bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Energy-conserving finite-β electromagnetic drift-fluid equations
Authors: Brizard A. J.
Published: August 2005

Nonlinear energy-conserving drift-fluid equations that are suitable to describe self-consistent finite-β low-frequency electromagnetic (drift-Alfvén) turbulent fluctuations in a nonuniform, anisotropic, magnetized plasma are derived from a variational principle. The variational principle is based on a drift-fluid Lagrangian that contains linear and nonlinear E×B velocities derived directly from the corresponding single-particle finite-β gyrocenter Hamiltonian (in the zero-Larmor-radius limit). Covariant electromagnetic effects introduce a magnetic generalization to the standard ion polarization density as well as introduce a new ion magnetization current, which appear in finite-β gyrokinetic theory [T. S. Hahm, W. W. Lee, and A. J. Brizard, Phys. Fluids 31, 1940 (1988)] but are both missing from existing gyrofluid and drift-fluid Poisson–Ampère equations. An exact energy conservation law is also derived directly from the drift-fluid Lagrangian by application of the Noether method.
1000% colossal magnetoresistance at room temperature in the A-site ordered perovskite manganites, Sm1−xLax+yBa1−yMn2O6
Authors: Nakajima Tomohiko , Ueda Yutaka
Published: August 2005

We report colossal magnetoresistance at room temperature by introducing disorder to the A-site ordered manganites, SmBaMn2O6. SmBaMn2O6 shows the metal to CE-type charge/orbital ordered insulator transition at 375K above room temperature. We have achieved a magnetoresistance effect of 340% at room temperature and 300%–600% around room temperature under 9T in a sintered sample of Sm0.90La0.24Ba0.86Mn2O6. By using a single crystal the magnetoresistance (%) was elevated to 1000% at 9T, a high value for bulk transition-metal oxides.
Experimental observations of non-continuum effects in suspensions: Falling-ball versus towed-ball rheometry
Authors: Reardon Patrick T. , Graham Alan L. , Abbott James R. , Brenner Howard
Published: August 2005

Viscosity is an intrinsic material property of Newtonian liquids, independent of the fluid’s strain rate and state of stress. Experiments performed on a test sphere traversing a homogeneous Newtonian fluid should establish the same viscosity whether by measuring the force on a test sphere moving at a constant velocity or by measuring the velocity of a test sphere animated by a constant force. Here we report on the results of experiments designed to compare constant force and constant velocity experiments for test spheres translating through suspensions of non-colloidal, neutrally buoyant spheres dispersed in viscous Newtonian fluids. Measurements were made of the apparent viscosity of a suspension relative to that of the pure fluid using either a settling ball animated by a constant gravitational force (ηrF) or a towed ball translating with a constant velocity (ηrV). The primary experimental parameters were the solids fraction (ϕ) in the suspension, and the ratio of the radius of the suspended spheres, as, to the radius of the test sphere, ab(λ=as∕ab). As expected, the constant velocity and constant force experiments produced indistinguishable ηr’s for the homogeneous Newtonian fluids. However, over the range of suspension concentrations examined, ηrV was found to be significantly larger than ηrF. In all of the dilute and moderately concentrated suspensions, and in concentrated suspensions with very narrow size distributions, both ηrV and ηrF were found to be independent of the radius and the velocity of the test sphere. In concentrated suspensions possessing broad particle size distributions, both ηrV and ηrF were found to be shear thinning. However, the ratio ηrV∕ηrF was observed to be independent of the shear rate. Even the most dilute suspensions examined proved to be non-Newtonian in the sense that ηrV∕ηrF>1, with ηrV∕ηrF observed to increase linearly with ϕ as the latter increased from 0.1 to 0.5. Over the range of our data, ηrV∕ηrF decreases and approaches 1 as λ decreases for all ϕ.
Large thermoelectric performance of heavily Nb-doped SrTiO3 epitaxial film at high temperature
Authors: Ohta Shingo , Nomura Takashi , Ohta Hiromichi , Hirano Masahiro , Hosono Hideo , Koumoto Kunihito
Published: August 2005

Carrier concentration dependence of the thermoelectric figure of merit, ZT of SrTiO3 at high-temperature (1000 K) is clarified using heavily Nb-doped SrTiO3 epitaxial films, which were grown on insulating (100)-oriented LaAlO3 single-crystalline substrates by a pulsed-laser deposition method. Carrier concentration, Hall mobility, Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity of Nb-doped SrTiO3 epitaxial films were experimentally evaluated at 1000 K with an aid of theoretical analysis. ZT of Nb-doped SrTiO3 increases with Nb concentration and it reaches ∼0.37 (20% Nb doped), which is the largest value among n-type oxide semiconductors ever reported.
Interaction of nitrogen with vacancy defects in N+-implanted ZnO studied using a slow positron beam
Authors: Chen Z. Q. , Maekawa M. , Kawasuso A. , Suzuki R. , Ohdaira T.
Published: August 2005

ZnO crystals were implanted with N+, O+, and Al+, and co-implanted with O+∕N+ and Al+∕N+ ions. Positron annihilation measurements indicate introduction of vacancy clusters upon implantation. In the N+-implanted and Al+∕N+ co-implanted samples, these vacancy clusters are only partially annealed at 800°C, as compared with their entire recovery in the O+- and Al+-implanted samples at 800–900°C, suggesting a strong interaction between nitrogen and vacancy clusters. However, in the O+∕N+ co-implanted sample, most vacancy clusters disappear at 800°C. Probably oxygen scavenges nitrogen to enhance the annealing of the vacancy clusters. Upon further annealing at 1000–1100°C, nitrogen also forms stable complexes with thermally generated vacancies. These nitrogen-related vacancy complexes need high-temperature annealing at 1200–1250°C to be fully removed.
The influence of girdling on flower type, number, inflorescence density, fruit set, and yields in three different olive cultivars (Barnea, Picual, and Souri)
Authors: Levin A. G. , Lavee S.
Published: August 2005

The influence of girdling on flower type and number, inflorescence density, and fruit set in 3 different olive cultivars (Barnea, Picual, and Souri) under intensive growing conditions using saline irrigation water was studied for 3 years. The density of inflorescences on the branches was not affected by girdling in any of the 3 cultivars during any of the 3 consecutive years studied. Also, no clear relation between the number of flowers and girdling was found in any of the 3 cultivars tested. The percentage of perfect flowers on the girdled scaffolds of cvv. Barnea and Picual increased significantly, except for Picual in 2002 where no differences were observed. However, no such difference between the non-girdled and girdled scaffolds was observed in cv. Souri. Comparison of fruit set on non-girdled and girdled scaffolds showed a similar and generally positive response to the treatment in the examined cultivars. However, in the third year of the study, no significant difference between the non-girdled and girdled scaffolds was observed. A significantly higher yield of the girdled trees was measured in the 3 cultivars during the first year after the winter girdling. Due to the young age of the trees the effect of girdling on yield was not further recorded. Fruit size on the girdled scaffolds was smaller than those from the non-girdled ones, as a consequence a higher percentage of fruit set was observed on the first ones. The results presented in this study point to different varietal responses of olive trees to girdling. However, this might also be due to the young age of the trees in this study as well as the peculiar agronomic condition of the trees.
In vitro degradability of feed proteins in the rumen: use of non-rumen proteases
Authors: Mirza M. Aslam , Miller E. L.
Published: August 2005

Various feed proteins were incubated independently with bacterial protease from Streptomyces griseus (SGP), papain (Corica papaya), and ficin (Ficus glabrata) in a simple laboratory assay to predict ruminal protein degradability. The estimates obtained from in vitro assays were compared with those obtained from an in situ analysis using synthetic fibre bags. The rate and extent of degradation in vitro using proteases from non-rumen sources differed among substrates used. A high correlation coefficient (r2 = 0.99) was observed between N-degradability from the in vitro method using SGP and in situ estimates when soybean meal was the substrate. Soybean meal nitrogen (N) was almost completely hydrolysed (0.99) in vitro. The correlation coefficients were low and variable with assays using other enzymes. The correlation coefficient was also high (r2 = 0.77–0.84) with in vitro methods using either SGP, papain, or ficin when incubated with fish meal. The N disappearance from barley in vitro was slow to moderate. The ‘b’ estimate of barley obtained with the in vitro assay was significantly (P < 0.01) lower than that observed in situ. Slower proteolysis observed in barley may possibly be linked to poor accessibility of structural proteins rather than the degradability of N per se. None of the enzymes could rank barley in the same order as the in situ method.
Status of DIMBOA and phenolic acids in transgenic Bt corn
Authors: Nie C. R. , Luo S. M. , Lin C. X. , Zeng R. S. , Huang J. H. , Wang J. W.
Published: August 2005

Experiments were conducted to investigate the status of DIMBOA (2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one) and phenolic acids in leaves of some transgenic Bt corn hybrids. Comparison between Bt corn hybrids and their corresponding non-transgenic near-isogenic lines suggested that the introduction of the Bt gene has adverse effects on the biosynthesis and accumulation of DIMBOA and some phenolic acids, such as ferulic acid, in the corn plants. Under conditions of either water or nitrogen stress, the accumulation of DIMBOA in the leaves of the Bt corns could be enhanced. The results of this study suggest that caution must be taken when considering the introduction of Bt corns into China because Bt corns may have a weaker capacity, relative to traditional Chinese corn hybrids, to synthesise DIMBOA and some forms of phenolic acids in the leaves and, therefore, reduce the plant’s resistance to pathogens, diseases, and pests other than the targetted corn borer.
Glutathione: its implications for animal health, meat quality, and health benefits of consumers
Authors: Liu S. M. , Eady S. J.
Published: August 2005

There has been an increasing focus on the role of antioxidants for human health. This review outlines associations of the most predominant antioxidant, glutathione (GSH), in the body and some ageing-related diseases. Strategies to replete GSH, particularly developing animal-source food products, are discussed. Potentials to alter GSH content in the animal’s body and its possible effects on health are also explored.
Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in rice starch synthase IIa that alter starch gelatinisation and starch association of the enzyme
Authors: Umemoto Takayuki , Aoki Noriaki
Published: August 2005

The starch synthase IIa (SSIIa) gene of rice (Oryza sativa L.) has been shown to be the alk gene that controls alkali disintegration of rice grains, although the effects of naturally occurring alk mutant alleles on enzyme function have yet to be determined. We genotyped 60 rice cultivars for two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in rice SSIIa, including one that results in an amino acid substitution. Incorporating data for three other SNPs previously genotyped in rice SSIIa, five haplotypes were found. We analysed the association of these SSIIa haplotypes with the chain-length distribution of amylopectin, the gelatinisation temperature of rice flour, the alkali spreading score, and the starch association of the enzyme. It was determined that two SNPs resulting in amino acid changes close to the C-terminus most likely alter SSIIa both in terms of activity and starch granule association. This in turn alters the branch-length distribution of amylopectin and the gelatinisation properties of starch.
Transient increase of de novo amino acid synthesis and its physiological significance in water-stressed white clover
Authors: Lee Bok-Rye , Jung Woo-Jin , Kim Kil-Yong , Avice Jean-Christophe , Ourry Alain , Kim Tae-Hwan
Published: August 2005

In white clover (Trifolium repens L. cv. Regal) the kinetics of de novo synthesis of amino acid and protein were compared by tracing 15N under well-watered (control) or water-deficit conditions. The physiological relationship between ammonia concentration, in response to the change in leaf water parameters, and de novo synthesis of amino acid and protein was also assessed. Leaf and root dry mass were not significantly affected for the first 3 d, whereas metabolic parameters such as total N and ammonia were significantly affected within the first day of water-deficit treatment. Inhibitory effect of water deficit on N acquisition from the soil was significant throughout the experimental period. Water deficit induced a significant increase in ammonia concentration in leaves during the first 3 d, and in roots for only the first day. In both leaves and roots, an increase in de novo amino acid synthesis, which peaked in leaves within the first 3 d of water-deficit treatment (Ψw ≥ –1.18 MPa), was observed. The rate of decrease in de novo protein synthesis gradually accelerated as the duration of the water-deficit treatment increased. There was a significant positive relationship between ammonia production and the increase in de novo amino acid synthesis during the first 3-d period, but not during the later period (day 3–day 7). This experiment clearly indicates that the increase in de novo amino acid synthesis caused by water deficit is a transient adaptive response occurring during the first few days and that it is associated with the increased ammonia concentrations, which in turn arise in response to a decrease in de novo protein synthesis.
Replication ofYersinia pestisin interferon γ-activated macrophages requiresripA, a gene encoded in the pigmentation locus
Authors: Pujol Céline , Grabenstein Jens P. , Perry Robert D. , Bliska James B.
Published: August 2005

Yersinia pestisis a facultative intracellular bacterial pathogen that can replicate in macrophages. Little is known about the mechanism by whichY. pestisreplicates in macrophages, and macrophage defense mechanisms important for limiting intracellular survival ofY. pestishave not been characterized. In this work, we investigated the ability ofY. pestisto replicate in primary murine macrophages that were activated with IFN-γ.Y. pestiswas able to replicate in macrophages that were activated with IFN-γ after infection (postactivated). A region of chromosomal DNA known as the pigmentation (pgm) locus was required for replication in postactivated macrophages, and this replication was associated with reduced nitric oxide (NO) levels but not with reduced inducible NO synthase (iNOS) expression.Y. pestisΔpgmreplicated in iNOS-/-macrophages that were postactivated with IFN-γ, suggesting that killing of Δpgm Y. pestisis NO-dependent. A specific genetic locus withinpgm, which shares similarity to a pathogenicity island inSalmonella, was shown to be required for replication ofY. pestisand restriction of NO levels in postactivated macrophages. These data demonstrate that intracellularY. pestiscan evade killing by macrophages that are exposed to IFN-γ and identify a potential virulence gene encoded in thepgmlocus that is required for this activity.
On the locus of dual-task interference: Is there a bottleneck at the stimulus classification stage?
Authors: Johnston James C. , McCann Robert S.
Published: August 2005

Recent studies have provided evidence that dual-task interference is typically caused by a single-channel bottleneck, but the processing locus of the bottleneck has yet to be pinned down. A bottleneck locus at the response-selection stage is widely advocated, but an earlier locus would be consistent with most previous evidence. Four new experiments used the “locus of slack” method to investigate whether the stages postponed by the central bottleneck include stimulus classification, a very late stage of perceptual processing. The experiments varied stimulus classification difficulty for two different analogueue perceptual judgements. Experiment 1 found only modest absorption into slack for the difficulty of a spatial position judgement. Experiments 2–4 found virtually no absorption into slack for the difficulty of a box-width judgement. These results support a bottleneck locus beginning at or before the stage of stimulus classification and hence prior to the stage of response selection. Other evidence, however, leaves no doubt that response selection is also subject to bottleneck postponement. Two architectures are discussed that can account parsimoniously for both old and new results. One posits a single bottleneck resulting from a unified CPU-like central processor; the other posits multiple bottlenecks resulting from multiple processors accomplishing different substages of central processing.
Will Julia Roberts Harm Nicole Kidman? Semantic Priming Effects during Face Naming
Authors: Vitkovitch Melanie , Potton Anita , Bakogianni Christina , Kinch Laura
Published: August 2005

Three experiments are reported, which examine whether face naming is vulnerable to semantic competition in a similar way to object naming. Previous experiments with object naming have shown that a related prime picture presented 3 trials before a target picture results in an increase in error rate and naming latencies when compared to unrelated prime conditions. The experiments here use the same paradigm, with errors as the main dependent variable. In Experiment 1, the prime and target faces were from the same occupational category (e.g., politicians, actors), and in Experiment 2, the primes and target faces were also associated to each other. In Experiment 3, the prime was presented as a name to be read aloud. Unrelated filler stimuli intervened between prime and target. In all experiments, there was a reduction in target-naming errors in the related conditions, and in Experiment 3 this was shown to be largely a reduction in naming failures. The results suggest that related name representations for famous people are not activated in parallel and in competition, and that there is some evidence for a relatively long lasting facilitatory effect. These results require some modification to any serial account of face naming to differentiate it from the generally well-established serial account of object naming.
A Novel Role for Snapin in Dendrite Patterning: Interaction with Cypin
Authors: Chen Maxine , Lucas Kenyatta G. , Akum Barbara F. , Balasingam Gaithri , Stawicki Tamara M. , Provost Janine M. , Riefler Gary M. , Jörnsten Rebecka J. , Firestein Bonnie L.
Published: August 2005

Temporal and spatial assembly of signal transduction machinery determines dendrite branch patterning, a process crucial for proper synaptic transmission. Our laboratory previously cloned and characterized cypin, a protein that decreases PSD-95 family member localization and regulates dendrite number. Cypin contains zinc binding, collapsin response mediator protein (CRMP) homology, and PSD-95, Discs large, zona occludens-1 binding domains. Both the zinc binding and CRMP homology domains are needed for dendrite patterning. In addition, cypin binds tubulin via its CRMP homology domain to promote microtubule assembly. Using a yeast two-hybrid screen of a rat brain cDNA library with cypin lacking the carboxyl terminal eight amino acids as bait, we identified snapin as a cypin binding partner. Here, we show by affinity chromatography and coimmunoprecipitation that the carboxyl-terminal coiled-coil domain (H2) of snapin is required for cypin binding. In addition, snapin binds to cypin's CRMP homology domain, which is where tubulin binds. We also show that snapin competes with tubulin for binding to cypin, resulting in decreased microtubule assembly. Subsequently, overexpression of snapin in primary cultures of hippocampal neurons results in decreased primary dendrites present on these neurons and increased probability of branching. Together, our data suggest that snapin regulates dendrite number in developing neurons by modulating cypin-promoted microtubule assembly.
Cdk1 and Okadaic Acid-sensitive Phosphatases Control Assembly of Nuclear Pore Complexes inDrosophilaEmbryos
Authors: Onischenko Evgeny A. , Gubanova Natalia V. , Kiseleva Elena V. , Hallberg Einar
Published: August 2005

Disassembly and reassembly of the nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) is one of the major events during open mitosis in higher eukaryotes. However, how this process is controlled by the mitotic machinery is not clear. To investigate this we developed a novel in vivo model system based on syncytial Drosophila embryos. We microinjected different mitotic effectors into the embryonic cytoplasm and monitored the dynamics of disassembly/reassembly of NPCs in live embryos using fluorescently labeled wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) or in fixed embryos using electron microscopy and immunostaining techniques. We found that in live embryos Cdk1 activity was necessary and sufficient to induce disassembly of NPCs as well as their cytoplasmic mimics: annulate lamellae pore complexes (ALPCs). Cdk1 activity was also required for keeping NPCs and ALPCs disassembled during mitosis. In agreement recombinant Cdk1/cyclin B was able to induce phosphorylation and dissociation of nucleoporins from the NPCs in vitro. Conversely, reassembly of NPCs and ALPCs was dependent on the activity of protein phosphatases, sensitive to okadaic acid (OA). Our findings suggest a model where mitotic disassembly/reassembly of the NPCs is regulated by a dynamic equilibrium of Cdk1 and OA-sensitive phosphatase activities and provide evidence that mitotic phosphorylation mediates disassembly of the NPC.
Separate Functions of Gelsolin Mediate Sequential Steps of Collagen Phagocytosis
Authors: Arora P. D. , Chan M.W.C. , Anderson R. A. , Janmey P. A. , McCulloch C. A.
Published: August 2005

Collagen phagocytosis is a critical mediator of extracellular matrix remodeling. Whereas the binding step of collagen phagocytosis is facilitated by Ca2+-dependent, gelsolin-mediated severing of actin filaments, the regulation of the collagen internalization step is not defined. We determined here whether phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2] regulation of gelsolin is required for collagen internalization. In gelsolin null fibroblasts transfected with gelsolin severing mutants, actin severing and collagen binding were strongly impaired but internalization and actin monomer addition at collagen bead sites were much less affected. PI(4,5)P2 accumulated around collagen during internalization and was associated with gelsolin. Cell-permeable peptides mimicking the PI(4,5)P2 binding site of gelsolin blocked actin monomer addition, the association of gelsolin with actin at phagosomes, and collagen internalization but did not affect collagen binding. Collagen beads induced recruitment of type 1 γ phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase (PIPK1γ661) to internalization sites. Dominant negative constructs and RNA interference demonstrated a requirement for catalytically active PIPK1γ661 for collagen internalization. We conclude that separate functions of gelsolin mediate sequential stages of collagen phagocytosis: Ca2+-dependent actin severing facilitates collagen binding, whereas PI(4,5)P2-dependent regulation of gelsolin promotes the actin assembly required for internalization of collagen fibrils.
Mutagenicity and Nitropyrene Concentration of Indoor Air Particulates Exhausted from a Kerosene Heater*1
Authors: Kinouchi Takemi , Nishifuji Keiko , Tsutsui Hideshi , Hoare Sadako Louise , Ohnishi Yoshinari
Published: August 2005

The particulates in a room warmed with a radiant kerosene heater were collected, extracted and fractionated into diethyl ether‐soluble neutral, acidic and basic fractions. The mutagenicity of these fractions was measured with Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA98NR, TA98/1,8‐DNP6 and TA100 in the presence and ahsence of S9 mix. Room air without the heater showed very low mutagenicity. However, a sample from a room at the beginning of the burning period showed very high mutagenicity (237 His+ revertants/plate/m*3 of air in strain TA98 in the absence of S9 mix). In contrast, emissions from the heater after it was burning stably showed low mutagenicity (9 His+ revertants/plate/m*3). The crude extract of particulates from the heater at the beginning of the burning period was analyzed by high‐pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and showed a considerable amount of nitropyrenes (NPs); the concentrations of 1‐NP and 1,6‐diNP were 1.62 ng and 0.149 ng/m*3 of air, respectively, and accounted for 1.2% and 17.6%, respectively, of the mutagenicity in strain TA98 in the absence of S9 mix. In addition, an HPLC‐Ames histogram showed that peaks of mutagenicity corresponding to 1‐NP and diNPs accounted for 75.7% (1‐NP, 4.9%; 1,6‐diNP, 17.1%; 1,8‐diNP, 46.3%; 1,3‐diNP, 7.4%) of the HPLC‐recovered mutagenicity for strain TA98 without S9 mix. These results suggest that kerosene heaters, especially immediately after ignition, create mutagenic substances such as NPs.
Membrane‐associated Sialidase of Rat Liver and Its Decrease in Hepatomas
Authors: Sagawa Junji , Miyagi Taeko , Tsuiki Shigeru
Published: August 2005

Using the participate fraction of tissue homogenate, plasma membrane‐associated sialidase was assayed at pH 4.5 with bovine brain mixed gangliosides as the substrate. The activity was lower in rat hepatoma induced by 3′‐methyl‐4‐dimethylaminoazobenzene (MeDAB) and transplantable AH‐109A rat hepatoma than in normal rat liver. The enzyme was almost quantitatively solubilized from liver particulate fraction by using 0.5% (w/v) sodium deoxycholate plus 0.2% (w/v) Triton X‐100, When chromatographed on DEAE‐cellulose, the solubilized activity emerged as a single peak. The enzyme thus obtained was maximally active at pH 4.5, and readily hydrolyzed mixed gangliosides but was less active toward 4‐methylumbelliferyl‐α‐N‐acetylneuraminic acid, 3′‐sialyllactose and fetuin. The corresponding enzyme from MeDAB‐induced hepatoma was indistinguishable from the liver enzyme in terms of ease of solubilization, pH‐activity relationship, chromatographic behavior and substrate preference. It therefore appears that the plasma membrane‐associated sialidase of hepatomas differs from that of liver only in the tissue level of activity.
The Molecular Heterogeneity of Nonspecific Cross‐reacting Antigen Synthesized by Tumor Cells and Granulocytes
Authors: Kuroki Motomu , Kuroki Masahide , Moore George E. , Ichiki Sadanori , Matsuoka Yuji
Published: August 2005

The molecular heterogeneity of nonspecific cross‐reacting antigen (NCA) was examined. Metabolically‐labeled glycoproteins were precipitated from cell lysates of human tumor cell lines and of normal peripheral granulocytes with antibodies specific for NCA, and analyzed by SDS‐PAGE. NCA components synthesized by three tumor cell lines, QGP‐1 (pancreas), HLC‐1 (lung) and CAOV‐2 (ovary) showed slightly different migration patterns on SDS‐PAGE, but the molecular weights of their unglycosylated peptides synthesized in the presence of tunicamycin were all found to be 35K. On the other hand, two molecular species of NCA were identified in normal granulocytes: an 80K mature form derived from a 69K precursor peptide and a 58K mature form from a 41K precursor peptide. Upon SDS‐PAGE, the migration pattern of the unglycosylated NCA peptides from tumor cells was affected by the presence of 2‐mercaptoethanol, while that of the peptides of granulocytes was not. All the NCAs identified in this study possessed antigenic determinants common to carcinoembryonic antigen as well as those unique to NCA. These results suggest that the molecular heterogeneity of NCA observed thus far resulted from diverse glycosylation of the three fundamental molecular forms of unglycosylated peptides: one with a molecular weight of 35K produced by tumor cells and two with molecular weights of 69K and 41K produced by granulocytes.
Rearrangements of Chromosome 3 in Nonfamilial Renal Cell Carcinomas from Japanese Patients
Authors: Yoshida Mitsuaki A. , Ikeuchi Tatsuro , Tachibana Yuichi , Takagi Kentaro , Moriyama Masatoshi , Tonomura Akira
Published: August 2005

Cytogenetic studies were successfully carried out in 5 tumor tissues from Japanese patients with nonfamilial renal cell carcinoma, histologically diagnosed as clear cell subtype. Mitotic cells were obtained by a combined method of enzymatic disaggregation and short‐term culture (6–12 days). The modal chromosome numbers were found to be diploid or near‐diploid in all the cases examined. Every case showed characteristic structural and numerical abnormalities. Rearrangements in the short arm of chromosome 3 were observed as clonal abnormalities in all the cases, including a translocation t(3;6) resulting in a partial loss of 3p (3 cases), a terminal deletion of 3p (one case) and 2 different translocations involving 3p and 8p (one case). The other clonal abnormalities were a whole or partial trisomy of chromosome 7 and a loss of Y chromosome. The overall results in the present study were consistent with those of our previous data in American patients, and suggest that the rearrangements of chromosome 3 leading to a partial loss of its short arm may play primary and significant role(s) in the development of renal cell carcinoma.
Induction of γ‐Interferon by Avarol in Human Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes
Authors: Voth Rita , Rossol Siegbert , Hess Georg , Laubenstein Hans P. , Büschenfelde Karl‐H. Meyer zum , Schröder Heinz C. , Bachmann Michael , Reuter Petra , Müller Werner E. G.
Published: August 2005

Avarol is a cytostatic and anti‐human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) agent. In this study, the avarol caused induction of γ‐interferon (IFN‐γ) in buffy coat cells (human peripheral blood lymphocytes) is demonstrated by immunological and molecular biological techniques. IFN‐γ production was detected after a 24‐hr incubation period with avarol; maximal production was obtained after 5 days in the presence of the optimal avarol concentration of 0.75 μg/ml. Blotting experiments using human IFN‐γ cDNA and β‐actin cDNA containing plasmids showed that in the absence of avarol no IFN‐γ transcripts were present in lymphocytes. Already after a 24‐hr incubation with avarol, IFN‐γ gene induction was detected, and maximal induction was found after a 5‐day incubation period. The enhanced IFN‐γ production seems to be caused by a change at the transcriptional and/or post‐transcriptional level, but not during subsequent nucleocyto‐plasmic transport of mRNA. This molecular event is specific, at least in relation to the expression of the β‐actin gene. Our studies demonstrate that avarol displays, besides its potential anti‐tumor and anti‐HIV activity, a potential immunomodulating effect.
Increased Intratumor Concentration of Fluorescein‐isothiocyanate‐labeled Neocarzino‐statin in Rats under Angiotensin‐induced Hypertension
Authors: Abe Ikuo , Hori Katsuyoshi , Saito Sachiko , Tanda Shigeru , Li Yulin , Suzuki Maroh
Published: August 2005

On the basis of the observation that the tumor tissue blood flow selectively increases under angiotensin (AT)‐induced hypertension, the change of the drug concentration in the tumor and normal tissues was examined in male Donryu rats. The intratumor concentration of fluorescein isothiocyanate‐labeled neocarzinostatin was about 2‐fold higher in the AT‐induced hypertension group than in the control up to 20 min after the drug injection. In the normal organs or the uninvolved organs of the tumor‐bearing rats, however, no clear increase was seen in the experimental group compared with the control, as anticipated from the observation of the tissue blood flow. The present study supports the hypothesis that the enhanced anticancer effect in chemotherapy under AT‐induced hypertension formerly reported is due to the tumor‐selective enhancement of the drug delivery.
IMMUNOTHERAPY OF SOLID TOMOR BY INTRATUMORAL INFUSION OF LYMPHOKINE‐ACTIVATED KILLER CELLS
Authors: Yamaki Toshiaki , Ibayashi Yukihiro , Nakamura Toru , Shubo Noriharu , Daibo Masahiko , Kawahara Takahisa , Hashi Kazuo
Published: August 2005

Fifty million lymphokine‐activated killer (LAK) cells were infused into rat T9 gliosarcoma tumors for 1 hr at an infusion rate of 0.1 ml/hr. Cultured normal spleen cells were infused into similar tumors as a control. The LAK cell‐treated tumors began to regress at approximately 3 weeks after infusion and disappeared by 6 weeks, while the cultured normal spleen cell‐treated tumors grew progressively. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated prominent infiltration of cytotoxic/suppressor T cells in the LAK cell‐treated tumors, while few lymphocytes were recognized in the control tumors. These data suggested that LAK cells infused intratumorally might be capable of mediating tumor regression by inducing host immunity against the tumor.
Detection of Gangliosides as N‐Glycolylneuraminic Acid‐specific Tumor‐associated Hanganutziu‐Deicher Antigen in Human Retinoblastoma Cells
Authors: Higashi Hideyoshi , Sasabe Tetsuo , Fukui Yukio , Maru Morimasa , Kato Shiro
Published: August 2005

Gangliosides were shown to bear the tumor‐associated N‐glycolylneuraminic acid (NeuGc)‐specific Hanganutziu‐Deicher (HD) antigen expressed in human retinoblastoma cells. HD antigenie gangliosides were detected by thin‐layer chromatography/enzyme‐immunostaining using affinity‐purified chicken antibody against GM3 containing NeuGc and horseradish peroxidase‐conjugated anti‐chicken IgG. One to four species of the antigenic gangliosides were detected from all of 4 cell lines, Y79, WERI‐Rb1, TOTL1, and YK, as well as freshly cultured retinoblastoma cells and isolated tumor tissue. All cases contained GMS(NeuGc) as an HD antigen. No HD antigenic ganglioside was detected in normal retinal tissues by the same procedure.
A Comparative Epidemiologic Study on Geographic Distributions of Cancers of the Lung and the Large Intestine in Japan
Authors: Murata Motoi , Takayama Kimiko , Fukuma Seigo , Okamoto Naoyuki , Kato Ikuko , Hanai Aya , Nakayama Hideaki , Fujiwara Kouichi , Ikeda Takayoshi , Fujimoto Isaburo
Published: August 2005

To examine what kinds of factors could have caused the geographic variation observed in lung cancer morbidity in Japan, a correlation study was performed comparing various regional traits. The same study was also conducted on large intestinal cancer, aiming to distinguish the possible urban factors associated with both cancers. Lung cancer was highly correlated with industrialization‐related factors such as localization of manufacturing industries, automobile traffic and air pollution, whereas colon cancer was correlated with the population density of workers in the tertiary industries such as services, trade and government. A multiple regression analysis could not detect any single factor with an exceptionally strong influence on either cancer. The present findings suggest that the hazardous environmental condition of urban areas has, to some extent, contributed to the recent increase of lung cancer cases in this country.
Geographic Pattern of Lung Cancer in Japan and Its Environmental Correlations
Authors: Minowa Masumi , Stone Betty J. , Blot William J.
Published: August 2005

Standardized lung cancer mortality ratios, 1969–1978, for basic administrative units of Japan were related to various environmental characteristics by multiple regression analysis. Elevated lung cancer mortality was demonstrated in the areas along the sea coast, particularly those with fishing ports, low socioeconomic status, and high level of air pollution. High mortality was also observed in coal mining areas and areas with shipyards. Data on tobacco expenditures provided partial adjustment for the effects of cigarette smoking on these correlations.
Chromosome Fragility of Lymphocytes from Breast Cancer Patients in Relation to Epidemiologic Data
Authors: Ochi Hisako , Watanabe Shaw , Furuya Takashi , Tsugane Shoichiro
Published: August 2005

The chromosomal fragility of peripheral blood lymphocytes from 50 women, undergoing operations for breast tumors (47 carcinomas, 2 intraductal papillomatoses and 1 malignant lymphoma) was studied to ascertain the association between chromosome fragility and epidemiologic data, such as a family or personal history of cancer, hormonal status, etc. Under conditions of folic acid and thymidine depletion, the average number of gaps and breaks on the patients' lymphocyte chromosome was 6.02±5.28 and that in the control medium was 2.0±2.0 while those of healthy controls were 5.8±5.5 and 1.36±1.22. These gaps and breaks were mostly seen in group A chromosomes (4.1±2.6) in 24 patients, including the 2 with benign tumors and the 1 with the lymphoma as well as 11 healthy controls. They were frequent in group B (3.0±0) in 3 patients, in group C (4.3±2.9) in 11 patients, and in groups D (2.0±1.0) and E (3.0±1.0) in 3 patients from each. This different distribution of gaps and breaks correlated neither with the patients' age nor with their tumor's histology, but patients having a late menarche were distributed in non‐A groups. There was low inducibility of breaks in patients with a family history of breast cancer and/or relatively rare cancers. The availability of common fragile sites for studying an individual's susceptibility to cancer is discussed. One patient showed a bromodeoxyuridine‐requiring heritable 10q25 fragile site. Another, with triple primary cancers, showed a constitutional translocation of t(5;19)(q15;q13).
DNA Alkylation by Nitrosobis‐(2‐oxopropyl) amine in Rats of Different Ages
Authors: Lhomas Barbara J. , Lijinsky William
Published: August 2005

We have examined the methylation of liver DNA (O6‐ and N7‐methylguanine) by nitrosobis‐(2‐oxopropyl)amine (BOP) in male and female rats at various ages, following treatment with 2.5 mg of BOP; this dose given twice weekly for 30 weeks induces tumors in all animals. Except in young rats there was more methylation in female rat liver than in male rat liver, when adjusted for different sizes of the animals. There were differences in the extent of methylation between young (4 weeks) and older rats, but not between young adult (20 weeks) and old adult (65 weeks) males; the latter developed liver tumors when treated with BOP, and the former did not. There was no obvious relation between increased susceptibility to liver tumor induction by BOP and the extent of alkylation of liver DNA. Methylation of DNA was lower in the kidney than in the liver and, here, there was little difference between the sexes. In the testis there was N7‐methylation of guanine in DNA, but no O6‐methylguanine was detected.
Blood Transfusion, Alcohol Consumption, and Cigarette Smoking in Causation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Case‐Control Study in Fukuoka, Japan
Authors: Tanaka Keitaro , Hirohata Tomio , Takeshita Setsuko
Published: August 2005

In the present study, we investigated the association between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and hepatitis B virus infection (HBV), blood transfusion and drinking and smoking habits by comparing 124 HCC cases and 250 controls. We confirmed a very high relative risk (RR), i.e. 31.0 (P<0.001), among persons who were positive for serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). However, the prevalence of serum HBsAg positives among our cases was only 21%, about half of those reported earlier, indicating a role of other etiological factors. Those who have a history of blood transfusion showed a significantly elevated RR of 3.0 (P<0.001) or 4.9 (P<0.001), and most of them (85%) were non‐carriers of HBV. Thus, the past history of blood transfusion is an important risk factor among the Japanese. Unidentified non‐A, non‐B hepatitis viruses in transfused blood probably play a significant role in causing HCC. We estimated that 15% of male HCCs were attributable to blood transfusion. A positive relationship between alcohol consumption and HCC was detected, particularly among HBsAg‐negative subjects with no history of blood transfusion who had drunk heavily in their younger years. RR estimates were not great (e.g., heavy drinkers: 2.5), but a substantial proportion of HCC may be attributed to drinking because of common drinking habits among Japanese males. Smoking was also found to have a positive association, but the relationship at a young age was less clear, and further investigation is needed to clarify the etiological role of smoking.
Diarrhetic Shellfish Toxin, Dinophysistoxin‐1, Is a Potent Tumor Promoter on Mouse Skin
Authors: Fujiki Hirota , Suganuma Masami , Suguri Hiroko , Yoshizawa Shigeru , Takagi Kanji , Uda Naoto , Wakamatsu Kazumasa , Yamada Kiyoyuki , Murata Michio , Yasumoto Takeshi , Sugimura Takashi
Published: August 2005

Dinophysistoxin‐1, 35‐methylokadaic acid, is a causative agent of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning. The biological activities and tumor‐promoting activity of dinophysistoxin‐1 were studied together with those of okadaic acid and 7‐O‐palmitoyl okadaic acid. Dinophysistoxin‐1 is a skin irritant and induces ornithine decarboxylase in mouse skin with the same potency as okadaic acid. 7‐O‐Palmitoyl okadaic acid induced a lower activity than the other compounds. Dinophysistoxin‐1 inhibited the specific [3H]okadaic acid binding to a participate fraction of mouse epidermis. The binding affinities of dinophysistoxin‐1 and okadaic acid to a particulate fraction were almost the same. Dinophysistoxin‐1 showed a tumor‐promoting activity as strong as that of okadaic acid in a two‐stage carcinogenesis experiment on mouse skin. The percentages of tumor‐bearing mice in the groups treated with 100 μg of 7,12‐dimethylbenz[α]anthracene (DMBA) followed by 5 μg of dinophysistoxin‐1, twice a week, and with DMBA followed by 5 μg of okadaic acid twice a week were 86.7% and 80.0% in week 30, respectively. The average number of tumors per mouse was 4.6 in the former group and 3.9 in the latter. Dinophysistoxin‐1 and okadaic acid act on cells through different pathways from the 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate‐type tumor promoters.
Cellular and Tissue Distribution of MRK20 Murine Monoclonal Antibody‐defined 85‐kDa Protein in Adriamycin‐resistant Cancer Cell Lines*1
Authors: Sugawara Isamu , Ohkochi Etsuko , Hamada Hirofumi , Tsuruo Takashi , Mori Shigeo
Published: August 2005

A murine monoclonal antibody (MAb) specific to adriamycin‐resistant K‐562 (K‐562/ADM) cells, MRK20, was found to react strongly with an 85‐kDa protein present in K‐562/ADM and adriamycin‐resistant ovarian cancer (2780AD) cells. This protein was present at only very low levels in parental cells (K‐562 and A2780), methotrexate‐resistant K‐562 cells (K‐562/MTX3, K‐562/MTX4 and K‐562/MTX5) and cisplatin‐resistant ovarian cells (KFr). Immunoelectron microscopically, the protein was found to be located on the cell membrane of K‐562/ADM and 2780AD cells. Furthermore, the presence of the protein in various cell lines, normal tissues and surgical materials from patients given no anti‐cancer agents was examined by immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry. MRK20 reacted with granulocytes, monocytes and endothelial cells in various tissues, but did not react with tissue macrophages. This 85‐kDa protein recognized by MRK20 seems to be the second multidrug‐resistance gene‐encoded product appearing in adriamycin‐resistant cancer cells, following the characterization of 170‐180‐kDa glycoprotein, and may be important for elucidating the multidrug‐resistance mechanism relevant to adriamycin and Vinca alkaloids.
Cytolytic Heterogeneity of Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes in Killing of Murine Tumor Cells
Authors: Yamazaki Masatoshi , Ikenami Michihiro , Sugiyama Takashi
Published: August 2005

Murine inflammatory polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and inflammatory ascitic fluid were found to contain cytotoxin. This cytotoxin was not oxygen metabolites, but a protein with a molecular weight of 70 kilodaltons as determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography. However, the cytolytic activity was completely neutralized by anti‐murine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antibody, suggesting that PMN cytotoxin is a TNF‐like molecule or TNF itself. Cytolytic heterogeneity of PMN was also demonstrated: immature PMN obtained from ascitic fluid 6 hr after caseinate injection showed stronger cytotoxicity than mature PMN obtained 3 hr after the injection. However, mature PMN (3 hr) contained more cytotoxin than immature PMN (6 hr). This discrepancy may be due to differences in the abilities of these PMN to synthesize and release cytotoxin. These results indicate that not only macrophages, but also inflammatory PMN can produce a TNF‐like cytotoxin and that cytolytic heterogeneity of PMN exists in tumor killing.
Mode of Action of Estra‐1,3,5(10)‐triene‐3,17β‐diol 3‐Benzoate 17‐((4‐(4‐Bis(2‐chloroethyl)amino)phenyl)‐1‐oxobutoxy)acetate) on Human Breast Carcinoma Xenografts in Nude Mice
Authors: Kubota Tetsuro , Koh Jun‐ichi , Yamada Yoshinori , Oka Shoichi , Enomoto Koji , Ishibiki Kyuya , Abe Osahiko , Masui Osamu , Asano Kiro
Published: August 2005

To elucidate the mode of action of busramustine (KM2210), 17β‐ and α‐busramustine, estradiol and chlorambucil were used for experimental chemo‐ and endocrino‐therapy against hormone‐dependent (T‐61) and independent (MX‐1) human breast carcinomas serially transplanted into BALB/cA female nude mice. Busramustine was administered po daily for 3 weeks at doses of 12.5–300 mg/kg for the β‐isomer and 25–300 mg/kg for the α‐isomer. Five to 50 mg of estradiol per kg was administered im once, and 3 to 6 mg of chlorambucil per kg was administered po daily for 3 weeks. All of the compounds were effective against estrogen receptor‐positive T‐61 with a clear dose‐response relationship, while estrogen receptor‐negative MX‐1 was sensitive to all of the agents except estradiol. Since the α‐isomer of busramustine was effective against both tumor lines, the mode of action of 17β‐busramustine may not be related to estrogenic action by estradiol released from the maternal compound. However, 17bT‐busramustine generated the estrogen receptor system of T‐61 tumor and resulted in the endometrial hyperplasia of tumor‐bearing nude mice, suggesting that this compound also has estrogenic action on transplanted human breast carcinoma and tumor‐bearing host mice, besides non‐estrogenic antitumor activity on human breast carcinoma xenografts.
A Case‐Control Study of the Effectiveness of Cervical Cancer Screening in Osaka, Japan
Authors: Sobue Tomotaka , Suzuki Takaichiro , Hashimoto Sumiyo , Yokoi Nobuko , Fujimoto Isaburo
Published: August 2005

In the small town of Nose in Osaka, Japan, a population‐based screening program for cervical cancer by Papanicolaou smear has been conducted since 1965. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of screening in terms of the reduction of the mortality and the incidence of invasive cervical cancer, two types of case‐control studies were carried out. In the first study, the case series consisted of all women who died of cervical cancer under 80 years of age at the time of diagnosis in 1965‐1987 (N = 15). For each case, 10 controls were chosen from living residents, matched by year of birth. It showed that the odds ratio (OR) of dying of cervical cancer for screened versus non‐screened women was 0.22 (95%CI = 0.03‐1.95). In the second study, the case series consisted of all women who were diagnosed as having invasive cancer under 80 years of age at the time of diagnosis in the same period (N = 28). For each case, 10 controls were chosen from living residents without invasive cancer, matched by year of birth and according to whether or not they were screened at the year of the diagnosis of the matched case. It showed that the OR of getting invasive cancer for screened versus non‐screened women was 0,41 (95%CI = 0.13‐1.29). From these results, it was estimated that 78% of cervical cancer mortality and 59% of invasive cervical cancer incidence among non‐screened women could be prevented by cervical cancer screening.