bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing social cognitive skills in aggressive children from a developmental perspective: the social cognitive skills test
Authors: van Manen Teun G. , Prins Pier J. M. , Emmelkamp Paul M. G.
Published: August 2002

The development and psychometric evaluation of the Social Cognitive Skills Test (SCST) for (aggressive) children is described. The SCST is based on the structural developmental approach of social cognition by Selman and Byrne (1974) and consists of six short stories with corresponding pictures. Each story measures eight social cognitive skills. The SCST takes into account the developmental level of the (aggressive) child and his/her social information processing deficits. Three studies were conducted to explore the psychometric qualities of the SCST. Study 1 (n = 47) supported the notion that (a) the SCST discriminates between aggressive and non‐aggressive children, and that (b) there is a descending trend in SCST‐scores as social cognitive skills increase in complexity. Study 2 (n = 115) confirmed the findings of Study 1 and further revealed (a) no differences in the scores on the SCST between reactive and proactive aggressive children, and (b) a positive association between chronological age and social cognitive level of the aggressive and non‐aggressive children. Finally, Study 3 (n = 48) confirmed the previous findings and found that aggressive children have difficulty verbalizing their thoughts, feelings and intentions and show a lack in non‐verbal social understanding. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Useful network transformations and reconfigurable analogue filters using the complementary transformation
Authors: Onete Cristian E.
Published: August 2002

In this paper it is shown that some of the useful network transformations, such as low pass (LP) to band pass (BP), LP to high pass (HP) and HP to BP can be obtained by means of the complementary transformation (CT). Furthermore, because the CT is a topological one (i.e. the component values remain unchanged, but their position within the circuit changes), it is suitable to realize reconfigurable analogue filter arrays. As an example, a full list of the obtainable GIC‐based filters, along with their design equations, is also presented. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spatial distribution patterns of interphase centromeres during retinoic acid‐induced differentiation of promyelocytic leukemia cells
Authors: Beil Michael , Dürschmied Daniel , Paschke Stephan , Schreiner Bettina , Nolte Ulla , Bruel Arlette , Irinopoulou Theano
Published: August 2002

Background

The pericentromeric heterochromatin is an important element for the regulation of gene silencing. Its spatial distribution during interphase appears to be cell‐type specific. This study analyzes three‐dimensional (3D) centromere distribution patterns during cellular differentiation along the neutrophil pathway.

Methods

Differentiation of the promyelocytic leukemia cell line NB4 was induced by retinoic acid. Centromeres in interphase nuclei were visualized by immunofluorescence staining of centromere‐associated proteins with CREST serum. 3D images of nuclei were obtained by confocal microscopy. Automated methods for the segmentation of point‐like objects in 3D images were implemented to detect the position of centromeres. Features of centromere localization patterns were determined by constructing the minimal spanning tree of the centromere distribution.

Results

In differentiated NB4 cells, the number of centromere conglomerates (chromocenters) was decreased and the distance between chromocenters was increased as compared with untreated controls. The nuclear volume did not differ between the two groups.

Conclusions

The measured rearrangement of centromeres indicates a progressive clustering of heterochromatin and a global remodeling of interphase chromosome territories during differentiation of NB4 cells. The developed methods for the analysis of 3D centromere distribution patterns provide the opportunity for a fast and objective analysis of heterochromatin remodeling. Cytometry 47:217–225, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Imaging technique implemented in CellTracks system
Authors: Tibbe Arjan G.J. , de Grooth Bart G. , Greve Jan , Dolan Gerald J. , Terstappen Leon W.M.M.
Published: August 2002

Background

We developed the CellTracks cell analysis system that, similar to flow cytometry, yields multiparameter information by which the cells can be differentiated. We describe the implementation of a laser scanning imaging method in the system. Image analysis of the cells improves the specificity of cell classification, especially in cases where the particular cells are found relatively infrequently and one has to discriminate between artifacts and real events.

Methods

Fluorescent images of immunomagnetically labeled and aligned cells are obtained by passing the cells through a laser focus. The laser focus is smaller than the objects and subsequent frames captured by a regular surveillance CCD camera with a frame grabber board represent different parts of the cells. Complete images of the cells are constructed by shifting each image with respect to each other and adding individual pixel values.

Results

The power of combining a fluorescent image with multiparametric data is demonstrated by imaging fluorescent and magnetically labeled beads and cells. The image gives additional information about the dye distribution across the objects. Changes in dye distribution as a function of time were observed in leukocytes labeled with the red fluorescent label, Oxazine750, which are imaged at different time intervals.

Conclusions

An imaging technique implemented in the CellTracks system provides high‐resolution fluorescent images of events previously identified by the system. The images of the fluorescent cells enhance the ability to classify rare events. Cytometry 47:248–255, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quantitative FISH analysis on interphase nuclei may improve diagnosis of DNA diploid breast cancers
Authors: Truong Khuong , Vielh Philippe , Guilly Marie‐Nöelle , Klijanienko Jerzy , Sastre‐Garau Xavier , Soussaline Françoise , Dutrillaux Bernard , Malfoy Bernard
Published: August 2002

The detection of DNA aneuploid cells using flow cytometry is an indication for the presence of tumor cells, but when DNA diploid cells are found in 25–33% of the cases, the diagnostic and prognostic significance of DNA ploidy is more limited. We analyzed interphase nuclei after in situ hybridization and using image cytometry on 50 breast tumors with diploid DNA content to investigate whether early chromosome rearrangements were detectable and if their occurrence was clinically significant. Imbalances between the two arms of chromosome 1 were found in 55% of the cases and values ranged from 1.5–3.0. Comparison with histological data showed that Grade I tumors mainly have imbalances (67%) and that Grade III tumors were mainly without the imbalance (67%), whereas Grade II tumors were intermediate (50% imbalance). These data suggest that the diagnosis of DNA diploid cases may be improved by using interphase FISH. In addition, the data also indicates that early breast tumors may have different genetic origins, which is important in the comprehension of tumor malignancy in early stages, especially for preinvasive lesions. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2002;26:213–216. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular determinants of opioid analgesia: Modulation of presynaptic calcium channels
Authors: Beedle Aaron M. , Zamponi Gerald W.
Published: August 2002

Opioid receptor agonists remain one of the most efficacious classes of analgesic drugs available for clinical use. Although multiple subclasses of opioid receptors have been identified (δ, κ, and μ), most opioid analgesics act at the μ receptor subtype to decrease cAMP formation, activate hyperpolarizing K+ channels, and inhibit Ca2+ channels. Here, we discuss the molecular interactions underlying opioid receptor‐mediated modulation of voltage‐dependent calcium channels. Opioid receptor activation results in binding of the G protein βγ complex to specific structural elements of the presynaptic calcium channel. The modulated calcium channel displays characteristic inhibition and kinetic slowing resulting in reduced Ca2+ influx and diminished release of neurotransmitter. Mounting evidence suggests that desensitization of this opioid response involves regulators of G‐protein signaling (RGS), G‐protein coupled receptor kinases (GRK), and β‐arrestins. Further advances in our understanding of these subcellular events mediating opioid pain relief offer new prospects in the development of improved analgesic agents. Drug Dev. Res. 54:118–128, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Role of P2Y11 receptors in hematopoiesis
Authors: Communi Didier , Janssens Rodolphe , Robaye Bernard , Zeelis Natacha , Boeynaems Jean‐Marie
Published: August 2002

The HL‐60 cell line are human promyelocytic leukocytes. They are induced to differentiate into neutrophil‐like cells by various agents including retinoic acid (RA), dimethylsulfoxide, granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor, and cell‐permeable forms of cyclic AMP (cAMP) such as N6, 2′‐O‐dibutyryl cAMP. More recently, extracellular ATP has been reported to induce the differentiation of HL‐60 cells into granulocytes through an increase in the intracellular cAMP concentration. Our Northern blotting experiments have shown that P2Y11 messengers were upregulated, rapidly (1 h) and independently from protein synthesis, after treatment with all the agents inducing granulocytic differentiation. Our pharmacological characterization of the recombinant human P2Y11 receptor has shown that it is the receptor coupled to the cAMP pathway in the HL‐60 cells. The P2Y11 receptor is potently activated by adenosine 5′‐O‐(3‐thiotriphosphate), 2′‐ & 3′‐O‐(4‐benzoyl‐benzoyl)adenosine 5′‐triphosphate, and the ATP derivative AR‐C67085 (2‐propylthio‐β, γ‐dichloromethylene‐D‐ATP), which is a potent inhibitor of ADP‐induced platelet aggregation. The P2Y11 receptor is antagonized by suramin and thioderivatives such as adenosine 5′‐O‐(2‐thiodiphosphate). These data support the conclusion that the effect of ATP on HL‐60 cells differentiation is mediated by the P2Y11 receptor and suggest that this receptor plays an important role in neutrophil maturation. Knock‐out experiments are in progress to evaluate the physiological role of the P2Y11 receptor in murine granulopoiesis. Drug Dev. Res. 52:156–163, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Functional and molecular evidence of adenosine A2A receptor in coronary arteriolar dilation to adenosine
Authors: Kuo Lih , Hein Travis W.
Published: August 2002

Adenosine is a potent vasodilator implicated in the regulation of coronary microvascular diameter during metabolic stress. However, the specific adenosine receptors and underlying mechanism responsible for the dilation of coronary microvessels to adenosine remains to be elucidated. Thus, pig subepicardial coronary arterioles (<100 μm) were isolated, cannulated, and pressurized without flow for in vitro study. All vessels developed basal tone and dilated concentration‐dependently to adenosine. Disruption of endothelium and inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthase by L‐NAME produced identical attenuation of adenosine‐induced dilation. KATP channel inhibitor glibenclamide further reduced the dilation of denuded vessels. cAMP antagonist Rp‐8‐Br‐cAMP blocked vasodilation to forskolin, but failed to inhibit vasodilation to adenosine. Coronary dilation to adenosine was blocked by a selective adenosine A2A receptor antagonist ZM241385, but was not altered by an A1 receptor antagonist, DPCPX. Reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction study revealed that A2A receptor mRNA was expressed in microvessels but not in cardiac myocytes; A1 receptor expression was observed only in cardiac myocytes. These results suggest that adenosine‐induced dilation of coronary arterioles is mediated predominantly by A2A receptors. Activation of these receptors elicits vasodilation by endothelial release of NO and by smooth muscle opening of KATP channels in a cAMP‐independent manner. Drug Dev. Res. 52:350–356, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Peripheral benzodiazepine receptor binding properties and effects on steroid synthesis of two new phenoxyphenyl‐acetamide derivatives, DAA1097 and DAA1106
Authors: Culty Martine , Silver Paulina , Nakazato Atsuro , Gazouli Maria , Li Hua , Muramatsu Makoto , Okuyama Shigeru , Papadopoulos Vassilios
Published: August 2002

The peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) is a key element of the steroidogenic pathway in peripheral tissues and the CNS. Two phenoxyphenyl‐acetamide derivatives, DAA1097 and DAA1106, exert anxiolytic effects in mice and displace PBR ligands binding in rat brain. Here we examined their effect on steroidogenesis and performed their pharmacological characterization using MA‐10 Leydig tumor and C6‐2B glioma cells, rat brain mitochondria, and recombinant PBR. DAA1097 activated steroidogenesis similarly to the well‐described PBR ligand PK11195, more efficiently on brain than Leydig cells. By contrast, DAA1106 did not activate steroidogenesis, but partially inhibited the hCG‐induced steroidogenesis. The affinity of [3H]DAA1106 for PBR was similar to that of [3H]PK11195 in MA‐10, C6‐2B cells, and for recombinant PBR, but was 10 times higher in rat brain mitochondria. Competition studies revealed that DAA1097 and DAA1106 displaced [3H]PK11195 binding at nano‐ and picomolar concentrations, respectively, while the IC50 of PK11195 against [3H]DAA1106 was in the micromolar range. These results suggest that: 1) DAA1097 and DAA1106 binding sites on PBR share common domain(s) with that of PK11195, but also contain motif(s) that do not interact efficiently with PK11195; 2) these additional sites are part of the PBR molecule, since similar results are found using cells or recombinant PBR; 3) the binding of DAA1097 to PBR induce changes in the receptor similar to that triggered by PK11195, allowing steroidogenesis activation; 4) the fact that DAA1106 does not activate steroidogenesis despite its high affinity for PBR suggests that its binding on PBR leads to conformational changes that do not permit or antagonize PBR steroidogenic function. In conclusion, DAA1097 and DAA1106 represent new, sensitive probes for PBR detection, similar in structure but with opposite effects on steroidogenesis. Thus, an extensive study of their respective binding sites should shed some new light on the structure/function relationship of PBR. Drug Dev. Res. 52:475–484, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of ectopias and their cortical location on several measures of learning in BXSB mice
Authors: Hyde Lynn A. , Hoplight Blair J. , Harding Shannon , Sherman Gordon F. , Mobraaten L.E. , Denenberg Victor H.
Published: August 2002

About half of BXSB/MpJ‐ Yaa mice have ectopias, which are misplaced clusters of neurons located in layer I of cortex. This study replicated several previous findings showing that there are learning differences between mice with ectopias and those without. In addition, we had sufficient numbers of ectopic mice to investigate if ectopics learned differently depending on the cortical location of the ectopia(s). Mice with at least one ectopia located in prefrontal cortex were initially impaired in learning the Morris maze, as well as relearning the Lashley maze when it was inverted, but learned better in the radial‐arm maze when compared to ectopic mice with ectopias located in nonprefrontal regions of cortex. Mice with at least one ectopia in motor cortex learned the Lashley maze better than mice with ectopias located outside motor cortex. In sum, the cortical location of the ectopia(s) affected learning performance in certain tasks within the ectopic group, but regardless of the cortical location of the ectopia(s), ectopics still learned differently than nonectopics in several tasks. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 39: 286–300, 2001
Age‐related changes in paternal responses of gerbils parallel changes in their testosterone concentrations
Authors: Clark Mertice M. , Galef Bennett G.
Published: August 2002

Results of previous studies in our laboratory have shown that testosterone (T) inhibits parental response in adult male Mongolian gerbils. Here, we examined developmental changes in parental responses of male gerbils before, during, and after a naturally occurring surge in T that peaks on Day 75 postpartum. On the hypothesis that T inhibits parental response in male gerbils, we predicted that (a) 75‐day‐old male gerbils would be less responsive to neonates than would either younger or older male gerbils, and (b) young male gerbils whose T titers were rising as the litters that they were helping to rear matured would show a decrease over days in parental effort relative to older male gerbils whose T titers were falling as the litters that they were helping to rear matured. Both predictions were confirmed, providing evidence consistent with the view that naturally occurring, developmental changes in circulating concentrations of T play a role in age‐related changes in the level of parental response of male Mongolian gerbils. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 39: 179–187, 2001
Inhibition of cell proliferation in the embryonic myocardium by A1 adenosine receptor activation
Authors: Zhao Zhiyong , Rivkees Scott A.
Published: August 2002

A1 adenosine receptors (A1ARs) are expressed in the embryonic heart and influence cardiac function at early developmental stages. To test if A1ARs also affect cardiac structural development, we examined the effects of A1AR activation on heart formation. When pregnant mice were treated with the A1AR agonist, N6‐cyclopentyladenosine (CPA), fetuses showed marked reduction of ventricular size and manifested features of heart failure. Suggesting that these findings represent direct effects on embryos, CPA treatment of cultured whole murine embryos resulted in cardiac hypoplasia. When rates of cell division and cell death in the heart were examined, we found decreases in cardiac cell proliferation following A1AR activation. In contrast, no changes in numbers or distribution of apoptotic cells were seen. Collectively, these data show that A1AR activation inhibits cardiac cell proliferation and can lead to cardiac hypoplasia. These data identify adenosine as a potential regulator of cardiac cell division during early development. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of middle‐level static magnetic field on metabolic activity of mitochondria
Authors: Yamashita Kazuhiko , Saito Masao
Published: August 2002

This study intends to clarify the effect of a static magnetic field on cellular activities. It is concerned with the metabolic activity of mitochondria from the viewpoint of their energy level. As a preliminary examination, the time required to render the cells to the low‐energy state (G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle) and to reduce their energy level was examined by maintaining the cells in medium with low‐density fetal bovine serum. Then, we examined the effect of the magnetic field on mitochondrial energy activity from the viewpoint of cell metabolism estimated by the MTT assay. We also examined the cell respiration, expecting that the mitochondrial energy activity level would be reflected in the respiration. The magnetic field was kept at 100 mT, with 0 mT as the control. The results of the MTT assay indicated that the mitochondrial energy activity was enhanced by a factor of 1.5. We found that the cell respiration was increased by a factor of 1.3 on exposure to the magnetic field. The t‐test showed the difference to be statistically significant. It is thus concluded that mitochondrial energy activity is enhanced in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle by exposure to a magnetic field. On the other hand, we also found that the mitochondrial energy cycle period is little affected. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 137(1): 36–41, 2001
Dictyostelium discoideum plasmid containing an AP‐endonuclease upstream sequence: Bleomycin induction of a luciferase reporter
Authors: Ling Angela Z. , Guyer Robert B. , Deering Reginald A.
Published: August 2002

A sequence of 1624 bp 5′ to the apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) endonuclease structural gene of Dictyostelium discoideum (APEA) has been inserted upstream of the luciferase reporter gene in pVTL2, an autonomously replicating nuclear plasmid in this organism. Cells transformed with this plasmid, designated pVTL‐AL, displayed strong luciferase induction during treatment with the DNA‐damaging agent bleomycin. For example, a luciferase activity of 45‐fold above the constitutive level was observed for 20 hours of growth in axenic medium with 0.002 U/mL of bleomycin. The response was bleomycin concentration‐dependent. Cell survival was greater than 90% for all treatments. The level of luciferase expression was highly dependent on the cell growth conditions, with the greatest induction observed for stationary phase axenically‐grown cells. This effect may be related to a variation of plasmid copy number with growth conditions. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 38:244–247, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Leukemia clusters in upstate New York: how adding covariates changes the story
Authors: Ahrens Christina , Altman Naomi , Casella George , Eaton Malaika , Hwang J. T. Gene , Staudenmayer John , Stefanescu Catalina
Published: August 2002

The 1978–1982 New York State TCE / Leukemia dataset is often used to test new cluster detection methodologies. We augment that dataset with demographic covariates from the 1980 census and find evidence that the relation between several of the TCE wastesites and elevated leukemia rates is probably confounded by the population's age and employment characteristics. This demonstrates a problem that is often mentioned, but seldom touched in detail–clustering can be related to covariates not directly related to the risks of interest. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effectiveness of structural control based on control energy perspectives
Authors: Wong Kevin K. F. , Yang Rong
Published: August 2002

A computational algorithm for maximizing the control efficiency in actively controlling the elastic structural responses during earthquake is proposed. Study of optimal linear control using a single degree of freedom shows that applying active control is very effective in reducing the structural displacement and velocity responses for long‐period structures, but at the same time it has an adverse effect in increasing the absolute acceleration response. The extent of this adverse effect reduces the effectiveness of the control system, and therefore it poses a limit on the maximum control force in order to provide maximum control efficiency. In view of this shortcoming, maximum control energy dissipation is used to define the most effective optimal linear control law. Less displacement and velocity response are expected as larger control force is applied, but there is always a limit that maximum control energy can be dissipated. This study shows that this limit depends on the structural characteristics as well as the input ground motion, and a general trend is that the maximum control energy decreases as damping increases. Finally, application of the proposed algorithm on a six‐storey hospital building is presented to show the effectiveness of using optimal linear control on a multi‐degree‐of‐freedom system from the control energy perspectives. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sediment concentration in interrill flow: interactions between soil surface conditions, vegetation and rainfall
Authors: Cerdan O. , Bissonnais Y. Le , Souchère V. , Martin P. , Lecomte V.
Published: August 2002

A database composed of 673 natural rainfall events with sediment concentration measurements at the field or plot scale was analysed. Measurements were conducted on similar soil type (loess soils prone to sealing phenomenon) to apprehend the variability and complexity involved in interrill erosion processes attributable to soil surface conditions. The effects of the dominant controlling factors are not described by means of equations; rather, we established a classification of potential sediment concentration domain according to combination of the dominant parameters. Thereby, significant differences and evolution trends of mean sediment concentration between the different parameter categories are identified. Further, when parameter influences interact, it allows us to discern the relative effects of factors according to their respective degree of expression. It was shown that crop cover had a major influence on mean sediment concentration, particularly when soil surface roughness is low and when maximum 6‐min intensity of rainfall events exceeds 10 mm h−1: mean sediment concentration decreases from 8·93 g l−1 for 0–20 per cent of coverage to 0·97 g l−1 for 21–60 per cent of coverage. The established classification also indicates that the increase of the maximum 6‐min intensity of the rainfall factor leads to a linear increase of mean sediment concentration for crop cover over 21 per cent (e.g. from 2·96 g l−1 to 14·44 g l−1 for the 1–5 cm roughness class) and to an exponential increase for low crop cover (e.g. from 3·92 g l−1 to 58·76 g l−1 for the 1–5 cm roughness class). The implication of this work may bring perspective for erosion prediction modelling and give references for the development of interrill erosion equation. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new stable space–time formulation for two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional incompressible viscous flow
Authors: N'dri Donatien , Garon André , Fortin André
Published: August 2002

A space–time finite element method for the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations in a bounded domain in ℝd (with d=2 or 3) is presented. The method is based on the time‐discontinuous Galerkin method with the use of simplex‐type meshes together with the requirement that the space–time finite element discretization for the velocity and the pressure satisfy the inf–sup stability condition of Brezzi and Babuška. The finite element discretization for the pressure consists of piecewise linear functions, while piecewise linear functions enriched with a bubble function are used for the velocity. The stability proof and numerical results for some two‐dimensional problems are presented. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Accuracy and Reliability Considerations of Option Pricing Algorithms
Authors: Kwok Yue‐Kuen , Lau Ka‐Wo
Published: August 2002

A wide variety of computational schemes have been proposed for the numerical valuation of various classes of
options. Experiences in numerical computation have revealed that the details of the implementation of the
auxiliary conditions in the numerical algorithms may have profound effects on numerical accuracy. Difficulties
in designing algorithms that deal with the path‐dependent payoffs, monitoring features, etc., have been
well reported in the literature. In this article, the theoretical issues on the assessment of numerical schemes
with regard to accuracy of approximation of auxiliary conditions, rate of convergence, and oscillation phenomena
are reviewed. In particular, the oscillation phenomena in bond‐price calculations and the intricacies in
implementing the auxiliary conditions in barrier options, proportional step options, and lookback options are
discussed. With different types of options and modes of monitoring (continuous or discrete), the
optimal method of placing the lattice nodes with reference to the boundary (absorbing or reflecting)
are examined in order to achieve linear temporal rate of convergence. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Jrl Fut Mark 21:875–903, 2001
Identification of the Osteopontin gene as a direct target of TP53
Authors: Morimoto Ichiro , Sasaki Yasushi , Ishida Setsuko , Imai Kohzoh , Tokino Takashi
Published: August 2002

The TP53 tumor suppressor gene regulates a number of genes that are involved in cell‐cycle inhibition, apoptosis, and maintaining genetic stability. Recently, two genes that have a role in immunosurveillance were identified as downstream targets of TP53. These genes, TAP1 and fractalkine, may contribute to suppress tumor growth through host immunosurveillance. It has been reported that the mouse secreted phosphoprotein osteopontin (Opn) is one of the key cytokines for type 1 immune responses mediated by macrophages. It also was reported that Opn may play a role in suppressing tumor growth in vivo. Here we identified Opn as a Tp53‐target gene using mRNA differential display analysis of embryonic fibroblasts from Tp53‐deficient mice. Furthermore, we found that Opn expression was upregulated by DNA damage–induced Tp53 activity and by adenovirus‐mediated transfer of the human TP53 gene. In addition, a luciferase assay showed that the Opn gene has a functional Tp53‐responsive element in its promoter region, and a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay confirmed interaction between the Opn promoter and Tp53 protein in vivo. These results suggest that OPN is a direct transcriptional target of TP53. The TP53‐directed regulation of OPN expression suggests a novel model of TP53 participation in immunosurveillance, involving interaction with the host immune system to prevent damaged cells from undergoing malignant transformation. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A classification efficiency test of spectral karyotyping and multiplex fluorescence in situ hybridization: Identification of chromosome homologies between Homo sapiens and Hylobates leucogenys
Authors: Rens Willem , Yang Fengtang , O'Brien Patricia C. M. , Solanky Nita , Ferguson‐Smith Malcolm A.
Published: August 2002

Two digital fluorescence microscopy systems, spectral karyotyping (SKY) and multiplex fluorescence in situ hybridisation (M‐FISH), are used with multicolour probe sets to assist in the detection of chromosome aberrations. We have compared the resolution of the two methods in their ability to identify karyotype rearrangements, which have occurred during the divergence of Homo sapiens and Hylobates leucogenys in evolution. A 24‐color human paint kit distinguishes 74 conserved autosomal segments in H. leucogenys, some of which are difficult to resolve. We examined the extent to which the SKY and M‐FISH techniques are able to detect the smallest of these bands. We have found this to be a rigorous test of multicolour chromosome classification systems. We conclude from our results that both systems are able invariably to classify the majority of conserved segments but differ in the efficiency of detection of small inserts. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Geologic sources and geographic distribution of sand tempers in prehistoric potsherds from the Mariana Islands
Authors: Dickinson William R. , Butler Brian M. , Moore Darlene R. , Swift Marilyn
Published: August 2002

Temper sands in prehistoric potsherds of the Mariana Islands include terrigenous detritus derived from Paleogene volcanic bedrock and calcareous grains derived chiefly from modern fringing reefs, but also in part from uplifted Neogene limestones overlying volcanic bedrock. Calcareous sands are nondiagnostic of island of origin, but volcanic sands and the terrigenous component of hybrid sands composed of mixed terrigenous and calcareous grain types can be traced to geologic sources on Saipan and Guam, the only occupied islands where volcanic bedrock is extensively exposed. Quartzose tempers of several types were derived exclusively from dacitic volcanic rocks on Saipan. Nonquartzose tempers of andesitic parentage derive from both Saipan and Guam, but abundance of orthopyroxene as well as clinopyroxene is diagnostic of Saipan andesitic tempers, the presence of olivine is diagnostic of selected tempers from Guam, and placer temper sands rich in heavy ferromagnesian minerals occur only in sherds on Guam. Temper analysis documents widespread ceramic transfer from Saipan to other islands throughout Mariana prehistory, and more restricted ceramic transfer from Guam to nearby Rota, although the origin of some andesitic temper types is petrographically indeterminate. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A note on estimating the posterior density of a quantitative trait locus from a Markov chain Monte Carlo sample
Authors: Hoti Fabian J. , Sillanpää Mikko J. , Holmström Lasse
Published: August 2002

We provide an overview of the use of kernel smoothing to summarize the quantitative trait locus posterior distribution from a Markov chain Monte Carlo sample. More traditional distributional summary statistics based on the histogram depend both on the bin width and on the sideway shift of the bin grid used. These factors influence both the overall mapping accuracy and the estimated location of the mode of the distribution. Replacing the histogram by kernel smoothing helps to alleviate these problems. Using simulated data, we performed numerical comparisons between the two approaches. The results clearly illustrate the superiority of the kernel method. The kernel approach is particularly efficient when one needs to point out the best putative quantitative trait locus position on the marker map. In such situations, the smoothness of the posterior estimate is especially important because rough posterior estimates easily produce biased mode estimates. Different kernel implementations are available from Rolf Nevanlinna Institute’s web page (http://www.rni.helsinki.fi/˜fjh). Genet. Epidemiol. 22:369–376, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of prolactin on intracellular calcium concentration and cell proliferation in human glioma cells
Authors: Ducret Thomas , Boudina Sihem , Sorin Bruno , Vacher Anne Marie , Gourdou Isabelle , Liguoro Dominique , Guerin Jean , Bresson‐Bepoldin Laurence , Vacher Pierre
Published: August 2002

Prolactin (PRL) has several physiological effects on peripheral tissues and the brain. This hormone acts via its membrane receptor (PRL‐R) to induce cell differentiation or proliferation. Using reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) combined with Southern blot analysis, we detected PRL‐R transcripts in a human glioma cell line (U87‐MG) and in primary cultured human glioblastoma cells. These transcripts were deleted or not in their extracellular domains. We examined the effects of PRL on intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in these cells in order to improve our understanding of the PRL transduction mechanism, which is still poorly documented. [Ca2+]i was measured by microspectrofluorimetry using indo‐1 as the Ca2+ fluorescent probe. Spatiotemporal aspects of PRL‐induced Ca2+ signals were investigated using high‐speed fluo‐3 confocal imaging. We found that physiological concentrations (0.4–4 nM) of PRL‐stimulated Ca2+ entry and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization via a tyrosine kinase–dependent mechanism. The two types of Ca2+ responses observed were distinguishable by their kinetics: one showing a slow (type I) and the other a fast (type II) increase in [Ca2+]i. The amplitude of PRL‐induced Ca2+ increases may be sufficient to provoke several physiological responses, such as stimulating proliferation. Furthermore, PRL induced a dose‐dependent increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation levels and in cellular growth and survival, detected by the MTT method. These data indicate that PRL induced mitogenesis of human glioma cells. GLIA 38:200–214, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modeling of activation data in the BrainMap™ database: Detection of outliers
Authors: Nielsen Finn Årup , Hansen Lars Kai
Published: August 2002

We describe a system for meta‐analytical modeling of activation foci from functional neuroimaging studies. Our main vehicle is a set of density models in Talairach space capturing the distribution of activation foci in sets of experiments labeled by lobar anatomy. One important use of such density models is identification of novelty, i.e., low probability database events. We rank the novelty of the outliers and investigate the cause for 21 of the most novel, finding several outliers that are entry and transcription errors or infrequent or non‐conforming terminology. We briefly discuss the use of atlases for outlier detection. Hum. Brain Mapping 15:146–156, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis of 4H‐1,3‐oxathiin‐4‐ones by reaction of α‐diazo‐β‐diketone with thiones
Authors: Xu Jiaxi , Zhang Qihan
Published: August 2002

A series of 2,2‐disubstituted 5,6‐diphenyl‐4H‐1,3‐oxathiin‐4‐ones was synthesized by cycloaddition of thiones with benzoylphenylketene, which was generated by the thermal Wolff rearrangement of 2‐diazo‐1,3‐diphenyl‐1,3‐propanedione. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 12:630–632, 2001
Socio‐economic health inequalities in Brazil: gender and age effects
Authors: Dolores Montoya Diaz M.
Published: August 2002

This paper analyses Brazilian socio‐economic inequalities in health by measuring the concentration indices for the following variables: health expectancy, self‐assessed health status and chronic health problems. Data used were taken from the 1996/1997 Living Standard Measurement Study (LSMS). In summary, as far as gender distinction is concerned, the results showed that up to 5 years of age the mortality rates, reported appearance of chronic health problems as well as the self‐assessed health indicated that the boys were in worse health condition than the girls. After this age group there was a tendency for differences to disappear until adulthood, when the situation changed and the women consistently considered themselves less healthy. With reference to the socio‐economic inequalities, one generally finds larger differences within the women's groups. The analysis for the different age groups indicated that the pro‐rich inequalities increased with age. Both results were clearly proved, especially for the health expectancy variable, by adopting an adjustment of the dominance concept derived from literature on economic inequalities, consisting of comparing concentration curves. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Results of the treatment of locally invasive thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Kowalski Luiz Paulo , Filho João Gonçalves
Published: August 2002

Background

Well‐differentiated thyroid carcinoma usually has an excellent prognosis. However, when extrathyroidal invasion occurs, it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This report presents the experience of a single institution in the treatment of patients with locally invasive, well‐differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

Patients and Methods

Forty‐six patients with locally invasive well‐differentiated thyroid carcinoma were diagnosed. Histopathologic types included: 28 papillary carcinoma and 18 follicular.

Results

Patients with exclusive invasion of the muscle or recurrent laryngeal nerve usually had complete tumor resection. Patients with tracheal, laryngeal, or esophageal invasion usually underwent shave resection. The factors that adversely affected survival were: age >45 years, preoperative diagnosis of extrathyroidal extension, and incomplete resection (p < .05).

Conclusions

There were similar survival results after complete or shave resection and poor survival when the resection was incomplete. Tumors with minimal invasion can be treated by shave resection with acceptable survival and low morbidity. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 24: 340–344, 2002; DOI 10.1002/hed.10058
Proliferation index as a prognostic marker in hemangiopericytoma of the head and neck
Authors: Kowalski Paul J. , Paulino Augusto F. G.
Published: August 2002

Background

Hemangiopericytoma (HPC) of the head and neck is a rare neoplasm whose biologic behavior is difficult to predict by means of conventional histologic parameters.

Methods

H & E–stained sections from 12 cases of HPC were reviewed. Proliferation index was assessed using an immunoperoxidase stain for MIB‐1 (Ki‐67).

Results

The study group consisted of 4 adult men, 5 adult women, and 1 infant male. Necrosis, hypercellularity, and pleomorphism were found in 1, 5, and 6 case(s), respectively. The mitotic index per 10 high power fields varied from 0‐1 to 15. Proliferation indices using MIB‐1 ranged from 2.6% to 52.5%. Clinical follow‐up revealed 3 cases with recurrence all possessing proliferation indices of approximately 10%.

Conclusions

Standard histomorphologic features may be inadequate predictors of clinical outcome. A proliferation index of 10% or greater may indicate a more aggressive subset of HPC of the head and neck. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 23: 492–496, 2001.
The application of an empowerment model
Authors: Molleman Eric , van Delft Bas , Slomp Jannes
Published: August 2002

In this study we applied an empowerment model that focuses on (a) the need for empowerment in light of organizational strategy, (b) job design issues such as job enlargement and job enrichment that facilitate empowerment, and (c) the abilities, and (d) the attitudes of workers that make empowerment work. We applied the model in the manufacturing department of a firm that produces catheters for medical use and interviewed managers and supporting staff and surveyed 231 operators. The leading performance indicators in this firm are efficiency and quality. The reassignment of 12 out of 33 tasks was believed to contribute to these organizational objectives. For most workers, their abilities and their attitudes toward empowerment proved to be no major barrier to the reallocation of these tasks. However, for temporary workers, mainly working in a “short shift,” the leeway to learn skills is limited, which probably impedes empowerment. The study shows that our model helps to diagnose the need for empowerment, to design work structures that facilitate empowerment, and to select appropriate human resource management practices. Further validation in other organizational settings is desirable. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Early induction of secretoneurin expression following kainic acid administration at convulsant doses in the rat and gerbil hippocampus
Authors: Marti E. , Blasi J. , Ferrer I.
Published: August 2002

The expression of secretogranin‐II and its major proteolytic product secretoneurin (SN) is under the control of neuronal excitation, as demonstrated by treating rats with the excitotoxic kainic acid (KA). Differences in the structure and function of the hippocampus in rats and gerbils have been described; these suggest possible differential reactive responses to KA. In the present study, the SN immunostaining pattern in relation with cell damage is analyzed from 6 h to 4 days following KA administration in rats and gerbils.

Dramatic differences in the expression of SN were found in the hippocampal complex following KA administration in gerbils and rats. A robust increase in SN immunoreactivity was detected in the pyramidal cell layer of the rat hippocampus, especially in the CA1 area. In the gerbil, however, a strong increase in SN immunostaining was detected in interneurons of the hippocampal formation, as shown by double‐labeling immunohistochemistry to SN and the calcium‐binding proteins parvalbumin, calbindin, and calretinin. In addition, no damage (in the hippocampal formation) or moderate damage (in the entorhinal cortex) was observed in the gerbil, in contrast to the rat. The administration of KA and the GABA‐B receptor inhibitors (CGP56999A or CGP36742) to the gerbil resulted in a strong rise in SN immunoreactitivty in the CA1 pyramidal cell layer of the hippocampus, as in the rat. However, no increased cell damage was observed under these conditions.

The present data provide evidence of a species‐differential reactive response to KA that might be based, in part, on distinct inhibitory intrahippocampal circuitry. Hippocampus 2002;12:174–185. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Flow field and heat transfer of a two‐dimensional impinging jet disturbed by an elastically suspended circular cylinder
Authors: Haneda Yoshiaki , Tsuchiya Yoshiaki , Kurasawa Hideo , Nakabe Kazuyoshi , Suzuki Kenjiro
Published: August 2002

The flow field around a circular cylinder elastically suspended with a cantilever‐type plate spring in the jet impingement region was visualized to investigate the mechanism of the impingement heat transfer. The impingement distance H was kept constant at 3 or 5 times as large as the jet slot width, h = 15 mm.The Reynolds number was fixed at 10,000, or 5000 in the case of flow visualization. The self‐induced periodic swing motion of the cylinder across the jet axis was caused by the interaction between the jet and the elastically suspended cylinder. It was found that this swing motion has direct effects on the flow and heat transfer characteristics of the stagnation region. The ensemble‐averaged values of the flow velocity and its fluctuations depended on the cylinder diameter and the impingement distance. The local Nusselt number in the case of H/h = 3 with the oscillating cylinder of the smallest diameter D = 4 mm was increased to 1.15 times as large as that without the cylinder. The interesting patterns of the intermittency function defined with a certain threshold level of turbulence intensity were obtained under the above experimental conditions. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Heat Trans Asian Res, 30(4): 313–330, 2001
Plasma serotonin response to carbohydrate‐rich food in chronic schizophrenic patients: clozapine versus classic antipsychotic agents
Authors: Vered Yaffa , Spivak Baruch , Nechmad Allon , Schlapnikov Nina , Graff Eran , Feinberg Israel , Gruper Daniel , Weiss Mordechai , Kotler Moshe , Weizman Abraham , Mester Roberto
Published: August 2002

Researchers have reported a stimulatory effect of carbohydrate‐rich intake on platelet‐poor plasma (PPP) serotonin (5‐HT) levels in healthy human subjects. Dietary manipulation may serve as a safer and less invasive means than pharmacologic challenge to provoke serotonergic responsivity in studies of schizophrenia. In the present study, we used the carbohydrate‐rich meal test as an indicator of 5‐HT activity in 12 patients with chronic schizophrenia maintained for at least 6 months on clozapine. PPP 5‐HT levels were measured at baseline and at 1, 2 and 3 h after administration of the test. Findings were compared with those in schizophrenic patients treated with classic antipsychotic agents for the same duration. The maximal PPP 5‐HT response was reached 120 min after meal administration in the clozapine‐treated group and 60 min after in the classic antipsychotic‐treated group (P<0.05 vs baseline for both). The 5‐HT level (as percentage of baseline) at 60 min was significantly lower in the clozapine‐treated group (P<0.02), as were individual PPP 5‐HT peak values (P<0.05). The individual time to reach the peak response was similar in the two groups. Our results indicate that in patients with chronic schizophrenia 5‐HT responsivity to the natural challenge of carbohydrate‐rich meals is lower in those treated with clozapine than in those given classic antipsychotic agents. Values in both groups were lower than those in an appropriate historical comparative group of healthy subjects. We suggest that both clozapine and classic antipsychotic agents suppress serotonergic system sensitivity, but to a different degree. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.