bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Suicide in Batman, Southeastern Turkey
Authors: Altindag Abdurrahman , Ozkan Mustafa , Oto Remzi
Published: August 2005

The southeastern part of Turkey has comparatively high female suicide rates. We aimed to research social, economic, cultural, and psychiatric reasons of suicides in Batman in a case‐controlled psychological autopsy study comparing suicides with matched community controls. The female suicide rate was 9.3 per 100.000 and the female/male ratio was 1.72/1. The suicides most frequently occurred in young females, mean age 20.7. The most frequent method (45%) was hanging. The most frequent stressful life events were health problems and family disruption. High suicide rates among females may be related to negative social status of females living in the region.
Very Low O2 Concentration (0.1%) Favors G0 Return of Dividing CD34+ Cells
Authors: Hermitte Francis , Brunet de la Grange Philippe , Belloc Francis , Praloran Vincent , Ivanovic Zoran
Published: August 2005

Physiological bone marrow oxygen concentrations are everywhere lower than 4% and almost null in some areas. We compared the effects of 20%, 3%, and 0.1% O2 concentrations on cord blood CD34+ cell survival, cycle, and functionality in serum-free cultures for 72 hours with or without interleukin-3 (IL-3). As from 24 hours, IL-3 improved cell survival and proliferation in all conditions. After 72 hours, cells were 1.5 and 2.5 times more in quiescence (G0) at 3% and 0.1% O2, respectively, than at 20%; transforming growth factor-β signaling seemed not to be involved. To explore cell cycle further, fresh CD34+ cells were stained with PKH26 and cultured for 72 hours, and then undivided and divided cells were sorted. At 0.1% O2, 46.5% ± 19.1% of divided cells returned to G0 compared with 7.9% ± 0.3% at 20%. Colony formation and nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient mice engraftment efficiency were similar after 3 days at 20% and 0.1% O2 concentrations but lower than at T0. In conclusion, a low O2 concentration, close to those found in bone marrow stem cell niches, induces the G0 return of CD34+ cells without impairing their functional capacity.
Promoter Dependence of Transgene Expression by Lentivirus-Transduced Human Blood–Derived Endothelial Progenitor Cells
Authors: Liu Jia Wei , Pernod Gilles , Dunoyer-Geindre Sylvie , Fish Richard J. , Yang Hong , Bounameaux Henri , Kruithof Egbert K. O.
Published: August 2005

Peripheral blood– derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have considerable potential for the autologous therapy of vascular lesions or ischemic tissues. By introducing stable genetic modifications into these cells, this potential might be further enhanced. We investigated to what extent transgene expression can be controlled by using different transgene promoters. This was investigated in early- or late-outgrowth human EPCs obtained by culturing blood mononuclear cells for 1 or 4 weeks on type 1 collagen in medium containing endothelial growth supplements. A large fraction of these cells were stably transduced using lentiviral vectors for expression of the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). Transgene expression in vitro or in vivo after injection into nude mice was highest when under the control of the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter, intermediate with the EF1α promoter, and lowest with the phosphoglycerate kinase promoter. When blood mononuclear cells were cultured for 1 week in the absence of endothelial growth supplements, CMV promoter– driven expression of EGFP was two orders of magnitude lower than in similarly transduced EPCs. Our results show that lentiviral vectors are useful tools for the stable introduction of exogenous genes into EPCs and for their expression at desired levels using the appropriate gene promoter.
Role for Interferon-γ in the Immunomodulatory Activity of Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Krampera Mauro , Cosmi Lorenzo , Angeli Roberta , Pasini Annalisa , Liotta Francesco , Andreini Angelo , Santarlasci Veronica , Mazzinghi Benedetta , Pizzolo Giovanni , Vinante Fabrizio , Romagnani Paola , Maggi Enrico , Romagnani Sergio , Annunziato Francesco
Published: August 2005

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) inhibit the proliferation of HLA-unrelated T lymphocytes to allogeneic stimulation, but the mechanisms responsible for this activity are not fully understood. We show here that MSCs suppress the proliferation of both CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, as well as of natural killer (NK) cells, whereas they do not have an effect on the proliferation of B lymphocytes. The antiproliferative effect of MSCs was not associated with any effect on the expression of cell-activation markers, induction of cell apoptosis, or mimicry/enhancement of T regulatory cell activity. The suppressive activity of MSCs was not contact-dependent and required the presence of interferon (IFN)-γ produced by activated T cells and NK cells. Accordingly, even activated B cells became susceptible to the suppressive activity of MSCs in the presence of exogenously added IFN-γ. The suppressive effect of IFN-γ was related to its ability to stimulate the production by MSCs of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity, which in turn inhibited the proliferation of activated T or NK cells. These findings suggest that the beneficial effect on graft-versus-host disease induced by in vivo coinfusion with the graft of MSCs may be due to the activation of the immunomodulatory properties of MSCs by T cell– derived IFN-γ.
Retinal Incorporation and Differentiation of Neural Precursors Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Banin Eyal , Obolensky Alexey , Idelson Maria , Hemo Itzhak , Reinhardtz Etti , Pikarsky Eli , Ben-Hur Tamir , Reubinoff Benjamin
Published: August 2005

Retinal and macular degenerations are a major cause of blindness. Cell transplantation is a possible therapeutic approach for the replacement of degenerating retinal cells. Here, we studied the potential of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to survive, integrate, and differentiate into retinal cells after intraocular transplantation. Highly enriched cultures of neural precursors (NPs) expressing transcripts of key regulatory genes of retinal development were developed from the hESCs. After spontaneous differentiation in vitro, the NPs gave rise to progeny expressing markers of retinal progenitors and photoreceptor development, though this was uncommon and cells expressing markers of mature photoreceptors were not observed. After transplantation into rat eyes, the NPs survived for 16 weeks, migrated large distances, and integrated in the host retina. Teratoma tumors were not observed. Human cells expressing rhodopsin, blue cone opsin, and neural retina leucine zipper transcription factor were observed in subretinal grafts, but not within vitreal and inner retinal grafts. The results suggest that hESCs have the potential to differentiate into retinal cells and that the subretinal microenvironment supports their differentiation toward a photoreceptor fate. This may be the first step toward further developments that eventually may allow the use of hESCs for transplantation in retinal degenerations.
Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Is Required for Thrombopoietin-Induced Proliferation of Megakaryocyte Progenitors
Authors: Drayer A. Lyndsay , Olthof Sandra G. M. , Vellenga Edo
Published: August 2005

Thrombopoietin (TPO) is a potent regulator of megakaryopoiesis and stimulates megakaryocyte (MK) progenitor expansion and MK differentiation. In this study, we show that TPO induces activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, which plays a central role in translational regulation and is required for proliferation of MO7e cells and primary human MK progenitors. Treatment of MO7e cells, human CD34+, and primary MK cells with the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin inhibits TPO-induced cell cycling by reducing cells in S phase and blocking cells in G0/G1. Rapamycin markedly inhibits the clonogenic growth of MK progenitors with high proliferative capacity but does not reduce the formation of small MK colonies. Addition of rapamycin to MK suspension cultures reduces the number of MK cells, but inhibition of mTOR does not significantly affect expression of glycoproteins IIb/IIIa (CD41) and glycoprotein Ib (CD42), nuclear polyploidization levels, cell size, or cell survival. The downstream effectors of mTOR, p70 S6 kinase (S6K) and 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1), are phosphorylated by TPO in a rapamycin- and LY294002-sensitive manner. Part of the effect of the phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase pathway in regulating megakaryopoiesis may be mediated by the mTOR/S6K/4E-BP1 pathway. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that the mTOR pathway is activated by TPO and plays a critical role in regulating proliferation of MK progenitors, without affecting differentiation or cell survival.
Stromal Cell–Derived Inducing Activity, Nurr1, and Signaling Molecules Synergistically Induce Dopaminergic Neurons from Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Kim Dong-Wook , Chung Sangmi , Hwang Mikyeong , Ferree Andrew , Tsai Hsing-Chen , Park Jae-Joon , Chung Seungsoo , Nam Taick Sang , Kang Un Jung , Isacson Ole , Kim Kwang-Soo
Published: August 2005

To induce differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) into specialized cell types for therapeutic purposes, it may be desirable to combine genetic manipulation and appropriate differentiation signals. We studied the induction of dopaminergic (DA) neurons from mouse ESCs by overexpressing the transcription factor Nurr1 and coculturing with PA6 stromal cells. Nurr1-expressing ESCs (N2 and N5) differentiated into a higher number of neurons (∼twofold) than the naïve ESCs (D3). In addition, N2/N5-derived cells contained a significantly higher proportion (>50%) of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)+ neurons than D3 (<30%) and an even greater proportion of TH+ neurons (∼90%) when treated with the signaling molecules sonic hedgehog, fibroblast growth factor 8, and ascorbic acid. N2/N5-derived cells express much higher levels of DA markers (e.g., TH, dopamine transporter, aromatic amino acid decarboxylase, and G protein–regulated inwardly rectifying K+ channel 2) and produce and release a higher level of dopamine, compared with D3-derived cells. Furthermore, the majority of generated neurons exhibited electrophysiological properties characteristic of midbrain DA neurons. Finally, transplantation experiments showed efficient in vivo integration/generation of TH+ neurons after implantation into mouse striatum. Taken together, our results show that the combination of genetic manipulation(s) and in vitro cell differentiation conditions offers a reliable and effective induction of DA neurons from ESCs and may pave the way for future cell transplantation therapy in Parkinson's disease.
Analyzing Digital Terrain Attributes to Predict Soil Attributes for a Relatively Large Area
Authors: Ziadat Feras M.
Published: August 2005

Accurate information about soil attributes, presented in a spatially continuous form, is prerequisite for many land resources management applications. The availability of detailed soil maps and its ability to supply such information for modern tools and applications are questionable. Some alternatives, based on using terrain attributes derived from digital elevation model (DEM) to predict soil attributes are investigated in this study. A study area of 148 km2 in the northern part of Jordan was used. The area is covered by detailed soil map and 2193 field observations, from which the soil attributes were extracted. Terrain attributes derived from 20‐m resolution DEM were utilized to predict soil attributes by implementing different statistical and clustering techniques. The use of multiple linear regression models within small watershed subdivisions enabled the prediction of soil depth for 89.3% of the field observations within ±50 cm, the water‐holding capacity (WHC) for 75.8% within ±50 mm cm−1 and the surface cover percentage for 78.7% within ±10%. The models also predicted surface cover type for 94.5% of the field observations, erosion type for 48.4%, erosion class for 98.0%, and soil texture for 90.3%, within one class difference between predicted and field estimated classes. Comparing these results with estimates of soil attributes using the soil map indicated that the modeling of the soil‐landscape relationships within small watershed subdivisions is a promising approach to predict soil attributes for large areas. An important feature is the spatial distribution of the predicted soil attributes, which is provided in more detailed form than what the soil map provides.
Enrichment over Time of Organic Carbon and Available Phosphorus in Semiarid Soil
Authors: McGonigle Terence P. , Chambers M. Lala , White Gregory J.
Published: August 2005

Rates of accumulation of organic C and associated changes in available P in surface layers are not well characterized, yet are important for development of subsoil exposed by disturbance. Subsoil was placed experimentally in 1993 into field trenches to simulate waste burial by soil caps in the semiarid western USA, planted, and sampled in 2001 to investigate rates of enrichment of surface soil with organic C and available P in relation to plant canopies. Various soil cap designs and irrigation regimens were studied. Under ambient moisture levels, organic C in the surface soil below Wyoming big sagebrushArtemisia tridentata wyomingensisBeetle & Young increased annually at an average rate of 0.5 g kg−1We estimate 32 yr would be needed for exposed subsoil to increase to the level of soil surface organic C below sagebrush in undisturbed steppe. Soil surface bicarbonate‐available P increased under ambient moisture inputs below sagebrush at a rate of 3.6 μg g−1annually and had after 8 yr advanced more than half way from levels in exposed subsoil to those in established steppe. Irrigation stimulated enrichment of organic C and available P, and annual rates of increase across the experiment were 0.9 g kg−1for C and 6 μg g−1for P. Cap design effects were mostly absent. Enrichment of surface organic C and available P below shrub canopy, compared with intercanopy space, was evident in both the experimental and undisturbed plots. Corresponding increases in C and P were less pronounced under bunchgrass canopies.
Computed‐Tomographic Measurement of Soil Macroporosity Parameters as Affected by Stiff‐Stemmed Grass Hedges
Authors: Rachman Achmad , Anderson S. H. , Gantzer C. J.
Published: August 2005

Planting stiff‐stemmed grass hedges in a watershed may reduce water runoff and soil erosion, in part by altering soil macroporosity. The objective of this study was to characterize macroporosity of soils under a perennial grass hedge system for 12 yr using x‐ray computed tomography (CT) and to compare CT‐macroporosity results with macroporosity estimated from water retention data. Three positions were sampled: grass hedge position, deposition zone position 0.5 m upslope from grass hedges, and row crop position 7 m upslope from the hedges. Intact core samples (76 mm × 76 mm) were collected from two depths, 0 to 100 and 100 to 200 mm, with five replicates per position per depth. Number of pores (macro‐ and meso‐), averaged across depths, in the grass hedge were nearly 2.5 times greater than those in the row crop and five times greater than in the deposition positions; however their circularity was 8.8% lower than in the row crop and 2.6% lower than in the deposition positions. The CT‐measured macroporosity was significantly greater (P < 0.01) for the grass hedge position (0.056 m3 m−3) as compared with the row crop (0.014 m3 m−3) and deposition positions (0.006 m3 m−3). The fractal dimension (D) was significantly greater (P < 0.01) for the grass hedge position (D = 1.56) than in the row crop (D = 1.31) and the deposition (D = 1.12) positions. The values of all measured pore characteristics decreased with depth. Computed tomography‐measured macroporosity data were comparable with macroporosity estimated from water retention data. These findings suggest that grass hedge systems have created more pores and a greater volume of macroporosity.
Production of Nitrogen‐15‐Labeled Pig Manure for Nitrogen Cycling Studies
Authors: Sørensen Peter , Thomsen Ingrid K.
Published: August 2005

Nitrogen‐15 labeled pig (Sus scrofa) manure was produced to study the homogeneity of labeled pig manure prepared for soil N cycling studies. Growing pigs were fed with a diet consisting of mainly 15N‐labeled barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and peas (Pisum sativum L.) during a period of 11 d. Labeled feces and urine were collected separately. The 15N enrichment of urine N was lower than that of fecal N except for the first 2 d of the 15N feeding period. After 11 d of 15N feeding, the 15N enrichment of fecal N was 7% lower and urine N 28% lower than the enrichment of feed N. The homogeneity of 15N‐labeling of feces N, sampled at different times during the 15N feeding, was tested by an incubation test in quartz sand and soil. After 12 wk in soil at 20°C, 25 to 27% of the feces N was in inorganic form, and the N mineralization rate declined after this period. The test indicated that the 15N‐labeled pig feces had a satisfactory labeling homogeneity even though the feed ingredients had variable 15N enrichments. We recommend the collection of urine and feces separately and the use of labeled feces in combination with unlabeled urine and vice versa in studies of the fate of pig manure N in agroecosystems. If feces and urine with a similar 15N enrichment can be obtained the two components can be mixed in the same manure.
Separation of Pig Slurry and Plant Utilization and Loss of Nitrogen‐15‐labeled Slurry Nitrogen
Authors: Sørensen Peter , Thomsen Ingrid K.
Published: August 2005

Separation of slurry by centrifugation concentrates nutrients and facilitates the transport of surplus nutrients away from livestock farms. Nitrogen‐15 labeled pig slurries containing urine 15N or fecal 15N were produced to compare the utilization and fate of N in separated and unseparated pig slurry. There was good agreement between the mineral fertilizer equivalence (MFE) of manure fractions estimated from 15N uptake and by a traditional non‐isotopic method, but the 15N method was more precise. The weighted utilization of N in separated slurry was similar to the N utilization in unseparated slurry. The MFE of slurry total N was 75 to 79% after incorporation before sowing spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and 59 to 64% after surface application in winter wheat (Tritium aestivum L.). Both the origin of the slurry N and the fractionation influenced the N availability. The uptake of urinary 15N in the first barley crop was 35 to 53% and the uptake of fecal 15N 21 to 44% with the lowest availability of 15N in the dry‐matter‐rich fraction (DMR). The uptake of 15N in the following cover crop and barley crop was low (1–4.5%). The residual N effect of the manures in the year after application (MFE) was equivalent to 1% for the liquid fraction, 3% for the slurry, and 5% for the DMR. The amount of 15N remaining in soil 15 mo after application was 30 to 53% for urinary N and 44 to 61% for fecal N. It is concluded that the overall utilization of N is unaffected by slurry separation, but the separation facilitates a better distribution of nutrients.
Restoration and Canopy Type Influence Soil Microflora in a Ponderosa Pine Forest
Authors: Boyle Sarah I. , Hart Stephen C. , Kaye Jason P. , Waldrop Mark P.
Published: August 2005

In ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.) forests of the western USA, fire exclusion by Euro‐American settlers facilitated pine invasion of grass openings, increased forest floor detritus, and shifted the disturbance regime toward stand‐replacing fires. We evaluated the impacts of two replicated ecological restoration treatments involving tree thinning alone (thinning restoration) and a combination of tree thinning, forest floor reduction, and prescribed burning (composite restoration) on soil microbial activity, biomass, and function approximately 8 yr after initial treatments. Microbial‐N levels in the two restoration treatments were not significantly different from the control during either the dry or wet periods of the growing season. Soil respiration measured in situ was significantly higher in the restoration treatments than in the control only during the dry period, while soil enzyme activities were generally higher in the composite restoration treatment than in the thinning restoration or control treatments during the wet period. Community‐level physiological profiles suggested differences in the physiological capacities of bacteria and fungi in the composite restoration treatment compared with the other treatments. We also compared microbial characteristics under different canopy types to evaluate the impacts of pine invasion and establishment in grass openings on soil microorganisms. Soil respiration rates (dry period only) and enzyme activities (wet period only) were higher in grass openings than under presettlement trees, with intermediate values found under postsettlement pines that have invaded grass areas. Taken together, our results suggest that restoration treatments have long‐term impacts on the soil microflora in these forests.
Sorption Characteristics of Phosphorus in Peat Soils of a Semiarid Altered Wetland
Authors: Litaor M. I. , Reichmann O. , Haim A. , Auerswald K. , Shenker M.
Published: August 2005

We studied the adsorption characteristics of P in altered peat soils of the Hula Valley, Israel, which has undergone repeated drying and rewetting cycles. As a result, the water quality of Lake Kinneret, the only freshwater lake in Israel, may have been adversely affected. Peat sample collection was based on pedogenic evaluation of the wetland's history and on the redox potential of aerobic (Eh = 450 mV) and anaerobic (Eh < −220 mV) conditions. Extractable citrate–bicarbonate–dithionite iron (FeCBD) was a dominant mineral phase in the aerobic layers (29 ± 5 g kg−1). Mössbauer spectra suggested that hematite, goethite, ferrihydrite, and magnetite are the main Fe minerals in these peat soils. The sorption maximum (Smax) of the aerobic layers ranged from 670 to 1750 mg P kg−1, with a mean value of 1250 mg P kg−1, whereas the anaerobic layers ranged from 625 to 975 mg P kg−1, with a mean value of 775 mg P kg−1The equilibrium phosphorus concentration (EPC0) values in the most anaerobic peat layers were several orders of magnitude higher (0.31 mg L−1) than in the aerobic layers (0.01 mg L−1). Only a weak to moderate correlation was found between the sorption attributes and the Fe content due to precipitation of Ca‐P phases. The main source of Ca in these soils is gypsum. Rewetting of the peat soils leads to a decrease in Smaxand the buffer capacity, and an increase in EPC0, which could lead to higher P mobility. The increased potential of P mobility declined with a concurrent increase in Ca‐P precipitation due to enhanced dissolution of gypsum.
Influence of Hydrogen Bonds on the Supramolecular Order of Hexa‐peri‐hexabenzocoronenes
Authors: Wasserfallen D. , Fischbach I. , Chebotareva N. , Kastler M. , Pisula W. , Jäckel F. , Watson M. D. , Schnell I. , Rabe J. P. , Spiess H. W. , Müllen K.
Published: August 2005

Three different hexa‐peri‐hexabenzocoronene (HBC) derivatives with carboxylic acid functions have been synthesized to study the effect of hydrogen bonding on the already pronounced columnar π‐stacking. This functionalization improves the degree of order in the bulk and influences the surface patterning at solid‐liquid interfaces as well as the thermal properties of these materials. The length of the tether between the aromatic core and the hydrogen‐bond‐forming carboxy group appears as a key factor influencing the supramolecular self‐assembly, since only the HBCs with shorter spacers showed a strong synergetic effect of the columnar π‐stacking with the hydrogen‐bonding motifs. Clear signatures for this are unusually high mesophase transition temperatures and non‐tilted columnar stacking in the pseudocrystalline phase.

As model systems, HBC dyads have been synthesized with the two HBC disks linked through a covalent spacer fitting the intercolumnar distance of the short‐tethered, hydrogen‐bridged dimer. This comparison emphasized the impact of the hydrogen bonds on the supramolecular properties of the materials. A broad range of analytical methods have been used, including differential scanning calorimetry, wide‐angle X‐ray diffractometry, solid‐state NMR spectroscopy, and scanning tunneling microscopy.
A New Understanding of Au‐Assisted Growth of III–V Semiconductor Nanowires
Authors: Dick K. A. , Deppert K. , Karlsson L. S. , Wallenberg L. R. , Samuelson L. , Seifert W.
Published: August 2005

Semiconductor nanowires of III–V materials have generated much interest in recent years. However, the growth mechanisms by which these structures form are not well understood. The so‐called vapor–liquid–solid (VLS) mechanism has often been proposed for III–V systems, with a chemically inert, liquid metal particle (typically Au) acting as a physical catalyst. We assert here that Au is, in fact, not inert with respect to the semiconductor material but rather interacts with it to form a variety of intermetallic compounds. Moreover, we suggest that III–V nanowire growth can best be understood if the metallic particle is not a liquid, but a solid‐phase solution or compound containing Au and the group III material. The four materials GaP, GaAs, InP, and InAs will be considered, and growth behavior related to their particular temperature‐dependent interaction with Au.
Hybrid Solar Cells Using a Zinc Oxide Precursor and a Conjugated Polymer
Authors: Beek W. J. E. , Slooff L. H. , Wienk M. M. , Kroon J. M. , Janssen R. A. J.
Published: August 2005

We describe a new method towards bulk‐heterojunction hybrid polymer solar cells based on composite films of zinc oxide (ZnO) and a conjugated polymer poly[2‐methoxy‐5‐(3′,7′‐dimethyloctyloxy)‐1,4‐phenylene vinylene] (MDMO‐PPV). Spin‐coating diethylzinc as a ZnO precursor and MDMO‐PPV from a common solvent at 40 % humidity and annealing at 110 °C provides films in which crystalline ZnO is found to be intimately mixed with MDMO‐PPV. Photoluminescence and photoinduced spectroscopy demonstrate that photoexcitation of these hybrid composite films results in a fast and long‐lived charge transfer from the polymer as a donor to ZnO as ato be obtained n acceptor. Using the ZnO‐precursor method, hybrid polymer solar cells have been made with an estimated air‐mass of 1.5 (AM 1.5) energy conversion efficiency of 1.1 %. This new method represents a fivefold improved performance compared to similar hybrid polymer solar cells based on amorphous TiO2.
Application of CAMD in separating hydrocarbons by extractive distillation
Authors: Chen Biaohua , Lei Zhigang , Li Qunsheng , Li Chengyue
Published: August 2005

The solvent is the core of extractive distillation, and a suitable solvent plays an important role in the economical design of extractive distillation. Computer‐aided molecular design (CAMD) has been applied to rapidly screen the solvents for separating hydrocarbons by extractive distillation. The systems of propane/propylene, n‐butane/1‐butene, and n‐heptane/benzene, respectively, as the representatives of C3, C4, and C6 hydrocarbons were investigated, and the potential solvents were selected by means of CAMD. The designed results were further proven by experiments and process simulation. The mechanism for separating hydrocarbons by extractive distillation is based on the different fluidities of the electron cloud of CC (no double bond), CC (one double bond), and ACH (aromatic carbon ring) bonds and thus different interactions between solvent and hydrocarbon molecules. To improve the separation ability of the main solvent, one strategy is to add some additive that can form hydrogen bonding with the main solvent to make into a mixture. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2005
Measurement of moisture diffusivity through layered‐silicate nanocomposites
Authors: Rana Hiteshkumar T. , Gupta Rakesh K. , GangaRao Hota V. S. , Sridhar L. N.
Published: August 2005

Layered‐silicate nanoparticles, when distributed within the matrix of a fiber‐reinforced polymer (FRP), can retard the diffusion of environmental moisture and other chemicals to the fiber–matrix interface where their presence can result in delamination and fiber weakening. Thus, the use of nanoparticles helps to preserve the integrity of FRPs and to prolong the service life of composites when these are used in outdoor applications such as bridges and utility poles. In the present work, diffusion coefficients of water, brine, and alkali were determined at several different temperatures by soaking clay/vinyl ester nanocomposites in the different liquids and measuring the increase in weight with increasing time of immersion. It was found that the measured diffusivities decreased with increasing clay content. However, the reduction in water diffusion coefficient was found to be less severe when steady permeation experiments were carried out. This result is theoretically explained based on the hydrophilic nature of the clay surface that tends to immobilize some of the moisture. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2005
Atropselektive Synthese axial‐chiraler Biaryle
Authors: Bringmann Gerhard , Price Mortimer Anne J. , Keller Paul A. , Gresser Mary J. , Garner James , Breuning Matthias
Published: August 2005

Eine rotationsgehinderte und dadurch stereogene Biarylachse ist das strukturell und stereochemisch entscheidende Element einer ständig wachsenden Zahl von Naturstoffen, chiralen Auxiliaren und Katalysatoren. Daher ist es nicht überraschend, dass im letzten Jahrzehnt bedeutende Fortschritte in der asymmetrischen Synthese axial‐chiraler Biaryle erzielt worden sind. Neben dem klassischen Zugangsweg, der direkten Aryl‐Aryl‐Kupplung, sind innovative Konzepte entwickelt worden, in denen die asymmetrische Information in ein schon vorhandenes, aber nicht optisch aktives – symmetrisches oder konfigurativ labiles – Biaryl eingeführt oder eine Aryl‐C‐Einfachbindung stereoselektiv in eine Achse umgewandelt wird. In diesem Aufsatz werden die Strategien nach den zugrunde liegenden Konzepten klassifiziert, und ihre Anwendungsbreite und ihre Beschränkungen werden anhand ausgewählter Beispiele kritisch beurteilt. Ferner werden die Voraussetzungen für das Auftreten von Axialchiralität diskutiert.
Cover Picture: A Microfabricated Gas–Liquid Segmented Flow Reactor for High‐Temperature Synthesis: The Case of CdSe Quantum Dots (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 34/2005)
Authors: Yen Brian K. H. , Günther Axel , Schmidt Martin A. , Jensen Klavs F. , Bawendi Moungi G.
Published: August 2005

The two‐phase flow of the gas–liquid segmented flow reactor with multiple temperature zones shown in the cover picture makes it possible to realize both rapid mixing of reagents and narrow residence‐time distributions. The reactor design allows the preparation of colloidal CdSe quantum dots (bottom right) with excellent size distributions at high temperature. For more details, see the Communication by K. F. Jensen, M. G. Bawendi, and co‐workers on page 5447 ff. (The authors thank Jane Rempel for assistance with the cover picture.)
Genes critical to vasculogenesis as defined by systematic analysis of vascular defects in knockout mice
Authors: Argraves W. Scott , Drake Christopher J.
Published: August 2005

To identify genes important to the process of vasculogenesis, we evaluated embryonic vascular anomalies from 100 mouse knockout studies using a novel meta‐analysis approach. By applying this method, termed approach for ranking of embryonic vascular anomalies (AREVA), rank scores were calculated for each knockout based on the occurrence of vascular defects during periods of vasculogenesis in specific embryonic regions. As a result, 12 genes (fibronectin, VEGFR‐1/Flt‐1, VEGFR‐2/Flk‐1, alpha 5 integrin, Tek/Tie2, VE‐cadherin, VEGFA, connexin 45, ShcA, cytochrome P450 reductase, CD148/DEP‐1, and EphrinB2) were determined to play critical roles in vasculogenesis. Functional categorization of these genes revealed the fundamental importance of VEGF signaling since 10 of the 12 genes (fibronectin, VEGFR‐1/Flt‐1, VEGFR‐2/Flk‐1, alpha 5 integrin, VE‐cadherin, VEGFA, ShcA, cytochrome P450 reductase, CD148/DEP‐1, and EphrinB2) relate to this pathway. Furthermore, the findings highlight a potential network for regulating VEGF signaling involving integration of fibronectin, EphrinB2, Tie2, and connexin 45 signaling pathways via the ShcA/Ras/Raf/Mek/Erk cascade. In addition to retrospective application of AREVA as done herein, AREVA can be used prospectively to determine the relevancy to vasculogenesis of newly inactivated genes. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Johnson‐McMillin syndrome: Report of a new case with novel features
Authors: Cushman Lisa J. , Torres‐Martinez Wilfredo , Weaver David D.
Published: August 2005

BACKGROUND

Johnson‐McMillin syndrome (JMS) is a rare neuroectodermal disorder characterized by alopecia, ear malformations, conductive hearing loss, anosmia/hyposmia, and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. It is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner; however, the causative gene has not yet been identified.

CASE

Herein we report a patient with this condition who exhibits many of the features previously described, including alopecia, malformed auricles, conductive hearing loss, facial asymmetry, and developmental delays. Interestingly, she also has features that have not yet been reported, such as preauricular pits and tags, broad depressions at the lateral aspects of the eyes, and an abnormal left lower eyelid.

CONCLUSIONS

In addition to demonstrating a pattern of anomalies consistent with JMS, this patient has several unique features. This phenotype supports the involvement of the branchial arches in the embryologic basis of this condition. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sodium chloride enhanced oligomerization of L‐arginine
Authors: Xin Liang , Ma Yan‐Lin , Liu Yi‐Nan , Yan Qin , Wang Kong‐Jiang
Published: August 2005

NaCl significantly enhanced the longer oligoarginine formation in the oligomerization of L‐arginine activated by N,N′‐carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) in homogeneous aqueous solution. The optimal concentration of NaCl for the highest yield of longer oligoarginine formation is around 1M. It is suggested that the weak interactions of Cl− with the positive‐charged guanidinium group of the oligoarginines formed in the oligomerization of L‐arginine are responsible for the enhancement by NaCl. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 81: 1–7, 2006

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Ovarian cancer: Can we make the clinical diagnosis earlier?
Authors: Smith Lloyd H. , Morris Cyllene R. , Yasmeen Shagufta , Parikh‐Patel Arti , Cress Rosemary D. , Romano Patrick S.
Published: August 2005

BACKGROUND

Patients with ovarian cancer often report having symptoms for months before diagnosis, but such findings are subject to recall bias. The aim of this study was to provide an objective evaluation of symptoms that precede a diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

METHODS

Medicare provider claims linked to records in the California Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data base were utilized to extract diagnosis and procedure codes for 1985 women age 68 years or older who resided in California with ovarian cancer, 6024 elderly women with localized breast cancer, and 10,941 age‐matched, Medicare‐enrolled women without cancer. Prevalence of rates of symptom‐related diagnoses and procedure codes in Medicare claims records were obtained during 3‐month periods up to 36 months before diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

RESULTS

From 1 month to 3 months before patients were diagnosed with ovarian cancer, the frequency and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) for 4 “target symptom” code groups were: abdominal pain (frequency, 30.6%; OR, 6.0; 95%CI, 5.1–6.9), abdominal swelling (frequency, 16.5%; OR, 30.9; 95%CI, 21.4–44.8), gastrointestinal symptoms (frequency, 8.4%; OR, 2.3; 95%CI, 1.8–3.0), and pelvic pain (frequency, 5.4%; OR, 4.3; 95%CI, 2.8–6.7). The adjusted odds for abdominal swelling codes was elevated 10–12 months before diagnosis (OR, 2.4; 95%CI, 1.2–4.6) for abdominal pain codes 7–9 months before diagnosis (OR, 1.3; 95%CI, 1.1–1.7). Abdominal imaging (frequency, 7.0%; OR, 1.3; 95%CI, 1.0–1.7) and pelvic imaging/CA125 (frequency, 3.7%; OR, 2.4; 95%CI, 1.7–3.4) showed an elevated frequency and adjusted odds 4–6 months before diagnosis. Patients with claims codes for “target symptoms” 4–36 months before diagnosis were more likely to have abdominal imaging (61.1%) or gastrointestinal procedures (30.8%) than pelvic imaging/CA125 (25.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with ovarian cancer were more likely than patients with breast cancer and women in a cancer‐free control group to have target symptom codes (particularly abdominal swelling and pain) > 6 months before diagnosis. The evaluation of women with unexplained “target symptoms” should include pelvic imaging and/or CA125. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Phase I trial and pharmacokinetics of escalating doses of paclitaxel and concurrent hyperfractionated radiotherapy with or without amifostine in patients with advanced head and neck carcinoma
Authors: Amrein Philip C. , Clark John R. , Supko Jeffrey G. , Fabian Richard L. , Wang Chiu C. , Colevas A. Dimitrios , Posner Marshall R. , Deschler Daniel G. , Rocco James W. , Finkelstein Dianne M. , McIntyre James F.
Published: August 2005

BACKGROUND

Amifostine was developed to protect normal tissues from radiation exposure. The current study was undertaken to determine whether amifostine would allow the delivery of greater numbers of weekly paclitaxel treatments with concomitant, hyperfractionated radiotherapy in patients with advanced head and neck carcinoma.

METHODS

Patients received radiation therapy twice daily using 1.6‐gray (Gy) fractions up to a total of 70.4 Gy over an elapsed time of 6.5 weeks. All patients received paclitaxel 60 mg/m2 once weekly starting on Day 1. The number of doses of paclitaxel was escalated from three to a maximum of six in groups of three patients. For the patients who received amifostine, a dose of 400 mg/m2 was given intravenously over 15 minutes on Days 1–5, 8, 29–33, and 36. Patients underwent surgery for persistent tumor after radiotherapy. The plasma pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel were characterized during treatment with the first weekly dose to determine the effect of concurrently administered amifostine.

RESULTS

Thirty‐six patients were evaluable for this study. In the absence of amifostine, a maximum of four doses of paclitaxel were tolerated in combination with the radiotherapy. With amifostine, up to five doses of paclitaxel could be given. Generally, the treatment resulted in Grade 2 and 3 stomatitis. Overall, 69% of patients had a complete remission, and 29% had a partial remission. Both progression‐free survival and overall survival were 66% at 30 months. Amifostine had no effect on the pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel.

CONCLUSIONS

The administration of amifostine allowed the authors to give an additional dose of paclitaxel to patients who were undergoing hyperfractionated radiotherapy for head and neck carcinoma. This treatment regimen resulted in a high frequency of complete remissions and an excellent progression‐free survival pattern without compromising the plasma kinetics of paclitaxel. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Comparison of predictive accuracy of four prognostic models for nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma after nephrectomy
Authors: Cindolo Luca , Patard Jean‐Jacques , Chiodini Paolo , Schips Luigi , Ficarra Vincenzo , Tostain Jacques , de La Taille Alexandre , Altieri Vincenzo , Lobel Bernard , Zigeuner Richard E. , Artibani Walter , Guillé François , Abbou Claude C. , Salzano Luigi , Gallo Ciro
Published: August 2005

BACKGROUND

The objective of the current study was to compare, in a large multicenter study, the discriminating accuracy of four prognostic models developed to predict the survival of patients undergoing nephrectomy for nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

METHODS

A total of 2404 records of patients from 6 European centers were retrospectively reviewed. For each patient, prognostic scores were calculated according to four models: the Kattan model, the University of California at Los Angeles integrated staging system (UISS) model, the Yaycioglu model, and the Cindolo model. Survival curves were estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method and compared by the log‐rank test. Discriminating ability was assessed by the Harrell c‐index for censored data. The primary end point was overall survival (OS), and the secondary end points were cancer‐specific survival (CSS) and disease recurrence‐free survival (RFS).

RESULTS

At last follow‐up, 541 subjects had died of any causes, with a 5‐year OS rate of 80%. The 5‐year CSS and RFS rates were 85% and 78%, respectively. All models discriminated well (P < 0.0001). The c‐indexes for OS were 0.706 for the Kattan nomogram, 0.683 for the UISS model, and 0.589 and 0.615 for the Yaycioglu and Cindolo models, respectively. The Kattan nomogram was found to improve discrimination substantially in the UISS intermediate‐risk patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study appears to better define the general applicability of prognostic models for predicting survival in patients with nonmetastatic RCC treated with nephrectomy. The results suggest that postoperative models discriminate substantially better than preoperative ones. The Kattan model was consistently found to be the most accurate, although the UISS model was only slightly less well performing. The Kattan model can be useful in the UISS intermediate‐risk patients. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Presentation and subsequent publication rates of phase I oncology clinical trials
Authors: Camacho Luis H. , Bacik Jennifer , Cheung Alexander , Spriggs David R.
Published: August 2005

BACKGROUND

Many trials submitted to scientific meetings are not reported in peer‐reviewed journals. Results may vary substantially and the lack of final publication constitutes a form of reporting bias. The authors sought to determine the presentation and publication rates of Phase I trials submitted to a major oncology meeting and the factors impeding their subsequent publication.

METHODS

The authors identified all Phase I studies submitted to the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in 1997, categorizing them as novel (agents not approved by the Food and Drug Administration at the time of submission) or nonnovel (at least one agent approved), and as industry sponsored or not. MEDLINE searches and an E‐mailed questionnaire confirmed publication in peer‐reviewed literature and the reasons for nonpublication.

RESULTS

Approximately 54% of the 275 Phase I studies were selected for presentation. Abstracts reporting novel agents were more likely selected for presentation than those reporting nonnovel compounds (68% vs. 38%; P < 0.0001). Seventy‐two percent of the presented abstracts were subsequently published, compared with 62% of those not presented (P = 0.08). The overall publication rate was 67% at 7.5 years. Presentation status was associated with time to publication (P = 0.01), with abstracts chosen for presentation being published sooner. The median time from presentation to publication was found to be 3.4 years. Lack of time and author relocation were the major obstacles to publication.

CONCLUSIONS

The underreporting of final results of Phase I oncology trials remains a serious problem. In the future, investigators must commit to the publication of final results in a timely manner. Journals should provide mechanisms for rapid reporting of Phase I trials. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Survival analysis of presumptive prognostic markers among oligodendrogliomas
Authors: McLendon Roger E. , Herndon James E. , West Bryan , Reardon David , Wiltshire Rodney , Rasheed B. K. Ahmed , Quinn Jennifer , Friedman Henry S. , Friedman Allan H. , Bigner Darell D.
Published: August 2005

BACKGROUND

Allelic losses of 1p and 19q arms correlate with the oligodendroglial phenotype as well as with sensitivity to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Furthermore, the DNA repair gene, methylguanine methyltransferase (MGMT), is diminished in 80% of oligodendroglial tumors and represents a possible mechanism for this therapeutic sensitivity. However, the authors questioned the relevance of genetic testing and measuring MGMT levels in tumors that were diagnostic of oligodendroglioma.

METHODS

The authors performed a retrospective analysis of 1p, 19q, 9p21, TP53, and MGMT status in 46 patients with oligodendrogliomas to address any relations that may exist among these markers with regard to progression‐free survival (PFS) and total survival. Methodologies included comparative genomic hybridization; loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on 1p, 19q, and 9p21; TP53 mutational analysis; and immunohistochemistry for MGMT.

RESULTS

The authors found that survival among patients with light microscopically diagnosed oligodendroglial tumors demonstrating LOH of 1p and 19q trended toward statistical significance (P = 0.102 and P = 0.058, respectively). 9p21 LOH was significant as a predictor of PFS only among anaplastic oligodendrogliomas in this cohort (P = 0.033). TP53 mutation was found to be significantly predictive of a shorter survival (P = 0.027) among all patients and exhibited a strong trend toward a shorter PFS (P = 0.060). Low‐level MGMT labeling index (LI) (< 20%) was noted in 86% of all oligodendroglial tumors. MGMT LI was not found to correlate with an improved PFS or total survival in this cohort, recognizing that median survival was not reached after a median follow‐up of 104 months.

CONCLUSIONS

9p21 and TP53 mutational status assisted in developing a stricter subclassification of these tumors with prognostic significance. MGMT levels were decreased in a majority of oligodendrogliomas. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Changes in bone mineral density and body composition during initial and long‐term gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonist treatment for prostate carcinoma
Authors: Lee Hang , McGovern Katelyn , Finkelstein Joel S. , Smith Matthew R.
Published: August 2005

BACKGROUND

Initial treatment with a gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist increases fat mass, decreases lean body mass, and decreases bone mineral density (BMD) in men with prostate carcinoma. To the authors' knowledge, little is known regarding either the long‐term effects of treatment or predictors of treatment‐related changes in BMD and body composition.

METHODS

The authors analyzed prospective 12‐month data from 65 men during initial and long‐term GnRH agonist treatment for prostate carcinoma. Relationships between baseline characteristics (age, treatment duration, body mass index, and baseline values for outcome of interest) and changes in lean mass, fat mass, and BMD were assessed using univariate and multivariate regression models.

RESULTS

Mean BMD of total hip decreased by 1.9 ± 2.7%, lean body mass decreased by 2.0 ± 3.3%, and fat mass increased by 6.6 ± 9.4% at 12 months (P < 0.001 for each comparison). Twenty‐three men (35%) had received treatment with a GnRH agonist before study entry, and the mean (± standard deviation) duration of previous treatment was 35 ± 41 months. Longer duration of previous GnRH agonist treatment was found to independently predict less fat accumulation and less loss of lean body mass in multivariate models. In contrast, the duration of GnRH agonist treatment did not significantly predict changes in BMD. Other covariates did not appear to predict changes in body composition or BMD consistently.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the current study showed that fat mass increased and lean body mass decreased mostly during initial GnRH agonist therapy whereas BMD decreased steadily during initial and long‐term treatment. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.