patients with schizophrenia and comorbid categorical personality disorders and were read in full. No papers satisfied the inclusion criteria of both recording the presence of personality status before treatment and outcome separated by personality pathology and change in schizophrenic symptoms (but several others reported on institutional treatment, reoffending and service usage). Five authors were contacted for further data and none provided usable information suitable for meta‐analysis.

Conclusions No research to date has examined the influence of personality disorder on the outcome of patients with schizophrenia in such a way as to indicate whether this form of comorbidity has a significant impact on the natural history or outcome of treatment on schizophrenia. The common belief that personality disorder worsens outcome in schizophrenia remains open to debate, and it is suggested that future research takes the opportunity of addressing this important issue directly. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proposed second class of Haemophilus ducreyi strains show altered protein and lipooligosaccharide profiles
Authors: Post Deborah M. B. , Gibson Bradford W.
Published: August 2007

Haemophilus ducreyi is the etiologic agent of chancroid, a sexually transmitted genital ulcer disease. Previously we have shown that the protein profiles and lipooligosaccharide (LOS) structures from various strains of H. ducreyi are generally well conserved. Previous studies have demonstrated that at least one strain, 33921, has a variant protein profile and LOS structure. In this study, both the whole cell lysate and the membrane proteins from strain 33921 were further examined and compared to the prototypical strain 35000HP by 2‐DE and by the 16‐BAC (benzyldimethyl‐n‐hexadecylammonium chloride)/SDS‐PAGE two‐detergent system, respectively. These comparisons demonstrated that a number of the proteins that could be identified from both strains had altered positions on the gels, both in their apparent molecular weight and pI values. Strain 33921 has been suggested to be a member of a second class of strains, termed class II strains. In this study, the proteomic profiles and the LOS structures from the five potential class II strains were examined and found to be similar to strain 33921.
Apoptosis induced by staurosporine alters chaperone and endoplasmic reticulum proteins: Identification by quantitative proteomics
Authors: Short Duncan M. , Heron Ian D. , Birse‐Archbold Jui‐Lee A. , Kerr Lorraine E. , Sharkey John , McCulloch James
Published: August 2007

Apoptosis contributes to cell death after cerebral ischaemia. A quantitative proteomics approach has been employed to define alterations in protein levels in apoptosis induced with staurosporine (STS). Human neuroblastoma derived SH‐SY5Y cells were treated with STS (500 nM for 6 h) to induce apoptosis. Quantitative 2‐DE was used to determine the changing protein levels with MALDI‐TOF MS identification of proteins. Of the 154 proteins analysed, 13 proteins were significantly altered as a result of the apoptotic stimulus; ten of the proteins showed an increase in level with STS and were identified as heat shock cognate 71 (Hsc71), two isoforms of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78), F‐actin capping protein, stress‐induced phosphoprotein 1, chromatin assembly factor 1 (CAF‐1), protein disulphide isomerase A3 (PDI A3) precursor, transitional ER ATPase and actin interacting protein 1 (AIP 1). Three proteins which displayed significant decrease in levels with STS were identified as tubulin, vimentin and glucose regulated protein 94 (GRP94). The functional roles and subcellular locations of these proteins collectively indicate that STS‐induced apoptosis provokes induces an unfolded protein response involving molecular chaperones, cochaperones and structural proteins indicative of ER stress.
Proteomic analysis of EZH2 downstream target proteins in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Chen Yangchao , Lin Marie Chia‐mi , Wang Hua , Chan Chu‐yan , Jiang Lei , Ngai Sai Ming , Yu Jun , He Ming‐liang , Shaw Pang‐Chui , Yew David T. , Sung Joseph J. , Kung Hsiang‐fu
Published: August 2007

Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is suggested to be a potential therapeutic target and a diagnostic marker for cancer. Our previous study also showed the critical role of EZH2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumorigenesis. The present study is aimed at revealing the comprehensive downstream pathways of EZH2 by functional proteomic profiling. Lentivirus mediated RNA interference (RNAi) was employed to knockdown EZH2 in HCC cells. The 2‐DE was employed to compare the expression profile difference between parental and EZH2‐knockdown HCC cells. In total, 28 spots were differentially expressed during EZH2 inhibition. Among all, 18 proteins were identified by PMF with MALDI‐TOF MS. Western blotting further validated upregulation of 60S acidic ribosomal protein P0 (L10E), and downregulation of two proteins with EZH2 inhibition: stathmin1 and probable protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) ER‐60 precursor (ERp57). Moreover, L10E was downregulated with overexpression of EZH2 in hepatocytes, and L10E reversed the effect of EZH2 on cell proliferation, suggesting it a downstream target of EZH2. The comprehensive and comparative analyses of proteins associated with EZH2 could further our understanding on the downstream signal cascade of EZH2 leading to tumorigenesis.